English Language Varieties Essay

English has spread rapidly, even since independence, either as a first language or as a medium of education for non-native speakers (Platt and Weber, 2002). The actual range of varieties of English is much greater than is found in the British Isles. On the one hand we can speak of an acrolect or high status variety, and on the other a basilect or low status variety, with the mesolect occupying the intermediate position. These terms are usually descriptive of what is known as a post-creole continuum—that is the range of non-discrete varieties in a post-colonial situation ranging from the acrolect, which is generally very close to the standard language of the colonial power, through to the basilect, which structurally resembles a creole. It is sufficient here to characterise a creole as a mixed language, resulting historically from contact between speakers of different and mutually unintelligible languages. Creoles are usually associated with colonial situations and are generally assigned a very low social status. Basilectal speakers, who occupy the lowest position in a post-creole continuum, are often quite unintelligible to speakers of the acrolect. All speakers occupy a range on this acrolect—basilect continuum, which correlates closely with their social status, shifting along it according to social context in much the same way as British speakers manipulate linguistic variables. Of course, the extent of linguistic difference is much greater. Such continua have been described in Jamaica by De Camp (2001) and in Guyana by Bickerton (1995), and it is likely, we should note, that these studies will be of increasing relevance to an understanding of the sociolinguistic structure of ethnic minority communities in Britain. A detailed account of the structure and function of pidgins and creoles is not directly relevant here, but interested readers are referred to Todd (2000) for an introductory account of the social, political and linguistic issues involved. Although respectable Victorians were already reacting strongly against the prescriptive attitudes of the eighteenth century, the most extreme anti-prescriptive statements, as far as we know, are those made by some members of the ‘American structuralist’ school of linguistics. Bloomfield (1993:22) felt that discovering why ain’t is considered bad and am not good is not a fundamental question in linguistics, and he thought it strange that ‘people without linguistic training’ should devote ‘a great deal of effort to futile discussions of this topic’. Bloomfield was certainly implying that the study of prescriptivism was not of central interest to linguistics; he was thereby limiting the field of linguistics to a descriptive study of form and system in language which takes relatively little account of language as a social phenomenon. Some of Bloomfield’s followers have gone further than this and have attacked ‘unscientific’ approaches to language with missionary zeal. C. C. Fries (1997) seems to have equated traditional school grammar with prescription (which was by definition ‘bad’ and ‘unscientific’ in the view of structural linguists of the time), and in his book on English syntax he went so far as to even reject traditional linguistic terms such as ‘noun’, ‘verb’ and ‘adjective’. Fries’s work was directed towards the educational system at the ordinary consumer. Anxious to assure all his readers that their use of language was just as good as that of anyone else, he proclaimed that there is no such thing as good or bad, correct or incorrect, grammatical or ungrammatical, in language. English in Western Europe and America Although linguistic scholars would certainly dispute the details of this pronouncement, they have continued (for the most part) to assert or assume that their discipline is descriptive and theoretical and that they do not deal in prescription. In Western Europe and America most theoretical linguists would still affirm that all forms of language are in principle equal. As Hudson (2002:191) has put it: Linguists would claim that if they were simply shown the grammars of two different varieties, one with high and the other with low prestige, they could not tell which was which, any more than they could predict the skin colour of those who speak the two varieties. Although some evidence from work by social psychologists (Giles et al. , 2000) lends some support to Hudson’s point, we do not, in fact, know whether standard languages can be conclusively shown to have no purely linguistic characteristics that differentiate them from non-standard forms of language (the matter has not really been investigated). It appears to be an article of faith at the moment that judgments evaluating differences between standard and non-standard varieties are always socially conditioned and never purely linguistic. However, we shall later suggest that the process of language standardisation involves the suppression of optional variability in language and that, as a consequence, non-standard varieties can be observed to permit more variability than standard ones (e. g. in pronunciations of particular words). Thus, there may be one sense at least in which the linguistic characteristics of non-standard varieties differ from those of ‘standards’. Standard English: UK Variety In the UK, one vehement critic of the supposed malign influence of linguistics on English language teaching is John Honey (1997-2003). He has named an array of linguistic scholars (including—astonishingly—Noam Chomsky, who has never been concerned with educational or social issues), as encouraging a neglect of Standard English teaching in schools. This is an entirely false claim. It is true that there has been some opposition to the teaching of English grammar, but in our experience this has arisen mainly from the preference of lecturers for literature teaching. Far from discouraging ‘grammar’, university linguists have been closely involved in maintaining and encouraging its teaching. No one has ever opposed the teaching of standard English, and many of those named by Honey as ‘enemies’ of standard English have devoted much of their careers to teaching it—training students to write clear and correct standard English. Experienced teachers will not take kindly to an attack that simply appears to them as ignorant, presumptuous and pointlessly offensive. The linguist’s academic interest in the human capacity to learn and use language is not a threat to the teaching of Standard English, and it can be a great benefit. It does not follow from the educational necessity to focus on the standard that we should neglect to examine and explain the different norms and conventions of speech and writing, or that we should fail to acknowledge that standardised usage is most fully achieved in writing. Nor does it follow that we should neglect the fact that non-standard spoken vernaculars have grammars of their own. To investigate the structure of language varieties is an intellectual requirement that cannot be compromised, and which in no way contradicts the importance of the teaching of literacy in a standard language. Amongst other things, research on real language in use can help us to clarify and understand what standard English actually is and appreciate more exactly what its roles and functions are. We will not improve practical language teaching by ignoring such matters or by maligning those who study conversational speech and non-standard vernaculars as ‘enemies of standard English’. The authors of elementary books on linguistics, however, have usually been anxious to dissociate their account of the subject from that of traditional handbooks of correctness. As we have seen they usually dismiss prescription routinely, and assert that linguistics is descriptive. Their general point—that, if one is to study the nature of language objectively, one cannot make prior value-judgments—is frequently misunderstood, and it has sometimes called forth splenetic and misinformed denunciations of linguistics as a whole. One example amongst many is Simon (2002). In an essay entitled ‘The Corruption of English’ (2002), Simon blames structural linguistics and literary structuralists for an alleged decline in language use and for permissive attitudes to language: ‘What this is, masquerading under the euphemism â€Å"descriptive linguistics†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦is a benighted and despicable catering to mass ignorance under the supposed aegis of democracy. ’ His essay is outspoken and full of emotive language (‘pseudoscientific mumbo jumbo’, ‘rock-bottom illiteracy’, ‘barbarians’, ‘vandalism’, etc. ), and it betrays ignorance of what linguistics is about. To Simon, linguists are almost equated with some menace that is threatening Western (i. e. American) civilisation from outside. It is unfortunate that misunderstandings and misapplications of the American structural linguists’ teaching should have made it seem reasonable for anyone to write in this ignorant way. As many people still interpret descriptive linguistics as inimical to standards of usage, there has clearly been some failure of communication between linguistic scholars and the general public. One reason for this is that ‘mainstream’ linguistics has concentrated more on the abstract and formal properties of language than on language in its social context. Bloomfield (1993), as we saw above, considered that prescription was irrelevant to linguistics as a ‘science’. Yet some linguists have been directly interested in prescription. Haas (2002), for example, has pointed out that prescription ‘is an integral part of the life of language’. By refusing to be interested in prescription, he adds: ‘linguists only ensure that every enterprise of linguistic planning will be dominated by ignorant enthusiasts and incompetent pedants’ (Haas, 2002:3). Since Haas made these comments, some social and educational linguists have been very active in commenting on public attitudes and educational policies, and some have represented the subject on advisory committees. A general linguist, R. A. Hudson, is responsible for the Language Workbooks series, published by Routledge. Several relevant books on language variation have appeared, and linguistic correctness was the topic of the 1996 BBC Reith Lectures, delivered by Jean Aitchison (1998). In the USA much of the interest in language differences has been driven by public concern about the language of ethnic minorities. In 1997, the Linguistic Society of America published a document inspired by a controversy about ‘Ebonics’ (African American Vernacular English), which was recognised by the Oakland (California) School Board as a legitimate form of language. It ended with the following comments: There is evidence from Sweden, the US, and other countries that speakers of other varieties can be aided in their learning of the standard variety by pedagogical approaches which recognize the legitimacy of other varieties of a language. From this perspective, the Oakland School Board’s decision to recognize the vernacular of African American students in teaching them Standard English is linguistically and pedagogically sound.

Moral Order in “King Lear” Essay

Tragedy is an essential aspect of many of Shakespeare’s most critically acclaimed plays. A.C. Bradley, one of the foremost thinkers of Shakespeare’s works, created a theory that explored these tragic dramas. The concept of Good and Evil become essential to humanity, and as a result, figure prominently in a balance of what he refers to as a moral order. A. C. Bradley found a common link or thread that remains to this day consistent with all theories regarding tragedy – that the ultimate power in the tragic world is a moral order. According to A. C. Bradley, the main source of calamity and death in the tragic play is never good. In Shakespeare’s drama, evil is the force responsible for the phenomenon of tragedy. This force is â€Å"not mere imperfection but plain moral evil† (A. C. Bradley 689). In King Lear, evil takes its core power from greediness and ingratitude of king’s two daughters, Goneril and Regan. Their intentions and deliberate actions are pure evil, â€Å"Beneath is all the fiend’s. There’s hell, there’s darkness, there is the sulphurous pit†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (4.6. 143-144). The reason why the two sisters praise their father in the beginning of the play is justified by their desire to inherit Lear’s kingdom and supremacy. Goneril’s and Regan’s declarations of their great love for King Lear are insincere, because their actions contradict with what they proclaim, â€Å"His [Lear’s] daughters seek his [Lear’s] death†¦Ã¢â ‚¬  (3.4. 163). Because of Goneril’s utter ungratefulness and lack of love or compassion, she mistreats her father and insults his dignity, â€Å"She [Goneril] has abated me [Lear] of half my train; Looked black upon me; struck me with her tongue, Most serpent-like, upon the very heart† (2.4. 175-178). Her sister, Regan, due to her alike vile nature, shows her entire support and endorsement to such a behavior. Edmund’s character comes from the same evil ground as the one of the two vicious sisters. He is, too, engrossed by the desire to own his father’s land, and thus, commits treachery and deceit, â€Å"†¦thou [Edmund] art a traitor, False to thy gods, thy brother, and thy father†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (5.3. 159-160). The wicked qualities and the intentional wrong doings of these evil characters are the main cause of grief and suffering in the King Lear tragic play, â€Å"How sharper than a serpent’s it is to have a thankless child† (1.4. 291-291). Therefore, in Shakespearean drama the commotion of tragedy proceeds primarily from the  actions of the ominous characters in the play. If the evil purpose disturbs the peace and order in the world, then, this ultimate order must be inimical to this power and be akin to good. Next, A. C. Bradley diverts his attention to the main character in Shakespearean play, the tragic hero. To be thought of as an honorable and highly admirable individual, the tragic hero still shows some evident imperfection or dreadful flaw. This tragic trait of the hero is vile in its nature, and therefore, contributes to the tragic effect of the play. King Lear’s fatal decision to banish his youngest daughter, Cordelia, and his most trusted servant, Kent, is incited by king’s excessive vanity and hastiness, â€Å"†¦he [Lear] hath ever but slenderly known himself†¦ Such unconstant stars are we like to have from him [Lear] as this of Kent’s banishment† (1.1. 322-330). Lear is not happy with Cordelia’s simple, though true, declaration of love for him, â€Å"†¦I [Cordelia] love your Majesty According to my bond, no more no less (1.1. 97-98). The king is not satisfied with such a mere and unaffected answer due to his arrogance and strong sense of superiority. Thus, he makes a grave decision to exile Cordelia from his kingdom, and gives all of his land to Goneril and Regan, which leads to his tragic disappointment, emotional breakdown, and death, â€Å"Your old kind father, whose frank heart gave all! O, that way madness lies†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (3.4. 25-26). The ultimate power in the tragic world is distressed by the evil acts and decisions of the dramatic character. Then, this ultimate moral power must have an opposing reaction to the wickedness in order to repair the essential order of the universe. Another aspect of the evil power that A. C. Bradley conveys in his article, The Shakespearean Tragic Hero, is that evil reveals itself everywhere as a negative, weakening, destructive effect. â€Å"It isolates, disunites, and tends to annihilate not only its opposite but itself† (A. C. Bradley 690). The evil effect in King Lear spreads and poisons lives of all soul characters, causing death and destruction in the play. Goneril and Regan are also affected by their own wickedness, â€Å"Each jealous of the other†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (5.1. 67). Due to their selfishness and sinister nature, the two sisters try to raze one another in their competition for power and control. In conclusion,  Goneril poisons her sister in the sake of winning Edmund’s favour. Nevertheless, Edmund is retributed by his brother, Edgar, who slays him in a fair fight. Goneril, who is not able to abide her disgraceful downfall, commits suicide. Although, these characters die, the reader does feel pity for them because their death is necessary factor of retribution in a tragic play, â€Å"This judgment of the heavens, that makes us tremble, Touches us not with pity† (5.3. 275-276). If there was no punishment for evil performance and immoral behavior, then evil power would predominate the world, and there would be no means for the moral order to exist among the humanity,If that the heavens do not their visible spiritsSend quickly down to tame these vile offenses,It will come,Humanity must perforce prey on itself,Like monsters of the deep (Act IV, Scene 2, 52-56). Hence, the existence of the ultimate moral order in the tragic world fundamentally depends on the goodness of humanity. Since the tenor of evil is belligerent and destructive to such an existence, then, people of the universe must yield to good. In essence, the power of the moral order presents the revenge and the concept of justice in the tragic world. Therefore, it suggests the idea of fate. Still, although the retribution is served, there is no indication of â€Å"poetic justice†. Moral order functions according to its righteous nature. It reacts to the attack of the evil force in order to sustain and balance itself. During this equilibration, evil is isolated and goodness triumphs over the tragic world. WORK CITED PAGEAndrew Cecil Bradley. The Shakespearean Tragic Hero. 1904William Shakespeare. King Lear. Canada, ON.: Academic Press Canada, 1964.

Amis Icy Creams

Describe the service organization culture at Amy’s Ice Cream. Amy’s Ice Cream culture is rather laid back. The atmosphere in the parlor is cheery and everyone exhorts a friendly and happy attitude. Amy encourages employee empowerment by allowing the employees to dress as they wish and to interact with customers in a way that is more suitable to their personality. The customers’ attitude is very important to the management as well as the employees so they make sure that customers are always satisfied and receives a high quality consistent product. The store service is conducted in a highly autonomous manner and so far it appears to be not only successful but efficient as Amy’s ice cream has been in existence for a number of years. 2. What are the personalities attributes of the employees who are sought by Amy’s Ice Cream? Amy’s Ice cream has a few specific criteria which future employees must fit. These criteria are not however rigid. Employees should possess a personality that is suitable to a service industry that interacts with customers on a daily basis. They must also feel comfortable expressing themselves with confidence and finesse. One of the most important attributes is the ability to recognize the different types of customers that come into the store and how to deal with them. 3. Design a personnel selection procedure for Amy’s Ice Cream using abstract questioning, a situational vignette, and/or role playing? * Abstract questioning: * Which flavor of Ice Cream best describes your personality? * What kind of customers would you find annoyed? How you would handle it? * What do you know about Ice Cream? * How your past job’s experiences can influence you? * A situational vignette: * How would you face a situation where a customer faint while being serviced? What would you do if the store is being robbed * What would you do if the customer doesn’t have money? (i. e. forgot his/her wallet) * A customer complaining about a hair in the purchased Ice Cream after it’s finished * Role playing: * A particular customer has the habit of always showing up about two minutes before closing and staying late. Often this occurs on the night when weekly store meeting are held after closing time. This delays starting the meeting and furthermore employees are on the clock waiting for the customer to leave. What would you do?

The intersection of private and public - analysis synthesis, and Essay

The intersection of private and public - analysis synthesis, and personal meaning - Essay Example She always faces many obstacles along her journey, including fear of losing her job, the physical pain of her scalded and bleeding feet, and the possibility of being beaten or worse for speaking up because of color of her face. Odessa makes a very courageous decision to go public with her desire and hope for a more just society and equality for her people. On the other hand, in the beginning of the movie, Miriam is not really even aware of racism. Miriam has lived her private white life not really understanding or even caring about what is happening around her in the public area. She is so blind to the fact that racism could invade her private life that she sends her daughter with the black maid to the â€Å"white† park, resulting in Odessa’s expulsion from that park. Before the bus boycott starts, Miriam is worry about whether Odessa will come to her house to clean the house. When Odessa is unable to be on time for work or not to come to her house, Miriam starts to feel some personal consequences of racism because her house cleaning expectations were not being met. After she starts driving into Odessa’s world, and sees how different life is beyond her community, she starts to change from a very private person who just wants her house cleaned to a person with moral spirit. As a result, Miriam makes the brave decision to break out of her very private â€Å"white† community and become a public figure in order to stand up against racism. She against her husband and drives into Odessa’s neighborhood to pick her up and eventually begins a carpool to drive Odessa’s neighbors as well. By her actions, she displays her hope in a racially equal world with more justice for the black people. This story stands as an example how small gestures can have a great impact on society. Much can be accomplished when the people, white and black both, work together to effect change. This was the basis of the Civil

Disseratation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 8250 words

Disseratation - Essay Example This conclusion is reached based on the observation of children and their teachers in a primary school from levels 1-6 as well as the concerns of the SENCO.It was found that there were wide gaps in the theory and practice of SEN teachers as apparent from the discrepancies from their interviews and what the author had a chance to observe later on.Other issues that arise in the discussion is the difficult task faced by the primary schools as they come to terms with the effective management of the special educational needs struggling from funding problems and parental expectations. The paper recommends that either there should be a return to the formerly segregated learning techniques or home teaching or there should be better initiatives to promote the development of flexible training modules which are designed to be practical and relevant for primary schools. Such training facilities would require the collaboration between the primary teachers , LEA staff and local training providers. The past two decades have been pivotal to the change in the ways in which the local Education Authorities and schools have been required to respond to pupils with special educational needs (SEN). ... Such training facilities would require the collaboration between the primary teachers , LEA staff and local training providers. introduction The past two decades have been pivotal to the change in the ways in which the local Education Authorities and schools have been required to respond to pupils with special educational needs (SEN). This began when the 1981 Education Act was passed and there was a rush to change the assessment and referral systems of the SEN pupils.The change sped up with the more recent Education Act 1988 with its intense implications for the practice and provision of SEN learning.This legislation combined with the introduction of the National Curriculum,and the 1992 White Paper have all brought a large challenge to management of the SEN initiatives.This has also in part been affected by the altered in service funding arrangement which have also impacted teacher funding.The changing SEN initiative in the UK was based on the Warnock report the recommendations of which were aimed at revolutionizing the historic practice of dealing educationally with children with disabilities or learning difficulties in a segregated fashion. However how successful this initiative to has been in letting learning disabilities not get in the way for children to be educated in their neighborhood school, sharing learning with their peer is debated in this dissertation.This is particularly obvious from the funding problems and the difficulties faced by the teachers in dealing with learning disabilities.In this regard my dissertation offers a fresh perspective which actually favours that when segregated these children might be treated by specialist teachers.Admittedly it is unfair to separate SEN pupils from

Divorce Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Divorce - Research Paper Example If marriage has legal and religious dimensions, staying together has no such attributes so that the partners in such relationships can break their relationship at any time. â€Å"A divorce can feel like a big storm. Before the storm, the air may be filled with tension† (Winchester & Beyer, 2001, p.30). It should be noted that problems may arise in family life from various corners. It may be because of the different views kept by the partners about their life. For example, it is quite possible that a husband take shelter in alcoholism, drug addiction or extra marital affairs to enjoy his life. On the hand, his wife may not accept these behaviours. She could be a highly religious person who has faith and belief in God. So their family life may not continue in a good manner. Different life philosophies of these persons may fight with each other and these fights may ultimately end up in a divorce. â€Å"According to the 2007 statistics, divorce rate in America is 54.8%, second on ly to Sweden. In countries like India divorce rate is as low as 1.1% only† (Divorce Rates of the World, 2007). During the 1980s, the divorce rate in the US reached its peak. 50% of the marriages terminated in divorce. The reasons cited for this upheaval are: Increase in the earning potential of women; the concept of divorce found more acceptances; an enhancement in the pursuit of joy, i.e. the possibility to locate a better partner and the presence of no fault laws (History of Divorce in America, n. d.). It is difficult to cite a single reason for increasing divorce rates in America. Plenty of reasons were cited for the increased rates of divorce in America. This paper analyses the major reasons for divorce and its consequences. Effect of divorce upon family and children With more than 30 years of research, we now know divorce seldom leads to a better life. Consider that: Life expectancies for divorced men and women are significantly lower than for married people (who have the longest life expectancies). A recent study found those who were unhappy but stay married were more likely to be happy five years later than those who divorced. The health consequences of divorce are so severe that a Yale researcher concluded that â€Å"being divorced and a non-smoker is [only] slightly less dangerous than smoking a pack a day and staying married.† After a diagnosis of cancer, married people are most likely to recover, while the divorced are least likely to recover, indicating that the emotional trauma of divorce has a long-term impact on the physical health of the body. Men and women both suffer a decline in mental health following divorce, but researchers have found that women are more greatly affected. Some of the mental health indicators affected by divorce include depression, hostility, self-acceptance, personal growth and positive relations with others (Desai, 2009). Divorce puts people, both the husband and the wife, under a lot of stress† (McGre gor, 2001, p.87). Many people have the false belief that a divorce may be the only solution to come out from a strained relationship. They may think that the life after divorce could be better than that before divorce. But in many cases, it is not true. The new partner may often present more horrible experiences and the person may face lot of emotional problems in that life also. The

Victim Advocacy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Victim Advocacy - Essay Example Victim Advocacy involves the arguing or pleading in favour of a case. It is giving active support and promoting the victims’ interests, defend and uphold them as right or valid. Victim advocates focus on promoting victims’ rights and needs, and making sure that their opinions are considered during the drafting of policy and legislation affecting them (Ido Foundation, 2012). Being United States’ leading advocacy and resource organization for crime victims, the National Center for Victims of Crime helps many victims: understand their options and legal rights; overcome trauma caused by crime; access victim emergency and compensation assistance; device safety plans; and locate appropriate services locally (The National Centre for Victims of Crime, 2012). ‘The National Center for Victims of Crime’ advocates for the rights of victims, serves as an information source on issues of victims, and gives professional training to people who interact with the victi ms (Womens health.gov, nd). Its vision was inspired by a family tragedy: Alexander Auersperg and Ala Isham started the Center in 1985, originally as the Sunny Von Bulow National Victim Advocacy Center. They were motivated by the victimization of their mother and the traumatic experience the family endured with the justice system. ... It secures resources for crime victims by committing to the increase of crime victims’ federal funding and ensuring that state sources of funding are protected.  It has expanded and strengthened the rights of crime victims in the juvenile, criminal, administrative, and civil justice systems.  It promotes discussions about underserved and emerging crime victims’ issues. The Center values training and education as mechanisms for improving the treatment and understanding of crime victims. Programs and training activities have been developed by the center to act as a resource for professionals who represent the perspectives of the victims, develop services, foster for change, and raise awareness (The National Centre for Victims of Crime, 2012). The National Center for Victims of Crime holds topic-specific and general conferences to emphasize on the multidisciplinary idea of current research sharing practices, and the effective policies and programs which are research-in formed, evidence-based, and victim-centered. These conferences act as victim service forums for policymakers, professionals in criminal justice, researchers, and allied practitioners to build collaborations and share developments. The center also has a DNA Resource Center which acts as a source for information, technical assistance, and training about DNA use in the justice system. Its mandate is to help professionals of criminal justice and victim service to understand DNA databases, forensic DNA, and nurse examiners’ roles in helping DNA exonerations survivors. This project has a role of ensuring that allied professionals and victim service have up-to-date and accurate information in order to

Risk mangement Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Risk mangement - Personal Statement Example I have decided to take the risk management course to better my quantitative and technical skills in finance. I wish to re-enter the financial field with the current harsh economic conditions only after solidifying my little experience in your institution. After obtaining an in-depth understanding of the computational, statistical tools and the mathematical skills that are essential when dealing with bank or any organizational data, the economic waters that have become treacherous to navigate without the necessary risk management skills will be an easier sailing place. I hope that I will evolve into an individual who has understood the industry well so that I can deliver well to the clients at the same time employ the management audacity through quantitative portfolio to the advantage of the investor. I believe I can excel in this course taking into consideration my enthusiasm and commitment to finance related institutions, I have worked in the banking industry for nine years. The vast experience I have gained so far gives me an opportunity to develop extensively the gained knowledge and skills in the financial operations. The course content appeals to me strongly and being a student at the University will definitely provide me with the essential knowledge that I need in advancing my

Legal Scenarios Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Legal Scenarios - Case Study Example Parties to a contract of employment cannot alter the nature of the contract by simply putting a label on it. In this scenario, ‘indicia’ conspicuously balance the relationship in favor of an employment. To begin with, the level of control exerted by Big Time over Glenn suggests an employee. The more the control exercised by one party over the other, the more the relationship weighs in favor of a contract of services. The exercise of control over the way in which work is carried out, and degree of such control are to be examined and applied as prominent distinguishing factors (Abdalla, Abraham v. Viewdaze Pty Ltd (2003)122 IR par. 23). The control test looks not only whether it is the employer who dictates what is to be done, but also the means of doing it, when it is to be done and where it is to be done (Employment Status, p.9). Big Time exercises great control over Glenn, in that it dictates the destination of the products, while Glenn is required to follow instruction s. The second ‘indicia’ relates to the right to delegate. In Express and Echo Publications Ltd v. Tanton [1999] IRLR 367, the court held that a wide power of substitution is inconsistent with a contract of services. The general rule is however not absolute. ... y, Sargeant and Jefferson, 2013, p.17).In this scenario, Glenn has a limited power to delegate given that he must seek prior consent from the management of Big time. The manager was not obliged to accept every request, and could, therefore, dictate when Glenn could delegate. The third indicium rests to the fact that Glenn used his own truck and tools to do the work. Where an employee provides his own tools of trade, the relationship is more likely to be one for services (Abdalla, Abraham v Viewdaze Pty Ltd). Nevertheless, not every instance that an employee provides their own tools that the balance tilts in favor of independent contractors. In Hollis v Vabu Pty Ltd (2001) 207 CLR 21 the court considered that bicycles that the workers provided are not tools that could be used exclusively for the courier work that they had been contracted. Similarly in this scenario, a truck cannot be used exclusively for delivery of fresh produces exclusively. However, it is material if Glenn had adap ted the truck for delivery purposes only. The fourth ‘indicia’ arise from the fact that Glenn is required to make his own arrangements for taxation purposes. If the employer deducts tax on a PAYE basis, it is an indication of a contract of services. It follows that where the worker makes his own tax arrangements, the relationship is more likely to be one of an independent contractor. However, not all relationships where the worker makes his own tax arrangement are a contract for services as in Federal Commissioner of Tax v J Walter Thompson (1944) 69 CLR 227. Finally, the other indicia concern the bearer of a financial risk in case of a loss. Where the employer bears the risk of any financial loss or injury that arises in the course of the worker discharging his duties, the contract is

Heroic essay Essay Example for Free

Heroic essay Essay â€Å"A mother’s happiness is like a beacon, lighting up the future but reflected also on the  past in the guise of fond memories.† The most important and beautiful person in everyone’s  world is our moms. They are the one who carry us for about 10 months without any sighs or  complaints. Most moms do their best to be a great role model for their children, or even others;  however, some of them can give up so easily that they leave their family scarred for life. My  mom also belongs to one of these strong, compassionate and understanding moms. She is a  inspiring hero in my life because she is supportive for other family members, and is determined  for our family to become the best mother.  My mother illustrated her protection as a best assistance through her life to family  members. Especially for me, I was first-born child for her so that she abetted me anytime and  anywhere I went. For example, when I was in the kindergarten, she left a post-it note on the back  seat of my bicycle every day. She always used to say that â€Å"No matter what bad things happen to  you, I always believe that you can handle it because you are my son. I love you.† My mom wrote  this kind of letter differently every day. It was so shameful at first that I hid it as soon as I  noticed that there is a tiny yellow paper on the seat. I did not understand why she wrote this  especially only for me. After she left our family, I started to realize that how important these  post-it notes were. Although she was not always there for me, and sometimes scolded me, she  supported, encouraged and took cafà © of me anywhere I went, and anything I did. According to  her last post-it which was 26 days before she left, â€Å"I know you have become much mature now,  but I am not really sure about your inside. Don’t you have to run diligently for the future as there  have been some delays in your life? You should know that finding out your goal is always first. I  believe you, and hope you can think and behave more independently.†Ã‚  My mother was the only person I know who did not give up anything she started or  decided, and sacrificed her life for other family members. My mom used to keep doing  something secretly as the way how my grandma did although there was an obstacle ahead. For  instance, she did not tell anyone that she became more illness because she was concerned that  anyone who knew about this would waste of his time worrying about her; she wished that she  did not want to be others’ obstacles. While my mom was staying at Korea to cure her illness, she  once said, â€Å"Do never waste your time tearing because of me. This is my life I chose, and have to  bear. Even though something worse occurs to me, you just have to ignore it and keep moving for  your future.† I could not give up for her as my mom did not give up receiving treatments for  cancer in Korean, although it caused losing her weight a lot, and made her worse, This was a  huge hindrance for my family because if my mom was not able to come to Canada again, we  would not receive our PR, and live here anymore. However, ignoring what her doctor’s saying,  she came back for us to maintain our life in Canada. We all knew that she would not live longer  than at least a year. However, her life was not that long. My mom was determined after she had  morphine in the hospice. She fell asleep so deeply that she could not move and talk. About a few  minutes before she died, my mother tried as hard as she could to open her eyes; at last, she did  not open them, but what only she could at that time was crying. Only my family recognized her  tear and perseverance which probably she desired to show us even until the end. We had to say,  although she was determined, and did not want leave us, â€Å"You can go now. We will not bother  you anymore; we have seen that you do not want to give up even now. You just have to rest in  peace. Thank you for everything you have done so far. You were determined enough to become  the best mother in the world.† After we said this, she started to give up her life as she did not  want to be an obstacle for our family.  . Can all mothers overcome this circumstance and assist others as what my mother did?  Most moms probably are able to be supportive to their family members and perseverance on  what they have to face. My mom was not only a mother to our family but she also became the  best mother as she showed us her encouragement, support to others and determination what she  wished to be done. My mother illustrated how much she could help and believe in me no matter  what happens between us; moreover, my mom did not give up what she started although any  hindrances, which seemed painful, challenging and complicated, occurred to her. Therefore, my  mom is my hero who inspired me as she was abetting and determined.

Boston Consulting Group Matrix (BCG) Explained

Boston Consulting Group Matrix (BCG) Explained The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) growth-share matrix is a very vital inclusion in marketing or strategic management. The Boston Matrix developed by Bruce Henderson in the early 70s of the Boston Consulting Group. Even thou considering the flaws in the model, the Boston Consulting Group model is one of the most famous portfolio management tool implemented in product life cycle theory. It can provide effective guidance towards resource distribution. The BCG matrix works on two variables: market share and market growth. This variables point at the status of the organisation. It can be also stated as, products which have a greater market share or fall in the fast growing category can yield higher profit margins. It basically serves four distinctive purposes: It can be used to categories products portfolio in four types namely Stars (high growth, high market share) , Cash Cows (low growth, high market share), Question Marks (high growth, low market share) Dogs (low growth, low market share); it can be used to prioritize products in the products portfolio; classifying products on the bases of cash usage and generation; helps generating strategies to tackle possible product lines. Hence, the BCG model proves to be a useful analytical tool to value a companys product ranges. The four cells classified in the BCG are: Stars This category holds the market leaders which also have greater market share. The products in this category generate large amount of income but also require heavy investment to sustain market share rapid growth. Cash Cows The products in this category basically have high market share in an already developed market. They generate high profits and generate good cash flow. Such products do not require much investment as they are already established products. Question Marks Question marks are products which fall in a high growth market with relatively low market share. Such products require considerable investment to hold and increase the market share. The return on investment is also low due to the lack of market share. Dogs Dogs thrive in a low growth market with a low share. They do not generate any effective profits for the company and show little signs of growth. Such products should be generally liquidated. Although BCG matrix is a well-known tool for portfolio analysis, it has numerous constraints too. Some of them are: The foremost and important problem is how to define the market and collection of data regarding a products market share. It is not necessary that a product with a high market share result in profitability at all times. The model only works on two aspects namely market share and market growth. Businesses with low market share can also be profitable. It only rates the products on the bases of one competitor i.e. the market leader. It overlooks small competitors with high rate of growth. It overlooks the effects of synergy between strategic business units. Internal and External Audits The marketing audit forms a very core part of the marketing planning process. Audits are undertaken at the beginning of the plan, as well as at fixed intervals during the execution of the plan. The marketing audit consists of both internal and external influences on marketing planning, also considering the review of the plan itself. Many tools and methods are available to undertake such audits, e.g. SWOT analysis which can be used for auditing internal as well as external environment. Altogether such marketing audits help evaluate the opportunities and threats, and help the marketing heads to assess and make necessary changes to the plan. Many a times when things start going downhill in a company in ways like falling sales, weakening margins, reducing market share, the need for an audit spurges up. Management often overlook the actual problem and work towards the wrong symptoms. Launching of new products, reducing costs, cutting costs are some of the tactics used. Such measures are highly ineffective, if core problems are not addressed. Such problems have to be effectively identified and auditing helps in defining such problems. Internal Audit Internal audit consist of controllable variables in a firm. Internal audit helps in evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of an organisation which provide certain advantages and can relate to the needs of the specific target market. Strengths can be classified as internal factors which can support an organisation accomplish its objectives or to reduce threats. Weaknesses are factors which may hamper the organisational growth and foil organisations from achieving their targets. Some of the areas of internal audit in order to analyse the internal factors of a company are:- Resources, sales, market share, profit margin, costs, marketing procedures, marketing organisation, marketing information, marketing mix variables as : Products, Price, Distribution, Promotion. External Audit External audit is related with the uncontrollable variables, outside the firm such as the market, the competitor, etc. The external audit is concerned with factors such as political-legal, economic, social-cultural and technological (also known as PEST or STEP), with these the ecological and competitive factors which may stand opportunities or pose threats. An opportunity can be termed as an external factor which the company can exploit to gain higher profits margins. A threat can be any external circumstances that could curtain organisational performance. Areas of analyses for external audit include information regarding customers, suppliers, partners, market share, technical standards; customer feedback through surveys, suggestions, complaints; government, academic or syndicated studies of the market, the industry, competition; industry groups; employees, suppliers, and other partners; media and online reports; special interest group (Woods, 2007)*. SWOT TOWS It is very an important part of planning to understand the environment an organisation operates. SWOT analysis summarises a companys strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. SWOT analysis is a tool for auditing a company and its environment. It is conducted at the initial stage of planning and helps point out the key issues. SWOT is an acronym used to define Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats which are strategic factors for a company, where the strengths and weaknesses form the internal factor, opportunities and threats are external factors to the firm. Where SWOT analysis is a tool used to identify business strategies for an organisation to adopt. It comprises of specifying and grouping together internal organisational strengths and weaknesses and environmental opportunities and threats. In real life scenario this is not so viable as although having all identified all the information in hand, the problem arises of what to do with the information. Whereas, the TOWS matrix is a mechanism which helps in explaining the strategy rather than just helping in its generation. The TOWS matrix (Weihrich, 1982)* presents a mechanism for facilitating linkages and presents a framework for identifying and formulating strategies. In order to conduct Strategic management, brief market research needs be carried out using accurate information systems to evaluate key issues in the company and environment. Factors such as: Market Research External and internal which may affect a company. Target customers. Driving forces behind sales trends. Company Research Information of company resources assets, I. P., etc. Information of company capabilities. Competition Research Competitive edge. Needs of products and services. The information thus collected needs to be scanned and evaluated into four elements: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, where in opportunities and threats are used to analyse the external factors and strengths and weaknesses are used to analyse the internal factors. It is very important to bear in mind that internal and external factors should clearly distinguished, as it may obscure both the management approach and decision making body. The SWOT TOWS process can carry on till the time the body feels it is productive, as long as the information is properly evaluated and refined by discussions and arguments. At the end, the points put forward should be agreed by the whole board on which points to reject and which to retain, so the final gird will contain only the key strategic marketing external opportunities and the key strategic internal strengths and weakness. As concluded by Tony Proctor (2000)* with his case study on over 50 organisations, that practising such tec hniques have helped the organisations in gaining greater insights in the process of strategy creation and have helped structure their thinking process and have helped them profoundly in coming up with better strategic ideas. Segmentation, Targeting and Positioning process The STP process is a very important process in a marketing strategy as it helps the organisation in creating personalised marketing mix packages which target specific group of the market segment with similar characteristics and needs. The STP process consists of three main activities: market segmentation, market targeting and market positioning. The level and category of segmentation process employed varies significantly depending factors like Dimension of the organisation Point at which it is carried in the marketing planning process Financial position of the organisation Current market position Segmenting targeting positioning (STP) consist of different steps as stated by Pelsmacker and Geuens (2007)* namely, definition of segmentation criteria, definition of segment profiles, assessment of the attractiveness of segments, selection of target groups, definition of the desired unique position in the mind of targeted consumers. The STP implementation begins with defining potential factors based on which segmentation of the market can be carried. The market segments created should further be divided in to generalized subgroups, in which the members of one group should respond identically to marketing stimuli and be different in their reaction to such stimuli from members of other segments. For example, the furniture market can be disturbed into different groups such as home and business market. Further division of these segments can be carried out such as, home market can include segments like student home furniture, classic furniture, design furniture etc.; likewise business segment can be divided into office furniture, hotel furniture etc. In the next stage, Points in each segment can be combined to form segmentation profiles. On the basis of identified segmentation profiles, their attractiveness can be assessed. The attractiveness of the segments depends on many factors like the size and forecasted progression of sales, buying power and competition amount targeted for the segment. Considering the analysis of segment attractiveness, a number of target groups will be selected which will be focused upon, keeping in mind the companys strengths. This process is called targeting. Further objectives, strategies and tactics created will circle around these particular groups. In the end, the organisation has to create a unique and appropriate position for its product in the mind of the target group. Positioning can be defined as how a product is perceived by the target group based on its important attributes. Positioning is one of the fundamental element of marketing strategy and of marketing communications.

PSY 301, Introductory Psychology, 2004, Exam 2 :: UTEXAS Texas Psychology

Answers to questions are at the bottom of the exam PSY301-Pennebaker Exam 2 –October 13, 2004 1. Genny knows a lot about birds. But, recently, while she was on a late evening bird watching trip she saw a bat for the first time in her life. In order to cognitively process the new information, she will first try to understand the bat by ___________ it into her â€Å"bird† schema but then realize that there are many key differences between the bat and a bird and end up _________________ the bat by creating a new â€Å"bat† schema. a. Assimilating, accommodating b. Schematizing, changing her attachment to c. Reducing, running from d. Bargaining, psychologically consuming e. Operationalizing, rationalizing 2. Theory of mind, or TOM: a. is mastered during the concrete operations stage and is considered an example of the loss of egocentric thought. b. is a sign of general intelligence. c. seems to be a learned ability. d. is a philosophical movement based on Descartes. e. seeks to understand how people behave based on their mental states. 3. Joe Bob has been in a close relationship with Chauntelle for two years. When she announces that she will be going out of town for work, he gets extremely nervous and upset, begging her not to leave. While she is gone, he tries to call her several times a day. When she finally returns, his first reaction to seeing her is anger rather than happiness. An attachment expert would probably observe that Joe Bob: a. never resolved the trust versus mistrust stage b. serves as an excellent example of Parental Investment Theory c. grew up with an anxious relationship with his mother and/or father that has resulted in his having a preoccupied attachment style d. may have had an insecure attachment relationship with his parents as a child but his current issues with Chauntelle reflect common insecurities of new adult relationships e. is a serious nut and that Chauntelle would do well to find someone who was a little bit more stable 4. Which of the following groups exhibit parallel forms of babbling as compared to normal children? a. deaf children of parents who sign b. children with dyslexia c. autistic children d. infant chimpanzees e. children with Down syndrome

Hamlet Didnt Have No Prozac :: essays papers

Hamlet Didn't Have No Prozac According to Webster's New World Dictionary madness is defined as "mental derangement that makes a person incapable of what is regarded as rational conduct or judgement." There is much madness in Shakespeare's Hamlet; written around 1600, but Prince Hamlet is not included in the insane camp. Throughout the play Hamlet's seemingly irrational behavior served quite rational and sometimes ingenious ends. The Madness of Hamlet is certainly counterfeit and was recognized by Hamlet as being necessary to complete the revenge of the Murder of his father. In act I, scene i we are introduced to the Ghost of Hamlet's slain father. The reader may be more inclined to believe that Hamlet's madness is in fact true if he himself was the only one to view the Ghost. However, there were actually three individuals to whitness the Ghost. Hamlet's sane and trustworthy friend Horatio says "Before my God, I might not this believe/ without the sensible and true avouch/ of mine own eyes" (I. i . 55-57). It was a warning from Horatio that gave Prince Hamlet to fabricate his madness to more easily work out his plan of revenge. Horatio warns Hamlet, "... And there assume some other horrible form/ which might deprive your sovereignty of reason,/ and draw you into madness? Think of it " (I. iv. 72-74). Hamlet respected and adamantly listened to his father, so when the Ghost told him "but howsomeever thou pursues this act,/ taint not thy mind." (I. v. 83-84). Hamlet would surely listen and obey these wishes of his father from beyond the grave. Hamlet's first signs of his fraudulent insanity are revealed at a meeting with Ophelia. She describes him as "... No hat upon his head; his stocking's foul'd/ undergarter'd and down-gyved to his ancle/ pale as a shirt; his knees knocking eachother; ..." (II. i. 80-83). It is because of these seemingly insane actions that Polonius believes Hamlet to be truly demented. Polonius asks Ophelia if Hamlet is "Mad for thy love?" (II. i. 86); however already jumped to the conclusion that was indeed neurotic. The more fully convinced Hamlet could persuade the court members that he was insane, the easier he could seek hi revenge on king Claudius. Hamlet acts reasonable; not like an insane man by knowing that a faked madness would facilitate his plan, and being able to successfully undertake it further proves his sanity.

Comparing the Treatment of Madness in The Bell Jar and The Yellow Wallp

Treatment of Madness in The Bell Jar and The Yellow Wallpaper  Ã‚   Mental illness and madness is a theme often explored in literature and the range of texts exploring these is tremendously varied. Various factors can threaten a character's sanity, ranging from traumatic events which trigger a decline to pressure from more vast, impersonal sources. Generally speaking, writers have tried to show that most threats to sanity comprise a combination of long-term and short-term factors - the burning of the library in Mervyn Peake's novel 'Titus Groan' precipitated Lord Sepulchrave's descent into madness, but a longer term problem can be discerned in the weight of tradition which caused him to worry 'that with him the line of Groan should perish'. Such interplay between the acute and the chronic is, it would seem, a matter of agreement between authors who explored this issue. The manner in which characters respond to these threats is not. In some works the threatened character succeeds in becoming empowered - they find a way to maintain themselves and emerg e from the ordeal undefeated, if not unbowed. Esther Greenwood as portrayed in Sylvia Plath's autobiographical novel 'The Bell Jar' is one such character, although the question always remains whether such a victory is a permanent solution. In many other works the only option for the characters is escape. This may be an escape from reality as described in Roald Dahl's short story 'Georgy Porgy'. It may be an escape from self-awareness as shown in Charlotte Perkins Gilman's novella 'The Yellow Wallpaper'. The ultimate escape is self-destruction - Sepulchrave's death in 'Titus Groan' and Sylvia Plath's real-life suicide in 1963 (barely three weeks after 'The Bell Jar' was published) ca... ...emonstrates throughout the first half of the novel that Greenwood is increasingly withdrawing from herself, with her failure to identify with her reflection in a mirror ("The face in the mirror looked like a sick Indian" - she uses no words to suggest that "the face in the mirror" is herself, and it is only from context that the reader knows this at all) being symbolic of this. The first half of the Bell Jar, then, demonstrates that Esther Greenwood's initial responses to the pressures threatening her sanity are firstly to lose her emotional link to the world, and secondly to lose this link within herself. Such a response only lead to further problems which the author explores in the rest of the novel, and it is a point worth noting that in many cases the defences that can be useful at first in response to a threat can end up as part of the problem itself.      

Analysis of Financial Performance of Pz Cussons 2012

ANALYSIS OF THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF PZ CUSSONS PLC AND RESEARCH MATRIX Background Information of the Company PZ Cussons Plc. is a UK based consumer products group. The principal activities of the group are the manufacture and distribution of soaps, detergents, toiletries, beauty products, pharmaceuticals, edible oils, fats, electrical goods and nutritional products.The company’s products can therefore be categorised into personal care, home care, baby care, beauty products, food and nutrition and electrical goods. They have supply chain and distribution networks in Africa, Asia and Europe. Their mission is to enhance the lives of customers with quality, value and innovation. Their vision is to be a growing and dynamic company who are passionate about their leading brands and drive innovation in everything they do.The company has four major strategies which are operating in selected categories where their brands have a strategic advantage and offering growth opportunities which are profitable; operating in selected geographies either through their own infrastructure or through partnership; operating a flexible and evolving supply chain designed to service their categories and working with people who share their unique CAN DO values. The company’s major competitors are Mcbride Plc. , Kao UK Ltd, Creightons Plc. , and Swallowfield Plc. Marketline, 2012). Interpretation of Financial Statements Using Ratio Analysis Profitability Ratios These ratios measure the ability of a company to generate earnings in relation to its sales, assets and equity (Ready Ratios, 2012). 2012 2011 Return on Capital Employed 49. 6 = 8. 16% 107. 3 =16. 43% (PBIT/Total Assets-Current liabilities) 930. 5 – 322. 4 938. 5 – 285. 6 Return on Equity (ROE) 34. 4 = 7. 1% 70. 4 = 14. 85% (Profit after tax/Shareholders’ funds) 458. 3 474 Operating Profit Margin 49. 6 = 5. 77% 107. 3 = 13. 1% (PBIT/Sales) 858. 9 820. 7 Gross Profit Margin 309. 2 = 40% 325. 2 = 39. 6% (Gross Profit/Sales) 858. 820. 7 Overheads/Sales 134 + 125. 4 = 30% 135 + 83. 3 = 26. 6% 858. 9 820. 7 Sales Growth 858. 9- 820. 7 = 4. 65% (Yr 2 Sales- Yr 1 Sales/ Yr 1 Sales) 820. 7 The ROE is low 7. 51%, down from 14. 85% in 2011 which shows that a much lower profit has been made on the shareholders’ investments.This is largely due to the decrease in profits for the year. The reduction in profit has also impacted on the ROCE which is down to 8. 16% from 16. 43% in 2011. There is a marginal increase in the gross margin. This is as a result of an increase in the cost of sales which could have been affected by the rise in costs of raw materials as pointed out in the Chairman’s statement and offset by a small 4. 65% increase in sales. The operating profit to sales has reduced drastically, as a result of a high increase in overheads and the revenue increase.The increase in overheads was due to exceptional items related to administrative expenses. From the annual report, it can be seen that there was a supply chain optimisation project initiated to tackle rising material costs, wage inflation in emerging markets and to reduce overheads of manufacturing activities. This project is an exceptional item included in the operating profit. Other exceptional items included are the acquisition of Fudge by the company and an impairment of the Australian home care brand due to worsening trade conditions.It could be said these are one-off items which impacted on overheads and resulted in a reduced operating profit for the year but the group will need to improve its margins and control overheads to enhance its profitability. Liquidity Ratios These ratios measure the ability of a company to meet its short term obligations as they fall due (Ready Ratios, 2012). 2012 2011 Current Ratio 393. 3 = 1. 22 417. 4 = 1. 46 (Current Assets/Current Liabilities) 322. 285. 6 Current Ratio excluding current debt 393. 3 = 1. 70 417. 4 = 1. 65 322. 4 – 90. 8 285. 6- 32. 5 Acid Test/ Quick Ratio 393. 3 – 173. 6 = 0. 68 417. 4 – 151. 7 = 0. 93 (CA – Inventories/ CL) 322. 4 285. 6 Acid test excluding current debt 393. 3 – 173. 6 = 0. 95 417. 4 – 151. = 1. 05 322. 4 – 90. 8 285. 6 – 32. 5 The current ratio has fallen from 1. 46 to 1. 22 likewise the acid test ratio which has fallen from 0. 93 to 0. 68. There is an increased inventory level which may justify the statement in the financial review that â€Å"there were high working capital levels especially in Nigeria†. Another aspect to consider is the cash balance which was significantly lower by 34. 6 % to the previous year. It is useful to consider the business context. From the same eview, it could be noted that some capital expenditure took place which affected the cash level, the major one being the acquisition of Fudge which was mentioned above and an investment in a joint venture. Another key cash outlay was their contribution to the closed UK salary scheme during the de-risking exercise. The ratios are also impacted by the inclusion of borrowings in current liabilities which means the debt is repayable in the current year. If the ratios are recalculated by excluding the current debt, the current ratio would be more acceptable 1. 70, a marginal increase from 2011.The acid test ratio excluding the borrowings is 0. 95, a marginal decrease from 1. 05. This is because for the acid test, current liabilities (excluding debt) have increased more than current assets (excluding inventory). Given the explanations stated, these ratios are probably good results but a trend analysis may shed more light on the ratios. Activity/ Efficiency Ratios These ratios analyse how well the company’s assets and liabilities are utilised (Collier, 2012). 2012 2011 Debtors Collection Period 114. = 49 days 122. 5 = 54 days (Trade Receivables/Sales) (858. 9/365) (820. 7/365) Payment Period 104 = 69 days 117. 8 = 87 days (Trade Payables /Cost of Sales) (549. 7/365) (495. 5/365) Asset Turnover 858. 9 = 92. 3 % 820. 7 = 87. 4% (Sales/Total Assets) 930. 5 938. 5Inventory Turnover 549. 7 = 3. 16 x 495. 5 = 3. 26 x (Cost of Sales/Inventories) 173. 6 151. 7 365/3. 16 = 116 days 365/3. 26 = 112 days It may appear that the company is doing a good job at managing its receivables and payables with a decrease in both the collection and payment periods but knowledge of the credit limit and terms might have helped in analysing the situation as well as comparison with the industry average.Asset turnover has risen from 87. 4% to 92. 3% indicating that the company has been able to generate more sales with their asset base. This is as a result of an increase in sales revenue and a lower level of current assets, especially the decrease in cash level. Inventory turnover has declined from 112 days of inventory holding to 116 days. Both ratios are quite high which implies that inventory is been kept in the stores for a long time betwe en its purchase and its sale. The company would need to be able to manage its inventories more efficiently.Gearing Ratios It measures the level of debt/borrowings in relation to shareholders’ equity (Collier, 2012). 2012 2011 Gearing 0 = 0 15 = 3% (Long term debt/equity + debt) 458. 3 + 0 474 + 15 Gearing (including current debt) 0 + 90. 8 = 16. 54% 15 + 32. 5 = 9. 87% 458. 3 + 0 + 90. 474 + 15 + 32. 5 Interest Cover 49. 6 = 13. 78 x 107. 3 = 41. 26 x (PBIT/Interest Payable) 3. 6 2. 6 The gearing is 0 for 2012 indicating that the debt is repayable within the current year. By including the current debt, the gearing ratio shows an increase from 9. 87% in 2011 to 16. 54% in 2012. This is a more realistic debt level as the Statement of Cash Flows in the annual report reveals a ? 9. 4m borrowing in 2012. The interest cover has declined from 41. 26 times to 13. 78 in 2012. This is due to the decrease in operating profits but nevertheless the interest cover is still healthy. Shar eholder Return Ratios These ratios measure the return to shareholders on their investment in the business (Collier, 2012). 2012 2011 Dividend per share (DPS) 6. 717p 6. 06p Market value per Share ? 3. 23 ? 3. 4 (Both disclosed in the annual report) Dividend payout ratio 28. 8 = 83. 72% 26 = 36. 93% (Dividends paid/Profit after tax) 34. 4 70. 4 Dividend yield ? 0. 06717 = 2. 08% ? 0. 0606 = 1. 66% (DPS/Market value per share) ? 3. 23 ? 3. 64 Earnings per share (EPS) (Disclosed in income statement) 8. 03p 16. 48pPrice/earnings ratio ? 3. 23 = 40. 22 x ? 3. 64 = 22. 09 x (Market value per share/EPS) ? 0. 0803 ? 0. 1648 The earnings per share have greatly reduced from 16. 48 to 8. 03 due to the decrease in profits, as there has been no change in shareholder capital. The dividend paid has increased slightly, despite the fact that profits were low and this consumed a high portion of the after-tax profits as shown by the dividend payout ratio. This would suggest the company has a high shar eholder value.The dividend yield is an effective interest rate which fluctuates in relation to the share price. The yield has increased slightly due to the marginal increase in dividends paid and the reduction in the market value of the shares. The price/earnings ratio has seen a dramatic increase from 22. 09 to 40. 22 which is largely due to the decrease in the EPS. It however reflects that investors may have a high expectation for future growth. Ratio analysis is more useful when the ratios are interpreted as a trend over time or by comparison to industry averages, to competitor ratios or to predetermined targets.As such, two years is too short to draw meaningful conclusions about the performance of the group (Collier, 2012). Below is a five year summary from which the trend can be understood more clearly. PZ Cussons Five-Year Summary of Performance |In ? m |2012 |2011 |2010 |2009 |2008 | |Sales Revenue |858. 9 |820. 7 |771. 6 |838. 1 |660. 9 | |Operating Profit |49. 6 |107. |101. 4 |86. 2 |76. 4 | |Operating Margin |5. 77% |13. 1% |13. 14% |10. 28% |11. 56% | |Sales growth (year on year) |4. 65% |6. 36% |-7. 93% |26. 8% |- | |Current Ratio |1. 22 |1. 46 |1. 84 |1. 94 |2. 25 | |Gearing |0 |3% |6. 19% |10. 3% |14. 66% | |Earnings per share |8. 03p |16. 48p |14. 89p |11. 64p |11. 04p | |Dividends per share |6. 717p |6. 61p |5. 90p |5. 27p |4. 70p | Note: The EPS and DPS were disclosed in the financial statement. Whilst the operating margin and sales growth are based on the information in the table which were also gotten from the company’s financials, the calculation of current and gearing ratios are below: 010 2009 2008 Current ratio 403. 7/219. 1 354. 9/182. 6 327. 4/145. 4 Gearing 30/(458. 8 + 30) 44. 9/(389. 9+ 44. 9) 59. 9/(348. 7 + 59. 9) The figures show an increase in sales over the years with a sharp decrease from year 2009 to 2010, though a good operating margin was generated. This could imply that a low cost base was being maintained.There has been a steady improvement in profits with a substantial reduction in 2012 though there was a lower margin in 2009 which would suggest that profits as a return on sales was quite low. The EPS has increased year on year with a drastic decrease in 2012 due to lower profits. The DPS has increased marginally year on year which reflects a high shareholder value. The current ratio has declined over the years. It could be that there have been high inventory levels. It is vital to note that a working capital ratio that is too high may imply that the company is not utilizing its assets effectively as could have been the case in 2008.The company should seek to manage its working capital more efficiently. The gearing ratio has been on the decrease to a point of no long term debt in 2012. This may appear to be a good thing but it is worth noting that long term borrowings are needed to fund current assets. Research Matrix The matrix below shows a summary of the journal articles read in relation to this work. It identifies some themes found in the literature. The themes are ranked on a scale of importance with 1 being less important and 5 being extremely important to the analysis of my work. Authors of Journal Articles |Scale of Importance | | |1 |2 |3 |4 |5 | |Roman (2011) ; Sundkvist, Hedman| | |Profitability | | | |and Almstrom (2012) | | | | | | |Muradoglu, Bakke and Kvernes | | | |Gearing | | |(2005) | | | | | | |Cette, Durant and Vilette (2011)| | | | |Profitability : ROCE | |Koonce and Lipe (2010) | | | |Earnings | | |Bierman and Hass (2009) | |Earnings Growth | | | | |Banos-Caballero, Garcia-Teruel | | |Working Capital | | | |and Martinez-Solano (2012) | | | | | | |De Wet and Du Toit (2007) | | | | |Profitability : ROE | |Lifland (2011) | | | |Working Capital | | |Dossi and Patelli (2010) |Non-financial | | | | | | |Measures | | | | | Explanation and Analysis of Research Matrix According to Sundkvist, Hedman and Almstrom (2012), the profitability of a company is dri ven by controllable factors which are the internal resources of the firm such as raw materials and uncontrollable factors such as government regulations.One way of increasing profitability is to reduce costs. In doing this, the costs have to be broken down and cost drivers identified (Roman, 2011; Sundkvist, Hedman and Almstrom, 2012). This theme is important as cost reduction is a crucial way to maintain profitability. In the case of PZ Cussons, the supply chain optimisation project was initialised to cut down on manufacturing overheads. Muradoglu, Bakke and Kvernes (2005), argue that gearing ratio is vital in apprasing bankruptcy risk and investors like a low gearing ratio as there is a lower risk that they lose money on their investments. This theme is very important as a very high gearing increases the financial risk of a company.Cette, Durant and Villetelle (2011) stress the limitation of ROCE in that when a firm’s future outlook is good and this in turns leads to an inc rease in assets and there is no change in profit, then the ratio goes down implying the firm is less profitable irrespective of better prospects. This is extremely important as it highlights issues that should be taken into account when interpreting this ratio. Koonce and Lipe (2010) argue that the earnings trend of a company affects the investors’ acumen about the future prospects of that company as such a positive earnings trend enhances the price-earnings ratio. This theme is very important as it helps in our understanding of the price-earnings ratio. According to Bierman and Hass (2009), EPS growth can be ascertained by the use of share/stock repurchase and the variations in the rates used in profit retention. He argues for the use of earnings growth models.This theme is of little important to my analysis as there was no share repurchase in the current year of PZ Cussons and growth models were not used in my work. Based on the research carried out by Banos-Caballero, Garc ia-Teruel and Martinez-Solano (2012), they claim that a high investment in working capital has the ability to improve the performance of a firm in profit-terms up to an optimal point at which higher working capital levels would have a negative effect on performance and this point is reached when the cost of holding working capital exceed the benefits. This theme is important as it seeks to explain working capital management. De Wet and Du Toit (2007) emphasise the pitfalls of return on equity measure.As such the earnings figure can be subject to manipulation legally due to changes in accounting policy. This is extremely important as it cautions us in our interpretation of the ROE. Lifland (2011) argues that effective working capital management is characterised by an increase in asset turnover and a decrease in receivables and inventories. He also highlights the fact that companies may have to seek external finance to meet working capital requirements. This is very important as it se eks to give insight on the interpretation of working capital ratios In determining financial performance, it is also useful to consider non-financial measures such as employee and customer satisfaction as well as measuring business processes.Though these are supplementary measures, they cannot be substituted for financial measures (Dossi and Patelli, 2010). It is good to draw attention to this but it is of less importance to my work as I only consider the financial ratios. It is crucial to bear in mind that there are limitations inherent in the use of ratio analysis, some of which were pointed above. Another factor is that they are based on historical records. The values could be affected by inflation so it is useful to modify the profits to reflect holding gains and losses which result from variation in the value of assets and liabilities (Cette, Durant and Villetelle, 2011). Despite all this, ratios remain a significant tool in analysing financial statements (Collier, 2012).Based on my analysis, PZ Cussons seems to performing quite well; the business environment and the challenges in the different divisions might account for the lower performance this year. However, it is vital to note that this analysis was based on annual reports which are produced in part for public relations. As such companies seek to promote their interests therein. To fully understand the company performance, an evaluation of the industry information and competitor performance would be required. References: Banos-Caballero, S. , Garcia-Teruel, P. and Martinez-Solano, P. (2012) â€Å"How does working capital management affect the profitability of Spanish SMEs? † Small Business Economics, vol. 39, no. 2, pp. 517-529. Bierman Jr , Harold and Hass, J.E. (2009) â€Å"Explaining Earnings Per Share Growth†, Journal of Portfolio Management, vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 166-169. Cette, G. , Durant, D. and Villetelle, J. (2011) â€Å"Asset Price Changes and Macroeconomic Measurement of Pro fitability†, Review of Income & Wealth, vol. 57, no. 2, pp. 364-378. Collier, P. M. (2012) Accounting for Managers Interpreting Accounting Information for Decision Making 4th edn. Sussex: John Wiley & Sons. De Wet, J. H. V. H. and Du Toit, E. (2007) â€Å"Return on equity: A popular, but flawed measure of corporate financial performance†, South African Journal of Business Management, vol. 38, no. 1, pp. 59-69. Dossi, A. and Patelli, L. 2010) â€Å"You Learn From What You Measure: Financial and Non-financial Performance Measures in Multinational Companies†, Long range planning, vol. 43, no. 4, pp. 498-526. Koonce, L. and Lipe, M. G. (2010) â€Å"Earnings Trend and Performance Relative to Benchmarks: How Consistency Influences Their Joint Use†, Journal of Accounting Research, vol. 48, no. 4, pp. 859-884. Lifland, S. A. (2011) â€Å"The Corporate Soap-Opera â€Å"As the Cash Turns†: Management of Working Capital and Potential External Financing Needsà ¢â‚¬ , Review of Business, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 35-46. Marketline (2012) ‘Company Profile PZ Cussons Plc’. Marketline Report [Online]. Available at www. marketline. com (Accessed: 7 November 2012). Muradoglu, G. , Bakke, M. nd Kvernes, G. L. (2005) â€Å"An investment strategy based on gearing ratio†, Applied Economics Letters, vol. 12, no. 13, pp. 801-804. PZ Cussons (2012) Annual Reports and Accounts. Available at http://www. pzcussons. com/pzc/ir/reports (Accessed: 6 November 2012). Ready Ratios (2012) Reference. Available at http://www. readyratios. com/reference (Accessed : 5 December 2012). Roman, F. J. (2011) A Case Study on Cost Estimation and Profitability Analysis at Continental Airlines, American Accounting Association. Sundkvist, R. , Hedman, R. and Almstrom, P. (2012) â€Å"A model for linking shop floor improvements to manufacturing cost and profitability†, International

Intercultural Communication Paper Essay

Ip Man is a martial arts film based on the life of Yip Man, a Chinese martial arts grandmaster who specializes in â€Å"Wing Chun†. The scene is set in the 1930s in Foshan, China, where the wealthy Ip Man is well-respected in his community for his martial arts prowess. However, his home is seized and his family struggles for survival during the Japanese invasion in 1937. Although Ip was a martial arts grandmaster and a prosperous man in Foshan, he was the epitome of humility throughout the film. Humility is a characteristic often found amongst the Chinese to promote harmony and reduce conflict within the community (Hu, and Grove 56). Ip often displays non-verbal cues of humility such as bowing or lowering his head when conversing with fighting opponents or countrymen. He also constantly denies his skill in â€Å"Wing Chun† to his adoring followers. In order to support his family, Ip Man works as a coolie where he reunites with one of his old friends. There, coolies are picked off by Japanese soldiers to train with Japanese martial arts students and rewarded with rice if they defeat their opponents. Loyalty to friends is of utmost important to the Chinese community. Chinese citizens could not depend on the government of China to protect them and had to survive on their own, and help each other out in difficult times (De Mente). Ip does not hesitate to enter Japanese territory to look for his friend when he does not return from one of the fighting sessions. There, he sees another one of his friends killed over a bag of rice and in a drunken rage, defeats ten Japanese fighters. The proud Ip does not take the ten bags of rice he won from the fight but brings the one bag of rice his friend died for back to his grieving family. Ip displays an incredible level of loyalty by risking his safety to avenge his friend and return what rightfully belongs to his dead friend’s family as a final act of friendship. Ip astounds a Japanese general with his martial arts and is forced to fight him publicly. Ip receives incredible support from the Chinese audience and eventually defeats the general, killing him in the process. He then escapes to Hong Kong with his family. The Chinese are very patriotic toward their country and culture. This Chinese pride stems from the guanxi (relationship) with their fellow countrymen. The Chinese tend to deviate and support people from their own province in foreign situations. In a separate scene, an enraged Ip strikes his friend when he discovers that he working for the Japanese as a translator and calls him a traitor. The guilty translator cries out that he is Chinese and that he is not a traitor but appears to be visibly shaken by Ip’s words. This film truly reflects the Chinese culture at a time when Chinese values and beliefs were strong. Although these beliefs are dimming because of the modernization of China, these values of humility, loyalty and pride are still evident in the country today.

Maslows Heiharchy of Needs in Ordinary People Essay

Knowing someone that has died is extremely hard. It’s even worse when that person is in your family. When someone dies, the family is obviously going to grieve. While they are grieving together, they don’t grieve the same way, at the same time. For example, when my grandpa died in 2009, my grandma was in denial and carried on regular life for a day or two. She even did the laundry and ironed his clothes. When my mom found out about her dad, she went into depression. After a little bit, my mom got really angry and upset while my grandma went into depression for about two years. They were grieving together, but at different rates through different phases. They have both accepted the fact that he’s gone but that one day they will see him again, so there’s no need to be upset. In Ordinary People, Conrad, Calvin, and Beth also have to grieve. Throughout this grieving process, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs comes into play. Every person in the story is trying to reach for self-actualization. For example, Calvin’s need of esteem showed when he and Beth were getting ready for the day at the beginning of the book. He was thinking about how he was orphaned at age 11, and thinking about all of the roles he plays as an adult. â€Å"Calvin Jarret, forty-one, U.S. Citizen, tax attorney, husband, father.† (Guest, 7). He also showed his need of esteem when he thought specifically about fatherhood and why he messed up with Conrad by not listening to him enough. â€Å"Responsibility. That is fatherhood. You cannot afford to miss any signs, because that is how it happens: somebody holding too much inside, somebody else missing signs.† (Guest, 9)

Shortage And Degradation In Developing Countries Environmental Sciences Essay

Presently, people are paying a batch of attending to the world-wide H2O crises which include H2O deficit and H2O debasement. Harmonizing to Kumar and Puri, over one billion people in the universe do non have plenty safe H2O for endurance. There are many grounds for and effects of H2O deficit and H2O debasement in developing states. In some states, people face H2O deficit where the sum of H2O can non fulfill the demand ; and in other states people encounter H2O debasement where the quality of H2O is non suited for homo ‘s ingestion. One cause of H2O deficit is the increasing demand for H2O due to population growing. One ground for H2O debasement is pollution. Water debasement causes diseases and H2O deficit can do intercountry struggles or wars. This essay will first discourse the causes of H2O deficit and H2O debasement, and will so explicate their effects on people and international security. Increasing demand for H2O due to population growing can take to H2O deficit. Peoples need H2O to last, but more people mean more demands for H2O. For case, 1.5 to 2.5 litres of H2O per individual per twenty-four hours should be taken in to stay wellness ( NAS, 1968 cited in Pimentel et Al, 2004 ) . Today the universe population is about 6 billion ; nevertheless, within 2050, the universe population will make 9.4 billion ( UN, 2001, cited in Pimentel et Al, 2004 ) . The entire sum of H2O needed per twenty-four hours to keep the wellness of 9.4 billion people will be about about 14.1 to 23.5 billion litres. This big demand will set a immense force per unit area on H2O supply and will do H2O deficit, in some states. For illustration, due to the continuously turning population, Pakistan will confront H2O deficit within 2035 ( Sabir, 2011 ) . Compared with 31 million people when Pakistan became independency, the population of Pakistan, in 2011, grew six times to 180 million ( Sabir, 2011 ) . Correspondingly, Pakistan possessed excess H2O in the 1950s and so possessed abundant H2O in the1980s ( Sabir, 2011 ) . However, in 2010, Pakistan faced H2O emphasis, and will confront H2O deficit within 2035 ( Sabir, 2011 ) . Therefore, turning demands for H2O, owing to the continuously increasing population is one cause of H2O deficit. One chief ground for H2O debasement is pollution from agribusiness and industry. First, the fertilisers, which are used in agribusiness and contain P to enrich the dirt, cause H2O pollution. The P applied to the dirt can be washed to H2O ways and so foul the H2O. For illustration, in Turkey, the quality of Lake Uluabat has deteriorated and fish deceases have been found due to missing of O ( Yersiz et al, 2001, cited in Bulut and Aksoy, 2008 ) . One chief beginning of P that polluted Lake Uluabat came from fertilisers used in agribusiness throughout the drainage basin ( Bulut and Aksoy, 2008 ) . The heavy metals in waste H2O from industry can besides do H2O debasement. Industries frequently generate a big sum of waste H2O which frequently contained many harmful pollutants. If the waste H2O is discharged straight into rivers or lakes without proper intervention, it will foul H2O and do the quality of H2O unsuitable for human ingestion. For illustration, in Thailand, the Pattani River has been polluted by lead taint from waste H2O which came from Sn excavation at the upper basin, and boat-repair activities at the oral cavity of the river ( Simachaya, Navickaphum, and Leelapanang, 2003, cited in Sowana et Al, 2010 ) . A high concentration of lead degraded the quality of the Pattani River. Pollution from fertilisers used in agribusiness and heavy metals in waste H2O from industry can do H2O debasement. Having discussed the causes of H2O deficit and H2O debasement, this essay will now depict their effects on persons and on international security in developing states. Water debasement frequently causes diseases in developing states, because the quality of H2O is non suited for imbibing and irrigation. Contaminants in H2O have harmful effects on persons ‘ heath, and so cause diseases. For illustration, many â€Å" malignant neoplastic disease small towns † , where big Numberss of villagers become sick with malignant neoplastic disease, have been founded due to H2O debasement in China ( Liu, 2010 ) . One badly affected malignant neoplastic disease small town is Shangba small town, which is located in the Mountain countries of Wongyuan County ( Liu, 2010 ) . Harmonizing to Liu ( 2010 ) , the development of Fe and Cu in the upper watercourse of this small town resulted in dispatching waste H2O incorporating heavy metals, such as lead and Cd. More than 250 people died because of malignant neoplastic disease in this small town, between 1978 and 2005 ( Liu, 2010 ) . Another illustration of disease caused by H2O debasement is the Itai-itai disease in Japan between 1939 and 1955. The upper steam of the Jintsu River was celebrated for mining Zn, lead, and Cd, but the mine company dumped waste H2O incorporating these metals straight into the river ( â€Å" Cadmium Pollution and Itai-itai Disease † , 1971 ) . However, people, who lived along the Bankss, used the contaminated H2O as drinking-water and irrigation H2O, so 200 individuals became sick with the Itai-itai disease ( â€Å" Cadmium Pollution and Itai-itai Disease † , 1971 ) . Water debasement has posed a negative consequence on people ‘s wellness as evidenced by China and Japan. Water deficit can do intercountry struggles or wars in developing states. Sufficient H2O is of import for the development of an independent and comfortable state around the universe ( Solomon, 2010, cited in Bigas, 2012 ) . The state of affairs, where one state ‘s H2O supply is affected by another state, due to geographical grounds, is frequently found worldwide. The unjust distribution of H2O can take to H2O deficit in one state, and can so do intercountry struggles or wars. Harmonizing to Barnaby ( 2009 ) , 87 per centum of the Nile ‘s H2O was allocated to Egypt, in the 1959 Nile Waters Agreement, but Ethiopia, whose Highlandss provided 86 per centum of the Nile H2O, did non have rights to the Nile H2O. The unjust entree to cherished H2O became a possible cause of struggles between these states. In1991, the Ethiopian authorities planned to build dikes in the upland and the Egyptian authoritiess considered that this program threatened its right to the Nile H2O ( Haftendo rn, 2000 ) . Therefore, Egypt protested against this program and even declared get downing a war with Ethiopia ( Haftendorn, 2000 ) . Another illustration of struggle caused by H2O deficit is the difference over the H2O resources between Israel and Palestine. Israel and Palestine, particularly the West Bank part, portion the same H2O resource which comes from the Jordan River, but the sum of H2O that Israeli colonists consume per twenty-four hours is three times more than the sum of H2O consumed by Palestinians life in the West Bank ( Orme, 2000, cited in Malone, 2004 ) .Such unjust allotment of H2O causes H2O deficit which threatens the Palestinian households ‘ day-to-day lives and triggers struggles between Palestinians and Israelis. As it is proved by states in North Africa and the Middle East, intercountry struggles or wars can be caused by H2O deficit. To reason, H2O deficit and H2O debasement can be found in developing states around the universe. Water deficit and H2O debasement have many causes, and affect persons and international security. The increasing demand for H2O owing to the turning population can take to H2O deficit, and pollution from agribusiness and industry can do H2O debasement. Due to the debasement of H2O, some diseases occur. Because of deficit of H2O, struggles or wars can be triggered between states. In the hereafter, an organisation needs to be set up to work out the jobs caused by H2O deficit and H2O debasement.

The US-China trade relationship Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

The US-China trade relationship - Research Paper Example The United States imposed selective controls on trade with China immediately after the communist forces commenced to win the civil war in the early 1949. U.S export controls were then progressively tightened until a whole ban was set in place against China by the U.S following the outbreak of the Korean War (Louis and Bull 127). The United States was fundamental in creating the coordinating Committee on Multinational Export Controls (COCOM). It comprised of representatives of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Japan. It was intended to supervise a ban, which was imposed on China and the U.S. This study reveals that, by 1951, no trade existed between the two countries. In 1971, China recaptured its seat in the UN. President Richard Nixon made a historic visit to China In 1972 and these unfolding events compelled COCOM to loosen the export controls and allowed China to get equal treatment like the Soviet Union (Louis and Bull 124). This forced the US to permit its populace to make purchases from the Republic of China and compensate for them in dollars. The move by COCOM made USA’s exports be under the identical export control precincts as sales made to the Soviet Union. The trend of partial loosening of barriers continued until after nearly twenty years trade between the two countries has been seen growing tremendously (Louis and Bull 124). The total trade between the two nations has expanded from zero to nearly $2.4 billion in the late 1970s. This is the year when the two countries formally established diplomatic relations. The US and China formally signed the Trade Relation Agreement. This agreement was intended to accord each of the two nations the most favoured nation treatment based on the reciprocal trend (Lehmann and Lehmann 158). This study establishes that, this was just the begging of the numerous trade agreements that followed in the subsequent years. Some of them included Agreement on Civil Aviation and Sea Transportation and the Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation. In addition, three joint committees on commerce, science and technology and economic affairs were formed. These committees were intended to serve as effective instruments of promoting dialogue between the two nations. As from 1981, China was given relatively higher levels of the USA’s technology than the Soviet Union. COCOM adopted a green line policy toward China in 1985 (Lehmann and Lehmann 159). This policy gave preferential licensing treatment, which enabled China to control up to 27 categories of items for exports to China. China became more advantaged than other countries prescribed under the COCOM. This saw China grow in labour intensive industries, which later became China’s driving force for China’s exports. It is worth noting that, by 1988, China’s exports had reached over $40 billion and total trade topped 480 billion. This study establishes that, the USA imposed broad sanctions against China after the Tiananmen Square incident in the summer 1989. The sanctions included a deferral of authorized and military interactions between the two nations, a ban on the US trade financing and investment insurance for China projects and a prohibition on exports to military and police

Non-Traditional courses Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Non-Traditional courses - Term Paper Example Non-Traditional courses Nontraditional courses are slowly finding their way in the curriculum of various colleges and universities. Students get a formal scholarly education, for instance, on rock music, vampires, or Star Trek.This paper begins by outlining the characteristics of quality education. The qualities of nontraditional courses that embody quality education are then highlighted. It is concluded that nontraditional courses complement traditional courses and, therefore, should be offered by schools. Nontraditional Courses and Quality Education Quality education equips students with the proper set of knowledge and skills they need to excel in their chosen discipline, commits a holistic approach to learning by considering the theoretical as well as the practical sides of knowledge, aligns itself with contemporary times, and makes learning fun. Students are equipped with the right set of knowledge and skills in nontraditional courses, although it may appear it different form and content. For example, t here are certain disciplines that warrant the teaching of nontraditional courses. In a Television Studies class, for instance, an entire course devoted to " Dallas " and "Dynasty" is deemed necessary. In other instances, cultural, political, and social concepts are best illustrated through these courses. Explaining gender roles or racial identities as demonstrated in â€Å"Dallas" satisfies learning objectives. ... Rock Culture" course, for instance, students readily see how theories of culture, ideology, and ethnicity play out in the seemingly innocent and value-free discipline of music. In studying "Star Trek", students get to learn and immediately apply valuable life lessons the film portrays. By constantly exposing students to these courses, their ability to find theoretical explanations of a phenomenon and apply them in real-life situations would be enhanced. What nontraditional courses offer which traditional courses lack is the attachment to the concrete and immediate realities of life. They are not widely detached from the phenomena or environment they seek to explain. Nontraditional courses, then, offer students a holistic view of the world by combining theory and practice. The most important defining characteristic of nontraditional courses, arguably, is their ability to reflect contemporary cultural, social, and political landscapes. These courses are able to capture specific moments of cultural, social, and political histories. Constantly moving and changing, they are never stuck in the past. These courses use contemporary events to explain contemporary life. A course on "MTV (music television)", which in itself is an amalgamation of contemporary culture and social landscapes, provides students with knowledge that is aligned with contemporary realities. It teaches students a specific set of knowledge while drawing on their own experiences of watching MTV. While traditional courses can practically impart the same knowledge, the attachment of nontraditional courses to the contemporary times makes learning more concrete, practical, and immediate. Finally, nontraditional courses make learning more interesting and fun. Because of their rigid structure, traditional courses