Gold Standard and The Foriegn Exchange Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Gold Standard and The Foriegn Exchange - Essay Example Kemmerer (1944) defines gold standard as â€Å"a monetary system where the unit of value, in terms of which prices, wages, and debts are customarily expressed and paid, consists of the value of a fixed quantity of gold in a large international market which is substantially free.† (p. 134) From mid 1870s more and more countries started to value their national currencies against gold. In the 1920s fixing a gold value for the currency ensured stable exchange rates which boosted external value of it and consequently ensured the stability of internal prices. The gold standard period is characterized by national governments policy aimed at preserving the value of the currency (Milward 1996, p.87) Very simple in its origins gold standard was declared to support national currencies serving as an equilibrating mechanism reducing foreign exchange risk and eliminating the risk of destroying governmental policies. Each country has a domestic supply of money backed by its domestic reserves of gold. If a Treasury printed banknotes not backed by the gold standard, the result would be individual requirements to exchange the excess banknotes for gold. (DeLong 1997) Countries which joined fixed exchange rate standard were enjoying long-run price level stability and predictability, stable and low long-run interest rates, stable exchange rates which contributed to massive capital inputs to the worlds developing countries. (Bordo and Schwartz 1996, p.11) As historically-specific institution the gold standard had been supported by all industrial-economy governments to maintain convertibility of their currency. Under the gold standard not only trade expanded but also international capital markets developed. It allowed considerable investments into enterprises in other industrializing, mineral-rich countries which benefited greatly the economies of these countries. The gold standard ensured the entrepreneurs engaged in international trade from foreign exchange

Prisoner of War Camps in United States during World War 2 Essay

Prisoner of War Camps in United States during World War 2 - Essay Example Describing the typical disorientation and vulnerability of these German prisoners, historian Ron Robin writes, "Captivity destroyed all remnants of their predictable routine and hurled the surrendering troops into a maelstrom of disorder, uncertainty, and disgrace. . . . At every stage of the arduous journey from the temporary stockades in Europe and Africa to POW camps in the United States, the prisoners were systematically deprived of all remaining symbols of their past, pride, and identity." (Ron Robin, 1995) American and German prisoners experienced vastly different traveling conditions en route to their permanent camps. American captives were either marched on foot or jammed into "40-and-8" railroad box cars. Prisoners were sometimes locked in these cars for days, without food, water, or any kind of sanitary facilities. The result, according to ex-POW Kenneth Simmons, was "a trip that would turn men into swine." (Simmons, 1960). Compounding the danger was the "friendly" fire of Allied planes that had no way of knowing who was trapped inside their targets. It is no exaggeration to compare this harrowing experience to the notorious "Middle Passage" endured by captive Africans on their way to slavery in the New World. German prisoners initially suffered similar dangers, but once safely on board ship creature comforts greatly improved, although they did face the possibility of being sunk by their own U-boats. Once they had landed safely in the United States, German prisoners were amazed to discover the comfort of a Pullman car. The POW camps in U.S. were all over the country, while largely in Michigan, due to the warm, mild climate. Starting with Michigan, POWs were generally at Fort Custer. They had all these POWs and there must have been 400-500 camped in there. Although in the camps, the POWs' work was to make Gerber baby food. They sowed all the vegetables and after that grounded them into Gerber baby food. They were good workers. Two of such camps were Camp Owosso and Fort Custer in Michigan: Camp Owosso in Michigan: The U.S. Government, during WWII setup a Prisoner of War Camp at the corner of M-21 and Carland Rd. The area was used as a dirt race track, but since it was not used during the war, it served as Camp Owosso. The prisoners were captured on the battlefields of Europe and Africa and after being brought to Owosso, were allowed to work on area farms, the Roach Canning Factory at Owosso or the Aunt Janes Pickle Factory on Easton Rd. near New Lothrup. Under the Emergency Farm Administration Labor Program, most prisoners chose to work and get paid, over staying confined in camp. The prisoners preferred working at the farms, as they given extra food and there had to be one guard for every 3 prisoners. They earned about 80 cents a day. The first prisoners were typical Nazis, but the later ones of 1945 had a different attitude. They preferred farm work if they had a chance. At the Canning Factory, corn, peas and tomatoes were canned there and the prisoners were transferred by truck to and from the plant each day. As they rode through town, they would sing and holler and wave to anyone they saw. They apparently enjoyed being prisoners, far from

Cinematography in film

Cinematography in film Chose a sequence from any one of the films listed in the module guide’s filmography and analyse the functions of the cinematography (including lighting), editing and sound. Cinematography refers to the visual creative techniques of a film, consisting of lighting, sound and composition. Alfred Hitchcock thriller, Psycho [Alfred Hitchcock, 1960, USA] practices exquisite cinematography techniques to construct suspense and tremor to the spectators from his use of framing, lighting, camera movement, editing as well as sound. Film critic Roger Ebert states that a prevalent element among Hitchcock’s films, is the guilt of the regular person in a criminal situation [Ebert, 1998]. However in this scenario the key character Marion Crane [Janet Leigh] flees with stolen cash, nevertheless still fitting the Hitchcock mould of an innocent crime. EDITING Hitchcock practises some remarkable camera techniques to make sequences more effective, the notorious shower scene is a vital element and illustrates Hitchcock’s adoration for visuality. Adopting editing and sound as a cinematic guidance to stimulate the audience both visually and emotionally to create a horrific, suspense led murder scene. However spectators never actually witness the knife cutting into the woman’s flesh, we just assume it through the use of sound FX, hand motions, a tension building soundtrack and editing; The filmic makes the murder scene more realistic and suspense driven creating tension between the spectators. As a result by exposing the horrific continuous violence without truly presenting any, leaving it up to the spectator’s imagination. Fast editing countenances for an even more vicious stance to the scene, notwithstanding the insignificant amount of blood. Hasty editing of multiple shots signify the knife’s sharp cuts, plentiful as the squelching soundtrack rupture the spectators eardrums while perhaps representing a scream or a fowl shriek. Some of the possessed shots are high and medium angle shots to conceal the spectators from seeing the killers face. The combination of the shots makes the sequence seem longer, more subjective and more uncontrolled and violent oppose to the images being exposed alone or using a wide angle shot In this scene the woman’s nudity represents one of two concepts; vulnerability as she has nothing to protect her body i.e. clothes also within western society nudity is looked upon as exceedingly private therefore we as spectators are interfering on her private moment voyeurism. CAMERA TECHNIQUES In many Hitchcock movies the leading lady is usually a blonde and attractive, essentially there to create sex appeal in this case this is clear with the woman being naked. Other than sex appeal and representation of the male gaze, nudity also carries other connotations appropriate in this case the woman is in fatal danger. The low angle shot of the showerhead from the woman POV resembles an eye, its observant presence could suggest a ‘big brothers watching you’ feeling as it watches her washing herself, cleansing herself of the impurity of her prior actions; meanwhile her posture implies almost sexual enjoyment. Nonetheless, she is being so sensual that it supports Mulvey’s theory of the male gaze as it displays a woman being sexualized and delicate at the same time. She is about to be penetrated by a knife. Given the period of this film, censors restricted sex and nudity. As such, water perhaps symbolically used to express sexual desire and orgasms, while the wom an is cleansing plays into Hitchcock’s theme of guilt [Leighmediaasfilm, 2011]. However in the parlor scene camera angles play a vital role in revealing to the spectator about Norman Bates character with Hitchcock directing the scene in terms of contrasts. We get the woman sitting comfortably in her seat, leaning slightly forward; Hitchcock purposely arranged the camera near eye level perhaps to give the spectators the idea as to how two people may see each other while sitting and talking, however Hitchcock shoots the man from an abnormal low angle, suggesting that he is twisted and askew. SOUND Bernard Herman composed the movies intense soundtrack incorporating a fast cutting squelching soundtrack Hitchcock created an intense impression of slaughter, violence and nudity while remaining to display very little. However the infamous scene begins with the sound FX of running water perhaps to imply to the spectators that everything is fine. It also becomes significantly clear that the woman is going to have difficulty in hearing anything else as the sound of the water is overpowering the other diegetic sounds. A figuration slowly appears behind the shower curtain the suspense of the scene become more intense, only when the curtain is pushed aside that the spectators comprehend what is about to occur, suspense enhanced by the shrieking high pitched squelching soundtrack. The soundtrack in this scene in particular is dark and sinister, accompanying the knife movements to her skin also including tearing sounds. Perhaps this signifies the agony of the knife to her skin through the high pitched violin instruments within the soundtrack, it has a discordant quality to it possibly to signify the knife’s sharpness again creating tension. Tension is also created as the camera is represented as the knife’s movements, being drawn away and reversed. After the woman has been slaughtered, the soundtrack reaches its crescendo and transforms from a high pitched squelching to a low pitched distressing sound. LIGHTING The parlour scene uses camera angles, lighting, dialogue and sound FX to portray the characters in a certain light. They are precisely positioned according to the light source in order to accentuate their aims and intensions within the scene as well as their characteristics. The woman is located close yet relatively behind the lamp, with her face being well lit; perhaps signifying that she is a beaming with warmth and renovation despite her recent escapades. The lighting around her also suggests a gentleness around her also signifying she is redeemable. Although Hitchcock purposely positioned the man away from any type of light source and into a dark shadowy corner. This has the effect of a strict rift between light and shadow also represented across his face, also indicating the clash of his double personality [murderer/son]. He is also engrossed in low key lighting which suggests something is being hidden or kept in the dark and further results in piercing pointed shadows portentou sly on the wall and ceiling beyond him. MISE EN SCENE The black and white look of the film gave it a crisp classic feel while remaining to embody the spirit of an old film noir and further accentuates the theme of good vs evil, this is also illustrated by the sharp distinction of light and dark. Black and white costume is also exploited greatly within the film, for example at the beginning of the movie the woman is seen wearing white lingerie perhaps suggesting her innocents and purity, then later she’s in black lingerie after she’s stolen the money. The mise-en-scene reveals the woman surrounded by simple objects that make her appear to be a sympathetic character. Before her is a jug of milk rather than a glass and small snacks prepared by the man Norman, meanwhile as the woman ingests none of the milk it is in fact the shape of the jug that holds the visual signs. Colour plays a huge role in the mise-en-scene the jug is white, shiny and elegant perhaps signifying her innocent and pure goodness. Also her hunched curved posture and curly hairstyle adds to the sense that she is or ultimately will be a victim. However the man on the other hand is engrossed in lines of shadows across his face and body, many of which are set at angles creating a sense of emulation and danger rather than conformity. In one shot behind the man’s shoulder there is a dark chest of some sort with shadowy lines perhaps a distinction to the curved lamp, as well as the fact that the woman is wearing light clothes and the man is wearing dark clothing. Moreover one of the most significant visually stimulating feature into the man’s twisted mind, is the stuffed birds positioned around the walls, table and chest in the room, this also implies the dark facets of his character; he is a predator. The birds also create a sense of fear and fright within the parlour, as the hover around him. References Leighmediaasfilm.blogspot.co.uk, (2011). AS Film Studies 2012-2013: Voyeurism The Male Gaze (the shower scene). [online] Available at: http://leighmediaasfilm.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/voyeurism-male-gaze-shower-scene.html [Accessed 9 Jul. 2014]. Psycho. (1960). [DVD] USA: Alfred Hitchcock.

Ethical Considerations when implementing OSS :: Open Source Software Technology Essays

Ethical Considerations when implementing OSS I. Background Starting from 1998, some of the people in the free software community began using the term "Open Source Software" instead of "Free Software". At that time, I was working for Sun Microsystem for one of the "Open Source Software" project -- localization of Mozilla. Sun Microsystem is one of the biggest system company in the "Open Source Software" community. a) Difference between "free software" and "open source" Comparing to "Free Software", the term ``open source software'' is associated with a different engineering approach, different values, and even a different criterion for which licenses are acceptable. We differentiate the Free Software movement and the Open Source movement with different views and goals, although engineers can and do work together on some practical projects. The fundamental difference between the two movements is in their values. For the Open Source movement, the issue of whether software should be open source is a practical question, not an ethical one. Open source is a development methodology, whereas free software is a social movement. In other words, Open Source Software is not absolutely free, non-free software is optional. For the Free Software approach, software should be free. However, the official definition of "Open Source Software,'' as published by the Open Source Initiative, is very close to our definition of free software. The obvious meaning for the expression ``open source software'' is ``You can look at the source code.'' What does that mean? Actually, by this definition, free software, semi-free programs such as Xv, and even some proprietary programs, are all "Open Source Software" since we can look at the source code as long as we have the licence. Linux is "open source'' software meaning, simply, that anyone can get copies of its source code files. I think the defintion of "Open Source Software" from the state of Kansas is better: "Make use of open-source software (OSS). OSS is software for which the source code is freely and publicly available, though the specific licensing agreements vary as to what one is allowed to do with that code." The explanation for ``free software'' is simple -- a person who has the right to use the software for zero price. The main argument for the term "open source software'' is that "free software'' makes some people uneasy. We can easily find this kind of argument in any "open source software" community.

Edward Jones’ original business model Essay

Executive Summary This memorandum addresses some of the key issues with Edward Jones, which includes the lack of an online presence, possible cannibalization from larger firms, and the inability to manage funds from institutional investors. I conclude that the most effective of all of the theorized strategies would be a combination of Edward Jones’ original business model with an online platform. This plan would allow Edward Jones to stay true to its fundamentals, as well as attract new clientele and provide better service to its existing clients. Introduction Edward Jones has become the fourth largest brokerage firm in the United States. By holding on to a fundamental business strategy based on the core concepts of close client relationship and long-term investment focus, Edward Jones was able to offer excellent service and performance. However, with the industry rapidly changing, Edward Jones must evaluate its core values to sustain its competitive advantage but in a manner that will allow them to expand its services, and continue to compete with the top players in the industry. Key Issues and Problems When observing Edward Jones Financial, I found three critical issues and problems with the firm. Edward Jones built its business model around creating an environment that would allow entrepreneurs to thrive and run their own businesses to a certain extent. This is what originally led to Edward Jones’ success when the company first started; however, it is also the catalyst for the issues of the firm that were present in 2006. Edward Jones’ three main issues were the cannibalization of its business by bigger firms such as Merrill Lynch, customers leaving Edward Jones to manage their own money via online platforms such as E-Trade (MITR, 2014), and the lack of  ability to manage high net worth funds that are typically present with institutional funds such as pensions. Edward Jones built its business around meeting face to face with individuals in their homes and offices. This is a great model for an entrepreneur driven financial services firm. However, as the technology b ubble began to burst in the mid 2000’s, online brokerages such as E-Trade began to draw customers away from Edward Jones. The lack of an online presence on Edward Jones’ part made companies that offered this service more appealing due to lower fees (OBR, 2008). When examining Exhibit 5 (HBR,2007) , you can see that Edward Jones derived over 83% of its revenues from commissions and revenue from fees. Whereas, E-Trade generated only about 34% of its revenues from these categories. This shows that, online brokerage was advantageous to clients given that they could avoid expenses that were used to pay brokers, making it a significant problem for Edward Jones. The last major issue was that they were not suited to manage institutional funds. Despite building an excellent company around working with blue-collar individuals and families, it is clear that Edward Jones’ focus on the individual investor might have been a significant problem. By only working with individuals and not selling large amounts of stock and bonds to institutional investors, Edward Jones passed up significant amounts of manageable assets and subsequently, revenue. Exhibit 5 shows firms that were managing institutional investments such as pension funds had significantly higher profit margins than Edward Jones. In 2005 Edward Jones’ profit margin was 1.05%, while Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley, were 27.8% and 26.33%, respectively. This also shows the average amount of assets in dollars per account at each firm. Edward Jones’ average assets per account were $45,556 while Merrill Lynch & Morgan Stanley was $163,667 and $137,111 respectively. Edward Jones leaves revenue on the table by not managing higher net worth institutional accounts. Available Strategic Options Edward Jones’ strategic direction in 2006 had to respond to competitors like Merrill Lynch if the partnership wanted to maintain its exceptional performance and growth. The first option focuses on staying true to Edward Jones’ small-town roots and demonstrating the value of strong personal relationships with one’s financial advisor in planning for the distribution  phase of life (Faux, 2014). FAs can take advantage of face-to-face interactions and close relationships to communicate to clients the importance of planning for the distribution phase as soon as possible and hopefully encourage client referrals. Also, a professional advisor who personally knows the clients and their needs provides critical support to keeping long-term retirement plans on track while still focusing on time-sensitive decisions. This defensive move could stunt the firm’s growth, and if it fails, could leave Edward Jones even more vulnerable to cannibalization. The second option shifts the company’s original policies of strictly face-to-face interaction to a hybrid model, which includes online account and portfolio tracking and current news and research. This option adds value for existing customers because they can view all of their financial information in one place at their convenience. Additionally, this technology offering creates a minimally viable product for mass affluent â€Å"delegator† and â€Å"validator† type investors, and then entices those clients with the added value of a personal financial advisor. This option also leverages the firm’s existing research efforts into growing the business. The final option calls for a rapid expansion to institutional clients in an attempt to compete directly with competitors such as Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, and Wachovia. The success of these firms indicates that expansion is possible. If Edward Jones does not expand, it will forgo potential market share and the attendant revenue. However, expanding as its competitors did would likely mean compromising many of the firm’s established values and beliefs. Recommendations I strongly recommend that Edward Jones shift to a hybrid model of face-to-face interaction combined with online account and portfolio tracking and access to current news and research in order to retain existing clients as well as attract new clients. This strategy enables the firm to stay true to its client-centric roots and positions the firm for growth. When clients have instant access to their financial information and the latest news and research, they feel better equipped to face complex distribution decisions. Potential clients in the post-Internet bubble world expect basic technology offerings but also appreciate the benefits of a personal financial advisor. Being competitive in the future requires embracing technology as well as  taking advantage of the firm’s close personal relationships with its clients. Works Cited â€Å"Online vs. Traditional Brokerage.† Money Is The Root. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2014. Faux, Zeke. â€Å"Edward Jones Trains Young Stockbrokers the Old-Fashioned Way.†Bloomberg Business Week. Bloomberg, 30 May 2013. Web. 08 Apr. 2014. â€Å"Stock Broker Account Transfer Fees.† Online Broker Review. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2014. Collins, David, and Troy Swith. â€Å"Edward Jones in 2006: Confronting Success.† Harvard Business Review. HBR, 21 Mar. 2007. Web.

Intercultural Competence Worksheet Essay

1. What does â€Å"intercultural† communication mean to you? Intercultural communication to me means many things. It mainly means the way that people communicate throughout the different cultures that they derive from. Intercultural communication is basically the way that one person from a particular country would communicate with someone from America. Every culture has their own set of non-verbal gestures that could mean something completely different to an opposing culture. Verbal communication differs between different cultures and ethnic groups as well. Here is an example from Chapter One’s reading that I found to be quite interesting: â€Å"Latinos make up nearly a third of the populations of California and Texas, and they constitute at least 20 percent of the people in Arizona, Florida, Nevada, and New Mexico†. I live in Florida and found this interesting because the population of the town that I live in is well over one half populated with Latinos. We are forced to communicate and understand their cultures in order to better understand them on a personal level. Intercultural Competence: Interpersonal Communication across Cultures, Sixth Edition, by Myron W. Lustig and Jolene Koester. Published by Allyn & Bacon. Copyright  © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. 2. Define â€Å"intracultural† communication. How is this definition both similar and different to â€Å"intercultural† communication? According to Yahoo.com,†Intracultural communication† is often a trigger for stereotypes. First a definition of â€Å"Intracultural communication† is the type of communication that takes place between members of the same dominant  culture, but with slightly different values, as opposed to â€Å"intercultural communication† which is the communication between two distinct cultures. An example of intracultural communication triggering a stereotype would be if a person in the dominant culture, let’s say of the United States, spoke Ebonics. If a non-Ebonics speaking person hears Ebonics, a dialect of English with slang,they may assume the person is of low intelligence, and is a criminal or violent in nature. Ebonics is a language that is widely spoken among many African Americans as well as those from very southern states. For example, in my town we have what we call â€Å"Rednecks† who have their own language. I understand it but I have personally come into contact with people from up North who cannot understand a word of what that person is saying. http://voices.yahoo.com/intracultural-intercultural-causes-stereotypes-13680.html 3. What are some reasons and approaches behind mastering intercultural communication? Mastering Intercultural Communication can be master by the BASIC dimensions of Intercultural Competence. Here are the skills needed in order to master Intercultural Communication: Display of Respect- The ability to show respect and positive regard for another person Orientation to Knowledge- The terms people use to explain themselves and the world around them Empathy- The capacity to behave as though you understand the world as others do Interaction Management- Skill in regulating conversations Task Role Behavior- Behaviors that involve the initiation of ideas related to group problem solving activities Relational Role Behavior- Behaviors associated with Interpersonal Harmony and Mediation Tolerance for Ambiguity- The ability to react to new and ambiguous situations with little visible discomfort Interaction Posture- The ability to respond to others in descriptive, nonevaluative, and non-judgmental ways. These BASIC descriptions of behaviors are seen as cross cultural. What that means is that no matter the culture that a person may be in, these skills are always used in one way or another. Intercultural Competence: Interpersonal Communication across Cultures, Sixth Edition, by Myron W. Lustig and Jolene Koester. Published by Allyn & Bacon. Copyright  © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. Part 2: Intercultural Encounters Activity Instructions: Describe and analyze a recent intercultural encounter with someone of a different age, ethnicity, race, or religion. In at least 450 words, respond and include details to the following questions: 1. Briefly describe the person and the place. 2. How were you changed by the encounter? 3. What do you wish you had known to deal better with this intercultural encounter? A recent intercultural encounter that I was a part of was at my house in a conversation that I engaged in with my father in law. Our conversation was about his religion and how it differs from my particular faith. You see, my father in law is a very wise man in his mid-fifties. He has a lot of experience about a lot of interesting things. He was raised in the Jehovah Witness faith and talks about it every chance he gets. One evening, he was over at my house to enjoy a nice dinner with the rest of our family and something in the conversation was brought up about religion. My family and I, as well as his wife practice the Pentecostal faith. My father in law does not believe in it what so ever. As a matter of fact, he says that our faith goes against his completely. Now, while discussing the different aspects of his faith, I learned about why they choose not to participate in holidays or birthday activities. Jehovah Witnesses are seen as the people who believe that heaven is here on Earth, which is not true. When someone sees a Jehovah Witness coming to the door, what is it that they typically do? They slam the door in their faces and tell them to leave. To be honest, I was guilty of  the same exact thing until I learned more about how my father in law believes. All my life, I was taught about the Pentecostal faith; I was taught to not listen to Jehovah Witnesses because they â€Å"didn’t believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins on the cross†. Something that I learned thru this encounter to be entirely not true. Honestly, there have been so many times that I have apologized to my father in law for thinking that their faith was not holy, that they did not know our one true God. Boy was I wrong! I have been changed thru this encounter and the countless others that I have had to be more understanding of other’s religions and views of Christ Our Lord. Who really knows what the right religion is anyway? There are so many things that I wish I had known before judging people like my father in law. I did not give him a chance at all. His faith combined with mine has a lot of common characteristics; something I find to be very interesting. I ask him questions that I am curious about and he answers. I have also made friends with a very nice lady that attends his segregation and she comes to our house occasionally as well. He understands and respects my faith and doesn’t try to push his on me. I highly respect and love him for that.

Internal Trade Essays

Internal Trade Essays Internal Trade Essay Internal Trade Essay :: Internal Trade:: Meaning Trade : Trade refers to the process of buying and selling of goods and services with the objective of earning profit. Internal Trade : Buying and selling of goods and services within the geographical boundaries of a country is called internal trade. In other words trade takes place between the people of the same country then it is termed as internal trade. Features of Internal Trade 1. Buying and selling of goods and services takes place within a country 2. Payments are made and received in the home currency only. 3. There is no or less legal formalities are required. 4. Local modes of transport can be used for transfer of goods. 5. No custom duty or import duty is levied on such trade. Internal trade can be classified into two broad categories. 1. Wholesale trade 2. Retail trade 1. Wholesale TradeBuying and selling of goods and services in large quantities for the purpose of resale or intermediate use is referred to as wholesale trade. Wholesalers acts as an important link between manufacturers and retailers. They purchase in bulk and sell in small lots to retailers.Features of Wholesalers 1. Wholesaler acts as a link between manufacturers and retailer. 2. Wholesaler deals with large quantities of goods. 3. Wholesaler is specialized in few or one line of product. 4. Wholesaler purchases goods in bulk quantities and sells in small quantities to retailers. 5. Wholesaler usually maintains large stock of goods for steady supply. 6. Wholesalers also sometime perform promotional activities to push sells. 7. Profit margin of wholesalers is generally low. 8. They also extend credit facility to retailers. Services of Wholesaler to Manufacturers 1. Economy of Scales: Wholesalers enable manufacturers to undertake large scale production as they purchase goods in large quantities from them. 2. Risk Sharing: Wholesaler deals in goods

Gender Stereotypes on Television essays

Gender Stereotypes on Television essays Gender Stereotypes on Television Television is one industry that is most guilty of perpetrating gender stereotypes. During prime time hours, men make up the vast majority of characters shown. Women characters found on television at the same time are mainly in comedies, while men are predominantly in dramas. This implicates that men should be taken seriously and women should not. Another sharp gender-stereotypical contrast on television can be seen in advertisements or commercials. Gender stereotypes are also prevalent in childrens Television does not exactly represent the real world. Since most major directors on television are males; they depict a world, which agrees with their concepts of society on their show. Women usually see womens roles on television as being submissive to men or not as intelligent as men. Many stereotypes of women are played out in the popular television show Friends. Monica is kind of neurotic, like some women have the reputation of being, or like Phoebe, who is really ditsy. But on the other hand, some shows, such as NYPD Blue, gives women new opportunities and puts them in acting positions or occupations such as police officers and detectives. This isnt a typical job for a woman, but by portraying women cops the show might actually bring in a more diverse audience. Women also have very stereotypical occupations that they often play in these shows, such as nurses, sales assistants, maids, or models. Women today on television, sometimes, are not portrayed as independent as they actually are in the real world. Women sometimes plays roles of being very dependent of men, which is not the case now as it was 50 years ago. For example, on many television programs women silently appear in backgrounds to cater to the needs of dominant males. ...

Analyze The Procurement Methods Samples

The success of a construction project is usually determined from the initial stages through the procurement process chosen. The procurement process will influence the whole construction process and able to determine the success of the construction projects. This paper will analyze three key procurement methods namely design and construct procurement method, management procurement method and collaborative procurement. This paper will analyse the positive and negative impacts, which are accrued when these methods are adopted in construction projects. Additionally, it will look at the benefits and risks, which the different stakeholders experience when either of the methods is chosen. One of the key procurement method, which is gaining popularity in construction projects, is the design and constructs procurement method. As the name suggests, the procurement method can allow the commencement of the construction phase while the design process is still on the process (Victorian State Government, 2006). The adoption of this method is usually done to ensure that the completion of the project is completed in time. Moreover, under this procurement method, different details of the project are given in advance and therefore enhancing the stakeholders planning. Additionally, under this method, the contractor can bear most of the risks in design and implementation of the project. The terms of the contract sum are provided through competitive pricing, which the client can control (Infrastructure Australia, 2012). Under this method, different approaches, which are able to define the relationship and responsibilities of different stakeholders, are usually stated. The following diagrams are able to highlight the different approaches, which are used when this method is applied in a construction project. Under this method, the client can control only one firm which they enter into a contract with regarding the project. The firm has the responsibility for design and construction of the project. The few stakeholders involved can increase the operational efficiency when implementing projects (Mortledge, Smith, and Kashiwagi, 2006). This is able to enhance the commitment of the resources to one area and limit the time of contacting different people separately such as designers and contractor. Overlapping of activities is possible which enhances the implementation cycle. Time is usually saved when the different activities take place at the same time, and this enhances completion of the project within the stipulated timeline. Moreover, the contractor has a contribution on the design parameters, and this enhances the constructibility of the project. Additionally, the cost of implementation is under control when this method is used. The maximum price is usually determined in the procurement stage, and this ensures that any escalation is met within the set budget. Nevertheless, this method has some key flaws, which are experienced when it’s chosen to implement construction projects. The project specifications can easily change according to the needs of the client. Since the lump sum cost is fixed, it creates a hard implementation time when the specification changes (National Research Council (U.S.), & National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (U.S.), 2016). This can lead to an expensive project than it was anticipated before. Also, this method requires comparison of different designs. This may take a lot of time and therefore take up implementation timeline. Moreover, the client is required to commit to a concept design before the detailed and complete designs are completed. This raises high chances for changes while the project is under implementation stage and making the project expensive (Construction Specifications Institute, 2005). Moreover, the client has to prepare all the contract documents in advance and through this method, difficulties may be experienced, where the documents are inadequate and insufficiently comprehensive due to client limitation to prepare them. Several stakeholders involved in these projects can enjoy when it is chosen to implement a construction project. First, the client has limited risks since the contractor has much of the control of the project. This means that the contractor and not the client will sort out financial escalation. Secondly, the client can receive the completed project on time. This is because overlapping of activities is possible and gives the contractors and subcontractors enough time to beat the project deadline (Construction, 2016). The method enhances proper construction method by the contractor since they were involved in the design stages. This gives them ample time for implementation and enhancing the cooperation of the different ideas. Some of the stakeholders are able to experience some problems when this method is chosen. First, the client is required to prepare the contract document, an exercise, which the client may, not be experienced in doing (Gould & Joyce, 2014). The client may experience this problem when preparing the documents. Secondly, the contractor is able to bear all the risks and therefore when the costs exceed the contractor can experience the losses. When changes occur, the cost of the project is able to change but the lump sum cost is unlikely to change and therefore the contractor bears that additional cost. The projects, which their design scopes are unlikely to change, suit this procurement method. In addition, projects whose building is functional rather than prestigious aspects are more stresses suit this method (Gould, 2012). Simple projects, where the technical knowledge is limited suit this method for implementation. Lastly, projects, which require quick implementation, need a procurement method like this to ensure quick implementation. Another upcoming procurement method in the construction projects is the management procurement. Under this procurement method, the client can appoint an independent professional team and a management contractor. This team can act as the adviser to the client in the preconstruction stages and able to carry out the construction works during the construction stage (Gould & Joyce, 2014). In addition, under this method, different approaches can as well be used. Some of these methods include management contracting, construction management and design and manage. The different stakeholders under this method relate according to the following diagram Management contracting- this method requires the appointment of an independent professional team which will advise the client and later carry out the construction works (Austroads, 2007). Early start of the project can be achieved through this approach. Construction management – this approach requires a management contractor who is able to determine the different project aspects (Arain, 2016). Work contractor is also chosen and enhance the implementation of the project works. The management contractor can manage the other contractors. Design and manage –A contractor is chosen to head the design and implementation stage of the construction project. The works contractor and consultant take different responsibilities under this approach. There are different pros, which are achieved using this method. First, the client is able to choose a single firm, which he or she deals with. This enhances the management and coordination from the client perspective (Mortledge, Smith, and Kashiwagi, 2006). Additionally, overlapping of activities is possible through this method and therefore enhancing early completion of the project. Constructability is usually enhanced since the contractor is involved in the design stage when this method is chosen. Competitiveness in tendering process ensures value for money to the client. Additionally, all roles and responsibilities to the different stakeholders are usually stipulated and therefore minimising conflict of interest. Lastly, the flexibility of design is usually possible to suit the client preferences. First, this method is not certain about the cost of the project, and it is only known at the end of the project completion. This means that cost escalation can be able to increase and making the implementation stage hard. Additionally, the client is much involved in the process and therefore requires client who has knowledge of the construction process (Gould, 2012). Additionally, the client is able to lose the control of the design, a responsibility which constructors can take. This means clients needs may not be addressed fully (Harris, Mccaffer & Edum-Fotwe, 2013). Lastly, clear definition of the implementation timeline and all information of the project is required before the implementation stage commences, which may be hard to provide. The client has an easy time in control of the single firm chosen to manage the project. This enhances the collaboration and coordination between the client and implementation team (Fewings, 2013). The methods provide enough time for the contractor to complete the project on time through the overlapping of activities. Additionally, the client can achieve the value of money for the project through the competitive tendering and selection of the implementation team. Each role and responsibility of the stakeholders is to know and therefore enhancing their operation. The client is able to lose the control of the design aspects of the project. This means that their needs may not well articulated as they need. Since the client is not in the design and management part, the end product may not suit their needs (Fewings, 2013). The cost risk is available to the works contractor and the client. Since the cost is uncertain, changes on the cost are likely to occur and therefore likely to suppress the set budget. Informed client about the construction process is a key element to this method. A problem may arise on the management team when the client does not understand these processes. Simple projects, which the clients can understand, are most preferred to be carried out through this method. Projects, which can easily change also, require this method for their implementation. Under this method, different stakeholders in the construction project come together. The risks involved in the project are share according to the different responsibilities, which the shareholders have in the project (Gould, 2012). This procurement method requires stakeholders who can share the same ideas and aspects concerning the project. Under this method, the flow of different elements can be represented as in the following diagram. Transparency level is usually high under this method, and this is a key pro, which this method can bring in procurement sector (Centre for Excellence and Innovation in Infrastructure Delivery, 2010). The different parties are able to collaborate and able to bring the value of money to the project. High resource utilisation is also achieved in this method. Effective implementation of the project is usually achieved through the high consultation in the project. Different ideas are presented enhancing the innovations and implementation of the project. Lastly, due to the high involvement of stakeholders, the projected uncertainty is usually low. This method requires a lot of time during the implementation stage. This may lead to the project timeline to be exceeded (Arain, 2016). The high involvement and coordination require the high trust to the members. This level may not be possible. Opportunistic behaviour may arise and therefore increasing the risk of implementation. The client can forecast on their needs of the project through the early involvement in design stages (Gould, & Joyce, 2013). This enhances the client to prepare and manage their resources for the project implementation. The contractors have an easy time in implementation due to different ideas from stakeholders. The high quality project is achieved for the client through the collaborative ideas. The client may not receive the project on time due to the increased collaboration process. Trust issues among the stakeholders are a problem, which may affect the contractors working (Harris, Mccaffer & Edum-Fotwe, 2013). Increased implementation timeline is a risk to the contractor since additional costs may accrue. Complex project requires this method to enhance their implementation. Additionally, high project requires this method to take the advantage of different input from different people. Procurement methods are key in the implementation of the construction project. The choice of the procurement method depends on the details of the project. Each method has its pros and cons and the areas, which they will perfectly suit to bring the best out of the projects. The different stakeholders can derive different benefits on each method, which is chosen. Additionally, the risk is a key part of the construction process and therefore whichever method is chosen, some problems may be experienced. (2016). Construction. https://trrjournalonline.trb.org/toc/trr/2573. ARAIN, F. M. (2016). Construction project management research compendium. Volume 6 Volume 6. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=1365770. AUSTROADS (2007). Guide to project delivery: part 2: project delivery planning and control, by R Brown and P Robinson, AGPD02/07, Austroads, Sydney, NSW. BALDWIN, A., & BORDOLI, D. (2014). A handbook for project planning and scheduling in construction. https://public.eblib.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?p=1666532. centre for excellence and innovation in infrastructure delivery (2010). Infrastructure procurement options guide, Centre for Excellence and Innovation in Infrastructure Delivery, Western Australia, Perth, WA.   CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS INSTITUTE. (2005). The project resource manual: CSI manual of practice. New York, McGraw-Hill. FEWINGS, P. (2013). Construction project management: an integrated approach. Abingdon, Oxon, Routledge. https://public.eblib.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?p=1092840. GOULD, F. E. (2012). Managing the construction process: estimating, scheduling, and project control. Boston, Prentice Hall. GOULD, F. E., & JOYCE, N. (2014). Construction project management. GOULD, F., & JOYCE, N. (2013). Construction Project Management. Upper Saddle River, NJ, Pearson Education. https://public.eblib.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?p=4773308. HARRIS, F., MCCAFFER, R., & EDUM-FOTWE, F. (2013). Modern construction management. Hoboken, N.J., Wiley-Blackwell. https://www.AUT.eblib.com.au/EBLWeb/patron/?target=patron&extendedid=P_1132836_0. INFRASTRUCTURE AUSTRALIA. (2012). Efficiencies in major project procurement: volume 1: Benchmarks for efficient procurement of major infrastructure, Department of Infrastructure and Transport, Canberra, ACT. MORTLEDGE, R., SMITH, A., KASHIWAGI, D.T. (2006).   Building Procurement. Blackwell, Oxford, UK.   NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL (U.S.)., & NATIONAL ACADEMIES OF SCIENCES, ENGINEERING, AND MEDICINE (U.S.),. (2016). Construction. (Transportation research record.) VICTORIAN STATE GOVERNMENT (2006).   Project Alliance Practitioners Guide. Department of Treasury and Finance (https://www.dtf.vic.gov.au/projectalliancing)  

Pro's and Con's of the Chain of Command Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Pro's and Con's of the Chain of Command - Essay Example It is largely based on the organizational hierarchy and the size of the business. The aspect of ‘Chain of Command’ is termed to be essential for an organization due to the fact that it assists the employees to understand their roles and responsibilities in the organization. It also assists the top managerial team to supervise the organisational operations in a systematic and organized form (Schulman, M. & Kowadlo, B. F., â€Å"Working Smart†). On the contrary, due to the changing scenario of business in the modern era, various disadvantages and complexities are arising in maintaining a specified ‘chain of command’ within an organization. With this concern, the paper shall aim at identifying the various pros and cons of ‘chain of command’ in the managerial aspect. 2. Advantages of ‘Chain of Command’ In the managerial perspective, the aspect of ‘Chain of Command’ is termed to be one of the crucial factors of organi zational behavior. It not only determines the organizational hierarchy but also signifies the roles and responsibilities of every associate in a specified manner. On the whole, it assists the executors of a business to form a well-structured organizational chart, which considers three aspects, i.e. line of authority, line of responsibility and line of communications in the internal environment of the organization (Schulman, M. & Kowadlo, B. ... Hence, it assists the top level managers of the company to organize the company’s operations in a systematic manner (Schulman, M. & Kowadlo, B. F., â€Å"Working Smart†). 2.2. Lines of Responsibility The ‘Chain of Command’ also assists the organizational structure by defining the lines of responsibility. To be precise, the line of responsibility signifies the responsibilities of every participant according to their power of authority and position in the organizational hierarchy (Schulman, M. & Kowadlo, B. F., â€Å"Working Smart†). 2.3. Lines of Communication Apart from determining the lines of authority and responsibility, the ‘Chain of Command’ also specifies the lines of communication, i.e. the flow of information from the top level management to the lower level workers in the organizational hierarchy; and the flow of accountability from the lower level worker to the top level management group (Schulman, M. & Kowadlo, B. F., â€Å"Wo rking Smart†). 2.4. Other Advantages Other than these basic advantages, the implication of ‘Chain of Command’ also has many other pros to benefit the organization and its stakeholders at large. They are as follows: By providing a firm structure of the organizational hierarchy and demonstrating the various lines of authority, responsibility and communication, the ‘Chain of Command’ assists the organization to utilize its resources with minimized wastage It also assists the employees to enhance their managerial, leadership and generic skills Helps eradicating confusion uprising in terms of authority, responsibility and communication in the internal environment of the organization Source: (Mukherjee,

Employment contract law Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Employment contract law - Coursework Example 3. Mr. Tanton initially filed his complaint on September 9, 1997 before the Industrial Tribunal Chairman, sitting alone. 4. The Supreme Court held that Mr. Tanton was self-employed driver. His job was focused mainly on pick-up of newspapers and make deliveries to several addresses based on the instructions of Express and Echo Publications. In the Agreement of Services signed by Mr. Tanton, particularly, Clause 3.3, negates the existence of an employer-employee relationship due to the existence of the provision to the effect that â€Å"In the event that the he is unable or unwilling to perform the services personally as required under such agreement, he shall arrange at his own expense entirely for another suitable person to perform the services. In addition, paragraph 13 of the schedule, stated that: â€Å"In the event that the contractor provides a relief driver, the contractor must satisfy the company that such a relief driver is trained and is suitable to undertake the servicesà ¢â‚¬ . Therefore, the element of control on the part of the employer on the employee was not present since Mr. Tanton can easily find his own replacement or substitute, who shall take his place to render the service in the event that he is unable to perform his personal obligation to the employer. Hence, the fact that Mr. Tanton has the power to send his substitute means that the contract of employment does not exist, making him self-employed contractor. 5. Express and Echo Publications Ltd. is only required to retain one driver to perform the functions of pick-up newspapers and deliver them at various points in Devon on a fixed run in a particular order dictated by the company. In the case at bar, the reason for the termination of Mr. Tanton was due to redundancy. Hence, another person has already been performing the same functions done by Mr. Tanton which justified his dismissal from his position as a contractor. 6. The sources of English Law are case law or common law, and legis lation or statutory laws. In the case at bar, several cases where cited which served as precedent to justify the decision rendered by the justices, where, â€Å"a statement of law made by a judge in a case can become binding on later judges and can in this way become the law for everyone to follow, or otherwise known as the â€Å"Doctrine of Precedent† or â€Å"Doctrine of Stare Decisis†. Whether or not a particular pronouncement or precedent by a judge sitting in court when deciding a case does become binding on later judges depends on two main factors: Firstly, he has to determine what pronouncements from earlier decisions are binding and; Secondly, the judge must be able to determine whether any is relevant†. Details of common law/ case law and legislation and statutory laws can be viewed at UL Law Online website which can be viewed at . The later judge should be able to say that the case before the court is "distinguishable" from the earlier case. The applic able legislation or statutory law which is applied to derive in the decision of this case is the Employment Rights Act of 1996, particularly Section 230. The law provides a clear-cut definition of employee and contract of employment in order to justify its pronouncement that Mr. Tanton is a self-employed contractor. 7. The rationale behind the request of Mr. Tanton to demand from Express and Echo Publications Ltd. to give a written statement of particulars is to set out in written terms the terms of his employment, which defines his job

PRINCIPLE OF NURSING PRACTICE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

PRINCIPLE OF NURSING PRACTICE - Essay Example Nurses have to have a particular code from which to determine the correct way of tending their patients. To reduce confusion, the Nursing and Midwifery Council created numerous principles that determine how all interactions between nurses and patients should be conducted. The principals established by the 'NMC' are meant to generate a pattern that allows health care workers to avoid issues that might stall patient treatment. There are different factors in the wider society as well as in the healthcare sector that affect nursing ethics. For instance, the reality of evolving and improving technical operations means that health workers constantly have to revise or add to the existing code of medical principles. Nurses are at the fore front of this development as they are the ones that administer the recommended treatments to patients. The situation becomes particularly complicated when they have to make decisions concerning medical developments that have not yet been thoroughly research ed or tested. It is true that a nursing license does not necessarily confirm that a nurse will only engage in ethical nursing practices (O’Carroll and Park 2007). This is why the NMC was created to underline the basic moral and ethical obligations that a practicing nurse is compelled to observe. Nurses are not only compelled to follow the guidelines of the NMC, but also the government’s laws pertaining to the rights of their patients. Nurses can be held accountable for unethical actions by the government. Whenever nurses make ethical decisions that countermand some aspect of the government's rules, they can be held liable in a court of law (Griffiths and Tengnah 2008). There are some circumstances in which implementing the principles denoted by the NMC is difficult or impractical (Nursing and Midwifery Council 2008). For instance, as a student nurse, I observed that many doctors who have patients in the intensive care unit have to work under serious pressure to preserv e the lives of their patients while also remembering to observe the instructions of the patient's family members. There was a patient of mine who was of a religious denomination that did not believe in blood transfusion. Even though my patient was in serious need of a blood transfusion, her family members refused to allow it. Soon was tension between the family members and patient's doctors. At one point, one of the younger doctors suggested transfusing the patient while the nurses diverted the attention of the family members. While this was being seriously considered, the patient began to show small signs of improvement. This averted what might have amounted to a breach of the Principle B which calls for nurses to make decisions on treatment after holding consultations with the patient’s family members because they can be held accountable for their actions. In the intensive care unit, the nursing ethical principle that is easier to apply is Principle C- ensuring that all ris k to the patient is minimized in the course of administering treatment (Lawson and Peate 2009). In all that I do for my patients, or, as mentioned above, collaborate with other medical practitioners in, I always strive to ensure that it is for the betterment of the patient. Most of the time, patients in the intensive care unit are completely dependent on their doctors and nurses. The medical practitioners tending to them are not only charged with prescribing the

Roman coin activity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Roman coin activity - Essay Example However, other coins used by the Romans are made of silver as well as other elements. This is responsible for the great variations seen in majority of the Roman coins. Moreover, the difference in types of the Roman coins is a factor of the emperor who was in reign during those periods. Every emperor had certain features within the Roman coin that distinguished him from the rest of other emperors. Examples of such Roman emperors who reigned and had different coins include the Emperor Julius Caesar, Emperor Alexander the Great and Emperor Augustus Denarius. In the Roman coin chosen, the emperor at the back is called Emperor Julius Caesar. This emperor reigned for several years. He was a dictator. He reigned from October 49 BC to March 44 BC1. During his reign, several political changes were experienced in Rome. He was a very influential man who could bring political saturations with relative ease, effected by the dictatorial leadership that characterized his reign. It is of critical significance to note that Emperor Julius Caesar contributed a lot towards ensuring that Rome abolished the issue of The Roman Republic and adopt the Roman Empire. This was one of the things that Emperor Julius Caesar did during his reign. In addition, Emperor Julius Caesar was known for his political strength during the period of his reign. For instance, the emperor conquered several states as well as regions during his reign. One of the regions conquered by the emperor is the region of Gaul whose conquest was accomplished in the 51 BC. In addition, the Emperor also invaded Britain and conquered some parts of the region. This led to expansion of the empire of Rome during those periods when Emperor Julius Caesar was in reign. Moreover, the emperor initiated the creation of the Julian calendar2. However, during those periods, several civil and political conflicts were happening in the Roman Empire. This led to a state of political unrest that later on led to several incidences

Performance and Culture - Post Modernism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Performance and Culture - Post Modernism - Essay Example Though postmodernism still has the potential to be an effective liberating space for the subjugated, it is seldom used for this end (McGuigan 98). One key aspect of the visual aesthetic of the black community is that of the body. The notions surrounding black hair and its style provide us a contextual framework for analyzing its relation to modernity and postmodernity. One of the mechanisms of modernism is to find an absolute "essence" of its subject, denying all the other experiences that make up a community in the margin (Hutcheon). Within and outside their community, essentialist arguments have been used to fit the entire community in the margin into easy categories. For instance, the natural texture of African-American hair has been used as one of the key visual elements in a system of ethnic signifiers. The first essentialist construction of black hair meant that it was all of the things white hair was not. Instead of being judged for its own inherent qualities, black hair was portrayed to be not good, not beautiful, unmanageable and even uninteresting. As an ethnic signifier, its metonymic qualities were obvious - it als o became the construction of what whiteness was not. This first essentialist argument was not created by the black community, but it was internalized. It is still in use today by individuals inside and outside of the margin that comprises the black community (Hutcheon). This deficiency was addressed by the black power movement during the nineteen sixties, although the method employed was of the modernist tradition. It tried to redefine what â€Å"ideal† meant for those inside and outside the community. The myth of the superiority attached to straightened and processed hair was dismantled and a new signifiers for good black hair was projected – namely the Afros and Caribbean dreadlocks. This new essentialist construction of ideal black hair countered the former one, and thus is strongly tied to it. What resulted was a

Ethics and God Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Ethics and God - Essay Example The question here is, â€Å"Who decides the ethical standards for humans?† Certainly, the answer is God Almighty! There are various religions in this world, that differ in their intrinsic concepts, beliefs, trends, traditions, teachings, norms and values. However, almost all religions have one thing in common, what is good is appreciated by all religions and what is bad is condemned by all in general. Religion serves as the standard institution for the followers. The fundamental concept of a religion is that there is a God, or Gods (as some religions may emphasize), who has laid out certain standards for the followers. God clearly conveys through the religion what is good and what is bad. In addition to that, God has also inculcated a sense in humans so that they may differentiate between right and wrong. When people believe in God, they tend to respect ethics because they have fear of God. Thus, ethics cultivates in the society and becomes a standard for the people to abide b y. For example, murder is considered wrong â€Å"not just† because it is against humanity, â€Å"but also† because it is condemned by God, and God has inflicted punishment of burning in the hell for those who kill others (Baumgarth and Regan). If some people do not believe in God, they would still have a sense to distinguish between right and wrong.

Performance and Culture - Post Modernism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Performance and Culture - Post Modernism - Essay Example Though postmodernism still has the potential to be an effective liberating space for the subjugated, it is seldom used for this end (McGuigan 98). One key aspect of the visual aesthetic of the black community is that of the body. The notions surrounding black hair and its style provide us a contextual framework for analyzing its relation to modernity and postmodernity. One of the mechanisms of modernism is to find an absolute "essence" of its subject, denying all the other experiences that make up a community in the margin (Hutcheon). Within and outside their community, essentialist arguments have been used to fit the entire community in the margin into easy categories. For instance, the natural texture of African-American hair has been used as one of the key visual elements in a system of ethnic signifiers. The first essentialist construction of black hair meant that it was all of the things white hair was not. Instead of being judged for its own inherent qualities, black hair was portrayed to be not good, not beautiful, unmanageable and even uninteresting. As an ethnic signifier, its metonymic qualities were obvious - it als o became the construction of what whiteness was not. This first essentialist argument was not created by the black community, but it was internalized. It is still in use today by individuals inside and outside of the margin that comprises the black community (Hutcheon). This deficiency was addressed by the black power movement during the nineteen sixties, although the method employed was of the modernist tradition. It tried to redefine what â€Å"ideal† meant for those inside and outside the community. The myth of the superiority attached to straightened and processed hair was dismantled and a new signifiers for good black hair was projected – namely the Afros and Caribbean dreadlocks. This new essentialist construction of ideal black hair countered the former one, and thus is strongly tied to it. What resulted was a

Dreams and its Interpretation Essay Example for Free

Dreams and its Interpretation Essay We have always been fascinated with dreams. Numerous theories on the subject have been proposed since the early Greek period attempting to explain the nature and purpose of dreams. During the ancient times, dreams are believed to be inspiration from the gods. That it, the gods uses dreams to communicate their messages and their warnings. The Scripture alone has a large amount of anecdotes expressing the Christian belief on dreams and these beliefs differ on a very little scale with that of the beliefs of the ancient Greeks and Egyptians (Brill, 1922). Passing on from the ancient times, beliefs regarding the nature of dreams have varied little in terms of its religious aspect. But it was not until the late nineteenth century that psychology began to offer a new insight on the subject of dreams. It would be an enormous feat to discuss the various theories regarding dreams and its analysis and interpretation but perhaps it is more than helpful to discuss first the dream process before attempting to look at its analysis and interpretation. According to Auld, Hyman, and Rudzinski (2005), â€Å"the dream gives expression to unconscious forces in a much more direct way than other mental contents do† (p. 185). As it is, dreams only happen when one is asleep. When asleep, the sleeper/dreamer stops actions directed toward the outside world allowing some thoughts and feelings penetrate the mind more freely than when the dreamer is awake. These thoughts and feelings now constitute the dream content. Most dream contents consist of the dreamer’s memories of events of his waking life, usually experiences of the day preceding the dream and conflicts from early childhood that are repressed, and therefore unconscious even in sleep. Dreams become an instrument for the expression and fulfilment for these unconscious conflicts (Auld, Hyman, Rudzinski, 2005). However, these unconscious conflicts and preconscious day residues are not just simply represented into dreams. The dreamer first translates these thoughts and memories into visual images which are then represented by a series of images as they enter the dreamer’s consciousness. The dreamer remembers and reports verbally this series of images. This report is called the manifest dream while the psychological structure from which the manifest dream was developed is called the latent dream. Freud calls this process as the dream-work (the changing of the latent dream into the manifest dream) (Freud, 1920). Freud explains that to be able to interpret the dream, that is, to fully recover the latent dream thoughts as fully as possible, one must get the dreamer to give association to each element of the manifest dream (this is what is called the free-association). He further explains that the manifest dream is a distorted version of the latent dream, not only because thoughts and feelings had to be translated into visual imagery but also because repressive forces of the personality were active and brought about a disguising and censoring transformation material. Freud referred to this as censorship. Other psychological operations involved in the dream-work are condensation, symbolism, dramatization, and secondary revision. In condensation, a single image in the manifest dream can represent several images in the latent dream. Manifest dreams are often represented through symbolism, wherein the elements present in the manifest dream represent the elements present in the latent dream. Dramatization refers to the manner in which the dreamer’s thoughts and feelings are represented through concrete pictorial representations. Finally, the dream elements that are contradictory and of disparate origin, are rearranged in its final manifest form comprehensible to the dreamer. This is referred to as the secondary revision. Once understood, these psychological operations can aid in the interpretation of dreams (Alperin, 2004). REFERENCES: Alperin, R. M. (2004). Toward an integrated understanding of dreams. Clinical Social Work Journal, 32(4), 451-469. Auld, F. , Hyman, M. , Rudzinski, D. (2005). Resolution of inner conflict: An introduction to psychoanalytic therapy (2nd ed. ). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Brill, A. A. (1922). Psychanalysis: Its theories and practical application. London: WB Saunders Co. Freud, S. (1920). A general introduction to psychoanalysis. New York: Horace Liveright.

Concepts of Bio-Electricity

Concepts of Bio-Electricity Introduction What is Bio-electricity? Bio-electricity is an interdisciplinary theme which refers to the production of electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields in biological tissue (Cameron, 1996). This essay focus on the production of electric fields for use in organisms rather than in electrical circuits. An electric field is an area around a charged particle created by an electric force; the magnitude and direction of this force is determined by the charge of the particles surrounding it (Dictionary, no date). An example of this in Biology is the electrical system of the heart and the maintaining of membrane potentials in cells in the body. Bio-electricity in Nature American Paddlefish An example of an organism which uses Bio-electricity in an enhanced form is the American Paddlefish (or Spoonbill Catfish). These are large, freshwater fish from North America which have an extensive, paddle-like flat nose. The extended nose of the fish is embedded with pores with cells called electroreceptors (Thomas, 2016). These pores spread over the fishs body, from the nose to gill covers, covering around half of its skin (Wilkens, 2001). This allows the detection of weak electric currents in the water they travel in, thus allowing them to hunt their main source of food; plankton. These sensors are extremely sensitive, and are able to respond to electrical fields of less than 1/100th of one 1-millionth volt per centimetre (Wilkens, 2001). All organisms emit weak electric signals (e.g. electrical impulses due to the beating of the heart), and thus can be detected by these cells. The electrical signal is sent to the brain via the neurons. Paddlefish being able to detect these fields aid their survival, as their environment is generally very dark (Thomas, 2016). Electric Eel Another example of Bio-electricity in nature being used in a different way is with the Electric Eel. It can do this due to the electrogenic cells in its body called electrocytes, each with a negative charge of around 100 millivolts (Scientific American, 2005). These are all modified muscle cells in the eels tail. When a signal from a command nucleus arrives to each of the cells, a neurotransmitter is released. These are chemical signals which allow information to be transmitted between nerve cells (Cherry, 2016). As a result of this, a path of low resistance is created, connecting the interior and exterior of each cell. This allows the cells to behave like batteries, with opposing sides of the cell acting as positive and negative terminals (Scientific American, 2005). This is used to both hunt and kill prey. If in sight, prey can be hunted by the eels the release of high voltage pulses of a frequency of 400/s. If these pulses reach another organism, it will interfere with its neurons, causing them to involuntarily contract. This contraction is extremely strong due to the sequence of the pulses released; each lengthy torrent is succeeded by a pair of rapid pulses, making the process as efficient as possible. As a result of this, the prey can experience complete short term paralysis, allowing the eel to attack. The effect is similar of that of a taser on a human (Yong, 2014). Similar to that of the Paddlefish, potential prey can also be detected through the use of Bio-electricity. The Electric Eel can send out pulses, again causing the prey to contract involuntarily. The resulting ripples in the water would reveal the location of any organism affected, as the eel is extremely sensitive to movement (it can strike within 20 thousandths of a second from when movement is detected). This provides a further opportunity for the eel to kill (Yong, 2014). Moreover, the eel can kill prey (or deter predators) by directly shocking them. Though each individual electrocyte can create only a small electric field, the cells are connected as parallel batteries are in a circuit, creating a larger electric field. The combined electrocytes create 3 large electric organs which can take up 80% of the eels body (Giardina, 2016). This means an average Electric Eel can produce electricity of around 600 volts at 2 milliseconds at a time. Bio-electricity in Medicine The use of Bio-electricity to treat human conditions is being increasingly explored. A link between the immune system, the series of processes which works to primarily fight off disease, and the nervous system, processes which involve electrical signals within the body, is being researched. One of the main method of using our knowledge of Bio-electricity in Medicine is through the stimulation of the Vagus nerve, also known as Cranial Nerve (X). This is one of 12 cranial nerves, which are nerves which begin from the brain stem rather than the spinal cord. These nerves are responsible for the motor and sensory functions of our body (InnovateUs Inc, 2013). Of all the cranial nerves, the Vagus nerve is the longest, extending through the thorax, heart, stomach, abdominal muscles and others. This links the brainstem to the body and major organs (particularly the heart), allowing information to be easily transferred in an electrical circuit-like system (InnovateUs Inc, 2013). One of the uses of the Vagus nerve stimulation is the controlling of seizures in epilepsy patients. This is by connecting a small device to the left Vagus nerve in the neck. The device can then send out small electrical impulses via the nerve to the brain. This reduces activity in the brain which can lead to seizures; seizures themselves are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. (Epilepsy Society, 2016). A second use of Bio-electricity in Medicine is the use of cardiac pacemakers in the treatment of Parkinsons disease, a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a loss of dopamine producing nerve cells in the brain (NHS Choices, 2016). To help reduce the symptoms of Parkinsons, which include rigidity, tremors and bradykinesia, doctors are implanting a small electronic device called a neurostimulator in patients (Lazarus, 2014). The device sends out regular electrical impulses to areas of the brain responsible for movement. This allows impulse to block the irregular signals which cause the shaking in patients, giving them more control. The entire process is called Deep Brain Stimulation and is a widely used technique to help improve quality of life in people with Parkinsons. Conclusion In conclusion, Bio-electricity is a naturally occurring phenomenon occurring in humans and animals alike, and is essential to everyday living. Its natural uses explored include communication between the brain and body via neurotransmittors and nerve cells, the detection of prey and predator in animals and its use in hunting. With modern technological advances, its use is being extended to the treatment of disorders in humans including depression, Parkinsons, arthritis and epilepsy, many of which through the installation of electrical devices which send out impulses. With further research and understanding, it is hoped to that it can be used to treat many more diseases, improving quality of life for many more people. Bibliography Cameron, J. (1996) Bioelectromagnetism-Principles and applications of Bioelectric and Biomagnetic fields, by J. Malmivuo and R. Plonsey, Medical Physics, 23(8), pp. 1471-1471. doi: 10.1118/1.597895. Cherry, K. (2016) Basics of biological psychology the brain and behavior. Available at: https://www.verywell.com/lesson-three-brain-and-behavior-2795291 (Accessed: 22 December 2016). Dictionary (no date) The definition of electric field, in Available at: http://www.dictionary.com/browse/electric-field (Accessed: 27 December 2016). Epilepsy Society (2016) Vagus nerve stimulation. Available at: https://www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/vagus-nerve-stimulation#.WGHxfFxHa0w (Accessed: 27 December 2016). Giardina, T. (2016) ELECTRIC FEEL: Scientist explains how eels make electricity. Available at: http://www.pressconnects.com/story/news/local/2015/05/30/electric-eels-create-shock/28208993/ (Accessed: 26 December 2016). InnovateUs Inc (2013) What is the function of the Vagus nerve? Available at: http://www.innovateus.net/innopedia/what-function-vagus-nerve (Accessed: 27 December 2016). Lazarus, J. (2014) Surgical Treatment Options. Available at: http://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/treatment/surgery-treatment-options/Deep-Brain-Stimulation (Accessed: 27 December 2016). NHS Choices (2016) Parkinsons disease causes. Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/parkinsons-disease/pages/causes.aspx (Accessed: 27 December 2016). Scientific American (2005) How do electric eels generate a voltage and why do they not get shocked in the process? Available at: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-do-electric-eels-gene/ (Accessed: 22 December 2016). Thomas, B. (2016) Paddlefish are tuned to eat only Plankton. Available at: http://www.icr.org/article/paddlefish-are-tuned-eat-only-plankton/ (Accessed: 17 December 2016). Wilkens, L. (2001) Tuning in to Paddlefish. Available at: https://mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2001/01/tuning-paddlefish (Accessed: 17 December 2016). Yong, E. (2014) Electric Eels can remotely control their preys muscles. Available at: http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2014/12/04/electric-eels-can-remotely-control-their-preys-muscles/ (Accessed: 22 December 2016).

The Future of On-line Journalism Essay -- Exploratory Essays Research

The Future of On-line Journalism Interactivity is what most separates on line news from traditional news. Indexicality (using hypertext links) is an important aspect of on-line journalism because it frees up space and time for the reader. People can explore international news and easily access the latest stories before the papers get to print, all at the click of a mouse. Many studies have been done on how people use web services. One of the major characteristics of such use is searching through different hyperlinks. Hypertext enables people to see things through new dimensions. Online journalists have to be innovative in the way they create news. "Transparent journalism," allowing readers to participate in the writing, is one example of how journalists are adapting to the on line form. "Eye track" (equipment that monitors where people's eyes focus and for how long) studies have also been useful in studying how we use the web. These studies will help news organizations and rest of us in understanding twenty-first century communication. Analysis On-line journalism is a combination of the increasing digitalized technology and the use of the internet. Digitalized technology and the internet are the two leading factors in the evolution of print in terms of Gasher's views of interactivity (Gasher). On-line news sites are the peak at this point in technological evolution and are serving, as well as changing the functions of media because they combine these two factors. On-line journalism can be assessed through its evolution, its basic functions and its benefits. The evolution of print has shown general progression through expanse, detail, interactivity and expressiveness of communication. The first publications print... ... Mediascapes: New Patterns in Canadian Communication. Edited by Paul Attallah and Leslie Regan Shade. Scarborough, ON: Nelson, p. 259-261. The New York Times on the Web. (2002) Available on-line: last consulted: October 8th, 2002. Peter Jennings. (2002) "The Search for Peter Jennings", National Review Online. Available on-line:http://peterjennings.150m.com last consulted: October 8th, 2002. SCHOLL AND WEISCHENBERG, Armin and Siegfried. (1999) "Autonomy in Journalism: How it is Related to Attitudes and Behavior of Media Professionals", Web Journal of Mass Communication Research, September 4, 1999. Available on-line: last consulted October 8th, 2002. The Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. (2002) "Talk back". Available on-line: last consulted October 8th, 2002.

These Truths, Self-Evident :: Voting Personal Narrative Election Essays

These Truths, Self-Evident Yesterday†¦ Election Day†¦ Like many virtuous and civic-minded citizens I cast my ballot—our quirky little tradition, overthrowing the government every two years—yet despite my best efforts the Republican Party swept the House of Representatives and the United States Senate. I want to use a rude word right now. I don’t understand Republicans, and I don’t understand their policies; this isn’t to say that I don’t understand their aims and objectives—I do. However, I cannot stomach what they stand for. I cannot stomach those who would deny women control over their bodies, deny homosexuals the right to legally recognized love. I cannot fathom those who would cut taxes on the superrich, creating Jazz Age class divisions that separate citizens with insurmountable walls of money. But despite my disgust for most things conservatives stand for, I cannot bring myself to dismiss them. President Bush currently holds a 63 percent approval rating from the American public, and I do not choose to believe 63 percent of the citizens of my country are stupid. And despite the way I complain, I really sit down here to rant. My problem stems from the fact that everything these religious zealots hold sacred radically conflicts with every belief I hold sacred and dear. Salman Rushdie knows a little something of religious zealotry. After the publication of his 1988 novel The Satanic Verses, the Indian novelist got a bit more than the usual outcry from the extreme religious right. Objecting to the negative portrayal of the prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam, and the Koran, Islam’s holy book, Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran called on all righteous Muslims to execute the writer as well as the publisher of the book. For more than ten years, Rushdie hid from publicity and assassination, all on account of his slander of so-called â€Å"sacred† texts. It is reasonable to surmise that Rushdie has a pretty strong opinion of that which is declared sacrosanct. In 1990, the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London invited the Booker Prize-winning novelist to deliver the prestigious Herbert Reed Memorial Lecture; those protecting him decided that he should not go in person. Perhaps not being â€Å"able to re-enter [his] old life, not even for such a moment† (Rushdie 340), fueled Rushdie’s rhetoric; for whatever the cause, the occasion birthed a lecture of rage: â€Å"Is Nothing Sacred?† In this discourse, Rushdie discusses his views on the vitality and importance of literature, and whether it is, supposedly like religion, inherently sacred.

Case Study: Tracey Essay

Transitioning to adulthood can be stressful and challenging for all, but for those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their caregivers transitioning to adulthood can provoke feeling of uncertainty or even fear. People with ASD function at different levels and require varying degrees of care. There should be an individualized educational plan (IEP) established by age 16 containing postsecondary goals related to training, education, employment, and independent living skills along with the transition services needed to assist in reaching those goals referred to as individualized transition plan (ITP) (Heward, 2013). Defining the needs of young adults with ASD should start with listening to the individual and helping him or her plan for the life he or she wants. When establishing an ITP, goals in education/training, employment and independent living; type of support needed on a job; residential alternatives; and interventions for any behavioral problems should be addressed . Tracey is a twenty-one-year-old student diagnosed with ASD who can have difficulties with transitions and requires that her routine be predictable. Tracey’s goals are to attend college, work in an office and share an apartment with a school friend when she graduates. Tracey reads at a second grade level and will need extensive support from educators in order to achieve her goal of receiving a postsecondary education. Tracey’s educational curriculum should use a functional skills approach that will help her master critical skills for use in home, community, school, and work settings (Snell & Brown, 2006). Tracey will complete a technical training program that will include learning work behaviors and job skills that will be useful in an office work environment. It will be essential to coordinate communication between the school and community based service providers in order to identify potential employers. Tracey will sample different job tasks within an office environmen t taking advantage of her friendly disposition and ability to follow directions when  they are paired with pictures to help her understand the steps in completing more complicated tasks. Job tasks may include office maintenance, delivering messages, sorting and organizing material, and offering assistance to other personnel. Tracey is able to complete her daily living skills relatively independently but needs reminders to choose appropriate clothing and change her clothes on a regular basis. Her parents will provide positive reinforcement and implement a self-management intervention plan to encourage Tracey’s appropriate behaviors. Tracey is frequently impulsive which sometimes results in grabbing and even pushing another peer. An important aspect of transitioning is to address challenging behaviors through the use of behavioral strategies. Tracey will practice conflict resolution skills by learning to communicate her feelings and practicing relaxation techniques during stressful situations. In an effort to increase Tracey’s independence she will enter the workforce while receiving appropriate training. As Tracey enters the workforce she will require su pported employment because she has never been employed. She will be receiving functional skills training that will prepare her with specific job skills required to work in an office as she desires. Heward (2009) indicates â€Å"The individual placement model of supported employment consists of developing jobs with employers in the community, systematically assessing clients’ job preferences, carefully placing employees in jobs they want, implementing intensive job site training and advocacy, building systems of natural supports on the job site, monitoring client performance, and taking a systematic approach to long-term job retention† (p. 539). This type of supported employment is the best approach for Tracey because no two people with ASD are alike; employment should capitalize on Tracey’s strengths, abilities and interests. In this type of employment Tracey will receive ongoing support services while on the job from a job coach that will provide intensive on-site job training and support, which will be modified over time as she becomes more successful at completing her job tasks. It is important that the job coach gradually reduce the time spent providing direct training to Tracey in order to: avoid disruptions in the workplace, keep Tracey from interacting with coworkers without disabilities and have Tracey become too dependent on the job coach keeping her from developing problem solving skills and taking responsibility for her own actions (Heward, 2013). Tracey’s training/support should focus on how to get to and from work, scheduling, following instructions (supported by pictures), interactions with coworkers, money management and self-advocacy. Tracey’s goal is to live in an apartment with a college friend. Supported living is designed to foster an individual’s integration to the community as he or she works toward his or her personal goals. A supported living model is suited for Tracey because she has established basic life skills and does not have significant levels of challenging behaviors but still requires assistance in some areas. An apartment cluster houses people with disabilities while having another nearby apartment for a support person or staff member (Heward, 2013). This type of living arrangement will offer Tracey flexibility in the amount of support she receives. Again, support will be adjusted as Tracey becomes more independent and fluent with her everyday living skills. A daily schedule will be provided for Tracey to remind her of things like hygiene routine, personal care (picking and changing her clothes), and household chores. Heward (2013) suggests â€Å"to facilitate social integration, people without disabilities may also occupy some apartments in an apartment cluster† (p. 5450). Autism Living and Working (ALAW) provides supervised living with home ownership opportunities to adults with autism by focusing on each individual’s personal preferences, strengths, deficits, and sensory-motor requirements, ALAW works to provide the necessary residential accommodations and vocational supports to enable the person to participate more fully in work and life in the community (ALAW, 2014). All accommodations are specifically tailored to meet an individual’s needs and preferences across their lifetime. What is most beneficial of programs like that offered by ALAW is the help-to-do rather than the do-for attitude, where Tracey can continue to learn and develop new skills but most importantly she will find consistency, structure, and predictability. Tracey’s impulsivity must be addressed in order for her to be successful both in a professional and a personal setting. Behavior problems serve as a form of communication that has a function in the person who displays it. When Tracey grabs or pushes another peer she can be seeking attention in order to express her frustration when something is no longer predictable. For example if Jane does not want to do what Tracey wants her to do she will push her getting the attention of others that will  in turn interrupt or stop the activity that is frustrating Tracey (creating a predictable event for Tracey). This consequence also serves as reinforcement, making the unwanted behavior stronger. Tracey will learn new ways to communicate her frustrations. In order to have Tracey understand the consequences of her behavior (grabbing and pushing) she will need to understand and recognize what triggers the behaviors, known as antecedents. An intervention strategy to help prevent the behavior from occurring can include avoiding large crowds, avoiding exposure to long delays, and allowing Tracey to take frequent breaks during difficult tasks. Tracey will also learn replacement behaviors like organizational skills that will keep her from becoming frustrated when faced with multiple tasks and learn to control angry outbursts; instead of grabbing or pushing she wi ll learn to say stop and request a break. Those around Tracey will need to learn how to respond differently to Tracey’s behavior by redirecting her to another activity or prompting her to use an alternative skill, and providing corrective feedback. There will be a direct assessment used to collect behavior data in order to determine the effectiveness of the interventions. Tracey will be observed in her natural environment, including her work place, school and home. Antecedents, behaviors, and consequence patterns will be observed noting how frequent the behaviors occur, how long they last and the intensity of the behavior. Observations will be made with current strategies and with new strategies to determine effectiveness. Transitioning to adulthood for youth with ASD presents unique challenges but with the appropriate support a better quality of life can be achieved. It is important to include Tracey in the planning of her daily activities in order to increase predictability, to be specific when setting expectations for her at the beginning of each activity and to use pictures instructions to make her daily routines understandable. Peers and coworkers without disabilities may have concerns regarding how to treat Tracey or how to communicate effectively with her; their concerns must be addresses with specific and clear instructions regarding Tracey’s communication system. Those near her will be taught how to appropriately respond to Tracey’s unwanted behaviors. Not only will having these skills make them feel more at ease around Tracey but it will also make them valuable assets in Tracey’s training and development. Keeping in mind Tracey’s personal goals in  education/training, employment and living arrangements allows for an easier more successful transition into independent living specifically designed with her stre ngths and abilities in mind. References Autism Living and Working (ALAW). (2014). Self-determined housing. Retrieved from http://www.autismlivingworking.org/content/self-determined-housing Heward, W. L. (2013). Exceptional children: An introduction to special education (10th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education Snell, M. E. & Brown, F. (2006). Instruction of Students with Severe Disabilities (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall

Expressionism in Early 20th Century Art

Aspects of all the avian-garden movements contributed to the emergence of expressionism. Expressionism refers to art that is the result of the artist's unique inner or personal vision that often has an emotional dimension. This contrasts with art focused on the visual description of the empirical world. This was a rejection of Renaissance sensibilities that had governed the western art world for the previous 500 years. The term expressionism was popularized in the avian-garden Journal Deer Strum.The editor Hearth Walden proclaimed: â€Å"We call art of this century Expressionism in order to distinguish it from what is not art. We are thoroughly aware that artists of previous centuries also sought expression. Only they did not know how to formulate it. † There are several movements of the 20th century that are classified as expressionist. Some of this expressionist art evokes visceral emotional responses from the viewer, whereas other such artworks rely on the artist introspect ive revelations.Often the expressionists offended viewers and even critics, but the sought empathy – connection between the internal states of artists and viewers – not sympathy. Dada With war as a backdrop, many artists contributed to an artistic and literary movement hat became known as Dada. This movement emerged, in large part, in reaction to an insane spectacle of collective homicide. They were â€Å"utterly revolted by the butchery of the World War. Dada was international in scope beginning in New York and Switzerland and spreading to other areas.Dada was more off mindset or attitude than a singular identifiable style. The Dadaists believed reason and logic had been responsible for the unmitigated disaster of world war, and they concluded that the only route to salvation was through political anarchy, the irrational, and the intuitive. Thus, an element of absurdity is a cornerstone of Dada. Dada is a term unrelated to the movement, choosing the word randomly fro m the dictionary. The word is French for â€Å"hobby horse. It satisfied the Dadaists desire for something irrational and nonsensical The pessimism and disgust of these artists surfaced in their disdain for convention and tradition, characterized by a concerted and sustained attempt to undermine cherished notions and assumptions about art. Although the artist's cynicism and pessimism inspired Dada, what developed was phenomenally influential and powerful. By attacking convention and logic, the Dada artist's unlocked new avenues for creative invention, allowing artists to push boundaries farther than previous movements.Dada was in its submissiveness, extraordinarily avian-garden and very liberating. In addition to disdain, a current of humor and the whimsical, along with irreverence flows through much of the art. This can be seen in Duchess's Mona Lisa, and Francis Pica's, Portrait of Cezanne. The views of the Dadaists mirrored those of Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, and others. In its e mphasis on the spontaneous and the intuitive, Dada had interest in the exploration of the subconscious that Freud promoted. Images rising out of the subconscious mind had a truth of their own, they believed, independent of conventional vision.Jean Arp (1887-1966) pioneered the use of chance in composing his images. Tiring of the Cubist look in his collages, Arp took sheets of paper, tore them roughly into squares, haphazardly dropped them to a sheet of paper on the floor, and glued them into the resulting arrangement. The rectangular shapes unified the design, which Arp no doubt enhanced by adjusting the random arrangement to a quasi-grid. Even with some altering, chance had introduced an imbalance that seemed to Arp to store to his work a certain mysterious vitality he wanted.Collage Arranged According to the Laws of Chance is a work done using this method. The operations of chance were for Dadaists a crucial part of this kind of improvisation. Chance could restore to a work of art its primeval magic power and find a way back to the immediacy it had lost through contact with Classicism. Rap's reliance on chance when creating his compositions reinforced the anarchy and submissiveness inherent in Dada. The most influential of the Dadaists was Frenchman Marcel Decamp (1887-1968), he central artist in the New York Dada and active in Paris at the end of Dada.In 1913 he exhibited his first â€Å"ready-made† sculptures, which were mass produced common, found objects the artist selected and sometimes â€Å"rectified† by modifying their substance or combining them with another object. Such works, he insisted, were created free from any consideration of either good or bad taste, qualities shaped by a society he and other Dada artists found bankrupt. Perhaps his most outrageous work was Fountain, a porcelain urinal presented on its back and signed â€Å"R. Mute† and dated.The artist's signature was in fact a witty pseudonym derived from the Moot plu mbing company's name and that of the Mute and Jeff comic strip. Decamp did not select the object for exhibition for its aesthetic qualities. The â€Å"artiness† of this work lies in the artist's choice of his object, which has the effect of conferring the status of art on it and forces the viewer to see the object in a new light. Decamp wrote, after Fountain was rejected from an injured show, â€Å"Whether Mr.. Mute with his own hands made the fountain or not has no importance. He chose it.He took an ordinary article of life, placed it so that its useful significance separated under a new title and point of view – created a new thought for that object. Decamp (and the generations of artists after him profoundly influenced by his art and especially his attitude) considered life and art matters of chance and choice freed from the conventions of society and tradition. Within his approach to art and life, each act was individual and unique. Every person's choice of found objects would be different. This philosophy of utter freedom for artists was fundamental to the history of art in the 20th century.Decamp spent much of World War I in New York, inspiring a group of American artists and collectors with his radical rethinking of the role of artists and of the nature of art. Dada spread throughout much of Western Europe, arriving as early as 1917 in Berlin, where it soon took on an activist political edge, particularly in response to the economic, social, and political chaos in the city after World War l. The Berlin artists developed a new intensity for a technique called photometer (pasting parts of many images together into one image).This technique had been in popular and private culture and was used on postcards long before the 20th century. A few years earlier, the Cubists had named the process collage. Unlike Cubist collage, the parts of Dada collage were made almost entirely of â€Å"found† details, such as pieces of magazine photographs, usually combined into deliberately ontological compositions. Collage lent itself well to the Dada desire to use chance when creating art and anti- art. One of the Berlin Dadaists who perfected the photometer technique was Hannah Hoc (1889-1978).Her works not only advanced the absurd illogic of Dada by presenting the viewer with chaotic, contradictory, and satiric compositions, but they also provided scathing and insightful commentary on two of the most dramatic developments during the Whimper Republic (1918-1933) in Germany – the redefinition of women's social roles and the explosive growth of mass print media. In, Cut with the Kitchen Knife Dada through the Last Whimper Beer Belly Cultural Epoch of Germany, Hoc arranged an eclectic mixture of cutout photos in seemingly haphazard fashion.On closer inspection, we see that Hoc carefully placed photographs of some of her fellow Dadaists among images of Marx, Lenin and other revolutionary figures in the lower right. She also pla ced cutout lettering saying â€Å"Die grosser Welt dada† (the great Dada world). She also Juxtaposed the heads of German military leaders on the bodies of exotic dancers, providing a wicked critique of German leaders. A photograph of Hooch's head appears in the lower right hand corner, Juxtaposed with a map of Europe showing the progress of women's enfranchisement.Kurt Schweitzer (1887-1948) worked non-objectively, finding visual poetry in the cast off Junk of modern society and scavenged in trash bins for materials, which he pasted and nailed together into designs such as our example Mere 19. Mere is a word that Schweitzer nonsensically derived from the word Zimmermann (commerce bank), and used as a generic title for a whole series of works. The recycled elements acquire new meanings through their new uses and locations. Elevating objects that are essentially trash to the status of high art fits well with Dada philosophy.The European Effect on American Art: Transatlantic Art istic Dialogue John Singer Sergeant, James McNeil Whistler, and Mary Cast were American arts that spent much of their productive careers in Europe, while many European artists ended their careers in the United States in anticipation and because of World War l. Visionary patrons supported the efforts of American and other artists to pursue modernist ideas. Some of the patrons were matrons or women as opposed to men. Thus there support might be labeled metronome.The art scene in America before significant European Modernist influence was quite varied yet profoundly realist. Many American artists were committed to presenting a realistic, unvarnished look at life, much like the mid-19th century French Realists. One such group has been called The Eight. They were a group of American artists who gravitated to the circle of influential and evangelical artist and teacher Robert Henry (1865-1929). Henry encouraged these artists to make â€Å"pictures from life. † These images depicted the rapidly changing urban landscape of New York City.Because these paintings captured the bleak and seedy aspects of city life, The Eight eventually became known as The Ashcan School and were referred to as â€Å"the apostles of ugliness. † John Sloan (1871-1951) wandered the streets of New York observing human drama. His main focus was on the working class, which he viewed as the embodiment of the realities of life. So immersed was Sloan into his views of the working class, that he joined the Socialist party and ran for office on their ticket. His works often depicted the down trodden, prostitutes, and drunkards.Slogan's depiction of these subjects was not as one who saw these things as immoral and evil, something to be removed, like the reformers of the day, rather, he saw them as victims of an unfair social and economic system. Sixth Avenue and 30th Street (1907), depicts the street corner of this name in New York. We see the elevated train and shops of that area. A drun ken woman in a white dress stumbles toward the viewer as a pair of well dressed ladies or street walkers look on in amusement. This scene is not uplifting nor does it show the well to do. Instead it records the everyday happenings of the working class.Sunday-Women Drying Their Hair (1913), depicts three women on the roof of their tenement taking some time to dry their hair after washing it. George Bellows (1882-1925) Bellows first achieved notice in 1908, when he and other pupils of Robert Henry organized an exhibition of mostly urban studies. While many critics considered these to be crudely painted, others found them audacious and a step beyond the work of his teacher. Bellows taught at the Art Students League of New York in 1909, although he was more interested in pursuing a career as a painter.His fame grew as he contributed to other nationally recognized Juries shows. Bellows' series of paintings portraying amateur boxing matches were arguably his signature contribution to art history. These paintings are characterized by dark atmospheres, through which the bright, roughly lain brushstrokes of the human figures vividly strike with a strong sense of motion and direction. George Lukas (1867-1933) also painted scenes of urban life. He lived what he painted. He was a boxer and had a temper which often landed him in fights. It is perhaps fitting that he died in 1933 as a result of injuries sustained in a bar fight.Huston Street painted in 1917, is an example of Lukas work that demonstrates his loose, roughly painted style. Allen Street painted in 1905, is also demonstrative of Lukas' style. Everett Shin (1876-1953) created paintings which found their subject matter in the slums as well as in middle-class cafe © society and in theatrical activities. His theater scenes were usually done in oil, his slum and lower-class pictures in pastel. Unlike John Sloan, who felt a genuine reformer's commitment to lower-class urban themes, Shin viewed the entire city as a b right, glittering spectacle to savor and to enjoy until the end of his life.His art reflects the influences of Dandier, Edgar Degas, and Jean-Louis Forman. The Armory Show and Its Legacy One of the major vehicles for disseminating information about European Artistic developments in the United States was the Armory Show, which occurred in early 1913. This large scale endeavor got its name from its location, the armory of the New York National Guard's 69th Regiment. It was organized largely by two artists Walt Kuhn and Arthur B. Davies. The Armory Show contained more than 1,600 artworks by European and American artists. Among the European artists represented wereMatisse, Derail, Picasso, Baroque, Decamp, Sandusky, Kerchief, as well as Expressionist sculpture Wilhelm Lumbermen and organic sculpture Constantine Branches. This show exposed American artists and public to the latest in European artistic developments. The Show was immediately controversial. The New York Times described the show as â€Å"pathological,† and other critics demented the exhibition be closed as a menace to public morality. The work that was most maligned was Marcel Duchess's Nude Descending a Staircase. The painting suggests a single figure in motion down a staircase in a time continuum.The work as much in common with the Cubists and Futurists. One critic described the work as â€Å"an explosion at a shingle factory,† and newspaper cartoonists had a field day lampooning the painting. De Still Utopian ideals were also expressed in Holland. De Still was a group of young artists that formed in 1917. It believed that the end of World War I was the birth off new age. The group was co-founded by Piety Mandarin (1872-1944) and Leo Van Dossiers (1883-1931). They felt this time was a balance between individual and universal values, when the machine would assure ease of living.They declared, in their first manifesto, â€Å"There is an old and a new consciousness of the age. The old one is directed toward the individual. The new one is directed toward the universal. † We must realize that life and art are no longer separate domains. That is why the â€Å"idea† of â€Å"art† as an illusion separate from real life must disappear. The word â€Å"Art† no longer meaner anything to us. In its place we demand the construction of our environment in accordance with creative laws based on fixed principle. These laws, following those of economics, mathematics, technique, and sanitation, etc. , are all leading too new, plastic unity.Mandarin felt that his style revealed the underlying eternal structure of existence. This style was based on a single principle. Deities artists reduced their artistic vocabulary to simple geometric elements. After his initial introduction to abstraction, Mandarin was attracted to contemporary theological drawings. Mandarin sought to purge his art of every overt reference to individual objects in the external world. This combination produced a conception of non-objective design he called â€Å"pure plastic art† which he believed expressed universal reality. â€Å"Art is higher than reality and has no direct relation to reality†¦To approach the spiritual in art, one will make as little use as possible of reality, because reality is opposed to the spiritual†¦ We find ourselves in the presence of an abstract art. Art should be above reality, otherwise it would have no value for man. To express his vision, Mandarin eventually limited his formal vocabulary to the three primary colors, the three primary values, and the two primary directions (horizontal and vertical). He concluded that the primary colors and values are the purist colors and therefore the perfect tools to construct harmonious composition.Composition in Red, Blue, and Yellow, is one of many paintings Mandarin created locking color planes into a grid intersecting vertical and horizontal lines. He altered the grid patterns and the size and placement of the color planes to create an internal cohesion and harmony. Mandarin worked to maintain a dynamic tension in his paintings from the size and position of lines, shapes, and colors. The Bauhaus The De Still group influenced other artists through its simplified geometric style, and its notion that art and life are one.In Germany, the architect Walter Groping (1883-1969) developed a vision of â€Å"total architecture†. This concept influenced generations of pupils through the school he directed called the Bauhaus. In 1919, Groping was appointed director of the Whimper School of Arts and Crafts. Under Groping, the school was renamed Dads Statistical Bauhaus (roughly translated as â€Å"State School of Building†) and was referred to as the Bauhaus. Groping' goal was to train artists, architects, and designers to anticipate 20th century needs. The extensive curriculum was based on certain principles.The first staunchly advocated the importance o f strong basic design and craftsmanship as fundamental to good art ND architecture. His belief that there was no essential difference between artist and craftsman, led him to place both a technical instructor and an artist in each department. Second, Groping promoted the unity of art, architecture, and design. To eliminate traditional boundaries that separated art from architecture, and art from craft, the Bauhaus offered a wide range of craft type classes in addition to the more standard courses.Third, Groping emphasized the need to produce graduates who could design progressive environments through the knowledge and need of machine age technologies and materials. This required the artist / craftsman to fully understand industrial and mass production. Groping declared, â€Å"Let us conceive and create the new building of the future, which will emphasize architecture and sculpture and painting in one unity and which will rise one day toward heaven from the hands of millions of work ers like a crystal symbol off new faith. The reference to a unity of workers reveals the undercurrent of socialism present in Germany at the time. One Bauhaus teacher who had a lasting legacy on artists was Josef Labels (1888-1976). He was a German born artist whose greatest contribution to the school as his revision of the basic design course required of all students. He required a systematic and thorough investigation of arts formal qualities; what has been termed the elements and principles of design. Labels investigated arts formal qualities in his own work.In his series, Homage to the Square, painted after he left the Bauhaus, between 1950 and 1976, encapsulates the design concepts he developed while at the Bauhaus. The series consists of hundreds of paintings, most of which were simply color variations on the same composition of concentric squares. The series reflects Labels belief that art originates in â€Å"the discrepancy between physical fact and psychic effect. Because of their consistency in composition, the works succeed in revealing the relativity and instability of color perception.Labels varied the hue (color), saturation (brightness and dullness), and value (lightness or darkness) of each square in the paintings in the series. As a result, the squares from painting to painting appear to vary in size (although they remained the same), and the sensations emanating from the paintings range from clashing dissonance to delicate serenity. Labels demonstration of the reactions of colors to one another â€Å"proved that we see colors almost never unrelated to each other. † Labels ideas about design and color were widely disseminated.In 1925, the Bauhaus moved to Odessa, Germany. Groping designed the building for the Bauhaus as a sort of architectural manifesto. The building consisted of a workshop and class areas, a dining room, theatre, gym, a wing with studio apartments, and an enclosed two story bridge housing administrative offices. Of th e major wings, the most dramatic was the Shop Block. The Nazi's tore down this building, but the main buildings were later constructed. Three stories tall, the Shop Block housed a printing shop and dye works facility, in addition to other work areas.The builder's constructed the skeleton of reinforced concrete but set these supports way back, sheathing the entire structure in glass, creating a streamlined and light effect. This designs' simplicity followed Groupie's dictum that architecture should avoid â€Å"all romantic embellishment and whimsy. † Further, he realized the â€Å"economy in the use of space† articulated in his list of principles in his interior layout of the Shop Block, which consists of large areas of free flowing undivided space. Groping believed such an open classroom approach encouraged interaction and the sharing of ideas.Groping gave students and teachers the task of designing furniture and light fixtures for the building in keeping with the comp rehensive philosophy of the Bauhaus. One memorable furniture design to emerge from the Bauhaus was the tubular steel chair crafted by the Hungarian Marcel Brewer (1902-1981). Brewer was inspired to use tubular steel while riding his bike and studying his handle bars. In keeping with Bauhaus aesthetics, his chairs have a simplified, geometric look, and the leather of cloth purports add to the chairs comfort and functionality.These chairs were also easily mass produced and thus stand as epitomes of the Bauhaus program. This reductive, spare geometric aesthetic served many purposes – artistic, practical, and social. This aesthetic was championed by the Bauhaus and De Still. This simplified artistic vocabulary was accepted because of its association with the avian-garden and progressive though, and it evoked the machine. It could be easily applied to all art forms, from stage design, to architecture, and advertising, and therefore was perfect for mass production.