Final Project Essay

Brandt, V., England, W., & Ward, S.. (2011). Virtual Teams. Research Technology Management, 54(6), 62-63 In this article Brandt, England, and Ward define what virtual teams are, they state â€Å"virtual teams are individuals working together who have never met each other in person and probably will not meet face-to-face during the assigned project (Brandt, England, Ward 2011).† The next part of the article is used to define what virtual teams consist of. Virtual teams mainly consist of members from different locations working together on a specific project. Although some members of the team may meet each other at some point, they will never see each other on a frequent basis. In the main body of the article Brandt, England, and Ward give 6 common dimensions of successful virtual teams, they are as follows: 1. Trust-Trust generally develops from a history of interpersonal interactions through which people come to know one another. In virtual teams, trust must be established through other means since team members may have no past experience to draw on and no future to reference (2011). 2. Cultural Differences-Cultural and language differences become magnified in virtual teams because it is much easier to hide errors and problems and make wrong assumptions. Unintended non-inclusive behaviors based on cultural norms can be interpreted as rudeness or intimidation. Fostering cultural understanding breaks down the barriers that can hamper success and leads to more effective virtual teams (2011). 3. Communication-Communication issues for virtual teams include both the tools or technologies for communication and the rules of engagement. Both are critical for virtual team success and what works well for co-located teams is generally not effective for virtual teams. Shared electronic workspaces such as shared websites on an intranet are preferred communication tools for virtual teams (2011). 4. Social Skills-Use caution when assembling virtual teams solely on the basis of people’s expertise and availability. Social skills should be considered as a major prerequisite for good teamwork within the virtual team. If the team is unable to establish a basis for the effective exchange of know-how, performance will suffer (2011). 5. Mission and Goal Clarity-While all teams need clear missions and goals to be effective, virtual teams have more opportunities for diverse assumptions about the team’s mission and goal to take root. Clarity comes from discussion among all team members to reach a common understanding of the team’s deliverables. Another key requirement for the virtual team is the need to highlight the expertise of each member of the team and how that expertise relates to the team’s goals (2011). 6. Rewards and Recognition-Finding appropriate ways to compensate virtual teams with global membership require creativity. The diversity of the individuals on the team along with local rules and regulations makes a common reward for all approach difficult to execute. Incentives for both project and personal performance need to take into account the diversity of the team (2011). While all of these dimensions of virtual teams are important to their success, it is also noted that all virtual teams are not the same. The importance of each dimension can vary from team to team and each separate component should be emphasized more or less depending on the team make up, assigned task, and time permitted. Wally Bock. (2003). Some rules for virtual teams. The Journal for Quality and Participation, 26(3), 43. In this article Wally Bock describes what the best uses for virtual teams are. Virtual teams are best used for problem solving, quality assurance, product development, information sharing, and a variety of other team related activities. Within the concept of virtual teams it is important understand how the team is going to work together to accomplish the activities that are assigned. In today’s modern company virtual teams are interacting in different ways tan with traditional physical teams. Bock lists three ways virtual teams are getting their assigned activities accomplished, and what the company must provide for them to be successful. 1. Meetings-Virtual meetings will be the primary way to handle specific, narrowly focused issues quickly on these types of teams; however, virtual teams that are working on long-term projects will benefit from occasional physical meetings-especially in the early stages of their work (Bock, 2003) 2. Virtual Conferences-These interactive discussions offer an effective way to bring in an expert or to allow one team member to make a presentation to others without having to gather all participants in the same place (2003). 3. E-mail Groups-A team leader or manager can use the grouping, nickname, or list making feature on a company’s email software to increase the effectiveness of a virtual team. This ensures that when any member of the team sends any communication about the project, all of the other members receive it. For most virtual teams email is the primary means of communication (2003). The essence of this article is noting the fact that virtual teams are only going to be effective when technology is involved. When virtual teams first started, there wasn’t much effective meeting technology available, but now there is. New technology allows virtual teams to be on the same page, stay in constant communication with one another, can keep the team organized, increase the ability of each member to make contributions, and can also decrease the expenses associated with physical meetings. Bock also notes that â€Å"using the available technology allows virtual teams to be more innovative, and more successful than their physical counterparts. (2003).† Dobson, Sarah. Canadian HR Reporter. Toronto: Oct 10, 2011. Vol. 24, Issue. 17 In this article Sarah Dobson gives reasons and facts why many companies are increasing their virtual team workforce. In today’s tough economy companies’ are focusing a lot of attention to cost cutting. In a survey conducted by Dobson she found that â€Å"over 50% (56%) of companies are planning on using more virtual teams, as a direct relation to cost cutting (Dobson 2011).† Another reason for the spike in virtual teams is the widespread downsizing that has been seen globally. By hiring workers in less costly markets and managing these new employees as virtual teams, companies have seen a drop across the board in expenses related to labor, travel, real-estate, and taxes. Dobson goes on to talk about the advantages of virtual teams. â€Å"One of the advantages is having the ability to move in quickly and work with people from almost any location, having a broad pool of people to pull from allows a company to get terrific team members no matter where they were located (2011).† The notion of being able to pull employees from any part of the world is one of the key success factors of virtual teams. There are many multinational organizations growing rapidly in emerging markets such as China and Brazil fueling, the abundance of talent, demand for new skill sets, and a more distributed and diverse workforce. Although this article is heavy on the importance and advantages of virtual teams in today modern workplace, Dobson also points out that a virtual team can pose many challenges to other parts of a corporation. As a result of her survey Dobson found â€Å"66% of HR professionals need to do more work with virtual teams with the top three challenges being additional training, communication issues, and time zone or distance issues (2011). HR’s role in building and supporting virtual teams is extensive, this includes selecting the right people, understanding the skills and capabilities required, enabling policies over great distances, and getting separate departments such as IT working together. It’s a balancing act for HR in managing budgets and ensuring the sustainability and growth of their companies, said Dobson (2011). Mancini, Dale J. (2010). Building organizational trust in virtual teams. Journal of Behavioral Studies in Business, 2, 1-5. This article contends that trust is the root of any team’s success and states that cross-cultural understanding and communication play significant roles in building organizational trust. People’s sense of trust is developed between every interaction with each other. Trust cannot be forced into an organization or group. A virtual team, brought together to complete a major task, does not already have a foundation upon which trust already lies and therefore starts its project without established trust. Organizational trust can be hampered by cultural and communication difficulties. When team members originate from different cultures, the cultural differences in communication can create major obstacles that need to be overcome. To help foster communication in a virtual team that consists of members from different cultures there must be knowledge of each member’s national culture, which can help with understanding expected behavior in a variety of situations. If an understanding is not apparent within the team there may be a lot of unintended miscommunication which can derail a project from the start. Mancini notes that â€Å"protocols, appropriateness, mon itoring, and feedback mechanisms must all be dynamically adjusted in this unique communication environment (Mancini, 2010).† Trust is defined as reciprocal faith in others’ intentions and behavior. When dealing with a multitude of cultures in a virtual group it is important to understand that each culture has its own unique characteristics that function as a moral compass guiding the way they meet the challenges of life. Each group member must not judge but understand each of the beliefs of their fellow group members to help establish clear goals, a commitment to open communication, and trust and accept the rules and procedures of the virtual team. Only when all parties involved in the virtual team â€Å"seek not to judge but to understand (2011),† can real success begin. Naish, Richard. (2009, October). Take the virtual lead. E. learning Age. This article talks about being an effective leader in a virtual team. Nash notes a 2001 study among students by Kayworth & Leider that found the most effective leaders demonstrate mentoring skills, understanding for others and empathy (Naish 2009). This is import to note as being a leader in a virtual team requires a different leadership technique than the traditional command and control style utilized in many co-location teams. Leaders must use trust over control in these virtual team environments because in many cases with the team members being in separate locations it will be difficult for a leader to oversee what is going on with the group at all times. The second part of this article is used to define the different stages of trust that develop in a virtual team. Initial trust comes from team members personal characteristics, this type of trust can be re-enforced by team members sharing information about them. Naish notes a 1999 research study that found â€Å"high-performing virtual teams spend up to half their time in the first two weeks exchanging social information (2009).† Over time initial trust can erode in a virtual team, the next phase of trust in a virtual team is cognitive trust which will take the place of the eroding initial trust. Cognitive trust is based on people’s experience with each other. It is a kind of trust that is earned not given. In a virtual team cognitive trust can be earned by prompt replies to emails, sticking to deadlines, attending virtual meeting on time, and following up on all of the promises that are made in a group. Neish concludes his article by giving three tips for being a successful leader on an effective virtual team. â€Å"A leader must develop awareness of similarities and differences in the team members (2009). Virtual leaders need to encourage team members to share information. This allows members to see how similar they are even though they are working far apart. â€Å"A leader must watch out for misunderstandings (2009).† Face-to-face meetings are important at the beginning of the project and at points during; this allows a mutual understanding to develop and allows team members to build relationships with others. â€Å"A leader must give appropriate skills and support (2009).† Virtual leaders need to ensure all team members have essential virtual team skills: self-management, communication skills, and inner-personal awareness. Leaders must also monitor performance, reward team outcomes, and make sure team member have the resources they need to be successful. It is a ba lance of all of these skills that make for an effective virtual leader. Stephen Morris. (2008). How to get real results from virtual teams: Recognize that people, tasks and technology are different but equal. Human Resource Management International Digest, 16(4), 33-35. This article is all about making sure each member of a virtual group has the proper training with the technology used to make a virtual team successful. Stephen Morris first notes that while technology is very important it is not an end all solution to having a functional virtual team. Technology can only work properly when it is put to proper use by the people using it; Morris says â€Å"people who have had no formal telephone or e-mail training can find themselves in a world where they spend hours dealing with the issues of technology and not focusing on the project at hand (Morris 2008).† It is important for group members to have the proper training on the technology they are using to help the virtual team function. In many instances virtual teams are put in pressure situations, in these types of conditions, if a group leader has made the assumption that all members have had proper training the affect can be detrimental to the group. When team members are physical present with one another, especially in high pressure situations, they tend to monitor the impact of communication. In the fast-speed communication of the new digital age, people often transmit communication without taking into consideration the impact it may have. Morris next talks about intent versus impact, his definition of intent is as follows, â€Å"Most virtual teams probably have an urgent need–intent. We are surrounded by technology, feeling under pressure and often isolated. If no thought is applied, off go the e-mails like rockets–we are under pressure to deliver, right? There is little time for small talk here. Telephone calls are to the point. ‘‘They have to understand that I am in a hurry.’’ But if we treat virtual-team members as ‘‘human doings’’ and not ‘‘human beings,’’ they often delay the work flow (2009). The important thing to understand here is even thought technology is driving the work that is being done in a virtual team situation leaders can’t view the people using the technology as technological pieces themselves. A successful virtual leader assures that all participants have the proper training in all of the technology used; they can then balance the people, tasks, and technology usage, and recognize they are all different but not equal. While technology may not be the savior it is thought by some, it is not the demon seen by others, it simply is what it is. The human element brings it to life and defines its use and impact on the world. With a little care it can be turned into the most amazing enabler for co-creation and collaboration. With a very little carelessness, it can create total disconnect.

Book of Negroes

â€Å"The Book of Negroes is a master piece, daring and impressive in its geographic, historical and human reach, convincing in its narrative art and detail, necessary for imagining the real beyond the traces left by history. † I completely agree with The Globe and Mail’s interpretation of this story. One could almost see the desolate conditions of the slave boats and feel the pain of every person brought into slavery. Lawrence Hill created a compelling story that depicts the hard ships, emotional turmoil and bravery when he wrote The Book of Negroes.In the exposition of The Book of Negroes one does not realize the amount of emotional turmoil the African people are about to face. At first glance the village of Bayo seems to be a felicitous place to live. People were working, children playing; life was normal to them. Aminata, the main character in this story, describes hers and others pain intentensively, â€Å"I lived in terror that the captors would beat us, boil us and eat us, but they began with humiliation: they tore our clothes off our backs. † (pg. 9) Not once did the captors show any regard for these people, â€Å"As I began my long march from home, I discovered that there were people in the world who didn’t know me, didn’t love me and didn’t care whether I lived or died. † (pg. 29) They were treated no differently that rapid animals. Children were forced to grow up faster than they should have. They were forced to do a man’s work load, and think quickly to avoid being beaten. There is a sincere feeling of pathos for every last person who lost everything and were treated so poorly. People were separated from family and sometimes friends.Aminata first had her son taken away and sold by one of her masters, â€Å"My heart and body were screaming for Mamadu. But my baby was gone. Sold, sold, sold. Appleby would not say where. † (pg. 184) Years later she suffered the loss of her daughter, who was stolen by the family whom she was working for. Even when they felt they were a little closer to freedom, they were once again knocked down. When Aminata was no longer an owned slave she sailed into Shelbourne, where she and many others were still treated with contempt, â€Å"Inside the Merchant’s Coffee House, I asked for information about lodging and work.A big man took me by the arm and pulled me to the door. â€Å"We don’t serve niggers. † He said. † They were all stripped of their dignity, hope and faith. The Book of Negroes portrays a very vivid sense of realism throughout the entire story. As one follows Aminata through the excruciatingly painful journey she calls life, her pain, suffering and fears can be felt and seen by the reader. The hardships felt by the African people are heart wrenching. They lost everything that was ever home to them and taken to a world that treated them unfairly.These poor people suffered at the hands of the toubab, â₠¬Å"white man. † Aminata herself watched her mother die in front of her, â€Å"But another man intercepted her, raised high a big, thick club and brought it swinging down against the back of her head. Mama dropped. I saw her blood in the moonlight, angry and dark spilling fast. † (pg. 26) Losing family was not the only devastating occurrences they endured. They were shackled together, stripped of their clothing, rarely fed and at times they were caged like wild animals and branded.Many did not make the trip to Sullivans Island. There was so much death due to the poor conditions they were forced to live in. Once they were bought by the slave owners the treatment of them became much worse. They did get clothing, a place to live and food in their stomachs but the beatings were more frequent. The female slaves, children to adult, were raped, told they were completely owned by their masters, and made to do unthinkable things, â€Å"He owned my labor, but now he was bursting to own all of me. † (pg. 61) The poor slaves could not have anything nice and if they did it must be hidden, as punishment their possessions would be taken from them, â€Å"Your clothes,† he said to me when I hesitated, he tore them off and threw them down into the pile that Georgia had brought. â€Å"We have a law in the Province of South Carolina, â€Å" he said â€Å"Niggers don’t dress grand. † (pg. 176) Every one of the slaves in the 1700’s suffered so much and lost everything they once were. The amount of bravery it would have taken to survive as an African slave is unimaginable.They had to do whatever they could to stay alive. They had to hide their fear so they would not appear weak. Aminata made herself useful to everyone, from her fellow people to the white man. She put herself on the line, acting as a translator between her people and their captors, â€Å"She speaks his language, and she speaks Maninke. † She instructed many Afri cans and saved them from beatings and humiliation. Being only 11 years old, Aminata was valuable to her master and her people. She learnt as much as she could, she always kept her eyes and ears open and her mouth shut.The African people did not dare question the toubab or bukra. The entire book is full of man vs. man conflict, the Africans constantly fighting for their freedom and the right to be treated like people by the white man. Aminata’s persistence to learn and her hard work pay off for her. She is recognized as a useful person in society and finally treated not equal, but much better than her previous master had, â€Å"You don’t have to be afraid to speak properly Meena,† he said â€Å"I already know that you can read and speak well. † (pg. 88) In the denouement, Aminata earns her right as a respected African woman. She supports herself by teaching other African people how to read and catching babies. Word of her bravery travels, a lieutenant recr uits her to help in compiling a list of all African people wanting to go to Sierra Leone, a safe haven for freed slaves. She is also asked to tell the story of her life, which would take a lot of courage to relive all the pain and suffering, to end slavery, â€Å"The abolitionists say they have brought me to England to help them change the course of history. (pg. 2) after her constant battle throughout life Aminata gets the best reward she could ask for, her daughter sought her out and found her, â€Å"The rain did not bother me. What were a few hours of standing in line? Mama, I have been waiting for years. † (pg. 465) The Book of Negroes captures the emotional turmoil, hard ships, and bravery through perfect imagery. The emotional turmoil suffered by the African people is horrendous, they lost everything; their family, friends and homes. They were treated so poorly.The hard ships they had to suffer through would make ones skin crawl and stomachs turn. They lived in dreadfu l conditions, with the dying and dead, in rooms full of human waste. They were beaten and worked harder than any human should be. The African people had to be brave if they wanted to survive. They could not show any sign of weakness in fear of what would happen to them, their family or friends. They had to use any means they could to survive such a terrifying time. The Fight for Freedom; the Fight for Rights Mindy Godlien Mrs. McKay ELA30 November 5th, 2012

Positive Effects of Media on Our Society Essay

Today i am going to aware you about the positive effects of media on our society. Media has served as a boon to mankind. It has provided us with an exposure to the world outside our cozy homes. It has resulted in an exchange of views on a variety of subjects of a wide variety of people from all around the world, thereby leading to a global exchange of information and knowledge. Mass media has given each of us a platform to voice our opinions on all sorts of social and political issues and share information with one another. It has brought out easy ways of communication and provided us with easily accessible means to reach out to people in various parts of the world. Thanks to technological development, we have been able to obtain a platform that enables us to present ourselves to the rest of the world. The negative influences of media that are a result of an overexposure to it, are most often talked about. It is true to a certain extent that media has affected the society in a negative manner. But, undoubtedly, media has proved being a bliss. The media like television, radio and the Internet increase an overall awareness of the masses. They enhance the general knowledge by providing us with information from all over the world. News broadcast through different media helps us know about the day-to-day events in the world. News, tele-films and documentaries revolving around social issues increase a social awareness in children and develop their concern towards society. Newspapers, apart from updating us with the latest news and new information, also contribute to the enhancement of our vocabulary. Newspapers are the best beginners in developing reading habits in children. Through the print media, they provide the general public with a platform to give updates about their parts of the city, exchange their views over different issues that the society faces and share their thoughts on a larger scale. Media serve as the best means for a speedy spread of news about important incidents or events taking place. What has happened in the remotest corner of the world can reach us within minutes, thanks to media. The speed that technology has achieved is helpful in times of crisis when media is to be used for reporting news needing immediate attention. Research has revealed that media is responsible for influencing a major part of our daily life. Media contribute to a transformation in the cultural and social values of the masses. Media can bring about a change in the attitudes and  beliefs of the common man. The persuasive nature of the content presented over media influences the thoughts and behavior of the general public. Media has a direct impact over the lifestyle of society.

Change in Boiling Point of Water with Molarity Essay

Change in Boiling Point of Water with Molarity - Essay Example In the beaker A NaCl was not dissolved. Concentration of this solution was expressed as 0 molar aqueous solution (0M). In beaker B 5.8gms of NaCl was dissolved and hence a 1 molar aqueous solution (1M) was obtained. In the beaker C 17.4gms of NaCl was dissolved and hence a 3 molar aqueous solution (3M) was obtained. Lastly in the beaker D 29.0gms of NaCl was dissolved and the molarity of this aqueous solution was 5M. It is very clear that boiling point of the solution increases with molarity of the aqueous solution. It implies that the boiling point of water and the amount of dissolved salt, or molarity of the solution, are in direct proportion. If the increase in temperature were to be denoted by t and the molarity of the aqueous solution by M and if k were to be a constant, then, 4) The exact amounts of salt to get 0M, 1M, 3M, 5M aqueous solutions respectively should be dissolved in the water in the beakers. The formula Molarity = Moles of solute/Liters of Solution should be used for this purpose1. Some of controlled variables are Normal Pressure of 1 atmosphere, Identical beakers in all regards like made of same dimensions and material, The burner level, Pure distilled water, etc. The independent variable was the molarity and the dependent variable was the temperature.

Wo'men and society Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Wo'men and society - Assignment Example In Sneak Attack, it is evident that the militarization in the United States is highly attractive. Regardless of this nature, the entire process is not as beneficial since its main goals and objectives are based on enhancing its ability to be controlling. As cited by Kirk & Okazawa-Rey a process cannot be viewed as beneficial if the results it displays are controlling (481-482). The same process of militarization determines the direction of the rights of women. Considering the controlling nature of the process, the rights of women as exposed to greater risks. As cited in Gender and Human Security, there are occasional and significant changes on global security. For this reason, the need to improve the response to violation of human rights should be ensured. Specifically, the response mechanism should mostly focused on women who suffer the most from war and conflict (Kirk & Okazawa-Rey 500-501). The increasing cases of gender based violence require development of more effective mechanism that would minimize the severity of the

Intention in Criminology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Intention in Criminology - Essay Example The criminal intention of an accused is to be proved with evidence. It is the interpretation of the jury duly applying the tests. The doctrine of law of murder is of two fold intention and causation. The doctrine of intention in the law of murder is vital doctrine. The doctrine of intention assigns the liability of murder. Intention denotes what is in the mind of the accused at the time of committing the crime and also the effect of the action. The doctrine of intention adjudges and infers the mind of the accused. The intention can be analyzed as direct intention and indirect intention. Direct intention: Direct intention means the aim, object or desire to do an act whose effects or results are prohibited under law as an offence. In this state of mind the person is surely designed and prepared to do some criminal act. An intention to commit murder is an example of direct intention. Indirect intention: Indirect intention is also known as oblique intention. In this state of mind the person does not desire the consequences or the results of his action but he knows that the results of his action, and he does not care for the result, it is due to his recklessness on the results. The direct intention of such person is some thing other but in process the result produces an offensive act. The best example of the oblique intention is that of the extremist activities. The extremist when they want to cause damage to the public property to show their protest against the action of the government they set fire to the public property such as telephone exchanges, railway stations, government buses etc. They know that there will be human loss still they do not care about. The crime of murder is the out come of oblique intention of the extremist and the crime of damage to the public property is the out come of direct intention. The existence of indirect or oblique intention of the person is tested in two ways. The one way is to see whether the consequence of the act is certain, and other one is the person who doing such act certainly knows the consequences of his action. Here the certainty of the consequence and the knowledge of the person about that consequence are important ingredients. When these two tests are fulfilled then the oblique intention exists in the action and the person will be held liable under the crime of oblique intent. These tests were dealt with in decided case of "R v Nedrick (1986) 8 Cr App R(S) 179; [1986] 3 All ER 1" . Intentional crimes: There are some crimes that can be done only intentionally that is to say these crimes can not be done unless there is clear intention to do such crime. Crime of attempts to murder, crime of ulterior intent, crimes of basic intent, crime of specific intent are the intentional crimes. Attempt to murder: "R v Mohan [1976] QB 1; [1975] 2 All ER 193" in this case the defendant committed a crime of attempt to murder by driving at a policeman. The policeman could escape by jumping at last moment and could save his life. The trial judge held it as an act of recklessness. But the appellate court felt it as an attempt to murder and insisted upon the proof of specific intent. Specific intention: Intoxication is the example for crime of Specific intention. Under this the defendant is not allowed to the plea of his drunken and intoxication to protect from the sentence of crime. If crime is established it is

How powerful is the Prime Minister Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

How powerful is the Prime Minister - Essay Example Thomas (1998:92) states that it depends on country to country and on many other factors what tasks will be undertaken by the prime minister and how much he will govern like a policy leader. Attlee and Callaghan were the prime ministers who worked mainly as political managers ensuring the implementation of the policies of parties rather than their personal agendas. Such prime ministers work to save their governments from collapsing. On the other hand, Churchill and Heath belonged to the category of prime ministers who wanted to lead the policy making and put forth their own agenda mainly while agreeing on others very often. This makes us believe that prime ministerial job is so flexible that can be adjusted between contradictory characters and the circumstances. 2. Powers of a Prime Minister In this section, we describe the powers of a prime minster and also the sources of power. 2.1. Power comes from the office The power of the prime minister is because of the office or position he i s in rather than his personal characteristics. His positional power makes his subordinates follow him because his is not only the head of the government but also a party leader with a charisma attached to his seat. He has the power to give a significant lead in the policy making issues (Sapru 2010:181). If he does not use this power, he is talked about negatively in the media and the government loses its direction. One example is that of Jim Callaghan who lost the control over the situation (winter of discontent) and his administration fell apart. 2.2. Removing him is not easy It is a very difficult task to remove a prime minister from his seat especially in parliamentary systems because he is the most powerful person (Kavanagh & Seldon 2008). Since he is also a party leader, he is elected by a large charter and is supported by the leading ministers. This support and authority makes it quite difficult for the leading officials to oppose him like removing him from his seat. 2.3. Prer ogative powers King (1985:231) writes in his book that there are two types of prerogative powers specific to the prime minister position: He can advise, and normally expects to secure, a dissolution of parliament before the end of its natural life span, even in the absence of a defeat in the Commons. He can also terminate the life of the whole government by the simple procedure of tendering his own resignation to the sovereign, which automatically carries with it the resignation of all his colleagues. This means that a prime minister has the power to take the dissolution or resignation decision without even consulting the Cabinet. 2.4. Involvement in every matter A prime minister is the only person in the government who has the right to take an interest in everything going on in the country and make decisions. He takes care of the country business, supervises the ministerial roles (Weir & Beetham 1999:129), and makes use of both his personal and managerial powers to hold the governm ent together. 2.5. Appointing and dismissal power A prime minister has the power to appoint or dismiss someone from his position in the government. This power is initiated by the desire of many ministers and the backbenchers who are hoping to get on the prime minister’s shoes. He can also reshuffle the positions of ministers. This appointing, dismissal and reshuffle power is a unique characteristic of the prime minister. 2.6. Chairing the Cabinet No person other than the prime

How to build a new world Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

How to build a new world - Assignment Example This is an important development because identifying changing demands of the people has also forced them to recognize the importance of conservation and preservation of environment and promote them through sustainable business practices. This now raises vital question of why Naomi Klein exhorts the labor union to promote green labor revolution. I think that the major objectives of labor union is to ensure that workers are not cheated of their rights and through collective action ensures that employers do not exploit their workers. Thus, labor unions cannot set the objectives of the business but only promote fair work practices for the workers. Today, there is scarcity of work and not the scarcity of labor. So it would be foolish if the workers start putting conditions for work! Thus, union should encourage its members to adopt sustainable practices within and outside work that not only promotes environment conservation but also diminishes the boundary of race, culture and nationality. Indeed, the need of the hour is to build a new world using sustainable practices that would help preserve the nature for coming generations and help evolve a raceless and classless

Excluding all finance and accounting courses, what has been your Essay

Excluding all finance and accounting courses, what has been your favorite course taken as an undergraduate and why - Essay Example Another aspect of marketing that makes the course my favorite is its broad functionality. Marketing equips one with skills useful to almost any organization that seeks to promote itself and remain competitive. Knowledge of consumer psychology presents a fascinating experience that I view as an opportunity to better my understanding of business processes. Learning the role of psychology in consumer marketing was an important aspect that made me like the course. The course allows students to carry out field research together, and this provides an opportunity for me to develop my research skills. I also like the fact that the course allows me to evaluate commercials for stereotypes and gender identity. Conclusively, marketing as a course has provided me with skills that I feel will serve as a competitive advantage in the job

Treatment of Folk Illnesses Essay Example for Free

Treatment of Folk Illnesses Essay The world offers every people a chance to be sick due to some of the outside factors that can harm someone else’s health. There are hazards for the lungs like pollution and for the stomach which are the bacteria and microorganisms that are prevalent everywhere. Even with the body parts of a human being, one can already find some threats that can cause cholera or diarrhea in their faces or hands where there is staphylococcal party if not reproduction their colonies. Of course regarding some diseases, there are many classical methods that the old people think would help cure these hazards to health. There are also many documents that support the researchers’ views about the different ways our ancestors deal with their sicknesses before. Using the reference mentioned below, we can see that there are already developments in our ancestors’ way of thinking that they are devising strategies in order to cure their own illnesses by the naturally occurring cures that can be seen elsewhere then. Say, garlic is used to treat hypertension and oregano is used as an expectorant which I think is still effective until today. The concept of having a set of ready to pick and ready-made medicines gave the early people especially in Mexico that whatever disease they might be getting in the atmosphere or environment is curable and can easily be neglected after some time. However for this mind set, there might be some difficulties and disadvantages given that we already have technological diseases also. These conditions can be from the improvement and development of the facilities that we are using nowadays. The causes of disease in the present time are from complex matters such as chemical intoxication and suffocation due to the complexity of course of the activities we do everyday. These diseases might not be cured immediately by the set of the native way our old fellows treat their conflicts or struggles regarding their health. As what is already mentioned, the use of garlic as antibiotic is still useful. In fact the safety of using it was ranked with three positive signs, however, for extreme reasons, a bulb of garlic will not be enough to lower the blood pressure of a person. Hence, medical treatment is already needed in order to provide the patient the right medication and avoid the risk of killing him/her. For all we know, hypertension is also related with heart attack and some fatal heart disease. If in case there are some patients who got their diseases using the folk style of treating illnesses, it is still important that the doctor will have a set of explanations that will make the patient understand wholeheartedly that the old way of seeking for cure is not effective with their diseases. There should be some ready-answers so that the doctor will find it easy to make them understand and appreciate the modern way of curing. It will also be helpful if the doctor will be very careful of delivering the message to the patient not offending their traditions on using some herbs to medicate them. The patient in turn should be ready to accept the information a doctor might give him/her since he/she in the first place consulted or chose to seek for a doctor’s help. Health is an important aspect in a human’s life. It is a source of the driving force of every man that will enable them to pursue each day with joy and gladness. Folk style medication is as good as the modern medicine as long as people who use it understand how it works and how it is applied with every single disease corresponding to one substance or case. But as what many doctors say, it is really better to seek advice from experts who have already studied the concepts, what-about’s, how-about’s and where-about’s of different diseases. We might be harmed by the hearsays since the folk concepts are being transferred from a generation to another generation that there is a high possibility of misinformation and the like. It is a good thing we give attention to what our ancestors have given and developed, and good as it is, we are able to have doctors, scientists and nurses that modified, developed and improved our knowledge about our health enabling us to become healthier people. Reference Nancy Neff. Folk Medicine in Hispanics in the Southwestern United States. Retrieved 6 February 2008 from http://www.rice.edu/projects/HispanicHealth/Courses/mod7/mod7.html

Benefits Of Urban Regeneration

Benefits Of Urban Regeneration Urban decay, usually associated with deprived areas, tends tend to be a characteristic of poorer communes, reflecting their low earning power and susceptibility to the higher unemployment rates associated with changes in the structure of the national economy (Skifter Andersen, 2003). The a feeling that buildings are physically falling into a state of decay particularly in some areas more than others, often results in an excrescence of dilapidated and vacant buildings. By remaining vacant, buildings are generally targeted for commercial signage and vandalism unless subjected to a population change or economic restructuring (McGregor and McConnachie, 1995; Skifter Andersen, 2003). The redevelopment of decaying, run-down or underused parts of urban areas with the intention of bringing new life and economic vitality is crucial in maintaining a market position (Bolton Council, 2009). Redeveloping these structural units, however, may not be an easy task, as a set physical as well as casual mechanisms likely to be different in every area, are also accentuating the problem of urban decay. According to Skifter Andersen (2003), one of the major causes of urban decay is the decline of the local economy. The changes in the structure of the national and international economy can directly or indirectly influence the local economy as outlined in Haggetts Cumulative Decline Model (2001). Certain government intervention and planning policies with regard to the industry and alterations in the locational preferences of the industries to better equipped sites are also assumed to be among the primary causes of decline by increasing the gap between the core and periphery. Similarly, the population age structure in most Western countries is changing with an increasing number of elderly dominating the demographic chart (Commission on Growth and Development, 2008). This disinclinati on of the population is likely to remain in the highly urbanised areas resulting in a number of blight properties that are likely to fall into a state of disrepair if structural investment keeps lacking. Perhaps, following Myrdals Cumulative Causation theory (1972) might help inject vigour into the local economy from the institutional set-up (Fujita, 2004). Nonetheless, this process of urban renewal, through which environmental quality redevelopments occur in derelict urban areas, is highly contested. This chapter reviews selected literature that concerns the effects of regeneration in the urban core of a settlement with regard to the value enhancement and positive externality of building refurbishment while considering the social and economic implications. Urban Regeneration Urban regeneration most likely to take the form of public policy in order to regulate urban processes, attempts to improve the urban environment through renewal (Couch et al., 2003). Although seeming fairly simple and straightforward, Home (1982) describes the concept of urban regeneration as involving complex socio-economic, environmental and political issues, with no profession or academic disciple claiming control over it. Roberts (in Roberts and Sykes, 2000) defines urban regeneration as a vision which leads to the resolution of urban problems and which seeks to bring lasting socio-economic, physical and environmental conditions of an area that has been subject to change. Broadly defined as a process that prevents the urban fabric from starting or continuing to deteriorate by improving the urban fabric, urban regeneration is fundamental to the structure plans established by the Malta Environmental and Planning Authority in 1998 and 2006. According to the Priority Actions Programme/Regional Activity Centre (PAP/RAC, 2004) of the Mediterranean countries, the aim of urban regeneration projects as a solution to this phenomenon in developed is to promote: return to the city, revitalise the city centre, restore activity in a fiercely competitive international context, and implement initiatives to improve the quality of the environment operating in a wide sense towards a smart growth. Such systemised and planned action concerning certain parts of a town would mean injecting new vigour into an area. Skifter Andersen (2003) argues urban regeneration would transform, strengthen and recreate places to act as a catalyst for further investments for the benefit of the local community. By concentrating public resources and private investments on specifically designated area may turn an area to a great appeal (Adair et al., 2000). However, urban regeneration is not only concentrated around property-led and retail-led regeneration but also through cultural regeneration to transform the city as a form of urban recreation (Evans, 2001). According to Evans (2001), arts and cultural industries can distinguish themselves by restoring identities and economies with other lifestyles. Whilst Calxton and Siora (2008) recognise the retail sector as offering opportunities and employing a wide range of different socio-economic groups, they argue that retail-led regeneration appears to provide a key reconnection to economic opportunity by engaging in direct employment and additional investment for a community and its residents. Furthermore, Claxton and Siora (2008) sustain that the most successful developments are those supported by the local authorities where planning or economic development departments work together. On the other hand, Rubin and Taylor (2008) question the enormous institutional corporate power of certain chain stores that might have some influence on the planning system and in regeneration projects. According to them, the benefits from such regeneration are overstated as this type of regeneration creates an inverse system that extorts money out of the local economy resulting in serious consequences for small local businesses. Pitkin (1963) sustains that as an important trait within various Mediterranean communities is the urban ethos, the city is depicted as a place of cultural richness, civilisation and civic pride (Leontidou, 2000). Strengthening this argument, Florida (2003) suggested that as social ethos is becoming increasingly dominant in most entrepreneurial and growing regions, it is attracting creative people to the city and accentuating the processes of gentrification. Additionally, Ley (2003) also accentuates the importance of cultural and lifestyle of the middle class, who value the preservation of the historic core and the utilisation of exceptional commodities. Bailey et al. (2004) suggests that culture-led regeneration has only been effective when associated with commercialised identities, thus stressing the need for economic investments and retail establishments. Hiller (2000) suggests that for waterfront regeneration with transformation of the urban environment with luxurious residences a nd gentrified neighbourhoods must be create jobs through a number of office towers as well as shopping centres, included in most projects. As cities are never still, Lancaster (1995) had previously argued that they are places where people strive to overcome negative effects and create hope in the place that history has located them. According to Dunn (1998), the consumer culture might therefore encourage residents to disattach themselves from their particular area and associate themselves to the new global culture irrelevant of the location. Bailey et al. (2004), disagrees and argues that cultural forms of consumption can actively enhance and enliven local communities. Bailey et al. (2004) goes further by suggesting that it is the people who live in the city themselves have to engage in regenerating the city rather than the planning policies. Kantor et al. (1997), stresses the significance of local urban democratic conditions in creating inclusive governing that can influence the local communitys ability to participate and have a reach in the business. Gentrification As defined by Kennedy and Leonard (2001), gentrification involves the processes of reinvestment and revitalisation to enhance the physical and socio-economic components of cities. In this relationship, higher income households settle in that settle in the area, upgrade the physical and socio-economic component of lower income residences. Smith (1987b, p.463), specifically stated that the crucial point with regard to gentrification is that: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦it involves not only a social change but also, at the neighbourhood scale, a physical change in the housing stock and an economic change in the land and housing market. It is this combination of social, physical, and economic change that distinguishes gentrification as an identifiable process/set of processes. Furthermore, Wyly and Hammel (1999, p.716) add that the process of gentrification complements: class transformation of those parts of the city that suffered from systematic outmigration, disinvestment and neglect, or neglect in the midst of rapid economic growth and suburbanisation. Badcock (2001), argues that today the process of gentrification and restructuring have become so interrelated together that they have formed the broader transformation known as revitalisation. Furthermore, households of median and higher incomes generally value the preservation of the historic core and contribute to raising the areas ethos (Ley, 2003). Therefore, employment in the tertiary, quaternary and quinary sectors of production, usually associated with having a university degree, is a key indicator of gentrification according to Ley (2003). In other words, the post-modern lifestyles of consumption are the solution towards revitalisation of a location through the processes of gentrification. Consequently, the process of gentrification can be said to be the outcome of the range of responses to the new economic and social opportunities that arise from prior dispositions of the social classes (Bridge 2001). On the other hand, Smith and Williams (1986) were particularly concerned with displacement and the side effects the middle class is having on the lower working class through the processes of gentrification. Although the extent of the problem is not agreed upon, Sumka (1979) argues that displacement of the working class through rent increases was undoubtedly a major issue. More recently, Blomley (2004) outlines that the social mix the processes of gentrification bring with them tend to expose the working classes to several equalities in the social hierarchy as interaction between the owners and tenants in gentrified neighbourhoods seems to be limited. Slater (2006) argues that this process can lead to social segregation and isolation when trying to revitalise a neighbourhood. Yet, according to Sigworth and Wilkinson (1967) the beneficial effects to the community through gentrification outweigh the issues of social segregation which can be resolved through several policies. Ideal Scenario In a society where the absence of building care culture is increasing, prompt maintenance would help make aging buildings less problematic to rehabilitate as it is often the case that such buildings are found in a state of disrepair with various safety problems. Throughout the 1970s, many of the European countries had already started emphasise the gradual renewal process of rehabilitation rather than focusing on the massive redevelopments simultaneously (Wood, 1991). Thomas (1977), suggested that making way for redevelopment would give an opportunity to replace any substandard buildings, any clashes with regard to the land-use, as well as any environmental nuisance. Although in essence the process of redevelopment causes a lot of inconvenience as it dislocates people (Sumka, 1979; Smith and Williams, 1986; Blomley, 2004), redevelopment can help utilizing the full potential of a site as well as exploiting the beneficial effects to the community such as solving the problems related to social segregation (Sigworth and Wilkinson, 1967). Amongst the main problems that dominate the list for the issue of urban renewal, the lack of institutional planning (Adams and Hastings, 2001) and unfair reimbursements (Kam et al., 2004). This raises the question of whether it would be eloquent to redevelop rather than to rehabilitate certain properties in some areas. It was proposed that the decision making on whether to rehabilitate or redevelop is generally influe nced by six aspects namely; political, legal, technical, institutional, social and economic forces (Walker, 2002). According to Olson et al. (2001) and Hobman and Bordia (2006), the influences of the professional work background on the attitudes towards a renewal project can also make a difference. For instance, building surveyors are said to consider the structural conditions of a particular building as the most vital concepts of consideration in a regeneration process. Conversely, the town planners tend to give more importance to the impacts of the project in the visual quality and micro climate of the neighbourhood rather than the structural conditions of a building (Olson et al., 2001, Hobman and Bordia, 2006). Despite these converging views, it is evident that the implementation of an urban renewal strategy especially when done on a massive scale would include a strong financial input. This would also have to be coupled with adequate public resources, and a determined commitment to solving to the urban dereliction problems while aiming towards increasing the social and economic benefits and fostering entrepreneurial activity (Hamnet, 2000; Skifter Andersen, 2003; Calxton and Siora, 2008). In such circumstances, it is also advisable that there should be improvements to the infrastructure, the transportation system as well as the environment that should all coincide with the renewal development that has the support of all social partners (Adair et al., 2000). Yet, as such conditions rarely occur, policy makers must shape their development plans based upon the constraints they face at the particular moment in time. Williams (2006) suggested that in order to ensure a more successful project, t he ruling authority can also use its powers relating to property development to influence the planning, the infrastructure and the compulsory purchase powers together with the availability of public land assets. When trading land for example, it is not a rare occurrence that one party missing from the market forum and thus the scenario of a compulsory purchase might be required in order for the renewal project not to be brought to a halt because by the private economic forces (Williams, 2006). To redevelop or to rehabilitate? Specifically on property-led redevelopment, Harvey (1992) highlighted that the timing of redevelopment projects depend on three essential issues being; the value of the current existing use of the land resource, the current value of the best of alternative use, and the cost of rebuilding. As the use of property is not irreversible, property has the potential to be redeveloped and converted into another type or usage to suit the expected socio-economic demands at a given time (Gunnerlin, 2001). According to the structure plan issued by the Malta Planning Authority (PA) (1998), there is a need: to use land and buildings efficiently and consequently channel urban development activity into planned developed areas particularly though rehabilitation and upgrading of existing fabric and infrastructure. Notionally, if the present value of the existing use of the land resources is greater than the present value of the best alternative use, redevelopment would not take place since it would not be financially viable, and the rebuilding costs would affect the occurrence of urban renewal. This explains why sometimes redevelopment in the old, urban core is less attractive to the developers (Harvey and Jowsey, 2004). As for the option of rehabilitation, which would mean securing the existing structure, it was concluded that it would only be advantageous when a number of conditions are met (Pugh, 1991). This would mean that the service life of a building would be prolonged by another thirty to fifty years. Furthermore, the value as well as the interest rate of the existing building would also have to be high. Additionally, Pugh (1991) argues that if the direct and indirect costs of rehabilitating are considerably less than those incurred by rebuilding, then the developer would be more tempted to rehabilitate rather than redevelop. Ratcliffe (1993) also estimated that the costs of renovating a building can amount to twenty-five percent less than starting a new building project and thus making it more attractive for developers. Aikivuori (1994) points out that refurbishments may sometimes be required when there is a need for change in the land-use as well as when there is a need to increase or secur e the market value of the building. Additionally, this would also help to preserve the existing building and its externalities that may be important in inducing a culture-led regeneration. Challenges facing the renewal process Housing has long been regarded as a durable commodity (Wieand, 1999), yet, like any other physical commodity, properties are subject to deteriorate as time goes by and eventually fall into a state of dilapidation if they are not properly maintained (Burton 1933). A number of previous studies have highlighted among of the main factors that would make a building deemed for renewal would be the serviceable environment (Sohmer, 1999). Others like Rosenfeld and Shohet (1999) have formed models to determine whether and when a building should be upgraded. This helped to reduce uncertainties and serve as an aid when deciding whether to upgrade or not. Nonetheless, one should not forget that there are always a set of constraints that are likely to slow or halt the process of urban renewal. The multiple ownership of a number of properties is one of them for example (Chun To Cho and Fellows, 2000; Galea Debono, 2009). So are the limitations on the development in the urban village core through the Urban Conservation Area (UCA) which restricts certain types of redevelopment projects. Additionally, it is also likely that there may be disputes in the process of resettling those affected and disagreements on compensation issues which make it more difficult for the private developers to find a compromise with the landowners (Sumka, 1979; Smith and Williams, 1986; Blomley, 2004). Furthermore, it is also often the case that the lack of a central governing body to implement redevelopment and private developers little presumptive power, end up with the developers having fragmented, slow progress (Gordon, 2004). Positive outcomes from urban regeneration Fundamentally, the process of urban regeneration would help to contribute towards the preservation of structures of architectural value and significant historical importance (Jim, 1994). A sustainable regeneration scheme should therefore endeavour to lesson social exclusion, boost economic reintegration as well as salvage architecturally rich buildings and edifices (McGregor and McConnachie, 1995; Skifter Andersen, 2003; Bailey et al.,2004). Otherwise, an urban regeneration project can be a source of conflict and thus it might prove valuable to develop a decision making tool to facilitate the planning process as suggested by Walker (2002) and Ho et al. (2004) in figure 2.1. Figure Project facility making tool (Ho et al., 2004). Eventually, project regeneration proposals can be assessed and alterations can be made in order to achieve a higher rating for the plan which is subject to time, budgetary and other practical constraints (Ho et al., 2004). According to Kocabas, (2000a), evaluating the impact of protection planning would ideally assess outcomes against the physical, social and economic objectives. This should preserve the physical historic environment, the needs of the existing residents during the process of upgrading as well as determining whether the conservation process is economically viable (Kocabas, 2000a). On the other hand, Borja et al. (1997) showed that the socio-spatial outcomes of globalisation on urban areas varied according to the correlation between the technological and economic processes that form the core for this transformation. Whilst it is now widely accepted that no city can escape the reach of global economic and political forces (Sassen, 2000; Taylor and Walker, 2001), it is also clear that cities can upgrade their position in the global hierarchy by their strategic intervention (Clarke and Gaile, 1997). This was the case with Ireland in 1988, for example. With the help of the European Commission, Ireland reflected on the mistakes made through the demolishment of buildings in inner Dublin through the Greater Dublin Area Development Programme secured and managed the preservation of the built historical environment (Pickard, 1994). Essentially, the upgrade or upkeep of neighbourhood externalities is also thought to contribute to the migration and related change in a neighbourhoods economic status for two main reasons. Firstly, certain types of households may behave in ways that generate social capital and affluence for the neighbourhood influencing the demand for that location, thus, the process of gentrification (Ley, 2003). Likewise, certain types of households might also choose to migrate into or out of a neighbourhood based on the demographic and financial characteristics of their prospective neighbours because of the social status, irrespective of how these neighbours may behave (Rosenthal, 2008). In spite of this, it is important to recognise that raising a neighbourhoods economic status does not necessarily alleviate poverty but could simply force the existing low income residents to relocate to other areas of the locality. Jacobs (1961) argued that rather than being suffocated by urban regeneration, soc ial life should be revived, thus, the process of gentrification might not be always seen in a good light especially from those who are less affluent and other deprived sections of society (Sumka, 1979; Smith and Williams, 1986; Blomley, 2004). Therefore, building rehabilitation may garner more support as it causes less social disturbances (Needleman, 1966; DeFilippis, 2007). Achieving success through failure Amongst the good examples of successful waterfront regeneration projects that have managed to generate enough employment opportunities for the locals, Gloucester, Swansea, Cardiff and Liverpool immediately stand out in the United Kingdom (Jones and Gripaios, 2000). In these cases, a number of listed warehouses were refurbished and transformed to provide residential, office, retail, museum, marinas and restaurant facilities. Liverpools Albert Dock, for instance, has been so successful as a heritage site that was previously in a state of decay that it now receives around six million visitors yearly (Jones and Gripaios, 2000). From being a totally abandoned and neglected eyesore, the Albert Dock has now been turned into a visually pleasing environment with the most obvious and tangible manifestations of successful regeneration project in the United Kingdom. Canary Wharf in London is another successful redevelopment that even managed to generate 7,000 jobs for the locals (Daniels and Bob e, 1993). In spite of these successful cases of regeneration, the process of urban renewal still generates a great deal of heated debate especially when faced fierce opposition from the locals that fear that there would no significant improvement in their standard of living such as in the case of Canary Wharf in London. Quite rightly as Jeffrey and Pounder (2000) suggest, the physical improvement of a building is a fundamental element in achieving a successful regeneration project, however Hausner (1993), suggested that on its own it is not sufficient as the development of any project reflects the conditions and requirements of the area in which the project is located from a wider perspective. In addition to this, Moore (2002) sustains that the proactive use of this policy might even improve the local economic development and even create new working places, however, this might only be for a short while. Hemphill et al. (2004) argues that much of the research conducted in the United Kingdom ten ds to be critical as there is a persistent sentiment that urban policy has not really left many of the desired effects on the regenerated area. This had already been thought earlier as even though the inner-city redevelopments generally improve and enhance the degraded built environments, there is criticism that such projects only cater to certain sectors of society and particular locations such as waterfronts and thus these types of projects can fragment cities (Fainstein, 1994; Meyer, 1999; Marshall, 2003). Further criticism concludes that the stated goal of urban design and renewal is often forgotten as the concepts have become merely a marketing tool (Gospodini, 2002). Moreover, it is generally felt that the concept of urban renewal is too vague with the fusion of the traditional architecture, the landscape architecture, and the planning and civil engineering. As a result, urban renewal is said to be focused mainly on the marginal cosmetic aesthetics of the landscape rather than helping to sustain a better standard of living in the area (Inam, 2002). Hubbard (2006) added that the social as well as economic conditions of an area are usually worsened though the regeneration and gentrification policies that are meant to be beneficial. On a wider scale, Newman and Thornley (1996) had previously suggested that in contrast with other cities, the key European cities such as; Paris, Milan, Berlin, Frankfurt and Stockholm are underpinned by the factor of the international competitiveness rathe r than by the notion of urban policy and therefore the residents standard of living has nothing to do concept of urban renewal. Bentley (1999) went even further and argued that apart from the social, economic and environmental limitations, the concept of urban design is often manipulated by developers and public authorities to covertly hijack public space and neglect local conditions and values. Revitalisation projects targeted parts of the cities, such as decayed port areas and other post-industrial sites, for major redevelopments so that the area in effect becomes totally gentrified resulting in a residential area for the more affluent citizens rather than the whole society in general (Bentley,1999). Proprietors awareness and involvement It is evident that one of biggest barriers when it comes to building maintenance is the owners awareness that find it difficult to realise the basic forms of decay and the resulting impact on the building material (Kangwa and Olubodun, 2003). To make matters worse, when action is taken, it is often the case that an inappropriate remediation technique is applied (Leather and Mackintosh, 1994; Forrest et al., 1996). Thus, any effective renewal system must be constructed upon well informed diagnostic skill structures. Chanter and Swallow (1996) and Davidson et al. (1997) have suggested that some of the main awareness problems apart from the variations in perceptions of objects of regular maintenance include the inability to tell whether inferior products or components are used to rehabilitate the building. In addition to this, they also add that the average owner is generally unable to determine the quality of work done by the traders and cannot judge accurately the extent of skill requ ired for a particular work. In the end they argue that the absence of a referral system within the local housing communities which would act as an initial contacts for advice and general information on housing maintenance. Consequently, it is often the case that waves of building depilation later turn into the process of urban decay that has been a major problem in most developed cities (Skifter Andersen, 1995). It must be recognised that the local inhabitants are fundamentally the problem solvers and play an important and useful role not only in implementing regeneration strategies but also in maintaining the socio-economic improvement of the neighbourhood over the years. As powerlessness is central to peoples experience of poverty and exclusion, the people in general are more likely to involve themselves if they can clearly see their contribution in the city (Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 2005). Throughout the last number of years, the local citizens have also been emphasizing that new developments should retain their own characteristic and identity in order to reflect their collective memories. Public consultation meetings are no longer satisfying the citizens as they believe that a comprehensive public engagement exercise for the project is required and more channels should be provided for them to express their views on the developments (Lee and Chan, 2008). Research has shown that in the absence of government intervention, property owners are prepared to improve their buildings and edifices since it would enhance the market value of the refurbished properties provided that there is enough information for people to take sensible decisions (Holm, 2000; Gregg and Crosbie, 2001). Besides from having restored building edifices, this type of refurbishment project is estimated to increase the market price of the property which leaves a good profit after deducting the costs of the refurbishment project (Chau et al., 2003). Improvements on the buildings especially on the facades are intuitively expected to have a positive impact on properties adjacent to the building because of the improved visual quality enjoyed by the nearby residents. Likewise, unsightly externalities are created by the unsightliness of poorly maintained properties, thus, refurbishing these poor maintained buildings should reduce or even counter the negative impact (Colwell e t al., 2000; Boyle and Kiel, 2001). Nevertheless, while everyone would benefit from improving the exterior conditions of the buildings, the market value of the properties improved first would have their value depreciated by the dire condition of the neighbouring properties and thus for an individual to take the first step would not be easy. As a result, the unimproved properties would experience an increase in value as a result of the nearby investments done by the others. Consequently, this might also lead to a market failure as the refurbishment process may never take off completely resulting in an investment which is less than what was desired (Hui et al., 2007). Should more information on the enhanced market value of a refurbished building be made available, then the long-term sustainability of a rehabilitation effort would be incorporated into the urban renewal strategies easily, however, one must not forget that the effects may not be felt until a long time. In this particular scenario, the authority in charge sh ould encourage and encourage developers and owners to instigate redevelopment. Ultimately, the process of renewal is a product of an incremental decision making as owners have to decide whether to rehabilitate or redevelop their built land which is subject to facing obsoleteness (Bryson, 1997). Figure 1: Hamdi (2004) Everyone (civic society) should benefit by participating Concluding Remarks As authorities are widely considered as the ones responsible for the process of urban decay, they started to be seen as being unable to engage successfully with the private sector. With the rise of the new conservative movements, the local government started to be marginalised in favour of the private sector when it came to taking decisions (Gullino, 2008). This resulted in private sector being placed at the centre of the renewal activities as these kinds of projects are assumed to attract new financial capital (Bianchini et al., 1992; Loftman and Nevin, 1995). Despite the process of urban renewal through which envir

Lack Of Cultural Appreciation Of Others Education Essay

Lack Of Cultural Appreciation Of Others Education Essay The scenario shows how students have the lack of cultural appreciation of others. The school and teachers need to create a program which ensures that students understand the difference in cultures and how people need to work and live in harmony. It is important that school take initiative and educate students about different cultures and how they are crucial to Australian survival. The scenario highlights how some students feel that others are inferior because they belong to different religions. The school has developed an integrated planning matrix. It has ensured that planning processes from macro to micro levels from school to classroom or program to lesson. Thus, the scenario shows that the school needs to implement the guidelines of intercultural understanding through the design of lessons. The school has designed five lessons, two English, one maths, one biology and one history lesson. Each lesson contains concepts about cultural understanding, in order for students to appreciate other cultures. Intercultural understanding draws on studentsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s growing knowledge, understanding and critical awareness of their own and others perspective(Intercultural, 2012). In the scenario, it can be seen how students are not aware of each other culture and how some are stereotyping against other for no valid and just reason. The five lessons are aimed to increase the intercultural understanding of the students. Thus, the main aim is to avoid students discriminating against each other and to enhance a permanent harmony among them. Furthermore, the main aim is to make the students celebrate the fruits of multiculturalism among themselves. It is worth mentioning that the intercultural understanding is more apparent in some learning areas than others(Intercultural, 2012). However the school has decided to include intercultural understanding components in all the learning areas. One of the causes of racism in the scenario can be owing to the fact that the curriculum does not reflect the spirit of multiculturalism and intercultural understanding among students(Calder, 2000).It is essential that the Australian curriculum does contain information about others cultures, otherwise NESB students will be left out in the dark. Students in Australia deserve to be treated with justice and integrity. Thus, it is inappropriate to ignore the new composition of Australian population. It is important that the Australian curriculum adopt some of the proposed curriculum in this project for the sake of correcting the inbalance in the current curriculum. It is worth mentioning that every student needs to know that he or she has to right to discriminate against anyone based on race or religion. The lesson plan is developed according to the hypothetical scenario about students discriminating against each other which was based on religions. It is worth mentioning that the matrix used NSW board of studies curriculum for English for year 3 and 4(English, 2012) and the Australian curriculum that is known as acara(acara, 2012) Lesson 1 The key issue from the lesson is to familiarize students with Christianity and Hindu religions.Thus; students need to know in depth about others religions in order to appreciate it. The main aim of the lesson is to promote intercultural understanding among students in the classrooms, in order for them to behave better when they leave their schools. The lesson aims to make the students to value their own culture, their languages and beliefs. Furthermore, the lesson has aimed to value the culture and religions of others. Students have an opportunity to learn about two of the major religions in the world, such as Christianity and Hinduism. If students learn about other religions, then they will start to appreciate each one religion and culture. The lesson aims for students to achieve the following objectives: To understand the Australian culture. To appreciate the achievements of Australian pioneers and migrants. To value the English language. To practice the language with NESB classmates. Understand the culture and beliefs of Christian and Hindu. The activities for the lesson are aimed to introduce students to each other religions, in order to avoid the events in the scenario. The classroom is ought to be free from racism and discrimination. Lesson 2 The key issue from the lesson is to familiarize students with the Islamic religions. Thus many Islamic students are populating many schools. Furthermore, the Islamic community is normally facing discrimination. It is important that students learn about all religions and not to belief any rumour about any religion. The aim of the lesson is to promote intercultural understanding between all cultures in the classrooms, in order to prevent friction between students as the case in the scenario. The lesson has aimed to achieve the following objectives: To understand the Muslim culture. To appreciate the teaching of Islam. To value the English language in the context of Islam. To understand the culture and beliefs of Islam. It is so crucial that the activities educate students about major religions as Islam which makes up about 2% of the Australian population. The students have a chance to view a video about Islam which contradict the wrongful myth that Islam foster terrorism in the world. It is good to see that one of the activities ask Muslim students to pair with non-Muslim students in order to explain their own language, religion and culture. The events in the scenario could be avoided if students are briefed about each other religions Lesson 3 The key issue from the lesson is to familiarize students with the fact that Mathematics is basically the same. It is important that students are aware of the fact that Maths is not made only by Anglo-Saxon scholars but by other scholars from other cultures. The curriculum has to become a tool to promote the intercultural understanding in the classroom. The objectives of the lesson are as follow: To show that Maths is common in most culture. To show that all measurement units means the same but in different language. To show that similarity in Maths eases intercultural differences. The activities of the lesson are structured in the way that students need to compare units of measurements in both English and their native language. The main aim of the lesson is to show that Maths has been to explain to students that in all subjects which they do at school highlight the importance of intercultural understanding and the need to appreciate each other culture. It is worth mentioning that intercultural understanding in mathematics can be enhanced when students are exposed to a range of cultural traditions. Thus, students need to understand that mathematical expressions use universal symbols, while mathematical knowledge has its origin in many cultures(Curriculum, 2012). Lesson 4 The key issue from the lesson is to familiarize students with the fact that there are species of different shapes and functions. Furthermore, it highlights the fact that people are of different skin and colour and religions but they all share this earth as leaders over all living species from animal to vegetables. The objectives of the lesson are as follow: To show that species are different but they do need to live with each other. To show that the human body is same for each male and female counterpart despite that they have different skin colour and different cultural backgrounds. To show that everyone need to live in harmony even if we are all of different species. The activities of this lesson is so interesting where one of the activities is about how students are given an opportunity to look at one black and one white cat in order to prove that even they have different colour but they do have the same functions. Thus, the students will learn to live together in harmony with each other in the classroom and in the outer classroom. It is worth observing that there are opportunities in the science learning area to develop intercultural understanding. Thus, the students are given an opportunity to appreciate the contribution that diverse cultural perspectives have made to the development and diversity of science knowledge and application(Diversity, 2012). Lesson 5 The key issue from the lesson is to familiarize students with the fact that Australian history is a mix of white settlers, Aboriginals and the migrants who come from different countries. The history lesson is aimed to teach students about the importance of learning about how all cultures worked together to create this new state of Australia which is no longer just an Anglo-Saxon community but a community which embraces many cultures. This lesson is created to help students to avoid teasing each other and to enhance harmony between all students. The objectives of the lessons are as follow: To understand the creation of Australian state. To recognise the Aboriginals as the native Australians. To understand the contribution of Chinese and Africans in Australia. To understanding the concept of multiculturism in the classroom. To appreciate the history of the inclusion of many food from different cuisine across the globe. One of the activities of the lesson is the fact that students are to watch a DVD about the history of migration in Australia. Furthermore, the students are given a task to write a brief letter to their friends about the history of multiculturalism in Australia. It is worth mentioning that each lesson accompany a flowchart of the planning process and an integrated planning matrix. The majority of activities in all lessons aim to highlight the importance of intercultural understanding in the classroom.

Affirmative Action :: social issues

Affirmative Action Robert K. Miller, author of The Informed Argument, describes affirmative action as, â€Å"an active effort to help members of historically oppressed groups gain admission to American universities and entrance into a diverse range of jobs previously reserved for white males† (145). Miller also states that this was the thinking of the 1970s civil rights movements (144). Things have changed throughout these past 30 years. Society’s way of thinking has changed so much that logical protest has risen against affirmative action by both protesters and supporters of the action alike. Constance Horner, a quest scholar in the Brookings Governmental Scholars program and publisher of â€Å"Reclaiming the Vision,† which can be found in The Informed Argument, is an opponent of supporting affirmative action. Michael Tomasky, author of the excerpt, â€Å"Reaffirming the Vision,† which can be found in The Informed Argument, from his book, Left for Dead: The Life, Death, and Possible Resurrection of Progressive Politics in America, is a supporter of affirmative action. Proving that affirmative action needs to be abolished or improved is something to debate, which Horner and Tomasky do in their written opinions. Constantine Horner explains that affirmative action is causing the opposite result today from its intentions 30 years ago. The loss of jobs for white Americans has opened the floodgates of protest. The mere suggestion of a reformation of the civil rights result has caused a rising distrust in the black American community towards the politics involved. What black Americans don’t see, Horner believes, is the misplacement of under qualified participants in overwhelming situations. The need to fill race quotas has put under qualified applicants in positions at places of employment; therefore, making it harder, if not impossible, for the employee to receive promotions. The placement of a person in a university based solely on the color of their skin has caused â€Å"a college dropout rate for blacks of almost two-thirds† (Horner 150). The resolution Horner gives is to be patient and to evolve and change, just as Americans have been doing, as long as we are moving forward wit h progress. Michael Tomasky gives the hint that maybe he is willing to see affirmative action changed, if even so slightly, but the feeling he gives in his excerpt, â€Å"Reaffirming the Vision,† was one not of a man to let his belief be easily swayed. Tomasky lets the reader know what side he is on by saying, â€Å"from a pro-affirmative action point of view† (153).

Hindutva :: essays research papers

The ideology of Hindutva is becoming popular because there is a growing realization that everything else that has been tried to inculcate a national spirit, has failed to yield the desired results. Many people previously opposed to Hindutva have embraced the ideology, as they believe that the solutions to the country's problems can be found within it. At the mass level, with the work done by many individuals and organizations, the acceptance has been a relatively easy task. However, at the intellectual level the success leaves much to be desired. The reason for this is that those who are opposed to Hindutva occupy positions of power in the academic field. They have ensured that the research done on Hindutva remains at the fringe of the scholarly arena. Not only are the public resources denied to the work that needs to be done, but the funds are being invested in anti-Hindutva propaganda, with an intention to prove Hinduism as a regressive religion and a backward culture. Most people who live abroad and write on India rely for their information on the English media and writings, which paint an essentially negative picture of Hindutva. It is therefore necessary to give the theoretical basis of the Hindutva movement due publicity. In one of his recent books, a Eurpean scholar, Dr. Koenraad Elst says, "In Europe every sizeable party or ideological pressure-group has set up a think-tank to develop ideology and formulate policy proposals. The Communists in India have a host of intellectuals (mostly on state and university pay-rolls) working full-time to develop the Marxist view on each and every topic. All the valuable and useful political thought produced by the Hindu movement would not exceed a few volumes, to put mildly. As long as there is no intellectual mobilization, Hindu society is badly on the defensive. Hindu society has a host of bright young people available, trained in traditional or modern learning, whose talent is wasted because there seems to be no Hindu nerve center interested in putting them to work.

History Boys (random quotes and notes) Essay

Quotes Headmaster: Why are you dressed as a milk man? – Shows lack of understanding for the boys who are in a working class Headmaster: There Clever but they lack Crass. Ms. Lintot They know there stuff. But they Lack Flare. Hector: All Knowledge is useful even if it doesnt serve the slightest need Hector: Its the hot Ticket – Happyness Headmaster: I thought of going. But this was in the 50s. Change was in the air. I was a Geographer. I went to†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Headmaster: Odity- Rudge. Posner: I’ll Go sir – Hector: Nevermind. Irwin: Has any one been to Rome, Venince.  So why bother Irwin: I dont know, I wold go to newcastle, save the money and be happy. Irwin: Whats truth got to do with it. Ms. Lintot: Cunt Strunct, Compound adjective. Hector: At least im doing better than felix. Posner: Although he laughs the laughs on me. Rudge: What fun must you all have Dakin: Lititure is about loosers. Gobits:  Pass the parcel thats all sometimes you can do. Take it feel. Not for me not for you. Headmaster:This Is no time for poetry Headmaster: Are you going to tell your wife. Posner is the only one who attends his lesson after four.  Posner is the only one who goes up to mr hector when he is crying. Dakin: Is that the subjunctive or the It will pass Who says I want it to pass Why dont you all just tell the truth. Ms. Lintot â€Å"History is a commetary on the various and continuing incapabilities of men† Rudge: Its just one fucking thing after another. If they like me and they take me then theyll take me because im dull and ordinary like everybody else. Irwin: Dont you ever want to go back? Im not clever enough, im not anything enough really. Hector: What I didnt want was to turn out boys who would claim In later life to have a deep love of literature. Has a boy ever made you unhappy? They used to do. See it as an Inoculation, Rather. Briefly painful, but providing immunity for however long it takes. Given the occasional Booster, Another Face, another reminder of the pain, It can last you half a life time. Love. Who could love me? Do they know? They know everthing? Dont touch him. He†ll think your a full. Dakin: How come theres such a difference between the way you teach and the way you live? Dakin: Hectors a Joke- Irwin: No, He isn;t, you see? Dakin, whats the difference between Mr. Hector touching us up on the bike, and your feeling up fiona. Posmer: Im not happy, but im not unhappy about it. Skrips: No. Love Apart, It is the only education worth having. I’d been on playground duty, so I saw him on what must have been his first morning†¦ Here, Scripps takes on the role of a narrator IRWIN: He was a good man but I do not think there is time for his kind of teaching anymore. SCRIPPS: No. Love apart it is the only kind of education worth having. Timms seems to suddenly step outside of time and say: The hitting never hurt. It was a joke. None of us cared. We lapped it up. This sudden switch into the past tense comes as a surprise, and may prompt the audience to wonder whether Timms is addressing them directly, from some future time in which he is looking back at the events being played out. The intrusion of future knowledge into the linear narrative of the play continues to cast a shadow over events, and becomes darker as the story progresses. At the start of Act 2 for example, we see another flash-forward, this time by ‘about five years’. Irwin is in his wheelchair once more, which tells us that his accident will be soon, and not in the more distant future as we may have first thought, increasing the sense of urgency and inevitability. In this future time, Irwin meets one of the students, identified only, to begin with, as ‘Man’. This label also expresses the passing of time through its contrast to ‘boy’, the term used in the title of the play and throughout to describe the students. This ‘Man’ is Posner,  perhaps the most fragile of the boys, who is now in therapy and desperately clinging to his past. He says of university: All the effort went into getting there and then I had nothing left. While Irwin’s fate is foreshadowed throughout, the fate of Hector comes as a tragic surprise. It is important to consider why it is Mrs Lintott who takes this role of retrospective narrator. Like Scripps, she has been an outsider, describing her separation from the male environment of the play in her metaphor: They kick their particular stone along the street and I watch. given them a deeper perception of time and its patterns. The total timescale of events described within The History Boys can therefore be seen to encompass about twenty years, but Bennett incorporates a much wider period by showing the historical and literary influences acting upon the characters. The classroom setting allows Bennett to use intertextuality freely to achieve this. This technique involves the reference of other, previously written texts within the play. Thomas Hardy’s ‘Drummer Hodge’, for example, is used to symbolise the connection between Hector and Posner: Posner: How old was he?†¨Hector: If he was a drummer, he would be a young soldier, younger than you probably.†¨Posner: No. Hardy.†¨Hector: Oh, how old was Hardy? When he wrote this, about sixty. My age, I suppose This prompts a moving discussion about loneliness and isolation. Hector can relate to the loneliness of the poem, being around the same age as Hardy was when he wrote it, and feeling a sense of unfulfilled ambition, of a life not lived. For Posner, a teenager dealing with his homosexuality in a school full of heterosexual boys, the loneliness of Drummer Hodge, a boy not much older than himself, is deeply affecting. Are seeing a play from the early 21st century, set in the 1980s, using a poem from the 1960s describing 1914. messages of the play: that we can learn from times beyond our own lives through the literature left scattered through the decades and centuries, in what Hector describes as a game of ‘pass it on’. Rudge’s ironic rendition of  Ã¢â‚¬ËœIt’s a Sin’ by the Pet Shop Boys (1987) also comments on the inevitable presence and role of sexuality and ‘sin’ in education. http://yr13practise.wordpress.com/2011/11/13/the-history-boys/ The History Boys therefore moves far beyond the initially restrictive time and space in which it is set to bind together influences from across the 20th century and before. This goes some way to explain the title itself; the boys, through their teachers and education, are moving into their future with history having become a fundamental part of their characters, personalities and lives. As the fateful accident is set in motion, Scripps notes:†¨And here, history rattled over the points†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¨To continue this train metaphor, Alan Bennett has not only presented the interchange station of the boys’ transition from school to university, but the long lines of railway that stretch backwards and forwards beyond it. my education at school was confined to what I needed to pass exams. Women: The representation of women is seen through the very few female characters in the play. -Bennett presents marriage as a confinement of social experience vs being central to a happy ending. -Both Hectors unexpected wife and the Mrs. Headmaster are absent from stage. -Glimpses of this marrige are represented as unhappy. -Both wifes help out at the charity shop -Hector clames that his wife would not be intrested in his fiddling of boys on the pillion – is Dorothy’s surmise that Mrs Hector had ‘sort of known all along’ about her husband and that ‘A husband in a low light, that’s what they want, these supposedly unsuspecting wives, the man’s lukewarm attentions, just what they married them for’. So, far from submissive, Hector’s wife has, arguably, some control in her marriage. Fionas Relationship with Dakin – Bennet explores the sexual stereyotype that women are used as objects rather – This is epitomized by Dakin’s statement that â€Å"I’m hoping one of the times might be on the study floor†¦ it’s like the Headmaster says one should have targets† – Dakin accentuates the relationship between sex and education as he notes the importance of measurable targets in pursuing Fiona. – comic upheaval of youth dominating age which again emphasises Fiona’s role in heightening male dominance. -Dakin compares sexual advances with Fiona and the advances of the British soldiers in the war. Fiona is depicted as his ‘Western Front’, a territory to be taken, and, more alarming, the enemy, the ‘Hun’; her body is ‘ground’ to be -depicts Fiona’s subservience and reaffirms her character as elevating male sexual accomplishment -degrades women’s role in society to be solely focused around pleasing men. Mrs.Lintott – She controversially comments on history as being â€Å"a commentary on the various and continuing incapabilities of men† – condemns the arrogant Dakin as ‘cunt-struck’. – She harnesses the derogatory male language of female private parts to derogate men, calling the Headmaster ‘twat’ -‘to go further down the same proscribed path, a condescending cunt’ – Bennett uses the character of Mrs Lintott to display the Headmaster’s idiocy in the first scene in which she appears on stage. He believes the boys need to â€Å"Think charm. Think Polish†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . However, Dorothy’s ironic response compares his idea of education to a â€Å"sprig of parsley† ,and subversively the Headmaster’s appearance on stage becomes the centre of the audience’s mockery. – however, Dorothy is, like Scripps, given a role as omniscient and perspicacious onlooker and observer of events over time – she satirically comments on society, stating they are â€Å"Pillars of a community that no longer has much use for pillars†. – further criticise â€Å"masculine ineptitude† as she demonstrates the unfulfilled outcome of the boys’ future as a result of the â€Å"masculine† approach to teaching. The comment that Dakin â€Å"like[s] money†,ironically denotes the value of an education focused solely on achieving ‘targets’. -self-absorbed behaviour of the male characters -However, Bennett excludes Mrs Lintott from the educational debate and presents her without any viewpoint on it -male dominant society that men are always in positions of influence and for a man to be inferior to a woman is inconceivable. – The headmaster is concerned with superficial ‘targets’,Hector believesâ€Å"all knowledge is precious†¦Ã¢â‚¬  and Irwin is chiefly concerned with originality and practical uses of it. Who are the History Boys? †¢ Dakin – The Stud †¢ Scripps – The Conscience †¢ Posner – The Lover/Poet †¢ Rudge – The Working Lad †¢ Akhtar – The Ethnic Minority †¢ Crowther – The Lip †¢ Timms – The Class Clown †¢ Lockwood – The Soldier Representations of Class †¢ Headmaster’s (BA Hull) snobbery: †¢ â€Å"They’re clever but they’re crass†¦Culture they can get from Hector, History they can get from you†¦Ã¢â‚¬  †¢ â€Å"They need polish. Edge†¦I want to see us up there!† Representations of Teaching Styles †¢ Mr Hector (General Studies): â€Å"Life Lessons† †¢ Mrs Dorothy Lintott (History): â€Å"Subject teaching† †¢ Mr Irwin (Oxbridge): â€Å"Exam boosters† †¢ The Head Master: â€Å"Results† â€Å"All knowledge is precious, whether or not it serves the slightest human use† †¢ AE Houseman †¢ â€Å"We won’t be examined on that, Sir†¦happiness† †¢ Question: What is education for? Teaching Style: Irwin †¢ Modern classroom of glass and plastic, bare walls, functional †¢ â€Å"I’d go to Newcastle and be happy† Fox, UK 15. Intertextuality as Commentary †¢ Noel Coward’s Brief Encounter: â€Å"Thank you for coming back to me† †¢ Drummer Hodge: Thomas Hardy â€Å"A saddish life. Though not unappreciated†¦Unkissed. Unrejoicing. Unconfessed. Unembraced† Representation of Gender †¢ â€Å"History’s a commentary on†¦ the continuing incapabilities of men†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Lintott) †¢ â€Å"Five centuries of masculine ineptitude† cf â€Å"The utter randomness of things† (Lintott) †¢ Question: How are the masculine and feminine represented in The History Boys 18. Schools as sexual sites – Fisher et al †¢ Sites of sexual opportunity, tension and competition †¢ Reinforced by popular culture, peer support †¢ Dominance of heteronormativity †¢ Male environments – homoeroticism of The History Boys 19. Representation of Sexuality 1 †¢ Representation of Male Adult Sexuality: †¢ â€Å"The transmission of knowledge is itself an erotic act† (Hector) †¢ â€Å"This is a school and it isn’t normal† (The Headmaster) †¢ â€Å"A grope is a grope† (Lintott) 20. Representation of Sexuality 2 †¢ Representation of Male Adolescent Awakening: †¢ Dakin’s ‘conquest’ †¢ Scripps’ faith †¢ Posner’s ‘in-love’ 21. Representation of Sexuality 3 †¢ Dakin’s proposition of Irwin †¢ Irwin’s response †¢ Question: What do you think of the representation of male (homo)sexuality in The History Boys? 22. Learning Styles †¢ â€Å"Mr. Hector’s stuff’s not meant for the exams. It’s to make us more rounded human beings† (Timms) †¢ â€Å"We’ve got the most important exam in our lives†¦We’re just sat here reading literature†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Lockwood) †¢ â€Å"Hector produces results but unpredictable and unquantiï ¬ able†¦There’s inspiration, certainly, but how do I quantify that?† (The Headmaster) †¢ â€Å"Lying works† (Dakin to Irwin) †¢ â€Å"He was a good man. But I don’t think there’s time for his kind of teaching anymore† (Irwin on Hector) †¢ â€Å"One of the hardest things for boys to learn is that a teacher is human. One of the hardest things for a teacher to learn is not to try and tell them† (Lintott) Bennetts presentation of marriage Education: Intetextuallity Analysis of women: shovinism