Popular Music, Culture & Politics Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Popular Music, Culture & Politics - Article Example This shows how some isolated or marginal areas within Japan are capable of upholding authentic Japanese culture, characterized by composition of musical lyrics in Japanese. There is further emphasis on the fact that urban areas of Japan, unlike the isolated ones, are connected to and even compromised by Western influence, coupled with Japan’s troubled history. The association of Japanese popular music with the West is evident throughout the article, forming its greatest theme. For instance, Morris takes note of the fact that the country’s musical culture hence national identity is largely tied up with its 19th century occupation by Western Allied forces. It was as a result of the occupation that Japanese musicians were forced to embrace western styles of music composition and performance, in order to keep Allied soldiers entertained hence surviving the occupation. The author is keen to note that, since that time, music primarily reflects the country’s cultural pl acement hence national identity in connection and contrast to the West. The systematic review approach adopted by Morris adequately demonstrates that Japanese popular music adopts practices that allow it to capitalize on emerging trends. These include not just utilization of English in composition and performance, but also adoption of emergent trends such as those in media technology. This approach is, however, too broad to fully examine and effectively facilitate understanding of Japan’s national identity, as shaped by music and its resulting culture. There is extra focus on the nature of music, as influenced by the relationship between Japan and the West, especially the U.S., thus overlooking crucial cultural elements within the country. Other examples of broad or non-specific music associations with national identity include the association of rock and roll music with British

Human bioscience Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Human bioscience - Essay Example pH has a direct effect on the structure of proteins in the human body as pH aberrations lead to either excess protonation or deprotonation of the proteins. This has a direct effect on the protein structures making them less functional. Proteins form the major component of bodily structures, enzymes and chemical components, and their chemical sensitivity to pH leads to an increased demand for regulator mechanisms so that pH can be maintained within the required ranges. pH maintainence is important mainly in the blood or the extracellular compartment, however, several cells of the body and even the brain require a proper maintainence of intracellular pH levels. Intracellular compartments are mainly more acidic than the extracellular compartments because of the negative charges on the inside of the cells. Cells also contain hydrogen pumps such as H-ATPase and Na/H exchanger pumps which are crucial in maintaining the pH inside the cells and keep in metabollicaly active (Seifter, et al., 2005 pg.392). pH of the blood is susceptible to changes in response to several physiological as well as pathological processes and body mechanisms work in conjunction regulate the ranges. pH ranges are subjected to alterations after increased acid or basic food intake, excessive exercise or in conditions such as alcoholism, salicylate poisoning, diabetes or hyperventilation. These are only some of the examples which alter the pH levels and require prompt compensations. Body responds by its chemical buffering system, respiratory mechanisms and renal compensations mainly to keep the pH withing the normal ranges. The acid base homeostasis of the body is maintained by body buffers, chemosensors present in the brain as well as the circulation, the kidneys and the lungs. These components form the basic acid-base apparatus of the human body. The buffers present in the body include bicarbonate, proteins, phosphate and other

The Use Of Innovation At Pizza Hut Commerce Essay

The Use Of Innovation At Pizza Hut Commerce Essay The pizza hut has rivals like domino pizza, papa john and gogo pizza always the rival of pizza hut try to make or introduce new pizza or new food to attract the customers. But pizza hut management is thinking some think new which could be innovation but technological, which can reduce the staff, time and cost of the organization as well as which can provide good and efficient services and also attract the customers, so after the consideration the pizza hut technology management innovate the mobile text ordering, mobile portable card payment machines and online ordering such kinds of devices are the innovation as well as the new technology for the pizza hut. The pizza hut is 1st organization who introduce this innovation in the form of technology introduce in the pizza chain restaurant. So we can say that it is a technology but innovation for the pizza hut as well as in the pizza chain restaurant. Innovation:- Innovation is not a single action but a total process of interrelated sub-processes. Is not just the conception of a new idea, not the invention of a new device, nor the development of a new market. the prcess is all these things acting in an integrated fashion.(Myers Marquis, 1969) All activities which is involved in the procedure of generating ideas, development of technology marketing and producing new products and the process of manufacturing is called innovation (Trott, 2005) The innovation approach adopted by the management:- The organization benefits through innovation How the innovation improved the overall organization performance Estimate the successful of the innovation (Questionnaires from the customers) Conclusion and Recommendation Organization:- In the restaurant chain pizza hut is the world biggest pizza delivery organization as well as it is no.1 in the restaurant of pizza chain. The branches of pizza hut all over the world is 1300 out of 100 are outside the country. This organization has variety of pizza like flagship pan pizza as well as Sicilian, hand tossed and stuffed crust. The pizza hut expertise is to deliver fresh and hot pizza won the many awards as well as the loyalty of the million customers who loves the pizza. Pizza hut Mission Statement:- Mission statement is very important for every organization rather small or large, because a mission statement sets the general goals or purpose of the organization. It is very vital for the employees to obtain the organization goals. The Pizza hut mission statement is We make pride in making the perfect pizza and providing a courteous and helpful service on the time all the time. Every customer says, I will be back. We are the employer of choice offering team members opportunities for growth , Advancement, And Rewarding Careers in a Fun, Safe Working Environment. P.E.A.R.L.S PASSION for excellence in doing everything EXECUTE with positive energy and urgency. ACCOUNT-ABLE for growth in customer satisfaction and profitability. RECOGNIZE the achievement of others and have fun doing it. LISTEN and more importantly, respond to the voice of the customer. ,, There purpose is to add value for the customers to serve them by designing their store in a modern way, hiring the local community, respecting the environment, appreciating the team members, taking skills in to colleges and schools and supporting local organizations worldwide, to provide the unbeatable service to the customers. Pizza hut has very high quality of technology for online ordering for the great customer service of their customers. (Source: pizzahuthawaii.com) If anyone write Pizza hut in the search box of the Google instantly the company possible detail come up like offers, Bog of deals, Voucher, coupons, regular deals, pizza hut codes etc. The new and old customers can easily choose the field of her/his choice and get all the relevant information as well as if any one write Pizza hut in the search box of the Google it shows many links of the company to select from which we can be seen in the second picture. Source: Google.com The website of the company gives you very easy way to order online, location of the nearest store, food guide, feedback system, participating events, memberships, business information etc. The given below websites picture is describing that how Pizza hut is facilitating to their customers. For example if any customer enter the post code on the website he/she can easily track the nearest store, store phone number, store address as well as get information about the special offers, regular etc. Secondly while using the mobile phone the customer can easily give order by sending the text message to the pizza hut. This text message automatically will go to the nearest local store and they will deliver the pizza very quickly at the customer home. The customer can easily online register with the pizza hut as well. Order online Please enter you postcode, town or hut name below: Please enter your postcode, town or hut name below: Source: pizzahut.ca/ The Estimation/Evaluation:- Time by time Pizza hut considers the many things to check its improvement/progress. Increasing in number of customers (weekly, monthly and yearly) What are the customers views/suggestion/reviews regarding services and food Customers can give feedback thorough online as well as direct regarding their services etc The weekly average sale in a certain period. Change model:- Beckhard and Levin in 1969 and 1951 respectively developed the most famous change models. However other important contributions have been introduced by Quinn 1980 and Lewin 1980. Lewin:- The introductory methods for managing change are as follows according Lewin 1951. Unfreezing, existing behaviour and attitudes are supported by changing the present state equilibrium. According to new information new responses can be developed. Refreezing, by introduction of new responses in to personality concern can stabilize change. Field force analysis is a methodology for analysing change suggested by lewin which involves Transition to the future state is affected by analysing driving or restraining forces Differentiating between driving and restraining forces is essential. Action should be taking to increase critical driving forces and decrease critical restraining forces (Martin, 2006) Value change analysis can be applied to an organization , every time cost is reduce value substitution should be implemented, through this organization and customers both gain this has been practiced by Pizza hut self service check outs have not only reduce the staff cost but it also has made shopping experience easier for the consumer. (Horovitz, 2004) Guideline for Change Management:- Armstrong has explained the following factors to make sure that change management is successfully implemented in an organization. Understanding of the organizational structure and levels of change needs to be affective with the help of a strong and visionary leadership. Appropriate attitude and leadership is required to those concerned at all levels when implementing change strategies. Encourage workers who accept the idea of change participation in planning and implementation. Change should be advocated with the help of hard evidence and data. Instead of attitudes or corporate culture change should be implemented by process and behaviours. This should be completed by awarding people who encourage change and challenges. (Armstrong, 2006) Trigger: There are two types of trigger are involved in this change Internal Trigger: The management of Pizza hut realized that the sale and services are going bad due to negligence of staff and the shortage of staff so they need to change something, after the consideration they recognized the technology which can provide better customer services. External Trigger: Every organization is brining change introducing different technologies so Pizza hut also needs to bring the change in the organization and change could be innovation and innovation could be technology, however Pizza hut adapted the computer technology to satisfy the customers. Innovation Analysis:- Like many others companies Pizza hut is also affected in every season as well as environment and lots of staff mistakes. Pizza hut needs are to introduce a technology that can expand its way, and Pizza hut swap the workforce in to the computer technology. The Pizza hut management considered that our services are going to low level due to lack of staff, however empty spaces could be filled with the help of computer technology as well as efficient performance. The world is changed due to the new development in science since last decades. Computer technology is very good as well as very affordable. Pizza hut can easily use the technology and new improvement in technology is very important trigger for the Pizza hut, from last 10 years the information system is more advance and fast. The customers behaviour has been changed due to the computers. So mobile text ordering, mobile portable card payment machines and online ordering are the innovation for the pizza hut but these are the part of the technology which Pizza hut is using very efficiently. Benefits of Innovation:- Pizza hut is one of the biggest pizza restaurant in Britain, so Pizza hut needs an innovation and innovation could be a technology which can reduce the cost of staff and increase its profit as well as compete its rivals like dominos pizza, gogo pizza and papa johns. There are many benefits for the Pizza hut after introducing the technology which we discussed above mobile text ordering, mobile portable card payment machines. The customers can give order very easily at home through online as well as through text message which is very good for Pizza hut to increase its customers as well as sale and reduce the cost of staff, customers can order online at any time and day. This technology is very important or bon of Pizza hut. Pizza hut is the first organization whom introduced this facility, mobile text ordering, mobile portable card payment machines and online ordering are also very vital for Pizza hut because with the help of this technology Pizza hut is saving the time and money as we ll as reducing the staff and also giving better facility to their customers. Adapting this technology is one of the huge changes in the organization. By using good technology Pizza hut needs to handle the customer demands. Primary Research:- In order to understand the role of manager in the innovation, we took an interview one of the Pizza hut store manager. In an interview the store manager of Pizza hut described the basic role of the manager when any change or innovation adapted the Pizza hut as well he also described the factors while adapting the new technology, which are as given below. Understanding the innovation:- In an interview the store manager said that the manager always ensure that the innovation should be in new technology and understandable as well as supportable for the management and the staff as well as its also very helpful to achieve some benefits from the head office. Staff training:- The basic role of the manager that they train the staff according to the new technology as well they make sure that all staff must have full information regarding the technology. The managers also confirm that the technology is suitable for the organization and staff. They solve the staff problem regarding the new technology. Managers train the staff very efficiently in order to provide the good service and quality of the product. In every organization staff training is very essential because they tell the customers about the new technology which is very good for the organization to increase the sale. Role of Deputy Store Manager:- The interview of deputy store manager of pizza hut after the store manager interview. We also took an interview from the deputy store manager of pizza hut, during an interview he told us about his role when any innovation introduce. He makes sure that all the staffs have idea about the innovation as well as the advantages for this purpose he call the staff meeting and tell them about the innovation and then they train them. The deputy store manager also keep watching the performance of staff regarding the technology and he also ensure that every single staff must have the knowledge about the new technology, staff after getting the training then they could be able to help and teach the customer about the self check outs and online ordering by themselves. He also said that after the innovation which is a technology the pizza hut need to maintain and provide good quality of services to their customers. Managers External Roles:- The external role of pizza hut management is they give ads to the social websites regarding the innovation to attract and tell the customers about the new technology. This is very beneficial for pizza hut to increase the customers and the sale. Technology management cycle:- The innovation of mobile text ordering, mobile portable card payment machine and online ordering introduced by the technology management of pizza hut. When pizza hut technology management introduce this technology, management of pizza hut managed this technology through a technology cycle, which is given below. Experience Experiment Reflection Concept Customer Analysis on the Innovation:- When Pizza hut introduce or adopt new technology. Pizza hut takes feedback from the customer to evaluate the success of technology. (Q No#1) Are you happy with the Pizza hut Service? When we are conducting an interview from the customer round about 88% of the peoples said that they are satisfied and happy with the Pizza hut services. In an interview customers told us that they have chosen the Pizza hut because they give hot and fresh pizza very quickly deliver at home. The food of pizza hut is not cheaper than the gogo pizza, papa johns and domino pizza. But customers are also very happy and satisfied because Pizza hut provides good food as well s the quality of the products. (Q No#2) Are you happy by using self check outs services and online ordering? In an interview round about 83% customers said that they are very happy and satisfied by using online ordering, mobile portable card payment machines and mobile text ordering, Pizza hut implemented this technology before couple of years. According to the consumers this innovation is very helpful to complete the process of buying very fast, reliable and efficient. According to the customers they do not like to stand in the queue, so such kinds of technology attract the customers and save the time. (Q No#3) Are you known about the term of technology management? Almost 60% customer said in an interview that they have good information/knowledge regarding the term of technology management. (Q No#4) Are you known about the change management and how the change affects the customers/people? Many customers whom were interviewed found that they have very good idea as well as knowledge about the change management; round about 75% customers said that yes change management affects the customers as well as the staff. The example is this people can give order online as well as through mobile text. It saves their time. (Q No#5) Is Pizza hut should have to adopt new technology? Almost 92% customer said during the interview that Pizza hut should have to adopt new technology with the passage of time and also give more flexibility as well as advantages to the customers, because new technology always unique and special for customers. (Q No#6) What would you say that organization change management has been effective on the innovation? The 80% people said that yes organization change management has been effective on the innovation and pizza hut should have to carry on innovating, it is very helpful for pizza hut to remain and gain the sustainable competitive advantage. Recommendation:- Martin in 2006 suggested that it is the responsibility of the experienced co-worker to train and guide new staff this reflects the fact that organizational structure needs to change with the introduction of new technology, in return the workforce with look towards the management for training guidance. (Martin, 2006) Technology today improves the quality of life. It improves choice in foods, transportation, jobs, housing, healthcare, water quality and entertainment, further more. It is looked upon as a source of progression in most societies. (Henry Mayle, 2002) This new concept not only improves staff image but also helps to increase in customers. This would be communicated to the general public through the Ads, media, radio, television etc. My Recommendation:- We will recommend that pizza hut should have to improve this in future and provide more reliable online ordering system to the customers. Many products are not online pizza hut should have to provide such products online. In future pizza hut should have to expand this innovation in good manner. Conclusion:- Pizza hut is the biggest pizza company in the United Kingdom. It is the no.1 largest company in the world. It provides the quality of products and services. Pizza hut has many kinds of products according to their customer needs and desire. Pizza hut always give tough time to their competitors. So pizza hut technology management introduced mobile text ordering, mobile portable card payment machines and online ordering. This innovation is very helpful and reliable for the customers, Before introducing innovation the technology management ensure that the innovation should be understandable and supported by the staff and the top management. However in the organization the staff must have training before using the mobile text ordering, mobile portable card payment machines and online ordering in the meanwhile this innovation is very beneficial and favourable for pizza hut. Pizza hut can gain and remain the sustainable competitive advantage.

Technology For Special Needs Children Essay -- Education

Computers and educational technology can be powerful tools for assisting children with special needs and disabilities. Computers can help children with attention deficit disorders focus more effectively on their learning tasks and can also assist autistic children by improving their communications and interactions with peers as they use computers together. This topic became very important to me when my cousin was born deaf. He is only three now but the assistive technology that awaits him during his educational career are very promising. Assistive technology includes adaptive tools that help students with disabilities to learn and perform tasks better in their daily life (Kauchak, Eggen, Carter, page 390). Adaptations to computers can assist children who have severe physical impairments or those who cannot interact with a standard computer unless certain adaptations have been made. Adaptations to computer input devices include hardware options like voice-controlled devices, trackballs, touch screens and adapted keyboards can assist children with special physical needs and make computers and technology more accessible to them. Blind or visually impaired children can use voice activated machines or special Braille keyboards to input information into computers. There are computers and special equipment designed to assist deaf learners as well; captioned video with subtitles helps deaf children follow along with the rest of the class while watching educational videos, and when teachers incorporate hypermedia presentations into their lessons like Powerpoint, deaf children can read along or review the material at another time if needed. Adaptations for output devices include computers that can translate speech into text s... ...eachers who have access to computer hardware consultants as well as software experts who can assist them with meeting the needs of children with special situations can help their students adapt to a normal classroom environment. These technologies are so important because they prevent a child's disability from becoming and obstacle to learning to their education. REFERENCES Kauchak, Donald; Eggen, Paul; Carter, Candace (2002) Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional. Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, New Jersey Henniger, Michael L. (1999) Teaching Young Children, An Introduction. Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, New Jersey Alaska State School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Anchorage School District Web Site: www.asdk12.org/parents/choices/sped7.asp

Ernie Breaks Essay

Sometimes expectations are too big to satisfy, even though you try your very best. It would be wrong to raise expectations to a level that cannot be met. You are scared that you might disappoint the people you have closest. Therefore you try to hide yourself and your insufficiency. This is just one of the things Cara deals with in the story, Ernie Breaks, written by Genevieve Scott. The short story is told through the eyes of Cara. Cara has just finished fourth grade, and her mother wants to reward her for that. Therefore she brings Cara and Caras brother Jed to a pet store. Here they decide to buy a turtle, which Jed and Cara have to share. They call the turtle Ernie. One day when Cara comes home from school, Jed is maltreating Ernie. This makes Cara very sad and she wants to show her mother what Jed had done and show that Ernies tank is very messy. She ends up loosing Ernie, as he falls to the ground and dies. The characters get described in an indirect way, where the reader has to draw conclusions from the way the characters act and how Cara explains them from her point of view. An example of that is where Jed is described: â€Å"He goes in there with his friend Toby everyday after school to play records and ignore me. This means that Jed also doesn’t help me with my math homework like Mom made him promise, so I am terrified that I’ll fail or get moved into retard room†1. This is a good example of the indirect characterization, as this quote shows us that Jed is a brother, who does not worry very much about his sister. Firstly, he ignores her and secondly, he does not help Cara with her math, even though he promised. In addition you can see that Cara is very bad at math and needs help to get better. Throughout the short story Cara gets seen very considerate, especially around Ernie: â€Å"[†¦], if I say anything though, I’m afraid I’ll start to cry †2. The fact that she nearly starts to cry, because Jed and his friend, Toby, are teasing Ernie, means that you get the impression that Cara is a very considerate and emotional person, especially when something happens to Ernie. This can have something to do with that she feels safe around Ernie. Furthermore Cara looks very much up to her elder brother Jed. This can be seen where Cara had got in trouble for painting on the girl from her class’ shirt: â€Å"He’ll at least think its cool that I got in trouble†.3 The fact that Cara thinks that getting in trouble is not so bad,  because her brother will think she is cool, shows us that Cara looks very much up to her brother. As well she uses the same words as Jed: â€Å"[†¦] get moved into the retard room†. In the beginning of the story we get told that â€Å"Retard room† is a word that Jed uses. Therefore we are informed that Cara uses the same words as Jed. The main theme in this short story is family relationship and about expectations, you have defined for each other. Observing the behavior of the characters, it can be seen that the main theme, family relationship, comes to expression through the characters in the way that the expectations they have for each other gets broken and they try to hide their insufficiency. This can be seen in all three characters. In the start Cara tells us about her mother and how she is trying to stop smoking with help from Quit4life, but in secret buys cigarettes from a pharmacist called Ernie Sherman: [†¦] Ernie Sherman, the pharmacist where Mom buys her cigarettes because she won’t run into anyone from Quit4life†4. Here it is obvious that either herself or the people from Quit4life expect her to stop smoking. Still, she does it secretly and in that way she tries to avoid losing face. She does that to hide her incompetence . The same behaviour is visible in Cara. She is expected to take care of Ernie, but ends up killing him by dropping him on the floor: â€Å"I jump backwards like Valerie Calorie and Ernie flips up off my palm and crashes off the edge of the tank and onto the floor†.5 Afterwards, she pretends having accomplished the expectations that is set for her by not telling her mother the truth about what happened. The short story also explains the expectations for Jed. He is – as well as Cara – supposed to take care of Ernie, but ends up maltreating him to play cool in front of his friend: â€Å"Jed is holding Ernie over the turntable. He puts him down shell-first and then puts his index finger on his belly.†6 Genevieve Scott uses in this short story symbols. The turtle in this short story symbolises Cara and what she has experienced, where she has to lock herself in a shell. An example of that is where she has to have a math test, and she does not know how to do it an d draws a picture of Ernie instead. Besides, she does not want to show Valerie her results: â€Å"I take Valerie Calorie’s from her, but I don’t give her mine.†7 Here you can see that she is embarrassed and therefore she wants to lock herself in a shell to protect her. Moreover she hits back against the people who do something bad to her like Ernie does when he experiences something bad: â€Å"I grab the black magic  marker from inside my desk and swipe it across her yellow sweater†8. Here you can see that she does not put up with people making fun of her in the same way Ernie does not put of with being maltreated. Therefore there can be drawn parallels between Ernie and Cara. At the end where Ernie dies, something dies inside of Cara as well: â€Å"I don’t understand why we have to learn about broken numbers. If something is broken, it’s wrecked and useless anyway. If it’s not your fault that it’s broken, you usually don’t need to care about it†9. If you interpret this quote, you can see that Ernie’s shell symbolises the shell Cara has to protect herself with. When Ernie’s shell breaks, Caras shell breaks as well, and as Cara says,† when something is broken, it’s wrecked and useless†. So we can therefore conclude that when Ernies shell breaks and he dies, Cara feels wrecked and useless. Overall we can conclude that Genevieve Scott really has been capable of telling a story with focus on family relationship with the short story â€Å"Ernie Breaks†. Genevieve Scott has throughout the story used a first person narrator, writing from Caras point of view. This has made it easy for us as reader to understand what Cara thinks. The story is furthermore in possession of an indirect characterization, and we learn about the characters through their actions.

Resume of Joe Rizal

CURRICULUM VITAE Jose Protacio Mercado Rizal y Alonso Realonda Personal Information: Home address: Calamba, Laguna Date of Birth: June 19, 1861 Place of Birth: Calamba, Laguna, Philippines Height: 5 feet Weight: 42 kg/ 411. 6 N Job Experience: Student Assistant (April 2010 and April 2011) Saint Louis University Human Resource Department Baguio City, Philippines Major Duties and Responsibilities: 1. File copies of different letters. 2. Sort files alphabetically to their respective filing cabinets. 3. Classify and sort files of different departments and colleges. 4. Assist in the making and laminating in the identification cards of employees. 5. Assist in instructing and organizing of the enrolment of working scholars. Enrolment helper (May 2010 and May 2011) Saint Louis University- Laboratory Elementary School Medical and Dental Clinic Baguio City, Philippines Major Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Give medical forms to the parents or guardians of incoming kinder and transferee pupils. 2. Instruct the parents and guardians on what to place on the forms. 3. Give the parents and guardians their corresponding number for the proper sequence of entering the clinic. . Sort and file the medical records of the new pupils. 5. Classify and file the medical records of the pupils according to their sections for the next school year. Working scholar (November 2009-March 2011) Saint Louis University- Laboratory Elementary School Medical and Dental Clinic Baguio City, Philippines Major Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Assist the nurses in first aid procedures. 2. Assure the cleanliness of the clinic. 3. Assure the safety of the pupils, specially the lower grade pupils (kinder to grade 3) by bringing them back to their specific classrooms. 4. File patients’ health cards to their respective place. 5. Assist in the medical dental and medical check-up. 6. Wash and dry dental instruments. Educational Attainment: College: Philosophy and Letters (1877-1878) University of Santo Tomas Sampaloc, Manila Philippines Course on Surveying Ateneo de Manila (1877-1878) Loyola Heights, Quezon City, Metro Manila Philippines Medicine (1878-1882) University of Santo Tomas Sampaloc, Manila Philippines Medicine & Philosophy and Letters Universidad Central de Madrid Madrid, Spain Secondary: Ateneo de Manila (1872-1877) Loyola Heights, Quezon City, Metro Manila Philippines Elementary: Mabini Elementary School (1999-2005) Baguio City, Philippines Skills and Hobbies: Skills: * Ability to work under pressure * Can write speeches, scripts and reports * Flexible in working in a multi-cultural working environment * Literate in Computer programs: * Microsoft Word * Microsoft PowerPoint * Microsoft Excel * Microsoft Access * Microsoft Publisher * Microsoft Photoshop * Movie Maker Hobbies: * Reading books, watching movies, listening to music, editing pictures, making movies in movie maker, writing poems, singing, playing the piano and uitar. * Sports: * Volleyball Seminars: The taxation approach * November 28, 2010 * AVR Devesse building, Maryheights Campus, Bakakeng, Baguio City Insurance, Savings, and Investments * January 30, 2011 * Center for Culture and the Arts, Saint Louis University Relevant Issues with the CARPer * September 18, 2011 * AVR Devesse building, Maryheights Campus, Bakakeng, Baguio City Character References: I, do hereby, attest that the above statements are true, correct and updated to the best of my knowledge.

Free Essays on “The Man To Send Rain Clouds“

Initial Response Toâ€Å"The Man To Send Rain Cloudsâ€Å" In the short story â€Å"The Man To Send Rain Clouds† written by Leslie Marmon Silko, it explains what happens when a family member passes while he is taking care of the sheep. There are many things the family members do before they get to bury their family member. Most of the rituals in the story seem to be possibly Indian rituals. They were hard to relate to because that is not what the living family members do â€Å"normally† when their family members die. The happenings in this story were a little confusing, until I thought about them being religious rituals. In the beginning of the story Leon and Ken whom found their grandfather, Teofilo dead at the sheep camp, they tie a gray feather in his hair and made paint marks on his face. After they do that they say, â€Å"Send us rain clouds, grandfather.†(pg1150) When I first read this I didn’t understand. When I thought about how Indian people paint their bodies for heritage or religious reasons I thought about it all making sense. In the beginning of the story they tie Teofilo up in a red blankets. At first I did not think that much about it but the red blanket kept coming up in the story. In the second scene the narrator does not say that they brought him in the house to change is clothing, but they make it a point to say they bought in the â€Å"red blanket†, in which he was wrapped up. In scene three they talk of how his moccasins were hidden under the red blanket. And it seem that the statement came out of nowhere. And in scene four the priest thinks about how Teofilo is under the â€Å"red blanket.† There seems to be significance to the red blanket, because it is brought up often. At the beginning of the story it didn’t confuse me but I thought it must have a meaning if it keeps getting brought up, which confused me. When them men drive by the priest, I wondered why they just didn’t tell the priest then at the end ... Free Essays on â€Å"The Man To Send Rain Cloudsâ€Å" Free Essays on â€Å"The Man To Send Rain Cloudsâ€Å" Initial Response Toâ€Å"The Man To Send Rain Cloudsâ€Å" In the short story â€Å"The Man To Send Rain Clouds† written by Leslie Marmon Silko, it explains what happens when a family member passes while he is taking care of the sheep. There are many things the family members do before they get to bury their family member. Most of the rituals in the story seem to be possibly Indian rituals. They were hard to relate to because that is not what the living family members do â€Å"normally† when their family members die. The happenings in this story were a little confusing, until I thought about them being religious rituals. In the beginning of the story Leon and Ken whom found their grandfather, Teofilo dead at the sheep camp, they tie a gray feather in his hair and made paint marks on his face. After they do that they say, â€Å"Send us rain clouds, grandfather.†(pg1150) When I first read this I didn’t understand. When I thought about how Indian people paint their bodies for heritage or religious reasons I thought about it all making sense. In the beginning of the story they tie Teofilo up in a red blankets. At first I did not think that much about it but the red blanket kept coming up in the story. In the second scene the narrator does not say that they brought him in the house to change is clothing, but they make it a point to say they bought in the â€Å"red blanket†, in which he was wrapped up. In scene three they talk of how his moccasins were hidden under the red blanket. And it seem that the statement came out of nowhere. And in scene four the priest thinks about how Teofilo is under the â€Å"red blanket.† There seems to be significance to the red blanket, because it is brought up often. At the beginning of the story it didn’t confuse me but I thought it must have a meaning if it keeps getting brought up, which confused me. When them men drive by the priest, I wondered why they just didn’t tell the priest then at the end ...

Ralph essays

Ralph essays Ralph, a twelve-year-old boy is deserted with a group of boys on a tropical island. He is the protagonist of Lord of the Flies. Ralph is the elected leader of the boys at the introduction of the novel, Ralph, along with the conch, is the primary representation of democracy, civilization, and authority. While most of the boys are intent on playing, having fun, and avoiding work at the beginning of the novel, Ralph builds huts and thinks of ways to increase their chances of rescue. Because of this, his influence over the other boys is very strong at the beginning of the novel. Nevertheless, as the novel progresses and the group reverts to savagery, Ralph's influence declines prematurely as Jack's influence increases. Ralph's responsibility to civilization is very strong, and his main wish is to be rescued and returned to the macrocosm instead of remaining in the microcosm. This influence gives Ralph victory at the end of the novel when he uses the stick that was sharpened on both ends, which had the pigs head on it, to defend himself against the hunters. Ralph realized that savagery existed in all of the boys when he learned of their plans to hunt and kill him. Throughout most of the novel, Ralph is incapable of understanding why the other boys would give into the unruly instincts of savagery. The vision of the hunters chants and dances confused and bewildered him. On the other hand, when Ralph participates in the hunting of the boar for the first time, he experiences the exhilaration and thrill of bloodlust and violence. When he goes to Jack's feast, the excitement and the emotion overtake him. He experiences firsthand the evil that is part of him, as well as, within all parts of the human race; it plunges him into spiritless gloom. When Ralph's misfortune is at its end, he is rescued and returned to civilization. When he sees the naval officer, he tells him what he has learned about the true human heart. ...

Learn What a Verb Is and See Examples in English

Learn What a Verb Is and See Examples in English A verb is the part of speech (or word class) that describes an action or occurrence or indicates a state of being. Verbs and verb phrases usually function as predicates. Verbs can display differences in tense, mood, aspect, number, person, and voice. There are two main classes of verbs:  lexical verbs  (also known as  main verbs), which arent dependent on other verbs, and  auxiliary verbs  (also called  helping verbs). As with lexical versus auxiliary verbs, many types of verbs come in opposites, as explained below. Lexical vs. Auxiliary Lexical verbs- also called  full verbs- convey the  semantic (or lexical) meaning  in a  sentence, such as: It rained last night.I  ran  fast.I  ate  the entire hamburger. The great majority of verbs in English are lexical verbs. An auxiliary verb, by contrast, determines the mood or tense of another verb in a phrase, for example: It will rain tonight. In this sentence, the verb will  helps the verb rain by pointing to the future. In English, the auxiliary verbs are: Is, am, are, was, wereBe, being, beenHas,  have,  hadDo, does, didWill, shall, should, wouldCan, couldMay, might, must Dynamic  vs.  Stative A  dynamic verb  is used primarily to indicate an action, process, or sensation as opposed to a state, such as: I bought a new guitar.   It is also called an  action or event verb. There are three major types of dynamic verbs: Accomplishment verbs: expressing action that has a logical endpointAchievement verbs: expressing action that occurs instantaneouslyActivity verbs: expressing action that can go on for an indefinite period of time A stative verb- such as  be, have, know, like, own, seem, prefer,  understand,  belong, doubt,  and hate- describes a state, situation, or condition, as in: Now I own a Gibson Explorer.We  are  what we  believe  we  are. A  stative verb  primarily describes a state or situation as opposed to an action or process. It can be a mental or emotional state as well as a physical state of being. The situations are unchanging while they last and can continue for a long or indefinite time period.  These words are also known as a  state verbs  or a  static verbs. Finite  vs.  Nonfinite A finite verb expresses tense and can occur on its own in a main  clause, as in: She walked to school. A finite verb shows  agreement  with a  subject  and is marked for  tense. If there is just one verb in a  sentence, that  verb is finite. Put another way, a finite verb  can stand by itself in a sentence.   Nonfinite verbs, meanwhile, are not marked for tense and do no show agreement with a subject. A  nonfinite verb  (an  infinitive  or  participle) doesnt show a distinction in tense and can occur on its own only in a  dependent  phrase or clause, as in: While  walking  to school, she spotted a bluejay. The main difference between finite and nonfinite verbs is that the former can act as the root of an independent clause, or full sentence, while the latter cannot.  For example: The man  runs  to the store to  get  a gallon of milk. The word runs  is a finite verb because it agrees with the subject (man) and because it marks the tense (present tense). The word  get is a nonfinite verb because it does not agree with the subject or mark the tense. Rather, it is an infinitive and depends on the main (finite) verb runs.   Regular  vs.  Irregular A regular verb forms its verb tenses, especially the  past tense  and  past participle, by adding one in the set of generally accepted standardized suffixes. Regular verbs are conjugated by adding -d, -ed, -ing, or -s to its base form, unlike irregular verbs which have special rules for conjugation. The majority of English verbs are regular. These are the principal parts of regular verbs: The  base form: the  dictionary  term for a word like walkThe -s form: used in the singular third person, present tense  like walksThe -ed form: used in the past tense and past participle  like walkedThe -ing form: used in the present participle  like walking Regular verbs are predictable and always function the same regardless of speaker. An irregular verb  does not follow the usual rules for verb forms. Verbs in English are irregular if they dont have the  conventional -ed ending (such as asked or ended) in the past tense and/or past participle forms.   Transitive  vs.  Intransitive A  transitive verb  takes an  object  (a  direct object  and sometimes also an  indirect object):   She sells seashells. An intransitive verb doesnt take a direct object: She sat there quietly. This distinction is especially tricky because many verbs have both transitive and intransitive functions, depending on how they are used. The verb  break, for instance, sometimes takes a direct object (Rihanna breaks my heart) and sometimes does not (When I hear your name, my heart breaks). Phrasal  vs.  Prepositional A  phrasal verb  is a  type of  compound  verb  made up of a  verb  (usually one of action or movement) and a  prepositional adverb- also known as an adverbial  particle. Phrasal verbs are sometimes called  two-part verbs  (take off  and  leave out) or  three-part verbs  (look up to  and  look down on). There are hundreds of phrasal verbs in English, many of them (such as  tear off, run out [of],  and  pull through) with multiple meanings. Linguist  Angela Downing points out in English Grammar: A University Course that phrasal verbs are one of the most distinctive features of  present-day informal English, both in their abundance and in their productivity. Phrasal verbs often appear in  idioms. A  prepositional verb, by contrast,  is an  idiomatic  expression that combines a  verb  and a  preposition  to make a new verb with a distinct meaning. Some examples of prepositional verbs in English  are  care  for, long for, apply for, approve of, add to, resort to, result in, count on,  and  deal with. The preposition in a prepositional verb is generally followed by a  noun  or  pronoun, and thus prepositional verbs are  transitive. Other Types of Verbs Since verbs describe all action or indicate all states of being in English, its not surprising that there are other types of verbs, which are important to know. Catenative:  A  catenative verb  can link with other verbs to form a chain or series. Examples include  ask,  keep, promise, help,  want,  and  seem. Causative:  A causative verb  is used to indicate that some person or thing makess of causative verbs  include make, cause, allow, help, have, enable, keep, hold, let, force, and require, which can also be referred to as causal verbs or simply causatives. Compound:  A  compound verb  is made up of two or more  words  that function as a single  verb. Conventionally, verb compounds are written as either one word (housesit) or two words joined with a hyphen (water-proof). Copular:  A  copular  verb is a specific type of linking verb that joins the  subject  of a  sentence  or  clause  to a subject  complement. For example, the word  is  functions as a copular verb in the sentences, Jane  is  my friend and Jane  is  friendly. Iterative:  An  iterative verb  indicates that an action is (or was) repeated, such as, Philip  was kicking  his sister. Linking:  A linking verb is a traditional term for a type of  verb  (such as a form of  be  or  seem) that joins the  subject  of a sentence to a word or phrase that  tells something about the subject. For example,  is  functions as a linking verb in the sentence: The boss  is  unhappy. Mental-state:  A  mental-state verb  is a  verb  with a  meaning  related to understanding, discovering, planning, or deciding. Mental-state verbs refer to cognitive states that are generally unavailable for outside evaluation. For example: Toms teaching ability is  known by  all his colleagues. Performative:  A  performative verb  conveys the kind of  speech act  being performed- such as  promise, invite, apologize,  predict, vow, request, warn, insist,  and  forbid. It is also known as  speech-act verb  or  performative utterance.   Prepositional:  A  prepositional verb  is an  idiomatic  expression that combines a  verb  and a  preposition  to make a new verb with a distinct meaning. Some examples  are  care for, long for, apply for, approve of, add to, resort to, result in, count on,  and  deal with. Reporting:  A  reporting verb  (such as  say, tell, believe, reply, respond,  or  ask) is used to indicate that  discourse  is being  quoted  or  paraphrased, such as:  I highly  recommend  that you get a better lawyer. It is also called a  communication verb.

Article Critiques on Finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Article Critiques on Finance - Essay Example Developing countries led by Brazil, Russia, China and India hold most of the world’s foreign exchange reserves, and their share of exports has risen from 20% in 1970 to 435 in 2006. However, as the economic balance of power changes, the balance of political power continues to remain in the West, a situation that cannot continue indefinitely. That changes are imminent can be gauged by the fact that the IMF is already considering some changes in its power structure. Similarly, a UN Security Council that excludes 1/5th of humanity (China, India) or a G7 that excludes China, which holds the worlds largest foreign exchange reserves, cannot stand the test of time. There is bound to be some friction on account of these changes, but overall it will benefit mankind as a whole. In earlier centuries, economic rivalries brought in its wake widespread hostilities, as nations tried to wrest power and widen their spheres of influence as part of the ‘Great Game’. However, that might not be the case in the 21st century, as the US remains the world’s sole military superpower. Dialogue and reliance on international organizations to settle disputes is the preferred approach, though the slow progress of the Doha talks is a cause for concern. Nonetheless, the chances of armed conflict remain negligible, now that geo-economics has overtaken geo-politics as the driver of a country’s foreign policy. As the battle between Boeing’s 787 and Airbus’ A380 heats up, there are indications that the later is in danger of losing the race. Production delays due to inefficient practices, which are politically motivated, are likely to result in at least a two-year delay. This delay could mean the difference between making profits and bankruptcy. It is estimated that the delay, â€Å"will knock a further E 4.8 billion off profits and E 6.3 billion off revenues between 2006 and 2010. The losses could even be higher if airlines that have placed orders for the A380

Why Video Games Matter Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Why Video Games Matter - Essay Example He does this for several days, showing how addicted he is to video games. Nonetheless, in this excerpt, he addresses the relevance of video games, based on his personal experiences. In this excerpt, Blissel specifically talks about the video game Fallout 3 produced by Bethesda in 2008. To show how addictive video games can get, Blissel begins explaining the circumstances around his playing of Fallout 3. In his case, Blissel remembers nostalgically, how he missed to follow the happenings involving one of the most important events in the history of United States. While people were glued on their screens, watching CNN and other authoritative television channels for the election and swearing in of the first black president in the history of United States, Blissel was busy playing Fallout 3. Even though he had planned to play this for only a few hours before he would watch CNN, the game got interesting, and he spent more hours than expected, thus, missing the important historical event (B lissel 349-350). Even though Blissel clearly reveals that video games can be addictive, he goes ahead to defend this art form with a lot of passion. It is true, we are in a generation of gaming, and most people, including children, young people, and even adults will confess their love for video games. Although Blissel tends to criticize video games in this excerpt, he again believes that these can get even better. He thinks of video games as frustrating, in the way one has to kill characters and watch them die: â€Å"I killed his mother, and then everyone else. . .allowing your decisions to establish for your character identity as a skull-crushing monster. . .these pretensions to morality suddenly bored me† (Blissel 358). At the same time, he gives credit to video games, for being dazzling. This is in the way he thinks video games have a storyline. This is what makes him prefer to play video games than watch a film or read a novel. Although a novel has a storyline too, one mi ght not be able to concentrate on it for a few more hours like they can do with video games. Blissel thinks films do not have a storyline in the same way as video games. What makes video games appealing to Blissel is the fact that the player of the game is the one in control; therefore, it can never get boring. Apart from this, Blissel thinks playing video games creates another world for a person. They can escape the real world life, and get into another world, which they create themselves while playing video games. Blissel justifies this with his depressing moments when he would get a break by playing video games. Nonetheless, this excerpt describes in detail, Blissel’s descent into the world of Fallout 3, a video game, which has themes that are a reflection of his own compulsions that are self-destructive (Blissel 353-5). In this excerpt, Blissel generally discusses the relevance and importance of video games in people’s social lives. He as well defends video games f rom those biased against them. However, Blissel’s stand with regard to the importance of video games in the cultural aspect is quite ambivalent. Here, he compares video games to the traditional art forms such as novels and films. Comparison shows both the negative and positive sides of video games. Nonetheless, what comes out is that video games, to a larger extent, show a greater degree of incompatibility with the traditional art forms. Blissel purpose is quite clear in this excerpt. He aims at showing the importance of video games in society. This however, ends up in a two-sided argument, as one cannot establish whether video games are good or

Starbucks Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4750 words

Starbucks - Case Study Example The first Starbucks store was established in the 1971 in Seattle by three friends Jerry Baldwin, Gordon Bowker and Zev Siegl. These three individuals were high school teachers of English and History. They got their inspiration to open their own coffee shop from a Dutch business man named Alfred Peet (Coffee, 2014). The Starbucks as we know today is quite different from what it was during the time of its inception. At first the store only sold raw coffee beans and coffee machines and equipments, which changed over a decade as the company also started to sell coffee drinks. A decade later the company appointed Howard Schultz as the head of retail operations. He was overwhelmed by the idea of espresso bars in Italy and asked the owners to apply the concept of coffee house in Seattle. This experiment was quite successful and it marked the beginning of the famous Starbucks coffee beverages. Howard found a company named Il Giornale, which later on acquired Starbucks (Starbucks, 2011). The acquisition of Starbuck was financially supported by a lot of local investors and the name of the company was officially changed to Starbuck Corporation. The company decided to make geographical diversification and opened up stores in Vancouver and Chicago. By 1987, the total number of Starbucks outlet was 17, which increased to 55 by 1989 and 84 in the next year. In the year 1992, the company went public and it was able to expand its business from the $27 million gathered from the stock prices (Grant, 2013).

Operation Management in Ikea to meet eco-friendly product for Coursework

Operation Management in Ikea to meet eco-friendly product for customers - Coursework Example In the next section, the researcher will brief about business background of the company. IKEA is renowned multinational Dutch furniture retailer having Swedish origin and the company was founded by Ingvar Kamprad in 1943 (IKEA PS, 2012). The company is headquartered at is Leiden, Netherlands and at present, the company is maintaining its global operation with the retail portfolio of more than 300 stores (Euromonitor International, 2009). From operational perspectives, product portfolio of the company includes customized home furnishing solution, assembled furniture, home furnishing products and large furniture (IKEA, 2013a). The furniture retail giant earns annual revenue of â‚ ¬20 billion from its business operation across the globe. IKEA has created unique selling proposition (USP) by offering Scandinavian designed future at affordable price to customers while target market for the company includes couples waiting for baby, students, working professionals, couples planning to marry and students (IKEA, 2013a). These customer groups are ready to experiment with choic e of furniture design but they are not ready to invest huge amount in furniture purchasing. As the researcher has selected Product Design as key sustainability and value chain indicator for idea hence the study will only focus on operation management initiatives of IKEA to deliver eco-friendly products to customers. According to IKEA Group (2011), the company has set environment sustainability criterion for the products and a product has to pass all the criteria during value chain process in order to get the certification. However, detail of the product design related value chain integration will be discussed in the later sections. According to IKEA Group (2011), the company does not change its mission and vision statement with the change of operating environment. The company

Creation vs. Evolution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Creation vs. Evolution - Essay Example The design of the world demonstrates that there should be the designer and the humans are the key source of information to support this idea. The first movements in favor of creationism were defined as American Fundamentalist Protestantism. They started early in the nineteenth century as an opposition to the theories of Charles Darwin. His theories were perceived as a direct threat to the Biblical writings and were thought to lead to the moral decay. The movement re-appeared in the after World War I period and creationists demanded the passage of the law to prohibit public school instruction about Darwin's evolution (Larson, 19). The manifestation of the movement in favor of creationism was the famous Monkey Trial (Scopes v State, 1927). It was the first time the evolution-creation arguments were presented in the court. The ruling was against the biology teacher who was convicted in teaching evolutionism. For the next 20 years, scientists have failed to provide enough arguments to gain the dominance in the court. As the result, publishers of the biology books have taken out all of the information about evolution, Darwin's theory was not taught at schools, and even the name of the theory was avoided. However, after the Soviet Union has launched its first satellite in 1957 the evolutionists awaked and managed to pass the National Defense Education Act (1959) under which the Biological Sciences with chapters on evolution and Darwin's theory were placed in the books again. Moreover, the teacher Susan Epperson has appealed to the court with the request to turn down the ruling in Scopes v State. In the case Epperson v. Arkansas the court has ruled in favour of evolution. The ruling was based on the idea that prohibiting teachers from teaching the theory of evolution (doctrine that man ascended from the lower order animals) and exclusion of the textbooks containing chapters on the theory was unlawful (Gilkey, 48). The fact that the theory of evolution has contradicted the belief in the lines written in the Book of Genesis does not make the Bible the exclusive source of doctrine on the origin of human kind. In addition, the First Amendment prohibits the requirement to teach subjects of any religious dogmas in public schools. However, it is important to understand that students should be aware about the evolution theory of Darwin as well as about the Biblical version of creation. The question is not whether or not evolution should be taught at school, but rather which story has valid basis. As the result, the creationists have succeeded in requiring the equal time for Biblical and scientific studies. Interestingly, until the passage of Arkansas Act 590 named "Balanced Treatment for Creation - Science and Evolution- Science Act" the definitions of creation and evolution have never been referred to. Paul Ellwanger, the head of the Citizens for Fairness in Education, has provided both definitions. Thus, the creation -science is scientific

Give comments to personal statements Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Give comments to personal statements - Essay Example The fascination is the basis of his personal and career goals to major in Software Engineering. He envisions building his game development company. Collins believes his determination will be crucial in pursuing Ph.D. in either Robotics, Intelligence or Theoretical Physics (Lam, 2015). Collin’s good background education on computers will see him through his computer career. In fact, he has already been successful in developing games in high school and the recent Edrenium with positive feedbacks. Willis Hougland’s love for Lego toys is the basis of his career given the mental development and dexterity of hands that comes with the childhood toys as evident with development of remote cars and full size cars in high school. At the University of Colorado, he majors in component design develops, and a drill powered vehicle and knowledge in software design, as well as skills on metalworking and welding, helps him in developing a contestable bike. His leadership skills are put to test when acting as Head of Manufacturing Engineering where he diagnoses problems especially poor designs (Johansen, & Johansen, 2011). Education and personal skills will undoubtedly make his goals achievable. Kirsten Chun’s love for medicine as a career begins with early childhood experience as she watches successful x-rays by the father. Cancer experience with her mother and at the women healthcare center is also the reasons for her fascination with physiology and medicine. Therefore, she would like to contribute to the expansion of medicine knowledge. Working with women helped her develop excellent patient care skills and stresses the need for compassion (Cipolle, Strand, & Morley, 2012). She plans to get back to Hawaii and attend A. Burns Medical School and believes her diligence and affectionate personality will add to the diversity of the university

Creation vs. Evolution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Creation vs. Evolution - Essay Example The design of the world demonstrates that there should be the designer and the humans are the key source of information to support this idea. The first movements in favor of creationism were defined as American Fundamentalist Protestantism. They started early in the nineteenth century as an opposition to the theories of Charles Darwin. His theories were perceived as a direct threat to the Biblical writings and were thought to lead to the moral decay. The movement re-appeared in the after World War I period and creationists demanded the passage of the law to prohibit public school instruction about Darwin's evolution (Larson, 19). The manifestation of the movement in favor of creationism was the famous Monkey Trial (Scopes v State, 1927). It was the first time the evolution-creation arguments were presented in the court. The ruling was against the biology teacher who was convicted in teaching evolutionism. For the next 20 years, scientists have failed to provide enough arguments to gain the dominance in the court. As the result, publishers of the biology books have taken out all of the information about evolution, Darwin's theory was not taught at schools, and even the name of the theory was avoided. However, after the Soviet Union has launched its first satellite in 1957 the evolutionists awaked and managed to pass the National Defense Education Act (1959) under which the Biological Sciences with chapters on evolution and Darwin's theory were placed in the books again. Moreover, the teacher Susan Epperson has appealed to the court with the request to turn down the ruling in Scopes v State. In the case Epperson v. Arkansas the court has ruled in favour of evolution. The ruling was based on the idea that prohibiting teachers from teaching the theory of evolution (doctrine that man ascended from the lower order animals) and exclusion of the textbooks containing chapters on the theory was unlawful (Gilkey, 48). The fact that the theory of evolution has contradicted the belief in the lines written in the Book of Genesis does not make the Bible the exclusive source of doctrine on the origin of human kind. In addition, the First Amendment prohibits the requirement to teach subjects of any religious dogmas in public schools. However, it is important to understand that students should be aware about the evolution theory of Darwin as well as about the Biblical version of creation. The question is not whether or not evolution should be taught at school, but rather which story has valid basis. As the result, the creationists have succeeded in requiring the equal time for Biblical and scientific studies. Interestingly, until the passage of Arkansas Act 590 named "Balanced Treatment for Creation - Science and Evolution- Science Act" the definitions of creation and evolution have never been referred to. Paul Ellwanger, the head of the Citizens for Fairness in Education, has provided both definitions. Thus, the creation -science is scientific

Originality and shock value Essay Example for Free

Originality and shock value Essay Dead animals, elephant dung, unmade beds and rice all seem like everyday objects but should we be calling them art? When we were growing up we were taught that art was a beautiful painting like Van Goghs Sunflowers, or a perfect sculpture of a human like Michelangelos David, but we were never really taught that conceptual and contemporary art were proper forms of art, even though it was established in the sixties. It made us think and challenge our own assumptions of what art should really look like. People didnt understand the idea of cows cut in half (Damien Hirst), wire mesh lockers (Mona Hatoum), rubble (Richard Long) or rubbish (Tomoko Takahashi) being called art unless you could frame it nicely on your living room wall. The fact that this type of art didnt fit neatly into peoples ideas of what art should be was the reason it was called conceptual. Conceptual and contemporary art got a huge reaction out of people because they felt conned and marginally embarrassed when, for example, they looked at Martin Creeds light going on and off and didnt get it. They didnt like the fact that they couldnt work out the true meaning of what the artist was trying to get across. It also got a reaction for another reason which was the simplicity of some of the art. Im sure that when all the people who were working long hours every week looked at the well-paid artist Tracey Emins unmade bed they were desperately screaming to themselves, BUT I COULD DO THAT! and thinking whether conceptual art is even worth looking at. Maybe some of us are completely missing the point they are trying to get across. Maybe instead of drowning in the depression of how easy, and perhaps pointless, the art is we should be fresh-eyed and open minded and celebrate the fact that these ideas and possibilites have been opened for us. Maybe thats the point. This art definitely has originality and shock value. Artists dont want to repeat whats been done before in the same way no one wants to hear old jokes. Their use of new technology adds to the quality of some of their work. Using a computer isnt a cop-out of drawing, its just another tool. The originality and shock value go hand-in-hand and afterall, arent those the two things we want when we look at art? We as viewers dont want to stand there looking at something so bland, tasteless and overrated; If we wanted that then we could just as easily stick a slice of bread on the wall and call that art. The artists look for new challenges and ways for us to see their art. This type of art makes us challenge ourselves to find beauty in the everyday things in life. My opinion of Modern Art is a very balanced one because even though some of the examples of conceptual and contemporary art are sometimes ridiculous, they also challenge you to find the true meaning of what it stands for. The shock factor aswell hypnotizes us and keeps our attention locked on the beauty of the art. One thing that fascinates me though is that if artist Chris Ofili paints with elephant dung he is seen as a Turner Prize winning genius, but if I tried to paint with elephant dung would I be seen as an artistic genius? Probably not.

Stages of Building Construction

Stages of Building Construction Building a project involves various stages including initial preparation of the clients brief, scheduling and research, specifications and construction development. Plans, designs and changes occur throughout a project, inevitably, therefore there must be a unified desire for communication, understanding and agreement. Design/Planning In order for a project to develop into an eventual success communication, understanding and agreement are essential. Comprehensive consultations concerning desires in terms of design, constructability and practicality are imperative. An insight into the clients personal requirements and expectations will also prove fundamental to sustain achievement. However clients are not always exact about all the characteristics of their requirements; professional teams therefore act as advisors. As opinions change plans will have to be altered consequently to accommodate the new needs (Ashworth 2005). Sufficient planning and designing must be undertaken before any sort of construction commences on any development. Planning consists of the early congregation of information and ideas before a detailed design and construction process is exemplified. During this period parties involved in the development should identify any particular requirements, discuss important issues, resolve any disparities if any and assign tasks amongst other requests. Before advanced designing and development can begin, planning authorities must consent to the proposed project after comprehensive assessment. In some cases warrants must be granted for building work to begin on a site, most contractors require this to demolish or build on a site (Civitelo 2007). As the size and/or scale of a project increases costs will ultimately also go up (Ashworth 2005), therefore the planning team will have to combine the design of the project with cost saving solutions. This may mean making sacrifices in terms of some materials used in the project; this will for example reduce costs and allow the funds to be transferred to building a project of larger magnitude as costs rise. For this reason the planning stage is extremely important as conclusions will have to be drawn as to how much space is actually required for the development, too little and the project could be considered a disaster, too much and it could prove wasteful. There are many standards and legislation in the construction industry; these are set up for the benefit of the client making use of the development. Other legislation on the other hand is aimed at protecting the environment and wildlife. The purpose of legislation is to provide a regulatory body to ensure the efficient build of safe places for work and handling. A forthright view held by many is that legislation and standards add to costs and are not munch benefit at all however these claims need to be carefully dissected. Legislative requirements are aimed at increasing safety and are approved by a professional body having conducted tests and analysis. Projects, however small, are affected by an immense set legislation; primarily because efficient development is profoundly reliant on safe places of work and the safe handling of construction material and plants. As a result of this projects will always consist of a large team including clients, engineers, architects, contractors, government and regulating bodies and labourers (Ashworth 2005). An addition to this team is lawyers. When plans are drawn up for a project the parties involved must agree to contracts containing clauses with regards the development in question. Content of the contract may include articles with contemplation to budget, time and materials amongst other clauses. These need to be carefully examined as they can prove to become the reason for the downfall of a failed project. During the design process planners and designers must outline the function and suitability of materials whilst taking into consideration economic and ecological consequences (Hinze 2010). Architects for example would be most involved in the design considerations of a project, however as some parts of a plan cannot be considered without first finding out about planning consent, because of this a reasonable amount of significant decisions cannot be considered. When designing a project plans submitted must take into account expenses as prices are relentlessly rising. Today, most projects involve an organization which is able to economically forecast costs of not only principal costs but also costs of control services. The establishment also find the most economical ways of ensuring that a development does not run over budget. Before plans are put forward a review must be taken on designs to ensure that the ideas can be implemented in terms of both construction techniques and materials. The aim of these reviews called Constructability Reviews is to minimize the number of changes at a later stage, reduce delays and rising costs (Palmer 2002). Construction Once construction is ready to begin, preliminary work needs to commence to allow initial works to be carried out, these include the clearing of the work site, a ground survey to asses the ground conditions, setting up of sanitary facilities, water/power supplies and offices and storage areas. Sufficient welfare amenities will need to be established on a construction site for use by workers throughout a development, this will need to be arranged by the project manager in advance. Provisions will include rest rooms, toilets, storage rooms, changing rooms and washrooms as well. (Hinze 2010) These facilities will be essential for the length of a project to evade disturbance to a project. In some circumstances however, the project manager may not require some facilities and will instead be able to make use of permanent services available on site. For example, the client may allow the construction team to use toilets already installed on site. This will therefore reduce costs which may have been incurred if the welfare facilities were required. When welfare amenities are required the project manager should aim to locate these in various locations and not a single area, this reason for this is that having them in one area may prove to be an inconvenience. For example if the site is very large, then the project manager may find that time is wasted going to and from the welfare facilities rather than using the time constructively. When the preliminary works have been completed demolition on the site can begin, since the site is located on a 10 ha site of old forest 5 miles out of the town centre; suitable access and transportation will need to be arranged for plant/machinery. The demolition stage will result in the recycling of materials, the forest trees for example can be recycled for timber use during the construction process; this increases the developments sustainable considerations. After the site has been fully cleared, excavation will be completed to create the required ground conditions, be it flat or, according to the design specifications. In many cases the land in which a project is developed can provide difficulties in terms of workability. Loose soil, often at a shallow depth, is an inevitable problem that can be solved using deep foundations; in this case however, shallow foundations will be used as outlined in the brief (Palmer 2002). The excavation stage will also prepare the site for eventual service installation and the construction of the substructure. Excavation will be carried out using various machines, plant is required during the construction process in order to increase production, minimize labour requirements, conduct high standards of constructions and also possibly reduce overall costs (Cooke 1997). During the planning process decisions must be made with regards the availability and use of plants. The substructure will consist of reinforced concrete foundations to allow sufficient support of the buildings by transporting the load to the ground, this will be especially vital for the community hall which will consist of a steel frame and metal cladding roof. Service works will also need to be carried out during the substructure stage to allow for pipes/cable routes to be considered also, drainage and refuse systems will need to be allowed to pass through and leave the various sites, be it below ground or through walls. Services however must not pass below foundations (Hinze 2010). The superstructure on the other hand will require extensive work, relating to the floors, walls and roofs; these will all be subject to the design specifications. Scaffolding will be required when working on raised platforms i.e. first floor levels, roofs etc, these will consist of steel or aluminium alloy tubes. As the development will consist of a 200 home housing estate, the homes will be of identical layout and size, for this reason pre-fabricated timber roof trusses will be delivered and hoisted into position before being placed on the supporting walls. The floors and ceilings in the homes will be timber constructed where as the community centre will consist of a concrete floor and metal cladding roof. The walls in the homes will be brick and block masonry fully insulated cavity walls, these will be plastered inside. Completion of the substructures and superstructures will then allow the services to be introduced to the buildings; these include drainage, pluming, gas and sanitary works. Some services will require installation below ground, specifically in trenches. Service works generally cause widespread disruption to the public, especially to traffic through road works; there should be a significantly lower impact however, since the housing project is being developed on an old forest site. Local authority permission must be granted before work commences, this will involve in the inspection of works carried out already and final tests being conducted. The plumbing works, which are installed above ground, will benefit from construction after the basic structural works have been completed. The finishes relating to the build require extensive organisation to ensure that they are completed accordingly as certain processes cannot begin until others have been completed. For this reason, a larger number of workers should be employed to carry out the finishing works simultaneously when possible, to ensure timely completion. The landscaping with regards this project should not be very costly as the location chosen for the project is an old forest, in comparison to some builds which are built in an area which requires more greenery and trees to be planted. Methods of circulation and travel will need to be established however including roads and footpaths. With regards the community centre security will need to be addressed as a priority as it will be serving the local community, including children for example. The project will not be completed until the site has been fully cleared and inspected. All surplus material and debris will not to be transported and disposed of accordingly or recycled if possible. Plants, offices and huts will need to be dismantled and cleared as well. The site must be left in a very good condition to allow inspection by various teams and bodies to ensure the development is both up to standard, matches the design specification and is also safe for occupation (Cooke 1997).

Essay on Nonsense Language in Carrolls Jabberwocky -- Carroll Jabberw

The Importance of Nonsense Language and Sounds in Carroll's Jabberwocky  Ã‚      "Wn a bby fst ts 2 kmnikt the wrds snd gibberish. " No one knows what the baby is trying to say. The poem, "Jabberwocky," written by Lewis Carroll, uses meaningless speech to either frustrate or amuse the reader. When trying to pronounce the nonsense words in the poem, the sounds of the words come out as gibberish. The sounds are the important element of the poem. Often, people like to hear poets read in languages they cannot understand. A woman leaving a reading by the Polish poet Czeslaw Milosz said she was glad he'd read some of his work in Polish because the language sounded exciting, like horse hooves over cobblestones.    Sometimes a poem can mean little or nothing, yet the stimulus of words alone wins our attention. Some poets can even invent words themselves. Carroll combines two words (portmanteau) into one word to compose those weird sounds and words in the poem. In a unique way the meaningless words combine with recognizable words to create a poem almost comprehensible. The language and sounds allow a reader to reflect back on the concept of how to communicate Carroll's theme of survial of the fittest, and besides the battle between animals, Carroll creates a battle for the reader to understand the language and sounds.    For an animal or reader to survive in Caroll's poem it must kill before being killed, or understand the language before reaching the end. The setting of such survival is the forest, and Caroll's forest is a fantasy land where words are foreign to the reader. "He left it dead, and with its head He went galumphing back," (Carroll, 36) has reference to survival of the fittest. The head becomes the trophy of ... ...tree," (Carroll, 36) describes the actual skill of using a tree for camouflage. The tree is the Dumdum and covers up the hunter's stupidity. Is the Jabberwocky harmless? The forest people could have invented a wise tale about the creature for amusement. What the hunter killed was part imagination and part real; the way Carroll's poem is.    The sounds and nonsense language are important elements of the poem. At the same time, we can use the grammar of the sentence to help us imagine the meanings of the nonsense words. The poem is playful and frustrating at the same time. We might say it "plustrate." Works Cited Carroll, Lewis. "Jabberwocky." The Discovery Of Poetry. 2nd Edition. Ed. Frances Mayes. Orlando: Harcourt Brace & Company, 1987. Hunter, Paul J. Footnote. The Norton Introduction to Poetry. 6th Edition. Chicago: Norton, 1996.      

Modern Turkey :: essays research papers

THE REPUBLIC PERIOD Modern Turkish Period (1923-Present) 1923 Establishment of the Turkish Republic with Ataturk as its first president 1924 Abolition of Caliphate 1925-38 Ataturk's program of reforms to modernize Turkey 1938 Death of Ataturk; Ismet Inonu becomes the Republic's second president 1939-45 Despite the alliance with Britain and France, Turkey remains neutral during World War II 1946 Turkey becomes a charter member of United Nations 1950 Turkey enters Korean War as a part of United Nations force; change from a single-party to a multi-party system 1952 Joins the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) The attempt of the victorious Allies to control the Anatolian territory led to the Turkish War of Independence (1918-23). Following the occupation of Istanbul in 1920 by the British, Italian and French, a Greek army advanced from Izmir deep into Anatolia. While the sultan offered no resistance, under the leadership of Kemal Ataturk, the Turkish Nationalists overturned the postwar settlement embodied in the Treaty of Sà ©vres (1920) and established the Republic of Turkey, formally recognized by the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923. Mustafa Kemal retired his military uniform and inspired the people to an even greater task: Transformation of the country into the democratic, secular Republic of Turkey. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk 1881 Birth of Mustafa in Salonika 1893 Enters Military Secondary School where he is given the name of Kema 1899 Enters War College in Constantinople 1902 Graduates as lieutenant 1905 Posted to 5th Army in Damascus 1907 Posted to 3rd Army in Salonika 1908 "Young Turk" Revolution in Salonika 1911 Posted to General Staff in Constantinople; goes to Tobruk and Derna with Turkish Forces, promoted to Major 1912 Balkan War; severe defeat, returns home 1913 Appointed Military Attachà © in Sofia 1914 Promoted Lieutenant-Colonel; Turkey signs secret alliance with Germany; Russia, Britain and France declare war on Turkey 1915 Appointed to reorganize 9th Division, in Thrace; unsuccessful allied naval attack on Dardanelles; allied military landing at Ariburnu (Anzac); promoted to colonel; appointed to command 16th Army Corps 1916 Allied evacuation of Gallipoli Peninsula; transferred to Caucasus front; promoted to General and Pasa 1917 Returns to Constantinople 1919 Appointed Inspector-General in Anatolia; lands in Samsun; issues "Declaration of Independence" at Amasya; ordered by Government to return; resigns from the army; Nationalist Congress at Sivas and Erzurum; National Pact; new parliament elected; headquarters at Angora 1920 (April 23) First Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) at Ankara 1921 Consecutive battles against different enemies; given title of Gazi and rank of Marshal by TGNA

Ethics and Leadership in Nigerian Universities: a Study of Staff-Student Relationship at the University of Lagos

This article examines the problem of ethics and leadership in Nigerian Universities from the perspective of inter-personal relationships between staff and students, and the implications for attaining the goals of the Universities and the wider society. In a broad introduction, it laments the crisis of state and society in Nigeria, while locating and explicating ethics and leadership as crucial elements of a university. The findings from the study at the University of Lagos indicate that it is possible even in the midst of the social vices pervading the institution for principled lecturers to positively influence their students in the course of their interaction. The article argues that this will ultimately have a positive impact on the wider society. It therefore calls for greater emphasis at upholding ethical conduct at all levels of University administration. Nigeria is a society bedevilled by all kinds of social vices in spite of the numerous social institutions put in place by the government to check vices and unethical conduct in the society. The country has been undergoing a monumental crisis of state and society beginning from the 1970s (Agbu, 1995). A worrisome dimension to this development is the rather silent attitude by many at addressing this problem which portends a grave danger not just to individuals and groups, but also the survival of the Nigerian State. In this inquiry, the focus is on the possible interplay between ethics and eadership in Nigerian Universities, with particular emphasis on staff-student interaction. The University of Lagos serves as our case study in order for us to concretely situate our analysis. A key observation made is that within the university system there are different layers of leadership and expected standareds of conduct by both members of staff and students. However, the experience in respect o f this has been most unpalatable and tending towards what may be regarded as a total moral crisis in Nigerian Universities. In the light of the above, there is the need for us to address our minds to certain pertinent questions arising therefrom. For instance, What types of behaviour do we really expect at the level of staff-student relations? To what extent do the manner of ethical dispositions by academic supervisors influence their students? What are those moral and ethical values that we all share which can help build a decent university community and society? And lastly, how can these ethical and moral imperatives be made part and parcel of the goals of the wider society? Indeed, it is unarguable that there is a minimum of ethical and moral standareds that is required of a society if it is to survive. There are laws that guide human relations based on the need to have order, harmony, peace and progress. When these basic laws are neglected, the result is total disruption in the social life of a people (Kukah, 1999:14). Again, it is generally recognized that these take their initial roots from the family as a socialization unit and additionally from the educational institutions as a formal context for acquiring wider knowledge. Though, it has been generally acknowledged that we now live in a knowledge society, it is however lamentable that this same society appears to be totally bankrupt of ethical and moral values. For Nigeria, it has been suggested that one of the missing elements in its over forty years of existence is the absence of leaders with the requisite weapons of knowledge and character (Anya, 2002: 22). On the university system in particular, the crisis of values appears to be the most prominent malaise assaulting the essence of education in the country. It is believed that the situation has degenerated to a point where virtually every cherished principle and ideal of the university system has been violated or eroded (Ujomu, 2002: 58). Indeed, a recent World Bank study carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), and widely reported in the Nigerian press noted the factors responsible for Nigeria's educational crisis as including – inadequate funding, insufficient and irrelevant learning materials such as outdated equipment and anachronistic journals, poorly trained and paid teachers, outmoded managerial structures, arbitrary expansion of enrolment leading to oversupply of graduates and irrelevant curriculum (Obi and Agbu, 2002:46). The point here, is to recognize that the erosion of values in our universities should not be addressed in isolation, but in tandem with the general decline in university development in the country. Therefore, in examining the issue of ethics and leadership in Nigerian universities, there is the need to factor in the political economy of the environment within which the Universities are expected to operate. We need to interrogate and understand the social and security environments which have turned the university into what it is currently. However, this is not to say that all hope is lost. In the example from the University of Lagos, the study sought basically to determine whether ‘ principled ‘ and ‘positive' leadership at a community level could significantly contribute to good leadership in terms of transformatory impact at the national level overtime. Drawing from the findings of this study, this article argues that it is possible for transformatory leadership that is based on proper ethical conduct to positively influence students engaged in official interaction with members of the academic staff. This assumption if proven, has the propensity of being translated to the wider Nigerian society. A conceptual overview of ethics and leadership What do we really mean by ethics on the one hand and leadership on the other as these relate to each other, and as they manifest in a particular social context. Indeed, an examination of a particular social structure can show how certain kinds of behaviour will be expected of individuals, and certain possibilities will be foreclosed because of the features in the social situation. As observed by Sills (1968:160), to study the nature of ethical systems for example, in relation to the social structures in which they are embedded may help us understand why certain actions are thought of as right or wrong in particular societies. Ethics as a concept is basically concerned with standareds of conduct among people in social groups. Hence, ethical values are those norms which are based on sound reason. They refer to the basic human feelings and sense of right and wrong. They lead to the recognition of certain fundamental principles of morality, which are common to all human beings by the very nature that they are humans (Onaiyekan, 1999:15). In effect, these ethical norms of human relationship do not depend on culture, race or creed, but simply because they are rational norms that regulate human relationships. This is why it is a great insult when some people give the impression that general norms of decent behaviour do not apply to them. Whilst the ethical gives an intelligent basis for our actions, the moral and spiritual gives it a divine confirmation and validity. The ethical and spiritual indeed are not contradictory but are mutually reinforcing in protecting and promoting decent norms and values of human existence. Ethics can also be conceived of as the science of morality or the science of examining the nature of moral values, while moral values refer to those things in human character, conduct and social relations which could be judged as good or bad, right or wrong and so on (Uzuegbunam, 1989). On the other hand, values are standards which guide one's behaviour toward the attainment of one's desired goals (Rokeach, 1973). Values make us desire to have or to do something and thus influence our choice of what is worthwhile. Indeed, it is the view of experts that the transmission of values that are desirable to society is the primary objective of education (Peters, 1972). This view highlights the importance that should be given to issues of values and indeed, morals in our educational system. Ethics and morals are therefore two positive social phenomena that should be kept on the front burner, and debated vigorously, failing which a society gradually decays. Suffice it to say that one cannot really understand the basis of ethical practices or moral values in a society like Nigeria, unless one is able to understand the level of social organisation or development of that society. The structure of economic production, distribution and exchange also go a long way in determining the level or types of ethical practices that exist in the society. In otherwords, the mode of production and consumption patterns, in addition to lingering traditional practices all combine in either evolving a morally sound society or the rapid degeneration of existing values. To what extent ethical misconduct and moral decay in the Nigerian society is a function of the economic system, is left to every one's imagination. Closely related to the issue of ethics, is the notion of leadership in our universities. Again, it has been variously recognized that leadership is the most crucial factor in the development of any nation. Lamentably, Nigeria has been identified as facing a leadership crisis. In effect the erosion of ethical values and morals have combined with the attendant leadership crisis to form what may be regarded as a ‘crisis of state and society' in Nigeria. Leadership as a concept has varied perspectives and definitions. On the whole, it is extremely difficult to give a precise and agreed definition to leadership, because it appears to be a multifaceted phenomenon. However, in very simple terms it could be interpreted as ‘getting others to follow', or ‘getting people to do things', or understood more specifically as the ‘use of authority in decision making' (Mullins, 1999:253). While Krech et. al (1962), defined a leader as that individual within a group who outstandingly influences the activities of a group, Mullins (1999), understood it essentially as a relationship through which one person influences the behaviour or actions of other people. However, a more logical conceptualization of leadership is possible when we realize that within a particular context, such as a university community, there exist different levels of leadership all contributing towards the stated goals of the university. Therefore, the nature, success or failure of university governance have very much to do with the personal attributes, leadership qualities and management styles of the various leaders within the different levels of responsibility in the system (Obikeze, 2003). Therefore, leadership should not be understood as a unifocal phenomenon, around which aspirations are aggregated, it is rather, a complex web of people working together within a social context. A crucial point to note is that leadership can be invested in persons, groups, networks and institutions. It is a relational process involving leaders and followers, who though form a continuum, still remain separate entities in their effort at attaining certain defined goals. It is therefore, necessary to be alert to the contradictions inherent in this relationship. Since no leader emerges or endures outside of an institutional framework, it is important to invest in institutions often defined in terms of principles, values and norms that give meaning to and provide the context for leader-follower engagement. Thus within the university environment, leadership should not be construed only in terms of those in certain positions of power or authority such as vice-chancellors, deans, professors, heads of department and heads of functional units such as the registry (Middlehurst, 1995:75). It is rather, to be understood as a function that is more broad-based and extending beyond the formal roles and responsibilities of senior post holders. Observations from the universities in Nigeria indicate that a restrictive view of university leadership may not be acceptable or suitable for the harmony, well being and progress of the institutions (Ujomu, 2002:57). Rather, what is more practicable is a genuine, viable and inclusive approach that offers a more effective and functional university leadership. It is only from this perspective that ethics and values can better be protected and promoted within the universities. The character of the Nigerian state However, we cannot really understand the origin, extent and manifestations of ethical misconduct and moral decadence in the Nigerian society, without first understanding the character of the Nigerian State. This is one political entity that has been assailed by political, social and economic problems of immense magnitude since it became politically independent in 1960. It has experienced military autocracy and generally bad governance, which have had serious negative impact on the entire society. Positive traditional and family values and norms have been eroded with grave implications for all. Since leadership and followership are part and parcel of the system, there is therefore the concomitant decay in expected performance, as evident in the universities. What has been a great cause for concern is the magnitude of the social malaise in the universities. A term that has appropriately depicted this malaise is what has generally been referred to as the ‘Nigerian Factor', which simply put, is the inability of Nigerians to do things properly the way they should be done, and transparently too. This phenomenon appears to be writ large on all aspects of Nigerian life, and basically leaves very little room for matters of ethical considerations and merit. On the whole, a rather false impression is given that the lack of ethics and morals in the Nigerian society is something peculiar to it. Indeed, what we have in our hands is a systemic problem that requires something akin to a social revolution to clean up. Added to this is the fact that the poor state of the economy makes it extremely difficult to preach ethics and morality to a people that not only feel cheated by the system, but also are indeed, hungry. Subsequently, corruption and a lack of accountability constitute two very prominent cankerworms eating away the Nigerian society. Indeed, the rampant corruption is precisely as a result of a lack of accountability in the system. Oftentimes, those who divert public funds to their own use escape the proverbial long arm of justice. This has given others the courage to attempt what has become a rather easy feat. A case therefore, has to be made for a closer attention by all to issues of ethics and values as these relate to leadership at both the political and non-political levels. This is because most key institutions of the Nigerian society have become victims of corruption and moral decay. Examining the problem of ethics and leadership in Nigerian universities is therefore, just an aspect of this systemic failure, and has serious implications for the social health of the country in the near and distant future. The State of the universities The universities like the other segments of the Nigerian society are undergoing immense changes in character and output. Unfortunately, most of these changes tend to be negative. This development is in sharp contrast to the important goal of inculcating the right moral standareds in the students. In fact, it is not that there is no stated policy on the inculcation of values in Nigeria's educational system. It does exist. In brief, these include the respect for the worth and dignity of individuals; faith in man's ability to make rational decisions; moral and spiritual values in inter-personal and human relations; shared responsibility for the common good of the society; respect for the dignity of labour; and the promotion of emotional, physical and psychological health for all (National Policy on Education, 1981). There is therefore, a policy provision for value education in Nigeria, and it is very clear that both education and values are closely related as positive social phenomena (Anameze, 2002:94). However, recent cases of all kinds of social decay within the universities indicate, that there is a missing element in the approach to education in the country. This is the ‘character' element, a very important component as oftentimes, it is the educated cadre, those who had received higher education that go on to form the relevant segment of national leadership (Agbu and Agbu, 2002:3). Generally, the problems identified with Nigerian universities which have some bearing on matters of ethics and leadership are legion, and include the sale of academic handouts by lecturers, and the selling of admissions and marks by staff of the universities (SSAN, 2000:32). Others include, scandals, bribery and graft, victimization, sexual harassment of female students, the proliferation of male and female cult gangs, persistent incidents of rape, female prostitution, obscene dressing and soliciting for favours, homosexuality and extortion, murder, intimidation of lecturers by students, rumour-mongering, examination malpractices and other anti-social activities (Ujomu, 2002:59). These unethical practices cut across all sections of the university community. At the universities in the southern part of the country, in particular the University of Lagos, a gamut of unethical practices abound. Kindly allow my use of colloquial language at this juncture. These unethical practices include the â€Å"inflation of marks† for students by some lecturers for financial gratification. Inflation of marks by lecturers for what is referred to as â€Å"perusing†, which simply means a student agreeing to have sex with the lecturer in exchange for favourable scores. At the Delta State University, the students practice what they refer to as â€Å"blocking†, which means quickly preventing a lecturer from giving you your correct scores which may be unfavourable by offering money or other inducements to the lecturer before the results are made public. Some other lecturers use agents to collect or extort money from students for the inflation of their marks. Others allow students to take the same examination in their offices, which they had earlier taken in the examination hall for unspecified favours. In some of the departments, as was the case at the Accountancy department of the university of Lagos, students engaged in what has been dubbed â€Å"mercenary activities†, by hiring other students to write examinations for them. Indeed, some lecturers go as far as giving blank writing sheets to students to prepare their answers in advance. Some of those supervising examinations look the other way while their friends, relations, and student clients blatantly engage in cheating. In addition, some lecturers unashamedly plead on behalf of students who had failed their courses. However, these litanies of vices are not limited only to the lecturers. Were the students not willing to bribe, cajole, tempt and threaten the lecturers, these vices will not have been possible. Though, difficult to prove, there have also been instances in which the students use â€Å"black magic† not only to confuse supervisors during examinations but also to threaten them. This is in addition to the occasional threats by student members of Secret cult groups against lecturers. Even the non-academic members of staff are not left out of this orgy of ethical misconduct. They also engage in the alteration of marks in the computer or score sheets where the total scores have been computed for either material or sexual gratification. In addition, they also connive with ‘mercenaries' in their clandestine campaigns of cheating during examinations. I have deliberately catalogued these unethical practices in our universities not only to document, but also to graphically bring to our consciousness the magnitude of the problem before us. Whilst these vices did not all manifest in one day, it is very worrisome that very little concrete measures have been devised to checkmate these vices. Let us recall that the pressure on existing universities to take in more students led to the serious problem of population explosion which put pressure both on university governance and existing infrastructure (Wohlgemuth, 1998:125). The situation invariably gave rise to corruption and sharp practices within the university system. Ethical considerations and cherished values of many years standing have now been seriously eroded. However, all hope is not lost in the sense that there are still individuals – non-academic staff members, lecturers and students who have over the years refused to be sucked in by this whirlwind of social decay, as indicated by the report of a study instituted at the university of Lagos in 2002 (Agbu and Agbu, 2002). Supervisor – Student Relations at the University of Lagos In the study carried out at the University of Lagos in 2002, the object was to determine whether ‘principled' and ‘positive' leadership at the community level could significantly translate into good leadership at the national level overtime (Agbu and Agbu, 2002). This was done through a questionnaire survey of final year and post-graduate students at the university. A basic assumption upon which we worked was that in spite of the rot in the university system, it was still possible that certain individuals, in this case, some lecturers, may have succeeded in impacting positive leadership values to the students they had supervised, mainly due to the fact of their being principled persons. By principled, we meant a leadership that is characterized by good conduct capable of positively influencing followers or those engaged in a relationship with the leader within a social context. In this case, the University. By positive, we meant behaviour or actions consisting in or characterized by the presence or possession, and not merely by the absence or want, of features or qualities of an affirmative nature. It is therefore, that leadership that is derived from principled leadership, and which is capable of being extrapolated to the wider society. Two hundred students participated in this survey selected through Stratified Sampling Technique made up of 100 final year and 100 post-graduate students from the faculties of Art, Social sciences, Education and Law. The mean age of the participants was 30 years. The questionnaire was designed to measure the perceptions of students in terms of their lecturers' leadership potentials and ability to influence their worldview. This was in the form of an Academic-Supervisors' evaluation scale, which comprised twenty items to which participants responded on a four-point-likert-type scale. For the Design, a 2x2x2 ANOVA design was employed with independent variables being sex, age and year of study, while the dependent variable are participants' reactions obtained with the instrument. The results from the study showed that while the proposition that supervisors do significantly influence their students over time irrespective of whether they were post-graduate student or final year student was positive, there were subtle differences in responses with respect to the other variables of age and sex. However, the post-graduate students probably because of their longer association with their supervisors and of their being more socially conscious than the final year students, exhibited more awareness of having been influenced by their supervisors. Age and sex were statistically weak as variables determining the kinds of responses, indicating that age and sex had little to do with the possibility of being influenced at a certain age. The implications of this study for the wider Nigerian society was that it is possible to identify individuals, indeed role models, in certain positions of authority who could positively influence those with whom they interact. Since Nigeria is in need of leaders that are not only learned and have character, what better place to groom these leaders than from our institutions of higher learning. Conclusion It is obvious that there are serious ethical issues to be addressed in Nigerian universities. However, it is not as if all hope is completely lost. On the whole, it appears that addressing the problem will have to be done at different levels of the wider society, namely family, institutional and national levels. At the national level for instance, is a recognition of the systemic nature of the crises and how this has a linkage with the state of Nigeria's economy, and the imperative for Nigerian elites to lead by example. At the institutional level, is the necessity for morally accountable university governance that is at the same time effective. Also, at the family and institutional levels is the need to encourage good family values and those individuals who had displayed the virtues of principled and positive leadership from which others could learn. For our universities, the teaching staff who constitute one of the most important inputs towards achieving qualitative education need to be better encouraged. A lecturer-student ratio of 1 to 19 as opposed to UNESCO standard of 1 lecturer to 10 students is unacceptable. With forty-three federal, state, and private universities; forty-five polytechnics and sixty colleges of education, it is logical that there is a need for an informed rationalization of our institutions, especially with respect to curriculum (Opatola, 2002: 201). Though it is recognized that the morale and motivation of academic staff are grossly inadequate, this does not necessarily justify the grave unethical practices perpetrated by some of the lecturers. The sale of handouts, sale of marks, admission racketeering and assorted examination malpractices are vices that need to be urgently addressed. Ideally, lecturers are supposed to act as focal points of reference for those things that are principled, honourable and worthy of imitation. What is required now in our universities is the transforming kind of leadership that embodies the characteristics of a focused innovativeness, high moral standards, and a humane and deep understanding of the environment in which they operate. The cardinal task of the university education should be the transmission of positive values to the young so that they may learn and acquire character necessary for a legitimate engagement with the wider society. This point need never be forgotten. Finally, every university should endeavour to delineate and present to its staff and students a code of conduct with sanctions as part of their induction into the particular institution. The moral dimensions of their jobs as academic or non-academic staff and as students should be clearly spelt out and popularized through frequent sensitization measures. This will go a long way not only in ensuring a modicum of ethical conduct, but also in attaining the goals of the university.