Court Issues Analysis Essay

In discussions regarding court system issues, most tend to forget that crimes would not happen if there were proper societal values in place and those values were enforced. Society has shifted from a culture of marriage, family values and strong familiar bonds to a culture that cultivates a staggering divorce rate, single mothers with many children born out of wedlock with little to no income. A culture that is has no patriarchal figure to lead and teach the children right from wrong aids and abets a systematic control of the poor and minorities. Instead of encouraging the pursuit of education, society encourages the pursuit of false hope and dreams through get rich quick methods that essentially remove the rights of those who chose to pursue criminal behavior. Most are imprisoned due to criminal activity and having no fatherhood figure themselves, there is no sense of value to one’s life. This loss of the father figure not living in the home, especially in the African America n and Hispanic communities, has a negative outcome not only in the community, but on society as a whole. Without the complete family unit to provide guidance, encourage the children to stay in school and avoid criminal activity, or to become a productive member of society; then our court systems will continue to provide severe punishment for minor crimes and negative social behaviors when the court should offer solutions to preventative crime and supportive services to those families whose members are involved in the vicious cycle of incarceration. Victims’ assistance programs should also support the families of the criminal, as well as the providing treatment programs and assistance to those. The majority of innovation and changes made to the court system over the past 30 years have been tested and administered in urban locales or focused on suburban jurisdictions, where a bulk of the financial resources are given due to the larger population. Rural areas tend to have much larger geographic locales, smaller populations and limited legal, social and health services to assist the general public; this can provide a challenge for rural courts. With the lack of specialized justice practitioners and service providers, rural court jurisdictions tend to work closer with the community when handing out sentencing and punishment. Research conducted by the Justice Management Institute suggests six areas where the criminal justice system needs improvement, after some review I have combined them into the four topics below. Improvement of Court Practices and Procedures for Indigent Litigants The first thing the courts need to work on is improving practices and procedures for self-represented defendants. This includes proper caseload management, administrative management techniques that are informative and efficient so that no cases or indigent defendants become ‘lost’ within the incarceration process and are given the right to due process. In order for the aforementioned to work there would have to be an upgrade to the current indigent defense services that are available to defendants. This includes public defenders that are compensated with good salaries and other support needed to manage caseloads; making them more prepared to battle for their client’s freedom instead of plea-bargaining an agreement. One change that should be made is the building of informative websites that provide information about the court system and the types of cases that are handled by jurisdiction. Providing the public with listings of case statuses and docket information can be helpful for pro bono attorney looking for clients to represent, and having detailed information and the proper forms that would be needed for a person to represent oneself in court; can help disperse the caseload. The development of performance standards and methods for supervising attorneys, assigned counsel, and court officials will ensure that courtroom behavior is ethical and in favor of the defendants. Enhanced Technology and Information Management The enhancement of technology is another area of concern regarding court administration today. Modernization of older court buildings with upgrades to newer security features, such as video cameras and weapon detection systems, can offer a greater sense of security for the public and those involved in the court process. The employment of properly trained security guards, who are rehearsed in threat assessment, will ensure that future security officers are able to handle any crisis that may occur. This includes the effective use of communication equipment, proper weapons training and new technologies that are implemented. The employing of degreed peace officers as administrative staff, who have a working knowledge of security systems and policing; that are familiar with the software used, and any hardware that is required to provide a safe court environment, ensures that security processes and procedures will be followed. Storing of information is important when building databases to control the flow of information within the court system and making sure that information is secure, obtainable and available to all jurisdictions is not only beneficial in the court process but should be a priority to ensure that the system does not become overloaded. This includes the creation and updating of all proper forms, documentation, and the incorporation of any digital media that is needed to complete the judiciary process; plus the technical support and communication infrastructure to manage all the information. Finally, the proper training for court staff on how to access all information, customer service in providing the appropriate assistance and the relaying of proper information to the public and for all justice system practitioners and service providers. Web based education is a consistent way to ensure that all court personnel receive the same standard of training in core subjects. Greater Availability of Community Programs Having readily available resources to provide those who have addiction problems or commit crimes due to addiction, such as inpatient/outpatient programs, drug court and probation programs that teach recovery and coping skills, and providing transportation vouchers to those defendants who do not own or have vehicles. Although some courts have drug courts, the establishment of a mental health court could substantially help with caseload. With qualified treatment providers and caseworkers who are educated in mental illness (with or without drug abuse training) can provide information to the court through home visits, doctor office visits, and the tracking of those individuals who are required to be on medication and in treatment programs while on probation, thus being able to use the information gathered to forecast defendants whose criminal actions are due to some sort of mental illness. Overcoming Language Barriers Providing improved court interpreter services through technology will allow for greater range of court interpreter services. Language barriers are one of the biggest issues with the illegal immigrant population. It is imperative that court system recruit interpreters who are fluent in many languages, so that those who do not have a good command of the law are able to understand what crime has been committed and the punishment for that action, why that particular action is a crime, and to ensure that they understand the court process in relation to their rights. Judges, attorneys and client representative should also be trained in several languages or be given access to a competent interpreter so that nothing can be lost in translation. Through the use of technology, such as Skype, court interpreters can instruct, educate and disseminate information so that those who do not understand will have some comprehension of the resources available to them and the sentencing/punishment that is handed down. References Robinson, M. B. (2009). Justice blind? Ideals and realities of American criminal justice (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ. Pearson/Prentice Hall.

Every Text Has Its Use By Date Essay

I think the idea of every text having a use by date is incorrect and I will therefore argue against the topic. There are a few things which can help to keep texts from ever having their use by date and as a result proving my argument. For example, texts, such as Macbeth, can always be changed slightly and interpreted differently to make them interesting time and time again, for old and new audiences. Also, just because a text was written a long period of time ago doesn’t mean that it still won’t be interesting, as the events and themes in it can still be relevant to the current time and its happenings. One of the main reasons that proves that texts don’t have a use by date is the fact that an older text can involve events or ideas that are relevant to modern audiences’ daily lives. Some of the ideas explored in Macbeth are ambition, guilt, greed, cruelty, hostilities between good and evil, the rule of leader, the purpose of human existence and supernatural happenings. These all tie in with peoples every day life. For example, ambition was a major factor in Macbeth and plays an important role in practically everyone’s daily life. In Macbeth it was ambition that drove Macbeth to commit the acts that he did and in modern times business is becoming more and more competitive in today’s society so as a result ambition, and its destructive nature, becomes more of an issue. Also, the idea of hostilities between good and evil, order and disorder and the rule of a leader, which are major components of Macbeth, are relevant to the military action in the Iraq War which has affected a lot of the world. These and other ideas interest people from all time periods as some, if not all, of these ideas will affect them. Another main reason that shows a text doesn’t have a use by date is the fact that they can always be appropriated. Appropriation is when something old is turned into something new. In this case it would be taking an old text and changing it to suit a modern audience, usually by making a film version. For example, in one instance the Shakespearean text â€Å"Romeo and Juliet† was turned into a movie that used only the plot of the original text and used the settings of modern life and a modern script which allowed the audience to relate to more to the film. This is a perfect example of the fact that a text which is hundreds of years old can still be entertaining. When a movie is appropriated it can appeal to a wider audience, as not everyone likes or understands the style of writing used to write the original text. If texts are appropriated in this way they will continue to entertain audiences and as a result, never end up having a use by date. A film version of an older text, especially a Shakespearean one, can be very effective in delivering the original to text to a wider audience. A film version makes the text easier for the audience to understand as it provides visual images to help them realize what’s actually going on and what the characters are saying, as a lot of people wouldn’t fully understand what was being said when the old English style of writing, that Shakespeare uses, is used. New interpretations also help to keep texts and their film versions interesting to new audiences and audiences that have seen it before. In Polanski’s version of Macbeth Polanski decided to add a scene, which wasn’t in the original text, into the movie. He also changed the way things happened in some of the scenes, for example, when Macbeth returns to the witches, instead of the apparitions appearing he sees completely different visions that give him warnings and predictions. Another reason to further show that texts don’t have a use by date is the point that just because a text is old doesn’t mean it’s not entertaining or interesting to modern readers. Texts such as Macbeth and many other of Shakespeare’s plays are still regarded as some of the best plays ever written even though they were written hundreds of years ago. In some cases, audiences may find these texts interesting and entertaining because they’re written in an old style of English which is no longer used. When this is the case it clearly shows that the idea of texts having a use by date as incorrect. In conclusion, I think that the points presented sufficiently prove that well written texts do not have a use by date. If a text is well written it will continue to be valued no matter how old it is. Especially due to the fact that, just because a text is old doesn’t mean it’s no longer interesting to modern audiences.

Management of change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Management of change - Essay Example The rationale for this study, as well as the summary of the literature findings shall also be set forth. The change proposal shall then be laid out and the steps in the implementation process shall also be explained based on the change management framework developed by Lewin. Based on the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC, 2008), a nurse is obligated to deliver the best and the highest standard of care at all times. More specifically, they are called on to deliver care, according to the best available evidence and best practice; and they must also ensure that the advice they are giving to their patient, in terms of healthcare products and services, is based on evidence (NMC, 2008). There are numerous evidences which are often made available to nurses for use in their practice. For which reason, it is important for nurses to be knowledgeable and skilled in the critical evaluation of evidence and ensure that the evidence they would choose to support and apply in their practice would b e the best (Spector, 2007, p. 1). For the purpose of this essay, the definition of evidence-based practice by Sackett, Straus, Richardson, Rosenberg, and Haynes shall be adapted. They define the practice as â€Å"the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values† (Sackett, Straus, Richardson, Rosenberg, and Haynes, 2000, p. 71). ... based practice therefore considers the role of the patient in the planning and conceptualisation of their care (Pipe, Wellik, Buchda, Hansen, and Martin, 2005). The nurses have to include and consider patient preferences in relation to the best evidence available and apply such to the planning process. Critics like Mullen and Streiner, however, are not supportive of EBP, contending that it prevents the application of the most effective treatment for the patient. They point out that EBP does not â€Å"fit the realities of individualised, contextualized practice, especially nonmedical practice wherein problems are less well defined (Mullen and Streiner, 2004, p. 133). They also emphasised that there are often many limitations in the methods of research in the systematic reviews and meta-analysis. Moreover, concern has been expressed on how evidence-based research can be conceptualised when competing elements like public opinion and resource limitations affect policy-making (Mullen and Streiner, 2004, p. 133). On the other hand, health practitioners are quick to point out that EBP is about being guided by the best available evidence. This means that absent available randomised controlled trials without design flaws, trials which have limitations can be used instead (Mullen and Streiner, 2004, p. 133). In effect, health practitioners and users of health services must be cautious about the risks and benefits when the evidence for decisions are made apparent, even if this would mean that there is not much evidence supporting the different choices (Mullen and Streiner, 2004, p. 133). Proponents of EBP also point out that even as the realities of practice may be far removed from the behaviour and practical aspects of the clinical practice, there is merit in considering the

Including Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Education Research Paper

Including Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Education Programs - Research Paper Example Further, the differences between children with disabilities or developmental delays and other children are difficult for teachers to deal with (Openshaw 45). However, an inclusive early childhood classroom benefits both normal children and those with disabilities. The former learn acceptance, tolerance and helpfulness, while the latter benefit from the dynamic environment, particularly when they receive supplementary help to overcome any setback caused by their disability. Social workers, special education teachers, speech therapists, and others can provide immense support. Thesis Statement: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the inclusion of children with disabilities in early childhood education programs. Early Childhood Education Optimizing children’s potential through early education depends to a great extent on the environment in which they learn, whether at home, in day care, or in a nursery school classroom. In an inadequate environment, children’s poten tial will not get developed, resulting in quickly widening gaps in achievement which become increasingly difficult to overcome. Example of a model program in America for preschools targetted at low-income children is Head Start. It has offered a helping hand to the nation’s neediest families and children through provision of pre-academic skills, social skills, preventive medical and dental care; and teaching families about nutrition. Head Start also provides child care services otherwise unavailable to low-income parents, and gives nutritious meals and snacks to the preschoolers. It is one of the several early education schemes that ensure that children from lower economic groups get support and preparation for formal schooling (Kennedy 3). The aim is towards equity among all children for reaching their potential and fulfilling their dreams. Short-term beneficial outcomes of the Head Start program are that â€Å"children benefit from improved health and nutrition, and from b eing in a safe and nurturing environment† (Currie 233). Some medium-term benefits of the early education program include the prevention of children being placed in the special education track, and reduced incidence of grade repetition in early grades. Potential cost savings are extensive, because special education is significantly more expensive than regular schooling, and those children who enter special education are more likely to stay in that track. Monitoring of the children’s progress is necessary at every step. Inclusion in Early Childhood Education The concepts of inclusion and exclusion of children with disabilities in relation to the general early education classroom, renders disabled children as ‘different’ from their non-disabled counterparts. Inclusionary discourses are based on the ‘humanness’ of disabled children, where they are not perceived as ‘the other’ as compared to children in the general education classroom. The concept of humanity emphasizes disabled children being ‘like us’. On the other hand, exclusionary approaches to early education believe that regular teachers and early childhood centers are not responsible for the education and care of disabled children (Purdue, Ballard & MacArthur 47). Early childhood education that incorporates inclusion of disabled children, or excludes them is a concept that is a part of a wider social context where there may be

Phase 4 Discussion Board 2 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Phase 4 Discussion Board 2 - Assignment Example This can only be achieved through motivated employees. Therefore, using my leadership, I feel it’s my responsibility to ensure that I befriend each and every employee, and strain to make the employees working environment as comfortable as possible to ensure efficiency. Given that Cokingtin is a small organization with less than 50 employees, then reaching each employee won’t be a difficult task for me. Note that befriending employees would not loosen my management roles of supervising and punishing non-performers. All this will be deemed at ensuring customer satisfaction, hence increase the number of customers, which will boost returns giving room for the firm’s growth, development and expansion. As mentioned earlier, I am experienced in offering health care services to patients through my vast knowledge in physiology and anatomy, than incorporated a lot of practical work. However, I realized that I perform better while in a team rather than as an independent nurse practitioner. For this reason, I advanced my leadership and management skills. I consider my capability to function in a team, analyzing other people’s opinions and letting them criticize mine a vital strength towards success in my job. Secondly, I have trained in various managerial aspects such as project management, organizational behavior principles, quality management. Most importantly, in the health sector, i adequate knowledge on economics of health care, global health systems, fiscal management in health care in addition to basic health care knowledge. Therefore, although this position is my first of its kind, my background knowledge especially in management and my ambitions towards the firm’s success make me fit to the position. Noteworthy, I have been sharing opinions with my colleagues when I was a medical assistant, always being a ringleader and creating discussion topics during tea breaks. As a matter of fact, these discussions made my colleagues open up and share

Is Suffering Good for Christians Research Paper

Is Suffering Good for Christians - Research Paper Example As a result, human beings are bound to suffer for the sins of their fathers. However, Jesus came to the rescue of human beings and throughout his mission alleviated the human beings from physical and spiritual suffering. Jesus suffered on behalf of the world and his close follower such as Peter followed the same path. Christian suffering today symbolizes their willingness to follow Christ and to draw closer to their creator. As such, the idea that prevails is that suffering is good for Christians as it is the bridge between them and God. Many religious scholars have come to link the concept of Christian suffering with the sin of man in the garden of Aden. In the Garden of Aden God, Adam and Eve live a life free of suffering prior to their sin against God. At the creation of the world, there was not any form of suffering such as diseases, accidents, death, poverty, or any other form of suffering. However, the sin of the first parents of man paved way for the entry of sin in the life of Man. On creating Adam, God ordered him to eat from all the trees and to benefit from every creation apart from the tree at the middle of the garden. The Serpent incited the couple to eat this fruit and the feel into the temptation only to realize that they had offended their creator. Disobedience of God’s command was the reason why they succumbed to suffering (Herion, Astrid, Freedman 23). Their life changes from a perfect life to one punctuated with lots of suffering for both man and woman. Most Christians have come to associat e their own suffering with that of their first parents Adam and Eve that was the result of disobedience. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, He proclaimed punishment for their sins and this marked the beginning of suffering. For Adam, he condemned him to suffer by toiling for his daily living, working on barren land, diseases and all forms of suffering. For the woman, the lord proclaimed labour pain while bearing children. In addition, all human

Introduction to Business Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Introduction to Business - Assignment Example While raising capital to start a small business, an individual can start by financing the businesses himself. Several benefits such as retaining all the profits are associated with this form of financing, but if a small business need to grow large then it needs to look for other options (Alterowitz, 2007. P.14). Next best alternative is to ask for assistance from family members and relatives for finance. For this purpose an entrepreneur has to make the effort of making his relatives realize that he/she has a great investment plan and will be quite successful. In very rare instances family and friends invest in a business; if an entrepreneur faces such a scenario, he/she can obtain assistance from the government (Great Britain, 2006, p.18). Government has various plans where they finance small businesses or provide money in shape of grants to entrepreneurs to start up their own business. If an entrepreneur is not eligible for such government support options, the business can obtain a loan from banks to start small businesses. Due to failure of large businesses and the risk of high amount of loss associated with large businesses, banks and governments are more willing to finance small businesses. One of the major decision made by a manger is to identify the cost of producing a product and then price the product according to make profit when they sell their goods and services. For this purpose they can use activity based costing method, by using this method they can calculate the cost of an activity.

MHE510, Occupational Health and Safety, Mod 2 SLP Essay

MHE510, Occupational Health and Safety, Mod 2 SLP - Essay Example There is a great need to assure this employees comfort as well as avoid injury. Studies presently show that improvements in work work stations for people who work at computers can be made to decrease risk and increase productivity (Smith & Bayehi, 2003). It is important to fit the employees body type to the equipment and furniture that is being used. Step One of our evaluation has to be the overall observation of this office. Step Two would be to assure that good anthropometric evaluations is done of each of the employees using the newer digital photographic tools so an organized evaluation can be done. Step three would be to look at the amount of time that employees are out because of such complaints as back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome, allowing us statistical evaluation for an ROI. Once the evaluation is done , the noted problems should be solved and many of those will be solved with ergonomically based furniture. This furniture of course will need to be fit to each employee. No two workers are alike, therefore no two workstations will be exactly right. This becomes even more important as the workforce ages and the risk of long term injury becomes higher (Smith, 2005). Studies now show that employees who work at computers feel the need to leave their computers at least five times per day to stretch their legs. This affects the productivity of the department (Smith, 2005). It is interesting to note here, and consider as we redesign the furniture in this office that over 60% of employees surveyed note that they would like to be able to stand at least 50% of the time that they spent doing their jobs (Smith, 2005). This may need to be part of this evaluation and change. There are presently newer workspaces that adjust from standing to sitting in a manner that will allow the worker to make that choice. This might keep the worker on the job more

“Little Warrior” by Lucille O’Neal Essay Example for Free

â€Å"Little Warrior† by Lucille O’Neal Essay Lucille O’Neal wrote â€Å" Little Warrior†. The story is about the way Shaquille O’Neal got his name. A young single mother, strict grandparents house, and it was a racist time. A racist time was happening and Martin Luther King was killed. Giving her child a Muslim name with great meaning. Raising a child by yourself is hard to do and she gave her son the best foundations while growing up. The responsibilities and together in order to survive. Andy Greenberg wrote â€Å" A Step Beyond Human† . The story is about Hugh Herr both Herr’s legs were amputated six inches below the knee after a rock climbing trip ended in severe frostbite. His goal to build artificial limbs that are superior to natural ones. He lost both his legs as an adult and a man died saving his life. This Motivated him to help others by creating better prosthetic limbs. Nearly thousand soldiers who have lost limbs in Iraq and Afghanistan. Paralympics athletes will regularly outperform Olympic athletes. May need special disability laws for humans who decline to have their bodies mechanically enhanced, Herr says. The theme of the short story â€Å" Indian Education† by Sherman Alexie is despair, poverty, and alcoholism amongst the lives of the Native American people. In the beginning of his school, he was weak and always bullied and beaten by higher grade students, and punished by his teacher because of his race. As he was growing up, Victor was demanded by his teacher preparing to be a doctor in the future. However, he knew that all Indians had their own dream. Later, he talked more about his life, about how he learn to obey teachers order, his kiss to a white girl, his poor life, death of another Indian and the lost of football his game. At last, he finished his school year with a good ending, but his most of his former classmates learned almost nothing. Victor education was spend in an poor, tragic and full-of-discrimination life, and ended in a numb stoic. He was not the only one, but one among all the Indian tribe whom were called Indians during the past time. I can imagine that it was hard for the O’Neal family during a racist time and Ms. O’Neal was the only provider for the family. I would have been just like Shaquille by obeying my mother and striving for the best. I can’t relate to Hugh Herr awful mishap of loosing both legs. However, I like how he turned a awful accident into a great invention by inventing prosthetic legs. Victor definitely had a hard-life ass a Native American, He had dreams just like many of us today, however we have a greater chance of fulfilling or dreams.

Team Work Essay Essay Example for Free

Team Work Essay Essay Team work is defined as the process of working collaboratively with a group of people in order to achieve a goal. A successful team involves individuals who can work well together, trying their best in any circumstance to achieve that one main goal that they have set out to achieve. Teamwork means that people will try to cooperate, using their individual skills and providing constructive feedback, despite any personal conflict between among themselves. In every team, all members should possess qualities such as honesty, dependability and accountability. Team work may sometimes be challenging because every team has their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (S.W.O.T), but for team work to be effective, each team should aim for S.M.A.R.T, this means they should aim at goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, and realistic and spend time to perform the tasks necessary for the success of that team’s goal. Teams that possess individuals who are honest, dependable and accountable are teams that are more likely to strive. Team members should be honest towards their colleagues, because honesty is a good key characteristic of a good team member, being honest can only uplift a group, same goes for being able to accept constructive criticism. Honesty builds trust and strong bonds among team members allowing for them to be able to work together in a friendly environment. Dependable team members have a strong sense of responsibility, being dependable means that you should be available and reliable. Any individual whom is unable to provide the work they are selected to do by their due date, is classified as an individual who is not dependable, it therefore means each team member should be proactive and consistent. If you cannot depend on a team member all of the time, you cannot depend on them any of the time. Having the ability to take responsibility for your own action, rather than blaming others is one quality that many persons whether in or outside of a team should learn, accountability. Being accountable means that you acknowledge your mistakes and decisions, who will be held accountable for any mishaps or failures? The best teams hold themselves accountable, every single team member and not just the leader. Every team should create S.M.A.R.T goals in order to achieve optimal success. Having specific goals are easier to achieve than general ones, to know if your  goals are specific they must answer the six â€Å"W† questions, these are who, what, where, when, why and which. Measurability involves the team’s effort to measure their progress, to stay on track, they need to make dates on which they will complete a specific task and ensure they meet those target dates. Goals that are measurable answers the questions of how much, how many and how will I know when it is accomplished. It is possible for teams to plan for something that is unattainable as such team members should think about whether are not their goals can be achieved if they work hard enough taking in consideration the time that they have to achieve something. In order to set attainable goals they must also be realistic, a realistic goal is based on your abilities, interests, needs, and desires they should be attainable and it should be something you really want to achieve. Never leave work to last minute, time management is key, as such every project should have been completed before hand to be checked and corrected if needed, it therefore means that a time frame should be established for team members if there is no time frame set then there will be no efforts to get the work done. S.W.O.T is what is used to describe a group’s internal and external aspects, with strengths and weaknesses being internal and opportunities and threats being external. There is always going to be strengths in every team, what someone might be strong at in one category may be weak in another and as such, this leads to team members doing specialized work, meaning every team member can contribute to the final work by doing what they are good at doing. As well as strengths there is weaknesses also, not everyone will be able to do what each member is expected and as such it is the team’s duty to allocate a task to that individual in which he/she can manage. It is not the team’s duty to complain and discourage their team members, instead help and encourage. Opportunities include the chance for progress or advancement, this means if members are given the chance to improve the work given then they should take it and make the best use of it. If one group member is given a task and has the opportunity to add to the work aside from what he/she was given to do or decided to do, then he/she should take the initiative to do so. In many cases there will be threats to the work or to team members that could cease the process of completing the work or temporarily stopping the completion of the work which will defeat the purpose of being time-bound. In such a case the thing or person that is  likely causing danger or damage should be discussed among team members and each should come up with a conclusion as to how best to deal with the situation and how to execute their work differently. The success of every team is dependent on individuals who have the drive to achieve the same goals. Team work requires everybody’s efforts and time to plan S.M.A.R.T goals and stick to those goals. Teams need to be grounded on trust as such honesty is always the best policy, colleagues should be there for their team members as best as they can and be able to be held accountable for their own mistakes. Team work should be less about ‘me’ and more about ‘we.’ Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses and as such team members should make it their responsibility to uplift and encourage each other. Through multiple personalities teams can enhance great ideas and everyone’s opinions and views must be respected. Threats are always a problem in team work but with communication that can be defeated.

English Language Teaching Methods

English Language Teaching Methods BACKGROUND: The Grammar Translation Method is the oldest method of teaching. The grammar translation method is a foreign language teaching method derived from the classical (sometimes called traditional) method of teaching Greek and Latin. This method has been used from the classical times to translate classical languages, Latin and Greek, it has been called Classical method. ADVANTAGES: The phraseology of the target language is quickly explained. Translation is the easiest way of explaining meanings or words and phrases from one language into another. Communication between the teacher and the learner does not cause linguistic problems. Even teachers who are not fluent in English can teach English through this method. DISADVANTAGES: It is an unnatural method. The natural order of learning a language is listening, speaking, reading and writing. Speech is neglected. The Grammar Translation Method lays emphasis on reading and writing. Exact translation is not possible. Translation is, indeed, a difficult task and exact translation from one language to another is not always possible. It rather attempts to teach language through rules and not by use. The persons who have learned a foreign or second language through this method find it difficult to give up the habit of first thinking in their mother tongue and then translating their ideas into the second language. The ability to communicate in the target language is not a goal of foreign language instruction. The primary skills to be developed are reading and writing. Little attention is given to speaking and listening, and almost none to pronunciation. TEACHER ROLE: The teacher is the authority in the classroom. There is no interaction from teacher to the students (except in questions). STUDENT ROLE: Students are the passive receivers of the new information. Students are supposed to memorize the rules and the new vocabulary with their meanings in their native language. If students can translate from one language to another, they are considered successful language learners. It is very important that students get the correct answer. METHODOLOGY: Teaching and learning process is based on translation, the study of grammar rules through examples (deductive approach) and memorization of vocabulary. Texts from the target language literature are used. The techniques used are: Translation, Reading comprehension questions, antonyms/synonyms, cognates, deductive application of rule, fill in the blanks, memorization, use of new words in sentences, composition, and so on. L1 USAGE: Classes are conducted in the native language. Students use their native language to translate. Since oral communication in the target language is not important, classroom instructions are given in L1. L2 USAGE: The use of the foreign language is limited; teacher and students use it only to translate words or sentences to their mother tongue to the foreign language. LISTENING: little attention is given to speaking and listening. There is no listening training. Students only listen the foreign language when translate. No listening exercises. SPEAKING: Also this is not an important aspect of the method, teacher doesnt work on speaking. No speaking (but the translation, because it may be spoken) the ability to communicate in the target language is not a goal of foreign language instruction. No pronunciation exercises. READING: read literature in the target language is the aim of this method. Grammar rules and vocabulary are stressed. A fundamental purpose of learning a foreign language is to be able to read literature written in it. WRITING: reading and writing are studied at the same time. The importance in this method is to read and write the foreign language translating from their mother tongue. EVALUATION: Translation is an important technique to test students progress in the target language. In addition, fill-in-the-blank type test items are also used. Synonyms, antonyms, and cognates can be asked to test vocabulary in formal tests. Reading passages and comprehension questions about the passages can also take place in tests as the reading section. PERSONAL OPINION: Nowadays teachers shouldnt base their teaching practice only on this method. Students probably find it boring and discouraging, besides the most important goal when we are learning a foreign language is to be able to communicate in this language, and this method doesnt put any attention to this aspect. But rather than reject totally this method, teachers can use it sometimes when they need, for example, to convey the meaning of a difficult word when other visual aids cant help students. DIRECT METHOD BACKGROUND: This method was developed initially as a reaction to the grammar-translation method in an attempt to integrate more use of the target language in instruction. It was develop by Maximilian Berlitz. He started to use it in the schools that bear his name in 1878. It was successful in the beginning but its popularity started to decay in the 1920s when schools start to complement the method with more controlled grammar based activity. The direct method of teaching foreign languages, sometimes called the natural method, refrains from using the learners native language and uses only the target language. The direct method was an answer to the dissatisfaction with the older grammar translation method, which teaches students grammar and vocabulary through direct translations and thus focuses on the written language. ADVANTAGES: Students can learn the target language directly and systematically. Students can pronounce correctly. DISADVANTAGES: It overemphasizes and distorts the similarities between naturalistic first language learning and classroom foreign language learning and it fails to consider the practical realities of the classroom. It requires teachers who are native speakers or who are fluency in the foreign language. It is largely dependent on the teachers skill, rather than on a textbook and not all teachers are proficient enough in the foreign language to adhere to the principles of the method. Sometimes a simple brief explanation in the students native tongue would have been a more efficient route to comprehension. TEACHER ´S ROLE: The teacher usually directs the interactions but he/she is not as dominant as in Grammar Translation Method. Sometimes acts like a partner of the students. The teacher asks questions, correct mistakes, lets students speak more than him/her. Use lesson plan instead of a book, speak naturally, etc. STUDENT ´S ROLE: Students are active participants. Sometimes pair of works take place. Even the teacher takes roles in activities. Students imitate the correct pronunciation. They try to express in the foreign language and interact with the teacher and classmates in the foreign language. Therefore students learn to think and speak in their target language. The Direct method is highly motivating to students. METHODOLOGY: Pictures, realia, examples, sample sentences are used to teach vocabulary. Use of L1 is not allowed. There is a direct relation between form and meaning. Grammar is taught inductively. Examples and drills are given and students are expected to discover and acquire the rules. Introduction of new word, sentence or concept: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ SHOWVisual aid or gestures, to ensure student understands new word. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ SAYTeacher verbally introduces element. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ TRYStudent makes various attempts to pronounce new element. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ MOLDTeacher corrects student if necessary, pointing to mouth to show proper shaping of lips, tongue and relationship to teeth. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ REPEATStudent repeats element 5-20 times. Progress, from new word to new word (within same lesson) and progress, from lesson to lesson (LESSON REVIEWfirst few minutes of each lesson are to review lesson immediately completed and GLOBAL REVIEWtransition from lesson review to a comprehensive review. Here some examples of activities: Reading Aloud, Question and Answer Exercise, Getting Students to Self-Correct, Map Drawing, L1 USAGE: The use of the mother tongue is not permitted. L2 USAGE: Teacher and students only use the foreign language in class. LISTENING, SPEAKING, READING, and WRITING: oral communication is seen as basic. Speaking, listening, reading and writing are important skills. Especially speaking and listening are emphasized. Vocabulary is over grammar. Speaking is the most important skill. Reading and writing are not introduced until listening and speaking are fluent skills. EVALUATION: The ability to use the language is tested. Not about language, the language itself. In the Direct Method, students are asked to use the language, not to demonstrate their knowledge about the language. They are asked to do so using both oral and written skills. For example, the students might be interviewed orally by the teacher or might be asked to write a paragraph about something they have studied. PERSONAL OPINION: Even though the Direct Method is not a functional or notional way of teaching it is quite a good method to teach general English. But if the teacher is not native or proficiency in the foreign language he should certainly go to the class with a lesson plan to carry out the activities and to be successful with the Direct Method. AUDIO-LINGUAL METHOD BACKGROUND: The Audio-lingual method was widely used in the United States and other countries in the 1950s and 1960s. The Audio-lingual Method was developed in the U.S.A. during the Second World War. At that time, the U.S. government found a great necessity to set up a special language-training program to supply the war with language personnel. The audio-lingual method, Army Method, or New Key is a style of teaching used in teaching foreign languages. It is based on behaviorist theory, which professes that certain traits of living things, and in this case humans, could be trained through a system of reinforcement-correct use of a trait would receive positive feedback while incorrect use of that trait would receive negative feedback. This approach to language learning was similar to another, earlier method called the direct method. Like the direct method, the audio-lingual method advised that students be taught a language directly, without using the students native language to explain new words or grammar in the target language. However, unlike the direct method, the audio-lingual method didnt focus on teaching vocabulary. Rather, the teacher drilled students in the use of grammar. ADVANTAGES: The audio-lingual theory is probably the first language teaching theory that openly claims to be derived from linguistics and psychology. Making language teaching possible to large groups of learners. It aims at developing listening and speaking skills which is a step away from the Grammar translation method. The use of visual aids has proven its effectiveness in vocabulary teaching. DISADVANTAGES: The method is based on false assumptions about language. The study of language doesnt amount to studying the parole, the observable data. Mastering a language relies on acquiring the rules underlying language performance. That is, the linguistic, sociolinguistic, and discourse competences. The behaviorist approach to learning is now discredited. Many scholars have proven its weakness. Noam Chomsky (1959) A Review of B. F. Skinners Verbal Behaviorhas written a strong criticism of the principles of the theory. Not developing language competence, lack of effectiveness, and boredom caused by endless pattern drills are great disadvantages too. Learners have little control over their learning. Teacher has the domination of the class. TEACHER ROLE: Teacher is like an orchestra leader. She/he directs and controls the language behavior of the students. Teacher is a good model of the target language, especially for pronunciation and other oral skills. The teacher models the target language, controls the direction and pace of learning, and monitors and corrects the learners ´ performance. The teacher controls the learners and prevents them from doing anything that conflict with the theory. The teacher is expected to specify the language that learners are going to use. STUDENT ROLE: Students are imitators of the teacher as perfect model of the target language or the native speakers in the audio recordings. Learners are expected to interact with the language system, embodied in machines or controlled materials. METHODOLOGY: Explicit rules are not provided. Students induce the rules through examples and drills. Students acquire grammar by being exposed to patterns through mechanical drills. Drills and pattern practice are typical of the Audio-lingual method. These include: -Repetition: where the student repeats an utterance as soon as he hears it. -Inflection: Where one word in a sentence appears in another form when repeated. -Replacement: Where one word is replaced by another. -Restatement: The student re-phrases an utterance. Meaning is taught directly. L1 is prohibited because it may cause bad habit formations. Vocabulary is introduced through dialogues. The techniques used are: dialogue memorization, minimal pairs: (for teaching pronunciation), complete the dialogue, grammar games, and mechanical drills. L1 USAGE: L1 is not allowed in the classroom. It may cause interference and bad habit formation in L2. L2 USAGE: The teacher and the students only use the foreign language. LISTENING, SPEAKING, READING AND WRITING: Students can learn target language in natural order: listening-speaking-reading-writing. It lays emphasis on listening and speaking. The teacher is a model of L2 and students mimic him/her, so the listening skill is very important for this method. L2 is learned through repetition. EVALUATION: Students are evaluated at different stages and on different points of the language. Each question is supposed to focus on only one point on the language at time. Discrete-point tests are used. PERSONAL OPINION: there are many useful things we can learn from the Audio-lingual Method. If language learning were organized according to its structure, language learning would be easier, especially to adult learners. The Audio-lingual Method considers language ability made up of four skills and these skills can be taught separately. Since the natural order of skill acquisition is listening, speaking, reading, and writing, the Method gives the primary stress to the first two of the four skills. Speech is more basic to language than the written form, and listening and speaking are the basic form of verbal communication. In the classroom, the language skills are taught in the order of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Using pattern drills is the center of practice in Audiolingual Method. It can help students not only gain control over grammatical structures, but also develop their oral ability. The Audio-lingual method also provides language teachers with many useful techniqu es. The simple drilling techniques provide varied, graded and intensive practice of specific features of the language. The simple and direct approach is especially appropriate for young students and less gifted ones. Moreover, teaching technique with tape recordings and language lab drills offer practice in speaking and listening, which are considered of primary importance in language learning. In sum, we could adapt some kinds of techniques used by the Audio-lingual Method, such as dialogues and pattern drills to our students and their needs, and taking into account important factors such as sociolinguistic and discourse competences, the context of the students dialogue, and other communicative facts which are essentials when learners are studying a foreign language. SILENT WAY BACKGROUND: Cognitive Psychology is the basis. The Silent Way is the name of a method of language teaching devised by Caleb Gattegno in the early 1970,s. Not only in the past but also today, people have learned languages by means of habit formation, memorization and translation. However, cognitive psychologists and transformational generative linguists claimed that languages cannot be learned through mimicry since people can create utterances they have never heard before. Therefore people can learn languages by using their own thinking processes to discover the rules of the language they are learning. Gattegno stated his reasons for the emergence of his method as follows: As I developed my techniques while subordinating my teaching to the learning, I found that I could very early transfer the responsibility for the use of the language to my students, so that I become able to teach using fewer and fewer words. It is this aspect of my techniques of teaching that prompted me to call the approach The Silent Way of Teaching Foreign Languages (Oller and Amato 1983:73). He gives too much value to the word silent since he thinks that there are means of letting the learners learn while the teacher stops interfering. ADVANTAGES: This method fosters cooperative learning between individuals. It embodies a new approach to education in general, a respect for the individual and an awareness of the individuals extraordinary cognitive powers. If it is succeeded to teach the language the by using the rods without repeating too much, it will really save time and energy for both teachers students. The self-esteem of the students will be increased and this will enhance learning. By this way students will say I learned instead of I was taught well. (Demircan1990). DISADVANTAGES: It would seem necessary for a teacher to gain a good deal of training and skill in order to apply the Silent Way to the teaching of a total grammar in all its complexity. This method can be benefited by the teacher only in small groups of students. The teacher can gain ability in this method by trying. The teacher is expected to enrich the materials on his/her own. For some teachers the rigidity of the system (no repetitions by the teacher, no answers by the teacher etc.) may be meaningless. For some learners, one limitation is the approach to language basics which begins with seemingly irrelevant discussions about rods and which involves silence and concentration and games with the teacher about meaning. Students expectations and need for immediately relevant language learning may force teachers to abandon the approach (Celce-Murcia 1979). How such a method would in the average classroom situation or how successfully it might be used at more advanced levels is a question mark left in our minds. Language is separated from its social context and taught through artificial situations usually by rods. TEACHER ROLE: The teacher should be silent as much as possible in the classroom to encourage the learner to produce as much language as possible. The teacher is expected to create an environment that encourages students risk taking that facilitates learning. The teacher should give only what help is necessary. In other words, the teacher makes use of what students already know. The more the teacher does for the students what they can do for themselves, the less they will do for themselves (Larsen-Freeman 1986). STUDENT ROLE: The learner is expected to become independent, autonomous, and responsible in language. Learners are expected to interact with each other and suggest alternatives to each other. They must learn to work cooperatively rather than competitively. The teachers silence encourages group cooperation. In order not to miss what the teacher says, learners must give the teacher their attention. Learner-attention is a key to learning. Learners will provide each other with correct models and encourage each others initiative. Thus, this method fosters interdependence and cooperation among learners at the same time it promotes independence from the teacher. METHODOLOGY: A cardinal principle of the Silent Way is respect for the students capacity to work out language problems and recall information on their own with no verbalization and minimal help from the teacher. Vocabulary is taught by means of visual aids and word-charts. Vocabulary is always recycled by means of word-charts. There is a focus on the structures of the language although explicit grammar rules are never given. Some techniques used are: Teaching pronunciation with sound colour charts Cognitive coding with colour rods. Peer correction to improve co-operative manner. Self correction gestures Teachers Silence Structured feedback: students are invited to talk about the days instruction (what they have learnt that day during classes). Students learn to take responsibility for their own learning by becoming aware of themselves, and by controlling and applying their own learning strategies. Fidel Charts: Used to teach sound spelling association. Word Charts: Used to teach and recycle vocabulary. The words are written in different colours so that students can learn basic pronunciation patterns. L1 USAGE: native language can be used to give instructions when necessary. Also native language can be used during the feedback sessions (at least for beginner levels). If the native language is not very essential then it is avoided. During feedback sessions L1 be used at beginning levels. L1 can be exploited. For example, similar sounds in L1 and L2 can be used to make students aware of phonological similarities. L2 USAGE: The use of the target language is essential for this method. L1 can be used to give instructions when necessary. Meaning is made clear by focusing the students perceptions, not by translation. LISTENING, SPEAKING, READING AND WRITING: Pronunciation is emphasized at the very beginning. It is important that students acquire the melody of the language. All four skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) are worked on from the beginning. EVALUATION: although the teacher does not have to give a formal test, she/he assesses student learning all the time. One criterion of whether or not students have learned is their ability to transfer what they have been studying to new contexts. The teacher may never give a formal test. He/she assesses students learning all the time. Continuous monitoring by the teacher is essential. PERSONAL OPINION: Depending on my own teaching and learning experience, too much repetition does not help students. If the students are familiar with their teachers technique, they know that the teacher will repeat the subject-matter once again. Thus, they do not pay enough attention to their teachers talk. On the other hand, if the students know that their teacher will not repeat anymore, they will listen to him/her carefully. Another principle that I agree with is less teacher interference. If the teacher helps only when it is asked, then, that help will be more valuable. Sometimes teachers like me tend to give extra information when students ask something and of course this tires us too much. Therefore students do not make any effort to take the responsibility of their learning. Advocates of the Silent Way feel that more important than the techniques and more important even than the language learning results, is the process, the change that occurs in individuals. This includes understanding and tolerance of another and acceptance of others as contributors to ones own life. TOTAL PHYSICAL RESPONSE: BACKGROUND: Total Physical Response (TPR) is a method developed by Dr. James J. Asher, a professor emeritus of psychology at San Josà © State University, to aid learning second languages. The method became popular in the 1970s and attracted the attention or allegiance of some teachers, but it has not received generalized support from mainstream educators. Language is primarily oral. It is just like the acquisition of native language. Learners first listen (silent period), then oral production starts. Oral communication is crucial. Skillful use of imperatives by the instructor can be helpful for the acquisition of many vocabulary items and grammatical structures. Asher views the verb and particularly the verb in the imperative as the central linguistic motif around which language use and learning are organized. ADVANTAGES: It is fun and easy so students will enjoy the lessons. It does not require a great deal of preparation on the part of the teacher. It is a good tool for learning vocabulary. Class size does not need to be a problem. There is no age barrier. DISADVANTAGES: TPR is reduced to the imperative form. TPR is more useful at beginners. It is not a very creative method. Students are not given the opportunity to express their own views and thoughts in a creative way. It is limited, since everything cannot be explained with this method. It must be combined with other approaches. TEACHER ROLE: the teacher has an active role in this method. He decides what to teach, which materials to use and how they are to be presented. It is important to underline that the teacher ´s role is not simply to teach. His task is offering opportunities for learning. The cognitive map of the target language that each student creates in their mind is going to depend on the way the teacher presents the materials. Teachers should take parents as their model. At the beginning, there will be wide tolerance towards the mistakes students make. If the teacher is constantly interrupting and correcting, students will not be encouraged to talk. They will be inhibited. At first, teachers do not correct children when they begin to speak. STUDENT ROLE: learners have the roles of listeners and performers. First, they must listen to what the teacher says. Then, they are expected to respond physically to those commands given by the teacher. METHODOLOGY: The key for successful language learning is the reduction of stress, such as the first language acquisition (stress-free environment). Listen attentively and respond physically to commands given by the teacher. They are encouraged to speak when they feel ready to speak. Performing physical actions in the target language as a mean of making input comprehensive and minimizing stress grammar is studied in an inductive way. Vocabulary and grammar are introduced through imperatives. Some of the techniques used are: Commands ( sit down, skip, close your eyesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦), Role reversal: Students command their teacher and classmates to perform actions, Action sequence: The teacher may give three connected commands (e.g. Point to the door, walk to the door, and touch the door). L1 USAGE: The method is introduced in the students L1. After the introduction, rarely would the mother tongue be used. Meaning is made through body movements. L2 USAGE: Teacher speaks only in the foreign language, while the students use it only when they are ready. LISTENING, SPEAKING, READING AND WRITING: Natural order of skills: 1. Listening (Very important during the silent period). 2. Speaking (teacher should not force students to produce the language especially during the silent period they are expected to produce the target language voluntarily) 3. Reading 4. Writing EVALUATION: Teachers will know immediately whether or not students understand by observing heir students actions. Formal evaluations can be conducted simply by commanding individual students to perform a series of actions. As students become more advanced, their performance can become the basis for evaluation. PERSONAL OPINION: This is a very useful method to use with all students (children, young and adult students), but only in the first stages of the foreign language learning. I completely agree with learn the foreign language in a non- stress environment, because this is a key factor of the learning. Students learn better in a relaxing atmosphere, like children learn their mother tongue. The kind of activities that the teacher can use is wide and dont require any language answer of the students until they are ready to do that. But teacher has to bear in mind that this method is not enough when students are in a higher level. In that case, students need more communicative activities. SUGGESTOPEDIA BACKGROUND: Suggestopedia is a teaching method developed by the Bulgarian psychotherapist Georgi Lozanov. It is used in different fields, but mostly in the field of foreign language learning. Lozanov has claimed that by using this method a teachers students can learn a language approximately three to five times as quickly as through conventional teaching methods. The theory applied positive suggestion in teaching when it was developed in the 1970s. However, as the method improved, it has focused more on desuggestive learning and now is often called desuggestopedia. Suggestopedia is a mixing of the words suggestion and pedagogy. ADVANTAGES: Increase oral proficiency and lower classroom anxiety. The use of music, relaxing, pleasing and stimulating environmental set-up, motivated and powerful service people (teachers) giving positive messages with their attractive appearance and never-ending energy so it has the potential to increase motivation, among the learners, to try and use the product, which is English here DISADVANTAGES: The first weakness of this method is that the techniques may not work well in all the learners and cultures. It is not a practical method as teachers face the problem of the availability of music and comfortable chairs Lozanov refers in a number of occasions to the importance of memorization, excluding any reference to comprehension and creative problem solving. In fact language is not only about the power of the mind to memorize. Its about understanding, interacting and producing novel utterances in different unpredictable situations. TEACHER ROLE: Teacher is the authority. Learners learn better if they get the information from a reliable authority. Students must trust and respect that authority. STUDENT ROLE: Students play a childs role (infantilization). They adopt a new identity (new name, job, family, etc.). As they feel more secure, they can be less inhibited. METHODOLOGY: Vocabulary is emphasised. Claims about the success of the method often focus on the large number of words that can be acquired. Grammar is taught explicitly but minimally. Explicit grammar rules are provided in L1. Dialogues are used with their translations in L1 on the opposite side. Texts with literary value are used. The textbook posters are used for peripheral learning. Some of the techniques used are: Classroom set up: dim lights, soft music, cushioned armchairs, and posters on the walls. Positive Suggestion: Direct Suggestion: The teacher tells students they are going to be successful to create self-confidence. Indirect Suggestion: This is provided by music and comfortable physical conditions of the classroom. Peripheral Learning: Posters, lists, charts, texts, paintings, and graphs are hung on the walls of the classroom. Students learn from these although their attentions are not directly on these materials. Visualization: Students are asked to close their eyes and concentrate on their breathing. Then the tea

The Conveyance of Emotion in the Writing of Zora Neale Hurston Essay

The Conveyance of Emotion in the Writing of Zora Neale Hurston Sharpening Her Oyster Knife: I am not tragically colored. There is no great sorrow dammed up in my soul, nor lurking behind my eyes. I do not mind at all. I do not belong to the sobbing school of Negrohood who hold that nature somehow has given them a lowdown dirty deal and whose feelings are all hurt about it....No, I do not weep at the world -- I am too busy sharpening my oyster knife. ___Zora Neale Hurston Zora Neale Hurston kept busy sharpening her oyster knife not to prepare for any violent confrontations with white society but quite the opposite, to extract the raw materials from her own culture and cultivate them into priceless treasures. To Hurston the Negro was always in vogue (Hughes). She didn't wait for the white culture to place its stamp of approval on the subject matter she knew and loved so well. In her well-known essay, "How It Feels to Be Colored Me," Hurston makes reference to society's view of her a the granddaughter of slaves: "It is quite exciting to hold the center of the national stage, with the spectators not knowing whether to laugh or to weep." Hurston must have felt that way about her writing also; she threw it out there and let the audience do with it what they willed. Sometimes we laugh; sometimes we cry. But humor always hovers nearby in all of her writing and serves as the emotional salvation needed to compensate for the often heavy subject m atter (Fauset, 166). Throughout Their Eyes Were Watching God, Hurston indicates that to refuse one's heritage is cultural suicide, and the loss of laughter represents an early symptom. In the novel, throug... ...w York: HarperCollins, 1995. Hurston, Zora Neale. "The Gilded Six-Bits." ZNH: The Complete Stories. Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God. New York: J. B. Lippincott Company, 1937. Jones, Gayl. "Breaking Out of the Conventions of Dialect." Zora Neale Hurston: Critical Perspectives Past and Present. Eds. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and K. A. Appiah. New York: Amistad, 1993. Lowe, John. "'Cast in Yo' Nets Right Here': Finding a Comic Voice." Jump at the Sun. Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1994. Miller, Rachel. "Narrative Strategy in Hurston's 'Sweat'." http://www.as.wvu.edu/~ginsberg/sweat.htm Wall, Cheryl A. "Zora Neale Hurston: Changing Her Own Words." Zora Neale Hurston: Critical Perspectives Past and Present. Eds. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and K. A. Appiah. New York: Amistad, 1993.

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo Essay -- essays research papers

Les Misà ©rables is an epic tale of hope, empathy, sympathy, redemption and hate set in post-revolutionary France. Written by acclaimed author Victor Hugo, Les Misà ©rables follows the transformation of its two main characters from criminal to honest man and from dedicated reactionary to compassionate fellow man. Written sometime between 1845 and 1862, Hugo provides a detailed look into nineteenth century France’s society and politics. BY combining his story of redemption with the wrongdoings of the French government, Hugo sharply criticized French political policies and hoped his work may encourage change for the future.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hugo describes the setting of Les Misà ©rables with great detail. Part of the motives of Hugo were to set a tone of miserable elements for the lead character Valjean, and for anyone who lived under the poverty line in France in the early nineteenth century. Poverty was rampant during these times and with the radical â€Å"science† of reactionaries, many people were condemned for life due to a mistake they may have made early in their life. The surroundings and details described are very accurate and play a very large role in the storyline. This description of the elements faced by the poor and underprivileged was an obvious stab at the government and greatly emphasizes the story’s plot of redemption.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The characters in Les Misà ©rables, while not historically factual characters, are very easily believed and would fit perfectly into the time period. Jean Valjean, the protagonist, is an ex-convict who leaves behind a life of theft and deceit for a life as an honest man. He takes on a new persona and makes his fortune honestly and ultimately makes his goal in life redemption. Javert is the story’s antagonist and is a reactionary who believes in the law and will stop at nothing to enforce the harsh laws of France. With no pity, he believes that humans are either inherently good or bad. He sees Valjean’s fortunes as an injustice and chases him relentlessly. Cosette is the adoptive daughter of Valjean, who came to father her through a promise to her mother Fantine, whom Valjean knew only a short time, but fell in love with her quickly. Fantine had fallen in love with a wealthy student who abandoned her and had Cosette out of wedlock. She left Cosette i n the car of the Thenadiers and paid for her u... ...imself into the river. Marius is at first disgusted when he finds out about Valjean’s past, though when he discovers it was Valjean who saved his life, they reconcile on Valjean’s deathbed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Les Misà ©rables depicts the unjust class-based society of nineteenth century France. This system often turned good and honest people into beggars and thieves. Hugo obviously believed the social conditions of the time needed to be reformed, particularly in the areas of education, criminal justice and the treatment of women. The character of Fantine conveys all three of these. Undereducated, she works in a factory where she is fired for immorality and only then forced into prostitution so she could provide for her daughter.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This novel provides a detailed look into the early nineteenth century condition in France. It is considered an historical novel for this reason. The novel shows how new and radical thought processes, especially that in the justice and political realm such as the reactionary movement, came to be and were outgrown by the good of all people. Thos is a great historical novel based on any definition of historical fiction.

GPRS navigator Essay

Living for them is not the scenario but they have to earn a handsome income so that they can have nice bread and butter. Crime is not a thing which is always present in the blood of a person; sometimes the situation rams a person to do such crime. Many of you don’t even understand the basic definition of crime, crime is an evil act and it is very much punishable under law. Crime is not punishable under the law especially when the crime is committed in an act of self-defense. As said earlier, sometimes people are forced to take such a step to complete or accomplish the needs of the person itself and also the fellow family members. During the prosecution of a person for any type of crime, the reason for committing such crime is also taken under consideration. Now days some people commit crime in order to satisfy their needs, such as rape cases, cannibalism etc. Cannibalism is one of the crimes which can disturb the state of society. In cannibalism, a person starts eating human flesh itself. But, in this very section we have to discuss on the case of robbery which was committed by person whose main interests were playing sports which could involve many people. He only had elementary education along with few years in high school. His monthly income was very low. He was a middle aged person with a wife and children to be looked after. He was spending his livelihood in a rented house and had a semi-skilled line of work, i. e. a work of a laborer. He started living in a society to understand the term society and wanted to integrate. He knew many people in the society, and then suddenly he had to collect $4000 to pay the house rent. There were only two ways through which he could get the money, one way was to borrow from someone or the second way was to adopt the path of a criminal. In that he had two options either to supply drugs or sell stolen items. He decided to follow the path of a criminal, but in that too there were two possible ways. The option to supply drugs was very dangerous as money earned from it was very less and chances of getting caught was more but the other option which was selling of stolen goods was much better as the risk was much lesser and also the money which could be earned was more. Then he finds a friend which could help him in finding such people who buy stolen cars and then they make a list of the cars which were in demand. Then he made a list of the cars which could be easily stolen and do not have GPRS navigator or alarms. Then started the planning process in which his would help in jacking the car and helping him in taking the car. He decided to divide the money between his friend and him. Then due to his good communication skill and knowledge he started the process of stealing. He spotted a location of the car and checked the amount of risk associated with the crime, and then with the help of his friend he succeeded in jacking a car and taking to a neighboring community where he could possibly dispose off the car. He came through with the situation and earned a handsome amount of $6000, but the amount was achievable only when he could deliver another car. Then after assuring the presence of his in the next incidental, he started the planning of one more robbery in which there were less chances of being caught and the act could be carried out without any carry-on. He advanced into the next incident by finding a car which could be easily stolen and also the risk was minus. Then with the help of his fellow friend, he jacked the car and carried out the process which was against the law. He finally succeeded in selling the car and with this he earned again bounteously. With the proper execution of this act he earned an amount of $4000. Then as decided they distributed the money which they earned which was $10000, so they both earned an amount of $5000 each which was sufficient to satisfy the need of the person which was of $4000. He made the amount which was needed by him in a very less time. How can someone assure me that he will not take the same path when he is again in need of the money? Now, it is the time to learn the steps of robbery which he did to properly execute the robbery. Are you really interested? If yes, then also don’t take such a path. But I must tell you what are the skills he possessed and which are needed to perform such crime. He was already conversant with the community and also with the roads around which helped him. He had an idea of the path ways of illegal trade around and by getting to know the people who are involved he started making the gasp of the act. Then he started burglarizing the cars rather than going for simple mainstream crimes. Then gathering information of such cars which could be easily stolen and do not have GPS navigator or alarms, made him analyze the cars which were ready to be stole. Due to his command over communication skills he succeeded in getting contacts of the people who were ready to buy the stolen car and also helped him in finding a friend which could help him in carrying out the robbery as he was a car thief. Then he persuaded the dealers for a handsome amount on each robbery due to his winning over power. He then arranged some of the tools which were required for the robbery to be successfully carried out, in which he had assistance of his friend who was himself a genius in the business and knew how to quickly jack a car. Then starting he car could not be done by him if his friend would not have helped and with good handsome for each act, he was successful in accomplishing a task which was not very easy for an experienced man as well. Getting two people which could him a handsome amount for he act and also getting two cars in a span of just two days, with a very little risk of being caught also indicated the luck in his favour. But the risk increases as the serial number of the incident increases, but he still superintended the act very smartly the next day as well. This helped him in paying his debts which were the actual cause of making such a man to do such act which was actually against the law. Money and its immediate need force many people in such a direction which they very well know, that the path is not appropriate and the end results could be legal injury. This is such a kind of path which always have a inlet to allow people to enter into such a business any time, but only few succeeds in finding the outlet of this path, i. e. it is very easy to adopt this path of legal injury, but it is very difficult to get out of it almost next to impossible (only few finds a way to pass through the walls of crime). Now, it is the time to analyze what steps the police officials would possibly take to control such a situation of crime in the city. It has always been very easy for the police officials to take a control of such acts of crime in the city as in such cases there is always a possibility of evidence left behind by the criminal. In such criminal acts, the best possible way to conquer is by following the evidences which are available after the crime is successfully accomplished. The officials must always look through the point of view of a thief in order to successfully succeed in catching the thieves. They must always think that which could be the next place where the thieves would find a great deal of their business material and also a place from where these thieves could easily run away if officials would attack them. Then the police officials must look for a pattern (if exist), as in most of the high profile robberies there is link which connect all the robberies as they are pre planned. It also on the other hand very difficult to find the thieves, if there is not much evidence in the past incidents and the criminals stop their activity for some time. This situation is a self explanatory situation, as you have no evidence and there is no incident preceding to provide a hint for the next possible event and hence making it impossible for the police officials to get hold of the criminals. The criminals can only be caught, if there is a systematic procedure opted by the police officials and also they must consider each and every fact which could possibly help them to catch the criminals. By such systematic approach, proper execution of the plan with the proper support as a team can only lead to the success which the police officials are looking for and which is watching the criminals stand behind the bars. Now, I would like to give the information about one more crime which I read on internet and really one of the crimes which would affect you mentally. It is a crime which was going on from months and the police officials were not actually thinking this way, by this I mean the situation which was revealed after the interrogation of the police officials. This is an incident which all started with the kidnapping of a small child about four to five years old. Then the parents of the child reported this missing to the police officials and immediately the police officials started working on this matter. But after several days of sleepless nights the officials ended up with no clue to what actually happened to the child and where the child was. Then suddenly, one more parent came running to the police officials to report on more missing of their child who was again four to five years old. This report messed up the situation more for the police officials. This made the police officials to restart the investigation from the scratch. But again in the end there was not even single evidence with the police officials and this made the situation worst for the police officials. But, then a sequence of kidnapping started in the city where children of age group four to eight were kidnapped and there was not even single evidence with the police officials which could make things easy and simple for the police officials. This all carried for about a span of six months, when a ray of hope stroked in the favour of the police officials and there was a case which was registered, not in the police department but in the local sewage department as there was lot of smell which was coming from the drainage which was associated with a house, which was taken by a person where he could make a nursing home for small children who are homeless. Then the local authorities responded to the situation very quickly as it was disturbing the atmosphere. The smell which was coming out of the drainage was very unusual and being an unusual smell, it was disturbing the people a lot and made them to lodge a complain for it. When the local authorities started the process of digging the drainage, then initially everything went on nicely and smoothly. But as they proceeded one of the shocking incidents came to the notice of the police officials and also to the people who were residing in the same locality. It made the police to think on and on as nothing of such sort had ever taken place in the city as well as in the country. What could be the possible crime Can u think or imagine Wait, I will tell you. The incident actually started when the first missing report was launched about six months back and the same process continued until now. The person who was the owner of the house, which was meant for homeless children, was actually the kidnapper who was kidnapping children from various parts of the city. His motive was not actually which you all are thinking off, this case was not as simple as it seems. His motive was not extortion as he was himself very rich. So, what was the case all about Now, it is the time for you all to know what was the crime all about. The crime actually was done by the person to meet his sexual need. He used to rape each and every child, and then he used to kill them and put them in the sewage which was attached to his house. Could you possibly imagine a rape of a four to five year child by a forty year old man? I know what your answer is and possibly the same reply I too have, i. e. NO. It is actually very difficult for a human to analyze such a criminal act. The person then went missing and the police officials started their investigation for which Special Forces were also used in order to get assistance and then after some days, the man was caught in a city which was about 500 kilometers away from the city where the crime took place. The man was beaten by the local people for his act which was simply inhuman and then in the end he was sentenced to death by the court. Is it sufficient to give death sentence to such a person From the point of view of a normal citizen, the answer would be no but from the point of view of a court; this is the highest punishment which they can give to any criminal. Hence, from my point of view there should be made a change in the law and also the constitution, where such people make the life of a normal citizen a living hell by committing crime and then in the end, they are sentenced to death. But what about those people who are actually the victim of such crimes and have to live with such a horrifying reality throughout their life. This is a real incident to which the crime was known to the person and the police did not take the proper action. This is an incident which took place in my near by location. The person is a male of not more than fourteen years of age or a teenagers, he has five more friends who are involved in such an operation. The person wants to earn a livelihood or handsome money which could lead him a sum amount for his actions to take place. He always wants to have good food or some thing like that but no one could understand what was in his mind. The person had stolen the bike, this was a series of misery as day by day the crime was helding his hands high and the security could not get catch hold of them. Now what was going on in the mind of the thief that he wants to earn a handsome amount of money so that he can earn his entire livelihood? But now as the series was going the security was made tight but then also he did not stop or rather no one was able to stop him. Now the action did not took place for a month but suddenly the person whose bike was lost caught hold of them. The bike was stolen from the basement, the boy had parked his bike in the basement and went up to his house for some work when he came back somebody had broken the lock of the bike and had started off to take it. Now the bike was taken away from the location or the community was he was living. The person lodged a complain in the police station but no action was taken but instead the police told them to give the names of the person who were involved in the operation. Later on, on the very next day the person saw his bike and again went to the police station to tell them that he had seen his bike again in the community near by. The police said the same statement as said earlier. The person could not get a satisfaction but then also he didn’t give up. H got the names of the person involved in the crime and gave it to the police but then they told him to get hold of them and hand over them to the police. Now you can imagine that what would be the status of the person at that time. Now what is the person at that phrase of time? He could not get the things back but now he can not trust the police any more. Now what was the very next operation or the crime to take place which can be taken place? The person of such a small age can get through what he was doing so or the police can take some action which can be involved in such a case where the person can be trapped and he can held his crime. The robbery or other sought of crime can never be cut short but not a strict action can take place where they can easily get hold of them. But if police can not prove that they are with the local people, they have to be every time alert about the crime. The police and the local people along with the security can make or catch hold of such type of crime and every person can make there things secure by passing the loot affairs in your premises. The security alarms and GPS tracking system of such a thing can be added to your set of place and things. Your place and items are not a single set of things which can secure your items. They grabbed the opportunity and manage to take it without being caught once again. References 1. CRIMINAL LAW. 2. MERCHANTILE LAW. 3. GOOGLE 4. BUSINESS LAW.

What is the Western scientific paradigm, and what are its implications for health care in the U.S.?

The Western scientific paradigm is a model for understanding how nature works and developing ways of overcoming problems (Jamison, 1994). For example, a disease which affects human beings, the exact cause and mechanism by which the disease occurs is nailed down. There is a huge emphasis on research and trials with relation to Western scientific paradigm. Newer ways of treating the disease identified through mechanisms of causation of the disease are explored. In the western scientific paradigm, education, professionalism and scientific thinking have a very important role to play (Jamison, 1994).Today the western scientific paradigms may be working successfully in various areas such as epidemiology by which the ways of causation of an infectious disease is understood and means of preventing, treating and diagnosing are determined. However, they do not work well for the management and prevention of chronic diseases as still the mechanism of causation which is complex is still not under stood. Besides, today people are over-depending on the western system of medicine as a mean for obtaining a cure from various diseases and other health problems (Longino, 1997).The Western scientific paradigm consists of 5 concepts including mind-body dualism, mechanical analogy, physical reductionism, definitive regimen and specific causation of a disease. According to the first concept of mind-body dualism, both mind and body are two separate entities which are considered different from a disease viewpoint. However, several forms of holistic medicine consider these two entities as the same and have worked towards integrating their management. The mind may be involved with the body through psychological, neurological and even immunological action (Wisneki, 2005).The second concept is of mechanical analogy in which the body consists of 5 systems that are associated with one another. According to the third concept, physical reductionism is a mean of treating the cause of the disease and not managing any other contributing factor. According to the concept of definitive regimen, for each condition a set of therapies are needed for which the patient should give consent for the doctor to perform (Longino, 1997). The western paradigm of medicine may have both a good effect as well as a negative effect over the health of the Americans.For example, the Western paradigm of medicine is very useful in extending the lifespan over the last few decades. People are able to live longer. However, the quality of life has not improved as chronic diseases and lifestyle problems have a serious effect. With relation to management of these chronic diseases, the western paradigm has chosen a symptomatic approach rather than a curative or a holistic approach. However, other systems of medicine such as Traditional Chinese Medicine have a different approach and manage the diseases in a more effective manner (Longino, 1997).2. What are some the problems associated with applying this para digm in a culturally diverse society, such as the U. S.? The Western paradigm of medicine in the US is being applied to a culturally diverse society which includes elders, minority groups (such as the Hispanics, Asians and the African-Americans), uninsured groups, etc. As it is being applied over such a vast society and having several negative points, the Western paradigm may in fact have a bad effect in several cases.For example, between the 20th and the 21st century, although the elderly population in the US has increased to 20 % from 4 %, and the above 85 years old group has increased 25 times, there seem to be no improvement over the quality of life for these age groups as still symptomatic management is utilized to treat diseases in these age groups (Longino, 1997). Currently, the American system is also very costly and several individuals from the lower-socioeconomic strata may find it very costly to manage any sort of treatment.Besides often treatment is given at an individua l level, when in fact greater benefit to the community can be considered. The Western system of medicine strongly believes in invasive treatment rather than holistic system of managed in which several interrelated issues including the mind, body and other aspects are managed together along with greater emphasis on lifestyle changes. Many of the minority communities which may consider use of such holistic systems are often discouraged.They are set to suffer as the social, economic and general conditions in the US do not favor these minority communities. Although the Western paradigm considers prevention, emphasis is laid more on symptomatic treatment and not on curative treatment as it may be difficult to prove such therapies are effective and safe. Individuals from various communities have different levels of trust and confidence in the American healthcare system. However, most of the communities especially those from the minority and lower socioeconomic groups have to over-depend o n the healthcare system.It is important that the healthcare system considers holistic management of the patient, greater emphasis on curative and preventive treatment and sorting out lifestyle and diet issues (WHO 2000). 3. What alternatives to the Western paradigm have been proposed, and how might these be applied to a specific cultural group? Besides management of diseases in a particular community, it is important to consider holistic management, promotion of health, and preventive strategies in various populations including minority communities.Minorities are more dependent on the American healthcare system due to socioeconomic, access and political problems in the US. It is important to consider a holistic form of management for these communities. Indigenous methods of managing their health need to be considered. It is also important to research the methods of healthcare management of these communities in their home nation where they are able to lead a much more satisfactory he alth status. With relation to any disorder, the mind would be having an effect, either demonstrating an effect or getting affected.Hence, mental factors need to be considered. Alternative and complementary forms of treatment such as physiotherapy, homeopathy, herbal medicine, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, etc, need to be considered as they consider managing the patient as a whole and include preventive outlooks. Some forms of alternative medicine give room for the process of natural healing (in which the body would heal itself). Today the people from the lower strata and the minorities are serious facing health problems in the US and are unable to use the system as they are uninsured.Greater efforts need to be made to include these communities under health insurance (Alves, 2007, WHO Kobe Center, 2000). References Alves, R. Et al (2007). Biodiversity, traditional medicine and public health: where do they meet? Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 3(14). http://www. pubmedcentral. nih. gov/articlerender. fcgi? artid=1847427 Jamison, A. (1994). Western science in perspective and the search for alternatives. In Salomon, J (Ed. ), The uncertain quest: science, technology, and development. Tokyo, New York, Paris: United Nations University Press. http://www. unu. edu/unupress/unupbooks/uu09ue/uu09ue0f.htm Longino, C. F. (1997). Beyond the body: an emerging medical paradigm: as with so many other aspects of American society, the baby boom may be the catalytic factor that ultimately changes the way we treat our health. American Demographics. LookSmart Find Articles. http://findarticles. com/p/articles/mi_m4021/is_n12_v19/ai_20038498 Wesneki, L. (2005). The Scientific Basis of Integrative Medicine, ECAM. http://ecam. oxfordjournals. org/cgi/reprint/neh079v1. pdf WHO (2000). Traditional Medicine. Better Science, Policy and Services for Health Development. http://www. cewm. med. ucla. edu/sources/who_kobe. pdf

Project Management Careers

Project Management Fall 2012 Search the internet for terms project management, project management careers, project portfolio management, information technology project management. Write down the number hits that you received for each of these phrases find at least 3 web sites that provide interesting information on one of the topics write a two page paper summarizing key information about these 3 web sites as well as project management institution’s Web site (www. pmi. org).Gant charts were dominantly used in the beggings of project management however in the 1950’s Entire jobs and professional careers were made around the idea of a â€Å"project manager†. Now in beginning of the 21st century technology has revolutionized the field of project management once again. My research and search results have shown that Project Management Jobs have sustained demand over the last 8 years compared to the general field of technology jobs which has seen steep decline since 200 4. Google Trends AnalysisOne of the articles I had read form InformationWeek was titled â€Å"Project management Gets Lean† (IT can't afford to do projects the old way. Lean project management gives a better picture of success or failure. ) In this article they explain a scenario where workers feel like projects are happening to them and not because of them. The article goes on to say that, Project managers can get so wrapped up in Gantt chars and forecasting that they often don’t look at the overall picture and this can lead to scope skewing or project failure.Managers have to start approaching projects as Participation over Compliance. Compliance makes everyone feel like a captive prisoner where was participation can give the individual the perception of being a part of the solution. It is staff attitude which often accounts for a projects success or failure. Also if a group does not understand a project is can often add confusion that may hinder the perceived succes s of an assignment. If at all possible it is best to keep it simple; adding complexity to the user is often not a requirement of a complex system.All users are not power users and do not require the grandiose system that upper users need. It is not a coincidence that Information Technology people often look to project management when they are interested in a career change. Both fields have Rigid deadlines, tight budgets, require careful planning, painstaking deployments all of which are common variables Information Technology and project management. It is difficult to classify a project as success for failure because most often projects in the IT field are never complete.As summed up in the article, the nature of IT means you are never done. Only when a project is a failure are you done. Having the ability to recognize failure is a skill that many project managers lack due to inflated ego. Figure A General Search Results Google Search ResultsProject ManagementAbout 691,000,000 resul ts   Project Management CareersAbout 138,000,000 results Project Portfolio ManagementAbout 84,200,000 result Information Technology Project ManagementAbout 190,000,000 results| http://www. nformationweek. com/global-cio/interviews/leaving-it-4-job-options-for-frustrated/232900489? queryText=project%20management http://www. informationweek. com/global-cio/personnel/project-management-is-finally-getting-re/227800091? queryText=project%20management http://www. informationweek. com/software/project-management-gets-lean/232600005? printer_friendly=this-page http://www. google. com/trends/explore#q=project%20management%20jobs%2C%20Information%20Technology%20Project%20Management;cmpt=q