Pre-School In Three Cultures by Joseph Tobin, David Wu Dana Davidson free essay sample

Critical review of ethnographic work on Japanese, Chinese Amer. preschool theories, methods, aims, values, role of govt. parents, discipline. Preschool in Three Cultures: Japan, China, and the United States is an ethnographic study of the differences and commonalities among three societies with regard to preschool practices. As the authors state, their ethnographic study reveals as much about the reviewer/researchers as their research does about the children and their teachers; either way, Japanese, Chinese, and American culture are examined from political, cultural, sociological, psychological, and educational points of view. What emerges is literally a three dimensional video record (the authors videotape their subjects, and show the results to all three groups being studied) of preschool practices in three distinct cultures. A basic overview of the book will be given, as well as its basic strengths, and in closing, a recommendation to others regarding its use.

Book Report Essays

Book Report Essays Book Report Essay Book Report Essay The century between 1890 and 1990 is a year when the maritime power of the USA came to be and became one of the most influential tools in the US policy. George Baer, an author of â€Å"One Hundred Years of Sea Power: The U. S. Navy, 1890-1990† begins the book stating that â€Å"before 1890 few Americans thought that the United States was a maritime nation dependent for its security and its prosperity on control of its sea approaches or that the country needed an offensive battleship fleet†. [p. 1] And indeed, the XX century saw the raise of America as naval superpower. The whole book of Baer is devoted to description of how the Grand Fleet of the USA developed and how Americans moved from disregard of maritime power to becoming an absolute leader at seas. The story begins in the age of armor-plated ships and great colonial empires and ends in the age of aircraft carriers and post-colonialism, after going a long way through war with Cuba, World War I, World War II, wars in Korea and Vietnam, as well as the Cold War. He includes a description of naval doctrines proposed in different times and for different purposes, as well as analysis of outside factors, which influenced the development of American navy. The basic idea of the book is to explain why the nation needs a navy and how the nation can benefit from having a big navy even if there is no obvious threat at the seas. Baer begins in the period, when Navy has not been of paramount importance for the nation. The interests of the USA in the seas were mostly commercial and the country required only â€Å"the modest navy to serve the modest needs† [p.1]. The US has been satisfied with the policy of the United Kingdom, which took great care of â€Å"keeping seas open† top support their trade routs. So America might have not worried about it’s own commercial routs. By 1889 the United States had only the twelfth navy in the world. The country largely used it’s geographic position, which granted relative security from attack from the sea and needed no navy to protect itself. The attitude towards navy has started to change in the last years of the XIX century, after first attempts of the USA to position itself as a colonial power. The defensive maritime doctrine could no longer satisfy the United States. War with Spain of 1898 was the first military conflict, in which the Unites States of America strived for interests far outside of America homeland with another collapsing colonial superpower. The war has clearly demonstrated, that in order not only to obtain, but to support new territories the country would need a new fighting fleet. By 1890 Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan has developed a concept of offensive sea control by battleship fleet. He believed that the interests of the United States laid in the seas and control over global trading routs. In order to protect colonies and dependent territories and to support sea trade the United States would need a fleet of a new type – an attacking fleet able to gain sea superiority in any point of the globe within short terms. Potentially such navy must have been stronger, than navies of any potential opponents. Even in times of piece the navy would not be a useless burden. From an instrument of war it would turn into an instrument of politics. Mahan relied on battleships as an ultimate weapon of his time. However, the doctrine itself is still applicable in our days, when outdated battleships are replaced by aircraft carriers. The Unites States managed to learn lessons of early XX century wars, including the war between Japan and Russia of 1904-1905 in creating their navy. Before building battleships the nation concentrated on building   shipyard and establishing industry necessary to support a mighty navy, as well as training experts in the naval field This later allowed to   start massive shipbuilding without overloading the economy – a typical mistake made by many countries. The way of the US fleet to the status of the most powerful navy of the world, however, was not always straight. American battleships did not take part in the decisive naval battles of World War I as the British navy, which caused talks about their uselessness. Limitations of military shipbuilding, agreed at the Washington conference in 1922, as well as decline of interest to war needs in times of peace, combined with financial hardships of the Great Depression have put the navy into unfavorable position in the state system. There was no enemy at sea whether current or potential, and the navy seemed to be nothing less, than an expensive toy. Perhaps it is only due to president’s Roosevelt effort, that the navy remained a formidable force by 1941. The war at the Pacific has quickly demonstrated, that battleships do not longer play a major role in naval combat. Loss of the battleship fleet in Pearl Harbor did not prevent America from effective resistance to Japanese aggression and only few aircraft carriers managed to defeat a huge enemy fleet in the battle of Midway. The doctrine has changed accordingly, and top priority has been given to building aircraft carrying ships instead of battleships. World War II has demonstrated outstanding shipbuilding opportunities of the United States. They could build huge amounts of vessels and train huge mount of sailors, to replace losses so that this ability to regeneration was a key factor in the battles of the Pacific war. After the war Mahan’s idea of battleship fleet seemed to be outdated. However, navy officials quickly came to understanding that the old idea could be applied using new technology. The navy avoided transformation into a merely transport and attacking force and retained it’s independent role as an offensive power. Ability to attack coast areas with aviation, including nuclear bombers, as well as ability of maritime corpse to invade and control those areas allowed the navy to play a key role in the wars of Korean and Vietnam, as well as to promote American interests at Granada, Somali, etc. In the times o Cold war the navy had an own nuclear attacking force of nuclear submarines. Those could attack Soviet military bases and industrial centers with ballistic missiles much faster, than the Soviets could respond. Fearful of American Navy the Soviet Union started creating it’s own Grand Fleet in 1960-1980s, but happily the United States navy never had to face it in combat. Soviets did not posses necessary technology and industrial capabilities to create a modern navy and their attempts only speeded up the collapse of their economy. So the mere existence of American navy helped the USA to defeat it’s opponent. By late 1980-s the navy has once again found itself in the situation when there is no enemy to defeat. All other navies of the world taken together would be weaker than American. So Mahan’s principle, that the key objective of the navy is to defeat enemy at sea had to be forgotten once again by 1990. The navy moved to doctrine of expeditionary littoral warfare. In other words, the navy is to become mostly a transport and support tool for marines again. Sea control is already American, so the navy is to guarantee this control and help the US policy. Operations in the Persian Gulf and former Yugoslavia is a new warfare for the navy in which it has no direct enemy, so it is to help those American forces, who have to face the enemy. And this situation will hardly change in the XXI century. Baer is, undoubtedly, a man to write exactly such type of book. Being a historian with Strategy and Policy Department of the Naval College in Newport, Baer is very well familiar with the subject. The book is closely related to author’s institutional affiliation. The book is well written and easy to read. Baer managed to combine accurate investigation and great amount of factual material with perfect style of writing. The book is addressed to a broad audience of readers. Politicians and military theoreticians would benefit learning factors of naval development and analysis of it’s activities and usual readers would get an insight into history of American Navy and learn why the nation needs a navy and how the navy serves the nation.

Knowledge management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Knowledge management - Assignment Example Since KM concentrates on improving people’s skills, knowledge, experience, wisdom and overall personal as well as professional quality, they are prompted to work better and thus helps the organization achieve high performance. As Noe (2002, p. 168) defined, Knowledge Management focuses on creating knowledge and sharing or exchanging it for further use in the organization for its overall purposes. It is thus a management process that can enhance business performance by designing, implementing and strategically aligning various tools, processes, systems and cultures with a view to improve people’s knowledge. Its theoretical foundation is that knowledge is power, people are most powerful assets in the firm and therefore improving people’s knowledge is the best strategy to enhance greater productivity in the firm. Bumrungrad, as the word itself denotes ‘care for community’ has grown to be an internationally renowned hospital with more than 30 years in service. It has also become an illuminating example for better model for knowledge management practices. As its Annual Report (2011, p. 17) reported, a training program conducted by Spine Institute in cooperation with Anna Hospital in Germany for doctors from Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, India and other countries. This training not only helped doctors learn something new, but also shared their views, opinions and experiences in relation to full-endoscopic spine surgery among the doctors and other members of the training. An effective way the Hospital has implemented for KM practice was IDP (Individual Development Program) that comprises of continuous education, regular training programs and other knowledge sharing functions. it holds Town Hall Meeting wherein employees get opportunities to raise their voices and views and thus to exchange knowledge among its people. As Bumrungrad’s Annual report (2011, p. 90) revealed, the company believes that work efficiency is the result of loyalty its

Structural Stagnation Dilemma Forum Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Structural Stagnation Dilemma Forum - Assignment Example Further, the economies are suffering because of shortfall of investments in education and infrastructure. For structural stagnations, the major causes are categorized into long term short term. The long term causes are globalization, exchange rates and trade deficit while short term is associated to the aftermath of financial crisis. As shown in figure 11-3, by Colander, a graph showing policy implication of structural stagnation, the policy makers are deemed to target a higher potential output as a result of the dilemma (Colander 238). In which case, Aggregate Supply (AS) and Aggregate Demand (AD) model explains that â€Å"too high targeting†, than is sustainable, on aggregate output creates a financial bubble. The financial bubble in turn causes slow growth in macro economy and high unemployment rate. In contemporary society, the definition of economic growth and employment goes hand in hand with technological change. At times of volatility and impeded economic growth, many economies are relying on technology to create jobs and facilitate innovation and development. The technology industry has initiated direct job creation, especially in the ICT sector that now features among the largest employers. Apart from being an employer, technology also boosts economic growth through its contribution to GDP growth. For instance, E-commerce is pervasive in most economies and constitutes a considerable portion of their overall GDP. However, the technological change has brought with it both negative and positive impacts on employment. The introduction of machinery, working like man, has brought about unemployment in subject industries. Many workers are laid off as a result of technological transition taking course. Even though globalization has been evident to lift many out of poverty, it does have contradiction in terms of the structural changes it forces US to undergo. The

Folkloreterm paper on capoeira Term Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Folkloreterm on capoeira - Term Paper Example This style is known today as Capoeira and reflects much of the Brazilian culture. This paper explores the rituals of Capoeira, revisits the history of the martial art and the country it originated from, takes a look the cultural aspect of the art, and explains the relevance of Capoeira to the style that is practiced today in the United States. The Ritual One of the interesting parts of this style of training is that the students usually learn to sing and play an instrument as a part of their training and development in Capoeira. Songs are sang in Brazilian Portuguese, which is why students are encourage to learn at least a basic understanding of the language. According to Lucia Viti (2003), the songs are used to set the pace of the fight. Chanting and clapping are also used to create rhythm and add excitement to the class. Some fights are aggressive and exciting, while others are low and intertwined. Capoeira contains a wide range of musical instruments used to mediate the mood or fe el of the class and widen the skills of the practitioner, particularly the advanced students. Some of the instruments allowed and commonly used in Capoeira are the drums, agogos, tambourines, berimbaus, the ago-ago, known in the United States as a cowbell. ... The Breakdown of the Classes, Fights, and Events The class is often broken down into two sections. In the first section of the class, the students are working on their technique, warming up, and learning concepts about the game. In the second section, the students get together as a group and form a ring. Two students are chosen to step inside the ring and perform. These students engage in a non-violent fight where they display their skill to the group. The other members of the group, still forming a ring, chant and sing while the two in the middle fight. The participants can be male or female and sometimes they are pitted against each other. To begin, the opponents squat down low to the ground to shake hands with each other. The ginga, or the swing, is the most basic move in and more or less the fighter’s stance. This would be equivalent to the sparring stance in Taekwondo or another sparring sport. This is acceptable, since this is not a contact sport. During the fight, the e valuation examines the fight itself and how it feels rather than focusing on the fighters. The fighters are considered successful when they follow the feel or rhythm of the music and atmosphere. According to Delmont (2006), â€Å"Festivals include baptism and graduation ceremonies, when masters from other cities come in to judge, give demonstrations, and teach classes† (____) Acrobatics are an important element that sets Capoeira apart from many other martial arts. Capoeira involves cartwheels and inversions often as a part of the intent of the fighters. The acrobatics display physical ability and serve a diversion to the opponent. Many fighters implement acrobatics into their fighting styles. Even instructors in their 50s

The well-being of looked after children

The well-being of looked after children Wellbeing is a subjective issue, with many attempting to define it. Recent government policies have attempted to create guidelines to improve services; however looked-after children generally have poorer wellbeing than other children. Looked-after children of school age in my area are allocated a named nurse from the school nursing team. The term looked-after refers to children who are subject to care orders and those who are accommodated voluntarily (The Childrens Act 1989). The focus of this essay will be on the wellbeing of looked-after children of 14-18 years of age, as this is when children are approaching the end of care often a time of great disruption to their wellbeing. Furthermore, the wellbeing of looked-after children is particularly vulnerable during the transition period from childrens to adult services. In 2008 there were 59,500 looked-after children in the UK (Department of Health 2009). Evidence shows that a higher percentage of looked-after children will enter the criminal justice system, become teenage parents and have a higher need for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), with behaviour and emotional problems being linked to frequency of placement moves and lack of attachment. (House of Commons 2009, Department for Children, Schools and Families 2009, Barnardos 2006, Department for Education and Skills 2003, Office for National Statistics 2003). To promote the wellbeing of looked-after children extra help from other agencies is required, with the emphasis on holistic assessment. Commissioned Services introduced statutory guidance and named nurses to address this (Open University 2010, Unit 6, page 82-83). It is important as a named nurse that wellbeing is defined and understood in practice. Gough et al (2006, pp4) states à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦wellbeing is an umbrella c oncept, embracing at least objective wellbeing and subjective wellbeing. Ereaut and Whiting (2008) believe that wellbeing is a cultural construct for what people collectively agree makes a good life. The Scottish Government (2011) identifies that a safe and nurturing environment is fundamental to developing into a confident and resilient adult, looked-after childrens emotional health is often affected by experiences prior to care entry. Dimigen et al (1999) identified that the level of mental health need in looked-after 11-15 year olds were 55% for boys and 43% for girls compared to 10% for other children aged 5-15. Haywood et al (2008) concur that looked-after children enter care with poorer health than their peers due to the impact of poverty and chaotic lifestyles. The UNCRC commissioners guide (2008) recognises the widening gap between rich and poor in the UK, and associated disparities in the childrens wellbeing. A UNICEF report (2007) places the UK bottom of 21 industrialised countries for child wellbeing. Forrester (2008) believes that children in care can achieve equal wellbeing to other children, and advocates the European model that entry to care can be beneficial for a child living in deprived circumstances, rather than the UK view of care as a final resort. A study by Helseth (2010) found that quality of life is about a positive self-image, good friends and family looked-after children often do not have these resources. Graham and Power (2004) state there is evidence that childhood disadvantage is linked to adulthood disadvantage, emphasising the importance of wellbeing during childhood. The Department of Health (2000) considers there are seven dimensions of wellbeing health, education, identity, emotional and behavioural development , family and social relationships, social presentation, and self-care. To measure child wellbeing, the UK governments Every Child Matters system of five outcomes is used: be healthy; stay safe; enjoy and achieve; make a positive contribution; achieve economic wellbeing (Department for Education and Skills, 2003), which aims to intervene before crisis point is reached (Barker, 2009). The outcomes relate to the 1990 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and are co-dependent. If children are not achieving any of the five outcomes, then the Framework for Assessment of Children in Need is utilised (DoH 2000). This assessment is based on needs in three domains: Developmental Needs, Parenting Capacity and Family and Environmental Factors (Appendix 1) and contributes towards the Common Assessment Framework (CDWC 2009). The CAF is used across agencies to prevent children having to undergo multiple assessments and to aid sharing of information. In practice this does not always work, as a social worker may emphasise a childs social needs compared to health issues. 30% of looked-after children are placed outside their local authority, which has implications for commissioned health services (Doh2009). This can have a negative effect on wellbeing of children as their needs may not be met due to the lack of joined up services. In practice safeguarding supervision helps to identify children whose wellbeing may be at risk, but cross-county collaboration would help minimise these risks further. Although looked-after children can achieve all five outcomes on paper, they may not necessarily feel a sense of wellbeing: they may be unhappy, feel different to other children and have upsetting memories (McAuley and Davis 2009, Fleming et al 2005). It has been found that more emphasis may be placed on one outcome depending on an agencys role, creating a disparity in definitions of wellbeing between agencies. Other criticisms of Every Child Matters are that cultural needs, disability, resilience and emotional health are not taken into account (Chand 2008, Sloper et al 2009). Parton (2006) voices concerns that a low mandatory information sharing threshold could compromise confidentiality. Children leaving care have specific needs when it comes to maintaining their wellbeing, having a lasting effect on their adult lives; care leavers are more likely to be unemployed, to become homeless, to spend time in prison and often have trouble forming stable relationships. One in seven young peo ple leaving care are pregnant or are already mothers. They have to learn how to cope financially (Barnardos 2011). A Panorama documentary (BBC 2011) recently showed care leavers struggling with basic living skills. This is supported by what is seen in practice; many foster carers refuse to allow children assist with preparation and cooking of meals, or ironing in case they may burn themselves. It should be raised with the independent reviewing officer that these skills are beneficial, which should then be recommended formally as part of the care plan. Foster carers now attend mandatory training, and are conscious of health and safety regulations. Often they think they are acting for the good of the child or being nurturing, but in reality they are impeding the childs developing life skills to live independently. A looked-after childs statutory annual health assessment is at odds with them living as normal a life as possible other children do not have an annual medical assessment. Fleming et al (2005) identified a low uptake (56%) and few health issues arising from the assessment, questioning its value. Bundle (2001) found that many health assessments were used as a screening exercise rather than a health promotion opportunity. The feeling in practice is that there is a responsibility by the state to ensure that all health appointments and immunisations are up to date looked-after children generally have a poor history of routine health check-ups at entry to care. Furthermore Coman and Devaney (2011) believe that a good quality holistic assessment is the only way to achieve a meaningful measurement of outcomes for a child. The health assessment also provides an opportunity to support the child with other aspects of health which affects wellbeing such as personal issues and emotional health issues which a child may normally go to family members with (Hill and Watkins 2003). Health assessments can be a strain on resources in practice to provide a good quality assessment an hour should be allowed, with the assessment preferably done in the childs home to observe interactions in their home environment. It also provides an opportunity to discuss leaving care, and to ascertain whether the young person is receiving appropriate services and support. This may require acting as an advocate for the looked-after child at their review, to ensure there is an adequate service provision. Therefore, practitioners must keep up to date with government policy, best practice, evidence, multi agency working and services available in their area. The tool used to assess emotional wellbeing is the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (Goodman, 1997), however this can cause frustration when problems identified cannot be addressed due to lack of services (Whyte and Campbell 2008). Healthc are professional have a duty of care to ensure that the young person leaving care knows where to go and how to make appointments for different health services. Models such as Maslows Hierarchy of Needs (1943) and Roper,Logan and Tierneys Activities of Daily Living (2000) form the basis of the adult Single Assessment Process (Department of Health 2002), however when holistically assessing childrens wellbeing the five outcomes of ECM are used, this can create a situation where as little as a days difference in age could result the SAP being used rather than ECM to assess a young persons wellbeing. The transition to adult services would benefit from an additional framework for assessment for young people between 18 and 25. To assess the wellbeing of an 18 year old using the same framework as for a 90 year cannot be in the best interests of the young person. To develop and introduce such a framework would be costly and cumbersome; however as the importance of health promotion is increasingly recognised by the government, it would be worthwhile investigating this further. Studies of young people leaving care show that their health concerns are s imilar to all young people with the additional stressor of learning to live independently. Local studies identify that young people value approachable healthcare professionals, and would prefer to have specific young person-friendly and accessible clinics (National Childrens Bureau 2008, Stanley 2002 ). NICE guidelines (2010) recommend that there is an effective and responsive leaving care service for young people in transition between age 16 and 25. A key leaving care worker can help with the transition however the level of support is varied (Goddard and Barrett 2008). To help a child with the transition leaving care social workers, pathway plans, open door placements and other services should be provided (DoH 2001), but for a young person leaving care many of the domains which contribute towards wellbeing such as housing, income, family relationships, stability and safety are in turmoil and wellbeing suffers greatly as a consequence. Some looked-after children become very emotionally withdrawn leading up to their eighteenth birthday, when they will no longer be a child in care and make the transition to adult services. In 2008 the UK Childrens Commissioners Report found that children felt pressurised to leave care at sixteen, and recommended that no child leaves care before eighte en. Occasionally foster carers allow the child to stay within the family, however in practice when the financial incentive ends, the child has to leave. Resilience has a significant impact on the wellbeing of a child leaving care, resilience is understood as having the capacity to resist or bounce back following adversity and is generally considered to be made up of individual, family and community factors (Glover 2009). Scudder et al (2008) believe that resilient children have belief in their ability to succeed and achieve their personal goals, and that resilience is a dynamic characteristic that can develop over time. Newman and Blackburn (2002) found that children today are less resilient compared to earlier generations, perhaps because of being sheltered from challenging opportunities, however Drapeau et al (2007) state that resilience can be nurtured in children for whom it does not occur naturally. The practitioner should believe in the childs potential and allow them to set t he level of intervention. Ahern et al (2008) suggests referring children with low levels of resilience to services such as CAMHS or peer-support groups. In practice, by addressing one problem at a time enables the child to experience and build upon success, rather than setting a huge unobtainable goal and setting the child up to fail. Wellbeing is believed to include many factors besides health, emphasising the importance of a good quality holistic assessment and appropriate intervention. There are many additional needs for looked-after children, particularly with emotional health, if they are to achieve wellbeing. They are often poorly prepared for independent living when they leave care, and learning life skills should be emphasised during reviews of children approaching the end of care. Upon leaving care, the transition to adult services can be very traumatic and detrimental to wellbeing for looked-after children. As practitioners we should be encouraging looked-after children to prepare for independence and to take responsibility for their own health. To work towards this goal the statutory child in care health assessment should be an exercise in partnership with the child, rather than a professionally led assessment. For a looked-after child to achieve the same level of wellbeing as other children depends on variables such as resilience, attachment and ongoing support which cannot always be provided by the state. There needs to be more research into factors care leavers consider important for their health and wellbeing, which could inform an interim assessment tool between ECM and the SAP providing enhanced transition services for all children.

What sparked WW1, How Did it End? :: World War I History

What sparked WW1, How Did it End? World War I was a war that took place I Eastern Europe during the years of 1914- 1918. This war involved the countries of Austria-Hungary and Serbia. The Serbians sparked these wars. In 1912, several Balkan states attacked Turkey. This sparked wars over these lands. Economic tension was also present. As international tensions grew, the great powers expanded their armies and navies. This gave the possibility of wars emerging at any time. Fear of war also gave military leaders great influence. British and German generals and admirals received the respect of the people and funding to build their forces. Serbia also wanted a South Slav empire, at this they would not stop for. A terrorist group called the Black Hand planned to kill the Archduke of Hungary Francis Ferdinand who planned to visit Sarajevo. On June 28th Gavrilo Princip assassinated Francis. Since he was under 20 years of age he was not executed. Instead he was sentenced to life in prison. He died in 1918 of tuberculosis. This severely angered the Austrians. They issued the Serbians an ultimatum. In it Austria stated to avoid war Serbia must end all anti-Austrian agitation and punish any Serbian officials involved in the murder plot. It must even let Austria join the investigation. Serbia agreed to most of the terms in the treaty, but not all. On July 28th Austria declared war on Serbia. Austria might not have declared war on Serbia if not for its longtime ally, Germany. In Berlin, Kaiser William II was horrified at the assignation of Francis Ferdinand and advised Francis Joseph to take a stand against the Serbia and assured him of German support. Instead of urging restraint, Germany gave Austria a "blank check." Serbia sought support from Russia. From St. Petersburg Nicholas II telegraphed William II. The czar asked William to urge Austria to soften its demands on the ultimatum. When this plea failed, Russia began to mobilize its troops. Russia then appealed to its ally, France. In Paris, nationalists saw this as a chance to avenge Frances defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. Italy remained neutral while Britain had to decide whether they should back their ally, France or remain neutral. Germany then decided to join the Russians and quickly defeat France in order to avoid a war on both sides of the country. This was their biggest fear.

International Multimedia Conference Essay

Camuri, A. , Mazzarino, B. , Ricchetti, M. , Timmers, R. , and Volpe, G. (2004). Multimodal analysis of expressive gesture in music and dance performances. In Gesture-Based Communication in Human-Computer Interaction, 2915, 357-358. The article focuses on research concerning the analysis of expressive gesture from the perspective of multimodal interaction and the development of systems of multimodal interaction by considering the role that non-verbal expressive gesture would play in the communication process. The multimodal analysis focuses mainly on dance and music because they provide a comprehensive emotional and expressive content. The authors explained the involvement of auditory and visual gestures in demonstrating the expressive purpose of the performers. They tested the model of auditory and visual gestures by making a comparison of the performances with the ratings of audiences of the same dance and music performances. Other topics that students can get from the article include the definition of the expressive gesture, framework for multimodal analysis of expressive gesture in terms of the ability of performers to relay their emotions to the audience, and automated extraction of auditory and visual cues. Dowling, R. G. , Dowling, R. , Reinke, D. , & National Cooperative Highway Research Program (2008). Multimodal level of service analysis for urban streets. Washington, D. C. : Transportation Research Board. The authors highlighted the findings of a study on how the public can interpret the quality of multimodal service offered by urban streets. The study focuses mainly on various factors that influence or affect the perception of various travelers when it comes to the level of service of urban streets, particularly the perceptions of automotive drivers, bicycle riders, bus riders, and pedestrians. The authors stressed the importance of using models of level of service in analyzing the benefits that urban travelers can get from context-focus street designs. The book will help widen the knowledge of students in applying multimodal analysis to urban streets. It provides students with insights into the definition of urban streets and transits, techniques of analyzing the level of service for urban streets, and economic and safety aspects of level of service. Other topics covered in the book include the integration of four models of level of service in order to have the same level of service rating system and suggested level of service for bicycle riders, transit passengers, and pedestrians. Foote, J. , Boreczky, J. , Girgensohn, A. , & Wilcox, L. (1998). An intelligent media browser using automatic multimodal analysis. International Multimedia Conference. Proceedings of the Sixth ACM International Conference on Multimedia, 375-380. The article provides a way to automatically analyze multimedia using an intelligent browser. The automatic multimodal analysis allows users to have informed decisions on various interests in the field of media in order to avoid searching areas outside the scope their interest. The article provides explanation on two types of automatic multimodal analysis, the audio similarity to identify the speaker and the frame differences to detect shot. Recognition of gesture, motion, and face in the browsing scheme and the combination of audio and video analysis are integrated in the automatic multimodal analysis. The article can enhance the knowledge of students on automatic analysis of multimedia resources by providing various ways to make noisy and erroneous automatic estimates more applicable to the user. Some examples of multimedia resources include digital ink, closed captions, audio, video, and text annotations. Kress, G. & Van Leeuwen, T. (2001). Multimodal discourse: the modes and media of contemporary communication. Arnold, New York: Oxford University Press. The authors provided insights into the role that the communication theory will play in the era of interactive multimedia. They compared how the design thinking and production thinking will interact during the design and development of communicative messages. They explained that design thinking and production thinking are two important types of thinking processes that take place during an individual’s interaction with resources and media he or she utilized. The book is very relevant to the research concerning multimodal analysis because it helps widen the knowledge of students and readers in the field of communication, language, and media. Moreover, students will learn to take the challenge brought by the emergence of multimedia, multimodality, and multi-skiing. The book will supplement students’ understanding of designing multimedia that was learned in school. It is not only catered to students but all types of professionals who are interested in multimodal design such as journalists, designers, photographers, and other people who are connected to the of science and mathematics. O’Halloran, K. L. (2006). Multimodal discourse analysis: systematic-functional perspectives. London, England: Continuum International Publishing. The book discusses important research in the field of multimodal texts and multimodal discourses. It focuses mainly on the development of the theory and the methodology of analyzing discourses by utilizing various semiotic resources like visual images, architecture, language, and space. The book provides an explanation on how the multimodal discourses are produced through the interaction of different semiotic modes of communication. Different modes of communication may include static and dynamic visual images, language, electronic media, architecture, electronic print, or electronic film. The book provides explanation on phase and transition, interaction of body movement and camera, use of color, typography, and layout. Other topics covered in the book include the development of multiple integrated semiotic model, visual semiosis in electronic films, application of system-functional theory in various semiotic resources, and analysis of three-dimensional space such as the Sydney Opera House. Ventola, E. , Charles, C. , & Kaltenbacher, M. (2004). Perspectives on multimodality. Amsterdam, Netherlands: John Benjamins Publishing Co. The authors provided a background on various perspectives about multimodal discourse by focusing on methodological and theoretical issues such as multiple semiotic systems, mode hierarchies, and multimodal corpus annotation. The advent of computer and the growing use of the Internet allow scholars to be particularly interested on the characteristics of different modes of communication and the way these modes of communication can function semiotically and integrate in the emerging discourse analyses around the world. The book can help widen the understanding of students on the similarity between language and non-linguistic semiotic mode of communication, different signs of nature within the multimodality perspective, role of text imaging in providing positive outcomes for the learners, and the influence of semiotic transformation in the formal language of mathematics on the effectiveness of science to provide description of the physical world. Moreover, students can learn how to apply multimodal analysis in various fields such as entertainment, medicine, mathematics, design of buildings, and translation. References Camuri, A. , Mazzarino, B. , Ricchetti, M. , Timmers, R. , and Volpe, G. (2004). Multimodal analysis of expressive gesture in music and dance performances. In Gesture-Based Communication in Human-Computer Interaction, 2915, 357-358. Dowling, R. G. , Dowling, R. , Reinke, D. , & National Cooperative Highway Research Program (2008). Multimodal level of service analysis for urban streets. Washington, D. C. : Transportation Research Board. Foote, J. , Boreczky, J. , Girgensohn, A. , & Wilcox, L. (1998). An intelligent media browser using automatic multimodal analysis. International Multimedia Conference. Proceedings of the Sixth ACM International Conference on Multimedia, 375-380. Kress, G. & Van Leeuwen, T. (2001). Multimodal discourse: the modes and media of contemporary communication. Arnold, New York: Oxford University Press. O’Halloran, K. L. (2006). Multimodal discourse analysis: systematic-functional perspectives. London, England: Continuum International Publishing. Ventola, E. , Charles, C. , & Kaltenbacher, M. (2004). Perspectives on multimodality. Amsterdam, Netherlands: John Benjamins Publishing Co.

Church Pays Tribute to a Man Whose Home Was Its Steps

A vast majority of people are of the idea that homeless people should struggle to get a job, and that they are homeless because they are lazy. The reality is different from what is commonly thought. No one becomes homeless by choice. There may be a thousand reasons as to why a person is homeless. Instead of criticism, long-term assistance by those who can provide guidance is required. It is a fact that runaway criminals may disguise themselves as homeless, but not all homeless are criminals. Another misconception is that all homeless people are alcoholics or drug abusers.This again is a misunderstanding. The reality is that this can happen to any one of us at any stage in life, as there is no intention or will involved in becoming homeless. At the same time it is a fact that these homeless are in continuous struggle to carry on with their life, facing problems in abundance. A few things should be kept in mind before helping this class of society. Instead of helping them in the form o f money, the society should help them with things they need. Helping a homeless by buying for him his breakfast is better than giving him money to buy that breakfast himself.The reason is that many homeless are involved in unlawful activities or addicted to drugs and if money is given directly, the result is more drug addiction instead of satiety. Shelter is another problem, especially in the winter season. Provision of health services to the homeless is a challenge for the medical community. Those who are addicted to drugs, or are affected by an illness need to be managed properly. Just like the common people, these homeless have needs which in a sense are special to these homeless.It is not only the responsibility of the government to cater for these need, but the society is also under obligation to share this responsibility, for improving the living conditions of the homeless. Question 1: What kind of intervention, if any, would be appropriate here? The self-destructive behavior of Arthur Cafiero was perhaps promoted by his loneliness. A lot of people were around him, but perhaps he never felt close enough to anyone to share what he wanted, or simply to share the problems he was facing.His intentions for suicide were not taken seriously. Who knows why was he willing to commit suicide? Was he affected by a psychiatric disease? Depression? Or was it a feeling of being useless for anyone or doing anything? An attempt to look for the root cause of his problems was the first thing that should have been done. Justifying one’s death by saying that he was willing to die, clearly implies that no one showed interest in knowing the cause of his problems. He was offered shelter, but he refused it.Good counseling by an expert mental health care physician would have shown better results. Refusal can be converted to acceptance by letting a person realize that what is being offered to him, is nothing else but his own need which should be fulfilled under all conditio ns. Question 2: Do you agree with what Mr. Brashear says about Arthur Cafieros choices? Why or why not? Arthur Cafieros appears to be the kind of person who is very much limited to himself. He has a complicated personality.On one hand he dislikes taking favors by refusing to take shelter, but on the other hand he returns the burger saying it has less amount of meat. It appears that Mr. Cafieros is not clear about his preferences. Showing resistance against police officer’s actions may mean he was afraid of their actions or that he had no trust in them. Taking an action that defends one’s right does not make him proud as Mr. Brashear mentioned in his words. It might be his love for justice and an attempt to keep this matter in his control. Reference Newman, A. (2003). `Church Pays Tribute to a Man Whose Home Was Its Steps.` The New York Times.

Pro-Abortion essays

Pro-Abortion essays Imagine that you have just been informed that you or your girlfriend is pregnant. This drastic news will completely change your entire future. All of the hopes and dreams that a young, college student obtains are completely and quickly abolished. That is why according to Planned Parenthood.com, 71% young adults between the ages of seventeen to twenty two first think of abortion as their answer. But then imagine that time, months, and even trimesters pass and you still don't know what to do. It's such a hard decision that will change your life either way. According to Jimmy Moore, a writer for the Talon News in Washignton on Wed Nov 4, 2003, stated that a new a law, oulawing "partial-birth abortions," will soon take effect was quickly passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate. It was then given to President Bush who had been eager to sign it into law since his State of the Union address in January, even though President Clinton vetoed it in 1996 and 1997 after successfully passing through the House and Senate. Partial birth abortions are precedures that are usually performed during the fifth month, second trimester, or even later. The woman's cervix is dialted and the fetus is partially removed feet first. The surgeon inserts a sharp object into the fetus' head and is removed. The surgeon inserts a vacum tube which takes out all of the fetus' brains. Then the fetus is more easily removed from the womb. Many, including President Bush, see this as murder and want all practices to end. "I ask you to protect infants at the very hour of their birth and end the practice of partial-birth abortion" stated Bush in front of However, many see this new law that will take effect as a step back on women's rights. Usually women do this procedure because she is not ready for a child for whatever reason and has delayed, the fetus ha ...

Trip to Las Vegas Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Trip to Las Vegas - Essay Example The context of the trip to Las Vegas is contingent upon the fact that each of the cast-members that go on the trip goes expecting different results. The male gaze is evident from the very first moments in Vegas as certain members of the male cast begin expressing interest in the allures that Las Vegas has to offer in terms of strippers and adult entertainment. Likewise, this has the causation of creating a rift of jealousy to emerge as a moral panic develops within the minds of the female members of the cast; one that expects that the men have only one desire – to sleep with these strippers. Stereotypes are also represented in the fact that homosexuals are presented according to the norms of Hollywood and the expectation of the viewing audience. These stereotypes correlate to the way in which a cultivation of media’s effect helps to steer the way in which the population comes to integrate with these issues and represent them within their own lives. The plot resolution c omes after each one of the cast members arrives in Las Vegas intent on doing their own thing and quickly separates into small groups or individually. However, as these plans go awry and different results come to those that had such high expectations, the group reassembles and engages with whatever further action will be taken as a solitary group. The production of this episode provides for all the expected elements and does not take away from the overall plot or storyline that has been exhibited thus far.

Violence in the book of The Farming Bones by Edwidge Dantica and John Essay

Violence in the book of The Farming Bones by Edwidge Dantica and John Crow's Devil, by Marlon James - Essay Example John Crow’s devil is set against a religious backdrop in a fictional town of Gibbeah in Jamaica, which is known to be a very religious society. The plot revolves around two main protagonists; the first is an alcoholic priest, who is referred to in the story as the â€Å"Rum preacher†, whereas the other character is the exact antithesis of the â€Å"Rum preacher† in his teachings and beliefs, and is called the â€Å"Apostle York†. The events of the story takes place five years before the Jamaicans finally got independence and clearly sheds light on the violent aspect of society which was motivated by religious matters. The story is told from the perspective of two young women, Lucinda and a widow; both these women have strange soft corners for the Young apostle York and the um Preacher, respectively. The Rum Preacher, who appears to be highly sinful on the surface as a result of his alcoholism, is later evicted from the church by the Apostle York, who is on a mission to tear down the kingdom of Satan. He referred to the Rum preacher as a ‘spawn of the devil’. ... The violence that erupts as a result of the Apostle York’s preaching can be deemed psychological as well. This is vastly because the fear that had been instilled in them resulted in dire circumstances for all of then as there was no concept of redemption amongst the people, the society became highly dichotomized into sinners and the righteous. (James, 2005) The violence sheds light on Jamaican society as well and the rampant superstitious ideology that pervades the mind of almost every Jamaican individual. There are various ideas about witchcraft and devilry, and similar to the events that transpired during the notorious ‘Salem witch hunt’, many people were slaughtered under the suspicion of partaking in witchcraft or fraternizing with the devil. At one point, the rum preacher, who had sworn vengeance against the Apostle, is confronted by angry villagers with a mission to exterminate all that are known to be transgressing the commands of the lord, which were actua lly triggered by individuals suffering form internal conflicts of their own as they were struggling to find their sexual identity. Marlon James added a beautiful psychological perspective to this in the light of Freudian conflicts that individuals face at certain points in their life. The author has given a new dimension to carnage and religious fanaticism to explain the behavior and the violent acts that were carried out by the people against the sinners. The book carries number of references to the actual 1970’s massacre that took place in Jamaica and hundreds of thousands of people lost their lives in the violent surge that shook the country and its people. However, the