Foreign Enterprise Manage the JV Company with State Owned Background Dissertation

Foreign Enterprise Manage the JV Company with State Owned Background -Veolia Water's Business Model in China for its Long Term - Dissertation Example The measures thus adopted by the joint venture entity of Veolia Water for the better performance of the company so as to fulfil the demand for water in China. The business model of Veolia water over the span of five years starting from 2002 to 2007 especially has been a remarkable one. This has led to the success of the parent organisations with respect to the operations carried out by Veolia Water in China. The performance of the company is a matter of great concern for it. This has resulted in the company adaption to the Competence Based Training of the employees, where the requirement of the employees will be first assessed and thereafter training will be provided in the area concerned. In order to detect more parameters in water the company has invested in the high-end technologies which in the long-run will benefit the company in providing adequate water supply in the country of China. The economic situation of China has attracted a lot of joint ventures and foreign investments to take place in the country. Through joint venture with the foreign enterprise the country has benefitted by financial capital being invested in the country. The job opportunities over the year have also increased to a great extent. Through this case study we can observe that Veolia Water has been successful enough in creating value by setting up of joint ventures in emerging economy like China. The company takes initiative in controlling the cost and the capital expenditure of the company along with the adoption of the sustainable value appropriation policies. This has helped Veolia to effectively design and implement the international joint venture strategies in emerging economy like China. The management of Veolia Water developed against the international joint venture in China led to the emphasis on the cross cultural management whereby the company had to respect the values of the local authority and the culture of its place of operation. So as to keep pace with the cross cultu re the company has implemented effective human resource management for the company which helps the company keep pace with the changing external requirements for the company. The joint venture has also benefitted Veolia Water in terms of availing cheap labour and the already available natural resources. With Veolia Water entering the market of China, the country gained in terms of diversified capital investment with the unprecedented opportunity to observe the nature of the competitive strategies in the form of joint venture. Thus studying the advantages and the disadvantages of Veolia Water in the economy of China we can make a comparative analysis of its effects on the strategies of joint venture thus adopted by the company. Table of Contents Abstract 2 1. Introduction 6 1.1 Background of the Study 6 1.2 Aim and Objective of the Study 7 1.3 Research Questions 9 1.4 Significance of the Study 9 1.5 Research Structure 10 2. Literature Review 15 2.1 International Joint Ventures 15 2.2 Chinese-Foreign Joint Ventures 16 2.2.1 Legal and Operational Issues in context of Chinese-Foreign Joint Ventures 19 2.3 Influence of Chinese culture on Chinese-Foreign Joint Ventures 23 2.4 Evaluation of Joint Venture Performance 25 2.5 Measures of Performance 28 2.6 Synopsis of Measures in Prior Joint Venture Performance Studies 30 2.7 Summary 32 3. Research Methodology 33 3.2 Introduction 33 3.2 Research Methods 34 3.3 Data Analysis Strategy 37 3.4 Research

Non-cash expenditure Essay Example for Free

Non-cash expenditure Essay CASE 1 The effectiveness of the conceptual framework for the Financial Accounting Standards Board is high. Unfortunately, its effect to outsiders is limited. As already stated, the conceptual framework will aid in the setting of accounting standards. However, only internal persons of the Financial Accounting Standards Board are involved in the standard setting process. Therefore such yardstick will only beneficial to them, because outsiders like accountants will have to abide with the standard issues. Indeed it is a normal trend that standards issued are adjusted in the future due to industrial factors that they omitted to consider or did not tackle properly. An argument in favor of the conceptual framework with respect to outsiders is that it enhanced the credibility of financial statements through the issue of objectives and concepts in such framework (Foster M. J. et al 2001, p 2). CASE 2 a) The cash basis of accounting is based on the premise that a transaction is recorded once cash inflow or cash outflows arises on cash and cash equivalents (Randall H 1999, p 247). On the contrary the accrual basis of accounting is based on the concept that revenue and expenditure are recorded once incurred and not when the cash receipt or payment arises (Randall H. 1999, p 191). For example, if license of a motor vehicle of $1,200 is paid in the beginning of November and the financial year-end is 31st December. Under the cash basis $1,200 is deducted. However, under the accruals basis only expenditure of $200 is recorded representing the expense incurred in November and December. b) The bank should always lend money in good faith. That is the money ought to be lend to persons who are financially capable to repay it in a given time frame. We should bear in mind that the money lent by the bank is coming from the depositors’ funds, which have in turn trusted the bank with their money. A fundamental principle of the code of ethical conduct of professionals states that the decisions taken by such parties should deter from providing harm to other parties and ought respect the rights of others (Association of Accounting Technicians 2007, p 7). Therefore if the bank manager of Ernest Banks knows that if the financial reports of the firm at hand are prepared on an accruals basis, which will eventually lead to lower profits. There is the risk that the financial ability of the company to pay the interest and capital commitments concerning the loan diminish. They should therefore take remedial action in order to mitigate such risk and thus safeguard the resources entrusted by depositors. c) The problem at hand identified in the previous question necessitates that the owner is informed of this issue as soon as possible. They ought to explain that the cash balance reported in the monthly bank statements does not represent the actual profit made by the business enterprise. Such illustration should be made in light of the weaker financial ability of the company to pay interest and capital commitments on the present loan that the firm will face in the nearby future. Since the business is experiencing growth there is still potential for the firm to mitigate the problem at hand. This stems the importance of informing the owner of such issue, who will take remedial action to solve it. However, the bank should refrain from providing specific solutions, since liabilities may arise if such solutions do not solve or possible even worsen the present financial performance of the company. CASE 3 1) The net increase in cash and cash equivalents originating in the cash flow statement is different from the net income portrayed in the income statement due to the different principles followed that where contrasted in the previous question of the former case. The reason for such disparity stem from a number of factors. For example, in the cash flow statement only the cash received from cash sales and debtors is recorded. In the income statement, all the sales incurred are taken into account. Similarly the cash payments for purchases, expenditure and to creditors are shown in the cash flow statement. However, in the income state all expenditure and purchases incurred in that time frame are taken into account (Lewis R. et al 1996, p 317). Non-cash expenditure like provision for depreciation and provision for slow moving stock are deducted from the profit figure. These are omitted from the cash flow statement since they do not represent cash outflows. Further more, capital expenditure incurred and paid during the period is recorded under the investing activities of the cash flow statement. This even though incurred is not portrayed in the income statement, but is recorded in the balance sheet due to its materiality and long-term effect. Hence it will affect cash flow but not net income. This thus clarifies the reason why the net income of $100,000 significantly differs from the actual cash flow balance depicted in the cash flow statement. 2) The operating cash flow, which eventually portrays the cash inflow or outflow from operating activities is very important for the organization, since it should the net cash generated/lost from the firm’s operations. From the differences noted previously it is important that a company not only makes profit but also generates sufficient cash from its operations to be able to meet its financial obligations (Weetman P. 2003, p 185-186). The operating cash flow should be considered as the lifeblood of the firm. Without cash from the operating activities the firm cannot operate for long. It is therefore important that a consistent net cash inflow from operating activities is shown in the financial statements. 3) The sources of cash flow that can be replaceable by new growth are long-term debts that mature and are taken back to finance new growth prospects. Fixed assets classified under investing activities can also be renewed once they finish their possible economic benefits by purchasing similar or better ones. Redeemable share capital, both ordinary and preference can also be renewed by another issue of such finance instruments (Lewis R. et al 1996, p 321). 4) The first basic solution of improving cash flow in view of the cash issue outlined is by focusing on sales and inventory management. By increasing the inventory turnover and diminishing the money tied up in stock by reducing stock levels can be useful remedies in order to free up some cash and enhance the liquidity of the James Spencer Corporation. Cash sales can also be boosted through the introduction of cash discounts. It is also pertinent that present debtors are properly chased by the credit control department to ensure that cash is collected on time (Bernabucci B.2005). Financial managers can also alleviate cash by reducing the debtors collection period through effective credit control policies and procedures put in practice and increase the creditors collection period from the present and potential suppliers. The factoring services provided by factor companies can be another viable solution to enhance cash flow from debtors. Factoring basically comprises the forwarding of a debt to a factor company at a reduced rate than the face value of such debt in exchange of a cash receipt of that account receivable (Ccassociates). For example a debtor of $10,000 of Company A is transferred to a factor company at 85%. Company A will receive $8,500 from such account receivable and then it is the responsibility of the factor company to collect the $10,000 from the trade debtor. James Spencer Corporation can also cushion its cash by either opting for an overdraft facility or increasing the present overdraft. This will act as a buffer against any unforeseen events that may weaken the cash flow of the firm. Even though bank overdraft is payable on demand by the bank, such debt medium is extremely flexible. This is due to the fact that the company can utilize how much of the debt it seems fit (Washington State University). For example if the overdraft facility is of $50,000, the company may take only $20,000 of such overdraft. References: Association of Accounting Technician (2007). Professional Ethics. Berkshire: Kaplan Publishing. Bernabucci B. (2005). Improving you Cash Flow Problems, Entrepreneur. com (on line). Available from: http://www. entrepreneur. com/money/moneymanagement/financialanalysis/article79084. html (Accessed 15th November 2007). Ccassociates. The Factoring Solution (on line). Available from: http://www. ccassociates. com/factoring_solution_accounts_receivable_factoring_explained. html (Accessed 15th November 2007). Foster M. J. ; Johnson L. T. (2001). Why does the FASB have a Conceptual Framework? Financial Accounting Standards Board (on line). Available from: http://www. fasb. org/articlesreports/conceptual_framework_uti_aug_2001. pdf (Accessed 16th November 2007) IAS 17 (2000). Leases. London: International Accounting Standards Committee. International Accounting Standards (2000). Framework for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements. London: International Accounting Standards Committee. Lewis R. ; Pendrill D. (1996). Advanced Financial Accounting. Fifth Edition. London: Pitman Publishing. Washington State University. Short Term Sources of Finance (on line). Available from: http://cbdd. wsu. edu/kewlcontent/cdoutput/TOM505/page36. htm (Accessed 15th November 2007). Weetman P. (2003). Financial and Management Accounting. Third Edition. Essex: Pearson Education Limited.

Translating for Social Change :: Essays Papers

Translating for Social Change Frequently in "Feminist Political and Social Thought" taught at SUNY Albany, by Dr. J. Hobson, I found myself simultaneously inspired and frustrated by the theory we were assigned to read. Authors such as bell hooks, Uma Narayan, Ann Russo, Kimberly Crenshaw, Andy Smith, John Stoltenberg, and Judy Baca did such wonderful jobs of pointing out the problems of perspective that stymie the feminist movement from achieving its goal to facilitate the bonding of the oppressed across differences, in order to overcome all oppressions. Unfortunately when combing through these authors intricately written, often jargon-ridden words, it was difficult to make practical sense of their insights. I understood what many of them were saying and in many cases I couldn't agree more, only I could barley imagine how these theories might be applied to real life scenarios. Furthermore, it was difficult for me to see how much of this would come to any use-say the next time someone made a racist, homophobic, We stern-centric, sexist comment at work, or at the Thanksgiving dinner table for that matter. How could I possibly communicate the things that had been discussed in the classroom, laced with words like paradigm, praxis, pedagogy, and a completely deconstructed concept of the word "culture"? All these things would need an introduction of their own-and that may work in a classroom-but rarely in a conversation! In this essay I will approach the issue of communicating themes Women's Studies and other relatively obscured disciplines concerned with social change outside of academia, where jargon-laden talk will not work. In her essay "Educating Women: A Feminist Agenda" bell hooks asserts that a feminist movement to end sexist oppression that ignores communication with the majority of women and men (i.e. those outside of academia) is a movement that has no hope of realizing its goals for social change. Hooks contends, "The ability to "translate" ideas to an audience that varies in age, sex, ethnicity, degree of literacy is a skill feminist educators need to develop . . . Difficulty of access has been a problem with much feminist theory" (111) One educator/activist who demonstrates hooks' idea in his teaching techniques is Glenn Omatsu. However as an educator Omatsu does not put the onus of translation solely on himself, he holds his students responsible for translating what they have learned in the classroom for people outside of the classroom and in the community beyond the university campus.

The Scarlet Ibis :: essays research papers

James Hurst's short story, "The Scarlet Ibis" reveals that the brotherly bond between the narrator and Doodle is an essential component in the story. If Doodle was a girl, the brotherly connection and bond would be lost, resulting in many variations throughout the story. If Doodle was a girl the narrator probably wouldn't spend as much time with Doodle. A brother-brother relationship is very different than a brother-sister relationship. Doodle would likely be closer to another female such as her mother. Young girls tend to spend more time indoors with their mothers learning to sew, playing with dolls and other girl things. Its not that a brother-sister relationship is non-existent, but its a lot different. With Doodle spending more time inside, "she" wouldn't ever experience summers down by the swamp learning to run, box and climb trees. All of those things are things that little boys do. Brothers spend more time outside running, wrestling and playing sports. They enjoy doing things that take physical skill. Even if Doodle went outside, she probably wouldn't be interested in running through the forest and climbing trees. Chances are that she would be more into picking wildflowers and feeding the squirrels. There are rare occasions where you will find a real special brother-sister relationship, especially at the age Doodle and his brother were at. Younger children often play with other kids of the same gender and thinks the opposite sex has "kuddies." The two children would be at a vulnerable age to risk a close relationship. Close brother and sister relationships don't usually evolve until the mid teenage years. For example I have two older sisters that I am very close with now, but when I was young I didn't want anything to with them. So I began to develop a close relationship with my dad at a young age. That is why I believe that if Doodle was a girl, she would have been connected closer with her mother because of the gender relation. Not as much is expected physically from a girl, therefore I believe Doodle would be handicapped the rest of "her" life.

8thScience Fall Midterm Review Sheet

Understand the structure of atoms, including masses, electrical charges, and locations of protons, neutrons, and electrons.9790588235297">To find the number of neutrons in an atom, subtract the atomic mass (rounded to the nearest whole number) minus the atomic number (number of protons). Atomic mass= atomic number (protons) + neutronsKnow that protons determine an element’s identity and valence electrons determine its chemical properties, including reactivity.Know the difference between and be able to identify elements and compounds.Be able to compare metals, nonmetals and metalloids. Identify that all organic compounds contain carbon. Interpret the arrangement of the Periodic Table.GROUPeriodKnow that elements within the same group (family) have similar properties.Know the number of valence electrons for groups 1, 2, and 13 – 18.Be able to determine the number of atoms of each element in chemical formulas containing subscripts.Know the evidences of a chem ical reaction . Ex.- color change, bubbles or fizzing, precipitate is formed, new substance is formed, smoke or fire, and unexpected temperature change. The only sure way to know if a chemical change occurred is if a new substance was formed. Recognize whether a chemical equation containing coefficients is balanced or not and how that relates to the law of conservation of mass.The law of conservation of mass states that during a chemical reaction, matter is not created or destroyed.

CONTRASY BETWEEN LEONARDO DA VINCI ARISTOTLE essays

CONTRASY BETWEEN LEONARDO DA VINCI ARISTOTLE essays I believe that Aristotle and Leonardo da Vinci led similar lives. They both sought for knowledge and studied similar topics. I think that both were renaissance men, as it would be described in Leonardos day. This refers to the fact that both men studied a variety of subjects. I believe both men were ahead of their time, and I think both men made differences in our time. Both mean were very similar, but came from two different time periods. In my attempt to summarize these to fascinating lives, I hope you can depict some links both professionally and personally between them. Aristotle was born in 384 BC in Stagira, the modern Starro on the northern cost of Aegean. (work cited book 1, pg.13)The new generation wanted to forget the past and strive for a better future. His father Nicomchus, was a doctor. Aristotle learned early first aid techniques. This training could have contributed to Aristotles special interest in biology. When Aristotle was ten his father died. His guardian then became Proxenus, his uncle. (w.c.b. 1, pg.14) In 367, when Aristotle was 17, Proxenus sent him to the Academy of Plato in Athens to study. (w.c.b. 2, pg. 18The Brain and The Reader. (w.c.b.1, pg.20) Aristotle once during his time at the Academy, won recognition for one of Platos smartest students. Aristotle began to shift his ideas away from Platos. He became more interes...

All About Fracking or Hydrofracking

All About Fracking or Hydrofracking Fracking, or hydrofracking, which is short for hydraulic fracturing, is a common but controversial practice among companies that drill underground for oil and natural gas. In fracking, drillers inject millions of gallons of water, sand, salts and chemicals- all too often toxic chemicals and human carcinogens such as benzene- into shale deposits or other sub-surface rock formations at extremely high pressure, to fracture the rock and extract the raw fuel. The purpose of fracking is to create fissures in underground rock formations, thereby increasing the flow of oil or natural gas and making it easier for workers to extract those fossil fuels. How Common Is Fracking? The fracking process is used to boost production at 90 percent of all oil and gas wells in the United States, according to the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, and fracking is increasingly common in other countries as well. Although fracking most often occurs when a well is new, companies fracture many wells repeatedly in an effort to extract as much valuable oil or natural gas as possible and to maximize the return on their investment in a profitable site. The Dangers of Fracking Fracking poses serious dangers to both human health and the environment. The three biggest problems with fracking are: Fracking leaves behind a toxic sludge (called drill cuttings)  that companies and communities must find some way to manage. Safely disposing of the sludge created by fracking is an ongoing challenge.Somewhere between 20 percent and 40 percent of the toxic chemicals used in the fracking process remain stranded underground where they can, and often do, contaminate drinking water, soil and other parts of the environment that support plant, animal and human life.Methane from fracture wells can leak into groundwater, creating a serious risk of explosion and contaminating drinking water supplies so severely that some homeowners have been able to set fire to the mixture of water and gas coming out of their faucets. Methane also can cause asphyxiation. There isnt much research on the health effects of drinking water contaminated by methane, however, and the EPA doesnt regulate methane as a contaminant in public water systems. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a least nine different chemicals commonly used in fracking are injected into oil and gas wells at concentrations that pose a threat to human health. Fracking also poses other hazards, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council, which warns that besides contaminating drinking water with toxic and carcinogenic chemicals, fracking could trigger earthquakes, poison livestock, and overburden wastewater systems. Why Concerns About Fracking are Increasing Americans get half their drinking water from underground sources. Accelerated gas drilling and hydrofracking in recent years has fueled public concern about well-water contamination by methane, fracking fluids and produced water, the wastewater extracted from wells after the shale has been fractured. So its no wonder people are increasingly concerned about the risks of fracking, which is becoming more widespread as gas exploration and drilling expands. Gas extracted from shale currently accounts [in 2011] for about 15 percent of natural gas produced in the United States. The Energy Information Administration estimates it will make up almost half of the nation’s natural-gas production by 2035. In 2005, President George W. Bush exempted oil and gas companies from federal regulations designed to protect U.S. drinking water, and most state oil and gas regulatory agencies don’t require companies to report the volumes or names of the chemicals they use in the fracking process, chemicals such as benzene, chloride, toluene and sulfates. The result, according to the nonprofit Oil and Gas Accountability Project, is that one of the nations dirtiest industries is also one of its least regulated, and enjoys an exclusive right to inject toxic fluids directly into good quality groundwater without oversight. Congressional Study Confirms Fracking Uses Hazardous Chemicals In 2011, congressional Democrats released the results of an investigation showing that oil and gas companies injected hundreds of millions of gallons of hazardous or carcinogenic chemicals into wells in more than 13 states from 2005 to 2009. The investigation was initiated by the House Energy and Commerce Committee in 2010, when the Democrats controlled the U.S. House of Representatives. The report also faulted companies for secrecy and for sometimes â€Å"injecting fluids containing chemicals that they themselves cannot identify.† The investigation also found that 14 of the most active hydraulic fracturing companies in the United States used 866 million gallons of hydraulic fracturing products, not including the water that makes up the bulk of all fracking fluid. More than 650 of the products contained chemicals that are known or possible human carcinogens, which are regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act or listed as hazardous air pollutants, according to the report. Scientists Find Methane in Drinking Water A peer-reviewed study conducted by scientists at Duke University and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in May 2011 linked natural gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing to a pattern of drinking-water contamination so severe that faucets in some areas can be lit on fire. After testing 68 private groundwater wells across five counties in northeastern Pennsylvania and southern New York, the Duke University researchers found that the amount of flammable methane gas in wells used for drinking water increased to dangerous levels when those water sources were close to natural-gas wells. They also found that the type of gas detected at high levels in the water was the same type of gas that energy companies were extracting from shale and rock deposits thousands of feet underground. The strong implication is that natural gas may be seeping through either natural or man-made faults or fractures, or leaking from cracks in the gas wells themselves. â€Å"We found measurable amounts of methane in 85 percent of the samples, but levels were 17 times higher on average in wells located within a kilometer of active hydrofracking sites,† said Stephen Osborn, postdoctoral research associate at Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment. Water wells farther from the gas wells contained lower levels of methane and had a different isotopic fingerprint. The Duke study found no evidence of contamination from chemicals in the fracking fluids that are injected into gas wells to help break up shale deposits, or from produced water.

Practicing Job Interviews for ESL

Practicing Job Interviews for ESL Teaching ESL or English for Specific Purposes classes almost always includes preparing students for job interviews. There are a number of resources on the site focusing on the type of language used during job interviews. This lesson focuses on helping students practice job interviews with each other while using prepared notes helping students recognize appropriate language to be used during the job interview. There are three essential parts to dealing with job interviews for students: Raising consciousness as to what expect in job interviewsHaving students carefully reflect on their own skills, strengths and weaknessesProviding pragmatic language skill guidance on appropriate language including tenses, vocational vocabulary, and standard application documents such as the resume and cover letters This practicing job interviews lesson plan helps with providing pragmatic language skills for the job interview through extensive note taking combined with appropriate tense and vocabulary review. Aim Improve job interviewing skills Activity Practicing job interviews Level intermediate to advanced Outline If you havent already done so, discuss the job interviewing process in detail with your students. Make sure to mention and / or help students understand that the job interviewing process in the United States (or another country) is probably very different than in their own native country. Discuss the differences in detail, suggest that students think of the process as a game in which rules must be followed to help them get over possible frustrations with the job interviewing process.Take a look at some standard job interviewing questions and replies. Here are some examples:How long have you been in current position? - Ive worked here for two years.When did you join XYZ Inc.? - I began work at XYZ Inc. in 2003.Why would you like to work at ABC Ltd.? - Id like to work at ABC Ltd. because Id like to use my experience in a customer service setting. etc.Ask students / work with students to review the various tenses used to answer these questions. Review the concepts of:Present perfect (co ntinuous) to speak about work experience up to the present moment Present simple to discuss current job responsibilitiesPast simple to discuss past responsibilitiesUse of conditional forms to imagine situations at work Introduce the concept using specific vocabulary to more specifically define responsibilities and capabilities (heres a great list of useful vocabulary for the resume and interview)Pass out the job interview worksheets (copy and paste into a document and print out for use in class).Ask students to complete both sections 1) as interviewer 2) as interviewee. Encourage students to focus specifically on tense usage and specific job vocabulary while completing this task.Circulate around the room helping students with the task, providing specific vocabulary, etc. Encourage students to write questions and responses beyond the cues provided on the worksheet.Give each student a number. Ask even number students to find an odd number student.Have even number students interview odd number students, asking them to refer to their worksheets when they get stuck.Have even number students team up with a different odd number student.Ask odd number students to interview even number students. This time, students should attempt to use their worksheets as seldom as possible. Discuss the practice sessions in detail.As a variation / extension, ask student interviewers to spend five minutes after each interview taking notes on strengths and weaknesses of the interview and share the notes withe the student interviewees. Job Interview Practice - Worksheet Use the following cues to write out full questions for a job interview. How long / work / present?How many / languages / speak?Strengths?Weaknesses?Past job?Current responsibilities?Education?Specific examples of responsibility at past job?Which position / want - like to have / new job?Future goals? Use the following cues to write out full responses for a job interview. Current job / schoolLast job / schoolLanguages / skillsHow long / work / current jobThree specific examples from past jobCurrent responsibilitiesStrengths / weaknesses (two for each)Why are you interested in this job?What are your future goals?Education

Personal Development Plan Masters in Business Administration Studies Essay

Personal Development Plan Masters in Business Administration Studies - Essay Example I am a social entrepreneur. I own and run a Saudi Corporate Social Responsibility firm which has branches in Riyadh and London. My business focuses on Corporate Social Responsibility in the corporate sector. We achieve our objectives in conjunction with public sector organizations and global humanitarian organizations like the United Nations. We also gain support from the Saudi government and have a vision of maintaining sustainable development in Saudi Arabia in relation to social and environmental matters. I play a top-level management role in the organization, Mobarat CSR. Our core vision is to promote a sustainable society by ensuring that corporate bodies in Saudi Arabia give back to the society as and when they earn. I hold a Bachelors Degree in Sociology. I have ten years of post-graduation work experience. I commenced with Social Work and then proceeded to work for a company involved in Cultural and Rural Development. I also have experience in Tourism and other social related jobs. This set the stage for my career as a social entrepreneur. To attain the ability and understanding to appreciate the components of business [finance, marketing, human resources amongst others] and gain in-depth knowledge of how they interact with the larger society and the natural environment. In attaining my personal goals in this course I hope to learn more about Corporate Strategy. Johnson, Scholes & Whittington (2005) identify three main components of the corporate strategy. They state that: Therefore my primary orientation is to get an intimate knowledge corporate strategy, its core components and the dynamics of how different corporate strategies work together in a given nation or economy. Therefore, there are some important elements of the MBA that I will emphasize my strengths on.

Networking Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Networking - Coursework Example This project is vital to outlining a new network configuration that improves the current network system. The project will promote the achievement of the end users requirements by ensuring a consistent and reliable network that is accessible at any given time. Also, ensuring consistent data encryption is vital for the network system security.  The current network structure has undergone multiple changes since its instigation aimed at improving it over time. The prior network was not up to the standards that could support the expectations of the network system end user. The preceding network design was considered unstable and slower in communication response time. This is because the prior network configuration was not centralized to a single network administrator that would manage the access grants for the end user accessing the internet (McNab, 2008).  The main factors to be considered in the design and development of this network include elements like the budget costing which wi ll be allocated for ensuring data security through encryption and data back center. The cost will include the manpower for installing a new server to facilitate data backup and storage services. The compatibility of the proposed network components with other sections of the network arrangement is viable since adding a server for data storage and security plus configuring the router. The external backup server will ensure the availability of resources which subsequently maintains consistent system usability.

Should Physician-assisted suicide be legal Essay

Should Physician-assisted suicide be legal - Essay Example The issue of legalisation of physician-assisted suicide at national and international levels has for a long time continued to trigger debate among people in the society and has resulted in diverse perspectives: while in some countries physician-assisted suicide is legal, in others, there is a great struggle between various groups to legalise it and allow people to carry it out when need arises. Those who support and those who oppose the legalisation of physician-assisted suicide argue on their justifications not only according to their thinking but also with consideration of the ethical perspectives (Lachman, 2010). Legalisation of physician-assisted suicide is not a simple decision to make because it involves contradicting perspectives against and for considering the effects it has on the lives of the affected individuals. The rights that people have prevent them from killing others even with any justification and support from any organisation as far as the choice and authorisation are not from the affected individual. ... In this respect, no person has the right to terminate the life of another person because the right to live does not offer any provision for a special case in which a person has to end the life of another. The right to live does not imply in any way the duty of any medical practitioner to induce suicide to a patient in whatever condition he or she may be, but rather the duty to protect life (Jeffrey, 2009). According to some proponents of legalising physician-assisted suicide, it would lessen the pain of the affected as well as their family members so that they contain it with ease. In this way, legalising physician-assisted suicide will allow suffering people to make consultations with the family members before they take the action and before parting because they will be able to set time for it. This would allow them to reduce the negative implications of the suffering individual and come up with a solution that will have benefits for the suffering and those ones who relate to them ( Lachman, 2010). Some people who support legalisation of physician-assisted suicide argue that individuals that are suffering have their own choices and they can decide to die with dignity rather than suffer from pain until death, which may take long to happen. This means that a person has a choice to make on the way he or she can end his life in circumstances that place him or her in a condition of suffering and without comfort, with minimal chances of surviving. As such, the suffering will need their right of choice to end his or her life be respected by the government bodies or other organisations which may have an opinion about the suicide (Jeffrey, 2009). Legalising physician-assisted suicide will help the patients with a terminal illness

The Importance of Learning and Achievement in Life Regardless Essay

The Importance of Learning and Achievement in Life Regardless - Essay Example In the school year 2004-2005, the researcher had the privilege of working with the most wonderful Middle School Resource Room children. The experience of teaching in a rural farming community was an eye-opening experience and one that I will never forget. The following research has been based on the idea that children of poverty often do not achieve their highest potential in school. One way or another, it seems that grades are not important to them. In my opinion, grades are not important to the said students because they feel as though they do not have many opportunities such as getting a good paying job, acquiring lots of money and so on. Resource Room students often see themselves as inadequate in the area of knowledge, skills and brains. Hence, it is the duty of the teacher or teachers to help these students see what they have to offer the world, the job market and other sectors of success in the society. Although this is the case, it could not be denied that the main will of th ese students is to free themselves from poverty. How? Through short term schooling, earning minimum grades and planning to obtain a minimum wage paying job in the future. In this regard, understanding poverty and middle school resource room student achievement will allow teachers to begin to understand the students’ thinking, their rationale for school, their view concerning the importance of school, their patterns of displaying several behavioural reactions towards numerous situations concerning themselves and their education.

Emerging hybrid technology in the automotive market Research Paper

Emerging hybrid technology in the automotive market - Research Paper Example Secondary energy most often originates from primary source or sometimes comes from an external system (Badin F., Briat O., Olivier S., Jeanneret B., Trugue R., Malaquin B., October 2004). Hybrid vehicles are not a modern invention. Hybrid technology has been in use since the 20th century. The first diesel motor ship, which is also called the first diesel electric ship, was launched in 1903, and Russian Tanker Vandal had been using hybrid technology since then. Another modern example of hybrid ship propulsion is electric motors mounted in pods, called azimuth thrusters, which allow for 360o rotation of thrust. There are also diesel-electric trains developed in 1920’s, used for moving trains around railway yards. These hybrid vehicles get significant importance due to simplification of power transmission as well as usage of multiple motors and electricity that reduce maintenance cost. Convention Cars: A traditional or conventional car, unlike a hybrid car, lacks an electrical motor to assist engine to make power during crisis time. Convention cars have just one source of energy and there is no second source. Because there is no assistance of an electrical motor in convention cars, hybrid cars are more fuel efficient and produce fewer emissions. Hybrid Cars: Hybrid car is the most common application of hybrid technology. The first introduced hybrid motor vehicle was a bicycle equipped with helper motors. These were known as mopeds. VeloSoleX is an example of mopeds. An example of the most modern application is the human electric hybrid vehicles which consist of a drive train i.e. a human being, generator or an electric motor, and an energy accumulator or battery. It has the same characteristics of a hybrid bicycle with enhanced acceleration and innovation of regenerative braking. An example of hybrid vehicle is â€Å"TWIKE† which was designed to carry cargo and two passengers. It can be driven either in electric mode or electric and

The Importance of Learning and Achievement in Life Regardless Essay

The Importance of Learning and Achievement in Life Regardless - Essay Example In the school year 2004-2005, the researcher had the privilege of working with the most wonderful Middle School Resource Room children. The experience of teaching in a rural farming community was an eye-opening experience and one that I will never forget. The following research has been based on the idea that children of poverty often do not achieve their highest potential in school. One way or another, it seems that grades are not important to them. In my opinion, grades are not important to the said students because they feel as though they do not have many opportunities such as getting a good paying job, acquiring lots of money and so on. Resource Room students often see themselves as inadequate in the area of knowledge, skills and brains. Hence, it is the duty of the teacher or teachers to help these students see what they have to offer the world, the job market and other sectors of success in the society. Although this is the case, it could not be denied that the main will of th ese students is to free themselves from poverty. How? Through short term schooling, earning minimum grades and planning to obtain a minimum wage paying job in the future. In this regard, understanding poverty and middle school resource room student achievement will allow teachers to begin to understand the students’ thinking, their rationale for school, their view concerning the importance of school, their patterns of displaying several behavioural reactions towards numerous situations concerning themselves and their education.

Sigmund Freuds Theories On Psychoanalysis In Cinema Essay

Sigmund Freuds Theories On Psychoanalysis In Cinema - Essay Example The conflict is that the film portrays these Freudian theories, but many of these theories have since been rebuked. The film becomes a satire by showing Freud's teachings, but subtly disputing and showing their errors. With Freud's belief that one's actions are mostly motivated by sexual urges and that these urges are based on the development of psychosexual stages, he limits an institution's ability to correctly diagnose and cure a mental patient. So in the film, although the patients represent various stages of Freud's theory, e.g., anal (Nurse Ratchet), oral (McMurphy), and so on, their treatment is limited by these basic categorizations. If the doctors and Nurse Ratchet did more than treat their basic symptoms they could have focused on true healing and tried to get to the root of the problem. Instead, patients were controlled through medication and lobotomies. Freud's Oedipus complex theory, that every man is in love with his mother and hates his father is illustrated in the film. The female in control of the hospital, Nurse Ratched, represents the mother figure. She controls the blood of patients. Based on Freud's theory, each of the men would love her, as the mother figure. ...The conflict occurs because of Nurse Ratched's abuse of such power. This causes confusion and a love/hate relationship with the men. They feel the urgings to love her as a mother, but are confused by her rejection and abuse.In this example, it would appear to be a reverse Oedipus complex in that the relationship goes the extreme opposite with the patients hating her. Still, the need to please exhibited by some of the patients still exhibits an Oedipus complex. The female figure or mother image is represented in a negative light throughout the film. Vera Harding, Candy, Nurse Ratchet all exert and abuse the power they have over men. Each of the men reacts in his own way: McMurphy resents her power; Chief shuts down emotionally; Billy Bibbitt craves the love his mother withholds.

Summer Farm by Norman MacCaig Essay Example for Free

Summer Farm by Norman MacCaig Essay Summer Farm by Norman MacCaig characterizes the comparison of nature and human life. The poet uses the language to describe the environment while relating it to the narrator. The poet also uses different language technuiques to describe and streghten his message in the poem The poem starts with the description of the narrators surroundings. The tame lightnings shows us that things that seem wild and dangerous can be controlled like how situations in our lives that are out of proportion can be handled. Moreover, the lightnings hang zigzags on hedges. The zig zags could represent the shape of lightning or how nature is very random unlike our lives where we have regular routines. However nine ducks go wobbling by in two straight lines shows that even nature can be set in course, thought the word wobbling denotes the sense of order. The second stanza is about animals in the barn. It conveys the animals that would typically be found at a barn and uses their behavior to show a point in his message. For example A hen stares at nothing with one eye However a hen has to be looking at something, but the use of words one eye is odd, random almost. Nevertheless it could mean show the world in a animals point of view and ours is entirely different. Then it goes Out of an empty sky a swallow falls. I believe that this use of metaphor is describing his mind. The empty sky is his empty mind, and the swallow is a train of thought. Dives up again into the dizzying blue. The swallow (thought) was brought into the barn but, the impact from falling surely would have caused injures. Perhaps the thought is of somewhat importance. Then the swallow dives into the dizzying blue. The world dizzy could mean confusion, maybe the thought was a bit confusing? And then the swallow disappears back into a empty sky. The third stanza represents the narrators thoughts and the movements of its mind. It starts I lie, not thinking the word I shows that indeed the narrator is talking about himself. He lies in the cool soft grass where he could be searching for comfort or relaxation. Then he compares himself with a grasshopper with plated face unfolds his legs and finds himself in space. It is clearly shown that the grasshopper is reflecting the same movements and thoughts. They both have came to relax and find themselves in space.

Communication Skills and Values in Social Work

Communication Skills and Values in Social Work Discuss the use of communication skills and values in social work This assignment sets out to explore the use of communication skills and value in social work according to three interconnected dimensions. The first section discusses the importance of communication in the practice of social work – including building a rapport with service users and carers, and the importance of empowerment. The second section identifies and explains the centrality of effective communication skills such as negotiation, interviewing and self-awareness. After this, part three considers the impact of personal and professional values on communication. This includes traditional and radical values in social work practice and the effects of communication in ethical dilemmas. The code of practice (CCW, 2002) in the Welsh context is considered throughout. This first section discusses the importance of communication and empowerment in social work practice with service users, carers and other professionals. Communication is defined in the Oxford English Dictionary (2013) as the imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium. It cannot be described in such narrow terms within social work because of the different techniques involved in working with different service users in a multitude of situations. This involves social workers making judgements and getting to know the service user in order to communicate efficiently to the service users preferred method of communication (Wilson et al, 2008). Communication in social work practice is central to all inter-agency working and to building relationships with service users and carers. Good communication as a social worker requires the expertise to be both sensitive and understanding of their situation in order to build rapport with the individual (Treve thick, 2000). Rapport is how the social worker contacts and engages with the service user and carers. Developing a rapport starts with an introduction which forms the basis of the relationship, particularly as it is important to gain an understanding of the service user. This involves discussing their background, values, culture and needs, which will help develop the rapport (Knapp, 2009). The fundamentals of communication in social work are voice and speech, body language, hearing, observing, encouraging and remembering. These skills can be used in introductions with service users and their families/ carers. Introductions can be uncomfortable and worrying for the service user if they are unsure what a social worker is there for and it depends on their previous experiences, if any. To ease this process an introduction exercise can be implemented – for example a genogram can be drawn by asking the family to collectively describe each family member in the house and those they would describe as their support and closest to them. Put simply, a genogram is a very detailed family tree using symbols to represent relationships (Parker and Bradley, 2010). This will help build a relationship with the service user as well as gain information and observe their reactions (body language) when working together and when talking about family and friends. This will show some key skills on the social workers behalf such as, listening, speech, remembering and encouraging. Active listening uses a combination of talking and listening skills to make the service user feel you understand their situation, and encourages them to place trust in the social worker (Cournoyer, 2011). It involves positive body language and speech to invite/enable the service user to express themselves. More specifically, body language is expression through movement and facial expressions which convey emotion. Social workers should use body language to make service users feel more comfortable but also pay attention to whether the service user is showing signs of aggression, trying to hide something, or seems happy in the situation. Empowerment is a process promoted by skills and should involve the service user. It aims to emphasise the rights and needs of people who may be oppressed by society (Leadbetter, 2002). Empowerment can be delivered in many forms, for example, personal, organisational, community based, family, group or team empowerment. Personal empowerment helps service users to gain control over their situations and overall empower themselves and others to enable change. Organisational empowerment supports staff in an organisation, promoting morale and motivation in workers so they are happy to take on more responsibilities and go to work. Community based empowerment supports the community to challenge inequalities and exclusion so everyone who lives in a certain society can feel a part of the community and take control of their environment. Family, group or team empowerment focuses on allowing each person in the group to help each other and themselves collectively. They can call on each other for su pport and help if they need to fight oppressive behaviour (Adams, 1996). The second section discusses effective communication skills and how they support anti-oppressive practice. Skills are the ability to carry out a particular activity effectively and consistently over a period of time (Thompson, 2005:81). Skills that shape the way social workers communicate are interviewing, negotiation and partnership and self-awareness (Thompson, 2005). An interview is a conversation with meaning and the beginning of change (Trevethick, 2000). Social workers use interviews to collect data and to build a face to face rapport with service users. An interview should be natural and the service user should not feel like they are being treated according to a checklist just going through the process, as this could be seen as oppressive if service users are not treated as individuals. The service user should have an understanding of why the social worker is there and has the right to know the process that has taken place to get to the interview. A key skill of interviewing i s directing, this means although there should be a steady flow the social worker needs to keep the conversation on the subject that they are there for in a subtle way. This can be done by using phatic conversation as glue to keep it social and help keep a relationship going but redirecting to the main issue so it is a healthy balance for both taking part. It is better to use questions that will not give the service user the answer, especially children because this could create a story that is not exact. For example use, where did you get that bruise? Instead of did your mum give you that bruise? Open ended questions allow service users to expand on answers and give information that the social worker may not have thought to ask about (Hepworth et al, 2010). Negotiation and partnership is an essential part of interagency working. Working in partnership with other professionals requires a level of negotiation when both services have different/alternative ideas of what is best for the service user. Professionals who work together quite commonly are social workers and health care professionals. Everyone involved in interagency team should have a clear role and have an understanding of each others place/responsibilities in the team and their point of view. Negotiation may take place in deciding the best solution for a service user. However, there may be a hierarchy between the professionals causing tensions in decision-making. This would need to be resolved in order to work in partnership. This can be achieved by building relationships and achieving trust and mutual respect through communication (Atkinson et al, 2007). The code of practice (6.5) states social workers should always treat colleagues with respect and work openly and co-operativ ely with them (CCW, 2002). Negotiation also takes place with service users in the decision of the best solution for their situation. Keeping the service user involved with all decisions helps maintain the service users trust and confidence in social services. This is anti-oppressive practice, which involves social workers empowering the service user to take control of their lives and help contact people in their society in similar situations. This is to help them feel part of society no matter their culture, language or lifestyle. It is seen as part of the social workers job to get rid of oppression in society (Dominelli, 2002). For example, by using a language interpreter this will make the service user more at ease and allow them to get their point across better. Social workers need a level of self-awareness to convey attitudes, the correct emotions and self-control. Without self-control personal issues and emotional attachment to a situation could be expressed which could cloud professional judgement. The situation should always be focused on the service user and the social workers thoughts of their personal perfect solution may not coincide with the service user (Cournoyer, 2011). The code of practice (2.6) states social workers must declare issues that may create conflict of interests and making sure they do not influence their judgement or practice (CCW, 2002). The skill of self-awareness grows overtime with experience in practice, it teaches social workers to think on their feet during communication and difficult situations, deal with stress and tackle all obstacles as completely different when dealing with different people (Cournoyer, 2011). This third, and final, section considers the impact of personal and professional values upon communication within social work practice, including how ethical issues arise in communication. Personal values need to be taken into account because they will frame many decisions; its the social workers instincts about safety and danger that decides, for instance, whether it is safe for a child to stay with their parents. However, personal values need to coincide with professional values because social workers cannot let personal judgements shadow their professional obligations to help all service users and abide by the code of practice (CCW, 2002). For example a social worker cannot express their personal opinions to a service user through verbal or non-verbal communication. They have to treat them with professional courtesy despite their personal feelings towards them. Social work values are underpinned by traditional and radical values. Traditional values focuses on being non-judgemental , protecting confidentiality and treating the service user with dignity and respect (Biestek, 1961). This follows the anti-oppressive practice of treating everyone as individuals and to not compare two different cases. These values underpin the core principles of the code of practice (CCW, 2002). Radical values are more modern views of social work practice which involves the service users taking more action to solve their problems themselves. For example, empowering the service user to have more confidence to build a partnership with their social worker and give input into their own plans for the future (Thompson, 2000). According to BASW code of ethics (2012) professional ethics concerns matters of right and wrong conduct, good and bad qualities of character and the professional responsibilities attached to relationships in a work context. Ethical issues can arise because social workers promote the welfare and rights of service users but the end result may not coincide with what the service user thinks is the right decision for them. This could cause communication barriers/issues because social workers support service users to be a part of deciding their own life changes then in some circumstances this power can be taken away from them. For example, an elderly woman wants to be able to live at home but she does not have the support and her dementia and mobility is deteriorating. The decision is made that she needs to go into supported accommodation, this effects the social workers relationship with the woman and the service users whole demeanour changes towards the social worker including body langu age, attitude and facial expression. In conclusion, communication verbal and non-verbal resides at the core of social work. It is utilized in all areas of social work as an essential part of the job. Communication is used in services for elderly, children, people with disabilities, drug and alcohol abuse and mental health. It is used to build relationships, create solutions and to negotiate plans for service users. It is important that social workers work to always improve these skills and complete training so they can learn from other professionals experiences of how different service users, carers and professionals like to work in partnership. This includes how to communicate with people who may not want to co-operate to begin with but can use negotiation skills to improve the relationship.

Louis XIV :: essays research papers

Louis XIV was only four years old when he succeeded his father to the French throne. Often uncared for, he nearly drowned because no one was watching him as he played near a pond. This began to shape in his young mind an early fear of God. Louis' character was also shaped by the French Civil War. In this, the Paris Parlement rose against the crown. For five years, Louis would suffer fear, cold, hunger and other spirit-breaking events. He would never forgive Paris, the nobles, or the common people. Finally, in 1653, Cardinal Jules Mazarin was able to end the rebellion. He began to instruct Louis on his position as king. Even though Louis XIV was now of age, the Cardinal remained the dominant authority in French politics. French kings gained respect as a soldier; Louis served with the French army during France's war with Spain. His biggest battle, however, was sacrificing his love for Mazarin's niece for politics. In 1660 he married the daughter of the king of Spain to bring peace between the two countries. Mazarin died March 9, 1661. On March 10, Louis claimed supreme authority in France. Not since Henry IV had such a claim been made. Louis saw himself as God's representative on earth, therefore, infallible. He oversaw roadbuilding, court decorum, defense, and disputes within the church. He had the support initially of his ministers, then that of the French people. He had given France the image it desired-youth and vitality surrounded by magnificence. Louis won the favor of the nobles by making it evident that their future depended on their ability stay on his good side. This weakened the nobility, and would eventually weaken France. Louis had among his supportors a wide spectrum of individuals. Writers such as Moliere were ordered to glorify him. Monuments rose throughout the country and Louis had palaces built in his honor. The most elaborate was Versailles, located outside Paris. Away from disease, Versailles also isolated the king from his people. The aristocracy became mysterious. France was also undergoing an economic revolution. Exports were increased, and a navy, merchant marine, and police association emerged. Roads, ports and canals were being built. He invaded the Spanish Nederlands in 1667. The restarted war between France and Spain would be on again, off again for the remainder of Louis' reign. In 1668, the French army retreated under pressure from Dutch and English forces. Louis swore to defeat the Dutch and ruin their Protestant mercantile republic.

I, Too by Langston Hughes Essay -- Langston Hughes Poetry

I, Too by Langston Hughes A situation can be interpreted into several different meanings when observed through the world of poetry. A poet can make a person think of several different meanings to a poem when he or she is reading it. Langston Hughes wrote a poem titled "I, Too." In this poem he reveals the Negro heritage and the pride that he has in his heritage and in who he is. Also, Hughes uses very simple terms that allow juvenile interpretations and reading. The poem begins "I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother." From those two lines alone, one can see that he is proud of who he is and introducing himself to the reader. In the line "I, too, sing America" he is explaining that he is an American like everyone else in the country, but he is only of a darker skin color as he follows up in line two with "I am the darker brother." He says that even though he is of another color he is still an American and he should not be treated any differently from any other American. When looking at the poem, Hughes expresses the pride that he has in his heritage and in who h...

Christian Motif in Dracula

Even though the novel portrays Anta-Charlatans values and beliefs, Abram Stoker as able to use different methods in his novel to show how the Catholic beliefs were useful as a protection towards evil, and to be able to compare the powers between good and evil. Throughout the novel, the reader can plainly notice some of the characters' transformation from being part of the English Church to a Catholic one. One of the clearest examples is Jonathan Harder, the English Churchman.When he first received the rosary and crucifix from the lady, he had mixed feelings since his church saw those objects as idolatrous. However, the character develops an â€Å"obvious social and religious tolerance† (Stars, D. Bruno) towards the Catholic Church. As Harder returns to Transylvania, he's the opposite as he first left – instead of being alone, unsure and Protestant, he is now In a group, experienced, and quasi- Catholic. † (Stars, D. Bruno) There are many Instances throughout the n ovel where Abram Stoker makes an allegory to the Bible.The supernatural being Drachma represents the concept of Satan since his descriptions are resoundingly satanic: hen enraged his eyes light like â€Å"the flames of hell-fire blazed behind them† (Stoker, Abram) and he flashes a â€Å"smile that Judas in hell might be proud of† (Stoker, Abram) One direct allegory to the Bible's Book of Revelation's four houses of the apocalypse was when Drachma appeared in a â€Å"cal ©chew, with four horses† (Stoker, Abram). Also the use of capitalization of personal pronouns in reference to Drachma, which is generally reserved to God, means that Drachma is presented on a par with God.This continuous SE of Catholic allegory helps clarify the purpose of Broker's usage of Catholicism as a motif. The fight between good and evil also help portray the purpose of Stoker's use of Catholicism. In order for Seward, Mina, Harder, Morris, and Helping to defeat Drachma they had to work together with both technology and their own faith. The character would often find themselves asking for God's help and saying the phase â€Å"God's will be done. † With the increase in their Catholic faith, the characters were bled to believe in their religious tools and defeat Drachma.With faith and hope on Catholicism, they were able to achieve their goal. The use of Catholicism as a motif evidently supports the idea of Drachma being a pro-Catholic propaganda. Stoker was able to fulfill his purpose by spreading his ideals and beliefs of the Catholic Church. Stoker was able to depict Protestants and Catholics peacefully working together, however he did not include the Protestant faith to the destruction of Drachma (Stars, D. Bruno).

Grant/Lee a Comparison and Contrast Essay

Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee are two of the most effective military leaders in American history. These men have become symbolic of the two nations at conflict during the Civil War. Both had very different backgrounds and personalities that caused them to differ in their military leadership and accomplishments. Even though General Lee would surrender his army to General Grant, Lee throughout the course of the war proved himself to be a better military leader. The childhood of Robert Edward Lee played a pivotal role in the way he would see the world as a man. Lee was born into an aristocratic family of Virginia with a deeply rooted American history. Richard Henry and Francis Lightfoot Lee, Robert E. Lee’s uncles, helped draft resolutions that would lead to the Declaration of Independence, both would sign it1. Lee’s father, Henry â€Å"Lighthorse Harry† Lee III was a revolutionary war hero and one of George Washington’s most dependable fellow countrymen . In 1771, Washington, also from Virginia, wrote: â€Å" I know of no country that can produce a family all distinguished and clever men, as our Lees.†2 Lee’s mother and father were strong influences in his life for very different reasons. Lee’s father would define everything Lee did not want to be. Lighthorse Harry lacked self-control and failed to take care of the family. Ruined by failed financial ventures, Lee’s father would be sent to debtor’s prison. His mother, Anne Hill Carter Lee would raise young Robert to love God, to serve God and to serve his country. Lee’s rearing helped him to develop the highest standards of honor, self-denial, self-control and duty that would earn respect from both friends and enemies.3 Ulysses S. Grant came from a more humble upbringing. Like Lee, Grant traces his ancestry deep into American history in his memoirs. Grant’s ancestors settled in Massachusetts in 1630.4 Grant’s father, Jesse R. Gran t came from a broken family and was fostered by the parents of John Brown. 5 The same John Brown that would attempt to start a slave rebellion by attacking the United States armory at Harper’s Ferry in 1859. Men under the leadership of then Colonel Robert E. Lee ended that raid.6 Grant, was not born into the land owning aristocracy like Lee, his family was frontier men. Grant â€Å"†¦had come up the hard way†¦No man was born to anything, except perhaps to a chance to show how far he could rise. Life was competition (Catton, para 5).†7 Grant’s competitive upbringing would give him the motivation to push forward and the demand results needed to defeat Lee. Robert E Lee would carry the lessons he learned as a child with him to the Military Academy at West Point. While attending West Point, Lee was very studious and did not join 8other cadets for evenings at the local taverns. General Lee graduated second in his class at West Point and received no demerits for misconduct. This record has never been matched and will not likely ever be achieved again. By graduating with honors, Lee was assigned to the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The time Lee spent with the Army Corps of Engineers gave him valuable knowledge of different types of terrain and fortification constructions that would serve him well in the Civil War.9 The childhood of Ulysses S. Grant would also affect him at West Point. Grant was not interested in a military career; he was more interested in agriculture.10 It was Grant’s father who requested his appointment to West Point.11 Grant stated in his memoirs, â€Å"A military life had no charms for me, and I had not the faintest idea of staying in the army even if I should be graduated, which I did not expect (Grant p19).†12 Grant spent most of his time at West Point reading novels and avoiding â€Å"†¦books related to the course of studies (Grant pg 20).†13 Unlike Lee, Grant would not excel at West Point. Grant graduated 21 out of 39 in his class, just below average.14 The Mexican American War would be both Lee and Grant’s first battle. Lee and Grant would both serve un der General Winfield Scott, a man whom they both admired, during his campaign to Mexico City. General Scott saw greatness in Lee and stated his â€Å"†¦success in Mexico was largely due to the skill, valor, and undaunted energy of Robert E. Lee.†15 Scott was also heard commenting a few years later that; â€Å"Lee is the greatest military genius in America.† 16 Grant, only a first lieutenant, did not get an opportunity to show much leadership. Grant did however serve with valor. At the Battle of Monterey, Grant would gain some respect among his peers by successfully carrying much needed ammunition to his regiment while under fire.17 During the Civil War, Lee and Grant would implement skills learned while under the command of General Winfield Scott. In the spring of 1861 as the nation leaned toward Civil War, both Grant and Lee would be forced to make very difficult decisions. Grant would only have to decide between being a patriot or a traitor. In a letter to Grant’s father he wrote: â€Å"There are but two parties now, Traitors & Patriots and I want hereafter to be ranked with the latter. . . (Grant p 957)†18 Lee was torn between a successful career in the United States Army, his devotion to the Union, an appointment as commander of the Union forces and the love he had for his family and homeland. In a letter to his sister , Lee wrote: â€Å" With all my devotion to the Union†¦I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against my relatives, my children, my home. 19 The decisions these two men made would send them on a collision course in one of the most costly wars the country has every waged. Throughout the Civil War, Robert E Lee would prove himself to be unmatched in leadership. When Lee took control of the Army of Northern Virginia in June of 1862, the Union army â€Å"†¦was thundering at the city gates†¦(Lee p150)†20 of the Confederate capital of Richmond. In three months, Lee would achieve what his predecessor General Joseph E. Johnston could not. Lee defeated the invading Union army and turned the war in favor of the South. It would take President Lincoln almost one year to find any competition for General Lee. That competition would be General Grant and the vast resources the North offered him. The vast resources and the advanced railroad system of the North would give Grant the advantage he needed over Lee. In a letter to Confederate President Jefferson Davis, Lee expressed his concern that â€Å"†¦Every train brings recruits, and it is stated that every available regiment at the North is added to it†¦(Lee p108)†21 The Army of Northern Virginia’s lack of provisions were â€Å"†¦so great†¦I cannot see how we can operate with our present supplies (Lee, p 108).22 Before Lee ever met Grant on the battlefield he was trying to prepare for multiple retreats that would allow him to resupply his army. Lee pleaded with Jefferson Davis that â€Å"Every exertion should be made to supply the depots at Richmond and at other points (Lee, p 108).† 23 Grant carelessly used his resources to attack Lee and â€Å"†¦after thirty days of marching†¦fighting and a with a loss of more than sixty thousand men, General Grant†¦Ã¢â‚¬ 24 arrived at Petersburg, â€Å"†¦which he could have done†¦without the loss of a single man.† 25 The sixty thousand men that were expendable to Grant was more than Lee had in his entire Army of Northern Virginia. Lee eventually was forced to surrender his army of â€Å"†¦less than eight thousand men†¦to Grant’s army of 150,000†¦Ã¢â‚¬ 26 Prior to the surrender Union officers had â€Å"†¦always estimated your [Lee] force at about seventy thousand men.†27 The leadership displayed by Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee throughout their military careers is directly related to their childhood and education at West Point. Grant’s childhood made him competitive but his lack of interest in the curriculums at West Point would set him back militarily. If Grant did not have the expendable resources that were available to his Union Army, he would have failed against Lee’s ability to fight with such limited resources. Lee’s self struggle to lead by example combined with his devotion to duty and the men in his army resulted in many victories over impossible odds. Lee did not surrender to Grant’s leadership traits; Lee â€Å"†¦was compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources (Lee p 138)†28 1 James A. Henretta, David Brody and Lynn Dumenil, America: A Concise History, 3rd Edition, 3rd ed. (Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2005), 157-58. Bibliography Henretta, James A., David Brody, and Lynn Dumenil. America: A Concise History, 3rd Edition. 3rd ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2005. Lee, Fitzhugh. General Lee. BiblioLife, 2009. Grant, Ulysses S. Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant. CreateSpace, 2009. Lee, Robert. Recollections and Letters. New York, NY: Barnes & Noble, 2004. Bruce Catton Grant and Lee: A Study in Contrasts, available from http://users.ipfw.edu/ruflethe/grantandlee.html ; Internet; accessed 16 August 2010. Allen, Walter. ULYSSES S. GRANT. Houghton Mifflin,1901. Long, Armistead Lindsay. Memoirs of Robert E. Lee: His military and personal history [embracing a large amount of information hitherto unpublished]. University of Michigan Library, 1886. Grant, Ulysses S. Ulysses S. Grant : Memoirs and Selected Letters : Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant / Selected Letters, 1839-1865 (Library of America). First Edition ed. New York, N.Y.: Library of America, 1990.

Animals Like Us Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Animals Like Us - Essay Example To individuals these, animals are for human beneficence, in terms of clothing, companionship, food, sport, work, and research. Some people also consider the fact that using animals in such a manner may cause pain to the animals. The feelings result to a thought of the morals of keeping animals as pets. Some consider the relevance of existing animal rights and refute the idea of animals’ entitlement to basic rights. It implies that the concern of ethics when handling animals is a controversial debate between proponents and critics of proper animal care. The essay explores the moral concerns of keeping pets and the care of other animals. Further, it recommends the best approaches to dealing with animals. For a deep understanding of the ethical concerns of keeping animals, there is a consideration of the uses of such animals. One of the main uses of animals is medical research, which gives findings for solving human problems such as disease and death. Some researchers use parts of the animal bodies such as the brain, which causes them distress. For instance, in a certain experiment, a scientist required identifying a certain lesion in the brain tissue of a cat. The procedures of such an operation is a grisly one because in entirely kills the cat. The researchers use a pair of pliers to detach the skulls from the bodies and then break it extract the desired part of the brain (Herzog 246). Before the process materializes, the animal undergoes a series of painful experiences such as injections with formalin and other drugs. If people were to consider the ethics of dealing with the animals, they could discover that such a process is painful. The foremost ethical concern in the case relat ed to the question of whether humans share in the pain of animals or not. Most individuals feel that treating animals in an oppressive manner is unethical and inhumane. The researchers in the same

ITM 301 Mod 5 CBT Principles of Information Systems in Business and Essay

ITM 301 Mod 5 CBT Principles of Information Systems in Business and Organizations - Essay Example So these are very effective in improving organizational performance (Jackson, 2006). Groupware applications are also decision support systems that include Collaboration tools with additional facilities regarding this type of decisions. They provide time management, project management systems, workflow systems, knowledge management systems and lot of other facilities that useful for organization decision making. You only have to load the project related data, these system analyze time line, resources, and other planning related factors to predict the required results (Adams. et al, 1992). How an organization can choose a groupware application for its working and making its infrastructure more efficient and managed? There are many factors that are needed to elaborate before the choice of groupware application. They include organizational structure and its working design. There are also many difficulties with groupware systems like these are relatively complex systems. The main problem is every person is different from other; dealing with all type of people in a single application is really a big challenge. So groupware applications are designed in such a way that they can address all people requirements (Adams. et al, 1992). The problem in many cases is that groupware systems are relatively complex, made up of numerous elements that can be assembled in different ways by different people at different times. Unfortunately, only there are few improvements, but its not always clear in advance what they are, and because systems tend to be implemented in small steps, its often hard to arrive at optimal configurations for these technologies (Jackson, 2006). The reciprocal nature of systems and organizational design processes is that deigning/planning done by a system is more rigid and inflexible as compared to human designed situations. In this case it is complicated that human can

Research proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Research proposal - Essay Example ng under intoxication (DUI) trips per year at blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher which translates into 10% of all trips where at least some alcohol use is present (Dula, Dwyer & LeVerne, 2007). Various laws are in existence to achieve the Healthy People 2010 target for alcohol-related motor vehicle related fatalities to 4.0 per 100,000 persons or fewer. This would translate into a further decrease of 31% in the alcohol-related fatalities. Laws in force include the BAC level, the minimum legal drinking age and the minimum legal driving age. While statistics and data are available for the United States as a whole, no separate data for Houston is available on the extent to which the laws are being adhered to and to what extent violation of laws increases the number of alcohol-related fatalities. Hence the objective for this research would be to ascertain: 1. The age group that is usually involved in the alcohol-related fatalities in Houston. This would give details of the number of law violators both in case of minimum legal drinking age and minimum legal driving age. 3. To determine whether legal action was initiated against the violators in Houston. Initiating legal action can work as a deterrent for future and hence this data would enable corrective actions for the future. According to NHTSA (2006), during 2005, 15,195 people in the U.S. died in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes, representing 39% of all traffic-related deaths (cited by Dula, Dwyer & LeVerne, 2007). Among the most widely used strategies in reducing alcohol-impaired driving has been the laws to deter such driving along with measures to reduce the sale or public consumption of alcohol (Shults et al., 2001). Community-based interventions and training programs for servers of alcoholic beverages have also been implemented. While majority of the drivers are dissuaded by the potential of a crash, injury or punishment, these disincentives are considered to be too insignificant to

Technological and community Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Technological and community - Essay Example â€Å"We are now living in a globalised world† seems to be a favorite catchphrase among authors and writers, and applicable to businesses and organisations because transactions can be conducted at an instance, and people can communicate from one side of the globe to the other end with just a personal computer and an internet connection. Moreover, because of globalisation national borders are not very important now, and there is the interconnectedness of organisations and businesses, while countries focus more on deregulation, privatisation and liberalisation of industries, and the importance of world markets. Global firms use many different structural forms in dealing with globalisation. They can use the horizontal structure because this is made easier with the availability of the internet and Information Technology. Globalisation affects very much the ordinary community. Significant social changes can take place both before and after the phases of the most intense physical activities, for example, construction, production, and expansion; pathways of influence can be social as well as physical. Nevertheless, the technological changes have brought about inequalities because of the digital divide in the community setting where there is lack of technological attention from the government and the business or private sector on the part of these communities which are seen to not being able to contribute to progress and development. No human enterprise can surpass technology’s success in improving the material conditions, enhancing the cognitive attributes, and attenuating the physical limitations of humans. While some celebrate the coming of unprecedented wealth and prosperity brought on by the recent advances in genetic engineering, nanotechnology, computer-communication systems, and so on, others bemoan the possible demise of humans as autonomous social beings because of the coming of the so-called cyborgs, transgenic organisms, and clones. (Parayil, 1999, p.

How to get victims of rape and sexual assault to report their attack Research Paper

How to get victims of rape and sexual assault to report their attack - Research Paper Example Discussion in the paper brings this core idea to everyone’s notice. Paradoxically as it may seem, but the social pressure and the human opinion from the sidelines impacts the decision making process of those suffering from the negative phenomena of the society itself. It is all about the victims of the sexual assault and people who commit such crimes against them. It is difficult to make out the optimal remedy for getting the victims report on the cases of assault. However, all methods would be good for the sake of the final result, i.e. punishment of the criminal. In this case each individual would feel himself/herself in safety. Thus, to make a victim feel free to report on the case of rape is to provide a victim with the feeling of care, support, and security at each stage of the investigation. First of all, the current situation with law and order in the United States of America leaves much to be desired. Most of the victims living in the streets of the huge cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and others take it for granted that police and the judicial system of the US cannot prevent the society from the growing threat of the crime. It means that most of the victims do not even go to police having an idea that nothing will help them in their situation. On the other hand, they do not want to disclose such a negative case in their lives so that to keep themselves on a safe side from the overall social regrets and, say, blames. The trace of rape is never easy to bear for a victim. However, the society cannot realize it to the full. Golden et al. (2010) admit in their study on the rape as a social drawback the following idea, namely: â€Å"The continued judgment of, or disdain for, victims of rape is a form of social stigmatization† (p. 160). Hereby, the way to make a victim open to the talk on such a subtle topic from his/her life is to feel keenly the scenario of the rape and the

Earlier Women of the Twentieth Century Essay Example for Free

Earlier Women of the Twentieth Century Essay The essay is based on the examination of discourses concerning the establishment of women and analysis of shifting patterns of child care within households in the opening decades of the early twentieth century, this study argues that although household divisions of labour by gender and age existed in early modern era, a more rigid female specialization in certain types of domestic work in housekeeping and child-rearing as opposed to childbearing and expected participation in more varied forms of productive labour developed during the modern era, especially for young married women. Beginning with the middle-class concern, women started loosing their morals towards family and children. It was due to the changing attitude of women that children that once were considered dependents and consumers became income earners and productive workers in their households. A number of recent studies of colonial Spanish and Portuguese America, for instance, have demonstrated that European notions of family honour and sexual morality were adapted in specific ways to the American colonies. Commoners in early modern Spain who testified before the Inquisition resisted the idea that it was sinful to have consensual sexual relations with prostitutes or non-virgin single women. This attitude was probably common in Portugal as well. Resistance to the church’s moral prescriptions grew considerably in the Americas, where European men frequently considered it their right to take Indian or African women, and equated their status with that of single women, regardless of their virginity, previous marriage, or the terms of their consent. (Caulfield, 2000, p. 5) In contrast, for elite families in Brazil and throughout Spanish and Portuguese America marriage alliances were crucial political and economic strategies up to the nineteenth century and even later in some areas. (Caulfield, 2000, p. 6) Parents chose children’s, especially daughters’, marriage partners with care. Legitimate birth and ‘purity of blood’ which came to mean the absence of African and Indian heritage was essential elements of status, and hence family honour, although ‘stains’ could often be washed away with money. Tremendous value was placed on the sexual chastity of privileged colonial women, who were generally considered white. Elite women’s seclusion not only marked them as morally superior to common women in the eyes of their peers but, also ensured the endogamy of their class and race. Scholars disagree about how to interpret this social reality, for both the colonial period and later. Some point to the high numbers of consensual unions, illegitimate children, and female-headed households to argue that the popular classes developed a set of alternative moral values in which patriarchal notions of family, women’s subordination, and the moral ideals of marriage and women’s chastity were relatively unimportant. An existence passed almost entirely within the confines of the domestic sphere, as was the case for the majority of the women interviewed, favours the recollection of events and deeds associated with that area of activity. So it is not surprising that they supplied often very precise details about daily life, more than their husbands would have been able to do, right down to the price of groceries and their husbands’ wages during the early years of their marriage. (Caulfield, 2000, p. 56) This â€Å"family memory† does not, however, operate according to the same dates or points of reference as does official history. On many occasions during the course of the interviews, the framework of events was reconstructed around the years when children were born, a close relative died or a move took place. The women were questioned more about how they had lived rather than what they had witnessed of the events which took place around them, an approach which, in theory, minimizes the risk of mistakes or oversights. We ought not, however, overlook the fact that respondents generally attempt to preserve the image they have of themselves or of the group to which they belong. This image refers to a socially and sexually oriented construction, but one whose elements may change according to the historical period. Even if these variations alter what was taboo into what is now acceptable, behaviours that were deemed deviant in previous years-premarital pregnancy, for example-can be more difficult to ascertain. Despite present-day tolerance of behaviour of this kind, the person being questioned knows that she transgressed the norm that was in force at the time and may still feel so embarrassed that she seeks to disguise the fact, even if it means lying about the date of her marriage or the year her first child was born. According to Uno (1999) â€Å"Rather than a deliberate and conscious lie, experience reveals that omissions and evasive responses are the means used to avoid an embarrassing question that has revived painful memories†. (Uno, 1999, p. 74) Whether conscious or not, these â€Å"oversights† and â€Å"mistakes† are as significant as the memory of an event and ought to be submitted to analysis when they can be identified. Even if parents were generally content to exercise a discreet and indirect surveillance over the unmarried couple, they rarely found themselves alone with one another, so important was it to preserve the young woman’s virginity, whether or not she was of age. This concern would even grow with industrialization and the appearance of new places for young people to meet away from traditional family settings, since it became more difficult to exercise control over the young. On dates, the parents made sure that the couple was accompanied by a brother, a sister, other adults, or, if necessary, their friends. The revolution in traditions and norms took place in 1930 when domestic labour was in the context of the depression. This involved a sample of women who were already married at the beginning of that decade. The most catastrophic year according to the economic indicators, 1933, was used as a reference point. The reason was nothing other than the emergence of classes in the era, which were the resultant of lack of opportunities. The probability that women who married much after this date would have felt the effects of the Depression on their domestic labour was indeed less great. Nevertheless, in order to be able to establish comparisons, it was necessary to find women who had spent the early years of their marriages before the depression or whose husbands had been working during the first months of the marriage. The influence of the Depression and of unemployment was felt largely in urban areas and it was the men of the working class, especially unskilled labourers, and tradesmen who were primarily affected. These factors thus determined the selection of respondents who had to have lived in a working-class district of Montreal in the years between 1929 and 1939. The residence qualification, while it may seem rather vague, permitted us to enlist women who, because of their partners’ occupations, had shared the living conditions of the working class without necessarily presuming their own class affiliations. It was the factory workers who changed their occupation least often though the majority of them worked for more than one employer. They worked longer than the other women in the sample; it is among this group that is found the four women who worked for more than ten years before marriage. On the other hand, domestic work, generally detested because of its servile character and because of the extremely long hours which it entailed, is where we observe the greatest mobility, as only one informant worked exclusively as a domestic and she did so for a rather short period of time (one year). Domestics’ wages were extremely low, between one and five dollars a week, but according to one informant, â€Å"What our parents counted was the food. You understand, if you have two working, that’s two less to feed†. (Baillargeon Klein, 1999, p. 57) Most of the time, domestic work represented a transitional occupation between the home and the factory, or the office or shop. These jobs, factory worker, saleswoman or clerk, generally involved a noticeable increase in salary, but what was more appreciated were the working conditions, particularly regular hours and the possibility of contact with other working women. â€Å"It was clean, and we weren’t bored. It wasn’t like in the private homes, where the day was never over. The hell with private homes! We were happy enough-we had our evenings free†. (Baillargeon Klein, 1999, p. 96) In this connection, it must be stressed that it was not simply the household tasks or the conditions inherent in this kind of work that put them off, but also, and most particularly, the context in which they arose. Beyond the isolation, the arbitrary employers, the long hours, and the array of tasks demanded of them, what they detested above all else was the idea of being ‘in service to’ someone else, of playing the subordinate’s role in a highly personalized relationship. One major way that early modern women constructed selves, was through social networks, often women’s networks. These women fashioned their identities in relation to salons, convents, family circles, epistolary communities, and social religious groups devoted to particular reading or singing practices. For example, a trend towards devotional intimacy in France travelled through women’s letter writing, and psalm singing in churches established connections across gender and class barriers. (Adele Mikesell, 2003, p. 36) Conclusion Recent trends in women’s studies and feminist theory have influenced the conceptual framework and methodology of the facts explored about the early twentieth century women. While historians have traditionally explored continuities and discontinuities in ideas, institutions, and practices, postmodernism has given new dimension to the exploration of opposition or rupture not only in the facts, events, and ideas being studied, but also in the conceptual frameworks scholars analyse the changes that took place between 1900 and 1945. For some years, however, women’s history and the history of the family have underscored the importance of the domestic sphere and of the work which women do in it in order to understand the totality of historical reality. The work undertaken in these fields has provided evidence of the connections which exist between the family and the world of work and of the central role played in this dynamic by women. References/ Bibliography Adele Seeff Mikesell Margaret, (2003) Culture and Change: Attending to Early Modern Women: University of Delaware Press: Newark, DE. Baillargeon Denyse Klein YvonneMaking, (1999) Do: Women, Family, and Home in Montreal during the Great Depression: Wilfrid Laurier University Press: Waterloo, Ont. Caulfield Sueann, (2000) In Defense of Honor: Sexual Morality, Modernity, and Nation i

Contextualising Disability and Immigration in Britain

Contextualising Disability and Immigration in Britain 1. Contextualising disability in modern Britain is a problematic task. The principal challenge of any contextualisation is perhaps the question of whose contextualization is the most apt one. Answering this question and the position taken as a result is also arguably a critical tension within the issue of disability. This then hinges upon whether we contextualize disability from a point of view centred on society generally in modern Britain or whether we contextualize it from the viewpoint of those living with disabilities in modern Britain, (Barnes, 2006). This then highlights the issue as to whether disability is problematic for British society itself or whether it is in actuality British society is disabling itself for those it counts as living within disabilities. We can also contextualize disability in modern Britain in the very sense of its modernity by reflecting on the development of care, policy and legislation for disability, seeing it in a progressive light as a gradual deepe ning of respect and civil society values towards the disabled in Britain. Yet has the success of increased legislation towards the disabled in society gone any way towards combating the problems raised and highlighted by the disability rights movement for example. Perhaps in some ways this question can be answered positively in that legally many forms of discrimination against those living with disabilities has been placed on an equal footing with other kinds of discrimination such as that to do with race and racism. But has a legal countering of discrimination been enough to counter what many might count as socially embedded negative values and attitudes towards the disabled in modern Britain. In many instances activists within the disabled rights movement have argued that this has not occurred. This contextualisation returns us then to the issue noted above in that while legal and political measures have been taken to protect and enable disabled persons to live more active and fuller lives in particular settings socially in terms of British society questions can be asked as to how successful these attitudes have been diffused. As an illustration of this in examining the statistics of those who are disabled and working as opposed to those who are disabled and living on benefits highlights in many ways the inability of disabled persons to secure employment even where they are legally entitled to be considered on the same basis as those who are not disabled, (Kemp, 2006). Contextualising disability then is an interesting task as it centres as such on definitions, attitudes and reactions to the incidence of disability and how those with disability are treated by and perceived by British society in a wider and more general sense. Disability then when we contextualize it in this manner becomes a matter of respective perspectives on the issues that are play within the area of disability. For those then within the disability rights movement for example it is British society itself which is disabling in terms of restricting those living with disability from leading full and active lives. In terms of societal responses then the legal and political measures which have been pursued can be seen as responses to these criticisms. Yet the effectiveness of these can continually be questioned in terms of their impact. Similarly an often occluded aspect of disability in modern British society is the emphasis legally on physical as opposed to mental disabilities. A cl aim that can also be levelled at the disability rights movement itself at times. This can be seen in the fact that much of the legislation has focused on the concerns of those living with physical disabilities to the detriment of those living with mental disabilities, (Borsay, 2005). What this points towards in terms of a contextualization of disability in modern Britain is a failure of particular perspectives to be heard at all in the face of certain perspectives seeing a sustained debate on which version is the more correct one to be used in examining the issue of disability. 2. A contextualization of immigration in modern Britain is in many critical ways a contextualization of modern Britain itself. This can be seen in a number of key ways, such as for example the historical impacts of immigration on the makeup and composition of modern Britain. It can also be located in some of the more current socially problematic issues such as the role of Britain in the European Union, terrorism and the decline of the primacy of the welfare state. These are however broad claims and as such then how does a contextualization of immigration become relevant to the themes outlined above? Perhaps the clearest way a contextualisation of immigration points to these themes is by the manner in which immigration is discursively as an issue by society. As such then it can be argued that the discourse of immigration in Foucauldian terms points towards a complexity of issues that reflects, intersects and interacts with a set of much broader discourses within British society. Not only this but importantly but in terms of this wider social discourse on immigration what is not perceived or what is not discussed has immediate relevance also for the themes mentioned above, (Block, 2006). As such immigration can be seen as a contested issue and its contextualization as such offers insights into critical debates within modern Britain. An example of this can be seen in the recent debates over the economic benefits of immigration which are made against the backdrop of the expansion of the EU. Here there has been a shift from the unrestricted access of inhabitants of the first accession countries such as Poland to living and working in Britain to one of restrictions for newer accession countries such as Romania. Similarly debates over multiculturalism in the wake of recent terrorist acts have seen immigration being contested in the sense of how well do newer immigrants, and in particular Muslim immigrants integrate into British society. Likewise a final aspect of the contested nature of immigration is their partaking of the use of various public services in Britain. Arguments are made that immigration causes strains on public services such as the NHS, housing, education a nd other aspects of the welfare state, (Dustmann, 2005). Each of these issues are importantly social and political discourses themselves also. A contextualisation of immigration then needs to consider whether immigration is a feature of these discourses or whether they are a feature of immigration itself. Arguably the most suitable approach is to see a contextualisation of immigration as a mix between both of the extremes outlined above to see it as a contested discourse. Dissecting these contestations of immigration then is arguably the principal method to contextualizing immigration in modern Britain. It is an issue as such that is a mirror and a lens reflecting and providing insights into what are major transformational debates in modern Britain. Indeed the greater immigration is perceived or is in actuality occurring then the greater these debates are played out in the media, political circles and within national and local settings, (Cohen, 2001). There is a need then to situate immigration discursively within a framework which recognizes the multiplicity of discourses which are at play or are extolled in relation to the issue of immigration. It is a discourse containing many images and symbols about particular aspects of modern British society which are seen as problematic. Conte xtualising immigration then as a result necessitates a contextualisation of many disparate aspects of British society. References Barnes, C. (2006) Independent Futures: Creating User-Led Disability Services in a Disabling Society, Bristol, Policy Block, D. (2006) Multilingual Identities in a Global City: London Stories, Basingstoke, Macmillan Borsay, A. (2005) Disability and Social Policy in Britain since 1750: A History of Exclusion, Basingstoke, Macmillan Cohen, S. (2001) Immigration Controls, The Family and the Welfare State, London, Jessica Kingsley Publishers Dustmann, C. (2005) Immigration, Jobs and Wages: Theory, Evidence and Opinion, London, Center for Economic Policy Research Kemp, P. A. (2006) Sick Societies? , Geneva, International Social Security Association