Ann from “The Painted Door” by Sinclair Ross Essay

Because of John’s lack of communication skills, Ann feels isolated psychologically and emotionally, and as a result, she is seen by the reader as a woman in despair seeking companionship during the Great Depression. Ann is dutiful and submissive, so typical of the women of the 30’s, as it is shown when she claimed, â€Å"Plenty to eat – plenty of wood to keep me warm – what more could a woman ask for?†(p.48) even though it is clearly the opposite of what she really wants. She says to John â€Å"I know. It’s just that sometimes when you’re away I get lonely†¦Ã¢â‚¬  the hesitation in this particular sentence explains her powerful desire to have someone to talk to, yet is afraid of John’s response. But we think Ann is more than just what she appears to be. There are moments where her rebellious personality is shown, such as when she went out of the house during the blizzard to feed the animals when John had plainly stated to her, â€Å"Everything’s fed and watered, and I’ll see that there’s plenty of wood in.† This depicts Ann’s willingness to go so far as to distract herself from her loneliness. Also, the way she beseeches John to stay and the way she reacted, â€Å"She glanced up sharply, then busied herself clearing the table†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (pg49) at the mention of a visit by Steven shows that she presents some good intuition and intellect as to what may happen. One can argue that Ann is unconsciously selfish and even ungrateful, for John is constantly trying to please her by working continuous hours without aids of others. She also has a roof over her head and food in her tummy that so many lacked during that era, and yet, she gives hints that she is highly unsatisfied of her current situation and commits adultery. However, the lack of companionship, increased by the barrenness of the surroundings in which the character lives in, makes Ann desperate for anything that would get her out of her miserable existence. As we know, humans are extreme social creatures, and when Steven arrived on her doorsteps with his, quote, â€Å"still-boyish face† (pg57) and â€Å"his lips drawn in a little smile that was too insolent, but at the same time companionable†(pg57) , Ann forgets all  rules and drops her mental barrier, giving into what she desires the most: companionship. So in conclusion, we feel that Ann is a woman with an extremely good heart, but is misguided into doing wrong actions by the isolation and loneliness in which her husband had ultimately caused.

Religious Behavioral Development in the Stone Age

Religious behaviors developed to what they are today beginning in the pre-historic times of the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and the Neolithic. There is evidence of these behaviors in the archaeological artifacts as well as mythological evidence. Religious behaviors evolved as humans evolved. Religious beliefs changed too. In the Paleolithic we learn that people were very spiritual; everything was treated as a spiritual act. They approached everything ritualistically and their behaviors were in response to the numinous. The numinous is described as a feeling you get when you can’t explain something. There is archaeological evidence pointing to animal worship during this time too. Spiritual beliefs in the Paleolithic gave way to forms of organized religion based on archaeological findings from the Neolithic. Beginning in the Paleolithic we see evidence of ritual burials as a form of religious behavior. Early modern humans buried their dead and some of those graves contained grave goods. These grave goods consisted of beads and various pieces of jewelry: bracelets, necklaces, and pendants. The grave goods may have implied that the people believed the dead would go on somewhere and they may need, or want, those items with them. This is a belief based on animism, that anything and everything has a soul or spirit. The grave goods could also mean that the living treated the dead the same way they treated the living. The burials suggested they had respect for the dead. These ritual burials continued on in the Mesolithic and the Neolithic. Starting in the Mesolithic and continuing in to the Neolithic, we see more religious behaviors develop. During the Paleolithic, people were living together and cooperating with one another, building temples, and gathering food and everyone spoke one language. The myths suggest that at one point the cooperation and harmony dissipated, and three new cultures evolved. With the three new cultures came three different languages. The cultures that emerged from the hunter-gatherers of the Paleolithic were replaced with farmers, herders, and hunters in the Mesolithic. The myths suggest that the three cultures (farmers, herders, and hunters), came from the three sons of Noah. Prior to that, in the myth of the First Family, there were two types of people, or two different cultures. There was Cain, who was a farmer, a iller of the ground, and his brother Abel, who was a herder, or keeper of the flock. In a later myth we are introduced to Nimrod, who was a hunter, thus rounding out the three groups. Those three groups had their own set of religious behaviors. Those behaviors included animal sacrifice, human sacrifice, ritual sex, and ritual abstinence. Other behaviors emerged that may not be considered religious behaviors but instead, ‘ways of life’, but are worth mentioning since they developed over time along with the religious behaviors and played a major role in the lives of the early humans and shaping evolution. Those ‘ways of life’ include: shamanism, priesthood, matriarchy, patriarchy, Apollonian and Dionysian. We can better understand the religious behaviors of the different cultures only after we identify the pattern of culture, or traits, each one exhibited. The patterns of culture are associated with the characteristics in the distinction between the gods Apollo and Dionysius. Apollo was the god of light and Dionysius was the god of wine. Therefore, the characteristics are referred to as Apollonian and Dionysian. During the Mesolithic, Dionysian tendencies gave way to Apollonian tendencies. Dionysian characteristics include: earth, Eros, epicurean, heart, emotion, feeling, chaos, excess, female, equality, art, spontaneity, country, and nature. A culture that exhibited characteristics of Dionysian would most likely practice human sacrifice, ritual sex, shamanism, and matriarchy as their religious behaviors. Apollonian characteristics include: sun, psyche, stoic, mind, reason, thinking, order, restraint, male, hierarchy, science, city, and civilization. Differing from Dionysian, a culture that showed signs of Apollonian characteristics would practice animal sacrifice, ritual abstinence, priesthood, and patriarchy as their religious behaviors. Based on the myths and the artifacts of the Mesolithic, and the Neolithic, we are able to determine that the farmers were most likely Dionysian. Some of the characteristics evident in the myths, which are told from the farmer’s point of view, include the earth, Eros, and female. The characteristics in the artifacts include the female as well, but also equality. The burials, being of the same type, and the houses they lived in, which were also the same, suggest equality, and the female is emphasized in the statues. Eros, which gave us the word â€Å"erotic†, is prevalent in the artifacts and the myths. Based on our understanding of how the characteristics define the religious behaviors, we learn that the farmers practiced human sacrifice, ritual sex, shamanism, and matriarchy. Stonehenge was believed to have been built during the Neolithic. Archaeologists found human remains there and a number of the skulls showed signs of blunt-force trauma which suggested human sacrifice. The herders in the Neolithic displayed more Apollonian characteristics. As mentioned earlier, Dionysian tendencies were giving way to Apollonian tendencies. The evidence of this is found in both the myths and archaeologically. The male is prevalent in both, hierarchy is established, and order is suggested. Again, based on our understanding of how the characteristics define the religious behaviors, we surmise that the herders practiced animal sacrifice, ritual abstinence, priesthood, and patriarchy. The restraint and stoic characteristics point toward the abstinence while the male dominated myths point to the patriarchy way of life. There were numerous animal bones discovered which indicated animal sacrifice. Evidence of the Neolithic hunters’ way of life is vague but if we use the myths from the Mesolithic, and the artifacts from the Neolithic, we can deduce that the hunters were also Apollonian. The myths are told from a hunting point of view and they imply hierarchy and are male prevailing. The artifacts hint at the sun and we learned that the hunters lived close to the farmers which means they were civilized, used reason, and thinking. Being of Apollonian in nature, the hunters shared the same religious behaviors of the herders. In summary, religious behaviors have undergone dramatic, and not so dramatic, changes through the different time periods discussed. Some of those behaviors are still around today. Human sacrifice is probably the only one that has almost completely disappeared in the modern day, but on the other hand, animal sacrifice, which we’ve seen since the Mesolithic, is still relevant in this day and age. The behaviors exhibited had benefits such as providing a sense of community, it proved to be a form of communication, it offered assistance during crises, and also provided psychological well-being.

Is It Time to Revive Nuclear Power? Essay

1. Many professors, scientists, researchers, and even governments, have been debating over the issue on the use of nuclear power as a main energy source. In Taking Sides, two authors who are highly narrow-minded state their debates on this critical issue. Allison MacFarlane, author of â€Å"Nuclear Power: Panacea for Future Energy Needs?†, believes that nuclear power should be revived. She argues that nuclear power will provide sufficient energy, while at the same time reducing carbon dioxide emissions. On the other hand, professor Kristin Shrader-Frechette, author of â€Å"Five Myths About Nuclear Energy†, argues that nuclear power is too expensive and unsafe for the environment, when there are renewable energy sources that are better for the environment and economy. I agree with Shrader-Frechette because she proves the five myths about nuclear energy wrong using extremely valid arguments, which exist to prove that nuclear power is not the best option for an energy sou rce in our society. Background 2. In â€Å"Small Recactors Make a Bid to Revive Nuclear Power†, the Obama Administration and the Energy Department are working on making America the leader in advanced nuclear technology and manufacturing (Biello 2012). They are considering switching the large reactors, which are currently the predominant technology, to small reactors, which will save money. These reactors would contain enough power to power more than 200,000 U.S. homes for a year (Biello 2012). This strategy will cause less nuclear waste and will increase safety issues as well. In another article, â€Å"Time to revive, not kill, the nuclear age†, it is stated that a world without nuclear power would be less secure. Neither fossil fuels nor renewable resources will be able to replace the 14 percent of global electricity generated by nuclear reactors (Financial Times 2011). This article sides with MacFarlane by saying the Chernobyl accident was bad, but since then things have improved. The majority of the existing reactors were built a long time ago, and the ones that were recently built, have many more safety features, such as passive cooling systems to prevent overheating, which will greatly reduce safety risks. It is agreed that there is much more research needed, but reviving nuclear power is necessary in order for energy security. Argument For Nuclear Power 3. Allison MacFarlane argues that nuclear power is necessary and that it is nowhere near as bad as everyone thinks, and that it is actually very efficient. She believes that nuclear reactors do not emit carbon dioxide, and that this is a major advancement in technology. She states that there are two pathways for handling the spent nuclear fuel generated by power reactors: the open cycle and closed cycle. The costs associated with the construction of new nuclear reactors may be the main reason for the inhibiting of the global expansion of nuclear power. She says that although nuclear power can be our main source of power, and very efficient, it will take many years before a considerable number of new plants are licensed and built. 4. Allison MacFarlane argues that nuclear reactors do not emit carbon dioxide to produce electricity because their fuel is uranium-based. Nuclear power saved about 13 percent of annual emissions of Carbon dioxide, meaning that by 2050 emissions could be reduced by 15-25 percent. Since the Chernobyl accident in 1986, the overall global safety record has been good, even though there have been some problems. The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty guarantees that countries that do not have nuclear weapons are allowed nuclear energy technology, which is a great form of security for these countries. The open and closed cycles have been effective so far in containing the nuclear waste, and hopefully will continue in the future. 5. Although nuclear power does not emit carbon dioxide directly, nuclear power is not emission free. Carbon dioxide is emitted during nuclear power production, during the mining, milling, and fuel fabrication processes. No countries have opened a high-level nuclear waste disposal facility, so all of the nuclear waste is currently sitting in storage facilities. If nuclear power expands, these high-level wastes will increase. A catastrophic nuclear accident could result in compensation costs of hundreds of billions of dollars, and currently 236 of the 436 operating reactors are not even covered by liability conventions. Nuclear power is very expensive compared to other power sources, which is the biggest issue standing in the way of reviving nuclear power. Argument Against Nuclear Power 6. Kristin Shrader-Frechette argues that nuclear power is clearly not the best option as a power source for many reasons. She busts the five myths about nuclear power believed by many people. She gives valid reasons to support her position opposing nuclear power. She talks about how nuclear power is unclean, expensive, unnecessary to address climate change, unsafe, and how it will increase the proliferation of weapons. 7. This whole argument, in my opinion, is strengths, minus a few minor points. Although MacFarlane states that nuclear reactors do not emit carbon dioxide, Shrader-Frechette argues that the nuclear fuel cycle has eight other stages that do release greenhouse gases. Nuclear power generates at least 33 grams of carbon-equivalent emissions for each kilowatt-hour of electricity produced. Nuclear wastes are stored at Nevada’s Yucca Mountain, which poses severe problems for the future. As high-level radioactive wastes increase, the availability of storage space decreases, and exposure rises. Exposure to nuclear waste can likely cause fatal cancer, which risks are very high for. 8. The weaknesses of Shrader-Frechette’s argument are very scarce in my opinion. She discusses the emissions of carbon dioxide, stating that they are much higher than most people think, but MacFarlane stated that they are working on reducing them, and it will take many years before anything is set in stone. Per kilowatt-hour, Shrader-Frechette states that atomic energy produces only one-seventh the greenhouse emissions of coal. She believes nuclear power is not clean, however this statistic is in favor of reviving nuclear power by stating an opposing fact. Weighing the Arguments 9. I agree with Kristin Shrader-Frechette in just about every aspect. She gives amazing facts and statistics to support her argument against the revival of nuclear power. The five myths supporting nuclear power are all false. Nuclear power is not clean due to the greenhouse gas emissions during the nuclear fuel cycle. The government is providing way too much money to fund nuclear power, when there are cheaper, safer energy sources to fund. Also, nuclear energy will definitely increase the use and proliferation of weapons around the world, which I believe will lead to more war. Conclusion 10. I sided with Kristin Shrader-Frechette because of her brilliant proof of her argument, which proved the five myths about nuclear energy wrong. Allison MacFarlane argued that nuclear power should be revived because carbon dioxide emissions are reduced, safety has improved since the last major incident, and the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty provides more security for nuclear power. Shrader-Frechette argued that there are more carbon dioxide emissions from the nuclear fuel cycle, the government is spending too much money funding nuclear power when they should be funding wind or solar power since they are cheaper and safer, and the use and proliferation of weapons will increase. Both authors have sound arguments; however I feel that Shrader-Frechette’s is more valid and will make the economy and environment better in the end. Bibliography Biello, D. (2012). Small reactors make a bid to revive nuclear power. Scientific American, Retrieved from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=small-reactors-bid-to-revive-nuclear-power. Financial Times. (2011). Time to revive, not kill, the nuclear age. Financial Times, Retrieved from http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/f0321fb4-6e9a-11e0-a13b-00144feabdc0.html. MacFarlane, A. (2012). Nuclear power: A panacea for future energy needs?. In T. A. Easton & T. College (Eds.), Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Science, Technology, and Society (pp. 82-88). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Shrader-Frechette, K. (2012). Five myths about nuclear energy. In T. A. Easton & T. College (Eds.), Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Science, Technology, and Society (pp. 89-94). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Diplomacy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Diplomacy - Essay Example Britain, Austria, Hungary, Russia, France, Prussia and the Ottoman Empire were the major players in the Vienna congress whereas U.S, France, Germany, and Britain were the major countries involved in Versailles peace process. Vienna congress was successful in restoring the balance of power in Europe whereas the Versailles treaty failed to achieve that. Both the treaties were aimed at rebuilding of the Europe after a frightening war. One of the major differences between Vienna congress and the Versailles peace process was that Vienna congress was successful in arriving a compromise formula acceptable to both the parties whereas Versailles peace process failed to achieve such a consensus. Germans left with no other option and they succumbed to the pressure exerted by the opposite party. On the other hand, France got a better deal through the Vienna congress and managed to escape with less punishment. The negotiators of Vienna Congress did everything to regain the peace in Europe without sacrificing much of the interests of the France whereas the negotiators of Versailles peace process have done everything to humiliate the Germans. The Versailles peace process was completely a one sided affair. Germans forced to accept the conditions set by the negotiators because of the lack of other options available for them at that time. This treaty was successful in destroying German economy (This treaty has taken away Germanys foreign possessions, along with any private or government property in them), which finally led to the Second World War. Moreover, Germans forced to liquidate much capital immediately in order to pay the war reparations of 33 billion gold marks, an amount which the Allies could increase whenever they saw fit (Valarauko) Vienna treaty has achieved its objectives. It helped Europe from further conflicts. On the other hand, Versailles peace process failed to achieve its objectives. In

Literary theory and literary criticism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Literary theory and literary criticism - Essay Example These different lenses allow critics to consider works of art based on some assumptions within that school of theory. In addition, these lenses enable critics on particular aspects of work they consider vital. For instance, a critic working on Marxist theory might focus on how the characters in a story interact based on their economic situation; while a critic working on post-colonial theory might consider the same story but look at how characters from colonial powers treat those from the colonies (Makaryk, 77). Over time, different literature schools of literary criticism have developed, each with its own approaches to the act of reading (Davis, 66). New criticism assumes that the literary work is autonomous. This autonomy is a concept that can be explicated so as to discover its organic unity and the relationship between medium and message. Although critics, philosophers, authors and educators have been writing since ancient times, contemporary schools of literary theory have coher ed from these discussions and now influence how scholars look at and write about literature. This section focuses on the focuses on the major schools of literary criticism (Davis, 98). 1) Formalist approach Formalist approach was developed as a response to the 19th century confusion that marked the work of literature and biography, morality or philosophy (Culler, 109). It entails an explicit look at the components of a work which helps an individual to enter a text even if the he does not agree with the method’s aesthetic, apolitical, disinterested, reserved judgment concerning the content. This is a literacy criticism method that not only applies to texts but also to movies (Culler, 19). The following is the basic structure of analyzing a literary content using formalist approach, specifically through answering these basic questions: a) Plot, narrative line and plain sense Is there any action? How important is the action and why? What is the nature and significance of the ac tion? Is the overall structure of the movie appropriate to the content? And is the action compressed, large and diffuse or episodic? What is the basic plot structure? Is it melodramatic, dramatic, impasse, linear or a variation or a combination or assault on these forms? And why? How is the conflict created? What is the nature of the conflict? Why? What is the meaning of the story line? Is the plot probable or plausible? b) Character (s) What is the motivation structure of the character? What roles are played by the minor characters, if any? Are the characters individuals or types? Why? Is there existence of character contrasts or parallels? c) Special effects Who tells the story? Is there a characteristic use of language? What is the language of the author? General, plain, metaphorical, precise, effusive, repetitious, economical, realistic and naturalistic? What role is played by the setting, physical description or dramatic scene play? Is there an existence of deep structure such as mythic or archetypal modes that underlies the surface of the work? d) Emotional effects What emotional effects occur? To what extend? What is the relationship of the emotional response to the plot or situation and characters 2) Reader-Response Criticism The literary criticism theory was developed in the early 1960s and has been applicable up to the present. The most known proponents of this theory include; Peter Rabinowitz, Stanley Fish, Elizabeth Freund, David Bleich, Normal Holland, Louise Rosenblatt, Wolfgang Iser and Hans Rober Jauss (Davis, 22). Basically, reader-response criticism considers readers/viewers reaction to literature as vital to interpreting the meaning of

Financing A Healthcare Organization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Financing A Healthcare Organization - Essay Example If a firm has sufficient net working capital it is assumed to have enough liquidity (ICFAI Center for Management Research ICMR, 2004). In the operating cycle of the firm current assets are converted into cash to provide funds for the payment of current liabilities. Hence, if the current ratio is higher it means that the short-term liquidity of the firm is also higher. Long-term Solvency Ratio - This is one of the leverage ratios. When the analysis of a firm is extended to the long-term solvency, we come into the category of leverage ratios. The leverage ratios are structural ratios and coverage ratios. Structural ratios are based on the proportions are derived from the relationships between debt servicing commitments and sources of funds for meeting these obligations. This ratio measures the extent to which borrowed funds support the firm’s assets. The denominator in the ratio is total of all assets as indicated in the balance sheet. The type of assets an organization employs in its operations should determine to some extent the sources of funds used to finance them. Management/Expense Ratio - An expense ratio is determined through an annual  calculation,  where  a funds operating expenses  are divided by the average dollar value of its assets under management. Operating expenses are taken out of a funds assets and lower the return to a funds investors (Investopedia). Line-item Budget: Line item budgets are used in private industry for the comparison and budgeting of selected object groups and their previous and future estimated expenditure levels within an organization. The line-item budget should include all income and expense associated with the proposed project. The major advantages of the line-item budget are that is easy to prepare, understand and justify. The big disadvantage is that there is no relationship between the budget request and objectives and priorities, and it is different to transfer

Case Study 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Case Study 2 - Essay Example The application of ISD in the various areas like catering, inventory, sales and marketing etc. help to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the strategies followed thus facilitating improvements and enhancing overall performance. The new approach to ISD would therefore, promote a win-win situation for Shaun and consumers both. Implementation of a new technology into an organization needs careful consideration mainly because its introduction is designed to affect the various existing processes and may create conflicting interests and adversely affecting the performance of the organization. SDLC process is an integral part of management information system serving as the centralized monitoring system that coordinates and supports the rest of the functions and user requirements in order to help the organization to achieve all its strategic goals and objectives. The initial phase of feasibility study is the most important phase as it is the decisive factor that would decide the appropriateness of the new technology for the Restaurant. The identification of the core business processes and creation of appropriate database of relevant information with regard to inventory, sales order, menu account and schedules are important phases that help in the pilot running of the system. The rest of the implementation phase s are equally important as they help to adapt to a new system smoothly and efficiently, promoting understanding. Carmen needs to understand the various inter-related processes of the SDLC system in the Restaurant system so that new technology can be effectively used to improve the overall performance the business. Project plans are important part of SDLC strategy so that the pilot running of the system is able to identify the weaknesses and strength within the system. Strategic planning helps to improve and

Security Risk Mitigation Policies Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Security Risk Mitigation Policies - Coursework Example The first option should involve different methods for making it more intricate to intercept and locate the wireless signals. This way, hackers will have a hard time locating the organization’s signal. Additionally, the other principal option will involve utilization of encryption in order to preserve confidentiality even when the wireless signal gets intercepted (Choi et al., 2008). It will also be imperative for the organization to utilize signal-hiding techniques so as to properly intercept wireless transmissions. This is because for any attacker to successfully intrude into a wireless network, they will first need to locate and identify the wireless network. This will be achieved by utilizing numerous steps that will make it extremely difficult to locate the organizations wireless access point. Therefore, the company should include some of the easiest as well as least costly methods which include turning off the service set identifier (SSID) which broadcasts by wireless access points. This will not only make it hard for hackers to have no access, but also, it will make it hard for them to access the company’s servers and download sensitive and personal materials. Moreover, assigning cryptic names to the SSIDs will also make it hard to access the organizations data. Additionally, reducing the organization’s signal will provide requisite coverage.

(Ethics and Communication) reflect on the ethics followed by Jim Article

(Ethics and Communication) reflect on the ethics followed by Jim Lehrer - Article Example Talent alone would be of no use until and unless provided with a suitable chance to get exhibited and acknowledged. Jim Lehrer being a very good professional and a person of many talents when given a chance on a local channel stood out like a bright shiny star on the sky among others. He enjoyed the status of an undisputed king in the media as a chief anchor of his remarkably known and well acclaimed program named â€Å"The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer† for about four decades. At such a level the commendable sense of professionalism and personal goodness exhibited by Jim was simply exemplary. In gratitude to the favors bestowed to him by his organization and his colleagues he returned all the fame and success associated to him by branding the program with the name of the organization. Though, unnoticeably in the beginning, he changed the name of the ever famous program by deleting his name’s subscript from it and replacing it with the name of the organization. The change of the name to â€Å"The PBS NewsHour† was not only a mere transformation but a deliberate act to serve the cause of professional journalism. He also changed the format of the program by introducing multiple anchors to encourage his colleagues and juniors. Without any peer or higher management pressures and obligations, the ethical demonstration by Jim Lehrer was the result of his ultimate fairness and professionalism.

Your Personal Sales Letter - The Cover Letter Essay Example for Free

Your Personal Sales Letter The Cover Letter Essay The need to accompany a professional resume with a cover letter is as basic as offering a handshake, signing a card, saying thank you or the greeting at the beginning or end of a phone call. All may be taken for granted as a common courtesy, but you can be assured that by omitting any of the above, you will miss an opportunity to generate a positive and lasting impression. A cover letter sets the stage by enticing the reader with a personal connection and a professional introduction that is expected when submitting a resume. A generic letter addressed to the â€Å"resident† or a cover letter addressed â€Å"to whom it may concern† or â€Å"Senior Marketing Manager† is no match for one which is personally addressed. A cover letter can be a powerful selling tool if it is professional, personally addressed, contains pertinent information to the company and position and includes highlights of your accomplishments. All are criteria for each type of cover letter. Here are a few more points to ensure your cover letter is a powerful selling tool: Format your cover letter consistently with your resume regarding the font type and header Include full contact information as found in your resume Adjust right and left margins alike and leave consistent white space at top and bottom Check for spelling or grammatical errors Obtain a contact name and full address for the recipient Clearly introduce yourself and the reason you are submitting your resume Highlight accomplishments from your resume that are pertinent to the position Do not include information that is not available for validation in your resume Note information about the company to reinforce your interest and due diligence Choose industry/job related keywords that are current

The Survival Of The Fittest

The Survival Of The Fittest Survival of the Fittest just might as well be the title of this short story. Only the strongest will survive is Charles Darwins theory of Survival of the Fittest (Puchalik). This theory is concisely paralleled in Jack Londons To Build a Fire (Puchalick). A mans trip into the Northern Wilderness, the Yukon Trail, faces a series of difficult challenges as he progresses on the trail. However, arrogance will be the mans fatal downfall when he faces these foreboding challenges. In Londons To Build a Fire, the narrators description of arrogance is demonstrated through the conjoined use of setting, character, and plot to proclaim that arrogance can lead to disaster. In To Build a Fire, Jack London uses a varied amount of details in the setting to illustrate the seriousness of the main characters situation. The story is a detailed description of the dangers of severe cold and the stages involved in the process of freezing to death. The main character, the man, in To Build a Fire is a very arrogant person who believed in his own capabilities to handle anything that came at him and took everything at face value. He didnt analyze and survey the area over every detail which caused him to oversee many important things throughout the story. He definitely was not one of those people that are very analytic and his conceptions were rooted in the tangible world and not in the surreal. The severity of the mans situation is fully demonstrated and established through Londons descriptions of the landscape, intense cold, ice, and snow. The height of Londons descriptive portrayal is the storys concise illustration of the intense cold of the winter that the man is traveling through. The description of the Yukon Trail gets more into depth with descriptions; such as, Londons description of the man spitting, sharp, explosive crackle(Burdick 14) is happening in the middle of the air before the mans spit could even hit the ground is just an example of how vicious the cold was and what the man was traveling through. The frozen moisture of air that the man is breathing formed the ice on his beard and mustache (Kreidler). For example, crystal beard of the color and solidity of amber(Burdick 15) transpired when the man chews tobacco and the swiftness in which the mans limbs become numb and unusable are more illustrative examples of Londons account of the cold. The journey through the unbroken white North and south, as far as the eye could see (Burdick13) was another vivid account of the wonderful use of setting in this story. Without a reason to doubt, the idea of a world of ice is a huge factor in the greatness of this story only to be undermined by Londons very descriptive depiction of the mans death. This is depicted in detail throughout the further on into the story. The treacherous environment of the Yukon, to the man, is just an obstacle that could easily be conquered with the knowledge of your surroundings and an arrogant attitude, but it is actually the executioner. The fear of falling in the water, and this thought kept running through his head once in a while the thought reiterated itself that it was very cold and had never experience such cold (Kreidler), the relief when the fire is built, and the horror when it is put out are all situations that builds tension of the story and the mans arrogance is really starting to get him in serious trouble. The panic when he is unable to build another fire and the climatic end that is bound to happen are more completely realized when the man is unable to light a match (Bloom). The rush through the snow, then becoming exhausted and not being able to keep up the running, and the, the idea to kill his dog, but not able to grasp his knife, to use its body as warmth. Once he knew that the end was near, the man laid down to embrace death that was coming to him (Bloom). These are all further illustrative details of the mental break down of the mans character and how his arrogant mindset has brought him to his end. The arrogance of the man has now been fully recognized by him and he thinks of meeting death with dignity(Burdick 27) and this is the final stage to the mans realization that he was to die. The concept to sleep off to death(Burdick 27)and his statement, Freezing was not so bad as people thought. There were lots worse ways to die. is another step towards the imminent conclusion that we had all suspected when the fire was forcefully put out. The setting and his character is furthermore developed by these various accounts and the brutality of the severe winters in the Yukon Trail are even more realized. In conclusion, Londons setting within the unemotional Yukon is both descriptive and energetic. The major problem of the story takes place after the fire is put out, leading to the climax of the story when the man begins his realization that death had found him and was not going to go away. In this way, London uses setting, plot, and character to show the extent of the mans situation and the death that will surely come if you underestimate it and not look at it with an open mind. The challenges of the story, the severe cold, and the mans final death all happened because the man did not keep an open mind.

Benefits of Police Body Cameras

Benefits of Police Body Cameras As with any new technology, police body-worn cameras are becoming the new trend in the law enforcement community. While camera and surveillance systems have been around for a quite a while, body-worn cameras have seen increase popularity as several high profile cases have brought this technology to the forefront. As agencies proceed forward with pilot programs to evaluate its usefulness, they must decide if the perceived benefits justify the cost and expense to implement such a program. From the general public perspective, the use of body worn cameras represents police accountability and transparency. By their use alone studies have shown they improve officer professionalism and behavior. As agencies implement body worn cameras, officers will be more aware of their actions and interactions with the general public and less likely to cross the line between use of force necessary to apprehend suspects and blatant over use of force. That same perspective is also true from the law enforcement community. Studies have shown from many different sources that when individuals are being recorded or that they are aware their actions are being recorded, their behavior will change. They are more aware of their behavior and will potentially alter their interactions with the person who is recording. â€Å"Accumulated evidence further suggests that individuals who are aware that they being-observed often embrace submissive or commonly-accepted behavior, particularly when the observer is a rule-enforcing entity.† (Self-Awareness to being watched and Socially-Desirable Behavior, 2013, p. 2). There are many times in an officer’s career when the person they arrest and the behavior they display on scene is quite the stark contrast when both meet in the courtroom for trial. The professionally dressed defendant who speaks intelligently is much different than the drunken patron that was involved in a fight and arrested for battery. Had camera footage been available, the impression would be quite different when presented to a judge. If the defendant was aware that he was being recorded, his behavior would most likely be different. â€Å"It can be incredibly frustrating to arrive in court to find a defendant dressed professionally in a suit with an angelic demeanor that’s completely opposite of the person who was arrested. Using cameras to capture that person’s true character and behavior can be very beneficial when it comes to prosecution.† (McFarlin, 2015, para. 4). Along with possible behavior modifications, other perceived benefits of body-worn cameras for agencies are reduced citizen complaints and officer use of force incidents. In 2012, the City of Rialto Police Department, in conjunction with the University of Cambridge (UK), conducted a yearlong study on the effects and impacts of police worn body cameras. Over the course of a year period, different patrol shifts were given cameras while others were not. The study was a random sample of different shifts at different times over the course of the study. After the yearlong pilot, the results were amazing. The groups that were assigned body cameras had a reduction of use-of-force incidents by 60% from the previous year. The study also concluded that citizen complaints for that same group were reduced by 88% over the previous year’s findings. The Rialto Police Chief stated,† Whether the reduced number of complaints was because of the officers behaving better or the citizens behavi ng better—well, it was probably a little bit of both.† (Police Executive Research Forum [PERF], 2014, p. 5). In another study on how body cameras reduce citizen complaints, the Mesa Police Department conducted a yearlong study specifically focusing on reducing complaints. The pilot program consisted of two groups; 50 patrol officers with assigned body cameras and 50 without body cameras. Both of the groups were similar in demographics and assigned patrol duties. The study, conducted in conjunction with the University of Arizona, concluded that the patrol officers without body cameras had three times more citizen complaints. In addition, the study also concluded that the patrol officers that had been wearing the body-worn cameras had a 40% reduction in citizen’s complaints and 75% reduction in use of force complaints from the previous year in which the body cameras were not used. In both studies, the overwhelming results state that body-worn cameras reduced citizen complaints. This is due in part to behavior on both sides from the awareness of having the incident being recorded. Greensboro’s Police Chief Ken Miller states, â€Å"We actually encourage our officers to let people know that they are recording. â€Å"Why? Because we think that it elevates behavior on both sides of the camera.† (PERF, 2014, p. 6). Video footage from officer’s using the body-worn cameras can also be used to correct internal agency problems and well as a useful training tool. In a recent survey from Police Chiefs around the country on the use of body camera video, 94% of the respondents stated that they use it as a training tool or for review by administrators to correct officer behavior. (PERF, 2014, p. 7). Body camera video has a multitude of training examples. While reviewing footage, administrators can evaluate current policies and determine if revisions need to be made based on actual officer encounters. The training department can create very specific scenarios to train their officers based on actual calls in the field. Additionally, officer training can now be specific to the individual agency or internal department. Perhaps one of the biggest benefits to law enforcement will be capturing and documenting evidence for criminal investigations. Again, it’s just another tool that can aid in the successful prosecution of criminals. When officers respond to a major crime scene, most of their focus and first priority is securing the scene and aiding victims with first aid measures. As they start their interviews and try to put together what happened, it is difficult to remember all the details. By using a body-worn camera, the officer is able to capture the scene and many of the small details that would have been missed. As they are walking around the crime scene, they are actually recorded it as it was upon initial response. This tool can provide a wealth of information to detectives that usually arrive well after the fact when it is calm and not hurried. Police Chief Parker of Dalton, Georgia states, â€Å"Unlike in-car cameras, body-worn cameras capture everything that happens as officersâ₠¬â„¢ travel around the scene and interview multiple people. The body-worn cameras have been incredibly useful in accurately preserving information.† (PERF, 2014, p. 9). Local prosecutors are also encouraged and actively engaging agencies to adopt this technology. Having a video record to present in court is usually hard to defend. In Kentucky, a local defense attorney commented on the use of providing body-worn camera video. â€Å"It makes it much easier for them to understand a guilty plea is probably going to be in their best interest, because you dont want a jury to see this†. (Mateescu, Rosenblat, Boyd, 2015, p. 27). This is particularly true for domestic violence case when the video evidence is provided in court. Many times, especially if there is a pattern of abuse and the victims are afraid, they do not want to press charges. Gathering evidence is difficult at best. Coupled with uncooperative victims and prosecution is almost nearly impossible. By providing prosecutors with video evidence upon arriving on scene, it will capture the demeanor of the victims and suspects as well as any injuries sustained. Providing this information to pr osecutors, they can build a case even if the victim refuses to press charges or declines to provide a statement. Chief Miller of Topeka stated, â€Å"When we show suspects in domestic violence cases footage from the body-worn cameras, often they plead guilty without even having to go to trial.† (PERF, 2014, p. 9). References Mateescu, A., Rosenblat, A., Boyd, D. (2015). Police Body-Worn Cameras. Retrieved from http://www.datasociety.net McFarlin, C. (2015, January 7, 2015). Body-Worn Cameras: Benefits and Best Practices [Article]. InPublicSafety. Retrieved from http://inpublicsafety.com Police Executive Research Forum. (2014). Implementing a Body-Worn Camera Program. Retrieved from http://www.justice.gov/iso/opa/resources/472014912134715246869.pdf Self-Awareness to being watched and Socially-Desirable Behavior: A Field Experiment on the Effect of Body-Worn Cameras on Police Use-of-Force [Special section]. (2013). Police Foundation, 1 14. Retrieved from www.policefoundation.org

Pearl Sydenstricker Buck, 1892 - 1973 :: History

Pearl Sydenstricker Buck, 1892 - 1973 Pearl Comfort Sydenstricker was born on June 26, 1892, in Hillsboro, West Virginia. Her parents, Absalom and Caroline Sydenstricker, were Southern Presbyterian missionaries, and were stationed in China. Pearl was the fourth of seven children (and 1 of only 3 who would live until adulthood). Buck was born in the U.S. so she could be a natural U.S. citizen. The Sydenstrickers lived in Chinkiang (Zhenjiang), in Kiangsu (Jiangsu) province. Pearl's father spent much time away from home, traveling in the Chinese countryside in search of Christian converts. Pearl's mother ministered to Chinese women in a dispensary she created. >From childhood, Pearl spoke both English and Chinese. She was taught mainly by her mother and a Chinese tutor, Mr. Kung. Though in 1900 the family returned to the US to continue their lives. In 1910, Pearl enrolled in Randolph-Macon Woman's College, in Lynchburg, Virginia, and graduated in 1914. Although she wanted to stay in US, she returned to China after graduation when she heard that her mother was extremely sick. In 1915, she met John Lossing Buck and they were married in 1917. (The marriage was very unhappy, but it lasted for 18 years.) They immediately moved to Nanhsuchou (Nanxuzhou) in Anhwei (Anhui) province. This is where Pearl gathered poverty stricken material that she would later use in The Good Earth and other stories about China. The Bucks' first child, Carol, was born in 1921, but was born with PKU. (A genetic disorder in which the body lacks the enzyme necessary to metabolize phenylalanine to tyrosine. Left untreated, the disorder can cause brain damage and progressive mental retardation as a result of the accumulation of phenylalanine and its breakdown products.) The child became extremely retarded. Then, because of a uterine tumor found during the delivery, Pearl had a hysterectomy. In 1925, she and her husband adopted a baby girl, Janice. >From 1920 to 1933, Pearl and Lossing made lived in Nanking (Nanjing), on the campus of the Nanking University, where both had teaching jobs. In 1921, Pearl's mother died and shortly after her father moved in with the Bucks. The tragedies which Pearl suffered through out her life reached a climax in March, 1927. In the terrible even called the "Nanking Incident." In a confusing battle involving parts of Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist troops, Communist forces, and assorted  ¡Ã‚ §warlords ¡Ã‚ ¨, several Westerners were murdered. The Bucks escaped and had an extremely long day hiding, but were finally rescued by American gunboats.

Evaluation of Sociological Theories Essay -- Papers Sociology Deviance

Evaluation of Sociological Theories Deviance can be described as: "Nonconformity with existing/traditional social norms. This nonconformity is often said to be pathological when it challenges power and privilege; yet it is said to be indicative of innovation or creativity when the gatekeepers of morality approve it. A loaded term, deviancy is a negative asset when the environment is stable but can be a positive asset to a society when the environment is irreversibly changing." Each perspective asks different questions and focuses on different issues regarding crime and deviance. They have different ideas about the causes of crime. Subcultural theories on crime and deviance were developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s from the works of Albert Cohen(1955) and Richard Cloward and Lloyd Ohlin(1960). They suggested that people react to forces 'external' to them, this leads them to behave in certain ways. Their behaviour is determined by social causes. Criminals behave differently from non-criminals. Subcultural theorists have attempted to seek the causes of these differences, they claim to have identified malfunctions in the social order. These malfunctions are seen to be rectifiable by different types of social engineering e.g. Social reform, social welfare and education. Crimes are 'social facts' and therefore must have 'social causes'. Criminals are not seen as 'abnormal' individuals by subcultural theorists, but as social actors influenced by social causes. Statistics have indicated that criminals are mostly male, adolescent, working class and urban living. An idea inspired by Durkhiem (1952) suggested that this is a 'socia... ...s as it gives evidence to support their idea that working class people commit more crimes than middle class males. On the other hand, criminal statistics was challenged by left realists who believe that criminal statistics is the reality and therefore we should accept it, along with the solutions to attempt to solve the problems to tackle the high levels of crime. Marxist approach in explaining deviant behaviour is only reliable to some extent. Along with the contradictions from other perspectives, it shows that improvements can be added to their ideas. Marxists mainly concentrated on the class distribution and stress that they the ruling class control the norms and values of the society. It will not be classed as deviant unless the bourgeoisie say so and they will not say so unless a working class person commits it.

Airline Crisis Communication

Airline crisis communication is very important in saving the reputation of an airline company. The purpose of this presentation is to evaluate the reason why some airline loss their reputations and then make successful strategies in an airline crisis communication In this presentation, the definition of airline crisis communication will be given from two aspects, the aspect of practical way and the knowledge of the scholars.Then an example of an unsuccessful case about NYMPH is chosen to scribe the measures they did after a crisis case happened and the analysis of the negative effects and loss following it will be described in details. After that, the problem of this case will be evaluated and reasons will be explained. Finally, four best strategies based on crisis communication theory and successful examples will be introduced to assist airline take successful strategies in the future.Then it comes to the conclusion that best strategies are effective in a crisis communication. Key w ords: Crisis communication: the perception of an unpredictable event that threatens important expectancies of stakeholders and can seriously impact an organization's performance and generate negative outcomes. Reputation: the opinion that people have about an airline someone or something because if what has happened in the past.

For love of country Essay

With everything that has happened in our country in the last few years many people are becoming more patriotic. Since 9/11, our nations flag has flown high, more students are saying the Pledge of Allegiance, and many cars now carry symbols of support for our troops. However, even with this new outlook on patriotism, some people are beginning to wonder if our actions are even patriotic at all, including our servicemen and women. Is it patriotic to fight in a war that many deem unjust? Or is more patriotic to flee to another country in protest without finishing your military contract? Our troops have been in Iraq for five and a half years now and there is no sign of retreat. However, this does not give our military personnel an excuse to just give up and throw in the towel. I believe the only way for our troops to show patriotism is to stay in our country and fulfill their military contractual agreement. Since 9/11 there have been many reports of soldiers fleeing the country. According to CBS News, the estimates are between 100 and 250 to date (Soldiers). When certain soldiers were asked why they fled, the answer was always the same. They just couldnt take it. If this was the case, then why did they join in the first place, especially if they joined after the attacks? Everyone in the country knew we were going to war, and everyone knows why our military exists. How patriotic is it to join the service only to flee your family, friends, and, most importantly, your country when things get a little rough? Fleeing like a dog with its tail in between its legs only shames yourself, and, in some measures, America for producing such a fine citizen. Many people deem the war at hand unjust, and some would go to the extent that war itself is unjust. It claims the lives of many of our best citizens, creates inflation, and causes civil unrest and arguments between our government officials. Although some claim this war is unjustified, it is necessary. Do we want our country to be full of tyranny, ran by money-hungry, power-tripping dictators who dont care about our well being, but only about the amount of money in their bank account? Our men and women serving this country are doing the best they can to preserve the freedoms our forefathers worked so hard to win ten scores ago (Wiesel). Our country  is so great that people can flee this country without being shot for it. So why go? Is it just because you dont agree with the war? Running off is a great demonstration of protest against the war, that is, if you are talking with the other handful of individuals that ran off with you. In the larger scheme of things all you are doing is b eing pointed and laughed at. An outstanding portrayal of patriotism is in our own Pat Tillman. He gave up a $3.6 million contract to go and fight for our country (Reid). Selflessly, he gave up everything he had, and eventually his life, to go and support America when she needed it the most. Some may think his death was just another wasted life, but the majority of Americans look upon him as a hero (Sudborough). It is not because of all the sacrifices he made, or because he played for the NFL, but that because of him, along with many others, I am able to write this essay today for a class that I am taking at the college of my choice so I can grow up to do what I want to do. Not everyone has the opportunities that Americans have, and it is due in full respect to our military, or at least the ones that stay and fight for our country. The biggest argument of all is that this war is for our government, not for our freedom or America (Zinn). This is true to an extent, but if you think about it our country is our government and vice versa. Without our country there would obviously not be an American government, but without our government there is no America. Our government is what protects our freedoms, and it is that freedom that we fight so passionately for. It is easy to argue for both sides of this argument. Both fleeing the country and fighting in a war take guts, but you must ask yourself which is more patriotic. Leaving the country you love, or fighting to your death to make sure that your children and grandchildren can enjoy the same freedoms you did growing up? There is only one answer to this question. You fight until the end, whether it is your end or the wars end. If someone has a hard time understanding the answer to this question they should ask his or herself, Am I really proud to be an American?Works CitedSoldiers Against Iraq Desert to Canada. CBS Sunday Morning. 28 Jan. 2007. Zinn, Howard, Dying for the Government, America Now, ed. Robert Atwan(Boston: Bedford, 2005) 158-161Wiesel, Elie, The America I Love, America Now, ed. Robert Atwan(Boston: Bedford, 2005) 164-167Reid, Matt, The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man, America Now, ed. RobertAtwan (Boston: Bedford, 2005) 172-174Sudborough, Gary, Pat Tillman: Hero or Wasted Life, American Now, ed. RobertAtwan (Boston: Bedford, 2005) 174-177

Tomorrow is a Fresh Start

Any day has the opportunity to be a good one as well as any day has the opportunity to be a bad one. Each individual day is on its own, having no relation to any previous day. Those days where it just keeps dragging on, and you can’t wait for the sun to rise in the morning to have a fresh start. This dreadful day has finally come to an end, but nothing picks you up more than the sunrise the next morning. The sunrise is saying that it is a new day, and is giving you an opportunity to either put the previous day behind you, or keep it with you and make the most out of your past experiences.Even though we look at the sunrise as just the sun rising above the horizon, there is much more to this action that not only affects us day to day, but for a lifetime. There are many times where you are not looking forward to the sunrise the next morning. It could be because of a big project due the next day, a test, or just going on with your unamusing life. Going to school is a big part in n ot wanting to get up in the morning. You may think that you are the only one who dreads waking up and having to take three tests, then run around the gym for 25 minutes, but you’re not alone.Many thoughts come into your mind on trying to figure out why you have to take these actions. You ask yourself; when will I ever use algebra in real life, why do I need to know what the 17th amendment is, or wonder what good it will do to know the capital of Zimbabwe. Everyone is forced to take these actions whether or not you think they are necessary. If laying in your bed for days was an option, everyone would take the easy road out. Some people go with this option and end up not making anything of themselves, because they are lazy and avoid any sort of challenge.Those who choose to get up, know where they would rather be, but are accepting any future challenges. When you finally do decide to get up in the morning and see the sunrise, you get that feeling in your gut that is really hopi ng for the day to just be over. Many emotions can come from the action of the sun rising, which happens every 24 hours. You know that there is nothing you can do to stop it, but will do everything in your power to avoid it. A sunrise can and should be looked at as a positive action.. It can be looked at as another day to add to your accomplishments, or to start over on a clean slate.When you wake up in the morning and the sun is slowly rising, an excitement occurs as the new day is approaching. Every day comes with a new challenge. This could be a big test, a championship game, or something as simple as buying a new dress for a special occasion. Many people are afraid . Some of these obstacles you may want to avoid or pass on to another day, but the sunrise is helping you conquer that obstacle. As the day of October 29th was coming to an end, I could not wait for the the sun to rise. There was so much that was going on the next day. I could barely sleep; all I wanted was it to be th e next day.When the sun finally rose, my birthday had arrived. I jumped out of my bed in excitement because this day had all the right tools to be perfect. I had a big soccer game going on, a nice lunch made for me, and no big test or quizzes going on during the day. Everything was going great until I looked outside for a moment. The sun was gone, and the moon had taken its place. I didn’t want this day to end. I was unsure on what the next day would lead to. As I thought about the day coming to an end more, I realized that the unknowingness is the best part of a new day.It may be bad, but I will never know what will happen unless I accept the sunrise. I woke up the next morning unamused to start the new day, knowing that it will not compare to the what had happened yesterday. But I did go in with an open mind, and ended up receiving hand fulls of candy. Not only was is Halloween, but the day had a positive vibe to it, that I never would’ve expected. If I had keep my m ind in the past and only focused on what had happened the day before, none of this could’ve happened. One specific sunrise that not only myself but everyone involved had mixed feelings about is the day of and after graduation.We have seen our peers go through it, and never imagined ourselves being in that situation. Some will look at the sunrise as it all coming to an end, and others will look at it as a new beginning. I am unsure on what my reaction will be when this day comes but know that I am forever grateful for everything that I have learned prior to this anticipated sunrise. This is one that can not be avoided, no matter how hard you try. When the sun rises on that perfect night, all of our lives will change. It won’t be instantly, but over time that sunrise will forever affect how we are as people.

Cotton, Slavery and the Old South Essay

The Cotton Economy: TERMS DEFINITIONS SIGNIFICANCE King Cotton Phrase used by politicians and whites to describe the importance of the cotton in the south Boom of cotton production began in 1820s The dominance and importance of the cotton in the south transformed it economy, the production continued westward (south) the demand expanded in the north as their â€Å"cultures† developed in different direction Deep South The southernmost region of the US where cotton production dominated Mid –early 1800s, increasing through 1850s The prospects of the deep south and the profit of cotton drew thousands of white settlers to the south to build plantations and move into the planter class, which increased the region’s population and expanded US territory in the west De Bow’s Review A magazine that advocated southern commercial an agricultural expansion Founded in 1846 lasting until 1880 The publisher, De Bow, made the magazine an advocated for southern economic independence from the North, despite it was also evidence of the South’s dependency on the North Colonial Dependency The reality that the rise of cotton in the South increased their dependency upon Northern industry and commerce, caused by: the regions profitability of cotton, the investments in slaves and land left little other investments,  climate, and southern way of life Strengthened with the growing cotton production in the 1800s The cultures of the North and south diverged, but the dependency upon one another did not. Proving to conflict when sectionalism tried to push them White Society in the South TERMS DEFINITIONS SIGNIFICANCE Cavalier Myth The belief that white southerners were free form the acquisitive instincts of the â€Å"Yankees†, more concerned with the refined and gracious way of life and with rapid growth and development (mid 1800s) The myth conformed to the reality of southern society, in a limited way, dividing them from the north Planter Aristocracy The wealthy, white, plantation owners who cultivated 800+ acres with 40-50 slaves and exercised their power beyond their numbers in relation to society Southerner â€Å"Honor† The idea that individuals had to defend their honor, adopting a specific code of chivalry to protect dignity, social station and manhood, a challenge to that would come to a duel The Genteel Southern Lady Hidden behind their dominating husband in southern honor, the southern lady’s life was centered at the home, serving as a hostess and nurturer, rarely engaging in public activities or find employment Plain Folk Typical southerner who was a yeoman farmer who owned almost no slabs and devoted themselves to subsistence farming Poor Whites-hill people (Piedmont) Patriarchal/paternal society A society through which men â€Å"rule† the family and ancestry is traced through males, and in the south small farmers, even more than planters we committed to this family structure Southern society saw men as the masters of homes and woman and children were work force under his control Slavery: the â€Å"Peculiar Institution† TERMS DEFINITION SIGNIFICANCE Slave Codes-significance-the legal basis of slavery The laws that established that slaves could not own property, leave plantation without permission, be out after dark, congregate with other slaves (except church), possess firearms, or strike a white person, etc. (existed when slavery began in the US –developed more as the southern) The slave codes were the legal basis of slavery & they defend race to be anyone with even a trace of African Ancestry to be black, but the codes often different from the reality on plantation House v. Field Slaves House slaves lived close to the master and his family, serving them at the house and developing almost familial relationships, while field slaves had a more physically exhausting job doing work in fields These two types of slaves helped develop the ways of the southern society, which was drastically altered after the emancipation after the civil war Why high slave mortality rate? The slower increase of the black population was a result of it comparatively high death rate; slave mothers had large families, but the enforced poverty in which virtually all African Americans lived ensured that fewer of their children of white parents Urban Slavery-slavery in the cities Urban slaves had a smaller â€Å"market of work† which consisted of mining/lumbering, dock work, driving wagons and such and unlike rural, could not be supervised as closely and profitably, thus they gained more opportunities to mingles with free blacks and whites Free African Americans African Americans who were free from slavery, they were usually blacks or former slaves who: bought freedom, were set free from master for moral reasons or at their death (rare) common of the north, urban regions Domestic v. foreign slave trade Domestic: the transfer of slaves from one part of the southern to another, often through traders who transported slaves over a long distances to markets where owners bid on them Foreign: federal law prohibited the importation of slaves since 1808, but some were smuggled in Importation of slaves legally â€Å"stopped† in 1898 but the domestic and foreign continued throughout the 1800s â€Å"SAMBO† Stereotype A behavioral charade in which they shuffled grinned and head scratched, acting out the role he/she perceived that white society expected of them; this shaped their views toward slavery while truly the slavers were just putting on a show Gabriel Prosser A slave who gathered 1000 other rebellious slaves outside Richmond to revolt, only the plan was given away and Prosser and 35 others were prosecuted-One of a few rare slaves revolts which was the second way slaves expressed their response to slavery Denmark Vesey Free black of Charleston who, with his followers (all 9,000) made preparations for a revolt, but word leaked and they were suppressed (1822)-this was another failed attempt at a revolt against slavery Nat Turners Revolt A slave preacher who lead a group of African Americans, armed with guns and axes, through Southampton Country, Virginia killing sixty white men and children, door to door before their war overpowered by troops  (1831)-Turner’s revolt was the only large-scale slave uprising in the 19c, but the southerners fear of renewed violence continued as long as slavery lasted Slow Motion Work-as a form of resistance Often took less drastic forms than revolt, like running away (underground railroads) defying masters, stealing from masters or neighbors, loosing or breaking tools, preforming improperly and refusing to work all to protest or resist slavery Typically blacks resisted by adding subtle methods of rebellion into their behavior, which slowly became out of hand as the North began to support their actions and the south felt differently, sectional divide Pidgin It retained some African words but it drew primarily, if selectively from English. & while slave language grew more sophisticated as blacks spent in America-and as new generations grew up never having known African Tongues-some features of this early pidgin survived in black speeches for many generations Slave Polytheistic Religions Blacks developed their own version of Christianity, at time incorporating voodoo or other polytheistic religious traditions of Africa. African-American religion was more emotional and joyful. Slave Nuclear Family Crucial institution of black culture. It suffered legal restrictions, most notably lack of legal marriage. Black women began bearing children at younger ages. Slave communities did not condemn premarital pregnancy the way white society did, and black couples often lived together before marrying. Husbands and wives living on separate plantations often had to visit at night in secret. If a slave was moved to a different plantation, often they were adopted into a family in their new community.

The Role Of Music In A Popular Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Role Of Music In A Popular Culture - Essay Example Hamerlinck identities such genre as 'woman-killing songs' based on 'murder ballads' popular during the 1920s. Physical and emotional violence, supported by slang words and abusive language, was widely used by blues artists. With the development of MTV and video, 'woman killing songs' became a part of video production and clips. Hamerlinck names such well-known groups as The Beatles, singers Jimmi Handrix and Charles Manson who use themes of homicide and infidelity in their lyrics. Hamerlinck underlines that music does not cause violence but reflect tendencies typical for mass culture: "songs are not about love; they are about power and control" (Hamerlinck). Rap and rock are the main genres which base their lyrics on themes of violence and low social status of woman. They depict women as light-minded and dissolute persons. Also, a special attention is given to body which is too much sexualized. For instance, in "My Humps" the singers stress: "They say they love my ass 'n" or Tryin' a feel my hump, hump. Lookin' at my lump, lump". Paying attention to sexualized body images, this song tends to promote desire for sex which is aimed to satisfy longing. Using such slang words as "lump" and "hump" describing parts of her body, the singer (a girl) underlines negative attitude towards women and their sexual attractiveness. NWA (Niggaz With Attitude), Dr.

David Sedaris' The Learning Curve Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

David Sedaris' The Learning Curve - Essay Example The author has rightly presented that the essay â€Å"The Learning Curve† is witty and artful. Here, Sedaris does not conform to the aspect of seriousness, which most artists employ in literary fiction or in the category of serious nonfiction. Sedaris in this essay, therefore, does not aspire to the formality that is adopted in most literary works. For this reason, this essay, including other essays by Sedaris, make him unique. Sedaris works are, therefore, different, compared to the works of other authors today, who has taught in universities or higher learning institutions, and whose works are examined in seminar rooms. Sedaris does not, therefore, share similar objectives with the other such authors, whose ambition is to set standards in the literary world. â€Å"The Learning Curve† is light and full of humor, and lacks seriousness and profoundness. This essay is also simple, thus easy for the reader to understand. The straightforwardness employed by Sedaris in the e ssay does not require a reader to interpret or look for the literary meaning of the essay. In addition, the prose employed in the essay is simple. On the contrast, a serious essay would require a reader to consider the implications of the art form and to read the essay with considerable emotional depth. However, in Sedaris’ essay, a reader is not required to make such efforts. Instead, the essay is easy to read, artful, and entertaining. There are various humorous situations in the essay â€Å"The Learning Curve.† A part of the humor in the essay centers on the teaching methods of Sedaris at the beginning. For instance, Sedaris asks his students for food recipes for his slow cooker (Sedaris 86). He then tries to convince his students that this would help them to develop their writing outlines. Additionally, Sedaris plays his favorable his favorite soap operas after which he asks his students to write papers on what would happen next (Sedaris 86). In another instance, Sedaris asks his students that writing becomes fiction when they write it down and fail to say it loud (Sedaris 92-3). Another humorous situation in this essay is when Sedaris opens his briefcase during his first class, and lets out leaf-shaped papers, which he wants his students to use as nametags, â€Å"I arrived bearing name tags fashioned in the shape of maple leaves. I’d cut them myself out of orange construction paper and handed them out along with a box of straight pins. .† (Sedaris 84). Although Sedaris made these tags by himself, when the students ask him whether the tags were handmade, Sedaris argues that they were store bought. Nonetheless, these among other humorous are effective in this essay, as they help to remove seriousness in the essay, even though the author passes on important themes. Although â€Å"The Learning Curve† is humorous, this addresses the intelligence of the reader. The author presents his themes in a clever manner and in an easy way for the reader. Nonetheless, this essay is engaging and intellectually vigorous. For instance, Se

Lebanon's Confessional System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Lebanon's Confessional System - Essay Example To bring together Lebanon's diverse religious and political groups into an organized political system that could equally distribute power as well as harmonize with the system of the neighboring Arab countries is definitely a pain. The forces pulling Lebanon apart seemed to be stronger than those of holding it together. Initially, the objective of the French commander, General Henri Gouraud in proclaiming the creation of Greater Lebanon is to safeguard the Maronite community. These are Christians that has the largest religious community in the state. The self-proclaimed protector of the Christian communities in Lebanon wanted to make sure these Maronites won't be absorbed into a Syrian Muslim state. And to ensure they will be dependent of France, several predominantly Muslim areas were added to this new state. Hence, the Maronites do not compose the majority of the population. Political power was based on sectarian affiliations. The Maronites, dependent on French backing to keep their political dominance, assumed political and economic supremacy in their homeland and accepted the Franco-Mediterranean cultural orientation in consequence turned their back to the Arab world. On the contrary, the Sunni Muslims wanted unity with Syria and looked upon the Arabs for their source of cultural identity. The conflict appeared to be endless. Lebanon, dependent of France, does not have good relationship with the Arabs.

Individual reflection and personal development plan Essay

Individual reflection and personal development plan - Essay Example In the New Year resolution, I sat down reflecting over my life I clearly came up with various goals which I have planned to achieve in different phases. Some of the key goals I need to achieve in my school and a professional life include getting a high score in my exams, becoming the best graduate in finance and accounting department, acquiring recommendation letter by the end of the semester and finally getting a job with one of the leading government developmental project. I decided to set these specific goals because they will be easier to achieve than vague ended goals (Lyons, 2010). I have realized that being focused on a path gives someone a logical set of actions to follow. So each and every accomplishment leads me one step closer to the final goal Getting a high score on my exams: since I joined this college, I have been strictly adhering to my reading time table and managing my time well. This has enabled me to score high marks in my first and second year. As I start my third year in this college, I plan to attend more group discussion as this will help me in carrying out my course projects (Smith,Rawling & Jones,2007).This will essentially help me to score high marks in my final exams. As a result, I will  achieve one of my key goals. Attaining a letter of recommendation: Concerning the letter of recommendation, I have contacted the department of finance and accounting through  accounting lecturer, who is also my mentor. The department has assured me that by the end of the semester, they will  issue recommendation letters to all third year students. So there is a high hope that by the end of the semester I will  acquire my recommendation letter, which will assist me in my attempt to securing a job. Being the best graduate in school of accounting and finance: earlier in the first year, I realized that to be the best graduate in any department does

Science Lab 2 Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Science 2 - Lab Report Example Using MuseLAB, a log will represent the hurricane and separate six red lizards from the main group present in the mainland. Afterwards, the log shifted toward an island distant from the mainland and represented by a wet patch of grass and undergrowth. This shift was another six red lizards to the wet patch of grass and undergrowth. The MuseLAB software will animate the changes in the colors of the two isolated populations as they differentiate in line with the conditions of the new surroundings. Animations of the different colors of both groups of lizards should account for a physical trait capable of being passed down to the next generations. The offspring of the six red lizards maintained their cover in the mainland even after three generations. On the other hand, the offspring of the other group of lizards in the island slowly adopted green bodies after three generations. The six red lizards use this body color to mimic a different species of extremely poisonous lizards within the same ecosystem. The hurricane did not separates these two spaces thereby allowing the offspring to maintain the red color three generations down the line. In contrast, the brown lizards adopted a green body color to achieve optimal camouflage in a surrounding with thick green vegetation and

The Mercy of Religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Mercy of Religion - Essay Example However, despite all this, conflicts still makes the most part of the news today; the media is talking about violence from all corners of the world. It is devastating how Christianity is least influential on the struggles for peace and against violence in the USA. They have let the leaders whose lips are fast to talk about war and how the citizens should protect themselves dominate the arena. Christian religion has its focus and attention on understanding the past events, how they affect our society instead of the earlier and current occurrences in the society (Moore 23). Christian believers should be quite hiding in the past and focus on the current and fulfill its obligation in terminating the global violence. The USA should be first in peace negotiation and ending violence. In every social setting, a woman is equally important like the man because she performs the basic task in the family like ensuring adequate water for use in the family, looking after the sick, tending the gardens and other duties. The woman is the building blocks of any society and I belief without her, we would have a chaotic society where peace is no existence, malnourished children, and men, and many features that are more unexciting, (Rosemary 12). Despite the good things a woman can do, many cultures do not regard her and mostly assume her efforts and duties, for instance, she is considered the poorest in the family for money she gets is utilized for the well being of the society while the man uses his to buy luxuries like a radio. Religion puts the woman a compromising position in that she is required to be submissive to the man, support him and in some religions, he must not be adulterous but a man can. Many NGO have however been establish and are working towards promoting th e rights of the woman in the society and above anything the appreciation she deserves for the roles she plays. Since its inception after the

Managenent and leadership Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Managenent and leadership - Assignment Example For example, many of the leaders in the Arab world are ruling their country only because of their heredity. It is not necessary that these leaders are as effective as other leaders. Some people label leadership as an art whereas others label it as science. In fact, it is a mixture of these two. Both scientific and artistic skills are necessary for a leader to become an effective leader. It requires skills such as intelligence, emotional control, communication abilities, temperament, patience, authority, power, decision-making abilities etc. Since these skills are not available to many, it is impossible for all the people to become effective leaders. This paper analyses the question can anyone can be an effective leader. Skills necessary for an effective leader According to Daniel Goleman, â€Å"that the most effective leaders are alike in one crucial way: They all have a high degree of what has come to be known as emotional Intelligence. In his research he found that emotional intel ligence is the sine qua non of leadership (Goleman, 2009, p.82). Emotional intelligence or EQ is different from intelligence quotient or IQ. Emotional intelligence is the ability to know other people and their needs. It is the ability to adapt with the surroundings and the people. On the other hand, IQ is the abilities of a person with respect to intelligence. It is not necessary that a person with high IQ score may have high EQ score also. Same way, it is not necessary that a person with high EQ may have high IQ. In short, both EQ and IQ are entirely different concepts. To become an effective leader, high EQ is necessary. It is not necessary that a leader with high IQ may become an effective leader if he has low EQ. There are plenty of situations in which control of emotions are necessary to manage a complicated situation well. For example, Iran is currently threatening America and other westerners because of their ambitions to become a nuclear power. Iran’s current presiden t is trying to provoke America and Israel in many ways. Obama is neglecting the allegations of Iran since he has higher abilities in emotional controls. Another American president would have responded differently to Iran’s threat and the problems could have been worse. In short, an effective leader definitely needs strong controls over his emotions and he should never approach situations based on emotions. Wisdom should prevail over emotions for a leader to become effective. Since emotional controls are less for many leaders, it is difficult for them to become effective leaders. Saddam, Gaddafi and Mubarak were some of the leaders of the present century who failed to lead their people effectively because of their lack of EQ. Nobody can argue that these people have less IQ. In fact, all of them had high scores of IQ. However, they cannot be labelled as effective leaders since they failed to lead the people based on their needs. Emotional intelligence helps a leader to take sou nd decisions in difficult situations. For example, there are plenty of organizations, which struggled to overcome difficult situation created by recent recession. However, there are many other organisations, which come out with success even in the difficult business climate. This is because of the effectiveness of the leaders in those organizations. For example, Apple is one American company which excelled even during the recession period. They are the most valuable technological company in the world at present.

What factors led to the end of the Cold War Assignment

What factors led to the end of the Cold War - Assignment Example There are two major factors that were known to have led to the end of it all. One of the major factors was the leadership of the United States under President Ronald Reagan. It was, as many people say, President Ronald Reagans willpower and drive to rise up against the Soviet Union and make an effort in strengthening and improving the aptitude and skill of the US military. The Iron Curtain ultimately was left defeated, because they could no longer compete. Reagan added political, military, and financial weight on the Soviet Union, which was by that time were ill with serious commercial unproductivity. The USSR collapsed and fell in 1991. This left the United States as the leading military supremacy. Another major factor was the reforms attempted by Gorbachev. In 1987, he declared an program of economic reformation called perestroika, or restructuring. In addition, he instantaneously presented glasnost, or openness, which added liberty of the media and the transparency of national organizations. These efforts did not do much to resume the nation’s already lethargic economy. The changes devolved things to a certain degree. The Russian ruble was inconvertible. Perestroika led to the creation of new holdups in the Soviet financial system. By 1990, the administration had essentially lost its control over the dying economic

Why video games are Good Essay Example for Free

Why video games are Good Essay A kid plops down in front of the television and powers up his video game console. As he reaches for his controller, his mother has one point of view in her mind, more time wasted, another day wasted, video games rot my children’s brain. Or do they? Video games have a horrible stigma of â€Å"rotting our brain’s† because many believe that they are pumping our children’s minds with senseless violence and explicit content. Although many video games do include a substantial amount of violence, it comes second to the fact they can actually make you smarter according to many scientists and academics. They are seen to be good learning devices because of the problem solving and strategic thinking that is utilized to play video games. While there is obviously no substitute for classroom learning, video games can exercise the brain in many different ways. Most kids would rather pick up a joystick than pick up a textbook. Much to they’re unknowing they are exercising their brains. While traveling and discovering this exciting virtual world, they begin to figure out the rules and understand their goals in order beat the game and win. What might seem like a mindless zombie sitting on the couch for hours is actually someone solving a profuse amount of puzzles that are instilled in their video game. Someone playing a video game must solve and complete direct conflicts while keeping their overall goal in perspective. Playing a video game is similar to solving a science problem. Video gamers must come up with a hypothesis while trying to accomplish a goal, much like a student conducting a lab would do. For example: if a gamer is searching for a hidden item and they hypothesize that the item is in a dragon’s belly, they will attack the dragon and discover whether their hypothesis was correct or false. If they don’t find the item they must modify their hypothesis the next time they play. Video games are driven by goals and objectives, which are essential for learning. Scientific studies have shown that the brain can change with practice. If you train yourself to complete a certain objective, the part of you’re brain that you are using can actually growth in size and operation. Another scientific study has shown that those who constantly challenge their brain have almost a 50% less chance of developing dementia. Video games are all about interactive and active exploration, unlike leisurely reading a novel. A video game requires your brain to make immediate decisions. While reading a novel will exercise your creativity and imagination, video games will make your brain weigh circumstances and evidence, examine situations, reflect on your overall goal and forge a decision. It is not about what you’re thinking about when playing a video game, it is the way your thinking that challenges your brain. Video games make learning easier, comfortable, achievable and enjoyable. Any kid would rather learn how to slay a dragon than learn there times tables. This is simply because games offer more immediate and visible rewards. Memorizing and studying terms and theories may get you a good mark on your test, while beating the final boss will end the game. Gamers can also create their own adventure and decide their own unique fate and decided where they want to go and how they want to get there, within the restrictions of the game. It becomes their adventure. This is all played from the safety of their home, which prevents fears of making a mistake in front of others. If they lose, they can simply restart and try again without the feeling of embarrassment. This encourages gamers to take risks and expand their exploration opportunities. Although video games are no substitute for classroom learning, they have beneficial outcomes that can improve our brains activity making it healthier and function more efficiently. So next time you contemplate purchasing a video game, think about it not as endless hours waiting to be wasted, but rather as a large time investment for better of your mind.

Mental Health Illness: Good Social Work Practice

Mental Health Illness: Good Social Work Practice Good Social Work Practice with Adolescents in the Field of MentalHealth Social works role as the dominant provider of mental healthservices is rooted in history and well-established in the contemporary socialservices landscape. It has been estimated that social workers invest more thanhalf their time in dealing with mental health issues (Howard et al., 1996).Constituting over sixty percent of the mental health workforce, social workersprovide more community-based mental health services than any other professionalgroups. Also, social work has more candidates in preparation for this growtharea than does any other discipline. It is the largest field of practice andthe most-chosen focus of study among social work graduate students (Proctor,2004). The heaviest consumers of social work services also are the most probablevictims of mental illness. The clientele of certain service delivery settings,including homeless shelters, child welfare, out-of-home placement and long-termcare, settings in which social workers predominate, are among the most at riskfor psychiatric disorders and the least likely to gain access to appropriatecare. This highlights the tremendous potential of social service professionalsto reach and to treat individuals with mental health problems. Adolescents are far from immune to these findings. For example, psychiatricimpairment rates for youths in the child welfare system have been estimated atbetween 35-to-50 percent, closely matched by the 30-to-50 percent ratings ofjuveniles in the criminal justice system (Proctor, 2004). Walker (2003)pointed out that one of the few undisputed risk factors for mental illness inadults is unaddressed or inadequately treated psychiatric problems in youths. Thecost of failure to respond effectively to the mental health problems of adolescentsincludes lifetimes of potential productivity lost to consequences such as drugabuse, homelessness and suicide. The following discussion applies relevant theory and research to thequestion of good social work practice with adolescents suffering psychiatricdisorders. A touchstone for good practice can be found in Mowbray and Holters(2002) charge to social work practitioners and researchers that their effortson behalf of the mentally ill should produce: Increased integration within the community (aswith other disability groups); Decreased stigma and discrimination; Increased utilization of effective treatmentoptions; Equitable access to effective, appropriatetreatment. Adapting LeCroys (1992) outline, practices in the broad areas ofassessment, treatment and service delivery are considered. Assessment Practices It generally is agreed that assessment methodologies developed foruse with adults lack efficacy for assessing adolescents. Partly due to youthshigher level of dependency on the environment, a person-in-environmentperspective is a recommended starting point (LeCroy, 1992). In order toaddress the question of how the individuals and the familys coping skillsinteract with the quality of the environment, the social worker must weighresources and support, the barriers and opportunities, the risks and protectivefactors present in that environment. Wakefield et al. (1999) pointed out the pivotal role of a socialworkers attributions in the assessment of adolescent antisocial behavior. Thecomplex web of logic and experience, evidence and intuition, theory and belief,involved in the assessment process is reflected in this study. The researchquestion was two-fold: (1) whether social workers correctly distinguish betweena psychiatric disorder and non-disorder (as defined in DSM-IV) given contextualcues supporting one or the other attribution, and (2) whether judgments bearingon prognosis and appropriate treatment follow these attributions. Finding positivesupport for both questions, the authors called for a focus on this criticaldiscriminate attribution in social work training programs. In working with adolescents, the desirability of a broad-basedassessment, across environments, informants and factors affecting copingability and stress, requires the social worker to possess skills in casemanagement and clinical areas. Research by Elze (2002) highlighted the effectsof the wider social context on adolescent functioning. In this study, sheexamined risk factors for mental health in a sample of self-identified gay,lesbian and bisexual youths. Unlike most research involving this population,her enquiry included the role of factors unrelated to sexual orientation. Shefound that most of the variance in mental health status was accounted for bysocioeconomic level, familial mental health, family functioning and otheridentified life stressors. From a practice perspective, this researchreinforces the importance of assessing a clients overall psychosocialfunctioning, as related to and beyond the limits of the presenting problem. Objective, empirically-based assessment instruments, designed forthe adolescent population, are needed to increase the reliability of thispractice. Most of the instruments in use with adolescent clients today aremodified adult or child-specific protocols, such as the Child BehaviorChecklist or the structured life events interview (LeCroy, 1992). An extremeexample of the caution required in using adapted instruments was presented byElls (2005). The context of this critique was the courts need for assessmentsof psychopathic tendencies in juvenile offenders as a basis for jurisdictionwaiver decisions. Ells reported on assessments using the Hare PsychopathyChecklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV), derived from an instrument developed foradults. She found the tool subject to ethnic bias, developmental bias and alack of predictive value due to unfounded generalizations from research andexperience with adults. She warned that the introduction of psychopathyassessments in juvenile jurisdiction waiv er decisions is premature anddangerously unreliable. Overall, good practice in adolescent assessmentcertainly would benefit from objective, evidence-based protocols, honedespecially for this population group. These are some of the implications for good social work practice inthe mental health assessment of adolescents. Treatment Practices To establish that treatment can be effective with children and adolescents,LeCroy (1992, p. 227) reported the results of two meta-analyses, demonstratingthat average outcomes for those who received treatment were 71-to-79 percentbetter than an untreated control group. In order to establish good practice,however, the social worker must know which treatment approaches are likely toproduce what effects for the adolescent and significant others. The breadth of focus required for assessment is echoed in goodtreatment practice recommendations for working with psychologically impairedadolescents. The keynote appears to be a conceptualization of problems asconstellations of interrelated systems, yielding treatment goals inclusive ofthe family, peer group and community, toward the underpinning of long-termadjustment for the client. This view of good practice is common across theoreticalperspectives. For example, from a social ecological point-of-view, Ungar(2002) left the more mechanistic systems models behind and reflected on the diversity-embracingnew ecology, with community as the central concept in treatment. Steven Walker, whether expounding on community-based applications ofthe psychosocial model (2003) or considering treatment practice from apostmodern perspective (2001), emphasized the necessity for an integrated (ordeconstructed) model of treatment practice, inclusive of a broad panorama ofoptions. Noting that flexible, creative solutions are required by adolescentswith psychological problems, Walker (2003) discussed the United Kingdomsfour-tier model for mental health services to children and adolescents as anopportunityfor intellectual agility on the part of social workers (p. 683). Barths (2003) dissertation on the treatment of college studentswith eating disorders is an interesting example of this eclectic approach totheory and treatment. She made a point of focusing on the entiresocial/medical context of a client, then drawing treatment implications fromany number of theoretical models that fit this context, includingpsychoanalytic, psychosocial and postmodern perspectives. Given the length ofthe usual battle with eating disorders, this assessment treatment assessmentcycle repeats throughout the life of the case, opening new opportunities foreffective intervention at every turn. As with assessment, research is essential for informing goodtreatment practice. The research of Colarossi and Eccles (2003), for example,offered evidence that support from significant others is not a unidimensionalconstruct. They examined the differential effects of support provided byparents, teachers and peers on adolescent depression and self-esteem. Nonfamilialsources of support were found to be more efficacious for improving self-esteem,while depression responded to all support offered, regardless of source. Theresults obtained suggest the need to selectively promote support from varioussources, as opposed to a broad or unfocused social network tactic. In service of good treatment practice, LeCroy (1992) lists a numberof promising approaches (p. 227) that social workers should include in theirtreatment options toolkit. These include behavioral treatment (or competencytraining) for antisocial problems, functional family therapy, parent-managementtraining, home-based treatment, training in social skills and problem solving,psychopharmacology and psychotherapy or IPT-A (interpersonal psychotherapy foradolescents). These are examples of some good social work practice guidelines formental health treatment of adolescents, derived, to a large extent, from theoryand research. Putting assessment decisions and treatment choices into actionis the role of service delivery systems. Practices Related to Service Delivery Considering systems of service delivery prompts the realizationthat, in terms of good practice, social workers must be proficient in an arrayof interventions beyond the confines of direst treatment. In order tocoordinate multiple services and monitor systems of care, critical casemanagement competencies are required. The significance of a well-coordinatedsystem of care must be salient for every social worker involved in servicedelivery. One of the most difficult decisions in this arena is when to utilizesubstitute care. Inpatient or residential treatment, foster care, respitecare, partial hospitalization and day treatment, define points along thissubstitute care continuum. Especially in light of research on the importance ofsocial support and of home and community-based treatment, moving the adolescentinto a substitute care setting seems particularly invasive. Research studies and reports can help inform the decision to utilizepsychiatric inpatient treatment. For example, Pottick et al. (1999) helped tountangle the many variables affecting adolescent length of stay in thesefacilities. Looking at factors that influence the occurrence and timing ofdischarge, they found that facility type was significant. Stays in generalhospitals with psychiatric services were much shorter than in public or privatepsychiatric hospitals or multi-service mental health centers. Also, insurancewas a factor; privately-insured youths stayed longer than did publicly-fundedor uninsured adolescents. Having a previous hospitalization predicted a longerstay, as did the diagnosis of conduct disorder (versus depression). Althoughthis research does not speak to the quality of care, and given that moreoutcomes research is needed, the awareness of contingencies disclosed by thisstudy can aid a social worker in forming valid expectations and making aninformed decision for th e client. Romansky et al. (2003) looked at factors influencing readmission to psychiatrichospital care for children and adolescents who were in the child welfaresystem. Their findings highlighted the significance of enabling factorspresent for these children, including living arrangement, geographic region andpost-hospitalization services. The focus must be on community-based servicesto prevent readmission for these adolescents. On a similar note, a review of the research on inpatient treatmentin child and adolescent psychiatry (Blanz Schmidt, 2000) cautiouslyconcluded that hospitalization can be beneficial given that effective treatmentand discharge planning are included. These researchers pointed to acontinuum-of-care model as crucial in facilitating integration/coordinationbetween inpatient interventions and aftercare services. While research such as this can aid the social worker in making thedifficult inpatient care decisions, there are myriad other placementconsiderations that should rely on good practice to advantage adolescents inneed of mental health care. The keynote for good practice remains choosing theleast restrictive, appropriate environment. To make this choice for a givenadolescent, the social worker must be familiar with the placement optionsavailable and the treatment philosophy of each program, as well as the uniqueconfiguration of problem dimensions particular to that client. LeCroy (1992) suggested that social work should try to developobjective tools to assist in meeting the good practice guidelines for mentalhealth placement decisions. He offered the Arizona Decision Making Tree (p.228) as a potential model for such a tool. This tool is used for theassignment of juvenile offenders to five levels of care, varying inrestrictiveness and program components. At best, a fine balance in judgment is required to match a givenadolescent, at a specific point in time, with a certain treatment setting,providing the best therapeutic approach for the clients particularconstellation of problems. A control problem versus learning disabilities isonly one example of how varied and far-ranging the mix of relevant factors canbe. At times, there may be a need for a more restrictive setting as afunction of risk factors in the home/community environment. A study by Ruffoloand colleagues (2004) addressed such a situation. To inform the design of moreeffective mental health intervention (and prevention) programs, they examinedthe risk and resiliency factors for groups of delinquent, diverted andhigh-risk adolescent girls. All these girls were either involved in thejuvenile justice system, or at risk of involvement, and were receivingresidential services in either a home or community-based, open or closedsetting. Girls in the closed residential setting (the most restrictive) reportedhigher levels of depression, family discord, sexual abuse, negative lifeevents, involvement in special education programs, and more delinquent andnegative coping behaviors. In other words, the girls with the greatest riskfactors present in their home and community were placed in the most restrictivesetting. The authors concluded that t hese placement decisions reflected anappropriate appraisal of the level of need. These are a few of the factors available to guide the development ofgood social work practice in the coordination of service delivery systems. Conclusion This paper reviewed a portion of the theory and researchcontributing to good social work practice standards in the area of adolescentmental health. While accomplishments in this area are commendable, muchremains to be done. More well-designed and well-controlled research is needed to weighthe effectiveness of adolescent service models, especially with regard tolong-term outcomes. As effective systems of care are identified, they must be developedinto practice guidelines and supported by policy and funding. Social workers are challenged to work for increased, improved,accessible services for adolescents, to educate the community and mobilizestakeholders, to develop and to implement effective strategies for preventionand intervention. References Barth,F.D. (2003). Separate but not alone: Separation-individuation issues incollege students with eating disorders. Clinical Social Work Journal,31(2), pp. 139-153. Blanz,B. Schmidt, M.H. (2000). Preconditions and outcome of inpatienttreatment in child and adolescent psychiatry. Journal of Child Psychologyand Psychiatry, 41(6), pp. 703-712. Colarossi,L.G. Eccles, J.S. (2003). Differential effects of support providers onadolescents mental health. Social Work Research, 27(1), pp. 19-30. Ells,L. (2005). Juvenile psychopathy: The hollow promise of prediction. ColumbiaLaw Review, 105(1), pp. 158-208. Elze,D.E. (2002). Risk factors for internalizing and externalizing problems amonggay, lesbian, and bisexual adolescents. Social Work Research, 26(2),pp. 89-99. Howard,K.I., Cornille, T.A., Lyons, J.S., Vessey, J.T., Lueger, R.J., Saunders,S. (1996). Patterns of mental health service utilization. Archives ofGeneral Psychiatry, 53, pp. 696-703. LeCroy,C.W. (1992). Enhancing the delivery of effective mental health services tochildren. Social Work, 37(3), pp. 225-231. Mowbray,C.T. Holter, M.C. (2002). Mental health and mental illness: Out of thecloset? Social Science Review, 76(1), pp. 135-179. Pottick, K.J., Hansell, S.,Miller, J.E., Davis, D.M. (1999). Factors associated with inpatient length of stay forchildren and adolescents with serious mental illness. Social Work Research,23(4), pp. 213-224. Proctor, E. (2004). Researchto inform mental health practice: Social works contributions. Social WorkResearch, 28(4), pp. 195-197. Romansky, J.B., Lyons, J.S.,Lehner, R.K., West, C.M. (2003). Factors related to psychiatric hospitalreadmission among children and adolescents in state custody. PsychiatricServices, 54(3), pp. 356-362. Ruffolo, M.C., Sarri, R., Goodkind, S. (2004). Study of delinquent, diverted, and high-riskadolescent girls: Implications for mental health intervention. Social WorkResearch, 28(4), pp. 237-244. Ungar, M. (2002). A deeper,more social ecological social work practice. Social Science Review,76(3), pp. 480-497. Wakefield, J.C., Kirk, S.A.,Pottick, K.J., Hsieh, D. (1999). Disorder attribution and clinical judgment in theassessment of adolescent antisocial behavior. Social Work Research, 23(4),pp. 227-238. Walker, S. (2001). Tracingthe contours of postmodern social work. British Journal of Social Work,31, pp. 29-39. Walker, S. (2003). Socialwork and child mental health: Psychosocial principles in community practice. BritishJournal of Social Work, 33(5), pp. 673-687.