Are you stuck in a rut Choose your adventure!

Are you stuck in a rut Choose your adventure! Do you ever feel like life is an incredible adventure and absolutely anything is possible? I had a week like that. I noticed it particularly on Friday when I went for my normal swim and had so much energy I swam an extra quarter mile past my regular routine, then chased the swim with 30 push-ups. The entire time I felt energized and capable of accomplishing anything I set my mind to. Mental attitude is the biggest factor in producing results. I was reminded of this truth last Thursday night, when, at the Wild Scenic Film Festival, I watched a video about three climbers who scaled Yosemite’s iconic El Capitan. What made this climb particularly impressive is that all of the climbers were disabled. One had been born with just one arm (a â€Å"minor inconvenience† according to him); the two others had lost a leg each, one due to a climbing fall and the third from bone cancer. Said one of the men: â€Å"The right attitude and one arm will beat the wrong attitude and two arms, every time.† If you have any doubts, watch this inspiring film: Mind you, I am not planning on scaling any peaks even with all my limbs- not in this lifetime. But the sense of excitement that spurs these climbers is accessible to all of us at every moment. For me, it started with an assignment I was given during a workshop with the Wright Institute in Chicago. Prior to the workshop, I was in a rut. Daily tasks were feeling like a grind and I thought that maybe I needed to travel out of the country for a while to break my routine. Then came the homework for the first night of the workshop: to create an adventure! The adventure begins†¦ It was already midnight and class was starting up again at 8am the next morning. What adventure exactly was possible in that short a time frame? I found out the next morning. I woke up before my alarm sounded with cramps, in an empty house that belongs to my cousin Zack. I thought to myself, â€Å"I could lie here trying to sleep or I could get up and have an adventure!† I decided to get out of bed. As soon as I entered the shower I remembered that Zack had mentioned a big bathtub with whirlpool jets somewhere in his house. I don’t normally take baths, but this time I decided to interrupt my regular pattern. I got out of the shower and began searching for the whirlpool, towel wrapped around me, leaving a trail of wet footprints. In the basement, I found a bathtub †¦ full of cleaning supplies. The search continued, and I finally found the whirlpool, which I filled up †¦ but I couldnt figure out how to turn on these fabled jets. I got into the tub anyway, but thought, â€Å"Hey Im on an adventure! This won’t do!† So I got out of the tub, looked at all the switches on the walls, and finally figured it out. Back in the tub, I noticed a line of tea light candles along the side of the bath. But no matches. My refrain: â€Å"Im on an adventure!† So I got out of the tub, looking everywhere until I found matches. I was going to do this thing the right way! After a few minutes the jets turned off and suddenly I was relaxed and floating in a self-made paradise, being held gently by warm water, surrounded by glowing candlelight. I was so glad I had chosen this adventure, rather than sleeping another hour or going to my default of â€Å"I don’t take baths.† Unexpected treasures, unprecedented energy†¦ When I went to hang up my towel, for some reason I decided to look behind the door rather than hang the towel where I had put it before. I found two beautiful dragonfly hooks which I hadn’t noticed before. Who knows what can show up out of a sense of adventure? Who knows what else I had been missing? My adventures continued in the days following the workshop. Out of a conversation with a friend that felt a bit scary at first, I unexpectedly drove to Minneapolis and stayed two days, all because I decided to take some risks and not let anything stop me. Today, a week after the conclusion of that workshop, my energy is still high and I can’t wait to discover what’s next. So how about you? Are you living an adventure at every moment or are you stuck in a rut? Are you letting anything stop you from creating an exciting and energized life? Whether your challenge is staying upbeat while facing unemployment, creating joy within your current circumstances, or scaling a rock face- it’s all in your frame of mind. The right attitude, moment by moment, means you can have the adventure of a lifetime right in your own backyard.

Battle of Valcour Island in the American Revolution

Battle of Valcour Island in the American Revolution The Battle of Valcour Island was fought October 11, 1776, during the American Revolution (1775-1783) and saw American forces on Lake Champlain clash with the British. Having abandoned the invasion of Canada, the Americans realized that a naval force would be needed to block the British on Lake Champlain. Organized by  Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, work began on a small fleet. Completed in fall 1776, this force met a larger British squadron near Valcour Island. While the British got the better of the action, Arnold and his men were able to escape south. While a tactical defeat for the Americans, the delay caused by both sides having to build fleets prevented the British from invading from the north in 1776. This allowed the Americans to regroup and be prepared for the decisive Saratoga Campaign the following year. Background In the wake of their defeat at the Battle of Quebec in late 1775, American forces attempted to maintain a loose siege of the city. This ended in early May 1776 when British reinforcements arrived from overseas. This forced the Americans to fall back to Montreal. American reinforcements, led by Brigadier General John Sullivan, also arrived in Canada during this period. Seeking to regain the initiative, Sullivan attacked a British force on June 8 at Trois-Rivià ¨res, but was badly defeated. Retreating up the St. Lawrence, he was determined to hold a position near Sorel at the confluence with the Richelieu River. Recognizing the hopelessness of the American situation in Canada, Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, commanding at Montreal, convinced Sullivan that a more prudent course was to retreat south up the Richelieu in order to better secure American territory. Abandoning their positions in Canada, the remnants of the American army traveled south finally halting at Crown Point on the western shore of Lake Champlain. Commanding the rear guard, Arnold ensured that any resources that could benefit the British along the line of retreat were destroyed. A former merchant captain, Arnold understood that command of Lake Champlain was critical to any advance south into New York and the Hudson Valley. As such, he made sure his men burned the sawmill at St. Johns and destroyed all boats that could not be used. When Arnolds men rejoined the army, American forces on the lake consisted of four small vessels mounting a total of 36 guns. The force that they re-united with was a shambles as it lacked adequate supplies and shelter, as well as was suffering from a variety of diseases. In an effort to improve the situation, Sullivan was replaced with Major General Horatio Gates. A Naval Race Advancing in pursuit, the governor of Canada, Sir Guy Carleton, sought to attack down Lake Champlain with the goal of reaching the Hudson and linking up with British forces operating against New York City. Reaching St. Johns, it became clear that a naval force would need to be assembled to sweep the Americans from the lake so that his troops could safely advance. Establishing a shipyard at St. Johns, work began on three schooners, a radeau (gun barge), and twenty gunboats. In addition, Carleton ordered that the 18-gun sloop-of-war HMS Inflexible be dismantled on the St. Lawrence and transported overland to St. Johns. The naval activity was matched by Arnold who established a shipyard at Skenesborough. As Gates was inexperienced in naval matters, construction of the fleet was largely delegated to his subordinate. Work progressed slowly as skilled shipwrights and naval stores were in short supply in upstate New York. Offering extra pay, the Americans were able to assemble the necessary manpower. As vessels were completed they were shifted to nearby Fort Ticonderoga to be fitted out. Working frantically through the summer, the yard produced three 10-gun galleys and eight 3-gun gundalows. Fleets Commanders Americans Brigadier General Benedict Arnold15 galleys, gundalows, schooners, and gunboats British Sir Guy CarletonCaptain Thomas Pringle25 armed vessels Maneuvering to Battle As the fleet grew, Arnold, commanding from the schooner Royal Savage (12 guns), began aggressively patrolling the lake. As the end of September neared, he began to anticipate the more powerful British fleet sailing. Seeking an advantageous place for battle, he positioned his fleet behind Valcour Island. Since his fleet was smaller and his sailors inexperienced, he believed that the narrow waters would limit the British advantage in firepower and reduce the need to maneuver. This location was resisted by many of his captains who wished to fight in open water which would allow a retreat to Crown Point or Ticonderoga. Shifting his flag to the galley Congress (10), the American line was anchored by the galleys Washington (10) and Trumbull (10), as well as the schooners Revenge (8) and Royal Savage, and sloop Enterprise (12). These were supported by the eight gundalows (3 guns each) and the cutter Lee (5). Departing on October 9, Carletons fleet, overseen by Captain Thomas Pringle, sailed south with 50 support vessels in tow. Led by Inflexible, Pringle also possessed the schooners Maria (14), Carleton (12), and Loyal Convert (6), the radeau Thunderer (14), and 20 gunboats (1 each). The Fleets Engage Sailing south with a favorable wind on October 11, the British fleet passed the northern tip of Valcour Island. In an effort to draw Carletons attention, Arnold sent out Congress and Royal Savage. After a brief exchange of fire, both vessels attempted to return to the American line. Beating against the wind, Congress succeeded in regaining its position, but Royal Savage was plagued by the headwinds and ran aground on the southern tip of the island. Quickly attacked by British gunboats, the crew abandoned ship and it was boarded by men from Loyal Convert (Map). This possession proved brief as American fire quickly drove them from the schooner. Rounding the island, Carleton and the British gunboats came into action and the battle began in earnest around 12:30 PM. Maria and Thunderer were unable to make headway against the winds and did not participate. While Inflexible struggled against the wind to join the fight, Carleton became the focus of American fire. Though dealing out punishment on the American line, the schooner suffered heavy casualties and after taking substantial damage was towed to safety. Also during the fight, the gundalow Philadelphia was critically hit and sank around 6:30 PM. The Tide Turns Around sunset, Inflexible came into action and began reducing Arnolds fleet. Out-gunning the entire American fleet, the sloop-of-war battered its smaller opponents. With the tide turned, only darkness prevented the British from completing their victory. Understanding the he could not defeat the British and with most of his fleet damaged or sinking, Arnold began planning an escape south to Crown Point. Utilizing a dark and foggy night, and with oars muffled, his fleet succeeded in sneaking through the British line. By morning they had reached Schuyler Island. Angered that the Americans had escaped, Carleton began a pursuit. Moving slowly, Arnold was forced to abandon damaged vessels en route before the approaching British fleet forced him to burn his remaining ships in Buttonmold Bay. Aftermath American losses at Valcour Island numbered around 80 killed and 120 captured. In addition, Arnold lost 11 of the 16 vessels he had on the lake. British losses totaled around 40 killed and three gunboats. Reaching Crown Point overland, Arnold ordered the post abandoned and fell back to Fort Ticonderoga. Having taken control of the lake, Carleton quickly occupied Crown Point. After lingering for two weeks, he determined that it was too late in the season to continue the campaign and withdrew north into winter quarters. Though a tactical defeat, the Battle of Valcour Island was critical strategic victory for Arnold as it prevented an invasion from the north in 1776. The delay caused by the naval race and battle gave the Americans an additional year to stabilize the northern front and prepare for the campaign that would culminate with the decisive victory at the Battles of Saratoga.

Management of Organizations Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Management of Organizations - Research Paper Example This also includes fulfilling the requirements for activities such as recruitment of new members of management teams, establishing business relationships with other organizations and coming up the best platform for increasing the intellectual property rights of an organization. To be successful in delivering the best for this career, it is essential that become enlightened on a number of key skills. These skills are as stipulated below. It is clearly vital to note that this job requires one to be very excellent in making quality business strategies. To be successful here, it is necessary that I have excellent qualitative and quantitative skills. In addition, as a key member of an organization, I should also have excellent electronic commerce skills. This will facilitate smooth execution of business functions globally hence increasing the companies competitive advantage (Miles,

University of Strathclyde Marketing Strategy Coursework - 1

University of Strathclyde Marketing Strategy - Coursework Example The University has witnessed a growing number of international students in the recent due to its strategy to globalize the education sector. The report highlights the marketing strategies used by the University of Strathclyde to achieve both academic and marketing excellence in the education sector. The University of Strathclyde has a common goal of attracting high-quality students and recruiting wonderful faculty members and staff. Also, the institution targets at encouraging more alumni to make donations in support of existing school programs, as well as build up the school’s reputation and brand recognition. In order to stand out from the other Universities and Colleges in the UK, the institution focuses more on writing an effective marketing strategy that suits their environment. The institution concentrates its efforts in creating a five to seven-piece communication plan to build and sustain interest in its activities(Morfaw, 2009, p. 126). The flow of marketing information targets to the student population and focuses on the key marketing message to be communicated to its audience. Above all, the University’s marketing strategy pays more attention to the academic outcomes of the institution. The University also builds its communication around marketing specific academic programs and the previous results achieved from the same programs. The results could be based on the graduate and job placement or faculty achievements. Specific tactics used for marketing include the development of print and web collateral that contain adequate information on the programs of interest and their points of difference. Such technics enhance the University’s web presence and result in the development of more compelling pages that highlight the quality of the academic programs offered by the institution. The marketing tools also used include a tuition and scholarship net cost

Behaviorism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 1

Behaviorism - Essay Example Principles of behaviorism should be part of every elementary classroom (Monchinski, 2008). Although not all activities or ideas are behaviorist in nature, it will help to incorporate behaviorism in some parts of the lesson. The reason behind this is that students in grade school are not yet mature and they need guidance in order to learn proper behavior and skills. Activating prior knowledge, providing models for activities, and giving rewards are some ways to incorporate behaviorism in the given lesson. Incorporating behaviorism into the lesson plan serves the teacher in three ways. First, by activating prior knowledge, the teacher will have the chance to check students’ understanding of the previous lesson. Likewise, by doing such, the students will feel the need to review past lessons, thus reinforcing good study habits among students. They will be inclined to think that past lessons should not be taken for granted; thus taking down notes, reviewing them, and even memorizi ng will help them get a better grade. Moreover, activating prior knowledge will make students see the link between the previous and the current lesson (Monchinski, 2008). Using principles of behaviorism, the teacher also provides model for learning a new skill. In the given lesson, students will be taught directly how to work on the thesis statement and subsections of the speech. This effort could guide students to perform the task appropriately and produce the expected output. Also, telling students what to do or what is expected to happen prior to performing the activity could lead them to write the best speech. The key is to condition learners to act as expected. Modeling and direct instruction also serve to promote positive behavior among students.

Economic Problem of Scarcity and Resource Allocation

Economic Problem of Scarcity and Resource Allocation TASK 1 1(a)Explain the economic problem of scarcity and resource allocation, and evaluate the role of opportunity costs in determining how economics make decisions All the problems which are associated with money are known as economic problem. It is also known as central, basic or fundamental economic problem. It state that there is scarcity that is, the availability of limited resources are not enough to satisfy the need want and demand of the society. So the question is that how to control and what to be produced, and how the capital and labor are utilized to remove this type of problems. The problems of economics appear mostly with two problems: Unlimited human wants Limited resources Scarcity Scarcity is one of the most important and basic problem in which human wants are unlimited so it creates difficulties to fulfill the satisfaction of human wants because resources are limited. Thus we have selected one option. We have to make tradeoffs. We have to use our resources with efficiently and well-mannered way. We are bound to do so because resources are limited and demands of our own are unlimited. Without scarcity, the discipline of economics cannot be presents. Economic is a field of distribution, production and consumption of goods and services. If the society fails to produce the goods according to the required demand and fail to distribute the goods equally between the societies and didn’t fulfill the wants and demands of humans, then the study of the economic problems become boring. In case of scarcity not appears, and then the goods and services would be free. Therefore the decision about scarcity would be made. Allocation resources problems occur due to scarcity of resources and give the answer of the question that what would be satisfied and which should be left unsatisfied. In other words we can say that what to produce and where it is produce and how much it is going to produced? Because production of goods in maximum quantity required more resources and resources are scarce. These two factors are run together if the productions of some products increased then the resources are also being increased because more productions require more resources. The problem of distribution contracts with the question of whether to products capital goods or customer goods. When the demand of some products are increase then the society take decisions of producing capital goods and the resources withdrawn from the production of consumer goods. So in that case both the capital and customer goods are significance 1(b)Explain how market equilibrium is achieved It is the state of the market in which the demand and supply are equal in the market. When the prices of the goods and services are involved in the supply and demand equality state, equilibrium price is achieved. Whenever a market is in the state of equilibrium and the prices of goods and services are not changed unless any external factors changes effect on it, it results in a distraction of the equilibrium. Market equilibrium can be best define on the help of below example and graphical representation For Example: let’s suppose the weekly supply and demand program of soft drink in Students at various prices (between 30p and PKR 1.10p) is shown Price Quantity Demanded Quantity Supplied 1.10 0 1000 1.00 100 900 90 200 800 80 300 700 70 400 600 60 500 500 50 600 400 40 700 300 30 800 200 Equilibrium As it can be seen this market will be in the state of equilibrium at a price of 60p as per soft drink. At this point the demand and supply of soft drinks is to be equal and will be the clear market which means that 500 soft drinks will be presented for sale at the price of 60p and same 500 drinks will be bought that result is no change in demand and supply at price 60. Price Quantity Demanded Quantity Supplied 1.10 0 1000 1.00 100 900 90 200 800 80 300 700 70 400 600 60 500 500 50 600 400 40 700 300 30 800 200 When the price is higher than equilibrium, supply will be more than 500 but demand will be less than 500 so in the short run there will be an excess of supply. Graphically we can say that supply extends outwards along with the curve and demand contracts inwards. Such a changes are called movements along the demand or supply curve in reaction to a change in price. Demands of product contracts due to higher prices therefore the substitution effect and income effect make a chain to dispirit demand as well as when demand extends at lower prices, the substitution and income effect make a chain to boost demand. In term of supply the supplier’s belief of higher revenue and profits when increase in prices boost up supply therefore increase in price decreses the cost of opportunity for supplying more and vice versa. The cost of opportunity of supply narrates to the probable substitutes of the factors of production. Similarly in the case of a college or university canteen that supplies soft drinks or other products become more or less attractive to supply when the price of soft drinks changes.In response to changes in prices, changes in demand and supply stated to as the signaling and incentive effects of change in price. If the information passing rapidly between the buyer and seller in the market efficiently, the excess of demand and elimination of supply will be achieved and the markett growth will rapidly accommodate (in the case between students and a college canteen). Simliarly in the case of supply superfluous, the price will adjust downwards and supply will be reduced by the seller with holding excess stocks. Whereas in the case of surplus demand, the seller will speedily neglect their stock that will generate an increase in price and improved supply. So to create a stable equilibrium price it is necessary and depend on the efficiency of market working and closer to settle the market. 1(c)Assess the importance of elasticity in market interactions In the market interaction the elasticity is important dimension of how the approachable and economic variable is to a change in to another. Elasticity is one of the most significant concepts in neoclassical economic theory. It is the valuable and consideration in the occurrence of unplanned assessment, negligible conception as they communicate to the theory of the firm distribution of money and different categories of goods as they communicate to the theory of customer excellent. Elasticity is also significantly important in any argument of the money distribution and most important in customer benefit, producer benefit or government benefit. Elasticity could be calculated as the ratio of the proportion change in one variable to the proportion change in another variable, when the concluding variable has a fundamental influence on the former. Commonly used elasticity eliminates price elasticity; supply elasticity, income elasticity and replacement elasticity between issues of production and elasticity of inter progressive replacement. Following are some important points which show the importance of elasticity in the market interaction. International trade It is important to keep information about the elasticity of demand of goods while exporting of fix price of products. An organization may fix high prices for the goods with inelastic demand. Thus if the required demand in the importing country is elastic, then exporting country will fix low price. Decisions of Monopolist: A monopolist deliberates the environment of demand whereas fixing price of his manufactured goods. If demand on behalf of the manufactured goods is elastic, at that time he will fix low price. But, if demand is inelastic, at that time he is in a situation to fix a high price. Guideline to the producers The elasticity concept gives the idea to the manufacturers of advertising the amount to be spent on. In case of elastic in commodity demand, then the manufacturer will have to be consumed more amounts on advertising by increasing the sale. Help to trade unions The trade union has the power of increasing the wages of labor where product demand is inelastic. It the demand is relatively elastic then the trade union never force for higher wages. Importance in taxation policy As respects its applied benefits, the idea has huge significance in the scope of government finance. When a finance minister levies a tax on an assured product, he has to understand whether the demand for that product is elastic or inelastic. In case of inelastic in demand he can use his power of increasing the tax and can gather huge amount in the form of revenue. But if the demand is elastic then he is the situation of increasing the tax rate. By doing so the total revenue reduced and demand for commodity is calculated. 1(d)Compare how prices are set in different market structures An industry compares its products with every one of those by whom its products are identify by nature or match with it and a company’s market strategies and structure reliant of that company which they compete. An organization or a company is confidential into four market structure. These are: Perfect competition Monopolistic competition Oligopoly Monopoly Perfect competition A market structure in which the five following condition are encountered. All the organizations sell an indistinguishable product. All the organizations cannot control the price of product into the market. All the organizations have comparatively minor shares in market. Consumers know each and every thing about the product price of sale and purchase. The organizations are categorized by independence of free entry and exit. Monopolistic competition this situation is created when the manufacturer sell out those products who are totally different from one another. This is also called imperfect competition. In the monopolistic competition an organization ignore the impression of its own price and charge heavy price as compare to its competitors. Oligopoly Oligopoly has its own market structure in which market industry is controlled by small numbers of suppliers. Oligopoly reduce competition and from numerous competitors and make principal to higher prices from customers. Monopoly Monopoly creates in the situation when there is no any other company or any competitor. Actually there is only one company is providing the goods and services to the customers and there is no additional company is available to fulfill the requirements of the customer’s needs and demands. Comparison of prices sets in different market structures The pricing strategy is very important in the market structure. This is in a impeccable modest that market will be obvious by the market demand and supply curve of the product in question. The supply curve presents the company’s ability of producing the price. On the perfect competition pricing strategy is show that there is only going to sell products for the consumer on which he demand and pay for it. This is complementary in price and demand. In this situation the perfect competition of market prices would be strong minded by the equilibrium of products and services in the question meaning in that the existent market will establish the price of the product in question. The organization in this situation will be the price taker and fundamentally sole its products on going market strategies. So the producer produces the product at low cost for making high profit. In a monopolistic competition the market structure is categorized by the company to sell their products at the pricing strategy of a company. May be a product that a company produce it is similar with another but a slit different from another then select a price strategy which may not affected to the market. As such, the company will effort to advance a modification in their product by using consumer segments, branding, advertising, and personal sales to set their product separately from other similar but different products. Therefore, there are a variety of prices of the different products as an alternative of a single market price. Due to numerous numbers of competitors in the competition of monopolist they have control over the price they have to set for their individual products. A company’s price strategy that is an oligopoly competition market structure is resulted by their straight competitors as strong and complex by pricing for each other. The company collections of its product price founded on demand. The additional demand, the advanced they can alteration the price but they are thoughtful not to determination the price too in elevation so they won’t interest challengers who would hunger to come into hooked on the marketplace and ambition prices depressed. 1(e)Evaluate the importance of different market systems As compare to the manufacturing of any goods or providing any services, the marketing system is more important. From the producer point of view, the wholesaler and the consumers are changed. But everyone is interested in his profit. From the manufacturer point of view it is also essential to know that the price in the market allow him to make continue to produce or not. This is also important that what to produce and where it is produce and at what time he should sell it. Customer watches in the market form the point of viewing of his buying power as he is able to purchase the goods or services or not. Wholesaler definitely wants to increase their profit by satisfying different market functions to the customers. Marketing has larger reputation and significance for the society as a full than for any of the separate receivers complicated in marketing system. Marketing system brought new ideas and information about quality advantages of goods to customers. It provides relationship between production and consumption. This system also gives to the manufacturers the useful tools and equipment’s, for the easy use of machines and other implements for taking more benefits etc. An efficient marketing system outcomes in lower costs of spreading and lower prices to customers, actually transports around an increase in the National Income. A lower cost of marketing is a straight advantage to the general public. Marketing system supports in become stable the price level. If manufacturer products what customers demand and customers have a extensive optimal of merchandises around are no variation in price. Marketing system changes dormant incomes into authentic resources, of requirements into activities and growth of accountability financial privileged and knowledgeable economic countries. One third of society is involved in the marketing segment and it is expected that one fourth of national income is earned by the profession of marketing. TASK 2

Organic vs. Sustainable Agriculture Essay -- Compare Contrast Agricult

Organic vs. Sustainable Agriculture Agriculture, to many is just an industry of farmers and cows. Most people can’t even come close to fathom just how essential the continuance of agriculture is to not just our well being, but our very lives. People of the United States have been spoiled, they’ve never had to worry about the grocery stores running empty because, even to this day, there hasn’t been a problem growing enough to feed, not only the U.S. but a good part of the world too. The day though is fast approaching that we won’t be able to keep those grocery stores stocked. Due to the depletion of the vital resources, needed to produce our food, it is becoming increasingly challenging for today’s agriculturalists to feed the world. The only way to be able to keep up with the exponentially growing population and shrinking resource base, is to radically change how we produce our food or we will be looking at a huge crisis in the very near future. From this, need of new farming and prod uction techniques, comes a couple new practices that will be discussed in this publication. One is sustainable, and the other is organic crop production. In the following, both practices will be discussed in detail hopefully clearing the air on which practice, in the long run should be the path production agriculture takes. Organic Agriculture, as defined by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB): â€Å"Is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain, and enhance ecological harmony.† Which is very fancily put for agriculture with as little man made input as poss... ...perations future sustainability. Sources Brodt, S, Feenstra, G, Kozloff, R, Klonsky, K, Tourte, L. (2006). Farmer –community connections and the future of ecological agriculture in California. Agriculture and Human Values, 23,75-88. Fouche, C, Tourte, L, Gaskell, M, Smith, R, Koike, S, T. Mitchell, J. (2006) Organic Certification, Farm Planning, Management, and Marketing. Publication #7247, 1-6 Earles, R, Williams, P. (2005) Sustainable Agriculture: An introduction. Retrieved October 22, 2006, from http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/sustagintro.pdf Gegner, L, Kueper, G. (2004) Organic Crop Production Overview. Retrieved October 22, 2006, from http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/organiccrop.pdf Pimentel, D. (2005) Environmental, energetic, and economic comparisons of organic and conventional farming systems. Bioscience, v. 55, no. 7, 573-579

Cultural Diversity Assignment Essay

Religion is an important value in Appalachian culture. Loyal Jones stresses the fact that religion can often become â€Å"fatalistic. † What did he mean by this? How has this attitude come to affect the Appalachian culture in a negative way? Religion, according to Loyal Jones, is one of the ten common values common to Appalachians. Religiosity is often manifested by Appalachians in their values and in the meanings which they regard life. It differs from the orthodox practices of most religions such as attending certain rituals or going on worship days. Sometimes however, they come to view their religion as being too fatalistic. The downside for such is that people then tend to attribute events (often aversive ones) to factors which they believe are beyond their control but in reality, are not. What might have been avoided incidents are often accepted as the way they are. Fatalism however does not only involve disadvantages. For instance, fatalism eases up the burdens that most Appalachian people have to deal with in their everyday life. By thinking about their conditions in terms of fate and destiny, these people come accept their situations more willingly. Thus, it is important that people from Appalachia find where their locus of control (a â€Å"construct which is designed to evaluate a person’s perceived control over his or her behavior† (Locus of Control)) lies. While it is helpful to be fatalistic at times, it is also important that one takes an active part in controlling his or her future. 2. In Morocco, there are only two genders, but the two are very distinct. How do the concepts of private space and public space relate to gender? What is the purpose of the HIJAB AND THE DJELLABA? How do these relate to the concept of cultural relativity? In Morocco, public and private spaces relate to the issue of gender in that these concepts still reflect much modern Moroccan society’s interactions. Although gender divisions are slowly becoming fluid in that men and women can interact publicly; there are still domains in which a particular sex is not allowed to enter or participate in. For instance, certain professions are restricted to males (Women in Morocco). The hijab is worn by Muslim women based on religious doctrines (Parker, 1996) in order to achieve certain purposes. For instance, it is seen as a means to protect women from the male gaze (Parker, 1996). The djellaba on the other hand is worn by men (Djellaba). The primary purpose of the two articles of clothing is to provide a distinction between the sexes. These articles thus address cultural relativity in that they come to stand for greater things (i. e. gender) when they are viewed in a certain cultural context. 3. Asian Americans are often referred to as the â€Å"model minority. † What does this mean? Why do some Asians find problems with this concept? Asian Americans are often referred to as the model minority because most of them eventually excel in their education as well as in their chosen careers although they were initially â€Å"penniless and homeless† when they come to America. Although the stereotype is different from the Black and Mexican stereotype in that it is generally positive; some Asian Americans who haven’t accomplished the said stereotypical connotations feel that they are unduly compared to those who have (Banerji, 2007). As in the case of any stereotype, the dangers of overgeneralization should always be avoided. 4. What is the significance of the video titled, â€Å"Two towns of Jasper? † Why was it important to use 2 film crews in telling the film’s story? What would you hope people take away from viewing this film? The film is significant in that it addressed the issue that supremacist attitudes do and still exist in American society, at least until the late 90s. Almost eight years after the incident involving Rodney King and the LAPD, the truth as to the â€Å"abolition† of racial practices was again put into question with the case of James Byrd Jr. The film in essence, placed emphasis on the need to evaluate whether people still viewed other individuals based on their skin color. The directors of the film, Whitney Dow and Marco Williams employed two film crews in the movie in order to elicit real and untainted responses from the residents of Jasper. Filming was structured in such a way that a white crew filmed white residents and a black crew filmed black residents (Two Towns of Jasper). It was only after the movie was released did the residents know that their responses would be integrated into a single project. I believe that the film hopes to raise people’s awareness to the fact that racial views are still prevalent in American society. The use of the aforementioned filming technique hoped to provide a venue in which the audience could critically think about an important issue that has far reaching implications. 5. How would you respond to the following statement: â€Å"Talking about diversity only makes problems worse? † People who believe that talking about diversity only makes problems worse definitely undermine the value of dialogue as a means to reach a compromise or agreement. Many think that diversity is a touchy subject since various issues are involved and I believe that they do have valid reasons for thinking that way. What I do not agree with however is their belief that sensitive topics should not be talked about and kept private. In my opinion, talking about diversity lessens a person’s â€Å"aversion† towards the issue. But talking about it isn’t the most crucial part of the discussion. There are certain considerations which merit considerable attention. For instance a lot of problems arise when people come to the discussion bringing with them strongly – held convictions as well as prejudices against certain individuals or groups of people. The end result is that more problems arise than are solved. In general, I think that discussions on cultural diversity could not only prove to be important in removing inhibitions on the issue but could prove to be instrumental in addressing a lot of concerns that are crucial to the improvement of a lot of lives, especially of those who are involved. 6. Describe your biggest diversity challenges so far in your life as well as what possible challenges you may face in your professional (Human Services/Education) life. What actions are you taking or will you take to deal with these situations? Living in a country in which a lot of races coexist, I believe that the biggest challenge for me lies on the fact that I am exposed to different people coming from different backgrounds. For instance, the school provides a venue for me to meet new friends. Most of them however come from different backgrounds and hold on to beliefs that are often dissimilar from what I believe. Challenges in my professional life may include the same considerations as mentioned above. I think venturing into any career requires one to be open minded as well as mindful of the â€Å"idiosyncrasy† which may exist among individuals and cultures. Taking the time to learn about another culture helps one to accept the fact that differences do exist among us culturally and that we could coexist in peace and mutual respect if only we go beyond our cultural barriers. References Banerji, S. (2007). UCLA Expert Challenges The Asian – American â€Å"Model Minority† Assumption. Retrieved on 27 November 2007 at http://www. diverseeducation. com/artman/publish/article_7071. shtml Jones, L. (2006). The Proud Appalachian. Retrieved on 27 November 2007 at http://www1. epinions. com/content_4639989892 Locus of Control. (n. d. ). The American Heritage ® Stedman’s Medical Dictionary. Retrieved on 27 November 2007, from Dictionary. com website: http://dictionary. reference. com/browse/locus of control Two Towns of Jasper. (2002). Retrieved on 27 November 2007 at http://www. pbs. org/pov/pov2002/twotownsofjasper/index. html Women in Morocco. (2007). Moroccan Culture Series. Retrieved on 27 November 2007 at http://french. about. com/library/travel/bl-ma-women. htm Parker, K. (1996). Women, Islam and Hijab. Retrieved on 27 November 2007 at http://www. english. emory. edu/Bahri/Veil. html Djellaba. (n. d. ). Dictionary. com Unabridged (v 1. 1). Retrieved November 27, 2007, from Dictionary. com website: http://dictionary. reference. com/browse/djellaba

Social characters of Jews and essays

Social characters of Jews and essays In chapters 7-8 of Valhalla, Calvary and Auschwitz, author Giora Shoham examines the social characters and relationship of Jews and Germans prior and leading up to the Holocaust. Shoham believes Jews participant qualities clash with German separant identities which contributed to the Jews vicitimization during the Holocaust. Hitler;s leadership escalated these already established differences into a larger, bloodier conflict. Chapter 7 outlines the different characters of Jews and Germans. More based on a pagan tradition and Teutonic mythology, Germans focus on power, expansion, grandeur and unity. Shoham uses Gothic churches as an example of German desire to overtake their surroundings and almost compete with God. In contrast, the author describes Jews as self effacing, focusing on individualism and peace. With such skewed and opposing characteristics, Shoham suggests these groups enter a bully victim relationship where the Jews desire to be swallowed by German society and German society is eager to oblige (270). Shohams desire to explore a new area of holocaust study focusing on roots of anti Semitism within Germany is interesting but has the potential to be dangerous. Sweeping generalization regarding any group are difficult to prove and can be misleading. For example, the author asserts Jews are historically bad planners but offers little evidence to support his claim. Chapter 8 expands on the bully vicitim relationship created by opposing Jewish and Germanic social characteristics. Shoham believes Jews possessed a love affair with Germanic culture which was not reciprocated by Germans. Shohams premise that Jews willingly disregarded their own cultural institutions is misplaced. YIDDISH, REFORM SYNAGOGUES....... ...

The Inclusive Classroom Best Supports Student Success

The Inclusive Classroom Best Supports Student Success Federal law in the United States (according to the IDEA) prescribes that students with disabilities should be placed in their neighborhood school with as much time as possible in a general education setting. This is LRE, or Least Restrictive Environment, provides that children should receive educational services with their typical peers unless education there cannot be achieved satisfactorily even with appropriate supplementary aids and services. A district is required to maintain a full range of environments from least restrictive (general education) to most restrictive (special schools).   The Successful Inclusive Classroom Keys to success include: Students need to be active - not passive learners.Children should be encouraged to make choices as often as possible, a good teacher will allow students some time to flounder as some of the most powerful learning stems from taking risks and learning from mistakes.Parental involvement is crucial.Students with disabilities must be free to learn at their own pace and have accommodations and alternative assessment strategies in place to meet their unique needs.Students need to experience success, learning goals need to be specific, attainable and measurable and have some challenge to them. What is the Teachers Role? The teacher facilitates the learning by encouraging, prompting, interacting, and probing with good questioning techniques, such as How do you know its right- can you show me how?. The teacher provides 3-4 activities that address the multiple learning styles and enables students make choices. For instance, in a spelling activity a student may choose to cut and paste the letters from newspapers or use magnetic letters to manipulate the words or use colored shaving cream to print the words. The teacher will have mini-conferences with students. The teacher will provide many learning manipulatives and opportunities for small group learning. Parent volunteers are helping with counting, reading, assisting with unfinished tasks, journals, reviewing basic concepts such as math facts and sight words. In the inclusive classroom, a teacher will differentiate instruction as much as possible, which will benefit both the students with and without disabilities, since it will provide more individual attention and attention to What Does the Classroom Look Like? The classroom is a beehive of activity. Students should be engaged in problem solving activities.   John Dewey once said, the only time we think is when were given a problem. The classroom that is child centered relies on  learning centers to support whole group and small group instruction. There will be a language center with learning goals, perhaps a media center with opportunity to listen to taped stories or create a multimedia presentation on the computer. There will be a music  center and a math center with many manipulatives. Expectations should always be clearly stated prior to students engaging in learning activities. Effective classroom management tools and routines will provide students with reminders about the acceptable noise level, learning activity and accountability for producing a finished product or accomplishing the center tasks. The teacher will supervise learning throughout the centers while either landing at one center for small group instruction or creating Teacher Time as a rotation. Activities at the center take into consideration multiple intelligences and learning styles. Learning  center time should begin with whole class instructions and end with whole class debriefing and evaluation: How did we do with maintaining a successful learning environment? Which centers were the most fun?  Where did you learn the most? Learning centers are a great way to differentiate instruction.  You will place some activities that every child can complete, and some activities designed for advanced, on level and remediated instruction. Models for Inclusion: Co-teaching:  Often this approach is used by school districts, especially in secondary settings.  I have often heard from general education teachers who are co-teaching provide very little support, are not involved in planning, in assessment or in instruction. Sometimes they just dont show up and tell their general ed partners when they have scheduled and IEP.  Effective co-teachers help with planning, provide suggestions for differentiation across abilities, and do some instruction to give the general education teacher the opportunity to circulate and support all the students in a classroom. Whole Class Inclusion:  Some districts (like those in California) are placing dually certified teachers in classrooms as social studies, math or English Language Arts teachers in secondary classrooms.  The teacher teaches the subject to both students with and without disabilities and carries a caseload of students enrolled in a specific grade, etc.  They would most likely call these inclusion classrooms and include students who are English Language Learners or struggling with grades. Push In:  A resource teacher will come into the general classroom and meet with students during centers time to support their IEP goals and provide small group or individualized instruction.  Often districts will encourage teachers to provide a mix of push in and pull out services. Sometimes the services are provided by a para-professional at the direction of a special education teacher. Pull Out:  This sort of pull out is usually indicated with a Resource Room placement in the IEP.   Students who have significant problems with attention and staying on task may benefit from a quieter setting without distractions.  At the same time, children whose disabilities put them at a significant disadvantage with their typical peers may be more willing to risk reading aloud or doing math if they arent worried about being dissed (dis-respected) or mocked by their general education peers.   What does Assessment Look Like? Observation is key. Knowing what to look for is critical. Does the child give up easily? Does the child persevere? Is the child able to show how he got the task right? The teacher targets a few learning goals per day and a few students per day to observe for goal attainment. Formal/informal interviews will help the assessment process. How closely does the individual remain on task? Why or why not? How does the student feel about the activity? What are their thinking processes? In Summary Successful learning centers require good classroom management and well known rules and procedures. A productive learning environment will take time to implement. The teacher may have to call the whole class together regularly in the beginning to ensure that all rules and expectations are being adhered to. Remember, think big but start small. Introduce a couple of centers per week. See more information on assessment.

Term paper( summarize articles) Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

( summarize articles) - Term Paper Example The two democrat presidential aspirants Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Barak obama of Illinois voted against earmark project, there was also a symbolic vote against earmark by Mr. McCain and this was to pass a message across. There were those from both parties who voted in favor of earmark but they couldn't meet up to the 60 votes needed to proceed on the issue. Mr. McCain was not particularly happy with members from both parties who don't see earmark as a wasteful project. An open seat in the congress that has been long held by Republicans in the conservative district was taken over by a Democrat. This happened after a special election, and has given the party an early boost in its drive to get a higher majority inside the House of Representatives. Woody Jenkins, a newspaper publisher lost to Don Cazayoux, a state representative, 49 percent to 46 percent, in a keenly and closely contested race for a seat left open as a result of the retirement of Richard Baker, a Republican. Mr. Cazayoux overcame the Republicans' view of him as a "liberal" by showing himself a little different from Mr. Jenkins with regards to social issues, by locking horns with figures like Nancy Pelosi, the House speaker, and Senator Barack Obama, who happen to share billing with him in a barrage of Republican attack advertisements.The Louisiana race was seen by the two parties' as an important test for the fall, given the fact that the district has been safe for Republicans for over three decades. a potential victory by Democrats is seen by them as a measure of Republican vulnerability; it is as an indication that it will be difficult to defend more than two dozen open seats that are in play in November, from the Republicans point of view. Mr. Cazayoux, who happens to be a low-key member of the State House and a one time prosecutor, matches the conservative model that Democrats deployed successfully in the 2006 elections when they took seats from Republicans. 4-Obama Wins Guam From NEW YOR TIMES By Sarah Wheaton Published:May 3, 2008 According to The Pacific Daily News, senator Obama won in Guam by a margin of only 7 votes. This result will probably not affect the outcome of the delegate calculations, given the proportional allocation of the delegates. Obama did pick up one superdelegate though, as a supporter of his was elected into the party's vice chairmanship position. 5-Narrow Victory for Obama in the Caucuses in Guam From NEW YORK TIMES By SARAH WHEATON Published: May 4, 2008 Senator Barack Obama defeated Senator Hillary Clinton by a margin of 7 votes to win the democratic caucuses in Guam. Delegates pledged to senator Obama received 2,264 votes, while those with Mrs. Clinton got 2,257 votes by the time hand-counting

Is Preventing Further Global Warming a Social Responsibility Essay

Is Preventing Further Global Warming a Social Responsibility - Essay Example Scientists have estimated that by the beginning of the next century, temperatures of the earth would have increased by approximately 2.1 degrees Celsius. An increase of only one degree is highly detrimental to animal and plant existence. Therefore, if the dangers of global warming do not undergo immediate intervention, then plant and animal lives might face partial or absolute extinction in the near future (Leroux 15). Causes of global warming For vey many years the concept of causal in global warming evaded human understanding. Until the formation of the Intergovernmental Panel by the UN, little was understood. The panel later found out that the presence of heat trapping gases in the air was majorly responsible for causing global warming. In this regard, they classified the heat trapping gases that cause what they referred to as the greenhouse gas effect. These gases range from simple CO2, methane, Nitrous Oxide to water vapor. Further research revealed that the amount of these gase s in the atmosphere was directly proportional to the increase in atmospheric temperatures. Major sources of these greenhouse gases are human activity-based. The beginning of industrialization in the nineteenth century brought about changes in fuel consumption. Due to demand from industries in fuel, exploration and extraction of fossil fuel has dramatically increased. Despite refining, fossil fuel provides a large amount of CO2 emitted to the atmosphere. Smoke from industries and fuel burning by locomotives are powerful source of carbon dioxide in the environment (Pumphrey 23). Other gases are highly harmful to the ozone layer that protects the earth from harmful emissions of light rays from the sun. Continual depletion of this protective blanket leads to exposure to these harmful radiations which in turn lead to increase of global temperatures. This has been identified as a hazardous effect caused by such gases as methane and other chlorofluorocarbons. Emissions of nitrous oxide inc rease the risk to global warming, 300 times more than carbon dioxide does. This shows the potential risk of continual increase of such industrial gases in the atmosphere. Debate in global warming Since its discovery, global warming has remained a debated issue in all its dimensions. Starting from its causes to how to curb it, there have been unclarities concerning the responsibilities involved. From the beginning of discovery of the concept, the responsibility was only pushed to governments. According to Leroux (98) statistics obtained in 2009 from different regions of the world indicated that awareness of the concept was still low. The question of responsibility has thus continually raised endless debates. With a general understanding that causing of global warming is largely done by industries, blame has only been shifted to industries. Responsibility has evaded direction. The general societies have thus remained unclear whether they should be involved or not. This is one major de bate that has rocked the human mind. Responsibility With increased rates of this disaster, there was need for a collaborative approach towards combating the dangers of the situation. Given that its effects will largely affect the causers and victims of increasing greenhouse gases in the