Portraits By Warhol Essays - Pop Art, Andy Warhol,

Portraits By Warhol Some of the portraits that were done by Warhol began with Troy Donahue and Warren Beatty, and Elvis Presley. Then later on came Marilynn Monroe and Jackie Kennedy. There was also a series of car crash pictures done around this time. The Jackie Kennedy portraits were done very shortly after the assassination of President Kennedy. They mirrored the mourning face of Jackie that was shown time and time again in the media. There were eight different images that were all taken from different newspapers at the time. The number of works in this series is still unknown. (Crone pg 29) The car crash pictures had an extreme amount of variation. They ranged from having one picture to a canvas to having up to twenty on the same canvas at one time. There are many different colored pictures in this set. The most major change from one to another is the background color. It is difficult for critics to place the origination of the meaning of this set of works. (Crone pg 29) The series involving the electric chairs has a very serious political statement. It is a symbol of misuse of governmental sovereignty; it has also been considered and open confession of a deficiency in cultural development. (Crone) About the same time as the electric chair pictures were being shown there were many other quite disturbing sets of pictures being shown. They were of race riots and many were taken directly from newspaper articles of the Nazi Germany and Castros revolution in Cuba. (Crone pg 29) One of the last serial sets that Warhol created before moving on from painting was of flowers. The flowers were produced in an extreme variety of sizes and quantities. These were on display in 1964. The original flowers were taken from a women magazine. Unlike most of his earlier works, these reproductions were touched up by hand on the screen. These are also different in that they do not represent anything to Warhol. They are strictly decorative. The colors used in the painting arent used to symbolize anything but just to bring out color in decoration. In all there were about nine hundred of the flower painting made in Warhols studio, The Factory. These were among the very last of Warhols paintings, in the remainder of his life he concentrated on movie making. (Crone pg 30) During Warhols life his work has been controversial. He has become more recognized and famous after his death in 1987. I think that his purpose for being an artist seemed to be different from that of other artists. Im not convinced he painted and filmed for the love of the art or so much for his purpose in doing it. I think he had a message he wanted to get across and this was the medium through which he chose to express himself. Mythology Essays

Dorothea Dix and the Dangers of Citizenship essays

Dorothea Dix and the Dangers of Citizenship essays The report I read was about Dorothea Dix, and her quest to help those who were mentally ill. This was during the Jacksonian period, 1820 through 1840, and the citizens were becoming unstable, and that it would cause a major problem for the future. The people of the Jacksonian period felt the need for housing and teaching though with this unstable disorder, insanity or mentally illness, and keep society from falling apart. Schools were emphasized more, to teach students to be orderly and obedient. New settings called asylums were created to provide order for those with disordered minds, but all these new ideas needed support and money to be accomplished, and many were ready for the challenge, like Dorothea Dix. Dorothea Dix would give hope to people in the Jacksonian period that if she could get the help from the states, then so could anyone else. She was born in Hampden, Maine, 1802, and didnt have a great youth, but it wouldnt stop her later on in life from accomplishing the goals of getting legislatures of the states to fund asylums. She didnt make a huge campaign for it, or have fundraisers, but personally went and talked to those she needed to talk to, to get the goal accomplished. Shed make trips around the states to gather information of how the mentally ill are being treated, and bring it to the legislatures, with explanations and ideas. Dixs work wouldnt go to waste, she wouldnt get the Presidents vote for the bill, but her dream wouldnt be forgotten because by the 20th century, her wish was granted, the Sheppard Towner Act of 1921 and the Social Security Act of 1921. I think the report about Dorothea Dixs determination is a great report because it shows that willpower will get you far, and if you dont accomplish your goal, you inspire others to go out and give their willpower. Shes a great role model for anyone to have. ...

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotations

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotations Johann Wolfgang von Goethe  (1749–1832) was a prolific German poet and writer. Within his body of work are many quotes (zitate, in German) that are now famous bits of wisdom passed down through the generations. A number of these have also influenced other popular musings and sage advice. Among Goethes best-known lines are those below. Many come from published books of the poets work while a few are from personal correspondence. Here, we will explore them in both their original German as well as the English translations. One of the Best-Known Goethe Quotes Man sieht nur das, was man weiß. English Translation:  You only see what you know. Goethe From"Die Wahlverwandtschaften" Die Wahlverwandtschaften (Elective Affinities) was Goethes third novel published in 1809. Glà ¼cklicherweise kann der Mensch nur einen gewissen Grad des Unglà ¼cks fassen; was darà ¼ber hinausgeht, vernichtet ihn oder lßt ihn gleichgà ¼ltig. English Translation: Fortunately, people can comprehend only a certain degree of misfortune; anything beyond that either destroys them or leaves them indifferent. Goethe From "Maximen und Reflexionen" Maximen und Reflexionen (Maxims and Reflections) is a collection of Goethes writings published posthumously in 1833. Der Alte verliert eines der grà ¶ÃƒÅ¸ten Menschenrechte: er wird nicht mehr von seines Gleichen beurteilt. English Translation: An old man loses one of the most important rights of man: he is no longer judged by his peers. Es ist nichts schrecklicher als eine ttige Unwissenheit. English Translation: Theres nothing worse than ignorance in action. Goethe to Eckermann, 1830 Goethe and fellow poet Johann Peter Eckermann regularly corresponded with one another. This comes from a 1830 letter to Eckermann. Napoleon gibt uns ein Beispiel, wie gefhrlich es sei, sich ins Absolute zu erheben und alles der Ausfà ¼hrung einer Idee zu opfern. English Translation: Napoleon provides us an example of how dangerous it is to be elevated to the absolute and to sacrifice everything to implement an idea. Goethe From "Wilhelm Meisters Wanderjahre" Wilhelm Meisters Wanderjahre (Wilhelm Meisters Journeyman Years) is the third in a series of books written by Goethe. It was first published in 1821, then revised and republished in 1829. Unter allem Diebesgesindel sind die Narren die schlimmsten. Sie rauben euch beides, Zeit und Stimmung. English Translation: Of all the thieving riff-raff, fools are the worst. They steal both your time and your good mood. Das Leben gehà ¶rt den Lebenden an, und wer lebt, muss auf Wechsel gefasst sein. English Translation: Life belongs to the living, and those who live must be prepared for change. Es gibt keine patriotische Kunst und keine patriotische Wissenschaft. Beide gehà ¶ren, wie alles hohe Gute, der ganzen Welt an... English Translation: There is no patriotic art and no patriotic science. Both belong, like all high good, to the whole world... Goethe From"Wilhelm Meisters Lehrjahre" Wilhelm Meisters Lehrjahre (Wilhelm Meisters Apprenticeship) is the second volume in Goethes famous series, published in 1795. Alles, was uns begegnet, lßt Spuren zurà ¼ck. Alles trgt unmerklich zu unserer Bildung bei. English Translation: Everything we encounter leaves traces behind. Everything contributes imperceptibly to our education. Die beste Bildung findet ein gescheiter Mensch auf Reisen. English Translation: The best education for a clever person is found in travel. Goethe From "Sprichwà ¶rtlich" The following are small excerpts from Goethes poem Sprichwà ¶rtlich (Proverbial). Zwischen heut und morgenliegt eine lange Frist.Lerne schnell besorgen,Da du noch munter bist. English Translation: Between today and tomorrowlies a long time.Learn quickly to take care of thingswhile youre still fit. Tu nur das Rechte in deinen Sachen;Das andre wird sich von selber machen. English Translation: Just do the right thing in your affairs;The rest will take care of itself. Goethe From "Reineke Fuchs" Reineke Fuchs is a 12-song epic written by Goethe in 1793. Besser laufen, als faulen. English Translation: Better to run than to rot. Goethe From "Hermann und Dorothea" Hermann and Dorothea is one of Goethes epic poems published in 1796. Wer nicht vorwrts geht, der kommt zurà ¼cke. English Translation: If youre not going forward, youre going backward. Goethe From "Faust I (Vorspiel auf dem Theater)" Faust I is a collection of Goethes work and when combined with Faust II, the two span 60 years of the poets artistic writings. Vorspiel auf dem Theater (Prelude on the Theater) is one poem examining the conflicts of drama and theater. Was glnzt, ist fà ¼r den Augenblick geboren,Das Echte bleibt der Nachwelt unverloren. English Translation: That which glitters is born for the moment;The genuine remains intact for future days.

Can focusing on literacy improve controlled assessments Research Paper

Can focusing on literacy improve controlled assessments - Research Paper Example In short, well-designed controlled assessments show education professionals what not do; how not to prepare and present the test (Doyle 2008, pg. 22). Literacy is a critical aspect of controlled assessments because oral and writing skills play a huge role in pupils’ ability to understand and solve the challenges posed in controlled assessments. In this paper, I will explore the impact of literacy on controlled assessments and how literacy can be used to influence controlled assessments. Key Words Controlled assessments; literacy; language learning Introduction Coursework has been replaced by controlled assessments at GCSE level. Controlled assessments currently form part of assessment schemes in most subjects, and differs from coursework with respect to the conditions under which they are administered. Unlike coursework, controlled assessments are usually developed under conditions that are closely supervised. In some subjects this may equate to writing up the final part in cl ass over one or more classroom sessions monitored by teachers. This may have to be done under exam conditions (Tileston 2004, pg. 35). Any violation of normal exam regulations can have grave consequences on pupils’ academic lives. Supporting materials like notes (not complete drafts) can be used when writing up. Teachers are usually expected to provide learners with information on how controlled assessments are done in their subjects. Discussion Before I begin my discussion, I would like to take a stand and state that focusing on literacy can actually improve controlled assessments. Literacy basically entails speaking and writing skills, and these two abilities significantly influence the outcomes of controlled assessments. For both teachers and learners, controlled assessments come with different facets that must all be satisfied before the entire process is deemed successful to any extent. These facets include the following: planning; finding; selection; analysis; presentat ion; and self-evaluation (Doyle 2008, pg. 46). All these aspects must be addressed by teachers and learners before and during the controlled assessments and they require sufficient levels of literacy to be dealt with successfully. Learners with very low literacy levels will most definitely find controlled assessments more challenging compared to those who are sufficiently literate. This breeds failure and leads to the development of a bad attitude towards controlled assessments. Individuals naturally have different abilities, and therefore differences in speaking and writing skills will automatically arise. In spite of this, teachers have a responsibility to give all learners the opportunity to develop and perfect their literacy skills (Huot 2002, pg. 58). This way, chances of success in controlled assessments are significantly increased. In other words, poor speaking and writing skills negatively automatically compromise the success of controlled assessments even before they commen ce. Plagiarism is a huge problem not only in controlled assessments but also in examinations. It is condemned and abhorred by teachers and educational institutions, but is yet to be eradicated. Statistics provided by the United States Department of Education reveal that plagiarism and cheating, though problematic in most educational institutions, are most prevalent in learners with poor speaking and written skills (Torrance 2012, pg. 28). This is because they find it hard to read, understand, and

Cross-Cultural Ministry's assingment Assignment

Cross-Cultural Ministry's assingment - Assignment Example According to Bob Lupton, a charity to the needy often turns to be toxic when such charity leads to bad social economic habits to the hurt. In most cases, the persons targeted for charity work are fully-fledged people who function well and can do entirely what they are being done to them or provided for by these charity individuals and organizations. Therefore, according Bob Lupton, charities makes these persons highly dependent on charity individual and organizations thereby becoming irresponsible as well as making them lazy. 2. What did Bob Lupton and Bart and Melissa Dodson observe in the people they witnessed being helped that prompted them to decide to adopt radically different practices in the way they tried to make a difference for God in people’s lives thereafter? According Bob Lupton, Bart, and Melissa Dodson, the persons who are helped by charity organization and individuals to be lazy and only form tendency of waiting or seeking help from these charities instead of using their energy to help themselves. Moreover, the over dependence of these people often make them lazy since they believe that everything is to be done for them. For instance, they stated that there are needs to offer charity work to cleaning an estate or a community yet the persons living in the capacity have all it takes to do the same activities offered to them by these charities. 3. It seems pretty obvious that, after a natural disaster such as a hurricane, a tornado, massive flooding, or an earthquake, the victims are so traumatized and deprived of necessities that they need immediate help. How can authors such as Bob Lupton, Steve Corbett, and Brian Fikkert possibly be critical of individuals or faith-based relief agencies that take action to alleviate acute suffering under such circumstances? Despite Bob Lupton, Steve Corbett, and Brian Fikkert regarding charity works to the society to

The African American Journey Essay Example for Free

The African American Journey Essay The history of African Americans is, to a significant degree, the history of the United States. Black people accompanied the first explorers, and a black man was among the first to die in the American Revolution. The United States, with more than 38 million Blacks, has the eighth-largest Black population in the world. Despite the large number, Blacks in this country have had almost no role in major national and political decisions and have been allowed only a peripheral role in many crucial decisions that influenced their own destiny. The Black experience, in what came to be the United States, began as something less than citizenship, but was â€Å"considered slightly better than slavery† (Schaefer, 2006, p. 184). In 1619, 20 Africans arrived in Jamestown as indentured servants or slaves. Their status was not clearly known, even to the people who were living at that time. By 1640, at least one African had been declared a slave. This African was ordered by the court to serve his said master or his assigns for the time of his natural life here or elsewhere. â€Å"Within a generation race, not religion was being made the defining characteristic of enslaved Virginians. The terrible transformation to racial slavery was underway (Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), (n. d. )). † During the early 17th century, there were no laws that defined the rights, or the lack of rights, of blacks. â€Å"Virginia was being held back. Thanks to tobacco, it had the means to make money. What was needed, though, were laborers laborers to clear fields, to plant and harvest crops. During the 1620s and 1630s, when the price of tobacco was high and English workers had too few jobs available at home, Virginia found its supply of labor in England. Then after 1660 the value of tobacco dropped and the Great Plague reduced Englands population. In addition, a terrible fire in London destroyed much of the city and created new jobs at home for construction workers of all sorts. No longer able to lure their own countrymen, Virginians looked toward African labor, following the pattern established by the Spanish and Portuguese more than a century before. Gradually the plantation owners perspective became more aligned with that of the plantation owners of the Caribbean Islands. Because they were not Christians, blacks could be forced to work for the rest of their lives and be punished with impunity. Moreover, the color of their skin set them apart, making it easy to identify runaways. Also, there was a seemingly inexhaustible supply of Africans, and since little information flowed back across the Atlantic, mistreatment and abuse in America did not alter the flow of enslaved persons from Africa. Slowly the number of blacks grew in Virginia. In 1625 there were only 23. In 1650 there were about three hundred. By 1700, more than a thousand Africans were being brought into the colony every year. These numbers would increase dramatically in the years to come (Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), (n. d. )). † The transformation of indentured servitude to racial slavery didnt happen overnight, it was not until 1661, when a reference to slavery entered into Virginia law. The following year, the colony went one step further by stating that children that were born would be bonded or free according to the status of the mother. The transformation had begun; it was not until the Slave Codes of 1705 that the status of African Americans was sealed. The Trans-Atlantic Slave trade began big business for all. As economies began to flourish from the gains of sugar, cotton, and tobacco fields, so did the need to accommodate the lavish and wealthy with laborers. In 1660, the English government chartered a company called the Company of Royal Adventurers Trading to Africa. The Company did not fare well, and in 1667, it collapsed. But out of its ashes emerged a new company: The Royal African Company. Founded in 1672, the Royal African Company was granted a similar monopoly in the slave trade. Between 1680 and 1686, the Company transported an average of 5,000 slaves a year. Between 1680 and 1688, it had sponsored at least 249 voyages to Africa. By the end of the 17th century, England led the world in the trafficking of slaves. Over the next three centuries African Americans endured prejudice, segregation, and racism- because of race, not religion which was the defining characteristic of the enslaved. In sharp contrast to the basic rights and privileges enjoyed by White Americans, Black people lived in bondage and under a system of repression and terror. Slavery was not merely a single aspect of American society; it has continuously been an essential part of this country’s life. For nearly half of this country’s history, slavery was not only tolerated but legally protected by the United States Constitution as interpreted by the United States Supreme Court. Because the institution of slavery was so fundamental to culture, it continues to influence Black-White relations to this day. Some progress has occurred, and some of the advances are nothing short of remarkable, however, the deprivation of the African American people relative to Whites remains. A significant gap remains between African Americans and the dominant group, and to this gap a price is assigned: the price of being African Americans in the United States. African Americans have been affected by almost all of forms of discrimination, 1) dual labor market- a theory that is an explanation of the inequality that exists in the labor market; 2) environmental justice issues- refers to an equitable spatial distribution of burdens and benefits to groups such as racial minorities, residents of economically disadvantaged areas, or residents of developing nations. Environmental justice proponents generally view the environment as encompassing where we live, work, and play (sometimes pray and learn are also included) and seek to redress inequitable distributions of environmental burdens (pollution, industrial facilities, crime, etc. and equitably , root causes of environmental injustices include institutionalized racism; the co-modification of land, water, energy and air; unresponsive, unaccountable government policies and regulation; and lack of resources and power in affected communities; 3) affirmative action- policies that take race, ethnicity, physical disabilities, military career, sex, or a persons parents social class into consideration in an attempt to promote equal opportunity or increase ethnicity or other forms of diversity. The focus of such policies ranges from employment and education to public contracting and health programs; 4) redlining- is the practice of denying, or increasing the cost of, services such as banking, insurance, access to jobs, access to health care, or even supermarkets to residents in certain, often racially determined, areas; 5) double jeopardy- race and gender barriers that still exist, to a large degree, in terms of advancement at higher level positions; 6) institutional discrimination- hold that discrimination and segregation in the United States housing market have endured despite the condemnation of discriminatory practices. Institutionalized, or systematic, racism has been shown to occur even though overt racist policies have been discontinued. Race is the biggest factor in residential segregation, not class. Socioeconomic factors generally do not keep from desegregating communities. Non-discriminatory policies have been created in order to help desegregate neighborhoods, and help everyone purchase homes. However, most of the policies created to help African Americans and other minorities have done little to help, and in some cases even hurt them more; and 5) glass ceilings- The glass ceiling refers to the barriers that often confront Ethnic Americans and women in trying to reach the upper echelons of corporate America, because: â€Å"African Americans have advanced in formal schooling to a remarkable degree, although in most areas residential patterns have left many public schools predominantly Black or White. Higher education also reflects the legacy of a nation that has operated two schooling systems: one for Blacks and another for Whites. Gains in earning power have barely kept pace with inflation, and the gap between Whites and Blacks has remained largely unchanged. African American families are susceptible to the problems associated with a low-income group that also faces discrimination and prejudice. Housing in many areas remains segregated, despite growing numbers of Blacks in suburban areas. African Americans are more likely to be victims of crimes and to be arrested for violent crimes. The subordination of Blacks is also apparent in health care delivery. African Americans have made substantial gains in elective office but still are underrepresented compared with their numbers in the general population† (Schaefer, 2006). African Americans are said to be the primary cause of 1) reverse discrimination- discrimination against members of a dominant or majority group, or in favor of members of a minority or historically disadvantaged group. Groups may be defined in terms of race, gender, ethnicity, or other factors. This discrimination may seek to redress social inequalities where minority groups have been denied access to the same privileges of the majority group, because we want equality! I culturally identify more with African Americans because I was born an African American; I have lived as an African American; and being a United States citizen, worked in America as an African American. My expertise in the subject manner of being African American speaks for itself. In conclusion, the history of African Americans is, to a significant degree, the history of the United States. Black people accompanied the first explorers and a black man was among the first to die in the American Revolution. The United States, with more than 38 million Blacks, has one of the largest Black populations in the world. Despite the large number, Blacks in this country have had almost no role in major national and political decisions and have been allowed only a peripheral role in many crucial decisions that influence our own destiny.

The Love Story of Pyramus and Thisbe :: Cyprus

The Love Story of Pyramus and Thisbe â€Å"Pyramus was the most handsome of young men and Thisbe was the fairest beauty of the East.† ~Ovid in Metamorphoses Pyramus and Thisbe lived in Babylonia and from the time they were young, were neighbors. They played together daily as children and fell in love as they grew older. Although neighbors, their families were hostile to one another so the love between Pyramus and Thisbe remained a secret. They had a special meeting place at a wall between their houses. This particular wall bore a scar. A large crack marred its smooth surface as a result of an earthquake long ago. Pyramus and Thisbe communicated through this crack when it was risky to see one another. One particularly magnificent day, they arrived at their usual meeting place. The beauty of the day made them lament their situation all the more. They cried as they watched two hummingbirds fly over the wall together. Suddenly they came to the decision that they would not be stopped from being together any longer. They decided to meet that night outside the city gates under a mulberry tree filled white fruit. This particular tree grew near a stream next to the local cemetery. Thisbe, hidden by a veil, arrived at the appointed spot first and waited patiently for Pyramus to come. All of a sudden, a lioness fresh from a kill, her jaws covered in blood, slunk out of the brush to satisfy her thirst at the stream. Thisbe, frightened by this disturbance, ran to a nearby cave. In her haste, she dropped her veil and the lioness grabbed it and shredded it with her bloody jaws. Meanwhile, Pyramus had arrived at the meeting place. As he approached the tree he could not help but notice the large paw prints of the lioness. His heart beat faster. As he approached the stream, his fears were confirmed upon seeing Thisbe’s veil torn and bloodstained. Unable to find Thisbe and fearing that she was dead, Pyramus was unable to contain his sorrow. He drew his sword and plunged it deeply into his side. As he removed the sword from his side, blood sprayed the white fruit on the tree, turning it a dark purple color. Meanwhile, Thisbe, recovered from her fright, came back to the meeting place by the stream. There she saw Pyramus’ body lying in a crumpled heap on the ground. Racked with uncontrollable agony, she took his sword and threw her body onto it. The Love Story of Pyramus and Thisbe :: Cyprus The Love Story of Pyramus and Thisbe â€Å"Pyramus was the most handsome of young men and Thisbe was the fairest beauty of the East.† ~Ovid in Metamorphoses Pyramus and Thisbe lived in Babylonia and from the time they were young, were neighbors. They played together daily as children and fell in love as they grew older. Although neighbors, their families were hostile to one another so the love between Pyramus and Thisbe remained a secret. They had a special meeting place at a wall between their houses. This particular wall bore a scar. A large crack marred its smooth surface as a result of an earthquake long ago. Pyramus and Thisbe communicated through this crack when it was risky to see one another. One particularly magnificent day, they arrived at their usual meeting place. The beauty of the day made them lament their situation all the more. They cried as they watched two hummingbirds fly over the wall together. Suddenly they came to the decision that they would not be stopped from being together any longer. They decided to meet that night outside the city gates under a mulberry tree filled white fruit. This particular tree grew near a stream next to the local cemetery. Thisbe, hidden by a veil, arrived at the appointed spot first and waited patiently for Pyramus to come. All of a sudden, a lioness fresh from a kill, her jaws covered in blood, slunk out of the brush to satisfy her thirst at the stream. Thisbe, frightened by this disturbance, ran to a nearby cave. In her haste, she dropped her veil and the lioness grabbed it and shredded it with her bloody jaws. Meanwhile, Pyramus had arrived at the meeting place. As he approached the tree he could not help but notice the large paw prints of the lioness. His heart beat faster. As he approached the stream, his fears were confirmed upon seeing Thisbe’s veil torn and bloodstained. Unable to find Thisbe and fearing that she was dead, Pyramus was unable to contain his sorrow. He drew his sword and plunged it deeply into his side. As he removed the sword from his side, blood sprayed the white fruit on the tree, turning it a dark purple color. Meanwhile, Thisbe, recovered from her fright, came back to the meeting place by the stream. There she saw Pyramus’ body lying in a crumpled heap on the ground. Racked with uncontrollable agony, she took his sword and threw her body onto it.

Park Design Issues

I always knew Minneapolis had a quality park system, but I had no idea it was renowned throughout the country. Also, I had no idea there was such a large number of parks, lakes, trails and just plain â€Å"open space† in Minneapolis. There are over 150 parks, 30 lakes and 50 miles of parkways in Minneapolis. It is obvious much credit is due to Frederick Law Olmsted and his park design principles, which are heavily included in the Minneapolis park system. I believe all of Olmsted's basic principles are apparent in the Minneapolis parks, and have been since the very beginnings of the city. One of the first things city officials did was set aside different areas of land specifically for parks. There were many benefits of doing this. First, it allowed the city to build houses around all the parks, making them all easily accessible. Also, it placed many different parks throughout the city, scattered but connected. This way, no matter where you live, there will be open space and â€Å"green relief† somewhere nearby. Most of the parks in Minneapolis, especially the larger, more frequented ones, are connected by parkways. The Ground Rounds, as it is called in Minneapolis, consists of over 50 miles of parkways and open space. This is broken up into seven districts scattered throughout the city. They are referred to as the Downtown Riverfront, Mississippi River, Minnehaha, Chain of Lakes, Theodore Wirth, Victory Memorial and Northeast districts. Conveniently, these districts completely encompass the city and take advantage of the natural variety throughout. Each of these offers something different and unique for the public, as was one of Olmsted's principles. All of these districts offer many miles of pathways for walking, jogging or bicycling through different parks, all of which show off a variety of scenery. Some of these parks are so serene you don't even feel like you're in the big city while others lay out the beautiful Minneapolis skyline right in front of you. However, foot and bike are not the only ways to get around and enjoy nature in Minneapolis. The Chain of Lakes district contains five lakes, four of which are connected by canals. Because of these canals, you are able to explore over two miles of lakes on your boat or canoe. These lakes include Brownie Lake, Cedar Lake and the more well-known Lake of the Isles and Lake Calhoun. Also in this district, although not connected, is Lake Harriet. I think Olmsted's belief that parks should be open to all and be provided by the government was very popular in early Minneapolis. In 1883, after a passed referendum, the Minneapolis Parks Board was born, and it immediately got to work. The board members believed they should purchase land for parks long before it would ever be needed, and that is exactly what they did. That same year, the board purchased land for what is now known as Loring Park, named after the then president of the board, Charles M. Loring. Later, in 1889, the board purchased land for Minnehaha Park. The early nineteen hundreds was a huge growing period for many of the now popular parks in Minneapolis. Theodore Wirth, who has his own park and district named after him, was the superintendent of the board during these years, and he played a vital role in developing the parks into what they are today. Many of the lakes at that time were nothing more than swampy areas with constant flooding problems, almost comparable to New York's pre-Central Park. Wirth drained the swampy areas and graded the lake's banks to stop the flooding. Also, it is because of Wirth that the lakes in the Chain of Lakes district are so conveniently connected, as I mentioned before. In the summer of 1911, he oversaw the connecting of the two more popular lakes in that district, Lake of the Isles and Lake Calhoun. Another one of Olmsted's principles, which is very noticeable in the Minneapolis parks, is that city parks should offer a variety of activities for the public. This principle is no more apparent than in the Chain of Lakes district. Even though all are close and connected, each lake's environment seems completely different from the next. Lake Harriet and its parks have more of a family feel, with the playgrounds and outdoor band shell. Lake Calhoun is definitely more for the sporty person. You don't have to look hard to see sailboats, waterskiers or snowmobilers running wild on this lake. Lastly, there is Lake of the Isles. This park has more of a serene and casual feel. It is more often frequented by strollers, joggers or bicyclers and canoes on the lake. As time changes, so do our cities and parks. During the latter half of the nineteenth century major changes were taking place in cities like Minneapolis. Many of these changes made it tough to mange and control park systems in larger cities. This is something a man named Alexander Garvin wanted to change. He believed Olmsted's principles were all valid, but some things needed to change simply because time changes things. One of Garvin's more obvious ideas was that cities need to maintain and improve the parks that they already have. In 1994, the city began rehabilitating the very popular Minnehaha Park. Also, Loring Park underwent a huge rehabilitation project, headed up by the surrounding community. The park used to be the kind of place you wouldn't want to walk through at night, now it is a fantastic place to take your family. Also, the price for property next to the park skyrocketed after the rehabilitation. New apartments that recently went up across the street are going for as much as $1,000 a month for a single bedroom. The Loring Park fish kill is a good example of the city maintaining its natural environment. This is necessary, for more than just fish, to ensure a normal and healthy population of a species within an environment. It eliminates overpopulation and helps to control diseases. Another goal cities need to pursue is the acquisition and development of new land or open space. This can be done in many ways. Cities can reuse or renovate old buildings or slums. Also, cities could reclaim vacant territory, combine public space for multiple uses or start using open spaces more effectively. There are many examples of Minneapolis doing all of these. Old factories and warehouses have been turned into modern and classy condominiums. Bike trails have been put alongside major highways, like along I-94, or on top of old, unused railroad tracks. Lastly, Garvin believed cities need to redesign certain facilities to make them more accessible. One example of this, although it could be considered acquiring or developing new land, would be the bridge by the Walker Art Center. This bridge connects the Walker Art Center to Loring Park and makes it much easier to move to and from. Because of the convenience, people can move more freely throughout the city and the two parks get visited much more often. Although Garvin's ideas really are quite simple, they are important for growing cities to take into consideration. I think Minneapolis has done a wonderful job of using his theories and it is no coincidence that they have one of the best park systems in America.

Aristotle Critical Lens

â€Å"Though we love both the truth and our friends, piety requires us to honor the truth first. † Often times in life, one is caught in a sticky situation. While morals and values and normally highly regarded, complications arise when friendships are involved. Relationships are an essential part of existence, the emotional connections are often the ones that shape our lives.. One if often faced with the difficult toss up between doing what is right and doing what you want. It’s a balancing out between the loyalty to your friends and maintaining your morals. I agree with this quote because piety is the quality of being religious or reverent. In order to be religious one must follow a moral code and not put worldly relationships or emotions as higher priority than the truth. An example of the struggle to find the balance is displayed in After Twenty Years by O’ Henry and Lord of the Flies by William Golding. An example of this struggle is exemplified in â€Å"After Twenty Years† by O’Henry. Two friends separated by years, miles, and jaded by their experiences since the last time they’ve met, are scheduled to reunite and rekindle the friendship they once had. The way Bob describes their friendship it was almost as if they were blood brothers, bonded together so tightly it was as if they were family. He even refers to his old pal Jimmy as the â€Å"truest and stanchest old chap in the world. † This foreshadows that he was going to remain true to his morals as opposed to honoring the friendship. His diction and use of kind words describing his friend even after twenty years of absence really exemplifies the strength of their friendship. True friends are a constant in your life and even though they may not be physically present, they will always have a special place in your heart. Another example of the foreshadowing of what’s to come is the intrigue the police officer seems to have with the man’s story. He seems much to inquisitive to just be a random stranger. You can see that he is generally interested in what has happened since his friend departed, and just the mere fact that he was present where he said he would be 20 years prior shows the true and honest man he is. And yet, when given the choice between preserving the friendship so long in the making, and doing what is right and turning his old friend in for being a criminal, he, being a police officer understands the importance of abiding by the law and chooses to turn his friend in to the authorities. While this must have been a difficult choice, this is shown because he couldn’t even break the news to him himself and needed to deflect the position onto someone else, he did what he felt was right and lived according to Aristotle’s quote. In Lord of the Flies, Ralph represents the traditional government in society. He maintains order, preserves the dignity of the union, and attempts to preserve the traditions of his forefathers. A schism occurs in this allegory within the tribe with Jack leading half and Ralph leading the others. This is symbolic of mankind and how savagery and civilization exist in unity. When savagery threatens the way of things, many fear for their own lives and safety and begin to cross over to â€Å"the dark side†. When the tribal chants and Jack’s need to kill becomes apparent, this foreshadows the savage turn in which the book will take. At the end, all the characters have either perished in the fighting or followed Jack to preserve their own lives, all except Ralph. Though he lost many followers and his high ranking â€Å"popularity† within the group, he maintains his morals and ultimately does what he believes is right regardless of the consequences. While this may a controversial issue and falls into the abstract gray area as opposed to a clear cut black and white, it cannot be denied that these two men upholded their morals and did not compromise the lessons instilled in them. What is also evident is that these men did follow a moral code which would classify as being religious, or pious. Even today the struggle between doing what you want and what you need to do is seen in court cases where one does not want to incriminate a friend, or even in your everyday life where a student might witness their fellow classmate cheating. This brings us to the question: If put into the circumstance, which will you honor first, truth or friendship?

How Sociologists Define Marriage

How Sociologists Define Marriage Marriage is a socially supported union involving two or more individuals in what is regarded as a stable, enduring arrangement based at least in part on a sexual bond of some kind. Depending on the society, marriage may require religious and/or civil sanction, although some couples may come to be considered married simply by living together for a period of time (common law marriage). Though marriage ceremonies, rules, and roles may differ from one society to another, marriage is considered a cultural universal, which means that it is present as a social institution in all cultures. Marriage serves several functions. In most societies, it serves to socially identify children by defining kinship ties to a mother, father, and extended relatives. It also serves to regulate sexual behavior, to transfer, preserve, or consolidate property, prestige, and power, and most importantly, it is the basis for the institution of the family. Social Characteristics of Marriage In most societies, a marriage is considered a permanent social and legal contract and relationship between two people that is based on mutual rights and obligations among the spouses. A marriage is often based on a romantic relationship, though this is not always the case. But regardless, it typically signals a sexual relationship between two people. A marriage, however, does not simply exist between the married partners, but rather, is codified as a social institution in legal, economic, social, and spiritual/religious ways. Typically a the institution of marriage begins with a period of courtship that culminates in an invitation to marry. This is followed by the marriage ceremony, during which mutual rights and responsibilities may be specifically stated and agreed to. In many places the state must sanction a marriage in order for it to be considered valid and legal, and also in many cultures, a religious authority must do the same. In many societies, including the Western world and the United States, marriage is widely considered the basis of and foundation for family. This is why a marriage is often greeted socially with immediate expectations that the couple will produce children, and why children that are born outside of marriage are often branded with the stigma of illegitimacy. Because a marriage is recognized by law, by the economy, socially, and by religious institutions, a dissolution of marriage (annulment or divorce) must, in turn, involve a dissolution of the marriage relationship in all of these realms. The Social Functions of Marriage Marriage has several social functions that are important within the societies and cultures where the marriage takes place. Most commonly, marriage dictates the roles that spouses play in each others lives, in the family, and in society at large. Typically these roles involve a division of labor between the spouses, such that each is responsible for different tasks that are necessary within the family. American sociologist Talcott Parsons wrote on this topic and outlined a theory of roles within a marriage and household, wherein wives/mothers play the expressive role of a caregiver who takes care of socialization and emotional needs of others in the family, while the husband/father is responsible for the task role of earning money to support the family. In keeping with this thinking, a marriage often serves the function of dictating the social status of the spouses and the couple, and of creating a hierarchy of power between the couple. Societies in which the husband/father holds the most power in the marriage are known as patriarchies. Conversely, matriarchal societies are those in which wives/mothers hold the most power. Marriage also serves the social function of determining family names and lines of familial descent. In the U.S. and much of the Western world, we practice patrilineal descent, meaning the family name follows that of the husband/father. However, many cultures, including some within Europe and many in Central and Latin America, follow matrilineal descent. Today, it is common for newly married couples to create a hyphenated family name that preserves the named lineage of both sides, and for children to bear the surnames of both parents. Different Types of Marriages In the Western world, monogamous, heterosexual marriage is the most common form and is considered the norm. However, homosexual marriage is increasingly common and in many places, including the U.S., has been sanctioned by law and by many religious groups. This change in practice, law, and cultural norms and expectations for what a marriage is and how can participate in it reflects the fact that marriage itself is a social construct. Other forms of marriage that occur around the world include polygamy (a marriage of more than two spouses), polyandry (a marriage of a wife with more than one husband), and polygyny (the marriage of a husband with more than one wife). (In common usage, polygamy is often misused to refer to polygyny.) As such, the rules of marriage, the division of labor within a marriage, and what constitutes the roles of husbands, wives, and spouses generally are subject to change and are most often negotiated by the partners within the marriage, rather than firmly dictated by tradition. Updated by Nicki Lisa Cole, Ph.D.

Assessing the Marks and Spencers retail chain

Assessing the Marks and Spencers retail chain Marks and Spencer is a British retail chain with over 800 stores in around 30 countries (600 in the UK). Food and clothing retail play a large part in the Marks and Spencer corporate strategy. The Marks & Spencer business model has had to adapt to change and consumer trends over the years to maintain the company’s position as one of the largest retailers in the world. Marks and Spencer (M&S) is a heritage of the British retail and has been present for nearly 130 years. Throughout the years, several individuals have led the organisation and distinct patterns of leadership style can be observed. The impact of leadership style at M&S will be compared to the organisation’s performance and critically evaluated against published leadership models. Covey, S.R. (1990) Historical leadership (1880-1990) (Mathieu) Until the middle of the 20th century, the customers and employees were divided in two classes: middle class and working class separating people who had money and the wo rking class who hadn’t. Additionally, women during this period seemed to have predominantly a reproducing role and did not have direct political power. Gender and classes have shaped the evolution of M&S dominated by strong powerful males from its early days [Rippin A. (2005)]. The leadership of M&S has been and still is dominated by men. Michael Marks founder of M&S had the traits of an entrepreneur. As the leadership was passed on through the family, increased competition within the heirs led to emergence of stronger characters. Michael’s son, Simon Marks and later Simon’s brother in law Israel Sieff changed the leadership style towards a stronger dictatorial influence. Both Marks and Sieff families had been victims of violence especially during the war and controversially established an organisation with ‘systematic symbolic violence’ and bullying [Rippin A. (2005)]. M&S managed to blur the gaps between the social classes, at least on the fashion aspect by the type of clothes provided by the company. Working class women could at last afford and wear elegant and aspiring clothing deemed to a superior class. Derek Raynor took over in 1983 which was a major transition from a family business to a plc. In 1988, Sir Richard Greenbury concentrated on the operational and financial of the organisation. In the following year however, M&S failed to transform significantly and became reactive [Stockport G.J. (2000)]. As the environment became more dynamic, customers’ expectation changed, competition became fiercer but M&S failed to keep up and adapt to the market. The family business became victim of their past success and lacking of a person with exceptional calibre to lead change through its professional debut. 2.0 Leadership transition Changes outside and inside M&S In 1997 M&S made over 1 Billion pounds of profit and accounted for over 16% of UK’s clothing market. The company was then valued at 19 Billion pounds. (199 7 Annual Report). 1998-1999 marked the start of an under performing period and share price plummeted by 40% [Cape Times Business Report (1999)]. As competitors such as Zara and Next took market share from the top end of the market while the same time value offerings were attacked by the supermarkets who were increasingly entering the same market. Peter Salisbury became CEO in 1999 and started to question the M&S ways of working. He placed an emphasis on empowerment by reducing the number of hierarchical layer from eight to seven, and promoting a sense of ownership and decision-making in local stores [Stockport G.J. (2000)].

Evaluation of Long-Term Finance Alternatives Article

Evaluation of Long-Term Finance Alternatives - Article Example A firm can opt in for any kind of long-term financing like issue of securities, term loans, internal accruals, suppliers' credit scheme and equipment financing. There are also some additional options of funding like deferred credit, unsecured loans and deposits and venture capital financing. Types of Capital: Three types of capital can be issued by firms namely equity capital, preference capital and Debenture capital. All three of them vary in terms of risk, return and the pattern of ownership. Equity Capital - Equity share holders are the actual owners of the business. They enjoy all the profits of the company that are residual in nature and this is after paying the preference shareholders and all the other creditors, if any. The liability restriction of equity share holders is limited to the amount of share capital contributed by them. The cost of equity capital is higher than all other forms of capital. It is to be noted that equity dividends are not tax-deductible expenses and also the costs of issue is very high. Long term financing is essential for any operating firm. Long term finance are necessary for investments such as modernization or expansion of existing firms and also for working capital management. The funding process should be a trade-off between the cost of funding, the risk factor involved and the expected returns. This is in order to maintain a reasonable spread is maintained for the firm. References: 1. Financial Management for Managers, published by ICFAI center for Management Research, Ref no: FMM - 04200405. Preference Capital - Though similar to equity capital, preference capital has no obligatory payment to the preference shareholders. Even the preference dividend is not tax deductible. An advantage that the preference shareholders have is that they earn a fixed rate of return for their dividend payment. Debenture Capital - Debenture is nothing but a marketable legal contract whereby the company promises to pay its owner, a specified rate of interest for a defined period of time and to repay the principal at the specific date of maturity. These are usually secured b y a charge on the immovable properties of the company. A firm can also raise capital from the primary market by way of issuing securities. Different ways of issuing securities exist. Public Issue: Companies issue securities to the general public in the primary market and thereby get them listed in the stock exchange. These securities are then traded in the secondary market. Rights Issue: When a firm issues additional equity capital. It has to first offer such securities to the existing shareholders on a pro rata basis. Such a method of issuing securities is called as Rights Issue. Private Placement: This method of financing involves direct selling of securities to a limited number of institutional or high net worth investors. The delay in going public and also the expenses involved can be avoided in this case. The major advantages here are the easy access to any company, fewer formalities and lower issue cost.