Syrian Refugee Crisis An Violation Of Human Rights

Many Syrians are leaving their country because they’re being tortured and are being attacked for no reason by the Islamist militant group that has seized a chunk of land stretching from northern Syria to central Iraq this group is called ISIS. Non-state armed groups opposing the government have carried out abuses like deliberate attacks on civilians, kidnapping, and torture in detention. Syrian refugee crisis is a violation of human rights because it defies multiple guaranteed rights from the UN Declaration of Human Rights, including articles 5,6, and 9. These articles have been violated because human beings are being tortured in Syria because of their religion, they are not seen as human beings by ISIS, and they are kept in detention†¦show more content†¦Many people didn’t like President Assad, they didn’t like how he ran his country. All this chaos started when many people started to not like the injustice that was starting to happen. Eventually, oppos ition supporters began to speak up and everything started to escalate into a civil war. â€Å"Opposition supporters began to take up arms, first to defend themselves and later to expel security forces from their local areas.†(bbc.com). â€Å"Violence escalated and the country descended into civil war as rebel brigades were formed to battle government forces to control of cities, towns, and the countryside. The fighting reached the capital Damascus and the second Damascus and the second city of Aleppo in 2012.† (bbc.com). Violence started and because of all the violence the country went into a civil war. Rebel brigades started to form to battle government forces to control. Everything started to escalate quickly and the country all of a sudden got into a civil war. All this chaos caused many people to lose their lives and to be tortured. Both sides of the conflict have committed war crimes. Like murder, torture, rape and enforced disappearances. (bbc.com). â€Å"By June 2013, the UN said that 90,000 people have been killed in the conflict. By August 2014 it doubled to 191,000 and continued to grow to 250,00 by August 2015.† (bbc.com). Many people have lost their lives and it’s onlyShow MoreRelatedThe Syria Refugee Crisis Affecting My Country, Lebanon955 Words   |  4 Pagesit is with enormous responsibility that I stand here today to make sound voice to the global community concerning the Syria refugee crisis affecting my country, Lebanon. Mr. President, The responsibility to protect and to uphold the rights of the refugee population does not only lie with Lebanon. The international presence and support in the country and to the actual refugee issue should increase dramatically. It should become part of a global political agenda and the international political structureRead MoreThe Syrian Refugee Crisis Has Received Massive Media Coverage854 Words   |  4 PagesThe Syrian refugee crisis has received massive media coverage. People around the world are trying to comprehend the desperate, complicated situation surrounding Syria. The civil war in Syria is the worst crisis in our time. Syrians upset at the fact that long promised reforms have not been enacted, began anti-government demonstrations which started the civil war in 2011. The peaceful protests turned ugly, with the government violently putting an end to those protests. Afterward, ordinary citizensRead MoreRefugee Crisis Is The Country Of Hopes And Dreams1232 Words   |  5 Pagescountry great. For example, we have freedom, rights, equality, and having the nickname â€Å"Melting Pot.† Over many centuries, America has accepted immigrants and refugees of multiple nationalities and backgrounds to live up to their famous nickname. However; why should we stop accepting refugees now? Even though many Americans assume accepting refugees will ruin our country, we should accept Syrian refugees into the United States because the Refugee Crisis is a serious problem, accepting refugees isRead MoreA Brief Note On The Syrian Refugee Crisis1573 Words   |  7 Pagesresponse: â€Å"Aleppo? And what is Aleppo?† I wanna talk about the Syrian refugee crisis going on around the world but lets begin with an old saying by Joseph Stalin. â€Å"When one man dies that’s a tragedy, when thousands die that’s a statistic.† Large numbers can feel cold and distant and even kind of comforting because they don t feel like people, and I think that’s the reason much of the world was able to ignore the years old Syrian refugee crisis until recently. But then after thousands of refugees diedRead MoreSyrian Children And Education : Addressing The Tcc Community994 Words   |  4 PagesSyrian Children and Education: Addressing the TCC Community UNHCR High Commissioner Antonio Guterres warns â€Å"Abandoning refugees to hopelessness only exposes them to even greater suffering, exploitation and dangerous abuse†. After the refugees flee Syria, they are left with limited necessities and resources. Most refugees have no food to give to their families, no clean water, and the Syrian children suffer from health problems and are out of school. UNICEF USA pointed out, â€Å"Prior to the conflictRead MoreThe Conflict Of Syrian Refugees, Hosting Countries And International Organizations Essay1792 Words   |  8 Pagesout his dream, his reality is hearing that his school was bombed just before his arrival to a refugee camp in Jordan (UNHCR). Hamsa and other children make up 3 quarters out of the 7.5 million Syrians that have been internally displaced or become refugees due to the country’s current conflict (Jones and Shaheen). Although we can never fully fathom the obstacles and position of loss faced by so many Syrians, we can try to better understand one of the worst humanitarian disasters of our time. By recognizingRead MoreSyrian Activists Main Goals1829 Words   |  8 PagesSyrian act ivists’ main goal from these talks was always about the formation of a transitional government enjoying full executive powers, without Assad in the picture; while, naming the members of this transitional governing body and the immediate start of performing its functions; followed by a ceasefire throughout the nation. These goals were, more or less, achieved through the passing of the France-US document; that included the point of cessation of hostilities among the warring parties and theRead MoreThe Syrian Civil War1497 Words   |  6 PagesOver the course of less than five years, the Syrian civil war has caused the displacement of over 10 million people of this nation. The rise of ISIS in conjunction with a corrupt government has left millions of men, women, and children without a country to call their home, and the branding of refugee status. Within the international system, sovereign nations have a responsibility to provide for these persons under the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (Cherem 2015). While this expectationRead MoreThe Immigration Problem Of Immigration1735 Words   |  7 Pagesdistinction between criminal law and immigration law has become increasingly blurred. In many jurisdictions around the world, undocumented immigration was long considered a civil offence in which violation resulted in fines and deportation. Now, however, illegal crossings are often treated as criminal violations carrying overly punitive consequences such as incarceration in harsh detention centers. The ever-evolving assortment of laws and enforcement measures concerning immigration, as well as negativeRead MoreTaking a Look at the Syrian Crisis723 Words   |  3 PagesIn Syria, the relatively conservative, patriarchal and politically repressive pre-war society posed limitations on women’s rights movements and for advocacy of greater political freedoms, social justice, non-discrimination and gender equality. Although, Syria arguably grants g reater rights to women than most other countries in the middle east, discrimination against women is clearly found in its laws relating to women’s personal status and role in the family, including issues related to marriage

Impact Of Trade Agreements On An International Scale

I. Introduction Trade agreements have been around for the past several centuries, and naturally, they have evolved. Earlier on, they were used exclusively as agreements between nations to reduce tariffs on each other’s products. Tariffs, however, were not the only way a nation could protect its industries. Trade agreements have evolved to address this situation, and instituted measures to disincentivize circumvention of the spirit of these agreements. Evolving still, trade agreements have now grown into massive collectives between nations that regulate more than just trade. Moreover, these agreements have become political tools to cement solidarity between nations, and are used to harmonize economic regulation on an international scale.†¦show more content†¦More than just economic integration, however, the TPP presented an opportunity for the United States to alter the economic power dynamics in the Asia-Pacific. As the lead on TPP, the United States would have been able to shape regional trade in the Asian-Pacific to its benefit by building a network surrounding China. Specifically, opening markets to Asia would allow for the United States to craft the economic rules in the Asian-Pacific to preference TPP states, which in effect, would make it harder for a competing regulatory environment to be enacted. Obama’s stance was rooted in keeping the international status quo while trying to break into Asia and counteracting China’s economic clout in the region. Newly elected President Donald Trump, however, has already come out and stated his opposition to the TPP; indeed, going so far as to include US withdrawal from the TPP as part of his agenda for his first day in office. The TPP has faced public scrutiny during this election year particularly because of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which has been decried by the public for some time. Loss of American jobs has largely fueled the outrage at NAFTA, but other issues exist as well. For example, TPP provisions on investor rights, like in NAFTA – the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) process – would allow international arbitral bodies to hear challenges to a state s legal rules. ThisShow MoreRelatedRole Of The World Trade Organization ( Wto )1416 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction 2. Types of trade 3. The role of WTO a. Comparative Advantage b. Trading blocs 4. Trade Agreements a. NAFTA b. The European Single Market 5. Conclusion â€Æ' â€Æ' 1. Introduction: In this report I will be explaining, international trade and explain the role of the world trade organisation (WTO) in the advancing and regulation of international trade, furthermore, I will assess trade agreements and their impact on international trade. 2. 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The definition of free trade and fair trade are consistent with most articles and websites such as â€Å"Investopedia† and â€Å"Fair Trade Federation†. FairRead MoreGlobal Warming And Climate Change1339 Words   |  6 Pagesemissions and ultimately address climate change (United Nations, 19 97). This international agreement is based on the premise that global warming is mostly due to GHG emissions and those emissions are undeniably anthropogenic (United Nations, 1997). International Cooperation Because the atmosphere is a public good, individual countries have an incentive of free riding when it comes to GHG emissions (Iwata Okada, 2014). International cooperation is fundamental to address global warming, as the consequences

Audit and Assurance Health Care Holdings Group

Questions: 1. Using your knowledge of APES 110, identify and explain the potential type of threat to Fellowes and Associates independence in situations (1) and (2) above. 2. What action should Fellowes and Associates take to eliminate the potential threats to independence in situations (1) and (2) above? What safeguards should be instituted to reduce the risk of similar independence threats occurring in the future? Answers: Introduction Professional accountants have an obligation to comply with regulatory norms and codes of conduct in order to ensure integrity in provided information. In Australia, APES 110 deals with Code of Ethics for professional accountants for audit engagement and quality control (Chapple, Ferguson Hronsky, 2014). The present report is focused on the applicability of provisions of APES 110 on case situations of Health Care Holdings Group (HCHG). In audit team of Fellowes and Associates one accountant is proposed to participate. However, the accountant has a shareholding in HCHG, but interest is not material in accordance to him. Threat to Independence By considering the provided situation one the accountant is proposed to be part of the audit team in 2014 and at the same time he is a shareholder of HCHG. However, the accountant does not have a material interest in business (George, Jones Harvey, 2014). In this aspect, provisions of Sec. AUST291.104 of APES 110 will be applicable as it deals with financial interest. As per this section, owning of shares will lead to self-interest threat. In accordance with AUST290.41.3 "Self-Interest Threat" is considered to be there if the entire firm or a team member could get benefit from the audit client (APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, 2010). This situation will raise the concern about conflict of interest. Actions to Eliminate Potential Threats For this aspect, the auditor is required to consider the nature of financial interest. In this manner, they will be capable of determining the significance of the risk (Chapple, Ferguson Hronsky, 2014). For this purpose, they are required to evaluate the position of the member in a team like their role and duties along with their interest either (direct or indirect) in company or firm of which audit is undertaken. On the basis of these provisions, Audit team has direct financial interest in the organisation as per Sec. AUST290.106. Further, the impact of threat is significant high that it cannot be compensated by any safeguard in order to mitigate the risk at an acceptable level (Townsend, 2014). Further, for accepting this audit, Fellowes and Associate must dispose their financial interest, or they are required to terminate the membership of individual in audit team having a shareholding of business entity. Viable Safeguards Disposal of direct financial interest of team member before acceptance of audit engagement. Termination of member from the team in order to maintain independence and integrity of assurance team (Townsend, 2014) Eradication Indirect Financial Interest entirely or partially so that interest is not material. This is to be done, prior to making an individual member of assurance team. Situation 2 Fellowes and Associates had valued intangible assets (intellectual property) in previous financial year. As per balance sheet intangible asset of the business is $30 million determined by Fellowes and Associates on 1st March 2014 subsequent of HCHGs acquirement of the subsidiary Shady Oaks Hospital. The value of intangible assets is material for HCHG. Threat to Independence Provisions of section 290 of APES 110 deals with the Independence Audit and Review Engagements. In accordance with this section, Auditor must be independent in order to provide an appropriate opinion on the concerned matter. In the current situation, provisions of APES 110 ss. 290.174 290.179 is applicable as it deals with the issues regarding valuation services provided to an audit client (APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, 2010). For assessment audit, the auditor is required to collect evidence of the process through asset is valued by clients. In a situation where auditor had provided the valuation they auditor will do an audit of their work. This situation will create the threat of self-review. Actions to Eliminate Potential Threats In this particular situation, the main issue is that valuation comprises a significant degree of subjectivity. This aspect shows that Fellowes and Associates are required to withdraw their consent from the audit assignment or HCHG is needed to obtain the opinion of another expert for valuation of intangible assets (CPA Australia, 2014). Although; case description shows that services for valuation are provided before acceptance of audit engagement. Consequently, at present, there is no conflict of the situation regarding valuer and auditor as different duties are to be performed at different times. For this audit assignment, Fellowes and Associates should mandatorily comply with provisions of Section 290.177 regarding valuation of intangible assets (Hossain, Wilson Jubb, 2016). Valuation done by audit team must be review by an independent expert who must not be a member or related to assurance team. In addition to this, audit team must not include an individual who had done a valuation of assets of the business entity (Carson, Redmayne Liao, 2014). Further, acknowledgement regarding the responsibility of valuation must be taken from the client. Viable Safeguards as per Sec 290.177 Including independent professional for valuation of intangible to ensure integrity in audit opinion of financial statements Do not participate in audit engagements Attaining clients acknowledgement regarding the responsibility of results by making them understand significant assumptions taken for valuation (APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, 2010). Conclusion In accordance with the present study, the conclusion can be drawn that Fellowes and Associates must with the above-described safeguard prior to the audit of Health Care Holdings Group (HCHG). By compliance with the above-described standards, they will be able to ensure independence and ethics aspects while providing an opinion on the fairness of financial statements. References Books and Journals Carson, E., Redmayne, N.B. Liao, L., (2014). Audit Market Structure Competition in Australia. Australian Accounting Review. 24(4). Pp.298-312. Chapple, L., Ferguson, C. Hronsky, J., (2014). Professional independence attachment bias: an exploratory study. George, G., Jones, A. Harvey, J., (2014). Analysis of the language used within codes of ethical conduct. Journal of Academic Business Ethics. 8. P.1. Hossain, S., Monroe, G.S., Wilson, M. Jubb, C., (2016). The Effect of Networked Clients' Economic Importance on Audit Quality. Auditing: A Journal of Practice Theory. Townsend, S.R., (2014). The regulation of auditor ethical behaviour in Australia. (Doctoral dissertation, Macquarie University). Online APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants. (2010). [PDF]. Available through https://www.apesb.org.au/uploads/stards/apesb_stards/stard1.pdf. [Accessed on 3rd January 2017]. CPA Australia. (2014). An overview of apes 110 code of ethics for professional accountants. [PDF]. Available through https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/~/media/corporate/allfiles/document/professional-resources/ethics/an-overview-of-apes-110-code-of-ethics.pdf. [Accessed on 3rd January 2017].

Women Entrepreneurship an Example by

Women Entrepreneurship Historically, women have increasingly been known to lag behind in terms of entrepreneurship in the society. While a similar trend continues to be evidenced in some parts of the world, women have showed significant success as entrepreneurs in the modern society. This change in trend, to some extent, has impacted the attitudes of most women and more women are becoming successful entrepreneurs. They have been motivated and have worked harder in their lives with one objective of performing better than ever in history (Jiggins, Samanta & Olawoye, 2000). Need essay sample on "Women Entrepreneurship" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed The modern women have been seen to perform better in entrepreneurial skills as compared to their male counterparts. One of the reasons that make women successful is the fact that in most training institutes specifically meant for women, offer extensive services in entrepreneurial skills as compared to training institutes meant for men. This is because of the urge in women to always perform better than men so that they can prove to the society that they have the capacity to do better even than men (Jiggins, Samanta & Olawoye, 2000). In addition, the kind of training offered in these institutes specially equips women trainees with the best modern business knowledge. Another reason why women are likely to perform better than their male counterparts in business field is the fact that there are organizations and agencies out there who are concerned with the business welfare of the women. They help the women members with business financing which is critical to business expansion and success. The financing institutions help women to obtain capital as well as funds to keep business alive. Every business can be run well if only it was started well and with enough capital start off (Jiggins, Samanta & Olawoye, 2000). When these conditions are prevailing, the success of such a business is something that will be expected. Generally, in the modern society, women have taken the lead in most sectors and fields of performance. Agencies against gender discrimination have been seen to give constant help to women in terms of finances and advise on how to improve their performance in life. For instance, such organizations have been so helpful in local and national levels. They have managed to create a credit program to help women in loan financing. Reference: Jiggins, J., Samanta, R. K

Moral Rationality

Moral Rationality Nowadays almost everyone has a cellular phone, from teenagers to professionals. Everyday we see more than one person talking on the phone, while they are walking on the street, riding the train on their way to work, even at restaurants while having dinner. There is certainly nothing wrong with having a cellular phone. They are popular, very convenient, they make everyone's life much easier, it is easier for everyone to communicate, and they are great for emergencies. But when a cellular phone is used while driving it puts someone's life in danger. I think there are many reasons why hand-held cellular phones should be banned while driving The first reason is distraction. Talking on the cellular phone while driving distracts the driver from the road and can be the cause of a deadly accident. It is very easy to get distracted from what or who is in front of your car and pay more attention to the conversation on the phone, especially if that conversation is an interesting one.mobile phon e masts

Langston Hughes Essays - African-American Literature, Free Essays

Langston Hughes Essays - African-American Literature, Free Essays Langston Hughes Langston Hughes was born on February 1, 1902 in Joplin, Missouri. His father was James Nathaniel and his mother was Carrie Mercer Langston Hughes. His grandfather was Charles Langston, an Ohio abolitionist. As a young boy he lived in Buffalo, New York, Cleveland, Ohio, Lawrence, Kansas, Mexico City, Topeka, Kansas, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Kansas City, Kansas. In 1914 his parents divorced and he, his mother, and his stepfather moved to Lincoln, Illinois. In high school back in Cleveland, he was elected class poet, and editor of the senior class yearbook. He taught English to some families in Mexico in 1921 and also published his first prose piece, "Mexican Games"(Davis). In an excerpt from an article about Langston Hughes in Encarta 97, it says that he was discovered in 1925, while he was working as a busboy in a restaurant in Washington, D.C., when he accidentally left three of his poems next to the plate of Vachel Lindsay, an American poet. She helped him ge! t publicity for his works and she got him seriously started in writing(Encarta). In an article about Langston Hughes in The Reference Library of Black America it talks about all the places in the world that Hughes has traveled. He probably used much of the information of the cultures of other countries to write. Hughes traveled all over the world as a seaman. He went to the Soviet Union, Haiti, Japan, Spain, Genoa, France, and other parts of Europe. Hughes was an author, anthologist, librettist, songwriter, columnist, translator, founder of theaters, and a poetical innovator in jazz technology. Hughes liked to write in many genres such as prose, comedy, drama, fiction, biographies, autobiographies, and TV and radio scripts. Langston Hughes was the father of the Harlem Renaissance and made many contributions on the behalf of African- Americans which led to the end of discrimination and segregation(Davis). Hughes was an important figure in the Harlem Renaissance because he was one of the most talented and famous black writers in his time. The Harlem Renaissance was the black movement during the 1920's. Many African-Americans got famous during this time and more people in the United States and the world got to see another side of African- Americans which had never been seen before. People saw that blacks could do things the same or better than white people and many, but certainly not all, barriers like segregation were decreased noticeably. He wrote numerous protest poems in which he used irony to get his points across to the reader. Hughes was influenced by Jean Toomer, another black writer and poet. It seemed as though Hughes used his poetry as a way to combat against the ongoing struggle that African- Americans still face today. Many believe that his best poems were inspired by the city of Harlem. He was even called the "Poet-Laureate of Harlem" because of his unders! tanding for the city. Hughes best volume of Harlem works is Montage of a Dream Deferred. Hughes was the author who during the Harlem Renaissance used much of the Black culture in his work. He began to use the Blues, Ballad form, dance rhythms, folk speech, and Jazz in his poetry. Hughes had success in many different fields of writing. His best drama, "Mulatto," a play, was performed on Broadway 373 times in 1935. In his best comedy, "Little Ham"(1935), again he uses themes from Harlem. Hughes's best fiction is in his "Simple" series. In his lifetime, Langston Hughes won several awards. In 1925 he won his first prize for poetry in the Opportunity contest and third prize for essay in the Crisis contest. In 1926 he published his first volume of poems, The Weary Blues. In 1953 he won the Anisfeld-Wolfe Award. Hughes also won the Witter Bynner Prize for undergraduate poetry while attending Lincoln University. Even West Indian poets, such as Leopold Senghor, saw Hughes as the father of the Negritude Movement(Davis). One of Hughes's works mentioned in the book, The Langston Hughes Reader, is entitled, My Most Humiliating Jim Crow Experience. This short story of his is a true story of his childhood. It shows all the themes he is fighting for and the things he is fighting against. What happens is that

Marketing and Distribution Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Marketing and Distribution Management - Essay Example Statistics for the company as per the year 2011 showed that the company has 221,726 employees and its assets total USD 135.131 billion. The company’s main areas of products are mobile phones, televisions, semiconductors along with LED and LCD panels. 1 b. Marketing and Selling Concept Marketing is a collective process through which Individuals and groups attain what they require and want by creating, offering and exchanging products and services which considered as valuable with others. The major concepts hold in this perspective is: Selling Concept This Inside-out perspective assumes that people must be sold whatever good or service the firm wants to offer. First it is decided what should be produced and then is selected a strategy to persuade people to buy the decided product. This approach implies that great deals of promotional or selling activities are needed to make the product move through the market to the consumers. The Selling Concept could be summarized as 1) Start with deciding what the firm wants to make; 2) Persuade the customers to buy the given product; and 3) It is aimed at ‘getting rid of what consumers have’. Marketing concept According to this concept, the achievement of organizational goals depends greatly on knowledge of needs and wants of the target markets. Also, these needs and wants have to be satisfied more efficiently than done by the competitors. The Marketing Concept could be summarized as 1) Start with the needs of the customers; 2) Develop the Four P’s of marketing in light of the customer needs; 3) It is about â€Å"Having what consumers can get rid of† In practice, Samsung followed the marketing concept after analyzing the needs of consumers who require smartphones at affordable costs with all advanced features. The changes in life styles of consumers are closely monitored and suitable applications are designed to match these needs in every new model. That is why the sales volume of smart phone s reached about 40% of sales volume of the company mobile phones category in 2012. 1 b. Market Segmentation and Targeting The segmentation done at Samsung is mainly on the basis of demographics and psychographics. Youth and middle age cosmopolitan consumers of both genders are targeted who belong to middle and high income groups. Novelty seekers, fun loving, extroverts are major personality traits of company consumers segments. The target strategy applied by Samsung is the 'shotgun' strategy according to which a wide range of market segments are covered through creation of many models. In contrast, Apple, which itself is a competitor, offers only a small number of models which are high-profile. In the pursuit of market share, both the companies have managed to mark their geographical presence as well expand it. However, the two companies can possibly come in to conflict inevitably as both get in to the run of trying to generate additional gains. 1 c. Brand Positioning The main posit ioning strategy of Samsung is to stop consumers just thinking about the product instead start feeling it as part of their personality. Normally when brand is transitioned from the left side of the brain to the right side, its position becomes powerful. i) Samsung has a position of best alternative to Apple iPhone category at economical price. Recent court cases of both companies supported this position as Samsung trying to achieve the leading edge in smartphones market.

Acting & Performance in Film Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Acting & Performance in Film - Essay Example This essay discusses various tools of the craft of acting as used by Louise Fletcher in the Film One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Kieu Chinh in the film Joy Luck Club. Lastly, the researcher of this essay also highlights some of the similarities and differences of their choice of acting tools. Some of the main tools commonly used by actors and actresses in the contemporary film industry and discussed in this essay by the researcher are endowment, relationships, display of emotions, character private moments, action (verbal and physical) and personalization. The researcher firstly discusses important stylistic acting tools, that were used by Louse Fletcher in her role as nurse Ratchet, such as her heightened language and many else. The researcher states that this important tools used by her not only show the development of her character, but also captures the theme of tyranny, that was presented in the film. In addition to that, the researcher also discusses acting tools tha t were used by Kieu Chinh, who is a famous Vietnamese American actress best known for her role as Suyuan Woo in the film The Joy Luck Club. The film, which was produced in 1993, is largely about the clash between Chinese and American cultures as evidenced in the complex relationships between Chinese-American women and their conservative Chinese mothers. To conclude, the researcher provides a detailed comparison on the topic of differences and similarities in the acting choices of Louse Fletcher and Kieu Chinh.

10 Most Important People in the United States Essay Example for Free

10 Most Important People in the United States Essay Abraham Lincoln is first because he did a lot as the first president of the united states. He abolished slavery, granted citizenship to all people, and gave all men the right to vote. One of the most important things about him was how he established the Emancipation Proclamation, which said that the union was willing to fight to end slavery. He was important because without him none of these things would have happened. George Washington was second because he did some very important things that impacted the U.   S. history. He was a general for the United States. He won two battles, then became president of the United States. He won the revolutionary war and the French and Indian war. He is important because without him the nation would still belong to Britain. Thomas Jefferson drafted the declaration of independence, which declared the 13 colonies a free and independent country. He was also involved in colonial policies and the negotiations that resulted in the Articles of Confederation. Later the US Constitution was made. As the 3rd President, he agreed to the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, doubling the size of the territory of the US. Without Thomas Jefferson the United States would have never been doubled in size in 1803 which would result in the United States being the same size it was before the Louisiana purchase. Andrew Jackson an army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, and the British at the Battle of New Orleans. His enthusiastic followers created a Democratic Party, the Jacksonian democracy. He later became known as the 7th President of the United States. He is important because without him we would never have defeated the natives at these two battles. he was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives. With Parliament’s passage of the Coercive Acts, Adams realized that the time had come for the Americans to invoke what he called â€Å"revolution-principles. †

Wolff’s Analysis of Chopin’s The Awakening Essay -- Chopin Awakening

Wolff’s Analysis of Chopin’s The Awakening In her essay "Un-Utterable Longing: The Discourse of Feminine Sexuality in Kate Chopin's The Awakening", Cynthia Griffin Wolff creates what Ross Murfin describes as "a critical whole that is greater than the sum of its parts." (376) By employing a variety of critical approaches (including feminist, gender, cultural, new historicism, psychoanalytic and deconstruction) Wolff offers the reader a more complete (albeit complex) explanation of Edna Pontellier's behavior and motivations than any single approach could provide. Wolff contends that locating the source of Edna's repression is the key to understanding Chopin's story. Wolff's perspective is feminist in that she focuses primarily on the character of Edna. By analyzing The Awakening in a historical context Wolff is also able to effectively explain not only Edna's motivations, but also those of nineteenth-century women in general. According to Wolff, Edna's repression can be traced to the gender crisis that developed within the Presbyterian church during the nineteenth-century. Unli...

My First College Class Experience Essay

The transition from high school to college in itself is a frightening experience in some way for everyone whether it be moving away from home or the vastness of a college campus others learn from these new experiences. Many very important lessons are learned outside the classroom in college but there is also so much to be learned about who you are in the classroom as well. When someone first sees Composition I on their schedule the first day of college they might think that this class is going to be tedious, boring, and nothing but writing essays, after a few class periods though they will begin to realize that this class is much more than that. Composition one from my perspective was like dipping your toes into water to test and see if you are ready to go in or not, the water may be too warm or cold at first but that is no reason to shy away from it, if they jump right in they will find that the positives far outweigh the negatives. My first semester of college was spent at The University of the Incarnate Word it was my first real taste of what college was going to be like and I very much enjoyed it but the class that was most surpirsing in how much that was learned to me was composition I. In the course catalog this class’s description was, â€Å" Part of the UIW Core Curriculum, this is a writing-intensive course focusing on numerous rhetorical modes to develop main ideas. This course introduces students to creative, academic and business writing and communication, emphasizing grammar and syntax, with a view to increasing expository skills and critical thinking ability†. Now to be terribly honest this description made this class seem extremely dull just based on the description but even so I was there on the first day ready to learn. The class was small and more relaxed than I thought it would be it turned out that this class was going to be the exact opposite of the description I had read. The assignments that were given in writing always forced the class to think not just about their own world but the bigger picture of how what they did affected the people around them and the world, for example they wrote about the short story by Ray Bradbury There Will Come Soft Rains and how they thought the world was becoming more and more like the story it gave a much greater sense of awareness of how change was needed in the community and to become more involved with each other and appreciate one another and not be so consumed  by technology. They were also given a project on conservation or countries that didn’t have clean sources of water and how they were affected by them It was an eye opening experience seeing how much others suffered and couldn’t have access to clean water in different places around the world. Such as in an article I read in The New York Times where it was said,† Three -fifths of all water supplies are â€Å"relatively bad† or wo rse. Roughly half of rural residents lack access to drinking water that meets international standards.† It gave a much greater sense of compassion for those who don’t have access to something so basic as clean drinking water. In the words of the Dalai Lama, â€Å"Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.† This quote is the perfect representation of what I learned in that class. Compassion is probably the greatest quality you can bring to college with you and in outside of college as well because without compassion we’re not even human anymore. The greatest lessons you will learn in your life will be in your college years, you find who you are and who you want to become after you graduate. When you first get to college you’re just getting your feet wet and testing the water but once you start immersing yourself in your classes that’s when you really take the plunge into the pool. There are certain classes you will take that will help you to have that drive to be better and change the fear or hesitation yo u first had when you started college and those classes will better who you are as a person and make the whole college experience worth it.

Contemporary Management Approaches Essay

The four contemporary approaches to management are: Sociotechnical systems theory, quantitative management, organizational behavior, and systems theory. Sociotechnical systems theory tries to revamp tasks to get the most out of the operation of a new technology while maintaining the human aspects of the work, such as the employees’ interpersonal relationships. It also touts the use of teamwork and the partially self-governing work groups as important factors for creating efficient production systems (Bateman S. , 2013). The Quantitative management approach focuses on using the quantitative analysis on managerial problems and decisions. Formal mathematical models of the problem are used by managers to make a decision. Managers are not often trained to use these techniques so the quantitative management approach is infrequently used (Bateman S. , 2013). The Organizational approach assumes that employee effectiveness is based on understanding the intricate interplay of individual, group, and organizational processes (Evolution, 2012). Disciplines such as psychology and sociology are used to try and explain the behavior of employees on the job (Bateman S. , 2013). The Systems theory approach to management assumes that organizations are open systems that depend on inputs from the external environment that need to be transformed into outputs that meet the market’s needs for goods and services. Inputs are the goods and services that an organization takes in and uses to create products or services. Outputs are the goods and services that the organization creates (Evolution, 2012). I think the sociotechnical approach is the most important because it focuses on keeping current with the new technology. This approach also recognizes the importance of keeping the employees happy so as to maximize production. References Bateman, S. (2013). Management (M Starts Here series–soft cover), 3rd edition 2013. McGraw-Hill. Evolution, T. (2012). The Evolution of Management. Retrieved from Highered.Mcgraw-hill.com: http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/dl/free/007802952x/970138/bat2952X_Part2.pdf

How decisions reveal our identity

How decisions reveal our identity Introduction Decision-making is an important aspect in human life since it enables people to focus on the way forward. Social psychologists posit that through decision-making, we are able to study how people perceive the world around them, their feelings, emotions as well as behaviors and actions. Scholars of psychology reveal that human actions come at play due to mental states and the immediate social conditions.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on How decisions reveal our identity specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Whatever an individual expresses in form of a thought, consist of long-term experiences. Decisions are manifestations of culture, which vary from one society to another. Rarely does a person come up with a new idea without having learned or acquired it. It is not surprising to observe that various groups tend to behave differently because they hold diverse believes and share something in common which is usual ly historical. Decisions are made to solve certain problems. Furthermore, problems differ from places to places. Africans face problems that are different from those of other races. Equally, Europeans have different problems that call for specific decisions to solve them. Each decision maker has some considerations when coming up with solutions. The solutions made tend to tell the race or ethnic group of the maker. This paper analyzes how our decisions can reveal our ethnic or racial grouping. Intrapersonal phenomena Intrapersonal communication refers to the process by which an individual evaluates him/her self before coming up with an idea. It refers to thought process where a person engages his/her wits in decision-making. The process determines the kind of attitude possessed by an individual. An attitude is defined as a learned, worldwide assessment of an individual, object, place or issue that determines thought process or behavior. They are what an individual likes or dislikes. People from particular regions are known to be having certain attitudes, which are different from those of others. For instance, in an interview, Africans prefer not to have eye contacts with interviewers as it shows rudeness to the seniors. Americans on the other hand believe that avoidance of eye contact shows some aspects of criminality in an individual (Jarrett, Mbalia, and Lee 238). Attitudes have strong influence to the life of an individual since if not handled, can lead to bias. Individuals attempt to evaluate other people’s decisions using their culture as yardstick. Some attitudes are intrinsic meaning that they are inborn in an individual. People from a particular environment tend to portray same attitudes that affect their decision-making processes. Attitudes are acquired through the process of socialization. This implies that a child learns how to solve problems right away from childhood. For instance, Africans are usually taught how to deal with situations with out consulting extensively. This explains why there are many despots and oligarchs in the African continent. It has to do with traditional African culture, which discourages consultation.Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Persuasion is another feature of intrapersonal trend that determines an individual’s decision-making process. It guides an individual towards acceptance of a particular attitude, thought and action through a rational technique. Persuasion is a concept that is reliant on appeals as opposed to force. Persuasion varies from one person to another. Some races or ethnic groups are easily persuaded as opposed to others. The white race is highly opinionated since it always wants to dominate any argument. In this case, it has a higher persuasive power and this explains why whites are preferred when making decisions aimed at increasing sales in an organization. The Asian race is patient and tactical. Furthermore, Africans are easily convinced by popular policies while the white race believes in facts that is, truth speaks for itself. Social cognition Social cognition pertains to the way people view themselves as well as others. Human beings tend to evaluate themselves in relation to others when engaging in decision-making. Within this topic is the subtopic referred to as attribution. Attribution is concerned with how an individual explains a particular behavior. People attach actions to certain variables, which can be either internal or external. Internal variables are to be found within a person including individuality and capacity of doing something. Outside variables consist of the external environment, which is known to influence decision-making in people. Heuristics is a social disorder that emanates from social cognition. It is a situation where an individual decides to use a short cut in obtaining something. Such individuals fear t he process of bureaucracy or any other factor that causes delay in acquisition of wanted goods or services. People of this kind usually want to get rich faster and are extremely ambitious in their lives. They perceive everything to be easy meaning that they always desire to win. In cases of disappointments, they do not accept the reality of the matter and instead go ahead to apply tricks. The same individuals are biased as regards to decision-making. In the modern world, Chinese have been accused of applying tricks to topple other states in the international financial system. This gives a good example of how decisions can tell where an individual comes from. There is another form of bias referred in psychology as confirmation bias. A social disorder may affect accurate decision-making process because a certain individual may aim at proving something. Labeling is one such problem that makes individuals to confirm what they are said to be.Advertising We will write a custom ess ay sample on How decisions reveal our identity specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Africans have always been branded as drug addicts, slave laborers and criminals. Some young Africans grow up knowing that they are drug addicts. Later on in life, such youngsters go out of their way to prove what they are said to be. This has occurred not only to Africans but also to other races around the world. It is evident that some historical aspects and injustices can inform individual decisions. Many Africans engage in drugs not because they like sedatives but because the society wants them to be addicts. Social Influence This refers to other people’s influences to one’s life. Individuals tend to conform to societal norms after sometime. Thereafter, individuals follow the way people do things in the society. This happens when individuals migrate to foreign lands. In the US today, many groups can be identified with certain behavior that are un ique and special. The groups promise to abide by the set laws and cooperate in achieving common goals and values. People tend to like similar foods, cloths and fashions with original make. This kind of living is not safe as regards to state culture because it generates animosity and hatred. People decide to join ethnic groups in order to benefit from services offered and to be accepted generally (Nasir 48). In the US, the Chinese have established a strong culture and taste, leading to formation of Chinatown. Group Dynamics A group is a collection of persons linked to each other by strong societal relations. Such groups interrelate, influence the actions of one another and have a common history. The groups set specific norms, roles and relations, which are to be followed strictly. Groups confer identity to its members. Furthermore, it augments an individual’s self-concept. In many parts of the country, groups have been seen to improve decision-making. They come in handy during the times of crisis mainly to arbitrate on cases. Members tend to treat group decisions with utmost trust implying that they cannot change such decisions easily. However, groups are not to be trusted since they slow down decision-making processes. Sometimes, members of a group do not explore all options since decisions are reached at without extensive consultations. Relying on group discussions have caused major hiccups in decision-making processes. Conclusion In the modern society, groups identify themselves using social media. Some groups are difficult to note because their identity is not readily available. It is possible to know which group a person comes from through analyzing his/her decisions. Decisions are usually uniform among members of same groups. Changes are usually minimal in order to preserve group identity. While some groups are helpful, the majority are destructive since they promote ethnicity or racism. The state cannot move forward unless the problem of tribalism is tackled from all angles.Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Group formation should be encouraged only when it benefits the state that is, aims at unifying the public. A tribal clash is the worst form of conflict that should never be witnessed in the world because of its extreme effects. There should be a way of bringing groups together in order to achieve national integration and harmony. Jarrett, Joyce, Mbalia, Doreatha and Lee Margaret. Heritage: African American readings for writers. 2nd ed. Prentice Hall: Allyn Bacon, 2001. Nasir, Naqvi. The Role of Emotion in Decision Making: A Cognitive Neuroscience Perspective. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 10.1111, 2006.

Recall the President - Why You Cant Recall a President

Recall the President - Why You Can't Recall a President Having regrets  about your vote for president? Sorry. Theres no mulligan. The U.S. Constitution does not allow for the recall of a president outside of the impeachment process or removal of a commander-in-chief who is deemed to be unfit for office under the 25th Amendment. In fact, there are no political recall mechanisms available to voters at the federal level at all; voters cant recall members of Congress, either.  In at least 19 states they can, however, recall elected officials serving in state and local positions. Those states include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin. That is not to say there has never been support for a recall process at the federal level. In fact, a U.S. senator from New Jersey proposed a constitutional amendment in 1951 that would have allowed voters to recall a president by holding a second election to undo the first. Congress never approved the measure, but the idea lives on. After the 2016 presidential election, some voters who may have had second thoughts or who were disappointed that Donald Trump lost the popular vote but still defeated Hillary Clinton tried to launch a petition to recall the billionaire real-estate developer. There is no way for voters to orchestrate a political recall of the president, not even Trump, who generated lots of controversy and had numerous conflicts of interest. There is no mechanism set forth in the U.S. Constitution that allows for the removal of a failing president save for impeachment, which is limited for instances of high crimes and misdemeanors and not simply the whims of voters or members of Congress.   Support For Recall of a President To give you some idea of how prevalent buyers remorse is in American politics, consider the case of President Barack Obama. Though he easily won a second term in the White House, many of those who helped elect him again in 2012 told pollsters a short time later they would support an effort to recall him if such a move were permitted. The survey, conducted by the  Harvard University Institute of Politics in late 2013, found a majority of young Americans (52 percent) would have voted to recall Obama at the time the poll was taken. Roughly the same portion of respondents also would have voted to recall every single member of Congress, including all 435 members of the House of Representatives. There are, of course, numerous online petitions that pop up from time to time calling on the removal of the president by means other than impeachment.  On the website Petition2Congress, for example, voters were asked to sign a petition to recall Obama before the end of his second term. One such petition to Congress states: If you do not act on impeachment proceedings on our current president and his administration, then we the people, respectfully demand a recall on President Barack Hussein Obama. We are dissatisfied with the anti-freedom, anti-constitutional, and the acts of treason implemented by this administration and also demand a full criminal investigation into Operation Fast Furious, Benghazi, the 900 excutive orders, the presidents own sequestration, and the sixteen trillion dollar national debt. On the site Change.org, there were efforts to recall Trump even before he was sworn into office.   The petition stated: Trump was right about one thing; this election  was  rigged, but  hes  the one who rigged it, much as fellow Republican Scott Walker did to win  his  five terms in office.  Ã‚  Hillary Clinton won the popular vote.  Trumps backing by Russia, Saudi Arabia, criminal hackers, and American terrorist groups compromise the very safety of the United States of America, and that of the citizens. We have the precedent, and whatever the outcome, we will  NEVER  recognize Donald J. Trump as our Commander-In-Chief. How theRecall of a President Would Work There have been several ideas floated for recalling a president; one would originate with the electorate and another would start with Congress and flow back to voters for approval.   In a document he calls the 21st Century Constitution, recall advocate Barry Krusch lays out plans for a National Recall, which would allow for the question  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Should the President be recalled?† to be placed on the general election ballot if enough Americans get fed up with their president. If a majority of voters decide to recall the president under his plan, the vice president would take over. In the essay  When Presidents Become Weak, published in the 2010 book  Profiles in Leadership: Historians on the Elusive Quality of Greatness edited by  Walter Isaacson, historian  Robert Dallek suggests a recall process that begins in the House and Senate. Writes  Dallek: â€Å"The country needs to consider a constitutional amendment that would give voters the power to recall a failing president. Because political opponents would always be tempted to invoke the provisions of a recall procedure, it would need to be both difficult to exercise and a clear expression of the popular will.  The process should begin in Congress, where a recall procedure would need a 60 percent vote in both houses. This could be followed by a national referendum on whether all voters in the previous presidential election wished to remove the president and vice president and replace them with the Speaker of the House of Representatives and a vice president of that person’s choosing.† Such an amendment, in fact, was proposed in 1951 by Republican U.S. Sen. Robert C. Hendrickson of New Jersey. The lawmaker sought approval for such an amendment after President Harry Truman fired  General Douglas MacArthur in the Korean War. Wrote  Hendrickson: â€Å"This nation is faced in these times with such rapidly changing conditions and such critical decisions that we cannot afford to depend upon an Administration which had lost the confidence of the American people†¦Ã‚  We have had ample evidence over the years that elected representatives, especially those with great power, can easily fall into the pitfall of believing that their will is more important than the will of the people.†Ã‚   Hendrickson concluded that â€Å"impeachment has proved neither suitable nor desirable.†Ã‚  His solution would have allowed for a recall vote when two-thirds of the states felt the president had lost the support of citizens.

You choose the topic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

You choose the topic - Essay Example As the situation worsened, the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) as well as refugees moving to neighbouring countries grew, totaling over nine million, so did the need for humanitarian aid, mostly shelter, food, toiletries and medical supplies. Essentially, this created the need for charity and aid organisations through which the refugees and IDPs could assess basic needs. However, some of the charity groups started collecting funds from donors and either used it for personal benefits or funding terrorist groups. Therefore, it has become necessary to create a genuine and credible organisation in Saudi Arabia that will work alongside other organisations in the region to channel all the funds and aid received to addressing the humanitarian needs of Syrian citizens. Credibility and using funds for what they are intended for will be the most effective way to justify the existence of the charity and gain the confidence and trust of sponsors. Syria has been experiencing violent wars since 2011 that were sparked by protests calling for the release of political prisoners, political reforms and the resignation of President Bashar al-Assad (Hinnebusch 2012, p. 98). Although the protests were peaceful initially, the government reacted brutally to the protestors, further aggravating the situation and violating human rights. The growing number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees necessitated the creation of charities to address humanitarian needs of the citizens. Shelter, food, toiletries, medical supplies and clean water became and remain urgently needed. However, unscrupulous organisations soon started taking advantage of the strong calls by Islam towards charitable giving, known as zakat, and started enriching themselves. It also became known that terrorist groups were collecting money from corrupt charities and their employees, which in turn tarnished the name of charitable organizations (ICRP 2014, p. 905). In this report,

Acetic acid from methanol Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Acetic acid from methanol - Essay Example This piece of art also showed me how hard work pays as the person swinging is enjoying herself due to the luxury presented by the surrounding. Personally, I can suggest that social values have a greater echo than political issues as presented by this art. First, the art portrays how the world should appear in terms of neatness and how things should be arranged in the modern world or society. It also shows the class differences without requiring much explanation as it is easy to interpret. â€Å"This is the most recent piece of art which was created in 2011 to tie in with the screening of the film ‘The Exit to the Gift Shop’† (Kok 19). The scene where the art was created is some distance away from where community members reside. They were trying to raise some money by converting the parking lot into a modern park with a good playground. It is one of the strongest examples of my artistic work that has been nicely decorated to capture almost all aspects of the modern artistic work. This is because of the color used, outward appearance and the shape of the art. Its outward image also gives more than one representation of what the artist was trying to explain unlike his first artistic work that showed only one meaning. The girl swinging and the writings on the wall are features that qualify this piece of art to have more than one meaning explained in the same piece of art. It is worth noting that the space used is small but the meaning is broad and can easily be understood from the first impression by viewing the image. At first as I observed the image, it gave me a different meaning after which it changed completely when I observed it critically. It influenced my way of thinking to give both the inner and outward meaning to any artistic work before drawing a conclusion. This work is therefore modern as compared to other works by other artists. The given work illustrates some technical background skills where the artists was able to balance all his elements.

Demonic Possessions and exorcisms Research Paper

Demonic Possessions and exorcisms - Research Paper Example al demonic possession, where demons supposedly took control of their victims manifesting evil characteristics and abilities not associated with the persons hosting such evil spirits. In the last half of the 20th century, an epidemic of a personality disorder called dissociative identity disorder (DID) emerged, which is primarily characterized by the presence of two or more personalities or alters that compete in taking control over the same person. A comparison of their respective symptoms, causes and treatment indicate that DID and demonic possession are almost identical. Demonic possession, both individual and collective, is a significant part of the Judeo-Christian faith in Europe and the Middle East and documented cases were noted up through the 1700s with isolated cases emerging in the 1800s up to the present. 1 The Old Testament refers to demonic possession sparingly but the New Testament is replete with it, such as Jesus casting out ‘unclean spirits.’ In Luke 8:30, for example, Jesus exorcised the demons called Legion and cast them into a group of pigs. Some other biblical passages on the subject are: Luke 9:38-43, where an epileptic boy is said to be possessed by a demon; Luke 11:14 a person is made mute because of demon; Luke 13:10-13, a woman was possessed by a demon who crippled her for 18 years, and; Matthew 15:21-28, a woman pleaded with Jesus to cast a demon from out of her daughter. 2 In the Middle Ages, the Church became preoccupied with demonic possession suspecting anyone exhibiting out-of-the-ordinary behavior of being possessed by the Devil. During the Inquisition, people believed to be possessed by demons were arrested, tried and executed if found guilty. The Catholic Church issued a procedure for exorcising demons in 1614 included in a document called Rituale Romanum, which can be performed by a priest alone while the Protestant Reformation discarded the idea of demonic possession. 3 The known symptoms of demonic possession are: sharp

Biographical and Psychological Strategies Essay Example for Free

Biographical and Psychological Strategies Essay Often, people would resolve into using the biographical strategy when they come into a dead end in trying to interpret a work. This is what I like about this particular strategy because it can provide answers to unanswered questions that are not possible to be derived from the work alone. Sometimes, a look at the life of the author helps in understanding a piece of literature. Some say that is a lazy man’s approach into interpreting a text but that does not mean that it is not an effective way. I believe that in all works, there is always a piece of the author in their writings, making this strategy a valid one. We simply cannot deny the fact that the works of an author are almost always influenced by his experiences. I also like how this approach becomes investigative in nature because of the â€Å"digging† of information for the authors’ lives. What I Don’t Like About Psychological Strategies Unlike biographical strategies, psychological strategies do not quite get me that excited. This strategy urges critics to look for â€Å"symbolic† meanings in every work which just complicate things. Though I understand the importance of symbols in literature, this strategy can sometimes be used too much and give symbolism into things and events that are not even meant by the author to have symbols. Though this might contradict my likeness for biographical strategies, I believe that events should (at least most of the time) stand on their own. Another thing that I do not like about psychological strategies is the Oedipus complex theory; it is just far too taboo for me to think of such things. Speaking of theory, this is what mostly this strategy is based on—theory, which means, it is not as reliable as a biographical approach because the latter is based on the lives of the authors, not on speculated ideas.

Coal Fires :: Fire Coal Mining Essays

Coal Fires I’ve long been familiar with the concept of coal mines, but a common occurrence I was unfamiliar with previous to this class was the concept of coal mine fires, but it is a huge problem, both economically and environmentally. Perhaps the most infamous American example of a coal mine fire is Centralia, a town in the anthracite region of eastern Pennsylvania. Centralia was like any other coal town until one fateful day in 1962, when a heap of burning trash in a dump that doubled as a mine stripping pit quickly spread to other parts of the mine. After a few months of bureaucratic haggling, the local government finally agreed to drill to suffocate the fire, but it had spread faster than had been anticipated and could not easily be contained. In the next few years, subsequent efforts to quell the fire proved futile while it expanded beyond the confines of the coal mine to other areas underneath people’s residences in the town of Centralia. Because the ground, at places, was literally breathing carbon monoxide into people’s homes, within a few years Centralia became a place unliveable for its residents and, in 1981, the government bought the town out, paying to ship Centralia’s population elsewhere, away from the barren, sinking land and its still-raging fires that had been incited almost 20 years previous. A few remained behind despite the government-paid relocation and they still remain today, but the fire below them still remains also, raging unabated beneath what was once a booming town. (Tietz) The problem of Coal fires is not limited to Centralia, Pennsylvania, however. It is a problem that has caused major difficulties both in other areas of the United States (like Colorado) and also other parts of the world. In Indonesia, for instance, a series of forest fires in 1982 ignited a series of coal fires, 106 of which the government was able to extinguish, leaving 159 that are still raging to this very day. (Amos) A coal fire in Jharia, India, that had already caused the government to relocate the town’s population, destroyed a riverbank, unleashing a rush of water in the underground mines that drowned 78 coal workers. By some estimates, fires that rage in the northern coal belt of China burn something like 200 million tons of coal each year. (Krajick) While the economic cost of this is considerable — over $1 billion spent in the United States alone, despite the fact that the relatively few coal fires it plays host to are still extant — the environmental cost is perhaps even more alarming.

Regional Interactions Essay

†¢ As in the previous chapter, this time period witnessed a tremendous growth in long-distance trade due to improvements in technology. Trade through the Silk Road, the Indian Ocean, the trans-Saharan trade route, and the Mediterranean Sea led to the spread of ideas, religions, and technology. During the period known as Pax Mongolia, when peace and order were established in Eurasia due to the vast Mongol Empire, trade and cultural interaction were at their height. †¢ Major technological developments such as the compass, improved shipbuilding technology, and gunpowder shaped the development of the world. AP EXPERT TIP When you are reading about a given situation, try to visualize where in the world those developments are taking place. Alternatively, reproduce a blank world map and take notes in the proper geographic region as you read. †¢ The movement of people greatly altered our world. Nomadic groups such as the Turks, Mongols, and Vikings, for instance, interacted with settled people—often because of their technology—leading to further change and development. One of the worst epidemic diseases in history, the bubonic plague (or Black Death), spread during this period due to the movement of people and their increased interaction. †¢ Religions such as Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism promoted the equality of all believers in the eyes of God. And though patriarchal values continued to dominate, the monastic life available in Buddhism and Christianity offered an alternative path for women. †¢ The spread of religion aided by the increase in trade often acted as a unifying force, though it sometimes caused conflict. Christianity and the Church served as the centralizing force in Western Europe, and throughout East Asia, the spread of Confucianism and Buddhism solidified a cultural  identity. The new religion of Islam created cultural world known as dar-al Islam, which transcended political boundaries. †¢ The political structures of many areas adapted and changed in response to the new conditions of the world. Centralized empires like the Byzantine, the Arab Caliphates, and the Tang and Song dynasties built on the successful models of the past, while decentralized areas (Western Europe and Japan) developed political organizations that more effectively dealt with their specific conditions. The movements of the Mongols altered much of Asia’s political structure for a time, and recovery from that Mongol period introduced political structures that defined many areas for centuries to follow. Look more:  asian foot binding essay POST-CLASSICAL CHINA Tang Dynasty (618 to 907 CE) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT Following the fall of the Han dynasty, China returned to rule by regional small kingdoms for the next 400 years. It was not until 581 CE that the Sui dynasty emerged, using Buddhism and the Confucian civil service system to establish legitimacy. The Sui dynasty started the construction of the Grand Canal and launched numerous campaigns to expand the empire. Rebellions overthrew the Sui in 618. The Tang dynasty that followed was more focused on scholars than on soldiers. It did, however, expand its territory beyond China proper to Tibet and Korea. It also completed the Grand Canal and offered support to Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism. The capital, Changan, was a major political center, which foreign diplomats visited from the Byzantine and Arab worlds. In the middle of the eighth century CE, Tang power declined as higher taxes created tension within the population. Peasant rebellions led to more independent regional rule and to the abdication of the emperor. After this, there was a period of rule by regional warlords for the next 50 years. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The dynasty established military garrisons, which allowed for the protection and security of Silk Road trade. An equal field system was established in which all peasants were given land in return for tax in grain and unpaid labor; at death they were to return the land to the government. Changan was a major trading center and cosmopolitan city. The West Market there flourished with Indian, Iranian, Syrian, and Arab traders and their goods. By 640 CE, its population reached 2 million, making it the largest city in the world. Neighbors, such as Japan or Siam, became tributary states to China. CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT Culturally, the Tang dynasty was heavily influenced by the spread of Buddhism. Empress Wu started a school dedicated to Buddhist and Confucian scholarship and art. Toward the end of the dynasty, Buddhism, a â€Å"foreign religion,† was attacked for its economic and political power. From 841 to 845 CE, an anti-Buddhist campaign destroyed many monasteries. In the wake of this backlash, neo-Confucianism developed: Confucian scholars wanted a new form of Confucianism that would limit foreign influence. The result was an integration of Buddhist and Confucian ideas. Some ideas included individual self-improvement, the goodness of human beings, and the goal to strive and perfect oneself. Women’s marriages during the Tang dynasty were arranged within their own social class, but upper-class women could own property, move about in public, and even remarry. Poetry flourished with such poets as Li Bai and Du Fu. Song Dynasty (960 to 1279 CE) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT By 960 CE, the Song dynasty had re-established centralized control over China. The civil service exam system retained great prominence, successfully checking the power of the aristocracy. The Song de-emphasized a military approach and instead re-established the tribute system with its nomad neighbors. This involved â€Å"paying off† the nomads with such gifts as bolts of silk to keep the peace. The Song, however, experienced military and economic problems. The scholar-controlled professional army was often ineffective,  and too much paper money in circulation caused inflation. By 1126 CE, they had lost the northern half of the empire to nomads. The Southern Song continued to flourish until 1274, but military threats continued, and finally the greatest of all northern groups invaded in the 1200s, absorbing the Song dynasty into the new Mongol Empire. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Rice production doubled due to new fast-ripening rice from Champa. Internal trade from the Yellow Sea and Grand Canal flourished due to the increased number of merchants and the growth in population. The capital of Kaifeng became a manufacturing center with its production of cannons, movable type printing, water-powered mills, looms, and high-quality porcelain. China had more per capita production than any other country in the world. Minted copper coins were used as money and eventually were replaced with paper currency. Officials collected taxes in cash—not goods—and letters of credit (known as flying cash) were used by merchants. The Southern Song established their capital at Hangzhou, and commerce soared. With their cotton sails and magnetic compasses, the Song had the most powerful navy in the world. As a result, the dynasty’s power shifted from the north to the south, and the Song became leaders in trade. Song goods made their way to Southeast Asia, India, Persia, and East Africa. CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT During the Song dynasty, women were entitled to keep their dowries and had access to jobs as merchants, but they also were subject to a practice called foot binding. The practice originated with the aristocratic class and was viewed as a sign of wealth and status. Girls as young as six had their feet bound in order to secure a better marriage. Tang and Song Innovations †¢ The first use of the compass to aid maritime navigation †¢ A water-powered clock, demonstrating facility in mechanical engineering †¢ The invention of gunpowder—first demonstrated during the late 1000s CE, the  explosive combination of sulfur and saltpeter would alter weapons technology forever and lead to the first cannons, rockets, and incendiary bombs. †¢ Philosophy—neo-Confucian thought delved into ancient texts and further codified traditional Chinese philosophy; it blended Confucianism with elements of Daoism and Buddhism. †¢ A printing press with movable type †¢ Stylized and symbolic landscape painting †¢ Paper money, letters of credit (flying cash) JAPAN (around 800 to 1200 CE) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT Japan’s geography as a group of islands led to the development of small isolated, independent communities. Clan members cooperated with each other much like a large, extended family. By the 600s, the Yamato clan had religious and cultural influence over other clans and wanted to copy China’s model of empire building. Its leaders began to call themselves emperors of Japan. The Fujiwara clan, which dominated between the ninth and twelfth centuries CE, sent emissaries to China and modeled their capital, Nara, on Changan. They could not, however, successfully introduce a Chinese-style bureaucracy, and a strict hereditary hierarchy developed instead. During the Kamakura Shogunate (1185–1333 CE), the emperor and his court kept their capital in Kyoto, yet a military dictatorship existed, ruled by powerful landholding clans. A Japanese form of feudalism developed in which the Shogun—supreme general—controlled the centralized military government and divided the land into regional units based on military power. The regional military leaders were the daimyo, and the warriors who fought for them were the samurai. Over the centuries, the samurai military class developed a strict warrior code called bushido. The emperor remained in power throughout this period, but served only as a symbolic figurehead. Many Shoguns were overthrown but the emperor was not. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Japan was a predominantly agrarian society with a local artisan class of weavers, carpenters, and ironworkers. Trade and manufacturing developed more in the Kamakura Period, when it focused on markets in larger towns and foreign trade with Korea and China. Most people were peasants who worked on land that was owned by a lord or by Buddhist monasteries. Though their freedom was limited, peasants could keep what was left of their harvest after paying their tax quota. Those unable to pay their taxes became landless laborers known as genin and could be bought and sold with the land. CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT Japan adopted many foreign ideas but remained culturally true to its own traditions. According to Shinto, the religion native to Japan, everything possesses a spirit, or kami. Natural forces and nature were awe-inspiring, and shrines were built to honor kami. The first ruler from the Yamato clan claimed descent from the supreme Shinto deity, the Sun Goddess. Japan was also strongly influenced by Korea and China. It adopted Chinese technology, Chinese script, and Buddhism (though Japan developed its own version of Buddhism, which added a strong aesthetic dimension, known as Zen Buddhism). In the Heian period (794 to 1185 CE), contact with China was cut off, and the culture turned to expressing Japanese values. Participating in a lavish court lifestyle, women dominated literature. The Tale of Genji, for instance, was written by Lady Murasaki. Wives inherited land from their husbands and often owned land, and priestesses dominated religious life. Over time, though, women lost power and influence. ISLAMIC CALIPHATES Islam: The Religion Prior to the spread of Islam, Arabs lived in separate, loyal, tribal groups and were often involved in overland and maritime trade. The city of Mecca later developed into an important religious site with a large influx of traders and pilgrims. The Kaaba, a black meteorite placed in the Great Mosque by Abraham, was in the center of the city, and most people  worshipped idols. Muhammad was born in 570 CE in Mecca. When he was 40, the angel Gabriel appeared to him and revealed that he had been selected to receive a divine message that there was only one all-powerful and all-knowing God, Allah, and that Muhammad was to be God’s messenger. Muhammad preached that all people were to submit to Allah and that everyone was equal in the eyes of Allah. Muhammad’s message was not met with enthusiasm in Mecca, and he fled to Medina in 622 CE, a journey known as the hegira. In Medina, he was viewed as a prophet and a political leader. Muhammad taught that he was the last of a long line of prophets from the Jewish and Christian scriptures that included Abraham, Moses, David, and Jesus. In 630 CE, he and his followers returned to Mecca, captured the city, and destroyed religious idols. After his death, Muhammad’s revelations were written down by his followers in the Quran. The word Islam means â€Å"submission to God’s will†. Islam is a universal religion that is open to everyone. Islam appealed to women because they had equal status to men before God, they could keep their dowries as wives, and there was a prohibition on female infanticide. POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT By the time of Muhammad’s death, almost all of Arabia was under Islamic control. There was disagreement, however, over his successor. One group, the Shia, believed that the leader should be a descendant of Muhammad. The other group, the Sunni, preferred the community of Muslims to determine who would succeed him. The leader of the Muslims, the caliph, was both a political and spiritual leader. Five Pillars of Islam 1. Statement of faith: There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger. 2. Pray five times a day facing Mecca. 3. Give alms (charity) to the poor. 4. Fast during the holy month of Ramadan. 5. Make a pilgrimage, or hajj, to Mecca during one’s lifetime if able. After the first four caliphs, the Umayyad clan took control in 661 CE and transformed the caliphate into a hereditary monarchy, with its government  centered in Damascus. They continued on to conquer Syria, Egypt, Persia, and Byzantine territory in West Asia, North Africa, and Spain. Their military skills, the soldiers’ commitment to Islam, and the promise of plunder helped them in these conquests. The Umayyad Caliphate set up a bureaucratic structure in which local administrators governed their areas. All cultures were tolerated as long as people obeyed the rules, paid their taxes, and did not revolt. Arabic became the language of administration, business, law, and trade. The Abbasid clan overthrew the Umayyad dynasty in 750 CE and moved the capital of the empire to Baghdad, a political center and the second largest city in the world next to Changan. Eventually, the only remaining Umayyad prince settled in Spain and established a separate caliphate there. Berber tribesmen controlled much of the northern African coast, and the Mamluks revolted and gained control over Egypt from 1250 to 1517 CE. The term Dar al-Islam, or â€Å"all under Islam,† refers to those areas in which a Muslim is welcome. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Trade flourished throughout the caliphate and improved irrigation led to productive agriculture and an increase in tax revenues. Artisans flourished in the cities, making pottery, fabrics, and rugs. Paper was imported from China, and soon paper mills were set up. The vast Islamic empires also spread many types of agriculture, including sugarcane, citrus fruits, and coffee. Islam spread to West Africa through trans-Saharan trade, to East Africa and Southeast Asia through Indian Ocean trade, to Central Asia and China along the Silk Road, and to India through the migrations of the Turks. CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT Mosques, hospitals, schools, and orphanages were built throughout the empire. Intellectual achievements included the development of algebra, the concept of longitude and latitude, and the study of Greek philosophers such as Aristotle. The House of Wisdom, built in Baghdad in 830 CE, obtained Greek and Persian texts and translated them into Arabic. In art and architecture, the use of images was forbidden; instead, geometry and calligraphy were used to beautiful effect. Byzantine Empire (300 to 1453 CE) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT The Byzantine Empire, a continuation of the Eastern Roman Empire, was the only survivor from the classical age. The Roman Empire had officially been divided in 375 CE, with the western half severely weakened because the east produced the majority of grain and controlled the major trade routes. Emperor Justinian, who ruled from 527 to 565 CE, tried unsuccessfully to reconquer Western Rome. His Body of Civil Law (Justinian’s Code) was written, and he replaced Latin with Greek as the official language of the empire. The central government was a hereditary monarchy. It made law, had an efficient military, oversaw effective land distribution, and had a bureaucracy that answered to the emperor. The emperor was considered a co-ruler with Christ and appointed the patriarch. Military generals were appointed to rule, and free peasants were given land for military service. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Its location on the Mediterranean Sea contributed to strong trade in the Byzantine Empire. Silkworms were smuggled out of China, which allowed a Byzantine silk industry to develop. Artisans produced glassware, linen, jewelry, and gold and silver work. CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT Most people spoke Greek. In theory, there was social mobility through the bureaucracy, army, trade, or service to the Church, but in reality, mobility was limited. Constantinople was the political and intellectual center, with libraries containing Greek, Latin, Persian, and Hebrew texts. The Byzantine and Roman Christian churches had been growing apart since the fall of Rome, and a disagreement over the worship of icons—images of saints—was the final straw. The Pope and the Patriarch excommunicated each other, and in 1054 CE, the church officially split into the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. This Eastern Orthodox form of Christianity later spread to the Slavic people and Russia. DECENTRALIZED STATES IN EUROPE Western Europe—Early Middle Ages (around 500 to 1000 CE) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT Western Europe remained politically decentralized. The Franks came closest to re-establishing imperial control with the leadership of Clovis and, later, the Carolingian Empire of Charlemagne. Europe developed a feudal system in which land was given to vassals in exchange for military service, allowing them to gain power. The centralizing power during this period was the Church, and by the 13th century, the Church owned one-third of all the land in Europe. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT During this time, peasants became serfs; they had the right to work a portion of the land and could pass that right on to their children, but they could not leave the land. They could keep a portion of what they grew, but the majority of their earnings went to the lord. Serfs paid taxes for use of the lord’s mill, had to work on the lord’s lands, and had to provide gifts on holidays. These estates became large walled manors that were economically self-sufficient. They maintained mills, bakeries, and breweries. They had their own private armies served by armor-clad knights. The introduction of the heavy plow led to an increase in agricultural production. CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT Beginning in the 12th century, the code of conduct called chivalry developed. It stressed honor, modesty, loyalty, and duty. Monasteries were the dominant feature of social and cultural life, and they often had large landholdings. Monks preserved classical knowledge by hand-copying great literature and philosophical works. NOMADIC CULTURES Vikings (Dates of Influence—around 800 to 1100 CE) The Vikings were a nomadic group who had settled in present day Scandinavia.  In order to supplement their farm production, they conducted seasonal raids into Europe and ransacked towns. Using small and maneuverable boats, they terrorized coastal communities in France, Scotland, Ireland, and England. The Vikings eventually evolved from plunderers into traders and established communities in Scotland, northern France, and Eastern Europe. Scandinavia was gradually Christianized during this period. These outstanding seafarers also traded actively throughout the North Sea and Baltic Sea. In the 800s, they colonized Iceland and Greenland, and around 1000 CE, they established a colony that lasted only a few decades in Newfoundland, modern Canada. The transplanted Viking settlements in France became known as Normans (or â€Å"Northmen†). In 1066 CE, a Norman lord named William from northern France invaded England with his army. He defeated the Saxons and established Norman power in what is now Britain. Turks (Dates of Influence—around 1000 to 1450 CE) The Turks, a pastoral nomadic group from the central Asian steppes, began gradually to migrate out of the steppes at the end of the first millennium. They were often hired by Muslim leaders as mercenaries, or hired soldiers. The Seljuk Turks, who had converted to Islam, invaded Abbasid territory and captured Baghdad in 1055. The caliph was left as the spiritual authority of the empire, but the Seljuk Sultan became the secular monarch. By 1071 CE, they defeated the Byzantine Empire and took most of Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). The Afghan Turks were nomads from Afghanistan and began a series of raids into India in the 10th century. They looted cities for gold and jewels and destroyed Hindu temples and then left. It wasn’t until the 12th century that they invaded and then started to govern. This started the Delhi Sultanate, which ruled northern India from 1206 to 1526 CE. These Turks introduced a strong Muslim presence in India. Mongols (Dates of Influence—around 1200 to 1550 CE) A second pastoral nomadic group from the central Asian steppes, the Mongols would go on to create the world’s largest empire. These nomadic herders’ lives revolved around their sheep, goats, and yaks for food, clothing, and  shelter; their camels for transportation; and their horses for mobility. This clan-based society was organized around bloodlines. Genghis Khan successfully united the various Mongol tribes, and their greatest strength was their mobility and military power. Once united, Genghis led his troops into Central Asia, Tibet, northern China, and Persia. In 1215 CE, the Mongols attacked and destroyed present-day Beijing. The Mongol charge continued into Afghanistan and Persia, yet by 1227 CE, the Great Khan died, and his empire was divided amongst his four sons. CHINA: THE YUAN DYNASTY In 1276 CE, Genghis Khan’s grandson, Kublai Khan, defeated the Southern Song dynasty, and for the first time, China was under foreign rule. Khan created a Chinese-style dynasty, adopting the Chinese name Yuan for it, with a fixed and regular tax payment system and a strong central government. Foreigners, not Chinese, were employed in the bureaucracy, and the civil service exam was not used. The Chinese were subject to different laws and were separated from the Mongols. Connecting Beijing to Vienna was a communication system using horse relays and 1,400 postal stations. In time, overland and maritime trade flourished, and though the Mongols were not directly involved in the trade, they welcomed merchants and foreigners. Merchants converted their foreign currency to paper money when they crossed into China. MIDDLE EAST: THE ILKHANATES In 1258 CE, Kublai’s brother, Hulegu, defeated the Abbasid Caliphate. The Mongols in the Middle East employed local bureaucrats in the government and converted to Islam by 1295 CE. The local rulers were permitted to rule, as long as they delivered the tax revenue and maintained order. Though they did not support agriculture, they did facilitate trade, and Mongol culture often mixed with that of the conquered people. As the Mongols continued west, they met with their first and only major defeat. The armies of the Mamluks, a slave dynasty in Egypt, defeated the Mongols in 1260 CE and stopped the movement of the Mongols in that region. RUSSIA: THE GOLDEN HORDE The Mongol ruler Batu conquered and ruled Russia but kept a large number of the local rulers in power. The taxes on the peasants were heavy, but they were collected by Russian bureaucrats. Trade was supported, and although these Mongols were Muslim and conversion was encouraged, Christian missionaries were allowed to visit. PAX MONGOLIA At the peak of Mongolian power, with huge areas of Asia and Europe under one rule, there was a period called the Mongol Peace. For about a century, Mongol rule united two continents and allowed for relatively safe trade and contacts between very different cultures. It did so by eliminating tariffs. During this period, the Silk Road trade reached its greatest height. Paper money—a Chinese innovation—was used in many parts of the empire. It was also common for the Mongols to convert to or adopt the local religions, or at least be religiously tolerant. MONGOL DECLINE In 1274 and 1281 CE, the Mongols tried again to expand their empire—they invaded Japan. Typhoon winds destroyed their fleet both times, however. The Japanese believed these â€Å"kamikaze,† or â€Å"sacred winds,† had protected them. Despite great military accomplishment, the Mongol Empire lasted hardly three or four generations. While the Mongols were successful conquerors, they were poor administrators. Overspending led to inflation in different corners of the empire, and after the death of Kublai, leadership was weak and ineffectual. Rivalry among the successors of the great Khan further destabilized the empire, and the vast domain was divided among various generals. By 1350 CE, most of the Mongols’ huge territory had been reconquered by other armies. RESULTS OF MIGRATION AND COMMUNICATION West African Kingdoms The introduction of the domesticated camel allowed for an increased flow of trade across the Sahara Desert, and as a result, Muslim and North African merchants began to establish commercial relations with West Africa. Ghana (around 500 to 1200 CE) Ghana was a regional state around the 400s or 500s CE, and an increase in trans-Saharan trade led to its growth in power and influence. By 800 CE the many farming villages in the area were united to create the kingdom of Ghana. It became an important commercial site and a center for trade in gold from the south, which it controlled and taxed. In return, it received ivory, slaves, horses, cloth, and salt. As Ghana’s wealth increased, it built an army funded by the tax on trade. In the 900s CE, the kings converted to Islam, which led to improved relations with Muslim merchants. Islam was not forced on the people, however, and traditional animistic beliefs continued to be important. Those who engaged in trade often converted to Islam. After 1000 CE, Ghana found itself under assault from northern Berbers and other tribal groups nearby. It was eventually absorbed by the West African kingdom of Mali. Mali (1235 to late 1400s CE) The trans-Saharan trade in gold and salt continued to increase. Mali controlled and taxed all trade. The rulers honored Islam and provided protection and lodging for merchants. The Sundiata is an epic poem that tells how the first Mali emperor came to power; it was composed and recited by Mali griots or storytellers. The most famous Mali emperor was Mansa Musa, who ruled from 1312 to 1337. He built libraries, Islamic schools, and mosques throughout the kingdom. Timbuktu was the political capital and a regional cultural center of Islamic studies and art for all of West Africa. After 1350 CE, provinces began to assert their independence.