Aspergers, a High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder

Aspergers, a High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder Aspergers Syndrome exists at the highest end of the autism spectrum. Children with Aspergers have excellent language and often good academic behavior which may mask the very real difficulties they have in academic situations. Often they are not diagnosed, or diagnosed late in their academic career, because their difficulties in social situations havent stopped them from succeeding academically. Their lack of good social skills and understanding of social interaction eventually inhibit their ability to function in upper elementary and middle school settings, where their academic skills often outshine their social challenges. They are frequently found in inclusive settings because of their ability to function well in academic settings, but challenge the general education teachers who teach them. Areas of High Interest and High Ability The movie Rain Man familiarized the American public with the notion of the idiot savant. Although a fairly infrequent occurrance, savantism may appear in children with autism or with Aspergers Syndrome. The hyper-focus or perseveration on specific top is typical of students diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome. Children may exhibit exceptional ability in language or math, and may have areas of extraordinary ability. I had one student who could tell you what day of the week your birthday might be in 5 or 10 years without referring to a calendar. Students may also have extraordinary knowledge about a specific topic, such as dinosaurs or vintage movies. This hyperfocus or perseveration may actually be the result of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is not uncommon in children with Aspergers disorder. Physicians often can use appropriate medication to help manage the obsessive behavior and help students re-focus on a broader range of information and interests. Social Deficits One of truly human skills that children on the spectrum seem to lack is joint attention, the ability to join with other humans in attending to what they find important. Another deficit is in the area of theory of mind, the innate ability that most human organisms have to project their own emotional and intellectual processes onto other human beings. Early in development, typically developing children respond to their mothers faces and early on learn to respond to their parents moods. Children on the Autism Spectrum do not. Children with Aspergers syndrome often long to develop relationships, especially with peers. Since most children with Aspergers Syndrome are boys, they are especially interested in how to relate to the opposite sex. Many children with disabilities have weak social skills. They all benefit from social skill training, but none as much as children on the autism spectrum. They lack emotional literacy, and need explicit instruction in how to recognize and manage different emotional states. Tantrums are frequent in young children with Aspergers Syndrome, because they do not know how express their frustration nor how to negotiate with parents, siblings or peers. Use your words is often the mantra with students with Aspergers Syndrome, and often the challenge is teach them the skills they need to express their wants and needs. Executive Function Deficits Children with Aspergers Syndrome often have weak Executive Function. Executive function is the cognitive ability to visualize and plan ahead. It includes the short term ability to understand the steps needed to complete a task. Long term it involves the ability to anticipate the many steps that may be required to graduate from high school, to complete a degree, even to follow through on a science fair project. Because these children are often very bright, they may be able over-compensate in elementary or middle school for their lack of ability to visualize, anticipate and prepare for future eventualities. Children with extraordinary potential may end up as the 30 year old still in his or her own bedroom because they have not been able to prioritize and then master each of the steps necessary to get to a final goal. Gross and Fine Motor Skills Students with Aspergers Syndrome often have poor balance and poor gross motor skills. This can become exaggerated as they grow older because they often prefer watching television or using the computer to athletic activities. The preference may come from poor over all coordination rather than a learned preference. These same students may also have poor fine motor skills and may dislike using pencils and scissors. They may be very hard to motivate to writ. Unless students with Aspergers are really motivated to learn to write long hand, they should not be forced to learn to write in cursive. Keyboarding on a computer may also be a better investment of time than stressing handwriting. Academic Deficits Students with Aspergers syndromes often have areas of great strength and areas of academic weakness. Some students have strong academic deficits across the board, from language to math, and are often diagnosed late because their obvious intelligence and academic performance, challenged by deficits in social skills and executive function, struggle to perform in academic settings. English/Language Arts: Often students with strong language may struggle to develop the skills that they need to do well in English and Language Arts. Often they have strong vocabularies, especially when they have strong interests that they have read about. Some students with Aspergers gain strong vocabularies because they script, or repeat entire movies they have heard. Children with Aspergers with strong language skills often exhibit good reading skills, but not always are good readers. Once students reach fourth grade, they are expected to answer higher level thinking questions, such as questions that ask students to synthesize or analyze what they have read (as in Blooms Taxonomy.) They may be able to answer questions at the lowest level, Remember, but not questions that ask them to analyze (What made that a good idea?) or synthesis (If you were Hugo, where would you look?) Because of executive function and short term memory challenges, students with Aspergers syndrome often face challenges with writing. They may have difficulty remembering how to spell, they may forget writing conventions such as punctuation and capitalization, and they may face fine motor challenges that make them reluctant to write. Math: Children with strong language or reading skills may have poor math skills, or vice versa. Some children are savants when it comes to math, memorizing math facts quickly and seeing relationships between numbers and solving problems. Other children may have poor short and long term memory and may struggle with learning math facts. In all or any case, teachers need to learn to recognize students strengths and needs, using strengths to identify ways to approach deficits and build their over all functional and academic skills.

1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City

1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City In 1968, Mexico City became the first Latin American city to host the Olympic games, having beaten out Detroit and Lyon for the honor. The XIX Olympiad was a memorable one, with several long-standing records set and the strong presence of international politics. The games were marred by a horrible massacre in Mexico City just days before they were due to kick off. The games lasted from October 12 to October 27. Background Being selected to host the Olympics was a really big deal for Mexico. The nation had come a long way since the 1920s when it still lay in ruins from the long, ruinous Mexican Revolution. Mexico had since rebuilt and was turning into an important economic powerhouse, as oil and manufacturing industries boomed. It was a nation that had not been on the world stage since the rule of dictator Porfirio Dà ­az (1876-1911) and it was desperate for some international respect, a fact which would have disastrous consequences. The Tlatelolco Massacre For months, tensions had been building in Mexico City. Students had been protesting the repressive administration of President Gustavo Dà ­az Ordaz, and they hoped the Olympics would bring attention to their cause. The government responded by sending troops to occupy the university and instituted a crackdown. When a large protest was held on October 2 in Tlatelolco in the Three Cultures Square, the government responded by sending troops. The result was the Tlatelolco Massacre, in which an estimated 200-300 civilians were slaughtered. The  Olympic Games After such an inauspicious beginning, the games themselves went relatively smoothly. Hurdler Norma Enriqueta Basilio, one of the stars of the Mexican team, became the first woman to light the Olympic torch. This was a sign from Mexico that it was trying to leave aspects of its ugly past – in this case, machismo – behind it. In all 5,516 athletes from 122 nations competed in 172 events. The Black Power Salute American politics entered the Olympics after the 200m race. African-Americans Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who had won gold and bronze respectively, gave the fist-in-the-air black power salute as they stood on the winners’ podium. The gesture was intended to draw attention to the civil rights struggle in the United States: they also wore black socks, and Smith wore a black scarf. The third person on the podium was Australian silver medalist Peter Norman, who supported their action. VÄ›ra ÄÅ'slavsk The most compelling human interest story at the Olympics was Czechoslovakian gymnast VÄ›ra ÄÅ'slavsk. She strongly disagreed with the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in August 1968, less than one month before the Olympics. As a high-profile dissident, she had to spend two weeks in hiding before finally being allowed to attend. She tied for gold in floor and won silver in beam on controversial decisions by the judges. Most spectators felt she should have won. In both cases, Soviet gymnasts were the beneficiaries of the dubious scores: ÄÅ'slavsk protested by looking down and away when the Soviet anthem was played. Bad Altitude Many felt that Mexico City, at 2240 meters (7,300 feet) of altitude was an inappropriate venue for the Olympics. The altitude did affect many events: the thin air was good for sprinters and jumpers, but bad for long-distance runners. Some feel that certain records, such as Bob Beamon’s famous long jump, should have an asterisk or disclaimer because they were set at such a high altitude. Results of the Olympics The United States won the most medals, 107 to the Soviet Union’s 91. Hungary came in third, with 32. Host Mexico won three each of gold, silver and bronze medals, with the golds coming in boxing and swimming. It is a testament to home-field advantage in the games: Mexico won only one medal in Tokyo in 1964 and one in Munich in 1972. More Highlights of the 1968 Olympic Games Bob Beamon of the United States set a new world record with a long jump of 29 feet, 2 and one-half inches (8.90M). He shattered the old record by almost 22 inches. Before his jump, no one had ever jumped 28 feet, let alone 29. Beamon’s world record stood until 1991; it is still the Olympic record. After the distance was announced, an emotional Beamon collapsed to his knees: his teammates and competitors had to help him to his feet. American high jumper Dick Fosbury pioneered a funny-looking new technique in which he went over the bar head first and backward. People laughed...until Fosbury won the gold medal, setting an Olympic record in the process. The â€Å"Fosbury Flop† has since become the preferred technique in the event. American discus thrower Al Oerter won his fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal, becoming the first ever to do so in an individual event. Carl Lewis matched the feat with four golds in the long jump from 1984 to 1996.

Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 30

Case Study Example , Macomb believed that a change in the organizational structure will increase the performance of the business, the overall revenues while increasing the overall profitability (Burnard & Bhamra, 2011). Before Macomb’s entry into the firm, it had 36 apparel brands with five different apparel divisions. This, according to Macomb created a culture of complexity and increased the operational cost of the firm. To reduce the high expenditures associated with the operation costs, Macomb streamlined the company and reduced the number of departments from five to two. The apparel brands were also reduced from 36 to 20, with the remaining 16 brands sold, licensed or closed down. Due to these actions, the operation costs and the duplications of roles by the different departments were reduced (Burnard & Bhamra, 2011). By introducing the new changes, Macomb intended to increase the focus to the few remaining departments and create clarity in their operations and purpose. By having two well-structured departments, he hoped to eliminate duplication among the departments that previously existed. Before these changes were, the five departments operated autonomously, with each responsible for independent marketing, research and product designs (Stare, 2011). However, the reduction of the divisions to direct and partnered brand divisions eliminated this duplication and reduced the overall operating costs. These new changes invigorated the company and provided it with the previously unavailable impetus and focus. By having strong and independent divisions to manage the 20 apparel designs, the challenge of role duplication and high operation cost was eliminated. These changes have been attributed to the massive growth in capital and profit that the company has witnessed in the recent past (Andrea, 2012). To illuminate the changes that have been witnessed in the company since these changes were introduced, Liz Claiborne introduced a plan to change its name. This demonstrated its

Response Scenario Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Response Scenario Paper - Essay Example It is in this regard that this paper aims to formulate and detail a response plan to immediately address a chemical spill. Given a scenario where a toxic chemical spill occurs in a manufacturing company at day time, exposing the day shift composed of more than 1,000 people, this essay would detail a response plan to address this incident and detail plans to prevent future occurrence. At day time when more than 1,000 personnel work at a manufacturing company, a toxic chemical spill suddenly occurs. According to Pollution Issues (2007), â€Å"one of the most common concerns over chemical accidents and hazardous materials spills is acute, or short-term, toxicity. Acutely toxic contaminants, such as cyanide and chlorine released from hazardous materials spills, pose an immediate threat to public health. For example, a chemical accident in which chlorine gas or cyanide gas is released would likely result in widespread deaths as the plume, or toxic cloud, moved through a populated area. Another class of toxicity is chronic, or long term. One of the most common types of chronic toxicity is exposure to carcinogens that may result in cancer twenty to thirty years after the time of the spill.† (par. 11) The immediate response to this scenario would determine the number of lives that would be saved. In this regard, the following should be the response plan: observe and assess the nature of the spill, stop or contain the spill (if it is safe to do so); call for assistance (if needed); and cleanup using appropriate means. As given in the scenario, it is a toxic chemical spill. By toxic, it means â€Å"a material containing hazardous contaminants above the maximum allowable safe concentration is toxic. Examples include used photo fixer (toxic for silver), some used dry cell batteries (toxic for mercury), sludges and sometimes liquid from water-based parts washers (toxic for lead, benzene, or both) and automotive

Marijuana Legalization Essay Example for Free

Marijuana Legalization Essay Marijuana legalization is a unique issue currently gaining momentum in America. Over 25 million Americans have used marijuana in the past year, 100 million have tried the drug at least once, and 14 million use regularly (â€Å"About Marijuana†). The growth, sale, possession, and consumption of marijuana for any reason are against federal law. Two states, Colorado and Washington, have legalized recreational marijuana use for adults over the age of 21, and sixteen additional states and Washington D. C. have legalized medical marijuana (â€Å"Pot Legalization Could Save†). However, all of these states are acting illegally according to federal law. Marijuana legalization is a complex issue that could upend cultural tradition, affect the economy, potentially affect crime and individual health, and challenge the balance of state and federal powers. The government’s purpose as stated in the Preamble of the Constitution is â€Å"to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . The constitutionality of marijuana criminalization thus depends on its effectiveness in promoting these goals. Three central areas to consider in the debate for or against legalization are the medical risks, the social effects, and the economic effects. The medical effects of marijuana have been fairly well studied. It is important to compare the medical risks of marijuana use versus use of drugs that are commonly and legally used and abused, such as tobacco and alcohol, as well as to distinguish between use and abuse. Smoking marijuana is widely presumed to have adverse effects on lung health. Smoking marijuana leads to the inhalation of up to three times as much tar as smoking cigarettes, probably because marijuana users inhale differently, breathing more deeply and waiting longer to exhale. Marijuana smoke can also contain up to 70 percent more carcinogens than tobacco smoke (Dohney). However, few marijuana users smoke as frequently as tobacco users. A study that was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association looked at marijuana smokers who averaged one joint per day for seven years and found no adverse effects on lung function (Dohney). In another study, called the CARDIA study (Coronary Artery Risk Developments in Young Adults), occasional and moderate marijuana users actually had increased lung capacity over tobacco smokers and non-smokers. For those who smoked marijuana 20 or more times per month, lung capacity dipped back to normal non-smoking levels, but only the most chronic marijuana smokers experienced lung capacity below an average non-smoker (Szalavitz, â€Å"Lung Damage†). Studies have thus far failed to link marijuana smoking and lung cancer. Although marijuana smoke is carcinogenic, THC (the active drug in the marijuana plant) also has anti-inflammatory and tumor-inhibiting properties, decreasing the risk of lung disease (Szalavitz, â€Å"Lung Damage†). Based on these conclusions, marijuana use is much less dangerous than tobacco use from a pulmonary standpoint. Additionally, many marijuana users ingest THC by inhaling vapor, eating it in baked goods, drinking it after simmering, or by swallowing concentrated capsules. These methods are increasing in popularity and don’t cause the same exposure to carcinogenic smoke (Dohney). Reduction in brain function is another commonly cited negative health effect of marijuana use. Judgment, coordination, attentiveness, reaction time, perception, and other mental functions can be altered while under the influence of marijuana. The assumption of such a statement is often that performing activities such as driving while high on marijuana is dangerous, but that assumption has not been emphatically confirmed in the consistent and extensive array of studies on drugged driving. Marijuana users are typically aware of slowed reaction time and impaired coordination, and they compensate by driving more cautiously (â€Å"Marijuana and Driving†). In one study, researchers compared driving under the influence of marijuana with driving under the influence of alcohol. They concluded, â€Å"Subjects who have received alcohol tend to drive in a more risky manner. Both substances impair performance; however, the more cautious behavior of subjects who have received marijuana decreases the impact of the drug on performance, whereas the opposite holds true for alcohol† (A.  Smiley). Of course, no one is advocating for impaired driving of any kind, be it under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, over the counter or prescription medication, or even fatigue. It is important to note, however, that driving high is less dangerous than driving under the influence of alcohol or some other drugs (Marijuana and Driving). Long-term concerns about impaired brain function from marijuana use are unfounded. Impairment of memory and learning ability don’t appear to extend beyond the time of the high itself. The popular image of young people ‘smoking themselves stupid’ has perpetuated an assumption that marijuana use is to blame for decreased intelligence. In a comprehensive study by the Centre for Mental Health Research at Australian National University, however, researchers concluded that apparent differences in intelligence among non-users, former users, light users, and heavy users were actually linked to participants sex, socio-economic backgrounds, and levels of education rather than to marijuana use itself. When these factors were considered, the effect disappeared and even heavy marijuana users did not show cognitive decline (Szalavitz, â€Å"Cognitive Impairment†). It is harder to determine the effect of marijuana on adolescents with developing brains. Legalization laws apply to adults over the age of 21, however, rendering that concern irrelevant. It is also notable that marijuana overdose can not cause death, while alcohol poisoning is responsible for numerous deaths every year (â€Å"About Marijuana†). Overall, the negative health effects (if any) of responsible, adult marijuana use are consistently found to be far less significant than the negative effects of the legal drugs alcohol and tobacco. In no proven way does marijuana pose a significant public health hazard. Different countries and states have and enforce very different drug laws, but in many places possession or cultivation of small amounts of marijuana has been decriminalized. Certain Australian states, Canada, some European countries, including the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, and Belgium, and several Latin American countries, including Peru, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, and Paraguay, are key examples of countries where personal use is legally acceptable (â€Å"World Marijuana Laws†). Many critics of marijuana legalization cite increased crime rates, increased use of marijuana and other drugs, and increased underage usage as potential issues. Exploration of the effects of legalization in other countries, as well as recently in Colorado and Washington, can show that these concerns are largely unfounded. Studies consistently find that decriminalization does not lead to increased usage of marijuana or other drugs (â€Å"Marijuana Decriminalization†). A study in the Journal for Public Health Policy, for example, stated: The available data indicate that decriminalization measures substantially reduced enforcement costs, yet had little or no impact on rates of use in the United States. In the South Australian community, none of the studies have found an impact in cannabis use which is attributable to the introduction of the Cannabis Expiation Scheme [decriminalization] (E. Single). As far as underage usage is concerned, drug dealers will of course never be bothered by the age of their clients. Legalization would be the only way for underage usage to be controlled, as licensed dealers would not be able to sell to those under 21 (â€Å"Legalization Will Reduce Crime†). No one has successfully linked marijuana use to increased violence, reckless behavior, or injury (E. Single). Alcohol abuse, however, is widely linked to violent crime, with an estimated 32 to 50 percent of homicides preceded by alcohol consumption (Gywenne). One of the only dangers associated with marijuana is a direct result of its illegality: innocents that stumble upon illicit farms or stashes are sometimes killed by farmers or traffickers to protect themselves from exposure (Quinones). These deaths, as well as deaths and injury due to fighting between traffickers, dealers, and clients, could be avoided by government regulated growth and sale of marijuana. Illicit drug producers and cartels seek one thing: profit. Because of marijuana’s illegality, secrecy is a key component of their success. They are not afraid to use extreme, ruthless measures to accomplish that end, and the legalization of marijuana would result in the loss of their most widespread market (â€Å"About Marijuana). The potential economic effects of decriminalization of marijuana are huge. It would cut criminal justice spending enormously by decreasing costs associated with catching and processing users (Bradford). Again, there is no established link between marijuana legalization and increased use, as well as no connection between use and crime (â€Å"Marijuana Decriminalization†). Nearly 850,000 people were arrested on marijuana-related charges last year, and ninety percent were for possession only (â€Å"Legalization Will Reduce Crime†). Prosecution for marijuana possession and time spent incarcerated can have devastating effects on an individual, shattering opportunities and creating massive obstacles in nearly every area of life (Gywenne). Beyond saving monetary resources and protecting the future of individuals who use marijuana responsibly, legalization would save time and human resources for more significant crimes in an overwhelmed legal system. More than 300 economists have signed a petition showing their agreement with a report stating that, between savings in the law enforcement department and potential tax revenues, the U. S. could save $13. 7 billion dollars per year. Other economists cite much larger savings, up to $100 billion (â€Å"Pot Legalization Could Save†). Marijuana is the largest cash crop in twelve American states, and in the top five in thirty-nine states (â€Å"Legalization Will Reduce Crime†). Nationwide, the industry is valued at around thirty-six billion dollars annually (Bradford). A market that large has huge economic implications and power, could create a considerable number of jobs, and legalization could reduce the cost of marijuana and thus inject a significant amount of money previously used for marijuana into other areas of the economy. Marijuana use does have the potential to be harmful, just as alcohol has the potential to be harmful. However, most marijuana use is not harmful. Legalization should allow for responsible use by adults only. Underage usage, impaired driving, smoking marijuana in public non-smoking areas, and the abuse of marijuana should be defined and prosecuted accordingly. The distinction between marijuana use and abuse is critical. Legalization would allow for more effective control of marijuana abuse, while decreasing violence, conserving resources, avoiding the dangers of questionable quality and purity due to unreliable dealers and farmers, and allowing for responsible use. Use of marijuana and other drugs would not increase significantly, crime would not increase, and health is a minimal concern. The marijuana debate comes down to a question of constitutionality. Does criminalizing marijuana promote the goals stated in the preamble, or is it counterproductive? Criminalizing the drug does not â€Å"form a more perfect union†, but rather raises a conflict between state and federal governments and the American population. Does it â€Å"establish justice†? It instead takes resources away from more serious issues of social justice to prosecute individuals who wish to responsibly exercise a choice. The criminalization of marijuana certainly works against the effort to â€Å"ensure domestic tranquility† by encouraging an underground market whose ruthless perpetrators resort to violence to protect their profit. On a similar note, it can be said that criminalization does not â€Å"provide for the common defense† or â€Å"promote the general welfare† because it promotes violence and because marijuana use does not pose a significant threat to public health or safety. Finally, legalization would â€Å"ensure the blessings of liberty† by allowing adults to make their own informed decisions about the use of the drug. Looking at each aspect individually, it becomes more and more clear that recreational marijuana legalization would be beneficial and constitutional. Word Count: 1906

Othello †How it Ranks Essay -- Othello essays

Othello – How it Ranks  Ã‚         In the context of thousands of plays written by hundreds of dramatists since 500 years prior to the time of Christ, how does William Shakespeare’s play Othello rank? In this essay let us find the proper place for this play, and consider critical opinion in the process.    Othello would appear to have a beauty about it which is hard to match – thus ranking high. Helen Gardner in â€Å"Othello: A Tragedy of Beauty and Fortune† touches on this beauty which enables this play to stand above the other tragedies of the Bard:    Among the tragedies of Shakespeare Othello is supreme in one quality: beauty. Much of its poetry, in imagery, perfection of phrase, and steadiness of rhythm, soaring yet firm, enchants the sensuous imagination. This kind of beauty Othello shares with Romeo and Juliet and Antony and Cleopatra; it is a corollary of the theme which it shares with them. But Othello is also remarkable for another kind of beauty. Except for the trivial scene with the clown, all is immediately relevant to the central issue; no scene requires critical justification. The play has a rare intellectual beauty, satisfying the desire of the imagination for order and harmony between the parts and the whole. Finally, the play has intense moral beauty. It makes an immediate appeal to the moral imagination, in its presentation in the figure of Desdemona of a love which does not alter ‘when it alteration finds’, but ‘bears it out even to the edge of doom’. (139)    The play is so quotable; consider Desdemona’s opening lines before the Council of Venice: â€Å"My noble father, / I do perceive here a divided duty,† or Othello’s last words: â€Å"Killing myself, to die upon a kiss.† Could the continuing reputat... .... San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1996. Reprint from â€Å"The Noble Moor.† British Academy Lectures, no. 9, 1955.    Heilman, Robert B. â€Å"The Role We Give Shakespeare.† Essays on Shakespeare. Ed. Gerald Chapman. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1965.    Levin, Harry. General Introduction. The Riverside Shakespeare. Ed. G. Blakemore Evans. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1974.    Shakespeare, William. Othello. In The Electric Shakespeare. Princeton University. 1996. http://www.eiu.edu/~multilit/studyabroad/othello/othello_all.html No line nos.    Wright, Louis B. and Virginia A. LaMar. â€Å"The Engaging Qualities of Othello.† Readings on The Tragedies. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1996. Reprint from Introduction to The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare. N. p.: Simon and Schuster, Inc., 1957.    Othello – How it Ranks Essay -- Othello essays Othello – How it Ranks  Ã‚         In the context of thousands of plays written by hundreds of dramatists since 500 years prior to the time of Christ, how does William Shakespeare’s play Othello rank? In this essay let us find the proper place for this play, and consider critical opinion in the process.    Othello would appear to have a beauty about it which is hard to match – thus ranking high. Helen Gardner in â€Å"Othello: A Tragedy of Beauty and Fortune† touches on this beauty which enables this play to stand above the other tragedies of the Bard:    Among the tragedies of Shakespeare Othello is supreme in one quality: beauty. Much of its poetry, in imagery, perfection of phrase, and steadiness of rhythm, soaring yet firm, enchants the sensuous imagination. This kind of beauty Othello shares with Romeo and Juliet and Antony and Cleopatra; it is a corollary of the theme which it shares with them. But Othello is also remarkable for another kind of beauty. Except for the trivial scene with the clown, all is immediately relevant to the central issue; no scene requires critical justification. The play has a rare intellectual beauty, satisfying the desire of the imagination for order and harmony between the parts and the whole. Finally, the play has intense moral beauty. It makes an immediate appeal to the moral imagination, in its presentation in the figure of Desdemona of a love which does not alter ‘when it alteration finds’, but ‘bears it out even to the edge of doom’. (139)    The play is so quotable; consider Desdemona’s opening lines before the Council of Venice: â€Å"My noble father, / I do perceive here a divided duty,† or Othello’s last words: â€Å"Killing myself, to die upon a kiss.† Could the continuing reputat... .... San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1996. Reprint from â€Å"The Noble Moor.† British Academy Lectures, no. 9, 1955.    Heilman, Robert B. â€Å"The Role We Give Shakespeare.† Essays on Shakespeare. Ed. Gerald Chapman. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1965.    Levin, Harry. General Introduction. The Riverside Shakespeare. Ed. G. Blakemore Evans. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1974.    Shakespeare, William. Othello. In The Electric Shakespeare. Princeton University. 1996. http://www.eiu.edu/~multilit/studyabroad/othello/othello_all.html No line nos.    Wright, Louis B. and Virginia A. LaMar. â€Å"The Engaging Qualities of Othello.† Readings on The Tragedies. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1996. Reprint from Introduction to The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare. N. p.: Simon and Schuster, Inc., 1957.   

Pay Structures and Internal Alignment Essay

Martin Straight Compressors employ 4600 people worldwide. MCS’s Chatham location is a small Canadian company that focuses on manufacturing compressors for heavy industries. Chatham employees approximately 70 salaried and 50 hourly employees. Beginning in 1999, Martin Straight Compressors Chatham had begun facing numerous compensation issues and conflicts. Some of the issues included: Having 7 authorized but unfilled middle-level management positions Manager-employee relationships broken Documentation not up-to-date with objectives, processes, progress, performance plans Hourly staff don’t respect the owners Increased workload with no compensation Loss of commitment, motivation, and job security among employees New management brought it while problems are still effecting the day-to-day functions of the organization Merit process isn’t liked Restrictions on merit raises by head office Union involvement Flawed gain-share plan Merit raises go to salaried, non-union staff Merit raises for one employee depend on other employees Executive incentive plan uses different formulas for different employees This consultation report will begin with identifying the two main problems MSC faces and how to resolve them. Next we will apply the Equity Theory and investigate why certain employees are unhappy about the current compensation system. We will look at the company’s standpoint from a competitor’s point of view, and what methods to use to ensure fast, accurate, and acceptable results to ensure MSC continues to grow and be profitable. The 2 Main Problems After analyzing the process and theories used by Martin Straight Compressors, two main issues become precedent: 1. MSC doesn’t have a fair or efficient compensation method. The processes and ideologies used in making decisions in regards to pay are flawed. There is a gap between pay levels due to different formulas that are used for different employees. Merit increases given to employees depend on other staff members within the organization. When companies adopt processes that are unfair, employees lose motivation. As well, inefficient practices puts production at a standstill and costs the organization a great deal of time and money. 2. Employees are not a part of the decision making process. They become uninterested in the events going on within the organization because dedication and commitment are lost. These employees may not fully understand the whole picture, like restrictions coming from head office. When employees feel they are not an important part of the organizations decision-making, they become alienated and their involvement decreases. They become unwilling to develop solutions to problems. Resolution of Problems Encourage employee involvement as much as possible. It is important for employees to have a passion for the work that they do and the organization they belong to. Encourage feedback by holding monthly meetings where everyone is invited to express any questions or concerns they have. Develop a team of cross-functional representatives that meet on a regular basis to discuss issues that are important to the staff. If the high-level managers empower employees to be involvement and provide feedback, the organization will be â€Å"more likely to achieve commitment, trust, and acceptance† (Milkovich, Newman, Gerhart, Cole & Yap , 2013) of a revised compensation structure. Developing a new compensation method is costly and timely. However it is essential to the functioning of an organization. MSC needs to begin with reviewing the compensation budget (Heathfield, 2001). This way management understands how much they are allowed to spend without putting the organization in debt. Analyzing the current job structure should be done on a regular basis to ensure the organization is able to adapt to internal churn, internal succession planning, and external market factors. When looking at a job structure, a few things should be in mind: reliability, validity, acceptability, currency, and usefulness (Milkovich, Newman, Gerhart, Cole & Yap , 2013). This will help the final structure satisfy both the employees and the employer. Equity Theory The Equity Theory explains that employees compare their job and pay to other positions within their internal environment, as well as jobs in their external environment. The more knowledgeable the employee is about their responsibilities, there position and pay, and the organizations structure, the more satisfied they will be. Martin Straight Compressors needs to establish this equity theory throughout the company because right now there is no equality felt among employees. My advice to MSC is to develop a Team Site where important information can be displayed for internal eyes only. Display organization charts to show the levels of progress within the company – and the corresponding pay levels – so employees feel motivated to move up the chain of command. Establishing these reporting relationships would benefit MSC because a positive communication flow would evolve. Keeping Employees Onside Martin Straight Compressors needs to focus on building employee-management relationships. Currently there is a lot of conflict occurring in the workplace and, according to employees, this has resulted form management breaking promises to their employees. This results in a loss of mutual respect. Below are 3 ways to mend professional relationships: Keep everyone informed and involved Develop 2-way communication Instill a sense of decentralization Change is a scary reality for employees because it makes them feel vulnerable and they lose their feeling of job security. While MSC slowly makes changes to their compensation system, the above 3 points will ensure employees adapt with the company. If employees continue to voluntarily resign, MSC will lose a great deal of knowledge and assets, which will make the change even more difficult. It’s important to keep valued employees so they are able to pass on their knowledge to new employees along the way. Competitive Advantage Martin Straight Compressors currently does not have a competitive advantage within the marketplace. Although salaries and wages are at par with external competitors, other factors hinder MSC: employees are expected to increase their responsibilities and workload due to the number of unfilled positions, without getting extrinsic compensation for it. Also, merit raises are mostly given to salaried, non-union staff. This discourages front-line workers because there is no incentive. Performance evaluations should be taken place on an annual basis to ensure employees are aware of their objectives and areas for improvement. A major problem I see with MSC is that employees either get merit raises, or they don’t. Every company should want their employees to succeed, so, in turn, the organization succeeds. I advise MSC to instill a mentoring/coaching program to guide their employees to achieve the best they can. By telling, teaching, and showing employees how to perform functions and tasks, the employee will become empowered. It will become easier to link performance and pay because benchmarks will be set and every employee will know what is expected of them, and how to achieve those expectations. Becoming Internally Aligned In 1999, performance management records did not identify key objectives for employees. Merit raises focused solely on the results from the employee, department, and company. Rather, MSC should be looking at the individuals’ skills and competencies, and how they are applying them to accomplish their tasks. Ensuring every employee understands what is expected of them is extremely important; it ensures that they are proactive within the company so they’re not just going through the daily motions. Annual performance evaluations and proper documentation is essential to becoming internally aligned because it ensures everyone is on the same page and employees know what is expected from them. It also allows the company to look back on the trend of the employees to see if improvements are being made, and if they aren’t, why. Recommendation Evidently, MSC is in need of a change. My recommendation is to have a short-term goal and a long-term goal. 1. Job Evaluation: Ranking Method (used during first 3 years) This will provide fast and accurate results. Using the paired comparison method would allow MSC to use a matrix to â€Å"compare two jobs in each cell and indicating which is of great value, then ranking jobs on the basis of the total number of times each is ranked as being of greater value (pg 87)†. The reason this is the first step is because MSC is in need of a quick fix to ensure no more positions are left voluntarily and that production continues. This method will serve as a â€Å"band-aid† until further down the road a permanent solution can be decided upon. 2. Job Evaluation: Point Method (developed by the end of third year) This method requires a lot of time and costs because it goes into the breadth and depth of each job. This is what MSC’s end goal should be. The point method provides accurate and acceptable results just like the ranking method but it takes a lot more time to investigate. The point method should be set as a long-term goal and would be beneficial for MSC to invest in. Once all positions are individually broken down to determine their compensable factors, they can be scaled and then weighted so points can be assigned and a plan can be made. This will become the foundation for MSC’s compensation structure for years to come; only reviews and evaluations would be needed after this to ensure employees are satisfied and methods are efficient. References (APA Format) Gondzio, J. , & Grothey, A. (2009, May). Exploiting structure in parallelimplementation of interior point methods for optimization. Retrievedrom http://link. springer. com/article/10. 1007/s10287-008-0090-3. Retrieved on October 6, 2013. Heathfield, S. (2001, June 05). Compensation strategies and structure. Retrieved from http://humanresources. about. com/od/compensationstructure/compensation-structure. htm. Retrieved on October 6, 2013. Milkovich, G. , Newman, J. , Gerhart, B. , Cole, N. , & Yap , M. (2013). Compensation. (4th ed. , p. 01). McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. Retrievedon October 6, 2013.

Employment and Line Management Essay

†¢1.1 Communication is a vital thing in the workshop, it is very important so that jobs are done productively and correctly. If the communication in the workshop was poor mistakes would Begin to take place and accidents could occur. †¢1.2 The different methods of communication to the line management and colleagues are by talking to one another, team meetings, by telephone and even letters. In busy circumstances its best to use the telephone as its time efficient instead of wondering around searching for people. †¢1.3 The different methods of communication to my and colleagues are by talking to one another, team meetings, by telephone, letters and even hand signals. These are all helpful in different circumstances such as when its extremely noisy in the workshop and a person is on the other side of the workshop, hand signals would be best in that situation. †¢2.1 To plan my sequence of work from the relevant information I am given I find out what materials I require, what tools I need to assist me through the job and what PPE I need to protect me from the dangers. †¢2.2 When starting a new job I firstly look for any mistakes in the drawing, once I am satisfied I then carry on by finding out what materials I require to complete the job and then finally retrieve all of my tools that I need to assist me through the work process until I complete the job. †¢2.3 Work is carried out to the workshop using job plans, risk assessments and all other procedures. The resources that I use are job sheets, shop plans, time sheets and drawings. To reduce carbon emissions, there is an extraction system installed into the workshop. †¢2.4 The way our workshop contributes to a low carbon emission environment is that we have extraction systems built throughout the workshop to keep the emission levels at a low level. †¢3.1 The required relevant documentation that I provide is my time sheet. It shows the amount of hours I have spent on a job so that the consultants can then get a price to give to the customers. †¢3.2 I maintain my drawings and time sheets by keeping them in a locked draw. Time sheets are required to be filled in and complete every week and has to be submitted on a Monday morning before 8:00am. †¢3.3 If I do not ensure that my time sheets are not handed in on time, I will not get paid at the end of the week. With my job sheets, if it’s not complete within the given hours the customer has to pay more as the labour cost raises. †¢4.1 I am very able to work productively to the agreed specification and inline with the line management, colleagues and relevant people involved by finding out if they are pleased with the work produced and the quality. †¢4.2 I find that everyone is equal and that no one should be treated different. People tend to treat apprentices with less respect than others as they are not qualified and think they are not capable. Apprentice or not, people should not be treated different. †¢4.3 To maintain a good working relationship in my place of work I do the work that is asked of me and in the required time and in a good quality. With individuals I get on with them by being polite and cleaning after myself. †¢4.4 I think it’s good to keep a good working relation ship with the line management and colleagues as it doesn’t make it a challenge to talk to them or ask them for any information that is required. †¢4.5 Getting on with the line management and other working colleagues is important because it can make your time there difficult and non bearable. It also doesn’t make it a challenge when needing to ask for information or a specification. †¢4.6 When working with others you must never treat them any different than you would like to be treated. You should never talk down to people or think of them as lower than you.

Free Essays on Bass Guitar

The internet is the perfect place to discover informative web sites explaining the countless theories involved in bass guitar. Considering learning guitar isn’t much different from losing yourself in the woods at night Now a long way from those expensive weekly visits to the local music shop for helpless lessons is convenient online tutoring offered by free sites just a click away. A great site to start at is www.CyberFretBass.com. Learning the notes on the neck and memorizing the different naturals and chromatics are imperative to all beginning bass players. This website not only covers the basic building blocks of scales, but is also filled with excellent tools and theories. Ranging in difficulty from an assortment of metronomes and drum machines, which help with rhythm and timing. Tuning is a huge part of learning guitar. There is no hiding sour notes that are out of tune. With a little practice and ear training from digital pitch pipe there should be any more problems staying in-tune. When the time comes to advance your knowledge of music, www.ActiveBass.com is the site to explore. They offer free lessons in beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels. Intermediate courses goes into great depth breaking down triads, explaining the major and minor scales, and of course memorizing notes of the neck. Some harder techniques of slap bass and advanced jazz are put into fun exercises using the different Melodic-Minor modes. This site also has a public bass line builder. It replays bass lines that created on the spot in different tempos, sounds, and drum styles. Internet made it possible to play with a full band with just a click of a the mouse. Another great site is www.TheoryLessons.com. This site was created by owners of www.MusiciansFriend.com, one of the major on-line dealers of musical instruments. Some of the stuff on this site is really advanced. The theorys that are on this site are designed to help mimic scales used ... Free Essays on Bass Guitar Free Essays on Bass Guitar The internet is the perfect place to discover informative web sites explaining the countless theories involved in bass guitar. Considering learning guitar isn’t much different from losing yourself in the woods at night Now a long way from those expensive weekly visits to the local music shop for helpless lessons is convenient online tutoring offered by free sites just a click away. A great site to start at is www.CyberFretBass.com. Learning the notes on the neck and memorizing the different naturals and chromatics are imperative to all beginning bass players. This website not only covers the basic building blocks of scales, but is also filled with excellent tools and theories. Ranging in difficulty from an assortment of metronomes and drum machines, which help with rhythm and timing. Tuning is a huge part of learning guitar. There is no hiding sour notes that are out of tune. With a little practice and ear training from digital pitch pipe there should be any more problems staying in-tune. When the time comes to advance your knowledge of music, www.ActiveBass.com is the site to explore. They offer free lessons in beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels. Intermediate courses goes into great depth breaking down triads, explaining the major and minor scales, and of course memorizing notes of the neck. Some harder techniques of slap bass and advanced jazz are put into fun exercises using the different Melodic-Minor modes. This site also has a public bass line builder. It replays bass lines that created on the spot in different tempos, sounds, and drum styles. Internet made it possible to play with a full band with just a click of a the mouse. Another great site is www.TheoryLessons.com. This site was created by owners of www.MusiciansFriend.com, one of the major on-line dealers of musical instruments. Some of the stuff on this site is really advanced. The theorys that are on this site are designed to help mimic scales used ...

How to Dress Professionally When Its Blazing Hot Out

How to Dress Professionally When Its Blazing Hot Out It’s summer! It took a while for those of us in colder climates to get to this point, but it’s finally  time to store the sweaters and place your cute warm weather gear at the front of your closet. So it’s 90 degrees out and you need to figure out a way to stay cool, look cute, and somehow also dress professionally- not the easiest combo to master. It is important to keep in mind that, even in this day of casual work cultures, there are still rules and norms that govern what we should and should not wear to the office. And to make matters even more confusing, on top of that, there is always a unique, often unspoken, code in every workplace. Try to figure out what yours is, but also follow these fairly safe rules of thumb to make sure your summer wardrobe doesn’t keep you from fall employment or the respect you deserve.1. Check the rule book, if there is one.Some companies actually have a rule book or employee manual- if you weren’t given one when you started, HR can give you a copy. Check this first to see whether there are any dress policies or bits of intel you can pick up about your summer outfit planning. Err on the side of caution when it comes to baring flesh.2. Follow the grandma rule.When in doubt, look at your outfit. If you would be embarrassed wearing it to meet your grandmother for lunch, then it’s probably not right for the office. This is particularly true for women, who will be judged more often when they bare any skin at all. Dress for your own version of success, not others, but do keep in mind the double standards and injustices of perception out there and make sure to keep yourself†¦ covered, metaphorically speaking (and sometimes actually).3. Err on the side of â€Å"not short.†If there’s a question in your mind as to whether shorts (or short skirts) are appropriate for your workplace, that probably means you haven’t seen anyone in such attire at the office. Take that as a sign and leave your barest-leg ensembles for the weekends. Instead, to stay cool, aim for a skirt that at least hits the knee: summery and smart! (The same rules apply to crop tops: save them for the weekend.)4. Keep the shoes classy.No, you can’t wear flip flops to the office. Yes, you can wear sandals, just try to minimize the amount of bare foot you show on any given day. It’s probably best to avoid shoes with open backs, though if you must, choose slides instead of flops.5. Summer denim is probably too casual.Jeans are one thing, especially if your office tends casual. Times have changed, and a nice dark jean is usually fine. But summer denim is another story: if you give way to the jean section of your closet, you’ll be tempted to wear jorts and jumpers and shorts. Don’t. You can probably get away with a denim shift dress, but any other short denim should stay at home.If you overheat, try lots of lighter fabrics and brighter, breezier colors. If you then get too cold because of overzealous air conditioning, make sure to bring a light sweater to keep yourself warm. And the upside of not baring too much skin, particularly on your legs, is that you won’t need to worry about working through the inevitable goosebumps.Dress smart, and have a great working summer!

Strategic Marketing (Jet Star) Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Strategic Marketing (Jet Star) - Assignment Example The key stakeholders of Jetstar are the frequent air travellers and tourists travelling around the world, the government who regulates the law and regulations within the airline industry and supplementary companies that depend heavily on airline industry, companies and industries which directly affect the functioning of airline industry, such as manufacturing, services etc and investors (Lamberg, Savage and Pajunen 2003, 388). 1.3. Overall performance The Jetstar Group is the largest low cost airline in the Asia Pacific by in terms of revenue, the airline carrier is considered as the largest low cost passenger in the Asia pacific region. It has provided service to more than 100 million passengers since its launch in the year 2004. More than 20 million passengers were carried during the fiscal 2011-2012. Jetstar is considered as the fastest-growing airline in the Asia Pacific. It reached this milestone in a short span of seven years. When Jetstar was established in 2004, it had a tota l of 400 employees (Qantas, 2013). Now the number has grown to more than 7,000 across the Asia Pacific today. The Jetstar Group carries off over 3,000 flights a week collectively, to 57 destinations in 16 countries. It also serves the territories across the Asia Pacific region with a fleet of around 95 aircrafts. The airline has shown steady profits since its inception in 2004. The airline recorded an EBIT (Earnings before Interest and Taxes) of 203 million dollars in 2011-12, and a 20 per cent increase on the previous financial year. During the same period the overall capacity of Jetstar increased by 14 percent and the airline carried 20.6 million passengers, registering an 11 percent increase on the last financial year (Qantas, 2013). The total revenue earned by the airline was... Jetstar Airways Private Limited is a part of the Qantas group, as a wholly owned subsidiary. The group company, Qantas was founded in Queensland in the year 1920. The main business of the group includes transportation of customers using their two major airline brands. The group is also involved in subsidiary business, which includes other airlines, and specialist business markets such as catering. Jetstar was established by the Qantas group in the year 2004 as a low-cost service provider. This low cost carrier was established as a part of the group company’s branding strategy, where Qantas focused on the business and premium market and Jetstar focused on leisure market. The mission of Jetstar is to provide every day low fares with the aim of attracting more customers to fly to more places, more often. The objective of the airline is to have the lowest fares on all the routes where it operates and backs every airline fare with a Price Beat Guarantee. Jetstar follow the policy o f giving discount of 10 percent in case the route, the fare and the timings of any rival airlines are comparatively similar. This is the positioning strategy which the company followed to gain a competitive edge. Like others airline companies, Jetstar offers varied services. The aircraft provides business and economy class travelling facilities. The airline operates both domestic as well as international flights. The airline provides specific facilities for customers according to their requests. The airline is divided into six group companies. Jetstar has its operations in Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, New Zealand and Singapore. Jetstar New Zealand and Australia are wholly owned subsidiaries of the parent group, Qantas.