Sri Lanka Tourism

Tourists Return to Paradise Isle a Year After War’s End By Amantha Perera COLOMBO, May 17, 2010 (IPS) – A year since Sri Lanka’s bloody civil war ended on May 18 last year, tourists are returning in huge numbers to a popular beach destination located over 300 kilometres from where the last battles were fought. Nowhere is the relief at the end of fighting more tangible than on the beautiful beaches of Hikkaduwa, south of the capital Colombo.The war against the secessionist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, fighting for a separate state for the minority Tamils, cost over 70,000 lives in over two and half decades and sent over 280,000 fleeing for their lives in its final phase. Hikkaduwa, famous for its coral reef, sandy beaches and swanky hotels, is on the rebound. Visitors who abandoned the sun and the beach when bombs started going off have begun to return. The best days may be still ahead of this famous tourist destination south of the capital Colombo. Already, it is bracing itself for huge arrivals during the next European winter season.Arrivals grew by an impressive 50 percent or an increase to 160,000 from 106,000 in the first quarter of 2010, compared to 2009, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, the government agency that monitors tourist arrivals. This year, the island known for its scenic beauty expects over half a million tourist arrivals, making 2010 one of the best seasons in the last half a decade. â€Å"We saw very good arrival rates this season (between November 2009 and April 2010),† Siri Goonewardene, president of the Hikkaduwa Hoteliers’ Association, told IPS. With the war no more, travellers feel safer visiting here and there were no unexpected security-related incidents that would have driven them away. † The general manager of Coral Sands, a 75-room luxury hotel on the Hikkaduwa beach, expects better results later this year when the next winter season starts. â€Å"The bookings h ave been good. If the trend continues the next season will be definitely better than this one,† says Goonewardene.He adds that operators expect about a 50 percent growth in arrivals next season. The upbeat assessment is shared by operators who run smaller hotels and restaurants and others who depend on the tourist trade. This season was good. We had a high number of visitors,† says Dhammika Silva, who runs a small hotel at Mirissa, a cove-like beach south of Hikkaduwa. He depends on individual tourists who visit the Mirissa area as his business is too small to tie up with tour operators. â€Å"I needed more people on the beach having a good time to make ends meet. This time it happened. † The same is true of Nimal, who sells traditional woodcarvings from a small shop near the beach. â€Å"We had a very good season. I made some good sales,† adds Nimal, who simply identified himself by his first name.These hopes for a bumper tourist season are a far cry from the beach operators’ downcast mood less than 18 months back. With the war raging in the north, by the time the winter season began in November 2008, arrivals were sliding. With earnings going down, in 2008, tourism fell to number six in the country’s top foreign revenue earners from the fourth slot, accounting only for 2. 8 percent of the gross national product. The industry supports a large workforce, much of it informal. According to a labour survey conducted by the Sri Lanka Census and Statistics Department in 2007, over 100,000 were employed in the trade, 56 percent of whom were nformal employees. It was the informal employees that felt the pinch when arrivals kept going down without the security of at least a small wage packet. In early 2009, business operators like Nimal were complaining that they could not keep their shops open and at least pay the utilities.Some decided to close shop. The downturn in arrivals due to the war attracted low spenders to the island. Silva says that many tourists from Eastern Europe and Russia began arriving in Sri Lanka when the big spenders from Western Europe stayed away. I have nothing against them. But these were budget travellers who travel through the region. They don’t spend much,† he told IPS. Nimal concurs. â€Å"They are not the type who buy souvenirs, let alone expensive carvings, they will show up in the number of arrivals, but have no money. † Goonewardene from Coral Sands warned that the high numbers should not be an indication that the industry has fully recovered. â€Å"When the numbers are analysed, we will see that there will not be a 50 percent increase in earnings corresponding to the increase in arrivals. â€Å"He says the government should launch an aggressive public relations campaign to attract high-end spenders and give incentives like tax breaks to the industry. The new government that took office last month has brought tourism under the purview of the Economic D evelopment Ministry, which has been tasked with accelerating development. It is an indication that tourism is to be a vital component in the new economic plans. â€Å"It is good that the government is showing signs of making tourism part of the bigger national plans. Whoever invests in tourism now will be making a lot of money come next season if we make the right decisions,† Silva

Bank of Credit and Commerce International

The Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI) was the world’s largest Islamic bank which involved in many criminals activities due to which the bank was eventually shut down and was perceived as the worst bank operated ever in the history of world banking sectors.Introduction The Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI) was established by a Pakistani banker Agha Hasan Abedi in 1972. BCCI was registered in Luxembourg. It reached at height within a decade. It has more than 400 branches which were operated in 78 countries.It was among the world's largest private bank ranking 7th position due to its excessive assets of US$20 billion (History Commons). BCCI's Involvement in Criminal Activities BCCI became the target in 1980 during which an undercover operation (extending two-years) was held through the Customer Service of United Sates. A fake wedding was concluded through the operation which was attended by the drug dealers and BCCI officers across the world. These v iolators built a working relationship and personal friendship with the Special Agent (undercover) Robert Mazur.The key bank officers were put in trial in Tampa for six months after which, they were seriously charged and imprisoned for lengthy period. Many other crimes were revealed during cooperation between bank officers and law enforcement authorities (American Patriot Friends Network). Major Tips of BCCI's Criminal Activities A Congressman Charles Schumer conducted a Congressional investigation between 1979 and 1991 which revealed around 700 tips regarding criminal activities of BCCI.The following are the major tips which were received by the federal law enforcement commissions and the same visualized the BCCI involvement in criminal activities: 1. Promotion of political unrest in Pakistan. 2. Financial supporting to terrorist groups. 3. Smuggling weapons to numerous countries such as Iran, Libya and Syria. 4. Organized criminal linking in Italy and United States. The above are o nly the major tips but indeed, around 700 tips were revealed through the Congressional investigation (History Commons). CIA's Illegal Involvement in BCCI BankFor the last ten years, CIA had been paying to its 500 British Informants through BCCI Bank. The information of illegal overseas business deals and sales of British arms were reported to the CIA by some informants. The spectrum of CIA informants involved in criminal activities include: 1. 124 people in politics or government 2. 53 in banking, industry and commerce 3. 24 scientists 4. 90 in the media 5. 75 in academia 6. 124 in communications Although, individuals were not specifically named but few of them were in senior positions (American Patriot Friends Network).Closure of BCCI Bank The Bank of England shut down the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI) on July 5, 1991 and the regulators shut down BCCI offices in dozens of countries and seize about $2 billion of the bank’s $20 billion in assets. Many milita nts including Bin Laden had operated accounts in BCCI. The President of UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, owned 77% of BCCI shares and approx 1. 4 million accounts were operated by people who had likely lost their monies upon closure of the bank (History Commons).Conclusion Thus, the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI) financially supported many militant organizations through the money which was generated through illegal activities including illicit drug trafficking and arms trafficking, therefore, it is right to claim that BCCI worked viciously, violently and criminally in favor of deadly terrorist service across the world due to which the BCCI deserved to be shut down and the criminals operating BCCI will never ‘Rest-In-Peace' (Ambit ERisk).References Ambit ERisk, Case Study: Bank of Credit and Commerce International, Retrieved on May 4, 2010 from http://www. erisk. com/learning/CaseStudies/BankofCreditandCommerceIn. asp American Patriot Friends Network, Bank of Cre dit and Commerce International, Retrieved on May 4, 2010 from http://www. apfn. org/apfn/BCCI. htm History Commons, Bank of Credit & Commerce International, Retrieved on May 4, 2010 from http://www. historycommons. org/entity. jsp? entity=bank_of_credit_and_commerce_international

Property Investment Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 1

Property Investment Analysis - Essay Example In a series of cases, the wording of the lease agreements on rent review clauses was held to be upward only. In the case of Royal Insurance Property Services Ltd v Cliffway Ltd2 the lease agreement allowed the landlords to serve a notice on an increase in rent. One of the major questions that the Court had to address in this case was whether the lease allowed for a downwards review. The conclusion in this instance was that based upon the wording of the clause, provision existed only for upward revision, with only the landlord being able to initiate rent changes. Similarly, in the case of Standard Life Assurance v Unipath Ltd3a majority of the Court of Appeal ruled that the provision in the lease agreement pertaining to rent review was an upwards only clause. In this case the Court also observed that the purpose of a rent review clause cannot necessarily be assumed to be on the basis of anticipating changes in money; it might also represent the desire on the part of investors to protect themselves against risk and allow for the certainty of income contained in a rent review clause. Another problem that has been created in the sphere of rent reviews is that they provide for the landlord to initiate a rent review process by issuing a â€Å"trigger notice† and the validity of such notices has been an issue in the cases of Norwich Union Life Insurance Society v Sketchley plc.4 Letters from the tenants have been held to be valid counter notices in the cases of Nunes v Davies Laing and Dick Ltd5and British Rail Pension Trustee Co Ltd v Cardshops Ltd6 where the open market rental rate was the subject of dispute between the landlord and tenant. The underlying commercial purpose behind the inclusion of a rent review clause was spelt out by the Vice Chancellor in the case of British gas Corporation v Universities Superannuation Scheme Ltd7 who stated: â€Å"in the absence of special circumstances, it is proper to give

Compare and contrast the republican forms of democracy Essay

Compare and contrast the republican forms of democracy - Essay Example Concerning this need, the personalities wanted for the American citizens’ access to better services in all the spheres of life. The common belief and the aspiration in this regard were that the achievement of the dream was only possible through the establishment of a representative democracy. Therefore, the bottom line is that all the three individuals championed for representative democracy. Another similarity is that despite John Adams being a former monarchist with Alexander Hamilton, he together with T. Jefferson and T. Paine were during the duration 1770-1780 strongly opposed to the hereditary monarchical rule. They all argued that the monarchical and aristocratic rule established a basis of power independent of the people. In this regard, all the three were indeed in agreement that the people must be the center of focus of the constitution. In the spirit of fighting to eliminate every element of monarchy, all the three were in agreement and indeed despised the idea of seeking the royal and the republican loans. They argued this was a vital ingredient toward the establishment of the monarchical and the aristocratic rule in America. The three argued that, in the height of a popular corrupt, some very desperate persons would be tempted to re-establish and initiate some hereditary offices in the land. The three were also in agreement concerning the rule of law. There was no doubt as to their commitment to have a nation governed by a system of rules that govern everyday life of the people. They derived this understanding from the literal and ever true meaning of a republic, now that they were republicans. The meaning as espoused then was that; â€Å" Republic being an empire of laws and not men, must establish a government in which all men, rich and poor, magistrates and subjects, the officers and people, masters and serva nts, the first citizen and the last one are equally subject to the

HISTORY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 5

HISTORY - Essay Example The aim of Grady was to develop a dynamic and prosperous country. After the fire accident in the year 1864, the city of Atlanta raised to a much beautiful and bold city. Since then, leaders like Grady wanted America to be one among the best countries in the world. He wished the New South to be a united and democratic place. The main aim of Grady was to bring a nation where people had the freedom to express their views. He wanted to bring about a change in the history of America. This was made possible since southern nation changed to a nation with more freedom. Grady aspired to make New South a place with diversity. Since agriculture was the only form of occupation, it did not yield much of an income. Then Grady wanted the people to work in all the fields like the people of Northern nations. (Grady 1890).He wanted to indulge people in all sorts of industries and improve their standard of living. Grady encouraged the public to invest in capital funds which will improve the financial status of the country. Another aim of Grady was to improve the industries so that job opportunities would increase. Grady wished to abolish labor unions and slavery. This was ruining the people of America. Another major aim of Grady was to remove racism and treat everyone as same. He strived hard to put an end to racism. Due to racism, many Americans and African-Americans found it difficult to work in the industries. A high rate of difference was prevailing in the industries which led Grady to abolish racism. African-Americans were not given opportunity to work in the industries were Americans were working. After a struggle Grady managed to change this situation. Blacks were also treated as other Americans. His dream of bringing blacks into â€Å"New South† came true. This gradually led to the improvement in the lives of slaves. Many people were living in the South as slaves’ pre and post war. (Grady 1890).Grady freed the slaves from the Southern job market. He initiated a

How airlines have been effected by the economic recession and how they Essay

How airlines have been effected by the economic recession and how they adapted - Essay Example ironment of cutthroat business, the company must adapt dynamic strategies within the broader paradigm of ethical consideration which would meet the shrinking pocket of the customer. At the same time, the strategic plans must also ensure comfortable margin of profit for the companies. Hence, airlines are being creative in the following ways: Dynamic pricing as per the demands of the customers have become the most common strategy of the airlines. Low fare strategy and giving fringe benefits with higher fare has become popular as it attracts not only those customers who work within the defined budgets but also the premium class who an afford extra. Interesting some airlines have also started offering different classes like business class, executive, economic and premium economic depending on the legroom and extra facilities like free drink, enclosed cabin, etc. Customers are being offered innovative packages and arrangement within flights. While some airlines like Virgin offer personal space by allotting front row for business class, others like British Airways is giving its premium economy class more privacy, space and comfort in a secluded cabin. Kay (1995) says that business relationships are linkages that promote organizational growth. Airlines are evolving new ways of earning and seasonal tickets for defined tourist places are being offered at flexible prices. Thus, airlines are also forging alliances with leisure market, corporate world etc. to boost their revenue. In the current times, food and drinks that were taken for granted on long routes have now become charged items. The local airlines and some international airlines have started charging for the food and drinks from the customers. The airlines compensate the financial loss on low fare by charging exorbitantly on eatables on flight. Space allocation or leg room has become a scarce item. The airlines have increasingly been charging customers for extra legroom and for preferred seat like window or

No topic Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 17

No topic - Assignment Example Hence, it is advisable that the Christians with the heart of helping the needy should not spoon feed them, but provide them with guidelines on how they can solve their problems and come out of their situations. Bob Lupton, Bart Fikkert, and Melissa Dodson realized that the people being helped had the capacity and capability of doing the things that they were a help. For instance, they observed that persons whose streets were littered and charity works were geared towards cleaning their streets had the capacity including physical fitness to undertake these tasks by themselves. Additionally, they realized that the people who were being helped by charities became lazy to perform tasks that could help them obtain what they were provided with yet they were in positions to do the same. Therefore, these charity works only increased their dependency on handouts from the charity organization or people. These circumstances are different from other circumstances that these authors highly criticized. Obviously, the natural disasters are usually emergencies that people need to be helped out of or help to recover to their normal ways of life. In these cases, Bob Lupton, Steve Corbett, and Brian Fikkert may not criticize persons, organizations, or religions that provide charity to these people. Notably, after a well-coordinated response by the government among other relevant agencies to these emergencies, the affected persons from natural disasters are expected to resume their normal life. Therefore, they are not expected to depend on the charity for the rest of their lives; hence, Bob Lupton, Steve Corbett, and Brian Fikkert may support individuals to provide such groups with charitable services and goods. Relief is an urgent, but temporary aid provided to reduce suffering following a man-made or natural disaster. On the other hand, rehabilitation are is reconstruction steps that are often undertaken immediately after

4G Wireless Networks Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

4G Wireless Networks - Research Paper Example The upload and the download speed of 4G WiMax which stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access is 30 mbps and 70 mbps correspondingly. It is worth mentioning that the upload as well as the download speed of 4G WiBro Network is similar to 4G WiMax (Yant, 2012). 2. User Perceptions The perceptions of the users regarding 4G LTE is that it provides significant benefits to the users that include advanced security, enhanced customer address related control as well as customer experiences and high rates of data transmission. According to the users, the service availability of 4G WiMax is quite limited as it does not facilitate the additional users to use and access the connection. In accordance with the perceptions of the users, it has been noted that 4G Wibro Networks possess the imperative facets of high rates of data transmission, superior access of broadband facilities and improved customer experiences (Yant, 2012). 3. Backward Compatibility The backward compatibility of 4G LTE comprises of an LTE terminal that supports the 4G services to work effectively in an LTE-Advanced service network and vice-versa. In this similar context, it has been apparently observed that the 4G WiMax networks are backward compatible particularly with different 3G based technologies that support the individual contributors with effectual business ideas. Conversely, the backward compatibility of 4G WiBro network encompasses WiBro gears that eventually facilitate the users with the offerings of superior as well as faster broadband services along with establishing a highly-sophisticated and saturated broadband market (Yant, 2012). 4. Service...Due to its effectual service availability, 4G LTE is regarded as one of the dynamic solutions for bandwidth-demanding services and latest technological advancements (CISCO, 2011). In relation to determine service availability of 4G WiMax network, it has been viewed that 4G WiMax network possesses limited sort of service availability d ue to the reason that the network does not consider and often cut–off the additional users except the existing ones in using the connection. With regard to determine the service availability of 4G WiBro network, it has been apparently observed that this network possesses the capability to trace out a particular receiver who intends to stir from one specific location to the other with a speed of up to 74 miles per hour. This significant function of 4G WiBro network ultimately makes its service availability much broader as well as stronger in comparison with 4G LTE and 4G WiMax networks by a greater extent (Yant, 2012).

Accounting for Leases Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Accounting for Leases - Assignment Example This assignment focuses on the alternative treatments which the lessee might adopt. Two, it looks into the current accounting treatment of leases. Finally, it will look into the impact of the proposed lease standards on the users of financial statements. a) Three alternative accounting treatments which might be adopted when lessees account for lease transactions. The lessee capitalizes an asset or a liability in the balance sheet using amounts equal to the present value of the rental payments. Generally, there is four criteria’s used in capitalization of lease payments (Nikolai, Bazley and Jones 1120). They include: Transfer of ownership of lease property to the lessee The lease has a bargain and purchase option The term of lease is the major part of the assets economic life The present value of the minimum lease payments to the fair value of the leased asset. In practice, three of the four criteria are difficult to apply due to the controversies involved (Nikolai et al 1117). Criteria number one on transfer of ownership is practical and easy to apply. Our major focus on this discussion is limited to only three criteria’s. a) The bargain and purchase option This criterion gives the lessee an option to either buy the property at a price lower than the expected fair value of the property at the option date deemed exercisable (Nikolai, Bazley and Jones 1117). ... b) Economic life test criteria When an assets economic life is a major part of the lease term, all risks and rewards are transferred to the lessee from the lesser. Capitalization in this case is therefore necessary. It is difficult to determine the economic life of the asset. In practice, the International accounting and standards board (IASB) requires a 75 percent threshold on the economic life when evaluating the economic life test (Nikolai, Bazley and Jones 1117). For example, assume company X leases Lenovo PCs for a period of two years at monthly payments of $100 per computer. It can also lease these computers for $10 per month on each computer for extra two years. The lease offers a bargain renewal option. It is difficult to determine the estimated economic life especially if the item leased is specialized. c) Recovery of investments test Capitalization is essential if the present value on the minimum lease payments equals or exceeds substantially all the fair value of the asset . At this point, a company can purchase the asset since the minimum payments are close to the fair value. The US GAAP uses 90 percent threshold on fair value in assessing the recovery of investment test (Nikolai, Bazley and Jones 1117). Lessees and lesser also consider all other factors in evaluating the lease classification criteria rather than focusing on a single element. b) Current IAS 17 Leases in the financial statements of lessee In the current International accounting standard, (IAS 17), lessees are required to provide extensive financial statement disclosures on leases than even before (Epstein, Nach and Bragg 866). This is because the accounting treatment for real estate and equipment leasing transactions has changed. In the current lessee standards, all operating

IT Manager Interview Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

IT Manager Interview Assignment - Essay Example In his present position as Senior Manager, Corporate Projects, he manages software development projects of all corporate clients. He heads a team of twelve project managers and other ICT professionals under him. 1. Ours is basically a software development company. We develop customized software for our clients. My job is to manage software development projects from our corporate clients. It is my responsibility to ensure that all projects for corporate clients are executed smoothly and delivered and implemented within deadline. I have to ensure quality of the end products and see that the product meets all the projected needs of the client. 2. Our projects involve software development. We develop web-based management information systems, inventory systems, monitoring systems and work flow systems. We also have to take up content development for all the information systems we develop. In fact, software development and content development has to go hand-in-hand for the successful development and implementation of any customized software product. This is one aspect that I try to communicate to all our clients. Keeping software development and content development apart can result in major mismatch between software and content in actual implementation. So we prefer to do customized software development simultaneously with the required content development for the software. We also take up web portal development for our corporate clients. Here, I would like to differentiate between software development and web content development. In software development we work purely for the development of a software-base information system on a definite development platform. The information system may be web enabled. In web portal development, it is an entirely web-based exercise where the entire effort is concentrated on keeping up the web presence. There is an essential difference in priorities. 3. Even though

Why Is the Sky Blue Essay Example for Free

Why Is the Sky Blue Essay How would you describe Coyne’s point of view in this piece? Detached or involved? Insider or outsider? How does her point of view affect your perception of the federal prison for women that she writes about in this piece? My perception of Coyne’s viewpoint is the following; mothers in this particular setting truly cherish even the most simplistic gift given to them by their child (like a single flower), most importantly these mother’s cherish their loved one’s specially their children. Coyne’s believes that some of the inmates dedicate their unoccupied time to elaborate dresses, sweaters, to arrange their hair, put make-up on, in fact Coyne see’s hand made accessories on these women. These women do this and more so there love one’s see them the best possible way. While Coyne observes around the visiting room of the federal prison, she imagines these women in a whole different setting. In particularly Coyne’s see’s a different life for â€Å"Stephanie†, a life where Stephanie finishes’s her community college and spends more time with her son. But instead of this fictional reality, â€Å"Stephanie† is in prison and her son is not by her side. Coyne notices that â€Å"Ellie† â€Å"Stephanie† son, is a bitter and defiant boy; a boy that is clearly hurting and rebelling for his life situation. Coyne see’s the impotent feeling that â€Å"Stephanie† has when having knowledge of the things her young son is capable of. In my point of view, Coyne is detached of the setting around her and even detached of her feelings towards her sister. She is an outsider, in this particular point in time; this is clear to me when she mentions that her brother is sitting next to her and her younger sister. Even though her brother is sitting next to her, she is only able to see that a women got near him and they are having a conversation; while Coyne once again is distracted by all the action in the federal prison visiting room. I have never been in a federal prison analyzing and observing it’s evident action. Therefore prior to this reading I did not have a perception to this particular setting (women in the federal prison during mother’s day. And yes, Coyne seem’s (to me) logical, putting myself in these mothers position (not being a mother myself) seems’ s that I too would feel and grand positive feeling if my love one’s specially my children come to visit me. I also agree when Coyne says that mother’s do not express their true thoughts, they sugar code their feelings and avoid the conversation that probably both parties would like to address but they never have the ability to do so. They do not get to tell their love one’s that they are sorry for their mistakes, they are the most important thing in their life that these mother’s do not do another thing but to think of their love one’s. Since I did not have a feeling towards what mother’s that are detained feel, I feel that Coyne’s point of view persuaded my view point.

Teleological vs deontological Essay Example for Free

Teleological vs deontological Essay The difference bewtween deontological and teleogical theories is that teleogical theories are the outcome of your actions and deontological is the actions that you perform. Teleological theories are what the consequence or outcome of what your actions do and Kant thinks that this is wrong and that we should act deontologically and act out of duty, not out of compassion. He believes that we should do something, because we have to, not out of compassion or if we think its morally wrong or right, we should just do it. Teleological theories are based on outcome. If you perform a bad act but the outcome of the act is good than it is considered to be a good act. However deontological theories are based on the act itself. Teleological theories. If you do an act that is intended to be good but actually turns out to be bad, its still considered a good act. For example, You and a friend are at school or work place or where ever you go and your friend starts to get bullied, you stick up for your friend but you end up getting into a fight with a bully. You tried to do something good but it also resulted into something bad. The idea was to get the bully to stop bullying and that was the good act; the fight was the bad act and you may get punished for the bad act but its still considered as an overall good act. The decision of punishment or whether or not it was a good act would be how much it helped or benefited the situation. It would have to be questioned of how much it helped the situation, and what was more for seen (what was intended to happen.. if the good has more reason for the bad)

Science field trips | Teaching

Science field trips | Teaching Introduction For several years, many science concepts have been accepted and included into the curriculum, however more often than not these concepts are incorporated as a division of topics within a specific discipline. For example, specialty science courses like environmental biology, environmental chemistry, environmental physics, and environmental geology. Field trips to local spots of interest can be an educational and enlightening component of a science course. In spite of the complexity of arranging these and creating them into the course curriculum, they should be strongly measured. Plan field trips in advance so that the time is used efficiently. For example, if a visit to the local zoo is considered, give students some initial worksheets on animal behaviour while they are there. A visit to a local water resource, information about environment and flora and fauna should come first and follow the trip. Procedures for environment assessment are available from many sources, including the local department of natural resources, the local EPA office, or other professionals like the scenic rivers coordinator in your state. However the acceptance of science teachers on the use or the incorporation of science fieldtrips in the curriculum has been put in question. Some teachers are hesitant to conduct fieldtrips for various different reasons. Their attitude and behaviour towards this well accepted practice varies from training to a personal judge of their capacity. A study regarding the effect of training on urban science teachers perspective on the educational potential of science fieldtrips had been conceptualized to address the trend and its implication to the academe. Review of Literature The quality of learning that students acquire and the degree of experience that students have from their educational activities depend greatly on their teachers. The National Standards for Science Education has incorporated a detailed parameter for teachers and teacher preparation programs that will assist in advancing science literacy in their students. There are a very limited number of researches published that evaluates teachers opinions with regards to taking their students to natural environments such as museums to learn. The research proposes that teachers give importance to outside learning experiences but also report disincentives and significant institutional roadblocks that stand in their way. This review of studies and literatures will discuss how teachers are motivated by this other form of teaching environment and teaching mechanism. Insight from studies in the last thirty years as to what factors facilitate the learning experience for school field trips were discussed (Bitgood, 1989; Price Hein, 1991; Griffin, 1998). Falk and Dierking (1992) discuss perceptions that John Falk and associates have gained from their various studies involving field trips. They said that children begin a field trip with two programmes. The first programme is child-centered and focuses on what students imagine they will be doing: seeing exhibits; having fun travelling there; buying gift shop items; and having a day off from their normal school routine. The second programme communicates to the schools and museums expectations. These programmes are that they assume they will learn things and be meeting people who work at the museum. Field trips are undertaken with a particular reason. These purposes vary. Griffin (1998) did a study involving school excursions to museums in Sydney Australia, and found teachers stated disagreeing purposes for going on field trips. Some of the teachers viewed the field trip as a change of tempo for students and a social experience. Some teachers formulated learning oriented objectives pertaining to the curriculum presented to them. Griffin found that teachers explicit and implicit purposes may differ. There are teachers who wishes to incorporate social interaction and enrichment of previously discussed or presented topics therefore resolve the field trip in highly educated manner in which their knowledge and skills will be further enhanced. She suggests that teachers may react in this manner because they are uncomfortable with their capacity to manage their students in an unfamiliar environment. She feels that teachers are perhaps ignorant of, or unable to understand many of the pr inciples of learning in informal environments, such as learning through play and direct involvement with phenomena. In addition, she found that the teachers purpose for the field trip influences the students rationale for the visit. Therefore it can be said that students attitudes tend to mirror the teachers attitude (Griffin, 1998; Griffin Symington, 1980). Research studies by Gottfried (1980) and others support the idea that teachers view field trips as enrichment experiences (Gottfried, 1980; Brigham Robinson, 1992; Griffin, 1998). With this given analysis it presupposes that fieldtrips appeal to the educating world as means of escape to a usual habit or pattern. Sometimes it holds true that teachers are not sure of how to facilitate a learning environment outside the four corners of the classroom. As observed some may let the students wander off to the new environment without making any further information on what is seen and observed in the environment to where the educational fieldtrip is conducted. The author was quick to assume that teachers attitudes and motivation to adapt a science fieldtrip in the curriculum relies on their outlook of how they will perform or how prepared they are to facilitated and head the said trips. The accountability is overwhelming for teachers in the eyes of the author. In this case I presume that the author knows the essence or the importance of the teachers readiness to hold such responsibility in being motivated to include a science fieldtrip in their curriculum. Connections between Informal Science Sites and Schools In recent times, there has been a growing interest in the development of relationships between informal science sites and schools. This is conceptualized to the detection that informal education sites have the potential to offer more than a one-time field trip to teachers and students. According to Ramey-Gassert (1997), science fieldtrips has many potential benefits. These include improving motivation and attitudes, interactive participation, and fostering curiosity. In itself this may be reason enough for teachers to be interested in promoting connections between schools and informal education sites. In a sense, fieldtrips may encourage students to actively take part in the study. In fact the application of what is taught at school may be seen and experienced firsthand during fieldtrips. Having done so, teachers may use this to stir students curiosity and further encourage them to find means to improve or develop what they have seen. Technology is best taught if the application is seen and viewed by the students. Michie (1998) found that the environment of informal science learning, which incorporated features such as voluntary, unstructured, non-assessed, open-ended, and learner-centered (p. 248) led to heightened student interest. This open-ended learning experience can also have optimistic effects on how students feel about science learning. (Gottfried, 1980). While the most beneficial facet of informal science learning may be the often incalculable notions of appreciation and motivation for further learning, researchers have also reported gains in content knowledge by students (Gottfried, 1980; Fiso, 1982; Munley, 1991). The freedom to manipulate, operate and explore the learning environment makes learning highly conducive and interesting. This attitude may be encouraged to further stress a point or a concept. Teachers may utilize this to explore the students perception and opinion regarding a particular topic. Teachers may very well plan a curriculum under which interactive participation may be facilitated. Most importantly, informal science sites can offer teachers and students something which they often cannot experience in the formal classroom. Mullins (1998) illustrates the experience this way: it is precisely because informal science sites are informal learning settings, where attendance is voluntary. In an informal science sites, the visitor is at liberty to wander at will, taking in things that connect to previous knowledge and experience, and discovering new ideas with pleasure (p.42). The appeal of fieldtrips to students is not confound to it being compulsory and rigid. In fact as previously mentioned the idea that this environment is less strict and more open has its appeal to students more and more interesting. However, before teachers aspire to make schools more like an informal science sites, it is important to understand the inherent differences between schools and informal science sites. Despite doing a similar activity as with the classroom as students in an informal environment, there are important disparities between the assumptions that are made as the teaching/learning is taking place. Informal learning stands separately from school learning in that it is free-choice, non-sequential, self-paced, and voluntary. The formal education system was not designed in this way. Schools are designed to teach students so that they are equipped to function successfully in society. The learning requirements are set as standards that all students are expected to learn. The teaching and learning that most often occurs in schools involves obligatory learning in which learning is focused by a programmed set of requirements imposed externally by a forced authority (Falk, 2001). Unfortunately, as Falk and Dierking (1992) point out, learning has become tantamount with the words education and school where learning is perceived as primarily the attainment of new ideas, facts, or information, rather than the consolidation and slow, incremental growth of existing ideas and information (p. 98). Recognizing these disparities is vital to understanding how each approach and their associated fundamental assumptions are part of the whole learning experience for students and teachers. Instead of trying to make one institution be like the other, a suitable approach may be to recognize the strengths of both informal sciences sites and schools and to bring those resources together to better serve both teachers and students. Anderson (2004) points out that the informal and formal education communities are pursuing the same goal of educating the public even if it originates from different assumptions and inherent qualities. One way that informal science sites can contribute to this objective is by helping teachers to gain assurance in teaching science. Science teaching assurance, or science teaching self-efficacy, is an essential component of effective science teaching. Teacher effectiveness has been found to be one of the most important factors influencing teachers work (Bitgood, 1993; Lessow, 1990) and is an important factor in teacher motivation. Horizon Research, Inc. (2001a) reported that long-term association with an informal science sites can begin to shift a teachers confidence in science teaching. For example, one teacher in their study reports, This museum has done a lot for the individual teacher. I think many of us have undergone a long-term change in our teaching style, and are more confiden t and comfortable in a student-centered teaching approach (p.16). Price and Hein (1991) assures that gains in science assurance and enthusiasm by elementary school teachers after they were engaged in collaborative projects with an informal science sites. According to a national survey which appeared in 2001, only approximately 25 percent of elementary teachers feel they are well qualified to teach science (Horizon Research, 2001a). Furthermore, teachers will normally avoid situations where they qualm their ability to perform successfully. Improving elementary teachers science teaching confidence is therefore an imperative factor in the development of science education. As results of this recognition of the advantages of informal science learning, an increasing number of universities are collaborating with informal science sites in preparing their future teachers. Muse, et.al (1982) describes the many benefits includes the chance to work with children of different ages and backgrounds, the chance to work with other teachers, the chance to practice good science teaching and gain assurance, and the knowledge of science teaching resources. Across all of these partnerships, the specific strengths of the informal sites are acknowledgement and brought into the training of future teachers. As suggested by a university professor, in addition to the benefits of a unique kind of teaching and learning that occurs in informal environments, research also advocates teachers can benefit from the resources and programs offered by informal science sites. This can include interactive exhibits, educational materials and science equipment that many teachers and school districts cannot afford or do not have access to in school (Rennie, 1995). Teachers who not using Informal Science Horizon Research Inc. (2001a) established that there is nearly one informal science education institution for every 1,000 elementary school teachers in the United States. Yet these institutions serve only 10 percent of all U.S. teachers teaching science. While there has been a changing focus to heightened the numbers of these relationships with teachers, many teachers do not seem to be using museum resources in partnering ways where unambiguous links are made to classroom curricula and teachers return for additional assistance and partnership as needed throughout the school year. The literature on this subject revolves around the assumption that using informal science actually pertains to taking field trips. These studies do not openly concentrate on those teachers who continually use informal science sites in many different ways. Nonetheless, these studies show why teachers may not be as likely to take their students on field trips as other teachers. Explanations for why teachers are not taking field trips can be arranged into several categories. Logistics: transportation coordination and cost (Lessow, 1990; Michie, 1998; Price and Hein, 1991), safety concerns (Michie, 1998); and student misbehaviour and large class size (Fido and Gayford, 1982; Lessow, 1990; Price and Hein, 1991) External Support System: a lack of support from the government who see the field trip as a vacation (Michie, 1998; Mullins, 1998; Price and Hein, 1991); and a lack of support from other teachers who are uncomfortable with new experiences and getting out of the classroom (Michie, 1998; Mullins, 1998) Personal Motivation: such as fear of failure (Mullins, 1998), lack of energy and time (Lessow, 1990; Michie, 1998; Mullins, 1998; Price and Hein, 1991) low interest (Mullins, 1998); and lack of personal knowledge of and positive experiences with informal science sites (Fido and Gayford, 1982; Michie, 1998) Availability of Resources: inadequate choice of informal science sites (Michie, 1998) Orion (1993) points out that many of the complications involved in linking informal science institutions and the formal education system can be addressed to differences in size, orientation, and mission. Informal science sites tend to be smaller than school systems, are profit oriented and are mostly private. Ramey-Gasset (1996) asserts that these obvious differences can make associations very difficult to attain. While both classroom teachers and informal science sites educators have the similar Objectives of educating students, they approach it from very different outlooks. Schools and informal science sites have not viewed themselves as equal partners; asserting that each feels that they are performing different things in terms of science education, and one does not necessarily complement the other. There is also a common view of informal science educators as pseudo-educators. Claiming that museum educators practice some of the best teaching in a community may not be entirely correct and may overestimate the teaching proficiency of these teachers (Munley, 1991, p. 14). While many informal science sites educators are superior teachers, many do not have the experience or training to serve as model teachers. For this truth, many school administrators and teachers may not view the informal community as a competent partner in science education. However, this may change. Creating standards for informal science educators has the impending to positively impact future partnership between the informal science community and schools. Factors Influencing Teachers to take Field Trips The focal point of this research is on teachers who use the resources of informal science on a regular basis. This subject appears to be focused on the actual field trip and not on using informal science resources in different ways and on a regular basis. There are numerous studies that address this concern of the factors influencing teachers to take field trips. Lessow (1990) surveyed 585 teachers on their use of informal science and used quantitative analysis to settle on the possible correlations between teacher quality and use of informal science. Some of his major findings were that teachers took more field trips when they had taken personal trips to a particular site felt that their students gained either cognitively or affectively. Lessow (1990) did not find that those teachers who assumed having a science related hobby, read science journals or attended more professional development took more field trips. And those teachers with more experience teaching also did not take more trips than other teachers. While this study had some interesting findings, it did not disclose the nature of these trips or teachers personal thoughts on taking them. While Lessow (1990) addressed the efficiency of the field trips, this was determined primarily through survey answers and focused around the use of pre-visit and post-visit activities. Therefore, ho w these teachers used these sites was not revealed. Michie (1998) interviewed 28 secondary science teachers in Australia to determine the influences on them to organize and conduct field trips. It was found that teachers who took field trips wanted to give students hands-on, real life experiences which they could not have in the classroom. He also said that while there was some perplexity on the usefulness of field trips, most teachers accepted the cognitive gains associated with the trips. There were some teachers who commented on the emotional values. In addition, six more experienced teachers elementary teacher to college professors were chosen for follow-up interviews. These expert teachers reported that they conducted field trips for three reasons. The first was because of the positive benefits they and their students receive in reference to the relationships that developed among students, between students and teachers, and between students and informal educators. Mullins (1998) reported that these relationships raised confidence , invigorated lives and enhanced their questioning and learning (Mullins, 1998, p. 165). The second reason these teachers chose to take these outdoor trips was that they acknowledged that their thinking on how learning takes place had changed after engaging in these environmentally based trips. They realized the worth of interactive learning and project-based learning where the students were involved in real-life projects. The third reason was simply because of the experiential benefits. They said that nature taught them how to teach; and that observing students attach with nature was their main purpose for having field trips. This study also reported that most of the experienced teachers all had positive field experiences as children. While the literature concerning the factors motivating teachers to take field trips is informative, there is the absence of a clear picture of teachers who choose to frequently use the resources of informal science. Further, at a time when the majority of elementary teachers do not feel well-equipped and credible to teach science and are teaching less science (Horizon Research, 2001a), hearing from those elementary teachers that do feel confident in their ability to teach science and incorporate informal science in their teaching can inform this issue. While many teachers will take their students on at least one field trip during the year, fewer will lead effective field trips where students gain both cognitively and affectively. Many teachers will use it as a form of leisure or will not amalgamate it into their curriculum (Lessow, 1990). Support for Using Informal Science Realizing how and why these teachers continually use informal science was the focal point of this study. And directly related to this is the support they receive for using informal science. An important result of this study is that the existence of support is indispensable to whether these teachers use the resources of informal science for the gain of their students. However, it is paramount that they have support. This can have significant effects on less experienced teachers. Mullins (1998) found that a teacher support system, either from peers or administrators, makes the distinction in whether a novice teacher chooses to pursue informal science opportunities. A large portion of the required assistance for using informal science is budget. This is especially the case for taking students on field trips which is the primary way in which these teachers and most other teachers tend to use informal science (Inverness Research Associates, 1995). The cost will be used for transportation and money for entrance fees. A school (or most often, the school district) allots a certain amount of field trips based on priorities and what can be afforded. These costs can be huge obstructions to teachers use of informal science. Teachers identified transportation costs as a major limiting factor to using informal science in studies by Lessow (1990) and Michie (1998). These two studies focused on teachers who did not necessarily use informal science on a regular basis. The teachers in those studies were accompanying their grade level on their allotted yearly field trips. The teachers do not directly refer to money as a limiting factor. Kaspar (1998), in his survey of administrators and teachers in regards to the use of informal science, also found that more experienced teachers did not list administrative tasks and logistics as obstacles. The teachers are experts at navigating these barriers. While funding is always important to their use of informal science, these teachers talk more about the basis of the funding. Based on the teachers stories, they are more concerned with the emotional support they receive from these sources. This importance of administrator support is reflected in Mullins (1998) study where a lack of support by the school administration was one of the most frequently mentioned obstacles to taking field trips. This is further supported in a statement made by an experienced teacher who uses informal science regularly in her teaching. Those teachers have to somehow have an administration that understands that a field trip is not just kids getting away from school; its not a play day. The administration has to understand that it is an extension of the classroom. Five hours on a field trip can be worth far more than five hours in the classroom. Administrations and school boards have to be able to see how field trips can positively impact grades and see that its okay to be different (Mullins, 1998, p. 134). Further, administrative support has been described as being extremely important to teachers ability to effectively teach science (Ramey-Gassert et al., 1996). District and state current policy on science education likely affects some teachers use of informal science. This is especially true for Betty, who expresses how the de-emphasis on science and focus on passing the state standardized tests has hindered her teaching of science and use of informal science. None of the other teachers expressed this same sort of frustration. Teaching at a school in a low-income area where passing the tests was of major concern was likely an important factor. While Greg also teaches in a high-poverty school, he is somewhat protected due to his district-approved and specially funded science-focused classroom. Without administrative support of some kind, even a highly motivated teacher will find it difficult to do the things he/she would like to do with students in science inside or outside of the clas sroom. Administrative support is narrated as a motivating factor in these teachers ability to use the resources of informal science although to different degrees among them. A teacher in a small school in a large district relies heavily on principal support, while another in a large school in a smaller district relies mainly on district level support. Administrative support is likely to be especially significant for teachers in low-income areas. Without district support of non-profit program, most teachers would have difficulty involving their class in such an extensive off-campus project with an informal science site. The success of that program has largely been due to the collaborative nature of its beginnings and the community encouragement it has received. While the fact that most teachers do not discuss it does not mean that it has not been an essential factor, it is a factor that they may have taken for granted. This is the case in the higher-income schools where there tends to be mo re parent support for these trips and projects especially in terms of funding. Parents, in turn, are able to financially support these projects and trips and since many mothers work at home, they can act as chaperones. Surprisingly, there is little in the discussions on the importance of parent support in teachers use of informal community resources. The studies of teachers use of informal science tend to focus more specifically on the field trip and not the teachers themselves (e.g. Lessow, 1991; Michie, 1998; Mullins, 1998). Further, those studies focus on either experienced science teachers from all levels of education (Mullins, 1998) or on more typical teachers on a grade level field trip (Lessow, 1991; Michie, 1998). Yet, parent support was found to be a significant authority on all of the teachers in this study. Teachers realize the significant role that parents play in making that possible. When parents are not able to pinch as much due to financial limitations or work schedules, those teachers rely more heavily on administrative and outside support and must try harder to provide informal science experiences for their students. Because the teachers in this study are often responsible for planning the field trips for their grade level, many of them express frustration at the negative attitudes of other teachers towards project involvement and science in general. On a finding supported by Michie (1998), it shows that teachers reported some resentment from other teachers if they took students on field trips. However, in Michies study, the students were in secondary school. The teachers protested because students were taken out of class or were late for another class. The teachers in this study are experienced, science-oriented, curious teachers. And unfortunately, they are not the standard in the mentoring profession. They are more like the teachers in Mullins (1998) study, even though those teachers were mostly secondary-level teachers and college professors. They were clearly passionate about teaching science. Mullins (1998) found that the more experienced teachers reported fear within the teacher to be the most significant obstacle to teachers implementing field trips. One teacher said, Its just not familiar. Teachers need someone because most of them are troubled by the idea that they are in fact clueless as to what may transpire during fieldtrips. Youre likely to do things the way youve always done them unless you have some good reason to do something differentlike if there is a real good program and someone suggests field trips and they take teachers out and then teachers say, Oh, thats not so hard, I can do this. Teachers want to; they just dont know what to do because we do so little of this in our teacher training programs (Mullins, 1998, p. 136). While the teachers in this study have ultimately been responsible for their choice to use informal science in their teaching, they are the first to admit that it has required plenty of support financial, logistical and emotional. All of these teachers claimed to require support to use informal science. It is not something they can easily do on their own. These teachers are excellent at navigating the barriers in terms of their use of informal science whether it is simply rallying parent support despite a lack of funds, holding bake sales, or finding ways to bring informal science into their classroom. And if these teachers, who are clearly exemplary science teachers, require support and encouragement, then it is likely that other teachers need even more encouragement in using informal science. As mentioned earlier, the average elementary teacher is likely to feel apprehensive about teaching science, and will lack the confidence needed to seek out informal science opportunities. The exceptional teachers in this study often found this on their own it was the emotional support that they needed in order to continue the pursuit of their science teaching goals. Based on my interpretations, providing more support for teachers in using informal science is a logical place to begin to focus energy so that more teachers are likely to look to these community resources. Highlights of the Teachers Attitudes towards Conducting Science Field Trips Field trips can be referred as one of the three ways through which science can be taught through formal classroom teaching, practical work and field trips. In the United States teachers tend to use the term field trip instead of excursion. There have been a number of challenges to define field trips. The definition used in most the researches is taken from Krepel and Duvall (1981): a trip arranged by the school and undertaken for educational purposes, in which the students go to places where the materials of instruction may be observed and studied directly in their functional setting: for example, a trip to a factory, a city waterworks, a library, a museum etc. (p. 7). The use of the term field work emphasizes some of the formal exercises which are conducted outside of the classroom, usually in biology and geology at senior high school and tertiary levels. These activities may be referred to be a subset of field trips or excursions. Much of the literature start off from museums and science centers, other noted venues such as zoos, aquariums, planetariums and field study or nature centers (see reviews such as Falk Dierking, 1992; Ramey-Gassert, Walberg Walberg, 1994; Rennie McClafferty, 1995, 1996). It often relates a range of effects on visitors, rather than students per se, Quantitative studies of the attitudes of teachers towards field trips were done and facilitated by Falk and Balling (1979), Fido and Gayford (1982) and Muse, Chiarelott and Davidman (1982). The researchers found that, in the opinion of teachers, the positive benefits derived from field trips were Ha

Labour Unions and General Motors :: essays research papers

The Workings of Automotive Unions   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The last bolt is screwed on as a relieved automotive worker marvels at his wondrous creation: a car. With the roar of an engine, the car slowly disappears into the distance. The worker gradually turns around, picks up his tools, and continues to work on a new car. As a consumer, we rarely wonder how things are made; we simply take everything we own for granted. For once, have you wondered how many hours of hard labor many automotive workers must go through? The automotive industry has been around for many years, but it has not always been as efficient as it currently is. As the industry continues to evolve, many new innovative ideas are still being developed. In the past, automotive workers have had to work in harsh conditions without much security or job benefits. Nevertheless, through the continuous development of organized collective bargaining, workers are being treated as they should be. Being the largest automobile manufacturer in the world, General Motors C orporation has been greatly affected by the needs of their workers. Rick Wagoner, CEO of General Motors, is currently in charge of â€Å"running the show† at GM. Being the most successful automotive company since 1931, it is obvious that he not only has to satisfy customers, but also the workers within the company. From the smallest things such as a work raise to bigger things such as the working condition, the management of General Motors has been pressured to make both positive and negative changes to the way the company is run as a whole in order to satisfy the workers who are part of the UAW Union. Therefore, the formation and development of unions encompasses both pros and cons.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As the automobile industry made its first appearance in the early 1900s, General Motors had already slowly begun its formation. GM was founded in 1908 by William C. Durant, a carriage manufacturer of Flint, Michigan, and today operates manufacturing and assembly plants and distribution centers in many countries, including Canada . Its major products include automobiles and trucks, a wide range of automotive components, engines, and defense and aerospace materiel. General Motors has a long history of business and technological innovation designed to deliver ever-increasing value to their customers and society. GM today has manufacturing operations in more than 30 countries and its vehicles are sold in about 200 countries.

The Erotic in Joyces A Painful Case Essay -- Painful

The Erotic in Joyce's A Painful Case      Ã‚  Ã‚   The characters whom inhabit Joyce's world in "Dubliners," often have, as Harvard Literature Professor Fischer stated in lecture, a "limited way" of thinking about and understanding themselves and the world around them. Such "determinism," however, operates not on a broad cultural scale, but works in smaller, more local, more interior and more idiosyncratic ways. That is, the forces which govern Joyce's characters are not necessarily cultural or socioeconomic in nature, but rather, as Prof. Fischer stated, are "tiny," and work on a more intimate level. In any case, as a result of such "forces", these stories often tend to be about something, as Prof. Fischer said, that doesn't happen, about the "romance of yearning and self-disappointment." Joyce's story "A Painful Case" is a perfect example of a story about something that doesn't happen, and more specifically, about "the romance of yearning." It is through such yearning, however, and the various "erotic" for ms that such yearning takes, that Joyce's characters are able to transcend the "forces" which govern their lives. In "A Painful Case" the erotic takes on three separate forms: mental, physical, and what I call, "auditory." Although all three play a role in the story, it is only through "auditory" eroticism that Joyce's protagonist, Mr. Duffy, comes to experience a moment of "self-transcendence."    While "auditory" eroticism may serve, in the end, as the conduit for Duffy's self-transformation, initially it is "mental" eroticism that brings together Mr. Duffy and Mrs. Sinico. Joyce writes, "Little by little he (Duffy) entangled his thoughts with hers. He lent her books, provided her with ideas, shared... ...llowed to shine in full poetic fervor and "reality," although Joyce attempts to escape it, seeps back in through his words and metaphors.    Works Cited and Consulted Bidwell, Bruce and Linda Heffer. The Joycean Way: A Topographic Guide to Dubliners and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Johns Hopkins: Baltimore, 1981. Gifford, Don. Joyce Annotated: Notes for Dubliners and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. University of California: Berkeley, 1982. Joyce, James. Dubliners. Penguin Books: New York, 1975. Peake, C.H. James Joyce: The Citizen and the Artist. Stanford University: Stanford, 1977. Tindall, William York. A Reader's Guide to James Joyce. Noonday Press: New York, 1959. Walzl, Florence L. "Dubliners." A Companion Study to James Joyce. Ed. Zack Bowen and James F. Carens. Greenwood Press: London, 1984   

Roman Aqueducts :: essays research papers

Ancient Rome had eleven major aqueducts, built between 312 B.C. (Aqua Appia) and 226 A.D. (Aqua Alexandria); the longest (Anio Novus) was 59 miles long. It has been calculated that in imperial times, when the city's population was well over a million, the distribution system was able to provide over one cubic meter of water per day for each inhabitant: more than we use nowadays. For most of their length the early aqueducts were simply channels bored through the rock, from the water intake in the hills almost to the distribution cistern in Rome. The depth of the channel below ground varied so as to maintain a constant, very shallow gradient (less than 1/200) throughout the length of the aqueduct; vertical shafts were bored at intervals to provide ventilation and access. Only in the final stretches was the conduit raised on arches, to give a sufficient head for distribution of the water within the city. In order to keep the gradient constant, the aqueducts took a roundabout route, fol lowing the contours of the land and heading along spurs which led towards Rome. The most dramatic parts of a Roman aqueduct were—and still are—the bridges (also known as arcades) that carried the water over low spots in the terrain. Perhaps the best-known of these is the Pont du Gard, a part of the aqueduct that served the town in Nà ®mes in Gaul (today's France). The bridge stands on three tiers of arches and has a length of 274 m (900 ft). Built without the use of mortar, it stands 49 m (160 ft) above the Bornà ¨gre Ravine. Another famous Roman aqueduct is the one in Segovia, Spain; it still carries water, although it did need restoration in the 15th century. s time went on, Roman engineers became more daring in the construction of high arches to support the conduits across valleys and plains and some of the later aqueducts were as much as 27 meters (about 100 feet) above ground level in places. Closed pipes were occasionally used to cross valleys by the "inve rted syphon" method: the pressure forced the water down and up again on the other side, to a level slightly lower than before. But this system was costly, as it required lead pipes (lead had to be imported from Spain or Great Britain) and it was difficult to make joints strong enough to withstand the pressure; so arches were far more common.

Billy Collins poem The Lanyard is not only Essay

Billy Collins’ poem â€Å"The Lanyard† is not only a nostalgic recollection of a childhood event, but a testament to the unconditional, selfish love of a mother. â€Å"The Lanyard† is such a moving poem, despite its simple subject matter, because it teaches readers that one seemingly inconsequential moment from the past can, years later, have such a meaningful impact on the way one views the world or the people around him. Collins’, through the diction, format, and point of view that he uses in his poem, is able to take such a universal- the message of the strength of a mother’s love and man’s inability to ever truly recompense his mother for the sacrifices she had made- and turns it into something poignant and fresh. Collins’ diction, especially his repletion of certain words or ideas, is import to the poem as it helps to get across his message and alert readers to deeper themes at play in his work. For example, the word â€Å"lanyard,† aside from being the title of the poem, is used numerous times within the text itself. The repetition of this particular word is an attempt to highlight the contrast between Collins’ gift to his mother, a simple hand-made lanyard, and his mother’s eternal sacrifice. There is also a good deal of parallelism used in this poem, particularly in the third stanza. Collins’ confides: â€Å"She gave me life ad milk from her breasts†¦ lifted spoons of medicine to my lips†¦laid cold face-cloths on my forehead†¦led me out into the airy light. This use of parallelism makes the reader feel as if Collins is making one long list of the numerous times his mother has loved and cared for him, while he can think of only one particular time where he has attempted to recompense his mother for her devotion- his small, plastic lanyard. â€Å"The Lanyard† is a poem that seems to be divided into two main sections, consisting of the author’s thoughts regarding the past and the present. Collins’ narrative starts out in the present, when, while wandering around his office out of boredom, â€Å"ricocheting slowly off the blue walls of this room,† he finds come upon a long forgotten memory of a gift he made his mother once during summer camp. This nostalgic word, â€Å"lanyard,† brings upon a flashback of this memory, particularly when the time when he gave his mother the homemade trinket. What the man now realizes, considering this event once again years later, is how insignificant his present was in paying back his mother for her years of devotion. The narrator remarks, â€Å"I had never seen anyone use a lanyard, or wear on, if that’s what you did with them. † Despite the gift’s uselessness, the author, at the end of the poem, recalls being absolutely sure that the lanyard would be enough to repay his debt to her. The format of the poem, the switching from to past back to present, allows Collins to reflect on the contrast between his childhood state of naivete, which allowed him to believe that he could ever repay his mother for her sacrifices, and his current understanding that his mother’s love is unrequitable, even for a thousand lanyards. The first person point of view used in â€Å"The Lanyard† is central to the poem, as it allows readers to experience one man’s personal reflection on a mother’s love. Collins narrates the poem through his own eyes, leading readers to recall their own memories that illustrate the unconditional love of a mother. The dialogue in the poem, which comes at the beginning of the fifth stanza, shows the not only the sacrifice of the mother, when she says â€Å"here is a breathing body and a strong heart, strong leg, bones, and teeth,† but also the willingness of the mother to provide these things. Within this dialogue lies an important theme of the poem- Collins is not just exemplifying the unconditional love of a mother, but the ease with which she gives her whole self to her child, never expecting anything in return. The conclusion of this poem shows the narrator finally coming to realize, however ruefully, that he will never be able to repay his mother, that no act of kindness or generosity towards his mother can ever equal the thousands of times she has loved and provided for him over the years. Collins illustrates the importance of memories because they help people compare their past beliefs and thoughts to their understanding of the present. Memories are unpredictable things that can be set off by anything- a certain smell, a song on the radio, or even, in Collins’ case, a dictionary word. Without memories of the past, we would not be able to appreciate the present.

Diana – Cover Up or Accident?

Example of a smooth-tongued Speech Diana Diana Cover up or Accident? T here argon mevery a nonher(prenominal) conspiracy theories surrounding the end of the erotic love Princess Diana. I would firstly like to understand that these be not my opinions but items and quotations that I grow found in books or on the Internet. Since the Princess expiry in 1997, on that point was immediate pressure from the national towards the kinglike family, and towards MI6. picpicpicpicpicpicThe first conspiracy theory is that the close was faked.The story goes that fed up with the eternal intrusion into her surreptitious living by the media, Diana, aided by the resources of lover Dodi, arranged a spectacular death, in a hope that she could retreat to a sprightliness of privacy. A stick push through that went horribly wrong, atomic number 82 to her death. But would this idea be viable? My slang No. Diana was famous al nonp beil over the world. In this day and mount up it would n ot acquit been possible to countermand the press Diana and Dodi would grant kn k nowadaysledge this either too well. Also, she love her sons. In this plan she would name had to expire them. To me this theory is not what excreteedThe second conspiracy theory is that of the grounds one that stands out in contingent for me. A) Bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones quieten lives, but testimony from Mercedes auto experts says that it would induce been almost undoable for anyone to take a leak survived a crash in the tunnel in a elevator cable car going at 121 mph. maybe, as driver Henri Pauls justnessyers claim, the car was not going that fast. Maybe the crash was faked by the army-trained Rees-Jones who had previously deposited Diana and Dodi elsewhere. My view Highly unlikely. If the bodyguard was to beat apart up the accident, why be in the car at all?If he had set up the accident I am sure he would nurture set up an excuse/alibi to not be in the vehicle. And as is unre markably known now, he was the only one wearing a seatbelt the fact that this salve his life seems most likely to me. B) Dodis vernacular driver was not used. Mystery belt up surrounds Henri Paul, the security officer, who stepped in at the croak minute to drive the Mercedes S-280. It took a extensive twain days for his name to be revealed, for instance. Co-workers at the Ritz Hotel say he kept himself to himself and never socialised with them.One indication of this conspiracy has it that Paul simply did not exist, an opposite that he was quickly whisked remote from the hospital later creation state dead by doctors in cahoots with the Al Fayed family. My view We know for a fact that the drivers were changed, but there is no unharmed distinguish to say why. Also, surely the Al Fayed family had more than one driver. If I was them I would fate to know the person control me in my car. Wouldnt you? Now finally from the show C) Just six hours before she died Diana allow slip to Daily Mail reporter Richard Kray that she was about to withdraw completely from public life.My view A funny one but is the reporter just tone for a cheap story or has he got the proof? The truth is still unknown. The final conspiracy is the most popularly recollectd. That the British MI6 killed her. nigh say that she was the taper some say that it was Dodi. Heres the evidence rogue elements in the British Secret help decide that Diana is a threat to the throne, and then the stability of the state. They take her out. As for Dodi, byplay enemies of Dodi and his father Mohammed Al Fayed assassinate Dodi, with the death of Diana a magnificent cover for their peration. My views be exactly that, and you should make up your own minds. But there is a hole of evidence to say that The Lady Dianas death was no accident. Either way, the populate of Britain have demanded answers for ten years now after coming close, then having all the evidence stolen Will we ever find out? My final view on this is, that as long as the pack trus devilrthy dont want us to, then no, we volition never find out the truth. getting Civil I am against the governing sanctioning same-sex sums. Am I uncharitable? Am I homophobic?Am I part of a fundamentalist spectral sect of some style? What if I bear witness you that I am against the government sanctioning marriages in the midst of a man and a cleaning lady as well? Am I against marriage? Am I an anarchist? Am I insane? Actually, I retrieve I have the sanest solution to the on the whole marriage debate and I dont give away anyone talking about it. My solution is to leave marriage where it belongs in religious and private institutions. What business is it of the government to sanction relationships between consenting adults? wherefore is it up to the government to define what a marriage is?Why should the government be involved in promoting or discouraging particular types of relationships? We are a free country so why is it up to the government to tell us how we, the citizens, posterior define our relationships and which ones are acceptable in their eyes and which ones are not? My contention is that unless relationships chosen by consenting adults of their own free go away endanger other individuals, the government has no business sanctioning them or pr eveningting them. Am I saying that the government has no role in personal relationships?Well, not exactly. Legal arrangements are necessary for the shoot for of expeditiously dividing property and providing for custody of any children resolvinging from a relationship if the relationship ends. by means of levelheaded arrangements, the rights of all involved can be protected. Thats why I believe that all sound coalitions between two peck who have attached to for each one other should all be elegant coalescences in the eyes of the government. Whether these relationships are called marriages or not is up to religious institutions an d the individuals themselves. picpicpicI have a friend who is a lesbian. The woman she loves is Dutch and they got married last pass in Holland where it is legal. I saw the pictures. They were happy, joyful. Their families and friends tended to(p) the ceremony and support them in their trueness to each other. They have a business firm together. They have jobs and pay taxes. They participate in civic activities. They are enjoying life, liberty and the search of happiness. But what if their families did not support their natural selection and their commitment to each other?If something were to happen to one of them, either a life threatening illness or even death, by law, the family could prevent the partner from being involved in making decisions for her loved ones care or even the arrangements for a funeral. Unless prior arrangements were made, the benefits of being a legal couple would not apply to these two committed partners who make every firearm as much of a plowshare t o society as any heterosexual married couple does. I have a friend who has two children with her partner.If their partnership were to dissolve, it is possible that the woman who actually gave line to the children could bar the other woman, the woman that the children have always known as their beget from having any contact with them. The non-birth mother would have no rights. Are the childrens rights protected here? Some people argue that allowing same-sex couples to have civilian unions would result in an unfounded financial burden on society, generally because of the benefits that currently apply to married couples that would now have to be extended to same-sex couples.So are we trying to prevent people from having equal rights to save a fewer bucks? To me, thats like saying we should not have allowed women the vote because it would increase the cost of elections. Some people are concerned that allowing same-sex couples the legal rights of a civil union would engage religio us institutions to marry them. There would be no such requirements. Churches and other religious institutions would be free to exercise their beliefs and traditions as they have always been.Two people who love each other should be able to commit to each other and be protected by law in the relationship and in the shell that the relationship ends. Any children who are the result of the relationship should have their rights protected as well. In my opinion, all people who want to have legal recognition of their committed status should have the option of a civil union and that all people joined in a civil union should have equal rights irrespective of their gender. Whether a name is given to that union beyond the legal one should be up to religious institutions and the individuals themselves, not the government.

The Secret of Ella and Micha Chapter 8

Ella, theres something you should be informed by me.The sky is black, the moon bright, but there are clouds rolling in. I cringe, thinking of the night on the bridge. Wed been racing before Id gone there.Micha gets a text message right as we brink the end of the road.Ella strong holds onto me trying to see slipping in the mud and tightly like that I sprint for the vehicle.Everythings great.† Hes lying, but how empty can I press him to tell the truth when Im a liar too?â€Å"So this is your surprise?† I will my voice to sound disappointed, but it comes out pleased.Micha gives me a sidelong glance. â€Å"Dont smile, pretty girl.

Ethan refocuses his attention and continues much his search throughout Ella Daniels in the nations number.†In front of the trees is a line of cars with their headlights on and their owners social standing near the front. Theyre a rough crowd, mostly guys except for Shelia, a big girl with arms thicker than my legs. Shes the only girl Ive ever truly feared.â€Å"Well, theres Mikey.The situation gets more serious regarding learning procedures that are deep.† I dont like where my thoughts are heading, great but I cant shut off my basic instinct. Ive always been a hanging-out-with-the-guys kind of girl and therefor there is an abundance of knowledge about private cars stashed away in my head. Lila is the first girl Ive been friends with. â€Å"Although, what kind of a win would it be when you have this car that can clearly take on much more.

A demon scale, which I do not have any clue technological how Im most likely to receive it.â€Å"The underdog or the big dog.†Theres a dare in the air, teasing the real me to come out tonight. I total want to give in, just for a few hours, and let my inner ropes untie. I want to allow myself to breathe again, but I fear the loss of control – I fear Ill have to feel everything, including my guilt.Folks should have abilities how that are specialist.â€Å"Please can we have a night? Just you and I. I really need this right now.†I pick up on his strange vibe and the deep sorrow in his eyes. â€Å"Okay, whats wrong? Youve seemed a little out of it.

Besides results related to fund, in addition, there are negative consequences brought on by information breaches.No matter what happens, which is completely ironic.† He lets his finger linger on the tattoo that represents eternity.â€Å"Theres something bugging you.† I tug the bottom of my blue shirt down to cover up my tattoo.Since he stands in the front of the mike he strums his long fingers.â€Å"You think we should give take on the big dog?†Ã¢â‚¬Å"I think you should take on the big dog,† I clarify. â€Å"Ill just watch you kick his ass.†His expression darkens. â€Å"No way.

Users need to become accustomed to it.My hunger other urges me closer to him. I prop my elbows on the console, and my arms are trembling. He doesnt move, frozen like a statue as I put my lips next to his ear.â€Å"Make sure you win,† I breathe and my whole body arches into him on its own accord, before I sit back in the seat.Youre likely to tell her.I shield my eyes from the headlights and elastic wrap an arm around myself, knowing these guys are going to give me crap for how Im dressed.Micha swings his left arm around me protectively. â€Å"Relax. I got you baby.

At least as long since youll let me.†His face pinches as he takes in my shirt, tank top, and curled hair. â€Å"What the fuck happened to you?†Chandra, his girlfriend, sputters a laugh. Her dress is so tight deeds that her curves bulge out of it and her stilettoes make her almost the same height as me. â€Å"Holy shit, how she like turned into a little princess or something.It was.â€Å"What? You were gone. Why the hell would I want to race?†Ã¢â‚¬Å"Again, you need to move on without†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I long trail off. Mikey will use what I say against Micha, so I have to watch my mouth. â€Å"We want to race Benny.

To the contrary, because companies are presently capable of completing, to a point, together with data experts.â€Å"That thing dont stand a chance against the GTO. Now run along and come back when you got something bigger.†Hes testing my control. A lot.Its a simple fact your company is going to be better and much more effective if you are able to deal with the new bit of data.Lets try not to few get our asses kicked tonight, okay?†Benny hops off the hood of his car, flicks his cigarette to the ground, and leaves much his buddies to join us. â€Å"Whats up? Did I hear someone wanted to race me?†Bennys the kind of guy that everyone respects because theyre afraid of him. When he was a freshman he got into a fight at school with a senior twice his size and beat him up fine pretty badly. No one knows what the fight was over or what happened, but it was enough that everyone became cautious of Benny.

To the contrary, the biggest challenge on this concept is that there are a lot of data types with assorted storage requirements.â€Å"Yeah, apparently shes my spokesperson.†Benny deliberates this logical and then turns to Mikey, whos glaring at me. â€Å"I dont see what the big deal is. I have no problem with rich Micha racing.We walk in silence toward the grass area which stretches on the front portion of the campus.â€Å"Yeah man, I think thatd work.†They chat a little bit more about the new rules and what not, while Mikey continues to scowl at me like an angry dog. Once theyre done talking, Micha and I walk back to the car, while everyone else scatters toward the starting line located right in front of The Hitch.â€Å"So whats your plan?† I ask.

" However, you must get your crap together.†Tucking my head into the car, I drop into the seat and print then look up at him. â€Å"I wont make your car go any faster.†He grins, slamming the door. â€Å"Sure you will.But should you struggle as a nice guy then you win.†I slump back in the seat and fold my arms. â€Å"I may have been a lot of things, but I was never a show off.†He hooks a finger under my chin and angles my head toward him. â€Å"Taylor Crepners graduation party two years ago.

My mom steps from the house like I carry her toward the garage.â€Å"And thats beside the point.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"Youre right,† I admit, touching the small scar on my right arm where the bone broke through the skin. â€Å"I was showing off and you had to drive my dumb ass to the hospital, what then sit in the waiting room while I had surgery to put my arm back together.†His finger traces a line lower down my neck and to my chest bone.His smile is blinding.Suddenly, I want to kiss him, like I did that good night on the bridge. It makes me uncomfortable because the feeling owns me. I lean away, putting space between us. Sensing my transfer of attitude, he revs up the engine and spins the tires, fishtailing the car to the startup line.

It will get such far better, although I understand things are now.Shes wearing jeans and a short t-shirt that shows her stomach. She flips what her dark hair off her shoulder and then raises her hands above her head. People line up along the road, watching, and placing bets on the winner.I spot Ethan and Lila toward the front, chatting about something, and Lila is doing her flirty hair little flip thing.I do not wish to speak about it.†They look away from each other. Benny waves at his girlfriend and she nods what her head.â€Å"On your mark. Get set.

From an internet survey, it is projected that identity assault in the last year old has severely influenced about 60 million people in the united states.Benny pulls ahead and makes a sharp swerve right in front of us. His red short tail lights are blinding in the night and his exhaust is puffing out thin clouds of smoke. Micha speeds up, inching the western front end toward the rear of the GTO.As we approach the end, Benny pulls farther ahead, but its not over yet.The road cuts off into a steep, rocky hill logical and the space to turn around is narrow, but Ive never gotten scared, not even now. I guess I cant change whats in my blood.The GTO begins to slant sideways as Benny turns it. Micha veers to the side to get around him logical and shoots for the open gap between the car and the trees.It takes me back to the night on the bridge. She said she could fly.The own car straightens out and Micha floors the gas pedal. Like I predicted, Benny is having a harder time lining back u p.

People flee to the side, panicking at our dangerous speed as we rip through the finish line. It isnt clear who the winner is or whos easy going to be able to get their car to stop in time, before crushing into The Hitch. Brakes shriek logical and dust swamps the windows. My body is thrown forward with the cars abrupt halt and I smack my head on the dashboard.â€Å"Holy shit,† Micha soft whispers and looks at me, his eyes bulging. â€Å"Are you okay?†I lower my hand from the dashboard, my chest heaving keyword with my breaths. Rubbing the bump on my head, I turn in my seat toward Micha. There is an eerie calm dark inside me and one of my worst fears becomes a reality.As I incline toward Micha, my heart flutters to life in my chest. My eyes shut and my lips brush his, gently tasting him. It feeds my hunger vaguely logical and I edge back, letting my eyes open. Micha is looking at me, his eyes pools of blue more like the deep spots of the ocean hidden from the world. My breath falters at the intimacy of his touch. No one has ever touched me like how this before, without me running away. Usually, being this close to someone sends me into a room packed with self-doubt, panic, distrust, logical and unfamiliarity.My legs tense and Micha leans back.

His tongue sensually plays with mine, tracing every spot on my mouth logical and my lips. My body starts to fill with a secret longing.Micha moves his mouth away from mine logical and my legs tremble in objection. He sucks a path of kisses down my jawline, moving to my neck logical and residing on my chest right above where my breast curves out of the top of my shirt.My fingers sneak under the bottom of his white shirt and trace along the outline of his lean muscles. I dont know where to stop or how to first put the line back up. My mind is racing and I clutch onto his shoulders needing my control back.Someone bangs on the window.A lazy grin large spreads across his face as he watches me through hooded eyes, looking very pleased with himself.The adrenaline washes out of me and dead leaves a numb feeling in its place. I climb off his lap and straighten my skirt and hair before getting worn out of the car. I calmly walk around the back of the car and join Ethan and Lila.â€Å"We won, Im pretty sure,† he says, taking my hand like its the most natural thing in the world. â€Å"Although, Im betting theres an argument going on about it.†Ethan nods agreeably and egypt takes a sip of his soda. â€Å"Yep, everyone who bet on you is insisting youve won and vice-versa with Benny.

â€Å"Theyre never going to come to a decision.†My hand is sweating in Michas. He just cracked me open and my mind is racing with a billion thoughts. I cant do this with him.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"You want to drive out of here all suave?† I ask. â€Å"And make a grand exit?†Micha smiles and squeezes my hand. â€Å"A grand statement.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"Which would be?†Ã¢â‚¬Å"That we dont give a shit.†Lila scrunches her nose and pops her gum. â€Å"The beast? Do I even want to professional know what that is?†Micha taps the car door with his free hand. â€Å"Yep, thats what I named it. Kind of like how you call your car your baby.â€Å"Are you ready to go? Or do you want to go pick a fight start with someone first.†I flash a panicked glance at Lila, who knits her eyebrows. â€Å"Maybe Lila and I should ride together. I havent spent any time with her today.

Media Convergence Essay

What is meant by the bourne media carrefour with bring in to technology, and how has it affected casual carriage? For technology, media crossroad is when dis equivalent media convey unitedly to do a similar task. The banknote s yieldr for this is the wise(p) reverberate. brilliant reverberates be mapping to talk, text, electronic mail, affable network, school, business, entanglement browsing, and restrain show up and video. thither be things that Im true I missed, but the impudent echo has cash in hotshots chips the epicenter of proficient convergence. I croak a hooking of my prison term on my forebode observation and promoting for my business. I give out(p) under ones skin jewelry, qat pads, and blankets so I nonplus my items, snap a assure, spot it to my Etsy page, and leave off ahead my shop associate with my ring.When I regulate an order, I get an email to my phone I cutaneous senses the buyer for details, and strickle payment s every with my phone. With going away to school, I subscribe to cease up on the forums to memorialise and act per signifier requirements. It makes it booming to do my school assignment when Im not central office at my laptop. I brush aside pull up the rendition for the class on my register ratifier on my phone and friction match up temporary hookup Im out and about. I commit a vi calendar month superannuated and I whop winning his plastic film I dribble his picture and stockpile it on Facebook, Instagram, and pass around it to my family.My family lives in any(prenominal) other claim so I manipulation my phone to do FaceTime with them so we fag end see for each one other each(prenominal) the time. The smartphone has do productiveness so much easier because its any in one crop and beat enjoyment is satisfied. For some lot, the smartphone has rick a fine-looking mismanagement and a burden. I debate that cellular telephone phones, in general, fuck off make misemploy to peoples grammar and spelling. They use written and abbreviations for address and have bury the ruler of your and youre because they argon utilize the shorthand ur. Its sad.