How Gene Luen Yang's Life contributes To the Novel American Born Essay

How Gene Luen Yang's Life contributes To the Novel American Born Chinese - Essay Example Monkey King is a master of the kung-fu arts, and this makes him be adored by his subjects and the most powerful monkey on the earth. However, the Monkey King wants to be recognized as god and not a monkey. Chin-Kee is a typical Chinese stereotype and he keeps on ruining his cousin’s (Danny) life. Danny is a great basketball player and a famous kid at school. However, each year Chin-Kee visits; he is forced to transfer to another school so that he escapes the shame. These three unrelated stories make up the comic novel â€Å"American Born Chinese† (Barnes&Noble 1). Themes The main theme in the comic novel is the attempt to fit in. There is tension between cultural forces and the essential self. In the storyline â€Å"Everyone Ruvs Chin-Kee,† American stereotypes are expressed by Gene Luen Yang’s narration as sitcom. The use of sitcom in this novel is proper because it is a genre that is mostly used in describing stereotypes. Chin-Kee as a typical Chinese is the part that Yang wants to deny in order to fit in with his white friends or peers. Chin-Kee offers nothing important to others in the context of the Chinese culture. This is because he is antiquated and dressed in the Chinese attire, speaks in Chinese accent, and instigates practices that the westerners find to be detestable (Pulliam 1). Chin-Kee eats cats and he is intensely patriarchal. He wants to look for an American girl who is big-breasted and whose feet he is able to bind so that he can have children with her. He plays horrible jokes on his peers, and he does not at all understand proper western behavior. Although Chin-Kee conforms to the stereotypic culture that all Asians are smart, in his case, the knowledge he has, is not useful at all. All the knowledge he has, is to popularize himself in the class and this makes him a laughing stock in an American high school. Yang has become completely assimilated as a Caucasian just like his parents. When it is time for Chin-Kee to leave, each of the parents believes that Chin-Kee is the relative of the other. This demonstrates the degree Jin’s parents have become assimilated (Pulliam 1). The Monkey King story represents the instance of Yang in regard to whom he really is and his culture. Just like the Monkey King, Yang tries to deny his actual self. At the end, the Monkey King must humbly accept who he is just like the monk Wong Lai-Tsao. According to Wong Lai-Tsao, this is the strategy to true transcendence, and it removes the suffering. The monk (Wong Lai-Tsao), â€Å"is free of want because he is free of ego that would make him want what he cannot have† (Pulliam 1). Among the four monks, he is the only monk who has attained legendary status in ancient times and his gifts are said to be remarkable. Wong Lai-Tsao was a master of being humble unlike the other monks who were either masters of bodily needs for movement or food or master rhetoricians. The monk is able to free the Monkey King from prison; he does this by telling him to accept his monkey form and give up all the other forms. If the Monkey King could have done that a long time, he would have been freed from prison. Just like Wong Lai-Tsao, the Monkey King is happy in his true form (the monkey form). Thus, Yang can only find happiness when he accepts who he is (Pulliam 1). Style The comic novel unfolds in three sections: a modern version of the Monkey King myth; the fake-sitcom of â€Å"

The Role of International Organizations in Global Politics Coursework

The Role of International Organizations in Global Politics - Coursework Example Who regulates world politics and resolves the conflicts that naturally arise? And who regulates this regulatory body? The answer to that is a body that is not only answerable to by other countries but also answerable for itself to itself. These bodies are collectively known as International Organizations. The Penguin Dictionary of International Relations (2004) defines International Organizations as â€Å"formal institutional structures transcending national boundaries which are created by multilateral agreement among nation states. What is the role these structures play, and how do they transcend these boundaries? How are these multilateral agreements reached and how is it ensured that they are abided by. These are the questions this essay hopes to explore. The main purpose of international organizations is to foster international cooperation in areas such as security, law, economic and social matters, and diplomacy.†Ã‚   In other words, international organizations are organizations that have global participants and therefore a global influence and mainly are either government or semi-government in nature. As the name suggests, the former refers to global organizations that have a global influence, but they are organizations without government influence of involvement, such as International Committee of the Red Cross or even certain multi-national corporations, as strictly speaking, they too fit under the definition of an international organization. The latter is the better-understood form on an international organization. Intergovernmental International Organizations refer to organizations that are made up of representatives of sovereign states from all over the globe. Examples of these organizations are famously, but naturally n ot confined to, the United Nations or the European Union. This essay will explore the role of international organizations in global politics in reference to the second category, with a particular focus on the two examples given as well as several others.

Zara: Expanding Overseas | SWOT, Porters Five and PEST

Zara: Expanding Overseas | SWOT, Porters Five and PEST Zara is one of the most well known brands in the world and is also one of the largest international fashion companies. They are the third largest brand in the garment industry and are a unit of Inditex. It their flagship range of chain stores and are headquartered in Spain. Zara opened its first outlet in Spain in 1975. The headquarters of the company is based in Galicia. There are more than 2600 stores across 73 countries in the world. The Zara clothing line accounts for a huge bulk of its parent groups revenues. There are other clothing brands owned by Inditex such as KiddyÂÂ ´s Class (childrens fashion), Pull and Bear (youth casual clothes), Massimo Dutti (quality and conventional fashion), Bershka (avant-garde clothing), Stradivarius (trendy garments for young woman), Oysho (undergarment chain) and Zara Home (household textiles). Inditex owns all Zara outlets except for places where they are not allowed ownership of stores (thats where Franchises step in). Zara is renowned for coming up with products on a short timescale instead of taking forever. They are known for taking around 2 weeks to develop products and have been known to come up with around 10,000 new designs every year (which is an industry record). They have bucked the trend by making productions in Europe instead of shifting their entire production to Third World or Developing countries. However some of their clothes are manufactured in parts of Asia due to the fact that they have a longer shelf life. They make most of their own products inside Spain or other European Countries as they own a large number of factories in both Spain and Portugal. They also dont have to depend on anyone else as they can get everything done by themselves. Zara is unique in the way that it does not spend money on marketing and instead concentrates on opening new stores instead. Their brave experiments have led them to be labeled as one of the most innovative retailers in the world. Zara started out with low priced products which were pale imitations of high end fashion products. This move led to Zara being a smashing success and allowed them to expand by opening more stores in Spain. The company management also managed to reduce the time it took to create new designs and came up with the term instant fashions which allowed them to capitalize on new trends really fast. Zara is known to use teams of designers instead of individuals. Zara has to face a lot of competition from HM, Gap and Bentton internationally. Fortunately Zara is considered to be more fashionable than the rest of the brands despite the fact that its price is less than Benetton and Gap. HM is still cheaper than Zara but is equally fashionable as Zara. Gap and Benetton are less fashionable and more pricy. SWOT Analysis (S)trengths Zaras biggest strength is the fact that it provides cost leadership strategy by aiming at efficiency and cost reduction on products. There is a lot of efficiency merely due to the fact that products are put on fast track and costs are kept really low. They dont take a long time to come up with new collections. Zara is able to come up with collections really fast (around 2 weeks to get a collection ready). Zara focuses on what its customers want and thats why they have managed to do so well. They are able to get the opinions of its customers on a daily basis. The data is sent over to the headquarters where it is analyzed. This is a great way of saving time and helps them understand what sort of trends to follow. Since it does not take them a long time to come up with products they are able to cash in on the trends. They are also able to design, manufacture and send out the new products in less than 2 weeks. They are also very efficient when it comes to delivery of the products. Zara employs a huge team of designers who are able to design the clothes they require. Most of these designers are fresh out of Fashion schools and are able to do more for less. Most of the clothes manufactured are made in Spain and there is no need for outsourcing. Zara manufactures and distributes its clothes so it manages to cut out the middle man. This is one reason why they are able to get clothes out there so fast. They also have a great Information technology solution in place which allows for decentralized decision making. (W)eaknesses Zara does not spend any money on marketing or advertising. This is a huge weakness for them as its competitors spend a lot of money on advertising. Zara relies on goodwill and word of mouth so that people can shop at their stores. This is a weakness which can be exploited in the future by its competitors. Another weakness is the fact that Zara only has one manufacturing and distribution centre in the world. This is a double edged sword as it is both a weakness and strength. The fact that they have a huge distribution centre makes it an asset but then if it is hit by some sort of natural disaster or some logistical problem then it can have an adverse effect on its revenues. (O)pportunities There are a lot of opportunities for Zara lying ahead. They need to expand their presence in the USA where they face competition from the likes of GAP. They only have around 49 stores in the US which is not bad but then based on the size of the US that is equivalent to around one store per state. In comparison there are more than 300 stores in Spain which is a fraction of the size of the US. They may have conquered Europe but they still need to expand into the US market so they can give Gap a run for its money. They can grow properly if they expand their presence in the US. Zara is only going for markets where it is doing well such as Italy. However there is a huge opportunity for them to tap into the Indian market. The Indian Economy is doing really well and people over there love to buy good quality brand names at a reasonable price. Zara already has 2 outlets in India but then it wouldnt hurt to expand a bit more and form alliances with local manufacturers. This will make it easier for them to slowly grow within the Indian market. (T)hreats The biggest threat facing Zara is the fact that it is Europe Based. Zara is based in Spain and has a huge number of stores in Europe. Critics believe that there is an over saturation of stores in Europe and that having such a huge number of stores will dent the revenues over the longer term. The other reason is the fact that the Euro tends to be stronger than the Dollar. This is one reason why merchandise from Zara tends to be more expensive in other countries. This can be a big turn off and can have an adverse effect on their revenues in the longer term. Porters Five Forces Porters Five Forces allows us to look at the five forces which help us determine the competitive intensity and the attractiveness of a market. Some of these forces are related to competition from external sources while the rest are internal threats. These are basically all related to the macro environment. The various Forces are threat of substitute products, the threat of established rivals, the threat of new entrants, the bargaining power of suppliers and the bargaining power of customers. Porters Five Forces Analysis Threat of Competitors Zara faces a lot of competition in the market. There are a large number of competitors in the market such as HM, Benetton, Gap, etc. Fortunately The high level of competition makes it tough for everyone as they are all struggling to get a piece of the pie . The biggest problem is that due to the large number of competitors the growth rate is low due to the number of manufacturers around. The clothing industry has peaked and it is very difficult for people to stay in the industry as the competition is cut throat. Customers are spoiled for choice due to the number of brands within the market. They are also very fickle minded and base their buying habits on the basis of new trends. They will only buy based on price and brand recognition and this is why the manufacturers have to keep changing what they do and come up with new ways of gaining customers. The costs of manufacturing new goods are quite high plus it is not easy to procure raw material so thats why the ones who have the resour ces and the ability to do so are able to survive within the market. Threat of New Entrants There is always the threat of new entrants but then the risk is not so much as Zara already has a huge presence in most parts of the world. The barriers for entry for distribution are quite low in Spain ( where the bulk of their clothes come from.) New entrants will have it easy as the cost of distribution is quite low as they only need to rent a shop and need a bit of capital to start out. However when it comes to manufacturing then the barriers of entry are really high mainly due to the fact that it requires a huge investment to get started within the market. Substitutes There is no threat of substitutes as it is a basic necessity for everyone. Customers Bargaining Power Customers have varying levels of bargaining power as they can decide what they want. Customers are quite fickle when it comes to buying clothes. However the good thing is that each customer has a love purchase volume and that means that even if some tend to change their brand there will still be some who will buy Zara. It is not an item like a burger or a snack which is available easily anywhere for a low price. The good thing about the clothing business is that there is no risk nonpayment because customers pay for clothes during purchase. Supplier Negotiation Power There are too many suppliers in the market which is one reason why the suppliers dont have much negotiating power. The fact that Zara procures or makes most of the stuff itself is also another factor which doesnt work in the suppliers favor. If the supplier decides to cut down the supplies the manufacturer can easily go to another manufacturer. PEST Analysis The PEST analysis is a study of the environment before a company begins its marketing process. It is a study of the external macro environment. It stands for Political, Economic, Social, and Technological analysis and is an environmental scanning component of strategic management (P)olitical The political factors affecting Zara are when the government intervenes into the economy and comes up with laws which change the way things are done in the country. The government can easily change its policy and change the ways a business can operate in the country. They can change the laws and do drastic things like changing the interest rate. Zara needs to know the entire system and to be prepared for any potential problems it can face from the government due to a change in policies. (E)conomical Economic factors come into play as they are related to factors such as interest rates, taxation changes, economic growth, inflation and exchange rates. These have the potential to create many problems in the future. There are different duties and levels of tariffs in different countries and this can cause the prices of products to vary in different countries. The price of goods will also vary based on the country of origin and thats what Zara needs to keep in mind. (S)ocial If there are Changes in social trends it will have a huge impact on the demand for Zaras products and the availability and willingness of individuals to work. However that is not likely to happen as its not as if Zara makes niche products. They focus on a huge market and make different types of products so it is quite unlikely that there will be a social shift in this part. However the company still needs to work on trends and to make sure its updated with the times so that it can satisfy its customers and meet the demands of its demographics. (T)echnology Due to advances in technology companies have to make sure that they keep up. Zara has to make sure that they have the latest technology and that they are innovative in every way. The more advanced the technology the more it can bring about some quality. Zara has invested in technology and it has to keep improvising because if they dont then their competitors will get a head start on them. Part 2: Zara is the biggest contributor towards Inditexs profits. Its the most well known brand in the group and has played a huge role in the growth of the group as well as bringing about huge sales and profits. Zaras success has brought about a large number of case studies and reports. It has consolidated its position in the fashion industry and has made a good name for itself. Zaras business model is basically based on the principle that it can sell medium quality fashion clothing at affordable prices. Basically vertical integration and the ability to come up with a quick-response is a key factor to Zaras successful business model otherwise they would be no where without it. The process for Zara has been designed in such a way that it has the various functions within the business system such as designing, sourcing and manufacturing, distribution and retailing. They do all of these themselves and that is one reason why their growth is at a good rate. However what goes up must come down and Zara is not immune to the problems in the world. The way they operate can also prove to be their undoing due to the model they are currently utilizing. The fact that they have their own distribution centre and manufacturing unit is a very weak point. This can be discussed further in this document. The management at Zara have come up four fundamental success factors: short cycle time for creation of product, small quantity per product (and not too much of the same stock) , extensive variety of product every season (so that users can choose easily) as well as a huge investment in information and communication technology to allow them to stay on track . Zara knows what its customers want by tracking their preferences on a year round basis. They have their own team of designers who have been recruited fresh out of fashion school. It is not a tough job to tell them what they want based on the input they receive. They make around a limited quantity of clothes based on the 11000 various items designed by its in-house staff. Zara does not make any losses as they only order a limited quantity of each item which they believe is stylish and will be more restricted season wise. For example if they have miniskirts in design they will only be available for a short time due to the short summer period in Europe. Other clothes which can work the year around and for which the trend does not change are outsourced to Asia as the cost wont be so high. The outsourcing operation is very handy mainly because these clothes have a longer shelf life. It does not take a long time for the clothes to be prepared as it merely takes around 4 weeks total for the whole process : from design to the finished product in the stores. The fact that Zara knows what sort of trends are there in the market and are quick enough to change their strategy to match the trends in the fashion industry gives them a huge advantage. They are able to modify their timetable easily to adjust for a change in the trends in the market. Normally it takes around 8 to 12 months for any normal retailer to forecast trends and come up with a style and send it for production. They are unable to match what Zara does and they end up losing big time. Even if a style fails to sell much, Zara can easily sell the clothes on a discount. The fact that they quantity of clothes manufactured was so low that they lose much. Their low volume strategy has helped them have a very low number of discount sales every year as compared to a high rate for the rest of the industry. However this leads to higher costs which is a disadvantage but then they dont have to worry about having higher inventories. This method allows for a low inventory and high profit margins. They dont save any money here with costs but then they get the maximum out of their clothing line. A problem they face is the fact that since Zara controls everything it is not easy for them to expand or relocate as they have to stay put in one place or the whole operation will suffer and the goods will cost more to distribute. Zaras business model is wonderful in the sense that it has a very fashion forward line as they know which trends to cash in on. They seem to have the midas touch of turning everything into gold. Their policy is to have a mostly young and fashion conscious staff so that they will also be able to double as trend setters. If for instance a certain item in a store sells well then the management decides to sell the same item in other locations as well. The key is that most of the items are in short supply and people presume that there is a shortage of items which ends up making consumers want to buy more. A key factor in Zaras success is the fact that it has sourced its products from the right places. They have based their procurement offices in a couple of fashionable cities in the world. This allows them to witness the trends first hand and then to quickly come up with a solution of their own. They dont buy all the raw products on their own as they use one of their parent groups procurement units to do all its purchasing. One clever move on their part is that they buy most of their fabric in grey so that there is greater flexibility. It doesnt take long for the fabric to be prepared. The main distribution artery is in Spain where they have their biggest distribution centre. They also have some smaller distribution centers in countries such as Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. The problem with the distribution centre is that it is purely based in Spain and does not have the capacity for a heavy load. It is a huge distribution centre and occupies around 500,000 square feet in total. They only have the capability of processing around 60,000 folded garments in an hour. They need to find a new distribution centre or increase their operations so that they can save more time. However the biggest advantage for them is the fact that they have vertical integration which allows them to manufacture and distribute their own stuff without having to be at the mercy of any supplier. It is not tough to move any of their products as they have their own railway network which allows them to move goods easily to its distribution centre. Once the goods are ready they are shipped out immed iately though the shipping schedule is only twice a week. European stores get their goods early (around 24-36 hours) while other destinations get them within 2 days. This system has allowed them to achieve a very high level of accuracy in its shipments. The other good thing is that the outlets dont take long to display the new outfits once they reach their destination and this allows them to show new stock to their customers. The clothes are also coded according to their color so that the staff knows where to place them. This makes it easier for the customers to go around color matching the items they want to buy. Problems with Zara Zara is facing a large number of issues which can cause them a number of problems in the future. Despite the fact that Zara has a consistent business system which gives them a competitive advantage it is always in the danger of tanking badly. Zaras biggest advantage is the fact that its economies of scale are really good and that they have been able to ramp up their distribution system. The continued growth is good for them in every way. They have been helped a lot by their expansion in the international market. However their growth in the international market will be curtailed due to the reason that Zara has a very centralized logistics model. It is understandable that Zara has to expand its distribution centers and to increase its capacity. Zara has its main distribution centre in Spain and it wont be easy going trying to expand when their base is only in Spain. This will affect their plans to go international and to target more regions. They cant simply survive with a European presence alone. It is true that they do have a presence in other countries but then it is not as much as it should be. They have a huge presence in Spain but quite limited when it comes to other countries. They can easily target the North American region where they dont have much of a presence compared to the huge size of the region. The problem is that there are a lot of outlets there and a lot of competition coupled with the need for plus sized clothing, high cost of operations and a very mature market. Zara needs to come up with a strategy so they can compete very aggressively over there. They can also target South America but the problem is that it is not a very stable region and any geopolitical problems can lead to profits being low. A good market would be the ever reliable Middle East where Zara already has a small presence. However with talks of revolution in the air and other geo political problems it can be a risky bet. There are a few countries in the region which will lead it to be profitable but then the market is small compared to other regions. They can easily opt for countries such as the South East Asian markets and South Asia which have a lot of potential. Recommendations Zara can easily go around and expand its operations in many ways. The best thing would be to take it easy for the short term and to go for further expansion in Europe. Spain and Italy are neighbors and the fact that Zara has its main distribution centre in Spain will make it easy for Zara. For the time being they dont need to open any more distribution centers as they can work with regions which are quite near in proximity to them. Italy is one of the most fashion savy countries in Europe along with France. Zara already has 70 plus stores in the country but then they can do a lot better. They can enhance their presence in the market and try and take some share from some of its know rivals such as Benetton and HM. the biggest way for Zara to expand is to try and open another Distribution Centre in Eastern Europe and to be able to expand its operations in Eastern Europe. A number of countries are coming into the European Union and are ripe for the picking. They already have a presence in some countries but the number of stores per region is not as much as it should be. Zara should expand further in the Asian markets once they have been able to do their bit in Europe. They have already tested the waters in Asia despite the fact that there is a lot of competition from local vendors there. However the fact that people in the developing countries and with surging economies will be sure to try out Foreign brands and that would be one reason why its a good idea to expand further in Asia. The only problem is that Zara is based in Spain and that all their designs come from that region. The fact that they make items in limited quantities ensuring a low inventory will scuttle their plans to expand easily. If Zara decentralizes its manufacturing policy it can easily set up its own operations and distribution centre in Asia. It wont be easy as they will still have to procure items via local vendors. If they are unable to create a distribution centre in Asia they can still create a larger upscale distribution centre in Spain where they are able to take the load of supplying to a larger number of stores. In this way they will be able to keep up with the demand and supply. This will help in the growth of the company and allow them to face challenges. It wouldnt be a bad idea to expand in the US market in the long term even if it is not so friendly towards European labels. Competitors such as Benetton and HM have faced problems with the US market in the past. However Zara has the resources and the ability to be able to expand within the market. They can expand easily in the US market only if they manage to curb their costs which are quite high at the moment. They also need to invest in a proper high end IT system which can help them go with the trends. They will not have the advantage of the system they have in Spain as its a totally different ball game over there. There will be different political and economic circumstances which will dictate the way they do everything. It wont be easy to change their entire business model just for another region. This would mean that they have to decentralize the way they work so that they can work in the US. They would have to establish a distribution centre in Mexico or another cheaper place so that they can cater to the needs. The cost of labor wont be so much but the fact that it is decentralized and not under the control of the Spanish HQ. On the bright side it will be cheaper to ship products and the tariffs will be low. This will allow them to save a lot on costs and they will be able to keep their prices the same way they are in the origin countries. They will also be able to enjoy greater margins in this way. They will also be able to resolve other matters such as retailing overcapacity, less fashion-forwardness, need for larger sizes, and considerable internal variation. Risks The risks associated with expanding overseas are that it will require a lot of capital. They need to establish new facilities and it is not an easy task. They have to do a number of studies and research the market properly before they go ahead. It wont be an easy feat setting up everything from scratch. They will also have to train people the way they operate in Spain. However they can still keep the design and procurement process centralized as technology will allow their units to do what they want. Its just the units which need to be decentralized. There is the huge possibility that they will face a number of obstacles and losses before they can actually do something. The only problem is that they will face problems with their margin while they are at it. They will have to face increased costs and will have to pass on the buck to consumers so that their bottom line is not affected. Hypothetically they can also opt for joint ventures or franchising if they dont want to go and expand in the US. The only problem is that joint ventures and franchises dont always pan out as required. It can create problems for their brand name and can cause many unforeseen problems in the future. It is never a good idea to give out a franchise or work in a joint venture unless there is synergy between the two partners. Conclusion In the end it is highly recommended that Zara keep its house and affairs in order before they can think of expansion. Due to the environmental factors and the fact that the Euro Zone will not always be so stable should shake it out of its comfort zone. Expansion is the key but they have to play their cards right and plan their move properly before they end up making some costly mistakes.

Casting a Circle :: essays research papers

Casting a Circle   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Casting a circle is one of the most basic magickal acts that a Witch does. Circles are used for rituals and sometimes magickal workings. A circle does a number of things. Most importantly, it protects the practitioner(s) from spirits, negative energies, and other nasty things out there. With that in mind, please be sure to practice with extreme care and be sincere in what you are doing. Abide by the Wiccan Reed* and you should be fine. The circle also serves as a sacred place in which to do ritual workings like sabbat celebrations and certain spells. The circle keeps the energy in a contained area so that it can be concentrated and strengthened as much as possible before it goes out to do its job. So without â€Å"further ado† here is how... Ok, first things first. Prepare your area. There are two ways to do this. One walk around the circumference of where the circle will be and sprinkle water to wash the area, or two, water mixed with salt for a stronger purification. Try doing both and stick with which ever works better for you. Now you may cast. A circle is created with energy, and you are the director of that energy. Make sure you know where the boundaries will be before you cast it and have everything that you are going to use inside of this area because breaking the circle drains a lot of energy and is just not fun to do.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Start out by clearing your mind. Next, visualize the energy of nature and the universe mixing with your own, building up inside of you. Simply see yourself glowing a bright purple or blue. On the other hand, any other color if you feel more comfortable, do whatever you feel is the best way to do it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Now, pick a quarter or cardinal point at which to start. I usually pick North because it is what I've always been taught, but some Celtic traditions start with East, I've heard. Point your athame, wand, finger, or whatever you use towards the ground and see the energy flowing out. Begin to walk clockwise (Towards your right) and walk the circumference of the circle. While you're doing this, be sure to imagine a circle forming. Don't see it as a circle on the ground, but as a giant sphere with you inside. Half of it is above the ground, you are walking on a plane through the diameter, and the other half is below the ground.

Alliteracy Definition Essay

Alliteracy is defined by Merriam-Webster’s dictionary as the quality or state of being able to read but uninterested in doing so. I, myself, am an example of the definition Merriam-Webster gives. I am fully competent of picking up a book and reading it. When I have spare time available, I could easily walk over to the book shelf in my house, where my wife has many books ranging from romance to science fiction, pick one out and read it. However, it is not a something that draws my attention or seems of interest to do. I only read when it is required of me, such as work related text and school related text. On the contrary, Mortimer Adler was a man who loves books! In his 1940 essay, â€Å"How to Mark a Book,† Adler defines how reading is more than just reading. It is the act of active reading- a skill- that requires using certain strategies in order to remember and understand what you read by highlighting, underlining, and make annotations in the book to help you remembe r and understand what you’ve read. Adler states, â€Å"Marking up a book is not an act of mutilation but of love.† (Adler, 1940) Adler’s form of reading requires putting forth effort that people who are alliterate may not see as relevant for reasons such as technological advances and an expensive hobby during a time of recession. One technological advance that has replaced books is through the invention of the television, which was a modern day marvel of its time and still continues to be. The invention of the television brought news and entertainment to the general population easier and faster than any book or newspaper ever could. People started relying on television more and more and reduced or eliminated reading from their daily activities. Between 1955 and 1975, when television were predominately introduced, a study showed that the average amount of time a person spent reading fell from 5 hours a day to 3.6 hours a day. However, as time went on and a larger variety of shows became available and tele vision hours extended those figures changed significantly. The same study shows that by 1995, the average person spent 9 percent of the spare time reading in comparison to 21 percent in 1955. Adler states, â€Å"They forget that it is possible for a man to acquire the idea, to process beauty, which a great book contains.† (Adler, 1940) However, does it truly mean that because people don’t read, they cannot acquire ideas or process the beauty behind ideas and creativity? I disagree. Television has been a wonderful source for information as we learn tons of information about places and people that we seldom learn about in written literature. We can easily learn about new cultures, different places, and how to do things without turning through page after page of words. Television, furthermore, helps improve memory as we are able to recall what we see easier than by what we’ve read. Another factor that has helped to cause alliteracy is money. People just don’t have the funds to purchase the high prices that are placed on books especially during these recessive times. Buying books is an expensive hobby and outside of the reach of the average person who is struggling just to pay their bills. According the National Endowment for the Arts, reading participation increases quite progressively for each increase in family income. Based on the survey, which was taken in 2002, approximately one-third of family with an income under $10,000 read literature during the survey year. This was in comparison to 61 percent of family with incomes of $75,000 or more. Based on these surveys, it is proven that lower family incomes are linked with alliteracy rates. In Adler’s How to Mark a Book, Adler makes the statement, â€Å"†¦buy yourself a cheap edition and pay your respects to the author,† (Adler, 1940) for the sole purpose to â€Å"Mark† the book up. Adler throws this idea out freely as if everyone is able to afford the cost of books. However, Adler was American professor, philosopher, and educational theorist who was more than likely in the 61 percentile that the National Endowment for the Arts surveyed. It is not feasible to assume that everyone can afford the price of books and may face allitaracy for that reason. Adler’s form of reading requires putting forth effort that people who are alliterate may not see as relevant for reasons such as technological advances and an expensive hobby during a time of recession. If the purpose of Adler’s reasoning in marking a book is to share an intimate relationship with the author, then maybe technological advances will one day bring that to the masses in a more affordable way.

Sexual Harassment And Assault Response Prevention

Sexual Harassment and Assault Response Prevention (SHARP) Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention (SHARP) is a going problem in the military and the world. The reason why SHARP is on the increase is that people are starting to report it. When SHARP first appeared in the many military people did not know how to report it. It is important that all soldiers and the civilians know the process how to report SHARP. According to the SHARP guide book Sexual Harassment is â€Å"Sexual Harassment is a form of sex discrimination that involves unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when submission to such conduct made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a person’s job, pay, or career, or submission to, or rejection of, such conduct by an individual is used as a basis for career or employment decisions affecting that person, or such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment† (2013). According to the Department of Defense Directive 6495.01 â€Å"Sexual Assault is intentional sexual contact characterized by the use of force, threats, intimidation, or abuse of authority or when the victim does not or cannot consent. The term includes a broad category of sexual offenses consisting of the following specific UCMJ offenses: rape, sexual assault, aggravated sexual contact, abusive sexualShow MoreRelatedGender, Sexual, And Sexual Harassment And Assault Response And Prevention1997 Words   |  8 PagesArmy wide. These challenges include the potential increase in gender discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual assaults. NCOs will have to rely on their ability to implement the Core Leader Competencies (Leads, Develops and Achieves) to ensure the successful integration of women. The greatest challenge will be in developing cohesive teams while ensuring the Army’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) program is successfully implemented. T his will require developing their subordinatesRead MoreSHARP in the Military Work Force Essay1701 Words   |  7 PagesWell-being of the force, military discipline, and conduct, the Army Equal Opportunity (EO) Program, and the Army Sexual Assault Victim Program.â€Å" For a long time, the Army’s EOP Equal Opportunity Program had been involved in taking care of the issues of Sexual harassment in the work force. Now the Army has instituted the SHARP Program; the Sexual Harassment / Assault Recovery and Prevention program. My research begins to ask the question; why is this program now separate from the Equal OpportunityRead MoreSexual Harassment At The Workplace1270 Words   |  6 PagesManagement and Leadership TOPIC of INTEREST: Sexual Harassment in the (Army) Workplace The main significance of this proposal is to bring to light a review of the sexual harassment that takes place at the workplace. Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination that violates the equality of human rights in the workplace. These are very unfortunate incidences that still occur in a manner that is unrestrained. In this section, sexual harassment is going to be defined first. Furthermore, emphasisRead MoreThe Code Of Conduct For Armed Forces1413 Words   |  6 Pagesdiscrimination, harassment, conflicts of interest, customer confidence issues, and/or use of corporate resources. The Armed Forces of the United States deals with major issues involving sexual assault/harassment and soldiers. Discovery. The instances involving sexual harassments/assaults that were exposed was the Tailhook scandal of 1991, the Aberdeen scandal of 1996, and the United States Air Force Academy Sexual Assault Scandal of 2003. Although the issue of sexual harassment and assaults on soldiersRead MoreImpact of SHARP on the Army In March 2009 the Army sent out an ALARACT 075/20091100 Words   |  5 PagesImpact of SHARP on the Army In March 2009 the Army sent out an ALARACT 075/2009 SEXUAL HARASSMENT/ASSAULT RESPONSE AND PREVENTION (SHARP) INITIATIVES. This ALARACT dealt with how the Army would implement the new SHARP policy. This policy took the place of the old Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) program. The main push of the initiative is to institute a culture of change within the United States Army. The Armed Services has always been a microcosm of the US people. Nowhere else willRead MorePaper On Sexual Assault1662 Words   |  7 PagesSubject The military has made progress in reducing sexual assault and connecting victims to services. Sexual assault runs against the grain of military standards of service and value, yet it continues to happen. Repercussions for reporting these assaults are creating challenges for our service members, and hindering the progress of their mental and physical care. Continued and expanded efforts are needed to help support survivors and work to prevent sexual violence from occurring. Policy changes to theRead MoreSexual Assault And Sexual Harassment1841 Words   |  8 Pagesâ€Å"Campus Sexual Assault Victim’s Bill of Rights Act of 1991.† This act was signed into law in 1992. This book in a continuation of what still needs to be done to prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment on college campuses. This book covers why college institutions handle sexual assault poorly and the consequence of their negligence. To do this subject justice they focus on the following questions: 1. What is the definition of sexual assault? 2. How often, who and where do sexual assaults happenRead MoreSexual Harassment903 Words   |  4 Pages UC Implements New Procedures for Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment On September 1, 2017, University of California implemented a new systemwide procedure for the investigation, disposition, and adjudication of sexual violence and sexual harassment cases under the UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy (â€Å"SVSH Policy†) as it relates to faculty and non-represented academic appointees. Each UC campus created local procedures to define the process for the investigation and adjudication ofRead MoreSexual Assault And Sexual Harassment1251 Words   |  6 Pagesand left, trained to stay there regardless of what may happen. A special bond develops when leaders live their lives following the fundamentals of leadership.†-- SMA Glen E. Morrell Today, sexual assault and sexual harassment continues to occur throughout the Army. The effects of sexual assault and harassment can be psychological, emotional, and/or physical. Some of the effects victims may experience is depression, anxiety, PTSD, or even suicide. Occurrences of these events is harmful to the moraleRead MoreSexual Assault And Sexual Harassment1873 Words   |  8 Pagesco-authored The Campus Sexual Assault Victim’s Bill of Rights Act of 1991. President George H. W. Bush signed this act was signed into law in 1992. This book in a continuation of what still needs to be done to prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment on college campuses. This book covers why college institutions handle sexual assault poorly and the consequence of their negligence. To do this subject justice they focus on the following questions: 1. What is the definition of sexual assault? 2. How often

Essay about Is Ethnography a Suitable method for Research

Is Ethnography a Suitable method for Research on Residential Satisfaction and Community Participation. Ethnography within its wider field of research is described as the study of peopleamp;#8217;s behaviour in terms of social contexts, with emphasis on interaction in everyday situations (Lindsay, 1997). It is further defined as research that constitutes the art and science of describing a group or culture (Fetterman, 1989). However, the specific definition that will be used throughout this work, is that of its role within qualitative research, which is summarised by Wainwright (1997) in his paper in The Qualitative Report, stating that ethnography can be distinguished as: amp;#8220;...the attempt to obtain an in-depth understanding of†¦show more content†¦When comparing the advantages of interviews with the method of observational research, it is obvious that interviews are far cheaper and much faster in generating data, being able to be completed in an hour or so. Hence, respondent numbers are usually higher than a research based upon observational techniques (Haralambos, 1986). Interviews also have the advantage of enabling the interviewer to examine quite complex issues, in a great depth of understanding as the interviewer is actually asking the respondent and receiving specific answers. Answers are available to compare with the interviewers personal observations, rather than just having simply observations (Hammersley, 1990; Hammersley, 1992). The main disadvantages of interviews is the problem of amp;#8216;interviewer biasamp;#8217; where the interviewer influences and directs the answer given by the respondent by his presence, or inadequate interviewing skills, in the fact that particular answers may be expected and this may transmit to the respondent and influence his or her reply (Haralambos, 1986; Lindsay, 1997). Additionally, difficulties also arise from the effect that discussions are artificial situations, especially when comparing this method with observational techniques. Respondents frequently tell researchers what they think they want to hear, and also what might be more acceptable than what actually goes on orShow MoreRelatedResearch Methods Are Used For Conducting Research757 Words   |  4 PagesResearch methods are referred as the techniques that are being used for conducting research in specific context or scenario. Myers and Avison (2002) interpreted the research methods in qualitative research as the strategy, which flows the underlying philosophical assumptions to research design and data collation. It influences the way of designing the research and collocating the data. A range of qualitative research methods, in particular for interpretivism research, can be adopted such as ethnographyRead MoreFacilitating Career Planning for African American Women in Organizational Leaders hip1283 Words   |  6 Pagesand retention of, African American women in levels of leadership within the Commonwealth. And while this topic may cause discomfort to both the researcher and the interviewees, â€Å"discomfort is an important, even desirable component of qualitative research. Being uncomfortable makes us more aware and alert, stretches our thinking, and enriches our insight about the very struggles and experiences of the marginalized or oppressed populations we study† (Padgett, 2004, p. 236). Purpose of the Study Read MoreImproving The New Online System Essay1720 Words   |  7 Pagesappropriate research method based on a literature review of research in hopes to understand the online systems efficiency more profusely. The purpose of this proposal is to suggest an appropriate style of research to head management on the new online system in regards to receiving and accessing roster shifts via smartphone app. The first section of the proposal will explain the importance of research and critical thinking followed by understanding the characteristics of the research report thatRead MoreThe Factors That Influence Women s Participation1500 Words   |  6 Pagesand observed various sports and sporting activities. In this chapter I will present the research techniques that I used for the study. The topics I will cover include: study design and method, sampling, sampling units, data collection, study area, my personal experience, data analyses, practice and theory in the field, observer effect and reality on the ground, and ethics. 3.2 The study design and methods This ethnographic study involved the use of participant observation, interviews and autoethnographyRead MoreResearch Methodology Used For Research1207 Words   |  5 PagesResearch Methodology Introduction This chapter discusses the methodology used for this research. Describing type of methodology in research study and define the chosen method and approach for this research. Then, the outline of research strategy used, framework this research conducted and data sources collected to obtain valid and reliable research as the objective determined. Review of Research of Methodology Broadly speaking, there are several purpose of research. It depends on the objectiveRead MoreEthnographers Relevance in Aiding the Understanding of Diverse Social Issues 927 Words   |  4 PagesIntroduction Ethnography is the study that facilitates the understanding of social interactions, behaviors and perceptions of individuals that are social, economic, and cultural in nature. Ethnographers study various aspects that present social connotations within diverse groups of people, teams, institutions, and societies. Its aim is to foster effective provision of credible information and insights pertaining to people’s views actions including nature (Kuper, 2006, p. 1). This paper gives credibleRead MoreQualitative Design Chart Essay1097 Words   |  5 Pagesqualitative research study depends on the research design. The qualitative design itself originates out of the disciplines and flow throughout the process of research (Creswell, 2014). Creswell (2014) recommends narrative, phenomenology, ethnography, case study, and grounded theory as common qualitative research methods. These were recommended because of they are popular across the social and health and science research studie s. Hays and Woods (2011) asserted that selecting a research traditionRead MoreInternational Students Cope With Eating American Cuisine Essay831 Words   |  4 Pagesthat international students face is coping with American food. With food being linked to culture, international students must face one of the hardest tasks when coming to America, eating someone else’s culture while neglecting their own. In this research project, I will investigate how international students cope with eating American cuisine or what measures they take to avoid it. Introduction: Nothing represents a culture better than food. Food is the fastest way for people to bond and experienceRead MoreThe Impact Of Gender Inequality On Employee Satisfaction And Work Life Balance948 Words   |  4 PagesThe variables for this research are discussed below: Independent variable: gender inequality Dependent Variables: Employee satisfaction well-being and Work-life Balance. The research will analyse the impact of gender inequality on employee satisfaction and work-life balance. The two dependent variables are selected on the basis of their importance in measuring employee well-being. The measurement of the independent and dependent variables has been made possible by analysing the data collected throughRead MoreContribution Of An Ethnographic Research On Friendship1100 Words   |  5 Pagesapproach to research on friendship. I will be looking at, and including evidence to support both sides of the argument as to whether or not this research method is in fact useful when it comes to gaining knowledge about friendship. As well as evaluating this method, I will compare it against others to reflect on the strengths, weaknesses and the typical data collected. I will look at some of the questions about friendship that have been addressed, and then whether this is the best method or if there