Saturday, November 30, 2019

Unstructured decisions Essay Example

Unstructured decisions Paper Unstructured decision involved complex Situations, where the decisions are complicated and unknown. Where the decision maker rely heavily on the experience, judgment and knowledge for such decisions. As part of HSBC`s business strategy their top level management decided to continue giving subprime mortgage loans to the U. S customers. A subprime mortgage loan is a kind of loans which is offered to customers with poor credit history and low income. Though it was high risky HSBC continued with loans, not only that but also they begin buying up subprime loans from different sources like wholesale mortgage company and independent brokers and others banks. The housing boom and high competitions among the lenders influenced HSBC to make such decisions. Despite of being high risky the loan seems to be tempting because of their high interest which was source of higher revenue for HSBC. These decisions, which were unstructured, were made by top level management based on their judgment market evaluation risk analysis and others internal and external factors. Later on, to overcome the mortgage crisis HSBC made some decisions. They made some changes in their personnel and policies. They stop giving state income loans and increased the required FICO score for qualifying the loans. So all that top level management decisions lead to significant changes in HSBC. Semi-structure decisions: Where a number features can be shared with both the operational and strategic levels. IN the case of HSBC, In terms of purchasing pool of mortgages loan s from wholesaler the middle level management made some semi structure decision s which includes offering state income loans. We will write a custom essay sample on Unstructured decisions specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Unstructured decisions specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Unstructured decisions specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer HSBC accepting the loans application based on their credit score and documentation like income level, occupation, job position etc. Middle level management made the above semi structure decisions by co-coordinating the decision of the top level management with the implementation by the operational management. Structured Decisions: Structured decision involved repeated and routine works that are managed using certain procedure by the operational management. In the case of HSBC, they decided to pursue subprime mortgage and to implement these, they set guidelines to the operational level management. The operational management approved the credit cards, loans and mortgages based on FICO (Fair Isaac Corporation of Minneapolis) score which is a credit rating institution. They accepted it as a reliable tool for sectioning loans to the customers. This sort of decisions was made by operational management which was structured decision that followed certain procedure. When deciding to pursue subprime mortgages they took some wrong decisions in their decision making process. In my opinion where in the decision making process HSBC went are described below. HSBC flipped some of the second-lien mortgages loans to others company and keep some as investment. HSBC predicted customers will continue the payments and they will earn revenue from the interest. But customers were unable to go on with their payments and that incurred losses to HSBC. In my opinion, HSBC failed to make proper market analysis that lead to wrong forecasting. When providing State income loans, HSBC relied on the information and documents supplied by the applicants. But ninety percentages of the applicants declared their income higher than their real income. Some people overstated their employment position. Therefore they got the loans more than they can afford. In my opinion they did not verified the information and documents of the customers and that was a mistake done by HSBC. When evaluating applicants for credit card, loans and fixed rate mortgages they relied on FICO credit score, but it was not proven as a reliable tool for approving second lien loans and mortgages. So in my opinion using the FICO scoring systems was a wrong decision.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Essay on The American Ideology

Essay on The American Ideology Essay on The American Ideology Essay on The American IdeologyAmerican ideology can be influenced by the media to allow a secret government to operate outside of the democratic principles of the United States. G. William Domhoff ideas about opinion-shaping networks give explanation to the impact of the media on public opinion. According to Domhoff, â€Å"structural economic power and control of the two parties, along with the elaboration of an opinion shaping network, results in a polity where there is little or no organized public opinion independent of the limits set by debates within the power elite itself† (p. 200). Domhoff argues that various tools of public opinion formation contribute to the network propaganda. In other words, the media and the government play a crucial role in the formation of public opinion and social order.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In Bill Moyers’ documentary The Secret Government The Constitution In Crisis (1987), the secret government is defined as â₠¬Å"an interlocking network of official functionaries, spies, mercenaries, ex-generals, profiteers and super-patriots, who for a variety of motives operate outside the legitimate institutions of government.† Bill Moyers is a talented American journalist, a recognized public commentator who has always been interested in the functioning of the secret government. The secret government is used to assist Presidents in case they lack support of the Congress and citizens. One of the segments of the Moyer clip is a 20 minute segment, which tells about the inner functioning of the secret government, about its successes and failures.   This segment from Moyer’s documentary is very important for understanding of today’s political situation and the role of the secret government. The interviews with outstanding military and intelligence officers, as well as government insiders highlight the key secret objectives of powerful specialized groups that work for the U.S. governmen t. For example, Admiral Gene La Rocque tells about the National Security Act of 1947, which gave Americans the nation’s security. Bill Moyers argues that the CIA has become the major organ of the new secret government. The major goal of this institution has always been to gather foreign intelligence for the U.S. to maintain the leading position at the global level. Besides, covert operations organized by the secret government contributed to the U.S. power.I believe that the secret government violates democracy and the principles of â€Å"Americanism.†Ã‚   Moyer’s documentary The Secret Government The Constitution In Crisis demonstrates that the U.S. government has always been focused on secret operations. Moyer states that â€Å"the secret bank accounts†, â€Å"the shady characters† and other secret elements were aimed at protecting the United States from all types of threats. However, it becomes clear that the secret government has never followed the major democratic principles.   The Economist provides an article, which criticizes the U.S. attitude toward democracy, highlighting democracy-suppression. It has been found that â€Å"the real, secret rules† govern American life (America against democracy, 2013).Thus, the secret government has a strong impact on American ideology through the media, which allow the secret government agents to operate outside of the democratic principles of the United States. American ideology is based on the U.S. Constitution and human rights. However, the secret government operates in its own way, ignoring the established democratic principles in order to maintain the U.S power worldwide.

Friday, November 22, 2019

PSAT Practice Tests Free Questions and Full-Length Tests

PSAT Practice Tests Free Questions and Full-Length Tests SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Why buy a bunch of PSAT practice tests when you can find them online for free? To make your search as easy as possible, I've compiled all the best PSAT practice tests and sample questions available online. Read on for 10 downloadable official PSAT practice test PDFs,along with 10 bonus SAT practice tests. Since the College Board has only released two official practice tests for the current version of the PSAT, I'll also explain how you can modify older practice tests to effectively prepare for the test. Let's get right to it with the first official PSAT practice test PDF for you to download. Practice Tests for the PSAT Thoughthe PSAT changed in the fall of 2015, there still aren't a whole lot of updated PSAT practice materials available. The College Board currently offers two sample PSAT practice testswith answer keys. These arethe best resources out there so far for practice questions for the PSAT: Official PSAT Practice Test 1 - Score Your Test - Answer Explanations Official PSAT Practice Test 2 - Score Your Test - Answer Explanations Test-prep company Ivy Global has also made their version of a PSAT practice test PDFavailable on their website. Keep in mind that these are not official College Board questions.Although they resemblePSAT questions and are useful practice, they're not an exact representation of what you'll encounter on test day. As time goes on, more and more practice materials specific to the current version of thePSATwill be released. For now, you can use a combination of the above resources, older PSAT practice tests, and official SAT practice questions to prep effectively. Before we delve into these other test-prep materials, though, how can you use these two newer PSAT practice tests to study for the exam? How to Use Updated PSAT Practice Tests for PSAT Prep As I mentioned, the College Board's official practice tests are the best representation of what you'll see when you take the PSAT. Before taking them, you should review the content and format of the PSATso you have a sense of what skills to focus on and develop. When you actually take the practice tests, be sure to simulate testing conditions by timing yourself and making sure you're familiar with the test format and instructions. Like with the SAT, there's no score penalty for wrong answers,so make your best guess on every question. Since there are only two official PSAT practice tests currently available, I would recommend saving them until you have done some initial studying. Then you can see how effective your studying has been, analyze your results to get a clear sense of your strengths and weaknesses, and readjust your focus as needed. Want to improve your PSAT score by 150 points? We have the industry's leading PSAT prep program. Built by Harvard grads and SAT full scorers, the program learns your strengths and weaknesses through advanced statistics, then customizes your prep program to you so that you get the most effective prep possible. Check out our 5-day free trial today: Practice Tests for the Old (Pre-2015) PSAT Below, we've compiled eight PSAT practice test PDFs with answer keys that you can download and print out. These consist offour official College Board tests and four unofficial ones. They are scored out of 240 (with the Critical Reading, Math, and Writing sections each worth 80 points) and deducta 1/4 point for each wrong answer. Keep this different system in mind while scoring these old practice tests. Official PSAT Practice Test 1 Official PSAT Practice Test 2 Official PSAT Practice Test 3 Official PSAT Practice Test 4 Unofficial PSAT Practice Test 1 Unofficial PSAT Practice Test 2 Unofficial PSAT Practice Test 3 Unofficial PSAT Practice Test 4 As mentioned above, the PSAT no longer takes a1/4 point deduction for wrong answers; now, it uses rights-only scoring,meaning you get one point for each correct answer and no points for wrong or skipped answers. The current PSAT scores Math on a scale from 160 to 760, and Reading and Writing together on the same scale (160 to 760). Your composite PSAT score, therefore, will be between 320 and 1520. You'll also get individual test scores for Math, Reading, and Writing and Language between 8 and 38 (these are then converted into the scaled scores above from 160 to 760). Besides using adifferent scoring system on the old PSAT practice tests, what else can you do to make your practice testing relevant for the current PSAT? How to Use Old PSAT Practice Tests for PSAT Prep To adapt your studying, you mustfamiliarize yourself with the changes in question types and skills on the current PSAT. For instance,changes to the PSAT in 2015eliminated sentence completion questions in favor of passage-based vocabulary questions, whichask you to define more common words that have multiple meanings. The PSAT also wants you to be able to find evidence for your answers in a passage, graph, or chart. These questions will ask you to interpret details, main points, or data in the context of a passage or other information provided.As a result, you'll need to concentrate on passage-based Reading questions and Math questions that require you tointerpret data from charts and graphs. Generally speaking, the Reading and Math questions on old PSAT practice tests are still very useful for prepping for the current PSAT. That being said, note that the old PSAT was two hours and 10 minutes long, whereasthe current PSAT is a little longer at two hours and 45 minutes.To practice pacing yourself over this longer amount of time, you might add an extra section or two to your practice test. All these changes in content, skills, and scoring match the ones made to the SAT in 2016.Below, we've compiled 10 practice tests for the SATyou can use to prep! Plus, you'll find free SAT practice questions online. But wait, there's more! Practice Tests and Sample Questions for the SAT Like the PSAT, there still aren't a ton of practice materials out for the current version of the SAT, which was firstadministered in the spring of 2016. However, we've gathered 10 official SAT practice tests (with answer keys) that you can download and take: SAT Practice Test 1:Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations | Essay SAT Practice Test 2:Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations | Essay SAT Practice Test 3:Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations | Essay SAT Practice Test 4:Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations | Essay SAT Practice Test 5:Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations |Essay SAT Practice Test 6:Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations |Essay SAT Practice Test 7:Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations |Essay SAT Practice Test 8:Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations | Essay SAT Practice Test 9: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations SAT Practice Test 10: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations In addition to these practice tests, you can find some free sample questions on the College Board website. Thesesample questions are for both the PSAT and SAT. This speaks to how similar the two tests have become. Whatever studying you do for the PSAT will help you a great deal once you take the SAT. Finally, you can create an account with Khan Academy and find high-quality practice questions for the SAT. This website works in conjunction with the College Board to produce official SAT practice questions. Given that the PSAT and SAT are so similar, are there any modifications you need to make when using SAT practice questions to prep for the PSAT? How to Use SAT Practice Tests and Questions for PSAT Prep The questions on the SAT and PSAT are almost identical. SAT Math may get a bit more advanced into algebra and functions, but otherwise the questions are very similar. The one exception is that the PSAT does NOT have an optional Essay section. TheSAT is somewhat longer at three hours (plus the additional 50-minute optional essay). Also, although the two tests resemble each otherin both content and scoring, the SAT is slightly more difficult than the PSAT is. As I discussed above, the PSAT isscored on a scale of 320-1520, with a range of 160-760 for Math and 160-760 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, or EBRW. The SAT, on the other hand, isscored on a scale of 400-1600. The score range for Math is 200-800 and the score range for EBRW is also200-800. Your PSAT scores are meant to predict your SAT scores; however, the scoring scaledoesn't go up as high to account for the fact that the PSAT is a slightly easier test. While a high score on the PSAT predicts a high SAT score, it doesn't necessarily coincide with a perfect 1600. As with the PSAT practice tests, I recommend timing yourself and simulating real test conditions. After, take some time to understand any mistakes you made and determine your strengths and weaknesses. Since the PSAT and SAT are so similar, you may use one test as a diagnostic pre-test and one as a post-test tofigure out where you're starting out and to gauge your progress after significant studying. Given all these practice materials, new and old, you should have plenty of resources to help you achieve a strong score on the PSAT. Let's quickly review the steps you should take to prep for the PSAT. Down to the last piece of the puzzle ... Best Ways to Prep for the PSAT The best resource for PSAT practice questions are the two official PSAT practice tests released by the College Board and listed at the beginning of this guide. Official test questions are the gold standard when it comes to sample questions, as they are the best representation of what will be on the actual exam. Since the PSAT is so similar to the SAT, the practice tests and free online questions for the SAT can be very useful prep tools. These questions will help you get ready for both the PSAT and SAT. Finally, you can still use older PSAT practice tests effectively, as long as you familiarize yourself with the changes to the exam and focus your energies on the relevant content and skills. This understanding will also help you avoid wasting time on material and information that's no longer relevant, such as Sentence Completion questions. As long as you take the time to understand the exam and adapt your test prep accordingly, you can still use the abundance of practice material out there to prep for the PSAT. And as an added bonus, all this prep will help you out a great deal in the future when you take the SAT! What's Next? Are you aiming for top scores on the PSAT? Learn what it takes to become a National Merit Semifinalist and a National Merit Finalist. If your scores qualify you for National Merit distinction, you might be eligible for National Merit scholarships. Read more about how you can earn a National Merit scholarship. Planning to take the SAT, too?Check out this full guide to learn all about the test.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Business research report Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Business report - Research Paper Example What are the responsibilities of the corporate companies with reference to glass ceiling? Based on the literature review and discussions, the paper outlines the recommendations to create a level playing field for the women employees to succeed in their carrier and attain top positions of leadership. The recommendations outlined covers introduction of reforms in the performance scales to avoid discrimination on the basis of gender, introduction of quota system by the government by allocating proportional representation for women in recruitment and promotions to higher positions and introduction of legal reforms by the government for property rights to women in succession. These basic reforms at the company and government level will increase the presence of women in top positions in various organizations, institutions and the government departments. The other barriers enumerated will be shattered down over the period of time, once the fundamental reform process covering these issues ar e carried out. Introduction Purpose of the report The issue of glass ceiling in the context of the developments in technology, telecommunication and media assumes greater significance on account equality of opportunities to the women in the society. Several companies have declared this issue as an objective in their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) programs. The purpose of the report is to analyze and present the various issues involved in practice and the ways to rectify the position for a better working atmosphere by ensuring equality in opportunity for all in the society for a sustainable development. Scope The scope of the paper is to cover the concept of glass ceiling, the factors leading to this phenomenon in the companies, institutions and government and the responsibilities on the part of the corporate companies or other institutions in fixing up the issue. And as such, the issues extraneous to this objective are covered only to the extent they are relevant to the topic of the discussion. Sources and Methods This report relies mainly on secondary sources for analysis and discussion. The data with reference to glass ceiling are analyzed in the background of the information gathered from the secondary sources which forms the basis for the recommendations. Limitations The psychological factors involved in the study may vary from person to person within the society among males and females. Therefore, perception with regard to the issues could be mostly subjective in nature conditioned by their cultural background, level of education and the individuals’ experience. Therefore, the study can only give broad outlines in its findings and giving specific solution or recommendation to the issue would be difficult. Glass ceiling The discrimination by sex was outlawed in the Civil Rights Act, 1964. The barriers to the advancement of women in employment especially for the leadership positions still exists in various forms though there has been considera ble progress achieved in the lower and middle levels in business organizations and the government departments as per the statistics. Stock, K (2011) states that

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Does the rise in online shopping mean the end for retail high street Essay

Does the rise in online shopping mean the end for retail high street shops - Essay Example The aims of this study were to identify the phenomenon of online shopping and probe the various factors that either promote it or hinder it. The research also addressed the issue if online shopping would effectively replace street shopping. This was sought to be done through the analysis of existing literature in the area and through primary research involving a sample of online shoppers. The literature review also included analysis of secondary data and presenting of major findings and arguments from such secondary data apart from looking for major theoretical and empirical arguments which may supplant the findings of primary research in this study. Primary research design was phenomenological with focus on studying the phenomenon of online shopping. The research method was triangulation wherein two quantitative surveys were administered to a common sample of respondents to probe online shopping behaviour in general and specifically in reference to online purchase of printers' cartr idges. The findings literature review established that online shopping has been growing by leaps and bounds across the globe. US and UK markets, in particular were examined and both exhibited growing volumes of online business and e-commerce.

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Pre-operative assessment Essay Example for Free

Pre-operative assessment Essay Pre-operative assessment (POA) and planning, carried out prior to treatment, ensures that the patient is fully informed about the procedure and the post operative recovery, is in optimum health and has made arrangements for admission, discharge and post operative care at home. POA and planning is an essential part of the planned care pathway which enhances the quality of care in a number of ways. * If a patient is fully informed, they will be less stressed and recover more quickly * A health check ensures good medical health before anaesthesia and surgery * Planning admission and discharge individually ensures that patient and carers know what to expect facilitating earlier post operative care at home * Cancellations due to patient ill health or DNAs are reduced * Admission on the day of surgery and early discharge are more likely By improving the planned admission process, you also enhance the patient experience and the clinical process, as well as the efficiency and productivity of the trust. POA and planning should form a natural part of the process for all planned surgery. You may wish to match the intensity of the process to the patients level of fitness and complexity of the procedure. The key areas covered in the National Good Practice Guidance on Pre-operative Assessment for Inpatient and Day Case Surgery include: * The objectives of pre-operative assessment  * Who should undergo pre-operative assessment * When and where pre-operative assessment should take place * Who should perform pre-operative assessment * The risks, benefits and informed consent * What should happen after pre-operative assessment * What information should be given to patients * How records should be kept * How the pre-operative assessment service should be audited * Training in pre-operative assessment * Examples of effective practice

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Sins Ability to Control a Person in The Scarlet Letter :: essays research papers

Sin's Ability to Control a Person Sin is a major theme in The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne. In The Scarlet Letter, sin is practiced throughout a few of the characters. The only difference amongst them is the way that they try to atone for it or be completely enveloped by it. Sin can take control of a person and devour them completely to the point of no return. Hester at first felt that her sin had taken away everything that she had and left her with only one thing, Pearl. When she first walked out of the prison and onto the scaffold, she was full of pride but from that point on, she was isolated from her community and forced to live in the forest with only her baby. Hester felt that suicide was the only thing she deserved after committing adultery. She says, "I have thought of death, have wished for it?would even have prayed for it, were it fit that such as I should pray for anything. Yet, if death be in this cup, I bid thee think again, ere thou beholdest me quaff it. See! it is even now at my lips." As time passes by, Hester?s personality gradually changes and she becomes a completely different person. She has become more caring although her lifestyle became worse. As for Reverend Dimmesdale, he is completely enveloped by his guilt from the sin that he has committed and is unable to come forward to confess it. Instead, he tortures himself each and every day. Hawthorne writes, ?His [Dimmesdale?s] inward trouble drove him to practices more in accordance with the old, corrupted faith of Rome than with the better light of the church ? In Mr. Dimmesdale's secret closet, under lock and key, there was a bloody scourge.? Later, he says that he tries to confess by saying that he has sinned but the Puritan community misinterprets it as a sign of him being a saint and that if he has sinned then what are they. Chillingworth is also a sinner because he pretends to be a physician when he really isn?t and takes that role to torture Reverend Dimmesdale. Chillingworth tortures Dimmesdale slowly by hurting him both physically and mentally. During this time he pretends to take care of him in which he really isn?t. Hawthorne writes, ?Calm, gentle, passionless, as he appeared, there was ? a quiet depth of malice ? but active now, in this unfortunate old man ? imagine a more intimate revenge ? upon an enemy.

Monday, November 11, 2019

The Amateur Marriage

Anne Tyler’s The Amateur Marriage is a novel depicting two mismatched spouses that continually fight for six decades. They each fail to form their own individual sense of identify. They also do not form a social sense of identity as a couple within a larger community. They each fight for superiority in the marriage as their identity. This paper will examine this long-term conflict, related to each spouse’s quest for individual identity. Several elements form the identity of an individual.Some are biological, stemming from ancestry in nationality, ethnic, and genetic backgrounds; and, from basic human needs of food, shelter, love, and recognition (Richland College, 2007). Other elements are social, including what groups a person joins or tries to join, religious background and conversions to other religions, political leanings, and careers and occupations. One also sees oneself in one way, while others see them in another, making up two identities that usually do not ful ly match.Further, an individual is a son/daughter, spouse/partner, parent, or other relative or friend of someone else, and these are identities as well. One interesting and very strong identity is the one arising from being in conflict with another person or group. Such a person may be, for example, anti child-abuse, anti war-with-Iraq; or against all that his neighbor who has insulted him stands for. The Father of Psychiatry, Sigmund Freud, taught that all identity is biologically developed, completed by the end of adolescence (Richland College, 2007).His student Erik Erickson broke away from Freud, believing that identity forms via social interactions as well as biological maturity throughout the lifespan, not ending in adolescence (ibid. ). Identity is an ongoing process. Erikson devised â€Å"Eight Stages of Man. † These include Trust (infant), Autonomy (toddler), Initiative (child), Identity (adolescent), Intimacy (young adult), Generativity (middle age), and Integrity (older age). Erickson believed that social environment combines with biology (aging) to give people sets of crises to resolve at each stage.Resolving them creates maturity, because one must resolve the crises of one level before going on to the next, or become stuck at the lower level, never to mature and always having the same type of problems, as the main couple in Tyler’s novel do. The couple Pauline and Michael Anton meets in pre-WWII Baltimore. Pauline jumps from a streetcar to join a patriotic parade and suffers a head gash, so she flings herself into Michael’s old family grocery store for help. A more reserved individual, Michael is taken aback by Pauline’s dramatic energy and falls instantly in love.Both in their early 20’s, they marry, but they do not pass adolescence and never develop intimacy. Mike goes to war, is shot in training, and comes straight home. He and Pauline have three children and move to the suburbs. They have numerous conflicts over the years and their marriage stagnates, because they are both stuck in childhood and adolescence, fighting over everything to be known as the winner and the superior partner. Pauline always flies off the handle emotionally, while Michael silently stews over things as mundane as whether it will get cold enough to snow.Nothing is ever solved over 60 years’ time, and the marriage and the individual Antons do not change or grow, either. They cut themselves off from the social interactions that would help them to grow. Their identity was formed by the time they married and never had a chance to develop further, because they would not allow it. They fight, each trying to win in order to be identified as the winner and the leader of the marriage. Then either would feel important, worthy, and adult. Unfortunately, it never happens. Mike is Polish Catholic, Pauline is WASP, and these disparate ethnic and religious identities are hard to meld into a marriage.Pauline believes that two souls should combine as one. Michael feels that they should remain distinct, but walk in the same direction. The marriage cannot work, because neither will learn additional new ways of thinking. Thus, for six decades, she is flighty, he is cold, and they remain constant in this. While marriages of their friends grow and develop via individual maturity and interactions as a couple through the usual give and take with a larger community, the Anton's marriage is stuck because of their feuding. Life passes them by, except for the problems.The Antons and their marriage cannot grow up. The author describes the friends’ growing marriages as fruit trees: â€Å"Marriages are like fruit trees†¦ After a time they meld, they grow together, and it doesn't matter how crazy the mix is, peaches on an apple tree or cherries on a plum tree; still if you tried to separate them you would cause a fatal wound. † Meanwhile, the Anton's marriage is a â€Å"gnarled, wizened, whiskery tree you see on windbeaten cliffs where there's not enough soil or water. † The marriage is anorexic, starving to death.Pauline, who once loved Mike’s reserved qualities â€Å"chafed daily at . . . his rigidity, his caution, his literal-mindedness . . . his reluctance to spend money, his suspicion of anything unfamiliar, his tendency to pass judgment . . . and his magical ability to make her seem hysterical† (p. 75). Michael’s opinion of Pauline becomes â€Å"a frantic, impossible woman, so unstable, even in good moods, with her exultant voice and glittery eyes, her dangerous excitement† (p. 167). Neither one is concerned with self-development, but only with criticizing the other.Over the decades, they become entrenched in these mindsets and unable to develop past their mid-twenties, psychologically. The miss all of the intimacy, generativity and integrity by holding onto adolescence. In identity, they are only â€Å"the fighting spouses. † When he does think about the marriage and where it is going, Mike sees that â€Å"all those young marrieds of the war years† have grown â€Å"wise and seasoned and comfortable in their roles, until only he and Pauline remained, as inexperienced as ever — the last couple left in the amateurs' parade† (p.168). He saw themselves as â€Å"more like brother and sister than husband and wife. This constant elbowing and competing, jockeying for position, glorying in I-told-you-so† (p. 168). Further, the Anton’s drug-abusing daughter Lindy sees the family as a stagnated hell, a â€Å"wretched, tangled knot, inward-turned, stunted, like a trapped fox chewing its own leg off† (p. 300). The marriage is stuck, as well as the family. In dysfunctional families, some members develop identities despite the stagnation and toxicity.The development of such an identity, a â€Å"hardy personality†, is described by Professor Suzanne Kobasa Ouellette of City University of New York (Richland College, 2007). Hardiness and its needed control, commitment, and challenge develop through attaining the following eight skills: 1. Recognize and tolerate anxiety and act anyway. 2. Separate fantasy from reality and tackle reality. 3. Set goals and establish priorities. 4. Project into the future and understand how today's choices affect the future. 5. Discriminate and make choices consistent with goals and values.6. Set boundaries and limits. 7. Ask assertively for wants and desires. 8. Trust self and own perceptions. Some dysfunctional people achieve these skills through study and counseling, but the Antons do not. Even when they decide to parent their small grandson Pagan, whom they rescue from the drug culture, they cannot reconcile their entrenched differences. Pauline believes their fights can be patched up in a â€Å"firefighting† management technique. Michael sees these fights as hellfire itself. Mike and Pauline decide just to toler ate each other, until Michael leaves.Even though it is possible to develop self-identities through conflict, Mike and Pauline are not able to do so, because they do not stop fighting in order to find social interactions as a couple (clubs, volunteer work, etc,), and counseling that would help them grow. They remain in the adolescent stage in their mid-60s. At this age and firmly entrenched in adolescence, it may or may not be too late for humans to grow further psychologically. REFERENCES Kriesberg, Lewis. , PhD. ‘ â€Å"Us† versus â€Å"Them. † ’ 2003.From the website of Beyond Intractability: A Free Knowledge Base on More Constructive Approaches to Destructive Conflict: http://www. beyondintractability. org/essay/identity_issues/ Retrieved Feb. 25 2007. Richland College. Dallas County Community College District. 12800 Abrams Road, Dallas, TX 75243-2199. â€Å"The Developmental Psychology of Erik Erikson. † From the Richland College website: http:/ /www. rlc. dcccd. edu/MATHSCI/anth/P101/DVLMENTL/ERIKSON. HTM/ Retrieved Feb 25 2007. Tyler, Anne. The Amateur Marriage. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. 2004

Saturday, November 9, 2019

“Hunger Games” Movie vs Book

The Hunger Games The Hunger Games is the first novel of The Hunger Games series written by Suzanne Collins in 2008. This novel is written in the first person point of view of the main character, Katniss Everdeen. Throughout the story, Katniss’s opinions are made clear to the audience. This intriguing novel shares Katniss’s struggles and overall victory of the 74th Annual Hunger Games. The Hunger Games story takes place in a post-apocalyptic society. The Capitol is a highly advance city that holds reign over the 12 districts.The Hunger Games is an annual contest hosted by the Capitol in which each district offers one boy and girl chosen by lottery or by choice, if willing. These tributes fight to the death in an arena where they have to fight for weapons and necessities for survival. Prim Everdeen, Katniss’s sister, is chosen by lottery to be tribute for District 12. Without hesitation, Katniss volunteers to be the tribute for District 12. Katniss and Peeta, the b oy tribute from her district, are transported to the Capitol. This is where the audience gets to see the difference between the 12 districts.Katniss’s district, District 12, is the poorest, where many people starve to death; however, District 1 is the wealthiest and don’t face the same challenges as Katniss. The tributes from District 1 and 2 are trained from birth to be tributes in the Hunger Games. These â€Å"Career† tributes volunteer themselves to participate in the Hunger Games and believe it is an honor to serve their district. This story leads the audience in further when Peeta confesses his love for Katniss during the interviews held prior to the Games.When the Games begin, Katniss shows her true ability to survive in the wilderness. She uses her knowledge from surviving in District 12 to help her eat and sleep high in the trees. In the beginning of the Hunger Games, Peeta forms an alliance with the Career tributes, while Katniss forms an alliance and f riendship with Rue, the tribute from District 11. After Rue is killed, Katniss is back to surviving the games on her own until the announcer informs the tributes that two contestants can win if they are from the same district. Katniss finds Peeta and nurses him back to health.Finally, the only tributes that are left are Katniss, Peeta, and the Career Tribute from District 1. The tribute is eaten by â€Å"mutations†, which nearly killed Katniss and Peeta. However, the tributes from District 12 are not out of the Games, because the announcer tells them that the rules have changed once again and now only one may be victor. When neither Katniss nor Peeta can kill each other, they decide to eat the night lock berries which would kill them immediately. Quickly, the announcer declares that Katniss and Peeta are both the victors of the 74th Annual Hunger Games.The Hunger Games was later turned into a movie in 2012. The book and the movie have several similarities. In both the movie a nd the novel, Katniss volunteers for the Games, saving her sister Prim. Another comparison is the Capitol’s power amongst the 12 districts. The most important similarity is that in both the novel and the movie, Peeta states that he does not want the Games to change him, for he wants to stay true to himself. Katniss does not know how that is possible, until she participates in the Hunger Games.In both the movie and the novel, Peeta does not murder any other tributes during the Games. The novel has some major differences as well. The mockingjay pin that Katniss wears for good luck represents District 12. In the book she receives this gift from the mayor’s daughter, Madge; however, in the movie, Katniss receives this pin from her younger sister, Prim. Another difference is Katniss’s relationship with her ally Rue. In the book, the author emphasizes their relationship and how they work together as a team during the Hunger Games.However, in the movie they keep their relationship short. The last difference occurs at the end of the novel. In the novel the beasts that kill the last tribute are called â€Å"muttations. † There are 9 of these beasts which resemble the fallen tributes. In the movie they are just beastly looking mutated dogs. The Hunger Games is a great book. It shows the differences in social class and has many underlying meanings. The movie was just as good and follows the plot very well. It was a little more futuristic looking than I had imagined from the novel, but still captured the overall theme well.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Quotes That Will Help You Understand Yourself Better

Quotes That Will Help You Understand Yourself Better When asked to describe yourself, you will most probably list your achievements, qualifications, work experience, and designation. To make your profile sound complete, you may even throw in a hobby for good measure. But are these the things that really make up who you are?  The toughest questions to answer are the ones about you. Who am I? What do I know about myself? When you begin to reflect ponder on these questions, you will find yourself squirming uncomfortably. Probe a little deeper and you will find that your name, race, gender, and other personal details are merely tags. To know yourself, look beyond superficial embellishments. It does not matter whether you are a Nobel Prize winner or not. Rediscover yourself through these quotes, perfect for self-reflection.   Muhammad AliIts lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believed in myself. Oscar WildePerhaps, after all, America never has been discovered. I myself would say that it had merely been detected. Mark TwainI dont like to commit myself about heaven and hell you see, I have friends in both places. Mark TwainAs an example to others, and not that I care for moderation myself, it has always been my rule never to smoke when asleep, and never to refrain from smoking when awake. Marilyn MonroeI have feelings too. I am still human. All I want is to be loved, for myself and for my talent. Marilyn MonroeI restore myself when Im alone. Maya AngelouI long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself. Thomas JeffersonI do not take a single newspaper, nor read one a month, and I feel myself infinitely the happier for it. David AllenYou can do anything, but not everything. Lin-ChiWhen hungry, eat your rice; when tired, close your eyes. Fools may laugh at me, but wise men will know what I mean. John WilmotBefore I got married I had six theories about bringing up children; now I have six children and no theories. Jean RostandMy pessimism extends to the point of even suspecting the sincerity of the pessimists. Lily TomlinSometimes I worry about being a success in a mediocre world. Richard LewisI quit therapy because my analyst was trying to help me behind my back. Clarence DarrowWhen I was a boy I was told that anybody could become President. Now I’m beginning to believe it. Cullen HightowerLaughing at our mistakes can lengthen our own life. Laughing at someone else’s can shorten it. Cyril ConnollyThere are many who dare not kill themselves for fear of what the neighbors will say. Albert EinsteinThe person who reads too much and uses his brain too little will fall into lazy habits of thinking. Andre GideBelieve those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it. Aryeh FrimerI’d rather live with a good question than a bad answer. Bill VaughanWe lear n something every day, and lots of times it’s that what we learned the day before was wrong. Cale YarboroughDon’t ever wrestle with a pig. You’ll both get dirty, but the pig will enjoy it. Christopher HamptonAsking a working writer what he thinks about critics is like asking a lamppost how it feels about dogs. Cyril ConnollyBetter to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self. Dame Edna EverageNever be afraid to laugh at yourself, after all, you could be missing out on the joke of the century. Edith SitwellI am patient with stupidity but not with those who are proud of it. Gordon R. DicksonSome people like my advice so much that they frame it upon the wall instead of using it. Lily TomlinThe trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you’re still a rat. NapoleonNever ascribe to malice, that which can be explained by incompetence.Thomas Szasz When a person can no longer laugh at himself, it is time for others to laugh at him.

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

What is UChicagos Acceptance Rate Admissions Requirements?

UChicago Accepts 7.2% of Applicants. What Does It Take to Get In? Built into historic Hyde Park, the University of Chicago is home to over 20,000 students across its undergraduate college and seven professional schools. Known for its unusual essay prompts, iconic mascot (t he phoenix),   and tight-knit community, UChicago offers one of the most unique locales for nourishing a developing mind. But with an acceptance rate of only 7.2%, securing admission is no easy task. If you love the idea of spending four years learning deeply with your peers, read this post for insight on how to make your application stand out. We have helped thousands of students apply to UChicago, and we’re eager to pass our experience on to you. You may apply through the Coalition Application or the Common Application . For most applicants, we recommend the Common App. Learn more about it in our Guide to the Common App . You can apply via any of the school’s four decision rounds. Early Action and Early Decision I applications are due November 1. Early Decision II and Regular Decision applications are due January 2. If you’re unsure about whether to apply early, read our post Early Decision vs. Early Action vs. Restrictive Early Action . To apply, be sure to send in all of the following: International applicants are subject to different application requirements, which can be found on UChicago’s page for International Applicants . Optional Components. Students with backgrounds in art, creative media, research, or an uncommon field may submit supplemental materials if they so desire. You should only do so, however, if you plan to continue the featured activity at the college level, if your work is exceptional and adds a new dimension to your application. UChicago is one of the most selective schools in the nation, with an admissions rate of 7.2%. Of 32,291 applicants last year, only 2,329 were admitted. Ultimately 79% of students admitted chose to attend UChicago. 7.2% may sound like an intimidating number. Only a select few top-ranked schools like Harvard and Stanford come in with lower acceptance rates. But it’s important to remember that the strength of your profile impacts whether chances are higher than the average applicant. Be sure to surround yourself with people who have been through the process so that you are receiving accurate and informed advice on how to craft a competitive profile. You may choose to work with a company like or conduct research on your own. Estimating your chance of getting into a college is not easy in today’s competitive environment. Thankfully, with our state-of-the-art software and data, we can analyze your academic and extracurricular profile and estimate your chances. Our profile analysis tool can also help you identify the improvement you need to make to enter your dream school. The University of Chicago prides itself on a holistic application review, so there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind as you apply. Academics. This includes both grades and test scores. Students with positive trends over time will also be viewed more favorably than those with declining grades. For reference, in the Class of 2021, the middle 50% of accepted students received SAT scores of 1460-1550 and ACT scores of 32-35. Extracurricular Activities & Leadership. UChicago students in particular are known for being independent thinkers who chart their own course rather than following the crowd. Your extracurricular and leadership activities should reflect your passion and uniqueness. Be on the lookout for ways to make lasting, deep, and meaningful contributions in your field and community. Character. UChicago is particularly well-known for valuing freedom of speech and individuality. As much as possible, use your essays, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation to highlight how you demonstrate a unique, vivid personality that, among other things, strives to uphold personal freedoms. Contributions to Community. You will set yourself up for success by clearly articulating how you see yourself interacting with and enriching the school. Whether that’s conducting independent research, writing for an online student publication, or leading your intramural wiffle ball team to victory, help UChicago admissions officers understand how your interests connect to specific opportunities to contribute on campus. Demonstrate a voracious intellectual appetite. UChicago prides itself on academic prowess, so show you’re no slouch. To demonstrate your initiative, weave into your application any classes you’ve self-studied, research you’ve conducted, and reading you’ve done for pleasure. Write standout essays . UChicago looks for strong writing skills within its student pool, even amongst students who want to study STEM. UChicago will readily choose students with stronger admissions essays over students with better extracurricular profiles. Academic standards, however, are typically not relaxed for stronger essays. A good way to demonstrate your writing abilities is to get your writing published professionally in any field (even in something like a magazine). Embrace your uniqueness. The ideal UChicago applicant is a little quirky, as reflected in the school’s unorthodox application essay prompts. If you want to break the mold a little, this is definitely an institution that rewards creative essay structures as well as â€Å"nerding out† over your favorite topic. If you’re having trouble thinking of something unique to say, check out ’s post, What If I Don’t Have Anything Interesting to Write in My College Essay? Partner with a professional to find your voice and talents. All of this is much easier said than done. If you want to be competitive at a school like UChicago, no one-size-fits-all advice is going to get you there. Consider working closely with a mentor or your school’s guidance counselor to bring your admissions profile to the next level. UChicago is a long shot for just about everyone, so don’t worry if you receive a â€Å"no thank-you† at the end of the day. You can still go on to do great things. UChicago does not accept admissions appeals due to their long list of qualified applicants on the waitlist. We do not recommend petitioning your decision. Some students transfer into UChicago, but the transfer admissions rate is extremely low and requires a lot of extra work. However, students who maintain a strong academic and extracurricular profile will always have a shot. You can reapply after taking a gap year, but this path is riskier than simply committing to another school and requesting to take a gap year there. To see if a gap year is right for you, visit our posts, What Are the Pros of Taking a Gap Year? and What You Need To Know When Applying to Colleges After a Gap Year . If UChicago closes its doors to you, we recommend moving on. Northwestern University offers a similar undergraduate experience — both are universities in the greater Chicago area of similar size — and it has twice the admissions rate. Students who like UChicago’s focus on deep, independent thinking might check out St. John’s College in Maryland or Santa Fe, as well as Deep Springs College in California. For help adjusting to a different dream, read our post, Envisioning a New Future: Preparing for Life at Your Second-Choice (or Third, or Fourth) School . If you’d like more personalized advice on your admissions profile, offers Elite Universities Application Assistance , where you’ll be paired with a successful mentor at a top school who helps you along every step of the application process.

Saturday, November 2, 2019

DISSERTATION (Litrature Review) Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

(Litrature Review) - Dissertation Example This is disturbing for the UK economy as international students help to fund UK higher education. Migrants come to the UK for various reasons and students comprise of about 26% of the total migrants that enter UK as shown in the chart below: Source: Somerville & Sumption (2009). However, the precise number of international students is not known as no statistics are maintained of both the private and the public sector institutions (UKCISA, 2010). Amongst those studying full-time at publicly funded higher education institutions 214,000 were non-EU students out of a total of 306,000 students. The public funded further education colleges and the private colleges could have more non-EU students but the figures are not known. The immigration statistics can be confusing as those studying for less than six months are granted visa under a different category called ‘student visitors’. The non-EU students that have been granted clearance in the past few years are as shown in the ta ble below: Source: UKCISA (2010). These figures show a sharp increase over the past few years. The private institutions can set their own fees but at the state funded institutions the non-EU students have to pay the total fees with fees typically being between ?8000 and ?15000. International students account for over 40% of the total postgraduate students (UKCISA, 2010). About 50% of these students are engaged in research degrees but there is no subsidy offered to non-EU students. While there is a ‘cap’ on the number of EU students that can be accepted because of the limited funds, there is no cap on the number of international students that can be accepted. The private sector collages in the UK offer a wide variety of courses and are often less expensive thereby being affordable by the international students. International students contribute to the local economy because higher the number of students more jobs in the administration of the colleges and universities, add itional income or the UK universities and export income for the owners. International students enhance global connections. During the Asian financial crisis also student inflow had diminished in the UK while Australia had gained in student flow as a result. Another reason that student inflow is affected is because students started working along with studies as savings are reduced. The top ten UK student source countries have been shown in the table below: Source: Somerville & Sumption (2009). 2.3 Drivers of change in the current environment Internationalization of higher education is a response by academic institutions to a globalized world. This is basically a response to the new age which is marked by globalization, competition and marketization (Cheung, Yuen, Yuen & Cheng, 2011). Internationalization of education can be done in many forms and currently the most important form is the exporting of higher education service done through recruitment of overseas students. UK and Austra lia had so far been leading in recruitment of international students but Singapore is fast catching up. In Singapore education is considered a â€Å"knowledge industry† and accounts for more than 3 percent of the GDP. Education is fast becoming a global, market-oriented, private industry, and international mobility of students is a major concern for HEIs. The international trade in education services has become a major source of income in many countries. In Australia education services sector was the third largest exporter in 2007 while in the