Power`s Separation Essays - Constitutional Law, Philosophy Of Law

Power`s Separation It has proved true, historically, that there is a natural tendency of governments to assume as much power as possible. To prevent this from happening in the United States, the framers of the Constitution divided the functions of the federal government among three branches: the executive branch, legislature or the lawmaking branch and the judiciary. These should be separate and enjoy equal power and independence. This separation of powers is in direct contrast to the government in Britain. Their Parliament is the single governing unit. Members of the executive--the Cabinet and the Prime Minister--are members of Parliament. The highest court of appeal is the House of Lords. The separation of powers was also in contrast to the government under the Articles of Confederation. The Articles provided for no separate executive branch. The president was the presiding officer of the Congress. There was no national court system at all. The framers of the Constitution decided on a government in which the three main functions would be held by three separate branches. The Congress was empowered to make laws. The president was empowered, through the departments and agencies of the executive branch, to enforce the laws. The president is thus the head of the bureaucracy--the non-elected officials of government. The Supreme Court was established as the highest judicial authority. John Adams referred to this three-part arrangement as a system of checks and balances that protect the people from authoritarian or arbitrary rule. In addition to distributing power among the three branches of the federal government, the Constitution also distributes it among the states and the people. The Tenth Amendment specifically reserves all "powers not delegated to the United States" to the "States respectively, or to the people." Within each state there are many other governmental units. Each local government, from the smallest village to the largest city, has its necessary powers. There are taxing bodies, such as school districts, that have the authority they need in order to operate. Before continuing to mention how the separation of powers is applied in the United States presidential system, let me briefly explain the structure of the presidential system. The Presidential System United States Government The federal government of the United States was created by the Constitution, which went into operation in 1789 when the first Congress convened and George Washington took the oath of office as president. The government is called federal because it was formed by a compact (the Constitution) among 13 political units (the states). These states agreed to give up part of their independence, or sovereignty, in order to form a central authority and submit themselves to it. Thus, what was essentially a group of 13 separate countries under the Articles of Confederation united to form one nation under the Constitution. When the Declaration of Independence was issued in 1776, it used the term United States of America. Until the Constitution was adopted and ratified, however, the 13 states did not really form one nation. They each held onto so many powers individually, including conducting foreign policy and trade negotiations, that the Continental Congress could only do what the states allowed. The Articles were never the law of the land to the extent that the Constitution is. In essence, the United States as a nation did not come into existence until the Constitution began to function as the framework of the government. Once the Constitution was in place, tension between the states and the federal government did not automatically cease. Many political thinkers believed that the states were really the supreme authority. According to this viewpoint, states could nullify acts of the federal government that were disagreeable to them. One of the strongest proponents of this view was John C. Calhoun, senator from South Carolina. His chief opponent was Chief Justice John Marshall. Calhoun's position, called states' rights, has persisted to the present. It was seriously undermined, however, by the American Civil War. Since that war the federal government has gained much power at the expense of the states. The best known characteristic of the presidential system is the separation of powers. The three principal functions of the government are the formal promulgation of the law, its administration, and its adjudication. These are established in separate and co-ordinate branches. We call them the legislative, the executive and the judicial; they are independent of one another, but are at the same time made interdependent. (The judicial branch enjoys a considerable degree of independence in all nations subscribing to the Anglo-American tradition of jurisprudence, regardless of whether they have adopted the presidential system.) CONGRESS: The Legislation

Which Measures IQ Better, ACT or SAT What Does That Mean for Which to Take

Which Measures IQ Better, ACT or SAT What Does That Mean for Which to Take SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Does the ACT or SAT measure intelligence better? What does this mean about which test you should take? One way to define IQ is the ability tosolve problems based on given information. Here, we look at whether the ACT or SAT is more related to IQ (spoiler: there is an answer!) and what this means for your test-taking strategy. What Is IQ? Basic Terms and Definitions To make sense of the results presented below, let's start with some key terms and definitions you should know. IQ (Intelligence Quotient) IQ has a number of different technical definitions, none of which change the conclusion of this article much. For this article, we'll use the definition of IQ that's easiest to digest: IQ is the ability to solve problems based on given information. A key phrase here is given information. Someone with a high IQ, ifgiven a series of numbers, can probably find the next number in the sequence. At the same time, someone with a high IQ might not know how to change the oil in a car as this is learned information(we go over this phrase in more detail below). IQ tests generally don't test you onlearned information. Thus, having a high IQ doesn't necessarily guarantee that you'll be able to quote Robert Frost, recite the order of the planets, or define a trapezoid - all of that is learned, not given, information! Learned Information You've probably already guessed the meaning of this based on the definition of IQ above. Simply put, learned information isinformation you must learn in order to know how to solve a problem or answer a question. This includesthe bulk of what's taught to you in school.So if you've ever had to memorize anything,that's learned information. For example, when you learned how to do long division, that would be learned information since you wouldn't know how to approach that type of division problem without first learning what long division is and how to use it. By contrast, given information means that you should theoretically be able to solve a problem based only on the information given to you. SAT vs ACT: How Questions Test (or Don't Test) IQ At this point, it's worth noting that boththe ACT and SAT are designed to test a combination of IQ and learned information. You need IQ because both tests have difficult questions that require innate intelligence. You also need learned information because you can't do well on either test without having memorized specific concepts, such as math formulas and grammar rules. So what are some differences between the ACT and SAT? And how do these differences affect their manner of testing IQ? SAT Questions In the past, the SAT relied more on "tricks" for difficult questions. However, since the test's 2016 redesign, it's a lot more similar to the ACT - and thus less tricky. In other words, you should be able to do reasonably well on the SAT as long as you know when and how to utilize thelearned information taught to you in school. Here's an example of an SAT Math questionthat requires outside information to solve it: As you can see, there are no tricks or ambiguous words here; the question is clear and easy to understand. But you can't answer it without knowing the rules of angles- concepts you should have learned in geometry class. According to these rules, when a set of parallel lines intersects another set of parallel lines, some angles will equal the same values, and others will add up to a sum of 180 degrees.Knowing this outside information allows you to answer the question both quickly and correctly. While you can try to use onlygiven informationto solve this problem, it won't be as effective as using learned information. For example, you could venture to guess the measure of ∠ 2 by looking at the diagram alone; however, this isn't a particularly good strategy since math diagrams aren't always drawn to scale. ACT Questions Like the redesigned SAT, the ACT is often made easier if you know some outside information (i.e., learned information). For example, a question on the ACT Science section might look like this: [Experiment Data Here] Suppose the scientists collect an elemental liquid from the cooling coil into a beaker. Based on the experiment data, which elemental liquid is it most likely to be? A) WaterB) BromineC) NeonD) IodineE) Mercury With these questions, you can always find the right answers by carefully reading and analyzing the experiment data (not included in the above example). However, by using a little bit of learned information, you'll be able to answer this question in even less time. If you remember chemistry class well enough, you can immediately eliminate three answer choices - water, iodine, and neon - as these are not elemental liquids that can usually be collected in a beaker. So Is the ACT or SAT More Related to IQ? You might have been coming to the right conclusion yourself as you read this. But in case there's any doubt, the answer is this: both the SAT and ACT give a nearly identical amount of credit to learned information. As we saw above, both the SAT and ACT have similar questions for which you can (or must) use learned information in order to solve.As a result,neither test appears to test IQ more than the other does. However, this isn't the same conclusion we'd get if we were to instead look at the pre-2016 SAT. Unlike the new SAT, this version of the test had more tricks and puzzles, meaning it tested given information more often than the ACT did. Thus, we can say that the old SAT was clearly more of an IQ-based test than the ACT (and new SAT) is. In fact, a rigorous peer-reviewed study performed byFrey and Detterman came to this conclusion, too. This study took a large number of students and looked at their real IQs, old SAT scores, and ACT scores. Both the ACT and old SAT were highly correlated with IQ, but the SAT took first place by a good margin (88% versus 77%). What Does This Mean for Test Takers? In the end, it doesn't really matter whether you take the SAT or ACT. Both tests structure their questions similarly, and both offer questions you can answer more quickly or more efficiently using learned information. Neither test is particularly geared toward those who areclassically "higher in IQ" or "better in class than on test" types. That said, there are other reasons you might want to consider taking one test over the other, such as test date options or how strong you are in science.So before you register for the SAT or ACT, be sure to figure out which test is right for you. You might even end up taking both! What's Next? How are the SAT and ACT similar to each other? How are they different? Read our detailed breakdown of the two tests to learn exactly what makes them unique. Will you do better on the SAT or ACT? Our guide goes over the steps you must take to figure out which test better suits your strengths. Want to know how an SAT score translates to an ACT score and vice versa? Input your scores in our conversion charts to see! Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Innovation at Google Example

Innovation at Google Example Innovation at Google – Coursework Example Case Study Questions Case Study Questions Case Study 3 Innovation at Google Advertisers are the primary source of revenue for Google. Google generates 99% of its revenue from its advertisers and through enterprise products such as Google Mini and Google Appliance. Google generates proceeds from its advertisers by charging them on a â€Å"pay-per-click† basis. Ads are displayed within the search engine and other Google services such as Gmail. Every time these ads are clicked, Google charges the advertisers. Google also has built a network wherein the ads are displayed on the websites of the network members and Google shares the revenue with the members. It is important to note here that the advertisements don’t dilute the search results. Google has ensured to keep its search engine clean and promises to not to influence search based on payments.There are various risk factors that Google itself has identified as a threat to future revenue generation. Index spammers have b een consistently trying to find loop holes in Google’s search algorithm which would compromise the integrity of search results which would then affect the traffic to the websites which, in turn, affects revenue generation. New ad blocking technologies can affect Google’s results in the future. Print, TV, audios and video ads comprise the future levels of revenue generation for Google. Google has introduced classified style ads for the various media listed above. The new streams of revenue generation counter the risks posed for the current revenue generation model adopted by Google. Most risks are focused on blocking the ads and these new streams give Google more control. Ad blocking would be very difficult in these streams. Print and television ads are aimed at placing ads in print media and television commercials while video ads generate revenue when one watches a video Google service such as Youtube.Case Study 3.2: New Architecture or New Hype2. The reliance on a sin gle provider will be greatly reduced by the introduction of SOA. The basic concept behind SOA is to automate the entire business process that is right now run across different IT systems (Dave, 2008). As of now, each company sets up its own IT function which is completely different with other companies. This is because of different technological needs of different countries. Introduction of SOA will be able to infuse flexibility into the whole process by automating many business processes and giving them an opportunity to tie them together. This would make the work on projects that span across different systems and companies a lot easier and also affordable. The functionality will also enable new applications to automatically communicate with each other irrespective of which business aspect or system they deal with. This would lead to a more effective use of resources and time.ReferencesDave, C. (2008). E-business and e-commerce management. NJ: E-Business and E-Commerce Management.

Radio Astronomy in the Desert

Radio Astronomy in the Desert If you drive across the Plains of San Agustin in central west New Mexico, youll come across an array of radio telescopes, all pointed toward the sky. This collection of big dishes is called the Very Large Array, and its collectors combine to make a very large radio eye on the sky. Its sensitive to the radio part of the  electromagnetic spectrum  (EMS). Radio Waves from Space? Objects in space give off radiation from all parts of the EMS. Some are brighter in some parts of the spectrum than others. Cosmic objects that give off radio emissions are undergoing exciting and energetic processes. The science of radio astronomy is the study of those objects and their activities. Radio astronomy reveals an unseen part of the universe we cannot detect with our eyes, and its a branch of astronomy that began when the first radio telescopes were built in the late 1920s by Bell Labs physicist Karl Jansky. More about the VLA There are radio telescopes around the planet, each tuned to frequencies in the radio band that come from naturally emitting objects in space. The VLA is one of the most famous and its full name is the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array. It has 27 radio telescope dishes arranged in a Y-shaped pattern. Each antenna is large - 25 meters (82 feet) across. The observatory welcomes tourists and provides background information about how the telescopes are used. Many people are familiar with the array from the movie Contact, starring Jodie Foster.  The VLA is also known as the EVLA (Expanded VLA), with upgrades to its electronics, data handling, and other infrastructure. In the future it may  get additional dishes.   The VLAs antennas  can be used individually, or they can be hooked together to create a virtual radio telescope up to 36 kilometers wide! That allows the VLA to focus in on some very small areas of sky to gather details about such events and objects as stars turning on, dying in supernova and hypernova  explosions, structures inside giant clouds of gas and dust (where stars might be forming), and the action of the black hole at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. The VLA has also been used to detect molecules in space, some of them precursors to pre-biotic (related to life) molecules common here on Earth.   VLA History The VLA was built in the 1970s. The upgraded facility carries a full observing load for astronomers around the world. Each dish is moved into position by railroad cars, creating the correct configuration of telescopes for specific observations. If astronomers want to focus on something extremely detailed and distant, they can use the VLA in conjunction with telescopes stretching from St. Croix in the Virgin Islands to Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii. This larger network is called the Very Large Baseline Interferometer (VLBI), and it creates a telescope with a resolving area the size of a continent. Using this larger array, radio astronomers have succeeded in measuring the event horizon around our galaxys black hole, joined the search for dark matter in the universe, and explored the hearts of distant galaxies.   The future of radio astronomy is big. There are huge new arrays built in South America, and under construction in Australia and South Africa. Theres also a single dish in China measuring 500 meters (about 1,500 feet) across. Each of these radio telescopes is set well apart from the radio noise generated by human civilization. Earths deserts and mountains, each one with its own special ecological niches and landscapes, are also precious to radio astronomers. From those deserts, astronomers continue to explore the cosmos, and  the VLA remains central to the work being done to understand the radio universe, and takes its rightful place with its newer siblings.

Public budgeting Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Public budgeting - Article Example The article starts by laying down the statistics from the Federal Reserve displaying the high number of Americans, and the all-time $975 billion dollars in the year 2008. The projections as of the time was that debt would keep on increasing since people kept reaching for the credit cards debts in order to make ends meet. According to the statistics from the Sachs & Williamson (2009), many consumers have more than five credit cards, with an average total of about five each per family. The psychological look at the consumers by the researchers termed the consumers as having a low debt recovery modality owing to the many debts they find themselves wading. As such, they stray from what they term as normative debt management principles (Amar, et al., 2011). Consumers go forward and start paying individual debts while not looking at the value of each and every debt and prioritizing them. The total redemption from indebtedness is difficult, something that sometimes prompt consumer’s adoption of sub-goals that are normally aimed at settling the individual debts. They sometimes settle the small debts and remain with the huger ones. The oblivion borne by the consumers to the larger debts and misplaced focus by them is what takes a huge toll in the paper as the author analyses the things to do when one is indebted (Heckler, 2013). To the authors, paying of the small debts and remaining with the bigger ones might help relieve the burden but the amount to pay keeps sk y-rocketing as one dilly-dallies. The article is well arranged as the authors move from the obvious to the completely hard stuff concerning debt management. The authors lay down the statistics, the trend in debt management, then finally give their opinion of what should really be happening in the real world concerning the issue of contention. Authors term paying off of debts with larger

Apple Inc Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Apple Inc - Research Paper Example This pricing strategy has allowed the company to rule over the Smartphone and the Tablet industry for a long period of time. The company offers high end devices and fast gadgets to customers, and this is why Apple is able to charge premium prices from its customers. The company has not yet been required to change its static pricing strategy because of its strong and dominant position in the market. The company is also able to charge higher prices because over the years, it has established a loyal clientele base. Customers of Apple products are loyal to the company and they wait keenly for company’s products. This is an indication of the loyalty of Apple customers, and this is why Apple is able to follow premium static pricing strategy. Many of Apple customers are repeat customers, and therefore the company is audacious in its pricing strategy. Apple does not have to worry much about attracting new consumers because it already enjoys a loyal clientele. Customers will buy Apple product without taking into consideration its high prices because they are just used to Apple products. Apple faces strong competition from companies like Samsung, Google, Microsoft, Blackberry, HTC, and Sony. All these companies, especially Samsung, have been rapidly gaining grounds by introducing new and innovative products (Chen, 2013). For a long period of time, Apple enjoyed monopoly power in the Smartphone and Tablet industry, but the tables are turning. Google’s android operating system has also garnered customer attention. Android based apps have flooded the market which shows the popularity of this operating system. The above mentioned companies are also producing cheaper Smartphones and Tablets which have also made life difficult for Apple, at least to a certain extent. The company, although, is not falling behind its competitors, to a great extent, because of its first movers advantage and extensive

K Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

K - Assignment Example rk therefore highly informs my current topic choice by nature of ability to dig deep into the echelons of a particular knowledge area and unearth as much information as possible. The desire to pursue this investigation therefore rests on the fact that this is a topic with wide knowledge and also interesting to follow. The unit also informs much on the research questions initially created very widely. In essence, there was knowledge of coming up with open ended questions that never gave an in-depth knowledge of information about a particular topic. The initial research questions were set widely but at this final stage, answers are coming up. The work also informs the initial research questions by virtue of the ability to categorize them into specified sections for a specified search for answers. The initial questions were wide but at this stage, there is a specified concentration on ways used to quit smoking. There are several issues that hope to be achieved during my time with this topic. From the information so far achieved, there is a lot of information of personal importance that has been realized. By learning about the in-depth questioning, there has been a revelation of the in-depth effects of smoking. It also outlines how the addiction is created through the content chemicals in the cigarette. Moreover, the knowledge goes on to extrapolate the collection of diseases that the body would be susceptible to. This is caused by the more than 4700 chemical compounds in the cigarette. In avoiding a cigarette, personal life would be highly enhanced. Moreover, this does not stop there. There are excessive effects to the environment and the people around. Avoiding this situation, by virtue of the in-depth analysis created in the topic, the health of other people would also be enhanced. The content, specificity, depth and level of personal investment in this topic have turned out to be different from earlier topics. If a comparison is to be drawn with the ‘Dream

Religious Influence on Literacy and Politics in Western Civilization Essay

Religious Influence on Literacy and Politics in Western Civilization to 1750 - Essay Example This portrayed the importance of religion and religious doctrines at the time. Besides the major influence of religion in politics and governance, religion influenced the development of literacy in the societies as well. Islam and Christianity are two major religions that influenced the political and literacy development of the western societies prior to the 1750 as the discussion below portrays. The history of the western society portrays the important role of Roman Catholic Church. The church influenced the social structure by influencing the politics of the society. As the largest single unifying factor, the Roman Catholic influenced the formation of the Roman Catholic, which extended its territories to parts of Africa, as the largest political unit at the time the structure and development of the early Roman Empire portrayed the influence of religion in the political and literacy civilization of the western countries. Subsequent developments and restructuring of the society arose from the numerous internal religious wrangles. The development and spread of Islam from the Middle East to parts of Northern Africa and Eastern Europe coupled with the rise of Protestants in central Europe weakened the Roman Empire owing to the fact that they limited the religious influence of the Roman Catholic. This portrays the influence of religion in the formation and governance of the earl y western societies. Prior to the disintegration of the Roman Empire, the Roman Catholic offered numerous services to the populace including medical services and schooling besides inspiring the development of arts, culture and philosophies. The church for example used strategic propaganda techniques to increase the influence of the church thereby providing an effective platform for unified governance. The Roman Catholic used such iconic artists as Michelangelo, Caravaggio and Da Vinci to propagate religious propaganda thereby succeeding in unifying the societies.

Southern Society Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Southern Society - Essay Example In addition, they were not allowed to attend school, and those who had access to educational facilities were segregated so that they could not share the same facilities with Whites2. Although there were some free slaves who enjoyed more privileges compared to their completely enslaved counterparts, they were also limited to the fringes of the society. In other words, they were basically regarded as slightly privileged slaves. At the height of slavery, African Americans were considered inferior members of the society who, despite having been denied the most fundamental of rights and liberties, were also denied recognition for any notable achievements3. For example, in spite of the fact that many African American soldiers fought in the American Civil War and made vital contributions to the Southern cause, most of their achievements were concealed from mainstream knowledge until such a time that they could be revealed without much publicity4. Finally, African Americans also suffered brutality and mistreatment at the hands of their

Why Is the Sky Blue Essay Example for Free

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

How Celebrity Culture Affects Society Cultural Studies Essay

How Celebrity Culture Affects Society Cultural Studies Essay As we can see that today, the news about celebrities is full on all kind of media. They appear on all kind of communication media from printed media: newspapers, magazines, to television and online media like internet. It can be said that we are living in the century of media innovation together with the development of celebrity culture. For many years ago, if some child was asked about his dream, it would be teacher, pilot, or lawyerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ however, today, most of the answers will be to be famous. It is just only one of many impact of celebrity culture on us or even our generation. The significant development of celebrity industry also contributes on those effects. As people see how easy to be or to do something, they will consider it a target to achieve. This is absolutely right with the many ones dream to become celebrities. Furthermore, when the celebrity content becomes daily, it also effects on all of us, especially the young. Their life styles, their behaviorsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ are often imitated. They are the reasons why I choose this topic: celebrity culture. Of course it a very wide topic to do research, so I decide to narrow it and concentrate on the reason and how does celebrity culture affect our behaviors. I determined my three objectives: 1. To examine the rising tide celebrity culture on newspapers, magazines, TV and the Internet. 2. To explain why many people want to be celebrities. 3. To research the effects of celebrity culture on our behaviour Section B: Analysis of Findings Objective 1: To examine the rising tide celebrity culture in newspapers, magazines, TV and the Internet Together with the media explosion, celebrity culture has become a rising tide on all field of communication industry. Moreover, celebrity content has been foundation to the news of media in the recent century. From the nightly television programmes to mass market magazines to the online edition of newspapers, celebrity news has proved its efficiency to attract attention and to impulse consumption (G.Turner, 2010). In the past, celebrity news might have been limited to a specific range of television outlets and print, it is now a sort of content that can be found right across the media series. The development of new media has leading new ways of introducing, producing and consuming celebrity while online magazines and news which are especially grown as an additional form of the tendency print media has also had an expansive effect (G.Turner 2010). According to Robert van Krieken (2010) said in his article, celebrity which is usually seen as a frothy and unreal topic is also a measure of how superficial contemporary culture has become. However, the celebrity production industry has never ever significantly developed like it today. Also, there is no signal that the limits of the spread of celebrity culture have been reached (G.Turner, 2010). The continuously operating apparatus of celebrity industry along with the growth of digital media has made them the perfect partners who contribute in the expansion of each other. The production of reality TV shows, the rise of Idol, Master Chef, Australias got Talent and others take us to a point that all television formats are produced depending on exploiting people interest in the chance to become a celebrity (G.Turner 2010). It is the celebrity industry which first creates celebrity through the process called celebritisation (G.Turner 2010). For example, the reality TV shows like Idol that many contestants try to express themselves to be recognised through the performance process. This is one among many TV shows which offer people the opportunity to prove themselves to become famous. That is a very first step of the process of transformation (G.Turner 2010). Then, the expansion of digital media the producers and distributors of content through printed and electronic forms magazines, newspapers, television, and now with the development of the various kinds of on-line media would help the celebrities to hold their fame (G.Turner 2010). Those all contribute in the fact that news of celebrities is now full of magazines, newspaper, internet and other kinds of media. William Shakespeare wrote All the worlds a stage, and all the men and women merely players. It is true for movie stars and TV hosts and other celebrities who are famous for being famous (W.Shakespeare, As You Like It, 1600). Objective 2: To explain why many people want to be celebrities It is obvious that the development and efficiency of the media machine help to create a celebrity easier. That means many peoples dreams now easier to be real. Especially, the growth of the reality TV shows make people have more opportunity to appear on TV. Therefore, there are a lot of celebrities who are production of this type of celebrity production industry. A phenomenon called Susan Boyle is an example. A 47-year-old single woman has been the worldwide star just after only one appearance on TV. She had sung the song I dreamed a dream in the TV show Britains got talent (C.Cadwalladr 2010). Then it was like her dream come true when the video of her performance got more than 100 millions views on YouTube. After that, her first album I Dreamed a Dream sold more copies than any others. The story named Susan Boyle like a fairy tale has spread over the world about a talent woman and how easy to become a celebrity (C.Cadwalladr 2010). Furthermore, if someone is the winner in a show, wi th the support of many kinds of media, he could become a celebrity without doubt. What seems to come next to fame? It is wealthy. Statistics show that actors can be paid nearly $US20 million for making a single film (S.Bunbury 2009). But it is not the only source of their income. They are also paid to appear on advertising or to represent a brand. For many years, Australian celebrities efforts are trying to sell us things like hair replacement, air-conditioning, alcoholic drinks, house-and-land packages and fast food. Sarah Murdoch hustles for undies; Gwyneth Paltrow endorses cosmetics; Celine Dion used to represent a car company, Bruce Willis hawks vodka (C.Middendorp 2010). Hence, they can earn millions of dollar from these advertised campaigns (C.Middendorp 2010). Another example is Kylie Minogue who is a famous singer in Australia. She is also known as actress, childrens book author, underwear designer and perfumer. As a result, her net wealth in 2006 is approximately $55 million, according to James Thomson-the editor of BRWs Entertainer Rich List (D.Ziffer, L .Dubecki 2006). However, the obvious prices that most of them have to pay for the fame are their own privacy. The fact is that the celebrities always use media for their self-promotion. So, some people argue that it is unfair for them when the media reports some thing which they want to keep secret. Nevertheless, other said that celebrities take advantage from media to create the ideal figures of them no matter how inaccurate they are, so it has right to tell the truth (B. Haywood 2004). Therefore, some famous celebrities are always followed by the paparazzi and their privacy is exposed on magazines, newspapers. Objective 3: To research the effects of celebrity culture on our behaviour It is obvious that in a society that is obsessed by media and celebrity culture, celebrities have a great impact on everyone. From fashion trends to life style or political views, peoples behaviours, interests and beliefs are strongly affected by celebrities. Furthermore, these celebrity-culture-obsessions usually begin at an early age, therefore, other than adults, teenagers and children are most impressed. They often think of famous people as role model and try to become those figures (C. Shaffer, 2010). For example, there was a research done by the UK research organisation YouGov in 2005 which surveyed a group 800 of 16-19-year-age young people (Cassidy 2006). It showed that 10% of teenagers would leave school to appear on TV if they had opportunity. Sixteen in 100 of them believed they could find success through celebrity industry. Meanwhile, 9% think being famous is the best way to achieve wealthy without qualifications. The positive affects of celebrities are social and environmental effects. Many environmental topics and issues such as global warming, wildlife animal protectionà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ could approach the publicity thanks to the celebrities. Tom Hanks, Al Gore, and Leonardo DiCaprio strongly believe in living green lifestyle (C. Shaffer, 2010). These advocacy-celebrities can positively influence people as they would live more eco-friendly and do good thing for environment protection. Furthermore, many celebrities campaigns concerning social issues like charity, helping poor people, HIVà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ also have good impacts on people recognition. One example is that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie had adopted 3 orphans from different countries (Ethiopia, Cambodia and Vietnam). However, the bad effects also be accompanied by the good effects. The public, with so much exposure to celebrities, could strongly be influenced by their behaviour or even misbehaviour. The fact is that people are imitated by the behaviour associating with success and fame. So, that is the reason why they can have impacts on people, especially the young. Meanwhile, young celebrities can easily affect young people. However, two thirds of 1,007 people in a weekend USA Today Poll believe Hollywood stars are no more likely to get into trouble than other young people (K. Thomas, 2007). Paris Hilton and Linsay Lohan are example. Both of them had to go to jail because of using drugs and driving when they got drunk. Other scandals of the young celebrities concerning with sex, drugs, drunk, clubs, partiesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. are exposed daily on many kinds of media. Hence, the downgrading lifestyles of celebrities are seriously affects on young people in general and the next generation in particu lar. No parents want those bad figures to become their childrens role but they could find no way to get rid of their effects. Section C: Self-evaluation Research skills/Procedure Actually, at first, I choose the topic concerning with technology because it seems to be hot and there are plenty of articles and books writing about it. However, I decided the topic celebrity culture because I found I am interesting in it. It is just because of my habit to go online and read news everyday. I was not sure there are any research or articles concerning with this topic, but I had finally chosen what I am interesting in not others are. After the hardest work- choosing topic, I have to determine how I could approach it. I focused on how does celebrity culture affect our behavior, with three objectives: to examine the rising tide celebrity culture on newspapers, magazines, TV and the Internet; to evaluate the cost to be a celebrity; to research the effects of celebrity culture on our behaviour. However, on the process I did the research, I had to change my second objective to to explain why many people want to be celebrities, which seems to be more suitable to my way of approaching the topic. Unfortunately, I could not find any printed resource in Taylors library which could help my research. So, I had to find everything on the Internet. I used google.com and others scholar website on Study Smart to find most of my references and articles. Oral communication skills In the oral presentation, I have chosen to talk about my two first objectives. I think I did well in the oral presentation. I had done this many times before so I did not feel nervous any more when standing in front of crowed. Furthermore, I also control my body language well. I used the outline on cue cards and the power point for my presentation. I did not learn it by heart because I wanted to make it as naturally as I could. Hence, I received good comments from the teacher about those skills. He also commented well about my tied-up-point. Actually, I came to my mind when I was on tram to school. However, I need to improve my pronunciation and concentrate more on plural endings. Also, because I did not practice my presentation enough time, so I was overtime- 8 minutes. So, I have to practice more to improve my English in general and my pronunciation in particular. I also have to learn to handle the time allowed in next time I do presentation. Organisational skills At first, I found it not too hard to meet the deadlines. Because most of my resources for the research project are from Internet, so it was easy for me to collect everything. Then, the hardest and most time-consuming step is to read all of them and classify which articles; journalsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ are suitable for which objective. Unfortunately, I was sick and absent 3 days from school, so, I could not hand in the second objective on time. Therefore, I did really hard to catch up with other friends and the deadlines also. From this part, I have learnt a lot about time management: to arrange work, to do the schedule, to catch upà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. I think this very important for my future study in university. Also, this is the first time I write the reference list, so I found it is quite difficult. I had to do it many times and asked the teacher to make sure that I was on the right way. Thanks to him, I could finally finish it. Now I feel more confidence to write the reference list next time. To sum up, I have learnt many new things when doing this research project. They are not only academic, but also social and communicational skills: to do the oral presentation, to manage time, to arrange work, to write a report, to do a bibliography, to overcome unexpected problemsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. Those skills are always important in both my study and my life in future. Section D: Reference List Elliott, T. 2010, Celebrity is a growth industry, The Age, 29 May, viewed 01 August 2010, . Bunbury, S. 2009, Like a prayer: Celebrities and religion, The Age, 07 April, viewed 01 August 2010, . Shaffer, C. 2010, How do celebrities influence people?, eHow Contributor, 28 June, viewed 01 August 2010, Cadwalladr, C. 2010, Celebrity: The sadness of Susan Boyle, The Advertiser, 26 June. Funnel, N. 2010, Responsibility goes with the celebrity, The Age, 21 June. Haywood, B. 2004, The Price of Fame, The Age, 08 November. McDonald, B., Loughlan, K. 2010, Fame is like the real thing, Sydney Morning Herald, 06 May. Middendorp, C. 2010, Celebrity may earn millions in ads, but look decidedly cheap, The Age, 14 January, p.15. Thomas, K. 2007, Young Hollywood: What has gotten into them?, USA Today, 06 June. Ziffer, D., Dubecki, L. 2006, What next for Kylie?, The Age, 09 December. Turner, G. 2010, Approaching celebrity studies in Celebrity Studies, Volume 1, p.11 20.

mental disorder Essay -- essays research papers fc

The definition of the concept of a â€Å"mental disorder,† is fundamental to the mental health field and has been an important yet controversial issue in psychology. To properly assess, treat, and even prevent mental disorders, psychologists must initially develop a clear understanding of the term. Labeling a person’s behavior as a mental disorder can affect the way they are viewed by others and the way in which they view themselves. Thus, it is important to achieve a good measure of what constitutes a mental disorder so that they are accurately diagnosed and treated.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  What is a mental disorder? Currently, there are four criteria that are used to determine whether a person has a mental disorder. First, maladaptiveness of behavior refers to behavior of the individual that does not promote the well being of another individual or social group. Next, deviation from social norms is concerned with behavior straying from the standards that have been set by a particular society. Third, deviation from statistical norms refers to any type of behavior that is statistically rare and therefore unusual (Smith). However, according to this definition, a person who is extremely intelligent would be classified as abnormal. Thus we must consider yet another possibility. The fourth criterion considers mental disorder in terms of the individual’s personal distress rather than his or her behavior. This explanation is based on bizarreness, discomfort, and inefficiency. Whil...

Othello :: essays research papers

Without Trust, Love Cannot Prevail   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Trust can be defined as assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something (Webster’s 1246). In life many people are faced with the decision on who or who not to trust, especially in the realm of love. Trust is one of the main factors needed to determine a healthy, loving relationship. In William Shakespeare’s Othello, the main character Othello is unable to trust his new bride Desdemona. In act one, scene three, Desdemona professes her love for Othello in front of her father, as well as the court. Regardless of Desdemona’s professed love for Othello, Othello fails to see her honest love and becomes blind of her devotion for her husband, when he should have had trust. Since Othello failed to have confidence in himself, when it pertained to love, he failed to have confidence in his wife and marriage, which led Othello to not trust his new bride. In society today lack of trust in one’s partner is able t o ruin a good relationship just as Othello did with his new marriage. Trust is a key factor in a healthy relationship, without it love is unable to prevail.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In act one, scene three, Othello calls in his new bride to allow her to speak on behalf of their relationship. Without hesitation Desdemona speaks on behalf of herself and her love for her husband.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"That I (did) love the Moor to live with him   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  My downright violence and storm of fortunes   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  May trumpet to the world. My heart’s subduded   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Even to the very quality of my lord.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I saw Othello’s Visage in his mind,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  And To his honors and his Valiant parts   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Did I my soul and Fortunes consecrate.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  So that, dear lords, if I be left behind,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A moth of peace, and he go to the war,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The rites for why I love him are bereft me   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  And I a heavy interim shall support   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  By his dear absence. Let me go with him.† (Shakespeare 45, line 283-293). Desdemona professed her love for Othello in front of her father and the court. By doing so she reinforced the fact that no magic or mystical powers were used and she explained how she went with Othello freely, by doing so she redefines her own status as Othello’s wife (Calderwood 29). By confessing her love, Desdemona is presenting to Othello her faithfulness to him because she is allowing all of them (those in the court) to know about her love, which should allow Othello to see her love for him is real and that he is able trust her and love her.

DBQ: The Enlightenment Essay

The Enlightenment known by many as the Age of Reason was a turning point in history. Man people believe that without the Enlightenment, many of the laws, and rules would exist. For example the United States Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were greatly influenced by the Enlightenment. For example, John Locke, an Enlightenment thinker highly influenced the Declaration of Independence by stating that the natural rights of people include life, liberty and property except the founding fathers changed it by stating life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The American Revolution itself has been called the embodiment of Enlightenment ideas. If the founding fathers were not influenced by some of these ideas, maybe the United Sates would not be a democracy; it could have been an absolute monarchy, aristocracy, etc. Some of our human rights would not exist if it were for the Enlightenment. Philosophers such as Montesquieu, Rousseau, Locke, and others lead to many great changes. These ideas were used by some to challenge absolute monarchies. An absolute monarchy is a government ruled by one ruler. These ideas also impacted both government and society. Some of the ideas of the Enlightenment were used to challenge absolute monarchy. One example is given in Document # 1, Montesquieu who was a French philosopher during the Enlightenment, states, â€Å"There can be no liberty with the executive, legislative, and judicial powers are united in one person or body it a persons, because such concentration is bound to result in arbitrary despotism. In this statement, Montesquieu is stating that liberty cannot exist where three powers of government are held by one person or body of persons. This is because then the people would not have rights for themselves. The idea was used to challenge an absolute monarchy the people thought that it was unfair that one person was ruling the state where as they wanted that people have a say in the government and everyone should have equal rights. Another idea used to challenge an absolute monarchy was in Document # 2. Voltaire, who was a French author and philosopher, states â€Å"†¦I may disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it†¦ The best government seems to be that in which all ranks of men are equally protected by the laws†¦Ã¢â‚¬  This statement challenged absolute monarchies because Voltaire believed that freedom of speech should be a right for each person. He believed that people should be able to express their thoughts and feelings. Freedom of speech is a very important right today, and it is used every day by people who express their thoughts. Also in Document # 3 Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who was a French philosopher states â€Å"Man is born free; and everywhere he is in chains. † Rousseau is saying that despite the fact that man is born free, he is still tortures, still abused and has all of those free liberties taken away from him. For example, even though people in France prior to the revolution were all human, only the third estate had to pay taxes. The Enlightenment also had a large impact on both government and society. For example in Document # 5 English philosopher Locke states â€Å"Man being†¦ by nature all free, equal, and independent no one can be†¦ subjected to the political power of another without his own consent†¦ To protect natural rights governments are established†¦ Since man hope to preserve their property by establishing a government, they will not want the government to destroy the objectives. When legislators try to destroy or take away the property of people, or try to reduce them to slavery, they put themselves in to a state of war with the people who can refuse to obey the laws. This idea had a large impact on both government and society because told society that if they wanted to keep their property, they would have to establish a government that protects natural rights. This impacted the society because many people wanted natural rights and this statement influenced the society to establish a new type of government. It impacted the government because this statement told the government that if the people wanted to keep their property and other rights they would have to establish a new government meaning that the current government would have to change, so the government would be concerned. Another example of an impact on both government and society is shown in Document # 6, an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence. It states, â€Å"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. –That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. † This excerpt impacts government because it states that certain rights is unalienable, meaning that they cannot be taken away from you; these include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The impact of the Enlightenment had an effect on government because before the Enlightenment governments of Europe were primarily Divine Right Monarchies, meaning a King ruled, who was selected by God. Prior to the Enlightenment people believed that if you disobeyed the King, you disobeyed God. There was no difference between the State and the Church because each State had its own religion. No one had rights; there were no checks and balances or separation of powers because only one person was in control. The upper classes had the rights causing the lower classes to be angry. The impact the Enlightenment had on society was that it gave people curiosity to why they don’t have natural rights. The ideas of the Enlightenment led to the society of France to rebel and that led to the French Revolution, therefore the ideas of the Enlightenment led people to realize that they are not being given rights that they are entitled to. As you can see the Enlightenment I considered a turning point in world history, changing man’s view of government and society. Examples of these ideas are shown in documents 1-6. Many of the ideas created by the philosophers during the Enlightenment led to many revolutions and greatly influenced many countries including the United States of America. Also these ideas led people to question and rebel for rights that they are entitled to. Some of these include freedom of speech, and equality. If the ideas of the Enlightenment were not important, many countries including the United States could have been an absolute monarchy, aristocracy, or another type of government where all citizens are not equal.

Discrimination Model of Supervision Essay

School counseling is a complex and demanding component of the counseling profession. With an increase of social and emotional stressors, children and youth of today face numerous challenges. These challenges ultimately affect children in school. With an increase of suicides, drug abuse, gang involvement, and violence amongst youth, a high demand for school counseling supervision is needed (Henderson, 1994). Parents and teachers often turn to school counselors for guidance in helping troubled youth. Effective supervision is a benefit for novice as well as experienced school counselors. However, there is a lack of supervision in school counseling in comparison to clinical counseling (Wood & Rayle, 2006). Duties of school counselors have increasingly become much more vast due to cost reduction in education, retirement, increase in student enrollment, and an increase in societal issues such as the economic recession. Many novice and experienced school counselors are facing many more problems in the schools today than ever before. The lack of qualified supervision provided to school counselors force those in the profession to rely on self judgment, consultation, and having ethical knowledge about certain situations that may arise (Henderson, 1994). A study conducted by Wiggins (1993) found â€Å"more than 28% of the total group of experienced counselor participants were independently rated as low in effectiveness, 10 years previously, they were still rated in that manner and still employed as counselors† (p. 382). This study reinforced the urgency in the need for supervision for school counselors. If an effective supervision model was put in place, surely after 10 years, an improvement in performance by these experienced counselors would have been documented. According Herlihy and Corey (1996), the ACA Code of Ethics stated school  counselors have a responsibility to monitor their effectiveness, seeking supervision when appropriate. Despite this mandate, an enormous majority of professional school counselors are not involved in any clinical supervision once they are employed as a school counselor. Luke and Bernard (2006) proposed â€Å"using a 3 (focus of supervision) x 3 (supervisor role) x 4 (CSCP domain) matrix for an effective school counseling supervision model which is described as an extension of Bernard’s (1979, 1997) Discrimination Model† (p. 283). The discrimination model was initially created as a teaching model for use with apprentice supervisors. It is a theoretical model and is based on technical eclecticism. The discrimination model focuses on three separate foci of the supervisee’s competence: intervention skills; conceptualization skills; and personalization skills. Three supervisory roles are also a focus: teacher, counselor and consultant (Ladany & Bradley, 2010). The school counselor model of supervision with the discrimination model is the chosen model employed for my school counselor supervision practice. Intervention, conceptualization, and personalization skills are the three identified areas of focus (Ladany & Bradley, 2010). Intervention skills are the observable counselor behaviors and activities that the supervisee utilizes in the counseling relationship. Such skills are described as everything from a simple head nod, greeting of the client, to how the supervisee utilizes empathy and other counseling skills. The next area of focus, conceptualization skills include the counselor’s ability to choose an appropriate intervention, to make sense of what a client is presenting, to find and organize client themes, and to establish process and outcome goals. Finally, personalization skills are observed by the supervisor and focus on the individuality of the supervisee. Personalization skills include the personal style and chosen theoretical approach to counseling by the trainee, which includes personality, cultural background, countertransference, and the connection with clients served (Ladany & Bradley, 2010). Although some conceptualization and personalization skills may be observed directly, they are more often interpreted by the supervisor and initially require discourse between counselor and supervisor to become clear (Luke & Bernard, 2006). The supervisor’s roles consist of three areas of focal point. They include that of a teacher, counselor, and consultant. The role of a teacher by the supervisor includes the supervisor providing instruction, modeling, giving feedback, and conducting evaluation to assist the trainee in developing growth (Ladany & Bradley, 2010). The supervisor employing the role of a counselor involves the supervisor asking supervisees to reflect on an activity, on their thoughts, or on their internal reality. When supervisors adopt this role, they are not telling supervisees how to proceed; rather, they are assisting the supervisee to take advantage of a critical moment for reflection (Luke & Bernard, 2006). Lastly the supervisor serves as a consultant. In this role the supervisor and supervisee collaborate and share responsibility for the supervisee’s growth. The supervisor acts as a resource and encourages the supervisee to trust their own thoughts, insights, and feelings in their work (Luke & Bernard, 2006). The extension of the discrimination model to better adapt to the needs of school counseling supervision incorporates four domains: large group guidance; responsive counseling and consultation; individual advisement; and programmatic planning, coordination, and evaluation, also known as systems support (Gysbers & Henderson, 2001). These four domains are identified by the American School Counselor Association as the key components of an effective comprehensive school counseling program. Implementation of the discrimination model of supervision begins with the incorporation of the four domains of the comprehensive school counseling program. First, the supervisor identifies which of the four domains or a combination of domains will be the focus of supervision. When examining the three major areas of focus of the discrimination model, an additional set of skills are reviewed as it relates to intervention, conceptualization, and personalization skills (Luke & Bernard, 2006). When observing the use of intervention skills in counseling and consultation; classroom guidance skills, conduction of a needs assessment, and the ability to coordinate initiatives for staff would be additional focus during supervision. Similarly, conceptualization skills would include the supervisee’s  understanding of the relationship among various activities conducted by school counselors, planning a school wide function, deciding which components would be most helpful for a career day, developing a plan for evaluation of services, and choosing a developmentally appropriate classroom intervention. Finally, supervisee personalization skills would include how novice school counselors conduct themselves in a variety of contexts that is not limited to just individual counseling, such as leading large groups and asserting themselves in advocacy situations (Luke & Bernard, 2006). The implementation of the discrimination model of supervision in a school setting for novice school counselors mirrors the same frame work that is used for supervising clinical work but extends the focus of supervision to include the intervention, conceptualization, and personalization skills that relate directly to the four dimensions of a successful comprehensive school counseling program. Supervisors’ roles also expand using the discrimination model of supervision in school counseling. Supervisors use the four dimensions of the comprehensive school counseling program to assist with the development in particular skills not only in counseling interventions but also in advising sessions and negotiations with parents and school administrators. Supervisors assist supervisees in reflections and feelings about district-sponsored mandated programs and how these thoughts and feelings impact their performance (Luke & Bernard, 2006). Supervisors utilize all roles as teacher, counselor, and consultant and may need to change focus depending on the intervention and skills being developed. In conclusion, this extension of the discrimination model of supervision for school counselors prove to provide beneficial guidance and assistance to novice school counselor professionals. This model of supervision helps to combine the counseling and therapy focus seen mostly in clinical supervision with the requirements of school counseling skills needed to operate an effective comprehensive school counseling program. References Gysbers, N. & Henderson, P. (2001). Comprehensive guidance and counseling programs: A rich history and a bright future. Professional School Counseling, 4, 246-256. Henderson, P. (1994). Supervision of school counselors. ERIC Digest. Retrieved from ERIC Database. (ED372353). Herlihy, B. & Corey, G. (1996). ACA ethical standards casebook 5th ed. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association. Ladany, N. & Bradley, L. (2010). Counselor supervision 4th ed. New York, NY: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. Luke, M. & Bernard, J. (2006). The school counseling supervision model: An extension of the discrimination model. Counselor Education and Supervision, 46(4), 282-295. Wiggins, J. D. (1993). A 10-year follow-up of counselors rated high, average, or low in effectiveness. The School Counselor, 40, 380-383. Wood, C. & Rayle, A. (2006). A model of school counseling supervision: The goals, functions, roles, and systems model. Counselor Education & Supervision, 45(4), 253-266.

Amoco Case Write Up Essay

As long-term valuation is assumed, risk free rate is set as 30-year treasury rate, 5.73%. Cost of debt is 6.72% reflecting Amoco’s credit level. Cost of equity is calculated as 10.63%, leading to final WACC at 8.85% (Chart 1). In DCF valuation (Chart 2), long-term growth rate is assumed to be 4%. Change in working capital is calculated as the average of 1997 and 1996 figure and is assumed to be constant for simplicity. Terminal value is valued at $69,398.1 million and NPV is $51,525 million. Stock price will be $37.07, indicating an exchange ratio at 0.46. This is a very conservative valuation as our DCF price is lower than Amoco’s current market price. Regarding of multiple valuation (Chart 3), P/E ratio from comparable firms are used, which leads us to an exchange ratio at 0.68. Thus, our estimation for Amoco’s stand-alone value is from $37.07 to $54.69 per share, i.e. 0.46 to 0.68-exchange ratio. As the acquirer, our basic negotiating strategy is to low the exchange ratio as much as possible. Based on our conservative evaluation of Amoco, our opening exchange ratio is 0.46. For Amoco sides, their opening exchange ratio is 1. The big difference between our opening prices indicates this negotiating process should be tough. First, we checked the discount rate. For us, BP company, we use 8.83%, however, Amoco they use a higher one around 9%. The main difference to calculate the discount rate is that we use the 30-year Treasury rate as risk free rate compared to Amoco used 20-year Treasury rate. Moreover, we use the debt to debt plus equity but they use debt to equity to calculate WACC. To compromise these differences, we agree to use the average discount rate that doesn’t make a large influence of the valuation price. After this, we discussed the most important factor –growth rate. Based on the assumption in the case, we use 4% as terminal growth rate, 2% annual oil demand growth rate plus 2% inflation rate. However, Amoco hold the view that the oil price would grow at 6% in long-term, and it’s hard for both of us to get a compromising rate. Therefore, we jumped to synergy and currency questions, and we agreed on the synergy that Amoco would bring BP the North America  market and BP would use US currency to acquire Amoco’s share. After discussed all these details, we came back to the final offer price. We offered a higher one as exchange rate 0.6. Amoco rejected. Finally, after they thoughtful discussion they offered 0.66 exchange rate or price 52.965 as their final offer, which for us is lower than our walk-away price 65.94. Therefore, we accepted this offer and we both reach our goals to reach the deal and build a good relationship with the other management team. The previous 959.6m Amoco shares will convert into 633.336m shares of BP ADS equivalent, with the previous 965.6m ADS shares, BP shareholders will take part 60% of the new company, still have majority control over the firm. In this deal, we paid for about 20% premium, which is quite standard and normal. Because synergies from revenue and chemical divisions’ combination are not estimated nor not expected to bring benefit, the main synergy from the merge is 2 billion dollars saving of pretax operating cost. The value we create for our shareholders is $14,840.06 million (Amoco stand-alone value $46,430 million+ synergy $2 billion – price paid for Amoco $33,538.94). But this number is quite sensitive to a lot of factors, such as future energy demand, oil and gas price, industry growth potentials, ultimately affecting Amoco’s stand-alone and synergy valuation. Please see the chart 4 of sensitive analysis of Amoco’s stand-alone value according to the change of terminal growth rate in the appendices. But even modest assumptions still can lead to positive value created in this deal.

Chinese Influence to Japan and Korea essays

Chinese Influence to Japan and Korea essays Chinese Buddhism was introduced into Korea in the fourth century, and from there taken to Japan two centuries later. In this paper, I would like to compare what are the Chinese influences to Korea and Japan in the temples of Buddhism field. In addition, does Chinese really directly influence these two countries? The reason that I pick Korea and Japan as a comparison is because I have been to these two countries and visited some temples of them. My feeling is that even though those temples have some similarities but unique. I think it may be interesting to introduce the transformation of the temples. In addition, my grandfather is a Buddhist and I actually got some useful information form him about the paper. Historically, Japan has been subject to sudden invasions of new and alien ideas followed by long periods of minimal contact with the outside world. Over time the Japanese developed the ability to absorb, imitate, and finally assimilate those elements of foreign culture that complemented their aesthetic preferences. For example: Even though Japanese temples are influenced by China and Korea, it still keeps its original ideas and having its own style. On the other hand, while the foreign influence on Korean art cannot be ignored, it is almost impossible to appreciate the real value of Korean art without properly understanding the underlying context of Korean history and culture. This obvious truth has more often than not been overlooked Buddhism was first brought from China to the Korean Peninsula in 372 CE. The first Korean temples to be built, according to records, were Songmun-sa (or Ch'o-mun-sa) and Ibulran-sa. A Buddhist temple compound is far more than just a collection of buildings. First of all, the land is chosen according to the ancient science of geomancy which considers the shape of the mountains, position of water and the cardinal directions. Next the Main Hall is built, accompanied by special ceremonies. The oth...

Goree Island Book Review Essay Example

Goree Island Book Review Essay Example Goree Island Book Review Paper Goree Island Book Review Paper Review: Goree Island: Island of No Return, Saga of the Signares by Richard Harrison Goree. Gold Leaf Press, Mt. Clemens, MI. 1996. Often times a search for family history can lead to confusing twists and turns or shocking revelations. In the case of Richard Goree, the search for his family’s past led to a novel with much important knowledge for the rest of the world. Goree Island is a story revealing the importance of signares in economic success during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and colonial period in Africa. Elevating themselves to respected and revered statuses, these mulatto women were considered the grease that kept the European (particularly French) economic machines moving. During the colonial period in Africa, mulatto (half white/half African) women came to power as the go-betweens for traders by utilizing their lighter complexion to initially gain a level of inherent trust. When an incoming trading ship ported at Goree Island, the French stationed there would send these women, signares, to the important shipmen on board in hopes that the gift of the company of these women would put them in a better mood to trade. : Throughout the years these women became vital to the success of the French at Goree Island. In a course about the history of African women the signares are bound to come as up as an essential part of the slave trade era. However, one of the main points of this book was primarily on everyday life and interactions between signares and other individuals; including their effects on the island’s economy, social and diplomatic relationships and ceremony. When Goree Island was a high traffic port for trading, the most important activities surrounding a ship’s arrival would be centered around the signares. When word of an incoming English ship came in to Monsieur de Drouin, he was extremely concerned about the incoming shipmen’s impressions of their signares. Without the involvement of these signares it is unknown how the transactions would have gone, but what is known is the length of preparations that were made to ensure their visitors were pleased and in return were generous in trade. Sasha and Helene-Marie, both Mothers of the signares at different times, were given the privilege of slave labor to build a stone parlor for their entertaining purposes. This was completely out of the ordinary for French society, however exceptions to the French rules were made daily for the signares, as shown by Andre Bruie’s conversation with a newly arrived factor. â€Å"They have the connections [signares]. So, if the rules don’t provide for them, then the rules must at least give them room to do what they do best† (115). The importance of signares was not underestimated in Goree Island and is evidenced by the French’s willingness to budge on previously unfathomable aspects of life, race relations. Another main point of this book is that the signares were not simply handed their positions but they were acquired through hard work and cunning. The aforementioned stone parlor was earned by Helene-Marie through an invention that was adapted by the French in their prisons on the island. After asking for permission to use slave labor, Bruie responded to her â€Å"she could have the men do it if she could secure them and still give them room to do the work. Then I laughed and dismissed the idea, she came back one week later with this† (116). He was referencing a collard invention that Helene-Marie devised in only one week. This shows that the signares were innovative enough to have created their own opportunities and acquire the position they are in by their own actions. The greatest contribution to helping understand the signares life choices was an early interaction between Helene-Marie and a young Sasha. Sasha inquired if Helene-Marie ever asked for anything in return from the European men they visited. Helene-Marie scolded Sasha for asking such a question and continued to enforce the fact that they are to expect nothing in return and to be obedient to their guests. This dialogue between the two is important to understanding that from a young age the signares were trained for their future. Once the signares had established their position on the island it was important to teach the young mulatto women and future signares their roles at a young age because often times it was unknown how young they were going to be requested by the traders. One of the things I would have liked to have added in this book would have been stories of interactions between the signares and the visiting traders. It was shown on more than one occasion that signares can become emotionally attached to their traders so there has to be some sort of poignant connections happening between them. These exchanges would also provide additional insight on how the signares were able to climb to the social position they have achieved.

The X-files essays

The X-files essays As the end credits flashed and the haunting notes of the title theme resonated, reverberated and eventually vanished in the depth of my mind, I sat back and sighed. My body tingled with excitement as a broad smile swept across my 12 year old face. I had just discovered my two true heroes Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully of the FBI.My meeting with The X-files had occurred through a chance channel surfing one Thursday night. Little did I know that, that one episode would turn me into a religiously devout X-phile and change the way I saw the world forever. Mulder and Scully have undoubtedly been two of the most significant fictional characters Ive come across. I chose to speak of the two of them together as it is hard for me to imagine one without the other.Like reason and intuition they go hand in hand in understanding and discovering the fascinating enigmas that are out there. My emulation of them has gone beyond the oversized coats I used to wear when I was 12, for they truly have influenced the way I looked at myself and the universe. Mulder, the brilliant, intuitive and sensitive, maverick with an eidetic memory who graduated top of his class at Oxford and threw aside a fast moving career in the FBI to dig through what others regarded as trash in the basement. Scully, the equally brilliant ,pragmatic ,scientist who despite being a M.D. chose instead the challenging rigors of the FBI to make a place for herself in a male dominated profession. Week after week they pursued relentlessly the most bizarre and nebulous conundrums that the universe could conjure with a continued passion, despite the many dangers, lies,dead ends and loop holes that they encountered. Who wouldnt be inspired by two such amazing individuals?! In them I saw a curiosity that often dies down in individuals as they grow up. A curiosity and zeal to look beyond the pettiness of life, and at the larger pict...

The Best Way to Write a Creative Brief (Includes Templates)

The Best Way to Write a Creative Brief (Includes Templates) Marketing projects can sometimes be a challenge to get off the ground. Everyone has a different vision for what the campaign should be, what the creative will look like and what the objectives are. Not doing your prep work on the front-end can mean you might go too far down the wrong path, which means†¦ Wasted time†¦ Lost money†¦ And disgruntled clients. So what’s a marketer to do? Create a clear creative brief before the work begins, of course. If this leaves you scratching your head, have no fear. You’ll find everything you need in this post, including how to create an effective creative brief, nine examples to model after, and free templates to get your project off the ground. Three Creative Brief Templates + Your Projects = Success Start off by downloading our free creative brief templates. This kit includes three different templates you can use to write effective creative briefs the easy way (in Word, Excel, and Powerpoint format). Grab ’em free below. Then, keep reading to learn how to use them effectively.Why You Need a Creative Brief A creative brief helps clarify expectations between your team and the project’s stakeholders. Not having one increases the likelihood of missed deadlines and means a heck of a lot more time wasted on making sure everyone is on the right track. The creative brief serves as the documentation for the project’s objectives and how you’re going to achieve success- the â€Å"what† and â€Å"how†, essentially. Marketing teams need to focus carefully on ROI to prove our worth. Creativity is often overlooked in this equation. As evidenced by the thrown together creative briefs copied and pasted from old campaigns. Doesn’t it seem odd that you’re willing to spending a bunch of money on a project, but not spend more than 5 minutes making sure your project is set up for success? Reason 1: Define the Scope and Help Avoid Scope-creep The creative brief says a lot about what the project is, but it also provides insight into what the project isn’t. For example, let’s say your creative brief outlines a project to redesign your website’s blog.   The scope of this project is clear- you’re not setting out to re-design any other area of the site. This avoids what we call scope-creep. Scope-creep can be compared to the â€Å"might as-wells†. â€Å"If we’re redesigning the blog, we ‘might as-well’ redesign the about us pages, too.† This can be especially difficult if your project is on behalf of a client. You, as the Project Manager, need to make hard decisions about whether you need to adjust the cost and risk the client getting upset, or eat the cost and hurt your profitability. Your creative brief can help you avoid this conundrum. Collaborating with your client or team at the beginning helps prevent misunderstandings about deliverables and gives you a document to reference if scope-creep arises. Reason 2: Clarify the Project’s Timeline Most projects have a definitive delivery date, so it’s a good idea to include a timeline in your creative brief. Marketing teams juggle multiple projects at once, which means it can be a challenge for individuals to manage everything on their plate. It’s important for Marketing Managers to value their team member’s opinions regarding realistic timelines and workloads. Gain input while formulating the creative brief or use something like ’s Team Management Dashboard to make sure timelines are realistic. Use ’s Team Management Dashboard to Set Realistic Timelines There’s nothing more frustrating as a Marketing Manager than (unsuccessfully) trying to stay on top of what everyone on your team is working on. Our Team Management Dashboard replaces lengthy meetings and email chains required to chase down updates. Use the dashboard when outlining your creative brief to visualize realistic timelines based on everyone’s *actual* workload. Need to re-prioritize? No Sweat. Simply reshuffle workloads with the drag and drop functionality. Everyone will be able to see their updated tasks in real-time. Sayonara, spreadsheets. What Can the Team Management Dashboard Do For Your Team? What to see how the Team Management Dashboard can get your team organized and never miss a deadline? Schedule a demo with our team to find out more. Reason 3: Mitigate Confusion and Answer Questions Have you ever been pulled into a project and felt confused about the who, what, where, when, and why? Or maybe those questions have lingered in your mind throughout the duration of the project? (Let’s be honest, we’ve all been a part of a marketing project that has felt a little half-baked.) The process of writing the creative brief itself helps you work through strategic questions that may otherwise go unanswered. Likewise, everyone involved in the project will have a clear idea of what’s going on and can understand the project’s reason for existence. Which makes your job as the de facto Project Manager a lot easier. Questions about timeline? Check out the creative brief. Questions about target audience? Creative brief. Questions about process? You guessed it... creative brief. BOOM. You’ve just saved some time by not having to re-answer the same questions over and over again. Elements of a Great Creative Brief Creative briefs can vary slightly in what they actually contain. Some opt for more information; others are more condensed. Here’s a running list of items you may consider including in your brief. Project Summary Describe the project in one or two sentences. Boil it down to the basics. This gives everyone who might come into the project (at any point in time) a high-level understanding of what the project is. It also makes it easier to iterate on the project down the road. â€Å"E-commerce research project intended to attract small business owners wanting to launch their own e-shop.† Target audience Outline who you’re trying to reach with the campaign. This can be simply a certain user persona or it can be a demographic outline. This is important as it gives the project member an idea of who they’re talking to/ designing for. â€Å"Small business owners and ‘makers’ that are currently selling on Etsy, farmer’s markets, etc.† Problem What problem is the project trying to solve? Why do you need to do *this* project? This narrows down why the project exists and why the company needs to do this particular project. â€Å"{Insert company name} is finding it difficult to convince designers, makers, small business owners etc. of the benefits of creating their own webshops rather than selling via Etsy. This report will provide {the company} with original data to use throughout the year and will highlight the benefits of setting up an e-commerce site.† Goal   Why are we doing this project? Make sure your goals are measurable and avoid setting too many. Stick to your one metric that matters. â€Å"The primary goal is to increase interest in using {company platform} as the go-to e-commerce platform. This will help position {company name}   as the best solution for setting up an e-commerce website. We will create a comprehensive research report that aims to convert 5,000 new paid users by the end of 2019.† KPI How will success be measured? This sets the stage for how you will know if your project was successful or not. It also helps you understand if the project should be repeated. â€Å"This report will be measured based on the number of new accounts generated from gated downloads.† Process What are the general steps we must follow to finish the project? This is a good outline that can become a task template once the project kicks off. It also is a good way for each team member to visualize where they fit into the project. Write survey questions Distribute survey Analyze data Write content for the report Design PDF Prepare promotion strategy Measure Individuals/Teams Involved Who do you need to get this project done? This serves as a reminder to everyone that they need to be involved in order for the project to get off the ground. â€Å"PR, Graphic Design, Social Media, Analytics, Content Marketing, Email Marketing† Timeline What is the due date for this project? Every project needs to have a start and end date†¦ they can’t drag on in perpetuity. This makes it easier for people to plan their workloads and get things finished on time. â€Å"End of Q2 2019† Budget How much can you spend on this project? This can either be a client’s budget or internal resources that are dedicated. You can also think of this in terms of hours devoted to this project. $25,000 How to Write a Great Creative Brief Aside from including the right information, there are a couple things you should also think about when compiling a creative brief. Be Specific You want your creative brief to clear enough that anyone can understand the project. A vague creative brief will often produce results that fall far short of expectations. When a creative brief misses the necessary specifics, significant revisions often arise which makes for a frustrating process for all involved. Set S.M.A.R.T Goals Setting S.M.A.R.T goals help put your project on the fast track to success. An example of a S.M.A.R.T goal might be: â€Å"We will create a comprehensive research report that aims to convert 5,000 new paid users by the end of 2019.† The goal is specific by identifying that you want to help drive new paid users. It’s measurable because your team will be able to tell if you hit your 5,000 increase paid users or not. It’s attainable based on previous benchmarking for similar campaigns. The task is relevant because it’s contributing to the company’s bottom line. Finally, the task has a time limit to see if the project was successful or not. The Operative Word is Brief The creative brief is exactly what it says†¦ brief. It doesn’t need everything and the kitchen sink. Offer an abridged summary that can be easily digested. It shouldn’t be TL;DR. You don’t need to link to a dozen planning spreadsheets, email chains, and related documents.   Chances are those supporting documents won’t even be looked at, so don’t waste your time.

Macrroeconomics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Macrroeconomics - Essay Example These factors often influence each other. As opposed to microeconomics, which is mainly concerned with actions of individual factors such as consumers, firms and how consumer behavior determines quantities and prices in specified markets, macroeconomics is broad in scope. It is, therefore, aimed at providing an understanding of the causes and consequences of changes in national incomes as well as understanding the major determinants of economic growth (Marshall 10). Macroeconomists have developed a variety of models that tend to explain the relationships between the various economic factors. These models have been helpful to governments and large corporations in developing and evaluating their economic policies as well as business strategies. As such, macroeconomics covers a variety of concepts. However, the three major concepts and variables are output, unemployment and inflation (Marshall 15). With regard to output and income, national output refers to the total value of everything that is produced within a given country in a specified period of time. This output generates income. Thus, output and income are generic terms used interchangeably as they are deemed to imply the same thing (Marshall 17). In macroeconomics, output is measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP). On the other hand, unemployment is measured by the rate of unemployment. It refers to the percentage of people who lack jobs in the labor force of a given economy (Marshall 19). Thus, unemployment may be categorized into various types based on the different causes. For instance, classical unemployment occurs when wages are so high that employers become unwilling to hire more workers. Similarly, frictional unemployment occurs when workers take too long to find a job, so they experience long periods of unemployment. Another type is structural unemployment. It is when people become unemployed as a consequence of a myriad of factors such

Examine the use of animal imagery in modern short stories and their Essay

Examine the use of animal imagery in modern short stories and their symbolic significance - Essay Example In addition, the degree to which a character is related to the animal in question may have some impact on the characteristics that are brought out in each. A nanny closely related to a busy parakeet might cause both woman and animal to take on stronger characteristics of nagging and cleanliness, for instance. A man closely related with his bulldog might also seem to be watchful, noisy and largely for show. What is interesting about this use of animal imagery in stories is the way in which this relationship develops to bring out specific characteristics in both animal and character. Two stories that provide a great deal of insight into this relationship are Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis and Larissa Lai’s Salt Fish Girl. Although the story takes up less than 100 pages, Franz Kafka’s story Metamorphosis lends itself to a wide variety of interpretations as it uses the image of the cockroach to emphasize attributes of its main character. From its small size to a brief summary of its events, there doesn’t seem to be all that much to the story itself upon first glance. The story follows the experiences of Gregor Samsa after he wakes up one morning to find himself turned into a giant bug in his own bed. As he reveals himself to his family and his employer, it becomes obvious that this change is not meant to be a figurative change on the part of the author, but is also a physical change. Although the family continues to care for him, providing him with food and water and cleaning his room once a day, Gregor becomes more and more detached from them, eventually finding it difficult to keep track of what has been happening around him. His room becomes dirtier, his family becomes less attentive a nd he becomes less concerned with their welfare in connection with his own. As his sister and mother move his personal furniture out of his

Technology is Bad for Us Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Technology is Bad for Us - Essay Example These are only a small fraction of the numerous reasons why technology has been considerably harmful to the lives and wellbeing of the people whom it affects. While it has had a reasonable number of positive effects on the lives of these people also, it seems that if health and the emotional wellbeing of people are priorities for a society, the negative effects outweigh the positive effects. One major reason, which is widely accepted throughout every part of the world, is that the increasing technology is affecting the health of people negatively. This is a fact, which has a significant impact on any country or city, where the people experience a significant influence of technology in their everyday lives. This occurs mainly because technology offers people several alternatives to physical exertion. The people, whose ancestors used to walk for miles to get from any location to the next, have the luxury to drive themselves. This ease has facilitated their lives so much that they hesit ate to distances, which require ten-minute walk. Even these ten minutes seem a lot to spare to someone who is living in the fast-moving world of today, a world, which has speeded up immensely due to the rise of technological advancement. Nevertheless, even those people who do not work under the pressure of deadlines and time constraints choose to take this shortcut to travelling, simply because it is the easier, more convenient option. This has led to a very serious problem amongst the people of today, which is obesity and high cholesterol, each of which are avoidable only if one is in the habit of physically exerting themselves daily, whether by exercise, sports or simply walking the distances they need to travel (Kates, Hohenesmer and Kasperson, pp. 402-460). The obesity one sees in the developed countries today is something, which was not so common just a few decades ago. This in itself is proof that technology has had an adverse effect on the wellbeing of people. There are also several other aspects of technology today, which encourage people to choose convenience over hard work, simply due to the ease with which the relevant technology is available. An example of this phenomenon is how people choose to send emails, text messages and call people rather than going to visit them or using a slightly less convenient method of communication, such as writing a letter. This, on the surface of it, is a large advantage of technology, as it is an example of the several ways in which technology makes our lives more efficient and speedy. However, people pay a large price in terms of the negative effect this has on the relationships between people. There was once a time when one would make an effort to meet their family occasionally, if living separately, in order to maintain the relationship, and embellish the bond that exists between them. This has, however, been dismissed from the list of priorities as people have learned to replace a heartfelt meeting with a twenty -minute phone call. The level of intimacy in the interactions has decreased due to this reason, as people do not value meeting in person as much as they used to. Friends, who would keep in touch by meeting occasionally and catching up with each other, are now content with exchanging a few words through text message or Facebook wall posts. One can compare this substitute for live meetings to substituting fresh vegetables for canned food. While the content of both the meetings and the text messages

Apple and the iPod Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Apple and the iPod - Case Study Example Competitiveness in terms of the creation of an advantage for a company emanates from having in place and or developing competitive strategies to achieve that end. In the fast paced world of corporate operations companies cannot afford to stand pat on their developments, and or market positioning as its competitors are always seeking to gain market share through acquiring customers as well as retaining their own brand franchise. The pace of technological change, along with fast changing consumer wants, needs, and desires represents a serious challenge that must be planned for as well as implemented. To fully appreciate the context of this examination, one needs to understand that innovation is defined as "the introduction of something new a new idea, method or device (Merriam Webster Online, 2008). Within a corporate mode, this is not a process that can or does happen overnight, it is a corporate culture that emanates from the top of the leadership structure, and is fostered by an atm osphere that prides new ideas and directions (Tidd et al, 201, p. 228). In helping us to understand the context of innovation in a corporate setting Degraff and Lawrence (2002, p. 2) tell us that creativity is a fundamental part of innovation, and in that sense, today's corporations need to be more creative than in the past as a result of the competitiveness of globalisation, and the increased sophistication of consumers who can access the Internet to compare and analyse products. The information age has heightened the stakes in the consumer arena, thus companies must respond in the product segment of their business. In providing us with a further illustration of this new business climate Degraff and Lawrence (2002, p. 2) advise "Creativity, in short, is the core of all the competencies of an organization because creativity is what makes something better or new". The preceding is a core facet of innovation, which also includes new approaches to the creation of products, maintaining active communication with customers to understand the dynamics of their w ants, needs and desires, and then translating this into innovative products (Degraff and Lawrence, 2002, p. 2). The preceding areas have been covered as they represent important considerations in the study of innovation on