English Essay

Stepping into Mrs. Kinney’s room was like walking into through the perfume section at Walmart. The smell of plenty of different fragrances was enough to make a persons nose burn. It was the first day of classes, and it being only the second period of the day, which meant that peoples scents were still going strong. The room was bright, though the fluorescent bulbs lined up perfectly along the ceiling had a major part in that, the sun was shinning through the windows on the left side of the room. The chalk boards located at the front of the classroom were as clean as could be and almost looked brand new, if it were not for the scratches. The right and back walls were filled with posters and pictures of previous graduates. The shelves around the room stacked with everything an English room would need from dictionaries and thesauruses to loose-leaf and pencils. The room seemed to have a particular place for everything, right down to the 6 rows of desks that were place in straight lines facing the front of the room. As I was worried about being late, I rushed myself to class forgetting we had an eight minute break. So of course I was one of the first ones in the room. One of the first things I noticed when I came into that room was that there was no seating plan or assigned seats. Now I am the type of person who does not really care where I sit or where anyone else sits for that matter. However, I love seating plans, it gives you a chance to interact with people that you probably never would otherwise talk to. Plus it keeps the talking in the room to a minimum. Which really comes in handy when we are doing individual class work. So I guess this is my way of asking for a seating plan. Also I would like to state that asking a peer a question about an assignment might be helpful but it is a distraction. Now I wasn’t sure if Mrs. Kinney was a â€Å"spitter† like Mr. McIsaac, or a big â€Å"yeller† like some of the other teachers, so I settled into a seat in the third row from the front. The minutes that followed until the bell seemed to drag, but very quickly showed me who my classmates were. When the bell rang to finally begin class, I was ready and pretty excited because I knew almost everyone in the class. From previous encounters with Mrs. Kinney, I knew that we would be able to get along and that she actually knew what she was teaching. Now I had an expectation set that this year was not going to be a sit back and listen to the teacher read year, and that I would have to try hard if I wanted to pass. With marks, they are usually pretty steady and consistent. I try my best to keep the, above 80, kind of sports and kind of my mother being obsessive about them. As far as group work goes, I always say a few is good but anymore than five or six to group can become a problem. I say this because I have come to realize that when the groups are small, the work load can be divided easily. Now in larger groups, I find that people tend to slack off and push all the work onto one person and then split the mark. I do not like this because I am usually the one stuck doing the work. Now I am positive everyone has their own opinions when it comes to homework. Personally though, I do not mind it. To be completely honest, I enjoy doing homework. To me it is kind of a way of double checking or showing myself that I know what I am doing. So please feel free to assign any amount of homework at any time. When it comes to learning, i know that it is hard for you to teach everyone in the way they want to be taught. I also know that you can not please everyone, but you try to switch it up and do different styles of teaching too. My favourite teach style would have to be Mr. McIsaac’s. By that i mean how easy it is to follow and understand because he relates it all to everyday situations and everyday things. With English however, it is different. I find hearing something that is being taught along with taking notes and discussing examples is the best way for me to learn. I do my best work when lots of notice is given on an assignment. Otherwise, i feel rushed and then it is very poorly written. The best thing that a teacher could do for me to learn would have to bed when they give and assignment or task, to explain it thoroughly. I say this because I would much rather lose a few points than to raise my hand and ask a question. I am very shy when it comes to speaking in front of people. I freeze up, my face goes red and i start to stutter and fumble my words. My thoughts on English 112 thus far, are that I probably will not make it out alive. I would legit be surprised if I passed this essay. I say this all because i was terrified when I got our first graded assignment back. The reason I think I did so poorly on that was because you were not able to be there and when I would ask the substitute a question, she just seemed to be answering it with another question, and it confused me greatly. So I suppose one could say I was very close to switching to 113 English. Except after some time to think, I thought it through, and I remembered that i need this course to go on and have a secondary education. This all made me realize that i need to, so to say, â€Å"pull up my socks†, and stop being a procrastinator. I now see that slacking off, going just for a passing mark and just making a sixty wont cut it anymore. What I do now, will determine my life out for me. I feel like if I do not try my hardest now, that I will regret it in the long haul. By saying that I mean, if I keep slacking off, and waiting until the last minute to do everything that later in life, I will be the same way. Only problem in slacking off with a job is, you probably wont have that job much longer. I think that 112 English is a big step for me. I mean that figuratively, because I am not literally taking a step in 112, but I am figuratively taking a step in life. I consider it to be a big step because it is pushing me ahead in life and i feel as if I was not to take it then I really would not have much of a future at all. Unless i wanted to work at McDonald’s or McCain’s for the rest of my life. So for now, I think I would like to try my luck in English 112, at the end of the hall, with Mes. Kinney.

Curriculum mapping

Answer to why curriculum mapping. Comprehensive curriculum maps promote higher achievement levels as the vision of the map is created by a team of education experts not only from within the school or system, but also includes central office personnel and instructional leaders. These education leaders involve all the teaching staff of the school to provide data and information about the content, skills, and assessments administered in their classes. Important skills, content, and assessments methods are chronologically addressed and cater to the schools academic calendar.Teaching load of each teacher is displayed on the map and this makes it very easy to review as the issues in sequencing of instruction become obvious and can be corrected easily if required. So curriculum mapping is an effective tool to improve teaching skills of the teachers and competency levels of the learner. It is also an effective process for documenting and analyzing what is being taught and when. A very import ant benefit of this mapping is the teachers can quickly gauge what students mastered in the preceding grade and plan teaching without wasting time and effort on unnecessary reviewing and re-teaching.Precious teaching time is appropriately utilized in building skills and improves knowledge levels. A well organized curriculum map ensures same time line for a given subject topic, being uniformly practiced in all the classes of the same grade. Learning is made more relevant by identifying common points which means overlaps in course content. Interdisciplinary connections can be made by the teachers in their lesson plans. The students too identify and link information among courses and the teachers can plan lessons at a higher level.In a nutshell all important educational and curricular activities are reflected for every classroom within a department, school, or district level. Total education of the students in a school is effectively addressed. The information is so organized that it p resents and provides a timeline of instruction of the complete course for all the teachers. Hayes-Jacobs (1997) said, â€Å"Curriculum mapping amplifies the possibilities for long-range planning, short-term preparation, and clear communication†.A curriculum map developed by the teachers in the school helps them to effectively communicate about the course content and related skills that will be used in the classroom. All teaching lesson plans are modified to cater for all the students in class. Teaching program developed in collaboration with other educators and experts in the field always have cohesive instructions because they are evolved by integrating curriculum with content standards leading to formation of customized curriculum guides. Teachers can develop a Blue print for teaching objectives to coordinate instruction both horizontally and vertically.(Kathy Tuchman Glass 2007) shows teachers how to develop a customized, personalized process to prepare their curriculum wh ile folding content into a larger curriculum map. Curriculum map is an excellent resource not only for teachers but helps curriculum directors, staff developers, and principals to lead there teachers to evolve an academic calendar map for a complete session to educate their students. The components of this mapping serve as a benchmark to determine what students should know and be able to do.It provides an action plans for school leaders and provides processes to make standards manageable. Educators are able to translate there mission and vision in an effective manner. Not only the school managers the teachers are able to share resources and are able to teach beyond the facts. Public schools can plan to produce thinkers in place of core thinkers with this concept of integrated content plans. Educators who have adopted curriculum mapping, found this is a practical approach to create the culture and structure needed to effectively align curriculum and meet standards.Roles of district l eaders, curriculum directors, principals, and teacher leaders are defined pointing at leadership strategies for each phase, including discussion of roles and responsibilities. The initiative also provides information and facilitates how leaders can create professional development maps and professional roles maps. In most of the public schools it became clear that a curriculum mapping exercise was an essential backbone to any decision about innovative teaching as it highlighted the depth of innovative activity that is needed to make teaching relevant.Innovative teaching shifts the mindset from quantitative assessment that examines what students ‘know’ to a mindset of understanding, what students are ‘learning’ (Henri, 2002). A curriculum mapping exercise initiates ‘what is taught and when’ and also assists instructors in reflecting and adjusting their own lesson units (Payne, J. 2001). When referring to teaching topics educators often talk of te aching ‘topics’. The emphasis is on ‘teaching’ and ‘topics’. To be a curriculum practitioner you require understanding academic-practice knowledge and the array of curriculum work from policymaking to evaluation.Thomas W. Hewitt (2006). Change is inevitable hence it becomes important for students to explore and examines current issues. A good practitioner understands the necessity to keep mapping the learning path relating to current issues and trends that affect both the knowledge and the work of curriculum. When it comes to curriculum mapping, for many educators, â€Å"there is a gap between the compass and the clock – between what’s deeply important to us and the way we spend our time† (Covey, Merrill & Merrill, 1994, p. 16). Sometimes the time factor to convert perspective into practice is ignored at the managerial level.Experienced teachers cannot digest the fact that after effectively teaching for more than a decade w hy they need a curriculum map. Muhammad (2009) wrote, â€Å"Educators’ personal belief systems may be the most powerful variables perpetuating learning gaps in our public school system† (p. 14). At times in order to meet the deadlines of completing the course content teacher may not account for the learning pace of the students and overlook important aspects. According to Schmoker (2006), â€Å"Mere collegiality won’t cut it. Even discussions about curricular issues or popular strategies can feel good but go nowhere.The right image to embrace is a group of teachers who meet regularly to share, refine and assess the impact of lessons and strategies continuously to help increasing numbers of students learn at higher levels† (p. 178). References 1. Angela Koppang (2004) Curriculum Mapping: Building Collaboration and Communication Journal article by; Intervention in School & Clinic, Vol. 39 2. Bena Kallick, Jeff Colosimo, Heidi Hayes Jacobs (Jul 2008) Using C urriculum Mapping & Assessment Data To Improve Learning (Paperback) Publisher: Corwin Press 3. Janet A.Hale, Heidi Hayes Jacobs ( 2007) A Guide To Curriculum Mapping: Planning, Implementing, And Sustaining The Process 4. Thomas W. Hewitt (2006) Understanding and shaping curriculum: what we teach and why 5. Covey, S. R. , Merrill, A. R. , & Merrill, R. R. (1994). First things first. New York: Simon & Schuster. 6. Muhammad, A. (2009). Transforming school culture: How to overcome staff division. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree. 7. Schmoker, M. (2006). Results now: How we can achieve unprecedented improvements in teaching and learning. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 23

Education - Essay Example All this can be attributed to the grade inflation taking place in the countrys education system where students are credited with honours they do not deserve if the standard grading system was to be used. For example, according to a study done in1993, more students received grade A, while fewer students received grade B (Alfie, 2002). This was in comparison to the grading of graduates from the year 1969 and 1976. Does this mean that students graduating in1993 studied harder than those students of 1969 and 1976? This is not the case. This simply shows the diminishing quality of education over the years in the United States of America. This paper will examine the report of the committee on raising standards by establishing the fact that indeed grade inflation is present in the United States Education System It is evident that there is an increase in students grades while there is lacking a corresponding shift on achievement. However, the main issues concerning motivation and grading are being ignored or obscured. One major issue that contributes to grade inflation is the fact that substantiating such claims has been difficult. This is because reports revealing grade inflation are often self-reports, which are rendered unreliable by the government and stakeholders in the education sector. For example, in the study done to study the grades in 1993 and those in 1969 and 1976, the survey did not substantiate the grades that were gotten in 1969 and 1976, thus they cannot be compared to establish the true facts (Alfie 2002). However, other researches done have been used by the government and stakeholders to show the â€Å"accurate† scenario with regard to grade inflation. Clifford Adelman conducted such a study where, he compared over 3000 transcripts (Alfie 2002). According to this research, grades had actually dropped in the past two decades. The main question here is

Pictorialism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Pictorialism - Essay Example These picture communicated political messages during the periods between the world wars. The element of socialism was supported by some photographers and was commonly conveyed within the published pictures. Journalism and advertising are some of the other techniques which were increasingly utilised by photographers during this period in seeking to communicate different messages. The element of advertising and journalism were increasingly utilised in publicising different social evils which were affecting the populations during the period between the wars. These two techniques were fundamental in the development of bulletins and dedicated activist journals during the avant-garde photography period. The Montage Poster, by Lewis Hine presents a photograph which has utilised the techniques of journalism in creating awareness among the population. The artistic qualities of photo have been enhanced through the utilisation of the technique. Besides Renger-Patzsch, there were many other photographers who shared the sentiments of not borrowing any qualities of art in photography.one of the photographers who shared similar sentiments as Renger-Patzsch, was Man Ray. Both photographers believed and advocated for a total overthrowing of the elements of photography which had been borrowed from art. The photographic qualities which are being referred are the elements commonly contained within photographs which can also be seen within many artworks as well. The differentiation between artwork and photography would occur through the creation of authentic features of photographs. One of those qualities is organisation of photographs which contained many elements of artwork, seeking to engage the viewers through presenting something they were familiar with. According to these photographers, creation of photographs required the presentation of texture and essence of an object and not in the organisation of the image(Elkins, p56). The qualities

Green Buildings in Saudi Arabia Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Green Buildings in Saudi Arabia - Dissertation Example The researcher of this dissertation chapter states that it has been expected that regulation of Green Buildings would become obligatory in Saudi Arabia in the recent times. The government and the industry have been obtained to work together in this regard such that a common standard may be incorporated and applied in the process. Water and energy savings in buildings have also been considered significantly where the Ministry of Electricity is effectively involved with the Green Building Council and other associated companies. The researcher describes that green building that practices the creation of structures and use of processes intending to increase the effectiveness of use of resources like energy, water, and materials, at the same time plummeting the impacts of building on human health and the surroundings during the lifecycle of the building, with the use of enhanced design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal, has been considered in the strategic plan by the Gul f countries like Dubai. The researcher also analyzed and discussed the availability of using different regulations in the country, energy efficiency of Saudi Arabia, air and indoor environmental quality of green houses and causes leading to increased demand of power and electricity in Saudi Arabia today. In conclusion, it is stated by the researcher that It can be expected that in the near future the country would be able to successfully achieve the green building constructions for the purpose of living and work in the country.

Solving Ethical Problem Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Solving Ethical Problem - Case Study Example Ben Garishon,a senior loan officer with first national Federal bank ,the second largest institute in Wyoming does not really understand what ethics are when dealing with bank loans customers. This is proved by the fact that he puts the burden of the cost of trip to assess the collateral of loan application on Dough Whitton, a loan applicant. Ben further states that loan customers were obliged to donate prizes for annual fundraisers picnic. Shelby Grant, a loan officer feels that asking the customer to pay the cost of trip to assess the collateral and asking loan customers to contribute prizes to annual fundraisers as being unethical. As a result, Ben and Shelby are at loggerhead and this clearly brings out the fact that ethical standards when dealing with customers need to be assessed and a solution found to avoid confusion and misunderstanding. The point of contention to loan department within the bank is whether it is ethical to transfer the cost and obligations of the bank to the customers which brings out the problem as lack of understanding of business ethics by members of staff.. Input Loan department has been placing financial burdens to its customers on matters which the bank can carry out. This has raised ethical issue and has raised concern and misunderstanding between staff of the loan department. Some members of the loan department such as Ben Garishon is resistant to change about the new ethical issues facing businesses. He fears that change in covering the cost of trips to assess customer's collateral will be costly to the bank and that the bank will not enough money for charity if it do not compel the loan customers to contribute prize to annual fundraiser picnic. Andrew law states," You don't get creative by staying in the same place" and that is why failure by the organization to change has been left behind in ethics related matter and this is the bone of contention between Ben and Shelby. In the cause/ effect aspect of a problem, the cause of the problem is failure to apply ethics when performing business operations and this has several effects to the business, employees and the customers. According to the case, the problems are as a result of failure to accept changes in business ethics. The assumption by Ben is that the business does not have to maintain ethical standards as doing so is likely to be costly to the business and since he is the senior loan officer, his decision are the best and does not consider the opinion of other members. Due to this fact, disagreement will arise between the members of the staff which is likely to cause disappointments to the customers as in the case where Shelby Grant refused to call customers to contribute prizes in fundraising picnic and his refusal to go and evaluate loan collateral. These problems can be solved through dialogue and constant education on changes in business ethical trends within organizations. Solution The best solution to tackle the ethical problem within the organization is through educating the staff about the importance of maintaining ethical standards within the business and allowing dialogue among different officials within the organization to iron out contentious issues and reach an amicable consensus on why and how to apply different ethics in business. Through education and dialogue, different view points will be considered and a solution obtained to ensure that all members comply with modern business ethical standards. This will also enhance consultation before any decision is made. Swot analysis of educating staff on ethics Strength: Through ethics education, members of staff will be taught new information about ever changing ethical trends in business cycle and so they will be able to cope with any change without much problems. Weakness: Since ethical issues within the organization are varied and ever-changing, education tend to be time consuming and most aspects of ethics are not likely to be covered. Opportunities: Education will arm the staff with business ethics that will

What Functions of Management Has McDonald's Leadership Used in Order Essay

What Functions of Management Has McDonald's Leadership Used in Order to Turn Around the Company and Make It Profitable - Essay Example What Functions of Management Has McDonald's Leadership Used in Order to Turn Around the Company and Make It Profitable? It is the duty of the organization to make sure that they are well equipped resources wise and as well as in the form of manpower. It is the duty of the management to make sure that they hire the right kind of people for the organization. In today’s business the role of management is very crucial. They have to hire right, organize efficiently and effectively and make sure all the business units are working as they are supposed to. In this case, Mc Donald’s at earlier was actually focusing on the growth of the number of franchises that it had. They were focused on growth but in a totally different sense. This problem was later identified by the management and the decided to deal with it by focusing more the collection of higher revenues from each of the existing branches. The entire shift in focus was a better idea as it helped increase revenues for the fast food chain. There are many functions of the management. The main four functions of management are planning, organizing, controlling and leading. It is the duty of the management to plan keeping in mind the budget that they have and the resources available. In case of Mc Donald’s, the earlier flaw was where they thought that they can make billions by just opening shop after shop.hey had failed to realize that by just opening shops they will never be able to generate revenue. This caused a serious increase in their expenses as their fixed costs increased while there was no significant increase in the revenue in fact the branches that were earlier giving profits also started turning out losses as the customers who were coming there become dispersed. If there would have been some proper planning they would have analyzed the areas and then franchised or opened up a shop so that the customers would increase in number instead of being dispersed (Aaker, David, 1991). Then, what is most amazing ab out Mc Donald’s is the cost control that they have, despite the world facing a lot of economic crunch the prices of Mc Donald’s have had no escalation, instead they are still offering the same value meal with the same service and quality. The central function of an organization’s marketing department is to anticipate consumer’s expectations about the company’s products and the best way to deliver these organizational promises. Consumer behavior encapsulates all facets of purchase, use and disposal of the product/service produced by the organization. The core element of the study of consumer behavior is the fact that the buying activities are dependent on the consumer’s personality. High risk takers indulge in the buying of new and risky product/technology which has not yet been established in the market. Further, consumer buying patterns change with the lifecycle of the consumer, because the consumer itself undergoes personality changes. The control and the leading quality of the management is visible from the way that they had anticipated the fact that it’s the ethnic groups that are basically introducing newer trends in the markets. The new product range that they had introduced also showed the keenness that they had in attracting newer customers and the tactics that they used to retain the older existing customers. The introduction of the newer product range and making Mc Donald’s â€Å"an any time walk in restaurant† has totally changed their positioning in the market, since they are catering to much more diverse market than ever before. Delving into the psychology of buying

Interpersonal skills and team techniques Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Interpersonal skills and team techniques - Essay Example When we talk about teams, one of its qualities is the cohesive and interactive nature of team work. To build and amplify these characteristics, some of these interpersonal skills need to be developed. (Shepherd et al., 2007) Listen: Listening is more than hearing. It is the ability to understand what the other person is saying (Bostrom, 1997). Team members need to listen to others so that problems and solutions can be discussed effectively. Reflect: Reflection is the ability to reflect and think about the past and present situations. It also builds cohesion in teams as team members get the opportunity to analyze and think about their behaviors and actions against other team members. Facilitate: Facilitating includes helping out and aiding fellow team members. This skill creates trust between the team members as they know that if they require some assistance, other team members are there to watch one’s back. Communicate: Communication is considered the most essential skill that a person must possess to clearly put across one’s ideas and solutions. Clear and complete communication is required to remove any misunderstandings in teams. A person having a good set of interpersonal skills is expected to prosper working in teams or even independently. These skills must be taught and promoted throughout the organization for the following reasons. Reduces Conflict: A good and effective communication leaves no room for misunderstanding, hence there is lesser chance of conflicts arising in teams. In cases of disagreement, a team leader can intervene and clarify the situation to resolve the conflict. (AMA) Increased Participation: Communication and listening skills encourages team members to increase participation in meetings and be more social. This increases the input from all members thus they would feel comfortable working in the team environment. A

E-business and e-commerce web applications Essay Example for Free

E-business and e-commerce web applications Essay Identify e-business and e-commerce web applications to support the proposed implementation First off e-commerce is one of the best things for business whether you have your whole business through the web or partly. If you have a physical store, you are limited by the area that you can sell your product or offer service. An ecommerce website opens your business to the world. In addition to these two drivers,online retail is also driven by traffic from search engines. One of the most important positives of ecommerce is the lowered cost. A part of these lowered costs could be passed on to customers in the form of discounted prices. Advertising and marketing is global and you get a better buying market. For personnel use the automation of checkout, billing, payments, inventory management, and other operational processes, lowers the number of employees required to run an ecommerce setup. Last but not least Real estate, the store does not need a prominent physical location. you can Locate the Product Quicker, eliminate travel time and cost, provide comparison shopping, also cross reference deals, bargains, coupons, and group buying.if you do open a e-business vulnerabilities that need to be taken into account if you decide to create an e-commerce site is security internal and external. Hackers attempting to steal customer information or disrupt the site or server containing customer information that is stolen. Also Imposters can mirror your ecommerce site to steal customers money. authorized administrators/users of an ecommerce website downloading hidden active content need to watch the attacks on ecommerce system. Scans should be frequently done on your server. this will help identify any malicious programs that may be running worms, viruses or Trojan horses. Limited user access will ensure that you know exactly who has access to your ecommerce system and assign each user with unique access authentication method.

Lebanons History, Culture and Diversity

Lebanons History, Culture and Diversity Some people migrate to the United States and just forget their home country. They find their way to assimilate in the American mainstream. However for me, even though Ive been in the U.S. since birth but I would still be pleasured to write on most of the things that I really would feel interested about; Lebanon. Modern-day Lebanon is like a mosaic, characterized by a diversity of cultures, traditions, and religions. Because of its location at the crossroads of Asia, Europe, and Africa; Lebanon has been shaped by many civilizations throughout its long history. These diverse influences are evident in the extraordinary richness of the countrys archaeological sites. From Stone Age settlements to Phoenician city-states, from Roman temples to rock-cut Christian hermitages, from Crusader Castles to Mamluk mosques and Ottoman Hammams (traditional clubs that include sauna, Jacuzzi, and steam rooms), the countrys historical sites are a true encyclopedia of ancient and modern world history. Modern Lebanese society is characterized by this same cultural and architectural diversity. As you walk the streets of downtown Beirut, you will pass domed mosques and steeple churches, French cafes and Arab Souqs (traditional markets). Cultural diversity is reflected in language, cuisine, the arts, and the countrys religious heritages Sunni, Shiia Muslims, and Druze; Maronite, Eastern Orthodox and other Christians; and many others (Helena 72). A visit to any of Lebanons ancient archeological ruins, traditional villages, or religious sites will truly give you a taste of the cultural mosaic of this captivating country. Lebanon is an ancient land that has embraced two of the worlds major religions, Christianity and Islam. Lebanons Christian heritage can be traced back to the Old Testament (Collelo 45). The Bible mentions the land of Lebanon on 70 occasions, and the famed Cedars of Lebanon are frequently cited as a symbol of beauty and strength. In addition to the many Biblical sites located in southern Lebanon, the Qadisha Valley, also known as the Holy Valley, reveals a wealth of hidden, rock-cut monasteries, grottoes, and sacred sites from the earliest days of Christianity. On the other hand, Lebanons Muslim heritage can be traced to the 7th century AD, when Islam was introduced by the Umayyad caliphate from the Arabian Peninsula. The Umayyad dynasty was the first of two major Muslim dynasties following the prophet Mohammed. The Umayyads and their successors, the Abbasids, ushered in a rich period of Islamic art, architecture, learning, and culture, and this tradition continues to flourish today. There are numerous mosques and spiritual places from the Sunni, Shiite Muslim traditions throughout the country. An ancient land, Lebanon features prominently in writings from the Old Testament to the History of Herodotus (440 BC). Its cities were major Mediterranean outposts and seaports in Phoenician, Greek, Roman, and Umayyad times. Consequently, the Lebanese countryside is awash with majestic and historically fascinating ruins. Five of the most outstanding sites Aanjar, Baalbeck, Byblos, Tyre, and the Qadisha Valley/Cedars Forest are listed as UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage sites. To explore Lebanon is to discover archaeological wonders that are windows into the cradle of civilization. Believed to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, the picturesque seaside city of Byblos is built upon multiple layers of ruins, dating back to as early as the Stone Age (5,000 BC). The kings of Byblos from the Phoenician period are buried in nine underground tombs in the royal necropolis. Columns lining the main thoroughfare, a theater, and a public fountain are among the architectural contributions left by the Romans. The Crusaders built their castle and a moat upon large Roman stones. Later, the castle was renovated and reused by the Mamluks and then the Ottomans. Lebanons official language is Arabic, but French, Armenian, and English are also widely spoken. Many Lebanese in fact speak a patois of some combination of these four languages, most commonly an Arabic-French mixture. Virtually all Lebanese are bilingual. Spoken Arabic is one part of a grouping of dialects called Levantine Arabic, differing greatly from the literary Modern Standard Arabic. It is a fusion between Syriac and Arabic, as well as some Turkish and thus in this respect can be more correctly classified as a language from Arabic, albeit very similar due to its relationship on the tree of Semitic languages. Regional influences and occupations throughout the centuries could possibly explain the reason why Lebanese people speak so many languages, even incorporating them into their own. Due to the importance of the Lebanese Diaspora and business interests of Lebanese worldwide, it has always been important to master languages other than Arabic. Lebanese music is known around the world for its soothing rhythms and wild beats. Traditional and folk music are extremely popular as are western rhythms. Perhaps the best-known and listened to Lebanese singer is Fairuz. Her songs are broadcast every morning on most radio stations and many TV channels, both in Lebanon and other countries in the Middle East and the Arab world in general. Other artists are also well known and loved like Majida El Roumi, Marcel Khalife who is also a composer, Oud player, and Julia Boutros. Over the ages, skilled Lebanese artisans have perfected the art of creating beautiful blown glass, jewelry, inlaid and engraved wooden boxes and furniture, textiles, and linens. The colorful, blown-glass decanters, water carafes, and glasses particular to Lebanon date back to Phoenician times. Wood workers carve intricately designed boxes and furniture and inlay them with mother-of-pearl or small pieces of wood. Traditional olive oil soap, increasingly popular here in the west, comes from traditional small factories that make this soup from the olive trees of Lebanon to be entirely natural, pure, and moisturizing. Lebanons primary religious groups, very roughly, are Shia Muslim (the largest group), Sunni Muslim, Christian, and Druze. Muslims represent roughly 60% of the total population, while Christians make up the other 40%. Of the muslims, the predominant Shia make up 60%, while the Sunni make up most of the remainder. Druze and Alawis are minorities. The division of political power between the religious groups is an interesting problem. The Lebanese have solved this by making different high ranking government positions represented by the different religious groups. The President must be Catholic, the Prime Minister must be Sunni, and the Speaker of the Parliament must be Shia. Some Lebanese nationals, particularly some Christians, tend to emphasize aspects of Lebanons non-Arab history as a mark of respect to encompass all of Lebanons historical makeup instead of only that which began during the Arab conquests, an attitude that prevails in the rest of the Arab world. In this respect, it would be wrong to dismiss Lebanons mosaic culture as merely Arab when it is clear that it is a blend of indigenous and invading or foreign cultures that have given it the title of the crossroads between east and west for centuries. This picture is seen most clearly in Lebanon, a land of complete contrasts and a land that cannot be defined by one culture alone, except if one were to bring them altogether and classify them as Lebanese. In a concession to Lebanons Eastern and Western heritage, some Lebanese prefer to see Lebanon as part of Mediterranean or Levantine civilization, neither Arab nor European. Everyone born and raised in Lebanon communicates using Arabic in a Leban ese dialect. This applies to its Islamic, Christian, Druze, and other religious practices. Language, food, music, arts and various cultural facets are local Lebanese and performed practically all in Arabic. The youth today are quite westernized and modernized breaking away with traditions like most other larger cities in the world (dating, western music, food, etc.) Compared to other Arab cities, Lebanese cities (especially Beirut) are more westernized and tolerant, and overt towards men-women relations than most Arab cities, like Damascus, Cairo, Baghdad Like other areas of the Middle East, Lebanon has a heritage almost as old as the earliest evidence of mankind. Its geographic position as a crossroads linking the Mediterranean Basin with the great Asian hinterland has conferred on it a cosmopolitan character and a multicultural legacy. Lebanon has an Arab culture colored by Western influences. As some Lebanese proudly say about their tiny country, Lebanon is small in size but huge in its influence.

Effectiveness of Sports Psychology

Effectiveness of Sports Psychology With reference to published literature critically discuss the factors influencing the effectiveness of a sport psychologist Introduction Sport psychology has grown remarkably from its roots in the amorphous and poorly understood disciplines of athlete motivation and performance counselling 40 years ago (Dosil, 2005; Cox, 2005). Modern sport at every level of competition and in virtually every sporting activity has benefited from the application of psychological principles and mental training in the pursuit of maximum athletic performance, stress management, improved training attitude and every other aspect of sport where the mind, emotions and physical performance intersect. Sport psychology is unique amongst the applied psychology disciplines for a number of reasons. The phrase suggests that there are accepted common practices employed by sports psychologists and its is acknowledged as with any science, the baseline approaches to the education, training and certification of the sport psychologist are well understood across the world of sport and athletic competition. The feature of sports psychology practice that tends to differentiate it from other form of applied psychology is the general closeness of the relationships developed between an individual athlete and their psychologist. The common professional boundaries of professional detachment are different in sports environments where intense emotion and competitive desire are the fuel that both drives the athlete onwards and makes them vulnerable to psychological stresses. Many sport psychologists play a multi-dimensional role in the lives of their athlete clients trained professional psychologist, friend, sounding board, confidante and advisor are each possible and entirely ethical component to the relationships that may develop in practise (Watson, 2008, 1). This paper considers the question of effectiveness of the sports psychologist as considered within the following analytical and discussion framework. A detailed and properly academic analysis of why the science of sports psychology is effective in the context of competitive and recreational sport is beyond the scope of this paper. The discussion that is developed below is premised on the proposition that sports psychology is a proven and well accepted body of science that applied in accordance with its principles will generally benefit an athlete. All athletes in all sports, team and individualÂÂ   from cross country running to equestrienne events, in all age groups and genders are amenable to its benefits (Kornspan McCracken, 2003: 36: Donohue, 2001: 19). The important question in the present context is what factors, professional and personal render a sports psychologist successful in a particular application. Included in this discrete issue are a wide variety of potential eth ical considerations. The question requires that a preliminary working definition of sport psychologist be articulated; the definition as stated below also assists in defining the general areas of professional engagement within sport. The discussion will then engage two broad and interrelated questions: what steps sports psychologists take in any given assignment to achieve maximum effect with their athlete; where are the typical problem areas that require attention in the sports psychologist / athlete relationship? The emphasis of the discussion will be directed to Educational Sports Psychologists as this area of sport psychology provides the most immediate connections between athletic performance and the application of psychological principles. These questions also require consideration of the type of person who is more likely to succeed as a sports psychologist as with any professional activity where the subject is a human being, the delicate interface between the knowledge based psychological education that helps to comprise ones intellect and the often empathetic talent of dealing with people is important (Armstrong, 2001; Griffin, 2008:10). The paper draws upon the significant representative sampling of the authorities as appended to this paper in this regard. The paper concludes with some thoughts concerning the anticipated continued expansion of the sport psychologist role at all levels of sport. If these professionals have not already achieved such status in most sports, it is submitted that the progression observed in the relationship between athletes and sports psychologist will trace the progression from pop psychology to important training and coaching asset to an indispensible component of the training regimes and competitive performance of all serious athletes.ÂÂ   Sport Psychology definition and scope of the discipline The literal definition of sports psychology is a deceptively straightforward one. According to Cox (1998) and confirmed as accepted throughout the literature, sport psychology is a science in which the principles of psychology are applied in a sport or exercise setting (p.4). The definition does not depend on the presence of a professional relationship with elite or aspiring high performance athletes; the principles of sport psychology apply with necessary circumstantial modification to every level of athlete. In this paper, the term sport psychologist shall extend to any professional engaged in the psychology of sport or exercise (Douthitt Harvey, 1995: Griffin, 2008)). As a general proposition there are three different types of sport psychologists recognised in the field; a great deal of the work carried out by a sport psychologist may include work in more than one category in the case of a particular athlete or assignment. For the purposes of the discussions set out below, the boundaries between each sub discipline shall be regarded as relatively fixed. In the present discussion, it is assumed that each category member is a fully trained and accredited psychologist as defined by the relevant statue I their jurisdiction (British Psychological Society, 2009: American Psychological Society, 2009). The first category is the Clinical/Counselling Sport Psychologist (Cox, 2005).This person is trained in clinical or counselling psychology and is a licensed psychologist. These psychologists are trained to assist athletes to deal effectively with emotional and personality disorder issues that affect particular athletes. The range of prospective sport patients that this professional might assist is very broad; an example would include treating a female gymnast who suffers from bulimia or other eating disorder given the competitive pressures to perform at a specific weight. Treating a downhill skier of motorsports racer who has difficulties recovering from a particular crash or injury might be another. The second category is the grouping that includes the Educational Sport Psychologist (Cox, 2005; Kramer Moran, 2008). These psychologists come to sport with an extensive academic and practical background in university departments of physical education and sport specific training. The objective of an intervention or ongoing assistance provided by these individuals is to assist the athlete to develop a wide range of potential psychological skills for performance enhancement. Specific techniques such as various mental imagery sequences, self talk, the building of per performance or per competition routines are all included in the work carried out by the psychologists in this category (Morris Summers, 2004; Boyce King, 1993). These psychologists also provide services to athletes in a team environment. This particular definition also provides an important qualification concerning the general role of psychology in sport. Sport psychologists are not monopolists in this area. Many athletes have the benefit of psychological support as provided by a trainer, a position coach or a team manager (Kornspan Duve, 2006; Wilson Stephens, 2005). This element of sport psychology is very important but is excluded from consideration here. The final category is the Research Sport Psychologist. This group is comprised of scientists and scholars of sport psychologist. Theirs is an important support role to the entire discipline (Cox, 2005). Sport provides science with ongoing opportunities to gain access to athletes and teams in every sport from its preseason, in season and post season /off season periodization. The psychologists engage in ongoing research and experiments in the field. Applied sport psychology Applied sport and exercise psychology involves the extension of psychology theory and research into a specific field. While the particular athlete or team will inevitably attract the most attention in these applications, given that the pursuit of athletic excellence is a primary objective, the psychologist has a significant role to play in the education of any coaches, teammates, parents, fitness professionals, and athletic trainers about the psychological aspects of the specific sport or exercise activity. Applied sport and exercise psychologists seek to facilitate maximal involvement, performance, and enjoyment in any sport environment. The practice of applied sport and exercise psychology usually involves a combination of individual and group consulting or counseling depending on the style of the professional conducting the intervention and the needs of the client. The realty of amateur sport is that many athletes do not have the access or means to have a personal psychological consultant (Maclean Hamm, 2008: 352). Notwithstanding access questions, the principles that support a proper practitioner / athlete relationship are the same. Key Issues Sports psychologists face similar professional demands in areas such as continuing education and training. It is submitted that given the ceaseless commitment to athletic improvement, the development of new training techniques, nutritional and supplement approaches, physical monitoring, equipment trends and related factors places a substantial pressure on a sports psychologist to remain current in all aspects of their practice (Nesti, 2004). At its best articulation, sport psychology has a transformational power that elevates performance (Armstrong, 2001, 4). Experiential learning cycles are often at the heart of successful sport psychology practice, because sport performance typically provides immediate feedback as to the efficacy of the cycles developed for the athlete. Sport psychology encourages an intensely personalized approach to all facets of it application; a significant relationship exists between the personality of the practitioner and the effectiveness of the applications; the simple observation that not every psychologist can succeed in this area due to the limitations of their own personality is reinforced here. For even the most engaged and cutting edge practitioners, there are practical considerations to the discipline that are submitted as both constants and as overarching issues that never decline in their importance. These are discussed here under the general rubric of ethics; as the examples below illustrate, the boundaries between professional competence, the duty of care to the athlete, continuing education concerning best practices, and the maintenance of appropriate ethical standards in all matters involving an athlete or team are not always clear cut. It is important to appreciate that notwithstanding the unique demands of an individual sport or the immediacy that may be a part of the practitioner / athlete relationship, a psychologist remains bound by the statutory provisions and the ethical regulations of their jurisdiction. The various Codes of Conduct do not create separate regimes for the sports psychologist; the attention to the athlete relationship must be observed with the same care as patient relationships in clinical or therapeutic settings. It may be observed that in an elite sports team setting, where there is a large staff of professional sport persons that span a number of disciplines, only the team physician and the sport psychologist are liable to a standard of ethical conduct that extends beyond their contractual obligation to the team or the common law duties of care that might apply to a coach athlete or trainer athlete scenario (Nesti, 2004; Watson, 2008; Morris Summers, 2004). Ethical codes may be clearer c ut when the practitioners relationship is with a adult professional golfer or well paid footballer; the youth and overall potential for vulnerable persons to be working with a sports psychologist render the standard ethical duties very important in practice. One might conclude that given the acceptance of sport psychology as an important element of modern sport training and competition, that the more closely one could integrate physical and psychological, athletic training the more efficient the training over all and the more successful the athletic enterprise. Leaving aside the impossibility of installing combined coach / practitioners at every level of sport, a seeming next best option would be to ensure a close and centralised relationship between the athletic and psychological training programmes. There are clear advantages to such a coordinated approach. The training time required for each aspect would be optimized; the psychological training could be seamlessly integrated into every segment of the physical training routines. The trust implicit in the athlete / coach relationship could assist the athlete in overcoming any apprehension about what to them may be novel or disconcerting mental training approaches (Wright Erdal, 2008: 187). The disadvantages are equally stark and it is submitted that the maintenance of practitioner and coaching boundaries is important in several potential areas of difficulty. Where the coach and the psychologist are working very closely together in a team sport environment, there is the concern that the athlete may be apprehensive about confiding in the psychologist or making a complete commitment to a psychological training programme for fear of any mental / emotional weakness being revealed to the coach and thus compromising playing time or status on the team (Watson Clement, 2008, 3). The relationship between psychologist and athlete, like coach and athlete is inherently a power relationship; the knowledge that the practitioner applies to the psychological aspects of training create a dependency that must not be permitted to influence any other relationships that the athlete has.ÂÂ   As Nesti notes (2004), the task facing the practitioner is to simultaneously maintain openness to the athletes and coaches without abandoning or diluting their most personal and deeply held values. This makes considerable demands upon the psychologist working in a sports environment where the dominant values are those centred on self-preservation and material gain.(102) The ethics rubric takes on a further and more complex dimension when a team or sports organisation retains a sport psychologist to provide training. The ethical duties and their corresponding lines can become blurred. The following hypothetical will illustrate the issue. A sport psychologist is retained by a football team to help develop what the coach describes as mental toughness (Wann Polk, 2007).ÂÂ   The coach wants his players to be more aggressive, more truculent and more physical in their approach to the game Im tired of our guys getting pushed around. It may be readily appreciated that there is a thin almost indiscernible boundary between the coachs toughness and a training programme that may as easily promote rough, violent or anti-social attitudes amongst the players. The coach is determined to take newfound toughness instilled in the mental training regime to a new competitive level. The psychologist is now placed in a difficult position to train as the clubs retai ner requires, or to potentially assist in the promotion of emotional attitudes that are not necessarily in the individual athletes interest (Goldstein Iso-Ahola, 2006). The sports psychologist has an important preventative / restorative role in all aspects of athletic training. Burnout is a psychological problem at every level of competitive sport, youth leagues to the professional ranks. (Kalliath Beck, 2001; Matheson, Mathes Murray, 1997) The same fundamental trust relationship between practitioner and athlete that build mental power in sport must also be applied where appropriate to protect if an athlete is not emotionally suited to a particular type of training a practitioner has a positive ethical obligation to discontinue it, no matter who is paying for the services. Future Directions in Sport Psychology It is impossible to provide a definitive conclusion as to the future direction of sport psychology within the framework of this paper. However, two tentative propositions may be advanced. The first is a predicted even greater reliance by elite athletes on sport psychologists to provide them with support in training and competition. Every athlete in every sport seeks the proverbial edge, so often measured in millimeters or milliseconds. In an era of immense potential financial returns for sport success, a sports psychologist is a cost-effective training aid. The second prediction is connected to the development of the discipline itself. Competitive athletes are result driven; for society as a whole, there are fewer ways to empirically measure societal athletic or sport exercise success. The cost of health care as attributed to poor life style choices and sedentary attitudes may militate in favour of a public push to incorporate sports psychologists into the public health mainstream, on the same cost effectiveness rational as observed in elite sports. Works Cited American Psychological Association Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (2009) [online] Retrieved November 18, 2009 at: Armstrong, Scott. Are You a Transformational Coach? JOPERDThe Journal of Physical Education, Recreation Dance 72.3 (2001): 44 British Psychological Society Ethical Guidelines (2009) [online] Retrieved November 21, 2009 at: Boyce, B. Ann, and Valerie King Goal-Setting Strategies for Coaches JOPERDThe Journal of Physical Education, Recreation Dance 64.1 (1993): 65+. Questia. Web. 24 Nov. 2009. Cox, Richard H. Sport Psychology: Concepts and Applications (5th ed.) Toronto: McGraw Hill (2005) Donohue, Brad, et al. The Development and Initial Evaluation of Two Promising Mental Preparatory Methods in a Sample of Female Cross Country Runners. Journal of Sport Behavior 24.1 (2001): 19 Dosil, Joaquin, ed. The Sport Psychologists Handbook: A Guide for Sport-Specific Performance Enhancement Chichester, West Sussex: John Wiley Sons, (2005) Douthitt, Vicki L., and Mark L. Harvey Exercise Counseling How Physical Educators Can Help JOPERDThe Journal of Physical Education, Recreation Dance 66.5 (1995): 31 Goldstein, Jay D., and Seppo E. Iso-Ahola Promoting Sportsmanship in Youth Sports: Perspectives from Sport Psychology; Sport Psychology Provides Crucial Insights for Improving Behavior in Sport. JOPERDThe Journal of Physical Education, Recreation Dance 77.7 (2006): 18 Griffin, Joy. Sport Psychology: Myths in Sport Education and Physical Education Sport Psychology Isnt Just for the Elites; It Can Benefit Everyone in Youth Sports and Physical Education. JOPERDThe Journal of Physical Education, Recreation Dance 79.8 (2008): 11 Kalliath, Thomas J., and Alexandra Beck Is the Path to Burnout and Turnover Paved by a Lack of Supervisory Support? A Structural Equations Test New Zealand Journal of Psychology 30.2 (2001): 72 Kornspan, Alan S., and Mary J. McCracken The Use of Psychology in Professional Baseball: The Pioneering Work of David F. Tracy. Nine 11.2 (2003): 36 Kornspan, Alan S., and Michael A. Duve A Niche and a Need: A Summary of the Need for Sport Psychology Consultants in Collegiate Sports. Annals of the American Psychotherapy Association 9.1 (2006): 19 Kremer, J., Moran, A. P. Pure Sport: Practical sport psychology. London: Routledge (2008) Maclean, Joanne, and Shannon Hamm Values and Sport Participation: Comparing Participant Groups, Age, and Gender. Journal of Sport Behavior 31.4 (2008): 352 Matheson, Hilary, Sharon Mathes, and Mimi Murray The Effect of Winning and Losing on Female Interactive and Coactive Team Cohesion Journal of Sport Behavior 20.3 (1997): 284 Morris, T., and Summers, J., eds. Sport psychology: theory, application and issues (2nd Ed.). Chichester: Wiley (2004) Nesti, Mark. Existential Psychology and Sport: Theory and Application. New York: Routledge, 2004 Wann, Daniel L., and Joshua Polk The Positive Relationship between Sport Team Identification and Belief in the Trustworthiness of Others North American Journal of Psychology 9.2 (2007): 251 Wilson, Marcia A., and Dawn E. Stephens Great Expectations: How Do Athletes of Different Expectancies Attribute Their Perception of Personal Athletic Performance? Journal of Sport Behavior 28.4 (2005): 392 Watson, Jack C and Damien Clement Ethical and Practical Issues Related to Multiple Role Relationships in Sport Psychology (2008) [online] Retrieved November 22, 2009 at: Wright, Perry B., and Kristi J. Erdal Sport Superstition as a Function of Skill Level and Task Difficulty Journal of Sport Behavior 31.2 (2008): 187

Louis XIV, France’s Sun King Essay -- French King Louis XIV Essays

Louis XIV, France’s Sun King Louis XIV, France’s Sun King, had the longest reign in European history (1643-1715). During this time he brought absolute monarchy to its height, established a glittering court at Versailles, and fought most of the other European countries in four wars. Although his reign had some negative aspects; on balance, Louis’ reign was primarily a benefit to France. In 1643 Louis XIII died. Louis XIII’s wife and Louis XIV’s mother, Anne of Austria, aided by her minister, Cardinal Mazarin, ruled France as regent. Kindly but mediocre tutors gave him a feeble education, while his mother formed his rules of conscience, teaching him a simple kind of Roman Catholicism. Mazarin instructed him in court ceremony, war, and the craft of kingship. The Fronde—two rebellions against the Crown between 1648 and 1653—impressed upon Louis the need to bring order, stability, and reform to France and also fostered in him a deep suspicion of the nobility. In accordance with the Franco-Spanish Treaty of the Pyrenees, Louis married his Spanish cousin, Marie-Therese, in 1660. When Mazarin died the following year, Louis shocked France by refusing to name a first minister; he had decided to rule alone and selected Jean-Baptiste Colbert as his financial adviser. Colbert encouraged domestic industry and foreign exports and rebuilt the Fre nch navy. Despite his youth, Louis XIV proved a hardworking king. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday he presided at a council meeting in which were formulated policies that affected the lives of 20 million subjects. Louis developed two effective new instruments of power: a corps of professional diplomats and a standing, uniformed army. After 1682 the king spent most of his time at ... ...sailles. Within 54 years he did what several kings had worked on for centuries. French culture became one of the most appealing in the world and the name Louis XIV has been associated with greatness and glory. Louis XIV was a great monarch, capable of maintaining a strong kingdom because he never, in his entire life, doubted his right to be king. Louis XIV was never able to resolve the tensions between governing elite committed to efficiency and a society organized by rank, birth, and privilege, which explains many of the failures of his reign. His personal example of long, dedicated rule, however, made France the bureaucratic model for 18th century, absolutist Europe. His autocracy was indeed amazing, and he lived and ruled as a king should have. Louis XIV became the ideal king, and although many have tried to live up to his glory, none have been successful.

The Economic Quest for the Development of Cuba Essay -- Essays Papers

The Economic Quest for the Development of Cuba Introduction: To state lightly, Americans generally frown upon communist countries. Though there are the obvious grievances of political and ideological differences that will not be discussed in this paper, the opinions with respect to the economy have also sparked heated discourse. Those that are capitalists feel that without a free market and the power of the invisible hand, the economy will not be efficient and eventually crumble. And in most cases, this assumption was true in the twentieth century. But with Cuba, a red country, communism may not be the major factor to blame at the present. Some feel Cuba has not focused enough on industrial growth, while others say it is the lack of physical capital combined with Cuba ´s inability to attract foreign direct investment. Yet most agree that as a small third world country in today ´s global economy, Cuba is facing many challenges to keep up with the pace of the world. In spite of its current condition, this country still has significan t economic potential. In reality, it is quite astounding to look upon Cuba and what this small country has had to encounter in the past fifteen years. At the start of the 1990 ´s, an economic crisis struck Cuba. When the Soviet Union collapsed and the socialist bloc disappeared, Cuba, being heavily reliant on this alliance, suffered immense economic consequences. The Soviet Union was Cuba ´s trading partner and vital contributor through investments, provision of resources and technology. Because of their socialist relationship, eighty-five percent of Cuba ´s trade[,...] including sugar and citrus fruit [was with the Soviet Union, while at the same time] eighty-eight percent of Cuba ´s i... ...d the Development Prospects of Cuba. Developing Prospects in Cuba: An Agenda in the Making. London: Institute of Latin American Studies, 2002. Monreal, Pedro. Export Substituition Reindustrialisation in Cuba: Development Strategies Revisited. Developing Prospects in Cuba: An Agenda in the Making. London: Institute of Latin American Studies, 2002. Oficina Nacional de Estadisticas (ONE) (1999), Anuario estadistico de Cuba 1998 (Havana). Oficina Nacional de Estadisticas (ONE) (1999a), Anuario estadistico de Cuba 1998 (Havana). Saney. Isaac. Cuba: A Revolution in Motion. Ed. Brenda Conroy. London: Fernwood, 2004. Snow, Anita. Cuba ´s economic growth slows. Associated Press. 21 December 2002. Academic Universe. 22 Jan. 2005 . Taylor, John. Economics: Fourth Edition. Ed. Jean L. Woy. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2004.

Everyday Life in the Industrial Revolution Essay

Industrialisation created an enormous impact on people’s everyday lives. Many machines were invented to produce goods much more quickly and efficiently. This lowers the price for expensive goods such as textiles and furniture and made it more affordable for everyone due to mass production. Steam trains were also invented to move perishable goods and people in quickly in long distances to markets and bring fresh, organic foods to cities which are growing in population. Trains were an affordable form of transport for citizens and people. The invention of steam ships allowed a large number of people to North America and Australia from Europe. These were the fundamental changes that occurred during the industrial revolution. The first artificial was produced using gas. These lights made cities safer, it allowed people begin to go out at night to social events or meetings, shops and factories open for longer. Working hours in in factories were also extended thanks to the invention of artificial lighting. Electricity led to the development of household appliances such as refrigerators and irons that help with house chores. It also led to many innovations such as telegraph which made communication much easier, following the telegraph were the telephone and radio. Technologies has made a dramatic change to people’s ordinary lives, it has affected the society in a positive and negative way. The industrialised innovations helped with factory work and produce products more efficiently; however these machineries have highly polluted the environment. It was very surprising how far society have come, the development of technologies made the process of things much easier. Thanks to these inventions made during the industrial revolution and is still being improved, changed the lives of younger generations. Children in the modern society now have phones, iPad, iPod etc.

Examination of Clinical Psychology Essay

Clinical psychology is a broad science that involves psychologists ensuring the mental well-being of a patient. Its focus is diagnosing, treating, and if possible, averting psychological disorders. The field of clinical psychology applies to every demographic from young children to the elderly, families or individuals, and one’s socioeconomic status is not a factor in whether he or she should receive treatment. Clinical psychology deals with a broad range of specialties, including individuals who have been diagnosed with disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder or those who are coping with personal issues, such as being fired from his or her place of employment or going through a divorce. Psychologists in this field offer patients the opportunity to voice his or her frustrations while helping the patient to understand and manage their situations in a healthy manner. Clinical psychologists are skilled in using numerous methods intended to help patients, all depending on his or her area of expertise. History of Clinical Psychology Although established as a legitimate field in the late 1800s, the study of psychology has been dated back as far as 2500 B. C. In those days, approaches to examining mental health included the supernatural, holistic, religious and medical perspectives. Greek physician Hippocrates, also known as the father of ancient medicine, played a considerable role in the development of psychology. Hippocrates developed the theory of humors, which states that four humors, or bodily fluids, are the key to good health. These fluids were black bile, yellow bile, phlegm, and blood (Plante, 2010). Too much phlegm in the body will make an individual tired and lethargic; too much blood in the body would cause irritability; too much black bile causes melancholy, and too much yellow bile causes anxiety. Not unlike present-day doctors, Hippocrates believed a healthy diet and exercise could aid in preventing or treating these symptoms but he was also a promoter of blood-letting, which essentially meant the patient would be bled dry with the intention of returning the four humors to their natural state. Greek philosopher Plato strongly believed that the soul has free will and the body will perform as the soul wills it to. He felt that mental illness is caused by something malfunctioning in the part of the soul that controls reason and an individual’s lack of self-awareness were the cause of the symptoms. Aristotle maintained a scientific emphasis and felt that certain distinct emotional states including joy, anger, fear, and courage impacted the functioning of the human body (Plante, 2010). Another Greek physician, Galen, took all of these perspectives and created one of the most influential medical programs in the history of psychology. Galen shared the same beliefs as his predecessors concerning the theory of humors and blood-letting, and although some of his ideas were imperfect, he was able to make great strides in medicine with his rationalizations of poor health and its origins. With the Middle Ages came a different type of explanation of mental illness. During this time, many people thought the reasoning behind abnormal behavior had more to do with supernatural forces rather than the body or soul. There were some, however, such as Saint Thomas Aquinas and Bishop Nicholas Oresme, who did not believe that mental illness had anything to do with supernatural forces and correctly speculated that these afflictions were caused by physical or mental abnormalities. In the 16th century, Swiss physician Paracelsus went as far as to reveal that he believed the movements of the stars had an effect on one’s mood and developed more civilized treatments for the mentally ill. Subsequent to Paracelsus, Juan Luis Vives and Johann Weyer switched the focus of what causes mental illnesses from the soul and supernatural forces to behavior, and like Paracelsus, advocated for humane treatment of patients. The Renaissance era and the 19th century brought along with them the re-emergence of medical treatments, leaving supernatural and religious approaches behind. It was during this time psychologists learned that affected organs in the body could cause illness and possibly lead to death. Ultimately, the discovery of such scientific findings would usher in a new era of clinical psychology and render Greek ideologies a thing of the past. Psychology officially became a valid field in 1879 when German physician Wilhelm Wundt opened his laboratory of psychology at the University of Leipzig in Germany. Wundt conducted many experiments in his laboratory, with a focus on human reaction. His intent was to study behavior in order to acquire a better understanding of the mind and its workings by using scientific methods. Four years later, Lightner Witmer opened the first sychological clinic in Pennsylvania (Plante, 2010). During this time, many professionals in the field were more interested in experimental psychology and were against the idea of human behavior being applied to clinical situations. Despite misgivings concerning the new field, clinical psychology was able to flourish and has come a long way since earlier opposition. Evolving Nature of Clinical Psychology The evolution of methods of diagnosis and treatment in medicine has been characterized by the gradual accumulation over many centuries of a large body of objectively recorded observations (Routh, 2000). With technology ever-changing to fit the modern standards of today, so too does the field of clinical psychology. New scientific breakthroughs are made constantly in regard to human behavior, the brain and how they relate to one another. To correspond with these new empirical-based findings, clinical psychology evolves its methods as well. A key factor in this evolution is the immense effort put into attempting to understand the human mind, its abnormalities, and where they originate from. Modern clinical psychology is the epitome of scientific progression as it improves its methods of learning as much as possible about the evolving human mind. Research and Statistics in Clinical Psychology Research and statistics are an essential element to clinical psychology. Research is used to verify or refute a theory, while statistics are used to prove the validity and reliability of a theory. The collected empirical results aid researchers in creating helpful approaches to advanced treatments for those who need it. With these findings, psychologists are able to help individuals with a broad spectrum of issues, from relationship problems to more serious matters, such as depression or the death of a loved one. Statistics are applied to determine how essential the gathered data is to the research conducted. The two disciplines combined assist researchers in developing more useful approaches in the treatment of patients. Differences between Clinical Psychology and Other Mental Health Professions Some of the differences between clinical psychology and other disciplines are education requirements, work duties and salary. Individuals who desire to become clinical psychologists must obtain either a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph. D. ) or a Doctorate of Psychology (Psy. D. ). Those who choose the Ph. D. are focused on the research of psychology and those who choose the Psy. D. are more interested in working in a clinical setting. The work duties of a clinical psychologist include assessing an individual’s mental health and trying to find the most appropriate treatment for him or her by analyzing the patient’s surroundings and interpersonal relationships. Regarding salary, psychologists can earn anywhere from $45,000-150,000 annually, depending on how long he or she has been in practice and how successful that practice is (Grohol, 2011). To become a social worker, one must obtain a Master’s degree (MSW) to work in a school or mental health environment. Social workers help individuals or families to deal with issues such as domestic strife, social problems, or child abuse just to name a few. Depending on the subfield, the salary of a social worker varies. Psychiatry is a field that is often confused with psychology. Though there is not much of a difference between the two, psychiatry deals with the treatment of the mind while psychology deals with the science of the mind. To become a psychiatrist, one must obtain a medical degree followed by an additional four years of training in a medical facility. The one huge difference between psychiatrists and psychologists is psychiatrists have the authority to prescribe medication to his patients as well as psychotherapy. Psychiatrists may earn between $66,000-180,000 annually (Healthcare Salary Online, 2010). Like clinical psychologists, school psychologists must also obtain a four-year undergraduate degree. As the title suggests, school psychologists typically work in school settings evaluating students and creating school plans to fit the student’s needs. However, school psychologists are not only limited to working inside schools. They may also work in private practice, providing consultations for education-based companies. The salary for this field differs, depending on the area. The average annual salary for a 190-day contract ranges from $47,880. 00 to $67,070. 00, while top salaries can exceed $100,000 (National Association of School Psychologists, n. d. ). Conclusion To sum up, the field of psychology has come a long way since its roots in 2500 B. C. Thanks to physicians like Hippocrates, Plato, Wundt, and many others who were able to pave the way for psychologists of today, many people are able to reap the benefits and receive the help that is needed. Technology is ever changing, and with it comes the evolution of high-tech approaches to analyzing and treating the human psyche. Although all of the disciplines under psychology may differ somewhat, they all have the same goal, which is to assist in complying with the necessities of the human mind to impart a continuing aptitude to survive.

Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Human embryonic stem (hES) cells have the unique capability of differentiating into all cell types, leading to the development of an entire organism. As the integrity of ES cells is critical for the developing embryo, these cells have likely evolved mechanisms that detect and respond rapidly to adverse stimuli. Indeed, hES cells have been shown to be highly sensitive to DNA damage, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this rapid death remain unclear. Caspases are critical mediators of apoptosis in mammalian cells, and a key protein that controls their activation is Bax, a proapoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family. While the main components of the apoptotic pathway have been identified, exactly how this pathway is regulated in various primary cells remains unclear. Here, we examined the apoptotic pathway in hES cells and report a unique mechanism engaged by hES cells that can prime them to undergo rapid apoptosis inresponse to genotoxic damage.To visualize GFP-tagged Bax, 3-day colonies of hES cells were transfected with 2 mg of hBaxC3-EGFP (Addgene) with FuGENE HD transfection reagent. The process of introducing nucleic acids into eukaryotic cells by nonviral methods is defined as transfection. Using various chemical, lipid or physical methods, this gene transfer technology is a powerful tool to study gene function and protein expression in the context of a cell. Development of reporter gene systems and selection methods for stable maintenance and expression of transferred DNA have greatly expanded the applications for transfection. Assay-based reporter technology, together with the availability of transfection reagents, provides the foundation to study mammalian promoter and enhancer sequences, trans-acting proteins such as transcription factors, mRNA processing, protein:protein interactions, translation and recombination events (Groskreutz and Schenborn, 1997). Transfection is a method that neutralizes or obviates the issue of introducing negatively charged molecules (e.g., phosphate backbones of DNA and RNA) into cells with a negatively charged membrane. Chemicals like calcium phosphate and DEAE-dextran or cationic lipid-based reagents coat the DNA, neutralizing or even creating an overall positive charge to the molecule. This makes it easier for the DNA:transfection reagent complex to cross the membrane, especially for lipids that have a â€Å"fusogenic† component, which enhances fusion with the lipid bilayer. Physical methods like microinjection or electroporation simply punch through the membrane and introduce DNA directly into the cytoplasm. Here we describe the striking observation that healthy undifferentiated hES cells maintain Bax in its preactivated state at the Golgi. This is in contrast to other cell types in which Bax is typically present in an inactive form in the cytosol. Our results also highlight the fact that the apoptotic machinery undergoes dynamic changes even at early stages of differentiation.While undifferentiated hES cells have constitutively active Bax and undergo rapid apoptosis in response to DNA damage, just 2 days of differentiation induced significant changes suchthat Bax was no longer active, and the cells were no longer highly sensitive to DNA damage. This could be manifested with even greater complexity in vivo as cells during early embryogenesis undergo rapid proliferation and differentiation.

A Clockwork Orange: Summary

Synopsis: Young Alex and his gang members (Dim, Pete and Georgie) go on a rampage around the futuristic city in London. In the book what we call evil is actually a form of art to Alex. Alex loves art itself, particularly classical music. To Alex, the delight he finds in classical music is closely related to the joy he feels during acts of violence. The State’s destruction of Alex’s ability to make his own moral choices represents a greater evil than any of Alex’s crimes, since turning Alex into an automaton ultimately sanctions the notion that human nature is dispensable. Alex truly grows as a human being only in the last chapter, after the government removes his conditioning and he can see the error of his ways for himself, without the prompting of an external, controlling force. The slang used by the â€Å"Droogs† represents the social gap between youth and the elders of society. Aspects: Music: Music in this book is one of the main aspects. Music affects everyone in a different way. Alex when he listens to symphonies especially Ludwig Van Beethoven, he gets stimulated to do more violence. Good is bad and bad is good: A regular teens would go to school and have a part time job to make money. As we would think school, having a job, working for yourself is good for you. In a Clockwork Orange everything is switched around. Basically what the young adults find good is like robbing stores, raping women on the street, having gang fights, the good old ultra violence. Satire: The dystopia of  A Clockwork Orange  has a very satirical tone. The aspect of satire in the novel is in the form of political commentary. Alex and his gang deprive the community of moral choice and free will, limiting their personal freedoms. In this way, Anthony Burgess conveys an anti-totalitarian message in the novel. The futuristic dystopian society of the novel is a completely exaggerated claim of what a totalitarian government would lead to. In an attempt to prove the point that a deprivation of personal freedoms would be catastrophic to the world, Burgess paints a picture with absolutely no happiness, a picture painted satirically. Theme: If personal freedom is a justifiable sacrifice for comfort and social stability. His treatment shows that government would rather have a faceless society that shuns emotion and motive. Maturity: When Alex in the end shows that he wants too mature into an adult when he confronts or meets Pete.

Question 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Question 1 - Essay Example Here the project leaders create a charter for the project, create the process high-level view, and start understanding the customer’s need of the process. This is the critical stage for the company where the leaders define their effort outline for the leadership and for themselves. In the evolution of Lean Sigma Enterprise, Mematech Pharmaceutical Company is on the early successes. At this stage, Mematech’s initial projects are in under way. Their improvements have shown crucial impacts and financials. The support from the initial team undergoes validation by other results. This is an important stage, where it is crucial for the previous successes to be publicized so that the entire organization can see the impact of the lean sigma. The technology drivers that influence the lean sigma enterprise’ evolution are Enterprise Resource Planning and Customer Relationship Management. The advantage of the technology is to re-design the solution and offer discipline and process systemization (Taghizadegan, 2006). The changes of uncertainty and ambiguity of the potential impact of the business is replaced by the relevant and proven illustration of the problems that face the company. The organization has responded to the changes through leadership support, p eople, training, project selection, reporting, software, and financial impact. The key challenge is ensuring that the projects are through early and that the company’s financial impacts are

The Company Law for Accounts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

The Company Law for Accounts - Essay Example In case a promoter makes a profit secretly, the company may commence a legal action for rescission or recovery of the profits made secretly. This promoter is assumed to have executed without utmost good faith. This means that disclosure of their activities is the most important issue and they must work within the objectives of the promoters and must use their skills knowledge for the best of the firm (Siddharthacadey, 2010).A promoter is any person involved in the planning to incorporate or initiate a running of a company, other than persons involved in a purely professional capacity. A promoter need not necessarily be the main person behind the incorporation, but he must have some executive function. The stereotype of a company and sells his business to it is a promoter. A promoter has a fiduciary duty to the company he is forming and this requires him to disclose all profits he makes during the promotion of the company...The courts have established the principle that a promoter stands in a fiduciary relationship with the company, which he is forming. This does not mean that he is barred from making a profit out of the promotion. It means that any profit made must be disclosed to the company. Breach of promoters’ duty If a promoter makes a profit and fails to disclose he breaches his duty of fiduciary. In the event of non- disclosure of profits the company may commence proceedings for rescission or for recovery of the undisclosed profits. The case study The case at hand is that Candy received a gift that he did not disclose to the other promoters. Therefore, he should be compelled to rescind the property to the company. The law prohibits individuals from unjustly enriching themselves at the expense of other partners. The other party should be compensated adequately to act as consideration. However, it should be noted that not all instances that parties are required to make compensated. In the case of unformed company the promoter is required to disclose rather compensate. In contract law, the pre-incorporation contracts are not enforceable, but the benefit accruing from it is disclosable. Being the fiduciary person Candy had certain legal obligations to fulfil towards the beneficiary. However, the very moment the Candy has taken a wrong approach of lying company, the bond of fiduciary relationship has been violated. This was confirmed in the case of Gluckstein v Barnes [1900]. In the case promoters had made profits before incorporation but they failed to disclose this fact. In their case, they misrepresented facts in prospectus that they were to buy a property at certain amount which they were unable to raise.

The Model American Wife Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Model American Wife - Essay Example The modern American wife can actually be divided into 3 categories: (a.) the traditional wife, (b.) the career driven wife, and (c.) the multitasking wife (also known as Superwife). Under these 3 categories, we will find that each type of American wife manages to flourish and grow as a person due to the fulfillment and sense of satisfaction that they get from accomplishing the role that they chose for themselves within their family unit. This will not be hard to understand once we delve deeper into these American wife personalities later on in the paper. It is actually my belief, that the readers of this paper will come away from it with a new found understanding of the modern day American woman in the process and what makes her even more special after the marriage ceremony. When I say an American wife, I am sure that the first image that comes to your mind is that of the traditionally portrayed, Leave it to Beaver type of woman who spends almost all her time in the kitchen, cooking, washing, and just plain keeping house. That is the image that most of us have been trained to see women as. Glorified housekeepers who keep order in the household and make sure that the members of the family are well fed. Nothing more. She has no other rights of privileges in the household and the man wields all the power. ... On the other hand, the career driven wife has started to become a fixture in the working firmament as well. This is the woman who hyphenates her single status surname with her married surname. She is the modern woman who keeps house with her husband but still keeps a pad of her own for her â€Å"me† time. Contrary to popular belief, she does not try to do it all. Rather, her housewife duties are more geared towards the simpler tasks of picking up the laundry and choosing which restaurant to dine at every night. Her husband is satisfied with her home making skills because these kinds of wives normally live in condominium units that have regular housekeepers dropping by to keep everything in order. She is a woman who shares more than just her life with her husband. They also share in all the bills, errands, and other responsibilities. She is in effect, the modern woman who refuses to be tied down even after she is already married. Finally, we have the ultra modern American house wife, the housewife who has turn multitasking into an art form. She is respectfully referred to as Superwife. This is the epitome of the 21st century American housewife. She is the housewife that every woman hopes to be in the future. She does exist you know, she is not a figment of the imagination. The Superwife is one who normally works from home while her husband does the daily job commute. She is the kind of modern housewife who manages to remain hands on in the running of the household and care of the kids all while juggling her full time job. For most Superwives, this means having a working computer and a very flexible work schedule. She knows how to prioritize the events in her life and never allows one portion of it to suffer or go

Behavior in Higher Mammals Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Behavior in Higher Mammals - Essay Example They achieved a balance between molecular work, on the one hand, and anatomical and paleontological2 work on the other hand making them the higher amongst the all mammals found. Scientists say placental mammals are the most prominent mammals in the world today. Realizing the biggest category of the mammals we need to understand the ways in which we could observe them. Various precautions have to be taken before beginning with this activity. Some the things that have to be studied are It would be easy to observe domestic mammals in the beginning if you are not equipped with complete biological exploring4 kit. If you have a large team and resources you can go out and observe them in open settings else placental mammals can be started with to begin the study. Some of the placental mammals include rats, squirrels, rabbits, elephants, horses, lions, tigers, pandas, pigs, sheep, dolphins, whales, as well as humans and other primates. So we can begin our study by choosing the mammals we can have control over like rats, squirrel, pig, sheep, dolphins because they might be too friendly about your observation activity. So being precautious friendly mammal has to be chosen before you become expert with the technique of observing mammals. (According to Frost, PWS and the Gulf of Alaska (GOA)) Some o... Various precautions have to be taken before beginning with this activity. Some the things that have to be studied are We need to study the eating habits of the mammal. Realization of its food chain and biome3 is most necessary. Categorization into domestic and free mammal has to be realized. If one chooses to observe a mammal in a natural and semi natural surroundings one has to get knowledge about their foot marks their smell and things which attract them. Gulati Peeyush 2007 Keen observations have to be made depending upon the environment we have chosen to make observations. It would be easy to observe domestic mammals in the beginning if you are not equipped with complete biological exploring4 kit. If you have a large team and resources you can go out and observe them in open settings else placental mammals can be started with to begin the study. Some of the placental mammals include rats, squirrels, rabbits, elephants, horses, lions, tigers, pandas, pigs, sheep, dolphins, whales, as well as humans and other primates. So we can begin our study by choosing the mammals we can have control over like rats, squirrel, pig, sheep, dolphins because they might be too friendly about your observation activity. So being precautious friendly mammal has to be chosen before you become expert with the technique of observing mammals. (According to Frost, PWS and the Gulf of Alaska (GOA)) Some of the richest marine mammal fauna in the world: 21 species are currently known to live in these waters, of these 21, four species - the harbor seal, the killer whale, the sea otter, and the stellar sea lion - would likely be the easiest and most useful to monitor. So if you are technologically

Should assisted suicide be an option for patients who are terminally Essay

Should assisted suicide be an option for patients who are terminally ill, in pain and want assisted suicide in Canada - Essay Example There have been several proponents and opponents of the issue in nearly equal proportion. Many of the opponents argue that it is illegal and unethical to assist someone to take away his life (Snyder 2). In contrast, the proponents of assisted suicide believe that the act is a dignified way to die by ending pain and suffering of persons who are terminally ill and suffer from incurable diseases. While the major debate has been whether legalizing assisted suicide would end suffering and pain, it defies the morality and ethics of the society; thus, it should not be legalized. Besides, legalizing assisted suicide could lead to abuse as people would have their lives ended against their wishes. Finally, legalizing the act would imply or lead to putting a dollar value on human life since the high cost of long-term care for people who are terminally ill would outweigh their right to live. Background Information The practice of euthanasia is generally illegal in the country. Nevertheless, ther e have been debates (most recently in Quebec back in March 2012) on whether the government should legalize it or not, particularly after Dr. Jack Kevorkian in Michigan (Gorsuch 44). The current laws in Canada prohibit any physician from assisting a person’s suicide lest he faces prosecution for abetting the act. The debate on the issue of assisted suicide deepened after 1990 when a retired pathologist in Michigan, Dr. Jack Kevorkian, started to attend a number of suicide requests by patients on the verge of dying (Gorsuch 44). He advised patients who suffered from degenerative or terminal diseases on how to administer carbon monoxide and eventually die. This action elicited mixed reactions from the public as Kevorkian was subjected to prosecution where he would answer to charge of unlawfully assisting a person to commit suicide (Gorsuch 44). The Michigan courts dismissed the murder charges, and Kevorkian was ultimately acquitted in 1994 against expectations of prosecutors and Michigan legislators who were determined to ensure the doctor is convicted of murder. Apparently, a physician-assisted suicide (also known as Euthanasia) concerns people who experience pain and suffering due to terminal illness. Pro Argument #1 According to the scientific study on terminal diseases published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, a very small percentage of patients with such illnesses expressed the wish to terminate their lives. Precisely, only one individual out of four wished to die due to suffering and pain (Gorsuch 44). Incidentally, majority of the cases involved patients who had clinically diagnosable depression. The study proposes psychotherapeutic treatment for the terminally ill. It further reveals that the rate of assisted suicide lies between 2% and 4%, a clear suggestion that very few patients will voluntarily permit termination of their lives (Gorsuch 44). Thus, it proposes compassionate counseling alongside psychological and medical care to provide co nstructive and morally acceptable options to euthanasia. In the end, patients would naturally succumb to the terminal illnesses instead of the controversial assisted suicide. In the same way, scientific study reveals a small percentage of patients wishing to die by assisted suicide. In most Cases these patients were diagnosed with depression. Pro Argument #2 A patient

Financial ratio analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Financial ratio analysis - Essay Example The main value of the company lies in providing tasty and healthy foods to the customers by maintaining good quality and reasonable price. The vision of Sainsbury is to be the most trusted retailer, where the customers and employees prefer to shop and work respectively (J Sainsbury Plc., 2015b). During 2014, the underlying sales and profit before tax of the group increased by 2.8% and 5.3% respectively (J Sainsbury Plc., 2015b; J Sainsbury Plc., 2015c). The graph provided below shows the improvement in confidence of the consumer over the past five years. The financial statements of the company are prepared according to International Financial Reporting System (IFRS) (J Sainsbury Plc., 2015c). The company has adopted IFRS as its accounting policies as it is followed in the European Union. Moreover, financial data in the statements are presented in sterling million. It is also prepared with the help of going concern method under the convention of historical cost (J Sainsbury Plc., 2015c). The main purpose of the report is to highlight the financial performance of J Sainsbury Plc through financial ratio analysis. The ratios during the year 2009-2014 are calculated to get a knowledge regarding the financial strength of the company. However, there are various limitations of ratio analysis, which are also depicted in the report. The ratio analysis of Sainsbury is executed in order to understand the financial status of the company. The profitability, efficiency, liquidity, leverage and investment ratio are calculated in order to depict the financial condition of the company. 1) The gross profit margin has increased over the years from 2009 to 2014 as the sales revenue has improved due to the increase in consumer confidence. The cost of sales and the sales revenue is balanced, which have maintained stability among gross profit margin of the years. 2) The net profit margin has remained steady over the years from 2010- 2014 at 3.0%; however, it has