Africans in the conquest of mesoamerica Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Africans in the conquest of mesoamerica - Essay Example Admittedly, the past does influence the present. But when it comes to the work of the historian, who must selectively choose his facts so as to write his account of history, the present, that is his choices, his passions, his worries, and his strengths and weaknesses, will have far-reaching consequences on any view he may hold and assert regarding the past. These are the structural realities which must be accepted when attempting to assess and interpret the meaning of the role and experience of African slaves in the Spanish conquest of Mesoamerica, or as it is known today, Mexico. As Americans, our tendency is to look to our southern neighbors as speakers of Spanish, who have themselves experienced historical experiences similar to our own. We began as colonies of the English crown, just as Mexicans once lived under the rule of the king of Spain. They, like us, broke off from the mother country and became an independent nation. They speak the tongue of the European country with which they once had a political allegiance. To that we can add our widespread perception of Mexicans as having a mixture of Spanish and Mesoamerican blood. These perceptions largely reflect our current beliefs and prejudices: i.e. we are an â€Å"Anglo-Saxon† country and the Mexicans are a â€Å"Latin† country. These simplistic terms, aside from pe rpetuating misconceptions, stem from our present needs and wants. In reality, the history of Mexico, from the time of the arrival of the first Europeans at the end of the fifteenth century to the present, is one which is far richer than any one historical account could demonstrate. Even more germane to the purposes here, that historical experience is one to which peoples and individuals from Africa made a most significant contribution. So much so that it can be said that not only were Africans central to the Spanish crown’s conquest and colonization of

Prescription Drug Abuse in Teenagers Essay Example for Free

Prescription Drug Abuse in Teenagers Essay Although prescription drugs are not harmful if used correctly, prescription drug abuse is high in teenagers. Most parents would never think their teenagers are helping themselves to prescription medicine sitting on ones counter. The truth is, prescription drug abuse in teenagers has become very common nowadays. The drugs are easily accessible at home, or cheap to buy at school. They are highly addictive and can even cause death. Putting one’s prescriptions in a safe place may save a childs life. Prescription drug addiction usually starts with experimentation. Teenagers may be trying prescription drugs because their friends are doing it or it may just be out of curiosity. Some teenagers will turn to prescription drugs to forget their problems. As the addiction progresses, it becomes harder and harder to stop using the prescription drugs (Smith, 2010). Experimentation rarely leads to a good outcome. If one’s child starts with a simple experiment of prescription drug use, odds are it will ultimately end with addiction. Smith (2010), states â€Å"Addiction is a complex disorder characterized by compulsive drug use. People who are addicted feel an overwhelming, uncontrollable need for drugs† (Drug abuse and addiction, para. 1). When one has repeated drug use it will permanently alter the brain. The long-lasting effect on the brain changes ones ability to think, use good judgment, control ones behavior, or feel normal without the drug. It is the drug cravings and compulsions to use that make the addiction so powerful. These cravings and compulsions to use are partly cause by the changes the drugs make to one’s brain (Smith, 2010). The average prescription drug abuser will start between the ages of 12 and 17. Every day about 2,500 teenagers in this age group abuse a prescription drug for the first time (Havens, 2009). â€Å"The number of high school students who are abusing prescription pain relievers such as oxycodone (OxyCotin), a potent and highly addictive opiate, or sedative is on the rise† (Freedman, (2006), para. 3). Stimulants are the most common used, next is opiates, followed by tranquilizers, and then sedatives (Parenting Teens, 2005). The pain relievers such as Vicoden or OxyCotin are used to achieve a high, whereas the sedatives such as Xanax and Valium are used to relax or calm. These drugs can lead to dependence and addiction. Stimulants such as Adderall, Ritalin, Dexedrine, or Provigil decrease ones appetite but increases ones alertness and attention. These are dangerous because they can cause addiction, seizures, or heart attacks. Stimulants are often used to lose weight of for studying. Steroids are used to built ones bodies or promote athletic performance. The dangers involved in consuming steroids are mental and physical health effects as well as serious sexual effects (Havens, 2009). Findings from a 2005 survey conducted by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health â€Å"indicates that approximately 21% of the U. S. population age 12 and older report using any type of prescription drug nonmedically in their lifetime, 16% report us of opiate-type pain killers, 8% report tranquilizer use, 8% report stimulant use, and 2% report sedative use† (Ford, 2008, para. 10). The study also found that substance abuse can cause users to offend the law as well as impair good judgment. However, it has been found that the violations of the law are followed by the abuse of prescription drugs, or other illegal substances. Therefore if one’s teenager is addicted to prescription drugs, legal difficulties will probably follow. The researchers believe substance abuse is a definite road to a delinquent lifestyle (Ford, 2008). Reported prescription drug abuse by high school seniors in 2005 Parenting Teens (2005). According to Freedman (2006), an 18-year-old who lives in San Francisco believes as long as the prescription medication is taken properly, it is much safer than any street drug. According to the findings of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America study, forty percent said prescription were much safer than illegal drugs; while 31 percent said that there was nothing wrong with using prescription drugs once in a while† (â€Å"Prescription-Drug Use by Teens,† (2006), para. 1). Teenagers think that because a medication has a prescription for an individual, it makes it safe for everyone. Several factors are involved in prescribing certain medications such as medical conditions, age, other prescriptions on may be taking and the diagnosis of the individual. Most teenagers do not consider these factors when helping themselves to medications prescribed to someone else. Prescription drugs are easy for a teenager to acquire either from their doctors or from their own medicine cabinets. Most parents are not aware of the risks involved in leaving a bottle of prescription medication lying on the counter for everyone to have access. It will start with taking one or two at a time and then the teenager ultimately proceeds to steeling the entire bottle, buying the prescription medications at school from classmates or even lying to their doctors to obtain their own prescriptions. The increasing popularity of nonmedical prescription drug use is based on the putative advantages of prescription drugs over â€Å"street† drugs: the drugs are easier to obtain, there is less likelihood of arrest, use is more socially accepted, and there is a perception the prescription drugs are safer† (Ford, (2008), para. 10). Prevention is the best tool concerning teenagers and prescription drug abuse. Havens, (2009), â€Å"Most teenagers say parents are not discussing the dangers of prescription drugs with them† (6 Steps to Prevent Prescription Drug Abuse in Teens, para. ). It is the parent’s responsibility to monitor closely the prescription medication in the home and purchase a lock box if necessary to keep one’s teenager safe. One needs to educate one’s teenagers in the dangers of prescription medication and the factors that go into prescribing those medications to each individual. Take it as far as asking the family physician to speak with one’s teenager if necessary. Sometimes they listen to strangers better than their own parents. Take the time to ensure there are no or out-of-date medications in the home. If these medications are no longer needed, dispose of them properly by flushing those (Havens, 2009). Parents are not always aware of how dangerous their own medication can be to their teenagers. MSNBC (2010). Parents also need to educate themselves in the signs associated with prescription drug abuse. Some of the thing one needs to watch for with their teenager behavior is neglecting responsibilities, getting into legal trouble, and even problems with the relationships with one’s friends. If ones teenager is starting to fall on school grades, not do chores at home, or even skipping school a pattern of neglecting responsibilities in beginning to develop. Behavior to watch for in relationships with friends would be losing longtime friends, and sometimes fist fighting with them. One may also be fighting more than usual with one’s siblings or ones boss at the job. The signs of legal trouble can be anywhere from simple disorderly conduct to any type of major crime. If ones teenager suddenly becomes involved with the law, something is wrong (Smith, 2010). The most noticeable physical signs of a prescription drug addiction is if ones pupils are bigger or smaller than normal, ones eyes are bloodshot, grooming habit deteriorate, unusual odor on breath or clothing, slurred speech, bad coordination, and tremors (Smith, 2010). Psychological warnings one can detect are (Smith, 2010), â€Å"Unexplained change in personality or attitude, sudden mood swings, irritability, or anger outbursts, periods of unusual hyperactivity, agitation, or giddiness, lack of motivation; appears lethargic or â€Å"spaced out†, appears fearful, anxious, or paranoid, with no reason† (Drug abuse and addiction, para. 9). Warning signs that tend to show more in teenagers are when one starts being secretive about their friends, one has a new interest in one’s clothing styles, and ones teenager is suddenly in need or more privacy then usual. If one has money, valuables, or prescription medication missing, one may need to consider the possibility of one’s teenager developing a prescription drug addiction. Other common signs are depression, withdrawing from the family, using incense to hide the smell, or eye drops to cover the dilated or bloodshot (Smith, 2010). Drug rehabilitation can be a costly, but necessary, adventure. According to ChooseHelp, (2010), â€Å"the professional staff involvement at any comprehensive and quality rehab facility disallows bargain treatment, and you need to be prepared to spend a significant amount of money to get a quality and effective treatment program (The Cost of Drug Rehab, para. 3). † Considering all cost involved in housing, feeding, drug therapies, and professional involvement, prices can range from a few thousand dollars a month all the way up to $30,000 per month (ChooseHelp, 2010). Several insurance companies will absorb most of the financial burden. One needs to contact one’s private insurance company and receive all details pertaining to this type of treatment. If one contacts one’s local State Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Council, there are programs available to those that cannot pay nor have any insurance. One needs to take into consideration the seriousness of this addiction. When it involves a prescription drug addiction, one cannot let the cost be a factor in the determination of the treatment. According to ChooseHelp (2010), â€Å"family programs can help to heal a family harmed by the destruction and heartache of abuse; and bring back a healthier dynamic to the family as a whole (Families Need to be a Part of the Process, para. 3). † One needs to decide how much family involvement will be in the rehab process. Family involvement is extremely important not only for the family but for the addict as well. When family member are learning about the addiction from trained professionals as well as other families facing the same situation, families are taught what is most beneficial for the teen and it assures the family that they are not esponsible for the addiction (ChooseHelp, 2010). When seeking a prescription drug treatment center for teenager one needs to consider a program involving patient education as well as family education. The program should offer counseling sessions with a therapist or psychologist as well as peer group session involving several families. One needs to choose a facility close to home to achieve adequate family involvement (ChooseHelp, 2010). When the rehabilitation program is successfully completed it is also important to continue care in an outside group such as Alcohol Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. Information for these meetings can be obtained in one’s local phone book. If the teenager in the home has been acting differently and medication is running out sooner than usual, take the steps necessary to help him or her. Admitting he or she may be addicted to prescription drugs is not easy but the help one can receive for him or her may save his or her life. Pay attention to the warning signs, ask questions at the doctor appointments and try not to have addictive medication prescribed to one’s child, especially if the child has had a problem in the past with any type of addiction. Be careful where prescription medications are located and consider investing in a lock box. It may be a decision that saves ones teenagers’ life. If one discovers one’s teenager has a prescription drug addiction, or any other addiction, do not be afraid to seek help. Money does not need to be an issue in saving ones life. References http://www.choosehelp.com/drug-rehab/families-need-to-be-a-part-of-the-process http://www.choosehelp.com/drug-rehab/the-costs-of-drug-rehab http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/12803776/ns/health-addictions/

Knowles Separate Peace Essays: Enemies of the Heart :: Separate Peace Essays

Enemies of the Heart  in  A Separate Peace Dealing with enemies has been a problem ever since the beginning of time. In A Separate Peace by John Knowels, the value of dealing with your feelings and dealing with your enemies is shown by Gene Forester, a student in Devon during World War 2 dealing with few human enemies, but his emotions create a nemesis far greater than any human enemy. "I never killed anybody," Gene had commented later in his adulthood, "And I never developed an intense level of hatred for the enemy. Because my war ended before I ever put on a uniform; I was on active duty all my time at Devon; I killed my enemy there." At Devon, Gene had a best friend, Finny, they were roommates and did many activities together. Finny was never the culprit, but usually the catalyst, for most of Gene's feelings, both good and bad. Gene was jealous of Finny's confidence, openness, modesty, superb athletic abilities, leadership skills, ability to deal with stress easily, care-free attitude, people skills and, of course, his good looks. Early in the story Finny demonstrated his openness when asked for his height, he said 5 foot, 8 ½ inches, while Gene replied 5 foot, 9 inches. Finny pointed out that they were the same height and Gene shouldn't be ashamed of his real height. Later that day, Finney suggests they skip dinner to go swimming in the river.   They are asked where they have been upon their return. Finny quickly replied that they were swimming in the river, something that is forbidden, and they got away with it. Gene said that the rules are very bent during the summer session, but it was actually Finny's people skills that had kept them out of trouble. Finny was very bold, as Gene many a time wished he was, on one occasion Finny wore a bright pink shirt "symbolizing the first U.S. bombing in Europe. Gene called him a "faerie" but really envied him. Later Finny wore the school tie as a belt and when questioned he claimed that it represented "Devon in the war." Gene was happily awaiting a scolding for Finny, but again, he got in no trouble. Another day the two were walking and came across a plaque near the pool claiming that A. Hopkins Parker held the record for swimming across the pool the fastest, Finny took one look at and thought he could beat it, so without any practice at all he plunged into the pool, Gene timed him and he beat it, just like that.

Faults of Woven and Knit Fabric

Faults of woven fabric: Bar: It is a band running across the full width of cloth. Pick bar due ti difference in pick spacing Tension-bar due to difference in weft tension Weft-bar due to difference in material count, twist etc Box marks: The causes of box marks are – Dirty box Shuttle riding over the weft Dirty shuttle Dirty picking and ticks Broken pattern: It occurs due to wrong drawing of threads insertion of thee pick, incorrect lifting of warp threads. Broken pick: A pick missing of the fabric, due to rough shuttle eyes, poor winding and weft yarn breakage. Defective selvedge: Curled selvedge Cut selvedges Loppy selvedges Slack selvedges Pulled selvedge Tight selvedge Uneven selvedge Float stitches: A place where warp and weft yarns escape the required interlacement. If occurs for improper warp stop motion. Fuzzy: it occurs for the present of hairy and abraded yarns. Hang pick: A pick which is out of line and is a triangular shape. Missing ends: Gap of warp yarns is the main causes Reed marks: Due to this fault cloth shows irregular spacing between groups of warp yarns across the fabric width. Shuttle marks: Width way marks due to abrasion of warp yarns by the shuttle. Stain: Major problems on woven fabric Oil, Dust, Soil, Carbon particles in the air may cause stains. Uneven cloth: It produced when take up motion is faulty, broken ratchet wheel is also responsible. Some mechanical faults: Reed marks Shuttle flying out Shuttle trapping Loom hanging Loom stopping Weft cutting Bumping Knitting Faults: Holes: Holes are the result of yarn breakage. It occurs for the following causes – Uneven yarn Badly set of yarn feeder Knots, slubs etc in yarn Yarn tension is too high Yarn is too dry Drop stitches: Those are the result of a defective needle. It also occurs when a yarn is not properly fed during stitch formation. Cloth fall –out: it is an area consisting of drop sitiches lying side by side. Snags: It occurs when filament yarns are processing. It occurs for higher twist and lesser crimp elasticity. Double stitches: These occur due to badly knitted or non-knitted loops. Vertical stripes: It is observed as longitudinal gaps in the fabric. When the space between Wales is irregular it occurs. Horizontal stripes: Horizontal stripes are caused by unevenness in the courses. Soil stripes: Soil stripes can appear both in the direction of Wales as well as courses. Color fly: Color fly consists of singe fibres, brunches of fibre of yarn pieces in varying colors. Distorted stitches: Due to it if become unsettled fabric and fabric appearance is skitter. Write about BAN (Barium Activity Number): Barium activity Number = (? Ba(OH)? _2 Absorbed by mercerised cotton material)/(? Ba(OH)? _2 Absorbed by unmercerised cotton material) BAN is always greater than 100 Standard range of BAN 115 – 135 Highly mercerized range 140 – 150 possible If BAN < 115, Mercerization wille be uneven Write ablout Water Hardness: Hardness is a term applied to water denoting a measurement of its PH and metal salt contest. Classification of water according to hardness – DescriptionTotal hardness (Degree) Very soft 0 – 40 Soft 5 – 80 Shild 9-140 Fairly hard 15 -180 Hard 19 -300 Very hard > 300 Determination of water hardness: The following Reagents are required for hardness measermet Buffer solution EDTA (Ethelene Diamine Tetraacetate ) (. 02 N or . 01 M) Indicator solution 0. 05 gm (Solochromo black WDFA) Mixture of alcohol and tri-ethanol amine Calcium solution – Take 1 gm CaCO3 and dried at 1650C Cover with clock glass and add water (50-100 ml) Add 20. 5 ml HCl Warm and next Cool Transfer to one litre volumetric flask Determination of total Hardness: Total Hardness = (T? 1000)/V mg/L CaCO3 Where, V = Wt. f solution (50 -100) into conical breaker T = Total amount of EDTA used to get reddish tinge disappear. Weight loss in Pre-treatment: The weight of unscoured and scoured were taken separately at the same moisture content and then weight loos is measured in %. Weight loss = (Wt. of Unscoured fabric-Wt. of Scoured fabric )/(Wt. of Unscoured fabric) ? 100% Standar d range of Weight loss = 4 – 8% Fabric and knit: (Questions) Faults of woven and knit fabric. Different variables of woven fabric. BAN (Bariem activity number) Hardness measurement of H2O. Wt. loss in pre-treatment (Scouring, bleaching, desizing etc)

Human Rights and Social Skills Essay

Chairperson adjudicators, ladies and Gentlemen, welcome. The motion before the house this evening is that the internet does more harm than good, as a social media using teenager, the stereotypical opinion I would have on this matter would be that this statement is false, however ladies and gentleman, I am not a stereotypical teenager and I am of the opinion that the internet does indeed do more harm than good. The year is 2014, and the internet has seemingly taken over the world, the majority of the population of the world would claim that they wouldn’t be able to survive without the internet; in their eyes the internet can do no wrong. Ladies and gentlemen I’m afraid to inform you that they couldn’t be more delusional. In today’s society social skills are cast aside, and the internet is the main priority for most people. In my school for example at break times, the dining hall is as quite as funeral with young people’s heads stuck in iPhone and com puters. The sound of a good conversation is seldom found. Sadly ladies and gentlemen, this is the effect that the internet has had on our generation. I worry for some of my class mates when they decide to go to a job interview, they will stand no chance as the internet has deprived them of essential social skills required to succeed in the workplace, and in life. Secondly, in life we are blessed with certain rights, the right to water and the right to free speech and so on. But there is one right that he internet has clinched away from us, and this is the right of privacy. You don’t have to look back decades to see an incident of personal invasion through the internet. Just this year numerous celebrities computers were hacked and personal pictures and information was stolen. It sickens me to think we live in a world where we can’t have privacy. Internet hackings have sadly become all too common on the news and in the public domain. Banking for example, was once considered a safe and innocent act. Alas, its reputation has been tarnished by internet hackers. I myself have been affect by this as my own personal bank account has been hacked. I have never used the internet in the same way after that incident. It might seem farfetched ladies and gentlemen, and you might feel safe, but I warn you, the internet is not a safe place, and in my opinion it has done more harm than good to the lives of innocent people. Lastly, the internet hasn’t just harmed the lives of my age group; oh no it has negative effects on much more age categories as well. For example the  elderly and the very young. These groups of people are being all too easily led into a false sense of hope by internet scams. Deals on life assurance, fun seemingly ‘free’ online games are just some of the many examples of how the internet exploits these people. Too many countless innocent people have been left out of pocket after falling f or these internet scams. My mind is cast back to last year when a child in Dublin spent 347 euro on in- game purchases on the popular internet game candy crush. Unknowing to the child she consistently purchased in game accessories and bonuses to the total of 347 euros. I’d say her father was none too pleased and wanted to crush something other than candy! This is just one of thousands of examples of how people are exploited on the internet every day, thus proving that it does more harm than good. Alas ladies and gentlemen, I believe there is hope, if better safety sanctions and regulations are used I do believe the internet can become a helpful and beneficial resource for everyone to use. But until that day comes, I am positive that the internet does cause more harm than good . Thank you.

Essay on Group Culture

Essay on Group Culture Essay on Group Culture Ashley Newton CS 204: Professional Presence Unit 7 Assignment October 13, 2014 Group Culture The Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), is the second oldest and fifth-largest CPA organization in the United States. Affiliation with the PICPA represents commitment to the CPA profession. Being a member of the PICPA insures professional and personal support. The organization helps to refine your skills, expand knowledge, connect with like-minded individuals, and achieve bigger and better things at every stage of your professional life. PICPA members gain access to the most up-to-date courses and technical resources, discounts on resources, opportunities to connect with thousands of other professionals, and more to advance their careers and enhance the quality of service to their companies and clients. With over 22,000 members, the PICPA is one of Pennsylvania’s premier professional organizations for CPAs. The PICPA experience has been described as empowering, invigorating, fun, and valuable. Members of the PICPA include individuals in public accounting, industry, government, and education. They are partners, presidents, CEOs, executives, managers, and business professionals. The organizational structure of the PICPA is composed of a council, foundation of education and research, committees, chapters, and PICPA staff. Membership of the PICPA is composed of eleven geographical chapters across the state, each led by a chapter president and slate of officers. Ethics is at the core of the CPA profession and is one of the reasons CPAs are regarded among the most trusted business professionals. As a required component of the CPA continuing professional education regime in Pennsylvania, but also because CPAs have a strict code of professional ethics and conduct. Issues regarding ethics are often routinely in the news. CPAs are often a part of these discussions. Affiliation with the PICPA represents adherence to the Code of Professional Conduct. The PICPA follows the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Code of Professional Conduct. These consist of the principles and rules as well as interpretations and other guidance. A PICPA Professional Ethics Committee is responsible for investigating complaints against members and maintain the PICPA Code of Professional Conduct. As part of the PICPA membership, they offer help and resources for future CPAs. Upon graduation, candidates must meet two requirements to sit for the CPA Exam: receive a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university and completed at least 24 semester credits in accounting subjects sanctioned by the State Board of Accountancy. A pre-evaluation will identify academic deficiencies in your education prior to submitting a first time application for the CPA Examination. For information on the exam content, the AICPA has a downloadable document available. Candidates who have graduated with 150 credits are required to complete one year of work experience through employment in government, industry, academia, or public practice within five years of the date you apply for your license. All experience must be of a caliber satisfactory to the State Board of Accountancy and verified by an individual who is currently licensed to practice as a CPA in Pennsylvania. As part of the PICPA website, a PICPA Career Center page was established. This link contains employment listings, business opportunities, and an internship directory. Members have exclusive access to certain sections and can post open positions at a special rate. Non-members may post ads without a discount. A career bank link is also available to search for accounting jobs outside of Pennsylvania. The PICPA Foundation for Education and Research provides a broad spectrum of high-quality programs chosen to enhance professional competence and address timely topics. Onsite training opportunities are available to any member. They offer convenience and

Union Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Example

Union Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Example Union Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Union Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Advantages and disadvantages when being in a union The National Labor Relations Act was enacted by congress in 1935 in order to define and defend the rights of the employment relationship. The act allows employees of a company the right to form a union and have the union organization represent them through collective bargaining. Collective bargaining is the process of negotiation between both parties; Union representatives and a corporation, with the purpose of reaching an agreement for the best interests of employees and the corporation. In the negotiation process the attempt is to establish primary factors of importance which are advantages the union fights for and ultimately provide for its stakeholders that would otherwise not have if there were no union representation. Advantages include job security, higher wages, affordable healthcare coverage and specialized job duties. However, there are disadvantages associated with labor unions along with their benefits such as strikes, loss of individuality and union dues. Secure Job In a competitive global economy where there are layoffs and job loss the union difference is job security. Unions are often able to make sure that the hard working and experienced employees are protected against unjustifiable causes. When the company decides to improve technology and bring new machinery as a form of making more production the union prevents technology from replacing the worker. If the worker is punished, suspended or terminated without just cause, representatives from the union and lawyers will go investigate and defend your position. If unfair corrective action is found against employee union has the right of reversing such action by removing unfair discipline, or if fired unjustly having his/her job back. Job security is an advantage in a unionized workplace vs a non union workplace because when a union is involved they give you voice to participate in having an influence withing the decisions being made for the betterment of the company. The union in response protects you from any type of reprimands whereas non union workplaces the worker has no voice. The employer makes all the rules, sets the wage rates, makes all decisions on things like discipline, promotions and hours of work. Higher Wages In a union environment the union bargains with the employer for a contract and makes sure that such contract is carried out. In this contracts both parties define various important aspects such as wages. Workers pay is higher when they are in a union. â€Å"The median weekly earnings of union workers are 28 percent higher than non-union workers†. â€Å"According to a January 2011 Bureau of Labor Statistics report, workers who belong to a union typically earn higher pay than non-union workers doing the same kind of job. Although it varies based on sector and occupation†. $917 = Median weekly earnings in 2010 of union members. $717 = Median weekly earnings in 2010 of non-union workers. T Thats a yearly difference in salary of $10,400 for union members vs. non-union members Estimates varies depending on sector and occupation. Differences among public unionized sector vs public non unionized amount a higher salary than private sector either union or non union. An important factor of higher wages in a unionized workplace is that it helps the economy grow. One of the main reasons of why our current recession happened is that workers do not have the purchasing power they need to help the economy grow. Union provide workers to earn a significantly higher average in wages than non union workers. A sustainable economy is where workers are adequately rewarded and have the income they need to purchase goods and boost the economy. Higher wages are necessary for a variety of reasons most importantly helps improves the standard of living and gives the worker a sense of being a valuable asset to the company by such reward. Affordable Healthcare Coverage â€Å"In 2009, 92 percent of union employees in the U. S. had access to health care benefits, compared to only 68 percent of non-union workers. The union advantage is even greater when you compare the percentages of union vs. non-union workers receiving specific benefits:† Dental Care: Union, 70% | Non-union: 44% Vision care: Union, 53% | Non-union: 24% Prescription drug benefits: Union, 90% | Non-union, 68% The out of pocket costs for individuals is also less than that of non union individuals. At collective bargaining this benefits are fought for so that insurance coverage is more affordable. Workers are also more likely to receive workers’ compensation. Union members also get their benefits faster, and return to work more quickly. When workers are injured, unions help workers through the often complicated process of filing for workers’ compensation and protect workers from employer retaliation. They receive provisions that are made for weekly payments in place of wages, as a compensation for economic loss or reimbursement or payment of medical and other expenses. Job Specialization A well defined job duty involves giving workers individual job tasks to remove the responsibility of other jobs and reducing the workers capacity to one task in particular. Job specialization became common place during the industrial revolution with the creation of factories. Factory owners would not simply hire one worker who produces all the goods. The work is divided among many different workers and each employee becomes an essential element in the process of creating the product. Specialization creates an increase in efficiency as workers become more skilled in the specific jobs they do. Employees in a factory who are responsible for only one part of the process become as skilled as they possibly can in that process without the distraction of learning other skills. Hours and job duties are well defined. During the industrial revolution workers tended to work in horrible working conditions to go along with the bad hours. The typical work day back then lasted anywhere from 10-18 hours per day, six days a week. All of this began to change in the in the 19th century. United States began to work towards a shorter work day in 1791 when workers in Philadelphia were striking for a ten hour total work day. But finally in 1937 the eight hour work day was implemented and regulated by the federal government. It stipulates that workers were not to work more than 44 hours per week and any hours over 40 required of the worker were to be paid with overtime bonuses added to their normal pay rate. Union enforces and fights for this rights at collective bargaining Union representation established the eight hour work day as one of their primary goals. Strikes One of union representations greatest advantages can also be one of its main disadvantages: the ability to engage in economic strikes. The decision to strike for improved wages or working conditions is a serious subject that requires a thorough analysis of the strikes likelihood for success before it is undertaken. Union officials need to be experienced and knowledgeable about the many economic and social factors that will be brought to bear on striking employees before they make a decision. Incorrect judgments about striking can be harmful to employees who choose to engage in this activity. When a union is certified as the exclusive employee representative, employees become members of an overall bargaining unit in which the majority rules. Union leaders make decisions for all employees, which many may deem not to be in their best individual interest. Employers of striking workers have the legal right to continue to operate their business with permanent replacement employees who need not be discharged once the strike ends. If such circumstances are present for the employee, the best that they can expect is to be reallocated when an employment vacancy occurs fro which they are qualified. They are not entitled to immediate and unconditional reinstatement or back pay when their jobs are filled in by permanent replacements. Unfortunately they face such risk of losing their job and earn no money for a period of time that puts a financial burden on your family. Loss of individuality Another disadvantage for unionized workers is the loss of individuality. When a union is certified as the exclusive employee representative in a workplace, employees become members of an overall bargaining unit in which the majority rules. The ruling majority may not be sympathetic with each individuals specific employment needs or aspirations. Individual agreements etween employees and management are not allowed because the employer is under an obligation to deal exclusively with the union. The union leaders make decisions for all employees, which many may not be in the best interest of the individual. Loss of individuality is primary concern for many employees, as well as the loss of opportunity to negotiate for themselves an individual agreement. Union dues Still another disadvantage of union representation is the cost to e mployees. Most collective bargaining agreements require all employees to support the union financially as a condition of their continued employment. Federal law provides that employees may, regardless of the what is spelled out in the agreement, opt not to formally join the union; however they may still be required to pay certain dues and initiation fees. The union can demand the discharge of any employee who fails to pay required dues and fees unless a right to work law has been enacted in the state where the business operates. The cost of union membership vary widely from union to union but regardless of the cost, fees represent an expense to workers that they would not otherwise have. Michigan is one state that does not have a right to work law, a union worker from this state pays hundreds of dollars per year as a result of dues requirements. There are many advantages and disadvantages that come to mind when it comes to working with unions. Employees can come across a great deal of advantages and disadvantages in the event that they take on union membership. Despite of the drawbacks involved in the union-employer relationship, labor unions have been successful in helping raise the standard of living of millions of people during the nineteenth and twentieth century through better wages and other benefits. These benefits would not have been provided without the work done by labor unions. Many early leaders were prosecuted, harassed or gave their lives for labor movement in the United States. Some strikers were subjected to fire hoses, attack dogs and armed guards. These sacrifices Americans see that laws were needed to protect the right of workers. If labor unions were to disappear laws protecting workers rights would be repealed and without unions, workers would not be able to have a voice in the political process.

7 Essay Writing Tips To Ace Your Next Exam

7 Essay Writing Tips To Ace Your Next Exam 7 Essay Writing Tips To Ace Your Next Exam 7 Essay Writing Tips To Ace Your Next Exam By Stephen Holliday Despite students’ wildest hope of avoiding the dreaded essay exam- one that requires either short or long essay answers rather than multiple choice answers- most find themselves taking such an exam, particularly for subjects like history, philosophy, literature, sociology, political science and others. This type of exam, however, can be successfully managed if you follow a few guidelines outlined here: 1. After the initial panic passes, read through all the questions before you begin to answer any of them, underlining key words and phrases that will help guide you in your answer. In many cases, instructors will incorporate key words and phrases from their lectures in the exam question, so make sure that you focus on these elements in your answer. 2. Based on your comfort level (or lack thereof) with particular questions, after you have reviewed all questions, decide approximately how much time you have for questions that are relatively easy for you to answer and, conversely, which questions will require more time to answer correctly and thoroughly. This is a very important step because it will help you organize your time and effort. 3. Think of each essay answer as a mini-essay in itself, and approach each answer with a shortened version of the process that you’ve been taught to use when writing full essays. If you are used to brainstorming or clustering when preparing to write an essay, go through the same, but greatly shortened, process for an essay answer. The time spent in some form of outlining will save time and effort as you answer the questions. 4. Given the time constraints of most essay exams, you can’t afford to write and re-write answers. From an instructor’s perspective, if a student’s answer contains a great deal of cross outs and perhaps whole paragraph deletions, the instructor will probably conclude that the student is not well prepared. It is critical, therefore, to outline the answer before you begin writing and to follow the outline as you write. Marginal notes of an outline or brainstorming process will probably impress the instructor. 5. The â€Å"rhetorical mode† for an answer may be determined by your instructor. For example, you may be asked to analyze, define, compare/contrast, evaluate, illustrate, or synthesize the subject of the question, and you need to focus on answering the question with an analysis, a definition and so on in order to respond to the question appropriately. 6. Just as you do when you draft an essay, try to begin the answer with one or two sentences that answer the question directly and succinctly. In other words, think of the first two sentences as a thesis statement of an essay, and after you’ve stated the answer’s â€Å"thesis,† support that thesis with specific examples in the body of the answer. 7. Lastly, one of the most important steps you can take is to proofread your answers and make any necessary corrections neatly and legibly. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Business Writing category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Comparative Forms of AdjectivesThe Six Spellings of "Long E"20 Classic Novels You Can Read in One Sitting

Death Penalty in California Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Death Penalty in California - Essay Example The executions also included convictions for piracy, rape, rioting, kidnapping, spying and espionage. The death penalties were also executed by the State Government laws. However, in 1972, the United States Supreme Court upheld that all the state death penalty laws were not in accordance with the constitution since they permitted for random and unpredictable adoptions. (The Federal Death Penalty) Since the federal statute has similar weaknesses as that of the state laws, no death sentence adopting the older federal statutes has been upheld. During the year 1988, the new Federal Death Penalty law was passed for murder in the course of a drug-kingpin conspiracy. This statute has been formulated in consonance with the statutes approved by the Supreme Court after its 1972 ruling. During the year 1994 the federal death penalty was expanded to include about 60 different crimes. The federal death penalty statute has the jurisdiction over any individual in any state or territory of the US convicted of the murder of certain government officials, kidnapping giving rise to death, murder for hire, fatal drive by shootings, sexual abuse crimes giving rise to death, car jacking resulting in death and also some crimes not ending with death such as managing a rampant drug business. (The Federal Death Penalty) In California 13 persons have ... It is also noted that the above 648 prisoners on Death Row include 15 women. It has been observed that in the recent years at least three innocent persons on Death Row were exonerated in California. Jerry Bigelow was set free in the year 1988 after the imprisonment for eight years; Patrick Croy was set free in the year 1990 after the imprisonment for 11 years and Troy Lee Jones was set free in the year 1996 after serving 14 years. (State by State: California) The statistics on death row inmates in different states reveal that Texas, North Carolina and Florida all are having large numbers but in California the number of death row inmates is highest. In California it has been found that imposition of death penalty has been negatively correlated to the richness. The more money the convicted have the more is the opportunity to beat the rap. Taking into the consideration the eleven sentences since the year 1970, it can be presumed that the 640 prisoners on death row most likely have deaths of natural causes costing the tax payers in terms of appeals etc to the tune of 100 millions. Moreover, trusting the government to kill people seems ambiguous since it involves trusting them with not making errors in killing the innocent people. (California: Highest Number of Death Row Inmates) The death penalty in California like that of other states is considered to be costlier in comparison to a life imprisonment sentence without the scope of parole. Such costs have been seen not to be the consequences of the frolicsome appeals but instead the consequence of the Constitutional safeguards. It has been provided that Juries must be accorded clear principles on sentencing that give rise to the explicit provisions for what forms the frustrating and extenuating situations. The

Philosophy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 12

Philosophy - Essay Example Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz’s concept of substance, like many other philosophers, was influenced by the Aristotelian concept of substance, conceived as that which bears properties but is not itself a property. However, it is interesting that while Leibniz more or less subscribed to this view, he rejected Spinoza’s monistic understanding of substance as a singular reality. He differed radically from both Descartes and Spinoza as regards the relation of mind and matter, and as regards the number of substances. It can be recalled that Descartes allowed for three substances, namely, God, mind, and matter, and that the essence of matter was extension. For Spinoza, he admitted God alone as the singular substance, while holding that both extension and thought are attributes of God. For Leibniz, he held that extension cannot be an attribute of a substance because there is a plurality of individual substances, and this he termed as â€Å"monads†. He stated that â€Å"T he monad, which we shall discuss here, is nothing but a simple substance that enters into composites—simple, that is, without parts† (Leibniz, 285). Each of these monads would have some properties of a physical point, but only when understood abstractly. The manner in which Leibniz describes a monad is essentially similar to the atoms of Democritus. However, there is also some similarity to the geometrical points of Pythagoras. Like Democritus’ atoms, monads are conceived of as the ultimate indivisible elements of reality which constitutes all material things. He stated: And there must be simple substances, since there are composites; for the composite is nothing more than a collection, or aggregate of simples. But where there are no parts, neither extension, nor shape, nor divisibility is possible. These monads are the true atoms of nature and, in brief, the elements of things

The Use of the Internet for Purchasing Goods and Services Has Enormous Essay

The Use of the Internet for Purchasing Goods and Services Has Enormous Potential - Essay Example The relationship marketers’ efforts are supported by frequent catalog mailings and e-mail campaigns both of which are designed to cause inbound telephone sales and interactive websites, which allow customers to purchase products directly over the Internet. BP & S would like to address the department named customer sales and marketing. This department is aimed at fetching the customers for its products and services. It markets its products and services over the internet for selling its products. The online technologies would act wonders for BP & S enterprise in giving them a global stand and make them quite susceptible to attract competition. Presently it caters to a limited amount of consumers. Its desire to enlarge its wings to international market makes sure that the global demands of the consumers would result in fostering standard practices in line with international standards. The products would be made to compare with the competitors and would further add the brand and quality for sale in the international market. The international consumers would be at ease to purchase products at their convenience and would get across its message with the help of online technologies. Its products would fetch better acceptability in the foreign market and would comprise quality and international standards in the making of things. Rendering to international customers and consumers is quite a challenge for any enterprise as they perceive the products and services of other countries with extreme competitive motives and continuous comparisons with their usual practices. The brand image of BP & S would accelerate the products sale and push its image into the international market for better collaboration and sale. Collaboration with international suppliers and vendors for sale would result in making immense profits and would compose better deals for making profits.

Heart of Darkness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Heart of Darkness - Essay Example The narration of the book from the viewpoint of Marlow shows his own hypocrisy from the very beginning of the story when he says that even London was once one of the darkest places on earth. Even though he knows it to be true, he does not accept that the natives in the Congo could have a culture which is at least as valuable as the one which he is a part of. In fact, the narrator struggles with ‘understanding’ a culture as well as people throughout the novella. To be fair, this lack of understanding is not limited to cultures or individuals, it also extends to places as well as emotions. For instance, even though the descriptions of different locations as given by the narrator are quite extensive, he does not see beyond what is physically present. For example, he describes the Central Station as: It was on a back water surrounded by scrub and forest, with a pretty border of smelly mud on one side, and on the three others enclosed by a crazy fence of rushes. A neglected gap was all the gate it had, and the first glance at the place was enough to let you see the flabby devil was running that show. (Conrad, 1902, Pg. 35) The most important point which can be made about the narrator is that (at least for the majority of the story) he focuses on outward appearances and refuses to look for a deeper meaning in things. Even though he shows signs of being philosophically inclined, yet he either ignores or does not care to understand the region, the people or even the actions of Kurtz. Over the period of his journey, the situation changes and he develops a somewhat deeper understanding as he is changed by his surroundings in much the same way Kurtz was. The bonds of brotherhood created by race and other common factors unite Marlow and Sonny’s brother with Kurtz and Sonny respectively. It must be noted that race as a common ground for creating an understanding between people is used

Organisations in global environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Organisations in global environment - Essay Example External environment is made up of the outside institutions and forces that have a real or potential interest or effect on the ability of the organization to attain its objectives. These institutions include political, competitive, technological and legal (Kalmi & Klinedinst, 2006). The environmental factors have been divided by researchers as specific and general environment. The difference between the two is the level of directness of effects. The specific environment comprises of suppliers, customers, competitors, distributors, government and union. The general environment is composed of some forces like technological, economic, political, environmental, cultural and international. All the above mentioned forces can lead to uncertainty in an organization. They affect the complexities, richness and dynamism of an organization’s environment. The complexity of an environment is the complicated relationship between the forces that the organization can manage. The dynamism of an environment is the changing speed of forces that affect an organization. The environmental riches are the amount of resources that are in support of an organization. The three forces exist together, are mutual and their linking level build uncertainty for the organizations. The transformation into the 21st century is seen as a big change. The world is with no clear borders, where everything is almost prepared in anyplace. With the interference of the national boundaries, it is approximated that the world trade will increase by as much as 1600 percent in 40 years and speed of innovation and the increased level of goods are beyond any imagination. For instance, Sony launching three new products every hour and Disney is making a new product after every 5 minutes. Today there is a period of information or instant exchanges. With media exploration,

Heart of Darkness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Heart of Darkness - Essay Example The narration of the book from the viewpoint of Marlow shows his own hypocrisy from the very beginning of the story when he says that even London was once one of the darkest places on earth. Even though he knows it to be true, he does not accept that the natives in the Congo could have a culture which is at least as valuable as the one which he is a part of. In fact, the narrator struggles with ‘understanding’ a culture as well as people throughout the novella. To be fair, this lack of understanding is not limited to cultures or individuals, it also extends to places as well as emotions. For instance, even though the descriptions of different locations as given by the narrator are quite extensive, he does not see beyond what is physically present. For example, he describes the Central Station as: It was on a back water surrounded by scrub and forest, with a pretty border of smelly mud on one side, and on the three others enclosed by a crazy fence of rushes. A neglected gap was all the gate it had, and the first glance at the place was enough to let you see the flabby devil was running that show. (Conrad, 1902, Pg. 35) The most important point which can be made about the narrator is that (at least for the majority of the story) he focuses on outward appearances and refuses to look for a deeper meaning in things. Even though he shows signs of being philosophically inclined, yet he either ignores or does not care to understand the region, the people or even the actions of Kurtz. Over the period of his journey, the situation changes and he develops a somewhat deeper understanding as he is changed by his surroundings in much the same way Kurtz was. The bonds of brotherhood created by race and other common factors unite Marlow and Sonny’s brother with Kurtz and Sonny respectively. It must be noted that race as a common ground for creating an understanding between people is used

Fundamental International Relation Theory Issues Essay

Fundamental International Relation Theory Issues - Essay Example Class, in these terms, is the way economic power is distributed when economic activity is organized in an instrumentally-rational manner to the greatest degree. The problem of exploitation the extraction of labor effort from workers are treated, in this framework, primarily as a problem of technical efficiency and economic rationality in creating work incentives and effective discipline. This leads to a relatively impoverished conception of the nature of antagonistic interests generated by class relations. Key readings from Marx ("The Communist Manifesto" and "On Classes") help us understand the sociological analyses of inequality in the concepts of social class, exploitation, surplus value, markets, status, and power. (Dell, 227-9) The importance of production relations in Marxian theory with beliefs that the economic exchange is a positive-sum game and its emphasis on market relations could be a key prospect in understanding the basic or fundamental influence on modern European society. It could well be suggested that both property and market dynamics are important by relating each to the concepts of class composition. The basic concept may be incorporated into positive-sum game's emphasis on social closure to more clearly differentiate social classes which could develop into a model of the class structure, usefully differentiates relational and gradational conceptualizations of social class, and re-visits some key differences between Marxian and positive-sum game theory. But the end goal being the evaluation of Marxian and positive-sum game theory in the perspective of the modern society it could be well punctuated that the basic relevance of these perceptions are present even today but not necessarily in a visible manner. The insights of Marx and positive-sum game remain integral to sociological analyses of inequality even as more recent scholarship has promoted more contextual, and some would say more nuanced, models. (Fletcher, 63)Â  

Art Forgeries Essay Example for Free

Art Forgeries Essay When one enters into an art museum, one would expect all of the pieces of art to be that of the original. However, when an art lover does not know the difference between an original from a forgery, then they may have been fooled by both the museum and by the forger. No one can really look at a painting and distinctly know whether it is a forged piece of work or an original piece of work. Art forgeries may seem like an artist copying a well-known artists work, but it depends on how one looks at a particular piece of art. There are multiple reasons as to why art forgeries can be seen as something positive in the artistic world. Crispin Sartwell discusses about Jerrold Levinson’s definition of art from Levinson’s article, â€Å"Refining Art Historically,† in the Journal of Aesthetics Art Criticism of 1990. To Levinson, art is something that is made to be intended to be â€Å"regarded† as a work of art (Sartwell). Luise Morton and Thomas Foster discuss Nelson Goodman’s definition of art from Languages of Art in Journal of Aesthetics Art Criticism of 1991. Goodman says that it is about how one looks at an original and a forged art depends on the way we look at it (Morton and Foster). Both Levinson and Goodman make good points because they are both saying that all depends on the person’s perspective. Not everyone sees the same piece of art the same way another person does, so given a choice between an original or a forged piece of art, some may be able to tell the difference and some may not. The idea of having different perspectives on what is real art or what is not depends solely on an individual. Levinson and Goodman both see art by how the person intends it to be. According to Jonathon Keats who writes in The Daily Beast, art forgery helps take us out of our comfort zone, while the real art keeps us within our comfort zone. Keats writes that forgers credit their work to the original artist. In doing so, the artist’s work is more accessible to more people and that the artist who forged an original should be appreciated (Keats). Blake Gopnik writing in the New York Times says that the forgers can make recreate art with their hands; however, great art depends on the idea of the artist. The idea of the forger comes from the original artists, like Pollock and Rothko, setting up procedures and ideas for making art (Gopnik). The forger is able to recreate a work of art because of the way a particular artist wanted their art to be seen. On the other hand, Ross Bowden writing in the Journal of Aesthetics Art Criticism of 1999 about Alfred Lessing’s essay titled, â€Å"What Is Wrong with a Forgery? † In Lessing’s essay, he disapproves of art forgery when talking culturally. Lessing believes that forgeries do not have that artistic integrity and lacks creativity. He continues to say that one can recreate an amazing artwork, but it will lack the imagination it takes to create the original piece of work (Bowden). Forgeries in the opinion of Lessing lack imagination and creativity, however, Gopnik and Keats see that an artist has the imagination and creativity to recreate a famous piece of work. If one lacks that imagination and creativity then they would not be able to get away with forgery. These forgery artists are capable of pulling off century old paintings and able to sell them to museums as originals. That takes imagination and creativity. W. E. Kennick brings up in the Journal of Aesthetics Art Criticism of 1985 that every copy of an original piece of work is a forgery. Artists make their work in the style of others, but still make it their own. One is not actually forging a real piece of art, much less than copying or imitating that person’s style (Kennick). Gopnik also says that Andy Warhol’s works were sometimes made by him or sometimes made by his assistant. Warhol even attributed some of his work to other artists. An artist by the name of Marcel Duchamp made art out of bicycle wheels, urinals, already made sculptures, and other reusable items. Duchamp encouraged others to do the same and copy his style (Gopnik). Every artist can imitate or copy someone else’s work, although that artist who made the original work may no longer be alive, their work is still living on. Art forgeries can be looked at as some sort of crime because someone is recreating masterpieces and selling them to museums. However, if one stops to think about the fact that art forgeries are actually artists bringing masterpieces back, one would not think it was a crime. These artists are creative enough to be able to recreate an artwork and give art lovers the feeling of having a masterpiece in their home or be able to look at it in a museum. Art forgeries are a lucrative past time for those who love art and want to be able to see â€Å"their art† in a museum. It is a win-win situation for both the artist and the art lovers. Works Cited Bowden, Ross. What is wrong with an art forgery? : An anthropological perspective. Journal of Aesthetics Art Criticism (1999): 333-343. Gopnik, Blake. In Praise of Art Forgeries . The New York Times 2 Novemeber 2013. Keats, Jonathon. Why Forgeries Are Great Art. The Daily Beast Kennick, W. E. Art and Inauthenticity. Journal of Aesthetics Art Criticism (1985): 1-12. Morton, Luise H. and Thomas R. Foster. Goodman, Forgery, and the Aesthetic. Journal of Aesthetics Art Criticism (1991): 155-159. Sartwell, Crispin. A Counter-Example to Levinsons Historical Theory of Art. Journal of Aesthetics Art Criticism (1990): 157-158.

Speech The purposes of public speaking

Speech The purposes of public speaking Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, â€Å"Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.† There are many purposes of public speaking. Among many other things, it is used to inform, convince, provide entertainment or honor. One of the best ways to create a positive and effective image is to master the art of public speaking. To achieve good results, the speaker has to capture, interest and convince the audience, in addition to building a unique trust with it. Nowadays, the art of presenting is needed in every part of life. Speech presentation is an integral part of all corporate settings, school and religious events. Since most people perceive public speaking as a necessary skill, successful speeches require extensive preparation to meet the high quality demand of the public. I work at Intel Corporation, and speeches are part of my every day business life. My day consists of multiple meetings that always require public speaking on variable topics, depending on current projects. The main purpose of my speeches is to educate and inform my coworkers and clients. To create a cohesive working environment, I have to make sure that I provide laconic communication about project outlines, features, progress, milestones and impediments. One of the most important preparatory steps in public speaking is audience analysis. Prior to presenting a range of services that my group provides, I must research my audience. From my experience, one of the best ways to find information about a company or department, which I will be presenting to, is to call them directly ahead of time to better understand their interests, ambitions, and business needs prior to writing my speech. Also, phone introduction prior to a meeting is often perceived as a good gesture. Including specific details and remarks about the clients and their company is always very helpful. To customers, this shows the speakers professionalism, genuine interest in them as potential partners, and investment in successful outcome. Also, it is very important to make sure that the level of detail is appropriate for the specific audience. I constantly interact with many people that hold different company positions, ranging from technical staff to vice presidents. Therefore, I have to carefully select an appropriate information set based on my audience. For example, technical information and low-level details are not suitable for program management, and marketing information should never be presented to technical staff. Additionally, speaking to new customers can have its restraints, such as making sure to avoid project-related technical jargon and cumbersome details. Initially, I was struggling with using appropriate vocabulary, based on my listeners level of knowledge. From my experience, I found that when there was a discrepancy between the terminology I used and my customers level of understanding, I could easily lose the customers attention and potentially put a business deal in jeopardy. For a successful public speaker, ability to predict future audiences mood, understand its ambitions and tensions is very important. It is a common business practice to schedule overview meetings at the end or in the middle of a project. For the most part, these types of meetings are scheduled after the projects completion date, and their main purpose is to illuminate positive and negative sides that were discovered in the process. Unfortunately, not every project is flawless. Occasionally, I have to give a speech in which I have to admit process flaws, take responsibility for my teams actions, and present a process change that will allow my team to avoid future issues. For these types of speeches, it is crucial to research and determine the level of information the audience possesses regarding this issue, understand how much they were affected by it, and predict how they might react to it. Admitting and addressing a problem generally has a positive effect on the audience. Moreover, a ll issues should be presented as potential positives. This emphasizes the speakers willingness to learn from past mistakes. After audience analysis, to reach maximum effect and predetermined goals, the speaker has to work on gathering data and creating an outline of the speech. Depending on the type of speech and presentation, the methods of collecting data are different. In Information Technology industry, finding necessary information is easy, as Information Technology strives on centralizing data collection and providing complex tools for running highly customizable reports. In the modern world, many companies are transferring their documentation and records into electronic formats. Some companies store information in a secure environment, while others post it on the Internet for public availability and use. The World Wide Web is a great tool for research. Today, everything from published books and scientific journals, to booklets and essays are easily accessible. The sources used for speech preparation have to be reliable and available if any audience member chooses to verify them. Prior to writing any speech, supporting material should be categorized so that it could be easily inserted into the body of the speech. Even though not every piece of the information is used in the speech, it is a good practice to keep the extra information handy, as it could be used to answer any questions that arise at the end of the presentation. Creating an outline is also an integral preparatory step in writing a successful speech. Depending on time availability, the outline can be either very detailed, or extremely brief. Regardless of the level of detail, the outline should serve as a scaffold and guideline for the rest of the speech. Understanding the purpose of the speech and how it can be used to benefit the speaker is very important, as every piece of information can be fit to serve the main purpose. The rest of the information can be easily added if the outline is built around and emphasizes the speakers thesis. Speech structure is essential and should reflect the speakers understanding of systematic use of an effective opener, authoritative speech body, and focused and concise conclusion. Organization of the speech should take into account that, usually, the audience is more open and attentive at the beginning of the speech. Therefore, the speaker has to effectively open the speech and establish a connection with the audience within the first few sentences. If an opening is interesting and captures listeners attention, they will be more perceptive to speakers ideas and will pay closer attention to the rest of the speech. On the contrary, if the first few sentences are not well thought-out, there is a huge risk that the audience will not care for the rest of the speech. The body of the speech usually consists of the detailed information that the speaker is trying to provide for the audience. This is the most informative and the largest part of the speech. Every effective public speaker knows how to capture the audience and keep its interest throughout the entire speech, regardless of its length. Because audiences attention span is not infinite every presentation should be limited to the most salient features the speaker is trying to convey. In the closing stages of every speech, the presenter has to effectively and clearly summarize the whole speech in a few sentences, with specific emphasis on the most significant details. I found that my most successful speeches were the ones that I concluded immediately following the most important and interesting part. Therefore, every time I present, I try to end the speech once I feel that the audiences interest has peaked. Not only the content of the speech is extremely important, but also the way it is presented. Creating stereotypes is a part of the human nature. Audiences impression of the speaker is directly dependent on his or her ability to articulate, project and animate when presenting. Based on the tempo, dynamics, and tone of someones voice, the audience can easily open up to the presenters message or completely reject and ignore it. A speech presentation that is too fast and jumpy might come across as being unrehearsed and irrelevant. Also, monotonous voice may decrease the audiences interest and prevent the message from being effectively conveyed. Clear articulation is essential in every public speaking setting. Depending on the speech context and timing, articulation and tone dynamics have to be modified. For example, if a speech is being presented at the end of a long conference, the speaker must take into account the audiences attention span and decreased receptiveness. Therefore, the presenter has to be even more articulate and dynamic in his or her presentation. Moreover, the speakers tone and dynamics have to reflect his or her passion and enthusiasm for a given subject to have a successful presentation. Other than verbal, there are many ways through which the speaker can communicate with the audience. Every speech has to be reinforced by nonverbal variables. Gesticulation, body language, and mimics are very important public speech elements. University of San Francisco in Organizational Communication OB321 course outlines eight ways through which information can be shared with the audience. They include ambulation, touch, eye caontact, posture, tics, sub vocals, distancing, gesturing, and vocalism. All of these elements help the speaker succeed, since they are sending subconscious messages reinforcing and emphasizing key points to the audience. Regarding gesturing, Laurie Schloff writes, â€Å"The best thing hands can do is to convey naturally, without much orchestration, the conviction and enthusiasm of your message. To discover exactly what your hands should be doing in front of an audience, take a look at how you use them when you think no one is watching in one-to-one conversation, at dinner, or on the telephone.†(20) Every speaker has to be aware of body language at all points of the presentation. Gesturing can reveal nervousness, anxiety, stage fright, deception, and lying. However, if used correctly, it can convey the speakers enthusiasm, preparedness, honesty, and topic knowledge. Just like sharing appropriate information, the speaker has to take into consideration appropriate wardrobe selection. For example, for a formal dinner speech, casual jeans would not be appropriate. On the contrary, an every-day meeting does not require a tuxedo and bow tie. In addition to the speakers verbal and non-verbal variables, use of visual supplements enhances the quality of every speech. Depending on the kind of presentation, different visual modalities, such as charts, graphs, videos, handouts, and sample items, may be used. If the presentation room is equipped with a computer and a projector, the speaker may easily use software, such as PowerPoint to display presentation slides, or show a video. However, if the technology is not available, the speaker must find other ways to present supplemental visual information. Handouts, booklets, and sample items would be good choices in such situations. Regardless of available resources, visual supplements allow the speaker to present information that could be otherwise difficult to put into words. Therefore, graphs, charts, and other techniques should be employed as often as possible, without overwhelming the audience. Successful speech presentation should incorporate all of the preparatory, structural, verbal, and non-verbal elements. Mark Twain said, â€Å"It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.† This quotation reflects the importance of proper speech preparation. Often the more time one spends preparing for a speech, the more flawless and natural it seems to the audience. Works Cited Emerson, Ralph Waldo. ThinkExist Web. 19 Mar. 2010 Schloff, Laurie, Speaking For Success:Best Practices In Presenting.The Speech improvement Company, 2007. Print. Twain, Mark Verbal and Nonverbal Communication. Organizational Communication OB 321. Supplemental Materials. University of San Francisco, Web. 19 Mar. 2010

Innocence vs. Immorality in Othello Essay -- Othello essays

Innocence vs. Immorality in Othello  Ã‚        Ã‚   In William Shakespeare’s tragic drama Othello we find a wide array of moral and immoral conduct, a full range of life’s goodness and badness. Let us in this paper examine the specific types of each, and how they affect the outcome.    In Shakespeare’s Four Giants Blanche Coles comments on the lack of veracity in Iago’s speech:    The story that Iago tells Roderigo about the promotion of Cassio over him is not true, although it has been accepted by many discriminating scholars. Careless reading alone can account for this misapprehension, careless reading which for the moment dulls their alertness to one of the most essential requirements of Shakespearean character analysis. That requirement is that the reader must never accept, or must always be ready to challenge, the word of any character unless the veracity of that character has been established, or unless the statement is accepted by more than one person of confirmed honesty. (76)    Iago’s lying is a type of immoral conduct which the ancient practices from beginning to end of the drama. But is lying his chief motivating evil? Roderigo’s opening lines to Iago in Act 1 Scene 1 take us to the very root of the problem:      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Tush! never tell me; I take it much unkindly   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this. (1.1)    In other words, the wealthy playboy has been paying off the ancient for the soldier’s intercession with Desdemona on behalf of Roderigo. This payoff has been in progress before the play begins, and it continues even in Cyprus. Yes, it would seem that money is at the root of Iago’s moral downfall, and of all the t... ...rce of evil, namely his supposedly false wife. But Emilia is the one who, in asserting the innocence of her murdered mistress, resuscitates morality in this play. Emilia refutes the untrue notions which Othello says motivated him to kill; she counters Iago’s lies (â€Å"She give it Cassio? No, alas, I found it, / And I did give’t my husband.†) and lays the guilt for Desdemona’s murder on his shoulders. And she sacrifices her very life for the truth; she dies a martyr, stabbed by evil Iago. Othello also is a martyr in a sense, paying in full for the crime that he committed.    WORKS CITED    Shakespeare, William. Othello. In The Electric Shakespeare. Princeton University. 1996. http://www.eiu.edu/~multilit/studyabroad/othello/othello_all.html No line nos.    Coles, Blanche. Shakespeare’s Four Giants. Rindge, New Hampshire: Richard Smith Publisher, 1957.

Community Service Essay

Before actually partaking in community service, I always thought of it as a means of overworking students for the employers to save money, but after actually getting myself involved in it†¦I realized that doing community service is actually a privilege for us the volunteers. It gives us an opportunity to gain experience, widen our skills and get a better understanding of the hard labour and it is a process that essentially goes into the outcome of a product or service. Community service has literally made me realized how little I contribute to my country, how little I know about my country and has brought to my attention and conscience that I should try my best to assist more—free of wage—in the continuous growth of my economy. Doing my service at St. Rose Nursery, has opened my eyes to the not so easy process of growing flowers, plants and trees; for example how important fertilizers are and what a big difference the right fertilisers make—and also the diff erent types of fertilizers and their functions . Before I never really understood the beauty of them nor did I realize how much work went into nurturing and harvesting them, but now I am more aware and more concerned about the health of trees and how they are treated and even situated in a pot or the ground. On my first day at St. Rose Nursery, I was given a tour of the compound and while getting the tour, I could not help but feel relaxed and free. The ambience of the nursery changed my mood and thought completely; it had me wondering why do we stress out ourselves? Also it made me realize that I should take time to get in touch with nature and myself. After being introduced to the employees, I felt intimidated because I was the only female surrounded by five males so I saw that as a challenge in terms of them underestimating me and my abilities but after talking to them for a little I felt right at home and was able to be myself and even challenge myself by learning to pot plants, fertilize them and water them all in one day. They were all so helpful and very explanatory and took the time to show me exactly what to do before I did it, at the end of the day I excelled and  accomplished far more than they expected; the good energy at the nursery led me to spend longer hours there than I actually expected to spend per day. Throughout my time at St. Rose nursery, I would like to believe that I have brought a youthful and eager emotion to the compound; despite the fact that we worked in separate areas. I believe that I have shown them that a woman can be productive in the nursery field and can also keep up with their speed and even surpass them; I stared of potting only 1 plant per 2 minutes and by the end of the day, I was able to plant 2 plants per minute—it was fun and we turned it into a game—I observed the workers fertilizing the plants and heard the headman tell him that he was applying too much so I made an attempt to fertilize the next batch of plants and was told that I had done a good job! Not too much and not too little; I felt pleased and proud of myself—I had done better than someone who had much more experience in that field than me. It is funny how one can assume that plant nurturing to be a simple and senseless skill, well I learned the hard yet interesting way that it is far from simple and a lot of thought and precision goes into the whole process, from the pot the plant goes into, the climate & atmosphere and type of soil that it is planted in. I have learned from this experience that it is possible to push myself a bit further when trying to accomplish a certain task in a given amount of time, I have learned that I am far more patient than I thought and most importantly I have learned that I personally stress myself over minor issues instead of taking time to breathe, relax and find a solution for it; through this I have come to the conclusion that I should find more time to clear my mind and possibly do something that I find interesting, productive and selfless to release my stresses of life. I have learned that even though I am an introvert, working with people is not that bad after all it just takes gett ing used to them and knowing how to work to suit all their different personalities. I also learned that working with other people really helps to get more work done faster. I honestly can say that I enjoyed the interaction with people who were not of my norm; I enjoyed the whole learning about new trees and their fruits,  smells, blooming and reproduction time. I enjoyed planting and reposting plants and most importantly I enjoyed the view of the surroundings. This endeavour was a challenging one in terms of patience and precision but in the end it all paid off, because I was blessed with the opportunity to enhance my gardening skills and was given the opportunity to be social with people who I would normally be afraid to talk to or even be around. Before transposing myself into the real life community service equation, I thought to myself and made an oath to myself that my main aim was to simple complete my thirty hours of community service as fast and as soon as possible, but after starting and observing the nursery, I realized that it would provide me with far more knowledge and far more fun and experience than I expected and I realized that it would be in my best interest to use it to my advantage to gain a greater skill. I believe that service to others is important because it is a good way to give back to the community and also to increase one’s level of experience and variation. I believe in my distant future I would once again volunteer my time to another estate to expand my comprehension and also to help improve my community and help improve myself as a person. The people at the St. Rose Nursery are very hospital and down to earth, to the point where I can honestly say that there is nothing I would change about their mannerism. To potential volunteers, I would like to advice them to go into the experience open minded and willing to learn. I would also suggest that they find something that is within their comfort zone or something at that they at least have a strong interest in learning or have a passion for, simply because if one does something that they do not like or will not like, then they will not enjoy the experience to the fullest and similarly if one does something that seemed interesting to them before they actually partook in it, then they would draw from that experience that it is simply not something they would like to do in the future and would have learned a valuable lesson.

Fire in Religious School in Mecca

Refer to next paragraph. On the 11th of March, 2002, fire struck a girls school in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Firemen and concerned citizens were quickly on the scene. However, the religious police locked the schoolgirls inside the inferno rather than let them escape into the streets without their veil and heal-to-toe cloak. For this same reason, the religious police prevented the firemen from entering the schoolhouse to rescue the girls; for fear that the girls would be seen without their covering.Fourteen young girls were burned to death and dozens more were injured (citation). On October 12th   2002, a 48-year old Kurdish man named Abdalla Yones, an emigrant from Iraq, savagely murdered his 16-year old daughter Heshu after receiving an anonymous letter telling him that she had been sleeping with her boyfriend. (Asthana & Mistry).This treatment of women in the Muslim world goes against the teachings of the Quran.This isn’t the real assignment. Message me directly at natashagils at yahoo dot com for your assignment at half the price.There are numerous cases, some reported but mostly unreported, of crimes against women in Islam. Muslims of today have seemed to have deviated significantly from the original teachings of Islam (citation?). Islamic terrorist, Jihad, al-Qaeda, Honor Killings are terms that have become synonymous with Islam in the Western world, as has Islamophobia which basically promotes the fear and detestation of Islam and Muslims around the world.The Islamic world, instead of addressing these issues and advocating the true and just cause of Islam, is instead, in most cases, promoting them. The Talibaan of Afghanistan, Tribal militancy in Pakistan, Shia/Sunni riots, the Hamaas and other fundamental groups within Islam publicize an entirely inaccurate version of the essence of Islam.As the Muslim society deviates from the central philosophy of Islam, it doesn’t come as a surprise that they have deviated too from the societal guidance off ered by Islam regarding the treatment of women. The Quran, the Holy Book of the Muslims, and the Sunnah (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad) have laid down clearly defined rights of women, most of which aren’t adhered today. Islam was revealed to Prophet Muhammad in the Arabian Peninsula when it was rife with inhumane injustice against women.Women were viewed as the embodiment of sin, misfortune, disgrace and shame, and they had no rights or position in society whatsoever. Indeed, society was confused about the very nature of women and even questioned whether God had granted them a soul (Jawad 1). Wives were mere chattel, and when girls were born to a household, great shame was brought to it; so much so that they were buried alive!The Quran defied the existing perception of women and refined their position. It outlawed female infanticide and restored their birth rights .   Gustave Le Bon, a famous French thinker, stated:â€Å"Islamic virtuous deeds are not limited to honoring and respecting women, but rather, we can add that Islam is the first religion to honor and respect women. We can easily prove this by illustrating that all religions and nations, prior to the advent of Islam, caused much harm and insult to women.† (Bon 488).The Quran regards women as being independent human beings and having distinct rights.   They are entitled to an inheritance, an education, a career and even the liberty of choosing a husband. Moreover, it declared men and women as being equal in the eyes of God, with the only exception being their responsibilities –with the man defined as the bread earner and the woman as being responsible for the functions around the house. According to the Quran,â€Å"O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will, and should not treat them with harshness†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Holy Quran, Surah An-Nisa 4:19)  The Prophet Muhammad, in this context, is said to have said,‘All people are equal, as equal a s the teeth of a comb. There is no claim of merit of an Arab over a non-Arab, or of a white over a black person, or of a male over a female. Only God fearing people merit a preference with God’.Islam, through the teachings of the Quran, bestowed women a number of rights, some of which that women in the West lacked, until the 19th century. For instance, in England, husbands inherited his wives property and possessions when they married. This unfair tradition continued till as late as 1882 (citation?). Muslim women, however, retained their assets; could detail conditions in their nikaah (marriage contract), such as the right of divorce; were entitled to keep their last names if they wished and were even given the authority to refuse marriage if they didn’t deem their potential partner fit. The Quran laid down these injunctions in 610 A.D. (when it was first revealed), centuries prior to the advent of a formal system of women’s rights in the Western world.Some of t he fundamental rights the Quran gives women are:1. Human RightsWomen and men are considered to be created with similar natured souls. They are considered equal to men in all spheres of life.And for women are rights over men similar to those of men over women. (Holy Quran, 2:226)Andâ€Å"O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife (Eve), and from them both He created many men and women and fear Allah through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allah is Ever and All-Watcher over you.† (Holy Quran, Surah Al-Nisa 4:1).2. Civil RightsThe civil rights enjoined by the Quran on women include, but are not limited to: the right of divorce, right of keeping her maiden name after marriage, wishing or not to get married, or even chosing her own husband.The Quran also states that there is no compulsion upon women regarding religion;â€Å"There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Taghut [anything worshipped other then the Real God (Allah)] and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.† (Holy Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah 2:256).3. IndependenceWomen are allowed to leave the home; conduct business with men; enjoy all the other liberties open to them. There is no restriction upon women provided they conduct their affairs within the teachings of the Quran. Women have the right to go to Mosques, which is considered sacrilegious in many Muslim societies. Not only that, but women have also the right to be Muslim pastors. Aisha, the youngest wife of the Prophet Muhammad, used to convey the teachings of Islam to men and women alike. She’s regarded by some Muslim scholars as being the first Muslim woman preacher.The Quran is very clear in its laws regarding women. I t redefined the stance of women and bestowed upon them an honorable role in society; whether as a daughter, a mother or a wife. Men are instructed in their fair and kind dealing towards women. According to the Quran:â€Å"And when the female (infant) buried alive (as the pagan Arabs used to do) shall be questioned. For what sin she was killed?† (Holy Quran, Surah At-Takwir 81:8-9).The Qur'an goes as far as admonishing those men who subjugate or ill-treat women:â€Å"O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should you treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the dowry you have given them – except when they have become guilty of open lewdness. On the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If you take a dislike to them, it may be that you dislike something and God will bring about through it a great deal of good†. (Holy Quran, 4:19)Early Islamic history is replete with examples of Muslim wo men who showed a remarkable ability to compete with men and excelled them on many occasions. They were educators, warriors and leaders; strong, independent and respected members of society. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case in most of the Muslim world today.Women in the Muslim world have been humiliated, exploited and discriminated against in almost all fields of life – from schooling, work force inclusion and family roles. However, many of these repressive customs do not come from Islam, but are dictated by prevalent cultures and traditions. Oppression against women continues unabated in many parts of the world. Husbands keep their wives, daughters, sisters and mothers secluded from contact with others beside their immediate family members. Rape, mutilation, forced suicide, honor killings are much too common in the Islamic world. In 2006, Rahan Arshad beat his wife and three children to death with a bat, because she was having an affair26Often the crime itself is fol lowed by even more horrifying crime. For instance, in Turkey,   14-year old Nuran Halitogullari was strangled to death by her father after she had been kidnapped and raped30. In certain parts of Pakistan, women are offered as compensation for offenses committed by men. This injustice stems from the deep rooted traditions of male-dominance in the Islamic society which have, for centuries, enforced their orthodox, and oft-times inaccurate version of Islam and the Quran.Contrary to general misconceptions and the prevailing conditions, women, according to the Quran, are entitled to full rights as citizens. Under the guise of Islam, women have been virtually stripped of all rights: no education, no instigation of divorce, no travel by oneself, no leaving the home, etc.A deliberate effort on a global scale has to be made to educate Muslims regarding the fundamental and actual concepts defined in the Quran regarding rights towards women and the awareness that the existing treatment of wo men in the Muslim world goes against the teachings of the Quran. Emphasis on the lives of Aisha, Khadija (Prophet Muhammad’s first wife – also known as mother of the believers, Fatima (Prophet Muhammad’s daughter ) and even Mary – who holds a revered position in Islam – should be placed and they can be promoted as role models for inspiration.   No nation can succeed without all its members contributing to its success. Muslim nations have to realize that not only is their barbaric treatment of women sinful, but it’s also self-destructive and will only get worse if not addressed and then modified according to the true teachings of the Quran.â€Å"Treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers.†(Ismail 83).

Spring Syllabus

[pic] [pic] Florida A&M University Department of Chemistry CHM 1045 Lab Syllabus COURSE SYLLABUS | |Course Number: CHM 1045L |Course Title: General Chemistry I Laboratory | |Prerequisite(s): | | |Co-requisite: CHM 1045 Lecture | | |Course Credit: 1 |Course Hours: 3 per week | |College: Science and Technology |Required Text(s): The laboratory manual, Experiments In General Chemistry, 6th | | |Edition by Peter Cottrell, Jesse Edwards, & Richard A. Ford, Jr. | |Department: Chemistry | | |Faculty Name: Arian White-Baker |Term and Year: Spring 2013 | | |Place and Time: 401/413 Jones Hall | |Office Location: |Telephone: ( 850 )599-8424 | |219-A Jones Hall |e-mail: arian1. [email  protected] edu or arian1. [email  protected] com | |Office Hours |Monday |Tuesday |Wednesday |Thursday |Friday |Saturday | | |4:00-5:00 pm | 9:00-11:00 am | |12:00-2:00pm | | Curriculum Status: Required for Chemistry, Biology, Pre-Pharmacy and Pre-Engineering majors. INTRODUCTION General Chemistry I L aboratory (CHM 1045L) is the first course of a sequence of two laboratory courses primarily for students who are in science or science-related majors. In this laboratory course, students will have an opportunity to observe some of the phenomena of matter and obtain practical skills in using various items of laboratory equipment. Upon completion of this course students should have a deeper and more concrete understanding of the experimental science of chemistry.There are 10 different laboratory exercises scheduled to be done during the weeks specified in the SCHEDULE section of this outline. Because of the large number of laboratory sections and the full use of time available during the semester, there will be no opportunity to make individual laboratory exercises. Only in cases of emergency, you must notify your instructor before the class session. In such case, the laboratory experiment should be made up during the week that it was assigned. In order to make up the experiment, thes e procedures should be followed: *Notify your instructor and get a note from them stating their approval and awareness of your absence. *Obtain an official excuse from your dean. Bring the excuse and the note to laboratory coordinators office in JONES HALL room 405. *At this time, you will receive a form with the time that you can make your experiment up. Appointments for office visits other than during scheduled office hours may be made on an individual basis for the mutual convenience of the students and instructor. LABORATORY OBJECTIVES There are several objectives of the laboratory course. Among these are to: a. Train students to observe and follow the standard safety practices while doing experiments. b. Provide a means for students to examine, analyze, and verify chemical principles by carrying out simple exercises in the laboratory. c.Provide an opportunity for students to practice making careful observations and measurements, and to perform critical analyses of the observati ons made and data obtained. d. Train students to carry out laboratory exercises using standard techniques, while keeping a record of the observations made and data obtained. Academic Learning Compact As a result of your experience at FAMU chemistry students should be able to communicate chemical concepts in oral and written laboratory reports. Your reports should discern what you think happened from what indeed did occur based on sound chemical reasoning. You are to interpret laboratory data, measurements, procedures and results. Eventually, you should solve chemical problems and design and evaluate experiments.After taking this class you will be able to recognize potentially hazardous substances and reactions. You should be able to make effective use of information resources and use a computer to gain information about chemical compounds and reactions. LABORATORY MATERIALS The following materials will be required for the laboratory: a. Laboratory safety glasses b. The laboratory ma nual, Experiments In General Chemistry, 6th Edition by Peter Cottrell, Jesse Edwards, & Richard A. Ford, Jr. , which is available at the University Bookstore. c. Laboratory coat d. Expt In General Chemistry Lab Safety & Techniques DVD Safety Students must always wear eye protection and laboratory coats when they are doing the laboratory exercises.There are no exceptions to this requirement. Students not having eye protection and laboratory coat cannot remain in the laboratory. a. Wear approved eye protection at all times. b. Never eat, drink or smoke in a chemical laboratory c. If any glassware is broken, it should be cleaned up by the student. d. Never perform an unauthorized experiment. e. Never work in a chemical laboratory without proper supervision f. Never pipette by mouth or inhale gases or vapors g. Exercise proper care in heating or mixing chemicals h. Be careful with glass equipment PROCEUDURE Each laboratory experiment must be read and carefully studied before coming to t he laboratory.This must be done to ensure that each student is thoroughly familiar with the principles, procedures, calculations, and anything else with the exercises may be involved. Unless otherwise directed to do so, students should work alone in doing in the laboratory exercises. Take extreme care when using the analytical balances, thermometers, and other items of equipment that are expensive and/or may be easily broken. When the laboratory exercise is completed, all equipment should be cleaned and put in its proper place or in the locker in an orderly way. The bench top and common work areas should also be cleaned. LABORATORY REPORTS The pre-laboratory assignments of each laboratory experiment must be turned in to the instructor before the beginning of the laboratory.Laboratory Reports are to be completed and turned in as directed by the instructor. The laboratory report will usually consist of the Pre-Lab, Post-Lab, Lab Write-up, Data Sheet from the laboratory experiment and calculations sheet. Laboratory Report Organization: All sections should be typed except calculations, pre/post lab and your data/report sheet †¢ Title Page: Your name, Group members names, Date, Lab section Title of the Experiment †¢ Introduction- 5-6 sentences at most †¢ Materials and Procedure- Past Tense, Bullet format †¢ Pre-Lab, Report Sheet and Post Lab –please complete all calculations and questions in the spaces provided. If the space is too small, please complete on a separate sheet of paper. Calculation sheet – SHOW ALL WORK! †¢ Conclusion – Discuss what you learned and any possible sources of error that occurred in the experiment. Please use complete sentences. Students who do not actively participate in the laboratory experiment will be subject to point reduction. there are no make up labs, so do not miss a lab date. Late lab reports will not be graded. No exceptions will be granted and no excuses are acceptable. PUBLIC HOLID AYS AND LABS IF YOUR LAB FALLS ON ANY PUBLIC HOLIDAY (EXCEPT THANKSGIVING WEEK) OR UNIVERSITY CONVOCATION, PLEASE ENDEVOR TO ATTEND ANY OTHER SECTION OF THE LAB WITHIN THE SAME WEEK. THE MISSED LAB WILL NOT BE REPEATED THE FOLLOWING WEEK.PLEASE ENSURE THAT THE LAB INSTRUCTOR OF THE LAB YOU ATTENDED FOR MAKEUP SIGNS YOUR WORK AS EVIDENCE OF ATTENDANCE. THEN SUBMIT YOUR LAB REPORT TO YOUR LAB INSTRUCTOR AS USUAL. The total score for the course will be based on laboratory reports, write up, and exam. Each laboratory report will have equal value but not necessarily the same number of points. The laboratory reports will count between 80-90% of the total score. The final laboratory examination will count between 10-20% of the total score. Additionally, you may be given quizzes that will count toward your overall grad. The various parts of the lab exercises and reports will contribute towards the final grade as follows: Lab Reports Report Sheet and Data 50Pre-Lab 10 Post Lab 10 Write up 30 Total 100 There will be a total of Ten Labs and Two Exams worth 100 pts each. At the end of the semester, an overall fractional score will be calculated. It is anticipated that the grade will be based on the following scale for fractional scores: A- (90% or above)(990-1110) B-(80-90%)(880-989) C-(70-80%)(770-879) D-(60-70%)(660-769) F- (Below 60%)(659 & Below) Some general items to be considered in grading the reports will be the neatness and legibility of the report, the correct use of English, and the proper use of significant figures and units.Other items that may be considered, depending on the specific exercise, will be the closeness of a result obtained to what the result should be the correctness of any calculations, and the completeness of any observations that may be expected. A subjective evaluation will also be included of the student’s attitude toward the laboratory exercised and the correct use of the laboratory equipment. Academic Calendar: Fall 2013 January 7 Classes begin (Full-Time Studies) January 21 Martin Luther King (Holiday) March 11-15 Spring Break March 29 Last day to withdraw April 26 Last day to submit I change of grade Aptil 26 Last day of classes April 29-May 3, 2013 Final examinations Week CHM 1045 Labs Spring 2013Lab # Date Title Page # 1/7-12/12 Laboratory Orientation and Safety Video/ MSDS 1. 1//14-18/12 Basic Laboratory Technique 1 No Labs 1/21-25/12 Martin Luther King – No Class This Week 2. 1/28 – 2/1/12 Identification of Substances by physical properties 13 3. 2/4-8/12 Separation of the Components of a mixture 23 4. 2/11-15/12 Chemical reactions of copper and percent yield 31 5. /18-22/12 The stoichiometry of a reaction 39 2/25-3/1/12 Exam #1 6. 3/4 – 8/12 Reactions in Aqueous Solutions 49 No Labs 3/11-15/12 Spring Break- No Class This week 7. 3/18-22/12 Qualitative-Analysis Scheme 61 8. 3/25-29/12 Colorimetric determination of iron 69 9. 4/1-5/12 Behavior of gases: Molar mass 93 10. 4/8-12/12 Where are electrons? : VSEPR 245 4/15-19/12 Exam 2 SAMPLE LAB WRITE UP: Cover Page EXPERIMENT 1BASIC LABORATORY TECHNIQUES John Doe Group Members: Andrew Luck Reggie Wayne Dwight Freeney SAMPLE LAB WRITE UP INTRODUCTION Chemistry is an experimental science that relies heavily upon meticulous observations and precise measurements. When recording the measurements made, the accuracy of the devise used has to be reflected. Although the metric system used here in America is the most common, scientists prefer the use the International System of Units or SI system. The objective of this lab is to perfect the use of the laboratory balance, graduate cylinder, thermometer and pipets in order to learn how to obtain accurate measurements in experimental procedures.This lab will also allow familiarization with the SI units used in scientific work. APPARATUS/MATERIALS Balance150-mL Beaker 250-mL Beaker Bunsen Burner Hose clampFlask 125-mL 50-mL Erlenmeyer Grad. Cylinder Rubber BulbIron ringRing S tand 10-mL Pipet ThermometerWing TipIce Barometer PROCEDURE A. The Bunsen Burner †¢ The Bunsen burner was examined for valves and all gas/air outlets †¢ Both valves were closed and rubber tubing was attached from the gas outlet on the burner to the lab bench spout. †¢ A striker was used to light the gas below the top of the barrel while the gas valve on the burner was gradually opened to obtain a flame roughly 3-4 inches high. The air was adjusted to allow a pale blue flame to form on the inner cone. B. The GraduatedCylinder †¢ The 100-mL graduated cylinder was examined and the markings in milliliters was noted †¢ The cylinder was then filled approximately half full with water and the meniscus(curved surface) was observed. †¢ Reading the lowest point of the meniscus at eye level with the cylinder a volume measurement was obtained to the nearest 0. 1mL and recorded †¢ A 125-mL Erlenmeyer flask was then filled to the top with water and the graduate c ylinder was used to aid in recording the total volume in the flask. C. The Thermometer and Its Calibration To test the accuracy of the thermometer, it was calibrated using known measurements †¢ 50mL of ice was placed in a 250mL beaker and covered with distilled water. †¢ The ice-water mixture was allowed to set and come to equilibrium and measurements were taken and recorded. †¢ To test the boiling point, a 250-mL beaker ws set on a wire gause and iron ring half full with distilled water. †¢ The water was heated and measurements were periodically taken to determine the temperature of the water . †¢ The boiling point of water was recorded and a bp correction calculation was performed to determine the true boiling point at the observed pressure. D. Using the Balance to Calibrate the 10-mL Pipet †¢ A penny was weighed and the mass recorded About 40mL of distilled water was put in a 50-mL beaker †¢ The weight of an empty, dry 50 mL Erlenmeyer flask was weighted to the nearest 0. 1 mL †¢ The temperature of the water in the beaker was measured and recorded. †¢ Exactly 10 mL of water was pipet into the empty flask and the flask was weighed with the water. †¢ The weight of the water was determined by subtraction the mass of the empty flask from the mass obtained after the 10 mL of water was added. †¢ The density was calculated, and based on the temperature obtained previously, the accuracy of the pipet was determined. †¢ This procedure was repeated three more times CALCULATIONS: WRITE ALL CALCULATIONS IN THIS SECTION. NO NEED TO TYPE THEM OUT.CONCLUSION: The objective of this lab was to learn the use of simple lab equipment. In this experiment our group was able to learn basic laboratory protocols and become familiar with common equipment operation. We were able to successfully calibrate and standardize the equipment for future measurements to be taken. Overall there were minor errors that could have occurred including the following: not reading the bottom of the meniscus on the graduated cylinder procedure and dropping some water while transferring to flasks in procedure D. We completed all procedures proficiently otherwise and look forward to a semester of future experimentation.