About the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)

About the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) Medical schools take several factors into account when considering your application: your transcript, letters of recommendation, and of course, your medical college admissions test, or MCAT, score. What Is the MCAT? The MCAT is a standardized exam designed to measure your aptitude for a career in medicine. It provides medical schools an objective measure of your ability to process and analyze information and attempts to predict your future success in medical school. It also taps your critical thinking skills and problem-solving ability. While not the sole determining factor in acceptance decisions, it provides admissions officers with a basis of comparison for the thousands of applications they review. Who Administers the MCAT? The MCAT is administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges, a nonprofit organization composed of accredited U.S. and Canadian medical schools, major teaching hospitals and professional medical societies. The MCAT Consists of 4 Sections The latest version of the MCAT was rolled out in 2015. Its four sections are: Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological SystemsCritical Analysis and Reasoning SkillsBiological and Biochemical Foundations of Living SystemsPsychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behavior The critical analysis and reasoning section consists of 53 questions and is 90 minutes long. The other three sections each contain 59 questions that must be answered within 95 minutes per section. When to Take the MCAT The MCAT is administered multiple times between January and September. Take the exam the year before you intend to enroll in medical school (i.e., before you apply). If you think that you might take the MCAT more than once, make your first attempt in January, March, April or May so that you have enough time to get your scores, decide on whether to take it again, register for a seat and prepare. How to Register for the MCAT Seats fill quickly so register well ahead of deadlines. Information about the test, test  centers, and registration details can be found on the Medical College Admissions Test website. How the MCAT Is Scored Each MCAT section is scored individually. Multiple choice questions are scored right or wrong, with wrong answers worth the same as unanswered questions, so dont skip questions. Youll get a score for each of the four sections and then a total score. Section scores range from 118 to 132, and total scores from 472 to 528, with a score of 500 being the midpoint. When to Expect MCAT Scores Scores are released 30 to 35 days after the exam and available online. Your scores are automatically released to the ​American Medical College Application Service, a non-profit centralized application processing service.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Federalism essays

Advantages and Disadvantages of Federalism essays Advantages and Disadvantages of Federalism Federalism is a system where final decisions are dispersed among local governments representing specific and sometimes overlapping geographical areas. These governmental units have, as constituents, people of different social, political, moral and economic persuasions. Together with the idea of locally elected officials, self government, and diversity of interests, the federal system can be susceptible to manipulation by narrow local interests and legislation diluted by compromise at the expense of national or regional interests. On the other hand the strength of the federal system lies in its ability to provide access to governmental decision making by those affected. It provides power to all levels of government, requires political flexibility and protects individual liberty. As James Madison argues in the Federalist papers: the smaller the unit of government, the easier it would be for a single interest to dominate it. But these units in a large republic would be so many that they would actually provide more opportunities for relevant issues to be recognized and heard. The system of federal government has, therefore, resulted in a disparity in equality and participation. Citizens are treated differently depending on where they live and the dominating sentiments. Criteria for welfare, legal sanctions, spending programs are quite different among the states and sometimes even among counties. Thus, it was not wholly irrational that blacks were treated differently in the south than in the north, even after emancipation. But these differences are a result of participation in the decision-making process, albeit for conflicting and opposite results. On the up side, there is a competition of sorts among the states in the area of public policy, a market place of social experimentation. Some states are far ahead than others in changing social policy to serve the needs of it ...

Chapter 11 Reorganization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Chapter 11 Reorganization - Essay Example 2. Background Rural/Metro Corporation is considered to be one of the largest private organizations and is engaged with providing emergency ambulance and fire safety services in the US. It operates in more than 21 states in the country and is estimated to provide services to more than 1.5 million emergency calls. Established in the year 1948, the prime motive of Rural/Metro Corporation has been to provide fire protection services in return of a small subscription fee, in those areas where no emergency facilities existed. Gradually, it became one of the largest medical emergency and fire protection providers. Consequentially, it was made public in the year 1993. Currently, it is owned by Warburg Pincus, LLC, a private equity management firm. The prime economic factor that resulted in filing for Chapter 11 by the organization, owed from inappropriate capital structure, which was formed under different economic conditions resulting in huge interest payment to the creditors (Rural/Metro C orporation, 2013; Indystar.com, 2013). 3. Financial Forecast of Rural/Metro Corporation for Five (5) Years Rural/Metro Corporation is considered to be one of the largest and the most consistent performer in the stock market. The organization has been found to implement new strategies every year that helped in making the financial conditions of the organization stronger. But, it was observed that after the acquisition of the organization by Warburg Pincus, LLC, the organization faced financial problems resulting from inappropriate capital structure that further was connoted as the consequence of rapid fluctuation in the economic condition of the country. According to the annual report of Rural/Metro 2010, it was viewed that the total revenue earned by the company amounted to US$ 133,513,000, which was much more in comparison to 2011-2012 (Rural/Metro Corporation, 2013). With reference to the above mentioned data gathered from the annual report of Rural/Metro for three consecutive yea rs i.e. 2010, 2011 and 2012, it can be viewed that lack of proper financial planning and the increasing rate of interest that was to be paid to the creditors, made the organization file for Chapter 11. However, if proper guidelines and planning were made after the reorganization, it can be stated that Rural/Metro would have been in a better financial position for the coming five years (Rural/Metro Corporation, 2013). 4. Evaluation of the Key Debt Reorganization The key type of debt reorganization that the company had selected to pay of the debts was by making agreements with lenders and bondholders. This technique is considered to be one of the best and simplest methods of collecting funds usually by borrowing or through an agreement. It is also worth mentioning that the agreement is done on a mutual understanding between both the parties, which does not make the borrower liable to pay the borrowed money before the time mentioned in the agreement (Indystar.com, 2013; Krueger, 2002). Theoretically, the three types of debt restructuring processes include general debt restricting, troubled debt restricting and corporate debt restricting. Comparatively, corporate debt restricting can be considered as one of the most beneficial methods for creditors. The main reason behind this is that in this method, the creditors either reduce the rate of interests or

Analysis of Leadership Style and Behavior Essay

Analysis of Leadership Style and Behavior - Essay Example Bill Gates owns transformational leadership and employs the participative leadership style and behavior to convince his subordinate in the most appropriate way. Bill Gates uses its legitimate power to exercise his control over the management of the Microsoft. Table of Contents Content page Introduction 4 Background 4 Analysis of leadership style 4 Analysis of leadership behavior 5 Discussion: Transformative or Transactional leader 6 Discussion: Power sources 8 Legitimate power 8 Coercive power 9 Reward power 9 Information power 9 Expert power 9 Referent power 10 Conclusion 10 References 12 Introduction Transactional leadership provides incentives to followers to carry out certain actions; rewards and incentives are used to attract or motivate followers to carry out such activities. If Bill Gates had transactional leadership traits, it would have not been possible to convert a small innovation company into the empire of Microsoft Company, which has generated revenue of $ 69,943 m in t he fiscal year of 2011; the net income reaching the mark of $ 23, 150 m in the same year. Background Bill Gates was born on October 28, 1955 and grew up in Seattle with his father William H. Gates II who is a Seattle attorney (News Centre, 2012). Gates mother, Mary Gates was a school teacher in University of Washington regent and chairwoman of United Way International. Bill Gates received elementary school and the private Lakeside School. There, Bill Gates found his interest in software and commenced programming computers at the age of 13. Subsequent to that, in 1973, Gates entered Harvard University but he was unable to continue further his studies and after leaving Harvard, he utilized his energy and efforts to Microsoft, which began in 1975 with Paul Allen, a childhood friend of Bill Gates. Under the leadership of Bill Gates, Microsoft mission has been to continually improve software technology along with making it cost effective and more enjoyable for computer users. Leadership style and behavior Analysis Analysis of leadership style Transformational leadership occurs when individuals engage with each other in a way that the follower and the leader raise one another to higher status of motivation and morality. Effective transformational leaders may represent transactional behaviors or traits. But their leadership style also consists of one or more of the characteristics including inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, individualized consideration and idealized vision (Bass 1985). Participative and delegative leadership style is considerably adopted by Bill Gates. By employing both leadership styles, Bill Gates optimally uses his workforce. He wants them to provide their contribution and participation in the work. And at the same time, he expects them to develop a feeling that they are the significant part of the Microsoft. The advantages of this approach are that the employees would remain motivated and give their best efforts in order to ente rtain the work related goals and objectives. However, some critics contend that Bill Gates uses autocratic approach and prefers to attain his corporate objectives as wants to; Bill Gates adopts bureaucratic management style to achieve the commercial objectives (Management paradise, n.d.). Analysis of leadership behavior Transformational leadership supports behaviors attached with inspirational motivations (e.g., expressing a vision that followers find meaningful but challenging),

Analysis Of Business Environment For Coca-Cola Company Research Paper

Analysis Of Business Environment For Coca-Cola Company - Research Paper Example The company can minimize weaknesses and fight threats to improve financial and training systems and undertake staff motivational initiatives to minimize risks associated with new markets and increase competitive advantage as well as constantly build expertise in the firm to minimize chances of the firm undertaking risky business internationally such as the experiences seen during the global financial crisis. Also, technological advancements in the industry may be useful to increase competition. Using SWOT analysis, the company should be able to focus on its strengths, curtail threats, and take the utmost possible gain of opportunities available, and trigger aggressive strategy formulation. The firm has a better understanding of its competitors which can provide insights to craft a coherent and successful competitive position. To maintain and/or increase customer loyalty, the company should employ strategies that jealously guard its existing market share and also explore ways of expan ding the customer base to grow revenue and increase business performance. Product differentiation based on customer segments is one of the strategies the company can use. The company should also explore the strengths and limitations of its competitors by interrogating the soft spots of alternative products to strengthen its products. Other strategies may include going an extra mile to know its customers better, meet and exceed customer expectations, increase value derived by customers from its products.

Transactional Leadership and Transformational Leadership

Transactional Leadership and Transformational Leadership Compare and contrast between Transactional Leadership and Transformational Leadership. What are the significant differences between the two leadership models? Give relevant examples. 1.0 What is Leadership? Leadership has been described as the process of social influence in which one person can enlist or procure the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task. It is the way of organizing a group of people for the purpose of achieving a common goal. A leader is the person to who is capable of guiding, inspiring and associating others with the dream goal. In addition, there are various types of leadership models which include transactional leadership, transformational leadership, and charismatic leadership and so on. In this contest, transactional leadership and transformational leadership will be compared and contrasted. 2.0 Description Transactional Leadership Transactional leadership is a term used to classify a formally known group leadership theories that inquire the interactions between leaders and followers. A transactional leader focuses more on a series of transactions. This person is interested in looking out for oneself, having exchange benefits with their subordinates and clarifies a sense of duty with rewards and punishments to reach goals. The transactional leadership style developed by Bass is based on the hypothesis that followers are motivated through a system of rewards and punishment. The transactional leaders view of the leader / follower relationship is one of quid pro quo or this for that. If the follower does something good, then they will be rewarded. If the follower does something wrong, then they will be punished. Transformational Leadership Transformational leadership is defined as a leadership approach that causes change in individuals and social systems. In its ideal form, it creates valuable and positive change in the followers with the end goal of developing followers into leaders. Enacted in its authentic form, transformational leadership enhances the motivation, morale and performance of his followers through a variety of mechanisms. These include connecting the followers sense of identity and self to the mission and the collective identity of the organization; being a role model for followers that inspires them; challenging followers to take greater ownership for their work, and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of followers, so the leader can align followers with tasks that optimize their performance. The theory behind transformational leaders, on the other hand is based, on the hypothesis that leaders can exploit a need of the follower. These particular needs are not based on quid pro quo transactions, but higher order needs. These needs are those of the total person, and are closely aligned with the internal motivational factors of the follower. So at one end of the spectrum we have transactional leaders that are making many deals with those being led. On the other end of the spectrum, we have transformational leaders, which are looking to satisfy a greater need of an individual. 3.0 Mission Transactional Leader: approaches followers with an eye to exchanging one thing for another à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Burns pursues a cost benefit, economic exchange to met subordinates current material and psychic needs in return for contracted services rendered by the subordinate à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. Bass Here, transformational leaders make exchange of work with their followers for benefit or rewards. Followers are motivated with the rewards being given. Transformational Leader: recognizes and exploits an existing need or demand of a potential followerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (and) looks for potential motives in followers, seeks to satisfy higher needs, and engages the full person of the follower à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Burns The leader who recognizes the transactional needs in potential followers but tends to go further, seeking to arouse and satisfy higher needs, to engage the full person of the follower à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ to a higher level of need according to Maslows hierarchy of needs à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Bass Here, transformational leaders tend to focus on the move to change the followers and the organization. In addition, as explained by Bass, the transactional leaders focus on the organizational work within the organizational culture as the way it exists; on the other hand, the transformational leaders try to bring changes to the organizational culture. 4.0 Personal characteristics Transactional Directive Dominating Action-Oriented Transformational Self Confident Assertive Seizes Opportunities Tolerates Risk Uses Systems Thinking 5.0 Characteristics of Transactional leaders 1. Contingent rewards: Transactional leaders link the goal to rewards, clarify expectations, provide necessary resources, set mutually agreed upon goals, and provide various kinds of rewards for successful performance. They set SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely) goals for their subordinates. These leaders work on some aspects which include; Exchange of rewards for effort contracted. Rewards for achieving goals promised. Accomplishments recognized. Clear goals and recognition once they are reached is held to result in individuals and groups achieving expected levels of performance. 2. Management by exception (active): Transactional leaders actively monitor the work of their subordinates, watch for deviations from rules and standards and taking corrective action to prevent mistakes. These personalities also include; Standards specified by leader. Deviations are searched from the rules and standards. Corrective action taken quickly if necessary. May involve follower punishment. 3. Management by exception (passive): Transactional leaders intervene only when standards are not met or when the performance is not as per the expectations. They may even use punishment as a response to unacceptable performance. These leaders have some uniqueness which include; Leader awaits emergence of problems before acting. Intervenes only if standards are not met. 4. Passive-avoidant/Laissez-faire: The leader provides an environment where the subordinates get many opportunities to make decisions. The leader himself abdicates responsibilities and avoids making decisions and therefore the group often lacks direction. This can also be explained as; Agreements are not specified; there are no expectations set; and goals and standards are avoided. 6. 0 Characteristics of Transformational Leadership 1. Charisma or idealized influence The degree to which the leader behaves in admirable ways that cause followers to identify with the leader. Charismatic leaders display convictions, take stands and appeal to followers on an emotional level. This is about the leader having a clear set of values and demonstrating them in every action, providing a role model for their followers. 2. Inspirational motivation The degree to which the leader articulates a vision that is appealing and inspiring to followers. Leaders with inspirational motivation challenge followers with high standards, communicate optimism about future goals, and provide meaning for the task at hand. Followers need to have a strong sense of purpose if they are to be motivated to act. Purpose and meaning provide the energy that drives a group forward. It is also important that this visionary aspect of leadership be supported by skills that allow the leader to articulate his or her vision with precision and power in a compelling and persuasive way. 3. Intellectual stimulation The degree to which the leader challenges assumptions, takes risks and solicits followers ideas. Leaders with this trait stimulate and encourage creativity in their followers. 4. Individualized consideration or individualized attention The degree to which the leader attends to each followers needs, acts as a mentor or coach to the follower and listens to the followers concerns and needs. This also encompasses the need to respect and celebrate the individual contribution that each follower can make to the team (it is the diversity of the team that gives it its true strength). Transformational Leaders Motivating for performance beyond expectations. Inspiring for missions beyond self interest. Instilling confidence to achieve performance. Transformational leadership goes beyond transactional leadership. Transactional Leaders Motivating for performance at expected levels. Initiating structure to clarify the task and roles. Stressing the link between reward and goal achievement. Uses agreed upon performance to motivate. Performance beyond expectations 7.0 Assumptions Transformational leaders People get inspired by a person then they will follow that person. Great things can be achieved by person with vision and passion. Things are gotten done by the way they are injected with enthusiasm and energy. Transactional Leaders Followers/Employees are motivated by reward and punishment. Orders are given by the superiors, and the subordinates have to obey the orders. These subordinates are not self-motivated rather they need to be intimately monitored and controlled in order to get the work done from them. 8.0 Differences Transitional leaders Transactional leaders are aware of the link between the effort and reward Transactional leadership is responsive and its basic orientation is dealing with present issues Transactional leaders rely on standard forms of inducement, reward, punishment and sanction to control followers Transactional leaders motivate followers by setting goals and promising rewards for desired performance Transactional leadership depends on the leaders power to reinforce subordinates for their successful completion of the bargain. Transformational leaders Transformational leaders arouse emotions in their followers which motivates them to act beyond the framework of what may be described as exchange relations Transformational leadership is proactive and forms new expectations in followers Transformational leaders are distinguished by their capacity to inspire and provide individualized consideration, intellectual stimulation and idealized influence to their followers Transformational leaders create learning opportunities for their followers and stimulate followers to solve problems Transformational leaders possess good visioning, rhetorical and management skills, to develop strong emotional bonds with followers Transformational leaders motivate followers to work for goals that go beyond self-interest. In addition, the below table will give a detailed contrast of the differences between Transactional leadership and transformational leadership. Transactional Leadership Transformational Leadership à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Leadership of the status quo. Effective in stable organizations and contexts. More likely to be observed in a well-ordered society. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Leadership of change (within leaders, followers and organizations). Important in times of distress and rapid and destabilizing change. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Focuses on social and economic exchanges between leaders and followers, using contingent rewards and administrative actions to reinforce positive and reform negative behaviors. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Focuses on organizational objectives and organizational change by disseminating new values and seeking alternatives to existing arrangements. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Leader-follower relationship sees each exchange needs and services to satisfy their independent objectives. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Leader-follower relationship sees purposes of both become fused, leading to unity and shared purpose. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Motivates followers by appealing to their own self-interest (for example, pay, and promotion). à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Attempts to raise follower needs (following Maslows hierarchy) to higher levels (for example, self-esteem) and to develop followers into leaders. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Based on directive power acts. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Based on interaction and influence. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Follower response based on compliance. Supervision likely to be important. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Follower response based on commitment. Supervision may be minimal. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Leadership act takes place but leaders and followers not bound together in mutual pursuit of higher purpose. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Leaders and followers raise one another to higher levels of motivation and morality. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Founded on peoples need to make a living by completing tasks. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Founded on peoples need for meaning. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Focuses on situational authority, politics and perks. Involves values, but typically those required for successful exchange relationships (for example, reciprocity, and integrity). à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Focuses on personal power, values, morals and ethics. May be demonstrated by anyone in an organization in any type of position. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Emphasis on day-to-day affairs, business needs short-term goals and quantitative information. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Transcends daily affairs, concentrating on long-term issues. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Leader-follower relationship may be established quickly. A relatively impersonal relationship maintained only as long as benefits outweigh costs. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ May take time for leader-follower bonds to develop. A personal relationship that may persist when costs outweigh benefits. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Tends to be transitory. Once a transaction is completed, relationship may need to be redefined. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Tends to be enduring. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Emphasizes tactical issues. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Emphasizes missions and strategies for achieving them. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Typically involves working within current systems. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ May involve redesigning of jobs to make them more meaningful and challenging. Emphasizes realization of human potential. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Supports structures and systems that emphasize outcomes. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Aligns structures and systems to overarching values and goals. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Follower counseling focuses on evaluation. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Follower counseling focuses on personal development. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Atomistic worldview and moral altruistic motives based on teleological perspective (that is to say, based on consequences). à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Organic worldview and moral altruistic motives based on deontological perspective (that is to say, based on promises). In addition to the above table, their differences can also be categorized as the following; Basis Servant or steward Leadership Transformational leaders have idealized vision. They are likable and honorable hero that worth imitating and identifying. They lead to promote change in the environment. On the other hand, Transactional leaders have the basis of exchange process. They work on mutual need satisfying, giving rewards for job performance. They lead to promote stability in the workplace. Leadership development Transformational leaders tend to have more power. They empower and energize their followers excel. They re-engineer their followers. On the other hand, Transactional leaders design structures, control and reward system in their workplace to improve effectiveness and efficiency. Lead by example Transformational leaders are charismatic. They handle and meet individuals needs. As well, they upgrade the level of the needs. On the other hand, Transactional leaders possess different types of leadership style, using the right style at the necessary time. Proactive change agent Transformational leaders make an effort to inspire their followers to help them change and transcend their selves for greater purposes. On the other hand, Transactional leaders reward their followers in terms of their performance. They are reactive to change at instances. Vision creator propagandist Transformational leaders make effort to create a vision of desired future state. They communicate pain of change that worth the effort. On the other hand, Transactional leaders focus on company goals and objectives. They make sure the needed goals are achieved. 9.0 Examples Transactional Leadership In this kind of leadership, a clear chain of command is established. The leader motivates his subordinates by presenting them rewards and punishments. All requirements for a subordinate are clearly stated with corresponding rewards. If they fail to satisfy those requirements, they will receive a corresponding punishment. A couple of famous examples of transactional leaders are Joseph McCarthy and Charles de Gaulle. Transformational Leadership Transformational leaders lead by motivating by their followers. Leaders appeal to their followers ideals and morals to motivate them in accomplishing their tasks. Basically, these kinds of leaders empower their followers using their own beliefs and personal strengths. Simply put, they inspire their followers. Famous transformational leaders include Martin Luther King Jr. and Walt Disney. 10.0 Conclusion Finally, the transactional style of leadership is viewed as insufficient, but not bad, in developing the maximum leadership potential. It forms as the basis for more mature interactions but care should be taken by leaders not to practice it exclusively, otherwise it will lead to the creation of an environment permeated by position, power, perks, and politics. On the other hand, transformational Leadership by definition, seek to transform. When the organization does not need transforming and people are happy as they are, then such a leader will be frustrated. Like wartime leaders, however, given the right situation they come into their own and can be personally responsible for saving entire companies.

How Mortal Life Heightens the Appreciation of Life in Eliot and Maddy :: Eliot Wasteland Maddy Essays

How Mortal Life Heightens the Appreciation of Life in Eliot and Maddy Mortal loss and the appreciation for life are very important concepts in writing. Both T.S. Eliot and Yulisa Amadu Maddy use this concept very heavily in their writing styles. T. S. Eliot’s major theme in The Waste Land surrounds death and World War One. The title The Waste Land, gives the reader a feeling of being lost in a world of waste and hopeless causes. The first part of the poem, The Waste Land, is titled, "The Burial of the Dead." This negative title gives the reader a sense of gloom and death. The title is very indicative of what is to come later on in the poem. The novel, No Past No Present No Future, by Yulisa Amadu Maddy is very dark and its title gives the audience a sense of hopelessness and no sense of direction. The reader feels that if he or she is not in the past, present, or future, then where is he or she in the circle of life? The beginnings of both pieces of literature give the reader a feeling of being lost and being depressed. Both works, The Waste Lan d and No Past No Present No Future, deal with death and mortal loss, and both authors, Eliot and Maddy use death to show the audience how important life is. In the first couple of lines in The Waste Land Eliot says, "April is the cruellest month, breeding/ Lilacs out of the dead land," (lines 1-2). Breeding Lilacs gives a sense of hope for life, but at the same time, attached to April and its dead land, we are returned to the aspect of death. T.S. Eliot later in the poem states he "will show you fear in a handful of dust," which is a sign of human mortality, and Eliot describes in his poem the appreciation for life because of the threat of mortal loss. Eliot talks about how "the dead tree gives no shelter"(l.23). Without life we have no shelter and no water or the necessities in nature. The examples of the dead and their inadequacy of shelter and water, gives the readers an understanding of what is needed to live. A living being must have shelter and water, and an example without it heightens the appreciation of life. Eliot goes on to talk about the brown fog of London and how all of the people are hanging their heads looking at their fe et.

Dreams in of mice and men Essay

Of Mice and Men Dreams Of Mice and Men is set in Salinas, California in the 1930s Great Depression. Life was hard and men could be cruel. Hope might be the only escape from hard reality. This links to the American Dream – represented in George and Lennie’s dream of working hard and getting their own land and farm, and control over their own lives. But it was harder than ever to achieve due to the tough economic conditions of the Depression. After Lennie’s death, it might be possible for George to realise his dream, but the emptiness at the end of the novel shows that financial success is nothing when you are lonely. So the dream is not just something to own, or possess, but also something to share. ‘Compassion and love’, to Steinbeck – as outlined in his Nobel Prize speech are the most important things, as is ‘hope’ – having a dream. Lennie and George have a fairly simple dream: to own a small farm, and be their own bosses, which contrasts with the large factory type farm they are on, where men are treated like machines, which are frequently broken (Crooks and Candy), and isolated from each other. George repeats his and Lennie’s dream like a mantra: ‘we got a future’, suggesting that they are different to the others. ‘Future’ here is a metaphor for something bright, and greater than what they have now – like the American Dream to ‘live off the fatta the land’. The phrase ‘fat of the land’ almost suggests a biblical promised land after the hard, ‘wilderness’ years. The function of the dream therefore is to help them to endure hardship and not give in to despair. They want control of their own lives: ‘we’ll just say the hell with goin to work’. This can make them seem naive however, as farmers have to work whether they want to or not – especially smallholders. When George sets out the dream, he then says that he and Lennie are ‘not like those other guys’. The dream sets George and Lennie apart from the others; they make themselves special: in the inclusive ‘we’ against the exclusive ‘those other guys’. The juxtaposition of ‘us’ and ‘them’ verbally bonds the protagonists together in contrast to the other men – even though they are all, George, Lennie, Crooks, Candy, in the same situation. Still, George and Lennie separate themselves from the others by using the third person to describe farm hands as, ‘the loneliest guys in the world.’ The superlative ‘loneliest’ and hyperbole ‘in the world’ exaggerates the harshness of the world of the Depression as shown in the novel. Sometimes it seems that George ‘owns’ the dream – as he is the one who tells it to Lennie, like a child’s bedtime story, prayer or mantra, in keeping with his role as ‘parent/protector’ to his child-like companion. This is emphasised by the simple, mantra-like structure, where Lennie keeps filling in the gaps if George hesitates, and repeating short phrases after him as if he knows it by heart, even though – as George says frustratedly, Lennie always ‘forgets’ everything else. It is not always certain if George believes the dream is possible or if he is saying it to keep Lennie quiet. Sometimes, George seems sceptical, saying they will have ‘every colour rabbits’ including ‘red and blue’. He is patronising to Lennie, saying ‘good boy’, keeping him safe from his own stupidity. In these scenes the dream seems more of a spell or placebo to keep the main characters safe than something that is really possible. Other characters are very cynical about the dream. The reader is made to question how realistic these dreams are. Curley’s wife dreams of when she threw away the chance to become famous, but we can see that her dream is a sham. Of George and Lennie’s dream, Crooks says: ‘every damn one of them’s got a little piece of land in his head’. Crooks’ final judgement is that ‘never a God damn one of ‘em ever gets it.’ The repetition of the absolute ‘never’ and ‘ever’, as well as the strong slang ‘God damn’ emphasises how desperate life is. However, it is not certain whether Steinbeck shares Crooks’ negative view. Crooks is an extreme character. His language is hyperbole – very extreme and relentlessly negative. Crooks’ phrase ‘God damn’ suggests that God has abandoned these men, in contrast to the biblical image of hope in George and Lennie’s dream of living ‘off the fatta the land’. The biblical imagery continues negatively when Crooks compares the dream of land to being ‘like Heaven’ – the Christian idea of perfect bliss, not considered a physical reality – and which Crooks says is just as impossible to get as a piece of land. It’s hard for George to keep Lennie out of trouble and keep them on track for their dream. But when they tell Candy, it starts to seem as if it might be possible. [needs evidence/ quotation/ language analysis] In an instant, Candy’s faith (and money) take them close to the ideal/dream becoming real. As the dream is shared, or heard by more people, the more it seems that together they might make it come true. Even the ultra negative Crooks starts to believe.[needs evidence/ quotation/ language analysis] But all the time, Steinbeck has built up a foreboding feeling, that this world is hard and horrible and nothing good can live in it. We feel that the gentleness of Lennie and George’s friendship, and their shared dream, will be crushed by the cruel world – even by Lennie’s desire for gentle, soft things. ‘I like soft things’ Every time he kills an animal – mouse or puppy, Lennie’s biggest, darkest fear is that he won’t be allowed ‘to tend the rabbits’. The dream is so precious to him that he wants it at any cost. Curley’s wife is lonely and wants someone to listen to her dream. [needs evidence/ quotation/ language analysis] When she finds Lennie in the barn, she lets him stroke her hair. When she starts screaming, Lennie screams at her to stop or ‘George won’t let me tend the rabbits’. She’s so frightened that she can’t stop and Lennie accidentally kills her. In a way, Lennie’s desire to keep the dream (by keeping Curley’s wife quiet – and smothering her) is the thing that has destroyed it. The irony of this makes it even more poignant. When Candy discovers what has happened all he wants to know is that he and George can still get the farm. [needs evidence/ quotation/ language analysis] He loses sight of human decency – the woman is dead and Lennie will soon die too. Steinbeck makes us ask whether any dream of financial prosperity should be more important than human life? Should we try to get it at any cost? At the end, George tells Lennie the ‘fairy story’ of the dream again – to make him happy at the moment he has to kill the dream of togetherness by shooting him in the head. He almost can’t speak because he is so upset. [needs evidence/ quotation/ language analysis] Even though George could still have the farm with Candy, he is deeply sad that he couldn’t keep Lennie alive. Because the dream isn’t worth much when he doesn’t have his old friend to share it with. Lennie loved the dream more than anyone and he never gets it.

One dark body essays

One dark body essays One race, enslaved for hundreds of years and taken away from their homeland, only to awake in foreign territories completely conflicting with their racial and native cultural heritage. The Africana heritage is a deep, intrinsic one with roots tied to the earliest know human existence, but within today's society, their ancestry has been created to be multi-cultural and shifted away from their original identity. But identity, with its prismatic and multi-layered dimensions which include racial, cultural, gender, national, and transnational ideals - is a precarious and contested category. The African identity wasn't always this perverse or questioned. With the development of America, many different races were formed and rearranged to fit the norms and standards of the new land, which was thought to be superior. Do you think the Africana people wanted to be taken out of their land, out of their heritage, out of their culture, to assimilate within a society not like anything they had ever seen or probably wanted to see? Du Bois, W.E.B., a black American historian and sociologist, put it perfectly when he made a statement on the ambiguity of the black identity: "One feels his two-ness - An American, a Negro, two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings, two warring ideals in one dark body." This is describing the Africana experience within America and expressing an effort that black Americans were attempting to reconcile with their Africana heritage with their pride in being U.S. citizens. The pride, though in today's society might hold true - was originally a forced pride in an attempt to declare that this was the land of the free and brave, but hey, for now you are the slaves with no rights. Africana cinema deals with all of these aspects within the films. Through the films, some express black identity with political struggl ...

Financial Crisis in Iceland Essay Example

Financial Crisis in Iceland Essay Example Financial Crisis in Iceland Paper Financial Crisis in Iceland Paper This assignment is part of ECM04 Economics of Capital Markets module on phase 2 in MSc. Finance and Investment at University of Brighton 2008-2009. The assignment is to analyze the Icelandic financial crisis which eventually led to the collapse of the Icelandic banking system and the economy as a whole. In order to analyse the Icelandic financial crisis we will begin to look at the background and what we regard as the causes, look at the consequences and future prospects. In the end we compare the Icelandic financial crisis to a model which Kindleberger covers in his book Manias, Panics and Crashes. Kindleberger (1978) describes financial crisis in the following way: What happens, basically, is that some event changes the economic outlook. New opportunities for profits are seized, and overdone, in ways so closely resembling irrationality as to constitute a mania. Once the excessive character of the upswing is realized, the financial system experiences a sort of distress, in the course of which the rush to reverse the expansion process may become so precipitous as to resemble panic. In the manic phase, people of wealth or credit switch out of money or borrow to buy real or illiquid financial assets. In panic, the reverse movement takes place, from real or financial assets to money, or repayment of debt, with a crash in the prices of commodities, houses buildings, land, stocks, and bonds in short, in whatever has been the subject of the mania. Background Causes European Economic Area Icelandic government control over the economy has reduced over time. The most dominant decision was when Iceland entered the European Economic Area (EEA) in 1994. When Iceland joined the EEA it got access to European markets and adopted European regulations. : Joining the EEA had a positive impact on the economy, however opening an insular economy to the EEA without significant institutional reforms carried with it dangers. Neither the Icelandic authorities nor private firms were prepared to operate in such an environment. This is especially relevant in the case of banking where the aim of Icelandic government was to build up financial centre in Iceland. To be able to build up financial centre it was very important to join EES in order to have access to European markets and adopt European regulations. This was new experience for Iceland to have the access to foreign capital because for most of the 20th century the economy was heavily regulated. (Dani elsson Zoega, 2009) Free Capital Transfer and Privatization of the Banks In continuance of EEA agreement, Icelandic government decided to privatize the three biggest banks which started 1997 and was fully completed in 2003. The new owners of the banks had little or no experience of international banking, the same applied for the Icelandic government. When Iceland accessed EEA, it faced full freedom in export and import of capital transfer among other things and the new owners of the banks began to expand the old commercial banks into investment banking. The new investment banks could get cheap capital which was easy at that time. Figure 1 shows how foreign debts have increased since Iceland got independent and it is interesting to see how the foreign debts increased dramatically when the banks had been fully privatized in 2003. (i lafssson, 2008) Figure 1: Shows foreign debts of the Icelandic economy gross dept, long term debts and net foreign debts, in proportion of GDP. Source: i lafsson, 2008 Figure 1 illustrates how easy it was to get capital at that time and the new owners of the banks forced ahead on the capital markets to finance their investments abroad. Foreign debts of the Icelandic economy were seven times GDP just four years after privatization of the banks. The study of financial economics teach us that when foreign debts increase enormously, real estate and stock price rise, there is obvious signs of increasing risk of financial crisis. (Kindleberger, 1978) Figure 2: Shows net debts of the national economy year 2005, in multi-national comparison foreign and domestic debts in proportion of GDP. Source: i lafsson, 2008 Immediately in 2005, two years after the privatization of the banks, Iceland had become most indebted OECD country in the world, as can be seen from figure 2 (i lafsson, 2008). According to the picture the situation in Iceland was already worth of criticism in 2005, with net foreign debts around 125% of GDP. (Siguri sson Svavarsson, 2007) The banking expansion was the source of the rapid economic growth that took place between 2003 and 2007. It enabled households and firms to take advantage of the abundance of low-interest funds in international capital markets to finance domestic investment and consumption, as well as the acquisition of domestic and foreign firms. Because the banks got fund in the international wholesale market this was an externally financed boom. The inflow of capital had a predictable effect on the exchange rate, the stock market and the current account as can be seen in table 1 in Appendix B. (Dani elsson Zoega, 2009) Speculation Capitalism in Iceland The objects of speculation will differ from boom to boom and crisis to crisis. The alternative explanation of the un-sober upswing goes back to Irving Fisher, which emphasizes that the real rate of interest was too low. Prices rise on the upswing, while interest rates lag. This implies a fall in the real rate of interest. With real interest rates falling, and profit prospects either rising or steady, rational investors expand. Speculation often develops in two stages. In the first, sober stage of investment, households, firms, investors, or other actors respond to a displacement in a limited and rational way. In the second, capital gains play a dominating role. The first taste is for high interest, but that taste soon becomes secondary. There is a second appetite for large gains to make by selling the principal (Kindleberger, 1978). The Icelandic bubble fits well within the framework of Kindleberger regarding the destabilizing effects of speculative finance. The Icelandic bubble started with the excitement generated by the privatization and deregulation of financial institutions, and appear unlimited access to foreign capital markets at low interest rates. The capital inflows stimulated economic growth, the outlook brightened, further increasing the willingness to borrow. Asset prices started to rise. Euphoria developed, increasingly high-risk borrowers found easy access to capital, risk appetites increased, and firms and individuals started to borrow for speculative reasons. Borrowing on the margin to buy equities became a popular activity. Banks competition for market share intensified and they lent to increasingly high-risk borrowers. A real estate bubble ensued, fuelled by seemingly unlimited bank lending. Many of the largest asset shareholders of the Icelandic banks, was highly leveraged, were facing difficulties. Investigations has detected that largest shareholders resorted to borrowing from their own banks to buy bank stock, with a view to prop up the price. The collateral behind the loans was only the bought bank stocks. In the end, of course, the entire structure collapsed. (Dani elsson Zoega, 2007).

African American history and culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

African American history and culture - Essay Example A critical question that other people could ask is the existence of religion of Africa American society. A great number of African American people are Protestant Christian. In addition, the African American society was Muslim. About 14 % of the African American were of this religion, Muslim. Apart from Christianity and Muslim, the other religions include Judaism and Buddhism among many other religions. Knowing that the religion of the African American would be of great importance when it comes to illustrating the life that the African American people as slaves.There are also life events that can be used to examine the history and culture of African American society. They observed their life events in accordance with their culture. This is one of the groups that had its unique traditions that make it easier for people to identify them with. Also, they came with the rite of passages that are associated with African traditions. There was a class for preteens and teenagers, which was des igned specifically for preparing them for adulthood. Some of the developed rites of passage are still important this day since they are meant for shaping the character of the individual, hence making the African American culture be of great value.Despite the fact that there are many questions that one would ask about the African American history and culture, there are several positive things that have come as a result of it. Moreover, the life of African American people has been transformed.

Barker v. Wingo Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Barker v. Wingo - Essay Example Of the six Manning trials, four emerged erroneous prompting new trials. On February 1963, Barker’s trial was scheduled after finding Manning guilty of the murders. Two more trials were done for Barker, who tried to have his case dismissed for having been denied speedy trial right. This was rejected and he was convicted and issued with a life sentence. Barker’s appeal for the decision finally ended up at the Supreme Court. Any inflexible rule cannot determine the constitutional right of the defendant to a speedy trial, but an ad hoc balancing basic can be used instead where the conduct of the prosecution is weighed against the defendant’s. The court decided that the defendant was never denied his constitutional right to a speedy trial. In the case, after establishing that no serious prosecution prejudice existed and that the defendant never wanted speedy trial, the court concluded that Barker’s constitutional right to a speedy trial was not violated. Barker delayed to object the delays until after their occurrence. When a defendant has the intention of having a speedy trial, he has an obligation to actively invoke it. The Court decision was thus on