Monday, December 30, 2019

Han Dynasty and Augustus Caesar’s Roman Empire - 1007 Words

In the forty years of Augustus Caesar’s reign—from 27 B.C. to A.D. 14—he created a new order that was the beginning of the Roman Empire. In 202 B.C., the year in which the Romans defeated the Carthaginians at the battle of Zama, Liu Pang won control of China and established the Han dynasty. The Roman Empire as well as its Eastern contemporary, the Han Dynasty, in China established strong central governments but experienced a decline caused by both internal and external influences; however, China leaders were more effective in using native conventions and values to maintain control over diverse people and regions than the emperors in Rome. The Han rulers used a system of choosing government officials on the basis of merit by introducing a primitive examination and recommendation system. By the first century B.C. the government employed more than 130,000 bureaucrats, or one for every 400 to 500 people in the empire. Although the examinations were theoreticall y open to all Chinese except merchants, the bureaucrats were drawn largely from the property-owner class, because affluence was needed to obtain the education to pass the examination. Consequently, the division of Chinese society transformed into a separation between landowner-bureaucrats and peasants. This system for officials influenced Chinese civilization for 2000 years. Students were expected to learn the teachings of Confucius, as well as Chinese history and law. By creating a group of well-trainedShow MoreRelatedEssay on Ap World Similarities and Differences China and Rome1144 Words   |  5 PagesHan China and Rome The Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire both had a great influence not only on its people but the world as a whole. The two had similar and different methods of political control. Both ruled their people under a bureaucracy, they had civil servants to maintain their large empires, and their foundations were made of great and strong rulers. Aside from the similarities they also had several differences. Take China for example, they focused more on Confucianism and they had a MandateRead MoreEssay about Comparison on Qin and Augustus Caesar1177 Words   |  5 Pages Comparing Augustus and Qin Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi was crowned king in 246 BC during the Warring States era (475-221 BC). Two centuries later, Caesar Augustus founded the Roman Empire and became Rome’s first Emperor, ruling from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD. Both emperors ruled with distinct and individual morals in which they laid upon their society. Both rulers utilized military victories, new code laws, and established a sense of unity throughout the land. Each contribution to their stateRead MoreQin Shi Huangdi and Ausustus Caesar1191 Words   |  5 Pageslife have always wanted and tried to leave their personal touches on society. From Qin Shi Huangdi of China as far over to Augustus Caesar of Rome, they all wanted people to recognize, respect and remember them until long after their time. These two rulers in particular left their mark by erecting pillars of greatness and importance to history. Qin Shi Huangdi and Augustus Caesar made claims of events and how successful they were at what the y accomplished in their time of power. Some of theseRead MoreRome s Creation Of A Mediterranean Empire3215 Words   |  13 Pages Rome’s Creation of a Mediterranean Empire, 753 b.c.e.–330 c.e. A. Geography and Resources 1. Italy and Sicily are at a crossroads of the Mediterranean and serve as a link between Africa and Europe. Rome is at a crossroads of the Italian peninsula. 2. Italy’s natural resources included navigable rivers, forests, iron, a mild climate, and enough arable land to support a large population of farmers whose surplus product and labor could be exploited by the Roman state. B. A Republic of Farmers, 753–31

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Rembrandts Samson Tells a Riddle at His Feast - 1145 Words

The distinguished painting, Samson Tells a Riddle at his Feast, by artist Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn, interprets the knowledgeable scene of a biblical figure, Samson, and his wife at their wedding feast. Judges 14 of the Bible details the background story of the painting – how Samson met a Philistine woman and chose her as his wife. Before he can take his new bride’s hand in marriage, Samson is withheld by a dangerous lion. Samson, however, is determined to join his lady and slays the beast. Oddly, Samson finds a swarm of bees surrounding a honeycomb inside the lion’s carcass. From this discovery, Samson formulates a riddle, which he tells to all of the guests at the feast of his wedding. The riddle goes like this: â€Å"Out of the eater came†¦show more content†¦His choice to withhold this information from her is correct in judgment, however, because she will in fact spread the answer to the riddle eventually in the future. Samson’s position in the painting is facing away from his wife and leaning suspensefully out of his seat. This may be a hint that Samson will soon leave his wife later in the story. Another evidentiary observation about Samson’s wife is that she clearly feels that she doesn’t belong, even at her own dinner party! Everything in her appearance is completely different from the others in the painting. Not only is she sitting in solitude, but she is the only character in the painting whose gaze is toward the viewer. It’s as if the viewers of the painting are the only ones who will pay her any sort of attention. Her posture is similar to the way one would take a portrait. In fact, Samson Tells a Riddle at his Feast could be viewed as a lonely portrait of a single woman, despite the busy crowd of people among her. How ironic that Rembrandt has focused this entire painting around making Samson’s wife the center of the painting, especially when she remains nameless and does not even appear in the painting’s title, Samson Tells a Riddle at his Feast. This face could also hint that Rembrandt himself is ignoring Samson’s wife, by forgetting her in the title. Samson, after all, is not primarily featured in this painting. Another connection and element of clarity is introduced once Rembrandt’sShow MoreRelatedA Brief Look at Rembrandt980 Words   |  4 Pagesmany hardships in his life, the death of all his children and his wives who perished before he did, as well as going financially bankrupt. Despite hard times, Rembrandt kept doing what he loved and used those experiences to explore the inner psychology of his subjects. The Wedding Feast of Samson and The Conspiracy of the Batavians Under Claudius Civilis were painted numerous years apart and are a reflection of what the artist was going through. The Wedding feast of Samson comes from the Old

Friday, December 13, 2019

Social networks as an advertising-based model Free Essays

1.0 Introduction. 1. We will write a custom essay sample on Social networks as an advertising-based model or any similar topic only for you Order Now 1 Background. â€Å"Social networks, such as Facebook and MySpace have witnessed a rapid growth in their membership. Some of these businesses have tried an advertising-based model with very limited success. However, these businesses have not fully explored the power of their members to influence each other’s behaviour. This potential viral or social effect can have significant impact on the success of these companies as well as provide a unique new marketing opportunity for traditional companies†. (Iyengar et al 2009) This research is focused on the impact of online social networks versus word of mouth in product referencing. It is an attempt to investigate the impact of the rapid growth of online social networks on the consumer and to investigate the possibility of it becoming a useful alternative to traditional word of mouth.According to Pedro Domingo (2005) traditionally, social network models have been descriptive, rather than predictive: they are developed at a very common level, normally with only a few global parameters, and are not practical for making concrete predictions of the future behaviour of the network. Until recent times, this was mainly due to lack of data: the networks available for tentative study were small and not many, and contained only nominal information about each node. Fortunately, the growth of the Internet has assisted its development. Substantial quantities of data are now available on very large social networks via blogs, social networking sites, knowledge-sharing sites, online gaming, newsgroups, chat rooms, etc. 2.0 Preliminary Literature Review. 2.1 Word of Mouth (WOM). Word of mouth (WOM) has been recognized over the years as a significant influence on how people think, feel and react. Writings on interpersonal persuasion has ancient origins. Aristotle produced what has been called ‘the most important single work in the history of speech in the fourth century BC (Thonssen and Beard, 1948, p. 63). The book Rhetoric (Aristotle, trans. Roberts, 1924) highlights the influential impact of three artistic proofs inhibited in a speaker these are: ethos, pathos and logos. Ethos, the ethical and personal appeals of a speaker, consists of how the speaker projects personal characteristics so as to induce belief on the part of the listener. Pathos entails the emotional features of the speaker. Logos or logical appeals in the form of examples and enthymemes were regarded by Aristotle as the basis of reasoned discourse. Some 23 centuries later there now exists an immense literature on interpersonal communication (Littlejohn, 1990). In a Marketing communication context, word of mouth (WOM) is a consumer-dominated channel, the sender is usually independent of the market. It is therefore perceived to be more reliable, credible, and trustworthy by consumers compared to firm-initiated communications (Schiffman Kanuk, 1995; Arndt, 1967). Traditional communications theory considers WOM as having a powerful influence on behaviour, especially on consumers’ information search, evaluation, and subsequent decision making (Cox 1963) It provides information relating to product performance and the social and psychological cost of the purchase decision (Cox, 1963).Research generally supports the claim that WOM is more influential on behaviour than other marketer-controlled sources. Indeed, it has been observed that WOM can be more influential than neutral print sources such as Which and Consumer Reports (Herr et al., 1991). 2.2 Online Social Networks. The term â€Å"Social network† can certainly not be described a new term, as individuals we are all involved in at least one form of social network and most of us especially the youth, are likely actively involved in several simultaneously, both â€Å"real† and online. The term social network can be defined as any web-based services that allow individuals to construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system. The nature and nomenclature of these connections may vary from site to site. (Boyd, et.al 2007). What makes social network sites unique is not that they allow individuals to meet strangers, but rather that they enable users to articulate and make visible their social networks. This can result in connections between individuals that would not otherwise be made, but that is often not the goal, and these meetings are frequently between â€Å"latent ties† who share some offline connection. (Haythornthwaite, 2005) 2.3 The Development of Online Social Networks The first recognizable social network site was launched in 1997 this was known as SixDegrees.com, this website provided its members with the opportunity to create profiles list their friends and by 1998 provided the option of surfing their friends list ultimately leading to the interactive nature of our social networks today. However before 1997 other website and internet tools had already implored some one or more of this features (Boyd, et.al 2007), profiles where already being used by dating sites, ICQ buddy lists; the pioneer of the current crop of Internet instant messenger clients supported the listing of Friends, however this list was not visible to others. Classmates.com, allowed its members to connect with their old school mates and surf the network for others who were also connected, but members could not develop profiles or list Friends. SixDegree.com became the first site to combine these three main features of social networks as we know them today. SixDegress.com was able to attract millions of users worldwide however its progress was halted and eventually shut down services in 2000. Reasons for its failure were attributed to its inability to become a sustainable business; the fact that its users did not have an extensive network of friends online and their non responsive nature to meeting strangers online also its users complained that the website offered little to do other than adding new friends, its founder believes that SixDegrees.com was simply ahead of its time (A. Weinreich, personal communication, July 11, 2007) cited from Boyd et al (2007). In 2001 Ryze.com was launched to assist its member by leveraging on each other’s business networks. The founder reports that he first introduced the site to his friends—primarily members of the San Francisco business and technology community, including the entrepreneurs and investors behind many future SNSs (Boyd, et.al 2007).To complement the features of their business website in 2002 the management of Ryze.com Launched Friendster. It was created to compete with Match.com, a profitable online dating site (Cohen, 2003). Friendster gained footing amongst three groups of early adopters who ultimately defined the image of the site these where; bloggers, attendees of the Burning Man arts festival, and gay men. The website through these early adopters was able to grow to over 300,000 users through word of mouth before traditional press coverage began in May 2003 (O’Shea, 2003). As Friendster became more popular the site developed technical and social difficulties, th is lead to a massive reduction in its users. However as its popularity faded in the United States and Europe its popularity increased in countries like the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia (Goldberg, 2007). Between 2003 and date several social network sites have been created the most influential of these is most likely Facebook. Facebook was started off in early 2004 as a Harvard-only SNS (Cassidy, 2006). To become a member, a user had to have a harvard.edu email address this trend continued when it spread to other institutions as users were required to login using their school email addresses this made Facebook appear as an intimate social networking site that still offered all the exposure (Boyd, et.al 2007). In more recent years, Twitter has also become a leader in social networking. 2.4 Marketing on Social Networks versus Word of Mouth. According to a report carried entitled, The European Social Media and Email Marketing Study on the Digital Dialogue between Facebook, Twitter and Email conducted by Volker Wiewer and Rolf Anweiler (2010), the usage of social networks is on a steady increase, in the UK out of 1045 respondents, 91% agreed to receiving at least one form of commercial communication through an online tool including email and newsletters. Facebook was the most popular amongst respondents and a further 94% acknowledged to either having an account or at least having knowledge of facebook and amongst these users the average number of friends was 77 users. However only 34% of the respondents agreed to engaging the typical forms of product or brand awareness on these social networks. These typical tools are however limited to; being a fan of/friend of a company/brand profile on a social network or a follower of a company/brand on twitter Word of mouth on the other hand has been shown to influence a variety of conditions: awareness, expectations, perceptions, attitudes, behavioural intentions and behaviour, (Buttle 1998). It has been described by scholars as one of the oldest and most powerful marketing tools however, it can also be negative. According to Arndt (1971), it can be said that negative word of mouth is more powerful than positive word of mouth. White House Office of Consumer Affairs suggested that about ‘90%or more people who are disappointed with the service they receive will not patronize the service again. Furthermore, each of those unhappy clients will narrate his or her story to a minimum of 9 other people, and 13%of those unhappy former clients will tell their stories to more than 20 people’. It is not reported to how many these WOM recipients retell the story. (Buttle 1998) 3.0 Aims and Objectives. This study will attempt to obtain an understanding of marketing on online social networks. Evaluate the impact if any, of marketing on online social networks. Attempt to Identify the range of online social networks. It would explore the possibility of substituting traditional word of mouth with marketing on online social networks. Explore the levels of acceptance of online social networks versus word of mouth through product recommendation. Consider the implication of negative online social networks marketing versus word of mouth. 4.0 Research methodology The complexity of the topic area combined with the nature of the research to be undertaken makes it preferable and possibly necessary to employ qualitative research methods in the gathering and interpretation of the research evidence. According to Leedy and Ormrod (2005) qualitative research usually requires adequate planning and preparation, thus it is decisive in researches involving description, interpretation, verification and evaluation. This section will be divided into two parts namely research design and data collection. 4.1 Research Design According to research design is categorised in three forms which are the exploratory, descriptive and casual, Chisnall (2005) according to the specific nature of the research in question. Semi-structured interviews will be organised as it will serve as an effective means of collecting people’s views/perceptions on the research area as well as providing a means of observing their body language and expressions while giving feedback to the posed questions. A questionnaire will also be designed and distributed to gather some general information. Focus groups may also be engaged depending on the possibility of getting a number of quality respondents together at the same time. A qualitative analysis and interpretation of their perceptions and feedback will be carried out subsequently. This form of research design was chosen because, previous studies in this area have used qualitative research to arrive at analysis, thus utilising the same type of research methods provides the opportunity to agree with or challenge previous research confidently and logically. In addition, due to the nature of the topic being studied and the nature of information or evidence that is required, the interview seems to be most ideal for getting the needed information. This is by virtue of the fact that it helps to get a more detailed insight into people’s individual perceptions and opinions as opposed to the other methods of gathering information. The questionnaire will also be most useful in getting a more general opinion on the subject matter. 4.2 Implementation 100 Questionnaires with a maximum of 15-20 questions will be distributed amongst individuals at random. Due to the nature of the study respondents can be chosen at random as the quality of information required is not specific to a gender or speciality. Interviews will be conducted at random amongst users of online social networks to develop a detailed idea of how often products are marketed via their social network. If required a focus group will be created to gain information on a more specific aspect on this study. Additionally previous literature and published research relative to the area of the study will be reviewed 4.3 Data Collection Qualitative information on word of mouth and Online social network would be sourced through individual face to face in-depth interviews. This aims to achieve individual perceptions on the subject matter with comparisons made at the final stage. The in-depth interview is preferred since this is an exploratory research and it would give the respondent the opportunity to talk freely about situations and events which this research aims to cover. This approach will also provide me an opportunity to query answers whenever I need the respondent to further explain their responses (Saunders et al, 2007). This will however be done with extreme caution, in order to avoid making the respondent uncomfortable or unable to provide pragmatic answers To attain a complete perspective, both primary and secondary methods of data collection are being proposed to undertake this study. Chisnall (2005) defines primary data collection as the collation of any data or information that has been collected for the first time through any of the following means, experimentation, observation or questionnaires. The primary data for this research will be sourced from information gathered through questionnaire, interviews and if required focus groups. Questionnaires will be developed using both open ended and closed ended questions with respondents assured of the security of the information disclosed and the protection of their civil rights. To maintain a consistence in the information collected, the same questions used in the questionnaires will be administered during the interviews and if changes are made they will be properly documented. Secondary data on the other hand, is information that has already been gathered by previous scholars who have researched this topic or other relevant subject areas surrounding this topic. This information will be sourced from the public domains which are relevant to the course of research. According to Saunders et al (2009) the study of secondary data will consist of a comprehensive examination and critical review of academic literature to gain insight into areas set out within the aforementioned objectives, and also a review of key journals, academic books, financial research reports, press, databases and websites. The use of this research will give the researcher a better insight to previous research works, Saunders et al (2009). 5.0 Difficulties and Limitations The only foresee able difficulty or limitation is access. This is one of the major considerations, and prospectively one of the biggest hurdles that might be encountered with regards to the feasibility of this research study. The access refers to respondents and necessary information for conducting the research. Also due to the nature of the research, the quality of the information gather might be exaggerated as a band wagon effect is normal in topics related to this and amongst the core respondents which will mostly be youths as they are the largest users of online social networks. 6.0 Timescale Due to the nature of the academic calendar, adequate timing will be allocated to each process and the final report will be submitted in accordance with the university approved time for submission of dissertation for the acquisition of an Msc. Degree in Marketing. 7.0 Cost The nature of this research to be carried out is limited, the only item to be produced are questionnaires for distribution so costing will be very minimal. 8.0 Outline Structure of the Proposed Research project Chapter 1: Introduction The research topic will be introduced and the reasons, aims and objectives of the research will be clearly stated and identified. The background of the topic will be stated justifying the need to identify and possibly understand the influence of culture. The introduction will also clearly outline the research design. Chapter 2: Literature Review At this stage of literature search, it is envisaged that previous work in these broad domains will form the foundations of the critical review of literature: Chapter 3: Methodology Primary and Secondary research will be used to analyse the research topic and this will be based on interviews and questionnaires. This approaches have been adopted as they are the most tried and tested form of research method used by academic writers on this subject matter. Chapter 4: Findings This chapter will be concerned with analysing and interpreting the information and data gathered for the research work with the aim of producing the findings of the research. Chapter 5: Conclusions The final section of the research project will do the three things normally expected in the formal conclusion of investigative study: summarise the key outcomes of research exercise; identify limitations inherent the planned research design and/or in what was actually achieved; Suggest further lines of enquiry that might be pursued in subsequent studies. References Alan R Andreasen. Journal of Public Policy Marketing. Chicago: Spring 2002. Vol. 21, Iss. 1; pg. 3, 11 pgs Arndt, J. (1967). Role of Product-Related Conversations in the Diffusion of a New Product. Journal of Marketing Research, 4, 291–95. Boyd, D. M. and Ellison, N. B. (2008), Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 13: 210–230. doi: 10.1111/j.1083-6101.2007.00393.x Buttle, Francis A. (1998) ‘Word of mouth: understanding and managing referral marketing’, Journal of Strategic Marketing, 6: 3, 241 — 254 Cassidy, J. (2006, May 15). Me media: How hanging out on the Internet became big business. The New Yorker, 82(13), 50. Chisnall, P. 2005, Marketing research, McGraw-Hill. Cox, D. F. (1963). The Audiences as Communicators. In S. A. Greyser (Ed.), Proceedings, American Marketing Association, December (pp. 58–72). Chicago: American Marketing Association Cohen, R. (2003, July 5). Livewire: Web sites try to make internet dating less creepy. Reuters. Retrieved April 5, 2010 from http://asia.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=internetNewsstoryID=3041934 Goldberg, S. (2007, May 13). Analysis: Friendster is doing just fine. Digital Media Wire. Retrieved April 7 2010 from http://www.dmwmedia.com/news/2007/05/14/analysis-friendster-is-doing-just-fine Haythornthwaite, C. (2005). Social networks and Internet connectivity effects. Information, Communication, Society, 8(2), 125–147. Herr, P.M., Kardes, F.R. and Kim, J. (1991) Effects of word-of-mouth and product attribute Information on persuasion: an accessibility-diagnosticity perspective. Journal of Consumer Research 17, 454–62. Leedy, P.D., Ormrod, J.E., 2005, Practical Research: Planning and Design. (8th ED). Pearson Merril Prentice Hall. New Jersey Littlejohn, S.W. (1990) Theories of Human Communication, 2nd edn. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. O’Shea, W. (2003, July 4-10). Six Degrees of sexual frustration: Connecting the dates with Friendster.com. Village Voice. Retrieved April 4, 2010 from http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0323,oshea, 44576, 1.html Pedro Domingos 2005, â€Å"Mining social networks for viral marketing†, IEEE Intelligent Systems, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 80-82. Saunders M., Lewis P. Thornhill A. (2007) Research Methods for Business Students. 4th Ed. New York: Financial Times Prentice Hall. Schiffman, L. G., Kanuk, L. L. (1995). Consumer Behaviour, 9th Ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Thonssen, L. and Beard, A.C. (1948) Speech Criticism: The Development of Standards for Rhetorical Appraisal. New York: Ronald Press. Volker Wiewer and Rolf Anweiler, December 2010, the European Social Media and Email Marketing Study – A 6 Country Study about the Digital Dialogue between Facebook, Twitter and Email (Part 2) (European Summary Consumer Results) London yengar, Raghuram, Han, Sangman and Gupta, Sunil, Do Friends Influence Purchases in a Social Network(February 26, 2009). Harvard Business School Marketing Unit Working Paper No. 09-123. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1392172 How to cite Social networks as an advertising-based model, Essay examples

Thursday, December 5, 2019

Political Environment of Society

Question: How do Reciprocity and kinship Structures Maintain Balance in Indigenous Societies ? Answer: Introduction: Reciprocity can be described as the practice of exchanging things with other persons for mutual benefit, particularly the privileges that have been granted by one organization or country to the other. In case of the aboriginal society, reciprocity is considered as one of the underlying principles. In case of the aboriginal society, reciprocity has been present in the form of the exchange and the trade of tools and food to family and social relationships the political environment of society and the spiritual principles. In case of the aboriginal society, the principle of timelessness is central to reciprocity (Eleanor, 1998). It is believed that the spirit exists for now and also before and the creation is a current event as well as a historical event and in the same way, the law is for now and also for always. Therefore it can be briefly stated that it is the interconnectedness of all the things. Historically, in case of the aboriginal society reciprocity had been a source of cultura l, legal and political animosity and within the colonial Australia, it had been a source of mystification (Bill, 1998). The Australian aboriginal kinship system is considered as one of the most complex systems and it provides the basis of all social interaction that takes place in the aboriginal societies. The kinship system that is present in a particular tribe or language unit controls the interpersonal relationships of that tribe and it also guides the members of the tribe in their interactions with the other members of the tribe (Bourke and Cox, 1998). In this way, kinship system is present in every aspect of the social organization and structure of the aboriginal societies. As mentioned above, the kinship system is an integral part of the aboriginal societies. The members of the tribes are sorted into categories with names that are used by each tried. The relatives in law are generally placed in the same categories as the consanguine relations, although it is possible to give qualifying names to them. Ideally the husbands and wives are related to each other as kin, although it can be in a classif icatory sense instead of the real kinship (Bourke and Bill, 1998). Social: In case of social reciprocity, there are social obligations regarding the others who form a part of the globe and towards the other groups. In case of the aboriginal society, it is conceded that the person has a standing, and identity and the sense of belonging. In the society, a major concept is that of relatedness and due to this relatedness, each person is allowed to know how he is expected to act and to behave with the other persons of the group (Berndt, 1964). In this system, all the persons have a sense of group and personal identity due to which the emotional, psychological and the physical survival is protected and balanced in the society. This kinship reciprocity also extends to the orphans, widows and even to the outsiders and in this way helps in ensuring social equilibrium (Atkinson, 2002). The kinship reciprocity has significant impact on marriage, trade, rituals and territory. At the same time, it also included the acts like giving gifts, for instance, by a person when tools are initiated and in the same way, other treasured items can also be given as gifts the persons who have initiated him. In the same way, gifts can be given to the family of the future wife on betrothal (Bell, 1998). Similarly, the in-laws can also be given treasured items. In this example, the economic value of the gift is not of much consequence. What matters the most was the act of giving the gift. In this way, the reciprocity helped in strengthening the social bonds. In the same way, the food was also shared in the group, starting with those who have shared the food with the person in the past (Blake, 2001). The moral or the cultural laws were also affected by reciprocity, for example avenging the wrongdoing as some persons were distinguished to get punishment in accordance with kinship and sta tus. Hence, kinship also operated to act as a deterrent among the wrongdoers as at times even that close kin can be held liable for the offenses committed by a person. Social graces and reciprocity also acted as a system of checks and balances which help in maintaining social equilibrium (Bourke, Bourke and Edwards, 1994). Economic: In case of economic reciprocity, there is a relationship involved with the land, ecological sources and other groups. Because the aboriginal people were mainly nomadic people, they have a land and food management system which evolved on the basis of the control exploitation of the natural resources available to these people. With the help of systematic migration, the groups succeeded in living in a reciprocal arrangement with the land (Briskman, 2007). In the different seasons, these groups migrated to other areas, and use the natural resources of that area, generally within a radius of 5 km and later on they moved to another area when the resources of that area were depleted or reached the point of prohibition (Carrithers, Collins and Lukes, (eds) 1985). In this case the point of prohibition can be present in the form of the spiritual law or due to the directions of the elders and one such example that can be given in this regard is that of juvenile shellfish. Another activity which engendered reciprocity was that of hunting. In this case corporative strategies were used in hunting like using nets for catching a large number of animals or using the manipulative strategies like the encircling of the pray by a large number of hunters and then trapping them (Cowlishaw, 2004). In the same way, reciprocity was present in the eating of the pray. Therefore the structured and the systematic basis on which the parts of the animals would be eaten by which person were based on the rules of reciprocity and kinship. As the aboriginal people were not involved in conducting systematic agriculture or farming, the anthropologists believe that the adoption of the use of fire by the aboriginal people was a form of firestick farming due to which, it helped in regeneration in a reciprocal arrangement like the burning of large sections of mallee which in turn encourages the replenishment of lerp during the next year. It is also believed that women also actively replenished the environment when they were involved in the process of gathering. For instance, by replanting the yam or the seeds which then could be harvested on the next time when these people were in that area (Crawford, 2001). Among the aboriginal people, there was intensive trade of food, medicines, tools and weapons which shows reciprocity in the aboriginal economy. People used to exchange these items for the items that they needed (DeIshtar, 2005). For instances this reciprocity was shown by the groups who were living near water sources and they invited the other groups to feast whenever they got hold of any large mammal like a whale. Generally the other groups were invited with the help of smoke signals. It has been noted by some of the researchers that the groups that had abundance of particular resources like the yams or the commonly found seats had a distinct advantage as they can trade it with meat. In fact these groups were able to perform risk management whenever there was any danger of a drought. By forming alliances, they were involved in a strategic move for making sure that their reciprocal rights were protected during the times of scarcity (Drury and Voigt, 1999). Spiritual: A stewardship of the land is involved in case of spiritual reciprocity as the persons who are most connected with the land were also the best stewards of the land. It is commonly agreed by the anthropologists that there was no organized religion among the aboriginal society as the term is understood by the Western society. However, they unanimously knowledge that the aboriginal culture is based on a deep sense of spirituality (Dudgeon, Garvey and Pickett, (eds) 2000). There is a unifying concept of the world, which is lived and in which the religion is not present as an outside entity or system. In its place, the religion is encompassed in the people, language, place and art and music. At the same time, the culture in the aboriginal societies also encompassed the law, which is not considered to be separate from the civil, moral or the natural law. In reality, interconnectedness was present among all these things. As the law encompasses spirituality, it makes sure that all the people are aware of their responsibilities and relationships with the other people or their kin as well as with their country which includes the landforms, animals and water sources and also regarding their ongoing relationship that was present with the spirits of their ancestors (Farrelly, 2003). As compared to the other religions, in case of the indigenous Australians, spirituality means a reverence for life. On the other hand, the other religions make certain promises like life after death, nirvana or salvation which is not present in case of aboriginal spirituality. In this case, life has to be lived on the terms of the life along with its joy and suffering. The aboriginal spirituality believes that living itself is the expression of spirituality and as a result it needs to be celebrated (Fortes, 1987). The totemic relationship needs the the people should be aware of the ways in which they should take responsibility for relationships with species and totemic cites or the sacred site, in landscape and the related with the totemic ancestor. Generally the call made for the land rights of the originals is misunderstood by the colonial society as they were mainly concerned with the land as an economic resource that has to be used for producing a surplus and for gaining capital. Human beings were considered as a part of the systems but they are part of this balance and also a part of the universal reciprocity. It is believed by the people that all the species share the same responsibilities for their young, the old and towards each other and the society (Garroutte, 2003). All these things provide an evidence of the great responsibility and care in the cosmos. It is believed that no distinction is present between spiritual and secular law. The sacred rituals as well as the economic activit y are governed by the same law. In this context, the law is considered as highly practical and at the same time the accumulation of the knowledge gained by hundreds of generations (Havecker, 1987). The role of dispute resolution was assigned to the elders and they also have the responsibility of teaching, giving advice regarding marriage, partnership and they also assumed the responsibility for spiritual matters, sacred objects and different rituals (Hill, 2002). Political: among the political reciprocity there were the elements of respect and tradition. The one political tool of reciprocity was the use of fire which symbolizes the movement of people. In the same way, through fire, the other people come to know that some persons were moving across the land. In this way it acted as a way of communication and allowed the other persons to know where some of the families were. In the same way, the use of fire also allowed the persons to see the integrity of the landscape that was being maintained. In the same way, the continuity of tradition was symbolized by burning. This was used as a method of showing continuity with tradition or the old people. Reciprocity can be seen in the acts of burning fires. The country was left burning for many days and in this way, the dead people were allowed to hunt first. It was believed that the dead can also close the country which was seen by thick vegetation. The burning of the country also presented a pleasant smell and it was considered to please the gods and also the other human beings (Hiatt, 2006). In this way, burning was considered as a gift that was given to the land. When the land was not, it was considered as a dereliction of duty. In the same way, overgrowth providing a sign that the land was displaced by date was not the right of everyone to burn the country. Similarly all the land was not suitable for burning. Therefore when somebody burned to the unsuitable land, it was treated as causing pollution by the people who did not honor the land. While some of the land was burnt, but it was not hunted on. Generally this was due to the reason that the land was spiritual or it was the burial grounds of the ancestors. In this way, it can be considered as a form of prohibition. Similarly burning fires was a way through which the people decided their place in the society and the world. It was also a away to bring the past in the future and preserving the tradition (Holmes, 1992). Conclusion: It is believed by the aboriginal people that they are the stewards of land which is not common among other indigenous communities. Therefore even in cases where co-management policies have been implemented, generally the indigenous intellectual property was either marginalized or appropriated. Due to the considerable history of the outside agencies were trying to assert power on the travel resources and tribal authority, generally the tribal agencies were not ready to collaborate. As is the case with the state, the tribe had to deal with the vagaries of the political environment of a particular time (Isaacs, 1995). Historically, such a situation has resulted in a relationship between the state and the tribe and also the relationship between the tribe and the federal agencies to run hot and cold on several occasions. Some experts have emphasized on the fact that extended family is the basic principle of preservation economic life. Similarly, generosity is still highly valued even toda y as it was in the traditional way of life. Sharing food resources among the kin, whether they have been purchased or arrested by hunting and gathering, is still the operative force for the reservation residents. On the other hand, the agencies of the government are not forthcoming in recognizing the legitimacy of the aboriginal environmental practices or to include the perspectives of the aboriginals in the planning and management of the natural resources. References Atkinson, J. 2002, Trauma Trails, Recreating Song Lines: The Transgenerational Effects of Trauma in Indigenous Australia, Spinifex, Australia Bell, H. R. 1998, Mens Business, Womens Business: The Spiritual Role of Gender in the Worlds Oldest Culture, Inner Traditions International, Rochester, VT. Berndt, R. M C. H. , 1964, The World of the First Australians, Ure Smith Pty Ltd. Bill E, 1998, Living the Dreaming, in Aboriginal Australia 77, 81 (Colin Bourke, Eleanor Bourke Bill Edwards, eds. Blake, T. 2001, A Dumping Ground: A History of the Cherbourg Settlement, University of Queensland Press, Brisbane Bourke C and Bill E., 1998, Family and Kinship, in Aboriginal Australia 100, 107 (Colin Bourke, Eleanor Bourke Bill Edwards, eds. Bourke C and Cox, H 1998, Two Laws: One Land, Aboriginal Australia 56,56 (Colin Bourke, Eleanor Bourke Bill Edwards, eds. Bourke, C., Bourke, E. Edwards, B. 1994, Aboriginal Australia: An Introductory Reader in Aboriginal Studies, University of Queensland Press, Brisbane Briskman, L. 2007, Social Work with Indigenous Communities, The Federation Press, Sydney. Carrithers, M., Collins, S. Lukes, S. (eds) 1985, The Category of the Person: Anthropology, Philosophy, History, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK Cowlishaw, G. 2004, Blackfellas, Whitefellas and the Hidden Injuries of Race, Blackwell, Melbourne Crawford, I. 2001, We Won the Victory!: Aborigines and Outsiders on the North-west Coast of the Kimberley, Fremantle Arts Centre Press, Fremantle, WA DeIshtar, Z. 2005, Holding Yawulyu: White Culture and Black Womens Law, Spinifex, Melbourne Drury, N. Voigt, A. 1999, Fire and Shadow: Spirituality in Contemporary Australian Art, Harper Collins Publishers, Melbourne Dudgeon, P., Garvey, D. Pickett, H. (eds) 2000, Working with Indigenous Australians: A Handbook for Psychologists, Gunada Press, Perth Eleanor B., 1998 Australias First Peoples: Identity and Population, in Aboriginal Australia 38, 40 (Colin Bourke, Eleanor Bourke Bill Edwards, eds., 1998). Farrelly, E. 2003, Dadirri the Spring Within: The Spiritual Art of the Aboriginal People from Australias Daly River Region, Terry Knight and Associates, Darwin Fortes, M. 1987, Religion, Morality and the Person: Essays on Tallensi Religion, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK Garroutte, E. M. 2003, Real Indians: Identity and the Survival of Native America, University of California Press, Berkeley, CA Havecker, C. 1987, Understanding Aboriginal Culture, Cosmos, Sydney Hiatt, L. 2006, Arguments about Aborigines, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Hill, B. 2002, Broken Song: T. G. H. Strehlow and Aboriginal Possession, Random House, Sydney. Holmes, S. 1992, Yirawala: Painter of the Dreaming, Hodder Stoughton, Sydney. Isaacs, J. 1995, Wandjuk Marika: Life Story, University of Queensland Press, Brisbane

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Bell Hooks’ Notion and Definition of Feminism Essay Example

Bell Hooks’ Notion and Definition of Feminism Essay Samuel Okorie 27 October 2010 Philosophy 110 bell hooks’ notion and definition of feminism In this paper, I will examine and expand on the meaning of feminism as put forth by bell hooks in her book â€Å"Feminism is for everybody: Passionate Politics† and her argument that the definition of feminism and the primary goal of the feminist movement is one and the same: that feminism is a movement to â€Å"end sexism, sexist exploitation and oppression† of all women. This is not a critical analysis of the entire book as whole or in sections; instead, it is an argument in support of the meaning of her definition of feminism. Although, she argues that women can be just as sexist as men, however, she asserts that the goal of the feminist movement is to eradicate an institutionalized sexism perpetrated by men against women in our patriarchy society which I fully support. I believe hooks’ definition of feminism enhances her overall argument that the feminist movement cannot be just about women seeking equal rights in race, gender, or class but that feminist principles should include the goal to end sexism in general. She asserts that the goal of the movement is to challenge sexism and patriarchy while still allowing women to recruit and convert men to their feminist beliefs and thinking and to the feminist movement at large. We will write a custom essay sample on Bell Hooks’ Notion and Definition of Feminism specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Bell Hooks’ Notion and Definition of Feminism specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Bell Hooks’ Notion and Definition of Feminism specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Hooks’ definition of feminism is one that could easily be incorporated into the mainstream teachings of feminist politics because it is focused on issues of domination which goes beyond sex and gender. hooks presents a unique view of all forms of domination stemming from a feminist understanding of gender and sexual inequality that can be incorporated into the teachings of social relations between individuals, social structures, and the state. Here are three examples she offers in support of her claim that feminism is a movement to â€Å"end sexism, sexist exploitation and oppression† of all women. One example hooks puts forth in support of her claim is for women to challenge sexism and patriarchy by organizing to protect â€Å"Our bodies, Ourselves and Reproductive Rights† and protest against the sexual exploitation of their bodies, a common occurrence during the early part of the feminist movement. She cites examples of women burning their bras in protest at a Miss American pageant. She explains that women’s rights to have a safe contraceptives and legal abortion, the availability of an effective birth control pills and the pain of unwanted pregnancy were front and center at the beginning of the movement and continued throughout its peak years until these goals were achieved. These and other important changes in women’s reproductive rights and health care is part of her goal to redefine feminism as a movement to â€Å"end sexism, sexist exploitation and oppression† of all women. Another example hooks puts forth in support of her claim is for women to challenge sexism by embracing the idea of â€Å"beauty within and without. † She argues that women reject the sexist thinking that puts too much emphasis on their appearance in having to wear make-up and fashion accessories just to please men. And instead learn to love their body in its natural state by wearing no make-up, and accept and embrace its natural beauty. She cites an example when many feminist in the early part of the movement stopped wearing uncomfortable high-heeled shoes. These changes led the shoe makers and the industry to adapt and design new low-heeled shoes for women. These and other changes in the fashion industry is part of her goal to redefine feminism as a movement to â€Å"end sexism, sexist exploitation and oppression† of all women. Thirdly, hooks put forth the idea that women can be just as sexist as men. She speaks firsthand about the issues in class privilege, gender and race discrimination as she is a woman of color and experienced this discrimination during the peak years of the feminist movement in the ’70s and ’80s. For instance, as with class privilege, she views the formation of large women’s organizations, like NOW ( National Organization for Women) as the beginning of a stage where the feminist movement took on the role of empowering white, middle class women at the expense of women of color and working class women. While the early fight for women’s equality in the workplace was a necessity because women were entering the workforce in greater numbers, the â€Å"ultimate result was the inclusion of privileged white women into a white supremacist, patriarchal hierarchy. hooks argues that the beneficiaries of the feminist movement have by far been white women co-opted by white supremacist, patriarchal capitalism because it is easier to incorporate them into the mainstream American than women of color. However, this is changing too as more women of color are educated and entering the workforce in increasing numbers, these and other changes is part of her goal to redefine feminism as a movement to â€Å"end sexism, sexist exploitation and oppression† of all women. Finally, she presents feminist struggle as the struggle against institutionalized sexism and male domination. Whether it is patriarchal violence against women in the home, the imposition of sexual morality upon others, the limitation of women’s ability to control their own bodies, in terms of both general health care and reproductive rights, or the imposition of class, gender and race based exploitation; she presents all of these features of modern society as stemming from sexist notions of domination. While there are some who would disagree with this analysis of the origins of inequality and domination, it is hard to argue against the notion that these forms of domination do not constitute a serious threat to the freedom of all individuals, especially women. Works Cited hooks, bell. Feminism is for everybody: passionate politics. Cambridge, MA: South End Press, 2000. Print.

Monday, November 25, 2019

Hawthorne Dispels Puritan Belief through Destiny essays

Hawthorne Dispels Puritan Belief through Destiny essays Puritan men held dark suspicions of all women as daughters of Eve, hungry for both control and sexual indulgence. In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne investigates the nature of sin and criticizes Puritan cruelty and intolerance. Throughout the novel, the scarlet A comes to represent a refusal to accept the Puritan social structure because Hester Prynnes strength, honesty, and compassion carry her through a life she had not imagined. Hester did good womanly deeds, such as needlework around the town, which led people to believe that the scarlet letter represents the word Able rather than adultery. Arthur Dimmesdale died after his confession on the scaffold and Roger Chillingworth died from his own jealousy, but Hester the only character accused of an actual sin, lives on peacefully. Women should be viewed with awe and reverence, just as the scarlet A on Hesters bosom had been described at the end of the novel (Hawthorne 238) The Scarlet Letter dispels the idea of womens sin ful passion and the social and judicial structure of the Puritans (Hawthorne 73). Hester Prynne is guilty of a sin of unrestricted emotion, and therefore Hawthorne allows the scarlet A (a representation of Hesters sin, adultery, put to public humiliation) to change meaning and symbolism through the character Hester (Stubbs). As the story unfolds, Hester steps out of the prison bearing the scarlet A, that she had embroidered herself with gold thread making it look fancy, which intimidated the other women. Although the scarlet A was intended for punishment by the Puritan elders, Hawthorne uses it to show weakness in their social and lawful structure. Since Hesters punishment allowed everyone to know that she was an adulteress, the towns people treated her like a criminal, condemning her for her sin everywhere she went. Hester was forced to l...

Thursday, November 21, 2019

The Public Needs to Know Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Public Needs to Know - Essay Example More essentially, health and nutrition is a remarkable topic for children because of their growth. Recently, the school made changes to the breakfast and lunch programs to improve nutrition and health mainly because of its importance to the children`s growth, economic situation, special needs of the children, process and the benefits of the program. The recent economic trends all over the world have not been friendly or up to people`s expectations. The economic recession and downfall has seen many people struggling to provide basic needs for their families while at the same time affording other secondary needs that include leisure activities. Despite the negative economic changes, people must continue living and catering for the basic needs of which education, health and nutrition are included (Marotz, 2011). This means that whatever the case, people must be healthy and take proper nutrition to survive. Despite the economic situation, the school has endeavored to provide a balanced d iet for children so that learning can take place effectively the same way their growth and development can. In this manner therefore, the school decided to change the breakfast and lunch program for the schoolchildren to fit the economic hardship while maintain the health of the children in the best way possible. The expensive foodstuff was reduced by substituting them with foods with the same nutrients but at a lower cost. For example for breakfast, the school substituted manufactured cereals with a muffin and a glass of milk for every child (Dalton, 2005). This was also added with fruits. For lunch, the school substituted processed juices with fruits while maintain the normal diet (Marotz, 2011). Schoolchildren eating a healthy meal In the change of the breakfast and lunch programs, the school took into account the special needs of the children. As it is clear, not all persons take the same type of diet because of bodily issues and medicinal concerns. This program is meant for chi ldren roughly between four years and twelve years. The school put this into consideration and took care of all special needs of the children (Marotz, 2011). The children are at a very delicate but essential part of their lives. This is a special need because their bodies are at growing and development stage. Any interference or inadequate feeding means that their growth and development will be impaired and stunted. Children naturally prefer foods that they enjoy most. Therefore, it is essential to make healthy food choices appealing. Children also imitate their caregivers. Therefore, they require caregivers who act as role models by eating healthy. Children with medical problems were also catered for in the change. This means that the school introduced a wide variety of diet for children because of their special nutritional and developmental needs, which include medicinal and health related issues. This was aimed at helping children grow and develop and at the same time enjoy learni ng (Marotz, 2011). A child eating an excessive fatty food Another most important area that was featured in the recent changes in breakfast and lunch program changes to improve nutrition and health is process (Shilstone, 2009). Process in this case all the considerations that were looked into before the changes were made. For example, the school had to take a survey of the children`s needs, age, health and medicinal requirements before the change was made. For example,

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

The Big Sleep Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Big Sleep - Movie Review Example The detective is a cynical, smart, professional investigator who mouths witty dialogues and works on cases, on being hired. The man who hires the detective is rather old and fragile in exercising his courage and efforts to put an end to the troublesome threat calls. The old man's daughters are extremely good looking girls, who are thoroughly spoilt and headstrong. There also lies a suspicious side to the older daughter, besides some other dubious characters of the novel. All this constitute the typical characterization based on the Hard-Boiled formula. c. Setting: The setting of the novel is again typically Hard-Boiled. The first few scenes showcase the encounter of the detective with the person who proposes to hire him. This takes place in a rather rich, gloomy huge bungalow, which gives the introductory feeling into the storyline consisting of a mystery and subsequently, a detective solving it. Later, the setting shifts to one oppressive crime scene to another, which mark the collection of clues and solving of the case. "...winding down curved rain swept streets, under the steady drip of trees, past lighted windows in big houses in ghostly enormous grounds, vague clusters of eaves and gables and lighted windows high on the hillside, remote and inaccessible, like witch houses in a forest. I came out at a service station glaring with wasted light, where a bored attendant in a white cap and a dark blue windbreaker sat on a stool, inside the steamed glass, reading a paper... on a night like this you could grow a beard waiting for a taxi." Label the characteristics in the passage. a. The above lines are written in first person, which is a characteristic of the Hard-Boiled formula. b. The detective is the speaker or narrator, here, which again is typical of the Hard-Boiled genre. c. The detailing is rather precise with vivid and picturesque descriptions, following a rhythmic pattern of speech, which is how Hard-Boiled specialist writers write. d. We get an insight into the lighting of the whole setup, which is dark, gloomy with occasional neon lighting. This, again, is a characteristic of the Hard-Boiled formula. e. The last line, "on a night like this you could grow a beard waiting for a taxi." Is rather witty and a wise cracking, which is the characteristic linguistic style used by the characters of the Hard-Boiled fiction formula. Do you think the above passage you've copied is well-written Why or why notPersonally, I feel the above passage is written quite well. It gives the reader very picturesque details and descriptions which helps him/her imagine and follow the occurrences effectively. The fictitious novel is not a visual medium and therefore, descriptions help readers imagine the scene beautifully and the writer has succeeded in this. Following the lines of description, the writer is wise enough to break the monotony

Monday, November 18, 2019

Discrimination Of Women Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Discrimination Of Women - Essay Example As we all know, global society is divided across many epidemiological variables and out of all these variables â€Å"gender† is the most primary one; as gender and equality have been the subject of many heated debates over the years. There are certain lines that are drawn according to one’s sex and these restrictions are particularly imposed upon women. Women all over the world; be it a developed or a developing country, all women endure the problems of harassment, discrimination and ill-treatment. Discrimination of women surfaces in the society in many forms; however, in the workplace, such occurrences are more ostensible and occur in the form of unequal pay, lower workforce participation, and a major disparity in the access that is given to all the male and female employees in the workforce. The problem has been a scourge and as mentioned earlier, it exists in the facet of the society. There has been numerous where women were subjected to intense discrimination; in many circumstances were looked down upon and deemed inferior to men. The bigotry involved in the view of women is a multifaceted phenomenon and its existence gave birth to the concept of â€Å"feminism† that subsequently led to the birth Women Empowerment movements. Its dynamics and prevalence in the society will be discussed in greater details as the substance of the prose progresses. Sex discrimination is a phenomenon that has been around for ages, as it is stated earlier; women were often deemed as the weaker sex and men were at the forefront all activities. This is also largely due to the fact that since women have ability t procreate, they were required to restrict themselves to domestic chores. This led to widespread domestication of women and they had a very restricted role in the society. This was fundamentally because of the physiological differences between men and women, but there were plenty other factors that contributed to the disparity that will be discussed in greater detail in the following parts. In the past, women were treated as â€Å"articles of trade† and were used to settle disputes between two tribes. There was widespread objectification of women, men viewed them only objects of pleasure and they did not have any real position in the society. Indian societal dynamics epitomizes this aspect of the subject and is perfect to further elab orate and compare the role of women in ancient and contemporary society. In India, female infanticide and sex-selective abortions are highly prevalent. (Weisner, 2001, p. 108) Incidents of female infanticide and feticide are particularly common in the rural India, where people are vastly hardwired to their religious and cultural values that are often considered to be quite misogynistic in their teachings. In India, the birth of a female child is considered a bad omen; an aspect that is similar to the Chinese society as well. However, in case f Indian societies there is an economic reason as well due to the widespread trend of dowries and the high costs that are associated with it have often led to disparity between males and females. Sex selective abortions were so prevalent in the early 70’

Friday, November 15, 2019

Levi Strauss Case Study Marketing Essay

Levi Strauss Case Study Marketing Essay Levi Strauss is the worlds best-known jeans brand, but its hard to see much chance of the company regaining its former glory without a substantial overhaul. Iconic or not, what kind of future lies in store for a company which derives around 85% of its annual revenues from selling pants? And only really two sorts of pants at that, which are also sold by just about every other clothing manufacturer on the planet. Either Levi Strauss needs to diversify substantially, and bolt on other brands or more likely needs to sacrifice its long cherished but out-of-date independence and become part of someone elses larger multi-brand portfolio. These years of struggle against a vast array of competitors have merely added to the gradual erosion of the brand. The development of value line Signature has helped, but despite doubling in size during 2004, its contribution has steadily decreased ever since. In the late 1990s, Levis became a victim of their own success. Too involved in corporate restructuring, the company effectively ignore a seismic shift in the youth market. In the 1980s and early 1990s, Levis 501 jeans had managed to dominate the market for everyday clothing as a result of high quality manufacturing and smart marketing. There were many kinds of jeans, went the general perception, but Levis was the brand to which all others aspired. A brilliant marketing campaign, especially in Europe, reinforced the brands hip status. But in the late 1990s, Levis jeans suddenly became a victim of its own success. They were seen by the new generation of teenagers as the jeans my Dad wears, and that put them completely out of fashion. Fashions in cut came and went but Levis failed to respond, leaving the market wide open for competitors The companys biggest mistake, arguably, was to ignore the baggy cut, which rode in on the back of the mid-1990s grunge movement, and remained the leading fashion style for the rest of that decade. While Levis stuck rigidly with the 16-inch straight-leg cut that appealed to the now ageing market who had rediscovered the brand in the 1980s, even the least hip of US retailers began selling extreme-cut. Millers Outpost, Tommy Jeans, JNCO and even JC Penney and Sears were selling jeans with legs as wide as 23 or 40-inches. The fashion-conscious teenage market began buying their jeans from other manufacturers, while a new breed of retailers, led by The Gap, captured the middle ground. Protecting their premium status, Levis refused to chase the market and strictly adhered to their long-established policy of only selling through specialist outlets and avoiding discount stores including Wal-Mart. Although this held the brands perceived value it also restricted sales to only around half of the US retail market. Worse still, later that decade the market as a whole began moving away from denim altogether as combat and cargo pants became the new fashion Question 2) How could a sensitive and informative Marketing Information System (MIS) have helped Levis to identify these environmental variable and form future strategies ? THE NEED FOR MARKETING SUPPORT In 1986, Levis relaunched the 501 with the Launderette and Bath commercials. The tremendous success of these executions and the campaign that developed from them has been well documented. All of the commercials featured the 501 jean and most stated 501 specifically in the end frame. The advertising success was not restricted to the 501 alone. There was a halo effect on the whole Levis range. But naturally the 501 took on a dominant share of Levis business. This dominance was intended. The 501 was positioned as definitive. It is an anti-fit jean which is right for most people, and, in a sense, 501 for most people took fit out of the purchasing equation. Despite this, there were (and still are) a significant number of people who, for reasons of personal physique or style, did not consider the 501 as the right fit for them. For this significant minority Levis developed a range of other Red Tab fits. The range includes: Historically the strategy had been to sell these non-501 Red Tab fits in-store, via POS and retailer advice. Levis own retailer and consumer research indicated, however, that the non-501 Red Tab fits had been underperforming in the market. There were a number of reasons. l Many consumers were under the impression that Levis was really just about 501. They were unaware of the availability of other Red Tab fits. So if they tried on 501 and were not completely happy, they would try on another brand, rather than another Levis fit. Or if they knew from the start that they wanted a fit other than 501, they would go directly to another brand. 517: Regular Fit 518: Loose Fit 511: Zip Fly 536: Girls Fit l Many retailers were not directing failed 501 traffic onto other Red Tab fits. l Some retailers, in the absence of specific consumer demand for non-501 Red Tab fits, were deciding not to stock these fits at all. The above factors created a problem that reproduced itself Levis was losing out to competitive brands in this significant minority of the premium jeans market. And there was a risk that if no action was taken, the scale of the problem would spiral. Clearly the Red Tab range required marketing support, and advertising was deemed necessary. THE BRIEF We determined that there was a very specific role for advertising: to raise awareness of the multiplicity of Levis Red Tab fits. Advertising should make people understand that if they want something other than 501, it will be there in the store for them. They can discover exactly the right fit in-store. And we drafted a very simple proposition to address this task: Levis Red Tab jeans come in as many different styles as the people that wear them. THE ADVERTISING MINEFIELD This seems relatively straightforward. But in fact, in identifying these as the role for advertising and proposition, we had also identified what advertising could not do or say. Examination of previous competitive advertising relating to product ranges and fits indicated to us a series of problems and misconceptions both strategically and creatively. It was important that we map out for the creative team where these perils and pitfalls lay, in order that they could steer a clear path through the minefield. The 501 issue We were concerned that above-the-line support for fit numbers other than 501 would confuse people and dilute the definitive status of 501. We realised that we could not expect people to memorise a series of fit numbers and their definitions. It had taken a great deal of time and money to establish one fit number in public consciousness. Indeed, we did not want non-501 fit numbers to develop their own identify to the extent that they became sub-brands. The non-501 Red Tab fits could not approach the wealth of heritage and associated imagery commanded by 501. They could not really aspire to being brands in the same sense. More importantly we did not want to compromise in any way the definitive status of 501. Thus we specified in the brief that executions should avoid discussion of or comparison with 501s. Moreover, we determined that we could keep the Red Tab communication separate from 501 communication by adopting an entirely new medium for Levis: posters. More specifically, Adshels offered a street level impact, in keeping with our youthful target and within sight of most retailers. Since advertisings role was not to raise awareness of individual fit numbers, we decided its effectiveness should not be judged by peoples ability to recollect specific numbers, but by their awareness that Levis have a range of Red Tab fits. Range advertising Advertising a range of products is often strategically unsound and creatively uninspiring. People generally do not buy ranges; they buy individual products. A range campaign tends to proclaim the benefits of the range as a whole, or to highlight the differences within the range. But if people are interested in individual products, all they really want to know is what is good about that product. Moreover, a brief for range advertising can often lead to creative cul-de-sacs: a row of products and an invitation to the consumer to make his or her own choice etc. Consequently, although the objective of the advertising was not to establish individual fit identities, we did specify that each execution should feature one fit only and would talk about the benefits of that fit. Across a range of executions we aimed to establish a sense of the multiplicity of the fits, thereby addressing the key objective. Fit adverting Fit messages also pose a strategic and creative challenge. People choose different jeans fits for reasons both of personal physique and current fashion. If advertising addresses one motivation, it struggles to communicate the other. And the more obvious creative solutions tend not to be challenging or motivating. For example, a tight fit can be communicated by showing a thin person and a loose fit by showing a fatter person. But the latter expression clearly does little for loose fit. And what of the people who wear loose fit for style rather than physical reasons? Alternatively, a fit message can be conveyed by showing the overall style or fashion of the wearers of different fits. For example, a punk in tight jeans and a hip-hop fan in loose jeans. But youth fashion cannot easily be compartmentalised into discrete tribes with conveniently different jeans fits. Moreover, young people quite naturally recoil from any cynical attempt by advertisers to mirror their own street-level cultures. And, as with the above, what of the people who do not choose fits for fashion reasons? We concluded that these more literal expressions of fit were not worth exploring and we directed the team to seek out more lateral solutions. THE CREATIVE SOLUTION The creative team, conscious of the objectives of the advertising and the strategic and executional minefields to be avoided, came up with an innovative solution to the brief. They developed a range of executions each employing a black and white still from the respected photographer Bill Brandt to deal with one Red Tab fit message. They did not talk about fit in a literal way. Rather they implied the various fit messages. Moreover the images employed were not completely unrelated to fit. (They were not vegetables or fruit!) Rather all the executions focused on the human form, which is after all the basis of any fit choice. ADVERTISING EFFECT The poster campaign ran nationally for four weeks only in April 1993. Millward Brown tracking showed very high advertising recognition: over 40% of a sample of 17 to 29-year-olds recognised the posters. More importantly, spontaneous and prompted awareness of Red Tab rose from 35% to 45% and from 57% to 75% respectively. The percentage of respondents able to quote any non-501 fit number rose from 50% to 60%. We are unable to divulge actual sales data. SUMMARY The planners role does not only entail pointing the creative team in one particular direction; it can also involve illustrating to them the strategically unsound and creatively fruitless routes. In advertising non-501 Red Tab fits for the first time, Levi Strauss were entering a minefield. By identifying the best role for advertising and mapping out the geography of that minefield, the planner was able to play a part in the development of advertising which maintained Levis best standards of creativity and effectiveness. CREATIVE BRIEF Why are we advertising? To raise awareness of the range of Levis Red Tab jeans by demonstrating that Levis produce different fits to compliment different body shapes and personal styles. Who are we talking to? Boys and girls, 15 to 19 years old. They are aware of Levis advertising and recognise that 501s are the original, definitive jeans. In fact, they may already own a pair of 501s, but find certain aspects of 501s either inconvenient (ie button fly) or uncomfortable. They are at the middle end of the market (early/late adopters) and are often insecure and lack confidence. They therefore need to be reassured that they can buy into the imagery associated with 501s, while having a pair of jeans that fits comfortably and flatters their individual shape. What must the advertising say? Levis Red Tab jeans come in as many different styles as the people who wear them. And why should the consumer believe it? Levis make a range of different fits to suit your shape and tastes. What tone of voice? Confident, classic (ie timeless), cool and sexy. What practical considerations? The campaign must work as both posters and press. The campaign should avoid discussion of, or comparison with, 501s. This is not an opinion leader campaign, and is aimed at a younger, more mass-market consumer. Question 3) Analyse the importance of the various marketing mix elements in the success :failure of Levi, how important is design? Levis share of the denim market plummeted. In 1990, according to Tactical Retail Monitor, more than 48% of men chose Levis as their preferred choice of jeans. By 1998, this had tumbled to 25%, while Lee and Wrangler had risen from 22% to 32%, and private label brands including Gap from 3% to more than 20%. In sales terms the brand slipped from a 30% US market share to 14%. (Upmarket designer labels such as Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein got a great deal of publicity but never achieved more than around 7% of the market). The percentage of teenage boys who thought Levis was a really cool brand had dropped from 21% in 1994 to just 7% by 1998. Levis position has, for the most part stabilised since then, but competition remains intense The Levis brand now houses several sub-brands. Chief amongst these is Levis Red Tab, which includes the legendary 501 button-fly design. (The number 501 was originally the products stock number, first adopted in 1890; the red fabric tab was first used in the back pocket from 1936). Levis Vintage features a broader range of classic retro designs. In pursuit of the youth market, the company has tried to turn back the tide with more extreme cuts, such as Levis Engineered Jeans, introduced in 2000 and supposedly designed ergonomically to fit the bodys contours. Some cuts are even pre-stained with oil. Another stylised new design launched in early 2003 as Levis Type One. These offered exaggerated versions of traditional features such as rivets, stitching and the tab, blown up in size. However sales were slow to take off, especially in the US, despite high profile marketing, including a Super Bowl ad (which the company later claimed admitted was unsatisfactory). They, along with another st ylised line known as Silvertab, were replaced by the Levis Capital E line. Levis ICD, a partnership with Philips to market workwear with integrated electronic devices such as mobile phones, MP3 players etc, was withdrawn in 2002. The group also licenses out the Levis brand to other manufacturers for branded T-shirts and accessories. Combined sales of the core brand improved in 2007, reaching almost $3.2bn. Levis is primarily a menswear brand, with just under three quarters of all pairs sold bought by men. After its many attempts to introduce more stylized or fashion-oriented designs had failed, the company agreed to abandon its premium positioning and chase the mass-market as well. A new design, Levi Strauss Signature, launched in July 2003, initially available exclusively through Wal-Mart. By the end of the year it had become apparent that the new line was the much-needed hit for which the company had been searching. The group rebranded the range as Signature by Levi Strauss, extended distribution to Target Stores and Kmart in 2004, and also introduced the range into selected mass-marketers in Australia (including Coles Myers Target and Kmart), Japan and other Asian markets. It was also launched in the UK (through Asda), France (through Carrefour), Germany (through Wal-Mart) and Switzerland (through Migros), but performed poorly and was withdrawn in 2007. Yet after a strong start, sales of the Signature line have fallen steadily since 2005, declining from a peak of around $410m that year to $260m in 2007. Dockers, first launched in the US in 1986, is the companys khaki-based casualwear line. It was launched as something of a reaction to inroads into the market by Gap and others, serving as a halfway point between jeans and smarter dress pants. Dockers Slates, a sub-brand of dressier and more expensive trousers, was discontinued in 2004. Although it has been generally successful, Dockers remains very much the second string in the groups portfolio behind its jeans line. In 2004, Levi Strauss put the Dockers brand up for sale in order to concentrate on its still struggling core business, but failed to attract a suitable buyer. Sales of the brand were reported at $1bn for 2003, but had fallen to around $775m by 2005, with sales concentrated in the US. Since then it has repositioned itself as a wider casualwear brand, diversifying into shirts, sweaters and blazers, as well as a line of womens clothing. The unit was rewarded with an increase in revenues for 2006, its first for several years . For 2007, it generated sales were around $915m. The group also generates significant income from royalties on Dockers belts, footwear and other accessories manufactured by other companies under license. Levi Strauss has production facilities and customer service centres throughout the world. Until comparatively recently the company maintained a policy of manufacturing its goods in the regions in which they are sold, but rising labour costs and declining sales made this increasingly unfeasible. Production in the US and Europe began to be farmed out to cheaper regions in the late 1990s. Having already closed six of its US factories by 2003, the group announced that the remaining four in North America would also be shuttered by early 2004. The group supplies its products to around 60,000 retail outlets worldwide. It owns and operates around 200 of its own Levis or Dockers branded stores, and franchises around another 1,300. More than half of these stores are located in the Asia Pacific region. Otherwise sales are through department stores and national chains. There are three regional business units: Levi Strauss North America operates local subsidiaries in the US, Canada and Mexico, and accounts for almost 60% of revenues, or $2.5bn in 2007 (compared to a peak of $4.8bn in 1996). Levi Strauss EMEA is the second biggest market, but performance there took longer to recover than in other markets. Sales rose in 2007 for the first time in several years, finally returning above the $1.0bn barrier. Asia Pacific remains the smallest market for now, but has been the companys strongest performing region for several years. Sales rose by a further 6% in 2007 to $805m, with Japan contributing a little under half of all sales. Question 4) As a strategic marketing consultant, advise Levi about what now it should now do ? It is every businesss objective to maximize their profits and lessen their expenses. Levis has invested on one of the most important resource that a company could have its employees. Their corporate strategy has now been aligned with their human resource management which is valuing their employees due to high costs of recruiting and training new staff. It must be noted that losing an employee can be very expensive and high staff turnover can eventually ruin a business. The last thing that businesses need is for its competitors to benefit from the training, knowledge and experience that it has built within its workforce. It is suggested that employers give their people the opportunity to make their own benefits decisions. This way, employees will take a keener interest in their benefits. The traditional company benefits package often has a rigid one size fits all approach; it fails to consider the varying needs of individual employees. In addition, the traditional company benefits package may sometimes be complicated and difficult to manage. Thus, it is greatly recommended that companies like Levi Strauss and Co. implement a flexible benefits package to help reduce costs and provide a greater choice for their workforce. Furthermore, flexible benefits provide additional lifestyle choices along with traditional company benefits such as private healthcare and the company pension scheme which will allow employees to choose the benefits that they want which in turn will motivate them and make them more productive. It is also important that companies like Levi Strauss and Co. consider some of the following pointers: (1) the main goals of the companys employee benefits programme, the last time that the company last reviewed their benefits scheme, steps or initiatives undertaken to ensure that the companys benefits programme underpins their business strategy, knowledge of employees regarding the benefits that the company offers and how they benefits from it, issues like sickness and absence, healthcare and dental care, and (6) the extent of the relevance and significance of the recruitment and key staff in employers business and their industry.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Essay on Voltaires Candide - Voltaires Opposition to Optimism

Voltaire’s Opposition to Optimism in Candide Philosophy is a means by which humans search for a general understanding of the world and its concepts. Through experience, thought, and observation, one can arrive at a conclusion that forms the basis of his ideas. However, if one simply thinks and does not act, this conclusion does not make any significant difference on his life. This is a major point that Voltaire tries to make in Candide. He is trying to change society by demonstrating the absurdity of optimism. Voltaire attacks optimism by pointing out the evils of the world, criticizing actual people and events of the time, and criticizing Pangloss' philosophy. In Candide, Voltaire often criticizes war, denial, and religious views. He opposed violence and this is evident in many situations in Candide. For example, he used the war of the Bulgarians and the Abarians to point out the pointlessness of war. He believed that optimism was unnecessary and unjustified. If this were the best of all possible worlds, war would not have a purpose. Voltaire believed that God created the world and simply left it alone. Therefore, evil is inevitable because human nature leads people to perform evil actions. Voltaire strongly condemns "optimistic theories, for him they deny reality." (Juan Zerolo) Voltaire does not believe that by saying something, it will come true. Therefore, denying the existence of evil is not logical and does not amount to any greater good. Voltaire also denounced other's religious beliefs and intolerance. He criticized the belief that the world is in its best state because a higher being created it from the best of all pos sible worlds. He did not appeal to the corruption of the church, whi... ...g impractical goals on people who have demonstrated that they will never obtain them. This will only end in unhappiness and disappointment. These people have shown that there is a slim chance that their behavior will drastically change to reflect the goals imposed on them. Works Cited and Consulted: Bottiglia, William. "Candide's Garden." Voltaire: A Collection of Critical Essays. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1968. Frautschi, R.L. Barron's Simplified Approach to Voltaire: Candide. New York: Barron's Educational Series, Inc., 1968. Jonas, Eric, from: http://www.ericjonas.com/ Accessed via the Internet 2/25/03 Kahn, Ludwig W. Voltaire. Boston: Twayne Publishers, 1980. Voltaire. Candide. New York: Viking Publishers, 1998. Zerolo,Juan. Voltaire's Candide and the Critics. California: Wadsworth Publishing Company, Inc., 1996.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Cabaret Film Anaylsis Essay

I directed Cabaret in 1971 and my main aim was to explore the nature of humans and how they behave in certain circumstances. Set in Berlin, 1931, the movie follows the lives of Sally Bowles and Brian Roberts through the struggles of living in Nazi Germany. Through the use of film techniques such as camera shot and angles, musical numbers, and repeated symbols, the viewer perceives how what contributes to the decisions people make, and how this affects their lives. The use of camera shots and angles featured heavily throughout Cabaret. I use the low angle close up frequently to establish a feeling of power or dominance. The first musical number I wanted to be viewed from the audience’s point of view, looking up at the cabaret performers to show the performer’s dominance and create a tense, excited and somewhat sinister atmosphere. It was also used to show that Brian is new to Berlin, a stranger. I showed this by making the audience continually look down on him from many perspectives. The close up shot is also frequently used. This shot is dramatic and fills the screen with a single subject, and when focusing on a person’s face, it is used to show emotion. This shot I used mostly with Sally. After she had her child aborted, the audience looked down at her. This combined with the fact she was wearing minimal makeup, it made her look almost child-like, showing she needed protection and emphasised the fact that she was very vulnerable. Camera focus is used to make the audience pay attention to certain details and I wanted to make the MC come to the forefront of the audience’s mind as he foreshadows misfortune or the coming of bad times. The title sequence starts with a blurry image which slowly comes into focus, and we see the face of the MC, indicating what I have just explained before. I often used close ups, or extreme close ups on the hands of the characters. These shots are used to draw the audience’s attention to a particular detail as well as distort reality. In this movie, I used hands to symbolise the different personalities of each character at different times. In the case of Fritz, I focus on his sleeve cuffs, which are frayed and show his poverty, whilst with Sally, I focused more on her fingernails and the colour changes that happen at different times of the movie, to show she is changing or she projects a different persona for different people, which made Sally appear fake. For example, when she went to meet her father, she removed her nail polish, which for the cabaret and most other times in the movie is vivid green, showing that she was intimidated by him. Musical numbers in the movie are very important to understanding the context. I placed these numbers strategically after certain scenes, to infer or foreshadow different events. The opening number gives you an idea of what you will be up for. It juxtaposes the cabaret with the outside world, and what was going on in Berlin at the time. During the MC’s performance, he says â€Å"Leave your troubles outside, life is disappointing. Forget it! In here, life is beautiful†. I then panned to the audience, and you can see most of them are wearing suits, and the ladies are immaculately dressed, these sorts of people would be beginning to feel the effects of the Nazi Party. The next musical number is Money, Money, Money. This is performed by the MC and Sally directly after she meets Maximillion. If the audience hadn’t already guessed, they are now given a very obvious clue as to why Sally becomes besotted with Max. I even an extreme close up on Sally’s face when she sings the line â€Å"money, money, money, money, money, money, money† to show the audience that this is all she wants from Maximillion. The last musical number, If You Could See Her, occurs directly after the conversation between Brian and Fritz, where Fritz finally admits to being a Jew, but he can’t inform Natalia, as she will reject him. Even though if he did tell her, they would be able to get married, but admitting to having a Jewish background in Nazi Germany probably wouldn’t be easy. Throughout the number, the MC is singing to a gorilla, so there is quite a contrast between both of the ‘lovers’, and if this wasn’t enough to let the audience realise this song is related to Natalia and Fritz’s relationship, the last line the MC sings â€Å"if you could see her through my eyes, she wouldn’t look Jewish at all† makes direct reference. I then cut to the scene where Fritz finally reveals his ancestry, so the connection becomes quite clear. During all of the numbers, I have described, you can see that the MC is present. He also appears at certain times during the movie before or after problematic events. The MC is a symbol for fear, also a symbol for the troubled times in the movie. I brought him in to warn the audience of the events to come, and his appearance, exaggerated personality and overdone makeup, project a sinister vibe which I believe the audience picks up on and foreshadows what is to come. Directing this film was a magnificent pleasure, and I believe my beliefs and values about Germany during the war period was brought out through the characters. I also believe I portrayed the fact that people seek the escape life’s difficulties with entertainment through the musical numbers and camera techniques used in Cabaret. Using these techniques, I also was able to explore the nature of humans and how they behave in certain circumstances and portray this through my characters.

Friday, November 8, 2019

Mental Illness and Effective Treatments

Mental Illness and Effective Treatments What is Mental Illness Mental illness is a medical condition characterized by the disruption of an individual’s emotional, cognitive or behavioural functioning (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2011). The key influences to development of the condition are discussed below.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Mental Illness and Effective Treatments specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Causes of Mental Illness Generally, the causes of several mental illnesses have not been established and remain unknown. â€Å"However, research into the issue has established that in many cases, the condition develops as a result of a combination of biological, psychological, and biochemical/hormonal factors† (Mayo Clinic, 2009). Biologically, it is believed that individuals coming from families whose members have a history of mental illness are most susceptible to develop the condition. This is because they may share a genetic vulnerability in developing the illness at some point in life. Being at that risk, the illness can be triggered by other factors depending on the individual’s way of life. Also, exposure to viruses or toxins while in the womb may lead to traumatic brain damage that can trigger the illness (Mayo Clinic, 2010). Psychological issues that may lead to development of the illness can not be ruled out. For instance, unbearable experiences in life such as losing a loved one, poverty, and depression can trigger development of the illness (Mayo Clinic, 2010). According to Chakraburtty (2009) upbringing is a factor that can cause the condition; for example, it may lead to poor self esteem or the inability to relate to others in the society. In addition to that, unbearable psychological trauma at early stages in life, such as sexual or emotional abuse can result in mental illness (Chakraburtty, 2009). Biochemical causes (brain chemistry) are the changes that take place within the brain a s a result of naturally occurring brain chemicals, and may lead to development of the condition. Generally, these changes and hormonal imbalances are associated with a person’s mood and other mental health issues. â€Å"It is thought that inherited traits, life experiences and biological factors can all affect brain chemistry linked to mental illnesses† (Mayo Clinic, 2010).Advertising Looking for essay on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Treatments for Mental Illness Treatment of mental illnesses depends on the type of illness, its level of development, and the way of life of the patient. In cases of extreme mental severity, for example schizophrenia, a team approach is appropriate. This ensures that all psychiatric, medical and social needs of the patient are met (Mayo Clinic, 2010). Various approaches are used for treatment of mental illness as described below. Treatment Teams Treatm ent Options â€Å"The people who may be involved in the patient’s treatment include; a family doctor, psychiatrist, psychotherapist, pharmacist, social workers, and important family members† (Mayo Clinic, 2010). However, if the condition of illness is mild, a family doctor, a psychiatrist, or a psychotherapist can handle the situation. Depending on the type, severity and doctor’s opinion, there are several treatments that can be prescribed for mental illness. Mostly, a combination of the medications brings the best results. Medications Medications which can be prescribed include; antidepressants, mood-stabilizers, anti-anxiety, and antipsychotic medications (Mayo Clinic, 2010). Unfortunately, psychiatric medications do not cure the illness, but may help to increase the effectiveness of other treatments like psychotherapy. Psychotherapy Generally, psychotherapy involves the process of treating mental illness by sharing about the condition with a mental health professional (Mayo Clinic, 2010). Psychotherapy helps the patient to understand his moods, condition, and behaviour, thus, imparting stress-management knowledge (American Psychiatric Association, 2011). This treatment is usually completed after few months; however, it is advisable to extend the treatment for some time in order to get the best results. â€Å"Examples of psychotherapies include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)† (Mayo Clinic, 2010). Other Treatments Other treatments that can be administered include: Brain-stimulation treatments; hospitalization and residential treatment programs; substance abuse treatment; and participation in own care (Mayo Clinic, 2010). Conclusion In conclusion, mental illness is a common occurrence which can be controlled through administering various medications as described earlier.Advertising We will write a custom es say sample on Mental Illness and Effective Treatments specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Reference List American Psychiatric Association. (2011). Mental Illness. Web. Chakraburtty, A. (2009, February 9). Causes of Mental Illness. Retrieved from the WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-causes-mental-illness#1 Mayo Clinic. (2010, November 5). Mental Illness. Retrieved from the Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/symptoms-causes/syc-20374968 Mayo Clinic. (2010, September 1). Mental Illness. Retrieved from the Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/symptoms-causes/syc-20374968 National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2011). Mental Illness. Web.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

An Action Plan for Settling Homeless People in Seattle

An Action Plan for Settling Homeless People in Seattle It is evident that Seattle is one of the places with the highest number of homeless people. The government has used a large amount of money in trying to deal with this problem, but no significant changes are yet to be seen.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on An Action Plan for Settling Homeless People in Seattle specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, the problem of homelessness in Seattle can effectively be addressed through two major steps. This proposal addresses the steps that can be taken to solve the problem of homelessness in Seattle. What the mayor of Seattle needs to do is increase the supported housing programs that are already going on in the city. This can be done through a number of ways. Firstly, the housing programs can be improved by adding supportive services, which should be done on a long-term basis. Secondly, the office of the mayor should avail comprehensive services that cater for special gr oups such as the poor families with physically challenged members and young children. Thirdly, the community partners who are interested in taking part in reducing homelessness in Seattle should be encouraged to team up. Fourthly, the cost of renting houses in Seattle should be reduced through vouchers and other ways that can allow the poor families to secure rental space (Cnare, 2005).Advertising Looking for case study on public administration? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More An alternative to the program of increasing supportive housing is to enhance the supply of cheap and affordable shelter in Seattle. The problem of homelessness in Seattle is worsened by the lack of affordable housing units for the poor citizens in the city. The supply of affordable housing can be increased through a number ways. Firstly, this can be achieved through the creation of opportunities for building affordable housing units. Secondly, the currently available affordable housing units should be expanded to accommodate more homeless households. Thirdly, the office of the mayor should work toward ensuring that affordable houses are built and sold to homeless individuals who have access to some money. Fourthly, the existing housing market prices should be subsidized to enable these people to acquire houses (Calavita, 2011). The second way that the problem of homelessness in Seattle can be solved is through the removal of barriers that hinder people from acquiring residential houses.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on An Action Plan for Settling Homeless People in Seattle specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Firstly, the barriers can be reduced by enacting regulations that will prevent unnecessary evictions resulting from defaults in rental fees or mortgage repayments. Secondly, the people should be educated and counseled on financial matters to avoid ca ses of defaults in mortgage payments. Thirdly, the people of Seattle should be supported and assisted socially for them to lead a stable life. This may help them to view life positively and start working harder to make their lives better (Cnare, 2005). An alternative to the program involving the removal of the barriers that hinder the poor from accessing affordable housing is the creation of more job opportunities in Seattle. Unemployment is one of the major causes of homelessness in Seattle. Many people in the city are homeless because they do not have sufficient money to buy or rent a house. In this regard, the office of the mayor needs to create as many job opportunities as possible. These opportunities can be created by reducing the current recommended wage-rate to enable companies and organizations to employ more people to do the same amount of work that they normally do (Calavita, 2011). In conclusion, this action plan proposes a number of strategies that can be used to addres s the problem of homelessness in Seattle. The strategies proposed include job creation, the removal of barriers that hinder people from buying or renting houses and increasing the supply of affordable houses in the city.Advertising Looking for case study on public administration? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More References Calavita, N. (2011). A review of how to house the homeless. Journal of the American Planning Association, 77(3), 298-299. Cnare, N. (2005). United ways three strategies for reducing homelessness in our community. Web.