American Horror Story: the Affects of Sex and Violence in Media

Media Analysis: American Horror Story American Horror Story is an FX horror-drama television show, as well as an anthology series; each season of the show has a different cast and storyline. The show was created by Ryan Murphy (creator of the FOX show Glee) and Brad Falchuk (producer of Nip/Tuck), and premiered on October 5, 2011. The first season of the show follows the Harmon family as they settle into their new home in Los Angeles. They are unaware, however, that the mansion is haunted by its many former owners. The two main topics in which we covered in class that are utilized in the show are frightening and sexual content in media.The focus of the first season is on infidelity and temptation. Ben and Vivien Harmon moved to Los Angeles from Boston with their daughter Violet in an attempt to start over and save their fragile marriage, after Ben had an affair with one of his students. Although they think the move will help, it only worsens their situation. The cable series is full of as much violence and sexual content as the writers and producers can get away with. With multiple instances of violence, sex, and nudity in every episode, the show draws a very large audience.American Horror Story is FX’s most viewed series, with the pilot of the first season bringing in 3. 2 million viewers. The show gained viewers as it progressed, and the premiere of the second season had 3. 85 million viewers. In an interview by AfterElton. com contributor Brian Juergens, when asked about what he wanted to bring to the horror genre, producer Brad Falchuk said â€Å"In the case of the horror genre, your main goal is to scare people. You want people to be a little bit off balance afterwards. You want people to have their friends sleep over that night.And you want to deliver iconic images that stay with people. † The writers of American Horror Story make use of many of the subjects from chapter 13 of our textbook. There are many realistic scenarios that occur in th e series, such as a home invasion and multiple murders. This is an example of stimulus generalization. Because many of the scenes are highly realistic, the generalization stimulus is very high, which consequently increases the fearful or emotional response. American Horror Story is rated TV-MA, which means that it is intended for mature audiences, and not children (usually age 17 or older).It also has a sub rating of LSV (offensive language, strong sexual content, and violence and gore). R-rated videos and magazines contain far more profane and explicit sexual content than network television shows, but sexual remarks and suggestions are becoming ever more frequent in public media today. In American Horror Story there are elements of the four major themes of sexuality in media. Sexual scenes in the show include examples of domination (sexual control of a person), exploitation (coercion of one person by way of power or status), reciprocity (consensual sex), and autoeroticism (self-sti mulation, such as masturbation).In the pilot of the first season Ben walks in on the housekeeper, Moira, masturbating. She tries to get him to sleep with her but he goes to another room and masturbates as well. Yet another storyline consists of Ben’s former student, Hayden, in which he had an affair with, who shows up and tries to convince him to stay with her. These scenes, along with many others throughout the season, go back to the theme of infidelity and temptation. The trailer for the first season of American Horror Story gives the basic plot of the show. It also makes use of frightening music and sounds to get the attention of fans of the horror genre.The season two trailer also highlights each character’s traits and occupations briefly (Leo’s photography, Shelley’s sensuality, Lana Winters’ love for her partner, Wendy, etc. ). These short advertisements appeal to viewers by the use of catharsis. The audience of American Horror Story wants to be scared. It’s a way for them to escape, or animate, their own violent predispositions or inclinations; to purge themselves of their personal worries and apprehensions. Personally speaking, I find the sadistic and erotic nature of the show enjoyable.It allows me and other viewers to gain vicious pleasure by identifying with the immoral and shady personalities of the characters in the show. The intent of the show can be pretty well summed up by the theories of scholar and professor, Dolf Zillmann, in Fundamentals of Media Effects (Bryant and Thompson): â€Å"Zillmann (1991a, 1991b) described horror as frightening because it releases empathetic responses toward victims and makes viewers apprehensive about becoming victims themselves. In other words, viewers identify with the victims and experience their terror vicariously.Horror also frightens viewers because of their apprehensions; they fear being victims themselves. Finally, horror usually features a satisfying ending that viewers enjoy. † American Horror Story has had its share of controversy with viewers already. Erin Brown, contributor for the Culture and Media Institute at the Media Research Center, writes: â€Å"The premiere of â€Å"American Horror Story† wasn't just sexually and physically repulsive. Flashback scenes also featured a large dose of verbal and mental cruelty toward a Down syndrome girl – including her mother, played by Jessica Lange, wishing she'd aborted her.To add to the violence, sex and abuse, there were 13 versions of the word â€Å"s**t,† and such delightful terms as â€Å"p***y† and â€Å"c**ksucker. † With all this objectionable content, Entertainment Weekly still named American Horror Story one of its â€Å"Top Ten Things We Love this Week† putting it on their famous â€Å"Must List† in the October 7 issue. â€Å"This show has a potential to literally be shattering to all of the things that we consider to be normal ,† one of the actors said during production. † Many parental reviews of the show describe it as disturbing, terrifying, and even repulsive.The three main age groups discussed in the Reactions to Disturbing or Frightening Media Content chapter of Fundamentals of Media Effects, 3-8, 9-12, and 12-17, are all thought to be too young for most parents. Some critics also consider American Horror Story to be a strained and overexcited mess. Though there are many frightening elements to the show, most of them are written off as cliche. The fact that in society today we are so used to seeing violence and sexual content in media, these happenings in the show are not as disconcerting as they would have been in the decades prior to the twenty-first century.

Five Force Industry Analysis Essay

The Company distributes its products principally through third-party computer resellers. The Company is also continuing its expansion into new distribution channels, such as mass merchandise stores, consumer electronics outlets and computer superstores, in response to changing industry practices and customer preferences. The Company’s products are sold primarily to business and government customers through independent resellers, value-added resellers and systems integrators; to home customers through independent resellers and consumer channels; and to education customers through direct sales and independent resellers. In order to provide products and service to its independent resellers on a timely basis, the Company distributes its products through a number of Apple distribution and support centers. Business customers account for the largest portion of the Company’s revenues. Business customers are attracted to the Macintosh in particular for a variety of reasons, incl uding the availability of a wide variety of application software, the reduced amount of training resulting from the Macintosh’s intuitive ease of use, and the ability of the Macintosh to network and communicate with other computer systems and environments. Apple personal computers were first introduced to education customers in the late 1970’s. In the United States, the Company is one of the major suppliers of personal computers for both elementary and secondary school customers, as well as for college and university customers. The Company is also a substantial supplier to institutions of higher education outside of the United States. In the United States, the Company’s formal commitment to serve the federal government began in 1986 with the formation of the Apple Federal Systems Group. Although the Company has contracts with a number of U.S. government agencies, these contracts are not currently material to the Company’s overall financial condition or results of operations. Presently, the United States represents the Company’s largest geographic marketplace. The Apple USA organization, based in Campbell, California, focuses on the Company’s sales, marketing, and support efforts in the United States. Products sold in the United States are primarily manufactured in the Company’s facilities in California, Colorado, and Singapore, and distributed from facilities in California and Illinois. Approximately 45% to 46% of the Company’s revenues in recent years has come from its international  operations. The Company has two international sales and marketing divisions, consisting of the division and the Apple Pacific division. The Apple Europe division, based in Paris, France, focuses on opportunities in Europe as well as in parts of Africa and in the Middle East. Products sold by the Europe division are manufactured primarily in the Company’s facility in Cork, Ireland. The Apple Pacific division, based in Cupertino, California, focuses on opportunities in Japan, Australia, Canada, the Far East, and Latin America. Products sold by the Pacific division are manufactured primarily in the Company’s manufacturing and assembly facilities in California, Colorado and Singapore. A summary of the Company’s Industry Segment and Geographic Information may be found in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K under the heading â€Å"Industry Segment and Geographic Information†, which information is hereby incorporated by reference. Raw materials Although raw materials, processes, and components essential to the Company’s business are generally available from multiple sources, certain key components are currently obtained from single sources. For example, certain microprocessors used in many of the Company’s products are currently available only from Motorola, Inc. Any availability limitations, interruption in supplies, or price increases relative to these and other components could adversely affect the Company’s business and financial results. Key components and processes currently obtained from single sources include certain of the Company’s displays, microprocessors, mouse devices, keyboards, disk drives, CD-ROM drives, printers and printer components, ASICs and other custom chips, and certain processes relating to construction of the plastic housing for the Company’s computers. In addition, new products introduced by the Company often initially utilize custom components obtained from onl y one source, until the Company has evaluated whether there is a need for an additional supplier. In situations where a component or product utilizes new technologies and processes, there may be initial capacity constraints until such time as the suppliers’ yields have matured. Materials and components are normally acquired through purchase orders, as  is common in the industry, typically covering the Company’s requirements for periods from 90 to 180 days. However, the Company continues to evaluate the need for a supply contract in each situation. If the supply of a key single-sourced material, process, or component to the Company were to be delayed or curtailed, its ability to ship the related product utilizing such material, process, or component in desired quantities and in a timely manner could be adversely affected. The Company’s business and financial performance could also be adversely affected, depending on the time required to obtain sufficient quantities from the original source, or to identify and obtain sufficient quantities from an alternate source. The Company believes that the suppliers whose loss to the Company could have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s business and financial position include, at this time , Canon, Inc., General Electric Co., Hitachi, Ltd., IBM, Motorola, Inc., Sharp Corporation, Sony Corporation, Texas Instruments, Inc., Tokyo Electric Co., Ltd., and/or their United States affiliates, and VLSI Technology, Inc. However, the Company helps mitigate these potential risks by working closely with these and other key suppliers on product introduction plans, strategic inventories, and coordinated product introductions. The Company believes that most of its single-source suppliers, including most of the foregoing companies, are reliable multinational corporations. Most of these suppliers manufacture the relevant materials, processes, or components in multiple plants. The Company further believes that its long-standing business relationships with these and other key suppliers are strong and mutually beneficial in nature. The Company has a supply agreement with Motorola, Inc. (see Exhibit 10.B.12 hereto). The agreement with Motorola continues for five years from January 31, 1992 unless otherwise mutually agreed in writing by the parties. The Company single-sources microprocessors from Motorola. The supply agreement does not obligate the Company to make minimum purchase commitments; however, the agreement does commit the vendor to supply the Company’s requirements of the particular items for the duration of the agreement. The Company has also from time to time experienced significant price incre ases and limited availability of certain components that are available from multiple sources, such as dynamic random-access memory devices. Any similar occurrences in the future could have an adverse effect on the Company’s operating results. Item 2. Properties The Company’s headquarters are located in Cupertino, California. The Company has manufacturing facilities in Fountain, Colorado, Sacramento, California, Cork, Ireland, and Singapore. As of September 30, 1994, the Company leased approximately 5.2 million square feet of space, primarily in the United States, and to a lesser extent, in Europe and the Pacific. Leases are generally for terms of five to ten years, and usually provide renewal options for terms of up to five additional years. Certain of these leased facilities are subject to the Company’s restructuring actions initiated in the third quarter of both 1993 and 1991. The amount of space leased by the Company may decline in the future as the leases for facilities subject to restructuring actions are terminated pursuant to agreements with landlords or expire as scheduled. The Company owns its manufacturing facilities in Fountain, Colorado, Cork, Ireland, and Singapore, which total approximately 920,000 square feet. T he Company also owns a 450,000 square-foot facility in Sacramento, California, which is used as a manufacturing, service and support center. The Company also owns the research and development facility located in Cupertino, California, and a centralized domestic data center in Napa, California which approximate 856,000 and 158,000 square feet, respectively. Outside of the United States, the Company owns a facility in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, which is used primarily for distribution, totaling approximately 265,000 square feet, in addition to certain other international facilities, totaling approximately 553,000 square feet. The Company believes that its existing facilities and equipment are well maintained and in good operating condition. The Company has invested in additional internal capacity and external partnerships, and therefore believes it has adequate manufacturing capacity for the foreseeable future. The Company continues to make investments in capital equipment as needed to meet anticipated demand for its products. Information regarding critical business operations that are located near major earthquake faults is set forth in Part II, Item 7 of this Form 10-K under the heading â€Å"Factors That May Affect Future Results†, which information is hereby incorporated by reference. Information regarding the Company’s purchase of its remaining partnership interest in Cupertino Gateway Partners, formed for the purpose of constructing the campus-type office facility that is now wholly owned by  the Company, may be found in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K under the heading â€Å"Commitments and Contingencies†, which information is hereby incorporated by reference. â€Å"Other countries† consists of Canada and Australia. Prior year amounts have been restated to conform to the current year presentation. Net sales to unaffiliated customers is based on the location of the customers. Transfers between geographic areas are recorded at amounts generally above cost and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the respective governing tax authorities. Operating income (loss) by geographic area consists of total net sales less operating expenses, and does not include an allocation of general corporate expenses. The restructuring charge and adjustment recorded in 1993 and 1994, respectively, are included in the calculation of operating income (loss) for each geographic area. Identifiable assets of geographic areas are those assets used in the Company’s operations in each area. Corporate assets include cash and cash equivalents, joint venture investments, and short-term investments. 1995 Approximately 45% to 48% of the Company’s revenues in recent years has come from its international operations. The Company has two international sales and marketing divisions, consisting of the Apple Europe division and the Apple Pacific division. The Apple Europe division focuses on opportunities in Europe as well as in parts of Africa and in the Middle East. Products sold by the Europe division are manufactured primarily in the Company’s facility in Cork, Ireland. The Apple Pacific division focuses on opportunities in Japan and Asia; Australia and New Zealand; and the Caribbean region. Products sold by the Pacific division are manufactured primarily in the Company’s facilities in California, Colorado and Singapore. The Company distributes its products through third-party computer resellers, and is also continuing its expansion into various consumer channels, such as mass merchandise stores, consumer electronics outlets and computer superstores, in response to changing industry practices and customer preferences. The Company’s products are sold primarily to business and government customers through independent resellers, value- added resellers and systems integrators; to home customers through independent resellers and consumer channels; and to education customers through direct sales and independent resellers. In order to provide products and service to its independent resellers on a timely basis, the Company distributes its products through a number of Apple distribution and support centers. Raw materials Although certain raw materials, processes, and components essential to the Company’s business are generally available from multiple sources, key components and processes currently obtained from single sources include certain of the Company’s displays, microprocessors, mouse devices, keyboards, disk drives, printers and printer components, application- specific integrated circuits (â€Å"ASICs†) and other custom chips, and certain processes relating to construction of the plastic housing for the Company’s computers. Any availability limitations, interruption in supplies, or price increases relative to these and other components could adversely affect the Company’s business and financial results. In addition, new products introduced by the Company often initially utilize custom components obtained from only one source, until the Company has evaluated whether there is a need for an additional supplier. In situations where a component or product utilizes new technologies and processes, there may be initial capacity constraints until such time as the suppliers’ yields have matured. Materials and components are normally acquired through purchase orders, as is common in the industry, typically covering the Company’s requirements for periods from 90 to 180 days. However, the Company continues to evaluate the need for a supply contract in each situation. If the supply of a key single-sourced material, process, or component to the Company were to be delayed or curtailed, its ability to ship the related product utilizing such material, process, or component in desired quantities and in a timely manner could be  adversely affected. The Company’s business and financial performance could also be adversely affected, depending on the time required to obtain sufficient quantities from the original source, or to identify and obtain sufficient quantities from an alternate so urce. The Company believes that the suppliers whose loss to the Company could have a material adverse effect upon the   Company’s business and financial position include, at this time, Canon, Inc., General Electric Co., Hitachi, Ltd., IBM, Motorola, Inc., Sharp Corporation, Sony Corporation, Texas Instruments, Inc., and/or their United States affiliates, and VLSI Technology, Inc. However, the Company helps mitigate these potential risks by working closely with these and other key suppliers on product introduction plans, strategic inventories, and coordinated product introductions. The Company believes that most of its single-source suppliers, including most of the foregoing companies, are reliable multinational corporations. Most of these suppliers manufacture the relevant materials, processes, or components in multiple plants. The Company further believes that its long-standing business relationships with these and other key suppliers are strong and mutually beneficial in nature. The Company has also from time to time experienced significant price increases and limited availability of certain components that are available from multiple sources. Any similar occurrences in the future could have an adverse affect on the Company’s operating results. The Company has a supply agreement with Motorola, Inc. (see Exhibit 10.B.12 hereto). The agreement with Motorola continues for five years from January 31, 1992 unless otherwise mutually agreed in writing by the parties. The Company single-sources certain microprocessors from Motorola. The supply agreement does not obligate the Company to make minimum purchase commitments; however, the agreement does commit the vendor to supply the Company’s requirements of the particular items for the duration of the agreement.

Examine Nietzsche?S Statement in the Birth of Tragedy That It Is Only as an „Aesthetic Phenomenon? That Existence Can Be „Justified? to Eternity.

Examine Nietzsche’s statement in The Birth of Tragedy that it is only as an ‘Aesthetic Phenomenon’ that existence can be ‘justified’ to eternity. According to the qualities of ‘eternity’ and ‘existence’ that Nietzsche and Schopenhauer prescribe; it is by definition that something can only be justified in the phenomenal world: the world of ‘existence’. Although this statement describes existence justifying itself to eternity, The Birth of Tragedy tends to illustrate the inverse: eternity justifying itself appearing through existence. However the movement between the states of the ‘physical’ and ‘virtual’ is not directional in the empirically spatiotemporal manner that Schopenhauer takes on. Unlike transcendentalist ideas, what Nietzsche depicts is an apparent duality born in the fusion of the minds twofold reality that has knowledge and perception only of existence. Aesthetic phenomenon offers us â€Å"delight in semblance† and simultaneously offers a greater, metaphysical delight in â€Å"the destruction of the visible world of semblance† (BT: 24). The requirement that a phenomenon must be ‘aesthetic’ is universal in the sense that there is no requirement as to what an ‘aesthetic’ thing is. Supposedly it can be anything phenomenal â€Å"even the ugly and disharmonious is an artistic game which the will, in the eternal fullness of its delight, plays with itself. † (BT:24) Clearly there are degrees of ‘aesthetic’ quality that render more delight, but the delight is equally achievable in the interpretation as it is in the ‘phenomenon’ that is acting as a trigger. Maybe it is more appropriately imagined that ‘eternity’ justifies itself in the phenomenal: because the ‘justification’ takes place when an object awakens a sense of the ‘eternal’, so it is really a matter of seduction, and how effectively this ‘aesthetic phenomenon’ allows the noumenal to thrust itself upon the perceiver. But to say that this takes place wholly on account of how ‘aesthetic’ the phenomenon is, would be to ignore how easily the perceiver is seduced, or how he perceives all together. It is clear that different people find beauty in different things. It is also clear that some may find beauty in nothing, as with meditation. But that brings into question whether we can really have a ‘nothing’ in human experience, for even the most isolated and detached human experience cannot be fully impartial to the world of experience. The point however; is that although ‘aesthetic phenomenon’ is a necessity; it is the openness and imagination of the perceiver that allows the object to justify existence to the eternal. For beauty can exist in everything, but only on occasion do we see beauty to such high intensity that it awakens a recognisable feeling of the ‘eternal’. For Nietzsche, art is a more powerful form of ‘aesthetic phenomenon’, than naturally occurring beauty; the human is more familiar with art, often because it relates more to qualities in the realm of human experience, be it situational or emotional. This familiarity lures the perceiver into a greater degree of belief, acting as a catalyst to the erosion of self identity, as they more easily forget the self, and become overwhelmed by the ‘will’. Nietzsche places ‘attic tragedy’ at the peak of this process, as he mentions the audience become the play, and the combination of two separate art forms allows the birth of a new less physically obsessed, and more enchanting work of art. The degree, to which the audience can recreate the moment that the artist felt in creating the piece, depends partly on the artist’s ability to transfigure the feeling into an ‘aesthetic phenomenon’, but also on the audience’s ability to empathise (hence humanistic art is more effective). This ‘empathy’ or ‘mitleiden’, requires the demolition of the concept of the ‘individual’ and the rise of the innate primordial unity, in order for this eternal intensity, that Schopenhauer, quite carelessly called the ‘will’, to overtake. It is because art is a reproduction of the eternal in a phenomenal form that Nietzsche believes â€Å"we are far from truly being the creators of that world of art† (BT:5), the artist is merely the mediator of the eternal, who engages in procreation. The world that art ‘represents’ itself in is impartial to the world it came from. The description of the divine impregnating the humanly to beget a great ‘art’ generates a dualistic concept, that implies a transcendence from the noumenal into the phenomenal: â€Å"the continuous evolution of art is bound up with the duality of the Apolline and the Dionysiac in much the same way as reproduction depends on there being two sexes†(BT:1) whereas a sexual co-existence involves two opposites, that are of the same substance, Nietzsche is presenting a relation with the being and the immortal. But it seems he places this sense of superiority not in the aspects themselves, rather due to the difficulty of escaping worldly attributes and the natural inclination to view what is beyond us as greater than what we are or possess. He compares our awareness of our artistic significance to that â€Å"which painted soldiers have of the battle depicted on the same canvas† (BT:5) reiterating the impossibility of viewing artistic creation from both angles as player and spectator alike. Within the realm of existence, aesthetic delight serves the purpose of awakening that dormant innocence which provides openness to the primal spirit. This instinct put to sleep by our ‘view’ of the world that quantifies things; a cognition we naturally take on, as the phenomenal world becomes more apparent and through childhood we develop a new paradigm that becomes less aware of the qualitative. This becoming of the individual is characterised by experience, and traded with innocence. For Nietzsche ‘Aesthetic phenomenon’ is necessary to create delight which awakens our dormant self, by detaching us from our conscious understanding, and giving way to a higher delight. Nietzsche describes this battle between the innocent and experienced lenses as a trend not only in the life of the individual but also in culture and its cultivation. The cryptic relationship between Apollo and Dionysus parallels the trend in most cultures to become more like Apollo, and forget their wilder innate counterpart whose characteristics are often mistaken for hedonism. Eruptions of the Dionysian culture are evident in the Romantic period and during the ‘free love’ period in the 1960’s, both characterised by the use of drugs to liberate one from the sense of identity. These periods, unlike the Greek period, remained movements rather than revolutions, as the use of drugs, unlike the use of art was damaging to the economical requirement for a revolution. The Dionysiac’s disregard for conventional barriers, such as the sexual, arise from the ability to be intimate and empathise with any being more than the Apollonian can hope to achieve with even one. This is due to the Apollonian’s failure to ‘empathise’ as Schopenhauer would say, because they are too enthralled with the manifest of their ‘will’ in its represented form to see that the ‘will’ is universal; â€Å"whenever this breakdown of the principium individuationis occurs, we catch a glimpse of the essence of the Dionysiac† (BT:1) one who has no sense of self. Nietzsche’s vision of Dionysian art resolves the question Aristotle asks about the ‘tragic effect’: â€Å"Why is it that we voluntarily subject ourselves to depictions of the terrible in life? Schopenhauer called ‘tragedy’ the highest art form in which we surrender to the ‘feeling of the sublime’. As Nietzsche describes, our horror is replaced by a ‘metaphysical comfort’ where the terrible dissolves our vision of beauty in the Apollonian form; that is designed to protect us and secure our drive to live, this à ¢â‚¬Ëœveil of Maya’ is removed and â€Å"We really are for a brief moment, the primordial being itself†. It is because our Apollonian view of the world cannot remove its inherent characteristics, that the sublime is regarded by Schopenhauer as higher than beauty, and why for Nietzsche, the Dionysian aspect is more fundamental. Islamic Poet Khalil Gibran explains â€Å"The veil that clouds your eyes shall be lifted by the hands that wove it,† these idea raise the question as to whether ‘Aesthetic Phenomenon’ is justifying the world to eternity, or revealing eternity to the world, as ‘Aesthetic Delight’ propels the interpreter, detaching him from the phenomenal. Nietzsche; contra Schopenhauer, believes that the ‘terrible’ is not single handedly a higher form of art, as the Apolline realm is needed as the vehicle that humans understand, to transit one into the eternal. Hence for Nietzsche, ‘attic tragedy’ is the supreme art form that allows the Dionysian to impregnate the Apollonian; traversing the line between intoxication and dream, and being reborn in the world of the individual. Unlike music, which is a ‘mirror’ image of the Dionysian, a direct reflection from one world into the other, tragedy captivates the audience with Apollonian dreamlike images, through which the Dionysian chorus â€Å"Discharges itself†, dissolving the apparent dichotomy from a world of semblance, and unleashing the eternal. For Nietzsche the duality between Dionysus and Apollo is only a psychological one and his liking to the dominant organic notion of the Dionysian in The Birth of Tragedy is possibly a result of his youth, and desire to escape the overly Apollonian culture he endured and despised. Heidegger offers an interpretation of Nietzsche’s use of the word ‘Chaos’ that differs to those non-Greek translations whose etymology of the term, reduce it to words like ‘primordial’ that do not capture the meaning which echoed in its use in mythic tradition. Heidegger’s classical reading of the word imbues an idea of â€Å"that which yawns, the gaping out of itself. Applied to Nietzsche’s aesthetics, this would trivialise the role of the phenomenal which essentially repeats itself through time, in waves, a result of procreation that facilitates the reversal into the non-human, which is simultaneously the same effect as the eternal ‘gaping out of itselfà ¢â‚¬â„¢. The two dimensional effect is really of the same thing, and for Nietzsche has no direction or duration in the empirical senses of space and time; a concept better felt than imagined due to our impartiality, hence the difficulty Nietzsche mentions in describing notions such as the ‘eternal return’. To what extent then, does Nietzsche see the Dionysian and the eternal as relevant to one another, and separate from the Apollonian and phenomenal? If aesthetic delight leads the path from the phenomenal to the noumenal then at what point and to what degree do these dualistic entities that fit that divide the ‘physical’ from the ‘virtual’ relate to each other as properties? Nietzsche claims that attic tragedy is the art form which bonds the Dionysian with the Apollonian, the unison of opposition. He also differs from Kant and Schopenhauer on the nature of the duality between the noumenal and phenomenal, somewhat paradoxically, he accepts the superficial claim, but when digging into the root of the two spheres, becomes constrained by the possibility of analysing such a void, as Paul de Man claims; the reader is â€Å"condemned† to an â€Å"apparently endless process of deconstruction† . This assessment is unfair on Nietzsche’s attempt to find a ‘good’ answer and thus sacrificing a degree of clarity that is expected in describing something that language cannot describe: â€Å"language, as the organ and symbol of phenomena, can never, under any circumstances, externalize the innermost depths of music†¦ the heart of the primordial unity,† (BT:5) his passage summarises the futility of all phenomena in relating to the eternal, but the need for phenomena to create art as a birth giver to the eternal, whereby language is a weaker tool than music and tragic myth. In The Birth of Tragedy, Nietzsche constantly reiterates the predominant nature of the Dionysiac that â€Å"shows itself, in comparison with the Apolline, to be the eternal and original power† (BT:25). Although not entirely in keeping with Kant and Schopenhauer’s duality, he still bastardises the Apollonian state, highlighting the separateness of the two art forms. This must mean that there is a significant point where the border between states is crossed, in order to form the attic tragedy, and similarly must mean there is a point where the justification of the world to the eternal takes place. But Nietzsche offers no explanation, possibly because these dualities are only a manifestation, that grows as naivety is replaced by experience, and the dream state that verges on the state of intoxication succumbs to a newer ‘physical’ reality. But Nietzsche holds that these two artistic domains are â€Å"required to unfold their energies in strict, reciprocal proportion† so that one can only be â€Å"permitted to enter an individual’s consciousness as can be overcome, in its turn, by the [other]† (BT:25), if such is the case, then either Nietzsche believes these drives truly are the essence of a strict duality, or that they are too rigidly lain into the mindset to be abstracted from and comprehended as a whole. However, if the latter is the case, then the justification of the world to eternity is a human matter, a question of interpretation, where being superhuman is being eternal, and ‘aesthetic phenomenon’ plays no role. In later writings such as Thus Spoke Zarathustra he begins to point in this direction: â€Å"the human is something that must be overcome†, for existence is to some degree a sense understood by the being, but if one can go beyond the being, then one can go beyond world that requires justifying to eternity. His notion of ‘eternal return’ which suggests that the world repeats itself is more ambiguous on the nature of eternity and its relation to the phenomenal . Contra Schopenhauer; Nietzsche’s spatiotemporal relation to the world is not one of distance in space, or places in time, rather one of duration, where the movement between the ‘physical and ‘virtual’ reality is unmeasured, and possibly non-existent as the removal of these relations change the way in which existence and the eternal can relate to one another. Walter Arnold Kaufmann asserts that Nietzsche’s conception of the ‘will to power’ is â€Å"perhaps just as much the heir of Apollo as it is that of Dionysus† ; his suggestion for a monist interpretation comes from Nietzsche’s idea that â€Å"quantitative degrees of power might be the measure of value†. Clearly Nietzsche in The Birth of Tragedy is unsure or unfinished on the nature of the duality between existence and the eternal, and where its root ends. But certainly, the matter of existence being justified to eternity is a matter of being itself, and the reception of the eternal is integral, where the ‘aesthetic phenomenon’ is just the key. The impartiality of the consciousness with the eternal requires such a key to open this door, but evidently there is a degree to which the mind can feel the eternal, and to say that only an ‘aesthetic phenomenon’ can achieve this is to say that the door can only be opened from one side. Bibliography Pg153: Nietzsche's philosophy of science: reflecting science on the ground of art and life – Babette E. Babich Pg 295 Nietzsche Knows no Noumenon – David B. Allison Pg199 Nietzsche, philosopher, psychologist, antichrist- Walter Arnold Kaufmann The Eternal Return of the Overhuman: The Weightiest Knowledge and the Abyss of Light. Journal of Nietzsche Studies 30 (1):1-21. – Keith Ansell-Pearson. Pg 39 The Prophet- Kahlil Gibran The Birth of Tragedy- Friedrich Nietzsche (Cambridge texts)

Creating a Culture of Professionalism among Students, Faculty and Research Paper

Creating a Culture of Professionalism among Students, Faculty and Staff - Research Paper Example It is mainly known as a historically black university comprising of a unique culture and ethnicity. It also comprise of a Carnegie Classification of Institutions for Higher Educational requirements like: research activity (Howard University, n. d.). It is such a type of institution comprising of experienced and dynamic faculties presenting quality education since 1867 to its students so as to retain its image worldwide. Along with this, they also desire to maintain a professional relationship within its students and faculties so that a professional bounding can be maintained. Moreover, the aim of the university is to connect the life of the students with their minds, the heart of a tradition, and the soul of a students and staffs (Howard University, n. d.). Key objective of this study is to highlight the positive impacts of professionalism culture among students, faculties and staffs so as to improve organizational performance and image. Apart from this, it also tries to highlight th e effectiveness of finance and operational decisions regarding the enhancement of the University in long run (Howard University, n. d.). Road Map of the plan of implementing computer training program in Howard University Source: (Kasar &Clark, 2000). ... Not only this, it might also help to create such a friendly type of environment that may be best for the students of all castes and creeds (Kasar &Clark, 2000). Stakeholder Analysis The stakeholders that might get engaged in such a planning program of developing a professional environment within all the staffs, faculties and students of the Howard University are foundation members, board of trustees, staffs, teachers, parents and students. Such type of a planning might become successful only with proper coordination and communication among them in order to fulfill the objectives. For example: Orientation program in the university for the introduction of computer trainings for the students performing researches to improve their technical knowledge and skills on the relevant topics. However, it might be possible only if the relevant teachers offer high level of guidance to these students. With the help of such coordinated efforts, the culture of professionalism may be visualized within all the members and faculties (Kasar &Clark, 2000). Project Requirements In order to implement the computer training program for the research associates, varied types of hardware and new software are essential. Apart from this, an efficient teacher is also essential to guide the students in the proper way. So that it might lead to successful result in the long run. For example: If the students comprising of laptops bring them, at the time of coaching classes, then it might prove effective in reducing the purchase of computers for the university. Then it might be extremely helpful in reducing the financial cost of the organization thereby enhancing its image among other rival colleges. However, this may be possible only if the students and faculties of the university of

The Drug Cartel Issues in Mexico Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

The Drug Cartel Issues in Mexico - Essay Example The demise of the Cali and Medellà ­n drug cartels in Colombia led to the rise of the Mexican drug organizations to fill up the vacuum (Jeffrey, 267). The U.S Closure of the Florida cocaine trafficking route pushed for the need of a new trafficking route hence increasing the role played by Mexican cartels in the trafficking. Weintraub (150) believes that Colombian drug organizations still maintain a significant control in South America mainly in cocaine and heroin smuggling to the eastern U.S. The Mexican government claims that there are seven major drug cartels that operate inside Mexico. They include; Gulf, Sinaloa, and Juà ¡rez which have their presence in much of Mexico (Leonard, 25). The Juà ¡rez drug cartel is found in at least 21 Mexican states while the Sinaloa cartel has its presence in at least 17 states. The Gulf cartel has its presence in at least 13 Mexican states. Also, the Tijuana drug cartel has its presence in 15 states (Colleen, 3). According to David Luhnow and Josà © de Cordoba (1) Mexicos cartels already have tentacles that stretch across the Mexican border. The U.S. Justice department estimates that Mexican gangs are operating in at least 230 cities and towns in both countries. David Luhnow and Josà © de Cordoba (1) reveal that the major drug cartels have formed alliances with one another in recent years. As a result of prison negotiations between their leaders, the Gulf and the Tijuana cartels have formed an alliance. â€Å"The Federation† is an alliance composed of representatives from the Valencia, Sinaloa, and Juà ¡rez drug cartels. They do work together, but remain independent and autonomous drug organizations (Colleen, 194). According to Perrya.hubpages.com (1), 90% of the automatic weapons used by the cartels are made and purchased in the U.S legally. The 2,000 mile border between San Diego,

Love health, vulnerability disparity and equity; vulnerable population Assignment

Love health, vulnerability disparity and equity; vulnerable population - Assignment Example ter.com/library/JournalArticle.asp?Article_ID=819684 Retrieved 21 Feb 2012.† The website discusses on ways to enhance measurement of health disparities for susceptible populations. It reinforces on vulnerability model functions by trailing and reporting disparities data. Interactive approach is emphasized on to study health problems and determinants of health. http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/15986.html. Retrieved 20 Feb 2012. Discusses the goals to reduce health disparities and uphold equity is susceptible populations. It expounds on the factors which influence disparities and vulnerability, funds available to deal with vulnerability and research conducted. "MEDLINE/PubMed Search and Health Disparities & Minority ..." Canadian Institute of Health Research. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb 2012. "". Retrieved 19 Feb 2012. It reinforces on issues regarding vulnerable populations. The comparative research should be addressed together with the health disparities. Health care policy, economics, and reforms are incorporated in the

Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 14

Marketing - Essay Example The essay elaborates the marketing mix of Tide along with the target market. Tide has adopted many marketing strategies in order to keep their market share. Few of the strategies are discussed in the essay. Not only in US the brand has captured other market too by its products and has been successfully penetrating more areas which are not yet tapped by the brand. Tide has tapped foreign market like India (Loudon, 2002). Tide has targeted their customers and positioned the products in such a way that they have made their products a unique one among the mass. Tide has also faced with environmental issues in foreign markets which have been discussed in the section. Product Overview Tide detergent powder is a well known brand in the detergent industry which was first introduced in 1946. It is the market leader in 23 countries worldwide. Tide is regarded as P & G’s flagship brand. It was first introduced in US market as the synthetic detergent for heavy-duty and machine cleaning. T ide has initially started with white powdered bead but later it has included orange tinged liquid form in 1984. Today both the non-ultra and ultra products are dark blue in color with an exception of the product Tide Free which is clear in color. Tide had introduced a large array of products such as Tide Liquid, Tide with Febreze Freshness, Tide Powder, Tide Coldwater and many more. All the products that fall under the brand umbrella â€Å"Tide† has the four main utilities such as: 1. Convenient to use and have reasonable price to target the lower income class. 2. Washing at normal temperature (both hand and machine wash). 3. It saves water and also time. 4. Removes stubborn strains, protects color and leaves fresh smell even after the cloth is dry. Target market of Tide in US and India Tide brand first test marketed its products in the US market to see the reaction among the users of the product (Kotler, 2012).When the result came positive they were encouraged to make the pr oduct more aware among the mass so that they start using their new brand. Through many marketing strategies they penetrated the market and made a significant in the laundry market. The company has made extensive consumer research and then they have come to the following conclusions: 1. Women take the main decision of choosing any brand of home products. 2. The lower income group use bars of detergent to wash their utensils. 3. Women want their family’s well being and thus they want the maximum value out of the brand. 4. Women are quite price sensitive customers. They want products which are reasonable in price and also give satisfaction after using it. 5. Every household want to use such detergents which are long lasting and does not erode away in few uses. They even want detergent bars which are tough so that they not melt fast and are wasted. Thus from the above conclusions it can be said that Tide’s main target customers are the women group. Tide has always tried to contribute to the households to its maximum by providing them with the detergent powders which will make their cloths smooth and clean. Tide in US has targeted the women group as well as the lower income group. Women in US are basically working and thus they prefer to use a detergent which will be quickly effecting and is free from hassle. They do not have much time to wash the same cloth a many times if the dirt is not cleaned in first wash. Thus they require a reliable detergent powder which will do its work perfectly. Tide fulfills the need of these women by

The Fashion Industry and the Role of the Media in Shapin Dissertation

The Fashion Industry and the Role of the Media in Shapin - Dissertation Example The study "The Fashion Industry and the Role of the Media in Shapin" concerns the fashion and media and analyzes the Changing Perception of a Woman’s Physical Image. After World War I, with the popularity of fashion magazines, print media, television and the internet, the popular media has presented the perceived ‘ideal’ image of a woman. This mostly unrealistic perception, being pushed on to the people, has had a negative effect on the women’s own perception of their physical image often putting health on a lower priority or even contradicting healthy routines in favor of attaining such physical attire. The complicated perceptions of one’s own physical image make one concerned about this aspect. Research on this self perception has found discontent among women showing their body dissatisfaction and at a higher rate than males. Such false projections, which have nothing to do with a real drive to get a better appearance, put individuals at a risk of disturbance and discontent. The idealized thinness and prejudiced height, hair and weight projected by the media as being ‘attractive’ influences the masses and makes women match those descriptions which is not only destruction of originality but also dangerous for health the way it gets commercialized, rather littered, and then picked by the adolescents. The wrong message of ‘standards for acceptability’ that the models from fashion industry and the media send do not actually define the beauty; in fact, the repeated pushing of such image on the women.... ? that the models from fashion industry and the media send do not actually define the beauty (Dittmar & Howard, 2004; Thompson & Stice, 2001); in fact, the repeated pushing of such image on the women population puts a conflict between the actual standards and the depicted standard making a woman choose to be unhealthy in order to achieve that standard (Dittmar & Howard, 2004, p. 478). This has been found in previous research to have direct proportion to the time of exposure to such commercial propaganda (Schooler et al. 2004). Many times, the sole purpose of such depictions and portrayal is to create an artificial need of the products, which are not actually needed, and then to sell them to that audience. 2.0 Purpose of research The purpose of this research is to evaluate the change in perception of a woman’s physical image in the eyes of the population in general and in the eyes of woman herself. Researching on why and how these perceptions have changed over this period of ti me, which can safely be regarded as an era of contemporary change in this respect, can provide us with useful results that actually provide some insight on how the fashion and show business industry has driven this. Addressing everlasting concern over weight and appearance in a non issue approach can help minimize the prejudice on being slimmer from as young as 6 years old (Striegel-Moore & Franko, 2002). The dissatisfaction, which is one of the major issues in a woman’s teenage due to perception of one’s own physical image (Schwitzer, Bergholz, Dore, & Salimi, 1998; Stice & Whitenton, 2002), is a topic that needs special attention to guard young girls from further worsening their health situation in fear of weight gain (Striegel-Moore & Franko, 2002; Field et al., 1999). What you think of

Susan B Anthony Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Susan B Anthony - Essay Example In 1838, her father lost his cotton mill business because of the financial depression in the United States, and in the spring of 1839 he had to sell their house. They moved to a town called Hardscrabble. In the spring of 1840, she went to teach at a boarding school near New York City. While Susan was teaching, she heard people talking about getting rid of slavery. She agreed with this idea, just like her father did. She believed that all people were equal. In 1849, when Susan came back home to Rochester, her father had started inviting over his friends who were interested in talking about the achievement of making free slavery state. She listened to her father and to others who wanted to finish slavery from the society. During the 1850s, the plan of getting rid of slavery was becoming an essential issue. The people in the North were against slavery, while on the other hand, the people in the South wanted to keep slavery. Those who were against slavery were called abolitionists. A lot of abolitionists were invited to the farm for a meeting. They all supported Susan in her work for women's rights. "In 1852, Anthony joined with Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Amelia Bloomer in campaigning for women's suffrage and equal pay. She also served in the American Anti-Slavery Society, and challenged barriers to female leadership in temperance societies and educational associations. Following the Civil War, Stanton and Anthony focused their efforts on voting rights, in hopes that suffrage for women and blacks could be linked in a groundbreaking constitutional amendment." Feminist leader http://us.history.wisc.edu/hist102/bios/2.html (Accessed January 18, 2006) She helped the administration of President Abraham Lincoln by forming the Women's Loyal League. In 1856, the abolitionists motivated Susan to classify, write and deliver speeches for a movement against slavery. In 1865, their efforts would pay off with the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Even though the slaves were free they didn't get the right to vote. In addition to Susan's fight to end slavery, she joined the Women's State Temperance Society in New York. Both men and women could join. Soon men started to take over the society, so Susan resigned as leader of the group. That was the end of her work with the temperance movement; she began working for women's rights. "In 1866 Anthony joined with Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott and Lucy Stone to help establish the American Equal Rights Association. The following year, the organization became active in Kansas where Negro suffrage and women's suffrage was to be decided by popular vote. However, both ideas were rejected at the polls." Elizabeth Cady Stanton wanted both the abolitionist and the women's right group to get combine for good results. Unluckily, the abolitionists did not want to work for women to have the right to vote. (Just as before, many of the women's suffragists did not care to get their cause tangled up with abolition.) Susan and Elizabeth were back where they had started twenty years before and focused their efforts on women's rights in order to raise money. Susan B. Anthony in politics In 1868 Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton established the political weekly, The Revolution and the Fourteenth Amendment was passed. This amendment affirmed that all people who were born or naturalized in the United States

Youth crime Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Youth crime - Essay Example Exaggeration of media stories and incidences often leave both the reporters and the public confused, uneasy and suspicious. Though media entities work hard to generate interest among its viewers and audiences, it is important that they remain focused and disseminate true stories and incidents to the members of the society. Criminal activities associated with young people (17 years and below) include arson, breach of bail, breach of conditional discharge, and breach of statutory order, criminal damage, death or injury by reckless driving, domestic burglary, drug offences, fraud & forgery, motoring offences Non-domestic burglary, public order, racial aggravated offences, robbery , sexual offences, theft and handling , vehicle theft and violence against person. It is not easy for an average person to know whether the media is exaggerating incidences or not. However, exaggeration of media content can be identified through Stanley Cohen’s five pointers and by comparing official sta tistics from government agencies to information contained in media reports. Establishing whether youth crimes are spiraling out of control as reported by the media in the United Kingdom Establishing exaggeration of media reports on youth crimes can be difficult for an average person. ... These five pointers based on moral panic concept would be used to establish whether it is true that youth crime is spiraling out of control in the United Kingdom as portrayed by the media. First, it is good to establish whether the media has inflated youth crime rates (statistics). The media has given prominence to youth crime rates over other equally important happenings in Britain. Though youth crimes are only reported as they happen and do not run longer as compared to other stories, they are put as prominent information. Most media in the United Kingdom exaggerates criminal offences perpetuated by young people by putting youth crimes incidences in more prominent parts of the newspaper or the newscasts. In addition, some media uses age to show the magnitude and scope of crime perpetrators. Four year old children were suspected to be involved with arson, assault, burglary and possessing offensive weapons. Reporting children as perpetrators is hard to believe or imagine. Pickard (20 08) claimed that Britain have experienced alarming increases in publicized knife crimes since 2008. The knife crime stories about latest victims and perpetrators are placed in front pages of the newspapers and headlines in the newscasts. The media constantly remind members of the society on imminent danger they face each day as they leave their houses as young people embrace knives as latest fashion accessory. Figure 1 is a graph showing the number of young people who got involved in criminal offences between the years 2003 to 2010. According to the graph below, the number of young people who got involved in criminal offences increased steadily from 2003 to 2006. After 2006, the number of young people who

Case study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Case study - Essay Example In 1993, Peter Solvik joined Cisco and made IT the central functionality of the company. He showed interest in starting many projects for the upgrading of IT in the company. He brought many changes and supported the company in adopting IT successfully. However, when Peter Solvik left the company and Boston joined as the new CEO, there were many problems revealed with the current IT adopted by the company (McAfee, McFarlan and Wagonfeld 4). ERP was introduced by Peter Solvik in the company and was installed for handling inventory and manufacturing functions but with the passage of time, other functions was also added to the ERP system due to which, problems were there (McAfee, McFarlan and Wagonfeld 3-4). Boston after becoming the CEO identified these problems and showed interest in three main projects, which were to upgrade the ERP, to develop enterprise reporting and business information solution and to develop a single database (McAfee, McFarlan and Wagonfeld 5). This paper will di scuss all the relevant details of the case in depth. IT Governance Styles at Different Levels Peter Solvik after joining Cisco changed the company’s consideration of IT as an overhead. He made sure that IT performed the role of central functionality of the company. According to his opinion, without using latest technology, the company was not able to progress. Under his governance, ERP system was implemented, which was to handle manufacturing and inventory tasks at the start. In his tenure, the company created its own internet and intranet, due to which not only the data transfer procedures were eased out but also many customers were added to the company’s profile due to which, the company was able to generate more revenue. Peter Solvik’s IT governance style was profitable and commendable for the company as it was due to this style that the company gained reputation and enhanced profits in the market. The organization was made an IT centralized organization (McA fee, McFarlan and Wagonfeld 3). At network/infrastructure level, internet and intranet were developed to control all network related functions such as sales, manufacturing and others. A website was developed with the name Cisco.com. At data level, intranet was used for data transferring while at application level, the ERP was developed to handle the manufacturing and inventory applications of the company. Problems with Cisco There were many problems with the company’s IT by 2001, which were discovered after Boston’s joining the company. Many customized tools were there to handle different functionalities for which, extra costs were paid. The investment for the customized tools was too much and information retrieval was problem. In addition, there was no central decision making for the IT functions as every department made its own decisions due to which, there were problems related to upgrading ERP system of the company as a whole. There was lack of centralized planning , which was again problematic for the company (McAfee, McFarlan and Wagonfeld 5). Many old custom interfaces were required to be put out of action in order to install a newer version of ERP, which will be problematic for the users of ERP. In addition, ERP was designed mainly to

Brave new world Essay Example for Free

Brave new world Essay Lenina, Foster and the Director all have been pre-conditioned to think of themselves better and more intelligent than Betas, Delta, Gammas, and Epsilons, as do all Alphas. And with good reason as Alphas are pre-conditioned to be more intellectual and socially better. This portrays a capitalist society with the different classes. Huxley deriving from an upper-middle class family this is understandable. In contrast to 1984, everybody is relatively the same. Proles and Party members are all treated the same and are regulated with telescreens and thought police moving amongst them. The views of Orwell have been diffused into the subject matter of 1984 as well as Huxleys into BNW, the difference and contrast being their views. Huxleys views of a class system and Orwell views that a socialist Britain was going to develop in light of Soviet Russia. When further comparing the authors style and subject matter of thinking for their characters, it is clear that they share relatively the same principles. Orwells language and style shows that the Party members and proles are sub-consciously trained to believe the ideals of the Party by propaganda. Posters, the two-minute hate, books, songs and newspapers all enforce the Party ideals and the people believe them for they have no other principles or ideals with which to compare. They assume that the Party is right in what it says. This refers back to the proles not having an individual consciousness away from party principles, as stated by Winston in the extract. Their thinking is basic and un-intellectual. Similarly, the thinking process in BNW is a result from training and conditioning. This time people are taught in their sleep (again sub-consciously like in 1984) what to think and what ideals/principles to hold. Their thinking is mechanic and standardised which holds parallels with the mechanic factories they were produced in. Again it is the case of two different methods producing the same result. The subject matter of the BNW extract shows humour which 1984 does not. The fact and process that leads to the Rocket Engineers only ever being truly happy when standing on their heads and that Decanting trauma can occur in comparison with real life birth trauma. Both of these examples from the extract are illustrations of the humour that Huxley injects into the novel at several intervals. With 1984 there are no humorous comments at all and so the subject matter keeps, at all times, an air of seriousness, whereas with BNW this air of seriousness, as a revolutionary novel, is broken from time to time by the humour. A main contrast that the two extracts highlight is the ideal of what both worlds are striving towards and are. In 1984 Winston describes the Partys ultimate aim as; The ideal set up by the Party was something huge, terrible and glittering a world of steel and concrete, of monstrous machines a nation All thinking the same thoughts, shouting the same slogans, perpetually working, fighting, triumphing and persecuting three hundred million people all with the same face. This holds extreme parallels to the world that Huxley creates in Brave New World. A world where everyone has the same face paralleling with the mass producing of people that all look alike; shouting the same slogans, paralleling with the sleep taught sayings that everyone has a version of, whether youre an Alpha or Epsilon, a world of steel and concrete paralleling with the vast huge cities of BNW. It seems that 1984 is a world where a government is attempting to change the past and achieve a different world, whereas BNW is a world proud of its past and of sustaining its world. The two are exact opposites; BNW being what the Party is trying to create. The importance of the two extracts in the novels is high in that they are meant to shock the reader. Huxleys description of the manufacturing of people and Orwells description of a world that controls everything (even the past) and makes its people think whatever they like. Both extracts create a world in which the story is allowed to develop, they are the soil from which the seed is meant to grow. The 1984 extract has an added level to its importance as it shows that already Winston is part of the undead. It shows that Winston is doing exactly what hes not supposed to be and that if/when he is caught, the Party have got grounds on which to vaporise him. It shows the re-occurring principle in the novel that death is certain, and life is not. It shows that any chance of Orwells world changing, the Party being overthrown, is non-existent as any chance must lie in the proles but: Until they become conscious they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious. This parallels with BNW as no-one there either wishes to change things, as they are content with their current life. Both extracts create these two worlds of unimaginable oppression whether its inhabitants realise it or not and the theme that runs throughout the comparison of the two novels and extracts is the same; that Orwell and Huxley both achieve relatively the same thing through different methods. They both achieve worlds of oppression and shock simply through different actual environments; as they did with making it that everyone thinks what the authorities wants them to think and that they have no interest in challenging this or any other aspect of their world. This being the case and both authors creating these future worlds of shock and astonishment are vital to the novels as this is what makes the novels so revolutionary for their time.

Dangers of over empathising

Dangers of over empathising Discussion This assignment will attempt to discuss the importance of empathizing during the counselling exchange and focus on pointing out the dangers of over empathising as well as discuss how these dangers can be avoided. Before analysing the problems that occur when the therapist over empathizes, I will try to stress the importance of empathy within the client therapist relationship. When referring to the term empathy we mean the capability to share and appreciate someone elses emotions and feelings. It is often referred to as the ability to put oneself into anothers shoes, or in some way experience what the other person is feeling, (Ekman, 1999). Empathising with patients should be the starting point for improving the client therapist relationship and the counselling exchange and process. Empathy has always been a significant characteristic of psychoanalytic treatment. It is the essential healing factor as well as the basis of data collection in psychoanalysis, (Plutchik, 1980). Even though empathy is vital in psychoanalytic, self-psychological, and client centred therapies, its main purpose is seen as different within each therapeutic method, (Nicoll, W.G. 1999). With client centred therapy, the most important role of empathy is to generate a specific kind of learning experience where clients exist and relate to themselves in a different way. In particular, the purpose is to assist people in developing the skill of learning and show them how to use experiential referents in making every day decisions. With psychoanalysis, empathy is a key that assists the therapist in developing insight into the clients unconscious dynamics. With self psychological therapy, empathy works as a way to strengthen self-structure. Even though these functions are different, they can coexist Rogerian therapy According to Rogerian therapy, the therapist enters the clients world. Within this unique world the therapist neither agrees or disagrees. and does not attempt to look into the subconscious, the unconscious or point out contradictions, (Rogers 1977). Instead, therapy is seen as a process of freezing the individual and taking away obstacles and barriers in order for normal growth and development to occur which would eventually result in the clients independence, (Moses, I. 1988). Within the process of therapy the client passes on from rigidly of self perception to fluidity. For this to happen the therapist must be completely genuine and must have positive attitude towards the client and show empathic understanding, (Shaffer, 1978). A fundamental but also tricky in respect to the amount of empathy towards the client is keeping positive attitude towards the client. This demands from the therapist to relate to the client as a person to a person and not as a scientist to an object of stu dy, (Cornelius, 1996). In the context of therapy, empathy is characterised and expressed by studying a persons facial expressions, studying the body movements , and by active listening, by hearing their tone of voice, (Haase Tepper, 1972). Rogers (1975) emphasised on the therapist sensing the clients inner experiencing and communicating something about this understanding back to the person. In this regard, empathy involves a commitment to grasp the internal state of an individual as accurately as possible (Cochran Cochran, 2006). It is the sustained interpersonal stance of the therapist in perceiving and responding to the private meanings of the client that is central to the healing and change process (Barret Lennard, 1976; Rogers, 1975; Bennet, 2001). In order for an empathic response of a therapist to affect a client, it must be expressed or made visible in some form (Barret Lennard, 1993). Although empathic acknowledgment may involve some form of stimulation in the therapist (the empathiser), the therapist should not adopt or experience this feeling as their own, instead they should locate the feeling in the other person. Otherwise the therapist may experience an emotional atmosphere or even that the emotions displayed belong to all the parties involved rather than just to the client, (Moses, I. 1988). As Rogers pointed out: it is crucial that the therapist is able to perceive the experience of a person, but without losing the as if the counsellor were the client (Rogers, 1957). It is said that, in therapy, it is essential for a practitioner to avoid allowing conflictive personal issues to interfere with the counselling relationship (Boy Pine, 1982). On the other hand however, if the therapist maintains only an emotionally distant level of engagement with the client, communications and understandings that are forthcoming from an experiential mode of empathy may be diminished or precluded, (Olinick, S. L. 1969). At this point it is crucial to point out that although empathy is important it can be a very difficult issue for many therapists, (Moses, 1988). This is because therapists are very vulnerable to an excessive level of identification with another individual when personal issues and conflicts are unresolved and subject to merging with the material of the client. Feeling too much can easily complicate things and make it difficult to treat the patient in a completely objective manner. Being too empathic may also result in the therapist in a sense picking up attributes of the patients physical and mental disease. When over empathising the therapist may feel disempowered and it may then become very difficult for the therapist to feel relaxed, centred and rooted which is a basic requirement when attempting to treat someone, When the therapist over -empathises with the client he is in a way reproducing the physiological state of the client in his own system, (Davis, M. H. 1996). This can make therapy a dangerous quest as there are negative emotions involved, which leave the therapist in risk of exposing him or her self directly to the clients negative experience of the problem which could be depression, anxiety, suicidal tendencies and many more. By exposing himself directly and without borders to the clients negative state, the therapist is not helping himself, the client or the process of therapy. However, by empathising with the client in a conscious and appropriate manner it can work as a healthy protective mechanism which shields the therapist when needed, Empathy Empathy is not the act of getting lost in the clients state. If this happens, the therapist will be pulled down with the client when the client is drowning and therefore will not be able to provide any help, A sensible definition of empathy is to sense the clients private world as if it were your own, but without ever losing the as if quality this is empathy and it seems essential to therapy. To sense the clients anger, fear, or confusion as if it were your own, yet without your own anger, fear or confusion getting bound up in it. (Rogers) As Rogers states, empathising with the client in the way described can assist the client way more than just the positive feeling of being accepted and understood: When the clients world is clear to the therapist, and he moves about in it freely, then he can both communicate his understanding of what is clearly known to the client and can also voice meanings in the clients experience of which the client is scarcely aware. This way the therapist and the client can move forward together, step by step, instant by instant touching areas of experience which are within the client and affect his or her life, but for some or many reasons is difficult to access, therefore is not open to understanding, acceptance or change, (Myers, S. 2000). Therapists need to keep in mind that counselling is not just talking things over (as they do in their everyday life with friends), but a more formal kind in which there are two very different roles, the counsellor does not generally talk about them self or try to rescue the client as they would do with a friend because by doing this there is a danger of over-empathizing with the client and losing a clear sense of being separate people, (Eisenberg, N., Strayer, J. 1987) In terms of the content of therapy, there is a need for the therapist to constantly look out for the influence they may be experiencing from the client. Therapists need to question all their own assumptions and beliefs through reading, consciousness-raising, and through self examination. This requires a ruthless honesty that can be painful as well as exhilarating. Only when counsellors have gone through this themselves can they genuinely help their client and not become to attached or over-empathize. Ultimately it is important that therapists work with and acknowledge all aspects of their clients and themselves that are beneath and above the form visible to our eyes, (Myers, S. 2000). They need to be able to tune into the level on which they can see the human soul in front of them without being distracted by their theories and self beliefs. However it is important for therapists to distinguish the difference between sympathy and empathy. Sympathy Sympathy is often confused with empathy as both conceptions are viewed as passing on a sense of caring or compassion. In therapy however, there are clear differences between these aspects that can either potentially delay or increase the treatment process, (Lang, J.A. 1994). The primary intent of empathy is to understand a person and the focus of sympathy is the well-being of an individual (Black, 2004). In practice, if a client expresses emotional distress, a counsellor employing an empathic stance tries to understand the individuals functioning and convey a sense of the experience back to the person. In contrast, if a therapist sympathetically responds to a clients distress, he or she may attempt to alleviate the clients plight, (Lang, J.A. 1994). With sympathy, a practitioners identity may begin to merge with a clients feelings and situation (Kalisch, 1973). As the psychological boundaries between the client and therapist blur, and the sharing of feelings intensifies, the expectation that a counsellor will be able to assume an objective or detached perspective becomes more remote. A manifest pattern of similarity with a clients behaviour may indicate the operation of identification as a defense mechanism on the part of a counsellor (Clark, 1998a). In contrast to sympathy, empathy implies a sense of detachment and separateness. A practitioners identity is maintained except for momentary periods of active resonance with a client (Schlesinger, H.J. 1981). With empathy a counsellor directs attention more to the needs and issues of a client and attempts to maintain a focus on the individuals perspectives. As mentioned previously, identification and projection represent defence mechanisms that can distort a therapists ability to communicate and maintain an empathic posture with a client. The defences relate to conflictive issues and a therapists functioning that emerge during threatening interactions in treatment. Counter-transference is another construct with origins in the psychoanalytic persuasion, and relates specifically to unresolved conflicts of a therapist that potentially have a negative impact in the therapy process (Rud, C. 1993). Because it involves distortion of perceptual functioning, counter transference results in the diminished ability of therapists to focus on the needs of a client. At this point it is safe to argue that over-empathising is similar to sympathising in a way. Empathy is clearly different to sympathy. Sympathy suggests feeling sorry for the other person or, perhaps, identifying with how the other person feels. If one sympathises, they imagine them self as being in the other persons position and how doing so would make them feel. This results in not being able to have a clear view of the problem and therefore not being able to offer an objective point of view as a therapist. if one empathises, however, they try to imagine how it is to be the other person which means that feeling sorry for him/her does not really come into the issue, allowing the therapist to be a disposition towards the client, and allowing the client to express them self fully. Therapists should be very cautious so as to avoid being too sensitive to the clients emotions, and to avoid over-investing their own emotions, as this may have an effect on them and drain away their own orig inality, creativity and resourcefulness. In any therapeutic condition an understanding of the borders and limitations of empathic accurateness is fundamental. It is important for the counsellor to always remember that it is the client in the end who will find his own way through, and will find his own idiosyncratic answers to his problems in living and that the counsellor is there to assist and guide him through.

Changing Ethos of the Department of Social Protection

Changing Ethos of the Department of Social Protection REPORT ON THE CHANGING ETHOS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION I am writing about the way the Department of Social Protection has evolved since the recession in 2009.   How their Services were delivered and the changes that have been implemented over the past few years.   The Department of Social Protection plays a part in everyones life at some stage. The aim of the Department is to provide citizens with information, financial support and other services they require in a timely customer-friendly manner.   This report will outline the evolution of the Department in the last few years and the way they have changed their working practices and also more importantly the way the unemployed are treated when first coming into contact with the Department of Social Protection. Department of Social Protection Before 2012 Passive income maintenance expenditures rose very rapidly as unemployment climbed after 2008; the response in terms of expenditure on labor market programmes inevitably lagged somewhat. The Jobs Initiative and Community Employment Schemes were changed and modified.   Jobs Initiative which is amount paid for the Job was introduced in the 1990s it was targeted towards the unemployed over 35yrears of age and unemployed for more than 5yrs.   The jobs were created in the community and participants were paid the market rate.   The Community Employment schemes were also introduced and expanded during the 90s participants would work part time hours in the community and earn additional money to supplement their Lone Parents or Disability payment.   The criteria for additional payment were that they had to be on Lone Parents or Dept. Payment.  Ã‚  Ã‚   They also provided excellent training allowance to enhance the skills and qualifications of those on the scheme.   The Scheme would last anything up to 12 months to 24 months.   These schemes re-energized underprivileged areas all over major cities in Ireland.   Some of the C.E. Schemes made a great benefit to people and they used it to gain skills and experience in order to move into the open job market. Fas the training agency concentrated on long term training rather than short term training courses.   The training courses were not geared towards up skilling for shortages in the Job Market.   There as a gap between what was needed in the labor market and what training was being provided by Fas. They failed to link in with Companies and factories on skills shortages.   To train people for specific skills shortages to fill contract positions.   A revolving door seemed to happen in the early years of the recession the unemployed were floating from one course to another.  Ã‚   A lot of our students left the country to seek employment in Europe and overseas.   Small towns in Ireland became devoid of young people.   Our educated young were leaving Ireland for a better life. The unemployed were treated badly when signing on for benefits and were made to feel small and worthless.   They were dictated to and treated like children when seeking what they were entitled. ACTION AND REMODELING OF OUR DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND TRAINING CENTRES The Government introduced a Programme a Pathway to Work and Employment Activation Policy for all areas in the community.   Community initiatives were drawn up to increase employment.   The Criteria for C.E. Schemes was changed and those on the dole were only entitled to one payment from the Department of Social Welfare.   The Job Initiative was to be phased out.   Money was to follow employment only; private training companies were to be funded if the Government agencies could not provide relevant job market training.   There was a huge shortage of trained people for the Pharmaceutical Industry; training companies began to spring up providing such training over a 12 month period.   The merger of Dept. of Social Welfare and Community Welfare Service, FAS Community and Employment Services and the redundancy and insolvency payment schemes the Department is now one of the largest public service organizations in the country.  Ã‚   The department now has close relationships w ith employers who are essential partners in getting people into employment.   The Department is developing integrated services with the introduction of Intero this model of service is to enhance the service to the customer. It is a quality service delivery across a wide range of disciplines and programmes to meet the changing needs of our customers.   As the economy is now booming and we are heading towards full employment again the Department has played a pivotal role in 2015 in supporting Irelands economic progress.   Unemployment has fallen from a crisis peak of 15.1 percent to 2012 to 8.8% at the beginning of 2016. The integrated new services are now paying huge dividends to the unemployed. Pathways to work to help the unemployed into work, training and education. The Rollout of the Intreo service meets the key objective in the Statement of Strategy 2011 to 2014 to transform the Department into an integrated, activation focused service provider which puts the customer at the center of all our operations.   In short both a safety net and a springboard.   The Department is determined to deliver a customer service that meets best international standards and maintains the public service that meets best international standards and maintains the public service values of openness, responsiveness, professionalism and good governance.   The Charter and Action Plan will be a focal point to help staff meet this challenge. The most important thing is to be responsive to the customer and the job market.   Keep abreast of the changes to industry and the skills shortage, anticipate demand for skills and retain and up skill the unemployed to meet those challenges.   A proactive organization rather than reactive.   The department will be run as an innovative and strategy orientated body who meets the needs of their customers. Customer Charter was initiated We value your opinion Treat with courtesy and respect Inform you of your rights and entitlements Plan and deliver our employer services to ensure you can support people into employment Protect your information Respect your privacy Consult with you to establish your needs when developing delivering and reviewing our services Provide redress when you have a complaint. We Value your opinion let us know what you think of our service.

Death and the African American Literature Essay -- Racial Relations, R

Racism in the United States is without a doubt one of the most gruesome forms of inhumanity. This disease generated the dehumanization of slavery which has taken the lives of innumerable innocent African Americans. It has also robbed a whole race of their identities, heritages and cultures. Throughout the myriad of novels, excerpts, poems, videos and other forms of literature that we encountered in this course, it is unmistakable that the African American literary tradition demonstrates that the past (the unbelievable sufferings of African Americans) can never be arrested and forgotten. The many that have perished at the feet of racism are the history of African Americans themselves, and the African American literary tradition makes it a priority to be true to that history. So why is death a theme in the African American literary tradition? Death, in itself, is a universal phenomenon, with no exception; it touches the lives of all persons regardless of their social status or ethnic heritage. Likewise, death is a universal theme in literature, but its relevance in the African American literature is particularly poignant because of the loyalty that African American writers have to their history. With the help of works of Frederick Douglass’ Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass an American Slave , Negro spirituals (â€Å"I feel like my time ain’t long† and â€Å"Many Thousands Gone†) and Abel Meeropol’s â€Å"Strange Fruits,† modern African American literature like late sermons from Martine Luther King Jr. and Elizabeth Alexander’s â€Å" Praise Song for the Day† has utilize the universal theme of death to symbolize the racial injustice that African Americans experience in the own country and they also utilize such a strong theme to declare ... ...rt-breaking result of racism in the United States and the subject has made its way into the African American literary tradition. Slave narratives such as Douglass’ Narratives and Negro spirituals such as â€Å"I feel like my time ain’t long† and â€Å"Many Thousands Gone† have made African American literature true to the history that has been recorded. A present day controversial subject in our society is why can’t people, especially African Americans, forget about slavery and the adversity against African Americans? It is believed that African Americans have progressed and made advancement since that time; however, with writers like Elizabeth Alexander, the past just can’t go away forgotten; especially a past that was as gruesome as that of African Americans. Every single bloody lash, death and groaning happened and as she said we have to â€Å"say it plain† that it happened.

Comparing the Deceitful Women of Homers Odyssey and the Bible Essay

The Deceitful Women of Homer's Odyssey and the Bible Across all barriers, women have always brought pain, suffering, and aguish to the men as demonstrated in both Homer's Odyssey and the Bible. With their beauty and grace, temptresses like the Sirens and Delilah lure men into their grasps, only to later steer them to their ruin. Other times, they use their cunning abilities and deception, as Circe and Jezebel did, in order to entice men into doing things that they normally would never accede to do. Moreover, most tragedies, disasters, and misfortunes are essentially caused by women as demonstrated by Helen, who caused the Trojan War, and Eve, who caused the exile of all mankind from the Garden of Eden and is the mother of all sin. The women of the Odyssey and the women of the Bible, through astute manipulation and seduction, inflict many tribulations, which in due course cause the pains and destruction of mankind. First, one of the most obvious examples of how seductresses lead men to disaster is the Sirens. The Sirens in the Odyssey are the personifications of temptation and, as Circes puts it, "enchanters of mankind" (Odyssey 12.41-42). They spend their days luring men like Odysseus with their sweat melodious voices, and those men eventually find their deaths upon the feet of the Sirens. "They sit in their meadow, but the beach before it is pile with bone heaps of men now rotted away, and the skins shrivel upon them" (Odyssey12.45-46). Odysseus's immediate, visceral desires for the Sirens distract him from his nostos, or homeward journey. It is only by his foresight from Circes that keeps him and his men from destruction at the feet of the Sirens. Similarly, in the Bible, Delilah is the rogue ... ... Garden of Eden. Ultimately, women are the cause of all anguish in the world. With their beauty and charm, they ensnare men into their ruses. They also use their acumen and intelligence to seduce men to their deaths. Plus, women are capable and do cause massive atrocious destruction. The women of the Bible and the women of the Odyssey are lucid examples of how women cause the undoing of mankind. Works Cited and Consulted: Diana Buitron-Oliver and Beth Cohen,   "Between Skylla and Penelope: Female Characters of the Odyssey in Archaic and Classical Greek Art," pp. 29-58. Graham, A. J.   "The Odyssey, History, and Women,"   Princeton 1992 Homer. The Odyssey. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: 1996 The Bible: The Old Testament. The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces. Ed. Sarah Lawall et al. Vol 1. 7th ed. New York: Norton, 1999. 47-97.

Manila Zoo Background Essay

The Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden or Manila Zoo emerged from the ashes of World War II, a proud monument of man’s innate love of nature and its multitude of creatures. This showcase of then Mayor Arsenio H. Lacson’s vision was born on May 18, 1959 by virtue of City Ordinance No. 4135 and inaugurated on July 25, 1959. Mayor Antonio Z. Villegas’ Executive Order No. 10, dated February 1, 1967, integrated into one office the Division of Recreational Services of the Social Welfare Bureau and the Division of Parks and Playgrounds of the Department of Engineering and Public Works with the Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden. The new office was known as the Manila Zoo and Public Recreations Bureau. On June 15, 1969 the Congress of the Philippines enacted R.A. 5264 creating what now is known as the Public Recreations Bureau (PRB). The Manila Zoo is a 5.5-hectare (14-acre) zoo located in Manila, Philippines that opened it’s doors to the public on July 25, 1959. It receives millions of visitors every year, and is especially popular with visitors on weekends. It serves as one of the educational centers in the country where the viewing public can observe, discover and learn interesting facts about the beauty of Philippine fauna and flora. There are 106 species of animals, among which are 30 different kinds of mammals, 63 reptile species and 13 types of birds. In addition to popular zoo occupants such as elephant, tigers, lions and the hippos, Manila Zoo also houses several endemic and indigenous species of animals like the bearcat, long-tailed macaques and crocodiles. There is also a Kinder Zoo inside the Manila Zoo where anyone can roam around freely and interact with the animals inside. Children can play with tamed animals at the same time learn about them and their environment. The Kinder Zoo features different attractions and animals from all over the world like Butterfly Dome, Exotic Birds Aviary, Koi Pond, Philippine Mouse Deer House, Petting Zoo, Turtle Pond, Party Barn, Playground, Hanging Bridge and Flamingo Pond. Animals inside include exotic birds, pot belly pigs, miniature animals, Cayman crocodiles, peacocks and peahen ducks, chickens from around the world, rabbits, snakes, ostriches, and Sulcata tortoises. At the center of the zoo is a small lagoon or pond where visitors can experience boat riding. There  is a small island at the center of the lagoon. Boat riders paddle their way around this island. There are also many restaurants, canteens and souvenir shops inside the zoo. The zoo also has several playgrounds for the children and tables and benches where families may have picnics. With a good mix of education and entertainment purposes, the Manila Zoo does its best to appeal to everyone. ANIMALS The Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden is home to more than 800 animals from nearly 100 species as of 2007. The zoo’s most popular resident is Mali, an Asian elephant who arrived at the zoo as an orphaned calf donated from Sri Lanka. List of Animals: Multicolored Stork Blue-crowned Heron Purple Heron Rufous Night Heron Indian Blue Peafowl Leucistic Indian Peafowl Bengal tiger Philippine Monkey Silver Fox Palawan Bearcat Stump-tailed Macaque Philippine Crocodile Estuarine Crocodile Domestic Horse Wild Boar Miniature Brahman Green Iguana Sailfin Lizard Elongated Tortoise Philippine Cobra Burmese Python Reticulated Python Tarictic Hornbill Rufous Hornbill Catalina Macaw Hybrid Macaw Umbrella Cockatoo Moluccan Cockatoo Sulfur-crested Cockatoo Rufous-bellied Eagle Eastern Grass-owl Large-billed Crow Philippine Eagle-owl Philippine Scops-owl Banded Rail Bittern Blue-naped Parrot Brown Booby Crested Myna Egret Gallinule Mallard Palawan Peacock-pheasant Pond Heron Purple Swamphen Spotted Dove Ring-necked Parakeet Turtle Dove Water Hen White Ibis Nicobar Pigeon Fruit Bat Luzon Bleeding-heart Hanging parrot Malayan Civet Palawan Bearcat Monitor lizard Soft-shelled Turtle Goose Rhea Cassowary Ostrich Hippopotamus Zebra Llama Coati Japanese Macaque Cloud Rat Orangutan Goat Guinea Pig Rabbit BOTANICAL GARDEN The Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden is home to many plant collections, from the botanically rich and diverse Philippine Islands and South Pacific region. An estimated 500 species of plants including impressive mature shade trees thrive within the enclave. Aside from being a botanical garden, it is also considered as an arboretum.

Education in the UAE Essay

Modern educational system of the UAE, which was introduced in the beginning of the 1970s, comprises a number of private and governmental educational establishments available both for male and female students. It has 4 academic levels, including primary, preparatory, secondary and higher education. The first three levels are compulsory. Governmental schools, colleges and universities are opened for the students to study for free. Currently, about 40% of educational establishments in the UAE are private (The US Department of State, 2007). The development of the country’s educational system started in the early 1900s, when a lot of engineering schools and colleges were opened throughout the country, including the Taimia Mahmoudia (opened in 1907), Al Ahmadia (1912), Al Otaiba (1930), Al Qassemia (1935) and many others. By the early 1950s, Al Qassemia became the first systematical school, where students were provided with organized curriculum and a system of exams, and it was the first educational establishment to launch school diplomas. In 1971, when the Emirates were united and the Ministry of Education was established, the modern era of education in the UAE has started. Several important educational reformations were implemented and a series of universities were established, including UAE University (1976), Higher Colleges of Technology (1988), Zayid University (1998) and others. In 2003, the first international education zone was opened in Dubai, which is currently a center of the country’s e-learning, development and research. According to the US Department of State, 25% of total federal spending is directed to education (The US Department of State, 2007). As a part of the governmental plan â€Å"Education 2020†, since the beginning of the century such important structural changes took place in education, as enhancement of elementary school curriculum, introducing new English language programs, launching innovative teaching techniques focused on self-learning, opening new up-to-date educational facilities and so on. References Taboor, A. A. (2008, February 28). History of Education. The Ministry of Education. Retrieved November 27, 2008, from: . The US Department of State. (2007). United Arab Emirates country profile. Library of Congress. Federal Research Division. Retrieved November 27, 2008, from: .