A critical analysis of the application of the doctrine of Essay

A critical analysis of the application of the doctrine of self-determination in the context of South Sudan with reference to the Naivasha agreement of 2005 - Essay Example Moreover, this issue is central to the efficacy of international law as a regulatory mechanism particularly in human rights issues as a gap between theory and practice clearly undermines the objectives of both customary international legal principles and UN Charter provisions.2 Directly correlated to this is the concept of â€Å"state† and â€Å"inter-state relations†, which in terms of individual human rights protections at international level has become a central issue particularly in context of rapid globalisation3. Furthermore, the complex notion of state and the role of ethnic groups within states have challenged colonial geographic boundaries of the state4. In turn, the changing nature of the global order in the post Cold War environment has created novel conflict scenarios and significantly reshaped the dynamics of conventional warfare5. This has challenged pre-existing international legal principles, which is highlighted by the problematic doctrine of self determination and its boundaries in international law6. The doctrine of self determination has remained contentious in international law as whilst the objective of the doctrine as expressed in the UN Charter 19457 was arguably triggered by the increasing desire for decolonisation; the practical consequences has often seen the doctrine of self determination being utilised to perpetuate conflict8. contextual reference to Southern Sudan and the 2005 Naivasha Agreement, which enables the Southern part of Sudan to vote on its legal status in a referendum in January 2011. It is submitted at the outset that the 2005 Naivasha agreement highlights the conflict between the subjective interpretation of the doctrine of self determination and legality under established international legal principles. Therefore, in evaluating the doctrine, Section 2 will consider the models of self determination and the legal basis for self determination. Section 3 will

Biotransformation And Elimination Of Drugs Biology Essay

Biotransformation And Elimination Of Drugs Biology Essay Liver plays a significant role in the metabolism of a large number of drugs and toxins. Hepatic drug metabolism involves various processes, broadly classified as Phase 1 (functionalisation) and Phase 2 (conjugation). Glucuronidation catalysed by UDP-glucuronosyl transferase (UGTs) plays a key role in the Phase 2 metabolism of a large number of drugs as well as many endogenous substrates, like bilirubin, steroids etc., by increasing the hydrophilicity and clearance. UGTs are versatile enzymes, in terms of broad, yet overlapping substrate specificity, presence of numerous isoforms, genetic polymorphisms etc. Biological systems are recognised to be stereoselective in nature. A large number of drugs, nearly 50% of all marketed drugs exist as either single enantiomers or racemates. Therefore stereoselective behaviour of drugs plays an important role in drug action as well as disposition (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Elimination). The aim of this project is to identify the enantio-selectivity of drugs towards glucuronidation by UGT and also to identify whether enantio-selectivity is linked to specific isoforms of UGT. Furthermore, predicting the enantiomeric behaviour of drugs may also aid in rationalising in-sillico modelling of drug metabolism and thereby predicting metabolism of new chemical entities (NCEs) 1. INTRODUCTION Biotransformation and elimination of drugs from the body involves several different metabolic routes. These metabolic pathways are broadly classified into Phase 1 (functionalisation) and Phase 2 (conjugation) drug metabolism. Phase 1 metabolic pathway involves transforming the drug into a more polar functionality, through various reactions like, oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis, isomerisation and so on depending on the chemical nature of the drug. These reactions are catalysed by enzymes such as: Cytochrome P450, NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase, acetlycholineestrase etc. Product of Phase 1 drug metabolism may then act as a substrate for Phase 2 metabolism. This phase consists of conjugation of the drug substrate with endogenous ligands leading to increased polarity, hydrophilicity and thereby elimination of the drug from body through bile or urine. Conjugation reactions include glucuronidation, glycosidation, sulfation, methylation etc. These reactions are catalysed by UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase, UDP-Glycosyltransferase, Sulfotransferase, Methyltransferase respectively. Among these, glucuronidation is the most prevalent conjugation reaction in the body. [1] 2. GLUCURONIDATION Glucuronidation is the most common reaction in Phase 2 drug metabolism. This conjugation reaction which is catalysed by UDP- glucuronosyl transferase, forms about 35% of all drugs metabolised by conjugation. This is primarily due to the abundance in living systems of UDP-glucuronic acid, the co-factor for the reaction, as well as due to the pervasive nature of the enzyme, UDP-glucuronosyl transferases (UGTs). [1] [2] The process of glucuronidation involves: I. Formation of co-factor (UDP-glucuronic acid) II. Conjugation of UDP-glucuronic acid with substrate The formation of co-factor (UDP-glucuronic acid) This consists of a two step process: 1. Formation of UDP-glucose Glucose-1-phosphate is present in high concentrations in almost all cells of the body. The first stage of glucuronidation is related to glycogen synthesis through the common intermediate, UDP-glucose. The formation of UDP-glucose occurs by addition of a Uridine 5- diphosphate (UDP), a pyrophosphate nucleotide in cells, to a molecule of Glucose-1-phosphate. The reaction is catalysed by UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase enzyme. [1] [3] 2. Dehydrogenation of UDP-glucose to UDP-glucuronic acid The above step is followed by dehydrogenation of UDP-glucose to UDP-glucuronic acid, catalysed by the enzyme UDP-glucose dehydrogenase, in the presence of NAD+ co-factor. [3] Conjugation of the substrate with UDP-glucuronic acid Conjugation reaction involves transfer of one ÃŽÂ ±-D-glucuronic acid moiety from the co-substrate UDP-glucuronic acid (UDPGA), which act as an energy rich intermediate, to form the glucuronide conjugate of the drug molecule. The reaction is catalysed by UDP-glucuronosyl transferase (UGT) enzyme. The reaction is found to be a bimolecular nucleophilic substitution (SN2), whereby the C1 carbon of glucuronic acid, which is in ÃŽÂ ±-configuration, during its reaction with the substrate inverts to form a ÃŽÂ ²-D-glucuronide. [3] [4]. The glucuronide formed is excreted via urine or bile, depending on the chemical nature and molecular weight of the conjugate. [1] [2] The entire reaction is summarised below: Figure: 1: Glucuronidation Pathway leading to formation of ether glucuronide. [3] 2.1 PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Based on the functional group of the substrate molecule, the following types of glucuronide conjugates may be formed; [1] O-Glucuronide They are formed from Phenols, alcohols, carboxylic acids. O-gulcuronides are chiefly excreted in to bile and may undergo entero-hepatic circulation. Examples of drugs: Morphine, Chloramphenicol, Salicylic acid, Clofibrate. Figure: 2 O- Glucuronidation of Morphine [5] [6] UGT Enzyme UDPGA N-glucuronide They are formed by the reaction of UDP-glucuronic acid (UDPGA) with amines, amides etc. E.g. Sulfanilamide, Cyproheptidine, Dapsone S-Glucuronide Reaction of thiol groups with UDPGA in presence of UDP-gucuronosyl transferase results in S-glucuronides. E.g.Disulfiram, 2-Mercapto benzothiazole C-glucuronide It is an uncommon metabolic pathway that occurs due to the direct attachment of UDPGA to the carbon skeleton of drugs. E.g. Sulfinpyrazone [1] [3] 3. UDP-GLUCURONOSYL TRANSFERASE (UGT) ENZYMES 3.1 SITE UGT enzymes are present in human beings and most other mammals. The enzyme is located in many tissues of the body, mostly in liver but also in kidney, lungs, small intestine, spleen, adrenals and skin, to a lesser extend. Inside the cell, UGTs are bound to the membranes of endoplasmic reticulum. Most of the Phase 1 metabolic enzymes, including cytochrome P450s, are located in the endoplasmic reticulum. Therefore endoplasmic reticulum is regarded as an ideal site for UGT enzymes, as it facilitates glucuronide conjugation of Phase 1 substrates. [1] 3.2 STRUCTURAL ASPECTS UDP-glucuronosyl transferase enzyme does not contain a prosthetic group. The monomeric molecular weight of the enzyme if found to be between 50- 60 kilo Daltons. The protein sequence of the enzyme shows slight variations between each individual form. A full length crystal structure of UGTs is yet to be resolved, although crystal structure of the binding domain for UDP-glucuronic acid in human UGT2B7 has been published (by Miley et.al. 2007) [1] [2] 3.3 PHYSIOLOGICAL RELEVANCE In addition to being a major enzyme involved in Phase 2 drug metabolism, UGT enzymes play a number of other roles in the body. Many endogenous compounds such as bilirubin, steroid hormones (e.g. thyroxine, triiodothyronine) and catechols (derived from catecholamine metabolism), act as substrates for UGT enzymes. All these compounds are potentially hazardous if accumulated in the body. Deficiency of UGT enzyme results in hyperbilirubinaemia. Hereditary diseases like Gilberts syndrome and Cringler-Najjars syndrome are associated with genetic polymorphisms of UGT gene [7]. Apart from disposition of endogenous toxins, the enzyme also catalyses glucuronidation of various exogenous chemicals and helps in bodys defence against toxic principles [1] [8] 3.4 MULTIPLE FORMS Various forms of UDP-glucuronosyl transferase (UGT) enzymes have been identified with the help of studies based on purification, characterization of enzymes, molecular cloning, DNA sequencing etc. About 50 vertebrate UGTs have been identified among which 19 are found in humans. UGT enzymes are divided in to families and sub-families based on similarity of their amino acid sequences. Two enzymes are in the same family if the similarity of their amino acid sequences is more than 50% and will be grouped into the same subfamily is similarity is greater than 60%. [1] [2] Nomenclature Divergent evolution and sequence similarity forms the basis of nomenclature of UGT enzymes. Name of the enzyme consists of 4 parts: [1] Root Symbol The root symbol UGT stands for UDP- glucuronosyl transferase. Family It is denoted by Arabic number. E.g. 1, 2 etc Sub-family Designated by an upper-case alphabet Individual Form An Arabic numeral is used for unique identification of the individual form of the enzyme. E.g. UGT2B4, UGT1A6 [1] Mammalian UGTs are divided in to four families: UGT1, UGT2, UGT3 and UGT8. Among these, only UGT1 and UGT2 catalyses conjugation of glucuronide and hence are discussed further. UGT1A family of enzymes are found to contain 9 functional proteins and are coded for by a single gene complex located at chromosome 2q37. The genes coding for this enzyme have common exons 2-5 (region of gene which codes for the carboxyl terminus of the enzyme) and a variable exon 1. The first exon is responsible for coding the N-terminal domain of the protein and this explains why the enzymes are substrate specific in spite of have a common C-terminal [1] [2] UGT2 enzyme family, especially UGT2B plays a vital role in the metabolism of xenobiotics and endogenous ligands. Genes coding for UGT2 family enzymes are situated on chromosome 4q13. In the case of UGT2B sub family, protein sequences at the C-terminal, gives rise to the UDP-glucuronic acid binding domain as well as helps in anchoring of the protein to membrane of endoplasmic reticulum. UGT2A subfamily is less studied and do not play a significant role in systemic metabolism. UGT2A1 is present in olfactory epithelia and to a lesser extend in cells of brain and lungs. UGT2A2 in liver and small intestine, while UGT2A3 in small intestine, liver and adipose tissue. [2] Figure: 3: Shows the Phylogenetic tree of different UGT isoenzymes. %values indicate the homology between two groups or single isoenzymes at the amino-acid level. [9] 3.5 TISSUE SPECIFICITY The various forms of UGT enzymes show tissue specificity in man. Majority of these enzymes occur predominantly in the liver, (E.g. UGT 1A1, 1A4, 1A6, 2B7 etc) while some others are found in various extrahepatic sites. An example is UGT1A10, which is present in the cells of all areas of gastrointestinal tract and hence accounts for its wide range of substrate specificity, from phenol molecules to steroids. [1] 3.6 SUBSTRATE SPECIFICITY UGTs show a wide, yet overlapping, range of specificity towards drugs and endogenous ligands. For example, glucuronidation of bilirubin is preferred by UGT1A1 and that of morphine by UGT2B7. [1] [6] Table: 1: Showing Substrate Specificity of UGT enzyme isoforms. [6] Sl.No Substrate Max. Specific enzyme activity / pmol.min-1.mg protein-1 1A1 1A3 1A4 1A6 1A8 2A1 2B4 2B7 2B15 2B17 1. Phenols 1900 239 30 2400 5300 735 0.4 5 167 38 2. Amines 1 84 540 10600 1800 22 3 0 3 Opioids 0 130 0 0 0 73 0 3462 0 4. Carboxylic acids 0 121 0 170 68 0 2 0 5. Bilirubin 400 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.7 INTERINDIVIDUAL VARIATIONS Several genetic polymorphisms in UGTs may lead to variations between individuals in the ability to glucuronidate drugs and endogenous substrates. Mutations in genes coding for UGT1 enzyme family has been identified as the cause for hereditary hyperbilirubinaemia, characterized by jaundice due to high levels of unconjugated bilirubin in the body. Further, several genetic diseases- Gilberts syndrome and Cringler-Najjars syndrome, may occur due to mutations in genes coding for UGT1A1 isoform. [1] 4. ENZYME KINETICS: Study of enzyme kinetics helps to understand the catalytic mechanism of the enzyme; role played by the enzyme in metabolism as well the rate and activity of enzyme. Michaelis Menten equation is used to describe enzyme substrate interaction and is given by: [2] k1 k 2 E + S ES E + P k-1 Where E = Enzyme, S = Substrate, P = Product Michaelis Constant Km is given by: Km = (k 2 + k -1) / k 1 Michaelis Constant Km is an indicator of affinity of substrate for the enzyme as well as the rate of enzyme activity. The kinetics of drug metabolism can also be defined using Michaelis Menten equation and may be plotted in a graph of Rate of reaction (Velocity) vs. Concentration of Substrate. Although not all enzyme substrate reactions are best described by this equation, a typical model of Michaelis Menten plot is shown below: [2] Figure: 3 Michaelis Menten hyperbolic kinetic profile. [10] Here Vmax is the maximum velocity of enzyme action. Vmax / Km is an indicator of the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme. 5. STEREOISOMERISM Molecules having the same constitution of atoms and sequence of covalent bond, but differ in their three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in space are known as stereoisomers. Stereoisomers are classified in to geometrical (cis/trans) isomers, enantiomers and diastereoisomers. Stereoisomers that are mirror images of each other and hence are not superimpossible are called enantiomers. They differ from each other only by one chiral centre. Isomers that are not mirror images are diastereoisomers. They may contain more than one chiral centre. [2] [11] While geometrical and diastereoisomers are chemically different molecules, enantiomers have identical chemical and physical properties, except for the way in which they rotate plane polarized light. Enantiomers are of great significance in therapeutics as all biological systems represent a chiral environment. Hence drug action as well as disposition (absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination) may differ between enantiomers. [2] 5.1 DRUGS AS ENANTIOMERS As discussed above, the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties may vary for each individual enantiomer. In 1992, United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) published a policy for development of new stereoisomeric drugs. Approximately 50% of all marketed drugs are found to be racemates. Although many drugs can be safely administered as racemates, some others show better efficacy and fewer side effects when administered as a single enantiomer. For example, cardiac toxicity of the local anaesthetic agent, Levobupivacaine is chiefly associated with R-enantiomer. Further, some drugs undergo chiral inversion inside the body to the other enantiomer (e.g. Ibuprofen: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent) and some others undergo racemisation after administration. This is of particular concern, especially if one of the enantiomers is toxic. Hence evaluating drugs for their stereochemistry is gaining importance. [2] [12] Some examples of some single enantiomeric drugs which have gained importance, compared to their racemate counterparts are given below, due to their improved pharmacodynamic- pharmacokinetic profiles: L-DOPA: The use of levo dopa instead of racemic dopa has resulted in reduction in dose and adverse effects (nausea, vomiting, anorexia, granulocytopenia) Figure: 4: Levodopa [13] ESOMEPRAZOLE: This proton-pump inhibitor, which is the S-enantiomer of Omeprazle has shown lower first pass effect and higher plasma half life compared to the R-enantiomer, thus maintaining the intra-gastric pH above 4 for a longer duration. S-enantiomer also showed reduction in variability of response between patients. Figure: 5: Esomeprazole [14] LEVOFLOXACIN: It is a Quinolone antibiotic. As there are slight differences in disposition between enantiomers of this drug, a single S-enantiomer is preferred. Figure: 6: Levofloxacin [15] R-SALBUTAMOL (LEVALBUTEROL): S-enantiomer has shown increased hyper responsiveness of airway, sensitivity to allergens and some decrease in bronchodilator potency. While R-Salbutamol gives significantly higher bronchodilator effect and lesser side effects Figure: 7: R-Salbutamol [16] R, R-METHYLPHENIDATE: This drug is found to be ten-fold more potent than its S-enantiomer when used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity. The presystemic metabolism and disposition of the drug is enantioselective in nature. Further, the R-enantiomer shows rapid onset of action and reduced adverse effects Figure: 8 R, R-Methylphenidate [17] 6. AIM OF THE PROJECT This project aims to determine the rates of glucuronidation of enantiomeric pairs, of a wide range of drugs, to identify differences in metabolism between enantiomers of a drug and also to find out whether enantioselectivity is related to a particular family of UDP-glucuronosyl transferase (UGT) enzyme. Experiment may be done by in-vitro incubations of human recombinant UGTs or human liver microsomes with the selected substrates, followed by analysis using liquid chromatography (HPLC) equipped with a mass spectrometer for detection. [14] Laboratory analysis of enantiomers is usually done using any one of the following two methods: Chiral Chromatography, which make use of a chiral column or chiral mobile phase to separate the enantiomers. Derivatisation, of the analyte using a chiral derivative followed by separation of the resulting diastereoisomers using standard, achiral chromatographic method. But in the case of separation of drug conjugates, the analytical process is relatively simple, as the glucuronide conjugates behave just like derivatised diastereomers and hence may be separated by conventional liquid chromatography. 7. FUTURE DIRECTIONS Many late stage failures in drug development process are due to inability to predict the pharmacokinetic properties of new chemical entities (NCE) before obtaining data from clinical trials. Hence in-vitro approaches like computational (in-sillico) modelling of drug metabolism is gaining acceptance in the recent times. Many approaches such as 2D-Quantitative Structure Metabolism Relationship (2D- QSMR), 3D-Quantitative Structure Metabolism Relationship (3D- QSMR), Pharmacophore Identification as well as Non-linear pattern recognition techniques are being studied to model drug metabolising enzymes. Although predictive models for metabolism of drugs by the Phase 1 metabolising enzyme, Cytochrome P450 are widely accepted, development of effective models for UDP-glucuronosyl transferases (UGTs) catalyzed Phase 2 metabolism has received much less attention. [15] Versatility of these group of metabolic enzymes, in terms of broad but overlapping substrate specificity, drug-drug interactions, genetic polymorphisms as well as presence of a large number of isoforms are some of the challenges facing the development of predictable models for UGTs. Furthermore, apart from a few catalytically relevant amino acids, the full X-ray crystal structure of UGT enzyme is not yet elucidated. [15] [18] Depending on the parameters being modelled (e.g. Km, Vmax etc.) a number of physico-chemical and molecular descriptors, such as molecular size, shape, lipophilicity, hydrogen bonding etc., are required to model molecular recognition of substrates and catalysis by UGTs. Apart from this, study of electronic nature of the nucleophile and pKa is also significant. Since chirality plays an important role in determining metabolic behaviour of drugs, design tools may be developed that address the issue of chirality. While 2D-descriptors will only predict molecular connectivity, 3-D models predicting the enantiomeric properties of enzyme-substrate interactions might significantly improve the future of drug development process. [16] [17] 8. CONCLUSION In conclusion, many biological systems represent a chiral environment. Therefore assessing the enantioselectivity of drug metabolising enzymes plays a significant role in predicting pharmacokinetic behaviour of drugs. The present project aims at identifying the enantio-selectivity of drugs in UDP-glucuronosyl transferase (UGT) metabolism, which is an important Phase 2 (conjugation) process of drug metabolism. Furthermore, knowing the enantiomeric behaviour may help in the development of 3D-Quantitative Structure Metabolism Relationship (3D-QSMR) models for predicting drug metabolism.

Effects of Smoking :: Argumentative Persuasive Example Essays

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The effects of smoking cigarettes  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Smoking is involved in most of all lung cancer deaths. An individual with chronic bronchitis, which is caused by smoking, is more likely to get a bacterial infection if he or she is a smoker. A smoker gets more nose and throat infections, respiratory infections, and bronchitis. Cigarette smoking accounts for a third of all heart disease deaths. The carbon monoxide in the cigarette smoke increases the amount of cholesterol clogging the arteries. Smoking causes stiffness in the walls of the arteries, which are, is harmful to the artery and increases the risk for the artery to rupture. The nicotine in cigarettes can raise your blood pressure, heart rate, and the oxygen demand for muscles, especially the heart. Cigarette Smoking is the major cause of cancer of the lips, tongue, salivary glands, mouth, and esophagus. The development of stomach cancer can be directly associated with smoking. Smoking is known to cause bladder cancer. Quitting smoking will not result in a high reduction in the risk of getting bladder cancer. A strong association exists between smoking and leukemia. Women who smoke are at an increased risk of osteoporosis. Second Hand smoking can also be harmful. Infants and children have tender tissues and are more sensitive to second hand smoke. Many develop cancers when they get older. It is about 53,000 deaths per year as a result of passive smoking in the United States. 37,000 of these deaths come from cardiovascular disease.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Culver2 The effects of tobacco smoke are just as bad, if not worse, in nonsmokers as in smokers. All of the risks for smokers also hold true for exposure to second hand smoke. Tobacco smoke is made up of many hazardous vapors and particles that when inhaled are harmful to both the smoker and to others around.

Hilton Hhonors Worldwide Rewards

Hilton HHonors Worldwide: Loyalty Wars: (Due Week 9, Oct. 29-Nov. 2) ? Compare the Hilton HHonors reward programme with other reward programmes you know about or have researched. Be sure to discuss the differences, how they value guests and their offerings. ? Does the value of the Hilton program justify its’ cost. Explain in terms of the value of a customer. ? What is Starwood trying to do and how should Jeff Diskin respond? The Hilton HHonors Worldwide reward programme can be compared with several other loyalty or recognition programs offered by leading hotel chains of the world.Similar programs are being offered by many airlines, department stores, car rentals, video and book retailing, credit cards, movie theaters and several other international entities in the service industry. The first one that can be considered in this regard is the Priority Club Rewards offered by IHG (Intercontinental Hotels Group). The IHG group comprises of Intercontinental Hotel and Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotel and Resorts, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Hotel Indigo Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites. (Ref: https://secure. priorityclub. com/hotels/). The program is offered across 4,500 properties operated worldwide by the group.The program is open to everyone free of cost. It allows the members to earn points not only by staying in any of the member hotels but also by earning Priority Club points when purchasing goods and services with any of their partners or earn miles with their partner airlines. The partners are specially customized in accordance with prevalent tastes and popularity in different parts of the world and include leading brand names in airline industry, fashion retailers, vacation and tour operators, mobile and telecom services, car rentals, home and furnishings, electronics, computers, etc.The choice of partners is vast as compared to Hiltons’ rewards program. In many territories local co-branded credit cards are also offered which entitle mem bers to earn points on each and every spent. For the stay at the hotels, members can earn 2000 points for every stay outside the hotels outside North America, Mexico and Carribean in Intercontinental Hotel and Resorts while for all other geographical locations and all other hotel chains included in the group, the members earn 10 Priority Club points for each US $ 1 spent.The program has distinct features comprising of points that never expire and no blackout dates for Rewards Night, thus allowing the members to stay anytime. Unlike the Hiltons reward program, members can also use a combination of points and cash for their stay. Furthermore, members can redeem their points for flights with no blackout dates on over 400 airlines across the world ranging from North America, Europe, Middle-East, Central to Southern and Far-east Asia. However, unlike the Hiltons reward program, double-dipping is not allowed.But as an added incentive to members, free lounge access at several airports is a lso offered to the members thus enhancing members travel convenience. Similar to the Hilton reward program, the points in IHG Priority program can also be redeemed for several other items besides free nights at the participating hotels. Yet again, the choice offered by IHG is vast as compared to Hilton. The points can be redeemed for hotel stay, airlines travel, tour packages, adventure sports and merchandise from leading retails and entertainment providers.In addition, gift cards from several brands are available. A very appealing feature is an option of donating points for charitable ventures in keeping with IHG philosophy that ‘rewarding others may be the best reward of all’. (Ref: http://www. priorityclub. com/rewards/us/en/redeem/catalog/charitable-donations). The IHG program lays special emphasis upon member satisfaction and recognition. Hence , the members have several value-added services offered for free. A separate toll-free reservations line is offered. They are offered priority check in and check out services.Their individual preferences are stored in the system (Personalized room-preferences profile) offered at every stay without asking e. g. smoking or non-smoking rooms, bed-type, etc. Requests for late check-outs are given preference and in certain locations, extra benefits like airport pick-up services, free internet, free newspapers, etc. are offered. Extra level of service is also offered to members for room upgrades, complaint resolution, customer service feed-back services, etc. Just like the Hiltons’ reward program, the IHG Priority program also has different plan levels based upon ‘qualifying points’ and ‘qualified nights’.Accordingly, 3 tiers termed as ‘Club’, ‘Gold Elite’ and ‘Platinum Elite’ are offered. (Ref: http://www. priorityclub. com/hotels/us/en/global/support/about_priorityclublevelsef:) Bonus earnings for Gold Elite are 10% and those for Plati num Elite 50% over the base points earned. Moreover, the Elite members are offered extra benefits and advantages like complimentary upgrades and guaranteed room availability. In this respect, it appears to be more attractive to customers than Hiltons’ reward Silver and Gold VIP status.Over and above the stated benefits, multiple promotions are offered at different times promising extra points, free room upgrades, etc. to attract more and more customers. Another popular loyalty program is Fairmont President's Club that allows access to a host of exclusive benefits and privileges. Besides the standards being offered by the loyalty programs of almost all big hotel groups, Fairmont goes a step ahead by offering members services like concierge reservation, complimentary use of health clubs, golf-clubs and even use of BMWs at select locations. Ref: https://www. fairmont. com/fpc/benefits/). Another impressive and acclaimed loyalty program, not by a hotel group but an airline, is th e one offered by Etihad Airways. Though relatively new in the competitive airline industry, the Etihad Guest program has introduced several new initiatives for the frequent travelers generating big business for the airline and proving to be a significant factor in the phenomenal success of Etihad. Very aptly, it has been awarded 2012 Freddie Awards.Etihad Guest was recognized for the Best Redemption Ability, Best Elite Program and Best Loyalty Credit Card among all airlines in the Middle East, Asia and Oceania. (Ref:http://www. etihadairways. com/sites/Etihad/global/en/aboutetihad/mediacenter/newslisting/newsdetails). The program was also runner up in the four remaining categories: Best Promotion for Earning, Best Promotion for Redemption, Best Customer Service and Program of the Year.Hence, it can be concluded that the member retention and brand loyalty competition is fierce and offering innovative and extensive services to customers is imperative to lure more and more individual a nd corporate clients. It seems quite obvious that the value of Hilton reward program does justify its cost. As per the belief of Hilton Hotels that regard frequent guest programs as the lodging industry’s most important marketing tool, serving to direct promotional and customer service efforts at the heavy user. (Ref: Case Study by John Deighton and Stowe Shoemaker).Loyalty programs have been at the core of how hotels attract and retain their best customers for over a decade. However, they can only be as cost-effective as multiple competitors in the market let them be. This study reveals that the previous year had been successful for Hilton. Revenues had been in the region of $158 per night per guest, and occupancy had exceeded break-even. Also Hilton HHonors rewards program was not established as a profit center but was required to break even each year and to measure its effectiveness through a complex set of program metrics.The program is run by a small team of 30 employees . A research by Hilton revealed that guests identified by their HHonors or airline membership numbers occupied 22. 5 percent of all the rooms occupied in the Hilton Hotels and Hilton International network in a year. More importantly for Hilton , activation, retention, and member spend per visit all have improved. Augmenting the financial gains is the valuable database the HHonors rewards program provides to Hilton. These are the most critical and demanding customers who provide vital feedback and valuable suggestions.The program staff can establish individual contact with these members through mail or in person and not only obtain valuable feedback but earn lifelong loyalty. Plenty of focus groups and quantative research can be carried out further enhancing means to develop brand loyalty through personal profiling and personal recognition techniques. The phrase attributed to Diskin interestingly sums it up i-e ‘ People care about organizations that care about them. (Ref: same case study).In addition, the program also offers opportunities to target other customer segments. Furthermore, the program is also being used as a tool that can help the travel manager with compliance to their overall travel policy by offering special incentives to stay at Hilton rather than at a competitor due to personal choice of the travelers. The Hilton program proves to be even more effective by developing additional services for returning customers at check-ins and by appointing guest relations managers to offer special personalized services to loyalty members.All these factors contribute to make this program valuable in expanding and retaining clients and thus justify the associated costs. Starwood is introducing a new aggressive frequent-guest program that it hopes will help attract more business travelers to its Westin Hotels Resorts, Sheraton Hotels Resorts, The Luxury Collection, Four Points, Caesar’s, and Starwood’s new W brand hotels, representing more th an 550 participating properties worldwide. The program is expected to raise the stakes in the loyalty-program fierce competition amongst big hotel chains especially since Starwood plans to run it by a

“A Vindication of the Rights of Woman” Rhetorical Analysis Essay Essay

â€Å"A Vindication of the Rights of Woman† is an essay by Mary Wollstonecraft, written to urge women to ascend above their traditional gender roles in society through the utilization of education. Education is a right, not a privilege because it allows people to contribute to society and that is why Wollstonecraft stresses the importance of its existence in a woman’s life as a tool for higher purpose and societal progression. Her ideologies – combined with rising support behind the emerging feminist movement – were relevant and consequently impacted the lives of whoever encountered her writings. Through this passage, Wollstonecraft utilizes antithesis, rhetorical questions, and analogies to redefine â€Å"attractiveness† by emphasizing the importance of higher intellect rather than physical beauty. Through antithesis, Wollstonecraft is able to highlight the strong contrast between a woman’s role in society with and without education. While women â€Å"have been stripped of the virtues that should clothe humanity, they have been decked with artificial graces that enable them to exercise a short-lived tyranny† (lines 205-207). The artificial graces are symbolic of the traditional â€Å"education† society has forced upon women. Educating women solely on home making skills and how to be a good wife essentially deprives them of their natural rights to an academic based education and instead fills them with skills that only serve to strengthen gender roles. Wollstonecraft emphasizes the â€Å"art of pleasing †¦ [to only be] useful to a mistress; the chaste wife and serious mother should only consider her power to please as the polish of her virtues and the affection of her husband as one of the comforts that render her talk less difficult and her life happi er† (line 133-136). Education at that point in time only served to prevent women from fulfilling their full potential and weakened their worth in society. The general public associated learning with masculinity and consequently refused to recognize the role a rudimentary academic education would play in helping a woman excel as a wife and a mother. Through the lack of education offered to women in society, their promise was hindered and they were forced to follow the straight and narrow paths set forth by society. Wollstonecraft utilizes analogies to illustrate the temporal existence and futility of physical beauty. Women â€Å"just like the flowers †¦planted in too rich a soil †¦after having pleased a fastidious eye, fade, disregarded on the stalk† (line 15-17). Although society places immense value on beauty, it does not last forever, and as a result, once female appeal fades, so does their functionality in civilization. This lack of long lasting purpose and sense of usefulness comes from an inadequate system of education for women which only focuses on superficial aspects that will only keep them feeling fulfilled for a short period of time. A woman whose sole purpose is â€Å"to please will soon find that her charms are oblique sunbeams and that they cannot have much effect on her husband’s heart when they are seen every day† (line 113-115). Through this analogy, Wollstonecraft denotes the momentary existence of physical beauty and its diminishing effect on a man who is witness to it on a daily basis. Constant objectification of feminine existence forced women themselves to denigrate their self worth down to their physical appearance and once again, conforming to demands set forth by their misogynistic environment. Since a woman’s physical appearance is temporary, their worth in a traditional and patriarchal society is also just as temporary. Rhetorical questions were employed throughout the work to emphasize the frustration and disbelief Wollstonecraft had towards that lack of importance placed on educating women. Women were encouraged to hold their tongues and swallow their emotions, forcing most of them to question â€Å"why should not one woman acknowledge that she can take more exercise than another† (line 146-148)? Even after many years of progression and liberation in different aspects of life, the emancipation of women from the control of men was not an issue in anyone’s mind. Men literally controlled every aspect of a woman’s life during that time period and consequently forced them to turn their backs on common sense and truth in order to avoid making immodest gestures by saying what they felt. â€Å"To gain the affections of a virtuous man† affectation was seen as a necessity (line 162). Women accepted these kinds of degrading societal expectations because they were dependent on the men in their lives. In Wollstonecraft’s eyes it was outrageous that women did not understand that their lack of education kept them vulnerable and  that society itself did not understand that educating women would only lead to improvement rather than hindrance. Wollstonecraft’s outrage towards the matter was obviously justified because even after all the progress she made in the name of feminism, women around the world are still being denied an education on a daily basis. Through the use of antithesis, analogies, and rhetorical questions, Wollstonecraft was able to encourage women to question societal constraints that limited their contribution to the communities they were a part of. â€Å"A Vindication of the Rights of Woman† was written to highlight the prominence of gender roles and the negative impact it was having on society. Her work urged people to recognize that restricting a woman’s role in society by claiming that academic ventures were too â€Å"masculine† would ultimately be detrimental and counterproductive.

The Novel as a Popular Form of Literature

The Novel as a Popular Form of Literature A novel is a narrative, fictional piece of literature that is usually written in prose. A novel gives stories that are presented in a serial or sequential manner and has been part of human culture since the medieval and the early romance periods when the novella tradition was in vogue. The novel is the most prominent form of literature world wide and has been treasured as the best example of what a man can write (Guglielmo Chartier, 2).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Novel as a Popular Form of Literature specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More There are some characteristics that make up a novel. To start with, a novel may be written in a narrative form but it is not narrated, it exists in written form. It is not an oral account. Secondly, very few novels contain factual accounts and almost all of them are fictional in nature, which differentiates them from myths which are near factual accounts. Novels focus on the to tality of life, history in an artistic way through the construction of a plot in a way that a work of fiction appears as reality. The artistic merits in a novel are shown by the creative use of language and style to deliver the meaning (Andersen Sauer, 5). The earliest novels in the world are of Greek origin that include the Iliad and the Aneid that were written by homer thousands of years ago. The popularity of the novel rose with the advent of the printing press because, before then, only a few copies of each novel could be distributed. The earliest novels did not have landmark literary stylistics and the only piece of writing that stands out from the mediaeval period is the Canterbury tales that was written by Chaucer, which is still taught in most literary classes to date. The novel did not gain permanent positions as an acceptable literary form very easily. Its development has been marked by the waxing and waning in popularity and most of the landmark novels that took the ge nre into the next level were written in the 19th and 20th century. Since the 19th century, the novel has become the most acceptable, popular and common mode of literature blazing the trail ahead of published plays, non fiction works and poetry, that used to enjoy popularity when the novel was still struggling to make an impact. Advertising Looking for essay on literature languages? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Novels are especially popular for the way they create a fantastic, spectacular world using characters that the audience either empathizes with or likes to emulate (Guglielmo Chartier, 2).The arguments and the sequences that are created in a novel are well though out and present a realm of exploration, innovation and creativity that does not have borders. They have within them, various subgenres that sprout out tackling every type of subject that can be thought of in the world. There is a wide range of ima ginary elements that can be put in a novel in a manner that is cost effective as opposed to movies which present the same information as the novel but in a way that really stretches the financial muscle of the creator (Andersen Sauer, 5). No form of literature in the contemporary world can rival the novel. It uses language and style to create an art that portrays the totality of human life and history in a very creative manner that makes things that are outright fictions to appear so real that the audience almost suffers from the affective fallacy because of the way the novel brings them closer to the real world. Andersen, Jennifer Sauer, Elizabeth. Books and Readers in Early Modern England: Material Studies. Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2001. Guglielmo, Cavallo Chartier, Roger. A History of Reading in the West. Massachusetts: University of Massachusetts Press, 2003.

Americas Before Columbus Essay Essays

Americas Before Columbus Essay Essays Americas Before Columbus Essay Essay Americas Before Columbus Essay Essay Essay Topic: Equus Before the Europeans adventurers had arrived. the posterities of the prehistoric innovators and ulterior migrators – the Native Americans – had formed a assortment of folks throughout North America. Each folk was related. Some were simple nomads who roamed through the West of the continent. while some were forest inhabitants who worked as huntsmans and fishermen. The southwest part of North America was home to the farming people of the Pueblo state. populating significant metropoliss of rock or adobe ( clay ) . In the Four-Corners ( Utah. Colorado. Arizona and New Mexico ) country was where the Anasazi people ( a. k. a. the â€Å"ancient ones† ) were settled. Their civilization began in about 100 BC. Along the Mississippi we small towns of the Mound Builders who built elephantine earthworks atop which they worshiped their Gods. At this clip. the Native Americans spoke many different linguistic communications. some as different from each other as Italian from English. More than 200 linguistic communications and idioms were developed. There were great fluctuations in imposts and traditions from folk to tribe. Much of North America was non a really good for people to populate in. which is why non that many people lived in North America around 1500. In the northern parts. it’s excessively cold to back up really many people. The winters are excessively long to turn harvests. and there was’t sufficiency works life turning in the natural state to back up people unless there was a batch of land for each individual. In the sou-west. there are immense comeuppances. and even most of the manner up the Pacific seashore ( in what is now California ) it is by and large excessively dry for farming. You can merely farm utilizing irrigation. The early Pueblo people used irrigation for farming. The Great Plains. in the center of the continent. is a grassland for herds of animate beings like the American bison. but largely still excessively dry for farming without the usage of irrigation. Peoples in the Plains lived by chiefly runing American bison. In the Rocky Mountains. dirt was besides was no good for farming. Native American folks in that country such as the Ute lived by runing and assemblage. Along the Mississippi Valley and the Atlantic seashore. there was good farming area. and at that place people like the Mississippians. Iroquois. Sioux. and Cherokee farmed helianthuss. maize. and beans. Because of this. more people were populating at that place. In the Pacific Northwest. there was an copiousness of salmon that could feed a batch of people without farming. and Chinook along with other people lived at that place. The environment changed a great trade between the last Ice Age and 1500 AD. partially because of natural happenings and partially because of things people did. When people crossed over the land span from East Asia. during the Ice Age. North America was partly covered with glaciers. The ice covered the Great Lakes. and most of New York State. The Rocky Mountains had glaciers on them excessively. In the portion of the land that wasn’t covered by glaciers. there were a batch of really large animate beings like mammoths and a immense sort of bison. every bit good as early Equus caballuss and camels. With the terminal of the Ice Age ( 10. 000BC ) . the glaciers melted and shrank. until they merely covered the most northern portion of North America and a small portion of the Rocky Mountains every bit good as other mountains. The clime became warmer all over North America. and there was less grass for the large animate beings to ear. Most of them became extinct. New animate beings like the cowss that became the American American bison. and the Canis familiariss that came along with people. moved in from East Asia. South America South America is a long. narrow continent running from the equator down about to the South pole. So the northern portion near the equator is hot and wet. and the southern portion is really cold. Native Americans spread out rapidly in South America and adapted their life style to the given clime. They inhabited the hot and humid jungles and the cold Andes Mountains. which run down the seashore of South America. In these mountains. there are llamas. Lama guanicoe. vicunas. alpacas. and guinea hogs. The most popular civilization of the country was the Inca. Near the equator. the Amazon River runs east to the Atlantic Ocean. It is the largest river in the universe. and it’s H2O feeds a rich jungle that covers a batch of eastern South America. Rubber trees grow in the jungle. Jaguars. tapirs. chiropterans. toads. and anaconda serpents live at that place. while mahimahis. electric eels and piranhas live in the Amazon River. 3. Some Native American people made a batch of their vesture out of deerskins or the teguments of the other animate beings. Others wore apparels made of yucca and Meleagris gallopavo plumes. While some wove dressing out of bark strips or strands of hemp. Men wore cosmetic chapeaus with plumes. In the cold South near the artic. they made boots out of seal tegument. For nutrient they grew harvests. hunted. fished and gathered wild workss. The work forces had to run while the adult females farmed and gathered. Some of the nutrients they ate were Cucurbita pepos. bison. cervid. elk. blackberries. fish. maize. nuts. beans. and murphies. Through rites and supplications. they tried to delight the liquors. Often their rites included dances. If the liquors liked their dances they would give. in return. rain for their following harvest. Some believed in assorted Gods and practiced the Sun dance. They manus made clayware. wove baskets. and made jewellery to have on. Native Americans used what of all time resources they had to construct their shelter. They used caves for rain. cold air current. a topographic point to conceal for protection from animate beings and enemies. They lived in cone. dome. and rectangular-shaped houses or wigwams. They besides lived in tepees. or wikiups ( a frame of wood held together with yucca fibres and covered with coppice ) . and Hogans. Some built their places out of adobe ( sundried bricks ) . others made their place out of logs. coppice and clay. Other Native Americans lived near the cold artic and used iglu for shelter which were houses made of snow and ice. 4. I believe that I would non be able to last if I was to be transported to the 1490’s. Teenss today are non taught to hold the accomplishments of endurance that the Native Americans used during that clip. Clearly. we are more advanced now than we were about all those old ages ago. Most of the teens and grownups of today’s society are so used to holding their smart phone attached to their hip 24/7. Truthfully. I don’t think I could last with out it. Today. if we have a inquiry. we would merely Google it. Make you believe the Native Americans had luxury of researching a job and acquiring an reply in less than 2 proceedingss? It would likely take me a life-time to calculate out the simplest of undertakings if I living in America before 1500 AD. Sometimes we forget to take a minute to believe about how lucky we are. When you think of runing. you think of modern twenty-four hours arms. When you think of farming. you think of tractors and other modern machines. I doubt that the Native Americans had those tools. Heck. I would hold to do my ain tools. I’d likely starve to decease before I found a manner to do the tools needed to last. I believe most teens today would non be able to last. The fact that engineering. as we know it. would be non-existent in America before Columbus arrived. would do it a really hard being. I genuinely believe that day-to-day life would be excessively hard for me. and I would most likely non survive for really long at all.

The Council of Nicea and the Arian Controversy

The Council of Nicea and the Arian Controversy The Arian controversy (not to be confused with the Indo-Europeans known as Aryans) was a discourse that occurred in the Christian church of the 4th century CE, that threatened to upend the meaning of the church itself. The Christian church, like the Judaic church before it, was committed to monotheism: all the Abrahamic religions say there is only one God. Arius (256–336 CE), a fairly obscure scholar and presbyter at Alexandria and originally from Libya, is said to have argued that the incarnation of Jesus Christ threatened that monotheistic status of the Christian church, because he was not of the same substance as God, instead a creature made by God and so capable of vice. The Council of Nicea was called, in part, to resolve this issue. The Council of Nicea The first council of Nicea (Nicaea) was the first ecumenical council of the Christian church, and it lasted between May and August, 325 CE. It was held in Nicea, Bithynia (in Anatolia, modern Turkey), and a total of 318 bishops attended, according to the records of the bishop at Nicea, Athanasius (bishop from 328–273). The number 318 is a symbolic number for the Abrahamic religions: basically, there would be one participant at Nicea to represent each of the members of the Biblical Abrahams household. The Nicean council had three goals: to resolve the Melitian controversy- which was over the readmission to the Church of lapsed Christians,to establish how to calculate the date of Easter each year, andto settle matters stirred up by Arius, the presbyter at Alexandria. Athanasius (296–373 CE) was an important fourth-century Christian theologian and one of the eight great Doctors of the Church. He was also the major, albeit polemical and biased, contemporary source we have on the beliefs of Arius and his followers. Athanasius interpretation was followed by the later Church historians Socrates, Sozomen, and Theodoret. Church Councils When Christianity took hold in the Roman Empire, the doctrine had yet to be fixed. A council is an assembly of theologians and church dignitaries called together to discuss the doctrine of the church. There have been 21 councils of what became the Catholic Church- 17 of them occurred before 1453). The problems of interpretation (part of the doctrinal issues), emerged when theologians tried to rationally explain the simultaneously divine and human aspects of Christ. This was especially difficult to do without resorting to pagan concepts, in particular having more than one divine being. Once the councils had determined such aspects of doctrine and heresy, as they did in the early councils, they moved on to church hierarchy and behavior. The Arians were not opponents of the orthodox position because orthodoxy had yet to be defined. Opposing Images of God At heart, the controversy in front of the church was how to fit Christ into the religion as a divine figure without disrupting the notion of monotheism. In the 4th century, there were several possible ideas that would account for that. The Sabellians (after the Libyan Sabellius) taught that there was a single entity, the prosÃ… pon, made up of God the Father and Christ the Son.The Trinitarian Church fathers, Bishop Alexander of Alexandria and his deacon, Athanasius, believed there were three persons in one god (Father, Son, Holy Spirit).The Monarchianists believed in only one indivisible being. These included Arius, who was presbyter in Alexandria under the Trinitarian bishop, and Eusebius, Bishop of Nicomedia (the man who coined the term oecumenical council and who had estimated participation at a substantially lower and more realistic attendance of 250 bishops). When Alexander accused Arius of denying the second and third person of the Godhead, Arius accused Alexander of Sabellian tendencies. Homo Ousion vs. Homoi Ousion The sticking point at the Nicene Council was a concept found nowhere in the Bible: homoousion. According to the concept of homo ousion, Christ the Son was consubstantial- the word is the Roman translation from the Greek, and it means that there was no difference between the Father and the Son. Arius and Eusebius disagreed. Arius thought the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were materially separate from each other, and that the Father created the Son as a separate entity: the argument hinged on the birth of Christ to a human mother. Here is a passage from a letter Arian wrote to Eusebius: (4.) We are not able to listen to these kinds of impieties, even if the heretics threaten us with ten thousand deaths. But what do we say and think and what have we previously taught and do we presently teach? - that the Son is not unbegotten, nor a part of an unbegotten entity in any way, nor from anything in existence, but that he is subsisting in will and intention before time and before the ages, full God, the only-begotten, unchangeable. (5.) Before he was begotten, or created, or defined, or established, he did not exist. For he was not unbegotten. But we are persecuted because we have said the Son has a beginning but God has no beginning. We are persecuted because of that and for saying he came from non-being. But we said this since he is not a portion of God nor of anything in existence. That is why we are persecuted; you know the rest. Arius and his followers, the Arians, believed if the Son were equal to the Father, there would be more than one God: but Christianity had to be a monotheistic religion, and Athanasius believed that by insisting Christ was a separate entity, Arius was taking the church into mythology or worse, polytheism. Further, opposing Trinitarians believed that making Christ a subordinate to God diminished the importance of the Son. Wavering Decision of Constantine At the Nicean council, the Trinitarian bishops prevailed, and the Trinity was established as the core of the Christian church. Emperor Constantine (280–337 CE), who may or may not have been a Christian at the time- Constantine was baptized shortly before he died, but had made Christianity the official state religion of the Roman Empire by the time of the Nicean council- intervened. The decision of the Trinitarians made Ariuss questions heresy akin to revolt, so Constantine exiled the excommunicated Arius to Illyria (modern Albania). Constantines friend and Arian-sympathizer Eusebius, and a neighboring bishop, Theognis, were also exiled- to Gaul (modern France). In 328, however, Constantine reversed his opinion about the Arian heresy and had both exiled bishops reinstated. At the same time, Arius was recalled from exile. Eusebius eventually withdrew his objection, but still wouldnt sign the statement of faith. Constantines sister and Eusebius worked on the emperor to obtain reinstatement for Arius, and they would have succeeded, if Arius hadnt suddenly died- by poisoning, probably, or, as some prefer to believe, by divine intervention. After Nicea Arianism regained momentum and evolved (becoming popular with some of the tribes that were invading the Roman Empire, like the Visigoths) and survived in some form until the reigns of Gratian and Theodosius, at which time, St. Ambrose (c. 340–397) set to work stamping it out. But the debate by no means was over in the 4th century. Debate continued into the fifth century and beyond, with: ... confrontation between the Alexandrian school, with its allegorical interpretation of scripture and its emphasis on the one nature of the divine Logos made flesh, and the Antiochene school, which favoured a more literal reading of scripture and stressed the two natures in Christ after the union. (Pauline Allen, 2000) Anniversary of the Nicene Creed August 25, 2012, marked the 1687th anniversary of the creation of the upshot of the Council of Nicea, an initially controversial document cataloging the basic beliefs of Christians the Nicene Creed. Sources Allen, Pauline. The definition and enforcement of orthodoxy. Late Antiquity: Empire and Successors, A.D. 425–600. Eds. Averil Cameron, Bryan Ward-Perkins, and Michael Whitby. Cambridge University Press, 2000.Barnes, T. D. Constantine and the Christians of Persia. The Journal of Roman Studies 75 (1985): 126–36. Print.. Constantines Prohibition of Pagan Sacrifice. The American Journal of Philology 105.1 (1984): 69–72. Print.Curran, John. Constantine and the Ancient Cults of Rome: The Legal Evidence. Greece and Rome 43.1 (1996): 68–80. Print.Edwards, Mark. The First Council of Nicaea. The Cambridge History of Christianity: Volume 1: Origins to Constantine. Eds. Young, Frances M. and Margaret M. Mitchell. Vol. 1. Cambridge History of Christianity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006. 552–67. Print.Grant, Robert M. Religion and Politics at the Council at Nicaea. The Journal of Religion 55.1 (1975): 1–12. Print.Gwynn, David M. The Eusebians : The Polemic of Athanasius of Alexandria and the Construction of the Arian Controversy. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007. . Religious Diversity in Late Antiquity. Archaeology and the ‘Arian Controversy’ in the Fourth Century. Brill, 2010. 229. Print.Hanson, R.P.C. The Search for the Christian Doctrine of God: The Arian Controversy, 318–381. London: TT Clark.Jà ¶rg, Ulrich. Nicaea and the West. Vigiliae Christianae 51.1 (1997): 10–24. Print.

JRN WEEK3 Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

JRN WEEK3 - Coursework Example There are many individuals who have no idea of what global warming is and how to prevent it. The media only focus on natural disasters when they happen and offer no assistance in terms of knowledge. Dr. Martin Patchen challenges the media to provide more comprehensive coverage on social issues, and global warming should be prioritized. Since the media reaches millions of viewers, it can educate people on how ways to combat global warming. Global warming is to blame for the natural disasters that are rocking our world today, for example, the floods that have devastated the city of Houston, Texas in the United States. The media does not tend to long-term issues they instead tend to focus on short-term problems so they can move on to other stories. Global warming is real and they sooner the media realize it, they can take it upon themselves to educate the general public. People tend to remember the effects of global warming when disaster strikes. Patiently waiting for others to handle global warming is a misguided conception, and each person has the responsibility of reduce the risks of global warming. Some of the activities that can decrease the risk of global warming include pla nting trees and decreasing the percentage of greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon

Internship Report on Pricewaterhouse Coopers Research Paper

Internship Report on Pricewaterhouse Coopers - Research Paper Example epartment 1 Executive summary 2 Acknowledgment 3 Introduction 6 Company Background 6 Company Activity and Size 8 Organizational Chart of PwC Middle East 10 A SWOT analysis of PwC 11 Strengths: 11 Weaknesses 11 Opportunities 11 Threats 11 Vision 12 Mission 12 Marketing Strategy 13 Organizational competitive strategy 14 Job history 14 Conceptual framework 15 Global structure of PwC 15 Services offered by PwC Middle East 16 Consulting activities of PwC Middle East 16 Technical aspect of PwC Middle East 17 Evaluation of the internship experience (Form) 19 Summary of findings and recommendations 19 Conclusion 20 References 21 PwC (n.d.). PwC Middle East Corporate Responsibility Annual Report 2010 / 2011. Retrieved December, 20, 2011, fromhttp://www.pwc.com/m1/en/publications/crannualreport.jhtml 21 Introduction PwC is an internationally recognized company with numerous firms that are in partnership with it, with its many years in the field of accountancy, consultancy and even tax related issues it has proven to be one of the world’s most reliable firm. Their aim has been to support its clients in designing, managing and executing lasting beneficial change. Change management is an essential operation factor for any given company. In this regard, PwC’s diversity and dynamism over time is stronghold in the activities undertaken by the company. Globalization has impacted on many international firms, and so has it on PwC. The consistent process of converting the world into a global village has been realized through the contribution of many internationally competitive firms. The role played by PwC in that process cannot be ignored. Client welfare and success in the pursuit of the desired goals and objectives has been the primary line of business for PwC. Its major operations... The intention of this study is PwC as an internationally recognized company with numerous firms that are in partnership with it, with its many years in the field of accountancy, consultancy and even tax related issues it has proven to be one of the world’s most reliable firm. Their aim has been to support its clients in designing, managing and executing lasting beneficial change. Change management is an essential operation factor for any given company. In this regard, PwC’s diversity and dynamism over time is stronghold in the activities undertaken by the company. Globalization has impacted on many international firms, and so has it on PwC. The consistent process of converting the world into a global village has been realized through the contribution of many internationally competitive firms. The role played by PwC in that process cannot be ignored. Client welfare and success in the pursuit of the desired goals and objectives has been the primary line of business for Pw C. Its major operations are focussed on how effective the company meets the demands of its clients. Bringing affiliate firms on board has been a key driver of how well PwC manages its client base and operational portfolio. PwC is known to host most of the knowledgeable and experienced staff members that offer the necessary help one may require in handling complex financial accounting related issues, this may comprise matters such as share plans, valuations, pensions, listings, conversion of IFRS, corporate treasury functions and company secretarial functions.

Peresonal development and life long learning Essay

Peresonal development and life long learning - Essay Example Minimization of infection due to catheters, improvement of flow rate and the prevention of thrombo-embolism are some of the factors which have determined research activities in this area (Lok, 2006). As the intensity of catheterization has doubled since their initial use the risk of occurrence of complications arising due to such procedures has also increased which can put tremendous stress on the patients’ health as well as finances. Catheterization has a significant effect on the clinical outcome in such patients due to the high incidence of morbidity and mortality (Tal & Ni, 2008). A variety of anticoagulants have been used in the CVCs to prevent thrombo-embolism and anticoagulant management in haemodialysis in itself is a vital area of therapeutic intervention per se in dialysis patients (Lo et al, 2005). Dialysis patients are prone to venous thromboembolism as well as atrial fibrillation and warfarin and low-molecular weight heparins are frequently used in such cases (Lo et al, 2005). Patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) are more prone to a hypercoagulable state due to the development of a biochemical milieu in which there is elevation of particular prothrombin fragments and thrombin-antithrombin complexes (Lo et al, 2005). This necessitates effective control measures in such patients for the control of embolus formation all along the course of haemodialysis. Sodium citrate and heparin in various forms are the preferred agents for prevention of embolus formation in patients undergoing haemodialysis due to renal impairment. Continuous renal replacemen t therapy (CRRT) is frequently used as a preventive measure in high risk kidney patients (Bagshaw et al, 2005). When CVCs are used in patients undergoing haemodialysis, thrombosis at the catheter surface itself poses a big problem which affects dialysis quality as well as catheter survival (Grudzinski et al, 2006). A study by these authors has attempted to weigh the pros

International intercultural management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

International intercultural management - Essay Example This paper is based on an intercultural dinner that the writer was involved in. During the dinner, there were discussions carried out in relation to relevant cultural differences that existed between their respective countries. The countries represented at the dinner were Saudi Arabia [the writer's nation which is the base nation for this essay], Thailand, China,and Ghana. In the dinner, significant aspects of the cultures and social structures of the different nations were discussed. These discussions included economic activities in the respective nations, significant determinants of business activities, unique systems, food, and other relevant factors. During the dinner, there were some notes that were made by the writer of this paper. They include important elements and aspects of the various nations. The writer noticed that noodles play an important aspect in the diet of the Chinese and the Thai people. I also learned that rice is an important element of the Thai society. Both na tions have strong connections with the Silk Route which was a trail of trade between Asia and Europe. Due to this, there were some exchanges between Europe and Asia albeit minor in terms of influence. It was also noted that the Chinese nation is really huge and there were different time zones as well as different states within the nation. I was shocked to discover that there are some urban areas in China with as many as 320 million people [which is the size of some populations]. This confirms the realities of the fact that China is the largest nation in terms of population. I also noticed that most of the chocolate we eat is from cocoa which is the core element of the Ghanaian society. I therefore identified that agriculture remains an important element of the Ghanaian society. Active-learning activities promotes cooperation, critical thinking, independence, time management and sensitivity to cultural differences (Gardner, 2008). Another aspect of active-learning is that it provides the avenue for the application of theoretical knowledge (Harmin and Toth, 2010). Based on these elements of active learning, the research undertook a comparative system beginning with the culture and systems of Saudi Arabia. The researcher begins by using Hofstede's model of cross-cultural management to examine and evaluate the culture of Saudi Arabia. This is done by following up on the findings that were made during the dinner. The research goes on to trace the findings of the dinner to define the elements of Thailand, China and Ghana. A core tool that is used in

Four Main Debates in the Field of Global Strategy by Peng and Essay

Four Main Debates in the Field of Global Strategy by Peng and Pleggenkuhle-Miles - Essay Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that global strategy has been popularly understood to refer to the strategic guidance of any organization as the organization seeks to pursue different geographic markets. However, the fact that the definition is not clear as regards to what extent a global strategy should address has generated a heated debate. The paper, Current Debates in Global Strategy provides a unique review of the four current debates as regards global strategy. The four debates are cultural vs. institutional distance, global vs. regional geographic diversification, convergence vs. divergence in corporate governance and lastly domestic vs. overseas corporate social responsibility which are all widely believed to be connected to the institution-based view of global strategy. Peng and Pleggenkuhle-Miles track down the history of each debate while also highlighting the emerging tension of each debate. On the other hand, globalization has transformed and currently is mainl y characterized by its growing interdependency between countries and continues to be multi-faceted with various different business aspects. Peng and Pleggenkuhle-Miles give focus on the four debates informed by the belief that in order to properly analyze literature on global strategy, we have to first pick debates that are fairly distinct from one another. Additionally, a historical aspect was taken into consideration through identification of debates with varying timelines. In understanding the four debates, it is important that we understand the authors perceive global strategy as the strategy employed by firms, both international and domestic around the globe in a bid to compete successfully which in other words imply that their view is based on their belief that global strategy is to a large extent closely lies between strategic management and international business.

Benefits of Opening a Franchise Hospice Facility vs. Non-Franchise Research Proposal

Benefits of Opening a Franchise Hospice Facility vs. Non-Franchise - Research Proposal Example Indeed, the fact that there are two schools of thought means that in each case, there are associated benefits and corresponding demerits. To ordinary citizens and particularly the ageing, their concern will continue to be for them to receive the very best of healthcare service from hospice facility operators. It is important to state however that in the midst of managerial and organizational challenges resulting from the wrong choice of a mode of operating a hospice, an investor or entrepreneur may be underpinned with poor service delivery to customers over a very long period of time (Muhammad, 2009). This brings out the need for individual entrepreneurs to carefully assess the weights behind each of the forms of having hospice facility in place before deciding on one of the choices. This research work therefore seeks to identify the benefits of opening a franchise hospice facility as against non-franchise so that entrepreneurs will be well informed in their selection decisions, basi ng their decisions on factors that best suit their immediate premises. 1.2 Research Aim This research work will be embarked to identify the benefits of opening a franchise hospice facility as against non-franchise hospice facility. To achieve this overall aim, there should be some specific objectives that should be achieved first. The over all achievement of the specific objectives would constitute the achievement of the research aim. 1.21 Specific Objectives 1. To identify the various options for owning a hospice facility that are at the disposal of an entrepreneur. 2. To assess the various ways in which franchise hospice facility would be advantageous or disadvantageous to an entrepreneur 3. To assess the various ways in which non-franchise hospice facility would be advantageous or disadvantageous to an entrepreneur 4. To find various factors that should be considered in the opening of the hospice care facility 5. To come out with recommendations on the method of opening of the bu siness 1.3 Significance of the Study Successful completion of the research work shall be of immense benefit to several groups of persons. Some of the specific benefits include: 1. Entrepreneurs will be well informed on the right method of opening a hospice care facility that would best suit their needs. 2. As entrepreneurs make the right selection regarding the method of opening hospice care facility, they are sure to have formidable corporate and institutional financial base with which to expect profits (Muhammad, 2009). 3. A profit making hospice is likely to be a well managed and well equipped hospice care facility that would address the health needs of the populace, especially the ageing. 1.4 Research Questions The researcher puts forward the following research questions to serve as guidelines for the conduct of the research; especially in secondary data collection where data shall be sought from existing literature. The questions are: 1. What are the various methods of starting hospice care facility? 2. How does each of the methods of starting hospice care facility serve as an advantage or disadvantage to the entrepreneur? 3. What factors should inform individual entrepreneur’s decision on the selection of franchise hospice

Four Main Debates in the Field of Global Strategy by Peng and Essay

Four Main Debates in the Field of Global Strategy by Peng and Pleggenkuhle-Miles - Essay Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that global strategy has been popularly understood to refer to the strategic guidance of any organization as the organization seeks to pursue different geographic markets. However, the fact that the definition is not clear as regards to what extent a global strategy should address has generated a heated debate. The paper, Current Debates in Global Strategy provides a unique review of the four current debates as regards global strategy. The four debates are cultural vs. institutional distance, global vs. regional geographic diversification, convergence vs. divergence in corporate governance and lastly domestic vs. overseas corporate social responsibility which are all widely believed to be connected to the institution-based view of global strategy. Peng and Pleggenkuhle-Miles track down the history of each debate while also highlighting the emerging tension of each debate. On the other hand, globalization has transformed and currently is mainl y characterized by its growing interdependency between countries and continues to be multi-faceted with various different business aspects. Peng and Pleggenkuhle-Miles give focus on the four debates informed by the belief that in order to properly analyze literature on global strategy, we have to first pick debates that are fairly distinct from one another. Additionally, a historical aspect was taken into consideration through identification of debates with varying timelines. In understanding the four debates, it is important that we understand the authors perceive global strategy as the strategy employed by firms, both international and domestic around the globe in a bid to compete successfully which in other words imply that their view is based on their belief that global strategy is to a large extent closely lies between strategic management and international business.

Case22 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Case22 - Assignment Example This division should be based on incomes (Bister M et al, 1990). After the division, one needs to consider the roles of the various groups in creating a good relationship. This relationship should be aimed at creating value between consumers, producers and clients. As a result, marketing concepts of price, promotion, place, product and target market research has to be done by the company. These concepts; are meant to meet the goals of the company and at the same time focusing on customer satisfaction. Consumers will always prefer products of good quality and performance and those with innovative features. The products should be of affordable prices and easily available. It is the role of managers to ensure that promotion is also done, and products designed to meet the needs of the customers. There are four pillars that must be taken into account while doing this, these include; target market, customer needs, integrated marketing and profitability. Serving the bottom of the pyramid will need innovations in technology, products or services and even the business models. Local governments and civil society organizations have to work hand in hand with corporations to ensure that the needs of these low level groups are met. Satisfying these low income group and at the same time meeting company requirements at times may be hard for the company. It calls for lowering the cost of production. This is hard for many companies since they have to produce high quality products at the same time. High quality products mean that the companies have to get raw materials at low prices, which is hard. At times, managers fall in love with their products that they do not realize what these low income groups need. They feel that their products are so superior that they fail to market them. Consumers, on the other hand, need these products and at affordable prices at their convenience. Extensive reach and coverage of

The Theory Of Mcdonaldization Commerce Essay

The Theory Of Mcdonaldization Commerce Essay McDonaldization is the process by which the principles of the fast food industry have come to dominate an increasing number of organizations in modern society. This concept is the central thesis of The McDonaldization of Society 5, a book by George Ritzer. George Ritzer is a highly revered sociologist famous for his works exploring the effect of McDonalization on society. While the effects of McDonaldization can be seen all around us, people disagree on whether they are good or bad. Although McDonaldization has pros and cons, I believe that the positive effects that it has had on society outweigh the negative effects. The theory of Mcdonaldization identifies four primary principles which govern the actions of McDonaldized organizations; efficiency, calculability, predictability, and control. Efficiency refers to an organizations ability to perform its various functions as quickly, and for the lowest cost, as possible. Some examples of organizations attempts to increase efficiency include ATMs, self-checkout stands at the grocery store, and fast food drive-thru windows. Although efficiency is often advertised as a benefit to the consumer, and sometimes is, it can lead to several drawbacks. ATMs and self-checkout stands can take longer than traditional systems and force customers to perform work that was originally performed for them. Calculability refers to the element of McDonaldization by which everything in an organization is quantifiable. This often leads to quantity as a replacement for quality. This can be seen in fast food commercials which focus on the large size and small cost of hamburgers instead of the taste. It also has ties to efficiency (it is easier to identify efficient or inefficient processes if they are quantifiable) and predictability. Predictability is the process by which organizations eliminate any unexpected or unwanted outcomes, as well as any surprise or variability at all, in products and services. An example of this is that any mall in a given geographical region generally has the same shops and a similar layout as compared with any other mall in the given region. The final principle of McDonaldized organizations is control. This largely refers to the control of humans through nonhuman technologies. Nonhuman technologies are technologies, such as barcode scanners, computers, or even rules and regulations, which remove human variability from processes and control people. Obviously this has a strong connection to predictability as well (Ritzer, 2008). What different perspectives can we use to analyze McDonaldization? In the book Reframing Organizations: Artistry, Choice, and Leadership, the authors, Lee G. Bolman and Terrence E. Deal, suggest using frames to analyze the effects of socological phenomenons, such as McDonaldization, on society. Frames are essentially different perspectives which individuals can use to interpret situations, make judgements, analyze organizations, ect. The author suggests four frames: the structutal frame, human resource frame, symbolic frame, and the political frame. I feel that the structural, human resource, and symbolic frame are useful in analyzing McDonaldization. The structural frame is highly goal-oriented and systematic. It focuses on tasks, facts, and logic.This is definitely the most pervasive frame used by leaders such as Ray Kroc and those at other McDonaldized institutions. The four cornerstones of McDonaldization, efficiency, predictability, calculability, and control, are a major result of this almost purely structural perspective of the organization. After all, the primary metaphor for organizations under the structural frame is that of a machine or factory. One could argue that the characteristics valued in machines or factories are the very same characteristics that culminate in the four cornerstones of McDonaldization. Furthermore, the structural perspective is heavily concerned with rules, policies and technology, another striking similarity to McDonaldization which uses stringent rules and procedures and relies on nonhuman technology to achieve its goals of predictability and efficiency (Bolman Deal, 2008). Another characteristic of McDonaldization and leaders in McDonaldized organizations which occurred to me while researching Ritzers theory is their equivalence to systemizers. Systemizers see organizations through a structural frame and rely on numbers and calculations to analyze organizations. They do not focus on the human aspect of organizations (Leavitt, 2007). I feel that McDonaldized organizations share the same perspective as systemizers and encourage the development of systemizers within themselves. Not only are employs treated in a theory X, systemizing manner but so are customers. Customers are herded in, processed, and shipped out like cattle in a slaughter house. At this point I would like to briefly discuss the selection of the term McDonaldization to explain this societal phenomenon. I understand that McDonaldization is just a term used to describe the spread of characteristics valued by many modern organizations, and I will admit it is a creative one, however McDonalds was far from the first organization to implement this very structural system focusing on factors such as efficiency, calculability, predictability, and control. Earlier figures, such as Fredrick Taylor and Henry Ford, implemented these characteristics long before Ray Kroc and McDonalds. Perhaps the title of Ritzers central concept should have been Taylorization or Fordization. The human resource frame suggests that organizations exist to fulfill the human needs of consumers and employees alike. I feel that the human resource frame by far has the weakest representation within McDonaldized organizations and the limited implementation of it which we do see is very superficial. The human resource frame sees organizations as an extended family that is concerned with people, relationships, skills, and empowerment (Bolman Deal, 2008). These elements clash with the principles of efficiency, predictability, control, and calculability so they have been all but eliminated. This is part of the reason that McDonalds tends to higher teenagers or young, uneducated people. These people are easier to control and more willingly accept the mind-numbing, repetitive tasks associated with McDonaldized jobs. If McDonalds truly did care about people we would see them treat their employees differently. There is a strong theory X approach to management in McDonaldized organizations. The principles of McDonaldized organizations lend themselves to this type of approach. I do not think that the problem is with their ultimate goals, which I would argue are efficiency and predictability, I think the problem is with their means to achieving these goals, calculability and control. Because McDonalds treats their employees in a theory X manner they must rely on calculability and control to achieve their goals (Bolman Deal, 2008). I think it is important that McDonaldized organizations reframe in order to bring some humanity back to their workplace. One suggestion I would make to help reframe these organizations is to abandon the theory X approach and move to a theory Y approach of management (Bolman Deal, 2008). By empowering employees, cultivating their skills, and using positive motivational techniques they can reach their goals without relying so heavily on control and calculability. Reductions in the amount of control and calculability would allow for more autonomy within the workplace and increased humanization. The symbolic frame looks at the importance and significance of symbols, practices, rituals, and customs of a particular organization. McDonaldized organizations have begun exploiting the symbolic frame in an attempt to persuade society that they truly are compassionate organizations. Using McDonalds as an example we can see a multitude of cultural transmitters. The Ronald McDonald House charity, Happy Meal toys, the Happy Meals themselves, Playgrounds, the Im loving it slogan, Ronald McDonald (and other characters), the golden arches, etc. can all be seen as cultural transmitters. These transmitters are designed to portray the underlying meaning and values which McDonalds wants the public to believe it embraces (Bolman Deal, 2008). The playgrounds and Ronald McDonald House charity, for instance, are meant to portray McDonalds as a carrying organization which values the wellness of your family and the communities they operate in. I believe that McDonalds exploitation of the symbolic frame goes back to their very weak application of the human resource frame. Because the ideals of the human resource frame clash so greatly with the principle of McDonaldized organizations they must portray an atmosphere of caring and compassion through alternative means. This is why they dedicate so much time to developing cultural transmitters and exploiting the symbolic frame. This poses a very serious ethical dilemma. The practice of organizations portraying values and beliefs that they do not actually hold is deceptive and dishonest. In the end it may do more damage to the organization than it does good (Bolman Deal, 2008). Although I am not going to focus on Bolman and Deals political frame, I feel that it is important to briefly mention here. People have begun realizing that McDonaldized organizations are portraying false images and the organizations have received bad press. In response, they began using political techniques to build coalitions and gain support within society. Also, I feel that McDonaldized organizations view the market place as a jungle and are fighting for their share of the scarce resources or money (Bolman Deal, 2008). Advantages and Disadvantages of McDonaldization Much of the literature on McDonaldization exclusively focuses on the negative aspects of the phenomenon and does not make a strong distinction between employees and consumer in McDonaldized systems. Authors tell the terrors of a McDonaldized death, McDonaldized systems ravaging the environment, the mind-numbing tasks involved with McDonaldized jobs, and the frustrations of attending a McDonaldized educational institution.Admittedly, even I have focused primarily on the negative aspects of McDonaldization up to this point, but what are the advantages of McDonaldization and from whose perspective? In my opinion, Ritzer and others do a very lack luster job of clearly identifying the advantages associated with McDonaldization for consumers. I am not disputing that there are disadvantages associated with McDonaldization or even saying that advantages outweigh disadvantages or vice versa. I simply feel that in order to analyze any situation effectively we must consider the pros and cons fr om all perspectives and through all frames or perspectives. Two primary advantages of McDonaldization are convience and afforadability. Modern US society is an on-the-go, fast paced environment which values convenience. I am no exception to this phenomenon. When I go to Wal-Mart I just want to get my toothpaste, or whatever item I came for, and go. I am not looking to create personal relationships with the people that serve me my food or ring up my groceries. Between my coworkers, peers at school, bosses, professors, family, friends, and my boyfriend I already feel as though I am downing in personal relationships. The ability to conveniently and quickly complete daily tasks affords me more time to do the things I care about. For instance I can even manage my own bank account or check my email in the middle of the night. This would probably not be possible without some degree of McDonaldization. Affordability is another major advantage of McDonaldization. McDonaldization has allowed regular, middle class people to afford luxuries that even the richest men could not have dreamed of many years ago. While sitting in the Coffee Bean not long ago I saw a homeless man surfing the web and playing a DVD on his portable computer. McDonaldized systems have made this possible. Many products which were once very expensive are now accessible to almost everyone in developed nations. The wealth of information offered by the internet, as well as many products and services that were likely made possible by McDonaldization, cannot be over looked or downplayed when analyzing the effects of McDonaldization on society. How can we deal with McDonaldization? Some people have described McDonaldization as a cage. The image of an iron cage represents society as a whole surrounded by a rationalization system (Ritzer, 2003). Perhaps it is because I am a product of a McDonaldized society, but I certainly would not use the metaphor of a cage to describe McDonaldization. Although the cage-like image may fit to a certain degree, it is certainly not an iron cage because escape remains an easy option for most people (Ritzer, 2003). McDonaldization only dominates our lives to the extent which we allow it to dominate our lives. I exploit McDonaldization to obtain the advantages discussed in this paper and in no way does McDonaldization take advantage of me. For this reason, I think describing McDonaldization as a cage is a narrow-minded, deceptive portrayal. That being said, I feel there are several simple steps that those who do not prefer McDonaldized systems can take to deal with McDonaldization. Consumers, especially, have a great deal of freedom with the way they handle McDonaldization. After all, the ultimate choice is theirs. If they have a high level of distain for McDonaldized organizations they can simply desist from patronizing them. In my personal opinion, the most important step is to avoid the invasion of McDonaldization into ones personal life. My own family has done things such as avoiding McDonaldized meals and outings. I think this has helped us to cultivate strong, healthy relationships in our personal lives. Employees of McDonaldized systems, on the other hand, have a very limited amount of freedom when it comes to dealing with McDonaldization. Those in managerial position can subtly resist by doing things such as employing Maslows hierarchy of needs and a theory Y management approach (Bolman Deal, 2008). Of Course this only works to the extent that their bosses allowing it to go on. Im afraid that lower level employees are only afforded one option for dealing with McDonaldization (but it is probably the best option), Education. McDonaldized organizations, and their mind-numbing, mundane jobs, are here to stay. For many the last line of defense is education. I myself am going to school for this specific reason. Unfortunately, those employed in McDonaldized jobs are armed with little more than their creativity and critical thinking skills to survive in the meantime. Conclusion McDonaldization is the processes through which the principles of the fast food industry, efficiency, predictability, calculability, and control, have come to dominate an increasing number of organizations in modern society (Ritzer, 2008). McDonaldization can lead to several disadvantages, such as dehumanized jobs and services, and several advantages, such as convenience and affordability. These advantages and disadvantages are proliferated primarily through a stringent application of Bolman and Deals (2008) structural frame and use of the systemizer perspective (Leavitt, 2007). Although McDonaldized organizations use the symbolic frame to create the perception that they care about their employees, communities, and clientele, it is largely superficial. For example, McDonalds uses symbols such as the Ronald McDonald House charity, playgrounds, and friendly characters (such as Ronald McDonald) to give the illusion that they truly care about people. If they truly did care about people we would see a stronger implementation of the human resource frame within their organization. One possible approach to this problem would be for them to use a theory Y approach to achieve their goals of efficiency and predictability and reduce their dependence on calculability and control (Bolman Deal, 2008). Consumers who do not like McDonaldization can simply avoid patronizing McDonaldized organizations as much as possible. Employees of McDonaldized organizations, on the other hand, will likely have to rely on education to help them obtain better, less McDonalized jobs. Most likely McDonaldized organization will be around for many years to come. McDonaldization has invaded nearly every aspect of society. Even George Ritzers book, The McDonaldization of Society 5, which denounces the evils of McDonaldization is itself McDonaldized. It is highly structured, repetitive, and predictable at times. He even includes a instructors CD ROM with suggested essay questions for educators, thus aiding in McDonaldizing the educational process. People should stop fighting McDonaldization and learn to exploit it. In the end, McDonaldization can only dominate our lives to the extent that we allow it to. As a busy college student, I feel that Mcdonaldization is a great thing, if you use it cautiously. Coll ege students often run short on time especially because they have so many things going on. Online classes, Internet databases, and collaborative websites such as Google Docs, all of which were made possible at least partially due to McDonaldization, make the college experience more accessible and manageable. Instead of letting McDonaldization take advantage of us we must use McDonaldization to our own advantage.

Television Violence Essay -- essays research papers fc

Television violence and its effects on viewers has been a controversial issue for many years. Some viewers believe that there is an increasingly large amount of violence on television and this widespread public concern has "led to calls for stricter controls on the depiction of violence in programmes" (Gunter and McAleer 1990:92). Exactly how much violence is there on television though? Many cultivation theorists have studied this, acquiring data in the form of content analysis. They agree on a definition of a violent act, for example Gerbner in his study used the definition, "an overt expression of physical force against self or other, compelling action against ones will on pain of being hurt or killed, or actually hurting or killing" (Gunter and McAleer 1990:94). This is an objective definition that can then be used to count the number of violent acts in whatever is being observed. Halloran and Croll (1972) used this technique to establish the amount of violence on British television in comparison with that of American television. For one week in April 1971, they observed the news, fictional drama, current affairs and documentaries on BBC1 and ITV Midlands and counted the number of violent incidents using Gerbner’s definition of violence. It was found that on average, 56% of British programmes contained some violence with four incidents of violenc e per hour. This was in comparison with American television which contained some seven incidents of violence per hour and where it was considerably more prevalent than on British television (Gunter and McAleer 1990:97). Focusing now on British television and violence, we can analyse Guy Cumberbatch’s research on television violence in 1987. He looked at all types of television programme focusing on four separate weeks between May and September 1986. All four channels were reviewed, totalling 1412 hours of television (930 BBC programmes and 1146 ITV and channel four programmes). He found, using his own definitions of a violent act, that 30% of all programmes contained some violence with an average of 1.14 acts of violence per programme (Gross 1992:455). It was also found that there was much more violence on television after 9pm and that violence was rare in children’s television programmes other than cartoons. It has been questioned however whether the violence in cartoons should actually b... ...er factors have also shown to be influential in this cause and effect relationship between television violence and violent behaviour. Such factors as age, gender, parental influence and amount of viewing contribute to how influential television violence is on an individual’s behaviour. Findings are still however inconclusive in this debate, although a large proportion of the evidence does appear to strongly favour the hypothesis that viewing violence on television does have an effect on a viewer’s violent behaviour. As a Washington Post article states "the preponderance of evidence from more than 3000 research studies over 2 decades shows that the violence portrayed on television influences the attitudes and behaviour of children who watch it" (Oldenburg 1992 cited at http://maple.lemoyne.edu/~hevern/ericdig.html). Bibliography Condry, J. (1989): The Psychology of Television. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum. Gross, R. (1992): Psychology: The Science of Mind and Behaviour. London: Hodder and Stoughton. Gunter, B. and McAleer, J. (1997): Children and Television. London: Routledge. Van Evra, J. (1990): Television and Child Development. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum.