Management Research Methods Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Management Research Methods - Assignment Example A literature review is always considered as the central component of a research. In the context of this research it is expected that a huge volume of literature regarding Entrepreneurs and their features can be found on different sources. The sources include books, past research paper and scholarly articles, which can be from either online source or offline source. The topic which will be taken forward will be about entrepreneurship and only information pertaining to this will be taken into account. There are several research articles on Entrepreneurship and Enterprise but the articles which will be taken into account is â€Å"Differentiating Entrepreneurs from small business owners: A Conceptualisation† (Carland et.al, 1984, p.354). While studying the references it has been recorded that each author emphasizes on different aspects of Entrepreneurship. An enterprise is a business organisation which is engaged in the exchange of goods and services for the sake of earning profit . An enterprise can be either profitable or non-profitable; it depends on the intention of the entrepreneur who is behind the enterprise. Enterprise can be further classified as public-Enterprise or a private enterprise (Publish your Articles, n.d.). A public enterprise is a state controlled enterprise and on the contrary a private enterprise is owned by some individual or a group of individual. On the other hand an entrepreneur as defined first time in the history by Robert Cantillon in 1755 stating that an entrepreneur is the person linking the consumer and the manufacturer for the purpose of earning profit. (Definition of Entrepreneurship, n.d.). The author of the article â€Å"Differentiating Entrepreneurs from small business owners: A Conceptualisation† stresses on the fact that there exists a difference between an entrepreneur and a manager. Accordingly he pointed out that the major difference lies in bearing risk by the entrepreneur. However Schumptor countered that ri sk taking is an obligation in ownership, therefore it is not considered as an attribute. An entrepreneur always applies innovation and other management practices strategically while the same is not present in case of the owner of a small business. They also identified that there is a difference between small business and entrepreneurship, maybe there are some overlapping factors but the concept is not the same. An entrepreneurial firm may start at any size but the growth depends over time. In the article â€Å"Enterprise skill and enterprise learning† the author focuses on the fact that innovation and entrepreneurship has brought major technological changes and also contributed to the economic and social landscape of the developed countries. According to the author industrial revolutions with steam engine and Electrification was a result of new innovations and also mentioned that presently we are undergoing the third industrial revolution with trademarks like IT, Telecommunic ation, Biotechnology, Robotics and Nanotechnology. The author also mentioned that Entrepreneurship skills are amalgamation of skills, attributes, beliefs and qualities which is gained by theoretical learning, following somebody as idol and through real life experiences (Ward, n.d.). According to the author of the article titled â€Å"Entrepreneurs, the self employed and employees amongst young European Higher education graduate† that factors such as demography, professional background,

Streaming Media and Netflix Essay Example for Free

Streaming Media and Netflix Essay Netflixs main issue is they face increased market competition from new  entrants into their industry. In addition, Netflix suffers poor relationships with suppliers, which interferes with their ability to meet market demands leading to increased costs and the need to increase prices. This affects Netflixs ability to increase market share, and maintaining core values, resulting in declining subscribership, and declining margins. ANALYSIS COMPANY ORIGINS. Thorough analysis of Netflix begins with a discussion of the companies origins. Netflix was founded by Reed Hasting (CEO) and Marc Randolph in 1997 in Scotts Valley, California, with main headquarters now located in Los Gatos, California. The original business model was as an internet TV company providing online streaming and DVD/Blu Ray rentals shipped direct to a subscribers home. This subscription and selling service implemented in 1999, and in 2000 launched their personalized movie recommendation service CineMatch (Funding Universe, 2014). Shortly thereafter Netflix executed their IPO in 2002 with approximately 600,000 members in the US and by 2005 membership rises to 4.2 million. Perhaps most important is Netflix introduces video streaming in 2007, and later in 2008, partners with consumer electronics companies to incorporate Netflix video streaming on consumer electronic devices. Further growth is achieved in 2010 when Netflix launches internationally in Canada, Latin America, and Caribbean (Netflix Media Center, 2014). THE BLUNDER YEAR. Mid-July 2011 Netflix announces Qwikster, which was an attempt to separate online video streaming services and DVD rentals, resulting in an immediate 60% devaluation of Netflix stock and eventually to a low of $62.37 by December of that year. Ultimately, on October 10, 2011 the Qwikster proposal is scrapped by Netflix. However, the damage was already done because on July 13th their stock price was at an all time high of $304.79, and eventually bottomed out at $55.19 on December 31 of that year (Thompson, 2012). RECENT DEVELOPMENTS. Once the disaster of 2011 passed, Netflix rebounded by expanding into the Latin America and Caribbean markets. Later in 2012,  Netflix expands its international market further by becoming available in Europe that included the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Nordic countries. In addition, Netflix wins its first Primetime Emmy Engineering Award. Furthermore, in 2013, Netflix expands to the Netherlands, and debuts original programming that earns Netflix 31 primetime Emmy nominations including outstanding drama series, comedy series, and documentary or nonfiction special for _House of Cards_, _Orange is the New Black_, and _The Square_ respectively. More importantly, _House of Cards_ wins three Primetime Emmy Awards making Netflix the first internet TV network nominated, and winning, a primetime Emmy award. Furthermore, in 2014, Netflix launches in 6 new countries in Europe that included Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. Again, Netflix wins 7 creative Emmy Aw ards for _House of Cards_ and _Orange is the New Black_. Moreover, Netflix now has over 50 million global subscribers (Netflix Media Center, 2014). FINANCIAL STRENGTH. Netflixs performance has been solid, although they underperformed in the third quarter of this year, 2014, perhaps due to over forecasting which Netflix does often, creating the perception to investors and analysts that the company has underperformed (Seward, 2014). Their numbers remain strong and stock is currently valued $379.01per share (Yahoo Finance, 10/30/14). Moreover, Netflix had $4.3B in Revenues in 2013 and revenue is projected to $4.7B by year end 2014, and current ratio is 1.42 demonstrating the moderate ability to cover current liabilities, See Appendix A, Financial Sheets, Tables 1 through 6 on pages 15 through 20, for additional details of Netflixs strong financial performance. Generally speaking, all key financial statistics are trending upwards over the past five fiscal years (Market Watch, 2014). Furthermore, as of the third quarter of this year, Netflix has 53.1 million subscribers worldwide and that is forecast to climb to 57 million subscribers at year end 2014 ( Netflix Letter to Shareholders, 2014). FIVE FORCES MODEL OF COMPETITION. See Figure 1 in Appendix B, Netflix-Porters Five Forces Model, page 21, for a graphical analytic tool that summarizes the following forces. _COMPETITION AND RIVALRIES ._ Competition and rival threats remain high. Netflixs rival, for content and subscribers, is now Time Warner, who owns Home Box Office (HBO) and possesses a large subscriber base as well as original content. However, when competition involves subscribers, Amazon Prime Instant Video is becoming a direct competitor. Soon, Amazon will air original programming thus becoming a competitor for content as well (Casteele, 2014). In addition, Hulu, Apple TV, Google TV, Google owned YouTube, and CBS All Access has, or will have, original content available in the near future. Although Amazon does not have the number of subscribers that Netflix has, approximately 5 million versus 50 million plus for Netflix, both have the edge against traditional networks by using customer data instead of market research and Nielsen data for developing original content (Kleinman, 2013). Furthermore, competitors would include cable and satellite TV companies such as DirectTV, Comcast xfinity, and the movie theate rs. _SUBSTITUTES_. The threat of substitutes remains high. Products viewed as close substitutes include Hulu Plus which may also be considered a rival in some respects but exist more as a complementary product to Netflix and focuses on current run and older TV shows targeted at a younger market. Moreover, Hulu provides fewer movies compared to Netflix and forces subscribers to view commercials when streaming content. Another substitute would include Amazon Prime Instant Video (APIV) available only through a year subscription through Amazon Prime, a free two-day shipping service, and provides an extensive movie and TV library (Shanklin, W, 2014). Furthermore, Vudu is Wal-Marts offering of on-line streaming and similar to what one finds on YouTube or iTunes but providing more full length feature films (Prindle, D., 2014). Other substitutes include Google Play, RedBox Instant, and Microsofts Xbox video streaming (Shanklin, W, 2014). These substitutes are unlikely to threaten the market in excess, and Netf lixs threats remain with APIV. _NEW ENTRANTS._ The threat of new entrants is strong. In addition, there exists a strong likelihood of suppliers offering content on their own  website because of low barriers to enter the video streaming market. The TV market is increasingly moving to the on-demand online streaming model. The recent entry of Time Warners HBO, and CBS into the on-line streaming realm is a testament to new entrants. More Web based enterprises will shift or add on-line streaming content because the barriers are already low for these enterprises (Lever Estienne, 2014). In addition net neutrality rulings leave open the window of opportunity for new companies to enter the market (Selyukh, 2014). _BARGAINING POWER OF SUPPLIERS._ Bargaining power of suppliers is high. Moreover, suppliers can withhold content and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can intentionally without quality service to Websites using large portions of bandwidth. Until a net-neutrality regulation is in place, this will remain a major issue for companies providing on-line streaming content such as Netflix (Selyukh, 2014). _BARGAINING POWER OF CONSUMERS._ Bargaining power of consumers is high because on-line video streaming is highly price elastic and consumers will migrate to the perceived better value. Therefore, there is great sensitivity to price and content. Consumers will gravitate to the best suppliers of content and a bargain price without much loyalty. Netflixs slower subscriber growth in the third quarter of this year was attributed to price increase that the company undertook recently (Sikka, 2014). In addition, the industry must contend with the distribution and use of illegal downloads and the lack of established enforcement of pirating content. Content is king and consumers demand content, and original content is even better. SWOT ANALYSIS. See Figure 2 in Appendix C, page 22, Netflix SWOT Analysis, for a graphical analytic tool that summarizes the following described strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. _STRENGTHS._ Netflix will invest a total $3 billion (US) by years end in program content to provide content and meet the diverse tastes of its more than 36 million U.S. and 14 million international online subscribers. In addition, Netflix will spend $600 million (US) on marketing and $400 million  (US) on technology upgrades. (Netflix ups ante, 2014). Moreover, Netflix possesses brand recognition and the word Netflix even becoming a verb among Internet users. Furthermore, the Netflix App has created greater accessibility and enabled subscribers to stream media on nearly all Internet enabled devices. Perhaps most important of all is Netflixs original content of award winning programs such as House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, and Hemlock Grove enhancing international growth. In addition, Netflix has signed a number of interconnection agreements with Internet Service Provider (ISPs) to ensure faster Internet speeds for subscribers (Sikka, 2014). More importantly, Netflix has positive financial ratios although profit margins remain low internationally, and continues to demonstrate outstanding stock market growth. _WEAKNESS._ One Netflixs largest weakness is their cost of content relating to the mass of licensing packages and the in-house original content production company Netflix is accumulating a large amount of debt and profit margins are low relative to the international market. Furthermore, the DVD and Bluray domestic subscriber market is declining, from 7.0 million paid subscribers at the end of the third quarter 2013 to 5.9 million subscribers at the end of the third quarter 2014 (Letter to Shareholders,.2014). Moreover, Netflix has had a history of subscriber revolt when raising subscription prices and their recent $1 increase was not having any significant impact on subscriptions, however may impact subscriptions nonetheless (Steel, 2014). The last attempt to raise monthly subscription prices left current subscribers upset and Netflix stock tumbling. In addition, Netflix accounts for about 57% of daily internet traffic (Sikka, 2014). Therefore, with net neutrality laws being struck down, Netflix will either need to assume more debt, which they will spend $1 billion (US) or the next 15 months, or cut content, which they will do the complete opposite. Perhaps most importantly, both Amazon Prime Instant Video (APIV) and Google owned YouTube have announced their own original content productions becoming a direct competitor to Netflix. _OPPORTUNITIES._ Netflixs greatest opportunity lies in International Expansion and their ability to create original content will enhance  international growth. In addition, the international opportunities will depend on Netflixs superior software apps and service created from their own global technology investment, process knowledge, data acquired from related markets, and their globally recognized brand (Netflix Long term View, 2014). Moreover, Netflixs original in-house programming should take full advantage of the many entertainment related smart devices with Internet capability. Households that have a TV or other device connected to the Internet, as of 2013, stood at 49% up from 24% in 2010 and is undoubtedly higher in 2014 (Sikka, 2014). There exist an opening for Internet TV and Netflixs exclusive in-house content will allow the company to take full advantage of that demand. _THREATS._ Because Netflix accounts for about 57% of daily Internet traffic, ISPs have lobbied to require major website traffic contributors pay for the infrastructure needed to support this heavy volume of traffic (Sikka, 2014).. Until net neutrality is resolved one way or another, this will remain a top threat for Netflix. Furthermore, competition such as Amazon Prime Internet Video (APIV), and Googles YouTube are implementing their own original content and are direct competitors to Netflix. Moreover the expense of licensing and renewing license agreements remain a threat to Netflixs ability to increase margins. However, in-house production of original content benefits the company by generating a word-of-mouth advertising and elevating the company into an Emmy award winning content producer. In addition, there exists the threat of brand loyalty as subscribers are price conscious and sensitive to price increases. ALTERNATIVES Possible alternatives range from doing nothing to focusing completely on the international market. If Netflix does nothing and continues their physical delivery of DVDs and Bluray discs will continue to cost more over time because of the need for maintain even a minimum of distribution centers for delivery to subscribers. Another alternative may be to simply pay the premium price required to acquire more and more content through expensive licensing agreements. This alternative as a stand-alone strategy and may not  provide the competitive advantage needed to attract the number of subscribers needed for desired growth. A third alternative could be to combine the purchasing of content and licensing with original content programming to attract domestic subscribers and increasing international market penetration in the video streaming market. RECOMMENDATION The recommendation made by the author is a combination of the reducing and phasing out the physical DVD delivery model combined with the purchasing of content and licensing, and using original content programming to attract domestic subscribers, and increasing international market penetration. IMPLEMENTATION Internet television is replacing linear television, at the same time that apps are replacing network channels. Thus creating the proliferation of viewing screens for streaming content. In addition, Technology is improving and more available than ever before making this technology less expensive. Furthermore, streaming is the leading source for Ultra HD 4k video, and TV everywhere provides an economic transition for existing networks. Hence, new entrants into the Internet streaming realm, including Netflix, are innovating rapidly and driving improvements (Letter to Shareholders, 2014). See Appendix D Graph 1, Netflix Market Share Bubble Graph on page 24 for a graphic representation of Netflixs market share compared to APIV and Hulu. Netflix should phase out of the physical DVD via mail service market and that will help reduce operating costs. Meanwhile, focus on Internet streaming of content, and producing original content will expand viewership and subscribers, both domestically and internationally, as well as help limit supplier control. This will help contribute to increased margins leading to increased revenue and stockholder confidence. Netflix is in a growth strategy in the international market where investment needs are high. Therefore, margins will be lower than desired expectations, and growth potential in the international market remains very high. Therefore, Netflix  should remain on this strategy. References Casteele, J. (February 24, 2014), Netflix vs HBO: Is the Rivalry as Intense as it Seems? The Motley Fool. Retrieved from: http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/02/24/is-the-netflixhbo-rivalry-as-intense-as-it-seems.aspx France-Presse, A. (April 25, 2014). Netflix announces content agreements with several cable companies, RawStory.com. Retrieved from: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/04/netflix-announces-content-agreements-with-several-cable-companies/ Funding Universe (2014). Netflix, Inc. History, _International Directory of Company Histories_, Vol. 58. St. James Press, 2004. Retrieved from: http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/netflix-inc-history/ Kleinman, A. (March 3, 2013). Netflix vs. Amazon Could Be The Cool New Rivalry, Huffington Post. Retrieved from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/05/netflix-vs-amazon_n_2811454.html Kline, D. (July 26, 2014). Amazon Prime Continues to Grow Despite Price Bump, The Motley Fool. Retrieved from: http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/07/26/amazon-prime-continues-to-grow-despite-price-bump.aspx Letter to Shareholders, (October 15, 2014). Netflix Corporate Website. Retrieved from: http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/NFLX/3556910032x0x786677/6974d8e9-5cb3-4009-97b1-9d4a5953a6a5/Q3_14_Letter_to_shareholders.pdf Lever, R., and Estienne, S. (October 19, 2014). Weve Hit a Watershed Moment For Streaming TV, Business Insider. Retrieved from: http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-with-new-entrants-streaming-tv-sees-waters hed-moment-2014-10 Market Watch (2014). Netflix Key Statistics, MarketWatch.com. Retrieved from: http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/nflx/profile Netflix Long term View, (October 15, 2014). Netflix Corporate Website. Retrieved from: http://ir.netflix.com/long-term-view.cfm Netflix Media Center (2014). Netflix, A brief history of the company that revolutionized watching of movies and TV shows. Retrieved from: https://pr.netflix.com/WebClient/loginPageSalesNetWorksAction.do?contentGroupId=10477 Netflix ups ante in streaming. (2014, Oct 27). _Investors Business Daily_ Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxylocal.library.nova.edu/docview/1615897570?accountid=6579 Perez, S. (April 30, 2014). Hulu, Now With 6 Million Subscribers, Will Make Some TV Episodes Free On Mobile, TechCrunch.com. Retrieved from: http://techcrunch.com/2014/04/30/hulu-now-with-6-million-subscribers-will-make-some-tv-episodes-free-on-mobile/Prindle, D. (May 13, 2014). Best Media Streaming, Digital Trends.com Website. Retrieved from: Serviceshttp://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/best-media-streaming-services/ Selyukh, A. (May 15, 2014). Amid protests, U.S. FCC proposes new net neutrality rules, Forbes. Retrieved from: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/15/us-usa-internet-neutrality-idUSBREA4C0SF20140515 Seward, J., (October 16, 2014). Analysts Believe Netflix Is Victim Of High Expectations, Benzinga Retrieved from: http://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/14/10/4929716/analysts-believe-netflix-is-victim-of-high-expectations?utm_campaign=partner_feedutm_s ource=marketwatch.comutm_medium=partner_feedutm_content=analyst_ratings_page Shanklin, W (August 21, 2014). Netflix alternatives: These 7 services are the closest youll get, Geek.com Website. Retrieved from: http://www.geek.com/news/netflix-alternatives-these-7-services-are-the-closest-youll-get-1472327/ Sikka, P., (October 20, 2014). Analyzing the must-know business trends affecting Netflix, Market Realist. Retrieved from: http://marketrealist.com/2014/10/must-know-netflix-stock-steep-fall/ Sikka, P., (October 20, 2014). Why deals with Internet service providers are helping Netflix, Market Realist. Retrieved from: http://marketrealist.com/2014/10/must-know-netflix-stock-steep-fall/ Sikka, P., (October 20, 2014). Why Netflix has long been demanding net neutrality laws, Market Realist. Retrieved from: http://marketrealist.com/2014/10/must-know-netflix-stock-steep-fall/ Sikka, P., (October 20, 2014). Why Netflix doesnt consider HBOs streaming service a threat, Market Realist. Retrieved from: http://marketrealist.com/2014/10/must-know-netflix-stock-steep-fall/ Steel, E. (July 21, 2014). Netflix, Growing, Envisions Expansion Abroad, _The New York Times._ Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/22/business/media/netflix-says-it-topped-50-million-subscribers.html?_r=0 Thompson, A. A. (2012). Netflix in 2012: Can It Recover from Its Strategy Missteps, _Business Strategy Game._ Retrieved from: https://www.bsg-online.com/users/CorporateLobby.html Yahoo Finance (October 30, 2014). Netflix, Inc (NTFLX), Yahoo Finance Website. Retrieved from: https://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=NFLX

RU-486 :: essays research papers

Ethics 101 Stienfeld Deliberation Brief RU- 486 â€Å"Mifepristone, The French Abortion Pill, The â€Å"anti-pregnancy† pill, Mifeprex, Abortion by Pill, RU- 486, ru486, mifegyne, M&M, RU-486, Miracle Pill, The Abortion Pill, non-surgical abortion, the â€Å"easy† abortion, Makes-the-baby-go-away pill, Unpregnancy, Contragestion Chemical Abortion, RU-28486, Medical Abortion, Mf.† (RU486: The Pill, The Process, and The Problems). Call if what you want, but on September 28, 2000 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a drug known as RU-486, which will now be known by trade name as Mifeprex. Basically, what this drug does is cease early pregnancy. A woman may take this drug 49 days or less from the beginning of the last menstrual period. By using this method, three steps need to be taken. The first step includes a dose of three 200 milligrams of Mifepristone orally. The next step occurs two days later taking two 200 micrograms of Misoprostol orally. After completing those two dosages the woman has to go back to the doctor for a â€Å"follow-up† visit about 14 days later, to make sure that the procedure was successful, and the pregnancy was indeed terminated. Even though the procedure sounds easy, there are many set backs that make the drug not â€Å"the easy way† out. A woman will experience about 9-16 days of bleeding or spotting, other side effects may be nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and painful cramping. Unlike an abortion the procedure is indeed a process, it isn’t a wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am type of ordeal. There are very serious and cautious steps a woman needs to take in order for the abortion pill to complete itself.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Looking back at the history of RU-486, we need to take a trip to Europe back in 1980, which is when it was invented. Years later it was approved in France in 1988, and manufactured by a French industry called Roussel-Uclaf, hence the name RU. The 486 came from the shortened version of the first compound number the pill had, or 38486. After the drug started to spread throughout Europe, many other non-Europe countries such as Russia, United Kingdom, China, Israel, and South Africa approved the pill as well. Although the drug was becoming â€Å"popular† across seas, the United States delayed permission to allow the drug. The main reason for this delay was that President George Bush was a strong pro-life advocate, but that all changed in 1993 when President Bill Clinton came into office. In 1996, tests were being done with the FDA to approve the RU-486 pill.

Opium :: essays research papers

History of Opium Opium is a narcotic drug prepared from the juice of the opium poppy, Pa paver somniferum, a plant probably indigenous in the south of Europe and western Asia, but now so widely cultivated that its original habitat is uncertain.   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‚  The medicinal properties of the juice have been recognized from a very early period. It was known to Theophrastus and appears in his time to have consisted of an extract of the whole plant, since Dioscorides, about A.D. 77, draws a distinction between it and an extract of the entire herb derived from the capsules alone.   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‚  From the 1st to the 12th century the opium of Asia Minor appears to have been the only kind known in commerce. In the 13th century opium is mentioned by Simon Januensis, physician to Pope Nicholas IV., while meconium was still in use. In the 16th century opium is mentioned by Pyres (1516) as a production of the kingdom in Bengal, and of Malwai. Its introduction into India appears to have been connected with the spread of Islam. The opium monopoly was the property of the Great Mogul of Persia and was regularly sold. In the 17th century Kaempfer describes the various kinds of opium prepared in Persia, and states that the best sorts were flavoured with spices and called theriaka. These preparations were held in great estimation during the middle ages, and probably supplied to a large extent the place of the pure drug.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Opium is said to have been introduced into China by the Arabs probably in the 13th century, and it was originally used there as a medicine. In a Chinese Herbal compiled before 1700 both the plant and its juice are described, together with the mode of collecting it, and in the General History of the Southern Provinces of Yunnan, revised and republished in 1736, opium is noticed as a common product.   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‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first edict prohibiting opium smoking was issued by the emper or Yung Cheng in 1729. Up to that date the amount imported did not exceed 200 chests, and was usually brought from India by junks as a return cargo. In the year 1757 the monopoly of opium cultivation in India passed into the hands of the East India Company through the victory of Clive at Plassey. Up to 1773 the trade with China had been in the hands of the Portuguese, but in that year the East India Company took the trade under their own charge.

Talent Acquisition Strategies for the 21st Century.

In the past five years, we have gotten a taste of what is going to feel like in a market where there are simply not enough qualified people to fill jobs needed to be filled. The recent downturn has caused organizations to stop many of the programs that were starting to show promise in the field of Human Capital Management, particularly on the recruitment side of the house. In these testing times, one needs to have proper strategy in place to be successful in any venture.In business you cannot do everything by yourself. You need capable and highly accomplished people to assist you in achieving the goals that you have set for your organization. Today, we are in the era of ‘War of Talent'. Wherein it is becoming more and more hard to get right kind of talent and keep hold of them. Many organizations are trailing to competitors because they are not able to hire â€Å"right type of people† and retain them. â€Å"What is the difference between ‘Recruiting' and ‘St rategy Talent Acquisition'? Recruitment is nothing more than filling the vacant positions, whereas Strategic Talent Acquisition is a long term process. It is not only concerned with filling the vacant positions today, but also using the prospective candidate data for filling similar positions in future. Strategic Talent Acquisition allows an organization have a pool of competitive talent that could be used for filling the positions in future. Executive leadership cites the procurement of human capital among their top concerns.The first step to address this reality is the recognition that successful talent acquisition is no longer an annual process, but instead is the process of building long-term strategies. Whether it is board room pr factory floor, a combat is swiftly taking shape. It will unquestionably redefine how organizations do business in the 21st- century market. A prophesy of the warfare came two decades ago, when Mckinsey consulting predicted a progress in the business s etting that could later on become the most serious issue facing HR managers.This ‘Talent war' or skill shortage is threatening the very existence of many corporations. It is believed that around 1/3 of business failures are due to inappropriate hiring decisions and their inability to draw and keep hold of right kind of talent. ‘Star Performers' who don't get enough opportunities for growth and advancement in their current job often change jobs, and the shortage of talent becomes apparent. In this ‘War of Talent', there's a need for long-term, and strategic talent acquisition. Organizations can no longer erely fill the positions as and when any vacancy arises. They must think ahead to deal with the sudden exodus of talent and adapt their strategies to allay the high turnover risk. Traditionally organizations do not consider the recruitment process as one of tactical importance, but in recent years many organizations are facing this harsh reality that they no longer have a wide pool of candidates to choose from. Several changes in the past few years have tipped the balance in support of the highly talented individuals. Internet is one such change.It has brought the whole world into your living room. Candidates can now look for jobs online and send and receive enquiries about prospective positions within hours. Things are Further complicated by ‘Generation Shift'. It is the change in outlook amongst the generations of workforce who'll stay put in the next few decades. Today's young generation of workforce has the outlook and pattern of behaviour that differ noticeably from preceding generations. No longer pleased to waste their whole career with one company, generation Y prefers work-life balance over loyalty.They are very much mobile and do not waver to look for a different position somewhere else if work-life balance is hurt or if they are treated badly. Furthermore, they may merely look to alter the landscape every couple of years, movi ng to different part of the country to experience diverse cities or industries. Disparate to their parents or grandparents, they are ready to change jobs and switch to different company and might even regard as staying with the same company to be an indication of lethargy or lack of objective. Acquiring ‘Star Performers' is a both art and science.The key to success is to be able to attract the ‘Top Performers'. Encouraging ‘Top Performers' to identify other top performers outside your organization is an extremely useful tool. Corporations offer reward to their employees in order to get these names. Money can be an important factor in attracting ‘Top Performers', but it's not the only element. Being able to shape an opportunity and make it look exciting will always attract top talent. Today more and more organizations are using benefits and perks as incentives to retain the talent.The main idea behind the talent acquisition is to move away from a reactive thin king i. e. to recruit when an individual is either promoted or leave the organization to a more pro-active one involving building of the desired skill sets. An all-inclusive, competency-based procedure will assist in identifying, developing and retaining top performers, and ensuring sufficient knowledge transfer for the subsequent generation of workforce. A focus on retention will not only aid in implementing a succession plan, but will also work to tackle generational differences when recruiting these new generation employees.Supporting employees in maintaining a positive work-life balance will aid in retaining younger employees, and also young mothers who are raising children, or employees who are pursing educational opportunities. An assortment of scheduling options – and eagerness to work with your workforce on those options – makes an organization attractive to work in, and boosts the morale of existing workforce. It is also important that you make your employees clearly aware of their performance. This will not only build confidence of your employees but will also help them to grow.Provide feedback to your employees, and encourage them to improve their performance. Engagement is everything for new generation workforce. Habituated to receiving feedback via a multitude of technologies and social media. The members of this generation wish to see that their contributions and efforts are appreciated and recognized. Companies which demonstrate appreciation for hard work of its employees and which recognize the value of their workers contribution will be the ‘Employer of Choice' and find it easier to retain top talent.Keeping existing workforce happy can be one of the company’s most efficient promotion strategies, as workers praise their employers and extend positive buzz both inside and outside the organization. In the similar fashion, the talk of discontented employees can negatively influence the company’s hiring and retenti on efforts. Poaching is one of the quickest way to get talented people onboard and it is not unethical as well. If I identify a talented person who fits my requirement and is working in another company and if I can lure that talent in to my organization then there's nothing wrong in doing that.In the end, I like to conclude that there is no â€Å"silver bullet† that will guarantee that a company succeeds in its efforts to construct a prolific, and adaptable workforce which is competent enough to meet and exceed the companies goals. Understanding a candidate’s motivational fit is extremely crucial in all recruitment and retention efforts. Studies have proved that motivational fit is the sole major predictor of malingering, turnover and overall employee satisfaction. If people are pleased with their position and pleased with their compensation and other benefits, they will be more prolific and in turn your company will be more productive.

The Role of Federal Reserve in the Economic Crisis in 2007

The Role of Federal Reserve in the Economic Crisis in 2007 Introduction Federal Reserve, also known as the Central Bank of America is one of the most powerful and influential economic institutions. Having been created almost a hundred years ago by the Congress, the Federal Reserve has played a major role especially during major economic crises like the World Depression of early 30s and the economic crisis of 2007.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Role of Federal Reserve in the Economic Crisis in 2007 specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More A part from its role in combating these crises, the Federal Reserve has constitutional powers, which allow it to be relevant to the Congress with the latter taking an oversight role. During the execution of its monetary powers, the Federal Reserve is guided by several aspects of its structure, which promote efficacy in service delivery to the people of America and in handling economic matters. This essay discusses the monetary policy as spelle d out in the Federal Reserve Act and how it relates to the U.S economy today. Federal Reserve Unlike other financial institutions in the country, the Federal Reserve serves as the Central Bank and therefore has a wide range of special privileges that are important in its functioning. As such, it assumes the functions and attributes of such a bank in the American Financial sector (Saxton 2). As a lender of the last resort, the Federal Reserve is mandated to issue paper money to banks and is recognized as the banker for all government and commercial banks in the country. While acting as the lender of the last resort, Federal Reserve operates as a bank regulator in order to streamline banking sector within its constitutional responsibilities. Additionally, the operations of the Federal Reserve aim at centralizing reserves in the country; they encompass reserve management responsibilities and the monetary policy. In general, the Federal Reserve maintains the stability of the financial s ystem and oversees the achievement of price within the financial sector (Saxton 2). Moreover, the significance of the oversight of the Congress in the functioning of the Federal Reserve is imperative. These functions are extremely important in determining the impact of the Federal Reserve in its management of expenditure and inflation-related issues (Saxton 3). In its implementation of the monetary policy, the Federal Reserve plays a major role in determining short-term interest rates, foreign exchange rates and varied prices within the market. In times of major financial crises like the ones experienced in 2007 and 2008, the bank plays a crucial role in inducing financial stability into the system while acting as the lender of the last resort. Monetary Policy As defined in the American constitution, the monetary policy is plays a core role in shaping and stabilizing the economy of the United States. Under the Federal Reserve Act, the Federal Open Market Committee and the Board of G overnors are mandated to promote maximum employment for citizens, ensure stable prices and regulate long-term interest rates within the financial sector (Saxton 3).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More These three factors are highly interlocked and key determinants in understanding economic trends and implications. For instance, long-term stable prices guarantee sustainable economic growth and overall employment together with average long-term rates, which are charged as interest by financial institutions. It is also believed that long-term stable prices ensure that the prices of goods and services remain unaltered as a result of inflation and serves as an indicator of proper resource allocation and promotes high living standards. Besides this assurance, stable prices enhance capital formation and saving. This is because when the risk of making losses emanating from inf lation is minimized, people are encouraged to increase their saving capacity with more businesses being motivated to invest heavily (Saxton 3). In understanding the impact of stable prices, it is fundamentally important to note that stability can either be long-term or short-term. Unlike long-term stability which allows sustainable growth and employment in the country, short-term stability of prices may breed a scenario that raises tension between the two major roles of stabilizing prices (Saxton 4). In most cases, low employment rate is accompanied with weak pressures on existing market prices and easing of the policy does not lead to inflationary results. It is also possible to have a case where higher price pressures are developing with employment going down. This is common during a major supply shock like rising fuel prices in the world. The economic implication of such a case is that the weaknesses within the economy would be compounded by efforts to avert inflation impact. Sim ilarly, efforts adopted to deal with unemployment would worsen inflation in the country. When such moments arise in financial crises, monetary policy custodians are usually left in a dilemma that presents a case of either neutralizing pressures on price or reducing unemployment and output. Additionally, expected inflation can be detrimental on price stability especially when it gets adopted by price and wage controllers (Saxton 4). Importantly, the Federal Reserve has a role in promoting financial stability and good economic performance by taking actions that are aimed at mitigating financial disruptions and ensuring that the impact of such disruptions does not spread outside the financial sector (Saxton 4). This is important based on the fact that current financial systems exhibit high level of interconnection and are extremely vulnerable to huge disruptions like the one that may occur as a result of a fall in stock prices. As such, the Federal Reserve promotes resistance of financ ial systems towards such shocks by implementing regulatory policies in relation with payment systems and banking institutions. Additionally, it is allowed to reduce how financial markets are affected by giving liquidity through the adoption of open market operations. Similarly, these results can be achieved via discount window lending (Saxton 4).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Role of Federal Reserve in the Economic Crisis in 2007 specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In its application, the monetary policy plays a significant role in the American economy. This is principally held by markets for balance, which is normally executed at the Federal Reserve Banks. In general, depository institutions own accounts at their Federal Reserves, allowing them to trade balances maintained in these accounts at a certain interest rate referred to as the federal funds rate (Saxton 5). This funds rate is considerably controlled by the Federal Reserve through its operational impact over the demand for and supply of balances in the Reserve Banks. Notably, the FOMC usually positions the federal funds rate at an allowed level that would promote financial and monetary conditions to be in line with the realization of set policy goals and objectives (Saxton 6). It however adjusts the target depending on current and evolving economic advancements. Importantly, fluctuations of the federal funds are vital in determining future trends and expectations. A change in this rate or a deviation towards future expectations can generate a series of events that would affect among others, dollar exchange value, short-term interest rates, stock prices and long-term interest rates (Saxton 6). Consequently, these changes in the above mentioned variables are likely to affect spending decisions among business owners and households, thus affecting growth in demand and the overall economy. Nevertheless, short-term interest rates are inf luenced by both the current status of the federal funds rate and future expectations the lie within a short-term financial contract. The implication of this school of thought is that short-term interest rates are likely to drop if a reduction in the federal funds rate is implemented by the Federal Reserve in the form a surprise to all market participants (Saxton 6). In the same manner, an announcement by the Federal Reserve to increase federal funds rate would lead to an increase in short-term rates. Better still, these results would be experienced if key market participants believed that the federal funds rates were to be held at a higher level by the Federal Reserve than the expected one. For these reasons, market participants are always concerned with data and statements released by the Federal Reserve official (Saxton 7). They do this by analyzing clues about the economy and prices being on unique paths than expected and this could ultimately impact on the position of the moneta ry policy.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Furthermore, changes which occur in short-term interest rates impact long-term interest rates like those on corporate bond, treasury notes, consumer loans and fixed rate mortgages. On the other hand, deviations in long-term interest rates may affect stock prices on the market, which may have devastating impact on household wealth (Saxton 7). Additionally, reduced interest rates may have a convincing influence on investors about future strength of the economy and expected higher profits. This may call for the lifting of equity prices. Conclusion From this analysis, it is clear that the monetary policy found under the Federal Reserve Act plays a major role in stabilizing the economy and deciding future trends and possible decisions. As key player in the U.S economy, the Federal Reserve has to maintain financial sobriety to give direction during crucial moments like economic crises. Saxton, Jim. â€Å"The importance of the Federal Reserve; A joint economic committee report.† Un ited States Congress, 1997. Web. https://www.jec.senate.gov/reports/.

Allegory of the cave essayEssay Writing Service

Allegory of the cave essayEssay Writing Service Allegory of the cave essay Allegory of the cave essayMy perception of reality may and, in all probability, does differ from reality since the reality is a highly subjective issue, if perceived at the individual level. As I perceive the surrounding world or reality, I am still vulnerable to biases that affect my perception of reality. In the course of my personal development I have acquired some personal experience and shaped my basic values, views and beliefs which interfere into my perception of reality. As a   result, the reality may differ from the reality which I perceive subjectively.To eliminate biases and to make me perceiving reality as it is, I need to get rid of those biases and subjectivity which prevents me from accurate perception of reality. In this regard, the critical thinking of reality can help me to minimize the subjectivity of my perception. For instance, I can doubt in actually any issue which I can perceive in the surrounding world, such as the Sun going from the East to the West create s the impression of going around the Earth but, using critical thinking, I should admit the opposite idea and find out the truth through observations and experiments.However, I cannot apply such critical thinking every time I dealt with reality. My perception of reality remains subjective since I have to take many issues for granted. Otherwise, I would not have done a tenth of those activities, which I do on the regular basis. In this regard, my perception of reality also depends on mass media and my social environment since messages I receive from them affect my perception of reality too. Critical thinking and objective analysis are the main ways to break those bonds imposed on me by mass media and my social environment.

What Should I Go to College For

What Should I Go to College For SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Applying to colleges is a rough enough process on its own. If you're interested in a lot of different subjects that don't necessarily mesh nicely together into one major, then figuring out what you should go to school for can seem like an impassable obstacle on the road to figuring out where to apply to. In this article, I'll take you through the same steps I, a student with multiple disparate interests, took back when I was looking at colleges to figure out what I should go to college for. I'll also go through how, as a well-rounded student, you can narrow down what kinds of schools you should apply to. The Dilemma of the Curious and Well-Rounded Student In his article on how to get into Harvard and the Ivy League, PrepScholar co-founder Allen Cheng talks about developing a "spike" to make you attractive to highly selective national universities. The idea of developing a spike makes sense for students who are both dedicated to being the best at one thing in particular and who are interested in applying to the Ivy League and similarly selective universities. If attending somewhere like Stanford or Columbia is your goal, you want to have one area that you really stand out in, rather than being well-rounded. For students who have grown up being told that being a well-rounded student is important, the fact that you probably won't get into a top national university by being good at everything can feel like the deepest betrayal. Now, I didn't know any of this information about not being well-rounded or having a "spike" when I was applying to schools. But even if I had known about this strategy, I doubt I would have opted for it, because it just didn't match who I was as a student. Rather than that picture of one ball with a spike rising out of it, I was more like a morningstar- lots of spikes going off into all different directions for all my different interests. A morningstar, or my different interests? Impossible to tell apart! If you're a well-rounded student not just because that's what you've been told you should strive for, but because you're genuinely interested in (and good at) multiple different subject areas, then figuring out where to apply for college can be tricky. It's hard to choose a school that's strong in the areas you're interested in if the most you can limit it down to is "probably not history?" I know all of this because I was once a high school student who had so many interests that choosing a school that fit those interests (and figuring out what major to select on applications) seemed unlikely, if not impossible. Despite this, I was eventually able to narrow down my list to the eight schools I ended up applying to and ultimately ended up choosing a school at which I thrived. In the next section, I'll go into more detail about my academic background and interests as a high school student and how that pulled me in different directions when it came to choosing where to apply to. The different directions of my interests, but with Ludwigsburg tourist attractions instead of academic subjects. My Academic Background and High School Interests For high school, I attended a good public school in the New York suburbs. Most of the students from my school, then and now, go on to attend 4-year colleges immediately after high school. Because I went to a high school where most students went to college and because my parents had both gone to college and expected their children to as well, I was encouraged to start thinking about where I'd want to attend college during eleventh grade. Growing up where I did also meant I was familiar with at least the names of a lot of Northeastern U.S. colleges (if only because I'd driven by them), but I did not really have a sense of what schools were strong in which areas. As a high school junior, I would likely have described myself as being extremely interested in the following college majors: creative writing, Chinese, music, neuroscience (or psychology), math, or something else I hadn't studied yet but might discover a passion for in college. For me, a perennially curious student, the question was less "what should I go to college for" than "what should I choose what colleges I apply to based on." Figuring out the answer to the question "what should I go to school for?" was particularly difficult for me since none of my interests seemed to mesh together well, at least not on a surface level. Being unsure of what you should go to college for is not an uncommon dilemma for well-rounded students. Based on my own experience, I think this is particularly true at public schools where if you qualify for an advanced class, even if it's not a subject you're particularly interested in, you take it because otherwise you'll be bored in the non-advanced version of that class. Case in point for me: going into junior year, I wasn't super into U.S. History (to put it mildly), but since we had to take it in 11th grade either way, I knew that it would be better if I took AP U.S. History than regular U.S. History. The far-off look of a man consumed by U.S. history. FDR Memorial by David/Flickr. Over the course of my junior year, I thought more about what I was specifically drawn to within each of the subjects I was interested in. This deeper analysis, which I'll go into next, is ultimately what ended up helping me narrow down what schools I applied to needed to be strong in (and what intended major I should put on my applications). How to Choose a College Major (While Still in High School) During the summer between junior and senior year, in between avoiding thinking about colleges and trying to get my summer homework done, I took some time to think about how much I'd explored each of the subjects I was interested in so far and how much it should affect my college search. Below, I've written out roughly what my thought process was for each subject. As you read through, you'll start to notice that even though I am interested in all five of the subjects, the degree to which I'm interested in each area (and want to make sure I can study each subject in college) varies quite a bit. Creative Writing How much have I already explored this? I have been writing creatively almost as long as I have been able to read, in one form or another. I spent the majority of five summers at a creative and performing arts camp working on and writing for camp publications (literary magazine, newspaper, yearbook, playwriting festival, etc); the last two summers (including the summer before senior year), I was a counselor-in-training and helped other campers with their writing. How do I want to pursue this in college? I would like to be able to take creative writing classes in college. I don't necessarily plan to major in it, but it would be good if there was a minor (or a concentration within the English major) Chinese How much have I already explored this? I started taking Chinese (Mandarin) in 7th grade, have continued through now (and plan to next year). I went to China sophomore year for two weeks with my Chinese class (which was an amazing experience). How do I want to pursue this in college? I definitely want to continue taking Chinese in college, which means any college I apply to has to have more than just introductory Chinese classes (since I'll likely place out of those). Ideally, I'll be able to major in Chinese and study abroad in China for at least some of my time in college, if I so choose. Music How much have I already explored this? Since elementary school, I have taken lessons in and performed in ensembles for voice, violin, and viola, both in and out of school. I also began composing and exploring some aspects of computer music in late middle school and have continued to do that through now (the summer before senior year). How do I want to pursue this in college? I want to learn more music theory, particularly for medieval and non-Western systems of music. I probably will play in ensembles of some kind, maybe will pick up a new instrument, so it would be good if I could do that I don't want music to be the only thing I study (so I don't want to apply to a conservatory), but the idea of attending a school that also has a conservatory where I can take classes (even if I don't major in it) is very attractive. Well hello there yourself, Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Wallyford/Flickr. Neuroscience/Psychology How much have I already explored this? I have been doing an independent research project for the past couple of years which has ultimately ended up focusing on the different ways brains of high school musicians and non-musicians interpret sound. I enjoyed the process of reading all the research on music and the brain and neural processing in general; I've also quite enjoyed the research aspect so far. How do I want to pursue this in college? Any college I apply to definitely needs to have a neuroscience major or minor (preferably major). I would like the opportunity to do original research as an undergraduate (rather than just running someone else's studies), but it's not a deal-breaker. Math How much have I already explored this? Since 7th grade, I've been in a two-years-advanced math class and have relished most of it; I will likely run out of math classes to take senior year because I already took BC Calc junior year. I became interested in chaos theory and fractals after reading Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton in elementary school. I also read Chaos by James Gleick as part of figuring out what I'd study for my independent science research project (even though I didn't ultimately end up going with it). How do I want to pursue this in college? I want to be able to take math and find what advanced mathematical areas appeal to me. I definitely don't want to go to any kind of engineering or math-centric school, just want the option to take more math. If it wasn't for how legible the handwriting is, this is definitely something I could have written about math when I was in high school. Want to build the best possible college application? We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League. We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools. Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in. What Should I Go to College For? The Verdict After sitting down and going through my main interests, I no longer felt quite so hopelessly well-rounded. It was clear that while I was interested in studying lots of different kinds of things in college (probably a good sign for someone who wants to go to college), there were certain requirements that mattered more than others in figuring out what I should go to college for (and, as a consequence, what schools I should apply to). Here are the distilled criteria I ended up using in my college search: #1: The school must have creative writing classes (at least a creative writing minor or concentration). #2: The school must have advanced Chinese (Mandarin) language classes. #3: The school must have music theory classes and some way for non-music majors to take music classes and participate in ensembles. #4: The school must have a neuroscience major or minor. These four criteria were specific enough to help me figure out if schools were not a good fit for me, yet not so numerous that there were no schools that would match all four. I ultimately ended up applying to eight schools: Yale, Brown, Swarthmore, Wellesley, Vassar, Oberlin, NYU, and Brandeis. And what about when it came time to choose a college major on applications? If a school allowed you to select multiple possible majors, I did that (usually selecting English/creative writing, neuroscience, Chinese, and music, in that order). If a school only allowed you to select one potential major, I went with "undecided." Even though we have warned against choosing "undecided" as your major in other articles on the PrepScholar blog, being interested in many things is one case where choosing "undecided" makes sense, particularly if your many interests are demonstrated throughout the rest of your application. As long as it's clear that "Undecided" means "too many interests" and not "no interests," it's fine to choose it, even when applying to highly selective schools. Since I mostly ended up applying to smaller liberal arts schools, the question of which program within the school to apply to didn't come up much, but when it did, I went broad. For Oberlin, I applied to the College of Arts and Sciences, not the Conservatory of Music (after ascertaining through talking to the college that I could still do music things even if I wasn't at the conservatory). For NYU, I applied to the College of Arts and Sciences as my primary choice and the Gallatin School of Individual Studies as my secondary choice- I knew that those were the two programs at NYU that would allow me to take the greatest variety of classes. So how did this all turn out for me? I ended up attending Wellesley College (a small liberal arts school), where I managed to pursue all of the interests I'd had in mind (along with many more). Specifically, I... Got 80% of the way to an English minor (including two creative writing classes) Took five semesters of Chinese and studied abroad in Shanghai Majored in music and got to play in various ensembles, learn the viola da gamba, and write lots of music Majored in psychology and got to do two different research projects Took two Math classes: one in multivariable calculus (meh) and number theory (so much fun!!) The Number Theory class I took fanned the flames of my enthusiasm for math (see image). How Can You Figure Out What to Go to College For? At this point, you've read through my journey from a well-rounded high school student with no idea how to narrow down her interests to a college applicant with clear criteria. How can my experiences help you, a well-rounded high school student with no idea of where to apply to, narrow down your areas of interest into criteria for schools? One thing you may have noticed I mentioned a couple of times was that I was primarily looking at (private) liberal arts colleges. Good liberal arts schools like Wellesley are strong in many different fields. They may not be as renowned for research in said field as Harvard or MIT, but they will expose you to a variety of different subjects through core requirements at a high level. Liberal arts schools, in fact, are the well-rounded students of colleges (if that makes sense). A definite drawback to liberal arts schools is their size- most liberal arts colleges fall along the small-to-medium end of college size. If you're looking for a larger school, then liberal arts colleges might not be for you. Similarly, most liberal arts colleges are private, so if you want to attend a public school, then this might not be a good option for you (although keep in mind that many top-tier liberal arts schools offer no-loan or low-loan financial aid). If for whatever reason a liberal arts school doesn't sound like the right fit for you for college, don't worry- there are other options out there for well-rounded students. Larger universities may have a wider variance in quality between different majors, but they also have way more majors than most liberal arts schools. The best national universities are not just strong in one area, but also have multiple well-regarded departments. For instance, when I was applying to Yale, the East Asian Languages, English, and Music departments were all well-regarded in comparison to similar programs at other similar schools. Make it your business to find out how a university stacks up in the areas you're interested in, not just overall reputation. And if they don't have a good program in the areas you're interested in, think hard before applying. Finally, well-rounded students who want to attend large universities or schools with more than one undergraduate college should consider applying to schools that allow cross-registration between undergraduate colleges. That way, you'll have options even if you end up in a specialized program. As an example of this, a friend of mine went to UMich for undergrad, intending to be a computer engineer. While he was there, however, he was able to cross-register in the music school and take music classes as well. He ultimately ended up switching over to become a music major and pursuing a career in that field. As a well-rounded student with diverse interests, if you're looking at schools with many different undergraduate programs and don't like the idea of being bound to a narrow academic path, make sure you only look at schools that allow cross-registration across different programs. In Conclusion Being a well-rounded student applying to colleges can be stressful, not only because it makes it harder for you to get into highly selective national universities but because it's hard to answer for yourself, "what should I go to college for?" My journey from a well-rounded high school student, interested in lots of different things, to a well-rounded college student, still interested in lots of different things, involved thinking deeply about what about my potential college majors interested me. I ultimately ended up attending a liberal arts college because that seemed like the best fit for someone with such omnivorous interests. If you're more interested in applying to large universities, make sure you research before applying to find out what schools are strong in your areas of interest. You should also keep an eye out for schools that let you cross-register between specialized undergraduate programs. There may still be some weeping along the way as you figure out what schools to apply to and what major(s) you want to look at schools for, but at least the tears won't be from frustration at not knowing where to start when it comes to narrowing down your options. What's Next? Want to learn more about the process of choosing a college major? We look at it both from the perspective of students choosing what major to put on their college applications and how to choose a college major more generally. Knowing what you want to study is only one piece of the deciding-where-to-apply puzzle. Learn more about how to make a college list in this article. How many schools should you plan on applying to? We help you figure out the right number of colleges for you to apply to in this guide. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Education of Police Officers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Education of Police Officers - Essay Example While many of these skills can be learned on the street in the day-to-day execution of their job, many of them are more easily acquired in a formal classroom setting. A college education would not only benefit the individual officer, it would also give the public an increased perception in regards to the professionalism of the police. Police work today is far more scientifically based than it was in the past. Police officers are continually challenged to keep current in the areas of "technical support, forensic science, fraud investigation, and high tech crime" (Fleming and Wood, 2006, p.262). This knowledge is applied from the moment the police begin to analyze a crime to the time they are preserving a crime scene and collecting evidence. The science of DNA, the expanded technical databases available, and new analytical techniques require the police officer to enter into a lifetime of learning. In addition to the pragmatic side of police work that entails collecting and analyzing the evidence, there is the human contact that officers must constantly confront. In many ways, and in many situations, the police officer needs to act almost as a psychologist. Whether they are trying to defuse a tense situation or attempting to get a suspect to talk, a knowledge of psychology can make them more effective.

Research paper Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Research paper - Assignment Example Market is about influencing mindsets of people so that the market share increases. This hypothesis calls for a measure of difference between variables. It’s like carrying out a research on income levels per gender and then running analysis to try to understand the difference in means income between males and females. The research uses secondary data and not primary data. The research attributes are sub-divided into non-overlapping sub-groups, factors, which area analyzed and presented together for a better understanding of the topical issue. The use of primary data is always encouraged as it results into tangible results which can be used to develop binging decisions unlike the secondary data. However, secondary data might be used in cases where the research study is not a new phenomenon and a researcher wants to build on assertions by other writers. The hypothesis developed and the research objectives are hand in hand. The use of data to influence mindsets so as to ensure proper understanding of migration benefits. Data collection was done by compiling the information from reports. The best thing for this research study to attain the required scientific rigor would have been to collect the data using any of the research tools i.e. questionnaire, interview or observations. But in this case, collecting information would have been expensive and may be it was not factored in the research study budget. The best method to sample the population would have been stratified random sampling where the population would be sub-divided into non-overlapping sub-groups. And then do a random sample from each stratum. This would be applied since the population being targeted is not homogenous but heterogeneous. A simple random sampling could only be used in case the population had the same traits. The results from this analysis could be used to centrally to explain the formulated hypothesis since the data represents the real situation and also since the data has both

Change Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Change Project - Essay Example Emotion or  affect  is the  method  in humanistic psychology that recognizes feelings and the  consideration  that results to transformations in performance and  cognition. A person realizes the need to change when something happens. This is a practical  proof  that works for individuals, healthy  family  growth  and couples. There are several behavioral forms. Change of behavior  is widely investigated  and  is applied  for parenting method. A person should  cease  the behavior and begin to work directly on  transformation. Regarding thoughts  technique, there should be  motivation  that originates from the inside because the  secret  to  achievement  is within each and  everyone. If a person has  positive  faith and  devotion  to what they do,  subsequently  things work out in a positive way. In system technique, a person needs to be  optimistic  to  attain  what he wants. Support from family is  essential  for a persons’  achievement  because  system  change involves the whole system and not just an  individual. Culture plays a crucial role when initiating change. Working against  predominant  customs will make attaining  transformation  harder, but working with it and identifying fundamental forces can  aid  ease  change. Reaction to  modification  when change  is forced  is  constantly  difficult  (Whitbourne, 2010).Reference Whitbourne, S. K. (2010). Beginnings: Psychological Perspectives on Four Types of Change. Retrieved October 19, 2011, from Psychology Today:

How to use modern technology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

How to use modern technology - Essay Example These young minds must therefore, be educated through events or activities on the benefits of modern technology. Consequently children equipped with knowledge on modern technology will provide a stable future for the country. Use of technology is central to the philosophy of developing a system equipped for the future and, to that end all children must have access to tools that form part of the fabric of their everyday lives. Technology is a tool, not a subject (Verma 78). Digital cameras have dramatically changed the way we take photographs. By suing cameras during the modern technology week fair children will be able to take photographs and later write projects and add pictures into them. In the process off this activity students get to know more about their community its surroundings and local people. In addition to this, they will also be gaining knowledge about modern technology as they handle the digital camera. In the event, a multicultural activity may be used to teach childr en about their community and also the use of modern technology. Multicultural education includes teaching children about their own culture and their ethnic heritage. It means exposing children to other diverse culture and helping them be comfortable with and respect all the ways in which people appear different to each other. This may be achieved by teaching the children how to relate to one another and how to play fairly. This encourages children to notice and think about fairness and challenges them to do something about the unfairness towards people they perceive in their world. Through activities like photography and use of other modern technological equipment children will get to intermingle with other people in society who come from different ethnic groups. This will help create a rapport as kids share the equipment and also put in efforts to attain set objectives of the modern technological event (Verma 78). Another activity in the modern technology fair includes the designin g of a community library. Emerging multi-ethnic populations in many communities and the increasingly urgently need for literacy and information technology skills call for a change in the design of library buildings(Verma 75).Libraries could become key communication centers, for mobile populations and their design will need to reflect the different levels and layers of entry or different temporal zones. Young people in this event get actively involved in the design of the service that would benefit hem in future. Through voicing their ideas by drawing or art or photography or in question and answer segment in the event, valuable information will be acquired of how to run a community library. Movies and short films may be aired in the event. During the event short films may be aired to be viewed by the children. Short films and movies offer the most visual and engaging learning tool for today’s children. This technology enhances the curriculum children are taught at school. On the spot, teachers can show video clips about almost any topic mainly those relating to the

Political movement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Political movement - Essay Example ( Schock, 2005), has made a study of the phenomenon of non-violent resistance in authoritarian contexts by taking the political movements in six countries as comparative case studies. The countries he put under this socio-analytical scanner are South Africa, Burma, Philippines, Nepal, Thailand and China. He further makes a distinction between the movements as those won a democratic victory and those who failed under repression. South Africa, Nepal, Philippines and Thailand are the winning examples of democracy, while Burma and China still remain under the autocratic rule. The study is limited in time, its purview being a rather historically short period which extents from 1980 to 2005. In his book, Kurt Schock’s attempt is focussed on evolving a set of cause-effect equations underlying these successes and failures. The social movements of Burma and South Africa are particularly significant to our review of this work, as the former failed just after reaching the brink of success, while the latter persevered and went up to the victory post in full glory and flamboyance. In view of the great momentum that both political movements achieved in late 80s, it was only natural to expect both to be victorious. The search for a reason to why this did not happen led Schock to point out certain factors key to the success of a non-violent social movement under an authoritarian regime. Kurt Schock says that, two basic conditions must be met for a resistance movement to contribute to political transformations. First, â€Å"the challenge must be able to withstand repression, and second, the challenge must undermine state power† (2005, p.49). These are the two broad yardsticks used to analyse the social movements in Burma and South Africa. He also theorizes that social and political transformation occurs only after a sustained period of challenge in which multiple forms of

How to use modern technology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

How to use modern technology - Essay Example These young minds must therefore, be educated through events or activities on the benefits of modern technology. Consequently children equipped with knowledge on modern technology will provide a stable future for the country. Use of technology is central to the philosophy of developing a system equipped for the future and, to that end all children must have access to tools that form part of the fabric of their everyday lives. Technology is a tool, not a subject (Verma 78). Digital cameras have dramatically changed the way we take photographs. By suing cameras during the modern technology week fair children will be able to take photographs and later write projects and add pictures into them. In the process off this activity students get to know more about their community its surroundings and local people. In addition to this, they will also be gaining knowledge about modern technology as they handle the digital camera. In the event, a multicultural activity may be used to teach childr en about their community and also the use of modern technology. Multicultural education includes teaching children about their own culture and their ethnic heritage. It means exposing children to other diverse culture and helping them be comfortable with and respect all the ways in which people appear different to each other. This may be achieved by teaching the children how to relate to one another and how to play fairly. This encourages children to notice and think about fairness and challenges them to do something about the unfairness towards people they perceive in their world. Through activities like photography and use of other modern technological equipment children will get to intermingle with other people in society who come from different ethnic groups. This will help create a rapport as kids share the equipment and also put in efforts to attain set objectives of the modern technological event (Verma 78). Another activity in the modern technology fair includes the designin g of a community library. Emerging multi-ethnic populations in many communities and the increasingly urgently need for literacy and information technology skills call for a change in the design of library buildings(Verma 75).Libraries could become key communication centers, for mobile populations and their design will need to reflect the different levels and layers of entry or different temporal zones. Young people in this event get actively involved in the design of the service that would benefit hem in future. Through voicing their ideas by drawing or art or photography or in question and answer segment in the event, valuable information will be acquired of how to run a community library. Movies and short films may be aired in the event. During the event short films may be aired to be viewed by the children. Short films and movies offer the most visual and engaging learning tool for today’s children. This technology enhances the curriculum children are taught at school. On the spot, teachers can show video clips about almost any topic mainly those relating to the

Baroque period Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Baroque period - Movie Review Example The self-portrait shows Argan who is a character in the play. It portrays his physical appearance and the characterful face of the character. He is an old wealthy man with two wives and three children. He is the head of the household and a proud person who always wants to be involved with rich people. He is always joyful even though he is ill and is married to an ill-minded woman who plans to take his wealth after he dies. The portrait shows the play in progress. The portrait focuses on fashion by showing the great outfits worn by the characters. In this portrait, Angelique and his father show their differences. Argan decides to marry his eldest daughter to a young doctor in order he could have a doctor by his side. On the other hand, his daughter wants to marry another man who she falls in love with and so he refuses his father’s proposal. This results to a conflict between Argan and his daughter but eventually he is convinced and accepts the situation. The painting appears t o be an extension of real space. It makes the viewers feel like their taking part in the scene. The play uses this paint to show how Thomas Diaafoirus, a graduated physician, looks on his father Doctor Diafoirus to negotiate his marriage to Angelique with Argan. Thomas wants to marry Angelique since she is a beautiful woman. He asks his father to accompany him in negotiating the marriage since he knows that his father is a good friend of Argan who is Angelique’s father. Argan also is in the fever of Thomas marrying his daughter.

Another Kind of Racism Essay Example for Free

Another Kind of Racism Essay Racism is a disease. Spread by not only words and actions but by silence and inaction. In two stories presented in different media – a novel and a movie—racism is spread by people who feel they are not racists, but who do nothing to prevent and stop racism. The reality is that it is easy to pretend racism doesn’t exist, yet everyone practices it in some way. Those who know racism is wrong and do nothing are the â€Å"perpetrators† of racism. They allow the disease to cling to a group and spread like sending a sick toddler to preschool; touching everything and everyone, infecting all. In T. C. Boyle’s book Tortilla Curtain, racism is present throughout the book – enough to exhaust the reader. In the movie Crash, racism is one element of a complex plot. They teach the reader similar, compatible lessons. The character Delaney from the book and the Cameron from Crash both are used to depict stereotypical persons who claim to fight racism, stereotyping, and discrimination, yet when faced with a situation when it is directed toward them or someone near to them they allow racism to happen as if nothing was wrong. Following these people are dying morals and blind humanity. Delany is a white, affluent, born on the East Coast; he now lives in Los Angeles. Living in a â€Å"gated community† had insulated him from the poverty that surrounded the very edges of the walls of exclusive neighborhood. During community meetings he does not want to discuss the increasing numbers of illegal immigrants; he prefers to focus on the coyote attacks. Until the accident he did not know his life would cross paths with an Illegal Immigrant. He had seen them only in the parking lots where they waited looking for work. He claims to not be a racist, to not be biased, and to not stereotype individuals at these meetings. As he claims this, his car hits a Mexican named Candido. Delaney soothes his conscience by giving Candido $20 blood money, explaining to his wife Kyra that Hes a Mexican. Delaney actions suggest that Mexicans are not â€Å"people.† More than 50 years earlier John Steinbeck’s characters in the book The Grapes of Wrath phrase the issue much of the same way, â€Å"They ain’t human. A human being wouldn’t live like they do. A human being couldn’t stand it to be so dirty and miserable.† Delaney prefers to pretend as if the Mexicans didn’t exist, as the alternative is showing how he feels insecure and threatened by them. This is same way the character of the Hollywood Director Cameron in the same movie allows racism and harassment to occur in front of him to his own wife. He allows her to be violated by a racist white cop. After his wife gets molested, instead of standing up against the cop and protecting his wife; he grovels and thanks the cop for not giving him a ticket, â€Å"Look, were sorry, and we would appreciate if you would just let us go with a warning, please.† (Crash, 2004). Delaney and Cameron are hypocrites being perpetrated from both ends of the spectrum; they represent individuals directly affected by racism who fail to respond in a way that causes it to cease, and those indirectly causing the racism to occur and spread. In the movie Crash this is shown by Cameron feeling cornered and lashing out against those around him; in Tortilla Curtain it is shown when the main character gives up fighting against the walls and letting those around him decide for him what is right and wrong. By their silence they allow the racism to perpetuate around them. Individuals like those portrayed in these scenarios run the risk of causing an unending cycle of racism and bigotry that will not stop until someone stands up against it. Their fear feeds those around them. In Crash Cameron is confronted by fellow worker asking about an African American actor. â€Å"This is gonna sound strange, but is Jamal seeing a speech coach or something?This is weird for a white guy to say, but have you noticed hes talking a lot less black lately?† And the answer is, â€Å"No, I havent noticed that.† At first the character stands up to the â€Å"racist† questioner but in the end he gives up, he ignores why Jamal hasn’t been â€Å"sounding Black† and goes on acting as if the words had not been said. In the same way after a canyon fire is set accidently by Candido in Tortilla Curtain; Delaney attacks a Mexican man who is being questioned by the police. Delaney looked round at his neighbors, their faces drained and white, fists clenched, ready to go anywhere, do anything, seething with it, spoiling for it, a mob. They were out here in the night, outside the walls, forced out of their shells, and there was nothing to restrain them.† (The Tortilla Curtain, 289) This occurs immediately after Delaney has attacked the handcuffed Josà © Navidad, arrested under suspicion of starting the fire. Delaney’s furious, uncontrolled actions and unexplainable anger towards the Mexicans has incited a full-on riot, with the evacuated residents of Arroyo Blanco ready to attack anything and anyone. The idea of the wall comes up in both movies, with whites being forced outside their walls, and their comfort zones. The results are frightening. The white citizens of the town have abandoned their ordered ways, Delaney has even abandoning his self-imposed rules; he has indulged in alcohol. All have become more like the uninhibited immigrants they dislike and fear. In Crash the audience sees the hatred and racism feed on itself when two suspicious black men attack the District Attorney after complaining about racism towards them. The wife goes off on a rant after the attack and says many racial slurs and insults the locksmith. Her anger spills over into her husband who starts ranting as well. â€Å"Why did these guys have to be black? I mean, why?† (Crash, 2004). Like a disease, racism and hatred spreads from person to person impregnating their souls with bigotry and a blind sense of what is right. In the end both characters lose sight of what is right. More concerned about themselves than how their actions affect those around them. Their arrogance in thinking that they are above the racism and bigotry has significant consequences. The infectious nature of racism in individuals who are intelligent, and who have power and influence, is the real danger. Their thinking is infectious, and once these thoughts are inside someone’s head they don’t leave. It is especially dangerous when these individuals are opinion leaders. These are characters in fiction, but in the real world, people like Delaney and Cameron should not be tolerated. They cause the spread of racism, creating an unending circle of pain and grief for everyone they touch and a wider circle touched by those whom they have touched. Works Cited: Crash. Dir. Paul Haggins. Perf. Don Cheadle and Sandra Bullock. Warner Brothers, 2004. DVD. Frenken, Wiltrud, Angela Luz, and Brigitte Prischtt. T.C. Boyle: The Tortilla Curtain. Paderborn: Schöningh, 2007. Print. Steinbeck, John. The Grapes of Wrath. New York: Viking, 1939. Print.

Effect of the Roman Invasion on Religion

Effect of the Roman Invasion on Religion The Celtic Christianity. Christianity probably came to Britain with the Roman legions, the spread of the faith being certainly helped by the infrastructure of the Roman Empire, resulting in the gradual conversion of the various Celtic people to the Christian faith. Thus a strong and lively Celtic church existed in Britain and Ireland before the Germanic invasions took place. We know that there were British bishops at church councils at Arles, 314 AD, and Rimini, 359 AD. There are records of the martyrdoms of Alban, Julius and Aaron. Such great numbers of Celts were converted that to be British and Celtic meant to be Christian. After the legions left there appear to have been some 150 years of warfare in Britain between the invading Anglo-Saxons and the original Celtic inhabitants. So when Augustine came from Rome in 596 he came into the conflict between the Anglo-Saxon conquerors and an indigenous church among a persecuted people. [literally from the site!] The Celtic Christianity is the first form of Christianity that has been practiced in England and Ireland. (around 400 AD) In the 4th century, it really established itself by mixing the characteristic Celtic features with the religion. Once the Romans withdrew themselves, the Roman and Celtic Christianity started to evolve differently. In the 5th and 6th century a lot of Celts were converted because of missionaries. In Ireland, the Celtic Christianity is characterized by its cloisters. Celtic Christianity is the earliest form of Christianity in Great Britain and Ireland. Christianity reached Britain in the 2nd century, during the Roman occupation. It was not until the second half of the 4th century that the characteristic Celtic elements were mixed properly with the rest of the church. After the Romans had withdrawn from Britain, the Roman and Celtic Christianity had been apart for almost 200 years and had the opportunity to develop separately. The 5th and 6th century were marked by widespread conversions by the arrival of many missionaries. Ireland developed a church structure which was entirely based on monasteries. Because there existed no central authority of the Celtic church, there were many variations occurring in monastic rules and the rules of the liturgy. The Roman and the Celtic church met again in 597, when Augustine of Canterbury led a delegation of clergies to Britain. This meeting showed that there were many differences between the views of the two movements. The big difference between the Roman Catholic and Celtic Christianity led to the Synod of Whitby in 664. The decisions that were taken, were detrimental to the Celts. The Irish monastic rules were replaced with the rules of the Benedictines and strict adherence to Catholic doctrine was enforced. The decree of Whitby had no immediate effect. Especially Devon, Cornwall and Scotland continued to protest against the new form of Christianity. This resulted in the presence of a Celtic monastery on Iona (Scotland) until the 13th century, which then was replaced by a Benedictine abbey. However, Christianity in Britain began to adapt increasingly to the Roman Catholicism. Despite this, Celtic Christianity was passed on orally and there have always remained elements of the former belief in British and Irish churches. After the Reformation of the 16th century the Celtic tradition got offered more and more resistance. Reading the prayers out loud was discouraged and even forbidden, because it was thought that this was a pagan and polytheistic origin. In Scotland a combination of religious persecution and the highland clearances led to the weakening of the Celtic culture. But even this did not lead to the end of the Celtic Christianity. In the early 20th century Celtic prayers were collected in Gaelic and written down due to a resurgence of interest in Celtic literature. Partly because of this there was a growing interest in Celtic Christianity. People protested less against the tradition of pagan elements and more people began to appreciate the religion. Instead of eliminating the ancient Celtic symbols from the religious life, the Christian missionaries took over many customs of the pagan faith. Some of these traditions are still clearly seen in the Christian faith, and not just in Great Britain and Ireland. The old gods were largely held in honour, only now they were depicted as saints. The most famous example is Brighid, who became a saint with the same name after the arrival of Christianity. Jesus, the son of God, took the place of the sun god Lugh. His symbol, the cross, was added to the solar disk and so was the symbol that we know today as the Celtic cross Iona. Many sacred sites were converted to Christian places of significance. Lindisfarne, for example, was a place where the Celts worshiped their gods in the open air. On the island a church was built which became important later. The belief in the Otherworld, ensured that in almost the whole Christian world, the contact between people did not stop after death, but continued in the form of prayers and thoughts. But of course there also are differences between the Celtic Christianity and Roman Catholicism. The Celtic Christian religion is based on smaller groups of believers than the Roman Catholics, who interpret their own religion. This is partly because of the division of Celtic society: the importance of a family or clan was much larger than the importance of a country or a king. Another reason is that they dont care that much about exact rules but want to confess their faith in their own way. The fact that Celtic Christianity is different to Roman Catholicism in several ways, is largely due to the language barrier and the remoteness of the area. One of the most known differences with the Roman Catholicism is the determination of the date of Easter. There are several ways to do this, and those ways have changed and refined through the centuries. After the establishment of the Celtic Church, there was a time where there was relatively little contact with the rest of Europe and when that contact was renewed, it appeared that the Roman Catholic Church had adopted a different system. Several Celtic parishes practiced this system, while others maintained the old system. There is a striking difference in the conception of the original sin. The Catholic saint Augustine argued that the original sin was caused by Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit in Paradise, and that this sin was transmitted to their offspring and therefore all people. To get rid of the original sin, people had to live by the Bible and fulfil Gods will. The Celtic monk Pelagius, however, claimed that this original sin did not exist and that a good and sinless life would be enough to go to heaven. A final difference is the experience of God by the Celtic Christians. According to them, God is not separated from his creation and the major example of this is Jesus. Believers see the universe as a body, from which God is the head, and the cosmos the body. The cosmos can perform Gods will, just like the brain tells the fingers what to do. The head joins in the sorrow and the joy of the body. God is also seen as hermaphrodite: both male and female, while Roman Catholicism portrays God as male. That the Catholic doctrine does this, can be explained by the concept of the original sin. Eve, Adams wife, was the first who tasted of the apple and she was the one who encouraged him to eat of the fruit. As Adam didnt pluck the apple himself, but this was encouraged by Eve, she was more sinful than her husband. Partly because of this idea, the role of the woman in the church was kept small. She couldnt fulfil sacred tasks like priests and bishops did. The attitude of the Celtic Christianity was much milder towards women, such as that Irish women could be priests and there was no celibacy. Shortly after the ingestion of Ireland in 1172 the Irish Celtic church was placed under the Roman church and from then there were only men who performed the sacred tasks. The celibacy was introduced shortly after. Constantine I (the Great). Constantine the Great was the son of Constantius Chlorus and Helena, and was a Roman emperor from 306 until his death in 337 AD. He is best known for being the first Christian Roman emperor. He issued the Edict of Milan (313), which proclaimed religious toleration throughout the empire. As the heir when his father died, he soon took possession of Gaul, Spain and Britain. After some victories over Maxentius he also became the master of Italy. In 323 he killed his opponent Linius in battle, and became sole lord of the whole Roman World. A lot of books have been written about the subject. An example of one of those is Constantine, the Miracle of the Flaming Cross by Frank G. Slaughter. According to the stories, Constantine saw a cross in the sky the night before his battle with Maxentius. Accompanied with it were the lines By this thou shalt conquer. Along with the supports of his mother Helena, this should have inspired Constantine to be converted to the Christian belief. The miracle has been defended by several Roman-Catholic historians, but it cannot stand the test of critical examination. It is possible that Constantine has seen something in the skies Constantine was convinced Christianity was on the rise but his conversion was more a change of policy than of character. He retained the office and title of Pontifex Maximus until the very last, a title which nowadays is reserved for the pope as it is represents the highest position in the Church. Furthermore, he wasnt baptised until he felt he was about to die. T his of course so that if there were a Heaven, he would go there, but he didnt have to live a purely Christian life before that. Constantine kept Pagans in the highest positions in his surroundings, and forbade everything which might appear to be an attack of Christianity against Paganism. This is an example of the religious toleration in the Roman empire. Constantine III (usurper) and the end of the Roman reign in Britain. Flavius Claudius Constantinus (Constantine the third), is in Britain also known as Constantine II. He declared himself emperor of the Western Roman Empire in 407 AD and abdicated in 411. On the 31st of December 406 AD, Barbarian invaders attacked the Western Roman Empire near the Rhine. Along with the disunity of the Roman Empire and the tensions around Gaul, this was one of the factors that caused the Roman Western Empire to waver. At the same moment, the provinces in Britain were in revolt, which resulted in the rise of Constantine. Constantine crossed the English Channel, and assumingly took with him all of the British mobile troops. After several battles with Sarus, he secured the Rhine Frontier and positioned his troops on the passes that led from Gaul into Italy. Constantines movement to Gaul in 407 AD is often referred to as the Roman evacuation of Britain. The current Emperor Honorius in Ravenna (Italy) was having great difficulties maintaining his position. Mutinies from the Roman Army and the abandonment of the western army left Honorius with no significant military power. So when Constantine arrived in Ravenna to negotiate in 409 AD, Honorius eagerly accepted Constantine as his co-emperor. However, Constantines success didnt last long. Later that year, the Barbarian invaders that had attacked before near the Rhine, reached Constantines garrisons near Gaul, broke through them and reached the Pyrenees. Meanwhile, general Gerontius rebelled and arrived in Hispania. Constantine was so occupied by these invasions, that he could not defend Britain against the Saxon pirates since he didnt have any troops to spare. The Roman inhabitants of Britain, upset that Constantine could no longer defend them, rebelled and expelled his officers. This is the definite end of the Roman rule over Britain. Roman Britain split into separate kingdoms but the Romano-Celts continued to fight the Saxon raiders. Roman civilisation slowly broke down: Roman towns continued to be inhabited until the mid-5th century, but then most were abandoned. In the 5th century Roman civilisation in the countryside faded away. Julian the Apostate. Flavius Claudius Julianus, also known as Julian the Apostate, was the last ruler of the Constantinian Dynasty, as well as the last non-Christian Roman Emperor. His goal was to bring back the ancient Roman values in the Empire. Julian was the half-brother of Constantine I. He was a successful army leader, even though he had received no military education whatsoever. With the deaths of Constantine I, Constantine II and Constans, Constantius II was left the sole remaining emperor of the Roman Empire. InÂÂ   355 AD, Julian was made Caesar of the west, as Constantius II felt he needed a permanent representative in Gaul. However, Julian did not agree with the role Constantius had in mind for him. Constantius had thought of Julian more as a figurehead rather than an active ruler, but Julian took every opportunity to participate in the events in Gaul. Constantius attempted to keep some control over Julian, by removing one of Julians important advisors Salutius. This was the beginning of a series of struggles between Constantius and Julian. It almost resulted in a civil war, which was only avoided by the death of Constantius in 361. Constantius II recognized Julian as his rightful successor in his last will. Julians last Christian deed was the burial of Constantius in the Church of Apostles, next to Constantine I. JulianÂÂ ´s personal belief was both pagan and philosophical. Though he received a Christian upbringing, Julian preferred the ancient gods with their leader Zeus above the Christian monotheistic view. Once he became the sole emperor, Julian started a religious reformation. He approved the restoration of Hellenic paganism above Christianity as the state religion. His laws were targeted at the wealthy and educated Christians. He did not aim on destroying Christianity as a whole, but tried to drive it out of the classes that came into contact with governing the empire. He restored pagan temples, removed some of the privileges Christian bishops had received from Constantine and reversed many more favors. On the 4th of February 362 AD, Julian declared another edict. This edict was supposed to guarantee freedom of religion. All religions were equal before the law, and the Roman StateÂÂ   was not allowed to constrain a particular religion. This might not seem to be a direct attack against Christianity, but itÂÂ ´s purpose was to restore and increase the toleration of paganism. Since the past had learned that the persecution of Christians only led to a strengthening Christianity, most of JulianÂÂ ´s actions were intended to unable Christians to organize any resistance against the re-establishment of paganism. In the School Edict, Julian demanded that all public teachers were to be approved by the emperor. This would enable Julian to prevent that Christian teachers could use pagan texts for reading purposes rather than studying the religion. In the Tolerance edict (362) Julian ordered the reopening of some pagan temples, the redeeming of temple properties and so on. Remarkably, Julian also ordered a Jewish temple to be rebuild, probably as an attempt to foster any religion but Christianity. However, the rebuilding failed. This has been prescribed to the Galilee Earthquake of 363, but some Christians say it was divine intervention. Julian wanted to make sure that he could count on the support of the entire Roman Empire. To gain this support, he felt that he had to prove himself, and he thought the Persian Campaign was the perfect occasion to do this. However, things did not go as he pictured it, and he had to withdraw his forces. During the withdrawal, Julians forces were attacked several times by Sassanid forces. In one of these attacks on the 26th of June 363, Julian was wounded. He was treated by his personal physician, but on the third day he died as a result of his injuries. Some historians claimed Julian was killed by a Christian saint, while others reported that one of his own men, a Christian soldier, had thrown the spear that ultimately resulted in Julians death. It is said that JulianÂÂ ´s last words were Vicisti, Galilaee (You have won, Galilean), supposedly expressing his recognition that, with his death, Christianity would become the Empires state religion. Was Julian right with his prediction? We can say Julian was right. As from Jovian, Christianity remained the dominant religion in the empire. Jovian was Julians successor. He was one of Julians guard, and though his election was surprising, he had a great influence on the re-establishment of Christianity. Although his reign only lasted 8 months, he revoked all the edicts Julian had issued against Christianity. However, he did not stop there. By September 363, the situation in the empire had totally changed: One could receive the death penalty for worshipping the ancestral gods, and later for participating in either public or private pagan ceremonies. Jovians successor Valentinian is often considered to be the last great emperor. He was the last emperor to have total control over the empire, and according to historians there has been a visible period of improvement under his reign. Valentinian was only slightly more tolerant against other religions, allowing just a few types of rituals, but prohibiting the practicing of m agic. Importance of Roman Emperors and division within Christianity Though Britain was one of the farthest provinces of the Roman Empire, the Roman rule had a great influence on life in Britain. All the Edicts issued by the emperors were of course to be applied in Britain. Great Britain originally can be seen as a mainly pagan country, but in time this changed. Not only did this happen because of the Irish missionaries, but as well because of the attitude of the emperor. If the emperor was a strict Christian, there was a big chance that people converted themselves to Christianity. This was especially the case under the rule of Jovian and Valentinian, who were strong opponents of Paganism. Because Britain was so far away from the rest of the Roman Empire, Christianity had the possibility to develop itself differently here than in the rest of Europe. This resulted in the Celtic Christianity. This differed from the Roman Christianity in a few ways, such as the calculation of Eastern and the penitentials. There were more forms of Christianity that have b een practiced over time. It was not anything extraordinary if the two sons of an emperor had a different belief. This was the case with the sons of Constantine the Great (see figure 1) and in a intensified way with Julian who was a pagan, and his brothers who were Christians. This made it possible that though both emperors or groups of people were Christian, they fought each other and tried to convert other to their particular form of Christianity. Some examples of oppositions were Catholicism vs. The Orthodox Church, (Semi-)Arianism vs Nicene Creed and so on.