Initial Public Offering Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Initial Public Offering - Research Paper Example Underwriting firms assist the issuer in the IPO process by determining what type of security to sell to the public, how much to sell, and at what price to sell. One example of a large, strong private company that sought to become public is Google, which first sold shares to the public on August 19, 2004 at a price of $1.67 billion, fewer than ten percent of the total shares of the company, which made employees at Google instant millionaires (Webb, 2004). Like Google, Twitter is another successful, new internet company that faces the choice of whether to go public. However, the decision to go public is complicated by the issue of the method of selling those first shares to the public: whether in an auction, online format like Google, or in a traditional format like other kinds of new companies. Twitter is a microblogging service that allows users to post updates. It was founded by Evan Williams under the banner of â€Å"Odeo† (Carlson, 2011). When Apple’s new iTunes made the new product worthless, Evans and his friends Biz Stone and Jack Dorsey created the concept for Twitter. Together with Noah Glass, who developed the idea for Odeo, development began on the new concept, which meant more employees, a new office, and investors. Glass developed the name â€Å"Twttr† that eventually evolved into â€Å"Twitter†. Five years after Odeo’s initial founding, $5 million in investments had increased in value by one thousand percent, to nearly $5 billion. Given Odeo’s (and now Twitter’s) original context, it seems that the investor class most interested in the company are the kinds of analysts who were initially attracted to the promise of Google. Today, the investor class that might be interested in the public promise of Twitter may not be so different from those who were originally interested in the concept of Odeo. Nevertheless, Evan Williams bought back most of the ownership in Odeo before its share prices skyrocketed, w hich narrowed the original investment pool considerably. Some of those original investors, knowing they missed a one thousand percent spike in prices, were part of the Silicon Valley demographic that invest in the early stages of hot new internet companies with the next great idea. Considering the progress that a privately held Twitter has made in its young history, it seems that the investors who might be interested in holding the company as public shareholders may belong to larger funds and investment bankers, rather than the relatively minor, private shareholders that Twitter was accustomed to appealing to in its younger days. Clearly, an IPO of a company such a Twitter, which has substantial private assets, would create a large splash in the worldwide markets. Although the company may not be in critical need of financing for its short-term projects, an IPO would dramatically increase the market share of the company relative to its competitors. In the traditional IPO, an investme nt bank underwrites the issuance of shares to the public by determining the price and amount of shares to be dealt. The underwriter then shops the shares around to wealthy institutional investors; based on their reception, the underwriter will allocate shares and collect a percentage of the IPO. This method is incredibly effective because it happens primarily behind closed doors with entities that handle a considerable

If a company sells its products only from an online website, which is Essay

If a company sells its products only from an online website, which is accessible to customers all over the world, does it still need to worry about having a specific target market. Explain your answer - Essay Example The paper therefore focuses on whether a company that makes online sales through a website that is accessible to clients across the world still needs to focus on maintaining a particular target market. Like it happens in life that an individual will never appeal all human beings, the same is witnessed with businesses. Despite having a website accessible to customers around the world, an organization needs to create value for defining who it requires using the goods or services it provides. Defining expected buyers remains important due the following reasons. First, through identification of a target market, a company becomes precise in its marketing as well as advertising efforts. Having an ideal client helps in strategizing specific tactics of reaching them. Specific strategies remain important during the decision-making process as decision making becomes easier and more focused saving in time as well as resources (Mooradian and Matzlerz 2012). Secondly, customers will find the business quickly. Although the website serves a global purpose where everyone can learn about the existence of an individual company, majority of individuals may fail to learn about the enterprise’s life. Customers need to have greater assurance from products and service providers that their needs and desires, as well as challenges, will be considered once they arise. The aspect of developing a virtual or physical location where customers will meet the providers of goods and services creates more confidence in customers prompting more use of products and services offered. Lastly, although referrals are made through the internet, having a particular target market establishes close association with existing clients making it easier for them to make referrals. Consequently, irrespective of the above benefits of having a target market, reaching customers throughout the

Evolution Of Human Resource Management In The World Business Essay

Evolution Of Human Resource Management In The World Business Essay Human resource management is defined as the strategic approach to manpower management in an organization and also this is a function of the company which focuses on recruiting the management to provide further information to the employees, how to take the business to the top level. This process is really important to todays businesses, it studied that employees working in teams or individually are the two main contributors which helps to succeed in the business objectives. The managers of the businesses in this generation are responsible in selecting employees, planning the goals of the company, planning how the business can use the resources in effective ways, assigning tasks for the employees, giving information to the employees how a task should be completed by using few resources, giving feedbacks how they can change their behaviors, introducing new technology to improve performance of the employees, taking responsibilities of the entire business and most importantly being a role model to the employees and working hard to give the best services to the customers. Human resource management is the business function that deals with issues related to people such as compensation, hiring performance management, organization development, safety, wellness, benefits, employee motivation, communication, administration and training. An effective human resource management focuses on managing the employees effectively and productively to the entire business in order to accomplish the companys goals and objectives. Today the target of human resource management is to recruit the employees by providing development programmes and scholarships rather than depending on traditional personnel and transactional roles which are increasingly outsourced. The features of human resource management include; organizational management, personnel administration, manpower management and industrial management. Human resource management works hard to have a good relationship between traditional management functions and the skilled employees with in the business. Employees are highly treated by having a closer look of their skills and experience. The employees have to get the full knowledge of the particular field and have to be skilled. Moreover, the human resource manager perfectly empowers inter-department employee relationships and nurtures scope to have a great communication in all levels of the business. In this modern world it is a must to have a Human Resource Management Department which relate with legislature of all factors of production. This department is responsible for the development and application of ongoing research on strategic advances while hiring, terminating and training staff and also this department is responsible in various areas of the business like identifying the areas where there are lack of knowledge and inadequate training and to overcome these problems worksh ops and seminars are conducted. Furthermore, recruiting the workforce, developing the relationship between the employees inside the business and development of a uniform organizational culture, identifying what the employees need (necessary resources) and career goals, understanding and relating to employees as individuals, fulfill the strategic approach in order to maintain competitive advantage, motivating and supporting the employees so that they will get courage to do their tasks well (this is achieved by workforce planning and recruitment , employee training, induction and orientation of hired task-force and administration and appraisals). Strategic Human Resource Approach really helps for the progress of the business. It is defined as the linking of human resource with strategic goals and objectives in order to improve business performance and develop organizational culture that maintain innovation, flexibility and competitive advantage. In an organization strategic approach is implemented through recruiting, selecting, training, rewarding the employees and increasing the employees productivity by focusing on business obstacles which happen in the external environment. The target of this approach is to focus on long-term objectives like addressing and solving problems of the business in the long-run of the business and internationally. In this competitive world everything (internal and external) of a business is changing. Modern trends are increasing and this is becoming an important factor for an efficient business. The huge changes of the businesses have also changed human resource management to personnel management and personnel management to manpower planning and the businesses are focusing on strategic approach which helps in the long-run of the business and helps to gain competitive advantage for the business. Moreover, recruitment of staff focused to geocentric from ethnocentric and polycentric which is more efficient because the employees are selected based on their attitudes and skills. These days recruiting is also done by the effective policies like using of headcounters, cross national advertising and E-recruitments. In the early days the employees have to work for long hours and are not well paid. Furthermore, they are not provided with quality requirements and the work place is unhygienic but now ever ything has changed. Under the strict rules and regulations of the government the owners of the businesses are forced to set up a formal mechanism to look into employees wages and welfare and reporting the issues through labor. Moreover, the employees are provided with the latest technologies with all the requirements they need while doing the tasks. In the workplace the employees are provided with modern furniture and the place is designed in an attractive way for the customers and for the employees where the employees can work much comfortably. There have been huge changes between the personnel management and human resource management in many ways like ; the recruitment and the skills of the employees have began to increase workers commitment and loyalty and also motivation helped to have a active social community within the employees, fringe benefits rather than monetary incentives. In addition, with the introduction of performance on pay, employees stock option the Wage and Salary Administration became outsource. The behavioral training to change attitudes and develop basic skills are focused then remaining incomplete to in calculating work proactive, with new techniques such as management by objectives rather than the report-card based performance. Human resource is going through huge transformation in the business approaching and are automating and outsourcing many management functions which will increase new skills in order to fight with the competitors. Moreover, the human resource professionals say that some of the standard nich-such as human resource generalist and benefits specialist will become less common and less important, giving way over to new ones such as human resource financial analyst and when we have a clear look the human resource people who have done amazing tasks like in the process redefining themselves and their profession can be in a top level with rewarding careers than human resource people who have worked in this long time ago. In the past the role of the administrative department was hiring employees, paying employees and dealing with benefits as at that time these were the functions the businesses needed. Moreover, at that time human resource managers role was aligning employees and management functions that were viewed by the business as paperwork. In this generation there are many different roles and responsibilities of the human resource management. The small businesses may take full responsibility for all human resource activities and huge businesses, this act as an internal consultant and all the human resource description are done with the support of strategic business direction. Some of the roles and responsibilities are training and development, recruiting, productivity improvement, managing the salary, employee services and strategic planning. Technology plays an important role in the human resource management. In the past there were only telephones, typewriters and the time clock in order to manage the works of the business and now all the businesses are computerized, managers have to deal with; multimedia, internet, local area networks i.e and human resource works are dependent on the technological lending edge. To identify the skilled workers who have applied to the job, through applicant-tracking system it is easy to find and to save time the employees learning needs are assessed through a computer dialog. Moreover, automatically the employees attendance is recorded in the computers. Technology makes the human resource management works much easy. When we have a broader picture about the future of the human resource management there might be labor supply. Some experts say that there will be a change in the employment relationship, not a demographically driven shortage of workers; but I agree with the author, Losey. He says there will be a real labor shortage requiring improved recruitment and retention strategies as well as better understanding of why employees really leave organization. Moreover, the skills have to be improved; new roles have to be developed like without giving up human resources human core and offering product lines to serve the larger business. For the future of human resource management applying scientific approach is a good way where professionals can make recommendations based on data and evidence rather than on personal preference.

Double Standards between Men and Women Essay -- divorce laws, gender di

Some double standards that i’ve witnessed would be between men and women. Men are perceived to be stronger than women mentally and physically. Women are usually seen as victims and men are seen as the bad guy. A lot of women love to play the victim and point the finger at the men. A lot of women will run and try to defend women to help them play the victim role even further. Women are not victims and should be held accountable for their actions. In a relationship, a woman can go out to get a cup of coffee with a male friend, but if a male was caught doing that exact thing he would be accused of cheating. This is all caused by stereotypes. A stereotype is a classification of a group of people. It is not always accurate. At a young age men are taught that boys don’t cry and not to talk about their feelings causing them to bottle up, while women are free to do the opposite. Many women are sensitive, but not all of them. There are some very tough women in this world who aren’t afraid to speak their mind and don’t take every little thing to heart. Another thing men are...

Change and the Management of Change Essay

Change Management Planning, Implementing, controlling, and reviewing the movement of an organization from its current state to a new one Causes of Change External Incremental (Evolutionary) †¢Occurs slowly over time (fuel-efficient cars) Dramatic (Revolutionary) †¢Can cause many problems especially if unexpected †¢Might lead to total rethink of operation of organization oBusiness Process Re-Engineering Business Process Re-EngineeringFundamentally rethinking and redesigning the processes of a business to achieve a dramatic improvement in performance Globalization-Increasing interdependence for countries’ economies through free trade and multinational company investment †¢New opportunities to sell products in other countries †¢Increased competition from products made more cheaply in other countries-often by multinationals †¢Use either pan-global marketing for localization strategies †¢Achieve and try to maintain a competitive advantage Technological Advances-Leading to new products and new processes †¢Products: new computer games, iPods and iPhones, hybrid-powered cars. †¢Processes: robots in production; computer assisted design (CAD) in design offices and computer systems for stock control. †¢Staff retraining †¢Purchase of new equipment †¢Additions to product portfolio-Other products may be dropped †¢Need for quicker product development which may require new organizational structures and teams Macro-Economic Change- Fiscal Policy, Interest Rates, Business Cycle†¢Changes in consumers’ disposable incomes-and demand patterns that result from this †¢Boom or recession conditions-need for extra capacity or rationalism †¢Need for flexible production systems (staff flexibility) to cope with demand changes †¢Explain need for extra capacity or need to rationalize †¢Deal with staff cutbacks in way that encourages staff who remain to accept change Legal Changes †¢Changes to what can be sold †¢Working hours and conditions †¢Staff training on company policy †¢Flexible working hours and practices Competitors’ Actions †¢New products †¢Lower prices †¢Higher promotional budgets†¢Encourage new ideas from staff †¢Increase efficiency by staff accepting need to change production methods †¢Ensure resources available to meet challenge Environmental Factors †¢Increase green consumerism †¢Increasing concern about industry’s contribution to climate change †¢Social and environmental audits supported by strategic changes (recycle packaging) Internal Organizational Changes †¢Delayering* †¢Matrix structure** replaces hierarchical º †¢Retraining of less senior staff to accept more responsibility †¢Job security †¢Retraining staff in teamwork and project management Relocation †¢Moving operations to another region/country †¢Redundancy schemes for workers who lose their jobs †¢Grants for those willing to move Cutting Costs To Improve Competitiveness †¢Capital-intensive rather that labour-intensive methods †¢Rationalisation of operations †¢Retraining staff to operate advanced tech. †¢Redundancy schemes for workers who lose their jobs †¢Flexible employment contracts and working practices *DelayeringRemoval of one or more of the levels of hierarchy from an organizational structure **Matrix StructureAn organizational structure that creates project teams that cut across traditional functional departments  ° Level of Hierarchy A stage of the organisational structure at  which the personnel on it have equal status and authority Factors Causing Resistance to Change †¢Fear of Unknown (Uncertainty) †¢Fear of Failure (Skills/Abilities beyond worker’s capabilities) †¢Losing Something of Value (Income, Status, Job Security) †¢False Beliefs (Some convince themselves current system will work to avoid risks) †¢Lack of Trust (Past experiences between workers and managers) †¢Inertia (Might have to work harder) Strategies to Reduce Impact of/Resistance to Change Change Management Force-Field AnalysisAn analytical process used to map the opposing forces within an environment (such as a business) where change is taking place 1.Outline proposal for change 2.List forces for and against change 3.Assign estimated score for each force †¢Weighs importance of forces †¢Helps identify who is most likely impacted by change †¢How to strengthen forces supporting decision and reduce forces against it †¢Can implement leadership style that reduces opposition and resistance to change Project ChampionA person assigned to support and drive a project forward. Their role is to explain the benefits of change and assist and support the team putting change into practice Project GroupsCreated by an organisation to address a problem that requires input from different specialists Promote Change 1.Establish a sense of urgency. 2.Create an effective project team to lead the change. 3.Develop a vision and a strategy for change. 4.Communicate this change vision. 5.Empower people to take action. 6.Generate short-term gains from change that benefit as many people as possible. 7.Consolidate these gains and produce even more change. 8.Build change into the culture of the organisation so that it becomes a natural process.

UPS: How Brown Got Cool

What can brown do for you? More businesses and consumers are realizing the benefits of UPS are much more than simply delivering packages. With the brand image and symbol revamp, business has been through the roof with more people taking advantage of the offerings of UPS. UPS was ready to claim more of the market share and influence consumers to think of and use UPS for their personal delivery and business needs. The Integrated marketing communications approach was the best solution to expose all of the offerings of UPS and how much of a benefit UPS is, not only for businesses but consumers as well. UPS was determined to change their image as a company and as a brand and has had extreme success in doing so. From the transformation of the UPS symbol, to the revamped advertising methods, to the UPS Store, more of the market has found a way to utilize the services offered by UPS. Many consumers originally thought all UPS did was deliver packages and offer package tracking, but with the integrated marketing communications approach, the market is now realizing all that is offered. Multiple marketing approaches were necessary to reach a broader market. Instead of limiting the marketing to a particular group, the exposure expands with different marketing approaches. Business print, trade print, industry specific print, and radio on a local market basis helped reach the masses while advertising different services provided to appeal to everyone’s needs. UPS made a conscious effort to reach five target markets which include shipping decision makers, front office decision makers, small business decision makers, senior level decision makers, and the newest target, the end consumer. For each market, the focus is on how can we help you. Offerings such as viewing and paying bills online, preparing billing reports to monitor shipping expenses, managing staffing for high volume shipping and receiving and even an online packaging advisor help to meet the needs of more people. â€Å"Getting started,† 1994-2013) Brand recall is extremely important in business. Most businesses look at having a brand recall rate of over 50% as a positive. UPS’ brand recall rate is between 97 and 98 percent which is a rate that is obviously dominating the market and has a significant impact on profit, new business and repeat business. UPS has won multiple rewards and continuously earns high ratings in various fields including taking top place in Customer Loyalty Index which goes hand in hand with brand recall. For the fourth consecutive year, Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index ranked UPS #1 in the Parcel Delivery category, citing brands best able to engage consumers and create loyal customers. † (â€Å"Business excellence,† 2013) The new slogan â€Å"What can brown do for you† is indeed a catchy one but also provokes thought. The slogan paired with information on different aspects of UPS has allowed consumers and businesses to think outside of the box and utilize the services offered to help them operate more sufficiently with great ease.

Nan Goldin essays

Nan Goldin essays As a documentary photographer there is a certain knowledge that needs to be held of the subject matter. What makes Nan Goldin stand out is that all of her subjects are people who are closely involved in her life, and sometimes even herself, which gives her the ultimate knowledge. Her life is not mutually exclusive from theirs, and I think thats what gives her photographs a life of their own that is just as intimate as if we, the viewer, were actually there. The idea that many times she was photographing as a means of recording events of days and nights that she was unable to recall due to alcohol and drugs, makes her images have even more of an impact. Nan Goldin started photographing in Boston, taking pictures of herself and her friends in different costumes, and progressed on to photographing drag queens in their regalia. She continued with similar themes and grew to include the unavoidable aspects of her life, which were the affects, and occasional death, of those around her due to sexual and chemical addiction. These documentations evolved in to an intimate collection of sex, destruction, and self-reinvention. She gets right in to the personal space of her subjects, she is allowed this closeness because of the personal relationships with these people. There is a sense of trust between her and her subjects, the way they all have let down their guard and let her document them in compromising situations almost makes this a portrait of an entire lifestyle more than just the individuals. Of course it is her life, intertwined with the others, that eradicates the feeling of her imposing as a photographer, which is why h er images are so powerful. There isnt a feeling that anyone is putting on an act for her, which would diminish some of the documentary feel, everyone is comfortable in her presence which makes this a true document of the love and loss, and highs and lows of the dr ...

Personal Aims and Objectives for Work Placement Essay Example

Personal Aims and Objectives for Work Placement Essay Example Personal Aims and Objectives for Work Placement Essay Personal Aims and Objectives for Work Placement Essay The chief purposes and aims for my work arrangement in the Limerick Youth Service ( LYS ) that I would wish to accomplish are: To develop my communicating accomplishments. To derive an penetration into working in an educational environment. To increase my assurance. To increase my ability to work efficaciously as a member of a squad. To develop the cognition to cover with a revelation should the circumstance occur. During my clip working at the LYS, I hope to accomplish these purposes and aims successfully. Description of Host Organisation Historical Background. Sr. Joan s bequest the Limerick Youth Service provides touchable cogent evidence that positive community endeavour makes a difference ( McAleese, M. Joan s People, 2003:5 ) The LYS was established in 1973 by Sr. Joan Bowles. In 1976, the Lower Glentworth Street premises were bought and opened ; and the redevelopment of the Ballyloughran Centre began. The resource Centre in Glentworth Street officially opened in 1987 and the Youth Information Service was established. The LYS has grown into the largest local Youth Service in Ireland, distributing throughout Limerick metropolis and county. ( Moyross, Southill, Glentworth Street, King s Island, John s Street, etc ) Purposes and Objectives/Mission Statement. To back up and promote immature people to be active participants in determining their hereafters ( hypertext transfer protocol: //www.limerickyouthservice.com ) Purposes: Service Delivery: Making certain that services delivered are immature people centred. Engagement: Making sure the immature people feel like they are portion of something which in bend may beef up their engagement in their community. Advocacy: Giving the young person a voice. Leadership: Deriving the assurance to be a leader, animating others. Partnership: Working as portion of a squad to heighten the lives of immature people. Excellence: Working to accomplish the best. The purpose of the service is to recommend on behalf of all immature people in Limerick, irrespective of background, ethnicity, economic position or vicinity, whilst empowering and promoting them to take a prima function in determining their ain hereafters and that of their communities ( hypertext transfer protocol: //www.limerickyouthservice.com ) Organizational Size and Structure. The LYS is one of the largest Young person Services in the state, distributing throughout Limerick metropolis and county. Undertakings range from Garda Diversion Projects, Youth Cafes, Youth Justice Projects and Youth Intervention Projects to the Community Training Centre Projects. The LYS plays a immense function in the lives of the immature people of Limerick and this is chiefly down to the big figure of youth workers, drug workers, counselors, instructors, voluntaries and anyone working with the general working of the LYS throughout the many and varied Centres in Limerick. Work Placement Description Description of section where work arrangement was located. =Community Training Centre/F.E.T.A.C= Limerick Youth Service Community Training Centre offers Education and Skills based preparation to immature people in a non-judgemental, supportive and vivacious environment ( hypertext transfer protocol: //www.limerickyouthservice.com ) I was based in the LYS Community Training Centre ( CTC ) in Glentworth Street in Limerick metropolis. The CTC has over 150 pupils in assorted educational programmes such as: Junior Certificate Leaving Certificate Applied F.E.T.A.C During my arrangement, I was working with the F.E.T.A.C trainees. These trainees are divided into Groups A, B, C, D, E and Horticulture ; each group contains between eight and 15 pupils. Groups A-E are based in the CTC in Glentworth Street, while the Horticulture group are in Southill Southside Factory. In the CTC, each group spends either a forenoon or afternoon in categories, working on their F.E.T.A.C faculties and the remainder of the twenty-four hours working in their chosen undertaking. The pupils work through a series of faculties throughout their two old ages at the Centre, working through a full Degree 3 Certificate and traveling on to Level 4. These faculties include: Retail Gross saless Consumer Awareness Personal and Interpersonal Skills Food and Nutrition Stress Awareness Health Related Fitness Mathematicss Communicationss Art I.T. The undertakings ran in the CTC include: Restaurant Bakery Kitchen Funky Flowers Gardening These undertakings give the trainees the opportunity to see mundane on the job life. The trainees besides complete an I.A.S faculty based on the undertaking they are in. This is an Integrated Assessment System and is based on the practical work they do along with the theory that coincides with the undertaking they are in. =Horticulture= I was besides linked with the Horticulture Group. The Gardening undertaking is located in the Southside Factory in Southill. When there, the trainees work with Ger O Brien ( Horticulture Instructor ) , in the tunnel make fulling baskets, window boxes and pots, doing up the window boxes and care. They besides have categories, as like the CTC, where they work on their F.E.T.A.C faculties. They besides have activity clip, where they can play pool, have a boot about or surf the web. Work Placement duties/responsibilities and how these evolved. I worked 9-4 each twenty-four hours in the LYS. One of my chief responsibilities throughout my arrangement was literacy and numeracy support. There are seven categories each twenty-four hours, three in the forenoon and four in the eventide. The trainees worked on their assorted F.E.T.A.C faculty enchiridions in these categories. My function in the schoolroom was to assist certain trainees with reading, explicating the inquiries or spelling, as many have larning troubles, particular demands or aliens who do non hold English as their chief linguistic communication. At the beginning of my arrangement, a new degree 4 Tiling faculty was to be introduced. As I would be helping in the bringing of this faculty when linked with the Horticulture group, I was asked to assist with the research and the seting together of the new stuff. This was a long procedure as all the information had to be laid out every bit clearly as possible to do it easy to understand. The LYS sets up athleticss faculties for the trainees each hebdomad. Sometimes, I had to travel out to UL with one of the instructors and a Group, if the regular pupil was non in. Each group got a opportunity to travel play the athletics happening at each clip ( changed every fifth hebdomad ) , be it badminton, football or volleyball. On reaching at the tribunal in UL, the session began with the instructor explicating the rudimentss of the peculiar athletics and so acquiring the trainees to set this into practise. The athletics session lasted for an hr and when back at the Youth Centre, the trainees were given worksheets to finish, based on the athletics merely covered ; so I helped any trainee that needed aid traveling back over the theory of the athletics or spelling. At the beginning of my arrangement, I was linked with the Horticulture Group, which meant I was supposed to be working with this group out in Southill for the continuance of my arrangement ; unluckily nevertheless, I merely got one month with this group in the terminal, as Ger was absent for two months due to an hurt. However, when I was working with them, my duties evolved, in that, in the CTC, where I was needed as a schoolroom support ; in Southill, I was needed to help in the existent bringing of the F.E.T.A.C degree 3 / 4 faculties. This was a immense duty to take clasp of as, when in the categories in the CTC, there was the confidence of holding a instructor in the category besides, whereas, in Southill, I was on my ain nevertheless, I was determined to take it on. Working with the Horticulture group, my duties included the instruction of the categories, organizing times for the ILP s, assisting Ger in the tunnel and instance conferencing. =ILP Individual Learning Plan= On the first Wednesday of every month an ILP twenty-four hours was held. Every trainee has a cardinal worker. On ILP twenty-four hours, trainees meet with their cardinal worker and travel through the advancement they have made since the last meeting, marks they have achieved and would wish to accomplish by the following meeting, general well-being, attending, etc. For the ILP s, I organised the times for each of the trainees in the Horticulture group to be in at and asked the inquiries along with Ger, which the trainees answered into their booklet. When all the meetings ended, I typed the information given into a database with all their old ILP information. =Case Conferencing= This was a meeting with Ger and myself, the director, a young person worker, an protagonism worker, and the learner support teacher. The twenty-four hours before the instance conference, Ger asked me to compose up a few points on each of the trainees based on attitude, attending, advancement on F.E.T.A.C faculties, how they get along with the remainder of the group, etc. During the meeting, myself and Ger went through each of these with the others, who gave feedback on what each trainee should travel onto following, whether or non they should travel on work experience, how long they have left in the programme and so on. I took note on what booklets to roll up from the Youth Centre for any trainee that needed a new faculty. When working out in the tunnel with Ger, I helped with the care of the flowers, composing out grosss, composing out orders for flowers, numbering anything that came in from orders and taking note of how many baskets, pots or window boxes that went to the Youth Centre to be sold. Work Placement Supervision and any Training. I attended staff preparation yearss within the service which were made available to us, including Manual Handling and Child Protection. =Manual Handling= The manual handling class covered how to transport or travel heavy objects to diminish the hazard of hurt to the dorsum. Manual handling besides includes seeking to cut down the hazard of hurt by flexing and writhing, insistent gestures or keep fixed places for long periods at a clip. Robert Graham conducted this class and went through all the theory. At the terminal, we had a practical of traveling a box, by keeping the right position, flexing the articulatio genuss and maintaining our dorsums straight, keeping the box at the Centre of gravitation of our organic structure and puting the box back down. =Child Protection= At the beginning of my arrangement, I completed a two twenty-four hours Child Protection class. Throughout this class we completed four faculties in Raising Awareness on Child Protection Issues. In the first faculty, we went through legal contexts, definition and cognition of kid maltreatment and guidelines to covering with a revelation. In the 2nd faculty, we went into a more in-depth item on the legal contexts, how to develop a kid protection policy, processs for describing suspected or disclosed maltreatment and how to enter them. In the 3rd faculty, we explored issues of enlisting, choice and direction of staff and voluntaries and support systems available. In the 4th faculty, we went through how to place ways of making a safer environment whilst working with kids and immature people kids s rights, kid centred attack and codifications of behavior. On completion of this class, I received a certification of engagement from the HSE. Contemplation on Work Placement Experience Your response to the Work Environment and your Role. I admit, I did non accommodate really rapidly to this arrangement, as it was ab initio really dashing. Being quite shy and quiet and coming from the state, the ideas of working with the immature people of Limerick metropolis in the LYS all of whom had dropped out of school and the bulk had been in problem with the Gardai was rather terrorizing. I had the stereotyped position of hoodies and sing I used to traverse the route when nearing a group of them in the metropolis, I did non cognize how I would respond working in the LYS. However, maintaining an unfastened head which is really necessary, sing you hear everything from fellows, gestations, household jobs to stealing autos and drugs, and besides being asked everything about your ain life I found I finally settled into arrangement and rather enjoyed the experience. With respects to my function in the arrangement, I found I adapted rather good. Equally long as the trainees did non experience excessively pressured and realised that we wanted to be at that place and assist, they were easy to work with. Bing a schoolroom helper was a really rewarding experience, when the trainees were in the signifier for work. Yes, there were yearss when there was non a hope that work would be done, because if a trainee was non in the temper to work, so there was no opportunity that it was traveling to go on, as they do non truly hold any involvement in the categories hence, the bulk have dropped out of mainstream school so I merely took it twenty-four hours to twenty-four hours as it came. This is what I found throughout my arrangement no two yearss were the same. Social and Cultural accommodation. Most of the trainees I was working with were from disadvantaged backgrounds, from different states or from a traveler background, so there were many cultural differences. As I mentioned before, I had stereotyped many of the immature people as the typical hoody type, nevertheless, after working in the LYS this changed. A batch of the trainees in the Youth Centre had hapless literary accomplishments and it was surely an eye-opening experience to see this how had so many immature people fallen through the mainstream instruction system? How so many been able to acquire through primary school without being able to read or compose is flooring. Many of these immature people, nevertheless, felt as if they did non necessitate any instruction to acquire through life. This was surely a different experience, sing I was ever brought up with the usual expression of stay in school and grew up with people who were told the same and brought up with the same ethical motives. Quite a few of the trainees were travelers, which is a wholly different cultural background to mine. The ground many of the travelers are in the Youth Centre in the first topographic point is to gain money for their households. Again, many have left or been kicked out of school because they were non accepted or non seen to travel far in life. Traveller households are particularly rigorous with the misss and this is the ground many of the traveler miss marry immature every bit immature as 15 and 16. Many of the traveler misss in the Youth Centre are either engaged or married. This is a complete civilization daze compared to my ain. I am decidedly more culturally cognizant after acquiring the chance to work with people who have backgrounds really different to my ain. Challenges/Problems experienced and how you responded. The chief challenge I experienced with my arrangement was deriving the regard of the trainees, as there was really small age difference and many of them were closed-minded and merely wanted to acquire through the twenty-four hours without seting in the attempt needed. Although being at that place to assist, sometimes the trainees were merely earnestly non in the signifier for working and seeking to acquire them to compose a sentence was impossible. Bing reasonably much the same age as the trainees younger in some instances made it difficult to acquire many of them to listen besides. They felt as if Why should I listen to her when she s younger than me? , which I wholly understood. On these occasions, I remained composure, tried to acquire the trainees to gain I was merely at that place for their ain benefit and tried to acquire them to make a little spot of work, be it a page or two, of the faculty they were working on. I neer pushed them to make excessively much at these times a s I knew this could do the state of affairs worse. Another clip, one of the trainees began to do inappropriate comments, like whistling at me. I kept disregarding the behavior, believing they may come to gain it was raging me. One twenty-four hours, one of the instructors heard them and he was sent place. He had to apologize and I accepted his apology on the status that it was to halt, which he agreed to make. Personal Development. I found working in this arrangement ab initio really daunting because, as I mentioned before, I had stereotyped them all to be hoodies . However, one time I settled into the arrangement, I realised this to be untrue. Many of the immature people in Limerick have these labels stuck on them because of where they are from, their background or their civilization. This experience taught me non to pre-judge people before I get to cognize them which I see as a large personal development. Before working in the Youth Centre, if I was walking along the street in the metropolis and came across a group of young persons that had that typical hoody expression, I found myself traversing the route to avoid them. However, this changed through working with the immature people in the LYS. I now know that nine times out of 10, there is nil to be worried about when go throughing these immature people the bulk of them are really nice people and I no longer traverse the route. I find I am more confident for holding worked in the LYS, as in the beginning I was rather diffident and quiet. However, after working with the trainees, there is no pick but to derive assurance as they will state it like it is and ask every inquiry about your personal life ; so assurance is cardinal when covering with them. How the Work Placement complemented your Academic Programme. I chose to make the Arts class as I had an involvement in go oning on to finish an hDip and travel into secondary instruction. So working in the Youth Centre gave me a good penetration into what it is like working with immature people in a schoolroom scene. So in this manner I believe that my arrangement at the LYS complemented my academic programme. Deductions for Career Plans. Not to the full cognizing what I want to make with respects to my calling, the placement twelvemonth was really good. Placement at the LYS gave me a great penetration into working in an educational and youth work environment. Having volunteered at my local young person nine a few old ages ago, I knew I was interested in working with immature people and after my arrangement in the LYS this has strengthened my involvement, so much so, I am earnestly sing a calling in this line of work. Specific Area of Interest The most interesting facet of my arrangement in the LYS was happening out all the work that is done for the immature people of Limerick metropolis and county throughout all the assorted Centres in Limerick. Before my arrangement, I thought all the LYS was in Glentworth Street ; nevertheless, I could non hold been more incorrect. There are many and varied Centres throughout all of Limerick including: Northside Youth Cafe Moyross Youth Intervention Project Southill Youth Intervention Project Northside Youth Justice Project Garryowen Youth Justice Project King s Island Youth Project Rathkeale Youth Project Castleconnell Youth Project Young person Information Southill Fullflex Project Our Lady of Lourdes RESIN Project John s Street Garda Youth Diversion Project Young person Baseball clubs Youth Democracy Undertakings Drugs Undertakings Limerick City Youth Forum =Northside Youth Cafe= The Northside Youth Cafe provides a merriment and safe environment for the immature people in the community to run into new people hang out with friends. It provides a infinite with music, information, advice, extracurricular activities and much more. Equally good as utilizing the Cafe , the immature people can go involved with the running of the cafe besides. This Youth Cafe , along with the others in Limerick, is a great manner of maintaining the immature people off the street and out of problem. = Youth Intervention Projects= The Youth Intervention Projects in Moyross and Southill are aimed at the immature people of the countries, between 10s and 16 old ages old. They are funded by the HSE and their chief purposes are to develop societal and personal accomplishments of the immature people, to give the educational support to the immature people to assist them stay in mainstream schooling and to back up the households of the immature people involved. =King s Island Youth Project= This undertaking is run for the immature people of the St. Mary s Park country, aged between 12 and 18 ; by the Limerick Youth Service and the Gardai . It aims to assist immature people stay out of a life of offense and assist them do positive picks by supplying services such as drop-in installation, household support, summer programmes, activities and calling counsel. =Southill Fullflex Project= In the Southside Factory , there is a broad assortment of installations available for the immature people of the environing communities. These installations include: a Youth Cafe , PC Suite, Art Room, Music Room, Recording Studio, Dancing Studio, Pool Tables, Sports Pitches and Meeting Rooms. The LYS CTC s Horticultural group work from this infinite besides a tunnel is set up outside which keeps all the flowers and merchandises made by them. The purpose of the Southside Youth Space is to supply a location where immature people can prosecute in a procedure of growing and development that will ease them in accomplishing their full potency. ( hypertext transfer protocol: //www.limerickyouthservice.com ) =Limerick City Youth Forum= The Limerick City Youth Forum meets hebdomadally and organise events for the immature people of Limerick. They besides act as a voice for the immature people, discoursing and runing the cardinal issues of concern of the Youths. =Garda Youth Diversion Projects= The purpose of these undertakings is to seek and forestall the immature people in the country from acquiring involved in a life of offense and anti-social behavior by acquiring them involved in merriment, educational and vocational programmes. These programmes offer the immature people to work together as a squad and acquire to cognize and run into new friends. These youth recreation undertakings besides try to heighten the relationship between the immature people and the Gardai . When I began in the LYS and found out about all the different Centres and undertakings, I was amazed, but interested to happen out about them all. Although I did non acquire to see all of them, it was interesting to see how they all interlinked with each other, for illustration, the Horticultural group working from the Fullflex Centre ; the athleticss activities held on a Monday involved trainees from both the CTC and John s street and if available they used the athleticss installations in Fullflex. I looked up information on what the remainder of the undertakings worked on and cognize some other pupils who worked in some of them besides and were needed to organize young person nines. The Limerick Youth Service is a really dedicated administration and works to better and heighten the lives of the immature people in Limerick metropolis. It is a shame that in the current economic position, the Ballyloughran Leisure Centre had to be closed as it was a great manner for the trainees to ac quire off from the norm of working and category work and acquire a spot of clip to loosen up and bask themselves. the Limerick Youth Service has accomplished rather an sum on really limited financess and the most meager if so any fiscal support from our local Government Body. But to be realistic if we are to go on even at our present rate of enlargement and hope to develop our Service for the immature people of Limerick to anything what we would wish it to be so we need farther support and public support ( Forde. 2003:73 ) Decision Placement at the Limerick Youth Service was a truly eye-opening experience. It made me gain the extent of which the immature people of Limerick metropolis are being labelled wrongly. The LYS shows that if they are given a opportunity, they can accomplish anything they want. I fell I achieved all my purposes and aims that I set for myself at the beginning of my arrangement. My communicating accomplishments improved vastly throughout this arrangement, as they are rather indispensable for this type of work, as the bulk of the trainees are really vocal and it was really of import to listen to them. When working in the schoolroom, I gained an penetration into what it is like to work in an educational scene ; assisting the trainees with their booklets, rectifying the booklets and organizing any booklets needed. This was a good experience as I am interested in secondary instruction as a possible calling, so this gave me an thought of what it is like working in a schoolroom. Working in this arrangement increased my assurance significantly, as in the LYS, the trainees can be hard to cover with and it is merely with assurance that there is any opportunity of acquiring the immature people to listen. I believe I worked as portion of a squad while on arrangement in the LYS. Working in the schoolroom with the instructor and sometimes another pupil, we had to work together to make up ones mind who worked with who and to acquire the category to run every bit swimmingly as possible. Throughout my arrangement, I completed a Child Protection class and in this we dealt with how to cover with revelations by remaining composure, listening, believing them, reassuring them, entering what they said in authorship and describing the revelation. Overall, my arrangement in the Limerick Youth Service was rather gratifying. It was a really good arrangement as it has given me a great experience in working in an educational environment. During my clip at that place, I reached all my purposes and aims that I was trusting to accomplish and derive a batch of experience and cognition into working in Youth Work.

Bronsted Lowry Theory of Acids and Bases

Bronsted Lowry Theory of Acids and Bases   The Brà ¸nsted-Lowry acid-base theory (or Bronsted Lowry theory) identifies strong and weak acids and bases based on whether the species accepts or donates protons or H. According to the theory, an acid and base react with each other, causing the acid to form its conjugate base and the base to form its conjugate acid by exchanging a proton. The theory was proposed independently by Johannes Nicolaus  Brà ¸nsted  and Thomas Martin Lowry in 1923. In essence, Brà ¸nsted-Lowry acid-base theory is a general form of the Arrhenius theory of acids and bases. According to the Arrhenius theory, an Arrhenius acid is one that can increase the hydrogen ion (H) concentration in aqueous solution, while an Arrhenius base is a species that can increase the hydroxide ion (OH-) concentration in water. The Arrhenius theory is limited because it only identifies acid-base reactions in water. The Bronsted-Lowry theory is a more inclusive definition, capable of describing acid-base behavior under a wider range of conditions. Regardless of the solvent, a Bronsted-Lowry acid-base reaction occurs whenever a proton is transferred from one reactant to the other. Key Takeaways: Brà ¸nsted-Lowry Acid-Base Theory According to the Brà ¸nsted-Lowry theory, an acid is a chemical species capable of donating a proton or hydrogen cation.A base, in turn, is able to accept a proton or hydrogen ion in aqueous solution.Johannes Nicolaus  Brà ¸nsted  and Thomas Martin Lowry independently described acids and bases this way in 1923, so the theory usually bears both of their names. Main Points of the Bronsted Lowry Theory A Bronsted-Lowry acid is a chemical species capable of donating a proton or hydrogen cation.A Bronsted-Lowry base is a chemical species capable of accepting a proton. In other words, it is a species that has a lone electron pair available to bond to H.After a Bronsted-Lowry acid donates a proton, it forms its conjugate base. The conjugate acid of a Bronsted-Lowry base forms once it accepts a proton. The conjugate acid-base pair have the same molecular formula as the original acid-base pair, except the acid has one more H compared to the conjugate base.Strong acids and bases are defined as compounds that completely ionize in water or aqueous solution. Weak acids and bases only partially dissociate.According to this theory, water is amphoteric and can act as both a Bronsted-Lowry acid and Bronsted-Lowry base. Example Identifying  Brà ¸nsted-Lowry Acids and Bases Unlike Arrhenius acid and bases, Bronsted-Lowry acids-base pairs can form without a reaction in aqueous solution. For example, ammonia and hydrogen chloride may react to form solid ammonium chloride according to the following reaction: NH3(g) HCl(g) → NH4Cl(s) In this reaction, the Bronsted-Lowry acid is HCl because it donates a hydrogen (proton) to NH3, the Bronsted-Lowry base. Because the reaction does  not occur in water and because neither reactant formed H or OH-, this would not be an acid-base reaction according to the Arrhenius definition. For the reaction between hydrochloric acid and water, its easy to identify the conjugate acid-base pairs: HCl(aq) H2O(l) → H3O Cl-(aq) Hydrochloric acid is the Bronsted-Lowry acid, while water is the Bronsted-Lowry base. The conjugate base for hydrochloric acid is the chloride ion, while the conjugate acid for water is the hydronium ion. Strong and Weak Lowry-Bronsted Acids and Bases When asked to identify whether a chemical reaction involves strong acids or bases or weak ones, it helps to look at the arrow between the reactants and the products. A strong acid or base completely dissociates into its ions, leaving no undissociated ions after the reaction is completed. The arrow typically points from left to right. On the other hand, weak acids and bases dont completely dissociate, so the reaction arrow points both left and right. This indicates a dynamic equilibrium is established in which the weak acid or base and its dissociated form both remain present in the solution. An example if the dissociation of the weak acid acetic acid to form hydronium ions and acetate ions in water: CH3COOH(aq) H2O(l) â‡Å' H3O(aq) CH3COO-(aq) In practice, you might be asked to write a reaction rather than have it given to you. Its a good idea to remember the short list of strong acids and strong bases. Other species capable of proton transfer are weak acids and bases. Some compounds can act as either a weak acid or a weak base, depending on the situation. An example is hydrogen phosphate, HPO42-, which can act as an acid or a base in water. When different reactions are possible, the equilibrium constants and pH are used to determine which way the reaction will proceed.

Diasporas Readings Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Diasporas Readings - Essay Example Also, as stated in the website, the U.S. government has forecast a shortage of 20 million workers by 2026. The result of these is the increasing number of Asian immigrants, mostly Chinese and Indians, comprising the labor force. Within the last ten years, the Indian population in the U.S. doubled due to demand in labor together with the increase of Indians sponsoring their families. (US Immigration Facts, 2011). Two articles, Melwani (2006) and Kurien (2005) were taken into consideration about the socio-cultural adaptations of Indians in the United States Socio-cultural Assimilations In terms of psychographics (social and cultural aspect), Indians regard the family unit is considered to be more important than the individual, respect value and age, have diverse religious beliefs and are conscious of their food and beverage consumption (Chacko, 2009). Being in the Unites States, the immigrant Asian Indians have been, in one way or another, â€Å"Americanized†. Their names, food preferences, outfit and some beliefs changed as a way of adaptation and also for the mighty dollar (Melwani, 2006). The changes, adaptations while keeping their identity have become major issues for the Indians. Melwani (2006) gave different accounts about some Indians and their moral quandaries. Some of them have become chefs and restaurant owners facing the dilemma of preparing beef, which is very sacred to them, to satisfy the cravings of their Western consumers. Being vegetarians, they also try not to eat meat. Suvir Saran, a chef in New York City, stated that he never tasted what he was cooking and relied completely on his sense of touch and smell and sight and it was very tough for him. Some Indians also had no choice and tried to taste meat as part of their job which they now consider without moral tension. Other Indian businessmen also own hotels and liquor stores which serves alcoholic beverages. For them, things related to sex and sexual intercourse are considered taboo, b ut to those who live in America, conversations about these things are regarded as normal. There were some Indians who own shops selling sex videos, sex toys and strip shows. One of the most basic possessions of Indians also changes in America. As stated by Melwani (2006), in a lightning flash, the names of the Almighty, like Krishna, Mahesh, Vishnu and Shankar mutate into Chris, Mike, Vic and Sandy. Clothings and outfits also changed, the sari and bindi (symbol of a woman’s marital status) were now replaced with modern skirts and dresses. Indians in the corporate world now wear corporate dresses instead of saris and kaajals. According to Diditi Mitra of Brookdale Community College, as cited by Melwani (2006), the moral conundrums are negotiated not just by immigrants, but also by people in India. It is now all about negotiation. Situations were as follows: vegetarian families eat meat outside their homes; young men drink and smoke outside but not near their parents; and they eat with knife and fork with international clients but go back to eating with bare hands at home. Kurien in 2005 discussed an article about the identity struggles of second-generation Indian Americans. He cited Portes and Rumbaut (2001) stating that that the most successful strategy for such second-generation Indian Americans to follow is a process of â€Å"selective acculturation† whereby they incorporate themselves into mainstream society while retaining some of the parents’

Any topic (writer's choice) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 2

Any topic (writer's choice) - Essay Example Gladwell notes that there is a disadvantage in the perceived advantaged classroom setups. He elaborates the situation using the inverted U curve Theory. Using the theory, it is clear that majority of American parents prefer small classrooms to large ones. The U curve theory provides that most people prefer working in small groups. However, people choosing to work in small groups do not consider the disadvantages associated with small numbers. Using the U curve theory, Gladwell notes that most American Schools brag about their small sized classrooms that allow providing maximum teacher-student interactions (Gladwell 97). Gladwell notes that the schools might be disillusioned since there are certain disadvantages associated with such setups. Small class size does not give students a wide exposure to the world of reality through discussions. Essentially, the discussions in small class size are minimal and, therefore, limit students’ interactions in the learning environment. Gladwell adopts the Little Pond Theory to explain the freedom of disadvantage. Gladwell argues that people underestimate the power vested in them and, therefore, do not realize the potential they have. He gives an example of how the above-average students think that they are bright and should score high grades (Gladwell 134). In addition, the above average students tend to choose only institutions or courses which have a better reputation or ranking. To their shock, the institutions or courses contain valedictorians that provide uniformity to all students.

Mid term exam essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Mid term exam - Essay Example I have never had the opportunity, or the confidence, to try my hand at creative writing. In fact, the idea of becoming a writer never crossed my mind. I held the view that ‘Writing is very difficult’ and is suitable only for very gifted, clever persons. I started learning English only in the seventh grade. Unfortunately, English remained a difficult foreign language to be studied at school, and I did not do any reading outside of my classes. I completed High School in Saudi Arabia without doing any additional reading in English. On my arrival in the United States as a baccalaureate student, I was fully occupied with making adjustments to a strange country and culture. As I started my study of Respiratory Therapy at the University of Indianapolis, I was completely focused on meeting my academic requirements and did not do any reading. It is my good fortune that English 102 is a part of my course. English 102 has rekindled my interest in reading. I am totally surprised at the variety of books available in English. There is something to suit the taste of every individual. I realize that, to this point of my life, I have made the mistake of ignoring any reading or writing which did not fall into my academic syllabus. I have been introduced to poems and stories which have opened a new world for me. I consider it a success that I am beginning to understand and deeply enjoy reading stories and poems in English. The delight I get is definitely worth the effort. I am also slowly beginning to think that I can also try to write! Of course, I realize that this is going to be a very slow process, as I have a long way to go in mastering the English language. But I am developing the confidence that I can read and write good English. The piece of short fiction which has kindled a genuine delight in English literature in me is Ernest Hemingway’s story, â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants.† I am

The War on Drugs Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

The War on Drugs - Research Paper Example The initiative geared toward the prevention of drug abuse in the United States has raised concerns due to the huge sums of taxpayers’ money that are directed toward supporting it. According to Miron (2004), it consumes millions of dollars annually trying to maintain the war on drugs. This is an expenditure that many views as wastage of resources that could be useful for containing the rising crime rate. Moreover, it has been identified as an agent of corruption, mainly in the funding of the numerous task forces meant for the reduction of illegal trading and abuse of drugs. For example, the Byrne Justice Grant is one of the programs that have been set for funding the initiative and has proved to yield unsatisfactory results for many. In regard to the reduction of the illegal drug trade and abuse, the program has not been able to accomplish the desired results, and its existence raises questions as to why huge sums of taxpayers’ money should be used on such a futile under taking (Holden-Rhodes 1997). The awareness campaigns through television are also a major consumer of taxpayers’ money. Advertisements regarding drugs are mainly used to sensitize the population about drug abuse. All these anti-drug campaigns are usually exposed to corrupt deals, which is in itself a crime that is punishable under the laws of the United States. Moreover, the evidence that forms the basis for prosecution is usually minimal, which leads to the imprisonment of many citizens, especially those of the African American descent. The process is usually prone to lies and racial discrimination.

Education by Computer - A Better Way Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Education by Computer - A Better Way - Essay Example It is easy for a student in America to take lectures from an Indian teacher now with the help of videoconferencing like computer technologies. Moreover, no other resources can provide the same referencing facilities as computer does. Instead of academic libraries, students now started to access online libraries in order to get more insights into a particular topic. Even though the utility of computer in education is unquestionable, some people argue that education by computers should not be encouraged beyond certain limits. This paper analyses whether education with the help of computers is good or bad or up to what extent we can rely on computers to provide better education to children. To be able to put the computer in an adequate perspective in education or in individual or social life it is necessary to understand very well what it is. Its main characteristic is that it is an abstract and not concrete machine (as, e.g. a power lathe or a bicycle): it acts in a virtual space, the space of the thoughts we may insert into the machine. So any use of it forces some abstract thinking (Setzer). Many people have the false belief that computers can bring wonders in educational circle. However, it should be noted that computers are working on artificial intelligence and it do not possess any natural intelligence as man possesses. In other words, computers are working based manmade instructions or programs. Since computers do not have the thinking ability, it cannot answer a question which is unfamiliar to it. On the other hand, human intelligence can try to solve all problems because of its independent thinking ability. According to Roger J. Desmond, a professor in the School of Communication at the University of Hartford, who specializes in kids and interactive media "computer games can increase reaction time, which can help with doing stuff that school requires†(Wood). Majority of the computer games encourage children to think in multiple ways to solve a part icular problem created by the computers. For example, Prince of Persia is a multilevel computer game popular among kids. This game presents so many puzzles in front of the kids. It is impossible for children to go to a higher level if they fail to solve the puzzle in the present level. Thus, they will be encouraged to think too much while playing Prince of Persia like computer games which is good for them to solve problems in their studies. Some people believe that over exposure to computer related education may damage the thinking abilities of the children. Learning is actually occurs through problem solving method. In other words, when a student tries to solve a problem, he will think about various ways to solve it. Thus he may develop so many hypotheses initially and test all of them with the help of trial and error method before arriving at the right solution. In short, self-solving of problems may help a student to open up many of his hidden faculties of mind which is good for the brain development. On the other hand, when a student tries to solve a problem with the help of computers, he is getting ready made answers at once and therefore he may not get an opportunity to give some kind of exercises to his brain. In short, over reliance on computers for solving problems can affect the thinking abilities of the students. It is a fact that many of the modern students are struggling while they are forced to take some critical decisions in their lives.

Design and Contemporary Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Design and Contemporary Culture - Essay Example The authors also highlight the importance of ideology in creating meaning by providing channels of interpretation for individual thought processes. The authors further define representation as â€Å"the social production of meaning through sign systems†. (p. 68) 2. Media interpretation is based on a plurality of values and perspectives. O’Brien and Szeman introduce an example of a discussion of media violence in Canada to illustrate the way facts and figures can be used to support multiple or conflicting viewpoints in popular media. (pp. 69-71) As media sources form the public dialogue through which meaning is created in modern society, the authors encourage questioning the effects of power, structure, and hierarchy on values that are disseminated in popular culture. 3. Signs are â€Å"the fundamental units of communication† (p.71). O’Brien and Szeman seek to expand the concept of language from alphabetical arrangements and linguistic terminologies to inco rporate the full range of images, symbols, and objects that are used to express meaning in society. This leads to the incorporation of music, fashion, and body language into a greater definition or understanding of language, that can also be related to cross-cultural differences in morals, values, and collective understanding. (p.71) 4. Structuralism and semiotics in theory. O’Brien and Szeman introduce the theoretical basis for structuralism and semiotics in linguistic analysis, stating that the implied meaning of words, signs, and language are less important than the grammatical relationships between terms and their position in hierarchies of social power that are created through personal and collective awareness of systems of meaning in social groups. (pp.71-72) 5.Sausserian Linguistics and Semiotics – a new discipline. The modern understanding of meaning in language is in debt to Ferdinand de Saussure who is credited with inventing the genre or discipline of  "semiotics† that is intended to study â€Å"the life of signs within a society† in a synchronic rather than diachronic or historical model of development. (p. 73) Similar theories were advanced by C.S. Pierce in America through psychological literature. (p. 73) 6. Mythological Interpretation in Barthes’ Cultural Theory. O’Brien and Szeman discuss the work of Roland Barthes in mythological understanding to show how meaning is created socially from â€Å"connotative† values. (p.74) The symbols of mythology combine to fuse the essential values or ethos of a culture through â€Å"chain(s) of associated concepts† linking meaning, memory, and tradition, as in racial or humanistic identity structures. (p. 74) 7. Barthes’ Critique of Humanism. Barthes’ work engages mythology from the perspective of pop culture, as in the instance of â€Å"The Great Family of Man† exhibit in France in the 1960s. (p. 74) While humanism posits a nat ural unity of cultures and races, semiotics contextualizes this popular understanding in the context of history and difference, which suggests that the meaning derived from the symbolic patterns in the exhibit resemble the cultural understanding derived from mythology which then becomes â€Å"fact† via a shared societal acceptance of the value system. 8.

Education by Computer - A Better Way Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Education by Computer - A Better Way - Essay Example It is easy for a student in America to take lectures from an Indian teacher now with the help of videoconferencing like computer technologies. Moreover, no other resources can provide the same referencing facilities as computer does. Instead of academic libraries, students now started to access online libraries in order to get more insights into a particular topic. Even though the utility of computer in education is unquestionable, some people argue that education by computers should not be encouraged beyond certain limits. This paper analyses whether education with the help of computers is good or bad or up to what extent we can rely on computers to provide better education to children. To be able to put the computer in an adequate perspective in education or in individual or social life it is necessary to understand very well what it is. Its main characteristic is that it is an abstract and not concrete machine (as, e.g. a power lathe or a bicycle): it acts in a virtual space, the space of the thoughts we may insert into the machine. So any use of it forces some abstract thinking (Setzer). Many people have the false belief that computers can bring wonders in educational circle. However, it should be noted that computers are working on artificial intelligence and it do not possess any natural intelligence as man possesses. In other words, computers are working based manmade instructions or programs. Since computers do not have the thinking ability, it cannot answer a question which is unfamiliar to it. On the other hand, human intelligence can try to solve all problems because of its independent thinking ability. According to Roger J. Desmond, a professor in the School of Communication at the University of Hartford, who specializes in kids and interactive media "computer games can increase reaction time, which can help with doing stuff that school requires†(Wood). Majority of the computer games encourage children to think in multiple ways to solve a part icular problem created by the computers. For example, Prince of Persia is a multilevel computer game popular among kids. This game presents so many puzzles in front of the kids. It is impossible for children to go to a higher level if they fail to solve the puzzle in the present level. Thus, they will be encouraged to think too much while playing Prince of Persia like computer games which is good for them to solve problems in their studies. Some people believe that over exposure to computer related education may damage the thinking abilities of the children. Learning is actually occurs through problem solving method. In other words, when a student tries to solve a problem, he will think about various ways to solve it. Thus he may develop so many hypotheses initially and test all of them with the help of trial and error method before arriving at the right solution. In short, self-solving of problems may help a student to open up many of his hidden faculties of mind which is good for the brain development. On the other hand, when a student tries to solve a problem with the help of computers, he is getting ready made answers at once and therefore he may not get an opportunity to give some kind of exercises to his brain. In short, over reliance on computers for solving problems can affect the thinking abilities of the students. It is a fact that many of the modern students are struggling while they are forced to take some critical decisions in their lives.

Justifications For Improvement In Social Services for the Aged in the Republic of Ireland Essay Example for Free

Justifications For Improvement In Social Services for the Aged in the Republic of Ireland Essay Access to health and social services remains a fundamental human right to a civilized society like that of republic of Ireland. Every person, regardless of age, religion or political affiliation should be able to access health and services if and when they need it. In the case of people with special needs, access to these services becomes even more important. This is because they are the ones that are likely to need these services more frequently. They are also the ones who are likely to be unable to access these services, despite the fact that they need them more. These people with special needs include the aged, the children and the disabled amongst others. For example, those people with mental illnesses are entitled to visits from social workers. These visits are made by the social worker to the homes of the mentally ill to make sure that the family is treating them with respect and care and to make sure that they take their medicine in time and when the need arises. The aged in the republic of Ireland are entitled to certain fundamental social and health services. These include treatment for the diseases that are likely to afflict them and counselling from the social workers. However, it is with deep concern that the writer has noted that the social services that are availed to this group of people are not enough. Some of them are forced to go to homes for the aged where it is said that they will be receiving social and medical services round the clock. However, it is not the wish of these people to spend the rest of their lives enclosed in an institution that they did not want in the first place. This writer noted that the home based care of these people needs to be improved. They should be allowed to stay at their homes. But the number of social workers should be increased such that every old person has a personal social worker who will be accessible at all times. Thus, this paper is advocating for the improvement of home based social care for the aged. Status of the Social Services for the Aged in the Republic of Ireland Social service in Ireland falls under the docket of public health care system for the country (Cahill: 2008). It is enshrined in the health act that was enacted in the year 2004. This act provided for the development of institutions that are tasked with providing social services to every citizen of this country. The social services as such ended up been a part and mandate of the Health Service Executive (Chandran: 2008). Within the HSE, as this body is popularly known, social service is under the department of primary, community and continuing care (Gunnar: 2007). The services that are provided for the older people include rehabilitation and community services. They are also provided by home based services. The latter includes the visitations made by the nurses and other community health officials to the homes of the aged. This paper is going to petition the HSE to improve the social services that the aged gets at their homes, rather than at the institutions for the aged. Improved Social Services for the Irish Aged In 2006, a census was conducted in the republic of Ireland by the Central Statistics Office of Ireland. According to this census, the aged in Ireland were estimated at 207,000 for the male and 260,000 for the females (Schnepper: 2008). These were the ones who are aged sixty five years and above. This is the group that is considered and defined as the aged. They are the ones that need social services more than the others in the society. This number seems big if it is compared with the total number of social service providers that are employed by NSE. NSE employs around 100,000 service care providers. These are the ones that provide care for the aged, the children, the mentally ill and the disabled amongst others (Higgins: 2009). As such, the service provision for the old is neglected, since these care providers are overworked and their resources overstretched. As such, NSE needs to recruit more service providers to cater for the old. The old people have problems accessing not only the social services entitled to them, but also other services like the home care scheme, which provides for a package to cover for their treatment. The national economic and social forum came up with a report on May 2009 highlighting the difficulties that these people experience as they try to access this service (Hughes: 2009). This package has helped at least ten thousand Irish aged in 2008 (Hughes: 2009). But this number is very small compared to the earlier stated estimates of the aged. This means that some of these people are unable to access this service. Something must be done to enable these people to access the service. It is not enough to provide for the service in society, the authorities must make sure that the services are accessed by those people who need it. As John Rawls says, â€Å"institutions in the society†¦. ut regulation in place to ensure that support services are availed to those who experience the targeted problem† (Hughes: 2009). This means that HSE should ensure that the old people get the services that are available for them. There is only one way to ensure this. If these people had access to a social worker, he will be able to sensitise them on how to access such services when the need for it arises. The social worker will not only help the aged access the service, he will also ensure identify situations when the service is called for. It is fact that Irish aged have little or no access to the care services that they need. Many old people, since they lack constant care and other services, ends up developing complications that leads to their incapacitation. These complications could have been avoided if they had accessed the appropriate care at the appropriate time (Chandran: 2008). For example, they develop diseases like cardiac and diabetes. These diseases can be prevented by healthy diet and exercise. However, these people have no one to advise them on the best diet to take in order to avoid such illnesses. They have no one to advise them on the lifestyle they should adopt in order to live healthy. As such, these complications lead to their admissions to nursing homes. This is too little too late, since the condition is likely to have deteriorated. However, if they had the constant care of a home based social service provider, they would have been advised appropriately on the lifestyle to adopt and diet to take to avoid such incidences (Higgins: 2009). According to John Rawl â€Å"equality cannot be achieved by worsening the least advantaged† (Hughes: 2009). This means that there will be no equality in the society if the status of the less advantaged (in this case the old) is made worse. This will be a contradiction to the human rights of justice and equality to all. Less than three percent of Irish aged enjoys home based care, like the one provided for by the social workers (Schnepper: 2008). This is as compared to other countries in this continent, like the United Kingdom. This number is very small, considering the number of aged people that are in this country. The reasons for this measly access are varied. Some include ignorance on the part of the aged, as they do not know that such services do exist. The other reason, and may be the most important, is that there is a shortage of social care providers. This means that there is no one to deliver these services to the aged. The services are there, but there is no one to deliver them. Conclusion There is disproportionately large number of aged people in Ireland as compared to the social service providers. As such, the aged remain to have their health and well being deteriorate. Majority of the aged suffer from depression. This can be mitigated if they have access to the services of social care providers, who will help by counselling them. It is not only their mental health that is at risk, but also their physical health. There is need then for NSE to increase the number of home based social service providers to cater for the well being of this segment of the society.

Place of Consumerism in New Middle Classes

Place of Consumerism in New Middle Classes What is the place of Consumerism in the lifestyle of emergent new middle classes in Ireland? Basically an application of a Bourdieu/ Featherstone argument about new middle classes to the Irish case. Chapter One: Introduction In order to examine the place of Consumerism in the lifestyle of emergent new middle classes in Ireland, the ideas of ‘Consumerism’, ‘lifestyle’ and ‘emergent new middle classes’ must first be defined. Accordingly these definitions will occupy the preliminary discussions of this thesis in the relevant sections. The thesis will examine the role of emergent middle classes, and will attempt to tie this discussion to analysis of how and why demographic trends such as the emergence of new middle classes have evolved, and what place Consumerism has in the lifestyles of those individuals within these new demographic cleavages. Economic events and socio-economic developments (both historical and contemporary) linked to these events have been the main precipitative forces responsible for these emergent sociological contours[i]. The economic and socio-economic climate in Ireland and how this has developed will therefore be a centre point in examining the role of emergent new middle classes and how Consumerism has impacted the role and lifestyle of these sectors. These ideas will be introduced in the literature review and they will be fleshed out throughout the thesis in order to gain a holistic and comprehensive insight into the place of Consumerism in the lifestyle of emergent new middle classes in Ireland. This analysis will be contextualised with reference to the theories of Bourdieu (1979) and Featherstone (1992) whose cultural perspectives on society have mainly rationalised Consumerism in terms of subjectivity and individual perceptions; therefore repudiating the idea that Consumerism is simply an objective, independent market force which operates within neo-classical[ii] and laissez-faire[iii] boundaries. Images of Irish society will be very important in this thesis and the images/themes which will be examined throughout the thesis to facilitate this discussion of Consumerism are images of secularisation, images of Class Dealignment, images connected with the Celtic Tiger and the process of diversification. The next section will examine the methodology of the thesis. This will link the above mentioned theoretical definitions, arguments and analysis into the wider empirical and qualitative aims of the thesis. The chosen methodology is discourse analysis, and turning to a discussion of the definition of what exactly this is, is a natural progression. Accordingly, this discussion of definition will follow in the next section. The next section will also introduce the methodological framework of the thesis. It will define the various applications and forms of discourse analysis and it will explain how these will be considered throughout the thesis. Chapter Two Methodology: Discourse Analysis This thesis will rely primarily upon empirical evidence gathered through discourse analysis. The writer has selected a number of cultural themes from selected publications and these will be examined empirically and through discourse analysis. These are diversification[iv] (both political and cultural), images of Class Dealignment, images of secularised society and the imputations which arise from the phrase ‘Celtic Tiger[v]’. These will be looked at in depth as the thesis progresses, and will be placed within the context of wider themes of economic, political and socio-economic factors which the writer will also examine in terms of broad and contextual discourse analysis. Discourse analysis is an interdisciplinary[vi] method of analysing sociological trends[vii] through the analysis of language[viii] and speech[ix], and how political ideas are disseminated through language[x]. This method will be used throughout the dissertation as a means of analysing the place of Consumerism in the lifestyle of emergent middle classes. Discourse analysis has been differentiated and divided into niche areas in terms of its application. For example, discourse analysis may be used on a micro scale which would involve minute analysis of grammatical structure[xi], language and the composition[xii] of language[xiii]. This is not a method which will be concentrated upon in this thesis, as the more expansive niches within discourse analysis, which concentrates upon context[xiv] and cultural, political and other sociological forces are more appropriate ways to analyse the question title. This is because the concentration of discourse analysis in terms of wider context[xv] and a focus on specifically identified themes rather than minute form[xvi] and constructions[xvii] gives the writer a lot more room to analyse political, cultural, sociological, demographic and economic trends, which is the ultimate goal of this thesis enquiry. Chimombo, M. and Roseberry, R. (1998) give us the following in depth definition of discourse analysis: ‘Discourse is a process resulting in a communicative act. The communicative act itself takes the form of a text. A text is commonly thought of as consisting of written or printed words on a page; but a text may also consist of sign language or spoken words, or it may comprise only the thoughts of a writer, or speaker, on the one hand, or a reader or listener, on the other. In addition to words, a text may consist of other symbols, sounds, gestures, or silences, in any combination that is intended to communicate information such as ideas, emotional states, and attitudes. It may fail to communicate, but if the intention to communicate is clearly there, it must be regarded as a text†¦..[xviii]’. Chimombo, M. and Roseberry, R. (1998) then go on explain how this abstract definition applies within the context of methodology: ‘Analysis of discourse is a methodology for examining texts and the communicative process that gives rise to them. Its primary purpose is to enable discourse analysts to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of texts. Because most texts are goal oriented, part of the purpose of discourse analysis is to enable people to recognize the intended goal of the writer or speaker and thus achieve some measure of control over the discourse†¦..The understanding that may be gained in this way helps to equalize the power relationship and enables an escape from the role of victim such that individuals may assume a greater degree of control over their lives. This book demonstrates that discourse is typically used to a greater or lesser degree for exploitation. Different types of discourse are intended to exploit consumers, voters, employees, children, women, minorities, and many other groups within society. An ability to analyze discourse offers such groups a means of protectionâ € ¦.[xix]’. A discourse is therefore an amalgam of perspective. These perspectives are often political, economic or ideological in nature, since the articulation of a perspective through discourse is often underpinned by struggles for political power and influence[xx]. This in turn imputes that a discourse has a special connection with politics and with economics and that cultural discourses have often been appended to these primary discourses. Chimombo, M. and Roseberry, R. (1998) make this point very strongly in the following passage: ‘†¦.The term control implies a power relationship between those who produce texts and those for whom these texts are intended. For example, politicians, lawyers, doctors, advertisers, business executives, teachers, and many others exercise power over their clients through the discourse that is characteristic of these professionals. Analysis of professional discourse can reveal these power relationships and the goals that may be hidden in them. †¦.[xxi]’. Cultural discourses may also be seen as having evolved indirectly from political, economic and ideological discourses[xxii]. A cultural discourse may therefore be rationalised as secondary in many ways to a political/ideological and to an economic discourse. However, it is important to understand that cultural discourses often exist within the framework of these arguably more primary discourses[xxiii]. Also, one must remember that an analysis of cultural discourse, without an adequate analysis of the wider context of the discourse and its relationship with other discourses will not be a credible analysis. The writer’s regard for a cultural discourse as a secondary discourse is an explanation of how cultural discourse has evolved; it is not intended to demarcate cultural discourse as less relevant than political, economic or ideological discourse. Clearly, cultural discourses have qualified and enriched these wider, politically tuned discourses and this in itself is a unique an d powerful mechanism of change. This explains the central nature of wider political discourse analysis in this thesis and it also explains why Fairclough (1995) [xxiv] in particular has argued that discourse analysis centres on the interpretation of political and ideological discourses. It is important to remember however that cultural discourse analysis is intertwined with these primary discourses in a subtle but imperative way. The following chapters will deal with definitions of lifestyle and consumerism. They will also introduce a general discourse analysis which will centre on the selected themes mentioned above and how they ultimately relate to politics, economics, and the demographic and sociological trends which have been emerging in Ireland over the last twenty years[xxv]. The concept of emergent middle classes will be defined in the following chapters also and this definition will lead into a broad and contextual discourse analysis of how middle classes emerged in Ireland. The effects of this emergence will be discussed, but all of these threads of analysis will ultimately be drawn together to look at the place of Consumerism in the lifestyle of emergent new middle classes in Ireland, and the arguments that have been made in this area by Bourdieu (1979) and Featherstone (1992). Chapter Three: Literature Review: What is ‘Consumerism’? Clarke (2003) gives us the following definition and explanation of Consumerism within the context of culture: ‘†¦.Bauman (1992c, 24) reflects that the strange dialectic of dependence and autonomy between consumer and consumer society is indeed not unlike that of the grammar and vocabulary of language and formed sentences of speech: the latter are in no way determined by the former and move freely within the frame it provides. The practice of consumption amounts, in other words, to an act of enunciation, which takes place in a space filled with unattached signifiers †¦ a space awaiting attribution of meaning (ibid.). The consumer is in no way manipulated, nor consumer behaviour determined, even though the consumer is formally deprived of autonomy in all forms but the duplicitous form of freedom of choice. The proliferation of relations of trust, the reliance on specialist knowledge and expertise, and the privatization of the task of constructing some form of continuity of life-experience are unavoidable features of life in a consumer society. But consumers are nonetheless in a position to make of their situation something other than what is intended. The problem, however, is that, as an act through which the presence of the individual †¦ can be confirmed and reasserted (ibid.), consumption and the relations of trust it entails provides an opportunistic means for the perpetuation and dramatic expansion of capitalism.†¦.[xxvi]’. Therefore, as has been argued above, Consumerism is a term which describes the links between happiness, material goods/possessions and humans[xxvii]. It can be argued that Consumerism refers to the idea that material goods and possessions induce feelings of happiness and accordingly all behaviours which may be linked to the endorsement of this rationale may also be described as Consumerism[xxviii]. Consumerism is an idea which was considered by Karl Marx[xxix], whose famous critique of Consumerism and capitalist ideology (Communism[xxx]) interpreted ideas of Consumerism as immoral and subversive[xxxi]. In modern terms Socialism rejects ideas related to Consumerism in a more moderate way, but the premise upon which Socialism is built mirrors Communism in its suspicion of Consumerism[xxxii]. Consumerism may also be described in terms of economic behaviour and policy. If one considers Consumerism in an abstract manner, it is possible to argue that the freedom of individuals to choose how to spend money/dissipate resources manifests itself as Consumerism, since the marketing of goods to a consumer encourages them to exercise their freedom to choose what to purchase. Clarke (2003) has noted that this is an ongoing and repetitive process: ‘The act of consumption is destined to repeat itself, since the human subject is irresistibly compelled to seek a unity and coherence it can never know†¦[xxxiii]’. Ideas relating to Consumerism have traditionally been associated with Western societies and have also been particularly synonymous with neo-liberal capitalism. However, it may be argued that with the growing influence of globalisation and technological advancements, the impact of Consumerism is a global one as opposed to the more traditional interpretation of Consumerism as being tied particularly to certain cultures, more so than to others. Ultimately, however, Consumerism is connected to the ideas of human rationality, freedom and choice and has evolved as a means whereby human wants are satisfied. Accordingly, Consumerism may also be seen as a sociological force since, the recognition of social standings within society can be defined in many ways according to material wealth and the accumulation of material possessions. Consumerism is a complex idea which may be interpreted objectively as well as subjectively. This characteristic of Consumerism has invited the levels of cultural, sociological and economic analysis which the theory of Consumerism seems to have attracted. Therefore, the evolution of Consumerism and the various interpretations of the current status of Consumerism will be relevant to this thesis. Consumerism; its construction and its manifestation can be seen to oscillate with cultural mores and the development of society. This is how Consumerism may also be seen as an evolving social construct. Certainly Bourdieu (1979), Lash and Urry (1994) as well as Baudrillard (1993) consider Consumerism as a malleable social construct[xxxiv], which has developed mostly as a result of the growing economic affluence[xxxv] which may be seen in Ireland[xxxvi]. Their views are that class is demarcated in terms of taste, culture and lifestyle[xxxvii], whereas historically this demarcation was less obvious since economic limitations precluded individuals from expressing taste, culture and lifestyle in the diverse ways that are possible today. Their analysis goes on to argue that Consumerism is the vehicle through which this transition has taken effect, since diversities in taste, culture and lifestyle have largely been introduced through the marketing of Consumerism and consumerist values. Therefore the accessibility of diversity to individuals has increased as economic conditions and Consumerism have delivered more choice to the individual. Emergent New Middle Classes ‘Middle classes’ is a somewhat overused term. It has historically been used to differentiate the economically disadvantaged within society from those whose incomes and resources provide them with enough money to live independently and relatively affluently within society, generally occupying the middle ground between rich and poor within society. The emergent new middle classes that are referred to in the scope of this thesis can be recognised as the product of an increasingly affluent society within Ireland[xxxviii], emerging as more individuals benefit from the higher standards of living that may be seen as a result of what is colloquially known as the Celtic Tiger[xxxix]. Cronin (2000) has an analysis of individual cultural consciousness which allows us to interpret the emergence of middle classes in a purely cultural and subjective context. He argues: ‘Diprose (1994) states that the Lockean model defines the individual as an entity which maintains the same consciousness over time and through corporeal changes, for example illness or pregnancy, thus giving primacy to the mind or consciousness over the body. Further more, the individual is defined as having identical self-presence in which, an entity is identical with itself if it has the same origin in time and space (Diprose 1994:9). So the individuation necessary for the processes of mutual recognition to occur requires a temporally bounded entity. Simultaneously, the individual is spatially bounded through the distinction between self and not-self which is produced in that same process of recognition. Here arises the constitutive contradiction of contract, identical self-presence and exchange: in these political fictions, the individual is said to have a self-contained identity prior to contract or relations with others (Diprose 1994). Patemans (1988) analysis of the contr adictory production of womens and subordinate groups status in contract echoes this tension. For the processes of contractual exchange to occur, an individual must recognise another as an individual. The characteristics that this requires are rationality and the possession of property†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦[xl]’. Therefore, it is arguable that the emergence of new cleavages of middle classes in Ireland has arisen both through a combination of objective, market forces combined with the forces which drive individual self-perception and this in turn drives an individual to represent themselves and ultimately project this representation. Chapter Four: Discourse Analysis of Economic Growth in Ireland The development of the economy in Ireland[xli] has created unprecedented[xlii] levels of wealth[xliii] and affluence[xliv] within Ireland[1]. Accordingly this section will specifically examine the nature and underpinnings of economic progress in Ireland as this has largely given rise to[xlv] and sustained[xlvi] emergent new middle classes as the Consumerism which has evolved alongside these sectors. Economic growth in Ireland may be explained in terms of ideological transition[xlvii], the influence of the European Community[xlviii] and the influence of political leaders[xlix] throughout this period of economic transition[l]. Macro economic convergence theories[li] may also help explain the shifts in economic conditions seen in Ireland[lii]. These factors are given more in depth analysis below. The decline of state interventionism and state protectionism[liii] in Ireland led to palpable ideological shifts within the country[liv]. In an international setting, the ideological foundations of the welfare state[lv] were being replaced with more modern neo-liberal[2] conceptions of political philosophy[lvi]. This trend was particularly notable in Britain with the election of Margaret Thatcher and her subsequent repudiation of Keynes’ economic[lvii] theory[lviii]. These ideological shifts, which influenced Ireland[lix], (although not until many years later) partly laid the foundations for the economic revolution[lx] which was to come about in the mid-nineties[lxi]. Charles Haughey who had been in power periodically since 1979, was re-elected Taoiseach in 1987, during a deep economic recession[lxii]. Haughey’s predecessor in 1987 was G. Fitzgerald. These two individuals are widely recognised as having laid the foundations for economic stability in the Republic of Ireland, with a recognition that taxation needed to be reorganised to stimulate economic enterprise and growth. Consequently, under Haughey public spending was decreased and spending on public sector employment and bureaucracy was also reduced[lxiii]. This produced a dividend in the form of economic stability, lower levels of inflation and relatively rejuvenated economic growth. Again this affected employment conditions, reducing unemployment and creating the conditions for investment in enterprise. Tax cuts were then directed at the manufacturing industries[lxiv], and later tax breaks for particular sectors of industry augmented these economic dividends in the form of a stimulat ed economy and greater levels of employment. These economic conditions led to a reduced reliance on agricultural enterprise[lxv] and this is known as ‘economic diversification’[lxvi]. The relationship between Ireland and the European Community and Ireland’s accession to the European Community in the early 1970s marked a high point politically[lxvii], culturally and economically[lxviii] for Ireland[lxix]. However, the influence of the European Community on the situation of Ireland is a controversial area of debate at the moment[lxx]. Some have argued that the influence of the European Union has been instrumental in the growth of Ireland’s economy[lxxi], whereas conversely there are arguments which suggest that the role of the European Community has been over stated, misunderstood and even misrepresented[lxxii]. Both propositions will be considered by the writer in following sections. The theory that Ireland prospered due to entry to the European Community has been critiqued as a facile theory[lxxiii] and this argument may be seen as even more cogent given that Powell (2003) has argued that if Ireland had prospered due to entry to the European Community, then the effects of EC investment would be identifiable and tangible. The reality is that European investment in Ireland produced some economic benefits, but the prosperity which Ireland enjoyed was precipitated by a plethora of events and shifts, which cumulatively produced the effects known as the Celtic Tiger[lxxiv]. One such shift is known as the convergence theory and economic growth in Ireland has been rationalised in terms of the convergence theory in the following way. This theory suggests that the ‘Celtic Tiger’ was not precipitated by circumstances, affiliations (in particular to the European Community) or events, but rather by the operation of a group of economic forces which argues that over time similar countries with similar institutions tend to perform economically in a congruous way. In this sense, the Celtic Tiger has been rationalised as a convergence as opposed to a phenomenon. Historically, this theory is plausible, as Ireland was dogged by recession in spite of entry into the EEC in 1973, under the tenure of Jack Lynch[lxxv]. This recession continued until the advent of Charles Haughey, and G. Fitzgerald who addressed the failing tax system in the Republic of Ireland[lxxvi]. The conception of taxation had been fundamentally challenged and revised in Ireland over the last twenty years[lxxvii]. This shift led to the realisation of the above mentioned ideological ideas substantively and not just rhetorically. The mid eighties in Ireland was a period characterised by high taxation and low employment[lxxviii]. Taxation was regarded as a method of bolstering the economy[lxxix] This had an adverse effect of investment, thwarted business and led to high levels of unemployment[lxxx]. In many ways this is what thwarted the progress of the economy, forcing class alignment along economic lines. Powell (2003) has argued that just prior to the millennium GDP in Ireland was $25,500 per capita, whereas in Britain this figure was approximately $23,000 per capita. This can be contrasted with the fact that in the late 1980s GDP per capita in Ireland was only approximately 65%, that of the UK GDP per capita[lxxxi]. This economic revolution has been referred to in colloquial and cultural terms as the growth of the ‘Celtic Tiger’. The use of the term Celtic Tiger is of great significance and it may be rationalised in terms of cultural symbolism in the following way: ‘Human encounter with the world has always been a profoundly enigmatic affair. Traditionally, human societies attained a measure of ontological security from social arrangements that accepted the fundamental ambivalence of the world (Giddens 1990; 1994). Because traditional modes of existence were symbolically tied to the world of appearances, such societies were able to employ well established, ritualized ways and means of being-in-the-world†¦[lxxxii]’. The effects of cultural symbolism may be further delved into through examining this explanation of existence and illusions which are imparted through the ‘appearance of things’: ‘The continuity of such an existence was assured by the experience of tradition alone, and legitimated by forces beyond human powers. Nature †¦ in the infinite detail of its illusory manifestations †¦ was conceived above all as the work of hidden wills (Bloch 1962, 83). This world of illusion amounted, in other words, to an acceptance of the illusion of the world (the term illusion is apt not in the sense of its power to fool you, but in its power to put something into play, to create something: scene, space, a game, a rule of the game to invent, in fact, the mode of appearance of things (Baudrillard 1993b, 59-60)). Modernity, in stark contrast, was founded firmly on the disavowal of the fact that ambivalence is inevitable; that appearances are intrinsically deceptive. Modernity was founded on a commitment to the reality of the world (Bauman 1991). Modernity thus held out the dream of an attainable order. And order, as the promise of the removal of ambivalence and co ntingency from the world, necessarily cast contingency as a threat, and demonized ambivalence. This was, of course, a complex and multifaceted affair. It involved, for instance, a transformation of time, as time became the property of man (Le Goff 1980, 51)†¦[lxxxiii]’. Therefore the concept of a tiger married to the concept of ‘Celtic’ and Celticness[lxxxiv] conveys, in metaphorical terms the speed and the pervasiveness of the new found wealth which swept through Ireland in the mid nineties, changing and fuelling market forces such as Consumerism. This terminology[lxxxv] is relevant in cultural terms since it conveys the prosperity which pervaded Ireland during this period, and continues to drive the Irish economy as one of the wealthiest countries in the European Union[lxxxvi]. This led to a dramatic shift in cultural mores and led to a redefining of class boundaries. The term ‘Celtic Tiger’ also cast Ireland in an advantageous light internationally, advertising the economic growth and success which the country was experiencing. This attracted foreign investment interest and raised the profile of Ireland internationally, as well as serving to extricate Ireland from the damaging and often distorted image of a country dependent on EEC funding and support. Demographically, the influence of economic forces was also dramatic and widespread. More people were in employment in Ireland and this led to a surge in industry, investment and enterprise[lxxxvii]. The tourist and the service sector industries surged forward economically, changing the sociological and cultural contours of the Republic of Ireland. Small businesses expanded and more people built hotels, shops, restaurants and food outlets[lxxxviii]. This impacted upon the tourist industry which thrived as more people were attracted to visiting locations within Ireland that were more accessible and inviting[lxxxix]. This trend too had a knock on effect with more leisure facilities being built, and a general emphasis on regenerating services and facilities in the interests of attracting tourists