Free Essays on No Children Here

There are no Children Here Alex Kotlowitz's book, There are no Children Here, deals with the subject of race, values, and community responsibility of the urban underclass. The American inner city deals with the issues such as violent crime and drug wars. With these two explosive issues, the neighborhood experiences the downward spiral of social separation, unemployment and welfare dependence. The lives of two black boys, Lafayette, 10 and Pharaoh, 7 are followed as they struggle to grow up in one of Chicago's worst housing projects. Lafayette and Pharaoh are not any different than many of their neighbors. Their mother is welfare dependent. Their father is an alcoholic and drug abuser. In the home, there are other siblings, an older brother and sister along with younger triplets, just like so many other families in the area. Kotlowitz takes you into an offensively maintained housing project infested with gangs, where murders and shootings are an everyday thing. The image of the devastation and the despair of no hope of the people living inside the project are vivid. One can truly sense the hopefulness, grasping the loss of family and ardently desire a new life for the boys. You hold out hope that things will work out for the boys. In America's minefield of urban life, Lafayette and Pharaoh are surrounded by violence and poverty through their lives. The neighborhood had no banks, no public libraries, no movie theatres, no skating rinks, or bowling allies. The lack of respectable businesses only contributes to the demise of the neighborhood and unemployment in the area. With the drug lords keeping shop in an abandoned building, drug abuse is rampant and shooting is common. There were no drug rehabilitation programs or centers to help combat the problem. Police feared going into the ghetto for their own safety. There are no Children Here embraces Lafayette and Pharaoh over a two-year period in which they struggle with school, attemp... Free Essays on No Children Here Free Essays on No Children Here There are no Children Here Alex Kotlowitz's book, There are no Children Here, deals with the subject of race, values, and community responsibility of the urban underclass. The American inner city deals with the issues such as violent crime and drug wars. With these two explosive issues, the neighborhood experiences the downward spiral of social separation, unemployment and welfare dependence. The lives of two black boys, Lafayette, 10 and Pharaoh, 7 are followed as they struggle to grow up in one of Chicago's worst housing projects. Lafayette and Pharaoh are not any different than many of their neighbors. Their mother is welfare dependent. Their father is an alcoholic and drug abuser. In the home, there are other siblings, an older brother and sister along with younger triplets, just like so many other families in the area. Kotlowitz takes you into an offensively maintained housing project infested with gangs, where murders and shootings are an everyday thing. The image of the devastation and the despair of no hope of the people living inside the project are vivid. One can truly sense the hopefulness, grasping the loss of family and ardently desire a new life for the boys. You hold out hope that things will work out for the boys. In America's minefield of urban life, Lafayette and Pharaoh are surrounded by violence and poverty through their lives. The neighborhood had no banks, no public libraries, no movie theatres, no skating rinks, or bowling allies. The lack of respectable businesses only contributes to the demise of the neighborhood and unemployment in the area. With the drug lords keeping shop in an abandoned building, drug abuse is rampant and shooting is common. There were no drug rehabilitation programs or centers to help combat the problem. Police feared going into the ghetto for their own safety. There are no Children Here embraces Lafayette and Pharaoh over a two-year period in which they struggle with school, attemp...

Living On Campus vs. Off Campus

Living On Campus vs. Off Campus Is your college kid contemplating a move off-campus? The dorm versus apartment, on-campus versus off-campus question,is a common topic for sophomores and juniors. Some colleges offer on-campus apartments as well as dormitory options, but most students start at least thinking about moving off-campus halfway through their college tenure. Here are some things to think about before making this big decision. Cost Dorms tend to be significantly pricier than living in a modest, shared apartment, especially when you take square footage into account. But that $14,000 per year dorm fee generally includes a substantial dining hall allowance. Make sure you remove the food tab from the equation so youre comparing apples and apples, not apples and oranges. And dont forget those other costs of apartment living: utilities, internet, and garbage service. A final caveat: your college kid likely wont qualify for an apartment on his own, so youll need to cosign the lease. Convenience Theres no doubt that living on campus is convenient. Classes are right there. Food is served by the buffet-load. Medical help for even minor issues is moments away. Move off-campus and there will be transportation costs and/or on-campus parking issues. Your kid will need to have at least rudimentary cooking skills. And there wont be an R.A. just down the hall, ready to help. Social Life Dorms are ready-made hubs of sociability. Everyones the same age and going through the same things, and everyone is eager to make friends. Depending on the apartment complex and your college kids level of gregariousness, he or she may find it difficult to meet people and make new friends. That can be a huge issue for freshmen, but not so much for upperclassmen who have already made plenty of friends. Its much easier to meet new people in apartment complexes with attractive common areas - such as a pool, basketball courts, or lounge - and in complexes where college kids make up the majority of the residents. Noise and Privacy In general, apartments are much quieter than dorms, where the steady sounds of partying or merely boisterous neighbors waft through the walls. Apartments tend to be calmer. Theres more room to spread out. Also, your kid wont be sharing a bathroom with ten or 20 other people. Space Bedrooms in an apartment might be even smaller than that tiny dorm room. But unless your child is considering a studio, conversion, or junior one-bedroom, apartments have room to spread out because they will also have a living room and a kitchen. And the bathroom is an actual room in an apartment, not a cubicle. Food Dining hall cuisine may have its detractors, but at least someone is providing three feasts a day. In an apartment, the grocery shopping and cooking is up to your child. That means developing some cooking skills and a recipe repertoire, not to mention budgeting skills. Groceries cost substantially more than dorm dwellers usually realize. Amenities Dorm laundry rooms are open 24/7. Apartments may have limited hours or no on-site laundry at all. Parking is either included in the apartment rent or available for a reasonable cost. And if the apartment complex has a pool, its right there and ready for splashing - not across campus and monopolized by the colleges swim team.

Project management Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 2

Project management - Research Paper Example cusses the history of project management, its significance in the contemporary age, some of the obstacles that project managers commonly face in their work and the functions of project management. â€Å"Project management is the science (and art) of organizing the components of a project, whether the project is development of a new product, the launch of a new service, a marketing campaign, or a wedding† (MPUG, 2011). Project management, as the name implies, includes everything that is required to manage a project. A project is a one time endeavor. It is unique. Some people confuse the definition of project with that of process. The former is unique and non-repetitive whereas the latter is repetitive in nature. According to Lewis (2002), projects have been managed for thousands of years, yet it has been identified as an entirely separate disciple all over the world in the last ten years. This tells how short the history of project management is. The claim of Lewis (2002) has been reinforced with the support of Azzopardi (2009), though Azzopardi (2009) dates the development of project management of tools in organizations to the mid of 1950s. ‘Project Management’ is an important topic because all organisations, large and small, are involved in implementing new undertakings as diverse as the development of a new product or service, or a public relations campaign. To keep ahead of their competitors, every organisation is faced with development of complex services and processes. These need cross-functional expertise in a given organisation. (Modesto and Tichapondwa, 2009, p. 15). Every project is different and has its own specifications. The risks and opportunities associated with every project are unique. Two projects may be of entirely same nature with the same project parties, location, and time, yet the two may call for entirely different patterns of management. This can be attributed to the difference of various internal and external factors arising in the

War and peace Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

War and peace - Essay Example The Zionist argument is that they appeared in Palestine in the late 19th century with the intention of reclaiming their ancestral land. Jews purchased land and started putting up the Jewish community. Palestinian Arabs with violent opposition tried to force the Jewish out of the land, but the Zionist reacted with force to defend themselves. This same case exists up to date. The Zionist movement, from the start, desired to completely dispossess the indigenous Arab inhabitants so that Israel could be completely a Jewish state (Bennis 58). The land purchased by the Jewish Fund was in custody of the Jewish and could not be sold or leased to Arabs. The Arab population, as it became aware of the Zionists’ desires and intentions, it opposed further immigrations of the Jewish. The Arab population also opposed further sale of land to the Zionists. The sale of land to the Zionists exerted an immense danger to the existence of Arab community in Palestine. Because of the opposition, the w hole project of Zionist could not be realized without the backing of the British military. The Zionists did not mind about the real inhabitants of the land they believed in colonialist view that the rights of the original inhabitants did not matter. All that the Zionist wanted was total or partial entitlement to the land. On the other hand, the Arab’s opposition to the Zionists was not based on anti-Semitism, but on a reasonable fear of dispossession of their populace. Because of these two oppositions, the conflict continues. Palestine became an Arab and Islamic state by the end of the seventh century. Its boundaries and characteristics became known almost immediately. The occupants of the land at the time believed that they lived in a land known as Palestine. However, after the establishment of Israel in 1948, everything changed. The land, which the inhabitants of Palestine referred to as Palestine, part of it, was now Israel. The Palestine and the Israelis oppose each other regarding the land. Each group seeks to fight for the land, which they believe is theirs. This opposition increases daily and deepens as the two groups engage in the fight and kill one another’s group. The fight could have been halted a long time ago if there existed no opposition to the land. For a very long time, the ancient Arabs who have been existing on the land were the majority as the Zionist came to purchase land and establish their community. In this case, when the Arabs discovered the intentions of the Zionists of forcing out of the Arab community, the Arabs gained opposition to the move since they wanted to retain their ancestral land and at the same time, the Arabs were the majority. There was no way; the Arabs could have allowed a minor community to force them out of their inherited soil. On the other hand, the Zionist could not give up gaining ownership of the land for their benefit. As the two sides oppose each other, the conflict continues to exist between th e two communities (Tessler 73). According to the founder of Zionism, the aim of the Zionist was to split the penniless population, who were the Arabs, across the border through procuring employment in transit countries. The process of expropriating and removing of the poor was to be carried out circumspectly and discreetly. However, at

Psy240 Final Analyzing Psychological Disorders Essay Example for Free

Psy240 Final Analyzing Psychological Disorders Essay You are interviewing for a psychologist position with a top company. After your face-to-face interview with the team, they have provided you with two additional assignments—Part A and Part B below, which will complete the interview process: * Part A: A psychologist understands how biology can affect psychological activities and disorders. In your interview, you are asked about your understanding of the causes and treatment(s) of schizophrenia. In your reply, discuss the following: * Areas of the brain affected * Causal factors * Associated symptoms * The neural basis * Appropriate drug therapies * Part B: Part B of the interview consists of interpreting some case studies from a biopsychologist’s perspective. You are given four different case studies of disorders and have the option of choosing two out of the four case studies to analyze. * Write a 1,750- to 2,100-word paper in APA format containing the following: * Introduction * Part A of the interview process. * Part B of the interview process: * Choose two of the four case studies presented in Appendix A. * Discuss your understanding of the problem presented in each of the two case studies from the perspective of a biopsychologist. * Include each problem’s relation to the nature-nurture issue and any relevant portions of the Basics to Biopsychology text. * Use a minimum of five outside resources, including at least 3 peer-reviewed articles. * Apply any helpful drug interventions or solutions. * Discuss the positive or negative aspects of these drug interventions or solutions and * Conclusion

The Role Catalysts In Chemical Reactions, Their Importance In Industry

The Role Catalysts In Chemical Reactions, Their Importance In Industry, Problems and New Developments OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE SCHOOLS EXAMINATION BOARD. General Certificate Examination - Advanced Level Chemistry (Salters') - Paper 3 mock. ROBERT TAYLOR U6JW. A Catalyst is a substance that alters the rate of a reaction. The catalyst remains unchanged at the end of the reaction. The process is called catalysis. In this report I aim going to explain the role of catalysts in chemical reactions and their importance in industry. I will also outline the problems associated with the use of some catalysts and discuss, using appropriate examples, new developments in this area which will help reduce damage to the environment. The process of catalysis is essential to the modern day manufacturing industry. Ninety per cent, over a trillion dollars' worth, of manufactured items are produced with the help of catalysts every year. It is therefore logical that scientists are constantly searching for new improved catalysts which will improve efficiency or produce a greater yield. An acidic catalyst works due its acid nature. Catalysts are strong acids and readily give up hydrogen ions, or protons: H+. Protons can be released from hydrated ions, for example H3O+, but more commonly they are released from ionisable hydroxyl groups (R-OH) where the O-H bond is broken to produce R-O- and H+. When the reactant receives protons from an acid it undergoes a conformational change, (change in shape and configuration), and becomes a reactive intermediate. The intermediate can then either become an isomer by returning a proton to the catalyst, or it may undergo a further reaction and form a completely new molecule. Up until the mid - 1960's silica-alumina gels were used to catalyse the cracking of hydrocarbons. This form of cracking is where the large molecules in oil are converted into small, highly volatile molecules. However because the size of the pores of silica-alumina gels was so variable, (ranging from 0.1nm to 50nm), and the fact that their shape was so variable, they were hardly ideal catalysts. Due to the large size of their cavities, large carbonaceous products were able to form in the cavities thus lowering the reactivity if the catalyst. Catalysis with alumina silica-gels was also difficult to control precisely because of their indefinite structure, and therefore uneven d... ...ce on the surface of the solid therefore the solvent only acts as a form of heat transfer and a working fluid. In summary I see Supported reagents as the best possible solution to the problems associated with catalysis due to their easy use and their ability to be recovered and re-used. They have a high level of activity and improved selectivity in reactions. This is accompanied by their highly catalytic activity which leads to the best possible level of performance in commercial uses. This has already been proven by the use of active reagents in Friedel - Crafts reactions. These reactions originally had the drawbacks of firstly the hydrolysed aluminium chloride containing aqueous effluent which is produced, and secondly the by-products such as polymeric tars and di- and polysubstituted by- products which are produced which unless they can be successfully removed make the product impure. By using a supported reagent catalyst, in most cases the desired level of activity can be achieved but the catalyst can be removed easily from the reaction mixture and re-used. I personally therefore feel that the future of environmentally friendly catalysis lies with supported reagent catalysts.

Gps vs. Gis

GPS vs. GIS Global Positioning System (GPS) is a system that accurately determines the precise position of something on Earth. GPS is a constellation of twenty four satellites, each of which orbits Earth once every twelve hours. The U. S. Department of Defense operates and maintains these Global Positioning System satellites. Each satellite contains a high precision atomic clock and several transmitters that constantly send radio signals back to Earth. These signals communicate the satellite’s unique identification code, health, and position in space. Global Positioning Systems and base stations units in the fields receive these satellites and use them to calculate positions. All Global Positioning Systems receivers collect the locations of real world features (represented as points, lines or areas), and some can store descriptive data, or attributes, about these features. (1) Global positioning systems have been fully operational since April 27, 1995. GPS have become widely used worldwide, and a useful tool for map making, land surviving, commerce, scientific uses, tracking and surveillance, and hobbies such as geocaching. Also, the precise time reference is used in many applications including the scientific study of earthquakes and as a required time synchronization method for cellular network protocols . (2) Geographers find GPS to be particularly useful in coding the precise location of objects. That information can later be enters as a layer in geographic information systems. (2) Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer system that can capture, store, query, analyze, and display geographic date. 3) Geographic Information Systems allows us to view, understand, question, interpret, and visualize data in many ways that reveal relationships, patterns, and trends in the form of maps, globes, reports, and charts. A Geographic Information Systems helps you answer questions and solve problems by looking at your data in a way that is quickly understood and easily shared. Geographic Information System technology can be integrated into any enterprise information system framework. GIS is most often as sociated with a map. A map, however, is only one way you can work with geographic data in a Geographic information System, and only one type of product generated by a GIS. A GIS can provide a great deal more problem-solving capabilities than using a simple mapping program or adding data to an online mapping tool. When GIS software was first created, it required powerful computers and extensive training. Now, anyone can develop a desktop map. (3) (1) www. gps. gov (2) http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/GPS (3) Rubenstein chapter 1

Running Head: Multinational Corporation

General motors is a multinational corporation that was begun in 1908 by William Durant.   It has ever since extended its services to several foreign countries including Mexico. It is the world’s largest known company for manufacturing of automobile (Cray & Chrome 1980).Its outstanding business activities in Mexico are among others, provision of high quality Products in order to remain competitive in the global economy.   The leaders inGeneral Motors have also invented business plans that enable them to reduce the costs of the  Intensive engineering, prototyping as well as tooling activities they operates in Mexico(http://www.gm.com)  The General motors management team has established a net working program for hiring new employees so as to facilitate manufacturing and marketing of heir automobiles.   The corporation has also expanded an initiative known as jumpstart in Mexico whose main goals are to indoctrinate those who have been newly hired into the corporationsâ⠂¬â„¢ culture and to give them a chance of meeting employees in other parts of the corporation so as to get exposed to the corporations’ business leaders (Cray & Chrome, 1980).   This ensures smooth running of the business activities since high employee relation is established and maintained.General motors operations on the host country, Mexico, has some comparative advantages. Compared to the US, labor costs in Mexico are much lower and therefore General Motors Corporation stands a good chance in Mexico as opposed to US since it cheaply obtain its parts production. At the same time General Motors Corporation in Mexico does not encounter stiff competition for skills and technology from many automobile companies than it could encounter in the US (Maurice, 1995).This is well explained by the fact that US is believed to gain those jobs that require high skills and technology as it trades with Mexico.   This indicates that most of the scientists and engineers who have the req uired skills and technology secure jobs in the General motors corporation (Lance & Ian 1998). Since it is a well paying and established compensations compared to any other automobile corporation in the country.The environmental issues that prevailed during the on set of the General Motors Corporation in Mexico such as rising costs of health care as well as pension costs really affected rapid growth of the company. General motors however, have worked on these issues through working extensively with the Workers Union on ways for trimming down the health  care costs for the workers their families as well as the retirees (http:delphi.com/about/social/)Although General Motors Corporation in Mexico was well established, it also faced stiff and competitive pressure form the other automobile companies.   This could lead to lower sales than expected by the management and overall economic strain to the company. However, General Motors Company have embarked on innovation ever since and it has expanded computer as well as electronic content on their vehicles (Lorean & John, 1980).   It has also extended its recruitment to cover most technologically advanced countries like China, Europe and India hence acquiring high skilled scientists and engineers.There is also the issue of globalization that entirely has benefited the General Motors Corporation.   It has been much easier for the company to get access to the technology that is being developed around the world (Jagdish, 2004). In Defense of Globalization.Oxford University Press.   The different scientists and engineers recruited by the General Motors from diverse cultures influence the culture of the host country, Mexico. The stiff competition brought in by globalization has also made it difficult for the Mexico-based automobile companies to compete in the market especially the small companies (Frederick, 1947)Resolving these issues has serious financial commitment and long-term expenses especially when the high skilled scientists and engineers demand for better salaries.The Acme motors should put in place strong criteria upon which its workers are hired or employed so as to improve and maintain supply of high quality automobiles to its clients. The workers should be able to conduct thorough research and be technologically innovative so as to enable Acme motors compete sufficiently in the global market.References.Cray, E. & Chrome C. (1980). General Motors and Its Time. New York: McGraw-Hill.Cray, E. & Chrome C. (1980).A History of General Motors. New York: Smithmark  De Lorean & John Z. (1980).On a Clear Day You Can See General Motors. London: Sidgwick and Jackson.David M. (2003).What the Market Does to People: Privatization, Globalization, and Poverty.   Clarity Press.Frederick H. (1947). Patterns of Union-Management Relations: United Automobile Workers (CIO), General Motors.Science Research Associates.Jagdish B. (2004). In Defense of Globalization.Oxford. University Press.Maurice E. (1995).Electronic Technology, Corporate Strategy, and World Transformation.Quorum Books.Lance D. & Ian M. (1998).Biographical Dictionary of the History of Technology.  Ã‚   Routledge.Retrieved on 24th 2008, from http://www.gm.comRetrieved on 24th January 2008Retrieved on 24th January 2008, from http://delphi.com/about/social/

The Most Controversial Plays of the 20th Century

The Most Controversial Plays of the 20th Century The theater is a perfect venue for social commentary and many playwrights have used their position to share their beliefs on various issues affecting their time. Quite often, they push the boundaries of what the public deems acceptable and a play can quickly become very controversial. The years of the 20th century were filled with social, political, and economic controversy and a number of plays written during the 1900s addressed these issues. How Controversy Takes Shape On the Stage An older generations controversy is the next generations banal standard. The fires of controversy often fade as time goes by. For example, when we look at Ibsens A Dolls House we can see why it was so provocative during the late 1800s. Yet, if we were to set A Dolls House in modern day America, not too many people would be shocked by the plays conclusion. We might yawn as Nora decides to leave her husband and family. We might nod to ourselves thinking, Yep, theres another divorce, another broken family. Big deal. Because theater pushes the boundaries, it often evokes heated conversations, even public outrage. Sometimes the impact of the literary work generates societal change. With that in mind, lets take a brief look at the most controversial plays of the 20th century. Springs Awakening This caustic critique by Frank Wedekind is one  of hypocrisy and societys flawed sense of morality stands up for the rights of adolescents. Written in Germany in the late 1800s, it was not actually performed until 1906. Springs Awakening is subtitled  A Childrens Tragedy. In recent years Wedekinds play (which has been banned and censored many times during its history) has been adapted into a critically acclaimed musical, and with good reason. The storyline is saturated with dark, brooding satire, teen angst, blossoming sexuality, and tales of innocence lost.The main characters are youthful, likable, and naive. The adult characters, in contrast, are stubborn, ignorant, and almost inhuman in their callousness.When the so-called moral adults rule by shame instead of compassion and openness, the adolescent characters pay a heavy toll. For decades, many theaters and critics considered Springs Awakening perverse and unsuitable for audiences, showing just how accurately Wedekind critiqued turn-of-the-century values. The Emperor Jones Although it is generally not considered the best play by Eugene ONeill, The Emperor Jones is perhaps his most controversial and cutting-edge. Why? In part, because of its visceral and violent nature. In part, because of its post-colonialist criticism. But mainly because it did not marginalize African and African-American culture in a time when openly racist minstrel shows were still considered acceptable entertainment. Originally performed in the early 1920s, the play details the rise and fall of Brutus Jones, an African-American railway worker who becomes a thief, a killer, an escaped convict, and after journeying to the West Indies, the self-proclaimed ruler of an island. Although Jones character is villainous and desperate, his corrupt value system has been derived by observing upper-class white Americans. As the island people rebel against Jones, he becomes a hunted man and undergoes a primal transformation. Drama critic Ruby Cohn writes: The Emperor Jones ​is at once a gripping drama about an oppressed American black, a modern tragedy about a hero with a flaw, an expressionist quest play probing to the racial roots of the protagonist; above all, it is more highly theatrical than its European analogues, gradually quickening the tom-tom from normal pulse-rhythm, stripping away colorful costume to the naked man beneath, subordinating dialogue to innovative lighting in order to illuminate an individual and his racial heritage. As much as he was a playwright, ONeill was a social critic who abhorred ignorance and prejudice. At the same time, while the play demonizes colonialism, the main character exhibits many immoral qualities.   Jones is by no means a role model character. African-American playwrights such as Langston Hughes, and later on Lorraine Hansberry, would create plays that celebrated the courage and compassion of black Americans. This is something not seen in ONeills work, which focuses on the turbulent lives of derelicts, both black and white. Ultimately, the diabolical nature of the protagonist leaves modern audiences wondering whether or not The Emperor Jones did more harm than good. The Childrens Hour Lillian Hellmans 1934 drama about a little girls destructive rumor touches upon what was once an incredibly taboo subject: lesbianism. Because of its subject matter, The Childrens Hour was banned in Chicago, Boston, and even London. The play tells the story of Karen and Martha, two close (and very platonic) friends and colleagues. Together, they have established a successful school for girls. One day, a bratty student claims that she witnessed the two teachers romantically entwined. In a witch-hunt style  frenzy, accusations ensue, more lies are told, parents panic and innocent lives are ruined. The most tragic event occurs during the plays climax. Either in a moment of exhausted confusion or stress-induced enlightenment, Martha confesses her romantic feelings for Karen. Karen tries to explain that Martha is simply tired  and that she needs to rest. Instead, Martha walks into the next room (off-stage) and shoots herself. Ultimately, the shame unleashed by the community became too great, Marthas feelings too difficult to accept, thus ending with a needless suicide. Although perhaps tame by todays standards, Hellmans drama paved the way for a more open discussion about social and sexual mores, ultimately leading to more modern (and equally controversial) plays, such as: Angels in AmericaTorch Song TrilogyBentThe Laramie Project Considering a rash of recent suicides due to rumors, school bullying, and hate crimes against young gays and lesbians, The Childrens Hour has taken on a new-found relevancy.   Mother Courage and Her Children Written by Bertolt Brecht in the late 1930s, Mother Courage is a stylistic yet grimly disturbing depiction of the horrors of war. The title character is a cunning female protagonist who believes that she will be able to profit from war. Instead, as the war rages on for twelve years, she beholds the death of her children, their lives vanquished by the culminating violence. In a particularly grisly scene, Mother Courage watches the body of her recently executed son being tossed into a pit. Yet she does not acknowledge him for fear of being identified as the mother of the enemy. Although the play is set in the 1600s, the anti-war sentiment resonated amongst audience during its debut in 1939 and beyond. Over the decades, during such conflicts as the Vietnam War and the wars in Iraq  and Afghanistan, scholars and theater directors have turned to Mother Courage and Her Children, reminding audiences of the horrors of war. Lynn Nottage was so moved by Brechts work she traveled to war-torn Congo in order to write her intense drama, Ruined. Although her characters exhibit much more compassion than Mother Courage, we can see the seeds of Nottages inspiration. Rhinoceros Perhaps the perfect example of the Theater of the Absurd,  Rhinoceros is based upon a deviously strange concept: Humans are turning into rhinos. No, its not a play about the Animorphs and its not a science-fiction fantasy about were-rhinos (although that would be awesome). Instead, Eugene Ionescos play is a warning against conformity. Many view the transformation from human to rhino as a symbol of conformism. The play is often seen as a warning against the rise of deadly political forces such as Stalinism and fascism. Many believe that dictators such as Stalin and Hitler must have brainwashed the  citizens  as if the population was somehow fooled into accepting an immoral regime. However, in contrast to popular belief, Ionesco demonstrates how some people, drawn toward the bandwagon of conformity, make a conscious choice to abandon their individuality, even their  humanity  and succumb the forces  of society.

Make winning small talk in a job interview

Make winning small talk in a job interview Although there’s a wide array of variables that can affect the types of interviews you’ll find yourself in when job hunting- from the industry and position you’re pursuing to the size of the room and the number of people whom you’ll be meeting with and more- your goal should always be the same: to leave a positive and lasting impression on a prospective employer and stand out from the competition as someone they’d really value working with. While there are a number of key factors that you’ll be focusing on as you prepare for an interview, from a well-polished resume to an impeccable outfit and talking points about your past accomplishments and why you’re the perfect candidate for the job, one area that often gets overlooked is the value of â€Å"small talk.†The truth is, small talk is actually an essential component of the interview process. Often, our very first and last impression, before and after the nuts and bolts of an int erview takes place, is made over small talk. Think of the walk from the reception area, the few initial moments of â€Å"settling in† to the room where the interview takes place, and the final goodbyes over a firm and confident handshake- these are all opportunities to make a positive and memorable impact.Let’s review some effective strategies for making sure you put your best foot forward when making small talk in a job interview.Stay positive.You may have had a terrible morning on your way to the interview where everything went hilariously wrong- your alarm didn’t go off, you knocked over a steaming hot cup of coffee, and you nearly burnt a hole in your shirt while ironing it and eating breakfast at the same time- but do you want this to be the first impression your interviewer has of you? Whining about the challenges you overcame to get to the interview on time, assuming you made it there on time, is not a good idea.You don’t want your interviewer to t hink that if you were hired that you’d have to deal with an array of life’s foibles each morning in order to get to work on time. And you don’t want them to think you’re the type of person who’s always negative and has a raincloud following them around. Regardless of your work history and accomplishments, starting or ending an interview with negative small talk will surely work against you when they’re making a hiring decision.Instead, stay positive- both in what you say and in your body language. Smile, project confidence and a positive outlook, and try to turn your small talk into an opportunity to be complimentary. Talk about how nice the office is or the pleasant weather or commute over, drop a comment about a nice plant or piece of artwork that your interviewer has. The goal here is to make the interviewer think that you’d be a pleasant person to have around if hired.Avoid controversy.Sometimes an interview will start off on a ca sual and relaxed vibe- more like a friendly conversation than a Q A session, and this can be a good thing. Remember, the goal of an interview is to both present yourself as a capable candidate as well as a person who’s enjoyable to have around. You definitely want to leave the impression that you’ll make a great fit within a company’s workplace culture. However, if an interview takes the tone of a casual conversation this doesn’t mean that all conversation topics are okay to bring up. Do your best to avoid such hot-button areas as politics and religion, and try to refrain from getting too personal, which may make an interviewer uncomfortable or think that you have boundary issues, which could be a big red flag.Use context clues.Whenever you’re first getting to know someone new, that’s typically when you’re most open and receptive to available context clues about how best to proceed in a conversation. An interview should be no differe nt. Look for clues- both subtle and overt- to help build your small-talk game. Is your interviewer’s office filled with dog photos and he or she drops a casual dog reference into the conversation? Try to inject a mention about your own love of dogs, and if you have a dog yourself, even better! Don’t forget, the best way to bond with someone is to discover the things you have in common.Context clues can also help you determine what conversation items to avoid. Does the interviewer wince or look uncomfortable when you make mention of something? Pay attention to this, and change the subject, fast. Bottom line: be friendly, flexible, and on the lookout for positive conversational touchpoints.Are you ready for small talk?Whether or not you like small talk, you need to be prepared to handle it when you’re going on interviews. You can’t rely on your resume to â€Å"speak for itself†- remember, most interviewers are looking to get a sense of what sort of p erson you are and what it would be like to work with you, in addition to gauging your professional abilities. Be sure to treat each interview as an opportunity to get to know someone new and make a positive connection, and you’ll be sure to make a great impression!

Communication and Conflict Final Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Communication and Conflict Final - Essay Example In order to achieve the goals of conflict resolution, the mediator must have enough internal direction and good communication and interpersonal skills in order to come to an agreement with both parties (â€Å"Why Does Virginia Tech Have a Conflict Resolution Program?† 2009). Being able to speak eloquently and clearly as a mediator is a key role in how conflicts are negotiated. Both parties must feel like they understand what is going on within the conversation being had, not only with each other, but how the mediator is being understood by both parties. Good mediators are able to keep the subject at hand relevant to the discussion and can navigate difficult, at-times uncharted waters, so to speak. One approach to conflict is that â€Å" ‘we do not have to stay the way we are’; we all have more choices in conflicts tha[n] we assume† (Hocker, et. al., 1985, p. xi). According to Gerzon (2006), â€Å"As our world grows smaller, opportunities for conflict multiply. Ethnic, religious, political, and personal differences drive people apart--with potentially disastrous consequences--and its the task of perceptive leaders to bring them together again† (pgh. 1). Finally, a negotiator or person in conflict mediation needs to be helpful, above all things. If a negotiator is not helpful, chances are that the conflict could escalate or become blown out of proportion. Negotiators must seek to navigate that fine line which divides people who are at odds with each other. Being helpful is one of the key traits negotiators need to have in order to be successful at their job. Good negotiators are able to see any conflict from both sides and are able to navigate uncharted waters. The deft negotiator is one who nimbly and quickly thinks on one’s feet and can mediate in sticky situations. According to Britannica (2008), â€Å"[The creation of the such a one body, the League of Nations, was an idea strongly favored by