Labor Relations Essay

1. Define the term â€Å"collective bargaining† and list and describe four issues that are mandatory components of a collective bargaining agreement. Collective bargaining can be defined as the process of involving representatives from both employers and employees to come to terms and conditions of employment that both parties agree. These agreements are written into legally binding contacts good for one to five years. (Budd, 2009, p. 229) Four issues that are mandatory components of collective bargaining agreement are compensation, personnel policies, employer rights and responsibilities. Compensation would include wages, benefits, vacations, holidays, and profit sharing. Personnel policies refer to layoffs, promotions, and transfer policies. Employer’s rights and responsibilities include but not limited to seniority rights, job standards, management right, just cause, safety standards, and discipline and discharge, (Budd, 2009, p. 13) Employer rights and responsibilit ies is a component of collective bargaining is illustrated in an article by Aaron Kuriloff. According to this article the NFL position is that the; NFL Players Association isn’t bargaining in good faith, using delays to run out the clock on talks before disbanding the union and suing the league under antitrust law for colluding to restrict pay (Kuriloff, 2011 ) The National Football League has asked the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for clarifications in using antitrust laws to block a lockout and clarifying if the National Football League Players Association is a certified labor union. The National Football League position is that the National Football League Players Association is using delaying tactics and they are threatening a work stoppage. The next a component of collective bargaining I found in an article by Howard Beck of the New York Times deals with compensation. The National Basketball Association is also facing a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) Mr. Becks states, that the Owners are proposing a fundamental overhaul of the N.B.A.’s eco nomic system, including a hard salary cap, shorter contracts and a 38 percent reduction in player salaries (about $800 million (Beck, 2011) The owners want to reduce salaries because 17 out of the 30 franchise teams are losing money at a sum of $300 million a year. While the National Basketball Player’s Association disputes the league’s figures; because Attendance is up, the league is on pace for its highest viewership of all other professional sports. To conclude these  collective bargaining agreements of both the NFL and the NBA can be categorized as being distributive bargaining. Both parties are going either win or lose some concessions to remain a viable and profitable organization. 2. List and discuss three U.S. laws that support collective bargaining, and three examples of employer unfair labor practices. The three laws that support collective bargaining between employers and labor unions are the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) of 1935, the Labor-Management Relations Act of 1947, and Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959. The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) of 1935, which is also known as the Wagner Act, made it legal to form unions and engage in collective bargaining. The Wagner Act created a labor environment to equalize the bargaining power between the employer and employees as stated by this text the policy of the United States to eliminate the causes of certain substantial obstructions to the free flow of commerce and to mitigate and eliminate these obstructions when they have occurred by encouraging the practice and procedure of collective bargaining (National Labor Relations Board) The main purpose of the Wagner Act was to encourage collective bargaining in the private sector by protecting workers’ rights to join and form labor unions (Budd, 2009 , p. 119) Furthermore, this act also gave more expansive powers to the federal government with the regulating of labor relations; and it banned employers from punishing workers for using their collective bargaining rights. Americans did have the right to join unions and strike, prior to the enactment of this law. Previously, employers had been free to spy on, to question, to discipline, to discharge, to terminate, and to blacklist employees for either joining unions or striking. According to the website Infoplease.com the Taft-Hartley Act amended much of the National Labor Relations (Wagner) Act of 1935, the federal law regulating labor relations of enterprises engaged in interstate commerce, and it nullified parts of the Federal Anti-Injunction (Norris-LaGuardia) Act of 1932. The act established control of labor disputes on a new basis by enlarging the National Labor Relations Board and providing that the union or the employer must, before terminating a collective-bargaining agreement, serve notice on the other party and on a government mediation service. The government was empowered to obtain an 80-day injunction against any strike  that it deemed a peril to national health or safety. (Taft-Hartley Labor Act, 2011) The Labor-Management Relations Act provided the government far more oversight over union activities, including the right of the U.S. president to stop a strike if it was deemed dangerous to national health. The act also stripped unions of their power in several ways, including forbidding unions from contributing to political campaigns and only allowing unions to organize after a majority vote by employees. Although President Truman vetoed the act, it passed easily over his veto, and this act remains the heart of U.S. labor law. The Labor-Man agement Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959. Also called the Landrum-Griffin Act, this law amended the Taft-Hartley Act to protect the rights of union members within their union and imposed new reporting requirements and codes of conduct on unions and employers. This was act created in response to the surge of corruption from various labor union officials who used violence as a way to quail the union opposition from employers and employees. Another process of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 was to stop labor unions from be infiltrated by communist. Furthermore, former members of the Communist party and former convicts were prevented from holding a union office for a period of five years after resigning their Communist party membership or being released from prison. (infoplease.com, 2011) Three examples of unfair labor practices include; firing a union supporter or someone trying to form a union, Failing to bargain in good faith, threatening to employees with job loss or demotion or physical harm if they support a union and preventing employees from talking about a union or wearing union buttons when it doesn’t interfere with their work duties or customers. The National Labor Relations Board which is an independent federal agency devoted to conducting representation elections and adjudicating unfair labor practices (Budd, 2009 , p. 124) I want to discuss a news article written by Chris Si eroty, who writes for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Mr. Sieroty details in his article about the labor unrest being experienced in Las Vegas Nevada concerning the allege discrimination against employees based on their national origin. The protesters also urged Station Casinos to support the union’s efforts to establish a new standard when it comes to alleged discrimination against employees based on national origin. (Sieroty, 2011) Therefore, the labor union, the Culinary Local 226  is attempting to unionize nearly 13,000 workers at the 18 hotel-casinos operated by Station Casinos in Southern Nevada. Station Casinos has been charged with using threats, intimidation, surveillance, bribery, discrimination and other illegal activities against employees engaged in lawfully protected union activities. The National Labor Relations Board alleges that for approximately seven months Station Casinos has used this illegal tactic to divide and conquer in union busting strategy by not supporting an anti-discrimination policy. The article I want to discuss is an article by Steven Greenhouse. Mr. Greenhouse writes for the New York Times and his article was about the illegally firing an employee after she criticized her supervisor on her Facebook page. The action falls under unfair labor practices of firing a union supporter or someone trying to form a union. The National Labor Relations Board steps in to clarify the statute that a worker could not be fired because they criticize their employer under the National Labor Relations Act. The National Labor Relations Board states a example of it clarifying statement, That act gives workers a federally protected right to form unions, and it prohibits employers from punishing workers — whether union or nonunion — for discussing working conditions or unionization. The labor board said the company’s Facebook rule was overly broad and improperly limited employees’ rights to discuss working conditions among themselves. In summary if we are g uaranteed freedom of speech, should always trump business’ restrictive policies on speech (Greenhouse, 2010) 3. Describe the process of establishing and decertifying a collective bargaining unit in the workplace. Initiating an Organizing Drive The first step in establishing a union in the workplace is to begin by initiating an organizing drive. There are three possible initiators of an organizing a drive: one or more employees, a union, or an employer (Budd, 2009 , p. 188) Then you must first find out if your co-workers want to form a union by gauging their interest by quietly talking to a few trusted co-workers who you think may be interested in improving the workplace. Create a representative group of co-workers, usually called an Organizing Committee to make sure your efforts to form a union succeed. The Organizing Committee educates fellow workers about the benefits of unionizing and your rights under the law. The Organizing Committee should consist of people from  every department in your workplace and should be representative of all races, genders, and ethnicities. The committee then should gather an employee list, as well as information about your employer.† (How To Organize A Labor Union At Your Workplace, 2010) Building and Documenting Support The second step in establishing a union in the workplace is to begin building and documenting support. You must document a minimum of 30% of your fellow employees who have to shown interest in forming a union at your workplace. This next step is most likely accomplished by the signing of Authorization Cards or simply A Cards by the employee. By virtue of your signature, the A Card signifies that you desire for the union to represent you for the purpose of collective bargaining. However if you garner more than 50% of the workplace showing interest in being represented by a union you may request that the employer recognize your union. Subsequently if the employer refuses to voluntary recognize the labor union, there are alternates to be recognized by the employer available. Alternates to Voluntary Recognition The third step in establishing a union in the workplace is to begin using alternates to voluntary recognition. After the majority of the employees have decided to join the union, your employer will either recognize the union or refuse to recognize it. The alternative for a union to recognize by an employer is by launching a recognition strike. A recognition strike is a strike used by employees to make an employer recognize their labor union. This strike cannot last more than thirty days without the risk of being replaced. The Landrum Griffin Act created alternative to strike for union to be recognized by filing a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), to hold elections to certify the labor union. The board will then decide who is eligible to vote and they will schedule the election. File Election Petition The next step can be either third or fourth step in establishing a union in the workplace, this step is done by filing a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), to hold election. You must request the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which is an impartial government  agency, to hold a secret ballot election. Once it is determined that the bargaining unit is appropriate and that no supervisors or management are included, a date will be set by the NLRB for the election, usually 5 to 7 weeks out. Hold National Labor Relations Board Elections The next step can be either fourth or fifth step in establishing a union in the workplace, this final step is done by workers in favor of the union. The pro-union worker will have to campaign to keep pro-union workers and take steps to win over any workers who are against the union. If the union wins the election, by law the employer must recognize and bargain with the union. The National Labor Relations Board is responsible for setting up polling places, usually on the employer’s property. The National Labor Relations Board is also responsible and supervising the election. By casting a paper ballot into a ballot box is the usual median that employees vote. At the end of the voting period the polls are closed and the ballots are counted right on the spot. The union must win the majority of the votes to be declared the winner. The opposite of a certification election is a decertification election. This type of election is used to determine whether a majority of unionized employ ees no longer wish to be represented by their union (Budd, 2009 , p. 192) To request such an election, at least 30 percent of the employees must file a decertification petition asserting that the currently certified union no longer represents the employees in the bargaining unit before it can be considered by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). To decertify a union, the union representation must have been effect for more than a year and the decertification petition has to be filed during a timeframe of 60 to 90 days before the expiration on the union contract, although healthcare workers are afforded addition time for decertification and that window is 90 to 120 days prior to the expiration of their union contracts. According to Ohio Hospital Association’s information on the decertification process it is regarded as ‘The general rule for unions with a negotiated contract in place is that a decertification petition can only be filed 60 to 90 days prior to the expiration of the contract (or every three years, whichever comes first). For health care employees, this window is 90 to 120 days prior to the expiration of the contract (Ohio Hospital Association) The National Labor Relations Board require that all  decertification is free from managerial influences , and that all signatures on the petition were collect ed during non-work time and off the worksite. After the National Labor Relations Board verifies the signatures on the decertification petition, a decertification election is scheduled in approximately 60 days. The union will be decertified if a majority of the members vote against being represented by the union as it bargaining unit. In an article by Aaron Kuriloff he quotes the NFL’s position that the NFLPA is using decertification as a tactic to get a better labor contract. The NFL said the union’s threat to decertify is a ploy and an unlawful subversion of the collective bargaining process, there being no evidence whatsoever of any (let alone widespread) dissatisfaction with the union by its members (Kuriloff, 2011 ) Free agency was created when the union was decertified after the 1987 strike. The NFL owners just want the NFLPA to bargain in good faith and the NFLPA also want the same with more revenue sharing. 4. Describe the process of administering a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) to include the role and function of an arbitrator. What are the issues, and how are they handled? Through the process of collective bargaining, employers and unions negotiate terms and conditions of employment and put these terms in a written contract, also called collective bargaining agreements. (Budd, 2009 , p. 229) During the process of administering a collective bargaining agreement the employer and union are obligated to meet at reasonable times to negotiate in good faith about mandatory bargaining items. Mandatory bargaining items are wages, hours, vacation time, insurance, safety practices and the terms and conditions of employment. According to the National Labor Relations Act if either party to refuses to bargain collectively with each other, it is considered an unfair labor practice, however parties are not forced to reach an agreement or make any allowances. The collective bargaining process comprises of five core steps: Prepare: This phase involves composition of a negotiation team. The negotiation team should consist of representatives of both the parties with adequate knowledge and skills for negotiation. In this phase both the employer’s representatives and the union examine their own situation in order to develop the issues that they believe will be most important. The first thing to be done is to determine whether there is actually any reason  to negotiate at all. A correct understanding of the main issues to be covered and intimate knowledge of operations, working conditions, production norms and other relevant conditions is required. Discuss: Here, the parties decide the ground rules that will guide the negotiations. A process well begun is half done and this is no less true in case of collective bargaining. An environment of mutual trust and understanding is also created so that the collective bargaining agreement would be reached. Propose: This phase involves the initial opening statements and the possible options that exist to resolve them. In a word, this phase could be described as ‘brainstorming’. The exchange of messages takes place and opinion of both the parties is sought. Bargain: negotiations are easy if a problem solving attitude is adopted. This stage comprises the time when ‘what ifs’ and ‘supposals’ are set forth and the drafting of agreements take place. Settlement: Once the parties are through with the bargaining process, a consensual agreement is reached upon wherein both the parties agree to a common decision regarding the problem or the issue. This stage is described as consisting of effective joint implementation of the agreement through shared visions, strategic planning and negotiated change. (Collective Bargaining Process, 2007) According to the website Industrial Relations Home Collective Bargaining Process the collective bargaining process comprise s of five core steps; in which are Prepare, Discuss, Propose, Bargain, and Settlement. The first process of preparing is getting your team together; the second step is discussing the grievances, common concerns and goals; the third step is proposing the methods on how to solve grievances, common concerns and goals; the fourth step is bargaining to reach an agreement that all parties can abide by; the final step is making a settlement on the terms of the contract. WORK CITED Budd, J. W. ( 2009 ). Labor Relations: Striking a Balance. New York: McGraw-Hill. MLBPA. (2014). History of the major league baseball players association. Retrieved from http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/info/history.jsp Kuriloff, A. (2011). NFL Files Unfair-Labor Practices Complaint Against Union in Contract Talks. Retrieved February 19, 2011, from Bloomberg: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-14/nfl-files-unfair-labor-practice-char

Psychoanalytic Analysis on the Black Cat

A Psychoanalytic Analysis on The Black Cat By Edgar Allan Poe First of all, let us go into the world of â€Å"The Black Cat† and delve into the inner workings of the dark side of the human mind. ‘The Black Cat' is a story that leaves the reader perplexed to some extent. It certainly contains all the ingredients necessary to satisfy the appetite of any Poe enthusiast – an enigmatic narrator, alcohol , mutilation, strangulation, murder, and, last but not least, one of Poe's slight obsessions, perversity In the story, The Black Cat, there is a lot of symbolism regarding hidden attributes of his life.The black cat itself represents not only a hidden meaning but a meaning the narrator wished to keep hidden. The black cat symbolizes the narrator's or Poe's alcoholism. Edgar Allen Poe has been accused of being an alcoholic throughout his life and it may have actually lead up to the cause of his death. The short story may give a subtle view at Poe's fight with the disease and the disease's eventual triumph. The black cat may not only be a symbol of the alcoholism that Poe faces but perhaps just his conscious in general regarding most anything deviant.By depicting mental conflict, Poe reveals the theme that the human mind would be healthy and alive if it were incapable of thought, but since it is a mind and does possess the power of introspection and self-knowledge, then that very power and knowledge spell its death. From this protagonist with conflicting thought, we may experience more or less Poe’s inner world of himself in which his mind is half mad and full of horror like the narrator of â€Å"The Black Cat†. Poe was afraid of the fits of temper that came over him while he was drinking. When sober he was a gentleman, courteous in any situation, and the very soul of gentility.When he was affected by alcohol, however, the suppressed rage that he felt for what he considered the injustices of a gross and unfeeling would expressed itself in vituperation and violence. In creating the narrator of â€Å"The Black Cat†, Poe distorted and exaggerated all the faults of his personality while drunk. Even though the narrator denies this, we becomes increasingly aware of his superstitious belief as the story progresses from the fact that he calls his cat, Pluto, who in Greek and Roman mythology was the god of the dead and the ruler of the underworld.One moment he will be in a perfect frenzy of violence, with nothing but curses and vituperation even for those he loves. Very quickly, however, he is overcome with remorse and is sorry for all that he has said and done. We can prove this by reading the following sentences: Who has not, a hundred times, found himself committing a vile or a silly action, for no other reason than because he knows he should not? Have we not a perpetual inclination, in the teeth of our best judgment, to violate that which is Law, merely because we understand it to be such? This spirit of perver seness, I say, came to my final overthrow.It was this unfathomable longing of the soul to vex itself—to offer violence to its own nature—to do wrong for the wrong’s sake only—that urged me to continue and finally to consummate the injury I had inflicted upon the unoffending brute. The narrator is not Poe, but Poe used details of his own experience in the character of the narrator. Indeed, Poe places the subconscious condition of the mind under investigation and probes beneath the surface of normal existence. What interests him most is the deep abyss of the unconscious and subconscious mental activity of the people, the subterranean recesses of the mind at work. Psychoanalytic Analysis on the Black Cat A Psychoanalytic Analysis on The Black Cat By Edgar Allan Poe First of all, let us go into the world of â€Å"The Black Cat† and delve into the inner workings of the dark side of the human mind. ‘The Black Cat' is a story that leaves the reader perplexed to some extent. It certainly contains all the ingredients necessary to satisfy the appetite of any Poe enthusiast – an enigmatic narrator, alcohol , mutilation, strangulation, murder, and, last but not least, one of Poe's slight obsessions, perversity In the story, The Black Cat, there is a lot of symbolism regarding hidden attributes of his life.The black cat itself represents not only a hidden meaning but a meaning the narrator wished to keep hidden. The black cat symbolizes the narrator's or Poe's alcoholism. Edgar Allen Poe has been accused of being an alcoholic throughout his life and it may have actually lead up to the cause of his death. The short story may give a subtle view at Poe's fight with the disease and the disease's eventual triumph. The black cat may not only be a symbol of the alcoholism that Poe faces but perhaps just his conscious in general regarding most anything deviant.By depicting mental conflict, Poe reveals the theme that the human mind would be healthy and alive if it were incapable of thought, but since it is a mind and does possess the power of introspection and self-knowledge, then that very power and knowledge spell its death. From this protagonist with conflicting thought, we may experience more or less Poe’s inner world of himself in which his mind is half mad and full of horror like the narrator of â€Å"The Black Cat†. Poe was afraid of the fits of temper that came over him while he was drinking. When sober he was a gentleman, courteous in any situation, and the very soul of gentility.When he was affected by alcohol, however, the suppressed rage that he felt for what he considered the injustices of a gross and unfeeling would expressed itself in vituperation and violence. In creating the narrator of â€Å"The Black Cat†, Poe distorted and exaggerated all the faults of his personality while drunk. Even though the narrator denies this, we becomes increasingly aware of his superstitious belief as the story progresses from the fact that he calls his cat, Pluto, who in Greek and Roman mythology was the god of the dead and the ruler of the underworld.One moment he will be in a perfect frenzy of violence, with nothing but curses and vituperation even for those he loves. Very quickly, however, he is overcome with remorse and is sorry for all that he has said and done. We can prove this by reading the following sentences: Who has not, a hundred times, found himself committing a vile or a silly action, for no other reason than because he knows he should not? Have we not a perpetual inclination, in the teeth of our best judgment, to violate that which is Law, merely because we understand it to be such? This spirit of perver seness, I say, came to my final overthrow.It was this unfathomable longing of the soul to vex itself—to offer violence to its own nature—to do wrong for the wrong’s sake only—that urged me to continue and finally to consummate the injury I had inflicted upon the unoffending brute. The narrator is not Poe, but Poe used details of his own experience in the character of the narrator. Indeed, Poe places the subconscious condition of the mind under investigation and probes beneath the surface of normal existence. What interests him most is the deep abyss of the unconscious and subconscious mental activity of the people, the subterranean recesses of the mind at work.

Factors that influence learning Essay

Health Bad health can have a negative impact on a person’s learning. If a person is unwell they are unable to attend school, college or courses. For example, if a person has the flu, they could be unwell for two weeks. In those two weeks they could miss a substantial amount of learning time, leaving them behind with work & unable to move on with their learning at the same pace as their peers. Employment If a person is employed it can have a negative effect on their learning as well as a positive effect. For example; If a 6th form student is studying 4 A-levels and has a part-time job, they will barely have any free time. Resulting in them getting behind with work, not meeting deadlines. This can result in an extreme amount of stress. This is a negative effect on learning. Employment can also have a positive effect on learning, for example, if a person has a job they are going to be learning new skills in the work place. Care responsibilities Read more: Personal factors that affect child development essay If a person has care responsibilities, it can result in a negative effect on a person’s learning. For example; If a student is a young career, and they have to look after a parent, they may be missing a lot of time off school or college to do so, meaning they will be missing out on a lot of work. Also when they are attending school or college they may be worrying about what is happening at home why they aren’t there and if the person they are looking after is ok, this can mean they aren’t concentrating on the work they are supposed to be doing so they could be missing vital pieces of information. Access to a study centre Having or not having access to a study centre can affect a person’s learning. If a person has access to a study centre they will be able to learn more effectively, and complete work, revise and meet deadlines. Meaning they will be have a good learning experience. Although if a person is unable to access a study centre because of circumstances such as low income, they will be unable to learn effectively, complete work, revise or meet deadlines etc†¦ This means that they will fall behind with work and may not be able to achieve the things they would like to. Time Time can be a very huge factor that can influence a person’s learning. For example; if a person doesn’t have much free time they wouldn’t be able to achieve as much as they could if they had enough time to complete work, study and revise. Not having enough time can have a huge negative effect on a person’s learning. Also if a person has a lot of time to study etc†¦ they stand a better chance of achieving greater things, such as a person having a lot of time to revise for their A-level exams stand a better chance of progressing onto university because they are more than likely to achieve better grades than someone who struggles to find time. Specific learning needs If a person has specific learning needs such as dyslexia, and they are unable to access the resources they need such as extra support and coloured overlays, they will find it difficult to learn and may have an un-enjoyable learning experience. This will result in a negative learning experience. Funding for study Funding for study can have huge implications on a person’s learning experience. For example, if a student that is planning to go to university is unable to obtain the funding needed for the course they wish to do, they may be unable to do the course they require for their dream job. Resulting in a negative learning experience. Although if a person is able to get funding for a course at university, they will be able to study the degree they want and will be able to go onto do the job they may have always wanted. However receiving funding could in the long run have a negative effect, because the student maybe worrying about having to pay the grant back. Aspirations Having aspirations can have a positive effect on a person’s learning. This is because they may study harder in hope of achieving their aspirations. For example, a person who wishes to become a doctor later on will concentrate a lot harder than someone who doesn’t know what they want to do later in life,  because the person who aspires to be a doctor will know how hard they have to work to achieve the things needed to pursue such career. Learning styles Learning styles have an impact on a person’s learning experience. For example; If a person is a someone that learns by doing practical tasks and getting hands on, is stuck in a lecture just being dictated they aren’t going to have an enjoyable learning experience and are just going to switch off and not take in any information they are being told because they are bored, resulting in a negative learning experience. Motivation Motivation has an impact on learning experiences. For example; If a student has no motivation to do well, they will more than likely not bother doing any revision or pay attention in class, resulting in bad grades and the inability to move on to higher education or a job because they have been unable to achieve the necessary requirements to do so, resulting in a negative learning experience.

Considering Mixed Methods Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Considering Mixed Methods Research - Essay Example â€Å"Proponents of mixed research typically adhere to the compatibility thesis as well as to the philosophy of pragmatism. The compatibility thesis is the idea that quantitative and qualitative methods are compatible, that is, they can both be used in a single research study. The philosophy of pragmatism says that researchers should use the approach or mixture of approaches that works the best in a real world situation. In short, what works is what is useful and should be used, regardless of any philosophical assumptions, paradigmatic assumptions, or any other type of assumptions.† (Mixed Method and Mixed Model Research). Therefore, the mixed methods research has a major impact on the quality of research conducted in several topics in different branches of social sciences. It is important to have a definite understanding about the mixed methods research. According to Keith F Punch, â€Å"Mixed methods research is empirical research that involves the collection and analysis o f both qualitative and quantitative data†¦ A single study that combines qualitative and quantitative data is mixed methods, but the term can also refer to several studies that combine both types of data.† (Punch, 2009, p. 288). The value and appropriateness of the mixed methods research in various areas of investigation may be comprehended from the fact that this method incorporates the essential advantages of both the quantitative and qualitative methods, while eliminating the major limitations of these approaches to research. In fact, the mixed methods research is most valuable when form of data collection would not be sufficient to respond to a particular research problem. It is, therefore, essential to undertake a careful analysis of the factors that contribute to the effective performance of a mixed methods research. There have been four important

Shakespeares Sonnet 18 In Comparison With Robert Brownings His Last Essay

Shakespeares Sonnet 18 In Comparison With Robert Brownings His Last Duchess - Essay Example The work of Shakespeare viewed females as pleasantries of life but that of Robert identified them as a means of gathering sexual pleasure and contentment whereas, his work did not convey respectful image of a woman. The quality of life significantly determines level of one’s artistic characteristics. The great Shakespeare struggled notably in his life. But, at the end, he experienced fame and wealth. The old man died in peace and therefore, he started to view the world as a manmade heaven. The abovementioned legend grew up in a family with rigid ethical and civic rules. The dedication towards decency and civilized behavior is quite notable in his work. He never kneeled before so-called modern poetic rules that encouraged artists of the time to add sexism in their works so that they can get more attention. The Shakespearean way of poetry is preserved for the best minds of each era and therefore, when most of the population drives towards poetry in order to fulfill their filthy sexual agendas. The pure minds kept on find the true meanings of life in the evergreen works of the great legend. The featured Robert’s work is all about considering females as machines of attaining sexual pleasure (Browning 1842) while the symbolism used by Shakespeare helped the people in taking females as their companions. The works of the legendary artist indeed guided the society towards gender-based equality (Shakepeare 1609). The poem attempted to communicate that females are like summers as they come rarely in one’s life and therefore, they should be cared about. The Shakespearean philosophy is stemmed from the idea that the inter-gender relationships should have long-term nature and people should be trained to view their wives, mothers, sisters, and... The work of Shakespeare viewed females as pleasantries of life but that of Robert identified them as a means of gathering sexual pleasure and contentment whereas, his work did not convey a respectful image of a woman. The quality of life significantly determines the level of one’s artistic characteristics. The great Shakespeare struggled notably in his life. But, at the end, he experienced fame and wealth. The old man died in peace and therefore, he started to view the world as a manmade heaven. The above-mentioned legend grew up in a family with rigid ethical and civic rules. The dedication towards decency and civilized behavior is quite notable in his work. He never kneeled before so-called modern poetic rules that encouraged artists of the time to add sexism in their works so that they can get more attention. The Shakespearean way of poetry is preserved for the best minds of each era and therefore when most of the population drives towards poetry in order to fulfill their filthy sexual agendas. The pure minds kept on find the true meanings of life in the Evergreen works of the great legend. The featured Robert’s work is all about considering females as machines of attaining sexual pleasure while the symbolism used by Shakespeare helped the people in taking females as their companions. The Shakespearean philosophy is stemmed from the idea that the inter-gender relationships should have long-term nature and people should be trained to view their wives, mothers, sisters, and girlfriends as friends and companions.

How does the UK degree compared to the French degree Essay

How does the UK degree compared to the French degree - Essay Example Moreover, investing in degrees in some countries is a risky investment. In countries such as Italy and France, degree certificates are often tarnished. With such eventualities, students in such countries would rather not invest in education. In France, the entry level for students in first year degree programs is 48%. Of this number, 38% proceed to complete the programs (Arias Ortiz & Dehon, 2013). Therefore, in order for students to remain relevant in the European and the global market various strategies are employed. Students improve the strength of their degree credential by joining masters as well as postgraduate programs. In relation to statistics on the United Kingdom, degree programs are considerable popular investments. Despite an increase for fees, students still fill spaces in UK universities. However, research has found a drop in the number of students from affluent background. Despite this, the number of students for degrees in the United Kingdom is considerable higher than in other countries across Europe. This paper provides a comparison between French and United Kingdom degree qualifications. It provides detailed information on qualification requirements, entry and as well as other standards. Self-study is an important aspect in the progression of students in degree programs. Self-studies assist individuals develop their discipline levels, imagination, and observation and exploration skills. Se lf study programs have been on the offing in educational programs. Individuals are now able to learn from online platforms. This comes through long-distance education or online classrooms. Both France and UK now offer degree programs for self study. In order to gain entry into a French university, students need to have passed their entry-level exams in their countries of origin. For the nationals of the country, individuals need to have held a baccalaurà ©at qualification. In spite of prospective

Riordan Manufacturing Staffing strategies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Riordan Manufacturing Staffing strategies - Essay Example tant deadlines to be met, most of the employers don’t evaluate the pros and cons of hiring an individual and unless there are well developed staffing strategies, this will be an ongoing problem. The focus is,†People are your most important asset is wrong. People are not your most important asset: the right people are." (Jim Collins in his book "Good to Great").Hence it is very important to hire the right candidate for the right job. A well developed staffing strategy helps an organization to eliminate problems before they start. A staffing strategy provides overall guidance on how an organization deals with staff. This includes how the organization identifies with new staff, the types of people the organization wants to staff, and how to retain them. Once this strategy is decided upon, the human resource department frames some policies and procedures to support the strategy. Riordan Manufacturing is a global plastics manufacturer founded in 1991, It employs over 550 people and has projected annual earnings of $46 million. The company is wholly owned by Riordan Industries, a Fortune 1000 enterprise with revenues in excess of $1 billion. However over the years, Riordan’s management realized that employee dissatisfaction was quite high and sales sloped downwards. As the business world has become more complex and jobs more technical† (*Shah, Sterrett, Chesser, & Wilmore (2001), many corporations have turned to strategic planning. Today, organizations have realized the importance of its human capital thus, the need to further develop, retain and attract personnel to achieve business objectives. Riordans management team has realized that the companys most important asset is their employees. HRs proactive approach to recruiting the best and brightest candidates will help to provide future leaders for the company as they continue to grow and meet the demanding challenges. In order to accomplish the organizational goals, Riordan must follow suit in attracting

A Case Study as a Research Method Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

A as a Research Method - Case Study Example Case studies are usually held about some social issues or entities which are â€Å"†¦intricately connected to political, social, historical, and personal issues, providing wide-ranging possibilities for questions and adding complexity† It follows the same pattern as any other critical study, yet there are a few important steps that one has to take care of while designing and conducting one. These include the following: 1. Determination of the research question is the first and the foremost demand of any research endeavor. In this step, the researcher can focus on the complexity of the subject within consideration and tries to seek answers to a few questions starting with ‘how’ and ‘why’. 2. The second step is to determine the type of case-study. Whether it be intrinsic due to researcher’s personal interest, or instrumental for more than mere surface knowledge about the issue, or collective because of the consideration of a group of similar cases, or exploratory, or explanatory, or descriptive. 3. After the determination of the type of research type, the next is to select the data collection tools which are to ensure validity and reliability of the data. Cross-examination and within-examination are important tools in this regard. 4. To organize the huge amount of data to be gathered via different sources, the researcher needs to plan a â€Å"databases to assist with categorizing, sorting, storing, and retrieving data for analysis†. 5. Field study and notes are the most important in this regard as they and to the exemplariness of the issue.

Context of professional practice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Context of professional practice - Essay Example Part One Legal principles basically refer to rules or standards of behaviour. These principles also refer to the supporting rationale for certain standards in the practice, including principles referring to their allowance or prohibition in the healthcare profession. The principles of ethical practice refer to the code of ethics for the healthcare professionals, clarifying specific elements of the practice including the ethical principles which emerge from or react to such specific elements. These principles serve as goals in managing the public health institutions (Public Health Leadership Society, 2002). Legal principles and principles of professional ethical practice refer to different aspects of the nursing practice (Royal College of Nursing, 2013). The legal principles refer to the legally mandated principles of healthcare while the principles of professional ethical practice are based on the standards of ethics which may not necessarily be mandated by legal provisions, but are still part of the minimum requisites of medical and nursing care (Dimond, 2008). Within the nursing practice, the legal principles refer to the principles laid out by the Royal College of Nursing in partnership with the Department of Health and Nursing and Midwifery Council. The ethical principles include the four basic health ethical requirements: self-determination/autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice (McElroy, 2011). These four principles may not be specifically included as legally mandated principles in the nursing practice, but violations of these ethical requirements are still punishable by the law and by the professional councils (Thompson, et.al., 2006). In applying legal principles and principles of professional codes of practice, I discovered that making judgments and decisions during the practice must be applied as independent and non-mechanistic processes. My judgment as a clinical practitioner is required under the context of complying with the minimum le gal and professional codes of the practice. I cannot follow one and ignore the other because these principles help provide essential support for the effective management of patient conditions (Fry and Johnstone, 2008). Issues of responsibility and accountability in delegating activities to others may relate to problems on improper delegation (Leathard, 2003). Where certain functions are delegated, all the essential elements of proper delegation must be complied with, including the importance of delegating the task to a person who is trained and capable of expertly carrying out the assigned task (Gillen and Graffin, 2010). Accountability may still emerge in these cases where the delegator has not secured the necessary means to ensure that the task delegated is being properly carried out by a competent individual. This would include the responsibility of following-up the delegatee, and supervising his or her work (Gillen and Graffin, 2010). Delegating the task to oneself must also com ply with the same standards of the practice, including competence. Where competence cannot be ensured, the task must not be delegated to oneself. The aspect of the nursing practice which shall be subject of this reflection is the nursing care for diabetic patients. During my care for a diabetic patient, I discovered that

Measurement of the Turbidity of Raw Water and Study the Effects of Lab Report

Measurement of the Turbidity of Raw Water and Study the Effects of Coagulation and Flocculation - Lab Report Example During coagulation, matter in suspension becomes unstable due to the effect of cationic particles. Aluminum salts, ferric and ferrous salts are useful for the process of coagulation. The salts include alum, FeCl3 and Fe2 (SO4) 3. The iron sulfate used is that with and without lime. Introduction of the salts in waste water results, in the formation of Ions (Hijnen & Gertjan 33). The positive ions present in water exist in hydrated states. Positive ions combine with hydroxyl ions leading to insoluble hydroxides. Insoluble complexes result when ions combine with carbonates and bicarbonates. Coagulation results when the insoluble hydroxides precipitate in water and are separable through filtration. Precipitation of colloids takes place in the presence or absence of lime. The level of solubility of aluminum plus ferric hydroxides depends on PH, which determines the charge of the complex (Bratby 40). When PH is low, absorption of the complexes on the colloidal surface occurs leading to coagulation. When Aluminum chloride and sulfate are in wastewater, they exist as ion, which form non-dissolving complexes. The negative colloid repels anions and attracts cautions. The attraction power between positive and negative colloids results to agglomeration of particles (Wang 6). The repelled anions cling to positive colloids forming agglomerates. AlCl3 has a relative power of one against positive colloids and a power of 1000 against negative colloids. Al2 (SO4)3 exhibits a power of 30 against positive colloids and above 1000 against negative colloids (Bratby 39). ThuyKhanh, Trinh. & Lim Seok Kang. "Response Surface Methodological Approach To Optimize The Coagulation–Flocculation Process In Drinking Water Treatment." Chemical Engineering Research And Design 89. (2011): 1126-1135. ScienceDirect. Web. 2 Feb.

Social Development Theory Essay Example for Free

Social Development Theory Essay As a parent, I would agree more with Vygotsky’s theory concerning child development rather than Paiget’s. Though children do progress at different rates, I believe that they are capable of more learning at an early age than Piaget’s theory allows. Piaget also states that learning should supersede social development in all cases while Vygotsky’s theory allows for social development to be as important and in some cases more important than intellectual learning. While a child may be extremely intelligent, it will be difficult for them to function in society without having a strong foundation socially. Much of our society is based on social interactions and how well we as people handle ourselves in certain situations. A child who is not properly socialized will have a very difficult time knowing how to deal with their peers in a social situation. To ensure that my child has a very balanced background both intellectually and socially, I would first make sure that they attend school in a traditional setting, whether in a public or private school. Children need to learn, but they also need the company of other children and to be able to consult their peers concerning a shared experience. It is important for children to share in social activities as well as to be able to experience different things from each other and with other children. Another exercise would be to encourage my child to participate in a cultural activity such as dance classes, martial arts, or playing an instrument where they can receive personalized and community education, as well as team activity, such as a local sport. This would give the child a shared experience as well as a productive outlet to channel their energies and a positive adult role model outside of the family unit. Children should be socialized not only with other children but also with adults in a structured, formal setting that allows them to have a positive relationship with both adults and children socially. Works Cited Santrock, J. W. (2007). A Topical Approach to Lifespan Development, 3rd Edition. Dallas: McGraw-Hill.

Psychology and Personality Essay Example for Free

Psychology and Personality Essay The study of personality has a broad and varied history in psychology with an abundance of theoretical traditions. The major theories include dispositional trait perspective, psychodynamic, humanistic, biological, behaviorist, and social learning perspective. However, many researchers and psychologists do not explicitly identify themselves with a certain perspective and instead take an eclectic approach. Research in this area is empirically driven, such as dimensional models, based on multivariate statistics, such as factor analysis, or emphasizes theory development, such as that of the psychodynamic theory. There is also a substantial emphasis on the applied field of personality testing. In psychological education and training, the study of the nature of personality and its psychological development is usually reviewed as a prerequisite to courses in abnormal psychology or clinical psychology. Personality Paper Personality is connected with Darwins Theory of Evolution. It generally explains why there are personality differences between individuals.[ Schacter, Daniel; Gilbert, Daniel; Wegner, Daniel (2011).] Personality also refers to the pattern of thoughts, feelings, social adjustments, and behaviors consistently exhibited over time that strongly influences ones expectations, self-perceptions, values, and attitudes. It also predicts human reactions to other people, problems, and stress.[ Winnie, J.F. Gittinger, J.W. (1973)][ Krauskopf, C.J. Saunders, D.R, (1994)] There is still no universal consensus on the definition of personality in psychology. Gordon Allport described two major ways to study personality: the nomothetic and the idiographic. Nomothetic psychology seeks general laws that can be applied to many different people, such as the principle of self-actualization or the trait of extraversion. Idiographic psychology is an attempt to understand the unique aspects of a particular individual. The study of personality has a broad and varied history in psychology with an abundance of theoretical traditions. The major theories include dispositional trait perspective, psychodynamic, humanistic, biological, behaviorist, and social learning perspective. However, many researchers and psychologists do not explicitly identify themselves with a certain perspective and instead take an eclectic approach. Research in this area is empirically driven, such as dimensional models, based on multivariate statistics, such as factor analysis, or emphasizes theory development, such as that of the psychodynamic theory. There is also a substantial emphasis on the applied field of personality testing. In psychological education and training, the study of the nature of personality and its psychological development is usually reviewed as a prerequisite to courses in abnormal psychology or clinical psychology. Perspectives of Personality Many of the ideas developed by historical and modern personality theorists stem from the basic philosophical assumptions they hold. The study of personality is not a purely empirical discipline, as it brings in elements of art, science, and philosophy to draw general conclusions. Freedom versus determinism This idea seeks to answer whether humans have control over their own behavior and understand the motives behind it or our behavior is causally determined by forces beyond our control. Behavior is categorized as being unconscious, environmental, or biological by various theories. [Engler, Barbara (2008)]. Heredity versus environment Personality is thought to be determined largely by genetics and biology, by environment and experiences, or by some combination resulting thereof. Contemporary research suggests that most personality traits are based on the joint influence of genetics and environment. One of the forerunners in this arena is C. Robert Cloninger, who pioneered the Temperament and Character model.[ Engler, Barbara (2008).] Uniqueness versus universality This is the argument discussing the extent of each humans individuality Uniqueness or similarity in nature Universality. Gordon Allport, Abraham Maslow, and Carl Rogers were all advocates of the uniqueness of individuals. Behaviorists and cognitive theorists, in contrast, emphasize the importance of universal principles, such as reinforcement and self-efficacy.[ Engler, Barbara (2008).] Optimistic versus pessimistic Personality theories differ with regard to whether humans are integral in the changing of their own personalities. Theories that place a great deal of emphasis on learning are often more optimistic than those that do not. [Engler, Barbara (2008)]. Three Theories of Personality Development The study of personality is based on the essential insight that all people are similar in some ways, yet different in others.[ Phares, E.J.; Chaplin, W.F. (1997).] There have been many different definitions of personality proposed. However, many contemporary psychologists agree on the following definition: Personality is that pattern of characteristic thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that distinguishes one person from another and that persists over time and situations. [Phares, E.J.; Chaplin, W.F. (1997)]. Trait theories According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, personality traits are enduring patterns of perceiving, relating to, and thinking about the environment and oneself that are exhibited in a wide range of social and personal contexts. Theorists generally assume that a) traits are relatively stable over time, b) traits differ among individuals, and c) traits influence behavior. They consistently are used in order to help define people as a whole. Traits are relatively constant; they do not usually change. Traits are also bipolar; they vary along a continuum between one extreme and the other (e.g. friendly vs. unfriendly).[ Feist, Jess Feist, Gregory J. (2009).] Behaviorist theories Behaviorists explain personality in terms of the effects external stimuli have on behavior. The approaches used to analyze the behavioral aspect of personality are known as behavioral theories or learning-conditioning theories. These approaches were a radical shift away from Freudian philosophy. One of the major tenets of this concentration of personality psychology is a strong emphasis on scientific thinking and experimentation. Humanistic theories Humanistic psychology emphasizes that people have free will and that this plays an active role in determining how they behave. Humanistic therapy typically relies on the client for information of the past and its effect on the present, therefore the client dictates the type of guidance the therapist may initiate. This allows for an individualized approach to therapy. Personality Tests There are two major types of personality tests, projective and objective. Projective tests assume personality is primarily unconscious and assess an individual by how he or she responds to an ambiguous stimulus, such as an ink blot. Projective tests have been in use for about 60 years and continue to be used today. Objective tests assume personality is consciously accessible and measure it by self-report questionnaires. Research on psychological assessment has generally found objective tests are more valid and reliable than projective tests. Critics have pointed to the Forer effect to suggest some of these appear to be more accurate and discriminating than they really are. Issues within Testing Issues with these tests include, false reporting because there is no way to tell if an individual is answering a question honestly or accurately. Conclusion There are many theories on how a person develops a certain type of personality. A person’s personality is what defines them in all aspects of their life. People believe that you are molded into what you are today, but theories have proven that some people lead by example and some learn by example. If anyone is curious as to what type of personality they have, there are my types of assessments available to take that can tell you.

The Maori Religion And Rituals Of Various Cultures Religion Essay

The Maori Religion And Rituals Of Various Cultures Religion Essay This essay discusses the Maori religion and variety of culture of the indigenous Maori community. It also discusses the death rites and the rituals of various Maori cultures, for instance, the marriage, death and birth rites and rituals among others. Starting with the rich Maori religion Russell (2006) points out, that the Maori people believe in the existence of spiritual beings and a supreme supernatural being called lo. They believed that lo is only revealed to those who have reached a particular level of class preferable the most learned in the Maorisà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ society. But all of them regardless of class or age believe in the existence of eight gods whose parents are called Rangi and papa. There is gods of the forests and the forefathers called Tane. There is the god of sea called tangaroa. There is the god of agriculture and peace known as rongo. They also have god of weather and god of the uncultivated food known as Tawhitimateo and Haumia respectively (Keith, 1980). The Maoris also have god for earthquakes that is called Ruaumoko .Their belief in the existence of darkness and evil makes them to believe in the existence of the god that caused the same known as Whiro (Russell, 2006). There is also a special god for war who is also responsible for the invention of the snares and digging sticks. On the other hand, each Maori tribe had a special god for war. The gods for war were useful when the tribes went for war. Apart from the war gods, each Maori family had family gods and spirits. The family spirits had their origin from the dead, abortions or miscarriages (Siers, 1976). In the Maori religion there is association with the visible symbols that has a natural phenomenon. These symbols are the rainbow, the comets, trees and even stones. Living creatures such as birds, fish and lizards also have a connotation in their religion. There is also carving of gods either from sticks or stones that are worshipped. The Maori have god families. Another important aspect of the Maori culture is on the death and funeral rituals. The dead body that is known as tupapaku is traditionally preserved and kept in a special meeting place called marae. The body has to stay for three consecutive days in this house and the body is never to be left alone even though the coffin is usually left open till the burial day. The mourning period is occasioned by wailings from the women and speeches are made in Maori language (Keith, 1980). Orupa that is the cemetery is adjacent to the marae. According to Siers (1976) those who view the body are required to wash their hands afterwards using water or bread that is usually at the exit In Maori culture the burial and funeral rituals of important people are carried with pomp as they believe that these people will send protective spirits afterwards. For example, the death and funeral ritual of a chief is characterized by immense decoration of the body using feathers. The skulls of the enemies are placed at the feet, while all the remains of the ancestors are put at the head. On the poles next to the body there is heads of the enemies. During the mourning period, relatives of the dead are not allowed to touch food using their hands but they are fed by their relatives, friends or members of the tribe. They just have to open their lower jaws and food tossed into it. In showing their sorrow people cut their bodies using shells and the profound bleeding is symbolic for the immense loss incurred by the bereaved (Russell, 1996). According to Keith (1980), on the burial day the chief have to be buried with all things that are valuable in the Maori community. He also points out that, the burial of the dead does not end with the first burial but there is the second burial known a secondary burial. In the second burial, the remains of the dead are removed from their primary burial place. These bones are then cleaned and painted with red ochre. The remains are then taken from village to village for a second mourning and later buried this time round in a sacred place (Keith, 1980). Another important culture among the Maori is the welcoming culture that is characterized by a number of rituals. This culture was called marae by the Maori people (Siers, 1976). During this ceremony women perform oratories called karanga. According to Keith (1980), the karangas are done in Maori language and these oratories are both educative as well as entertaining. Russell (1996) says that, after the karangas there are formal speeches from the host. These speeches are known as whaikorero. A song called waiata is sung by various groups immediately after the speeches. Gift giving is another important occasion during the welcoming culture. The gifts also known as koha are given out followed by karanga. Russell (2006) points out another symbolic ritual in the welcoming culture as the pressing of the noses, also known as hongi which is a sign of appreciation. To mark the end of the ceremony, a meal called hakari is usually shared (Siers, 1976) According to Keith (1980) the third culture with rituals in the Maori community is the marriage and wedding ceremony. In choosing partners members of the opposite sex can either choose their partners or the partners chosen for them by the elders. But the female can turn down the advances of the opposite sex by putting a mark on their forehead called atahu. Courtship generally varied in the Maori culture in that, some tribes simply proposed by capturing the potential bride. This tactics sometimes turn violent. In Maori marriage, adultery was heavily punishable. The punishment was in form of plundering the homes of the couple. Divorce was not ruled out. It was ritually carried out using water (Siers, 1976). The wedding usually takes place in the marae and during this ceremony a relative of the groom challenges the father of the bride to come forward for a fight. The father of the bride approaches the relative of the groom as if he is ready for a fight but instead stretches his hand and greets the challenger (Keith, 1980). Another culture of the Maori is the birth culture and the rituals that accompany it. Russell (1996) says that, the Maori women control the birth process but it is the midwives known as the tohunga who have control on the conception, abortion, birth and parenting. The women has to follow strict guidelines from the tohunga and during the delivery time, women deliver either in squatting or standing positions with minimal support offered on request. The Maori women either gave birth in an open place away from the main dwelling or in a temporary structure made for the same and were burnt at the end of it. This temporary structure was called whare kohanga or simply the nest place (Keith, 1980). The nest place was meant for high ranking women on their first deliveries. The placenta is usually buried. According to Siers there is an important ritual rite called tihe that is usually performed during child birth. It is a form of baptism that resembles the modern mode of baptism in Christianity. In most cases, there is chanting and singing to welcome the newborn baby. Gifts are also given out by the family members. Giving the Maori culture without giving the type of food, their economic activities, clothing and the traditional Maori culture will not make the discussion on the Maori culture, religion and rituals complete, therefore these aspects will be mentioned on the preceding paragraphs. Keith (1980) points out that, the economic activities of the Maori culture vary with the location. He says that they are hunters, gatherers, and farmers. They hunt birds such as pigeons, ducks, and rat among others. Those that live along the coastal lines hunt grubs, earthworms, fish, shellfish, and sometimes whales. The Maoris use dogs for hunting purposes and the Maori are said to be cannibals thus thy also survived through eating each other (Keith, 1980). Russell (1996) says that on art, the Maori has paintings and weavings mostly done by women. The indigenous Maori is characterized by group performance called kappa haka. There is also oratory that is authentic and has both entertaining and educative influence. The clothing is accompanied with tattooing of faces where women tattooed their lips and chins a method called ta ngutu. The tattooing was done either through piercing or pigmentation of various body parts (Keith, 1980) Siers (1976) says that in the traditional Maori culture, society is segregated into small villages called kainga. These villages contain members of one of more members of a tribe usually called hapu. The kainga varies in sizes depending on productivity and population density of the regions. There are also villages that are fortified called pa. Each village has a store called pataka where war weapons, fishing gear and preserved foods are stored. The villages also have well decorated houses called whare whakairo which were for indoor meetings and entertainment of guests In conclusion the rich indigenous culture of the Maori has been greatly influenced by modernity leading to some aspects being eroded. Has a result the Maori culture and religion has changed in the recent past (Keith, 1980).

The Fixer: Irony :: Bernard Malamud The Fixer

The Fixer: Irony Irony is an overpowering force in Bernard Malamud's The Fixer. The sequence of events which Yakov Bok goes through makes the entire novel ironic. The chief irony of the novel lies in the fact that what Bok is attempting to escape, he cannot escape. To understand the irony in the novel, it is necessary to examine two major events in the circular life of Yakov Bok. Bok is attempting the escape his life in the shetl. He is wrongly persecuted for a ritual murder and attempts to escape his physical and mental torture. In each case, Bok is attempting to escape his Jewishness. The novel has an overall ironic tone. Bok leaves the shetl in which he has lived the majority of his life to go to Kiev. In Kiev Bok hopes to find opportunities for work and education. Mainly, though, Bok seeks relief from his earlier shame of being cuckolded. While in the shetl Bok sees himself as a victim of his wife's barrenness (Unger 447 ). The irony lies in the fact that that even after escaping the shetl and being in a different kind of hell, prison, Bok's life in the shetl comes back to haunt him. Bok learns of a child that Raisl has had with her lover and gives his bitter sentence of "a black cholera upon her" ( Malamud 254 ). The one thing that might have given him happiness in his life before has now gone to someone else. This event brings Yakov shame that he could not father a child with Raisl while another man could. Thus, the problems of the shetl which Bok has tried so desperately to escape have come back to haunt him once again. Bok's life is very circular. Later in the novel, Raisl visits Yakov in prison in an attempt to end her own ostracism in the shetl. Yakov could here exact some kind of revenge upon Raisl by allowing her to be ostracized for having an illegitimate child the way he was ostracized for being cuckolded. However, Yakov eventually signs the document which says "I declare myself to be the father of Chaim, the infant son of my wife Raisl Bok... Please help the mother and child, and for this, amid all my troubles, I'll be grateful" ( 262). Bok, now having on paper what he once wanted most, a son, cannot enjoy it.

Smoking Cigarettes :: Argumentative Persuasive Example Essays

The Silent Killer Intro- Hello everyone, if you don’t already know, my name is Greg Mrowka, and I’m here to talk to you about the silent killer, smoking. My goal in telling you about smoking is that you yourselves will not one day become a casualty in the war on smoking. I myself am already in the numbers as one of the addicted, potential casualties. From experience, and through witnessing many deaths on behalf of smoking I believe I am well qualified on telling you about this subject. Goals- Firstly I will tell about the propaganda behind smoking and what influences people to turn to smoking, then I will tell you about the ill-effects that smoking propositions for all of it’s customers, and finally I will tell you about how to avoid or quit smoking. Influences- The first and seemingly strongest influence is peer pressure Second are advertisements made to young teens and children as well as a majority of the black community Oral citation-Of all people who have ever tried a cigarette, 88 percent tried their first cigarette by age 18. - â€Å"Tobacco Use Among Young People: A Report of the Surgeon General," 1994, p. 67. Citation-Every day, the tobacco companies get about 3,000 new customers -- kids. - 3000/day new customers: JAMA, January 6, 1989 Ill-effects-several diseases can be contracted from the use of cigarettes., these include: cancer, hair loss, wrinkles, buerger’s disease, psoriasis, heart illness, impotence, cervical cancer, ulcers, discoloration of teeth and fingers, osteoporosis, hearing loss, etc All of these ailments will be detailed on the visual aid How to quit or not smoke- The easiest ways to prevent smoking are simple, most smokers start smoking at a young age, if you don’t smoke while your in school, you are more likely not to smoke later on. Keep yourself away from smoker scenes, avoid being in restaurants that allow smoking. To quit is hardThey also know that of the ones who try to quit only about 3% succeed. - Those who try to quit: 3% succeed: MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT, CDC, DECEMBER 23, 1994 Where's our right to quit? Tobacco companies know that 70% of smokers want to quit but can’t. - 70% of smokers want to quit but can’t: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/research_data/bka/ythaddct.htm However here are ways, but they include drastic changes in life style†¦One way is to simply alter your day to day activities, try public transport instead of driving, because you cant smoke there, go to different restaurants and if necessary hang out with your usual friends less often.

Fraud in The Firm by John Grisham Essay -- The Firm John Grisham Liter

Fraud in The Firm by John Grisham John Grisham was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas, on February 8, 1955. In 1967 he lived in Southhaven, Mississippi. In 1977 he received an undergraduate degree in accounting. In 1981 he attended law school at the school at the University of Mississippi where he earned a degree. John set up a law practice in Southehaven, where he practiced both criminal law and civil law. In 1981 he was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives. In 1989 John published his first novel A Time to Kill. John Grisham has written many books, one of them is The Firm. Mitch McDeere is about to graduate in the top five percentile at the Harvard Law School. A representative from a highly prestigious tax law firm approaches Mitch telling him of a job at his company. After a long period of thinking Mitch and his wife Abby move to Memphis Tennessee where the firm is located. At this time Mitch and Abby had no idea that they were under close surveillance by Mr. DeVasher. Mitch also has yet to learn that the firm is a cleaver cover up for a Mafia controlled money laundering operation. Mitch later visits his brother Ray in jail, who refers him to a detective by the name of Eddie Lomax. Later Mitch goes to the Caimans on a business trip and was set up have sex with a hooker that appeared to be in distress. While Mitch was gone Eddie Lomax was killed. When Mitch returns, Tammy, Eddie’s secretary is waiting to meet him to let him know about what had happened....

Economics Essay

Poverty can be measured on different scales through many ways like through a Lorenz curve, a graph of the cumulative distribution function of a probability distribution which is used in representing income distribution. Lorenz curve shows distribution of assets and is considered a measure of social inequality. Gini coefficient can also be used in measuring poverty. Gini coefficient measures statistical dispersion and is usually used in measuring inequality of income distribution. High Gini coefficient means or indicates that there is high unequal distribution observed while a lower Gini coefficient indicates that there is a high equal income distribution. Trade benefits a nation in many ways. In the law of comparative advantage partners are allowed to benefit from specializing in producing services and goods they make best. When producers make goods in which they are comparably skilled or trained at, those goods increase in quality and number. Trade also improves suitability in allocation of resources. It brings goods and services to others who value them. Trade allows consumers to have more efficient production methods. Large productions are good in reducing product costs. Lower production costs may lead to much cheaper services and goods which may increase living standards. Human capital, one of the factors of production which refers to the reserve of technical knowledge and productive skills found in labor. It is one of the factors which influence an economic system like in market economy. An example to this is the market economy in the U. S. in which workers acquire knowledge and skills. Training and education increases human capital which make the worker more precious to their employers. Today, software developers and computer programmers are in demand making them more trained and skilled resulting to a high human capital and this in turn may benefit the economic system that the U. S. has.

Name and Discuss All the Seller’s Obligations in Details with Regards to a Contract of Sale

Contract of sale Table of content 1. The seller’s duty to protect 2. The seller’s duty to deliver 3. 1 The meaning of delivery 3. 2 How delivery occurs 3. The seller’s ability for latent defects 4. 3 General principles 4. 4 Requirements for liability 4. 5 Scope of the seller’s liability 4. 6 Waiver at the time of conclusion of the agreement 4. 7 Latent defects in repairs 4. The manufacture & dealer’s liability for latent defect 5. Liability on the grounds of the seller 6. The sellers liability for evictionIntroduction A contract of sale is a legal contract and exchange of goods, services to be exchanged from seller to buyer for an agreed upon value in money paid or the promise to pay same. 1. The seller’s duty to protect The seller’s primary obligations are to transfer ownership of the goods and deliver the goods. A seller may agree to package or label the thing in a certain way or service the thing for a specific period of time. The s eller’s is obliged to take care of the thing until it is delivered.The seller must exercise the care of a reasonable person in caring for the thing in question. The seller is liable for breach of contract if the thing is destroyed through his/her intentional or negligent carelessness. The seller is liable for breach of contract if the thing is destroyed through his/her intentional or negligent carelessness. However, in the absence of an explicit term excluding risk, the purchase carries the risk of the thing being accidentally damaged while still in the possession of the seller.If the purchase remain in breach to receive the thing, the seller can only be held liable if the thing is damaged or perishes because of his/her intention or gross negligence. 2. The seller’s duty to deliver 3. 1 The seller is obliged to deliver the thing to the purchaser. Delivery of the goods shall be made by the supplier in accordance with the terms specified in the contract. The details of s hipping and other documents to be furnished by the supplier are specified in special conditions of contract.The seller must make the thing available to the purchase and not necessarily that the seller must search for and find the purchase in order to deliver the thing. It is the seller’s duty to make â€Å"delivery† which does not refer to a physical delivery but merely means that the seller must permit the transfer of possession of the goods to the buyer. The delivery must be made in accordance with the terms of contract to sell. 3. 2 How delivery occurs 3. 3. 1 Movables A distinction is made between actual and constructive delivery.If the contract requires the seller to make delivery as a destination point, the duty of the seller is the same as though were dealing with the buyer face to face, rather than placing the goods in the possession of a carrier. However, if any documents are issued by the carriers that are necessary to obtain possession of the goods, the sell er must also tender such documents. 3. 3. 2 Actual delivery Is the handing over of a thing 3. 3. 3 Constructive delivery The thing may be pointed out or something symbolic may be handed over.The purchaser may already be in possession of the thing and then the ownership is transferred sometime later. 3. 3 What must be delivered Things to be delivered by the supplier are specified in special conditions of contract. If a buyer gas bought a specific object, it has to be delivered and must be in the same condition as it was when the contract of sale was concluded. The seller has a duty to take care of the thing purchase until the time of delivery. The seller must also deliver all accessories and attachments that belong with the object to the extent that these are not excluded by the contract.The seller must also deliver to the purchaser the entire thing and profits that the thing yield after the conclusion of the contract of sale. 3. The seller’s liability for latent defects 4. 4 General principles 4. 5 Requirements for liability 4. 6 Scope of the seller’s liability 4. 7 Waiver at the time of conclusion of the agreement 4. 8 Latent defects in repairs 4. The manufacturer and dealer’s liability for latent defects 5. Liability on the grounds of dicta et promissa of the seller 6. The seller’s liability for eviction

What Are The Most Important Issues Discussed In The EU-Russia Dialogue

In your opinion, what are the most important issues discussed in the EU-Russia dialogue, and why? How can the problems in the relations be solved? Experts believe that today Brussels and Moscow go through worst times in the history of bilateral relations. On the one hand, both sides are interested in collaboration, development of joint projects and strengthening of friendly ties. But on the other hand it’s really hard to come to a mutually agreeable solution, because of strained relations between Russia and individual EU member states and unwillingness to listen to each other. The most contentious issues for both sides are:visa-free arrangements; violation of human rights; economic and energy cooperation.Discussions about first issue last long and one can’t say when they will come to the end. EU concerns about it are understandable, because in the case of visa-free regime a lot of immigrants from former USSR will captivate Europe. And not only them, but also criminals w ill come there. As to second problem, there is contradictory point of view. On the one hand, Russia is independent state with own laws and rules and nobody can intervene in its affairs.But also we shouldn’t forget that Russia signed lots of conventions and treaties, dedicated to different aspects of human rights, and it has to adhere them. The last one is very important for both sides. Statistics say that more than half of Russian foreign trade accrues to European Union. At the same time Russia is the partner number three for EU economy. And the problem of energy supplies is still actual. Solutions:To tell the truth, problems between EU and Russia can’t be solved in one moment. It will take a lot of time, energy, lots of mutual agreements before they will be able to settle their problem. Also from my point of view, both sides should forget about egoism and try to understand that now when whole world is globalised and interdependent the most precious skill for all state s is to make concessions.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Everyone else got to decide what would become of their lives, while she was now going to have everything decided for her. While Kim tells her story, she makes several statements that key on the readers’ emotions and get us to take her side. Kim uses good imagery when she tells about her village being burned down and her clothes scorched off. She says â€Å"I saw an airplane getting lower and then four bombs falling down. I saw fire everywhere around me. Then I saw fire over my body, especially on my left arm. My clothes had been burned off by the fire.Anyone who could imagine this happening to a nine year old wouldn’t be able to help feeling sorry for this person. To make matters for the little girl worse, she was then forced to become a poster child for the Vietnamese government to show the rest of the world. Kim’s freedom to become what she wanted was taken from her. While telling her story, she does a very good job using these rhetorical pathos to make the re ader feel sorry for her and take her side. In the story, â€Å"Untold Stories of Kindness†, an American soldier tells about the brutal reality of war. He explains that even though you may not agree with the reason for the fight or even know the truth behind the war, if you are a soldier, you have to do your job and continue fighting. He hits on the point that people want to help each other even in times of war and despair. He says that if everyone will just accept people who are different, the world will be a more peaceful place. His idea that people always want to help each other is supported by an example of a time he remembers people helping each other during his campaign in the Iraq war. After one particular fire fight that lasted nearly eight hours, Iraqi civilians helped the American soldiers clear the streets of wounded men and try to aid their injuries. People would also care for children, rebuild hospitals and schools, and feed the poor. The author of this essay uses strong imagery to make the reader have emotion towards his story. He tells about the time when insurgents detonated several car bombs killing over a hundred people. The number of people killed in this incident helps to emphasize the reality of all the people who dying in this war. He says â€Å"Cars were covered in blood as if they’d been hit with a paint sprayer. † This makes the reader try to imagine what he had to see and tries to make the reader feel the same emotions he has toward the situation. The rhetorical pathos used here are very similar to the pathos used by Kim in her story. Both of these essays made good points support the logic behind the statements and opinions in their stories. They also used good details and imagery so the audience could picture some of the things they had to see. The imagery in these stories tried to make the readers feel emotional and take the authors’ sides.

Hinduism Characteristics Essay

The following nine facts, though not exhaustive, offer a simple summary of Hindu spirituality or about Hinduism. 1 Hindus believe in a one, all-pervasive Supreme Being who is both immanent and transcendent, both Creator and Unmanifest Reality. 2 Hindus believe in the divinity of the four Vedas, the world’s most ancient scripture, and venerate the Agamas as equally revealed. These primordial hymns are God’s word and the bedrock of Sanatana Dharma, the eternal religion. 3 Hindus believe that the universe undergoes endless cycles of creation, preservation and dissolution. 4 Hindus believe in karma, the law of cause and effect by which each individual creates his own destiny by his thoughts, words and deeds. 5 Hindus believe that the soul reincarnates, evolving through many births until all karmas have been resolved, and moksha, liberation from the cycle of rebirth, is attained. Not a single soul will be deprived of this destiny. 6 Hindus believe that divine beings exist in unseen worlds and that temple worship, rituals, sacraments and personal devotionals create a communion with these devas (divine beings) and God. 7 Hindus believe that an enlightened master, or satguru, is essential to know the Transcendent Absolute, as are personal discipline, good conduct, purification, pilgrimage, self-inquiry, meditation and surrender in God. 8 Hindus believe that all life is sacred, to be loved and revered, and therefore practice ahimsa, noninjury, in thought, word and deed. 9 Hindus believe that no religion teaches the only way to salvation above all others, but that all genuine paths are facets of God’s Light, deserving tolerance and understanding. GOD AND LORDS IN HINDUISM God is a one being, yet we understand Him in three perfections: Absolute Reality, Pure Consciousness and Primal Soul. As Absolute Reality, God is unmanifest, unchanging and transcendent, the Self God, timeless, formless and spaceless. As Pure Consciousness, God is the manifest primal substance, pure divine love and light flowing through all form, existing everywhere in time and space as infinite intelligence and power. God is all and in all, great beyond our conception, a sacred mystery that can be known in direct communion. Hindus believe in one Supreme Being. In the Hindu pantheon there are said to be three hundred and thirty-three million Lords(divine beings). The plurality of Lords are perceived as divine creations of that one Being. So, Hinduism has one supreme God, but it has an extensive hierarchy of Lords. Hinduism views existence as composed of three worlds. The First World is the physical universe; the Second World is the subtle astral or mental plane of existence in which the devas, angels and spirits live; and the Third World is the spiritual universe of the Mahadevas, â€Å"great shining beings,† our Hindu Lords. Hinduism is the harmonious working together of these three worlds. Hinduism is a family of four main denominations – Saivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism, Smartism – under a divine hierarchy of Mahadevas. These intelligent beings have evolved through eons of time and are able to help mankind without themselves having to live in a physical body. These great Mahadevas, with their multitudes of angelic devas, live and work constantly and tirelessly for the people of our religion, protecting and guiding them, opening new doors and closing unused ones. TEMPLE WORSHIP IN HINDUISM It is in the Hindu temple that the three worlds meet and devotees invoke the Lords of our religion. The temple is built as a palace in which these Lords live. It is the home of the God and Lords, a sacred place unlike every other place on the earth. The Hindu must associate himself with these divine beings in a very sensitive way when he approaches the temple. Though the devotee rarely has the psychic vision of the Deity, he is aware of the God’s divine presence. As he approaches the sanctum sanctorum, the Hindu is fully aware that an intelligent being, greater and more evolved than himself, is there. This Lord is intently aware of him, safeguarding him, fully knowing his inmost thought, fully capable of coping with any situation the devotee may mentally lay at his Holy Feet. It is important that we approach the Deity in this way – conscious and confident that our needs are known in the inner spiritual worlds. The physical representation of the God, be it a stone or metal image other sacred form, simply marks the place that the Lord will manifest in or hover over in his etheric body. It can be conceived as an antenna to receive the divine rays of the Lord or as the material body in or through which the Lord manifests in this First World. When we perform puja, a religious ritual, we are attracting the attention of the devas and Mahadevas in the inner worlds. That is the purpose of a puja; it is a form of communication. To enhance this communication we establish an altar in the temple or in the home. This becomes charged or magnetized through our devotional thoughts and feelings which radiate out and affect the surrounding environment. You can feel the presence of these divine beings, and this radiation from them is known as shakti. It is a communication more real than the communication of language that you experience each day. Finally, it must be clearly understood that God and the Lords are not a psychological product of the Hindu religious mind. They are far older than the universe and are the fountainheads of its galactic energies, shining stars and sunlit planets. They are loving overseers and custodians of the cosmos, earth and mankind. The Hindu cosmological terrain envelopes all of humanity. HINDU HOLY BOOK The Veda is the Hindu holy book. The four books of the Vedas—Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva—include over 100,000 verses. The knowledge imparted by the Vedas ranges from earthy devotion to high philosophy. Their words and wisdom permeate Hindu thought, ritual and meditation. The Vedas are the ultimate scriptural authority for Hindus. Their oldest portions are said by some to date back as far as 6,000 bce, orally transmitted for most of history and written down in Sanskrit in the last few millennia, making them the world’s longest and most ancient scripture. The Vedas open a rare window into ancient Indian society, proclaiming life’s sacredness and the way to oneness with God. For untold centuries unto today, the Vedas have remained the sustaining force and authoritative doctrine, guiding followers in ways of worship, duty and enlightenment. The Vedas are the meditative and philosophical focus for millions of monks and a billion seekers. Their stanzas are chanted from memory by priests and laymen daily as liturgy in temple worship and domestic ritual. All Hindus wholeheartedly accept the Vedas, yet each draws selectively, interprets freely and amplifies abundantly. Over time, this tolerant allegiance has woven the varied tapestry of Indian Hindu Dharma. Each of the four Vedas has four sections: Samhitas (hymn collections), Brahmanas (priestly manuals), Aranyakas (forest treatises) and Upanishads (enlightened discourses). The Samhitas and Brahmanas affirm that God is immanent and transcendent and prescribe ritual worship, mantra and devotional hymns to establish communication with the spiritual worlds. The hymns are invocations to the One Divine and to the Divinities of nature, such as the Sun, the Rain, the Wind, the Fire and the Dawn— as well as prayers for matrimony, progeny, prosperity, concord, protection, domestic rites and more. The Aranyakas and Upanishads outline the soul’s evolutionary journey, provide yogic philosophical training and propound realization of man’s oneness with God as the destiny of all souls. Today, the Vedas are published in Sanskrit, English, French, German and other languages. But it is the popular, metaphysical Upanishads that have been most amply and ably translated. KARMA AND REINCARNATION IN HINDUISM Karma Karma literally means â€Å"deed or act,† but more broadly describes the principle of cause and effect. Simply stated, karma is the law of action and reaction which governs consciousness. In physics-the study of energy and matter-Sir Isaac Newton postulated that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Push against a wall. Its material is molecularly pushing back with a force exactly equal to yours. In metaphysics, karma is the law that states that every mental, emotional and physical act, no matter how insignificant, is projected out into the psychic mind substance and eventually returns to the individual with equal impact. The akashic memory in our higher chakras faithfully records the soul’s impressions during its series of earthly lives, and in the astral/mental worlds in-between earth existences. Ancient yogis, in psychically studying the time line of cause/effect, assigned three categories to karma. The first is sanchita, the sum total of past karma yet to be resolved. The second category is prarabdha, that portion of sanchita karma being experienced in the present life. Kriyamana, the third type, is karma you are presently creating. However, it must be understood that your past negative karma can be altered into a smoother, easier state through the loving, heart-chakra nature, through dharma and sadhana. That is the key of karmic wisdom. Live religiously well and you will create positive karma for the future and soften negative karma of the past. Truths and Myths About Karma Karma operates not only individually, but also in ever-enlarging circles of group karma where we participate in the sum karma of multiple souls. This includes family, community, nation, race and religion, even planetary group karma. So if we, individually or collectively, unconditionally love and give, we will be loved and given to. The individuals or groups who act soulfully or maliciously toward us are the vehicle of our own karmic creation. The people who manifest your karma are also living through past karma and simultaneously creating future karma. For example, if their karmic pattern did not include miserliness, they would not be involved in your karma of selfishness. Another person may express some generosity toward you, fulfilling the gifting karma of your past experience. Imagine how intricately interconnected all the cycles of karma are for our planet’s life forms. Reincarnation The soul functions with complete continuity in its astral/mental bodies. It is with these sensitive vehicles that we experience dream or â€Å"astral† worlds during sleep every night. The astral world is equally as solid and beautiful, as varied and comprehensive as the earth dimension-if not much more so. Spiritual growth, psychic development, guidance in matters of governance and commerce, artistic cultivation, inventions and discoveries of medicine, science and technology all continue by astral people who are â€Å"in-between† earthly lives. Many of the Veda hymns entreat the assistance of devas: advanced astral or mental people. Yet, also in the grey, lower regions of this vast, invisible dimension exist astral people whose present pursuits are base, selfish, even sadistic. Where the person goes in the astral plane at sleep or death is dependent upon his earthly pursuits and the quality of his mind. Because certain seed karmas can only be resolved in earth consciousness and because the soul’s initial realizations of Absolute Reality are only achieved in a physical body, our soul joyously enters another biological body. At the right time, it is reborn into a flesh body that will best fulfill its karmic pattern. In this process, the current astral body-which is a duplicate of the last physical form-is sluffed off as a lifeless shell that in due course disintegrates, and a new astral body develops as the new physical body grows. This entering into another body is called reincarnation: â€Å"re-occupying the flesh.† During our thousands of earth lives, a remarkable variety of life patterns are experienced. We exist as male and female, often switching back and forth from life to life as the nature becomes more harmonized into a person exhibiting both feminine nurturing and masculine intrepidness. We come to earth as princesses and presidents, as paupers and pirates, as tribals and scientists, as murderers and healers, as atheists and, ultimately, God-Realized sages. We take bodies of every race and live the many religions, faiths and philosophies as the soul gains more knowledge and evolutionary experience. Therefore, the Hindu knows that the belief in a single life on earth, followed by eternal joy or pain is utterly wrong and causes great anxiety, confusion and fear. Hindus know that all souls reincarnate, take one body and then another, evolving through experience over long periods of time. Like the caterpillar’s metamorphosis into the butterfly, death doesn’t end our existence but frees us to pursue an even greater development. Dharma Dharma yields Heaven’s honor and Earth’s wealth. What is there then that is more fruitful for a man? There is nothing more rewarding than dharma, nor anything more ruinous than its neglect. When God created the universe, He endowed it with order, with the laws to govern creation. Dharma is God’s divine law prevailing on every level of existence, from the sustaining cosmic order to religious and moral laws which bind us in harmony with that order. Related to the soul, dharma is the mode of conduct most conducive to spiritual advancement, the right and righteous path. It is piety and ethical practice, duty and ob ligation. When we follow dharma, we are in conformity with the Truth that inheres and instructs the universe, and we naturally abide in closeness to God. Adharma is opposition to divine law. Dharma is to the individual what its normal development is to a seed–the orderly fulfillment of an inherent nature and destiny. SIGNIFICANCE OF HINDUISM Hinduism is unique among the world’s religions. I boldly proclaim it the oldest religion in the world. To begin with, it is mankind’s oldest spiritual declaration, the very fountainhead of faith on the planet. Hinduism’s venerable age has seasoned it to maturity. It is the only religion, to my knowledge, which is not founded in a single historic event or prophet, but which itself proceeds recorded history. Hinduism has been called the â€Å"cradle of spirituality,† and the â€Å"mother of all religions,† partially because it has influenced virtually every major religion and partly because it can absorb all other religions, honor and embraces their scriptures, their saints, and their philosophy. This is possible because Hinduism looks compassionately on all genuine spiritual effort and knows unmistakably that all souls are evolving toward union with the Divine, and all are destined, without exception, to achieve spiritual enlightenment and liberation in this or a future life. Please visit, if you wish to seek further