Understanding Evolution Resources

Understanding Evolution Resources Lately, there has been a large push by the federal government to incorporate more STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) in the classroom. The latest incarnation of this initiative is the Next Generation Science Standards. Many states have already adopted these standards and teachers everywhere are reworking their curriculum to make sure all students are proficient at all standards set forth. One of the life science standards that must be integrated into courses (along with various Physical Science, Earth and Space Science, and Engineering standards) is HS-LS4 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity. There are many resources right here at About.com Evolution that can be used to enhance, reinforce, or apply these standards. These are just a few suggestions for how these standards can be taught. HS-LS4 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity Students who demonstrate understanding can: HS-LS4-1 Communicate scientific information that common ancestry and biological evolution are supported by multiple lines of empirical evidence. The first standard that falls under the umbrella of evolution starts off right away with the evidence that backs up evolution. It specifically says multiple lines of evidence. The clarification statement for this standard gives examples like similar DNA sequences, anatomical structures, and embryonic development. Obviously, there is a lot more that can be included that fall into the category of evidence for evolution, like the fossil record and the Endosymbiont Theory. The inclusion of the phrase common ancestry would also include information about the origin of life on Earth and could possibly even encompass how life has changed over Geological Time. With the big push for hands-on learning, it will be important to use activities and labs to increase the understanding of these topics. Lab write-ups would also cover the communicate directive of this standard. There are also Disciplinary Core Ideas that are listed under each standard. For this particular standard, these ideas include LS4.A: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity. It does, again, put an emphasis on DNA or molecular similarities of all living things. HS-LS4-2: Construct an explanation based on evidence that the process of evolution primarily results from four factors: (1) the potential for a species to increase in number, (2) the heritable genetic variation of individuals in a species due to mutation and sexual reproduction, (3) competition for limited resources, and (4) the proliferation of those organisms that are better able to survive and reproduce in the environment. This standard looks like a lot at first, but after reading through the expectations outlined in it, it is actually quite simple. This is the standard that will be met after explaining natural selection. An emphasis outlined in the framework is on adaptations and especially those in behaviors, morphology, and physiology that help individuals, and ultimately the entire species, survive. It is important to point out there are assessment limitations listed in the standard that other mechanisms of evolution like genetic drift, gene flow through migration, and co-evolution are not covered by assessments for this particular standard. Even though all of the above may affect the natural selection and push it in one direction or another, it is not to be assessed at this level for this standard. The Disciplinary Core Ideas listed that pertain to this standard include LS4.B: Natural Selection and LS4.C: Adaptation. In fact, most of the remaining standards listed under this big idea of Biological Evolution also pertain mostly to natural selection and adaptations. Those standards follow: HS-LS4-3 Apply concepts of statistics and probability to support explanations that organisms with an advantageous heritable trait tend to increase in proportion to organisms lacking this trait. HS-LS4-4 Construct an explanation based on evidence for how natural selection leads to adaptation of populations. (Emphasis for this standard includes using data to show how changes in the environment contribute to a change in gene frequency and thus leads to adaptation. HS-LS4-5 Evaluate the evidence supporting claims that changes in environmental conditions may result in: (1) increases in the number of individuals of some species, (2) the emergence of new species over time, and (3) the extinction of other species. The final standard listed under HS-LS4 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity deals with the application of knowledge to an engineering problem. HS-LS4-6 Create or revise a simulation to test a solution to mitigate adverse impacts of human activity on biodiversity. The emphasis for this final standard should be on designing solutions for a proposed problem related to threatened or endangered species or to genetic variation of organisms for multiple species. This standard may take many forms, such as a long-term project that pulls together knowledge from several of these, and other Next Generation Science Standards. One possible type of project that may be adapted to fit this requirement is an Evolution Think-Tac-Toe. Of course, having students choose a topic that interests them and develop a project around that is perhaps the best way to go about meeting this standard.

Definition and Examples of Universal Grammar

Definition and Examples of Universal Grammar Universal grammar is the theoretical or hypothetical system of categories, operations, and principles shared by all human languages and considered to be innate. Since the 1980s, the term has often been capitalized.  The term is also known as  Universal Grammar Theory. Linguist  Noam Chomsky  explained,  [U]niversal grammar is taken to be the set of properties, conditions, or whatever that constitute the initial state of the language learner, hence the basis on which knowledge of a language develops. (Rules and Representations. Columbia University Press, 1980) The concept is connected to the ability  of  children to be able to learn their native language. Generative grammarians  believe that the human species evolved a genetically  universal grammar  common to all peoples and that the variability in modern languages is basically on the surface only, wrote  Michael Tomasello. (Constructing a Language: A Usage-Based Theory of Language Acquisition. Harvard University Press, 2003) And Stephen Pinker elaborates thusly: In cracking the code of language...childrens minds must be constrained to pick out just the right kinds of generalizations from the  speech  around them....It is this line of reasoning that led Noam Chomsky to propose that  language acquisition  in children is the key to understanding the nature of  language,  and that children must be equipped with an innate  Universal Grammar: a set of plans for the grammatical machinery that powers all human languages. This idea sounds more controversial than it is (or at least more controversial than it should be) because the logic of  induction  mandates that children make  some  assumptions about how language works in order for them to succeed at learning a language at all. The only real controversy is what these assumptions consist of: a blueprint for a specific kind of rule system, a set of abstract principles, or a mechanism for finding simple patterns (which might also be used in learning things other than language). ( The Stuff of Thought. Viking, 2007) Universal grammar is not  to be confused with universal language, noted Elena Lombardi, or with the  deep structure of language, or even with grammar itself (The Syntax of Desire, 2007).  As Chomsky has observed, [U]niversal grammar is not  a grammar, but rather a theory of grammars, a kind of metatheory or schematism for grammar (Language and Responsibility, 1979). History and Background The concept of a  universal grammar  (UG) has been traced to the observation of Roger Bacon, a 13th-century Franciscan friar, and philosopher, that all languages are built upon a common grammar. The expression was popularized in the 1950s and 1960s by Chomsky and other linguists. Components that are considered to be universal include the notion that words can be classified into different groups, such as being nouns or verbs and that sentences follow a particular structure. Sentence structures may be different between languages, but each language has some kind of framework so that speakers can understand each other vs. speaking gibberish. Grammar rules, borrowed words, or idioms of a particular language by definition are not universal grammar. Challenges and Criticisms Of course, any theory in an academic setting will have challenges, comments, and criticisms by others in the field; such as it is with peer review and the academic world, where people build on the body of knowledge through writing academic papers and publishing their opinions. Swarthmore College linguist K. David Harrison noted in The Economist,  I and many fellow linguists would estimate that we only have a detailed scientific description of something like 10% to 15% of the worlds languages, and for 85% we have no real documentation at all. Thus it seems premature to begin constructing grand theories of universal grammar. If we want to understand universals, we must first know the particulars. (Seven Questions for K. David Harrison. Nov. 23, 2010) And Jeff Mielke finds some aspects of  universal  grammar theory to be illogical: [T]he  phonetic  motivation for  Universal Grammar is extremely  weak. Perhaps the most compelling case that can be made is that phonetics, like  semantics, is part of the grammar and that there is an implicit assumption that if  the syntax  is rooted in Universal Grammar, the rest should be too. Most of the evidence for UG is not related to  phonology, and phonology has more of a guilt-by-association status with respect to innateness. (The Emergence of Distinctive Features. Oxford University Press, 2008) Iain McGilchrist disagrees with Pinkner and took the side of children learning a language just through imitation, which is a behaviorist approach, as opposed to the Chomsky theory of the poverty of the stimulus:   [I]t is uncontroversial that the existence of a universal grammar such as Chomsky conceived it is highly debatable. It remains remarkably speculative 50 years after he posited it, and is disputed by many important names in the field of linguistics. And some of the facts are hard to square with it. Languages across the world, it turns out, use a very wide variety of syntax to structure sentences. But more importantly, the theory of universal grammar is not convincingly compatible with the process revealed by developmental psychology, whereby children actually acquire language in the real world. Children certainly evince a remarkable ability to grasp spontaneously the conceptual and psycholinguistic shapes of speech, but they do so in a far more holistic, than analytic, way. They are astonishingly good imitators- note, not copying machines, but imitators. (The Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World. Yale University Press, 2009)

Case study on Bestbuy from HBR Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

On Bestbuy from HBR - Case Study Example Problems continued to increase after a tornado hit the company in 1981 forcing Schulze to shift his strategic plan from services to discounted brands. Eventually, he ventured into superstores in 1983 and thus, rebranded the business Best Buy (2). Best Buy faces stiff competition both locally and globally from these chains necessitating it to initiate different strategies to cope with competition. The company partnered and acquired different businesses in a bid to expand its market share and product lines to increase its revenue base and gain the competitive advantage over the rival firm Wal-Mart. The company acquired Pacific Sales Kitchen, partnered with Carphone Warehouse, Dell, Apple, Napster Inc., Jiangsu Five Star Appliance Co. among much other business in the U.S., Europe, Canada and China (5). Conversely, due to competition and the changing market environment, the company has experienced fluctuating revenues and net profits. For instance, in 2009 due to pressure from rivals, the company’s operating profits declined to $2.0 billion up from $2.2 billion in 2008, despite a growth in sales. Similarly, in the fiscal year 2012, the company’s stock closed at $24.70 up from $ 56.86-year-end close in 2006 resulting in approximately 55% loss in market capitalization (1). The electronics industry is a competitive market with some of the world’s well-established retail chains and superstores such as Wal-Mart. This has resulted in Best Buy losing its market share gradually to online retailers such as Amazon and discounters (1). Best Buy can leverage from greater international expansion, The Company has penetrated international markets over the years through partnerships and acquisitions of other businesses, which has enabled it to open new stores in these markets.

Recession Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Recession - Essay Example n increasing consumer spending to be able to gain business cycle expansion which I strongly agree with as I believe that this is one good way to turn the tables around since one strong reason why the US is actually experiencing recession would be the fall of big businesses because of weakening consumer spending (Recovery, F. T, n.d.). This would mean that the US should consider slowing down on pushing for loans in almost any purchase that a consumer could buy which results to slow movement of money in the economy. It does not take too much analysis to know by now that too much credit creates lesser economic activity. However, taking the side of other economists saying that lowering taxes would be the key for US to rise above the recession is totally wrong because of the fact that one of the main source of money inflow in this hard times would hugely rely on taxes and lowering this would make it impossible for recession to get any better as the US government will have lesser funds for the country when it should be able to buy bonds and sell more bonds at the same time increasing the bank reserve requirement. Rampell, C. (n.d.). Second US Recession Could Be Worse Than First - CNBC. Stock Market News, Business News, Financial, Earnings, World Market News and Information - CNBC. Retrieved November 29, 2011, from

Economics Exchange Rates Commentary Essay Example for Free

Economics Exchange Rates Commentary Essay NEW YORK (Dow Jones)The dollar continued its slide Wednesday, touching its lowest level in 12 months against the euro and flagging against the yen as rising equities battered the greenback yet again. The dollar has lost key legs of support over the past two weeks as encouraging global economic data has led investors to assume more risk and buy higher-yielding assets. With the recession receding and financial markets in recovery, investors have become more confident theres no longer a need to hold their money in a safe-harbor currency like the dollar. Because of the Federal Reserves need to stimulate the economy, the dollars ultra-low interest rates have made it the lowest-yielding major currency. The cost of borrowing U.S. dollars in the London interbank market continued its slide Wednesday. The key three-month London interbank offered rate marked its lowest level since the British Bankers Association first introduced its Libor fixings in 1986. The dollar hit its lowest level against the common currency since September 2008 in New York afternoon trading, with the euro touching a 12-month high at $1.4738. If the euro is able to sustain levels above $1.4720, a key technical level, it could be on a march to $1.50, said Carl Forcheski, vice president for foreign exchange at Societe Generale in New York. The dollars losses were broad, sinking to new 13-month lows against the Australian and New Zealand dollars as well as lows for 2009 versus other widely traded counterparts. The U.K. pound also piggy-backed off the euros gains to advance on the dollar. The yen had been the so-called carry trade currency of choice, but with U.S. interest rates expected to remain feeble until 2010, analysts anticipate the dollar to continue funding riskier bets. A carry trade involves buying a lower-yielding currency to fund purchases of higher-yielding assets. The dollar was also burdened Wednesday by comments from Japans incoming finance minister, Hirohisa Fujii, who said he saw no need to intervene in currency markets to weaken the yen. In the past, the dollar had received support from the belief that Japan would intervene to prevent unwanted appreciation of its currency. Theres no change in my thinking that its not the time to consider foreign-exchange intervention, Fujii said at a news conference. Though he wouldnt rule out intervention in what he termed really abnormal situations, Fujii said the idea that the yen should be cheaper for the sake of [Japans] exporters is wrong. Wednesday afternoon in New York, the euro was at $1.4729 from $1.4667 late Tuesday, according to EBS via CQG. The dollar was at Y90.78 from Y91.06. The euro was at Y133.72 from Y133.60. The U.K. pound was at $1.6506 from $1.6495, while the dollar was at CHF1.0306 from CHF1.0340. U.S. economic data released Wednesday, including as-expected August consumer price index and better-than-expected industrial production numbers, pointed to a continuing recovery, leading stocks to rally. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 108 points, lending support to the euro and other high-yielders. The dollar looks likely to continue its broad-based slide through the rest of the year, analysts said. As long as the buck doesnt fall too far too fast, dollar weakness is expected in a time of loose monetary policy, said Adnan Akant, a currency specialist at money manager Fischer Francis Trees Watts, a New York unit of BNP Paribas. Right now, the euro and other higher-yielding currencies are reaping the benefits of a global economic turnaround and stock market rallies, but within the next 12 months, the dollar should start benefitting from a recovering U.S. economy, said Wells Fargo analysts. The Canadian dollar ended higher near its strongest levels of the day Wednesday, reflecting another sustained flight into riskier assets like stocks and commodities at the expense of the slumping U.S. dollar. The U.S. dollar was trading at C$1.0666 late afternoon, from C$1.0721 late Tuesday. Strong gains for oil, gold and other commodities as well as rising North American equity markets underpinned the Canadian dollars gains, although the currency again failed to mount a serious challenge of its year-to-date high at C$1.0639, achieved in early August. Commentary The article refers to a depreciation of the dollar against major currencies due to â€Å"ultra-low interest rates† and increased risk by investors. The Federal Reserve has been cutting interest rates in an attempt to boost aggregate demand and stimulate the economy. High interest rates in an economy generally encourage investment in that currency as the value of the investment will increase over time. Currently US interest rates set by the Federal Reserve are around 0.25% compared to the European Central Bank’s 1%. Because of this, investors have switched to higher yielding currencies, such as the Euro, and to a lesser extent the Pound, causing a fall in the Dollar’s exchange rate. This is shown in Diagram 1. As the diagram shows, a right shift in the supply of the Dollar leads to a fall in its price relative to the Euro. In addition, the aforementioned cutting of interest rates is an expansionary monetary policy used to manipulate aggregate demand. The trade off of this policy is increased inflation. A high rate of inflation might further decrease investment in Dollar assets as the real value of the investment would decrease over time. During times of economic crisis, investors tend to invest in low risk assets such as generally strong currencies like the dollar. However with signs that the global economy is exiting the recession and in recovery, not only does the demand for safe-harbor currencies like the dollar decrease, but there is an increased demand for high risk investment due to bullish speculation. In addition, some consumers, firms, or foreign central banks might believe that despite the improving economic situation, the Dollar will continue to fall as the article mentions and sell dollar assets. This bearish speculation would further increase the supply of the dollar and perhaps lead to self-fulfilling prophecy. As shown above, the combination of the three factors leads to a sharp fall in the exchange rate. As previously mentioned, this depreciation could cause a self-fulfilling prophecy in which the initial bearish speculation leads to depreciation, which in turn causes more bearish speculation causing the exchange rate to enter a downward spiral. Initially, the Federal Reserve might not intervene but if the depreciation continued, it would be forced to buy back Dollars to counteract the increases in supply. This would slow the depreciation, discouraging people from selling dollars. It might even create bearish speculation as some might assume the dollar market will bottom out and start to appreciate. The depreciation of the Dollar should benefit the US economy by means of an improved current account deficit. Initially, the deficit will worsen as the demand for imports and exports is inelastic in the short run, but eventually the current account balance will improve as US exports become more competitive. US export revenue will increase while expenditure will fall. This improved current account situation will boost AD leading to economic growth. This is shown below in Diagram 3. Diagram 3 However, as the diagram shows, in the long run, there will be the trade off of inflation as AD rises. This might encourage Federal Reserve to strengthen the Dollar to reduce imported cost-push inflation. In addition, the increased demand for US exports will increase the demand for the Dollar causing appreciation. Foreign nations might eventually implement import controls such as tariffs on US goods in order to preserve their own current account balances. Eventually, the Dollar should regain its status as a high-yielding currency [ 1 ]. The value of one currency expressed in term of another [ 2 ]. A period in a business cycle following a recession, during which the GDP rises. [ 3]. Believing that a particular security, a sector, or the overall market is about to rise [ 4 ]. Revenue from the exports of goods and services and income flows is less than the expenditure on the import of goods and services and income flows in a given year

A Holiday Deconstruction :: essays research papers

A Holiday Deconstruction By RA   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Everyone looks forward to holiday entertainment. Jordan has faithfully kept the tradition of mounting a holiday show for the entertainment of the student body, staff, and students parents. Notice how à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“communityà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? does not follow à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“staff.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Anyway, after watching the show A Holiday Celebration I was appalled by the misuse of Christmas themes. So many things were wrong with the show. First off, the Ghetto Holiday Skit: ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s starts off as a predictably funny opening between two half-witted burglars who take too long too enter the damn house, and when they do, they have the audacity to continue (discussing) or alluding the window. What completely destined a potentially comical skit was the sexual insinuation that shamelessly demoted those with an alternate lifestyle to objects of derision if anyone with a social conscious saw the skit; they had to notice the aforementioned.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Secondly, the Santa Claus bit: Okay, I will give you this: we all need comedy in our lives. However, do we need comedy at the expense of other? Ask yourself this, how did overweight people feel about being made fun of? à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Damn these childrenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? Do we need children to be damned more than they already are. I mean, what is wrong with this? We grow up believing St. Nick exists but do we need to also believe that he is a drunk who holds grudges against kids? Think about it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Third, the models: lack of professionalism on their part. Who models their own style? (Own clothes) But hey, at least they incorporated à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“bigà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? people.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The two main problems with the show or any Jordan shows is the lack of diversity. Jordan is a tapestry of diverse cultures, yet only one is predominantly represented onstage. If youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re intelligent, you might figure which group of people! If we preach diversity, lets practice it, please. The other problem is the gospel singing.

Bible teacher Essay

There are many opinions about the book of Hebrews and a variety of responses. In order to recognize these, three people were interviewed to understand their impressions and how they generally understood the message of the book. A Bible teacher, a non-believer, and a friend who professes to be a believer were interviewed and these were the results. Mr. Edward Shim is a Bible teacher and informs us that Hebrews is about â€Å"the calling of Jesus as man’s Savior†. That He is â€Å"the complete author and provider of our salvation from sin. † According to Mr. Shim, â€Å"it explains the Son of God as the fulfillment of the symbolic tabernacle ceremonial system given to the ancient Israelites. The shedding of blood for the atonement of sin on a daily basis is replaced by the once and for all shedding of Jesus’ blood so that all those who believe through faith may be saved. We enter His rest by accepting Jesus’ death as salvation for our sins. Hebrews continues to support Jesus’ death as the valid and legitimate answer to sins’ demand of death. It concludes by calling all who accept his salvation to walk uprightly in spiritual maturity and growth. † He believes that no man, not even the pope, preacher, parent, or anyone can mediate between a person and God but Jesus Christ alone and that Christ’s death has â€Å"cleansed away the enmity between God and man. † Mr. Brian Starlin, a non-believer, says that he is not really familiar with the Book of Hebrews. All he says is that â€Å"there were men through whom God communicated. † Some of which were Moses and Noah, while Jesus was one of the more recent mediators. He adds further that â€Å"Christ’s sacrifice inspired a lot of people; helped push Christianity across the globe and still helps push it; and has led a lot of people toward a more moral and balanced life. † To Mr. Starlin, Hebrews is â€Å"an inspiring story about an important individual from the past, and it has influenced a lot of family members and friends,† so he respects what Christ’s influence has accomplished. Ms. Mishell Pang, on the other hand, is a friend who professes to be a believer. She says that the general message of the book is â€Å"of how Jesus is the ultimate high priest and no one can come to God except through Him. † She goes on to say that â€Å"Christ’s death cleansed every one of their sins,† and that accepting Jesus as savior and mediator to God is accepting God’s grace and forgiveness. The Book of Hebrews was written primarily for Christians who are undergoing persecution and discouragement. Its writer strives to strengthen the faith of believers in Christ by carefully explaining the superiority and finality of God’s revelation and redemption in Jesus Christ. He shows that God’s redemptive provisions under the old covenant have been fulfilled and made obsolete by Jesus’ coming, and the establishment of the new covenant though his atoning death. The writer hence, challenges readers to hold on to their confession of Christ until the end; to go on into spiritual maturity; and not to turn back to condemnation by abandoning faith in Jesus Christ. Both Mr. Shim and Ms.Pang basically understood the general message of the book which is about redemption in Christ Jesus; Mr. Starlin, on the other hand, honestly mentioned that he was not familiar with the Book of Hebrews. Nevertheless, it was noted that none directly mentioned an understanding of Christ as both genuine God and genuine man, but only about Christ’s sacrifice and what it has accomplished. Both Mr. Shim and Ms. Pang openly professed how much impact Christ’s sacrifice has touched them and how much they appreciate this sacrifice. They both claim that no one can come to God but through Christ alone. This assignment has helped me see and understand that though access to the Bible is now unlimited, there are still many who are not aware of its contents and message. It is sad to note that to some, its contents are mere stories and that Christ to them was just a man like the rest of God’s prophets and messengers and that they still have no knowledge about What Christ can do for them. This assignment has helped me realize how most of us are still spiritually hungry and how many among us are dying spiritually without proper knowledge of the Word.

An exploration of the way Shakespeare presents Claudius to the audience Essay

The title of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, would at first suggested its eponymous hero, Hamlet, is the major character. However, in a sense the whole play evolves around the character and actions of Claudius. Shakespeare has presented Claudius in a phrase as a â€Å"smiling damned villain†, whose greed and selfishness lead the way to his tragic killing of the King. This sums up Claudius excellently, as he has two sides to him, one the public side, â€Å"smiling† and the other the private side â€Å"damned villain†. Claudius starts his opening speech as king by saying, â€Å"Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother’s death† (Act I Scene II, Line1) which creates the impression that his brother’s death upsets him, but later it is revealed that he was the cause of it. This links in with the theme of â€Å"seeming and being†, where it appears that he is grieving but is actually not. Shakespeare has used â€Å"seeming and being† repeatedly to show the audience that, deception is one of the major parts of the play: â€Å"My words fly up, my thoughts remain below words without thoughts never to heaven go. † (Act III Scene V, Lines 97-8), This is Claudius’ confession where he tricks the audience and Hamlet into believing he wants forgiveness, but then find out it is not true. This is further highlighted when Claudius is speaking to Hamlet: â€Å"here in the cheer and comfort of our eye†(Act I Scene II, Line116). Again it appears as though Claudius is being caring and wants to look after him, in a way like a father would, but he has said this very cleverly and in reality implies that he wants to keep an ‘eye’ on him. By using the Pritesh Kotecha Greenford High School words ‘comfort’ and ‘cheer’, Claudius is seen to be passionate and genuine, and the way Shakespeare has presented him to be this skilled politician is essential to his character, as he uses his wit to get himself out of awkward situations. Claudius in several parts of the play uses the word ‘our’ to manipulate people. In this case, it seems as though he means for him and Gertrude to keep and eye on Hamlet, but in reality he could perhaps be implying, if Hamlet was to do something wrong the whole state could be a witness. Claudius very cleverly uses the term ‘our’ again at the end of the play: â€Å"our son shall win†(Act V Scene II, Line 190), which gives the impression that Hamlet and Claudius have settled their problems. He has very cleverly switched his attitude from ‘your son’ to ‘our son’ as the play progresses, purely because of his public appearance. Also he could have perhaps said this so that when Hamlet dies he would not be a suspect, as he seems so genuine and loving towards Hamlet. When Claudius says ‘your son’, he usually says it when he has done something wrong, and implies â€Å"it is your son your problem†. The image of heaven and God is often related to Claudius, not referring to him as a God, but Hamlet uses his father to make bold Claudius’ lustful character when he says: â€Å"so excellent a king, that was to this Hyperion to a satyr. † (Act I Scene II Line 139 and 140) Here Hamlet very precisely sums up Claudius in comparison to his father because a Hyperion was a glorious sun-god of classical mythology; a satyr was a creature half man half goat. Pritesh Kotecha Greenford High School. The fact that Hamlet refers Claudius to a goat is effective because the goat is seen to be a very lusty animal, and this information along with a lot of other quotes: â€Å"incestuous and adulterous beast†, (Act I Scene V Line 42) â€Å"a serpent stung me† (Act I Scene V, Line 36) gives the audience an animalistic perception of him. The fact that Shakespeare has said ‘serpent stung’ is ironic as a serpent cannot sting and this makes the quote stand out, as it is eye-catching and alliteration is used here, and the image of a snake or reptile immediately comes to mind. Also, the sibilance here is a ‘s’, which is a connotation of evil. Claudius is again compared with God, when Polonius is talking to Claudius, he says: â€Å"I hold my duty as I hold my soul, both to my God and my gracious king. † (Act II Scene II, Line 44 and 45), because he uses God’s name in the same sentence as the king’s is ironic because in the past the king was seen to be appointed by God, therefore anything a king was to say had to be obeyed. This is ironic because, in this situation Claudius did not inherit the throne the natural way, and had to commit a vile murder of his own brother to get it. This once more shows his greed and selfishness, as he killed his brother to inherit his possessions: â€Å"My crown, mine own ambition, and my queen† (Act III Scene III, Line 55). He has worded this sentence, mentioning his crown first, implying it means the most to him, and then at the end his queen, which shows he doesn’t care as much about her however it does show that he has some feelings for her even though he is portrayed as this selfish character. Repetition is used here, and this sentence stands out and shows Claudius’ greed as all he is saying is ‘my, my, my’. Pritesh Kotecha Greenford High School Shakespeare uses repetition a great deal in Claudius’ speech, and in this case he uses it to outline Claudius’ intelligence, like any politician, he uses rhetoric as a way to manipulate people: â€Å"your father lost a father, that father lost† (Act I Scene II, Line 89 and 90), here he is trying to persuade Hamlet that it’s all part of the circle of life. This is important as it outlines his guilt that Hamlet is grieving for his father so much, and in a way is trying to make him stop mourning to make himself feel better. He even digs so low as he says to Hamlet, you grieving so much is a sin: â€Å"’tis a fault to heaven, a fault against the dead, a fault to nature† (Act I Scene II, Line 101 – 2). Moreover, he again gives himself away unconsciously as he tries so hard to make Hamlet stop grieving. Shakespeare has presented Claudius as a skilled politician in this sentence because again he structures it in three parts, and again repetition is used, to make bold the main point he is trying to get across; your grieving is wrong. Claudius also uses Hamlet’s vulnerability as a chance to show his power. He refers to Hamlet as being weak and fragile: â€Å"A heart unfortified, a mind impatient, An understanding simple and unschool’d† (Act I Scene II, Line 96 and 97). The fact that he has used the words ‘unfortified’ and ‘impatient’, makes this sentence more interesting because he shows his power and intelligence by degrading Hamlet. He says he lacks patience and is very weak, and is not educated. Claudius is portrayed by Shakespeare, to exploit all situations with his language. In this case, he uses very negative words and the effect is it shows him in power over Hamlet. Pritesh Kotecha Greenford High School His power is also shown in his opening speech as king. Here Shakespeare has showed him as very powerful and in control by dealing with all his issues one-by-one. This is a very structured speech and it creates a strong impression on the audience as they see him as a man of control. â€Å"What wouldst thou beg, Laertes that shall not be my offer not thy asking? â€Å"(Act I Scene II, Line 45 and 46) Here he is just showing off his power saying what can you ask for that I will not already offer. Shakespeare has added this part in to make him seem passionate and a loyal king. Again, appearance and reality comes into play, as it seems as thought he is doing it to help Laertes, but could perhaps be doing it to show his power. The theme of seeming and being again reoccurs as Claudius is confessing, where he is seen to be legitimate, but again says things he doesn’t mean: â€Å"My words fly up my thoughts remain below, words without thoughts never to heaven go. † (Act III Scene V, Line 97 and 98) Claudius’ deceit is portrayed here, as he is asking for forgiveness but he does not mean it, he cannot even be truthful whilst in prayer. This could have been an act of fright from Claudius as he is now aware that Hamlet knows the truth. This scene is very significant because it shows Claudius for his true colours, a coward. His character is now becoming more apparent to the audience, who now have something to build upon. Rhyming couplets is used here, and Shakespeare uses this a lot at the end of long speeches or scene’s and is used as a sort of cue point, to let the other characters aware of when to come in. This line can be shown in many different ways. In the Kenneth Branagh version, Claudius is in a catholic confession box, with some low Pritesh Kotecha Greenford High School melancholy music in the background, and the camera is slowly zooming in on his face. Which creates a more dramatic effect and a more personal tone, and when this line is due, he does not say it but thinks it. In the Franco Zefereli version he is in front of a cross. Franco Zaferelli similarly uses a cross symbolising the same religious meaning as the confessional. Claudius’ change in character is again shown through his confession speech. A different side to him is shown, perhaps because he is now aware that Hamlet knows the truth, and now asks for forgiveness. â€Å"Is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens to wash it white as snow? â€Å"(Act III Scene V, Line 46) The language in this sentence is very powerful as Claudius uses natural elements, ‘rain’ and ‘snow’, to outline his sin. Claudius’ graphic description of his sin is strong evidence, and his desire to temptation leaves him tormented by his guilty conscience. Also, because Claudius uses the colour white, it makes him seem more pure and guilty, as white is a connotation of purity, and a blank slate. In the Branagh version, he whispers this line and the audience see him as being honest and this effect is it makes him seem more apologetic. Although Claudius is portrayed as this corrupted villain, his character is wide open to interpretation. In a sense that although he killed his brother to marry Gertrude, he still has strong feelings for her: â€Å"She is so conjunctive to my life and soul That, as the star moves not but in his sphere, I could not buy her†(Act V Scene VII, Line 14-16). Here Claudius uses the earth and the planets to state his love for Gertrude, and implies that without her he would not be able to do anything. Although Shakespeare has Pritesh Kotecha Greenford High School. presented him to have strong feelings towards Gertrude, his greed and selfishness overrule his love for her: â€Å"Gertrude do not drink†¦ [aside] It is the poison’d cup. It is too late. â€Å"(Act V Scene II, Lines 294†¦ 296) Just because he wants to get his own way, he jeopardizes her life and throughout the play, his actions lead to the death of seven innocent people, because he cannot resist his temptation and has to cover up his crime. In conclusion, Claudius is portrayed as a good king with bad qualities. Although he does have some good aspects as king, him being intellectual and powerful, his bad qualities over weigh his good. In a sense that, he is greedy and selfish, putting his own desire first, and going to any limits to reach his goal. Shakespeare has presented him excellently, â€Å"with witchcraft of his wit†(Act I Scene V, Line 43) allowing him to conceal his true colours, except for when he repented and confessed to God. Throughout the play, Shakespeare uses one good quote to define his character as; â€Å"smiling damned villain†(Act I Scene V, Line 106), as it shows that he has two sides to him in every way, public and private, caring and selfish, and cleaver but not very wise.

Boo Radley and Tom Robinson essays

Boo Radley and Tom Robinson essays Both Boo Radley and Tom Robinson were outcasts to the society of Maycomb. Boo was locked away in his house, where Tom was a black man. Racism was very bad in the 1930s. No one wanted to be a black mans friend and if someone said he had done something wrong, he had obviously done something wrong. Like in Toms case. Tom had been framed for rape, which he didnt do.Tom never harmed anyone (Lee, 195) Racism led to his punishment, as he was carried away from the courthouse to jail. Tom was an ordinary black man. He had a wife and kids and was stuck in a place full of racism. Boo on the other hand was white and until he stabbed his father in the knee, was ordinary too. Boo was locked up in the courthouse until his father brought him home, where he stayed for many years. He sometimes came out though, but only during the night. He sometimes tried to connect with the outside world by putting gifts in the trees for Jem and Scout (Lee, 278), only to be cut off by Nathan Radley Tom and Boo both had similar qualities they both had affects on different characters in the story. Like Atticus for example. Atticus had to represent Tom Robinson in court for a crime Atticus knew Tom didnt even commit. Atticus also knew that they had probably already lost the case, due to racial prejudice. With all the evidence that Atticus had gathered, none was even considered due to racial discrimination. Mayella was beaten on the left side of her and Toms left arm wasnt even useable (Lee, 179). Boo Radley on the otherhand had helped Atticus, by saving the lives of his children, Jem and Scout. Bob Ewell tried attacking both Jem and Scout, but only hurt Jem. Boo came and killed Bob Ewell by stabbing him under the rib cage with a kitchen knife (Lee, 266). He quickly carried th ...

Ethics of Nursing Essay Sample

Ethics of Nursing Essay Sample Ethical Dilemma in Nursing Essay Nursing is a profession that is concentrated on the ability of a person to improve their skill in applying their roles and responsibilities to provide care for the patient. This means that the nurse is always available to ensure that proper care has been applied to the patient using the ideal standards of nursing principles. As a nurse, you are responsible for the prognosis of the patient to track their health condition while seeking treatment to the hospital. This is an important consideration because every patient has the right to receive a proper medical attention and treatment to any health care institution. As a patient, they also have the right to live a longer life, which is why they seek medical treatment and rehabilitation to prolong their longevity. Nursing is one of the most challenging professions in our society because practitioners need to follow the proper standards of care in either the hospital or community setting. This is because ethics play an important role in the professional practice of ever nurse in our community. Nurses often commit negligence, which is the most common offense applied in the hospital or in the community setting while providing treatment to patients. An example of this is a wrong medication, wrong patient, wrong route, and accidents during a treatment procedure due to lack of assessment. When nurse commits errors such as negligence, patients usually suffer another form of injury aside from their present condition of medical illness. As a result, the life of the patient is challenged because they have been compromised by the nurse that should have been the right person to provide treatment to relieve signs and symptoms of the disease or disability. In nursing ethics, veracity is often applied because all patients should be treated with fairness while addressing their health concerns. There are nurses who failed to abide by the rules by failing to practice diversity towards the patients. Nurses are sometimes denying access to health care to patients because of their sexual orientation and race. Professional malpractice is also committed by nurses when they practice certain procedures towards the patient in order to improve their skill while compromising the health of the patients. As a result, the patient suffers from complications, especially when an accident happens during a procedure such as inserting a nasogastric tube. Patients trust all nurses when they are going to seek medical treatment at the hospital or during a community mission to provide health care services to a certain number of populations. Patients usually file for criminal complaints against the nurse whenever they feel that they were neglected. This is especially for patients who sustained injuries when they sought medical treatment at the hospital. As a result, the license of nurses has been revoked because they were proven guilty after the hospital conducted a thorough investigation into the matter. Hospital institutions who were involved in an ethical malpractice when their health care workers were responsible for causing damage or injuries to the patients, the license to operate can be compromised. The worst-case scenario for nursing ethics is when the patient died from injuries because nurses were unable to provide the rightful care while they were on duty. Former nurses who have their licenses revoked have to find a way to continue their productivity by searching for new jobs that are not associated with their former nursing practice (Gastmans, 2013). Reference Gastmans, C. (2013). Dignity-enhancing nursing care: A foundational ethical framework.  Nursing Ethics.  SAGE Publications.  20  (2): 142–149.

The effects of the cold war on the middle east Research Paper

The effects of the cold war on the middle east - Research Paper Example Egypt found itself cornered as it was unable to get ammunition and economic support from the USSR; it could not support Egypt in the 1967 Six Day War and in the War of Attrition against Israel. Although Egypt underwent a political changeover from Soviet Union to the United States in 1972 under the leadership of Anwar El Sadat yet the 1973 Yom Kippur War brought about huge congregation of American forces putting at stake detente because of the propaganda of Soviet involvement in backing Egypt in the Yom Kippur War. Soviet influence in the Middle East could be seen not only in the pre-Sadat Egypt getting Soviet help but other countries such as South Yemen, Algeria, and Iraq as well as indirect support to the Palestinian cause by backing Yasser Arafat’s Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (Cold War, â€Å"Wikipedia,† par. 6). The Six Day War or June War held in 1967 was one such major event known by different names such as the 1967 Arab- Israeli War or the Third Arab-I sraeli War was waged between Israel and the neighboring countries Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. Israel won the war comfortably capturing Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan, and the Golan Heights from Syria. The area captured by Israel during the Six Day War followed up with the refugee problem, which has become a concurrent issue of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. This has created issues in global law affecting international relations in the long term (Six Day War, â€Å"Wikipedia,† par. 1). Earlier, after the 1956 Suez Crisis, Egypt had to give consent to the positioning of the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) in the Sinai for abiding with the 1949 Armistice Agreements. It entered into bilateral defense agreement with Syria. Jordan blamed Egypt for not supporting it militarily under the garb of UNEF. When the Soviet Union made false reports of gathering of Israeli forces on the Syrian, borders, Egypt ousted the U NEF forces from Gaza and Sinai; its force taking up UNEF positions at Sharm el-Sheikh opposite the Straits of Tiran. Along with others, Egypt also sent its forces to Jordan to support against Israeli aggression resulting from the closure of the Straits for Israeli shipping. The deteriorating political climate finally provoked Israel in waging war by the name of Operation Focus at the firs day of the Six Day War with a sudden air attack. On can not deny the role of the Soviet Union played by sending false announcements of Israeli troops positioning at the Syrian borders. In one way or the other the then super power, the USSR, played the provocative role of adding petrol in the enflamed political environment, furthering it to the Six Day War (Six Day War, â€Å"Wikipedia,† par. 2). Afghanistan became the battleground of Cold War when the Soviet troops landed on its soil in December 1979 in support of the Afghanistan’s Marxist government led by its ex-Prime-minister, Nur Muhammad Taraki. The US has been providing support to the Mujahidin insurgency against the Soviet supported Marxist government even before the arrival of Russian forces there. This fact was revealed in an interview by the French weekly newsmagazine Le Nouvel Observateur by the American President Jimmy Carter’s National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski. The Cold War between the then Super Powers was an extension of their desire to become world leader by waging a proxy