Yoruba drumming Essays - Zimbabwean Music, African Drums, Drums

Yoruba drumming -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There are many things that set Yoruba drumming and Shona mbira music apart from one another. Most plainly of which is the sound that each produces. Typically, Yoruba drumming consists of a section of drummers playing various sizes, shapes and styles of drums, and is usually accompanied by vocalists. The mbira is a pitch and tone producing instrument that is plucked, rather than a percussive instrument that is struck or beat. Therefore, Mbira music is almost never accompanied by anything other than another mbria. However, the dundun drum itself is widely known for its ability to produce a wide range of pitches, also known as the talking drum. The use of dundun drums in African culture plays an important role, due to its close relationship with the African language of the Yoruba people. Because the African language is tonal, the dundun drum imitates the speech patterns of the language when it is played, hence the nickname talking drum. In the Eegun oje, a Yoruba masquarade, the dance is usually accompanied by bata, an ensemble of conically-shaped, double-headed membrane drums, and one of Yorubas most ancient instrumental ensembles. A bata ensemble consists of four drums: the iyaalu (the mother drum), and three supporting drums (the omele abo, the omele ako, and the kudi). The omele ako and the kudi often play very repetitive patterns and rhythms, while the omele abo often engages in dialogue with the iyaalu. The iyaalu is played by a master drummer, whose text-based improvisations are accompanied by the ostinato patterns of the supporting drums (Omojola, 2005, par. 2). Yoruba drumming is most often performed during rituals, or masquerade dances, in which a number of dancers dance to rhythmic cues given to them by the master drummer, and those not dancing often partake in a call-and-response style of vocal singing. However, vocals are perceived to be more of an accompaniment to the more dominant drumming. The texts of the songs were often sung as self-praise to motivate the dancers into action. Although many masquerades are used to represent the ancestor spirits of the Yoruba people, the Eegun oje is not. It is used plainly for entertainment. The representation or worship of ancestor spirits in song is one of the few things that Shona mbira music shares as a similarity. The Shona people have strong beliefs in life after death, in the sense that when death occurs, the spirit of the loved one transitions to another plane of existence. It is important to the Shona people that when this occurs, they stay in close communication with the deceased, in order to guide the spirits away from danger. They believe that the music of the mbira provides the most important means of communication to these spirits. The mbira consists of three rows of different sized metal strips, attached to a wooden resonator that are plucked to create different pitches. Cowry shells or bottle caps are also attached to the box, causing them to vibrate when a metal strip is plucked. One of the most important types of mbiras is the mbira davadzimu. It is an instrument closely associated with spirit possession ceremonies, known as the bira. In a bira ceremony, the mbria is played to create an open line of communication between the living and the dead. Although both the Yoruba and the Shona have affiliations with the spirit world, the difference is that the Shona use music to actively communicate with the dead, whereas the Yoruba typically just use music to worship spirits and gods in rituals and masquerades. Mbiras are typically played by themselves, indoors, but can also be played outdoors with the addition of a deze, a calabash resonator used for amplification. It is also not uncommon for Mbria players to play along with other Mbira players, or with the help of shakers and light percussion sections. In comparison to the four different drums sections used in the Eegun oje, there are typically two parts in mbria music: a leader (kushaura) and a follower (kutsinhera). Typically these parts are played by two different players, but they can also be played by a single, virtuoso mbira player.

Race and Ethnicity in Sociology

Race and Ethnicity in Sociology The sociology of race and ethnicity is a large and vibrant subfield within sociology in which researchers and theorists focus on the ways that social, political, and economic relations interact with race and ethnicity in a given society, region, or community. Topics and methods in this subfield are wide-ranging, and the development of the field dates back to the early 20th century. Introduction to the Subfield The sociology of race and ethnicity began to take shape in the late 19th century. The American sociologist W.E.B. Du Bois, who was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. at Harvard, is credited with pioneering the subfield within the United States with his famous and still widely taught books The Souls of Black Folk  and Black Reconstruction. However, the subfield today differs greatly from its early stages. When early American sociologists focused on race and ethnicity, du Bois excepted, they tended to focus on the concepts of integration, acculturation, and assimilation, in keeping with the view of the U.S. as a melting pot into which difference should be absorbed. Concerns during the early 20th century were for teaching those who differed visually, culturally, or linguistically from the white  Anglo-Saxon norms how to think, speak, and act in accordance with them. This approach to studying race and ethnicity framed those who were not white Anglo-Saxon as problems that needed to be solved  and was directed primarily by sociologists who were white men from middle to upper-class families. As more people of color and women became social scientists throughout the twentieth century, they created and developed theoretical perspectives that differed from the normative approach in sociology, and crafted research from different standpoints that shifted the analytic focus from particular populations to social relations and the social system. Today, sociologists within the subfield of race and ethnicity focus on areas including racial and ethnic identities, social relations and interactions within and across racial and ethnic lines, racial and ethnic stratification and segregation, culture and worldview and how these relate to race, and power and inequality relative to majority and minority statuses in society. But, before we learn more about this subfield, its important to have a clear understanding of how sociologists define race and ethnicity. How Sociologists Define Race and Ethnicity Most readers have an understanding of what race is and means in U.S. society. Race refers to how we categorize people by skin color and phenotype- certain physical facial features that are shared to a certain degree by a given group. Common racial categories that most people would recognize in the U.S. include Black, white, Asian, Latino, and American Indian. But the tricky bit is that there is absolutely no biological determinant of race. Instead, sociologists recognize that our idea of race and racial categories are social constructs that are unstable and shifting, and that can be seen to have changed over time in relation to historical and political events. We also recognize race as defined in large part by context. Black means something different in the U.S. versus Brazil versus India, for example, and this difference in meaning manifests in real differences in social experience. Ethnicity is likely a bit more difficult to explain for most people. Unlike race, which is primarily seen and understood on the basis of skin color and phenotype, ethnicity does not necessarily provide visual cues. Instead, it is based on a shared common culture, including elements like language, religion, art, music, and literature,  and norms, customs, practices, and history.  An ethnic group does not exist simply because of the common national or cultural origins of the group, however. They develop because of their unique historical and social experiences, which become the basis for the group’s ethnic identity. For example, prior to immigration to the U.S., Italians did not think of themselves as a distinct group with common interests and experiences. However, the process of immigration and the experiences they faced as a group in their new homeland, including  discrimination, created a new ethnic identity. Within a racial group, there can be several ethnic groups. For example, a white American might identify as part of a variety of ethnic groups including German American, Polish American, and Irish American, among others. Other examples of ethnic groups within the U.S. include and are not limited to Creole, Caribbean Americans, Mexican Americans, and  Arab Americans. Key Concepts and Theories of Race and Ethnicity Early American sociologist W.E.B. du Bois offered one of the most important and lasting theoretical contributions to the sociology of race and ethnicity when he presented the concept of double-consciousness in  The Souls of Black Folk. This concept refers to the way in which people of color in predominantly white societies and spaces and ethnic minorities have the experience of seeing themselves through their own eyes, but also of seeing themselves as other through the eyes of the white majority. This results in a conflicting and often distressing experience of the process of identity formation.Racial formation theory, developed by sociologists Howard Winant and Michael Omi, frames race as an unstable, ever-evolving social construct that is tied to historical and political events. They assert that differing racial projects that seek to define race and racial categories are engaged in constant competition to give the dominant meaning to race. Their theory illuminates how race has be en and continues to be a politically contested social construct, upon which is granted access to rights, resources, and power. The theory of systemic racism, developed by sociologist Joe Feagin, is an important and widely used theory of race and racism that has gained particular traction since the rise of the BlackLivesMatter movement. Feagins theory, rooted in historical documentation, asserts that racism was built into the very foundation of U.S. society and that it now exists within every aspect of society. Connecting economic wealth and impoverishment, politics and disenfranchisement, racism within institutions like schools and media, to racist assumptions and ideas, Feagins theory is a roadmap for understanding the origins of racism in the U.S., how it operates today, and what anti-racist activists can do to combat it.Initially articulated by legal scholar Kimberlà © Williams Crenshaw, the concept of intersectionality would become a cornerstone of the theory of sociologist Patricia Hill Collins, and an important theoretical concept of all sociological approaches to race and ethnicity within the academy today. The concept refers to the necessity of considering the different social categories and forces that race interacts with as people experience the world, including but not limited to gender, economic class, sexuality, culture, ethnicity, and ability. Research Topics Sociologists of race and ethnicity study just about anything one could imagine, but some core topics within the subfield include the following. How race and ethnicity shape the process of identity formation for individuals and communities, like for example the complicated process of creating a racial identity as a mixed-race person.How racism manifests in everyday life and shapes ones life trajectory. For example, how racial biases affect student-teacher interaction from elementary school to university and graduate school, and how skin color affects perceived intelligence.The relationship between race and the police and the criminal justice system, including how race and racism affect policing tactics and arrest rates, sentencing, incarceration rates, and life after parole. In 2014, many sociologists came together to create The Ferguson Syllabus, which is a reading list and teaching tool for understanding the long history and contemporary aspects of these issues.The long history and contemporary problem of residential segregation, and how this affects  everything from family wealth, economic well-being, education, access t o healthy food, and health. Since the 1980s,  whiteness has been an important topic of study within the sociology of race and ethnicity. Up until that point, it was largely neglected academically  because it was simply seen as the norm against which difference was measured. Thanks largely to scholar Peggy McIntosh, who helped people understand the concept of white privilege, what it means to be white, who can be considered white, and how whiteness fits within the social structure is a vibrant topic of study. The sociology of race and ethnicity is a vibrant subfield that hosts a wealth and diversity of research and theory. The  American Sociological Association  even has a webpage devoted to it. Updated  by Nicki Lisa Cole, Ph.D.

Behaviour change and sustainability Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Behaviour change and sustainability - Assignment Example In other words, thoughtful and strategic tactics have to be applied to different individual for developing an effective behaviour change. 5. Innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggards are the main personality types within the Individual Innovativeness model. Innovators are willing to take risk and devote money and time to execute a new idea, whereas early adopters always tend to be esteemed group leaders. Early majority represents careful individuals unwilling to take initiative or risk time and other resources, while late majority constitutes people who are resistant to any kind of change. Finally, laggards are individuals having consistency in resisting change. Innovators constitute 2.5%, early adopters 13.5%, early majority 34%, late majority 34%, and laggards 16% of the general population. 6. Knowledge, persuasion, decision, implementation, and confirmation are the five steps in the process of diffusion. Under the knowledge phase, a person begins to learn about a new innovation while he develops attitudes through interactions during the persuasion stage. In the decision stage, the person tends to gather additional information and finally arrives at a decision. The individual attempts regular use and seeks more information during the implementation step. Under the confirmation phase, continuation of use is approved or refused on the basis of benefits or drawbacks collected. 7. Employees, line-mangers, and management teams are the major groups in an organisation. With limited resources and time, the apex level management team is most responsive or fertile for beginning the adoption of a change. Organisational studies indicate that top management teams’ support for change is approximately 100% since their outcome expectation is higher. Moreover, management teams would be more concerned with organisational

Internet research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Internet research - Essay Example He has also treated many victims of abuse at the hands of the clergy. He tells us that it appears that 2 to 5% of priest have had sexual experience with minors which mounts up to about 1,000to 3,000 perpetrators(www.psywww.com). Other studies show that it is about the same number of priests that abuse minors as there are in the general population of males (Saradjian & Nobus, 2003.). We also know that 80% to 90% of priests abuse adolescent boys not young children. Therefore it can be assumed that the adolescent is at greatest risk of abuse not young children This means these individuals are not pedophiles. They are ephebophiles. That is not valuable information to the general public but it does change how these individuals would be treated professionally(www.psywww.com) Research also shows that these priests generally start abusing in the first year after they are ordained. This leaves us with 2 facts, a lot of children have been abused in all the years these men have been in the cler gy and it is likely that these individuals could be identified while in the seminary. Richardson (2000) stated that there are definite risk factors that should be looked at when evaluating applicants for the priesthood. They should be asked if they have been sexually abused. They should be observed for poor social skills and low impulse control. Any abuse of drugs and alcohol is a risk factor and any diagnoses of a personality disorder is also of great concern. Taking all this information Richardson (2000) came to two conclusions. Since the offenders were interested in adolescent males, allowing priests to marry would not fix the problem. He found the there was a high percentage of priests that claimed to be homosexual in orientation, however, sexual orientation does not predict illegal sexual abuse of children. There is no research connecting the two. The Catholic Church has been

Examine the role played by the GATT and the World Trade Organisation Essay

Examine the role played by the GATT and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in regulating international trade. What were the difficult issues it faced in the Doh - Essay Example The agreements are arrived at through a series of negotiating 'rounds', which are named after the location where the talks take place. The current round of talks are known as the Doha Round after Doha Qatar and include negotiations on goods, services, and intellectual property. In 1947, several nations came together in the post World War II environment to remove protectionist tariffs and foster international trade co-operation. GATT has never been recognised as an official international organisation and refers only to the body of agreements among its member nations. GATT's primary mechanism for regulating and stimulating international trade has been tariff reduction and elimination. "In the late forties, the average duty on industrial products imposed by developing countries was around 40 per cent ad valorem. As a result of the Uruguay Round and the previous Rounds, the average duty is as low as 3.9 per cent" (United Nations Conference 2003, p.45). While GATT experienced much success through the reduction of tariffs, many nations remained reluctant to enter into agreements that addressed other aspects of trade. The initial agreements were successful not only by freezing and reducing tariffs; they also discouraged the formation of preferential trade agreements. GATT was based on the concept of the "Unconditional Most Favored Nation" (MFN) status. This policy mandated that all members treat each other member with the same status as their most favoured trading partner. This gives equal access to all members and stimulates open trade. Some preferential agreements, based on geographical proximity, have been allowed under GATT. The European Economic Community (EEC) was a regional trade bloc that grew out of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). Though it promoted preferential regional trade, it was allowed under a waiver of GATT's no-new-preferences rule (Kenwood 1999, p.285). Lower tariffs and equal access to markets is the foundation of GATT. Though the preamble of the GATT states that its purpose is the "reduction of tariffs and other barriers to trade and to the elimination of discriminatory treatment in international commerce", the agreements spread into many other areas (University of British Columbia 1998). One of the main thrusts of GATT has been the elimination of quantitative restrictions. Quotas and import restrictions had placed a serious impediment to world trade in the years 1913-1950. Quotas were even more damaging to trade than tariffs because they set a strict limitation on trade. GATT addressed this issue by condemning quantitative trade restrictions except for extreme situations such as short-term balance of payment purposes and for the protection of 'infant' industries (Kenwood 1999, p.242). The reduction of tariffs and the elimination of quantitative restrictions were primarily responsible for the UK's global trade growth in the last half of the 20th century. In the period 1913-1950 the UK had a negligi ble export growth rate. Under GATT the growth rate had increased to 5% for the period 1990-1996 (Kenwood 1999, p.24). GATT has also addressed other issues that promote free trade and the fair treatment of its members. The Uruguay round, 1986-1994, was designed to meet the challenges of technology and communications. The talks were directly responsible for $740 billion in tariff cuts and it has been estimated that global trade would increase by $270 billion a year and that the world would be over $500 billion

Unemployment During The Recession Economics Essay

Unemployment During The Recession Economics Essay The unemployment rate is one of the key variables that policy makers are interested in. There are different causes of unemployment and it is very difficult for governments to determine which causes are most important and how to deal with them. The two main types of causes of unemployment can be split as demand-sided and supply-sided. The unemployment has both economic and noneconomic costs (McConnell and Brue, 2005). The economic costs of unemployment are; (i) decrease in income and output which is measured in terms of the GNP gap and, (ii) burden of unemployment is not distributed equally among employees especially during recession periods (Petroff, 2002). On the other hand, loss of self-confidence, social and political conflicts can be counted as some of the noneconomic costs of unemployment (McConnell and Brue, 2005). Thus, it is important to analyse causes and outcomes of unemployment especially during recession period. Unemployment during Recession Since Industrial Revolution, the entire world economy has gained a momentum. This momentum has led to economic expansion an increase in quality of life. However, this momentum hasnt shown continuity. Countries have experienced many ups and downs in their economic activities since they industrialized. These up and down movements in economic activities or in production level are known as business or economic cycle (Parkin, 2012; Abel et al., 2008). There are two main periods of the business cycle (Parkin, 2012); expansion and recession. An expansion is a period which represents an increase in the economic activities and production level of an economy/country (Burda and Wyplosz, 2001). Contrary, recession is an extended time period when the economic activities and gross domestic product (GDP) of a nation are slowing or falling down (Abel et al, 2008; Harris, 2002). These activities are including level of employment, investments, household income, business profits and inflation rate. In a business or economic cycle, recession occurs between peak and trough points. It is also known as a business cycle contraction. This is represented in the Figure 1. -Causes of Recession: Negative Demand and Supply Shocks According to Abel et al. (2008), two main causes of economic recession are negative aggregate demand shock (ADS) and negative aggregate supply shock (ASS). A negative ADS is a sudden event that decreases the aggregate demand in an economy (Burda and Wyplosz, 2001). There are several reasons for this type of negative shock. It generally occurs because of tight fiscal and monetary policies (Abel et al., 2008). Government sets high taxes and reduces government expenditures to decrease the inflationary pressures. On the other hand, these policies can causes a fall in the aggregate demand and as a result economic recession takes place. The recession that United Kingdom (UK) experienced during 1980-81 was caused by tight fiscal and monetary policies (Pettinger, 2012). There were high tax rates, low government expenditure, and high interest rates for reducing spending, consumption and investment. The UK government was applied these tight policies for reducing the inflationary pressures whic h was formed in the late of 1980s. Inflation had fallen but the cost of these policies was the economic recession. Classical economists suggest that the negative ADS do not cause continued fluctuations in output level (Burda and Wyplosz, 2001). However, they view that a negative ASS is a major reason behind the critical changes in output and employment level (Burda and Wyplosz, 2001). A negative supply shock or a negative production shock is an unexpected event that decreases the aggregate supply in an economy/country (Abel et al., 2008). A negative ASS causes an inward shift in the long run aggregate supply (LRAS) curve of an economy (Abel et al., 2008). In figure 2, there is an inward shift in the LRAS curve because of a negative supply shock. It is reducing full-employment output from Q1 to Q2 and increase the price level from P1 to P2. This change in the price level represents that a negative supply shock causes prices to rise during the recession. Some of the real world examples of negative supply shocks are; changes in weather, such as an unexpected cold weather; changes in the structure of industries, such as merging of two or more dominant companies (Abel et al., 2008). Sometimes, the dominant suppliers join together for increasing their market power. By this way, they can restrict supply and set higher prices for making more profit. The real world reflection of this happened in 1970s by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) where members were imposed an oil embargo and then increased oil prices. When the oil prices rise, firms began to produce less since the cost of production was increase independently fro m aggregate demand. During oil price shock, labour demand, employment and real wage rate had fallen (Carlstrom and Fuerst, 2006). A negative supply shock reduces the quantity of labour demanded at any given real wage rate and causes an inward shift in the labour demand curve (Abel et al., 2008). In figure 3, the negative supply shock causes a fall in the labour market equilibrium from point A to B. At the new equilibrium both real wage and employment level falls. This graph also reflects the effects of oil price shock on the labour market. -Supply Side Factors During recession both businesses and individuals tend to retrench their economic belts and this causes negative effects on the level of production and consequently demands for labour decrease. Thus, during recession unemployment turns out to be one of the major problems on both government and society. Some of the unemployment during recession base on supply-side factors like personal transferable skills, job-seeker research channel, occupational mobility (job skills), and geographical mobility (Adams et al., 2000). For example; in UK, economic structure is turning to service based from manufacturing based economy (Parkin, 2012). The main reason of this structural change is globalisation and international trade agreements. According to Parkin (2012), UK has completely lost its cost advantages in manufacturing goods since the cost of production is much cheaper in Eastern Europe countries. Structural changes lead primary and secondary sector workers lose their jobs and many of them cann ot find new jobs since they dont have necessary skills for working in service sectors such as financial service institutions and information technology. However, even when economy is operating at full capacity, there is some unemployment that causes by the supply side factors. This is generally known as the natural rate of unemployment or equilibrium unemployment (Blink and Dorton, 2007). The natural rate of unemployment exists when the labour market is in equilibrium (Abel et al., 2008). In figure 4, the total labour force (TLF) in an economy and aggregate supply of labour (ASL), which stands for the number of people who are willing to work at every given wage rate, are presented. The difference between points a and b is natural rate of unemployment. The natural rate of unemployment is the combination of frictional and structural unemployment (Abel et al., 2008). Frictional unemployment occurs when employees leave their jobs for finding more suitable job opportunities in order to satisfy their career and income expectations (Parkin, 2012). While employees are searching for new jobs, there is always some frictional unemployment in th e economy. The poor job information may lead this searching process to take longer than what the employees expected and consequently employees may lose their motivations for finding new jobs. Unemployment benefits are also a factor that affect the incentive to not to work. Also, structural unemployment occurs when the structure or production methods of an industry are changed in order to keep pace with changes in consumers tastes and new production techniques (Sloman, 2004). Structural unemployment is generally known as the long-term unemployment since workers must retrain or they may have to relocate for staying at their current jobs or finding new jobs (Parkin, 2012). On the other hand, the financial and mental costs of retraining and relocation lead structural unemployment that contains geographical and occupational immobility. Housing prices are one of the most important financial problems that cause geographical immobility. For example; in London, the active capital city life creates more job opportunities than in the North of England, but housing prices and rents are much more expensive than in the North of England. So, some workers may prefer to take unemployment benefits and staying at their neighbourhoods rather than paying high rents or buyin g expensive houses in London. This causes geographical immobility. An increase in unemployment rate also increases the burden of the government. High unemployment means an increase in the total amount of unemployment benefits that governments have to pay. As a result of an increase in unemployment rate, governments revenues fall. So, it causes budget deficits. In order to decrease the rate of unemployment, government may use both supply-side and demand-side policies. The main aim of the supply-side polices is to make labour force more responsive and flexible against the changes in job opportunities (Sloman, 2004). However, if there is lack of aggregate demand, supply-side policies can be ineffective. Thus, for achieving more effective results government can support supply-side policies by using demand-side policies as well as fiscal and monetary policies. Conclusion In recent years, recession become one of the major problems that the entire world economies encountered. It is inevitable for governments to take certain measures to determine the causes of economic downturn. It can be caused by demand side or supply side shocks. During the recession, unemployment becomes one of the serious problems because of low levels of consumption, demand and investment (Pettinger, 2011). However, unemployment exists even when economy is operating at full capacity. Unemployment never becomes zero because of supply-side factors, like; personal transferable skills, job-seeker research channel, occupational mobility (job skills), and geographical mobility (Adams et al., 2000). Structural and frictional unemployment are unemployment types that cause by supply side factors. There are massive research efforts to find out causes of unemployment and how to deal with it. The long lasting effects of unemployment make it an important problem for all economies and governmen ts that encourage governments to try to find solutions for it since it has economic, social and political consequences.

Strange Fits of Passion Essay -- Literary Analysis, Shakespeare

The lunatic, the lover, and the poet, are of imagination all compact. ~William Shakespeare, Mid-Summer Night's Dream, 1595, this quote by Shakespeare is a definitive illustration of Wordsworth’s persona in his poem Strange Fits of Passion I have known. In the poem the speaker embarks on a moonlight horse ride to his lover lucy’s cottage; it is during his ride there that the speaker engages in â€Å"lunatic† thoughts imagining lucy being dead when he arrives to see her. The poem is uniquely characterized by the adverse effects of love on a person, as well as how nature has an effect on human emotion; the latter being a staple theme in many of Wordsworth’s literary pieces. In the first stanza the speaker begins to vocalize the thought he had experienced while travelling to his lover’s cottage. Strange fits of passion have I known: And I will dare to tell, But in the Lover’s ear alone, What once to me befell. The speaker describes his sudden outburst of emotion as â€Å"strange† as he is keenly aware that his thoughts of lucy being dead are peculiar. It is common that when in love a person may pay heed to their imagination moreso than reality ; The line â€Å"But in the Lover’s ear aloneâ€Å"(Line three) is the speaker saying that he will share his â€Å"strange† thoughts but only to those who, like him, are in the throes of passion for they would understand the affects love can have on a person Wordsworth is known for his references to nature in many of his poems , the second stanza in this poem doesn’t stray from that commonality. When she I loved looked every day Fresh as a rose in June, I to her cottage bent my way, ... ...n his chest. The final stanza at last reveals the speaker’s thoughts that have been accumulating throughout the poem. What fond and wayward thoughts will slide Into a Lover’s head! â€Å"O mercy!† to myself I cried, â€Å"If Lucy should be dead!† Appalled at this final revelation it is apparent that the speaker has experienced similar thoughts and that sometimes despite great efforts your imagination can steer your thoughts to the contrary of rational thinking â€Å"What fond and wayward thoughts will slide ( Line 25) Into a Lover’s head! â€Å"(Line 26). Strange fits of passion is another poem by Wordsworth that uses nature as a medium when conveying human emotion but provides a unique portrayal of the absurdities of emotional experience that can evolve from passionate love.

Essay Composition

Writing an essay requires an orderly and careful process, however, the pre-writing process is as important as the writing process. This paper will outline the process that has been used in writing the essay on raising the minimum legal driving age. In the pre-writing process, I had a list of topics that I had interest in and narrowed down my choices of topics. (The chosen flow of topics has been highlighted).Once the topic on minimum driving age was taken, a preliminary topic sentence was created. The topic sentence is: The regulation of the minimum driving age should be changed. Following this topic, the following questions have been formulated:?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   What are the issues on the current minimum driving age  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   What are the relationships between the minimum driving age and motor-vehicular accidents  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Would changing the minimum driving age increase road safety?I took statistics, books and periodicals to increase knowledge on the topic an d be able to answer the questions that have been presented above. I took into consideration certain criteria that would help me choose the best sources possible. The criteria that were used were the following:?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Reliability of the author- Knowledge on the topic (educational background, etc.)?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Recency of the source (date of publication)For example:  Ã¢â‚¬Å"†¦Those common factors emerged when USA TODAY examined all the deadly crashes involving 16-to-19-year-old drivers in 2003. About 3,500 teenagers died in teen-driven vehicles in the USA that year — a death toll that tops that of any disease or injury for teens. The South proved to be the deadliest region.[1]† After reading and rereading my sources, the specific topic that came was about raising the minimum driving age. This topic was chosen since this is an outstanding issue in the state of Massachusetts. Using the sources that I have gathered, I took down the pros and cons of raising the minimum driving age. I wrote the arguments and counter arguments in tabular form so as to look at which arguments were strong.Pros –  Lessen driving accidents,  Teenager's brain can fully developCons   Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ‚  Might increase illegal drivers My decision on a stand was based on these arguments as well as the reliability of the given sources. The final thesis statement now stands: The minimum legal driving age should be raised. After which an outline was created in order to serve as a guide for writing the paper. From the sources taken in the previous part of the research process as well as personal experiences, my position was determined: The legal age for driving should be raised from its current age to a higher age level. The reason for choosing such was based on facts and statistics. The facts were based on medical research, as well as experiences in the field of psychology.BibliographyCrossman, D;R. Sixteen is too young to drive : taking control when your teen's behind-  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   the-wheel. Scotia, NY : Footnote Pub. 2002.Landsberger, J. Writing Position Papers. The Study Guides and Strategies (02 June, 2006). 20 February 2007. O' Donnell,J. â€Å"Deadly teen auto crashes show a patt ern.† USA TODAY, (1 March 2005).McAleese, D. â€Å"Rethink of legal driving age urged by church moderator. â€Å"Financial Times Ltd.† (09 October, 2006). 20 Feb., 2006. ;http://solutions.cengage.com/gale/apps/,M. Teenage Roadhogs. New York : Alpha Reference. 1997.Schnell, D. Characteristics of Adolescence. Minneapolis: Minn.,Burgess Pub.Co.1946.

Resting Easy! 5 Top Tips for Beating Student Insomnia

Resting Easy! 5 Top Tips for Beating Student Insomnia Resting Easy! 5 Top Tips for Beating Student Insomnia If you’re a student, there’s a good chance you’re tired while you’re reading this. After all, there’s a lot you have to pack into your life: studies, a social life, a part-time job, extracurricular activities Finding time to sleep amidst all this can be hard! Add to that the high rates of insomnia caused by stress and bad sleeping habits, and we have a lot of exhausted students out there! Scenes like this can be seen in college libraries across the world. [Photo: Shanghai killer whale/wikimedia] But a lack of sleep can affect your grades, as well as your long term health. So it might be time to put sleeplessness to bed (PUN ALERT! PUN ALERT!) using our top five tips for beating insomnia! 1. Have a â€Å"Bedtime† You probably remember â€Å"bedtime† as something you resented as a child. But now that you’re old enough not to have to be told when you should rest, setting a regular time at which you go to bed can ensure healthier sleeping habits. 2. Beware Screens We’re all glued to our smartphones, tablets and laptops these days, but did you know that the blue light these screens emit can trick your brain into thinking it is daytime when it isn’t? Not likely to sleep any time soon. [Johan Viirok/flickr] If you need to use your computer or smartphone in the evening, you should use a filter that removes the blue light produced by many electronic devices so it doesn’t affect your sleeping patterns. 3. Diet and Exercise As much as you might hate to hear it, a diet of beer, coffee and junk food (all celebrated parts of the student lifestyle) is unlikely to help you sleep. Particularly important is cutting back on caffeine, alcohol and fizzy pop before bed. Likewise, some vigorous exercise around six hours before you sleep will burn up excess energy and help ensure a peaceful night. 4. De-Stress Yo’ Self! Stress is a cause of insomnia and lack of sleep can cause stress, so it’s easy to get stuck in a vicious circle of not sleeping and worrying about feeling exhausted. As such, it’s vital to know the signs of stress and to relax whenever possible. If you don’t feel like you have time to chill, it might be a good idea to cut down on non-essential activities so that you have chance to rest. 5. Manage Your Sleep Environment Make sure your bedroom is a suitable sleeping habitat. Ideally, your room will be cool, dark and quiet throughout the night. And a good mattress is an investment you won’t regret. If you still need convincing, try spending several months sleeping on an inflatable mattress in a tiny box room in a busy, noisy part of town and see how tired you feel at the end of it. In our experience, this is enough to make anyone appreciate the value of a proper bed. These guys have it right. Be more like these guys.

Discuss the role of international trade in economic Essays

Discuss the role of international trade in economic Essays Discuss the role of international trade in economic Essay Discuss the role of international trade in economic Essay Discuss the function of international trade in economic development, with peculiar accent on inauspicious motions in the footings of trade states, which depend chiefly on the export of primary merchandises. [ 3000 words ] Introduction The foundation of economic sciences is based on the construct of apportioning the scarce resources expeditiously so that economic goods and services can be provided to the people who have unlimited demands and wants. Resources are by and large classified into three chief classs, human resources, physical resources and natural resources. Human resources with the usage of their cognition and skill tend to change over the natural resources into physical resources, which farther helps them to use the scarce resources expeditiously. It is a known fact that the construct of growing and trade are inter-related. The thought stems from the basic construct of‘optimum/maximum use of scarce resources’. Trade facilitates the transportation of resources, which ensures that they are utilized and optimal public-service corporation has been derived from them. International trade adds to it a planetary dimension, which promotes the thought that resource handiness is dispersed and it must be expeditiously utilised on a planetary graduated table instead than at a domestic degree merely. It is a common belief that international trade has led to considerable economic growing and development non merely for industrialized economic systems but besides for developing states likewise. The undermentioned paper will analyze and critically evaluate international trade’s part to economic development. The paper will besides analyze the motions in the footings of trade. Footings of trade can be defined as the monetary value they receive for their exports relative to the monetary value states have to pay for the monetary value of their imports. Sloman ( 2006:641 ) defines footings of trade as, â€Å"the monetary value of index of exports divided by the monetary value index of imports and so expressed as a per centum. This means that the footings of trade will be 100 in the base year† Economic growing is a widely debated topic. Several theories related to economic growing and development has been around to explicate the causes of economic growing and development. With the transition of clip extra variables like engineering, alterations etc. have besides been included to supply an account. For the intent of this paper the definition provided by Todaro and Smith ( 2003 ) will be considered. Todaro and Smith ( 2003 ) specify economic growing as the steady procedure by which the productive capacity of the economic system is increased over clip to convey about lifting degrees of national end product and income. [ 1 ] Simon Kuznet, defined a country’s economic growing as, â€Å"A long term rise in capacity to provide progressively diverse economic goods to its population, this turning capacity based on progressing engineering and the institutional and ideological accommodations that it demands.† [ 2 ] Economic growing and economic development are frequently used interchangeably. The classical economic experts in foregrounding the cardinal difference between economic growing and economic development stated, â€Å"Economic growing refers to the increasing ability of a state to bring forth more goods and services. Economic development †¦ implies that persons of that state will be better off and takes into history alterations in economic and societal constructions that will cut down or extinguish poorness.† [ 3 ] Governments, around the Earth are continuously concentrating on economic development. A separate subdivision of economic sciences, ‘development economics’ has emerged which analyses the factors taking to economic development. Empirical surveies have presented theories, which explain the rhythm of economic development. Todaro and Smith ( 2003 ) province that in rigorous economic sciences footings economic development refers to the capacity of a national economic system, whose initial status has been more or less inactive for a long clip, to bring forth and prolong an one-year addition in its Gross National Product ( GNP ) at rates of 5 % -7 % or more. In add-on to the above, it is besides a planned change of the construction of production and employment in a mode where there is a displacement from agricultural dependance to industrialization, every bit good as, it should bespeak an betterment in certain societal indexs like, additions in literacy, schooling, wellness cond itions and services, were besides seen as chief step of development. The definition of economic development has besides evolved over the old ages. However, empirical grounds indicated that while economic growing degrees were achieved by the development states, but it failed to better the criterion of life of the people. As a consequence economic development was redefined to integrate decrease or riddance of poorness, inequality and unemployment within the turning context of a turning economic system. [ 4 ] Therefore from this position, economic development non merely ensures that there is growing in pecuniary footings but besides in footings of the over all good being of the people. It is critical to understand that merely when the human ‘resource’ develops will the other resources like the natural resources and physical resources be expeditiously utilized excessively. For case the development that adult male has made since the ice age can merely be attributed to the accomplishments, endowments and abilities of human existences, which has evolved and developed. This has farther led to the development in engineering, which has ensured that the same resources are bring forthing more benefit. This procedure needs to go on for development. To explicate the construct graphically, the Production possibility frontier, which represents the efficient allotment of resources, would switch to the right. Harmonizing to the paper produced by Puga and Venables ( 1998 ) the logic of spacial agglomeration implies that development can non continue at the same time in all states. Alternatively there is a group of rich states and a group of hapless 1s, and development takes the signifier of states being drawn in bend out of the hapless groups, and taken through a procedure of foray development into the rich group. [ 5 ] Puga and Venables ( 1998 ) strongly believe that economic development may non be a gradual procedure of convergence by all states. They argue that both import permutation and one-sided trade liberalization may be successful in pulling industry, nevertheless, they attract different sectors and they believe that public assistance degrees are higher under trade liberalization. A paper published by DTI [ 6 ] highlighted that international trade has led to the universe going more economically mutualist. It has farther stated that an addition in the volume of universe trade has been supported by a steady diminution in trade barriers, assisting to prolong planetary growing. This has been possible because a diminution in trade barriers has led to a alteration in the construction of international trade. New information and communicating engineerings have had a profound consequence, for case some services, which could merely be provided domestically, can now be traded internationally. Economic theories and country’s experience warrant the fact that economic systems, which trade more, be given to turn faster. Trade occurs because it is a profitable thing to make. It is believed that openness to merchandise in footings of taking barriers, for both, imports and exports strengthens the drivers of productiveness, by enabling a more efficient allotment of resources, by supplying greater chances to work economic systems of graduated table ; by exposing the domestic economic system to greater competitory force per unit areas ; by honoring invention and supplying entree to new engineerings and by increasing inducements for investing. Thus the above strengthens the statement that trade is good for any state as it helps in maximizing the use of scare resources globally instead than for a specific state or country. In add-on to the above, trade additions picks for the consumers and reduces costs for the providers. Hence it is a win-win state of affairs for everyone. TERMS OF Trade International free trade which had been considered as the engine of growing, led to the economic development of today’s economically advanced economic systems. Quickly spread outing export markets provided an extra stimulation to turning local demands that led to the constitution of big graduated table fabrication industries. Less developed states ( LDCs ) could borrow money from the developed states at a really low involvement rate thereby increasing production finally taking to a more diversified industrial construction. However, today the state of affairs is really different for the LDCs with the exclusion of some of the East Asiatic states. The developed states have continued to turn at a faster gait. Technological promotion has meant that developed economic systems are able to do cheaper and develop better merchandises, and frequently they are the man-made replacements for traditional LDC primary trade good exports. Acerate leaf to state it has upset the footings of trade for the LDC. Sloman ( 2006 ) states that a country’s footings of trade are determined by the demand and supply of imports and exports and their several snaps. This will further find the monetary value at which goods are traded and impact the rate of exchange. Thus a country’s additions from the trade will be greater the less elastic its ain domestic demand and supply of tradable goods, and the more elastic the demand and supply of other states. Therefore it can be said that trade allows states to accomplish a higher degree of public-service corporation by devouring on a higher societal indifference curve. The maximal addition from trade is achieved by devouring at the point where the universe monetary value is digressive to both the production possibility curve and a societal indifference curve. Besides, additions from trade besides arise from diminishing costs in the signifier of economic systems of graduated table, increased competition from trade and the transmittal of growing fr om one state to another and therefore there may besides be non-economic advantage from trade. DTI argues that it is of import to open UK markets and put an terminal to unjust subsidy patterns, which distort universe markets peculiarly in agribusiness and labour intensive goods where protection is highest and developing states are most competitory. It farther provinces, â€Å"it is the responsibility of the developed economic systems toface our historical duties and assist those developing states whose export gross has become progressively dependent on our Byzantine preferential governments and who could confront important accommodation costs during the passage to a just universe trading system†[ 7 ] Harmonizing to Greenway ( 1998 ) the replacing of a quota by a duty can be considered liberalisation of trade policy, which can assist work out the job. McKay, Morrissey and Vaillant ( 1997 ) , believe that there are two types of trade liberalisation, which have the intent of bettering the anti-export prejudice. The first is import liberalisation, which makes it easier to import goods by cut downing duties and/or other limitations. The 2nd are efforts to promote exports by increasing inducements, which will switch resources into the export sector. However, they believe that trade liberalisation is of greater benefit to the fabrication sector than the agricultural sector. And since export publicities are seldom directed towards the agricultural sector, the greatest inducements for bettering the production of the agricultural sector will be the consequence of an accommodation of the exchange rate. Greenway ( 1998 ) explains that in the short to medium term, effectual trade reforms will hold an impact on the composing of end product, as resources switch from inefficient import replacement production to export orientated activities. In bend this would impact the degree and composing of factor use and on the construction of trade. Whilst the short to medium tally responses are on factor allotment, , the medium to long term the impacts should be felt on accretion procedures: capital formation, the growing of existent end product and the growing of trade. The inquiry of altering comparative monetary value degrees for different trade goods highlights another of import quantitative dimension of the trade jobs historically faced by developing states. Economists have referred to the relationship or ratio between the monetary value of a typical unit of exports and the monetary value of a typical unit of imports astrade good footings of tradeand it is normally expressed as Phosphorusten/ Pm, where they represent the export and import monetary value index. It must be noted that the trade good footings of trade tend to deteriorate for a state if Px/ Pmfalls, that is export monetary values decline comparative to import monetary values, even though both may lift. Historically the monetary values of primary trade goods have declined comparative to manufactured goods. As a consequence, the footings of trade have on the norm tended to decline over clip for the non-oil exporting developing states while demoing a comparative betterment for the devel oped states. Empirical surveies suggest that existent primary-product monetary values have declined at an mean one-year rate of 0.6 % since 1900 [ 8 ] . It is of import to foreground here that the entire value of export net incomes depends non merely on the volume of these exports sold abroad but besides on the monetary value paid for them. If export monetary values decline, a greater volume of exports will hold to be sold simply to maintain entire net incomes invariable. Prebisch and Singer ( 1950 ) challenged the impression that a developing country’s swap footings of trade would increase due to comparatively celerity of technological advancement in the industry, which would force down the comparative monetary values of the makers, exported by the high-income economic systems. They believed that it would be the developing country’s footings of trade that would worsen due to a figure of grounds, viz. Many of their exported merchandises would function as inputs into the production of imported makers. Thus a autumn in the monetary value of a trade good would hold different deductions for the manufacturer and the buyer. As per Engel’s jurisprudence, the income-elasticity of demand for the merchandises produced by low-income economic systems would lift less than that for merchandises incarnating higher engineering. The monetary value for primary merchandises would be less monetary value medium, therefore an addition in the demand for end product of low-income state exports would merely come from a big disproportionate autumn in monetary values. They end product for low income states would be capable to a greater squeezing on monetary values and borders as primary merchandises were capable to low barriers to entry. It must be noted that this focal point on the commodities-manufactures footings of trade has been the topic of extended argument. It is now widely accepted that for most portion of the 20th century, the swap footings of trade did so run against trade goods, and they were more in favor of manufacturer’s. Several theoreticians have presented statement in favor of curtailing trade. They justify their base by stating that in certain developing states, industries might be at an babyhood phase – so while they have comparative advantage but they do non hold the substructure to defy foreign competition, which means they require protection. Second, the demand for primary merchandises in the universe is reasonably income inelastic and therefore grows really easy ; in this scenario free trade does non function as an engine for growing, alternatively it encourages’ country’s economic systems to go locked into a form of primary production. Thus it may forestall the industries’ to spread out in sectors like fabrication that have higher income snap. Traditional trade theory suggests that country’s should merchandise in those trade goods in which they have a comparative advantage. This theory has been challenged of several evidences. It has been argued that comparative costs tend to alter over clip ; with the acquisition of new accomplishments and an addition in the capital stock. This may ensue in the underdeveloped state deriving a comparative advantage in the fabrication sector instead than the primary merchandises sector. Furthermore, the benefits from trade for a primary merchandise may non be accrued to the subjects ; alternatively the foreign company or the foreign stockholders would derive more. It may ensue in adversely act uponing gustatory sensations. Peoples might non be able to afford improved merchandises available in the foreign markets, which they do non hold, entree to ; this will non advance economic development. Furthermore, there are long-run balance of payments jobs. Long term tendencies in international trade has caused jobs in three ways ( Sloman, 2006: 727 ) : Exports have grown easy Imports have grown quickly The footings of trade have moved against them. The slow growing in demand for primary exports has led to chronic current history balance of payments jobs for primary exporters. In the short tally balance of payments jobs is caused by immense fluctuations in the monetary values of primary merchandises. Fluctuations in monetary values consequences in greater uncertainness for primary exporters. The Doha Development Agenda has taken on this issue farther to turn to the issues refering developing states. I Decision In drumhead it can be said that international trade has led to economic growing and development nevertheless, it has non been at the same gait for developing and developed states likewise. Advancement in engineering has enabled developed states to profit from it, nevertheless, LDCs have non gained much advantage, and alternatively it has adversely affected their footings of trade. It must be noted for economic development to be meaningful ; the gait of development must be standard for all. Developed states are now gaining the importance and are taking the duty to guarantee that footings of trade are non inauspicious for LDCs. The involvement of developing states must be protected so that they are non restricted to exporting primary merchandises at the cost of fring out on deriving a comparative advantage in the fabrication sector. The duty of economic development on a planetary graduated table lies every bit much in the custodies of the developed economic systems every bit much as it is the duty of domestic economic systems whether ‘developed’ or ‘developing’ . The trade understandings are a good move towards guaranting that the involvements of developing states are protected and they besides follow a consecutive procedure of growing and development as did the now ‘developed’ economic systems. Therefore, every bit much as free trade is of import, the footings of trade have to be in favor of all concerned as merely so will at that place be maximal use of resources and consistent economic development. Therefore in decision it can be said that international trade has doubtless played a important function in economic development, nevertheless there have been inauspicious motions in the footings of trade of states, which have depended chiefly on primary merchandises. Bibliography Gillis, M. ,Economicss of Development,( 2001 ) , W.W.Norton A ; Company Ltd. Gwartney, James D. , Stroup, Richard L. , and Sobel, Russell S. ,Economicss Private and Public Choice,( 2000 ) , Ninth Edition, The Dryden Press. Meier, G.M. and Rauch, J.E. ,Leading Issues In Economic Development,( 2000 ) , Seventh Edition Oxford University Press Perkins, Radelet, Snodgrass, Gillis and Roemer,Economicss of Development,( 2001 ) , Fifth Edition, Oxford University Press. Sloman, J. ,Economicss,( 2006 ) , Sixth edition, FT Prentice Hall. Todaro, M.C. and Smith S.C. ,Economic Development,( 2003 ) , Eighth Edition, Pearson Addision -Wiley Yotopoulos, P. , and Nugent J. ,Economicss Development,( 2004 ) , Cambridge University Press Documents, Diaries and Articles DTI, and HM Treasury,Trade and the Global Economy: The function of International Trade in productiveness, economic reform and growing,May 2004 Harris, C.J. , and Kulkarni, K.G. ,The Role of International Trade and Policy in Economic Growth: A instance of Tanzania,Global Business Review 5:2 ( 2004 ) , Sage Publications Kaplinsky, R. ,Revisiting the Revisited Footings of Trade:Will China Make a Difference? ,Institute of Development Studies Jacobsen, M, Werth, A. , and Vorley, B. ,International Agricultural Reform and Power balance in Agrifood ironss,September 2003, Policy Views on Trade and Natural Resource Management, International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development, 1

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Autism Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Autism - Research Paper Example The trend has also caused increased autistic cases since the last century. The book also dwells on understanding the causing factors and symptoms of the disease. However, the author does not provide a particular causing factor. This is based on that numerous factors have been cited to be responsible for the disease. For instance, genetic inheritance, exposure to birth complications, childhood vaccinations and exposure to metals can be cited as causing factors. The book also cited numerous symptoms that are associated with autism. The main focus is, however, done on the repetitive nature of autistic people. In addition, other symptoms are associated with neurological disorders. As a child develops, numerous health challenges are experienced before they reach full development. The development of a child should require their participation in social activities. In addition, the ability of a child to use their physical abilities should also be monitored. Malfunctions of these activities may depict a weaknesses or suffering from an illness. Volkmar (2007) is of the assumption that the health of a child is determined by their ability of fit their environment without many complications. Medical complications may be evidence of an existing illness of health complication. For instance, autism affects children below three years. Autism distorts the ability of the child to socialize effectively as well as take part in physical activities. Volkmar (2007) defines autism as a neurodevelopment disorder depicted by poor social interaction behavior, nonverbal and verbal communication. This medical illness makes it impossible for a child to fit in their environment. Volkmar (2007) points out that, autism has been existence for years but no certain cure has been created to curb the illness or ensure recovery of children affected. Autism is depicted by numerous characteristics and causing factors. The causing