Graffiti Culture Is it a Form of Artistic Expression or Criminal Activity

Graffiti Culture Is it a Form of Artistic Expression or Criminal Activity Introduction Various studies have over the years attempted to delineate the reasons and motivating factors behind the exposition of a wide range of popular cultures, and a good number of them have directed their efforts towards studying the graffiti culture.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Graffiti Culture: Is it a Form of Artistic Expression or Criminal Activity? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Though consensus is yet to be achieved on the major driving factors of this form of subculture, a number of seminal studies demonstrate that graffiti has been used by sociologists, anthropologists and other researchers to understand a wide range of issues, including adolescent personality, group behavior, sexual orientation and attitudes, gang territoriality, female suppression, social processes, racial undertones, and communication cues (Alonso 2). In the recent past, however, many states across the United States h ave criminalized this type of written expression, with some legislating punitive measures intended to curb the perceived decline of urban civility and destruction of private and public property. This ethnographic study will attempt to evaluate if graffiti culture is a form of artistic and cultural expression or if it is perpetrated with criminal or gangland intent. An analysis of graffiti culture is important as the findings of this study will expand the existing pool of knowledge especially in understanding the real motivating factors behind graffiti writers. Additionally, the findings of this study will serve as a barometer in understanding the behavior, attitudes, value propositions, and social-cultural processes of this segment of society. More importantly, the findings will inform policy initiatives and directions aimed at legislating for or against the use of graffiti as a form of expression. Background In contextual terms â€Å"†¦the word graffiti means little scratchin gs (sic) and it comes from the Italian graffiare, which means to scratch† (Alonso 2). Graffiti writers have been largely studied by researchers with the intention of demonstrating how this segment of society expresses attachment to particular beliefs, attitudes, social processes, and value propositions through conformance with or rebellion against existing mores and rule of law (Sliwa Cairns 73). Some studies form the opinion that graffiti provide a unique insight into society, in large part due to the fact that the scribbled messages are made without fear of social restrictions that might otherwise inhibit free expression of political, social, cultural or controversial thoughts (Alonso 2).Advertising Looking for research paper on art? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Scholars postulates that â€Å"†¦the graffiti culture, like any other culture, present itself in different forms, dependent on the social a nd cultural component of the local community, the distribution of cultural knowledge, the age of the culture and particularly, the presence or lack of an established hierarchy possessing experienced writers† (Serkan Gulsen 1). In equal measure, graffiti serves diverse types of functions. The Los Angeles gang graffiti, for instance, serves as a significant medium to understanding this segment of society as the graffiti not only delineates space, but also put a focus on the existing territory (Alonso 2). Other forms of graffiti, according to this particular author, serves as a tool of communication as they are perceived to constantly challenge the hegemonic discourses of the dominant group in addition to assisting in comprehending the social and cultural meaning of these ‘disadvantaged’ groups. A study undertaken to evaluate the commitment of graffiti writers argues that graffers are freely able to express themselves through their artwork as â€Å"†¦it is con ceivable to live exhibiting neither explicit compliance with, nor opposition to, norms of behavior accepted by society, or any grouping within it† (Sliwa Cairns 75). These researchers are of the opinion that many empirical analysis done by normative social scientists fail to recognize the commitment of graffers and instead depict them in simplistic terms as individuals who lack commitment to generally accepted mores of society. Contrary to this popularly held view, most graffers are motivated by the urge to share their own perceptions of the world rather than rely on meta-narratives that only seek to present a singular, unchallenged and exclusive version of reality (Sliwa Cairns 75). In other quarters, graffiti is perceived as one of the few successful attempts made by the voiceless masses to enforce their presence on urban culture (Kriegel 432). According to the author, â€Å"†¦graffiti proves that behind the rage of urban poverty there remains an endurance of aspirat ion† (Kriegel 435). Consequently, it can be argued that the importance of graffiti lies in the voice it provides to the expression of suppressed anger and contempt of the existing social or political order. However, one author is quick to point that graffiti not only implies the destruction of city life, but it also â€Å"†¦denies the possibility of an urban community by insisting that individual style is a more natural right than the communitarian demands of city life† (Kriegel 433). More importantly, this particular author notes any form of graffiti – political or otherwise – intrudes on the privacy of the wider public by voicing a specific protest that may not be in tandem with the views and expectations held by the general public.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Graffiti Culture: Is it a Form of Artistic Expression or Criminal Activity? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Gr affiti is seen and defined in some quarters as a criminal activity which is lumped with other undesirable behaviors such as drug dependence and mindless violence and together labeled as ‘bad symptoms’ of civilization (Sliwa Cairns 75). The authors further argue that the very fact that graffiti is carried out anonymously and away from public scrutiny underlines its criminal nature. What’s more, spray-painting public property with undue disregard of the views, attitudes and values of the wider public, or without express permission from the authorities, is by itself criminal (Sliwa Cairns 74). These observations led one analyst to conclude that if graffiti truly constitutes an art form, then it is ultimately an art that is inspired by an urge to destroy the root concept of what apparently created it (Kriegel, 436). It is therefore imperative to know if graffiti is truly a form of artistic expression or purely a criminal activity. As already mentioned, such knowled ge can be used to inform policy initiatives and directions aimed at legislating rules for or against the use of graffiti as a form of expression. Based on the above review of related literature, this ethnographic study will be guided by the following research questions: What are the main motivators of graffiti culture? What are the social and economic benefits and costs associated with graffiti? Do you believe that the exposition of graffiti is a clear sign of social decline and anti-social behavior? What constitutes the reasons as to why graffiti should or should not be criminalized? Research This ethnographic study relied on participant observation and interviews to collect primary data needed to answer the key research questions. In most ethnographic studies â€Å"†¦people’s actions and accounts are studied in everyday contexts, rather than under conditions created by the researcher† (Hammersley Atkinson 3). As such, the researcher utilized participant obser vation to gather data by participating in the daily life experiences of graffiti writers. This approach entailed everyday interactions and conversations aimed at discovering in-depth insights into the graffiti writers’ interpretations of the experiences and situations they are involved in. participant observation should be aimed at generating an in-depth description of social interactions and experiences within natural settings (Smith para. 5). Through participating as a member of the graffiti group while observing it, the researcher noted that most graffiti writers were motivated by the current social and political order, and they engaged in graffiti to express their own opinions of the current occurrences. A particular graffiti that caught the attention of the researcher depicted the recent shooting of Osama bin Laden with the inscription that â€Å"KILL OSAMA-REMAIN THE ONLY SUPERPOWER.† The researcher also observed that graffiti writers were not only motivated by t heir aesthetic appeal, but also by a perceived social aspect of sharing an event, experience or activity with ‘friends.’ It was also observed that continued involvement in graffiti writing was associated with pride, pleasure, enjoyment of spray-painting, and recognition achieved from writing.Advertising Looking for research paper on art? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The researcher noted that these particular motivators were not associated with any quantifiable benefits apart from the intrinsic outcomes described above. In addition, the researcher noted that boredom and rebellion to the existing order (especially state and local authority laws and bylaws) formed a central component in motivating graffiti writers to spray-paint public and private property. Lastly, the researcher observed that some graffiti writers engaged in the practice for competition. The informants for this ethnographic study consisted of three graffiti writers and two local government officials. The informants were subjected to a brief interview process that sought to achieve an in-depth knowledge and understanding about some of the perspectives that were not apparent from the initial participant observations. The interviews were largely unstructured. From the responses of the graffiti writers, the researcher noted that graffiti was to a large extent driven by emotional, soc ial or political expression as opposed to other variables mentioned in previous studies, such as drugs, immorality and social decadence. It was also noted from the graffiti writers interviewed that they were to some extent driven by the pursuit of ‘illegal fame’ and recognition. The writers, however, denied that graffiti was connected to drugs and criminal activities though they acknowledged that some graffiti was associated with gangland behaviors and territoriality interests. Lastly, graffiti writers contended that graffiti should not be criminalized as doing so amounted to contravening the freedom of expression. The researcher interviewed the local authority officials to gain a deeper understanding of the social and economic benefits and costs of graffiti, and criminalization of graffiti. The two officials were in agreement that the graffiti culture had led to unsightly, damaging and costly ramifications for private property owners as well as for public buildings. Th e officials were in agreement that graffiti does not have economic and social benefits to society in general and the writers in particular. However, graffiti vandalism, as they preferred to call it, occasioned unwarranted costs to businesses, individuals, and organs of state or local government in removing the graffiti; increased insurance premiums for public and private property; increased government taxes; and impacted negatively on the value of private property. These reasons, according to the local government officials, are more than enough to warrant the criminalization of graffiti culture. Socially, the officials felt that graffiti culture continually undermines community perceptions of safety, not mentioning that it exhibits discernible symptoms of social decline and anti-social behavior. Lastly, the officials were in agreement that graffiti culture warrants criminal reprimand as it is often associated with other undesirable behaviors such as drug-taking, theft, loitering, ga ngland activities, and private and public property destruction. Analysis and Conclusions The data collected during participant observation and interviews satisfactorily answers the key study questions. The main motivators of graffiti culture, according to the gathered data include: need to artistically express the current social and political order from the graffiti writer’s own opinion; aesthetic appeal; need to share an event or experience with friends; pride; pleasure; enjoyment; recognition; competition; boredom and; rebellion. This information expands on the existing knowledge as to what actually propels the graffiti culture (Sliwa Cairns 75). From the graffiti writers’ perspective, it has been revealed that graffiti provides intrinsic emotional and social rewards in terms of freely expressing one’s thoughts, recognition, and pleasure. One previous study had perceived graffiti culture as one of the few successful attempts made by the voiceless masses to en force their presence on urban culture (Kriegel 432). It is however interesting to note that graffiti culture carries no perceived benefits outside the scope of the writers as can be demonstrated by the interview responses from the local authority officials. As such, it can be safely concluded that graffiti culture impinges on the rights and privacy of others who may be not necessarily share the views or opinions of the graffiti writers. This view has been well espoused in the review of literature (Kriegel 433). Again, the findings demonstrate that graffiti is not a sign of social and moral decadence from the mouth of the players, but other interested parties think otherwise. Indeed, the culture has been accused of causing wanton destruction of property, not mentioning that it has been positively correlated to other disruptive behaviors, such as drug use and abuse, theft, loitering, and gangland activities. This finding has been collaborated in previous studies (Kriegel 435). The fin dings have overwhelmingly depicted graffiti culture as a form of artistic expression mainly intended to avail a forum where current political, cultural, and social issues can be discussed from the graffiti writer’s lens rather than relying on dominant discourses of information. This finding has been well corroborated in previous studies (Sliwa Cairns 75; Serkan Gulsen 1). However, there is overbearing evidence from the findings that graffiti culture needs to be checked and legislated so as not to impinge on the rights and freedoms of other people. Going by the findings, graffiti culture should not be criminalized; rather, it should be legislated upon through the use of a legal framework that ensures that excesses of the artwork are checked and punitive measures applied for those who fail to obey the rules, just as it is done in other areas of law. Blanket criminalization of graffiti culture is unnecessary. The government should also consider coming up with designated areas where writers can legitimately express themselves without causing damage to public or private property. Alonso, A. Urban Graffiti on the City Landscape. 1998. Web. Hammersley, M., Atkinson, P. Ethnography: Principles in Practice. Taylor Francis e-Library. 2007. Kriegel, L. Graffiti: Tunnel Notes of a New Yorker. American Scholar 62.3 (1993): 431-436. Retrieved from MasterFILE Premier Database. Serkan, G., Gulsen, Y. Understanding Graffiti in the Built Environment: The Case in Ankara, Turkiye. 2006. Web. Smith, M.K. Participant Observation and Informal Education. 1997. Web. Sliwa, M., Cairns, G. Exploring Narratives and Antenarratives of Graffiti Artists: Beyond Dichotomies of Commitment and Detachment. Culture Organization 13.1 (2007): 73-82. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier Database.

The Fact-packed Email Subject

The Fact-packed Email Subject The Fact-packed Email Subject The Fact-packed Email Subject By Michael For important email messages, try to see how much content you can get into your subject line. I dont mean you should try to see how long a subject line you can write 60 or 80 characters should be the maximum. No, but sometimes you want to get your message across through the subject line alone, so the recipient can get the urgent news even before reading the whole message. For example, if youre organizing a Toastmasters meeting, try something like, Tech-Talk Toastmasters, Friday noon, Jims Restaurant. But you say, If I put too much in the subject, nobody will read the rest of the email. Then make it Fridays Toastmasters meeting agenda. What subject line do you use when cold-calling, or sending an email to someone who doesnt expect it? Use specific details that a spammer wouldnt. For example, If you want to discuss a new paint thinner with a professional painter in your rainy town of Oakhurst, use an email subject such as Better paint thinner for Oakhurst humidity. If youre contacting someone upon the recommendation of someone elses, put the recommenders name in the subject line. Even if the email is unsolicited, the details are authentic enough, and the product benefits are real enough, that your subject line may convince the painter to open the email. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Business Writing category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Is She a "Lady" or a "Woman"?10 Colloquial Terms and Their MeaningsThe Uses of â€Å"The†

Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 28

Economics - Essay Example An isocost line is a line showing combinations of inputs that would yield the same cost. Therefore, the word isocost implies that the cost of the given factors of production are constant along the certain activity level and thus can be used for the planning and decision making purposes. In the above figure, L denotes the amount of labor utilized by the producer and K denotes the amount of capital utilized by the producer. It is evident from the figure that along the line the cost of both of the factors of production is same and the total cost of production is also shown on the graph for different cost lines. With the help of isocost lines, most economic and cost beneficial decision can be made for getting the desired output. This graph also shows that isocost lines are the straight lines and the only different in them is that they shift up or down the graph showing the same pattern for different activity levels. These isocost lines are parallel because each reflects the same relative resource price. Given a  production function, an isoquant is "the locus of input combinations that yield the same output level." (Chiang, p. 360) There is an isoquant set for each possible output level. Mathematically the isoquant is a  level curve of the production function. Isoquants is a concept relating to the quantity of input required to produce a certain level of output. For a given level of output, there are certain levels of input of production factors that yield the same level of output. If the ratio of two or more of the factors of production is changed then the resulting yield of those input factors can be same for all of the combinations of factors. This implies that the concept of isoquant deals primarily with the cost minimization problems of producers. The above figure shows different levels of labor and capital required to produce a certain output of a particular product and the curve shows that different combinations of input resources can be made to

Essay response Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Response - Essay Example e blacks were victimized as a community but there were other groups of people that suffered at the hands of such an extremely discriminating system as well. The free black community also suffered at the hands of the white masters indirectly. The free carpenter boy who loved the slave girl could not marry her because she was someone else’s property. Similarly, the wives of the white masters were also victimized by their husband’s sexual relations with the slave women. They were forced to accept the insolent sexual behaviour of their husbands. It must have been really hard for them to turn a blind eye to the slave children their husbands bore with the slave women. Thus, women- either black or white received the most brutal blows of slavery. The free people of the North that represent a silent community are looked upon with great hope by the slave girl. She wonders why they were silent; as she believes that they have the power to change the system. The silence of the free people of the North actually represents the indifferent attitude usually adopted by those people who live in their own little bubble of life. This is not just a personal narrative of a slave girl but a life changing experience to read about her ordeal. This narrative compels the minds of the readers to think about what it is like to be a slave to another human being. This enables us to think beyond our immediate lives and to reach out to others who are in trouble. It also pinpoints to the fact that people in trouble look up to those who are in a strong position to change the course of their lives and destinies; and if their calls for help remain unanswered, then whatever hope they have turns into hopelessness and despair. â€Å"If God has bestowed beauty upon her, it will prove her greatest curse.† (47) This narrative is also about power, strength, hope, virtuousness and determination of human soul. The slave girl is an epitome of bravery and courage as she tries to fight back and to resist.

An Effective Teacher Essay Example for Free

An Effective Teacher Essay The qualities that define an effective teacher are very complex in my opinion. Everyone seems to have different ideas as to what the key indicators are. They range from; professionalism, communication, professional development, managing, guiding and strategies. There are even those of the opinion that it doesn’t matter what you do, children will always learn. However I have chosen professionalism as I believe that it is an essential attribute to being an effective teacher. Professionalism is defined by Merriam-Webster’s dictionary as â€Å"Characterised by or conforming to the technical or ethical standard of one’s profession. (Belcher). In order to gain and preserve the respect and trust of students, parents and colleagues alike and to provide students with the best education possible it is important to demonstrate professional conduct and practice. The guidelines for professionalism in the teaching profession are provided by Code of Ethics, National Professional Standards for Teachers and Duty of Care. These define the â€Å"what†. The key however is being or acting professional, this is the â€Å"how†, the effectiveness of a teacher. This is the true measure of professionalism. Some of the primary demonstrable characteristics or attributes of a professional teacher are communication, morals and ethics and professional development. Communication is an essential aspect in education, the means to send and receive clear messages to and from students, teachers, parents and community members. It establishes positive and effective relationships and connections with the involved parties. Communication can be in many forms namely verbal, non-verbal or written and used by teachers to constantly impart new knowledge or important information. The ability for teachers to apply the characteristics of good and effective communication in all its forms, to a diverse audience with different backgrounds and interests and to minimise the barriers, for example noise, misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the messages are the makings of an effective teacher. In the article by Prozesky, he states that the most effectual way to overcome these barriers is to have two-way communication with regular feedback provided by the receivers. Professional ethics is not achieved by only purely applying the ethical codes of practice nor professional standards which embody the core principles but by also applying professional skills and personal skills (caring and nurturing) and ethical behaviour in the form of attitude, intention, words, acknowledgement, respect (inside and outside of the classroom), fairness and equity with regards to individual circumstances, colour, creed, age, social-economic status, to name a few. Brock (1998) says that when dealing with ethics and professional standards there are two questions to ask; what should one do and what one should not do, what is right and what is wrong and what is appropriate and what is inappropriate. These questions result in a number of ethical dilemmas that face the teacher such as truth versus loyalty, individual versus community and religion versus morals. Early Childhood Australia has published a guide to help teachers deal with every day ethical dilemmas. According to Marsh (2010) ethical decisions have been categorised into five different levels of decision making. Open decision making, limited decision making, decisions made by the teacher, security seeking (delegation) and avoidance. Several ethical relationships exist within the dynamics of a school environment; these include ethical relationship between the teacher and the education system for example, the education system restricts teachers on what they should teach. The teacher and the principal, an example being that the teacher and principal have different values and the principal’s values will over ride those of the teacher. The teacher and the students where the teacher develops emotional bonds with his or her students and there is a mutual respect between teacher and student. The third quality that defines an effective teacher is professional development. In order to be a good teacher you need to be a good learner too. The demands on teachers to find new ideas and forms of teaching are increasing. Teachers need to be innovative and therefore attend professional development days which will help them continuously enhance their competencies and provide their students with problem solving skills and advanced thinking thus elevating them to higher levels of achievement. The desire to expand their knowledge base, stay current and gain a broader exposure to information provides this opportunity. Through numerous examples it is clear how important communication, ethics and professional development are to professionalism. These attributes will help teachers to be more effective in imparting knowledge and wisdom to their students. All of these attributes will allow the students to really focus their energies on learning and engaging with their education. Even though all of the attributes are vital for effective teaching one must never forget that the purpose of effective teaching is â€Å"that teachers make a difference, (Boyd, 2009).

A Conversation with Anna Quindlan and Alice Walker :: Biography Biographies Essays

A Conversation with Anna Quindlan and Alice Walker It was an early Fall afternoon. The kind of afternoon which lends itself to quiet contemplation of the meaning of life, either while sitting under a tree, or walking through the woods admiring the changing foliage, or writing by sunlight in a quiet coffeeshop I had begun to call home. This particular afternoon I opted for the coffeeshop. I walked through the door and waved to Theresa, who was standing behind the counter. In the three years I had been coming to this place I was never served by anyone but Theresa. She knew me only as "Honey." As my eyes adjusted to the light on the inside of the coffeeshop, I removed my jacket and moved to my customary spot at the table to the extreme rear, beside the windows. I sit here because, in this corner, I can be an inconspicuous observer of the world. I have a view of the street outside the window and a view of the interior of the coffeeshop from this vantage point. While on the way to my table, I noticed something new in my second home. There the two of them sat. One white, thirty-something, in a conservative blue dress. The other black, only the experience that shows in her eyes giving away her true age of fifty-two, dressed in a colorful, flowing dress that seemed to have a vibrant life of its own. They appeared to be engaged in light conversation like two women from a General Foods International Coffee commercial. I immediately changed direction and headed for their table. "Mrs. Quindlen, Mrs. Walker, it is a pleasure and an honor to see you. I have read your books and thoroughly enjoyed them. Would you mind if I joined you?" "Not at all," stated Mrs. Quindlen. "Please, call me Anna." She studied my face intently, trying to decide whether or not to continue with the conversation or to simply while away the time with small talk until they could gently push me away. She decided on the former. "We were just sitting here discussing men. You just happened to walk up and now we have a real live man with which to examine.

The Problem with Oliver by Maggie O’Farrell

Most teenagers have experienced that odd moment when their parents know what they are doing, even though they haven’t told them; and they certainly don’t like being compared to their parents. Young people consider themselves as individuals who have nothing in common with their parents – but in fact they might have more in common with their elders than they think. The latter might be the case for the main character in Maggie O’Farrell’s short story â€Å"The Problem with Oliver†, Fionnuala, who is a perfect, and almost stereotypical, example of a teenager of the kind mentioned in the sentences above.This short story covers some of the greatest problems and themes, we are all likely to encounter in our own life somehow. It is about the relationship between mother and daughter and about social heritage, how we all deal with growing up, falling in love – which is most likely to be kept secret by young people. What to do, when the one youâ €™re in love with comes from a culture that is despised by your closest family. When the mother is experiencing her first out-of-body experience and tells Fionnuala about it, Fionnuala is rather sceptical and is wondering if her mother has been smoking.She makes it clear to herself, that her mother has officially gone mad, and she is frustrated and tries to erase the possible similarities between Fionnuala and her mother. They don’t even look alike – not anymore. Not since Fionnuala has started straightening her hair. In which, you could say that Fionnuala will most likely not want to look like her â€Å"mad† mother. But the out of body experience made Grainne wonder if her daughter was going to make the same mistake by bringing Oliver along to the beach hut. She is laughing, probably trying to laugh it off and make Fionnuala understand it.She then says: â€Å"Then I realised it was you, and I was me, in here, in the house. † (l. 71) In which could me an that Grainne is willing to let her daughter manage it in her own way. Fionnuala may not repeat the mistake, because she could differ so much from Grainne. Fionnuala has an English boyfriend, Oliver. The mother haven’t heard about their relationship from Fionnuala, and Fionnuala is afraid of letting her know, because of her disliking of English men as equal to weak tea and amoebic dysentery (l. 49). The mother is exceedingly fond of Irish folklore and treasures the ancient traditions.And her fondness is clearly expressed in the name she has given her daughter; the name Fionnuala was, according to Fionnuala herself, an ancient Irish princess who turned into a swan. But it is obvious that Fionnuala is ashamed of her mother’s eccentric behaviour; when she first met Oliver, she introduced herself as â€Å"Finn†, unable to add the two last syllables in her name out of sheer embarrassment. The episode, where Fionnuala’s mother Grainne hides the key to the bea ch hut from her daughter, could very well be the result of a bad experience from Grainne’s younger years.We know from the text that Grainne moved to England to escape the fury of her family, and since Grainne is able to hide away the key to the beach hut, it could be a sign of her trying to avoid repeating the episode. This looks very much alike the episode, where Grainne sits on a bench and she spots a cat that is about to make it a run for the crumb-pecking finch. (ll. 25-33) Grainne is preventing the cat from getting to the bird by throwing a cloth towards a window.In the same way, she is attempting to scare Fionnuala or teach her a lesson, and maybe save her from something that could go wrong, like it did for Grainne, when she was younger. So Grainne knows, that there is something bothering Fionnuala, maybe that she haven’t done it yet, and almost the rest of the school has. In the text, Grainne warns Fionnuala about not giving in for peer pressure, and that would save a lot of trouble later. Right when Fionnuala had cancelled the date with Oliver and gone terribly mad at her mother, she founds the key on her bed, and her mother is gone.Grainne would maybe rather run away herself than run the risks of getting furious with Fionnuala’s boyfriend, so Fionnuala did not have to run anywhere. By growing up, your sense of realism is developing, the older you get. So as the dark, twisted branches of the hawthorn tree tap-tap against the side of the house, as if wanting to come in, could be referred to as the reality, wanting to come inside the house – her mind. Grainne knows what is going on, and therefore, things may get easier for Fionnuala in the future. She could maybe be torn between her mothers strong Irish standards and her boyfriends English ways.

A Revelation to me Essay

When I was a kid, I got almost anything I wanted. I had travelled to China and seen the Great Wall. I travelled to Brisbane to see the Coral Reef and I even travelled to Italy and saw places like the Coliseum and the Sistine Chapel. However, to me, Singapore was the be all and end all of the world. I had lived there for 11 years and all my wants and needs were met on that small island. I could walk anywhere without worrying about getting kidnapped. I could take a taxi and not worry about the driver cheating you. I could even leave the house 10 minutes for a lesson and not worry about being late. I had a lovely school, a nice group of international friends and moreover a house in a pristine location. All was good. One day, my dad was at work and my brother was at a sleepover. My mother took me to my favorite restaurant at that time†¦McDonalds. I knew something was fishy, because I hadn’t done anything good, but I went along with it. Then she brought me a FULL Meal. Hmmmm†¦suspicious but I again parried it off. Then she upsized it. Ok! Something was wrong. So when I went to the table to eat my Upsized, full meal of McDonalds, I asked my mum â€Å"What’s going on? What’s the special occasion?’ And she replied, â€Å"Nothing Rushad. Can’t we just have a mother, son outing?† I looked at her in the eye and I could tell something was wrong. â€Å"Ok, fine.† She said. Paused. Took a bite from her burger. Swallowed. Then said â€Å"We are moving from Singapore.† â€Å"Don’t lie.† I laughed. â€Å"You can’t be serious! MUM!† But she just shook her head, like a bothered elephant and said â€Å"I’m sorry.† â€Å"But I don’t want to move.† And she told me the words I will never forget: â€Å"Life is like McDonalds. One day you get the Big Mac, whilst others you just get simple Chicken Nuggets. However, sometimes, you only get what’s available and have no say in the matter. Do you think a chicken wants to be killed to fill your stomach? Or a cow slaughtered to fill you up? No, sometimes, you have to accept defeat and walk along the path your life has chosen.† This was a turning point in my life. I realized that in life, you don’t always get what you wanted. Fortunately, some people learn this in simple ways such as not winning the game you wanted, or not getting that pretty girl to go out with you. Unfortunately for me, I learnt this the hard way. Leaving all that I knew behind, to start a fresh life in Jakarta. Sometimes you only want something, like staying in Singapore, because it’s the safe way out. However, moving to Jakarta was a risk and a scary adventure.

A Changing World essays

A Changing World essays The sixteenth century was a time of exploration and expansion. Sparked by the Renaissance, the people of Europe began to question and investigate. The peoples curiosity and desire for finer goods from Asia led them to take to the high seas in search of an easier path to the Orient. One of these courageous sailors was Christopher Columbus under the country of Spain. In his efforts to find Asia, Columbus accidentally stumbled across a new world. This new world contained other cultures and people very different from the Europeans. As a result of Columbuss discovery of the New World the very unique and ancient culture of the Native Americans was extinguished. It was a bad thing that the Europeans prevailed over these ancient tribes of the Americas. The Native American cultures made a large impact on Europe. The food products from the New World were very important to the people in Europe. Native New World plants such as tobacco, maize, beans, tomatoes, and especially the lowly potato eventually revolutionized the international economy as well as the European diet, (Kennedy 14). These products were given to the early Europeans as gifts from the Indians. With these new goods Europe was able to feed its entire populace during the rapid population growth of the Old World (Kennedy 14). This food also strengthened the European economy allowing many traders to make high profits. Another important gift from the Americas was gold. This flood of precious metal touched off a price revolution that increased consumer costs by 500 percent... (Kennedy 17). This huge income of bullion helped traders to use a standard for currency and stimulated the economy. The encounter with the native cultures of the Americas brought prosperity, we alth, and land to the Europeans. Yet the Old World culture was the only one to profit. The invasion of the Europeans into the New World devastated the native cultures of...

The 49 Cheapest Colleges in California

The 49 Cheapest Colleges in California SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips College is expensive, so it's prudent to consider how much you're going to have to pay before you decide to attend a particular school- especially if you live in California. While cost shouldn't be the sole determining factor in your college decision, it's definitely an important one. In this article, I'll give you a list of the cheapest colleges in California. Furthermore, I'll provide you with the prices of the top public and private colleges in California, explain college costs, and go over how finances should influence your college decision. Average College Costs in the US Before I give you the list of the most affordable colleges in California, allow me to explain average college costs so that you can compare the costs of California schools with the national averages. In its most recent survey of college pricing, the College Board (the creator of the SAT) reported that for the 2018-19 academic year the average annual total cost for an in-state public college is $25,890, and the average annual total cost for a private college is $52,500. Total cost combines the following four items: Tuition and fees Housing and meals Books and school supplies Personal and transportation expenses #1: Tuition and Fees Colleges often charge mandatory fees for services such as the on-campus library, transportation, athletic facilities, and student activities. Many colleges report a combined tuition and fees figure. According to the College Board, the average costs of tuition and fees for the 2018-19 school year are as follows: $10,230 for in-state students at public universities $26,290 for out-of-state students at public universities $35,830 for students at private nonprofit universities For state residents at California public universities in 2018-19, the average cost of tuition and fees is $9,870. #2: Housing and Meals The College Board reports that the average cost of room and board ranges from $11,140 at four-year public schools to $12,680 at four-year private schools. However, note that the cost of room and board can vary depending on the campus housing and meal plans you choose. Colleges also usually provide room and board estimates for those living off-campus based on typical student costs. #3: Books and School Supplies Most colleges estimate the average costs for required learning materials. Some colleges even include the cost of a computer and computer accessories. The College Board reports that the average cost of books and supplies for the 2017-18 school year is $1,240 for both public and private universities. #4: Personal and Transportation Expenses Colleges sometimes estimate expenses they don't actually bill you for; these include transportation costs to and from school as well as expenses for personal things such as clothing, entertainment, etc. According to the College Board, average transportation and personal expenses for 2017-18 ran from $2,750 at private universities to $3,280 at public universities. (Note that this is the only area for which the estimated cost is more expensive for those attending public schools than it is for those attending private schools.) College isn't cheap. (Refracted Moments/Flickr) Why Do Cheap Colleges in California Cost Less? The cheapest colleges in California are public colleges that are subsidized by the Californian government. California public universities are separated into two categories: California State University (CSU) schools University of California (UC) schools These schools cost substantially less for California residents. CSU schools are cheaper than UC schools; however, as a whole, UC schools are more selective and prestigious. Keep in mind that there isn't necessarily a direct relationship between the quality of a school and its cost. You can get an outstanding education at a relatively cheap school. In fact, many UC schools are considered some of the top research universities in the world. The Cheapest Colleges in California Below is the ranking list of the cheapest colleges in California. I ranked the following schools by their cost of attendance for California residents who live on-campus. All of these numbers come from College Navigator, which is part of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). I also created separate tables for CSU schools, UC schools, and private schools. Private colleges are typically more expensive than CSU and UC schools, but some offer very generous financial aid. California State University Schools CSU schools are the cheapest colleges in California. I've listed the costs of attendance for state residents who live on-campus and for those who live off-campus with their families. If you live off-campus with your family, you’ll save substantially on room and board costs. I also listed the costs of attendance for out-of-state students who live on-campus and the average net price of each school. Average net price is determined by subtracting the average amount of financial aid (for students who receive aid) from the total cost of attendance. Net price can give you a general idea of the cost of attendance after you get financial aid. As most government and institutional aid is based on demonstrated financial need, students whose families have lower incomes and fewer assets will receive more aid. The cost of attendance data is from the 2018-19 school year and the average net prices are from the 2017-18 school year. Generally, the cost of attendance goes up about 1-2% annually. Schools are listed in order of their in-state, on-campus costs (from lowest to highest): School In-State, On-Campus In-State, Off-Campus w/ Family Out-of-State, On-Campus Avg Net Price (In-State) 1. CSU Fresno $21,418 $11,093 $33,928 $6,587 2. CSU Stanislaus $21,886 $11,302 $32,434 $6,930 3. CSU Northridge $22,969 $11,961 $34,849 $8,549 4. CSU Monterey Bay $23,564 $12,087 $35,444 $13,155 5. Cal Maritime $27,350 $15,282 $39,230 $19,965 6. CSU Dominguez Hills $23,722 $11,862 $35,602 $4,533 7. CSU Long Beach $24,738 $11,866 $36,618 $9,477 8. CSU San Bernardino $23,878 $11,428 $35,758 $8,586 9. CSU Chico $24,624 $12,074 $36,504 $14,156 10. Humboldt State $24,811 $11,941 $36,691 $14,506 11. $26,139 $11,743 $38,019 $4,403 12. CSU East Bay $25,143 $11,313 $37,023 $11,422 13. CSU Sacramento $26,454 $11,816 $38,334 $9,885 14. Sonoma State $26,626 $12,780 $38,506 $16,119 15. San Francisco State $27,480 $12,220 $39,360 $14,964 16. Cal Poly Pomona $28,891 $11,935 $40,771 $12,744 17. CSU Bakersfield $26,009 $12,377 $37,889 $6,025 18. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo $28,302 $14,532 $40,182 $20,036 19. San Diego State $29,318 $12,476 $41,170 $14,568 20. $25,325 $12,761 $37,205 $12,614 21. CSU Fullerton $27,739 $11,912 $39,618 $8,274 22. San Jose State $29,193 $12,865 $41,073 $14,519 23. CSU Channel Islands $25,517 $11,885 $37,387 $15,780 Happy grads of CSU Monterey Bay (CSU Monterey Bay/Flickr) University of California Schools In this table, I ranked the UC schools by their costs of attendance for in-state students who live on-campus. I have provided all the same statistics offered for the CSU schools above. As you’ll see, UC schools are substantially more expensive than CSU schools, but their average net prices are comparable to those of some CSU schools. Again, all expenses are for the 2018-19 school year, while all average net prices are for the 2017-18 school year. School In-State, On-Campus In-State, Off-Campus w/ Family Out-of-State, On-Campus Avg Net Price (In-State) 1. UC San Diego $32,838 $26,687 $61,830 $13,452 2. UC Irvine $34,261 $26,266 $65,253 $15,014 3. UCLA $34,620 $26,349 $63,612 $15,002 4. UC Riverside $35,242 $26,483 $64,234 $12,890 5. UC Davis $35,177 $27,271 $61,649 $16,039 6. UC Santa Barbara $35,172 $27,269 $64,169 $15,724 7. UC Santa Cruz $36,217 $27,231 $65,209 $17,266 8. UC Merced $35,663 $26,239 $64,655 $12,390 9. UC Berkeley $38,066 $27,474 $67,058 $17,862 The Geisl Library at UCSD (O Palsson/Flickr) Private Colleges in California In this section, I've provided the costs of 17 top private colleges in California. For each school, I've listed the total cost of attendance for students who live on-campus and the average net price. In-state and out-of-state students pay the same price. While private colleges are far more expensive than both CSU and UC schools, some offer fairly generous financial aid packages. The following schools are organized by cost of attendance (from lowest to highest). School Cost of Attendance (2018-19) Net Price (2017-18) 1. Soka University of America $48,996 $14,739 2. Loyola Marymount University $67,369 $43,779 3. Mills College $47,784 $24,900 4. University of San Diego $67,498 $35,931 5. University of San Francisco $68,296 $34,475 6. Santa Clara University $71,778 $41,545 7. Chapman University $73,182 $41,463 8. Stanford University $71,587 $17,271 9. California Institute of Technology $72,084 $26,361 10. Pomona College $71,996 $16,988 11. Pitzer College $72,900 $30,013 12. Pepperdine University $73,002 $40,941 13. Scripps $73,756 $39,070 14. Claremont McKenna College $73,810 $26,512 15. Occidental College $74,132 $37,173 16. University of Southern California $74,825 $36,191 17. Harvey Mudd College $76,947 $38,768 Founders Hall at Soka University (Beyond My Ken/Wikimedia Commons) How to Use These Lists of California College Expenses By looking at the three lists above, you can get an idea of the costs of different types of four-year universities in California and compare the costs of specific California schools. Furthermore, you can add one of the cheaper colleges to your list of schools if cost is a concern for you. Remember that cost should only be a single factor- not the overall deciding factor- in your college decision. I advise you to extensively research colleges so you can find the college that’s best for you. When Should Cost Be a Consideration in Your College Choice? Ideally, you wouldn't have to consider cost when choosing a school, and college would be affordable for everyone. Unfortunately, in reality, cost is often a significant factor. Therefore, it's a good idea to apply to at least one or two more affordable safety schools, especially if cost is a major concern for you and your family. Keep in mind that you won't know exactly how much a certain school will cost until you've gotten accepted and received a financial aid letter, so don’t let the sticker price prevent you from applying. Most financial aid is awarded after you’ve been accepted but before you commit to the school. Many of the most selective colleges claim to meet 100% of a student's financial need through a combination of school, state, and/or federal aid. Once you get your financial aid package, it's time to determine out-of-pocket expenses and how much you would need to take out in loans. Be sure to also weigh the financial burden of attending a particular school against factors such as its quality of education, how badly you want to attend, and its expected financial return. Ultimately, it’s up to you to determine how much debt is worth it. What's Next? If you're worried about college costs and are interested in a school outside California, check out the cheapest colleges in the United States. Regardless of the school you attend, it's a good idea to learn how to pay for college so you can maximize your academic experience and save as much money as possible. After you familiarize yourself with the financial aid process, see whether you qualify for any of these awesome full-ride scholarships! Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Coteminas. Organizational structure Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Coteminas. Organizational structure - Essay Example The company has set roots in the north (Great River), United States, Argentina, and Mexico. From these ventures, it is evident that the company uses admirable strategies to penetrate the market. In reference to the company’s financial records, it is evident that a larger percentage of the revenue is from external ventures. Its expansions are resulting from mergers and acquisition. One of the significant acquisitions is the amalgamation of Spring Industries. The company has been working on extending its global reach through the creation of global spring. This is by the formation of joint ventures with other textile companies. 10 years after its establishment, Cotminas’ capital increased from US$ 40 million to over US$ 496. From this growth, it became difficult to manage the company, leading to it becoming a public company. In relation to its financial records, the company has been experiencing steady growth, resulting from quality management skills (Walter 12). In refere nce to poly-centralization, which means development of infrastructure, housing, and urban land, the company is leading in opening up remote areas. This is because its leading branches are in the under developed areas. With this, the company ends up enhancing development and creation off employment in the rural areas. It also enhances extension of other services such as banking, security, and other welfare (Jay 23). Decision making processes It is evident that Coteminas uses mergers and acquisition to expand its dominance. An ideal example is the merger with the Wentex textile. This is a company that dominates the manufacture of t-shirts in china. Chinese prefer the products of the company because they are cheap, and the same time they are of quality. This has led the company to expand to the extent of making US$ 600 million in a single financial year. These are the financial records of 1995. These are the financial records that enticed Conteminas’ joint venture (Institute of Textile Technology 45). Conteminas decisions are on the availability of raw materials. The joint venture with Wentex exists on the fact that the firm had access to cheap raw materials. This made it produce quality products on a competitive ground because its products would reach the markets on favorable terms. These raw materials are polyester which it access on 11% cheaper than the prevailing price in china, and cotton. The company is also fast is producing t-shirts. It produced four times more efficient than the average speed of its competitors (Gary 34). The company also targets areas with low cost of labor. This is evident from its venture in the northern region of Brazil. The area fully depends on the relief aid from the government. It is also under developed thus offering chances of low labor. This is the reason behind the success of the venture in Paraiba, northern region of Brazil. The wages in the region are below the average wages paid on the southern region of the country . The cost of other resources such as electricity and waters is also cheap in reference to other regions in the country. This has led the company to making admirable profits resulting from the low cost of production. This is the reason behind the location of three main branches in Brazil, a Termeletrica plant, located in Christmas, The Great River of the North, and a hidreletrica of the situated in Minas Gerais. On the other hand, the company has centralized its administration and commercialization in a central region, in the country. The company’s has these capabilities from the extended partnership with other multinationals. This is a strategic tool to ensure that a sustainable environment prevails (Icon Group International 23). The company has been working on building it basis

Immigration Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Immigration - Research Paper Example The border which separates the United States and Mexico is an important ground which has led to speeding the process of this illegal immigration (Bowden 2007). It is a process which lays many impacts on the lives of the people who live in Mexico as well as the United States. Many questions have been raised on this issue as to whether what needs to be done to cope up with this issue and whether this border has led to provide any benefits. A balanced solution to this problem should be found out and the illegal immigrants from Mexico who come to the United States for a better future should be considered and legalization for them should be an option. Not only this, they should be given due rights but regulation of this immigration should also be done so that the influx of the number of people does not overshadow the opportunities of the people who already reside in the United States. This paper further provides an in depth analysis on pros and cons of illegal immigration and supports the presence and benefits of illegal immigrants for the country (America) and the nation. Illegal immigration is an act as the name implies of breaking the law and entering another state. But a question arises that is this law above the life of a person and his right to secure his future and work for a better life and earning. The Mexican border has been considered as a right choice by many people living in the United States because for them it has actually restricted the number of people entering their country illegally but for the people living there, this border has actually served to obstruct their opportunities of earning a living and raising their families. Illegal immigration along this border has been showing inclining rates and it has even been seen that this influx has been raised after this border was actually created (Bowden 2007). The illegal immigrants work in farms and do not enjoy the privileges and rights that their American counterparts do. They work on lower pays and do not receive good working conditions. This is because their employers know that these workers will not be able to raise their voices due to fear of being deported (Lilly 2008 & Welch 2007). Illegal Immigrants are not welcomed by the governments for any other reason than the economic benefits they bring to them and the jobs they fill including the lower level and lower wage high effort jobs like cleaning, serving in the pubs and clubs and clearing off the streets. The unavailability of rights and equality measures for these illegal immigrants who are, certainly, helping the country in one way or the other is questionable (Mailonline, 2006). Groff (2010) also points towards the unethical practice of using illegal immigrants without giving them equal rights or incentives within the boundaries of the country. â€Å"It's like taking someone and making them without a nation† (Groff, 2010). These issues need to be addressed and a solution needs to be considered for this problem. It is not economically favorable for the United States to deport all these workers because it will lead to a loss of valuable employees and a considerable reduction in workforce. At the same time, it will also not be economically feasible to arrange for transport for the evacuation of the millions of immigrants (Lilly, 2008). Hence, a better solution would be to actually legalize the workers who are already working in the country. The Mexicans who come in search of job opportunities should be