Ethics and Business Practice

One of the many challenges facing businesses today is how to harmonize their organization, work and professional ethics in line with the prevailing business practices and environment. Beckton Dickinson lies between a rock and a hard place. They would want to carryout their business activities strictly adhering to not only their organization’s policies and ethics but also the stipulations by the US government that vehemently outlaw any form of corruption or bribery.The US laws on international trade made it illegal for any multinational operating both at home or in foreign territories, to engage in any malpractice that seeks to influence a decision by any government, institution or individual. Many multinationals especially in Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa where there no stringent laws on tendering, have been known to give kickbacks to influence the process. The individuals and the key decision makers behind tendering are also known to ask for gifts and kickbacks so that they would favor a specific company. These gifts or commissions may range from a small gift to a colossal amount of money.Beckton Dickinson management team strives to maintain high standards that embrace fairness and honesty, and have designed a guide advocating for the same. They have issued clear guidelines to their employees detailing the company’s expectations on the proper conduct and business practice both within the United States and globally. This guide touches on the issues ranging from political contribution to what is considered to be a gift. The employees have raised their reservations on these guidelines and would wish the amount in regard to what is acceptable in terms of gifts to be defined according to the regions involved.Kickbacks and bribery as indicated in this report is not only a problem limited to any specific corporation, industry or government. It is a universal problem that equally requires global attention. It has permeated every aspect of business life and practice. An analyses of the problem would reveal that almost all the parties involved play a role in perpetrating the vice. The big corporations are in business and would want to under all cost secure the most profitable deals. Beckton Dickinson would in no doubt wish to expand its sales and maintain its market leadership position in supplying health sector appliances.To keep its competitor a bay it might be forced to engage in malpractices to secure the contracts. The tendering individuals also may be asking for bribes as well as the government officials. This problem hence is not perpetrated by a single party but by almost all the players. World opinion of late seem to be tilting towards unanimity in the need to establish strict anti-corruption laws in the procurement departments. Bribery is a vice that leads to morals and societal degeneration. In condoning this vice the perpetrators are threatening the social good.The principle of integrity, fairness and honesty are being threatened. It is imperative that steps be taken to curb this menace to ensure that fairness thrives. Small businesses are being threatened, as some of them cannot afford the bribes and kickbacks. There should be strict adherence to business ethics to level the playing field and ensure fair competition. Performance expectations gap is the gap that exists between what the society and shareholders expect the company to deliver in terms of performance and what it (company) actually delivers (www. abrema. net).The shareholder and the state have insisted on the adherence to the stipulated laws as far as proper business ethics is concerned. The accountants and auditors of Beckton Dickinson are having it rough and are in a dilemma as far as accounting fro the gifts and the kickbacks is concerned. The company has issued clear guidelines on the require business ethics. It is advocating for mandatory compliances on the side of the employees. The employees especially the personnel on the groun d claim the situation is hostile and tends to lean more on bribery and kickbacks.If you don’t pay for the gifts, the rival companies will do it and clinch the tender. The company has not been able to harmonize its ethics to encompass all levels of its operations. There should be distinct guidelines in the different regions. Whereas some gifts may be considered ethical in for example the United States, in Japan it is a different story altogether. The company should not abet bribery in some countries while being strict in others. However the recent steps taken by the company is a positive indicator that even though the problem is serious, the organization is taking bold steps to curb it.The top management has flown into the regional branches to train the personnel and emphasis on the companies stand as far as business ethics are concerned. The trend is not expected to change overnight. Gradually the company will achieve its key objective and instill discipline in this workforce . The situation though in the internationals scene will take long to change. The remedy to curbing this unethical practice requires a multifaceted approach, an approach that will encompass all the players involved. There are different approaches that can be taken in this.Some scholars claim that the big corporations are to blame, having recognized a weakness especially in the developing countries systems of governance; they have been known to use all manners of strategies ranging from intimidation to bribery. Hence in ending those unethical practices, corporations have to be at the forefront. Self-regulation of these companies has to be emphasized, change must come from within rather than without (www. newstarget. com) compliance with the ethical guidelines by Beckton Dickinson is a step in the right direction and should be emulated by other players in the industry.The key to unlocking this ethical deadlock however, many will agree, lies in the government structures and policies the mselves. The United States for example issued the stipulations on business practices and ethics as far as bribery and kickbacks are concerned. This greatly reduced the cases as bribery as corporations can now be faced with legal actions upon contravention of the rules. It is upon the governments as the key decision makers, to streamline their procurement rules to ensure fairness, transparency and accountability. Legal redress should be provided to the aggrieved parties.Although the corporations and the society have a role to play the governments hold the key and should be the one to initiate this change and ensure stiff penalties to the defaulters. Reference Dani Veracity, Bribery in medicine: how drug authorities, Big pharmapushers and other medical racket operations forfeit ethics for powers and profits. Last updated on January 10,2006. Retrieved in 23/09/07 from http://www. newstarget. com/016676. html ABREMA. Activity based risk evaluation model of auditing. Retrieved on 23/09/0 7 from http://www. abrema. net/abrema/expec-gap-ag. html

Article Public Opinion of Police by Different Ethnic Group Essay

Down though the years there has always been tension and an on and off relationship between the community they serve and law enforcement agencies. And as with any relationship between two people there are misunderstanding, break-up and disagreements and the same is with the relationship between the community and its law enforcement agencies but just with any relationship at day’s end both the community and law enforcement have and share common concerns such as justice and deterrence. With many of communities in America being incursion of immigrants within the last few decades; with this incursion of immigrants many communities are being bombard with so many new language and cultures diversity. Because of this wide range of ethnicity now living within many the walls of our communities and society on a whole now have different opinions and views of law enforcement. Now due to the various ethnicities flooding our communities the author will investigate how a few of these ethnicity groups like: African Americans, Asians and the Hispanics neighborhoods views racial profiling, discrimination and past experience with law enforcement agencies. Taking a look at the traumatized relationship and association between the two, as well as the interaction and reaction from the law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. Since the conception of the law enforcement agencies race has long since been a vital playing card in policing. Even with the knowledge, awareness and understanding of this there has been some improvement but not enough. Racial opus of law enforcement alongside the racial outline of arrest, the raise in the number of arrest of non- minority like â€Å"Caucasian† by non-white law enforcement officers, while there were lower numbers of arrest by the same officers on other ethnic groups. On the flip side of that coin, more â€Å"Caucasian† officers had a boost in the number of non-white arrest in comparison to the number of arrest involving â€Å"Caucasians†. Race has been a polarizingelement the in the society of America for years. And this is every so prevalent within the criminal justice system. Clashes involving both the communities and law enforcement are the flashpoint for practically every current inner- city riot. Ethnic Groups. The raise of culture variety and immigration has from time to time made interaction with law enforcement difficult. Hispanics and Asian neighborhoods are often apprehensive of law enforcement officers due to their past occurrence. Their past incidents vary from their motherland of origin that was overwhelmed by civil unrest and war. This included exploitation of power by those of authority as well as much dishonesty within law enforcement agencies of that country. For this cause many minorities groups have a apprehension and more often than not an aversion to law enforcement officers. Like within the Hispanic neighborhoods, they often feel that law enforcement agents differentiates them by racial profiling them all because of their nationality. In Arizona this is a very contentious SB 1070 unlawful migration bill that passed given law enforcement agents the power and authority to inquire of certain individual (Hispanic) of proof of documentation of legal right to be in America. This law is being adopted in other states as well like New Jersey and Texas, any where there is a high population of Hispanics. IthasbeenreportedbytwoethnicgroupsAfricanAmericansandHispanic/Latinos affirm subordinate levels of agreement concerning their relationship with police officers as compared to those of their counterpart â€Å"Caucasians†. African Americans and Hispanic/Latinos claims that there is less willingness to obey and to follow orders given by authorities especially of Caucasian origin. Racial profiling has consistently been one of the most confounding, divisive and controversial issues the police department confronts. A perception that police target members of specific ethnic or racial groups creates a deep divide between the police and the communities we serve. But as an officer who has spent a lot of time patrolling the city’s streets, I just don’t think the perception is accurate. (Dutta, 2010) True racial profiling, in which people are targeted solely because of race or ethnicity, is both illegal and immoral. It destroys public trust and reduces the effectiveness of the police. There is no place for it in law enforcement. And I firmly believe that most LAPD officers support that viewpoint. Even the reported statement of the officer that he couldn’t do his job without racial profiling was most likely misinterpreted. (Dutta, 2010) Differentiation between minorities and Caucasians is how they relate and response to law enforcement agents and how fairly or unjustly he or she feels their treatment was. This is a how many African Americans and Hispanic/Latinos responded when asked by authorities regarding their relationship with law enforcement agencies this is less equality than when Caucasians reported. Reference: Dutta, Sunil, Los Angeles Times, Criminal Profiling vs. Racial Profiling 11- 22- 2010 Retrieved 05/20/2013 http://articles. latimes.com/2010/nov/22/opinion/la-oe-dutta-racial-profiling-20101122 Newport, Frank, Gallup News Service, Racial Profiling is Seen as Widespread, Particularly Among Young Black Men, 12-11-1999 Retrieved 05/20/2013 http://www. gallup. com/poll/3421/racial-profiling-seen-widespread-particularly-among- young-black-men. aspx Maxson, Cheryl, Hennigan, Karen,Sloane, David C. ,Factors That Influence Public Opinion of the Police ,06, 2003 : Police discipline and misconduct, community policing, and media. Retrieved 05/20/2013 -http://www. nij. gov/pubs-sum/197925. htm.

How to Write the Wake Forest University Essays 2018-2019

Situated in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Wake Forest is one of the premier liberal arts universities in the nation. Known for its small classes and faculty engagement, Wake Forest values an education of the entire person. With an undergraduate enrollment just over 5,000 and a strong sense of school pride, Wake Forest fosters a tight-knit community. The university maintains accomplished programs in the social sciences, business, and a variety of other fields. Wake Forest also holds a unique status as a prestigious liberal arts school with a robust research focus. Maintaining an acceptance rate of only 29% and median ACT scores of 28-32, Wake Forest’s admissions process is competitive. But beyond test scores and grades, Wake Forest also emphasizes essays. With this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with all the tools necessary to tackle the Wake Forest application essays. 1. What piques your curiosity? (75-150 words) 2. Discuss the work of fiction which has helped you most to understand the complexities of the world. (100-300 words) 3. Identify a cultural norm or current political reality with which you disagree. How have you sought or might you seek to change it? (75-100 words) 4. Describe an instance in which you observed or exhibited â€Å"character.† (75-150 words) 5. Pro Humanitate, which means â€Å"for humanity,† is Wake Forest’s motto. If you had a personal motto, what would it be? (100 characters) 6. Kendrick Lamar won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music, becoming the first non-classical or jazz musician to win the award. Whom do you believe will be the next person to break boundaries in artistic, scientific or literary accomplishment? (150 words) 7. List five books that you have read that intrigued you. Include a brief letter asking to be considered for the Farr Scholarship, describing how you became interested in entrepreneurship and how you plan to continue these interests at Wake Forest. What piques your curiosity?   (75-150 words) Like many supplemental questions, this prompt is designed to help give the admissions officers a more holistic view of you.   Your response to this question can truly be anything that fascinates you!   Consider writing about an interest, activity, hobby, idea, philosophical concept, piece of art, or something entirely different.   Admissions officers aren’t looking for a specific answer but rather that you can thoughtfully and excitedly discuss a topic of your choice. Below are some questions to get you started on thinking of a subject to write about: Ensure that you don’t spend the entire time explaining simply what piques your curiosity.   Rather, consider why it piques your interest and how this has impacted you or contributed to your understanding of the world.   So, instead of simply describing your interest in vinyl records, dive into how you love poring through stores to find exciting new pieces of music and how this interest has brought you new friends and helped you to expand your musical horizons. You can also take this essay as an opportunity to discuss something that is truly meaningful to you.   For instance, a student who is fascinated by Latin American culture could discuss her interest in the Carnival celebrations of Brazil and how learning about these celebrations have helped her to connect with her Brazilian roots. Alternatively, a student could use this essay as an opportunity to discuss his favorite hobby.   For example, a student who loves to collect coins could discuss how the sheer volume of coins produced fascinates him and that coins have helped him to develop a deeper understanding of the financial underpinnings of America. Whatever you choose to discuss, make sure to explain why it interests you and how it contributes to your identity or knowledge of the nuances of the world. Discuss the work of fiction which has helped you most to understand the complexities of the world. (100-300 words) If you love reading fiction on your own, this question will likely be a breeze as you can think of endless books that have helped you to understand the complexities of the world. However, if you don’t spend as much time reading on your own, this question could be a bit more difficult. If possible, try to avoid choosing a book that was required reading for class. Many other students are likely going to choose literary classics such as To Kill a Mockingbird or The Scarlet Letter . But, if nothing else comes to mind, don’t be discouraged if you have to pick a book that was required reading for class. Consider that one thing admissions officers look for in this essay is your ability to synthesize abstract information and bring this conceptual understanding to real-world issues.   With this in mind, let’s consider the main steps to rocking this essay: An example of the above would be writing about Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon . You could describe how the main character’s struggle to find an identity forced you to consider your own role within your culture and the world at large. That is, this work of fiction prompted you to strive to connect with your family in a new way. Another example would be discussing how, through reading Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, you came to a deeper understanding of the incredible nuances of racial identity. The key here is not to simply discuss the book in depth (SparkNotes exists if an admissions officer wanted a summary), but rather to delve into how the book has influenced your world perception. If you are struggling to find an appropriate book, keep in mind that the prompt only asks for a work of fiction, meaning that other possibilities such as TV shows or movies could make for strong essays. â€Å"Cultural Norm/Political Reality† Essay Identify a cultural norm or current political reality with which you disagree. How have you sought or might you seek to change it? (75-100 words) Don’t be afraid of this prompt if you aren’t an avid social activist. Keep in mind when choosing a subject that cultural norms are any form of attitude or behavior that are deemed normal by society. Although this question lends itself well to someone who is passionate about political issues, a great response is still possible if you aren’t fascinated by politics. With this essay, Wake Forest is trying to assess whether you can think critically about social and political issues. No matter what you choose to write about, the best essay will come from you truly being animated about your subject. A powerful essay could stem from a student’s frustration with the current political gridlock resulting from a lack of honest communication between the two parties. In response, the student could describe how she started hosting an open space weekly where individuals of all political backgrounds could come to discuss important local issues in a supportive environment. Alternatively, you could discuss how you disagreed with the cliquish nature of your high school and fought against it by promoting school-wide events that everyone would enjoy. The space here is rather short so try to spend more time discussing why you disagree with something and what you’ve done to change this rather than describing the problem. Admissions officers want to hear about you, so do your best to provide a personal story. For instance, a student could discuss his personal experience of deleting social media in response to an internal dislike of how social media has begun to trump actual social interaction. One last word of caution: keep in mind that you may want to avoid extremely controversial topics that people have a very visceral reaction to, such as abortion. If you do choose to approach such a subject, take care to approach it tactfully. Describe an instance in which you observed or exhibited â€Å"character.† (75-150 words) With this prompt, there are two main pathways through which you can formulate your answer. You can either describe an example of how you personally have exhibited character or depict an event where you observed character from someone else. I will describe how to approach the two possibilities independently of each other. Since the prompt ambiguously uses the term â€Å"character,† feel free to define â€Å"character† in whatever manner you like within reason. Great responses to these questions are often centered around a story and use that story to define the elusive term of â€Å"character.† This essay provides a perfect opportunity to highlight a time where you showed integrity. Your response truly gains meaning when discussing how you overcame a strong temptation to showcase character. To illustrate, a cross country runner could describe her experience watching the runner ahead of her cutting a corner to extend a lead and feeling intense pressure to do the same in order to catch her opponent. But, due to a sense of righteousness, the runner decides not to cut the same corner and ends up losing the race by half a step. This essay would excel because it delves into the nuances of exhibiting character and tells us a great deal about the runner’s values. Just as important as describing the event is discussing what you learned from the experience. For instance, the runner from above could describe how losing that race showed her that maintaining character in a difficult situation like that can be the toughest, but most rewarding, decision that you can make. Striking a balance between what happened and what it taught you is vitally important as is tying your experience back to the idea of character. Keep in mind that you don’t have to personally know the person that you observed exhibiting character. As long as you know the story and can relate how it impacted you, the event can make for an effective essay. Even though the subject of the essay may be someone else, admissions officers still want to hear about you. For example, a great essay could stem from a student observing a local community leader start a project to provide additional housing to help shelter the homeless population. This student could describe how the community leader’s character inspired him to give back to his community by volunteering at this new homeless shelter every week. Observing character can also come from a more personal level.   For instance, if your mom embodies the ideal of living with character, feel free to discuss this. A powerful essay could describe how your mom’s relentless self-sacrifice of working full-time while heading back to school all in order to provide for your future has inspired you to seek a career in education where you can similarly inspire and empower youth. Pro Humanitate, which means â€Å"for humanity,† is Wake Forest’s motto. If you had a personal motto, what would it be? (100 characters) The most simplistic definition is that a motto is a short phrase by which you live your life. The most important thing here is that the motto that you choose is true to who you are. I can’t say this enough: Avoid anything cliche! Things like â€Å"be the change that you want to see in the world† or â€Å"work hard† are great ways to live your life but not so good for this prompt. Admissions readers will have read those same lines hundreds of times and are itching to read a motto with some personal flair. When choosing a motto, consider what you care about most. Wake Forest rewards students who are reflective in their responses, so take some time to think this one through. Some questions to ask yourself when trying to think of a motto: Students always find this one a little tough so I’ve put some examples below. This is also a chance to take a risk, show your quirky side, or make a clever pun.   Creativity here is greatly appreciated by admissions officers.   Keep in mind that this is an open-ended question, so don’t feel limited in any way by the options below: If there is a certain famous quote or motto that you believe truly does represent you better than anything else, then feel free to use it. Extra tip: You are likely going to have an epiphany and figure out an awesome answer to this one when you least expect it, so give yourself some time! Kendrick Lamar won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music, becoming the first non-classical or jazz musician to win the award. Whom do you believe will be the next person to break boundaries in artistic, scientific or literary accomplishment? (150 words) With this essay, Wake Forest really wants to learn more about what truly interests you. The following advice might seem strange, but it’s not as important who you choose. Rather, it’s more important why you chose him or her and how that choice reflects upon you and your interests. Let’s take a quick second to piece together some things you should think about when choosing who to write about: Although the person can certainly be someone that you know, take care to showcase that this person truly has a chance to break boundaries in their respective field. A great example of someone breaking the boundaries of scientific accomplishment is Andrew Ng. A student could discuss how Ng’s work at Stanford to revolutionize healthcare through the application of artificial intelligence to medicine fascinates him as this provides for vast potential for increases in efficiency. The student could then proceed to describe how Ng’s work has inspired him to explore this relatively uncharted field of computer science and healthcare. Once you have someone to write about, ensure that you also leave space for discussion about the impact that this individual has had on you. At the end of the day, the admissions officers care a lot less about this individual and a lot more about that individual’s impact on you. This essay provides the perfect opportunity for you to really discuss your interest in a specific field and show how it has influenced you.    List five books that you have read that intrigued you. Since the prompt also provides you with the option to list whether or not the book was required reading, try if at all possible to provide three or more books which weren’t required reading for your classes.   The books that you read that weren’t required for class showcase a desire to learn and give a better representation of your interests. Don’t worry too much about the rigor of the books that you choose.   Admissions officers aren’t looking to see whether you can read difficult books, they are really just looking to see what stimulates you intellectually.   Don’t try to impress admissions officers by choosing random books that you’ve never read; the best way to go about this question is by providing books that truly intrigued you. Overall, don’t sweat this one too much.   Be genuine with the books that you’ve read, as the admissions officers just want to see that you maintain some literary interests. Be bold and really go for something unique with this prompt.   Remember that admissions officers reward creativity and innovation.   And keep in mind that you can write about anything that interests you, so don’t feel limited in any way by my examples above! Include a brief letter asking to be considered for the Farr Scholarship, describing how you became interested in entrepreneurship and how you plan to continue these interests at Wake Forest. The Farr Scholarship is designed for students who have shown great potential and interest in the field of entrepreneurship .   As a university dedicated to providing its students with a variety of opportunities to innovate freely, Wake Forest actively seeks students who can take advantage of its entrepreneurial offerings.   This essay consists of two main components: describing your interest and showcasing how Wake Forest can help you in these pursuits. Ideally, a student applying for this scholarship has made some significant entrepreneurial pursuit.   But, don’t be afraid to answer this prompt if you haven’t had any direct business experience.   An entrepreneurial approach to an existing problem comes in many different forms. For instance, you could explain how your experiences in Virtual Enterprise, FFA, or software development have led to a desire to launch new programs in these areas.   You should also take the time to describe where you see these entrepreneurial pursuits taking you in the future.   Ensure that you truly demonstrate your passion for entrepreneurship .   This is typically best expressed by discussing through a story your own personal experience doing something, such as starting a local tutoring organization to aid underserved 7th-grade students that you’ve helped slowly expand into five different cities. No matter your experience, ensure that you also emphasize how Wake Forest will help you to bring your ideas into the real world . One of the many ways Wake Forest fosters innovation is through its Center for Entrepreneurship.   Take time to look through and discover how Wake Forest can help you accomplish your entrepreneurial goals.   For example, a student interested in founding a socially aware company that sells reusable straws and donates part of their proceedings to clean up environmental damage caused by plastic could work to refine their idea by working with Deacon Springboard and even pursuing an entrepreneurship minor. The key is to be specific! Wake Forest really wants to see how you plan to take advantage of its entrepreneurial offerings. By effectively linking your entrepreneurial interests with the diverse opportunities at Wake Forest, you will piece together a powerful essay for this scholarship. Presidential Scholarship:  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Special Talent† Essay Please describe the special talent or ability which qualifies you for participation in the Presidential Scholarship program. Discuss a significant experience you have had or something you have read that has influenced the development of your talent. (Response required in 1 page) The Presidential Scholarship is designed only for students who have shown great talent in art, dance, debate, music, or theatre.   So, choosing your topic for this essay shouldn’t be too difficult as you likely have already demonstrated immense talent in one of these fields.   You will also have to submit supplementary materials that showcase this talent to the admissions officers.   With this essay, the admissions officers want to hear about your special skill from your perspective and see how you have developed this talent over time. This essay can be a bit tricky to write if your personal statement already described this skill in great detail. If this applies to you, take care not to repeat any information and make the content of this essay as original as possible. The key to this essay is finding a significant experience around which to frame the essay.   Some examples include: Once you have decided upon a significant experience, the rest of the essay should flow quite smoothly.   Ensure that you use this significant experience to describe in detail your special talent or ability. Wake Forest is looking for a unique student body so strive to demonstrate what makes your mastery of this ability or talent special.   Also, keep in mind that this essay is still all about you .   Avoid discussion of Wake Forest in this portion as the next essay will provide plenty of room for you to discuss how Wake Forest will help you develop this skill. Successful essays for this prompt showcase an arc of development .   By demonstrating how the significant experience has played a role in the growth of both your skill and of you as an individual, you demonstrate a maturity that admissions officers love to see.   For instance, a pianist could describe how his first solo performance in front of a crowd electrified him and helped him to fully express himself for the first time.   By finally being able to effectively reveal his emotions, he gained a deeper understanding of the empowering nature of music. Why do you wish to attend a liberal arts university? What do you expect to gain from four years at Wake Forest, and what could you contribute to the University in regards to your area of talent? (Response required in 1 page) With this essay, Wake Forest gauges how applicants see themselves contributing to the university and how seriously applicants have looked into how they will fit in at Wake Forest. The key here is to showcase to the admissions officers that you see yourself thriving at Wake Forest.   But remember, this question is still about you .   There are two foundational steps to taking on this essay: research and personalize . For this step, find out as much about Wake Forest as you possibly can. The more that you know about the university, the more easily you will be able to express why you want to be a Wake Forest Demon Deacon. Wake Forest hopes with this essay to find out which students are thoughtful in how they will fit in at the university. Helpful resources for this include: Keep in mind that you will need to address all three parts of the prompt: why you wish to attend a liberal arts university, what you expect to gain from your four years at Wake Forest, and how you can contribute to the university through your talent.   So while researching the university, you should be focusing on these three key points.   Remember, the essential aspect here is to learn how you can apply your talent to help the school while taking advantage of Wake Forest’s opportunities and unique characteristics.    Your essay should give admissions officers a compelling idea of what you will bring to Wake Forest.   Although admissions officers don’t expect you to necessarily major in something related to your talent, they do expect you to continue to pursue it in some way.   So, one of your top priorities should be describing how you will take advantage of Wake Forest’s offerings to further develop your talent. Be sure to also discuss your interest in pursuing a liberal arts education.   For instance, a dancer could describe how a liberal arts education would allow her to explore her various interests in biology, literature, and dance.   In order to be even more impactful, choose specific aspects of the university such as certain classes or clubs that interest you.   The student above could describe how the course â€Å"Biology and the Human Condition† would allow her to delve into her dual interests of biology and what it means to be human.   Ã‚  The aspects of Wake Forest you choose to hone in on do not all need to be academic. For example, Wake Forest is known for its high-quality athletics and school spirit. A powerful example could describe how an applicant who planned and promoted school events during high school strives to cultivate a school identity wherever she goes. Wake Forest seeks students who are passionate and authentic . To demonstrate these qualities in your writing, strive to show, not tell . If writing about your interest in Wake Forest’s study abroad program, don’t tell the admissions officers that you like traveling and immersing yourself in foreign cultures. Rather, share an anecdote about how visiting Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London opened your eyes to the role that art plays within society. Start early and give yourself sufficient time to think through these various prompts.   Wake Forest rewards students who are thoughtful in their responses and demonstrate a great interest in their topics of choice.   Wake Forest’s diverse and open-ended essay prompts give you the ability to really make your case for why you are someone they want at their university. When putting all of these essays together, consider each of the different prompts as a way to highlight a separate aspect of who you are as a person.   Try to avoid writing about the same interest in multiple essays if possible.   In this way, the essays will all meld beautifully together to provide a unique representation of you as an individual.   Take advantage of the opportunity that Wake Forest provides to reveal who you are beyond GPA and test scores. And above all, be genuine .   Admissions officers reward students who write passionately about what they are interested in, not what they think might interest admissions officers.   Write about what you love, and you will slowly begin to fall in love with the admissions process. Good luck tackling Wake Forest’s application questions. You got this! Want help on your Wake Forest application or essays? Learn about our College Apps Program. Want us to quickly edit your college essay? Submit it to our Rapid Essay Review program , and we’ll get it back to you quickly with comments from our expert team.†

Covert Prestige Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Covert Prestige - Essay Example This phenomenon, known as covert prestige, implies that the speaker or organization has a favorable affinity with the minority group that the slang is borrowed from (Savan 65). This gives the audience some instant familiarity with both groups and promotes their sense of fairness and individuality, even while exploiting the concept of race and using a mass marketing technique. However, this instant bonding may be an insult to the outgroup and embarrassing to the speaker. The bond formed by this appropriation of language is a shallow pandering to the fragile white need for acceptance by an out group, as well as having the potential to be insulting and demeaning to black people and their culture. America has witnessed an onslaught of products that have been promoted by loosely linking the product with the black culture through the use of black slang. These products run the gamut from individual promotion to political parties, and from underwear to news items. They are all advertisements used to promote a product or an audience. However, care must be taken when analyzing an advertisement as Savan points out that black talk has become "part and parcel of American talk" and is not easily separated or categorized (Savan 72). A recent promotion for a political segment on FOX News illustrates the multiple factors that need to be considered when using cross-cultural slang for promotion, and the difficulty in effectively implementing it. Figure 1 is a televised byline that was used to promote a FOX News segment that was meant to inform the public of Michelle Obama's impact on the presidential campaign. The byline referred to Ms. Obama as Figure 1 (Koppelman) "Obama's Baby Mama". The phrase is used among the black culture to indicate the unwed mother of someone's child. Used in the black environment it has the potential to be a term of endearment, but may also be an insult and does not stand up to cross-cultural translation. It is in the same class as the 'n' word. Assuming that Fox news would not be so egregious as to blatantly use racism in their broadcasts, it must be that Fox was trying to appropriate a black phrase in an effort to appear to be more black. This effort was not too far from the early 20th century vision of the misguided white men in blackface that used black language to entertain a white audience, and in doing so became a horror show (Savan 75). It was an attempt to show that they understood black culture without any true racial sensitivity. Savan seems to underestimate the potential for racial backlash and contends, "For the most part, that rented association is working" (69). Savan has failed to recognize the importance of cultural and soci al contextualization when evaluating an audience's response to black slang. The Ms. Obama characterization demonstrates the difficulty that advertisers face when trying to capitalize on 'covert prestige'. Some phrases and words have worked their way sufficiently into the mainstream as to have lost much of the African-American monopoly that the words once held. There is some safety in using a word that is connected to a culture, but not owned by them. The phrases 'you go girl' or 'Whassup' may have become sufficiently mainstreamed as to be 'part and parcel' of the American language, but it still requires a degree of cultural sensitivity and knowledge to make

Operations Strategy and Timeline of Managed Project Coursework

Operations Strategy and Timeline of Managed Project - Coursework Example Starting from the last activity that is K the latest finish time calculated by adding up the earliest start time with the time taken for the activity K. Then time taken by each activity is subtracted accordingly so as to determine the latest finish time of every precedent activity. The critical path of the project is the longest path on the network or the maximum time that the project will take. In this case, the critical path would be from C to F to G to H to J to K as this path will the longest time. The time taken on the critical path will be: The activity H is the user acceptance testing which is a critical activity in this project as the activity lies on the critical path. The current length of the critical path will increase by three weeks as due to the delay of three weeks in activity H. This activity is the user acceptance testing where the user of the software make their decisions regarding acceptance of the software which shall be used for the operations managers are the next activities that are connected to Hare J i.e. implementation and K i.e. handover. The three weeks delay in activity H can be handled appropriately by shortening the times that the next activities consume. The next activities are connected with the activity H, as J is the activity where implementation of the software is done which can be set short as when the user acceptance testing takes time then the user modifications are fully understood and implemented. When the user specifications fully satisfy the implementation stage can be cut short in o rder to affirm that the critical time for the project does not exceed. The activity H lies on the critical path and the delay in this activity will cause serious troubles regarding the extension in critical time for the completion of the project.  

Economic news analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Economic news analysis - Essay Example It has been reported that employers in America increased the number of jobs positions. However, despite the above increase in job positions, most of the applicants could not meet the required level of competencies to do the jobs (Steve, Rich & Jeanna, para1-10). This trend has made the rate of unemployment to remain significantly high at a rate of 7.9% (Steve, Rich & Jeanna, para-9). Additionally, majority of the older employees within an age bracket of 45 to 54 years were unwilling to shift to the new job positions (Steve, Rich & Jeanna, para1-10). Therefore, it was not a wonder to see some few people coming out to compete for the new jobs as employment positions increases (Steve, Rich & Jeanna, para3).The article has further provided a description of what could have attributed a decline in number of unemployed people in the United state. Analysis According to Bloomberg report most the employers find it challenging to find a qualified employee who can feel a job need (Steve, Rich & Jeanna, Para 7). Therefore, most employers opted to approach staffing agency firm for recruitment assistance (Steve, Rich & Jeanna, Para 7). It was reported that about one hundred and sixty jobs were created on February this year, however despite this increase the rate of unemployment remained at 7.6 % (Steve, Rich & Jeanna, Para 9). ... Additionally, frictional unemployment may be experienced among people who have left their jobs and are looking for other better jobs (Mankiw, Nicholas, p 606). The rate of unemployment may be determined using the formula below; Unemployment Rate = Number of unemployed people ?100 Total labor force/civilian labor force Source: (Tucker, p-261) Whereby; Labor forces also commonly referred to civilian labor force involves to those people within employment age and below the retirement age that are either working or are actively looking for a job (Tucker, p-261). Frictional unemployment may be presented graphically as shown below; Wages W0 R2 R1 w2 w1 w3 T0 T2 T1 Duration of labor Source: Author Based on the above graph it can be scrutinized how frictional employment occurs given the level of wages. The wages increases from W1 to W2 while duration of labor decreases from T1 to T2 as more people are willing to work with the available wage rates. In above connection, the professor of economi cs at Northwestern University Illinois (Mortensen) asserted that American labor market has remained flexible due to application of monetary measures. However, inflation rates were projected to increase (Steve, Rich & Jeanna, para3-4). This indicates that as unemployment problems were being addressed inflation rates tend to increases as explained in the Philips curve (Mankiw & Nicholas p-606). Additionally, Fed chief asserted that a long period of unemployment may cause workers to lose some working skills and this can lead to a decline in firms’ productivity (Steve, Rich & Jeanna, Para 10). Fed further asserted that the number of people who remained unemployed for a period of more than 27 weeks reduced in the year 2010 from 6.7 millions to 4.7 million

The Marketing Planning of L'Oreal Organisation Essay

The Marketing Planning of L'Oreal Organisation - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that L’Oreal Group is a leading company that markets a wide range of cosmetic products. The corporate products are sub divided-well in order to help the company to become an important player in beauty industry across the globe. Notwithstanding the intensity of competition that exists, it is beneficial to analyze the company’s internal and external profile to gain an understanding of its strategic planning process. The term marketing as an exchange process refers to a concentrated term in relation to the marketing concept. It is originally defined as a transaction by which two or more parties offer a benefit or value to others with a view to satisfying their prospective needs. Companies receive a benefit of selling goods through a market which incorporates a wide range of products and services while end-users obtain commodities they desire from the market. Therefore, both parties including the firms and end users/customers gain in this exchange process. This can occur in a transactional form which means that a consumer buys a particular brand because of self-interest or in form of relational exchange if long-term orientation has taken place. In case of L’Oreal, it can be seen that the company utilizes this concept when conducting its business. The exchange between L’Oreal and its customers result in transactions where the customers buy the products offered and the company gets money. The main goal of L’Oreal is to facilitate and increase its sales transactions through convincing the existing customers and potential customers to purchase its products. As such, it uses the marketing exchange process to assess the trade-offs it needs in order to satisfy its wants and needs, as well as its customer’s wants. L’Oreal’s objective is to create safe and effective quality beauty products for its customers. It is a company that values establishing a strong consumer relations hip.

Effects of recession on marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Effects of recession on marketing - Essay Example During such times, people show preference to the basic products and eliminate the secondary products most of which they can survive without. This stifles the operation of some manufacturers who operate on such secondary products. Knowing the reduced spending, the companies become more articulating in their expenditures since the market does not promise the effective returns as always. They therefore plan their spending trying to sell as much of their product in the uncertain times. Companies therefore engage in unorthodox marketing strategies with the aim of improving their product visibility and possibly sales. While the market is always compelled to use the basic products such as food products and clothing, the purchasing trend changes and becomes characterized by low rates of purchase and purchase in smaller quantities. The trends worsens for some specific products and services considered secondary by the markets. Such products include electronic and leisure services thereby hampe ring the productivity of the tourism sector. Leisure for example is a mode of relaxation in which people engage during specific times. Additionally, such leisure activities are costly and therefore require a lot of money. Most people therefore prefer to remain at home and spend three times with their families thereby saving on the additional and often unnecessary spending through the holidays. Additionally, recessions result in job losses thereby rendering the financial status of some families unpredictable. While they suffer shocks, they detest spending and therefore control their finances stringently often showing preference to the basic products. The reduced market activities require specific marketing strategies to ensure that products and services perform favorably enough to...While this did not change much, the company relies on a number of production features to increase its marketing process thereby increasing its product visibility in the market at relatively lower costs. A mong such is the diversification of its products among the different market segments (Bogomolova, 2011). The soft drinks manufacturer produces an assortment of other products under different names thereby increasing its market base. Among its most common products are coca cola from where it borrows the name, sprite and Fanta among other types of soft drinks and enriched waters. Besides the product diversification, the company sponsors a number of different sporting events through its different products thereby earning relevance and recognition among the lovers of such sports. Looking at the activities of the two giant companies one of which is an electronic manufacturer while the other is a beverage manufacturer, it becomes evident that recessions require effective management including reduced spending. The companies understand the essence of advertisement and therefore spend fortunes on increasing their product visibility. During recessions, even the big corporations control their spending showing preference to more productive venture. One of the budgets that such business revise is their advertising budgets. This therefore validates the creative advertisement mechanisms that some of such corporations employ like the sponsorship deals.

Management - questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Management - questions - Essay Example Going by globalization, consumers do have access to a wider range of goods and services. Globalization allows the MNCs and countries to produce goods at most competitive prices by allowing for the usage of inputs from diverse sources. Globalization also enables the nations and MNCs to have access to wider markets. In an international context, globalization ushers in harmony and coexistence amongst varied nations. It allows the businesses, inventors and entrepreneurs to access much greater opportunities for manufacturing and investment. Globalization allows for the management of business fluctuations like the rise in the prices of food items in any country by making way for the pooling of production from diverse sources. Yet, this in no way means that globalization has everything good associated with it. Globalization also has its disadvantages. Considering the fact that globalization allows for a sharing of markets and resources, this may lead to the stifling of growth and developmen t in the undeveloped nations or small local companies by more developed nations or stronger MNCs. Globalization has also allowed for the integration of world markets. A direct consequence of this is the spreading of economic fluctuations in one country to the other countries and economies dependant on it. For instance, the recent housing bubble bust and the ensuing recession in the USA soon spread to Europe and many developing Asian economies. In a pragmatic context, as globalization involves exchange of people and resources amongst nations, it could lead to a spread of communicable diseases and pests from one nation to other. The mad cow epidemic in Europe soon impacted the beef consumption around the world, thereby impacting the beef producers at a global level. Globalization has made the markets more competitive. Hence, the big MNCs having ample resources at their disposal may suppress the rise of smaller local companies. Globalization is a process allowing the sharing of resourc es, technologies, cultures and ideas and hence it has its merits and demerits. 2. The advantages and disadvantages of centralized and customized decision making are to a great extent dependant on the organizational structure of an institution or organization and the qualities inherent in it. In a centralized organization, it is the top managers who take all the important decisions without soliciting any inputs from below. Centralized decision making is mostly opted for by such companies who wish to consolidate the power and decision making at the top level. Companies opt for centralized decision making owing to varied reasons. For instance if the CEO of a specific company harbors a specific visions and intends to keep it pure and in consonance with one’s perceptions, one will centralize the decision making functions so as to retain as much control over the company as possible. Vatican is an apt example of an institution that is given to centralized decision making. Centralize d decision making also helps the companies that are facing a crisis and hence desire to be led by one decision making source to ensure stability. However, centralized decision making is of little advantage in a company which has a smart and diversified work force and that operates in multiple markets. As in a centralized decision making framework, the entire power is consolidated with the top management, this could jeopardize the stability of a company if the top management fails owing to losing touch with the ground realities. In

Project Involving the Evaluation of a Website Coursework

Project Involving the Evaluation of a Website - Coursework Example The study will be divided into two different sections. First, will be the introduction of the website in regards to the 7Cs of website evaluation. This will facilitate assessment whether the choice of website is appropriate and also to evaluate the purpose of the website. The website must be able to cater for the regulation, customers’ diversity, and data protection requirements. This is why the assessments of context, content, community, customization, communication, connection and commerce are necessary. It is essential that evaluation of website meets the standard criteria. Evaluation is a process of assessing the subject in accordance to set of rules that are applicable. IKKS website assessment is not exceptional and must be evaluated as per set criteria. The second study will be founded on the Webqual 2.0, where accessibility is analyzed in details. Across the bench of 13 questions, individuals can assess the weaknesses and strengths of the website (Suh 2005).For enforcin g the website to have striking features and attract customers’ attention, it is necessary to enforce four key recommendations. First, the product may improve through bricks and clicks development, this awaits further discussion the subsequent sections. Secondly, the IKKS site ought to enhance its good judgment of society so as to award potential customers a genuine logic of corporation social responsibility. Thirdly, study and ranking of the web in accordance to the Amit and Zott forces in sequence of importance; the strategies would involve most important, 2nd most importance, 3rd most important and lastly least important. E-commerce is increasing in significance for both businesses and individuals leading to penalties for how corporations compete. Creating worth for customers that outstands the rivalry has turned into vital for firms contending through e-commerce. Business structures are generated and applied for the particular reason to contend and generate a competitive a dvantage. The website of IKKS has incorporated most of e-business requirements. Introduction Evaluating IKKS website involve assessment of the website in regard to e-business evaluation criteria.Evaluation is a methodical determination of a topic's merit, value and importance, using criteria administered by a set of principles. It can help an organization, plan, project or any extra intervention or inventiveness to evaluate any aim, realizable notion/proposal, or any option, to assist in decision-making; or to establish the level of accomplishment or value in regard to the objectives and purpose and outcomes of any such activity that has been accomplished. IKKS evaluation involves the assessments of context, content, community, customization, communication, connection and commerce. These are the 7Cs that I would use to evaluate the website (Workshop on E-Business & Wei 2002). The context of IKKS website contains aesthetic and practical feel-and-look. It is evident websites have opted to focus a lot on striking graphics, colours and invent structures, while some have accentua ted simpler utilitarian objectives, such as simplicity of scrolling. On the basis of the context, IKKS website has aesthetic, functional look and feel and utilitarian objectives. The images and graphics are attractive and the ease of navigation for more material is present (Workshop on E-Business & Wei 2002). Respective pictures within the website are navigation links to various departments or sections of the website and companies details. In IKKS website

The euro star Essay Example for Free

The euro star Essay The euro star is more than suitable for those with disabilities the Eurostar is Dedicated to providing the highest level of service for all its passengers, the Eurostar terminals at London St Pancras International, Ebbsfleet International and Ashford International, as well as the passenger trains themselves are specially equipped for those who may require additional facilities or services. So to conclude for the Eurostar I would recommend to Parents with children to choose this option over others, however if the customers need a car while in Paris then I would choose a different option, although as the Paris station is in the middle of Disneyland Paris the need for a car isnt likely unless the hotel they are staying in is outside the Disneyland Paris area. Wheelchairs There are 2 designated areas on the train, each for one wheelchair user and companion in Leisure Select (first class), coaches 9 10. They offer the wheelchair user the option to stay in their wheelchair if they wish and must be -8- used if passengers are unable to walk at least 200m unaided. Call for aid buttons are also fitted. Please note that the designated wheelchair spaces are for passengers that have their own wheelchair. A special fare is available for both wheelchair user and companion, please enquire at the time of booking. Special Assistance Special assistance is no longer bookable in advance. Assistance is arranged in person on the day of departure at the assistance desk and is subject to availability. If the passenger thinks they might need help getting to or from the train, they would need to arrive as early as they can (preferably at least 1 hour prior to departure). Guide Dogs Guide dogs are accepted on board, however please note under no other circumstances may animals travel on Eurostar. Disabled toilets with call for aid buttons are available at the departure lounges at London St Pancras, Ebbsfleet International and Ashford International stations and also on the trains themselves in First Class Leisure Select Coaches 9 and 10. And an extra note for the disabled passengers Eurostar Door Widths: Toilet 522mm/Exit Door 850mm/Disabled Toilet 7200mm -9- Euro tunnel Eurotunnel is the company responsible for building the twin railway tunnels under the English Channel linking Britain and France at Folkestone, in Kent and Coquelles, in the Nord Pas-de-Calais. Eurotunnel runs its own shuttle service that carries passengers and their vehicles between Folkestone and Calais. Eurotunnel also charges other rail operators, like Eurostar, to use the Channel Tunnel or Chunnel as we often call it. Eurotunnel operates a fleet of 25 shuttle trains to transport cars, coaches and trucks and their drivers and passengers. Trains run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There are 3 trains an hour between 06:00-00:00, and 2 trains an hour between midnight and 06:00. The shuttle has now been in operation for over 12 years and since its first commercial services 177 million people have travelled through the Channel Tunnel thats 3 times the population of both France and England! Eurotunnel shuttle timetable Eurotunnel runs 34 shuttle services a day, 7 days a week, both from Calais to Folkestone, and from Folkestone to Calais. Generally, there are 2 services an hour between 06:00-23:00, 1 service an hour between 23:00-01:00 and about 1 service every 2 hours between 01:00-06:00. -10- Journey time between Folkestone and Calais is 35 minutes between 06:00-23:00 and about 45 minutes between 23:00-06:00. The Passengers need to check in at least 30 minutes before your shuttles due departure time. Eurotunnel have a good record for on time departures. Disch:1 Above is where Eurotunnel crosses the English Channel. Eurotunnel is a great way to take your car on holiday with, and as you can see it has great road links to all other parts of Britain. -11- Eurotunnel shuttle fares Eurotunnel has a number of fare options. Prices within one ticket option can vary quite a bit depending on a number of factors, such as how long you book in advance, what type of vehicle youre taking and how long youre staying. Standard car fare The average standard fare for a car up to 1. 85 meters high is i 49-i 75 one way. Note that standard fares are significantly more expensive if booked at short notice. The price includes the car and all its passengers. The number of passengers can be any number up to the maximum the car can legally carry. Motorcycles: fares are around Registered guide dogs travel free So this could be the ideal way to travel for anyone with difficulties with their sight, also this could be ideal for people travelling on big trips, such as school trips as the Eurotunnel has sufficient facilities to take coaches on, and as part of primary research I have actually been on a coach in the Eurotunnel and I thought it was a good way to travel and was easy and quick. Although its not as direct as the Eurostar, as the customer will have to drive from Calais to Disneyland Paris but it is made easy to get to Disneyland Paris as the passenger can take their car with them, as well as there being taxis available form Calais. The picture above shows the different leaving points in the south coast of England, to the different locations in France in which you can travel to. The most probable route for passengers from Maldon would be Dover to Calais. -13- http://www. seafrance. com/cs/Satellite/uk/ferry-dover-calais/itinerary-to-dover? packedargs=site%3DSF_Pax_Uk the purple route is the best route, for travellers from Maldon, from Maldon to Dover, the travellers can either go by car or get a taxi there, but obviously you can take your car on the ferry or, like the Eurotunnel, if the travellers are on a coach trip the ferry is accessible for coaches so the ferry could be perfect for school trips, and what separates a ferry from the Eurotunnel is that the passengers can walk around on board and visit restaurants, shops, bars, and arcades. There is also chilled out areas with comfortable seating, so for passengers travelling on business, can chill with a drink and if wanted can get on with some work in a calm environment. If the Traveller chose to use Sea France, and are driving a vehicle When they arrive at the port of Dover, theyll need to go through immigration and customs so this emphasizes the safety of the ferry. Then they just need to simply follow the signs to the Sea France check-in booths where a member of the Sea France team will process their booking and give them a lane number. Go to the car lanes and wait until youre invited to come aboard. Once onboard, the Sea France team will direct you on the car deck. Also when parking their car, they will reminded to make sure to leave the handbrake on. They will also be reminded to bring everything they want for the journey with them to the passenger areas, because access to the car decks is not permitted during the crossing. If theyre travelling with a pet then Sea France might be the company to use for crossing however it will need to stay in the vehicle during the crossing. It is also easy to make a note of where your car is parked, so the travelers can find it easily when its time to disembark. Passengers travelling by bicycle will also be able to travel by Sea France but will need to walk their bike up the ramp on to the ship. And For their safety, please be careful when leaving your cycle on the car decks and follow the crews instructions. For those passengers with sight difficulties then they could choose Sea France as If youll be accompanied by a guide dog or assistance dog they are welcome to come aboard with you free of charge. So to conclude the ferry would be good again for school trips, and possibly parents with children as the children will have enough stuff to do on the ferry to keep them preoccupied. Also this is the luxury option for those who need a car, bus or bicycle in France to travel around, as you can obviously take your vehicle with you.

Choreography Styles Essay Example for Free

Choreography Styles Essay Dance Dance is a type of art that generally involves movement of the body, often rhythmic and to music. It is performed in many cultures as a form of emotional expression, social interaction, or exercise, in a spiritual or performance setting, and is sometimes used to express ideas or tell a story. Dance may also be regarded as a form of nonverbal communication between humans or other animals, as in bee dances and behaviour patterns such as a mating dances. Definitions of what constitutes dance can depend on social and cultural norms andaesthetic, artistic and moral sensibilities. Definitions may range from functional movement (such as folk dance) to virtuoso techniques such as ballet. Martial arts kataare often compared to dances, and sports such as gymnastics, figure skating andsynchronized swimming are generally thought to incorporate dance. In some cases, themotion of ordinarily inanimate objects may be described as dance (the leaves danced in the wind). There are many styles and genres of dance. African dance is interpretative. Ballet,ballroom and tango are classical dance styles. Square dance and electric slide are forms of step dance, and breakdancing is a type of street dance. Dance can beparticipatory, social, or performed for an audience. It can also be ceremonial,competitive or erotic. Dance movements may be without significance in themselves, as in ballet or European folk dance, or have a gestural vocabulary or symbolic meaning as in some Asian dances. Choreography is the art of creating dances. The person who creates (i.e., choreographs) a dance is known as the choreographer. Ballet Ballet is a type of performance dance that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century and later developed into a concert dance form in France and Russia. It has since become a widespread, highly technical form of dance with its own vocabulary. It has been globally influential and has defined the foundational techniques used in many other  dance genres. Ballet may also refer to a ballet dance work, which consists of thechoreography and music for a ballet production. A well-known example of this is The Nutcracker, a two-act ballet that was originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov with a music score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Stylistic variations have emerged and evolved since the Italian Renaissance. Early variations are primarily associated with geographic origin. Examples of this are Russian ballet, French ballet, and Italian ballet. Later variations include contemporary ballet and neoclassical ballet. Perhaps the most widely known and performed ballet style is late Romantic ballet (or Ballet Blanc), which is a classical style that focuses on female dancers and features pointe work, flowing and precise acrobatic movements, and often presents the female dancers in traditional, short white French tutus. Ballet dance works (ballets) are choreographed and performed by trained artists, and often performed with classical music accompaniment. Early ballets preceded the invention of theproscenium stage and were performed in large chambers with the audience seated on tiers or galleries on three sides of the dance floor. Modern ballets may include mime and acting, and are usually set to music (typically orchestral but occasionally vocal). Ballet requires years of training to learn and master, and much practice to retain proficiency. It has been taught in ballet schools around the world, which have historically used their own cultures to evolve the art. Ballet is the foundation of many types of dance. Etymology The word ballet comes from the French and was borrowed into English around 1630. The French word in turn has its origin in Italianballetto, a diminutive of ballo (dance) which comes from Latin ballo, ballare, meaning to dance,[1][2] which in turn comes from theGreek ÃŽ ²ÃŽ ±ÃŽ »ÃŽ »ÃŽ ¯ÃŽ ¶Ãâ€° (ballizo), to dance, to jump about.[3][4] [edit]History The history of ballet began in the Italian Renaissance courts of the  fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. It quickly spread to the French court of Catherine de Medici where it was further developed. The creation of classical ballet as it is known today occurred under Louis XIV, who in his youth was an avid dancer and performed in ballets by Pierre Beauchamp and Jean-Baptiste Lully. In 1661 Louis founded the Acadà ©mie Royale de Danse (Royal Dance Academy) which was charged with establishing standards for the art of dance and the certification of dance instructors. In 1672, following his retirement from the stage, Louis XIV made Lully the director of the Acadà ©mie Royale de Musique (Paris Opera) in which the first professional ballet company, the Paris Opera Ballet, arose.[5] This origin is reflected in the predominance of French in the vocabulary of ballet. Despite the great reforms of Jean-Georges Noverre in the eighteenth century, ballet went into decline in France after 1830, though it was continued in Denmark, Italy, and Russia. It was reintroduced to western Europe on the eve of the First World War by a Russian company, the Ballets Russes ofSergei Diaghilev, who ultimately influenced ballet around the world. Diaghilevs company became a destination for many of the Russian-trained dancers fleeing the famine and unrest that followed the Bolshevik revolution. These dancers brought back to their place of origin many of the choreographic and stylistic innovations that had been flourishing under the czars. In the 20th century, ballet had a strong influence on broader concert dance. For example, in the United States, choreographer George Balanchine developed what is now known as neoclassical ballet. Subsequent developments include contemporary ballet and post-structural ballet, seen in the work of William Forsythe in Germany. Also in the twentieth century, ballet took a turn dividing it[clarification needed] from classical ballet to the introduction of modern dance, leading to modernist movements[clarification needed] in both the United States and Germany.[6] Styles Classical ballet Classical ballet is based on traditional ballet technique and vocabulary. There are different styles of classical ballet that are related to their  areas of origin, such as French ballet, Italian ballet and Russian ballet. Several of the classical ballet styles are associated with specific training methods, which are typically named after their creators. For example, the Cecchetti method is named after its creator, Italian dancer Enrico Cecchetti. Neoclassical ballet Main article: Neoclassical ballet Neoclassical ballet is a ballet style that conforms to classical ballet technique and vocabulary, but deviates from classical ballet through such differences as unusually fast dance tempos and its addition of non-traditional technical feats. Spacing in neoclassical ballet is usually more modern or complex[clarify] than in classical ballet. Although organization[further explanation needed] in neoclassical ballet is more varied, the focus on structure[clarify] is a defining characteristic of neoclassical ballet. Tim Scholl, author of From Petipa to Balanchine, considers George Balanchines Apollo in 1928 to be the first neoclassical ballet. Apollo represented a return to form in response to Sergei Diaghilevs abstract ballets.[clarification needed] Balanchine worked with modern dance choreographer Martha Graham, expanding his exposure to modern techniques and ideas, and he brought modern dancers into his company (New York City Ballet) such as Paul Taylor, who in 1959 performed in BalanchinesEpisodes. During this time period[when?], Glen Tetley began to experimentally combine ballet and modern techniques. Contemporary ballet Main article: Contemporary ballet Contemporary ballet is a form of dance influenced by both classical ballet and modern dance. It employs the fundamental technique and body control (using abdominal strength) principles of classical ballet but permits a greater range of movement than classical ballet and may not adhere to the strict body lines or turnout that permeate classical ballet technique. Many of its concepts come from the ideas and innovations of 20th century modern dance, including floor work and turn-in of the legs. This ballet style is often performed barefoot. George Balanchine is often considered to have been  the first pioneer of contemporary ballet through the development of neoclassical ballet. One dancer who danced briefly for Balanchine was Mikhail Baryshnikov, an exemplar of Kirov Ballet training. Following Baryshnikovs appointment as artistic director of American Ballet Theatre in 1980, he worked with various modern choreographers, most notably Twyla Tharp. Tharp choreographed Push Comes To Shove for ABT and Baryshnikov in 1976; in 1986 she created In The Upper Room for her own company. Both these pieces were considered innovative for their use of distinctly modern movements melded with the use of pointe shoes and classically trained dancers—for their use of contemporary ballet. Twyla Tharp also worked with the Joffrey Ballet company, founded in 1957 by Robert Joffrey. She choreographed Deuce Coupe for them in 1973, using pop music and a blend of modern and ballet techniques. The Joffrey Ballet continued to perform numerous contemporary pieces, many choreographed by co-founder Gerald Arpino. Today there are many contemporary ballet companies and choreographers. These include Alonzo King and his company, Alonzo Kings Lines Ballet; Complexions Contemporary Ballet, under the direction of Dwight Rhoden; Nacho Duatos Compaà ±ia Nacional de Danza;William Forsythe, who has worked extensively with the Frankfurt Ballet and today runs The Forsythe Company; and Jiřà ­ Kylià ¡n, currently the artistic director of the Nederlands Dans Theater. Traditionally classical companies, such as the Kirov Ballet and the Paris Opera Ballet, also regularly perform contemporary works. Cotillion The cotillion is a type of patterned social dance that originated in France in the 18th century. It was originally made up of four couples in a square formation, the forerunner of thequadrille; in the United States the square dance, where the figures are called aloud by the caller, is a form of rural contredanse that also descended from the urban cotillion. Its name, from French cotillon, petticoat, reflected the flash of petticoats as the changing partners turned. The cotillion, of repeated figures interspersed with changes of different figures to different music,[1] was one of many contredanses where the gathered participants were  able to introduce themselves and to flirt with other dancers through the exchange of partners within the formation network of the dance. By the 19th century, the cotillion evolved to include more couples with many complex dance figures. In British usage, cotillion has disappeared, save in French or historical contexts.[2] Cotillions were introduced in London about 1766[3] by French dancing masters. They came to America in about 1772. There is a reference to a dance in the French manner, implying a cotillon, in John Gays Beggars Opera of 1728, where the low-life characters of London dance in imitation of the fashions of the wealthy. [4] There is also a reference in Robert Burnss 1790 poem, Tam o Shanter, where upon seeing a group of witches and warlocks dancing they are described to the reader as Nae cotillion brent-new frae France. A German cotillion, in contemporary accounts, was reintroduced to New York society at a costume ball with a Louis XV theme given by Mr William Colford Schermerhorn in the early winter of 1854.[5] The Philippine Debut incorporates a Grand Cotillion Dance which is usually a classic waltz. Contra dance Contra dance (also contradance, contra-dance and other variant spellings) refers to several partnered folk dance styles in which couples dance in two facing lines. Sometimes described as New England folk dance, contra dances can be found around the world, though they are especially popular in North America. History At the end of the 17th century, English country dances were taken up by French dancers; hybrid choreographies exist from this period using the steps from French court dance inEnglish dances. The French called these dances contra-dance or contredanse. As time progressed, English country dances were spread and reinterpreted throughout the Western world, and eventually the French form of the name came to be associated with the American folk dances, especially in New England (this Gallicized name change  may have followed a contemporary misbelief that the form was originally French).[1][2] Contra dances were fashionable in the United States until the early to mid-19th century, when they were supplanted in popularity by square dances (such as the quadrille andlancers) and couple dances (such as the waltz and polka). By the late 19th century, square dances too had fallen out of favor, except in rural areas. When squares were revived (around 1925 to 1940, depending on the region), contra dances were generally not included. In the 1930s and 1940s, contra dances appear to have been done only in small towns in widely scattered parts of northeastern North America, such as Ohio, the Maritime provinces of Canada,[3] and particularly northern New England. Ralph Page almost single-handedly maintained the New England tradition until it was revitalized in the 1950s and 1960s, particularly by Ted Sannella and Dudley Laufman. By then, early dance camps, retreats, and weekends had emerged, such as Pinewoods Camp, in Plymouth, Massachusetts, which became primarily a music and dance camp in 1933,[4] and NEFFA, the New England Folk Festival, also in Massachusetts, which began in 1944.[5] These and others continue to be popular and some offer other dancing and activities besides contra dancing. In the 1970s, Sannella and other callers introduced movements from English Country Dance, such as heys and gypsies, to the contra dances. [6] New dances, such as Shadracks Delight by Tony Parkes, featured symmetrical dancing by all couples. (Previously, the actives and inactives —see Progression below— had significantly different roles). Double progression dances, popularized by Herbie Gaudreau,[7] added to the aerobic nature of the dances, and one caller, Gene Hubert, wrote a quadruple progression dance, Contra Madness. Becket formation was introduced, with partners next to each other in the line instead of opposite. The Brattleboro Dawn Dance started in 1976, and continues to run semiannually.[8][9] In the early 1980s, Tod Whittemore started the first Saturday dance in the Peterborough Town House, which remains one of the more popular regional dances.[10] As musicians and callers moved to other locations, they founded contra dances in Michigan, Washington, California, Texas, and elsewhere. Gender-free contra dancing started in the 1970s, with the Boston Lesbian and Gay Folk Dance as perhaps the first group regularly contra dancing without gender roles. In 1981, a group in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN, called Les be Gay and Dance was  started, in which contra dance was done without any reference to gender, avoiding calling moves with any reference to ladies or gents. In 1987, Chris Ricciotti started a gay dance group in Providence, RI, using the terms ladies and gents although dancers were not lining up according to gender. Other gender-free dance groups started up in the area after that, and in 1989, at the gender-free dance group in Jamaica Plain, MA, a group of dancers led by Janet Dillon protested the use of these terms, and the armband system was devised: the traditionally male-role dancers would wear armbands and be called armbands or just bands, and the traditionally female-role dancers would be called bare arms or just bares.[11] The Lavender Country and Folk Dancers organization now serves as an umbrella organization for dances in Massachusetts, New York, Georgia, and California. Gender-free philosophy can be used almost anywhere conventional traditional dances are currently being held. It is useful for community dances where â€Å"keeping on the correct side† is difficult because of a large gender imbalance, for children’s dances and for groups who want to add a little variety and a creative learning experience to their traditional dance venue. Contra dances are arranged in long paired lines of couples. A pair of lines is called a set. Sets are generally arranged so they run the length of the hall, with the top or head of the set being the end closest to the band and caller. Correspondingly, the bottom or foot of the set is the end farthest from the caller. Couples consist of two people, traditionally but not necessarily one male and one female, referred to as the gent, gentleman or man, and lady or woman. Couples interact primarily with an adjacent couple for each round of the dance. Each sub-group of two interacting couples is known to choreographers as aminor set and to dancers as a foursome or hands four. Couples in the same minor set are neighbors. Minor sets originate at the head of the set, starting with the topmost dancers as the 1s (the active couple or actives); the other couple are 2s (or inactives). The  1s are said to be above their neighboring 2s; 2s are below. If there is an uneven number of couples dancing, the bottom-most couple will wait out the first time through the dance. There are three common ways of arranging dancers in the minor sets: proper formation, improper formation, and Becket formation. There are many additional forms a contra dance may take. Five of them are: triple minor, triplet, indecent, four-face-four, and whole-set. (For diagrams and full descriptions, see Contra Dance Form main article.) Progression A fundamental aspect of contra dancing is that the same dance, one time through which lasts roughly 30 seconds, is repeated over and over but each time you dance with new neighbors. This change is effected by progressing the 1s down the set and progressing the 2sup (also up the hall and down the hall; see Contra Dance Form main article for full characterizations of the progression in the eight dance forms mentioned above). A single dance runs around ten minutes, long enough to progress 15-20 times. If the sets are short to medium length the caller will often try to run the dance until each couple has danced with every other couple both as a 1 and a 2 and returned to where they started. With longer sets (more than ~40 people) this would require long enough sets that the caller will usually only run the dance all the way around on (rare) non equal-turn dances. Choreography Main article: Contra dance choreography Contra dance choreography specifies the dance formation, the figures, and the sequence of those figures in a dance. Notably, contra dance figures (with a few exceptions) do not have defined footwork; within the limits of the music and the comfort of their fellow dancers, individuals move according to their own taste. Most contra dances consist of a sequence of about six to 12 individual figures, prompted by the caller in time to the music as the figures are danced. As the sequence repeats, the caller may cut down his or her prompting, and eventually drop out, leaving the dancers to each other and the music. A figure is a pattern of movement that typically takes eight counts, although figures with four or 16 counts are also common. Each  dance is a collection of figures assembled to allow the dancers to progress along the set (see Progression, above). A count (as used above) is one half of a musical measure, such as one quarter note in 2/4 time or three eighth notes in 6/8 time. A count may also be called a step, as contra dance is a walking form, and each count of a dance typically matches a single physical step in a figure. Typical contra dance choreography comprises four parts, each 16 counts (8 measures) long. The parts are called A1, A2, B1 and B2. This nomenclature stems from the music: Most contra dance tunes (as written) have two parts (A and B), each 8 measures long, and each fitting one part of the dance. The A and B parts are each played twice in a row, hence, A1, A2, B1, B2. While the same music is generally played in, for example, parts A1 and A2, distinct choreography is followed in those parts. Thus, a contra dance is typically 64counts, and goes with a 32 measure tune. Tunes of this form are called square; tunes that deviate from this form are called crooked. Sample contra dances:[18] * Traditional the actives do most of the movement Chorus Jig (Proper duple minor) A1 (16) Actives down the outside and back. [The inactives stand still or substitute a swing] A2 (16) Actives down the center, turn individually, come back, and cast off. [The inactives stand still for the first 3/4, take a step up the hall, and then participate in the cast] B1 (16) Actives turn contra corners. [The inactives participate in half the turns] B2 (16) Actives meet in the middle for a balance and swing, end swing facing up. [The inactives stand still] Note: inactives will often clog in place or otherwise participate in the dance, even though the figures do not call for them to move. * Modern the dance is symmetrical for actives and inactives Hay in the Barn by Chart Guthrie (Improper duple minor) A1 (16) Neighbors balance and swing. A2 (8) Ladies chain across, (8) Half hey, ladies pass right shoulders to start. B1 (16) Partners balance and swing. B2 (8) Ladies chain across, (8) Half hey, ladies pass right shoulders to start. Many modern contra dances have these characteristics[19]: * longways for as many as will * first couples improper, or Becket formation * flowing choreography * no-one stationary for more than 16 beats (e.g. First Couple Balance Swing, finish facing down to make Lines of Four) * containing at least one swing and normally both a partner swing and a neighbour swing * 95% of the moves from a set of well-know moves that the dancers know already * comprised mostly of moves that keep you connected to the other dancers * generally danced to 32 bar jigs or reels played at between 110 and 130 bpm * danced with a smooth walk with lots of spins and twirls An event which consists primarily (or solely) of dances in this style is sometimes referred to as a Modern Urban Contra Dance. Music The most common contra dance repertoire is rooted in the Anglo-Celtic tradition as it developed in North America. Irish, Scottish,French Canadian, and Old-time tunes are common, and Klezmer tunes have also been used. The old-time repertoire includes very few of the jigs common in the others. Tunes used for a contra dance are nearly always square 64-beat tunes, in which one time through the tune is each of two 16-beat parts played twice (this is notated AABB). However, any 64-beat tune will do; for instance, three 8-beat parts could be played AABB AACC, or two 8-beat parts and one 16-beat part could be played AABB CC. Tunes not 64 beats long are called crooked and are almost never used for contra dancing, although a few crooked dances have been written as novelties. Until the 1970s it was traditional to play a single tune for the duration of a contra dance (about 5 to 10 minutes). Since then, contra dance musicians have typically played tunes in sets of two or three related (and somet imes contrasting) tunes, though single-tune dances are again becoming popular with some northeastern bands. In the Celtic repertoires it is common to change keys with each tune. A set might start with a tune in G, switch to a tune in D, and end with a tune in Bm. Here, D is related to G as its dominant (5th), while D and Bm (dorian) share a key signature of two sharps. In the old-time tradition the musicians will either play the same tune for the whole dance, or switch to tunes in the same key. This is because the tunings of the banjo are  key-specific. An old-time band might play a set of tunes in D, then use the time between dances to retune for a set of tunes in A. (Fiddlers also may take this opportunity to retune; tune- or key-specific fiddle tunings are uncommon in American Anglo-Celtic traditions other than old-time.) In the Celtic repertoires it is most common for bands to play sets of reels and sets of jigs. However, since the underlying beat structure of jigs and reels is the same (two counts per bar) bands will occasionally mix jigs and reels in a set. In recent years, younger contra dancers have begun establishing crossover contra or techno contra contra dancing to techno, hip-hop, and other modern forms of music. While challenging for DJs and callers, the fusion of contra patterns with moves from hip-hop, tango, and other forms of dance has made this form of contra dance a rising trend since 2008; it has become especially prevalent in Asheville, NC, but regular techno contra dance series are spreading up the East Coast to locales such as Charlottesville, VA, Washington, DC, Amherst, MA, and Greenfield, MA, with one-time or annual events cropping up in locations further West, including California and Washington state.

The Importance of Family Meals

The Importance of Family Meals The Importance of Family Meals Introduction Whether it is dinner, breakfast, or lunch, family meals offer an opportunity for all family members to pass time enjoying each other’s company and good food. In many occasions, mealtimes might be the only occasion many families have a chance to congregate as a unit. Eating meals as a family provides a huge opportunity to form and strengthen domestic bonds as members engage each other in conversations. Also, research shows that family meals benefit members of the household in terms of nutrition, academic performance, spending and manners. This expressive article highlights the nine major benefits of family meals. The Benefits of Eating as a Family The advantages of eating meals as a family are as follows: Communication and Well-Being Dialogue during mealtimes provides an opportunity for the family to plan, learn, and bond with one another. It is a chance to chat about events of the day as parents give additional attention to their children. Family meals foster love, warmth, security and feeling of belonging. Eating together as a household is not merely about food, but knowing about the wellbeing of one another. Sharing meals with loved ones is like a special event that almost assumes the form of a ceremony, which has always been practiced since time immemorial. Besides the appreciation of the food and the effort that went into making it, there are numerous social elements, such as learning how to conduct conversations, listen, serve others, compromise and solve conflicts which come into play when a household shares meals (TheHJGroup, 2013). Role Modeling Family mealtime is the best time to display and teach one another appropriate meal etiquette, table manners, and social skills by keeping the mood relaxed, light, and loving. Family members try lead by example and not to criticize or instruct. Eating together offers an opportunity to exercise gratitude through prayer or sharing the thing members are thankful for prior to eating. Family meals grant the opportunity to convey the attitudes and values of a household from one generation to another: Children can be taught by their parents or grandparents about the values that are significant to the family. Family meals are also an ideal approach to link up household members with their ethnic or cultural heritage, because differing foods might reflect the distinctive ethnic tastes or cultural traditions of their family’s background (TheHJGroup, 2013). Exploration Family meals enable family members to expand and explore the world round them one diet at a time. Members of the family can encourage each other to try out new foods, without bribing or coercing. They can introduce new foods accompanied by some of their favorites. Parents and children can select new recipes from cookbooks, web sites, magazines or newspapers. Trying out new foods, particularly from different parts of the world is like exploration or beginning a new hobby. It magnifies the experience, knowledge, and skills of the household members (TheHJGroup, 2013). Nourishment and Relaxation Meals that have been prepared and consumed at home are generally more nutritious. They comprise more vegetables, fruits, and dairy products as well as extra nutrients such as vitamins A and C, fiber, and calcium. Moreover, home cooked foods are not usually deep-fried or highly salted like take-away meals. Plus, consumption of sweetened beverage is frequently low at the table as family members ought to take natural blended juices. Recent researches show that family meals are connected to a low risk of obesity in both children and adults because when people eat at home they typically consume a balanced diet. Also, eating together helps family members relax. Before or after having a long day away from home, parents and children can benefit from the pleasure of cooking and enjoying their meal. Not only does this give you them a chance to calm down, it prepares them for the day or for a peaceful, rejuvenating sleep. Self-Sufficiency Family meals provide self-sufficiency to household members because it allows them to know how to plan and make meals. Both basic and complex cooking preparations are requirements for being self-sufficient. Parents can involve their family members in grocery shopping, menu planning, and food preparation. Young children can cut bananas, tear lettuce, and set the table while older children can do tasks, such as peeling vegetables. Teenagers can grill, dice, chop, and bake. Working together puts meals faster on the table and makes everybody more responsible. Prevention of Destructive Behaviors Research indicates that frequent family meals (five or more per week) are linked to low rates of drinking, smoking, and illegal drug abuse in teenagers and pre-teens compared to households that do not eat together. Even as the schedules of older children get more complex, it is vital for parents to make efforts to have meals together. Studies by Columbia University’s National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse show that children who do not have meals with their family members at least twice every week were 40% more likely to indulge in alcohol and drugs, not to eat healthily, and report being distant from their parents than youngsters who eat with their parents often. Better Academic Performances It has been proven that children perform better academically when they have more meals with their family members. Mealtime discussions translate into success in class. As children listen to their parents and other members talk, they learn essential language abilities, such as new reading and vocabulary skills. These skills are necessary for expressing oneself verbally and comprehending what is read, thus they help children perform better on tests in school. According to research by University of Illinois, children who eat more than five times per week with their family members tend to have high academic performance than their peers who habitually eat away from home or eat alone. Cost Reduction Home cooked meals are much cheaper than fast foods. Families do not need to spend a lot of money to prepare tasty meals because they can look up for cheap and simple recipes from cheap vegetarian foods to healthy snacks on a low budget of under $3 per serving. Meals bought outside the home are generally two to four times costly than meals made at home. Fun Family meals are fun. Through sharing meals and taking time to converse about what the family members are experiencing in term of flavors, they are more likely to have fun and be mindful of the food. This results in improved digestion and enjoyment of the food. Family meals are also fun because they are taken and enjoyed in a cool and relaxed setting. Conclusion In conclusion, the benefits of family meals go beyond nutrition. Eating as a family has multiple advantages in many other aspects as well. Family meals are healthier and they provide an occasion for household members to sit around the table, enjoy, relax, discuss and applaud themselves for preparing a meal that is more likely to be nutritious than one that they would have purchased outside the house. Moreover, recent evidence demonstrates that children who have more meals with other family members are the less likely to engage in illegal behavior, such as smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol. These children also perform well in school, have high self-esteem, and do not develop eating disorders. Family meals are a tradition and the cornerstone of the home because they offer self-sufficiency, reduce costs, and provide fun. Bibliography Kolker, C. (2011). The Immigrant Advantage: What We Can Learn from Newcomers to America about Health, Happiness and Hope. New York: Simon and Schuster. TheHJGroup. (2013, October 23). Successful Entrepreneur on The Importance of Family Meals. Retrieved April 12, 2015, from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdzaZL6AdYg Note to student: Include the secondary source from your school’s library databases in the bibliography above.