Name: 

Course:

Institution:

Tutor:

Date:

Entry of Fish & Co Restaurant to Hong Kong Market

Reasons for Market Expansion

Internal Analysis

International Brand Recognition

Fish & Co. has not only many branches in Singapore alone but it also has branches in other parts of the world such as Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia and the Middle East (Fish & Co., 2010). Having expanded this much, the company has greater opportunities of expanding further in other parts of the world such as Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan. A well-known brand sells faster than a new one. This is so especially if the brand has positively maintained itself in the market. Statistics show that Hong Kong exports an average of 12120 tons of fish yearly (Department of Statistics, 2011). Consequently, a quite number of people especially those living at the shores of the rivers have it as a staple food. It is also a common meal in many of the local restaurants. Fish is also a common meal in Japan and South Korea. Penetrating these countries will not be hard.

Local Competition

The restaurant already has seventeen branches in Singapore alone. If it increases branches further, it will saturate and not make as much profits as venturing in other markets in other countries. There are approximately 7.1 million people in Hong Kong (Encyclopedia of Nations, 2011). This is approximately two million people more than those in Singapore are. Venturing in this place would be venturing into a larger market and more opportunities. As indicated, the population is a fish eating population. In Singapore such restaurants as Teochew City Seafood, Manhattan, Quayside, Jumbo No Signboard, Palm Beach, amongst others, put up a lot of competition for the restaurant (Metropalsia, Singapore, 2011),. This leaves the company with the option of venturing in the outside market in order to increase it chances of making profits and surviving in the competitive market of the food service. Although there many restaurant in Hong Kong, Japan and even South Korea, the market is larger and the people eat fish more frequently those in Singapore.

External Analysis

Growth Opportunities Overseas

It is believed that the larger the market, the higher the chances of survival. As indicated earlier, the population in Hong Kong is much larger that that of Singapore. The market in Hong Kong is also welcoming as people are more fish eaters there. Hong is largely involved in fish exporting therefore there will be no problem of acquiring the product. Since Hong Kong is part of China, the company’s chances of expanding to other parts of China will also be increased. Expanding the company to such countries will help the growth of the restaurant as a company and as individuals working in the restaurant (Chung & Hong KongPolytechnicUniversity, 2003).

Government’s Support

The government in Singapore greatly encourages the companies in the country to venture in other counties such as possible. They have very few trade barriers. The government also has an international enterprise where it provides the companies with guidance, tax incentives, loans and grants, international training courses amongst others (Risk Watch, 2003). Through such kind of support, the risk involved in overseas investing is greatly reduced.

The best place to locate the business is in Hong KongIsland. This is because it is the CapitalCity, Hong Kong is. A lot activities including take place here and it is populous. Since it is an Island, accessing fish will not be much of a challenge therefore eliminating product-acquiring challenges. Fish is also cheaper here and people are more acquainted to fish and fish products in this region. One of the basic relaxing activities in Hong Kong is meeting at a central place and eating. If the restaurant keeps their high standards of serving quality and tasty fish, then families will definitely gather in these places.

Target analysis

            Hong Kong has a population of approximately 7.1 million people. Although there are many people, they are engaged in diverse activities. They are engaged in the trading and businesses since it is the capital city of China. However, those in near waters like the Hong KongIsland are engaged in fishing. A college student probably gets an average yearly salary of 120,000 HKD. Those working in the banking or finance industries earn an average of 40,000 HKD per month. In general, an average earner in this city gets an average annul salary of 250,000 HKD (Average Salary Survey, 2011. Most people living in Hong Kong are old. Seventy-one percent of the population is between the ages of 15 and 64 years old. Eighteen percent of the population constitutes people (Encuclopedia of Nations, 2011).

Most people in Hong Kong, as in the rest of China, are involved in healthy eating habits due to their culture. They eat a lot of seafood, which is mostly healthy. However, they have a bad habit of smoking, which is well known to be harmful to one’s health. It is therefore essential for them to engage in good eating habits in order to slow down the damage brought by smoking (Training Management Corporation & Princeton, 2000). Both communities are similar in different ways. They both engage in healthy eating habits and they are as equally like seafood ((Training Management Corporation & Princeton, 2000). Due to the limited income, the people buy the essentials. It is therefore important that Fish & Co. make the food available by pricing the food in a consumer friendly manner.

References

Average Salary Survey, (March 2011). Average Salary in Hong Kong. Averagesalarysurvey 2010/2011. Retrieved from http://www.averagesalarysurvey.com/article/average-salary-in-hong-kong/19111914/income.aspx

Burrow, J., & Bosiljevac, J. (2009). Marketing. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning.

Chung, K. M., & Hong KongPolytechnicUniversity. (2003). Factors affecting tip size in restaurants: A study of Chinese restaurants in Hong Kong. Hong Kong: Graduate School of Business, The Hong KongPolytechnicUniversity.

Department of  Statistics Singapore, Time Series on Population (Mid-Year Estimates). Retrieved from

Encyclopedia of Nations (2011). Hong Kong. Encyclopedia of Nations. Retrieved from http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Asia-and-the-Pacific/Hong-Kong.html

Fish & Co, (2010). Store Locations. Fish & Co. Retrieved from

Metropolasia, Singapore, (2011). The best seafood Restaurants in Singapore. Retrieved from http://www.metropolasia.com/Singapore/best-restaurants-in-Singapore/Seafood

RISK WATCH – Ensuring the success of business expansion strategies. (January 01, 2008). The Internal Auditor : Journal of the Institute of Internal Auditors, 65, 1, 71.

Training Management Corporation., & Princeton Training Press. (2000). Doing business in Hong Kong. Princeton, N.J: Training Management Corp.

Training Management Corporation., & Princeton Training Press. (2000). Doing business in Singapore. Princeton, N.J: Training Management Corp.

 

Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.

[order_calculator]

Name: 

Instructor:

Course:

Date:

Recent Cyber security Incident- T.J. Maxx Breach

Cyber security refers to protecting one’s personal data from unauthorized external access. A lot of valuable and classified information nowadays is being stored in computers. It is for this reason the demand for cyber security specialists are on escalating demand. Both the government and the private investors are using the internet in one way or the other thus cyber security skills are needed across the board. The recent cyber security incidents have triggered the need to protect the electronic infrastructure as vital information is contained therein. Intrusion into certain information in the business world may translate to lose of billions of money and that is why talent in cyber security has become a matter of urgency. In the government, leaks in classified information stored in government computer systems may comprise the national security.

Security breaches come in very many different forms ranging from virus attack to theft of hardware, system penetration (hack threat) to sabotage of data, and many others. The main reason why this is possible is that attack tools are cheaply accessible while others can be downloaded from the internet without a fee. With basic skills, a very significant damage on the system can be caused by an intruder since even a minor attack is capable of causing enormous destruction. These criminal acts however are of low threat as attackers can evade detection by concealing their pathway.

In the case of T.J. Maxx, there was an intense disclosure of secure information from approximately 45.5 million credit and debit cards (Kawamoto 2007). This data breach was considered one of the largest of its kind in the recent past. Over a period of 18 months, 45.5 million card numbers were stolen from its unsecured systems. According to the company, this was due to an illegal intrusion by an unknown number of people into its payment system. This lead to the compromise of personal data belonging to a big number of customers. The company announced that the intrusion into their systems began in May 2006 but went on undiscovered to mid December the date were revised after investigations. It showed that the intrusion began in July 2005 (Vijayan, 2007).

The breach of data was carried out in the system that stored and processed information on payments card, checks and merchandise. This affected customers from the United States of America, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom. The type of data that was stolen has not been established since most of the data stolen had been deleted during normal operations. In addition, the company said the technology used by the hackers made it impossible for them to track the contents of the stolen files. This has opened a number of lawsuits filed against the company for reluctance to disclose details about the case in time. The Arkansas Carpenters Pension Fund is one of those customers that have filed a lawsuit against T.J. MAX.

The breach is the biggest ever in the history of card heist and has prompt companies to rethink their data security measures. This is following the kind of amount in loses that T.J. MAX has incurred and the numerous lawsuits thy have to battle with. It unpredictable how much will be spent by  the time all this is over but it is so clear a lot of resources will be used in this case. This case brought to people’s attention the reality of the existence of cyber criminals in the society and the need to deliberate on ways to fight them. Millions of dollars can be stolen by a simple click of a button hence need for an urgent and timely solution to this possible misfortune.

The event of a possible loss of secure and personal data in a companies system involves very profound implications on its reputation. Loosing such important information is catastrophic but more terrible is failing to notice that all is not well until things have gone out of hand. This may attract very negative gestures such as neglect of customer’s property and lack of commitment. The perception that losses are abounded may adversely affect the customer’s confidence in the company’s ability to protect their investments prompt anticipation of a bad outcome. With this kind of attitude and public opinion regarding an organization, the probability of the company to thrive is made slim as the days go by. Loosing customers without gaining new ones becomes the order of the day

A company’s sense of integrity is what gives one company an upper hand over its competitor. Any decision made regarding the companies response to a particular issue must be carefully thought of that it does not compromise the company’s integrity (Stanfield 2011). In the case of T.J. MAX, the decision not to divulge the details concerning the breach was one that compromised the level of integrity in the public opinion’s view. It is wrong and mischievous to withhold information that affects the company and consequently the innocent customers risking their investments without knowledge of it. This would create a feeling of dishonesty and suspicion in the end when the truth unfolds. At this point, people may not even want to listen rather they would be very skeptical and uncomfortable dealing with such a company.

Failing to secure a wireless network in one of its stores was the reason T.J.MAX was going through such a tough period ever since it started its operations. This however had a terrible implication on the company’s integrity. Professionally, that kind of a mistake is unheard of. This brought to doubt the competence of the company in handling credit and debit cards. The hackers had acquired even the encryption key even though they were able to intercept the credit card’s data even before it was encrypted. With the kind of intrusion experienced by the T.J. MAX Company, it could appear apparent that there was a great gap left unsecured due to either neglect or incompetence. This can really ruin the perception of the company’s integrity which consequently my cause serious implications on its existence.

A repeat of the same breach should be avoided at all costs, especially since the repercussions are quite serious. To deal with this therefore in future, deliberate measure must be taken in order to stop cyber criminals from tampering with people’s personal information and to promote confidentiality. It evident that it is almost impossible for a person to carry out any business without collecting personal identification information. While this true, one reserves the right to have his or her personal information held as confidential and private. Some other information other than personal information requires confidentiality as much. The military and intelligence agencies should be protected from data hacking as some information may be matters of national security.

Cyber criminals attack a company’s network through identifying their system weak points, interfering with the password and computer malware attacks. To avoid incursions, all areas in the organization that handle information resources should be shut down against vulnerability, violation of the pass code and keep away from malware attacks. This is achieved by installing core systems protection, IT compliance controls assessment automation, and endpoint management. Web messaging security solutions is also vital fight attacks. Security information and event management can be of assistance in identifying and notifying insecure network activity to prompt investigations.

To keep away from cyber security attacks, an organization must keep on protecting its database proactively as it is not enough to protect the perimeters. Data breach risk can be significantly reduced if protection policies through the servers, network and endpoints are put. If an incursion is successful, it is still possible to cease data breach by use of detective network software to avert exfiltration (Department of Homeland Security, 2011). To keep your data secure, you must know where it comes through into the company’s system, where it is changed, stored and shared with other people.

Information must be managed in a in a complete data flow and that is, date of creation, date of discarding, and a record of all the avenues it has been used in between date of creation to the date of disposal. The organization must come up with security measures and contracts with third party partners (Dawn 2011). The information security personnel must be consulted when a deal involves sensitive data in the organization. In preventing malware attacks, it is critically paramount to detect the software to establish the source and its nature. Eliminating shared secrets from the authentication process with social networking is another way of avoiding breaches. Most importantly, let the employees be informed about current tactics used by fraudsters. By educating them you put them in a position well equipped with knowledge on what to expect and hence can offer a better solution.

Knowing the damage cyber criminals can cause, every businesses including the government have embarked on finding solutions and some taking prior measures. This is to ensure such an event as that of T.J.MAX does not befall them due to lack of preparedness. The government is training cyber security personnel as one of the measures to fight the vice in the government premises bravely. To avoid such occurrences, it is necessary for all organizations to put network protection policies, thereby preventing huge losses that have the potential to cripple the entire business. Due to this reality, the demand for cyber security will rise even more as the economy keeps on the upward growth. This will see cyber security personnel become the most sort after profession in the near future. As the internet continues to offer more platforms for business to thrive, the need for skilled cyber security professionals will be inevitable.

References

Kawamoto, Dawn.  “TJX says 45.7 million customer records were compromised”. 29 Sep 2011. Web: 2011

Department of Homeland Security. “Cyber Security Tips” 29 Sep 2011. Web: 2011

Vijayan, Jaikumar. “TJX data breach: At 45.6M card numbers, it’s the biggest ever.” 29 Sep 2011. Web: 2011

Stanfield, Michael. “Lessons learned from the TJ Maxx Data Breach.”29 Sep 2011. Web: 2011.

Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.

[order_calculator]

Name:

Course:

Tutor:

Date:

French Film Essay

            New Wave Films are one of the main momentous film progressions noted in the history of cinematography. It played a great role in countries such as France by reviewing the film industry through new supports in filming methods and themes of movie production. Some characteristics of new wave films include personal replications in films through the directors’ duplication of intense emotions and determinations within various life aspects. Due to this, the director’s ideas and work were extremely personal and original. Film requirements were independent of each other and the directors had the liberty to explore their ideas on motion pictures. Additionally, the new wave allowed directors to produce films on manageable budgets (Golf 68).

As film producers incorporated some of these characteristics in their production strategies, higher emotional aspects were relayed into films thus enhancing the fact that viewers related to the films. For example, in the French movie The 400 Blows the narrative that has been told from the director’s point of view meaning that the film has been produced as a reflection of the director’s individuality. For example, Truffaut expresses his views on family customs, education and authority all subjected to the producer’s views (Roman 105).

The director’s individuality is illustrated in the film in instances where Truffaut makes individual statements within the story line. Truffaut achieves this as the narrator; through this, the viewer is introduced to the protagonist, a young boy who is troubled by a missing childhood that was not provided by his parents owing to various issues. As a result, the boy is always causing trouble at home and at school. The mature aspect of life seems to offer no form of appeal to the child. Additionally, the child undergoes several conflicts with his parents at home and teachers at the school setting leading him to rebellious tendencies through opposing school and parental authority.

The story appears to offer a bleak and dreadful end for the protagonist but it works out in an unexpected manner as the child flees from home. In addition, the movie evidences the use of hand held cameras, which is a common feature of new wave films. The use of hand held cameras allows flexibility in the movement of the camera creating the feeling of familiarity amongst the audience. For example, towards the ending as the protagonist is escapes from the reform school by fleeing towards his yearned location at the sea, the camera takes a closer view at his face through an extreme close-up allowing the character for him to look back at the audience directly.

Truffaut believed that camera mobility permitted innovation and creativity within the film. The French education system as shown in the film appears to be very unsympathetic because the students are not given an opportunity to express themselves. This can be illustrated in the scene where, Antoine is given a harsh suspension punishment covering a long duration for committing a minor mistake of essay plagiarism. The teacher also embarrasses him by calling out his mistake in front of the whole class (Roman 105). From these two instances, the learning system instills fear in the students and therefore creating a gap in the learner- teacher association.

Contrasting this to my schooling system evidences a liberal setting than the one established in the film. Although the punishment and rewards system is similar to my schooling setting, tutors within the present learning systems are more concerned with the students’ intellectual progression, mental development and self-esteem. For example, when a student breaks school rules, he/she is given an appropriate punishment and later required to visit the counseling department for the impartation of positive values through behavioral approaches. With this, a learner’s confidence is built as no authoritarian fear and intimidation is instilled within the students.

 

 

Works Cited

Golf, William. “The Legacy of the New Wave.” New York Magazine 9 January 1984: 68. Print.

Roman, James. Bigger Than Blockbusters: Movies That Defined America. Westport: Greenwood Press, 2009. Print.

Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.

[order_calculator]

Name:

School:

Course/Number:

Date:

Instructor Name:

Review of the Literature on Autism

Introduction

Autism is a widely studied condition that presently has no known cure. Scholars have defined autism as a development disorder that presents itself in the first three years of age. Autism is considered a neurodevelopmental disorder that disrupts the development of the person socially; hinders verbal and nonverbal communication development as well as disrupting behavior. People with autism are faced by many challenges in life, and those around them too have the liability of understanding and trying to make them happy. It is important that people appreciate what autism is, its characteristics, how it can be treated, techniques of including autistic individuals in daily societal activities through special education and methods of accommodation. More so, it is important for handlers to understand the condition within an early age for better interventions. Autism is characterized by lack of communicating skills, language difficulty, lack of socialization and unusual interests and behaviors. Affected individuals require special education towards handling professional interests and talents like arts, science and mathematics.

Recent research indicates that the autism disorder is quite common and therefore it only requires intervention through an increment of its awareness. Research has indicated that the condition has notably increased within the populace over the past decade and children faced with autism need interventions through educational approaches to help them cope with various life aspects. The documentation has highlighted the effects of autism on individuals such as lack of effective contact with people and the environment, and socializing difficulties due to inadequate social development.

Characteristics

            Autism is a neurodevelopment disorder that inhibits social development by a visible presentation in the first three years of life as cited by various literatures. According to Marwick, Aline-Wendy and MacKay (2005), autism has several distinct characteristics the most prominent being an inadequate form of social development noted during interactions with peers or people of the same age. In such instances, it has been noted that the autistic people remain withdrawn from their peers. Due to this, autistic individuals are not in position to make and maintain friends. More so, they suffer from lack of compassion towards others and thereby failing to adapt their personality in line with the social environment. Autistic people face the difficulty of establishing social relationships with others and prefer isolation since they largely do not know how to handle, establish and maintain relationships (Marwick, Aline-Wendy, & MacKay 2005).

The second characteristic concerns difficulties of communication, caused by the fact that autistic individuals do not develop communication skills, both verbally and nonverbally. Nonverbal communicating skills include function such as maintaining eye contact, facial expressions, gestures, and facial responses that pose great difficulties to autistic individuals. Language development is also difficult; the affected hardly talk and find it tasking in initiating conversations, contributing to discussions or negotiating, and comprehending what other individuals offer in communication instance. Additionally, they also encounter difficulties in interpreting figures of speech as well as symbolic language such as metaphors, irony and sarcasm (Marwick, Aline-Wendy, & MacKay 2005).

A third characteristic of autism is difficulties in behavior and thought patterns where affected individuals may have little imaginative skills resulting into restrictions and repetition of certain stereotypes and behaviors. For autistic individuals, their imagination often lacks the ability to relay the same towards collective uses and functional play. In other words, their interests do not resemble others’ interests or the usual cultural interests; they are always preoccupied by routine and structure (Marwick, Aline-Wendy, & MacKay 2005). Marwick, Aline-Wendy and MacKay (2005) have utilized recently conducted researches in the preparation of the given ideas and conclusions concerning autism.

Eligibility

            To help autistic children, there is a strong need for practical interventions and recognizing children with the condition towards receiving required educational services. This has led to the need for early diagnosis measures in autism to ensure proper handling within a manageable form. Eligibility is concerned with identifying characteristics related to autism and determining how adversely they may affect an individual in terms of communication, social interactions and education. To determine the eligibility of an individual, literature suggests that one should utilize professionals in assessing the magnitude of the development disability. For a child to qualify as an autistic, he or she has to evidence development disabilities that adversely hinder verbal and nonverbal communication, interactions with the society, and difficulty in sensory responses that are evident by three years of age. Moreover, the child should evidence instances that these conditions affect his or her education capabilities clearly from other influences such as emotional disturbances.

RTI Connection

            RTI connection involves examining the problem and its causes, designing measures and the kind of interventions required towards managing the condition as well as the execution needs. Progress monitoring follows the implementation phase while evaluation is ranked last in a bid to assess the interventions effectiveness. Response to intervention (RTI) in autism aims at diagnosing whether the child is autistic, outlining the best measures of intervention, and monitoring the reaction of the child’s to the given intervention.

Best Teaching Practices

             According to Marwick, Aline-Wendy and MacKay (2005), the best approach to teaching children with autism comprises of a well-structured framework. Research has revealed that children with autism are able to benefit more from a structured teaching approach that provides a basis for a series of interventions, through enhanced social interactions and communication. Additionally, progress is best achieved when the intervention is incorporated early enough after the condition has been identified since it has been proved that early interventions accord a big impact in enhancing social interactions and communication skills. Such approaches include a structured educational setting based on close monitoring from parents and families alongside professionals with a structured continuous intervention model (Marwick, Aline-Wendy & MacKay, 2005). In this method, visual and nonverbal equipment are used to aid the individuals in planning, transitioning and organizing skills in various activities.

The second method is referred to as the behavioral approach based on skinner’s theory of learning as a form of development process that suggests reinforcing behavior through positive and negative influences. This approach seeks to alter the development environment by changing it to fit autistic individuals by considering that the fact that they do not conduct learning under normal environments like other children. The development interactive approach is the third method that suggests various motivations for an individual to engage in social interactions and the setting required for usual development. It is further targeted to specific ways that encourage certain healthy responses. The last practice is termed as the socio-constructive/cognition approach as discussed by Marwick, Aline-Wendy and MacKay (2005). The approach suggests that in the same way that cognitive behavior therapy and stories aid children in developing ideas and social principles to bring out meaning, additional supporting programs can be used as inclusive supports for children with autism. The remaining two approaches namely, sensory and motor therapy and biomedical approaches are less applied in teaching practices due to intricacy aspects as well as their nature as being time-intensive techniques.

Application in the General Education Classroom

Mixed results have forwarded by researchers with regard to autistic students in general classrooms sites. One example is that children with disabilities, inclusive of autism disorders, tend to be more popular than normal students are (Harrower, & Dunlap, 2001). A research carried out by Handlemann, Harris, Gordon, Bass and Kristoff gave no results as to the relationship between children belonging to three distinct learning groups within the classroom. The groupings comprised of children with autism in a segregated class, another group with autism in an inclusive class and another group of developing students in an inclusive class (Harrower, & Dunlap, 2001). However, these results have been used by many researchers to argue that autistic children can be included in a general class with no negative effects.

Harrower and Dunlap (2001) have given some solutions that can be incorporated in the learning system in order to help autistic students cope with a general setting. Antecedent procedures are used to reduce and prevent the challenging behavior experienced in general classes. Picture scheduling, prompt delivery and priming are the most popular antecedent procedures towards accommodating students in normal classes. Delayed contingencies have been found to help the students in improving appropriate behavior in general classrooms. For example, Dunlap and Johnson found that through applying unpredictable supervision on autistic children, on-task behavior offers superior results in settings where the learners were not supervised than that incorporating supervision practices. Other strategies that Harrower and Dunlap suggested include self-management strategies, peer-mediated interventions, and multicomponent interventions. Peer mediated interventions comprise of peer tutoring, utilizing peer support and cooperative learning.

Methods of Instruction

            Rachel Evans (2008) a specialist in autism clarifies that autistic children are more visual than audio in terms of learning. It is important to include visual props as permanent components of the learning environment. Both visual and audio incentives should be controlled because most autistic children are largely stimulated by the least of things. With most autistic students struggling with communication skills, Evans feels that it is important for instructors to include argumentative communication systems. These acts as great aids within the communication requirement and therefore social skills should be best taught directly. This means that social skills need to be taught like the any other academic topic with instruction, if not literacy, being placed within the highest of all learning priorities.

Accommodation

            Beech from the Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (2010) feels that each autistic student should be handled in an individual manner aligning to the identified individual needs. As much as most autistic children have similar characteristics, some factors differ in terms of individuality. For example, some autistic learners are more reluctant to change than others are. It is therefore important that the institution adopt strategies to accommodate individual factors within the students. Accommodation may be achieved as group settings, or just as individuals. It is also important to note that autistic students are not quite the same as other students even though they maybe present in an inclusive class. Assuming their special needs would only act as a constraint towards effectual learning.

Beech explains that changing the classroom setting by making special arrangements such as putting extra hours on the students and orienting the other students on how to behave towards autistic learners are healthy accommodating approaches. It is not wise to treat such individuals differently even though are known to be different. This is because discriminative handling approaches tend to push the affected individuals away rather than draw them closer to the targeted achievement. A high involvement of parents and guardians is also important in preparing such students towards various accommodations so that they do not experience immense changes between home and school settings.

Modifications

            Several modifications have been adopted in educational programs for autistic learners. These modifications comprise of revised schools curriculums for superior learning environments. Besides having revised instructional strategies, learning environments for autistic students still mandate further modifications to suit the learners’ special needs. Students with autism learn better in a structured environment. This simply means that the environment should comprise a structural arrangement in terms of furniture and learning materials arranged in specific manner towards accommodating the students into the most comfortable style of learning. The modifications should also ensure that learning distractions for the autistic students are addressed. For instance, it is recommended that autistic children in a class should be offered preferential seating arrangements and independent working areas.

Other ways requiring modifications include the learning environments in terms of organized working systems. This refers to the fact that a room or an immediate environment around an autistic child should be marked thoroughly to aid with the identification of various objects. For instance, it is recommended that an instructor should use marked or labeled containers while dealing with autistic children due to the visual aspects. The container approach may also be used in the organization of the learners’ tasks. Notebooks may also be employed to organize the students’ day schedules along with written task directions as an adaptation approach within the learning environment. These alterations are very effectual in improving the learners’ independence in various life activities.

Online Resources for Teachers/Parents

            Today, autism has become a major issue in the media and press. While watching news or other television programs, it is highly likely that one will come across the issue of autism. Due to this, many people have termed the condition as an epidemic and therefore, various societal members have accorded preeminence to the disorder in terms of handling. Scientists across the world have also adopted a similar approach, terming the condition as one of their major and most important tasks towards offering a superior understanding on the same to parents struggling with the identification of better ways towards helping their children. Consequently, several resources for helping and training parents and teachers in effectual handling practices have been introduced in online websites. These resources are aimed at helping the parents and teachers in their quest to give the autistic children a better life.

These resources are structured as online pages with lists and links to other websites that give information on different methods of helping autistic children. The internet also gives a broad capacity for parents and teachers to acquire educational resources for their autistic children. The internet also contains a vast number of features but that are utilized most effectively by special education children as a communication channel. Learners also use resources found in cyberspace like emails and social networking sites to communicate with their tutors whereas the tutors also use the same channels to interact with parents.

The internet also incorporates a lot of interactivity in virtual classrooms through generating direct and instant personalized responses thereby making learning more interesting. The sites also create useful inputs for autistic students. By using these resources, special education students engage in activities like reading and exploring functions since they receive immediate feedback. The responses then help them in improving crucial skills in subjects like math. Art and other activities have oral provisions in special websites for autistic children. Assessments can also be generated online for students towards measuring individual learning capabilities. As several learners interact in the special websites, the sites can be fixed to collect data on their responses and then use the same to track an individual’s development over time. Parents and tutors are usually notified via the website on the progress of their child.

Advocacy Organizations

The journal of Health Advocacy Organizations and Evidence-based Medicine provides an overview of diverse groups that aim in averting the autism disorder. These groups attempt to accord investigations on the causes of autism in a bid to try handling health care costs, reform the health care systems and provide support to patients. Advocacy organizations are crucial in an independent society because they help in promoting public health concerns of autism patients. Some advocacy organizations are non-profit in nature and aim at organizing campaigns for eliminating discriminatory laws thus improving life chances in autism individuals. Other advocacy organizations work towards advancing civil rights of autistic individuals.

Health organizations are termed as advocacy organizations by targeting individuals affected with autism disorders and offering effectual communication about their main concerns to regulators, lawmakers and private and public sponsors. Their initiatives stress on the needs that may arise from the autistic populace although some of the health advocacy organizations are committed to treatment interventions for the autism disorder. In addition, decisions are shared and used for evidence-based medicine (EBM) in order to determine the best support programs for autism patients. Some support groups such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health America oppose the use of EBM in order to limit free access to testing and treatment options. This is because testing and treatment options do not provide better outcomes to individuals with the autism disorder.

Rothman (2011) points out that some treatment medicines cause harm while others works better. Thus, EBM critics point out that there is no evidence that indicates the benefits of medicine in handling autism. Other advocacy organizations such as the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN) and Disability Advocacy Organization (DAO) seek to institute human rights for autism individuals. For instance, ASAN seeks to ensure that autism advocacy goals have been achieved through ensuring that autism individuals enjoy equal rights like any other citizens. ASAN also provides support services to autism individuals as well as educating communities on ways of improving public awareness concerning the autism disorder.

Autism affects both an individual as well as the concerned families. Most parents with autism children are prone to stress development and thereby creating poor relationships in the family. The Families and Advocates Partnership for Education (FAPE) supports organizations that aim at improving educational results of children with autism disabilities. FAPE links professional educators, families of children with autism disabilities and advocators in a partnership for better goals attainment and supportive psychological needs. Moreover, FAPE also emphasizes on educational programs that reach parents, policymakers and professional educators in order to encourage them in working towards supporting autism individuals.

Research Review Highlights

            Various researches on autism with topics ranging from its causes, diagnosis, treatment, and educating autistic have been conducted. Aline-Wendy and MacKay (2005), working in the National Center for Autism in Scotland carried out a review on the topic of autism that was meant to provide a background for investigating currents provisions for autistic children. Their review included a background on autism and information concerning the different approaches used in educating autistic individuals, including international studies.

The reviews provided a background on the topic especially on policy documentation and assessment reports. Additionally, an evaluation on the effectiveness of intervention approaches is also provided. Also illustrated is the importance of special education in the incorporation of superior learning practices. The review focuses on the impact of the condition such as verbal and nonverbal communicating difficulties, sensory impairments, among other mentioned difficulties. In the second section, the review provides a systematic approach to the given reviews, according attention to the application features in terms of personal or interpersonal focus. The review provides a good up to date knowledge for all people seeking to understand autism.

Other investigations concerning other topics such as instruction techniques that best fit children with autism have been notable in identifying benefits of visual instructions rather than verbal. Beech has highlighted this in his article following several studies by the Bureau of Exceptional and Student Services. Another topic that has been addressed concerns modifications in terms of curriculum, materials and other needs that special students require for effective learning. Online sites also provide a variety of resources on the autism condition. Note that, online sources also accommodate results from research institutions as a way of enhancing the allocation function. Additionally, the online approach has been highly employed due to lessened cost factors.

In Rothman Sheila’s article, she used the evidence-based medicine (EBM) methodology towards evaluating the morality of decisions made in assessing the treatment risks and benefits of autism disorder. Evidences in this methodology range from meta-analyses to systematic reviews. The EBM methodology was developed by American Medical Association in order to evaluate and recognize aspects of health care provisions to autism individuals. Individual factors such as quality and life value judgments were appraised using the same methodology. EBM seeks to simplify medical practices that are the standard subject matter of scientific methods. Scientific evidence methods are therefore used to predict medical treatment results as a desirable factor in health issues.

Conclusion

Autism has been recognized as a major issue in the society and awareness towards the same has increased with many organizations and scientists taking more studies on the condition. Psychologists are also presently working towards the same as they search for the best way of providing autistic people with a normal life despite their various difficulties in life. Various researches have been conducted and many results have been provided concerning ways of educating autistic people inclusively in normal classes as well as in special classes. After writing this review, it is evident that through informing and educating all people about autism and the need for diagnosing it as early as possible, help can be given to affected children as early as possible in order to overcome common difficulties before a critical level is noted.

 

 

References

Beech, M., (2010). Assisting Student with Disabilities. Bureau of Exceptional and Student Services.

Evans R., (2008). Autism and Instruction Methods That Work Best in School. Retrieved from

Harrower, J. K & Dunlap, G., (2001). Including Children with Autism in General Education Classrooms: A Review of Effective Statrategies. Behavior Modification, 25(5), 762-784.

Marwick, H., Aline-Wendy, D. & MacKay, T. (2005). National Centre for Autism Studies

Literature Review of Autism. Strathclyde. National Centre for Autism Studies.

Rothman, S. M. (June 22, 2011). Health advocacy organizations and evidence-based medicine.

Journal of the American Medical Association, 305(24), 2569-2570.

 

Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.

[order_calculator]

Name:

Lecturer:

Course:

Date:

Web-site Evaluation

            The website, ‘Internet Activities for Foreign Languages Classes’ acquired from the address was created in the technology workshops of language projects in California. The website has diverse features, which are vital for educators of foreign languages. It has different worksheets that correspond with reliable websites, which are suitable for credibility purposes and user reliability. They website conforms to Service Level Agreement levels, for instance, Spanish level one or two are arranged in ranks that enable students to easily locate required contents. The same has been applied to other languages including French, English, German, and Japanese, amongst others.

The website was developed by participants of California Language Teachers Association (CLTA) and California Foreign Language Project (CFLP). The website is a reliable source by aligning to ethos influence by the fact that CFLP aligns to edicts set by 1882 Senate Bill instituted by the California Legislature. CLTA comprises of twenty teachers organizations while CFLP works together with two other credible learning organizations, inclusive of CLTA. The amalgamation addresses the issue of site bias through the ideas presented as well as enhances the issues addressed by offering different perspectives. Additionally, the site offers comprehensive educational information evidenced by the large number of sources and teaching bodies. The website also provides crucial website lessons for the Spanish language. Being a reliable site, it has helped me with regard to Spanish classes; it explains on how to write down diverse web activities, read some strategies that one is required to include as well as explains the classroom Internet options (Johnson 2011).

The layout within the site is appealing because it is clearly outlined. The sample web lessons are arranged and designed well in terms of usability. Each of the language lessons are arranged in an orderly manner thus making it easier for one to locate the content required. For instance, Spanish language is arranged in subtitles and each subtitle is given a website link in which the user can be able to navigate through and find the required information. Navigation within the website is difficult because information is given in different links making it time intensive. The global website navigation approach is utilized; it indicates the level sections of the given information in different pages. The levels make navigation a bit inflexible. The clarity of the site is good, though weakened by navigational factors. With the programs clearly developed and designed in a way that enables one to identify required information through the link labels, clarity is indicated.

Advertising is present on the identified website. For instance, Web Whacker, that offers a search device applicable to the entire website. The site is useful for my content syllabus, by enabling me to explore and downloads required information for the Spanish lessons. Web Whacker is a power source that has enhanced my navigational needs within the site (Johnson 2011). I will use the website in my lessons to acquire information needed for the impartation of mental expertise required to learn Spanish, especially in terms of diction and writing. I will select and evaluate the information, which is significant to the realization of the given needs. My desired result is to achieve the teaching strategies for foreign language and student centered instructions that are ideal for learning foreign languages, such that I can offer superior instructions to learners as well as enhance my personal capabilities. Through use of the website, I will be exposed to diverse languages enhancing the command aspect with regard to the given dialect.

  

Work cited

Johnson, Lewis. Internet Activities for Foreign Language Classes. 15 September 2011. Web.

2011. <http://www.clta.net/lessons>

 

Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.

[order_calculator]

 

Name:

Course:

Institution:

Tutor:

Date: 

Admissibility of Scientific Evidence in the Courtroom

The rules governing the admissibility of scientific evidence in courts are referred to as the Frye or Daubert standards. These stem from the Frye vs. the United States or the Daubert vs. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals cases. However, there are states that do not support or align to the given rules. Such states follow an alternative rule that was developed by the legislature and adopted by Congress in the year 1975, largely termed as the 702. This alternative rule states that “if scientific, technical or other specialized knowledge will assist the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue, a witness qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training or education may testify thereto in the form of an opinion or otherwise” (Calhoun, 2008, p.1).

The MarylandState does not conform to the Daubert standard. However, it sometimes adopts the Frye tests and uses it in some cases. For example, the Frye test was employed in Reed vs. State, Hutton vs. State and Burral vs. State in 1978, 1995 and 1999 respectively. In 2005 in a case concerning Smith vs. State, the Supreme Court in Maryland offered a statement that the State does not reject the Daubert standard but rather left a case-by-case development where it could be determined whether or to what extent the standard could be applied (Cranor, 2006).

In New Jersey, the Daubert standard has been adopted and is still applied even though there are incidences that it has not been fully utilized. In the 1995 case concerning Bahrle vs. Exxon Corp., the Daubert standard was cited in the ruling (Brennan et al., 2009). It was stated that experts must name the factual bases that lead to the conclusions, offer an explanation for the methodology and prove the reliability of the methodology and conclusion. This mostly applies to the toxic torts. This rule is identical to the Daubert standard and that is the reason it has been widely used.

As stated earlier there are cases that have given an exemption to this standard. The Supreme Court states that cases concerning plaintiffs bearing the responsibility of confirming medical causality, have evidence that has not been confirmed by the scientific community but rather compelling evidence nevertheless suggests that such relationship exists, can be taken. A good scenario can be traced in the Kemp vs. State case, where the Supreme Court gave a more relaxed ruling based on the Daubert standard (Brennan et al., 2009).

The plaintiff (Debra Kemp) claimed that the defendant issued her a rubella vaccine; she was then expectant of her daughter Delisha Kemp. The daughter acquired Congenital Rubella Syndrome. The defendant’s allegations were that the plaintiff did not confirm that she was sexually active or pregnant. Kemp argues that she was not warned that she should not have gotten the vaccination due to the repercussions it has on unborn children. The plaintiff brought their own expert to give a deposition testimony of their allegations. The defendants put up that the plaintiff did not have enough scientifically acceptable evidence to prove that the rubella immunization did in deed cause the child’s defect (Brennan et al., 2009).

The trial court and the Appellate Division ruled in favor of the defendants stating that the expert did not use any methodology in order to come up with the conclusion. According to the two courts, no treatise, toxicology data, epidemiology data, medical journal, report or study was given to demonstrate an existing relationship between the Congenital Rubella Syndrome and the rubella vaccine. The expert’s opinion was not based on any scientific methodology or tests acceptable to medical practitioners. When the case was taken to the Supreme Court, the decision was revised. The court ruled that it was an error to fail to carry out an evidentiary hearing on the expert’s opinion reliability. Additionally, it was settled that the form in which of the expert’s opinion was could not be considered as admissible.

As proven, the two States apply two rules that bear both similarities and divergences. New Jersey follows the Daubert standard with some given exceptions. On the other hand, Maryland follows the 702 Rule with some exceptions that permit the Daubert standard. However, the use of scientific evidence in a manner that is generally tested and acceptable by the science community acts as the premise utilized by thirty states in the United States and New Jersey is not an exceptional. The Kemp case was ruled differently from what the Daubert standard states. This was however not the case with the Rubanick vs. State case. The Court ruled that the methodology used by the expert was not scientifically correct (Brennan et al., 2009). The Court also concluded that it was an error to fail to conduct an evidentiary hearing; despite the fact that the involved parties did not inquire for one.

As stated in the cases above, scientific evidence presented in the courts of New Jersey for the first time must be tested and acceptable by the scientific community. This is to avoid any form of masquerading or individuals practicing pseudoscience from presenting “scientific” evidences in court (Cranor, 2006). Although the Supreme Court might offered a different ruling as evidenced by the Kemp and the Rubanick cases, plaintiffs must always use the Daubert standard presenting any form of exhibit.

In conclusion, all States use the Frye standard, the Daubert standard or the 702 rules with regard to scientific examinations, with the majority employing the Daubert standard. Although it has been stated that there are exceptions to these standards, it is only important that the plaintiffs align by the given rules for case credibility. Note that, the Supreme Court might rule otherwise but the trial courts rule according to the standard governing the particular case. Additionally, the Appellate Division also aligns with the standard governing a particular State.

References

Brennan, R. F., Brown, A. S., Callo, F. F., Campion, T. F., Galpern, M. A., DiGioia, D., Green, P. P. New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education. (2009). New Jersey trial & evidence. New Brunswick, N.J: New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education.

Calhoun, M. C. (2008). Scientific Evidence in Court: Daubert or Frye, 15 Years Later. Washington Legal Foundation, 23(37):1-4.

Cranor, C. F. (2006). Toxic torts: Science, law, and the possibility of justice. Cambridge, UK: CambridgeUniversity Press.

Rudlin, D. A., & American Bar Association. (2007). Toxic tort litigation. Chicago, IL: American Bar Association, Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources.

Wecht, C. H., & Rago, J. T. (2006). Forensic science and law: Investigative applications in criminal, civil, and family justice. Boca Raton, FL: CRC/Taylor & Francis.

Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.

[order_calculator]

Name:

Instructor:

Course:

Date:

Bacteria

Question 1

‘Micro’ is term used to mean extremely small. Microbiology therefore means the study of very small living organisms that are too tiny to be seen without the use of a microscope. These forms of living things are referred to as microorganisms or microbes. The most common example of a microbe is the bacterium (Department of Health 11). A bacterium is a living cell consisting of a fluid referred to as cytoplasm enclosed by cell membrane and a cell wall.

Microbiology as a study of microbes has had a major positive contribution to human health. Until around 1930, microbes were considered the major cause of deaths in humans. Over half of the infants then did not make it to adulthood due to infectious diseases that saw the motility rate remain above 50% (WHO 6). This tragic situation resulted from infections that were caused by pathogenic microbes. The study of these diseases was what emerged as the discipline of microbiology. This newly formed science was the root of advancement in treating different ailments, and it was credited for thinning infection rates significantly.

Microbiology has made the causes of diseases clearer, as it was previously perceived that many ailments had only behavioral and genetic roots. Studying microbiology drew attention to microbial components that cause sickness. According to the World Health Organization’s report, a good example is that of ulcers that were considered as being caused by stress and poor diet (14). It is through the emergence of this discipline that understanding disease-causing microorganisms and ways to fight them was possible. It was established just a fraction of these microbes were the fundamental agents of diseases and the majority of microbes in human bodies are there to enhance our health.

The microorganisms living in our skin and intestines are useful in fighting off diseases. This is especially so since they take up space in the human body consequently preventing probable pathogens from gaining access to our bodies. Other than this protective function, microbes also provide a remedy for the much-needed vitamins such as B₁₂ in our bodies. Human health and nutrition is dependent on healthy farm animals. Microbes in ruminant animals such as cows, goats and others help to degrade plant materials to form nutrients that are essential in plant growth. These nutrients are used to cultivate commercial crops that contribute to human financial prosperity.

Microbes also have major industrial values that include the manufacture of cheese, yogurt, wine, beer including other uses (Department of Health, 2011). They are also the main agents of degradation of all different molecules in the environment. They are the main source of food for a good number of ocean creatures as well as in replenishing oxygen supply (Pollack 243). Microbes are essential as they make nutrients sustain the growth of other living things. In an urban population setting that handles volumes of human sewage, microbes are used to treat contaminated water into clean water. In energy, microbes are also involved in vast areas such as methane-producing bacteria, with methanogen action being a component of natural gas.

Microorganisms have been of much help in cleaning up the much-polluted environment through a process called bioremediation. This process is a cost effective way of cleaning up the atmosphere. Microbes are therefore undoubtedly of much help to human health and in financial development as well. They have contributed in unlocking and exposing fundamental secrets of development in both health and industrial fields.

Question 2

The major deference between gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria is that one has a thick cellular wall without a membrane while the other has a thin cellular wall and a membrane. Gram-positive bacteria’s wall contains a thick layer of Peptidoglycan that encircles the cell (The Microbial World 14). On the other hand, gram-negative bacteria’s wall contains a thin layer of peptidoglycan between the cytoplasmic and the outer membrane. Unlike the gram-negative, the gram-positive bacteria do not have a membrane around their wall (The Microbial World 11). This makes it weak to antibiotics such as penicillin that works by destroying the bacterium’s cell wall. It is this for this reason that it is easy to treat gram-positive bacteria with antibiotics. As opposed to the gram-positive form, the gram-negative bacterium is well protected from the destruction of antibiotics.

In between the cytoplasmic and outer membranes is a region in the gram-negative bacteria that is filled with periplasm. Periplasm contains proteins but which is different from that found in cytoplasm. These particular proteins have a variety of functions in cellular processes. These functions include transporting, degradation and motility. The gram-negative bacterium is the hardest to treat with antibiotics since it has an extra membrane covering their cell wall increasing toxicity and resistance to antibiotics.

The periplasm is filled with water and proteins and the membrane blocks free exchanges between it and the cytoplasm. The Peptidoglycan shell provides strength to prokaryotic membranes and it is also found in periplasmic space. This is what makes the gram-negative bacteria difficult to treat with antibiotics. Of the two bacteria, therefore the gram-negative is the hardest to treat with antibiotics.

Bacteria and Food Poisoning

In addition to causing diseases, various bacteria are responsible for food poisoning. Food poisoning arises when one takes in contaminated food or water. Campylobacter is one of the most common bacterium responsible for food poisoning. It causes severe diarrhea and nausea causing the victim to feel weak and exhausted. This type of bacterium is transmitted through contaminated food, untreated water and unprocessed milk. It replicates by dividing itself and that is why it is imperative to put food in the fridge to stop this action. This bacterium requires warmth and dampness to reproduce and for that reason, putting food in the fridge is safe as it stops their replicative action.

If food is contaminated with a small number of bacteria when left in a humid and temperate condition, the bacteria will multiply significantly within a few hours. This would make just a small amount of the food very harmful and if taken it could make someone seriously ill. To avoid this, it therefore is important always make sure that food is stored in conditions that do not favor the growth of bacteria. Sanitation is the only sure way to avoid food poisoning. When poisoned food is swallowed, the effects of the bacteria may not be felt immediately as the bacteria take time to replicate. This delay however depends on what type of bacteria and the quantity taken in.

 

Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.

[order_calculator]

Name:

Course:

Tutor:

Date:

Author’s Purpose in Writing the Book

Geraldine Brooks, an Australian journalist who spent the better part of her career in the Muslim countries is the author of Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women. The writer uses the narrative, the expository and the descriptive types of writing to pass the message that Islamic women live contented lives as supported by the religion despite the much given views concerning maltreatment and employment alienation. Using the three types of writing, the author cites both true experiences and facts to offer an informed discourse about the life of a typical Muslim woman. Documented experiences have been acquired from various individuals in terms of the countries that Brooks managed to visit while others outline her own experiences in the same nations. Using the three types of writing, the author shows a balanced view of the Muslim religion on Women.

The writer uses expository writing to give out her views. Brooks tries to give a balanced view of the topic using facts from real life experiences and the Koran. She has also addressed many controversial issues, to an extent of employing the Koran itself, which Muslims follow as a diving guide and literature. Areas such as the involvement of women in sport activities have been discussed in the book. Brooks gives an example of Faezeh Hashemi who encouraged the women to take part in sports using the Koran. Through the support of her father President Hashemi Rafsanjani of Iran, women from over ten Muslim countries took part 1993 Islamic Women’s Games. These examples, amongst many others appear in the book to show that the Muslim women have faced their challenges in trying to have their rights recognized as much as other women have in the previous years. In the publication, Brooks proves that the Muslim women are as happy and contented with their religious orientations as the other women are.

One major topic that Brooks has tackled is the issue of women being soldiers. She has used the descriptive writing to tackle this topic. Women such Nasaybah bint Kaab and Hind bint Utbah are examples of women soldiers who were present in the time of Prophet Muhammad. Brooks outlines the challenges faced by women recruits as relayed by the women she interviewed. A notable modification is noted in accommodation of Muslim women recruits, as reflected by the revisions included the military systems following the observance that the old system discouraged and frightened recruits rather than encouraging them. Since women are born to be pleasers according to the Muslim religion, the systems have to encourage them prior to being pleased. “She was among the ten fighters who managed to hold their ground, shielding the prophet’s body with their own” (Chp. 6), she says this of Nasaybah.

In the same chapter, she uses Handra Dawlsh’s story to tell of women’s experiences in the army. This is the narrative writing. Brooks also gives the story of Hessa al- Khaledi, the first Muslim woman civil engineer. She was also involved in the process of recruiting Emirates women soldiers. “I would ask them, if it wasn’t forbidden then, why forbid it now?” (Chp. 6), Hessa’s explanation on women being soldiers. This is to explain that the women went through the same difficulties as other non-Muslim women although theirs was much later. Brooks writes about an American Woman who was very happy living with her Muslim husband in Iran. Contrary to what most books and movies propagate, the woman was greatly welcomed by the Iranians and she was still in control of her family and her life.

Using the three types of writing, the author shows a balanced view of the Muslim religion on Women. The author proves that the Muslim religion has its positive and negative sides concerning women just like in any other community. Although she has used very few statistics to justify her claims, the personal experiences and the history of the religion communicate the desired message. For example, Brooks mentions that in Britain, a woman married to a Muslim is eight times more likely to be killed by her husband than another woman married by a non-Muslim is.

Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.

[order_calculator]

Name:

Lecturer:

Course:

Date:

Philosophy

William James argues that people cannot agree on the meaning of truth. His position is mainly based on religious belief. People have a different opinion regarding different issues. The evidence of something does not necessarily make it true. Scientists and mathematicians may be an exception to this, as they have come up with facts, which people have agreed on over the years. For instance, people agree on tested and tried mathematical formulas. Other things cannot however be proven, yet people are compelled to believe and agree on them. On the meaning of truth, many philosophers and scholars have come up with theories that try to explain it (Peirce and Buchler 13). Some have based the meaning of truth on facts, in accordance with their subjective perceptions; something is true if it can be proven. The pragmatist perspective on the meaning of truth is based on the completion and satisfaction of an inquiry. Truth should remain intact at the end of an inquiry. If an inquiry changes what was generally held as facts, then the facts were not true. For instance, people believed that the earth was flat until an inquiry led one person to question the truthfulness of this fact.

The significance of people’s agreement concerning the meaning of truth is evident in their daily lives. People do not agree on the same issues, thus, they have different beliefs. In fact, it seems that everybody is always pursuing truth (Beckman 9). Although this does not necessarily involve religion, James offers a religious definition and overtime, it has led to the discovery of many religions. Initially, most individuals were Muslims, Jews, Christians or Hindus. Christianity was the main religion in many parts of the world. Presently, people’s beliefs have changed in their pursuit for truth. Vast new religions have been instituted with the followers believing that they are following truth. People no longer want to believe in something that is based on faith alone, but they want evidence of something tangible and proven, for instance Christian Science.

People pursue truth in other areas as well and in pursuit of the same, believe that they are according new meaning to truth. Note that, just as people can look at the same evidence and come to completely different results, people perceive the world in different ways. Another good example apart from religion is the environment. Some individuals are interested in conserving it, to the extent that they can be fanatical about their views and propositions. Such individuals will move to push legislation deterring others from certain practices like the use of plastic bags. Interestingly, they do not actually provide a solution to the problem – if there is any problem at all. Others may still be concerned about the environment but in a different aspect like animal rights (Peregrin11). They will seek ways to develop solutions to the existing problem, sometimes coming up with diverse ideas to deal with the issue. Another section of the populace may note even seem concerned with the environment in any way, arguing that there are more vital and pressing issues to handle. For instance, while some are pushing for the total ban on plastics, others see it as a demerit since it hinders the wellbeing of the underprivileged people around the world since plastics are affordable. All these groups of people have different views on the meaning of the truth concerning the environment. They however pursue the truth in different ways.

According to James, there are three kinds of people: skeptics, absolutists and empiricists. He asserts that it is the destiny of people to attain the truth. James argues that within the given groups, skeptics will not make it to attain this destiny of truth attainment. Although the absolutists and the empiricists have faith to seek truth, they search for it in different ways. Absolutists believe that people can know the truth and they can be certain about their knowledge. For the empiricists they believe that people can know the truth but they cannot be certain that they have attained it. The distinguishing factor is embedded in knowing and being certain of one’s knowledge. James submits that, in both cases, people know about something and they are aware about their knowledge; the only difference is in the level of certainty.

In the pursuit of truth, people are bound to make errors. James makes it clear that knowing truth and avoiding error are two different things altogether and considers them separable laws, although most individuals view them as analogous functions. He urges people to believe the truth and shun error (Peregrin 27). This is not always easy and may be conflicting at times. In seeking truth, people end up making errors and while attempting to avoid errors, people end up missing the truth. James urges people to consider whether truth is genuine or erroneous before deciding whether to pursue it. He defines genuine truth as that which is living, forced and momentous. When truth is not genuine, he advises that people should seek to avoid error rather than pursue the given truth. However, when people are faced with an option of gaining and losing the truth in genuine cases, they should seek to pursue the truth.

James claims that people do not usually believe in facts and theories that they have no use. This is echoed by Peirce, who stipulates that people are interested in believing what matters to them. People’s beliefs are determined by what they know and what they are interested in knowing. Peirce is of the opinion that what people believe will guide their desires and shape their actions (Peirce and Buchler 9). Belief is therefore important in people’s lives as it involves many aspects. Belief shapes the way that people see the world around them since it determines their desires. Peirce continues in this respect and notes that beliefs do not necessarily propel people into action instantly upon acquisition. It however ensures that people behave in a certain way when the time comes for them to do so. This can be evidenced by daily activities. People believe many things but they may not necessarily act on them. For instance, most individuals have strong beliefs concerning politics yet they do not however act on the given standpoint at all times. They wait for an opportune time such as voting or any other time when their opinion is required. Therefore, beliefs influence the way people see the world around them. People’s beliefs are not influenced by what they see but by what they know and what they consider true.

James holds that “a belief is accepted as true, if and only if it is consistent with previously held beliefs or causes a minimal change in the stock of old beliefs” (Peregrin 38). People have a choice regarding which beliefs to accept as true. They can be subjective in choosing what to believe especially in cases where objective selection does not prove to be of any use. This applies in many cases where people are not dealing with proven scientific and mathematical facts. Thus, people’s beliefs are not always true. Peirce contrasts the beliefs held by an individual with those held by the community. He argues that under authority, people should not regard the opinion held by an individual as true beliefs but they should regard the opinion held by the community as true belief. The community is thus involved in influencing people’s beliefs.

When authority is affected and the beliefs that it once upheld disintegrate or fail, the people are forced to question the given belief (Beckman 16). Therefore, although a community has its beliefs and it influences individuals to trust in them, they are not always true since they can be questioned and changed. Believing that the community or authorities act as the only able people in the definition of truth is problematic. Logically, there are many communities and governments and this would compel people to believe that their authorities are the only ones capable of knowing and influencing people towards the right belief. This is detrimental to the development of that society since it limits them from gaining from exposure and knowledge of forwarded by other societies, nations and people. Common sense therefore dictates that people should be willing to accept the opinion and knowledge posited by others. However, this does not necessarily mean that they should hold the given beliefs are true.

Yearly, if not daily, individuals have led to the development of new truths, taking us to the empiricists’ view of the truth, which implies that people cannot be certain of the knowledge and the truth that they have attained. This perception can be dangerous since authorities may try to influence and oblige people into following certain beliefs. For instance, a society, which believes that people should die for minor crimes, is influencing the people to have no respect for human life. Note that, experiences do not necessarily lead people into agreeing with the truth. Many people have heard similar experiences that have bred various perspectives as concerned with truth (Beckman 19). If this were the case, people would not repeat some mistakes since they would know the truth concerning the consequences of the given actions. The empiricist theory of truth suggests that people determine what is true using the five senses. However, this is not usually the case since individuals bear varying perceptions. Two people may look at one thing and see it in different ways. They may smell and taste things differently. Experience cannot therefore be relied upon when deciding the truth.

In conclusion, it is hard for people to agree on a single truth based on experience and belief. Belief requires a person to have evidence of what they hold as true. Perhaps, the distinction of experience has to do with scientific evidence. Peirce observes that the experience of scientific methods has not led people to doubt it. It has contributed to people settling their opinions and differences in numerous instances (Peirce and Buchler 19). However, not all things can be solved using scientific methods and this includes personal relationships. James is therefore correct when he assumes the position that it is difficult to find a consensus within the global and regional populaces concerning the meaning of truth.

Works Cited

Beckman, Tad. Comments on Peirce Texts. 2000. Web. 14 September 2011.

James, Williams. The Will to Believe. n. d. Web. 14 September 2011.

Peirce, Charles, and Buchler Justus. Philosophical Writings of Peirce. Mineola: Courier Dover Publications, 1955. Print

Peregrin, Jaroslav. Truth and its Nature (if any). New York: Springer, 1997. Print

 

Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.

[order_calculator]

Name:

Course:

Instructor:

Date:

World’s Fair by E. L. Doctorow

            The publication is set within the late twenties to early thirties. This spans the period before the Second World War and during the Great Depression. The economic patterns within the set period were very tough and majority of the American people were really suffering. Additionally, the same period marks Hitler’s hold over Europe and the World Fair that journeyed to New York. Therefore, New York acts as the setting and is the town where young Edgar lives with his family. The location of the novel is important as it explains the main aim of the author; bringing back the spirit of New York City to the thirties. The identified goal is well achieved within the novel. The author uses the book to display memories he has of his own childhood and the various perspectives he held towards the world. He gives an account of how he grew up in New York, the life his Jewish family had and how life was through his eyes.

The book offers the story of Edgar, who is the protagonist and symbolically the author, grew up and expanded in his career. The plot captures incidences through which Edgar lost his innocence as the thick coverings on his eyes vanished. Comprehensively, the novel is meant to remind people of the thirties and the manner of life within the outlined setting, since the period is being forgotten slowly by the society. The novel’s main purpose concerns the earlier forms of recreation as captured by young Edgar during his development phase. However, the story is told on a recalling basis, reminiscent of part happenings. Events dealt within in the publication include the events in Edgar’s life that lead to his maturity and discovery of self. These events include his trip to the hospital and his first crush, his first encounter with death, among others. The main characters in the story include Edgar, his mother, father and brother.

The book is the combination of a hybrid and memoir. A few observations that deem this as true include the naming of the characters according to real and historical individuals. Edgar is named as the author and his parents are named Dave and Rose just like his parents. His brother is named Donald just like his real brother. The book is unique and in a good way as it displays the negativity of the notion that memory and imagination are ever independent of each other. The author divides truth from imagination and successfully displays to the readers that the art of remembering is a process of invention in itself. The book creates a classic display of a combination of a novel, memoir and oral history all in one book. Towards the end of the book, about its final 100 pages, the book becomes more of a novel and Doctorow’s mix of art forms becomes more highlighted.

The book is however weak in mixing the three genres in a non-clumsy way. Doctorow mixes them in a low artistic manner and leaves the main work to the author to disambiguate the versions of the story. The author also fails to consider that a fictional piece has a higher responsibility in the telling of a story than that of explaining how well a life was lived. Therefore, if the novel had been published as non-fiction, making it an autobiography it would have produced a masterpiece. The story would have been a story of a young man, his life and its recreation in very accurate and perfect detail. The author also fails in the creation of a credible plot. The book has little suspense and less traces of drama. The publication is based on various events that weaken the content; had the author based it on one of the major issues of the time, it would have made the book more involving. However, since this is overlooked, the book becomes less captivating. In conclusion, the book is good for reading though it is built on a weak foundation. However, readers will find it interesting to get the story of the young boy in New York and how life was in the city was in the thirties, but not for plot and certainly not for biographical account.

Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.

[order_calculator]