The Chrysanthemum Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Chrysanthemum - Essay Example What is revealed in most of the religious texts, and what is practiced by the society are mostly contradictory. A female child suffers victimization at every stage of life. When she grows, marries, begets children, her responsibilities multiply. Her private ambitions stand curtailed. Circumstances compel her to suppress her many fond feelings for the growth of her innate desires and latent personality. How can a woman be the legal and spiritual equal of man in the true sense? John Steinbeck in his story The Chrysanthemum highlights the limitations under which a married woman lives. He writes not to sympathize with women, not condemn the society—he just mentions the facts, for which there are no tangible solutions. Her plight is a sort of inevitable confinement. Elisa is one such woman. She is as if imprisoned in a fort, being attacked by the enemy from outside. The nature seems to move in tandem with her moods. The story opens: "The high gray-flannel fog of winter closed off the Salinas Valley from the sky and from all the rest of the world. On every side it sat like a lid on the mountains and made of the great valley a closed pot." Every description by the author related to the life of Elisa is chiseled within the details of confinement. Her garden of flowers is surrounded by a wire fence. Flower and wire fence, create a picture, how her tender emotions are imprisoned. Through such enclosures, she watches the activities that are taking place in t he society. She has no conflict with her husband, everything apparently seems to go on well. Her dissatisfaction with her life has nothing to do with the attitudes of her husband and his disposition towards her. The story critically examines her psychology. The images of seasons, weather, plants and a animals—all work as natures agents to provided support to the happiness of her life. When a bright and energetic woman has to fall in

Descartes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

Descartes - Essay Example Although he decided to doubt everything, at some point the Cartesian method hit  a brick wall. This happens when he himself agrees to settle for an assumption in as far as the existence of God is concerned. He makes an inference by saying that God is infinite and that he cannot conceive a cause by which God is produced, this means that his perception of God is doubtable since he is unable to explain the origin of God (page 117). This explanation does not in any way prove the existence of God. It is probably the weakest argument in his work and which also shows either fear or reluctance on his part to challenge the existence of God. Assuming that he feared to challenge the existence of God, it can be argued that such utterances as to the existence of God may have resulted in severe punishment for him during his time. TheCartesian theory reaches its point of elasticity when Rene Descartes approaches the argument of the existence of God.   The Cartesian theory does not therefore suf fice as an essential school of thought in totality due to the fact that it leaves a rather big loophole to convince the layman and other philosophers how God came into existence. Therefore his view of the existence of God does not satisfy any philosophical urge to explain the existence of God. Philosophy aims to answer questions and set the standards in the way people think and assess situations. Its nature is such that it is critical and rationale. This means that all possible weaknesses have to be nipped in the bud. Positing absolute certainty means that philosophy has to reach an acme beyond which no one can come up with any further argument. Philosophy relies on rational judgment, so any philosophical claim or statement should be critical and based on pure reason and should not lead in circles. Philosophy should have a definite end point, a point which leaves no room for question marks. This is why philosophy must be absolute. However, since it is based on rational judgment, thi s absolute certainty can be difficult to achieve because rational judgment is relative, depending on factors like the environment one grows up in and even the foundations and teachings of one’s faith. It is thus rational to argue that the Cartesian method  does not fully satisfy the philosophical requirements since the existence of God according to this method, though based on rational judgment according to the creator of the theory, leaves many a question unanswered as to the how God came to being, something that even Rene Descartes himself cannot explain satisfactorily. Although the Cartesian method has been criticized by many people, it actually does hold water. It achieved absolute certainty when Rene Descartes argues that he cannot be deceived into thinking that he does not exist, because unless something existed there would be nothing to deceive. This implies that one has to exist so as to be deceived, you cannot deceive that which does not exist. Absolute certainty b ecomes achievable mainly up to the extent of concrete things, those that we can see and touch, but when it comes to abstract matters which are based in thought and ideas, like the existence of God, the answers and explanations put forward in relation to the Cartesian method sometimes do not achieve the threshold required. According to the theory of knowledge by Rene Descartes, natural light or by the light of nature is the clear and distinct perception which emphasizes the nature that has been made by God. Natural light seems like the basis

Therapeutic Engagement Is A Basic Tool For Nurses

Therapeutic Engagement Is A Basic Tool For Nurses My rationale for choosing communication and therapeutic engagement is that it occupies a central position in my experience and transition and from student nurse to an accountable practitioner. Through communication the nurse gets to know the patient and is able to form a therapeutic relationship. It is the foundation and a basic tool of the nurse -patient relationship. Without clear communication it is impossible to give care, effectively make decisions, protect clients from threats to well being and ensure their safety on the ward, co ordinate and manage clients care and offer comfort. The relevance of communication and therapeutic engagement in mental health is emphasised in the summary of the Chief Nursing Officers review of mental health nursing (DH, 2006). One of the key recommendations in improving outcome for service users is developing and sustaining positive therapeutic relationship with service users, their families and/or carers and should form the basis of all care. The N MC (2008) Code of Professional Conduct similarly emphasise that nurses must work with other members of the team and patients to promote healthcare environment that are conductive to safe, therapeutic and ethical practice. The SLAM NHS Foundation Trust document Engagement and Formal Observation Policy (SLAM, 2008) also highlight the importance of communication and engagement with patients under observation. Many patients and their family members often experience difficulty in communicating with healthcare professionals. The Audit Commission (1993) has stated that poor communication between patients and healthcare professionals is one of the main reasons for compliant and litigation in the healthcare service. The NHS Plan (DH, 2000) emphasised the importance getting the basics right by improving the quality of care and the experience of patients. One of the ways of achieving this is through effective communication between patients, carers and healthcare personnel. This is highlighted in the Department of Health document, Essence of Care (2003) (www.dh.gov.uk):Patient focused benchmark for clinical governance. In this document is a new benchmark focusing on communication between patients and/or carers and healthcare personnel which compliments that of record keeping and privacy and dignity benchmarks. The NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) (DH, 2004) lists communication as a core dimension which is a key aspect of all jobs in the NHS and underpins all other dimension in the KSF. The United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting (UKCC) now Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) stated that communication is an essential part of good practice in nursing and it is the basis for building a trusting relationship that will greatly improve care and help reduce anxiety and stress for patients/ clients, their families and their carers ( UKCC, 1996). My ward is a Patient Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of a forensic setting. It has thirteen in-patients and a staff strength of twenty three nurses both qualified and unqualified. Agency staffs are frequently engaged to make up the number of staff necessary to care for patients on a particular shift. On the average there are between seven and eleven nursing staff per shift depending on the prevailing situation on the ward. It has two supervised confinements and two intensive care areas. Admissions are planned and it is based on a set of assessment criteria. Only acutely unwell patients are admitted. This essay will draw on my first working experience as a primary nurse of an acutely unwell psychiatric patient to illustrate my development with regards to communication and therapeutic engagement. Gibbs (1988) reflective cycle will be used to reflect this experience. Description I had just started work as a newly employed member of staff and was assigned primary nurse to a thirty year old patient of Afro-Caribbean origin who was transferred from another ward following a relapse in his mental state. He was under section 3 of the Mental Health Act (1983). This patient is named A for confidentiality purposes (NMC, 2008) had diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia and had no insight into his mental illness. His carer was his mother with whom he had a luke-warm relationship. He was very suspicious of staff interventions and would not engage. Routine blood tests had revealed that he had elevated cretenine kinase (CK) levels (Cretenine Kinase enzyme, high levels of which case severe muscle damage, neuropletic malignant syndrome, myocardial infarction etc). Following this finding, his antipsychotic medication was withdrawn pending further blood tests. He refused to have a blood sample taken for further tests; he believed staff would drink his blood. As his primary nurse , I made several attempts to encourage him to have the blood tests, but he would not be persuaded. He was also diagnosed with type II diabetes and was dependent of insulin. He self managed his physical illness by carrying out blood glucose level monitoring and self administering insulin under staff supervision. Patient A fed only on pre-packed barbeque chicken purchased from the supermarket and would not eat food served on the ward. I had one to one engagement with him to discuss his dietary intake and also formulate a physical and mental healthcare plan. He was not interested and made no contributions to the discussions. I gave him copies of the care plans which he declined. He said you can keep those care plans I dont need them and I am able to take care of myself. By the end of the second week, his mental state had deteriorated so much that he was very paranoid, irritable and getting into arguments with fellow patients and staff. He was involved in incidents both verbal and physical aggression and became increasingly difficult to manage on the ward. For his safety and that of others the team made a decision to nurse Mr. A in supervised confinement based on rationalist -analytical approach, having carried out risk assessment and looked at his history as well as the trust policy. As part of this risk management plan he was transferred to the intensive care area (ICA) and nursed under enhanced observation by two nursing staff. I requested to be allocated to nurse him in the ICA as often as the trust and unity policy would allow, in order to assess his mental state and attempt to build a rapport with him. Mr. A would not talk but I persisted. He noticed that I was frequently allocated to observe him and gradually opened up. I explained to him the teams decision to nurse him in the supervised confinement and the ICA. We talked about politics, football, music etc and our relationship developed and continued till he was transferred to a rehabilitation ward. Feelings I felt very frustrated and inadequate and was very much under stress. It was obvious from his reaction that he had no confidence nor trust in me and saw me just like any other healthcare professional. Woods (2004) highlights the complex problems and needs of patients who find themselves in forensic settings and maintain that it is a common occurrence that some patients can not engage in treatment while others simply refuse to do so. Arnold and Underman-Boggs (1999) maintain that any meaningful relationship begins with trust. Trusting a nurse is particularly difficult for the mentally ill, for whom the idea of having a caring relationship is incomprehensible. As his primary nurse I saw myself as the advocate ready to work with him and seek his interest at all times. As nurses, we are called upon to play our roles as advocates, supervising and protecting clients rights and empowering them to take charge of their lives. Ironbar et al (2003) stresses that, therapeutic relationships can b e stressful. Working closely with people who are mentally unwell and under stress can be very demanding and emotionally draining experience. Consequently, nurses need to be aware of the effect that such relationships can have on them. This requires insight, self awareness and ability to cope effectively with stress. My initial perception was that Mr A was a difficult patient and considered withdrawing as his primary nurse but I felt emotionally attached. I understood that I owed Mr A. a duty of care (NMC, 2008) and simply withdrawing was not professional in my view. OCarrol et al (2007) contended that in our professional roles, nurses do not have the same option as we do in our personal life by withdrawing from difficult relationships. Rather it requires exploring the situation which may help recognise ways in which the nurse is influenced by his emotions. The authors caution that nurses must learn to manage their own emotions. Furthermore, they need to communicate their emotional r eactions to the patient, albeit in a modified form. I empathised with Mr A and it drew me closer to him, revealing to me the depth of hi mental illness. I wished I could doe something here and now to help alleviate the state f confusion, anxiety and helplessness in which he found himself. Barker (2003) reports of how in recent times empathy has been shown to enable nurses to investigate and understand the experience of persons experiencing a state of chaos as a consequence of psychiatric order. I felt uncomfortable when Mr A had to be physically restrained (PSTS techniques) and nursed in supervisory confinement, I felt that this procedure was not justifiable because the privacy, dignity and respect of this client had been compromised. As nurses we are to demonstrate respect for patients by promoting their privacy and dignity (NMC, 2008) (Essence of Care, 2003). On the other hand, I thought that his safety and that f others was paramount and this could be achieved only by nursing him separately from the rest. The NMC (2008: para 8:4) Code of Professional Conduct clearly states that when facing a professional dilemma, the first consideration must be the safety of patients. The collaborative team decision to nurse him in the supervised confinement area made me feel valued as a team member. I was actively involved in the decision making process and carried out risk assessments. I felt that I was insensitive with my sustained persistence to get him to talk. I should have understood that his moments of silence were necessary to help him calm down (SLAM, 2008). I also felt unsupported and struggled to cope with the management and care of Mr A. I was unable to access clinical supervision because my supervisor was away on holiday. Evaluation Although it seemed difficult at the beginning, but by the time Mr A was out of the ICA we had developed a good working relationship. I did not show my disappointment at his reluctance to engage when he was acutely unwell and stayed positive. Engaging with him while nursing him in the ICA offered me the opportunity to explain to him the teams decision to place him under enhanced observation. Actively listening to him and discussing with him his thoughts and feelings have helped lessen his distress. It also enabled me to give a comprehensive feedback to the team regarding his mental state. We met in one to one engagements and discussed his concerns and needs. A good and well ventilated environment was always made for our meetings. Following assessments, we discussed his care plans, participation in group activities, crisis management and other forms of therapies. He felt very much in charge, highlighting his most pressing needs. Whenever we met, there as a demonstration of mutual respect and desire for working together in a partnership. Together we identified and prioritised his goals for recovery based on his strengths and what he believes is achievable. Faulkner (1998) asserts that goals must be clearly defined so that both the professional and the patient are going in the same direction in terms of what they wish to achieve by a certain time. During our interactions, clear boundaries were set and clarified for Mr A what were acceptable behaviours. Boundaries were set as to what he was allowed to do without supervision, how he engaged with others and appropriate ways of addressing issues he felt unhappy or uncomfortable with. The plan of care was therefore service-user centred and recovery orientated approach. The recovery model has been incorporated into the principles of care delivery in the trust (SLAM, 2007). It aims to help service-users to move beyond mere survival and existence, encouraging them to move forward and carry out activities and develop relationships that give their lives meanings. Wood (2004) indicated that nursing forensic patients is not easy and requires complex treatment plans that focus fundamentally on reducing risk of harm to others. As part of his recovery, he was encouraged to self manage his diabetes under supervision. Giving his understanding of his physical illness information was provided to enable him to make informed decisions about his lifestyle. Mr A consented to giving regular blood samples. His CK level fell to normal levels and was restarted on anti psychotic medication. However, it took time for Mr A to adequately understand the situation that he was in and the effect of his illness on his lifestyles. It must also be stated that it was not always possible to meet with Mr A as planned. Scheduled meetings had to be cancelled due to being engaged with very pressing ward issues. Analysis The use of therapeutic communications in nursing, particularly empathy, is what enables therapeutic change and should not be underestimated (Norman and Ryrie, 2004). Egan (2002) argues that empathy is not just the ability to enter into and understand the world of another person but also be able to communicate this understanding to him/her. The relevance of empathetic relationships to the goals of health services are suggested by the increase in focus on patient centred care and the growth of consumerism. The client-centred focus is illustrated by the NHS patient charter which emphasises that clinicians need to collaborate with users of the health services in the prioritising of clinical needs and the setting of treatment goals (Barker, 2003). Nurses should be aware that patients who are paranoid and suspicious of staff interventions as was the case of Mr A, might not readily accept support from staff. This implies that working with such patients can be very challenging and difficult. It therefore calls for the nurse to remain impatient, calm and focused. The need to build therapeutic relationship with the patient is paramount in gaining trust and respect (Rigby and Alexander, 2008). Caring, empathy and good communication skills are needed to help patients through their illness. Therefore the use of effective interpersonal skill s facilitates the development of a positive nurse-patient relationship. McCabe (2004) argues that the use of effective interpersonal skills, a basic component of nursing, must be patient centred. Nursing Mr A in supervised confinement and subsequently in the ICA was in accordance to SLAM (2008) Engagement and Formal Observation Policy. Despite the frequent occurrence of this nursing intervention in mental health settings, for the whole of the UK there are no national standards or guidelines for practice of observation. The current situation in England and Wales is that policies are developed and implemented at a local level using SNMAC (1999) practice guidance for observation of patients at risk as a template (Harrison et al, 2006). Nursing patients in supervised confinement, though a common practice in the PICU raises a number of ethical, professional and legal issues about the role of the nurse, whether he/she is a custodian or therapist and a friend is debateable. Alland et al (2003) noted that patients view enhanced observation as uncomfortable at best, custodial and dehumanising at worst. Mr A felt that his pride and dignity had been taken away from him he was at risk an d therefore an immediate and effective risk management plan had to be implemented. This was necessary to ensure his safety and that of others even though he expressed unhappiness with this intervention. By engaging him and encouraging him to share his thoughts and feelings his anger appeared to have lessened as he joined in the discussions of politics, music, football etc. Thurgood (2004) empathised that showing your human side to clients is very important. Engaging meaningfully with patients and helping them talk about their feelings is the first step to alleviating some of their distress. The NMC (2008) Code of Professional Conduct clearly points to the rights of patients in relation to autonomy. There appeared to have been a reach to Mr As rights. The difficulty we faced as a team was finding the balance between allowing some privacy and dignity versus persevering his safety and security. Consequently, a dilemma arose for me as his primary nurse in relation to his rights, obligat ions and duties. In fact Article 5(1) e of the Human Rights Act (1998) specifies the right of the state to lawfully detain the person of unsound mind. Within the UK, that framework is provides by the Mental Health Act 1983 (DOH, 1998). One may argue then that there is no fundamental incompatibility between the Mental Health Act and the Human Rights Act. There were times that scheduled meetings with Mr A had to be cancelled because of urgent administrative duties. It meant that he lost the opportunity to meet up with me to discuss his concerns and needs. The concept of Patient Protected Time (PPT) in inpatient units is therefore valid. It allows patients to meet with a healthcare provider on one to one for a specified time when the ward is closed to administrative duties to discuss care plans, social activities, therapies and others. Such interaction according to Song and Soobratty (2007) promotes feelings of self confidence, esteem and recovery. It can also aid the patient therapeutic progress as it can help with social interaction and building relationships. However, nurses complain they already have plenty to do without an added pressure of PPT to contend with. Nurses frequently complaining of being too busy to develop therapeutic rapport with patents (Mental Health Act Commission 2008). Yawar (2008) reported that only 16% of pati ents time was spent in what can loosely be termed as therapeutic interaction. The remaining of the 84% was spent aimlessly either pacing p and down the ward or doing nothing. Nurses recognise their responsibilities to engage with patients and welcome the opportunity to do this without other demands (Edward, 2008). The Department of Health (2002) called for improvements to ensure adequate clinical support inputs to inpatient wards and to maximise the time spent by staff therapeutically engaged with patients. Therapeutic engagement, therefore involves spending quality time with patients with the aim to empower them to actively participate in their care. Conclusion Communication is without doubt the medium through which the nurse-patient relationship takes place. The skills of active listening and reflection promote better communication and encourage empathy building. My first role as a primary nurse as a good learning experience. My conduct throughout the whole experience earned me a favourable feedback from my team leader. Caring for acutely mentally unwell patients requires of the nurse sensitivity, conveying warmth and empathy. Engaging meaningfully and actively listening to patients under enhanced observation makes them perceive the practice as valuing rather than punishing, therapeutic rather then custodial. Feeling safe and secured provides a platform which can assist patients to begin to resolve some of the difficulties they may be facing in their lives. It is imperative that nurses involve patients in all aspects of their care, empowering and making decisions in partnership with the team. By developing collaborative relationship with p atients, nurses can provide prompt and focused interventions which can limit illness damage, assist in the process of symptoms management and help the process of recovery. Action plan My aim is to be proactive in the future by promptly seeking support from senior colleagues and requesting for clinical supervision. I aim to develop the skill of emotional resilience and intelligence to be able to deliver care that will promote patient welfare and aid recovery. The preceptorship experience has been a breath of fresh air. A time to look back and take stock of the transition from student nurse to an accountable practitioner. Listening and sharing in the experiences of fellow nurses was a good learning experience. The preceptors were fantastic master clinicians who were receptive to our contributions as they explored our experiences at the beginning of each teaching session. This experience has undoubtedly enhanced my critical thinking as a nurse and prepared me to move forward in my development and practice as a caring and competent nurse. I see myself as being in the right job which offers many opportunities for development and to improve upon my knowledge and skills.

Living with Mental Health Disorders Essay examples -- Personality Diso

When a child acts out without a moment’s notice, what factors influence this particular action? Many adolescence are prone to live with forms of aggressive behavior. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry claims â€Å"teens experience and exhibit aggressive behaviors in a number of ways.† The question is why do teens act this way, in some cases aggressive behavior is biological? Sigmund Freud claims â€Å"humans [posses] an unconscious aggressive drive from birth.† In response, something causes a person to act out. â€Å"It is said that family has a large influence on a child’s aggressive behavior†¦ children who observe violent parents are likely to influence that behavior.† With this being said, a child who is surrounded by a difficult home life has a higher tendency to act rationally. Those who show aggression may have something deeper beyond the surface, known as Personality Disorders. Personality Disorders c ome in all forms, an example being Paranoid Personality Disorder. People who suffer from PPD have a hard time trusting others. People who suffer from related diseases believe that others are out to get them and they have to act before they are harmed. Living a life such as this would create a strenuous amount of weight on ones shoulders. To live one’s life in fear constantly can take a large toll on the mind. Unfortunately for the victims of mental illness, the struggle is continuous throughout their lives. What does it truly mean to be bipolar? Some people use the word freely, indicating they may have mood swings, moments of highs and lows. Typically, females claim they have symptoms of Bipolar Disorder, but in reality, the female population is just hormonal. People who suffer from â€Å"Bipolar Disorder†¦[... ...ealthcare_services/mental_health/mental_health>. National Institute of Mental Health . 27 November 2013 . Nestor, Paul G. "Mental Disorder and Violence: Personality Dimensions and Clinical Features." The American Journal of Psychiatry (2002): 1-5. Price, Rita. "School shooters typically show mental-health red flags." The Columbus Dispatch (2012): 1-2. Sohail, Dr. K. "Seven Reasons to Kill." Author, Humanist, Speaker, and Therapist (2013): 1-2. Web MD. 27 November 2013 . Web MD. 27 November 2013 . Web MD. 27 November 2013 . Web MD. 27 November 2013 .

The Life of the American Born

This paper examines the life of the American born, Tim O'Brien and affirms the way his life influenced his writing techniques. William Timothy, the first of three children, well known as Tim O'Brien is an American Veteran writer, born on October 1, 1946, in Austin, Minnesota, United States of America (Herzog 14). He grew up in Worthington, a small shielded community near the borders of Iowa and South Dakota. He described himself as a vivid reader when he was young and had a thrilling interest in books and magic trick were evident realities on his storytelling power. This can also be linked to his parents who were enthusiastic readers. In other words, O'Brien must have learned some reading secrets from his parents when he was young. Some of his short and electrifying stories include, â€Å"The things they carried† as well as other classic novels like the war novel, going after Cacciato produced in1978, which indeed made him known best for his writing experience about Vietnam War (Raymond 102). Worthington town similarly played a significant role in nurturing his thoughts while developing the artistic sensibility of his life as an author. He attended Macalester College in 1968 and awarded bachelor's degree in Political Science. During his time in the institution, he was elected and served as the president of the student's union in college. Contrary to his criticisms against war, Tim O'Brien was recruited into United States Army and then sent to Vietnam where he served for two years. Following his return from the military service, he resumed his studies and graduated from Harvard University. He then worked shortly as an intern, national affairs reporter at Washington Post up to May 1974. The war experience he gained from his two-year combat inspired his chief publication, titled If I Die in a Combat Zone, Box Me up and Ship Me Home. O'Brien's history clearly reveals the depression and misery wrecked on soldiers by the Vietnam War. His mythical work, the things they curried of 1990, (O'Brien 816) is a combination of memoirs and fictitious stories in which he used the philosophical concepts of truth to climax the distinctions between two realms of the facts and the fictions in a unique way (Conan 2010). He incorporated the metaphysical approach attribute in his writing that flavored the quality of his stories. In his story, he exposes the readers to the understanding about the distinction between the truth of a story, the truth of fiction and the happening truth, which is associated with the truth of facts. In confirming the same, he appreciates that a story truth is more associated with emotion, which are also connected with the feelings of the story of fiction. On that pedestal, he adds that the feelings would be more significant, and thus making the story more relevant. Additionally, O'Brien wrote numerous novels based on the war experience he obtained in the army of the United States. He was awarded the 1979 National Book Award for his works on Northern Lights published in1975 and Going after Cacciato of 1978. The novel discusses two brothers against one and another as foils where a brother joined the Vietnam war andanother failed (Raymond 99). Through this, the brothers learned to struggle and comprehend each one's values and motives. Following his extraordinary influence of Joseph Conrad's works, he modified Conrad's concepts of human aptitude for good and evil in his literary works. In his works, O'Brien propounded timeless matter of the subject and its thematic range. He believed in his introversive idea, that literary works not only focus on the current affairs but also anticipates what the future holds for humankind, (Smith 34). Nuclear Age, which was published in 1985 was the third O'Brien's novel of his literary works and describes much from his personal experience. His expertise in creating an amusing look at the thoughtful character, a young man who was raised under an atomic umbrella, and suffered severely from paranoia as a result of nuclear war. As the story continues, he finds solace in a hole he dug in his backyard attempting to overcome every thought and imagination, which made him uncomfortable. His creativity in writing approach of war blending fact and fiction is comparable to other technical war writers like Michael Herr and inspired eminent figures such as Truman Capote, Norman Mailer and Tom Wolfe. However, key elements of his works encompass the categorization and fascination of emotional subject matters. Owing to this traits, his fictional works are therefore considered to have made an immense impact on the readers of his novels. Other O'Brien's electrifying works are The Nuclear Age, published in 1985, In the Lakes of The Woods of 1994, Tomcat in Love of 1998 and July, July that was published in 2000, which took the world of literature with a storm. In a span of two years, O'Brien's short stories The things they curried, received the 1987 National Magazine Award Fiction. The novel was then nominated for 1987, best American Short story. The lake of Woods forms another interesting novel written by O'Brien and published in 1994. It took O'Brien's works into greater heights by agitating much on guilt, culpability, complicity and the moral courage, (Bates 265). He invents his character John Wade, who is also a Vietnam veteran, aspiring to run for senate position. He later lost slightly as charges on his involvement in the Lai massacre became popular during his campaign trail. O'Brien raises larger inquiries about the fallouts of war and its effects, which was realized after the end of the war, more so when the veterans returned home. He wore James Fenimire Cooper Prize from the Society of American Historians and was selected as the best novel of 1994 by Times Magazine.His most recent Novel, Tomcat in Love, O'Brien generated a Veteran Vietnam protagonist, Tom chippering through a love subject contrary to war. O'Brien describes this as a comic novel about a politically incorrect hero, who was sexy. He strongly believed that his lovers will love the book, and his fans, the so-called junkies, the people who appreciate his writings liked it. He alludes that this was his best book ever and it stole the hearts of many who could not do without reading the novel.In conclusion, O'Brien has won several prestigious awards in his many fictional works and worth being called a veteran in the writing field. His experience in writing the short story novels are highly acknowledged. He is a master of creative storytelling, a manipulator of literary form and one of the most challenging authors in his time with an ample content. His major contributions include the Nuclear Age, In the Lake of Woods, Tomcat in Love and July, July of 20000 More recently, he received $100,000 with the Pritxker Military Library Literature Award. Currently, he teaches at the Texas State University-San Marcos.

Compensation practices & organizations Essay

Through the use of compensation practices, organizations effort to both reward and motivate diverse types of behavior. Compensation practices comprise pay and benefits, and contemporary total compensation approaches expand the definition of compensation to comprise a variety of favorable outcomes experienced by the employee (Milkovich & Newman, 2002). As of the importance of pay to employees, compensation and benefit programs can provide as a major indicator of possible discrimination in the organization. However, pay policies can also be used to lessen discriminatory behavior and encourage diversity. Though potential race and age discrimination in compensation is a significant concern, most of the applied and research attention has been aimed at sex related issues, particularly comparable worth and pay equity (Treiman & Hartman, 1981). Organizations can lessen the negative effects of their compensation practices by auditing their policies and then, based on the results of the audits, distill their procedures to eliminate bias, and where necessary, regulate the pay of minority group members. The type of audits that organizations can engage in will correspond to the three major theories, approaches, or techniques used in significant pay discrimination. The three major approaches or types of audit are (a) an equal pay audit, (b) a pay equity audit, and (c) an analysis of across-the-board problems. Employee and Labor Relations The National Labor Relations Act of 1935 ( NLRA) specifically stated that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) was empowered to remedy unfair labor practices by the issuance of cease and desist, and reinstatement and back pay orders, and by ordering affirmative action in effectuating the policies of the NLRA. Though the NLRB’s authority is limited by the statutory requisite that its orders should effectuate the policies of the NLRA and should be remedial, not punitive, the principle is one of governmental flexibility and authority to need affirmative acts by a party who has violated the law, so that an unlawful act is efficiently remedied. Such affirmative acts include, inter alia, the employment of individuals who were not hired or were fulfilled for discriminatory reasons, and, in cases linking unfair labor practice strikes, the reinstatement of striking employees yet where the discharge of striker replacements would be necessary. Interestingly, there is little or no evidence that the use and principle of affirmative action in the NLRA framework had any bearing on or resemblance to the use of those words in the context of favored treatment of minorities and women. For employee, performance appraisal can be conceptualized as an organized description of an individual’s job-relevant strengths and weaknesses that is their job performance. Though job performance data can be obtained either objectively (hard criteria) or judgmentally (soft criteria), the term â€Å"performance appraisal† is characteristically used in the context of, albeit not limited to, the latter. Performance evaluations can result in discriminatory outcomes via two mechanisms, (a) poor or ineffective appraisal or rating practices and (b) intentional distortion resulting from motivational and political factors. Concerning the former, two strategies have traditionally been advocated to address the problems with judgmentally based performance data: rating scale development and rater training. The results of rating scale comparisons indicate that format modification alone does not result in much improvement in performance evaluations (Woehr & Miller, 1997). Though, frame-of reference training, which emerged from the social cognitive approach to performance appraisal, appears to be quite effectual as a rater training approach to increasing the accuracy of ratings (Woehr & Huffcutt, 1994). In addition to rater training, job analysis must serve as the basis for constructing the appraisal instrument and the appraisal process so that employees are appraised only on job-related factors. Conclusion EEO and affirmative action in its classic form is mandated for companies entering into agreement with the federal agencies by executive orders 11246 and 11375. Yet the term has come to signify a much broader range of policies. Affirmative action has become a blanket term that refers to any number of active policies approved by organizations to remedy the effects of discrimination. In spite of of the multiplicity of affirmative action program types, however, the perception of affirmative action remains comparatively undifferentiated. In particular, many continue to associate affirmative action with quotas. There seems to be a widespread assumption that affirmative action is little more than favored selection based solely on demographic group membership. The objective of this paper has been to review and confer HR practices that can be used to achieve diversity in organizations. Practices pertaining to staffing and human resource development discussed in terms of reducing negative effects resultant from these practices and altering the behaviors of organizational members by these practices to lessen discrimination and increase diversity. References †¢ AARP (1993). How to recruit older workers. Washington, DC: Author. †¢ Arvey, R. D. , Gordon, M. E. , Massengill, D. P. , & Mussio, S. J. (1975).Differential dropout rates of minority job candidates due to â€Å"time lags† between selection procedures. Personnel Psychology, 28, 175-180. †¢ Avery, D. R. (2003). Reactions to diversity in recruiting advertising—Are differences Black and White? Journal of Applied Psychology, 88, 672-679. †¢ Delahoussaye, M. (2001). Leadership in the 21st century. Training, 38, 50-59. †¢ Doverspike, D. , & Arthur, W. Jr. (1995). Race and sex differences in the reactions to simulated selection decisions based on affirmative action. Journal of Black Psychology, 21, 181-200.

AniSci Lesson Plan 1 Essays - Learning, Behavior Modification

AniSci Lesson Plan 1 Essays - Learning, Behavior Modification Chloe Kern Final Creative Work Animal Science 04/28/19 For this creative work, I have decided to make three lesson plans. These plans are geared toward an audience of Kindergarten-Second graders with little to no experience or knowledge about these topics. As an early childhood education major, I firmly believe that children should learn about animals and the connections that they have in their life from a very young age. This is something that I hope to incorporate into my future classroom so that students have an understanding, even if it begins as basic, of the world and all the animals around them. This lesson plan will focus on three main content areas: animal products, nutrition, and behavior. They will be put together in a way that will allow the educator to separate and expand on each content area or to teach these sections all at one time. In order to create a deeper level of understanding for each section, I feel that separating each specific lesson may be the most effective way to engage students. Each content area will hav e its own creative activity to enhance student understanding, but if there are time constraints these objectives can be reached without the creative activity. The central theme of these lessons focuses on helping students to understand the similarities and the connections that they have to animals. Lesson Plan #1 Age: K-2 Subject: Animal Science Topic: Animal Products Eggs and Fiber Time + Pacing Central Focus of Lesson: At the end of the lesson, students should feel comfortable recognizing that they most likely use and see animal products in their daily lives Part 2: Content Objectives SWBAT name at least one animal product that they have seen/used in their daily lives (meat, eggs, fibers) SWBAT name the 4 main different parts of an egg (shell, membrane, egg white, yolk) SWBAT name at least one type of fiber and where it comes from Key Vocabulary Shell Membrane Egg White Yolk Fiber Wool Cashmere Prior Academic Learning and Prerequisite Skills: Students have very little prior knowledge of this subject and these topics Students should also have a prior knowledge of how to use art supplies Students should be aware of typical classroom procedures Materials Needed Piece of Wool Piece of Cashmere White "Easter Eggs" Saran Wrap Small Yellow Pom Poms White Tissue Paper Board Projector Part 3: Lesson Introduction Gather the children in a group and explain that they are going to be learning about the things they use or see that comes from animals Ask students if they have any examples of things that they have used or seen that come from animals When suggestions are given, write them on the board and discuss with the group. If incorrect suggestions are given, write them on the board, discuss, and correct misconceptions before erasing incorrect information. After they are out of suggestions, explain that today they are going to be focusing on 2 types of products: eggs and fiber 5-10 min Introduction of New Information Begin with discussing Fibers: "Does anyone know what fibers are?" Give time for several students to answer, and if correct answer is not given then tell students that fibers come from the hair of animals, and they can sometimes be used to make cloth. Pull out the two examples of fiber that are included in materials Wool and Cashmere Let the student feel these two types of fiber "How are these two different?" After some discussion of the difference of the way these two types of fiber feel, call groups attention to the projector "These two types of material come from two different animals" The Wool (it may be helpful to hold up this piece so students can reference it): comes from sheep (project a picture of sheep). It is thicker than the other type of fiber we are talking about today. On sheep, it is the kind of fiber under a coat of hair. There are different types of wool that come from different types of sheep. The Cashmere (it may be helpful to hold up this piece so students can reference it): comes from goats (project a picture of goat), It is thinner/finer than the other type of fiber we are talking about today, and it grows under other hair like wool. Next, begin the discussion of Eggs: "How many of you like to eat eggs?" Give students time to raise hands "Does anyone know where the eggs we normally eat

April 1865 The Month That Saved America

April 1865 The Month That Saved America Free Online Research Papers Jay Winik, the author of April 1865 the Month that saved America, shows his writing genius when he writes this book. He has only written two books. Although he has written two books he writes like a veteran. In this book Jay Winik clearly states over and over again that April 1865 is the month that was the most crucial to America. He also writes that April 1865 is the month that could have dissembled America. It was the month that could have destroyed America but instead it saved it. Jay Winik states that the country didn’t rise by its self. He also mentions that the constitution mentioned nothing about a nation. Jay Winik does a lot more than just list the battles in chronological order. He goes thorough and tells of the events that happened before the Civil War. He goes in depth while talking about Abraham Lincoln. He also talked about Thomas Jefferson. He talked about how he owned slaves but he really didn’t like the practice. He begins the book with the life story of Jefferson. On from that he just tells us about the battles. He tells us of the struggles of the North. He also tells us struggles of the South. There are some things is the book that aren’t agreeable to some. He gets the readers to feel sorry for Lee. He also gets the readers to underestimate general Grant. He also often says things over and over again. He says them so the readers can understand what he’s talking about. He wants to get his point across which is fine, but he could have done it in a better way. This is historically relevant because every battle is historically correct. The way he put Lincoln’s assassination is correct also. He also describes Jefferson’s views of slavery correct also. In conclusion this is a very historically correct book. It is filled with action and suspense . This book should be recommended for people who are interested in the Civil War and history fanatics. Research Papers on April 1865 The Month That Saved America19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows EssayEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenHonest Iagos Truth through DeceptionMind TravelThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationWhere Wild and West MeetQuebec and CanadaThe Spring and AutumnHip-Hop is Art

Ability to learn is affected by the classroom environment

â€Å" The physical environment of a schoolroom explains a batch about the outlooks of a instructor towards their pupils † ( Konza, Grainger A ; Bradshaw, 2001 ) . Before a pupil begins larning efficaciously they must be provided with a safe, positive and supportive learning civilization. In return will cut down struggle and enhance acquisition capablenesss. A pupil ‘s instruction is affected by the undermentioned constructs of the schoolroom environment: pick of coloring material, type of lighting, noise degree, room temperature, category size and ornament. A classrooms pick of coloring material impacts extremely on pupils larning. Certain colorss used on the walls of the schoolroom create both good and bad tempers ; impacting pupil larning. Mood is a pertinent facet of larning within a schoolroom. A pupil who is in a good temper and environment by others in a good temper will seek to larn and take in more from their lessons. Where as a pupil who is in a bad temper and surrounded by others in a bad temper will be loath to larn and seek distraction. Konza, Grainger A ; Bradshaw ‘s, ( 2001 ) research proves the colors orange, yellow, green, and light blue used in schoolrooms create a cheerful, sociable environment with minimum ill will and annoyance. In return allow for pupils to increase the consumption of information and apprehension for larning. Opposed to the dull, white, brown and black colorss used in a schoolroom that creates a non- stimulating nor productive environment. Hence colour itself is a critical portion in promotin g comfy and effectual acquisition. Consequently the pick of coloring material when utilizing in a schoolroom puting demands to be addressed as it impacts extremely on a pupil ‘s temper and in return affects their learning abilities. Sound is another construct that impacts on a pupil larning. On a day-to-day footing the schoolroom encounters many sums and different types of noise and can run from: schoolroom treatments, background noise, conversations and music. Nevertheless Marsh ( 2008 ) states that â€Å" sounds are all around us, nevertheless when sounds are unwanted they are redeemed as noise † . In order to larn pupils are subjected to conversations throughout their twenty-four hours, if non by the instructor, but themselves and other equals. The degree of variable noise will change depending on scenes such as the difference between libraries to art categories. Every schoolroom has background noise such as fans, airing, treatments and conversations which is step in dBs as BNL ( Background noise degrees ) . Marsh ( 2008 ) . A instructor can pass on clearly in a quiet voice when the BNL rises to 35dB, supplying a safe and comfy ambiance. A normal voice will transport good over a BNL of 40dB where larni ng takes its extremum as information and instructions can be delivered and heard clearly. Opposed to anything over 45dB or 50 dubnium where a instructor or pupil must talk really aloud which in return can do distraction, annoyance, emphasis and weariness ( Marsh, 2008 ) . Due to the fortunes of being subjected to a assortment of different degrees of noise within a schoolroom, pupils can change between efficient acquisition and aside. This clearly outlines the importance of noise degree in the schoolroom and its effects on instruction. There is much research grounds based on the effects of category size that is redeemed to be contradictory, whether it impacts on pupils accomplishments or non. However there are many survey ‘s that do place the significance of category size and its impact on pupil larning. Such as, Larkin, ( 2004 ) who states â€Å" that by cut downing category size, particularly for the younger kids, will hold a positive consequence on pupil accomplishment † . In making so will construct better instructor pupil relationships which will break their attitude towards larning and better their instruction. The province authorities had taken action to cut down category sizes for illustration New South Wales had aimed to hold category sizes changing from 20 to 24 pupils in the first three old ages of schooling for all province schools by 2007.Marsh ( 2008 ) . The pupils within these schoolrooms will hold the chance to derive more of the instructor ‘s clip, attending and instruction. Leti ng for more one- on- one instruction to take topographic point in the schoolroom and clip and attending for inquiries and replies that will heighten pupil cognition and better their instruction. Rather than, the pupils being subjected to big category size where the instructor struggles to run into the demands of all his or her pupils. In return go forthing the pupils troubled, unconfident and discerning towards their instructor, schooling and in peculiar instruction itself. Based on the synthesis of Course, Minus, A ; Passing. ( 2008 ) that little categories in the early classs generate better environments for pupils and these are greater the longer the pupils are exposed to the smaller categories. Due to the consequence of pupil accomplishment displayed in the authorities ‘s actions to make smaller category sizes, it is now more of precedence within schools to move on the information and work towards smaller categories as it is turn outing to be successful. Based on authorit ies consequences and theoreticians, the success of the passage to smaller categories is sketching the significance category size has on pupil acquisition. When measuring the schoolroom environment, temperature is a critical construct as it can impact pupil ‘s behavior and in return their ability to take on cognition. Marsh ( 2008 ) states that â€Å" Common sense would bespeak that there is a reasonably limited temperature scope in which school pupils might be expected to work at their best † . She explains that high temperatures can do some pupils to be cranky and uncomfortable and in utmost instances both unenrgetic and nauseating. Equally good as cold temperatures that may convey out aggression and negative behavior in some pupils within the schoolroom. The temperature of a schoolroom can be altered through the usage and execution of osculating ceiling fans, oil and gas fired warmers and air-conditioning. Marsh ( 2008 ) . It is the duty of the instructor to be cognizant of the possibilities of temperature emphasis if excessively high or low temperatures prevail and adjust their activities consequently. Temperature is a critical facet on the schoolroom environment. It can change how a pupil feels and in return their attitude to school and instruction. Therefore temperature has considerable impact on a pupil ‘s ability to larn comfortably and expeditiously. A pupil ‘s ability to larn is extremely affected by the constructs of the schoolroom environment. Students go to school to be educated and this instruction can be manipulated by many factors that exist within the schoolroom. Therefore changeless alteration and appraisal of schoolrooms is needed to guarantee that there is an addition of sufficient and effectual acquisition taking topographic point without distraction and hurt. By researching and admiting that the schoolroom environment has many constructs to it such as pick of coloring material, degree of noise, category size and temperature that all impact on how a pupil learns and their ability to larn. The school and instructors can work together to make a comfy acquisition environment to accommodate the acquisition demands of pupils. Ability to learn is affected by the classroom environment â€Å" The physical environment of a schoolroom explains a batch about the outlooks of a instructor towards their pupils † ( Konza, Grainger A ; Bradshaw, 2001 ) . Before a pupil begins larning efficaciously they must be provided with a safe, positive and supportive learning civilization. In return will cut down struggle and enhance acquisition capablenesss. A pupil ‘s instruction is affected by the undermentioned constructs of the schoolroom environment: pick of coloring material, type of lighting, noise degree, room temperature, category size and ornament. A classrooms pick of coloring material impacts extremely on pupils larning. Certain colorss used on the walls of the schoolroom create both good and bad tempers ; impacting pupil larning. Mood is a pertinent facet of larning within a schoolroom. A pupil who is in a good temper and environment by others in a good temper will seek to larn and take in more from their lessons. Where as a pupil who is in a bad temper and surrounded by others in a bad temper will be loath to larn and seek distraction. Konza, Grainger A ; Bradshaw ‘s, ( 2001 ) research proves the colors orange, yellow, green, and light blue used in schoolrooms create a cheerful, sociable environment with minimum ill will and annoyance. In return allow for pupils to increase the consumption of information and apprehension for larning. Opposed to the dull, white, brown and black colorss used in a schoolroom that creates a non- stimulating nor productive environment. Hence colour itself is a critical portion in promotin g comfy and effectual acquisition. Consequently the pick of coloring material when utilizing in a schoolroom puting demands to be addressed as it impacts extremely on a pupil ‘s temper and in return affects their learning abilities. Sound is another construct that impacts on a pupil larning. On a day-to-day footing the schoolroom encounters many sums and different types of noise and can run from: schoolroom treatments, background noise, conversations and music. Nevertheless Marsh ( 2008 ) states that â€Å" sounds are all around us, nevertheless when sounds are unwanted they are redeemed as noise † . In order to larn pupils are subjected to conversations throughout their twenty-four hours, if non by the instructor, but themselves and other equals. The degree of variable noise will change depending on scenes such as the difference between libraries to art categories. Every schoolroom has background noise such as fans, airing, treatments and conversations which is step in dBs as BNL ( Background noise degrees ) . Marsh ( 2008 ) . A instructor can pass on clearly in a quiet voice when the BNL rises to 35dB, supplying a safe and comfy ambiance. A normal voice will transport good over a BNL of 40dB where larni ng takes its extremum as information and instructions can be delivered and heard clearly. Opposed to anything over 45dB or 50 dubnium where a instructor or pupil must talk really aloud which in return can do distraction, annoyance, emphasis and weariness ( Marsh, 2008 ) . Due to the fortunes of being subjected to a assortment of different degrees of noise within a schoolroom, pupils can change between efficient acquisition and aside. This clearly outlines the importance of noise degree in the schoolroom and its effects on instruction. There is much research grounds based on the effects of category size that is redeemed to be contradictory, whether it impacts on pupils accomplishments or non. However there are many survey ‘s that do place the significance of category size and its impact on pupil larning. Such as, Larkin, ( 2004 ) who states â€Å" that by cut downing category size, particularly for the younger kids, will hold a positive consequence on pupil accomplishment † . In making so will construct better instructor pupil relationships which will break their attitude towards larning and better their instruction. The province authorities had taken action to cut down category sizes for illustration New South Wales had aimed to hold category sizes changing from 20 to 24 pupils in the first three old ages of schooling for all province schools by 2007.Marsh ( 2008 ) . The pupils within these schoolrooms will hold the chance to derive more of the instructor ‘s clip, attending and instruction. Leti ng for more one- on- one instruction to take topographic point in the schoolroom and clip and attending for inquiries and replies that will heighten pupil cognition and better their instruction. Rather than, the pupils being subjected to big category size where the instructor struggles to run into the demands of all his or her pupils. In return go forthing the pupils troubled, unconfident and discerning towards their instructor, schooling and in peculiar instruction itself. Based on the synthesis of Course, Minus, A ; Passing. ( 2008 ) that little categories in the early classs generate better environments for pupils and these are greater the longer the pupils are exposed to the smaller categories. Due to the consequence of pupil accomplishment displayed in the authorities ‘s actions to make smaller category sizes, it is now more of precedence within schools to move on the information and work towards smaller categories as it is turn outing to be successful. Based on authorit ies consequences and theoreticians, the success of the passage to smaller categories is sketching the significance category size has on pupil acquisition. When measuring the schoolroom environment, temperature is a critical construct as it can impact pupil ‘s behavior and in return their ability to take on cognition. Marsh ( 2008 ) states that â€Å" Common sense would bespeak that there is a reasonably limited temperature scope in which school pupils might be expected to work at their best † . She explains that high temperatures can do some pupils to be cranky and uncomfortable and in utmost instances both unenrgetic and nauseating. Equally good as cold temperatures that may convey out aggression and negative behavior in some pupils within the schoolroom. The temperature of a schoolroom can be altered through the usage and execution of osculating ceiling fans, oil and gas fired warmers and air-conditioning. Marsh ( 2008 ) . It is the duty of the instructor to be cognizant of the possibilities of temperature emphasis if excessively high or low temperatures prevail and adjust their activities consequently. Temperature is a critical facet on the schoolroom environment. It can change how a pupil feels and in return their attitude to school and instruction. Therefore temperature has considerable impact on a pupil ‘s ability to larn comfortably and expeditiously. A pupil ‘s ability to larn is extremely affected by the constructs of the schoolroom environment. Students go to school to be educated and this instruction can be manipulated by many factors that exist within the schoolroom. Therefore changeless alteration and appraisal of schoolrooms is needed to guarantee that there is an addition of sufficient and effectual acquisition taking topographic point without distraction and hurt. By researching and admiting that the schoolroom environment has many constructs to it such as pick of coloring material, degree of noise, category size and temperature that all impact on how a pupil learns and their ability to larn. The school and instructors can work together to make a comfy acquisition environment to accommodate the acquisition demands of pupils.

Assignment 6 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

6 - Assignment Example Some of the differences between managers are leaders are that managers are administers while leaders are innovates and that managers are never original in their positions or even capacities but leaders are original (McCue & Jack 42-51). A manager tends to maintain status quo, focusses on control, and has a short-range view while a leader develops, focuses on people, inspires trust, and has a long-range perspective. Managers ask how and when, has eye on the bottom line while leaders ask what and why, and have eye on the horizon. A leader or a manager are two words that are used interchangeably to describe individuals holding formal authorities in organizations irrespective of their behavior in such positions. A manager does not necessarily exercise leadership in positions in which they are appointed even though leadership is just part of management. Generally, there are skills or traits that an effective leader is required to have as explained by various theories both old and contemporary theories. Some of the main traits that appear in leaders are ambition, zeal, intelligence, self-directive, and self-confidence (McCue & Jack 45-57). At times, physical characteristics, capability, and persona may be important aspects used to summarize what a leader is. There are six distinct characters that popular effective leaders have such as honesty and integrity. In addition, drive, motivation, cognitive ability, and business knowledge are also other characteristics of leaders. These traits would definitely distinguis h whether a manager will be an effective leader or not. Leaders are incredibly ambitious persons who are never afraid of taking inventiveness as well as people whom apart from willingness to lead, are especially ready to take charge. Furthermore, leaders usually have technical expertise in their businesses and are straightforward people who fulfill their promises. Leaders are individuals who

Public policy project Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Public policy project - Assignment Example The reforms are; new benefits, protection and rights, rules for the Insurance Companies, the taxes, the tax breaks, spending, funding, creation of committees, education and among others. The idea Affordable Healthcare Act (ACA) came just a month after the inauguration of Obama (February 2009). During this time, the president addressed a joint assembly of the United States Congress, imploring the Congress that time was right for the overhauling of the health care. On September 9, Obama went yet another joint session of the Congress to outline the reform measures in regard to the Act. The version of the health care bill was passed on November 7 by the House of the Representative by a slim margin of 220-2015. Later on the Senate proceeded with its debate on the health care that was projected to be passed before the Christmas. Though it went through many hurdles, on December 24, all the Democrats united and the Senate passed its version of the legislation. On March 23, 2010 President Obama signed the Act. The Supreme Court on June 28, 2012 rendered the final decision to uphold the health care law. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Affordable HealthCare Act’s coverage expansion is approximated to cost $1.363 billion for the periods 2014-2023 in the mandatory expenditures (Gruber, 2011). The ACA and its companion reconciliation legislation contains a number of the provisions that are designed to raise the revenue to offset the cost of the health reform law. Apart from the individual mandatory tax/penalty, the ACA is partly funded by the increased taxes on the other non-health and health related items and services. Additionally, there are numerous new increased taxes and the fees that are meant to fund the Act. Some of the sources for the Act include; 0.9% increase in the Medicare Tax Rate, 3.8% new tax on the unearned income of the

EU Law Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

EU Law - Research Paper Example It sets out the vision or primary goal that must be achieved and then left to the individual state to see how best it will implement the directive. In other words, a directive is aimed at allowing a country’s national laws to easily conform to the international laws. This means that a country has the option to already rely on its own existing laws if it feels they are sufficient.6 It will also have the option of coming up with the laws to which the latter grant them a period of between one to five years. It is stated that the differences between regulations and directives are aimed at member states or individuals while regulations apply to everyone. It is also argued that regulations are designed to apply directly while as seen in Article 288, directives are made effective after some form of legislation is implemented by the member state to give the said directive a form of validity.7 In the case of Van Duyn v. Home Office [1974] ECR 1337, the applicant Yvonne Van Duyn, a Dutc h woman, was denied entry into the United Kingdom to work as a secretary in the Church of Scientology.8 The conflict that caused her to sue Home Office was that she had rights to movement as a worker. This meant that the Home Office had no right to turn her away. On the other hand, the Home Office argued that it had a right to deny a person entry on the basis of public policy, public security and public health. At this time, the Church of Scientology was banned, and on this basis, the entry of Van Duyn was denied.9 Evaluation of the Differences, Advantages and Disadvantages As discussed above, it emerges that a difference exists between these two decided cases. A regulation as shown by the case of Commission v. Italy, part of the... It is stated that the differences between regulations and directives are aimed at member states or individuals while regulations apply to everyone. It is also argued that regulations are designed to apply directly while as seen in Article 288, directives are made effective after some form of legislation is implemented by the member state to give the said directive a form of validity. In the case of Van Duyn v. Home Office [1974] ECR 1337, the applicant Yvonne Van Duyn, a Dutch woman, was denied entry into the United Kingdom to work as a secretary in the Church of Scientology. The conflict that caused her to sue Home Office was that she had rights to the movement as a worker. This meant that the Home Office had no right to turn her away. On the other hand, the Home Office argued that it had a right to deny a person entry on the basis of public policy, public security and public health. At this time, the Church of Scientology was banned, and on this basis, the entry of Van Duyn was den ied. As discussed above, it emerges that a difference exists between these two decided cases. A regulation as shown by the case of Commission v. Italy, part of the ruling was that a directive cannot be interfered with. It must be implemented in its entirety. On the other hand, as Van Duyn v. Home Office has shown, a country has the discretion to implement a directive as it sees fit. This means that the individual country has the advantage of refusing to implement a directive if it contravenes national law.

Annexation, Land Use Change, and Landscape Impact Dissertation

Annexation, Land Use Change, and Landscape Impact - Dissertation Example Thus the main aim of the paper is study the use of land policies for the betterment of the society. The global change has serious consequences on different landscapes. With increasingly changing environment and urgent global concerns every nation and community stands at the juncture of growing and evolving, keeping in pace with the environmental change which is critical. The competing visions of the future create the dilemma in many different ways. The type of places people of a community try to inhabit and the environment they leave behind for their future generations bring forth this dilemma. The landscapes and the nature are the factors that sustain the living of the human generation and also the life cycle of other species on the planet. The ideal future for the planet will be one in which the consumption and the use of land are done sparingly and where people cherish the landscapes. The future of the towns and the cities are expected to be vibrant as well as compact along with being green. The economic bases of the society are also expected to be restorative both environmenta lly and socially along with being viable. The ultimate vision of these theories is to result in the creation of an environment by the human community containing enduring values. People should ultimately be proud of the landscape and the environment they are about to leave for the next generations (Beatley & Manning, 1997, pp. 1-2). Carl Sauer, a born geographer was considered to be the grandfather of the theories of landscapes. He was the profounder of what can be called the ethics of land. According to the profounder it is the responsibility of human community to focus on the sustainability of the world environment and the earth for the well being of both the present as well as that of the future generations. An aesthetic rationale for the environmental progress has been given by Carl Sauer.

Comparative analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Comparative analysis - Essay Example Thesis statement: The analysis and comparison of Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast in Australia proves that these beaches comprise of a number of similarities and dissimilarities in history, importance, geographical setting, tourism, economy, and infrastructure development. Usually, comparative analysis consists of comparing and contrasting two themes, topics or theories. Here, the comparative analysis is based upon two tourist areas, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast in Australia. Before comparing the foretold topic, it is important to analyze the history and importance of the same. The history of Gold Coast is deeply rooted among the aborigines of Australia. For instance, the aborigines called the foretold area as ‘Kurrungul’, the place from where they used to collect hardwood for their traditional weapons. The local tribes used to camp near Gold Coast because of the abundance of fresh water supply. The geographical exploration undertaken by Captain Cook in 1770 helped the outer world to know more about this area. Later, in 1840, Dixon (surveyor) authorized by the government renamed the Gold Coast and its surrounding areas. But another surveyor, General Sir Thomas Mitchell helped to regain the older names like Currumbin Creek, Kurrawa etc. Later, the foretold areas underwent rapid change and were transformed to farms and fields. For instance, the foretold areas became the core of industrialization. But in 1933, Gold Coast was renamed as Surfers Paradise. This helped Gold Coast to be an important tourist hot spot in Australia. The development in 1950s attracted a number of entrepreneurs to this area. Gradually, this area became a holiday spot for entertainment. Now, Gold Coast is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in Australia. As pointed out earlier, Gold Coast acts the role of an important tourist destination in Australia. The Gold Coast map (see

EU Law Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

EU Law - Research Paper Example It sets out the vision or primary goal that must be achieved and then left to the individual state to see how best it will implement the directive. In other words, a directive is aimed at allowing a country’s national laws to easily conform to the international laws. This means that a country has the option to already rely on its own existing laws if it feels they are sufficient.6 It will also have the option of coming up with the laws to which the latter grant them a period of between one to five years. It is stated that the differences between regulations and directives are aimed at member states or individuals while regulations apply to everyone. It is also argued that regulations are designed to apply directly while as seen in Article 288, directives are made effective after some form of legislation is implemented by the member state to give the said directive a form of validity.7 In the case of Van Duyn v. Home Office [1974] ECR 1337, the applicant Yvonne Van Duyn, a Dutc h woman, was denied entry into the United Kingdom to work as a secretary in the Church of Scientology.8 The conflict that caused her to sue Home Office was that she had rights to movement as a worker. This meant that the Home Office had no right to turn her away. On the other hand, the Home Office argued that it had a right to deny a person entry on the basis of public policy, public security and public health. At this time, the Church of Scientology was banned, and on this basis, the entry of Van Duyn was denied.9 Evaluation of the Differences, Advantages and Disadvantages As discussed above, it emerges that a difference exists between these two decided cases. A regulation as shown by the case of Commission v. Italy, part of the... It is stated that the differences between regulations and directives are aimed at member states or individuals while regulations apply to everyone. It is also argued that regulations are designed to apply directly while as seen in Article 288, directives are made effective after some form of legislation is implemented by the member state to give the said directive a form of validity. In the case of Van Duyn v. Home Office [1974] ECR 1337, the applicant Yvonne Van Duyn, a Dutch woman, was denied entry into the United Kingdom to work as a secretary in the Church of Scientology. The conflict that caused her to sue Home Office was that she had rights to the movement as a worker. This meant that the Home Office had no right to turn her away. On the other hand, the Home Office argued that it had a right to deny a person entry on the basis of public policy, public security and public health. At this time, the Church of Scientology was banned, and on this basis, the entry of Van Duyn was den ied. As discussed above, it emerges that a difference exists between these two decided cases. A regulation as shown by the case of Commission v. Italy, part of the ruling was that a directive cannot be interfered with. It must be implemented in its entirety. On the other hand, as Van Duyn v. Home Office has shown, a country has the discretion to implement a directive as it sees fit. This means that the individual country has the advantage of refusing to implement a directive if it contravenes national law.

Comparative analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Comparative analysis - Essay Example Thesis statement: The analysis and comparison of Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast in Australia proves that these beaches comprise of a number of similarities and dissimilarities in history, importance, geographical setting, tourism, economy, and infrastructure development. Usually, comparative analysis consists of comparing and contrasting two themes, topics or theories. Here, the comparative analysis is based upon two tourist areas, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast in Australia. Before comparing the foretold topic, it is important to analyze the history and importance of the same. The history of Gold Coast is deeply rooted among the aborigines of Australia. For instance, the aborigines called the foretold area as ‘Kurrungul’, the place from where they used to collect hardwood for their traditional weapons. The local tribes used to camp near Gold Coast because of the abundance of fresh water supply. The geographical exploration undertaken by Captain Cook in 1770 helped the outer world to know more about this area. Later, in 1840, Dixon (surveyor) authorized by the government renamed the Gold Coast and its surrounding areas. But another surveyor, General Sir Thomas Mitchell helped to regain the older names like Currumbin Creek, Kurrawa etc. Later, the foretold areas underwent rapid change and were transformed to farms and fields. For instance, the foretold areas became the core of industrialization. But in 1933, Gold Coast was renamed as Surfers Paradise. This helped Gold Coast to be an important tourist hot spot in Australia. The development in 1950s attracted a number of entrepreneurs to this area. Gradually, this area became a holiday spot for entertainment. Now, Gold Coast is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in Australia. As pointed out earlier, Gold Coast acts the role of an important tourist destination in Australia. The Gold Coast map (see

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Essay Example for Free

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Essay The geriatric assessment is a multidimensional, multidisciplinary diagnostic instrument designed to collect data on the medical, psychosocial and functional capabilities and limitations of elderly patients. Various geriatric practitioners use the information generated to develop treatment and long-term follow-up plans, arrange for primary care and rehabilitative services, organize and facilitate the intricate process of case management, determine long-term care requirements and optimal placement, and make the best use of health care resources. The geriatric assessment differs from a standard medical evaluation in three general ways: (1) it focuses on elderly individuals with complex problems, (2) it emphasizes functional status and quality of life, and (3) it frequently takes advantage of an interdisciplinary team of providers. Whereas the standard medical evaluation works reasonably well in most other populations, it tends to miss some of the most prevalent problems faced by the elder patient. These challenges, often referred to as the Five Is of Geriatrics, include intellectual impairment, immobility, instability, incontinence and iatrogenic disorders. The geriatric assessment effectively addresses these and many other areas of geriatric care that are crucial to the successful treatment and prevention of disease and disability in older people. Performing a comprehensive assessment is an ambitious undertaking. Below is a list of the areas geriatric providers may choose to assess: †¢ Current symptoms and illnesses and their functional impact. †¢ Current medications, their indications and effects. †¢ Relevant past illnesses. †¢ Recent and impending life changes. †¢ Objective measure of overall personal and social functionality. †¢ Current and future living environment and its appropriateness to function and prognosis. †¢ Family situation and availability. †¢ Current caregiver network including its deficiencies and potential. †¢ Objective measure of cognitive status. †¢ Objective assessment of mobility and balance. †¢ Rehabilitative status and prognosis if ill or disabled. †¢ Current emotional health and substance abuse. †¢ Nutritional status and needs. †¢ Disease risk factors, screening status, and health promotion activities. †¢ Services required and received. The primary care physician or community health worker usually initiates an assessment when he or she detects a potential problem. Like any effective medical evaluation, the geriatric assessment needs to be sufficiently flexible in scope and adaptable in content to serve a wide range of patients. A complete geriatric assessment, performed by multiple personnel over many encounters, is best suited for elders with multiple medical problems and significant functional limitations. Ideally, under these circumstances, an interdisciplinary team representing medicine, psychiatry, social work, nutrition, physical and occupational therapy and others performs a detailed assessment, analyzes the information, devises an intervention strategy, initiates treatment, and follows-up on the patients progress. Due to the intricate nature of comprehensive assessments, many teams designate a case-manager or caseworker to coordinate the entire effort. Most assessments take place in medical offices and inpatient units over multiple visits. If at all possible, however, at least one member of the team (rarely the physician) will attempt to visit the patient at home. Despite the problem of low or no reimbursement, the typically high-yield of information from even a single home visit makes it an extremely efficient use of resources. Most geriatric assessments, performed under the constraints of time and money, tend to be less comprehensive and more directed. Although such modifications are best suited to relatively high-functioning elders living in the community, many practitioners find some version of a directed geriatric assessment to be a more realistic tool in a busy practice. Patient-driven assessment instruments are also popular among geriatricians. Asking patients to complete questionnaires and perform specific tasks not  only saves time, but also it provides useful insight into their motivation and cognitive ability. To the extent that patients are unable to complete the assessment themselves, practitioners resort to traditional patient interview techniques that frequently involve input from a family member or other caregiver. During your upcoming site visits, you will perform a directed geriatric assessment (DGA), ideally with the same patient, over two sessions. In the interest of education, most of your DGA instruments are student-driven, rather than patient-driven, and require relatively little information from caregivers who may or may not be available at the time of your visit. We have divided the DGA in two parts, each with three subsections. In Part I, you will perform an expanded medical interview covering the clinical history, nutritional assessment and a social evaluation. In Part II, you will perform neuropsychiatric, physical and functional examinations. What follows is a reproduction of the History and Physical (HP) format that you will use in your Physical Diagnosis II course next semester. Although all geriatric practitioners do not use a standard assessment format (comprehensive or otherwise), most agree on basic content. The comprehensive geriatric assessment (history examination) following the Physical Diagnosis outline covers the most significant content areas of a prototypical geriatric assessment. As you can see, it moves well beyond the standard HP, which is precisely the point. We have designed it to correlate as closely as possible with the history and physical you will be learning later this year. It is to your considerable advantage to review this information before meeting your patients face-to-face on the site visits. The DGA instrument you will use during your encounter immediately follows this section.

Factors in American Democracy

Factors in American Democracy American Democracy The seven key functions of interest groups. The interest groups are organizations that may be formed in reaction to certain issues either as a single event or threat that may later become institutionalized. They are private organizations that endeavor to influence public officials to respond the shared aspirations of their members without holding to political power. They stimulate interest in public affairs through members representation based on a criterion of shared beliefs rather than by geography. Interest groups provide useful data to governments and are a means through which political participation is attained hence they act as a check and balance. This is a fundamental role that manifest itself in politics, education, business etc. These Interest groups may be for profit while others are for non profit. One function of interest groups is to garner representation that may be political. They seek out memberships as more members more power hence attaining a position where election outcome is influenced. Therefore securing money for its cause is central and advantageous in order for it to sustain itself and be effective at lobbying and influence government policy. They have the responsibility of spreading information to the general public because they pose information that either the public or the policymakers may lack. This helps it to gain more followers and influence policy makers to take certain favorable actions. They have an inbuilt mechanism to change policy both in both private and public spheres. Interest groups do educate both their own constituents and the public and by this members are educated on the most recent developments on the issues at hand. With their developed expertise on a particular field or policy area they are normally called to testify before congress on their position concerning legislation (Aldrich, 1995). The two-party system today: is it in decline or in resurgence? Over the last three decades pundits have claimed that the American political parties are on the decline in the US politics. Their role has been reducing in the political process and it has been inferred that they are not a useful tool any more. The political action committee (PACs) has supplemented the political parties rendering them to be outdated. The view is reinforced with the idea that candidates are independent of political parties to get elected rendering the parties to be less significant. Parties do not make significant and purposeful stand on issues but are concerned with accommodating followers form the middle of the ideological spectrum rendering them irrelevant to progression of society. The party leaders do not make important decisions on presidential candidate as a result of party primaries and committees. The role of the party in educating and influencing the electorate has been overtaken by the mass electronic media. Democratic Party reformed the delegate selection process trough the 1968 convention that led to increase usage of the primaries leading to an increased youth, women and minorities representation. These reforms in the Democratic Party have made it to be reflective to the view of academicians and intellectuals at the expense of the working masses, unionist, elected officials etc who have the numbers. A large number of citizens are distrustful to the major parties viewing them as corrupt institutions that circumvent the issues at hand, have no ideas and follow public opinions rather than generate them. Nevertheless political parties still do play a crucial role in American politics (Reichley, 2000). The parties are transforming but not declining despite the political environment being more candidates centered than before. Today parties are better funded with permanent headq uarters. They are more capable to providing assistance to states and local party organizations due to the strengthened financial base. They have defined themselves as providers of expertise to the needy but they cannot themselves acquire it. They have shown unity during roll call votes in congress and after the 1968 convection the Democratic Party replaced the unit rule with system of proportionality. The Republican Party has given the national committees more control over presidential campaigns and urged state parties to encourage broader participation of all groups. Today both parties do provide training sessions for candidates on campaign planning, marketing, fund raising, volunteers and campaign scheduling. The two major political parties have demonstrated adaptability to change with time and respond to constitutes demand despite the cultural and structural forces that perpetuate the two party system showing little signs of relenting. The three types of third parties. The US electoral system works against a proliferation of political parties but minor parties and independents have still managed to run for office. Third parties are created for various reasons; a split within the republican and democratic parties often represents factions over policy issues. These splinter parties have been at the forefront in gaining popularity and the electorate college (Aldrich, 1995). Ideologically related parties and issue advocacy parties do cover both ends of the political continuum. These political parties are formed around single issues e.g. green energy. Voters normally vote for third parties because they are trying to send a message to the two big parties often with success. Both the two major parties have embraced reforms and programs that were often rejected when presented by third parties. Third parties in the long run do fail to maintain themselves at local and state levels due to skimming of their talent by the major parties. There members are always small to have any domineering influence plus lacking the financial resources to carry out effective campaigns. The two major parties consolidate their dominance of the political system through high profile campaigns and conventions subsidized by tax payer’s money. Nevertheless they have been successful at calling for attention to an otherwise ignored, misrepresented or surprised issues. They have over the years managed to get the major political parties to adopt the most important portion of third party platforms as theirs giving the far sighted voter a means of making tangible statements with greater impact on the direction of the country. They work to enhance the prospects and credibility of lesser know ideas and lesser known candidates to gain and solidify ballot access. There activity provides whoever wins off ice with a more latitude and public support in choosing new public policy approaches or solutions to existing or future problems or concerns (Schaffner, 2012). Elements of referendums, initiatives, and recalls. Many countries that are representative’s democracies permit three forms of political action providing limited direct democracy. These are initiative, referendum and recall. An initiative is a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote on a proposed law, amendments or ordinance. It allows citizens to bypass their state legislature through placing proposed statutes or constitutional amendments on the ballot. In America twenty four states have adopted the initiative proceeds in their constitutions. Two types of initiatives exist. Direct initiatives are submitted to the legislature which may act on the proposal. This depends on the state hence the question may go to the ballot and if rejected a different proposal is submitted. For indirect process the legislature submits a competing measure that appears on the ballot together with the original proposal examples states of Nevada, Ohio and Massachusetts. In Utah and Wash ington proponents either chooses the direct or indirect method (Schaffner, 2012). A referendum is a direct method of voting where an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject an article proposal. This may lead to ratification of a new constitution, amendment, law or recall of an elected official. Legislative referendum is where the legislature refers a measure to the voters for approval. Popular referendum is a measure that appears on the ballot as a result of a voter petition. Legislative referendums are less controversial than citizen initiatives with high success rates. Popular referendum is a means that allow voters to approved or repeal an act of the legislature. Law passed that citizens do not approved for may lead to gathering of signatures to demand a popular vote. Advisory referendum is where the legislature and in some states the governor places a question on the ballot to asses voter opinion where the results are not binding. A recall is a procedure where voters remove an elected official from office through a direct vote when sufficient vot ers sign a petition. It allows citizens to remove from office a public official before the expiry of the term. Recall is apolitical device different from impeachment that is a legal device (Aldrich, 1995). Media Bias Professional who constitute Americas mainstream news media are mainly left oriented and democrats. They make it clear that they are giving their opinions and analysis of the news as they perceive it rather than being impartial and focus on research so as to represent relevant facts to the audience. A more useful way of measuring the news media political and ideological makeup is to examine what the professional in the industry believe about a wide array of social, ethical amend political issues. Bias manifests itself not in the form of outright lies but as a function of what reporters choose not to tell their audience. They omit factors so as to avoid contradicting the political narrative they wish to propagate. Some mangers in American newsrooms are so ideologically entrenched that there is a feeling and discussion that some of them have a difficult time reviewing a story that reflects negatively upon government or the administration. Politicians are a biased lot and they belong to political parties that champion policies and ideologies. Irrespective of their thought these ideologies are common since they do perceive their political conversations as politics. Journalist do also speak form a political position but the industry ethics and the objective of fairness do influence there profession that endeavors to do the right thing. This objective is met through fairness to those concerned with the news covered, completeness and accuracy. The American press is a unified voice with a distinct bias that generates a simplistic thinking that fits the needs of an ideological struggle. American media bias is as a result of journalist failure to reflect upon the meaning of the premise and assumptions that supports their practice because the mass media wanted to apply a narrative structure to ambiguous events in order to create a coherent and casual sense of events (Reichley, 2000). WORKS CITED: Aldrich, J. H. (1995). Why parties?: The origin and transformation of political parties in America. Chicago [u.a.: Univ. of Chicago Press. Reichley, A. J. (2000). The life of the parties: A history of American political parties. Lanham, Md [u.a.: Rowman Littlefield. Schaffner, B. F. (2012). Politics, parties, and elections in America. Boston, MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.

Uncle Toms Cabin Essay example -- Uncle Toms Cabin Essays

Uncle Tom's Cabin Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote this novel during the time of the debates that lead to the Civil War and near the time of the Compromise of 1850. The book provides a defiant protest against the social and political conditions of that era. The division between the northern industrial states and the southern agrarian states was very prominent and apparent. There was fierce competition between them. This lead to differing viewpoints about slavery. The competition helped the South justify it and gave the North reason to denounce it. Information like this is not provided by the author because her target audience at the time she wrote the story was living through these conflicts. To make up for this, I would suggest that before reading this work you have at least a minimal knowledge of the aspects of slavery and its geographical distribution in early America. Also, it is important to have basic understanding of the Christian faith and its two major kinds of believers at the time. There were those who believed that all were equal and that all had souls that were to be treated with compassion, and those who argued that God had created them superior to all blacks. Keep in mind that Mrs. Stowe was living through all of what is in her story. So while providing social, political, and religious commentary, she also spatters her work with racism and subtle bigotry that would not be found in most modern writing. Uncle Tom's Cabin is a novel about how trust in God can conque...

Pragmatism, Perfectionism, and Feminism :: Feminist Feminism Pragmatism Essays

Pragmatism, Perfectionism, and Feminism ABSTRACT: I consider the revision of pragmatism by three leading neopragmatists: Richard Rorty, Richard Bernstein, and Cornel West. I argue that their vision of pragmatism lacks a teleology, though a teleology is suggested by Bernstein's description of a pragmatic ethos. I appeal to Stanley Cavell's notion of 'moral perfectionism' to suggest a kind of teleology that is available to pragmatism. Finally, I find the weakness of pragmatism done without teleology well exemplified in the exchange between Rorty and Nancy Frazer at Rorty's 1990 Tanner Lecture. Rorty's paper, "Pragmatism and Feminism," was meant to offer feminists some pragmatic strategies for improving their position. Frazer's strong response finds Rorty's suggestions only marginally helpful. I interpret her criticism of Rorty's suggestions to be that they lack something like a teleology. To me, this suggests that pragmatism can learn from feminism. Pragmatism is revolutionary both in the sense of being a philosophy that is critical, destabilizing, and progressive, as well as in the sense of being a philosophy that, in the turning philosophical tides, has come back. Pragmatism was eclipsed in the first half of the twentieth century by analytic philosophy, in its various forms, but in the last decade or so pragmatism has returned in full force, and with an explicitly philosophical agenda. In this paper I will examine this new wave of philosophical pragmatism, sometimes referred to as neopragmatism, as it appears in the works of three of its leading proponents, Richard Rorty, Cornel West, and Richard Bernstein; and specifically, how it compares to, contrasts with, and contributes to feminism, as illustrated in the exchange between Rorty and Nancy Fraser that occurred as part of Rorty's 1990 Tanner Lecture. A difficulty that arises in talking about pragmatism, new or old, is that pragmatism comes in so many forms. For Rorty, the most influential of the neopragmatists, pragmatism is primarily anti-philosophical. He defines its role in terms of negations: it is anti-representational, anti-universalist, and anti-foundational. One of Rorty's descriptions of what pragmatists do is, "pragmatists keep trying to find ways of making antiphilosophical points in nonphilosophical language." (1) For Cornel West, pragmatism represents a kind of return to philosophy, a return, that is, from a false to a genuine philosophy. It is a return to a philosophy that, at last, addresses the loci of our real needs. In his impressive, The American Evasion of Philosophy: A Genealogy of Pragmatism, West describes the return to pragmatism as follows: