Tuesday, December 24, 2019

The Islamic World - 1462 Words

After the death of ‘Ali in 661, the Muslim world was on unstable ground. As a cousin of Muhammad and a link in the direct progeny of The Prophet, his death and succession would cause much strife ad bloodshed in generations to come. Seizing power as caliph in 661 was Mu’awiya b. Abu Sufyan, the first of the Umayyad family to hold this position where an Umayyad would maintain the throne for the next nearly 90 years. Throughout the time of the Umayyad rule from 661 to 750, these caliphs had a tremendous impact on not only the Arabian Peninsula, but most of the nations through North Africa, Southwestern Europe, and east into Central Asia. It’s hard to measure the effects of this troubled dynasty without speculation, but it’s fair to say they had both highs and many lows. The Umayyads consolidated power and eventually improved the governance of their growing empire, expanded their own economic capabilities, and also advanced Arab and Muslim culture througho ut the region. However, rapid imperial expansion, tribal feuds, intra-family conflict over successions, and the misconduct of some caliphs leaves some wondering if more harm or good was done during the Umayyad reign. When Mu’awiya became caliph, some of the first actions he took were to begin the initial consolidations and centralizations of power (not to the extent of later Umayyad caliphs), begin more military expansions, and used his skills as a politician and statesman to hold the Muslim world togetherShow MoreRelatedIslamic Religion And The Islamic World959 Words   |  4 PagesAs the Islamic religion rose, both the Persian, and Eastern Roman Empire began to collapse. In the seventh and eighth century, the rise of Islamic religion began to quickly move to rule the territories, taking over to create what is now a very important change in Islamic history. The rise of Islam began in the Arabian desert, showing great change for Islam as a religion, as well as the nature of the Islamic empire, but eventually this great rise began to collapse. The events that took place, is consideredRead MoreIslamic Extremism And The Islamic World Essay1811 Words   |  8 PagesMany people think terrorism and islamic militancy is a product of long-lasting religious traditions in the islamic world. However, when delving deeper into the origins of this radical violence related to islam, and the middle east, it becomes apparent it is connected to many different global and political factors that have led to it’s significance on the world-stage. The question arises, why is Islam so directly connected to violence? This can be due to the lack of knowledge, it is essential to recognizeRead MoreAstronomy Of The Islamic World975 Words   |  4 Pagesmedieval era, a golden age of innovations in science took part in the Islamic world. In particular cities in the Iberian Peninsula, like Cordoba, astronomy blossomed and thrived as an aftermath of the genius and creativity that took place there. Innovations in astronomy were vital in inspiring the other scientific discoveries, and were greatly encouraged by the religious groups during the time. In the Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World, S. Nomanul Haq and Massimo Campanini wrote that â€Å"astronomy isRead MoreThe Spread Of The Islamic World997 Words   |  4 PagesSofia Kone 3/6/15 WH7/P4 The Spread of the Islamic World Long ago in 610, a man named Muhammad meditated in a cave near Mecca Arabia , and received a religious vision. This vision laid the foundations and a new belief system for an unknown religion, Islam. United by their faith in Allah, Muslims of Arabia succeeded in consolidating their beliefs throughout the Arabian peninsula into the Middle East. After the death of Muhammad, the Islamic state expanded rapidly through a remarkable success ofRead MoreIslamic Age And Western Influence On The Islamic World1437 Words   |  6 Pages9/11, Americans have passed judgement on the Islamic culture as a violent religion. However, many Americans are ignorant to the fact that Islam is practiced throughout the entire world and not just run by extremists and violet people in the Middle East. People can learn about Islamic culture by learning the origin of Islam in the Qur’an and through Mohammed and his teachings, the Islamic golden age and western influence and modernization on the Islamic wor ld. Mohammed was the last prophetRead MoreIslamic World View Beyond Islamic Development Strategy Essay1463 Words   |  6 PagesIslamic World View Beyond Islamic Development Strategy, Is It There? Introduction Allan Bullock and S.Trombley (1999) refer ‘worldview’ to a general conception of the nature of the world, particularly as containing or implying a system of value-principles. What constructs such a system of value-principles may vary depending on each fundamental belief. It becomes essential to know the various type of worldview as it helps us to comprehensively understand our own worldview and gain insight from othersRead MoreAl Qaeda And The Islamic World Essay1642 Words   |  7 Pagesthroughout the Islamic world† (Al-Qaeda 2016). Al Qaeda was not always bad as one can see that they were not created as a terrorists group but to fight against the Soviet in the nineties. After the war ended they turned into a group of Muslim that started to kill innocent people (Esposito p. 222). â€Å"When the Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan in 1989, the organization dispersed but continued to oppose what its leaders considered corrupt Islamic regimes and foreign (i.e., U.S.) presence in Islamic lands† (Al-QaedaRead MoreDifferences Between The And The Islamic World1446 Words   |  6 PagesFrom deep within the mountains of Central Asia, a group of nomads arose who would one day rule over half of the Islamic world. Though the tribes separated, all three of the greatest empires to grace the Islamic world began with Turkic roots. Over the years they developed into distinct cultures of their own, with unique religious interpretations and ideas of leadership. Each founding emperor had a different claim to leadership. The Ottomans of Anatolia relied on their military success, especiallyRead MorePolitical Rivalries And The Islamic World1665 Words   |  7 PagesChina Sea o Muslim traders transferred food crops, technology, and ideas †¢ Islamic world was divided by political rivalries, vast cultural and linguistic diversity, and religious sectarianism †¢ 7th -4th centuries: political rivalries made technological and organizational innovations that strengthened the Islamic world †¢ In the scrub zones Bedouin (nomadic)cultures developed based on camel and goat herding o Bedouin world, where Islam arose, shaped the career of its prophet, his teachings, and theRead MoreSaudi Arabia And The Islamic World1648 Words   |  7 Pagessignificant and popular country is known as Saudi Arabia. The fact following certain aspects and a shared history with Islamic religion makes it the most well known place in the world for Muslims as well as the entire Arab world. Saudi Arabia lies and covers most of the Arabian Peninsula, inclusive of the Red Sea. The first concrete evidence of human existence in the Arab world takes us back 15000 to 20000 years. Tribes of hunters and gatherers survived on this land, abolishing hunger through wild

Monday, December 16, 2019

Classmates and Influences Free Essays

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Classmates are a more important influence than parents on a child’s success in school. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. I can not completely agree with the statement that classmates are a more important influence than parents on a child’s success in school. We will write a custom essay sample on Classmates and Influences or any similar topic only for you Order Now In this essay I will first focus on the reasons why I agree with this statement and then list a few points why from my opinion in some cases is not true. From the one side, classmates have a significant influence on child’s behavior and his or her success in school. First of all, children spend much time at school. Classmates have many things in common such as age, interests, homework and classes after all. So, they discuss their impressions about a new teacher, solve problems together, learn their homework, gain new knowledge and experience and even make their own discoveries. Sharing all these makes them closer. Some of them become friends and they spend after-school time together. In addition friends tend to copy each other’s habits and manners. For instance, my little sister became friends with the girl who did not have good grades at school at that time. It does not mean she could not have better grades; she just had many friends who did not care about their grades. So, when they started to spend their time together and share their interests, girl’s grades improved. They did their homework together, shared their dreams and exciting moments. From this point I must agree that classmates can change child’s attitude towards school. From the other side, parents have a great influence on children’ success in school too. For example if parents show an interest in their child’s progress and talk to him or her about the importance of learning I think their child will listen to them and do his or her best. Personally, I believe that relationships between parents and a child play an essential role in child’s success in school. If these relationships are close and wholehearted I am sure that parents should not be afraid of bad influence from the outside. How to cite Classmates and Influences, Papers

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Cally Hodgkinson 7th December 2001  Essay Example For Students

Cally Hodgkinson 7th December 2001Â   Essay The prologue and Act III, Scene I of Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet are tackled in different ways by different directors. How does Franco Zeffirelli and Baz Lurhmann interpret these sections in order to bring the drama alive. William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet is about Two star crossd lovers who take their lives. It is a famous tragic love story, which is as popular today as in Shakespeares time. Two film directors have produced the play but have interpreted it in different ways, in order to bring the drama alive. Franco Zeffirelli directed his film in the 1970s and produced a very traditional version. Where on Baz Lurhmanns 1998 adaption, set in modern America and is very new although he does use Shakespeares language. We will write a custom essay on Cally Hodgkinson 7th December 2001Â   specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Both directors retain the prologue as an introduction to their films. Shakespeares prologue, written in sonnet form, gives an overview of the play and Baz Lurhmann + Franco Zeffirelli use it for different purposes. Lurhmanns prologue gives a very dramatic opening to the film. It begins a blank cinema screen, in the centre a television screen appears. It is not switched onto a channel so all the audience can see is static. Gradually the television screen fills the cinema screen, a clever device for it makes the audience think they are watching a television news flash. The television shows a black female news presenter who reads twelve lines of the prologue, while shes doing this the TV fills our screen and we are able to see a ring which underneath says Star crossd lovers. Franco Zeffirelli introduces his version of Romeo and Juliet with a male narrator who speaks just eight lines of the prologue. Its set in a deserted square, which seems calm with soothing music playing in the background, which contrasts with the chaos that occurs in the first scene. Since Lurhmanns version of Romeo and Juliet is modern, people are wearing fashionable clothes, have modern cars and transport. Also to defend themselves they have guns. Zeffirellis version is very traditional. It was made nearly thirty years ago and sticks to the original very closely, much of the original is retained to provide authenticity. Unlike Lurhmann who made it more modern. Zeffirelli also used swords as weapons, unlike Lurhmann who used guns. Baz Lurhmanns Act III, Scene I opens with Mercutio shooting in the sea on the beach cleverly named Verona Beach. Benvolio Romeos cousin is with him, Mercutios bored so hes entertaining himself by prancing about in the water. When the Capulets appear, in the background you can hear western music. Which suggests theres going to be a duel. The Capulets have come to find Romeo because Tybalt had seen him at the Capulets party the night before. Juliets father had told him to leave Romeo alone and let him enjoy himself, so Tybalt, Perruchio and the others have come to confront Romeo. Mercutio is very camp in this scene emphasizing ways. He says And but one word with one of us? Couple it with something make it a word and a blow which is mocking Tybalts masculinity and his anger becomes greater. As Romeo appears Tybalt ignores Mercutio and says Peace be with you sir here comes my man. Romeo starts being serious and asks for peace, and puts his hand out. Tybalt hits his hand away and replies saying Peace? I hate the word. He then starts beating Romeo. Mercutio cant believe his eyes when he sees Romeo isnt defending himself. He drops his gun in the sand, picks up a piece of wood and starts hitting Tybalt. Who then throws Mercutio onto the glass, which breaks into pieces. .uf6b97c70c35849b9eabae6b0167cef5f , .uf6b97c70c35849b9eabae6b0167cef5f .postImageUrl , .uf6b97c70c35849b9eabae6b0167cef5f .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uf6b97c70c35849b9eabae6b0167cef5f , .uf6b97c70c35849b9eabae6b0167cef5f:hover , .uf6b97c70c35849b9eabae6b0167cef5f:visited , .uf6b97c70c35849b9eabae6b0167cef5f:active { border:0!important; } .uf6b97c70c35849b9eabae6b0167cef5f .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uf6b97c70c35849b9eabae6b0167cef5f { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uf6b97c70c35849b9eabae6b0167cef5f:active , .uf6b97c70c35849b9eabae6b0167cef5f:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uf6b97c70c35849b9eabae6b0167cef5f .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uf6b97c70c35849b9eabae6b0167cef5f .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uf6b97c70c35849b9eabae6b0167cef5f .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uf6b97c70c35849b9eabae6b0167cef5f .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uf6b97c70c35849b9eabae6b0167cef5f:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uf6b97c70c35849b9eabae6b0167cef5f .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uf6b97c70c35849b9eabae6b0167cef5f .uf6b97c70c35849b9eabae6b0167cef5f-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uf6b97c70c35849b9eabae6b0167cef5f:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Comparison Between the Characters EssayTybalt is so angry that he picks up a piece of glass and aims to stab Romeo but by accident he gets Mercutio, who is trying to protect Romeo. Mercutio doesnt realise how deep the cut is and just says its a scratch. He then makes a couple of jokes about it like Ask for me tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man. Afterwards he lifts up his shirt and starts to panic, then shouts A plague on both your houses, you have made worms meat of me. To curse both their families, Montagues and Capulets for his death. It then starts to thunder and a storm begins. He says it three times before he finally falls down in the sand and Tybalt fleds . Romeo is really upset and wants revenge, so he chases after Tybalt in his car and crashes into it, it overturns and Tybalts gun falls out of his car and into the road. Whilst Tybalt is trying to reach for it Romeo tries to grab it, but doesnt succeed. Tybalt puts the gun to Romeos head but he is so angry, that he doesnt care and just keeps shouting at him. Romeo manages to knock the gun out of his hands and he takes it. Tybalt then runs up some steps trying to get away but then Romeo shoots Tybalt a few times and he falls into a fountain. Also when Romeo shoots Tybalt, a quick shot of Juliet appears on the screen. There is then silence and a thunderstorm begins. Romeo then realises what hes done, drops the gun and looks up at a statue of Jesus and shouts Oh Im fortunes fool! Franco Zeffirellis Act III, Scene I opens with the same text as Shakespeare. Benvolio and Mercutio are in the square, bored. Mercutio jumps into a water trough messing around. Benvolio warns Mercutio to get out of the public place, he says I pray thee, good Mercutio, lets retire. The day is hot, the Capels are abroad. And if we meet, we shall not escape a brawl, for now these hot days is the mad blood stirring. He knows the Capulets are likely to cause trouble but Mercutio isnt bothered and says, I will not move for no mans pleasure. When the Capulets came, Mercutio starts cracking jokes and winding Tybalt up and he gets quite angry with Tybalt when he says, Mercutio, thou consortest with Romeo. Mercutio answers Consort? What, dost thou make us minstrels? And thou minstrels of us, look to hear nothing but discords. Heres my fiddlestick, heres that shall make you dance. Zounds, consort! When Romeo comes onto the scene, hes very happy because hes married Juliet who hes in love with. However Tybalt now focuses all his attention on Romeo, Romeo however has no intention of fighting Tybalt ever. After Tybalt has insulted him, Romeo responds by saying Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee doth much excuse the appertaining rage to such a greeting. Villain am I none. Therefore farewell. I see thou knowest me not. To all watching this seems like a huge joke to annoy Tybalt but when Romeo will not fight Mercutio does by saying O calm, dishonorable, vile submission. He thinks Romeo is a coward.

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Learner Difference and Learner Needs

Introduction The triarchic theory of intelligence was put together by Robert Sternberg, an outstanding expert in the field of human intellect. Sternberg’s hypothesis was by itself a landmark because it was amongst the earliest not to be in favor of the psychometric approach to intelligence.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Learner Difference and Learner Needs specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In place of the psychometric approach, it took a cognitive line. Sternberg’s classification of human intelligence is dependent on the way in which a person contends with environmental adjustments in the course of their existence. The theory is composed of three sections; componential, experiential, and practical. Various elements of information processing Sternberg connected the operations of the human brain with a string of elements. The elements include meta-components, performance components and information-ac quisition components. Meta-components refer to decision-making practices applied in problem unraveling and the coming up with resolutions that entail the greater part of handling one’s mind. They inform the brain the way something should be done. Performance components are the procedures that essentially perform the deeds that the meta-components direct. They are thus the fundamental procedures that let an individual perform things such as distinguishing problems in one’s lasting memory, looking at associations involving objects, and applying associations to a further array of terms. The very last of elements, information-acquisition elements, are utilized in acquiring new information. The components accomplish undertakings that entail carefully picking information from immaterial information. These elements can as well be employed to join the diverse pieces of information they have collected. Talented people are capable of employing these elements since they are at a position to become skilled at new information at a superior rate. Even as Sternberg clarifies that the fundamental information dispensation elements behind the three sections of his theory are the identical, it is good to note that various circumstances and various undertakings call for different forms of brainpower. Sub theoryAdvertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The componential sub theory is linked with logical ability. It lies among the three forms of giftedness that Sternberg identifies. Logical ability is significant in being at a position to break down problems and having the capacity to make out clarifications not frequently seen. Sorry to say, people with only this form are not as proficient at coming up with exceptional ideas of their own. This type of ability is what is assessed in many of the times. Experiential Sub theory This is the second phase of Sternberg’s theory and deals with the manner in which an undertaking is carried out with regard to how well it is known. The function of familiarity is split into two components: originality and automation. A novel state refers to a situation in which an individual has never been. Persons who are skillful at handling a novel situation can undertake the task and come up with innovative approaches of dealing with it in such a way that most people are unable to understand. A procedure that has undergone automation is one that has been carried out several times and can now be carried out with slight or no additional attention. Once a procedure has been automated, it can be carried out in parallel with similar or other undertakings. The setback with novelty and automation is that an individual may be skillful in one element and poor in the other. Practical Sub theory The third sub theory by Sternberg is about the intellectual activity entailed in achieving a fit to circumstance. In the course of the three procedures of adaptation, shaping, and selection, people produce the best fit linking themselves and their surroundings. Adaptation takes place when an individual makes an alteration within him/herself in order to fit better in the environment they live. For instance, whenever it gets cold, individuals adapt by putting on warm clothing. Shaping takes place whenever an individual changes their surroundings to fit their needs better. For instance, a lecturer brings into play the rule of raising one’s hand to have a word to make sure that the lecture is conducted with least possible disruption.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Learner Difference and Learner Needs specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The course of selection is carried out when the current surrounding faces the risk of being replaced by new alternate surroundings, which threaten an individual’s ability to attain his/her objectives. This expl ains why immigrants leave their homelands where they suffer financial and societal adversities and go to other nations in search of an improved life. The efficiency with which a person fits to his or her surroundings and deals with daily occurrences shows their level of intelligence. Sternberg’s third form of intelligence entails the capacity to put to use manmade and logical abilities in daily conditions. It is also important to note that Sternberg views intelligence is multifaceted and thus a person can possess more than one of the previously mentioned three intelligences. Many people may have a combination of all three, and thus a person may hold superior heights of all three intelligences. Implications for educational practice This theory holds three main implications for educational psychology. Firstly, education for all forms of brainpower is vital since students need to make the most of their brilliant capabilities at the same time they labor build up the capacities in which they exhibit limitations. Second, learners’ most brilliant capabilities are straightforwardly linked to their most agreeable learning methods. Finally, since these changeable capabilities are real, there needs to be numerous evaluations of school achievement, not just the ones that emphasize on conventional logical abilities. This essay on Learner Difference and Learner Needs was written and submitted by user Benson Miles to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Religious Private Schools

Religious Private Schools As you browse private school profiles, you will usually see a school’s religious affiliation listed within the description. While not all  private schools  have religious affiliations, many do, and many families have questions about these private institutions. What is a nonsectarian or non-denominational  school? In the private school world, you may see schools listed as nonsectarian or nons include schools like  The Hotchkiss School  and  Annie Wright School. The  opposite of a nonsectarian school  is a sectarian school. These schools will describe their religious affiliations as Roman Catholic, Baptist, Jewish, and so on. Examples of sectarian schools include  Kent School  and  Georgetown Prep  which respectively are  Episcopal  and  Roman Catholic  schools. What is a religious private school? A religious private school is simply a school that identifies with a specific religious group, such as Catholic, Jewish, Protestant, or Episcopal. Often these schools have curricula that include teachings of that faith in addition to a traditional curriculum, something that is often referred to as a dual curriculum. These schools are usually independently funded, meaning they depend on tuition dollars and/or fundraising efforts to operate. What is a parochial school? Most people associate the term  parochial school with Catholic school. In general, parochial schools are usually private schools that receive financial support from a particular church or parish, meaning the funding of a parochial school primarily comes from the church, not tuition dollars. These schools are sometimes referred to as church schools by the Catholic faith. They are closely connected to the church itself  and do not stand alone. Are all religious private schools considered parochial schools? No, they are not. Parochial schools are usually funded by the religious organization with which they are associated. For many, parochial typically connotes Catholic schools, but there are many religious private schools of other faiths, such as Jewish, Lutheran, and others. There are many religious private schools that are independently funded and do not receive funding from a particular church or other religious site. These are tuition driven. So, what is the difference between a parochial school and a private religious school? The biggest difference between a parochial school and a private religious school is money. Since private religious schools do not receive funding from a religious institution, instead  relying on tuition dollars and fundraising to operate, these schools often carry higher tuition rates than their parochial counterparts. While many parochial schools carry lower tuition rates, it is important to remember that many private schools, including both religious and nonsectarian schools, offer financial aid to qualified families who cannot afford tuition.   Can you attend a school affiliated with a religion other than yours? This answer will vary from school to school, but often the answer is an enthusiastic, yes!  Many religious schools  believe that educating others about their religion is important, regardless of the student’s own personal beliefs. As such, most institutions accept, and even welcome, applications from students of all faiths and beliefs. For some families, it is important for the student to attend a school that is affiliated with the same religion. Yet, there are many families who enjoy sending their children to  religious schools  regardless if the families have the same religious beliefs. An example of this is  Milken Community Schools  in Los Angeles, California. One of the largest Jewish schools in the country, Milken, which serves students in grades 7-12, is known for enrolling students of all faiths, but it has certain requirements for Jewish studies for all students. Why should I consider sending my child to a religious school? Religious schools are often known for the values they instill in children, and many families find this comforting. Religious schools are usually known for their ability to embrace differences and promote tolerance and acceptance, as well as teach the lessons of their faith. This can be an interesting learning experience for a student who is not familiar with a particular religion. Many schools require that the students participate in the religious customs of the school, including attending classes and/or religious services, activities and learning opportunities, which can help students become more comfortable in unfamiliar situations.

Friday, November 22, 2019

The French Expression Aller Is Integral

The French Expression Aller Is Integral The French verb aller, which means to go, is used in many French idiomatic expressions. Learn how to go fishing, get to the bottom of things, go away and more with this list of expressions with aller. Theres a good reason why so many expressions use aller; its one of the most common and important verbs in the French language. There are a few basics to keep in mind with aller.  First, its an irregular verb, so it doesnt follow typical conjugation patterns. You just have to memorize its many forms. Second, the very common passà © composà © tense of aller uses the auxiliary verb à ªtre. (Je suis allà © means  I went, I have gone). This means that the past participle in this instance, has to agree with the Je,  or the I thats speaking. So If a girl said that, the past participle would have an additional e at the end of the participle to indicate a feminine subject: Je suis  allà ©e.   Another important peculiarity of aller is its use in constructing the near future. Combine the present tense of  aller the infinitive of an action verb to make the near future, or  le futur proche. The construction means  to be going to or to be going to do something. Common French Expressing Using Aller French Expression English Translation aller la pà ªche to go fishing aller la rencontre de quelqu'un to go meet someone aller pied to go on foot aller quelqu'un to be becoming, to suit aller au-devant de quelqu'un to go meet someone aller au fond des choses to get to the bottom of things aller avec quelque chose to match; to go with something aller chercher to go get; to get; to fetch aller de pair avec to go hand in hand with aller en voiture to go by car aller sans dire; à §a va sans dire to go without saying; that goes without saying Allez-y! Go ahead! Allons donc! Come on then! Allons-y ! Let's go! Ça va ? Comment allez-vous ? Comment vas-tu ? How are you? On y va ? Shall we go? On y va ! Let's go! s'en aller to go away

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

CHILDREN AND THE MEDIA - media literacy Literature review

CHILDREN AND THE MEDIA - media literacy - Literature review Example They gain exposure to different methods in which the media can be used to manipulate and misrepresent and also its role in view generation and reality (Pannu and Tomar, 2010, pg. 21). However, the above definitional can be described as outdated for media literacy has evolved from just theses abilities and formats into electronic forms (Pannu and Tomar, 2010, pg. 21). Since 1970’s when information technology emerged, media and information has shown tremendous growth forming a basis for education and learning. This saw information becoming more digital, while people and countries became more networked. This has led to a complex and transformed environment filled with all kind of data and information that is easily accessed by a simple swipe or click of a button (Cohen, Schwartz and Harris, 2013 pg. 52). In the 1300’s, long before the information technological boom, Sorbonne library located in Paris had 1,338 books which made it the largest library in Europe. However, only an elite group of people had access to the tremendous amount of information contained in the library. In this century, thereis a high number of libraries containing more than eight million books. These books are lent out to millions of people across the globe (Potter, 2011, pg. 6). Media literacy has received a massive boost due to this. The creation of online libraries that store books in virtual cloud space has also attributed to easy ac cess to books. In 2007, 276,649 new book titles were produced by commercial publishers. A further addition of 134,773 book titles were produced by on demand publishers (Potter, 2011, pg. 6). Due to this tremendous amount of information being produced every day, humans have come up with ways to automatically sieve through this information and get the information required in a matter of seconds or faster. This has seen people from age groups develop skills that are essential in accessing information from anywhere and at any time. This

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Faculty of Business Environment and Society Essay - 8

Faculty of Business Environment and Society - Essay Example They need to meet and satisfy certain conditions, capabilities and qualities sufficiently in order to effectively manage culturally diverse human resources and agreeably, the international managers must be adaptable, open-minded, flexible and able to speak foreign languages. However, there are other critical strategies to consider and with acknowledgement that culture considerably impacts on organisations and employees, this paper will critically discuss the validity of the statement regarding international managers’ adaptability, flexibility, open-mindedness and proficiency in foreign languages. International assignments serve several purposes and the most significant ones include overseas business expansion, knowledge transfer and career development (Paauwe and Boselie 2010). International managers or expatriates are utilised by multinational corporations because of their expertise in critical areas of interest in global markets and corporate organisation as well as to oversee the entry process into new markets. While on international assignment, the international managers will be in charge of strategically significant tasks and act as the link between the subsidiary and headquarters. They will be involved in recruitment and selection; development and training; performance evaluation, remuneration and benefits; labour relations; developing competitive advantages; and, equally important, self-development (Montana and Bruce 2008). Although the roles of international managers can be generalised, different types of international managers can also be identified. One type will t ypically serve control and coordination roles and give less significance to issues related to personnel development. Another type will complement the coordination and control role by concentrating on the goals of personnel development, which usually include developing leadership competency, acquiring intercultural skills and building social

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Operation Barbarossa Essay Example for Free

Operation Barbarossa Essay Operation Barbarossa, the code name given to Hitler’s invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, would come to be considered one of Nazi Germany’s greatest follies in the Second World War, and would play a monumental role in bringing an end to Hitler’s regime just a few years later. Though the operation itself lasted less than six months it resulted in four years of harsh fighting on the Eastern Front, marked by an enormous casualty toll for both the Russians and the Germans and countless battles fought in the cruel conditions of Russian winter. All of this despite the fact that both countries had engaged in a mutual non-aggression pack two short years earlier. In 1939 Germany and the Soviet Union signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, a series of agreements regarding how both countries would split the territory separating them and share the resources therein. Signing of the pact created strong political and economic ties between the two nations, at least on the surface. Historians, however, argue that the pact was doomed to fail long before it was even signed, as Hitler had long harbored a disgust for the Soviet Union’s Slavic peoples, which he viewed as sub-human. Couple this racial prejudice with the extremely different political ideologies governing both countries and it becomes clear that the relationship between Germany and the Soviet Union was merely one of temporary convenience. Despite the volatile nature of the German-Soviet relationship, it still struck many as incomprehensible why Hitler should choose to invade Russia in 1941, with war already raging in the west. One can only judge that Hitler, in a misplaced display of ego, believed the west to already be won, with France effectively crushed and England standing as the only viable opponent on that front, struggling hopelessly to maintain a foothold on the European mainland. Believing the western front was theirs, Germany sought to expand her influence and complete her domination of Europe by conquering the resource-rich eastern countries- including the powerhouse of the Soviet Union. Preparations for the invasion began in April of ’41, as Germany began to secretly amass troops on her eastern borders. The plan involved a three-pronged Blitzkreig attack that would simultaneously strike northern Russia with the object of taking Leningrad, while a second group struck toward Moscow and a third took a southern route through the Ukraine. By doing this, Hitler believed that the Russians would be caught completely off guard and would be unable to mount an effective defense in so many places at once. Hitler’s plan, however, contained a number of fatal flaws. Firstly, he greatly underestimated the numbers and strength of the Soviet military, which had effectively doubled its number of troops, artillery pieces and aircraft since the outbreak of war in western Europe. Though not all of this strength was situated in the western part of Russia, where Hitler planned to strike, significant advances had also been made in Soviet infrastructure (most significantly, their railroad system) such as allowed for more efficient movement of troops and supplies, and therefore faster mobilization. Also, the German superiority in armor, which had served them so well in their western blitzkrieg was lost to them here- Soviet tanks, though less technologically advanced at this point in the war, actually outnumbered German tanks approximately four-to-one. The one advantage inarguably held by the Germans was troop quality. The German army was well trained, well equipped and led by experienced and educated officers. The Soviet army, in contrast, were untested by battle and overwhelming led by incompetent officers, many of whom had been given their commissions in exchange for political favors. The vast majority of Soviet officers had less than one year of experience, as many of the older and more experienced commanders had been executed or imprisoned during Stalin’s â€Å"Great Purge† between 1936 and 1938. When Operation Barbarossa began in the pre-dawn hours of June 22nd, 1941, Germany initially made fantastic gains. Approximately three million German soldiers, supported by armor and the Luftwaffe swarmed across the border, advancing more than 200 miles in the next 5 days. The only solid resistance they were met with in the first few days of the attack came in the south, where Soviet commanders reacted quickly and were able to organize an effective defense. The central and northern arms of the German advance, however, met little resistance and charged ahead at full speed- a factor that would later return to haunt them. Armored divisions of the German army actually advanced too quickly, putting them well ahead of the infantry divisions meant to support them. This forced Hitler to call the Panzer divisions to a halt for nearly a week to allow their accompanying infantry troops time to catch up- a week that was used by the Soviets to amass troops ahead of the German advance and fortify target cities such as Stalingrad. By the time the order was given to resume the advance, heavy rainstorms struck which greatly slowed the progress of German tanks attempting to slog down muddy roads. With their advance slowed and the element of surprise expired, the Germans faced ever-strengthening resistance from the Soviet army. In a decision that would prove disastrous, Hitler ordered the central arm of the attack to call-off its march for Moscow and redeploy to the north and south, strengthening the other two prongs of the invasion in hopes of quickly capturing the rich oil fields in the south and the Soviet stronghold of Leningrad in the north. This had mixed results, as the southern wing of the attack was eventually successful in capturing Kiev, and with it an approximate 600,000 Soviet troops, but the advance in the north stalled as heavy resistance was met in Leningrad. The southern wing, after completing its advance through the Ukraine, resumed the march toward Moscow, ultimately coming within 15 miles of the Soviet capital before the Soviets’ greatest ally came to their aid- the harsh Russian winter. As had been the case for Napoleon more than a hundred years earlier, the Russian winter proved disastrous to the unprepared German troops. Expecting a quick victory, the German army had not bothered to supply its men with winter uniforms, and as the snows set in many found themselves facing temperatures well below zero wearing little more than light cotton summer clothing. Frostbite, pneumonia and other side effects of the horrendous cold mercilessly ate away at the German divisions, which were already weakened by months of hard fighting. To make matters worse the cold prevented use of German tanks in many instances, which froze solid in the fields, and high winter winds and snow flurries grounded the Luftwaffe, preventing air support. The Soviets in contrast, well accustomed and prepared for the hardships of winter, took the opportunity to launch a massive counter attack which robbed the Germans of most of their earlier gains, pushing them back over 200 miles and removing the pressure on Moscow. Never again would the Germans make it so deep into Russian territory, though the war continued on and countless more men would die in the years to come. The failure of Operation Barbarossa proved disastrous to Hitler’s Reich, which lost huge numbers of valuable and experienced troops and vast amounts of material that would have proved invaluable to them later in the war. They also awoke the military beast that was Soviet Russia and forced themselves to actively wage war on two fronts, a strain that would eventually prove too much for Germany as Allied efforts redoubled in the west with the entrance of the United States into the conflict.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Scops: A Living History :: English Literature Dictionary Essays

Scops: A Living History A scop is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as "an Old English poet or minstrel." However, scops were simply so much more than that to the medieval world. They were the only means of entertainment for the people of the time. There was no television or Internet to escape to, and books were not readily available. Most medieval people in the eighth through twelfth centuries could not read or write,so the scops would tell amusing stories or tales of heroic deeds to the music of their harps. The stories would be chanted, giving great honor to those mentioned in the oral recitations, and the scop's song also provided a memory of the culture for those who would come after. According to Kemp Malone, â€Å"At an early date Germanic kings began to keep professional poets.† (p.75) These scops would travel the kingdom, telling their stories and singing their songs. They would have a harp or later a lute; these were the tools of their trade. Creating worlds and places many Anglo- Saxons never saw because few people ever left the place they were born, scops were important fixtures to the medieval world. The scops opened up the outside world to medieval people and engaged the imagination too. In Beowulf, scops are mentioned in recounting Beowulf’s deeds and amusing the men in the mead- halls. Like courtly fools, they would make their audience laugh. However, unlike the fools or court jesters, a scop was not there merely to entertain. They were a living history of the times and places of the past and present. Their ability to memorize many lines of poetry or stories has kept them alive throughout the ages so that we still have them today. The stories were sometimes embellished and altered to be more interesting to the listeners. For example, in Beowulf, there is the story of our hero fighting sea monsters as he swims across an ocean and spending seven days and night in the cold sea. â€Å"The Wanderer† is a tale that mostly likely would have been recited by a scop. The stories that the scops would tell often were elegies for the heroic dead.

Monday, November 11, 2019

What Is Accounting Ethics

What is Accounting Ethics? The term accounting ethics are formed by the combination of two different words, namely accounting and ethics. Fortes, (2011) believes that ‘accounting is the collection, measurement, analysis and reporting of events in financial terms. ’ While Karthik, (2010) believes that ‘ethics in its broader sense, deals with human conduct in relation to what is morally good and bad, right and wrong. It is the application of values to decision-making. These values include honesty, fairness, responsibility, respect and compassion. Therefore, merging the two together will definitely assist in arriving at a proper definition of the term. Hence, accounting ethics can simply be defined as the general rules governing the accounting profession and setting a standard for the practitioners in making the right professional decisions at all times in order to abide by the rules. Dyson, (2010) believes that â€Å"accounting ethics relate to the moral code or pri nciples expected to be adopted in the preparation of accounts†.It should be noted that the importance of accounting ethics cannot be underestimated as it plays a vital role in the daily professional activities of an accountant. It is obvious that in the process of carrying out duties as a professional accountant, their will be various challenges as to whose interest is to be protected. In such a situation, if there are no ethics in place, it is possible for the accountant to act unprofessional. Origin and background of accounting ethics The history of accounting ethics can be traced to the 15th century when the first known accounting book was published.Luca Pacioli, an Italian mathematician who is also regarded as the â€Å"Father of Accounting† wrote on accounting ethics in his first book. The book titled Summa de Arithmetica, Geometria, Proportioni, et Proportionalita, which included two chapters – de Computis et Scripturis – describing double-entry book keeping was published in 1494. Dyson, (2010) states that ‘the first known book on the subject accounting was published in 1494 by an Italian mathematician called Pacioli’. It should be noted however that the publication of this book only brought about the beginning and introduction of accounting ethics and not of accounting itself.Belkaoui, (2004) stated that ‘Luca Pacioli did not invent double-entry book keeping, but described what was being at the time’. He further stated that ‘were we to trace this important science (accounting) back to its origin, we would be naturally led to ascribe the first invention to the first considerable merchants ’. The theories and principles of Pacioli on accounting ethics have been in used from the fifteenth century and the modern book-keeping systems are still based on the principles, although they have had to be adapted to suit modern conditions.Importance of accounting ethics in 2012 The only way by which th e importance of accounting ethics can be visible is by the proper enforcement of the ethics on the accounting profession. Several bodies in different countries have been setup to maintain such enforcement. An example is the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in America. This body in the course of its oversight function this year has discovered so many frauds that had gone undetected for many years.Norris, (2012) stated that ‘in 13 of the 23 audits carried out, the board reported that the auditors did not perform sufficient procedures to identify, assess and respond to the risks of material misstatement of the financial statement due to fraud’. This literally means that this year more than fifty percent of firms will have one form of fraud or the other going on in their firms and the only way by which such fraud can be tackled and revealed is by proper enforcement of accounting ethics. References Belkaoui, R. A. , (2004). Account theory. 5th ed. Hampshire: South-W estern Cengage LearningDyson, J. R. , (2010). Accounting for non-accounting students. 8th ed. Essex: FT Prentice Hall. Fortes, H. , (2011). Accounting simplified. Essex: FT Prentice Hall Karthik, N. , (2010). Accounting ethics. Buzzle, (online). Available at: http://www. buzzle. com/articles/accounting-ethics. html. (Accessed 29 October 2012). Norris, F. , (2012). Business day. The New York Times, (online). Available at: http://www. nytimes. com/2012/08/21/business/accounting-board-faults-audits-of-brokerage-firms. html? ref=accountingandaccountants&_r=0. (Accessed 26 Oct. 2012)

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Hbc: from Fur to Fendi

1. Describe at least three strategies used by HBC prior to its sale to Zucker and NRDC. 3 different strategies used by HBC prior to its sale to Zucker and NRDC are:Creating a new rewards program that would allow customers to receive rewards based on the purchases they made. This strategy would then induce customer to buy more products and then receive some sort of compensation for it.Next strategy which they had used but did not fare as well was known as â€Å"reduced focus on steep discounts†. Early in 2001, it tried to reinvent itself with a more fashionable image.The final strategy was to provide customers with online shopping. This would allow customers to view and purchase products in the comfort of their own home2. Describe at least three strategies HBC adopted since the sale. Different strategies HBC has adopted since the sale were to:1) The first strategy was to focus on retracting customers by dropping over 60% of its former brands2) Another strategy was to relaunch t he â€Å"Room†, a plush VIP suite at one of its Toronto locations, with high-end designers such as Armani, Ungaro, and Chanel3) HBC also become the official sponsor for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. They had become the official outfitter of the Canadian Olympics team and the only provider of any Olympic brand merchandise3. Categorize the above strategies in to either business- or corporate-level strategiesBusiness Strategies:Giving customers Online ShoppingStarting a rewards programA focus on retracting customers by dropping over 60% of its former brandsCorporate Strategies:Reduced focus on steep discountsThey relauched the â€Å"Room†, a plush VIP suite with high end designersBecame official outfitter of the Canadian Olympics team and the only provider of any Olympic brand merchandiseReferencesSchermerhorn Jr. , John, and Barry Wright.Management Second Canadian Edition  . 2nd. Mississauga: Wiley, 2011. Print. Hbc: from Fur to Fendi 1. Describe at least three strategies used by HBC prior to its sale to Zucker and NRDC. 3 different strategies used by HBC prior to its sale to Zucker and NRDC are:Creating a new rewards program that would allow customers to receive rewards based on the purchases they made. This strategy would then induce customer to buy more products and then receive some sort of compensation for it.Next strategy which they had used but did not fare as well was known as â€Å"reduced focus on steep discounts†. Early in 2001, it tried to reinvent itself with a more fashionable image.The final strategy was to provide customers with online shopping. This would allow customers to view and purchase products in the comfort of their own home2. Describe at least three strategies HBC adopted since the sale. Different strategies HBC has adopted since the sale were to:1) The first strategy was to focus on retracting customers by dropping over 60% of its former brands2) Another strategy was to relaunch t he â€Å"Room†, a plush VIP suite at one of its Toronto locations, with high-end designers such as Armani, Ungaro, and Chanel3) HBC also become the official sponsor for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. They had become the official outfitter of the Canadian Olympics team and the only provider of any Olympic brand merchandise3. Categorize the above strategies in to either business- or corporate-level strategiesBusiness Strategies:Giving customers Online ShoppingStarting a rewards programA focus on retracting customers by dropping over 60% of its former brandsCorporate Strategies:Reduced focus on steep discountsThey relauched the â€Å"Room†, a plush VIP suite with high end designersBecame official outfitter of the Canadian Olympics team and the only provider of any Olympic brand merchandiseReferencesSchermerhorn Jr. , John, and Barry Wright.Management Second Canadian Edition  . 2nd. Mississauga: Wiley, 2011. Print.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Starship Trooper essays

Starship Trooper essays The film which I will present my Close Textual Analysis will be Paul Verhoevens 1997 sci-fi Starship Troopers. The sequence which I will focus most of my analysis on is the opening sequence of the film. The beginning point of this sequence is shown by the Federal Network advisement image, informing us that this sequence is going to be some form of news broadcast. The end point of this sequence is shown through the diegetic camera work on planet Klandathu. The camera has been knocked to the ground due to the camera operator being killed by the bugs. The camera is positioned awkwardly on the main character, Johnny Rico. Here the end point is shown by the camera becoming static and hearing Johnny Rico screaming oh god, oh god, finally the camera goes blank. We can understand that this is a complete sequence as each cut from one scene is directly relating to the previous scene. The sequence simply flows; there is also a continuous narrator who is explaining what is going on. Also the nex t sequence starts by using the blankness of the camera. Using this blankness it states one year earlier. The narrative operation that I will elaborate on will be the mise-en-scene elements of the sequence. The opening sequence of Verhoevens Starship Troopers endows the film to have a narrative image in the likeness of television serials or cinema previews. We the audience are immediately engaged with controversy. Through this type of narrative image it is evident that the audience as a whole is engaged by the enigma of the story, this is created through the diegetic camera work on planet Klandathu that reveals the main character Johnny Rico. Yet he is presented to us as being killed in action. However time manipulation is seen to create an audience cheat here due to the flash forward showing that Johnny Rico in fact survived the attack. The way in which Verhoeven grabs the audience&...

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

A Healthy Pregnancy

A Healthy Pregnancy Jan Christian Axia College of University of Phoenix Healthy Pregnancy 1 When it comes to a healthy pregnancy, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Pregnancy is a life changing moment and will be filled with all kinds of emotions. The most important part of it all is to have a healthy pregnancy not only for the baby but also for you. Maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise will decrease the high risk factors which come along with pregnancies. I will be discussing how maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise can help prevent some of these risk factors. I will help teach about what should be avoided during pregnancy and the important things to do to be healthy. For starters, finding the right prenatal care plays a significant role during pregnancy. It is important to find a doctor who you will feel comfortable seeing. Remember this is a person you will see on a regular basis to monitor the health of you and the baby and will also be bringing the baby into the world. Women who see a healthcare provider regularly have healthier babies. During pregnancy the risk factors for women rise. The risks which can occur and put the mother and baby at danger are high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, problems with amniotic fluids, preeclampsia, and stress, just to name a few. Preeclampsia only occurs during pregnancy and affects both the mother and the baby. The Preeclampsia Foundation (2008) stated, â€Å"Affecting at least 5-8% of all pregnancies, it is a rapidly progressive condition characterized by high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine. Swelling, sudden weight gain, headaches and changes in vision are important symptoms: however some women with rapidly advancing disease report few symptoms† (para. ). Healthy Pregnancy 2 Smoking, drinking, and drug use during pregnancy can cause birth defects, low birth weight, and even death. Such risk factors can conclude in premature delivery, birth defects, weak immune system for the baby, and health problems once the baby is born. There are many chemicals and foods which should be avoided also. The website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2005) has many interesting facts and provided the ABCs of having a healthy pregnancy. Eating well and maintaining a healthy diet along with regular exercise is essential to both the mother and baby. A healthy diet and good nutrition is important for the growth and development of the baby. Not only is it essential for the baby but the mother also. If you are not eating right, the baby will take the nutrients from the mother, which can weaker her as she gets older. A healthy diet should consist of fruits, vegetables, breads, grains, dairy products and protein sources. Prenatal vitamins should be taken daily to ensure you are getting enough vitamins and minerals. Plenty of fluids should also be part of the diet. There are certain types of foods which should be avoided. Certain fishes should not be eaten since they contain high-levels of mercury, soft cheeses which are unpasteurized can cause Listeria infection, avoid raw fish and shellfish, cold sandwich meats and hotdogs. Listeria infections can cause life-threatening blood infections and meningitis in newborns. Healthy weight gain throughout pregnancy should be between 25-30 pounds. WebMD (2008) states, â€Å"In general, you should gain about 2 to 4 pounds during your first three months of pregnancy and 1 pound a week for the remainder of your pregnancy† (para. ). Healthy Pregnancy 3 Regular exercise can be done while pregnant and is recommended but should first be discussed with the healthcare provider. Physical activities such as walking, yoga, or swimming can be beneficial to both the mother and baby. Not only does light or moderate exercise strengthens abdominal and back muscles but it increases early recovery after delivery. Being overweight or underweight may cause complications, so it is important to have a healthy diet and regular exercise. The U. S Department of Health and Human Services recommends that healthy pregnant women get at least 2 ? hours of aerobic exercise a week (March of Dimes, 2008). There are different risks that come along with age especially during pregnancy. Pregnant women between the ages of 20-30 have a higher risk of preeclampsia. March of Dimes (2008) states,† Women over the age of 35 have increased risks of: fertility problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, multiple pregnancies, miscarriages, placenta previa, cesarean section, and a baby with genetic disorder. It is just as important for pregnant women over the age of 35 to get prenatal care since they have increased risks. Throughout pregnancy the riskiest trimester would be the first. During the first trimester you are at higher risk of a miscarriage if you do not take care of yourself. It is important to not overwork your body and stress. This is the time to just take it easy on the body and relax. During the second trimester you will notice different changes with your body. This is the time where regular exercise can start beginning and become an everyday routine. Maintaining a regular exercise routine will not only help with stress but will be beneficial for you and the baby in the long run. Healthy Pregnancy 4 For the third trimester, every pregnant woman is anxious for the baby’s arrival. This is the time where you may start feeling discomfort since the baby has become too big. Pre-term labor can happen to anyone and about 12 percent of babies are born prematurely. Some pre-term labor can be avoided while others are spontaneous. Delivering the baby before 37 weeks is considered pre-term labor. The earlier the baby is born, the higher risks for health problems and can be fatal. The longer the baby stays, in the healthier it will be. So it is important to take care and try to avoid pre-term labor. Being pregnant right now, with my second child makes me highly aware of all the risks that come along with pregnancy. I have been given good advice from my doctors and also turn to the internet for reference. For my first pregnancy, I did have pre-term labor; therefore, this pregnancy makes me more aware. It is essential to educate those about pregnancy because it is something which should be enjoyed. Overall, before, during and after pregnancy it is important to stay healthy. Not all birth defects can be prevented but taking action can increase the chances of having a healthy delivery. Taking precautions with everyday activities will help decrease risks factors. It is important to do research and talk to the healthcare providers about any questions or concerns you may have. The internet provides extensive information about maintaining a healthy pregnancy. Healthy Pregnancy

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Technology is Bad for Us Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Technology is Bad for Us - Essay Example Advancements in technology have made many changes in life. It has made the life of people much easier than before. The benefits of these technological advancements are not limited to a single field of life but these changes have brought a complete alteration in lives of people. This paper discusses the useful and harmful effects of some of these technological advancements on our lives. The most common blessing of continuously developing technology is computer; computers have made the life of individuals easier than before. They are used not only in businesses but also in other fields of life. Computers are used in education and made it easier for the students to carry out information about any topic easily. The use of computer and internet has made it easier for businesses and to gather data and information. People are now also free to transfer useful information to each other using this advancement of technology. Hospitals, railway stations, schools, colleges, airports, businesses a re all kind of depended on computers these days. I. Drawbacks of Common technologies like Computers A. I believe that the drawbacks associated with computers include the time that students and young generation waste playing games, chatting, listening to music and net surfing. B. In addition, the continuously changing software has made it impossible for older employees to continue working with the new technological advancements at their work places. This factor has led to an increase in unemployment. However, there is a technique available to solve this issue which involves the participation of employees in training programs but it would lead to higher costs for the businesses. The security issues that are link to the data stored in computers are also counted as a drawback of computers (Fisher & Lezion 2009). II. Benefits of Common Technologies like Cell phones A. Cell phones are one of the fastest ways of communication today. They have brought a great change in the communication mea ns. People are now able to communicate each other from any part of the world. The benefit of the cell phones is that it is faster than other communication mediums and is available for the users all the time regardless of the days. B. My point accompanied by various researches, however, cannot be ignored. People often misuse cell phones. Younger generation wastes hours talking with friends mostly on useless topics. This does not only waste their time but also cost them in monetary terms. People also use it to send messages which include some disgracing jokes about religions, races and cultures. This fact is creating distances among the people and is posing a threat to the overall peace among the people belonging to different backgrounds (Castells 2007). III. Technology, People and the Environment A. Automobiles are an effective mode of transport in the world today. These automobiles have really made journeys and transportation easy. Because of it the distances previously travelled in weeks are reduced to a single day or even hours. Not only this, automobiles also have a proper setup the individuals travelling in it. This setup consists of seats and air-conditioning systems. Because of these factors automobiles also provide a comfortable environment. Thus, they are really effective for transportation and travelling purposes. B. However, on the other hand, I argue that automobiles also have their bad effects. Firstly, most of the automobiles designed in the world consume fuel so that they can work. The fuel which is used by it is scarce and thus the usage of fuel is causing scarcity of important resources of this world. Moreover, automobiles also release different harmful gases in this world which can cause global warming to increase. For example it releases Carbon Dioxide. This gas constitutes an important part of the global warming. Not only this, the gases also have a toxic effect on the body of a human being. Thus automobiles have their own share of bad effec ts too (Alters 1999 p 837). IV. Technology Helps in Building and

Thursday, October 31, 2019

The Rise of a Successful Turkish National Movement Essay

The Rise of a Successful Turkish National Movement - Essay Example According to Shaw, during that period, the Empire gained first control over one of its conquered land known as the Anatolian peninsula. The Ottoman Empire was recognized as one of the successful and powerful states in the world due to a chain of reasons including military tactic and the collapse of the Byzantium Empire. Nevertheless, during the 19th century, the Ottoman Empire succumbed to war. This strong nation was overpowered and reduced to be the land of Turkey. The Empire signed Armistice of Mudros on October 30, 1918, to call off the war, due to the fear of losing everything. Their decision had repercussions since the empire lost control over its Middle Eastern territories to France and Britain under the Sevres treaty. After the downfall of the empire, the Turks began the Turkish national movement, led by Mustafa Kemal since other countries came up with their new territories. This was a result of the occupations of Izmir and Istanbul along with the invading Greek, French, and British. They declined to acknowledge the government in Istanbul and the invading forces. The movement also came up with a people’s army, defending the empire from intruders like the Greeks, French, and Italian. Atatà ¼rk led the Turkish national movement in the Turkish War of Independence. He tactically defeated the forces sent by the allies since he had established a strong provisional government in Ankara, which was loyal to him. His planned military campaigns liberated his country to emerge as an independent state. As an aficionado of the age of Enlightenment, he transformed the former Ottoman Empire into a democratic, modern, and secular state. The principles of Ataturk’s reforms that led to the establishment of Turkey are known as Kemalism.  

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Final Film Critique Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Final Film Critique - Research Paper Example They, however, manage to escape from the camp eventually and are separated in the process. The incident influences their lives forever. Stephen loses his legs in the ordeal and Nick disappears through his indulgence in Russian roulette parlors living recklessly after the ordeal. Mike, however, returns home changed. This is evident in the scene where he refuses the killing of a deer during a hunt. He becomes reacquainted with Nick’s former lover Linda and finds solace in their association (Athitakis, 2004). The movie is a gripping tale of triumph over misfortune with life lessons interwoven in the plot that depicts the power of the human spirit. Storytelling The movie is based on the events during the Vietnam, and the storytelling revolves around the lives of three friends during this period. The storytelling has mixed effects, which are caused mainly by conflicting styles. This is evident in the film where the first fifteen minutes of the film, the scenes depicted for the audi ence involve a jovial atmosphere of the wedding party of Stephen where people are seen exchanging pleasantries and joking while drinking beers. None of the shots during the scene is done in close up, and no character is focused. The movie gives the impression that the audience is eavesdropping on the conversation of the characters that mainly centers on how their lives will change with their participation in the war. This scene appears to be formal and documentary like. It is, however, interrupted by an irrelevant exposition by Steve’s mother to the priest, who laments her son’s marriage and the decision to participate in the war. Though this scene lasts less than a minute, it lingers longer than the screen time due to its inappropriateness. The movie, however, overshadows this glitch mainly due to the fact it is well written. The metaphors used in the film are also complex and can easily lose the audience. Though the story telling is exceptional, it faces the problem of conflicting styles that make scripting of the movie obvious. Acting The movie producing team was able to obtain the services of a number of leading acting celebrities in Hollywood. Through the casting of Robert de Nero, Meryl Streep and John Cazales among others, the expectations for the acting in the film were high. The cast did not disappoint either with audiences who enjoyed top acting from the cast. Robert de Nero plays the part of the protagonist who is a war hero during the war brilliantly, which was a significant episode in American history. The actor is especially commended for his part where he is reunited with the character Michael in the climax of the film. The other supporting actors were also commendable in their respective roles that enabled the coming together of the film. Their roles supported the protagonist brilliantly creating emotion that characterizes the genre of war films. The cast clearly brings out the scenario that was experienced during the Vietnam War even though some of the information portrayed did not happen (Athitakis, 2004). They facilitated the reenacting of what soldiers underwent actors elicit emotions from the audience with their moving performances in the film. Cinematography Shooting of the pictures occurred in actual locations in different regions, as opposed to round stages that are commonly employed in some Hollywood films. Shooting of the film took a period of 6

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Effect of Prefabrication Methods on Housing in the UK

Effect of Prefabrication Methods on Housing in the UK Would the Increasing Use of Prefabrication Methods in the Construction Industry Significantly Reduce the Housing Shortage Within the UK? Chapter 1 Problem Specification There is a widespread belief that a housing shortage exists in the UK. Although all regions are expected to see growth in household numbers, the greatest pressure will continue to be felt in Southern England (i.e. London, the South East, South West, and Eastern regions.) For example, the population of the South East region alone is expected to increase by 50,000 a year – about 1 million extra homes in the next twenty years or so. While 70% of population growth is in London and the south of England only about 50% of house building takes place there. The housing industry has in recent years been under severe pressure to meet the increasing population. For this reason the UK is presently suffering from a high housing shortage, which is likely to rise over the next 15 years, due to the high volumes of migrant workers from the EU and the increase in population. The total number of people living in the UK grows whenever there are more inward migrants than people leaving the country. International inward migration is a significant contributor to population growth. Recently the Government Actuary’s Department increased its figures for net inward migration to the United Kingdom from 95,000 to 135,000 people per year for the period to 2021. It is therefore necessary for the construction industry to dramatically increase production in house building in order to reduce the effect this shortage will have on the UK such as consequent impacts on house prices, conditions, overcrowding and homelessness. Despite the strong economy, housing production by both private developers and social housing providers has been falling. According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the number of homes built during each of the past five years has remained static at 154,000. It is for this reason that house prices continue to soar. It is clear that the construction industry must build faster and more efficiently to meet the increasing needs of the UK housing market. The UK construction industry has been known for its lengths and costs in completing construction projects therefore leading to slower completion of developments. This is a wide spread problem that needs to be addressed for the housing demands to be met. Household projections, based on 1998 figures from the Government Actuary’s Department and past trends in household formation, suggest that between 1996 and 2021, England will need to accommodate an extra 4.3 million households. Estimates suggest that the backlog in 1996 was approximately 650,000 households. It seems likely that the figure has increased over the last five years because supply has not matched demand. There are difficulties within the UK construction industry to which attention has been drawn by the Latham and Egan reports. Structural, technical and cultural change in the years ahead may lead to a sector better able to respond to the demands upon it. With the use of better management techniques and the implementation of new technologies in new housing markets, projects lengths (i.e. Construction time) and costs could be significantly reduced. There are many ways of rapidly reducing completion time of construction. In this day and age these approaches are known as Modern Methods of Construction, such as prefabrication. A radical approach for cutting project time by using different techniques, such as off-site construction and factory conditions. Pre-fabricated homes – One area highlighted to improve the current situation by the Government and others within the industry, is that of off-site construction. Prefabrication was used to provide quick and cheap homes after the Second World War where nearly 160,000 homes were prefabricated, and is being proposed again as a solution for providing affordable homes. Off-site construction has made huge advances since the Second World War and even more over the last couple of decades, offering methods which have been proved to be quicker and cheaper than traditional house building methods. One of the major issues associated with prefabricated homes is the stigma attached to them, with many people seeing them as a poor alternative to traditional construction. A MORI poll in 2002 indicated that 90% of people would prefer to live in a traditional home rather than a prefabricated home, showing that the UK population along with the construction industry is still slightly reluctant to pl ace their faith in prefabricated homes. The benefits of prefabrication are well known, with off-site construction offering a controlled environment where building elements can be produced quicker than traditional methods, and at a supposedly lower cost. At its best, prefabrication can see some 40-week building programmes being reduced to 16 weeks, which if used on a wide scale could see rapid growth in the UK’s housing stock. There is also an advantage held within the factory environment, offering greater safety for workers than on-site and also the controlled environment makes it possible for a consistent, high quality finish to be achieved. With skills shortages on-site, the opportunity to produce standardised building elements in factories could also further improve standards and quality. Built in clean, efficient, factory conditions not in the often chaotic circumstances of construction sites, in unpredictable and inclement British weather – may make for higher standards, faster construction as well as a safer industry. Better procurement methods may mean less friction between clients, professionals and builders. Shortages of sufficiently skilled labour may also be remedied, to some extent, by factory. Therefore this method of construction could be seen as a potential solution to the housing shortage in the UK. Currently prefabrication is not a common approach for most contractors to use. The main reason for this is because off-site manufacture (OSM) of house building components currently has the capacity to produce around 40,000 homes a year, far short of the figure needed to meet official housing projections. As such, the Government is promoting pre-fabrication and off-site manufacturing techniques, looking to methods such as steel and timber frame to help solve the housing shortfall, particularly in relation to quality and site skills shortages. Even with prefabricated homes having been produced for the past 100 years, they are still relatively untested in the UK on a large scale, and therefore the verdict is still out on whether they are suited to the UK and its construction industry. There are already companies in the UK trying to build affordable housing by using off-site construction methods, such as BoKlok, Ikeas biggest idea yet. Having seized the market for affordable home furnish ings in the past decade, the Swedish retail giant is now planning to provide the homes themselves. Planning permission was approved for the first British BoKlok development: 36 flats in St James Village, Gateshead, due for completion within a year. More will follow many more, probably, since BoKlok is quick to build, energy efficient and aimed at households earning between  £15,000 and  £30,000 a year. Currently they tend to use more traditional methods, and therefore this issue has to be tackled to bring prefabricated construction further into the lime light of construction. The affordable housing sector represents a prime area of growth for the prefabricated buildings market. The benefits of rapid build times and the cost efficiencies resulting from the volume production of cellular units incorporated in the overall structure tend to result in affordable rents and value for money for the public housing sectors. A wide range of house builders such as Bellway, Westbury, Bovis, Lovell, Willmott Dixon etc, are using prefabricated buildings in affordable housing projects and their use has increased substantially during 2003-05. If every household is to have the opportunity of a decent home, some fundamental changes will be needed not just to the mechanisms we use to deliver new homes – with reforms to the effectiveness of our planning system and our house-building industry. In conclusion, the issue of housing shortage within the UK may become one of the most significant social and economical problems being faced over the next twenty years. Therefore, the aim of this dissertation is to explore whether the implementation and use of Prefabricated Construction on a wide spread scale could have a significant positive impact on the housing Shortage currently being seen in the UK. There is a concern that in a number of critical areas, the emerging policy framework is based on unrealistic assumptions. It is questionable whether it will in practice deliver the necessary supply of houses to meet the UK’s economic and social requirements over the next twenty years. Literature Review â€Å"Britain is heading for a property shortage of more than a million homes by 2022 unless the current rate of house building is dramatically increased, according to reports from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF).† The UK has been known for its shortage on housing over the past 10-15 years, and therefore there are many sources of literature relevant to the study. Such sources are Government Policies, reports, articles, books, surveys and case studies that outline the scale of the problem and give statistics, such as the number of homes that need to be built in order to relinquish this status in the UK. The shortage of housing is making house prices soar from year to year, making it much harder not only for general house buyers but especially for first time buyers. This issue does not seem to be focused on in any literature as there doesn’t seem to be any long term solutions for it, making this topic an ever growing problem. Government Report The Barker Report (2003) Review sets out a series of policy recommendations to address the lack of supply and responsiveness of housing in the UK. The report further goes on to outline a number of key factors which are to blame for the housing shortage, including the lack of houses being built as well as the extra provision of land by local authorities to make it viable for developers to achieve the build targets to decrease the housing shortage. The report argues that a UK housing Shortage is having widespread economic and social consequences. The government estimates that by 2016 there will be 3 million new UK households. It recently published the Sustainable Communities plan outlining a major new house building program to help meet the growth. The government is said to be encouraging Modern Methods of Construction, which it says can achieve â€Å"a step change in the construction industry to produce the quantity and quality of housing we need.† Housing completions are expected to steadily increase in the longer term in line with proposals and initiatives to address the general housing shortage, particularly the provision of more ‘affordable’ housing in key urban areas. However, a significant increase in completions is largely dependent on the overall economic environment, consumer confidence levels etc, in addition to land availability and the planning approvals process, which remains a key barrier to growth at present. While this was focused on in the Barker Review in 2004, house builders are reporting few improvements to date in the planning process and the availability of land for development is a key long term issue. On her follow up to the 2003 report, Barker 2004 states that planning authorities and processing of applications need to be improved, whilst also the availability of land is becoming increasingly harder. She pinpoints reforms to the planning system; incentives for local authorities to support development, and a higher turn around from the construction industry, including completing site developments as quick as possible. These issues need to be focused on as they are key elements that could be contributing to the current shortage in the housing market. Barker (2004) encouraged the government to change its planning policies to allow more houses to be built on Greenfield’s, as she claims at present there is not enough land available for the housing demand to be met. Barker also called for a substantial increase in productivity from the construction industry. She states in her review that to reduce the current rate of housing inflation from 2.4% to the EU average of 1.1%, an extr a 120,000 houses will need to be built per annum on top of the current output. The overall message from both Barker reports (2003/2004) is the clear need for more houses to be built in the UK, especially the large problem areas such as the South-East and London in order to become any closer to achieving larger number of homes available in the UK. However there are no recommendations on how it might be possible to reduce programme lengths and costs. This is a key area that needs to be identified within the dissertation. Mathiason (2003), already claimed that as long as inflation continues to rise, house builders will be under no obligation to build as they will be profiting from the land that they already own, as the price is ever increasing due to shortage. Perhaps the use of MMC and faster construction times would drive the developers to building on these lands, but they will never be fully implemented unless planning policies are also reviewed. Prior to the Barker review the Government drew up a Sustainable Communities Plan (OPDM, 2003) to tackle several issues, including the urgent requirement for affordable homes. The plan aims to set out a long term programme of action for delivering sustainable communities to both urban and rural areas. One of the vehicles highlighted for delivering these sustainable communities is off-site construction, with modern methods of construction earmarked for additional investment. It also suggests heavy investment in public transport and rail links in particular, to help with the decentralisation of London, which will combat the lack of available land and high demand for housing in the South east. The Sustainable Communities Plan (OPDM, 2003) also provides the Housing Corporation with an extra  £100m for its  £200m Challenge Fund for encouraging modern methods of construction. The Challenge Fund, run by the Housing Corporation offers incentives to developers using innovative methods for building communities. It is however, one of the only initiatives running to encourage the use of modern methods of construction. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (2002a) predicted that Britain was heading for a housing shortage of more than a million homes by the year 2022. As well as launching Land for Housing, the report from a JRF Inquiry, the conference is debating Britain’s housing in 2022, the first in a series of working papers examining the long-term measures needed to tackle social disadvantage. Both warn that the impending housing crisis will hit hardest in London and the South. Although these regions contribute 70 per cent of the rising demand for new homes, only 50 per cent of new homes are currently being built there. By contrast, in the Midlands and the North, there are growing problems of low demand in some areas, and of empty and abandoned property. Lord Best, Director of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and author of the working paper, said: â€Å"We estimate that the difference between housing demand and supply will have widened into a yawning gap of 1.1 million homes in England alone by 2022: most of it in London and the South East. This genuinely shocking statistic shows why the time has come for policy makers to recognise that a plentiful supply of new and affordable homes is of the greatest importance the nation’s future health and prosperity.† AMA Research has published the Fifth Edition of the â€Å"House building Market UK 2006†. Recent changes in the overall housing market and corporate activity amongst house builders have renewed interest in the house building market. The fifth edition of this report focuses on the recent developments in this specific sector along with the characteristics and corporate activity of the leading suppliers to the sector. The report provides information on national and regional suppliers within the house building market and provides a comprehensive review of the major aspects of the new house building sector. Off-site construction has a reputation of producing drab, uncharacteristic boxes for homes within the UK population. However, the face of prefabricated homes has changed for the better with Dyckhoff (2003) commenting that they have been transformed into the speedy, affordable loft-style saviour of Britain’s housing market. What the literature above demonstrates is that there is a clearly growing problem with the housing market. Shortage of housing is increasing and still nothing has been pinpointed as the route cause, this seems to be an ever growing problem and a clear solution has not been found. Certain claims made by authors in previous articles and reports will need to be looked into for there validity, so that a clearer understanding can be brought across as to the route cause. In conclusion to the above, this dissertation will therefore be focusing on the following Research question: Methodology It is necessary to begin the dissertation by looking into the theoretical ideas behind the emergence of the shortage in the housing market. It is important to ensure that key information and research is collected using different methods of gathering data. Collecting relevant data will continue to develop my understanding of the housing Shortage in the UK and will overall develop the strength and success of the dissertation. The data collected will also suggest whether any previous attempts have been made to tackle this problem, and if so, are there any solutions that have already been put forward. The opening chapter will focus on the time where non-traditional constructions methods were called for. Special attention is given to how the Government and Local Authorities acted at the time. This will help in developing an understanding of when Modern Methods where first used and the reasons why they came about, which will follow on into the next chapter. Acknowledging the reasons for there use, and developing a detailed background on the housing sector, Chapter 3 analyses the state of the current housing market and the scale of shortage being experienced. Taking into account the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and its perceptions for the next twenty years, I will look into how many new homes are required to be built over the next coming years so as to rectify the current issue. This section will be implemented with the use of surveys, and data collected over the years that show the current yearly house building rate, and the prospective increase needed. I will also be taking into account the population increase due to migrant influx, higher number of divorce rate, higher life expectancy, and the birth rate. This information can be compared with the projected number of houses being built so that I can get an idea of possible key issues that are contributing to housing shortage. In conclusion this dissertation will focus on comparing the findings between traditional and modern methods of construction, which in whole will then be applied to the housing Shortage and possible methods of rectifying the problem. As well as comparing these methods of construction, it is also necessary to ascertain whether or not house builders today are building at their optimum rate. Once this is identified, the potential advantages of the scheme can then be applied to the rate at which they could be working. This will identify the possible gains from using MMC, and whether or not a significant reduction in house shortage can be adapted from this approach to construction. Chapter 2 Background Research Two features dominate the history of housing in Britain in the 20th century: state intervention in the mass production of housing for the working class, and the prolific suburban expansion of towns and cities. To some extent, the two overlap, but both emerged from a situation at the beginning of the century, when housing provision and quality of life had failed to keep up with the frantic pace of Victorian industrial development. Before the 1890s, the dire state of working-class housing had been improved by trusts and societies, who produced grim but safe and sanitary tenements, and there was little direct state intervention. The 1890 Housing Act empowered local authorities to purchase and demolish slum dwellings, and re-house their inhabitants. At the end of the First World War, there was an acute housing shortage. Beginning with Lloyd Georges Homes Fit for Heroes policy, four million new homes were built during the interwar period, 1.5 million of them directly by local councils or with the aid of state subsidy. During the war construction projects came to a halt, progressively worsening the housing shortage that had already existed before the war. The government already set plans to reconstruct and renovate sub-standard housing that where out dated, this and many other projects where all affected. 1919 brought in the â€Å"Town and Country Planning Act† which imposed obligation on local authorities to plan housing provision for their local towns. During the same period, given the situation of materials and skilled labour shortage, the local government board appointed a standardisation and new methods of construction committees to consider the question of standardisation in regard to materials, structural fitting and methods of construction (BRE, 1987). Bye-laws were also modified to allow the wider use of non traditional methods and materials (Ley, 2000). As well as this many other institutes, including British Research Satiation which has now become British Research Establishments, were also founded under the governments initiative to look for and trial new alternative materials and methods (Davenport, 1990). Between the First World War and Second World War various types of housing systems (prefab) were approved by the committees. At first, pressure applied to local authorities to provide houses in such a short space of time, with no direct incentive to economies, would encourage the use of those new methods regardless of their costs. However, detailed arrangements of subsidies changed several times after 1921 (Cornish and Clark, 1989) and local authorities could no longer disregard cost factor when considering new developments. In addition, the materials and skilled labour for the traditional construction methods came back on stream sooner than the government initially expected. As a result, construction of houses using new methods had virtually ceased by 1928 (Yates, 2001). The main contribution of the attempt was, therefore, providing a small number of additional houses, probably less than 250,000, compared to the total 4,500,000 buildings erected between 1919 and 1938 (Ross, 2002). The economic depression of the 1930s slowed the pace of house building, but the Second World War caused much greater damage: by 1945 nearly half a million homes had been destroyed, a quarter of a million were seriously damaged, and another three million suffered lesser damage. The immediate crisis was partly met by the rapid construction of 125,000 cheap pre-fabricated homes, but it was followed by a housing boom that equalled and exceeded that of the 1920s. As previously discussed in Chapter 1, after the world wars had ended in the UK and between the early 1950’s and late 60’s the construction industry experienced an extreme shortage within the housing sector which led to a great need of re-building. Due to the extremities the war created, traditional build was not an efficient enough method, leading to the introduction and use of Mass Production Methods. Following the Second World War there was an even greater demand for the rapid construction of dwellings. In 1942, well before the war had ceased, the government had appointed the Burt Committee which brought together people from different parts of the building industry, government departments and building research station (Bullock, 2001). The aim of the committee was to seek alternative materials and methods of construction suitable for the building of houses and flats, having regard to efficiency, economy and build ability, to be able to make recommendations for the post -war program. Post-War, the government planned new construction projects for the redevelopment of the housing sector, one of which was the development of 500,000 new dwellings with a completion time of 2 years (Davenport 1990). In the twelve years after the war, two and a half million new dwellings were constructed, three-quarters of them by local authorities. However, the construction of new housing was outpaced by the decay of existing housing stock. By 1963, 3 million people were still living in substandard housing, and official housing policy moved once again towards slum clearance and redevelopment. Prefabricated housing has been used in the UK during periods of high demand, such as after the World Wars and during the slum clearances of the 1960s. In total about 1 million prefabricated homes were built during the 20th century, many of which were designed to be temporary. However, problems arose over the quality of building materials and poor workmanship, leading to negative public attitudes towards prefabrication. Nevertheless it has continued to be used in the UK for hospitals, hotels and schools, as well as for housing in other countries. Although this is the case, prefabrication must be used in greater quantities widely, merely to see if it can make a difference to the housing shortage currently being experienced within the UK. MMC is a new term intended to reflect technical improvements in prefabrication, encompassing a range of on and off-site construction methods. The 20th century saw an enormous improvement in everyday housing conditions. Even in the early 21st century, local authorities are demolishing remaining high-rise blocks to make way for low-rise, high-density housing. During the early 60’s the Government set up the national building agency in order to urge local authorities to take up industrial system building (Rovetz, 2001). Local Governments and the Ministry of Housing also held a series of conferences to encourage and support industrial prefabricated system building in the mid 60’s (Jones, 2000). Additionally under the Housing Subsidy Act 1956, the arrangement of subsidies was changed in order that local authorities could receive more subsidies per flat if they built higher blocks of flats. The arrangement of this progressive height subsidy was abolished in the 1969 Housing Act. By the end of the 60’s, both high-rise and industrialised system building lost ground in the construction industry. Chapter 3 The Housing Shortage at Present â€Å"Britain is heading for a property shortage of more than a million homes by 2022 unless the current rate of house building is dramatically increased† according to reports from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF). There are a series of short and long-term factors playing their part. The government wants to steady the UKs runaway housing market, and end its boom and break housing cycles. House prices in the UK have almost doubled since 1995 and many people are now unable to get a footing onto the housing ladder. There is also a lack of affordable or social housing. This problem of high house prices is compounded by the shortage of houses being built. In 2001 house building fell to its lowest level since 1924 excluding the war years and its immediate aftermath. New housing accounts for less than 10% of residential property transactions in England and Wales compared to 40% in 1965. The circumstances are likely to get worse before they get better. According to estimates, there are between 220,000 and 230,000 new households being formed annually (OPDM). Yet, only 165,000 homes were built in the year of 2002. If this was the case 5-6 years ago, then how is the housing shortage coping now? The population is increasing, while the average size of households is declining. This is caused by a range of demographic factors, such as increasing life expectancy, and more divorces. All in all, it adds more pressure to housing supply. The report lays much of the blame at door of the UKs planning authorities. Many who have tried and failed to obtain planning permission in recent years may echo the reports findings that the system is complex and takes an unacceptably long time. All in all, the report calculated that refusals for planning permissions in major housing developments increased from just 15% in 1996-1999 to 25% in 2002. The report also points out that if house building was to take-off in the UK skills shortages are likely to come into play. At present more than eight out of ten construction firms report skill shortages even modest growth would require 70,000 new workers the report concludes. As a result thousands of badly needed homes are not being built. However, at this stage the report makes no recommendations as to how the planning process can be quickened up. Housing shortages are set to become one of the most significant social issues of the next 20 years. Unless we act now, shortages will lead to overcrowding and homelessness. But they will also have knock-on effects for the whole of society, driving up house prices in areas of high demand, inhibiting economic growth and making it harder for good quality public services to be delivered. Property insiders, politicians and young people looking for homes in Britains thriving cities are united on one point: the country is in the grip of a serious housing shortage. But opinions are widely divided when it comes to placing the blame for a situation where, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the number of homes built during each of the past five years has remained static at 154,000, with the number of low-cost â€Å"social† houses being built falling from 16,999 in 2000-2001 to 13,601 in 2002-2003. As the buck is passed between housing professionals, planners, builders and the government, first-time buyers are left desperately trying get on the property ladder. â€Å"Slow planning is stifling. The government says councils should decide on most planning applications for 10 or more new houses within a maximum of eight weeks. But only 16% of decisions come in that time,† (House Builders Federation, HBF), which accuses councils in the north of England of deliberately preventing new homes from being built. The councils say that they already have enough new homes under construction, but the HBF disagrees. The Barker Review of Housing Supply was commissioned by the chancellor, Gordon Brown, to discover why Britain, the world’s fourth wealthiest economy, has a housing shortage with property prices beyond the reach of many. House building is at its lowest level since 1924; the gap between supply and demand widens by 60,000 annually — an average of 219,000 new households is created each year through longer lifespan, more solo-living from choice and an increasing divorce rate — and will exceed 1.1m in England by 2020; and the number of low-cost homes being built for housing association tenants is lower than at any time since 1995. Meanwhile, the government targets for about 225,000 new homes each year until 2016. The HBF says there is excessive public consultation and claims councils want ever-higher cash payments to improve the infrastructure in return for planning permission. It also says planners want so much social housing that it threatens the economi