Of Social Conformity In Ernest Hemingways The Sun Also...

Dalia Makhlouf Gregory Beirich History 173 11 December 2017 Social Conformity: The Sun Also Rises and Babbitt Conformity can be understood as the adjusting self as per accepted standards while social conformity, in particular, refers to that adjustment made by a person to fit in the prevailing nature of a particular group. In this understanding, social compliance can be the changing of one’s behavior and other actions to reflect those of a social group, family, friends or community in general. In the two books, The Sun Also Rises and Babbitt, social conformity takes places at different levels and in various ways. Characters sometimes go against personal desires to live in ways that others will approve, and there are also those characters†¦show more content†¦On her physical self, she is portrayed as outrageous and daring with a cropped hairstyle which was not common or accepted for girls to have. Her character, and actions also go against the widely accepted social norms. She is so open sexually up to the extent that she tells Cohn that she is not willing to give up his desir es for an active sex life, thus opting to relate with another man while still attached to Cohn (Hemingway, 26). Cohn on the other hand also suffers from an internal conflict, perhaps as a result of a dilemma between conforming to life as a spouse of a nagging Frances Clyne, and deciding to be happy by travelling. Jake sums up his conformity struggle by noting that â€Å"You can’t get away from yourself by moving from one place to another.† (Hemingway, 29) Brett’s mannerism and language also defy the social norms that have come to be identified as proper for females. Referring to herself, she flippantly uses the word ‘Chap’, which is normally a reserve for males and masculine language (Hemingway, 32). This tells a lot about how she is challenging traditional masculine and feminine roles and character. Brett is challenging the social code where males are judged less harshly by society for having multiple partners as opposed to females. This sense of independence appears to be liberating to her as she has the choice to be with different men as loves without suppressing

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart An Influential Composer

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, or Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart as he was more commonly known, is one of the most influential composers to ever live. His incredible success during the Classical Period has brought him lots of attention from everyone from classical music listeners to classical music scholars and performers. Childhood and Early Career Mozart was born on January 27, 1756, in Salzburg, Austria to Leopold Mozart and Anna Maria Pertyl. His father was a violinist and a composer and was the man whom introduced him to music at a very young age, and from then on he grew to be one of the most talented musical prodigies in history. Mozart started learning about music at a very young age. It was at age three that he began to play the keyboard, and within the next few years, he could play many different instruments. His sister, Maria Anna, was also very talented in music, and excelled at learning instruments as well. By the time he was eight years old, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart had written his first three symphonies, and was learning music and an incredibly quick rate. Because of Mozart’s talent and interest in music, his father took him to Italy when he was thirteen to further his career, leaving his sister behind.. . His father left mother at his home with his older sister because Maria Anna was reaching the age where she needed to find a husband and settle down. On top of that, there were certain laws against woman musicians inShow MoreRelatedWolfgang Amadeus Mozart : A Influential Composer Of The Classical Era1003 Words   |  5 Pages Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was brought into the world on January 27, 1756 in Salzburg, Austria.. Mozart was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical Era. His parents were Leopold and Maria Pertl Mozart. Mozart showed musical talent at a very young age. At the age of 5 mozart was composing minuets. At the age of 6 he played before the Bavarian Elector and the Austrian Empress. His father taught him, which teaching Mozart wasn’t hard because he knew a lot already, his father was his largestRead MoreThe History And Transitions Of Music933 Words   |  4 Pagestransitions of music has had many talented persons that have influenced music but none are so well known as Franz Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven. All three of these great composers performed during the Classic period and it would act as the base of classic music for the next one hundred and fifty, to two hundred years. The names of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven are so well known that people who have little to no knowledge of music will recognize their names. The urban communitiesRead MoreEssay about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart799 Words   |  4 PagesWolfgang Amadeus Mozart baptized as Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart lived from January 27, 1756 to December 5, 1791. Mozart was a very influential and prolific composer of more than 600 works, including symphonies, concertante, chamber, piano, opera, and choral music. Regarded as a child prodigy, Mozart composed and performed in the European courts from the age of five, and was engaged at the Salzburg court at 17. Mozart’s musical style can be classified as Classical, althoughRead MoreThe Aesthetic Qualities Of A Musical Selection From Space Odyssey1568 Words   |  7 Pagesunderstand what composers were trying to accomplish with their music. I will discuss an influential composer and his musical time period, along with events that helped shape his career. I will also cover a musical period t hat I believe to be most important to music history. I would also like to discuss how this course has influenced the way I listen and hear music. Lastly, I will analyze the aesthetic qualities of a musical selection from Space Odyssey: 2001. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart A prolific artistRead MoreWolfgang Mozart was born January 27 1756. He died in December 5th 1791. he was born in Salzburg700 Words   |  3 PagesWolfgang Mozart was born January 27 1756. He died in December 5th 1791. he was born in Salzburg Austria and he died in Vienna Austria. Mozart was a musician capable of playing multiple instruments who started playing in public at the age of 6. Over the years Mozart aligned himself with wide options of European venus and different things composing hundreds of works that included symphonies and operas marked by very difficult feelings.Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was one of the most influential composersRead MoreBiography of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart1426 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿Background- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) was one of the Classical Eras most prolific and influential composers. Born in Austria, he composed over 600 musical works symphonies, operas, concerti, chamber music and choral pieces. His father, Leopold was a minor composer but experienced teacher and deputy Kapellmeister to the Archbishop of Salzburg. Wolfgang was brilliant from early childhood, and began to compose for the piano by the age of 5, causing his father to give up composition whenRead More Mozart Essay examples2056 Words   |  9 Pagesmusic, a wealth of serious and comic operas as well as vocal religious music also appeared during this ti me†(Ferris, 231). One of the best composer of this time was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In this paper I will go through his childhood, his friends and family, and of course his music. Enjoy!!! Child of the Enlightenment The world that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart entered ceremoniously in 1756 was brimming in change. Historians refer to this era as the Age of Enlightenment, one of unparalleled scientificRead MoreMozart s Mozart, One Of Europe s Leading Musical Teachers849 Words   |  4 PagesMozart was born in Salzburg in modern-day Austria, but at the time was the capital of a small independent Archbishopric within the Holy Roman Empire. He was baptized on the day after his birth at St. Rupert s Cathedral as Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart. Mozart s name changed considerably during his lifetime. Mozart s musical ability started to become apparent when he was a toddler. Mozart was a musician that was skilled of playing several instruments who started playing inRead MoreThe Works Of Haydn And Mozart940 Words   |  4 PagesHaydn and Mozart are often recognised as the two composers who were responsible for bringing Viennese Classicism to its greatest height. In the public eye, these two great composers could not be more different, whether it is in terms of their characters or values. This essay sets out to explore the similarities and differences in the early lives of these two gifted individuals, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and (Franz) Joseph Haydn, through their backgrounds and music education. Mozart, who was bornRead MoreWolfgang Amadeus Mozart ( 1756-1791 )1433 Words   |  6 PagesWolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) is without a doubt one of the most influential composers to have ever lived. From his piano works to his symphonies, Mozart never ceased to amaze people with his music. He had a very exciting career that began in his childhood that involved traveling to different cities and performing and writing music for a number of large and well-respected audiences. Along with Mozart’s obviously notable works, his sacred music was also exceptionally popular at the time, as

The Business Process Outsourcing Industry Free Essays

The current study aims to contribute to the dearth of literature on the motivational factors that influence the motivation of Indian business process outsourcing professionals who are deployed to the UK. The study further acknowledges the need to address the peculiar motivational needs of different professions operating amongst distinct industries. Because the business process outsourcing industry is a sunshine industry that holds much promise of progress, key players within this realm must be able to address all the concerns of consultants which they deploy offshore to ensure greater probability of success of offshore projects. We will write a custom essay sample on The Business Process Outsourcing Industry or any similar topic only for you Order Now The results of a survey with 60 BPO professionals in the UK suggest that the highest ratings for motivational factors are clarity of instructions with tasks; presence of clearly-defined and performance-based indicators; and presence of clear, well-defined goals. Notably, all factors are under the rule enforcement cluster of Katz Kahn’s model of motivation. The respondents also expressed that the lowest motivational factors are competitive pay; having loyalty as a basis for rewards; and having seniority as a criterion for reward. All these items belong to the cluster of external rewards. Logically, the highest rated motivation cluster is rule enforcement, while the lowest rated is external rewards. Based on the stepwise regression results, the positive, significant predictors of overall motivation include skills development, having realistic job expectations, lessened absenteeism as a result of motivation, seniority as a criterion for reward, and requiring less instruction or independence. All factors are positively correlated with overall motivation, except for having realistic job expectations, which has a negative correlation with the dependent variable. This means that as job expectations become more realistic, there is a tendency for overall motivation to decrease correspondingly. Motivational Factors of Indian Offshore Consultants in the UK: An Empirical Study Introduction Numerous empirical researches have focused on the study of motivation and job satisfaction of employees in western contexts, but few have focused on Indian BPO employees. Parikh Ghosh (2006) have emphasized that reward perceptions of collectivist culture employees are strongly determined by the nature of their cultural heritage and that they put greater premium on the good of the many rather than on their personal interests. The effects of culture are further discussed by Thomas Philip (1994) in his study of management in India, investigated the applicability of Western motivational theories in the context of India. These researches, among others, point out to the diverse array of factors that influence reward perceptions, and ultimately affect employee productivity. The current study aims to contribute to the dearth of literature on the motivational factors that influence the motivation of Indian business process outsourcing professionals who are deployed to the UK. The study further acknowledges the need to address the peculiar motivational needs of different professions operating amongst distinct industries. Because the business process outsourcing industry is a sunshine industry that holds much promise of progress, key players within this realm must be able to address all the concerns of consultants which they deploy offshore to ensure greater probability of success of offshore projects. Justification of the Study Culture and cognition exert a strong impact on the psychological work expectations and ensuing attitudes of employees. There are various variables that influence the job satisfaction of employees and these have been empirically investigated across countries (Earley, 1993). Despite the voluminous literature on job satisfaction, there is a dearth of studies that focus on the reward systems accorded to employees from collectivist cultures such as India (Graf et al, 1990), much more in the more specific context of BPO industry, investigating the applicability of Western reward systems in their context. Past empirical studies have focused on a comparison between Western and Eastern employees’ reward perceptions (Dubinsky, 1994). These studies have found that such perceptions are significantly affected by their respective cultures, and the norms that come with it. Values, in turn, will affect the appeal that certain rewards have on the members of the sales force. It is critical for organisations to be aware of the most appropriate rewards strategies because this have a direct effect on the sales person’s performance and productivity (Dubinsky, 1994). There has been no study to date that has focused specifically on the perception of rewards of BPO offshore consultants deployed to the United Kingdom. This study will permit timely and appropriate considerations in drafting the most optimal reward system for this group. This is the rationale for carrying out the current study. Review of Related Literature Revisiting the Process Theories of Motivation Process theories present viable explanations for the factors that have an impact on a person’s motivation, particularly on why he selects one course of action over another. These are categorized into cognitive and non-cognitive groups. Cognitive theories assert that behaviour engages mental processes while non-cognitive theories propose that these are caused more by situational factors. The primary cognitive theories include equity, goal setting, and expectancy theories which all emphasize the perceptions of results that are an effect of a specific course of action (Adams, 1965). The first cognitive theory, equity theory suggests that motivation is a type of exchange in which persons use internal equilibrium in choosing a course of behaviour. It projects that employees will select the option which they evaluate as most fair. The parts of the theory include inputs, outcomes, comparisons, and results. By definition are the traits that a person brings to the situations and the tasks that are necessary. On the other hand, outcomes are what the person benefits from the situation. The third component, comparisons is what transpires when the person weighs their inputs to some benchmark standard. Results or outcomes consist of the attitudes and behaviours that stem from their comparison, with the latter being perceived as equitable for equilibrium within the individual to exist (Adams, 1965). The next type of cognitive theory, goal setting theory, presents that individuals target goals and those enterprises may exert impact on their course of action by influencing these targets. The primary parts of such theory include intentions, performance standards, goal acceptance, and the effort expended. The aggregate effect of these components determine motivation. The engagement of an individual in goal setting is expected to enhance his sense of engagement and dedication to the company. Group setting is perceived to be less effective than individual goal setting because it lessens accountability for goal accomplishment. The objective or the goal is the most critical component of this theory; and such are deemed more effective when set with reasonable difficulty. While engagement in the setting of objectives enhances the likelihood of satisfaction, it does not necessarily result in more optimal performance (Mitchell, 1979). The third cognitive theory is expectancy theory, which asserts that individuals select the course of action which they perceive will yield the most optimal benefit. It further says that employees will seek different courses of action and finally select the alternative which will cause them to reap a desired outcome or reward. The theory has lent itself substantially to empirical testing and it has good predictive validity in making predictions about choice of jobs, satisfaction with work, and to a lesser degree the effort that the person will exert at work. In addition, the theory indicates that the individual’s expectations of being rewarded is as critical as his perception of the relationship between his actions and the rewards which he anticipates from the enterprise. Another implication of the theory is the uniqueness of individuals in the way rewards appeal to them; as such, companies must be prudent in being able to offer rewards which are deemed appealing by their employees (Mitchell, 1980). In connection with this, Hartog et al (1999) asserts that the perceptions of the social environment is influenced by the culture of the beholder. In effect, the ideal traits of leaders vary across cultures. Hunt, Boal and Sorenson (1990) propose that societal culture has an important impact on the development of superordinate category prototypes and implicit leadership theories. They hold that values and ideologies act as a determinant of culture specific superordinate prototypes, dependent on their strength. There is premium attached to a more profound comprehension of the manner in which leadership is manifested across different cultures. Thus, there is also a need for empirical research in this area to be able to understand the distinctions of leadership behaviour and its efficacy across cultures (House, 1995). Hartog et al (1999) asserts that there are various cultural profiles that have been culled from Hofstede’s framework of cultures and which have garnered various testable hypotheses on cross-cultural leadership. These encompass the dimensions of uncertainty avoidance, power distance, masculinity-femininity, individualism-collectivism, and future orientation. There are cultures which are distinguished by strong uncertainty avoidance, and which put high importance on leaders’ compliance to protocol, rules, and customs. This is not too applicable for low uncertainty avoidance cultures (Hartog et al. , 1999). In low uncertainty avoidance cultures, innovation is encouraged. Moreover, paternalistic cultures espouse leaders who are authoritative, as compared to maternal cultures. The latter prefer leaders who are engaging and sensitive as opposed to directive (Hartog et al. , 1999). In the study conducted by Gerstner and Day (1994), they have investigated the differences in leadership prototypes. In particular, the respondents were asked to rate 59 leadership traits. There were 35 American students and between 10-22 offshore students from seven nations; the results suggest that the strength of leader trait associations were distinct across cultures and native country. Considering the constraints of limited sample size, having to enlist students as respondents, and selecting offshore students who were then studying in the United States as representatives of other cultures, and having an unvalidated trait rating tool, there have been reliable distinctions found in their perceptions of leadership traits (Hartog et al, 1999). How to cite The Business Process Outsourcing Industry, Essays

Operations Management Essay Paper Example For Students

Operations Management Essay Paper Process Improvement PlanSeptember 24, 2003 AbstractIn examining material management and supply chain systems in the hospitalindustry, unexpected inefficiencies to monitor material usage patterns onhospital units, causes great risk to many processes that are involved inthe healthcare industry on a daily basis. The process necessary to improvesystems involves staff participation in brainstorming and analyzingcriteria for recommending solutions to fine-tune problem areas forenhancing patient care supply chain management. Process Improvement PlanFailure to maintain adequate supply levels in a healthcare process cancause delays in patients care, customer satisfaction, risk to servicingpatients and increased frustration to staff. Processes are implemented infacilities to help minimize the room for error so that individuals workingin the facility can perform task in a consistent, efficient, and optimalmanner, which could ultimately lead to improvement in both distributionefficiency and aggregate cost. Each nursing unit has to order supplies from the purchasing departmentto place on their carts in-order administer and distribute medical suppliesand pharmaceuticals to provide prescribed health care to patients. Thefollowing process is utilized for ordering supplies in a hospital setting:Supplies in which the nurses are responsible for ordering are on the AS400on the computer. The nurse takes a print out of the supply list and they inventory thestock and then the list is given to the unit secretary for placing in thecomputer. The order request sheet prints in the purchasing department andthe purchasing department fills the request and places them on the unit onthe supply cart. The purchasing department monitors some of the items that are routine,such as toothbrushes, pitchers, toothpaste and etc. when they make theirdaily rounds and perform cart checks. The problem with this orderingprocess is that there has been inadequate stocking of supplies onmedication carts by nurses during shift changes. One way to gain solutionsto this problem is through brainstorming. Brainstorming is defined as theact of defining a problem or idea and coming up with anything related tothe topicno matter how remote a suggestion may sound. All the ideas orrecorded and evaluated. Brainstorming can be an effective way to generate lots of ideas andthen determine which idea or ideas best solve the problem. When a facilityis utilizing brainstorming, this should be performed in a relaxedenvironment as if individuals feel pressured, they may not stretch theirminds to full capacity. Steps to brainstorming:1). Identify the problem. 2). Set time limit for resolutions. 3). Peer participate through verbalizing issues and possiblesolutions to theproblem. 4). Selected the five major topic for discussion and resolution. 5.) Select five criteria for evaluate and the best process forproblem containment. 6). Rate and rank each idea and recommended solution (0-5)7). Choose the idea with the highest ranking as a possible solutionto theproblem. A record should be maintained of all the ideas, incase thefirst idea doesnot work. Another method that could assist the organization in identifying theprevalence of a unit being under stocked is by using the the Paretoprinciple, the 80/20 rule This concept can save you time and money. Inthe world of quality control, the concept is applied to defects. A smallpercentage of root causes are responsible for the majority of the defects. Data on how often problems occur can be tracked using a bar chart. This cansave an organization time and money by helping its staff to focus on whatsmost important and ignoring the distractions. Some of the main areas of inefficiencies are:Medical supply ordering processes were not timely, and follow-up actionwith the host MTF was not effective. The host MTF did not effectivelysupport the reserve unit with required logistics support. .u49b74a5a7997e1dd587797d8bb8c14c0 , .u49b74a5a7997e1dd587797d8bb8c14c0 .postImageUrl , .u49b74a5a7997e1dd587797d8bb8c14c0 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u49b74a5a7997e1dd587797d8bb8c14c0 , .u49b74a5a7997e1dd587797d8bb8c14c0:hover , .u49b74a5a7997e1dd587797d8bb8c14c0:visited , .u49b74a5a7997e1dd587797d8bb8c14c0:active { border:0!important; } .u49b74a5a7997e1dd587797d8bb8c14c0 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u49b74a5a7997e1dd587797d8bb8c14c0 { 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; } .u49b74a5a7997e1dd587797d8bb8c14c0:active , .u49b74a5a7997e1dd587797d8bb8c14c0:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u49b74a5a7997e1dd587797d8bb8c14c0 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u49b74a5a7997e1dd587797d8bb8c14c0 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u49b74a5a7997e1dd587797d8bb8c14c0 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u49b74a5a7997e1dd587797d8bb8c14c0 .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; } .u49b74a5a7997e1dd587797d8bb8c14c0:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u49b74a5a7997e1dd587797d8bb8c14c0 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u49b74a5a7997e1dd587797d8bb8c14c0 .u49b74a5a7997e1dd587797d8bb8c14c0-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u49b74a5a7997e1dd587797d8bb8c14c0:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: A Journey Towards Maturity and Identity EssayCertificates of transfer for medical equipment management officeproperty were not completed for the last 2 account transfers. Additionally, the annual equipment inventory was not completed in a timelymanner. Timely resolution of equipment discrepancies identified during annualinventories was hampered by incomplete or delayed reports of survey. Documentation indication that medical equipment inventories were completedwithin the required 12 -month period was inconsistent. MEMO inventory was not accomplished during FYs 01 and 00. Designation of the individual responsible for approving InventoryAdjustment Vouchers was not completed in accordance with Vol 5. Theprevious medical stock record account inventory was not available forreview. A systematic process to review, follow-up and resolve outstandingbackorders for materiel and equipment was not evident. Health care organizations should utilize resources to the better goodof the organization and its consumers so that processes work and not fail,by utilizing a number of approaches. Although changing practice patterns isthe most difficult aspect of any effort to restructure systems,modifications to ensure change and to make the desired practice the path ofleast resistance should be the key factor. This process will be improved to remedy the issue of restockingnursing units by using the, exchange cart system. Each cart is restockedto all required Par levels, and taken to the floor on an establishedschedule. The used cart on the floor is exchanged for the correspondingfull one, and the cycle continues. If a nursing unit manager believes thatreserves of a particular item are running low, usually due to the needs ofa particular patient, interim deliveries of a small number of items canusually be arranged. Also, this means that the individual nurse manager isable to set all Par levels, even if an approval process is required toformally alter them. In conclusion, the basics of inventory theory, such as daily userates, variances in use rates, and legitimate estimates of lead-time areall factor necessary in the medical supply chain in delivering services topatients. The two vital partners in the hospital supply chain are nursingand central supply. The need for a system, which addresses efficiency,maintenance of stock level, must have an efficiency of scale for bothsupplier and customer needs.

Legal and Ethical Implications for Classroom Management free essay sample

Discipline is one of the greatest challenges that face today’s educators. Administrators and teachers must determine what types of discipline are effective and how to prevent student misconduct. Teachers and administrators must familiarize themselves with ethical and legal issues and requirements when developing and implanting disciplinary procedures. Getting to the Bottom of Discipline at Your Childs School Most issues regarding the safety of students and discipline are addressed at the school level. The consequences that are given for misbehavior can vary widely from school to school, although there are some actions and behaviors that require mandatory expulsion. Schools are required to provide a written notice of the school rules and disciplinary procedures to both the students and the parents. It is the responsibility of the school board to establish school discipline rules that align with the state and federal laws. School boards are also responsible for adopting policies and regulation regarding bullying, sexual harassment and other student safety issues. We will write a custom essay sample on Legal and Ethical Implications for Classroom Management or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page State law requires that the school district and county offices provide off site education services to students that are expelled. The Education Code requires that in certain situations, schools must report students to law enforcement agencies. This includes acts of violence towards school employees, possession and/or use of weapon, and possession of a controlled substance. (Great Schools Staff, 2012) IDEA’s Regulations on Discipline It is important that school administrators are aware of the educational and legal issues that are involved in managing the behavior of students who have disabilities. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) outlines the steps that must be taken when disciplining students with disabilities. The IDEA ensures that all students with special needs are provided a free appropriate public education. IDEA requires that a team of professionals describe what must be provided to the student in an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The student’s education and related services must be provided in the least restrictive environment possible. The school must ensure that their policies and procedures regarding the discipline of students with disabilities are aligned with the IDEA’s regulations. Under the IDEA schools have the authority to consider unique circumstances when it comes to making decisions on how to discipline students with disabilities. If a school makes the decision to remove a student with disabilities from their educational placement parents must be notifies in writing the same day that the decision is made. If the disciplinary action lasts ten school days or less the school is not required to provide special education services to the student during this time. For disciplinary actions lasting more than ten days the school is required by law to provide special education services to students which will allow the student to make adequate progress towards meeting the outlined goals and objectives of the students IEP. The IDEA also requires that schools ask and answer particular question to determine if the student’s misconduct is associated with their disability; it is no longer just assumed as it has been in the past. This ensures that schools are following the correct procedures when it comes to the discipline of students with disabilities, and make more options available to the school regarding discipline. Because sometimes a student’s misconduct can be a result of their disability is important that that each situation is thoroughly evaluated before determining what steps to take regarding discipline. If the misconduct continues in most cases there will be an IEP meeting to develop a behavior modification plan for the student. (National dissemination center,†) Zero Tolerance and Alternative Strategies: A Fact Sheet for Educators and Policymakers Zero Tolerance policy can be defined as a policy that mandates a set of predetermined, typically severe, consequences or punishments, associated with extreme misconduct. Most often this policy addresses controlled substances, weapons, violence, and other forms of disruptions in an effort to protect students and maintain a safe and positive environment at school. Although many teachers and administrators have found zero tolerance policies to be effective because the policy sends a clear and consistent message that particular behaviors will not be allowed at school, research indicates that there are also many negative results of the implantation of the zero tolerance policy such as increased student drop out. The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) suggests that other discipline strategies that are proven to be more effective be implemented in today’s schools. According to data from the U. S. Department of Education and the Center for Safe and Responsive Schools, 75% of schools currently have a zero tolerance policy in place for serious offenses of misconduct. Disciplinary actions that are mandated with the zero tolerance policy usually include the student being removed from their normal education setting; such as being suspended or expelled. The NASP also states that zero tolerance policies can be costly and in the long rum ineffective. There can be negative results when removing a student from an educational setting and placing them in an environment where they may have limited supervision, if the misconduct does not pose a direct threat to students and administers. There are also legal and ethical dilemmas when it comes to the denial of education services to a student. There have been many legal actions taken against school district because parents believe that consequences did not fit the misconduct. (Zero tolerance and, 2001) For instance an eighth grade honor roll student was expelled and sent to a four month boot camp for bringing a 20oz bottle of soda to school in which she mixed a very small amount of alcohol which violated the school’s zero tolerance policy for alcohol. (Rutherford, 2012) It is also believed that the policy may be enforced with bias and there is not any room for flexibility when it comes to making decisions. The NASP recommends that schools put forth a greater effort to prevent these acts of misconduct, and utilize their mental health experts such as school psychologists, school counselors and community social workers. (Zero tolerance and, 2001) Although I agree that serious and dangerous acts of misconduct must be addressed with firm and consistent consequences; I also feel that many of the acts of misconduct addressed by the zero tolerance policy can be addressed more effectively with alternative forms of discipline. I also feel that schools could work more effectively to prevent these behaviors by developing and implementing emotional and behavior intervention programs for students, violence prevention programs, and additional training for teachers and administrators. Benson Middle School Disciplinary Policy: Student Rights and Responsibilities The development of the policies and procedures of the Benson Unified School District (BUSD) are the responsibility of the superintendent of the school and the school board. The policies must be aligned with A. R. S. 15-843; Arizona’s pupil disciplinary proceedings. The disciplinary policy of the BUSD states that students are entitled to enjoy all basic rights of citizenship that are recognized and protected by the state of Arizona and the United States. Students rights include, voicing opinion without fear of reprisal, receive a meaningful education and curriculum, and the opportunity to participate in school function and activities. Non- medical use, possession, or sale of drugs on school property is prohibited. If a student violates this policy they may be subject to removal from school property and be prosecuted in accordance with the law. A student that has been determined to have threatened an educational institution will be expelled from school for a time period of at least on year. The district may modify this expulsion on a case by case basis, and may allow the student to return to an alternative educational setting should they feel that steps have been taken to rehabilitate the student’s misconduct. The school prohibits the possession of a weapon on school property. Any student who violates this policy will be removed from the school property for a period of not less than one year. Disciplinary actions involving students with disabilities will be determined on a case by case basis. The disciplinary policy for minor infractions of misconduct is structured by a point system. Each infraction and various levels of misconduct earn different amounts of points. These points are accumulated throughout the year. After a student reaches a particular number of points they student risks losing privileges. The students may be placed in detention, in school suspension, out of school suspension, or in extreme cases expelled. The student may lose the privilege to participate in school sponsored sports and other extracurricular activities. The school provides students with opportunities to reduce points such as completing all assigned work, or showing random acts of kindness. (Benson school: Student/parent, 2012) All of the disciplinary policies and procedures are provide to parents and students at the beginning of each school year. Both the parents and students are required to acknowledge that they have read and understand the information by signing and returning to school. It is the responsibility of the students to ensure that take advantage of educational opportunities that are available to them, are respectful and follow school rules while on school property. It is the responsibility of the parents to ensure that their students are completing assigned classwork to their best of their ability, taking advantage of educational opportunities that are available to them, and reinforcing positive behaviors that will promote a positive learning experience for their student. It is the responsibility of the teachers and administrators to ensure that they create a positive learning environment where all students feel safe and comfortable, they develop and implement preventative programs, and that all disciplinary policies and procedures are enforced. It is well know that a student’s leaning is negatively impacted in an environment that is poorly managed. Teachers must take the necessary steps to develop an environment that promotes consistency, respect and equality. As a teacher I will do my best to promote a learning environment where my students will feel safe and comfortable. I will encourage the sharing of ideas, collaboration between students, and open communication. I will work to motivate and engage my students through lessons and curriculum that they will find interesting and are able to relate to. I will be an active participant in finding and developing solutions for student misbehavior, and will work with parents, students, administrators and the community to ensure that all of my students receive an equal opportunity to receive a meaningful education, and that my students take advantage of the educational opportunities that are available to them Legal and Ethical Implications for Classroom Management free essay sample Today’s classrooms are more dynamic than ever before. Educational needs of students are changing at breakneck speeds, along with the demands being placed on their teachers. There are associated legal and ethical implications that are evolving as rapidly as the technology that is driving a lot of the change. In order to have a chance to meet the needs of students and legal/ethical obligations, educators must have well developed classroom management techniques. These can get tricky quite often and require balancing the increasingly diverse needs of many different people. To be an effective teacher today is extremely difficult for these reasons. This essay will examine some of the current issues that teachers are exposed to in today’s classrooms by summarizing four journal articles and responding to them. The specific issues will be free speech and what it means in a school setting, cell phones in classrooms, bullying (specifically of students with disabilities), and gender specific dress codes. We will write a custom essay sample on Legal and Ethical Implications for Classroom Management or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Freedom of Speech The issue addressed in the first article summary is freedom of speech and how it is interpreted in a public school setting in relation to the distribution of religious materials. This is really not a new topic of debate. Current precedents have been set in court cases dating as far back as1969 and the Tinker vs. Desmoines case. In that case, the court decision reads that, in order to prohibit any students’ expression of opinion, the school must provide evidence to support the fact that the actions being suppressed would be significantly disruptive (Essex, 2006). Because it is an issue of ongoing debate there are cases still being heard all over the country. This article is specifically in response to a case in the New York Supreme Court, where a student was prohibited from distributing religious fliers on school property. The question is, why was the student prevented from expressing her opinion in the first place. According to Essex (2006), one of the requirements placed on schools is that they remain viewpoint neutral. This means that if the literature was suppressed because it was religious in nature, the suppression violated her First Amendment rights, even in the school setting. In all court cases, the real message has been that schools are responsible for making sure parents and students are aware that the schools are merely sending messages indiscriminately from religious and non-secular sources and that they are not in support of any of them (Essex, 2006). Really the essence of the article is that sound policies must be in place, well documented, and consistently followed for a school to be able to regulate what a student says or distributes and there must be no endorsement of any particular ideas from any group or student. Cell phones The next topic of discussion is cell phones in classrooms. The article being summarized is entitled The Only Thing We Have to Fear is†¦120 Characters. In this article, Kevin Thomas and Christy McGee (2012) make arguments for the use of cellphones in classrooms in spite of the fact that 69% have banned them. This paper responds to the many reasons for disallowing their use, and then it goes on to highlight some ideas about why cell phones should be used as educational tools. Both sides of the discussion certainly make valid points. If 69% schools have taken students cell phones away, there must be some reasons. Thomas Mcgee (2012) identified and responded to four commonly offered rationales, including misuse for cheating, replacing Standard English with textese, sexting, and cyberbulling. It seems rather obvious that these are negative side effects of the technology, however there are also positive results that can be attributed to the use of cell phones. Today, they are relatively affordable and powerful miniature computers. When used properly, the possibilities for better use of time are astonishing. According to Thomas and McGee (2012), teachers need to be modeling appropriate behavior with their portable electronic devices and taking advantage of the benefits because the technology is not the cause of the problems. The problems being associated with cell phones all existed in some form, long before modern technology. Thomas Diamates (2010) reports that courts have supported schools in their efforts to ban cell phone use as long as the school follow established procedures. Bullying The third topic has to do with bullying, specifically students with disabilities. These students stand out in the classroom, as they are â€Å"different† and so they are subjects of increased abuse from fellow students (Eckes and Gibbs, 2012). Schools and teachers have an obligation to provide students with disabilities a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment according to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (2004). This paper looks at the findings in several court cases to establish what is required of teachers in situations where students with disabilities are being bullied. What this article shows is that there are an increasing number of suits against school where disabled children are being bullied. The interpretation of what is considered an appropriate education, and whether or not the school took proper preventative/disciplinary steps in light of the bullying are the reasons for these suits. The findings of this study provide evidence that the courts will generally side with schools that have taken and documented actions to alleviate the harassment. In Brown vs. Monroe County Board of Education (1999), the Supreme Court ruled that for a school to be liable, it must receive federal funds, it must have been aware of and acted â€Å"deliberately indifferent† to the harassment, and the bullying must have been severe enough to deprive educational opportunity (Eckes and Gibbs, 2012). Basically, schools must make an adequate effort to alleviate the harassment in order to limit their liability, and this has been upheld by the courts in cases like Werth v. Board of Directors (2007), and Biggs v. Board of Education (2002). Dress codes The last article on the list takes a look at how and why public schools can or cannot implement gender based dress codes. Proponents of dress codes list reasons including less distractions, less pressure to dress right, safety, and lower cost to families. Opponents say that dress codes take away students expressive rights, which are already severely limited in school settings. In this particular case, Ceara Sturgis had her picture and name removed from her senior yearbook because she is a lesbian who was more comfortable wearing the school prescribed male outfit. The current question is whether or not this is in violation of her civil liberties. Historically the courts have upheld the rights of schools to implement dress codes with very few exceptions. In Blau v. Fort Thomas Public School District (2005), a father brought suit against the school for violating 1st and 14th amendment rights with their dress code. The court found no violation of rights since â€Å"it is not related to suppression of the content of expression, it furthers a substantial government interest, and it does not burden substantially more speech than is necessary to further that interest† (Dowling-Sender, p. 34, 2005). On the other side of the coin, in United States vs. Virginia (1996), schools were required to show a â€Å"legitimate and important† reason for any gender based restrictions (Smith, 2012). In Ceara’s case, the school is going to have to show that it meets all these criteria, and the outcome has some potentially far reaching consequences. What all this means is that teaching in todays classrooms must be dynamic. Teachers need to be aware of their ever-changing legal and ethical obligations as educators. Decisions must be based on sound judgment and carefully documented observations. Teachers, students, and parents must work together and communicate with each other to create the best possible learning environment for everyone.

Free Essays on Tabloids

When standing in the checkout line at the grocery store we have all caught ourselves reading tabloid headlines such as â€Å"Elvis is Alive†, â€Å"Batboy Born†, or â€Å"Abdominal Snowman Rapes Girl†. We sometimes even find ourselves picking one up and thumbing through the pages as we wait. Since their creation long, long ago society has stereotyped tabloids, their readers, and their writers. They all have held a very negative image. Picture what comes to mind when you think of someone who reads the tabloids on a regular basis, or how about the writers. Well, I am sure you probably get the same mental picture as most of America. I would like to go over these stereotypes of tabloid readers and writers, and dismiss some of them. Society has stereotyped tabloid readers to be unintelligent, low-income, silly people. According to S. Bird †For Enquirering Minds†, â€Å"An element in the stereotype of tabloid readers is that they are lonely misfits, shut-ins, or other people who lead sad lives.† (141) People don’t think that â€Å"normal people† read or believe in the tabloids, but that must not be the case. According to statistics compiled by Bird the combined weekly circulation of the six major supermarket tabloids during their peak in the 80’s rounded around ten million issues, with an estimated readership of fifty million. Fifty million Americans who were reading the tabloids cannot all be misfits or shut-ins. Obviously, tabloids are offering readers something they want. Despite this tabloids are still defined as the epitome of trash reading. Studies were done by two groups of men, Salwen and Anderson (1984) and Lehnert and Perpich (1982) to try to uncover who tabloid readers actually are and why they enjoy reading the tabloids. Salwen and Anderson found that the â€Å"typical buyer† of the tabloids were mostly white, predominately female, middle-aged to older people. The majority reported a career in skilled or cleri... Free Essays on Tabloids Free Essays on Tabloids When standing in the checkout line at the grocery store we have all caught ourselves reading tabloid headlines such as â€Å"Elvis is Alive†, â€Å"Batboy Born†, or â€Å"Abdominal Snowman Rapes Girl†. We sometimes even find ourselves picking one up and thumbing through the pages as we wait. Since their creation long, long ago society has stereotyped tabloids, their readers, and their writers. They all have held a very negative image. Picture what comes to mind when you think of someone who reads the tabloids on a regular basis, or how about the writers. Well, I am sure you probably get the same mental picture as most of America. I would like to go over these stereotypes of tabloid readers and writers, and dismiss some of them. Society has stereotyped tabloid readers to be unintelligent, low-income, silly people. According to S. Bird †For Enquirering Minds†, â€Å"An element in the stereotype of tabloid readers is that they are lonely misfits, shut-ins, or other people who lead sad lives.† (141) People don’t think that â€Å"normal people† read or believe in the tabloids, but that must not be the case. According to statistics compiled by Bird the combined weekly circulation of the six major supermarket tabloids during their peak in the 80’s rounded around ten million issues, with an estimated readership of fifty million. Fifty million Americans who were reading the tabloids cannot all be misfits or shut-ins. Obviously, tabloids are offering readers something they want. Despite this tabloids are still defined as the epitome of trash reading. Studies were done by two groups of men, Salwen and Anderson (1984) and Lehnert and Perpich (1982) to try to uncover who tabloid readers actually are and why they enjoy reading the tabloids. Salwen and Anderson found that the â€Å"typical buyer† of the tabloids were mostly white, predominately female, middle-aged to older people. The majority reported a career in skilled or cleri...

Business Resources Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words - 1

Business Resources - Assignment Example In corporate and large organizations, well defined resource management teams are appointed to ensure optimum allocation of all resources and to avoid over or under allocation of same resources in multiple projects at a time. In this paper, allocation and management of human, technical, physical and financial resources will be evaluated. For the purpose of the study, the resource management techniques of Waitrose will be analysed for getting an insight of the company’s resource management. Waitrose is a UK based supermarket chain and retail division of Britain’s largest employee owned retailer John Lewis Partnership with headquarter in Berkshire. As per the reports of 2014, Waitrose currently has 317 stores across the UK including 30 Little Waitrose, making the retail based grocery superstore the sixth largest in the United Kingdom. The company also have the warrant of supplying groceries, wine and spirits to the royal family of Queen Elizabeth (Waitrose.com, 2015). Duri ng the course of study, how Waitrose has been successful in identifying and managing its critical resources to ascertain smooth running of such well expanded business will be examined in details. Recruitment documentation may be defined as the system of filling up information related to personal, educational and working qualifications, required at the time of applying for a job. The process consists of collecting copies of application forms and all supporting document of the information provided from all individuals present in the panel and interested in applying for the particular job opening. Recruitment documentation ensures consistency, standardization and streamlining the recruitment process for the HR and administrative personnel of a company (Armstrong, 2006). Requirement for recruitment documentation varies according to companies and job profiles. For instance, for a job profile of Supermarket Assistance in Waitrose, the requirements specified by the company show

Sociology Exam questions tackling Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Sociology Exam questions tackling - Essay Example Sending food and supplies to starving people in developing countries can sometimes prove to be more harmful because it shakes up the economy. The market in the developing country can become flooded with goods that are donated, meaning these products do not have production cost to recoup, unlike the local products. Because of this competition, the local products are forced to lower their prices which can make them lose their investment. For example, if there are food drives from richer countries, there would be a large supply for a commodity, let’s say corn. This would down the prices of the local farmers’ corn produce, which is bad for them. In short, sending food and supplies can kill the local industries in developing countries. Discuss the main assumptions of world systems theory and outline how this perspective views the economy. The main assumption of the world systems theory is to view the world-economy as a whole, not by merely units that stand alone per country. The study of the social change in any element in the system such as regions, ethnic groups and classes must begin by finding out where in the economic scale these certain elements stand. For example: a state. In the world systems theory, the state will be examined for the changes in has undergone internally, and it will also be studied as an element of society which is affected by changes by the world economy as well. World systems theory is basically the foundation of globalization. According to the main proponent of the idea, Immanuel Wallerstein, there is only one world that is connected by a complicated and complex economic exchanges and an endless accumulation of capital. This theory has features that separate it from other theories. The core, periphery and semi-periphery terms in this theory explain how it works. The societies that work outside the world system is at the periphery while the core has a high level of technological development that enables that society to manufa cture complex products. Now, the role of the periphery is to supply the core these raw materials and cheap labor. There goes the inequality between these societies as the people from the periphery would also buy the manufactured products (fashioned from theirs) from the core. This theory can make the whole world a commodity. It promotes the commodification of materials, including human social relationships, labor and materials. This makes everything material and therefore, everything can be bought. List and describe the three major contributions of feminist research toward understanding the relationship between work, labor and gender. Major contributions of feminist research toward understanding the relationship between work, labor and gender includes equality, laws pertaining to the female sex (like maternity leaves) and the ability of women to participate in work and labor and even sexual violence because of discrimination due to lack of education and work opportunities. Before, s ocial rules deemed women as second class citizens. This is just a social construct, no scientific basis whatsoever. This is usually what happens when something is termed as weak or strong. The feminist movement began in the late 1900s. This brought along large waves of change in the world, and was backed by â€Å"universal† values that claim equality between sexes. This movement is, according to

Biblical Worldview Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Biblical Worldview - Essay Example s of words contained in Genesis 1: 26 which say that, â€Å"God thereby said, let us create man in our likeness and image, and let us give him dominion over every creature of the earth. This paper therefore argues that since man is created under the image and likeness of God, there is a need of treating mankind with respect, honor and faithfulness. The work that gives me satisfaction is systems analyst. This work involves researching on problems, planning solutions on the problem researched, and recommending software’s and systems at the functional level of a computer. My job also involves preparing broken computer servers, for business organizations, and individual companies. As a system analyst, it is my duty to act as a liaison between computer vendors, and experts of information technology. While carrying out my duties, I’m always under the inspiration of God’s word contained in Romans 12:4-8, which requires mankind to carry out their duties and vocation in a manner that is perfect, and pleasant to God (Groh, 2010). This scripture denotes that Christians are the body of Christ, and each Christian has different gifts. Christians should therefore use these gifts for purposes of serving each other. Under the image and likeness of the Almighty God, there are three major issues that we need to understand. The image of God that Genesis 1, refers to is not a physical image. This is because the bible in John 4:24 denotes that God is a spirit and therefore, to worship him, it must be in truth and spirit. Therefore, God does not possess a physical body that is made up of blood and flesh, but a spiritual body (Pembroke, 2012). However, the image of God that the scriptures talk about is the mental image. God has given mankind a mental capability that is far much above that of animals. This was for purposes of enabling mankind to carry out the work of God. Gods work was to protect the earth, and every living thing that existed in earth. As a system analyst, my duty

The complex nature of human relationships

The complex nature of human relationships Introduction Human relationships are complex in their nature. People coexist with each other in the world where conflict and differences in their lives occur and learning how to effectively manage those problems can have a great impact on the quality of the relationshipe. Conflicts gives people the opporunity to find the appropriate decisions and finding ways to find a solution to the problemswith minimal negative events. That is why, the issue of marital counseling is worth emphasizing (Cook, 29-67). In other words, marriage, is the unity of a man and a woman and unresolved conflict situations have an impact on marital satisfaction and longevity. It also directly impacts the quality of the relationship, but also on the overall satfisifcation of eac partner that is in the relationship. The aim of the present paper is to identify the notion of marriage, conflict, satisfaction, longevity, and find out the relationship between these concepts. The urgency of the paper is determined by globalized way of human relationships that has changed human life which is observed through the role of marriage, the way of coping with difficulties and longevity on the whole. Marriage and Conflict The definition of marriage can change from person to person, that is why its vital to select a defitition that the majority of the population will agree on. The term marriage is a mutual desire of a man and a woman to compose a family (Lewis, 54).. The unity of people in a family causes new types of relationships in which the members of that family develop coping skills to interact with eachother. At this point is where it can lead to different in opnions and differences in the way conflict is handled, Conflict happens. Every couple argues and stresses out (Lewis, 63). In order to understand their role on longevity, it is important to give a definition to the term conflict and its impact on longevity. There are various definitions of conflict, but they all emphasize the existence of contradictions, which take on the form of disagreement. This is the point in the relationship were positive outcomes can happen or negative interactions can set the relationship back.. Conflicts can be hidden or obvious, but their basis always lies in the lack of consent. Therefore, the conflict is defined as the absence of agreement between two or more parties individuals or groups. The lack of agreement is due to the presence of a variety of opinions, views, ideas, interests, and viewopints. It is important to remember when discussing conflict resolution that the couple be able to see both sides of the argument, no just from their viewpoint. This happens only when the existing contradictions and differences disrupt the interaction of people, and disrupt the advancement of goals for the couple. In this case, people simply are forced into a situation that they try to overcome their differences and enter into open conflict interaction. If conflicts contribute to informed decision-making process and development of relationships, then they are called functional. The conflicts that impede effective communication and decision-making process are called dysfunctional. It is necessary to be able to analyze conflicts, understand their causes and possible consequences. When a couple struggles with finding a healthy way to communicate and find a ways of ending the conflict it can have greater consequences for future problems. Conflict usually arises in the process of emotional convergence of spouses, especially when one or both of them violate personal boundaries of a partner without visible intention. This is one reason why it is important at the start of the relationship that both couples are aware of the boundaries and limitations of the other person. When these boundaries are not seen or when a person oversteps these boundaries conflict will arise. Then the conflict allows couples to increase the distance away from each other for a definite period. Conflicts in family are caused by inadequate and conflicting family-marriage expectations and perceptions. The most common myth is that one partner expects to see the other as an attachement of themselves, going everywhere together, not having any free time for oneself This expectation may be contrary to the interests of a partner who wants to realize his or her personal aspirations and interests and that type of expectation would would damper the relationship and would restrict the freedom and opportunities for development and fulfillment of both partners. Spouses need to understand whether they can accept each other as they are, take with respect to the views of partner and his or her traditions, which he or she brought from the parent family, without any attempt to alter partners behavior and attitude for other views and expectations of another partner. The majority of marital conflicts that occur frequently have hidden purpose, that is, the struggle for leadership. Signs of the struggle for leadership in marriage are the following ones: 1. conflict arises out of nowhere, literally out of nothing; 2. conflicts occur frequently on the basis of different issues; 3. both spouses are older children in their families, wife is the eldest child in her parental family, or her husband is younger. It is possible that in such types of families the leading position is occupies by parents of a couple; 4. conflicts occur with increasing frequency over definite period, and they are accompanied by accusations, or even insults, and the period of rest in the family is declining. There are no winners in these conflicts. Both spouses are characterized by low self-esteem. Crises and conflicts are normal for the family as a developing system. Crises may be associated with certain life-cycle of the family, such as marriage and the need to separate from their parents, birth, adolescence of a child, the separation of children from their parents and the last the death of a spouse. All people are sometimes in conflict. All people are arguing. This is necessary, because conflicts generate liability and resoluteness. This means that people are not indifferent to the problem and each other. If a conflict is recognized and understood, if the parties are prepared to resolve it, so that both sides have won, then such a conflict leads to the renewal of relationships and improves communication. If conflicts are frequent and sharp, a family went through a period of crisis in the marriage. It is necessary to allocate crises stages of marriage (years, three years, seven years, adolescent), as well as crises, based on a stressful family circumstances (adultery, death of relatives, loss of a spouse, etc.). The crisis is a test of the family for strength of their relationships. Many problems can be avoided if to know how to resolve them. Fortunately, some steps are made in the present paper. Thus, many problems can be solved if sincerely want this and be prepared for them. Conflicts in the family can create mental environment for the spouses, their children, parents, as the result of which they acquire a number of negative traits of personality (Pitt-Catsouphes et al. 2006). A conflict family is characterized by the establishment of negative experiences, lost faith in the possibility of the existence of friendly and affectionate relationships between people, accumulation of negative emotions that lead to psycho-trauma. Psycho-traumas are often manifested in the form of experiences, which, because of severity, duration or frequency strongly influence personality. It is necessary to distinguish such traumatic experiences as a state of total dissatisfaction with the family, family anxiety, neuro-psychic tension and condition of guilt. The condition of a full family dissatisfaction arises because of conflict situations where there is a noticeable discrepancy between the expectations of the individual to the family and real life. It is expressed in boredom, colorless of life, the absence of joy and nostalgic memories of the time before marriage, complaints to the surrounding people concerning the difficulties of family life. Accumulating from conflict to conflict, this dissatisfaction is expressed in emotional explosions and hysterics. Family anxiety often appears after a major family conflict. Signs of anxiety are doubts, fears, and concerns, related primarily to the actions of other family members. Mental stress is one of the major traumatic experiences. It arises because of 1. creating constant psychological pressure, a difficult or even hopeless situation for the spouse; 2. creating the obstacles for the manifestation of spouses major feelings and satisfaction of needs; 3. creating a situation of constant internal conflict in the spouse. Mental stress is manifested through irritability, bad mood, sleep disorders, rage. Condition of guilt depends on the personal characteristics of the spouse. The person feels a hindrance to others, guilty of any conflict, quarrels and failures, he/she tends to perceive the relationship of other family members as accused and blaming to himself/herself despite the fact that in reality they are not such. Relationships in Marriage The increased interest in family and marriage is due to a number of reasons. One third of all marriages is unviable. The issue of strengthening marriage and the improvement of marital structure of the population is of overriding public importance in connection with the problem of fertility. Addressing such issues is impossible without studying the mechanisms of family relationships. Socio-psychological climate in the family determines the stability of these relations, it has a decisive influence on the development of both children and adults. The psychological climate of the family is not something unchangeable, given once and for all. It was created by members of each family and their efforts depend on how it will be, a favorable or unfavorable. Every single person is a personality, unique and unrepeatable, with her worldview, which affects the establishment of mutually satisfactory relationships. Modern marriage is based on the compatibility of modern humans as individuals. Satisfaction with marriage is the main parameter characterizing the conjugal relationship. Definition of happy marriage is the following one: both husband and wife share the view that they are found or reached the golden mean or special universal balance in individual needs, desires and expectations, balance sheet, which they consider a unique and probably irreplaceable. This feeling of the golden mean, is achieved by joint efforts, and it is created thanks to creativity and it is developed by a married couple in the process of moving, ever-changing interactions within the family. It has many sources: the values shared by both spouses, when the importance of marital relations is recognized, and their marriage they believe exactly as they wanted to create. This balance incorporates experience of childhood and adolescence, and especially it is fueled by powerful unconscious transformations, hopes, fears and fantasies that each person brings to the marriage. The balance is based on the realities of present and past both within the family and social environments surrounding it. It is also created due to the ability to emotional maturation, the growth of individual consciousness, and the same ability to more deeply understand a partner and show empathy. And it is always an ongoing creative process which is discussed in terms of psychological problems that should be solved in a marriage. The essence of this concept lies in the fact that it is the totality of these problems compose the basic problem of human interaction in the family; they need to be addressed in family couple throughout their lives, otherwise the marriage is counter-productive and is in danger of collapse. It is this basic context, including the power and flexibility of family union, created by two persons, distinguishes a marriage that satisfies both partners. The special emphasis deserves the issue that shown the necessity to detach oneself emotionally from the family of childhood in order to be able to fully invest the strength and feeling in their marital union, but at the same time, overestimate the possible points of contact with both parents families. Moreover, the dependence of a husband on the parents is more important and more likely to lead to problems than the affection of his wife to her parents. Under the emotional department, the study considers the absence of an exaggerated sense of guilt, mistrust, anxiety, responsibility, resentment and anger from both spouses in relation to their mothers. The degree of adaptation to the new family life of a wife largely depends on the degree of independence of a husband from his parents. Marital satisfaction can be achieved through implementation of several items: 1. Creation of a full and happy sexual relationship and their protection from intrusions from the liabilities associated with the implementation of household and other works. 2. Combining efforts, involving the frightening obligations in connection with the birth of the child, the ability to survive in a dramatic appearance of a baby in the family, and protecting individual rights and the proximity of the couple. 3. The ability to withstand and overcome the inevitable crises of life, maintain the power of family ties in the face of adverse circumstances. 4. Creating a safe space within the family in order to express and resolve differences, anger and conflict. 5. Use laughter and humor in clarifying the true state of affairs, and also avoid boredom and alienation. 6. Providi ng the conditions of care and comfort for a partner, as well as meeting the continuing need of a partner in getting emotional and other types of support. 7. Saving of the romantic, idealized notions of love when they met the sobering realities encountered on the path of life. Unresolved Marital Conflicts and Longevity Chapman (2007) writes that Unresolved conflict in a marriage can also be a source of defensiveness. If we have not resolved our differences, we feel somewhat estranged from each other and are therefore more vulnerable to being defensive. Some couples who fail to resolve conflicts over a period of years draw the conclusion that they are not compatible and, in fact, are enemies (Chapman, 157). Health of people is directed connected to human activity and his or her relationships with the surrounding people. Consequently, marriage is the main factor that has a direct impact on human life and longevity. It can be explained by the fact that emotions of people cause different feelings such as happiness, grief, etc. These feelings force people to experience different situations during a long period that frequently cause stressful situation in the case of unresolved conflicts in marriage. Stress can provoke different diseases that obviously lowering the duration of human life. Garner (2009) stresses that to attain to a lengthened life, to enjoy ease and tranquility in lifes decline, and immunity from pain, debility, and other forms of suffering, are objects worthy of far more earnest attention than they usually receive. Since we have more accurately investigated the constitution of man, body and mind, the conditions of life, health, disease and death, the nature and relations of things around us, we are able to form more rational aims, and to pursue them with better hopes of success (13-14). Self-assessment of health is deteriorating in every person. However, this deterioration is more rapid in the marriages with dissatisfaction, particularly in old age. Marriage is the most important factor of social contact for human health. The years of tension spend in marriage may slowly undermine the health. Age also affects the activity of the immune system, leaving older people vulnerable to stress. Older people are more likely to have chronic health problems that stress can increase. In addition, older people may attach more importance to marriage, as they lose their other social connections. Chapman (2007) adds that After several months or years of unresolved conflicts, we begin to hear inner voices that say: I know I married that wrong person. How could I have let myself get into such a mess? I cant believe that my mate is so inconsistent. The unresolved conflicts lead us to think that we are incompatible and that our spouses is not really on our side. The unresolved conflicts push us toward making broad generalizations about our spouse and our marriage (Chapman, 158). Prevention of Marital Conflict Constructive of marital conflict resolution primarily depends on the ability of spouses to understand, forgive and concede. There is one of the conditions for ending the family conflict. It is not to seek victory. The victory as the result of a loved defeat can be hardly called an achievement. It is important to respect others despite the level of guilt. It is necessary that the spouse is able to honestly ask himself/herself what he/she is really cared about. It is necessary to dwell separately on such a radical way to resolve marital conflict as divorce. According to psychologists, a process consisting of three stages precedes divorce: a) an emotional divorce, manifested in alienation, indifference of the spouses to each other, the loss of trust and love, and b) the physical separation that leads to separation, c) a legal divorce, which requires legal registration of divorce. Divorce brings freedom from animosity, hate, deceit and everything that prevented from being happy in marriage to the majority of people. A woman, with whom children are usually remained, is the most vulnerable to divorce. She is more than a man, subjected to the neuro-psychiatric disorders. It is important to note that many recommendations for the normalization of the marital relationship and prevention of disputes from escalating into conflicts have been developed. Most of them are summarized as follows: 1. Respect yourself and others. Remember that he (she) is the closest to you. Try not to accumulate errors, wrongs and sins, but immediately respond to them. It will prevent the accumulation of negative emotions. 2. Do not criticize each other in the presence of others (children, friends, guests, etc.). 3. Do not exaggerate your own abilities and dignity; do not consider yourself always right in all. Trust your spouse more and minimize jealousy. Be careful, know how to listen and hear the spouse. Always take care of your physical attractiveness, work over your own weaknesses. Do not generalize even obvious shortcomings of the spouse; lead a conversation only about a specific behavior in specific situations. 4. Treat the hobbies of the spouse with interest and respect. In family life, it is sometimes better not to know the truth, than try to establish the truth. Try to find time to take a rest from each other at least sometimes. This will help removing the emotional and psychological heaviness of communication. In other words, When conflict happens and communication starts to break down, take a break from each other to cool off and think through the issues. There are some ways to resolve the conflict and how you can avoid battling about the same issues again. For example, I need to listen to you more and not read into what youre saying. Ill try to be more patient with you. I wont say harsh or unkind words to you. Get back together and talk. Remember, your goal is to resolve the conflict. Take turns so that you both can speak and both actively listen. Share what you wrote while you were cooling down. You might need to give a little more to compromise, so humility and cooperation are important. Spend time in prayer together to end your discussion (Lewis, 63). It is necessary to keep in mind some key points that can be used in everyday communication that helps to avoid conflict situation in marriage and resolve different cases. Firstly, it is important to talk about everyday affairs every day. In this case, couples learn to trust each other and then they share their problems with each other that creates mutual understanding. Secondly, it is essential to find time for talking; it may be a family meal. Thirdly, it is important to be approachable. It is necessary to empathize and listen to each other. The main suggestion for successful family communication is to be intentional. This means that couples should not avoid conversation with their children, give time and space for it. Communication is not only words; it may be expressed in tone, body language or some actions. Therefore, it is important to listen carefully and try to understand not only words but also feelings behind them. Sometimes, a conversation may be tough. It is better to think about it in advance, prepare possible questions or do something. It is essential to invest in family communication, for instance, by writing a letter, sending a card, or making a phone call that will result in opening a friendly dialogue. It is better to build relationships during good times that will help at bad times. Besides, the knowledge of likes and dislikes of the closest relatives will contribute to successful everyday communication in the family. Conclusion The problem of conflict has always been more or less relevant to any society. Life proves that conflict does not apply to events that can be effectively managed on the basis of life experience and common sense. The issue of family conflicts is worth emphasizing because family is the oldest institution of human interaction, a unique phenomenon. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that several people intimately interact for a long time (tens of years), that is, for the greater part of human life. Disputes, conflicts and crises cannot arise in such a system of intensive interaction as family. Divorce leads to the fact that the society receives an incomplete family, because of which the number of adolescents with divergent behavior is constantly increasing and leading to crime expansion. This creates additional difficulties for the society. Key role in family conflict relations belongs to marital conflict (Pitt-Catsouphes et al. 2006). They arise because of unmet needs of the spouses. Most conflict situations are the crisis periods in the development of the family. Family conflicts have traumatic consequences: a state of total dissatisfaction with the family, family anxiety, neuro-psychological tension and state of guilt. The experts have made recommendations on regulation of marital conflict in order to prevent conflict situation within the family and increase the importance of family in the future. It is necessary to add that Unresolved conflict does not mean that these couples never discuss conflicts. Periodically, they may have long and heated discussions about conflicts. The problem is they never reach a solution. After the heat has intensified to a certain point, they drop the conversation and withdraw from each other, leaving the conflict unresolved. Then when the spouse says something that is emotionally tied to this unresolved conflict, the person will have another defensive response (Chapman, 158). In summing up, the obvious connection between conflict situations in marriage and human life, that is, longevity, is supported by different research studies. People living in the marriages with obvious dissatisfaction because of unresolved conflicts, demonstrate health problems that affects longevity of couples (Amato, 77).

Graduation Speech -- Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

Henry Adams once wrote "A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops." This is so true, every teacher here has taught us much more than the textbook curriculum. Every teacher here tonight has given us students something we will use or remember for the rest of our lives. I really don't think people understand or appreciate the time and effort our teachers have put into us. So tonight I'm not going to give everyone advice on the future, I'm not going to tell you how life is a journey we've just begun, and I'm not going to brag about how great the class of 2006 is. Since we have eight outstanding Valedictorians this year, I'm sure all of those bases are already covered. So instead, I'm going to take a few minutes here to thank some of the teachers and staff that have made a difference in my own life, and by doing so I hope that everybody present tonight will see how important each and every teacher and staff member is at Amos High School. I'd like to start out by thanking Mr. Addington. Not only is he the Clay and Ceramics teacher at AHS, he is the wisest man I know. I have asked him so many questions this year, and he has always helped me figure things out, but instead of letting me be lazy and simply telling me his answers, he asks me the questions and makes me think it out. Mr. Bassett is the smartest man I know. He keeps the entire school district's computer network up and running, he created a computer program that lets kids and parents check their grades from their home computers, as well as another program that he sold to the government. While doing all this, he still made extra time to help me survive his Windows 2000 class since I hadn't taken the required prerequisites and was pretty lost. Mr.... ...already talked about, and the ones that I did not get a change to mention, but I don't have time. Parents and people of the community, please see what great people these teachers are, and remember how much of their lives they give freely to their students. Teachers, whether you know it or not, you have affected each of us so much. The people that I have talked about are only teachers on my own list of important people at Amos High School. Every single student in a cap and gown right now has their own list, every one of you has impacted someone's life, and we will never forget you. Without your time and effort, none of us would be where we are today, and none of us would have been the leaders that we will turn out to be. You have made our experience at Amos High School truly great, and it will be hard to say goodbye, but from the graduating class of 2006, thank you.

Gender Roles in Harry Potter

Girls in young adult fantasy novels tend to fare rather poorly, especially in the light of Susan from the Chronicles of Narnia. When  Aslan  admits the  Pevensies  into paradise, Susan is barred because she has forgotten Narnia and is more interested in stockings and the real adult world, because she has dared to want to grow up. Jill Pole comments: aâ‚ ¬? She’s interested in nothing nowadays except nylons and lipstick and invitationsaâ‚ ¬? 1. C. S. Lewis presents a conservative view of girls in the fantasy genre, that they will be drawn into their own adolescent fantasies and will abandon the secondary world.Philip Pullman compounds this with his treatment of Lyra in the His Dark Materials trilogy where she is the protagonist in the first novel but cedes decision making and power to Will through the remaining narrative. Hermione Granger starts out challenging this conservative view but ultimately she is turned into a mother and sidelined from the world of action . Her role changes through the novel and this is not due merely to the maturation of the character as she ages but also the needs of the male dominated groups around her, from the school group with Harry and Ron to the Order of the Phoenix.A quick glance offers the view that between 11 and 15 she is more rebellious whilst between the ages of 16 and 17 she takes on a sisterly role before her final appearance as a mother. In the Harry Potter novels  Hermione  is variously a bookish individual who supports and guides Harry through her research and work. She is the dominant force in Harryaâ‚ ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s success until the sixth novel,  Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, where her role as Harryaâ‚ ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s educator is taken by  Dumbledore. Eliza  Dresang  sees Hermione as being far more successful than she is made out to be by  Farah  Mendlesohn.Hermione gains agency and is able to take more control of her situation than  Mendlesohn  gives her credit for thro ugh her own actions, finding aâ‚ ¬? evidence in the text to be considerably more optimistic about Hermione’s self-determination than does Mendlesohnaâ‚ ¬? 2  through her determination about being sorted by the Hat and aâ‚ ¬? refuses to be deterred from her purposes, whether it be learning, admonishing about rules or †¦ championing the underdogaâ‚ ¬? 3. Mendlesohn comments that aâ‚ ¬? Hermione is accepted in the social structure of the school only because she is Harry’s friendaâ‚ ¬?   and that aâ‚ ¬? [r]adicalism, as embodied by Hermione, is irrational, ignorant, and essentially transientaâ‚ ¬? 5. Though her attempts at freeing the house-elves are doomed, she is more successful at galvanising her peers and enabling Harry’s success through her contributions. There is another issue to consider though and that is one of genre. The first five Harry Potter books are clearly school stories. Motifs, such as the annual arrival via the ste am train and the term times with the enforced stay over Christmas, come from this genre.Instead of only competing in sports for honour such as Quidditch, house points are awarded or taken away for behaviour or acts of bravery. In the final two novels, the structure of the novels change to being a more conventional fantasy series wherein Harry must defeat  Voldemort in a final conflict. This switch to the fantastic, in particular a male dominated fantastic world, means that Hermione must change roles to remain in the world since we rarely see any lone witches who have not turned to Voldemort such as Bellatrix Lestrange. This change of genre changes the expectations placed on the characters by readers and the roles which they play.School stories, in the mould of Enid Blyton’s  Malory  Towers or  St Clare’s,  offer  the reader a tale of a group of children who go on adventures limited in scale by location, an isolated school, and time, terms end and the year i s punctuated by holidays. They offer a degree of  carnivalesque  expressed in the capers of the students which are tamed by the teachers but also a continuing discourse of maturation and acculturation to the wider adult world which must be entered. Parents exist at the edge of the story, referred to in letters or bringing their children to school.Once the anarchic time at school comes to an end, the parents represent the roles that the children will adopt. The fantastic world that Rowling constructs is one which begins as potentially subversive with Hermione challenging perceived wrongs and gaining a more powerful agency in the world through her knowledge. As she matures, the world is fully extended past Hogwarts and becomes deeply conservative and male dominated and Hermione has to re-ascertain her social standing on the edge of the group, her enabling agency now of no direct use to Harry.Hermione matures in the series changing from the shy, bookish outsider to being, in effect , a big sister character to Harry and Ron but at the cost of her own agency and talents. As she matures into this role, she changes from being an inquisitive person, pushing her own bounds of knowledge and even her sanity, to being slightly calmer but clearly not of equal standing with Ron and Harry who are allowed to take active roles into world. When we first meet Hermione on the train going to  Hogwarts, Rowling presents her an unkempt, exploring child unafraid to make new friends or to go up and visit the train driver.She is described as having aâ‚ ¬? a bossy voice, lots of bushy brown hair and rather large front teethaâ‚ ¬? (Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, p 79) and already wearing the school colours. She interrupts Ron and Harry who are tucking into a carriage way feast of sweets. Curious, she challenges Ron to show him the magic trick which he is attempting. As the train approaches the station, she encourages the two boys to don their robes and questi ons whether they have been fighting already. Her drive towards perfection is shown in her encyclopaedic knowledge of the school drawn from reading the history.Already knowing the reason for the enchanted ceiling, she attains a position in the newly formed social triumvirate as the knowledge repository. Hermione comes back from the school holidays a day early whilst the friends are trying to find out who Nicholas  Flamel  is and is aâ‚ ¬? torn between the horror at the idea of Harry being out of bed†¦ and disappointment that he hadn’t at least found out who Nicholas Flamel wasaâ‚ ¬? (Philosopher’s Stone,  p158). Her curiosity and good behaviour are at odds since she is aware that the answer may well lie in the forbidden section of the library but that entry  transgresses  the school rules.Although it is Harry who discovers Flamel by accident on the back of the collector’s card he got on the train, it is Hermione who links him to the Philosoph er’s Stone through a book she got aâ‚ ¬? out of the library weeks ago for a bit light reading aâ‚ ¬? (Philosopher’s Stone, p. 161). Ron’s only comment, aâ‚ ¬? Light? aâ‚ ¬? (Philosopher’s Stone, p. 161), a suggestion that knowledge is not highly prized in Hogwarts as opposed to  Quidditch. It was Hermione who noticed that Fluffy was standing on the trapdoor (Philosopher’s Stone, p120), a fact that both Ron and Harry missed. Yet her achievements come at a social price.Hermione’s adherence to the school rules is shown inPhilosopher’s Stone  after the finding of the trapdoor at night. When Harry receives a new broom after the destruction of his old one, her comments aâ‚ ¬? So I suppose you think that’s a reward for breaking rules? aâ‚ ¬? (Philosopher’s Stone  p. 123). Her forthrightness about the midnight incident is tempered by the argument with Ron and Harry. She is clearly upset by their reaction which is made worse by Ron’s careless comment about her not having any friends. Rushing past Harry, he notices that she is crying (Philosopher’s Stone  p. 127).When the troll is announced, both boys realise that it has gone to the girls’ toilets where Hermione is trapped. When Professor McGonagall enters, Hermione lies to protect them all and claims that she wanted to tackle the troll herself. Although this means that aâ‚ ¬? from that moment on, Hermione Granger became their friendaâ‚ ¬? (Philosopher’s Stone, p. 132), she can only do so by lying to a teacher and so overturns her previous rigid adherence to rules. She has to adopt the boys own world view. In  Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Hermione offers to make the Polyjuice Potion to see what Malfoy knows about the chamber’s opening.She tricks  Lockhart  into signing a slip for ‘Most  Potente  Potions’ to fool the Librarian (Chamber of Secrets, p. 124). Wh en Ron says that they will need to steal from Professor Snape’s private stores, she retorts: aâ‚ ¬? Well, if you two are going to chicken out, fine†¦Ã‚  I  don’t want to break the rules you know. aâ‚ ¬? (Chamber of Secrets, p. 125). Hermione is aware that they have already obtained a permission slip that Lockhart has signed without realising what it is (using his own arrogance), that the recipe relies upon illicit goods and that the boys cannot discover Malfoy’s perceived role without trickery.Despite her protestations about the rules, she is aware that these will need to be broken to be successful. When they come to making the potion, the group need parts of their victims and Hermione is too hasty in taking some hair from Millicent  Bulstrode  in Wrestling and accidentally turns herself into a cat much to Myrtle’s delight, aâ‚ ¬? Wait till everyone finds out you’ve got a  tailaâ‚ ¬? (Chamber of Secrets, p. 169). Whilst Ron and Harry have used her Sleeping Potion to knock out  Crabbe  and  Goyle, Malfoy’s henchmen, Hermione’s own attempt has backfired and so she is unable to help get information from Malfoy.Her overachievement turns her into a figure of fun. Although she is able to assimilate Harry and Ron’s worldview into her own perceptions, she is unable to fully join their world although she is the enabler for their plans through the potion and the linking together of the clues in  Philosopher’s Stone. Her overachievement comes to a head in the  Harry Potter and the Prisoner of  Azkaban  when she is given the use of the Time-Turner. In Snape’s Potions class, Neville is aided by Hermione to perfect the Shrinking Solution but when Ron and Harry turn to challenge her after the deduction of points, she disappears only to reappear a few minutes ater with her bag falling apart through weight of books. When she brushes off Ron’s challenge about the contents, he muses aâ‚ ¬? Do you get the feeling Hermione’s not telling us something? aâ‚ ¬? (Prisoner of Azkaban, p. 99). Clearly Hermione is unable to tell the boys about Professor  McGonagall’s  gift of the Time Turner. In the Defence against the Dark Arts exam, Hermione comes into contact with the  Boggartand after aâ‚ ¬? a minute inside it [the  Boggart's  trunk], she burst out again, screamingaâ‚ ¬? (Prisoner of Azkaban, p. 234).The Boggart, which presents worst fears, has suggested to her that Professor McGonagall will fail her in an exam, so her fears of academic and also personal failure come to the fore. Ron is still inclined to laugh at Hermione’s fear since he will not excel academically. Despite their close bond, Hermione’s academic achievements have always separated her from the boys. It is only when the situation demands that time is altered that she is able to tell Harry. When they fail to saveBuckbeak  the first ti me,  Dumbledore  suggests to Hermione that the situation can be saved by going backwards and Hermione confesses to Harry, aâ‚ ¬?I’ve been using it all year to get to all my lessonsaâ‚ ¬? (Prisoner of Azkaban, p. 289) but she still cannot work out why Dumbledore has suggested going back three hours. It is up to Harry to formulate the plan to save the  Hippogriff  and Sirius. Once again, Hermione’s mental achievements enable Harry but she is unable to complete the reasoning for the shift in time. Hermione proves herself via her academic prowess and enables Harry and Ron to complete various challenges. She is the person to whom the boys go when they have difficulties with the homework. Lupin praises her  as the aâ‚ ¬? inest witch of her ageaâ‚ ¬? (Prisoner of Azkaban, p 253)  in the Shrieking Shack  as she becomes hysterical at his perceived betrayal of her loyalty, aâ‚ ¬? I didn’t tell anyone†¦ I’ve been covering up for you aâ‚ ¬? (Prisoner of Azkaban, p 253). Her need to prove herself academically is challenged and Ron’s reaction is to want to laugh. Despite her achievement and regular help for Harry and Ron, it is only the teachers who really prize her accomplishments. She is the character most likely to fail through overachievement. Her role is clearly defined in the school story as the swot.The school story genre allows her this room as a defined role but it she must adapt when the genre changes to a conservative high fantasy wherein gender roles are somewhat different. During the  Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, she reverts to the quiet studious Hermione of the first novel when Harry gets the  magicked  version of the potions book. As Harry falls under its spell and useful marginalia, she becomes increasingly exasperated at his lack of work or effort in the class commenting aâ‚ ¬? Well, it wasn’t exactly your own work, was it? aâ‚ ¬? (Half-Blood Prince, p 182). She and Ginny are protective of Harry and test the spell book which he has picked up, though they do not see the inscription claiming it is the property of the Half-Blood prince. With the aid of Ginny Weasley, she also defends him during the setting up of the self-help Dark Arts group, the  acronymed  DA, in  Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Gathering the curious students together in the Hog’s Head, she comments aâ‚ ¬? well I thought it would be good if we, well, took matters into our own hands†¦ And by that I mean learning how to defend ourselves properly, not just in theory but doing the real spellaâ‚ ¬? Half-Blood Prince, p 303). Though she is instrumental in gathering the class, she immediately reverts to her supporting role and allows Harry to discuss the events at the end of  Harry Potter and the Goblet of Firewhere he met the revived Voldemort. Her tenure as Prefect in  Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix  shows her stopping the  Weasley  twins from recruiting junior members of the school to test their joke wares,  saying aâ‚ ¬? I told you this morning, you can’t test your rubbish on students! aâ‚ ¬? (Order of the Phoenix, p 229) whilst Ron, her fellow Prefect, looks on from the side.Although she is active in keeping the more extreme elements of the carnivalesque from taking over the school in the form of the Weasley brother’s joke wares, it does mark the apogee of the progression from swot to Prefect in the school novel. Though these roles are usually played by various characters in the school story genre, Rowling has rolled them into one person who exemplifies the qualities of Hogwarts and, in particular,  Gryffindor. Though Hermione is keen on the maintenance of the status quo, she becomes increasingly vocal against the abuse of power in two areas.She has mixed success but it allows her to retain her role in the social cohesion of the friendship group and to begin organising ot hers in the school. Firstly she challenges a perceived abuse of the house elves by the  wizarding  classes and sets up the Society for the Protection of Elvish Welfare, SPEW. This act comes after  Dobby  is freed by Harry in  Harry Potter and Chamber of Secrets. Hermione starts knitting hats to free the elves from their slave positions at Hogwarts inOrder of the Phoenix  and when challenged about this by Ron, exclaims aâ‚ ¬? Of course they want to be free! aâ‚ ¬? (Order of the Phoenix, p 230).Whilst it may mirror  Rowling’s  own time working for Amnesty International, she undermines Hermione by having Dobby pick up all the hats as the elves are offended by them. Though she gains the partial support of Dumbledore as he explains to Harry that he had encouraged  Sirius  to treatKreacher  with kindness  (Order of the Phoenix, p 733),  Ron and Harry dismiss her efforts. To an extent, she loves hopeless causes and sets out to free the elves despite t heir reluctance to change their positions. Secondly, she attacks the misuses of authority by teachers, such as Severus Snape and Dolores  Umbridge.In  Prisoner of  Azkaban, Snape takes over Lupinaâ‚ ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s classes while he recovers from his change. Ignoring the class protests he begins to set them work which will provide clues to Lupinaâ‚ ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s condition and Hermione protests  (Prisoner of Azkaban, p128) which encourages Ron to defend her and receive detention. She becomes increasingly agitated by  Snapeaâ‚ ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s  manner and challenges him through questions. Though she has been able to answer the questions that he puts to the class since the first book, earning his contempt, she now uses these as a challenge to his authority through passive disruption.In  Order of the Phoenix, Dolores Umbridge attempts to run a school based on the traditional school model of learning the theory of Defence against the Dark Arts rather than practical lessons. Hermione listens to  Umbridgeaâ‚ ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s  long speech which sets out the rationale for the coming changes. During the first Defence against the Dark Arts lesson she immediately questions  Umbridgeaâ‚ ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s  passive stance through using Umbridge’s insistence on pupils raising their hands to ask questions (Order of the Phoenix, p 217-218). Asking the question, she repeats herself when the answer is not forthcoming.Hermione continues this with the creation of the Dark Arts or  Dumbledoreaâ‚ ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s  Army group. As Umbridge tries to crack down on any nascent dissent against the Ministry of Magicaâ‚ ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s policy, Hermione comes up with the plan of setting a group to rectify the lack of practical training. Facing the belief that Harry killed  Cedric,  fuelledby the Daily Prophet, she motivates the students to come together and to learn practical defence. As she does this she comments aâ‚ ¬? d’you know †¦ I think I’m feeling a bi t  Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ rebelliousaâ‚ ¬? (Order of the Phoenix, p 559).Rather than continuing her challenge to misplaced authority, once the school story ends, she moves towards the role of the sister. Whilst on the run from the Ministry of Magic in  Harry Potter and the Deathly HallowsHarry confesses to Ron that Hermione is aâ‚ ¬? like a sister,aâ‚ ¬? he went on aâ‚ ¬? I love her like a sister and I reckon she feels the same about meaâ‚ ¬? (Deathly Hallows, p308). To some degree she follows the path of  Lyrain Pullman’s ‘His Dark Materials’ trilogy where the she develops her challenges early on but end up giving up independence.Before she meets Will, Lyra is free to challenge the authority figures around her but after the meeting, when Will is cooking an omelette, he commands aâ‚ ¬? ’Find a couple of plates’ he said, and Lyra obediently did soaâ‚ ¬? (The Subtle Knife  p 25). After the defeat of Voldemort, we see her and Ron on Platf orm 9 A? s waving their children off on the Hogwarts express. The action occurs around Harry and Ron with Hermione chiding them when they see Scorpius, Draco’s son, with aâ‚ ¬?Don’t try to turn them against each other before they’ve even started schoolaâ‚ ¬? (Deathly Hallows, p605). She is keen to maintain stability in the world for the children. As she develops into adolescence, she moves away from her rebellious side straight into motherhood, so avoiding Susan’s fate in the ‘Chronicles of Narnia’. Though she moves into adolescence, she is faithful to Ron, declaring her love for him in the  Deathly Hallows. Despite Lupin’s proclamation of her talent, we finally see Hermione taking her children to platform 9 A?.She avoids Susan’s banishment from the magical world because she cares for her friends and, ultimately, children and is not selfish as Susan is implied to be by Aslan in the quotation at the beginning of this essa y. Yet it seems a poor fate for all her achievements. The boarding school genre allows Hermione to excel academically and be an equal to Harry and Ron. She develops and is capable of taking on teaching duties and, it would appear, likely to follow  Minerva  McGonagallas the archetypal spinster teacher. She is the archetypal swot who becomes Prefect as she gets to the end of her school years.Her insistence upon hardwork and her dislike of cheats, even if they are her friends, show Hermione’s dedication to maintaining order, though not at any price. She also takes on what appear to be hopeless causes, the release of the elves and then challenges against misused authority, despite the ridicule of her peers. Hermione stands against inequality and tries to effect change. Dumbledore is the only person who backs her stance, and this is only very partially, as he explains to Harry. Dealing with her own social group, she is more effective in galvanising her peers into forming the Dark Arts group.Yet she is on the edge of the social group. On the train to Hogwarts, it is Harry who accepts her into the nascent group and then more firmly once the troll is defeated in the bathrooms. Once the  OWLs  have been taken, Hermione moves away from being the bright academic, her role in helping with Ron and Harry finishing their homework redundant, to being involved in maintaining the group with Ron and Harry through her caring for both boys. It is only Hermione who can cope with the real world of Oxford Street before they manage to get into more magical territory.The school narrative allows Hermione to blossom as an individual as the closed world of Hogwarts bars the real world and gives her space as a person. Once the real world begins to encroach, she begins to move away from her academic achievements and into the big sister role. At one level Rowling sees Hermione as a caricature of her school memories but at another, the Harry Potter series fails to address the idea that girls can do more than become mothers or spinster teachers. In Narnia thePevensie  children are either kept in childlike paradise away from ever growing up or they are ejected from paradise for thinking of the adult world.In ‘His Dark Materials’, Lyra moves from challenging the misplaced authority of Mrs  Coulter  and Lord  Asriel  to leaving Will to make all the decisions. Hermione’s own contributions to the group come through enabling Harry to complete tasks with the requisite knowledge that she can find or discern. Once the fight against Voldemort moves into Harry’s own history, only Dumbledore can help Harry. Whilst on the run in  Deathly Hallows, it is Hermione who tries to keep the group together and to work out Dumbledore’s final clue in the book of fairy tales. She is a catalyst for those around her and remains sidelined.Whilst she shows that she can develop herself against  Mendlesohn’s  analysis through her own talent,Dresang’s  assertion that Hermione gains strength through empowering others is shown to only be partial; she sacrifices her individual power and role to help recreate a safe world. Once she has enable Harry, Rowling moves her into a maternal role, her highest honour. It short changes the Witch that Lupin described as the brightest of her age. 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