Answer the question from the book Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Answer the question from the book - Essay Example in other instances, most of the IT departments do not have budgets of their own. They, in most cases charge other departments for the services that they provide to them. As such, it becomes hard for the department to project its expenditure levels. Moreover, equipment keeps changing, with the increase in the level of technology and innovation. It makes it difficult to track this whole expenditure record, one that puts into consideration all the expenses including the miscellaneous. 2. To answer the question as to whether IT systems are an expense or an asset, first it is important to understand the difference between an asset and an expense. While an asset is an economic resource, an expense takes away economic resources. Initial investments in IT systems are an asset to an organization like IVK (Austin et al. 54). On the other hand, they are an expense if they became obsolete. It is unfair classifying the systems as expenses, despite their high initial costs. For instance, telephone s were an expense when every department required them. They made communication within the organization easy and simple, and more efficient. They simplified the mode of communication in the organization, and made the daily operations easy. Activities ran smoothly with improved communication. Their contribution to the overall out was overwhelming. These were assets to the organization. However, with the technological advancement in the organizations, there was the introduction of better communication methods such as e-mail. This made telephones obsolete, making them an expense, as the organization had to faze them out indefinitely. This makes them more an expense at the end. 3. IT as a department has little expenses. Because the department provides services to other departments, it is important for the organization to allocate the IT expenses to these departments. On its own, the IT department spends less, as it only require keeping its operations going. The main reason for the establ ishment of IT departments in organizations was to provide technology and communication services to the rest departments. This makes IT the biggest and most interactive department in an organization, as the organization entirely relies on it for these services. Choosing to allocate all IT related expenses to the IT department would leave it with a huge budget. Nonetheless, it is difficult to track all expenses of the IT department. Condensing all the organizational expenses on IT services under the IT department, there would be no track of organizational expenditure on the IT department, and thus poor track of the organizational expenses. 4. The IT should operate just like any other organizational department. Although, due to the sensitivity in operations of the IT department, in most cases, the department runs its operations independently, there should be a limit as to how far this freedom could go. As established by Reuben, it is hard to keep track of all the expenditures in the IT department (Austin et al. 61). On the other hand, there is the need for monitoring of its operations as well as regulation. Therefore, the department should not be independent altogether. There should be a framework regulating the amount IT spends, to make sure it does not overstate its budget. 5. Acquiring new systems is an expensive affair. Therefore, most of the organizations opt to maintain the existing systems, as long as their importance

Diversification in Mainstream Media Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Diversification in Mainstream Media - Essay Example With the age of reality television in full force, it can become quite difficult to find televisions shows that set out to reach the threshold of outlining how diverse society can be. The televisions show in question is "The West Wing" from NBC. Answer: Throughout its seven year run on NBC, "The West Wing" maintained an example of addressing the diverse issues that face both Americans, as well as the rest of the world on a day-to-day basis. As a contemporary political voice, the creators used their weekly episodes to draw attention to the varying levels of human nature and human problems. With the White House as the visual landscape, the television medium became an ample source to exemplify the diverse nature that is governmental procedure and politics in general. Coming to a close after a highly charged seven year run, the show tops off its performance for diversification by zeroing in on the diverse and multi layered nature of public campaigning for the highest office in the land the Presidency of the United States. Answer: As old as the first newspaper, the use of stereotypes has been around for centuries. A choice of label meant by the user, to classify the other person(s) in a specific category, whether it's true or false. To a great extent through its means, the media on a daily, even an hourly basis, relies on stereotypes for justification and explanation. In the case of the media at hand, the stereotype commonly used for Democrats are being weak on national defense and Republicans fumbling as it comes to domestic tranquility. Through the eyes of "The West Wing" and the events surrounding the election held during the final season, the viewer comes to realize that stereotypes are just that and ultimately, a hindrance in understanding the bigger picture as it comes to comprehending the full capability that human nature can muster. C. Assess whether or not you believe the selected article, television show, or motion picture fostered a better understanding of diversity and multiculturalism. Justify your answer. When it comes down to it, "The West Wing" does provide a believable backdrop as it comes to the understanding of the diverse national platform and the multicultural nature of its citizens. As it is dealing with the political waters that are ever so choppy, the participants are forced to face the playing field of diversity in opinion, actions and the cultural system which is interwoven amongst it all. As is the case, in terms of mainstream television, a show such as "The West Wing" serves as the necessary vehicle to facilitate the discussion of diversity and multiculturalism. After all, the underlying nature of the program is aided by the understanding and representation of the diverse, multicultural nation that is the United Sates, but also the diversity and cultural scene of the national political landscape. Conclusion Diversity is one of the keys to achieving a greater understanding. An understanding of the complex cultural landscape that makes mankind what it is and what it claims to strive for. Without a sense of diversity, what it is that is being looked at can be best described as a false

Hiv Aids Situation In South Africa

Hiv Aids Situation In South Africa The HIV/AIDS epidemic has had a devastating effect on the South African population. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is first transmitted through bodily fluid contact à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ usually through blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-ejaculate and/or breast milk (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention 1999). Ultimately, HIV advances to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) where the condition markedly attacks the immune system by increasing the risk of a variety of infections caused by bacteria, parasites and viruses (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention 1999). Typically, the development of AIDS from HIV takes approximately five to eight years, but can be postponed with the aid of anti-retroviral drugs (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention 1999). It can be noted that the disease affects individuals at the prime of their lifetimes. Sexually active men and women, as well as young children are affected most by this illness because HIV is transmitted through events such as unsafe sex, contaminated needles and/or transmission from a mother to her newborn during birth (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention 1999). The concurrent nature of this disease makes it a greater threat to economic growth in South Africa à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ once one partner contracts it, the other partner does too. An individual is most susceptible to acquiring the disease from their sexual partner if that partner was infected less than a year prior. Clearly then, the disease is affecting the most economically active proportion of the South African population. It is estimated that 5.7 million people or about 12% of their population is affected by HIV/AIDS (United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 2008). When examining the HIV prevalence rate for the labor force (ages 15-49), the rate increases to 18% (Figure 1) (United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 2008) (United Nations Statistics Division 2009). The disease is far more prevalent among females between the ages of twenty- five and twenty-nine à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ at a prevalence rate of 32.7%; for males the age range is between thirty and thirty-nine and the prevalence is only about 25.8% (Figure 2) (United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 2008). The impact of the epidemic can be seen most profoundly by the dramatic change in South Africaà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s mortality rates. The overall number of annual deaths increased sharply from 1997, when about 316, 559 individuals died to about 607, 184 deaths in 2006 (Figure 3) (Statistics South Africa 2008). Obviously, the rise cannot necessarily be attributed solely to HIV/AIDS, but what is essential here is that young adults are shouldering the burden of this increased mortality rate (Figure 4). In 2006, 41% of deaths were associated with twenty-five to twenty-nine year olds; in 1997 this percentage was about 29% (Statistics South Africa 2008). This is a significant marker in concluding that AIDS is a major factor in the overall rising number of deaths. Clearly then, it is not uncommon for one or more parents to die when their children are young. The number of premature deaths has risen considerably: 39% in 1997 to 75% in 2009 (Harrison 2009). This indicates that 80% of the sample population would lose more than half their per capita income with the death of the highest income earner (Harrison 2009). Thus, the HIV/AIDS epidemic that started in South Africa in the 1980à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s has had a negative impact on the health status as well as the economic development of individuals and households. ECONOMY OF SOUTH AFRICA In South Africa it can be said that their income has increased simply by examining their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the last thirty years (Figure 5). As can be noted, GDP has steadily increased over the last twenty years (World Bank 2010). South Africa is a country that perhaps has the best operational and entrepreneurial environment in Africa à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ it is considered to also have one of the most politically stabile climates in the Sub-Saharan African region. Moreover, it has a very advanced financial system à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ the South African stock exchange ranks among the worldà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s top ten largest exchanges. 1948 marked the beginning of the Apartheid; the economy had been divided into two à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ a privileged white sector an impoverished black one. The policy was heavily criticized and many sanctions were placed against South Africa in the 1980s. It was at the end of this period, when GDP as well as HIV/AIDS began to rise. Examining trade specifically, it is noted that South Africa is the worldà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s largest producer and exporter of platinum and gold as well as of base metals and coal. It is the worldà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s fourth largest producer of diamonds. Agriculture only accounts for about 3.4% of GDP, whereas services account for roughly 65.1%. South Africaà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s other main industries are mining, automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textiles, iron and steel, chemicals, and foodstuffs. Their exports account for roughly 30% of their GDP. South Africaà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s major trading partners include the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Italy, Belgium, China and Japan. South Africaà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s integration into the global economy became very apparent in the 1990à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s, especially after the implementation of rapid tariff liberalization after 1995, the export orientation of industrial policy and fiscal restraint through its macro-economic policy, the Growth, Redistribution and Employment Strategy (GEAR) in 1996. What has become clear through my research is that integration of South Africa into the global economy has brought about economic stability for the nation but it has not translated into sustainable economic growth or a reduction in income disparities. High unemployment rates dominate which leaves those from disadvantaged households largely marginalized. Moreover, their volatile domestic currency has created much instability in the export market. This generalized story of the South African economy has been provided to show that the country has enjoyed increased wealth over the last 15 or so years, some of which can be attributed to globalization. Trade activity, specifically exports is only one component of this sort of globalization. NATURE OF CURRENT RESEARCH In the discourse of health, economic activity, specifically trade activity is rarely spoken to. Economists have not yet opened dialogue on this sort of topic à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ this is clear in the modest amount of literature available on the subject. Relationships have been estimated between economic activity and the incidence of HIV in Africa. A noteworthy association comes from Emily Oster à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ she suggests that a doubling of exports leads to a doubling of infections (Oster 2009). Using national trade openness as a proxy for traffic flows, evidence suggest that trade is a significant and positive predictor of HIV-infection (Clark and Vencatachellum 2003). It is estimated that 25% of epidemics spread via trade (Voigtlander and Voth 2009). This implies that the flow of people resulting from trade might increase the risk of infection. Further, much research has indicated that countries with higher road densities have had stronger relationships between exports and new infections (Oster 2009). This has been proposed to be the mechanism by which exports could affect HIV infections. The assumption here is that more exports means more production, therefore more trucking is necessary to relocate goods (Oster 2009). Fundamentally, it is the movement of people which is the underlying effect. Another major assumption that is made in some of the research is that migrant workers (ex. Truckers) have more sex than individuals in the general population (Anarfi 1993; Brewer, et al. 1998; Brockerhoff and Biddlecom 1999; Lurie, et al. 2003; Orubuloye, Caldwell and Caldwell 1993)and they have riskier sex than the average individual (Orubuloye, Caldwell and Caldwell 1993). The proximity to a road increases individual risk of HIV infection and the effect is sensitive to the use of the road (Djemai 2009). The increased mobility and greater number of opportunities to have sex induced by the presence of better road infrastructure has shown to increase AIDS (Djemai 2009). This negative effect of roads undermines the positive effects; contamination is not prevented even though individuals have better access to information and improved contact with condoms (Djemai 2009). Moreover, the mechanism driving the relationship between distance to a road and the risk of infection is shown to be the increase in demand for casual sexual partners which offsets the increase of condom use (Djemai 2009). Accordingly, the research shows that people choose to expose themselves to the risk of infection despite having better access to self-protective tools (Djemai 2009). Countries have been examined and have been grouped into categories according to knowledge dispersion. Kenya and Malawi, based on significant relationships between infection and road distance, suggest spatial inequalities in the access to information about HIV/AIDS (Djemai 2009). Cameroon and Ghana fit into the second category, where road proximity is not significant when the media are controlled for (Djemai 2009). Therefore, the media has an effect on knowledge transfer in some of the countries. Lastly, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe point towards success of dispersing knowledge about HIV/AIDS even to the most remote locations (Djemai 2009). Access to condoms is another topic of interest that has been given a great amount of coverage in the HIV/AIDS discourse. There are obvious spatial inequalities in the access to condoms across countries which are suggested to result from the supply of private and public medical services. Essentially, accessibility through roads increases the knowledge that medical services are available, but usage has not been shown to be statistically significant (Robinson, et al. 2006). It is apparent that access to condoms and to information about the importance of using them has facilitated their use, but once again the empirical evidence does not indicate anything statistically significant (Robinson, et al. 2006). Likewise, people are expressing their preferences towards the set of available preventative measures that are hurting their utility the least. This would therefore mean that individuals who are living closer to roads are using condoms more, but are also engaging in riskier sexual behavi ors (Kiriga, et al. 2002). Basically, the research implies that incentives to health are too low in the Sub-Saharan African countries that have been analyzed. The cost of changing behavior in Sub-Saharan African countries is too high. For individuals living in low-income countries with life expectancies of no more than 40 or 50 years, there is little incentive to invest in their health and thus their economies (Oster 2007). The United States is a prime example of how education campaigns did work in the mid 1980s, but that is also because the cost of premature death was high (Oster 2007). Lastly, Oster made a case for Uganda and concluded that thirty to sixty percent of the decrease in their HIV prevalence rate in the 1990s could be attributed to a decrease in export activity (Oster 2009). Oster claims that the reduction could be a result of a decrese in coffee prices during that time (Oster 2009). They are the only country in Sub-Saharan Africa to have seen such a decline in their HIV-infection rates. I think this could be a direct result of a decrease in the labor force during that time period which decreased the number of individuals present in sexual networks, thus reducing HIV-transmission. Another proposition could be that there was an eventual impact on the labor force, whereby there were less people because of increased mortality or morbidity, reducing the number of individuals in the sexual network. Regardless, the literature surrounding this area is very much in its infancy. This kind of dialogueà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½examining HIV/AIDS from a perspective that questions the integrity of economic activity is still fresh in the public health arena. CASE STUDY: SOUTH AFRICA Throughout all the literature, I was hard-pressed to find information on the relationship between South African trade activity and their HIV-infection rates. Therefore, to highlight once again, the purpose of this paper was to examine the variety of factors that contribute to high HIV/AIDS prevalence rates with a direct application to the situation in South Africa. To summarize, South Africa has one of the highest prevalence rates as well as one of the highest GDP values within Sub-Saharan Africa (Figure 6). Thus, examining it with a closer look at the structural issues systemic within the nation was interesting. Little research focused on South Africa for some peculiar reason, uncovering the issue with South Africa seemed very fascinating. To set groundwork for this discussion, it must be noted that the export market in South Africa predominantly is labored by low to medium skilled workers (Outtek 2000). These markets are primarily capital-intensive rather than labor-intensive (Abt Associates Inc. 2000). Due to that fact, capital-intensive markets generally employ low-skilled workers who, although are accumulating wealth, have low levels of education. Projections from companies confirm that the highest HIV infection levels are concentrated among low-skilled workers (Abt Associates Inc. 2000). Therefore, an individualsà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ level of education is a determinant of the type of work they do, thus contributing to their likelihood of being infected. In a study that modeled each sector confirmed what they referred to as a sector gradient à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ that prevalence rates varied by each sector of the economy (Figure 7) (Vass 2005). It was found that there were higher prevalence ratios in South Africa in the mining, tran sport, construction, government, accommodation and catering sectors (Vass 2005). The financial, insurance, business and communication sectors had the lowest aggregate HIV prevalence ratios (Vass 2005). The sector gradient visible in South Africa is reflective of a variety of high risk factors which are: age, gender, population group, skill level, and length of employment. There is a concentration of Blacks and women in low-skilled work; Whites are more heavily occupied in the high skilled occupations (Vass 2003). These conclusions are similar to projections of infection population groups (United Nations Statistics Division 2009). All of the studies that have been conducted in South Africa on the labor force and HIV-prevalence have assume that there is a constant risk associated with HIV-transmission; that each individual in each skill level has the same chance of getting infected with HIV. This coincides with the income and survival effect discussed below. We have established that increased exports are therefore enabling transmission of this disease because of the population group that is employed by the sector. Although, this conclusion cannot be quantitatively analyzed through empirical evidence due to limitations in data, the argument is still valid. Through figure 8 it can be seen that as exports have increased over the past fifteen years, so has HIV-prevalence. It is apparent through the data that HIV prevalence seems to plateau, however as per figure 9, it can be seen that the adult prevalence rates are still continuing to rise. The focus of this paper is primarily on the labor force (ages 15-49) or the adults, but what should be analyzed is that prevalence is decreasing for children and youth. This is consistent with public health officialsà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ view to this disease à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ they are focused on education and prevention campaigns for youth and children because they have been proven to be most effective if information has been accessed before sexual debut (Frolich and Vazquez-Alvarez 2009). Due to the fact that low-skilled workers who are occupied by the capital-intensive sectors, which contribute to the exports of the South Africa, have lower levels of education à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ this must be an important aspect to consider in this discussion. However, because it is not the focus of this paper, I will only comment on the negative correlation that is found to be statistically significant for education level and HIV-prevalence (Walque 2009). It has been noted that income and education are positively correlated. So why in South Africa are the wealthiest the most affected, but the most educated not? Pursuing the topic at hand, we are discussing low-skilled workers who have very little education but who do have income that is relatively better than some of their educated counterparts. Thus we must discuss the relationship between wealth and this disease. Empirical evidence suggests that wealthier individuals are more likely to be infected with HIV as well as to engage in riskier sexual behaviors than their poorer counterparts (Walque 2009). Traditionally it is thought that income and health are positively correlated, however in the case of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa, things are going in the opposite direction. People are adopting risky behaviors that reduce their human capital potential as their income increases. Taking into account the fraction of the population that is expected to engage in unsafe sex, individuals must decide whether their first sexual encounter should involve the use of a condom or not. Those who do not use a condom may contract HIV and not survive to experience a second encounter. Assuming that there is disutility in from using a condom to begin with (Agha, et al. 2002), it can be said that some individuals willingly trade-off future utility for the current utility gained from unsafe sex. I think a major reason why so many members of the population engage in unsafe sex in Africa is what I would refer to as an income effect. Individuals are more likely to engage in unsafe sex if their income depends not only on their own potential for human capital but also on the aggregate level of human capital present in the economy (Kiriga, et al. 2002). An individual may be more likely to engage in unsafe sex if they know that a large fraction of the population will also engage in unsafe sex. Thus, the negative macroeconomic effects of HIV/AIDS stem from this sort of effect: a large share of the population participates in unsafe sex, which leads to a lower level of aggregate human capital and hence lower income and consumption (Kiriga, et al. 2002). All of this directly leads to greater levels of induced poverty. Additionally, a term stemming from evolutionary biology à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ a survival effect can be noted when individuals are aware that many people are having unsafe sex and they choose to have safe sex based on this premise. Individuals in this situation would be concerned with protecting themselves from contracting the disease. I would assume to see the survival effect in a part of the population that has greater potential for human capital (higher income capacity). However, this is not what we are observing in South Africa currently, therefore it is safe to believe that South Africa depicts an income effect. Part of the reason for this sort of pattern must be that household wealth correlates with urban residence, more explicitly as closer proximity to roads; HIV-infection is higher in urban areas as a result of the road density (Djemai 2009). Also, HIV prevalence is a function of survival, the wealthier people with HIV are more likely to afford the appropriate medication, thus living longer. Perhaps, wealth enables individuals to pursue multiple sexual partners. Wealth is often associated with mobility, time and resources to maintain concurrent relationships (Gillespie and Greener 2006)à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ those that are characterized as an individual having a primary relationship as well as a secondary relationship, with the individual their having that secondary relationship with also having primary and secondary relationships. This causes an individual to knowingly or unknowingly have a large sexual network thus increasing the risk of HIV-infection. The economic factor in these relationships is obvious: wealth and social interaction are linked. Further, wealth increases the number of opportunities to engage in numerous sexual partnerships (Shelton, Cassell and Adetunji 2005). Furthermore, in South Africa, there is a stronger positive relationship for wealth and HIV status for women. Maybe, women exhibit this quality because wealth is contributing to their mobility and social status or it might be that women are improving their economic status by having more than one concurrent relationship. In any case, it appears that wealth appears to play a disadvantageous role in HIV transmission. The hypothesis here is that the combined effect of people being less worried about having the disease because they know they can afford treatment and having more individuals with the infection in the community is outweighing the disease itself. As these individuals are better able to manage the disease, the cost of acquiring it is very low. It can then be concluded that South Africa does show an increase in HIV/AIDS prevalence as a result of increased trade, but only because the individuals employed in the sector are low-skilled workers who have been pushed segregated into this category. CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE IMPLICATIONS The future of the labor force infected with the disease looks quite bleak. Macro-economic modeling indicates that the labor force growth rate will decline which will result in a smaller labor force in the coming years. This will impede economic growth most definitely. ING Barings predicts an 18% decline in the labor force by 2015 (Orubuloye, Caldwell and Caldwell 1993)and Abt Associates Inc predicts a 21% decline when compared to a situation where no AIDS was present (Abt Associates Inc. 2000). The impact that this could have on productivity as well as South Africaà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s exports is profound. Considering a large proportion of the sectors that contribute to export activity are experiencing high levels of HIV prevalence, it can be assumed that attrition is high in the labor force. The increased morbidity and mortality creates absenteeism which hinders not only productivity but also creates a further decline in skill-level and experience. An underlying issue is that the incentive to life to longer has not been addressed in South Africa. It is clear that poorer countries have a lower life expectancy even in the absence of HIV/AIDS (Voigtlander and Voth 2009). Many researchers have pointed out that a higher life expectancy increases the likelihood of surviving if individuals engage in safe sex, but it does not affect the likelihood of surviving if an individual engages in unsafe sex (Voigtlander and Voth 2009). Thus, unsafe sex has as higher opportunity cost. As a result, if the overall population is experiencing a greater life expectancy, more individuals will choose safe sex. Therefore, the issue here is how should low and middle-income countries increase aggregate life expectancy? The answer to this sort of debate is well beyond the scope of this paper, but can be addressed using basic public health and community development interventions. Also, what I think might be a solution to this issue is if the South African government introduced implementation of a free antiretroviral drug plan. This would ensure that HIV prevalence decreases. The argument here is that individuals who are wealthier are able to afford medical treatment à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ they are clearly living longer than their poor counterparts. Thus, they are able to live longer and contribute to the labor force and economic productivity. Even though they are not participating in safe sex, at least they are living for greater periods of human capital aggregation, which increases expected income and lifetime utility from safe sex. The free antiretroviral drug plan would enable all members of the population, rich or poor to exhibit these characteristics. Thus, if lifetime utility is increasing, the opportunity cost to unsafe sex will increase. In conclusion, the low skill and education levels within the sectors that are participating in the export activity of South Africa is contributing to the disease à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ that is the direct association behind why links can be made between exports and HIV-infection. Thus my research hypothesis does stand à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ increase in exports has lead to an increase in wealth which has contributed to the spreading of HIV/AIDS. Therefore, policy discussions should be focused on the individuals who fall within this category. Addressing prevention programs geared towards the individuals are obviously in the labor force and who are in the low-skilled category seem to be of utmost importance. Figure 1 HIV Prevalence 1990-2008 Figure 3 Number of Deaths in South Africa 1997-2007 Figure 4 Number of Deaths by Age Group, 2008 Figure 5 GDP in $US 1980-2010 Noureen Noorani, 0550061 4A03 Final Paper

Father Franz Boas--Father of American Anthropology Essays -- essays pa

Father Franz Boas--Father of American Anthropology Franz Boas is often referred to as the father of American anthropology because of the great influence he had in the lives and the careers of the next great generation of anthropologists in America. He came at a time when anthropology was not considered a true science or even a meaningful discipline and brought an air of respectability to the profession, giving those who followed a passion and an example of how to approach anthropology. Boas directed the field studies and trained such prominent anthropologists as Alfred Louis Kroeber, Robert Lowie, Margaret Mead, as well as others. Although he did not leave as his legacy any specific line of thought, he left a pattern that was followed by numerous scientists in the next generation. Franz Boas studied physics and geography in Germany and left to pursue his hypothesis on was born and raised in Germany and studied physics and geography. After receiving his doctorate in geography he left Germany and went to Baffin Island to test his hypothesis on Arctic geography. While he was there he became fascinated with the Eskimos and how they lived. From then on he was no longer a geographer but an Anthropologist. Boas was Jewish and was criticized all his life about being Jewish. His work showed his resentment of Anti-Semitism, reflecting the belief that all men are created equal. At the time anthropology was based on the beliefs of men like Tylor and Spencer who believed in evolutionary theories that stated that some people are more evolved than others. They believed in categorizing different cultures depending on how evolved they were. These men also did not do any field work, they received their information from missionaries, government officials, and other people who traveled the world. They categorized cultures by putting them into a line starting with barbarians and ending with white people. Anthropologists then ranked them depending on how civilized they thought they were. They also felt that people at the high end of the line(whites) had one time been where these other cultures are and feel this sort of a â€Å"psychic unity† towards them. Boas was the first anthropologist to do field work. He believed it was essential to live with certain cultures to get the real feel of what they were like. He be... ...tists who were trying to get the larger picture. Boas was interested in studying a very small and specific window of time, which came from the data that he collected while performing the field work he deemed necessary to analyze a culture. There is no question that anthropology as a discipline and as a science took on a new life after the arrival of Frank Boas. Not only did anthropology gain respect in the scientific and the â€Å"civilian† world, but also it gained respect in the anthropological field as well. The work that Boas performed, both in studies and in organization skills, were testaments to a man who has given so much to the discipline. He was able to profoundly influence a number of thinkers and scientists in his own field the validity of his methods of work and get them to institute them across the board for use by all anthropologists. Boas was able to do this not only for himself, but more importantly, for the generations of American anthropologists after him. The influence that he had on Mead, Radin, et. al. is quite remarkable and needs to be noted. Boas’ role and honor as the head of American anthropology is well documented and most deserved.

The Story of Jane Addams

Growing up without a mother and having a very prosperous father is quite a combination. Jane Addams had to deal with that, served her life and made the best of it. Addams did what she loved. Starting and having very much progression in a settlement house was her dream. The Hull-House helped the underprivileged people, people who needed attention, care, and love. Addams provided that and much more. Ever decide that if you wanted to do something real bad, you would know you would be doing it in the end? Saving lives, protecting families, helping the disabled, provide clubs and museums, and encourage communication. Then, the future is here and you are doing what you love. Occupation is a passion and your place of work! Born in Cedarville, IL, in 1860, Jane Addams had some rock times in her childhood. Addams was the eighth child born of nine others. Mr. Addams was a prosperous miller, local political leader as state senator for sixteen years, and he fought as an officer in the civil war. When Addams was two years old, her mother died of childbirth. At age seven, her father remarried causing her to distant the relationship between her and her father. As the years went on Jane Addams had her ups and downs. But that did not stop her from her succeeding. Addams did not go to her choice college, Smith College. She was sent to Rockford Female Seminary, a college mounted on Mount Holyoke College, which set students up from missionary work. She graduated with the class of 1882. The first graduating class of Rockford. In the next six years, she studied medicine, but has to leave due to poor health. In this process she was faced with a dilemma. Her father†s sudden death, only person she depended on the most, caused her stepmother to claim her. Addams education needed serious work while family issues and illnesses caused even more pressure. Also, Addams heath was not that good either. She has had several years of neurotic illness. She extended the American Girl†s Tour of Europe to two years of travel and study of reading and writing from 1883 to 1885. Addams working on avoiding family issues, she and a couple of college friend returned to Europe in 1887. Ellen Starr and Addams returned to the United States in 1889 and opened a settlement house after ending her studies. In 1889, Addams and Starr opened a home by Charles Hull in Chicago. The purpose of this settlement house was to â€Å"provide a center for a higher civic and social life; to institute and maintain educational and philanthropic enterprises and to investigate and improve the conditions in the industrial districts of Chicago. † Addams and Starr made speech, raised money, took care of children, helped the sick, listened to trouble individuals, and more. By the second year of the Hull-House, they have two thousand people that come every week. There were many programs they provided. Kindergarten classes, adult classes, club meetings for older children, nigh school. Many facilities were added to the settlement house also. The first that was added was an art gallery, the second was a public kitchen, then a coffeehouse, a gym, more and more was added as the years went on on help the people. Jane Addams was eventually a known woman of progress, great progress. People knew who she was, she became famous. In 1905, she was appointed to Chicago†s Board of education and made chairmen of School Management Committee. In 1909 she became the first women president of the National Conference of Charities and Corrections. In 1910, she received an honorary degree ever awarded to a women at Yale University. Addams believed strongly in women†s right and they should speak out, hear a woman†s point of view. She was involved in many, many programs and took charge in many of them. In 1926, Addams suffered from a heart attack and never fully recovered. She†s remembered and thank. She helped society greatly and helped people smile in the end. The Hull-House was on great accomplishment of her many. On December 11 1931, the day she won the first Noble Peace Prize ever awarded to a women, she in the hospital and couldn†t make it. May 21, 1935, Addams dies of an unsuspected cancer. She was buried in her childhood town of Cedarville, IL. The Hull-House was a huge establishment Jane Addams held. It was very popular and helped save many and to just be happy. Addams accomplished a lot in her life and died a proud woman. She will and is remembered.

Relationship of Hamlet and Gertrude

In the Shakespearean play Hamlet, the conflict between Hamlet and his mother, Gertrude, is parallel to the main conflict of the story. Hamlet is motivated to avenge by the ghost after he is upset when Gertrude marries Claudius. Hamlet’s view of society, especially women, is also shaped by his mother’s decisions, thus developing his character; Hamlets character is shown as indecisive when he decides to confront his mother. As the play starts, Hamlet is disappointed with his mother’s marriage to Claudius.He expresses his disagreement by complaining about Gertrude marrying Claudius within two month of his father’s death. In act one of the play, Hamlet says, â€Å"O most wicked speed, to post with such dexterity to incestuous sheets! It is not nor it cannot come to good, But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue†(1. 2. 156-8). Here Hamlet reveals his discomfort with his mother’s relationship which leads to his wanting to get revenge. But at that point, the Ghost of King Hamlet appears to give him an ultimate purpose of avenging his death.Through the play, Hamlet works toward accomplishing that goal driven by discomfort toward Gertrude’s relation with Claudius. Hamlet makes social comment about women that are negative in nature. He usually makes those comments to Ophelia, for example when he tells her to go to the â€Å"nunnery†. These comments however are fueled by his anger toward his mother. At the beginning of the play he sees Ophelia as a pure woman, but his view changes over time. This is a reflection of his view toward his mother as apparent by Hamlet’s remark about his mother’s relationship with Claudius.At first Hamlet is not sure about why his mother married Claudius, but he quickly decides that the decision his mother made was based on women’s weak mind. The weakness of women is a social bias of Shakespearean plays. Hamlet decides that he is not going to confront his mother at the beginning of the play, after he sees Claudius feeling guilty about his murder; Hamlet chooses to confront his mother and tell her the truth because he trusts her. Even then his mother does not believe him and thinks he is crazy. This shows that Gertrude is not on Hamlet’s side but on Claudius’s side.This fuels Hamlet’s anger toward Claudius even more. Also Hamlets change in mind to trust his mother shows his indecisive character, which develops through the play. The relationship between Gertrude and Hamlet is never made completely clear during the play. Hamlet’s dislike of his mother’s relationship with Claudius is very clear however. While Hamlet is motivated to avenge his father’s death by Gertrude’s action, he is uncertain about whether it his completely his mother’s fault as seen by him trusting his mother.

Bush vs. Kerry essays

Bush vs. Kerry essays Bush is parading around in the southwest saying that things are going really well, while the democratic challenge points out that there are President Bush and senator John Kerry debated recently over a serious issue that could decide the whole election and economy. The president says that there are going to be low interest rates, and strong business growth but Kerry is arguing that in fact this is not true that many jobs will be lost, and poverty will increase. Kerry says that the economy is weak and he plans to cut corporate taxes by 5 percent. He says that this will encourage companies to add jobs overseas. Bush says that rates of homeownership are rising, and its a trend he hopes to continue in his second term and its a trend he hopes to continue in his second term, especially amongst Latino minorities. Kelly although insists that Bush has a record of negative job growth and stagnant income. He is to blame for not fixing long term unemployment. 3 million more Americans have fallen into poverty under Bush's presidency, not to mention that 4 million more have lost health insurance. Bush's focus on homeownership is part of his strategy to build a vision of the nation as an ownership society. Also, social security and other programs might be replaced by stock/bond accounts. and more housing means more jobs for carpenters. Kerry is focused on jobs first to create Kerry is calling for taxing U.S company's overseas profits at the same rate as its profits are earned. Many are surprised at his call for lower corporate tax rates but its to get the job done. Kerry is the better choice over all. We can't let government take away social security and healthcare and other programs. Also, as a nation job opportunities need to increase, then we can worry about homeownership. ...