Experience in discipleship programs Personal Statement

Experience in discipleship programs - Personal Statement Example Then, the opening prayer was led by the pastor who also took the pulpit from the song leader as the program progresses. The topic discuss is wife's role in marriage. As an opener, the pastor refreshed his audience about the biblical duties of the wife as written in the Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians. This activity allowed both couples to participate yet more focus has been given to the wives because the lesson was specifically for them. This discipleship program lasted for an hour and ended with the couple's praying together in the church's altar benches. The next discipleship program which I attended is a one on one discussion between a pastor and a church member who wanted to become a "worker" in the ministry. In this denomination, a member cannot simply participate in duties like singing in the choir or being a musician without being having undergone the rigorous application process. The qualification of a worker goes beyond having the talent and willingness to conduct the duty but more on having the spiritual requirements set by the church. A worker should receive his salvation first before he can commit himself to any church duty. After communicating his desire to become a worker, he will then undergo an indoctrination process where the major doctrines, conduct of a worker, and the proper lifestyle of a worker is fully and thoroughly discussed. Thus, what I attended in is a part of the one-on-one indoctrination process which is a must for every worker. The meeting started with a candid conversation by the pastor and the applican t. I was also introduced to the applicant and was invited to share my thoughts in the discussion. Afterwards, the pastor led the opening prayer. He then reviewed what was discussed in the previous session and then moved on to the other topics. For each specific doctrine discussed, the pastor read supporting Bible verses for the applicant to note. Afterwards, he asks the applicant what he thinks about the doctrine and inquires if he has any questions or objections. At one point, the applicant has difficulty in accepting a Bible doctrine and I have seen how the pastor laboriously explained everything through the aid of Bible verses. The discussion ended with a prayer this time led by applicant. The applicant and I was treated a cup of coffee and slice of cake courtesy of the pastor's wife after the activity. Both activities have really inspired me in leading a discipleship program of my own in the future. In the first experience, the pastor have explained to me their Couple's Night is considered as a discipleship program because it basically teaches how a disciple should conduct himself in order to truly follow the Master. He told me that instead of being just a mere program, their church consider discipleship as a lifestyle which should be a venue where the proper Christian virtues should be taught by the pastor. I am really impressed at this pastor's earnest dedication in following the Lord Jesus Christ's commandment of making everyone disciples. I realized that really, a discipleship program is not just a matter of following some written program but in teaching the members how to live a Christian life through

Corruption in sports Essay Example for Free

Corruption in sports Essay Corruption has been a well known problem of sport and it has touched a lot of walks of sport life. Many people say that these days corruption in sports has escalated and although they see same solutions of this problem it stills very difficult to combat. Our society is well informed about corruption in sports. People from teenagers to the elderly, men and women know that corruption in sports exists. A survey of seventeen people conducted at SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary, Orchard Lake, in September 2001 revealed that knowledge about this issue comes mostly from TV, internet, and newspapers (Survey 2001). According to Eric Christiansen who is a former sports reporter for a local TV station in Nebraska, everybody knows about corruption in todays sports but everybody is afraid to say something against it because it can pose them unnecessary problems (Christiansen, 2001). The problem of corruption in sports is very universal. People are connected with corruption in many ways. For example, two popular sources ESPN and Associated Press say that the presidents of the American Boxing Federation and the French Ski Federation took bribes from sponsors (Graham 1999) (Associated Press [Annecy, France], 28 March 2000). In addition a captain of the South African Cricket National Team admitted to taking a bribe from bookmakers (Associated Press [Cape Town, South Africa], 25 May 2000). The list of countries, sports, and participants involved in athletic corruption is very long, but the list has a common thread which is desire for money and sometimes fame. People dont have too many ideas on how to combat corruption. Almost everyone says that restriction in the law can solve corruption in sports but reality shows that it isnt as easy as it looks (Survey 2001). Almost every day we can read or hear new information about it. The legislative branches of many countries work all the time on new legislations to help combat the problem of corruption. The results are very weak. According to Christiansen, the way to solve this problem is by teaching children that corruption is always bad and giving a good example of an  anti-corrupt life (Christiansen, 2001). This is probably the most reasonable solution for destroying evil at its roots. Finally, protecting the beautiful idea of rivalry through sport from corruption isnt easy. People might know about corruption in sports. They may even have ideas about how to solve the problem. However, the problem of corruption is like a dragon. Cut off one head and seven more grow in its place. You can kill him only before his birth, when he is inside the egg.

Case Analysis Of Ethical Conduct

Case Analysis Of Ethical Conduct The nonprofit hospital has the duty to provide healthcare to its poor and indigent citizens. They charge these patients list prices for their healthcare services. This subgroup of the population functions without the security of healthcare benefits and is expected to pay the highest prices for their care. The hospitals that operate as their areas not for profit facility accepts tax dollars to support its operations and to provide charity care within the community. This seemingly contradictory situation becomes the ethical dilemma that faces this nation. Why are the not for profit hospitals permitted to charge the full price of healthcare services to the uninsured, and then pursue aggressive collection tactics to collect for the services? Part of the requirement of the not for profit hospitals is to provide substantial charity care to their needy population sector. The rewards for this charity care are the tax-exempt status the facility enjoys on its revenues and the ability to issue municipal bonds for capital improvements. The refusal to provide these services or to use abusive collection tactics may lead to the revocation of their tax-exempt status. Class action lawsuits have resulted in accusing nonprofit hospitals with excessively charging uninsured patients more than insured patients and utilizing questionable collection tactics. The recent result of the class action case against Resurrection Health Care Hospitals forced them to change their billing structure, reduce charges to all uninsured, and provide charitable financial assistance to patients to pay hospital charges (Clifford Law Offices, 2009). The potential 220,000 claimants will be able to have bills recalculated and receive refunds if over paid based on the new formula (Clifford Law Offices, 2009). The facility must discount hospital bills for the uninsured and provide the highest discount to those with limited funds. The assistance program limits the amount of the bill to no more than 10 percent of the patients income (Clifford Law Offices, 2009). The hospital is prohibited from placing a lean on the patients home to collect payments. These strategies give the unins ured a discount more in line with their ability to pay and are reflective of a charity care hospital. The Provena Covenant, a 270 bed hospital in Illinois, recently lost their tax exempt status when it was determined that their collection tactics were questionable (Richmond Smith, 2005). The Illinois Department of Revenue considered the facility as not charitable as a result of these practices (Richmond Smith, 2005). The Senate Finance Committee proposed legislation that would mandate nonprofit hospitals to specific levels of charity care in order to retain its tax exempt status (Schroeder, 2009). They would be required to conduct a periodic needs analysis, follow established processes for bill collections, and will not refuse care due to a patients indigent status (Schroeder, 2009). The goal of The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is to eliminate the actions of the abusive tactics utilized by debt collectors and to protect the consumer. Several Congressional findings have provided the basis for this enactment. There is evidence that these practices are a contributing factor to personal bankruptcies, loss of jobs, marital problems, and privacy invasions (FTC, 2006). They determined that the existing laws do not adequately protect the consumer from the bill collectors abusive practices (FTC, 2006). The debt collection process can be effective without the adoption of abusive or humiliating tactics (FTC, 2006). Recent research has indicated that employees that exhibit Machiavellian characteristics tend to agree with these questionable situations (Richmond Smith, 2005). Employees that have adopted this Machiavellian personality are impersonal, rational, and strategy focused. The possibility of handling collection procedures unethically may result. The nonprofit hospital is at risk of loosing its tax exempt status from the unethical decision making processes with employees that demonstrate these traits. They demonstrate that the low Mach may benefit the billing collection process. The low Mach is subject to social influence, focuses on the person, and accepts and follows direction (Richmond Smith, 2005). The ability of employees to show empathy with the patients would support an ethical work environment. The assignment of the appropriate discount for healthcare services for the poor or indigent patient results in the alignment of their ability to pay their bills. The adoption of higher discounts and financial assistance for the low income patient is the ethically responsible strategy for nonprofit hospitals. The strategies to create ethical behavior should include: a code of ethics, compliance program, customer complaint line, and employee training programs. The creation of an ethical work environment will promote the actions of employees to be more empathetic to their patients, thereby fulfilling the nonprofits mission of charity care. Case II: Westwood Imaging Centers The physician self referral (Stark Law) and the anti-kickback statutes are important provisions for managing potential fraud and abuse of physicians. The substantial financial incentives associated with diagnostic imaging have made them highly subject to abuse. The Westwood Imaging Centers has offered a flat rate per scan for referrals from physicians. The physician is then responsible for billing the Medicare, Medicaid, or the third party payer. Westwood has proposed to refer to the arrangement as a per use, nonrecurring lease agreement. This agreement is attempting to qualify for an exception that allows a physician to self refer if the both the equipment and procedure is conducted in the doctors office. This deal brings up the question about the legality of the self-referral to Westwood and its ethical implications. The Stark Law (I, II, and III) is the provision that governs the self-referral activities of physicians. It is illegal for a physician to refer a patient to a facility in which he or an immediate family member has a financial interest or compensation arrangement (Stark Law, 2010). The goal of the Stark legislation is to remove the potential conflict of interest from the healthcare decision process. There are exceptions to the Stark Law that many equipment leasing and management companies have targeted for business opportunities. The physician of a group practice may refer patients for imagining services (MRI, CT, or PET) that are located within their office. The most recent legislation requires the physician to further provide the patient with a written notice that these imaging services may be obtained elsewhere (Stark Law, 2010). This notice must include a list of other imaging facilities in the immediate area (Stark Law, 2010). The per-use lease arrangements that were permitted in Stark I II are now prohibited in the Stark III legislation (Stark Law, 2010). These prohibited lease agreements are considered per click or on demand leases because of the limited usage of the imaging equipment and their susceptibility to abuse. The final rule did not prohibit time-based leasing or block time leases. The cautionary note is that the leasing of very small blocks of time could cause the lease to be considered a per click arrangement and that is prohibitory. The block of time must be substantial enough to not face the risk of being considered per click usage, thereby not allowed by the Stark Law. The Westwood proposal would need to be changed from a per use agreement to a time based lease. The possible overutilization of diagnostic imaging has given rise to cleverly designed business models that cover illegal or fraudulent behavior. The anti kick back statutes prohibit the provider from receiving inducements for the referral of this reimbursable service. The lease agreement of the imaging services must not be written to appear as a kickback or highly discounted services to the physicians. The leased time must be specifically contracted and payable whether the slotted time is utilized or not. This shifts the risk of overutilization to the provider rather than the imaging service and would better control excessive referrals. The basis for the Stark Law is to prevent the conflict of interest business situations for providers, and the overutilization of these services of which the physician may have a financial interest. The possibility of a provider increasing their usage of imaging services because it will supplement their income becomes the ethical dilemma. This ownersh ip could influence the clinical decision process and increase their overall usage of more costly image testing. The overall increased utilization of imaging places a larger burden on this nations healthcare expenditure. The overutilization of imaging is supported by a recent study that estimated the number of MRIs doubled from 1995 to 2004, and the CT scanners increased more than 50 percent (MedPac, 2009). The volume of imaging services paid per Medicare beneficiary increased twice as fast as the total of all other physician services from 2000 to 2007 (MedPac, 2009). The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported close to an eightfold variation on in-office imaging services nationwide (MedPac, 2009). The results of a recent MedPac (2009) study reveals that a physician that self refers imaging, results in significantly more total tests ordered than the non-self referring provider. He also has a higher spending per episode than the non-self referring provider. The evidence shows that the self referral of imaging has not only a financial benefit for the referring physician, but also has incr eased the overall healthcare spending. The providers should carefully review these findings when considering the proposal from Westwood. The ethical issues associated with the overutilization of image testing should be weighted against the future risk of decreased reimbursements from Medicare, Medicaid, or third party payers.

Fifth Business by Robertson Davies Essay -- Essays Papers Davies Fifth

Fifth Business by Robertson Davies In the essay Fifth Business, each of the main character traits is developed more and more clearly throughout their lives. Childhood characteristics are evident in the characters of Dustan Ramsay, Percy Boyd Stauton and Paul Dempster. All paranoia, and memories of the town of Deptford are resurfaced in each of them after they all had left to start lives on their own. It was childhood that scared or marked them as people and the fact that parents often have influence on children so, there is no question that these characters were definitely influenced by the parents in Deptford. Also, it is evident that each character seems to run away due to the insecurities that they faced as children. Dunstan ran from his guilt, Percy for his status and ego and Paul from his challenges as a misfit. Each seemed to wander like nomads throughout their lives, while these insecurities where never faced or challenged so they could change their point of views. It was what seemed to be instilled within them like, the theory that the first five years of childhood shape the personalities of individuals. This is certainly evident in the novel at the beginning to the end. Dunstan ?s childhood was affected deeply through each situation he faced as a young man, to a highly respected professor. He felt he was the center of all bad things, which occurred around him. Mrs. Demster?s accident was the main influence of his guilt because he felt that he was additionally...

Descartes’ First Argument of God’s Existence in Third Mediation

In this paper, I would like to critically discuss paragraph 24 in Descartes’ third meditation. First of all, I would like to give an explanation of the proposal that Descartes’ criticizes in this paragraph. Secondly, I will evaluate Descartes’ response to this proposal. Finally, I will give considerations that support the â€Å"finite first† and â€Å"infinite first† pictures and analyze which picture I think is more plausible. Firstly, I want to give the background of the proposal that Descartes criticizes in paragraph 24. In Third Meditation, Descartes argues the existence of God for the first time.His argument is known as the cognitive causal principle and goes like this: 1) The cause of an idea must contain formally (or eminently) as much reality as the idea contains objectively. 2) My idea of God contains infinite reality objectively. 3) My idea of God is caused by something that contains infinite (unlimited) reality, eminently or formally. 4) Only God has unlimited reality. 5) Therefore, God exists. In this argument, Descartes means that the reality that exists in the world has formal reality, and the reality that exists in our mind as an idea has objectively reality.In order for an idea to contain objective reality, it has to have a cause that contains as much or more reality formally. For example, we have an idea of a chair objectively, and chair that exists in the world has to contain as much or more formal reality to cause my idea of a chair. In the case of God’s existence, Descartes’ main idea of his argument is that we can understand God exists through our idea of God, because our idea of God contains infinite objective reality that is caused by God who has infinite formal reality.Descartes’ argument is striking and controversial. By looking at this argument on the surface, it is natural to question why we should think the cause of an idea has to have as much reality as the idea being caused, a nd why our idea of God has infinite objective reality. Descartes himself may expect many criticisms to his argument, so here is how Descartes advances his argument through criticizing this proposal in paragraph 24. If this proposal is not addressed and criticized, it will cause a problem for his first argument of the existence of God.This proposal is that, the acquisition of our idea of God simply begins with our cognition of finite things. When we cognize finite things, we negate finite things and remove the limits of finite things, then we can get an idea of the infinite. Our idea of God is merely how we cognize ourselves as finite and limited, thus we come up with an imagination that there is an infinite being who is limitless, and then we have the idea of God. If this proposal is true, Descartes’ first argument of the existence of God will become unsound, because our idea of God is simply our imagination that has no objective reality.Descartes’ response to this pro posal points out we do not come up with this idea of an infinite being by beginning with our recognition of finite things. According to Descartes in paragraph 24, being able to negate finite things requires that we already see ourselves as limited/finite, which in turn that we must already have conceptions of the unlimited and infinite. In other words, in order for us to cognize that we are a limited/finite being, we must first have an idea of the unlimited. Therefore, Descartes believes that our idea of infinite being should come before our perception of us being finite beings.If we do not have this idea of God first, we may never have a cognition that we are limited and may not even be able to negate finite things. I also think what Descartes believes is not that we cannot think of ourselves without being aware of an infinite being at first. In fact, I think Descartes actually does not deny that we get access to our idea of the infinite through being aware of the finite first. Our understanding of ourselves being finite beings can lead us to our idea of an infinite being/God.I think Descartes just wants to clarify that our being able to be aware of the finite and negating it presupposes that we already have a conception of the infinite innately prior to that. Our idea of the infinite is present in us with reality but not merely a negation of the finite that begins with the finite first. Here I think Descartes suggests a substantial claim about the essence of our idea of God. From understanding Descartes’ claims, I would like to give considerations that support both the â€Å"finite first† and â€Å"infinite first† pictures for a further discussion.In the finite picture, I think it seems possible that our idea of good could merely be some extensions of our finite virtues. We do not negate our finiteness to infiniteness for the idea of God, but we extend our virtues to have the idea. For example, we have benevolence and we extend this virt ue, thinking that there may be an infinite being with infinite benevolence, and then we may have an idea of God. If this finite first picture is true, we may not have a real idea of God that represents who he is, and our idea of God is merely our imagination from finite things and thus does not contain infinite reality.I think the ‘finite first picture’ is less convincing to me, so I would like to explain this with my consideration of the ‘infinite first picture’. I think our being able to extend virtues also presupposes that we already have a conception of the infinite, because being able to conceive something greater than us also means we are aware of our finiteness/limits. As Descartes discusses, being able to cognize the finite presupposes that our idea of God is already in us prior to it. For example, we have an idea of God being infinite through realizing us being finite.On the other hand, we also can have an idea of God who has infinite benevolence t hrough realizing we have benevolence. Our being able to extend virtue is another way that presupposes our idea of God is already in us enabling us to do this. Therefore, I think the â€Å"infinite first picture† is more convincing that all of our understandings of our idea of God, which are negating the finite, extending virtues, enlarging abilities (e. g. I can read signs of human behaviors but God could read people’s mind) and etc, depends on our innate idea of God/the infinite which is already in us prior to these.To conclude, I think we can understand the plausibility of Descartes’ first argument of God’s existence (that there is an infinite being/God who has infinite formal reality causes my idea of God that has infinite objective reality) through this proposal he criticizes and his responses in paragraph 24, because it gives a sense why our idea of God contains infinite objective reality. His argument seems more plausible with a convincing claim tha t the idea of God already possesses in us prior to all of our cognitions of God. .

Communication Breakdown(SARS) essays

Communication Breakdown(SARS) essays No communication, no government. Communication is crucial to public administration. It enables transmitting of information or inter-changing thoughts. Hence, effective communication ensures the maximization of 3Es, i.e. efficiency, economy and effectiveness. SARS is a global public health issue. It gripped everyone in the atmosphere of anxiety and horror. Hong Kong was the second-hardest-hit place in the world. After the outbreak in March 2003, the fatal disease has killed 299 people from 1755 infections in the territory. Facing this new and sudden crisis, it seems reasonable that more effective communication is needed for the Hong Kong government to combat SARS. However, Hong Kong government is blamed fir reacting too slow to this crisis due to its ineffective communication with its departments, the general public and the mainland officials. As the chairman of Democratic Party Dr. Yeung Sum commented, Hong Kong government needs more effective communication with both the public and mainland . In this essay, I am going to discuss the criteria of effective communication and state the communication failures at all levels during the SARS period. The main objective of a communication is to transmit a message. Hence, an effective communication would make the targeted audience to receive the messages without barriers or distortions. Therefore, reasonable time must be spent to allow transmitting sufficient information. Secondly, Communication is bilateral. Communication is not just merely transmitting message. Responds must be present . Hence, an effective communication will usually lead to and enable respond to the messages transmitted. Thirdly, a well-established channel for communication is also essential for an effective communication. The main function of the channels is to remove or reduce the obstacles in communication. This function is much more important, especially during crisis. For example, if there is a w...

Hepatitis A Essays - Infectious Causes Of Cancer, RTT, Hepatitis

Hepatitis A Essays - Infectious Causes Of Cancer, RTT, Hepatitis Hepatitis A title = Hepatitis A Hepatitis A Introduction: Hepatitis is caused by a virus that is targeted at the liver, one of your most important organs!! Specifically, it causes inflammation and injury to the liver. Hepatitis comes in many different forms, five to be exact. There is Hepatitis A, B, C, D Hepatitis is caused mainly by viruses, all of which are set on shutting down your liver. I will be specifically concentrating on Hepatitis A in this report. Hepatitis A is also known as infectious Hepatitis, an extremely contagious viral infection that often effects young children and young adults, especially those in large groups. It has been known to break out in schools, summer camps and music festivals etc. Hepatitis A is also very common in developing nations. Outbreaks occur due to unsanitary conditions such as contamination of the food and water supply. The Liver: The liver is an organ which is located upper right part of your abdomen. It has one main function. This function is to clean out your blood. How this happens is from your inferior venacava, there is a group if veins called the mesenteric veins. They branch off and take dirty blood to your liver to be cleaned. Now, when the virus moves in and stops the liver from doing its job, just imagine all the toxins and unwanted waste and chemicals that build up in your body.!! Causes: Hepatitis A is transmitted almost always by the fecal oral route. It is spread by close personal contact with fecally contaminated water supplies, fruits and vegetables. Poor personal hygiene promotes spread of the virus as well which is why the incidence of Hepatitis is higher in developing nations, where poor sanitary conditions exist. It can also be transmitted by raw or partially cooked clams from contaminated water. Properties of the virus: The hepatitis A virus is a non - enveloped 27 nano meters in size, virus. It is characterized as a RNA based virus. Inactivation of viral activity can be achieved by heating to 100 C for five minutes, and by contact with formaldehyde and chlorine or by ultraviolet irradiation. The virus is present in the liver, bile, stool and blood during the illness. Symptoms: The symptoms of viral hepatitis are not very pretty. Getting Hepatitis is not a fun experience. The first symptoms of Hepatitis A are mild and vague. They generally appear from about 2 weeks to 6 months after exposure to the virus. The symptoms at first seem as though you have a mild case of the flu. Therefore, you feel abnormally tired. This keeps up for a few days and you begin to feel a loss of appetite as well as nausea. A low grade fever between 100 f - 102 f is present. A pain and discomfort in the abdomen above the liver is also common, due to enlargement of the liver. After a few days of torture, a persons urine becomes darker than usual and then jaundice, (a yellowish discoloration of the skin) appears. Jaundice and the dark urine indicate that liver is not functioning properly in removing a reddish-yellow pigment called bilirubin from the blood. Treatment / Prevention: There is no specific treatment for viral Hepatitis. Bed rest and preferably hospitalization is a necessary step in the early treatment. Even though Hepatitis A is a highly contagious virus, isolation of the patient to a single room is not necessary. However, proper prevention methods such as washing your hand after handling the patient, careful handling of the body fluids and feces and wearing gloves when drawing blood is important. Prolonged bed rest is not essential for full recovery but patients feel better with restricted physical activity. A high calorie diet is a good idea and because many patients have nausea late in the day, the major caloric intake is best given in the morning. Intravenous feeding is necessary if the patient has continuos vomiting. Isolation of the patient to a single room and bath room is unnecessary, however the patient and other people in contact should be reminded of preventative measures such as washing hands and of careful handling of body fluids and feces. Gloves should be worn when handling or drawing blood. Patients

Too Little Too Late essays

Too Little Too Late essays The story of American History X follows an intelligent young man named Derek Vinyard and his decline into the world of disillusion and hate known as White Supremacy. Once a thoughtful and easy-going teen, he soon begins his change when his father is shot and killed by a black man, while trying to put out a fire at an alleged crackhouse. Derek becomes a smart, articulate, and an utterly committed monster who assumes a leadership role in the white supremacist movement of suburban Los Angeles. Alienated young men, including Dereks younger brother Danny, respond to his hate and are eager to act out against anyone who isnt white and Protestant, or the people who they think are plaguing society by their mere existence. While the local movement grows, Dereks soul withers further and further away, polluted more and more by hate. This moral deterioration culminates when Derek kills two out of the three black gang members trying to steal the truck that use to be his fathers. This act of rage and hate lands Derek in jail where he would soon come to a realization that would surely undo what his In jail, Derek is quick to try an develop friendships with those involved in similar beliefs as him, alertly knowing it was the right way to go if he planned on remaining alive. This was the only reason needed to lead Derek right towards the white supremacists who provided him with protection that came as a result of their prison gang. Fresh from the streets, Derek was set in his beliefs, beliefs that stemmed from his learning of bigotry at the kitchen table to the words of a radical hatemonger (Cameron) who flourished by subjecting alienated youth to the easy answers provided from neo-Nazism. However, Derek was becoming disgruntled at his fellow skinheads for their associations outside the group and was building relationships with two black man essential to ...

Discussion Topics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 8

Discussion Topics - Essay Example The America became restless to defend this position to appoint involvement in war as seen in the Persian Gulf War and the craving to influence the Middle East and its oil supplies (Patterson, 2005). Terrorism: It diverted attention to crucial domestic issues e.g. education, economy and Social Security to war against terrorists (after the president decreed War on Terror). The terrorism claimed many lives (approximately 3,000 people, more than that of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 died), it led to war on Afghanistan and later Iraq, and economic recession lastly followed; different industries, employment opportunities and oil prices were affected. These led to a vast financial crisis the Americans have had since the Great Depression. Financial fall down: Financial fall down is a breed of many problems in a country. It is said that since terrorists attack to date, US is in debt for $14.3 trillion dollars. In addition to dept, unemployment rate, poor health care, slow development rate and down fall of the GDP may be experienced, even the strength of US dollar against other currencies may lost. All these may weaken the US

Project Management - Request For Proposal Coursework

Project Management - Request For Proposal - Coursework Example They should submit the insurance requirements they wish to undertake with details for compensation for any losses that might be incurred in the cause of the project. In the case of any problems with the submission of bids, bidders are asked to submit in writing at least three days before the submission deadline seeking for an extension of the deadline. Such an extension can only be approved once the reasons are accepted, and the specific new date given shall not extend to three days past the deadline. All other bids can still be accepted at least eight hours past the deadline. Plot no LR 216 situated in Northwind, Colorado can be accessed through Kings Street off the Hudson highway. The plot is thirty-five kilometers from the main federal office of Kansas State. A site visit can be arranged only on Fridays by contacting the public relations department of our company through the company contacts. Pre-bid meetings will be held two weeks after issuance of the RFP from eight in the morning. The meeting is meant to clarify any matters arising from the bid which will be submitted formally during the morning session by the interested bidders. The mid-morning will be used to document the matters agreed and produce printouts which will be issued at the end of the day. These printouts will contain the agreements, and for any matters that will not be clear interested bidders are still encouraged to contact the company on weekdays during working hours. The company’s procurement group representative is David Hutchinson. Any questions from bidders in the course of the bidding period are to be directed to the aforementioned person. He can be contacted through the telephone number 0803-767-7845-56, and his email address is dhutchysn347@millysports.com. Responses to the emails will not take more than twenty-four hours. Shortlisted bidders will be contacted through their email addresses. The company will further contact them to make arrangements for a pre-award

Considering Definitions of Community Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Considering Definitions of Community - Essay Example In my experience, the need to be identified as part of a community because of where you are is at best aimed at preservation of the status quo, and at worst a means for people to tie you into controlling relationships, in which they can be sure that they remain in charge. The sharing of a common cultural or ethnic identity may not necessarily mean that people gravitate to the same places anymore, but the combination of these common characteristics and a closed, inescapable location, even if it is just in the mind, can be deadly. Little villages across the world force their inhabitants to think, to look like, to feel, even to believe the same as everyone else in the village. Cities are often identifiable by the apparently common behaviors of their inhabitants – New Yorkers are businesslike, driven, and high achievers, for example. And we go even further – the Italians are romantic and stylish, or the Canadians are parochial and eco-conscious. On the face of it, this idea of being in the same place seems to lend us a sense of security, and a way to identify with others. Just, for a moment, however, consider the full implications of thinking this way. â€Å"In this neighborhood, we take care of each other† – just another way to indicate that we are all similar here, hold the same values, and are very likely to persecute and eventually get rid of you if you are not exactly like we are. â€Å"Our community is a caring one and we will always reach out to others, to make their lives easier and better† – so, we are better than others morally, our lives are superior to those of others, and we will emphasize the fact that we have more materially than anyone around us. Someone cynical would argue that living in the same place exposes you to the danger of becoming the same as everyone else in that place: and that means taking on the good and the bad, the prejudices and the preconceptions; the loves and the hates. Perhaps this is wh at happened when Nazism engulfed Germany, or genocide destroyed Rwanda. So, I think that we are losing the idea that a common location is needed to define community, and not a moment too soon. Not that we have rid ourselves of the dangers of strictly identifying ourselves as part of a community, however. The community of right-wing white supremacists is now connected across the world, through the Internet. But so is the community of â€Å"green activists† focusing on the planet’s continued healthy existence. â€Å"Place† has been replaced by common ethics, points of view and, of course, prejudices, in forming a sense of community, thanks to globalization and the spread of communications technology. Communities now identify themselves in the same ways as they have throughout history. Individuals who share religious points of view define themselves by that religion no matter where they are in the world. A community of women, opposed to oppression by men exists int ernationally. A community of human rights activists is able to exert pressure in every corner of the globe, with support for causes independent of location. A central European, aware of human rights abuses in Tibet can make his or her voice heard to the government of China, even if it is just by signing one Internet petition. I can form my own community – and the OED supports this definition – by starting a blog, and finding that the people who read my blog in effect from a

Job Interview Presentation Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Job Interview Presentation - Assignment Example Kienbaum Sport Centre draws some revenue from funding by the German government. The trainees who seek the services from the facility also have to pay some money to pay for the training program. The facility is located in a place where schools and institutions such as churches and civic and social clubs are not a common place since it is some way far from Berlin. Therefore, the possibility that students and such other interested groups attend the facility is low, though sometimes they are allowed to visit. The facility contains have many equipment and facilities for sports such as judo and weight lifting. There are showers as well as cafà © tables, locker rooms and well managed reception area. They have a medical examination rooms where practicing people can access medical care. All the areas of different sports are of high quality and are being upgraded. The facility is also well staffed and the staff members are well trained to dispense their duties in the most professional way possible. The services provided are of exceptional quality owing to the expertise of their staff members. Outside the facility, there is high quality and ample parking area for the visitors who may visit in cars, the parking space is well maintained and well tarmacked giving a positive show of the facility. There is also a parking attendant who directs visitors on where to park their cars. The facility has a very good impression. From the outside, it is well furnished and attractive to the eye. From the inside, the compound is conspicuously clean and the amenities provided in the facility are high end. The facility has a well maintained environment which gives one a sense of enjoyment. The staff at the reception is friendly which reflects on the nature of all the other staff. All these create a very positive impression of the sports facility as a whole. The experience at the facility has

The development of education in Qatar throughout the last 10 years Term Paper

The development of education in Qatar throughout the last 10 years - Term Paper Example It must be realized that for the economy to flourish, these private sector companies must also be majorly occupied by the national residents of Qatar. It is argued that the previous educational system of Qatar, although well-structured and developed, did not produce competent enough individuals that can rise to the challenge and be the driving force for such private industries. With so much conflict in the Middle East, it is educational to see how countries like Qatar have managed to cope with the challenge of development amidst these adversities. The leadership in the Arabian Gulf nation of Qatar played a big contribution in giving focus to the educational department believing that it is the key to their economic and social progress (Brewer et al., 2007). It has been observed that in the past their educational system has not produced very good outcomes and their approach was very rigid, outdated and even obsolete to try and compete for world-class quality of education. It was believed that their education must also be on a par with their initiatives for social and economic changes that will catapult them into global competency. During the past years, the Qatar education has taken major reforms in order to augment their outdated system. With the modernization of society and the emergence of the expanding role of women, they have focused on giving larger roles and involvement to them, which was traditionally and historically avoided. They have also opened and developed satellite universities involving top educational institutions with high repute in the world-class quality of education. But a country like Qatar is very traditionalist and it is important to observe how they managed to implement drastic and decisive changes to their traditionally rigid form of doing things. Qatar has a unique status in the world’s economy because of its vast energy resources and

Background on Boeing & Airbus Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Background on Boeing & Airbus - Essay Example Airbus was founded in 1970 and it has in headquarters in Toulouse in France. The company took over the commercial airline business in the 90s and it has recorded tremendous growth in the past two decades. The company has majorly invested in manufacturing travel aircrafts for the global commercial market. In 1967, Airbus produced its first commercial Airplane, the A300. The Airbus A340 and A330 were later developed and Airbus along with its partner companies went into the Aircraft market with a brand that would take over the market shares globally (McGuire 1997). Airbus, just like its Boeing counterpart has always been led by the urge to maintain innovativeness throughout its period of existence, the company has always posed a challenge to itself to always improve on it previous models and to beat their rivals. This has majorly been achieved through investing in building and testing challenging ideas, perfecting them and ensuring that the final products meet the international standards in terms of quality and capacity (Thornton 1995). Boeing is the largest American Aircraft manufacturing company that was founded in 1916. Based on the time that the company has been in the business, its position in the competition in the industry is justified. It has developed some of the largest models of aircrafts in the world and it has given Airbus a run for their money with the introduction of very large airplanes. In its initial manufacturing days, the company was majorly a war aircraft producing company but it later shifted to fully developing high capacity airplanes. The 737 mode was among its first best performing commercial airplanes. The 787 Dreamliner is among its most recent aircrafts that has attracted a good reception in the global market (Boeing 2013). The competition in the aircraft business has traditionally based on the capacity

Job Interview Presentation Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Job Interview Presentation - Assignment Example Kienbaum Sport Centre draws some revenue from funding by the German government. The trainees who seek the services from the facility also have to pay some money to pay for the training program. The facility is located in a place where schools and institutions such as churches and civic and social clubs are not a common place since it is some way far from Berlin. Therefore, the possibility that students and such other interested groups attend the facility is low, though sometimes they are allowed to visit. The facility contains have many equipment and facilities for sports such as judo and weight lifting. There are showers as well as cafà © tables, locker rooms and well managed reception area. They have a medical examination rooms where practicing people can access medical care. All the areas of different sports are of high quality and are being upgraded. The facility is also well staffed and the staff members are well trained to dispense their duties in the most professional way possible. The services provided are of exceptional quality owing to the expertise of their staff members. Outside the facility, there is high quality and ample parking area for the visitors who may visit in cars, the parking space is well maintained and well tarmacked giving a positive show of the facility. There is also a parking attendant who directs visitors on where to park their cars. The facility has a very good impression. From the outside, it is well furnished and attractive to the eye. From the inside, the compound is conspicuously clean and the amenities provided in the facility are high end. The facility has a well maintained environment which gives one a sense of enjoyment. The staff at the reception is friendly which reflects on the nature of all the other staff. All these create a very positive impression of the sports facility as a whole. The experience at the facility has

Background on Boeing & Airbus Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Background on Boeing & Airbus - Essay Example Airbus was founded in 1970 and it has in headquarters in Toulouse in France. The company took over the commercial airline business in the 90s and it has recorded tremendous growth in the past two decades. The company has majorly invested in manufacturing travel aircrafts for the global commercial market. In 1967, Airbus produced its first commercial Airplane, the A300. The Airbus A340 and A330 were later developed and Airbus along with its partner companies went into the Aircraft market with a brand that would take over the market shares globally (McGuire 1997). Airbus, just like its Boeing counterpart has always been led by the urge to maintain innovativeness throughout its period of existence, the company has always posed a challenge to itself to always improve on it previous models and to beat their rivals. This has majorly been achieved through investing in building and testing challenging ideas, perfecting them and ensuring that the final products meet the international standards in terms of quality and capacity (Thornton 1995). Boeing is the largest American Aircraft manufacturing company that was founded in 1916. Based on the time that the company has been in the business, its position in the competition in the industry is justified. It has developed some of the largest models of aircrafts in the world and it has given Airbus a run for their money with the introduction of very large airplanes. In its initial manufacturing days, the company was majorly a war aircraft producing company but it later shifted to fully developing high capacity airplanes. The 737 mode was among its first best performing commercial airplanes. The 787 Dreamliner is among its most recent aircrafts that has attracted a good reception in the global market (Boeing 2013). The competition in the aircraft business has traditionally based on the capacity

Poetry Analysis Essay Example for Free

Poetry Analysis Essay The poetry of Judith Wright conveys a strong sense of ? Australian Identity. This is evident though Wrights strong connection to the sea, using descriptions and personifications of the sea. Wrights ? Australian Identity is firmly established through poetry with her use of ideas that have become synonymous with the Australian stereotype: what people recognise as being uniquely ? Australian. This includes the description of the stereotypical Australian beach scene and the attitudes shown by the surfer and even the surf in the poem: characteristics recognised as ? typically Australian. These features of her poetry have established Wright as a truly ? Australian poet. The surf, grey-wolf sea sitting on the whitened pebbles and shells are images that are recognised as Australian and part of the Australian identity. The surfer too is instantly recognisable as typical Aussie character. He is described as brown and he has muscle ? he is the stereotype of the bronzed, muscular surfer. The use of these ideas that have become typically Australian show Judith Wright as an Australian poet which in turn reflects the Australian identity. Judith Wright has a strong connection to the Australian beach, and the ideas she conveys through her poetry are very much steeped in nature. This link to the Australian sea immediately distinguishes Wright as an Australian poet. The Australian connection to the sea and surf is reflected in the repetition of muscle to describe both the surfer and the wave expresses the surfers connection to the wave and to nature. This connection is further emphasised by the personification of the wave through long muscle of water. The bond of both the surfer and Wright to the sea defines Wright as Australian and reflects Australians strong links to the sea. ?Australian traits are not shown only by Wright herself, but by characters in her poems. In The Surfer, Wright uses assonance (those and foam) to describe the wave. This has the effect of creating a long and lazy piece of sound imagery for the reader. The laconic nature of the wave is the same as the typical Australian ? laid back spirit giving Wrights poetry an Australian flavour and such contribute greatly to Wrights recognition as being an Australian poet.

Evaluation Of The One Sony Strategy

Evaluation Of The One Sony Strategy The following report contains about the Sony Corporations new strategy implementation called One Sony which is a new structure for the top management of the company where the company is making changes to drive revitalisation and growth. The report further discuss about the extent to which the strategy fits the Sony Corporations current capabilities to face external challenges and achieve the objectives. In addition to that, the suitability and the feasibility of the strategic decisions arising from the implementation of this strategy are also discussed. In order to do the above the report is guided through three stages which is analysis of strategic position internally and externally which is the research content, strategic choices and decisions by applying relevant theories and implementation of the strategy. Finally considering all of the above a critical opinion or a perspective will be made with relevant justifications and in respect to the Sony Corporation. Analysis of strategic position In order to identify the external environment in which Sony operates a PEST analysis could be done which will be as follows; When the political aspects are looked in to it is evident that they are changing at all times. The government has the power as stated in Henry (2008) to impact the operations of Sony through changes in policies and regulations. On the other hand better sales could be achieved by Sony due to the reduction in liquidity crisis and recession. But by doing so the number of competitors Sony has will increase significantly. In addition to that, the government can create laws which will have an impact on policies in the global context. When economy is considered it is currently not is a good position where it has faced recession recently and has a negative economic growth. Due to this there can be significant changes in the exchange rates and interest rates. Sony should make sure that they are aware of any government restrictions on trading and exchange rates as Sony is an international company where these restrictions would affect Sony negatively. As for the social factors Sony is expected to perform well. That is because of the reputation they have obtained through their quality products and services as per William and Green (1997). Sony should make sure that they develop revolutionary devices at regular intervals to retain and hold on the customer and may be attract new customers. It is also important to understand the perspectives of the public where they can introduce products which match the expectations of their customers. Towards technological aspect Sony Corporation should put more attention as they work in that industry with high technological usage. The productivity level of the company depends on the level of technology used. Therefore Sony should make sure that they use upgraded technology to have high level of productivity and to be efficient. Use of technology is also important to Sony Corporation to research and develop new products which matches the expectations and choices of the customers. Next would be to identify the internal environmental factors which should be considered when developing a strategy for Sony according to Drejer (2002). Prahalad and Hamel core competencies model and Michael Porters value chain could be used to do the analysis as follows; Sony has created a reputation and a brand name which has a high recognition in the technological industry. But at present they are having a hard time which is why they are coming up with a new strategy call Sony One. The strategies implemented by Sony previously are outside in as well as inside out. Out of these one was to develop mini-series of their products in order to grow their core competencies where they require high level of technology, human resources such as engineers and marketers. In addition to that the customer needs should also be looked in to through market research for the success of a strategy. Sony had required all the resources which allowed them to be success in almost all the strategies they implemented. But the uniqueness of these resources or competencies as stated in Enders (2004) is questionable. Sony also had an aim of manufacturing customer oriented products which they believed will help the company to increase the competitive advantage and will also create more value adding activities. Sony also implemented a strategy of diversification which is to add value to the processes of the organisation. Also taking risks and learning from mistakes is one of the unique factors done by Sony which is also an advantage. After both the internal and external analysis is done the internal strengths and weaknesses as well as the external threats and opportunities need to be identified for the SWOT analysis to be completed. The strengths as recognised above are the fact that Sony is trying out unique strategies as per Hitt et al. (2010) such as miniature products as they are available to the required technology and engineering. Sony being diversified is also unique to the organisation which creates core competencies. In addition to that, taking risks when introducing new products and making mistakes, moreover learning from these mistakes without breaking down the operations is another major strength which is unique only to the Sony Corporation. As for the weaknesses it would be a fact that the resources such as technological staff, engineers and marketers are not being unique to Sony in the todays technological industry. Sony not being able to differentiate the level of skills required within the organisation is a weakness which would affect the company in the years to come. One reason would be the technology being outdate very quickly at present and the industry being very competitive. The opportunities that are arising from the industry would be corporate political activities with the government where Sony operates which will give the support of the government policies in favour of the operations that is being carried out. In addition to that, identification of new customer groups and new customer expectations through the customer oriented strategy as per Beloff et al. (2005) and delivering products which matches those choices would allow Sony to exploit opportunities arising from the external environment. Lastly the threats that are arising from the external environment could be identified. The fact that the industry in which Sony is operating is being innovative and fast moving is making the company to adapt to the situations and move forward with a lesser time. Companies like Apple and Samsung is creating a rivalry where technology is becoming outdated almost every day. Moreover, the rival companies are introducing new products to market with lesser lead time which increase the threat arising towards Sony. Strategic choices and decisions The development of strategic choices is a critical stage for Sony where they need identify their capabilities, resources and requirements as per Johns and Saks (2004). There are three main focus areas under this stage. Deciding how Sony could achieve competitive advantage Identifying possible directions through which Sony would enter a market and the types of products and market it should enter or leave Deciding in methods of growth with in the market Deciding on the basis of competitive advantage When deciding how Sony Corporation could compete in a market or create a basis for the customers to want to buy their products the following options are visible as stated in Daft et al. (2010). These are also known as Michael Porters generic strategies. Be a low cost provider of goods and services or in other words providing products at a budget price. This is not suitable for Sony as they require high research and development cost to come up with new products where selling at a lower price would be difficult. Being a high value adding market player or a differentiator is another option. According to this type of a choice Sony can build in a higher level of value in the products or devices they offer by the company. Following a focused strategy is another option. A choice made by Sony Corporation to provide a device targeting a smaller number of customers, such as coming up with a special edition of an existing product. Strategic Direction This is where the Sony Corporation decides how it would grow in to the future entering different markets and using its strengths. When deciding on strategic directions available for the organisation the Ansoff matrix can be used according to Ewy (2009). The matrix identifies growth possibilities for Sony based on the dimensions of markets and products. https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUUgkJxvLJQSv8xII9iXruPlhNjel_K4nubyeZhin5DRXv_0dH3kHfm3_UqBJ88tYLGyZN8leLH4CDvZ7rsENcSxu48WJRh75bNNevCvuVAoz3HK7h53a2jGmvG7rUs1G5Wu0OusyvwQ/s320/Ansoff+Matrix.jpg Figure 1.1: Ansoff Matrix [Source:http://www.marketing-equity.com/2011/09/few-examples-of-ansoff-matrix.html ] Market Penetration: This is where the company would grow internally into existing markets by aggressively promoting its existing devices and products with in them. Sony could promote their Sony Xperia with in the UK market. Product development: This is where the company would develop new products for the existing markets and generates more sales from them. Sony could develop new models of Sony Xperia to sell in the UK market. Market development: This is where the company would develop new markets for its existing products such as Sony Xperia being launched in China Diversification: This is where the company would enter a completely new market according to Freeman (2010) with a completely new product or a device. Sony entering in to the Laptop market where it provided Sony Vaio would be diversification. Strategic methods With the selected growth directions the Sony Corporation can use many different methods in order to grow and achieve their goals. Internal development: This is where Sony growing through its own resources where the case of Sony Vaio appeared according to Mahadevan (2009) Takeovers or acquisitions: The Sony Corporation might buy over another company and use its products and technologies for growth. Sony taking over Colombia pictures is a perfect example Strategic alliances: Sony Corporation would grow by linking and partnering with other organisations. Franchises also fall under this category. Sony forming an alliance with Olympus would be an example here Out of the choices that were generated the organisation should pick one or more options based on the SAF model which is the strategic decision making Suitability: Selected growth directions and methods should match with the Sony Corporations brand image and reputation Acceptable: Selected options should be approved by the shareholders and be in line with their thinking and expectations Feasibility: Strategic choices that were selected should be financially viable for the company. As the above stated methods the strategic options will be generated according to Vos (2004) and chosen in order to implement the most correct strategic option or options. Implementation Putting strategy in to action Before a strategy is being implemented Sony should understand the culture of the organisation, the management as well as the leadership styles. McKinsey 7S Framework 7S model Figure 1.2: Mckinsey 7S model [Source: http://b4tea.com/information/mckinsey-7s-framework-7s-model/] The 7S model developed by the Mckinsey consulting group identifies seven different elements that lie at the heart of a culture of the organisation. Hard Factors These refers to non-human type of elements as stated in Egan (2007) which has an impact on culture Strategy: The direction followed by Sony in order to achieve the goals and targets of the business as explained above Structure: The organisations structure or how the lines on authority are arranged with in the company, how decisions are made and whether the communication channels between top and bottom levels are long or short will affect the culture Systems: The level of control that exists within the company such as the budgeting and management accounting controls as well as controls on processes will have an impact on the culture of Sony Soft Factors These are more of human related factors that affect the culture of Sony Skills: The talent and abilities of people and whether all staff members have equal levels of skill as per Cole (2001) or a few members have a high level of skill on whom the others will depend decides on the nature of the culture Staff: The nature of the attitude of staff members as well as their individual cultures will have an impact in the overall organisation Style: The style of management by the superiors will have a direct impact on the culture of the organisation. Leadership style Sonys co-founder Akio Morita was following was based upon the values, imaginations and beliefs of his which is now being changed by the new strategy One Sony Share Values: Organisations will have a common set of values and beliefs which are followed by all the employees and is given top priority when Sony does it operations After considering the above factors and understanding them the implementation of the strategy will be successful. In addition to that, understanding of the leadership style with in Sony is also important. For that, the Likert four systems of management which identifies four leadership styles as stated in Harrison and John (2009) ranging from the extremes of being job centred and employee centred can be used. figure Figure 1.3: Likert four systems of management [Source: https://www.ncjrs.gov/policing/corr177.htm] Exploitative Authoritative: This is where as stated in Waters (2006) the leaders are highly exploiting the lower individuals and there is a very high distance between higher level and lower level individuals Benevolent or Somewhat Authoritative: There would be still a high distance between the higher level and the lower level management, but the leaders will be believe in that they are acting in the interest of the rest of the individuals with in the Sony Corporation Consultative: This is a more employee centred approach where by the leader would be listening to others but will not always follow their comment or ideas Participative: This is where the leader will get the others involved as well and the final decision that is made is one that everyone agrees with and no single handily made by the leader. This is the most extreme employee centred leadership approach according to Daft and Marcic (2010) Once strategies have been planned and choices made also understanding the culture and leadership styles it needs to be implemented through a series of programs. Tactical programs: Programs run at a middle management level such as training programs Operational programs: This refers to the daily activities happening with in an organisation with a focus of realising the company strategy The Sony Corporation should now select one out of the two above to implement the strategy of One Sony by considering the culture of the organisation and the management styles. Review and control is also required as stated in Grunig and Gaggl (2011) where the organisation would check if the strategic path implemented is correct one by looking into following aspects; Is the strategy allowing the achievement of the objectives stated initially Since the consumer electronics environment keeps changing dynamically and strategy implementation is based on an environmental scan done earlier it should be checked if current strategies match the environment Conclusion The above report contains about the Sony Corporations new strategy implementation called One Sony which is a new structure for the top management of the company where the company is making changes to drive revitalisation and growth. The report further contains about the extent to which the strategy fits the Sony Corporations current capabilities to face external challenges and achieve the objectives through PEST, core competencies and SWOT analysis. In addition to that, the suitability and the feasibility of the strategic decisions arising from the implementation of this strategy are also included with reference to the SAF model. The report is guided through three stages which is analysis of strategic position internally and externally which is the research content, strategic choices and decisions by applying relevant theories and implementation of the strategy where theoretical as well as practical aspects has been applied. Finally considering all of the above it is clear that the strategy implementation of One Sony is dependent on the above stated factors and because of that the implementation is successful.

British Literature Women Of Lo :: essays research papers

The star football player was about to be forced off the team because of poor academic grades. In desperation, the coach approached the Dean of the college and swore on his honor that he would give the lad a final exam in one of his subjects, and if the boy didn’t pass he would take him from the team immediately.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The night before the big game the coach met with the boy to test him.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"What,† asked the coach, â€Å"is the name of the first recorded piece of British Literature?†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Coach,† replied the boy, â€Å"I don’t have the slightest idea.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"That’s right!† exclaimed the coach, â€Å"You don’t! Okay, you’re in the starting line-up tomorrow!†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This could be my story. I play sports-any sport-all sports-football, basketball, baseball you name it. The thought of my enjoying British Literature seems hard for even me to believe.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When faced with this assignment, I found myself in a slight panic. However, much to my surprise, it wasn’t all that bad.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In going over the choices, I knew I had to choose to write about women, and their roles in these tales. The fact that they were involved in sex, deceit, and adultery had nothing to do with my decision. And as Oscar Wilde said, â€Å"The world is packed with good and evil women. To know them is a middle class education.† I’m certainly a believer in that philosophy! After all, that’s why I’m in school.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In beginning to compare and contrast the role of women the The Wife of Bath’s Tale, by Geoffrey Chaucer, The Second Shepherd’s Play, by Wakefield Master, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, by Sir Gawain, one needs to look closely at the stories.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Wife of Bath’s , tale is a brief Arthurian romance incorporating the widespread theme of the â€Å"loathly lady.† It is the story of a woman magically transformed into an ugly shape who can be restored to her former state only be some specific action. It also embodies some surprising traces of the courtly tradition, along with The Second Shepherd’s Play, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. All three tales seem to illustrate the transforming power of love for their men. Although they were are different they all showed the effect of their love. That the true lover cannot be corrupted by avarice; love makes an ugly and rude person shine with all beauty. They know how to endow with nobility even one of humble birth. British Literature Women Of Lo :: essays research papers The star football player was about to be forced off the team because of poor academic grades. In desperation, the coach approached the Dean of the college and swore on his honor that he would give the lad a final exam in one of his subjects, and if the boy didn’t pass he would take him from the team immediately.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The night before the big game the coach met with the boy to test him.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"What,† asked the coach, â€Å"is the name of the first recorded piece of British Literature?†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Coach,† replied the boy, â€Å"I don’t have the slightest idea.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"That’s right!† exclaimed the coach, â€Å"You don’t! Okay, you’re in the starting line-up tomorrow!†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This could be my story. I play sports-any sport-all sports-football, basketball, baseball you name it. The thought of my enjoying British Literature seems hard for even me to believe.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When faced with this assignment, I found myself in a slight panic. However, much to my surprise, it wasn’t all that bad.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In going over the choices, I knew I had to choose to write about women, and their roles in these tales. The fact that they were involved in sex, deceit, and adultery had nothing to do with my decision. And as Oscar Wilde said, â€Å"The world is packed with good and evil women. To know them is a middle class education.† I’m certainly a believer in that philosophy! After all, that’s why I’m in school.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In beginning to compare and contrast the role of women the The Wife of Bath’s Tale, by Geoffrey Chaucer, The Second Shepherd’s Play, by Wakefield Master, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, by Sir Gawain, one needs to look closely at the stories.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Wife of Bath’s , tale is a brief Arthurian romance incorporating the widespread theme of the â€Å"loathly lady.† It is the story of a woman magically transformed into an ugly shape who can be restored to her former state only be some specific action. It also embodies some surprising traces of the courtly tradition, along with The Second Shepherd’s Play, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. All three tales seem to illustrate the transforming power of love for their men. Although they were are different they all showed the effect of their love. That the true lover cannot be corrupted by avarice; love makes an ugly and rude person shine with all beauty. They know how to endow with nobility even one of humble birth.

Humorous Wedding Speech to a Groom with Long Hair :: Wedding Toasts Roasts Speeches

Humorous Wedding Speech to a Groom with Long Hair Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen. I must admit, I am more nervous about being best man than I was at my own wedding. Maybe it’s because I have been married a year and I know what Jonathan’s letting himself in for! And on that happy occasion, as some of you know, Jonathan was my best man and he did a wonderful job. However Jonathan, there are many reasons why you should get married and I’m not sure if revenge is one of them. But, it is a great thrill and an honor, and Jonathan’s already agreed that I can do it again next time! First of all, Pamela, you look radiant – absolutely stunning in that dress. Jonathan, you need a haircut! As I was walking behind him leaving the church this morning a funny thought occurred to me. From the back, it is very difficult to tell if Jonathan is a man who needs a haircut or a woman who just had one. When Jonathan was best man at my wedding he made a great deal of me having a mullet. Jonathan, I don’t think I have to say anything more about your present hairstyle other than at least mine had a name. But he hasn’t always looked this way as you’re about to find out. When I first met him, at the age of fifteen, he was in the process of developing a 'Human League' style flick, which his sister Sally enhanced with a little coloring. The words 'Babe Magnet' do spring to mind – but not on this occasion. We soon became close and it was great to have someone to hang out with because being a teenager is never easy. Rejection is the worst thing. I know all about the humiliation of being turned away; from football teams for not being good enough, from pubs for not looking old enough and from women for not looking male enough. Yep, I’ve seen Jonathan do all those things, and he carried himself with dignity throughout. After leaving school and between getting a job, Jonathan smartened himself up. But he suffered terribly from headaches during this period, he was going for the wet hair look and the toilet seat kept falling down. However, this new image seemed to completely contradict his emerging obsession with the electric guitar that was to keep him banging away in his bedroom until the small hours – or at least that’s what he told his mum.

Japan in World War II

Using these four passages and your own knowledge, asses the view that Japan was driven into war with the western powers in 1941 by American policies. Both interpretations B and D prove that America was the only driving force that caused a war in the Pacific. The oil embargo that America enforced in 1940 was an incentive for Japan, a country very reliant on imports of which most primarily came from America feeding its daily usage of 12,000 tons of oil,to declare war on the country that was slowing its progress to conquer China.Interpretation B states that â€Å"moderates and militants alike saw American pressure as provocative† thus creating a tension in the Pacific, with the American foreign policy at the forefront of the Japanese aggression, this would leave Japan with no choice but to declare war. Japan’s reluctance to enter a war with America is also shown in this interpretation where numerous times they extended a deadline to lift the oil embargo â€Å"by 15thOctob er. The date was later extended to 25thNovember and then to 30thNovember.†Japan would have to fight America if the â€Å"life strangling embargo† was not lifted as it was their only choice out of a possible two the other was â€Å"pulling out of China and no Japanese leader counselled the latter. †This proves that without America’s strict oil embargo than a war in the Pacific may never have occurred. However America would never have left China to the aggressive advances of Japan. On the other hand interpretation B disagrees and displays Japan as irrational and links with interpretation A in seeing Japan as â€Å"naive and unthinking†.This is presented by the comment made by the Japanese general in interpretation B which reads â€Å"sometimes a man has to jump with his eyes closed from the veranda of aKiyomizu temple. † The remark confirms the argument that Japan’s leaders were unthinking and made decisions without knowing the consequen ces for example the attack on Pearl Harbour in December 1941. Overall this interpretation sees US pressure as a significant cause for aggression; Japan was being starved of its essential oil that it used to fuel its conquests.However American concern for the safety of Asia would ultimately lead to a war in the Pacific and Japanese hostility was solely to blame. Interpretation D also shows Japan’s aggression being sparked by American decisions. For example â€Å"America, most of all, stood in the way stood in the way of this through their control of resources in South East Asia. † America’s grip on all vital resources in the Pacific would have driven Japan to war as it was the only alternative to stop America whilst still keeping control over China.The leading philosophies of the time, â€Å"assumed that acquiring an empire provided the basis of prosperity and future national security. † This on the other hand contradicts the interpretation as it presents Japan as an empire with clear instructions on how to achieve wealth through imperialism. This is shown throughout the passage where â€Å"by the time the war in China began in 1937 politicians favouring expansionism were in high offices of state. † America is no longer the only reason that war began as the views of the leaders in 1937 were evidently expansionist.Japan does not want any relations with America as â€Å"in the eyes of Japan’s leaders that would have entailed a colossal loss of prestige with incalculable internal consequences. † Japan and the US both operated with an imperialist mindset, but Japan government had mishandled the position they found themselves in Overall this proves that Japan had their own aims and expansionist policies and America â€Å"stood in the way† of Japan and war would have been inevitable between to very imperialist countries that both sort out an empire.To summarise this interpretation although it shows that America holds back Japan through its strict rationing of resources in the South East Asia, Japan’s leaders had their particular policies which involved expansion and so American decisions would not have changed the inevitable outcome of war. However the reliability of the interpretation is undependable as the argument against the leaders â€Å"fateful choices† were the decisions of â€Å"mentalists† and no such evidence and or facts were used to justify the historians view and Japan’s actions as to why they made the decision to advance south in 1940.Interpretations A and C both make arguments that it wasn’t America’s foreign policy’s causing war. Interpretation A makes the dispute that â€Å"nothing could have prevented a Japanese-American war after Japan’s takeover of French Indochina in July 1941†, America had a reason to be worried about the future of the Pacific as before July 1941 â€Å"lay the shadow of Japanese aggressio n in China† again the Japanese aggression and expansionist policies linked with interpretation D is evidence that it was Japan’s policies not America’s that were driving them closer that would eventually lead to war.Japan had no real plan as to how they would fight off the â€Å"Menace†. Again this speculates that Japanese aggression was not thought through and they were â€Å"blinded by easy victories†. This meant that Japanese violence had no end in what the thought they could accomplish leading them to start a war they could not win. However the interpretation perceives that America knew that â€Å"Japanese aggression could only be strangled by stopping the flow of essential war materials†, and with this knowledge this American Policy they could stop Japan.This would lead Japan to a war as America was holding back there essential resources that the required to survive the war with China. However the interpretation does not state whether th ey imposed the embargo. The U. S. government froze all Japanese assets in America and launched an oil embargo after July 1941, to protest Japan's aggression in China and Indochina. Trade was terminated with Japan's attack on Pearl Harbour on December 7, 1941.Interpretation C is also against as it evidently shows that Russian policy was a cause of war. Japan was having difficulty keeping Russia out of Manchuria and there were several disputes along the Soviet – Manchukuo border. The major conflicts included â€Å"the Tauran incident in March 1936; the Kanch’atzu incident June-July 1937, the Amurincident June-July 1937, the Changkufeng incident July-August 1938; and the Nomoham incident May-September 1939. † Japan was rightfully worried about the Russian borders and so therefore not America.In total the Imperial Japanese Army recorded a total of 152 minor incidents on the border of Manchuria between 1932 and 1934. That number then increased to over 150 per year fo r the next two years and the scale of the incidents became larger. The Japanese would later sign the Soviet-Japanese Neutrality pact on April 13th 1941. The amount of defeats that Japan endured along the Soviet – Manchukuo border would have Japan’s highest concern and not America over the Pacific.This is also shown when Japan released a new foreign policy concerning the progressive development of Manchukuo. The document stated that â€Å"thwarting the USSR’s aggressive intentions, therefore had become the most crucial element in our diplomacy† thus proving America Policies were not the only, and Japan was concerned about aggression from the eastern powers. Japan’s wariness about Russia also lead it the Japanese-German pact the building block for the Anti-Comintern pact; this and not America would lead to war.Western anxiety about the Tripartite Pact, which was signed by the three leading Axis in 1941, is also shown in this interpretation as an argu ment against the American involvement as this displays a growing concern from Britain, the Soviet union and America. Conclusion The overwhelming majority of the interpretations are against the interpretation that America's policies where the cause of War 1941; the mention of other European powers that took the attention of Japan away from America. The Manchukuo border was Japan's top priority as it guarded there empire whereas the Pacific was between them and America.It wasn't just other countries power and aggression that sparked the war Japan too had plans for a large empire in China to ensure there prosperity. Interpretations A, B and D are linked and show Japan as a key factor in the beginning of a war as there aggressive expansion led to their inevitable involvement in World War II. It was the â€Å"naive and unthinking† choices made by the leaders of Japan in the 1940's to attempt the invasion of America. Almost all interpretations argue against the statement that it wa s American policy driving Japan to war.However interpretation B proves that America's oil embargo was threatening Japan's vital oil supply and in interpretation A the American Public and Press establishes that to â€Å"continue supplying such materials to an aggressor was an abet to aggression. To conclude the argument that the majority of interpretations are against however the fact that Japan's attention was drawn to the Manchukuo border cannot be forgotten as that used around 80,000 men of which they lost about 29,000 of them and shows that the policies of the Allies were pressuring Japan.

Simple Des

William Stallings Copyright 2006 Supplement to Cryptography and Network Security, Fourth Edition Prentice Hall 2006 ISBN: 0-13-187316-4 http://williamstallings. com/Crypto/Crypto4e. html 8/5/05 Simplified DES, developed by Professor Edward Schaefer of Santa Clara University [SCHA96], is an educational rather than a secure encryption algorithm. It has similar properties and structure to DES with much smaller parameters. The reader might find it useful to work through an example by and while following the discussion in this Appendix. C. 1 Overview Figure C. 1 illustrates the overall structure of the simplified DES, which we will refer to as SDES. The S-DES encryption algorithm takes an 8-bit block of plaintext (example: 10111101) and a 10-bit key as input and produces an 8-bit block of ciphertext as output. The S-DES decryption algorithm takes an 8-bit block of ciphertext and the same 10-bit key used to produce that ciphertext as input and produces the original 8-bit block of plaintext .The encryption algorithm involves five functions: an initial permutation (IP); a complex function labeled fK, which involves both permutation and substitution operations and depends on a key input; a simple permutation function that switches (SW) the two halves of the data; the function fK again; and finally a permutation function that is the inverse of the initial permutation (IP–1). As was mentioned in Chapter 2, the use of multiple stages of permutation and substitution results in a more complex algorithm, which increases the difficulty of cryptanalysis.The function fK takes as input not only the data passing through the encryption algorithm, but also an 8-bit key. The algorithm could have been designed to work with a 16-bit key, consisting of two 8-bit subkeys, one used for each occurrence of fK. Alternatively, a single 8-bit key could have been used, with the same key used twice in the algorithm. A compromise is to use a 10-bit key from which two 8-bit subkeys are gener ated, as depicted in Figure C. 1. In this case, the key is first subjected to a permutation (P10). Then a shift operation is performed.The output of the shift operation then passes through a permutation function that produces an 8-bit output (P8) for the first subkey (K1 ). The output of the shift operation also feeds into another shift and another instance of P8 to produce the second subkey (K 2 ). We can concisely express the encryption algorithm as a composition1 of functions: which can also be written as: IP-1 o fK2 o SW o fK1 o IP ((( ciphertext = IP-1 fK 2 SW fK1 (IP(plaintext )) where ( K1 = P8 Shift (P10(key )) ! ( ( ))) ) K2 = P8 Shift Shift( P10( key)) )) Decryption is also shown in Figure C. and is essentially the reverse of encryption: ((( plaintext = IP-1 fK1 SW fK 2 (IP(ciphertext )) 1 ))) Definition:! f f and g are two functions, then the function F with the equation y = F(x) = I g[f(x)] is called the composition of f and g and is denoted as F = g o f . C-2 8/5/05 We now examine the elements of S-DES in more detail. C. 2 S-DES Key Generation S-DES depends on the use of a 10-bit key shared between sender and receiver. From this key, two 8-bit subkeys are produced for use in particular stages of the encryption and decryption algorithm. Figure C. 2 depicts the stages followed to produce the subkeys.First, permute the key in the following fashion. Let the 10-bit key be designated as (k1 , k2 , k3 , k4 , k5 , k6 , k7 , k8 , k9 , k10). Then the permutation P10 is defined as: P10(k1 , k2 , k3 , k4 , k5 , k6 , k7 , k8 , k9 , k10) = (k3 , k5 , k2 , k7 , k4 , k10, k1 , k9 , k8 , k6 ) P10 can be concisely defined by the display: 3 5 2 7 P10 4 10 1 9 8 6 This table is read from left to right; each position in the table gives the identity of the input bit that produces the output bit in that position. So the first output bit is bit 3 of the input; the second output bit is bit 5 of the input, and so on.For example, the key (1010000010) is permuted to (1000001 100). Next, perform a circular left shift (LS-1), or rotation, separately on the first five bits and the second five bits. In our example, the result is (00001 11000). Next we apply P8, which picks out and permutes 8 of the 10 bits according to the following rule: P8 6 3 7 4 8 5 10 9 The result is subkey 1 (K1 ). In our example, this yields (10100100) We then go back to the pair of 5-bit strings produced by the two LS-1 functions and perform a circular left shift of 2 bit positions on each string. In our example, the value (00001 11000) becomes (00100 00011).Finally, P8 is applied again to produce K2 . In our example, the result is (01000011). C. 3 S-DES Encryption Figure C. 3 shows the S-DES encryption algorithm in greater detail. As was mentioned, encryption involves the sequential application of five functions. We examine each of these. Initial and Final Permutations The input to the algorithm is an 8-bit block of plaintext, which we first permute using the IP function: IP 2 6 3 1 4 8 5 7 This retains all 8 bits of the plaintext but mixes them up. At the end of the algorithm, the inverse permutation is used: C-3 8/5/05 1 3 IP–1 57 2 8 6 It is easy to show by example that the second permutation is indeed the reverse of the first; that is, IP–1(IP(X)) = X. The Function fK The most complex component of S-DES is the function fK, which consists of a combination of permutation and substitution functions.The functions can be expressed as follows. Let L and R be the leftmost 4 bits and rightmost 4 bits of the 8-bit input to fK, and let F be a mapping (not necessarily one to one) from 4-bit strings to 4-bit strings. Then we let fK(L, R) = (L ! F(R, SK), R) where SK is a subkey and ! s the bit-by-bit exclusive-OR function. For example, suppose the output of the IP stage in Figure C. 3 is (10111101) and F(1101, SK) = (1110) for some key SK. Then fK(10111101) = (01011101) because (1011) ! (1110) = (0101). We now describe the mapping F. The input is a 4-bi t number (n 1 n2 n3 n4 ). The first operation is an expansion/permutation operation: 4 1 2 E/P 32 3 4 1 For what follows, it is clearer to depict the result in this fashion: n4 n2 n1 n3 n2 n4 n3 n1 The 8-bit subkey K1 = (k11, k12, k13, k14, k15, k16, k17, k18) is added to this value using exclusiveOR: n4 ! 11 n2 ! k15 n1 ! k12 n3 ! k16 n2 ! k13 n4 ! k17 n3 ! k14 n1 ! k18 p0,1 p1,1 p0,2 p1,2 p0,3 p1,3 Let us rename these 8 bits: p0,0 p1,0 The first 4 bits (first row of the preceding matrix) are fed into the S-box S0 to produce a 2bit output, and the remaining 4 bits (second row) are fed into S1 to produce another 2-bit output. These two boxes are defined as follows: C-4 8/5/05 0 S0 = 1 2 3 0 â€Å"1 $3 $0 $3 # 1 0 2 2 1 2 3 1 1 3 3 2% 0†² 3†² 2†² ; 0 S1 = 1 2 3 0 â€Å"0 $2 $3 $2 # 1 1 0 0 1 23 2 3% 1 3†² 1 0†² 0 3†² & The S-boxes operate as follows.The first and fourth input bits are treated as a 2-bit number that specify a row of the S-box, and the s econd and third input bits specify a column of the Sbox. The entry in that row and column, in base 2, is the 2-bit output. For example, if (p0,0p0,3) = ! (00) and (p0,1p0,2) = (10), then the output is from row 0, column 2 of S0, which is 3, or (11) in binary. Similarly, (p1,0p1,3) and (p1,1p1,2) are used to index into a row and column of S1 to produce an additional 2 bits. Next, the 4 bits produced by S0 and S1 undergo a further permutation as follows: P4 2 4 3 1 The output of P4 is the output of the function F.The Switch Function The function fK only alters the leftmost 4 bits of the input. The switch function (SW) interchanges the left and right 4 bits so that the second instance of f K operates on a different 4 bits. In this second instance, the E/P, S0, S1, and P4 functions are the same. The key input is K2 . C. 4 Analysis of Simplified DES A brute-force attack on simplified DES is certainly feasible. With a 10-bit key, there are only 2 10 = 1024 possibilities. Given a ciphertex t, an attacker can try each possibility and analyze the result to determine if it is reasonable plaintext. What about cryptanalysis?Let us consider a known plaintext attack in which a single plaintext (p1 , p2 , p3 , p4 , p5 , p6 , p7 , p8 ) and its ciphertext output (c1 , c2 , c3 , c4 , c5 , c6 , c7 , c8 ) are known and the key (k1 , k2 , k3 , k4 , k5 , k6 , k7 , k8 , k9 , k10) is unknown. Then each ci is a polynomial function gi of the pj ‘s and kj ‘s. We can therefore express the encryption algorithm as 8 nonlinear equations in 10 unknowns. There are a number of possible solutions, but each of these could be calculated and then analyzed. Each of the permutations and additions in the algorithm is a linear mapping.The nonlinearity comes from the S-boxes. It is useful to write down the equations for these boxes. For clarity, rename (p0,0, p0,1,p0,2, p0,3) = (a, b, c, d) and (p1,0, p1,1,p1,2, p1,3) = (w, x, y, z), and let the 4-bit output be (q, r , s, t) Then the operati on of the S0 is defined by the following equations: q = abcd + ab + ac + b + d r = abcd + abd + ab + ac + ad + a + c + 1 where all additions are modulo 2. Similar equations define S1. Alternating linear maps with these nonlinear maps results in very complex polynomial expressions for the ciphertext bits, making cryptanalysis difficult.To visualize the scale of the problem, note that a polynomial equation in 10 unknowns in binary arithmetic can have 210 possible terms. On average, we might therefore C-5 8/5/05 expect each of the 8 equations to have 29 terms. The interested reader might try to find these equations with a symbolic processor. Either the reader or the software will give up before much progress is made. C. 5 Relationship to DES DES operates on 64-bit blocks of input. The encryption scheme can be defined as: IP-1 o fK16 o SW o fK15 o SW oL o SW o f K1 o IPA 56-bit key is used, from which sixteen 48-bit subkeys are calculated. There is an initial permutation of 64 bits foll owed by a sequence of shifts and permutations of 48 bits. Within the encryption algorithm, instead of F acting on 4 bits (n1 n2 n3 n4 ), it acts on 32 bits (n1 †¦n32). After the initial expansion/permutation, the output of 48 bits can be diagrammed as: n32 n4 †¢ †¢ †¢ n28 n1 n5 n29 n2 n6 †¢ †¢ †¢ n30 n3 n7 n4 n8 n31 n32 n5 n9 †¢ †¢ †¢ n1 This matrix is added (exclusive-OR) to a 48-bit subkey. There are 8 rows, corresponding to 8 S-boxes. Each S-box has 4 rows and 16 columns.The first and last bit of a row of the preceding matrix picks out a row of an S-box, and the middle 4 bits pick out a column. C-6 10-bit key ENCRYPTION DECRYPTION P10 8-bit plaintext 8-bit plaintext Shift IP-1 IP K1 fK P8 K1 fK Shift SW SW K2 fK P8 K2 fK IP–1 IP 8-bit ciphertext 8-bit ciphertext Figure C. 1 Simplified DES Scheme 10-bit key 10 P10 5 5 LS-1 LS-1 5 5 P8 K1 8 LS-2 LS-2 5 5 P8 K2 8 Figure C. 2 Key Generation for Simplified DES 8-bit plaintext 8 IP 4 fK 4 E/P 8 F 8 + 4 4 2 K1 2 S0 S1 P4 4 + 4 SW 4 fK 4 E/P 8 F 8 + 4 4 2 K2 2 S0 S1 P4 4 + 4 IP–1 8 8-bit ciphertext Figure C. 3 Simplified DES Encryption Detail

Applying to the Ivy League: Everything You Need to Know

Applying to college is no simple task, no matter where you apply, but for students applying to the prestigious Ivy League, the challenge is even greater. With acceptance rates consistently dipping below 10% and college applicants on the rise, getting into the Ivy League is a goal that most can only dream about. At , we have coached hundreds of students towards their Ivy League acceptances. In fact, we even helped one amazing student gain acceptance to seven of them! But what’s success if we aren’t willing to share it? Here, we provide a home for our top Ivy League tips. To learn more about the Ivy League and how you can score an acceptance too, take a look at the resources below. The term Ivy League actually refers to a collegiate athletic conference composed of sports teams from eight private colleges and universities in the northeastern United States. Though the term officially refers to an athletic conference, it is more commonly used to refer to these same eight schools in other contexts. Ivy League schools are generally known for their academic excellence and their extreme selectivity in admissions. The eight Ivy League schools are: Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and Yale University. To learn more about some of these schools and what they’re all about, check out these posts: The Ivy League is exceptionally difficult to get into, especially by today’s increasingly selective college admissions standards. To learn more about the standards expected by the Ivy League, check out these posts about Ivy League students: Before you apply to any colleges, you’ll want to learn as much about them as possible. This can be through campus visits, interviews, college rankings, summer programs, or other avenues. To get started learning more about the Ivy League, have a look through these posts: Estimating your chance of getting into a college is not easy in today’s competitive environment. Thankfully, with our state-of-the-art software and data, we can analyze your academic and extracurricular profile and estimate your chances. Our profile analysis tool can also help you identify the improvement you need to make to enter your dream school. As is the case with any school you apply to, you’ll need to be sure that your high school classes and extracurriculars qualify you for acceptance. To learn how you can prepare for the Ivy League in high school, check out these posts: Although the overall trend in Ivy admissions places less emphasis on test scores than it did in previous years (thanks in large part to Harvard’s Making Caring Common initiative ), your scores are still important. To learn how they factor into Ivy League admissions, check out these posts: Are you college applications signed, sealed, and delivered? Now you wait. For many students this is the hardest part of the process. Waiting and receiving college decisions can be stressful. Here are some tips to help along the way: If you are a high school student interested in attending an Ivy League school, but you’re unsure if you have what it takes or you would like some help to ensure that you present the strongest application possible, consider ’ s Mentorship Program . This program provides practical advice on topics from college admissions to career aspirations, all from successful college students who have been in your shoes.