Human Sexuality: Toys and Technology Essay

Throughout history, the concept of sexuality and what is deemed as normal within different societies has evolved constantly. Various social standards and expectations often play into how a culture will approach sexuality—what it entails, what its limits may be, or if it is even an appropriate topic of discussion (Davies, 1982, p. 1042). Evidently, no matter how liberal or relaxed a particular society may be, there are still certain areas of sexuality that are considered taboo such as the integration of technology (Rubin, 1989, p. 267). This pertains to the use of internet or film porn, vibrators, and other sex toys. While the use of technology for sexual purposes is widespread, there are still some apprehensions about it, and many are still uncomfortable with the concept of sex toys and pornography. Due to factors such as politics, religion, and cultural traditions, society still tends to classify the use of sexual accessories or entertainment as taboo; and this is indicative of how social norms influence one’s views and comfort level when it comes to sexual behavior. As political changes have altered the way in which society functions, so have they altered people’s views of sexuality. Consider the ancient Grecian times, during which sexuality and promiscuity were considered to be a normal part of everyday life. People treated sexual behavior in a relatively unabashed manner. When kingdoms and politics began to grow to be larger in scale, however, it had an inverse relationship to the presence of sexuality in society (Greenberg, 1988, p. 185). Sexual enjoyment began to be more repressed in an effort for politicians and rulers to control a group of people (Davies, 1982, p. 1032). Political movements also led to the promotion of chastity as well as the elimination of prostitution (Rubin, 1989, p. 68). Widespread political agendas essentially began implementing a new mindset and a new set of morals in society. Instead of sex being treated as a natural and acceptable part of life, the growth of politics determined sexual behavior as being immoral; and as time passed, it became a solid societal expectation that people should repress any animal-like sexual urges and avoid promiscuous behavior. At the very least, they should keep their sexual conduct private and refrain from discussing it with others. Aside from prostitution, masturbation was heavily discouraged (Rubin, 1989, p. 68). Even in today’s society, this mindset is still present. Many people, especially women, are uncomfortable with the concept of masturbation, let alone discussing it with others (Rubin, 1989, p. 282). With vibrators being one of the most popular masturbation accessories, the negative or awkward associations between the vibrators and the actual act of masturbation can be observed—that is, since masturbation is still considered by some to be taboo, vibrators and other sex toys are automatically put into the same category. Along with politics, religion has been a major influence in terms of how different cultures and societies perceive sexuality. When one considers the literal translation of the Bible, for example, the messages are clear and quite threatening. Those who violate what God declares to be the boundaries of sexuality are thought to be an â€Å"abomination†, and it even states that prostitutes should be stoned to death (Greenberg, 1988, p. 196). The enforcement of these beliefs within society was for the purpose of creating social boundaries in an effort to maintain ultimate control over a group of people (Davies, 1982, p. 060). If society followed a religious order, then immoral behavior would theoretically be minimized. Many cultures, especially in the Western world, therefore, adhered to the Christian-based ideals of sex (Rubin, 1989, p. 283). This philosophy says that sex has one sole purpose, which is procreation. The Bible also states that sex is intended to take place between a man and a woman, suggesting that masturbation is a sin (Rubin, 1989, p. 283). This explains why so many still frown upon sex toys, which are meant to enhance one’s sexual pleasure even if they are not having sex with another person. Religious texts, in general, have served to disassociate several aspects of sexuality with moral and ethical behavior (Davies, 1982, p. 1042). Not only is masturbation considered unethical, but so is watching pornography. The Bible does not only classify sexual deviancy with physical actions, but what one thinks about as well. If someone is watching pornography, they are thought of to be engaging in immoral behavior; and if they are married, then pornography is simply considered to be another form of cheating and disloyalty. Many couples today will choose to watch a porn video together in order to enhance their sex life, but it is still thought of as taboo and not often discussed amongst couples. Regardless of whether or not all people believe in a certain religion, it is clear that religion has affected society and how people perceive matters such as porn or masturbation—even if they are not aware of any religious influences. Together, politics and religion have introduced the concept that illicit sex is unethical (Rubin, 1989, p. 289). They have developed social traditions and standards, which includes laws against pornography and other sexual factors that are considered to be obscenities (Rubin, 1989, p. 289). It is now a normal standard in society that one has to be at least 18 years of age to rent or buy porn. In addition, adult entertainment has become its own thriving industry due to the laws that prohibit pornography from being viewed by the general public (Rubin, 1989, p. 290). Of course, separating the porn business from society is not necessarily a negative act, especially since children should not be exposed to such graphic themes and images. The fact that there are laws that ban porn and other forms of adult entertainment, however, add to society’s stigma when it comes to how porn is perceived. A porn video is not considered to be the same as a rated R movie that children under 17 cannot watch. It is thought of as a taboo movie that even adults think of as inappropriate or socially unacceptable (Davies, 1982, p. 1037). If there are laws required to regulate or even ban certain sexual acts—such as in certain states, where homosexual sodomy is illegal—then sexuality in general is considered criminal, and that it should be treated with caution (Rubin, 1989, p. 91). The criminalization of sexuality has essentially conditioned society to be apprehensive in how they engage in sexual acts and whether or not they make use of any available material or objects that were created to improve their experience. Although the use of vibrators has become increasingly population—especially after the hit TV show Sex and the City made the â€Å"Rampant Rabbit† vibrator so famous—it is still considered to be a rebellion against tradition (Davies, 1982, p. 1040). Perhaps this is why women who openly admit to using sex toys are still referred to as â€Å"new age† or â€Å"modern women†, even though vibrators and other toys have been available for so long. When one thinks of the traditional and socially acceptable form of sex, they will most likely think of a man and a woman who are probably married. Sex toys are typically not considered a â€Å"normal† part of intercourse; and many consider using vibrators as emasculating to men and traditional gender roles (Greenberg, 1988, p. 15). Sexual behavior is already thought to be lusty and risque. When additions like erotic toys are added, sex is thought to be that much more taboo (Greenberg, 1988, p. 224). This is because toys are basically an excess—that is, couples do not need vibrators in order to have intercourse. Even during masturbation, people do not require inanimate objects to engage in the act. According to Gayle Rubin (1989), there is also a sexual hierarchy in society that lists what is defined as normal sex (p. 282). Monogamy is one of the defining factors of â€Å"good† and â€Å"acceptable† sexual behavior; and since pornography is generally based on pure lust between two unmarried people, it is still not thought of as a normal form of sexual expression. The use of vibrators, especially for masturbation purposes, tends to be looked down upon as well, simply because it tends to cross traditional social boundaries (Davies, 1982, p. 1032). These boundaries imply that technology in general, when used for sexual acts, represents a lack of morals, ethics, and values (Rubin, 1989, p. 310). This, of course, is not the case. Although centuries have passed since Western society adopted religious and politically-based views on sexuality, people still cannot fully accept that objects like vibrators and porn films have become a normal part of sexual behavior. The attempt to regulate sexual behavior and influence how people approach their own personal sex lives is nothing more than an example of the desire for ultimate control (Greenberg, 1988, p. 238). Although there should be restrictions that protect children from adult content, this should not affect society’s comfort level when it comes to sex—after all, it is a natural behavior. Sex, in general, is simply taken too seriously in Western culture, and only causes unnecessary amounts of stress and anxiety on those who wish to deviate from the standardized ideal of sexual behavior (Rubin, 1989, p. 310). Vibrators and sex toys are nothing more than accessories for sexual acts, and pornography is merely an adult form of entertainment; but due to political, religious, and traditional forces, they are still considered to be sexual and social taboos.

Importance of Reading Essay

Reading has at all times and in all ages been a source of knowledge, of happiness, of pleasure and even moral courage. In today’s world with so much more to know and to learn and also the need for a conscious effort to conquer the divisive forces, the importance of reading has increased. In the olden days if reading was not cultivated or encouraged, there was a substitute for it in the religious sermon and in the oral tradition. The practice of telling stories at bed time compensated to some extent for the lack of reading. In the nineteenth century Victorian households used to get together for an hour or so in the evenings and listen to books being read aloud. But today we not only read, we also want to read more and more and catch up with the events taking place around us. The various courses and classes being conducted in rapid reading support this belief. The amount of reading one should get through is of course nobody’s business. There is no end to it for there is a variety of subjects to read about. The daily newspaper or the popular magazine while it discusses topical issues and raised controversies, it also provokes thought and throws light on human nature. It brings the news of wars, rebellions, organizations, political stances, heroic deeds etc. , together and helps knit a world of some sort. There is then the serious reading undertaken for research and for satisfying one’s longing for knowledge. It may be a subject of scientific significance, or a subject of historic or philosophic importance – varying according to the taste of the person. This kind of reading disciplines the mind and trains one for critical and original thinking. There is yet another kind of reading -reading for pleasure. Though serious reading is also a source of pleasure, reading which is devoted mainly to it differs in one respect. It grows upon one, it gives before demanding and it soothes and relieves tension and loneliness. The only kind of reading which neither stimulates thought nor provides knowledge is one which is approached negatively, with the simple motive of escape and of â€Å"killing† time. A person who is widely read is able to mix with others: he is a better conversationalist than those who do not read. He can stand his ground. Reading broadens the vision. it is in a way a substitute for travel. It is not possible to travel as much as one would like to and reading can fill in the gap created by the lack of travel. â€Å"Reading†, as Bacon wrote in his essay. ‘Of Studies’. â€Å"maketh a full man: conference a ready man: and writing an exact man†. Thus a widely-read man is a better conversationalist and is able to see the other point of view. Literature is a form of art which can cross barriers and if one does not know the language in which a piece of literature is written, one is willing sometimes to learn the language. Even if one does not learn a language one reads the literary work in translation. This contributes to the growth of understanding and tolerance amongst people. Reading also helps one to see the present in relation to the past and the future, and thus develop a historical perspective. Care is needed to ensure that reading does not become a substitute for real life. The moment one ceases to enjoy the ordinary pleasures and happiness of life and is content to enjoy them vicariously through fictional and historical representations, one loses all the benefits of reading and loses contact with life. With the cinema and television taking up a great deal of attention of children, teenagers and even adults, the habit of serious reading is dying out. People are content to read abridged versions. see films, go through illustrated comics and be content. But just as reading should not become a substitute for the joy of living or drive out the other forms of entertainment, other substitutes should not be accepted for the pleasure of reading which lies in the act itself. One may be selective, may be discriminating but no one can afford to shut himself off from this rich and ever-growing world of literature.

Case study hr after a disaster

In a large organization employing is highly educated professionals is to conduct a needs assessment of the professionals. Directing a needs assessment is important, so that the management looking at the rewards and challenges of being a manager that can motivate the professionals effectively. In addition, educated professionals need to fulfil their self-actualization needs, needs for achievement and needs for affiliation. Organic structure can be adopted in managing the professionals. Organic structure can be adopted in managing the professionals at the same time. In a large organization that employees highly educated professionals, is giving more important for the organization to fulfil the self-actualization needs of the professionals. According to Maslow Hierarchy, self-actualization need is a person’s needs for growth, achieving one’s potential and self-actualization. Moreover, it is also a person’s need to become what he or she is capable is becoming. However the manager can provide training to the professionals to fulfil their actualization need. For example, the manager can provide training in communicate skills, computer systems application and programming, customer service as well. Besides that, managers can apply theory Y to motivate the highly educated professionals. Theory Y is the assumption that employees are creative, enjoy work, seek responsibility, and can exercise self-direction. And yet there several ways for a manager to motivate employee based on Theory Y. For example, managers can adopt participative decision making. Furthermore, Organic structure is the suitable use for more flexible structures with less clearly-defined chains of command. Effective companies usually try to use the best structure for their specific situation. In addition, there are six characteristics of organic structure which is cross-functional team, cross-hierarchical teams, free flow of information, and wide spans of control, decentralization and low formalization. Then, decentralization is more independence, freedom, increase flexibility, speed up decision making, get closer to customers, empower employees and reduce costs. As conclusion, the manager can provide training to the professionals to fulfil their actualization needs. As a nutshell, Organic structure is more suitable for motivating the highly educated professionals and is a highly adaptive form that is as loose and flexible as well too.

Risk Management Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Risk Management - Case Study Example Risk management is the practice of managing the resources of the operation in such a way as to maintain an acceptable level of risk. This in turn should generate a corresponding level of return that will allow the goals of the operation and management to be achieved. The use of time, financial and other resources to effectively manage the risks so that goals can be achieved is the risk management. Risk management comprises of risk assessment and risk control. Assessing Risk is identifying and analyzing risk. Controlling Risk is taking steps to reduce risk, provide contingency, monitor improvements. Risk Management is important for ensuring that a computer project isn't scuppered, preventing accidental loss or disclosure of information, avoiding computer fraud, hacking, ensuring the smooth running of an information system and maintaining your career prospects. Sources of Risk: There are five main sources of risk in an operation: production risk, marketing risk, financial risk, legal risk and human resource risks. Production risks include yield and quality variability. Marketing risks include changes in the price and external conditions. Financial risks include variability in debt, equity capital and ability to meet cash demands. Legal risks include responsibilities for contracts, statutory compliance, tort liability and business structure. Human Resource risks include people management and estate transfer. Types of Risk: There are two types of risk that affect the volume of investment. The first is the entrepreneur's or borrower's risk which arises out of doubts in his own mind as to the probability of his actually earning the prospective yield for which he hopes. This is a real social cost, though susceptible to diminution by averaging as well as by an increased accuracy of foresight. If a man is venturing his own money, this is the only risk which is relevant. But when a system of borrowing and lending exists, which means the ranting of loans with a margin of real or personal security, a second type of risk is relevant which we may call the lender's risk. This may be due either to moral hazard, i.e. voluntary default or other means of escape, possibly lawful, from the fulfillment of the obligation or to the possible insufficiency of the margin of security, i.e. involuntary default due to the disappointment of expectation. This is a pure addition to the cost of investment which would not exist if the borrower and lender was the same person. Moreover, it involves in part a duplication of a proportion of the entrepreneur's risk, which is added twice to the pure rate of interest to give the minimum prospective yield which will induce the investment. For if a venture is a risky one, the borrower will require a wider margin between his expectation of yield and the rate of interest at which he will think it worth his while to borrow; whilst the very same reason will lead the lender to require a wider margin between what he charges and the pure rate of interest in order to induce him to lend (except where the borrower is so strong and wealthy that he is in a position to offer an exceptional margin of security). During a boom the popular estimation of the magnitude of both these risks, both borrower's risk and lender's risk, is apt to become unusually and imprudently low.From

Graduate Reflection Paper 2(b) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Graduate Reflection Paper 2(b) - Essay Example Psychology plays a part in every aspect of leadership, especially when it is applied to employees and customers To keep employees and customers happy, psychology is usually employed. Psychology is also employed when companies go to a global clientele and they are working with people of different cultures. Another area where psychology is important is in the hiring of new employees. Dynamic leaders must understand what the company needs are and then find ways to screen candidates in order to find the best talent for all positions. Some companies rely on psychological concepts and testing to help them define whether the potential employee has the characteristics needed for the position. There are many concepts that use psychology as a base. As an example, Naisbitt and Aburdene (1990) spoke about the fact that most organizations need to capitalize on the benefits of diversity. The reason they must do this is because the way that diverse groups are able to work together will directly impact the productivity that can be expected from the employees. Psychological models will be important to use beaus they reinforce work with others and place building relationships as the most important aspect of dynamic leadership. As an example, Goethals (2005) understood that the model of psychodynamics used by Freud, was useful in studying leadership. In using Freuds theory, he learned that when someone is able to blindly obey a leader, it is because they had an "instinct to submit to authority" (Goethals, 2005, p. 99) and the leader had to assert their authority for it to happen. Another model that is important is the social-cognitive model. This model emphasizes the concepts of social identity and its interaction with a group. Many people find their social identity through interaction with their own groups or teams. This model emphasizes two specific processes that people go through to find their social identity" a0

The character of Othello Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The character of Othello - Essay Example He is proud, and a good husband, but he is vulnerable to the vicious slanders of others who resent his presence among them. Othello himself is obviously deeply loved by Desdemona, and he claims that â€Å"She loved me for the dangers I had passed† (Act I, Scene 3), which Desdemona agrees with. He is highly thought of as a soldier, and apart from Iago, most people respect him for his achievements. Part of the crisis that occurs in this play has to do with the social context of a non-Christian outsider coming in to Western society and taking on high position in court and the hand in marriage of a desirable white woman. Diyanni puts the blame for Othello’s downfall squarely on the influence of Iago: â€Å"Othello’s language later in the play reveals his decline from a courageous and confident leader to a jealous lover distracted to madness by Iago’s insinuations about his wife’s infidelity† (DiYanni, 2004, p. 927). It is true that Othello is dri ven to distraction by the second-hand tales of assignations between Desdemona and her alleged lover Cassio. One criticism that could be made of Othello is that he is not a very good judge of character. He is duped by Iago, and he accepts the account of events that he is given, and the piece of evidence in the form of the missing napkin is enough to convince him that something untoward has happened. The way he goes about finding out the truth is deceitful, since he makes up an excuse to ask Desdemona about the napkin, and this shows that he is gullible, and easily led when it comes to matters of romance. Desdemona is a feisty woman, but she shows admirable deference to her husband’s authority. It is a pity that he did not trust her word and give her the same loyalty and respect that she gave to him. The real tragedy of Othello’s character is that he jumps to a wrong conclusion and kills his wife in haste, not because he hates her, but because he loves her, and he has bu ilt his whole life, and his military career, on being a good and upright husband to her. Seeing her run off with someone else would make other people laugh at him, and he is extremely angry, even to the point of cursing her with the words â€Å"Damn her, lewd minx! Oh damn her, damn her!† (Act III, Scene 4). He is deeply hurt, because he thinks she has deceived him, despite all their vows and his absolute loyalty and commitment to her. There is a violent side to Othello, and he imagines all kinds of ways of killing her, with an emphasis on destroying her beauty and emphasizing his power over her. Although this reaction is very extreme, it is also understandable, and even in modern times the newspapers are full of stories of masculine rage being taken out on former partners when relationships break up. It is very human to feel this way, and the audience can identify at least with how he feels, even if they do not agree with what he does about that feeling. There is evidence in the last scene that Othello comes to realize his error, not just in distrusting his wife, but also in thinking ill of other people involved in the story. Even though he is not a Christian, he displays all the features of a Christian penance, asking forgiveness of Cassio, and admitting that he has done something terribly wrong. He mentions the fact that he

Project MAnagment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Project MAnagment - Essay Example This particular research takes into consideration the example of construction of a new house where the critical path can be determined such that delay in the completion of the total project can be avoided, thereby reflecting the benefits of the use of PERT in management of a project. Acknowledgements Table of Contents Serial No. Topic Page No. 1. Introduction 6 2. The Role of PERT in Project Management 7 2.1. Risk Factors in Projects and the Main Objective of PERT 7 3. Construction of New House Project: Use of PERT 8 3.1. PERT Technique in the Construction of a New House 9 4. Conclusion 13 References 14 List of Tables Serial No. Topic Page No. Table 1. The required tasks for construction of house 10 Table 2. Calculation of Earliest Start Times for all the activities of the project 12 List of Figures Serial No. Topic Page No. Figure 1. House Construction Network 9 Figure 2. PERT Diagram for the Construction of New House 11 List of Appendices Serial No. Topic Page No. Appendix A. PERT Diagram 15 1. Introduction: PERT or Program Evaluation and Review Technique is a technique for the management of any project work. ... The estimations of time durations used by PERT are probabilistic in nature. Thus specific time durations are not used by the technique. Optimistic estimates are used for the estimations of the durations, while pessimistic estimates are used for the activities of the project (Schwalbe 2010). The management of project holds significant importance since in large organizations or for larger project works, the tasks and activities of the project proves to be highly complex and hence need expertise for its timely completion. It is for this reason that highly qualified project managers are hired for the management of projects. Such project managers are required to have the specific skills and competencies needed for the project to be undertaken (PM4DEV 2008). Examples of different projects may include construction of houses, factories, shopping malls, development of military systems, construction of oil pipelines, and so on (Russell and Taylor 2006). The present study focuses on an understa nding of how PERT is used in the management of a project considering the example of construction of a house. 2. The Role of PERT in Project Management: Projects such as the building of houses involve several complex activities and task that need to be accomplished, the tasks that are interrelated with each other. Thus one of the major objectives before initiating the tasks of a project includes scheduling the individual activities depending on specific time, as well as resources. This needs to be done such that the total project can be completed within the planned time, with minimum cost being allocated (Sharma 2006). For the use of PERT in management of projects, a weighted average of the estimated duration for each activity of the project needs to be calculated which is done

Principles and models of corporate governance Essay

Principles and models of corporate governance - Essay Example It is essential for each and every company to comply to this principles and models of corporate governance to establish the roles of management and the board and with the balanced skill, experience and independence on the board. The present paper makes an attempt critically assess the criteria in terms of strengths and weaknesses. Under Principle No 2 of Corporate Governance, 2.1 put forth certain criteria that would assess the capability, skills and experience of the company. Under Principle 2.1 which assesses the functioning of the board, the points excluding 2.1.9 can be regarded as the strengths of the guidebook of corporate governance which is the deciding factor for the corporate governance certificate. All the points under principle 2.1 ask about the boards’ performance, skills, capabilities, roles of the board according to the position of the board members, and other key performance areas. Principle 2.1.9 is not regarded as the weakness but can be considered as the more strongest assessment criteria than the other, as it can expose the weaknesses of the board of directors of the company asking whether they follow the company laws, regulations and also giving the boards the opportunity to mention whether or not they are voluntary capable of achieving high status in corporate governance. Principle No. 2.2 assesses the companies’ role towards the shareholders and their duties. The principles laid down in the guidebook are good enough to assess the role and responsibility of board towards their stakeholders. The principle critically assesses whether the company communicates the information with their shareholder, does it conducts annual general meeting, involvement in election of board of directors, transparency in financial matters, etc. The strengths of the principle 2.2 the sub principle 2.2.2 which evaluates the importance given to the shareholders by the company board members in respect of exercising

Health Promotion Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Health Promotion - Research Paper Example What are the impacts of the changes on families across the nation? What can be done differently? What does the future hold? All these questions are very important given the fact that populations are aging, there is an increase in health care costs, medicines are increasingly becoming costly and the population lacking health coverage are on the rise too. There are several key factors that influence people’s approach to health care delivery. These include cultural values and beliefs, situational and economic factors. Economic realities have the greatest influence on the design of the health care delivery systems (Palley, 1995). The United States health expenditures with reference to the Health Care Financing Administration (1998) were as illustrated in the table below; In a review of the data, Weiss and Lonnquist (2000) came to a conclusion that the United States has the most expensive and demanding health care system as compared to other countries in the world. In comparison to other sectors of the economy, there has been a more rapid growth. Viewed from another angle, an examination of the expenditure on national health care in relation to GDP reveals a rapid increase in expenditure. For the past forty years, Americans have recorded a steady increase in cost in excess of the other sectors of the economy (Braden, Lazenby and Levit, 1998). From 1960 to 1990, the health care took a bigger share of the GDP up from five percent to fourteen percent. Some of the factors that have fueled this increase include; â€Å"ObamaCare† was signed into law on the 23rd day of March 2010 by President Barack Obama. In combination with the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act amendment, they represent the most remarkable regulatory sanitation of the United States health care system in the history of the country since the Medicaid and Medicare passage in 1965. The Affordable Care Act was enacted to; increase the affordability and quality of health

Executive Leadership discussion Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Executive Leadership discussion - Research Paper Example A good plan can be implemented only by a person who has the knowledge, skills and leadership abilities (Ammons and Newell, 1989). A good leader is the driver for a business to reach the destination of success. Thus, executive leadership is what the business depends upon for success. All business organization will have multiple level of employees, and employees at higher levels make decisions while the employees at lower levels implement the decisions. The success of any organization is entirely dependant on the leadership qualities exhibited at the top level (Elliott,  Clement &   Lessem, 1994). If the organization has a good executive at the top, the management will be good. Good management transfers its effects to all levels of employees and this in turn improves output or production and the quality of the product. Rhonda Abrams (1991) believes that executive leadership is required for the effective growth of an organization. All managers in the organization should have leadership accountability and this accountability needs to be discharged by the leader for the overall growth of the organization. Executive leadership provides a practical approach for improving the decision making capacity of the managers at all levels. Decision making forms the basis of achievement of targets and overall development of the organization. The executive leaders have to take up the responsibility of building the organization. They make fundamental changes in the organization and implement them. They motivate the managers to accept the change in the best interest of the organization (Elliott,  Clement &   Lessem, 1994). According to Wyne R. Davis, these are a few requirements of an executive leader. An executive leader, who has the ability to carry out the above responsibilities, will make the organization successful in terms of business. The executive leaders are responsible to bring an overall positive change to the organization. They set the right goals and aims

The Pros of Therapeutic Cloning Essay Example for Free

The Pros of Therapeutic Cloning Essay Are you for or against human cloning? Before you answer this pertinent question, picture this. A loved one who is very dear to you is diagnosed with a serious disease such as muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s disease, or even diabetes. If they could be treated, cured or have their life saved by stem cells or the results of cloning research, would that change your answer? Cloning can be defined as creating â€Å"an identical copy of a plant or animal from the genetic material of a single organism† (Cloning). There are two main types of human cloning, reproductive and therapeutic. Reproductive human cloning would essentially produce entire, living human beings, whereas therapeutic cloning would only produce parts or pieces such as tissue samples or organs needed for transplantation. The major debate over cloning is an ethical one. Would a clone have the same rights as the original? Would cloning result in a new form of slavery? Personally, I am not sure what the answers to these questions are. But regardless, therapeutic cloning should be allowed because humans are not being created, only the components needed to heal ailing patients. One major issue in regards to the cloning debate is the conjoining of the two separate types of cloning. The public sees cloning as the creation of a belated twin, which actually only describes reproductive cloning. When most people think about cloning they picture a mad scientist creating faux people in some dank, secret laboratory. In reality, this is about as far from the truth as one can get. Medical science is very far from creating actual people. However, we are much closer to discovering the necessary technology for producing cells and tissue samples essential for the treating, and possibly curing, of many debilitating diseases. Stem cell research is a major part of indispensable advances in therapeutic cloning. â€Å"Stem cells are useful because of their ability to become other cell types†¦Embryonic stem (ES) cells, however, have a much greater developmental potential [than Adult stem cells] and can be coaxed to give rise to nearly every cell type† (Davies, Fairchild, and Silk). Stem cells can be used to start established cell lines, from which multiple different cell types can be grown. This technology could be utilized majorly for replacement tissue growth, which is crucial to the treatment of diseases such as Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which is more commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Therapeutic cloning is not nearly as complicated as some people make it out to be. According to Kevin Bonsor and Cristen Conger on the How Stuff Works website, which is a Discovery Channel company, therapeutic cloning involves a serious of steps. DNA is extracted from a sick person. The DNA is then inserted into an enucleated donor egg [an egg with the nucleus removed]. The egg then divides like a typical fertilized egg and forms an embryo. Stem cells are removed from the embryo. Any kind of tissue or organ can be grown from these stem cells to treat various ailments and diseases. Using this process, healthy organs can be grown to replace damaged ones, or new skin can be produced to graft onto a burn victim. Furthermore, neurons can be grown to help treat patients with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or other neurological ailments. Therapeutic cloning is referred to in the field as nuclear transportation or, more specifically, somatic cell nuclear transfer. According to an article written by Chan et al. in 2008, scientists conducted a study to learn whether or not they could treat Parkinson’s in mice and it began with the â€Å"derivation of 187 ntES [(nuclear transfer Embryonic Stem)] cell lines from twenty four parkinsonian mice. † Based on the information found in this study it is reasonable to say that, using therapeutic cloning, we may be able to treat Parkinson’s disease in mice (Chan et al. ). Taking that into account, it is hardly a far stretch until medical experts are capable of treating human sufferers of Parkinson’s. Furthermore, this study alone should be proof enough that research into therapeutic cloning is not only ethical, but necessary. Gregg Wasson was a distinguished law practitioner, and his fiancee, Ann Campbell, an author of children’s books. That is, until they were both diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and their careers were ended by their impending dementia. Somehow, with help from the twenty five odd medications he take every day, Gregg managed to testify on behalf of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) in front of the U. S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary. With medicine where it is right now, this man is required to spend around $11,000 every year on his medication, and continue to medicate every three hours. Furthermore, â€Å"Parkinson’s medications become less effective over time†, so eventually his medications will no longer accomplish their job and he will slowly die (Therapeutic). If the government were to put a ban on therapeutic cloning, this would be the life that millions of Americans would be condemned to. However, if research is allowed to continue, we could someday be able to help these people, or even cure them. In the words of Gerald Ford, the thirty-eighth president of the United States of America, reproductive cloning would be â€Å"a perversion of science†. On the other hand, however, he argues that therapeutic cloning is anything but. In 2002, around the time of Ford’s eighty-ninth birthday, a bill was put before Congress that would ban not only reproductive cloning, but therapeutic as well. The late President Ford said that therapeutic cloning is â€Å"a very different branch of science that holds limitless potential to improve or extend life for 130 million Americans now suffering from chronic or debilitating conditions. He felt that all of these people deserved the best possible care that science and medicine could possibly produce, and banning therapeutic cloning would hinder advancement toward this goal significantly (Ford). The absolute epitome of the opposition to cloning is that people should not have the power to create people. This resistance does not apply here since I am only in favor of therapeutic cloning. Some may say that growing human tissue is equally as immoral as creating entire humans, to which I reply, is taking a biopsy equally as immoral as committing murder? Others may say that cloning is a boldfaced violation of the Nuremburg code. I feel that this does not even remotely apply, since the code says, in layman’s terms, that it is wrong to initiate experimentation on a human subject when it is known that the outcome may be serious pain, injury, or death. â€Å"People have been cloning plants for thousands of years†¦Many common fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants are produced in this way from parent plant with especially desirable characteristics† (Cloning). Why, then, are people so opposed to it now? Fear of the unknown begets anger and opposition. Society has no idea what may come of cloning or stem cell research, so they wholeheartedly combat them. A number of people believe they do know will happen, and their ideas are often incredible stretches of the imagination. In my opinion, the worst possible outcome of therapeutic cloning would be to discover that some conditions and diseases are actually irreversible or incurable.

What Subject Do I Like Best Essay Example for Free

What Subject Do I Like Best Essay In school, of all the classes I have to take, I like P.E. most. Why? There are three simple reasons why I love it: there is no homework, it helps me stay healthy, and last, it is quite relaxing to learn. First, the homework part, for me, it’s a dream comes true when there’s no homework for me to do. I am kind of obsessed with homework. I open my eyes thinking about homework, I eat thinking about homework, I even take a bath thinking about homework. So it’d be nice to have at least one subject that doesn’t require my thinking about homework. And that’s the first reason why I like physical education. Second, about the true value of this subject, it helps us me stay strong. Obviously, P.E. helps us improving our health. Students are very careless about their own good by doing things that harm them in the way that they don’t know, such as: sitting in front of the computers for hours, watching television for much too long, and many more. Those are the habits that are quite hard for children to change. And that’s when P.E. comes into place. It make us do workouts, prevent us from getting out of shape and of course, no one wants to be fat because of one simple reason: you won’t look attractive to other people and maybe that special someone is one of those â€Å"people†. And last but not least, there’s absolutely no pressure learning this subject. You don’t have to pay much attention when studying. There’s almost nothing too complicated about P.E. compare to other classes like Math, Physics, Chemistry†¦ and so that’s the last reason I like this.

The Grammar Translation Method Community Language Learning English Language Essay

The Grammar Translation Method Community Language Learning English Language Essay We have learnt about different teaching approaches during the lecture. The examples of approaches are the direct method, grammar translation method, the silent way, community language learning, communicative language teaching, total physical response and many more. I have chosen the grammar translation method and community language learning as for this report. According to Random House Unabridged Dictionary, grammar translation method means a traditional technique of foreign-language teaching based on explicit instruction in the grammatical analysis of the target language and translation of sentences from the native language into the target language and vice versa. Community language learning means a method of teaching a foreign language that uses small groups and other ways of reducing students anxiety. There are advantages and disadvantages of both approaches. Both approaches are also relevant to use in the current Malaysian Education system. Generally, the grammar translation is derived from traditional approaches to the teaching of Latin and Greek in the nineteenth century (Barb, 2010). Even though the method has been used a long time ago, this method is still useful to our current education system. According to Richard and Rogers, 2002 (as cited in Barb, 2010), the grammar translation method is a way of studying a language that approaches the language first thought detailed analysis of its grammar rules, followed by the application of this knowledge through the task of translating sentences and text into and out of the target language. The first advantage is that grammar rule is taught deductively. This means that the pupils are taught about the grammar rule and then they have to apply to the new examples. It is important for the pupils to learn about the grammar rule of the language. This will make them use and apply the language better. They can lessen their mistake when they know about the grammar rule. They also wi ll be able to explain about the grammar rule of certain words when they have the knowledge. Next, translation is the easiest and shortest way to understand English. This is because most primary school children do not familiar with this language. They can only understand their mother tongue. So, by teaching English using the mother tongue, the pupils manage to catch up with their study better. Translation is needed to teach the children. The usage of mother tongue is very important for the pupils in learning English in the early year. This is to make them understand better. For example, if we talk using English during lesson, the pupils may not be able to understand a single thing during the lesson. By using the mother tongue during the lesson, the pupils also do not have any problem in understanding and responding to the teacher. So, there is interaction happen in the classroom. The communication between the pupils and the teacher does not cause any problem. Translation is very important element in learning English for these children. The other advantage is the pupils have been introduced to the literature texts during the early years of their study. It is a good sign that the pupils learn about literature during the lesson. When they have learnt about the literature texts, they manage to interpret the literary passages well based on their experience during the learning process in the class. They can show their understanding in literature by managing to interpret the literary texts. There are also disadvantages of this method. The first disadvantage is less participation from the pupils. This method is teacher-oriented. The teacher has the full authority to control the class. So, the inputs of the learning are given by the teacher from the beginning of the lesson until the end. The pupils job in the class is to hear to the teachers instruction without questioning anything. They are like silent learners. There is no discussion or sharing opinion occurs during the lesson. As a result, the pupils cognitive skill and critical and creative thinking will not develop. Not only that, the teacher also is the one to decide whether the pupils answers are correct or not. If the pupils do not manage to get the correct answers, the teacher will give the correct answers to the pupils. The teacher does not even try to give the pupils another chance to answer to the questions. They will not become autonomous learner. This is one of the teacher-centred methods in the learning pro cess. These skills are required for the pupils to develop so that they will be able to understand their learning better and manage to do well in their study. Not only that, the other disadvantage is little or no attention given to the speaking skill. According to Brown (2001), it does virtually nothing to enhance a students communication ability in the language. This is because they only do the reading and writing during the class. The pupils are not exposed to any other skills in learning like listening, speaking and writing. These skills are vital for the pupils in their learning. By learning a lesson with these skills, they will be able to understand the lesson and manage to complete all the works given by the teacher. If this situation continuously happens, it will promote to the boredom to the pupils. This is because they keep on doing the same thing during the lesson. Primary school children always like to have fun and doing fun things. When they are doing the same thing durin g the lesson, the tendency for them to withdraw from the lesson is higher. As a result, the lesson process will not progress well. The disturbance that occurs will interrupt the learning process. They will also disrupt other students who wanted to learn. Besides that, the teaching using this method is against the natural way of learning a language. The natural order of learning a language is listening, speaking, reading and writing (Purwarno Hadinata, 2006). Through this method the pupils are to ask to read texts and literature texts during the lesson. This method is unnatural method. Even though the primary school children want to learn about their mother tongue language while they were young, they still have to listen to the other peoples words before they can speak out the words. It is hard for them to learn about English which is not their mother tongue through reading. They will not understand the sentences or words through reading. The last disadvantage of grammatical translation method is much vocabulary is taught in the form of lists of isolated words. The teacher gives the meaning of single words instead of the meaning of the sentences or phrases. For example, the teacher gives the meaning of the word happy in the mother ton gue. The pupils only know the meaning of the word happy. There are also other words that related to the word happy like happiness, happily and many more. When reading sentences that have the word happiness, the pupils may become confused. This is because they only know the meaning of the word happy. This method is relevant for the rural area pupils. This is because using this method; the teacher does not has to use any high-tech teaching aids. High-tech teaching aids such as LCD (liquid crystal display) projector can be quite bothersome sometimes. The teacher just has to use the textbooks as the main resource in the classroom. Furthermore, in rural area, the high-tech teaching aids are rarely found there. Sometimes, the electricity resource is not enough for them. There are some places in rural areas that do not have water and electricity resources. So, textbooks are the important resources in the classroom. Other than that, the target language is translated into the mother tongue. So, the rural area pupils will be able to understand English well when the words are translated. This is because many of them do not capable in understand and using English. They are not exposed to this language since they were little. When they entered school, they have to learn about this language a s a second language and they are very new to this language. Translation using the mother tongue is very essential for them. This can build their interest towards the language. Even though they find it hard learning English for the first time, as the time goes by the interest towards the English language will be developed. Since this method is teacher-centred, the pupils can depend on the teacher to learn English. They have no one to teach them English at house compared to the pupils who live in the urban area. The other approach is community language learning. This method is also known as counselling-learning. Basically, community language learning is based on the student-centred. The pupils will become autonomous learners. In this method, teacher acts as the counsellor while the pupils as the clients. The pupils are asked to sit in a close group of six to ten persons. They have talk about anything they like and the teacher has to be outside the circle. The pupils also have the chance to choose their own topic. They are given the time to brainstorm the ideas. The most important thing is their discussion will be recorded. Besides that, during the discussion, the pupils can also talk using their mother tongue and the teacher will translate for them the actual sentences. At this point, the pupils are responsible for their own learning. They have to be more confident to have the conversation among the members in the group. The recorded conversation will be shown to the pupils in order to impro ve their abilities in the English language. Even though this is student-centred approach, the teacher plays a vital role in this method. Teacher plays the role as he facilitator and guider for the pupils during their learning process. The second advantage is it will boost the pupils speaking and listening skills. When the pupils use this method for the first time, they may feel a bit of awkwardness during the conversation. When they are used to this method, the feeling of awkwardness will disappear. They will find this method enjoyable and fun. This is because the topic is not specific by the teacher. The pupils have the freedom to choose the topic for themselves. Thus, their speaking and listening skills will be improved. They will be able to use the language without any worry. They are not afraid to make mistakes when speaking. As a result, they have the confident in using the language. The other advantage of this method is encourage teachers to see their students as whole persons, where their feelings, intellect, interpersonal relationships, protective reactions, and desired to learn are addressed and balanced (English Raven Educational Services 2007). This method is also a part of humanistic approach in the language learning. This is because it will help the teacher to understand their pupils emotions or feelings. When the teacher is able to understand the pupils feelings, the teacher will be able to help them in their learning. It also encourages the teacher to know more about their pupils. So, the teacher is capable to fulfil the pupils needs in their learning. The pupils learning process will run smoothly. The last advantage is it will enhance the relationship between teacher and pupils. According to Joyce, Calhoun and Hopkins (2002), this model emphasizes the partnership between students and teachers. The teacher will help the pupils to translate the sentences that the pupils produced in their mother tongue. This is because the pupils will seek for their teachers help whenever they need the help. So, the teacher will always ready to help the pupils outside the circle. The relationship between the teacher and pupils will become closer. It can also decrease the pupils anxiety while doing the conversation in the group. This is because they manage to build trust among themselves. They are able to support each other during the conversation. Teacher can also help the pupils to overcome their negative feeling towards English by turning them into positive energy to further their learning. Teacher can encourage the pupils to speak English. The teacher can also praise the pupils when they manage to speak English during the conversation. This will motivate them to learn about English. In the class, teacher is responsible to correct the pupils when they make mistakes. Teacher should be able to comfort the pupils during the conversation. Then, the fe ar of learning English by the pupils will disappear slowly. There are also disadvantages in this method. Firstly, this method is time consuming. A lot of time is needed for this method to be progressed successfully. The teacher should be more patient while using this method. The teacher has to give more time for the pupils on their learning process. Sometimes, the learning process will be delayed. In addition, not all pupils will be able to participate in the conversation at a time. Only a few pupils will be participating. The teacher has to follow the time that has been allocated during the lesson. If the learning process has delayed, the teacher has to find some other time to continue with the session. If this method requires a lot of time, the pupils will feel bored when they do not capable to acquire the language. This will lead to frustration to the pupils. Thus, they will lose the interest in learning English as the second language and tend to withdraw themselves from the conversation. Furthermore, it is very hard for the teacher to tra nslate certain sentences for the pupils. This is because there are some classes which have multiracial pupils. They also use different mother tongue language. So, the teacher will find it hard for them. The teacher may not be able to understand every pupil in the class. There are also a few teachers that are not really capable in using the English language. As they continue using this method; it will also lead to frustration to the teachers. The teacher may not be able to help the pupils in their English. So, in order for the teacher to be able to help the pupils, the teacher should be fluent in the mother tongue language and also English. Other than that, some of the pupils do not have the confidence is speaking in English. So they may use a lot of mother tongue in the conversation. This will not improve their English as second language. They are afraid to try to speak in English. They will feel embarrass when their friends laugh at them if they make mistakes. Some pupils may feel rather passive and will not volunteer to speak anything. This is because they have to depend on themselves during the conversation. The teacher will serve as a facilitator and will monitor them during the conversation. They will also feel embarrass when they hear the recorded tape. Some of the pupils may not be able to speak fluently when they know that they are being recorded. They will lose the feeling of security learning English. Even though this method is non-threatening, some of the pupils may find this method threatening. This is when they are not capable to acquire the target language. They may have low self-esteem in using the langu age. The tendency for them not to speak in English during the conversation may be higher. This is because they have to be responsible for their own learning. They have to depend on themselves and the other members in the group. When they are not able to speak using the target language, they will have the feeling of frustration in themselves. This approach is relevant to the secondary school and tertiary level education. This is because this is student-centred approach. They should be able to be responsible towards their learning. They are able to think about the thing that will benefit them. By using this method in learning, the students will be able to become autonomous learner. This is because the current Malaysian education system encourages the students to find their own way of learning. They should not depend on the lecturers that teach them. They have to find other alternatives in their learning. So, by using this method, the students will be able to achieve the aspiration of the current education system. They will also enhance their speaking and listening skills. The order of learning a language is by learning listening and speaking skills first. If they are able to listen to teacher well, they will be able to speak English well. Hence, they will have the confidence in using the target language everywhere. In conclusion, both methods have their own advantages and disadvantages. It depends on how it is being used in the school. In order to make this method successful in the class, teacher and the administration of the school play an essential role.

Their Eyes Were Watching God Essay -- essays research papers

Love and Marriage   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston is a novel about a Southern black woman and her experiences through life. Janie, the main character, is forced at a young age by her grandmother, into an arranged marriage with a man named Logan. Janie is told to learn to love Logan, but the love never comes for Logan in Janie's heart so she leaves him. She meets a man named Joe. Soon after they are married. Joe was sweet at first, then his true feelings about women come out and Janie looses her love she thought she had for him. He soon dies after their separation. Janie then falls in love with a man named Tea Cake. He is the man with whom she has a wonderful, loving, happy marriage. Janie, through youth and lack of empowerment, is mislead to believe other people's definitions of love and marriage until she is strong enough to find a relationship on her own which satisfies her personal definitions of love and marriage.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Nanny, Janie's grandmother, leads her to believe that love comes after marriage though love is secondary to the security marriage provides. Nanny feels marriage was simply for security and to start a family. 'Taint Logan Killicks Ah wants you to have baby, it's protection.';(pg. 14). Nanny says this to Janie before her arranged marriage to Logan. Nanny wants Janie to be financially set with her life before she dies and leaves Janie to fend for herself. Nanny wants her to start a f...

Crime And Punishment: Is There Or Is There Not Such A Thing As Crime? :: essays research papers

Crime and Punishment: Is There or is There Not Such a Thing as Crime?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  For this question, I have chosen to discuss the following three works of literature: Crime and Punishment, by Feodor Dostoevsky, Beloved, by Toni Morrison, and Utopia, by Sir Thomas More.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To begin with an omniscient and philosophical frame of reference, crime is only defined as crime by the society defining it. When a mass of human beings coagulate to ¬ gether and form a civilized society, they are bound to make rules and laws to follow and bide by; for laws are one of the cornerstones of a civilized society. If there were no laws, society would be uncivilized and in a chaotic state of anarchy. These laws are decided and administered usually by elected officials who act as leaders in the society. From the input of the citizens, they make laws to run the society by. And when a person breaks the law, that is defined as a ‘crime'. For example, purposeful and alleged manslaughter is a crime, because it is a law to not kill others; people are not allowed to go cavorting around killing whomever they please, if they did, civilization would fall. Laws and rules hold us to civilization.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another way to define crime is through ethics and morals. Each person on this Earth possesses a conscience; when we do something wrong, our conscience makes us feel guilty, although some people feel less or more guilt than others about certain acts; it varies individually. Based on this, one can define a crime as the things that make us feel guilty, although some crimes do not make us feel guilty. Some people do not feel any guilt when committing immoral acts; these people are deemed psychopaths or sociopaths by society. For example, most people do not feel guilty when they break the law by speeding, its just a way of life these days, but with complex ideologies (stealing, killing), we feel guilt if they are committed. Our consciences also hold us to civilization.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, the laws are already defined in Early Nineteenth century St. Petersburg, Russia. Henceforth, when one breaks a law they have committed a crime and are eligible for arrest and punishment by the upholders of law in society, the police. A particular act that is defined as criminal is that of murder. Raskolnikov knows of this very well, for he has committed two murders, both of them ille ¬ gal and in cold blood. Obviously, this act is defined as criminal because of the moral and legal implications one

Essay --

Moderately Easy Things You'll Need Introduction Shapely muscles are hidden under your excess body fat. Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images Whether you have saddlebags, love handles, bra bulge, a double chin, or bat wings, reducing excess fat requires a full-body approach. Spot reducing fat by super exercising your problem area doesn't work. (See References 1, p. 15) You'll only strengthen the muscle under the fat, but won't reduce the fat above the muscle. To accomplish this, integrate a healthy diet, cardio and strength training. This combo can accrue the caloric deficit that's needed to reduce your weight. When your body fat reduces, your muscle tone will show, and you'll have a well-defined physique. Step 1 Change your diet and eating habits to reduce your caloric intake. Understand that it takes a deficit of 500 calories a day to lose 1 pound in a week. Part of this can come from dietary changes. For instance, eat fruit to satisfy a sweet tooth; instead of eating high-calorie desserts every day, eat only one dessert a week; reduce your portions by 10 to 15 percent; and limit sugar, salt, alcohol, and saturated and trans fats. (See References 2 and 3) Step 2 Eat foods from all the food groups to make sure your body gets the nutrients it needs to function while you're losing weight. Include a variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet; get whole grains from foods like brown rice and whole-wheat bread; consume reduced-fat dairy products, such as low-fat milk; eat healthy protein from fish, poultry, nuts, and beans. (See References 4) Step 3 Perform 150 to 300 minutes of moderate cardio each week to burn calories. (See References 5) Consider playing tennis, going jogging, swinging walking poles back and forth during a bri... ...muscle&hl=en&sa=X&ei=W1zZUunhFsT8oAS1hoLYAw&ved=0CFwQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=spot%20reduce%20fat%20above%20muscle&f=false] American Council on Exercise: Trimming Off the Fat [https://www.acefitness.org/acefit/healthy_living_fit_facts_content.aspx?itemid=2672] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Healthy Eating for a Healthy Weight [http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/] Harvard School of Public Health: Healthy Eating Plate and Healthy Eating Pyramid [http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/pyramid/] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: How Much Physical Activity Do Adults Need? [http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/adults.html] American Council on Exercise: High-Intensity Interval Training [http://www.acefitness.org/fitness-fact-article/3317/high-intensity-interval-training/] User Bio

Academia and Classroom Essay

Question 1 1. 1 Conflict> The practice of recognizing and dealing with disputes in a rational, balanced and effective way. Conflict is an expressed struggle between at least two interdependent parties who perceive incompatible goals, scare resources, and interference from others in achieving their goals. † 1. 2 Decision- making > Is the choice of the most suitable way of solving a problem or handling a situation . 1. 3 Communication> Is a means by which the teacher and pupils’ different needs, feelings and attitudes are conveyed to each other in order to establish cooperation and achieve goals. 1. 4 Motivation> Is the process by means of which motives are provided by, amongst others, a manager or situation in order to bring about certain actions and thus to achieve certain goals. 1. 5 Leadership> Leadership consists of actions that help the group to complete its tasks successfully and maintain effective working relationships among its members. Leadership is a set of skills that anyone can acquire Question 2 2. 1. 1 AUTOCRATIC CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT STYLE When dealing with pupil behaviour the teacher will intervene and try to control the behaviour of the pupils. The teacher is mainly interested in the pupils’ completion of tasks and learning performance . Pupils’ participation in the classroom situation is limited to listening, working and doing. The following are some advantages of this approach: ? Some pupils may feel secure in this kind of situation. ? Because the teacher lays down fixed rules and procedures, pupils know what is expected of them and what they can expect in the classroom. The following are some disadvantages of this approach: ? The classroom atmosphere is characterised by competition, unwillingness to work together and poor discipline when pupils are left unsupervised. ? Creative thinking is suppressed. ? There is no cooperation. ? Pupils may develop a negative attitude towards the subject. 1 Student no : 43713009 EDA 201W Ass no : 2 719493 2. 1. 2 DEMOCRATIC CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT STYLE A democratic style of classroom management correlates with an interactive teaching style. This teaching style requires that teachers should have a sound knowledge of their subject and of human nature so that they can encourage their pupils to participate actively and meaningfully in teaching and learning activities. The control of pupil behaviour in the classroom is jointly controlled by the pupils and the teacher. As a management style it requires the teacher to maintain a balance between the task aspect and the human aspect of the classroom situation. Teaching and learning tasks are completed with the pupils’ willing cooperation and co responsibility which are the hallmarks of democratic classroom management. The following are some advantages: ? ? ? Pupils participate confidently in classroom activities. It encourages initiative and creativity. The classroom atmosphere is relaxed, yet productive. ? Pupils feel that they are involved in teaching activities. 2. 2 Five styles of conflict management ? Avoidance: avoiding conflict is a short-term solution because the conflict will not go away. Sometimes, however, avoidance could be a temporary measure to calm emotions. ? Giving in or accommodating: teachers who badly want the pupils to accept them use this style. With this style the real differences are underemphasized. Sometimes teachers have to give in to avoid hostility in the classroom and to ensure that the work can get done. ? Domination: teachers who want to impose their will on pupils use this style. In the long run this style is seldom effective, although teachers sometimes have to dominate. ? Compromise or settle: this style is marked by a search for compromises and settlement. The teacher will try to meet everyone halfway and to let the majority view prevail. Because a settlement might not satisfy everybody, the dissatisfaction could again cause conflict at a later stage. ? Integrate or collaborate: this style is also known as the problem-solving approach. The parties cooperate in order to find a satisfactory solution. 2. 3 A proper balance between the: task-oriented and the human relations aspects, required in every teaching-learning situation , enables teachers to create a teaching-learning situation with a positive atmosphere. Maintaining a balance between the structural (formal) and human relations (informal) aspects requires a holistic approach to classroom management. The combination and integration of these two dimensions represent the actual structure of the classroom situation, which includes all areas of the teacher’s management task. These studies revealed a clear correlation between classroom atmosphere and pupil performance of grade 9 and grade 10 pupils in 12 secondary schools in Ontario as follows: ? Classroom atmosphere has a significant influence on pupil performance. ? Although the personal and social characteristics of pupils are important factors in their school performance, classroom atmosphere is sometimes more important. ? The psychosocial and academic aspects of teaching are interrelated. 2 Student no : 43713009 EDA 201W Ass no : 2 719493 ? Variables that relate directly to teaching-learning activities in the classroom have a special, unique influence on pupil performance. The following are the guidelines for teachers to cultivate positive attitudes in their pupils: ? Put the pupils in the centre. ? Respect pupils’ opinions and treat all pupils respectfully. ? Give pupils a group feeling. ? Help pupils to feel secure in school. ? Make sure that pupils understand their assignments. ? Realise that pupils are children, not adults. ? Deal with individual behaviour problems in private interviews with the pupil rather than in front of the whole class. ? Involve pupils in decision making where appropriate. ? Do not label pupils. 3 Student no : 43713009 EDA 201W Ass no : 2 719493 2. 4 CLASSROOM POLICY 1. In all instances, civility and respect for classmates and the instructor are expected. 2. Book bags, briefcases, etc. are not allowed on your desk during class. They must remain on the floor near your chair. 3. You may not use cell phones in class. a. All ringers must be turned off. b. You may not text message, place or answer calls. c. All earphones, headphones, headsets or any other accessory for your cell phone may not be used in class – that means, out of sight and not on your head or in your ear. 4. You may not use any device (for example, IPod, MP3 player) to listen to or view music or other programming in class. 5. You will be asked to leave class if you disregard classroom policy. ATTENDANCE / WITHDRAWAL POLICY 1. Since the course is conducted in a seminar format, your attendance is mandatory. 2. You will sign the Attendance Signature sheet at the beginning of each class. 3. Your class participation points may be reduced from if you are late in class. 4. You may be withdrawn from COS 133 if you are absent from 20% of the class. LATE WORK 1. No late work will be accepted. MAKE-UP QUIZ POLICY 1. There are no quiz make-ups. No exemptions. GRADING POLICY 1. Your grade for COS 133 will be based on the points you accumulate for assignments, quizzes, and class participation. 2. Your grade for COS 133 is calculated as follows: Topic 1. Assignments 2. Quizzes 3. Classroom Participation Weight 30% 55% 15% 4 Student no : 43713009 EDA 201W Ass no : 2 719493. Topic Weight A 94 -100 1. Assignments 30% A- 90 – 93 2. Quizzes 55% B+ 87 – 89 3. Classroom Participation 15% B 84 – 86 B- 80 – 83 C+ 77 – 79 C 74 – 76 C- 70 – 73 D+ 67 – 69 D 64 – 66 D- 60 – 63 F < 60 1. Assignments = 30 Points COS assignments consist of a variety of activities designed to promote a successful college experience at MCC. Your assignments will consist of reading textbook chapters and answering related exercise questions. In addition, you may be using your MCC student email to submit Web assignments. Assignments are due at the beginning of the class. However, you may submit your assignments before the due date. Distribution of points are as follows: 10 textbook assignments (3 points each) = 30 points 2. Quizzes = 55 Points Quizzes are based on your chapter reading assignments. o You may use your textbook to answer the questions. However, be well prepared for a very challenging quiz. o If you are late for class and miss the quiz, you will receive a zero for the quiz. Distribution of points is as follows: o 11 textbook quizzes (5 points each) = 55 points 3. Classroom Participation = 15 Points Classroom participation points are earned by behaviors that demonstrate o prompt attendance for class 3 o active listening o positive involvement in small group work o thoughtful contributions during whole class discussions o civility and respect for classmates and the instructor Distribution of points is as follows: o 1 point per week = 15 points o You cannot earn classroom participation points if you are absent. MCC REGULATIONS AND POLICIES Academic Honesty Policy In the academic process, it is assumed that intellectual honesty and integrity are basic responsibilities of any student. However, faculty members should accept their correlative 5 Student no : 43713009 EDA 201W Ass no : 2 719493 responsibility to regulate academic work and to conduct examination procedures in such a manner as not to invite violations of academic honesty. Such violations consist mainly of cheating and plagiarism. For more details regarding MCC’s Academic Honesty policy regarding definitions, disciplinary action, and procedure for appeal check the MCC Catalog and Student Handbook or MCC Website. Policy Statement on Sexual Harassment 1. Monroe Community College strives to recognize human dignity and therefore does not tolerate sexual harassment or any other type of harassment within or connected to this institution. 2. Sexual harassment is illegal and unfairly interferes with the opportunity for all persons, regardless of gender, to have a comfortable and productive education and work environment. 3. We are committed to taking all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment and to discipline those who do harass. Code of Conduct The following actions or conducts are prohibited. 1. The obstruction or disruption of any College function or activity, including the classroom instructional environment, administration of the parking program and service functions and activities. 2. The detention, physical abuse or intimidation of any person, or threat thereof, or any 4 conduct which threatens or endangers the health, safety, or welfare of any person on College-owned or operated property or at College-sponsored activities. 3. The use of obscene or abusive language or any other means of expression, language, or action which may reasonably be expected to provoke or encourage physical violence by other persons. 4. The refusal to obey any reasonable or lawful request, order, or directive of a College public safety officer, a teacher, College administrator, or any other identified representative of the College. MCC LEARNING CENTERS 1. Monroe Community College has a number of Learning Centers at Brighton (for example, Accounting, Math, Psychology, Writing, the Electronic Learning Center, etc. ) and at Damon (for example, the Integrated Learning Center, Electronic Learning Center, etc.). 2. Learning centers are staffed with instructional personnel and may be equipped with computers and software to assist students. 3. It is recommended that students use the Learning Centers to get additional help with concepts learned in the classroom and with their homework. SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES 1. Students with a documented learning difficulty should make an appointment with the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities on the Brighton or Damon Campus to arrange for support services. 2. All deaf or hard of hearing students should contact the Counseling and Advising Center. 3. You must provide the instructor with appropriate documentation regarding accommodations within the first two weeks of class. EMERGENCY CLOSINGS 1. If the College is closed due to inclement weather or some other emergency, all Rochester area radio and television stations will be notified no later than 5:30 a. m. 2. In addition, the homepage on the MCC website (www. monroecc. edu) will display a message indicating the College is closed. 3. Please do not call the College to avoid overloading the telephone lines. 5 6 Student no : 43713009 EDA 201W Ass no : 2 719493 CLASS CANCELLATION To access a list of daily class cancellations, you may 1. Call the Public Safety Department (292-2066) at MCC, press 1 for a list of cancelled classes at Brighton and press 2 for a list of cancelled classes at Damon; 2. Go to the Internet, access MCC, go to the A-Z listing to C for Class Cancellations and see the list of cancellations; 3. Check your student email for a cancellation notice from your instructor 6 COURSE SYLLABUS AGREEMENT Detach and return this signed sheet to Professor Rodriguez. ______________________________________ M00______________________ Student’s Printed Name Student MCC College ID Number COS 133 Section Number: _________ Semester / Year: _____________ The Course Syllabus 1. The Course Syllabus (course information sheet) is a written legal covenant between you and your professor. 2. It clarifies the professor’s expectations and your responsibilities. Your professor expects you to meet deadlines for assignments, papers, projects and tests. 3. It is your responsibility to review the course syllabus and clarify any aspect of the syllabus. Therefore, read it carefully and ask questions you may have about its content. Check the appropriate box. I have read the course information sheet for COS 133 – Introduction to College Studies. I understand my responsibilities for this course. I do not have any questions. I do not understand the requirements stated in the COS 133 Course Information Sheet. I will schedule an appointment to discuss my questions with my professor. List your questions for discussion here: ______________________________________ _____________________ Signature Date. Academia and Classroom Essay Question 1 1. 1 Conflict> The practice of recognizing and dealing with disputes in a rational, balanced and effective way. Conflict is an expressed struggle between at least two interdependent parties who perceive incompatible goals, scare resources, and interference from others in achieving their goals. † 1. 2 Decision- making > Is the choice of the most suitable way of solving a problem or handling a situation . 1. 3 Communication> Is a means by which the teacher and pupils’ different needs, feelings and attitudes are conveyed to each other in order to establish cooperation and achieve goals. 1. 4 Motivation> Is the process by means of which motives are provided by, amongst others, a manager or situation in order to bring about certain actions and thus to achieve certain goals. 1. 5 Leadership> Leadership consists of actions that help the group to complete its tasks successfully and maintain effective working relationships among its members. Leadership is a set of skills that anyone can acquire Question 2 2. 1. 1 AUTOCRATIC CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT STYLE When dealing with pupil behaviour the teacher will intervene and try to control the behaviour of the pupils. The teacher is mainly interested in the pupils’ completion of tasks and learning performance . Pupils’ participation in the classroom situation is limited to listening, working and doing. The following are some advantages of this approach: ? Some pupils may feel secure in this kind of situation. ? Because the teacher lays down fixed rules and procedures, pupils know what is expected of them and what they can expect in the classroom. The following are some disadvantages of this approach: ? The classroom atmosphere is characterised by competition, unwillingness to work together and poor discipline when pupils are left unsupervised. ? Creative thinking is suppressed. ? There is no cooperation. ? Pupils may develop a negative attitude towards the subject. 1 Student no : 43713009 EDA 201W Ass no : 2 719493 2. 1. 2 DEMOCRATIC CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT STYLE A democratic style of classroom management correlates with an interactive teaching style. This teaching style requires that teachers should have a sound knowledge of their subject and of human nature so that they can encourage their pupils to participate actively and meaningfully in teaching and learning activities. The control of pupil behaviour in the classroom is jointly controlled by the pupils and the teacher. As a management style it requires the teacher to maintain a balance between the task aspect and the human aspect of the classroom situation. Teaching and learning tasks are completed with the pupils’ willing cooperation and co responsibility which are the hallmarks of democratic classroom management. The following are some advantages: ? ? ? Pupils participate confidently in classroom activities. It encourages initiative and creativity. The classroom atmosphere is relaxed, yet productive. ? Pupils feel that they are involved in teaching activities. 2. 2 Five styles of conflict management ? Avoidance: avoiding conflict is a short-term solution because the conflict will not go away. Sometimes, however, avoidance could be a temporary measure to calm emotions. ? Giving in or accommodating: teachers who badly want the pupils to accept them use this style. With this style the real differences are underemphasized. Sometimes teachers have to give in to avoid hostility in the classroom and to ensure that the work can get done. ? Domination: teachers who want to impose their will on pupils use this style. In the long run this style is seldom effective, although teachers sometimes have to dominate. ? Compromise or settle: this style is marked by a search for compromises and settlement. The teacher will try to meet everyone halfway and to let the majority view prevail. Because a settlement might not satisfy everybody, the dissatisfaction could again cause conflict at a later stage. ? Integrate or collaborate: this style is also known as the problem-solving approach. The parties cooperate in order to find a satisfactory solution. 2. 3 A proper balance between the: task-oriented and the human relations aspects, required in every teaching-learning situation , enables teachers to create a teaching-learning situation with a positive atmosphere. Maintaining a balance between the structural (formal) and human relations (informal) aspects requires a holistic approach to classroom management. The combination and integration of these two dimensions represent the actual structure of the classroom situation, which includes all areas of the teacher’s management task. These studies revealed a clear correlation between classroom atmosphere and pupil performance of grade 9 and grade 10 pupils in 12 secondary schools in Ontario as follows: ? Classroom atmosphere has a significant influence on pupil performance. ? Although the personal and social characteristics of pupils are important factors in their school performance, classroom atmosphere is sometimes more important. ? The psychosocial and academic aspects of teaching are interrelated. 2 Student no : 43713009 EDA 201W Ass no : 2. 719493 ? Variables that relate directly to teaching-learning activities in the classroom have a special, unique influence on pupil performance. The following are the guidelines for teachers to cultivate positive attitudes in their pupils: ? Put the pupils in the centre. ? Respect pupils’ opinions and treat all pupils respectfully. ? Give pupils a group feeling. ? Help pupils to feel secure in school. ? Make sure that pupils understand their assignments. ? Realise that pupils are children, not adults.? Deal with individual behaviour problems in private interviews with the pupil rather than in front of the whole class. ? Involve pupils in decision making where appropriate. ? Do not label pupils. 3 Student no : 43713009 EDA 201W Ass no : 2 719493 2. 4 CLASSROOM POLICY 1. In all instances, civility and respect for classmates and the instructor are expected. 2. Book bags, briefcases, etc. are not allowed on your desk during class. They must remain on the floor near your chair. 3. You may not use cell phones in class. a. All ringers must be turned off. b. You may not text message, place or answer calls. c. All earphones, headphones, headsets or any other accessory for your cell phone may not be used in class – that means, out of sight and not on your head or in your ear. 4. You may not use any device (for example, IPod, MP3 player) to listen to or view music or other programming in class. 5. You will be asked to leave class if you disregard classroom policy. ATTENDANCE / WITHDRAWAL POLICY 1. Since the course is conducted in a seminar format, your attendance is mandatory. 2. You will sign the Attendance Signature sheet at the beginning of each class. 3. Your class participation points may be reduced from if you are late in class. 4. You may be withdrawn from COS 133 if you are absent from 20% of the class. LATE WORK 1. No late work will be accepted. MAKE-UP QUIZ POLICY 1. There are no quiz make-ups. No exemptions. GRADING POLICY 1. Your grade for COS 133 will be based on the points you accumulate for assignments, quizzes, and class participation. 2. Your grade for COS 133 is calculated as follows: Topic 1. Assignments 2. Quizzes 3. Classroom Participation Weight 30% 55% 15% 4 Student no : 43713009 EDA 201W Ass no : 2 719493 Topic Weight A 94 -100 1. Assignments 30% A- 90 – 93 2. Quizzes 55% B+ 87 – 89 3. Classroom Participation 15% B 84 – 86 B- 80 – 83 C+ 77 – 79 C 74 – 76 C- 70 – 73 D+ 67 – 69 D 64 – 66 D- 60 – 63 F < 60 1. Assignments = 30 Points COS assignments consist of a variety of activities designed to promote a successful college experience at MCC. Your assignments will consist of reading textbook chapters and answering related exercise questions. In addition, you may be using your MCC student email to submit Web assignments. Assignments are due at the beginning of the class. However, you may submit your assignments before the due date. Distribution of points are as follows: 10 textbook assignments (3 points each) = 30 points 2. Quizzes = 55 Points Quizzes are based on your chapter reading assignments. o You may use your textbook to answer the questions. However, be well prepared for a very challenging quiz. o If you are late for class and miss the quiz, you will receive a zero for the quiz. Distribution of points is as follows: o 11 textbook quizzes (5 points each) = 55 points 3. Classroom Participation = 15 Points Classroom participation points are earned by behaviors that demonstrate o prompt attendance for class 3 o active listening o positive involvement in small group work o thoughtful contributions during whole class discussions o civility and respect for classmates and the instructor Distribution of points is as follows: o 1 point per week = 15 points o You cannot earn classroom participation points if you are absent. MCC REGULATIONS AND POLICIES Academic Honesty Policy In the academic process, it is assumed that intellectual honesty and integrity are basic responsibilities of any student. However, faculty members should accept their correlative 5 Student no : 43713009 EDA 201W Ass no : 2 719493 responsibility to regulate academic work and to conduct examination procedures in such a manner as not to invite violations of academic honesty. Such violations consist mainly of cheating and plagiarism. For more details regarding MCC’s Academic Honesty policy regarding definitions, disciplinary action, and procedure for appeal check the MCC Catalog and Student Handbook or MCC Website. Policy Statement on Sexual Harassment 1. Monroe Community College strives to recognize human dignity and therefore does not tolerate sexual harassment or any other type of harassment within or connected to this institution. 2. Sexual harassment is illegal and unfairly interferes with the opportunity for all persons, regardless of gender, to have a comfortable and productive education and work environment. 3. We are committed to taking all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment and to discipline those who do harass. Code of Conduct The following actions or conducts are prohibited. 1. The obstruction or disruption of any College function or activity, including the classroom instructional environment, administration of the parking program and service functions and activities. 2. The detention, physical abuse or intimidation of any person, or threat thereof, or any 4 conduct which threatens or endangers the health, safety, or welfare of any person on College-owned or operated property or at College-sponsored activities. 3. The use of obscene or abusive language or any other means of expression, language, or action which may reasonably be expected to provoke  or encourage physical violence by other persons. 4. The refusal to obey any reasonable or lawful request, order, or directive of a College public safety officer, a teacher, College administrator, or any other identified representative of the College. MCC LEARNING CENTERS 1. Monroe Community College has a number of Learning Centers at Brighton (for example, Accounting, Math, Psychology, Writing, the Electronic Learning Center, etc. ) and at Damon (for example, the Integrated Learning Center, Electronic Learning Center, etc. ). 2. Learning centers are staffed with instructional personnel and may be equipped with computers and software to assist students. 3. It is recommended that students use the Learning Centers to get additional help with concepts learned in the classroom and with their homework. SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES 1. Students with a documented learning difficulty should make an appointment with the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities on the Brighton or Damon Campus to arrange for support services. 2. All deaf or hard of hearing students should contact the Counseling and Advising Center. 3. You must provide the instructor with appropriate documentation regarding accommodations within the first two weeks of class. EMERGENCY CLOSINGS 1. If the College is closed due to inclement weather or some other emergency, all Rochester area radio and television stations will be notified no later than 5:30 a. m. 2. In addition, the homepage on the MCC website (www. monroecc. edu) will display a message indicating the College is closed. 3. Please do not call the College to avoid overloading the telephone lines. 5 6 Student no : 43713009. EDA 201W Ass no : 2 719493 CLASS CANCELLATION To access a list of daily class cancellations, you may 1. Call the Public Safety Department (292-2066) at MCC, press 1 for a list of cancelled classes at Brighton and press 2 for a list of cancelled classes at Damon; 2. Go to the Internet, access MCC, go to the A-Z listing to C for Class Cancellations and see the list of cancellations; 3. Check your student email for a cancellation notice from your instructor 6 COURSE SYLLABUS AGREEMENT Detach and return this signed sheet to Professor Rodriguez. ______________________________________ M00______________________ Student’s Printed Name Student MCC College ID Number COS 133 Section Number: _________ Semester / Year: _____________ The Course Syllabus 1. The Course Syllabus (course information sheet) is a written legal covenant between you and your professor. 2. It clarifies the professor’s expectations and your responsibilities. Your professor expects you to meet deadlines for assignments, papers, projects and tests. 3. It is your responsibility to review the course syllabus and clarify any aspect of the syllabus. Therefore, read it carefully and ask questions you may have about its content. Check the appropriate box. I have read the course information sheet for COS 133 – Introduction to College Studies. I understand my responsibilities for this course. I do not have any questions. I do not understand the requirements stated in the COS 133 Course Information Sheet. I will schedule an appointment to discuss my questions with my professor. List your questions for discussion here: ______________________________________ _____________________ Signature Date 7.

Father of Science Fiction: H. G. Wells

H. G. Wells is the True â€Å"Father of Science Fiction† At the very end of the Victorian Era, there emerged a man of literature the likes of which the world had never before seen. Some know him best as an English novelist, though most of his works were not novels. Some call him a political and social commentator, due to the didactic themes in many of his works. Due to inclusion of the social and natural sciences in his works, he is also known as a popularizer of science.His devotion to the development and establishment of future studies as a science most certainly garnered him the reputation as an early futurist. His pervasive influence in the development of the science fiction genre is indisputable. However it was his masterful weaving together of futurism and speculative fiction into a single body of work dedicated to the future of mankind that earns H. G. Wells the title of â€Å"The Father of Science Fiction†. Herbert George Wells was born in Bromely, Kent, England in September of 1866, the son of a maid and a professional cricketer.When he was eight years old Wells broke his leg and began reading library books to pass the time, stimulating his desire to write. He attended a number of schools throughout his early life, acquiring an xtensive background in physics, astronomy, and chemistry. He even studied biology under Thomas Henry Huxley at the Royal College of Science, acquiring extensive knowledge in the theories of evolution. Joining the school Debating Society nurtured his interest toward social issues and reform.Wells considered himself a socialist and was a member of the Fabian Society that included other such notable members as George Bernard Shaw and Virginia Woolf. At that time he also founded The Science School Journal, allowing him a forum to develop his pen for literature, expressing his iews on society and perfecting his burgeoning fiction. After doing some teaching, he eventually graduated from The University of London with a Ba chelors of Science in zoology. His prolific writing career that followed included hundreds of works over the span of fifty years.His talent for combining the possibilities of science and technology in the form of fictional stories that became known as â€Å"science fiction† or as the genre was known in Britain at the time, the â€Å"scientific romance†. Science fiction as a modern literary genre is distinguished by its use of real cientific ideas and concepts to form a story that is plausible within a futuristic or alternative-world setting. The imaginative elements of science fiction are largely possible within the realm of scientific theory and fact.This differentiates science fiction from other speculative genres such as fantasy and horror in that those works are not concerned with scientific and technological possibility. Even Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1818), though certainly innovative in using themes of science fiction, is more accurately classified as a horro r novel. Horror and fantasy genres also delineate rom science fiction in that they include magical and supernatural elements that are absent from the realistic and logical science fiction genre.Though some story elements of sci-fi can be purely imaginary, accurate depictions of science and technology are used to tormulate realistic conjectures ot the tuture, or even alternative timelines of the present or past. What distinguishes H. G. Wells from earlier authors who delve into themes of modern science fiction is that he studied science as a primary disciplinary field and applied his knowledge in a literary fashion, focusing on scientific and technological plausibility. All of Wells' scientific romances contain realistic elements that are based on applied scientific methodology and knowledge.Some of these include such famous works as The Time Machine (1895), The Invisible Man (1897), and The War of the Worlds (1898). Though Wells is considered the â€Å"Father of Science Fictionâ₠¬ , it is often argued that Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is the first work that could be considered true science fiction. Many of the innovative themes used by Mary Shelley unquestionably fall into the realm of modern science fiction. Never before had any story been written about a man of science† (the term â€Å"scientist† was not yet coined and would not be until 1834) that performs â€Å"experiments† in a â€Å"laboratory'.Written as a response to the recent Industrial Revolution, Shelley uses fantastical scientific innovations to explore the moral and ethical consequences of technology, a device used by nearly all modern science fiction writers, including Wells. However, unlike Wells, Shelley's works include precious little in the way of actual scientific fact or theory, leaving the audience to speculate about their plausibility. Her education, though broad and advanced for a oman of the Romantic era, was in literary studies and included no instruction in th e natural or physical sciences.Her sources were limited to discussions with her peers of earlyl 9th century experiments in vivisection and galvanism, the latter of which is an antiquated term for the stimulation of muscles by electric current, applied in the case of Frankenstein to the reanimation of dead tissue. Her scientific education is in contrast to Wells, who had an extensive educational background in the sciences. Although Shelley's science is neither plausible nor the main focus of her story, its ealistic nature made Frankenstein truly frightening to her audience, which was her intention in using such scientific elements.Shelley had originally conceived the work as a horror story, thus her themes of science fiction become secondary to the theme of horror as the focus of the work. She inspired the archetype of the â€Å"monster† that followed in literature and film. Though Shelley's idea of using science merged with fiction was innovative for the time and implemented by later writers (including Wells, and not for another 80 years), Frankenstein's designation as science fiction remains ncillary to that as a landmark novel of the horror genre.The title of â€Å"The Father of Science Fiction has also been applied to popular French writer Jules Verne, but is more accurately applied to H. G. Wells. While certainly a brilliant and talented writer that heavily influenced science fiction as a genre of literature, Verne's novels can easily be disputed as works of true science fiction. Much like Shelley's Frankenstein, the works of Verne contain elements and themes that are considered scientific but accessory to his primary literary theme.Much attention is given to Verne's Voyages Extraordinaires, a series of fifty-four stories hich include such famous works as Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864), From the Earth to the Moon (1865), and Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea (1869). At the time of their publication, the technological advancements pre sent in Verne's works had been extrapolated by him to aid in his fantastic voyages, but would soon atter become scientific realities. This earned him the reputation ot being a technological prophet, a reputation also held by Wells.Some of his prophecies that came true include the electric submarine, the helicopter, and a â€Å"projectile† to carry passengers to the moon. Although Verne's scientific prophecies were at times more grounded in reality than those of Wells, they were made almost primarily in the area of transportation, unlike Wells, whose prophecies were made in multiple areas of science. The argument can be made that Verne himself inspired these technological advancements. Many pioneering submarine, aviation and rocketry innovators have credited Verne as the inspiration for their successful inventions. However, Jules Verne was in no way a scientist. He was educated as a lawyer and studied geography, the latter of which inspired him to write his stories of adventur e and travel. Verne argued incessantly that his stories were not meant to be read scientifically, and even stated â€Å"l do not in any way pose as a scientist†2. The science he did use in his stories was well researched; Verne often spent time in the company of the best contemporary scientists of his day, consulting them on possibilities of future technology that he could realistically yet fantastically apply to his adventure stories.While not all science fiction writers are scientists, the case of whether Verne or Wells is â€Å"The Father of Science Fiction† can favor Wells as the true â€Å"Father† when it's argued hat Wells' scientific educational background gives him credibility and authority. His use of scientific elements as the primary theme of his works (unlike Verne, whose science was used as an auxiliary to the theme of adventure) makes him more deserving of the title. Also, Verne's title of â€Å"technological prophet† passed to Wells because of his dedication not Just to science but also the serious exploration and inquiry of the future.In 1901, H. G. Wells wrote a book called Anticipations of the Reactions of Mechanical and Scientific Progress upon Human Life and Thought which is onsidered the â€Å"first comprehensive and widely read survey of future developments in the short history of predictive writing†3. Wells was not the first person to take seriously the study of the future, but rather he had access to a vast amount of early speculative writings, including some utopian novels that explored the future state of society, that he combined into a single body of work.With the development of scientific thought during the 18th and 19th centuries and the movement of scholars away from religious apocalyptic future inquiry, scholarly thinking and literature that ealt with general human progress instead of eschatology began to emerge. The development of social sciences that studied human interaction showed predictiv e power when applied to how future society might develop. Many 19th century novelists such as William Morris synthesized sociology with speculative fiction perfecting the utopian novel that gives an image of an ideal society set in the future.Earlier works inherited by Wells that included futurist themes often had a different purpose than the actual scientific study of the future such as exploring God and nterpreting history. In Anticipations, all the early tendencies toward future thought were combined by Wells into the first volume of work that gave complete attention to futurist ideas and systematically explored the future. Like the works of Verne, Anticipations investigates the future of transportation, accurately predicting major highways and interstates as well as the prevalence of motor vehicles.He accurately predicts the rise ot suburbia and huge metropolises as an enormous unbroken sprawls of middle-class life. The book also dwells extensively on the future of world rder an d government, even predicting the formation of the European Union. After the publication of the book, the Royal Institution requested a lecture on future study, which he published under the name The Discovery of the Future (1902). The lecture calls for a whole new science to establish an ordered and working vision of the future, and is known to this day to be the birth of future studies.Wells continued this theme with other works dedicated to the future such as A Modern Utopia 1905), The Future in America (1906), What is Coming? (1916), A Year of Prophesying (1925), The Fate of Homo Sapiens (1939) and many, many more. His work The Shape of Things to Come (1933) is a fictional outline of future history, the title a phrase coined by Wells that has been used countless times and is still used today. The term â€Å"foresight† used in Anticipations was also coined by Wells.Wells' other accurate future predictions include lasers, cell phones, the Internet, and the atomic bomb (a phr ase he used in his book The World Set Free [1914] to describe the bombs that would not be developed until the 1930's). The attention that Wells gave to surveying the future not nly established future studies as a legitimate science, but also helped firmly established future thought as a major theme of science fiction. Before Wells published Anticipations, he published his first and most well-known novel The Time Machine (1895).The story features a scientist known only as â€Å"The Time Traveler† who built a device that can move through time. This device is known as a â€Å"time machine†, a term coined by Wells and still used to this day in reference to such a device. The Time Traveler Journeys forward in time almost 800,000 years and meets a peaceful society of child-like humans known as the Eloi. He also meets the frightening race of Morlocks that live underground and are keepers of the technology that achieve the above-ground serenity.The Time Traveler also soon lear ns that the Morlocks feed on the Eloi, and that their technology is used to keep the Eloi passive. He comes to the conclusion that the two races are a product of Darwinian evolution and the large gap between the social classes of British society. He speculates that the Eloi were once the leisure class, and due to their conquest of nature with technology they have become feeble in an environment where intelligence and strength are no onger necessary for survival. He also speculates that the Morlocks are descendants of the oppressed working class.This application of Darwin's theories as a literary motif echoes Wells' education under Huxley who was known as â€Å"Darwin's Bulldog†. Before publication of The Time Machine, the premise of time travel as a plot device had been used very little. There were some old folk tales and less than a handful of modern fictional works that had included time travel. The idea was certainly popularized by Wells and considered the inspiration of a ll later science fiction works that feature time travel. Like Anticipations, it also established time settings in the future as a major element of science fiction.Wells is the first author to use modern science fiction elements to compose social and political commentary. The Time Machine famously illustrates the possible future consequences of a stratified society that becomes too dependent on technology and will be subject to a form of extreme social Darwinism. In The War of the Worlds, Wells examines Victorian attitudes and values. In his story of Martians attempting to colonize Earth and exterminate humans, Wells provides an imaginative vehicle tor ommentary on British Imperialism.Wells also explores morality and technological ethics, specifically within the realm of vivisection and genetic engineering in his novel The Island of Dr. Moreau (1896). The use of science in a fictional setting to make a didactic point is a reoccurring theme in Wells' scientific romances. It has since then became a major literary device in modern science fiction works to explore the impact of technology on society and humanity. In his best-known and most influential work, 2001 : A Space Odyssey (1968), British author Arthur C.Clarke explores the moral and hilosophical implications surrounding technology and artificial intelligence, evolution, and alien life. Clarke was strongly influenced by Wells; he was even vice president of the H. G. Wells Society. The British author C. S. Lewis was a champion of science fiction that is philosophically reflective and includes a moral point. He created his Cosmic Trilogy as a direct influence by H. G. Wells, citing his novel The First Men in the Moon (1901) as â€Å"the best sort [of science fiction] I have read†4.Out of the Silent Planet (1938), the first book in Lewis' trilogy, is so similar to The First Men in the Moon that the opening age says â€Å"Certain slighting references to earlier stories of this type which will be found in the following pages have been put there for purely dramatic purposes. The author would be sorry if any reader supposed he was too stupid to have enjoyed Mr. H. G. Wells fantasies or too ungrateful to acknowledge his debt to them. â€Å"5 Wells' influence on science fiction extends to many more authors, including British science fiction author Olaf Stapledon.Stapledon himself was a heavily influential writer, contributing many ideas to the genre of science fiction. Stapledon and Wells orresponded for over a decade, both creating ideas together and borrowing from each other. In his book The Billion Year Spree, Brian Aldiss calls Stapledon the â€Å"greatest of Wells' followers†6. Wells' science fictional reach extended beyond the sphere of British authors and diffused quickly to America, where his influence can be seen in such notable science fiction authors as Isaac Asimov and Robert Heinlein.During the 19th and 20th centuries, when the idea of the utopia as story element be gan to have a prominent place in literature, Wells himself wrote a number of utopian novels such as A Modern Utopia (1905) and Men Like Gods (1923). Wells progresses the idea of the utopia with his novel The Time Machine by turning the theme into an anti-utopia point of view. He illustrates the seemingly utopian society of the Eloi, and upon the discovery of the violent Morlocks, the world transforms into a horrifying dystopia.In his novel When the Sleeper Wakes (1899) about a man who falls asleep for two hundred years and wakes up in the future, Wells gives definitive form to the dystopia as a science fiction theme. This theme was taken up by later authors, most notably the British authors George Orwell and Aldous Huxley in their amous novels Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949) and Brave New World (1932) respectively. These two novels have been explicitly touted by their authors as directly influenced by the works of Wells, and have in turn influenced many other authors, works, philosopher s, thinkers, and even nations and governments.The achievement of H. G. Wells in the development of science fiction as a respected and important literary genre is unquestionable. His background as a scientist combined with his adept queries on futuristic ideas provided a springboard into an illustrious and intluential literary career His creative inventions ot science fiction themes such as the time travel, alien invasions, and invisible men have taken their place as staples of sci-fi literature.This, along with his numerous coined terms, technological prescience and populizing of proto-science fiction themes into mainstream literature designate Wells as the most important science fiction writer the genre has ever seen. And when his pervasive influence on future science fiction writers is regarded along with his other contributions, the only conclusion that remains is that H. G. Wells is the true â€Å"Father of Science Fiction†. Works Cited Wells, H. G. Anticipations of the R eactions of Mechanical and Scientific Progress upon Human Life and Thought.