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Malcolm Baldrige and the Evolution of Total Quality Management Essay Essays

Malcolm Baldrige and the Evolution of Total Quality Management Essay Essays Malcolm Baldrige and the Evolution of Total Quality Management Essay Essay Malcolm Baldrige and the Evolution of Total Quality Management Essay Essay Quality and productiveness can be considered reciprocally inclusive. An organisation that aims for quality will finally consequences to better productiveness in the construct of services. goods being produced. forces and human resources development. non to advert capital addition. addition in fight. and increase in investing chances. Though it may be a good construct. a regulating organic structure should be present to find the necessary standards and set for unequivocal criterions to follow. In the United States. the two regulating organic structure in choice standard award are the Ron Brown Award and the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Malcolm Baldrige. a U. S. Secretary of Commerce during the epoch of the Reagan Administration. is the 1 responsible for forming a conference on productiveness in the White House. Apparently. he initiated the construct and design in 1987 of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award: which focuses on quality. The award. through the National Quality Improvement Act of 1987 ( Public Law 100-107 ) . gives accent on quality services being given by different sectors such as instruction. wellness attention. concern. and non-profit organisations ( Marion p. 1 ) . These quality services are based on the patterns of the Total Quality Management System ( TQM ) rules and incorporate seven standards to find the awardees: Leadership. Strategic Planning. Market and Customer Focus ; Measurement. Analysis and Knowledge Management. Focus on Workforce. Process Management. and Results. These standards are considered important to U. S. fight in footings of bettering the capablenesss. patterns. and consequences of an organisation ; sharing and easing the most first-class pattern among the different sectors ; and to function as a working tool usher for planning and managing. Most of these standards are taken from the rules and techniques in quality direction developed by Philip Crosby. W. Demings. Armand Feigenbaum. and Joseph Juran. Furthermore. the award aims to advance important degree of quality consciousness ; to be able to separate the accomplishments of U. S. companies in the context of quality ; and to do available to the populace the thriving schemes on quality. The procedure of choosing the victor involves an appraisal of the written scrutiny submitted by the applier. a site visit on the company ( provided that the company achieved a high mark ) . and a concluding rating. Since the Malcolm Award is based on the rule of Entire Quality Management. the system have evolved or developed in footings of the factors in public presentation measuring that includes the followers: operating or in service steps. employee relationship. satisfaction of clients. and public presentation on fiscal facets. For case. based on the information of the 12 Companies that submitted their several pertinent informations for rating. on an one-year footing merchandise dependability increased by around 11. 3 % ; the clip of treating the order is reduced yearly by 12 % on the six companies ; merchandise mistakes and defects decreased by 10. 3 % on the seven companies ; and around five companies have reduced cost by 9 % . This created a nest eggs of around $ 1 Million to $ 115 Million. Aside from the betterment on the factors on public presentation measuring. indexs of employee relationship besides improved. Employee satisfaction improved by 1. 4 % . employee turnover ( voluntary petition for separation ) decreased by around 6 % . wellness and safety steps improved by 1. 8 % . and the accrued total-quality suggestions made by the employees increased by 16. 6 % . The entire client satisfaction besides increased by 2. 5 % with ailments coming from the client being reduced by 11. 6 % and keeping of clients besides improved by 1 % . Market portion is increased by 13. 7 % and the return of assets by 1. 3 % ( Shetty p. 4-6 ) . Therefore. Entire Quality Management had finally improved in footings of quality. client satisfaction. and decrease in cost. Furthermore. the Entire Quality Management System had an affirmatory impact on all of the important countries of concerns: betterment in merchandise dependability. increased in client satisfaction and reactivity. and decrease in cost. Apparently related to these are the addition in occupation satisfaction. betterment of wellness and safety steps. and decrease in employee turnover. This betterment and decrease on specific countries will finally give to increase in the market portion. profitableness. and quality. The consequence of such will besides bring forth a certain grade of competitory advantage. which is finally acquired as a consequence of perpetrating to quality. A steadfast competitory place will give the company a alone topographic point in the market wherein the consumers are willing to pay for the merchandise. and the established quality will go hard to overcome by the viing companies. Another factor to see in accomplishing a competitory advantage is through the decrease of cost by bettering quality. Reducing cost is synonymous to decrease of the in-process work stock list. handling of stuffs. capitals on equipment and care. therefore cut downing claims on liability. The decreased costs will in-turn lead to a higher net income border. addition in the gross revenues. and lower monetary values of the merchandise. Therefore. cost and quality are the most of import factors to accomplish a competitory advantage and these can be realized through the execution of Entire Quality Management System. The execution of the Total Quality Management depends on the demand and the nature of the concern. Companies that adopted a TQM. and later succeeded on all countries described above still have to go on on developing the system. It is considered a uninterrupted procedure and development. Different sectors of the industry such as in the wellness attention. fabrication. services. and little concerns are going more cognizant of the positive impact of following TQM. and the aspiration of being recognized as one of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Awardees set forth the scene to a strong committedness towards excellence in direction quality and company public presentation. The Award started at 1988 and after 20 old ages. around 79 companies are recognized. The impact of following the standards of Malcolm Baldrige through the execution of TQM had significantly produced quality and productiveness to several companies such as: The ADAC Laboratories. Custom Research Inc. . Dana Commercial Credit Corp. . and Trident Position Manufacturing Inc. ( Malcolm Baldrige receivers of 1996 ) . Of these four. Trident and Custom Research belongs to the little concern class. ADAC in the fabrication sector. and Dana Commercial on services. The ADAC Laboratories. founded in 1970. have its merchandise line in the design. fabrication. selling. and support intended for clients belonging in the wellness attention sector such as in radiation therapy. information system in wellness attention. and atomic medical specialties. These services and merchandises are sold to universities. infirmaries. and clinics worldwide. The impact of following the standards of Malcolm Baldrige has significantly improved the company’s market portion ( 12 % in 1990 to 50 % in 1996 ) . and client satisfaction ( no. 1 ranking ) . Before. the company was merely focused on short-run fiscal ends. and non wholly oriented towards achieving a quality house for investors and customer’s satisfaction. and employee development. Determined to over-turn the current state of affairs. the company adopted the standards of Malcolm Baldrige. In 1994. ADAC applied for the Malcolm Baldrige acquiring up to the 2nd degree ( site visit ) . The site visit accordingly gave the company a feedback appraisal with around 148 countries of concerns that needs betterment. The company so utilized the feedback study as an external resource to extinguish the spreads. The direction squad attended the Center for Quality of Management. a pool of experts in the field of Entire Quality Management. The intensive two-day preparation made all employees understands the four relevant ideas: shared acquisition. entire engagement. focal point on client. and uninterrupted development. Consequently. the turn-around of the company to concentrate on client satisfaction had lead to a strong rate of keeping with 94 % as compared to the old 50 % ; market portion increased by 50 % as compared to 12 % six old ages ago ; and the gross per worker increased by around 75 % ( Marion P. 1 ) . The consequences by following the standards verified the sort of quality direction the company had developed with accent on quality and excellence. Dana Commercial Credit Corporation. a subordinate of Dana Corp. . provides funding and renting services to a broad scope of concerns and specific markets. Located at different offices such as in Canada. United Kingdom. and Ohio ; the company have activities that includes direction of assets services. combined-venture renting pool. and leasing of equipment for makers and traders. The company decided to use for the Malcolm Baldrige Award for two compelling grounds: after having the Dana Quality Leadership award. the company intended to benchmark it alongside the Malcolm Baldrige ; and the challenge of prosecuting the Baldrige award will supply a important â€Å"push† towards a fast betterment in quality for the company. Making through the procedure of the Baldrige standards finally created a strong civilization with accent on service quality and client satisfaction. In return. the morale of the employees is high every bit good as the net income. Custom Research Inc. is one of the little houses that received the Baldrige Award that clearly shows that no affair what the size of the company. better quality direction can besides be achieved merely like those of transnational companies. Established in 1974 by Jeff Pope and Corson. CRI caters large companies in planing and carry oning undertakings that can supply relevant information to do effectual determinations in concern. The chief office is located at Minneapolis with several offices in Ridgewood and San Francisco. and New Jersey. In 1998. the company had reduced its client from 138 to 67. chiefly to supply better service every bit good as set up partnership with their biggest clients. From 1992 to 1994. the company had applied for an appraisal to Baldrige and reached the site visit degree three times. After having the Minnesota Award for Quality in 1995. CRI decided to re-apply once more for the Baldrige since the award was patterned to it. Wining the province award had helped the company accomplishing its end to be awarded by Baldrige in 1996. Since the employees are less. all took portion during the application and assessment procedure wherein each employee knows the whole procedure. the standard. and how it is should be implemented in their several field of work. Therefore. the Baldrige Award had greatly influenced all employees towards accomplishing quality and productiveness making a positive ambiance to the company. In return. the employees are all motivated that consequences to better concern chances and consequences. Trident Precision Manufacturing Inc. is a private company that manufactures assorted constituents of sheet metal ( preciseness ) . customized merchandises. and assemblies ( electromechanical ) . With its lone fabrication works in New York. the Company developed procedures and tooling to industry and assemble constituents intended for the different sectors of the industry such as in equipment used in office. Bankss. wellness attention. and even defence. Trident began to work the standards of Baldrige in their pursuit for quality in 1989. The standards had served as an unfastened window to cognize the countries of failings and strength of the company. April Lusk. Trident’s decision maker for quality. emphasized that the biggest important plus of the Baldrige Quality Award procedure was the feedback study. which stands for an indifferent appraisal of a company’s strength and failings. Trident so utilized those feedback studies to contract the spreads and finally achieved better consequences: due to a strong focal point in client satisfaction. the company has been able to keep its place as the chief provider to head clients even though it reduced their provider per centum to 65 % ; the focal point on employee engagement besides played a major function accomplishing a 100 % employee engagement on departmental business squad. around 95 % of the betterment on procedures have been established. the acknowledgments and wagess for the employees increased. employee turnover decreased. and the company have invested 4. 6 % of the paysheet towards instruction and preparation ( Marion p. 1 ) . The uninterrupted betterment of the employee. their committedness to the internal and external patronage. and the eventual â€Å"control† of their procedures have made Trident to stand out and set up a dedication towards excellence and quality. More so. Trident’s strong avowal towards an environment that is household oriented. uninterrupted attempt for betterment. and teamwork are the chief factors the Baldrige Award considered. Duties are shared. suggestions considered and implemented so as to make an environment where the employees are satisfied and their morale is high. ensuing to a stronger and a healthier concern. The background discussed on the four companies clearly illustrated the impact of implementing the rules of Entire Quality Management System through the Malcolm Baldrige Quality Awards. These companies aspired to accomplish the Baldrige Award and the consequences improved the company’s overall quality and productiveness plan. every bit good as their concern position and fight. By analysing the narratives behind each success of a company towards accomplishing the Malcolm Baldrige Quality Awards. several cardinal arrows should be stress such as the followers: Leadership besides plays an of import function towards achieving quality. Top direction should exercise attempt in footings of leading and support since the attachment to quality normally accompanies alterations in the company’s runing systems or doctrine. Clear ends should be determined every bit good as a positive ambiance or civilization to promote the employees to achieve such ends. The presence of a extremely motivated staff or employees besides has important parts towards achieving quality. Quality depends on the employee’s efficiency. and later to the employees work motive. It besides encompasses all the facet of human resources such as employee preparation and recruitment plan. occupation descriptions. and honoring every bit good as authorising employees. Employee engagement are considered an of import facet. and besides the encouragement of a corporate vision towards quality-related betterment activities and plans may necessitate several major accommodations or alterations the manner the employees are being managed ( Shetty p. 6 ) Another factor that is important is the purpose for a entire client satisfaction. Recognizing this vision will make an attempt towards bettering quality. Exceptional external and internal systems are necessary to oversee client satisfaction through the usage of studies. rating of services and merchandises. and probe of ailments ( Reiman p. 11 ) Analysis of information is besides critical since this will function as a footing on doing corporate determinations and accommodations. Efficient and complete informations garnering serves as a powerful tool for the company since these will reflect the strengths. failings. ends. quality. and service criterions. to call a few. Suppliers besides have a important function in the chase of quality. Normally. successful companies develop durable relationships with providers holding a vision for quality. The company comparatively engages the providers to go an built-in portion of the firm’s TQM. Consultations. preparations. and go oning contracts are some of the ways the company engages the providers on its TQM plan. Therefore. the providers become a spouse in administrating quality attempts. which in bend have major effects on how the providers are conventionally managed. The committedness to quality is a unbounded procedure ; hence. a uninterrupted plan for betterment and development should be implemented. The consequences on the companies that implemented the Total Quality Management System in chase of accomplishing the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Awards proved to be a success. The end-results created better clients satisfaction. high morale of employees. reduced cost. decreased on employee turn-over. good competitory advantage. improved wellness and safety steps. better production processes. increased in market portion and net incomes. quality and productiveness. The Malcolm Baldrige Award provides a huge scope of quality concerns. The feedbacks made by the Award commission can be use by the company to contract the relevant spreads. which are based on the findings. The award served as an effectual usher with regard on streamlining the concern and direction patterns. The standard set Forth by Baldrige. based on the rules of Entire Quality Management. provided the important criterions of excellence to accomplish quality and productiveness. The award served as an effectual accelerator to beef up and better the company’s fight. Plants Cited Shetty. Y. K. â€Å"The Quest for Quality Excellence: Lessons from the Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award† . Sam Advanced Management Journal. 22 March 1993: 1-14 Harmon. Marion. World Wide Web. qualitydigest. com. Jan. 1997. Retrieved April 23. 2009. hypertext transfer protocol: //www. qualitydigest. com/jan97/baldrige. html Reiman. Curt W. â€Å"Winning Schemes for the Malcolm Baldrige Award. † Journal of Quality Management. July 1990. pp. 9-25.

Julio Le Parc Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Julio Le Parc - Case Study Example 501). For instance, the design of the exhibition played on the disparity between dark and bright spots, with some works hanging in openings to produce a sensory experience. The sensory experience was the true identification of the kinetic art since its mixed light, energy and movement in one perspective. The experiment also had a revolving mirrored discs and simple apparatus with small unsteady motors operating at different speeds to reflect and project light into the space. The notion was to play with the audiences’ perception and attract their concentration in the hall (Ruhrberg & Walther 2000, p. 501). As a result, the light’s movement over the setting and the audiences’ motion in reaction to them generated the work of art. To achieve the light and movement result, the arrangement had to be in a dark hall where light is perceived as both image and refraction. The significance of this research is that it led to the discovery of modern light and movement art works in architecture (Grabes 2008, p. 33). For instance, the designs of voids in buildings use concepts by Le Parc’s experiments to produce adequate lighting in houses. This art was about light and vibration of objects using optoelectronic properties. It concerned the use of light in different materials to illustrate space and movement frequency ranges. This work of art had simple elements adjusted in various ranges to show the light movements around the wall. A notable application of this project is used in Toyko museum where light movements were replicated in enclosed places. It was first exhibited in the French museum during an art show where light movement was put against mirrors (Herzog & Le Parc 2005, p. 58). This finding showed that light movement can actually operate under the influence of spectators within the environment. It also had discs that reflected the light during vibration from the surrounding systems. This was produced by putting a box in the middle of projects, which were

Giography Assignment (stateless nation) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Giography Assignment (stateless nation) - Essay Example For centuries before that date, the Jewish people basically lived as a religious group rather than one with a national homeland (Johnson, P., 2009). In Russia, the Dagestani homeland is the highland area of the Caucasus Mountains and occupies 70 percent of the Caspian Sea coastline. The Dagestan Republic has 31 official ethnic groups with over 80 nationalities. This area operates primarily on isolated clans, including its own language, cultural heritage and clan loyalties as the central focus, rather than considering itself a nation or a state (Minahan, 2002). This report covers the gypsies in several areas of the world. As a group unto themselves, there is no nation for the gypsies as they are group wanderers, settling down only for a short time before moving on. Information on the gypsies will be related to the following disciplines: physical, cultural and historical. The physical discipline will relate to places in different countries where they settled for any length of time. The cultural discipline will give an overview of how the gypsies lived their daily lives and what interactions they might have had with local populations. Finally, the historical discipline will outline how gypsies have affected national history and events while living in various countries, and how they, as an identified group, were viewed by the general population. Gypsies have always been regarded by nationals as being vagrants and somewhat unsavory because they moved around so much and did not interact with the public. Keeping to themselves and pretty much relying on the land was a principle they followed almost religiously. Townspeople were not inclined to reach out and attempt to make friends because of this negative view towards gypsies, perhaps fearing some thievery, or the possibility of catching diseases (Hoyland, 2011). Alternatively, gypsies avoided contact except in cases of great need in

Germany and the German Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Germany and the German - Assignment Example Honestly, the film was a sorry reminder of a heinous event that all Germans and the rest of world wanted to forget. The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe could not have been magnified through Eisenman’s architectural work as it seemed to emphasize the magnitude of death that defies rational and logical reasoning. People have already felt pain and anguish just to be reminded of the genocide that occurred during those times, especially the relatives of the victims. To be reminded time and again is creating a numbing experience which could have created callousness and indifference to the present generation. It is not to say that everyone has forgotten the incident. It is just to express that at times, those who were directly hurt and affected by the crimes would like to move on with the lives, remembering the happy times instead of the gruesome, painful events that cannot be retracted or changed by any form of monumental

Duality in Waiting For Godot

Duality in Waiting For Godot Beckett is known to have commented, I had little talent for happiness.- This sentence in itself is absurd, like the most famous drama of Beckett: Waiting for Godot. But what exactly absurdity means? The original or dictionary meaning of absurd is Out of harmony. utterly or obviously senseless, illogical, or untrue; contrary to all reason or common sense; laughably foolish or false.But the word has a different meaning when it is used int he theatre of the absurd. Marking the difference between a good play and an absurd play, Martin Esslin opines: If a good play must have a cleverly constructed story, these have no story or plot to speak of : if a good play is judged by subtlety of characterization and motivation, these are often without recognizable characters and present the audience with almost mechanical puppets; if a good play has to have a fully explained theme, which is neatly exposed and finally solved, these often have neither a beginning nor an end; if a good play is to hold the mirror upto nature and portray the manners and mannerisms of the age in finely observed sketches, these seem often to be reflections of dreams and nightmares if a good play relies on witty repartee and pointed dialogues, these often consist of incoherent babblings. Waiting for Godot is chock-full of pairs. Theres Vladimir and Estragon, the two thieves, the Boy and his brother, Pozzo and Lucky, Cain and Abel, and of course the two acts of the play itself. With these pairs comes the repeated notion of arbitrary, 50/50 chances. One thief is saved and other damned, but for no clear reason. If Vladimir and Estragon try to hang themselves, the bough may or may not break. One man may die, one man may live. Godot may or may not come to save them. In the Bible, Cains sacrifice was rejected and Abels accepted for no discernible reason. Its minor, but Estragons line in Act I: My left lung is very weak [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦]. But my right lung is sound as a bell! More pairs, more arbitrary damnation. Even the tone of Waiting for Godot is filled with duality: two person arguments, back-and-forth questions, disagreement-agreement, questions and (often inadequate) answers. The tree is the only distinct piece of the setting, so were pretty sure it matters. Right off the bat youve got the biblical stuff; Jesus was crucified on a cross, but that cross is sometimes referred to as a tree, as in, Jesus was nailed to the tree. That Vladimir and Estragon contemplate hanging themselves from the tree is likely a reference to the crucifixion, but it also parodies the religious significance. If Jesus died for the sins of others, Vladimir and Estragon are dying for nothing. But we can also think of the two men not as Jesus, but rather as the two thieves crucified along with Jesus. This fits quite nicely with gospels tale as Vladimir tells it; one thief is saved and the other damned, so Didi and Gogo are looking at a fifty-fifty chance. The uncertainty that stems from inconsistency between the four gospels is fitting, too, since Vladimir cant be certain if Godot is coming to save either one of them. Furthermore, Vladimir reports that he was told to wait for Godot by the tree. This should be reassuring it means the men are in the right place. As Estragon points out, theyre not sure if this is the right tree. And, come to think of it, they cant even be sure if this is a tree or not. It kind of looks like a shrub. The tree could be the tree of life. So the trees random blooming would suggest that it is something of a tree of life. And, according to the proverb, that means a desire has been fulfilled. Moreover the trees sprouting leaves could be an ironic symbol pointing out that, far from fulfilled desires, hopes have been deferred yet another day much like Vladimirs ironic claim in Act II that things have changed here since yesterday when, clearly, nothing at all has.. While Vladimir and Estragon wait for Godot, they also wait for nightfall. For some reason (again, arbitrary and uncertain), they dont have to wait for him once the night has fallen. The classic interpretation is that night = dark = death. The falling of night is as much a reprieve from daily suffering as death is from the suffering of a lifetime. Theres also the issue of the moon, as its appearance in the sky is the real signal that night has come and the men can stop waiting for Godot. Estragon, in one of his wicked smart moments, comments the moon is pale for weariness [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦] of climbing heaven and gazing on the likes of us. Though the man remembers nothing of yesterday, he does in this moment seem to comprehend the endless repetition of his life. And if the moon is weary just from watching, imagine what that says about the predicament of the men themselves. Carrots and turnips are in one sense just a gag reel for Vladimir and Estragons comic bits. But I was interested in their disagreement over the vegetable: Funny, Estragon comments as he munches, the more you eat, the worse it gets. Vladimir quickly disagrees, adding that, for him, its just the opposite. On the one hand, this could be a completely meaningless conversation the point is simply that Vladimir is in disagreement, playing at opposites, adding to the bickering duality between himself and Gogo. On the other hand, the carrot could be about the meaning of life. It could be a hint as to the differences between the way Vladimir and Estragon live their lives. Vladimirs subsequent comment, an addendum to his carrot claim, is that he gets used to the muck as [he goes] along. He resigns himself to banality. Estragon, on the other hand, wearies as time passes much like the weary moon he observes in Act II. When Pozzo later dishes about smoking, he claims that a second pipe is never so sweet [as the first]. But its sweet just the same. This is a third and distinct answer to the carrot question. When Lucky is commanded to dance in Act I, Pozzo reveals that he calls his dance The Net, adding, He thinks hes entangled in a net. You would think a guy tied up on a rope leash would feel confined enough. Of course, the image of Lucky writhing in an imaginary net is a lasting image for the play as a whole, and especially for the plight of Vladimir and Estragon, who, as weve said before, are confined in a prison or perhaps a net of their own imaginations. There seems to be no shortage of inane props in Waiting for Godot, and these three have one thing in common: they are all absurd objects on which the men have developed irrational dependences. Lucky cannot think without his bowler. Pozzo needs his vaporizer to speak. Estragon seems condemned to forever take his boots on and off, as does Vladimir with his hat. This is another great combination of the tragic and the comic; the situation is hilarious for its absurdity, but dismal at the same time. Estragon is repeatedly repelled by smells in Waiting for Godot. Vladimir stinks of garlic, Lucky smells like who knows what, and Pozzo reeks of a fart in Act II. It seems every time Estragon tries to get close to a person, he is repelled by their odor. It looks to us like smells represent one of the barriers to interpersonal relationships. Estragon isnt just repelled by odors hes repelled by the visceral humanity of those around him. Theres something gritty and base about the odor of a human body, and for Estragon its too much to handle. There are several interpretations of Waiting for Godot, the two most well-known are the religious one and the political one. The religious interpretations posit Vladimir and Estragon as humanity waiting for the elusive return of a savior. If this is the basic idea, then this makes Pozzo into the Pope and Lucky into the faithful. The faithful are then viewed as a cipher of God cut short by human intolerance. The twisted tree can alternatively represent either the tree of death, the tree of life, the tree of Judas or the tree of knowledge. Political interpretations also abound. Some reviewers hold that the relationship between Pozzo and Lucky is that of a capitalist to his labor. This Marxist interpretation is understandable given that in the second act Pozzo is blind to what is happening around him and Lucky is mute to protest his treatment. The play has also been understood as an allegory for Franco-German relations. An interesting interpretation argues that Lucky receives his name because he is lucky in the context of the play. Since most of the play is spent trying to find things to do to pass the time, Lucky is lucky because his actions are determined absolutely by Pozzo. Pozzo on the other hand is unlucky because he not only needs to pass his own time but must find things for Lucky to do.

Culture Essay -- Anthropology, Durkheim, Functionalism

Throughout the complex yet recognised studies upon sociological phenomena, the term ‘culture’ continues to astound anthropological revisions. Whether or not a definition of ‘culture’ can be determined, or merely the exact forces which bring about such an abstract entity, the concept that culture exists can be acknowledged with focus to structural functionalism. The precise justification for culture itself began to enlighten anthropologists such as Durkheim, who in turn has encouraged studies from Malinowski and Parsons for instance. Still, existing theories suggest intensely dynamic and multifaceted definitions of ‘culture’, those of which ‘explain’ culture with various stances. Within contemporary studies, culture itself is often implied using the notion of functionalism. Durkheim outlines a society as a functional culture; both culture and society encompass systems and institutions which determine their own intentions (Durkheim, 1982). Each institution in a culture or society is a portrayal of the exact functions they have in that specific culture or society. Structural functionalism represents a paradigm of reality which interconnects the facets of civilisation and social order (Parsons, 1973). What’s more, it is these interrelations which may define culture as a system of collective purposes. Those specific purposes are determined by the civilisation of which they are present, thus often localised. Malinowski developed interpretations of functionalism in order to avoid ethnocentric ethnographies, and his work emphasises the impression that biological needs of a community are the forces which generate culture (Malinowski, 1944). The needs of a society encourage the development of institutions which function to fulf... ...xtent to which culture can be explained is very limited. A cultural system entitles the recognition of moral codes, survival mechanisms, cognition and an interaction with the environment. Durkheim revolutionised anthropological thoughts amongst sociological theory but the phenomena of ‘culture’ can scarcely be defined. An explanation of culture may encompass the notion that a specific set of views and behaviours will be adopted by a people and they will respond in certain ways, which is their culture. It is a form of society and believing which deviates towards a state of equilibrium; a state which will incorporate shared ideals and morality. The mere complexity and dynamic structure of culture ensures difficulty when explaining the concept; without properly being able to distinguish what culture is, one is also unable to determine its meaning and purpose.

Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult

Name: Jasmine Chan Date: 26-7-12 Summer holiday book report |Book Title: |Change of Heart |[pic] | |Author: |Jodi Picoult | | |Publisher: |Atria Books | | Plot summary: June’s daughter, Claire, needed a heart transplant. However, it was Shay, a man on death row for killing the rest of June’s family years ago, who wanted to donate his.After a grim, life-and-death struggle and careful consideration, June accepted Shay’s â€Å"grand† offer grudgingly, so Claire’s life was saved. Commentary: Before reading the book’s brief introduction, the words â€Å"change of heart† gave me the impression that this book is about a person suffering from heart failure and had to get a heart transplant from an unknown donor just like so many others did. After reading the blurb, I discovered that this is not the case. Actually, the plot is very special and the issue is very controversial and worth discussing so I started reading this book.I have to assure everyone that this book is a page-turner that impels readers to read towards the very last page. Would you fulfil your enemy’s dying wish to save the life of somebody you love? In this novel, Jodi Picoult delves into questions of vengeance, mercy, salvation and redemption by exploring the rage of June who already lost a daughter, the bitterness of Shay the criminal on death row and the fate of a critically-ill child to force them to think about a question: â€Å"Can even the most understandable thirst of vengeance be squashed if it means saving someone you love? In my opinion, as there is an old saying : What’s done, is done, I think June should forgive or at least put aside Shay’s wrongdoings and accept his kind offer because this would be an act of forgiving herself and other’s too. Moreover, this would be the only way to save her daughter (There was no one except Shay whose heart was suitable for Claire. ) However, of course, as a reader, we know that June’s family did not die of murder but manslaughter.So, that’s why I actively encourage June to accept Shay’s giving, which came out of love. As a result, my answer to June’s question : â€Å"Would you give up your vengeance against someone you hate if it meant saving someone you loved? † is definitely yes. Besides, I truly appreciate Jodi Picoult having the courage to write about these themes, which are novel, controversial and meaningful. Secondly, concerning about the characters, I think Shay was a hero because he was humble and willing to sacrifice himself.For example, when there were miracles –water turned into wine, Calloway’s pet robin was brought back to life and a tiny piece of gum became enough for all to share—happening under his finger in the prison, he did not boast about himself, but instead denied that he was a â€Å"Messiah† and said that he was just an ordinary man who wanted to donates his heart to sa ve a little girl called Claire for redemption.Besides, although nobody knew the truth—it was only because Shay wanted to protect Elizabeth from being sexually-abused by her stepfather, Kurt that he was compelled to shoot Kurt and accidentally shot Elizabeth too. He still insisted to die for Claire because he loved that family and wanted for redemption for his big mistake. Having lost a daughter and two husbands, June’s life was fraught with grief. I can vividly see how that grief shaped her character and informing the choices that she makes.At first, when she had lost her first husband, she was willing to take a second chance and let go of the past and start a new life by remarrying and giving birth to another girl. However, when her first daughter and second husband were â€Å"murdered†, she broke apart. When it came to the decision whether to have a restorative justice meeting with Shay and accepting his heart, June initially refused, which showed that she was no longer that flexible and easy to adapt to changes. Fortunately, in the end, being more rational, June made the correct decision—to take Shay’s heart.I think she made this choice in hopes of a better future, which was also a wise move. Last of all, looking upon the writing strategies, the way Jodi Picoult presents the story generates readers’ interest in finding out what’s going to happen. Each chapter is written from the perspectives of a different character. I get to know all the characters’ inner thoughts: their fear, hope, bitterness and above all, their reflections of what makes sense of them. I felt as if I were one of the characters while reading. I understood their feelings.I explored their complex minds. I walked with them in their life journeys. I felt deeply what they underwent. I could view things from different people’s perspectives. Through this, I could experience the sorrow and difficulties of June and her family. In the e pilogue, it is the first and the last chapter written from Claire’s perspectives, which makes the ending very unique. In conclusion, Change of Heart is a true-to-life story, which I love so much and would strongly recommend to all my fellow schoolmates.

African-Americans and the Civil Rights Movement essays

African-Americans and the Civil Rights Movement essays The Civil Rights Movement gave African-Americans many rights that would change their lives forever. Without the Civil Rights Movement, our world is significantly different today because African Americans would still be segregated from the white world. Before the 1950's African Americans held very few rights in the South. The Southern states made sure that whites and blacks were segregated. Blacks could not eat in the white diners or restaurants; they couldn't even use the same restrooms or drinking fountains as the whites. The blacks were almost treated like they weren't even humans. They were also segregated from the whites in education and had very few legal rights. Groups such as the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and the SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) worked to change the views of the white American. These activist groups played a major role in the advancement of African-Americans in education, public rights, and legal rights . "These groups paved the way for the African Americans road to freedom."(1) The African Americans first step to freedom was gaining the same educational rights that the white race had. Before 1954, The white people would not allow their children to go to school with African-Americans. Since the blacks could not go to the same schools as the whites, they were forced to start their schools which received very little funding and were poorly run. The Supreme Court changed education for African Americans forever on May 17, 1954, when it unanimously agreed that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. The landmark case that changed African American education forever was known as Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. The supreme court believed that segregation was unconstitutional because it violated the 14th amendment. "The court believed that by having segregated schools solely based on the race of a person skin, it denied African Americ...

Free Essays on But We See Jesus

But we See Jesus Text: Hebrews 2:5-9 Introduction: As a means of introducing this morning's message, allow me to give you a little material concerning the context of the passage. The Book of Hebrews is one of the most important and yet most difficult of the books of the Bible to grasp. The authorship is uncertain, however, most Fundamental Scholars agree that Paul is most likely to have been its author. It is interesting to me that, those who are not so fundamental almost always ascribe the authorship to someone other than Paul. Some say it was Barnabas, Some say it was Peter Others say it was written after all of the apostles had died away, by some strange person no one knows about anymore. I have come to the place that I just about determine whether a person is a theological liberal or fundamentalist based upon their view of the authorship of this book! We believe that Hebrews is written to a persecuted and scattered population of Jewish Christians. And the writer's desire is to encourage them in their faith by telling them about some BETTER THINGS! As you study through Hebrews you hear repeatedly about Better Things and New Things. A BETTER PRIESTHOOD A BETTER SACRIFICE A BETTER COVENANT A BETTER REST A BETTER FUTURE and so forth. In chapter 2, the author is writing of Jesus Christ, explaining how he is BETTER THAN THE ANGELS. Now, notice in our text a few points concerning man's present condition; His worthlessness - What is man? (vs. 6) His powerlessness - Lower than the Angels (vs. 7) His Helplessness - Not all things put under him (vs. 8) ***Man was created the crowning point of God's Creation, now he is so sinful and wicked that it is a wonder that God would even take note of him. ***Man was created with glory and honor. A being, unlike the angels, in that we were made in the image of God and for the express purpose of fellowship with God. Now, through sin and rebellion, we're just "lower t... Free Essays on But We See Jesus Free Essays on But We See Jesus But we See Jesus Text: Hebrews 2:5-9 Introduction: As a means of introducing this morning's message, allow me to give you a little material concerning the context of the passage. The Book of Hebrews is one of the most important and yet most difficult of the books of the Bible to grasp. The authorship is uncertain, however, most Fundamental Scholars agree that Paul is most likely to have been its author. It is interesting to me that, those who are not so fundamental almost always ascribe the authorship to someone other than Paul. Some say it was Barnabas, Some say it was Peter Others say it was written after all of the apostles had died away, by some strange person no one knows about anymore. I have come to the place that I just about determine whether a person is a theological liberal or fundamentalist based upon their view of the authorship of this book! We believe that Hebrews is written to a persecuted and scattered population of Jewish Christians. And the writer's desire is to encourage them in their faith by telling them about some BETTER THINGS! As you study through Hebrews you hear repeatedly about Better Things and New Things. A BETTER PRIESTHOOD A BETTER SACRIFICE A BETTER COVENANT A BETTER REST A BETTER FUTURE and so forth. In chapter 2, the author is writing of Jesus Christ, explaining how he is BETTER THAN THE ANGELS. Now, notice in our text a few points concerning man's present condition; His worthlessness - What is man? (vs. 6) His powerlessness - Lower than the Angels (vs. 7) His Helplessness - Not all things put under him (vs. 8) ***Man was created the crowning point of God's Creation, now he is so sinful and wicked that it is a wonder that God would even take note of him. ***Man was created with glory and honor. A being, unlike the angels, in that we were made in the image of God and for the express purpose of fellowship with God. Now, through sin and rebellion, we're just "lower t...

Online class is better than in class Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Online class is better than in class - Essay Example One can decide the timing of their sessions and can also have the classes wherever they feel comfortable. With an in class, the timelines are specific, and it is for the learner to fix their schedule to fit the schedule of the school. With an online class, one chooses what is convenient for them. The model also saves on cost especially for the foreign students. Technology has made the world a global village and at the touch of a button, one can access services that would have cost a lot more to acquire. More students are enrolling for classes in the best schools in the world despite them not being in those countries where the schools are located. This is important as it facilitates the dissemination of information and imparting knowledge to a greater number that would otherwise not have afforded it. Studying overseas is expensive in terms of maintenance and transport costs, but with an online course this problem is solved. According to Scott Gibby, in the online class, the students become more knowledgeable (Gibby 174). In the in class, extension of classes is a challenge because most likely one would be interfering with another class. In the online class however, through the agreement of the course instructor and student, the class can be extended for the benefit of the student. The students in an online class take better advantage of the learning tools than students in the in class. In the long run, the students in an online class end up being knowledgeable. In the online class, every student participates actively in class. Critics of this model argue that this mode would affect the performance and esteem of the student. We find that in the in class, there are always students raising their hands to take part in the class discussions. In the online class, every student has to participate in the discussions. Those against the online classes state that forcing a student to take part in a class can be dangerous to their performance. In my opinion, the

Contracts and Leases in Common Law and UCC Essay

Contracts and Leases in Common Law and UCC - Essay Example Normally, a contract is enforced and governed by the laws of the country where it was made. In the United States of America, a contract is governed by two types of state laws, that is, the common law and the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) (Bagley and Dauchy, 2012). Common law is a law which governs contracts for services and contracts that are not governed by the Uniform Commercial Code. Most contracts such as employment agreements, general business agreements and leases are controlled by common law. Common law contracts can either be bilateral or unilateral. However, the contracts are valid only if the three elements of common law contract formation are met. The elements of formation are offer, acceptance and consideration (Bagley and Dauchy, 2012). The uniform commercial code (UCC) governs the contracts between merchants and the sale of goods. The law was written by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL) and the American Law Institute (ALI). It was p ublished in 1952 to harmonize the law of sales and other commercial transactions in the United States. Although it has not been fully enacted, some provisions of the code have been adopted by all the fifty states of the US (Fullerton, 2011). Previously, the code was divided into 9 articles; however, after a number of reviews and revisions, the code is now divided into eleven articles with each giving provisions that relate to a particular area of commercial law. Article 1, gives the definitions of terms used in commercial law and the general principles that apply to the UCC. Article 2 covers all contracts pertaining to the sale of goods. Article 2A covers all transactions pertaining to leases of goods. Article 3 covers negotiable instruments such as checks and promissory notes.