The eNotes Blog Review Strategies You Need to Know for FinalExams

Review Strategies You Need to Know for FinalExams Final exams are right around the corner, and as much as you may be looking forward to a winter break, you need to get through tests first. Before you can open presents, enjoy a cup of hot cocoa, and sleep in late, you need to prepare for your end-of-semester tests. As you begin studying, take in these unique study tips to help you review for your exams. 1. Interactive group study sessions There’s a reason your grade school teachers used to have the class play games to remember content. For one, they’re fun and engaging. Secondly, reviewing with different techniques - something that gets you talking or away from reciting notes - can help you retain information in a way that traditional study techniques may not always do. Sure, you could get fancy and make an online Jeopardy game, but it doesn’t necessarily have to take that much effort. Even studying flashcards with friends can be a great learning technique. Having someone with you to keep you accountable and make sure you are explaining concepts fully can make studying more effective. 2. Create your own test How do you prepare for a test if you have no idea what the questions are going to be? It’s simple: you predict the questions. Look through your material and think about what questions your teacher may ask. As you review your notes, textbooks, and previous quizzes, think of ways the information can be consolidated and how your teacher or professor could frame the test problems. Are there certain trends and themes that you may be asked to summarize on a test? Are there bullet points or timelines that would make an easy quiz question? You can always look at previous quizzes to see what types of information your teacher often looks for. Use these to create a practice quiz for yourself, then try to answer the questions without your notes. 3. Practice stress management strategies Preparing for an exam doesn’t only mean learning the content; stress management is important, too, as it can not only help you prepare for an exam, it can also help you during exam time. Part of keeping your cool during an exam is realizing that stress can be managed and channeled for good. One way to channel your stress is to ensure you take breaks while studying. Breaks are a great way to let your mind rest and allow it to retain information. This doesn’t mean totally zoning out, however. Try taking productive breaks, like throwing in a load of laundry, or completing another small chore that will allow you to check something off your to-do list. This can help manage your stress and allow you to be totally focused on studying when it’s time to do so. 4. Turn every room into a study room One of the biggest myths about studying for tests is that it has to happen at a certain time, in a certain place. On the contrary, studying can happen anywhere, at any time. Why can you only learn in the library? Instead of cramming before a test, use this strategy to study throughout the semester to learn your content. Use notecards or post-it notes to turn any room into a study room. Is there a fact that you are having difficulty remembering? Try posting it on your bathroom mirror and looking at it as you get ready in the morning. Place post-it notes around your bedroom or in other places that you typically pass through. As you walk by them, you’ll begin to recall them. Then, when you’re taking your test, you’ll be more likely to remember the information. Happy studying! Brittany Phillips is a contributing writer for Varsity Tutors, a live learning platform that connects students with personalized instruction to accelerate academic achievement.

The Role of Body Language Essay

The Role of Body Language Essay The Role of Body Language Essay Communication is one of the essential tools used for the exchange of ideas, feelings, and even visions. It is the activity of passing across the intended information through exchange of signals, writing, thoughts, behavior, and messages (Yates 433). However, for the process to be completed, several elements of the latter must be facilitated. The basic elements of communication include a potential sender, the intended message, and finally the targeted recipient. The way information is being transmitted depends on the medium. Moreover, the medium of transmission entirely rely on whether the communication is verbal or non-verbal. Non-verbal communication makes use of body languages, symbols, and signs as its ways of passing across any message (Yates 501). As per the requirements of the project, my area of specialization builds its concrete foundation on the body language as one of the means of communication. It is a form of physical and mental ability of man’s non-verbal communication that consists of gestures, facial expressions, body posture, and eye movements (Pease Pease 211). Body language is one of the most effective means of relaying very sensitive information and maintaining the confidentiality of the message passed across. The sole reason of my keen interest in this means of communication is the unique nature possessed by the latter as compared to other means. People continue using body language no matter the advancement in technology and development of most effective means. Analytical goals of my project draw its origin from the non-verbal forms of communication. To mention a few, the objectivity of the project was to understand the power and importance of excellent non-verbal communication, discover the necessary listening skills required for checking the shared understanding, modes of repairing the wrong communication and finally, understanding the effects of appropriate non-verbal communication and vocal tone in building rapport (Borg 457). Body language covers most of these objectives and helps in achieving the ultimate goals of communication as intended in this project. Assumptions made in this project can only be achievable if the means of communication put into consideration can be articulated to meet the requirements. Body languages are more advantageous and it can handle situations that cannot be handled by other means. The first advantage is that, this means can handle a situation where the sender or the recipient is handicapped or physically disabled (Borg 244). For example, a dumb person can use signs and facial expressions to relay information. He/she may be unable to utter the real words but the meaning of the message can be effectively understood through the body language. Noisy places may inconvenient verbal means but body language can comfortably be used in such environments. For example, in a factory where there is a lot of noise, the manager can instruct the employees and those under him through body language (Pease and Pease 466). The above means can also be used in passing across any sensitive information whose confidentiality is supposed to be maintained. Signals used between the sender and recipient may only be understood between the two and the third party may not get the real meaning of the information. The final advantage lies under the geographical difference between the sender and the recipient. The means may effectively be applicable if the two are at a visible distance but their spoken words may not be heard clearly. For example, if someone wants to greet a person, (Borg 558). Who is in a moving vehicle, waving a hand will be a more civilized way as compared to shouting. In addition, body language proves to be less expensive as compared to most sophisticated ones. Parties having an intension of cutting down the cost of communication can make use of body language. The above means loses its effectiveness in case the barriers exist in the environment under consideration. The major barrier is the case where both the sender and recipient are uninformed about the meaning of some of the signs and gestures. This will make the latter to be ineffective and therefore reducing its applicability. Common signals and body gestures known to many people cannot be used to relay any confidential information. Body gestures that carry more than one meaning may be difficult to be used as the involved parties may not get the intended message. Individuals lacking the body parts utilized in the communication are automatically excluded from using the means (Pease and Pease 674). This makes the latter to be limited to those people who possess the body parts that are supposed to be used in the process. For example, a blind person cannot use eye movements to relay the message; crippled people may also not use their legs or hands in the process of communication. Most of the time, body language is used by both handicapped and normal people so long as the parties understand the signs and body gestures well. Very large geographical difference may inconvenience use of signs and gestures in passing the meaning. This can only be done through digitized means where signs are being transmitted electronically. The project involved laying down the necessary strategies that will characterize the means of communication to be determined. The first strategy for this work involved testing the effective means of communication that can be used in a noisy environment. Various means of communication were to be tested in the latter environmental conditions and the effective method was to be pointed out. The second strategy was to determine the most appropriate means that can be used in relaying confidential messages (Pease and Pease 688). Almost all available means under the test proved ineffective and the one with the highest degree of confidentiality was determined. The final strategy was to cut down on the cost of communication. This meant to find the cheapest means of communication that can fully satisfy the process. The strategies outlined above almost gave the expected results (Oxford 509). The rhetorical barriers and advantages mentioned earlier in this project gave direct reflections of what was to be done and the ultimate goals were absolutely fulfilled. The first strategy of noisy environmental condition was fully satisfied by the rhetoric advantage of body language as the means of communication. Body language proved communicative under the tested conditions. The second strategy of relaying confidential messages was previously reflected by the rhetoric advantage of body language. The latter gave maximum satisfaction in passing across confidential information. The final strategy of cutting down the cost of the process of communication gave out several means of communication. Some of the verbal means of communication met the standards unexpectedly and the strategy was to be articulated to meet the requirements. However, the adjustments made met the satisfactory standard of making body languag e as the only means of communication. The rhetoric ended up being effective in analyzing the arguments. The rhetoric arguments proved perfect in the analysis and strategies gave full support for the approval of arguments. Documented statistics for the related case study almost projected the same results as the one that were rhetorically reflected in the project (Oxford 599). However, in this project, the strategized conclusion could not have been drawn from the rhetoric barriers and advantages, putting the last strategy into consideration, which almost dissatisfied the expected outcome. The argument of whether to rely on the rhetoric reflections or not, in finding the most appropriate means of communication in the project almost proved effective. However, the rhetoric reflection failed in giving the details of flexibility of the means and the ability of the latter to accommodate the upcoming challenges (Melkote 444). Body language plays many roles in the current society. Considering the technological advancements, this means of communication is seen primitive and cannot be relied on. However, what people are not supposed to forget is that, this means forms part of the most immediate means of communication before other means can be put in place. People who do not have a common communicative language find it hard to communicate with one another (Melkote 408). The only immediate way is by use of body language. In normal life circumstances, emotions find their roots in body language and twisting of some body parts may turn out passing a strong message to the targeted recipient. People around the globe appreciate body language and the roles it plays. Ideas of generating the most sophisticated means of communication are being generated by body language. What is most important is understanding the ideology of communication that is to be achieved by the scientists. Having hopes in the unpromising inventions makes people forget that the effective means lies in our bodies and the only task is to learn how to use it. Learning body Language is one of the most interesting things that one can do and in most cases, it turns out to be more of a fun. Do you need help with writing an essay about Body Language? Just visit our custom writing service to order high-quality customized essays online.

Czech Republic country analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Czech Republic country analysis - Essay Example (4) Masculinity pertains to the degree to which a society supports the traditional masculine work role model of male achievement, control, and power (â€Å"Hofestede’s Cultural Dimensions† 1, 2, 3, 4). (1) Czech has a slightly lower power distance index in comparison to the US. This means that in the Czech Republic managers treat their subordinates with respect, entrust them with vital work and may even socialize with their subordinates. This is supported by the fact that the Czech has a well-educated population (â€Å"Czech Republic† 2). (2) The US individualism score is substantially greater than the Czech’s. In the Czech Republic the social unit is more important than the individual. Therefore when running a business there one has to remember that conformity is not only expected but is also perceived positively. In line with this it is important to note that most Czech’s end business early on Fridays for shopping or traveling to their country cottages for the weekend. (3) The US has a fairly greater masculinity score than Czech. This means that in Czech Republic men and women are given equal opportunities and positions. This would definitely affect the staff recruitment policy for a business moving from the US to Czech. With less masculinity, the Czech culture prioritizes family relationships and quality of life over work. People work to live which implies flexible working hours and longer vacations than their counterparts in the United States. This could be a disadvantage to opening a textile factory because the workforce may not be as willing to work round the clock to meet the often demanding short lead times characteristic of successful apparel retailers. (4) The Czech has a substantially greater uncertainty avoidance score than the US. According to Hofstede this is reflective of a society with a deep and long cultural history and a largely homogeneous population. The high

Life-Altering Medical Breakthroughs on the Horizon Essay - 3

Life-Altering Medical Breakthroughs on the Horizon - Essay Example Blind people expect to have seeing ability restored. Scientists have tested and investigated microchip implants, which aid patients regain sight. Scientists are creating deep brain implants and unique glasses, which can bright sight to blind, (Barrie 1). Regenerative medication enables scientists to create organs and supplant impaired one. Researchers make substitute organs in the artificially. Presently, they have formed bladder and fixed into people. Tissue engineering utilizes both synthetic and natural material to grow body parts such as skin cells, bone marrow, cartilage among other. These technological breakthroughs provide extensive improvements for various patients and extensively reduce the cost of medication. Engineered organ replacement will outdo the hazards and challenges related to donor organs and reduce medical cost, (Reginald 1). For people who have suffered brain disease, Alzheimer or related neurological condition, the breakthroughs in neural advancements provide e xtensive hope for quality life. Similarly, microchip technology necessitates this advancement. Microchip or fiber optic wire use to bridge the affected brain parts provides a hope to cure various neurological diseases. Advancement in microchip use to bridge neural routes brings hopes to the anticipated brain use expansion for people, (Dick 1). Medical breakthroughs will allow generic condition eradication. For instance, with the human genome project completion, scientists have extensive knowledge of the genetic structure and it impacts on people. Currently, researchers can create certain gene or disease medicines utilizing DNA therapy to prevent patients against fatal diseases. It is predicted that genetic engineering will help prevent fatal conditions such cancer. Similarly, it will aid increase predicted lifespan to more than hundred years and create disease-free life.

Blackboard Student Orientation Essay Example for Free

Blackboard Student Orientation Essay The Blackboard Learning System is the wide-ranging and adaptable electronic-learning software platform built up for educationalists to improve their instruction and learning experience by means of the Internet. Blackboard operates using either Netscape or Internet Explorer. The browser must accommodate both JavaScript and Java. Institutions around the world are now using Blackboard to enhance conventional classroom education and convey superior distance training (Jafari and Sheehan, 2003). The platform has been refined through three years of continual innovation and feedback from its user base. Students can access their courses remotely if they do not have computers at home through their institution’s computer center or at pubic libraries that have a web connection. To access the course, a student must have a university email account. This is usually set up automatically after the student registers for the course in which Blackboard is used. From the orientation, it became clear to me the concept of Blackboard. I know now that the Blackboard Inc. is a company that markets and sells software designed to optimize use of the Internet as a tool for advancing education and learning. It also increases institutions’, faculties’ and students’ right of entry to applicable educational content as well as offer instructive information services. In this way, Blackboard reaches a more extensive base of students, graduates and groups of people. I also learned that Blackboard is an education portal that can pull data from campus information systems (student information system, human resource management system, etc. ) and from the Internet, and unify their presentation to end users following information standards. This way, the Blackboard Learning System positively influences the online education program of educationalists by allowing the customization of their courses using only the needed features that are suitable to their educational needs. The use of the system likewise helps facilitate a shift in the mode of assessment, from summative to formative evaluation. WORK CITED Jafari, A. Sheehan. (2003). Designing Portals: Opportunities and Challenges. Hershey, Pennsylvania: Idea Group, Inc.

Causes and Effects of Hate Crimes Essay -- Hate Crime Criminal Prejudi

Blacks were introduced to the North America during the 17th and 18th centuries through the triangular trade route, and were welcomed by chains, ropes, and all the horrors of slavery. Slavery was legalized by the US government and continued for a few hundred years, taking a civil war and sixteen presidents before it was forbidden. Even today, there is still much hatred between blacks and whites despite desegregation and integration; some would argue that the condition of African Americans in the United States is still one of a subservient nature. Federal law defines a hate crime as whenever a victim is attacked on the basis of his or her race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or gender; hate offenses are made against members of a particular group simply because of their membership in that group (Levin 4). In 1998 an African-American was brutally murdered in Texas. There are over a hundred homicides committed every year, but the manner in which this life was taken and the appar ent motive of his executers leaves no doubt that this crime was filled with hate. In this brutal murder, the motivation is obvious and clear, the explanation is so simple that it virtually hits you in the face. James Byrd Jr.'s death is America's shame: another man tortured for no reason- other than the color of his skin. I will use the Byrd murder to explore the cause and effects of hate crimes, and attempt to draw meaning from it so that a tragedy like this will not happen again. In the early morning of June 7, 1998, a black man was walking by a road in Jasper, Texas. James Byrd Jr. had just left a niece's bridal shower at his parents' house, and was trying to hitch a ride home. A car drove by and the owner of the vehicle, Shawn Berry, offered Byrd a lift in the back of the pickup. Byrd, jumped in one leg, didn't hesitate to accept the actually kind sign; little did he suspect his fate that was to follow. Angered, one of the passengers by the name of John King grabbed the wheel and drove to a dark deserted road outside of town. What happened thereafter certainly has to be one of the most nasty and horrifying crimes this country has seen since the day's slavery was legal. King and the final member of the trio, Lawrence Brewer, got out of the truck and began beating and kicking Byrd until he was almost unconscious. Afterward, they chained him by his ankles to the back of ... ... laws to address the serious threat of hate crime. For educators, it means developing ways to open channels of cultural understanding among children. For neighborhoods, it means strengthening the bonds of community to embrace diversity and reject acts of racism (Levin viii). Society as a whole must accept the fact that we are all a part of the problem, if we are not a part of the solution. Works Cited Bragg, Richard."For Jasper, Just What It Didn't Want." New York Times 27 June 1998: A8. Bragg, Richard."In Wake of Texas Killing, Black Militants and Klan Trade Words." New York Times 28 June 1998: A17. Cropper, Carol Marie."Black Man Fatally Dragged In a Possible Racial Killing." New York Times 10 June 1998: A16. Levin, Jack, and Jack McDevitt. Hate Crimes: The Rising Tide of Bigotry and Bloodshed. New York: Plenum, 1993. Novick, Michael. White Lies, White Power: The Fight Against White Supremacy and Reactionary Violence. Maine: Common Courage Press, 1995. Pressley, Sue Anne. "Down a Dark Road to Murder." Washington Post 12 June 1998: A1. "Racist Murder Leads Texas Town to Probe Its Prejudices." Wall Street Journal 1 October 1998: A8.

Sexism in Football Assessment

Sexism In Football Since time began, feminists worldwide have demanded equal rights and yes, they’ve probably said just about everything there is to say about sexism. We all dream of the day when women and men are treated with the same amount of respect, attention and understanding. But will this day ever come? Sexism should be non-existent and football is no exception. Sexism can begin in the simplest of places; a primary school for example. Picture this, a group of boys are playing a football match in the school playground, one of the girls in the class decides to join the game.The boys are aware of her presence, but decide to ignore this fact and continue the match around her. She approaches the boys at the end of the match and asks: â€Å"Why didn’t you pass the ball to me? † In reply, one of the young Ronaldo-wannabes says: â€Å"Because you’re a girl. Girls can’t play football. † What they don’t know is that, in many years to com e, she will become England’s best female footballer, representing both Arsenal Ladies and the England National Team. Professional football clearly has a huge effect on society. Even as a fan of football, a woman can still be a target of sexism.The misconception that females watch the game solely for the ‘hot guys’, is present in the minds of most men. Although this isn’t necessarily true for all women, the generalization is that all women think like this and it is both offensive and inconsiderate. It is clear to all football fans that it is pointless to support a club because of a good-looking or specifically skilful player; you have to love and believe in the whole team. It’s obvious that a woman can love a team as much as any man can, she’s capable of cheering and spurring her team on with the same amount of passion that any man could.Football is a game that is meant to unite. Bring people together, no matter of their background or way of l ife. The beautiful game. So surely women should be respected and be as much of a part of the game as anyone else. Sexism at this level is fairly controllable. But it’s when it begins to affect people’s lives that it is unacceptable. Take for example, the ridiculous incident involving Sian Massey, the professional, fully qualified referee. The day when she assisted at the Liverpool vs Wolverhampton match.After making a correct offside call, she was wrongly criticised by commentators Andy Gray and Richard Keys; who mentioned that she didn’t know the offside rule, due to the fact that she’s a woman. Yet the male referee in the Germany vs England match last year didn’t know what constitutes a goal? I don’t think anyone based it on the fact that he was a man. Atrocious. But conflict also occurs off the pitch, with supporting roles, such as physiotherapists under attack. Sexism extends right to the top of the profession, as Sir Alex Ferguson prove d in 1994, when a female physiotherapist applied for a job at Manchester United.She received a ‘hurtful and insulting’ letter in reply that was completely and utterly out of touch with modern day thinking. He even had the audacity to say that his players didn’t like the thought of women being involved in football. Surely, if a woman has the same training and experience as a man, she should have equal opportunity? 17 years on we’d all like to think that this was a one-off incident and that women do have a role on and off the pitch, but for this to happen the whole ‘laddish’ football culture needs to change. Money is a constantly debated subject in the world of football; from player’s wages to transfer fees.But the difference in the wages of male and female footballers is ridiculous. To give you a rough idea of the extent, Lionel Messi, the best male player in the world, earns roughly ? 35million a year, whereas Marta Vieria da Silva, the best female player in the world, earns roughly ? 255,000 a year. Both these people play the same game, both represent their country and they were both recently voted as the best players in the world; the only difference is their sex. So why does Messi get paid 100 times more than Marta? There are many campaigns running all over the country to promote women’s football.Recently, 2011 X Factor finalists, Belle Amie, visited a local girl’s football match in Birmingham. They were happy to express their feelings about the matter with us: â€Å"We think it’s really important to support women in the football industry. As a predominantly male game it’s important to remind people that women can play the sport at a high level too. † This sort of promotion will help to develop everyone’s understanding that women have a key part to play in the beautiful game and that there is no reason why football should still be a male-dominated game.

Discursive

Discursive EssaySean Killoran The death penalty, used from 1707 and fully abolished in 1969, was said to have cut crimes by two thirds. It is a controversial topic ever since it was created. It has taken the lives of guilty and innocent parties. In a recent survey 70% or the public want the death penalty reinstated for heavy crimes. Personally I feel the death penalty should only be used if a murderer has been proved guilty with flawless evidence. Many people feel that the death penalty is a cruel and inhumane punishment for any convict.It brings forward the question that would we be any better than the person standing in front of the jury ? There is also a major danger that an innocent person could be sentenced to death. There would be know way of releasing the person if there was suitable evidence from because they would be dead. For example, In 2004, the state of Texas executed Cameron Todd Willingham for starting the fire that killed his children. The Texas Forensic Science Commi ssion found that the arson testimony that led to his conviction was based on flawed science.As of today, 138 wrongly convicted people on death row have been exonerated. One of the main reasons I feel people are against the death penalty is the cost. In Texas over 430 executions have been recorded since 1976, this has cost them $2. 3 million, which is almost three times of which it would cost to imprison a convict. This makes people think why would you pay almost three times the amount to kill a person just so the family can have ‘revenge’ and ‘justice’. There is more than one side to this argument however.The death penalty did reduce crimes by two thirds therefore making the area a safer place. This gives the impression that a ruthless and no holds barred attitude would be put towards the offender and possibly make other people who are thinking of committing think twice. Also there is no chance of re-offending as the type of people who are willing to do suc h a crime will effectively be wiped out. A judge could sentence a man to life in prison. That same man could be out of jail with 15 years. How has life in jail become known as ten to fifteen ears? If the judge says life with no parole, then the criminal could stay in jail a bit longer, but that would mean the country would have to take care of the prisoner for twenty to twenty five years. How can we trust the murderers and thieves of our country to a law that will either let them out in ten years or have us take care of them for twenty years, and then let them go? The criminals do not fear the punishment anymore, because they know they will not die. Punishment is meant to be feared by the convict and to keep him from doing it again.I am not saying we execute all of the criminals in the world, but it has to remain an option for the courts to use and to scare the criminals of the country. Many criminals don't fear the law. They know that they will get out in ten years if they murder s omeone. They are not afraid of jail or their punishment. How can we force them to stop killing or stealing if they are not afraid of the punishment we give them. Most rational men are afraid of death. They don't want to die. There are also men that don't fear death, but enjoy killing.They must be controlled, but if they are sentenced to life, they are soon free to kill again. Again, I am not saying we should kill all the men in jail and any other criminal in the world. That is not the answer either, but we must have the death penalty as an option so that they will be afraid to break the law, and to control those who don't fear death but love to break the law. The Death Penalty has proven to have good benefits upon the country in determining the consequences that criminals deserve. This is needed to ensure the safety of society.If this is the case, there is no need for us to consider the expenses involved in the death penalty. Certainly human lives are more important, for it may easi ly be yours. We should not abolish the death penalty, but hold our country accountable for properly using the death penalty upon those who deserve it. Sources YYwww. wikipedia. com[->0] YYwww. answers. yahoo. com[->1] YYwww. tnjn. com[->2] Word Count: 766 [->0] – http://www. wikipedia. com/ [->1] – http://www. answers. yahoo. com/ [->2] – http://www. tnjn. com/

Timeline of Caribbean Prehistory - Precolumbian

Timeline of Caribbean Prehistory - Precolumbian Earliest Migrations into the Caribbean: 4000-2000 BC The earliest evidence of people moving into the Caribbean islands dates to around 4000 BC. Archaeological evidence comes from sites in Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the Lesser Antilles. These are mainly stone tools similar to the ones from the Yucatan peninsula, suggesting these people migrated from Central America. Alternatively, some archaeologists also find similarities among this stone technology and the North American tradition, suggesting movement from Florida and the Bahamas. These first comers were hunter-gatherers who had to change their lifestyle moving from a mainland into a island environment. They collected shellfish and wild plants, and hunted animals. Many Caribbean species became extinct after this first arrival. Important sites of this period are the Levisa rockshelter, Funche Cave, Seboruco, Couri, Madrigales, Casimira, Mordn-Barrera, and Banwari Trace. Fisher/Collectors: Archaic period 2000-500 BC A new colonization wave occurred around 2000 BC. In this period people reached Puerto Rico and a major colonization of the Lesser Antilles occurred. These groups moved into the Lesser Antilles from South America, and they are the bearers of the so-called Ortoiroid culture, dating between 2000 and 500 BC. These were still hunter-gatherers who exploited both coastal and terrestrial resources. The encounter of these groups and the descendants of the original migrants produced and increase in cultural dvariability among the different islands. Important sites of this period are Banwari Trace, Ortoire, Jolly Beach, Krum Bay, Cayo Redondo, Guayabo Blanco. South American Horticulturalists: Saladoid Culture 500 – 1 B.C. Saladoid culture takes its name from the Saladero site, in Venezuela. People bearing this cultural tradition migrated from South America into the Caribbean around 500 BC. They had a different life style from the people already living in the Caribbean. They lived in one place year-round, instead of moving seasonally, and constructed large communal houses organized into villages. They consumed wild products but also cultivated crops like manioc, which was domesticated thousand of years before in South America. Most importantly, they produced a distinct type of pottery, finely decorated along with other craftworks, such as basketry and feather works. Their artistic production included carved human and animal bones and skulls, jewelry made out of shells, mother-of-pearl and imported turquoise. They moved quickly through the Antilles, reaching Puerto Rico and Haiti/Dominican Republic by 400 B.C. The Saladoid Florescence: 1 BC – AD 600 Large communities developed and many Saladoid sites were occupied for centuries, generation after generation. Their lifestyle and culture changed as they coped with changing climates and environments. The islands landscape changed too, due to the clearance of large areas for cultivation. Manioc was their main staple and the sea played a pivotal role, with canoes connecting the islands with South American mainland for communication and trade. Important Saladoid sites include: La Hueca, Hope Estate, Trants, Cedros, Palo Seco, Punta Candelero, Sorcà ©, Tecla, Golden Rock, Maisabel. The Rise of Social and Political Complexity: AD 600 – 1200 Between A.D. 600 and 1200, a series of social and political differentiations arose within Caribbean villages. This process would ultimately lead to the development of the Taà ­no chiefdoms encountered by the Europeans in the 26th century. Between A.D. 600 and 900, there was not yet a marked social differentiation within villages. But a large population growth along with new migrations in the Greater Antilles, especially Jamaica which was colonized for the first time, produced a series of important changes. In Haiti and the Dominican Republic, fully sedentary villages based on farming were widespread. These were characterized by features like ball courts, and large settlements arranged around open plazas. There was an intensification of agricultural production and artifacts such as three-pointers, typical of the later Taà ­no culture, appeared. Finally, the typical Saladoid pottery was replaced by a simpler style called Ostionoid. This culture represents a mix of Saladoid and earlier tradition already present in the islands. The Taà ­no Chiefdoms: AD 1200-1500 Taà ­no culture emerged out of the above described traditions. There was a refinement of political organization and leadership which ultimately became what we know as the historical Taà ­no chiefdoms encountered by the Europeans. Taà ­no tradition was characterized by larger and more numerous settlements, with houses organized around open plazas, which were the focus of social life. Ball games and ball courts were an important religious and social element. They grew cotton for clothing and were crafted woodworkers. An elaborate artistic tradition was essential part of their daily life. Important Tainos sites include: Maisabel, Tibes, Caguana, El Atadijizo, Chacuey, Pueblo Viejo, Laguna Limones. Sources This glossary entry is a part of the About.com guide to Caribbean History, and the Dictionary of Archaeology. Wilson, Samuel, 2007, The Archaeology of the Caribbean, Cambridge World Archaeology Series. Cambridge University Press, New York Wilson, Samuel, 1997, The Caribbean before European Conquest: A Chronology, in Taà ­no: Pre-Columbian Art and Culture from the Caribbean. El Museo del Barrio:  Monacelli Press, New York, edited by Fatima Bercht, Estrella Brodsky, John Alan Farmer and  Dicey Taylor. Pp. 15-17

Understanding Social Exchange Theory

Understanding Social Exchange Theory Social exchange theory is a model for interpreting society as a series of interactions between people that are based on estimates of rewards and punishments. According to this view, our interactions are determined by the rewards or punishments that we expect to receive from others, which we evaluate using a  cost-benefit analysis  model (whether consciously or subconsciously). Overview Central to the social exchange theory is the idea that an interaction that elicits approval from another person is more likely to be repeated than an interaction that elicits disapproval. We can thus predict whether a particular interaction will be repeated by calculating the degree of reward (approval) or punishment (disapproval) resulting from the interaction. If the reward for an interaction exceeds the punishment, then the interaction is likely to occur or continue. According to this theory, the formula for predicting the behavior of any individual in any situation is: Behavior (profits) Rewards of interaction – costs of interaction. Rewards can come in many forms: social recognition, money, gifts, and even subtle everyday gestures like a smile, nod, or pat on the back. Punishments also come in many forms, from extremes like public humiliation, beating, or execution, to subtle gestures like a raised eyebrow or a frown. While social exchange theory is found in economics and psychology, it was first developed by the sociologist George Homans, who wrote about it in an essay titled Social Behavior as Exchange. Later, sociologists Peter Blau and Richard Emerson further developed the theory. Example A simple example of social exchange theory can be seen in the interaction of asking someone out on a date. If the person says yes, you have gained a reward and are likely to repeat the interaction by asking that person out again, or by asking someone else out. On the other hand, if you ask someone out on a date and they reply, â€Å"No way!† then you have received a punishment that will probably cause you to shy away from repeating this type of interaction with the same person in the future. Basic Assumptions of Social Exchange Theory People who are involved in the interaction are rationally seeking to maximize their profits.Most gratification among humans comes from others.People have access to information about social, economic, and psychological aspects of their interactions that allow them to consider the alternative, more profitable situations relative to their present situation.People are goal oriented in a freely competitive system.The exchange operates within cultural norms.Social credit is preferred over social indebtedness.The more deprived the individual feels in terms of an act, the more the person will assign a value to it.People are rational and calculate the best possible means to compete in rewarding situations. The same is true of punishment avoidance situations. Critiques Many critique this theory for presuming that people always make rational decisions, and point out that this theoretical model fails to capture the power that emotions play in our daily lives and in our interactions with others. This theory also undercuts the power of social structures and forces, which unconsciously shape our perception of the world and our experiences within it, and play a strong role in shaping our interactions with others.

Too Many Derivatives from Which to Choose Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Too Many Derivatives from Which to Choose - Essay Example The latter two methods are called as derivative markets. In this case the management does not take into account hedging using forward currency contracts as the banks have increased the charges for these services manifold. Hedging using forward contracts simply transfers the risk from the firm to the bank and hence the bank charges a large amount for these services. Now the management has to decide between currency future and options. The future currency contract is a legal contract between a buyer and a seller in which they agree to buy or sell the currency at a future date, at an exchange rate that is fixed or agreed upon today. Though the future contract looks very similar to forward contract, the futures contract brings in more liquidity it is traded in the futures market. It is similar to share market. The most important benefit of futures contract is that firm can release itself from the futures obligation by buying the contract even before the contract expires. Other benefits include liquidity, leverage and convergence of the futures price and spot price on the day of expiration of the futures contract. A currency option is a contract between a buyer and a seller where the buyer of the option enjoys the right but not the obligation to buy or sell the currency at a specified exchange rate before a specified date. There are two types of options. They are call option and put options. Call option gives the buyer the right to buy and the put option gives the buyer the right to sell the currency. Options minimize the risks to a great extent. This hedging option is not of significant importance to our book firm as the option is mainly beneficial for firms bidding for overseas projects. Options are highly flexible and offer a wide range of strategies. But they are more expensive when compared to forwards or futures contract. Hence the most suited derivative for the book firm is futures contract. The best

Sexual violence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Sexual violence - Essay Example The majority of the victims tends to blame themselves, and thus fails to give information about the heinous acts of sexual violence, which the offenders perpetrate on them. The reasons that compel victims not to report cases of rape encompass fear, feeling of helplessness, and perceived powerlessness of the security agents such as the police. Similarly, the victims fail report the sexual assaults because of the threat of further victimization from the authorities. The speech indicated that personal fear and lack of trust in the security agents contributes to the unreported cases of sexual assault. These are the lessons that everyone should draw, and then explore ways of dealing with the fear because sexual assault has emotional, physical, and psychological ramifications. It seems that people do not have hope in the police, and thus they chose to remain silent on cases centering on sexual violence. In fact, the event drew a significant lesson that people should take the responsibility of reporting any case of sexual violence. The victims should view that sexual assault is heinous and a disrespect for an individual’s dignity. No one should go silent on issues that violate one’s right to live a respected life devoid of interference of any sort. In fact, the higher education should organize such events regularly in order to equip the students with the right skills that are integral in their lives. Many students are subject to the se xual violence, and events discussing issues central to student life ought to feature prominently in the institutions’ calendars. The student involvement in the campus community plays a critical in ensuring that the learners live a success life in college. The activities foster a sense of togetherness and promote the growth of a community of scholars who exhibit a prime target of acquiring knowledge to apply it in the future