Sri Aurobindo

Sri Aurobindo Free Online Research Papers Hindi biro ang dinaanan ng sangkatuhan bago makaabot sa kasalukuyang kalagayan. Dumaan tayo sa sarisaring pagsubok ng kalikasan para patunayan na tayo ang pinakadakilang nilikha sa sandaigdigan. Sa pagtatapos ng Ice Age (mga 2-3 milyong taon na ang nakalilipas), nagwakas ang buhay ng maraming dambuhalang hayop sa kasaysayan ng lupa na sya namang nagluwal sa pamamayani ng tao (Tarbuck at Lutgens, 2003: 143). Ang tao ang nanatiling matatag. Ang tao ang karapat-dapat maghari sa lahat ng nilalang. Sa pamamagitan ng kakayahan ng hayop o tao na makiayon sa mga pagbabago ng kanyang kapaligiran upang mabuhay at ang mahina o hindi makasabay ay namamatay, pinalad ang tao na magpatuloy mamuhay. Higit itong kilala sa tawag na natural selection. Ito ay ang palaging pwersang pumipilit na pabutihin ang kaantasan ng mga uri ng specie sa isang matatag na kapaligiran, upang bigyan lalo ng kalamangan ang specie (Bawler 2003: 170-172). Narito ngayon ang Bagong Tao o Modern Man mula sa mahabang ebolusyon ng Australopithecines, Pithecanthrophines at Neantherdals. 35,000 taon nang namamayani ang Makabagong tao (Brace, 1995). Ang wika ay nananahan sa kaliwang bahagi ng ating utak. Kasama ng wika ay ang pagiging analitikal, mula-sa-malaki-tungo-sa-maliit, pagkakasunod-sunod, pagiging makatwiran, tutok sa oras at pagpapaliban sa ginagawa (Hampden-Turner 1981, 86-89). Ngunit ang utak na ito ay dumaan sa mahabang proseso bago maging ganap na kaagapay ng tao sa pag-iral at pananatiling dominanteng nilalang sa ibabaw ng lupa. Pinaniniwalaan na may bahagi ng utak ng taong nananatiling primitibo. Ito ay ang reptilian at paleomammalian (limbic) brain. Pinaniniwalaang sa reptillian brain naka-program ang instinct ng pagiging tao samantalang sa paleomammalian brain naman nakahimlay ang sarap at hirap na karanasan. Ang mga ito ang naging hanguan-impukan ng buhay at karanasan ng ebolusyon ng tao. Mula sa paghahanap ng pagkain, pang-aakit at iba pang primitibong karanasan ay sinasabing dito nakasalig. Ngunit ang mga utak na ito ay hindi pa sapat ang kakayahan upang isatinig sa isip ang kanilang naiisip o nararamdaman. Hanggang sa tuluyang malinang ang neocortex (neomammalian) brain (ibid, 80-83). Dito na nagtagni ang karanasan at iniisip ng tao. Dito na nagsimulang lapatan ng tao ng pangalan ang mga karanasang pinagdaraanan (tignan ang larawan). Ang Ebolusyon ng Utak ng Tao Ang ebolusyon ng utak ng tao batay sa aklat na Maps of the Mind (Charts and Concepts of the Mind and Its Labyrinths) ni Charles Hampden-Turner p. 81 Bagamat pinaniniwalaan na nasa kaliwang bahagi ng utak ng tao ang wika, hindi maikakaila na sangkot pa rin ang buong utak sa pagproseso ng impormasyon, mula sa pagdama at pagpapadala ng mensahe sa utak, proseso ng impormasyon at pagbubo ng konsepto dito (Pavek 1988, 113-114). Ang Paghahati sa Utak ng Tao Ang pinapalagay na paghahati sa utak ng tao at ang gampanin ng bawat panig batay sa aklat na Maps of the Mind (Charts and Concepts of the Mind and Its Labyrinths) ni Charles Hampden-Turner p. 87 Maaring sa simula, ang apoy ay isang mapang-akit na liwanag sa mga sinaunang tao. At sa kanilang paglapit ay may kakaiba silang naramdaman hatid ng pagbabago ng temperatura. At para sa reptillian brain: apoy=liwanag=init. Samantalang sa paleommalian brain ay: apoy=liwanag=init=ginhawa/hirap dulot ng apoy. At nang malinang nang husto ang neommalian brain ay apoy=liwanag=init=ginhawa/hirap dulot ng apoy=manipulasyon o kontrol ng apoy. Kung ganoon, ang apoy ay hindi lamang isang penomena ng kalikasan ngunit naging bahagi ng pang-araw-araw na karanasan ng tao. At ang salitang ‘apoy’ ay hindi lamang sagisag ng sumasagisag at sinasagisag (signified at signifier) ngunit bumabalot sa apoy ang isanlibo’t isang konsepto hatid ng indibidwal, etniko at pambansang karanasan. Gaya ng mga sumusunod na salita at parirala na kaugnay ng apoy (bilang penomena ng pagliliyab ng mga kemikal o elemento na makikita sa liwanag, dingas at init): Dinilaan ng apoy- nasimulang magliyab Naglaro ng apoy- pakikiapid o pangangalunya Apoy ng impyerno- kaparusahan Apoy sa dibdib- galit Inaapoy ng lagnat- mataas na lagnat Pinanday sa apoy- humusay Inaapuyan-sulsol Maging ang kasabihang â€Å"Ang kahoy na babad man sa tubig, pag nadarang sa apoy, pilit magririkit.† Na nangangahulugang ang taong kahit anong bait o timpi ay nahuhulog din kapag sa tukso naipit. Napakahalaga ng papel ng wika upang maglarawan ito ng naging karanasan ng tao sa kanyang pagiging nilalang. Ipinakikita lamang nito ang drama ng kanyang pakikihamok sa iba’t ibang pwersang bayolohikal, pisikal at etikal. Kung susumahin, ang kasaysayan ng pag-unlad ng tao ay hindi maiaalis sa pagbakas sa pag-unlad ng kanyang utak at wika. †¦ (ang wika) ay tanging bahagi ng kabuuang bayolohikal ng ating utak. Masalimuot at espesyalisadong kasanayan ang wika na nalilinang nang ganoon†¦ dahil dito, ilang cognitive psychologist ang naglarawan sa wika bilang isang sikolohikal na sangkap, isang mental na organ, isang sistemang neural, at isang kagamitan sa pagsusuma (Pinker 1994: 18). Patunay lamang na ginagamit ng tao ang wika sa pagtuos nya sa mga penomena na nangyayari sa kanyang paligid. Patunay rin na kinatawan ng wika ang karanasan ng utak at katawan ng sangkatauhan. Karanasan at Wika: Indibidwal, Etniko at Pambansang Paglalarawan Tinalakay ni John Searle, 1995 (Kay Gripaldo, 2000) ang dalawang uri ng karanasan: ang unang panauhan at ang ikatlong panauhan. Sa una, ang karanasang ontolohikal, ang kasangkot ay sumailalim o sumasailalim. Sya ang tagaganap o biktima ng karanasan. Sa ikatlong panauhang karanasang ontolohikal, pinapalitan ng indibidwal ang pananaw ng nagmamasid. Sa una, mapapansin ang laging gamit ng ‘ako’/‘ko’ (indibidwal) o ‘tayo’/‘natin’ (pampangkatan) ng nagmamasid sa paglalahad ng karanasan. Ito ay tinatawag na karanasang penomenolohikal. Sa ikatlo, ang ‘sya/nya’ o ‘sila’/‘nila’ ay madalas na gamitin. Ito ang tinatawag na karanasang empirikal. Mas mabigat ang ‘ako’/’ko’ kesa sa ‘tayo’/’natin’ dahil posibleng hindi nararanasan ng lahat ang nararanasan ng naglalahad. Gayundin ang ikatlong ontolohikal na karanasan ay higit na kapani-paniwala kesa sa pampangkatang unang panauhang ontolohikal na karanasan. At ang ikatlong karanasan ay ang ikalawang panauhang karanasan. Madalas marinig dito ang ‘ikaw’ at ‘mo.’ Ang mga uri ng ontolohikal na karanasang ito ay nag-uugnay-ugnay, nagkakawing-kawing at nagsasalimbayang penomena upang maglantad ng karanasan ng indibidwal, ng isang pangkat-etniko tungo sa pambansang karanasan. Ang pahayag ng isang indibidwal na â€Å"Masakit ang tyan ko!† na bagamat eksklusibo lamang sa nagsasalita ang karanasan, hindi maaring hindi magawang makaugnay ng sinumang nakaririnig dahil marahil isa itong unibersal na karanasan. Gayundin ang â€Å"Tag-ulan na, kawawa na naman ang Pampanga sa lahar!† na bagamat sa Gitnang Luzon lamang ito nagaganap, nagagawa pa rin ng mga tagapagsalita na makaugnay dahil na sa naging bahagi na ng bokabularyong Filipino ang salitang ‘lahar’. Idagdag pa ang pagbaha ng mga larawan, balita at kontrobersiya na bumalot sa nasabing kalamidad. Ang pahayag na †Nawiwili sya sa telenobela† na bagamat isang empirikal ay masasabing mahirap na itakwil na reyalidad na pambansang karanasan. Walang pribadong wika o ang wika ay publiko (Wittgenstein, 1921) at walang karanasang eksklusibo lamang sa indibidwal. Kung kayat ang bawat karanasan ay nagtutulak sa tao na humanap ng salitang ipanlalapat dito. Kasing kahulugan ito na ang salitang ipinanlalapat ng tao sa isang penomena o karanasan ay nagaganap o nararanasan ng lahat na nabibilang sa isang pangkat o bansa. Posibleng ibuod ngayon na ang karanasan ng isa ay hindi pwedeng hindi kabahagi ng kamalayan ng isang grupo ng tao o bansa. Tama lamang pala si Chomsky nang sabihin nya na ang wika ay karanasan lamang. Ngunit ang bawat salita ay hindi lamang salita. Ang wika ay bunsod ng mahabang ebolusyong pakikipagsapalaran ng tao. Ang pagkakabuo ng salita ay bunga ng simbolikong konsepto ay kailangang lagyan ng simbolikong tinig (Saussure 1959). Sa pagkakalapat ng tao ng salita sa konsepto, nasasaisip nya ang pilosopikal na katangian, tungkulin at naging tuwirang karanasan nya dito. Kaya sa tuwing gagamitin nya ang salitang ito upang kumatawan sa mental na representasyon ginagamit nya ang karanasan ng isang organisadong grupo ng tao na namumuhay tulad nya na may ganoon ding karanasan. May kakayahahan ang taong kumalap ng karunungan at gamitin ito sa bawat pakikipag-ugnayang panlipunan (Joseph 2004: 3). Sa ganitong konteksto, mahihiwatigan natin na napakahalaga ng wika upang pagbuklurin ang mga mamamayan at napagbubuklod ng wika ang mga mamamayan dahil ang wikang kanilang ginagamit ay kumakatawan sa kanilang magkakatulad na paraan ng pamumuhay, paniniwala, gawain o hanapbuhay, saloobin mas angkop sabihin na karanasan. Nakikilala ng indibidwal ang kanyang sarili sa pamamagitan ng kanyang pakikipag-ugnayan at pakikipamuhay sa iisang pamayanan. Nalalaman nya ang kaibahan at pagkakatulad nya sa kanyang mga kasama. Alam nya na sya’y matanda na kung bata ang kanyang nakakausap, alam nya kung babae sya kapag nakakausap sya ng lalake, alam nyang mangingisda sya kung nakakausap nya ang kapwa mangingisda, alam nyang kabilang sya sa isang grupo ng mga tao kung nakakausap nya ang iba pang grupo ng mga tao. Ito rin ang paniniwala sa aklat na †The Language Instinct ( How The Mind Creates Language):† Ang komon na wika ay nag-uugnay sa mga kasapi ng isang pamayanan sa isang ugnayang pagbabahaginan ng impormasyon na may nakamamanghang kolektibong kapangyarihan. Sinuman ay maaring makinabang mula sa kanilang henyo, swerteng aksidente, at karunungan sa pagsubok-pagkabigo na naipon ng sinuman, kasalukyan o lumipas. At ang mga mamamayan ay maaring gumawa ng pangkatan, ang kanilang pagsusumikap ay pinag-uugnay ng kanilang napagkasunduan (Pinker 1994: 16). Sa pakikipag-usap ng tao sa kanyang kapwa, wika ang nagiging daluyan ng mensahe. Ngunit hindi sapat ang kaalaman lamang sa balarila o istruktura ng wikang sangkot sa komunikasyon upang lubusang makuha ang mensahe. May mga kaisipan na hindi naririnig o nababasa ngunit nakasulat na sa isip ng mga nagsasalita o nakikinig dahil naiintidihan nila ang meta-mensahe. Bunga ito ng lubusang pagkaunawa ng nakikinig at nagsasalita sa likaw ng wika at komon na karanasang nagbubuklod sa nag-uusap. Halimbawa ay ang dalawang nag-uusap sa cellularphone: A: Nasaan ka na? Kanina pa ko dito. B: Nandyan na ako. A: Gaano pa katagal? B: Basta, dyan ka lang. Kung gramatika lang ang pagbabatayan, sinumang mag-aaral ng wika ay magsasabi na wasto ang serye ng usapan. Ngunit walang lohika. Hinahanap ni A si B. Pero sa sagot ni B kung nasaan na ito, makakakapa natin na imposibleng mangyari ang sinasabi ni B sa tanong ni A. Dahil kung nandoon na si B, sana ay hindi na maghahanap si A o magpapahintay pa si B kay A. Pero dahil sa gagap nina A at B ang likaw ng wika, nagkakaunawaan na ang dalawa. Na paparating na si B at maghintay dapat si A. Nilalarawan ng wika ang lipunan (mas dapat sigurong sabihing inaalingawngaw). Ang punto ay hindi lamang sa ipanakikita ng diin, talasalitaan at pangkalahatang istilo ng pagsasalita ng isang indibidwal, ngunit maging sa katayuan nito sa lipunan. Ang mga linggwistikong anyo, ang kanilang baryasyon at pagbabago ay nagsasabi rin sa atin tungkol sa kalidad ng kanilang kaugnayang panlipunan sa isang tiyak na kultura o kumpol ng mga kultura (Burke at Porter, eds: 1987, 11). Sa halimbawang usapan sa itaas, lubos na magkakilala sina A at B dahil hindi maglalakas loob si B kay A na paghintayin ito at papaniwalain ni B si A na sya’y malapit na sa lugar ng kanilang tagpuan. Gusto rin naman paalalahanan ni A si B na matagal na itong naghihintay. Kung ganoon, naiintindan ng isa’t isa ang mga pre-eksistidong kundisyon at relasyon kung kayat nagagawa nilang bitawan ang mga gayong pananalita. Nagtiwala ang isa’t isa na makukuha ang mensahe kahit sa ganoong uri ng usapan. Upang makarating ang impormasyon sa isip ng isang tagapakinig sa makatwirang sandali, maaari lamang maitipa ng tagapagsalita ang kapiraso ng mensahe sa mga salita at dapat umasa sa tagapakinig na punan ang iba pa (Pinker 1994: 81). Ito ang mentalese na tinutukoy ni Pinker sa aklat nyang †The Language Instinct (How The Mind Creates Language) :† Ang mentaleses ay ang haypotetkal na †wika ng pag-iisip† o representasyon ng mga konsepto at mga proposisyon sa utak na kung saan nakahimlay ang mga ideya, kabilang ang mga kahulugan ng mga salita at pangungusap. Binabanggit nya na kumpara sa anumang wika, mas mayaman at mas simple sa ibang paraan ang mentalese. At ang pagkatuto ng wika, kung ganoon, ay ang pag-alam kung paano isasalin ang mentalese sa hibla ng mga salita at ang kabaligtaran nito. Wikang Filipino: Wika ng Karanasan ng Bansa Ipinaliwanag ni Constantino (kina Peregrino et al, eds. 2002: 49-52) na ang pagkakaroon ng bokabularyong kumon, maging pagkakahawig kung hindi man magkakapareho sa mga wika sa Pilipinas ay magpapatunay na dumaan ang wikang Filipino sa isang mahabang proseso upang ganap na kumatawan sa karanasan nating lahat. Ang Filipino, bilang Pambasang Lingua Franca ay isang manipestasyon na kinakatawan nito ang mga wika sa Pilipinas. Mahigpit na kabuhol ng buhay ang wika sa karanasan ng tao na parang napakahirap isiping mangyari ang buhay na wala nito (Pinker 1994: 17). Kung kayat masasabing ang laman ng isip na isinawika ng bawat Filipino ay nagbabadya ito ng manipestasyon ng karanasan ng isang indibidwal na tatagos sa kamalayan at karanasan ng bansa. Ang salitang iyon ay hindi lamang kanya, kundi ay wika ng bayan. Ang karanasan nyang iyon ay hindi rin lang kanya, kundi, karanasan ng sambayanan. Ang bawat kaisipang Pilipino, kulturang Pilipino at lipunang Pilipino ay bunga ng karanasang Pilipino. Ang salitang F/Pilipino ay tampok na pang-uri sa mga larangang kaisipan, kultura at lipunan. Mahalaga ang salitang Pilipino bilang pang-uri sa ating bansa at pagiging lahi (Covar kay Salazar 2004: 37). Identidad at Wika: Indibidwal, Etniko at Pambansang Kalakasan Upang mapadali sa tao ang mabuhay laban sa iba’t ibang pwersang pangkapligiran, minabuti nyang makisama sa kanyang mga kauri. Magbuklod-buklod ang may magkakatulad na hilig, nais at paraan ng pamumuhay. Nalinang ang isang komon na wika na nagbubuklod sa kanila. Ngunit sa kabila ng kanyang pakikipamuhay sa piling ng karamihan na halos katulad nya sa maraming aspekto, may nanatili sa indibidwal na tanging sya at sya lang ang nagmamay-ari: ang kanyang identidad. Ang indibidwal ay nagtataglay ng nilikha nyang reyalidad upang gamiting panukat sa sarili at sa labas ng kanyang reyalidad. Ito ang ginagamit nya upang maabot at umabot sa reyalidad at karanasan ng iba. Sa ganitong konteksto, ang indibidwal ay lumilikha ng kanyang identidad na sya nyang batayan sa pagmamalas sa sarili at sa iba. Tatlong uri ng identidad (Joseph 2004: 6). 1. isa para sa tunay na tao at isa para sa likhang tauhan 2. isa para sa sarili at para sa iba 3. isa para sa mga indibidwal at isa para sa mga grupo Nakikilala ng indibidwal ang kanyang sarili sa pamamagitan ng pagkilala ng iba. Nalalaman ng isang tao ang kaibahan nya kung may nakikita syang iba. Nababakas ng tao ang papel nya sa isang pangkat, grupo o etnolinggwistikong grupo kung nakikihalubilo o umiiwas sya dito. Kung kaya sa bawat pagkakataon, ang isang indibidwal ay may nakahandang identidad depende sa pagkakataon at lokasyon. Gaya ng tinutukoy ni Joseph na tatlong uri ng identidad, ang Filipino bilang mamayan ng bansa, kabilang sa etnolinggwistikong pangkat at indibidwal ay nagtataglay ng mga identidad. Tinalakay ni Constantino (kina Peregrino et al, eds. 2002: 57) na ang mismong interaksyong nagaganap sa hanay ng mga nagsasalita (bagamat posibleng may baryasyon) ay isang anyo ng pagpapakilala sa kanyang katayuan sa lipunan na maaring indikasyon ng pakikiisa, pakikilahok, pakikipalagayang-loob, pakikisama o pananaig/pagiging iba nito. Patunay na ang wika ng isang indibidwal ay wika ng kanyang identidad. Gayundin maituturing ang pagsasalita ng isang pangkat-etniko sa kanyang katutubong wika, ipinakikilala lamang ng grupong ito kung sino sila sa lipunan o identidad bilang pangkat-etniko. At gayundin naman tayong mga Filipino sa pagsasalita ng Filipino o ng mga katutubong wika sa Pilipinas, isang repleksyon ng ating identidad bilang isang bansa. Sa pangungusap na, †Ako si Juan, Bulakenyo, isang Filipino† ay nagpapakilala sa tatlong paraan: 1. Ang kanyang sarili bilang isang indibidwal, lumikha sya ng isang tunay na tao na umiiral na may identidad at ito ang nilikha nya upang makilala ng ibang tao. Kung ganoon, ang isang indibidwal ay malay na sa kanyang sarili kung paano sya gustong malasin ng kanyang sarili gayundin ng ibang tao. Sya bilang ’Juan’ ay produkto ng paglikha nya ng identidad. Sya ang lumikha ng idetidad na ’Juan.’ 2. Ang kanyang pagkakakilala sa sarili at ang pagkakakilala sa kanya ng iba, ay ang pangmalas ng indibidwal sa kanyang sarili kung paano nya gustong makilala at ipakilala. Sa puntong ito, malay ang indibidwal sa kanyang identidad na pagkakasipat mula sa labas ng kanyang uniberso. Ito ang pagkakakilala nya kay ’Juan’ na kabilang sa isang etnolinggwistikong grupo o mamamayan ng isang bansa. 3. Para sa ibang tao o grupo ng mga tao na posibleng hindi nakakakilala sa kanya ay lumilikha rin ng identidad si Juan na isang Bulakenyo, na isang Filipino. Walang pagtutol na ang bawat isa sa atin ay lumilikha ng kani-kanyang identidad o pagkakakilanlan. At ang identidad ay lubusan pang naipakikilala sa pamamagitan ng wika. Kung ang bawat etnolinggwistikong pangkat ay may kani-kanyang paraan ng pagsasalita kung paano ipinakikilala ang sarili, o grupong kinabibilangan, kasingkahulugan ito na ang bawat pangkat etniko ay lumilikha ng natatanging identidad kung paano sya gustong malasin o makilala ng iba pang pangkat o indibidwal. Ito ang pagkukuwento natin ng kasaysayan ng ating lahi. Na tayo’y binubuo ng mga pangkat etiniko na may natatanging kani-kanyang wika at identidad ngunit bumubuo pa rin sa iisang bansa. Ang unang palagay, na ang ating pagkakakilanlan/identidad, panggrupo man o pang-indibidwal ay hindi ‘likas na katotohanan’ tungkol sa atin, ngunit mga bagay na ating nililikha- likha o kwento kung tutuusin (Jospeh 2004: 6). Kayat natural na kahit saang sulok man ng daigdig, na nagtitipon-tipon ang mga Filipino sa iisang komunidad at nagtatag ng samahan tulad ng †Filipino Community† ay totooong totoo pa rin ang penomena ng pagsasama-sama ng mga etnolinggwistikong pangkat tulad ng Filipino Waray Associations in Honolulu, Cabalens of Italy, El Caviteno of Germany at iba pa. Hindi dapat ito ituring na kahinaan, bagkus ay kalakasan pa dahil ipinakikita lamang nito ang likas na pagkauhaw ng mga Filipino sa pinagmulang ugat at pagpapakita at pagmamalaki ng identidad. Ang wika ay nakagagawang magpalaki ng grupo nang hindi nasasayang ang oras para maghanap ng pagkain o ang pagbubuklod-panlipunan ng mga tao na kinakailangang upang tapatan ang anumang uri ng kahirapan. Dahil maaring masabi ang mensahe sa iba’t ibang tao nang minsanan na lang, mapapablis natin ang galaw para maayos ang iba†¦ sa kabilang banda, ang wika ay napapakinabangn ng indibidwal upang makahanap ng kakampi o kasama (ibid: 27) . Mabisang pantuhog ang Wikang Filipino upang bigkisin ang identidad ng mga mamamayan sa loob man at sa labas ng bansa dahil kung nagkakasama ang mga Filipino sa iisang lugar sa kabila na sila’y nabibilang sa iba’t ibang etnolinggwistikong pangkat, sinasalita na nila ang lingua franca na magbubuhol at mag-uugnay sa lahat. Ang Wikang Filipino. At dahil dito, nananatiling buhay, masigla at matatag ang identidad ng mga Filipino sa loob at labas man ng bansa dahil sa mayamang kultura na syang kabuhol ng wika. Tinalakay ni Zeus Salazar (2004: 65-70) ang kahalagahan ng matatag at buhay na kultura’t wika ng bawat etnolinggwistikong grupo sa Pilipinas dahil isa itong mabuting tanggulan ng pananaig ng isang maghaharing grupo. Sa Pilpinas ay walang masasabing sentro ng kultura sapagkat ang sentro ng kultura ay nagbuhat sa mga pamayanang kultural na syang batis ng pambansang kultura. Ang pambansang kultura ay binubuo, sa kasalukuyan, ng iba’t ibang daloy at batis mula sa iba’t ibang pamayanan, kasama na rin dito ang mga elementong kultural na buhat sa kanyagang pamayanan (ibid 43). Karanasan at Identidad: Sagwan at Lunday sa Maalong Panahon Hindi nakapagtataka na magawang lampasan ng mga Filipino ang iba’t ibang krisis ng ating panahon. Survivor daw ang mga Filipino. Mas angkop sigurong sabihing survivalist. Mababakas ito sa ating kasabihan. 1. Papunta ka pa lang, pauwi na ako. pagpapaalala ng mga matatanda sa kanilang dinaan na kasalukuyan nating nararanasan 2. Marami ka pang bigas na kakainin.- marami pa tayong dapat maranasan 3. May gatas ka pa sa labi.- hindi pa husto ang wisyo o bata pa 4. Kalabaw lang ang tumatanda.- hindi pagsuko ng matatanda o di pagpapagapi sa katandaan 5. May asim pa.- pagpapakita ng positibong saloobin na pwede pang mapansin 6. Kung saan ka nadapa, doon ka bumangon- indikasyon na harapin ang pinagmulan ng problema at mula sa kinasadlakan, doon ay muling magsimula 7. Kung nakakakain ang pito, makakain ang walo- pagkakamada ng mapagkukunang yaman upang makatulong sa iba sa pamamagitan ng pagpaparaya 8. Pag maliit ang kumot, matutong mamaluktot- pinagkakasya, pinagtityagaan kung ano lang ang meron Ilan pang indikasyon ng desperadong hangarin ng mga Filipinong mabuhay at manatiling lumalaban ay ang tulad ng: higpit ng sinturon, kapit sa patalim, kayod-marino, trabahong kalabaw, pasang-krus at marami pang iba. Makikita sa mga halimbawa kung anong uri ng mga mamamayan ang mga Filipino, matiisin, mapagpasensya, matulungin at iba pang mga katangian na minsan ay tila nanghihikayat sa pang-aabuso, pang-aapi o panlulupig. Ngunit, batay sa ating karanasan, mahaba ang pasensya ng mga Filipino ngunit natututo tayo sa karanasan. Lumalaban kung kinakailangan at magtanda. Gaya ng mga kasabihang, †lintek lang ang walang ganti, may araw ka rin, maghahalo ang balat sa tinalupan, magtago ka na sa pinanggalingan mo, gyera patani, isama mo pa ang lelong mong panot†. At dahil sa impluwensya ng mass madia, naging bahagi na rin ng kasabihang Filipino ang †hindi ka na sisikatan ng araw, isang bala ka lang, bukas tatakpan ka ng dyaryo.† Ang mga halimbawa sa itaas ay patunay na buo ang identidad ng mga Filipino bilang isang bansang kapwa mahinahon sa pagkagalit, matiisin ngunit masamang sinasagad sa galit. Ito marahil ang namamayaning ideolohiya ng mga Filipino. Kung kayat ang paglaya sa mga Kastila at Amerikano ay hindi madali ngunit naging makulay ang pagkakahiwalay, na dalawampung taon ng diktadurya at batas militar ang kinakailangan upang pumalag ang mga Filipino, at panggigigil ng mga Filipino nang hindi payagan ng labing-isang senador na hindi buksan ang sobre na may kinalaman sa Jose Villarde account bago pa tuluyang lumabas ng bahay at pumunta sa lansangan upang ipahayag ang pagkadismaya. Kayat tama si Fairclough (2001) nang sabihin nya na ang wika ay syang tagapagdala at nagsasalehitimo ng ideolohiya. Masasalamin sa Wikang Filipino ang identidad at karanasang dinaan ng ating kasaysayan. †¦ iginigiit ng maraming eksperto sa kasaysayan, sosyolohiya at politika na ang pag-iral ng pambansang wika ay ang pangunahing batayan na kung saan ang pambansang ideolohiya ay binuo†¦ may iba naman na mas binigyang-diin na ang pambansang wika ay hindi talaga likas, ngunit nilikha ng mga mamamayan bilang bahagi ng tungkuling ideolohikal sa pagbubuo ng bansa (Joseph 2004: 94). Ang Karanasan at Identidad ng mga Filipino sa pagiging Multi-lingual Isa sa nilutas ng wikang Filipino ay ang pagiging eksklusibo ng wikang pambansa sa mga Tagalog. Pinatunayan na ng maraming literatura, pag-aaral at pananaliksik na malaking bulto ng mga salita sa Pilipinas ay halos magkakatunog, magkakahawig sa anyo at may iisang kahulugan. Gayundin, kung maluwag ang pagtanggap ng Filipino sa mga hiram na salita, ano pa kaya sa mga katutubong wika sa Pilipinas? Sa katunayan, maaari pa ngang magamit ang mga katutubong salita sa Pilipinas bilang hanguan ng panapat o salin sa mga salita o konsepto na wala sa Tagalog. Nandyan ang gahum, tarong, lawas, danum at iba pa. Dahil mababang lugar o patag ang Rehiyong Tagalog, hindi nakakaranas ito ng ‘fog’ kung kayat walang salitang panumbas ang mga Tagalog sa fog. Hindi kasi ito bahagi ng karanasan ng mga Tagalog. Ngunit meron nito ang ibang etnolinggwistikong grupo na nakararanas ng nasabing penomenong fog. May ‘lina-a’w ang mga Ilokano. Pero kahit walang ‘fog’ sa Tagalog at may ‘lina-aw’ sa mga Ilokano, nagiging karanasan pa rin ng buong bansa ang karanasan ng mga Ilokano. Tumatagos sa buong bansa ang pakbet, buro, kanin, danggit, inasal, tapuy, amok at lambanog. Tumatagos ang kultura, identidad at karanasan ng bawat etnolinggwistikong grupo sa buong bansa maging sa maraming parte ng daigdig dahil sa pananalita ng wika at kultura ng mga grupong ito. Samantala, may isang pambansang lingua franca na Filipino na napagbuklod ang mga grupong ito upang makabuo ng isang pambansang karanasan at identidad. Mismong sa klasipikasyon ng karaniwang reyalidad ay magkakaugnay ang mga grupong etnolinggwistikong Pilipino ibig sabihin, sa daigdig ng mga konsepto at ideya, malalim ang pagkakaugnay ng mga Pilipino sa loob ng Kalinangang Bayan (Salazar 2004: 68). Konklusyon Matagal nang tapos ang usapin ng pagiging maka-Tagalog lamang ang Filipino. Matagal na ring tapos ang usapin na walang kakayahan ang wikang Filipino na kumatawan sa iba’t ibang karanasan, identidad at kakanyahan ng bawat etnolinggwistikong grupo sa Pilipinas. Sa paggiging multi-linggwal na bansa ng Pilipinas pinaghati-hati sa mga isla at tubig, ang mga katutubong wika sa Pilipinas ay mainam na hanguan ng inspirasyon at repleksyon ng kakayahan ng mga Filipinong manatiling nakatayo at matatag sa kabila ng hindi birong hamon ng kasaysayan. Kailangan ng Cebuano ang Tosino’t longganisa ng Kapampangan, kailangan ng Hiligaynon ang pagka-oragon ng Bicol sa pamamagitan ng sili at gata nito, kailangan ng Tagalog ang pakbet ng Ilokano sa loob man at sa labas ng bansa, sa kabila ng pagkakaroon ng iba’t ibang katutubong wika, may isang pambansang lingua franca na magtatagni at mag-uugnay ng magkakatulad na karanasan at identidad ang Wikang Filipino. Sanggunian: Bawler, Peter J. 2003. Evolution, The History of an Idea. Third edition. Penguin. London. Burke, Peter at Porter, Roy. 1987. The Social History of Language. Cambridge University Press. N.Y., USA. Gripaldo, Rolando. 2000. Filipino Philosohpy (Traditional Approach, Part 1, Section 1)De La Salle University Press. Maynila, Pilipinas. Hampden-Turner, Charles. 1981. Maps of the Mind (Charts and Concepts of the Mind and its Labyrinths). Collier Books, Mitchell Beazley Publishers, London, UK. Jospeh, John E. 2004. Language and Identity (National, Ethnic, Religious) Palgrave Mc Millan. N.Y., USA. Loring Brace,C.1995). 1995. The Stages of Human Evolution, Fifth Edition. Mc Millan. London, UK. Peregrino, Jovy M. Et al eds. 2002. Minanga: Mga Babasahin sa Varayti at Varyasyon ng Filipino. Sentro ng Wikang Filipino. Sistemang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, Lunsod ng Quezon, Pilipinas. Pinker, Steven.1994. The Languge Instinct (How The Mind Creates Language)William Morow and Company. NY, USA. Pvek, Gary V. 1988. A Guide to the Mind. Educational Broadcasting Corporation, Praeger Publishers, NY, USA. Salazar, Zeus ed. 2004. Sikolohiyang Panlipunan-at-Kalinangan: Panimulang Pagbabalalangkas ng Isang Larangan. Palimbagan ng Lahi. Lunsod ng Quezon, Piliinas. Tarbuck, Lutgens. 2003. Earth Science, tenth edition. Mc Millan. London, UK. Research Papers on Sri AurobindoThe Fifth HorsemanMind TravelThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseThe Hockey GameInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesAnalysis Of A Cosmetics AdvertisementResearch Process Part OneThree Concepts of PsychodynamicMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever ProductThe Spring and Autumn

Last Minute Guide to Cramming for the ACT 10 Tips

Last Minute Guide to Cramming for the ACT 10 Tips SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips The ACT is upon us, and it seems fair to assume (since you're reading this article) that you're under-prepared. If you've got less than three weeks before the exam and haven't really studied yet, you're officially cramming for the ACT. Now, if you're willing and able to put in some 60 hours of preparation before the test, take a moment to read our cram plan for those very circumstances. If that doesn't sound realistic for your circumstances, though, read on to discover the most useful strategies you can employ to get up to speed on the test in a pinch. We'll cover tips specific to each part of the test, as well as some global advice on topics like guessing and keeping a level head on test day. General Guidance:Work Hard, Rest Well It's important to put serious, committed effort into cramming for the ACT.You should go all out on the test, and you need to practice what that's really like. Plus, with limited time, you need to work especially hard to make the most of your studying. However, it's important to take care of yourself, too.A day or two before the test, slow down the pace. Don't stop preparation altogether, but focus on recuperating from the past several days of pushing so hard. Focus on getting good sleep. It takes more than just one night to catch up on those z's, and fatigue is not your friend on test day. Pay attention to your mindset. As cheesy as this may sound, ask yourself whether you're looking at the test through the lens of a glass half-empty or a glass half-full. Remember, this is an opportunity to excel at the test. Pay attention to your stress level, too. Nerves are healthy- they can give us the adrenaline we need to complete Herculean tasks. Pure stress is less helpful- it freezes us up and tears us down. Finally, take a realistic view of the test. It's important; I'm definitely not denyingthat. However, it's not a matter of life and death- so don't treat it like one. Wear your reality goggles when you look at the test. Preparation Strategies Let's talk about some specific, actionable steps to take between now and the test. #1: Take a Practice Test This is a crucial step; taking a practice testwill help you get used to the format and directions of the test, not to mention practice the content. You don't want to spend a lot of time sorting through instructions on test day, so use the practice test to work out any kinks. Also, knowing what you're up against on the test will help ease the anxiety you're likely to feel. For every answer you get wrong, take the time to read the explanation ofwhy that answer is wrong. This is an important first step towards understanding the way the test-makers think. Use your performance on each section to determine which task (English, Math, Reading, Science, or Writing) is your weakest. Focus your energy there. #2: Practice, Practice, and Practice Some More Practice with sample problems, and drill the ones that are a challenge for you. That being said, don't burn yourself out; try to situate yourself in the sweet spotof studying, between about one andthreehours a day(on average). There's more information on what to practice and drill as we continue on below. Mostly, though, try to use as many official practice materials as you can. #3: English - Review the Basic Rules of English Review some basic grammar rules, including: Punctuation marks (and how they function) Basic sentence structures (and how they function) Parts of speech (and how they function) Now, it's all about how these concepts are put into practice. You won't be asked to parrot rules; you'll be asked to apply them to passages in context. As an experiment, take a text that you trust to be error-free, and work through part of it, identifying what's going on with the punctuation, structure, etc. That's "English" the language, not "English" the nationality. #4: Reading- Immerse Yourself in Literature Read (a lot). This doesn't have to mean holing up with a giant volume for hours on end- just keep reading on hand for spare moments throughout the day. Don't read just any old thing, though- Calvin and Hobbes is sadly not going to help. Read material that feels a little tough- newspapers, academic journals, challenging books, etc. Iknow you know how to read; that's not the issue. The question is your level of comfort with being immersed in a difficult text and your willingness to reach beyond your comfort zone. I've acted Shakespeare professionally, and it still takes me a little time to adjust to the language I'm hearing when I go see a Shakespearean play. That's because I'm not immersed in it every single day; it would be a different matter if I were. By loose analogy, getting regularly cozy with tricky writing leading up to the ACT will save you some discomfort on test day. Read critically and analytically, not passively. Engage with the text- ask questions, look for answers, and make observations. This is the quickest path to understanding a text on the level the ACT requires. The test is going to ask you questions that require more than a once-over, surface-level familiarity with the text, so, again, you'll be glad to be comfortable with the literary delving process on test day. #5: Math- Get to KnowYour Formulas The ACT, unlike the SAT, does not give you any kind of formula list- so get memorizing. The more complex geometric formulas will be given to you in the context of the question- but the bulk of it all you need to provide on your own. Memorize at least themost crucial formulas, and make sure you know how to apply them. #6: Science - Find Scientific Writing to Analyze Don't worry about cramming actual scientific facts and data- you should be more concerned with being able to interpret the facts and data being given to you. Read scientific publications with a decent reputation (like Popular Science), and spend extra time poring over all thecharts and graphs that you find. Beyond that, keep up the pace with drilling practice passages. #7: Writing - Debate, on Paper or in Person Outlining samples essays is, as one might suspect, golden. If, however, you just can't take any more silent, individual activity, try setting up a debate with fellow crammers- or even other friends or family members, if they're willing. It's a great way to get instant feedback on your ideas! The Writing test is all about argument, and learning how to articulate ideas clearly and effectively is of the utmost importance. Keep your debates civil, now. ACT Test-Taking Tips Cramming is a journey all its own, but don't forget that nothing's over until you turn in that test. Here are some ideas on how to get through test day. #8: Warm Up on the Morning Of Wake up early, giving yourself plenty of time to get ready and arrive at the test center. Take a moment to do a warm-up problem or two. Don't cram any more, but review a particularly nasty problem you've mastered or try a moderately difficult question that you haven't seen yet. This will warm your brain up a little- get the cobwebs out- without taxing it by tryingto cram more information in. #9: Mind Your Mindset Talk to yourself in a positive and supportive manner. Visualize what's going to happen over the course of themorning, and visualize yourself coming through with flying colors. #10: Guess When You Don't Know the Answer The ACT doesn't have a guessing penalty; a wrong answer won't gain you points, but it won't actually lose you any points, either. Do all the questions you're confident in. Next, make educated guesses where possible. Finally, put down answers for everything you're completely lost on. Take a moment now to read some additional guessing strategies prepared by our experts. Conclusion So there you have it: the techniques you need to cram your way to test day with the ACT. We've seen the importance of practicing as much as possible while maintaining a reasonable balance of work and self-care in your life. We've seen tips for each category on the test, and we've also covered test day do's and don't's. One of the biggest things left to say is: don't get stuck cramming if you can avoid it. If at all possible, think about taking the test again when you've had more time to prepare in a traditional fashion. Take it leisurely, next time around. What's Next? If you've read this and you're thinking you want to rely almost solely on the practice test side of things, check out our twenty-hour guide to prepping with mock exams. However you prepare, we here at PrepScholar wish you the best of luck on this test.If, though, it doesn't go as well as it might, we hope to see you back here as you prepare for the next one. One article that might come in handy covers your options with a low score. Don't think it's all over; you've got a few different paths you can take. For a morale boost, there's also our article examining whether your ACT scores really predict your future success.

Effect of Divorce on Children Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Effect of Divorce on Children - Research Paper Example Although divorce of parents may have both positive and negative effects on a child, depending on a lot of factors including but not limited to the family's situation prior to divorce, parenting skills of one or both parents, attachment of the child to one or both parents and hostilities at home when both parents are together, it is more often than not that detrimental effects become more dominant. It needs taking note that the different effects of divorce on children has a lot to do with their age during which they had to experience their parents get divorce. Nevertheless, the degree or seriousness of these detrimental effects to a child varies depending on the same factors earlier-mentioned. Parents should take on the responsibility of lessening the adverse effects of divorce on their children considering that it is their failure that caused their children to go through hard times at an early stage in life. 1. To classify children into age groups whereby each age group would best reflect commonalities of those belonging to the same category in relation to how social and family situations affect their well-being and career achievement. 6. ... Parents should take on the responsibility of lessening the adverse effects of divorce on their children considering that it is their failure that caused their children to go through hard times at an early stage in life. PROBLEM STATEMENT What is the worst age for children during which their parents could get divorced Specific Research Questions: 1. Into what age groups can children be classified in studying the effects of divorce on their general well-being and career achievement 2. What are the general effects of divorce on children belonging to different age groups 3. What age group in children suffer the most psychological stress or trauma when their parents get divorced 4. What age group in children is most adversely affected when their parents get divorced in relation to academic achievement 5. What age group in children is most adversely affected when their parents get divorced in relation to professional achievement 6. What measures can we do to lessen the adverse affect of divorce on children belonging to the age group most affected OBJECTIVES 1. To classify children into age groups whereby each age group would best reflect commonalities of those belonging to the same category in relation to how social and family situations affect their well-being and career achievement. 2. To find out the general effects of divorce on children particularly on each age group. 3. To find out which age group in children suffers the most psychological stress or trauma when parents get divorced. 4. To find out which age group in children suffers the worst academic set back as an effect of the parents getting divorced. 5. To find out which age group in children is most adversely affected by their parents getting divorced in relation to their career

Risk identification is an underdeveloped art Discuss and include an Essay - 1

Risk identification is an underdeveloped art Discuss and include an overview of risk identification aids and techniques in yo - Essay Example Risk management is the concept that allows the management to look after future uncertainties like that of high inflation, volatility of market, recession, change in market demand, competitors, change in regulations, etc. Therefore it becomes a responsibility of the management to analyze and identify such risks. Otherwise, they may lead to financial turmoil and create issues like liquidity or even bankruptcy (Georges, 2013). Under the financial markets where uncertainties are high and investors expect to receive good returns, a diversified portfolio is maintained by the financial institutions. This is done in order to minimize the exposure to the risk by making investments in both equity funds and fixed deposits. It can also be said that risk management is the mitigation of the uncertainties, hence, allowing better decision making and prediction regarding the future outcome (Alexander, 2001). Risk Identification Risk management is part of the regular management processes and responsib ilities in the organization. It is an ongoing process that continues throughout the life of the project. It is often seen that entities face issues in locating and identifying the risks that may hamper their project or investment. Risk management is the two-step process. ... Other than few general terms of risk, they find it hard to locate the barriers that might hamper the success of their project or entity as a whole. Like risk management, risk identification is also a complete process and different methods or techniques can be used for successful identification (H. & J., 1999). With proper management, it is probable that most of the associated risks can be identified. Before discussion of the risk identification techniques or methods it is important to discuss its purpose, scope and process. Risk identification process Risk identification is a deliberate and a systematic process to identify and document the potential key risks that the organization as a whole might face. The objective is to understand what would be at stake. The risk identification process should cover all the risks irrespective of whether they are in control of the organization or not (Lubka, 2002). It is a diverse process and requires inputs from all the stakeholders of the organiza tion, whether internal or external. Following briefly highlights the risk identification process: Risk identification usually starts before the project is initiated and the number of risks increase as the project matures through the lifecycle (Merna & Al-Thani, 2005). Identification can be of both, operational risks that are associated with the organization as a whole or project risks specific to the project. Methods that the management would be using to identify the risks and set of different sources that would be used to gather the information. It is important that set of risk identification tools and techniques is used Identified risks must be documented and the probability of occurrence of such event evaluated in order to analyze the resources that would be

Minimum Wage Essay Example for Free

Minimum Wage Essay Increasing the minimum wage has been considered to be one factor that results in higher unemployment rate. Various authors on this subject outline different views on the effects of increasing the minimum wage on unemployment rate. One study shows that effect on increasing the minimum wage varies in different economies. Another says increasing wage rates does not affect unemployment rate. And, there are also studies which indicate that there is an effect although not that significant in affecting occupation loss. This paper aims to present issues that will provide clear views on whether an increase in the minimum wage results in higher unemployment rate. Wage rate is the representation of the non-existent to the slightest bargaining power of the workforce (Bernstein and Schmitt, n. d. ). Increasing the minimum wage is done to alleviate poverty. (Macpherson, 2005; Bernstein and Schmitt, n. d. ). Its main goal is to help low-wage workers uplift their income and cope up with the rising cost of living (Page, et al. , 1999). However, it has been criticized because of its ill effect on employers’ business. It has been said that an increase in the minimum wage rate would cause unemployment. There had been studies about the effects of the minimum wage rate hike, but they do not point out to one outcome. Different economies have different outcomes when subjected to minimum wage increase (Fields and Kanbur, 2005). Different countries have comparative results when an increase in the wage rate is implemented. However, it will certainly be effective for the low-wage earners. An analysis made by Burkhauser and Sabia (2005) showed that an increase in the minimum wage rate has not been effective as far as poverty alleviation is concerned because the increase was given only to low-wage earners. Other workers earning higher wage but were also within the poverty level were not granted similar increase, as such only those employed in minimum wage rate jobs were able to realize the benefits. The effect of the wage rate, in this case, does not necessarily address the needs of those with low incomes. Not all people that are in need of the wage increase are working at a minimum-wage earning occupation. Increasing the minimum wage is also believed to be favorable for the poor working men and women. However, its effects are far from helpful, in fact, increasing the minimum wage is hurtful to business and may result to unemployment. The wage hike will cause the salary of low-wage jobs to be equivalent to the salaries of those in higher job levels. Since these jobs have higher requirements in terms of skills, the least skilled are more likely to be laid off from work. A minimum wage rate hike and its effect on unemployment were seen in the study of Brown (1988 as cited by Burkhauser and Sabia, 2005). An increase in the wage rate caused a small decrease in the employment of teenagers. The decrease upheld the theorized increase in unemployment rate for an increase in the minimum wage rate. A study also showed that it is not a matter of how much the laborer is earning, the salary that a worker receives, which will improve in case of a minimum wage increase, but the employment status of the worker. These workers are more likely to be dismissed when a company suffers loss, in the form of higher operational costs, as a result of minimum wage hike. (Deere, 1998). The study further showed that not all workers earning a minimum wage rate are actually poor and may not in need of the increase (Burkhauser and Sabia, 2005). Most of the workers that will benefit from wage increase are the young workers, aged 24 or younger (Macpherson, 2005). The workers that are aged 24 or younger are mostly employed in these minimum-wage earning occupations. In addition, a higher wage would mean more interested workers but due to the surplus of workers, a crowding out would occur or less hours of work would be allotted per person. This would result to a decline in the earnings of each worker (Page, et al. , 1999). Macpherson’s study (2005) in Pennsylvania indicated that an increase in the minimum wage rate would really be costly for employers and thus, lead to mass laying-off of workers. Few firms are able to continue operation given the increase in wage rates, hence only few workers are needed. The company may retain more workers but may reduce the working hours for each employee. In both cases, the low wage earners are the ones affected because they may get the desired increase in wage but may end up spending little time for work, hence reducing their income. However, a study indicated that retail jobs are the only jobs which prove that higher minimum wage rates decrease the employment (Fox, 2006). For other firms, it would be better to engage in other programs that may promote increase in work-hours instead of increasing the minimum wage rate to motivate employees. One way to alleviate poverty is to consider the family income of low-wage earners. Extending non-monetary benefits will somehow improve the lives of minimum wage earners and can be given to them in lieu of the wage increase. (Burkhauser and Sabia, 2005). Minimum wage hikes are beneficial to workers and companies alike. It keeps the workers to stay in the company for a long time, thus developing loyalty to the job. Although granting an increase in wage to workers may add up to operating expenses of a company, still it is benefited in the long run because it will not incur cost on training new workers. Fox, 2006). Periodic grant of an increase in the minimum wage rate is needed to augment workers’ income, such that they are able to cope up with the rising cost of living. The slightest increase in their wages raises the workers’ economic well-being since it makes them more capable of financing the most basic needs of the family. This is particularly true for workers who are the heads of the households (Burkhauser and Sabia, 2005; Bernstein, et al. , 1999). An increase in unemployment is not necessarily caused by an increase in the minimum wage rate (Fox, 2006). A classic example in this theory was the increase in the minimum wage rate in the years 1996 and 1997 that did not lead to the dismissal of teenagers, which were believed to be less skillful workers (Bernstein and Schmitt, n. d. ). If the increase in the wage rate does cause a significant decrease in employment, there would have been larger decreases in the employment over the years (Card, 1992 as cited by Fox, 2006; Bernstein and Schmitt, n. d. ). Wage hike does have psychological effects on workers such as: higher productivity, decreased turnover, lower recruiting and training costs, decreased absenteeism and higher morale, which are believed to offset the costs of increasing the wage (Bernstein and Schmitt, n. d. ; Card and Krueger, 1995 as cited by Fox, 2006; Bernstein, et al. , 1999;). Increasing minimum wage rate even attracts employment (Clinton, 1995 as cited by Burkhauser and Sabia, 2005). The effect of increasing the minimum wage rate on the rise in unemployment rate is generally small and statistically insignificant (Bernstein and Schmitt, 1998 as cited by Fox, 2006). Decreases in the unemployment rate may also be caused by the wage hike, but only to a small extent. A more likely cause of unemployment is the performance of the economy (Chipman, 2006 as cited by Fox, 2006; Costales, et al. 2000), one of which is the existence of a deflationary gap. It is a situation wherein the aggregate expenditure of the economy is less than the full employment level of income or output, hence suggesting the existence of unemployment (Costales, et al. , 2000). In fact, empirical studies show that the employment on firms which implemented the higher minimum wage rates are higher than those without the raise, which both have positive and negative effects (Burton and Hanauer, 2006 as cited by Fox, 2006). The negative effects of more employment were stated in preceding pages of this report. The overall positive effects of the increase in the wage rate set a sense of value for low-wage workers’ employment and uplift their living standards. (Fox, 2006). It serves as one of the tools in poverty reduction because the primary goal of the minimum wage policy is to increase income of the low-wage earners (Burkhauser and Sabia, 2005). Raising the minimum wage rate affects employment opportunities. It makes job seekers less likely to get a job while those who are already employed are expected to retain the employment. (Deere, 1998). Firms who do not have the money to shoulder additional wages for an increase in the minimum wage rate are usually the ones who are against the implementation of wage hikes. This is the primary cause of laying off of workers and the increase in the unemployment rate. This also is the cause of firing less skilled workers because firms opt to retain the workers who are more skillful. However, if the firms are able to sustain the costs, the increase will be both beneficial to employers (moral uplifting and better performance of the employees) and to the workers (higher income for basic needs). Increasing the minimum wage of low-salaried workers is part of the bargaining agreement between the workers’ union and the company. It is given in the hope of alleviating poverty. However, study shows that it may not be true in all cases because some companies may opt to adopt work allocation among workers which could mean limited time for work meaning limited income on the part of the affected workers. Though increasing minimum wage may result in higher operating costs, the increase is not the only factor that affects the employment status of workers. Effects of increase in the minimum wage vary in different economies, hence the country’s economic performance directly affects unemployment rate due to the presence of deflationary gap. Increase in the minimum wage rate does not directly affect the unemployment rate, but rather, it affects the costs of the firms. In turn, these firms which cannot operate at a higher cost screen their current workers and cut those who have little experience to maximize their returns. However, there are firms which value the welfare of the workers and treat it as part of the working costs included in the production. Thus, they consider additional costs, resulting from wage hikes, negligible. Therefore, increasing the minimum wage does not result in higher unemployment rate.

My American Dream Essay -- Personal Narrative Writing Essays

American Dream: what is your definition of it? Does it involve money? Does it involve love? Does it involve healthiness? People have different definitions of what they would want in their "American Dream." First of all, let's define American Dream. American Dream is what you would consider a "perfect life." It can be full of happiness, money, love, food, cars, whatever you desire; everyone has a different opinion. One person?s American Dream may be totally different from someone else?s; that is what makes us all individuals. Robert Wuthnow writes about different people?s American Dream in his essay "Having It All." Throughout Wuthnow's essay, it seems that not too many people are truly living out their American Dream. Many complain about having to work to much, not enough time with the family, not enough pay, and so on. My American Dream would include a good job and lots of money, spare time for my family and I, and most importantly, healthiness. First, money is very important in my American Dream for obvious reasons. Money gets you food. Money gets you shelter. Money gets you nice things. I believe that money, lots of money, is a big part of everyone?s American Dream; everyone including myself. When most people think of money the first thing that comes to mind is luxuries; however, money is needed for the bare necessities such as food and shelter. But how do you acquire money? Through a good job of course. Having an enjoyable, good paying job is extremely important. I am a firm believer that if you enjoy what you do, you do not have a job, you have a career. Many Americans also include jobs and money in their American Dream: ?Throughout much of our nation?s history people pursued the American Dream by... ..., many people think about having millions and millions of dollars; however, they fail to consider the little things that can truly make you happy. Little things such as family and friends, and most importantly, good mental as well as physical health. If you are healthy but live in poverty, you are not truly living your American Dream. If you are a millionaire but are dying from a disease, you are not truly living your American Dream. So what exactly does it take to live a ?perfect life?? That is a question that has no right or wrong answer; it simply depends on whom you are asking. Enjoyable job, plenty of money, spare time, and healthiness define my American Dream; what is the definition of yours? Works Cited Goshgarian, Gary. The Contemporary Reader. 6th ed. New York: Longman, 1999. Wuthnow, Robert. ?Having It All.? Goshgarian 498-504.

Patton-Fuller Community Hospital Essay

QUESTIONS 1. What additional factors encountered in international as compared with domestic financial management? Discuss each briefly. International financial management is faced with many more business factors than domestic financial management. For instance, international businesses are required to operate in many different financial aspects around the world. International financial management must deal with customers, shareholders, vendors, and other businesses across a much wider plane than domestic financial managers. Investment decisions regarding international issues may also be greatly affected by the exchange rate, taxes, and arbitrage. It may also be more of a challenge to manage financial records when involved in international trade. Additional differences include higher rates of return as well as the interest-rate parity theory (IRP). The IRP is the forward premium or discount that should be equal and opposite in size to the difference in the national interest rates. The exposure to the decline of foreign currency is also a serious factor regarding international financial management. An additional factor is the fact that many international subsidiaries may choose to work independently instead of for the multi-national company. This would in turn prove disastrous for the entire company. International companies have much more access to funds as they can seek credit and financing in other countries besides their own. Finally, financial managers have the opportunity to make foreign investments. 2. What different types of businesses operate in the international environment? Why are the techniques and strategies available to these firms different? There are many types of businesses that operate in the international environment. Any business which participates in business transactions with other nations are part of the international environment. Any organization that is involved in imports and exports would definitely be involved. As  well, any large firm that communicates daily with dignitaries from other countries would also be involved in the international environment. These techniques and strategies may be different because of these businesses’ gross domestic product. In addition, these organization’s advancements in technology, knowledge, and communication may lead to higher economic development; therefore, the opportunity to participate in international trade and globalization. 3. What is meant by arbitrage profits? Arbitrage profits involve investments with little to no risk. An investor makes arbitrage profits by buying in one market with cheap currency, and then selling in another market. This strategy does not involve an investment of funds or any risk bearing. However, the investor would still make a sure profit. 4. What are the markets and mechanics involved in generating (a) simple arbitrage profits Simple arbitrage involves two or more markets. This type of trading does not include exchange rates across all markets with a single currency. Instead, simple arbitrage is taking advantage of the differences in price regarding one asset. (b) and triangular arbitrage profits? Triangular arbitrage is the process of converting one kind of currency to another, then converting it to another currency, and the finally converting back to the original currency. Triangular arbitrage usually occurs within a short time frame. Traders involved in triangular arbitrage would have to have advanced equipment and knowledge in order to effectively and quickly take advantage of this kind of trading. References Keown, A., Martin, J., Petty J., & Scott, D. (2005). Financial Management: Principles and Applications. Prentice Hall, Inc. Patton-Fuller Community Hospital Organizations are constantly looking for new ways to grow. A part of this includes budgeting and forecasting which prepares a corporation for its future endeavors. Corporations explore options for growth and Patton-Fuller Community Hospital has discovered three options for expanding their operations. (Apollo Group, Inc., 2010). These three options include going public through an Initial Public Offering, acquiring another organization in the healthcare industry, and merging with another organization. This essay will provide the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the three options Patton-Fuller Community Hospital has. Going public through an Initial Public Offering (IPO) has its advantages. For instance, â€Å"creating currency that can be used to fund growth and generating liquidity for founders, investors and employees, among others† (Benton, 2005). When an organization goes public the largest concern is creating shareholder wealth therefore, choosing an IPO provides the funds necessary to increase shareholder wealth. However, acquiring another organization in the healthcare industry may strengthen Patton-Fuller to increase the firm’s assets. According to Patton-Fuller’s 2008 financial statement (Apollo Group, Inc., 2010), the current ratio is 5.41 indicating that Patton-Fuller has $5.41 in current assets for every $1 in current liabilities. The healthcare industry is a costly business therefore this ratio could use improvement. Merging Patton-Fuller with another organization provides benefits that this hospital lacks. Patton-Fuller is current working on remodeling the hospital waiting area and has recently solved an issue with the nursing staff. Merging with another organization could provide the assistance this hospital  requires in the sense of meeting its long-term goals as well as increasing its operating income return on investment which is currently at 12.3%. We will examine the weaknesses of the three expansion options. There are many disadvantages of going public through an IPO. The major disadvantage of going IPO is the cost and time involved in the transformation. Managers of top business people grow exhausted from dealing with attorneys, bankers, investors, accountants, etc. Another disadvantage is going public gets very expensive. Fees are paid out for various things and to various people. Losing confidentiality, flexibility, and control is another disadvantage. The SEC requires that all public organizations release information about public affairs, profits, etc. Patton-Fuller has to decide if giving up their freedom is the direction they want to gear toward. Acquiring another organization in the same industry can have its disadvantages. One major disadvantage is the industry being purchased having financial problems. This kind of organization is not worth the investment. The price to purchase may be a good cost for a bad reason. Cost characteristics can be another issue. Competitive problems are another issue. Everyone is trying to go after the same business. Some organization or cut throat concerning competition. If Patton-Fuller takes this route, they need to make sure the industry being purchase is worth the investment. They do not need their investment to work for them. Merging with another organization another organization could definitely bring on some challenges. When merging, votes must be approved by the stockholders. Stockholders play a big role in businesses merging. Obtaining the votes can be time consuming. Trying to get at least two-thirds or more votes is a task. There could also be conflict of objective between the two businesses. This could be a huge problem. When the two businesses do not see eye to eye, this can cause disruption within the organization. Then there is always the notion of a business becoming too large. When a merging business becomes too large to quick, this leads to higher costs. When merging, Patton-Fuller need to do their research about the business they want to merger with. Merging with the wrong organization could be a risky task. Patton-Fuller needs to do their research and weigh their options about all three expansion options. Patton-Fuller need to think long-term and what would be beneficial to the hospital long-term. The Patton-Fuller Community Hospital has been serving its local community since 1975; however the executives at the hospital now believe it is time expand from being a privately and have three options for expansion: going public through an IPO, acquiring another organization in the healthcare industry or merging with another organization. Opportunities of each approach that could benefit the Patton-Fuller Community Hospital will be determined and discussed. When a privately held coming goes public, it usually means that the company is selling shares of its stock for the first time to the public. This means that a once privately held company now is owned by public stockholders. The change of going from a privately held company to a publicly held company would require a lot of changes to the hospital; more than likely there would be a change in management and a loss of flexibility. However, going public through an IPO may be the only way the hospital would be able to continue to grow and expand. For any business, going public requires a lot of time and resources to ensure that the process happens smoothly. It is often believed that a company should look for other alternatives such as securing venture capital, forming a limited partnership or examine their current capital before committing to an IPO solution for expansion. Acquiring another healthcare company could be a consideration; acquisitions occur when two similar companies combine to form a new company altogether. The buyer of the other company takes control of the company because it is buying its shares; this means that the company the purchases the other company has full control over its assets and assumes all liabilities from the company that is being purchased. Acquiring another company within the healthcare industry would allow the Patton-Fuller Hospital to expand within the community. While acquisitions occur when one company buys another company and establishes itself as the owner of both  companies, a merger is the result of two companies that agree to move forward together but continue to be owned and operated separately. Merging is often a good idea for a lot of companies because it allows companies to join together for both organizations’ best interests to occur. Mergers allow businesses to dominate within their industries bu t allow them to each be individually owned and operated. There are threats associated with going public through an IPO. One threat is that there is a loss of control. â€Å"If Wall Street analysts don’t like the way the company is being run, your stock price may suffer, which means hard work has gone to waste. The board of directors may not like the job you’re doing, so your job is in jeopardy. And, of course, the shareholders may vote contrary to your opinion, which could significantly affect your life,† explains Harry S. Raphael, partner of Raphael and Raphael, LLP, a Boston-based full-service accounting and business consulting firm. The threat of losing control of an organization will run the risk of losing the organization. Also, Public companies have a greater accountability for their actions and must also meet stringent requirements from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that cause innumerable distractions to the management team. At the same time, steady growth is expected on a quarter-by-quarter basis. If the expectations are not met, there is a chance of the company not being financed by lenders and therefore causing the company to go bankrupt. Lastly, â€Å"going IPO presents a different kind of communication channel, both internal and external, which must be created and maintained. Much of this burden falls on the chief financial officer (CFO), but investor and public relations firms play significant roles in the operation and daily life of a public company, as well. Such communications practices for public companies — or those entrenched in the IPO process — can be critical† (Hell No We Won’t IPO, 2010). The thought of purchasing an ongoing business would appear to be a good idea however, there are possible issues to consider: there is an existing  reputation, customer base, suppliers, equipment, leases and cash flow. â€Å"The infrastructure and management team are also in place. These facts will make it difficult for the business to soar if all mentioned is negative instead of positive. There is the possibility of the seller backing out just you get ready to sign the deal due to emotional attachments to the business. Their products may be inadequate and/or defective. The inventory is old and outdated. The business is on a downswing and experiencing a negative cash flow. Overall, it is difficult to find one good feature about the business, except the sales price. When this situation occurs, it is easier to start a new venture than purchase an old one† (AllBusiness, 2010). Merging with another business, of the same kind, is also an option. However, there are threats to consider. â€Å"The cooperation of the target firm existing management is almost a necessity for a merger. This cooperation may not be easily or cheaply obtained. Moreover, the diseconomies of scale if business become too large which leads to higher unit costs. It’s also will create clashes of culture between different types of business. Thus this reduces the effectiveness of the integration. Merger also may be creating a conflict of objective between different businesses, meaning decisions are more difficult to make and causing disruption in running of the business. It also results dissatisfaction among current staffs as positions will be limited and the management have to decide which staffs to hold the position after the transaction has taken place† (William, 2008). Patton-Fuller Community Hospital is a privately owned and has many options on how they can expand. Patton-Fuller now knows the strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the three expansion options. They have to determine what approach would best facilitate the hospital needs. References AllBusiness. Retrieved October 11, 2010 from http://www.allbusiness.com/specialty- businesses/minority-owned-businesses/459211-1.html Apollo Group, Inc. (2010). Patton-Fuller Community Hospital. Retrieved on October 09, 2010, from https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/aapd/cist/vop/Healthcare/PFCH/pfchHome.htm Benton, G. L. (2005). The Advantages and Disadvantages of Going Public. .IPO Planner, Guide and Resource Directory for Companies Going Public. Pillsbury Winthrop LLP. Retrieved on October 09, 2010, from http://ipoplanner.webzel.net/forum/00000003.html. Hell No We Won’t IPO, 2010. Retrieved October 11, 2010 from http://www.va- interactive.com/inbusiness/editorial/finance/articles/hellno.html William, Peter; The Advantages and Disadvantages of Mergers, November 15, 2008. Retrieved October 11, 2010 from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1189676/the_advantages_and_disadvantages_of_pg2.html?cat=3

Sins of the Marketplace

The sin of Dalton Is the sin of selling you more than you really want to buy. The electronic stores are the worst sinners of the marketplace. They induce you into buying add-ions, such as expansive power-bars or cables, and extended warranty. Most of the times you don't need them or could have bought less expensive items that have the same quality. The sin of addition Is a commonly used tactic called: â€Å"packing the deal† and It's where the profit is made.The sin of omission: The sin of omission could be committed when you sign an Insurance policy. A vendor, who has reason to know or suspect adverse prior medical history for you, does not tell you the details that will disqualify you from getting compensation. To close the deal and make money, companies only look at your ability to pay. This tactic Is called: â€Å"Post Claim underwriting†. They will Walt until you file a claim before spending money to confirm that the fine prints have disqualified you.The sin of cre ation: The sin of creation is committed when a company creates a need that induces you to buy a product you would never have thought you would need. The best example to Illustrate this Is the need for antibacterial soap. Impasses have made us believe that regular soap does not kill germs as well as antibacterial soap. Well, tests done in laboratories have proven that this belief is wrong and even that it can harm us because It can weaken our natural defenses.The sin of salvation: When a company says that, if you buy its product, you will be cured of whatever condition you might suffer from, you are witnessing the sin of salvation. So beware, they will try to get at you through: persuasive testimonials, * sketchy scientists * and paranoid peddlers who will pretend that doctors don't prescribe this product cause they are afraid of losing their lucrative business Conclusion: As a conclusion, use your common sense, do a lot of research and read the fine prints before signing any contrac t Doing this, you'll avoid failing for one of the marketplace's sins.For businesses will always try to reach into your pocket by using addition, omission, creation, salvation, assurance, persuasion and deception. Questions: -What is for you the biggest sin of the marketplace? -Have you ever been victim of any of these? * Do you think that, as consumers, we have a responsibility in the fact that businesses are using these practices?

The Best AP US Government Review 5-Step Guide

The Best AP US Government Review 5-Step Guide SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips AP US Government can be a fascinating class for those interested in how the American political system works and what factors led to its formation. While the exam is less difficult than many other APs, it's still important to understand the types of questions you can expect and the most efficient ways to study based on the content. In this article, I'll go through sample questions from each part of the exam, list a step-by-step AP Government review process, and provide some tips for making the most of your studying. What’s the Format of the AP US Government Exam? The exam is two hours and twenty-five minutes long, and, like other AP tests, it includes multiple-choice and free-response sections.The multiple-choice section is 45 minutes long and contains 60 questions.You’ll earn one point for each question you answer correctly; there are no points deducted for incorrect answers or questions you leave blank.The free-response section is 100 minutes long and contains four questions.Each question in the free-response section is worth the same percentage of your score, although they typically have different numbers of raw points possible. What Do Questions Look Like on the AP US Government Exam? In this section, I’ll provide official examples of questions from each section of the test.The multiple-choice example is from the course guidelines, and the free-response example is a released question from the 2015 AP test. Multiple Choice Question Example EXCEPT questions are common on the AP US Government exam.It’s critical to read these questions carefully so that you don’t end up getting confused and looking for the wrong answer.In this case, we are looking for the one response that doesn’t represent a concern about the flaws of the Articles of Confederation.We need to eliminate the responses that were legitimate reasons for modifying the Articles of Confederation. The main issue with the Articles of Confederation was that they created a wimpy central government that didn’t have enough power to regulate conflicts between the states.We can eliminate any answers that talk about problems with weaknesses of the central government.That means B, D, and E should all be crossed out, leaving us with A and C as potential answers. Choice C, the desire to promote trade among the states, is connected to the problems with a lack of centralized power.Since the states were so autonomous, trade barriers were being set up that stifled the economy and divided the country too drastically.The federal government needed to be strengthened so that it could prevent these sorts of barriers from being thrown up and creating divisions and rivalries that damaged the country’s economy as a whole.This means that choice C can also be eliminated. Choice A, the only answer left, is the one we want.Although there was ultimately dissatisfaction over safeguards of individual rights and liberties which led to the creation of the Bill of Rights, this did not come to fruition until a couple of years later; it wasn’t a direct impetus for the convention. Free This question requires an understanding of presidential election policies and procedures.You could earn one point in part A for describing a reason why the electoral college was instituted by the framers of the constitution.Potential answers include: It provides for a compromise between small and large states in the election process. It protects against direct election by poorly informed citizens (caters to elites). The framers did not trust the people, Congress, or state legislatures to elect the president on their own. The electoral college reinforces federalism and gives states a role in presidential selection. For part B (also worth one point), you have to explain the message the cartoon sends regarding presidential elections.You might say that it points out that candidates mainly focus on battleground or swing states while placing much less emphasis on most other states.Alternatively, you could simply say that the cartoon indicates that most states are ignored by presidential candidates in the election process. For part C (again, worth one point), you would need to explain why California, Texas, and New York are not emphasized in the cartoon despite being assigned tons of electoral votes.You could say that all those states are very heavily controlled by one party or the other, so campaigning there will only help a candidate so much.Their voting patterns are essentially predetermined. The fate of the election is typically decided in smaller but more evenly divided states. For part D, worth two points, you just need to describe two campaign tactics used in swing states during presidential elections.Possible answers include: Concentrating campaign funds in those states Putting out more TV ads and media coverage in those states Having larger campaign organizations stationed in those states Making more campaign appearances in those states Focusing on issues that swing voters in those states care about Selecting a running mate who hails from one of the swing states You could earn a potential total of five raw points for this question, which is a typical number of points for most AP US Government free-response questions.On the 2015 exam, the first three free-response questions were worth five points each, and the last question was worth seven points.Keep in mind that each question has the same influence on your final score regardless of its raw point value.That means there’s no reason to prioritize one question over another; just start with whichever question seems easiest to you. Which Topics Does the AP US Government Exam Cover? There are six major topics covered by the exam.Here’s a chart detailing how often you’ll see each of them in the multiple-choice section: Topic Area Percentage of Questions Constitutional Underpinnings of US Government 5-15% Political Beliefs and Behaviors 10-20% Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media 10-20% Institutions of National Government: The Congress, the Presidency, the Bureaucracy, and the Federal Courts 35-45% Public Policy 5-15% Civil Rights and Civil Liberties 5-15% How to Review for AP US Government It can be hard to know where to start with your AP Gov review - I'll walk you through five steps to get you readyfor the exam. Step 1: Take a Practice Test The first step in your review should be to take a real practice exam.You need to do this before you dive into studying so you can focus on the areas that need the most work rather than reading over the material indiscriminately.As I mentioned in the previous section, you should also be sure totime yourself accurately on this practice test. When you’re done, score the test (one point for each multiple-choice question, consult specific scoring guidelines for free-response questions), and use this calculator to convert your raw score into an approximate AP score.This should give you some insight into how much time you’ll need to spend studying if you want to reach your goals. The AP US Government exam is known as one of the easier AP tests, so I'd suggest that you aim for a 5 unless you're really struggling with the material. Step 2: Look Back at Your Mistakes When you’ve finished scoring the test, review your mistakes to see which topics need to be addressed in your studying.Categorize incorrect answers by topic area and/or skill set.If you find that you had a lot of trouble with questions that asked about the judiciary, you would want to focus on that content in your review sessions. You can also consider the types of question formats that tripped you up most frequently.For example, if you noticed that you did especially poorly on EXCEPT questions, you might conclude that you need to practice slowing down and paying more attention to the wording of questions on the test. Step 3: Study Whatever You Forgot Now, you can dive back into your notesand study any content that was problematic for you on the practice test.If you don’t have many issues with content and are struggling more with the test format or careless mistakes, you can just do a short review of any small tidbits you missed and then move onto the next step. Step 4: Do Selective Practice Questions This step is important if you struggled with â€Å"EXCEPT† questions or most of your mistakes came from careless misunderstandings of the questions.Practicesimilar questions so that you’re more used to the types of wording and formats you’ll see on the exam.You can find tons of practice questions available on different websites and in review books (I’ll eventually be writing another article that lists all of these resources for you). Step 5: Take a Second Practice Test to Measure Your Progress When you’re satisfied that you have a better handle on all the issues that plagued you on the first practice test, you should take another test to see if you’ve made real progress.Again, time the test accurately, and take it in a quiet, distraction-free environment.If you find that your scores have improved, you can either decide that you’re satisfied or shoot for even more improvement by going through this process again.If you don’t see much improvement, you should backtrack and reexamine your study process.It may be that you were reading over your notes without really absorbing them or you didn’t do enough practice questions to get the hang of the test. Here’s an approximate timeline for the completion of all five of these steps: Step 1: 3 hoursStep 2: 1 hourStep 3: 2 hoursStep 4: 2 hoursStep 5: 3 hours Total Time: 11 hours When you finish studying for the AP test, the unofficial step 6 is convincing your teacher to let you watch House of Cards in class for the remainder of the year. 3 Study Tips for AP US Government Finally, here are a few essential study tips to keep you on track during your AP Government review. Tip #1: Prioritize Institutions of National Government As you can see from the chart in the previous section, "Institutions of National Government" is the most prominent single content area on the test.Congress and the Presidency, in particular, are hot topics that make up around 30 percent of questions. You should be familiar with the powers of these institutions, their compositions, the election processes associated with them, their origins, and how they’ve changed over time.It’s critical to have this knowledge as a foundation so that all the other information you’ve learned makes sense and can be tied back to the central structure of the US political system. Tip #2: Know Your Key Terms AP US Government is heavy on understanding terminology in context and identifying correct definitions on both sections of the test. It’s a great idea to make some flashcards to get yourself up to speed with all the fancy words that are used to describe stuff related to the government. Most review books and textbooks will have lists of key vocabulary that you can reference when creating flashcards.Be able to identify each term by its corresponding definition and state the definition when you're presented with a key term. Tip #3: Authentic Practice Resources Are Important There’s no foolproof substitute for official AP practice questions when reviewing for this test.Although it’s fine to use some unofficial sources (and, in fact, you probably have to if you hope to get in enough practice), you need to mix in at least some official AP questions to make sure you’re ready for the exam.Take at least one or two full official practice tests in your studying so you can get an accurate prediction of how you would perform on the real test. You should also time yourself to the specifications of the real AP test when taking official practice tests.This will help you to detect any issues with time management and develop skills in pacing that are necessary on the AP test.Note that you have less than a minute for each multiple choice question on this test (60 questions in 45 minutes), so you’ll have to keep yourself moving forward constantly to ensure that you make it to the end of the section. Don't get stuck in traffic when you come across hard questions. Either take your best guess or skip it on the first run through and come back to it later. Make sure you glare at the question as you zoom past. It knows what it did. Key Points for AP Government Review The AP US Government exam is one of the shorter AP tests, but it still covers a wide range of topics and includes some confusing question types that you should become familiar with before test day. Here's a recap of the steps you should take to get the most out of your review process: Step 1: Take a Practice Test Step 2: Look Back at Your Mistakes Step 3: Study What You Missed Step 4: Do Selective Practice Questions Step 5: Take Another Practice Test You can repeat these steps as necessary until you're satisfied with your scores. In your studying, focus on learning the ins and outs of institutions of national government and memorizing the definitions of key terms. You should also be sure to practice your skills using real AP questions from the College Board. Above all, don't be intimidated by this test. You're almost certainly capable of earning a 5 if you start studying well in advance! What's Next? To get your studying started, here's an article detailing how to find the best AP practice exams. Want even more advice on how to do well on your AP exams? Check out these six critical tips for success on any AP test. If your school doesn't offer an AP class that interests you, you might consider going rogue and taking the test anyways. Learn how you canself-study for an AP exam and end up with a great score. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

The Chac Mool Statues of Mexico

The Chac Mool Statues of Mexico A Chac Mool is a very specific type of Mesoamerican statue associated with ancient cultures such as the Aztecs and Maya. The statues, made of different types of stone, depict a reclined man holding a tray or bowl on his belly or chest. Much is unknown about the origin, significance, and purpose of the Chac Mool statues, but ongoing studies have proven a strong link between them and Tlaloc, Mesoamerican god of rain and thunder. Appearance of the Chac Mool Statues The Chac Mool statues are easy to identify. They depict a reclining man with his head turned ninety degrees in one direction. His legs are generally drawn up and bent at the knees. He is almost always holding a tray, bowl, altar, or other recipient of some kind. They often are reclined on rectangular bases: when they are, the bases usually contain fine stone inscriptions. Iconography related to water, the ocean and/or Tlaloc, the rain god can often be found on the bottom of the statues. They were carved from many different sorts of stone available to Mesoamerican masons. In general, they are roughly human-sized, but examples have been found which are larger or smaller. There are differences between Chac Mool statues as well: for example, the ones from Tula and Chichà ©n Itz appear as young warriors in battle gear whereas one from Michoacn is an old man, nearly naked. The Name Chac Mool Although they were obviously important to the ancient cultures that created them, for years these statues were ignored and left to weather the elements at ruined cities. The first serious study of them took place in 1832. Since then, they have been viewed as cultural treasures and studies on them have increased. They got their name from the French archeologist Augustus LePlongeon in 1875: he dug one up in Chichà ©n Itz and mistakenly identified it as a depiction of an ancient Maya ruler whose name was â€Å"Thunderous Paw,† or Chaacmol. Although the statues have been proven to have no relation to Thunderous Paw, the name, slightly changed, has stuck. Dispersion of the Chac Mool Statues Chac Mool statues have been found at several important archaeological sites but are curiously missing from others. Several have been found at the sites of Tula and Chichà ©n Itza and several more have been located in different excavations in and around Mexico City. Other statues have been found at smaller sites including Cempoala and at the Maya site of Quirigu in present-day Guatemala. Some major archaeological sites have yet to yield a Chac Mool, including Teotihuacn and Xochicalco. It is also interesting that no representation of the Chac Mool appears in any of the surviving Mesoamerican Codices. Purpose of the Chac Mools The statues - some of which are quite elaborate - obviously had an important religious and ceremonial uses for the different cultures that created them. The statues had a utilitarian purpose and were not, in themselves, worshiped: this is known because of their relative positions within the temples. When located in temples, the Chac Mool is nearly always positioned between the spaces associated with the priests and that associated with the people. It is never found in the back, where something revered as a deity would be expected to rest. The purpose of the Chac Mools was generally as a place for sacrificial offerings for the gods. These offering could consist of anything from foodstuffs like tamales or tortillas to colorful feathers, tobacco or flowers. The Chac Mool altars also served for human sacrifices: some had cuauhxicallis, or special recipients for the blood of sacrificial victims, while others had special tà ©hcatl altars where humans were ritualistically sacrificed. The Chac Mools and Tlaloc Most of the Chac Mool statues have an obvious link to Tlaloc, the Mesoamerican rain god and an important deity of the Aztec pantheon. On the base of some of the statues can be seen carvings of fish, seashells and other marine life. On the base of the Pino Suarez and Carranza Chac Mool (named after a Mexico City intersection where it was dug up during road work) is the face of Tlaloc himself surrounded by aquatic life. A most fortunate discovery was that of a Chac Mool at the Templo Mayor excavation in Mexico City in the early 1980s. This Chac Mool still had much of its original paint on it: these colors only served to further match the Chac Mools to Tlaloc. One example: Tlaloc was depicted in the Codex Laud with red feet and blue sandals: the Templo Mayor Chac Mool also has red feet with blue sandals. Enduring Mystery of the Chac Mools Although much more is known now about the Chac Mools and their purpose, some mysteries remain. Chief among these mysteries is the origin of the Chac Mools: they are found at Postclassic Maya sites such as Chichà ©n Itz and Aztec sites near Mexico City, but it is impossible to tell where and when they originated. The reclining figures likely do not represent Tlaloc himself, who is usually depicted as being more gruesome: they could be warriors who carry the offerings to the gods they were intended for. Even their real name – what the natives called them – has been lost to time. Sources: Desmond, Lawrence G. Chacmool. Là ³pez Austin, Alfredo and Leonardo Là ³pez Lujan. Los Mexicas y el Chac Mool. Arqueologà ­a Mexicana Vol. IX - Num. 49 (May-June 2001).

Time in A Rose for Emily Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Time in A Rose for Emily - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that Time plays a very palpable role in William Faulkner’s short story â€Å"A Rose for Emily.† Through Faulkner’s approach, not only do readers get a glimpse of the old South of the 1800s, but they are given an idea of the story’s early 1900s present through the voice of the narrator(s). However, even in dealing with aspects of the past, Faulkner shows that time can and will affect changes however much they might be shunned or ignored by those trapped within its domain. Throughout â€Å"A Rose for Emily,† readers experience the rigidity of the past, the flexible nature of the present and the battle constantly fought between them. By utilizing several of the older characters in the story as symbols, Faulkner demonstrates the unchanging and unchangeable nature of the past through the actions of these characters. Standing out as the prime example for his case is Miss Emily Grierson herself, as inflexible and unchanging as possible. Miss Emily’s inflexibility is demonstrated in several instances, most notably when she insists the Aldermen speak with Colonel Sartoris regarding the question of her taxes when â€Å"Colonel Sartoris had been dead almost ten years† and when she refused to acknowledge her father’s change of state upon his death. â€Å"Miss Emily met them at the door, dressed as usual and with no trace of grief on her face. She told them that her father was not dead. She did that for three days, with the ministers calling on her, and the doctors, trying to persuade her to let them dispose of the body†

PERSONAL BIOGRAPHY Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

BIOGRAPHY - Personal Statement Example Indeed, my companions regularly irritated me amid my pre-adult years. I had numerous individuals who put resources into me, and I exceeded expectations at the greater part of my numerous and shifted diversions. I did well in school, frequently knowing how to do complex math issues before the idea had even been acquainted with our class. Thinking back, I am certain I was very egotistical, albeit I did not understand it at the time. Later in 2013, I rejoined with my parents in the United States where I joined tenth grade. In America, I started to feel burnt out on the weight put on me by my family and their elevated requirements. I systematically proceeded with my additional curricular exercises, including music and workmanship lessons, and alongside my studies. I graduated as the best student in my class, and I was satisfied because I made my parents to be proud. All my grades in the United States were amazing because I joined advanced classes. However, after three semesters, I chose to join school after I kept on exceeding expectations in training much the same as my nation of origin. I need to be a little fish in an enormous lake for a change. The wise quotes from Kiyoska (2014) give me power to move on, for the winner are always prepared for challenges. In College, I would like to proceed with the same soul of greatness to be an effective individual later