The Creation of the Universe Essay Example For Students

The Creation of the Universe Essay In my short life on this planet I have come to question things that manytake upon blind faith. We all know that we must some day die; yet wecontinuously deny the forces at work inside ourselves, which want to search outthe answers of what may or may not come after. It is far easier for humanity toaccept that they will go to a safe haven and be rewarded for their lives withpleasures and fantasies of an unfathomable scale than to question the existenceof a supposed omnipotent being. Yet, there are a few of us humans who tend toquestion the whys and wherefores that society puts forth to us. We questionthe existence of God, or the creation of mankind rather than blindly acceptingfaith-filled beliefs we may received from our parents as children. Perhaps itis because we live in a nation filled with many peoples of different beliefswhose Gods are all so varied and different that it is difficult to fathom thatthey are all the same divine being. It is also plausible that we just have adesire to quench the thirst for knowledge that lies deep within ourselves. Asfor myself, I cannot believe in a being which created a universe and a multitudeof worlds in a rather short period of time then deigns to lower itself intobecoming a puppet-master and pulling the strings of the Earth and all of thepeople therein. We will write a custom essay on The Creation of the Universe specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Since this paper touches upon many scientific terms, I feel that inorder for the reader to correctly grasp the content I must first define threewords: Theory, Law, and Hypothesis. The definitions will allow for a greaterunderstanding of this essay and give us an even ground upon which to begin. Theory; (th1e-r, thr1) noun1.a. Systematically organized knowledge applicable in a relatively widevariety of circumstances, especially a system of assumptions, acceptedprinciples, and rules ofprocedure devised to analyze, predict, or otherwiseexplain the nature or behavior of aspecified set of phenomena. b. Suchknowledge or such a system. 2.An assumption based on limited information or knowledge; a conjecture. Law; (l) noun12.a. A formulation describing a relationship observed to be invariablebetween or among phenomena for all cases in which the specified conditions aremet: the law of gravity. b. A generalization based on consistentexperience or results: the law of supply and demand; the law of averages. Hypothesis; (h-pth1-ss) noun1.A tentative explanation that accounts for a set of facts and can betested by further investigation; a theory. 2.Something taken to be true for the purpose of argument or investigation;an assumption. It is important that you thoroughly read the above definitions or youwill be at a disadvantage if you do not. You will note that there are severaldifferent definitions to each word. I felt it was important to include theadded definitive statement to theory because it shows the difference between ascientific theory and an everyday theory based upon conjecture. Theadditional definitions to law and hypothesis are both added for a furtherunderstanding of these words. The definition of creationism is somewhat more complex. One must startby saying that the belief in the creation of the universe given at the beginningof the Bible is literally true. Creationism is a belief based solely upon faith(which is a belief in and of itself). There are no scientific facts as a basisfor this belief, solely conjectural theories and speculations. It is ingrainedinto our minds, as children that a belief of a force, or supernatural entity,which is all powerful and all knowing, is watching over us and taking care ofour needs. Yet, to me, saying this very sort of thing is heretical in its veryessence. To be so crude as to think that some being which created the universeitself and all things in it would take the time to care for each and everyindividual is incomprehensible. In practically all ancient cultures, thebiblical included, the universe was thought of as an original chaos into whichorder had been introduced by a creative hand: This was the essence of creation. 1In this statement alone we can see one of the major flaws of creationism. Whilescience can prove without doubt the universe up to the first 20 milliseconds ofexistence, we cannot prove anything before that point at this time. Thestatement above, regarding creationism, suggests that

7 Disadvantages of Joining a Fraternity or Sorority

7 Disadvantages of Joining a Fraternity or Sorority The benefits of joining  a fraternity or sorority are many, and its important to realize that Greek life in college has a lot of impressive things to offer. Its also important, however, to realize that there might be some challenges. So just what do you need to be aware of before officially pledging? You Might Be Stereotyped by Peers Even if you had a great impression of fraternities and sororities before you came to college - and an even better one once you learned about all the great initiatives your schools Greek organizations do - not all students share the same perception. Ignorant or well-informed, your fellow students might stereotype you once they know you belong to a certain Greek house. And while there might not be much you can do about that, its important to at least keep in mind. You Might Be Stereotyped by Faculty You might be having an amazing, life-changing experience as a member of your fraternity or sorority. But your professors - who were, after all, college students themselves once - might not have had as great of an experience during their own undergraduate years. Or they could have had problems in the past with students from your particular organization. While you are your own person and should be judged accordingly, just be aware of the perceptions some faculty members might have about how you spend your time outside of class. You Might Be Stereotyped by Future Employers While your Greek organization might be dedicated to, say, the study of biology or to social justice, an employer might not realize that while quickly skimming resumes. And while belonging to a fraternity or sorority with a large network can be an incredible asset, there might also be some challenges along the way. Being Active Can Be a Major Time Commitment Does this necessarily have to be a drawback to membership in your house? Of course not. But it is something to be aware of in advance, especially if you struggle with time management or you know that your time is going to be extremely limited during your college years. Joining Can Be Expensive While there often are scholarships available to students who need them to remain members of their Greek community, theres no guarantee those scholarships are going to come through. If finances are tight, make sure you are aware of what financial obligations youll have to your house. Ask about joining fees, dues, and other expenses - such as helping fund an annual event - that youll be responsible for. There Can Be Strong Personality Conflicts This, of course, is inevitable whenever youre involved with a group of people. And youll undoubtedly encounter personality conflicts in everything from your Chemistry study group to your rugby teammates. Keep in mind, however, that personality conflicts in a fraternity or sorority can get especially tense, given that people spend so much time together and often live in a shared space for several years in a row. You May Sometimes Feel Stuck in Routine and Commitments This years Halloween party might seem like the most amazing thing ever. But after working on it for months in advance, three years in a row, the Halloween party during your senior year might lose some of its ​luster. There can be ways to branch out and try new things within your fraternity or sorority, and a good one will encourage you to do so. Just be aware of what it will mean to pledge the rest of your college experience to one particular group.

Initial topic proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Initial topic proposal - Essay Example It is so bad that the ethnic difference itself becomes a cause of conflict because unidimensional and simplistic presentation of conflict between ethnic groups. This topic is important because the negative representation of the minority groups is the major source of conflict between ethnic groups. Moreover, media as the societal mirror play an important role in shaping social functions of the society, as well as the perception of the public towards several issues. In addition, portrayal of diversity in media programs make the public develop a positive attitude towards the minority groups while misrepresentation and underrepresentation lead to a negative attitude towards the minority groups. Racial profiling is an enduring culture since the days of our ancestors that has dominated the social society to date. This means that several elements of the society including media are widely influenced by racial profiling. In a The Criminalisation of Ethnic Groups: An Issue for Media Analysis, Marcello Maneri  &  Jessika ter Wal (2005) reveal the composition of newsrooms reflect on an unequal distribution of power between the White majority and the Black minority. This prejudice and discrimination within the newsrooms produce the stereotyped portrayals of racial groups in the media. In another article titled A Long Way to Go: Minorities and the Media, the author expands on the view that media is the number one teacher of stereotype in the community whether intentional or unintentional (Cort, 2011). The media has a powerful image on the public, and thus, the image they portray of the minority groups is what other people in indirect contact with this group take to be true. Furt hermore, he notes that depicting the minority groups negatively by the media has driven them to create their own shows, magazines, radio, newspapers, and television shows where they can

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY 2 questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY 2 questions - Essay Example In addition to that, there are many natural phenomena that play a fundamental role in promoting global warming. Some of them as identified by (Strasburg) are discussed as follows: Volcanic eruptions: Volcanic eruption is a commonly observed natural phenomenon. As volcanoes erupt, they release tremendous amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere. Solar cycles and cosmic rays: Some people hold consent upon the concept that solar cycles and cosmic rays are also a source of global warming. However, there are many who hold controversial views about the role of solar cycles and cosmic rays in aggravating global warming. According to the results of research conducted by some European scientists, â€Å"The chance of the natural cosmic-ray or solar irradiance explanation being responsible for more than 14% of the observed warming is quite negligible.† (Strasburg). Water vapors: Water vapor has been largely recognized as one of the most obvious greenhouse gases. Although it does not contribute towards global warming by adding to the CO2 level in the atmosphere unlike many other causes of global warming, yet it plays the same role as many other greenhouse gases. It is noteworthy that existing CO2 in the air increases the content of water vapors in the air as a feedback. Some misconceptions: People who tend to deny the human contribution in the global warming say also consider plants as a cause of global warming. They base their assertion on the fact that plants generate CO2 into the air particularly when they don’t photosynthesize. However, they are quite ignorant of the fact that they are the fundamental source of O2 in the atmosphere as they consume CO2 released by humans and in turn, produce O2 during the process of photosynthesis. Reason of the controversy about role of humans as promoters of global warming: People all over the world tend to acquire more and more money throughout their professional life. It is indeed, a call of human nature. The technological b oom has facilitated them in fulfilling their dreams in many ways. If people easily confess their contribution in the global warming, they are likely to loose all environment unfriendly facilities that they so frequently utilize. Therefore, in an attempt to defend their unhealthy practices that make them money, they visualize technical measures as the ultimate solution for global warming instead of changing their own attitude towards the world and the nature. However, there is enough scientific evidence to prove the enormous role of humans in promoting the global warming in comparison to the natural phenomena that are commonly referred by humans as the cardinal causes of global warming. There is a need to realize that man only forms a minute part of the vast nature, and is not its owner to exercise rights over it. People should realize that their practices pollute the air and water that in turn promote global warming. How can the supply of water be increased in order to resolve the o ncoming shortage of water fit for human use on Earth? Shortage of pure water is one of the most fundamental environmental calamities humans are encountering in the contemporary age. According to the results of a research conducted by United Nations, an estimated 2.7 billion people are expected to suffer from extreme shortage of water by 2025 provided that the current consumption rates do not decline (Montaigne). â€Å"Severe water shortages affecting at least 400 million people today will affect 4 billion people

Financial Markets and Institutions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Financial Markets and Institutions - Essay Example The derivative market can be further sub-divided into the OTC (over the counter) market and the exchange traded derivatives market. While the former is more customized and offers tailor made innovative instruments in the later all transactions take place via exchange. The OTC market transactions are done mainly by the investment banks that heir traders or agents to market derivative instruments to clients. Some instruments of OTC market include forward contract, swaps (interest rates and currency), credit derivatives, and hedge funds. The derivative market transactions in US are mostly dominated by large multinational financial institutions. The global economic importance of derivatives market is that they are important instrument for determining current and future prices of underlying asset. In addition, a derivatives market also helps to reduce the risk of transaction by bringing certainty in to expected cash flows. The derivatives market encourages speculative trading and arbitrag e. A derivatives instrument reduces transaction costs and also offers liquidity of the instrument in market (Parsons, 2013, pp.2-6). Factors Affecting Interest Rates Interest rates are amount payable by the borrower to the lender for using capital for certain amount of time. They are also referred to as financial cost of borrowings. Generally the federal bank or the central bank of a country determines the rate of interest on borrowing. Interest rates are determined primarily from the forces of supply and demand. Inflation plays a very important role for determining the interest rates since almost every lender expects to be compensated after considering the purchasing power of money. Thus, the rate of interest is also driven by the market trends and corresponds to changes in inflation levels. The credit of the borrower is also taken into consideration while determining the interest rates. For instance, entities with good credit ratings are able to enjoy debt at cheaper rates compare d to entities with bad credit ratings. This is mainly because the entities with poor credit rating have more chances of defaulting both in terms of regular fixed interest payments as well as the principal. Another important factor that determines the rate of interest is the duration of debt. Generally, the short term rates are less costly since predicting risk factors and inflation levels are more accurate for shorter time frame. However, the same is not true for long term rates since the future is uncertain and only expected or probabilistic returns are possible. Forecasting of Interest Rates Changes Forecasting the changes in interest rates is an important factor for determining the bond prices. When the interest rates are expected to appreciate in future, the objective of the investor should be to hold bonds with shorter maturity and not to hold long term bonds so as to minimize losses. Conversely, when the interest rates are expected to decline in future, it is an opportunity fo r the investors to invest in good credit bonds. Hence, interest rates directly influence the market value of debt instruments including bonds, money market securities, mortgages, and so on. By determining the key factors that have significant influence on interest rates, the interest rates for future can be forecasted. Some of the important factors that influence interest rates are economic growth rates, inflation rates, monetary policy, and budget deficit

Auditor Predecessor Successor

Auditor Predecessor Successor Question: What is the purpose of predecessor-successor auditor communications? Which party, the predecessor or successor auditor, has the responsibility for initiating these communications? Briefly summarize the information that a successor auditor should obtain from the predecessor auditor. The purpose of the predecessor-successor auditor communications is to help an auditor determine if a firm should engage with a new client. This communication will inform the auditor about the history of the client with the previous auditor and possibly expose some information that would suggest that accepting this client is not in the best interest of the firm. In recent times it has become important to carefully choose with whom a firm engages in an agreement with for representing them as their auditor. Not only is the firms reputation at stake but they can be held liable for their clients fraudulent activities. The Auditing Standards Board has issued a Statement on Auditing Standards Number 84 in October of 1997. SAS No. 84 replaced the SAS No. 7 which has the same title and was written to update the statement to the present environment. SAS No. 84 defines the required communications between the predecessor and successor auditor before accepting an engagement; what to do when the predecessor limits the responses to the successor; contains sample client consent and an acknowledgement letter and a successor auditor acknowledgement letter. Many of the CPA firms use caution when accepting new clients and go through a detailed procedure before accepting a new client. This is necessary to protect the firm from potential future liabilities based on their clients activities. SAS No. 84 made several modifications or improvements to SAS No. 7 which include communications prior to engaging with the client, discusses the usage and types of working papers, discusses the use of different types of correspondence letters for the predecessor-successor with examples, and outlines actions that the successor should follow if the financial statements are found to be misstated. This Statement was then amended by no. 93 because the statement didnt address the case where an auditor started an audit but didnt complete it. SAS No. 93 clarifies the definition of the predecessor auditor to include this situation. The definition was refined to include any auditor who is engaged to perform an audit but does not complete it. In the ZZZZ Best case study, Greenspan was an independent auditor that completed an audit of the ZZZZ Best Company in 1986. He used analytical techniques to look at the financial data and he confirmed the existence of their jobs by reviewing their documents. After completion of the audit, Minkow that owned the ZZZZ Best Company dismissed Greenspan and retained Ernst Whinney as the companys auditor. A congressional subcommittee was probing into the predecessor-successor communications that occurred when this transition occurred. When the congressional subcommittee asked what information he provided to the successor auditor, Greenspan was said â€Å"Nothing. I did there was nothing because they never got in tough with me. Its protocol for the new accountant to get in touch with the old accountant. They never got in touch with me, and its still a mystery to me.† According to SAS no. 84, the successor cannot accept the new client until they have communicated with the predecessor and have reviewed their responses. Even though the successor is required to initiate the communication, the predecessor is required to respond. The predecessor is required to get permission from the client before providing any information about the client. This means that there is a possibility that the predecessor will state that they will not be providing any information but they must respond stating this. If the predecessor doesnt provide any information, this most likely means that the client doesnt want them to disclose some potentially harmful information about the client and raises some concerns about accepting the new client. In the ZZZZ Best Company case, Ernst Whinney said that they communicated with Greenspan prior to accepting ZZZZ Best as an audit client. They didnt state any details related to the communication and Greenspan did not confirm this communication. Even if Ernst Whinney did initiate communication with Greenspan, given that neither one confirmed the details of what was communicated means that Ernst Whinney didnt follow requirement of reviewing the predecessor responses before accepting the client. The successor auditor should obtain information that will help decide whether to accept the client as their auditor. The type of information that the successor auditor should be inquiring about is related to the integrity of the management and any disagreements that the predecessor had with the management over accounting or auditing procedures. If theres has been issues with management integrity or concerns about their integrity from the predecessor auditor, it most likely will be an ongoing concern which may cause problems in the future. Also, if the predecessor auditor had disagreements with the client about accounting or auditing procedures then it would best to discuss these procedures with the client before starting the engagement with the client. Another item that the successor auditor should request is access to the predecessors working papers. â€Å"SAS no. 84 includes a list of the working papers ordinarily made available to the successor, including documentation of planning, internal control, audit results and other matters of continuing accounting and auditing significance†.1 The predecessor may limit the access to this working papers for reasons such as confidentiality agreements or litigations. These working papers provide the good insight into the client and give exposure to the predecessor and clients working arrangements. They will be the fastest and most detailed information for evaluating the client. When responding to the successor after the initial communication, the predecessor may request a written agreement disclosing the terms of what they disclose. They may request that the successor keep the information confidential and agree not to engage in litigations against the predecessor related to the material disclosed. Another item they should discuss is the reasons for the change in auditors. This information could show some insight into any management integrity issues if the predecessor auditor withdrew as the auditor. The successor will need to document the communications with the predecessor. They should document when the communications occurred, the results of the communications, and details of what material was disclosed. Even though the communications may be oral instead of written, it is good practice to document the details of what communications were made and the nature of the communications. SAS No. 84 doesnt require the documentation of this communications but the successor auditors working papers should show the details of communications that occurred. The predecessor-successor auditor communications is the key to determining if the firm should accept the new client. This communication will allow significant information to be gathered in determining whether to proceed into an agreement or not. The success auditor must initiate the communication with the predecessor. The completion of this exchange of information is vital to protect the firm from potential future liabilities based on their clients activities.

Software Ethics :: Copyright Plagiarism Technology Essays

Software Ethics INTRODUCTION Webster dictionary defines copyright as â€Å"the exclusive legal right to reproduce, publish, and sell the matter and form (as of a literary, musical, or artistic work). The copyright law extended to software and technologies aims at protecting the artists who created the product. The owner of the product has the exclusive right to distribute or reproduce his work. To be qualified for the protection, the work has to be original and in a â€Å"concrete medium of expression† [1]. In every product that we use daily, there is already a copyrighted law protecting it. We can’t simply write the same book and call it a different name. That’s plagiarism and violating the copyright law. The creator of a software technology patented and copyrighted his work, and he can take violators to court for stealing his idea, and reproducing his work without his permission. Why? Simply put, U.S Copyright act, 17 U.S.C Sections 101-810, protects the owner of the product . We should be thankful that we live in a country where our inventions and ideas are protected from theft and being copied. In other countries, such as Vietnam, artists are not so lucky. For many years, songs artists didn’t make a lot of money, and their songs are being sung everywhere, by all the singers. It’s like a free song, and anyone could make money off of that. That’s the precedent. Who would want to create the product, and then turn around in split seconds only to have it posted it on the web or reproduced for free. The work is wasted, the people are discouraged, and the country is ailing. Now, the artist can now protect his work. So Vietnamese, living in America, enjoy the same rights and privileges as Americans. Countries that don’t have copyright law or fail to truly protect the artists of a product will continue to struggle economically, politically, and socially. Viet Nam has improved and been more developed over the past decades. The country is beginning to see foreign investors come in and utilize the resources such as the talents, the cheap labor and materials. However, the country is not flourishing other Asians because of the lack of copyright laws, ignorance, and government monopoly and corruption.

Bar and Bat Mitzvahs

Rites of passage are a common element of various populations. These rites indicate a change in the lives of those involved. This change usually includes more responsibilities of one kind or another and the rite takes the participant into that next phase of life. One such rite for those of the Jewish faith is the passage into adulthood in a religious, and to an extent, a social sense. The b’nai mitzvah, bar mitzvah for boys and bat mitzvah for girls, are the ceremonies established for this purpose.The ceremony takes place when a boy turns thirteen, or a girl twelve or thirteen, and afterwards, the child is then considered an adult within the religion, expected to take on the responsibilities thereof so that they may help to teach others the ways of the Jewish faith. These responsibilities include praying, observance of the Sabbath, fasting when it is required, and other such things.While such things were considered mainly the responsibilities of those who were becoming adult ma les, it has evolved over the centuries to include females to one extent or the other as well, although Orthodox churches still tend to exclude women from performing many of the tasks that have traditionally been the roles of the male. The word â€Å"mitzvah† is defined as a commandment, while â€Å"bar† and â€Å"bat,† respectively, mean son and daughter.These terms indicate that those going through the ritual are now at a point where they can fulfill the commandments, becoming responsible members of the faith and be welcomed into the adult population. From that point on, the child is considered an adult â€Å"for purposes of participating in synagogue ritual† (Fox and Zimbler 18-19). According to Cohen and Weinrott, â€Å"The goal of the bar and bat mitzvah is to enter the larger community, while at the same time recognizing one’s own unique individual spiritual and social circumstances† (5). Bar and Bat Mitzvahs Page 2 of 9The first indica tion of the practice of the bar mitzvah seems to be in the Talmud several centuries ago during the Second Temple, when it is recorded that the sages would â€Å"bless a child who had reached the age of thirteen and who had fasted on Yom Kippur† (Lewit and Epstein 5). At that time there was no ceremony involved, only the declaring of the boy as bar mitzvah on his thirteenth birthday. He was considered an adult then, expected to follow the laws and take responsibility for himself instead of being considered the responsibility of his father.It was in the thirteenth or fourteenth century that this transition became formalized in such a way that resembles the ritual practiced today. The ceremony then led into a meal to celebrate the boy’s transition, and by 1595, this feast became â€Å"so sumptuous that a communal tax was placed on the celebration to stop such excesses† (Cohen and Weinrott 11). The bat mitzvah was not such an illustrious occasion as early as the bar mitzvah. The Talmud records that, around the second or third century, girls came of age at twelve to fulfill the commandments.Women were not obligated like men to engage in most religious exercises, their responsibilities instead revolving around home and family. While this age was considered important, it was not until the seventeenth century that it was considered important to celebrate the occasion. France and Italy celebrated with a ceremony in the middle of the nineteenth century at the latest, but it was not until 1922 that girls were accorded the same ceremony as boys with their bat mitzvah, when Mordecai Kaplan of the Society for the Advancement of Judaism, who founded Reconstructive Judaism, held the ceremony for his daughter.In some congregations, a girl becomes bat mitzvah at twelve, while in others the ceremony is performed at thirteen, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs Page 3 of 9 like it is for boys. Different congregations of Judaism treat the coming of age of boys and girls in d ifferent ways. While some give equal credence to the two genders during this time in belief that both should be on equal footing, there are others who believe that the religious obligations of boys and girls are different and therefore they should follow different rules.This leads to even more differences in the observance of this special time for girls than it does before, as some congregations have the identical ceremony for both genders while others give the girls less religious responsibility during the occasion. It is not that they consider the duties of a female to be less important, only separate and distinct from those expected from males. The celebration of these ceremonies took on different aspects in different countries starting late in the Middle Ages.The differences included such things as on which days the ceremony took place and how much of the service was conducted by the boy himself. The Marranos in Spain and Portugal were forced to practice their religion in secret , and the day of the bat mitzvah was when a boy was introduced to the religion. This secrecy helped to preserve the religion for more than 300 years in those countries. The traditional day for the bar or bat mitzvah to take place is on Saturday, which is known as Shabbat, or Sabbath.Bat mitzvahs are often held on Fridays, different congregations either giving the choice as to whether to hold it on Shabbat or requiring that it be done on Friday night. It is also possible for either ceremony to be held on Mondays or Thursdays, which were days in the days of the Temple when the Torah was read. Bar and Bat Mitzvahs Page 4 of 9 While some may choose to enhance the event by combining it to some extent with existing Jewish holidays, there are certain days which are usually avoided.The traditions of these holidays can help to make the day even more special and memorable. However, there are certain days that involve the remembrance of tragic times for the Jewish people, and these days, such as Yom Ha-Shoah, when the lives of those lost in the Holocaust are remembered, are considered inappropriate for the occasion due to the solemnity and focus on those who have been lost. Many children who are approaching their time of bar or bat mitzvah take part in a course of study to help prepare them for the occasion.Children are often taught in groups, and during this time they learn the blessings which are said at the ceremony as well as the basic skills that are needed for the synagogue, which include â€Å"the use of the tallit, tefillin; the blowing of a shofar; how to lift and dress the Torah, and other Jewish practices† (Lewit and Epstein 35). In addition to this training of the children in groups comes more individualized training with the cantor. Each child will usually spend four to six months training in this way.Other tutors may be utilized as well, giving the children a well-rounded and intensive study of what is to come and what is expected of them. Study aids such as the Tikkun are also helpful for this purpose. The Tikkun is a book that is used to help practice reading the Torah, giving help not only with pronunciation, but also with melody, which is a large part of the ceremonies in many congregations. The duties of the bar or bat mitzvah vary from congregation to congregation. At the simplest, it is simply the responsibility of the newly proclaimed adult to recite a blessing at the Torah.This is the most sacred of books in the Jewish faith, and is Bar and Bat Mitzvahs Page 5 of 9 handwritten on a scroll made of parchment. It is considered an honor to recite a blessing at the Torah, and is the most important part of the bar or bat mitzvah. Depending upon the congregation, he or she will read part or all of the passage, and then the Torah is taken around the synagogue before being returned to its place in the ark which is either at the front or the center of every synagogue.Another common duty of the bar or bat mitzvah is to read the H aftarah, which is a reading from the Prophets. It, as the Torah, has its own melodies that are usually followed and which take much practice to get right. In some Reform congregations it and the Torah are merely recited. Some congregations can require even more responsibility from the bar or bat mitzvah. He or she can be expected not just to recite the entire Torah portion of the service, but also to lead some of the service or to take over with certain prayers.A speech can also be required, and the father usually recites a blessing as well, officially relinquishing responsibility for the child who has now become an adult. Some congregations also require the child to spend time writing what is known as a dvar Torah for the ceremony. This is a commentary on a portion or portions of the Torah that the child is expected to study and interpret in his or her own way. He or she usually relates it somehow to his or her life and the significance of the Jewish faith to the individual writing it. The length of the document does not matter so long as it expresses something meaningful.In addition to the duties expected from the bar or bat mitzvah, others can play a significant role in the ceremony. The number of these can vary in different congregations, but it is considered an honor to the participants who perform those duties. Those who Bar and Bat Mitzvahs Page 6 of 9 take part in this are usually close to the child, and it is a duty that those asked to participate take very seriously. However, Orthodox churches tend to disallow the participation of women in most, if not all, of these. The most important role for one of these honorees is that of the aliyah.This is when one is allowed to go to the pulpit and both before and after one section is read from the Torah, to recite a blessing. The number of people who can be an aliyah can be as high as eight, with the last one being that of the child, who is to the final blessing, which is known as the Maftir. This demonstrate s the first real responsibility that a child is accorded in the congregation to illustrate his or her adult status. Other honors can include family members who are allowed to read a section of the Torah as well as tasks that can be taken on in some cases by younger children.There are also tasks that can be taken on by those who are not allowed to participate in the Torah service. They can help to hand things out, serve as ushers, or even decorate the synagogue for the ceremony and bake refreshments. There is also a tradition for many of those in the congregation to throw nuts and candies at the newly proclaimed adult after the ceremony, and passing out such things is a job often taken on by younger family members. After the service, many Jewish families throw a celebration.This has been a big change from earlier days, when there was no pomp but simply a declaration of the child becoming an adult. But these celebrations have become an important part of some congregations, particularl y those of American Jews. Many more traditional Jews frown upon the seeming need of many families to try and outdo each other in the extravagance of this celebration. Bar and Bat Mitzvahs Page 7 of 9 One of the traditions that is often followed at Jewish celebrations, including the b’nai mitzvah, is called the Kiddush.This is a prayer over wine that is defined as sanctification. Red wine is the most commonly used for this purpose and it is decided by the family who will chant the Kiddush. This can be one or more people, depending on their preference. The only one who is required to drink from the goblet of wine is the chanter of the blessing, but some prefer to pass it around so that all may have a taste, or with larger groups, cups may be provided for all. Another blessing that is given is the Motzi, which is the blessing over bread.Bread is a very important part of the Jewish meal, and a braided bread known as challah is used for such a purpose as important ceremonies. They are symbolic, and â€Å"represent not just the staff of life, but unity and peace as well† (Cohen and Weinrott 151). The bread is blessed after the wine, giving thanks for the feast that is to be shared. During the Kiddush, the challah is covered with a cloth, some traditions stating that this is to protect the bread from being embarrassed because the wine is blessed first.After the blessing of the bread, there is no need for blessings to be said over any of the following courses. It is usually tradition for a grandparent, or eldest member of the family, to say the blessing over the bread as well as cut it after the blessing. It may then be sliced and then passed around to all present, although some prefer to tear the bread with hands instead of cutting it with a knife. It is then usually salted before being eaten, and then the rest of the meal follows. A more recent tradition among the American Jews is that of the candle lighting ceremony.Thirteen or fourteen people are com monly chosen to light candles that are often placed on a cake, and sometimes make a blessing over the candles for the child. A Bar and Bat Mitzvahs Page 8 of 9 cake is not always used, however, with some people preferring a candelabra or other setting. When the candles are lit is also optional, some preferring it before the meal while others wait until after. Music is often used to announce the tradition, and special words are often said by those lighting them and occasionally by the child as well.During the celebration is also a time when many choose to make toasts to the child and his or her future and to wish that child well. The parents might choose to give speeches, and usually anyone is invited to say something if they wish, although brevity is often appreciated. The ceremony of Havdalah, which means separation, is often incorporated into Saturday night celebrations, and regarding bar and bat mitzvahs, â€Å"it is a special reminder of the bittersweet separation of youth and adulthood† (Cohen and Weinrott 159).After the celebratory meal, it is a tradition to say the Birkat Ha-Mazon, which means â€Å"grace after the meal. † Four prayers make this up, and then there are also psalms and blessing said as well. There are many choices as to who can lead this service, from the rabbi to the bar or bat mitzvah. However, there are also those who prefer less formal graces, and they might even include a poem or other prayers. The conclusion of this grace is a prayer for peace. Music has always been a large part of the Jewish culture; therefore it is often included as an important part of the celebration.The offerings of this can range anywhere from the simple to the more elaborate, depending upon the tastes of those involved. It is preferable to involve the guests with this, and that can be done in a variety of ways, from singing to dancing, which usually includes the hora. Bar and Bat Mitzvahs Page 9 of 9 The hora is a traditional dance used during J ewish celebrations. It was developed early in the twentieth century in Israel, and is a group dance, where the dancers are linked to each other in a circle, arms linked and hands on the shoulders of those next to them.This represents the closeness of the community and the equality of value of all of the people involved†¦ After the hora often comes the chair dance, in which the child sits in a chair and then that chair is lifted above their shoulders by those present. They are then danced that way, and often parents and other family members are allowed to share in the feelings of exultation by having their own turn in the chair. This dance emphasizes not only the individual who is put in the spotlight, but the community around that person who supports the chair and the individual during that time.The sense of community is very important to those of the Jewish faith, and this dance is a demonstration of this. Ceremony is a very crucial part of Judaism. This can be seen in many of their holidays and ceremonies, and the importance of the b’nai mitzvah can be considered to be the fact that it is this that pulls yet another into the community of Jewish adults. The new adult is allowed then to participate in ways that only adults can, and this strengthens the religion as a whole, passing the traditions and beliefs on to another generation so that it may again be passed on to that person’s children.Perhaps the fact that the Jewish people have been through much pain and difficulty throughout their history has helped to make these ceremonies even more important than they once were, transitioning them from a simple announcement of adulthood and breaking off of responsibility by the father to the elaborate celebrations that many have today. Bibliography Cohen, Jayne and Lori Weinrott. 2004. The Ultimate Bar/Bat Mitzvah Celebration Book. New York: Clarkson Potter/Publishers. Fox, Karen L. and Phylliz Zimbler Miller.1992. Seasons for Celebratoin: A Contem porary Guide to the Joys, Practices, and Traditions of the Jewish Holidays. New York: The Putnam Publishing Group. Himelstein, Dr. Shmuel. 1990. The Jewish Prayer: Questions and Answers on Jewish Faith and Cuture. New York: Facts on File, Inc. Lewit, Jane and Ellen Epstein. 1996. The Bar/Bat Mitzvah Planbook. Lanham, MD: Scarborough House. Oppenheimer, Mark. 2005. Thirteen and a Day: The Bar and Bat Mitzvah Across America. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.

6 Common Preposition Errors

6 Common Preposition Errors 6 Common Preposition Errors Prepositions are tricky words, especially if you speak English as a second language. They’re common, mostly short (e.g., at, in and on), and many have several uses, which can make it difficult to know which preposition to use. We won’t try to give a full explanation here (that would take a small book). But to help you avoid mistakes, here are six common preposition errors that you may want to watch out for in your own writing. 1. From Morning to Night (In vs. At) With â€Å"in† and â€Å"at,† the correct term may depend on the time of day! For example, in English we use â€Å"in the† with â€Å"morning,† â€Å"afternoon,† and â€Å"evening.† But we usually use â€Å"at† when talking about the night: Helen goes running in the morning. Tim goes running in the afternoon. Shirley goes running in the evening. Bob goes running at night. You could go for a run â€Å"in the night,† but that sounds like something a sporty vampire would do. So make sure to use â€Å"at† with â€Å"night† in your writing. 2. Arrivals (In and At vs. To) You can use the preposition â€Å"to† for discussing journeys (e.g., â€Å"I’m going to Tasmania†). But with the word â€Å"arrive,† we use â€Å"in† or â€Å"at† to describe reaching a destination. For instance: She arrived in Tasmania just after lunch. He arrived at the restaurant five minutes late. Whether to use â€Å"in† or â€Å"at† typically depends on the destination: Use â€Å"in† for cities, countries or other large areas. Use â€Å"at† for specific places (e.g., a library, a bar, or someone’s house). 3. Time, Days, Months, and Years (At, On, and In) When referring to a time or date, we use different prepositions depending on the situation. If you’re talking about a time of day, the correct term is â€Å"at†: The party starts at 9pm. For a specific day or date, meanwhile, we use â€Å"on†: The party is on Saturday. And for a month or year, the correct preposition is â€Å"in†: We’re having a party in April. In other words, the preposition depends on the time window in question. 4. Of vs. Have It’s common to see the preposition â€Å"of† used alongside helper verbs like â€Å"should† or â€Å"must.† For example: I should of gone to bed earlier. âÅ"â€" However, this is an error. The correct word here isn’t even a preposition. Rather, it should be the verb â€Å"have,† which sounds a bit like â€Å"of† when spoken (hence the confusion). Thus, it should say: I should have gone to bed earlier. âÅ"“ 5. For vs. Since When talking about how long something has been happening, we use â€Å"for† when referring to a length of time (e.g., a period of hours, days, or months): I’ve been writing for six hours. But if we’re using a specific time as a point of reference, we use â€Å"since†: I’ve been writing since breakfast. The difference here is that the first refers to a measure of time, while the second refers to a fixed point in the past when the activity began. 6. Talking About and Discussing â€Å"Talking† and â€Å"discussing† are similar activities, so people often treat these words as interchangeable. However, you should only use the preposition â€Å"about† after â€Å"talking.† For example: We’re talking about extreme sports. âÅ"“ We’re discussing extreme sports. âÅ"“ We’re discussing about extreme sports. âÅ"â€" To make sure you’ve used all the right terms in all the right places, try submitting a document for proofreading today.

S ubject Outline Essays - Education, Euthenics, Knowledge Sharing

S ubject Outline Essays - Education, Euthenics, Knowledge Sharing S ubject Outline Subject Name : Financial Institutions and Markets Subject Code: BX2032 . Study Period: SP 5 2 , 201 7 Study Mode: Internal Campus: Singapore Subject Coordinator: M r Richard Kent Subject Lecturer : D r T Y Thong Pre-requisites: BU 1003 https://secure.jcu.edu.au/app/studyfinder/?subject=BU1003 OR EC 1005 https://secure.jcu.edu.au/app/studyfinder/index.cfm?subject=EC1005year=2010 EC 1001 https://secure.jcu.edu.au/app/studyfinder/index.cfm This subject outline has been prepared by Dr Ray McNamara for the College of Business, Law and Governance , Division of Tropical Environments and Societies , James Cook University. Updated DATE \@ "d MMMM yyyy" \* MERGEFORMAT 14 July 2017 . Q1. This subject is offered across more than one campus and/or mode and/or teaching period within the one calendar year . Yes FORMCHECKBOX No FORMCHECKBOX Q2. If yes [Q1], the design of all offerings of this subject ensure the same learning outcomes and assessment types and weighting s . Yes FORMCHECKBOX No FORMCHECKBOX Q3. If no [Q2], _________________________ has authorised any variations , in terms of equivalence . Copyright 201 4 This publication is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism, or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process or placed in computer memory without written permission. Contents TOC \h \z \t "Head 1,1,Head 2,2" Section 1. Subject at a Glance PAGEREF _Toc398277663 \h 4 1.1 Staff contact details PAGEREF _Toc398277664 \h 4 1.2 Student participation requirements PAGEREF _Toc398277665 \h 4 1.3 Key dates PAGEREF _Toc398277666 \h 5 Section 2. Subject Details PAGEREF _Toc398277667 \h 5 2.1 Subject description PAGEREF _Toc398277668 \h 5 2.2 Subject and course learning outcomes PAGEREF _Toc398277669 \h 5 2.3 Learning and teaching in this subject PAGEREF _Toc398277670 \h 6 2.4 Student feedback on subject PAGEREF _Toc398277671 \h 6 2.5 Subject resources and special requirements PAGEREF _Toc398277672 \h 6 Section 3. Assessment Details PAGEREF _Toc398277673 \h 7 3.1 Requirements for completion of subject PAGEREF _Toc398277674 \h 7 3.2 Feedback on student learning PAGEREF _Toc398277676 \h 7 3.3 Assessment Tasks PAGEREF _Toc398277677 \h 7 Section 4. Other Information about Assessment and Student Support PAGEREF _Toc398277678 \h 10 4.1 Submission and return of assessment PAGEREF _Toc398277679 \h 10 4.2 Plagiarism and referencing PAGEREF _Toc398277680 \h 10 4.3 Important advice relating to examinations PAGEREF _Toc398277681 \h 10 4.4 Student support PAGEREF _Toc398277682 \h 10 Section 5. Subject Calendar PAGEREF _Toc398277683 \h 12 Section 6. Assessment Criteria Sheets (Rubric) PAGEREF _Toc398277684 \h 12 Section 1. Subject at a Glance The following summary provides a quick reference to the most important aspects of this subject. Please ensure that you have read the entire subject guide in full. 1.1 Staff contact details The following staff members are responsible for the preparation or delivery of this subject. Please contact the relevant staff member if you have any concerns during the study period. Teaching team Staff member Room Phone# Email Consultation times* Subject Coordinator Mr Richard Kent [emailprotected] Lecturer Dr T Y Thong C03-01 +65 6709 3725 [emailprotected] By appointment Tutor Dr T Y Thong C03-01 +65 6709 3725 [emailprotected] *Other consultation times by appointment only. # other contact modes - Skype address 1.2 Student participation requirements The JCU Learning, Teaching and Assessment Policy (4.3) indicates that, "a 3 credit point subject will require a 130 hour work load of study-related participation (including class attendance) over the duration of the study period, irrespective of mode of delivery". This work load comprises timetabled hours and other attendance requirements, as well as personal study hours, including completion of assessment requirements. Note that "attendance at specified classes may be a mandatory requirement for satisfactory completion of some subjects" (Learning, Teaching and Assessment Policy, 5.9); and that additional hours may be required per week for those students in need of English language, numeracy or other learning support. For external mode, there will be a minimum of four (4) online tutorial sessions for this subject. These will be conducted using Collaborate' in LearnJCU. It is highly recommended that you attend these sessions. How these sessions are run is largely dependent upon the attendance and participation of external students. The content of these sessions will focus on the questions selected by the subject coordinator and any other problems students may be facing. Potential, dates, times and class activities will be discussed via the LearnJCU bulletin board once semester commences prior to each

Is Animal Farm produced for the sake of art Essay

Is Animal Farm produced for the sake of art - Essay Example These ‘system’ or real events influenced novels could be categorized into two types; in the first type, the setting and scenes could be an exact replica of the real life happenings. In the second type, different sentences, characters, settings, etc come in to give a new interpretation, but at the same time based on the same real life happenings. In both the cases, there will be little scope for artistic leanings. This paper will look at one such novel, Animal Farm which was based on the real life happenings, and not produced for the sake of art. So, this paper will focus on the novel Animal Farm written by George Orwell, analyzing how the characters particularly Squealer was influenced, and had clear parallels with the Soviet rulers, diplomats and even media, and is not an artistic work. George Orwell, pseudonym for Eric Arthur Blair, was a famous English author, journalist and a political commentator. He became a well-known author mainly due to his two political anti-totalitarian works, Animal Farm and 1984. Both of which were written towards the end of his life. His shift in focus to political novels particularly anti totalitarian and pro-democratic socialist novels was an intentional one, influenced by the political climate of his period. So, Animal Farm published in 1945, is a cautionary tale against totalitarianism. â€Å"Russian rà ©gime must almost certainly be hostile to any revolution in the West† (Orwell). Cautionary tale in the sense, totalitarianism was not taken head on by Orwell instead he takes poke at totalitarianism through the main characters of the novel. The totalitarian regime in Soviet Union under Stalin was one of the main influences for George Orwell while writing Animal Farm. Even though, there have been no recorded evidence of Orwell visiting Soviet Union, he based all the details in the novel from the Soviet Union he knew, read, heard, etc.

Research Activities Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Activities - Research Paper Example The journey through highly successful advertising practices and the obvious benefits attached of Aspirin, specifically Bayer Aspirin is one of note. Bayer AG according to the Bayer AG website was originally founded as, â€Å"The general partnership "Friedr. Bayer et comp." was founded on August 1, 1863 in Barmen - now a district of the city of Wuppertal - by dye salesman Friedrich Bayer (1825-1880) and master dyer Johann Friedrich Weskott (1821-1876). The object of the company was the manufacture and sale of synthetic dyestuffs.† (â€Å"Bayer AG† 1) Originally medicines were not something that this company desired to promote and it did quite well in the promotion of its synthetic dyes. Growing from three original employees to over 300 by the time it became a joint stock company. This rapid growth was almost directly attributable to the success and ability of its founders in marketing and advanced approaches to products. â€Å"Sterling Drug benefited from World War I. B ecause supplies of drugs from Germany were cut off by the Allied blockade, they set up the Winthrop Company to manufacture the active ingredients. After the war, Sterling acquired the American Bayer Company. They established a separate subsidiary, the Bayer Company, to market Bayer Aspirin† (â€Å"Sterling Drug, Inc.† 1). ... â€Å"Bayer AG transformed into a management holding company and the related hive-down of business operations into legally independent companies, the number of employees dropped from 36,010 at the beginning of 2003 to 590 on December 31, 2003.† (â€Å"Bayer AG (BAYRY)† 4). This reorganization reduced the direct workforce and enhanced the ability of the parent holding corporation to better separate assets as well as increase overall profitability. Aspirin was the result of massive efforts towards research within the original Bayer organization and in 1899 Aspirin ® was developed by Felix Hoffman and quickly became known as the drug of the century. According to Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lemelson program, Hoffman’s â€Å"miracle drug† was the result of solid research and hard work. On August 10, 1897, he succeeded with this endeavor: By combining acetylating salicylic acid with acetic acid, he created acetylsalicylic acid, or ASA, with the right characteristics for consumer use. The substance had the ability to relieve fever, pain and inflammation, all without upsetting the patient's stomach (â€Å"Aspirin† 1) Prior efforts had made this a difficult drug for people to use as it had irritated the stomach severely. Now it was able to be used regularly and did not cause the irritation to the stomach that had occurred before. The advertising behind this wonder drug also showed the desire of the manufacturers to promote it as in 1917 patents regarding the manufacture of this drug expired. In July 1916 a journal titled, The Pharmaceutical Era included the following information regarding the advertising campaign being conducted by The Bayer Company, Inc. This journal stated that, â€Å"The Bayer Company, Inc., which for some months past has