The film Educating Rita Essay Example for Free

The film Educating Rita Essay Educating Rita tells a story of two people from the opposite ends of life. An uneducated working class woman finally realises the value of education and class and with the assistance of her alcoholic upper class tutor Frank Bryant, she embarks on a journey to gain the knowledge that she deeply yearns for. There are many advantages that a film has over a production of a play. It would be inconvenient and problematic to have lots of settings and changes therefore we immediately know that the film Educating Rita has more advantages over the play. It has close up shots of the characters and different settings. The burning books scene is a great example of this. In this scene Denny (Ritas husband) find a pack of Contraceptive pills which Rita has been taking. Outraged he throws all of Ritas books into a flame. We see Rita and the books through many different angles. One of the shots includes us looking at the burning books from Ritas point. This makes us feel empathy. We also see Rita from where the books are burning. At this point we feel sympathy for her as we see the expression on her face how miserable she is about her books. In the play we would not see Denny burning Ritas books and Rita helplessly just standing there from this amount of angles. We are only able to see the play from one angle which is from out seats. Another advantage that the film has over the play is the added scenes. Added scenes one the most common ways a film can use other methods in order to put across its message. A good example of this method is the scene when Denny finds the contraceptive pills. We do not see this in the play. We see Denny entering the living rooms and tossing the packet on the table. In the film we sense trouble instantly when we witness Denny looking under the floor boards as we earlier saw Rita hiding the pills in the same spot. Throughout the entire film, there are a number of shots that describe the lifestyles of both characters. Ritas journey takes us through her neighbourhood. Through several long shots we instantly understand that the area is almost a dump. The streets are littered heavily, there are abandoned caravans on the sides, two large tanks on the far end of the street which is extremely hazardous and a siren blares in the distance indicates danger. This scene concludes that lower class people who can only afford up to this degree live in an environment like this. On the other hand, Franks environment is the opposite. As Frank walks home we see large amount of space including trees spread out finely, autumn leaves landing swiftly on the ground, parked cars and bird chirping in the distance.

Security and Economic Revival Raise Hopes in the West Bank Essay Example for Free

Security and Economic Revival Raise Hopes in the West Bank Essay The New York Times article â€Å"Security and Economic Revival Raise Hopes in the West Bank† by Ethan Bonner covers the reemergence of the Palestinian-covered West Bank, specifically in the city of Nablus, after a series of bloody uprisings and encounters between extremists and Israeli forces. The Palestinian authority has been longing for control over their territories, and it has experienced its first sense of security and economic stability since the second Palestinian uprising broke out in 2000. It seems that the economy has stabilized so far as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected a seven percent growth rate for the year 2009. A few infrastructure projects have also started as rebuilding and revitalization of the West Bank area continued. A movie theater has opened and a seven-story furnishing store has started operation recently which proves that the West Banks economic and security status has been stabilizing. Just two weeks ago, Israeli checkpoints have started to shut down and troops are gradually being pulled out from the area which are a part of the Israels promise to aid the Palestinian authority. However, doubts have been raised against this promise as Israel has not permitted Paltel, the Palestinian cellphone company, to construct network towers (Bronner, 2009). By far, peace and order has been evident within the West Bank. The two camps—Israel and Palestine—have been working together in order to stabilize the economy of the area which is seen as a vital aspect for the areas growth. Security has also been a matter most attended to by both camps since it also helps ensure a steady economic growth. If both the economy and the security will be stabilized in the area, there will be enough reason to believe that the Palestinians will be capable enough to handle the problems within their areas. Since Israeli troops are gradually being pulled out, it goes to show that trust is slowly being reestablished between the Israeli government and the Palestinian authority, which is a good sign for both sides future relations. So far, the Palestinian communities—specifically Nablus, West Bank—has experienced a steady growth and a revitalized sense of security. As known in previous years, the conflict between Israeli forces and extremists has greatly hindered economic and political growth within Palestinian territories, especially in the West Bank area. The traumas of conflict may have not been permanently erased, but there is still hope for the Palestinian communities in the future as the West Bank experiences stability within its local economy. Furthermore, the Palestinian authority has been present in order to address the local concerns of the area, attending mostly to the areas security. It may take years before the economy has completely stabilized and the security has been fully established, but as of now, the area has shown great signs of improvement as compared to previous years. People have felt more secure, buildings are being established and reestablished, and stores are being opened and reopened. Communities are starting to experiencing growth again. References Bronner, E. (2009, July 16). Security and Economic Revival Raise Hopes in the West Bank. The New York Times. Retrieved July 17, 2009, from http://www. nytimes. com/2009/07/17/world/middleeast/17westbank. html? ref=world.

The Deming Theory Of Management Information Technology Essay

The Deming Theory Of Management Information Technology Essay Quality became an important business issue due to the increase in competitiveness in world markets. The total quality management approach introduced by W. Edwards Deming used by several organizations in the world to improve their operations and the processes used in all functional areas of their organizations. The basis of TQM is to reduce the errors produced during the manufacturing or service process, increase customer satisfaction and improve product/service quality, productivity, and competitiveness by improving communications with stakeholders (customers, suppliers, employees, shareholders and society). The application of TQM can vary from business to business, even across the same industry. William Edwards Deming (1900 1993) was an American statistician, professor, author, lecturer, and consultant. He was widely credited with improving production in the United States during the Cold War, although he was well known for his work in Japan. Deming made a significant contribution to Japans later reputation for innovative high-quality products and its economic power. He was regarded for his impact on Japanese manufacturing and business. Despite he was being considered as a hero in Japan, he got a widespread recognition in the U.S. at the time of his death. During Demings work in Japan in 1940s, his message to Japans chief executives was improving quality will reduce expenses while increasing productivity and market share. A number of Japanese manufacturers adopted his techniques widely and experienced an increased level of quality and productivity. After some time quality prize was introduced under Demings name, which is given to companies have experienced a major influence directly and indirectly on the development of quality control and quality management in Japan. Dr. W. Edwards Deming taught that by adopting appropriate principles of management, organizations can increase quality and simultaneously reduce costs by reducing waste, rework, staff wasted time and increase customer loyalty. The key is to practice continence improvement and think of manufacturing as a system, not as bits and pieces. The Deming Theory of Management is a management philosophy based on four principles: Appreciation for systems. Knowledge of variation. Theory of knowledge. Psychology. Deming was well known for his model introduced for problem solving based on the Japanese approach of quality. The model was called as Deming cycle or PDCA (plan, do, check, action). He also introduced 14 points used to reach TQM in organizations as follows: Create constancy of purpose to improve product and service. Adopt new philosophy for new economic age by management learning responsibilities and taking leadership for change. Cease dependence on inspection to achieve quality by building quality into the product. End awarding business on price; instead, minimize total cost. Improve constantly the system of production and service to improve quality and productivity and to decrease costs. Institute training on the job. Institute leadership to help do a better job. Drive out fear so that all may work effectively for the organization. Break down barriers between departments; research, design and sales; therefore all teams should work together to resolve problems in production and use. Eliminate slogans, exhortations and numerical targets for the workforce. Eliminate quotas or work standards, and management by objectives or substitute leadership. Remove barriers that rob people of their right to pride of workmanship; hourly workers, management and engineering; eliminate annual or merit ratings and management by objectives. Institute a vigorous education and self-improvement program. Put everyone in the organization to work to accomplish the transformation. (Ahmed and Zairi, 2006) Characteristics of Successful TQM Companies based on Deming theory are common to companies that successfully implement TQM in their daily operations are as follows: Strive for owner/customer satisfaction and employee satisfaction. Strive for accident free work places. Recognize the need for measurement and fact based decision making. Arrange for employees to become involved in helping the company improve. Train extensively. Work hard at improving communication inside and outside the company. Use teams of employees to improve processes. Place a strong emphasis on the right kind of leadership. Involve subcontractors and suppliers in continuous improvement. Strive for continuous improvement. (http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/5034-314271-total-quality-management-tqm-entertainment-ppt-powerpoint/, 2010) Joseph Moses Juran (1904 2008) was a 20th century management consultant who was mainly remembered as a caller for quality and quality management, writing several influential books on those subjects. During his 1966 visit to Japan, Juran learned about the Japanese concept of Quality Circles which he actively used in the West. Juran also acted as a matchmaker between U.S. and Japanese companies looking for introductions to each other. Juran was widely credited for adding the human dimension to quality management as he pushed for the education and training of managers. He was also credited for illuminating the core problem in reforming business quality. For Juran, human relations problems were the main issue in most of the organizations. Resistance to change was identified by Juran as the root cause of quality issues. He developed the Jurans trilogy, an approach to cross-functional management that is composed of three managerial processes: Quality planning. Identify who are the customers. Determine the needs of those customers. Translate those needs into our language. Develop a product that can respond to those needs. Optimize the product features so as to meet our needs and customer needs. Quality control. Develop a process which is able to produce the product. Optimize the process. Quality improvement. Prove that the process can produce the product under operating conditions with minimal inspection. Transfer the process to Operations. http://www.70620.com/tag/joseph-m-juran-philosophy-characteristics Malcolm Baldrige (1922 1987) was working as United States Secretary of Commerce and then confirmed by the United States Senate in 1981. During his life journey he played a major role in developing and carrying out Administration trade policy. Baldrige was a supporter of quality management as a key to U.S. wealth and long term strength. He took an initiative in developing the legislation that became the Quality Improvement Act of 1987 and helped draft one of the early versions. In recognition of his contributions, the congress named the annual quality award under his name Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. This award contributed to long-term improvement in economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in government. There are seven Criteria Categories that cover that was set by Baldrige in every management system: 1. Leadership 2. Strategic Planning 3. Customer Focus 4. Measurement, Analysis, and Knowledge Management 5. Workforce Focus 6. Process Management 7. Results He also divided the way of how the apply the above criteria based on the work segment: one for education, one for healthcare, and one for business, nonprofits, and government organizations. The Baldrige Criteria are built on 11 interrelated core values and concepts: Visionary leadership Customer-driven excellence Organizational and personal learning Valuing workforce members and partners Agility Focus on the future Managing for innovation Management by fact Societal responsibility Focus on results and creating value Systems perspective These core values and concepts are embedded in high-performing organizations. They are the foundation for integrating key performance and operational requirements within a framework. (http://www.baldrige.com/criteria/baldrige-core-values , 2010) Deming, Juran and Baldridge difference in their quest for Quality: Each one of the above quality gurus is looking into quality from different aspect. They all are working to improve the USA organizations to get better output of products and services. Deming was focusing on the use of statistical quality control. Juran was focusing on managing for quality and started Quality Management courses concentrating on top and middle management of organizations. Baldridge was focusing his on management system to reach performance excellence. He was working on developing the legislation that became the Quality Improvement Act. This was the key to introduce the Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award that recognizes U.S. businesses that excel in quality achievement and quality management. If we compare Baldrige with other types of standards we will find that the Baldrige Criteria serve as a comprehensive framework for performance excellence. They focus on business results as well as organizational improvement and innovation systems. Lean and Six Sigma methodologies drive waste and inefficiencies out of processes, and ISO 9000 is a series of standards for an efficient quality conformance system. Overall, ISO 9000 registration covers less than 10 percent of the Baldrige Criteria (http://www.nist.gov/baldrige/improve.cfm , 2010). Quality model in practice: In my opinion Malcolm Baldrige quality model is the one that it is in practice due to different reasons: Baldrige developed the legislation that became the Quality Improvement Act since 1987. Introduction of Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award that became a method to motivate U.S. organizations to develop their quality based on a set of standards. It focuses on management system to reach performance excellence. It focuses on business results, organizational improvement and innovation systems. Quality Awards: One of the well known quality awards is the Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award. It recognizes U.S. businesses that excel in quality achievement and quality management. There are different purposes for the award are: To promote recognition of the importance of quality. To recognize quality related achievements of U.S. organizations. To publicize strategies that improves quality. This award is providing a detailed feedback for additional step the organizations has to take care of in case they would like to meet todays quality standards. The candidates, selected are going through three stages review process are: Evaluation of written examinations submitted by candidate. Site visits to companies with high scores on the written examination. Final overall evaluation. (http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst?docId=5000218317 , 2010) They are assed based on seven Criteria Categories that was set by Baldrige are: 1. Leadership 2. Strategic Planning 3. Customer Focus 4. Measurement, Analysis, and Knowledge Management 5. Workforce Focus 6. Process Management 7. Results The above criteria will asses every single detail of the organization in order to check their quality excellence. Even if the organizations do not want to go for the process of the award, they can go through the award documents, use the awards assessment criteria to check their status and then adapt the applicable quality model on their process in order to reach the quality standard. Conclusion: Quality has become an important approach that organizations are taking care of while developing their process of work and managing their resources. Quality gurus have introduced several types of management improvement tools to reach quality excellence. Moreover, awards were introduced to check organizations process and motivate them towards quality excellence. REFERANCE Abdel Ahmed and Mohamed Zairi and Ali Asseri, 2006. TQM Fundamentals: Chapter 1 The Quality Planning Process. Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University. Baldrige core values. Retrieved on April 18.2010 from http://www.baldrige.com/criteria/baldrige-core-values/ Joseph M. Juran. (2010, March 10). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 06:29, April 14, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Joseph_M._Juranoldid=348984076 KC 1.5.3 Quality Pioneers Joseph M. Juran. Retrieved on April 14, 2010 from http://www.70620.com/tag/joseph-m-juran-philosophy-characteristics Malcolm Baldrige, Jr.. (2010, April 6). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 06:33, April 14, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Malcolm_Baldrige,_Jr.oldid=354335958 PDCA. (2010, April 14). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 07:46, April 14, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=PDCAoldid=355860177 Total quality management. (2010, April 13). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 12:41, April 16, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Total_quality_managementoldid=355765150 Total Quality Management a continuous improvement process, 2010. Retrieved on April 14, 2010 from http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/5034-314271-total-quality-management-tqm-entertainment-ppt-powerpoint/ What is Baldrige? Retrieved on April 18, 2010 from http://www.baldrige.com/baldrige-process/what-is-baldrige/ Y.K. Shetty, The quest for quality excellence: lessons from the Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award. Retrieved on April 20, 2010 from http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst?docId=5000218317

Antony Flew: The Existence and Belief Of God Essay -- Philosopher Anto

Antony Flew: The Existence and Belief of God Antony Flew starts by telling the audience this story of two explorers that accidentally came upon a garden in a jungle. In this garden, there were many beautiful flowers and weeds. One explorer says, "some gardener must tend this plot". While the other disagrees, "there is no gardener". So, these two explorers tried to figure out who was right and who was wrong. They waited the whole night, but no gardener was ever seen. Then the "Believer" said that there must be a gardener, that he "is an invisible gardener". He tried everything he could to convince to the "Sceptic" that he was right, barbed-wire, electrifying fence, patrolling bloodhounds. But no gardener was ever found. Still the "Believer" was not convinced. He gave the "Sceptic" many excuses as to why they couldn't see the gardener. The "Sceptic" told him that he was crazy because what started out as a simple assertion that there was a gardener, turned into "an imaginary gardener".   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This parable that Flew is using is clearly an analogy to the existence and belief of God. The garden represents God, "†¦invisible, intangible, insensible†¦". The "Sceptic" says there is no gardener, just as an atheist denies the existence God. The "Believer" says there is a gardener, like a theist telling everyone that God exists. The "Believer" tries to prove that there was a planter, who planted the seeds for the flowers to grow. This planter takes care of them, a parallelism to God supposedly taking care of "us".   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Flew talks about assertions. He states that "what starts as an assertion, that something exists†¦may be reduced step by step to an altogether different status". He uses the example of how if one man were to talk about sexual behavior, "another man prefers to talk of Aphrodite". They don't seem to make sense. How can one confuse the idea of a sexual behavior with Aphrodite? He also points out the fact that "a fine brash hypothesis may be killed by inches, the death of a thousand qualifications". A good example of this is when he said that "God loves us as a father loves his children". He states that when we see a child dying of cancer, his "earthy father" is there, to help him, nurture him, trying his best for his son. But his "Heavenly Father", God, is no where to be found, that he "reveals no obvious sign of concern". The... ...arden in which I find myself, that I am unable to share the explorers' detachment," said Hare. He tried to point out that if he was in the same situation, he would not share the same views as the explorers. Which is a belief in the g ardener, a belief in God. Both of these man had some strong viewpoints. Flew states, if one asserts something, then one must deny something. What Hare is trying to say is that, there is two sides to every idea or "assertions", a blik. That that is a sane blik and a insane blik. Most people have the sane one and those who don't share this view is point as lunatics. But no one is not trying to deny something here. The person with the insane blik is not wrong or that he's not trying to deny something, it's just that his views are different. Flew states, "what would have to occur or to have occurred to constitute for you a disproof of the love of, or of the existence of, God?" Hare's reply to this question is that he calls this "completely victorious." Nothing have to occur because those who does not share this belief in God have an insane blik. They are not trying to deny that God doesn't but rather that they views are just different.

Kachina/Katsina Doll :: essays research papers fc

We believe they (Kachina Dolls) are personifications of the katsina spirits, originally created by the katsinam in their physical embodiment. ..." - Alph H. Secakuku To understand the meaning of the kachina dolls, it is necessary to understand Hopi culture, because one does not exist without the other. It has been found that the Hopi's main ancestors were the Anasazi, a group of people who at about the time of Christ came to depend on agriculture. They represent various beings, from animals to clouds. They are believed to be in some form of hierarchy, a form of kingdom. Kachina dolls are depictions of masked men impersonating supernatural beings that predominate the Hopi, Zuni and Pueblo Spirit dances. These Spirits are believed to be descendants of a prehistoric people. They have lived in the Northern parts of New Mexico westward into Arizona near Flagstaff for some fifteen hundred years. To honor them they have many sacred dances throughout the year. The dolls which contain the kachina spirits are often given to children to remind them of their heritage and of their Gods. However, the Kachina Dolls are not just toys, but objects to be treasured and studied. Through these dolls they learn about Kachinas as part of their religious training and background. In Pueblo Indian religious practice, any of more than 500 divine ancestral spirits who act as intermediaries between man and god. They will allow themselves to be seen by the community if the men properly perform a traditional ritual while wearing kachina masks. The spirit painted or carved on the mask is thought to be actually present with the performer, temporarily transforming him into a Kachina spirit. The identity of the spirit is depicted not by the form of the doll, which is usually simple and flat, but primarily by the applied color and elaborate feather, leather, and, occasionally, fabric ornamentation of its mask. Also the identity of a true Kachina doll is depicted and then carved of cottonwood root. One of the purposes is to help bring the rain for the crops to grow and since the cottonwood is always found near water, the Kachinas are carved from it’s roots. The roots from which the dolls are carved are chosen with care, since they are seen to draw life and precious moisture from the earth. Very few dolls were carved out of a single piece of wood. The arms and legs and head were carved separately and glued to the torso.

A Case Study of the English Language Center :: Research Papers

A Case Study of the English Language Center Three blocks away from the hustle of Market Street, the main thoroughfare of Drexel University's campus, an unassuming building nestles in a quiet neighborhood. The street, lined with narrow sidewalks and trees, gives one a feeling of coziness and safety. Other than the faint sounds of city traffic, tranquility presides over this neighborhood scene. At 229 North 33rd Street stands a long, rectangular, light-colored brick building two stories high. The low green shrubs at the edge of the building and the grassy areas spotted with trees to either side of the entrance give one the sense that this building belongs to the "neighborhood." Looking up at its facade, one would not think that inside this modest structure lies a microscopic view of the world as it could be in the next millennium-a world where countries from all corners of the globe come together in harmony, a non-politicized world where borders, political divisions separating ethnic groups, dissolve and give rise toboundar ies, permeable areas that encourage the acknowledgement of and mutual respect for linguistic and cultural diversity. What is this place? Who are the inhabitants? Walking up the entranceway steps lined with black iron railings, one immediately encounters an outer glass door inscribed with the outline of an umbrella-shaped image encasing the letters AAIEP. Above the umbrella stand the words "American Association for International English Programs (AAIEP)" and underneath, "English Language Center, Foreign Language Center, and ESL Writing Center." These words only begin to frame what goes on inside this building. On the other side of the entranceway lies a safe haven--a place where people from around the globe to come together to learn English, a place where words are transformed into language. But more goes on at 229 North 33rd Street than just the learning of English in the traditional sense of learning a language or the teaching of specific skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. At Drexel's English Language Center (ELC), students learn about American culture as well. While knowledge of vocabulary, syntax, and grammar serve to enhance one's linguistic ability, they do not necessarily promote communicative competence or the appropriate use of language in situations of everyday life. Because the rules and norms of language cannot be separated from culture, developing communicative competence "enables a student to use a language for a wide range of social and expressive purposes" (Schiffrin 323).

Case Study Report of Secom Essay

This is a rental service of the equipment. Before they started this service, a security company sent the guard man to its customers. However, this system was not effective to make the company large because if the company became larger, the manager should employ too many people to manage. To avoid this situation, SECOM decided to change the security system from employing people to leasing the machine. In order to come true this system, Iida and Toda had to calculate the cost and profits in very detail. SECOM’s service covers many kinds of fields such as medical-fields, informational-fields and environmental-fields. This is because SECOM wants to give the total safe to its customers. Even if SECOM’s service fields spread, it still keeps its own philosophy and strategy based on philosophy. Thus, SECOM has been a strong enough company to survive Japanese unstable economy. However, there is a problem in the company: a successor problem. 3. Problems Now, SECOM has a strong leader, Makoto Iida, but he is 61 years old and has to think about a successor. However, there is no appropriate person who can lead the company and survive in this society. 4. Analysis of the current situations 1) One cause for the successor problem is the growing speed of the company. SECOM has been growing for 30 years, but these years are not enough to think about a successor. (2) Another cause for the successor problem is the difficulty for raising a leader. SECOM’s philosophy is also Iida’s philosophy, and he wants his successor to follow this philosophy. However, any successor will be different from Iid a. Iida thinks that â€Å"What I can tell him is no more than a half of all that he must learn (Keio Business School, 1994). † 5. Propose strategic solutions Solution A: Iida will help the successor until the new system will be stable as an outside chairman. Pros: Iida can advise to his successor when the successor cannot make clear decision. Moreover, the successor can follow the Iida’s philosophy and strategy. Cons: If Iida disappear suddenly, the system and company will be shocked by his disappearance. Solution B: To choose an efficient leader from other company. Pros: (1) SECOM does not have to think about raising the successor, because this new leader is already efficient for running the company. (2) By receiving an outside person, SECOM can get a new point of view in it. Cons: (1) An outside person, who does not know the culture of the company, may break the old but efficient system for SECOM. (2) The new leader comes from other company, so he may not be able to have support from the company’s member and may be isolated. 6. Decision-making Solution B will be the most appreciate solution of the successor problems. 7. Conclusion SECOM is growing with Iida and Toda and with their strategies. However, it needs new points of view to survive this society. Any company should adapt to the changeable society, or it will disappear.