When Science and Christianity Meet Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

When Science and Christianity Meet - Essay Example According to the paper the Bible introduces the main characters in the story of creation. These are God and a man. God is introduced as the Almighty Creator with the power to speak things into existence. The creation story teaches us that man was created from soil before God breathed into him. Therefore, God is the author of creation and the source of life. While the truth has been contested through science, the story of creation appeals to reality given its explanation of the regeneration of mankind. The Bible tells us that God was pleased with creation. The modern education system has not been able authoritatively refute that. The story explains the fall of man and the beginning of suffering. Morality is first introduced in through the fall of man when the serpent deceived Adam.  From this study it is clear that the story shows that God keeps His word and promises. The life and occurrences after the fall of man set the stage for suffering. They also show why God had to redeem man kind. God introduced the Law of Moses to familiarize His nature to the children of Israel. The law revealed His preferences. However, the law never solved the problem of enmity between God and man. God had to send Jesus to come and be a sacrifice for the sin. Most of the ancient prophets left records which have been authenticated scientifically to be true. A telling example is the Dead Sea scrolls. This gives the Bible credibility and authority in the determination of the place of God in life.

The Study on the Teaching Quality and Teachers Role Under New English Curriculum Standards Essay Example for Free

The Study on the Teaching Quality and Teachers Role Under New English Curriculum Standards Essay Abstractï ¼Å¡With the increasing globalization and internationalization, English is playing a more and more important role in the world, especially in China. Also, English education is being more and more emphasized by educators and the whole society. How to improve the quality of English education has already been the focus of many countries in which English is regarded as a second or foreign language. One effective way to improve the quality of English education is to improve the qualities of English teachers, that is, the progress of teacher development. Key words: senior high school, quality, role. 1 Introduction 1. Research background With the increasing globalization and internationalization of countries in the world, English is more and more widely used and its role in the society is increasingly important. In addition, in many countries where English is regarded as a second or foreign language, English has already become a necessary demand for many jobs. Those who can read English books, write English articles and communicate with others in English may be easier to be employed. Such tendency requires people, especially the young, to improve their English language ability. Therefore, English education, which is a crucial way to help people learn English better, is becoming much more important. Over the past several decades, expertise and educators are finding methods to improve the quality of English education. The training of teachers’ professional skills is one of those effective methods which can better English education. Since China’s reform and opening, the scale of its English education has continually grown, attended by significant achievements in teaching and learning. However, English education in its current form is failing to meet the needs of contemporary social and economic development. The current round of reforms to the English curriculum aim to end the following practices: †¢ Over-emphasizing the transmission and explanation of knowledge about grammar and vocabulary †¢ Neglecting to develop students’ ability to use language for real In their place, the reforms aim to establish a curriculum that: †¢ Develops students’ comprehensive language competence †¢ Motivates students, is relevant to their life experiences and cognitive level †¢ Promotes task-based teaching methods †¢ Involves students in experiential, practical, participatory and cooperative learning †¢ Develops students’ positive attitudes, thinking skills, practical abilities, cultural awareness and autonomy through the language learning process 2. Research purposes Since teacher development is more and more crucial in the field of education, this study is of great use. For one thing, with the basis of previous studies and researches, this research, which analyzes the teacher’s quality and role needed under New English Curriculum Standard For Senior Middle School, can provide more useful information and resources for the progress of theoretical study. For another, it also has practical meanings because such research may provide useful modules to develop teachers in China, including training for pre-service teachers and in-service teachers, such as teacher preparation programs and training courses. These may be useful for the practical progress of the training of teachers in China or even in other countries 2. Professional quality of teacher under New English Curriculum Standard For Senior Middle School A qualified English teacher in senior middle school not only have to possess the basic quality of regular senior middle school, which is individuality, teaching capability, dedication, education theory and teaching research ability, but also have to have special attainment of English teacher of senior middle school. Taken together, it generally includes several points below: 2.1 A deep love for English teaching of senior high school. English teaching of senior middle school is absolutely necessary of the whole education. Our English teacher of senior high school must closely connected personal work with enhancement of quality of the whole nation, cultivation of Four possessions socialism citizen and task of cultivation of new century cross-cultural pillars of the national construction. We need to look far ahead and aim high, and profoundly realize the far-reaching meaning of English teaching in senior middle school, so as to generate deep affection to the three feet platform and be happy to dedicate our youth to educational business. 2.2 Teacher should enjoy high prestige and command universal respect†. An English teacher of senior middle school must intentionally care for not only teaching of class ,but also students’ physical and mental development . Teachers should teach and nurture students at the same time. No matter at work or in life, they should speak and act cautiously, set themselves as example to students, and preserve in doing it. 2.3 Have high level language quality. Our English teacher in senior middle school should possess solid professional basic skill, proficiently apply their language technique and knowledge, and master a certain quantity of vocabulary and background knowledge of British and American culture in the meantime. Therefore, teachers should continuously improve their language quality. Only if they can speak standard mandarin and fluent English, can they attract students to do corresponding training of listening, speaking, reading and writing like a magnet. 2.4 Have teaching skills of â€Å"Practice makes perfect†. English teaching in senior middle school requires teachers to teach their students in accordance with their aptitude based on class specialties. For example, The senior 2(9) class I am teaching is arts class with active girls and the senior 2(4) class is science class with most of them boys and poorer foundation. I often study the specialties of the arts class and science class, and I will design with different style and totally different teaching process and mode even for same teaching content to adapt to teaching of different class. According to the psychological and physiological characteristics of senior middle school students, â€Å"curriculum standard† request English teacher in senior middle school make teaching more artistic. Teachers need to devote a lot of time in acting, singing, drawing, making, ect., and master rules and methods of English teaching of senior middle school to achieve double effects o f teaching. 2.5 Have teaching strategy and culture consciousness quality. â€Å"Curriculum standard† request teachers should consciously use their teaching strategy to help students form suitable individual learning strategy, thus to achieve satisfying learning effect for both teacher and students. English teacher of senior middle school should be student oriented, develop student individuality, help students optimize their learning method and improve self learning ability. Teacher should also emphasize EQ education and cultivate their coordination consciousness and teamwork spirit, and have students learn communication, interaction, listening, appreciation and respect while building confidence. Only autonomous, cooperative and investigative learning can make them build up solid foundation for future society. English is language teaching with rich culture connotations. In English teaching of senior middle school, culture can be Historical geography, local customs and practices, traditional customs, life style, literature and art, dinner Etiquette etc. of English-speaking countries. For example, Unit 1 Anne’s Diary of class in Book 1 involves tears of blood of Jews; Unit 2 English Around the World tells us different standard English of different countries; Unit 3 Travel Journal let us know river of the six states-Mekong River, and Lancang River is the most important international river of Southeast Asia. English teacher of senior middle school should continuously improve their teaching strategy and cross cultural consciousness to be adaptable to English teaching request of â€Å"curriculum standard†. 2.6 Ability to apply multi-media and several kinds of teaching methods. Teachers should master several teaching tools and methods, which is one of the basic quality requests to English teachers of senior middle school by new curriculum standard. Tape recorder, film slide, pictures, self made teaching tools, courseware, multi-media, etc., are all effective teaching tools and methods to attract senior school students to learn English. With the development of science technique that makes great changes of information society, multi-media teaching has entered into urgent era for nationwide popularization. English teacher of senior middle school should be familiarly and freely make use of this modern technique to motivate students’ learning interest of English, cultivate their positive learning attitude and have them positively participate in English activities, thus to improve English teaching efficiency. 3. Role request of New English Curriculum Standard For Senior Middle School to English teacher of senior high school â€Å"Curriculum standard† request English teachers of senior middle school should be quickly adaptable to diversified role change. In total, teacher should play below roles in school education. 3.1 The roles of imparting knowledge and educating people. â€Å"Preacher†, â€Å"teach knowledge and solve confusion†, social request and expectations determine that English teachers of senior middle school should firstly play the role of imparting knowledge and educating people in school education. In modern English class of senior middle school, teacher should change the education from â€Å"one person alone has the say† to â€Å"allow everyone to have they say†, from parental teaching to partner discussion education. Teacher is initiator of human knowledge and educator of teaching by personal example. In students’ eyes, English teacher is living dictionary of English knowledge and also the source of cross cultural consciousness education. Therefore, the knowledge we impart must be accurate and updated, and also contemporary. 3.2 The role of administrator. Besides class teacher, English teacher of senior middle school is also the leader and manager of students group. To ensure the English class to proceed successfully and receive expected effect, teacher should not only â€Å"teach† but also â€Å"manage†, which means on the one side, English teacher should painstakingly organize class teaching, on the other side, emphasize the management of class discipline. There is no doubt that there is cacogenesis in every class. For the growing senior middle school students, teacher should give more positive education, communicate with them calmly, equally walk into their inner world and use more friendly talk, thus to make them sincerely convinced. 3.3 The role of psychological orientation. English teacher of senior middle school should also be a server of psycho hygiene. On the one side, they should guide students to live healthily and positively. For students â€Å"attach too much importance to science and make light of English†, teacher should teach and help him in earnest, and make him not lose this course in the same starting line. For students with â€Å"internet addiction†, teacher should help them hardly cut out the bad habits of net play, help them catch up on drop classes, help them get rid of over self abasement, anxiousness, impulsiveness to regain normal mentality and prevent the happening of different psychological problems. On the other side, when students fail in test and suffer from psychological frustrations, teacher should try to create an understanding and permissive harmonious atmosphere to comfort and cure students’ broken heart in teachers’ expected eyes. 3.4 The role of innovative researcher. English teacher of senior middle school should master modern technology, which is one the guarantee for class teaching quality. Network techniques are the core of modern technology. It provides wide space for class teaching with powerful initiative request, interactive manner, open space and extensive information source. Therefore, the master of computer applicability techniques is one of the standards to evaluate new era teachers. Multi-media provides great platform for English teachers to proceed with listing, speaking, writing and reading trainings. Therefore, we must perfect ourselves in multi-media teaching like self making courseware and film slide by continuously learning, rethinking and constant innovation. We should possess the ideology of â€Å"lifelong learning†, write teaching postscript and paper in time, and become innovative investigative teacher. 4. Conclusion The best way to learn is to learn from the best.† Teaching problem is mainly teacher problem. Quality of teacher had direct influence in the study of students. We can say that excellent English teacher of senior middle school can teach excellent students. Diversification of teacher roles determines the important meaning and weighty responsibility of teacher occupation, and also the high quality request of English teachers of senior middle school. Therefore, under the guidance of â€Å"curriculum standard†, our English teachers of senior middle school should possess high quality and be suitable for transition of diverse roles, so as to become the pioneer of new curricular reform of senior middle school in 21 century and remain invincible.

Analysis of Gerrit van Honthorsts Painting, Musical Group on a Balcony

Analysis of Gerrit van Honthorst's Painting, Musical Group on a Balcony The Dutch painter Gerrit van Honthorst was known in Rome as Gherardo delle Notti (Gerard of the Night Scenes) for his striking use of a single light source to illuminate a dark scene. He was successful in bringing Caravaggio’s lighting techniques with him to the North, influencing many painters, including Rembrandt. But his painting â€Å"Musical Group on a Balcony† is a departure from his customarily dark depictions. This piece was the first Dutch illusionistic ceiling, which Honthorst painted for his own home in Utrecht. Honthorst’s use of perspective, bright yet simple composition, and lighthearted subject matter are representative of the pastoral life that many Renaissance artists celebrated. Seeing the painting mounted on the ceiling in The Getty instead of looking at it straight-on from a computer screen helped me to understand Honthorst’s accomplishment of perspective. Its position on the ceiling forces us to look up at it, and we have a sense of being removed from the jovial scene above us. We are reminded of Marlowe’s poem â€Å"The Passionate Shepherd to His Love,† as the speaker imagines himself and his lover removed from their immediate world, admiring a pastoral scene: â€Å"And we will sit upon the rocks,/ Seeing the shepherds feed their flocks.† The group high above us on the balcony could be the very â€Å"melodious birds† about which Marlowe’s shepherd speaks. Just as we are onlookers of the merry musical group, they look upon us as well, inviting us to join in their merry-making. A man stands with his arms around his lover, as though singing â€Å"Come live with me, and be my love.† The entire group seems to be saying t... ...nd to its earthly, pastoral feel. The Humanist movement encouraged the flourishing and the rediscovery of art, and the way many Renaissance artists chose to do this was to depict life in a bucolic, natural setting. The pastoral life was held up as an ideal and carefree living situation, and the musical group on the balcony fits this perfectly. The composition of the painting is very simple and light; not a lot is going on in this scene, characterizing the carefree country life. Honthorst’s delightful painting captures the essence of an ideal moment in the Renaissance life. Just as the speaker in Marlowe’s poem invites his lover to discover with him all the pleasures that a pastoral life can offer, the group on the balcony urges us to join them in their merry-making. Both entreaties are effective in evoking the sweet and simple music of a carefree life.

Principles Fundamentals Of Marketing Essay

Evolution of the concept of modern marketing The concept of marketing has been present for centuries. However, the concept of modern marketing was established in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The first concept of modern marketing was based on the idea to sell whatever was being produced with no direct relation to what customer required. There were three assumption on which the concept was based: presence of a ready market to absorb whatever was produced, lower production cost to increase profits and just having very few basic product varieties. This was known as marketing done through product orientation and lasted from 1869 to1930 (Stone, 2001, p. 11). The above concept of marketing meant mass-product of products at low costs, which meant surplus of unsold goods, which led to the failure of the theory. Supply had outstripped demand and there was competition among competitors. Hence, at this stage, the demand needed to be tailored to the supply and also the customers needed to be persuaded that their product was better than the competitors. This was the phase when marketing was done via sales orientation and lasted from 1930-1960 (Stone, 2001, p. 11). Many of the sales tactics employed by sales people were dubious and in some cases totally dishonest. This led to customers getting put off by the tactics and led to huge losses for companies. At this stage the companies started recognizing customers as kings and the products started being tailor made for the customers, with much variety. Market segmentation too began at this stage to differentiate between product varieties. A lot of emphasis was put on innovative selling, social responsibility among companies. This is the marketing oriented concept and started from 1960 till the late 1990 (Applbaum, 2004, p. 203). While the concept still works, rapid globalization starting in the 1990s has ensured that the market size cannot be increased beyond a certain stage, and hence many of the companies have started looking at creating demand and satisfying them. This is the latest trend along with the marketing concept and the future belongs to controlling markets by creation of demand among potential customers (Applbaum, 2004, p. 203). Identification of markets The process of marketing commences with the identification of possible markets for the product, and culminates when the customers are satisfied with the products and services provided by the company. The whole idea behind identification of target markets is to find groups of people who consider that purchasing goods or services from the company would bring them benefit or value. Identification of market involves market segmentation, which is to find groups of people with similar wants and needs, so that products can be designed tailoring to the needs of these segments. The segments can be distributed based on gender, age, family size, geographical distribution etc. Target markets should be clearly identifiable and should consist of people who are able to buy the products if they are happy with the idea of possessing it (Weitz, Wensley, 2002, p. 3). Design of products to meet wants & needs Any marketing oriented company views customers as rational human beings having needs that apply universally to all human beings, and wants that consists of values that are rationally optional i.e. their tastes and preferences are logical and necessary for them, but not necessary to all the other human beings. A marketing oriented company then identifies the requirements of customers and designs its products suiting to the needs and wants of the people. In many cases the customers themselves are not aware of these requirements, the company designs a products and then markets them highlighting the requirements their product would fulfill thus creating a demand. Companies require the identification of needs and wants, to identify target markets, perform correct market segmentation, customize the products and sell it to people (Peter, Donnelley, 2002, p. 110). Pricing strategies Pricing is perhaps one of the most important decisions taken by marketing mix elements. This part of the marketing strategy decides organization’s profits, revenues and also to a very large extent competitiveness. Pricing strategies must be consistent with the organization’s marketing objectives and can result in prices that are high, low or neutral as compared to the competitors’ prices. Many companies use a range of pricing strategies which reflects the differences in the product portfolio, and are aimed to generate profits as well as satisfy the customers. Usually pricing of a new product in the market is complex, because everything is based on perceived values for the customers, and the estimates are mostly speculative (Cooper, Argyris, 1998, p. 506) Distribution structures & systems, promotional activities Distribution system ensures that the products reach the end customers with unnecessary delay. Efficient distribution system is directly related to the performance of a company in the market. Distribution channel consists of a combination of institutions through which a seller markets its product to the ultimate customer. Not all companies however have distribution channels, a classic example of which is Dell. However, majority of the large company consider distribution channels as efficient means to transfer the goods to the customers. Following are the elements of major marketing intermediaries or the components of a distribution channel: Middlemen and merchant middlemen, agents, wholesales, retailers, brokers, manufacturers agents and distributors (Peter, Donnelley, 2002, p. 157). While distribution channels facilitate the product reach to the customers, the promotional activities are done to make sure that the customer is aware of the product’s existence in the market. In the present times, this activity is very important due to the multiple sellers available for each product. Many of the company put up promotional offers to make the customers try out their products. Advertising is one of the most important type of promotional activity. In addition to this, many companies also tie up with existing facilities and sponsorship events to promote their products and services (Peter, Donnelley, 2002, p. 132). The evaluation of the marketing effort The evaluation aspect of marketing management involves making carefully judged objectives and media selection and measuring results against pre-determined goals. This activity is important because advertising, promotion and distribution channels are the costs which the company incurs at the time of marketing a product, and the efficiency of the methods would help in determining the effectiveness of these links of marketing management. This process is done through marketing research where the performance of the overall marketing systems is evaluated. It can be done by a third party or by organizing polls by the company or even by calling customers to ask their opinions (Varey, 2002, p. 316) Marketing problem identification Marketing problem identification is the first and foremost step of the marketing research process. The necessity of identification of a problem is very important. Unnecessary broadening or narrowing the scope of marketing problem leads to a waste of efforts and money spent. There must be consensus between the marketing managers and researchers about the specific nature of the problem (Majumdar, 1991, p. 11) Sources of secondary data Secondary data is defined as the data collected earlier for a purpose other than the one currently being pursued. In fact by definition any data, which is available prior to the commencement of marketing research, is secondary data. The key advantage of such data is the low cost and less time required for obtaining the data. It can also give insights to a situation, which may be exploited at a later stage. Care should however be taken to ensure that the data is not obsolete with reference to the problem being studied, and is also relevant (Majumdar, 1991, p. 42) One of the most important sources of secondary data are the government reports. In addition there are many research companies like A.C. Neilson and Co., Arbitron Co. IMS International, and Information Resources International who provide such data. Finally trade groups such as American Medical Association, National Association of Retail Dealers of America, or business publication like Million-dollar Directory and the Encyclopedia of Associations also provide useful secondary data that can be used by companies (Peter, Donnelley, 2002, p. 132). Sampling The sampling process consists of determining the target population on which the research is to be done related to the marketing problem. This target population would determine which elements should be present or not present in the research. Sampling unit is used as a basic unit to select elements from a target population. The next step is to select the sampling frame, which represents the samples from the target population. The perfect sampling frame is one in which every element of the target population is represented only once, and no elements are excluded or repeated. After this comes the sampling techniques which can be of many types like probability and non-probability sampling techniques, single unit and cluster sampling, un-stratified and stratified sampling, equal unit probability and unequal probability sampling, and single stage and multi stage sampling methods. Next step after this is selecting the sample size, which is an important criterion defining the accuracy of the research, but is always constrained by availability of target population and budget for research. This should be balanced to get the most accurate results within a target population. Finally the sampling process is executed by starting out to collect data from the target population (Cant, p.94) Experimentation In experimental research, the researcher manipulates an independent variable and measures its effect. This is done so as to understand the importance of a particular parameter on the target population, which serves to better understand the needs of the population. Experimentation is also used when the relation between variables is required to be measured. Many issues need to be researched while conducting an experimental research like setting up the environment, selection and measurement of dependent variable, the selection and assignment of test units, and control over extraneous and other variables (Cant, 2002, p.94) Data collection, analysis & report presentation After the data is taken from primary or secondary resources, it needs to be collected. The collection process is qualitative or quantitative in nature based on the type of information required. The data collected is analyzed using various techniques, which differ, from the type of source of data being used: primary or secondary. At the end a research report is prepared.   The report should contain the detailed information research process, which was used while conducting the study. The research report should also consist of the reason for the research to take place, give a brief problem statement and define primary and secondary objectives of research. In addition, the report should have the sources of information clearly mentioned. The next part of the report is where the researchers mention their finding, clearly defining the limitations and assumptions taken while conducting the data. The researchers many times include comprehensive tables and graphs to illustrate their findings. Finally based on the data and analysis the research the report gives conclusions and recommendations about the finding and many times also give the possible solutions of the problem. At the time of presentation an oral explanation is always preferred where the concerned parties can discuss and debate about the various finding and conclusions (Cant, 2002, p. 52).                                                                                                                                                 References Applbaum K, (2004), â€Å"The Marketing Era: From Professional Practice to Global   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Provisioning†, Roultedge, Published: New York Cant MN (2002), â€Å"Marketing Research†, New Africa Books, Published: South Africa Cooper CL, Argyris C, (1998), â€Å"The Concise Blackwell Encyclopedia of Management†, Blackwell Publishing. Majumdar R, (1991), â€Å"Marketing Management: Text Applications and Case Studies†, New Age Publishers, Published: New Delhi Peter JP, Donnelley JH, (2002), â€Å"A Preface to Marketing Management†, McGraw-Hill Professional, Published: New York Stone P, (2001), â€Å"Make Marketing Work for You: Boost Your Profits With Proven Marketing Techniques†, How to Books Ltd, Published: Oxford Varey RJ, (2002), â€Å"Marketing Communication: Principles and Practice†, Roultedge, Published: New York Weitz BA, Wensley R, (2002), â€Å"Handbook of Marketing†, SAGE, Published: California

Disability and Sport: Hypermasculinity Explored

Whether you prefer â€Å"the Blade Runner†, â€Å"the Man Without Legs†, â€Å"the Fastest Man on No Legs† or Oscar Pistorius, this young man's story will serve as a case study of mainstreaming in ‘disability sports', specifically in the film Murderball. Pistorius is a 21-year-old South African below the knee amputee who won gold in the 100, 200 and 400 meter events at the 2006 Paralympic Athletics World Championships. Pistorius was regarded as being fast enough to earn a spot for the 200- and 400-meter sprints on South Africa’s Olympic team.Pistorius asked to be allowed to run in the Olympics if he would qualify for his country's Olympic team. The world governing body for track and field (IAAF) ruled on 14 January 2008 – invoking its rule 144. 2 which deals with technical aids – â€Å"that double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius is ineligible to compete in the Beijing Olympics because his prosthetic racing legs give him a clear compet itive advantage† (IAAF, 2008).The story of Pistorius well serve as the example of attempted mainstreaming of disability in sports, on the elite international front. Does the film Muderball make progress in mainstreaming disability through sport? The merits of the film will be analyzed through the lens of the relationship sport and disability, as well as its connotations for mainstreaming in disability. Murderball presents a unique opportunity to reflect on representations of disability in the contemporary North American context.The narrative of the film constructs a rugby wheelchair rivalry between Team U. S. A. , captained by Mark Zupan, and Team Canada, coached by Joe Soars. Murderball does exceptionally well in muddling the notions of people with disabilities as fragile and helpless, countering ableist assumptions about what persons with quadriplegia can accomplish. However, based on a close reading of the film, it is suggested that Murderball accomplishes this disruption t hrough the celebration of ableist, sexist and heterosexist tropes.The following is a critique the film’s construction of the relationship between competitive international sport settings, disability, and masculinity by drawing on anti-normative politics. It is proposed that recuperations of normative identity in Murderball rely on a jingoistic and violent moral authority, while subjecting themselves to the constraints of normalcy. Due to its popularity and its subject matter, the film presents a unique opportunity to reflect on representations of disability, through the unique lens of sport, in the contemporary North American context.In portraying disabled men participating in a highly risk involving contact sport in intensely belligerent nationalist settings, the film differs from the majority of North American cinematic portrayals of disability. As Irving Zola, in his Missing Pieces: A Chronicle of Living With a Disability, points out that â€Å"the use of the concept of d anger was questionable, for a basic human right  is the right to take  risks†, a right which a quadreplegic does not surrender. Murderball serves to humanize disability in this regard.It was compelling to undertake a critical examination of the film that Murderball works exceptionally well to disrupt notions of people with disabilities as fragile and helpless, and that disability was humanized through the story presented. Kurt Lindemann and James Cherney (2008) similarly argue that: â€Å"wheelchair rugby is itself a communicative act that sends a complex message to both the community of sport and our broader social collectives that counters ableist assumptions about what persons with quadriplegia can accomplish† (p. 08). Within the discipline of disability studies, premises of disability have evolved in the last several decades. Nigel Thomas and Andy Smith (2009) note that there has been â€Å"a shift from medical, individualized definitions and ideologies of disa bility to more socially constructed explanations of disability, which place more responsibility for disability on mainstream society† (p. 23). The medical model, however, is not without its merits. Disability has become a topic in sport sociology with increasing depth in recent years.Themes that have commonly been addressed include: disability sport policies, governing bodies, and the opportunities for participation they provide; media portrayals of disability sport; the ways that athlete’s identities are negotiated through medical and social models of disability; and the role sports play in managing the stigmatization of athletes with disabilities. Within the study of the sociology of sport masculinity has become a dominant topic of discussion. David Howe and Carwyn Jones (2006) consider the classification of disabled athletes into competitive classes in amateur associations and Paralympic competition.They claim that the International Paralympic Committee has marginali zed the disability sports community by controlling classification systems and imposing restrictions on opportunities for equitable sports practice. Their justification is, that this threatens the ideology of Paralympism while ignoring the empowerment of non-elite athletes (Howe & Jones, 2006, p. 44). While providing an analysis of sport’s structure, choices, and fairness for participants of all abilities, Howard Nixon (2007) advocates for the creation of diverse sports opportunities for people with disabilities.My critique of Murderball does not extend to the sport’s governing body, or policies that effect the sport, however the case study of Oscar Pistorius serves this exact purpose. How do individuals with disabilities negotiate their identities through sport? Both social and medical models of disability affect disability sport participants’ identity formation, while success in international disability sport may lead to positive subjectivity, changed self-unde rstanding, and an increased sense of personal empowerment.Much research of participation in disability sports at the school age indicates that physical activity is a normalizing experience for these children as it facilitates friendships and social identity (Taub & Greer, 2000). The problems of normative aspects of the representation of athletes with disabilities in Murderball demonstrates that people with profound disabilities can be aggressive and athletic. It must be noted that all of the people with disabilities depicted in Murderball are elite athletes in international competition who are shown making aggressive plays on the court and whose off court commentary is full of macho bravado.The limited representation of people with disabilities in popular films may be partially attributed to the pursuit of profit. In attempt to appeal to the largest audience possible and to increase box office and rental sales, narratives are filed with homogenizing representations and saleable them es. Normative narratives allow the maximum projected audience to relate to the story, by relaying common themes such as normative masculinity Murderball subscribes to this familiar scheme by placing the athletes at the center of a very conservative political project.The film positions quad-rugby players as worthy subjects of the documentary according to their ability to participate in a sport that requires affirmations fitting with normative masculinity such as power, violence, hypersexuality, and strength. Meanwhile, The players’ contentions with stereotypes associated with disability is unfortunately overtaken by a seemingly constant reiteration of the athletes' capacity for athletic competition, and this is demonstrated through their sport participation and physicality.This situates the athletes’ conformity to hegemonic masculinity in that â€Å"the athletic male body has been a mark of power and moral superiority for those who bear it† (Dutton in Dworkin ; W achs, 2000, p. 49). The opening scene effectively illustrates the ethos of the film in this respect. Mark Zupan undresses and gets himself ready for a workout. As he begins to dress in athletic shorts, he removes his shirt revealing a defined white, muscular torso, his physical presence doesn't seem weak or fragile. He is clearly capable of dressing himself, the absence of a sound track is noted as uncharacteristic for contemporary North American cinema.This leaves an uncomfortable silence as accompaniment for an intimate moment rarely depicted on camera. The mere fact that he has an obvious impairment and uses a wheelchair is also atypical for popular cinema. This silent visual representation provides context for the film’s opening credits and sets up the primary subject of the film. The uncomfortable image is contrasted with Mark Zupan’s capacity to be independent and fill the screen with his presence. His large bold tattoo is featured in the center of the picture as he lifts his leg with his hands.Zupan assembles a wheelchair highlighting its mechanical efficiency with close up shots of nuts, bolts, spokes and a battered metal surface covered with an American flag sticker. An electric motor makes noise, as the wheels are pumped up. The name Zupan is affixed to the pump with athletic tape. Although he does not represent completely normative masculinity as a man with a disability, the other aspects of his presence in this scene – his strength, his ability to perform complex technical tasks self sufficiently, and his loud tattoo and goatee – are symbolic of a strong masculine physicality.His embodiment also works to code his non-conformity as marketable. On a surface level, then, the film’s popularity can be considered a success for disability cultural activist movement. It is an authentic portrayal of a disabled subculture that avoids the traditional narrative traps of many mainstream disability films. The audience is immedi ately directed to check their well- intentioned sympathies at the door, along with any preconceived notions about the fragility of the disabled body. Disability sexuality, a taboo and uncomfortable ground for many non-disabled viewers, is reclaimed with a vengeance.Indeed, one of the difficulties in analyzing Murderball is that its most radical features are simultaneously its most conventional. Thus, while non-disabled viewers may find their assumptions and stereotypes challenged by the masculine sexual bravado of Murderball’s quadriplegic rugby players, there may be a simultaneous sense of relief at the ironclad endurance of male heterosexual privilege. Heterosexuality no longer functions as evidence that a disabled masculinity has finally been ‘cured’; instead, it is the masculinization of disability that holds the power to rehabilitate heteronormativity from its own gender trouble.Therefore, Murderball serves as an interesting case study of the intersection be tween disability studies and masculinity. The popularity of this film demonstrates a powerful cultural backlash against representational histories that have conflated feminization, male homosexuality, and disability. The film successfully remasculinizes its subjects, celebrating disability and strength, resulting in the inevitable hypermasculine body. Ironically, the rhetoric of masculinity in Murderball is also the source of its anatgonism. The film's ‘crip' critique of able-bodiedness relies on repeated heteromasculine performances.A close reading of the film reveals masculinity as the visual mechanism through which disability is beginning to find its place on the contemporary cultural stage. Murderball harnesses the normalizing powers of masculinity, presenting a narrative of gender that helped to generate mainstream appeal in the box office and, more importantly, mainstream approval of a stigmatized social identity. A question that must be mentioned is what does the film M uderball mean for quadripelegic women? The same logic that masculinizes the quadriplegic or paraplegic man also functions to both masculinize and desexualize the quadriplegic or paraplegic woman.Disabled women, and particularly disabled female athletes, are not celebrated as having been liberated from oppressive conventions of gender, nor are they given access to normative femininity. Indeed the few images of disabled women that the documentary presents function more as a set of brief snapshots that, while easy to miss, momentarily interrupt the temporal, and often verbal, logic through which these ‘boys’ become ‘men’. These more or less static images haunt the film’s perimeter, a subtle threat to the coherence of a narrative that celebrates quadriplegia as the natural outcome of the hypermasculine male body.The concept of mainstreaming has been prominently constant in the world of disability for many years, while its definition has evolved substanti ally. Mainstreaming, initially referring to merely placing individuals with disabilities in regular classes with able-bodied individuals, was introduced in the 1960s (Reynolds, 1962). The majority of professionals in the disability field did not accept mainstreaming. It was mostly regarded as â€Å"a statement of what could or should be possible† (Aufesser, 1991).Initially, the premise of mainstreaming only included integrating those with ‘mild disabilities' and definitely not those with physical disabilities. During the movement of deinstitutionalization in the 1970s, the definition of mainstreaming underwent a significant shift. The ‘new' interpretation of mainstreaming is highlighted by the Cascade System, a model first proposed by Reynolds in 1962 and amended and reintroduced by Deno in 1970. This revolution, of sorts, gave way to new terms such as ‘normalization', ‘least restrictive alternative', and ‘continuum of service'.The Cascade System can be characterized as a two-box system in which parallel but separate educational programs for regular and special education operate within school buildings. The implementation of the Cascade system was difficult at best, and nonexistent a lot of the time. The model helped create understanding and support around a better system that â€Å"facilitates tailoring of treatment to individual needs rather than a system for sorting out children so they will fit conditions designed according to group standards not necessarily suitable for the particular case† (Deno, 1970, p. 35). The philosophy behind this model is commendable and is the only logical framework within which to develop a system of mainstreaming. Therefore, Murderball has already been mainstreamed in some regards. The excitement and intensity of the sport attract a large following, able-bodied and disabled alike. The stories of Pistorius and Mark Zupan extend beyond bionic runners and wheelchair rugby. Several other issues arose as a result of the Pistorius controversy.Can the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities, the newest human rights instrument for people with disabilities, give some guidance? By invoking the rule 144. 2 and dealing with technical aids for Olympic, Paralympic, other-lmypic, and international sport, it opened the dialogue for further progress. The future of ‘enhancements' and their impact on the Olympics, Paralympics, other-lympic, and international sport has not been thoroughly researched, and it is expected that an increase work into this issue will emerge.Another interesting dynamic that is touched upon is the relationship between the Olympics, Paralympics, other –lympics and international sports. Will we be exposed to any changes in the relationship between the ‘lympics' due to the Pistorius case? Bottom of Form Deno, E. (1970). Special education as developmental capital. Exceptional Children, 37, mildly retarded—Is much of i t justifiable? 229-237. Works Cited Dworkin, S. , ; Wachs, F. (2000). The Morality/Manhood Paradox. In J. McKay (Ed. ), Masculinities, gender relations, and sport. (pp. 47—65).Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Gramsci, A. (1971). Selections from the Prison Notebooks. Hoare, Q. ; Nowell Smith, J. (Trans. ; Eds. ). New York: International Publishers. Howe, P. D. , ; Jones, C. (2006). Classification of disabled athletes: (Dis)empowering the Paralympic practice community. Sociology of Sport Journal, 23(1), 29—46. â€Å"IAAF Oscar Pistorius – Independent Scientific study concludes that cheetah prosthetics offer clear mechanical advantages†, International Association of Athletics Federations, 14 Jan 2008, available at:http://www. aaf. org/news/newsId=42896,printer. html; Kurt Lindemann and James L. Cherney. â€Å"Communicating In and Through â€Å"Murderball†: Masculinity and Disability in Wheelchair Rugby. †Ã‚  Western Journal of Communication  (2008): 107-25. Lead Article. Taub, D. E. , ; Greer, K. R. (1998). Sociology of acceptance revisited: Males with physical disabilities participating in sport and physical fitness activity. Deviant Behavior, 19(3), 279—302. Thomas, N. , ; Smith, A. (2009). Disability, sport and society: An introduction. New York: Routledge.

An Online Tool Hyperlocally Targets Language Usage

An Online Tool Hyperlocally Targets Language Usage An Online Tool Hyperlocally Targets Language Usage An Online Tool Hyperlocally Targets Language Usage By Mark Nichol According to a recent news article, thanks to Internet magic, online companies can identify hyperlocal vocabulary, which might have an impact on language usage and the development of tomorrow’s vocabulary. Yelp, the popular online search and review site, now has a feature on its site called Wordmaps, which shows visitors the concentration of use of certain words in certain geographical areas as small as city intersections. (The service, as of this writing, is limited to eighteen words used in a dozen American and Canadian cities, plus London and Paris, but it’s certain to expand its linguistic and geographical scope.) What are the ramifications of such a surgically specific service? Think of the possibilities for advertising and marketing: Anyone will be able to search a neighborhood, city, or region to determine the relative prominence of certain words. Real estate agents can note the prevalence of Yelp reviews that mention great restaurants, exciting shopping opportunities, superior schools, and sophisticated cultural experiences. Cities, counties, and states can attract prospective residents and tourists by publicizing the incidence of inhabitant- and visitor-friendly keywords. Businesses in general can take advantage of such data to encourage customers and clients to flock to certain places. Is this a good thing, or a bad thing? I’m not passing judgment on it; I just find it interesting, although it’s simply a more technologically sophisticated way of selling a locale something people have been doing since the dawn of civilization (and perhaps earlier). Here’s what interests me: This kind of tool will also have an impact on our language not necessarily a sea change, but something worth commenting on. People who are more technologically savvy will be more likely to employ this type of service and its offshoots. Technologically savvy people are more likely to drive social and cultural change. Thus, Yelp’s Wordmaps and similar tools are likely to accelerate adoption of slang and trendy locutions, to raise the profile of some words and phrases and speed the obsolescence of others. Again, this is nothing new, but the way it is accomplished and the speed with which it might be accomplished is new. It’s analogous to any form of information dissemination: Think of how alphabets, the printing press, journalism, telegraphy, telephony, radio, television, and the Internet, in turn, each revolutionized the way we communicate, introducing new terms and concepts faster and more widely than ever before. Yelp’s Wordmaps is another chapter in that story. Will it have an effect on your professional or personal writing? To some extent, it will but whether it’s measurable or noticeable remains to be seen. However, if you’re in the business of selling and if you write professionally, you are you might want to keep an eye on this new technology. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Business Writing category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:The Yiddish Handbook: 40 Words You Should KnowAmong vs. AmongstIs "Number" Singular or Plural?

Shooting an Elephant by George Orwell

Shooting an Elephant by George Orwell Free Online Research Papers Orwell says that even though he hated British imperialism and sympathized with the Burmese people, he found himself a puppet of the system. A lot of what happened to me in about the past two weeks relates to a lot of what happened to Orwell in Shooting the Elephant. In the last two weeks my ex girlfriend met some new guy. The problem was he was twenty years old while she was only fifteen. So as much as it hurt that my ex girlfriend met a new guy, because we were still in love with each other. We were just dysfunctional. I felt like I was in a rock and a hard place. As much as I hated that fact that she was with another guy, I couldn’t tell anyone because, one that would be pretty disrespectful of their personal business and two they would both get in a lot of trouble. Especially the guy who was 4 or so years older than Diane. It all started about a month ago, two weeks after Diane and I broke up, she brought the guy she met to paintball, and that’s where I met him for the first time. I was extremely heartbroken and also extremely angry. But to be the nice guy I am I met him and got to know the guy. As much as I hated it I put a smile on my face and kept myself talking to the guy. All I wanted to do what just hit in square in the face and walk away. But with everyone around, and the kind of person I am, that was not an option. Especially since the paintball field was ran by my church ministry. Throughout the week I find out that they’re talking more and more, and Diane and I are talking less and less. All I want to do is call her up and apologize to her about what happened to us and just see if there was any way we could get back together. I still feel that we. It’s tremendously hard to not just kiss her or call her honey while I’m with her. Just like today, Diane and I were talking about where we were; out of habit I subconsciously started to hold her hand while we were sitting together. I guess I feel bad for the new guy a little bit, because he was caught in the middle of our breakup. As Diane and I are trying to get over each other, this guy starts to have feelings for her. Diane warns him that she can’t date anyone for a long time because she’s still not over me. But he doesn’t care, he likes her and it seems like the gets what he wants. All of this can relate to what happened to Orwell in â€Å"Shooting the Elephant†. As he’s the mediator between the British Imperialism he had Burmese I was, in a way, the mediatory between Diane and the new guy. I had to succumb to what Diane wanted, which was me to stay out of her business and I had to pretend that I liked it, and then I also had to keep the new guy happy or, I’m fairly sure he would of hurt her to get back at me. Research Papers on Shooting an Elephant by George OrwellHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows EssayHip-Hop is ArtCapital PunishmentBook Review on The Autobiography of Malcolm XWhere Wild and West MeetTrailblazing by Eric AndersonNever Been Kicked Out of a Place This NiceBringing Democracy to AfricaThe Hockey GamePersonal Experience with Teen Pregnancy