Financial Institutions Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Financial Institutions - Research Paper Example After reviewing the trend in banking branches, it is determined that there is a huge increase in bank branches then in 1934. Bank branches were very almost nonexistent in the 1930’s and increased as time went on. The increase in branches has shown a steady decrease in institutions. These increases and decreases show an overall increase in facilities. It seems that the public has more access to banking facilities then in 1934. There were 14,146 offices available in 1934 and in 2009 there are over 90,159. The trend shown for banking statistics shows that consolidating is a growing and continuing trend. This can be proven true since, almost every street in modern day America is home to a branch location. Some financial institutions house as many as 50 different financial institutions. This is good in a way that individuals can choose which financial institution to bank with. Despite the regulations that protect banks from failure, some do fail. Go to www2.fdic.gov/hsob/. Select t he tab labeled â€Å"Bank and Thrift Failures†. How many bank failures occurred in the USA during the most recent calendar year? What were the total assets held by the banks that failed? How many banks failed in 1937? In 2010 name the top three states where bank failures occurred. 2. ... The difference in bank loss assets differ by millions of dollars. This is proof that there is more money available and out in the American economy compared to the 1930’s. In 2010 there were also many bank failures. The top three states that produced bank failures were Florida, Georgia and Illinois. This was determined by totaling the number of failures in each state. Of the states listed, the most failures were in the given states. Whilst looking at the bank failure data choose one bank in Washington State and provide a two page synopsis of the bank condition (asset size, equity, derivatives book etc) at the time of failure. Also, conduct a media (newspaper/trade journal search) of any news regarding the failed bank you are researching. Did the board of directors consent to the closing? Name the date when Order for Taking Possession took place. Provide the name of the bidder that assumed the deposits of the bank. Was it necessary for the FDIC to create an interim bank to handl e deposits for customers? 3. After reviewing bank failures, it is important to examine which banks failed and why the banks failed. The FDIC helps regulate certain banking aspects to try and prevent failure but sometimes it is out of the FDIC’s hands and nothing can be done. There could be many reasons as to why a bank would fail. Banks fail for many different reasons like a poor economy and improper management. Sometimes it has nothing to do with the bank and its employees but rather the amount of loans out. When a bank has many loans out and the borrowers are unable to pay, the banks take a loss. A bank that has failed in 2010 is the North County Bank. The bank is located in Arlington, in the state of Washington. This

Men and women Essay Example for Free

Men and women Essay This puritanical view of relationships bears much resemblance to many religious values from many different religions. Atwood paints the deprivation of love and sex as a cold and lonely picture, she asks the reader to question whether the suppression of such natural, basic emotional needs is healthy or rational. This is highlighted by the beautification of the natural world, namely flowers which are an old and common image of fertility. In Gilead, it is women who are particularly sexually suppressed, as men earn the right to a wife and a handmaid, whereas women are simply the rewards. Through the haunting narrative of loneliness and longiong, Atwood leads us to question why reactionary forces fell it so necessary to try and surpress sexuality. In the end, one concludes that it is only by surpressinng the most fundamental of our desires, the desire to be loved, and that includes the manifestations of that love, sex, that a society can exercise absolute control. In the novel, sexuality is equated with feedom. Women have very limited movement within Gilead, they are watched everywhere they go, either by Gaurdians, Angels or Aunts. Careers are prohibited from women, they have to perform a function which contributes to the home. This is related to many religious beliefs, which teach that the role of the woman is in the home. It is also about control, if women are permitted independence then they will strive for other freedom as well, One has to sever all independace in order to gain control, and submissiveness. The tasks within the home are divided into three categories; Wives, Marthas and handmaids. Wives are mothers and wives, they have the relationships, with both children and husband. Marthas are designated the housekeeping, specifically the cooking and cleaning. Handmaids are vessels of procreation. This is obviously very similar to more primitive societies where women have been purely housekeepers. Womens Rights Campaigns still demand recognition of motherhood as a difficult and necessary job, alluded to ironically when Offred silently offers her mother this interpretation of a womens culture. The division of tasks may at first appear more fair, women have a smaller workload, they do not have to play so many roles. However, the categorization of women is really a means to control. It enables the authorities to keep stricter hand in whats going on. Clothing denotes your role, so people are easily recognisable. This dehumanises women, it makes them like machines,a production line rather than people. Gileads theory is that is you narrow peoples life enough, and teach them to think of themselves as machines, then they will no longer want as many human things, and will be happy to be instructed like machines are. Pear Freedom of self expression is regulated within Gilead, ways of communication including speech and writing are forbidden. This prevents unnecessary communication between people, and is a barrier to the spread of ideas, any forms of seditious organisation and confidence. This lack of communication yet again demeans people to things. Writing is also forbidden because there are no rights to education. This doesnt protect women in any paticular way, it protects the society which is protecting women. Existing educative tools, such as books are forbidden, the library where the cwntral character |Offred works is shut dow by the Gaurds. These ideas are seen as evil, and corrupting. This return to ignorance is reminiscent of many religions, who previously acted as a spiritual police keeping the population ignorant, in order to keep control of people, their values and thus their behaviour. In the time before people chose to be unaware of many of the violent and destructive aspects of their society. However, the information was there, so it was a choice how you responded to it, Ignoring isnt the same as Ignorance, you have to work at it. In the new tyranny people are not given the choice, however they dont have to work at ignoring it, they are protected form the truth, or hidden from the reality. 1. Explore Atwoods presentation of . in the Handmaids Tale The Handmaids Tale contains many strong female characters, of whom Serena Joy is one. Atwood portrays Serena sometimes with hostility and at other times sympathetically. Offred remembers that Serena Joy used to be a child gospel star, from which she developed into a media personality advocating ultra-conservative politis and preching about the sanctity of he home, she was a part of the very right wing Christian movement. She is presented as fake, able to cry and laugh at the same time, lacking sincerity and somewhat superficial, which is suggested by Offreds observation that her hair looks as if it is died. Atwood suggests the hypocracy of her situation, in which she encouraged women to stay home and adhere to traditional roles of wife and mother. She didnt practise this herself however, preferring to establish a career for herself as a TV personality. Ironically, under the Gileadean regime whenb all Serenas ideals are enforced, she is unhappy . Offred says that She stays in her home, but it doesnt seem to agree with her, Serena is unable to live by her own ideas and prefers to spend time stting in her subversive garden. Flowers are a recurring motif in the novel, representing fertility, which Serena lacks. She is unable to conceive and thus cannot fulfil the trditional female roles, and so has to have a Handmaid in her home, which she cleal resents. Her declining physical health is a constnat reminder of her physical inabilities and her fading femininity. This is a stark contrast to the young blond girl, and her bitterness and loneliness creates pathos for her trapped situation. Despite her declining physical healtg, serena mentally tough, illustrated at the end of the novel when the commander hides behind her as offred leaves, and on Offreds arrival when Aserena is defiant, her chin is clenched like a fist. Her metal strength and deire to rebel parallels many of the other strong female characters in the novel; Moira, Ofgken and Offreds mother. She is contrasted wit themselves as well, as whilst slogans used by offreds mother may gave been pervertred to suit the regime, sSerena fundamentall desired the regime until she got it. Serena is also doubled with Offred, both are desperate for a child and attentions rest on the Commander. Tjough these two women both srive for common aim concerning children, they are always in conflict because of their differing status. Serena is higher up the hierarchical ladder than Offred and thus has a lot of power over her life, Atwood makes a mockery of the feminist notion of Sisterhood conveyed most clearly n the Birth Day, and is perhaps also commenting on the notion of sisterhood witin our own society when women oppress other women. Some pathos is created through Serenas situation in a a love triangle with offred and the Commander. Serena is portrayed as very lonely, and the commander tells offred that she doesnt understand me which suggests Serens is not in love with her husband, however she is very hurt to find out about his illicit affair, You could have left me something. Her character can also be seen as a parody of the Virtuous Woman, which is what she had presented herself as being. She is estranged from her husband, jealous of her handmaid and has nothing to do other than knit and gossip. Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Margaret Atwood section.

The Foreign Policy Decision Making Politics Essay

The Foreign Policy Decision Making Politics Essay Politic like any other concept in the social science can be defined in various ways and also politics can be said to be universal meaning politics is very were. According to Aristotle man is a political animal. To him every human being belonged to a state and no man could be self-fulfilment outside the state. Individual, when isolated he said is not self-sufficingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ But he who is unable to live in society or who has no need because he is sufficient for himself must be either a beast or a god (Somervill J. and Santoni R. E, 1963, 61,62). As men find themselves in a society they have to make decision for them self or take decision from other making them act in a political manner. One can say that poltics happen in every environment even in the bedroom were the man or the woman has to take certain decisions there. Many scholars try to define politica in their own way, in the book of Robert Dahl Modem political Analysis (1976, 1-12), Harold D. Lasswell defined politics as who gets what, when and how, to David Easton another scholer scholar of poltical science said the discipline concerns itself with the authoritative allocation of values whiles Max Weber a German sociology defines politics as a relationship of power, rule and authority. The common element in these and several other definition of politics and political activity is that they all agree with Aristotle that every society consists of rulers and the ruled. Therefore in every human community there is the present of power, authority or rule. A policy is typically described as a principle or rule to guide decisions and achieve rational outcomes. The term is not normally used to denote what is actually done; this is normally referred to as either procedure or protocol. Policies are generally adopted by the Board of or senior governance body within an organization whereas procedures or protocols would be developed and adopted by senior executive officers. A policy can be considered as a Statement of Intent or a Commitment. For that reason at least, the decision-makers can be held accountable for their Policy. A policy maker is a person with power to influence or determine policies and practices at an international, national, regional, or local level. It can be said to be the actions and inaction of government, what the government planned to do or not to do. Polity,is used to described a political institution or stureture such as those institution responsible for making the policy or those that the policy pass through before they actual become policies, these include the ministry, department and agancies of a state or government. It can be used to also described a potical system. The process of making policies is some kind of the activity of the granding mill that is how the granding mill operates. We have the machine were u will but your millet or corn inside it for it to grand and it will come out not as millet or core but as flour and when it is well not granded u will put it back into the mill again to grand it until you get a well granded flour. The same apply to policies, here the millet or the corn will be the bill which is influenced mostly by politics and the machinc will be the polity that is the various institution who work on the bill before it becomes a policy and the flour which is the final product will be the outcome that is the policy itself. Just like the granding will machine when the policy is not well done or does not achieve it aim it has to go through the machine again until it suit the country and the people. In the process of making a policy it is affected by several factors such as interest groups, public opinion, media and so on. These factors can be grouped into two forms that is the internal and external environment. These two forms of the environment affect the outcome of a policy or shape the policy outcome. Foreign policy decision making According to Chanan (2002, 2), three main models will be used to built a general model into which the role of the media can be seen. The focus of these models is recognizing the environment as major input of foreign policy decision making processes. In explaining these three models chanan made used of scholarly work. According Snyder et al. (1969:203), Decision makers act upon and respond to conditions and factors that exist outside them and the governmental organization of which they are a part. Setting has two aspects: external and internal. . Setting is really a set of categories of potentially relevant factors and conditions that may affect the action of any state These authors describe the internal setting as a human environment composed of culture and population and include public opinion (Snyder et al., 1969:201; 203). If we adopt a revised perspective on this setting, the media may be a major component of this environment. It can be described as the tool which expresses the non-governmental interpretations and expectations of the various members or groups of the society as described in Snyders model (Snyder et al., 1969:204), as well as a tool to express government policy in state-owned or dominated media. Michael Brecher developed a much more detailed framework for foreign policy decision-making analysis, and he incorporated the media explicitly as the communication network within the political system which enables the flow of information about the operational environment to the incumbent elite (Brecher, 1972:11; 183-207). Brechers framework is environmental in its design, and he believes that: The foreign policy system comprises an environment or setting. The operational environment defines the setting in which foreign policy decisions are taken. The concept of setting refers to a set of potentially relevant factors and conditions, which may affect a states external behaviour. The operational environment thus sets the parameters or boundaries within which decision-makers must act. (Brecher,1972:2-4). But Brecher, like the other authors, does not incorporate the media explicitly as one of the input variables of the foreign policy decision-making process. By input variable I mean an external factor, part of the international environment. Perceiving the media as an input variable means understanding its role in influencing society and politics, in agenda setting and in constructing reality. Brecher and the other scholars of foreign policy see the media in a narrower way, as a channel through which the operational environment can have an impact on the foreign policy process. This impact exists only to the extent that it is communicated to the elite. Information may be communicated in a variety of ways: the mass media press, books, radio, and TV (Brecher, 1972:10). Brecher and Snyder (et al.), and later Papadakis and Starr perceive the media as an internal component of the process, a channel to deliver messages from the diplomatic-political-security environment to the leaders. Such media, as information channels, have a minimal role in influencing leaders and their decisions. The broader perspective, which does not exist in the international relations literature, suggests that the media are part of the external-international environment which influences policy, and perceives the press and TV as external components or sources, as an input variable which drives decision processes as the other external input variables of the environment (i.e., regional power structure, other actors economic capabilities, etc.). In a more subtle way, the media may be seen not only as part of the international environment, but also as part of the internal environment of the state. In the state the media are not just information channels, they form a communication network influencing policy from within the state, as well as the party system, interest groups or the socio-economic stratification of society. A third environmental foreign policy decision-making model was developed by Papadakis and Starr (1987) to analyze the process in small states, but it is relevant to dealing with other states as well. The environment which forms the input for the policy-making process is described as a structure of opportunities, risks, and potential costs and benefits, constraining the decision makers (Russett and Starr, 1992:21). The authors did not incorporate the mass media into their model, neither as forming part of the societal level of environment, nor as part of the opportunities or constraints internally influencing a government in its foreign policy decision-making process it should be noted that all these models see the role of the image as an important mechanism in the decision-making process which is also strongly influenced by the media (Brecher, 1972, 11-13; Elitzur, 1986;Vertzberger, 1990). The image is a the total cognitive, affective, and evaluative structure of the behavior unit, or its internal view of itself and the universe (Boulding in Brecher, 1972:13). According to Chanan (2002,6) The media have a twofold role in the environment., they first provide input into the process as an independent variable added to environments described in the former models of Snyder et al., Brecher and Papadakis and Starr. Here the leaders react to the perceived reality as constructed by the press and take it into consideration. The second one is that it is part of the environment which foreign policy makers try to affect or influence by making their decisions. This implies that these leaders who perform in an environment which includes the media take political decisions to solve problems, but at the same time they try to make such decisions that will improve their image or develop a campaign that will affect the media dealing with the relevant international events and interactions. This is he said is the output environment component of the environment. The effect of the media on foreign policies Making The effects of the media on foreign policy decision making can be seen in two (2) fold or it is a double-enged saw. At one enged or side the media is seen as an input variable influencing foreign policy decision making process and at the other enged or side it is seen as an output variable, which compels leaders to relate to it in their decisions ( chanan 2002:7) One way through which the media effect foreign policy decision making process is through agenda settings. Paul Lazarsfeld and Robert Merton (1971) in their work gave the social role of the media as Status-Conferral function. To Lazarsfeld and Merton ( 1971:560-561) this role means the mass media confer status on public issues, persons, organizations, and social movements. Common experience as well as research testifies that the social standing of persons or social policies is raised when these command favorable attention in the mass media. The mass media bestow prestige and enhance the authority of individuals and groups by legitimizing their status In trying to look at the role of the media in foreign policy decision process, Bernard cohen (1963) made used of this idea. To Cohen ( 1963:12-13), It is here, in the description of the political environment and the suggestion of the policy alternatives that give the best promise of managing the environment, that we shall find the press playing such an important role in current thinking about foreign policy. This map-making function of the press is so central to the real impact of the press in the foreign policy field that a few words of elaboration may be appropriate. . Cohen (1963, 177) went on to say that For most of the foreign policy audience, the really effective political map of the world that is to say, their operational map of the world is drawn by the reporter and the editor, not by the cartographer. The press.. may not be successful much of the time in telling people what to think, but it is stunningly successful in telling its readers what to think about. The last statement is the basis for agenda setting approach, which is mostly related to Maxwell McCombs (1972; 1981). McCombs (1972;177) stated that, While the mass media may have little influence on the direction or intensity of attitudes, it is hypothesized that the mass media set the agenda for each political campaign, influencing the salience of attitudes toward the political issues McQuail (1994:356-357) presented this approach as a four-fold hypothesis: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Public debate is represented by salient issues (an agenda for action) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ The agenda derives from a combination of public opinion and political choice. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Mass media news and information reflect the content and order the priority of issues à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ This representation of issues in the mass media exerts an independent effect on issue content and on relative salience in public opinion. The mass media is greatly relied upon to keep the public and government apprised of crucial developments and events on the world stage as they unfold. Most times, the only source of information available to the public is the media and as such, the media forms the basis of views and opinions on world events and issues as it massively influences public opinion thereby setting the agenda for government policy. The media has become an instrument of power that influences government policies and can surpass national boundaries; the media through agenda setting makes issues somewhat important to the public, and the policy makers to take action (Tumber and palmer, 2004). The rise in the availability of real-time news cause policy makers to react swiftly than before to public opinion. This influence of the media on the public or government could be achieved by either impacting on the public who in turn will put pressure on the governments to make certain decisions considered therefore as an indirect influence on policy making, or by creating an impression on the policy makers themselves thereby prompting them to action. The media played a role in influencing the war in Iraq. Saddam Husseins ability to acquire and produce weapons of mass destruction (WMD), his cruel and inhumane acts to his own people, using chemical agents on his people is enough evidence to prove his ability to use WMD on an enemy or opponent (Mazarr, 2007). However, this was not the only reason the United States relied on to take a unilateral decision to invade Iraq and oust the dictator. Certainly, the media played an important role in conveying the message to the public. It easily used information concerning Saddam Hussein atrocities to prompt US public opinion and defend President Bushs stand to wage war against Iraq. The congress of the United States was also influenced by the information transmitted by the media as the resolution to go to war with Iraq was deliberated in front of millions of viewers. The presidents decision to go to war was justified by the media through the messages communicated to the public. Although it could be argued that the decision was already made in advance, but the media was used to capture successfully the deliberations of the US congress. The media made sure that the American public saw and heard continuously about the evil to be confronted so as to enhance the safety of the world. Framing The media construct reality with another tool, called framing. This technique is important, since any political conflict centers on the struggle over interpretive frames (Wolfsfeld, 1993, xiii; Wolfsfeld, 1997a, 13-30, 31-35, Scheufele, 1999,103-122). In this process, the media transform the nature of events through formats, which constitute ideological or value perspectives in which the media focus on story lines, symbols, and relevant stereotypes (Entman, 1991; Entman and Rojecki, 1993; Entman and Page, 1994; Iyengar and Simon, 1994, 171). The evidence indicates that individuals views of national issues are altered by the way in which television news frames them (Iyengar, 1994, 141). Therefore, in the competition over media frames some relevant factors should be analyzed, such as the ways in which political actors are referred to; and nuances of the use of language (e.g., in headlines) (Roeh and Nir, 1993, 178-180; Wolfsfeld, 1997a, 49). Finally, framing is the process in which the media create the images that reflect and filter reality in the foreign policy decision-making processes. The media as an output environment We are now going to look at the media as an output variable. We are going to see the role of the media as part of the environment which foreign policy makers try to affect or influence when making decisions. To chanan (2002;8) this means that leaders who perform in an environment which includes the media make political decisions to solve problems, but at the same time try to make decisions that will improve their image or develop a campaign that will affect the media that deal with the relevant international events and interactions. The media management How do the leaders (and their media advisors) join foreign-policy decisions with considerations that take into account the media environment? How do they try to affect the media to reflect a favorable attitude, or to frame their side of the story in an international conflict? This is achieved by media management (MM), defined with the common term spin. The processes of utilizing the media are varied and apply to national as well to foreign policies (Gergen, 1991; Ben Eliyahu, 1993; Cook, 1998; Kurtz, 1998; Paletz, 1998; Pfetsch, 1998). These policies can range from initiating coverage to government-arranged censorship; from classifying information and data to pooling journalists (see figure 4). Moreover, journalists may be restricted in their movement, accredited selectively, or favored by leaders according to their positive-supportive coverage. Administrations and governments who need the media to cover their political activities and their foreign policy should promote give and take relations with the press. Who is in Charge? In managing the media covering decision-making, governments use professionals, public relations specialists or marketing professionals. These professionals work together with the ministerial level and alongside the spokespersons in charge of media relations in the relevant offices. Furthermore, they consider allowing these spokespersons and even some of the professionals to be present at the decision-making process. The optimal method is allowing them to be involved in the processes and contribute their professional input. MM or spin techniques are used on the diplomatic front to promote peace processes, as well as in times of conflict and war. When foreign policy decisions are made, or peace policies are adopted, governments may accompany these policies with threefold PR strategies toward the media. Foreign policy officials (and their media advisors) can disregard or ignore the press (e.g., not convey any message to the media); they can try to develop a spin (as explained earlier); or they can adopt a policy that is only media-oriented (e.g., only publishing public announcements without any real political action). By choosing any of these options, a government influences the media by regulating the flow of information. It is trying to affect the political environment through the media while competing with the opposing political powers, who try to influence the media as well. When governments succeed in taking control of diplomatic events and enjoy a high degree of public consensus, the news media become supportive, and the role of the PR professionals is intended to preserve and promote this support. But when a government loses control over the political-diplomatic process, the media become independent and critical (Wolfsfeld, 1997a, 25; Wolfsfeld, 1997b, 30-34). In this negative political environment, the role of MM professionals is more complex, and they try influence the media to change their attitude and be less critical, more understanding and even supportive. In the diplomatic-cooperative arenas of international relations, leaders use the media to keep options open and at the same time to build consensus (Ben Eliyahu, 1993; Cook, 1998; Kurtz, 1998; Paletz, 1998; Pfetsch, 1998). Here, the media, by setting policy agendas and stimulating popular support for policies, provide tools for leaders to assert control. Moreover, a leaders staff can utilize the media to deliver specific messages to specific audiences (Gergen, 1991, 55-56; OHeffernan, 1991, 62-67, 105-112; OHeffernan, 1994, 242). In addition, the medias role as a promoter of public debates on policy issues can be used as a tool to gain support and tilt public opinion (Hindell, 1995; Powlick and Katz, 1998, 29-61; Weiman, 1994, 291-307). In order to achieve the best results in these processes, leaders and their MM professional advisors may use various diplomatic channels with regard to the media. They can decide to keep diplomatic interactions secret, hidden behind closed doors or made public (Gilboa, 1998a, 211-225; Gilboa 1998b,56-75) and work with the media accordingly.

Confusion in Macbeth Essay -- Macbeth essays

Confusion in Macbeth      Ã‚  Ã‚   The instances words and actions needing clarification in Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth are numerous. Let us in this essay look at some of the more serious instances lacking clear meaning in the play.    Lily B. Campbell in her volume of criticism, Shakespeare's Tragic Heroes: Slaves of Passion, confesses that critics are at a loss in trying to explain the reference to "Bellona's bridegroom":    Macbeth is, indeed, "Bellona's bridegroom", though critics seem rather at a loss to know just who Bellona's bridegroom may have been. (213)    Blanche Coles states in Shakespeare's Four Giants that there is a common mistake which literary critics of the play make:    Not enough stress has been laid upon Duncan's unaccountably sudden and arbitrary appointment of Malcolm to the royal succession in the very hour of Macbeth's triumph [. . .] . The insult to Macbeth (as it may appear to different minds), cannot be overemphasized. (40)    Coles offers an explanation for this ambiguity in the play:    Perhaps Shakespeare was taking for granted that his audience knew that the historian had said, "Duncan did what in him lay to defraud him [Macbeth] of all manner of titles and claims, which might in time to come pretend to the crown." Malcolm was under age, and this fact made Macbeth first heir to the throne. (40-41)    L.C. Knights in the essay "Macbeth" mentions equivocation, unreality and other possible causes of ambiguity within the play:    The equivocal nature of temptation, the commerce with phantoms consequent upon false choice, the resulting sense of unreality ("nothing is, but what is not"), which has yet such power to "smother" vital function, th... ...e, NH: Richard R. Smith Publisher, Inc., 1957.    Coursen, H. R. Macbeth: a Guide to the Play. Westport, CN: Greenwood Press, 1997.    Fergusson, Francis. "Macbeth as the Imitation of an Action." Shakespeare: The Tragedies. A Collectiion of Critical Essays. Alfred Harbage, ed. Englewwod Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1964.    Knights, L.C. "Macbeth." Shakespeare: The Tragedies. A Collectiion of Critical Essays. Alfred Harbage, ed. Englewwod Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1964.    Mack, Maynard. Everybody's Shakespeare: Reflections Chiefly on the Tragedies. Lincoln, NB: University of Nebraska Press, 1993.    Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Macbeth. http://chemicool.com/Shakespeare/macbeth/full.html, no lin.    Wilson, H. S. On the Design of Shakespearean Tragedy. Toronto, Canada: University of Toronto Press, 1957.

Do Not Learn as a Machine Essay

It’s twelve at night. Tons of papers and a cup of coffee on the desk prepared for pulling an all-nighter. Studying for the exam tomorrow, cramming tons of class-notes and materials. Students are fighting for an A. However, what do we expect them to learn from it? Is it even beneficial to them? After all, most students forget almost everything as soon as they finish the exam. Apparently, there are some fundamental problems in our current educational system. In the three essays, â€Å"The ‘Banking’ Concept of Education† by Paulo Freire, â€Å"Against School† by John Taylor Gatto and â€Å"The Achievement of Desire† by Richard Rodriguez, the authors realize different problems of the educational system and have different opinions about it. In my point of view, the main problem in the current educational system is that it encourages students to receive information meekly, without doubting, questioning or even understanding the material. As a result, these students resemble machines which acquire many facts but can barely develop their own critical thinking. The three aforementioned authors have differing opinions on the current educational system, but they all describe it as a system where students merely receive information but do not undergo critical thinking. In â€Å"Against School,† Gatto states that the educational system is a scheme the government uses to make people more â€Å"manageable† by reducing their critical judgment. To achieve this, school provide answers of every question to the students. It works because â€Å"Easy answers have removed the need to ask questions† (Gatto 155). It is true. Since students were taught in their early life that teachers are absolutely right, and that they should obey the authorities, as a result, most of them do not judge the teachers’ explanations. As they grow up, students tend to find the answers from books or teachers instead of figuring the answer out by themselves. Thus, their critical and original thinking have been obliterated completely under this educational system. Moreover, the boredom of schooling successfully removes the students’ curiosity which drive them to ask questions. A similar idea appears in â€Å"The ‘Banking’ Concept of Education. Freire uses the term â€Å"banking system† to describe the educational system where the teachers deposit a large amount of knowledge on the students. Students soon become receptacles which â€Å"extend only as far as receiving, filling, and storing the deposits† (Freire 1). These students do not understand how the information related to the real world, and can neither apply the knowledge to the real world problem nor develop their own critical thinking. In â€Å"The Achievement of Desire†, Rodriguez mainly describes his early life as a successful student. It gives a concrete example to support Gatto and Freire’s opinion. As he describes himself as a â€Å"great mimic; a collector of thoughts, not a thinker† (203), it fits Gatto and Freire’s description about the educational system, that even a considerably â€Å"successful† student could not perform critical and original thinking. Under this type of educational system, students try to find their way to achieve high scores. However, it turns out that the best way to be successful in this system isn’t the best way to learn. In the essays, the authors describe how the â€Å"successful† student is like. According to Freire, â€Å"The more meekly the receptacles permit themselves to be filled, the better students they are† (1). In order to be considered â€Å"good† under this system, students need to receive a large amount of facts on a superficial level. The best strategy is not to think, not to question, just believe and memorize it. Freire observes a phenomena in which teachers talk about contents â€Å"which are detached from reality, disconnected from the totality that engendered them† (1). In this way, students acquire tons of facts and maybe enhance their memorization ability, but fail to understand how these facts are connected to the daily life. In â€Å"The Achievement of Desire,† Rodriguez realizes that he was the â€Å"worst student,† even though he was considered â€Å"successful† in the system. â€Å"He becomes in every obvious way the worst student, a dummy mouthing the opinions of others. But he would not be so bad—nor would he become so successful, a scholarship boy—if he did not accurately perceive that the best synonym for primary ‘education’ is ‘imitation’† (203). The scholarship boy noticed that the best way to succeed in this system is to borrow and copy the ideas of others. Clearly we know that this is not the way to learn, as learning requires original processes. Therefore, it can be concluded that being successful in the educational system is not the same as being successful in learning. My experience supports this. Some teachers in my high school ask students to memorize all the model answers to every possible question that might be asked on the standardized test, but do not give explanations or have activities which could actually help students understand. The aim of teaching would then become merely the test scores. My physics teacher kept reminding us how many students got an A in a standardized test under his training, which emphasized becoming â€Å"machines for solving problems. † Being these machines could improve our performance on a test; however, we did not retain any substantial knowledge throughout the class, some even losing the motivation to learn afterwards. Solutions to a problem can be simple once we understand the cause of it. In the essays, the authors suggest their individual solutions. Freire suggests to oppose the â€Å"banking system,† by implementing a â€Å"problem-posing system. † In a problem-posing system, teachers pose some problems related to the world and ask the students to attempt to solve them without a straight forward answer (Freire 7). Students would then have the chance to explore the respective topic by themselves, think about every possible solution creatively. It takes time for all students to figure out the answer, and some of them may even fail to do it, but at least each student has tried to think about the problem. In this way, students are learning the material cognitively, and hence they will understand it more deeply and be able to apply the knowledge to the real world. Moreover, this system can motivate students to learn. According to Freire, â€Å"Students, as they are increasingly posed with problems relating to themselves in the world and with the world, will feel increasingly challenged and obliged to respond to that challenge† (8). When students try solving the problem, they are not being narrated by the boring materials and instead use their creative brainpower. They will find it fun to learn in this way and grow an enthusiasm to continue learning. In â€Å"Against School,† Gatto suggests to do the retrograde of the school’s mediocre influence on children. â€Å"School trains children to be employees and consumers; teach your own to be leaders and adventurers. School trains children to obey reflexively teach your own to think critically and independently† (155). To do this, we can educate children not only by books, but also encourage them to join different kinds of extra-curriculum activities such that they can grow interest in all areas. As an international student, I always compare the educational systems in America and Macau. I found that the educational system in America is relatively more â€Å"problem-posing† than my early education in Macau. Professors always give us chance to discuss and have more in-class activities. I fit in this problem-posing system and thus I can learn better and understand concepts more clearer. In conclusion, in order to learn cognitively and acquire the true knowledge, students should try to understand the materials before they decide to believe and cram it. Doxa means common beliefs and facts, while logos means the principle of knowledge. When students deeply understand it, they will attain the level of logos, not only doxa. It gives the students knowledge as well as the skill to derive other truths. To avoid being a machine, we should have our own thought and creativity. In the ideal problem-posing system, students can explore it in their way but not copying others’ ideas because they do not need to worry about their grades. They would then have their original opinion and thought, instead of meekly receiving information, being a mindless machine.

Critically Discuss And Evaluate The Labour Government

Labour Government came to power in 1997, conveying a immense investing to the early old ages attention and instruction of kids. Announcing in the Childrens Plan, how it aims to do this state the best topographic point for kids to turn up. ( Winter, 2008 ) The National Childcare Strategy aimed to advance the wellbeing of kids, whilst back uping parents to accomplish a balance between work and household life by supplying high quality child care ( Potter, 2007 ) . Previously Governments had left childcare chiefly to household and private services, nevertheless the Labour Party are at the head of advancing the benefits of holding a high quality instruction. The National Curriculum topics of 1988 provide the anchor of the course of study and there was considerable mismatch between the new purposes and the specifications for the assorted topics. ( Ward, 2009 ) Since 2003 efforts in the UK to back up an aims-based course of study – that is to state, a course of study in which purpose s, one time selected, are to be realised by the most appropriate curricular agencies, instead than one in which purposes and course of study remain separate. Both Holmes and Nunn argued, in different ways, for a developmentalist history of acquisition, and this in bend left hint in both the Hadow and the Plowden Reports. ( Alexander, 2009 ) However, in the late sixtiess Robert Dearden produced a powerful review of the ‘child-centred ‘ place represented in these studies. Richard Peters emphasised the acquisition of cognition and apprehension for its ain interest and several outstanding theoreticians have followed him in this. More popular histories over the last 40 old ages of what instruction should be for hold tended to polarize this position and the position that kids should be allowed to develop of course, normally to the disadvantage of the latter. ( Alexander, 2009 ) Robert Dearden ‘s ain history, in footings of fiting scholars for a life of personal liberty within a moral model, has been developed farther by later authors. In recent decennaries the inclination of philosophical Hagiographas has been towards puting specific purposes like Dearden ‘s within larger scenes, so that their principle becomes more limpid. ( Alexander, 2009 ) There has therefore been much work on the publicity of personal wellbeing as a cardinal purpose, this being seen as a more inclusive construct than personal liberty. These philosophical geographic expeditions are now going progressively relevant to policy-making, given that well-being underpins the 2004 Children ‘s Act, the five Every Child Matters results and the 2007 Children ‘s Plan. The relationship between personal wellbeing and morality has besides been explored. The importance of instruction for continued development and planetary consciousness has become particularly outstanding in rece nt old ages. ( Parton, 2006 ) Many of these thoughts have impacted on authorities policies on purposes over the last 40 old ages, and have proved influential in course of study deliberations. Pressure for authoritiess to bring forth non merely lists of purposes but besides defendable principles for how they fit together continues, the progressively holistic histories of the theoreticians could good be of service. ( White, 2008 ) The involvement in the early old ages has besides been spurred by new research and scholarship in Fieldss such as neuroscience, developmental psychological science, and economic sciences. The release of the National Academy of Sciences study From Neurons to Neighborhoods ( Shonkoff and Phillips, 2000 ) brought new attending to research on early encephalon development and the importance of experiences in the early old ages for kid wellness and developmental results. At the same clip, economic expert James Heckman was stressing the importance of the early old ages for human capital formation, reasoning that investings made in the early old ages would put the foundation for larning in those old ages and in the hereafter ( Heckman and Lochner, 1999 ) . Heckman has besides joined with developmental psychologists in stressing that both cognitive and non-cognitive facets of development are eventful for ulterior life opportunities ( Heckman, 2003 ) . Further thrust for the turning involvement in early old ages policy is the handiness of strict grounds that high-quality intercessions can better kid development in the early old ages. Surveies of plans such as Nurse-Family Partnerships have found that high-quality early old ages plans can better kid wellness and development for deprived kids, in both cognitive and non-cognitive spheres ( Springate, 2008 ) . These consequences provide evidences for optimism that well-crafted policies could play a function in contracting spreads in school preparedness. At the same clip, nevertheless, there are clearly some bounds to what early old ages plans can carry through ( White, 2008 ) . Some part of the differences that emerge in the early old ages will be due to factors that are non readily altered by policy. A farther challenge is that non all early old ages plans are every bit effectual, high-quality plans are non cheap, and even the most promising theoretical account plans may non work ever y bit good when delivered on a large-scale. ( Springate, 2008 ) There are besides thorny issues to be grappled with sing the extent to which such plans are best delivered universally or targeted to disfavor groups. However, the historical bequest found in the re-emergence of the developmental attack in the Early Years Foundation Stage ( EYFS ) for kids aged 0-5, overlapping the primary stage of Early Learning Goals are specified for each of the six EYFS Areas of Learning and Development are in England the continuity of traditional topic, ( Kwon, 2002 ) but the topics had to be antiphonal to a new set of national purposes, interdisciplinary work encouraged, and scenes freer to invent their ain course of study within statutory restraints. The overall national purposes are treble: to enable all immature people to go successful scholars, confident persons, and responsible citizens. ( Pugh, 2005 ) The course of study is one that integrates attention, instruction and teaching method and this is apparent in the course of study papers which emphasises how kids should larn instead than what kids should larn. The EYFS comprises legal demands associating to larning, development and public assistance. It brings together the acquisition, development and public assistance demands and ends the differentiation between attention and acquisition and between the birth to three and three to five proviso. ( Kenny, 2006 ) Multi-agency partnership is indispensable to the bringing of the EYFS purposes. Percy-Smith ( 2006 ) provides a reappraisal of the grounds related to the development, bringing and effectivity of strategic partnerships. She argues that local strategic partnerships supervising and commissioning kids ‘s services have an of import portion to play in presenting the Government ‘s Every Child Matters ( ECM ) docket. Change for Children docket, the Children Act 2004, counsel on Lead Professionals, undertakings such as the execution of the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme, and the enlargement of Certain Start. ( Perry-Smith, 2006 ) The national rating of Early Support ( ES ) , the cardinal authorities programme designed to better multi-professional service proviso. ( Young, 2006 ) Equally good as research and rating of plans showing a strong instance for extremely qualified staff in early childhood scenes there is besides the inquiry of what type of staff will be needed in the hereafter. As we move towards more incorporate service bringing staffing becomes an issue ( Cameron, Mooney & A ; Moss, 2002 ) . In New Zealand considerable authorities outgo has been directed towards accomplishing a to the full qualified instructor work force by 2012 ( New Zealand Education Review Office, 2004 ) . A extremely trained and skilled work force is indispensable to supplying high quality child care. Presently the sector as a whole invest little in staff preparation and development, rewards are besides inveterate low. ( Broadhead, 2007 ) If the EYFS is to be delivered efficaciously preparation and support is indispensable non merely for new entrants to the work force but besides for bing staff. It is likely that authorities financess will necessitate to be invested to guaranti ng that all scenes are able to present the course of study. The presence of extremely qualified and experient staff has been systematically linked to high quality interactions between kids and grownups, and this is an of import factor in the societal, linguistic communication and cognitive development of kids in group scenes. Research indicates that specialised early childhood staff engage in well more developmentally appropriate interactions with kids of all ages ( Phillips, 1987 ) . The links between higher degrees of qualified staff and positive results for kids have been established ( Phillips, Mekos, Scarr, McCartney & A ; Abbott-Shim 2001 ) . hypertext transfer protocol: //www.cypnow.co.uk/Archive/929092/Early-Years-Foundation-Stage — -difference-year-made/