Comparing the Movies, Fight Club and Gladiator Essay -- Film Compare C

Comparing the Movies, Fight Club and Gladiator People today enjoy the same things that people enjoyed during the Roman Empire. In the movie, Gladiator, Maximus fights in the Coliseum in front of all the people of Rome. In the movie Fight Club they have fights between different people in front of all the people of the club. This shows that people who lived 1000s of years before us where entertained by violence just like most of us are today. The theme that ties both Fight Club and Gladiator together is people are entertained by violence. The movie Gladiator starts off by Maximus Decimus Meridas, who is played by Russel Crowe, being a respected general of Rome. Maximus leads the Roman army in a successful defeat against the barbarians. After this battle is over Maximus is confronted by the elderly Roman emperor and he tells him that he will be the next emperor of Rome when he passes away. The emperor’s son (Commodus) hears of this and murders his father. Now he is Emperor Commodus and orders to kill Maximus and his family. His family is murdered but Maximus ge...

Gay and lesbians today :: essays research papers fc

Gay and lesbians today In was late July of 1999, five of my buddies and I had just graduated from high school and we were enjoying one of the greatest summers of our lives in Ocean City, Maryland. We were renting out what we thought was the best bachelor pad in all of O.C. on 139th street. Even friends of ours that we graduated with and had known for several years were living at the beach as well. Life was good. But two girls in particular that all of our friends knew from Paint Branch H.S. would, throughout the remainder of the summer, indirectly change and redefine the way in which most of us thought about homosexual relationships. Mel and Kel had always been close amongst our circle of friends and naturally know one ever suspected that either of them were outfitted for a lesbian lifestyle, at least not both of them. It was during that unforgettable summer that their other lifestyle would become vividly clear to the rest of us. The majority of us openly embraced their relationship and undoubtedly respected their audacity to endure the resentment and unacceptance that they may possibly confront one day. But, it was not until two years later that Mel and Kel would challenge their friends’ opinions again, only this time concerning a much more controversial issue. Apparently over the course of the two-year relationship that Mel and Kel had spent together, a commitment had developed between them that only few of us could possibly fathom. They were convinced that the unconditional devotion they shared was worthy of a unique union, and that this devotedness they shared would endure for a lifetime.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In a Utopian society most of us would rejoice in knowing that two people such as Mel and Kel who care so deeply for one another, have found each other and are willing to spend the rest of their lives together. Unfortunately we don’t live in a society of that quality and admiration. In any culture, it’s generally conceived that the family is the absolute core of a society. In that, the norms and values of a civilization are directly conveyed from one generation to another through this bloodline. But what exactly is a family? Are there distinct specifications, qualifications or even guidelines that govern the framework for what a family should be? In the Webster’s dictionary a â€Å"family† is clearly defined as: â€Å"the basic unit in society having as its nucleus two or more adults living together and cooperating in the care and rearing of their own or adopted children.

Coffee †Brazil Essay

The story seems to begin in Ethiopia, where the coffee berry grew wild. Goatherds there noted that goats which ate leaves and berries of the plant remained awake all night. The Arabs claim that they developed the plant during the reign of Mohammed (c675 AD). Believe that if you wish – we are going with the Ethiopian story. Consumed originally as a food, it would take on the character of a medicinal and eventually that of a social drink. The coffee tree grows to a height of 14 to 20 feet, producing (along with bright green leaves and white flowers) a berry which, as it matures, goes from green to yellow to red. Harvested red, they are placed in water so that the good berries will sink and all the debris will float. The berries are then pulped to extract the beans, there being two beans per berry, the beans having a bluish-green color. Next they are dried and cured for several weeks, becoming hard and yellow. Roasting is next, at the high temperature of 900 degrees Fahrenheit for 17 minutes, then they are stored (aged) and eventually ground into coarse granules. One is obliged to wonder how this all came about: who was the first to decide that roasting the beans would do anything good to them? The decaffeinated type of coffee is made by treating the green beans with chlorine-based solvents prior to the rest of the process. There are some 30 species of the plant, the most important being: Brazilian, Mild, Robusta (or â€Å"African†) and Arabian, the last being the predominant tree of the Americas. Discovered by Arabs traveling in Ethiopia in the 13th century, it was taken to Arabia and flourished at Mocha in Yemen, where the Arabic name for it was â€Å"qahwah† and from that word to â€Å"coffee†. It’s popularity steadily increased. In the 1500s it arrived in Turkey, and in Italy in the 1600s. About this time, establishments for preparing the drink (â€Å"coffee houses†) sprang up all over Europe. In 1714 the French succeeded in bringing a live cutting to their island of Martinique, and, from that single plant, coffee growing spread throughout Central and South America. Meanwhile, the Portuguese introduced the plant into their colony of Brazil, where it took readily. In fact, Brazil today produces 25% of the world’s coffee, and Central and South America combined produces two-thirds of the world’s supply. Since coffee grows in Java and Southeast Asia, an alternate name for coffee is â€Å"java†. Then Starbucks came along and showed how coffee could be jazzed up by adding other things to it. At a hefty price.

Cipd

DEP F301A (L&D) CIPD Assessment Activity Template Title of unit/sDeveloping Yourself as an Effective Learning & Development Practitioner Unit No/s4DEP (L&D) LevelFoundation Credit value4 Assessment methodWritten, Discussion Learning outcomes: 1. Understand the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to be an effective L&D practitioner. 2. Know how to deliver timely and effective L&D services to meet users’ needs. 3. Be able to reflect on own practice and development needs and maintain a plan for personal development. All activities should be completedActivity 1 (Note: The CIPD Human Resources Profession Map (HRPM) can be accessed at: www. cipd. co. uk/cipd-hr-profession/hr-profession-map/explore-map. aspx ) Write a report in which you: †¢briefly summarise the HRPM (i. e. the 2 core professional areas, the remaining professional areas, the bands and the behaviours) †¢comment on the activities and knowledge specified within any 1 professional area, at either band 1 o r band 2, identifying those you consider most essential to your own (or other identified) L&D role. Activity 2With reference to your own (or other identified) role, outline how an L&D practitioner should ensure the services they provide are timely and effective. You should include: †¢understanding customer needs (include examples of 3 different customers and 1 need for each, and explain how you would prioritise conflicting needs) †¢effective communication (include examples of 3 different communication methods and the advantages and disadvantages of each) †¢effective service delivery (include: delivering service on time, delivering service on budget, dealing with difficult customers, handling and resolving complaints)Activity 3 (Note: The CIPD Associate Membership Criteria can be downloaded at www. cipd. co. uk/ Membership/transformingmembership/ New-membership-criteria/about-associate-member. htm ) †¢Undertake a self-assessment against the CIPD Associate Membersh ip criteria, identifying any areas you need to develop in order to meet them. †¢Using a template, such as www. cipd. co. uk/cpd/guidance/cpdrecordandplan, devise a plan to meet your development needs, including those identified above, and the achievement of your CIPD qualification.The plan should be for a minimum of 6 months. †¢Discuss your plan with (or provide a written note to) your tutor explaining why you believe CPD to be important and explaining at least 2 of the options you considered for meeting your development needs. Activity 4 †¢During the period of your studies, reflect on your performance against the plan, including learning gained from each unit of your qualification, and add reflective comments to the plan. As you progress, identify any further development needs and revise your plan accordingly.Assessment Criteria 1. 1 2. 1 2. 2 2. 3 3. 2 3. 4 3. 1 3. 3 3. 5 Evidence to be produced Activities 1 & 2 Report of approximately 1500 words Activity 3 A Develo pment Plan/Record Tutor’s written confirmation that the Development Plan has been discussed (OR a written explanatory note from the learner). Activity 4 Written records of on-going reflection and, where appropriate, revision of the plan to include further development needs and solutions. NB: Activity 4 will therefore not be complete until the end of the programme. ) 4 DEP Assessment Guidance – Revised May 2012 AC 1. 1The explanation should refer to the HRPM, and include a summary of the HRPM (particularly the 2 core professional areas) and an explanation of the activities and knowledge, at either band 1 or 2, of any one of the professional areas. AC 2. 1Learners should identify 3 users of HR services and one need for each.They should also explain how conflicting needs would be identified and prioritised. AC 2. 2Learners should identify 3 methods and advantages and disadvantages of each. AC 2. 3The description should include: delivering service on time; delivering servi ce within budget; dealing with difficult customers; and handling and resolving complaints. AC 3. 1Learners should define and explain the importance of CPD. AC 3. 2Learners should self-assess against the CIPD Associate Membership requirements to identify development needs.AC 3. 3Learners should evaluate at least 2 options for meeting development needs. AC 3. 4The plan should be for a minimum of 6 months. A template is available at www. cipd. co. uk/cpd/guidance/cpdrecordandplan AC 3. 5Learners should provide a written reflection on their performance against the plan, including the learning gained from each unit of their qualification, and update the plan with any new development needs, as they are identified. CIPD Political discrepancy: as we are a company that has an agreement with Qatar government for the supply of natural gas, It Is Important to keep our good relation with the country to continue the business. New source of energy: Dolphin Energy is a company that supplies gas to the customers, in case of finding any applicable source of energy for gas that is less costly and has no impact to the environment, our company will shut down and loses its business. – Price changes: If the prices of the equipment used in the operation escalated, the price of our product will increase. – New competitor: another external factor that would affect the company is if there is a new company of gas Joining the market.Such competitors will affect our market price, It will have an effect on our manpower costs, people will compare the quality of the product produced, etc. 5- How the business is structured: Dolphin Energy has so many functions that plays Important role in the organization. Below , I will be explaining only four functions. Our company's structure Is considered functional structure because It has similar connected actively that are grouped together in departments.Function Discretion Corporate Communications Dolphin's corporate communications department handles all communication undertaken by the company to all its publics or stakeholders. Strategic and Corporate Planning It is responsible for all economic and corporate planning duties at Dolphin Energy. SHE It is responsible about the laity of the products, the health of the employees, the safety of the working area, and making sure they are taking good care for environmental issues.Human Resources They offer services to their employees in Talent Management, recruitment, policy, compensation, employee relation, training, and office management. O- Different functions working together: Dolphin Energy works with different departments very closely in order to make sure operation, the operation works closely with different departments to ensure they are meeting their objective. For example, operation works with human resources to circuit quality employees that have all the required qualifications skills that are needed for technical skills.Moreover, when an employee Joins the company, operation department will want their new Joiners to undertake some kind of trainings to enable them have the needed skills to operate in the field. Quality, health, safety and environment department as well works with other functions to reach their goals. SHE facilitates everything that is necessary in the operational area to ensure that the employees are working in a safe environment to minimize all the risks that might occur during the operation. SHE will also make sure that our equipments and machines do not harm the marine habitat and cause and eruption or pollution.Furthermore, SHE wants to educate the employees about some safety matters and they co pop with the training department to implement such traini ngs. 7- The culture of the organization and how it affects the operations: I believe Dolphin Energy has a mixture of task and power culture. It is considered a role culture because each employee is assigned to a particular role or Job; they have all their tasks and roles listed in their Job description. When we have everything pacified, it will help us know what each individual does and therefore no duplication in work.On the other hand, we can say that our organization is a task oriented culture as well. That is because Dolphin I-JAKE and Qatar work together in so many projects as a team to complete tasks for example, our training department in I-JAKE works with Star's to reach the department's goals and objective. The teams will be doing a specified task to complete it in a time and budget given. This mixed culture has a positive impact on the organization because it will get the most efficiency out of his effort through having everything with guidelines yet working in teams in co mmon projects and assignments.Activity B: 1- Organization Strategy: The company's strategy is to have an economic wealth as well as creating business prospects for I-JAKE nationals and ICC citizens for the future. Our company has clear vision and mission that is set which makes the employees well aware of where the company is heading and what is their future objective. Having the vision and mission clear will create order; therefore will help us in proportioning our tasks. 2- How does HER strategy supports the organization strategy?The HER does a lot of things that supports the organizations strategy. Starting from recruiting a competent employee to developing them. The HER work closely with other departments as one team to reach the organization's strategy. Below is a list of some the things the HER does to support Dolphin Energy Objectives: HER Strategy Supporting Organization's Objectives Recruitment HER uses the best ways to hire an employee. For example, we deal with hiring age nts that would get us the best people in the market.Moreover, we hire people through referral programs where an existing employee refers someone who is capable to take the Job. As well, HER have internal posting for the employees who would recommend themselves to undertake the posted position. We use technology for the hiring process; candidates can now view all the open posts on our website to compensation team participates in researches, surveys and benchmarking with companies who similar to us so we are updated with the latest paying trends and we are competing with similar industries in the market.When the company does such things, it will retain current employees specially the high potential and talented ones. Retain Talent Management One thing TM is responsible for is induction sessions which the new Joiners undertake to familiarize them with the company's departments and its work nature. This will help the employee adapt faster and work more effectively when working with diff erent divisions. Different development plans for fresh graduate students and existing employees.Offering scholarships and sponsorship to educate our employees and make them update their skills and knowledge to achieve the company's goals. Having high potential programs and succession planning which helps the employees get motivated and it will encourage them work harder to achieve the company's strategy. – How can HER/L&D professional support line managers and their staff? The HER and learning and Development support line managers in so many different ways. Some of these things are: – HER helps line managers in recruiting well qualified candidates to fill the vacant position.They do that through scanning C.V. and looking for candidates that has the skills required for the Job and then they do interviews and psychometric tests for them. When HER hires high talented people, it will help them accomplish work in efficient and effective way to meet the business goals. This way the HER will be eating the best talent out there in the market. – Learning and development helps the new Joiners have a brief orientation through all the departments in the company to give a good idea about the business and how each department operates.This will help the employees know everything about our business and help them work better with the division to achieve the goals of the company. – Having HER updates sessions that would help the HER employees and line managers know the latest updates that is happening in the HER which will help them understand how the process is and what HER services is offered. Offering best practices in Learning and development, which will encourage and motivate the employees to perform better. – Help line managers to achieve their KIP to achieve the organization objectives. Ensuring that the employees are working in a good working environment. 4- How does HER/L&D contribute in the successful of an organization? To define su ccess, first we need to know what things that makes the organization successful. Organizations have a lot of objectives each year, general objectives will be ambiguous, so one of the keys to success is to have a clear objectives. For example, avian clear mission, vision, strategy and goals clear and it should be known to everyone throughout the organization.Everything the organization does, for example, the policies and procedures that are written, he different types of programs we offer, the services we provide, etc are all clearly linked to the company's objectives for being successful. Lurch mentioned, there are four ways to a successful organization strong relation with their internal clients and they act as a focal point for certain divisions. This can be done by having good relation with the senior management in order to align the HER strategy with the business objectives. Change Agent: is the team that participates in changing the management team and then communicate internal ly to everyone to ensure smoothness of the process and then gain their trust. Change agent will ensure that the employees are adapting to new changes. – Administration Expert: it acts in a professional in the way that it executes its Job and uses the organization resources in an efficient manner. – Employee Champion: it plays as a core of the HER. HER should represent the employees, look for their best interest and make sure that strategic initiatives are balanced.

Purposes and Meanings of American Education Essay

As Americans, we take education for granted. We see it as a right that everyone is entitled to an education. This was not always the case. There was a time in America’s history in which education was not a basic right for everyone. In this essay I will be discussing the purposes of American education, how the American educational system has changed through the years for students, what the meaning of American education is to me, and about the new understandings I have gained about the American education. The purposes of American education have changed in many different ways. Education has been used for: preparing children for citizenship, creating a skilled workforce, teaching cultural literacy, preparing students for college, helping students become critical thinkers, and helping students compete on a global scale. As the purpose of American education has changed through the years, the way students were taught has changed. American education has not always been an entitlement granted to students regardless of race or gender. American education has undergone periods of segregation and was discriminatory to students based primarily off pre-judgments of Caucasian men. America’s educational program’s first purpose was to educate children in preparation for citizenship to America. However, based on trends, the school system was curved by the Gary Plan and implemented a system of â€Å"work-study-play† in the school. What seemed to be a great idea drew controversy from concerned parents who thought that their students were just being trained for jobs of working in factories. Segregation was something that was another huge issue with our school system. Segregation caused an in-equal balance to the American education program in which students of color were separated to the point where the information being taught to students of color was three to five years behind that of the Caucasian students. When segregation was ended there were still discrepancies in the American education. An example of this was when students were young and given standard tests. The students who did well were put into college preparatory classes. Those students who didn’t do well were put into hands-on classes, like shop, to prepare them for the work force. Many times these were classrooms filled with minorities not because of their intelligence, but because of the cultural bias of the test. Most of these prejudices have been eliminated to form an education system that is inclusive of all students. To me the meaning of American education is that everyone, no matter of race, religion, or abilities is entitled to learn. To me American education puts everyone on the same level of opportunity to be the best person that they can be. It gives the students the right to learn current information in their least restrictive environment, free from unfair biases. American education is where we have teachers who are qualified to teach students at a high level and to work to produce the best students. What I have learned about the American education is that we have had more problems than just segregation. The educational system has changed many times throughout our countries history. There are many things that have not been told to students. I learned that although the American education has changed for the better, there is still a lot of work left to be done to fix the problems of the past. I never knew or realized how much the American educational system has changed throughout history. My eyes have been opened to the parts of history that are often left untold, such as how we are still in primarily in a Caucasian male dictated educational system. The American educational system, although it is all too often taken for granted, is constantly changing. It has taken many forms from getting children ready for citizenship, to helping students become critical thinkers, and helping students compete at a global scale. We have gone from a system of segregation to an inclusive educational program, and although we still have things to fix, our education is on the right track to make our educational system the best it can be.

A moral understanding of Utilitarianism and torture Essay

KSM is a mastermind terrorist who has been captured by the CIA. He refuses to reveal any information about his organization or the members thereof that could be fundamental to the welfare of hundreds of lives. Even under the presence of coercive methods such as sleep deprivation and water boarding, he has refused to talk. His nine and eleven year old children have been brought into custody and a suggestion has been made to torture the children. Is the option ethical or moral in any sense? Utilitarianism provides two answers for the question; one asserting the general rule of utility, the other expanding on justice implicating that the notion that no harm should be inflicted on the children. Each case will be dissected and assessed to reveal the most feasible answer to whether or not the children should be tortured. This conclusion will also be questioned on whether or not the provided answer is approaching the situation in the best possible manner. Utilitarianism in its simplest form distinguishes the difference between right and wrong by asserting that what is right is any action of good that will positively affect the common welfare of all. In short, the principle of utility implies that what is good is whatever promotes the greatest amount of happiness. This implies that the happiness of one individual is not as relevant or important as the happiness of a multitude of persons, or that the value of life can be measured in numbers and not by specific individuals. The general idea is that if five people are saved as compared to saving one life, then there is more happiness being created and as a result more good is being created. In KSM’s case, if the general rule of utilitarianism is to be applied, then the option of torturing KSM’s children is a plausible means of coercion. This rule fundamentally subtracts the happiness lost by torturing the children in exchange for the gain of hundreds and thousands of lives that could potentially be saved resulting in a greater amount of happiness overall. Therefore utilitarianism does advocate for the torture of KSM’s children. The tactic will provide the necessary information that the CIA needs to save lives. The proponents of utilitarianism may come off as rash, insensitive, and unsympathetic beings for allowing a method such as this one to occur in order to save many lives. Injuring two lives for the benefit of thousands more is sound, but may not be ethical or moral. It is a difficult feat to assess what is ethical and moral especially when encountered with a situation like this. An assumption that it is immoral to not torture these children could be proposed because not acting on the children could deter the CIA from attaining valuable information for the welfare and safety of the nation. Of course, it must not be assumed that torturing a child is acceptable in today’s standards, and utilitarianism will attempt to answer why it is not right to torture the children to obtain information through the utilitarian’s understanding of justice. Justice to utilitarianism carries with it great weight and resonance to the ideology. According to Mill, it is one of the sole features in which utilitarianism embodies. It is stated that justice contains in it the following rules: all beings must be treated with equality, and that each is given their just deserts; good for good, and evil for evil, that no one should be wrongly punished; that no life shall be valued over another, and that the punishment should be proportionate to the offense. Another feature is that all commitments and obligations whether they be declared orally or written, should be respected and upheld and the failure to do so is performing injustice and is a moral fallacy. Therefore, when considering the KSM case with the application of justice under utilitarianism, it seems as though it is not logical to torture the children to obtain information from their father. The torturing of children violates the laws applicable to the definition of justice under utilitarianism. If these children are tortured, the principle that all individuals are equal and to all their justice deserts, would be invalid. These children have done nothing wrong and do not deserve to be tortured, thus the punishment that would befall them is not parallel to the ideals presented in the definition of justice. Also, the lives of these children were not properly accounted for, for if justice states that all lives are equal and that none is more valuable than the rest, then it is rational and coextensive with justice to not torture the children. By not performing the horrendous notion, these children’s lives are not placed lower than the rest, but the opposing view could also be taken stating that by not torturing these children they are placed above thousands of other lives, giving their lives more value than the multitude, and this is does not correspond with the definition of justice. Therefore, torturing these children is not a favorable option when considering the application of utilitarianism. But there is one exception that utilitarianism allows, which is when certain cases arise that requires expediency, thus suspending applications of moral justice. Although both alternative methods of assessing the dilemma have been presented with each have a distinct approach. The first taking into consideration the principle of utilitarianism the latter using the principle of justice, both acting as derivatives of utilitarianism and paradoxically both approved of using torture to gain information. The principle of utility declared torture a necessary means to obtain a valuable resource that consequentially benefits the whole, and in turn increasing happiness and goodness – increasing utility. The principles of justice deemed the usage of torture an incompatible method of attaining the means in the presented situation. The equality of the children was not taken into account and disregarded, while the action of torturing them does not correlate with reason because the children did nothing to bring this suggested harm upon themselves. But, even justice allows for the possibility of torture to resume when extenuating circumstances do not allow for a well thought out procedure, and expediency is recognized as the only reasonable means of achieving a goal. So does utilitarianism allow for the torturing of children to occur? According to the principle of utility and somewhat present in the exceptions of justice – yes. This does not mean that this action is moral or ethical by any means. The intentional injury of children is wrong in many, if not all, philosophical and religious ideologies. It is not easy to accept this as the only method prescribed to remedy the situation. In this case, the means do not justify the ends. Although utilitarianism states that these children should not be placed higher than any individual and there sacrifice would benefit the greater good, the implementation of torture on children is not an attractive option. Utilitarianism states that this viable option is right, but just because it may promote the general welfare and happiness of a multitude of individuals, does not necessarily indicate that it will, or that any information will be extracted from KSM, thus giving the impression that it may seem right to a utilitarian, but most would consider this an act of inhumanity and a relentless, unsympathetic, irrational attempt to validate assertions created on the basis of assumption and plausibility.

The difference between USA and New Zealand's special education Research Paper

The difference between USA and New Zealand's special education - Research Paper Example "In New Zealand, the Ministry of Education, Special Education (GSE) is responsible at national, regional and district level for strengthening the Ministry of Education’s overall special education direction and for providing special education services to children and young people with educational, social, behavioral, and communication needs.(education counts)This system has been established on the basis of United States of America. The USA is one of those countries that have been an initiator of such programs thus following its footsteps New Zealand has developed its Special education policy. Both these countries lay immense stress on the propagation of education hence free education is provided to all dwelling within the region. Furthermore, the teachers who assist these children which special needs are also provided with pieces of training that are specifically designed according to the task they are responsible to perform. "In the United States of America, state-licensing sy stems set entry-level standards for special education professionals."(Farrell, 2009) A lot has been done in both countries to give such children with equal status hence some schools also provide education to special children in the same environment as normal students so that they get the same status and normal students learn to respect and value people with disabilities.The United States of America has made it a condition for all the states to provide standardized special education to all individuals.... USA is one of those countries that have been an initiator to such programs thus following its footsteps New Zealand has developed it Special education policy. Both these countries lay immense stress on the propagation of education hence free education is provided to all dwelling within the region. Furthermore the teachers who assist these children which special needs are also provided with trainings that are specifically designed according to the task they are responsible to perform. "In the  United States  of  America, state-licensing systems set entry-level standards for  special education  professionals."(Farrell, 2009) A lot has been done in both countries to give such children with equal status hence some schools also provide education to special children in the same environment as normal students so that they get the same status and normal students learn to respect and value people with disabilities. The United States of America has made it a condition for all the sta tes to provide standardized special education to all individuals. (Latham, 2008) Those who fail to do so will not be provided funds by the federal government. One of the most important efforts by the government of America to provide quality, free and equal education to these children is that a team is established which meets the child's parent in order to evaluate and determine the educational needs of the child. Furthermore it is there task to design courses according to their needs, perform placement tests, modify the program, organize counseling programs and cater to any other requirement that the child might have. Also it is the requirement of every school to meet up to the individualized education program IEP and report to the federal state about its implementation.