Global Systems Development Corporation Essay Example for Free

Global Systems Development Corporation Essay GSDC is a software development firm with sales, marketing, and project offices in major cities of North America. We provide a global project management services, on-site personnel as needed for design, and testing and liaison with teams of developers in India and Eastern Europe. GSDC is known to have extensive experience in website development and have completed several successful websites implementation for institutions of higher education. Background and analysis STI has been working with GSDC to implement the new website, and GSDC views STI as a premier customer. As the project has unfolded, however, cost overruns and delays have occurred. STI claims that GSDC underbid the project and was too optimistic in its bid and project plan. Time has been lost and the project has cost overruns to date of $200,000. Given todays  date and the need to have the site in place, STI management has clearly articulated that the new website must be up and running within 60 days of the beginning of these negotiations. Proposed goals, objectives, target population and implementation plan Considering the state of the project we are about 75% complete and we can finish the project under tight constraints. GSDC is the most knowledgeable and with only 25% left of the project left to complete we believe that the completion of the project by GSDC would benefit both parties. Both sides can take a â€Å"lessons† learned. Considering the work completed there is not much left of the project to scope and our confident that we can finish out the final pieces and components of the website. The value in continuing the relationships shows that both companies have a level of professionalism and a can do attitude that is admirable in the business world. The most important consideration for GSDC is that we meet our clients’ needs and that the customer is satisfied with the finished product. The must complete the website for the negation to be considered successful. Annual project budget Organization HISTORY, MISSION, Vision and Structures STI Institute is located in the Midwest offering wide ranges of programs in arts and sciences, business, and education programs. The school includes a variety of Master’s Degree programs, and continuing education for the community. The institute Attracts over 6,000 students annually, 5,000 undergraduates, 1,000 graduate students, as well as part-time students in the Midwestern region including local and state. We have been working with GSDC to implement the new website, and we both agree that the project costs are over budget. There has been too much time delay, and we need to come to an agreement to finish within 60 days of beginning negotiations. Proposed goals, objectives, target population and implementation plan Project is almost at completion but with the communications between both parties not being clear on requirements. After reviewing the complaints from GSDC the overall solution will agree upon STI select few to work closely with GSDC personnel to exchange ideas and come to a resolution. We will clarify requirements, support the on-site and remote development teams, and perform timely testing. In order to be 100 % complete within the 60 day period. The value in continuing the relationships shows that both companies have a level of professionalism and a can do attitude that is admirable in the  business world. Once everything is agreed upon we suggest we have are selected personnel to video conference with GSDC on an agreed time to make sure the progress is underway. Therefore if there’s any changes to be made it in constant overview and finished in time.

A Case study on St Xaviers college in India

A Case study on St Xaviers college in India St. Xaviers college is located in South Bombay or SoBo as its called which has a very distinct culture of its own. Kids come to this college not only from different parts of Mumbai, but India and even from foreign countries. Each brings with them their own culture that eventually pours into the seething, dynamic culture of Xaviers enriching it. We can deconstruct the culture of Xaviers under the following topics which will eventually lead us to the impact of Xaviers culture. A common thread running through activities at Xaviers is excellence both academic and non academic. Academia at Xaviers follows the state syllabus (before autonomy) and has now expanded to include newer schools of thought and added research. The existence of the Honours programme which is an extra credit course is a manifestation of the need for something extra. Each department is allowed a week in which to showcase the work theyve done and share it with the college students and even students of other colleges. Apart from that each department has a film week dedicated to them where all Xavierites are encouraged to attend and contribute. Theyre all for a holistic education. This just means that students, their parents and professors at Xaviers always expect and contribute more than what is stipulated. Every activity/talent at Xaviers is encouraged at some form or another. There are various clubs for film studies, theatre, photography, the Indian Music Group and even social work with t here being a tangible goal every club works to towards the end, like a festival of sorts. Perhaps one of the biggest of these events is Malhar, the annual college festival of Xaviers with colleges from all over India participating and some from abroad. This is one of the biggest mixers and icebreakers that Xaviers kids have since each vertical recruits in the beginning of the college year. Xavierites are also active participants in other college events and more often than not winning accolades and other merit. Students are encouraged to be a part of AISEC and the Mumbai chapter of the MUN. Xavierites play every sport imaginable and the gym is always buzzing with activity. Every class is allowed a Khadala trip, to the Xaviers villa at Khandala to conduct a seminar. This is significant especially for first year students because this is where they actually get to know each other better and settle down as a class picking friends who theyll spend 3 years with and most often stay friends for life with. Another event is the rural camp which the Social Service League (SSL) organizes. Apart from this they have exchange programmes with foreign colleges. They also have tie-ups with local NGOs where students are expected to undertake 60 hours of voluntary social service as part of their Social Involvement Programme (SIP). PHYSICAL ARTIFACTS One of the main enduring images of the culture at Xaviers is the building with its Gothic architecture and rough stone walls. Every arch and gargoyle is dear to kids studying there even years after they pass out. Shobha De, an alumnus of the college, speaking at the 140th anniversary celebrations said, the very edifice and rock of Xaviers, apart from the memories, is why we hurry back whenever theres an opportunity. To see the lives we celebrated here, our glorious years, the walls now resound with 140 years of stories and whisper it to us when we listen closely. Sitting in a high-ceilinged, wooden floored classroom as a fan spins lazily overhead while students intently listen to or discuss in class is what most people remember about the classes. In terms of physical spaces, the foyer, woods (ironically with 2 and a half trees), the arches, library and chapel are places where the kids spend free period or hangout after class. This is where they interact with each other, not just people from their class or department. The foyer is a hive of activity and is where most of the eating takes place. Oddly enough, so is Father Terrys room. Father Terence Quadros is perhaps one of the luckiest priests on campus. This on campus counsellor is who most of the women (and some men) on campus turn to to pour their heart out, sift through their troubles or just take a nap. His office has cushions, rocking chairs, lazy chairs, blankets, medicines, soft toys and a willing ear. BEHAVIOURAL PSYCHOLOGICAL To be very honest, Xavierites have an air about them. Theyre not necessarily snobbish but as Pearl Fernandes, a Third Year Mass Media student, puts it, We feel we have a right to act the way we do because somehow we feel superior. It isnt a superiority complex but were cool like that. People assume that if youre from Xaviers that makes you automatically smart, socially responsible (fill in any superlative adjective). Everything conveys this attitude, from the way they talk to the way they dress. Xavierites are distinctly divided into groups irrespective of what theyre studying. Each group dresses and behaves similarly but all-in-all theyre coloured with the same Xaviers brush. You have the Jocks: kids who play multiple sports and have a fit, athletic toned body. It doesnt only refer to men but the women also. They usually dress in track pants (or shorts in the morning if theyre playing) and vests. Then you have the cheerleaders. Theyre not really cheerleaders but theyre size is in binary digits i.e. either 1 or 0 and they dress like models (actually some even are models). They are characterized by styled hair, manicured hands, a la mode dressing and perfect accessories and make-up. The drama-lit group are people who are part of the drama club and people who write irrespective if theyre taken English lit or not. They usually congregate on the hostel steps and tree trunks to sit and discuss a new book, movie or play. They dress in kurtas and jeans and tote jholas. The women pr efer having an Indian look about them be it wooden earrings or a thick metal kada with their hair tied in a bun. Then theres the science group whore busy completing journals all through their break trying to stuff their mouths with something before another long session of practicals begin. They may or may not be wearing lab coats but in their bags they have all hokum pokum stuff like nichrome wires, vials of goop to test and petri dishes or something. Then there are the musicians. People who belong to a band either in Xaviers or outside or play an instrument are part of this group. Theyre easily identified by their guitar or violin cases and in some situations even the odd synthesizer or drum-sticks. Theyre also trailed by their groupies who could also be part of the cheerleaders. These guys sit around the BCR (boys common room) practicing or singing or doing something musical. Then you have the Goths and sloths. People whove made crumpled clothes a fashion statement. Theyre fashionably messily dressed, mismatch day is every day and theyre generally socially inclined. Another large group is the behenji group. These are kids (mostly women) who dress simple, oil and part their hair and behave like theyre already 40. Then there are the dope-heads who more often than not also belong to the abovementioned groups (excluding the behenjis whod get a heart attack if accused of such a thing). There are also the dancers who include the cool b boys, hip hop, contemporary dancers etc that win every competition and perform at every occasion. They look lik e theyve just finished shooting for Step Up 2: the streets. Everybody at Xaviers in highly sociable and talk to each other but there are clear cut definitions of who will talk to who. Like the dancers would never talk to the behenjis who would never talk to the dope-heads who would be ignored by the cheerleaders etc. like every organization, Xaviers has its own pecking order and politics is rampant. Peer pressure has a huge impact on the way people behave at Xaviers. At this age, friends are everything. People wont date someone their friends dont approve of etc. The Holy Trinity i.e. the CP, and 2 VCPs of Malhar are treated like Gods. Theyre the most coveted positions in all the land. Student council be damned, people pray to be elected to the top 3. Its almost like being president and ruler at the same time. One weird custom that Xavierites have is when theyre hanging out in the foyer and a glass bottle breaks they all clap. Shuba, a third year Microbiology Student says, no matter how stupid you think it is in your head, when the bottle breaks all your snobbishness goes out of the window and you clap just like the rest, grinning all the while. Its fun. VALUES, SCHEMAS MEANINGS Xavierites, on campus, are highly disciplined. They have this ingrained discipline bone that doesnt allow them to be truly disruptive. Not to say that they dont toe the line or dont rebel when they feel it necessary, they do. But catch one of them driving drunk or brawling in the street. It hasnt happened yet. Theres an unwritten code of ethics that no one need tell you. You just feel it when youre initiated as a student. Another sort of common understanding is that no one plays any game in the first quadrangle (1st quad) during college hours. It isnt forbidden by the admin but the kids realize that the first quad is surrounded by classes and it might get disrupted. The kids also have a no littering policy and kids who litter soon learn they have to obey the norm or peer pressure will see that they conform. The kids are also highly intolerant of extremist ideologies or inclinations other than Star Wars and Lord of the Rings and Gossip Girl. They respect peoples opinions but wont have it thrust on them. Which is also why poor little Aditya Thakeray finds himself friendless and alone after his protesting debacle. 2. Its mission proper is its dedication to research, teaching and the various forms of cultural service, as the indispensable horizon and context for a genuine preservation, renewal and communication of knowledge and human values, to strive for an intellectual endeavour that focuses on critical and creative thinking, with the aim of social transformation. Functional Aspects of St. Xaviers College 1. Attendance: St. Xaviers very particularly follows the 75% attendance rule for each subject as dictated by the Maharashtra board of Education the University of Mumbai. Attendance is strictly taken by the professor in charge at the start/ end of each lecture in order to ensure that no proxy attendance is given. At the end of each month they come up with a black list of attendance defaulters as a warning to those falling short of attendance. And at the end of each semester they come up with a defaulters list which includes the names of students who have defaulted on attendance throughout the semester. Such students are then requested to meet with the principal of the college and are also required to call their parents to college for a meeting with the principal. So strict they are about their attendance that many defaulters of attendance at the 12th Grade in the college are refused admissions to the degree college at St. Xaviers. 2. Beyond the Text Book: In line with the research inclination that St. Xaviers possesses, even students are encouraged to seek knowledge beyond what is achieved from the prescribed text books. For this they have in place an Honours Programme- a one of its kind programme which isnt offered by any other college in the city of Mumbai. Here students are encouraged to engage into small scale research studies, do paper presentations, attend seminars and lectures organised by the college for which the students are given credits. Thus this gives the students an opportunity to learn beyond their own specializations as credits across verticals can also qualify the student for the Honours Certificate. Thus St. Xaviers is an organisation that greatly emphasizes vitality and growth 3. Cultural Activities: St. Xaviers College, Mumbai has been judged the best college for all round development by many surveys conducted only because of the attention it pays to extra-curricular activities like performing arts literary arts. It also plays hosts at Malhar- the oldest and most popular under graduate college festival where it encourages students from other colleges to participate in the various events that take place during Malhar. The college also gives a platform to students who are interested in theatre to display their talents during the theatre festival -Ithaka. There are numerous opportunities provided to the students to display their talents both on and off campus. Active encouragement and financial support is provided to the students for the same. Students are provided platforms to display their managerial abilities by organising Malhar, Ithaka Jan Fest- the annual classical music concert held on campus each year. Thus St. Xaviers contrary to popular belief doesnt incline itself only to western values and art but encourages its students to be sensitive to other cultural and traditional forms of art. They have a strong sense of purpose which is excellence in the fields of academics and beyond. 4. Sensitivity to the less fortunate: Being an institution run by Jesuit priests, St. Xaviers has been very actively involved in the upliftment of less fortunate people and others with special needs. They have a number of social societies on campus like the social service league that undertake blood donation drives and visits to old age homes on a frequent basis. This develops a sense of sensitivity among the students to those who arent as blessed as them. In addition to this, St. Xaviers also houses the Xaviers Resource Centre for the Visually Challenged (XRCVC) which provides equipment and other aids for the visually challenged students to learn and make the whole process of learning, reading and writing easier. St. Xaviers College therefore is an institution that believes that world class education is the right of people even with physical handicaps and undertakes efforts to minimise the discomfort they may experience in a setting where everyone else does not face the problems they do. St. Xaviers College has the Soci al Involvement Programme (SIP) which is a mandatory prerequisite to be eligible for the Honours Certificate at the end of Degree College. Under this programme students have dedicate a certain number of hours per week working at non profit organisation or undertake any other form of social work and maintain a diary with their learnings from the same. St. Xaviers College therefore makes its students realise that for all that they are gaining from the society; they are liable to give back something to it as well. Thus St. Xaviers tries to emphasize growth not only in externally and mentally, but spiritually as well. 5. Mentorship There is an informal mentorship program in place for all students at St. Xaviers. No faculty or admin member is inaccessible to the students of the college. There is constant guidance given from various people be it spiritual, career guidance or even counselling. Students are constantly made aware of newer career opportunities and are encouraged to hone their skills in various fields. They provide guidance not only during the time they are in college but also after they pass out. The areas of discussion are not related just to academics and careers but also move beyond them like relationships and families. Professors behave more like friends rather than teachers. The aim of all round development of the students trickles down to the lowest level of the teaching hierarchy, which is the aim in almost every student- teacher interaction. Thus there is great tolerance for expression which is reason they believe that it is central to all round development of each student. Dysfunctional Aspects of St. Xaviers College 1. Lack of transparency at the time of selection of volunteers at Malhar. The hierarchy at Malhar is such: President Vice President (Conclave) Vice President (Management) Vice President (Events) OCs (Organising committee) OCs (Organising committee) OCs (Organising committee) OGs Organiser OGs Organiser Reservation Volunteers Volunteers At the presidential and vice presidential level, appointment takes places after the faculty members interview potential candidates. Selection therefore takes place on the basis of merit after considering the achievements and credentials of each candidate. However as one moves lower in the hierarchy, selection is up to the discretion of the people just above them. as a result appointment to the OC, OG and volunteer level mostly takes place on the basis of favouritism. Malhar therefore for quite some time has had a bad name for the politics underlying the selection procedure as there are no set rules, guidelines or standards for selection into the various verticals. Therefore sometime students are left pretty confused as they have no reasons as to why they did not get into the departments of their choice. It is a little bewildering for the freshers in the college, especially because there is a lot of ambiguity in the selection procedure and they are not aware about what exactly needs t o be done to get into the department of ones choice. 2. No hostel for girl students. St. Xaviers College is a very popular college for many aspiring students all over the country. There are many students who do not belong to Mumbai but come from as far as the North East and Kerala. This includes an equal mix of both boys and girls. However they St. Xaviers College does not have provisions for a girls hostel on campus. Even during the days preceding Malhar, when it is absolutely essential to have manpower on campus to ensure the smooth execution of the festival, permission is easily granted to boys to stay over on the campus, but not for women who are expected to look in the vicinity outside campus for accommodation. This is done because of some traditional and moral values that the Jesuit priests adhere to religiously. They do not encourage the intermingling of sexes beyond a certain point. And even though it may be troublesome for the girl students at times like these, they are quite unwilling to bend the rules. 3. Too much stress and few seats for desired specializations St. Xaviers College is one of the best colleges for arts and science in the country. However the number of seats available for the most popular and in demand specializations is very few. Therefore there is immense competition and stress in order to get those coveted seats. The level of stress is very high during the second year of Degree College which is the most crucial part of the entire 3 year degree course. Students are expected to be actively involved in the department work, make paper presentations and excel in academics. A minor glitch in any of these areas may cost them a seat in their choice of specialization. Thus the level of stress is very high during this period. It breeds competition among peers and creates and unease which is only placated only after final selection. 4. Reservations St. Xaviers College being a catholic institution was built for the purpose of serving the minority Christian community. Under provisions made by the central government, educational institutions can reserve up to 50% of their seats for minority communities. Therefore St. Xaviers College also applies the same and 50% of the seats are reserved for the Christian community. This is a situation that is prevalent among most other educational institutions in the city. It creates an unfair advantage to those who belong to the particular community. In the same class there can be students who havent done equally well in the same exam and have been admitted because of the reservation system. The level of achievement and intelligence is not the same among the students. And the same parameters are not placed equally for all students to gain admission to a particular course. 3. ACTIONS PLANS: 1. Lack of transparency in the selection procedure for Malhar: a. Formalise a set of rules, procedures and pre- requisites essential in order to qualify for the various positions at Malhar. b. Have an admin/ faculty member preside over each selection procedure after college hours. c. Undertake a training programme to sensitise the students higher up in the Malhar hierarchy to the various nuances and aspects of the selection procedure. This would enlighten them on how to effectively select people who would be an asset to the various verticals. d. Establish a punitive system or a watchdog or some sort of feedback system in place in order to ensure that the set procedures are being followed. e. Conduct orientation sessions for the volunteers on the process of selection and the people to approach in case the procedures arent being followed. f. However it is essential that the students in the organising committees have some say in the selection procedure. There should always be room for them to use their own intuitions and discretion. Malhar shouldnt become a centrally controlled organisation as it has always been a student run body in the college. 2. No hostel for girl students. a. firstly there is a great need to enlighten both faculty and students on the rationale behind the refusal to permit girls to stay overnight on campus. b. a dialogue must take place between these parties putting forward their concerns and reasons their respective requests and demands. c. the administrations must consider relaxing the rules under special circumstances when it is absolutely essential that the girl students stay on campus. For instance, the days preceding Malhar Jan Fest. d. The college must also have tie ups with various womens hostels in the vicinity and must assist female student in acquiring accommodation. When a particular hostel is vouched for by the management of the college, the parents of these students are more likely to find them reliable and will probably not worry about the safety and well being of their children. 3. Too much stress and few seats for desired specializations a. given the rising amount of stress and the consequences faced among students of standard tenth and twelfth, it has become imperative that the college increase the number of seats for the most popular and in demand specializations. No person should be denied a seat in any specialization since it is the question of their careers and marks obtained in an exam are too shallow a deciding factor in imposing a life changing decision on a particular candidate. b. it is essential to have occasional briefing sessions on the progress of each student during the entire year and let him know his chances of making it to the department of his choice. He/ she should be told explicitly of what are the necessary requirements to get the specialization. c. the teachers must be trained to identify signs of stress among the students and must seek professional help (which is available on campus) lest it get worse. d. professors must consider reducing the burden on the students in terms of the number of assignments and paper presentation which the student believe are mandatory to get the specializations of their choice. Rather it would make sense to have an aptitude test and interest tests at the end of the second year of college to seek the people who have the most aptitude and interest in the specific area of study. 4. Reservations a. The college must refrain from having a reservation system in place as it does not create a level playing field for all aspirants into a particular course. If St. Xaviers aims to be a world class educational institution it must aim to seek the best minds in the country, which would only be possible if all the students have the same level of aptitude, intelligence and achievement. b. Even if the college finds it absolutely essential to have a reservation system in place, in keeping with the purpose of establishment of the institution, it is necessary for them to make sure that there is a minimum cut off of marks obtained by the student in order to ensure that the best minds who are par with each other are interacting in class. It seems a little unfair when a student with 70% (as a result of the reservation system) is in the same class with the student who has scored 85% and has struggled to barely make it to the course. It would inculcate among the students a belief that hard work is essential when one aims to rub shoulders with the best in the country in a premier institution for humanities and sciences in the country. c. It would also be beneficial if St. Xaviers had an independent aptitude exam that for all aspirants to the various courses in the college. This would reduce any discrepancy if any among people coming from various boards of education and among people applying under different quotas. This creates a level playing field for all aspirants and ensures that the college has selected candidates after putting them through an in house reliable aptitude exam.

Credit and Debt in Victorian England Essay -- Victorian Era

Credit and Debt in Victorian England The majority of Victorian society’s economic dealings can be summed up in two words: credit and debt. These ominous specters, which seemed to haunt Victorian England, were simultaneously able to evoke feelings of delight and doom in their â€Å"victims of vanity†. There were several different factors that contributed to the Victorian’s propensity to abuse their credit, and as a result, fall deeply into debt. In her essay, â€Å"A Husband and His Wife’s Dresses†, Erika Rappaport discusses the significant role that gender played in the credit and debt â€Å"epidemic† that plagued Victorian society. Rappaport gives a fairly detailed account of the progression of buying on credit in Victorian society. In her essay, Rappaport states that â€Å"for most of the nineteenth century, consumer credit was still informal and was based on personal trust and a financial and moral assessment of the buyer† (165). Essentially, buying on credit was based on social position rather than financial stability. She comments that in the nineteenth century, selling on credit was still a widespread practice, and â€Å"many of the commodities that filled the Victorians’ homes and adorned their bodies were bought with its helpâ₠¬  (167). Rappaport states that buying on credit â€Å"helped middle-class families on limited income set up households†, and that â€Å"approximately 80 percent of all sales in the small, elite shops of metropolitan districts were offered on credit† (167). However, as time progressed, informal store credit became increasingly risky. Consumers began to travel longer distances in order to buy their goods, and it became increasingly less common to conduct business with neighbors and relatives. As a result of these changes, â€Å"wholesale... ... bills was perpetually in the forefront of the Victorian mindset. Further Links http://www.victorianweb.org/graphics/thackeray/17.1.html Works Cited Landow, George P. â€Å"Bankruptcy in Victorian England—Threat or Myth?† The Victorian Web. 22 March 2001. 7 Nov. 2004. . Rappaport, Erika. â€Å"A Husband and His Wife’s Dresses.† The Sex of Things: Gender and Consumption in Historical Perspective. Ed. Victoria de Grazia with Ellen Furlough. London: University of California Press, Ltd., 1996. 163-177. â€Å"The Victorians: Debt Could Get You in Prison.† RomanceEverAfter. 7 Nov. 2004. . Williams, Montagu Q.C. â€Å"London: Down East and Up West.† The Victorian Dictionary. 1894. 7 Nov. 2004. . Path: Finance: Money-Lenders. Credit and Debt in Victorian England Essay -- Victorian Era Credit and Debt in Victorian England The majority of Victorian society’s economic dealings can be summed up in two words: credit and debt. These ominous specters, which seemed to haunt Victorian England, were simultaneously able to evoke feelings of delight and doom in their â€Å"victims of vanity†. There were several different factors that contributed to the Victorian’s propensity to abuse their credit, and as a result, fall deeply into debt. In her essay, â€Å"A Husband and His Wife’s Dresses†, Erika Rappaport discusses the significant role that gender played in the credit and debt â€Å"epidemic† that plagued Victorian society. Rappaport gives a fairly detailed account of the progression of buying on credit in Victorian society. In her essay, Rappaport states that â€Å"for most of the nineteenth century, consumer credit was still informal and was based on personal trust and a financial and moral assessment of the buyer† (165). Essentially, buying on credit was based on social position rather than financial stability. She comments that in the nineteenth century, selling on credit was still a widespread practice, and â€Å"many of the commodities that filled the Victorians’ homes and adorned their bodies were bought with its helpâ₠¬  (167). Rappaport states that buying on credit â€Å"helped middle-class families on limited income set up households†, and that â€Å"approximately 80 percent of all sales in the small, elite shops of metropolitan districts were offered on credit† (167). However, as time progressed, informal store credit became increasingly risky. Consumers began to travel longer distances in order to buy their goods, and it became increasingly less common to conduct business with neighbors and relatives. As a result of these changes, â€Å"wholesale... ... bills was perpetually in the forefront of the Victorian mindset. Further Links http://www.victorianweb.org/graphics/thackeray/17.1.html Works Cited Landow, George P. â€Å"Bankruptcy in Victorian England—Threat or Myth?† The Victorian Web. 22 March 2001. 7 Nov. 2004. . Rappaport, Erika. â€Å"A Husband and His Wife’s Dresses.† The Sex of Things: Gender and Consumption in Historical Perspective. Ed. Victoria de Grazia with Ellen Furlough. London: University of California Press, Ltd., 1996. 163-177. â€Å"The Victorians: Debt Could Get You in Prison.† RomanceEverAfter. 7 Nov. 2004. . Williams, Montagu Q.C. â€Å"London: Down East and Up West.† The Victorian Dictionary. 1894. 7 Nov. 2004. . Path: Finance: Money-Lenders.

Essay --

One could debate endlessly over the definition and what exactly Jihad is, I’m certain many have. The very basic definition of the word simply means â€Å"struggle,† not to gain money or power but merely to bring people to Islam. The common western idea - or misconception - is that Jihad is a holy war or justification for terrorism. Very rarely are there any two religious groups that will agree on the exact deeper meanings of Jihad. There are also some groups that may believe the same basic definition of Jihad, but interpret it or apply it drastically differently within their own religion. There are two better known or accepted definitions of which Muslims refer to as the â€Å"greater Jihad,† and the â€Å"lesser Jihad.† â€Å"Greater Jihad† is defined as the internal spiritual struggle of one’s self in submission to Allah, the struggle of moral reformation, and converting others to Islam; while the â€Å"lesser Jihad† is considered the external, physical endeavor of an Islamic obligation to take up arms against the nonbeliever infidels in defense of the faith against tyranny and persecution. In the Sunni’s historical belief of the â€Å"greater Jihad,† Mohammed is thought to have told his followers returning home from war that they had, â€Å"returned from the lesser jihad of struggle against non-Muslims to a greater jihad of struggle against lust,† per Menhab Khans’ article on Modern Gangha. This is believed to be the first time the â€Å"lesser jihad† and the "greater jihad" had been differentiated. According to John Heit, the â€Å"greater jihad† is also then further divided into three types of internal struggle: â€Å"One, Jihad of the Heart (the struggle for moral reformation and faith); two, Jihad of the Tongue (the struggle to proclaim God's word abroad; right ... ...hese young men found solace and inspiration in the works of the Iraqi Muslim Brother Muhammad Ahmad al-Rashid; who demonstrated a sensible mind toward political action, but also stated that jihad with the sword- the way of the true Muslim-was inevitable. Putting things into perspective, I imagined what it would be like if America was invaded by foreign forces, the government demolished, a new leadership established, and none of which agreed with my way of life. I would honestly be able to say that I would follow similar actions as the Sunni insurgents. I recently watched the modern cinematic remake â€Å"Red Dawn† where the (in the new version) North Koreans invade and effectively take over the United States, this assisted in my imagination. I would have taken up arms the same as the characters in the movie. My enemies would hear my hoarse battle cry, â€Å"WOLVERINES!†

Eric Saties Socrate Essay -- essays research papers fc

Introduction Erik Satie began work on Socrate in 1918. Having been absorbing the scandal of Parade and becoming quite popular in the Salons of the high-society of Paris, he started planning new works. Perhaps Debussy’s death in the spring of that year was the final liberation he needed in order to be able to express himself seriously, for sarcasm is frequently a mask for over-sensitiveness and insecurity. But that spring finally brought Satie great joy. He was invited everywhere, and was well respected by fellow musicians. He was receiving a fair amount of commissions, and no longer had to write cabaret music, which he loathed. Satie took on Socrate, commissioned by the princess de Polignac, with complete seriousness: ‘†¦I’m frightened to death of bungling this work. I want it to be as white and pure as antiquity.’(1) Satie was charmed with Socrates since his school days. He must have identified with the Greek philosopher, having also chosen a plain life, despising wealth and materialism, and living by the principles he preached. ‘I always wanted to do something on Socrates,’ he remarked to Darius Milhaud. ‘It’s such an unjust story!’(2) Satie was a composer who was constantly looking for new directions in his art and re-examining the cultural excesses of the 19th century. Having abandoned the impressionistic harmonies he pioneered in the Sarabandes (1887) for a more dry style, centered around melody and delicate counterpoint, he formulated his aesthetics in 1917: ‘Do not forget that the melody is the Idea, the outline; as much as it is the form and the subject matter of a work. The harmony is an illumination, an exhibition of the object, its reflection†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢(3) The first performance of Socrate was given on June 24th 1918, at the home of Jane Bathori, a singer of modern music, followed by a performance at the home of Comte Etienne de Beaumont and other private performances. Stravinsky attended one of these and remarked: ‘†¦The music of Socrates’ death is touching and dignifying in a unique way†¦ [After performing Socrate] he [Satie] turned around at the end and said in perfect Bourgeoisie: †Voila, messieurs, dames.† †¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢(4) The first â€Å"official† performance of Socrate was given in January 1920. The music raised hot arguments between those who loved it and those who thought it ridiculous. Satie’s reaction: â€Å"Those who do not understand are requested by me to assum... ...y that was the real reason he was executed. 8 Importance here is used 9 Louis Aragon, Traità © du Style, trans. Alyson Waters (Lincoln & London, University of Nebraska Press, 1991) 10 By â€Å"Icon† and â€Å"Iconize† I mean the process of associating a musical object with an external object, or a cultural image. Debussy creates musical textures which correspond to certain concrete things, such as the sea, the snow, etc. - a highly luxurious and sophisticated version of word-painting. That is the reason why his music can be conceived as programmatic, just like the expressionists, except he deals with nature rather than personal drama. 11 I believe this is the reason every writer who wrote about Socrate sees it completely differently. 12 Ornella Volta, Satie Seen Through his Letters (London, Marion Boyars, 1989), pp. 154. 13 This is best exmplified in his 1914 work for piano, Sports et Divertissements. 14 Louis Aragon, Irene (l’Or du Temps, 1968) 15 Jacques Attali, Noise: the Political Economy of Music (University of Minnesota, 1985, trans. Brian Massumi) 16 Pierre-Daniel Templier, Erik Satie (Cambridge & London, MIT Press, 1969, trans. Elena L. French and David S. French), pp. 102 1

My mobile phone

My mobile phone – the ‘phone 5. My mobile phone is called the Iphone 5 and it is producted by Apple. It costs $850 plus taxes. I tried using it over the weekend and thought it was fantastic. I have given it four stars. This was a gift which my mother gave me on my birthday. Firstly, mobile phones are one of the most popular tools in life. There are many benefits when I use my mobile phone. It Is famous for Its light and application software. Before that, I used to have another smartphone, but it was very heavy. Now, when I have my favourite mobile phone, I eel that It Is better than the old one.It Is quick and convenient for me to call, text and keep In touch with each other despite long distances. In addition, It can help me surf the Internet easily and simply. It also helps users to find Information online, check emails, look up new words any time and anywhere. After a busy day, I can entertain myself through playing games, listening to music and reading newspapers. Th erefore, after doing so, I think that It Is necessary for me to study well. Secondly, although it has many good features, it also has some bad aspects egarding colour and battery.The ‘phone 5 has two colours black and white. You do not have many choices when you buy it. I bought the white one, but I think it looks monotonous and boring. It also has a problem with its battery. You cannot use it longer than 8 hours without recharging it. Sometimes it does not have enough battery for me to use when I have emergency situations. In general, my mobile phone is not bad if it is being used wisely. People use smartphone like accessory. It makes peoples' lives more enjoyable. It is a great and common mobile phone nowadays.

Affect of Social Media on Teenagers

Social media effect on Teenagers The best way to understand the definition of social media is to break it down. Social media is a relatively new form of communication; it’s a more advanced version of the older forms of communication like television, newspapers and radio. Examples of social networking and Micro blogging websites which are a main part of social media are Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Tumblr, Google+ etc. In recent times, people have become more accustomed to using these online websites as it is more convenient to use and easy to access.Modern generations consider most of the old forms of media as a one-way street as you can receive the information but you cannot express your personal views over any matter. Social media on the other hand is known as a two-way street that does not only provide us with information but it also allows us to give back our views and concerns. Though recently, social media has been extensively misused by teenagers. Most teenagers consider social media as a vital part of their life.But what they don’t realize is how social media, along with a few of its positive effects, is negatively affecting them mentally, physically and socially. Social media may be a source of education to adolescents but as good comes with bad, so comes the negative psychological effects of social media. As its benefits, social media helps shy teens come out of their shells by expressing themselves better and by being more outgoing. It also helps making teenagers virtually empathetic. Like for example if someone posts a status `saying, ‘I had the worst day of my life! , and you post a comment saying, â€Å"Call me if you need anything! †, you have just expressed virtual empathy and studies prove that most teenagers are capable of making use of this empathy in real life too. Alongside, social media can be a major cause of instigating narcissism among teenagers. Narcissism is a case of extreme self-admiration and interest in o neself, especially physical appearances. Also, teenagers who use social media frequently are more prone to depression and anxiety.While Facebook can be of great help when keeping in contact with long lost friends, it is the main cause of distraction for a teenager during study time and can lead to lower grades. Social media can be very useful but if it is misused, it can cause a lot of mental damage to a user. (Turgeon, 2011) Social media Web sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, have become nearly inescapable parts of modern life, particularly for teenagers. Reports suggest that this can have harsh health outcomes on health.Especially as the teenage body is still a developing body. Eating and exercise is very necessary to remain fit and healthy. Most teenagers show the least amount of interest in their physical exercise as they are hooked on to their favorite forms of social media in if not all then most of their free time. (Gordon, 2011) . Social media has no positive physical effe cts on teenagers as it tends to make them lazy and inactive leading them to a unhealthy lifestyle. Social media may have positive and negative social effects on society.Social media helps with staying in touch with your other school or College friends , it helps in staying informed about what’s going around in your locality for example facebook helps u find out when your friends birthday is coming up, where and when a event is going to come up, where have you’re friends checked in etc. The down sides of this is when people get used to staying over informed, they wonder why weren’t called for a party, why didn’t someone wish them for their birthday etc. Another negative side is that social media is like a drug to most teenagers.It lessens our time for physical interaction with family and friends. Some people would just sit in front of the computer for a day, example some families when they go out for dinner they barely talk to each other they are all glued to their mobile devices they only talk about what is happening on the social media websites, what pictures should be uploaded and where they should be tagged in. Some people are sleep deprived because they spend much of their sleeping or resting time on these websites. Scams and worst even deaths have been identified with the improper use of social media.