Importance of Fear in The Lord of the Flies Essay

Importance of Fear in The Lord of the Flies The boys in the book, The Lord of the Flies, are controlled by their fear of the beast. This fear is not of the beast itself, but of the unknown. It comes from not knowing whether or not a beast exists. The children start as one united group. They are a community in their own. Slowly, rules started to get broken, individuals began to leave, and the group broke apart. The one thing that causes this break-up is the beast. The beast means different things to everyone, but each boy is afraid of it. All of this fear starts at one of the very first assemblies when a littlun says that he saw a beastie in the forest. Now he says it was a beastie†¦show more content†¦Remember? The two older boys flinched when they heard the shameful syllable (52). This reminds Jack and Ralph that there is a chance that the beast is real and there may be reason for all the fear. It also reveals that Simons character is very much in touch with reality. He is not trying to push the fact that a beast could be on the island away from him. He is trying to deal with his fear and show the others that they can and should deal with theirs. Ralphs concern for the littluns leads him to call an assembly to decide on fear (82). This assembly on fear is an essential part of the story. Ralph wants to discuss the fear of the beastie, and whether there is reason to be afraid of a beast that may not exist. He then proceeds to make this speech: Weve got to talk about this fear and decide theres nothing in it. Im frightened myself, sometimes; only thats nonsense! Like bogies. Then, when weve decided, we can start again and be careful about things like the fire (82). The purpose of this speech is to comfort the other boys and eliminate the fear. He wants them to turn their focus away from fear towards the fire and rescue. After Ralph puts the conch down Jack snatches it up and starts blaming the littluns for all the fear, saying that they brought it upon themselves by believing in the beast. Jack is angry about theShow MoreRelatedThe Importance Of Fear In Lord Of The Flies By William Golding751 Words   |  4 PagesPeriod 2 17 September 2017 The Importance of Fear In Lord of the Flies, William Golding applies literary devices like characterization and symbolism to develop the theme: the power of fear. From the beginning to the end of the story, Golding suggests to the reader that the most destructive emotion humans have is fear. In the novel, the boys find out that the only fear that is inevitable is fear itself. Golding leads the reader into his beliefs by stating, â€Å"...fear can t hurt you any more than aRead MoreImportant Symbols in Lord of the Flies by William Golding676 Words   |  3 PagesWilliam Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies, he uses unique elements to symbolize many concepts throughout the story. The two most important but differing symbols used throughout the novel are the Conch and Sow’s head symbolically used by the author to demonstrate the transition of good to evil as the darkness of savagery slowly begins to powerfully overtake the boys’ mental concept of their civilian nature that they were born into. Both symbolically represent a certain importance and power to the boysRead More Lord of the Flies Essay838 Words   |  4 Pages Lord of the Flies and the novel’s symbolism nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Lord of the flies is a thought-provoking novel authored by William Golding. This novel uses symbolism throughout its entirety to help portray importance and teach lessons. The book describes in detail the horrific exploits of a band of young children who make a striking transition from civilized to barbaric. Lord of the Flies commands a pessimistic outlook that seems to show that man is inherently tied to society, and withoutRead MoreUnderstood Objects of Symbolism in the Novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding716 Words   |  3 PagesIn every novel, an object may represent something other than what it actually is. Lord of the Flies of by William Golding has several of these objects in it. An explanation for what objects hold symbolic meaning is would be like how snow may represent delight and happiness for a child. These objects also add side stories and add detail to the novel. Three objects that hold immense symbolic meaning in Lord of the Flies are th e beast, the conch, and the signal fire. To begin with, one object thatRead MoreLord Of The Flies By William Golding1022 Words   |  5 PagesIn the novel Lord of the Flies, William Golding emphasizes the essential values of a democracy to the people on the island through Ralph’s democratic leadership style and goals and Jack’s controlling and manipulative. These two leaders of the tribes draw a parallel reflection on the two leaders of World War Two, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Adolf Hitler. Lord of the Flies beings with a plane crash in the middle of the ocean; the boys are left alone on an island without any adults, fending for theirRead MoreWilliam Golding And Lord Of The Flies Analysis1031 Words   |  5 PagesWilliam Golding fulfills Hobbes’ ideas about man with Lord of the Flies in the moments when Jack and Ralph argue over whether to hunt for meat or build shelters, when Simon is killed by the boys, and when Samneric betray Ralph and join Jack’s tribe. An early example in the novel where Golding supports Hobbes’ ideas about man is when Jack and Ralph argue over whether to hunt for meat or build shelters. Hobbes discusses the competition between men with the same desires as he writes, â€Å"And thereforeRead MoreWilliam Golding s Lord Of The Flies1745 Words   |  7 Pages1954 novel, Lord of the Flies by Nobel Prize-winner William Golding is a dystopian allegory indicative of vast aspects of the human condition. Set in the midst of a nuclear war, the text details a group of marooned British school boys as they regress to a primitive state. Free from the rules and structures of civilisation and society, the boys split into factions - some attempting to maintain order and achieve common goals; others seeking anarchy and violence. The novel is based on Golding’s experienceRead MoreLord of the Flies Essay1218 Words   |  5 PagesThroughout the novel Lord of the Flies, various views and motifs are portrayed. Of these v iews and motifs, the main message which is illustrated is one that questions society. It is clear from the very beginning that is a message conveyed in this novel. On the whole, Golding is portraying a good versus evil which are represented by Jack and Ralph. In Lord of the Flies a variety of ideas can be extracted on what the message Golding is trying to show. Golding wrote this novel in order to show the basicRead MoreComparison of Lord of the Flies with Peter Pan1716 Words   |  7 Pages The Boys The books â€Å"Lord of the Flies† by William Golding, and â€Å"Peter Pan† by J.M. Barrie, have similar characteristics that will be compared and contrasted in this paper. â€Å"Lord of the Flies† takes place on a deserted island where about 20 British boys have crashed during World War II. Peter Pan, dissimilarly, tells the tale of a boy who doesn’t want to grow up and lives on the magical island of Neverland with the Lost Boys. Both Lord of the Flies and Peter Pan have common themes, symbolsRead MoreUse of Symbols in Lord of the Flies by William Golding Essay1388 Words   |  6 Pagescharacters play major roles in representing power in works of literature. Therefore, an author uses these ‘symbols of power’ to control the characters and the overall course of the work. In Lord of the Flies symbols are both used by the characters and stand on their own. Fire on the island is a dual blade and Lord of the Flies impedes on progression. While th ese two symbols stand on their own, the characters use and are used by them. Ralph leads the boys to advancement while Jack stands as his opposition

What the Best Form of Government Is Free Essays

The purpose of this essay is to examine how the philosopher Thomas Hobbes answers the question of â€Å"what the best form of government is† in objection to Plato’s answer that philosophers should rule. In this paper, I will defend this statement by using the arguments Plato has made in The Republic on why philosophers should rule and responding to them with critics from Thomas Hobbes, explaining Hobbes belief in absolute monarchy, and using a real-life example of why Thomas Hobbes belief in absolute monarchy is the best form of government.To begin, we must understand the reason behind why Plato decided to make this argument for philosophers to rule. We will write a custom essay sample on What the Best Form of Government Is? or any similar topic only for you Order Now At the time, the Athenian democracy was very unstable; which is the main reason why Plato decided to write The Republic. He believed that he knew the answer to why this instability was happening; â€Å"no competent leadership† (501b), and that is why in the first couple books, Plato focuses on defining the term â€Å"justice† and the prevention measures that a state can take in order to avoid the tyrannies that occurred in the Athenian democracy. As we unravel more, he goes on to write about the importance a governing body has to the state; because it takes the best people found in society and allows them to become moral and political examples for the other â€Å"classes† of citizens. In the Republic Book VIII, he mentions five types of regimes starting off with the best form of government which is called â€Å"aristocracy†. Philosophers ruling in the aristocracy means this regime is funded from wisdom and reason according to Plato. For every regime in Plato’s books, he has a man that illustrates what they stand for and are analyzed by Plato to advocate for his best form of government; philosophers as kings that rule. Plato has the aristocratic state divided into three caste-like parts: the ruling class, the auxiliaries, and the rest of people (majority.) Focusing on the ruling class, they are considered the â€Å"golden† ones because they have gold souls and are the only ones capable of ruling. Plato believes that a philosopher king needs to go through proper training from the day they were born in order to become â€Å"golden†. The philosopher kings go through an educational system that aims in training them to become selfless and upright, and they are taught â€Å"The Truth† based on Platonic ideas which allows their souls to become calm and aware of absolute Good. That brings us to an important question; what is absolute good? According to Plato, the absolute Good that philosopher kings can see is the metaphysical origin of all that is good, which includes happiness. Philosopher kings do not focus on personal interests or shadows of Good (such as money, fame) but instead shift their focus towards real happiness. Real happiness for philosopher kings is not to abuse the power given for his own selfish desires, but to dedicate his life into establishing Good in the state. Plato writes in The Republic that humans generally want what is intrinsically good, â€Å"even if the person does not realize the nature of what is good† (Plato 505d). This means that although each person has the ability to commit bad actions, it is general and not based off a fundamental law, but instead appetites and desires. Now we can mention philosopher Thomas Hobbes (who I feel answers this question best) who writes in the â€Å"Leviathan† with a similar belief of strong power and human appetites and aversions, but he does not agree with Plato’s statement of humans wanting good necessarily, but rather wanting what protects them best. Hobbes goes on to write how a man in the state of nature living is at risk of a state of chaos because of his appetites and how humans will â€Å"provoke the rest† and create war and aggression. The way both Plato and Hobbes feel about what humans want shapes what kind of ideal society they feel would best work in order to prevent chaos. For Plato, the philosopher kings are the only ones who possess truth and therefore are the only ones who can show average people how to act in society. Meaning that people in society are going to obey the philosopher kings because at the end of the day; everyone wants the general good. However, Hobbes criticizes Plato’s theory of this by writing how nobody can achieve the possession of truth and therefore will be uncapable of seeing the good for the state and not themselves. Hobbes feels because nobody can posses the truth; they also can not pass down moral understanding to something they lack and are not qualified in. Hobbes focuses more on ration and logic and does not consider religious aspects or morals when it comes to government which is more effective to this day. The reason he argues for this is that each person has different moral standpoints and it can not simply be summarized for the over all majority because it is simply not fair. Religion as well varies from person to person and a very common reason for civil war in a state comes from the church and the state, when people are having religious practices forced upon them. In an absolute monarchy, everyone must follow the rules placed upon them which are made to keep peace and avoid all these conflicts. Thomas Hobbes does not believe that morality has any importance when it comes to government. The purpose of government according to him is to protect every citizen by reinforcing the laws which keeps society at peace. Hobbes summarizes his theory in the Leviathan by explaining, â€Å"If two want the same thing and they both cannot have it, they become enemies and endeavor to destroy one another† (Hobbes 141). This becomes the political theory he stands for because it further means that unlike Plato, men are constantly in battle with other men due to the lack of satisfaction for what he already has. Hobbes believes because humans are selfish, the only proper form of government is absolute monarchy. In the Leviathan, he uses the argument that a civil society would not be subject to destruction within if it is constructed with an absolute monarchy. An absolute monarchy is a form of monarchy that has one ruler being the supreme power and that power is not limited to any laws that are written, legislations, or customs. He explains how any disagreements between state and church or rival governments or any factionalism in general within society can lead to civil war. He holds onto the concept that any form of civil government that all people of society submit to will maintain common peace because those arising conflict issues will not happen. The sovereign is in charge of running the government, this includes creating the laws, controlling the churches, determining first principles, and solving any conflicts that happen because of different philosophical beliefs. According to Hobbes, only this absolute sovereign can maintain a civil society, and avoid war from being entered into society. Equality also plays an important role in why Thomas Hobbes believes in absolute monarchy. Unlike Plato, he does not believe that anyone is better than anyone else, regardless of differences, no man can see ultimate truth and therefore are not so different after all. I agree with Thomas Hobbes belief in absolute monarchy because as he mentions in the Leviathan his main purpose of supporting absolute monarchy it to try to avoid destruction happening within the state. Civil war can occur in a state from any type of disagreement as Hobbes mentioned between church and state for example that can lead to destruction within, so he feels the best way to avoid that is to create an absolute monarchy so that people will be safe. A real-life famous example of a successful absolute monarchy is in Swaziland and goes way back to the seventeenth-century. Swaziland is the last monarchy left in Africa, but many middle-eastern countries in the world still have this form of government. The power an absolute monarchy has is still shown today when we look at the 1973 emergency act the king of Sobhuza II took declaring the state in emergency in the country is still in effect today. In Swaziland, the king had total authority over the cabinet, legislature, and judiciary of the country. In an absolute monarchy, the ruler can impose rules everyone must follow to aim at protecting the country and keeping peace within.Another real-life example from a more personal standpoint would be the country Jordan, which is in the Middle East and my home country. Jordan is one of the only countries in the Middle East that does not have conflict destroying their countries and does not have war going on. The reason behind this is simply their form of government which is an absolute monarchy. All the power lays on the Hashemite King of Jordan, his name is Abdullah and he is well loved and respected from all the residents living in Jordan. He has managed to keep the country one of the safest countries in the Middle East and has taken care of the general good of everyone in the country. King Abdullah has so much power to the point where there is no freedom of speech when it comes to the royal family, meaning anyone saying anything negative about the king is a crime and can be imprisoned. The reason for this law is that there are many great supporters and lovers of the king who would cause harm and start war with those who speak badly of him and for the general good of keeping everyone at peace; the king just puts those people away to prevent things from escalating. When you really think about it, in this kind of situation both the name of the King and the person who is speaking bad is being protected, which avoided a conflict from rising and creating civil war. Hobbes is right when he says humans are selfish beings who always want more because other countries in the Middle East who are not ran by an absolute monarchy are destroying one another through civil war within their country. In conclusion, Hobbes had a main concern regarding that the most effective form of government- whatever its form- must have absolute authority. He states that their powers must be neither divided nor limited. The reason he feels this as I had mention was for the general well being of the state in avoidance of conflicts occurring from civil disputes. The reason he emphasizes the need for absolutism is because once the authority opens room for limitation of their power, people will over step their limits and their selfish wants will come out and fear is the only way to keep the majority safe. The only uncertainty Hobbes is yet to explain is his treatment of religion. My paper was only looking at the Leviathan, where it becomes unclear how religion plays out in his whole political theory. In other books, Hobbes discussed his Christian religion in each revision for his political philosophy. Conflicting examinations from readers on whether Hobbes meant to use his core Christian commitments that come from absolutism, or if he just disregarded the readers religious beliefs by using irony. Regardless of how Hobbes intentions in Leviathan are understood, it seems to me that Hobbes is a rational thinker who only speaks the truth that many people only obey and treat people well due to fear from higher conquers. In a state of human nature, everyone would do whatever they please because there is no fear; meaning selfish humans will all destroy themselves. How to cite What the Best Form of Government Is?, Papers

Impact of Drones in the Canadian Skies

Question: Describe about the Impact of Drones in the Canadian Skies? Answer: Introduction: Drones are aerial devices that have the ability to do flip and spin, hover in midair and can also carry small things like a video camera on board. They can aid in scientific research work and help in surveillance work also. In democratic society drones are replacing the work of humans (Hall and Coyne, n.d.). Body: In this article the efficiency of drones are mentioned. It is said that drones are actively taking part in terms of human work. They are being considered as worker bees where employers do not want to send human for the work to be done. Aeryon Labs introduced the waterloo based drone so that it could sell hardware to the military. Drones are becoming more commercially viable and numbers of drones can be seen in the Canadian skies. Aeryons products are accustomed to the northern weather and have batteries that can sustain up to 40 minutes in the air. These devices are also helping the Ontario Provincial police to survey traffic accidents as well. Even the petrochemical companies are utilizing them to check tops of transmission towers (Shultz, 2015). Even Amazon is also introducing drones in US to deliver its packages. DHL a German company is testing a Parcel copter. The introduction of cheaper drones are widely spreading in the market and relying on businesses like real estate agents, helicopter rentals, photographers and filmmakers as well. Plexi drone is a small device that is fully automated and comes with a touch screen panel (Waquet, 2004). Conclusion: It can be concluded that Canada has been authorizing the use of commercial drones and this is a great step for transport of Canada and other drone makers as well. References Hall, A. and Coyne, C. (n.d.). The Political Economy of Drones.SSRN Journal. Shultz, D. (2015). Drones dont faze birds.Science. Waquet, P. (2004). Mine Hunting with Drones.Information Security: An International Journal, 13, pp.98-111.

Nike S Publicity free essay sample

Nike (originally named Blue Ribbon Sports) was founded in 1964 by Phil Knight and his University of Oregon track Coach Bill Bowerman. It was born as a business project of Knights while he was in Stanford. The idea was to import shoes from Japan into the U. S. Up until this point the majority of shoes were imported from Germany. By importing the shoes from Japan the cost would drastically be improved because of labor savings. Nike, with the ingenious incorporation of famous sponsors, quickly grew to 168 stores in the United States and a presence in over 160 Countries. In the early 1990’s Nike came into the spotlight over allegations of human rights and labor violations in the third-world countries it was manufacturing in. Some of the allegations included child labor breaches which were already in the spotlight at the time from manufacturing of other product lines. Other stories were of beating, horrid work conditions, and abuse. We will write a custom essay sample on Nike S Publicity or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Nike initially chose to address the scandal with a â€Å"damage control† attitude. This led to public outcry and the protesting of its stores. Sports figures, which were the source of the majority of Nike’s publicity, began to separate themselves from the company. Retail stores also began to stop carrying the brand and separating themselves from the horrid stories. As a result of the bad publicity, and with shrinking sales, the company decided to take a new approach. The company started many new projects to bring about change in its factories and even took it a step forward and started to try and become an environmentally friendly company at the same time. 1. Why did Nike fail to address corporate social responsibility early on? Nike subcontracted many of its manufacturing jobs to local overseas companies. These companies did not have any means of discloser over its workers environment or age. Nike also had a â€Å"don’t ask don’t tell† mentality. As long as the profits were rolling in and the subcontracted manufacturers were keeping the margin down that is all they really looked at. The company decided to initially take a defensive â€Å"it’s not our fault† stance. As public outcry increased the were pressured into a â€Å"We’ll do only what we have to† stance and eventually decided to blame it on the industry as a whole. The proper thing to do in my opinion would have been to address the issue with the same aggression as the public was demonstrating. Let the public know that they initially had no control over the manufacturers in the other countries and begin to assure the public that the values of those companies are not the values that Nike believes in. From there they could further move to address stopping the labor issues and forming a system to make sure it never happens again. This is partly what Nike ended up doing in the long run anyway, it just took longer. 2. Evaluate Nike’s response to societal and consumer concerns about its contract manufacturing. I believe that Nike really believed that they had no blame in labor the conditions in the outside manufacturers. The way that Nike looked at it they were paying the manufacturers to do a job by whatever means they had at their disposal and how ever it was done had nothing at all to do with their company because it was out of their control. Whether this was the case or not Nike should have anticipated the backlash and public outcry that would follow. 3. What are the challenges facing Nike in the future. Nike has now positioned itself as a force for good in the fight for worker rights and equality. They have also positioned themselves as a positive force in the green movement. Nike’s biggest challenge comes from the changing world market and temptations to slip back into its old mentality. With a rise in wages in all countries around the world and shrinking bottom lines everywhere Nike must also be certain to keep an eye on their subcontractors in this changing environment so another incident like the Honduras layoff scandal does not happen again. Personal Opinion: I think Doug Guthrie said it best in his article in Forbes magazine on the subject Building Sustainable and Ethical Supply Chains: : â€Å"The lessons learned from the Nike experience have a particular appeal in 2012. After all, the world has shrunk considerably in the last decade, and the workplace abuses on the far side of the globe can come back home with a swift and uncompromising speed. Additionally CSR and corporate citizenship has taken hold, not only in the imaginations of academics but also in the real world inhabited by consumers. † Doug know, as I do, that with the opening of the global market comes higher wages in third world companies and thus a more competitive attitude at home. I believe that Nike is on the right path and that not only are they doing a good job at watching their labor force, but their social responsibility push is a pioneering move on their part. No other shoe manufacturer of their size is addressing the issues of waste and pollution in the same ways as Nike. References Guthrie, Doug. Building Sustainable and Ethical Supply Chains. Forbes. com. N. p. , 09 Mar. 2012. Web. 10 Apr. 2013. lt;http://www. forbes. com/sites/dougguthrie/2012/03/09/building-sustainable-and-ethical-supply-chains/gt;. Ferrell, Fraedrich, and Ferrell. Business Ethics Ninth Edition. Mason, OH: Centrage Learning, 2013. Print.

Commercial fishing

Commercial fishing Commercial fishing is a worldwide enterprise that involves the capture of marine and freshwater fish and shellfish and their preparation for market. Fishing equipment ranges from small boats whose nets are cast and hauled in by hand to factory ships equipped with the most advanced technologies for finding, harvesting, and preparing huge amounts of fish. These large catches are very costly, however, not only in the price of their equipment and fuel, but also in the depletion of fishery resources their use brings about.The major portion of the total fish harvest consists of few fish species, which are divided into two primary groups. Pelagic species - those which live in the near-surface layers of the oceans, this include several species of herring, tuna, salmon, anchovies, pilchard, sardines, menhaden, and mackerel. Demersal species - fish that live in the near-bottom layers of the ocean, this includes cod, sole, halibut, haddock, hake, and flounder.Bering Sea and the North Pacific Oc eanLarge catches are also made of a group of fish classed commercially as SHELLFISH - shrimp, lobster, scallops, oysters, clams, crabs, mussels, and squid. WHALING was once a major part of the fishing industry. Overfishing has endangered many whale numbers, however, and the field has lessened in importance.Almost all large pelagic and demersal fish catches are made over or near the continental shelf, the underwater plateau around the continents and large islands. In these waters temperatures, water depths, and the currents that influence the amounts of available food create an environment that is highly favourable to the existence of large schools of fish.The animals living in and on the bottom of the continental shelf serve as additional food sources for demersal fish. Also, most species spawn on continental shelves, and the main nursery grounds of many species are also in coastal regions. The main fishing...

Belief Andrew Jackson in Democracy

Belief Andrew Jackson in Democracy Andrew Jackson’s belief in Democracy was that all branches and agencies of the government must listen to and follow the wishes of the people. He wanted to change the way the country had been run before he took charge. He didn’t think that the people were really getting there fair say on things. Andrew Jackson was very Democratic because he wanted the people to have more say and power in the government, he wanted to extend our boundaries so that people could move more out west, and he wanted the national bank to be run differently than it was. Andrew Jackson thought that our country wasn’t Democratic enough so when he campaigned he told the people that he will listen to them and do there will. He believed that the people in office before him did a terrible job of this. In the year 1816, the people chose presidential electors by a legislature, and by the year 1832, most of the presidential electors were chosen by the people except in one state only which was South Carolina. Then again in 1836, the presidential electors were chosen by the people in all but one state which was once again South Carolina. Then on December 8, 1829, in a letter to Congress Jackson said, â€Å"In a country where offices are created solely for the benefit of the people, no one man has any more right to (government jobs) than another†. This shows that he believes that any citizen of the country has a right to be in the government. The second reason that Andrew Jackson was Democratic was that he wanted to extend our country for the people. He wanted the Indians to move out west to what is now Oklahoma so more Americans could move off of the east coast and develop our country more. A lot of people today say that this was a terrible dictator thing to do, but really it wasn’t he told them that they could stay in the condition that they obeyed our laws. He also paid the Indians who decided to go to Oklahoma. Though Jackson was democratic by expanding voting rights, he made many controversial decisions that reflected self-interest and not the common man. Many of Jackson’s critics believed that he ignored the separation of powers and abused his powers as president (Doc 3). In response to Andrew Jackson’s Bank Veto Message, Daniel Webster explained that â€Å"(President Jackson’s message) extends the grasp of (the chief executive) over every power of the government†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Doc 5). Jackson crushed the majority vote of Congress by the use of the presidential veto. He selfishly broadened his power as president and disregarded the majority’s desires. Because Jackson caused the fall of the National Bank, the United States struggled to manage money and loans and this consequently led to the Panic of 1837. In Andrew Jackson’s letter to Congress, he asks for their consideration of, â€Å"(a) law whic h limits appointments to four years,†. Jackson wanted to rotate government officials so that he could implement spoils system. This is why I think Andrew Jackson was democratic.

Diabetes and the african-american population Essay

Diabetes and the african-american population - Essay Example Moreover, diabetes is also associated with the development of nephropathy with potential renal failure, autonomic dysfunction, and foot ulcers. Thirst, polyuria, blurring of vision, and weight loss are the characteristic clinical presentation of diabetes. Diabetes can lead to ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar non-ketotic coma. Individuals with diabetes are often asymptomatic and some patients experience mild symptoms. For many centuries, there has been an awareness of different types of diabetes with varying severity. At the beginning of the 20th century, the possibility that there are two distinct types of diabetes emerged. The two types of diabetes are Type 1 diabetes (beta-cell destruction), which is an idiopathic and autoimmune disease, and Type 2 diabetes, which is characterized by insulin resistance and insulin hyposecretion (Holt, 2010). Type 1 diabetes occurs as a result of beta-cell destruction and mild insulin resistance. Insulin is required for survival after the patient survives the initial stages of the disease. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency. Type 2 diabetes is the dominant form of the disease around the world (T. Metcalf & G. Metcalf, 2008). Diabetes is particularly quite prevalent in the United States of America. According to the 2000 US Census, there are 37.4 million African American individuals in America which constitute approximately 12.3% of the total population. In African American children, the rates of Type 1 diabetes are lower compared to American children. The African American population has an incidence rate of 5 to 8 per 100,000 per annum. On the other hand, the incidence rate of diabetes in white population is 14 to 17 per 100,000 per year. (Joslin & Kahn, 2006).The different proportions of racial admixture, particularly with the white populations, might be the reason for the distinct incidence rates among the black population. A significant role is played by genetic

Sai.m Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Sai.m - Essay Example h crises; moreover, the fact that the effects of recession on markets that are based on Islamic banking has been limited proves the effectiveness of Islamic banking scheme towards its western rival. Current study focuses on the examination of the solutions that Islamic banking can offer regarding the limitation of losses caused because of the credit crunch. In order to understand the potential solutions of Islamic banking against the credit crunch it would be necessary to refer primarily to the characteristics and the framework of Islamic banking as an alternative scheme of banking compared to the traditional (western) banking system. In accordance with Iqbal et al. (1987, p.29) ‘the central requirement of an Islamic financial system is the replacement of the rate of interest with the rate of return on real activities as a mechanism for allocating financial resources’. On the other hand, Saeed (1996) notes that ‘the investment activities of the Islamic bank would be based on the two legal concepts of Mudaraba and Musharaka, alternatively known as profit and loss sharing (PLS)’ (Saeed, 1996, p.51); in other words, the existing principles and mechanisms of Islamic banking can be used in order to control the pressure of the global market – which is based on the western banking system; in this case, an appr opriate customization of the rules of Islamic banking system would be required in order to suit to the needs and the potentials of customers worldwide (Scharf, 1983, p.18).On the other hand, Islamic banking system has an important weakness: the lack of an appropriate regulatory framework; this means that in case of failure the allocation of risk among the persons that participated in a specific investment initiative may not easy; furthermore, the recovery of damages would also face difficulties (Ledgerwood, 1999, p.56). The above problem is examined in the study of Venardos (2005); in the specific study it is noted that ‘an appropriate regulatory

Psychological Disorder Analysis Essay Example for Free

Psychological Disorder Analysis Essay Marla is a 42-year-old Hispanic female who comes to the mental health clinic complaining of having trouble sleeping, feeling â€Å"jumpy all of the time,† and experiencing an inability to concentrate. These symptoms cause problems for her at work, where she is an accountant. As a psychiatrist I would need to diagnose Marla with the proper disorder, explain information about the diagnosis, and discuss possible treatments with her. It would be near impossible to make an accurate diagnosis without more information. First, I will clinically assess Marla by asking her a few questions without her realizing right away that I am trying to diagnose her from the second she enters my office. I will ease into the conversation to gain more insight before she notices what I am doing. I would like to provide a brief interview of how I would expect it to go, given the disorder that I have diagnosed. Hello, Marla. I am Joy Wardrip. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Will you tell me a little bit about yourself? Marla would likely introduce herself, tell me that she is an accountant. She would go on to tell me how she has been feeling anxious for a bit and how it really distracts her from her work. She would tell me how she has trouble concentrating and that too is affecting her work. She would likely be a bit emotional, perhaps teary-eyed as she expresses her frustration with the occurrence of these recent symptoms and how she would like to symptoms to be explained and to go away. She may even express how she wants to feel â€Å"normal† again. I understand your frustration and it is ok to feel frustrated. How long ago did you notice a change in your behavior? Marla would let me know that she had been feeling this way for the past six to eight months. She would also tell me that she can’t remember anything that has happened in her life to explain the anxieties that she was feeling. She would tell me how she would like for things to go back to the way that they used to be. How is your relationship with your parents? Marla would describe a great upbringing. She would explain how she is very close to both of her parents. She would go on to describe her childhood, which was abuse and torment free. She would speak of many good memories with her parents and how she is an only child. She would go on to tell me that she was quite spoiled and had no bad memories of being a young girl. Is there any mental illness that runs in your family? Also, have you ever been diagnosed with any disorders or are you on any type of medication? Marla would tell me that no psychological disorders were apparent in her family and that she is not currently taking any medication. She would tell me that she had only just recently went to her family doctor to discuss her symptoms and that the doctor recommended that she speak with someone to find the root of her troubles and to explore the possibility of her having a disorder. She would tell me that is why she came to see me. What was life like before you felt the symptoms that you have described to me? Marla would respond with how she was always very happy, always smiling. She would tell me how she lived a worry-free life and was very social. She would discuss how she had many friends and how she enjoyed her work. She would describe herself prior to the symptoms as someone who was very optimistic and upbeat. She would then go on to say that she only just realized that it had been quite a while since she had gone out and dined with any of her friends. Have you suffered any type of trauma? This can include anything from your past that caused you great pain or suffering mentally or physically. This could be an accident, death of someone close to you or abuse. Marla would bring up her childhood again and remind me that it was abuse free. She would also let me know that she had never been in a car accident, aside from a fender bender which really caused no damage to herself or her vehicle for that matter. She would tell me that she had been a victim of an earthquake years ago but that it didn’t seem to affect her anymore. She said that she was a bit shaken after the earthquake but that she had moved passed it almost effortlessly and that she hadn’t even really thought about the incident in some time. I would like to go back to something that you mentioned earlier. You said that you hadn’t gone out in a while, are their certain situations that you try and avoid because of your anxiety? Marla would explain that she didn’t like going to work. That she was missing several days because she felt uncomfortable in her office. She would explain that the more that she called in the less motivated she got to go and that it was really causing a problem for her at the workplace. She would tell me that she was afraid if something didn’t give, she would be fired. She would tell me how she wanted to leave while working because she felt claustrophobic, as though she needed to get some air or go clear her head. You mentioned that you have been having trouble sleeping here lately. Can you tell me a little more about that? Do you know of anything that may have lead to the trouble sleeping? Marla would tell me that she had been having trouble sleeping throughout the night. She would let me know that she didn’t struggle to get to sleep; she just had trouble staying asleep. She would let me know that it was really irritating her and that it was affecting her at work. She would tell me that she wasn’t arriving late to work but that she didn’t feel that she had gotten enough rest when she got to work and that she felt very tired during the work day. Do you often have dreams that recur often or do you have nightmares often? Also, how often do you wake and remember your dreams and what do you remember about them? Marla would likely tell me that she didn’t dream often, nor did she have nightmares. She might say that perhaps she doesn’t remember the dreams once she has awakened. However, Marla would share with me that she often felt very shaken and jumpy after having waken up. Had this taken place, I may suggest that she keep a journal by her bed so that she can record anything that she remembers about her dreams and how she is feeling upon waking up. Have you ever experienced flashbacks? This is when something seems very real and the images are very clear. Perhaps you have experienced feelings similar to the feeling that you felt during the earthquake that we discussed earlier? Marla would tell me that she really struggled with flashbacks following the earthquake, but that she hadn’t had any experiences with them from some time. She would tell me that it had been a few years since she had experienced them. Following the interview, I would likely diagnose Marla with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I would explain to her that it is a incapacitating anxiety disorder that is experienced by people who suffer traumatic events. I will explain that these events can be related to warfare, rape, abuse, car accidents, or in her case, an earthquake. I would explain that the traumatic event can produce many characteristic symptoms which she has described to me, such as flashbacks, inability to concentrate, insomnia, and changes in emotions. Finally, I would explain the origin of the disorder by using the cognitive model of psychology. According to this model, one must understand human thought to understand its behavior. When people show abnormal behaviors many theorists look at cognitive problems. These problems can include illogical thinking processes and maladaptive assumptions. I would then try and help her to realize what she is doing and how she is responding to the trauma of the earthquake so that she can later focus on changing her faulty ideas and thinking processes for a form of treatment. This treatment would be achieved through a series of therapies in which I teach her to calm herself and control her emotions and behaviors (Comer, 2005).

Influences on Huck in Mark Twains Adventures of Huckleberyy Finn Essay

Influences on Huck in Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberyy Finn Throughout the incident on pages 66-69 in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck fights with two distinct voices. One is siding with society, saying Huck should turn Jim in, and the other is seeing the wrong in turning his friend in, not viewing Jim as a slave. Twain wants the reader to see the moral dilemmas Huck is going through, and what slavery ideology can do to an innocent like Huck. Huck does not consciously think about Jim's impending freedom until Jim himself starts to get excited about the idea. The reader sees Huck's first objection to Jim gaining his freedom on page 66, when Huck says, "Well, I can tell you it made me all over trembly and feverish, too, to hear him, because I begun to get it through my head that he was most free-and who was to blame for it? Why, me. I could get that out of my conscience, no how nor no way." Huck is hearing the voice of society at this point, not his own. He does not see a moral dilemma with Jim being free; he is opposed to the fact that he is the one helping him. This shows Huck misunderstanding of slavery. Huck does not treat Jim like a slave when they travel together, this shows the reader that Huck views Jim as an equal in most ways. Huck sees having a slave only as owning the person, not actually being a slave to someone. Therefore, when he helps Jim runaway it would be like stealing. This conscience is telling him that Miss Watson, Jim?s master, never di...

Survival of Pi

In the novel Life of Pi, Pi goes through an unexpected journey for 227 days that adjusts his morals and needs to survive. Pi depends on his survival by over looking his morals, having faith, and creating his own version of the situation rather than facing reality. The human mind will go to great lengths to escape itself out of traumatic real life situations. Survival is the state of continuing to live or exist, typically in spite of an accident, ordeal, or difficult circumstances. Pi is faced with a serious situation involving death of loved ones, and the need to survive.The actions humans do to survive seem extraordinary and unimaginable. Pi’s needs to survive alter his life style. To begin with, Pi grew up a vegetarian as well as his brother Ravi, and his mother. The whole journey, Pi was surrounded by food and water but unfortunately the water was salt water so it was undrinkable and Pi could not apprehend any fish nor wanted to eat any. Pi had to depend on fish and turtles to give him some nutrients for survival. Pi believed eating meat was morally wrong. In Pi’s second story, he was surviving on the boat with a young sailor, a cook, and his mother.The cook could no longer sustain his humanity and he turns to cannibalism because he considers it the last option. The whole journey, before Pi was stranded on the lifeboat he was given food, water, love, and all the essentials to survive. On the lifeboat Pi fended for himself and had to change his morals and lifestyle to survive. Once Pi survived his journey and was interviewed by Mr. Chiba and Mr. Okamoto, Pi informs them, with: â€Å"I know my survival is hard to believe. When I think back, I can hardly believe it myself. † (223) Pi was against all odds of his journey to live, and survived.Faith is an important factor of Pi’s survival. Furthermore, faith is a significant factor in Pi’s survival. Pi should have passed away several times but faith kept him remaining on his jour ney. Pi is unsure of what religion he believes in. He is Hinduism, Islam, and Christian. Pi believes all religions lead to the same God. Without faith, Pi would have given up multiple times but Pi knows his life has a meaning. Pi understands out loud, â€Å"Only fear can defeat life. † (161) This quote explains how Pi believes faith can keep you surviving as long as you have faith in yourself.After the ship sank, and Pi remarkably survived he verbally realized, â€Å"Every single thing I value in life has been destroyed. † (108) The trauma Pi is going through is fierce and too much to tolerate. Pi lost all of his family, left his home and friends, and is now gone astray out at sea. He has lost everything and anything close to him. By believing in the three different religions, Pi shows that he is strong with a high spirit, which helps him survive out at sea. Pi had knowledge from three different religious groups, so he always had help and a solution to all of his probl ems.Faith is powerful. Faith gave Pi a reason to keep going and not to give up. Lastly, Pi created a ‘second story’ so he didn’t have to face the reality. People can often prepare a story to convince people and themselves that it actually happened, so they can escape reality and believe in this fantasy. Pi created Richard Parker so he didn’t feel alone; Richard Parker was a figment of Pi’s imagination. Richard Parker is the will inside Pi for survival. Richard Parker was Pi’s fighting source. Richard Parker killed the hyena after the hyena killed the zebra and orangutan in the second story.Richard Parker only comes out of hiding when Pi becomes angry after seeing his Mother (orangutan) and young sailor (zebra) be killed by the Chef (hyena), I think when Richard Parker comes out of hiding that demonstrates Pi’s fighting source coming out of his personality. Throughout the book, aspects of Richard Parker come out in Pi. For example, Pi s tarts eating meat even though it is against his morals and beliefs, his personality becomes strong like a tiger because he becomes in charge and doesn’t let Richard Parker take control.Pi created the second story and Richard Parker so he could escape reality. Pi would not have been able to survive without Richard Parker. Richard Parker killed the chef for Pi. Without each other, Pi and Richard Parker would have died. In retrospect, Pi survived under adverse and unusual circumstances. Pi would have not survived without overlooking his morals, having faith, and creating his own version of the daunting situation. The actions humans do to survive seem extraordinary and unimaginable. Pi’s needs to survive alter his life style.

Admission to MBA Course

My principal objective and life’s ambition had always been to work in an atmosphere that not only demanded the utmost of my potentiality but also challenged my abilities.   It is commonplace for soldiers to be accoutered with fully loaded weapons and the requisite mental preparedness to emerge victorious in battle.In a similar manner, I have always possessed enormous experience, organizational abilities and psychological preparedness in meeting the demands of the contemporary work environment.I have experience of working in physical care and wellness and I completed an undergraduate course in Kinesiology and Nutrition. Prior to the year 2000 I worked for the United States Army as a Production Controller. My tenure with the US Army helped me to achieve organizing capabilities and expertise in management and supervision.During the years from 2000 to 2003, I was associated with the Women’s Hospital of Texas as an administrative assistant, where I gained expertise in the allotment of duties to office personnel, preparation of medical charts, physician’s reports and the radiology department’s clinical reports.These reports had to be prepared and submitted to the physicians of the hospital on a daily basis. I also assisted the radiologists, physicians, patients and their families and extended my moral support to patients and their near relatives, in order to alleviate their suffering. In this task, I invariably offered my best efforts and always lent a helping hand in a friendly manner.I developed a number of supervisory skills, like keeping track of office supplies and ensuring that stocks were always available. I maintained the secrecy of patients’ records filed with the hospital.My extensive experience helped me to assume positions involving multifaceted responsibilities. Consequently, I gained considerable organizing skill and the competence to be a part of large-scale facility projects.Thereafter there was no turning back. I became very proficient in budgeting, scheduling of events and the promotion of customer relations. All these activities enabled me to become very good at building teams and to assume the position of a role model for others. Subsequently, I acquired program management skills and was extremely successful in providing service in the corporate environment.In addition, I possessed adequate knowledge to recruit, train and encourage professional staff development. I also worked in group facilitation, and in this particular field I emerged as an undisputed leader. My communication skills were proved on many an occasion to be outstanding.I am extremely proficient with the Microsoft Office applications Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Publisher and software applications like FitLinxx, MediTech and Eclipse. Whilst working as a Product Sales Developer in TechnoGym USA, Seattle, WA and I developed programming around Easy Line circuit equipment and provided essential product information to the s ales personnel.This entailed the design of presentations, making conference calls and preparing product literature to improve sales and the preparation, execution and revision of project plans.I have faced a number of challenges in life. One of them relates to my tenure in the military. I joined up at the age of nineteen and to put it frankly I was all at sea. We had to undergo physical exercises six days a week for an hour at a stretch. It was not much different from physical torture.Then we were made to march for twelve miles with a rifle and a forty pound knapsack. Afterwards we had to stand at attention, without making even the slightest of movement. In addition, we had to memorize and answer a number of questions while waiting in line for food.Emotionally our psyche took a tremendous beating, as we were not allowed to see our family members or friends till a month had elapsed, which forced us to develop new friends.This experience proved to be a baptism by fire and I emerged mu ch stronger and better equipped to face the worst in life. I developed self reliance, team spirit and since the targets were never ending it became second nature to strive for attaining goals. This served to enhance my ambition and fighting spirit enormously.I have received several citations and certificates for the exemplary work performed by me. I am a trained instructor in Yoga, Spin, Pilates and CPR. My life’s ambition is to start a Health and Fitness enterprise. To this end I would like to commence studios that take care of fitness and provide personalized training.My observation has been that a significant number of institutions that offer fitness services do not cater to individual needs. My enterprise will take a very close look at the nutritional value of the food being consumed by my clientele. There will be stores for such purchases and these stores will offer customized shopping services.I will implement meal plans that will take into account the specific requirem ents of my customers. My principal objectives are to develop skills related to the management of projects, develop self – sufficiency and conduct a successful business. Moreover, I intend to travel extensively for both business and pleasure, because travel expands the mind.These are my aspirations and a few of my extensive accomplishments. The next logical step is to obtain suitable formal education in management.   This will not only improve my career prospects but also help me to perform at my optimum level. Thus, I made a survey of the different colleges offering the MBA program and concluded that the Marylhurst University’s MBA program was best suited to my unique needs.This program produces professionals with strong interpersonal, analytical and communication skills with a holistic view of the business process from the shop floor to the retail outlet. The faculty members are working professionals, who keenly and unstintingly, impart their professional experience to the students, which renders this course very valuable. Moreover, the curriculum is flexible and pragmatic in its approach and content and emphasizes the application of the principles taught in class to the real world.The cardinal objectives of this program are to enable the student to possess the latest knowledge in such diverse fields as accounting, finance, law, etc; to become extremely proficient in analyzing national and international business environments; to comprehend the latest business concepts and emerging trends in management and information technology and discover one’s professional competencies in order to enhance one’s career prospects.Obviously, such a combination of goals and competencies is unique in the MBA programs available in this country and management graduates from this university perform exceptionally well in the industry. Therefore, it is my intention to register with this great university’s MBA program (Master of Business Administr ation).ReferencesMaster of Business Administration. (n.d.). Retrieved October 29, 2007, from Marylhurst University: http://www.marylhurst.edu/mba/mba.php

Special Education Supports and Services

Special Education Supports and Services Most parents of special education students remember when their child first came under the radar of her teachers and school administrators. After that initial call home, the jargon began to land fast and furious. IEPs, NPEs, ICT... and that was just the acronyms. Having a child with special needs requires that parents become advocates, and to learn all the options available to your child could (and does) fill a seminar. Perhaps the fundamental unit of special ed options is the support. What Are Special Ed Supports? Supports are any services, strategies or situations that may benefit your child in school. When your childs IEP (Individualized Education Plan) team meets- thats you, your childs teacher, and school personnel that may include the psychologist, counselor, and others- most of the discussion will be about the kinds of supports that can help the student. Kinds of Special Ed Supports Some special education supports are fundamental. Your child may need transportation to and from school. She may be unable to function in a large classroom and need one with fewer pupils. He may benefit from being in a team-taught or ICT class. These kinds of supports will change the situation of your child in school and may require changing his classroom and teacher. Services is another typically prescribed support. Services range from therapeutic consultations with a counselor to sessions with occupational or physical therapists. These kinds of supports rely on providers who may not be part of the school and may be contracted by the school or your towns department of education. For some severely disabled children or those whose disability is the result of an accident or other physical trauma, supports may take the shape of medical interventions. Your child may need help eating lunch or using the bathroom. Often these supports fall beyond the capacity of a public school and an alternative setting is recommended. The following is a list provides you with some samples of special education support modifications, adjustments, strategies, and services that may be provided to meet the needs of various exceptional students. This list is also helpful to assist you to determine which strategies would best suit your child. The list of examples will vary depending upon the actual level of support determined by the placement of the student. Alternate curriculumSpecific reading materialsAnger and/or stress managementSpecial education teacher for resource or withdrawal supportTest and exam supportAttendance monitoringBehavior managementClassroom modifications: alternate seating arrangementsCurriculum modifications and adjustmentsLearning strategiesEducational assistant support (paraprofessional)Peer teachingSelf-contained classTechnology supportFacility modifications or adjustmentsPartial school dayToileting, feedingTimeout and/or physical restraintsVolunteer assistanceSmall group instructionWithdrawal supportCommunity work experienceSocial integrationSupervision for non-instructional timeSmaller class sizeSpecial timetable These are just some of the supports that parents should be aware of. As your childs advocate, ask questions and raise possibilities. Everyone on your childs IEP team wants her to succeed, so dont be afraid to lead the conversation.

Trusts, Gifts and Estates term paper (ANY TOPIC) Essay

Trusts, Gifts and Estates term paper (ANY TOPIC) - Essay Example This results to the preservation of a harmonious familial relationship and the achievement of several financial benefits such as the creation of cash reserves and the after-tax income available. According to Brown and Myers (2008), it is important to underscore that the primary objective of all family estate planning is to provide psychological and financial security by obtaining â€Å"the maximum benefits of principal and income for the family and to pass on the family property intact (i.e. without losses)† (23). The last will and testament is an excellent example of estate planning and administration. There is also the case the revocable living trust. Both of these are popular choices for people seeking to manage and administer their assets and properties. This paper will explore why the revocable living trust can prove to be more beneficial for everyone than the last will and testament. Background The last will and testament or more generally known as the will is a legal do cument that provides the disposition of assets and properties. Simply put, in case of death, the ownership of a property is transferred according to the terms of the will of the deceased, the terms that document his desires particularly in the distribution of his estate and assets (Wardle and Nolan, 1042). Gau (2004) provided another definition, which states that it is â€Å"an expression of a person’s wishes for the disposition of property and the protection of loved ones at the time of the maker’s death† (7). The US legal framework considers the use of will as a developmental offshoot of basic estate planning, that one with the simple goal of planning for death (Wardle and Nolan, 1039-1043). It was further provided that the impetus for the development of wills was the need for federal estate tax planning for death and lifetime transfers (1039-1040). Baker wrote that the key is to keep it up to date because a clearly defined will could be the best piece of lega l work that one could have that can be used to honor one’s wishes and in defining the family’s futures (52). She also stressed that the will is a reliable backup to a trust in the estate planning process, in addition to several conditions, which she has listed such as: The fact that there are properties that are better left in a will; Money such as lottery winning can be distributed after death through a will and as a component of an estate plan; Parents with minor children. The will can name the guardian and the administrator of assets and properties before the children reach legal age; The appointment of an executor; and Disinheriting a person (Baker, 53-54). There are many other instances where the will is indispensable. It is important for people interested to draft their own wills to consult an estate planning professional or an estate planning team. The process may be simple, but there is a requirement to be thorough, clear and detailed so that the documented wou ld not be invalidated, contested and misinterpreted. It is also important to highlight that if assets are to be transferred through a will, the maker is necessarily deceased. The utility of the will as explained in this section does not mean that there are no other alternatives. There are several others that people prefer because it is more beneficial or that it is aligned with their own estate planning objectives. The Revocable Living Trust

Assignment #1 Making a Decision Using the Decision - Making Model Essay

Assignment #1 Making a Decision Using the Decision - Making Model - Essay Example I decided to go back to school to gain skills that would propel me further in my career. I saw graduate school as a beckoning opportunity through which I would be able to specialize in areas of my own choosing that improve my job performance and perhaps, result in promotions at the workplace. I enrolled for twelve units during the summer without considering the toll that these classes would have on my time, work and social life. The number of units I am taking this semester requires me to delegate most of my time to studies. I want to get good grades at the end of the semester, which means that I have to find time within my busy schedule to go through my class work. To do this, I have to utilize every free minute that I have to my books. All the time I get goes to my school work, and I have often found myself depressed and procrastinating whether my decision to take the masters program at this time was the right one. My school work has completely taken over my life. Currently, my life rotates around school and work. I no longer have the time to interact or socialize with my friends. Although I interact with a few of the friends I made in my class, we do not get the time to socialize outside the school compound. When we meet at the university, we interact for a few minutes before heading our separate ways. Being the social person that I am, I am always left feeling lonely. Lack of a primary component in my life makes it rather difficult to make up for my previously vibrant social life. As a result of this, I am often depressed as I do not have any friends to share my problems with. My personality as a lifelong learner is what drove me back to school. I have an insatiable desire to gain knowledge and challenge my academic abilities. Since I was young, I considered by unquenchable thirst for books to be a pursuit towards developing my mind. In

Chapter 7 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Chapter 7 - Essay Example Yet, he had one drawback and that was his young age and the lack of experience. Patrick drew inspiration from the story of David in the Bible to take on his aged and experienced adversary, and against the â€Å"Experience Counts† slogan of his adversary, he developed the right counter slogan â€Å"Our Future †¦Right Here, Right Now†, indicating the arrival of the new generation. The battle for political domination among the African Americans between the Civil Rights generation and the Hip Hop generation taking a new twist. Patrick went on to win and become the Mayor of Detroit. Similar scenarios were developing elsewhere too, like in Newark, where new generation Corey Booker challenged old guard Sharpe James. Corey Booker may have lost the vote by narrow margin, but his efforts along with that of Patrick symbolized the challenge that the younger generation were posing to the older generation across urban America. Patrick is proud to be known as a hip hop mayor, a t itle for a young generation mayor, supportive of hip hop politics. However, as a mayor Patrick has striven to demonstrate responsibility to the electorate, by concentrating on the problems of the children and citizens of Detroit.

Greek God Zeus - an Interpretation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Greek God Zeus - an Interpretation - Essay Example Most of the gods in the Greek mythology held dominion over the natural phenomena or over the abstract concepts such as love and wisdom. In that context, Zeus happened to be an important god in the Greek mythology as he held an almost absolute sway over all the other deities. Zeus had cult sites scattered all over ancient Greece. The sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia happened to be the most important of these cult sites, which is associated with the ancient Olympic Games (Bremmer & Erskine, 2010, p. 209). According to the Greek mythology, Zeus was the powerful deity who determined the fate of both the men and the gods. In that context, the Oracle of Zeus located at Dodona was a religious place, highly revered by the Greek people (Bremmer & Erskine, 2010, p. 156). Zeus was also considered by the Greeks to be the deity that presided over marital happiness and the household bliss. One essential attribute of the Greek theology was that it feared the sin of committing hubris (Thornton, 2000, p.116). Hubris happened to be a really wide term that included within its scope most of the sins, indulgences and excesses considered to be sinful by the Greek people (Thornton, 2000, p. 116). It was Zeus who was considered to be the god who punished the people guilty of indulging in hubris. Thereby, Zeus really happened to be a mythological deity that comes closest to the more contemporary Judi-Christian notions of a supreme and just God. In the ancient Greek art and sculptures, Zeus is depicted as a middle-aged and bearded character having a dignified disposition and demeanour. Thereby, the myth of Zeus signifies a theological evolution in the Greek theology in the sense that he happened to be a patriarchal divine figure that stood supreme over all the natural forces and abstract qualities represented by varied gods and goddesses of the Greek pantheon. The myth of Zeus was eventually carried on to the succeeding civilizations. The Romans, who incorporated in their religion, varied aspects of the Greek theology and mythology, fashioned their supreme deity Jupiter in tandem with the Greek god Zeus (Bremmer & Erskine, 2010, p. 150).  

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Construction

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Construction Abstract The following dissertation focuses on a personal development technique called Continuing Professional Development (CPD). With the world of construction constantly changing, professionals in the industry need to keep up to speed with the changing elements of the industry nationally and internationally. This dissertation assesses the CPD process that the industrys institutions provide for members and assesses how CPD is carried out. It also looks at how beneficial CPD is to the professionals who participate and the company they work for. By the end of this dissertation the role of these institutions should be easily identifiable in professional development and how participation can give working professionals a competitive edge on-site and help them progress in their careers both in and outside their existing company. This dissertation also encapsulates the opinions of some of the professional members of the industry involved in CPD. It will assess how CPD has influenced them in their career and will make recommendations on how to refine the process. Introduction This chapter explains the core elements of the study which includes a definition, hypothesis, aims and objectives, parameters of study and research methodology. Definition of Topic The definition of CPD in general is continual learning, regardless of age or seniority, which focuses on professional competency in a professional role. Its aim is to improve personal performance and enhance career progression. Over recent years the benefits of structured CPD have been identified within the construction industry. To become a chartered professional under a construction based institution(e.g. the Chartered Institute of Building(CIOB)) professionals must show they have been involved in a structured CPD process. Records must be maintained to show this before professionals may transgress. With the current economic climate, construction professionals need to keep their knowledge and skills to the optimum to ensure progression within their company and give them an advantage when looking for work elsewhere. CPD not only applies to the working professional but also to those unemployed who want to increase their chances when opportunities occur. Hypothesis CPD improves the performance and enhances the career progression of a professional in the construction industry. Aim of Dissertation The aim of this dissertation is to produce a piece of work that explains the process of CPD in relation to the construction industry. The dissertation will also assess the advantages of CPD; identify why it is important and how it can be improved. Objectives The objectives of this dissertation are to: Explain what CPD is in general and in a construction context. Identify which construction related professional institutes provide a structured CPD system for their members. Assess CPD within these institutes; compare advantages or disadvantages of each and recommend measures to improve their CPD systems effectiveness. Establish how important CPD is to each participants professional performance, development and career progression. Establish how important effective CPD is to a professionals performance and the company that employ them. Gather together the opinion of working professional in the construction industry on the benefits of CPD. Parameter of Study This study contains a general overview of CPD in terms of professionalism as a whole in any career path. It then focuses on CPD specifically in the construction industry and gives an in depth analysis of the role of professional institutes and its members who participate. It also identifies how important CPD is the construction industry today, both to the individual themselves and the company that employ them. Research Methodology There were a number of different methods of research used to complete this study including both primary and secondary research which are detailed below. Secondary Research: Books Various books were sourced both in the GMIT library and the online library of the CIOB. These books and extracts from books were used as a reference and for background information and reading. Some books covered CPD overall and others covered CPD specifically in the construction industry. Electronic Journals Official Reports Surveys Many of the reports and surveys read were carried out within the last decade in regard to the construction industry as well as CPD in other professions across the UK and in Ireland. These gave a good insight into CPD in other professions, what elements of CPD are important and in what direction CPD in construction is heading. Internet There was a mass of information available on the internet which contained both up-to-date and older material. Not all sources found were reliable, but pockets of valid information was uncovered throughout my research on the internet. Much background information was found which was helpful in getting different partys opinions on CPD and how it should be carried out. Many official websites were also useful in getting information on how CPD is provided to individuals by professional bodies both in construction and outside too. A lot of information was gathered through these sites to establish how CPD was made available to construction professionals. Primary Research: The four leading professional bodies in construction were chosen as the basis of my primary study. These include the Chartered Institute of Building(CIOB), the Society of Chartered Surveyors(SCS), Engineers Ireland(IEI) and the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland(RIAI). All four institutes have many members from various construction backgrounds and play a major role in the development of these professionals through CPD. Information on their CPD policy and practice was gathered and semi-structured interviews were then carried out with the relevant staff members of each institute to consolidate the information collected. Interviews were also carried out with members of the different institutes to get the receivers point of view. Format of Study This thesis will be carried out using the following chapter: Introduction to CPD In Chapter 2 CPD will be looked at in relation to the entire working world. CPD can be applied to any profession but also has similarities to the personal development of an individual. With the global economy rapidly evolving, new patterns of work and learning have emerged worldwide. Massive growth in sectors like information technology(IT) means that people working in that sector need to keep up with the changes or they will be left behind. The main purpose of continuing development personally is to maximise enjoyment of work and life. Therefore we need to be continually responding to the changing world around us. â€Å"Are you living to work or working to live?†(Megginson Whitaker, 2007) Continuing Professional Development(CPD) is based around the whole concept self-motivation and self management. It all depends on how motivated the participant is to learn about the career they are undertaking and can apply to any professional in the working world. It is particularly relevant to professions such as teaching, nursing and accountancy where ongoing learning is crucial.(Megginson Whitaker 2007) â€Å"The most precious asset any professional controls is knowledge of the discipline and the skill to apply it effectively. Over the long run it is more important to maintain the value of this asset than the office, the furniture, the computer hardware, or even the bank account.†(www.riai.ie/cpd Accessed 19/02/2010) History of CPD CPD has been around in various different forms for a long time. It is only over the past 25 years that CPD has been formalised and endorsed by professional membership bodies. Its history is as follows: 1850: Professionals met up in coffee houses to discuss practice and share notes 1984: Chartered Institute of Personal Development(CIPD) created a policy statement on CPD 1986: Construction Industry Council(CIC) defined CPD 1990: UK Inter-Professional Group(UKIPG 1977) CPD Forum set-up 1995: CPD becomes a requirement for all practicing CIPD Members 1999: CIC definition of CPD most commonly cited definition 2000: Institute of Professional Development(IPD) was granted a Royal Charter 2009: Aspirations to move from input to output and outcome-driven CPD schemes(Institute of Continuing Professional Development(ICPD) What is CPD? CPD is a process completed by the majority of professionals in the working world, either consciously or unconsciously. Its main purpose is to implement a system of continued learning and development separate to what they would learn through their daily work. Two definitions of CPD are as follows: â€Å"Continuing Professional Development(CPD) is the process by which individuals take control of their own learning and development, by engaging in an on-going process of reflection and action.†(Megginson, Whitaker, 2007) â€Å"The systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skills and the development of personal qualities necessary for execution of professional and technical duties throughout the individuals working life.†(Construction Industry Council, UK, 1986) CPD has many functions in the role of a professional. It ensures the professional maintains a high level of competence in their field and has the up-to-date skills and knowledge to provide a competent service to their client or employer. CPD also has a knock-on effect which encourages further development in many areas. This process empowers the individual to achieve their goals and encourages them to look at their career progression from a wider perspective. Self-motivation is a key element in this process, where the individual is the main driving force behind this new learning. It is their own responsibility to develop themselves and is not up their manager or employer. If the individual has no desire to learn CPD is a pointless process. Feedback from a CPD survey in 2008 indicates that members see two key benefits in undertaking CPD: It helps them maintain their knowledge and skills, and maintain professional and ethical standards.(PARN CPD survey 2008) Need for CPD CPD has evolved from the individuals thinking that career progression not only relates to secure job within an organisation but by the skills, knowledge and experiences obtained by the individual. CPD is also needed to ensure working professionals are providing an adequate service to their clients and employers. Services such as advice must be given so that changes to the environment associated with the decision are taken into account. This ensures the client gets the best service available for the fee paid. Soon to be professionals also need to maintain an adequate amount of CPD to progress to the next stage towards becoming chartered in most organisations. This goes a long way to fulfilling their need towards becoming a competent professional. Core Concepts of CPD How is CPD different to other types of training and development? The learner is in control-the whole CPD process is self-driven and managed where learning outcomes are directly proportionate to the time and effort participant puts into the process. They must be self- motivated, which means the participant must want to continue learning to be successful no matter what position or profession. It can apply to most aspects of life-CPD can apply to life outside work as well. For example, personal development can be achieved through implementing some of the knowledge or skills to improve family communications etc. There is a regular plan, do and evaluate process involved, which sets achievable goals and reflects on work put in which can spurs on further development. CPD can be beneficial without the support of others in their working environment. All professionals can complete CPD regardless of working situation, whether they work for a company or are self-employed and deal directly with their own clients. Of course support from employer would be more beneficial but it is not essential as interaction is mostly between the professional body and individual. Although some employers incorporate CPD into the training and development programmes of all employees. Methods of Learning through CPD CPD revolves around the whole learning process and the methods with which learning is provided is a very important part of the process. These methods ensure professionals can improve their skills and knowledge and gain relevant experience. Formal, non-formal and informal methods of learning include any process relevant to a profession that improves skills, knowledge and the experiences of a professional. CPD activities can include in-house training, open learning, conferences, seminars, workshops, structured reading, self-study, presentations and being a coach or mentor. Structured Unstructured CPD: All CPD comes under the heading of structured or unstructured CPD. Structured CPD is where the learning outcomes are identified in advance of learning. This CPD does not have to be provided or accredited by the participants institution or professional body. Structured CPD covers any educational event or programme run by a recognised educational or professional institution. Structured CPD must also be accompanied by attendance records or a certificate to prove process has been successfully completed. Unstructured CPD is an unplanned CPD activity that can be completed at any time or anywhere at the participants discretion. Activities that qualify as unstructured CPD include personal study or development, peer review and other activities such as case studies that are not part of other course requirements. Reflection on both of these CPD learning methods is crucial before CPD can be recorded. CPD methods of learning do not necessarily need to be provided by a professional body. They can be provided by an employer or other organisation which then can be accredited by the body as a worthwhile process. Constant reading of up to date reports, journals, magazines, newspapers and reviews relevant to a specific profession is probably the most common method. Reading is a very easy way of learning if the reader has an interest in the subject and puts the effort in to focus and concentrate on what they are reading. It is a very efficient method as it can be resumed over the space of a few minutes and it does not entail the use of another individuals time. Time management is a massive element in any professionals working life where they are always working to tight schedule. This means they may only have a few minutes a day to set aside for CPD of which reading is the perfect filler. Conferences and the gathering of professionals at CPD events are a fixed way of delivering CPD to practicing professionals. These may take place every few months and give attendees a chance to catch up with fellow professionals and discuss relevant issues. They may exchange ideas or opinions and can get in touch with useful contacts which may be important in the future. Seminars and lectures are also common where a leader of a profession may speak or organise a talk on issues that are changing the roles and lives of a professional or the industry they work in. Experts in the field may be asked to explain some new issue and give an opinion on what should be done. It is very important for professional bodies to hold these gatherings as it can influence and guide the way in which professionals across the world carry out there work. With resources on the internet constantly being upgraded it has now become very beneficial to CPD. Information is now much more accessible to the professional in their workplace, this method of learning is commonly known as e-learning. Readable information does not necessarily need to be sent to the professionals workplace anymore as these sources are now regularly being uploaded on professional body websites which are available 24 hours a day. This means waiting times are virtually eliminated as most magazines, reports and other such information are now available on the internet. Videos of seminars, conferences and podcasts can now be easily accessed which means information can be dispersed quickly and accurately straight to the professionals computer. This is a major time saving method as travelling times are eliminated and a much wider audience can be reached at one time. Assessments can also be uploaded onto a professional bodys website immediately after learning has taken place or can be submitted by email at any time. Records are much more easily kept when communicating through the internet; most websites make records accessible to professional membership which makes reflection a lot easier too. Professionals can be trained through workplace training which trains a small group of professionals within a company(s) on a specific topic. This method encourages participants to get more involved and can increase their understanding of the topic. A full list of CPD activities may include: Open distance learning(the internet, video packages, slide/tape packages, correspondence courses) Private study including systematic study of appropriate literature or research, or even learning a relevant language Technical and professional conferences, lectures, seminars, workshops, study tours, technical visits and short courses Courses leading to professional qualification or academic awards Writing articles for publication Teaching(for those not at teaching posts) Practice(for those in teaching posts) Preparing papers and contributing to technical meetings and study groups Examining, tutoring or mentoring(www.ciob.org.uk-Accessed 26/02/2010) Professional Bodies CPD is crucial to the success of any working professional. One crucial factor that determines the effectiveness of CPD to a professional is the professional body that provides the platform for this new learning. The majority of professional bodies, such as the CIOB, are non-profit making organisations that are established to support their professional members. They work to try and satisfy the needs of a specific group of people who work in the same field. Professional bodies simply started out as a group of professionals who got together to discuss relevant issues in their field and share ideas. There are hundreds of these bodies and institutes set up all over the world dealing in a multitude of different professions and even ordinary jobs, from secretaries to project managers. Professional organisations aim to assist and direct their members on the road to success. This is achieved by providing the tools to sharpen the professionals skills and knowledge. Being a member means you have unlimited access to all the educational resources and services needed to continue your professional development. They provide members with information, training, education, tips, advice and strategies to assist them in reaching the height of their professional career. It gives many opportunities to mingle with fellow professionals and employers in their specific field which could be of benefit when seeking career opportunities. This is one major reason why professionals join these organisations, to be recognised by the body and their codes of practice. Membership indicates to the existing or future employers that the individual is dedicated and has ambition to succeed in their profession. Professional bodies are also there to promote professionalism in their industry and help push members to achieve the standards of excellence associated with their profession. They are committed to developing and maintaining standards and policies for education within their profession and can also push for social awareness and debate. Some organisations can even influence government and industrial policy decisions.(www.nightcourses.com) CPD within Professional Bodies CPD was originally developed as part of the main objectives set out by these organisations, to educate their members. This process evolved and continual learning was identified as a pivotal part of the education process. This identifies clearly with the last three decades or so where the world of business has changed dramatically in every aspect. Professionals can no longer be content with sufficient skills and knowledge at a point in time, but have to be continually updating them to have a chance of survival. Professional bodies can now satisfy these needs through the use of CPD. The following figures from a survey carried out in the UK by the Professions Associations Research Network(PARN) show how widely CPD is used. 85% of professional bodies have CPD Policies in place 20% compulsory schemes(increased by 3% since 2003) 20% obligatory 43% voluntary 14% mixed (PARN survey for the International Accounting Education Standards Board(IAESB)) Recording Assessing CPD There are a number of different ways in which CPD can be recorded and assessed. This a crucial part of the process which is being implemented more and more. Recording what is learned is beneficial to both the participant and the body who assess them. Input based CPD is the most commonly used system where CPD is measured by recording the amount of time put into the process by the participant through the amount of hours they put in. Most professional bodies regulate the number of hours a professional needs to put in to progress within the organisation. This system is not as accurate as some other methods as the effort put in by the participant cannot be assessed. Smaller bodies tend to have more input-based CPD than the larger bodies as fewer resources are needed to run the programme compared to other systems. Input-based schemes are most commonly used in health, finance, law, business and management, with professional bodies with regulatory responsibilities currently favouring input-based schemes. Output-based CPD is another common system where the participant is assessed on what they have learned through CPD over a period of time. A regular peer review is a common method of assessment where experienced members of the profession review what has been learned. CPD can be self assessed also where participants reflect on what they have learned and how this can be applied to their daily working lives. Professional bodies may also require their members to complete an assessment or report directly after learning and send it to their body so it can be assessed and recorded. Engineering, construction and media bodies use mostly output-based schemes to assess their members progress. 66% of professional bodies measure CPD 28% input based(60% in hours/ 24% in points/ 12% other) 20% output-based(competency-based/ reflective/ peer review etc) 17% combination More measurement in other countries like Australia Canada CPD Cycle The CPD cycle is similar to most other management cycles and contains four key elements planning, action, evaluation and reflection on action. The cycle can be entered at two points, reflection on practice and action, but always ends at evaluation no matter which starting point is chosen. Reflection on practice-The CPD cycle may start at this stage if you think that you need to learn something maybe by not knowing something that you think you should know or by identifying an inadequacy when completing your day-to-day job. What needs to be learned may often be identified by looking back to any experience in your normal day-to-day work where something stands out or has gone wrong. Reflection on practice can be as simple as a personal interest which you would like to follow up. â€Å"What do I need to learn?† â€Å"How do I know thats what I need to learn?† Planning-Planning is essential to any process carried out in business. It enables the objectives and targets of the CPD to be identified before the process begins and gives people involved a better understanding. By looking back over the previous cycle the individual can work out what needs to be learned and how they can go about learning it. To plan the relevant CPD to be undertaken the participant must be able to identify gaps between current and needed competencies. Personal Development Plans(PDP) are a good way to help you think about where you would like to be professionally in the short, medium or long-term. â€Å"When do I need to learn it?† â€Å"How important is it for me to learn it?† â€Å"How exactly am I going to learn it-what are my options? Action-The CPD cycle can start at action purely by chance through unexpected learning that has occurred without previous planning. This is called ‘unscheduled learning where the individual hadnt consciously set out to learn. Action can also play a part in ‘scheduled learningwhere the process starts back at the reflection stage. Schedule learning occurs where an area for learning is uncovered and a plan is put in place before action is taken. â€Å"What have I gained from this action?† Evaluation-Evaluation is always the last stage of the CPD cycle and is one of the most important. The aim of this stage is to identify if plans set out and actions taken delivered on what they were set out to achieve and how this learning has been applied. If the objectives were achieved then a full cycle has taken place. CPD may not impact on the individuals work immediately after learning has taken place. The specific CPD cycle can be completed at a later stage when knowledge is put into use. If the process has not or has only partially delivered then the participant has to decide whether learning set out still has to happen or whether the topic lost its relevance along the way. â€Å"Did I learn what I set out to learn?† â€Å"How have I applied what I have learned?†(www.uptodate.org.uk-Accessed 19/02/2010) CPD in Construction Introduction The need for CPD is widely acknowledged in the construction industry. There are three main parties that need to co-operate fully in order to extract the most from CPD, the professional themselves, their employer and the professional body they are a member of. All three have responsibilities to uphold to carry out successful CPD which will be discussed later in the chapter. Other parties that also play a part include the government and independent CPD providers. The Individual Professional Whatever CPD is being undertaken the individual professional is central and has full control over what is learned and how much development occurs. Motivation is key in this aspect, no motivation means minimal learning and development takes place. Professionals may be self-motivated through their own drive or ambition to achieve; this can also be linked to the personality of the professional. Their working environment and the people around them can have significant affect also on a professionals motivation or will to achieve. Construction like many other industries forces the professionals working within it to constantly improve and is never at a stand still. From the day a professional graduates their skills and knowledge is gradually being out-dated and need to be improved to keep up to scratch. Most professional bodies set up a framework for their members to work from but it is the individuals own responsibility to implement this framework appropriately. This framework sets out various techniques to plan, implement, review and evaluate CPD. The Employer The employer can be very influential on how effective CPD is on the professionals they employ. The employers mind set and understanding of CPD is crucial in facilitating professionals with an adequate environment to carry out CPD. There are many benefits to the employer who invests time and money into the CPD needs of their employees which are explained below. To have the optimum effect employer must encourage their professionals to part take in CPD both at the workplace and with other CPD providers. This may be achieved by allowing professionals time off during working on an ongoing basis to complete external training courses, in-house training and other CPD events. Employers co-funding of CPD is also important to show the professional that they are being backed by their employer and that there is no financial downside on the professional by completing CPD. The employees of a good company are one of its most important assets. Supporting professionals CPD reaps many benefits for the company as a whole in the long run. Professionals become more competent in their jobs, increasing job satisfaction, and have a wider knowledge of the overall construction industry. They can also boost the knowledge and skills they have in a specific field and learn more about other areas in which they have an interest in. This may give them an extra dimension when opportunities in that area occur. Through allowing professionals to be trained and advised outside of the company, a stead stream of fresh knowledge and techniques is constantly flowing into the company. These techniques and knowledge can then be passed down to other employees and used throughout the company. CPD Costs The cost of attending seminars can be offset, by certain practices and self-employed professionals, against tax as a business expense. Professional Bodies in Construction Professional bodies are the key to the advancement of any professional in construction. Without them there would be no base for the continual learning and development of professionals outside their workplace. They provide a suitable environment and many useful resources for professionals to increase their knowledge and sharpen their skills. Each institutions definition of CPD varies to some extent and their policies tend to go in line with their interpretation of what CPD is. However the majority agree that CPD is essential. CPD was applied to the construction area in the 1980s and has become a crucial part of all professions involved in construction. The affects CPD has on a bodys members depends on how well their CPD policy is structured and how well the policy is implemented. Both are vital factors and need to be assessed before and during implementation to ensure they impact successfully on members. The core group of four professional bodies, studied later, within the construction industry are all old and established institutes, but they are the professional bodies of a large percentage of Irish professionals in the industry today. They are all well over 100 years old, whether they were established in Ireland or established in Britain and an Irish branch formed. These four institutes cater for managers, engineers, surveyors of every kind and architects in construction, but may also accept various other professionals whose work relates to construction but are not necessarily linked to construction as a whole profession, lawyers or legal professionals are a prime example. Some professionals can interlink between institutes and become a member in both if the specific area they are working in is Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Construction Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Construction Abstract The following dissertation focuses on a personal development technique called Continuing Professional Development (CPD). With the world of construction constantly changing, professionals in the industry need to keep up to speed with the changing elements of the industry nationally and internationally. This dissertation assesses the CPD process that the industrys institutions provide for members and assesses how CPD is carried out. It also looks at how beneficial CPD is to the professionals who participate and the company they work for. By the end of this dissertation the role of these institutions should be easily identifiable in professional development and how participation can give working professionals a competitive edge on-site and help them progress in their careers both in and outside their existing company. This dissertation also encapsulates the opinions of some of the professional members of the industry involved in CPD. It will assess how CPD has influenced them in their career and will make recommendations on how to refine the process. Introduction This chapter explains the core elements of the study which includes a definition, hypothesis, aims and objectives, parameters of study and research methodology. Definition of Topic The definition of CPD in general is continual learning, regardless of age or seniority, which focuses on professional competency in a professional role. Its aim is to improve personal performance and enhance career progression. Over recent years the benefits of structured CPD have been identified within the construction industry. To become a chartered professional under a construction based institution(e.g. the Chartered Institute of Building(CIOB)) professionals must show they have been involved in a structured CPD process. Records must be maintained to show this before professionals may transgress. With the current economic climate, construction professionals need to keep their knowledge and skills to the optimum to ensure progression within their company and give them an advantage when looking for work elsewhere. CPD not only applies to the working professional but also to those unemployed who want to increase their chances when opportunities occur. Hypothesis CPD improves the performance and enhances the career progression of a professional in the construction industry. Aim of Dissertation The aim of this dissertation is to produce a piece of work that explains the process of CPD in relation to the construction industry. The dissertation will also assess the advantages of CPD; identify why it is important and how it can be improved. Objectives The objectives of this dissertation are to: Explain what CPD is in general and in a construction context. Identify which construction related professional institutes provide a structured CPD system for their members. Assess CPD within these institutes; compare advantages or disadvantages of each and recommend measures to improve their CPD systems effectiveness. Establish how important CPD is to each participants professional performance, development and career progression. Establish how important effective CPD is to a professionals performance and the company that employ them. Gather together the opinion of working professional in the construction industry on the benefits of CPD. Parameter of Study This study contains a general overview of CPD in terms of professionalism as a whole in any career path. It then focuses on CPD specifically in the construction industry and gives an in depth analysis of the role of professional institutes and its members who participate. It also identifies how important CPD is the construction industry today, both to the individual themselves and the company that employ them. Research Methodology There were a number of different methods of research used to complete this study including both primary and secondary research which are detailed below. Secondary Research: Books Various books were sourced both in the GMIT library and the online library of the CIOB. These books and extracts from books were used as a reference and for background information and reading. Some books covered CPD overall and others covered CPD specifically in the construction industry. Electronic Journals Official Reports Surveys Many of the reports and surveys read were carried out within the last decade in regard to the construction industry as well as CPD in other professions across the UK and in Ireland. These gave a good insight into CPD in other professions, what elements of CPD are important and in what direction CPD in construction is heading. Internet There was a mass of information available on the internet which contained both up-to-date and older material. Not all sources found were reliable, but pockets of valid information was uncovered throughout my research on the internet. Much background information was found which was helpful in getting different partys opinions on CPD and how it should be carried out. Many official websites were also useful in getting information on how CPD is provided to individuals by professional bodies both in construction and outside too. A lot of information was gathered through these sites to establish how CPD was made available to construction professionals. Primary Research: The four leading professional bodies in construction were chosen as the basis of my primary study. These include the Chartered Institute of Building(CIOB), the Society of Chartered Surveyors(SCS), Engineers Ireland(IEI) and the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland(RIAI). All four institutes have many members from various construction backgrounds and play a major role in the development of these professionals through CPD. Information on their CPD policy and practice was gathered and semi-structured interviews were then carried out with the relevant staff members of each institute to consolidate the information collected. Interviews were also carried out with members of the different institutes to get the receivers point of view. Format of Study This thesis will be carried out using the following chapter: Introduction to CPD In Chapter 2 CPD will be looked at in relation to the entire working world. CPD can be applied to any profession but also has similarities to the personal development of an individual. With the global economy rapidly evolving, new patterns of work and learning have emerged worldwide. Massive growth in sectors like information technology(IT) means that people working in that sector need to keep up with the changes or they will be left behind. The main purpose of continuing development personally is to maximise enjoyment of work and life. Therefore we need to be continually responding to the changing world around us. â€Å"Are you living to work or working to live?†(Megginson Whitaker, 2007) Continuing Professional Development(CPD) is based around the whole concept self-motivation and self management. It all depends on how motivated the participant is to learn about the career they are undertaking and can apply to any professional in the working world. It is particularly relevant to professions such as teaching, nursing and accountancy where ongoing learning is crucial.(Megginson Whitaker 2007) â€Å"The most precious asset any professional controls is knowledge of the discipline and the skill to apply it effectively. Over the long run it is more important to maintain the value of this asset than the office, the furniture, the computer hardware, or even the bank account.†(www.riai.ie/cpd Accessed 19/02/2010) History of CPD CPD has been around in various different forms for a long time. It is only over the past 25 years that CPD has been formalised and endorsed by professional membership bodies. Its history is as follows: 1850: Professionals met up in coffee houses to discuss practice and share notes 1984: Chartered Institute of Personal Development(CIPD) created a policy statement on CPD 1986: Construction Industry Council(CIC) defined CPD 1990: UK Inter-Professional Group(UKIPG 1977) CPD Forum set-up 1995: CPD becomes a requirement for all practicing CIPD Members 1999: CIC definition of CPD most commonly cited definition 2000: Institute of Professional Development(IPD) was granted a Royal Charter 2009: Aspirations to move from input to output and outcome-driven CPD schemes(Institute of Continuing Professional Development(ICPD) What is CPD? CPD is a process completed by the majority of professionals in the working world, either consciously or unconsciously. Its main purpose is to implement a system of continued learning and development separate to what they would learn through their daily work. Two definitions of CPD are as follows: â€Å"Continuing Professional Development(CPD) is the process by which individuals take control of their own learning and development, by engaging in an on-going process of reflection and action.†(Megginson, Whitaker, 2007) â€Å"The systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skills and the development of personal qualities necessary for execution of professional and technical duties throughout the individuals working life.†(Construction Industry Council, UK, 1986) CPD has many functions in the role of a professional. It ensures the professional maintains a high level of competence in their field and has the up-to-date skills and knowledge to provide a competent service to their client or employer. CPD also has a knock-on effect which encourages further development in many areas. This process empowers the individual to achieve their goals and encourages them to look at their career progression from a wider perspective. Self-motivation is a key element in this process, where the individual is the main driving force behind this new learning. It is their own responsibility to develop themselves and is not up their manager or employer. If the individual has no desire to learn CPD is a pointless process. Feedback from a CPD survey in 2008 indicates that members see two key benefits in undertaking CPD: It helps them maintain their knowledge and skills, and maintain professional and ethical standards.(PARN CPD survey 2008) Need for CPD CPD has evolved from the individuals thinking that career progression not only relates to secure job within an organisation but by the skills, knowledge and experiences obtained by the individual. CPD is also needed to ensure working professionals are providing an adequate service to their clients and employers. Services such as advice must be given so that changes to the environment associated with the decision are taken into account. This ensures the client gets the best service available for the fee paid. Soon to be professionals also need to maintain an adequate amount of CPD to progress to the next stage towards becoming chartered in most organisations. This goes a long way to fulfilling their need towards becoming a competent professional. Core Concepts of CPD How is CPD different to other types of training and development? The learner is in control-the whole CPD process is self-driven and managed where learning outcomes are directly proportionate to the time and effort participant puts into the process. They must be self- motivated, which means the participant must want to continue learning to be successful no matter what position or profession. It can apply to most aspects of life-CPD can apply to life outside work as well. For example, personal development can be achieved through implementing some of the knowledge or skills to improve family communications etc. There is a regular plan, do and evaluate process involved, which sets achievable goals and reflects on work put in which can spurs on further development. CPD can be beneficial without the support of others in their working environment. All professionals can complete CPD regardless of working situation, whether they work for a company or are self-employed and deal directly with their own clients. Of course support from employer would be more beneficial but it is not essential as interaction is mostly between the professional body and individual. Although some employers incorporate CPD into the training and development programmes of all employees. Methods of Learning through CPD CPD revolves around the whole learning process and the methods with which learning is provided is a very important part of the process. These methods ensure professionals can improve their skills and knowledge and gain relevant experience. Formal, non-formal and informal methods of learning include any process relevant to a profession that improves skills, knowledge and the experiences of a professional. CPD activities can include in-house training, open learning, conferences, seminars, workshops, structured reading, self-study, presentations and being a coach or mentor. Structured Unstructured CPD: All CPD comes under the heading of structured or unstructured CPD. Structured CPD is where the learning outcomes are identified in advance of learning. This CPD does not have to be provided or accredited by the participants institution or professional body. Structured CPD covers any educational event or programme run by a recognised educational or professional institution. Structured CPD must also be accompanied by attendance records or a certificate to prove process has been successfully completed. Unstructured CPD is an unplanned CPD activity that can be completed at any time or anywhere at the participants discretion. Activities that qualify as unstructured CPD include personal study or development, peer review and other activities such as case studies that are not part of other course requirements. Reflection on both of these CPD learning methods is crucial before CPD can be recorded. CPD methods of learning do not necessarily need to be provided by a professional body. They can be provided by an employer or other organisation which then can be accredited by the body as a worthwhile process. Constant reading of up to date reports, journals, magazines, newspapers and reviews relevant to a specific profession is probably the most common method. Reading is a very easy way of learning if the reader has an interest in the subject and puts the effort in to focus and concentrate on what they are reading. It is a very efficient method as it can be resumed over the space of a few minutes and it does not entail the use of another individuals time. Time management is a massive element in any professionals working life where they are always working to tight schedule. This means they may only have a few minutes a day to set aside for CPD of which reading is the perfect filler. Conferences and the gathering of professionals at CPD events are a fixed way of delivering CPD to practicing professionals. These may take place every few months and give attendees a chance to catch up with fellow professionals and discuss relevant issues. They may exchange ideas or opinions and can get in touch with useful contacts which may be important in the future. Seminars and lectures are also common where a leader of a profession may speak or organise a talk on issues that are changing the roles and lives of a professional or the industry they work in. Experts in the field may be asked to explain some new issue and give an opinion on what should be done. It is very important for professional bodies to hold these gatherings as it can influence and guide the way in which professionals across the world carry out there work. With resources on the internet constantly being upgraded it has now become very beneficial to CPD. Information is now much more accessible to the professional in their workplace, this method of learning is commonly known as e-learning. Readable information does not necessarily need to be sent to the professionals workplace anymore as these sources are now regularly being uploaded on professional body websites which are available 24 hours a day. This means waiting times are virtually eliminated as most magazines, reports and other such information are now available on the internet. Videos of seminars, conferences and podcasts can now be easily accessed which means information can be dispersed quickly and accurately straight to the professionals computer. This is a major time saving method as travelling times are eliminated and a much wider audience can be reached at one time. Assessments can also be uploaded onto a professional bodys website immediately after learning has taken place or can be submitted by email at any time. Records are much more easily kept when communicating through the internet; most websites make records accessible to professional membership which makes reflection a lot easier too. Professionals can be trained through workplace training which trains a small group of professionals within a company(s) on a specific topic. This method encourages participants to get more involved and can increase their understanding of the topic. A full list of CPD activities may include: Open distance learning(the internet, video packages, slide/tape packages, correspondence courses) Private study including systematic study of appropriate literature or research, or even learning a relevant language Technical and professional conferences, lectures, seminars, workshops, study tours, technical visits and short courses Courses leading to professional qualification or academic awards Writing articles for publication Teaching(for those not at teaching posts) Practice(for those in teaching posts) Preparing papers and contributing to technical meetings and study groups Examining, tutoring or mentoring(www.ciob.org.uk-Accessed 26/02/2010) Professional Bodies CPD is crucial to the success of any working professional. One crucial factor that determines the effectiveness of CPD to a professional is the professional body that provides the platform for this new learning. The majority of professional bodies, such as the CIOB, are non-profit making organisations that are established to support their professional members. They work to try and satisfy the needs of a specific group of people who work in the same field. Professional bodies simply started out as a group of professionals who got together to discuss relevant issues in their field and share ideas. There are hundreds of these bodies and institutes set up all over the world dealing in a multitude of different professions and even ordinary jobs, from secretaries to project managers. Professional organisations aim to assist and direct their members on the road to success. This is achieved by providing the tools to sharpen the professionals skills and knowledge. Being a member means you have unlimited access to all the educational resources and services needed to continue your professional development. They provide members with information, training, education, tips, advice and strategies to assist them in reaching the height of their professional career. It gives many opportunities to mingle with fellow professionals and employers in their specific field which could be of benefit when seeking career opportunities. This is one major reason why professionals join these organisations, to be recognised by the body and their codes of practice. Membership indicates to the existing or future employers that the individual is dedicated and has ambition to succeed in their profession. Professional bodies are also there to promote professionalism in their industry and help push members to achieve the standards of excellence associated with their profession. They are committed to developing and maintaining standards and policies for education within their profession and can also push for social awareness and debate. Some organisations can even influence government and industrial policy decisions.(www.nightcourses.com) CPD within Professional Bodies CPD was originally developed as part of the main objectives set out by these organisations, to educate their members. This process evolved and continual learning was identified as a pivotal part of the education process. This identifies clearly with the last three decades or so where the world of business has changed dramatically in every aspect. Professionals can no longer be content with sufficient skills and knowledge at a point in time, but have to be continually updating them to have a chance of survival. Professional bodies can now satisfy these needs through the use of CPD. The following figures from a survey carried out in the UK by the Professions Associations Research Network(PARN) show how widely CPD is used. 85% of professional bodies have CPD Policies in place 20% compulsory schemes(increased by 3% since 2003) 20% obligatory 43% voluntary 14% mixed (PARN survey for the International Accounting Education Standards Board(IAESB)) Recording Assessing CPD There are a number of different ways in which CPD can be recorded and assessed. This a crucial part of the process which is being implemented more and more. Recording what is learned is beneficial to both the participant and the body who assess them. Input based CPD is the most commonly used system where CPD is measured by recording the amount of time put into the process by the participant through the amount of hours they put in. Most professional bodies regulate the number of hours a professional needs to put in to progress within the organisation. This system is not as accurate as some other methods as the effort put in by the participant cannot be assessed. Smaller bodies tend to have more input-based CPD than the larger bodies as fewer resources are needed to run the programme compared to other systems. Input-based schemes are most commonly used in health, finance, law, business and management, with professional bodies with regulatory responsibilities currently favouring input-based schemes. Output-based CPD is another common system where the participant is assessed on what they have learned through CPD over a period of time. A regular peer review is a common method of assessment where experienced members of the profession review what has been learned. CPD can be self assessed also where participants reflect on what they have learned and how this can be applied to their daily working lives. Professional bodies may also require their members to complete an assessment or report directly after learning and send it to their body so it can be assessed and recorded. Engineering, construction and media bodies use mostly output-based schemes to assess their members progress. 66% of professional bodies measure CPD 28% input based(60% in hours/ 24% in points/ 12% other) 20% output-based(competency-based/ reflective/ peer review etc) 17% combination More measurement in other countries like Australia Canada CPD Cycle The CPD cycle is similar to most other management cycles and contains four key elements planning, action, evaluation and reflection on action. The cycle can be entered at two points, reflection on practice and action, but always ends at evaluation no matter which starting point is chosen. Reflection on practice-The CPD cycle may start at this stage if you think that you need to learn something maybe by not knowing something that you think you should know or by identifying an inadequacy when completing your day-to-day job. What needs to be learned may often be identified by looking back to any experience in your normal day-to-day work where something stands out or has gone wrong. Reflection on practice can be as simple as a personal interest which you would like to follow up. â€Å"What do I need to learn?† â€Å"How do I know thats what I need to learn?† Planning-Planning is essential to any process carried out in business. It enables the objectives and targets of the CPD to be identified before the process begins and gives people involved a better understanding. By looking back over the previous cycle the individual can work out what needs to be learned and how they can go about learning it. To plan the relevant CPD to be undertaken the participant must be able to identify gaps between current and needed competencies. Personal Development Plans(PDP) are a good way to help you think about where you would like to be professionally in the short, medium or long-term. â€Å"When do I need to learn it?† â€Å"How important is it for me to learn it?† â€Å"How exactly am I going to learn it-what are my options? Action-The CPD cycle can start at action purely by chance through unexpected learning that has occurred without previous planning. This is called ‘unscheduled learning where the individual hadnt consciously set out to learn. Action can also play a part in ‘scheduled learningwhere the process starts back at the reflection stage. Schedule learning occurs where an area for learning is uncovered and a plan is put in place before action is taken. â€Å"What have I gained from this action?† Evaluation-Evaluation is always the last stage of the CPD cycle and is one of the most important. The aim of this stage is to identify if plans set out and actions taken delivered on what they were set out to achieve and how this learning has been applied. If the objectives were achieved then a full cycle has taken place. CPD may not impact on the individuals work immediately after learning has taken place. The specific CPD cycle can be completed at a later stage when knowledge is put into use. If the process has not or has only partially delivered then the participant has to decide whether learning set out still has to happen or whether the topic lost its relevance along the way. â€Å"Did I learn what I set out to learn?† â€Å"How have I applied what I have learned?†(www.uptodate.org.uk-Accessed 19/02/2010) CPD in Construction Introduction The need for CPD is widely acknowledged in the construction industry. There are three main parties that need to co-operate fully in order to extract the most from CPD, the professional themselves, their employer and the professional body they are a member of. All three have responsibilities to uphold to carry out successful CPD which will be discussed later in the chapter. Other parties that also play a part include the government and independent CPD providers. The Individual Professional Whatever CPD is being undertaken the individual professional is central and has full control over what is learned and how much development occurs. Motivation is key in this aspect, no motivation means minimal learning and development takes place. Professionals may be self-motivated through their own drive or ambition to achieve; this can also be linked to the personality of the professional. Their working environment and the people around them can have significant affect also on a professionals motivation or will to achieve. Construction like many other industries forces the professionals working within it to constantly improve and is never at a stand still. From the day a professional graduates their skills and knowledge is gradually being out-dated and need to be improved to keep up to scratch. Most professional bodies set up a framework for their members to work from but it is the individuals own responsibility to implement this framework appropriately. This framework sets out various techniques to plan, implement, review and evaluate CPD. The Employer The employer can be very influential on how effective CPD is on the professionals they employ. The employers mind set and understanding of CPD is crucial in facilitating professionals with an adequate environment to carry out CPD. There are many benefits to the employer who invests time and money into the CPD needs of their employees which are explained below. To have the optimum effect employer must encourage their professionals to part take in CPD both at the workplace and with other CPD providers. This may be achieved by allowing professionals time off during working on an ongoing basis to complete external training courses, in-house training and other CPD events. Employers co-funding of CPD is also important to show the professional that they are being backed by their employer and that there is no financial downside on the professional by completing CPD. The employees of a good company are one of its most important assets. Supporting professionals CPD reaps many benefits for the company as a whole in the long run. Professionals become more competent in their jobs, increasing job satisfaction, and have a wider knowledge of the overall construction industry. They can also boost the knowledge and skills they have in a specific field and learn more about other areas in which they have an interest in. This may give them an extra dimension when opportunities in that area occur. Through allowing professionals to be trained and advised outside of the company, a stead stream of fresh knowledge and techniques is constantly flowing into the company. These techniques and knowledge can then be passed down to other employees and used throughout the company. CPD Costs The cost of attending seminars can be offset, by certain practices and self-employed professionals, against tax as a business expense. Professional Bodies in Construction Professional bodies are the key to the advancement of any professional in construction. Without them there would be no base for the continual learning and development of professionals outside their workplace. They provide a suitable environment and many useful resources for professionals to increase their knowledge and sharpen their skills. Each institutions definition of CPD varies to some extent and their policies tend to go in line with their interpretation of what CPD is. However the majority agree that CPD is essential. CPD was applied to the construction area in the 1980s and has become a crucial part of all professions involved in construction. The affects CPD has on a bodys members depends on how well their CPD policy is structured and how well the policy is implemented. Both are vital factors and need to be assessed before and during implementation to ensure they impact successfully on members. The core group of four professional bodies, studied later, within the construction industry are all old and established institutes, but they are the professional bodies of a large percentage of Irish professionals in the industry today. They are all well over 100 years old, whether they were established in Ireland or established in Britain and an Irish branch formed. These four institutes cater for managers, engineers, surveyors of every kind and architects in construction, but may also accept various other professionals whose work relates to construction but are not necessarily linked to construction as a whole profession, lawyers or legal professionals are a prime example. Some professionals can interlink between institutes and become a member in both if the specific area they are working in is