Financial Derivative Literature review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Financial Derivative - Literature review Example Experts state that market reactions are caused due to market reactions (Blanco, Brennan and Marsh, 2005). It is expected that default rates on bonds are possible due to market volatility, and as a result the cost of protection gets inflated on the bond values. The credit derivative markets during such a period had overreacted causing a contagion effect. The close relationship existing between the bond and CDS paves way towards the issue of estimating which market has the lead in the price discovery (Hull, Predescu and White, 2004). If the CDS market is leading, then it is expected that the bond market would adjust itself. In case, if the bond market is leading then the CDS market would simply follow the suit. Most researchers have opined that the impact of CDS upon the bond market is higher than that of the bond market upon the CDS. Innovations which occur in the CDS market are seen to spill over to the bond market. However, changes in the bond market impacts the CDS market in a much slower manner (Longstaff, Mithal and Neis, 2005). Nevertheless, during the crisis scenario it is seen that the influence of the CDS market upon the bond values is significantly slow and lees powerful as other market situations also impact the movement of the bond values. The relation between the two markets can be ascertained using statistical measures (Zhang, H. Zhou and H. Zhu, 2009). The main objective of the CDS derivative instrument is to cover the investor’s loss if the borrower fails to repay. Hence, both CDS and the bond depend upon the same determinants which are the probability of default on behalf of the borrower, the expected rate of recovery and the factors of risk aversion (Lipton and Sepp, 2009). Although the bond and the CDS market are interrelated deeply, their spreads are never the same. This can be understood through the statistical analysis of the spread. In a portfolio

Trends in Computer Hardwares Essay Example for Free

Trends in Computer Hardwares Essay In the last two decades, businesses have come to rely more and more on technology, notably with the increased prominence of the PC and the ever demonstrated boundless resilience of the Internet.   Whereas, if 10 years ago had these innovations fallen out of use, businesses would not have even worked themselves up, these days virtually all of these companies would have completely grounded to a halt.   Indeed, there is not much work any business can do today without the aid of technology.    In the not-so-distant past business defined technology.   Today, the question is already of how to use technology in growing the business.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The most familiar computer hardware to most people is the PC.   Over recent years since 2000, the PC has basically become faster with the improvements on the micro chip, which came in various versions designed and released by industry leaders Microsoft, Macintosh, and AMD.   Improvements in circuitry make the PC more reliable, while memory capacity is increased.    Meanwhile, the physical size has become smaller, though no less powerful, resulting in more compact machines, as well as the rise of more powerful laptops (Computer Hardware, in Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, 2007).   Scott Williams of Hispanic Business Magazine (2004) quoted Christopher Ireland, CEO of consulting firm Cheskin, in that sales in laptops would increase in the future and thus earn a larger share of the pie of the PC-buying dollar.   According to him, sales volume for laptops was less than 25 percent in January 2000, which shot up to 54 percent in 2003. As can be observed even by the non-specialists, the trend in computer hardware development has moved towards faster, smaller, cheaper –getting better, overall.   As far as the hardware market will go, Gartner, Inc. released in 2003 their predictions on the hardware market trend in the Asia Pacific Region over a 4-year period, specifically focusing on client-part, server, storage and documentation hardware.   The report graphed the PCs to dominate most market sales, while workstations would tend to be the least purchased.   Market for all the mentioned hardware was said to peak at 2005, and then gradually decrease into 2007 (Wu, 2003).   The benefits for the business world from the onset of technological developments, therefore, are two-sided: it affects both vendors of computer products and the corporate consumers who use the products. As for the present time, technologies continue to become more sophisticated and expand possibilities in communication and business, as well.   Advancements in wireless technology have resulted in greater connectivity.   Continued improvements on the USB have led to the Certified Wireless USB, which will utilize the connectivity of Ultra-wideband (UWB) radio technology. Wireless USB revolutionizes the â€Å"interoperable connections† and brings it into the wireless world (Universal Serial Bus [USB], 2007).   UWB, meanwhile, is a recent short- innovation in low-power, short-range wireless technology, specifically designed for wireless personal area networks (WPANs).   It functions similarly to Bluetooth, but enables the transmission of high-bandwidth data like video and audio between devices, and complements longer range technologies (Intel Corporation, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Arguably the second most familiar gadgets after the PC, mobile phones and handheld devices are among the rapidly morphing technologies in recent years.   Along with increased mobility, features like a colored display, built-in digital camera, mp3 player and internet access are among the latest innovations, and are undergoing still more transformations yet.   A new technology expected in the near future in cell phones and handhelds is an Organic Light Emitting Device (OLED) display, which is self-luminous and does not require backlighting (Williams, 2004).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The development of technologies closely related to business has evolved, as well.   One of the big challenges to companies is the storage of massive amounts of information that is sustainable, secure, and into as less space as can be managed.   As information pours out from more and more channels, humans cannot react to the volumes of data that needs to be managed. Now more than ever, businesses need the applications in information technology to store and manage incredible amounts of data in a scalable manner.   A concept that is emerging in talks among business analysts is virtualization.   One of its perceived functions is running multiple virtual servers so as to no longer add new servers when running new applications.   This method will help reduce costs in the future, and is actually more feasible as companies become more swamped with market  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   data (Wall Street and Technology, 2006).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Technologies involved in business are ever more reaching new heights.   The endless possibilities that pour from the Internet, for one, creates a more active and challenging environment for businesses, especially in information management.   Accenture.com (2007) recognizes four major trends that will shape information technology, in relation to business, three of which relate to hardware.   Regarded the most significant trend on the horizon is the large-scale adoption of service-oriented architectures (SOAs). It is said to have the potential to alter the fundamental structure of businesses and the information industry, and the software industry as well.   The adoption of SOAs will ultimately mean simpler systems and lower costs for CIOs.   With the growing demands for information processing and storage, technology for business is moving towards an abundant era of infrastructure.   The world of technology will experience an increase in the number and type of embedded devices, and with the demands of SOA, infrastructures must be dynamic and flexible.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Information management will be challenged by the massive growth in information, especially due to the emergence of real-time information from sensors and embedded devices that existing databases cannot handle.   Companies will become more dependent on external information, which is beyond their control.   The major consequence of these trends would be virtualization, ultimately digitizing communication and information. Accenture.com predicts it will industrialize information technology on all levels.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ultimately, the matter is not really whether future trends in computer hardware, and technology for that matter, help or hurt businesses in the long run.   Companies essentially need technology to be able to keep afloat in the sink-or-swim world of business.   It is, rather, about learning to read technological trends and applying insights gained from them, as applicable in the company’s affairs.   The company should know, then, its technological requirements.   It is applying technology inappropriately or unnecessarily, or failing to do so, that would hurt business, not technology in itself.   After all, in these times, it is technology that drives business to evolve. References Accenture.com (2007). Major Trends That Will Shape IT. Retrieved February 12, 2007, from http://www.accenture.com/Global/Services/Accenture_Technology_Labs/Services/FromIT.htm Anthes, G. (2006, May 1). Computer Science Looks for a Remake. Retrieved February 12, 2007, from http://www.computerworld.com/securitytopics/security/story/0,10801,110959,00. html Betts, M. (2002, November 18). The Next Chapter: The Future of Hardware. Retrieved February 12, 2007, from http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticle TOCspecialReportId=120articleId=75887 Blu-Ray Disc (2007). In Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved February 12, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-ray_Disc Clark, T. (2007, January 24). Surging Electronic Trading Volumes and Reg NMS Require Financial Firms to Enhance Underlying Technology Infrastructures. Retrieved February 12, 2007, from http://www.wallstreetandtech.com/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=K0135A L3OVGAGQSNDLOSKH0CJUNN2JVN?articleID=197000218 Computer Hardware (2007). In Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved February 12, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_hardware Funny Relationship Between Technology and Business in Startup Companies (2004, March 4). In Viewpoint of an Entrepreneur: A Business Intelligence Software Blog. Retrieved February 12, 2007, from http://blogs.ittoolbox.com/bi/entrepreneur/archives/funny-relationship-between-technology-and-business-in-startup-companies-517?sp=CM Hayes, F. (2002, November 18). The Story So Far: Hardware. Retrieved February 12, 2007, from http://computerworld.com/hardwaretopics/hardware/story/0,10801,75888,00.html History of Computing Hardware (2007). In Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved February 12, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_computing_hardware_ (1960s-present) Intel Corporation (2007). Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Technology. Retrieved February 12, 2007, from http://www.intel.com/technology/comms/uwb/ Mid-Hudson Library System (2002). Future Trends. Retrieved February 12, 2007, from http://midhudson.org/resources/administration/trends.htm Universal Serial Bus (2007). Certified Wireless USB from the USB-IF. Retrieved February 12, 2007, from http://www.usb.org/developers/wusb/ Wall Street and Technology (2006, July 19). Equities Market, Technology Infrastructure and Virtual Servers Are Top-of-Mind for ISE SVP. Retrieved February 12, 2007, from http://www.wallstreetandtech.com/search/results.jhtml;jsessionid=DMSJCSVYBCV3GQSNDLRSKH0CJUNN2JVN?site=500004sort=datequeryText=virtualizationxse.x=0xse.y=0 Williams, S. (2004). Top Trends. Hispanic Business Magazine. Retrieved February 12, 2007, from http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/newsbyid.asp?id=16030cat=Magazine more=/magazine/ Wu, J. (2003, July 15). Asia Pacific, 2003 Hardware Forecast. Retrieved February 12, 2007, from http://www.gartner.com/teleconferences/attributes/attr_46494_115.pdf

Educating Rita Essay -- Educating Rita Humor Social Class Essays

Educating Rita Educating Rita is a humorous play giving out a very strong message, which is telling the reader to never give up in life and keep striving for what you are aiming for. In this play we have a 26 year old woman called Rita whom is a mature woman, seeking an education, as she didn't take the opportunity to learn when she was an amateur student, because of the environment she lived in and the fact she didn't want to learn due to her popularity and her working class culture. In reflection, Rita has come to realise how the law expectations surrounding her and her working class culture held her back from her real potential. She wants to change now and break this cycle. Frank, the other main character, is a teacher at the university where she has applied to do her course. He is around his 50's and is Rita's tutor. He is a lazy man, bored and frustrated by his life he too does not feel like he belongs anywhere. Frank does not like his job very much, he does not have any respect for himself at all. The play is staged in one room and only 2 people are taking the major role in the play. This is quite unusual for a play this long. Throughout the play, there are only two characters: this is known as a two-hander. Other characters are only mentioned in the play, but in the film have been cast as parts. It worked well for the film, but I think it lost the closeness which plays such an important part in the theatre. Some people would find this to be tedious, but I think it adds to the intensity and intimacy between the audience and the characters. Frank is a very important to Rita’s transformation. The relation ship between frank and Rita at the beginning of the play is not strong, Frank doesn't re... ...ing to take ten years off you†, it looked like rita was going to kiss Frank but she goes to him, ges out a scissor and starts cutting up his hair, this is one of the humerous parts. This would symbolise another chance for Frank and Rita, a new life for the both of them. I think this play is one of the best plays I have ever read. At te beginning, I had found out that this play only contained 2 characters, this made me think that this play would be not very interesting, but I was surprised. This had an excellent storyline which gave out strong messages which is basically ‘not to give up in life’, for example Rita had sacrificed a lot for her edcucation, this showed how dedicated she was. This play is presented in different styles, like sometimes this play can be humerous but most of the time it is serious. I think this way, keeps the reader interested.

Hitler’s Rise To Power: An Inevitable Offshoot of the Great Depression in Germany

The Great Depression caused by the Stock Market's collapse in 1929 affected the American economy like no other economic crisis in its history (Samuelson, n. d. ). Being the most severe depression experienced by the industrialized Western world (Nelson, n. d. ), its effects rippled to other economies, especially to that of Germany. The German economy was notably vulnerable because it was built out of foreign capital and was dependent on foreign trade (Gavin, 1996). The Depression abruptly restructured German society and thus, led people to seek any solution to end the crisis. Hitler proved to be the solution that Germany was looking for. Although his views were unpopular among the public, he took advantage of the hopelessness which the people felt during the Depression. Moreover, other factors that were already present in the 1920s sped his rise to popularity. Some of these were: long term bitterness among the people brought about by the Treaty of Versailles and the First World War; ineffective constitution; money for Hitler's campaign and propaganda; the existence of propaganda and programmes; Stormtrooper attacks on other parties and on Hitler's detractors as well as his personal atributes. After 1929, two other influential factors aided Hitler and ensured his success politically: the Great Depression and Hitler's recruitment by Hindenburg (Clare, 2006). Hitler's rise to power was successful and yet avoidable. His success was largely due from external factors which he exploited using duress, brilliance and propaganda (Clare, 2006). Indeed, if the Depression had not happened; chances are, there would have been no Hitler. References Clare, John. (2006). How Was Hitler Able To Become Chancellor in January 1933?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Greenfield History Site.   Retrieved December 11, 2007 from    http://www.johndclare.net/Weimar7.htm Gavin, Philip. (1996). The Rise of Adolf Hitler: Great Depression Begins. History Place Site.   Ã‚  Ã‚   Retrieved December 11, 2007 from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/riseofhitler/begins.htm Nelson, Cary. (n. d.). About the Great Depression. Modern American Poetry Site. Retrieved   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   December 11, 2007 from http://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/depression/about.htm Samuelson, Robert. (n. d.). Great Depression. The Concise Encyclopedia of Economics. Library of Economics and Liberty Site. Retrieved December 11, 2007 from   Ã‚  Ã‚   http://econlib.org/library/Enc/GreatDepression.html

Extending High School

I don’t think high school should be extended to five years. Many students can barely make it past the first couple years. If high school is extended, then there will be an increase in the number of student dropouts. There will be a decrease in the number of high school graduates. Many students don’t like school, so an additional year may just be too much. Eventually, they will decide to drop out. More conflict will arise for those students who do not get along well with others. Most students think of school as a chore and not a privilege.They are desperate to get out of school. Adding another year will only discourage them in continuing their education. They will begin to feel like school will get them nowhere because they have been there for so long. Educationally speaking, there is little academic reason to extend high school. Increasing the time will only decrease the difficulty of the courses and not prepare students for college classes. Most middle schools do a gre at job in keeping students that want to excel in their studies get a head start for high school.In most districts, students who excel academically, and need less time in high school, have opportunities to take college level classes before graduating. If a student did not do well in high school, and decides to go back and receive his/her diploma, he/she can take remedial classes at a community college. They can then get a better job or begin their college education. Socially speaking, the school would then be a mix of students between the ages of fourteen and nineteen years of age. Social issues will arise between the younger and the older students because of the age difference between the groups.High school performs an important social role in guiding students through their teenage years. At eighteen years of age, a person is already an adult and should be socialized with adults, such as other college students or fellow employees. In conclusion, high school should continue to be fou r years. This extension will only make high school dull and unbearable for many students. It does not matter how many years a student stays in high school. It is the quality of learning and the students’ own will to succeed.

The discovery of Fluorine Essays - Industrial Gases, Free Essays

The discovery of Fluorine Essays - Industrial Gases, Free Essays The discovery of Fluorine title = The discovery of Fluorine The isolation of fluorine had challenged chemist for many years, taking the lives of at least two scientists in the process. Fluorine receives its name from the Latin, fluo, meaning flow. The first real attempt to free fluorine, was done by a chemist by the name of Humphyry Davy, between the years of (1811-1813). He first tried to liberate the element by using the chemical methods, but this failed. He then went on to try and electrolysis process using batteries. The problem with this was that the electrolytes used either produced Hydrogen and Oxygen or fluoric acid in vapor form, making it difficult to study. He then went on to fashion a electrochemical cell from horn silver because the hydrogen fluoride attacked glass. But this also failed , his hydrogen fluoride contained water. Davy gave up. Next Louis-Joseph Gay-Lussac and Louis-Jacques Thenard were able to create a liquid hydrogen fluoride free of water. But it doesn't conducted the electricity needed for electrolysis. Thus ended their weak attempts to create fluorine. In 1834, Faraday (God of Electrolysis), used the electrolysis of lead fluoride in platinum vessels to yield fluoride vapors, HORAA! But no after rigorous examination he too failed. Then along came a student of Faraday, Henri Moissan, he used electrolysis with hydrogen fluoride and Fremy's method , the result ,a yellow gas fluoride. Finally after the loss several scientists lives, not to mention the pain and suffering felt at the hands of chemists while strange chemicals ate through their vital organs. All of this in the name of Science, and there quest to find new elements. That can accomplish many new wonderful things such as the separation of uranium. That we can use in Nuclear power plants to supply 3 percent of the world's power and in nuclear weapons so powerful they can only be used for peace keeping. But Fluorine can also be used for other useful things like in pharmaceuticals, , insecticides, and high energy fuels. Hey these fuels can be used to make dragsters faster or help in NASA's quest.

Personal Injury Litigation Essay Example

Personal Injury Litigation Essay Example Personal Injury Litigation Paper Personal Injury Litigation Paper Various developments in medical malpractice had taken place recently. One of these is the use of a CD-ROM based, interactive, anatomical program called A. D. A. M that allows any user to see and analyze the physiological parts of the human body. This program is used in various areas of medical schools in the United States. In a journal article entitled â€Å" A. D. A. M- The computer generated cadaver: A new Development in Medical Practice and Personal Injury Litigation† it stated that â€Å"A. D. A. M. and its female counterpart E. V. E. , use high-resolution graphics and color animation to show views of the human body from every conceivable angle simulating various traumas to the body. Utilizing a mouse, the A. D. A. M. user can point and click to reveal the various parts of the human body. †(Thapedi, 2007) The amazing part of this program is that allows attorneys to show injuries and surgeries in litigation. Moreover, in a Supreme Court’s decision in Rouse v. Pitt County Memorial Hospital, the attending physician may now be held responsible for resident’s negligence contrary to the practice before. In an article â€Å"Vicarious Liability† it states that â€Å"in addition to direct liability for negligent supervision of residents, the attending physician may now be vicariously liable under the borrowed servant doctrine for the negligence of his or her residents, even though the resident is providing treatment outside of the physical presence of the attending physician. † (Rabenau) There are also various developments in medical practice in other states including Maryland. Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report states that The Medical Mutual Liability Insurance Society of Maryland, the largest malpractice insurer in the state, plans to reduce premium rates for physicians by 8% in 2007, a move that would mark the first reduction since at least 1992, the AP/Washington Times reports. Medical Mutual cited a decreased number of malpractice claims as the reason for the planned reduction in premium rates. Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report states that â€Å"in Washington, D. C, physicians, hospitals and other health care providers soon will be required to report adverse medical events to a centralized public database created by the district health department in an effort to protect patients and improve care, the Washington Post reports. Under legislation passed by the district Council, doctors will have up to 60 days to report judgments and settlements related to malpractice allegations and any other disciplinary actions imposed by other states. †(Kaiser, 2007) BIBLIOGRAPHY Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report. 2007. Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report Highlights Recent Developments Related To Medical Malpractice In Four StatesMedical. medicalnewstoday. com/medicalnews. php? newsid=60287 (accessed February 26,2007) Rabenau, Karen. Vicarious Liability. Temporary Agency: The Borrowed Servant. nctrial. com/articles/rabenau/AppellateDevelopments/appellatedevelopments2. html (accessed February 26, 2007) Thapedi, Andre. 2007. A. D. A. M- The Computer Generated Cadaver: A New Development in Medical Malparactice and Personal Injury Malpractice. jcil. org/journal/articles/338. html. (Accessed February 26, 2007)

19 Colleges With the Lowest Acceptance Rates

19 Colleges With the Lowest Acceptance Rates SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Acceptance rates are an important factor to consider when deciding where to apply to college. A school’s acceptance rate is often considered a measurement of its quality. While this is accurate in many cases, some schools have low acceptance rates for reasons unrelated to the academic excellence of admitted students. In this article, I’ll tell you what the lowest college acceptance rate is, explain why some colleges have such low acceptance rates, and list the colleges with the lowest acceptance rates. Why Do Some Colleges Have Such Low Acceptance Rates? A college can have a low acceptance rate for a variety of reasons. The most common reason for a low acceptance rate is a combination of high academic standards and popularity among prospective students. This happens at Ivy League schools and schools such as Stanford and MIT, which have strong name recognition both in the US and internationally. As a result of their reputations, these schools get huge numbers of applicants every year. They end up with low acceptance rates because they need to turn away the vast majority of applicants in order to maintain their reputations for academic excellence. Only the most qualified students are admitted, and even those who technically meet academic standards might be rejected depending on their other credentials. In 2017, an impressive 47,450 students applied to Stanford- and only 2,040 were accepted! That's an acceptance rate of just 4.3%, giving Stanford one of the lowest college acceptance rates. Low acceptance rates also happen at schools that have very specific criteria for admission and are popular for other reasons. Military schools such as West Point and the US Naval Academy have low acceptance rates because they require applicants to meet other strict criteria besides academic qualifications. Meanwhile, music schools such as Juilliard might have especially low acceptance rates because they’re only willing to accept extremely talented students in a very specific area of study. There are also schools where students are offered free tuition or must meet financial need qualifications in order to be accepted. This means that these schools are popular (everyone wants to avoid paying for college!), but only a small subset of applicants make the cut. In the next two sections, I’ll go through a list of the schools with the lowest acceptance rates in the country; these fall into both the "non-specialized popular and academically rigorous" category and the "popular and specialized" category. How I imagine auditions for Juilliard. Non-Specialized Colleges With Low Acceptance Rates This is a list of schools that do not cater to a specific subset of students and have acceptance rates of less than 10%. These schools include Ivy League institutions and other colleges that have extremely high academic standards and widespread popularity. Keep in mind that you can’t necessarily expect to be accepted just because you meet the average academic requirements. These schools receive many applicants who are academically competitive, but acceptance isn’t a sure thing unless you’ve done something incredible in high school. Any college that has an acceptance rate of less than 15% is a reach school for all students. School Name # of Applicants* Acceptance Rate Average SAT Average ACT Stanford 47,452 4.8% 1465 33 Harvard 42,749 5.2% 1520 34 Columbia 40,203 6.1% 1515 34 Yale 35,307 6.3% 1505 34 Princeton 35,370 6.4% 1500 33 MIT 21,706 7.2% 1528 34 Caltech 8,208 7.7% 1560 35 Pomona 10,245 8.4% 1450 32 UChicago 32,283 8.7% 1530 34 Claremont McKenna 6,272 9.0% 1490 32 Northwestern 40,425 9.2% 1490 33 Brown 35,437 9.3% 1488 32 Penn 44,491 9.3% 1490 33 *Based on fall 2017 admissions data as reported in the College Board's BigFuture database To me, the most intimidating aspect of this building is that the engraved "Us" looks like "Vs." That's how you know something is prestigious. Specialized Colleges With Low Acceptance Rates This is a list of schools that are geared toward specific types of students and have acceptance rates of 15% or less. This includes music schools, military schools, and schools with special financial stipulations that lead to selectivity and popularity. Curtis Institute of Music Undergraduate Enrollment: ~175 Number of Applicants: Not reported Acceptance Rate: 4% Average GPA: Not reported Average SAT/ACT: Not reported Why Is the Acceptance Rate So Low? Admission at the Curtis Institute of Music is, as the website emphasizes, "based on artistic promise alone." Only the most talented student musicians are accepted, and spots are highly limited (only 40 students were accepted for 2017-18). The school also provides a full-tuition scholarship to each of its students. The Juilliard School Undergraduate Enrollment: 566 Number of Applicants: 4,045 Acceptance Rate: 5.9% Average GPA: Not reported Average SAT/ACT: Not reported Why Is the Acceptance Rate So Low? Like the Curtis Institute of Music, Juilliard is looking for a very specific, very talented subset of students. Applicants must audition for faculty members as a part of the application process, and performance standards are extraordinarily high. US Naval Academy Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,495 Number of Applicants: 16,086 Acceptance Rate: 8.5% Average GPA: 3.94 Average SAT/ACT: 1410 / 31 Why Is the Acceptance Rate So Low? In order to attend the US Naval Academy, students must apply for and receive a nomination from a representative, a senator, or the vice president. Applicants must also pass a physical fitness assessment and medical examination to be eligible for admission. Academic standards are high as well. All these factors combined make for a very low acceptance rate. US Military Academy (West Point) Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,491 Number of Applicants: 12,294 Acceptance Rate: 9.6% Average GPA: 3.73 Average SAT/ACT: 1300 / 25 Why Is the Acceptance Rate So Low? West Point has such a low acceptance rate because it requires students to excel in other ways besides earning high test scores and grades. Like applicants to the US Naval Academy, students must complete a physical fitness assessment and apply for a nomination from a congressperson, a senator, or the vice president. The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art Undergraduate Enrollment: 867 Number of Applicants: 2,574 Acceptance Rate: 13.1% Average GPA: 3.50 Average SAT/ACT: 1393 / 31 Why Is the Acceptance Rate So Low? At the all-honors college Cooper Union, every student not only gets a half-tuition scholarship but is also automatically considered for extra merit scholarships. In addition, the school is home to some highly specialized programs in architecture, fine arts, and engineering. Students applying to the Cooper Union must take "home tests" designed by the school as a way to determine students' individual skill levels. Admission is based significantly on creative abilities as well as academic achievement. Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering Undergraduate Enrollment: 380 Number of Applicants: 878 Acceptance Rate: 13.4% Average GPA: 3.90 Average SAT/ACT: 1497 / 34 Why Is the Acceptance Rate So Low? Olin is an extremely small engineering school that gives a half-tuition scholarship to every student. With Olin also pledging to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need, competition is fierce for the approximately 90 spots each year. Students must not only demonstrate overall academic achievement but also excel in fields such as calculus and physics. At Olin, students have the opportunity to take classes at neighboring schools such as Babson, Brandeis, and Wellesley. You get to wear a cool hat if you graduate from West Point. How to Get Into Colleges With Low Acceptance Rates If you’re hoping to attend one of these colleges, you’ll have to do quite a bit of legwork in high school. For the first group of selective schools, you'll be expected to maintain a very high GPA and earn elite standardized test scores to meet admissions standards. On top of that, you should think about what your true academic and extracurricular passions are and try to translate those into concrete accomplishments. To stand out from the crowd, you’ll need to show these schools that you’re capable of more than just high grades and test scores. Their goal is to admit students who will make a strong, positive impact on the world. We give you more tips in our expert guide on how to get into the most selective schools. For the colleges with low acceptance rates on the second list, the key to acceptance (for the most part) is effective planning and an understanding of exactly what it takes to get in. If you’re looking at a high-caliber music school, for example, you’ll need to be extremely dedicated to practicing music every day and preparing for your audition. For the military schools, you’ll need to apply for your nomination from a government official well before the application deadline. All these schools are challenging to get into, but not impossible if you plan ahead and play your cards right. Just remember that such lofty goals will require lots of dedication and effort! I'm sure you'll ace the college application process. If not, you can always become a professional poker player. From what I've seen, the qualifications are just owning a pair of sunglasses and being severely emotionally stunted. What's Next? If you're interested in schools with low acceptance rates, you'll almost certainly have to have a high GPA. Read this article on how to get good grades in high school for some tips and strategies! Are you a little intimidated by the college application process for competitive schools? Check out our complete guide on how to apply to college. Extracurricular activities can go a long way toward strengthening your application beyond grades and test scores. Learn more about your extracurricular options and why they matter. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Kosovo & Serbia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Kosovo & Serbia - Essay Example It was then that â€Å"the Slavonic tribes, mixed with the Avars, made their appearance in the Balkans, which was sparsely inhabited by many different tribes of the Illyrians, the Dardanians, the Thracians and probably others whose names have fallen into oblivion† (Almond, 1998). The present day hostility between Albanians and Serbians could be traced back to this period. Contemporary Albanians, who descended from the aforementioned tribal groups, were defeated in warfare by migrating Slavonic tribes. While some of the conquered were assimilated into Slavonic tribes, the rest took refuge in inaccessible geographic locations like mountain tops. The victorious Slavs on the other hand took control of the most fertile and irrigable lands in the region. Hence, the geography of the Balkans is an important aspect of ethnic rivalries there. â€Å"There is little doubt that the process of appropriating the possessions of the pre-existing population created a deeply felt resentment between those who lost their homes and their land and those who profited from the conquest. This hatred was transmitted from father to son over many generations and it became a constant factor in the relationship between the Serbs and the Albanians. Inherent to this feeling remained a strong desire to retake the lost areas if an opportunity appeared†. (Velebit, 1999) The other important historical development occurred during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, when Serbian leader Nemanyitch made Kosovo his capital. This meant that Serbs who made Kosovo their home were forced out of this rich and fertile piece of geography. Serbian peasants suffered the most in the process. But the balance of power continued to change through the following centuries, with no particular ethnic group able to maintain dominance over other groups and geographic locations for long. Toward the end of the fourteenth century, some of the

Juvenile Runaways Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Juvenile Runaways - Essay Example Sometimes police deal with juvenile runaways in cases pertaining to child abduction, child abandonment, child abuse or neglect, underage drinking, child sexual exploitation, prostitution, shoplifting, drug dealing, murder and many such illegal activities. 'According to data compiled by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 4.5 million children "regularly" use tobacco products, and 20 percent use alcohol.'(Daniel Macallair) The example of a thirteen year old girl, Helen who has already killed a man is frightening. She ran away from her aunt's house to stay with a gang. 'I was with my homies and we saw one of the MS scum who had killed my homegirl,' Helen recalls. 'I stuck this knife into his back and he fell. We kicked him and crushed his head with a brick. Then we pushed his body into a ditch. I was covered in blood. Revenge is sweet,' she said. Her friends smiled. (Sandra Jordan, 2002) Another example is of two juvenile runaways who were trying to illegally immigrate to the US along with a kidnapper. 'Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents rescued two juvenile runaways and arrested an alleged kidnapper Monday after they entered the United States without having been inspected at a port of entry.'(Yuma news) These sorts of incidences are not uncommon these days. The term 'runaway' is specially identified with juveniles when they are absent from home or substitute care, for example placements, such as foster care or group homes without permission. Runaways were once believed to be juveniles seeking adventure or rebelling against mainstream values and the authority of their parents. But more recently, runaways have been regarded as victims of dysfunctional families, schools, and social service institutions. Runaways are usually running away from a problem they do not know how to solve, rather than "running to" an environment they imagine being more relaxed and exciting. "There were approximately 1.7 million juvenile runaway episodes in 1999. In 1999, 150,700 juveniles were arrested for running away. Only about one-third of these juveniles were actually "missing," meaning that their parents or caretakers did not know where they were and were concerned about their absence. Only about one-fifth of all runaway episodes were reported to police. Most runaways are older teenagers, ages 15 to 17, with only about one-quarter ages 14 and younger. Juveniles of different races run away at about the same rates and boys and girls run away in equal proportions. Although juveniles from all socioeconomic statuses run away, the majority are from working-class and lower-income homes, possibly because of the additional family stress created by a lack of income and resources. Blended families also experience additional stress, which may explain why juveniles living in these settings are also more likely to run away. Runaway rates are similar for juveniles in urban, suburban, and rural settings." (Kelly Dedel, p1) The law enforcement officers encounter runaways, whether reported missing or not, through a number of activities, for example while patrolling areas where runaways congregate or while investigating missing persons reports, or during criminal investigations in which juveniles were either perpetrators or victims. Despite their interest in protecting children's safety, police often assign a low priority to

Display design for or a museun, gallery, shop ,church, palace or Essay

Display design for or a museun, gallery, shop ,church, palace or temporary exhibition - Essay Example Furthermore, of the ethnic groups named in the Hall of Kenya and the Cycle of life gallery, the emphasis is on the Maasai ethnic group. This appears to be a deliberate attempt to please foreign tourist market given that it resonates well with Kenya’s tourism sector’s extensive use of Maasai imagery and artifacts in advertisements. The foreign tourist market is important for the museum given that tourist pay eight times more than what ordinary citizens of Kenya pay at the entrance as fee in order to gain access to the museum. In addition, the tourist pays U.S. $100 to view the original hominid skeletal remains in the Cradle of Mankind gallery’s section (JURMAIN, 2008.p.6). The Cycle of Life exhibits consists of artifacts associated with stages of life in the history of traditional and modern Kenya. Like the photographs and paintings in the Hall of Kenya, the artifacts here, also carry ethnic identities as the overriding motive of display. Pictorial exhibit in the national museum as part of Kenya’s 10th independence anniversary celebration display is political because they are used in highlighting the various developments in the history of Kenya since independence. These developments were responsible for shaping the history of the nation through the various stages of struggle up to independence. The pictorial exhibits are used by government and the museum to give citizens the opportunity to learn, appreciate and experience the efforts and struggles made by the government and other institutions in the social, political and economical development of Kenya as a young country. An example of this exhibition was the 17th December 2013 which showcased the political struggles of various individuals and their contributions towards Kenya’s independence. In addition, the pictorial exhibits are being used to celebrate Kenya’ Jubilee year. It is a celebration which given due

Aristotle Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 4

Aristotle - Essay Example e confronts new situations and develops innovative responses and those spontaneous overflows of powerful feelings energise his creative channels through art forms. An artist is born, but the process of his excellence goes on by continuous application. The unstoppable urge in the inner world of a human being is the inspirational fountain of art. What one thinks as artist’s imitation is in reality is his inner urge, not an exercise of trying to just copy what one sees and experiences. His contribution to the process of creating art is active and his inspiration to imitate is the pivotal point. He articulates three explicit methods for categorising art as an imitation of life. The first method relates to the art known in the most popular form, like a creation of color on canvas relating to a particular scenic beauty. Music also falls in this category. Acting is an important aspect of imitation of human moods and activities. Literature, both prose and poetry, are considered as a f orm of art. Aristotle provides particular definitions for these forms of art. He sees unity and harmony in these diverse forms of art. In the second method he mentions about the particular type of excellence of the art from in discussion. He terms this as virtue. For example, a comedy drama needs to highlight happiness and love and the tragedy must relate to the dark incidents of human life. The third method is to discuss art on the basis of theories. While articulating about the attributes of art, Socrates emerges as a philosopher with profound thinking and mentions about the essential traits of a thing and the method of distinguishing them from each other. Trait in this context has a comprehensive meaning and demands analysis and he shows his fondness for definitions to enable one to arrive at appropriate meanings. Some of the attributes in literature are: Genre and gender attributes: Aristotle tries to evolve and defend his definitions on the basis of some of the famous epics. For

International Politics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

International Politics - Essay Example veral have maintained that realism was possibly well appropriate to the climate of the conflict between the East and the West, but is not relevant to the contemporary period that has followed it. Realism stipulates that nation-states are interested largely with the objectives of defense and survival. Their conduct, hence, is controlled and stirred by the dominant distribution of power within the realm of international relations. The post-Cold War era, as some observe, demands various conceptual instruments to understand the functioning of international politics. Specifically, these detractors of realism argue that the contemporary period can be described by such a multitude of transnational economic relationships, migratory and cultural interaction, and computer- and information-mediated communication that the traditionalist realist vision of nation-states as major and self-governing players in world politics is old-fashioned (Patomaki 2002). Furthermore, not merely has the pivotal incident of the Cold War era prompted detractors of realism to appeal for a new theory to suit a new environment, but some have emphasized that realism evidently falls short to give detail on the transformation of the bipolar Cold War setting to a new form. The failure of realism to elaborate on the transition itself demands a shift to a new-fangled theory or even theories. This essay will examine the importance of developments in the theorization of post-Cold War international politics. It is unsurprising that the decline of the Soviet bloc, perhaps the one of the greatest catastrophes of the twentieth century and incident which marked a division between the two World Wars, would create a number of critical theoretical concerns for international politics. Consequently, this will reveal hypothetically that concerns in post-Cold War international politics can be used to evaluate one of the traditional theories of international politics, realism. Several scholars of international

Best Treatment Approach For Persons Diagnosed With Schizophrenia Research Paper

Best Treatment Approach For Persons Diagnosed With Schizophrenia - Research Paper Example They also were incapable of winning people over or keeping their jobs because of their odd behavior, poor memory and inattention. Every day of their lives, they were on therapy. This writer will be investigating various researches to find a possible solution to the plight of the schizophrenics. The aim is to improve the quality of life of the schizophrenic patients. The best treatment approach for improving the quality of life of persons diagnosed with Schizophrenia Introduction Schizophrenia was a mental health disorder with several symptoms: positive and negative (Draper et al, 2009). Diagnosis was made by the DSM-IV criteria. Hallucinations represented the positive symptoms. The negative symptoms were the emotional problems of flat affect (Arif et al, 2011). Cognitive deficits included attention problems. This writer will investigate the efficacy of the types of therapy that had been used for management of schizophrenics and the advantages of using cognitive behavior therapy and r ehabilitation in addition assuming that the combination of procedures would elevate the quality of life of schizophrenics. CATIE The CATIE (Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness) was performed in US with 1460 patients to unearth evidence to indicate how clinical management could improve the efficiency of management (Bick et al, 2007). Different atypical antipsychotic drugs were investigated in clinical practice for an 18 month period (Bick et al, 2007). A 3-phase design was used. The results were depressing in that the drawbacks of the clinical practice were found. Antipsychotic treatment alterations The second generation drugs of olanzapine and clozapine which were the usual first-line- of- treatment drugs and widely used had the problems of metabolic dysfunction. Responding to the need for improvement of treatment of schizophrenia, newer drugs had been studied recently. This paper will highlight a few recent studies out of the many. The goal of antipsychotic treatment was to eliminate symptoms rapidly, prevent the relapses, decrease the severity of the illness and help to improve social relationships (Chwieduk and Keating, 2010). The use of Iloperidone, Paliperidone and Lurasidone were investigated (Arif and Mitchell, 2011; (Chwieduk and Keating, 2010; Ehret et al, 2010). Cognitive behavior therapy Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) had been recognized by many researchers as appropriate for treating schizophrenic patients as a complement to their pharmacotherapy (Kuller et al, 2010). The collaborative efforts of the clinician and the patient in evaluation of delusional beliefs in order to understand the underlying beliefs constituted one approach. The success of the therapy depended on the extent of therapeutic relationship between the clinician and the patient. Almost 20 trials had compared the treatment of patients who had the usual therapy of drugs and case management as against another group which had CBT in addition. The outcomes wer e based on patient characteristics, acute against chronic illness, short against long-term results and the type of symptoms. Psychosocial rehabilitation Valencia et al investigated the possibility of implementing a rehabilitation program in Mexico on the lines of similar programs in the US and the UK (2010). Social skills training and family psycho-education both established rapport between them (Valencia, 2010). The patients became less anxious and the program was a

International Politics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

International Politics - Essay Example veral have maintained that realism was possibly well appropriate to the climate of the conflict between the East and the West, but is not relevant to the contemporary period that has followed it. Realism stipulates that nation-states are interested largely with the objectives of defense and survival. Their conduct, hence, is controlled and stirred by the dominant distribution of power within the realm of international relations. The post-Cold War era, as some observe, demands various conceptual instruments to understand the functioning of international politics. Specifically, these detractors of realism argue that the contemporary period can be described by such a multitude of transnational economic relationships, migratory and cultural interaction, and computer- and information-mediated communication that the traditionalist realist vision of nation-states as major and self-governing players in world politics is old-fashioned (Patomaki 2002). Furthermore, not merely has the pivotal incident of the Cold War era prompted detractors of realism to appeal for a new theory to suit a new environment, but some have emphasized that realism evidently falls short to give detail on the transformation of the bipolar Cold War setting to a new form. The failure of realism to elaborate on the transition itself demands a shift to a new-fangled theory or even theories. This essay will examine the importance of developments in the theorization of post-Cold War international politics. It is unsurprising that the decline of the Soviet bloc, perhaps the one of the greatest catastrophes of the twentieth century and incident which marked a division between the two World Wars, would create a number of critical theoretical concerns for international politics. Consequently, this will reveal hypothetically that concerns in post-Cold War international politics can be used to evaluate one of the traditional theories of international politics, realism. Several scholars of international

Professional Project - Rehearsal Studio Literature review

Professional Project - Rehearsal Studio - Literature review Example Using Space for Artistic Needs The main use of a rehearsal studio is to help to stimulate an environment and create a space for musicians and other performers. If there aren’t spaces available, then it becomes difficult to prepare for performances, recording and other alternatives that are needed to be a growing musician. In a specific study, (Fewster, Wood, 2009), there was an examination of whether musicians and artists required spaces for performance. The comparison made was to virtual environments that led to a hybrid experience with technology as well as other alternative environments which were available for rehearsing. Through this study, it was found that the change in environment also led to direct changes in the formation of music. When the rehearsal space was used through a 3D alternative or virtual collaboration space, for instance, the environment changed to create a hybrid effect. This combined higher amounts of technology with the music, as opposed to having the needed performance options. The environment with the space was able to offer a different sense of experimentation, specifically with interactions between the members that allowed for collaboration to move forward in a different alternative (Fewster, Wood, 2009). The concept of changing the environment and the mood with collaboration is important for various reasons. For those collaborating with several individuals is the ability to interact differently and to allow creativity to move into a different set of alternatives. This offers new levels of professionalism and enhances the creativity needed through the use of space. The environment is combined with the concept of using creative space. When the creativity is in the surrounding environment, it becomes easier for musicians and other artists to collaborate and work toward enhanced materials. The development of the creative space provides more opportunities to find unique aspects to a band or group while offering an outside area i n which musicians and others can perform. The important aspect to consider is based on investing in the creation of space that enhances creativity and which is conducive to the needs of artists, specifically because this changes the reactions and opportunities available through a given area (Martin, 2010). It should be noted that the ability to offer a rehearsal space isn’t only dependent on musicians with specific needs. Rehearsal space is also changing shape and form because of the emerging technologies and the need to have collaborative areas for those interested in music. The concept of body space activity is one which is now being used among musicians and other performers. However, the ability to produce these activities is also dependent on having other applications and technologies within the space. For instance, recording equipment, materials and other applications which can form specific roles can be used for creative needs. The most common alternatives which are now in the UK are based on the use of creative spaces in urban regions, which has expanded the idea of rehearsal spaces. This is one which is now inclusive of an environment for creativity as well as materials that provide physical access to those who wouldn’t have the options available in another given arena (Tandt, 2006). Socio-cultural Changes

Speech on the Underworld in Greek Mythology Essay Example for Free

Speech on the Underworld in Greek Mythology Essay The Underworld, better known as Hades after the god who ruled it, was a dark and dreary place where the shades, or souls, of those who died lived. In the next few minutes, I will tell you about how one came to die, the topography of the Underworld, and the beings whom dwelled there. br brYour whole life was planned and plotted by the Fates. The Fates were the three goddesses who controlled the destiny of everyone from the time they were born to the time they died. They were: Clotho, the spinner, who spun the thread of a persons life, Lachesis, the apporitioner, who decided how much times was to be allowed each person, and Atropos, the inevitable, who cut the thread when you were supposed to die. When Atropos cut your thread you were dead and then you made your journey to Hades. Upon death, the shade is lead by Hermes to the entrance of the Underworld and to the banks of the Acheron. br brThere were five rivers that made up the Underworld. They were the Acheron (the river of woe), Cocytus (the river of lamentation), Phlegethon (river of fire), Lethe (river of forgetfulness), and the Styx (river of hate). This poem, written by an anonymous writer, was written about the rivers in the Underworld. br brAbhorred Styx, the flood of deadly hate, brSad Acheron of sorrow black and deep; brCocytus named of lamentation loud brHeard on the rueful stream; fierce Phlegethon brWhose waves of torrent fire inflame with rage. brFar off from these a slow and silent stream, brLethe, the river of oblivion, rolls  br Her watery labyrinth, whereof who drinks brForthwith his former state and being forgets, brForgets both joy and grief, pleasure and pain. br brWhen one would die, the family would place one obol, or a coin, under the deceaseds tongue. This coin would pay as fare to Charon who would ferry the dead over the Acheron River. Charon is the ferryman who is often depicted as an old sulky man, or as a winged demon carrying a double hammer. Those who cannot afford to pay Charon were doomed to wonder the banks of the Acheron River for one hundred years. Guarding the Underworld was the three-headed dog Cerberus. He permitted new spirits to enter, but never one to leave. br brWhen you arrived at the Underworld, three judges determined your sentence. They were Rhadamanthus, Minos the first, and Aeacus. Rhadamanthus, the son of Zeus and Europa, was rewarded to be judge because of the justice he showed on Earth. Minos the First, the son of Zeus and Europa, was another judge who, before he died, was the ruler of Crete, and most know him from the story of Theseus and the Minotaur. The third judge is Aeacus, the son of Zeus and the nymph Aegina, assisted Poseidon and Apollo build the walls of the city Troy. After his death Zeus rewarded him the position of judge. br brYou could go to three different places in the Underworld, depending on your life on Earth and what you had done. Most shades went to the Asphodel Fields, but before you entered you drank from the Lethe River, causing you to forget everything that had happened in your past life. Asphodel was an ugly , gray, ghostly weed that covered the Fields. This place was for the normal, everyday person, who did nothing special in his or her life. The second place they could go was the Elysian Fields or Elysium. Elysium was reserved for the heroes, or people the gods favored. Regular feasts, banquets, and hunts were held there. The third and final place you could go to was the lowest region of the world, called Tartarus. It was surrounded by a wall of bronze and beyond that three-fold layer of night. Tartarus, presided over by Kronos, was where the souls went who had defied the gods in some way. The Hundred-headed Giants guarded it. Around Tartarus is Phlegethon, with its flames and clashing rocks. One of the Furies, Tisiphone, sits upon the iron tower, with her bloody robe, and sleepless day and night, guards the entrance. br brFew people dwell in the Underworld, because of its gloominess and darkness. Hades, the King of the Dead, rules over the entire Underworld. The god was a dread figure to the living, who were quite careful how they swore oaths to his name. To many people, to utter his name was frightening, so they used another word in its place. Since all precious minerals came from under the earth, the people thought of Hades as very wealthy. He was was sometimes referred to as Ploutos, meaning wealth. This accounts for the name given him by the Romans, who called him Pluto. Hades sits on a throne of ebony and carries a scepter. He also has a helmet that makes him invisible, given to him by the Cyclopes. Persephone, Hadess wife, also lives with him in his palace. Along with Charon, the ferryman, the Furies live down there also. The furies are the three daughters of Mother Earth, conceived from the blood of Uranus. They were powerful goddesses that personified conscience and punish people for their crimes. They were Megaera (jealousy), Tisiphone (blood avenger), and Alecto (unceasing in pursuit). They were usually depicted as winged women with serpent hair. When called upon they would hound their victims till they died in a rage of madness or suicide. br brThe Underworld is what the Greeks and Romans believed you went after you died. It was where everything horrible, evil, and sad lived. If you werent a hero or a favorite of the gods you were sent to that horrible place. What a dreadful thing to look forward to after your life was completed on Earth. I hope you enjoyed learning about the Underworld and the beliefs of the Greek and Roman peoples afterlife. Thank You.

Marketing Plan for Bio-Mag Bracelets Essay example -- Business Marketi

Marketing Plan for Bio-Mag Bracelets EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of this analytical report is to provide a marketing plan for Bio-Life Ltd new product, Bio-Mag Bracelet on its magnetic therapy purposes. As health issues are popular concerns of people in Australia and overseas market, it is necessary for Bio-Life Ltd to get into this market as soon as possible. This marketing plan is to review the company’s marketing arrangement for the new product but to also recommend strategic responses to assist Bio-Life Ltd in developing a sustainable operating system. In the following sections, product, Bio-Mag Bracelet will be analysed in depth in the order of firstly, background; secondly, marketing strategies; thirdly, marketing mix included product, price, people, placement and promotion; lastly, SWOT analysis. It is anticipated that the marketing plan we have developed will facilitate the new product, Bio-Mag Bracelet success in the coming years. Marketing strategies of the Bio-Mag Bracelet is based on Segmentation, Targeting and Positioning. Positioning and Segmentation strategies adopted by Bio-Mag Bracelet are quality; styling and pain relief to attract its targeted customers. Besides that, the main purpose of Bio-Mag Bracelet is natural healing without drugs in pain relief, increase blood circulation and reduces inflammation and speeded up recovery rate from injuries. The targeted consumers of the product are middle and upper classes, which need natural healing and health care. Differentiation is also an important strategy. Bio-Mag Bracelet differentiated from competitors with the additional features of one size fits all. As the product will be finished by 9ct gold and stainless steel, the retail price of it is in a higher range. It is also contain a 2000 Gauss / 200 mTesla special Rare Earth magnets. The location of the retailing will be mainly in big shopping malls or more prestigious and well known area. Placement includes elements such as channels, coverage, assortments, locations, inventory and transport of the product. The S.W.O.T is to analysis Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats of the product’s marketing plan. Background As technology advances, the environment has also start to become more and more demanding and competitive with each and every individuals’ pace life always on the inc... ...ing up sales. Nevertheless, Bio-Mag Bracelet also faced great competition from other health products such as massage machine and so forth; which there are many different health products in the market. BIBLIOGRAPHY Barrett S., 2001 ‘magnet therapy’ available online at http://www.helhetsdoktorn.nu/magnet.htm Cralle, R. (1997). Therionresearch.com: Magnetic Therapy. http://www.therionresearch.com/learning_center_articles.html (Accessed 18th May 2005). Kotler, P. (2003) Marketing Management. Pearson Education, Inc., New Jersey, United States. No Author. (2005) Stuck On You: Magnetic Therapy Supplier. http://www.stuckonyou.com (Accessed 15th May 2005). No Author. No Date. Magnetic Therapy History. http://www.discovermagnetics.com/faq2.html (Accessed 18th May 2005). No Author. No Date. The Scientific Basis For Magnet Therapy Analytical Research Report. http://www.itembioenergy.com/infocenter/ScientificBasisMagnetTherapy.pdf (Accessed 18th May 2005). Competitors’ Company’s Website: - Magnet-EZe: http://magnet-eze.com.au Australian Magnet Therapy: http://www.australianmagnettherapy.com Bio-Magnetic Therapy: http://www.biomagnetictherapy.net

A Modern Black Arts Movement through the Instrument of Hip-Hop Essay ex

A Modern Black Arts Movement through the Instrument of Hip-Hop Since the decade of 1920, America has been the setting for a progressive "Black Arts Movement." This African-American cultural movement has taken shape in various genres, gaining mass appeal, through multiple capitalistic markets. Even with the use of capitalism this cultural arts movement has stayed set upon its original purpose and direction, by aiding in cultural identity awareness. The knowledge of the duel-self through community awareness as it pertains to economic perceptions and other social boundaries or the metaphysical-self; what W.E.B. Du Bois coined as "twoness," or a division of one’s own identity as a African-American. (Reuben 2) A realization of the existence of two beings within one’s mental identity, where time alters attitude and identity through environmental influence of passing events. The discovery of the "New Negro" in the Harlem Renaissance marks the beginning of this essential philosophy contributing to the 1960’s Black Arts Movement and the Civil Rights Movement; continuing to be evident in current forms of black art, such as within the lyrics of hip-hop music. These revolutionary Ideals of reform have been voiced in the lyrics of many rappers of urban realism, like the New York M.C.’s Rakim, Run-D.M.C. and west coast rapper Tupac Shakur. Though this form of expression is opposed by most academic elitists and fundamental conservatives due to their vulgar expressions of sex and violence depicted within the genre of Hip-Hop; it in opposition actually presents an internal cultural conflict revealed through the redefinition of one’s own identity with poetic lyrical expressions of realism. This art form known as rap developed due to the in... ...Working Hip-Hop Chronology." Professa Rap’s Working Hip- Hop Chronology. Web. 25 Apr. 2013. . Reuben, Paul P. "PAL: Appendix F: Elements of Poetry." PAL: Perspectives in American Literature-A Research and Reference Guide. Web. 25 Apr. 2013. . Reuben, Paul P. "Chapter 9: Harlem Renaissance-An Introduction." PAL: Perspectives in American Literature-A Research and Reference Guide. Web. 25 Apr. 2013. . Salaam, Mtume ya. "The aesthetics of rap." African American Review. 29.2 (1995): 303-316. Shakur, Tupac. "Words of Wisdom." OHHLA.com. Web. 25 Apr. 2013. . Toure. "Rap-up." Rolling Stone. Apr. 1995: 78.

Methods of Modifying Behavior in Children Essay

I have to admit, researching this topic was a little interesting and difficult. A lot of the information only dealt with children who have certain medical conditions such as ADHD, ADD as well as other medical conditions that may need to be modified, especially in a classroom setting. As a Site Coordinator of after school programs for children in grades k-12, modifying behavior was an everyday thing for me. I constantly had to come up with ways to motivate my students to learn without causing a disruption in class, at home or better yet, anywhere. I remember constantly asking my students, â€Å"What’s wrong with just doing right?† Of course they gave me every excuse in the world on why they couldn’t get it right, but honestly, it made me enjoy working with them, sometimes. This essay will discuss different types of parenting styles that may cause reasons for behavior modification, it will also discuss the different methods and styles that teachers use in order to modify behavior in students who need a little more attention than the majority of the other students. While reading the article Parenting Styles as Predictors of Externalizing and Internalizing Behavior Problems among Children, I discovered that there are three different parenting styles that may or may not cause modification methods for children’s behavior. The parenting styles are Authoritarian, Permissive and Authoritative. -â€Å"Authoritarian parents combine high control with lower levels of warmth. This parenting style allows for strong parental command over their child, leaving minimal input of the child in decisions or rationales (Baurmrind, 1991). In addition to high control and demand, authoritarian parents show little warmth, involvement, support, or emotional commitment to their child and it is proves to be as most negative  form of parenting (Baumrind & Black, 1967)† (Akhter 2011). -â€Å"Permissive parents exhibit high levels of warmth and low levels of control. Because warmth is displayed through overindulgence, permissive parents tend to be non-demanding and avoidant of controlling behavior or outlining boundaries in the children’s environment (Baumrind & Black, 1967)† (Akhter 2011). -â€Å"Authoritative parents tend to display both high control and high responsiveness and warmth to their children. Authoritative parents set reasonable demands on and have high expectations for their children while warm and responsive† (Akhter 2011). All three styles have different techniques for raising children. Even though authoritarian and permissive parenting styles seem like they may cause the most need for behavior modification in children, authoritative has proven to cause behavior modification in children as well. I wanted to discuss these styles first because I believe it is important to understand why some children â€Å"act† the way they do. This same article discussed surveys that were given to several families to find out why their children act the way they do in school settings. Parenting styles have played a major role in the way a child matures and succeeds in life. While researching this topic, I found that all articles or information had some sort parenting style that contributed to the behavior status of their children. Even in different countries and cultures, the parenting styles were typically within the same realm and they had the same behavior issues with their children. â€Å"Behavioral and emotional problems that children may develop are commonly divided into two groups, i.e., disruptive or externalizing behavioral problems e.g., attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct problems and emotional or internalizing behavioral problems, e.g., anxiety and depression (Achenbach, 1991). Internalizing problems are intrapersonal in nature and appear in the form of withdrawal, depression, anxiety, and fearfulness (Achenbach, 1992; Campbell, 1995). Internalizing problems thus often affect individuals more than the others. Evidences indicate that shy and withdrawn behavior in reaction to social interaction may manifest as internalizing problems in childhood (Biederman et al., 2001) and adolescents (Caspi, Moffit, Newman,  & Silva, 1996). The externalizing behavior refers to a group of conditions characterized by aggression, delinquency, and hyperactivity (Liu, 2004). They have common symptoms that are disruptive to others (Akhter 2011).† Dealing with these issues as a child can be difficult during class especially if your peers are not experiencing the same behavior. In order to deal with children that suffer from the conditions stated above, certain methods need to happen. Most of the time parents tend to go for the medical method. Meaning they have their doctor prescribe a certain type medicine that will help calm their children or give them a â€Å"quick fix† so they can follow directions with ease during school or public places. â€Å"Medication can help seal up the holes in the bucket, so to speak, so parents and teachers won’t have to keep reminding the child over and over to do something† (Mason 2010). However, this has detrimental side effects to a child and should not be used as a lifelong cure. The medicine method is typically for children who suffer from ADD and ADHD. There is an alternative method used instead of medication for students who suffer for those conditions and that is to change their environment where the child is present so they can learn how to use their mind to cope with their surroundings while dea ling with their condition. During school, teachers tend to keep the students busy instead of let them disrupt class, this methods called the Self- Regulated Strategy Development or SRSD. â€Å"Although addressing social and behavioral issues has been the primary focus of school-based research for students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD), the effects of well-designed academic instruction are, fortunately, becoming more of a focus of research (Sutherland & Wehby, 2001; Trout, Nordness, Pierce, & Epstein, 2003). Researchers, moreover, have noted that students with EBD may especially benefit from instruction that facilitates organizations, systematic thinking, and clear communication skills (Regan, Mastropieri, & Scruggs, 2005) (Mason, 2010).† The SRSD instruction consists of the students completing six stages of strategy work: develop before skills and background knowledge, discussing it, modeling it, memorizing it, provided study help and learning to become independent while completing the w ork. An example of SRSD: students are given quick writes discussing the current discussion topic from class for 10 minutes. Within the quick write,  the students must pick an idea, organize the notes and say more then what was presented to them or they can create a topic sentence, give reasons for the topic and explain them along with giving a creative ending. Even though the most popular method for behavior modification is medication, the other methods above can be very helpful and will not have detrimental side effects to the child’s mental state of mind and behavior. When I first started out as a Site Coordinator for after school programs, I treated all my students the same. Meaning everyone had to act the same in order for them to get their reward from me. It had taken some time before I realized how unfair I was to some of my students. The students who did not have a problem with following directions had other students in their group that had a very hard time following my directions. I had to figure out ways to motivate my students who had a little more difficulty with following directions. Although I did not know I was using the SRSD method at the time, my positive reinforcement for my students after I gave them quick writes seemed to help out a little. It also depended on the student and how severely their behavior needed to be modified. I remember having several parent conversations with those students who needed extra attention because I did not have a clear understanding on why they couldn’t get right in my program. After reading this article, it makes sense now. I started to understand certain things on my own but this article gave me the professional explanation I was lacking. References Parenting Styles as Predictors of Externalizing and Internalizing Behavior Problems Among Children Akhter, Noreen; Hanif, Rubina; Tariq, Naeem; Atta, Mohsin. Pakistan Journal of Psychological Research 26.1 (Summer 2011): 23-41. Evaluating Effective Writing Instruction for Adolescent Students in an Emotional and Behavior Support Setting. Mason, Linda H; Kubina, Richard M, Jr.; Valasa, Lauren L; Cramer, Anne Mong. Behavioral Disorders 35.2 (Feb 2010): 140-156.

Gender Roles in Harry Potter

Girls in young adult fantasy novels tend to fare rather poorly, especially in the light of Susan from the Chronicles of Narnia. When  Aslan  admits the  Pevensies  into paradise, Susan is barred because she has forgotten Narnia and is more interested in stockings and the real adult world, because she has dared to want to grow up. Jill Pole comments: aâ‚ ¬? She’s interested in nothing nowadays except nylons and lipstick and invitationsaâ‚ ¬? 1. C. S. Lewis presents a conservative view of girls in the fantasy genre, that they will be drawn into their own adolescent fantasies and will abandon the secondary world.Philip Pullman compounds this with his treatment of Lyra in the His Dark Materials trilogy where she is the protagonist in the first novel but cedes decision making and power to Will through the remaining narrative. Hermione Granger starts out challenging this conservative view but ultimately she is turned into a mother and sidelined from the world of action . Her role changes through the novel and this is not due merely to the maturation of the character as she ages but also the needs of the male dominated groups around her, from the school group with Harry and Ron to the Order of the Phoenix.A quick glance offers the view that between 11 and 15 she is more rebellious whilst between the ages of 16 and 17 she takes on a sisterly role before her final appearance as a mother. In the Harry Potter novels  Hermione  is variously a bookish individual who supports and guides Harry through her research and work. She is the dominant force in Harryaâ‚ ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s success until the sixth novel,  Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, where her role as Harryaâ‚ ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s educator is taken by  Dumbledore. Eliza  Dresang  sees Hermione as being far more successful than she is made out to be by  Farah  Mendlesohn.Hermione gains agency and is able to take more control of her situation than  Mendlesohn  gives her credit for thro ugh her own actions, finding aâ‚ ¬? evidence in the text to be considerably more optimistic about Hermione’s self-determination than does Mendlesohnaâ‚ ¬? 2  through her determination about being sorted by the Hat and aâ‚ ¬? refuses to be deterred from her purposes, whether it be learning, admonishing about rules or †¦ championing the underdogaâ‚ ¬? 3. Mendlesohn comments that aâ‚ ¬? Hermione is accepted in the social structure of the school only because she is Harry’s friendaâ‚ ¬?   and that aâ‚ ¬? [r]adicalism, as embodied by Hermione, is irrational, ignorant, and essentially transientaâ‚ ¬? 5. Though her attempts at freeing the house-elves are doomed, she is more successful at galvanising her peers and enabling Harry’s success through her contributions. There is another issue to consider though and that is one of genre. The first five Harry Potter books are clearly school stories. Motifs, such as the annual arrival via the ste am train and the term times with the enforced stay over Christmas, come from this genre.Instead of only competing in sports for honour such as Quidditch, house points are awarded or taken away for behaviour or acts of bravery. In the final two novels, the structure of the novels change to being a more conventional fantasy series wherein Harry must defeat  Voldemort in a final conflict. This switch to the fantastic, in particular a male dominated fantastic world, means that Hermione must change roles to remain in the world since we rarely see any lone witches who have not turned to Voldemort such as Bellatrix Lestrange. This change of genre changes the expectations placed on the characters by readers and the roles which they play.School stories, in the mould of Enid Blyton’s  Malory  Towers or  St Clare’s,  offer  the reader a tale of a group of children who go on adventures limited in scale by location, an isolated school, and time, terms end and the year i s punctuated by holidays. They offer a degree of  carnivalesque  expressed in the capers of the students which are tamed by the teachers but also a continuing discourse of maturation and acculturation to the wider adult world which must be entered. Parents exist at the edge of the story, referred to in letters or bringing their children to school.Once the anarchic time at school comes to an end, the parents represent the roles that the children will adopt. The fantastic world that Rowling constructs is one which begins as potentially subversive with Hermione challenging perceived wrongs and gaining a more powerful agency in the world through her knowledge. As she matures, the world is fully extended past Hogwarts and becomes deeply conservative and male dominated and Hermione has to re-ascertain her social standing on the edge of the group, her enabling agency now of no direct use to Harry.Hermione matures in the series changing from the shy, bookish outsider to being, in effect , a big sister character to Harry and Ron but at the cost of her own agency and talents. As she matures into this role, she changes from being an inquisitive person, pushing her own bounds of knowledge and even her sanity, to being slightly calmer but clearly not of equal standing with Ron and Harry who are allowed to take active roles into world. When we first meet Hermione on the train going to  Hogwarts, Rowling presents her an unkempt, exploring child unafraid to make new friends or to go up and visit the train driver.She is described as having aâ‚ ¬? a bossy voice, lots of bushy brown hair and rather large front teethaâ‚ ¬? (Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, p 79) and already wearing the school colours. She interrupts Ron and Harry who are tucking into a carriage way feast of sweets. Curious, she challenges Ron to show him the magic trick which he is attempting. As the train approaches the station, she encourages the two boys to don their robes and questi ons whether they have been fighting already. Her drive towards perfection is shown in her encyclopaedic knowledge of the school drawn from reading the history.Already knowing the reason for the enchanted ceiling, she attains a position in the newly formed social triumvirate as the knowledge repository. Hermione comes back from the school holidays a day early whilst the friends are trying to find out who Nicholas  Flamel  is and is aâ‚ ¬? torn between the horror at the idea of Harry being out of bed†¦ and disappointment that he hadn’t at least found out who Nicholas Flamel wasaâ‚ ¬? (Philosopher’s Stone,  p158). Her curiosity and good behaviour are at odds since she is aware that the answer may well lie in the forbidden section of the library but that entry  transgresses  the school rules.Although it is Harry who discovers Flamel by accident on the back of the collector’s card he got on the train, it is Hermione who links him to the Philosoph er’s Stone through a book she got aâ‚ ¬? out of the library weeks ago for a bit light reading aâ‚ ¬? (Philosopher’s Stone, p. 161). Ron’s only comment, aâ‚ ¬? Light? aâ‚ ¬? (Philosopher’s Stone, p. 161), a suggestion that knowledge is not highly prized in Hogwarts as opposed to  Quidditch. It was Hermione who noticed that Fluffy was standing on the trapdoor (Philosopher’s Stone, p120), a fact that both Ron and Harry missed. Yet her achievements come at a social price.Hermione’s adherence to the school rules is shown inPhilosopher’s Stone  after the finding of the trapdoor at night. When Harry receives a new broom after the destruction of his old one, her comments aâ‚ ¬? So I suppose you think that’s a reward for breaking rules? aâ‚ ¬? (Philosopher’s Stone  p. 123). Her forthrightness about the midnight incident is tempered by the argument with Ron and Harry. She is clearly upset by their reaction which is made worse by Ron’s careless comment about her not having any friends. Rushing past Harry, he notices that she is crying (Philosopher’s Stone  p. 127).When the troll is announced, both boys realise that it has gone to the girls’ toilets where Hermione is trapped. When Professor McGonagall enters, Hermione lies to protect them all and claims that she wanted to tackle the troll herself. Although this means that aâ‚ ¬? from that moment on, Hermione Granger became their friendaâ‚ ¬? (Philosopher’s Stone, p. 132), she can only do so by lying to a teacher and so overturns her previous rigid adherence to rules. She has to adopt the boys own world view. In  Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Hermione offers to make the Polyjuice Potion to see what Malfoy knows about the chamber’s opening.She tricks  Lockhart  into signing a slip for ‘Most  Potente  Potions’ to fool the Librarian (Chamber of Secrets, p. 124). Wh en Ron says that they will need to steal from Professor Snape’s private stores, she retorts: aâ‚ ¬? Well, if you two are going to chicken out, fine†¦Ã‚  I  don’t want to break the rules you know. aâ‚ ¬? (Chamber of Secrets, p. 125). Hermione is aware that they have already obtained a permission slip that Lockhart has signed without realising what it is (using his own arrogance), that the recipe relies upon illicit goods and that the boys cannot discover Malfoy’s perceived role without trickery.Despite her protestations about the rules, she is aware that these will need to be broken to be successful. When they come to making the potion, the group need parts of their victims and Hermione is too hasty in taking some hair from Millicent  Bulstrode  in Wrestling and accidentally turns herself into a cat much to Myrtle’s delight, aâ‚ ¬? Wait till everyone finds out you’ve got a  tailaâ‚ ¬? (Chamber of Secrets, p. 169). Whilst Ron and Harry have used her Sleeping Potion to knock out  Crabbe  and  Goyle, Malfoy’s henchmen, Hermione’s own attempt has backfired and so she is unable to help get information from Malfoy.Her overachievement turns her into a figure of fun. Although she is able to assimilate Harry and Ron’s worldview into her own perceptions, she is unable to fully join their world although she is the enabler for their plans through the potion and the linking together of the clues in  Philosopher’s Stone. Her overachievement comes to a head in the  Harry Potter and the Prisoner of  Azkaban  when she is given the use of the Time-Turner. In Snape’s Potions class, Neville is aided by Hermione to perfect the Shrinking Solution but when Ron and Harry turn to challenge her after the deduction of points, she disappears only to reappear a few minutes ater with her bag falling apart through weight of books. When she brushes off Ron’s challenge about the contents, he muses aâ‚ ¬? Do you get the feeling Hermione’s not telling us something? aâ‚ ¬? (Prisoner of Azkaban, p. 99). Clearly Hermione is unable to tell the boys about Professor  McGonagall’s  gift of the Time Turner. In the Defence against the Dark Arts exam, Hermione comes into contact with the  Boggartand after aâ‚ ¬? a minute inside it [the  Boggart's  trunk], she burst out again, screamingaâ‚ ¬? (Prisoner of Azkaban, p. 234).The Boggart, which presents worst fears, has suggested to her that Professor McGonagall will fail her in an exam, so her fears of academic and also personal failure come to the fore. Ron is still inclined to laugh at Hermione’s fear since he will not excel academically. Despite their close bond, Hermione’s academic achievements have always separated her from the boys. It is only when the situation demands that time is altered that she is able to tell Harry. When they fail to saveBuckbeak  the first ti me,  Dumbledore  suggests to Hermione that the situation can be saved by going backwards and Hermione confesses to Harry, aâ‚ ¬?I’ve been using it all year to get to all my lessonsaâ‚ ¬? (Prisoner of Azkaban, p. 289) but she still cannot work out why Dumbledore has suggested going back three hours. It is up to Harry to formulate the plan to save the  Hippogriff  and Sirius. Once again, Hermione’s mental achievements enable Harry but she is unable to complete the reasoning for the shift in time. Hermione proves herself via her academic prowess and enables Harry and Ron to complete various challenges. She is the person to whom the boys go when they have difficulties with the homework. Lupin praises her  as the aâ‚ ¬? inest witch of her ageaâ‚ ¬? (Prisoner of Azkaban, p 253)  in the Shrieking Shack  as she becomes hysterical at his perceived betrayal of her loyalty, aâ‚ ¬? I didn’t tell anyone†¦ I’ve been covering up for you aâ‚ ¬? (Prisoner of Azkaban, p 253). Her need to prove herself academically is challenged and Ron’s reaction is to want to laugh. Despite her achievement and regular help for Harry and Ron, it is only the teachers who really prize her accomplishments. She is the character most likely to fail through overachievement. Her role is clearly defined in the school story as the swot.The school story genre allows her this room as a defined role but it she must adapt when the genre changes to a conservative high fantasy wherein gender roles are somewhat different. During the  Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, she reverts to the quiet studious Hermione of the first novel when Harry gets the  magicked  version of the potions book. As Harry falls under its spell and useful marginalia, she becomes increasingly exasperated at his lack of work or effort in the class commenting aâ‚ ¬? Well, it wasn’t exactly your own work, was it? aâ‚ ¬? (Half-Blood Prince, p 182). She and Ginny are protective of Harry and test the spell book which he has picked up, though they do not see the inscription claiming it is the property of the Half-Blood prince. With the aid of Ginny Weasley, she also defends him during the setting up of the self-help Dark Arts group, the  acronymed  DA, in  Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Gathering the curious students together in the Hog’s Head, she comments aâ‚ ¬? well I thought it would be good if we, well, took matters into our own hands†¦ And by that I mean learning how to defend ourselves properly, not just in theory but doing the real spellaâ‚ ¬? Half-Blood Prince, p 303). Though she is instrumental in gathering the class, she immediately reverts to her supporting role and allows Harry to discuss the events at the end of  Harry Potter and the Goblet of Firewhere he met the revived Voldemort. Her tenure as Prefect in  Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix  shows her stopping the  Weasley  twins from recruiting junior members of the school to test their joke wares,  saying aâ‚ ¬? I told you this morning, you can’t test your rubbish on students! aâ‚ ¬? (Order of the Phoenix, p 229) whilst Ron, her fellow Prefect, looks on from the side.Although she is active in keeping the more extreme elements of the carnivalesque from taking over the school in the form of the Weasley brother’s joke wares, it does mark the apogee of the progression from swot to Prefect in the school novel. Though these roles are usually played by various characters in the school story genre, Rowling has rolled them into one person who exemplifies the qualities of Hogwarts and, in particular,  Gryffindor. Though Hermione is keen on the maintenance of the status quo, she becomes increasingly vocal against the abuse of power in two areas.She has mixed success but it allows her to retain her role in the social cohesion of the friendship group and to begin organising ot hers in the school. Firstly she challenges a perceived abuse of the house elves by the  wizarding  classes and sets up the Society for the Protection of Elvish Welfare, SPEW. This act comes after  Dobby  is freed by Harry in  Harry Potter and Chamber of Secrets. Hermione starts knitting hats to free the elves from their slave positions at Hogwarts inOrder of the Phoenix  and when challenged about this by Ron, exclaims aâ‚ ¬? Of course they want to be free! aâ‚ ¬? (Order of the Phoenix, p 230).Whilst it may mirror  Rowling’s  own time working for Amnesty International, she undermines Hermione by having Dobby pick up all the hats as the elves are offended by them. Though she gains the partial support of Dumbledore as he explains to Harry that he had encouraged  Sirius  to treatKreacher  with kindness  (Order of the Phoenix, p 733),  Ron and Harry dismiss her efforts. To an extent, she loves hopeless causes and sets out to free the elves despite t heir reluctance to change their positions. Secondly, she attacks the misuses of authority by teachers, such as Severus Snape and Dolores  Umbridge.In  Prisoner of  Azkaban, Snape takes over Lupinaâ‚ ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s classes while he recovers from his change. Ignoring the class protests he begins to set them work which will provide clues to Lupinaâ‚ ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s condition and Hermione protests  (Prisoner of Azkaban, p128) which encourages Ron to defend her and receive detention. She becomes increasingly agitated by  Snapeaâ‚ ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s  manner and challenges him through questions. Though she has been able to answer the questions that he puts to the class since the first book, earning his contempt, she now uses these as a challenge to his authority through passive disruption.In  Order of the Phoenix, Dolores Umbridge attempts to run a school based on the traditional school model of learning the theory of Defence against the Dark Arts rather than practical lessons. Hermione listens to  Umbridgeaâ‚ ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s  long speech which sets out the rationale for the coming changes. During the first Defence against the Dark Arts lesson she immediately questions  Umbridgeaâ‚ ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s  passive stance through using Umbridge’s insistence on pupils raising their hands to ask questions (Order of the Phoenix, p 217-218). Asking the question, she repeats herself when the answer is not forthcoming.Hermione continues this with the creation of the Dark Arts or  Dumbledoreaâ‚ ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s  Army group. As Umbridge tries to crack down on any nascent dissent against the Ministry of Magicaâ‚ ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s policy, Hermione comes up with the plan of setting a group to rectify the lack of practical training. Facing the belief that Harry killed  Cedric,  fuelledby the Daily Prophet, she motivates the students to come together and to learn practical defence. As she does this she comments aâ‚ ¬? d’you know †¦ I think I’m feeling a bi t  Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ rebelliousaâ‚ ¬? (Order of the Phoenix, p 559).Rather than continuing her challenge to misplaced authority, once the school story ends, she moves towards the role of the sister. Whilst on the run from the Ministry of Magic in  Harry Potter and the Deathly HallowsHarry confesses to Ron that Hermione is aâ‚ ¬? like a sister,aâ‚ ¬? he went on aâ‚ ¬? I love her like a sister and I reckon she feels the same about meaâ‚ ¬? (Deathly Hallows, p308). To some degree she follows the path of  Lyrain Pullman’s ‘His Dark Materials’ trilogy where the she develops her challenges early on but end up giving up independence.Before she meets Will, Lyra is free to challenge the authority figures around her but after the meeting, when Will is cooking an omelette, he commands aâ‚ ¬? ’Find a couple of plates’ he said, and Lyra obediently did soaâ‚ ¬? (The Subtle Knife  p 25). After the defeat of Voldemort, we see her and Ron on Platf orm 9 A? s waving their children off on the Hogwarts express. The action occurs around Harry and Ron with Hermione chiding them when they see Scorpius, Draco’s son, with aâ‚ ¬?Don’t try to turn them against each other before they’ve even started schoolaâ‚ ¬? (Deathly Hallows, p605). She is keen to maintain stability in the world for the children. As she develops into adolescence, she moves away from her rebellious side straight into motherhood, so avoiding Susan’s fate in the ‘Chronicles of Narnia’. Though she moves into adolescence, she is faithful to Ron, declaring her love for him in the  Deathly Hallows. Despite Lupin’s proclamation of her talent, we finally see Hermione taking her children to platform 9 A?.She avoids Susan’s banishment from the magical world because she cares for her friends and, ultimately, children and is not selfish as Susan is implied to be by Aslan in the quotation at the beginning of this essa y. Yet it seems a poor fate for all her achievements. The boarding school genre allows Hermione to excel academically and be an equal to Harry and Ron. She develops and is capable of taking on teaching duties and, it would appear, likely to follow  Minerva  McGonagallas the archetypal spinster teacher. She is the archetypal swot who becomes Prefect as she gets to the end of her school years.Her insistence upon hardwork and her dislike of cheats, even if they are her friends, show Hermione’s dedication to maintaining order, though not at any price. She also takes on what appear to be hopeless causes, the release of the elves and then challenges against misused authority, despite the ridicule of her peers. Hermione stands against inequality and tries to effect change. Dumbledore is the only person who backs her stance, and this is only very partially, as he explains to Harry. Dealing with her own social group, she is more effective in galvanising her peers into forming the Dark Arts group.Yet she is on the edge of the social group. On the train to Hogwarts, it is Harry who accepts her into the nascent group and then more firmly once the troll is defeated in the bathrooms. Once the  OWLs  have been taken, Hermione moves away from being the bright academic, her role in helping with Ron and Harry finishing their homework redundant, to being involved in maintaining the group with Ron and Harry through her caring for both boys. It is only Hermione who can cope with the real world of Oxford Street before they manage to get into more magical territory.The school narrative allows Hermione to blossom as an individual as the closed world of Hogwarts bars the real world and gives her space as a person. Once the real world begins to encroach, she begins to move away from her academic achievements and into the big sister role. At one level Rowling sees Hermione as a caricature of her school memories but at another, the Harry Potter series fails to address the idea that girls can do more than become mothers or spinster teachers. In Narnia thePevensie  children are either kept in childlike paradise away from ever growing up or they are ejected from paradise for thinking of the adult world.In ‘His Dark Materials’, Lyra moves from challenging the misplaced authority of Mrs  Coulter  and Lord  Asriel  to leaving Will to make all the decisions. Hermione’s own contributions to the group come through enabling Harry to complete tasks with the requisite knowledge that she can find or discern. Once the fight against Voldemort moves into Harry’s own history, only Dumbledore can help Harry. Whilst on the run in  Deathly Hallows, it is Hermione who tries to keep the group together and to work out Dumbledore’s final clue in the book of fairy tales. She is a catalyst for those around her and remains sidelined.Whilst she shows that she can develop herself against  Mendlesohn’s  analysis through her own talent,Dresang’s  assertion that Hermione gains strength through empowering others is shown to only be partial; she sacrifices her individual power and role to help recreate a safe world. Once she has enable Harry, Rowling moves her into a maternal role, her highest honour. It short changes the Witch that Lupin described as the brightest of her age. Bibliography Jackson, Rosemary,  Fantasy: The Literature of Subversion  (Routledge, London, 1981) Lewis, C. S. ,  The Last Battle(Harper Collins, London, 2005)Moorcock, Michael,  Wizardry and Wild Romance: A Study of Epic Romance  (Gollancz, London, 1987) Pullman, Philip,  The Subtle Knife  (Scholastic, London, 1997, 2001 reprint) Rotruck, Amie Rose, ‘Where Have All the Tomboys Gone? : Female Figures in British Children’s Fantasy Series’ in  Foundation: The International Review of Science Fiction  Volume 32, Number 88, Summer 2003 Rowling, J. K. , Harry Potter and the Philosopherâ€℠¢s Stone (Bloomsbury, London, 1997) Rowling, J. K. ,  Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets  (Bloomsbury, London, 1998) Rowling, J. K. ,  Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban  (Bloomsbury, London, 1999) Rowling, J.K. ,  Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire  (Bloomsbury, London, 2000) J. K. Rowling,  Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix  (Bloomsbury, London, 2003) Rowling, J. 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