The Controversy Over Harry Potter Essay -- Harry Potter Essays

The Controversy Over Harry Potter The Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling has created quite a stir among public schools and churches. Some parents and ministers are afraid these books are teaching wizardry, witchcraft, and evil to their children, while others think they are books of harmless fantasy. There are two sides to this controversy, but I believe that these are just a way for kids to make-believe and imagine. The Harry Potter books are about a boy who learns he has special powers and attends a school called Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. Here we find trials against good and evil, where good triumphs. There have been some parents who have protested these books and have been trying to get them banned from schools. In Clarence, New York, at Ledgeview Elementary School, Eric Poliner isn’t allowed to listen when his teacher, Mrs. Cusack, reads Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone aloud to her fifth grade students. His mom has him sit in the library and study while the other students listen to the story. Eric says, â€Å"There’s a lot about witchcraft and...

Stat 250 Review

Final Exam Review Part VI Definitions and Terms: Know the major definitions and terms for example 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. Population Sample Descriptive Statistic Inferential Statistics Parameter vs Statistics Variable a. Categorical Statistic estimates Parameter b. Quantitative estimates , sample mean , population i. Discrete mean s, sample standard estimates , population ii. Continuous deviation standard deviation Random Variable estimates P, population ? p , sample Sampling Distributions proportion proportionParameter (Defines a population) Statistic (calculated from sample to estimate a parameter) Central Limit Theorem Law of Large Numbers Confidence Level (1- )*100 Type I error (rejecting the null hypothesis when in fact it is true) Type II error (not rejecting the null hypothesis when in fact the null is not true) What is true What you did Do not Reject H0 Reject H0 H0 true No Error Type I error Ha True Type II Error No Error 15. Level of Significance (The probability of making a Type I error) 16. Interpretation of a confidence interval 17. P-value a.The probability of making a type I error based on your sample b. The probability, computed supposing the H0 to be true, that the test statistic will take a value at least as extreme as that actually observed. 18. Interpretation of a test of significance (hypothesis test) Types of Problems 1. Reading and interpreting graphs (make sure you read the labels so you know units and whether the graph is frequency (counts) or relative frequency (percents, ratios, probabilities). 2. Calculating Measures of Center a. Mean b. Median 3. Calculating Measures of Spread a. Range b.You will not have to calculate the standard deviation, but you must understand what the standard deviation is – the average distance each data value is from the mean. c. Interquartile Range (Q3 – Q1) i. 1st quartile ii. 2nd quartile (median) iii. 3rd quartile 4. Shape of distributions 5. Shape of distributions an d effects on Mean and Median 6. Effects of outlier and skewed distribution a. Non-resistant measures of Center and Spread: mean and standard deviation b. Resistant measures of Center and Spread: median and interquartile range 7. Boxplot and 5 number summary: Min, Q1, Q2, Q3, Max 8.Binomial Distribution a. Calculating the mean , =np np(1 p) b. Calculating the standard deviation, c. Finding probabilities using the CDF output from MINITAB 9. Calculating Probabilities for a Normal distribution (Knowing how to use Table A, the standard normal distribution) a. Standardizing any normal random variable i. z x b. Unstandardizing any normal random variable i. x z 10. Sampling distributions a. Sampling distribution of the sample mean – samples of size n i. Mean, x= (can be calculated even if we do not know the shape of the distribution) ii. Standard deviation, x n the shape of the distribution) can be calculated even if we do not know iii. Shape of sampling distribution 1. If population the sample came from is normal, all sampling distributions of any size are normal 2. If the shape of the population is unknown or is NOT normal, then the sampling distribution of the sample mean is normal only if the sample size is 30 or more by the Central Limit Theorem (The shape of the sampling distribution becomes approximately Normal if the sample size is large enough. In our class a sample of size 30 or more is â€Å"large enough† to assume the sampling distribution is approximately Normally distributed. iv.Knowing how to compute probabilities based on the sampling distribution of the sample mean when applicable. v. Inferential Techniques based on sampling distribution when conditions are met (SRS and Normality) 1. Estimation – Confidence Intervals : statistic margin of error (margin of error = critical value * standard error) a. known: i. X z /2 * n ii. Sample size: We can determine the sample size needed so that a specific margin of error is observed at a spec ified confidence level: n b. z unknown: X * m 2 /2 t / 2,df * s n 2. Significance Tests (Hypothesis Tests) a. nown: test statistic, z0 X 0 n b. unknown: test statistic, t0 X s 0 n b. Sampling distribution of the sample proportions – samples of size n i. Mean, p (can be calculated even if we do not know the shape of the ? p distribution) ii. Standard deviation, p(1 P) (can be calculated even if we do not n ? p know the shape of the distribution iii. Shape of sampling distribution of the sample proportions becomes approximately normal if (our book states: np? 10 and n(1-p)? 10, that is the sample successes and failures must be 10 or more. ) np(1-p)? 10 , which is conservative. iv.Inferential Techniques based on sampling distribution when conditions are met (SRS and Normality) 1. Estimation – Confidence Intervals : statistic margin of error (margin of error = critical value * standard error) a. ? pz /2 * ? ? p (1 p ) n i. Sample size: We can determine the sample size need ed so that a specific margin of error is observed at a specified confidence level: n p(1 p) z /2 m 2 If a prior estimate for p is known, use it. If a prior estimate is not know, use p = 0. 5 2. Significance Tests (Hypothesis Tests) a. known: test statistic, z0 ? p p0 p0 (1 p0 ) n 11.Inferential techniques for 2 sample problems (means and proportions – on PowerPoint that is coming next) which are also based on Sampling distribution when conditions are met. a. You will be given the value of the standard error for two sample problems (two sample means dependent, you will be given the standard deviation of the differences, but you will have to calculate the standard error s .) n b. You will have to calculate the pooled proportion for the two sample proportions ? problems: p x1 x2 n1 n2 c. You will have to calculate confidence intervals and do tests of significance (hypothesis tests) 2. Goodness of fit test Best Way to Study 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Go over Test 1 and Test 2 Go over all qui zzes since Test 2 Go over all your quizzes Go over Post-Tests Go over Homework What you need for the final 1. 2. 3. 4. Pencil and eraser Calculator Table A and Table C Formula Sheet: you have two choices. You must choose either A or B a. HAND WRITTEN formula sheet – no copies. Must be the original. On an 8X11 sheet of paper, front and back, you can write whatever you wish. Hand written!!! b. Pristine, no writing on it, copy of the formula sheet on Blackboard. Scantron will be provided.

Mission and Vision Statements Essay

It often reflects the values and beliefs of top managers in an organization. A mission statement is the broad definition of the organizational mission. It is sometimes referred to as a creed, purpose, or statement of corporate philosophy and values. A good mission statement inspires employees and provides a focus and direction for setting lower level objectives. It should guide employees in making decisions and establish what the organization does. Mission statements are crucial for organizations to prosper and grow. While studies suggest that they have a positive impact on profitability and can increase shareholder equity, they also support that almost 40 percent of employees do not know or understand their company’s mission. Not only large corporations benefit from creating mission statements but small businesses as Photo by: sellingpix http://www. referenceforbusiness. com/management/Mar-No/Mission-and-Vision-Statements. html Page 1 of 12 Mission and Vision Statements – strategy, organization, examples, advantages, definition, company, disadvantages, business 5/19/13 2:42 PM well. Entrepreneurial businesses are driven by vision and high aspirations. Developing a mission statement will help the small business realize their vision. Its primary purpose is to guide the entrepreneur and assist in refining the planning process. By developing a strategic plan that incorporates the mission statement, entrepreneurs are more likely to be successful and stay focused on what is important. The mission statement encourages managers and small business owners alike to consider the nature and scope of the business. Business Week attributes 30 percent higher return on several key financial measure for companies with well-crafted mission statements. COMMON ELEMENTS While mission statements vary from organization to organization and represent the distinctness of each one, they all share similar components. Most statements include descriptions of the organization’s target market, the geographic domain, their concern for survival, growth and profitability, the company philosophy, and the organization’s desired public image. For example: Our mission is to become the favorite family dining restaurant in every neighborhood in which we operate. This will be accomplished by serving a variety of delicious tasting and generously portioned foods at moderate prices. Our restaurants will be clean, fun, and casual. Our guests will be served by friendly, knowledgeable people that are dedicated to providing excellent customer service. This mission statement describes the target market, which are families and the geographic domain of neighborhoods. It clearly states how it expects to be profitable by offering excellent customer service by friendly, knowledgeable people. When defining the mission statement it is important to take into account external influences such as the competition, labor conditions, economic conditions, and possible government regulation. It is important to remember however, that mission statements that try to be everything to everybody end up being nothing to anybody. http://www. referenceforbusiness. com/management/Mar-No/Mission-and-Vision-Statements. html Page 2 of 12 Mission and Vision Statements – strategy, organization, examples, advantages, definition, company, disadvantages, business 5/19/13 2:42 PM Companies should have mission statements that clearly define expected shareholder returns and they should regularly measure performance in terms of those expected returns. If the major reason for a business’s existence is to make a profit then it stands to reason that expectations of profit should be included in the organization’s mission. This means that management should reach a consensus about which aspects of the company’s profit performance should be measured. These might include margin growth, product quality, market share changes, competitive cost position, and capital structure efficiency. A mission statement sets the boundaries for how resources should be allocated and what strategic and operational goals should be set. The mission statement should acknowledge the company’s strengths and then inform employees where to direct their efforts in order to take advantage of those strengths. Before writing a mission statement organizations should take a look at how they are different from the competition, whether it is in technology, image and name brand, or employees. It can often be thought of as a recipe for success because it not only defines the organization’s accomplishments but it also provides employees with directions to help them develop plans and look for opportunities for improvement. The organization defines what is acceptable behavior through the mission statement. Values and beliefs are the core of a strong mission statement. For example: Quality and values will secure our success. We will live by our values, have fun, and take pride in what we do. Our values are to maintain a work environment where people enjoy coming to work, to serve our guests and exceed their expectations, and to be profitable and result oriented. This mission statement is simple and straightforward. It does not, however, specify the products or target market. The mission statement also provides meaning to the organization by stating not only what goals the company wants to achieve but also why it wants to achieve these goals. It is not effective unless it is challenging and forces workers to establish goals and means to measure the achievement of those goals. A mission statement should inspire employees and get them involved in the organization. It has been called the glue that holds the organization together through shared values and standards of behavior. A mission statement should be relevant to the history, culture, and values of the company. Many statements refer to the social responsibility of the organization. For example, a company can show their concern for the community in the following: http://www. referenceforbusiness. com/management/Mar-No/Mission-and-Vision-Statements. html Page 3 of 12 Mission and Vision Statements – strategy, organization, examples, advantages, definition, company, disadvantages, business 5/19/13 2:42 PM To be involved as good corporate citizens wherever we are around the world. We will treat customers and distributors with honesty, courtesy, and respect. We will respect and preserve the environment. Through all of this we will prove to be the worldwide leader in industry trade. One important issue in organizations today is the concern with diversity. While it is not a traditional point included in mission statements, more and more companies are including it because of the globalization of the economy and the increased diversity of the workforce. Before writing a mission statement, leaders in the organization must have an idea of what is in store for the future. This vision is the foundation for the mission statement. The vision provides a strategic direction, which is the springboard for the mission and its related goals. A vision statement differs from a mission statement. Vision statements are a view of what an organization is striving to become. For example: To bring back to neighborhoods all over America the importance of family unity. We will view ourselves as a family so these attributes will be carried over into our service. They guide an organization into the future while mission statements are a reflection of the present. Because vision statements are a glimpse into the future, they are often not realized for several years. Organizations go through many changes and can face times of confusion and uncertainty. Changes are not always expected or easy, so a well thought out vision statement will help everyone stay focused and meet the organization’s goals. Some examples of well-known companies’ mission statements: Wal-Mart: â€Å"To give ordinary folk the chance to buy the same thing as rich people. † 3M: â€Å"To solve unsolved problems innovatively. † Walt Disney: â€Å"To make people happy. † Historically, these may have seemed arrogant. But consider the outcome of the following mission statements from each company’s early days: Ford Motor Company: â€Å"Ford will democratize the automobile. † Sony: â€Å"Become the company most know for changing the world-wide poor-quality image of Japanese products. † Wal-Mart: â€Å"Become a $125 billion company by the year 2000. † http://www. referenceforbusiness. com/management/Mar-No/Mission-and-Vision-Statements. html Page 4 of 12 Mission and Vision Statements – strategy, organization, examples, advantages, definition, company, disadvantages, business 5/19/13 2:42 PM WRITING A MISSION STATEMENT When creating a mission statement there are a few simple guidelines that can be followed. It is important to remember the basics so the mission statement stays simple and straight to the point. Some researchers agree that it should be kept to between 30 and 60 words, while others believe it does not necessarily have to be that brief. Some organizations have mission statements that are only one sentence, while others are a paragraph. An example of a mission statement that is limited to one sentence is â€Å"Our business is selling houses and our mission is total customer satisfaction. At a minimum, each mission statement should answer the following three questions: (1) What are the opportunities or needs the organization addresses? (2) What does the organization do to address those needs? and (3) What principles and values guide the organization? In other words, defining the organization’s purpose, business and values. Avoiding jargon and buzzwords will keep the mission statement clear and easy to understand. It should be universal and simple to comprehend for all employees in the organization. It should be unique and identify the organization. A mission statement is often what sets one company apart from the competition. It should outline the organization’s competitive advantages and differentiate it from everyone else. Specific products/services offered as well as markets or customers should be included. Also a general business definition, behavioral standards, and desired competitive position can be added to a strong mission statement. EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT It is often helpful to allow company-wide input when creating a mission statement. This â€Å"bottom up† approach results in greater commitment to the organization and a better understanding of the organization. Employees from throughout the organization can help identify the core values of the company. In order to encourage employee participation, many companies have created competitions inviting employees to submit suggestions. Cash prizes are sometimes provided as an incentive for creative and inspirational statements. Some companies find it useful to invite customers to assist in writing a mission statement because they can provide an honest perspective. Another option is to review mission statements from other companies. This can help provide ideas as the writing process begins. It is important to keep in mind that there will be a draft process involved in creating the mission statement. Employees can often provide invaluable insight on how to improve on each draft. In the end, the mission statement should reflect the personality of the organization. Thus, each company should be creative and unique in developing its own statement. Creating a mission http://www. referenceforbusiness. com/management/Mar-No/Mission-and-Vision-Statements. html Page 5 of 12 Mission and Vision Statements – strategy, organization, examples, advantages, definition, company, disadvantages, business 5/19/13 2:42 PM  committee that consists of members of management, frontline employees, and customers is another way to begin writing a mission statement. The major benefit of this strategy is the inclusion of all areas of the organization to ensure that everyone is represented. Another benefit is that employees will be more willing to work toward accomplishing the mission if they know they had a vo ice in its creation. A â€Å"top down† approach can be effective in smaller organizations or even sole proprietorships. There is less time involved in creating a mission statement when it comes from the top. Also, many times frontline employees and lower level managers lack the insight necessary to see the big picture. They may not be able to conceptualize the entire organization and therefore miss important aspects of the business. Participation may not always be a good option for small businesses. In small businesses that are started by entrepreneurs the mission statement is generally a vision of an individual and therefore may not be negotiable. When the mission statement comes from upper management, employees are more assured of the organization’s commitment to the statement. A word of caution should be noted when deciding whether to adopt a â€Å"top down† approach or a â€Å"bottom up† approach. If the mission statement is to be created with a wide variety of input from both employees and customers then it will take longer than a â€Å"top down† approach. There must be a sharing of views and ideas with compromises made. A consensus should be developed without the problems associated with groupthink. There is always the possibility that too much compromise will distort the mission statement and the end result is something different from the original intent. The â€Å"top down† approach is not always effective because it rarely consults employees when making important decisions. Therefore, although it is the fastest route to take it isn’t always the most effective. While the mission statement should be able to change with the times it is also understood to have a certain degree of permanence. As new businesses begin to grow and hire more employees the mission statement should provide a strong sense of stability and a clear definition of the culture. A mission statement is worthless unless it has the support of the employees in the organization. It will only be successful if each employee commits to its success and internalizes it. Once the statement is completed it is extremely important that the organization not put it on the shelf to collect dust. It should be shared with the entire company. The introduction of the mission statement should come directly from top management in order to set the example. Organizations should be creative in making employees aware of the mission statement. Placing it strategically in locations where employees gather will increase awareness and remind them of the goals of the http://www. referenceforbusiness. com/management/Mar-No/Mission-and-Vision-Statements. html Page 6 of 12 Mission and Vision Statements – strategy, organization, examples, advantages, definition, company, disadvantages, business 5/19/13 2:42 PM organization. Videos outlining the details of the new mission statement are often useful; however, it is critical that employees have the opportunity to discuss the statement with members of management. Setting up meetings with members of management and frontline employees can often help uncover areas where the company does not meet the standards set by the mission statement. Communicating the mission statement to customers will make them feel valued and important. It can be sent to customers in a mass mailing or posted on signs in areas those customers frequent. It sets forth the goals of the organization so customers know what to expect when doing business with the company. SWOT ANALYSIS SWOT is an acronym for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. SWOT analysis is a strategic planning tool that helps an organization match its internal strengths and weaknesses with external opportunities and threats. SWOT analysis is important and useful in creating and executing the organization’s mission statement. Often the best strategies for accomplishing the organization’s mission are revealed through the SWOT analysis. The best strategies are those that take advantage of strengths and opportunities, offset threats, and improve weaknesses. Organizations should first begin by reviewing internal strengths and weaknesses. When analyzing an organization’s strengths it is important to identify distinctive competencies or strengths possessed by only a few competing firms. These distinctive competencies often become the competitive advantages that are included in the mission statement. Distinctive competencies can be found in financial resources, quality products and services, proprietary technology, or cost advantages. Organizational weaknesses are skills and capabilities that prevent an organization from implementing strategies that achieve its mission. They can be problems with facilities, lack of a clear strategic direction, internal operating problems, too narrow a product line, weak market image, or the inability to finance changes. The next step is to identify external opportunities and threats. Organizational opportunities are circumstances in an organization’s environment that if capitalized on will result in above normal increases in economic performance. Examples of opportunities are related to the possibility of adding a new product line, increasing market growth, or diversifying into related products. Threats are viewed as circumstances that give rise to normal or below normal economic performance. They can be found in the ease of entry of competitors, increased sales of substituted products, demographic changes, slowed market growth, or increased competition. EVALUATION http://www. referenceforbusiness. com/management/Mar-No/Mission-and-Vision-State ments. html Page 7 of 12 Mission and Vision Statements – strategy, organization, examples, advantages, definition, company, disadvantages, business 5/19/13 2:42 PM Evaluation of the mission statement is necessary to ensure the organization is meeting its goals. If needed, new goals may have to be created in order to accommodate changes in the organization. It may be time to reevaluate what the organization is doing or where it is headed. This is a good time to think about entering into new areas or to begin doing things differently by rewriting part or all of the mission and vision statements. In evaluating an organization’s performance, management must look at several different aspects of the organization. First, managers need to determine if the organization’s plans are clearly linked to its mission statement and related goals. Plans should be developed for both the short run and long run. Secondly, assigning jobs that are directly related to the achievement of organizational goals will help ensure they are attained. The goals should be communicated clearly so employees understand what tasks need to be carried out and what the rewards will be. Finally, when evaluating individual performance, the information gathered should be recent and compared to established standards. Mission statements are often difficult to evaluate because they are written in a somewhat abstract form. They are, many times, not directly measurable and vaguely worded. Figure 1 presents an example of how mission statements can be measured from the top of the organization to the bottom. Strategic goals are directly tied to the organization’s mission statement and apply to the organization as a whole. Tactical goals are departmental goals that support the strategic goals. Finally, operational goals are written at the individual level. Each one of these makes it possible to measure the organization’s mission statements. An organization’s likelihood of accomplishing its mission is increased as it creates strong and measurable goals at each level. It is not necessary that the mission statement be measured in quantifiable terms. It may also be measured qualitatively. For example, â€Å"We will answer all of our customers’ questions and if we don’t know the answer, we will find out. † While this is not a quantitative statement it can be measured by monitoring customer service calls and setting operational goals for employees that revolve around follow up and thoroughness. Mission and vision statements give organizations a focus and a strategy for the future. According to Bart and Tabone, they have become the cornerstones of organizations. They contribute to organizations’ success and can lead to increases in productivity and performance. They do not have to be reserved for the entire organization—each department or division can benefit from developing a mission statement, as long as they are not in contradiction to the company’s overall mission. Preferably, an individual department’s mission links it to the fulfillment of the overall http://www. referenceforbusiness. com/management/Mar-No/Mission-and-Vision-Statements. html Page 8 of 12 Mission and Vision Statements – strategy, organization, examples, advantages, definition, company, disadvantages, business 5/19/13 2:42 PM company mission. Mission statements for functional Figure 1 departments provide the same benefits as they do for the entire organization. In conclusion, mission statements provide a sense of direction and purpose. In times of change and growth they can be an anchor and a guide in decision making. The benefits far outweigh the disadvantages and challenges when looking at the potential for increases in profitability and returns. Defining an organization by what it produces and who it satisfies are major steps towards creating a sound and stable mission statement. Setting a company apart from the competition is probably one of the biggest advantages. SEE ALSO: Strategic Planning Failure ; Strategic Planning Tools ; Strategy Formulation ; Strategy Implementation ; SWOT Analysis Amy McMillan Revised by Deborah Hausler FURTHER READING: Bart, C. K. , and J. C. Tabone.

Why Choose a Single-Sex School

Why Choose a Single-Sex School No single educational environment is right for every student. From varying learning styles to different interests, education has become an incredibly diverse and customized experience for students. For some children, the best learning environment is one that removes students of the opposite gender from the equation.  Research has shown that single-sex education offers benefits for both girls and boys. While it has long been known that girls do better academically in all-girls’ environments, more recent research has shown that boys may fare even better than girls in single-sex classrooms. The research fairly overwhelmingly and  consistently points to the advantages of single-sex schools. For example, a study at Stetson University  in Florida showed that among fourth graders at a public elementary school in the state, 37% of boys reached proficiency levels in co-ed classes, while 86% of boys in single-sex classrooms did (the boys in the study were matched so that they were statistically equivalent). While 59% of girls reached a proficient level in co-ed classrooms, 75% did when they were only with girls. This type of research has been carried out and substantiated among students of different economic, ethnic, and racial backgrounds in many different industrialized countries around the world. Part of the magic of single-sex schools is that the teaching methods can be adjusted to the students. Well-trained teachers at girls’ and boys’ single-sex schools can take advantage of the specific ways in which girls and boys learn. For example, boys often need a higher level of activity, while girls might need more reassurance that they have something to offer to the classroom discussion. In a typical co-ed classroom, it is difficult for one teacher to use these specific strategies for all the students. Here are some other advantages of single-sex schools: Girls Gain Greater Confidence CRC Health studies show that one-quarter of the female members of Congress and one-third of the female board members of Fortune 100 companies attended girls’ schools. This staggering statistic might be in part because girls in single-sex schools learn to feel confident about their ideas, and they more readily jump into class discussions when they are not self-conscious. In a girls’ school, students are not worried about what boys will think about them, and they shed the traditional idea that girls should be demure or quiet. Boys and Girls Feel Comfortable in Non-traditional Subjects Boys in boys’ schools feel comfortable in areas that they learn to avoid in co-ed schools, such as literature, writing, and foreign languages. Many boys’ schools emphasize these subjects, and the teachers in these schools are able to plan the curriculum so that the themes in the books the boys read are geared towards their concerns and interests, as opposed to the usual â€Å"girl-centered† books in many co-ed schools. For example, boys may read stories about boys coming of age, such as Homer’s The Odyssey, and the students’ analyses of these works can be centered on boys’ concerns. Girls in girls’ schools, on the other hand, tend to feel more comfortable in areas that they traditionally shy away from, such as math and science. In all-female schools, they can have female role models who enjoy these subjects, and they are encouraged to be interested in these areas without competition from boys. Students Unlearn Gender Stereotypes In boys’ schools, boys fill every role- whether it’s a traditional role such as captain of the basketball team or whether it’s an untraditional role such as the editor of the yearbook. There are no stereotypes about which types of roles boys should fill. Similarly, in a girls’ school, girls are the head of every sport and organization and can comfortably take on such untraditional roles as head of the student body or head of the physics club. In this way, students in these schools unlearn traditional stereotypes and do not tend to think of roles in terms of gender. Single-Sex Classrooms Often have Better Discipline While sometimes all-girls’ and all-boys’ classrooms have a certain relaxed quality borne of freedom to express themselves, single-sex classrooms have been shown overall to have fewer discipline problems, particularly for boys. Students are no longer busy impressing or competing against the opposite sex but can get down to the true business of learning. Many parents who attended co-ed schools may feel uncomfortable at first exploring the single-sex school option for their children, but there is no doubt that many students learn better in these types of schools.

James Baldwins essays

James Baldwin's essays James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket The African-American author known as James Baldwin was born in Harlem, New York in 1924. In his childhood, Baldwin was a voracious reader. He read every book that he could get his hands on at his local library, which he visited several times a week. As his lust for reading grew, so blossomed his writing. By the age of 8 or 9, Baldwin had written his schools song, Farwell To 24. His mother encouraged his eagerness to write, but his father, a preacher, wanted him to follow in his footsteps. His father also felt that Baldwins writing was not intended for the black race, but rather the white. Their differences eventually go so great that Baldwin finished high school and left home. After high school, he worked in several different jobs and finally started his literary apprenticeship. In the early 1940s, Baldwin worked some in New Jersey, and in 1943 he began writing full-time. He tried his hand at writing here in the United States, but quickly realize that it was almost impossible. In 1948, he left for Paris. While in Paris, Baldwins work became world renowned. Baldwin traveled extensively , and with every place, he wrote a novel. Some were controversial covering topic such as sexuality, and personal identity. Most were based on the civil struggles that was occurring in the United States. He returned to the United States in the early 60s in order to become involved in The Civil Rights Movement. He lost many good friends during The Civil Rights Movement, including Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. After the assassination of King, Baldwin returned to Paris in the early 70s. While back in Paris, Baldwin suffered writers block. He bitterly started to acknowledge that violence may be the only route to racial justice. In 1983, Baldwin became Five College Pro fessor in the African-American Studies department of the University of...

The Halayeb Triangle

The Halayeb Triangle The Halayeb Triangle (map), also sometimes called the Hala’ib Triangle is an area of disputed land located on the border between Egypt and Sudan. The land covers an area of 7,945 square miles (20,580 square kilometers) and is named for the town of Hala’ib which is located there. The presence of the Halayeb Triangle is caused by the different locations of the Egypt-Sudan border. There is a political boundary that was set in 1899 that runs along the 22nd parallel and an administrative boundary that was set by the British in 1902. The Halayeb Triangle is located in the difference between the two and since the mid-1990s Egypt has had de facto control of the area. History of the Halayeb Triangle The first border between Egypt and Sudan  was set in 1899 when the United Kingdom  had control over the area. At that time the Anglo-Egyptian Agreement for Sudan set a political boundary between the two at 22nd parallel or along the line of 22ÌŠ N latitude. Later, in 1902 the British drew a new administrative boundary between Egypt and Sudan which gave control of the Ababda territory that was south of the 22nd parallel to Egypt. The new administrative boundary gave Sudan control of land that was north of the 22nd parallel. At that time, Sudan controlled about 18,000 square miles (46,620 sq km) of land and the villages of Hala’ib and Abu Ramad. In 1956, Sudan became independent and the disagreement over the control of the Halayeb Triangle between Sudan and Egypt began. Egypt  considered the border between the two as the 1899 political boundary, while Sudan claimed that the border was the 1902 administrative boundary. This led to both Egypt and Sudan claiming sovereignty over the region. In addition, a small area south of the 22nd parallel called Bir Tawil that was formerly administered by Egypt was claimed by neither Egypt nor Sudan at this time. As a result of this border disagreement, there have been several periods of hostility in the Halayeb Triangle since the 1950s. For example in 1958, Sudan planned to hold elections in the region and Egypt sent troops into the area. Despite these hostilities, however, both countries exercised joint control of the Halayeb Triangle until 1992 when Egypt objected to Sudan allowing exploration of the region’s coastal areas by a Canadian oil company. This led to further hostilities and an unsuccessful assassination attempt on Egypt’s then-president Hosni Mubarak. As a result, Egypt strengthened control of the Halayeb Triangle and forced all Sudanese officials out. By 1998 Egypt and Sudan  agreed to begin working on a compromise as to which country would control the Halayeb Triangle. In January 2000, Sudan withdrew all forces from the Halayeb Triangle and ceded control of the region to Egypt. Since Sudan’s withdrawal from the Halayeb Triangle in 2000, there are often still conflicts between Egypt and Sudan over control of the region. In addition, the Eastern Front, a coalition of Sudanese rebels, states that it claims the Halayeb Triangle as Sudanese because the people there are more ethnically related to Sudan. In 2010 the Sudanese President Omer Hassan Al-Bashir said, â€Å"Halayeb is Sudanese and will stay Sudanese† (Sudan Tribune, 2010). In April 2013 there were rumors that Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi and Sudan’s President Al-Bashir had met to discuss a compromise of control over the Halayeb Triangle and the possibility of giving control of the region back to Sudan (Sanchez, 2013). Egypt denied those rumors however and claimed that the meeting was simply to strengthen cooperation between the two nations. Thus, the Halayeb Triangle still remains in Egypt’s control while Sudan claims territorial rights over the region. Geography, Climate, and Ecology of the Halayeb Triangle The Halayeb Triangle is located on the southern border of Egypt and the northern border of Sudan. It covers an area of 7,945 square miles (20,580 square kilometers) and has coastlines on the Red Sea. The area is called the Halayeb Triangle because Hala’ib is a large city within the region and the area is shaped roughly like a triangle. The southern border, about 180 miles (290 km) follows the 22nd parallel. In addition to the main, disputed portion of the Halayeb Triangle there is a small area of land called Bir Tawil that is located south of the 22nd parallel at the triangle’s westernmost tip. Bir Tawil has an area of 795 square miles (2,060 sq km) and is not claimed by Egypt or Sudan. The climate of the Halayeb Triangle is similar to that of northern Sudan. It is normally very hot and receives little precipitation outside of a rainy season. Near the Red Sea, the climate is milder and there is more precipitation. The Halayeb Triangle has a varied topography. The highest peak in the region is Mount Shendib at 6,270 feet (1,911 m). In addition, the Gebel Elba mountain area is a nature reserve that is home to Elba Mountain. This peak has an elevation of 4,708 feet (1,435 m) and is unique because its summit is considered a mist oasis because of intense dew, mist and high levels of precipitation (Wikipedia.org). This mist oasis creates a unique ecosystem in the region and also makes it a biodiversity hotspot with over 458 plant species. Settlements and People of the Halayeb Triangle The two major towns within the Halayeb Triangle are Hala’ib and Abu Ramad. Both of these towns are located on the Red Sea coast and Abu Ramad is the last stop for buses bound for Cairo and other Egyptian cities. Osief is the closest Sudanese town to the Halayeb Triangle (Wikipedia.org).Because of its lack of development, most of the people living within the Halayeb Triangle are nomads and the region has little economic activity. The Halayeb Triangle is however said to be rich in manganese. This is an element that is significant in the production of iron and steel but it is also used as an additive for gasoline and is used in alkaline batteries (Abu-Fadil, 2010). Egypt has currently been working to export ferromanganese bars to produce steel (Abu-Fadil, 2010). Due to the ongoing conflict between Egypt and Sudan over control of the Halayeb Triangle it is clear that this is an important world region and it will be interesting to observe whether it will remain in Egyptian control.

Explain clearly what is understood by the meaning of Leadership. What Essay

Explain clearly what is understood by the meaning of Leadership. What is the distinction between Leadership and Management - Essay Example The paper will discuss certain leadership taxonomies and definitions and will also explore a few leadership theories in order to get an insight into leadership. The second part of the paper will strive to find out the main discrepancies between management and leadership and the reasons as to why both are assets to an organization. Both functions are complementary to each other and without the existence of any one of the two it becomes impossible for the other to perform effectively thereby impairing organizational growth. Contents Abstract 2 Contents 3 Introduction 4 Insights into leadership 5 Leadership theories 6 Leadership and management – a distinction 8 Conclusion 10 Reference 11 Introduction One of the most popular and discussed topic is leadership. Scholars have tried to define leadership in several manners. In an examination of 587 publications, at least 221 definitions of leadership had emerged. Leadership is the manner in which an individual induces aspects of respec t, obedience, cooperation and loyalty among followers. Leadership in the 1930s was considered to be an area where organizations had to move depending on specifications provided by the leader. The 40’s definition of leadership focussed on the constructs of power, authority, circumstances and position. The 1950s definition emphasized on the essentials of team building and the authority the leader commanded on team members. The 1960s definition of leadership influenced followers to shared goals and vision. The 1970s leadership definition viewed a leader to have discretionary powers and 1980s the leader inspired the followers to conduct meaningful activity. The 1990s defined leadership as a combined task accomplished by both followers and leader to make certain modifications impacting common purposes. The first ten years of the twenty first century witnessed the leader to be solely accountable and responsible for all activities conducted in an organization. From the above, it may be observed that there are certain themes in leadership. These are as follows: a) Leadership is not limited to senior management members or the top boss b) Leadership helps in excelling performance level in followers c) Management and leadership are two distinct constructs d) There is a humanistic and sensitive dimension to leadership e) Leaders need to apply a host of skills, capabilities, qualities thereby undertaking a holistic approach f) An individual who has expertise in implementing, initiating and anticipating change is a successful leader (Bass & Bass, 2008) Insights into leadership Leadership styles vary from person to person. However, the manner in which one may be able to aptly distinguish various leaders depends on the manner in which they act on logic. This is the skill to interpret and analyze surroundings especially when they are challenged by some external or internal issues. Academic scholars have observed that leaders who delved deep within them to develop and un derstand themselves can transform their own capabilities as well as the capabilities of the organization. The effectiveness of organizations mainly depends on coordinated leadership which stems from leaders having varied levels of hierarchy. Their skills help in impacting individuals, units, teams and the overall organizational results. Academic study on leadership has highlighted that leadership significantly impact units, teams and the entire organization. Although there is vast literature on the outcomes of effective