Christianity and Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Christianity and Education - Essay Example Years ago, people served God without feeling ashamed. He was a part of everyday life. Society valued the Lord as a whole, as it was expected that all people go to church for worship. Those who did not were looked down upon, since they were not giving the Lord the thanks he deserves. Children prayed openly in school, and the class always said prayers before beginning the daily study routine. Nowadays, fewer people attend church. Christians who are faithful in their worship towards God are frequently mocked, and if people miss church, not much is thought of it. Much of society does not hold god in as high of regard as they used to. What’s even worse is that God has practically been taken out of our schools. Some secular individuals who do not take Christianity seriously may reason that Christians are making too much of a big deal about matters. They feel that God is still in our schools, since children are still allowed to pray privately. Evidence, on the other hand, is contrary to such reasoning, as the Bible has much to show us about the times we are living in. What’s more, we can find an explanation in the pages of God’s word as to why the school system is going downhill when it comes to God and morals. The passage at 2 Timothy 3:1-5 gives us a good explanation as to why such events are transpiring. This passage talks about the last days and what is to occur during those times. We are told that children will be disrespectful to those in charge, having a complete lack of regard to authority. Violence will increase greatly, as people will commit violent crimes without a conscience. There will be a serious lacking of self control, and the number of selfish individuals will increase to an alarming rate. Should a person make a mistake, there will be no forgiveness if he wants to smooth things over because people during the last days will be very unforgiving. And if this isn't bad enough, we are told about how people will have a prideful spirit, and will deeply persecute those who love serving God and doing what is right. People will only be concerned about the things that pleasure them rather than devoting time to serving God (the Holy Bible, New King James Version.) Everything that was mention in this Bible passage is characteristic of what is currently occurring in our schools at present. Years ago, children actually respected the teachers. Now, it is not common to hear that teachers stand around helplessly while the children do their dirty business because they are afraid of what the children might do for correcting the behavior. Children talk back to the teachers, and some have even inflicted harsh physical violence. The number of violent incidences that occur in our schools today is ever increasing. Just about every time one switches on the TV to watch the news, there is some sort of report on school violence. There are numerous cases concerning children who bully others, and nothing is done about it because the teachers are afraid of the bullies. Others take things to the extremes by calling bomb threats or bringing weapons to school to injure and kill teachers and fellow classmates. Such violent behavior is not characteristic of a Christian who is reverent in his service to God, and it shows us that things are really getting out of control as described in the above Bible passage. When we look at the pages of God's word, He makes it very clear how he feels about violence. At Galatians 5:19, 20, there is a list of practices that are not acceptable for a servant of God to engage in. Acts of violence are listed among them. In these verses, we are told what will happen to those who engage in such acts. These persons will not inherit God's kingdom (the Holy Bible, New King James Version). Also Psalm 11:5 states that God hates violence (the holy Bible, New King James Version). Nothing can be clearer about how God feels than this verse, which directly states His feelings about the subject. Sadly, school children are not taking this into account, as God is no longer a part of the school curriculum. God

Observation Narrative Essay Example for Free

Observation Narrative Essay Days of Old When Knights Were Bold Growing up, I was never that girl that fantasized about becoming a princess and meeting that special prince that would sweep me off my feet and save me from all misery. Even sorcery books such as the Harry Potter series did not appeal to me. I did not believe in any of that quirky fantasy land stuff so the idea of being dragged to the Michigan Renaissance Festival with my family over Labor Day weekend did not appeal to me; I would have much rather been out having fun in the sun barbequing with friends just as any other American typically celebrates the holiday. Staring out the car window all I saw was cornfields and the occasional Ma and Pa family owned restaurant or ice cream parlor. Mt. Holly came into view a little further down the road, but the slopes were dry and scarce due to it being summer. Tucked behind all the forestation was a small fairground where police orderly directed cars into the lot. The parking lot, overwhelmingly large in size, branched in two directions. One led to a general area and the other took cars single file down a long and winding path. This brought butterflies to my stomach. License plates were country wide varying from fellow Michiganders to visiting guests from neighboring states such as Indiana and Ohio and some traveling from as far away as Florida or Kansas. Once we secured our designated spot and our legs were fully stretched after sitting stationary for the hour drive we merged with the herd of people and marched together through the forest to discover this new unknown world. The walk was a journey in itself. The weeds in the wasteland of the parking lot stood knee high and tickled my leg with every movement. There appeared to be no end in sight as it was at least a mile long containing various obstacles such as logs barricading the path and bridges. Surprisingly there were no mosquitoes but the sound of the crickets chirping and the leaves crinkling all echoed loudly. I so badly wanted to turn around and hike back to the car but as I got closer I could catch glimpses of the festivities through bare spots between branches and heard ear piercing screeches and rowdy whistles along with bursts exiting out the tall vintage buildings. This shot my curiosity level through the roof and the excitement continued to build. The path had ended and before my eyes was a new world; something I had only seen before in movies. The spirit of the festival had overtaken my  body and the feeling was enchanting. Giant castles awaited me along with colorful flags and banners streamed over the entrance with cheerful greetings labeled, â€Å"Huzzah!† I was suddenly willing to give this all a chance and I had a new frame of mind that was open to adventure. Walking in those front gates was a lot to take in and represented a totally new side of the social spectrum when compared to a normal festival. People were dressed in a wide range of attire and it was hard to differentiate the workers from the tourists. The main clue was that tourists casually walked around grinning whereas the staff tended to get fully into character by perfecting their accent. Each got the chance to live out a life they had always dreamt of through roll play and step outside their comfort zone without being judged. There were fair maidens, juggling court jesters, wizards, elves, and fairies. All fantasy elements were covered and all of this contributed to the illusion of taking a step back and reliving medieval times. Coming from a family of macho men it was absurd to see a men proudly sporting kilts along with boots accented with bells that jingled with every step creating a musical tune of its own. Even more shocking was the fact that they all had a strong family support system lined up behind them all dressed matching in theme as well. It seemed that the more eccentric the outfit, the better. Long velvet capes with matching feathered hats or flowery garland in the women’s hair were also common while others dressed as mystical animals and pranced around with tails and ears. These costumes were all things that I would never be caught dead in but after a while strangely enough, we all blended together. There was an aroma of sweat due to everyone dressed in multiple layers but no one seemed to mind as it was a mere part of the ambiance as back in the Renaissance Period people did not shower for days. There was a plethora of patrons however that attended dressed in causal street clothes that sought a gratifying day out with friends and family but even they got sucked into the spirit of things and unexpectedly started curtseying and using the language. Dressing in garb expressed the true rapture of upgrading from being a patron to now a participant. This event catered to all ages. Fairy Godmothers rested on stones along the pathway making them readily approachable and eager to share their tales with anyone willing to listen. Their voices were so soft spoken it was impossible for anyone to simply pass by. Street peasants welcomed on goers  into their dancing circle as they chanted traditional hymns. I have never been much of a dancer due to my lack of rhythm but I must say once they got me started with the basics I refused to stop and entirely forgot others were watching. The petting zoo provided a wonderful hands on experience featuring encounters with livestock as well as other exotic animals such as lion cubs, kangaroos and toucans that could be bottle fed if you wished to do so. The king set aside a playscape for the kids to interact, swing and slide but also had other ways to test one’s knightly skills. The bungee jump seemed to draw the most attention but the archery, king of the log challenge and axe throws did not fall short in interest. Little girls had the chance to learn proper waves, curtsies and poise through a boot camp run by the village Princesses themselves. The Mermaid Lagoon was a disappointment in my opinion. After patiently waiting in a line for over thirty minutes I expected to see a luxurious area with mermaids whose tails sparkled elegantly in the sunlight, when in reality all it turned out to be was one girl in a cheesy costume floating in a dunk tank. On the flip side there was a wonderful replica wooden horse hung between two massive oak trees that allowed kids to race down full speed to master the art of ring spearing just as they had seen the real knights do out on the playing field at the nearby arena. The smiles on the children’s faces were contagious and it was a continuous chain reaction of happiness that spread rapidly. The adults had just as many activities to keep busy as well. Throughout the day various competitions were held to win bragging rights and often at times, gold chalices. Some of these included beard competitions where one could show off his whiskers and have the chance to win in the following catego ries: longest, thickest, most unique, and best overall. Part of me felt as if the cast and crew of the reality television series Duck Dynasty should have guest appeared at the ceremony to distribute the prizes but my wish fell short. The tattoo contest was run in the same manner but instead with the categories being: best black and grey tattoo, best color tattoo, best overall, and worst overall. I was amazed to see that the male to female contestant ratio was relatively close to equal. To continue the friendly competitions, in one of the main colorful tents was a Root Beer belching competition that some competitors were proudly capable of rumbling the stage. It was impressive yet disturbing all in one. Good sportsmanship was  well displayed and no one took the loss to heart by sincerely congratulating the winners. The objective of the Pub Crawl was to drink one beer at each of the four stations while led by entertainers to keep the atmosphere cool, calm, and relaxed. Upon the departure from each bar, fairies would splatter glow paint on one’s chest. The streets were flooded with an abundance of vendors ranging from apparel and candles, to plants and paintings. This is how most vendors earned a living so without surprise, they pushed their products diligently. Unfamiliar musical instruments such as bird whistles and bongos brought a new sense of relaxation as I closed my eyes and let my mind take me elsewhere. I was utterly fascinated with the number of people willing to pay for palm reading to uncover different aspects of future life including successes and love. Superstitions were more common than I thought. As some would say, there is no harm in jumping on the bandwagon every once in a while. With that being said, a hookah station was set up encouraging tourists to take a break and get a little weird. Men dressed in puffy shirts and flared out pantaloons walked around carrying large, woven baskets overhead selling flowers to all the fair maidens. All were very well mannered and charming. The patrons were invited to participate in the annual fairy house competition in which the top three winners received awards for their hard work and creativity. The rules advised artists to make durable houses that could withstand any weather using entirely natural materials and furnishing the inside and outdoor with landscape. Out in the open area stood two actors that mastered the art of pretending to be a statue and were covered head to toe in grey body paint. Their movements were slow and swift as they changed poses to be photographed by on goers. My dad was the only one to spot the man standing in a pot to look like a shrub while the rest of us nonchalantly walked by completely oblivious to such a phenomenon. In this man’s case, he could join in the fun but also camouflage his true identity. The festival as a whole is made up of hundreds of very diverse and multi-talented entertainers that never fail to please and in most circumstances is what keeps people coming back year after year. There is always a show going on ranging from group or stand-alone comedians to singers and quartets greeting newcomers at the welcome gate. A group of the finest acrobats were selected to show off their coordination and extraordinary balance doing tricks requested by audience members. A  costumed human chess game took place behind the jousting arena and was played using actors instead of volunteers to bring out true combat when one tried to take ou t another piece. With this new twist whoever won the choreographed fight earned the right to the spot on the game board. The captain and his fellow ship mates auctioned off one of a kind items from his pirate ship. Here, buyers could purchase things such as swords and daggers at extremely low prices. Zoltan the Adequate was another street entertainer that did anything to please his audience. He did bizarre tricks such a balloon swallowing to fire eating to nearly severing his own arm. As one would assume young children would be the easiest to deceive although Zoltan was able to keep all age groups tuned in with his sense of danger, excitement and edgy interactive magic. An unsuspected audience member was selected to assist him in a few tricks and that individual coincidentally turned out to be my mother. My mother is very shy and certainly does not like being the center of attention so we were dumbfounded that she did not object or throw a tantrum about going on stage. She faced her fears and as result, all we heard for the remainder of the afternoon was how we should be proud of her. The most attended event of the day included the heart stopping jousting tournament which had trained professionals of this skill that were willing to fight to their death to win the honor and respect of their town’s people. I really liked the concept of this because nowadays it is no t as common to find gentlemen of this caliber. Back then, men were raised to be chivalrous towards women and the less fortunate, strongly serve God and do their King proud. Each knight and their noble horse were fancily clothed and color coordinated all promising to use the strength in their hearts to ride their opponents to the dirt. As in any highly competitive sporting event, both the crowd and the contestants heckled one another and at times, I would witness the crowd unite as one as we raised up our drinks and roared together with great enthusiasm. These knights did just as they had promised and played with blood, sweat, grace, and complete dedication never losing focus. The three main events were the warm up which consisted of squires holding the rings and after a few run-throughs, actually tossing them into the air as the knights rode by spearing them. Then proceeded with the joust face off which was quite physical being that the one knight intentionally knocked an opponent off resulting in an injury that sought  immediate medical attention. By the end of the joust all four knights hobbled their way to center stage to face each other one last t ime in a traditional sword fight. A little girl from the sidelines managed to escape her mother’s arms and ran out to an injured knight and healed him with a kiss on the cheek. The show shortly wrapped up after that and the barriers of the different cheering sections vanished as the knights mingled with the crowd and allowed the young children to pet their steed. The royal tavern had an endless array of food that would easily satisfy the heartiest of appetites. From savory turkey legs and Barbarian burgers to deep fried desserts and apple dumplings, there were plenty of options to choose from. The portion sizes were generous for the prices being so reasonable. Most things served to eat came on a stick whether it was hot pickles, which were conveniently sold at every street corner or frozen bananas and cheesecake. Table manners and common eating etiquette did not apply at the festival hence why they did not supply utensils or napkins. In fact, the most lady-like way of eating the authentic turkey leg was to take two fingers and rip off pieces. Most importantly, there was plenty of beer to wash it all down and for the nonalcoholic attendees; sodas, smoothies and other beverages were sold. Stepping out of one’s comfort zone opens a whole new world filled with opportunity and adventure. The biggest setback for exploring something new is fearing what others will say or think. The people involved with this festival clearly did not care abo ut any of that and it was enjoyable to see and appreciate their colorful imaginations. I gained a lot from this experience because going in, I had no clue what to expect it created an exhilarating suspense. I learned that is completely acceptable to be silly to whatever extent and people often tend to respect you more for it because you are willing to take that risk of resisting society’s norm.

Changes After Altered State of Consciousness

Changes After Altered State of Consciousness Discuss ways in which people can be transformed after experiencing an altered state of consciousness. Within this essay the subject matter of a personal transformation after experiencing what is classed or deemed as an Altered State of Consciousness or A.S.C. this term is commonly known in philosophy and certain medial fields will be discussed further in the body of the essay. After experiencing an altered state of consciousness individual lives have changed either in a positive or negative direction. However their personalities and characteristics radically altered afterwards and the resultant new lifestyle has shaped them to date. To achieve these objectives, various research cases, historical records; and eyewitness accounts will be explored and deliberated upon to complete the parameters of this essay. With the experimentation in the use of psychotropic drugs for example Ecstasy, Benzodiazepines, Methadone, Amphetamines and Cocaine such usage can bring about various altered states of consciousness. As well as the known euphoria other transformational effect can be those of mental health issues and of addiction. During the 1960s or psychedelic era many musicians and bands took to using LSD to cope with not only the long hours of touring but to be inspired by the visions and effects LSD had on them. Their imagery, and style of music radically changed over the period of this decade and it was mostly down to the influence of these substances use. Founding member of the band Fleetwood Mac Peter Green had been a user of the drug called Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, which is better known as LSD or Acid. On January the 26th 1977 Green was sent to prison, for threatening his accountant with a shotgun which he had smuggled from Canada but due to failing the psychiatrist test he was institutionalised rather than incarcerated. (Swanson, January 26th 2016) Fleetwood Mac guitarist Jeremy Spencer spoke about an Incident just before Peter Green was about to leave the band. While in Munich Peter Green hung out with what the band members called the German Jet Set Spencer described the setup as a kind of hippie commune he went on to describe. We arrived there, and [road manager] Dennis Keane comes up to me shaking and says, Its so weird, dont go down there. Pete is weirding out big time and the vibes are just horrible.' (Swanson, January 26th 2016) When Peter Green left the band in 1970 he still continued to take LSD, his use of the mind altering substance made his behaviour more and more erratic. Wanting no part in his former success and selling all his guitars he began to hear voices telling him to do nasty things he. He began, according to his brother Len Green, taking odd jobs like becoming a gravedigger. It was during this period of his life he was committed to various psychiatric hospitals receiving electroconvulsive therapy or shock therapy. Due to the royalty cheques Peter Green was continually receiving and him not wanting them; this brought about him going to his accountant. After his imprisonment and commitment to a mental institution he was put under heavy sedation he was diagnosed with schizophrenia and in time he was released to the care of his brothers family where he convalesced. (Swanson, 2016) The most noted of the bands and composers that had a transformation through LSD was the late John Lennon from the Beatles. In her book John by Cynthia Lennon she writes about his and her usage of the drug. She reflects that initially Johns use of LSD did not have a massive impact on his musical career, as his drug-taking took place outside of concerts and recording sessions. However Cynthia explains that over time his song writing to became influenced and not just Johns but Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr (Lennon, 2006 p243) During a party that they attended Cynthia was given LSD unaware of the effect was terrifying the second time under pressure by John since his usage was putting a strain on his and Cynthias marriage (Lennon, 2006 p 245). She talks about seeing her face turning into a skull and her Terry Doran who was a friend of Brian Epstein transform into a snake then alligator (Lennon, 2006 p245). These altered states resolved Cynthia to never try the drug again. John was not the only member to partake of the drug, in the biography John Lennon. The Life by Philip Norman Paul McCartney had never shared an experience or trip as it is known within the drug culture, with John and on the first occasion Paul saw John as a king, the absolute Emperor of Eternity in control of it all. (Norman, 2009 p492). Throughout history there has been countless of people that through having a spiritual emergence have had their lives radically transformed. Regardless of religious context, there are certain similarities to those experiencing these transformations. Two of which will be discussed. Firstly around 1412, 1413 Joan of Arc was born to a peasant family in Domremy, France. At the age of thirteen she first started hearing voices in the fields near her hometown in Domremy; and within a few years she was hearing them at least seven times a day. She came to recognize them as Saint Catherine, Saint Margaret, and Saint Michael; it was these voices that told her to aid the Dauphin, Charles VII in the battle against the English and Burgundy and see him crowned as the King which she obeyed although against her parents desire to see her married. At first she was met with mockery and mistrust but out of desperation the Dauphin gave her a contingent of troops, under the command of the voices she came across the French battling the English and after rallying the troops she broke the siege of Orleans where upon she was known as the Maid of Orleans. Joan continued to obey the voices and she saw Charles VII crowned. However during the Battle of Compiegne, Joan was captured by John of Luxembourg. Joan was capture and subsequent trail in which she was deliberately discredited because of fears of turning her into a martyr. The trail itself was more political than lawful; she was sentenced to death on May 30, 1431. She was to be burned at the stake as a sorceress and heretic after she renounced the voices but her in her last act she called on the name of Jesus and that she never had meant renouncing the voices. Irregardless of her fate Joan travelled far, but she might have gone nowhere but for the voices. Her voices changed her life forever and her story is known by many by many to this day. (Wilson-smith, 2006. p3) A further example of in spiritual transformation can be found within the New Testament the first recorded mention of Saul from Tarsus or as it is known now by today as Turkey is in the book of Acts 7:58. He is a witness to the stoning of Saint Stephen. Saul was a zealot persecutor of the new Christian movement; he sought and obtained permission from the Jewish High Priests to capture and imprison more Christians. After receiving the documentation and permission he travelled to Damascus and it was along the Damascus road that Saul encountered a bright light and heard the voice of Christ which spoke to him. He fell to his knees blinded and was led to Damascus and there was baptised, once he was baptised Paul as then he became known as from the thirteenth chapter of the book of Acts travelled to Arabia to reflect his new calling by God. He returned to Damascus where he witnessed to the holiness Jesus Christ, having no instruction other than the words of God within his heart he spoke openly about Christ as the Saviour, to a point where his own life came under threat. He continued to do so until his beheading in Rome circa AD64. In his life time Paul wrote letters to the various churches which became the Epistles of the New Testament and changed the very landscape of the Christian faith, welcoming in non Jews into the Christian faith where before the ideology of becoming first Jewish and to follow the Mosaic Laws was considered the only way to become Christian. Paul became known as the Apostle of the Gentiles due to his persuasion and passion for this not to be so. (Emmons, 2017) Although spiritual transformation can be seen like the next subject matter that of NDEs can have similar characteristics but obviously the difference being that majority of spiritual transformations are not necessarily based on life ending traumas. It has been researched in quite some depth that there are various transformations that can take place in the lives of those who experience a Near Death Experience or NDE. The various effects of these range from a lack of fear of death, to becoming more loving and compassionate and the change of spirituality. In Dr Penny Sartoris book (2014) The Wisdom of Near-Death Experiences. This transformation effect after experiencing a life changing crisis is explained in the interviews and documentation. In one case that Dr Sartori researched she interviewed a lady called Marie-Claire who had developed meningitis prior to her NDE and was admitted to hospital where she stayed for a month. As her condition worsened i.e. becoming sensitive to bright lights and that her head was under intense pressure. She felt herself falling through a dark tunnel at incredible speeds she reached a place of golden light where her family friends her former patients from her time nursing and even her family pets where waiting for her. A voice, which came into my head, asked me if I wanted to remain with them or return back to where Id come from. Marie-Claire replied that she had to return upon when she was pulled back by what she described as a silver cord. As Marie-Claire was woken by the doctors and nurses that were attending to her she found herself in immense pain. Asking why they didnt leave her alone she was shocked by their response that she had died. Since I died I became a spiritualist and Im not afraid to die; I know for certain, this life is one of many. (Sartori, 2014 p.32) A further example taken from Dr Sartoris book, Pam Williams who lives in Swansea shared her experience of her NDE after Haemorrhaging from giving birth to her daughter. She saw the doctor who had came in his car, run up the garden path throwing his jacket and rolling up his sleeves. He proceeded to examine her, on reflection Pam realised that this would have been impossible due to the severity of her condition. He appeared to be trying to pull something out. He then banged on the chest and inserted a needle into my heart. He breathed into my mouth While the doctor saw to her medical needs to save Pams life, Pam described herself feeling fine warm, happy, full of joy, peaceful, gently floating towards a brilliant light. It wasnt until her eldest daughter called to her that she returned to her body. When she went for her postnatal appointment some six weeks later she described in great detail all that had transpired during the birth of her daughter much to the astonishment of her doctor. (Sartori, 2014 p.32) Since her NDE Pam Williams life changed. She described herself as an uneducated miners wife of four young children but in the next six years that followed since her NDE she returned to education where she qualified to become a nursery nurse, a RNMS and Staff Nurse RGN. Within four years following became a Sister on the Coronary-Care Unit in Sheffield; because of lack of fear of dying she continued to explore aspects of near death to where she became a Lecturer in Nursing and Palliative Care. I truly believe that had I not experienced near death, I would not of striven to explore death issues and would probably have remained content not to return to education. (Sartori, 2014 p.30) There are vast accounts of personal life changes after experiencing an altered state these are just a few recorded cases. Not all altered states have been positive and consequently have been detrimental to the individual Peter Green as it has been discussed was diagnosed with schizophrenia and John Lennon suffered with depression which in both cases may have been contributed to substance abuse. However on a more positive note those who lives have been altered either by an altered state derived from trauma or a spiritual encounter has in turn altered the lives of countless others from religious teachings to community volunteer work, the majority of NDE transformations are summed up perfectly by Marie-Claire I know for certain, this life is one of many. (Sartori, 2014 p.32) Referencing Swanson , D.S. (January 26th 2016). The Day Fleetwood Mac Founder Peter Green Was Arrested for Pulling a Shotgun on His Accountant . Retrieved 17 December, 2016, from http://ultimateclassicrock.com In-text citation: (Swanson , January 26th 2016) Lennon , C. (2006 ). John . : London . In-text citation: (Lennon , 2006 ) Norman, P. (2009). John Lennon The Life. London: Harper. In-text citation: (Norman, 2009) Wilson-smith, T. (2006). Joan of Arc: maid, myth and history. Stroud: Sutton. In-text citation: (Wilson-smith, 2006) Emmons, D.D. (2017). Our Sunday Visitor Catholic Publishing Company . Retrieved 11 January, 2017, from https://www.osv.com/OSVNewsweekly/Story/TabId/2672/ArtMID/13567/ArticleID/16755/From-persecutor-to-Christian-The-conversion-of-St-Paul.aspx In-text citation: (Emmons, 2017) Sartori, P. (2014). Wisdom of near death experiences: how understanding NDEs can help us to live more fully. London: Watkins Publishing. In-text citation: (Sartori, 2014)

african american religious music Essay -- essays research papers fc

African American religious music is the foundation of all contemporary forms of so called â€Å"black music.† African American religious music has been a fundamental part of the black experience in this country. This common staple of the African American experience can be traced back to the cruel system of slavery. It then evolved into what we refer to today as gospel music. The goal of this paper is to answer three main questions. What are the origins of African American religious music? How did this musical expression develop into a secular form of music? What is the future of African American religious music? These questions will be answered through factual research of African American traditions, artists, and various other sources.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The origins of African American religious music are directly linked to the Negro spirituals of enslaved Africans. One cannot research religious music of blacks in this country without first exploring these spirituals. The spirituals were part of a religious expression that enslaved people used to transcend the narrow limits and dehumanizing effects of slavery. It was through the performance of the spirituals that the individual and the community experienced their God, a God who affirmed their humanity in ways whites did not and a God who could set them free both spiritually and physically. These â€Å"sacred songs† were also used as secret communication. That is not to say that all spirituals functioned as coded protest songs or as some sort of secret language. The structure of the spirituals and the way in which they were created and performed allowed for flexibility in their function and meaning.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The primary function of the Negro spirituals was to serve as communal song in a religious gathering, performed in a call and response pattern reminiscent of West African traditional religious practices. During these ceremonies, one person would begin to create a song by singing about his or her own sorrow or joy. That individual experience was brought to the community and through the call and response structure of the singing, that individual’s sorrow or joy became the sorrow or joy of the community. In this way, the spiritual became truly affirming, for it provided communal support for individual experiences. Slaves used the characters of the bible, particularly the Old Testament,... ...erself expanded gospel’s exposure when she appeared twice on â€Å"The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.† Meanwhile, television producer Bobby Jones reaches four and a half million viewers each week with his BET program, â€Å"Gospel Explosion.† However, the test for Gospel music reflects one that all Christian musicians must wrestle with: Can Gospel continue to increase its fortune in the mainstream marketplace while still maintaining its spiritual base? Despite what you believe the answer to be, African American Religious music will continually evolve. Since Thomas Dorsey first stretched the boundaries to create gospel music, choirs, quartets, and power vocalists have been singing the same song, albeit in different styles and places. As African American religious music continues to grow beyond even Dorsey’s expectations, one can only hope that it will be embraced regardless of how it is labeled by everyone who needs to be reminded of the good news it repre sents. Bibliography 1. Score Magazine, May 2002 edition 2. Gospel Today Magazine. August 2003. 3. http://afgen.com/gospel 4. http://www.americangospelquartet.org 5. http://www.jcchorus.com/

The key problem with its impact is that it is not timely

Mark Magnier’s article about the â€Å"crisis of trust† in China could have a more powerful impact.The key problem with its impact is that it is not timely – we have been dealing with fake, harmful Chinese products here in America for years, and we naturally expect that without the consumer protection laws that about here at home, consumers in China would be subject to even more terrible scams.  This should be viewed as an atrocity of the free market, one which America tamed long ago through consumer movements after we had learned our lesson during the unrestrained capitalism of the early 20th century.But the article lacks passion.   Although it is journalistically correct to end sentences in periods, this doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t have the impact of exclamation points.   Take, for example, the following sentence: â€Å"[l]and that farmers have tilled for generations can be seized on a moment’s notice in a system that doesn†™t recognize private property.†It bumbles awkwardly through a critical point and is stymied by a few too many prepositional phrases.   It leaves the reader unenraged about the fact that what our Founders considered a pillar of society – Property, next in line only to Life and Liberty – is totally absent from the world’s most populous country.The author of the article is unable to bring the points home.   The baby formula example could easily be reinforced by the image of a sickly Gerber baby, or the reminder that it is a product we have taken for granted for decades.   In an article like this one, connecting prominent American brands to the scandals taking place abroad – placing the reader in the shoes of the foreigner – would have left a much more lasting impression than the distant, dispassionate analysis offered here.And let’s not start on the hackneyed, irrelevant clichà © that the author leads with.

Historic American Wars through the Ages

In this research paper, the various wars that America has taken part in are discussed and dissected to identify the root causes for the wars, the actual incidents which transpired and the final consequences in the aftermath of the said wars. Evolution of the Militia System in the Colonial Times The militia is recognized as the local able-bodied force which the British created in order to protect its vested interests in the colonized regions when its own military was insufficient to contain the military responsibilities (Telzrow, 2006).The responsibility of the militia in the case of the United States was to basically supress the native population and safeguard the British interests in the geographical region. The militia was basically equipped and trained along the regular army lines and were to act as the front runners in any altercation. Evolution The movement of the English into the region previously dominated by the Indians was seen as an act against the locals as they were maltr eated and they began to become increasingly hostile.Aside from the local threat, the British were paranoid due to the presence of the Spanish, French and Dutch who were located all around the United States. The requirement for the militia units were that the person should be able-bodied and lie within the age of 15-60 (Telzrow, 2006). The leadership was often bestowed to wealthy families and people who were politically strong. These armies comprised of locals of the surrounding areas and rarely went into battles in distant places as there primary objective was providing security to their own locality.The militia was also restricted due to labor demands since most were common villagers who had some military training. So when the harvesting season was upon them, the militia was understaffed. Eventually the volunteer militia was created which consisted of militia members who voluntarily made the militia and were responsible in procuring their own equipment and weapons. This militia had a more military and social background then the regular militia. ImportanceThe population of the army in the United States was not sufficient enough to provide internal security as well as address the problems with the expanding Dutch, Spanish and French empires (Cooper, 1997). The local militia provided the British with a constant supply of soldiers and they would handle the internal conflicts and handle security issues. The militia provided villages and towns a means of defending themselves against neighboring areas and it was the militia which provided the Civil war with able-bodied men to defend their rights.British View of the Militia The British viewed the militia as a reserve unit for their disposal. Even though the militia was trained under the army, they were rarely taken for any expeditions far from their localities. Since most of the militia members were farmers and villagers they weren’t taken far from their responsibilities. It was this short-sight which eventual ly cost the British, as the militia was the fundamental force behind the Battle for Independence in which the British lost against the united Americans.The militia was led by a trained contingent of professionally trained soldiers and the concept of a dual army was born which existed in the War of Independence. The War of 1812 The War of 1812 was fought between the United States of America and Great Britain. The war lasted from 1812 to 1815. Causes The causes for the war could be traced to the United States frustration towards the British navy and its actions conducted in the sea.During this era, the British were searching for men who they could use as seamen and for this purpose they would stop and search for deserted sailors on ships headed towards the United States and departing from it. The British did not hesitate in hassling Americans in the process (Galafilm). The British were also pressing for the United States to quit trading with France, since France was at war with Britai n. This was during the Napoleonic era. These strict regulations and haughty attitude eventually frustrated the United States to such an extent that they took notice of these acts in the United States Congress.The United States felt that their rights on the seas had been violated. The United States felt that if it tried some economic approaches then under the pressure the British would fold but their attempts at constraining the economic activities across the sea routes proved ineffective and they eventually declared war against Great Britain on June 18, 1812. Conduct of the War Responding to the call for war, the United States decided to win over the Canadian region occupied by the British. The United States launched a three pronged attack in 1812 which failed.During the year however the Americans were able to win a series of single-ship engagements and were able to harry British shipping. In response to these actions the British tightened the coastlines and created blockades. The o utcome of this was that the American trade suffered, and their finances were weakened, and the entire coastline was exposed to attacks from the British. In 1813 the Americans attempted to take over Canada again. Yet similar to past expeditions, this attempt failed at once. 1814 however proved to be the decisive year, as the British had won over the French.They began concentrating their attention towards the United States front and began harrying troops along to the States in order to suppress the American revolt. They concentrated on attacking on 3 major fronts; New York, New Orleans and Chesapeake (Berton, 1988). The British were able to gain victory in all 3 places and the Americans were barely able to resist the forces. Consequence In 1815 the Battle of New Orleans took place in which the British’s superior forces were unable to overpower the lesser American force.Using strategic miscalculations on the part of the British, the Americans were able to defeat them in the hist oric battle. The end of the war was marked by the Treaty of the Ghent, in which none of the problems were resolved. Winners or Losers The War of 1812 did not provide any conclusive winners or losers as both sides suffered many losses economically and with respect to lives. The period from 1812-1815 marked an economical decline for America and it did not help the United States as such. The Mexican War of 1846The Mexican War was fought between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848. Causes After the annexation of Texas, Mexico appeared claiming Texas as part of its own geographic boundaries (Son of the South, 2003). This came as a surprise to the Americans as Mexico was already a recognized state with its own geographic borders clearly identified by the United States of America, England, France and other governments. The Mexicans were also causing trouble since the Republican government had succeeded in their country and they were a constant thorn in the side of the United Sta tes.The state of Mexico would replenish its treasury and gather funding by plundering United States vessels in the Gulf of Mexico. Upon the United States complain, the governments formulated treaties yet they were never acted upon and the plundering continued to transpire unabated. The War In 1845, President Polk ordered General Zachary Taylor to occupy a position near the Rio Grande, as a precautionary measure since both sides were becoming increasingly hostile towards each other.During the expedition moving closer to Rio Grande, General Zachary began the construction of Fort Brown, which was later targeted by the Mexicans as a point to be recognized and neutralized. The first battle was at Palo Alto, after the Mexicans began gathering around the Fort Brown and it appeared as if it would fall. In this battle the United States won against the gathered Mexican forces. In the month of May 1846, both sides openly declared war and urged their states to take the neighbor as a recognized threat.What followed later were a number of expeditions across Texas into the state of Mexico, with the generals defeating the local forces and extending the United States controlled territory. Matamoras, Monterrey, Veracruz, Cerro Gordo, etc. were majorly all successful campaigns conducted by the U. S. generals. During this war California also gained independence as the locals declared the said independence after the Mexican forces were repelled from the state. The northward expedition by General Scott of the United States forces was undeterred and in September 13, the city of Mexico had fallen to the U.S. government and the Mexicans were ultimately defeated. A reason which could be attributed to the constant defeat by the Mexicans against the Americans could be that the Mexicans at the time were locked in internal conflicts as well, which resulted in their inability to unite against the foreign threat (Soto, 2006). Consequences of the Mexican War After the Mexicans were defeated i n battle, in February 1848 the Mexican Congress agreed to establish a treaty of peace with the United States generals at Guadalupe Hidalgo. Both sides ratified to it on July 4 of the same year.The stipulation of the treaty was that Mexico would be evacuated of American troop’s presence in 3 months and payments worth $3,000,000 in hand and $12,000,000 by the United States to Mexico over a period of 4 installments would be paid for the development of New Mexico and California which had become U. S. territories. A major consequence of the war was the distinguishing of the boundary dividing Mexico and the United States. When the treaty was ratified in 1854, the treaty of 1848 was revised and the boundaries were fixed and the United States agreed to pay $7,000,000 to $10,000,000 as a consideration to Mexico.The conditions set under the peace treaty were all complied with and peaceful relations have existed between the two nations since then. The Spanish American War The Spanish Am erican War was a brief yet conclusive battle which lasted from April 1898 to July 1898, during which time the Spanish Empire was destroyed and offering the United States with several new possessions in the Caribbean and the Pacific (Department Of The Navy — Naval Historical Center, 1998). Causes What basically marked the beginning of the war between the Spanish navy and the United States navy was the attack on the battleship Maine.This was an unprecedented attack on U. S. property and it incited the United States to go to war. Even though it has yet to be proven that the attack on the battleship was Spanish inspired (Buscheni, 2000), the U. S. newspapers used their influential position to paint a grim picture regarding the Spanish. Appeals placed in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines all made it appear as the regions were under Spanish oppressive rule and helped precipitating the war and providing tender to the flames.The newspapers in the United States were seeing a boom as they were the major source of information for the populace. Using their position, newspapers began writing pieces by which there sales would be maximized disregarding the truth and how events had really transpired (Buscheni, 2000). Incidents After the sinking of the battleship Maine in 15 February 1898, the Americans launched an attack in May of the same year in Manila. The battle of Manila Bay was between the Spanish fleet positioned there against the United States Navy.The battle was one sided as the Spanish fleet comprised of large wooden ships whereas the U. S. Navy consisted of smaller steel vessels. After the firing from the U. S. Navy, led by Admiral George Dewey, the Spanish fleet situated in Manila was completely destroyed. This was one of the most successful campaigns undertaken by the United States as the only casualty during this campaign resulted from sunstroke and not actual combat (Independence Hall Association). Another expedition was launched in Cuba under the c ommand of General William Shafter, who led a force which was vastly outnumbered 7 to 1.The true glory of the Cuban expedition is accredited to a group of fighters referred to as the Rough Riders, who comprised of cowboys, adventurous college students and ex-convicts who had volunteered for the cause. The Rough Riders, Shafter’s forces and 2 African American regiments all collaborated in charging up San Juan Hill and bottling the Spanish in the Santiago Harbor. The Spanish lost this war when the Spanish fleet was destroyed by the American forces. ConsequencesThe United States received the Philippines, Guam and Puerto Rico after the Treaty of Paris was signed which basically awarded the victors. Cuba attained independence after this war and Spain was given $20 Million to recover its losses from these battles. Yet however, the key consequence of the Spanish American War was the proof of the strength of journalism in the United States. The effectiveness of the newspapers to influ ence the populace into thinking about right and wrong and coming up with conclusions based on what they wished to happen was evident in this war.Another consequence of this war could be the realization of the expanding American empire, as the desire to â€Å"free† Cuba from oppressive Spanish rule was replaced by the occupation of Puerto Rico and the Philippines by the United States. The U. S. sentiment supported the expansions and it is evident to this day of the urge of United States to occupy other countries to provide â€Å"peace† and â€Å"freedom†. Jomini and Clausewitz Fundamental Principles of War Swiss wrier Antoine- Henri Jomini and Prussian Carl von Clausewitz were military theorists who became popular during the era of the French Revolution and Napolean.Both have been highly influential in framing military thinking. The theories presented by both Jomini and Clausewitz are seen as either exact opposites of each other or as identical in most respects. The reason behind such a conflicting view is due to the similar background shared by the two theorists. Both had a common historic interest in the campaigns led by Frederick the Great, both shared long personal experience in the Napoleonic wars (even though both were on different sides), and both read each other’s books.After taking into account the mentioned reasons it comes as no surprise as both theorists saw war in the same light, just from different angles (Bassford, 1993). Fundamental Differences between the two theorists In its most basic form, both theorists were on opposing sides of each other during the French Napoleonic era. Jomini acted as an interpreter and general for the French forces, while Clausewitz had fought numerous times against the French being in the Prussian army. Both held a differing perspective regarding the concepts related to the history and role of the military.Clausewitz book, On War, clearly indicated that history was a dynamic process and it should not be looked upon with a static world view as values, standards and situations differ with respect to the context of the times. His theories bring to light a concept which states that war can vary its form depending on the circumstances in which it is being fought, hence the nature of the policy and the society within it is waged is crucial to take into account and should not be overlooked as a constant. On the other hand, Jomini’s views regarding war were simplistic in nature and were static.He recognized war as a battle of superior minds, in the form of military generals and heroes, and reflected that war was beyond normal people’s comprehension. He referred to war as a â€Å"drama† with differences in wars arising due to differing technologies, political motivations and people involved. His work was thus more appealing to military educators as its purpose was to teach practical lessons to officers of a superior grade. Even though the philosophies of b oth theorists differed, both discussed the same materials in their works which were practically applicable to scenarios which may arise during wars.Similarities and Sharing of Opinions Initially Jomini appeared to be a role model for Clausewitz, as in Clausewitz first book â€Å"Principles of War†, we can see the references and acknowledgements Clausewitz aimed towards Jomini (Handel). Both also shared a lot of similar concepts and terminologies which reflected on their acceptance of the others opinion. The fundamental Jomini theory related to warfare which lies in accordance with the theory proposed by Clausewitz was the concept of the centre of gravity.Both theorists shared the opinion that all armies have a central point where if they were attacked then the outcome would turn in favor of the attacker. Yet in due time Clausewitz began to think otherwise. His argument was that Jomini did not take into account the external variables which could not be calculated such as the m orals of the soldiers, the level of motivation, and other psychological factors. These arguments were however unjust as Jomini identified morale of the soldiers and other such concepts in his work the â€Å"Summary of the Art of War†.Yet this was published after Clausewitz’ death and were after Jomini had read â€Å"On War†. Relevance to Today’s World In truth the theories discussed by Jomini are more popularly enforced in today’s world rather than the works of Clausewitz which is in one way a disadvantage as war has become overly simplistic in nature not taking into account values and other humanistic factors. Becoming purely mathematical and artistic in nature has cost us humanity’s values. In today’s volatile environment we find coexistence between the two approaches.We can find instances where the Clausewitz approach is applied where wars are fought along the grounds of being righteous and to further humanistic elements (such as t he Afghan war and Iraq invasion), whereas other times we find the human element entirely lacking (the Turks and Kurd war). Both the theories are applicable as taking into account the Clausewitz belief that wars should be taken in context to the situation and not as a point in time, the theories adapted by leading strategists fall into a category which is a mixture of both the theorists views.References Bassford, C. (1993). Jomini And Clausewitz: Their Interaction. 23rd Meeting of the Consortium on Revolutionary Europe . Georgia State University . Berton, P. (1988). Flames across the Border . Buscheni, J. (2000). Remember the Maine. Retrieved March 22, 2009, from The Spanish American War: http://www. smplanet. com/imperialism/remember. html Cooper, J. (1997). The Rise of the National Guard: The Evolution of the American Militia, 1865-1920. Nebraska Press. Department Of The Navy — Naval Historical Center. (1998, October 16).EVENTS — Spanish-American War. Retrieved March 22, 2009, from Naval Historical Center: http://www. history. navy. mil/photos/events/spanam/eve-pge. htm Galafilm. (n. d. ). The War of 1812: Introduction. Retrieved March 22, 2009, from Galafilm. com: http://www. galafilm. com/1812/e/intro/index. html Handel, M. I. Masters of War. Routledge. Independence Hall Association. (n. d. ). The Spanish American War and its Consequences. Retrieved March 22, 2009, from U. S. History: http://www. ushistory. org/us/44d. asp Son of the South. (2003). The Mexican War.Retrieved March 22, 2009, from SonoftheSouth. com: http://www. sonofthesouth. net/mexican-war/war. htm Soto, M. (2006, March). The Aftermath of War: A Legacy of the US-Mexican War. Retrieved March 22, 2009, from The U. S. -Mexican War: http://www. pbs. org/kera/usmexicanwar/aftermath/legacy. html Telzrow, M. E. (2006, May 1). Citizen Soldiers: the militia: the story of America's citizen soldiers shows that the militia and the second amendment are not obsolete. The populace at large w ill always fulfill essential militia functions. The New American .

The Goal of Obtaining a Degree is Not Worthwhile for All Students

The Goal of Obtaining a Degree is Not Worthwhile for All Students We live in an information age. The world’s reward system operates pragmatically. People get job rewards based on their economic value to organizations. As firms get more competitive in an information age, automation becomes the alternative for cutting costs. Every day, more graduate positions in industries are getting lost.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The Goal of Obtaining a Degree is Not Worthwhile for All Students specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Newer positions appear that require a higher level of education qualification. However, the new job positions do not necessary pay more than the graduate posts, which they replace. The return on investment for a four-year college degree is very low or sometimes, absent. Forgoing college to pursue learning on the job or getting a shorter program is a cheap and rational option. Why A Four-Year College Degree is Not Worthwhile The success rate of a job-see king college graduate depends on their human relationship skill and societal status. When the person lacks inherent abilities to acquire knowledge through learning and training, in college and on the job, he or she has little use of a four-year degree (Greenberg, Weinstein and Sweeney 13). A well-networked individual with the right amount of wealth to support his or her job-seeking endeavors is more likely to get a job compared to a college graduate with honors, but without the necessary network. On the other hand, having a college degree kills the entrepreneurial spirit of most people and renders them poorly equipped to navigate the tough waters to a successful career. When you get a job because of your college degree, but lack the necessary drive and skill to maneuver the professional landscape, it is likely that you will remain in the same job for a very long time. People need life skills like relationship building, marketing and networking more than they need a four-year college degree qualification. The degree ties a person to the need of getting a relevant job in the particular field of study. It serves a person well when there are many jobs in an industry. In such a case, the degree would be an investment. However, the lack of jobs, in particular, makes the education investment an unnecessary cost. Many, who hail the need for a college degree, quote the high chances, of a graduate job seeker, of getting a job. What they fail to say is how the number of jobs for a particular industry diminishes with changes in business environments. Carnevale, Cheah and Strohl (2) mention that, the risk of unemployment for graduates recently out of college now depends on their study major. They say that the unemployment rate for architecture graduates was the highest at 13.9 percent in 2011. The figure is higher than the average of all graduates, which is 8.9 percent. For a person going to study architecture because of the relatively low unemployment rate of all college graduates, the actual figure will be shocking. The most unfortunate thing is that the graduate will realize the truth after they finish their four years and start looking for jobs.Advertising Looking for research paper on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More While college graduates may actually have stronger chances of employment, they have to put up with compensation levels that do not match their degree investments. Yes, it is true that, graduates have a higher employability rate compared to high school leavers. It happens for occupations in Healthcare, Education and other technical occupations. Wages in the relatively stable occupations depend on the performance of the economy. It is difficult to get a pay  rise in the healthcare industry unless a person has many years of experience. For new employees, getting an increase requires them to get additional qualifications. Unfortunately,  degree cost increas e yearly as colleges increase their fees as their research costs increase. On the other hand, organizations seek to reduce their wage bill by freezing salary increases, when their business environment becomes tough. The hurdles continue to increase the repayment period of a college degree. The burgeoning question is whether it is worthy to spend a fortune in time and money and then work for more than ten years to repay back the money (Coughlan 169). The economics of a college degree is skewed in favor of alternative investments, which promise a higher return. There are alternatives for a four-year degree program. They are cheaper, shorter and deliver more in quality than college degrees. Foregoing college opens a person to various opportunities for education, at a fraction of the cost of a college degree. The problem with four-year degrees is the  one-size-fits-all treatment (Brennan 64). Students have different optimal duration and setups for learning. The universal system only s erves those who are naturally inclined towards it. Moreover, some learning opportunities, outside college, are worth a fortune in terms of their return to investment. Holzer and Nightingale (72) show that, people choosing to go for apprenticeship earn up to US $1900 more per quarter compared to their counterparts choosing the state employment service, which depends on their degree qualification. Furthermore, those who finish the intern programs increase their earning to nearly US $ 4300 per quarter. Various non-four year courses are available, which help people become proficient in financial management, prospecting, marketing and sales. The courses do more in influencing real skills to people compared to four-year degrees. First, they are highly pragmatically. Students see results immediately they complete the courses. When the results do not appear instantly, the costs are relatively low and recoupable in a shorter period, than it would take to pay back a four-year college degree. Four-year college degrees are risky investments; they lack a high quality assurance (Nemko para.12). Other than the job training, college degrees should prepare students for opportunities that would build their careers. Very few college plans give students the additional benefits of surviving in a collapsing job market.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The Goal of Obtaining a Degree is Not Worthwhile for All Students specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The high number of parallel coaches and material available to help students navigate a tough job market shows that, there is a need, which colleges are not filling. College-degrees were most suited for the industrial age where production depended more on a given number of skills set and a large pool of labor.  Nowadays,  technological and human capital,  lead the economic competitiveness  of  a firm. Many college-degree programs are academic-based. They teach people how to develop and operate technology. Very few focus on the career and choose a  learning approach,  within  an  appropriate  context,  to show the student how to increase capital by harnessing the skill and technology rather than learning how it works (Holzer and Nightingale 83). Thus, we see college graduates going back to school to learn how to use additional computer programs, as a way of making them competitive in the job market. On the other hand, their counterparts learn how to use the same program to fill a need in their current job or business. We can determine that the job-seeking mentality of the four-year college graduate is the worst effect of a college degree. The truth is that, the four years spent  in college is too much time to study a job whose skill set requirements change annually (Murray para.12). A sure career path would be, to spend less time in school and more on the actual job. An Answer to Rebuttals Many studies show that colleg e degree holders have a high employability rate. Unfortunately, such studies fail to look into the long-term dynamics of the job market and the economy. Government spending priorities affect the employment opportunities in the public sector. When budget cuts occur in a particular expenditure item such as education, then there will be expected cutbacks in the employment of fresh college graduates with education majors. Other than cutting back on new employment, budget cuts also lead to the stagnation of salary increases. During recessive times, the cost of living spikes up and employees lose much of their disposable incomes to inflation. Many who are tied to the repayment of student loans have to reschedule their repayment period and incur additional interest payments (Coughlan 169). The unfortunate thing is that even after recessions end, and the economy experiences a boom; the college graduates in fixed employment enjoy little in terms of salary increases. Much of their career prog ress equates their level of qualification. They have to incur an additional cost  in  time and money investments on new qualifications.  However,  when they eventually get the added qualification, the presently desired benefits may  have diminished.Advertising Looking for research paper on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In addition to the previous paragraph’s point, economic growth and recession dynamics squeeze most benefits that should attract many to four-year qualifications. Looking at the private sector, the same effect, as in the public sector mentioned above, is also visible. Firing and hiring in non-public organizations occur faster compared to state corporations. The high employee turnover puts question marks on the figures showing elevated employability rates for college graduates. Many people out of college get employment in various industries that are enjoying a boom. In a few years, the tables turn and the same industry  will witness massive layoff, as economic fundamentals of demand and supply adjust to equilibrium. It would be argued that the college graduate has a better footing for finding another job compared to the non-college graduates. Nonetheless, the professionalism of the graduate will limit their career choices. Moreover, they have to incur an additional cost of un learning their degree to change careers. The flexibility of a non-graduate affords them the opportunity cost of losing their present jobs. As long as they have the necessary people skills and proper financial management wits, their navigation of the job market will mostly be successful. Conclusion People spend four years in colleges to learn things that already happened. They have to deal with complex subjects that would only be practically helpful if they pursue technical careers. Most of these people will do better with a practical skill learned from a two-year course or other skill certifications from an alternative  learning  institution. Moreover, they could undertake a certification course in one of their talent areas and proceed to learn more as an intern. The alternative method is very cheap and has practical benefits that make the student more recession proof than his  or  her  four-year degree holder does. Brennan, John F. Why Not More Three-Year College Degrees ? University Business 7.8 (2004): 64-64. Ebscohost. Web. Carnevale, Anthony P., Ban Cheah and Jeff Strohl. Hard Times, College Majors, Unemployment and Earnings: Not All College Degrees Are Created Equal. Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. 2012. Ebscohost. Web. Coughlan, Sean. The Student Finance Guide: Fees, Grants and What It Costs. London, UK: Kogan Page Limited, 2005. Print. Greenberg, Herbert, Harold Weinstein and Patrick Sweeney. How to Hire and Develop Your Next Top Performer: The Five Qualities That Make Sales People Great. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2001. Print. Holzer, Harry and Demetra S Nightingale. Reshaping The American Workforce in a Changing Economy. Washington, DC: The Urban Institute Press, 2007. Print. Murray, Charles. Should The Obama Generation Drop Out?. 7 December 2008. Web. https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/28/opinion/28murray.html?_r=1. Nemko, Marty. Americas Most Overrated Product: The Bachelors Degree (From The Chronicle of Higher E ducation). 29 April 2008. Web.

Broadsheet newspaper on the same day Essays

Broadsheet newspaper on the same day Essays Broadsheet newspaper on the same day Essay Broadsheet newspaper on the same day Essay Comparison of the front page of a tabloid newspaper and the front page of a broadsheet newspaper on the same day. The following piece of work will reflect the differences between a broadsheet newspaper (The Independent) and a tabloid newspaper (The Mail). It will comment on the variations in the way the two newspapers present the Headline, photographs, layout, journalistic styles fact and opinion and the angle of the report. Newspapers have been in circulation a long time, this year being the newspapers 300th anniversary. The Daily Courant was the very first newspaper, printed in 1702, and is still in print today; even though The Stanford Mercury claims it was first printed in 1695. For some years now there has been growing fears that the television, and the Internet will end the spell on newspapers, but in 1999 there was still ten British morning newspapers; between them selling over 13,000,000 copies a day. Newspapers first started with the coffee house society. Upper class citizens would meet in the coffee houses and want to be seen reading the daily news. National papers are usually divided into two categories, Tabloid (or popular press) of which there five. The two most popular are The Sun and The Mirror, between them selling six million copies a day. These are often called the red tops, because of their red mastheads. They include news, but also gossip about celebrities, pictures and shorter articles. Their readership, unlike broadsheet newspapers, is generally the working class public. The Daily Mail and The Express are both called the middle market, they sell over 3 million copies a day, and contain a balance of news, photographs and features. The five qualities (or main broadsheets) are the Daily Telegraph the Times, The Gardian, The Independent and The Financial Times. In these papers there is a lot more news covering political foreign issues, which tabloids sometimes neglect. These newspapers have a more high brow readership. The Broadsheets arent as popular as the tabloids, but all-in-all news papers are still a crucial way of obtaining the news. September the 11th is synonymous with terror, destruction, death, despair, hatred and pain but also with courage, determination, freedom and love. The first anniversary of September 11th provided the Broadsheets and Tabloids with a golden opportunity to focus on the human interest aspects of the tragedy. The news value of September 11th is unquantifiable, as it marks that day never to be forgotten in history. So every newspaper will be competing for the readership on this day, as it strikes a close relationships with the reader which would have affected them in one-way or another. The headline for The Independent is simply September 11 in big, bold, clear, black font. This headline is simplistic yet in the readers mind it conjures up a personal response of what was happening this time last year. The journalist avoids use of puns, alliteration and emotive techniques but it still highly effective. The headline for the Daily Mail is WHERE THE HELL IS HE NOW? With a subtitle: Armageddon a year on. But as the west prepares for war, the question remains.. . This headline is much bigger in font size than the Independents and is underlined. It is also in big, bold capital letters, which is extremely eye catching and uses a rhetorical question to personalise it to the reader. It also uses sensationalism as the west arent actually preparing for war its there to grab your attention. The headline is in white font on top of a black background which makes it somehow gloomy, on the other hand the picture for the Independent is of the New York skyline a year after the terrorist attacks. It is directly under the headline and the skyline is beautiful, clear and calm yet without the two magnificent twin towers. This picture is highly emotive, and by far the most effective of the two pictures, as it is such a contrast of the skyline a year ago as the dominant familiar feature is missing, the sky is also impossibly blue making you wonder will history tragically repeat itself a year on. The Daily Mails picture is a large, close up picture of Osma Bin Laden, the man behind the terrorists attacks. This picture dominates the whole front page and links up with the headline. Both the Mail and the Independent have avoided showing pictures of the plane flying into the towers, and have instead gone with a more emotive approach of making the reader conjure up those images. The photograph of the skyline in the Independent is in full colour and is dislocated from the masthead. In the Mail the front page is given to the picture and the choice of colours are red, black and white, which are all very bold colours and stand out well. As the whole front page is given to the picture in the Mail it has no room for a article unlike the Independent. The article begins with the five Ws (who, what, where, why and when) which are used in journalism in order to quickly inform a reader of the gist of the article and to gain interest. When four hijacked aircraft swept from an impossibly blue sky to kill 3,000 people and transform America today. This statement contains descriptive writing enticing the reader. Like most broadsheets newspaper newspapers, the facts and opinions provided in the Independent are very much impartial. It contains mostly facts with very little opinion, and provides the story, with the only opinions contained in quotes used in this article, nothing is left out as to influence the readers opinion on the story. As a result, it is less sensational and more factual. The Independent, being a broadsheet, has very little emotive language exploited by its journalists, and is almost a neutral source of information, like wise The Mail has no by-line, as it has no article, caption, advert, columns, index or blurb, whilst the independent has all of these things- but you must take into consideration the size difference between a broadsheet and a tabloid. The broadsheet still gives the majority of the front page to the lead story, although it can still afford to have a support story about Parliament to be recalled after Blair bows to pressure for debate, because of its sheer size. The overall layout of the Independent article is simplistic, the print size is small, but normal for newspapers and even the headline uses a relatively small font. It is set out in columns and isnt as eye catching and the Mails huge headline and picture. It is obvious, from comparison of the two newspapers and the different way in which they deliver the news, that the Mail and the Independent are worlds apart. As the tabloid newspapers are selling millions more copies than the broadsheets I wonder do people, on the whole, want facts and figures that the broadsheets provide, or do they want gossip, opinion and bias? Do they want to be shocked and entertained, which is what the tabloids aim to do. I think the answer to that question is to be found in the sales figures.

Biggest CHallenge

Biggest CHallenge Rodriguez Creative Song Assignment The Creative Song Assignment was an Interesting assignment, because I have zero experience in mixing music. It was an Interesting experience, because It did take me out of my comfort zone. When I first started, I felt lost. I had no Idea what I was doing, so I decided to do a little research to see how I can best complete this assignment. I finally settled on using a program called Audacity and the genres of hip hop and alternative rock. I chose a program called audacity, because It gives you an option of milling different songs.I am sure that there are a lot of other programs better suited for this assignment, but I found this to be pretty easy to use. I really enjoyed playing around Ninth the different settings. It took me a couple of days before I finally picked two songs to work on. I am sure that there are many more experienced people out there that can mix my songs better than me, but I think I did a good job considering my experience level. I decide to pick hip hop and alternative rock, because they are two of my favorite genres. I know that hip hop and alternative rock have been mixed before, so I felt an intrigue in trying to accomplish this myself. I knew that I wanted to use Arrowheads Karma Police as my alternative, because that is one of my favorite songs. I had a difficult time picking a rap song, because the lyrics did not match up well together. I finally decided to Just use a hip hop beat that I found on concluded. In my opinion, I felt that this was best, because you can hear the lyrics of the alternative song, but still hear the hip hop beat. The part that took me a while was trying to get the songs in sync perfectly. I really wanted to find a way to lower the alternative rock songs instrumentals, but I could not do it.I think it would have sounded better if I could mix the hip hop beat with the Karma Police vocals. I am sure it could probably be done lath professional mixing equipment. I really enjoyed this assignment, because It did what it was designed to do. It really took me out of my comfort zone. I started off being completely lost, but I slowly started gaining confidence as I practiced more with the software. I know that the finished product is not too great, but I think It was good considering that I have never done this before.

Career development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 2

Career development - Essay Example For example, a situation where a group of individuals sticks to a particular diet for reasons best known to them or due to medical reasons. Another example of self-efficacy develops when a child cries over something he or she usually plays with, this might be a toy or a doll making him or her happy. The success at this point is happiness of the child. These discipline of social life deals with how people relate with each other in the community in relation to their living status. Self-efficacy majorly relates to the theory of cognitive and social (Greenhaus 2006). In cognitive theory, it defines how self-efficacy affects human thinking capacity in regards to achieving something in life. It is a process taking place in the mind just as Albert Bandura explained in the theory. It determines whether a person can take particular challenges after solving various questions in the mind. The questions depend on how an individual reacts to life challenges. For example, a person can decide to re take an examination paper at will but it will all depend on the confidence developed ion the mind of a person. If an individual is not confident to handle the examination, it is advisable he or she listens to what the heart or mind is saying in regards to the question (Strauser N.D.). Mostly, self-efficacy answers questions related to decision making. Self-efficacy holds human reasoning and belief in relation to making a wise decision in life critical issues. In life, people have different types of challenges they tend to handle reasonably and wisely. Some who do not make wise decisions end up making the wrong choice and failing in everything they do. Apart from making wrong decision in life, an individual can make a good choice in regards to what they want to be in life. Jackson (2000) explains that most students at the tender age always dream of becoming great people in the society, but due to unavoidable happening in the family settings and

Hitlers Influence on World War II Research Paper

Hitlers Influence on World War II - Research Paper Example From this paper it is clear that World War II began in 1939 and lasted until 1945. It involved two opposing sides, the axis formed by the Germans and its supporters and the allied forces. The war broke out soon after Germany invaded Poland a neutral state that was under the protection of the British. It is accounted that Hitler motivated his soldiers on a personal level and that he watched from his special train, the progress of his army invading Poland (Roberts 26). The invasion prompted the UK and its allies to wage war on the Germans leading to the start of World War II. However, Hitler’s behavior on several occasions fueled the underlying tensions that later caused the eruption of the war. This paper outlines that Hitler was able to win Italy over to his side by supporting Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia. Germany was the major European country to offer their Support to Italy thus inducing her to drop her previous objections of Germany taking over Austria. In Italy, Germany found an ally together with whom they hoped to capture and subdue large tracts of eastern European land. Mussolini was Italy’s leader at the time and they collaborated to support the Fascist and authoritarian National forces against the Spanish Republic that was supported by the Soviets in the Spanish war of 1936. According to Giblin, Hitler found the Versailles treaty to be degrading and particularly the demilitarization of Rhineland. He also vehemently opposed its stipulation that Germany accept the responsibility of Causing World War I. He therefore disregarded the treaty and ordered for the remilitarization of Rhineland in order to support the Spanish War. It is said that both Germany and USSR supported the opposing sides of the war just so they could carry out tests on their warfare equipment and strategies. An alliance was formed between Germany and Italy that year named the Rome-Berlin Axis.  

Research Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 3

Research Paper - Essay Example Critics of the global warming phenomenon argue that global warming is in fact not an environmental crisis but a manufactured issue artificially created for a variety of unsavory and politically-inspired reasons. Despite the shrinking number of detractors, global warming is a phenomenon which affects our planet every single day. Seeking to address global warming, this research paper will provide a comprehensive and in-depth overview of the global warming phenomenon. We will begin with a discussion of the evidence in support of global warming and explore the connection between global warming and climate change. Since we aim to provide an accessible analysis of what global warming actually is, we will then analyze the causes and effects of this recent international phenomenon. Following this, and with an eye to the impact of global warming on the state of California, we will explore the possible consequences to the United States of the continuation of global warming. Global warming and climate change are two terms which are often used interchangeably. Has a link between global warming and climate change been established? Yes, global warming is caused by an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. As we shall see below, the effects of global warming include changes in atmospheric temperatures and rainfall, which can lead to climate change (Arnella & Reynardb 1996: 397). Global warming is most generally described as an average increase in the Earth’s temperatures. Importantly, global warming is not only a present phenomenon but is perceived as something which is expected to continue and increase annually. Global warming is the reputed cause of climate change on an international scale leading to extreme weather, ranging from uncharacteristic snowfall in autumn to extremely mild winter temperatures, major changes to precipitation trends, glacial

Public Health & Patient Safety Teaching in Pharmacy and Allied Health Essay

Public Health & Patient Safety Teaching in Pharmacy and Allied Health Care Curriculum (EXCEPT Medicine Schools) - Essay Example The process also involved a thorough analysis of each part of the module, include a pre-test, and a comparison of those results with the marks earned on module exams (Leedy & Ormrod, 2010). The purpose of this study was to analyse the effectiveness of the new Public Health and Patient Safety module at the University of Hertfordshire. Both areas are covered extensively by the GPhC and, as such, needed a formal place within the pharmaceutical curriculum at university. Recommendations for improving the module were made based upon initial observations and the average performance of students in key sections of the course. The design of this study revolved around the use of an in-depth questionnaire that made use of germinal research and current module information in order to elicit valid and accurate information from each responding student (Eggers & Jones, 1998). An in-depth interview was also conducted with the faculty members in which they were encouraged to give their honest feedback about the module, generally involving perceived strengths and weaknesses relative to student performance. All students were informed of the basis for their study and told that their participation was entirely voluntary. No student was forced to participate, and their eventual participation was kept confidential and anonymous at all times. This process also enabled the distribution of a pre and post survey, analysis of existing course work, and the interviews previously mentioned. The survey results indicates the possible reality that either students are entering the module already possessing much of the requisite information covered in the course, or the module is not proving effective at hitting the major concepts proposed by the GPhC. The implications of this study indicate a need to rework certain sections of the module to cover more areas that are deemed important by the GPhC, thereby better preparing undergraduate students for their exams. The interviews revealed a

B300 Assignment 6 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

B300 Assignment 6 - Essay Example As organizations enter into different regions for their business needs they have to follow policies of the region. Regional peculiarities cannot be ignored in favor of centralized policy of the government. The phrase 'think globally and act locally' points to the same idea that organizations have to adapt their business policies according to the region where they have decided to go into operation. Middle East traditionally includes countries or regions in Southwest Asia and parts of North Africa. Persian Gulf is considered as the main centre the area around which is generally referred as Middle East. Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, and Palestinian Territories are collectively known as Middle East. Multiculturalism is one important aspect of the emerging Middle East and Dubai in particular. For example, all kind of eateries and restaurants Italian, Chinese etc. can be found. Indians, Filipinos, Pakistanis, People from Arab countries and people from Western countries comprise the workforce in Dubai whether it is white collar or blue collar job. The new cultural wave of tolerance allows foreigners to spend wee hours of the night in a pub while at the same time call for five times prayers also fill the air of Dubai. Apart from Dubai, Middle East destinations like Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Morocco and Tunisia have always been known for tourist attractions. Middle East has emerged as one the fastest developing economies. Their move towards success would not have been possible if the states had not joined the global business environment and participated in economic activities. The fabric of the society is also changing as these countries are evolving in different areas of economy, culture, science and technology. Yet there are many cultural differences and nuances that managers must know when dealing internationally in this region. The region can be an attractive business venture considering the market available. Regional Factors Following important factors may need management consideration for conducting business in a particular region: Managing Politics: Political systems as well as government supervisions and regulations change when companies choose to operate in a certain region. Sometimes government officials and the general public and political activists view foreign companies as outsiders and are suspicious of their impact on economy as well as politics. This may be specifically true in certain Muslim Middle Eastern countries where mostly democracy is not in place and rules may be bent to please the government of the time. Companies have to be ware of government takeovers of property and acts of violence directed against the firm. The examples of such acts can be seen in Anti-American protests on famous American businesses. Since, such acts are not uncommon in Arab and Muslim world; companies must formulate special plans and programs against unexpected losses. Political instability, at times civil disorders and frequent changes of government are some of the common political phenomenon in the region. Political instab

Research Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 3

Research Paper - Essay Example Critics of the global warming phenomenon argue that global warming is in fact not an environmental crisis but a manufactured issue artificially created for a variety of unsavory and politically-inspired reasons. Despite the shrinking number of detractors, global warming is a phenomenon which affects our planet every single day. Seeking to address global warming, this research paper will provide a comprehensive and in-depth overview of the global warming phenomenon. We will begin with a discussion of the evidence in support of global warming and explore the connection between global warming and climate change. Since we aim to provide an accessible analysis of what global warming actually is, we will then analyze the causes and effects of this recent international phenomenon. Following this, and with an eye to the impact of global warming on the state of California, we will explore the possible consequences to the United States of the continuation of global warming. Global warming and climate change are two terms which are often used interchangeably. Has a link between global warming and climate change been established? Yes, global warming is caused by an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. As we shall see below, the effects of global warming include changes in atmospheric temperatures and rainfall, which can lead to climate change (Arnella & Reynardb 1996: 397). Global warming is most generally described as an average increase in the Earth’s temperatures. Importantly, global warming is not only a present phenomenon but is perceived as something which is expected to continue and increase annually. Global warming is the reputed cause of climate change on an international scale leading to extreme weather, ranging from uncharacteristic snowfall in autumn to extremely mild winter temperatures, major changes to precipitation trends, glacial

B300 Assignment 6 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

B300 Assignment 6 - Essay Example As organizations enter into different regions for their business needs they have to follow policies of the region. Regional peculiarities cannot be ignored in favor of centralized policy of the government. The phrase 'think globally and act locally' points to the same idea that organizations have to adapt their business policies according to the region where they have decided to go into operation. Middle East traditionally includes countries or regions in Southwest Asia and parts of North Africa. Persian Gulf is considered as the main centre the area around which is generally referred as Middle East. Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, and Palestinian Territories are collectively known as Middle East. Multiculturalism is one important aspect of the emerging Middle East and Dubai in particular. For example, all kind of eateries and restaurants Italian, Chinese etc. can be found. Indians, Filipinos, Pakistanis, People from Arab countries and people from Western countries comprise the workforce in Dubai whether it is white collar or blue collar job. The new cultural wave of tolerance allows foreigners to spend wee hours of the night in a pub while at the same time call for five times prayers also fill the air of Dubai. Apart from Dubai, Middle East destinations like Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Morocco and Tunisia have always been known for tourist attractions. Middle East has emerged as one the fastest developing economies. Their move towards success would not have been possible if the states had not joined the global business environment and participated in economic activities. The fabric of the society is also changing as these countries are evolving in different areas of economy, culture, science and technology. Yet there are many cultural differences and nuances that managers must know when dealing internationally in this region. The region can be an attractive business venture considering the market available. Regional Factors Following important factors may need management consideration for conducting business in a particular region: Managing Politics: Political systems as well as government supervisions and regulations change when companies choose to operate in a certain region. Sometimes government officials and the general public and political activists view foreign companies as outsiders and are suspicious of their impact on economy as well as politics. This may be specifically true in certain Muslim Middle Eastern countries where mostly democracy is not in place and rules may be bent to please the government of the time. Companies have to be ware of government takeovers of property and acts of violence directed against the firm. The examples of such acts can be seen in Anti-American protests on famous American businesses. Since, such acts are not uncommon in Arab and Muslim world; companies must formulate special plans and programs against unexpected losses. Political instability, at times civil disorders and frequent changes of government are some of the common political phenomenon in the region. Political instab

Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft Essay Example for Free

Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft Essay Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft (ni e Godwin; 1797-1851), English novelist, daughter of the British philosopher and novelist William Godwin and the British author and feminist Mary Wollstonecraft. Mary was born in London. Her mother died ten days after her birth. Her father had many literary friends, and Marys childhood was populated by such figures as William Hazlitt, Charles Lamb, and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. In 1812, Percy Bysshe Shelley and his wife Harriet joined their circle. Before Mary was 17, she and Shelley were meeting secretly by her mothers grave in St Pancras churchyard. After Shelleys separation from Harriet in 1814, he and Mary eloped to the Continent. In the eight years before the poets death, the couple lived an unconventional life, moving between Italy, England, and Switzerland, part of a bohemian set that included the poets John Keats and Lord Byron. Harriet Shelleys suicide in December 1816 allowed Mary and Percy to marry. They had four children together, but only one, Percy Florence, survived his parents. The loss of their first child affected Mary profoundly, and seems to have shaped the themes of her first novel, Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus (1818). Mary Shelley conceived this story in 1816, while staying on Lake Geneva as the guest of Byron. According to her introduction to the novel, their host challenged his guests to write a ghost story, and Frankenstein was the product of its authors unusually vivid nightmare. In combining Gothic terrors with extreme physical realism and a basis in the sciences of biology and electricity, Shelley founded the genre of science fiction. The novel is the story of Victor Frankenstein, a medical student who constructs a living being from the remains of dissecting-room corpses. Victors experiments dramatize the morality of the act of creation itself. He explains: I collected bones from charnel- houses; and disturbed, with profane fingers, the tremendous secrets of the human frame. Horrified by the result of his project, Frankenstein abandons the Creature, who wanders the countryside, tormented by his total isolation from humanity. The Creature persuades his creator to construct a second, female being, but Victor dismembers this before it can be brought to life. In revenge, the Creature murders Frankensteins bride. A chase across the world then ensues, Victor determining to pursue the di mon who caused this misery until he or I shall perish in mortal conflict. The Creature, despite his monstrosity, is an intensely tragic figure, and Shelley effects an uncanny merging of its personality with that of Victor, who considers it my own vampire, my own spirit let loose from the grave. A critical and popular success, the book was dedicated to William Godwin. After her husbands death in 1822, Shelley returned to England, where she settled with her son. She was granted a small allowance by her father-in-law, Sir Timothy Shelley, but this was temporarily withdrawn when she published Percy Bysshe Shelleys Posthumous Poems (1824). She spent much time editing and annotating her late husbands work, but, owing to Sir Timothys opposition, she was unable to publish the Poetical Works until 1839. Shelley published five other novels. Valperga (1823) is a romance of 14th-century Italy. The Last Man (1826) is an apocalyptic fantasy in which humanity is destroyed by plague. Set in a republican Britain of the year 2073, it traces the effects of global catastrophe on a small group of characters and their wider environment. The final section of the book sees its narrator, Lionel Verney, living in the ruins of a decimated Rome. The Fortunes of Perkin Warbeck (1830) is a historical drama much influenced by the novels of Sir Walter Scott. Lodore (1835) and Falkner (1837) are domestic stories with strongly autobiographical elements. Another novel, Mathilda (1819), which tells the story of an incestuous relationship between a father and daughter, remained unpublished until 1959. Financing her sons private education, Mary Shelley continued to write essays and short fiction for periodicals such as the Keepsake. Between 1835 and 1838 she produced a series of scholarly biographies for the Lardners Cabinet Cyclopi dia series. The death of Sir Timothy Shelley in 1844 brought a new-found security to her life, but her closing years were troubled by threats of blackmail from embittered members of the Shelley and Byron families. Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Mary Shelley section.