Monday, September 30, 2019

History of Internet Advertising Essay

The history of Advertising goes back a long time in history during the time of the Romans in which merchants had street signs advertising their wares. With the invention of printing press during the middle part of the 1400s, things changed as it heralded a new era that shaped the course of civilization. The rise of broadcast technology in the twentieth century had made further advances in the world of advertising. In the 1920s, radio advertising carried the industry into its prime and become central to the operation of the advertising world until the rise of television advertising in the 1950s which rose to its prominence ever since up to the present time in which another break through in advertising has risen, the internet. Although internet began in the late 1960s it was only during the creation of the â€Å"Unix User Network or Usenet† (Prince, p. 3) that people got connected and â€Å"ready to do business† (p. ) through the â€Å"store-and-forward† net work ,where people could post news, views, and other communications to be read by others. Prince pointed out that the Usenet was â€Å"quickly adapted as a high-tech classified circular† (wherein categories were established for listing of items for sale. However, it was only in 1995 that a more profound use of the internet for advertisement had started as advertisement becomes more informative and specific. The internet advertising has since then begun to take substantial share of the market advertisement, and the year 2000 recorded the big leap in the internet advertisement with over eight billion dollars in revenue. Since then though, the growth of the internet advertisement in terms of dollar revenues were up and down but it is indisputably that the internet advertisement has become the most sophisticated and far reaching mode of advertisement.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Strategic Corporate Communication in Vodacom

Strategic Corporate Communication is communication that happens in a corporation e. g. business, company, shop or group of companies. It is about laying a plan to reach the intended objectives of the company. Let say if the company needs to make profits it should have its strategic plan to reach that goal. On the other hand, those strategic plans must involve internal and external public. Mainly Strategic Corporate Communication is supported by a detailed research plan. Corporate communication is now making its entrance in Tanzania though it claims historical links to the field of Public Relations. The core functions of corporate communications are more similar to those of Public Relations though they differ a bit. This paper is going to examine the Vodacom Tanzania company, to see how they implement Strategic corporate communication techniques and make the company the so successful in mobile communication industry in the country. The study also is interested to know how Vodacom communicates with its employees, the external audiences and other stake holders. INTRODUCTION The field of corporate communication has developed to a large extent since its first inception in the mid-90s. Corporate communication began as what many of us recognize as Public Relations (PR). The function of earlier PR departments was focused on preventing media from getting too close to management. Argenti argues that â€Å"the first PR professional were asked to protect the company from bad publicity, often by ‘spinning’ damaging news in a positive light. † This idea became popular through the 1960s, however, organizations soon found that external communication was not the only solution to their communication problems. Argenti, J. F. (2002) Strategic Corporate Communication refers to communicating a concept, a process, or data that satisfies a long term strategic goal of an organization. It is communication that happens in a corporation. It is about laying a plan so that to reach the intended objectives of the company. In fact, Corporate Communication is a managerial position which is involves managing and coordinating all internal and external communications. It deals with the dissemination of information by a variety of specialists in an organization, with the common goal of enhancing the organization's ability to retain its license to operate. Strategic Corporate Communication can do a lot for an organization. It is a new way for an organization to respond to a changed business landscape that results from today's networked communication environment. Strategic Corporate Communication helps to build organization image, combining its vision, mission and values and supports the organization by communicating them to all of its stakeholders; to mobilize internal and external support behind corporate objectives; to develop plans that will minimize differences between the organization's desired identity and brand features. Argenti, J. F. (2002) Like in most countries in Africa; in Tanzania, Corporate communication is making its entrance though I can say in a slower pace. A number of local organizations still embrace the Public Relations traditions. The forces behind this transformation from Public Relations to Corporate communications has its base in globalization whereby regional economies, societies, and cultures have been included in a global network of political ideas through communication, transportation, and trade. The mixing of national economies into the international economy through trade, foreign direct investment and the spread of technology has changed the world of business in so many ways. Companies have to manage their communications to the employees and the publics, Industries have to advertise their products so that to face increased competition. The need to employ corporate communication personnel in their businesses was not an option. This paper is going to examine the role of strategic corporate communications in Vodacom Tanzania limited and problems that may arise from this process. Background of Vodacom Tanzania limited. Vodacom Tanzania Ltd is a subsidiary company of Vodacom (Pty) Ltd based in South Africa. Vodacom (Pty) Ltd owns a majority share portion of 65%, the remaining 35% is owned by a local company called Mirambo. Vodacom Tanzania was issued its license in December 1999 and commenced operations in august 2000. By August 2000, Vodacom (T) Ltd completed its state of the art GSM infrastructure and went live on August 14, 2000. On August 15, 2000 Vodacom (T) Ltd officially started its commercial operations. Vodacom is a profit making company. The core functions of Vodacom Tanzania limited is to provide mobile communication services focusing on voice and data communications, with a great emphasis of quality and coverage. Recently, Vodacom has positioned itself as a total communication provider with the launch of Vodacom business which is one stop solution for corporate data needs, specifically catered to address the need for high speed internet, data and Virtual Private Networking (VPN) powered by 3G and WiMAX services. Vodacom, (No. 01, 2009) Vodaworld Tanzania, magazine. Tanzania has adopted a free market economy. The growth of cross-cultural contacts; arrival of new categories of realization which symbolize cultural diffusion, the desire to increase one's standard of living and enjoy foreign products through free marketing, adoption of new ideas and new technology are the results of globalization policy. Therefore, Vodacom is lucky to operate in such a country where there is no political, economic, social or cultural restrictions. Vodacom Tanzania limited has a corporate communication office. It is reflected in its organization structure, and is referred to as The Head of Division of Corporate Affairs who reports direct to the Vodacom Managing Director. (see appendex1). The corporate Affairs office has to take care of employee relations, community relations, media relations, government relations, investor relations, advertising and marketing communications functions. This indicates that communication is a core value to Vodacom. Vodacom strategic corporate communication plan is to incorporate internal and external stake holders very closely to an overall corporate communication strategy. To keep them informed on the progress of implementing the strategy and to ensure that communications with the Vodacom management is directed to strategic planning development. This strategic corporate communication plan gives Vodacom an opportunity to link strategy with communications and preserves the direct connection with the management. Strategy and corporate communication case studies. The corporate communication function needs to add significant value to the business and must be fully aligned with those making high impact strategic decision for the company. Every organization has its goals, and we need to develop a strategy to accomplish those goals. Through corporate communication it is easier to know the organization vision (where we want to go) and mission (reasons for existence). Then the strategy has to be communicated so that to bring changes. This is where the corporate communicators intervene to help the internal workers and external audience to understand the organization. A study done in United States 2004, By Tim Leberecht, titled ‘Internal branding as a strategic corporate communications tool†; A case study of JetBlue Airways, has shown clearly how these two combinations can do to an organization. JetBlue Airways gains its high customer loyalty by making its employees understand and experience the brand character. The researcher defines Brand as the internalized totality of all impressions received by consumers resulting in a distinctive position in their mind’s eye based on perceived emotional and functional benefits, Knapps, (2001 p. 22). He explains that Internal branding includes promoting the main corporate brand to the employee base in a fashion that makes them understand the connection between brand promise and brand delivery. Tosti & Stotz (2001). Internal branding then leads to a marketing strategy, as (De Chernatony 2001, p. 5) puts it â€Å"People’s impressions of brands are more strongly influenced by the staff they interact with†. The study uses qualitative research methods and draws on both primary and secondary sources. Through the analysis of secondary sources including articles and magazine features the brand character as perceived by customers is identified. Primary sources, including email correspondence, newsletters, or Intranet content, indicate how the airline accomplishes its strong customer loyalty by making its employees understand and experience the brand character. JetBlue Airways Corp is a relatively young organization (founded in 2000) has implemented internal branding from the very beginning as a founding pillar of its business model. The internal communication strategy in JetBlue corporate practice has work so powerful due to the implementation of additional training or incentives that are necessary to encourage, support, and reward the employees required behavior. In JetBlue Airways the employees are behind the success of the corporation because they totally identify with their brand as a result they become good ambassadors of their own brand to the public. The internal branding as a communication strategy have given a chance for the JetBlue employees to experience the brand and feel the connection of the brand to themselves as a result support to deliver the brand promise. Another study done in United States 1984, By Michael Dell; A case study of Dell Corporation. Dell was found by Michael Dell in 1984. Dell company is producing both customer based PC’s and also organizational based servers. Dell’s sales came from enterprise products and73% from desktops & notebooks. Their basic purpose is to cut off middleman and selling to customers directly for its lower cost. This organization is having well image in US & Global market. Though Its structure is complex and fluid; the organization has a well disciplined direct communication system known as â€Å"direct Mails system† for its customers and employees in organization. It is the easiest way of communication because everyone in organization can talk to higher authority. Team communication is very strong in Dell. The company has relationship with GCI & other public-relation firms. Dell looked internet as a source of staying connected with these agencies by using its own extranet for file sharing and online dialogue about specific issues. Talking about its corporate strategy, company strategy came from senior management rather than formal strategy process. Michael Dell found its strategy very important. Dell would find in late 2002 that its commitment to communication played a direct role in allowing company to implement strategy, even during crisis situation. And of course, Dell prove itself a successful company from both customer and financial perspectives in market during this crisis. Dell established formal and structured approach for team communication including standing meetings and conference calls. However, Dell spends low budget on research & development. The researcher concluded that Dell has a good image in the market that is why it is still in the market. Its corporate communication was effective and its appropriate strategies have been applied to satisfy customer and the employees. Although there had been crisis but Dell was able to handle situations because of its proper communication techniques. However, the researcher recommends the company to spend more budgets on Research and Development sector and to retain its lower cost commodities according to its goals and strategies. As we have seen Communication is a core value in Dell. Team communication is very strong in Dell. That is why in late 2002 its commitment to communication played a direct role in allowing company to implement strategy, even during crisis situation. Corporate Communication strategy in Dell focuses on team communication which includes standing meetings, conference calls and by emails. This kind of communication strategy (direct mails system) have worked so powerfully for them due to the fact that the system creates a good platform for interaction between the management and the employees (internal communication), as well as between the company and their customers by selling direct to them without the middle men. On the other hand, JetBlue Airways recognized that internal employees has a big part to play to make the company successful. Companies can save considerable time and by ensuring a measure of compatibility between their employees and their corporate or product brand. Communication Audit of Vodacom Tanzania Limited. As noted by Columbia University’s Centre of Continuing Education, a good communication strategy is a map that connects the present state of an organization to a future desired state. In order to design a good customer relations plan, it is important to evaluate how an organization has been dealing with its customers in the past and whether such communication approaches have had good impacts on the organization or not. According to Vodacom communication policy (2007), Vodacom Tanzania Limited operates throughout the country and has offices in all regions both in Island and Mainland. In order to achieve both smooth operations as well as to keep employees well updated, Vodacom opted for multiple channels of communication in order to implement the internal communication. Notice boards; news letter called Voda News and internal memos are some of the channels of communication which are used at Vodacom to implement internal communication. Other channels of communication used to run internal communication are online news letter, telephone, outlook emailing system is the main tool which controls the internal communication flow in the company. This system is very fast and offers instant feedback from employees. As we have seen in both case studies earlier, that effective internal communication systems is particularly crucial when organizations operates in an environment of rapid and sustained changes like Vodacom. Organizations must be innovative to be able to respond and adapt to the challenges presented by such changes. It is now increasingly evident that those organizations which promote good internal communication reap positive share in meeting these challenges. In most occasions, employees’ disloyalty and lack of commitment to organizational goals are a result of lack of effective two ways communication between management and employees. In a publication titled â€Å"Designing a Communications Strategy† by the International Research Center of Canada (IDRC) it is emphasized that reviewing a company’s past and present ways of dealing with its publics is an essential first step in designing a good corporate communications strategy. In this case the first public to deal with is the employees. Recommendations. Channels of communication adopted by Vodacom to implement Internal Communication are notice boards, news letter, internal memos, online news letter, telephone, outlook emailing system. All these channels are quite good. However, I would recommend a reliable and proactive communication strategy to be used. Off late Vodacom has decided to change its brand. Before the launching of a new brand, most of Vodacom employees were kept in the dark except those working in corporate communication department. The Vodacom corporate communication professionals should know that when employees are informed about the brand after the brand has been defined and positioned, they will be a passive audience. As we have learnt in both case studies that Strategic corporate communication is the heart of any organization. Being a communication company, Vodacom Tanzania should make sure that more budget is allocated on research and development, maintain a good communication system within the company, maintain its strategy by communicating with the customers, management and all other important pillars of their company. Whatever plans they have must be well known internally and well communicated externally to their customers and other share holders. That is the biggest secret if they want to remain the number one service provider in mobile communication industry. Conclusion: This paper has analyzed strategy and corporate communication in Vodacom Tanzania. Like any other profit making company Vodacom has strategies and objectives to achieve. Through well articulated corporate communication techniques Vodacom has managed to be the leading mobile company in the country. However, there are some areas need to be improved, especially on strategy development where by internal employees are being side lined so far.

Friday, September 27, 2019

Biography of Emiliano Zapata Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Biography of Emiliano Zapata - Essay Example Zapata first used peaceful negotiation. He then increasingly resorted to the forcible confiscation of land from the haciendas and its redistribution among the peasants. In 1910, Zapata joined Francisco Madero’s  revolution against the entrenched dictatorship of  Porfirio Dà ­az.   In March of 1911, he formed a small guerilla band and captured Cuautla, Morelos, a strategic location, helping to remove Dà ­az from power.  Zapata then opposed Madero, himself was a hacienda owner, for his indifference to democracy and land reforms.  Ã‚  Zapata retained his guerilla force, retreated to the mountains and continued his fight against the new regime. Along with Otilio Montaà ±o, a local school teacher, Zapata composed the Plan of Avala, which expressed the land aspirations of the local peasants. In 1913,the new dictator, Victoriano Huerta attempted to reconcile with Zapata, but Zapata rebuffed him and went on to consolidate his hold over all of Morelos, and parts of the other neighboring states, by the summer of 1914.  Zapata formed an alliance with Francisco Pancho Villa, in December 1914 and took control of Mexico City. His attempts t o implement his land reforms in Morelos met with limited success.   In 1915, Venustiano Carranza took control of the revolution and invaded Morelos. Zapata faced increasing internal dissent. He finally attempted to form an alliance with Jesà ºs Guajardo, a dissenter in Carranza’s army. Zapata was shot dead by Guajardo’s troops as he rode to his meeting with Carranza at Chinameco on April 10,

Capstone Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 5

Capstone - Essay Example The mission and vision provide a target for the company’s strategy development. This means that a single criterion of a careful strategy is how efficiently it assists the firm in achieving its mission and vision (Bonaich, 2004). Strategies are clear on what the company will do and not do in order to achieve the mission and vision. The company’s vision also gives a bridge between the strategy and the mission. Wall-mart vision and mission enhance the spirit of continuous innovation of products and also their improvement (Edward, 2006). The mission and vision give a top notch guide, and the company’s strategy provide a more certain guide, to the company’s goals and objectives (Chazen, 2002). This shows both the successes and the failures of the set strategy, and at the same time, the satisfaction of the set objectives found in the mission (Bonaich, 2004). The stakeholders are the pillar of the organization they are essential during the starting period of the company, but once the firm became functional it was the customers who keep the business going (Fishman, 2006). Customers are influential in generating revenue which is crucial for running the company (Ruta, 2009). Customers of Wall Mart are, therefore, the most influential stakeholders of the company. Employees give the necessary human resources that move the engine of production of goods and marketing of the produced goods (Chazen, 2002). Without them, the company is unlikely to function even if there exists customers and shareholders ready to purchase the goods offered by the company. Employees of Wall Mart are highly treasured since they are the ones selling and marketing the products to consumers (Bonaich, 2004). Suppliers of the goods and services are vital as they provide the goods which the company depends on to produce or sell its outputs. Without them, marketing and production become rendered null and void. Society impacts the organization in a big way (Ruta,

Thursday, September 26, 2019

War trauma and masculinity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

War trauma and masculinity - Essay Example These two changes are extremely ambivalent and are determined by the personal qualities and conditions the person faces. First of all, in order to understand masculinity as a phenomenon, it is important to study its definition. Maculinity is a specific gender identification, related to stress, independence and self-management. "Like femininity, masculinity operates politically at different levels. At one level, it is a form of identity, a means of self-understanding that structures personal attitudes and behaviours" (Leach, 1994,p.36). Another level is associated with seeing masculinity as a form of ideology, in which "it presents a set of cultural ideals that define appropriate roles, values and expectations for and of men" (ibid, p.36). It is important to note that masculinity is not 'natural', as it can be developed (or, conversely, destroyed) throughout the life course as a response to certain social expectations. It can be viewed as cultural interpretation of maleness, developed and maintained by participating social relationships. The sociocultural nature of masculinity is shaped by values, beli eves, and, naturally, requirements, dictated by the epoch. For instance, Spiegelman and Hemingway's time is characterized by the belief that man is a breadwinner, problem-solver, or more specifically, autonomous, strong and independent person, who is capable of defending his motherland from invaders. Furthermore, this definition of masculinity is basic for the present paper, as it is the starting point of the whole analysis.In 'Soldier's home' Hemingway depicts a personality, torn in two by controversial attitudes towards his home, where he's just returned. In spite of Harold Krebs's parents comfortable middle-class life, he experiences a sense of homelessness, of quilt and despair, because of having experienced his close friends' death' and all the problems related to war. First of all, it is important to note that Hemingway doesn't reveal why Harold has been wandering for many years before he comes back (about ten years, in fact), so this time probably has been devoted to searchin g for a new home and re-thinking his own life. By that time "all the other former soldiers have found a niche for themselves in the community" (Imamura, 1996, p.102), but Krebs needs some more time to get accustomed to new conditions; he plays pool, "practiced on his clarinet, strolled down town, read, and went to bed" (Hemingway, 1995, p.146). "What he is doing, of course, is killing time" (Imamura, 1996, p.103).The problem is associated with Harold's understanding of who has become. He realizes he has been altered by the circumstances, and this alteration becomes much more dramatic, once he sees that his town has remained almost the same comparing to the period when he graduated from higher school: the same streets and the same girls walking down the streets, the same parking place for his father's car (Hemingway, 1995). In fact, these changes in his own outlook can be explained by his pre-war and war experiences.Before the World War I, as Hemingway narrates us, Harold studied at a Methodist school, an educational

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Personal Leadership Analysis and Action Plan Term Paper

Personal Leadership Analysis and Action Plan - Term Paper Example They did things together as a family including shopping. John would pay the bills showing good examples to the children that when they become men they would want to be like John. I mean john was everything to us, working with the government; he took them to the best schools in town he taught them how to do basic things that a child needs to know including discipline and manners, he was their source of encouragement as he encouraged them to take up challenges in life. Sophia was heaven on earth; she helped the children with school work, made our food, sung and even played with them. Meal time was celebration time; Sophia would make the meal with her hands that had the touch of class. He baking was top class as no bakery in town would compare to it. She made cakes for the children as if they were daily bread, and the daily bread that she made was as if every day was an occasion. Whenever food was served it never mattered what was on the table, it was always taken with joy. This was uto pia in real life. Then John quit his job, and he was greatly compensated. This simply meant that he had more money that before, they went from being a middle class to a rich family. He ventured into businesses that had great returns, John was rich. He was a successful man in every rite of business he ventured into; but true as they say, more money more problems. The family started seeing less of John more day by day; he would go on trips that involved business. Days grew into weeks and weeks became months. This was followed by both Sophia and john beginning to doubt each other, each alleging the other of cheating. John claimed Sophia was seeing another man and Sophia said John had been sported severally with another woman. Finally the day came when the truth came to light. John came in and called the family together, and in his eloquence he said he had come to a decision to leave Sophia and had found another woman that he would marry. Now this

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Social Problem Theories Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Social Problem Theories - Essay Example The aim of Symbolic interactionism is to encourage people to help one another in social matters. A critical focus will be put on the subjective meaning among small groups of people including the popular and non-popular viewpoints. This aids in the understanding and acceptance of the problem. Functionalists will explain the problem of suicide or homicide by looking at the social behavior of an individual in the larger society. This entails the collection of information from the members of the society who may be familiar with the individual in terms of social status (Mooney, Knox, & Schacht, 2012). Since the main focus of the theory is the steady patterns of social relations or structures of the victim, for instance the consequence of social cohesion patterns on the rates of suicide or homicide. In explaining the issue of suicide or homicide, the Functionalist theorists demonstrate how social structures uphold or challenge social stability (Mooney, Knox, & Schacht, 2012. Functionalists will offer a proper analysis on the effects of some members of the society on an individual’s behavior. Basing on the theory therefore, it will be argued that in order to address the problem of suicide or homicide, societal issues must be addressed for instance poverty, unemployment, and relationships. Conflict theorists will explain the problem of suicide or homicide basing on the differences in the societal, political, or material status of the members of the social group (Zetterberg, 2002). The analysis of the socio-political structure differentiates the theory from the functionalism. Conflict theory, will address the issue of differences in power. In most cases, the privileged members of the community always try to uphold their benefits while the poor groups continue to suffer. According to the theory, under special circumstances, steady discrimination patterns in the society might lead to social stability (Zetterberg,

Monday, September 23, 2019

Sex Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Sex Education - Essay Example The advantages of teaching sex education at home include the outcome that children will gain a sense of appreciation and high regard for their sexuality. This may be undertaken with parents who want them to enjoy and celebrate that very special part of their being. It is possible for parents to attain self-respect for their children if they are able to appropriately and relevantly teach them sex education at home. This self-respect is one that can be ensured by parents in their children regarding their sexuality, given that they teach them responsibly. This vision may be best promoted at home by providing a loving and thoughtful sex education. The demand that parents speak to their children is high in today's intense peer and media pressures. There is also a compelling need for parents to be open-minded and communicative to their children regarding sex education. On the other hand, the advantages of learning education in school include objectivity, collective learning, and freedom of inquiries, which may not be found at home (if parents tend to be strict and conservative). Children will certainly appreciate more to learn sex education in school rather than at home, given this home environment. There might be uneasiness between the child and the parents, which might preempt the child from raising certain concerns, for which the school may be a good venue.

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Eriksons Stages Essay Example for Free

Eriksons Stages Essay This experiential learning activity will give you an opportunity to apply basic psychological principles to learn more about your own behavior. The project will be conducted over a 9 week period. By week 3, you will choose a behavior that you would like to change and come up with a behavior change plan. In weeks 4-10, you will work on changing that behavior and record your progress. In weeks 11-13, you will reflect, analyze, and interpret your behavior change and outcomes. A 5 page write-up (double spaced) of this behavior change activity covering the points described below is due the week of presentations at the beginning of the class period. Here are the steps: 1. Select a behavior that you would like to change, one that you’d like to increase or decrease or modify in some way (Examples: eating junk or high-fat foods, chewing gum, smoking, getting angry, studying, exercising, spending money, worrying, etc). 2. Define your specific goal, consider the benefits and barriers, and choose a behavior modification plan. 3. Design a method of tracking your daily progress. This could be a tallying form, a data table, etc. This device should allow you to record the frequency and/or duration of your behavior on a daily basis. (if your behavior is something that is done several times a day, you might want to create a data tracking device that you can carry along with you). 4. Record your behavior, following the procedures you have developed, throughout the semester. Write a 5 page report that includes the following points and be sure to include theories and concepts we covered during class in addition to these sections. **Use at least 2 journal articles related to your topic and give a brief description of the articles in the introduction** Goal-Setting and Monitoring †¢ What behavior did you try to change? What was your precise goal? (for example, to increase/decrease the frequency and or duration) †¢ What were the benefits that you perceived to changing your behavior? In other words, why did you want to change your behavior? †¢ How did you keep track of (record) your daily progress? Very briefly describe the type of tallying sheet (or recording device) that you used. Motivation †¢ Where do you think your goal would fall on Maslow’s hierarchy of motives and why? What types of counter-motives made it difficult for you to accomplish your goal (example; hunger, pleasure, etc.) Where would these counter-motives fall on Maslow’s hierarchy? †¢ Did you feel more intrinsically or extrinsically motivated to change this behavior and why? †¢ Did your goal involve the behavioral activation system (BAS) or the behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and why? Was your goal more approach- or avoidance-oriented and why? †¢ Do you think that your motives contributed to your outcome? How and why? Learning †¢ How did you go about trying to change your behavior? Did you use any of the behavior learning strategies that we discussed in class such as classical or operant conditioning? †¢ How did you use these strategies? Did they work or not? Emotions, Barriers, and Social Support †¢ What types of emotions did you feel when trying to change your behavior? How did you feel along the way and how were these emotions related to the amount of effort you invested in trying to change your behavior? †¢ What were some of the barriers that you encountered while trying the change the behavior? Did you expect these barriers when you started or did they surprise you along the way? What did you do to overcome these barriers? †¢ Did you enlist the help of family and friends in trying to change your behavior? Was this helpful or harmful? Conclusion †¢ Did you reach your goal or not? How do you feel about the outcome? What could you do differently in the future to be even more successful at changing your behavior? Outline of written report †¢Introduction †¢Description of topic †¢Explanation of why this is an important area of study †¢Reason for picking this area to write about †¢Literature review †¢Description of theory †¢Previous research on topic (Use at least 2 journal articles related to your topic and give a brief description of the articles) †¢Citations of all work mentioned in the paper †¢Statement of hypothesis †¢Methods section †¢Description of process in reaching your goal (recording behavior, keeping track, etc) †¢Description of materials used (tally sheet? recording device?) †¢Results †¢Conclusions †¢Goal-setting Monitoring †¢Motivation †¢Learning †¢Emotions, barriers, and social support †¢Conclusion paragraph (see assignment sheet) †¢Applications (how will these results be useful to individuals and society as a whole?) †¢References †¢APA style †¢Citations in the body of paper should appear in the reference section

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Project Plan Of Newhall Place Construction Essay

Project Plan Of Newhall Place Construction Essay A brief physical description of the building (including architectural style and the materials used), its history and why it has been granted a listed status. Newhall Place is located at Newhall Hill Birmingham West Midlands B1 3JH. It was built about 1860 and designed by H.R. Yeoville Thomason, who was also responsible for many of Birminghams finest buildings. He designed the Council House and much of Colmore Row. The building was first occupied by a firm of merchants, Shaw Hawkes Co, but by 1871 No. 16 had become the premises of Phipps Pickering and Richard, Brewers. By the 1880s it had become part of the Newhall Wire Works in nearby George Street and is now a Grade II Listed building. This imaginative courtyard development still retains much of this character from 19th Century with exposed beams, arched sash windows and an atrium style courtyard. The durability of an arched window depends on the type of window used and the location, especially how much wear and tear it will receive in that area of the home. There is also the fact that arched windows require special skill in the installation. The contractor will need to frame-in the opening to accommodate the arched design, being sure to install the proper support. He/she should also carefully caulk and seal the arch to create a strong moisture and air barrier. Without a strong seal, your window will require costly repair down the road. (http://www.calfinder.com/library/window/types/Arches-Bring-Style-to-Your-Windows) Every windows and doors have an arch or round on top of them, it seems like a gothic style as specially arranged with brickwork at the outer faà §ade facing the street side. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Consideration of the impact of the fixed internal layout of the building on a conversion project, in comparison with modern construction techniques. First of all, most of the historical building preserved has its own characteristics in both architectural or structurally design for purpose and its original use. Although most people may consider to demolish the entire building or alter part of it when come to a project involving change of use or other intend, the existing internal layout usually not capable to accommodate the new design from the architect in terms of modern construction method or techniques in related to the purpose of use. The fundamental problems encompassing the allocation of structure/partition wall, column, beam, staircase, basement, sky light, ceiling/false ceiling, drainage pipe and ducting. In order to retain the front faà §ade which is the major issue to maintain the outlook and architectural feature of historical building, most of the structural elements are not recommended to alter. It is not only not changing the appearance outside but the internal fixed elements would not be suggested to modify since in structural aspect the main structure especially when constructed in brickwork most of the wall, column and beam form the main structural framework. It is easy to notice that those elements are connected to each other in specific joints structure. In most case, it will be more wisely not to touch that part but considering how to reinforce and provide adequate lateral and vertical support to the faà §ade and also the internal structure prior to and during the construction stage. Nowadays, most of the AA works would employ a structural engineer to investigate the existing structure and provide adequate checking in order to determine whether the structures serviceabil ity is strong enough to cater the loading during construction or for future use. One of the key factors of the modern construction in terms of structural stability is spreading the loads by transferring to reinforced concrete column and beam which the load path is much more simple and consistent. With less r.c. structure wall partitions, the space within the entire layout will be enhanced remarkably as well as the flexibility for architect design. Another modern method is to construct a high grade r.c. core wall in the middle of the building like IFC 2 in Hong Kong, the main structure can provide sufficient strength so allow the structural steel elements to attach to and thus the reduction of r.c. beam and column will release more space and headroom. Such structural design can give more flexibility in internal partitioning, where those partitions wouldnt form part of the structure hence future alternation and change of use can be facilitate. To conclude the above, there are much mor e limitations for old design building in compare with modern building in terms of fixed internal layout. Many examples in Hongkong such as 181 shopping mall (former police headquarter in TST) and Murray House in Stanley selected not to ruin the fixed layout but renovate in aesthetic without touching the main structure. c) Consideration of underpinning; waterproofing of basements; upgrading and retrofitting of building services; remedying dampness; repair of masonry; treatment of timber defects. Underpinning First of all, it is recommended to employ a structural engineer to have an investigation over the existing foundations including the main structure, soil bearing capacity, water table etc. First of all, a thorough inspection over the existing superstructure and the basement to reveal if there is any major and apparent crack over the main structure where the temporary supporting system can be determined and also the subsequent main structure reinforcement scheme can be assessed. Secondly, to check over the buried foundation under the basement, adopt trial hole excavation with adequate lateral support at the backyard will be suggested. The fact of the condition of soil and also the existing foundation and the water table could be revealed. Meanwhile the bearing capacity would be obtained by checking with the adoption of method of plate-load test or the like. In our experience, raft foundation should be the most possible existing structure constructed in brickwork for such old building over 150 years. To avoid the disturbance of the existing foundation, it is recommended to have a partial excavation with relative small area in alternative pattern so not to remove too much support from the existing foundation subject to further analysis structural calculation after obtaining relevant data from the inspections. Owing the building is only 2 stories high, thus mass concrete fill could be adopted since shadow partial excavation can be achieved without too many lateral support over the limited space due to the allocation of the building with one side facing the street and two sides abutted to adjacent buildings. Waterproofing of Basement A black, liquid applied single-component moisture-cured bitumen modified polyurethane waterproofing system, which provides superior protection against the penetration of water. Bitumen modified polyurethane elastomer a two-component system is available, which does not depend on atmosphere moisture. Basic uses once cured, the liquid membrane allows expansion and contraction over a broad temperature range and maintains flexibility and waterproofing properties under continuous exposure to water above or below grade. It has a thixotorpic consistency and may be used on vertical as well as horizontal surfaces. The wide range of purposes including application over concrete, stone, brick, cement blocks, wood, metal, asbestos and most other surfaces. After the preparation of the wall surfaces and application of waterproofing membrane, render the wall and screed the floor with one layer of cement sand protective layer. Sump pit system can be adopted in designated location to prevent the failure of the membrane ruin the entire waterproofing system when leakage happen in the future. One layer of extruded polystyrene foam board then be fixed on top of the screed/render to provide a media to reduce the risk of condensation and also enhance the insulation of the entire basement tackle the temperature change. Finally, cover up with a layer of brick (to wall) and the floor with another layer of screed equipped with steel mesh in 2 layers (both top bottom) to form a rigid protective system against external damage to the insulation/waterproofing membrane. Although the space inside will be reduced, still this could be the best waterproofing system to deal with upgrading and retrofitting of building services Electrical Since the entire building used brickwork for construction and structure. To avoid damage or further deteriorate the brickwork, electrical conduit shall be fixed on the existing brickwall without forming a trench for conceal. It may be looking shinning of the GMS conduit finishes but paint should be considered to apply to match with the tone of the wall design. MVAC It is recommended to provide suitable MVAC system to both the upper lower basement due to the confined area below ground level. Installation of ducting within the premises would not be a problem by fixing expansion bolt to the soffit of ceiling. On the other hand, the EAD shall be designed to run along the exterior wall at the backyard to higher level. In order to ensure the architect design and the aim of aesthetic, simply install false ceiling system would make the interior more neat and unify where the exterior pipe/duct can be cladded with aluminum cladding or GRC panel to match with the existing finishes. The Variable refrigerant volume (VRV) system will be selected for air conditioning system based on easy to install, small installation space and easy to repair, the installation methods like the Split-Type Air Conditioning. The Mechanical Ventilation system will install individual the intake and exhaust fan in class room and corridors Fig. xxxx Fire Services To comply with the latest government ordinance and statutory regulation, it is advised that to appoint several design in terms of the followings in FS aspect. To improve the extinguishment and containment system, the ceiling will require install sprinkler system (Fig. xxxxx). Fire rated doors will install between the escape route and corridor area in each floor for isolate the fire occurred. Portable firefighting equipment, included fire extinguishers, fire blankets and sand buckets. Fixed firefighting equipment, included Hose reels, Sprinkler system ,Fig. xxxx, and Firefighting lift Fig: Sprinkler System Plumbing Drainage The major problem will be related to the underground drainage system, what can be seen above ground level should be relatively easier either retain or divert subject to the new architect layout. The u/g drainage shall be redesign subject to the availability of existing sub-structure. It may not be difficult to relocate the existing manhole but it needs to be using the previous opening inside the u/g structure to avoid disturbance of the stability or otherwise too many alternation will affect the overall rigidity of entire structure, subsequently cost/time implication to the project may be enhanced. Part Two. Q1 Your Client has retained your company as Project Managers (offering a full range of services ranging from Professional Design services together with Health and Safety). As a Principal Contractor / CDM Coordinator prepare a detailed Health and Safety Risk Assessment to accompany the tender documentation for the demolition and / or refurbishment of the existing buildings Noise Noise may be defined as sound undesired by the recipient. Besides being a nuisance, noise may interfere with working efficiency, cause accident and most important for resulting in hearing loss to employee. In deciding what the noise control measures to provide, the essential thing is to make a noise assessment to determine what exactly the ideal figure of sound reduction. The sequence will be as below:- Assessing neighborhood noise. Assessing noise (Including noisy plants equipment) generated on site. Deciding the most affected noise sensitive receiver. Comparing the quantitative data calculated from 3 steps before. Making reference to the current statutory regulations. Setting the specific limit. Deciding the noise source. Setting the individual control measure by the means of the following: Substitution (replace equipment with silenced type). Enclosure (enclose equipment by outer wall with inner lining of an acoustically absorbent). Silencers (add). Screens (provide with acoustic screens). Assessing noise level generated on site. Reviewing monitoring the status. Action level can be determined for actions. A report in the prescribed form shall be submitted to the relevant department as soon as possible. For exceeding First Action Level, a warning notice shall be displayed for specification of distance for noisy machines or tools. Between First and Second Action Levels a daily personal noise exposure between 85 and 89.9 dB(A), when employees are exposed, the site are required to provide suitable approved ear protectors to employees who request for them. Between Second and Peak Action Levels a daily personal noise exposure of 90 dB(A); a peak sound pressure level of 140 dB or 200 Pa, the site are required to provide suitable approved ear protectors to employees and enforce them to use properly. Having finished each assessment, a list will be generated to inform all subcontractors how far are the hearing protection zone are. The General Foreman / Foreman should post noise labels and follow the rules in the different action levels. Dust Dusts usually fall into three groups when considered as hazards. They are toxic, nuisance and fibrosis producing. Adequate ventilation, efficient dust suppression, good housekeeping and proper personal protection are required to control dust explosions. Basically, substituting a less dangerous material for those from which dust arises is a method to control. To arrest the dust and collect it as near as possible to the point of origin, local exhaust ventilation is needed to install. To be effective, a mask must be fitted carefully and must be kept clean and the filter must be replaced when necessary. To enclose a work process that produces dust is also a method we can take. In spite of all precautions, some dust will always escape from the plant. It must be prevented from accumulating in workrooms by the regular and frequent cleaning of all parts of rooms and plant. First-aid Facilities Adequate number of first-aider and facilities in accordance with the law should be provided on site. It may have saved the casualtys life through the application of appropriate first aid measures. However, his life can be lost through rough handling or careless transportation procedures. Before you attempt to move the casualty. Housekeeping The laws including F IU Ordinance Regulations, Air Pollution Control Ordinance (Cap. 311), Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, Air Pollution Control (Open Burning) Regulations and Air Pollution (Construction Dust) Regulations demand us to have a good housekeeping. The common hazards on site are openings, projecting nails or metal fragments at dumping area etc. Removing debris frequently is better than dealing with them after being stacked to a large amount and has advantages both in save time and money. Rag, oil, grease should be regarded as chemical waste. Waste paper or cans should be kept in rubbish bin, which is removed immediately if full. Waste reinforcement or other valuable materials should be saved in a particular place. All tools or equipment should be kept in storeroom after used. A safe means of access shall be maintained up to the required standards. Removing projecting nails as quickly as possible. Demolition Effective planning and monitoring are required to ensure that the demolition process or the partially demolished elements left at the end of each day of work does not pose any danger to the works, the general public and the adjacent properties. The General Foreman / Foreman shall provide all necessary precautionary measures to protect the works, the building, the occupants, the public and other prior to commencement of the demolition works. The General Foreman / Foreman shall ensure the means of escape provisions as well as fire compartment of the premises are maintained throughout the Contract period both for the renovation area and the adjacent tenancies.. Stability Report Including Calculations A report on the stability of the building to be demolished is required during all stages of demolition if necessary. Temporary Supports When temporary supports to structure is required, check the entire scaffolding assembly and utilities before demolition. Housekeeping Material shall be properly stored. Access ways and work areas shall be free of obstructions. Waste shall be properly disposed of at least daily. Do not overload any members. Dangerous Zone Cordon off any identified dangerous zones. The site shall be locked up all the time. In order to avoid trespasser, the General Foreman / Foreman shall inspect the premise each shift prior to work. Utilities Permit-to-work system is activating. Electrical Safety All electrically powered equipment or hand tools, except double insulated hand tools, shall be grounded. Portable hand tools and electrically powered equipment shall be used with a circuit breaker. Electrical equipment shall be disconnected or the current otherwise interrupted while it is being adjusted or repaired. Outlets, switching, junction boxes, etc. shall be covered. Exposed noncurrent-carry metal parts of fixed equipment that may become energized under abnormal conditions shall be grounded when in wet or damp locations. After demolition Clear away all debris. Secure boundary unless reinstatement has been made. Provide a Method Statement for the key stages of the entire project and a Construction Program identifying the key stages (i.e. this is not a definitive list) demolition, faà §ade retention, temporary works, high water table etc. Foundation Underpinning 1) Excavation shall be proceeded with respected to the structural engineer for adequate depth and the sequence prescribed. 2) Lateral support shall be followed according the same manner to the desire depth. 3) Concreting to the module of foundation as designed in alternative. 4) Backfilling at not more than the specified depth of each layer, shoring shall be dismantled successively. Ground water control In some cases, the ground water conditions found during site investigation may change before or during site investigation. Such changes may be due to the construction of basements nearby, natural flooding or artificial causes, such as a burst water main. The methods of ground water control may be divided into three broad groups: pumping, cut-off walling, and special methods. The choice of method depends mainly on site conditions and on the soil characteristics. These include:- size and location; thickness and type of soil strata; magnitude of water pressures in various strata; proposed permanent structure relative to soil strata; length of time for which the excavation must be open; prevention of damage to adjacent structures; relationship between the proposed dewatering method and the construction sequence. Dewatering Pumping from sumps Widely used in deep excavations for trench or basement. There are several major problems:- Soil movement due to settlement Ground affected by water flow towards sump Instability at formation level in timbered excavations owing to upward movement of water The general solution is to dig sump at corner of excavation below formation level. Open Sump The sump is usually formed away from the construction area in a corner of the excavation. The water is led into the sump, either by sloping the ground towards it or by using shallow garland drains which feed into the sump. Pumping from open sumps is limited to a maximum depth of about 8m. Jetted Sump In this method, a hole is formed in the ground by jetting metal tube. A disposable intake strainer connected to a disposable flexible suction pipe is then lowered into the hole, and the void filled with sand filter media. This suction pipe is connected to a pump which pumps out the ground water. Demolition 1) Temporary support such as racking shore shall be installed at each floor prior to any demolition work commence. Demolition Work 1) Statutory and contractual Requirements shall be followed and implement on site at all time. 2) All demolition works shall be carried out in accordance with the Building (Demolition Works) Regulations, the Draft Code of Practice for Demolition of Buildings as well as Building Department Practice Notes. 3) Before any demolition work is commenced, a sufficient survey for proper identified of any structural problems and risk associated with flammable and hazardous substance, utilities etc. 4) Location of Utilities 4.1) The whole area, which is affected by any possible demolition works, shall be identified. 4. 2) Plans or other suitable information about all utilities especially concealed pipes in the vicinity of the proposed works before any demolition work starts shall be obtained. 4.3 ) Shut off, cap, or otherwise control all electric, gas, water, sewer and other service lines before demolition work is started. Permit-to-work system shall be activated. 4.4) If it is necessary to maintain any power, water, or other utilities during demolition, such lines should be temporarily relocated as necessary and/ or protected. 4.5) plan on the proposed methods for handling and disposal of debris including the permissible temporary accumulation of building debris and the transportation route shall then be evolved. 4.6) Stability Report with supporting calculations shall be generated. Faà §ade Retention 1) To design by the structural engineer with the project manager to investigate the most economical and efficient method prior to determine the sequence of work. 2) Provide suitable foundation at ground level and erect the steel prop above the temporary footing. 3) Continued with the diagonal bracing and transom to form a stable framework floor by floor from bottom and up sequence, make sure the bolting is securely fixed. 4) Floor slab shall be hacked off to let the framework going up and through the slab. 5) The configuration of framework will be similar to fly racking shore. Your Client is also concerned that they discharge their statutory obligations under the CDM Regulations, in addition to the Health and Safety Risk Assessment. Explain the workings of the CDM regulations and how these affect them as developers throughout the entire contract (i.e. demolition, new build and refurbishment). The clients duty in relation to the health and safety file (1) The client shall ensure that the CDM co-ordinator is provided with all the health and safety information in the clients possession (or which is reasonably obtainable) relating to the project which is likely to be needed for inclusion in the health and safety file, including information specified in regulation 4(9)(c) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006(a). (2) Where a single health and safety file relates to more than one project, site or structure, or where it includes other related information, the client shall ensure that the information relating to each site or structure can be easily identified. (3) The client shall take reasonable steps to ensure that after the construction phase the information in the health and safety file (a) is kept available for inspection by any person who may need it to comply with the relevant statutory provisions; and (b) is revised as often as may be appropriate to incorporate any relevant new information. (4) It shall be sufficient compliance with paragraph (3)(a) by a client who disposes of his entire interest in the structure if he delivers the health and safety file to the person who acquires his interest in it and ensures that he is aware of the nature and purpose of the file. In anticipation that a project comprising of demolition, alteration and refurbishment, will proceed based on your recommendation, advise on the scope and nature of the project team. This should include the timing and sequence of appointments. Designer/Architect Consultants To provide design of the architectural layout, featuring, what to be retained or demolished To provide detail information about the aesthetical features, design of lighting, furring and finishing to internal/external area. Professional Structural Engineer To provide structural calculation and analysis for the followings: Soil bearing capacity and foundation upgrading design Inspection to the substructure elements with remedial proposal Inspection to the superstructure elements with remedial proposal Temporary lateral support for foundation work Vertical/lateral support for the retention of faà §ade unit and/or structural elements 4. The Building Team Building is a group activity and its success depends on a good understanding and operation between a large number of people. The participants involved can be conveniently arranged into groups or teams according to their particular interest and /or involvement as follows:- 4.1 Client Team The client or the building owner has the responsibility for defining the building to suit needs, establishing and providing the necessary finances, agreeing design and construction phases, timetabling, and, of course, fulfilling the management and running of the completed project. A potential client must establish whether to build or not to build. Having decided that a new building is necessary to provide additional or alternative space, it is important that consideration is then given to when the space will be needed. Various problems are needed to be solved, such as: land acquisition, establishment of rights, development permits, planning permission, building approval, contractor selection and subsequent erection. Most building is undertaken from money made available in the form of a loan therefore, interest rates are important. In this respect, the government has direct influence and can use the building industry as a regulator for the economy of the country. Once the money becomes available for a building, the client will require speedy action for its design, construction and subsequent use so that the lost interest, which would have been gained through alternative financial investments, may be speedily recouped. The total cost of a building must include the professional fees of the Design Team which the client appoints. 4.2 User Team User Team forms a vital link between design concepts and built reality. An example of User Team is the advisory organization formed by the tenants of public housing. 4.3 Design Team There are a great many people in a Design Team who concerned with supplying the design expertise which will make a building possible. Principal Designers generally include architects, interior designers, and building surveyors. They are responsible for the overall design of the project. Architects design and prepare the production information for most building projects. They will also inspect the construction work on site. Interior Designers can also prepare design and production information for a building, and provide supervision of work, but, they may be specifically concerned with the interior of a building and need additional advisers in order to deal with all the design and construction processes involved in total building. Building Surveyors are sometimes responsible for the design and supervision of certain building work although they are more usually carry out surveys of structural soundness, condition of dilapidation or repair, alterations/extensions to existing buildings and market value of existing buildings. Specialist Designers include civil and structural engineers, services engineers, and those concerned with specific aspects of architecture, including landscape, interiors, office planning, etc. They provide expertise concerning certain aspects of a building and whose requirements are often coordinated by the Principal Designer. For example: HVAC Communications Drainage and plumbing Electrical Fire services Security systems Civil and Structural Engineers are employed to assist Principal Designers on building projects which contain appreciable quantities of structural work, such as reinforced concrete, complex steel or timber work, or foundations which are either complex or abnormal. Services Engineers work with other designers and are concerned with environmental control lighting, heating, air conditioning, and sound modulation; electrical installations, plumbing and waste-disposal systems; and mechanical services, such as lift installations and electrical conductors. Quantity Surveyors provide the cost control and financial advice to client, principal designers and specialist designers. They are responsible for preparing Bills of Quantities. Also, during the actual construction period for a project, he must measure and value the work carried out at regular (monthly) intervals and submit details to the overall financial administrator (usually the principal designer) for payments from client to contractor. They also advises on the use of sums of money listed in the Bill of Quantities for contingency or provisional items, the cost of making variations in areas originally described in the Bills or indicated on the drawings, and settlement of the final account for the finished project. Depending on the precise nature of a project, the combined cost of these professional fees will vary from between 12% and 20% of the final construction costs. 4.3 Research Team Researchers are those making understanding and development of current construction methods (materials and technical ability). The aim of the research is to discover facts by means of scientific study and, in matters concerning building, covers a very wide area of knowledge requiring controlled programming of critical investigation of chosen subjects. 4.4 Legislative Team They negotiate with the relevant authorities to clarify certain legal requirements. Building Ordinance Office, Planning Department, Fire Services Department, Highways Department, Urban Council, etc. On site management level, a builder has to ensure that the building site maintains safe and healthy conditions for employees, and that the general public should be adequately pro

Friday, September 20, 2019

Concept of Hope in Nursing Practice

Concept of Hope in Nursing Practice INTRODUCTION The aim of this assignment is to explore the definition and concept of hope in relation with nursing practice. It will also focus on the significance of hope in individuals who are suffering from chronic diseases such as cancer and AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). In addition, the obstacles which can arise while inspiring hope in clients and the problem solving methods which can help to manage the barriers will also be identified. Nurses have an important role to instill hope in the patient which can help the patient to create a positive feeling. Therefore, the significance of the concept of hope is considered as an important aspect of discussion in this assignment. DEFINIING THE CONCEPT Hope is a concept which helps the people to fulfill their life with expectation of good things. According to Holt (2000) hope is an essential but dynamic life force that grows out of faith in God, is supported by relationship, resources and work, and result in the energy necessary to work for a desired future. Hope gives meaning and happiness. The life is more worth when filled with hope. It has great influence in the sick people who are living in the darkness of hopelessness as it gives an optimistic point of view to their disease condition especially, in the patients who are suffering from malignant disease such as cancer and AIDS. Moreover, it has universal phenomenon as it can be seen each and every countries and cultures. Hopelessness can be distinguished from depression and particularly in relation to health. Nurses should focus on hope than on the lack or loss of hope. According to peoples belief that hope is vital to life and that everyone has hope. According to Farran (1995) hope has a power to deliver positive feeling related to good health such as subjective well being, good social and physical status, somatic health and healthy lifestyles. Hope is characterized in many ways as it involves feeling, thoughts, actions and relationship. According to Rustoen (1995) hope is not an enduring state, it is a varying phenomenon. Hope has no age limit, it can be offered to any age group even in child or in aged people. Individuals are able to make a distinction between hope and expectancy as relating to both positive and negative situations. Hope is considered as an emotion or feeling (Rustoen, 1995) which helps to cope with any difficult situation in their life. So, hope can be considered as an acceptable emotion as it provides beneficial effect on patients. Hope is very useful when it is goal oriented, especially in the areas of rehabilitation, recovery, or health promotion. Stephenson (1991) stated that hope is vital in every persons life, as it helps them t o work constantly to achieve their goal or manage their present situation. For example, the patient who is suffering from an incurable disease has a strong feeling of loss and emotional stress. In such situations, hope has an important role in begining positive thoughts and prepare them to co-operate with the treatment regimens (Hinds and Martin, 1988).Thus, hope assists in improving the quality of care. Stephenson (1991) further suggested that, to impart hope in someone there are three appraisals needed such as; firstly, it is important the situation of the individual, secondly, the situation should have a potential to be incongruent with an individuals goals and finally, the situation involves uncertainty (unexpected future). In addition, hope is related to ones emotional status. Davison and Simpson (2006) claimed that it is essential that over all emotion of a person is associated with the hope, because, an optimistic point of view is needed for the positive outcome. There are so me other factors which help to perceive hope. The studies supported that the support of the society, self respect and self esteem and spirituality and religious support which are required for maintaining hope during illness (Stephenson, 1991). Moreover, hope is important as it is focused on how people can endure and look forward to life for the best despite of the difficulties in their life. In nursing care, hope has specific importance because the injured/ill persons need special attention for the rapid recovery. RELEVANCE OF HOPE IN NURSING PRACTICE Hope has a great influence in patient care as it is closely connected with nurses and nursing care. To provide a good nursing care to the patient, nurses should have the qualities like patience, expectation, suffering and ability to adjust with the situation. Hinds and Martin (1999) stated hope as a cornerstone of the role of the nurse. Further, Travelbee (1971) identified the nurses role to sharing the experience of hope with the patients and avoid the feeling of hopelessness. Nurses cannot transform the hope into the patient unless they have it. In the literature by Moores (2005) it is illustrated that the nurses should have a high level of self awareness and have hope in themselves in order to inspire hope in the patients. Moreover, nurses should create an interpersonal relationship with the patient by good communication. This will help the patient to establish a feeling of comfort, care, trust and confidence. Turner (1981) stated that hope is closely interconnected with nurses ev eryday life as well as work environment. However, the term hope used was not clear and ambiguous and this concept was not acceptable in the patient with chronic illness or incurable condition. Therefore, it is essential to create positive attitude in patient for their better future. Nurses have a vital role to generate positive expectation in patients. According to Moore (2005) hope is considered to be a positive concept that can make a difference to peoples lives. In addition, it also presented as a center concept of nursing practice because, it is closely linked with patients experience and improvement. In nursing, hope is considered as an essential perception which helps the nurses to facilitate or continue in others. Moreover, by encouraging patients with hope, nurses can create a positive energy among patient who is suffering with chronic diseases such as cancer and AIDS. Cutcliffe and Grant (2000) stated that relationship between the function of caring activity of helping , an d practice instilling hope in continuing care of cognitively impaired old adults within a continuing care , as basis for suggesting that inspiring hope to clients is one of the primary acts of psychiatric or mental health nursing. Thus, hope helps the cognitively impaired patient to display the qualities of faith and hope as well as will to live and love. Mostly, patient with chronic disease like cancer may have no hope in their life and they leave everything for their destiny. Brumbach (1994) points out that hope is the key encouraging factor which helps patient to go further with expectations. It is difficult to sustain hopefulness in patient without emphasize the importance of hope repeatedly because hope is an active process not passive. So, it is important to make sure that the active participation of patient and the nurse. Furthermore, the main barriers which resist inspiring hope in nursing practice, such as lack of knowledge and communication skill, fear about the disease co ndition, lack of emotional stability and expectation and lack of awareness regarding the treatment regimens (Scanlon, 1989). All these reasons will affect emotional outlook of the nurse. Moreover, recognizing these obstacles will help to understand more about hope and facilitate to provide good care to the patient. Nurses need to give more effort and concern to the patients who are seriously ill. The total health care team is needed for the care of patients. In another word a total team spirit is needed to achieve a goal which is planned for the patient care. However, to achieve a central goal in nursing practice or care, some certain hindrance will occur and it can be overcome through good communication with patients and family members, listing to patients problems, trust full relationship between patients and provide appropriate knowledge regarding diagnosis and prognosis of the disease condition. CONCLUSION To sum up, the concept of hope is applicable in all spheres of life and helps in dealing with the problems and difficulties which make the life stressful. Hope is a light in the life of patient. It helps the individual to maintain the strength of the person. Also for the family who knows about the prognosis of the patient, they prepare their self emotionally and practically. Hope is a belief of them. Always hope for the best. This is a essential part of life and for the human being. In this concept, different authors have different views about the concept. Word Count: 1434

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Nietzsches Superman Essay -- essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Though when most people think of superheroes they think of the type with super powers, the original idea of the ‘superman’ was developed by Friedrich Nietzsche in the 1800s. The ubermensch (literally overman in German) never had extra-ordinary powers and wasn’t developed as the protector of man. Instead, the superman is a person who has overcome all the flaws of mankind and is essentially ‘perfect.’ This idea, though it was thought of as an ideal goal that all people should strive for, has almost completely been used for less-than-good agendas. The details of what Nietzsche’s superman is supposed to be and how that compares with how it was used to the advantage of many dictatorships and other oppressive leaders is amazing and in many ways disgusting. What Nietzsche tried to create with his idea of the superman was human perfection, but what it actually created was fuel for evil in the world.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) developed his idea of the superman after many years of studying and teaching philosophy. It was a culmination of many ideals that Nietzsche felt were the ideals a person should follow to lead a perfect life. The superman is essentially his own society, determining his own values, finding his own happiness, and finding joy in being the one to control all of this himself. He doesn’t believe in a God or a soul or an afterlife, and therefore makes the most out of his life since he has no one else’s morals to follow. One interesting aspect of Nietzsche’s superman is his lack of compassion for the weak. Nietzsche believed that any pity felt for the less-abled only hindered the growth of the superman. This is very much like survival of the fittest that has allowed animals to evolve into better and better creatures. Though it seems uncaring and thoughtless, in some sense the idea makes sense because the superman is a ty pe of evolution of man. Without the need to support the weak, the superman can rise above the common man and evolve into a greater being. These ideas are strictly philosophical and were most likely not meant to be used in the real world.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are many people and societies, however, who believed that Nietzsche’s writings should be followed strictly. These include Adolph Hitler, National Socialism, Fascism, and even the rock star Marilyn Manson... ... the highest virtue is to be true to yourself; sexuality must be included in a healthy, rounded life; the goal of life should be to find yourself; a high self-esteem is needed for good growth; the mind and body make up a single whole; you can't love someone else if you don't love yourself; and challenge yourself and don't live passively. These beliefs, especially in the last fifteen to twenty years, have shaped America and many other cultures into what they are today. Nietzsche was in some ways a very modern thinker and can be credited at a minimum with creating change in the world. His idea of the ubermensch was very revolutionary from the ideas at the time put forth by the Christian church and other facets of society. Though it seems extreme, many of the ideas about how the superman should be are built into the core of modern societies. None-the-less, men such as Hitler used his ideas against the rest of the world and caused much mayhem and destruction based on these ideas. It is hard to say whether Nietzsche’s idea of the superman had an overall positive or negative impact on the world, but it is for sure that society would not be where it is today if it were not for Nietzsche.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Dystopai Society :: essays research papers

The Government and Total Human Control   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In Ray Bradbury’s novel Fahrenheit 451, in George Orwell’s 1984, and in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World a unifying thread is present—the government must have total control of all aspects of society. It must control thought, it must control media, and it must control one’s usefulness to the totalitarian society.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In Fahrenheit 451, the government assumes total control by banning all books and other reading material. By banning and burning the contraband if necessary, the government can prevent philosophical thought. The government can also guarantee this by getting people to buy giant televisions, the size of walls, which play television sitcoms in which the family can star. Not only do the pointless programs discourage intellectual thought, but they also entertain the family enough so that the family has no reasons to read and/or think deeply about the meaning of the world around them.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In 1984, the government is a bit more lenient as they will let everyone read, but they edit all reading material so that the materials favor the Party. For the party, revising old articles and other media will ensure that no one will revolt since the rewritten material always favors the Party. Even if a proletariat were to revolt, the Party could eliminate his existence from all forms of media. The Party vaporizes people’s existence to a point where most people do not even think about the vaporized person. By always making sure written history is pro-Party, the Party can ensure its totalitarian government.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In A Brave New World, the government not only controls how one thinks, but it also controls one’s physical usefulness to his society. By genetically engineering one’s body, the government can make it infinitely useful to itself. To make that one body feel no pain, to make the soul feel like it belongs to the society, and to make the mind open to any ideas is a vital asset for this government. The people are not always worried about death and can always relax in this utopian society since other people pleasure them, and with a society of happy people, the government never fears a revolt.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  By controlling what an individual thinks, does, or feels, the government always prospers.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Mapping O’Connor’s “A Good Man is Hard to Find”

O’Connor, in response to her critics note that a certain amount of the significance â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find† lies in its utility in terms of teaching as well as in literary analysis.However, in relation to this aforementioned utility, O’Connor also notes that the text should not be reduced to â€Å"a problem to be solved† to the extent that it is treated as something which one evaporates in order â€Å"to get Instant Enlightenment† (Fitzgerald 23).In line with this, what follows is an analysis of the aforementioned text [O’Connor’s â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find†] which opts to minimize the amount of ‘evaporation’ of the text for the purpose of literary analysis.In this paper, I will focus on the locations which were specified within the text. The reasons for this are as follows: (1) locations specified within the text serve to foreshadow the events in the text and (2) locations specified within the text serve to augment the theme of the text.In reading the aforementioned text, one of the first things that may noticed in the text, itself is the realistic setting of the story. The story is set in the state of Georgia. In the opening scene, one is presented with a family from Atlanta quarrelling about their vacation plans. The quarrel stems from the grandmother’s opposition of the family’s decision to take their vacation in Florida.The reason for such an opposition lies in the highly probable perilous conditions in Florida itself since it has been reported that a convict which â€Å"calls himself The Misfit† is heading towards the same direction [that being Florida].It is important to note that during the matter of this quarrel, the reader is presented with the initial details of the family’s travel [vacation so to speak] and the mileage that they will cover which will later tie up with the other details in the later part of the story. What follows this is a scenic description of Georgia in the eyes of this family.In this description of the places which the family passes, it is interesting to note that the family chooses to have lunch in a place called Timothy in Georgia. What is of interest here is that as opposed to Stone Mountain, Jasper, and other places that they pass by there is no known specific location in Georgia called Timothy [known in the sense that it has a place in the map]. The question thereby arises as to O’Connor’s rationale for placing the location within the story.In answer to this Asals notes that this is due to the heretical status of this family. According to Asals, one may conceive of the location [Asals] as pertaining to the gospel of Timothy which discusses â€Å"the opposition of false doctrine; the organization of the church and establishment of ecclesiastical regulations; and exhortations which indicate how to be a good citizen and Christian† (76).The importance of such, in relation to the story, may be understood if one considers the heretical condition of the aforementioned family. The heretical condition is evident in the opposition of the grandmother’s carriage and her actions during the period of her youth.O’Connor, in this sense, may be seen as portraying the parallel between her characters who have left the tenets of Christian faith and Paul’s warning to those who commit such actions.Within this context, it is thereby possible to understand O’ Connor’s work [specifically the aforementioned text] as enabling a certain form of locationality which opts to counter the â€Å"rationalistic, materialistic, and humanistic thought† which pervaded during her time.This is best understood if one considers the aforementioned interpretation in relation to her warning [as to the evaporation resulting from â€Å"Instant Enlightenment†].Within this context, it is possible to posit that within a materialistic [in a sense on a world highly grounded on realism] the choice of the path in which one chooses has a direct effect on the meaningfulness of one’s earthly life [in the same manner in which The Misfit took hold of the family]Works CitedAsals, Frederick and Flannery O’Connor. A Good Man is Hard to Find. London: Rutgers, 1993.O’Connor, Flannery. â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find†. A Good Man is Hard to Find and Other Stories.Fitzgerald, Sally, ed. The Habit of Being: Letters of Flannery O’Connor. By Flannery O’Connor. New York: Farrar, 979.

Monday, September 16, 2019

How Many Licks Does It Take?

TOOTSIE ROLL POPS 1 How Many Licks Does it Take? Niklas Andersson Saginaw Valley State University of Michigan TOOTSIE ROLL POPS 2 Abstract Tootsie Roll Pops are known for the catch phrase, â€Å"How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop? † The phrase was first introduced in an animated commercial in 1970. The whole point of the commercial is that no one will ever know how many licks it takes because you can’t resist the great temptation of biting into the candy shell. To test this hypothesis correctly, you must stop counting the moment that the center becomes exposed.This study suggests that the flavor of the Tootsie Pop will be a participating factor. Are there any other factors at play? Will the world ever know how many licks it truly takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop? TOOTSIE ROLL POPS 3 Introduction When the first Tootsie Roll Pop commercial debuted, many men, women, and children have asked, â€Å"How many licks does it t ake to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop? † A Tootsie Roll Pop is similar to a sucker, but the difference is the middle.Inside, you will find a chewy chocolate center. There have been other experiments to determine the number of licks, but every other experiment seems to have different results. I have yet to find a credible study where every factor is at play. I will not be conducting this experiment with other participants, but with yours truly. My hypothesis for this experiment is that the number of licks is not different from each individual flavor. Method For this experiment I will be using the five popular flavors, chocolate, cherry, orange, grape, and raspberry.The sole purpose of this research is to systematically determine how many licks it takes to get to the center. The lick will be defined as sticking out the tongue and running the Tootsie Roll Pop down the side of the tongue. With saliva playing a crucial role, I will retract my tongue every ten licks. The ce nter is determined to have been reached when licking yields the texture of the Tootsie Roll. This eliminates any false positives as a result of bubbles in the candy, oddly textured regions, and seeing chocolate through the candy. I will be licking five of each flavor for a total of twenty-five Tootsie Roll Pops.For every Tootsie Roll Pop I finish, I will drink a cup of water and rest for fifteen minutes before proceeding. TOOTSIE ROLL POPS 4 Results The numbers you see on the graph are the average amount of licks for each flavor. Over 15,000 licks later, the results are staggering. The chocolate Tootsie Roll Pop took over twice as many licks than any other flavor. Orange, grape, and raspberry were a surprisingly tight bundle with an average of fifty licks apart. It appears cherry takes the least amount of licks to reach the center.The total average to reach the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop is 717 licks. FlavorsTrial 1Trial 2Trial 3Trial 4Trial 5Average Chocolate114011201055130011651 156 Cherry520555560535510536 Orange600690584570620613 Grape665630715640660662 Raspberry615580610665630620 TOOTSIE ROLL POPS 5 Discussion I did not expect the chocolate flavor would differentiate from the other flavors. The four other flavors are not far apart from each other. This leads me to believe that any dye or ingredient used for the chocolate flavored Tootsie Pops create a stronger shell or coating.Perhaps with an even larger sample size, the data will become more condensed or more stretched. I could continue this experiment, but I believe many other factors are at work here. Other possible areas of research include the effects of tongue size, saliva production, age, and gender. The data shown above is just the average for an eighteen year old male participant. What would happen if I included every possible factor to the experiment? TOOTSIE ROLL POPS 6 Works Cited Tootsie. (n. d. ). Retrieved from http://www. tootsie. com/

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Fredrick Douglas and Harriot Jacobs

CONTACT US | SITE GUIDE | SEARCH April 22, 2013 Freedom's Story Essays 1609-1865 The Varieties of Slave Labor How Slavery Affected African American Families Slave Resistance The Demise of Slavery Rooted in Africa, Raised in America Beyond the Written Document: Looking for Africa in African American Culture How to Read a Slave Narrative Frederick Douglass and Harriet Jacobs 1865-1917 Reconstruction and the Formerly Enslaved â€Å"Somewhere† in the Nadir of African American History, 1890-1920 Racial Uplift Ideology in the Era of â€Å"The Negro Problem† PigmentocracySegregation The Trickster in African American Literature 1917 and Beyond African American Protest Poetry The New Negro and the Black Image: From Booker T. Washington to Alain Locke The Image of Africa in the Literature of the Harlem Renaissance Jazz and the African American Literature Tradition The Civil Rights Movement: 1919-1960s The Civil Rights Movement: 1968-2008 Freedom’s Story is made possible by a grant from the Wachovia Foundation. Freedom’s Story Advisors and Staff Frederick Douglass and Harriet Jacobs: American Slave Narrators Lucinda MacKethanAlumni Distinguished Professor of English Emerita, North Carolina State University National Humanities Center Fellow  ©National Humanities Center Frederick Douglass During the last three decades of legal slavery in America, from the early 1830s to the end of the Civil War in 1865, African American writers perfected one of the nation’s first truly indigenous genres of written literature: the North American slave narrative. The genre achieves its most eloquent expression in Frederick Douglass’s 1845 Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: an American Slave and Harriet Jacobs’s 1861 Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl.Like all slave narratives, Jacobs’s and Douglass’s works embody the tension between the conflicting motives that generated autobiographies of slave life. An ironic fact or in the production of these accounts can be noted in the generic title â€Å"Fugitive Slave Narrative† often given to such works. The need to accomplish the form’s most important goal—an end to slavery—took narrators back to the world that had enslaved them, as they were called upon to provide accurate reproductions of both the places and the experiences of the past they had fled.White abolitionists urged slave writers to follow well-defined conventions and formulas to produce what they saw as one of the most potent propaganda weapons in their arsenal. They also insisted on adding their own authenticating endorsements to the slaves’ narrations through prefaces and introductions. Yet for the writers themselves, the opportunity to tell their stories constituted something more personal: a means to write an identity within a country that legally denied their right to exist as human beings.Working cautiously within the genre expectations developed by and for their white audiences, highly articulate African American writers such as Douglass and Jacobs found ways to individualize their narratives and to speak in their own voices in a quest for selfhood that had to be balanced against the aims and values of their audiences. (See also â€Å"How to Read a Slave Narrative† in Freedom's Story. ) Harriet Jacobs A comparison of the narratives of Douglass and Jacobs demonstrates the full range of demands and situations that slaves could experience.Some of the similarities in the two accounts are a result of the prescribed formats that governed the publication of their narratives. The fugitive or freed or â€Å"ex† slave narrators were expected to give accurate details of their experiences within bondage, emphasizing their sufferings under cruel masters and the strength of their will to free themselves. One of the most important elements that developed within the narratives was a â€Å"literacy† scene in which the narr ator explained how he or she came to be able to do something that proslavery writers often declared was impossible: to read and write.Authenticity was paramount, but readers also looked for excitement, usually provided through dramatic details of how the slave managed to escape from his/her owners. Slave narrators also needed to present their credentials as good Christians while testifying to the hypocrisy of their supposedly pious owners. Both Douglass and Jacobs included some version of all these required elements yet also injected personalized nuances that transformed the formulas for their own purposes.Some of the differences in the readership and reception of Jacobs’s 1861 narrative and Douglass’s first, 1845 autobiography (he wrote two more, in 1855 and 1881, the latter expanded in 1892) reflect simply the differing literary and political circumstances that prevailed at the Prescribed formats governed the publication of slave narratives. time of their constructio n and publication. When Douglass published his Narrative of the Life, the Abolitionist movement was beginning to gain political force, while the long-delayed publication of Jacobs’s Incidents in 1861 was overshadowed by the start of the Civil War.Douglass was a publicly acclaimed figure from almost the earliest days of his career as a speaker and then a writer. Harriet Jacobs, on the other hand, was never well-known. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl disappeared from notice soon after its publication, without a large sale, while Douglass’s first book went through nine editions in its first two years and eventually became the standard against which all other slave narratives—even his own later ones—are measured.Douglass’s 1845 narrative grew out of the story of enslavement that he honed as a speaker for the Massachusetts Antislavery Society. â€Å"Discovered† and hired to lecture on the abolitionist circuit by William Lloyd Garrison in 18 41, three years after he had made his escape from Baltimore, Douglass developed rhetorical devices common to sermons and orations and carried these over to his narrative, which abounds with examples of repetition, antithesis, and other classical persuasive strategies.His narrative was the culmination of Douglass based his narrative on the sermon. his speech-making career, reflecting his mastery of a powerful preaching style along with the rhythms and imagery of biblical texts that were familiar to his audiences. Douglass also reflected the Emersonian idealism so prominent in the 1840s, as he cast himself in the role of struggling hero asserting his individual moral principles in order to bring conscience to bear against the nation’s greatest evil.In addition, his story could be read as a classic male â€Å"initiation† myth, a tale which traced a youth’s growth from innocence to experience and from boyhood into successful manhood; for Douglass, the testing and jo urney motifs of this genre were revised to highlight the slave’s will to transform himself from human chattel into a free American citizen. Harriet Jacobs, on the other hand, began her narrative around 1853, after she had lived as a fugitive slave in the North for ten years.She began working privately on her narrative not long after Cornelia Grinnell Willis purchased her freedom and gave her secure employment as a Jacobs modeled her narrative on the sentimental or domestic novel. domestic servant in New York City. Jacobs’s manuscript, finished around four years later but not published for four more, reflects in part the style, tone, and plot of what has been called the sentimental or domestic novel, popular fiction of the mid-nineteenth century, written by and for women, that stressed home, family, womanly modesty, and marriage.In adapting her life story to this genre, Jacobs drew on women writers who were contemporaries and even friends, including well-known writers L ydia Maria Child and Fanny Fern (her employer’s sister in law), but she was also influenced by the popularity of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which appeared in 1851. Stowe’s genius lay in her ability to harness the romantic melodrama of the sentimental novel to a carefully orchestrated rhetorical attack against slavery, and no abolitionist writer in her wake could steer clear of the impact of her performance.Jacobs, and also Frederick Douglass in his second autobiography of 1855, took advantage of Stowe’s successful production of a work of fiction that could still lay claim to the authority of truth. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl did not fictionalize or even sensationalize any of the facts of Jacobs’s experience, yet its author, using pseudonyms for all of her â€Å"characters,† did create what William Andrews has called a â€Å"novelistic† discourse,1 including large segments of dialogue among characters. Jacobs used the devices of sentimental fiction to target the same white, female, middle-class, northern audiences who had been spellbound by Uncle Tom’s Cabin, yet her narrative also shows that she was unwilling to follow, and often subverted, the genre’s promotion of â€Å"true womanhood,† a code of behavior demanding that women remain virtuous, meek, and submissive, no matter what the personal cost.Gender considerations account not only for many of the differences in style and genre that we see in Douglass’s and Jacobs’s narratives, but also for the versions of slavery that they endured and the versions of authorship that they were able to shape for themselves in freedom. Douglass was a public speaker who could boldly self-fashion himself as hero of his own adventure. In his first narrative, he combined and equated the achievement of selfhood, manhood, freedom, and voice.The resulting lead character of his autobiography is a boy, and then a young man, who is robbed of family and community and who gains an identity not only through his escape from Baltimore to Massachusetts but through his Douglass focuses on the struggle to achieve manhood and freedom. Jacob focuses on sexual exploitation. ability to create himself through telling his story. Harriet Jacobs, on the other hand, was enmeshed in all the trappings of community, family, and domesticity.She was literally a â€Å"domestic† in her northern employment, as well as a slave mother with children to protect, and one from whom subservience was expected, whether slave or free. As Jacobs pointedly put it, â€Å"Slavery is bad for men, but it is far more terrible for women. † The overriding concern of Jacobs’s narrative was one that made her story especially problematic both for herself as author and for the women readers of her time.Because the major crisis of her life involved her master’s unrelenting, forced sexual attentions, the focus of Jacob s’s narrative is the sexual exploitation that she, as well as many other slave women, had to endure. For her, the question of how to address this â€Å"unmentionable† subject dominates the choices she delineates in her narrative—as woman slave and as woman author. Like Douglass, Jacobs was determined to fight to the death for her freedom.Yet while Douglass could show â€Å"how a slave became a man† in a physical fight with an overseer, Jacobs’s gender determined a different course. Pregnant with the child of a white lover of her own choosing, fifteen year old Jacobs reasoned (erroneously) that her condition would spur her licentious master to sell her and her child. Once she was a mother, with â€Å"ties to life,† as she called them, her concern for her children had to take precedence over her own self-interest. Thus throughout her narrative, Jacobs is looking not only for freedom but also for a secure home for her children.She might also lo ng for a husband, but her shameful early liaison, resulting in two children born â€Å"out of wedlock,† meant, as she notes with perhaps a dose of sarcasm, that her story ends â€Å"not, in the usual way, with marriage,† but â€Å"with freedom. † In this finale, she still mourns (even though her children were now grown) that she does not have â€Å"a home of my own. † Douglass’s 1845 narrative, conversely, ends with his standing as a speaker before an eager audience and feeling an exhilarating â€Å"degree of freedom. While Douglass’s and Jacobs’s lives might seem to have moved in different directions, it is nevertheless important not to miss the common will that their narratives proclaim. They never lost their determination to gain not only freedom from enslavement but also respect for their individual humanity and that of other bondsmen and women. Guiding Student Discussion Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American S lave (1845) is available, along with introductory material, at http://docsouth. nc. edu/neh/douglass/douglass. html Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl (1861) by Harriet Jacobs is available with introductory material at http://docsouth. unc. edu/fpn/jacobs/jacobs. html [+] Title page A fruitful place to begin a comparison of these two classic narratives is their title pages. What appears there reveals much about their authors’ strategies and visions. Douglass’s title is front and center, announcing his â€Å"Life† as an â€Å"American Slave. Given his clear affinity for â€Å"antithesis† (the juxtaposition and balancing of contrasting words and ideas), the words â€Å"Slave† and â€Å"American† placed up against one another dramatize his untenable position in the â€Å"home of the free. † Jacobs’s title immediately offers a contrast. It announces that this will be not the story of one person’s full life, but a selecti on of â€Å"incidents. † Students can think about what this selectivity on the part of the author might mean, with its intimation that she reserves the right to withhold as well as reveal information.Their titles alone can show students that both writers are making highly conscious decisions about self-presentation and narrative strategy. What do they make of the fact that Jacobs refers in her title to a â€Å"slave girl,† not an â€Å"American slave,† even though the voice that will be telling the story is unquestionably that of a woman who has survived a horrifying girlhood and identifies herself most often as a slave mother. Finally, one of the most important questions that both title pages raise concerns the claim â€Å"written by himself† and â€Å"written by herself. Many of the narratives attest to the slave’s authorship in this way, but why was such an announcement necessary? Is it believable, given all the prefatory matter by white sponso rs that accompanies the narratives? What power does the claim of being the â€Å"Writer† of one’s own story give to a slave author? [+] Title page Jacobs’s title page contains other references that raise the issue of gender contrast in relation to Douglass: she includes two quotations, one by the Old Testament prophet Isaiah, in which he exhorts â€Å"women† to rise up and hear his voice.The speaker of the second quotation is identified only as â€Å"A Woman of North Carolina,† who asserts that slavery is not only about â€Å"perpetual bondage† but about â€Å"degradation† (Jacobs’s italics). What might students make of these remarks, especially if they know that the author (who is not going to reveal her true name or identity anywhere in the narrative) is herself â€Å"a woman of North Carolina?The fact that the title page singles out â€Å"women† to be the hearers of a prophetic voice, and that just such a voice, iden tified as a woman’s, precedes Isaiah’s words, can help students see Jacobs manipulating her position through concealment and secrecy, as she will throughout her narrative. Students can begin to think about what â€Å"degradation† means, and whether it means different things for a man than for a woman who have been enslaved; they can also address matters of peaking, having a voice, and being forced into silence as these issues relate to men and women—in the mid-nineteenth century as well as in their own time. A particularly interesting gender comparison can be made of Douglass and Jacobs through examining the identical disguises that they wore as they maneuvered their way to freedom in southern port cities that were their homes (Baltimore and Edenton, NC, respectively). They each appeared in their city’s streets wearing the outfit of a merchant seaman.This costume enabled Douglass to board a boat and sail away to freedom. In Compare disguises. his f irst narrative, Douglass actually refused to give any details of his escape, insisting on his power, as narrator, to withhold or reveal information as he saw fit, so his sailor disguise emerged only in later versions of his story. 2 Jacobs, her face â€Å"blackened† with charcoal, wore her costume only long enough to walk through her town unrecognized on her way to her free grandmother’s house, where she was to spend seven years of hiding in a crawl space over a storage shed.Jacobs’s brief gender transformation through cross-dressing, followed by her long â€Å"retreat† into total physical concealment, is telling evidence of how differently an enslaved man and an enslaved woman responded to the challenges of their lives as slaves as well as autobiographers. By bringing together other specific scenes from each text, students can follow, for a time, what Anne G. Jones calls in her article (sited below) â€Å"the forking path of gendered binary oppositions. Do Douglass and Jacobs, in their lives and in the stylistic features of their writing, conform to our stereotypical expectations regarding how men and women respond, speak, and act? Jacobs is of necessity much more deeply concerned with her own family, with the community that surrounded her as a â€Å"town† slave, with the wellbeing of the children and grandmother who depended on her. Like most other women of her time, her life was more private, her sphere of action more limited to the home, her relationships with others more interdependent, less autonomous, than men’s.Douglass’s circumstances were as different as his gender; he had few family contacts, he lived on remote plantations as well as in a town, he was of a different â€Å"class† as well as gender from Jacobs. So which of the two slaves’ opportunities were related to gender, and which to time, place, class, or other forces? Beyond gender and circumstances, students can see the narratives of Jacobs and Douglass as remarkable works of both literature and history. In these arenas, what do the narratives show us when compared to other works of their time? Slave narratives and students. What do they tell us about life in our own time?Has an understanding of slavery from the perspective of the slave him/herself become irrelevant? Another way to study the narratives fruitfully is to see the many different expressive purposes they embody. They functioned in their own time as propaganda as well as autobiography, as Jeremiad as well as melodrama. In our time, can they bring the past alive in ways that invigorate students’ understanding of history? Can they show students how to imagine their own selfhood and circumstances through writing personal stories that takes them, through trials and struggles, on a journey to freedom and fulfillment?Can the slave narratives show students how to argue forcefully for what they believe in, how to attack major problems in their soci ety? Few writers illustrate better, through more powerful voices, the threat to as well as the promise of the American dream of freedom. This is perhaps the most important legacy they have left for students to ponder. Changing Approaches to the Study of the Narratives After the Civil War ended, the narratives written by fugitive slaves inevitably lost much of their attraction for most readers.As historians began to study the institution of slavery in the early twentieth century, they unfortunately tended to dismiss the slaves’ life writings as unreliable propaganda or as too heavily edited to be considered valid testimony from the slaves themselves. The most important of these early historians, Ulrich B. Phillips, indicated in his authoritative American Negro Slavery (1918) that the slaves’ narratives as sources were untrustworthy, biased accounts, and assessments such as his helped to keep them in relative obscurity until the 1950s.In 1948 Benjamin Quarles published t he first modern biography of Douglass, which was followed in 1950 by the first volume of what was ultimately a 5 volume work from Phillip Foner: Life and Writings of Frederick Douglass. These texts were part of the new consciousness that began the Civil Rights movement in the 1950s, and the black studies programs that followed in the 1960s and 70s brought about more re-evaluations asserting the centrality of the slave narratives to American literary history.In this new era, Douglass’s 1845 narrative, given its first full, modern publication in 1960, was considered the classic example of the genre. 3 Among historical studies, works such as John Blassingame’s The Slave Community: Plantation Life in Antebellum South used the fugitive slave narratives, Douglass’s works prominent among them, to provide much needed credibility for the slaves’ perspective on bondage and freedom.Ironically, Blassingame spurned Harriet Jacobs’s Incidents as unreliable prima rily because he found it to be too â€Å"melodramatic,† and he voiced suspicions that the narrative was the work of Jacobs’s friend and editor, Lydia Maria Child. In this dismissal of Jacobs’s authorship he ignored the fact that Child, in her introduction to Jacobs’s work, stressed that she had made only the most â€Å"trifling† editorial changes and that â€Å"both ideas and the language† were Jacobs’s own.Incidents began receiving new interest with a 1973 edition (published by Harcourt Brace). However, its complete recovery of as an authentic slave-authored account was not accomplished until historian Jean Fagin Yellin, through extensive archival research published in a 1981 article, proved the truth of Jacobs’s story as well as the painstaking process involved in her struggle to write and publish her book. 4 Yellin has continued to lead in the reclamation of Jacobs’s work, publishing her own Harvard University Press i n 1987.Beginning in the late 1970s, book-length studies began to stress the importance of the fugitive slave narratives, including prominently both Douglass’s and Jacobs’s, as literary works valuable not only as historical evidence but as life writing that employed a wide range of rhetorical and literary devices. Frances Smith Foster's Witnessing Slavery (1979), Robert B. Stepto's From Behind the Veil (1979), and two collections of essays—The Art of the Slave Narrative (edited by John Sekora and Darwin Turner in 1982) and The Slave's Narrative (edited by Charles T.Davis and Henry Louis Gates, Jr. , 1985)—provided the critical groundwork for bringing the slaves’ texts into the American literary canon. William S. McFeely’s 1991 definitive biography assured Douglass’s status as a major historical figure, as did Yellin’s biography of Jacobs, published in 2004. William L. Andrews's definitive To Tell a Free Story: The First Century of Afro-American Autobiography, 1760-1865 (1987) marked a significant new stage in the study of the written antebellum slave narrative.In a single, comprehensive book he traced the development of and changes in the form from its eighteenth century beginnings, offering closely detailed readings of individual texts, including particularly innovative analyses of Douglass’s first two autobiographies and Jacobs’s Incidents. By the late 1980s, as well, feminist critics following Jean Fagin Yellin’s lead, began to stress the value of Jacobs’s work in expressing the specific problems of women’s voice and experience, often contrasting her narrative’s structure and style, as well as her story, against Douglass’s masculinist vision in the 1845 Narrative. Important articles continue to appear, some of them gathered into collections such as Deborah Garfield and Rafia Zafar, eds. , Harriet Jacobs and Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl: New Criti cal Essays (1996), Eric Sundquist’s Frederick Douglass: New Literary and Historical Essays (1990), Andrews’s Critical Essays on Frederick Douglass (1991), and The Cambridge Companion to Frederick Douglass (2009)