The Sociological Theories Of Crime Essay - 1329 Words

Many people have different theories as to why crime exists. Some believe crime happens because of the individual’s culture, education (or lack there of), or even their race. Others believe crime is associated with whom we surround ourselves with. There are three sociological theories that suggest why crime happens in society; they are social learning theory, social control theory, and social reaction (labeling) theory. These theories suggest it is our relationships and social interactions that influence our behavior. Social Learning Theory The social learning theory states that criminal behavior is learned. Criminals learn their bad behaviors from close relationships they may have with criminal peers (Siegel Worrall, 2016). Children look up to their parents; they want to be just like them. So, if children grow up surround by crime, they think that it is both normal and acceptable, and it is likely that they will participate in criminal behavior when they are older. As a result of learning this behavior, it is passed down through generations and is never broken. This can also be learned from friendships people may have with negative influences. Young adults and children want to fit in with their peers, so if they are surrounded with those who commit crimes, they are probably going to do the same because â€Å"everyone is doing it†. Social Control Theory Social bonds in some cases can prevent people from committing a crime. However, if these bonds are broken, criminal behaviorShow MoreRelatedSimilarities and Differences in Sociological Theories of Crime890 Words   |  4 PagesSimilarities and Differences in Sociological Theories of Crime Walden University Similarities and Differences in Sociological Theories of Crime Sociological theories of crime contain a great deal of useful information in the understanding of criminal behavior. Sociological theories are very useful in the study of criminal behavior because unlike psychological and biological theories they are mostly macro level theories which attempt to explain rates of crime for a group or an area rather thanRead MoreSociological and Psychological Theories of Crime Causation1978 Words   |  8 PagesSociological and Psychological Theories of Crime Causation The aim of this essay is to compare, contrast and evaluate two sociological theories of crime causation and two psychological theories of crime causation. Sociological Theories of crime, Labelling and Structural Functionalism/ Strain. Howard Becker is a sociologist that is often credited with the development of the labelling theory. However the origins of this theory can be traced back to sociologists at the beginning of the twentieth centuryRead MoreThe Usefulness of Sociological Theories in Explaining Crime and the Control of Crime3045 Words   |  13 PagesUsefulness of Sociological Theories in Explaining Crime and the Control of Crime This paper seeks to explore the usefulness of Sociological Theories in explaining crime and whether in doing so there arises implications for probation practice. I shall begin by providing a brief explanation for the historical development of criminological thinking, starting with Classicism and moving onto Positivism both which lay the foundations for the development of sociological theories in theRead MoreMarxists theory to the sociological understanding of crime and deviance913 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿Assess the contribution of the Marxist theory to the sociological understanding of crime and deviance. (21 marks) Marxism is a macro/structural approach to society, meaning that it looks at the large-scale societal structure for answers about how society works and operates and explores crime and deviance in relation to classes within a capitalist society. Marxists claim that laws do not reflect a value consensus, instead laws and law enforcement benefits the rich (protection of private property)Read MoreLabelling Theories Contribution to the Sociological Understanding of Crime and Deviance1069 Words   |  5 PagesLabelling Theories Contribution to the Sociological Understanding of Crime and Deviance Becker is the main sociologist studying labelling theory on deviance, he argues that social groups create deviance by making the rules whose infraction constitutes deviance. Meaning acts only become deviant when observers perceive it and define it as deviant. An example of this would be the act of nudity, it is accepted in the bedroom between husband and wife or on a nudist campRead MoreCompare and contrast two main sociological theories of crime and deviance.1636 Words   |  7 Pagesthe two main sociological theories of crime and deviance. Deviance and crime are wide-ranging terms used by sociologists to refer to behavior that varies, in some way, from a social norm.  Cultural Norms are societys propensity towards certain ideals; their aversion from others; and their standard, ritualistic practices. Essentially the norm is a summation of typical activities and beliefs of group of people.  This essay will evaluate the sociological theories associated with crime and devianceRead MoreWhy Should People Commit Crime And Labeling Theory From A Sociological Perspective1743 Words   |  7 Pagesare two theories that are in debate, anomie-strain theory, and labeling theory. In this essay, I am going to compare and contrast the two theories and explain how tattooing has become a stigma in today s society. I am going to discuss three similarity views; first they share ties with social strain in deviance, by the way, society is structured. Second, they both deal with crime among minority group as well as crime rates in the Un ited States. Third, both anomie-strain and labeling theory focus onRead MoreTheories on Crime1253 Words   |  5 PagesTheories on Crime: The field of criminology is basically described as the study of crime through which the causes, prevention, and correction of offenses are examined. While this process can be extremely difficult, especially for students, the analysis of the causes of crime is significant to sociology and criminology. The difficulties associated with the study of crime originate from the numerous challenges in developing theories that explain human behavior. In relation to crime, human behaviorRead Moretheories on crime comparison1138 Words   |  5 Pages Theories on Crime Comparison AJS 542 October 14, 2013 Professor Packer Theories on Crime Comparison Every individual is different from the next. The same goes for crime. Society recognizes the multiple types of crimes that exist in society because of this, theorists identify different levels why these crimes exist. This paper will provide information on sociological theory including the relationship between personality and criminal behavior according to sociological theory. AlsoRead MoreWhy do individuals commit crimes?1381 Words   |  6 PagesTHEORIES OF CRIME Uka 5 THEORIES OF CRIME Uka 6 Can I Have Some Theory With That Crime? Why do individuals commit crimes? Society today is very well concerned with this matter. In todays time, there are psychologists, criminologists, biologists, and sociologists searching for an answer. In reality, the answer to this question is very hard to find out. However, for centuries, researchers of all kinds have been persistent in analyzing criminals for an answer. The scholarly attention to crime from

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde - 1407 Words

Wilde’s ‘The Importance Of Being Earnest’ explores various themes of love and marriage, especially in Act 1, where marriage in Victorian society is widely contradicted as a ‘very pleasant state,’ instead using various comedic devises, such as puns, double entendres and inversions to mock its virtue and morality. Wilde creates comedy through the presentation of Victorian views on the functionality of marriage, ridiculing it as a social tool. The fact that Victorian society does not value the ‘love’ and romance of marriage is witnessed from the exposition, where Algernon’s mockery of social constraints is shown through his statements of â€Å"is marriage so demoralizing as that?† and â€Å"I really don’t see anything romantic in proposing.† This cynical view creates vast amounts of disorder as Algernon’s desire to escape his responsibilities clearly overrides his desire to settle down. This is illustrated through his view that â€Å"the very essence of romance is uncertainty† and therefore, perhaps, Victorian ideals, which dictate marriage to be a conventional source of gain, are not suited towards his anti-realist nature. Within his refusal to follow social conventions of the Victorian era, whereby courtship is typically functional rather than romantic, Wilde mocks the superficial tendencies of marriage as a social tool, as is displayed through the proposal that marriage is â€Å"demoralizing.† This not only conveys the concept of futility in marriage and loss of hope for a future that is notShow MoreRelatedThe Importance Of Being Earnest By Oscar Wilde707 Words   |  3 PagesWebsters dictionary defines earnest as â€Å"characterized by or proceeding from an intense and serious state of mind. Which can be considered a pun since thought this play we see the characters being more apathetic. The Importance of Being Earnest is the story of Jack Worthing is the main character and the protagonist of this play. He is a well of business man who lives in the country and is very well respected there. But Jack has a secret he lives another in the city of London where he claims to goRead MoreThe Importance Of Being Earnest By Oscar Wilde1750 Words   |  7 PagesHidden Symbols in The Importance of Being Earnest The Importance of Being Earnest written by Oscar Wilde takes place in 1895 and exposes the hypocritical social expectations of the end of the Victorian era. During the Victorian period, marriage was about protecting your resources and keeping socially unacceptable impulses under control. The play undeniable reveals and focuses satire around differences between the behaviors of the upper class and that of the lower class. Oscar Wilde uses comedic symbolismRead MoreThe Importance Of Being Earnest By Oscar Wilde913 Words   |  4 Pagesmake them known. This concept has come to be the brick and mortar of the wry play The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde The significance of the notion of being earnest is contradicted in the play, through Wilde’s clever use of words, characters digression of societal normalcy, and triviality of Victorian concepts. Cynical character Algernon asserts that women of Victorian society reinforce the importance of orderly money as a type of social contract. On page 3, it is quickly established theRead MoreThe Importance Of Being Earnest By Oscar Wilde773 Words   |  4 PagesIn the play by Oscar Wilde â€Å"The Importance of Being Earnest†, Wilde takes a comedic stance on a melodrama, portraying the duplicity of Victorian traditions and social values as the modernism of the twentieth century begins to emerge. The idea of the play revolves around its title of the characters discovering the importance of being earnest to their individual preferences. The author uses the traditional efforts of finding a marriage partner to illustrate the conflicting pressure of Victorian valuesRead MoreThe Impor tance Of Being Earnest By Oscar Wilde975 Words   |  4 PagesThe Importance of Being Earnest is a play written by Oscar Wilde about a man named Jack who lies about his identity and ends up creating huge confusion about who he really is. The biggest notion that appears throughout the play is about character. There are many instances where the characters of the play lie about their identities and pretend to be people they are not. Oscar Wilde does this throughout the play in order to explain how one’s identity can be made up. One is not born with an identity;Read MoreThe Importance Of Being Earnest By Oscar Wilde1318 Words   |  6 PagesSocial Status in Persuasion and The Importance of Being Earnest Social status refers to a person s position or importance within a society. I have done some research and have acquired information over the way social status is addressed in both the writings of Jane Austen and Oscar Wilde. In the novel Persuasion we can see how the characters go beyond their means to uphold their title and social value. In the play The Importance of Being Earnest we can see how the social rank and wealth of a personRead MoreThe Importance Of Being Earnest By Oscar Wilde1293 Words   |  6 Pagescarrying yourself, many of which was not the must enjoyable of ways and lacked some fun that many need in their life. This forced many to split their Public life from the Private one. Written in the Victorian Era, the works of The importance of being earnest by Oscar Wilde, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson ,and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley displays how the characters need to keep be kept their Private lives separate from their Public lives in order to fi t into their strict VictorianRead MoreThe Importance Of Being Earnest By Oscar Wilde1364 Words   |  6 PagesIn order to fully understand the meaning of â€Å"The Importance of Being Earnest† and its importance in its time, one must look at Oscar Wilde’s background in relation to the Victorian time period. Biography.com states that Wilde had a very social life, growing up among influential Victorians and intellectuals of the time. As he grew older and became a successful writer, he began engaging in homosexual affairs which was a crime during the 19th century. He eventually started a relationship with AlfredRead MoreThe Importance Of Being Earnest By Oscar Wilde1382 Words   |  6 Pagesappeared to be strict. The Importance of Being Earnest, by Oscar Wilde, a nineteenth century author who was one of the most acclaimed playwrights of his day, is a play set in the Victorian time period that demonstrates how trivial telling the truth was. Different characters through out Wilde’s play establish their dishonestly through hiding who they really are and pretending to be someone whom they are not. In an essay titled â€Å"From ‘Oscar Wilde’s Game of Being Earnest,’† Tirthankar Bose describesRead MoreThe Importance Of Being Earnest By Oscar Wilde1243 Words   |  5 Pagesexuberant nonconformist and controversial playwright, eminent author Oscar Wilde produced critically acclaimed literary works that defined the essence of late Victorian England. Posthumously recognized for his only novel The Picture of Dorian Gray and satiric comedy The Importance of Being Earnest, Wilde initially acquired criticism for his immoral and unconventional style of writing. Additionally, to his dismay, strife followed Wilde in his personal life as he was notoriously tried and incarcerated

Hamlet Act Iii Climax free essay sample

In The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark Shakespeare uses personification, allusion, and a rhetorical question to advocate that the climatic moment of Act III is when King Claudius admits to the murder of King Hamlet because, by definition, it is the act that turns the action of the scene around, leading toward an inevitable conclusion. Shakespeare uses personification when King Claudius says that â€Å"[his] offense is rank, it smells to heaven† (line 36). Claudius’ guilt of killing his very own brother, King Hamlet, is constantly on his conscious, which is why he gives the â€Å"offense† the trait of a rank smell, something whose presence is constant and putrid. The purpose of personifying Claudius’ â€Å"offense† to have a smell that reaches to heaven is because Claudius is aware that heaven is where King Hamlet’s spirit lies due to his own fault, and his admit to the murder will drive the scene to an inevitable conclusion because he has released key information to a driving mystery in the plot line. We will write a custom essay sample on Hamlet Act Iii Climax or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Shakespeare makes a biblical allusion to Abel and Cain in lines 37-38 of the play when Claudius says that his â€Å"offense [†¦] hath the primal eldest curse upon’t, / A brother’s murder! †. Shakespeare is atoning that murder is never outdated; no matter the era or the place, the murder of a brother by a brother is never acceptable in the eyes of society or God. This allusion purposefully informs us that King Claudius did kill his brother, King Hamlet, as a warning that falling action concerning Claudius’ unforgivable acts is to proceed. Claudius rhetorically asks, â€Å"O, what form of prayer / Can serve my turn? † (lines 51-52). Claudius’ asks this with the knowledge that there is no form of prayer that would serve his turn because his acts were unforgivable and he must face the consequences for them. Rhetorical questions are always immediately answered, whether directly or indirectly, and King Claudius’ question is consequently to be answered via the falling action that is to proceed after his soliloquy. In King Claudius’ soliloquy in Act III he admits to the murder of his own brother, the late King Hamlet, while also admitting that it is unforgivable, giving the act nowhere else to turn, but to conclusive consequences to King Claudius’ faulty actions.

Tennessee 2002 free essay sample

This paper discusses the issue of tax cuts the State of Tennessee faced in the year 2002. The following paper examines the issue of income tax for Tennessee in recent years. The writer discusses the split in opinions about the income tax rate and the many varied views about how it should be implemented. This paper suggests a restructuring of the tax system by politicians and legislators. It is true that Tennessee in the recent years have experienced shortage in the work force, especially the well-trained work force that is the most critical factor for a sustained economic growth. Education is the single most decisive factor and a skilled and well-trained work force is essential for growth. The need for a quality research university helps to break new technological innovations, which further help, in bringing new companies and well-paying jobs. Tennesseans realize that government is an essential partner if they hope to achieve these things. We will write a custom essay sample on Tennessee 2002 or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The irony of the present situation is that before the State fall in the late 90s, the State was among the top earning in the union and boasted a triple A bond rating and was among the most well managed states in the union. There are concrete reasons for opposing the income tax, instead of putting more burdens by punishing the work and hard earned with income tax it makes sense to let the work but rewarding by giving some tax relief to the people.

Stranger Of Camus Essays - Absurdist Fiction, The Stranger

Stranger Of Camus In The Stranger, as in all Camus' works, Camus' views on freedom and death ? one dependent on the other ? are major themes. For Camus, freedom arises in awareness of one's life, the every-moment life, an intense glorious life that needs no redeeming, no regrets, no tears. Death is unjustifiable, absurd; it is but a reintegration into the cosmos for a "free" man. Until a person reaches this awareness, life, like death, is absurd, and indeed, generically, life remains absurd, though each individual's life can be valuable and meaningful to him. In a sense, The Stranger is a parable of Camus' philosophy, with emphasis on that which is required for freedom. Meursault, hero of The Stranger, is not a person one would be apt to meet in reality in this respect; Meursault does not achieve the awakening of consciousness, so essential to freedom and to living Camus' philosophy until the very end of the book, yet he has lived his entire life in according with the morality of Camus' philosophy. His equivalent in the Christian philosophy would be an irreligious person whose homeland has never encountered Christianity who, upon having it explained by a missionary, realizes he has never sinned. What is the morality, the qualities necessary for freedom, which Meursault manifested? First, the ruling trait of his character is his passion for the absolute truth. While in Meursault this takes the form of a truth of being and feeling, it is still the truth necessary to the conquest of the self or of the world. This passion is so profound that it obtains even when denying it might save his life. Second, and not unrelated to the first, is Meursault's acceptance of nature as what it is and nothing more, his rejection of the supernatural, including any god. Actually, "rejection" of God is not accurate until later when he is challenged to accept the concept; Meursault simply has never considered God and religion worthwhile pursuing. The natural makes sense; the supernatural doesn't. It follows that death to Meursault also is what it is naturally; the end of life, cessation, and that is all. Third, and logically following, Meursault lives entirely in the present. The past is past and dwelling upon it in any mood is simply a waste of the present. As to the future, the ultimate future is death; to sacrifice the present to the future is equivalent to sacrificing life to death. Finally and obviously, since the present is his sole milieu, Meursault takes note of each moment of life; since there is no outside value system, no complex future plan, to measure against, and as a result of his passion for truth and consequently justice, he grants every moment equal importance. One moment may be more pleasurable than another, one boring, one mundane, each receives "equal time" in his narration of his life. Meursault has one failing trait, a direct and logical result of his unconsciousness of his own view of life and philosophy of living, indifference. Perhaps because his way of life and thinking seem so natural to him, he has never considered their roots, has never confronted the absurdity of death, with the consequent recognition of the value of his life. Out of indifference he fails to question and thereby errs out of indifference he links forces with violence and death, rather than with love and life. As a result of indifference, he kills a man. Meursault kills a man and is brought to trial. But in truth he is not tried for murder, nor for his error, he is tried for his virtue. Here Camus shows how many men fear the absurd, refuse ? not to accept it ? to confront it at all. Instead they make compromises with it, grant it importance and supernatural meaning, and live for it. The result is lives built on sham, hypocrisy, paper scaffolding. The natural man, the man of truth and reality, can only threaten their authority, the very fragile web of their lives, that is, his very existence may force them to see through themselves. It is for this that they condemn Meursault to death. Faced with the guillotine, Meursault is forced to confront death, his own death. Through the horror and desperation, he discovers absurdity, the inevitability and injustice of death, the meaninglessness of it, the unimportance. All this has been implicit in Meursault. Now it is conscious. Now Meursault is on the verge of true freedom. The intrusion into his cell of the prison chaplain precipitates Meursault's achievement

Missing Hyphens

Missing Hyphens Missing Hyphens Missing Hyphens By Mark Nichol 1. â€Å"He’s a world class sexist.† As written, this sentence states that the person referred to in the subject is a class sexist (whatever that is) of the world variety (whatever that means). The simple insertion of a hyphen between the two words preceding the noun sexist signals that together, they describe what kind of sexist the person is: â€Å"He’s a world-class sexist.† 2. â€Å"The project exemplifies his wheeling and dealing ways.† Without commas, this sentence reads as if it is discussing two characteristics of the person in question: his wheeling and his dealing ways, but it pertains to his ways of wheeling and dealing, so the words in that phrase must be linked with hyphens to clarify their unity: â€Å"The project exemplifies his wheeling-and-dealing ways.† 3. â€Å"She claims she did it in self defense.† Most adjectival phrases, like â€Å"world class,† are hyphenated before the noun they modify but are open compounds when they follow a noun or stand on their own, though there are exceptions in both cases. Phrases beginning with self, however, are anomalous. Hyphenate them always, as in â€Å"She took a self-defense class,† and here: â€Å"She claims she did it in self-defense.† 4. â€Å"Smith accused Jones of a coverup.† Style for compound words that consist of a preposition and another word are maddeningly inconsistent. Those ending with the word up, for example, haphazardly include or omit a hyphen and it’s not easy to guess, based on appearance, which form is correct. For example, buildup and markup would seem to merit hyphens, but they’re closed. Meanwhile, cover-up is hyphenated (as is runner-up). When in doubt, look up the word. The sample sentence here should read, â€Å"Smith accused Jones of a cover-up.† 5. â€Å"It’s a byproduct of our times.† By-product is one of a handful of noun/noun compounds that retains a hyphen: â€Å"It’s a by-product of our times.† This type of error is the hardest to catch, because it relies on prior knowledge of the few exceptions to the rule that a noun/noun compound is either open or closed (which provides a challenge in itself). The best solution is to read high-quality content, which is likely to treat such constructions correctly but not everyone has the aptitude for retaining information like this. (That’s why we have editors.) Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Punctuation category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Definitely use "the" or "a"The Writing ProcessI wish I were...

Nursing Health Assessment Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Nursing Health Assessment - Case Study Example Basically, the diagnosis and potential nursing intervention in this patient would be achieved through the nursing process that involves a systematic process of deduction based on knowledge. The information and findings in this patient thus would need to be collected, analysed, and validated through this process to reach a nursing diagnosis that sets the basement of the management of the patient (Jarvis, 1999, 23-75). The objective of such assessment process is to collect information regarding the client's health status in order to identify deviations from normal in order to pinpoint actual problem and the risk it poses to the patient's future health (Bickley & Szilagyi, 2003, 31-46). History: The health history is the subjective database for the assessment. Health history also serves to set up the nurse-patient relationship. I started taking the history from the patient. Since the patient is a relative, I needed no introduction. The purpose had to kept in mind while doing this, since this process not only provides information regarding actual and potential health problems, but it is also a tool to recognize the patient's supports and strengths, a medium to identify the needs and necessity for collaborative care (Fuller & Schaller-Ayers, 2000, 53-81). Elements in History: The patient's identification demograp... As much as information in relation to the patient's life style and activities of daily living were attempted to be extracted. The target was to explore in depth the health profile of the person in question (Jarvis, 1999, 79-102). It began from the past history of this patient, starting right from the childhood. This patient had no major childhood illness as far as he remembers. He had no surgeries. Of late, he is having trouble with similar problems of exacerbated cough, fever, respiratory distress, and for this reason he had been hospitalized for several times. He has no other medical problems known to him or does not recollect any other diagnosis for his ailments that had been told by his primary care physician. He has no known allergies to medications, and he has a list of medications that as far as he remembers are azithromycin and aerosol salbutamol inhalers for regular use. He has not been traveling recently, and he was never in the military service. His family history is not s uggestive of any congenital diseases or diseases of familial origin. In the section of social history, he admits that he is smoker for quite a few years. His few attempts as quitting smoking have failed, and he has no plans to quit in the near future. His drinking habit is also from his teens, and he rates himself as a moderate drinker. He thinks there are no adverse effects from his drinking habit, and he finds no reason to think about abstaining from it. The patient has a supportive family, and he finds strength in the family. At present he seeks care due to his exacerbation of symptoms of chronic cough with difficulty breathing. Of late, he is observing that the frequency of such events is increasing. This history

Organizational Behavior Forces Discussion Term Paper

Organizational Behavior Forces Discussion - Term Paper Example Ikon had incurred a loss of $94 million because of restructuring. The resulting effect on the organization was enhancing the communication system that would enable organizational learning and also clarify accountability of results (Abstracts, 2010). Organizational mission- The aim of Great Lakes Landscaping is to provide total satisfaction through its services. The company tries to attain top results from its performance. This mission serves as the driving force behind its organization behavioral activities. This is demonstrated by the company’s focus on the development of a highly trained staff and maximizing the expertise in their respective fields (Great Lakes Landscaping, 2008). Similarly, the mission of capital One Financial Corp is lending the best possible of financial services to its customers. A wide of variety of service has been designed considering this mission. Fiscal Policies- External factors like fiscal policies greatly affect the way companies operate. This is most relevant for companies like Ikon. Fiscal policies would mean injection of money in the economy where individual incomes would also be high. Thus, people would be in a better position to buy luxury items. Thus fiscal policies influence the decision making in organizations. The price strategies are determined by the decision making. ... The rates of interest in the market, the purchasing power of consumers, etc would influence their strategies. During recession, a number of companies were seen to alter their interest rates to lend more support to the consumers. However, during times of prosperity their competitive strategies remain different. Also, during recession, employees are faced with a lot of insecurity and instability. During these times, the management is required to focus on greater security of employees. Employee relations are given greater priority. Economic factors influence the designing of pricing structures of Great Lakes Landscaping in order to remain competitive in the market. The price structure not only determines the competitive position of the company but helps in retaining and maintaining a constant customer base. The company goes out of its way to demonstrate how investments can be minimized and results can be maximized (Great Lakes Landscaping, 2008). Customer demands- Consumer demands would play a major role for a company like Starkey. This is because the product is very demand specific. It is very crucial that the company makes a thorough analysis of the market conditions, like the demand in the market for such products or the population demographics. An ageing population would necessarily mean that there would be a greater demand for hearing aids in the market. It also holds true for a company like Great Lakes Landscape. It would depend on consumer awareness about the society’s environment. Globalization- globalizations and communication has made the availability of foreign product more easily accessible to consumers in different countries. Goods and services can also now be available at cheap prices. The price of a product produced by Ikon would

Calgon Water Softeners Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Calgon Water Softeners - Essay Example Johann A. Benckiser set up a chemical business ten years later to Colman setting up his business and the two companies became rivals for two centuries. Isaac Reckitt in around 1840 also setup a company that dealt in starch, polish, washing blue and other household products. His company went international within forty years. Colman and Reckitt merged in 1938 and formed Reckitt & Colman Ltd. Reckitt Benckiser is divided into two sections, the fabric care and surface care. The fabric care deals with products such as water softeners, pre wash treatment products, easy ironing aids, fabric softeners, etc. The Surface care section deals with all types of surface products like specialty cleaners, lavatory cleaners, surface polish, etc. Water containing high quantities of magnesium, calcium and other dissolved minerals is called hard water; hard water leaves layers of mineral deposits on surfaces that come in contact with it this deposit is generally termed as "limescale". It reduces the cleansing power of soap. "Water is described as "hard" when it contains too much calcium. This can be a problem, because the calcium prevents soap from lathering properly, and it also clogs up pipes" (Thomas 19). Due to this nature of hard water it causes failure of detergent to foam which reduces the performance of the detergent and initiates use of more detergent. The limescale gets deposited on the fabrics and it makes the fabric feel rough and due to this the cloth looses its natural suppleness thus leaving the fabric rough and uncomfortable. It also leaves deposits on the inner surface of washing machine pipes which causes failure of the equipment and shortened overall life. A chemical that reduces the hardness of water is called a water softener; these chemicals reduce the quantities of dissolved magnesium, calcium and to some extent the ferrous iron and manganese concentration in hard water thus softening it and the most common water softener is sodium carbonate. "Calgon has a unique formulation with active ingredients being polycarboxylates which softens hard water, preventing limescale from forming in the first place" (Calgon Water Softener). These ions that cause hardness in water cause three kinds of major problems. As mentioned above these ions react with the components present in soaps and detergents affecting the performance of the detergents, they form precipitates and hinder the detergents in forming lather. Other than this the second point is magnesium and calcium carbonates precipitate as hard deposits on heat exchanger surfaces and pipe surfaces. This is fundamentally caused either due to the thermal decomposition of the ions of bicarbonates or even in their absence. Due to this deposition the flow of water is restricted in the pipes. The flow of heat into water is also affected due to these deposits in boilers because they act as insulation, which overheats the components of the boiler and therefore reduces the heating efficiency. This results in the failure of the boiler in a pressurized system. "Calgon has the property of holding calcium and magnesium salts in solution, even when boiling" (Anchell 20). The third point is if the ions are present in the electrolyte which happens in this case, it may result in galvanic corrosion of hard water when one metal is corroded by another when it comes into contact, especially

Global Businesses Cultural Analysis In Japan

Global Businesses Cultural Analysis In Japan This paper is a global business cultural analysis of Japan. The Japanese culture (communication and customs) is very complex. In order to show how the United States should conduct international business with Japan, this paper answers four research questions. First, what are the major elements and dimensions of culture in Japan? The seven major elements and dimensions discussed are communication, languages, religion, ethics, values and attitudes, manners and customs, and social structures. Secondly, how are these elements and dimensions integrated by indigenous people conducting business in Japan? Thirdly, how do these elements compare with United States culture and business? Lastly, what are the implications for United States businesses that wish to conduct business with Japan? If Businesses wish to do business with Japan, they must first understand the major elements and dimensions of Japanese culture along with its impact on how the Japanese conduct their business. If businesses fail to understand and make appropriate adjustments, they may unwittingly offend Japanese sensibilities and fail in their pursuits. Therefore, this paper will discuss these elements and dimensions, along with their impact on Japanese businesses. Furthermore, these critical factors will be compared to the United States business culture and identify appropriate adjustments, which must be made. However, prior to discussing these matters, it is prudent to consider the historical macro-cross-cultural relationships between Japan and the United States. Although Japan has an extensive and interesting history, for the purposes of this paper, the first significant milestone is that the Tokugawa Shogunate brought political stability to Japan in 1603. Subsequently, Japan was not influenced by foreign countries and its culture flourished in isolation. However, when her ports were opened to trade with the United States in 1854, Japan began to modernize and industrialize . Eventually, the country became a regional power. Seeking further domination in the Pacific, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, making United States Japans enemy. Rather than subjugating Japan, after her defeat, the United States helped her rebuild. Therefore, Japan recovered, became an ally of the United States, and remains an economic power today (Japan, 2010). What are the major elements and dimensions of culture in this region? Communication in Japan is very complex. Spoken words can have several meanings; therefore, both verbal and non-verbal communication is important to understand. Context is important part of understanding what the meaning of what is said. Non-verbal communication is important since verbal communication can be interpreted in so many ways. The smallest expression can change the meaning of what is being said. For instance frowning while someone is speaking can be interpreted as disagreement (Japan-Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette, 2004). Japan is considered to be a high-context country. This affects the way that the Japanese communicate. Information is conveyed indirectly and silence is considered a mark of maturity (Cooper-Chen Tanaka, 2008). Japanese is the predominate language spoken in Japan. However there are many other languages and dialects spoken in Japan. As the foreign and indigenous minority populations increase, so does the number of other languages spoken. Some of the other major languages spoken are Ainu, Ryukyuan, Chinese, English, and Korean. Ainu and Ryukyuan are indigenous languages that are spoken in different regions of Japan, while the other languages listed are mainly spoken by immigrants (Maher, 1997). English is a secondary language, spoken by many educated Japanese. English is studied in many Japanese secondary schools and in higher education. There are between 40 to 50 international schools in Japan that instruct in English. The historical notion of a language model (usually British or American) has declined considerably in recent years. Multi-accented English, including Asian Englishes, is increasingly acceptable (Maher, 1997). Shinto is the ancient native religion of Japan. The origins of Shinto cannot be traced because it was transmitted orally until writing was introduced by the Chinese in the fifth century. The Japanese worshiped forces and forms of nature. Shinto has many deities with no supreme deity. The Shinto shrine is a simple wooden building that houses an object that is believed to be the dwelling place of the Kami. As Buddhism entered Japan, Shinto was influenced and the shrines became more elaborate. Shinto is still widely practiced in a form that is influenced by Buddhism and Confucianism. The present form of Shinto is less like a traditional religion and more observed in festivals, traditional ceremonies, and customs. The disestablishment of state Shinto came after the countrys defeat in World War II. The present-day Shinto religion has no dogmatic system or any code of morals. The philosophies of newer sects stress world peace and brotherhood (Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 2009) Another major religion in Japan is Buddhism. Buddhism entered Japan in the 6th century A.D. (Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 2009). Buddhism originated in India about 2500 years ago. It was started when Siddhartha Gotama, now known as Buddha, was said to be awakened. Buddhisms basic concepts of faith are the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. Buddhist do not believe in any deity. The goal of Buddhism is nirvana, which means cessation. Buddhist believe that to become enlightened the human spirit must be free of the struggle to prove our existence to the world and therefore be free of reincarnation (Buddhism, 2010). 84 % of the Japanese citizens claim to be following both Shinto and Buddhism, but many only practice during the New Year, weddings, or funerals (Taylor, 2008, p. 33). Traditionally the Japanese ring out the old year at Buddhist temples. Buddhism in Japan is often called funeral Buddhism, because the Japanese have traditionally held Buddhist funerals. Buddhist priest fear that Buddhism in Japan will soon die out (Onishi, 2008). Japanese ethics is mainly influenced by Shintoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. The Japanese believe in an ideal human equality. They respect those who work hard to better the Japanese society as a whole and put a lot of emphasis on the importance of the group. Long-term and give-and-take relationships are important to the Japanese for a harmonious society. It is important to the Japanese to work together and help the fellow man. Each person must learn how to rely on each other and support others (Japan, 2003). Before conducting business in Japan it is important to understand some basic values and attitudes. Since the Japanese culture is considered high-context, even little gestures go a long way. Respect is something that the Japanese highly valuable. Direct eye contact is also not the norm, to lower ones eyes is considered a sign of respect. (Etiquette, 2010). Being on time is very important to the Japanese, as it shows respect for the attendees. However, the Japanese like to take their time making decisions (Japanese Meetings, 2010). As stated earlier the Japanese attitude toward work is that it is the individuals duty to work hard. They view work as a way to better their society and to help their fellow man. There is a big push from the Japanese government for change. However, this is not the attitude of the Japanese people. The Japanese fear that change will have a big impact on their way of life and cause more harm than good (Gaijin at the Gates, 2007). It is easy to see where Japanese manners and customs derive from once basic Japanese values and attitudes are understood. Some manners that derive from Japan being a high-context country are: it is considered inappropriate and even rude to express dramatic gestures especially pointing. When pointing something out the Japanese wave their hand, palm up, towards the object that they are pointing out. Blowing ones nose in public is considered very inappropriate. Bowing with ones hands at their side, is the traditional greeting. Male and female touching in public is considered inappropriate, even among married couples. The Japanese like to observe personal space when having a conversation. The person should go somewhere private and blow their nose with a disposable tissue. To the Japanese, smiling and laughter can be confusing. These forms of expression to the Japanese may convey embarrassment, confusion, shock, or even being upset. Respect also drives some of the manners and customs. To be invited to a persons home is considered a big honor. When entering a Japanese home, it is important to remove ones shoes to show respect (Etiquette, 2010). The modern Japanese society can be divided into six social groups; i.e.,the Imperial Family, Nobility, Upper Middle Class, Lower Middle Class, Industrial Proletariat, and Peasants. The Imperial Family is not a ruling position, but more of a symbolic position. The second highest group is the Nobility group, which is divided into three sub-groups. The highest in the order are descendants of the old court nobility called the Kuge. They also have little political power. Next is the Daimyo group, who are descendants of the dukes and counts that ruled after the seventeenth century. The final nobility group is the New Nobility. These are people who were ennobled since 1868. A large part of this group is the descendants of the Samurai. Many of the people in this group have moved up from lower social groups to this position. Out of all the nobility groups the New Nobility group has the most power in modern Japan. The Upper Middle Class can be divided into two sub-groups, the gentleman group a nd the top-ranking civil servants. The gentleman group mainly consists of those who have graduated from a university. The top-ranking civil servants gain their prestige through being in governmental service. The lower middle class includes people like shopkeepers and white collar workers. The industrial proletariats are from the rural population that came to the city to become industrial workers. The peasants have very little and do not have much social standing. The armed forces are not included in the general social structure. The armed forces provide a way to move up socially in a different social group by ranking up (Levy Jr., 2000, pp. 18-21). Women in modern Japan have the same legal rights as men. When it comes to family life though, women are expected to be house wives and take care of the children (Women in Business in Japan, 2010). How are these elements and dimensions integrated by locals conducting business in the nation? Everyday Japanese communication is also found in communication during business transactions. There is usually an underlying meaning to what the speaker is saying. According to a study done by Emmett, the speaker will present a generalized theme-oriented opinion to persuade, explain, or get approval from the addressee. He states that the addressee will have little room to disagree with the speaker, because the generalized theme-oriented opinion gives the impression that the belief is shared and supported by other people (Emmett, 2003, p. 77). The Japanese are careful in how they communicate, especially in business settings. Japanese is the most common language spoken in Japan and when dealing with local business. The need for the clear and precise use of language is never greater than in such situations (Japanese Communication Styles, 2010, para. 3). Shintoism and Buddhism influence how the Japanese conduct business. Business people who work hard to contribute to the greater cause of their companies are respected by the Japanese. It is widely believed that through sacrifice and diligent work, the individual can connect himself with a greater, pooled life-force and comply with the ethical expectations of Japanese society (Japan, 2003, para. 4). Japanese business ethics reflect their culture and religion. Japanese workers are expected to be subordinate to their companies and the companies in turn are expected to be subordinate to their nation. A sub-group may be ridiculed or punished as an unethical entity if it violates the expectations of the next larger group in the chain. These group ethics only apply to their individual groups or spheres. They are not expected to have the same ethical consideration to other rival corporations or foreigners. Japanese businesses are expected to work diligently to create mutually beneficial transactions. If they fail to do so they will face consequences and even sanctions (Japan, 2003). Integration of values, attitudes, manners, and customs into local business go hand in hand. Politeness, sincerity, and good manners are important to Japanese business etiquette. The way that the Japanese conduct business is very formal. The formality starts in the first meeting, with the presentation of business cards. Business cards should always be presented by holding it with two hands to the most senior member of the Japanese party first. The person presenting it should bow slightly and then present a card down the ranks. The business card should be treated with respect and never written on. It is important to be on time, but if a person is running late they should call at least one hour ahead. It is good to take a lot of notes during a meeting. This shows the company that they are interested in the meeting (Japanese Business Etiquette, 2009). Social classes can also be found in Japanese business. Upper middle class and even new nobility are often members of large corporations and directors. The lower middle class are often the white collar workers and shopkeepers (Levy Jr., 2000, p. 20). Japanese business decision making process is based on consensus and co-operation. This gives the people a feeling of being actively involved and they become committed to their company. Japanese companies, like Japanese society, are hierarchically organized with individuals knowing their position within a group and with regard to each other (Japanese Business Structures, 2010, para. 2). Women take the roles of lower grade tasks and are expected to leave once they marry or have children. Japanese womens annual income is about 50% less than a male co-worker (Women in Business in Japan, 2010, para. 1). How do both of the above items compare with US culture and business? Communication can be one of the biggest dilemmas between US businesses and Japanese businesses. It is important for the Japanese to develop relationships with business partners early on, which is often dependent on the persons ability to read the underlying truth to what is actually spoken. This may be difficult for US business men and women. It is important to ask enough questions in order to ensure a clear understanding (Japanese Communication Styles, 2010). Communication differences can be found between the two countries, because Japan is a high-context country while the US is considered a low-context country. As discussed earlier, the smallest gesture to the Japanese can change the context of what is being said. In low-context cultures, like the US, people rely on what words are being said (Satterlee, 2009, p. 41). This can cause some major miscommunication. Another communication barrier is how American and Japanese business people arrive at an agreement differently. This causes difficulties during the negotiation process. The Japanese are concerned with pursuing social relationship goals during this process. Meanwhile, Americans tend to be individualistic. Americans focus is on the immediate and not the long term relationships that the Japanese look for. This can cause some issues between Japanese and American businesses (Kumar, 1999, p. 63-78). Communication between Japanese and American businesses may be difficult; but, with patience and an understanding of the Japanese, a great business relationship can be formed. Language can be a problem for American and Japanese business meetings. There are few foreigners who can speak Japanese well; therefore, the meetings must be spoken in English. Most levels of English in Japan are patchy. This can cause confusion. Often what is said is either not understood or it is misunderstood (Japanese Communication Styles, 2010). The major professed religion in the United States is Christianity. As of 2007 only 0.7% of Americans claimed to be Buddhist (United States, 2010). This is a drastic comparison to the 84% of Japanese who claim to be following both Buddhism and Shintoism. However, moderation and toleration is becoming a norm in America. Americans are celebrating differences and look down upon those who judge anothers beliefs (Orwin, 2004, pp. 26-27). Buddhism teaches its followers to be tolerant of all beliefs and religions. They agree with moral teachings of other religions (Buddhism, 2010). There should be no conflict dealing with religion in business, because Americans are becoming more tolerant to other beliefs and Buddhism embraces other religious teachings. The Business Ethics Index (BEI) for Japan is very similar to that of the US. There have been a few more incidents of unethical behaviors from Japanese companies than that of the US. Like Enron did in the US, Liverdoor did the same thing in Japan. Some of the other Japanese scandals include Snow Brand Foods and Tokyo Electric Co. Based on the BEI, Japanese and American managers had the same views on corporates responsibility and unethical business practices. Differences in ethics can be found in some areas. For instance, Japanese focus on the group (collectivism). The Japanese have the good-of-the-group mentality while the American mindset is that of the good-of-the-individual (Tsalikis, 2008, pp. 379-385). Since Japanese and American business ethics are very similar, Americans should have little ethical complications when dealing with Japanese businesses. There are differences when it comes to American values and attitudes from those of the Japanese. The major driving force for the differences is the individualism of Americans versus the collectivism of the Japanese. The American dream is to make a name for one self. The Japanese, as stated many times earlier, are concerned with how their actions affect everyone around them. Japanese hierarchy is based on consensus and co-operation rather than the top-down decision making process which often typifies western models of hierarchy (Japanese Business Structures, 2010, para. 3). Respect is important to both Americans and Japanese, but the Japanese have a more formal stance on respect. An example of this would be how Americans find that not looking a person in the eye as disrespectful or even the person is trying to hide something, while the Japanese lower their eyes to show respect. There may be differences when it comes to values and attitudes, but American businesses should have no probl em understanding the Japanese values and attitudes with a little research and study. Whenever someone is dealing with a new culture, there is going to be differences in manners and customs. The typical American greeting is a firm handshake and looking the person in the eyes. The traditional Japanese greeting is a bow with the persons hands at their side and with their eyes lowered. The Japanese are aware of the handshake being the typical Western greeting and they will greet Westerners with a handshake, but it will be often weak. The American dream allows a person to be in a high position in the company based on their education and hard work. This is in contrast to the Japanese, where age equals rank. Both cultures will use professional titles in formal situations. The Japanese word for Mr. or Mrs. is san. The exchange of business cards is common in both cultures. The Japanese, as discussed earlier, take it to another level. American business men and women should have business cards that are printed in English on one side and Japanese on the other side. The person re ceiving the cards should take time to read it. It should never be put in ones back pocket or a wallet. American hosts usually allow everyone to order food and drinks; this is not true for Japanese hosts. The host will order drinks and meals for everyone in the group, because they are responsible for paying the bill. Silence can be uncomfortable for Americans, but this is seen as useful and generative to the Japanese. Dress is important to the Japanese. Americans also take pride in how they dress, but acceptable dress clothes in America may not be appropriate in Japan. Vibrant colors, bold designs, and flashy jewelry should be avoided, as this is not the norm. Women in Japan do not wear revealing clothing in a business setting, full or longer length skirts is acceptable. Learning the differences between American and Japanese manners and customs can lead to a successful business relationship between American and Japanese companies (Etiquette, 2010). The American social structure is different than that of the Japanese. American social classes can be broken down into upper class, upper middle, lower middle, and lower class. The upper class refers to the rich, while the lower class refers to the poor. Unlike the Japanese, there is no royalty or nobility in the United States. CEOs are usually found in the upper class, while the majority of business workers can be found somewhere in the middle class. The American dream allows for a person to move upward through the social classes based on how hard they work and getting a better education. This is where the Japanese and Americans will find contrast. As stated earlier, the Japanese know their place in society and remain there unless they join the armed forces. American women have come a long way in the US. Many American women are found in high ranking positions. There will be difficulties for American women working in Japan. Women in Japan do not hold high positions. American women may encounter difficulties when dealing with Japanese male colleagues. They sometimes are accepted as an honorary man (Women in Business in Japan, 2010). One way to understand the difference in culture between Japan and the United States is using the Geert Hofstede Cultural Dimensions. This study is considered the most comprehensive study of how values in the workplace are influenced by culture. Geert Hofsted analyzed a data base of employee values from IBM between 1967 and 1973 which covered more than 70 countries. The dimensions that he included were Power Distance Index, Individualism, Masculinity, Uncertainty Avoidance Index, and Long-Term Orientation. Japan scored higher in the Power Distance Index. This means that more members of organizations in Japan accept and expect that power is distributed unequally. Americans scored higher in the Individualism dimension. As discussed earlier, the Japanese are more concerned with collectivism, while Americans are concerned about individuals. Japan scored higher in the Masculinity dimension. This shows that there is more of a gap in Japan between mens values and womens values. According to Geert research the masculine values are very assertive and competitive, while the feminine values are modest and caring. The Japanese also score higher in the Uncertainty Avoidance Index. The Uncertainty Avoidance Index pertains to a societys tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity. The Japanese are uncomfortable in unstructured situations where the outcome is uncertain. Countries with a high Uncertainty Avoidance Index will minimize uncertainty with strict laws and rules. The last dimension is where there is the biggest difference between the two countries. The Japanese scored a lot higher on the Long-Term Orientation dimension. Virtues associated with Long-Term Orientation are thrift and perseverance, while values associated with Short-Term Orientation are respect for tradition, fulfilling social obligations, and protecting ones face (Geert Hoftede Cultural Dimensions, 2009). The Geert Hoftede Cultural Dimensions helps international businesses understand how the host countrys cult ure compares with their home culture. To be successful at international business in Japan, a U.S. company should look at the five dimensions and use it to further their understanding of the Japanese culture. What are the implications for US businesses that wish to conduct business in that region? Understanding current U.S. and Japanese relations is important before conducting business in Japan. U.S.-Japan alliance is responsible for the U.S. security role in East Asia. This alliance has helped the with U.S. national security strategy in the region. In return the alliance provides protection from Japans neighbors, particularly China and North Korea (U.S.-Japan Relations, 2009). Japan recently elected a new prime minister, Naoto Kan of the Democratic Party of Japan. Relations between the U.S. and Japan were harmed by the former Prime Minister Mr. Hatoyama. During elections Mr. Hatoyama pledged to reconsider the agreement on the relocation of the US air base on Okinawa. The U.S. pressured Mr. Hatoyama to later reverse his position, which infuriated the inhabitants of Okinawa and many leaders within the Democratic Party of Japan. This was the major factor that lead to his resignation. The new Prime Minister, Mr. Kan, has pledged to implement the original agreement. There are abou t 47,000 U.S. Troops stationed in Japan. More than half of these troops are stationed on the island of Okinawa. This dispute has caused the goodwill between the two countries for the past fifty years to be undermined (Japan: Country Outlook, 2010). Japan is considered one of the United States most important economic partners. Japan is responsible for the second largest source of imports for the U.S. outside of North America. They are also the second largest source of foreign direct investment for the U.S. Japan has helped to finance the U.S. deficit and reduce U.S. interest rates by being the second-largest foreign holders of U.S. treasuries. Even though the two countries are facing tensions over base relocation, they are economically dependent on each other (U.S.-Japan Relations, 2009). The Japanese banned all U.S. beef imports in December 2003, after the discovery of the first U.S. case of mad cow disease. This ban was finally lifted in December 2005, but quickly re-imposed it in January 2006, after finding bone material among the first beef shipments from the U.S. The Japanese lifted the ban in July 2006 on cattle 20 months old or younger. After much pressure from the U.S. in May 27, 2009, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries reportedly were ready to ask the restrictions to be more relaxed allowing U.S. beef imports from cattle younger than 30 months (Federation of American Scientists, 2009). Japan asked the World Trade Organization (WTO) for permission to impose sanctions on U.S. imports on January 2008 for the failure to comply with WTO decision against the U.S. practice of zeroing in antidumping duty determinations. These sanctions on U.S. imports were valued around $250 million. On April 24, 2009 the WTO ruled in favor of Japan stating that the United States was not in compliance with the WTO ruling. The practice of zeroing is where the U.S. Department of Commerce treats prices of imports that are above fair market value as zero dumping margin rather than a negative margin (Federation of American Scientists, 2009). There are many reasons that an American company should consider doing business in Japan. Japan is considered the center of new trends and creativity. Businesses around the world are partnering with Japanese companies. Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) gives ten advantages to investing in Japan (Investing in Japan, 2010). They are listed as follows: Japan has an enormous market that has huge potential. Japanese consumers are early adapters. These consumers like to stay on the cutting edge when it comes to new technologies. Many companies find that Japan is a good test market for new products and services. Japan provides promising markets and industries. Many of Japans industries are globally competitive. Four sectors that are showing potential for future growth are: Information and communication technology, medical and health care, automotive parts, and environment-related markets. Japan is home to many of the worlds top companies. Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can be found in Japan like SMEs that possess unique technologies. Partnerships with these types of companies can help foreign companies seeking to enter the Japanese market, boost their technological capacity, and open up markets and sales channels. Japan possesses the ideal conditions to be a center of innovation due to its cooperation between foreign companies, universities and other organizations. Japan is also becoming a gateway to the Asian market. Companies from around the world are using Japan as a location for regional headquarters. There are a number of foreign companies seeking to expand their businesses in Japan. Japan is becoming a destination that offers potential for foreign companies to increase their profits. Japan has a mature investment infrastructure. Japans industrial structure and business environment is similar to U.S. and European environments. Japan has a secure, comfortable living environment. Japan has welcomed many foreign cultures and provides clean and safe urban environments. There are some risks that foreign companies will face when looking into investing into Japan. There is the risk of being scammed by people who will pretend to be experts in various aspects of doing business in Japan and pocket the companys money. Doing business in Japan can be extremely expensive if cost are not properly controlled (Making Japan Work for You, 2009). The Japanese government is trying hard to attract foreign direct investment (FDI). The government has changed its commercial code, making it easier for foreign firms to buy Japanese ones. The government does not desire foreign cash; but it hopes that foreigners can help reform companies and introduce competition. For instance, Starbucks forced other Japanese coffee shops to improve. While this may sound good to foreign companies looking to conduct business in Japan, it has not been very successful. Consumer spending is becoming sluggish and the Japanese population is shrinking. Tax codes make life difficult for foreign fi rms. Many Japanese companies are resisting foreign takeovers. They fear that foreign take over their companies would result in a loss of jobs. Some foreign investors are finding that investing in Japan involves too much effort for a little profit (Gaijin at the Gates, 2007). Despite the risks involved, international business in Japan can be a good investment. Conclusion Japan is home to a rich and vibrant culture that offers much for innovation and investment for businesses. The Japanese are a very complex society from the way they communicate to their many customs. American business men and women can learn a lot from the Japanese. For instance, the Japanese have been very successful in globalization and have avoided an economic crisis. Most importantly, Japanese businesses do a better job of building a relationship with business partners than American businesses do. Oftentimes, Americans are more interested in making money than building relationships American business can be more successful by learning about the people they are doing business with and taking the time to build a relationship with them. Although the Japanese may seem drastically different from Americans, American companies can be successful in doing business in Japan. It will require a lot research and preparation, but the payoff can be great.

How to Steal a Million Dollars

Fraud Examination Unit 9 6/2/12 How to steal a million dollars Mr. Seneca Stunton was an accountant clerk for a company called Carlton Chemical. Seneca had no formal education for accounting. His experience was for a smaller company which he exceled at book keeping. He accepted the job with Carlton Chemical and he was on the track to excel and have a great career. His supervisor was just in Seneca’s position, so Seneca was pretty happy to see that there were advancement opportunities within the company. Seneca approached his job with commitment and enthusiasm.He was married and with his wife and his own kids they had a total of seven children. Seneca’s duties were accounts receivable collections, posting payments, resolution of customer service inquires and maintenance of the accounts receivable ledgers. Patrick Dawley was the owner; he started the business over thirty years ago. Carlton Chemical sells chemicals to large and small business and they use it for raw materi al. The company was growing, Patrick looked on what really drove sales was how effective the operation is, like keeping accurate order taking, billing and collections, timely deliveries and great customer service.Patrick was viewed as a problem solver. There was not a problem too small for him to figure out. He had the ability to look at the problem and see the solution. Patrick was the only one who really had accuses to the money, all transactions had to go to him to approve. Every week he held detailed meetings about the money and unpaid bills. He looked over the statements on a regular basis. There was not really too much that got passed him so when he found out the ARs was not correct and there was more outstanding bills then he thought there was really surprised him.Seneca was taking one person’s larger payments and was putting it to other customer’s outstanding bills. He was doing this for over a great deal of time. Which created a huge landslide of problems for the company, and when all the audits was said and done there was around two million dollars missing. This investigation took a very long time and they could not find where the money went. They investigated Seneca’s life style and he did not over spend or live outside his salary, and everything they could do pointed that there was no money stolen. So they were stumped where the money went.There was however inappropriate discounts given to the customers. There were some complaints about this from the customers, but the company did not follow up on it. Carlton Chemical did recover a little of the money from customers that were willing to pay some of their bills, and from the insurance that the company has. After all this they were still one million dollars down. This was a unique problem that the company faced. The biggest thing that allowed Seneca to do this was the lack of supervision. Patrick looked at all the statements that where involved directly with the money.He did not think to keep track of the outstanding payments since that could not allow someone to directly steal from the company. Even thou Seneca had no control nor did he touch money he still was in charge of the bills. He did not steal from the company directly but he did use other payments to pay the past due. Which then created the first payments to be late and so it was a huge snowball effect. In no time at all there were so many past due bills. I think Seneca did this because he simply did not like addressing the customers about their bills. So he came up with this idea.

Analysis of Roderick Usher’s character in the story The Fall of the house of Usher Essay

Question: Roderick Usher is a complicated character who seems to be both physically and mentally unstable; on top of that he is also terrified. What is he so afraid of that causes him to act this way towards Madeline and the others? It is because he had committed incest, hence a sense of guilt for his actions? Or is it because he is the last in line of the usher family? Use Freudian psychoanalysis to examine the character of Roderick Usher. To study an individual character by Freud’s psychoanalytical method one must first look into how a mind is divided. According to Freud psychoanalysis there are 3 layers in one’s mind: innermost layer ID (our subconscious state of mind), then super ego (dealing with human conscience of right and wrong) and outermost layer of the human ego (our conscious self). Freud states that an individual can only control two-third of their mind that is the remaining one-third – the ID cannot be controlled nor can one be even aware of its state. ID, which is our ‘actual self’, the honest complicated inner-being which decides our actions, even the ones we are incapable of explaining is something beyond one’s reach. One does not have any idea of what is going on that part of their mind; all the repressed feelings are also stored in this section. Freud also mentioned that these repressed feelings or actions always emerge in the most ‘violent’ possible and unexpected ways and that explains Roderick’s actions throughout the story. These repressed feelings can sometimes disguise in the form of something noble or kind. This outburst is termed as Freudian slip: unintended actions or reactions due to repressed feelings. Usher being the last male clan of his family invites his friend the narrator to the Usher house. This story leaves us with many questions beginning with no complete explanation of the narrator’s motives for arriving at the house of Usher or the other way around, why did Usher invite his friend? A few possible reasons could be that Roderick knew he would not survive so he wanted someone to witness the last moments or actions that would take place or just be with him, or maybe he wanted someone to justify the sexual tension between him and his sister Madeline. And if a sexual tension did exist between the twins then his sense of guilt and fear can also be justified. Roderick and Madeline were like two halves of the same circle, and therefore maybe the presence of an incestual relationship would make a little sense. In the contemporary period intermarriages was a popular practice among the upper class royal families and since their family has no enduring branches, all offsprings were probably reproduced incestuously within the perimeter of the house. However, another reason why Roderick could have invited the narrator could be because he may have been homosexual and maybe felt something towards his childhood friend. It is strange why Roderick specifically chooses the narrator and no one else, like the other parts of the story, this part is equally mysterious. Madeline is a ghostly figure in the story, more like she’s in the background, we only hear of Roderick and the narrator spending time together. And hence, the sexual orientation could be a possible explanation. Roderick seemed to be suffering from hyperesthesia – excessive physical sensitivity, especially of the skin (Oxford Dictionary). At the same time Madeline was cataleptic – a medical condition characterized by a trance or seizure with a loss of sensation and consciousness accompanied by rigidity of the body (Oxford Dictionary). Therefore she never lived in the real world, she was unaware of the circumstances, and absolutely lived in her own world. They were both mentally unstable, the twins. Roderick and Madeline both looked pale; it’s as if one was ill because the other was. Now this also brings about questions in our minds about the mental condition of their previous generations. In most cases people inherit such disorders. So if we consider the mental disorder to be genetic, the Freudian slip adds to it and makes it worse, and definitely makes a person totally unstable mentally. The narrator’s description give us an idea of how healthy Roderick used to be once and how his health from what the narrator sees after he goes to the Usher house has gone worse. To sum up Roderick’s character analysis, it can be said, that his disorder is somewhat genetic which is multiplied because of his repressed emotions. What probably made him so scared was people finding out about his past or incestual desires if there were any. And that is why maybe he buried his sister alive, he thought burying the sister would be burying the truth. His sister was the only kin for years alone with him, and since they were halves of the same circle, therefore the incestual relationship does make a little sense. The Freudian slip may have evoked some unusual actions towards his sister resulting into incest.

Important Quotes from Night by Elie Wiesel

Important Quotes from Night by Elie Wiesel Night, by Elie Wiesel, is a work of Holocaust literature, with a decidedly autobiographical slant. Wiesel based the book- at least in part- on his own experiences during World War II. Through just a brief 116 pages, the book has received considerable acclaim, and the author won the Nobel Prize in 1986. The quotes below show the searing nature of the novel, as Wiesel tries to make sense of one of the worst human-made catastrophes in history. Night Falls Wiesels journey into Hell began with a yellow star, which the Nazis forced Jews to wear. The star was, often, a mark of death, as the Germans used it to identify Jews and send them to concentration camps.   The  yellow star? Oh well, what of it? You dont die of it.   Chapter 1 A prolonged whistle split the air. The wheels began to grind. We were on our way.   Chapter 1 The journey to the camps began with a train ride, with Jews packed into pitch-black rail cars, with no room to sit down, no bathrooms, no hope. Men to the left! Women to the right!   Chapter 3 Eight words  spoken  quietly, indifferently, without emotion. Eight short, simple words. Yet that was the moment when I parted from my mother.   Chapter 3 Upon entering the camps, men,  women, and children were usually segregated; the line to the left meant going into forced slave labor and wretched conditions- but temporary survival; the line to the right often meant a trip the gas chamber and immediate death. Do you see that chimney over there? See it? Do you see those flames? (Yes, we did see the flames.) Over there-thats where youre going to be taken. Thats your grave, over there.   Chapter 3 The flames rose 24-hours a day from the incinerators- after the Jews were killed in the gas chambers by Zyklon B, their bodies were immediately taken to incinerators to be burned into to black, charred dust. Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, which has turned my life into one long night.   Chapter 3 Utter Loss of Hope Wiesels quotes speak eloquently of the utter hopelessness of life in the concentration camps. A dark flame had entered into my soul and devoured it.​  Ã‚  Chapter 3 I was a body. Perhaps less than that even: a starved stomach. The stomach alone was aware of the passage of time.   Chapter 4 I was thinking of my father. He must have suffered more than I did.   Chapter 4 Whenever I dreamed of a better world, I could only imagine a universe with no bells.   Chapter 5 Ive got more faith in Hitler than in anyone else. Hes the only one whos kept his promises, all his promises, to the Jewish people.   Chapter 5 Living With Death Wiesel, of course, did survive the Holocaust  and became a journalist, but it was only 15 years after the war ended that he was able to describe how the inhumane experience in the camps turned him into a living corpse. When they withdrew, next to me were two corpses, side by side, the father and the son. I was fifteen years old.   Ã¢â‚¬â€¹Chapter 7 We were all going to die here. All limits had been passed. No one had any strength left. And again the night would be long.   Chapter 7 But I had no more tears. And, in the depths of my being, in the recesses of my weakened conscience, could I have searched it, I might perhaps have found something like-free at last!​   Chapter 8 After my fathers death, nothing could touch me any more.   Chapter 9 From the depths of the mirror, a corpse gazed back at me. The look in his eyes, as they stared into mine, has never left me.   Chapter 9

The notion of speech personality Essays

The notion of speech personality Essays The notion of speech personality Paper The notion of speech personality Paper The first reference to speech personality was made by L.Weisgerber. In Russian linguistics the term was introduced in the early 30s by V.V.Vinogradov. In the same period such question was discussed by Humboldtians (L. Weisgerber). Later the notion of speech personality was investigated by a range of prominent scholars, such as Yu.N. Karaulov, V.I. Karasik, O.B. Sirotinina and others. Besides, this problem is interdisciplinary, since it covers the areas traditionally studied not only by linguists, but also by psychologists and psycholinguists. Yu. Karaulov in his monograph Russian Language and Language Personality elaborated his own original methodology of reconstructing speech personality, which he defines as a personality expressed in the language and through the language; it is a combination of abilities and characteristics of a person that stipulates production of speech texts that differ in: a) degree of linguo-structural complexity; b) depth and accuracy of reproducing reality; c) certain purposeful direction. (Tr. V.T.) [1; p.3] He worked out the structure of speech personality which consists of three levels: 1) Zero level verbally semantic level or lexicon. This level represents : units: readiness to nomination, word choice, using another languages lexis, having working knowledge of special terminology; verbal grid: ability to perceive grammar structures, oral and written speech, right spelling; stereotypes: everyday speech, readiness to monolog, patterns and cliches. 2) First level linguo-cognitive level, represented by a thesaurus of speech personality: units: ideas and concepts which are combined in a well organized and systematized world picture of a certain speech personality which reflects his or her values and outlook; thesaurus includes readiness to make modal statement, argue, combine conversational terms and improvise; stereotypes: ability to use inner speech in accordance to transfer the context of others people speech. 3) Second level motivational, pragmatic level reflects pragmaticon of personality, the system of interests and motives etc. of a certain person in the process of communicative activity (communicative roles and spheres) [2; p. 20]. Combination of these three levels of speech personality gives us an opportunity to describe formal means of expression, to investigate the communicative activity and to study speech personality as a whole. However, we should take into consideration that these levels are distinguished hypothetically. In everyday life we observe their diffusion and interdependence. This Karaulovs three-tier structure of speech personality reflects general type of personality which includes such components: 1) moral component system of values and beliefs; 2) culturological component level of cultural awareness; 3) personal component level of individuality [2; p. 123]. Besides the notion of speech personality we also consider the notion of idiolect. A persons idiolect is his or her own personal language, the words they choose and any other features that characterise their speech. The term idiolect is intended to mark the notion of a language which is not the language of a community (sociolect) but rather of an individual, taking into consideration that some people have distinctive features in their language; these would be part of their idiolect, their individual linguistic choices and idiosyncrasies. Every idiolect includes the vocabulary appropriate to a persons various interests and activities, pronunciation which reflects the region in which we live or have lived, and variable styles of speaking that depend on whom we are addressing. It is the way each person groups his/her words or phrases in a sentence to convey a thought. Every speaker has a very rich active vocabulary built up over many years, which differs from the vocabularies of other people not only in terms of actual items but also in preferences for selecting certain items. Consequently, an idiolect is unique to each person, because each of us belongs to different social classes, we all speak a language variety. Thus we can say that the systemic research of verbal communicative behaviour of a person gives an opportunity to reveal speech personality, which in its turn is a clue to revealing personality or individuality as a whole.

Student as a Product Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Student as a Product - Assignment Example There are also a number of responsibilities attached to it. These include among others, target marketing to augment the company’s sales function and management and delivery of market research. The job also requires its holder to investigate and regularly distribute competitor intelligence and research. The basic pay attached to this position is $60,000 - $80,000 per year on a full-time employment basis (BAE Systems Detica, p.1). According to the government, defense and security companies are a formidable avenue of personal and national growth. As a certified security provider, BAE Systems Detica is at the forefront of intelligence security. National security has been of major concern since 9/11, making the intelligence security industry a thriving and integrated sector of the economy. Regulatory and demographic trends within the industry entail among others government streamlining of the intelligence security sector through regulations (Farese, Kimbrell, and Woloszyk, p. 497). Furthermore, the current demographics show the incident of national insecurity as lower than previous years; this means that more attention can be paid to augmenting the current intelligence systems to offer robust services in the future. Competitors for this job have a great understanding of the financial services regulatory environment, as well as experience of working alongside third party suppliers who are predominant in the industry. The industry is not very competitive as few companies offer such comprehensive intelligence solutions. With regard to my SWOT analysis, my major strengths are proficiency in written and verbal English, as well as fluent communication of French. In addition, I am a self starter and innately motivated person always willing to further my knowledge scope. Major weakness is my inability to adjust to new environments quickly. I can enhance my strengths by enrolling in training programs to augment my knowledge of the intelligence industry. Minimizing my weaknesses will entail forming cordial relations with those in my new environment. The biggest competitive advantage I have is my adeptness in computer systems and knowledge of advanced computer programming. The external environment offers immense opportunities such as training programs on financial, regulatory systems of the world, in addition to other languages, for example, German and Spanish, which are essential in the intelligence industry. The environment also poses the threat of competition. It is highly probable that there are other job applicants better qualified than me (Karnes and Stephens, p. 178). Upon graduation, my personal objectives shall include improving my skills through continuous training to horn my knowledge of pertinent matters, as well as augmenting my interrelation skills and team spirit, which are essential in everyday life and the work environment, by engaging in community service such as peer education. Professionally, I endeavor to employ my competencie s and capabilities effectively, while at the same time coordinating my efforts with other team members. As a product, in order to meet the needs of the employer, I need to be adept in both written and verbal communication and have good presentation skills. Correspondingly, I have immense

ECONOMICS OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

ECONOMICS OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE - Essay Example The Ottomans had a system that allowed them to enforce orders in the market place by ensuring that goods were sold at fair prices (Bulut 47). Since commerce was central to the triumph of the empire, the Ottomans controlled prices as well as the influx of foreign goods into the market. The markets were always patrolled by supervisors who administered strict control and justice. This control while allowed merchants to be rich, improved the organization of commerce in the market place. The Ottoman government introduced the use of coins from western countries. This was due to the demand for the use of coins in local transactions, as well as in the purchase of foreign goods. The use of coins expanded trade across the empire and improved the administration of justice and security by the government personnel (Agoston and Master 192). The use of coins and precious metal also changed the way trading was done across the empire as goods could be sold easily. Trade policies were also implemented in the Ottoman Empire, in order to restrict both the export and importation of goods. The Sultan was concerned with ensuring that its citizens had been enough goods. Because of this, the Sultan made policies that discouraged the exportation of goods to foreign nations. This was possible through the use of taxes and custom duty (Agoston and Master 192). On the contrary, the Ottoman government encouraged imports by granting foreign merchant privileges for selling goods within the empire. In order to stimulate economic growth and development of infrastructure, the Ottoman government allowed foreigners to invest in the empire, but restricted their level of benefits. This strategy was accomplished by policies that restricted the involvement of foreigners in various projects. For instance, the Ottomans stipulated that all projects done in the empire were to be of

Public Relations Society of America's ethical standards Research Paper

Public Relations Society of America's ethical standards - Research Paper Example Therefore, members of PRSA focus on serving the public, thereby taking obligations that involve operating ethically. In this case, this paper focuses on presenting brief history of PRSA’s ethical standards, their functions and effects on public relation professionals and profession. Moreover, this paper seeks to determine ways through which PRSA has strengthened and weakened certain professionals and agencies. Reputation acquired through affiliation to PRSA is valuable to members; in fact, it is highly dependent upon their ethical conduct (PRSA, Member, 1). In addition, these members focus on setting examples among themselves and other professionals by achieving excellent standards of performance, professionalism and ethical behaviors. Nevertheless, there are situations when emphasis to enforce Public Relation Society of America’s ethical standards has been ignored. In this case, this has led to decision by PRSA board of Directors to expel or bar some parties in the soc iety from joining PRSA membership (PRSA, Member, 1). For instance, individuals who have been involved in sanctions from government agencies or convictions in courts due to issues concerning violating code of ethics become liable to expulsion from PRSA membership. Therefore, PRSA overview indicates that it focuses on prime obligation, which involves promotion of ethical practices among professions, organizations and professionals. History of Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Public Relations Society of America commenced in 1950, whereby it was established through a desire to form student counterpart (Garcia, 3). After some time, this interest was diminished, though there were few professionals, who made efforts to rekindle PRSA. Besides, members of PRSA lost their interest on PRSA leading to a notion that discredited PRSA, through claims that it could not be taught. Nonetheless, the chairperson of PRSA’s Education Committee, who was called Howard Penn Hudson, decided to change people’s perception towards PRSA, in 1965 (Garcia, 3). In this case, he made effort to reestablishing initial affiliation with students through clubs, societies and fraternities. The process to rekindle PRSA began by invitation of six schools in 1965 by Ovid Davis, who was the president of PRSA (Garcia, 4). In fact, this invitation was aimed at gathering members together for that year’s National Conference in Denver. In 1967, the president of Division of the educators’ organization, Professor James Young decided to call Association for Education in Journalism (AEJ), thereby establishing his arguments that there was need for PRSA in processes of developing students with professional orientation (Garcia, 4). In fact, this effort was supported by groups of independent student, who did not have guidance to meet PRSA objectives. On the other hand, there where groups, which had a significant interest on the future of PRSA, and this led to establishment of Lo ng Range Planning Committee of PRSA in 1967 (Garcia, 4). Moreover, during the following year, there was an establishment of PRSA chapters in nine schools, which offered courses in public relations, and this has led to developments such as establishment of PRSA’s ethical standards in the present days. Functions of PRSA Ethical Standards One of the significant functions of PRSA’s ethical standards is to apply public relations in order to pivot ethics among its practitioners or members. In future of professionals, who

Detective Archetype Essay Example for Free

Detective Archetype Essay Sherlock Holmes and the Doctor share qualities such as higher intelligence, isolation from society, and hyperactivity that shape them into the only ones capable of providing justice for the threatened. The two fit the detective archetype quite well and whether explicit or not, the archetype is prevalent in their stories as well as others. Qualities of the detective archetype are represented through each â€Å"detective’s† habits, actions, words, thoughts, and choices. It is complex, interests the reader, and is used by nearly every author of detective fiction. Holmes and the Doctor express and put forth their higher level of intelligence in everything they do. Their frequent and effective use of deductive reasoning tells them where to go and leads them in their endeavors. Before they can deduce what happened in the situation they are dealing with or find the solution to the problem at hand they must gather the facts. Both pay attention to detail, Holmes even said, â€Å"To a great mind, nothing is little.† (27) They consider everything – the unordinary to the obvious and the perplexing to the straightforward. Each of the characters has attained a myriad of knowledge which aids them in their reasoning. For the Doctor; he has learned things through experience. He has lived for thousands of years as he is not human and is like an eternal being, in that it can be assumed that he knows just about everything. Holmes’ knowledge, however, comes from experimentation that he conducts in his free time. Curiously, neither was formally educated, yet has a particular interest in sciences. When investigating a clue Agatha Christie commented, â€Å"there you go with the science stuff again!† (Dr. Who) which implies that he has already demonstrated his efficacy of science. With their arsenals of intelligence, Holmes and the Doctor will always prevail. Members of the detective archetype tend to be isolated from society and Holmes and the Doctor live up to that stereotype. In Homes’ case he chooses to be introverted and would rather spend time alone. Because he has a certain haughty narcissism it makes him believe that he is too good for others. When asked if he enjoys the literary works of Gaboriau and his detective Lecoq, Holmes â€Å"sniffs sardonically† and responds in an â€Å"angry voice†, claiming the book had made him â€Å"positively ill.† (14) The Doctor, on the other hand, would choose to be extroverted yet the circumstances of his life do not allow this. He is the last of his kind and does not fit anywhere; he is forced to live a life with few lasting relationships. Sherlock Holmes has few hobbies and most of them keep him isolated from other people. What he enjoys, other than experiments, is playing the violin while he thinks about current cases he is working on. Another hobby of his that his assistant Watson intimated is the use of narcotics. Watson suggests â€Å"On [some] occasions I have noticed such a dreamy vacant expression in his eyes that I might have suspected him of being addicted to the use of some narcotic† (10) Not only is Watson his assistant, but he is the only true friend of Holmes. Likewise, the Doctors’ assistant, Donna, is the only one who remains with him. Theirs assistants are not just there, but they help the detectives solve problems. More importantly, they make Holmes and the Doctor not seem so out of place. Hyperactivity is another characteristic of the detective archetype that both Holmes and the Doctor share. They constantly jump from one thought to the other. When the Doctor rambles on to himself about the time he spent during Charlemagne’s rule Christie questions, â€Å"but that was centuries ago.† The Doctor replies â€Å"I have a good memory† (Doctor Who) and moves on to his next thought. As the moment has passed he quickly shifts to the next thought on his mind. Similar to this, Holmes switches subjects rather frequently. In one instance Holmes was able to deduce a man’s background before Watson would even attempt to. To Watson he was merely a â€Å"fellow† â€Å"walking down the other side of the street.† Without even thinking about it Holmes replies, â€Å"You mean that retired sergeant of Marines.† â€Å"The thought had hardly passed through [Watson’s] mind† (14) by the time Holmes had moved on. Higher intelligence, isolation from society, and hyperactivity are qualities that make Holmes and the Doctor fit the detective archetype. Higher intelligence is used by the detectives to deduce information from and interpret the problem. By separating themselves from society the two can meditate on where their focus should be. Hyperactive by nature, these individuals are perfect for their roles. Despite the negative connotations of some of these characteristics, they are able to use them for their benefit to be successful.

Islamic Science in the Medieval Era Essay -- History, Middle, Medieval

There are many terms used to describe the period after the fall of Rome and before the Renaissance, three main terms being the Middle, Medieval, and Dark Ages. In general, these terms are used interchangeably, but are these fair substitutions? In recent years the term â€Å"Dark Ages† is becoming less and less acceptable as a phrase which describes the span of years it is meant to refer to. The use of the term â€Å"dark† implies a period of stagnation, which is becoming a questionable concept. In particular, the span of time referred to in this paper is 530-1452 BCE, with specific attention paid to the scientific discoveries and innovations rather than art or literature. These dates are significant because in 529 the Academy and Lyceum in Athens were shutdown by the Byzantine emperor, thus ending the Greek intellectual influence. The date of 1453 is chosen because many Greek texts arrived in Europe in 1453 after the fall of Constantinople at the hands of the Turks, the reby reviving the struggling European scientific fields (Bunch 93). This essay will show that the medieval period was not a so-called â€Å"dark age† because of scientific innovation in the Islamic world, and is only referred to as such because of the popular bias in the West of focusing on Europe. In order to make this clear, firstly, two objections to this proposition will be analyzed and clearly refuted. Following these counter arguments, the main weight of historical facts and events in the identification and explanation of Islamic scientific innovation will be presented, showing the inaccuracy of referring to the medieval period as dark. Finally, I will show that the misleading perception of the medieval era as stagnant is due to the modern bias for the superiority of Western... ...ime period in a positive scientific light. The distinction between modern and medieval science was described as medieval science being more theoretical in nature and modern being of the more applied variety. Through the further presentation of the plethora of Islamic scientists, covering fields as diverse as astronomy, medicine, chemistry, and physics it has been shown, without a doubt, that significant scientific contributions were made in this period. Finally, the source of this misconception was exposed through the common accidental perception of the past as a European narrative. History can easily be focused around Europe, and to do so produces a view of the medieval era being stagnant. However, when one looks at the greater global picture, it is clear that the Islamic world more than makes up for this lull in innovation, successfully brightening the â€Å"Dark Age†.