Recognition of Gay and Lesbian Marriage and Pluralism Essay

Recognition of gay and lesbian marriage and pluralism Word Count: 2024 What does pluralism reveal about the recognition of gay and lesbian marriage? What are the strengths and limitations of this theory in understanding the recognition of gay and lesbian marriage? Power overlaps between interest and political groups and as a result, political decision-making is reached through negotiation and compromise (Manley 1983). Indeed, when examining the progressive debate concerning the legal recognition of same-sex relationships in Australia, the perception that power is bartered through interest groups becomes highly plausible through the lens of classical pluralist theory. There are competing visions of diversity in Australia, and behind†¦show more content†¦The classical pluralist model is distinguished by its example of power being relatively dispersed and that decision-making is open to a variety of interest groups. In Australia, scholarship has settled upon what Monsma and Soper describe as ‘pragmatic pluralism’ (1997) based upon political expediency, explained by the practical character of Australian culture and in the context of same-sex marriage, an interest in giving a ‘fair-go’ (Sky News Australia 2015). T he most important predictions about same-sex marriage and politics amount to the flow-on political participation and organization of interests. This is a topic Australian people are interested in. This tenet of Dahl’s organizational pluralism urges individuals to query the conditions of rights, ritual and state recognition in Australia (Dahl 1978). In this way, classical pluralism’s strength in relation to the marriage equality topic is that it speaks to a future where diverse relationships are supported, instead of denied and shamed. Australian classical pluralist theory is a conventional corpus, and its core ideas offer one of the more relevant power analyses regarding polarized concerns for morality in the same-sex marriage debate. Political theorist, Galston, argues that there is a strong case for pluralism being the most adequate account of the moral universe mankind inhabits (1999). If this is the case, then the pendulumShow MoreRelatedA Pluralistic Balance Essay example1513 Words   |  7 PagesIn the last decade, Canadian courts have increasingly recognized gay marriages. This recognition has been long overdue as the Canadian gay community was routinely oppressed prior to this string of court rulings. This was a definite victory for Canadian democracy, seeing that a minority group has had its rights protected. Paul Martin, after having presented the Civil Marriage Act, described it as a natural and necessary evolution of minority-rights protection under the Canadian Charter of RightsRead MoreOne Significa nt Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 Pagesthe wharves of an expansive, global export economy. Throughout the century, advances in human rights, which were spread ever more broadly among different social groups—including women, laborers, INTRODUCTION †¢ 3 ethnic minorities, and gays—made strides that were perhaps greater than all of those achieved in previous history combined. During the same time span, however, state tyranny and brutal oppression reached once unimaginable levels—in large part due to the refinement or introduction

Substance Abuse And The Degradation Of Adolescent Society

Steve Beaubrun Professor Pinderhughes Sociology 101-011 11-2-2015 Substance Abuse and the Degradation of Adolescent Society in Colorado After reviewing the drug abuse rates of the United States. I have chosen Colorado to be my prime topic of concern. This essay will explore the reasons why adolescents abuse substances in Colorado, the most popular substances and the how they’re acquired, how they affect the teenage demographic/society (school, and house), how this has been dealt with in the future. Obviously drugs and alcohol have been around for centuries, but they way they are used today pale in comparison to how they were used a couple of decades ago. Originally drugs and alcohol were used utilized for antibacterial or medicinal reasons and were treated with respect. However, as the years passed people discovered that drugs and alcohol could be used to make their problems disappear. Thus leading to a long line of recreational drug use. Although the question why people use recreationally? still exists. There are many factors that contribute to why people use drugs for recreation one of the most important ones would be how they were first introduced to drugs in the first place. For example a child witnessing their parent using drugs. Children don’t know any better and learn by mimicking, so growing up and seeing this kind of behavior would clearly leave an imprint in the child s head telling them that it s acceptable and safe to shadow their parent s actions.Show MoreRelatedDrug Abuse And Its Effects On Youth And Teenagers1274 Words   |  6 Pages HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP ENGL1033 REPORT ASSIGNMENT DRUG ABUSE AND ITS EFFECTS ON YOUTH AND TEENAGERS NAME: ALVIN ALEX MATHEW COLLEGE ID: C0652356 INSTRUCTOR NAME: SHAWNA SHELDON SUBMITTED ON: 06/01/2015 DRUG ABUSE AND ITS EFFECTS ON YOUTH AND TEENAGERS Drug abuse has long been and still is a topical issue worldwide. There are so many reasons why individuals get addicted get to be reliant on drugs. A few individuals begin taking them out of immaculate interest, others to enhance their athleticRead MoreCensorship And Its Effect On Children1619 Words   |  7 PagesNamita Sharma Mr. McCormick 2/19/2015 ENG 3U1 Monkey See, Monkey Do Monkey see, monkey do, a simple phrase relevant to today’s society. Those in society that simply do not know any better, such as children, are inclined to imitate what they see being done. Without censorship daily television shows are increasingly exhibiting more violence, foul language and sexuality to susceptible youth. Due to lack of censorship, explicit music lyrics and inappropriate images on music videos are being introducedRead MorePrescription Opioid And Illegal Drug Abuse Essay2170 Words   |  9 Pagesthe world is facing in the 21st century is prescription opioid and illegal drug abuse. Unfortunately, this lethal dilemma is not publicized in the media as much as other things such as celebrity drama, cancer prevention, or the newest fitness craze. The notorious opioid epidemic is in full swing and has effected individuals from all religions, cultures, and genders. Although it may seem like a collective issue, adolescents are in the most danger. If one could prevent a disease, wouldn’t they? The WorldRead MoreDrug Addiction : The Most Terrible Evil1797 Words   |  8 Pagesdrug addiction leads to the degradation of the individual and society. Drug abuse, known since ancient times, is now spread in size, disturbing the entire world community. Narcotic mafia run countries (Latin America), have their own army (Southeast Asia). Revenues clandestine corporations’ drug trade exceed the known oil revenues, and close to world income from the arms trade. Especially fatal abuse among young people - is affected and the present, and the future of society. Full, in terms of drug treatmentRead MoreShould Drugs Be Legalized?1801 Words   |  8 Pagesdrug addiction leads to the degradation of the individual and society. Drug abuse, known since ancient times, is now spread in size, disturbing the entire world community. Narcotic mafia run countries (Latin America), have their own army (Southeast Asia). Revenues clandestine corporations’ drug trade exceed the known oil revenues, and close to world income from the arms trade. Especially fatal abuse among young people - is affected and the present, and the future of society. Full, in terms of drug treatmentRead MoreThe Effects of Sexual Abuse on Children4542 Words   |  18 Pagesare therefore bound to come into contact with child sexual abuse. Some of these children may have symptoms and signs, and if they have not disclosed the abuse they depend on a doctor to initiate concern about it. Both doctors and children will benefit from medical practice that accepts and recognizes a level of medical concern expressed in terms of reasonable medical certainty (Faller, 2009). A medical diagnosis of child sexual abuse can be a reference point which can enable other agencies toRead MoreChild Sexual Exploitation3343 Words   |  14 PagesINTRODUCTION With the development and subsequent global rise of free trade, globalization and internationalization many new benefits are afforded to society, many old and new social inequities have reared their ugly heads once again. This has allowed an alarming and disturbing rise of instances in the exploitation of minors. The most widespread and upsetting of these is child sexual exploitation (hereafter CSE). However with greater power comes even greater responsibility, not only for individualsRead MoreChild Sexual Exploitation3353 Words   |  14 PagesINTRODUCTION With the development and subsequent global rise of free trade, globalization and internationalization many new benefits are afforded to society, many old and new social inequities have reared their ugly heads once again. This has allowed an alarming and disturbing rise of instances in the exploitation of minors. The most widespread and upsetting of these is child sexual exploitation (hereafter CSE). However with greater power comes even greater responsibility, not only for individualsRead MoreA Research Study On Adolescent Suicide Essay2270 Words   |  10 PagesFacilitating Connection and Saving Lives The purpose of this paper is to detail a group aimed to provide support for lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adolescents. The paper begins by examining literature related to adolescent suicide rates, the lack of personal and community resources for teenagers, and adolescent development and mental health. The paper will then address the methodology, purpose, and goals of the group. The paper will address the role of the leader. He/she will utilize an AdlerianRead MoreProblems of Society (Law, Crime, Punishment)7483 Words   |  30 PagesProblems of Society (Law, Crime, Punishment) Definition of Legal system Legal systems can be split between civil law and common law systems. The term civil law referring to a legal system should not be confused with civil law as a group of legal subjects distinct from criminal or public law. A third type of legal system—accepted by some countries without separation of church and state—is religious law, based on scriptures. The specific system that a country is ruled by is often determined by

Organizational Quality Management Evaluation and Performance

Question: Discuss about the Organizational Performance Managed to Yield favorable Outcome. Answer: Introduction In this topic, Im going to discuss issues related to how an organization can be managed to yield a favorable outcome. It always includes aspects of quality management, evaluation, performance indicators and systems of performance. The unit will discuss the ways in which an organization can be evaluated for success. What Im going to discuss today will revolve around understanding how the performance of an organization can be measured. How I will be able to monitor performance by putting in mind issues such as delivery of service effectively and efficiently. Be able also to showcase how Im going to show competence in doing research and to be able to provide appropriate findings that go hand in hand with the organizational position. Working together with my team we are supposed to showcase our ability in analyzing, research and discussing the various ways of improving service delivery in these organizations. As part of management, we have a big role in monitoring the progress of an orga nization by always keeping watch on the political, social, economic changes in the company to be able to evaluate where we are going as an organization. I am going to discuss issues related to organizational performance such as the structural perspective, the power political perspective, system perspective, and gender perspective and then we are going to evaluate this by looking at the performance of the private sector, Non-profit Organizations, and International organizations. Structural Perspective: The main reason for the establishment of an organization is to attain the set goals and targets which mostly include service delivery, employment and to earn a profit. For this to be real, then organizations must ensure that they enroll into specialization and picking up talents and skillful personnel that can perform their set targets easy and at a very faster rate and appropriately. An appropriatemanagement and control will ensure that skills and efforts of individuals and units can match up well(Nations., 2003). An organization will be successful when someones personal agenda is not considered over the companys agenda. Appropriate technology, skills, and the environment must be designed in a way that they go and in hand with the structure of the organization. Whenever there is a structural deficiency, the organization is most likely to decrease in performance, and this can only be corrected by analyzing, evaluating and restructuring by bringing in the right ; technology, personnel, resources and also the right agendas. Strengths that are evaluates in structural perspective includes the use of common sense, proper application of research findings and appropriate measurement of success. Power Political Perspective: Political Perspective discusses ways in which politics can affect the performance of an organization. Im therefore going to show how organizations have become a battlefield for individual interest and groups interest rather than general interest. An organization is made up of a variety of people. People with very different social, tribal, gender backgrounds. All these groups have very different perspective in the way they view this organization that they work towards achieving success(Go, 2012). People have a difference in values, information, perception reality, and beliefs. Conflicts therefore normally arise when it comes to distributing of these scarce resources among these different types of people. The big issue here is who can get what and who is not able to get. These scarce resources, therefore, results in conflicts, and it ends up being worse. Political ability, therefore, steps in here and makes power an important tool in winning over the minori ty group. People should, therefore, put aside their political abilities and work for the good of attaining success for these organizations. The organization's interest should always be put at the forefront always. Common interest, ideas, and values should be at the center stage and bring people back. Problems, therefore, arises when too much politics is put up and when leaders what to quantify their political might. Systems Perspective: The success of an organization is impacted both positively and negatively by the environment that they operate in. Organization continually and drastically adapt to the environment that they are operating. The organization must, therefore, look for ways in which they must adjust to accommodate the changes that are experienced daily in the external environment. Organization and environment are internally interconnected and independent. Therefore, making a change on anyone of this component will result in big changes in the entire system. It is, therefore, an in important aspect to select an appropriate environment that can provide the desired results in providing success to the business. A good organization, therefore, can accommodate both structural and power political elements. Gender Perspective: The perspective surrounding this is in ensuring that we understand the context surrounding us and what makes up an environment and politics revolving around sexuality and gender and the goals and targets that follow it. I will be discussing how an organization can be successful when it comes to gender balance and the importance of each gender in ensuring the success of an organization(Kumra, Simpson, Burke, 2016). According to Gherardi gender does not only involve bodies and power but it also includes knowledgeable politics. Each organization contains different types of bodies or gender and sexuality. How do we, therefore, define sexuality? Women are defined by terms of body to have the capacity to bear children and Men with the ability to sire children. The society, political world, and our cultures define gender as people with different roles in the society. Gender roles are distributed in the organizations. Some jobs today is either dominated by males or femal es, and there are those that have been shared by almost an equal portion. The most dominated female occupations normally include sales, clerical while men dominate the production and the graft, technical and managerial positions. Gender roles are therefore defined by the expectations that individuals and the society expect from this individual based on their sex and also what the society expects of people based on their gender. Gender is usually confused with sex in that they are very different concepts altogether. I would, therefore, define sex as a biological response determined by primary sexual characteristics of an individual. Gender is also defined as values, meanings, and characteristics that people relate to different sex(Merino, 2011). At the moment both genders have an equal role in the society. In fact, women today have become very entrepreneurial and will soon overtake men. An organizational success can, therefore, be measured by putting into consideration the following three aspects: Economic, Social and Environmental Indicators. With Economics, we define its financial status and assets. For social we identify the impact that it has brought into the community, and for Environmental aspect, we look at its ability to sustain itself in that environment. The private organizations are termed to be successful in their operations because of the kind ofmanagement that is in operation. Private organizations are not mostly affected by political factors like corruption and poor governance. The private sectors mostly work in providing the best service delivery. The only problem with private institutions is working towards maximizing profits hence exploiting the common man(Films Media Group Video Education Australasia, 2009). Non-profit organizations are very distinct when compared to the public sectors. Their mission and roles are very different as compared to those found in the public sector. They have a different role which includes; service-provider, vanguard role, and role of protecting values. In providing service delivery, they could either provide services that are unique or those that are the same with those provided by the government agencies but in a very different and quality way(Alakil, 2003). Some government services may be insufficient due to scarce resources hence the Non-governmental organizations come to rescue in providing services that are very beneficial to the society. These organizations also provide advocacy role by giving voice to the minority in the society by fighting for their rights and becoming the people's watchdog and criticize the government for every wrong that they do in making the common people suffer. According to Salomon, nonprofit organizations are seen to be advocat es for the large community interest(Flynn, 2001). A value promoted by the nonprofit organizations includes; commitment beyond the countries laws in working for the good of its people, honesty, accountability, respect and dignity to individuals beliefs. They also do goodwill in delivering service to the poor and all the less privileged in the society. The international organizations therefore also, on the other hand, have a bigger role in delivering service to the society. I will put much emphasis on the World Bank. This international organization has been very successful in bringing change into the society influenced by their wish in working for the common good of the people. Most of their roles include; eradication of poverty, promoting community projects, ensuring change in governance and important service delivery organization change in the way in which they provide services. Statistics has shown that most of the developing countries poverty ratios keep increasing despite all the efforts by this nonprofit and World Bank in elevating poverty(Group., 2007). These minimal changes have mostly resulted from working with governments which are corrupt and ineffective. Conclusion Different organizations are impacted by a lot of factors including structural, political, gender basis and system perspective. The performance of an institution is measured by its vision and mission in service delivery to the common people. Organizations like nonprofit, private sector and international organizations play a bigger role in promoting service delivery, but their dreams have always been killed by negative politics surrounding this organization and lack of support from the governments who purports corruption and lack of desire to eradicate poverty in the society making their efforts futile. References Alakil, A. M. (2003). Objective evaluation of non profit organizations (NPO's) : an analytical hierarchy process approach. Florida: Ph. D. Florida Institute of Technology. Films Media Group, Video Education Australasia. (2009). Corporate Social Responsibility. New york: Video Education Australasia. Flynn, P. (2001). Measuring the impact of the nonprofit sector. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers. Go, J. (2012). Political power and social theory. Bingley, U.K. : Emerald, . Group., W. B. (2007). The development potential of regional programs : an evaluation of World Bank support of multicountry operations. Washington, DC: World Bank. Kumra, S., Simpson, R., Burke, R. J. (2016). The Oxford handbook of gender in organizations. oxford: Oxford Oxford University Press. Merino, N. (2011). Gender. Farmington Hills : Greenhaven Press. Nations., F. a. (2003). Organization and structure of FAO, including titles of staff = Organisation et structure de la FAO, et titres des fonctionnaires. Roma: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

The American Judicial System

The American judicial system is perceived as one of the most independent judicial systems around the world. However, there are factors which negatively influence the operations of the judiciary in exercising legal matters. In this essay, I will explore why I believe the independence of the American judicial system is compromised.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The American Judicial System specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The fact that federal judges are approved by senate after being nominated by the president puts at stake the independence of the American judicial system and the conduct of its judges. This largely discredits the selection of federal court judges as the process of selection may not be transparent and may even take a political dimension. Moreover, approval of judges by senate (after appointment by the president) means that the executive arm of government exercises control over the judiciary. This puts into question the ability of the judicial system to exist independently (O’Connor and Sabato, 200). For example, an election petition by Algore, challenging the re-election of George Bush, was shot down in unclear circumstances perceived to be politically instigated. In addition, O’Connor and Sabato use Hamilton’s quote to emphasize the vulnerability of the Judiciary. They suggest that the American Judicial System â€Å"neither has the power of the sword nor the power of the purse† (O’Connor and Sabato, 330). This jeopardizes formulation and implementation of policies. According to O’Connor and Sabato, federal court judges are appointed in a political process and are never subjected to voter approval. They can only be removed from office by impeachment. Certainly, impeachment of a judge who is biased is almost impossible (O’Connor and Sabato, 302). This instills doubt on the ability of the American judicial system to exercise ju dicial matters independently. When one critically analyzes the profile of federal court judges, it is clear majority have held political offices, for example positions of prosecutor and campaign strategist. The profiles of these judges influence how they vote on judicial matters. Therefore, the voting process may be influenced by extralegal factors including political influence, corruption, attitude, public opinion and the ideologies held by judges (O’Connor and Sabato, 245). The influence of judges by factors mentioned above means that judges are unable to exercise impartial judgement.Advertising Looking for essay on government? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Since there is lack of independence in the American judicial system as explained above, it is important to subject federal court judges to approval by the public. This should apply to the whole judicial system including state courts. For example in California, su ch measures exist as judges are subjected to approval by the public, can be removed by a committee on judicial performance, and run for elections every six years (O’Connor and Sabato, 328). According to O’Connor and Sabato, Article III of the United States constitution establishes the Supreme Court where all judicial power is vested and covers life tenure on the part of judges. Moreover, this article establishes the compensation of judges so that they exercise judicial matters without being compromised. Though the key objective of this article was to address the limitations of the article of confederation that relied on the state for judicial matters, it has done little to check existence of bias in the judiciary (O’Connor and Sabato, 187). According to O’Connor and Sabato, the power of the courts to ascertain if laws or other legal matters contravene the constitution (judicial review) is not mentioned in the constitution. Furthermore, judicial review has been minimally used and even abused. For example, it has been used minimally to challenge powers of congress but maximally as a tool to make state legislative acts toothless by invalidating them (O’Connor and Sabato, 301). From the above argument, it is clear the American judicial system is almost toothless and it exercises legal matters in the midst of influence. Though the federal courts in the United States are very powerful today, they exercise their power to serve the interests of various quarters which may be extra political or intra-political. This jeopardizes the independence of the judicial arm of government as entrenched in the constitution. Works Cited O’Connor, Karen, and Larry Sabato. Essentials of American Government: Continuity and Change. Longhorn Publishers, 2010. Print. This essay on The American Judicial System was written and submitted by user Kaelynn L. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

CFV essays

CFV essays I heard on the news the other day that something like 9 students were suspended from a college for all handing in the same paper. Look for a new feature in the coming weeks that will allow students to let other students know what school, teacher, and year they used the paper. Email me if you have any thoughts or suggestions about this. I redid the design of the page this weekend, please let me know what you think. Also, if you find any pages that don't display or have some messed up tables, please let me know, I'm hoping I got them all :) We now search over 25,000 essays with the addition of netessays.net! I have also started a new Top 50 essay sites. I know there are already too many, but the bignerds.com top 50 site has not updated in several months, and I feel that a working, quality top 50 site is needed. So, if you are a webmaster, sign up! Well, sorry about all the weird down time of the metasearch, but its back and fully functional and faster and bigger. I think I counted over 17,000 essays that it seaches... NO LIE! We've also added a search for our local essays. Thats all for now, webmasters, sign up for my new Top 50 site and enter the Top 50 contest to win a month of your banner in my rotation (click the Top 50 Sites link for details). Other than that, keep uploading essays, and add links to the Research Link Database. I've added a new feature, which I hope will take off. Its called "The Research Link Database". It purpose is to help users find information on the internet that relates to their topic. It is driven by it's users, so if you have URLs to page about a paper topic, please add those links to the database! If you don't, just head over to check it out. Reminder: this is still very new, and doesn't have much information in it yet, I will be adding info over the next couple days, and I hope some of you will too. Check it out here WOOHOO! Over 100,000 pages served! Keep em coming guys and gals! On a more serio...

Celebrity SAT Scores (Kesha, Bill Gates, and more)

Celebrity SAT Scores (Kesha, Bill Gates, and more) SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips What do you have in common with Kesha, Bill Gates, Al Gore, and Derek Jeter? They all had to take the SAT when they were in high school, just like you! However you feel about the SAT, it’s a landmark in the lives of many American students (and lots of international ones, too). Taking the SAT is an experience that many of you will share and remember well for the rest of your lives. Let’s check out some SAT scores of the rich and famous - and talk about how you can achieve some Kesha-worthy scores of your own. Feature image: Nicole Abalde/Flickr SAT Scores of Famous People We've gathered a complete list of celebrity SAT scores. These were often revealed in interviews or through investigative research. Some people were proud of their high scores, others proud of their low scores - and others couldn't care less. Here it is: Celebrity SAT Score (out of 1600) College Attended Paul Allen 1600 Washington State University Will Smith Rumored to be perfect None Ben Affleck Almost perfect Occidental College, University of Vermont Bill Gates 1590 Harvard Ben Bernanke 1590 Harvard Bill O'Reilly 1585 Marist College Ryan Fitzpatrick 1580 Harvard James Woods 1579 MIT Ben Stein 1573 Columbia Kesha 1500 None Scott McNealy 1420 Stanford Natalie Portman 1400+ Harvard Al Gore 1355 Harvard Stephen King 1300s University of Maine Meredith Vieira 1300s Tufts University George W. Bush 1206 Yale Derek Jeter 1200 University of Michigan John Kerry 90 Yale Courtney Cox 50 Mount Vernon College Amy Tan 00s Linfield College, San Josà © State University Kobe Bryant 1080 None Scarlett Johansson 1080 None Bill Clinton 1032 Georgetown Peyton Manning 1030 University of Tennessee Alex Rodriguez 910 None Clearly all people on this list are considered successful, indicating you don't need a high SAT score to be successful, if you have passion, drive, and talent. You can either get a Kesha-like SATscore of 1500 or a Kobe-like one of 1080. But for most people in the world (like you and me), working hard in school, getting good grades, and earning high scores set up a brighter future with more open opportunities. Actors, singers, athletes, entrepreneurs, and politicians are scattered all up and down the list, but how can you join the ranks of Bill Gates, Will Smith, and Kesha up at the top? Read on for the important strategies and resources you need to score high on the SAT. Walmart/Flickr Where Will You Fall On This List? You need a high SAT score to get into good colleges, and we've got tips for you to improve your score. Get to Know the SAT Well To do well on the SAT, you have to know the SAT - you must be familiar with its content and format, as well as able to work fast and efficiently. High quality materials are a must in readying yourself and improving your scores. Questions that aren’t well written or don’t match the complexity of real SAT questions won’t get you very far. Timing yourself as your practice will also help you with pacing. Study Smart, Not Dumb Getting ready is not just about how much you prep, but about how well you prep. There are several important strategies to your approach, including setting small, manageable goals and rooting out your particular strengths and weaknesses. Check out our free E-Book for the tips you need to know to customize your study methods to your abilities and learning style. Understand the Test Inside and Out By the time you take the SAT, you don’t want to have any lingering questions or uncertainties about the test, including how long the sections are or how your scores are calculated. To learn the ins and outs of the SAT, check out our numerous resources. Just a few good places to start involve how long the test is, how it is scored, and how you can get a perfect SAT score. Know About Upcoming SAT Changes These celebs took the old version of the SAT, when it was scored out of 1600. The current SAT is scored out of 2400, with a maximum possible score of 800 for Critical Reading, Math, and Writing. Starting in the spring of 2016, however, the redesigned SAT will return to the 1600 scale system, with a maximum point value of 800 for Critical Reading and Writing (together) and 800 for math. There are several other changes in content that you should know about if you’ll be taking the new SAT. The new PSAT, furthermore, which all juniors will take in the fall, is changing this year (2015) to match the new SAT. Read about the redesign here, and learn how it will help next year’s juniors prepare for the new SAT. The SAT is a rite of passage that many high school students share on the road to college. What scores will end up being reported for you? What’s Next? No two people are exactly the same, so no two approaches to studying should be the same either. A good starting point to customizing your SAT prep to your unique strengths and skills is setting personalized goals. Find out what’s a good SAT score, a bad SAT score, and an excellent SAT score here so you can set your own individual target scores. The SAT is a long and important test, so obviously you wouldn’t be well served by only cramming the night before. But when exactly should you start prepping for the SAT? Learn how to schedule out your time to effectively study for the SAT. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points? Check out our best-in-class online SAT prep program. We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your SAT score by 160 points or more. Our program is entirely online, and it customizes your prep program to your strengths and weaknesses. We also feature thousands of practice questions, 10 official SAT practice tests, and personal feedback on your essays from an expert instructor. Check out our 5-day free trial:

Assignment Geography Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Geography - Assignment Example The trend of unpaid internship is more prevalent in the sectors like politics, technology, journalism and fashion. The article thus focuses on the bizarre scenario operating within the industries demanding the unpaid labor of considerable amount over a considerable span of time. And the predicament of the unpaid personnel in these sectors also finds enough expression in the essay where it has been quintessentially mentioned that the time, when the unpaid labor reaches the point of getting paid adequately for his or her expertise, there are already huge professional as juniors in the industry who have received the status of unpaid intern. Summary The potent issue focused within the article hinges on the fact that unpaid internship might be quite beneficial for the individuals who are young. It also highlights that these young individuals possess the ability of becoming a very good and attractive entrepreneur as they are able to procure skilled and free labor. But this system is very b ad and sluggish for the entire society as a comprehensive unit. As often argued by theorists, the trend of unpaid internship is screwing the job market (Matthews, 2013; Paton, 2013).

Agency visit project. the international center in the University of Essay

Agency visit project. the international center in the University of Missouri, columbia - Essay Example Similarly, I noticed that the center facilitates and supports students, as well as faculties outside the United States who are engaged in building relationship and international research. I was really moved by the efforts the center has made to ensure that the incoming international students get enough orientation to settle quickly in the United States. The organization of agencies is critical in the quest to offer quality service. The International Center in the University of Missouri is well-organized to offer quality service to the international students. I was able to note that the organization shares information regarding where the students can seek health care service after their arrival in the United States. In fact, the center gives the students the information before they even arrive in the United States. After the students arrive in the United States, the center has an orientation program in which it brings key speakers from students’ health center and counseling center to discuss issues pertinent to students’ health. Similarly, the center has ensured that the students overcome cultural shock within the shortest time possible. Culture shock can hinder the students’ pleasant stay in the United States (Williams, 2005).). In this regard, the center has ensured that the students do not face any challenges seeking the health services while studying in the United States. I believe that this is important because it can be challenging for the international students if they do not know where to find services central to their welfare. The mission statement guides agencies to achieve their goals. I recognized that the delivery of quality service, especially to the immigrants is enshrined in the center’s mission. Notably, the center is committed to ensuring it provides up-to-date information and support to the immigrants. The center uses a variety of communication channels

Claudius has been presented in the theatre as a worthy King Essay Example for Free

Claudius has been presented in the theatre as a worthy King Essay Claudius has been presented in the theatre as a worthy King and Polonius as an amiable and sensible father. What is your response to the ways in which Shakespeare presents one of these characters? It is hard to judge the character of Polonius in Shakespeares Hamlet, due to the fact Shakespeare presents many of the events not only through Hamlets eyes, but the eyes of Polonius children and the King, and through these different people he is presented in different ways. However, there is a great deal more to this multi-faceted character in the play, as his presence and actions in the play is of great importance, before and after his death. Polonius is presented in different ways in various stage productions; usually, he is presented as a wise man, and one with great influence upon his son and daughter, Laertes and Ophelia, and of a man highly respected by King Claudius, Queen Gertrude and the people of Denmark. Despite this, he can become a rather comic character, if the company wishes Hamlet to be presented more positively. As Polonius is presented through different productions in different ways, it is difficult to evaluate his true nature. As the play is largely presented through Hamlets eyes, it is from him we draw many of our opinions. It is eventually Hamlet that kills Polonius, stabbing him through the arras, and Hamlet who sends him off with such harsh words as a foolish, prating knave; it can be said that he encompasses aspects of this statement, as we see in different parts of the play. However, to be deeply cynical of Polonius is somewhat hard to do. Polonius, in the eyes of Claudius, the Queen, the words and actions of Laertes, Ophelia and the Danish people, and the obediency of Reynaldo give us a more reasoned insight into Polonius. Polonius can be seen as foolish mainly when talking to his servant, Reynaldo, wherein he directs Reynaldo as to how to spy on Laertes. During his speech, Polonius gets wrapped up in his own words, and seems to lose the points he is trying to get across; And then, sir, does a this he does what was I about to say? By the mass I was about to say something. Where did I leave?; Shakespeare also transfers from blank verse into prose, accentuating Polonius loss of grip. However, this may actually be cleverly checking if Reynaldo is listening; the fact he quotes him directly back At closes in the consequence, at friend or so, / and, gentlemen' suggests many positive factors. For one, it is a reflection on Polonius authority and importance that Reynaldo remains attentive and quotes him back perfectly. Also, if this is a trick, Polonius may feel the matter is so important to his sons welfare that he needs to test Reynaldo to see if he really is listening so that the surveillance can be perfectly executed. Polonius may be seen to lose his grip in his bouts of prating to the King and Queen in parts of the play too. His speech to Claudius and Gertrude concerning Hamlets madness is a prime example of Polonius prattling, as we see in his long-winded build up to his conclusion, that Hamlet is mad; Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit,  And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,  I will be brief. Your noble son is mad..

Freedom Encroaching Technologies Essay -- FBIs Use of Privacy-Invadin

"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." -- Benjamin Franklin INTRODUCTION: "The true danger is when liberty is nibbled away, for expedients, and by parts...the only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." -- Edmund Burke U.S. has enjoyed being the most dominant country in the world for almost a century now. No one argues the supremacy, be it militarily or economically, of U.S. in present days. U.S. dominance is so overwhelming that almost nothing can restraint its will, case in point, the recent war without approval of U.N. A disturbing trend seems to be developing. An overconfident/arrogant international policy and a growing fascist domestic policy appear to be the image of U.S. government at this point in time. With every passing year, the government is doing more and more surveillance on the people, citizen and foreigners, without their knowledge and consent. The recent world events have escalated the situation. To be sure, the U.S. government was already on the path of slowly encroaching on privacy well before the events. But since 9/11, the citizens have willingly given up their resistance against the government’s encroachment on privacy in search for national unity and safety. They gave the government more power to prosecute foreigners and citizens accused of terrorism In the 1990s, as technology evolved rapidly the government has kept pace and tried to create new ways to surveillance using the evolving technologies. In addition to that, the government is seeking to find ways to break through encrypted data by asking software companies to allow build-in backdoors for the government to decode sensit... ...html Karen Tumulty and Viveca Novak, Goodbye, soccer mom. Hello, security mom. TIME Magazine. 2 Jun. 2003 ISSUE. Jack Ryan. McAfee broadens denial: No contact with government of any sort. Internet Security Review. 28 Nov, 2001. http://lists.insecure.org/lists/politech/2001/Nov/0109.html Bugbear worms threaten Internet. CNN.com/Technology. 08 Jun. 2003. http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/06/08/computer.worm/index.html Urge Congress to Stop the FBI's Use of Privacy-Invading Software. American Civil Liberty Union. http://www.aclu.org/Cyber-Liberties/Cyber-Liberties.cfm?ID=9958&c=58 John Leyden. Zimmermann defends strong crypto against govt assault. 10 Mar. 2001. http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/archive/22014.html Declan McCullagh, Lantern' Backdoor Flap Rages. 27 Nov. 2001. http://www.wired.com/news/conflict/0,2100,48648,00.html

Fashion History Essay

A fancy handbag, stylish footwear, shimmering jewellery and a designer dress of substandard quality sell at fantastic prices. Now beauty salons and slimming centers the landmarks of fashionable world are frequented by a large clientele at great expenses even in smaller towns. It seems the inbred urge of the man to appear graceful is awakening from the slumber. But the craze for fashion has also opened new avenues for expansion of small scale industries product fancy articles for beauty aids are now growing and shaping up as big industries. They provide employment to thousands of youth directly or indirectly. Courses based on fashion designing and decoration have now become a popular and recognized commercial education in the country. Ever changing fashion is welcome features but living in fashion and style is a symbol of lively society. Fashions breaking the barriers of decency and decoration are full risks and lead to moral chaos. We must be aware of that fashion adds only to our external beauty which is skin deep and transient whereas moral beauty is lasting and sublime. True beauty lies in cleaning ourselves from within and is attained by practicing truth and piety love and sacrifice in our lives but in the avalanche of ever changing fashions, all that matters is ostentatious show with the aid of modem cosmetics and beauty aids, latest dresses etc. And this is eating into our great noble values. True, beauty needs no ornaments or fashion aids. My lord I may be beautiful from within in this age of fashion.

Adoption from China vs the United States Essay

When a couple begins to explore the idea of adopting a child, it is easy for them to quickly become overwhelmed with information, questions and decisions. One of the first dilemmas couples face is whether to pursue international adoption or domestic adoption. By thoroughly researching and weighing both options, a couple can decide whether international or domestic adoption is best for their family. Some of the requirements that must be met to adopt in China include marital Status, only married couples with marriage defined as between a man and a woman, who have been married for at least 2 years are able to adopt from China. If either has been divorced, the couple must be married for 5 years before considering adopting from China. No more than two divorces are allowed; the age of prospective adoptive parents must be between 30 and 44 years old to adopt babies around 1 year old. Prospective adoptive parents can be between the ages of 30 and 50 for other children (about. com, 2012); Educational requirement for both parents are that they must have a H. S. diploma or vocational training. Typically from start to finish it will take 36-48 months for the adoption to be final. The biggest factor influencing the wait for a child is the time it takes the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA) to make a referral to a family. The current referral time is approximately eight months after the detailed prospective parents files are submitted and registered with the CCAA. The cost to adopt from China is not inexpensive; it can run $20,000 to $40,000, including travel. This cost also covers registration and program fees, applications, and home study fees, necessary paperwork and background checks, just to name a few. Medical records of children adopted internationally are often minimal, if available at all. Information regarding the social history of the child’s birth parents, such as family medical history is also often unavailable (the Adoption Guide, 2012). In comparison, some of the requirements to adopt in the United States include marital status; couples do not have to be married to adopt; however, it will be easier for them to adopt if they are married. If the adopting parent is married, a minimum of a three year marriage is a common requirement; the minimum legal age to adopt is generally 18 years of age to 40 years of age. In most situations, however, there will be a requirement that the adopting parents must be at least 20 years older than the child they are seeking to adopt; history of employment stability, and the prospect of future employment stability, are always considered to be big plusses in the eyes of birthparents; there is a thorough background check done in an attempt to uncover evidence of any prior legal or criminal problems, or any problems with child abuse, financial instability, or substance abuse. The average time from preparation of portfolio to match with a birthmother can vary from 3 months (this being the majority) to being longer than 24 months; this includes time spent in false starts. The final adoption decree is usually finalized 6 months after the placement of the child with an adoptive family. The cost of adoption in the United States can range from $5,000 to $40,000 for agency and private adoptions. The cost includes; Agency applications nd program fees, attorney fees, birthmothers expenses, and travel just to name a few. One very large legal concern in domestic adoption is that in an attorney-facilitated adoption, a birth parent can try to withdraw consent to the adoption before the final adoption decree goes into effect, which is six months after placement. To exercise this right to withdraw consent, a birth parent must present clear and convincing evidence that the â€Å"best interests of the child† have changed (adoption. com, 2012). Furthermore, the numbers of children in China awaiting adoption has dropped significantly in the past few years. In 2006, about 6,493 Chinese orphans came to the United States; in 2011 only 2,587 children were adopted. The belief for the decline is the rather strict adoption requirement that have been placed on prospective parents. Despite the fact that we live in one of the most fortunate nations in the world, there are 115,000 children in the U. S. foster care system waiting to be adopted. Unfortunately some of these children are waiting because they are difficult to place due to their age, the fact that they are part of a sibling group, or their disability. The total number of children worldwide who are orphaned and waiting to be is approximately 2. 2 billion. Out of those 2. 2 billion children, 16 million children are estimated to be orphans. How do you even wrap your brain around that many parent-less children? The total number of children adopted worldwide each year, out of those 16 million orphans, is a mere 250,000. These numbers are pretty overwhelming when you think about it (the Adoption Guide, 2012). The decision between domestic adoptions vs. international adoptions only scratches the surface of this big decision. Because a family’s experience with adopting from China will be very different from a family adopting from the United States, it is difficult to describe what to expect in either situation. Couples should fully research each of these adoption venues and then weigh their options to see which best matches their adoption plan.

ED510 Concepts of Internal External Validity Essays

ED510 Concepts of Internal External Validity Essays ED510 Concepts of Internal External Validity Paper ED510 Concepts of Internal External Validity Paper Internal Validity The ability to control the extraneous variables on the dependent variable. Anytime there are alternative explanations for the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable, internal validity is threatened. External Validity The ability to generalize the study results to other groups and settings beyond those in the current experiment. Research that can be generalized will have more practical value. Threats to Internal Validity Extraneous factors that allow for alternative explanations as to what caused the given effect on the dependent variable. History Effect A threat to internal validity when events occur between the pretest and posttest of an experiment that could affect participants in such as way as to impact the dependent variable (stress, illness, etc). What can a researcher do? Use a control group that has not been effected or mildly effected by the even. Control Group A group of participants exactly like the treatment group in every way possible except that they receive no treatment. Experimental Group The group receiving the treatment. Maturation Effect Occurs when there are changes seen in subjects because of the time that has elapsed since the study began and which may not be the result of of any program effects. Most common in children being studied. What can a researcher do? Use a control group. Testing In many types of research it is necessary to pretest participants to establish a baseline of the dependent variable. The pretest is usually compared to the posttest measurement to determine the effectiveness of a treatment. However, by being tested, participants may become test wise. Any differences seen from the basline to the posttest may be form testing effects. What can a researcher do? Use a control group that does not receive any pretesting. Test Wise By testing, participants may learn how to do better on the test next time they take it. Instrumentation Instrumentation used to collect data can cause threats to internal validity where measurements are not accurate or procedures are not standardized. What can a researcher do? Use a well designed instrument that accurately measures what it is supposed to measure. Selection Bias Anytime individuals are selected in a non: A study on a new health site, it is probably that those who choose to participate are interested in health. What can a researcher do? Although this cannot be completely countered, recruiting volunteers and then randomly assigning them is better than allowing them to self-select a group. Also, matching them on selected characteristics and then randomly assigning them can help. Finally, pretesting groups on measures of the dependent variable to make sure there are no pretreatment differences between groups can help. Selection Maturation Effect A combination of selection bias and maturation effect. This occurs when using intact groups that vary in their maturation level. What can a researcher do? Pretesting and/or prescreening groups on maturity levels. Statistical Regression Occurs when participants are selected on the basis of their extremely high or low scores. If these same participants were administered the same instrument again, the tendency would be for those who scored extremely high on the first test to score lower on the second test and vice versa. What can a researcher do? The study could be designed to follow a random sample of individuals representing a full range of scores rather than placing participants in high and low groups based on one testing. Mortality/Attrition It is common to lose participants over the course of a study. In longitudinal studies, some may die; in others, some will drop out or move without leaving contact information. This creates a mortality effect. Loss of subjects hurts the validity of comparisons. What can a researcher do? Provide incentive for participants. Hawthorne Effect When participants attitudes toward being involved in a study affect the way they behave. ; What can a researcher do? Try to provide the control group with some special treatment that is comparable to the experimental group but would not have direct impact on the independent variable. Also, keep participants from knowing that htye are taking part in a study or being observed. ; ; Placebo Effect Effects caused by participants expectations rather than the actual treatment. What can a researcher do? Use a blind or double-blind study. Also, ensure that those in both the control and experimental groups receive the same information so that both groups have similar expectations. Lastly, give both groups as little information as possible to evade expectations. Diffusion Treatment The Diffusion effect occurs when the treatment being applied to one group spills over or contaminates another group. What can a researcher do? Use control/experimental groups that live separately from each other. Urge participants to keep personal effects of the treatment confidential until the end. Location Location effect occurs when there are differences in the locations where interventions take place. What can a researcher do? Make the locations the same for all participants. If thats not possible, the researcher should try and minimize location differences that affect the dependent variable. ; ; Implementation Incolges the individual or individuals responsible for implementing the experimental treatment and the possibility that they may inadvertently introduce inequality or bias into the study. ; What can a researcher do? Make sure all persons responsible for implementing the program are equally trained and competent, and following standardized protocol. Another way is to have somone other than the program developer present the program. Lastly, internal validity can be controlled by having a neutral observer watch the presenter. ; ; Threats to Internal Validity Extraneous factors that threat the ability to generalize the findings to the population. ; ; Selection Treatment Interaction Concerns the ability of the researcher to generalize the results of a study beyond the groups involved in the study. ; What can a researcher do? Random selection from a population to form a study population. ; ; Setting Treatment Interaction Concerns the extent to which the environmental conditions or setting under which an experimental study was conducted can be duplicated in other settings. ; What can a researcher do? Consider differences in backgrounds of different populations as well as the settings they are given the study. ; ; History Treatment Interaction This develops when the researcher tries to generalize findings to past and future situations. Some experiements may be time sensitive and not produce similar results if conducted earlier or later. ; What can a researcher do? Take into consideration effects of timing, and adjust the study accordingly. ; ; Increasing Internal ; External Validity Maximize Internal Validity by using the Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). This analysis equalizes many initial differences that might exist between groups. ; Maximize External Validity by carefully considering what groups can one legitimately generalize to. Also, always duplicate a setting and historical factors as nearly as possible when replicating a study with a different population. ; ; REMEMBER External Validity CANNOT exist without Internal Validity! ; Researchers should always be concerned about ensuring Internal Validity before trying to establish External Validity!

Alfred Hitchcock - Profile of the Famous British Film Director

Alfred Hitchcock - Profile of the Famous British Film Director Known as the â€Å"Master of Suspense,† Alfred Hitchcock was one of the most famous film directors of the 20th century. He directed more than 50 feature-length films from the 1920s into the 1970s. Hitchcock’s image, seen during Hitchcock’s frequent cameos in his own films and before each episode of the hit TV show Alfred Hitchcock Presents, has become synonymous with suspense. Dates: August 13, 1899 – April 29, 1980 Also Known As: Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, Hitch, Master of Suspense, Sir Alfred Hitchcock Growing Up with a Fear of Authority Alfred Joseph Hitchcock was born on August 13, 1899, in Leytonstone in the East End of London. His parents were Emma Jane Hitchcock (neà © Whelan), who was known to be stubborn, and William Hitchcock, a grocer, who was known to be stern. Alfred had two older siblings: a brother, William (born 1890) and a sister, Eileen (born 1892). When Hitchcock was just five years old, his strict, Catholic father gave him quite a fright. Attempting to teach Hitchcock a valuable lesson, Hitchcock’s father sent him to the local police station with a note. Once the police officer on duty read the note, the officer locked young Hitchcock in a cell for several minutes. The effect was devastating. Although his father was trying to teach him a lesson about what happened to people who did bad things, the experience left Hitchcock shaken to the core. As a result, Hitchcock was forever fearful of the police. A bit of a loner, Hitchcock liked to draw and invent games on maps in his spare time. He attended St. Ignatius College boarding school where he stayed out of trouble, fearful of the strict Jesuits and their public canings of boys who misbehaved. Hitchcock learned draftsmanship at the London County Council School of Engineering and Navigation in Poplar from 1913 to 1915. Hitchcock’s First Job After graduating, Hitchcock got his first job in 1915 as an estimator for W.T. Henley Telegraph Company, a manufacturer of electric cable. Bored by his job, he regularly attended the cinema by himself in the evenings, read the cinema trade papers, and took drawing classes at London University. Hitchcock gained confidence and began to show a dry, witty side at work. He drew caricatures of his colleagues and wrote short stories with twist endings, to which he signed the name â€Å"Hitch.† Henley’s Social Club magazine, The Henley, began publishing Hitchcock’s drawings and stories. As a result, Hitchcock was promoted to Henley’s advertising department, where he was much happier as a creative advertising illustrator. Hitchcock Gets Into Filmmaking In 1919, Hitchcock saw an ad in one of the cinema trade papers that a Hollywood company named Famous Players-Lasky (which later became Paramount) was building a studio in Islington, a neighborhood in Greater London. At the time, American filmmakers were considered superior to their British counterparts and thus Hitchcock was extremely excited about them opening up a studio locally. Hoping to impress those in charge of the new studio, Hitchcock discovered the subject of what was to be their first motion picture, bought the book it was based on, and read it. Hitchcock then drew up mock title cards (graphic cards inserted into silent movies to show dialogue or explain action). He took his title cards to the studio, only to find that they had decided to film a different movie. Undaunted, Hitchcock quickly read the new book, drew up new title cards, and again took them to the studio. Impressed by his graphics as well as his determination, Islington Studio hired him to moonlight as their title-card designer. Within a few months, the studio offered 20-year-old Hitchcock a full-time job. Hitchcock accepted the position and left his steady job at Henley to enter the unsteady world of filmmaking. With calm confidence and a desire to make movies, Hitchcock began to help out as a screenwriter, assistant director, and set designer. Here, Hitchcock met Alma Reville, who was in charge of film editing and continuity. When the director fell ill while filming the comedy, Always Tell Your Wife (1923), Hitchcock stepped in and finished the film. He was then offered the opportunity to direct Number Thirteen (never completed). Due to a lack of funds, the motion picture abruptly stopped filming after a few scenes were shot and the entire studio shut down. When Balcon-Saville-Freedman took over the studio, Hitchcock was one of just a few people asked to stay on. Hitchcock became the assistant director and screenwriter for Woman to Woman (1923). Hitchcock hired Alma Reville back for continuity and editing. The picture was a box-office success; however, the studio’s next picture, The White Shadow (1924), failed at the box-office and again the studio shut down. This time, Gainsborough Pictures took over the studio and Hitchcock was again asked to stay. Hitchcock Becomes a Director In 1924, Hitchcock was the assistant director for The Blackguard (1925), a film shot in Berlin. This was a co-production deal between Gainsborough Pictures and UFA Studios in Berlin. Not only did Hitchcock take advantage of the Germans’ extraordinary sets, but he also observed the German filmmakers using sophisticated camera pans, tilts, zooms, and tricks for forced perspective in set design. Known as German Expressionism, the Germans used dark, moody thought-provoking topics such as madness and betrayal rather than adventure, comedy, and romance. The German filmmakers were equally happy to learn an American technique from Hitchcock whereby scenery was painted onto the camera lens as a foreground. In 1925, Hitchcock got his directorial debut for The Pleasure Garden (1926), which was filmed in both Germany and Italy. Again Hitchcock chose Alma to work with him; this time as his assistant director for the silent film. During filming, a budding romance between Hitchcock and Alma began. The film itself is remembered for the myriad of troubles the crew ran into during filming, including having customs confiscate all of their unexposed film as they crossed the international border. Hitchcock Gets â€Å"Hitched† and Directs a Hit Hitchcock and Alma married on February 12, 1926; she would become his chief collaborator on all his films. Also in 1926, Hitchcock directed The Lodger, a suspense movie filmed in Britain about a â€Å"wrongly accused man.† Hitchcock had chosen the story, used fewer title cards than usual, and tossed in bits of humor. Due to a shortage of extras, he had made a cameo appearance in the film. The distributor didn’t like it and shelved it. Stunned, Hitchcock felt like a failure. He was so despondent that he even contemplated a career change. Luckily, the film was released a few months later by the distributor, who had been running short on films. The Lodger (1927) became a huge hit with the public. Britain’s Best Director in the 1930s The Hitchcocks became very busy with filmmaking. They lived in a country house (named Shamley Green) on the weekends and lived in a London flat during the week. In 1928, Alma delivered a baby girl, Patricia – the couple’s only child. Hitchcock’s next big hit was Blackmail (1929), the first British talkie (film with sound). During the 1930s, Hitchcock made picture after picture and invented the term â€Å"MacGuffin† to illustrate that the object the villains were after needed no explanation; it was just something used to drive the story. Hitchcock felt he didn’t need to bore the audience with details; it didn’t matter where the MacGuffin came from, just who was after it. The term is still used in contemporary filmmaking. Having made several box-office flops in the early 1930s, Hitchcock then made The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934). The film was a British and American success, as were his next five films: The 39 Steps (1935), Secret Agent (1936), Sabotage (1936), Young and Innocent (1937), and The Lady Vanishes (1938). The latter won the New York Critics’ Award for Best Film of 1938. Hitchcock caught the attention of David O. Selznick, an American film producer and owner of Selznick Studios in Hollywood. In 1939, Hitchcock, the number one British director at the time, accepted a contract from Selznick and moved his family to Hollywood. Hollywood Hitchcock While Alma and Patricia loved the weather in Southern California, Hitchcock was not fond of it. He continued to wear his dark English suits no matter how hot the weather. In the studio, he worked diligently on his first American film, Rebecca (1940), a psychological thriller. After the small budgets he had worked with in England, Hitchcock delighted in the large Hollywood resources he could use to build elaborate sets. Rebecca won the Oscar for Best Picture in 1940. Hitchcock was up for Best Director, but lost to John Ford for The Grapes of Wrath. Memorable Scenes Fearing suspense in real life (Hitchcock didn’t even like driving a car), he did enjoy capturing suspense on screen in memorable scenes, which often included monuments and famous landmarks. Hitchcock planned every shot for his motion pictures beforehand to such an extent that filming was said to be the boring part to him. Hitchcock took his audiences to the domed roof of the British Museum for a chase scene in Blackmail (1929), to the Statue of Liberty for a free fall in Saboteur (1942), to the streets of Monte Carlo for a wild drive in To Catch a Thief (1955), to the Royal Albert Hall for an assassination misfire in The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956),underneath the Golden Gate Bridge for a suicide attempt in Vertigo (1958), and to Mt. Rushmore for a chase scene in North by Northwest (1959). Other Hitchcock memorable scenes include a glowing poisoned glass of milk in Suspicion (1941), a man chased by a crop duster in North by Northwest (1959), a stabbing scene in the shower to shrieking violins in Psycho (1960), and killer birds gathering in a schoolyard in The Birds (1963). Hitchcock and Cool Blondes Hitchcock was known for engaging the audience with suspense, accusing the wrong man of something, and portraying a fear of authority. He also threw in comic relief, portrayed villains as charming, used unusual camera angles, and preferred classic blondes for his leading ladies. His leads (both male and female) portrayed poise, intelligence, underlying passion, and glamour. Hitchcock said audiences found classic blonde females to be innocent looking and an escape for the bored housewife. He didn’t think a woman should wash the dishes and go see a movie about a woman washing the dishes. Hitchcock’s leading ladies also had a cool, icy attitude for added suspense never warm and bubbly. Hitchcock’s leading ladies included Ingrid Bergman, Grace Kelly, Kim Novak, Eva Marie Saint, and Tippi Hedron. Hitchcock’s TV Show In 1955, Hitchcock started Shamley Productions, named after his country home back in England, and produced Alfred Hitchcock Presents, which turned into the Alfred Hitchcock Hour. This successful TV show aired from 1955 to 1965. The show was Hitchcock’s way of featuring mystery dramas written by various writers, mostly directed by directors other than himself. Before each episode, Hitchcock presented a monologue to set up the drama, beginning with â€Å"Good Evening.† He came back at the end of each episode to tie up any loose ends about the culprit being caught. Hitchcock’s popular horror movie, Psycho (1960), was filmed inexpensively by his Shamley Productions TV crew. In 1956, Hitchcock became a U.S. citizen, but remained a British subject. Awards, Knighthood, and Death of Hitchcock Despite being nominated five times for Best Director, Hitchcock never won the Oscar. While accepting the Irving Thalberg Memorial Award at the 1967 Oscars, he simply said, â€Å"Thank you.† In 1979, the American Film Institute presented Hitchcock with its Life Achievement Award at a ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. He joked that he must be about to die soon. In 1980, Queen Elizabeth II knighted Hitchcock. Three months later Sir Alfred Hitchcock died of kidney failure at the age of 80 in his home in Bel Air. His remains were cremated and scattered over the Pacific Ocean.

The Ethics of Embryonic Stem Cell Research Essay

The Ethics of Embryonic Stem Cell Research - Essay Example However, the technology has had unethical, reprehensible and morally repugnant connotations in cases where it has been used for human reproduction. Cloning involves use of cells to produce or create an identical copy of the original. This owes its' tributes to the fact that stem cells can be influenced to develop to most of the 220 types of cells found in the human body such as the brain cells, blood cells, muscles, heart cells etc. since the development of antibodies research have taken practical inclination to this phenomena as a potential way to alleviate human suffering (221). The United States has long and proud history and record as a world-leading example towards advocacy for advances in sciences and medicine that improve human life. Simultaneously as the boundaries of science and knowledge are expanded, the United States leads the world as a proponent of maintaining the highest standards of moral ethics. In view of this bio cloning has both sides of positive contribution to scientific development in favor of man and adverse effects to human moral ethics. There is great potential hope and promise held by human stem cells for therapies development towards damaged organism regeneration. The ultimate result of this is healing people suffering from harsh diseases. Unlike the cases of using embryo as the source of the cell researchers have established other potential sources of diverse adult tissues. These include; umbilical cords discarder after babies are born, human placenta, bone marrow, fat, nerves, amniotic fluid, pulp of baby teethe and muscles. All these have been found to be a source of versatile stem cells. Such serious disease like childhood leukemia, juvenile, diabetes, Alzheimer's Parkinson, spinal cord injuries, heart diseases, multiple sclerosis, cancer, burns have found their cure (Hams, 35). The achievement made so far regards these diseases and methods used have not violated the moral ethics respect and dignity of the human person. Effects of bio cloning to moral ethics. Embryonic stem cell research is a leading controversy of a series of moral hazards. Embryonic stem cells exhibit indefinite replication ability in a culture dish offering unlimited generation for therapy, research and industrial application. Embryonic stem cell research refers to a mode of research where cells obtained from destroying human embryo at their late first week of age are used for therapeutical purpose, there are two sources of the embryo (Hams, 70 ). First embryos may be created from intro fertilization. The ethical use of intro fertilization is helping infertile couples to get a child. Fertilization is done outside the mother's womb. Not all embryos are planted in the womb and the remaining otherwise called leftovers are frozen and stored for future use. The surplus embryos of invitro fertilization may be used in any of the four methods named below: May be donated for research Many be donated to other infertile couples May be preserved at very low temperatures May be discarded In case of use for research, the entire embryo is destroyed to facilitate harvesting stem cell. This is

Did the First World War or the Second World War mark the pinnacle of Essay

Did the First World War or the Second World War mark the pinnacle of the importance of wartime propaganda before 1945 - Essay Example Recent advent of better and faster communication Medias like radio, television, print media and the internet have served to take it to even higher levels, with the propagandist being able to reach millions within a very short period. The word propaganda in its self has a negative undertone, although it does not necessarily have to be towards a negative undertaking. There are many uses of these persuasion methods to champion for just courses in mobilizing people to take positive actions regarding issues affecting their society. Historically the most pronounced use of propaganda is in the two world wars than it was in isolated case of civil wars that rocked the entire Europe and the Americas in the 16th and early 18th centuries. Aspects of propaganda As demonstrated in the First World War propaganda by Americans, it involves the use several aspects to gain the confidence and support of the masses. Wilson, the then president in 1917 formed a committee on public information purely for ra llying domestic support while communicating the intentions abroad. The committee application of its mandate best demonstrates the primary facets of propaganda in wars. These include; the use of emotional appeals, in which case the propagandist focuses on capturing the hearts of his target audience and not their minds at all. As observed by various scientists after the war, draining off emotional agitation into the desired activity is the propagandist best and most effective strategy. A simple publication of a young child suffering together with her pet during the war with Germans for instance was enough to turn all Americans into deep hatred for Germans and generate the enthusiasm needed for sustenance of the war. Positively such an article also could result to increased membership in the universal Red Cross society to help eliminated suffering as well as setting up of orphanages for abandoned pets. Analysts suggest that the failure of Germans propaganda against the Americans was by the simple appeal to common sense in explaining their cause other than using emotional appeals that create infatuation. Another technique that propaganda employs is demonization of the enemy in a great manner that everyone beliefs that they are the aggrieved parties in the whole situation. All their subjects easily hated Germans by simply portraying them as brutal inhumane rulers who flourished on committing atrocities against the rest of the society. The propagandist in this case used the promise of better working and living conditions as soon as the Germans were gotten rid of, a strategy which brought immense support of the American war against the Germans. The third face is the widespread dishonesty that propaganda prevails upon. As analysts observed at the close of the war in 1918, the organisers and decision makers at the helm of the American camp had used many lies and skewed promises that right from the start they knew were not possible, simply to ignite passion among the ma sses. Many of the stories published bore huge chunks of untruths that they dimmed appropriate for attainment of the desired outcome (Randal 167). Propaganda and World War One The First World War relied explicitly on propaganda to mobilise local citizens to support their respective armies. In Europe for instance, the Britons used various techniques to appeal

Citizen Kane ,the mise-en-scene and cinematography Essay

Citizen Kane ,the mise-en-scene and cinematography - Essay Example It is an anomaly though, that, though the film was nominated for 9 Oscar categories, it only won in one. (Jackson & Merlock, 2006) The only plausible rationale for this discrepancy between its legendary status and lack of formal recognition by the Academy is that the film was way ahead of its time. The film pioneered and engendered so many facets of the filmmaking process that it took several years for members of the Academy to warm up to its accomplishments. This essay will focus on the cinematography of the film and highlight how it contributes to and enhances the overall cinematic excellence. The opening sequence of the film shows the funeral of the iconic American media baron Charles Foster Kane in his isolated residence in the monumental Xanadu. What follows is a10 minute obituary in the form of a newsreel that encompasses all the key moments in the life of the great man. Beginning with his childhood in the rural American wilderness, the newsreel traces how much wealth and power Kane was able to acquire during his peak. This newsreel sequence is one of the most original and brilliant in the history of cinema. The serious yet authoritative voice of the newsreel narrator ebb and flow in-tune with the events of Charles Kane’s life. The intonation, irony and subtle humour of this voiceover is executed to perfection. Matching this aural perfection is the visuals, which are some of the best montages ever assembled. The pace of the montage arrangement is brisk and the shots are short and crisp. The sequencing of these shots adheres to a musical rhythm, which is again in tune with the rhythmic oration in the voiceover. What is striking about this montage is its visual display of power – either political or economic. The shots of elephants and horses airlifted to the private zoo in Xanadu are forever etched in the mind. It is difficult to lose the symbolism of power in air-lifting one of the biggest mammals in the planet. Likewise, the bird’s e ye view of the sprawling Xanadu is a visual illustration of Kane’s wealth. When the voiceover narrates how politically influential Kane was, his image is embedded into a standard German propaganda shot of Hitler waving to a crowd. This is one of the earlier implementation of morphing and overlapping two discrete visuals into one shot. In the context of the film, not only was it humorous but also serves to illustrate the kind of political influence that Charles Kane wielded in his pomp. One of the most referenced scenes in the movie, illustrating Welles' and cinematographer Gregg Toland's use of deep-focus photography is the one about the childhood of young Charles Foster Kane. So much has been its impact that, â€Å"After Citizen Kane Deep focus photography became widespread, especially in the so-called film noir films of the following decade. Welles' audaciously effective idea of combining miniatures with full scale settings in sweeping camera moves harkens back to 1930's T he Bat Whispers, photographed by Ray June, ASC for Roland West. The Kane visuals also have much in common with those of Mad Love (1935). It is evident that Toland originated some of the ideas that Welles utilized so perfectly, and that Walker and Dunn also influenced Welles. The collaboration of unit art director Perry Ferguson was even stronger than is usual between director, cinematographer and designer. Ferguson worked closely throughout with Welles in

Maintenance And Redevelopment Of Aged Public Housing Estate Construction Essay

Maintenance And Redevelopment Of Aged Public Housing Estate Construction Essay Since the fire in Shek Kip Mei on 25 December 1953 that made 53,000 people homeless, due to the shantytowns of the China immigrants were destroyed. As the population growth of Hong Kong is very fast from the five decades ago due to the immigrants and birthrate. At present, Hong Kong Government is facing the problem of density populated. For this reason, Hong Kong Government assigns Hong Kong Housing Authority to develop public housing program of multi story building for immigrants to living there. Therefore, Hong Kong Housing Authority has been turn into the biggest public housing developer and the single proprietor in Hong Kong. Nevertheless, the housing condition and the practicability is the important consideration of the district, because the main concept of public housing is satisfy the basic and real need of townspeople, who cannot afford the private housing requirement. Nowadays, there are many public housing estate are out of the current standard and outmoded owing to the time is elapse. So, Hong Kong Housing Authority launches the Comprehensive Redevelopment Programme to make an improvement of living quality to the tenant that living in old public housing estate, there are 566 target block about 231,403 flats which was built before 1973 are demolished and the Comprehensive Redevelopment Programme was completed in January 2010. Otherwise, the Housing Authority carry out the Total Maintenance Scheme in 2006 approximately covering 600,000 flats, the Housing Authority article showing that the main concept of this scheme is Proactive and comprehensive approach to identify maintenance problems, then Prompt response to emergencies and tenants requests, finally, Enhanced promotional and educational programmes to improve the maintenance quality and service in public housing estate and enhance the quality of living environment to the tenant. At this moment in this time, Hong Kong Housing Authority had made two different programme which are maintenance and redevelopment in different period to enhance the living quality of public housing estate. Building maintenance is a method to sustainable of keeping and enhances the function of facilities of aged public housing. Redevelopment is a method that demolish the outmoded building and redevelopment, it is very complicated, because there are many factors are contained, (e.g. psychology affect of tenant, use of time, cost of finance, availability of the land). For this reason, the purpose of this study is research the benefit and disadvantage of maintenance and redevelopment of aged public housing, express the different and difficulties to precede the redevelopment and maintenance and bring up my recommendation that base on the opinion of public and the feasibility study on the actually condition for the future building management for Hong Kong, . Introduction In this study, I will first provide some background information of aged public housing in Hong Kong. Then, I will present a clear conceptual background of maintenance and redevelopment, such as the definition of maintenance and redevelopment, and critically review the condition of aged public housing in Hong Kong. Then, I will evaluate and examine the intention of government policy for choice between maintenance and redevelopment of aged public housing, in order to make the best decision between adoption of maintenance and redevelopment of aged public housing in Hong Kong. In addition, I will outline and discuss the factors contributing to the decision. Besides, I will mainly focus on three factors, economic, environment and structural safety. And, I will then outline the advantages and disadvantages of maintenance and redevelopment, which can affect the decision between adoption of maintenance and redevelopment of aged public housing. Finally, I will summarize the factors which can affect the decision making and provide some recommendations for the future decision making and redevelopment for public housing estate. Aims and Objective The aim of this dissertation is to review and evaluate the decision for the old public building between maintenance and redevelopment of Hong Kong. Objective: A historical review the background of public housing in Hong Kong. A literature reviews the definition of maintenance and redevelopment and compares the factor which determines the decision between redevelopment and maintenance. Carry out research and interview with selected target building and group. Selection of public building for case study. A critical data analysis and information based on the conclusion drawn from all review and research. Conclusion and recommendation based on the critical analysis and result of the research. History of public housing in Hong Kong The appearance of public housing in Hong Kong mainly due to the fire in Shek Kip Mei on 25 December 1953, the fire destroyed the makeshift homes of refugees from Mainland China, leaving 53,000 people homeless. After the fire, and facing a surge of immigrant population, then the government launched a public housing program to introduce the idea of multi story building for the immigrant population living there, thus commencing a programme of mass public housing, providing affordable homes for those on low incomes. Some scholars have argued that the government has been overstating the role of the fire in the history of public housing in Hong Kong. Nowadays, public housing facility is the weightiest position of the society. Public housing estate major provided a home for peoples who cant afford the private accommodation in real need, because the rates of public housing are really lower than private housing. At present, there are 169 public housing estate (about 656,000 public rental flats and residence around 2.2 million people) under the Housing Authoritys (HA) management scope. Research methodology and significant of study Research is a process, which is the way to get the answer and question to hypothesis in different way of this study and support the conclusion from information of the research. Furthermore, methodology is use for prove the truth of the assumption, the methodology that is choose from literature review (e.g. news, article, journal, book) and investigation for target person (e.g. group interview, individual interview, questionnaire). Chapter outline Chapter one is the Introduction of this study, in this part, the history of Honk Kong public housing estate is introduced first, then define the main focus of this study clearly and explain the source of information about this study. Therefore, a clear concept of this study provided for the reader from this chapter. Chapter two is the Literature Review, in this chapter, the definition and characteristic of maintenance and redevelopment are identify by literature or article or journal, after that, the factor of influence that between maintenance and redevelopment is recognize base on the concept findings of maintenance and redevelopment, the important information from the article or journal are recap and compare the data on the most relevant. Chapter Three is the Methodology, in this part is to make a critical review on the decision for the old public building between maintenance and redevelopment of Hong Kong. The methodology consists of a literature review, followed by questionnaire survey and the subsequent interview. The conclusion from the analysis of the results of questionnaire and interview surveys would be served as a ground for formulating the recommendations. Chapter Four is the Findings and Data Analysis, in this part all information and data that collected would be organized in this chapter and detailed discussion and analysis would be presented from the interview and the questionnaire. Chapter Five is the Conclusion and Recommendations, in this chapter, final conclusion and recommendations will be made based on the discussion, collected information and analysis made in Chapter three and four. Literature review Definition of Maintenance According to British Standard 8210 defined maintenance as the combination of all technical and administrative action intended to retain an item in, or restore it to, a state in which it can perform its required function. And the previous version of British Standard (BS 3811: 1964) stated that maintenance as a combination of any actions carried out to retain an item, or restore it to, an acceptable condition. There are few components are identified from the above definition. According to the British Standard stated that Action not only related to the physical execution of maintenance work, also concerned with its initiation, financing and organization. The notion of an acceptable condition, which implies and understanding of the requirement for the effective usage of the building and its parts, which in turn compels broader consideration of building performance, Chartered of Institute of Building offer the followings definition of maintenance: Works undertaken in order to keep, restore or improve every facility, e.g. every part of building, its services and surrounds, to an agreed standard, determined by the balance between need and available resources. The committee on Building Maintenance recommended the adoption of the followings: Definition of maintenance: Work undertaken in order to keep, restore or improve every facility e.g. every part of building, its services and surrounds to a currently acceptable standard and to sustain the utility and value of the facility. Proper maintenance can extend the useful life of a building substantially. Renovation of old buildings is sometimes a viable alternative to redevelopment as it causes much less disruption to the affected residents. It can also improve the environment and reduce the need for urban renewal from the Planning environment and Lands Branch, 1996 British standard (BS 3811: 1984) classified maintenance as three parts as follow, i. Planned maintenance; described as organized maintenance and carried out with forethought, control, and the use of records to predetermined plan. ii. Preventive maintenance, it is carried out at predetermined or to other prescribed criteria and intended to reduce the likelihood of an item not meeting an acceptable condition. iii. Running maintenance, which can be carried out whilst an item is in service. Definition of Redevelopment Redevelopment means that the society shall demolish and redevelop the old dilapidated building with poor living condition into a productive and desirable use in order to utilize the land resources. Hong Kong Housing Authority described that the redevelopment and clearance aims to improve the living standard for residents in older estates and to ensure that facilities and benefits do not lag too far behind the newer estates. The opinion focuses on demolishing old and dilapidated buildings which providing poor living conditions and improving living conditions by assembling large pieces of land for comprehensive planning and the restructuring of the community through providing better and appropriate community facilities and open space. (P.K. Kam 2002) Housing Authority stated that the land use within the community, new opportunities may be identified which may lead to better planning and development within the district, including opportunities for housing. (HKHA) Redevelopment as an effective means to comprehensively revamp an old area by upgrading the street design and the community amenities as well as to better utilize the in shortage supply of land resources. (Urban Renewal Authority) Comprehensive housing renewal can provide greater open space and community facilities. Typical objective include: suitable re-housing; increased amenities; community preservation architectural conservation and fiscal outcomes, among others that base on Couch 1990, Rapkin 1980 Factors which Determining the Decision between Redevelopment and Maintenance The reason for redevelopment mainly as the following: Replacement of whole elements of components When the whole elements of components are functionally unsatisfactory; incur high maintenance or running costs and aesthetically unacceptable (Lee Maintenance Management), the components will be redeveloped. 2. Design constraints, lack of amenities Since, the publics expectation for improving the standard of living environment is rising. A redeveloped component will provide a better living environment to the residents. Areas concern such as to improve the condition, value and life span of public housing assets, enhance local communities and support the local construction industry. 3. Maximize the usage of land Redevelop a component not only can increase the efficiency of land usage, but also provide a better integration of transportation and commercial facilities and the provision of new district facilities. 4. Change of plot ratio Plot ratio control was under the Building Ordinance is a device used by planning authorities, to restrict the amount of floor space provided in new building in relation to their site area. The population grows at (the rate of population growth is roughly one million per decade in Hong Kong) roughly a million every decade in Hong Kong. With limited land resources, further increase in density in high of housing development is inevitable. In addition, provide more occupancy ratio, the occupancy ratio of 2.23sq m per person that had been established in the 1950s and changed over time to 4.25sq m per person in the 1980s, up to date, the current occupancy ratio stands at 7 sq m per person. Economy The large assembly of land through the Comprehensive Development Area (CDA) comcept has two major benefits from the planners point of view, Booth (1996) and Listokin (1974); Waver and Blabcock (1979); all cited by Tse (2001) The CDA sites can achieve the maximum plot ratio; It can achieve a better designed layout and block disposition and provide adequate communal facilities for the development. structural and building safety American Planning Association elaborated that the building in which it is unsafe for persons and unhealthy to live or work due to dilapidation; deterioration; defective design or physical construction; inadequate utilities; lack of ventilation, light or sanitary facilities contamination by hazardous substances and redevelopment might be considered. The reasons for maintenance mainly as the following: 1. Environmental impact Environmental impacts arising from the demolition, construction and operation of the redevelopment project and related activities, therefore the environmental impact of maintenance works are much better to avoid and minimize the potential environmental impacts to the public. 2. Long time for the completion of new estates The total lead-time for the completion of new estates is about 4 years including: planning, design, tendering and construction. 3. Lower operation and maintenance cost in the long run Preventive maintenance concept has developed in Housing Authority. In view of the fact that regular repair and maintenance cannot fundamentally solve the problems arising from ageing, such as water seepage in the balcony, rusting of water pipes, wear and tear of concrete, etc. the Housing Department is exploring ways to upgrade or maintain aged estates comprehensively in order to improve tenants living environment Building rehabilitation is one of the options being explored in dealing with aged estates. 4. High construction costs are not cost-effective Tight budget of Housing Authority incurring such high construction costs is not cost-effective and will also affect the environment during construction stage. Advantages of redevelopment There are several benefits for the Housing Authority during redevelopment First of all, the rationalization of land use and the opportunity for increasing housing production, particularly for Housing Authority redevelopment site where boundaries may be modified to optimize development intensity. The ability to bring in other resources to facilitate redevelopment of existing public housing estates, including the private sector and other quasi-government agencies. This could enable some older estates to be redeveloped for higher and more productive uses that would otherwise remain for a long time due to a lack of suitable reception housing. One of the benefits is that the improvement to the physical conditions of the area that would benefit existing public housing residents and at the sme time enhances the attractiveness and desirability of Housing Authority developments. Besides, the grater diversity of land use and type of developments will assist in improving the secio-economic mix in the area and provide housing residents with more choices and housing opportunities. Furthermore, construction jobs created by the development of new buildings and new infrastructure and the remodeling in existing buildings Redeveloping building can stop the spread of deterioration and blight of aging building and improving the safety and environment of adjacent areas Deficiencies of redevelopment Governments redevelopment programs have the following deficiencies: Migration of vast number of people is a complicated process requiring detailed planning, monitoring and documentation. A high percentage (up to 40%) of Hong Kong population is housed in Public Housing Estates. An extensive re-housing and redevelopment program is required, which exerts heavy pressure on manpower, time and money. Demolition of a building is a costly process. Moreover it creates construction waste undesitably unavoidably. The waste, if unsuitably reused, can result in pollution of the environment and depletion of resources. Also noise and visual pollutions can become nuisances to nearby residents. New estate designs are often based on economic values. Also, cost efficiency and high practicality had been the approach adopted in the new developments, lacking in the encouragement of communal interactions. The new estates have more monotonous and self-enclosed living environment. Significances and Advantages of Maintenance According to David Highfield (2000) defined that the cost of refurbishing and re-using and existing building is generally considerably less than the cost of demolition and new construction since many of the building elements are already constructed. One of the principles advantages of opting of refurbishment and re-use of existing building rather than demolition and construction is that, in he majority of cases. The renewed or redeveloped accommodations will be available in a much shorter time. And the shorter contract duration reduces the effects of inflation on building costs, also the overall development period could be shorter and reduces the cost of financing the scheme The work required refurbishing and existing building would normally take considerably less time than the alternative if demolition, site clearance and the construction of a new building. Time savings, during the pre-contract design, planning permission and building works phases of development. The client obtains the building sooner and therefore begins the earn reveue from it (e.g. rentals, retail sales of manufacturing profits) at an earlier date. With the increasing cost of new-build work, effective maintenance of existing building stock is become more important and building maintenance now represents a significant proportion of construction output. About unstable supply of construction works, according to Patricia Hillebrandt (2000) stated that the determination of demand for construction activity is a very complex affair and heavily depends on the policy of government either directly through its intervention in the public sector, or through its influence on the general level of economics activity in the private sector. The standard of maintenance achieved has an important influence on the quality of the built environment and there seems little doubt that society will continue to expect higher standards in new and existing buildings. Nowadays, maintenance is a significant and important part of the work of the constrctuion industry. The environmental advantages, one of the many ways in which energy consumption can be reduced is to recycle and re-use exising resouces as much as possible, in preference to consuming even more energy by replacing them. E.g. when major alterations are made, will generally use less energy than demolition and new build. Housing Authority stressed that maintenance can facilitate early defect deteration and rectifection. This canavoid the additional expenses arising from further deterioration and it enables building elemets and services installations to be replaced at the optimum time in order to achieve the maximum serviceable life (Press Release: Home CARE Maintenance for Public Housing Estate, 1 March,2001) Disadvantage of Maintenance Although maintenance is beneficial to the aged building and many articles are supporting this view, but there are no perfect views of any matter, so in this part, the disadvantage of maintenance is shown as the follows: The resultant standard of living may not live up to contemporary expectations. Very limited potential for positive impact with regard to lad use and building performance. The current mismatch in housing type supply and demand and the general inefficient layout of the site would remain. This approach dose not count for the relatively short life span of the existing housing. Deterioration and Obsolescence The life cycle analysis by Flanagan (1989), which includes the following items: Physical deterioration; economic obsolescence; functional obsolescence; technological obsolescence; social obsolescence; location obsolescence; legal obsolescence; aesthetic and visual obsolescence; image obsolescence; and environmental obsolescence. Base on Aikivuori (1995) asserts that the defects of building are relative, not absolute and therefore difficult to measure objectively. The replacement due to obsolescence is not technically rational since it does not optimize the use of structures until the end of their durability. Since corrective replacement is defined as the project aimed at deteriorated structures in unacceptable physical condition. According to Taylor (1980) proposes that deterioration has no part in the accumulated inferiority caused by obsolescence and the deterioration and obsolescence are 2 separable issues. Both Taylor (1980) have categorized the causes of replacement into these 2 classes, e.g. deterioration and obsolescence. Thus, Aikivuori (1995) view the reasons for the decision to initiate a redevelopment project as a basis of the demand. The phenomena causing redevelopment are classified into 5 categories in his study as follows: failure in the building due to deterioration: change in use: optimization of economic factors: subject features of the decision maker: and the change of circumstances. Life Span of Building Components Base on the main theme of this study, the life span of building components is a very critical part to provide the sustainable development environment and enhance the value and practicability of the aged building. Also, it is a critical part to affect the decision between maintenance and redevelopment, so the building components should be coordinate with the methodology to present result that meet the international standard, the methodology is really simple to included multifarious application and give a suitable advice of the analysis or review for different type of building in Hong Kong or other country. According to the related RICS journals Assessing the Life Expectancies of Building for Life Cycle Costing by Ashworth (1996) bring up the idea is about the rate of depreciation of building components depend on different information or data supporting and the selection of relevant life span reviews. Base on the theory from this journal, the expectancies may be uncertain, due to a proper design and maintenance arrangement or physical deterioration and obsolescence affect or the quality of refurbishment phase. Anyhow, different types or use of building have different refurbishment lives and the argument of expectancies incidence is important than overall building life span. Macdonald (2003) indentified the building requirement and intention of life is at least 50 years or above, if there is good workmanship in construction stage and arrange inspection and maintenance work on cycle. Actuality, most of the building may be demolished before the end of time and rebuild, if there is any economical profit of that place or may be change the use of building to meet the new requirement. Base on the information from RICS, the serviceable life span of aged public housing can be extending about 10-15 years, due to a systematic and cycle maintenance arrangement. Therefore, the aged public housings are structurally safe, that mean it is unnecessary to demolish and redevelopment. . The life span components of public housing estates as follow: Building Components Life Span (year) Window glazing 20 Plumbing 25-30 External wall tile 20-25 Vinyl sheet or tile 20-30 External paint 5-10 Internal wall paint 5-10 Waterproofing, bituminous coating 10 Wooden door 20-30 Hence, there are many factors affecting the life expectancy of building components and need to be considered when making replacement decisions, including the quality of the components, the quality of the installation, level of the maintenance, weather and climatic conditions and intensity of their use. Some components remain functional but become obsolete because of changing styles and styles and taste or because of product improvement. RICS defined that the building structure may be designed using materials, components and technology that may last for about 100 years or more, depending on the quality and standards expected from users. Methodology Research aim This research aims is to evaluate and critical review on the factor contributing to the decision between the adoption of maintenance and redevelopment of aged public housing estate in Hong Kong with determine the decision between maintenance and redevelopment in public housing estate from the questionnaire and interview and technical record of the building structure life span. The methodology consists of literature research, survey through questionnaires and interviews and reviews the opinion of tenant and government. With a view to do this, I will use the questionnaire and case study in the dissertation respectively. As a new research area, the researcher adopted a multi-faceted approach employing multiple methods for the collection of research materials. There are several methods to do the research. The first method is to visit relevant government departments and officials in order to have a deep understanding to the research. The second method is that, by reviewing some electronic and printed documents as well as participant observations in order to have an up-dated and comprehensive understanding of the issues. The main methodologies used for the dissertation are documentary review on relevant public housing policies particularly on the Comprehensive Redevelopment Programme (CPR) and Home CARE Maintenance in both printed and electronic form has been conducted. Besides, case study is used to examine the intention of government policy for redevelopment and maintenance for old public housing estate. The reasons for choosing the above case study for this dissertation can be specifically elaborated into 2 aspects: financial and environment impacts between redevelopment and maintenance that take place in public housing estates. Furthermore, questionnaires were also used to serve the purpose of providing a through understanding of the old public housing estates physical environment, where the tenants live and socialize and their true-wish or desires on maintenance and redevelopment. Research the existing old public housing estate in Hong Kong In 2010, the public housing estate in Hong Kong which is less than 30 years old nearly 87% and about 13% estates were built before 1980. The most common aged public housing estate is Choi Hung Estate, Kwai Shing Estate, Lai King Estate, which is over 35 years old. With a view to maintain the housing standards, public housing estates which are 30 years old or above are require upgrading by improvement measures or facilities. However, some other 30 plus years old public housing estates require to have redevelopment, because its structure is not fulfill the safe standard or becoming uneconomical to take maintenance. For the reason that the oldest block design Mark I to Mark VI public housing estates and the former government low cost housing estates built in the 1950s and 1960s are obsolete by todays standards, the above block designs were cleared for redevelopment in June 1999. The Government started to redevelop these buildings in the 1970s. Up to 31 December 2004, 694 blocks of these estates containing some 249,360 households were redeveloped. Review of building conditions in public housing in Hong Kong In this section, I will present an overview of the current status of old public housing estates in Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, the remaining early authority estates included, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Fuk Loi Estate, Choi Hung Estate. Although the living environment basically can meet the normal standards, it is not a fine condition in comparing with the public housing estate which built after 70s. In the 1960s, there were some marginal improvement for the public housing design. The improvements not only increase a little more living space in the public housing units, but also the community facilities were significantly improved. Besides, the building block is bigger than before, the stories were increased to 16 and corridors were moved indoors, but neighborliness was discouraged by the long monstrous slab blocks. Nowadays, all units in the ageing public housing estates are self-contained with basic facilities such as shower tray and water closet in the toilet, cooking bench and sink in the kitchen, drying rack, electricity, not and cold water supplies etc. In order to upgrade the facilities, a more energy-saving lift system will be introduced. Also, a security system will be installed in all rental blocks, which includes electronically controlled security gates and door phones for each unit and television surveillance system in common areas from the security counter next to the main entrance on ground floor. Questionnaires Survey In this questionnaire, there are 10 questions to collect tenant opinion on this topic of Choi Hung Estate and Lai King Estate, also, it can collect more basic information of the selected estate In order to ensure accuracy in the collected data by all interviewers, structured questionnaires was adopted in which similar ques