Should College Have One Attendance Policy Essay Example for Free

Should College Have One Attendance Policy Essay The college should have one attendance policy for all departments. Attendance policy is strange things, and perhaps the strangest thing about them is how often they completely differ from one another. There is no college – wide attendance policy that students must follow, but many departments create their own. Some departments have strict attendance policies, but many times the policy is whatever the professor feels like. I think the college should adopt a more uniform attendance policy for several reasons. First of all, the lack of uniformity can be mind – boggling for student. Attendance policy varies a lot between professors. Some professors don’t enforce these policies; many make up their own and put it in their syllabus. It’s not uncommon for a gen-ed to have a strict attendance policy while an important course for student’s major has a very lenient one. It’s obviously more important that the student attend the major course, but he or she only faces consequences if the gen-ed is missed. Second of all, many department policies are not enforced by professors. This is worse than not having a policy in the first place. How are students supposed to take showing up to class seriously if their teachers don’t? Another reason, attendance policies do not do a good job of reflecting the importance of a class. Furthermore the inconsistent attitudes professors have towards them are confusing to student. Therefore, when faces with so many varying opinions on the importance or unimportance of attendance policies, students lose the basic point. However, every student should attend all classes. Not only are professor there to teach you in the first place, you paid to learn. Not going to class is essentially throwing money away while pretending to be a student. In short, attendance policy at college should be changed in order to be more consistent. Either do away with policies altogether and let the students face the long-term consequences of their actions, or find a policy every professor in the department will stand behind and enforce.

A Dolls House and A Street Car Named Desire

A Dolls House and A Street Car Named Desire A Dolls House focus is on womans function in society, particularly in the of marriage and motherhood context. In particular, Helmer has a very clear definition of the role of a woman. He strongly believes a woman divine duty is to be a good wife as well as a mother. He is representative of the degrading nature of men towards women. He views women as childish, helpless beings alienated from reality as well as prominent moral forces responsible for the purity of the world through their influence in the home. This is also why the book is called A Nora, in light of being a moral agent, outrages the contemporary audience and continues to perplex and fascinate the ones not entirely at ease with her final act when she decides to throw of the shackles of marriage, living her husband and three children in search of herself. She realizes her life has been voiceless that she has just been an object, to sire children and please her husband in marriage and her father in as a child. She has been a doll, a plaything. The moral aspects are not especially so that she leaves Helmer but that she abandons her children. Nora make out the differences between freedom and responsibility based of patriarchal laws and true freedom upon which a human agency ought to be base upon. Listen, Torvald- Ive heard that when a wife deserts her own Husbands house just as Im doing, then the law frees him from all responsibility. She goes on to tell him that her living will result in a win-win situation as she would be freeing him from responsibilities, resulting in absolute freedom for both of them. We also find out that Noras attachment to her husband is founded on delusion of romantic love, but her repudiation toward him is not at all an illusion. Helmer tells her that before everything else she has to not only be a wife but also a mother, since it is the norm. Nora in turn rejects this and tells her that it no longer forms part of a belief system and tell him that before everything else she should be allowed her human rights to be herself. She says that in her eight years of marriage she has lived with a stranger and gone ahead to bear him children which in a sense are degrading to degrading for a woman to live with a stranger and be used as an object of amusement and procreation yet according the marriage institution, it demands that the status quo remains and the societal conception of duty for the sake of the lie she ought to be nothing more than doll, a plaything. Her revolutionary message is that mutual trust and respect within an environment that is free from repression is the only way that can result in a true bond between a man and a woman. This is symbolized by her closing the door to her house (doll house). The old south social tradition diminishes the values of unmarried women that expose them to destruction or domination by men. Social rule in the Old South diminishes unmarried women completely, leaving them vulnerable to domination or destruction by men. By showing the triumph of brutality over discretion and delicacy, Stanley actions depicts the disposable character of Blanches type. Equally Eunice insistence that Stellas marriage to Stanly must continue, her reasoning is that the only means of a womans survival lays in males companionships. This is a lie and as such chooses to ignore the glaring truth that by acknowledging the suffering in the hand of their husbands is the only means to ensure their survival. In scene eleven, the behavior of Blanche towards the men playing poker as well as during her bath reveals the extent in which being raped has scarred her emotional, psychological and physical wellbeing. The bathing is different form earlier one as it is symbolic of her effort to wash off Stanley violations as opposed to her past sexual indiscretions. The disturbing realities of the marriage institution is also brought out that by making Blanches deception and illusion about her past appear as a minor issue in the light of Stanly marriage. Marriage is depicted as a sort of illusion that is based on lies. Blanches and Stellas roles are thus changed, with the latter admitting that she may have got into a world of illusion as she cannot believe her sisters accusation about Stanleys rape story and as such goes on to cling to him. Blanch madness protects Stella from the harsh truth as it prevents Blanches ever giving credibility to her claims. On the other hand Stanly, whose behavior is known to the audience, via his present actions as there exists no back story about him, is dominant, aggressive and sexually oriented. This makes Blanche intrusion upset his structured life. His endeavor to unmask the real her is violent and cruel where in their final confrontation he rapes her resulting in Blanches nervous breakdown. This represents the plight of unmarried women in that south, they are disrespected and disposable which is unethical. Work cited: Leavy, Barbara Fass. In Search of the Swan Maiden: A Narrative on Folklore and Gender. NYU Press, 1995. A Streetcar Named Desire.sparksnotes.com, spark notes, (n.d). Web. 3 Mar. 2011.

What Factors Effect Student Cinema Attendance Media Essay

What Factors Effect Student Cinema Attendance Media Essay The main objective of this research is to determine factors that affect UEL students cinema-going behaviour. This report consist two main parts, Research Methodology and Finding and Analysis. At the end, a conclusion will be drawn out based on finding. 1.0 Literature Review Cinema-going refer to an action taken by individual to visit cinema for a movie screening, as those who visit cinema are called cinema-goers (Lipponen et al, 2003). Many researches have been done by researchers on cinema going behaviour in some country such as Australia (Henderson, 2007), Finland, Estonia, and Portugal (Lipponen et al, 2003). These studies focus on characteristics of cinema-goers that are similar between two or more different place. In order to determine what factors that affect cinema going behaviours, several areas of consumer behaviour have put into consideration. Knowledge Consumers knowledge refers to the amount of information that store within the memory of consumer on that particular product or services (Blackwell et al, 2001). What UEL students knew about that movie will affect their cinema-going behaviour. For examples, who is starring that movie? Who is the director? When the movie will be screen on local cinema? Attitudes Basically attitudes refer to what consumer prefer or like to consume. Cinema-goers usually go cinema watch movie is because of their favourite type movie screening. If that particular movie is dislike by him/her, most likely he/she wont go cinema. Perception Sometimes what consumer thought about that particular goods or services might affect their purchasing decision. Example action movies might suit to boys because of fighting scene but not suit for girl as they think that fighting is not good. 2.0 Methodology Research methods that going to apply is sampling method consist of survey throughout UEL students who study in International Business and Marketing course. Comparison between local and foreign students applied as different in background, education level, cinema censorship and perception toward a particular movie. Non-probability sampling applied where questionnaires were distributed based on their knowledge and personality. There are several limitations and advantages (Singleton et al, 1993) by using non-probability sampling. Limitations of non-probability sampling are unable to prevent bias of investigator on selection of participants and unable to predict the sampling error or sample precision. Advantages are less expensive and easy to collect with high respond rate. Primary data Questionnaire consist of 90 sets were distributed among UEL students and 80 sets responded. The questionnaire consists of 3 sections with total of 18 where most are close-ended questions (referring to Appendix 1). Total Responded Rate = 80 / 90 * 100% = 88.89% Besides that, focus group and personal interview have been used to collect primary data. This method apply is because focus group provide more information compare to observation (Morgan, 1997). Besides that, result can be obtained in fast and easy way. Yet some may not be able to join in the focus group due to distance and not easy to locate the right person (Morgan, 1997). Detailed explanation on these two methods stated on Appendix 2. Personally interview was carried out in order to obtain more accurate data beside questionnaire and focus group. Two respondents with different background and knowledge level were selected as they able to provide different answers which are not generalise. Yet limitation of personal interview is bias may occurred when selecting respondents and that respondents may not have the time for interview. 3.0 Finding and Analysis Based on Table 1, questionnaire respondents of 80 divided into two groups, 46 local students and 34 foreign students. All those respondents are UEL students. Question 2: What day in a week you likely will visit to cinema? Based on the finding from questionnaire, Saturday ranked as the first choose of day to go cinema for a movie with a total of 43 (27.56%), both local and foreign, students. While Wednesday ranked as second choice of UEL students with 37 (23.72%) students. Friday and Sunday follow after second ranking. Values of percentage refer to Table 2.1. From the overall finding, we conclude that local and foreign students prefer to watch movie on weekends. Result from focus group has found similarity to questionnaire where majority of member prefer to watch movie on Saturday and Wednesday. One of them stated that Wednesday they able to purchase the ticket using student price. The others stated Saturday is more suitable as their boyfriend/girlfriend/classmates doesnt have any class where they usually unable to meet during weekdays. Yet from personal interview, local respondent choose weekdays as weekends price for ticket is much expensive. Foreign respondent stated that weekends will not suitable as too crowded. Question 3: What types of movie genre you prefer to watch at cinema? Through questionnaire, both local and foreign students prefer to watch action movies in cinema with a total of 54 (20.69%) respondents. While comedy (46 respondents, 17.62%) and romance (30 respondents, 11.49%) following the back. Dance/musical movies found as the lowest pick (20 respondents, 7.66%) and hence being ranked as likely unwelcome movies among local and foreign students. Values of percentage can be found in Table 3.1. Focus group show same result where majority of them are like to watch action movie. Reasons are have different kind of feeling, more excited, sound system made it more real, love to watch martial arts and so on. One of them stated that romance movies are suitable to watch together with their spouse. None of them prefer to watch dance/musical movies at cinema. Personal interview indicated that action movies are their first choice if they wish go cinema. One of respondents says that dance/musical movies are not worth to watch at cinema. Hence conclusion is movie genre can affect UEL student cinema-going behaviour where the movie must in the preference of them. Question 4: What language of movie that you preferred to watch? Based on the result of questionnaire, both local and foreign students prefer to watch English language movies (68 respondents, 57.63%). Chinese language movies are the second higher (38 respondents, 32.2%). Certain respondents have chosen other languages such as Japanese, Korean, and Hindu. From focus group, all respondents choose English language movies. Reasons are they want to improve/strengthen their language in English, much better compare with other types, learn the way they speak and etc. Result from personal interview also supporting finding in questionnaire as they found that their spoken language in English is bad and want to improve by learning how they speak. Local respondent stated that English movies are much more excited that other language movie. Question 5: Usually you go to cinema with whom? From questionnaires result, we found that majority of local and foreign UEL students go cinema with their friends (75 respondents, 64.66%). Spouse (22 respondents, 18.97%) and family (13 respondents, 11.21%) following after friends. This situation occurred as majority of respondents prefer to watch action movies and their girlfriend unwilling to follow them. Focus groups respondents also providing similar answer as questionnaire where they feel that a group of friends go for movie watching is part of their entertainment, fulfil their social needs as illustrated in Maslows Hierarchy of Needs (refer to Appendix 3). Result from personal interview show different respond. Local respondent spend much of the time watch movies with his girlfriend while foreign respondent prefer to watch movies with friends as his spouse didnt follow him come here to study. Question 8: Based on your last cinema going experience, please the following statement. (1 Very Poor, 2 Poor, 3 Fair, 4 Good, 5 Very Good) Respondents in questionnaire choose that environment on previous visiting to cinema are good. Majority of local and foreign students (46 respondents which is the highest among three factors, 57.5%) are satisfied with the environment such as seats, screening, sound system and others. This shows that students satisfaction on cinemas environment can be important factor in affecting cinema-going behaviour. At the same time, focus group provide more reasons to support result in questionnaire as all respondents are satisfied with overall environment during last visit to cinema. One of the respondents stated that every single cinema company is competing with each other by providing better environment and services especially Golden Screen Cinema (GSC). The others say they will visit the same cinema again in the future because that particular cinema can satisfied them. Respondents in personal interview stated that environment play less role when determine cinema-going where location is the most important. Even the closer cinema to his house didnt provide good environment, he will insist to go there. Question 9: How do you become aware of the new movies screening in the local cinema? Through questionnaire, we can see that majority of local and foreign UEL students become aware of new movies and obtain their information through newspaper and friends recommendations (both with the same respondents rate of 49, 24.87%). Besides that, online website (36 respondents, 18.27%) is another place where they can get new movies information from. Focus groups respondents also stated that they usually obtain information from their friends or through newspaper. Seldom watch movie trailer before going to cinema and watch that particular movie. Online website usually used for e-reservation purpose only. Personal interview also found that local and foreign UEL students also obtain their information by friends recommendation and newspaper. Respondents stated that movies that rated best or good by friends should be fine with them. Therefore they will go cinema and watch that movies. We able to conclude that friends influence can affect their cinema-going behaviour. Question 10: Please indicate what reasons that discourage you from going cinema. Result from questionnaire show that location (53 respondents, 42.06%) is the main factor that affects their cinema-going behaviour, both local and foreign students. Ticket price ranked as second factor with 28 respondents and 22.22% while public transportation (21 respondents, 16.67%) follows at the back. Those respondents choose others provide reason such as environment and availability of new movies in that cinema. In contrast focus group provides different answer from questionnaire where majority of respondents stated that location is not their concern. They stated that environment is their main concern of going cinema even that cinema located far from their living place. Minority say that public transportation must available as they dont have own transportation. But personal interview show that location is their main concern as they need to travel with their own transport. Sometime traffic is too crowded until they feel tired if that cinema located far from their house. Environment will fall under consideration when going cinema. Question 12: Does the availability of movie viewing alternative such as DVD/VCD/Online streaming discourage you from going cinema? Based on questionnaire result, we may conclude that majority of the respondents will not be discouraged to go cinema even there is availability of movie viewing alternative. The result accumulated with 43 respondents or 53.75% of total respondents. Focus group show supportive result where all respondents choose that movie viewing alternative will not be the factor from discouraging them from going cinema. Respondents say that watching movie at cinema will have different feeling from watching VCD/DVD at home. Besides that environment in cinema can allow couple to strengthen their relation according to respondent. Moreover personal interview show the similar result as questionnaire and focus group. Both local and foreign students will not bought VCD/DVD/Online streaming as they want to be the first person to watch the movie in cinema. Besides that, if the movie is good then they can recommend to their friends. 4.0 Conclusion When preparing the report, comparison is made between local students and foreign students. Through the research, we can conclude that both local and foreign UEL students prefer to watch movies with their friends. Besides that, majority of them go to cinema based on their satisfaction on several areas such as environment, sound system, screen and etc. Yet local students obtain their information for that particular movie through their friends recommendation while foreign students prefer to get information through newspaper. However, this research topic required a deeper analysis to a wider range of factors and keeps up to date where human behaviour will change from time-to-time. (2,057 words) 5.0 Appendixes Survey form sample (Appendix 1) University of East London Stamford College Petaling Jaya Lot 7A, Jalan 223, Seksyen 14, 46100 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Tel: (+603) 79563188 Website: www.stamford.edu.my Dear Sir/Madam, A research has been conducted in order to determine what factors that affect UEL students cinema-going behaviour. Therefore survey form was distributed among UEL students. Information will be used for education and research purpose only. All information disclosed in this survey form will not be distributed or re-used by third party. Please kindly answer ALL questions listed in the survey form. Thank you. Section A: Demographic (Please read the question carefully and place à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã… ¡ on those answer that most appropriate) Gender: Male Female Age: Below 20 21 23 24 26 27 29 Above 30 Nationality: Malaysian China Indonesian Others: _______________ Race: Malay Chinese Indian Others: _______________ Marital status: Single Married Divorced Highest education level: Primary school Secondary school A Level College University *UEL ID: ____________________ (Year ___ Semester ___) * Field indicated to fill in for future data keeping. Section B: How often do you visit cinema? Everyday 3 4 times per week Once a month Once per week Never visit (Go to Section C) What day in a week you likely will visit to cinema? Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday What types of genre you prefer to watch at cinema? (Continued Pg 3) Animation 3D Horror Romance Action Comedy Sci-Fi Dance/Musical What language of movie that you preferred to watch? English Chinese Tamil Others: ______________ Do you prefer to watch movie similar to drama? (eg, High School Musical1, 2 and 3) Yes No Usually you go to cinema with whom? (Can choose more than one answer) Family Friends Spouse Alone How much are you prepared to spend to purchase a cinema ticket? RM 5 RM 10 RM 11 RM 16 RM 17 RM 22 Above RM 22 Based on your last cinema going experience, please rate every statements stated below: Lighting Lighting(1 Very poor, 2 Poor, 3 Fair, 4 Good, 5 Very good) à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã‚  1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Clear screen Clear screen à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã‚  1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Air condition Air condition à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã‚  1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Seats setting Seats setting à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã‚  1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Sound system Sound system à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã‚  1 2 3 4 5 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ How do you become aware of the new movies screening in the local cinema? (Continue Section C) Magazines Friends recommendation Online website Newspaper Cinema centre Broadcasting Section C: Please indicate what reasons that discourage you from going cinema (Can choose more than one answer). Price Cinema location Public transportation Promotion Other (Please specify: _________________________________________________) Please rank the following cinema companies from most popular to not popular based on your opinions. (1 Most popular, 2 Popular, 3 Fair, 4 Less popular, 5 Not popular) GSC TGV Cathay Cineplex MBO Lotus Five Star Does the availability of movie viewing alternative such as DVD/VCD/Online streaming discourage you from going cinema? Yes No Thank you for helping in this survey. Appendix 2 Focus Group Discussion This group consists of seven members, both local and foreign UEL students. Their personal information was not collected as each person prefer to remain anonymous in this research. Below is the result from the discussion: Usually you prefer to watch movies on which day? Why? Wednesday. Promotion. Student price. Not so crowded as weekends. Friday. No class on Friday for most of the students. Can spend more time with girlfriend/boyfriend. Saturday. Weekends price cheaper than weekdays. Usually not class for their spouse. What movies genre that you always watch at cinema? Action movies Romance movies (usually with spouse) 3D movies yet due to newly introduce therefore seldom watch by students. Horror movies What type of movies language that you prefer to watch at cinema? Why? English. Strengthen their language. Improve their speaking skill. More better if compare with other language Adopt the correct way to speak English. Forced by lecturer to watch English movies. Usually you go to cinema with whom? Why? Friends. Part of their life. To entertain friends because they ask for a movie. Can share opinions after watching movies. Spouse. Being forced. Improve relationship. Do you satisfied with last experience to cinema in term of seat, sound system, and screen? Will you go to that particular cinema again? Satisfied with those three factors. Yes because GSC provide the best environment to their customers. Satisfied. Now every cinema companies are competing in term of environment in order to booths up their sales. Willing to visit that cinema again. How do you become aware of new movies screening in cinema? Newspaper. Online website (usually for reserve purpose) Friends recommendation Does public transportation affect your cinema-going behaviour? No. Usually have own transportation. Major concern when dont have own transportation. Does location will affect your cinema-going behaviour? Yes. Sometime that cinema is located far away from their house. Stuck in traffic jam will feel exhausted and eliminate the mood to watch movie. Usually price will discourage you from going cinema? No. As long the price is within reasonable price range. No. To enjoy different feeling. Yes. Not affordable to purchase expensive ticket. Does alternative of movie viewing such as DVD or online streaming will discourage you from going cinema? No. That kind of feeling which obtained through watching at cinema is different from watching movie at home. No. Able to have more private space with spouse. Personal Interview Respondents personal information: L: Local student (1116421) F: Foreign student (1116608) Date: 12 April 2010 Duration: 45 minutes Can you tell me in which day of a week that you always go watch movies? L: I always watch movies on weekends especially on Saturday because I able to save cost compare to weekdays. F: Prefer to watch on weekdays oh because I can use my student card to get student price on Wednesday. Then what movies genre that you always watch at cinema? L: Action movies will be my first choose because the way they fight make me feel excited. F: Action movies. I dont like to watch dance/musical movies because is very boring and not attractive to me. What language movies that you always watch at cinema? L: English movies. More excited and adventure compare to other type of language. F: English movies because I am weak in speaking English when communicating with friends or lecturer. So I want to learn how to speak English. You usually go to cinema with whom? L: Friends. To entertain them. But majority of the time will go on date with girlfriend as normal day is study day and unable to spend more time with her. F: Friends. No choice because my boyfriend is not with me at Malaysia. Do environment factors affect your cinema going behaviour? Factors such as seat, sound system and screen. L: Of course not. Fuel price becoming more expensive than before so nearest cinema will be my choice. F: No. As long that I able to be with my friends, other factors will not be my concern. How you get your information about new movies at cinema? L: Through my friends and sometime from newspaper. F: Friends recommendation and newspaper. Usually online website was used to book ticket only. Does distance from your house to cinema is another factor discouraging you from going cinema? L: Yes. More nearest to my house, more likely I will choose that cinema. F: Yes. Sometime when the traffic is crowded then I might late for that movie. Then how about public transportation? L: No. Usually I will drive my car. F: No. My friends will come and fetch me. Will you pay high price for a movie? L: Depend on what movie. If that movie is my favourite then I wont mind spending high price but must be reasonable. F: Usually wont because I have limited budget to spend on every week. Will you buy DVD or go online to watch movie instead of going cinema? L: No. That kind of excitement cannot found if watch at home. (Some reasons have been removed due to personal reason) F: No. As long I can be with my friend, I can go watch movie even I watch that movie for more than two times. Appendix 3 Maslows Hierarchy of Needs, introduced by Abraham Maslow, a famous psychologist, divine into five areas: Physiological Needs, Security Needs, Social Needs, Esteem Needs, Self-actualisation needs. In Social Needs stage, human want to have a sense of belonging, being love or loving. Involved in relationship such as friendship, romance, families can help human being to fulfil their needs for companionship and acceptance (Maslow, 1970).

Suffering in Harriet Wilsons Our Nig Essay -- essays research papers

Harriet Wilson’s Our Nig is a novel that presents the harshness of racial prejudice during the 19th century combined with the traumas of abandonment. The story of Frado, a once free-spirited mulatto girl abandoned by her white mother, unfolds as she develops into a woman. She is faced with all the abuse and torment that Mrs. Belmont, the antagonist, could subject her to. Still she survives to obtain her freedom. Through the events and the accounts of Frado’s life the reader is left with a painful reality of the lives of indentured servants. Though the novel is not told from Frado’s perspective, her story becomes more sympathizing and sentimental from a third person narrative. Wilson uses her supporting characters to express Frado’s emotions and to show her development. Through her style, the reader becomes more aware of the Belmont family and society’s prejudices through how they react to Frado’s suffering. For instance Aunt Abby, one of the more sympathizing characters, says â€Å"we found a seat under a shady tree, and there I took the opportunity to combat the notions she seemed to entertain respecting the loneliness of her condition and want of sympathizing friends† (54). While Aunt Abby makes an effort to console Frado, there is no real sympathy in her words. They are mechanical and rehearsed. Aunt Abby does not genuinely care for Frado but she does pity her situation. Unlike Aunt Abby, James offers a more sincere regard for Frado. He buys her a puppy and often protects her from his mother’s brutal thrashings. He even intends to bring her home with him to live. He does not possess the indifference of his father or the cowardice of his sister, Jane. Being one of the few characters who emits a genuine aura of concern James i... ...mont’s but is sadly disappointed by her unfortunate state in the end of the novel. Slave narratives are not meant to be uplifting but this story brings depressive reading to a whole new level. Frado’s story is one of unrelenting abuse and pain. Through Wilson’s style the reader understands every point of view and especially the views of prejudice and racism. The title â€Å"Our Nig† relates one of the most insulting realities of Frado’s existence. She was property in a sense. Her labor and her efforts were equated to those of a horse that could be broken when necessary. Frado’s encounters and relationships further distinguish this novel from other slave narratives. This story shows what society and what the human spirit is capable of. People can cause the immense suffering of others but People can also rise up from the depths of despair and overcome great obstacles.

Violent Behavior and the Brain :: Biology Essays Research Papers

Violent Behavior and the Brain - Do we know it all? The DMZ, which runs through Central Vietnam is a place where undisputed violence was unleashed for over a decade in the late sixties and early seventies. During the year that I worked in Vietnam, I often returned to this spot to watch the American Veterans, who would stand at the top of Marble Mountain, withered, with vacant stares out towards the stretch of beach known only to the Americans as China. It was mystifying to consider the sharp contrast that must have seemed all too apparent to them as the sounds of war loomed in their memories and the calm ocean stretched out before them now so serenely. It was then that I first started to consider what causes man to become so enraged as to commit atrocities of the mind, body and soul. Violence - pure and simple, is intrinsic to humanity. It almost goes unnoticed as a way of life in many communities. Drive through North Philadelphia on a spring afternoon and witness what appears to be life disappearing, receding under the concrete and graffiti. Look closer and witness the bullet holes in the walls of homes and cars. Still, there are other communities, such as North Brooklyn, where the rate of crime has been diminishing for the past twenty-five years. It seems, in fact, that violent crime does not behave as predicted. Social scientists have begun to suggest that, in fact, violent crime needs to be viewed much like an infectious disease. Simultaneously, neurobiologists have developed intricate research models and techniques to examine whether or not there are biological triggers that cause individuals to act violently. What if violence were to be truly considered an epidemic - one with BOTH neurological and sociological explanations? Being a public health practitioner and activist, I am inclined to champion the cause of social scientists and the role that society, economy, and politics play in the make-up of a violent individual. What is the environment that allows an epidemic of violence to overtake a community and how does it initiate in the individual? Epidemiologists consider an epidemic to reach its "tipping point" when it turns into a public health crisis. As Malcolm Gladwell notes in his article, "The Tipping Point", "Every epidemic has its tipping point, and to fight an epidemic you need to understand what that point is." What then, is the tipping point for an individual who is motivated to act violently?

Project Appraisal And Risk

PROJECT APPRAISAL AND RISKQ1. Risk & Uncertainty is an important part to be considered before any projects investment appraisal. Select the appropriate option which relates to either Risk or Uncertainty. (HA)It is Quantifiable RISK UNCERTAINTYIncreases as the projects life increases RISK UNCERTAINTYIt is difficult to assign probabilities RISK UNCERTAINTYIncreases as the variability of returns increases RISK UNCERTAINTY(2 marks) Q2. Cipher Co. plans to buy a new machine which will produce expected sales of 110,000 units per year. Each unit can be sold for $15 per unit. The project is expected to last for five years. The project NPV is $1780. The company profit tax one year in arrears at an annual rate of 30% per year. Calculate the sensitivity of the new machine to a change in selling price using the cost of capital of 11%.4%4.4%4.7%5%(2 marks) Q3. Calculate the sensitivity of selling price? The following information to be used:Investment in Year 0 $30,000, Sales volume 200 units per annum each costing $200, Variable cost $50/unit & Total Fixed cost $6000 per annum. The project life is estimated to be three years with the cost of capital of 10%. (MCQ)30.5%29.8%25%15%(2 marks) Q4. Select the appropriate strength & weaknesses for sensitivity analysis according to the statements. (HA)It identifies crucial areas for the success of the project STRENGTH WEAKNESSIt provides information which allows management to make subjective judgments STRENGTH WEAKNESSIt is not an optimizing technique STRENGTH WEAKNESSIt assumes that changes to variables can be made independently STRENGTH WEAKNESS(2 marks) Q5. Calculate the sensitivity of contribution? The following information to be used:Investment in Year 0 $60,000, Sales volume 600 units per annum each costing $125, Variable cost $10/unit & Total Fixed cost $4000 per annum, the Tax rate is 20% will only be applicable on taxable cash flows & capital allowances are to be ignored. The project life is estimated to be two years with the cost of capital of 8%. (MCQ)45.4%41.8%33.2%30.6%(2 marks) Q6. Dmitri is contemplating purchasing a machine for $275,000 which he will use to produce 50,000 units per year for five years. These products selling price is $10/unit and variable costs are expected to be $6/unit. Incremental fixed costs will be $70,000 every year for production & $25,000 every year for selling and distribution. Petra has a required rate of return of 10% per annum. By how many units must the estimate of production and sale volume fall for the project to be regarded as not worthwhile? (MCQ)2,8756,4658,11512,315(2 marks) Q7. Zulu Co. is considering to invest in a project costing $20,000, the amount is payable at the start of the first year of operation. The estimated future cash flows & its probabilities are given below: Year 1 The present value of cash flow ($) Probabilities17,500 0.7211,700 0.2(5,000) 0.08Year 2The present value of cash flow ($) Probabilities23,000 0.65(3,500) 0.35Calculate the total expected value? (MCQ) $23,700$14,540$13,725$8,265(2 marks) Q8. An individual uses expected value on the assumption to (MCQ)Reduce risk for a given level of returnMaximize return for a given level of riskReduce risk irrespective of the level of returnMaximize return irrespective of the level of risk(2 marks) Q9. Which of the following TWO are disadvantages of Expected value? (MRQ)Relatively simple calculationIgnores variability of payoffsDeals with multiple outcomesThe answer is only a long-run average (2 marks) Q10. â€Å"Using mathematical models, it produces a distribution of the possible outcomes from the project using multiple uncertain variables.† Choose the appropriate Technique. (MCQ)SimulationRisk-adjusted discount ratesAdjusted paybackExpected value(2 marks)PROJECT APPRAISAL AND RISK (ANSWERS)Q1. It is Quantifiable RISK Increases as the projects life increases UNCERTAINTYIt is difficult to assign probabilities UNCERTAINTYIncreases as the variability of returns increases RISK Q2. ASelling Price = 110,000 Ãâ€" $15 = $165, 0000Annuity Factor 11% (1 – 5 years) = 3.696Annuity Factor 11% (1 – 6 years) = 4.231Discount Factor 11% (Year 1) = 0.901Annuity Factor 11% (2 – 6 years) = 4.231 – 0.901 = 3.33Year 1-5 Tax rate Year 2-6 Cash flow 1650,000 Ãâ€" 30% 495,000 Ãâ€" Ãâ€" Annuity 3.696 3.33 Selling Price after tax 6098,400 – 164,8350 445,0050Sensitivity = (1,780 à · 445, 50050) Ãâ€" 100 = 4% Q3. Years Cash flow ($) Discount Factor (10%) Present value ($)Investment 0 (30,000) 1 (30,000)Sales Revenue 1-3 40,000 2.487 99,480Variable Cost 1-3 (10,000) 2.487 (24,870)Fixed Cost 1-3 (6,000) 2.487 (14,922)NPV 29,688Selling Price = (29,688 à · 99,480) Ãâ€" 100 = 29.8% Q4. It identifies crucial areas for the success of the project STRENGTH It provides information which allows management to make subjective judgments STRENGTH It is not an optimizing technique WEAKNESSIt assumes that changes to variables can be made independently WEAKNESSInformation will be presented to management in a form which facilitates subjective judgment to decide the likelihood of the various possible outcomes considered.It is not an optimizing technique. It does not point directly to the correct decision.It assumes that changes to variables can be made independently, e.g. raw material costs will change independently of other variables. This is highly unlikely. Q5. CYears Cash flow ($) Discount Factor (8%) Present value ($) After Tax Present value ($) Investment 0 (60,000) 1 (60,000) (60,000)Sales Revenue 1-2 75,000 1.783 133,725 106,980Variable Cost 1-2 (6,000) 1.783 (10,698) (8,558)Fixed Cost 1-2 (4,000) 1.783 (7,132) (5,706)NPV 55,895 32,716Contribution = (32,716 à · [106,980 – 8,558]) Ãâ€" 100 = 33.2% Q6. CYear Cash flow ($) Discount factor (10%) Present Value ($)Machine 0 (275,000) 1 (275,000)Contribution 1-5 200,000 3.791 758,200Fixed cost 1-5 (95,000) 3.791 (360,145)NPV 123,055PV of contribution must fall by $123,055 Sales volume must fall by $123,055 à · 758,200 = 16.23% Fall in sales volume = 0.1623 Ãâ€" 50,000 = 8,115 Q7. DYear 1 Present value of cash flow ($) Probabilities Expected value ($)17,500 0.72 12,60011,700 0.2 2,340(5,000) 0.08 (400)14,540Year 2The present value of cash flow ($) Probabilities Expected value ($)23,000 0.65 14,950(3,500) 0.35 (1,225)13,725(14,540 + 13,725) – 20,000 = 8,265 Q8. DThe Expected Value is the weighted average of all the possible outcomes, with the weightings based on the probability estimates. This is specifically used to maximize the shareholder's wealth exclusive of any risk assumptions. Q9.Relatively simple calculation (Advantage)Ignores variability of payoffs (Disadvantage)Deals with multiple outcomes (Advantage)The answer is only a long-run average (Disadvantage) Q10. AThe simulation uses a mathematical model, it produces a distribution of the possible outcomes from the project using multiple uncertain variables.

McGraw-Hill Financial Performance

It is reported that there was an 8.6% increase in the earnings per share to $2.40 for the year 2006 that due to the increase in the revenue by 4.2% amounting to $6.3 billion.   Another successful year for the McGraw-Hill, but before that, let’s take a look on the past few years where the evaluation on this research must focus. The net income of the McGraw-Hill for the year 2003 is $687.7 million.   During 2004, the net income had reached to an amount of $755.8 million, a 9.9% increase from the previous year.   In addition to this, the company’s revenue increased by 7.4% amounting to $5.3 billion. In accordance with the Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 00-10, â€Å"Accounting for Shipping and Handling Fees Costs†, the corporation had made reclassification of the revenues resulting to an increase in the revenue of $62.5 million and $62.5 million during the year 2004 and 2003 respectively. There is an increased of 14.3% in the McGraw-Hill revenue during 2005 which had reached about $6 billion.   Together with it is the increase in the net income of 11.7% reaching to an amount of $844.3 million and also an increase in the earnings per share of 12.8%.   The company had also returned an amount greater than $924 million to the shareholders prior to the increase of 14.4% compared to as before of 4.9%. Pearson PLC Financial Performance In the year 2003, changes in the company’s portfolios had made revenue to increase by  £89 million and  £24 million on the profit.   However, due to the movements of currency, there is  £181 million reduction on the revenues and  £27 million on the profits. During the year 2004, the revenues of the Pearson PLC had decreased by  £302 million and  £51 million on the profits due to the currency movements that happened that time.   However, the changes in the portfolio had made an increase of  £41 million on the revenues but still the profit dropped down by  £8 million. However, the movements of the currency in 2005 had made a positive effect on the Pearson PLC.   Regarding the continuing business basis, there is an increase in the sails by  £46 million and the profit had also increased by  £12 million.   In addition to this, the portfolio changes also made the sales to increase by  £29 million and profits by  £9 million. Also during the year 2005, the fastest growth of sales happened in comparison on the past five years of the corporation.   The sales increased by 9%.   There is also a 22% increase in the profit amounting to  £509 million and with the margins going up to 12.4%.   There is also an increase of more than 33% in the operating cash flow of Pearson and more than 50% on the free cash flow, reaching to an amount of  £431 million. These results to the most cash generated in Pearson that ever happened before.   The biggest contributor on these success is the –education- having sale of up to 12% generating an amount of  £2.66 billion and making the profit to go up by 22% to the amount of  £348 million. McGraw-Hill Stock Performance A 10% increase was approved by the Board of Directors of the McGraw-Hill Companies on the Corporation’s common stock regular quarterly cash dividend.   It was the 32nd of the consecutive increase in the annual dividend of the Corporation’s common stock. In 2004, an amount of $630 million was returned by the McGraw-Hill Companies to their shareholder.   There was a 50% increase on the dividend payments compared to the previous year (2003).   There is a new annualized rate amounting to $1.32 per share brought by the Corporation’s increase by 3 cents to 33 cents per share in the regularly quarterly dividend on the common stock.   There was a history of continued increase in the McGraw-Hill dividends for 32 consecutive years.   Also, during this year, the acquisition of the 5 million shares of its repurchase range happened on the Corporation. There was an increase of a 10.3% average on the McGraw-Hill Companies annualized total return over the past 5 years. In 2005, the expanded stock repurchase program continued for 45 million shares which is far greater than the outlook of the Corporation on 2004 of between three to five million shares.   In addition to this, it has been a 33 consecutive years of an increase in the dividend.   Since 1974, a 10.3% had been the average compound annual growth rate. Pearson Stock Performance The shareholders had approved the amount of 17 pence per ordinary share as a final dividend in 2005 and the he total dividend had reached the amount of 27 pence (adding the already paid interim dividend).   There is an increase from the previous year dividend from 25.4 pence (2004). In 2004, an adjustment of up to 5% amounting to 30 pence (57.6 cents) per share occurred and also there was an increase on the dividends by 5%. In 2003, a dividend per share amounts to 24.2 pence or 43.3 cents.   The price of the share at this year is  £5.72 and  £6.25 on the following year (2004) and on 2005, the share price is  £6.52. Stock Performance Analysis In 2004, the stock performance of the McGraw-Hill dramatically increased from 17.8% of return putting it on its peak having a record giving a 32.9% in return to the shareholders.   However, it has not been good during the year 2005 due to the currency movement thus dropping down to 14.4%.   However, it was a disaster for Pearson PLC’s stock to be performing to the down low having its percent of return down to its lowest return of 1.5%.   The stock performance trend from 2003 until 2005 has been continuously going down.   Currency movement and the changed company portfolio didn’t make a resistance for the company at these times. Long-Term Commitment Until 2005, McGraw-Hill Companies had succeeded and made the constant average return on investments through dividends of 10.3% for 33 consecutive years since 1974.   By simply looking at these numbers, the possibility of McGraw-Hill to a long-term commitment would bring up more success to the Corporation. Pearson had been facing trouble in their past years before 2003.   Those years have been tough for the Corporation.   But their claim is they had made three of their companies, namely education, business information and consumer publishing to becoming world leaders. These happenings made them to think of two things; making their operations efficient and selling of better products and services compared to their competitors.   This strategy made them sold more than  £250 million worth of products and services through combining of two or more parts of Pearson, both working together.   The results of this had reduced costs, increased revenues, assets, and working capitals that will continue planning on a long-term commitment. McGraw-Hill. (2007). The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.: Financial Statement.  Ã‚   Retrieved March 10, 2007, from http://moneycentral.msn.com/investor/invsub/results/statemnt.aspx?Symbol=MHP&lstStatement=Balance&stmtView=Ann PLC, P. (2007). Financial Statement.  Ã‚   Retrieved March 10, 2007, from http://finance.google.com/finance?fstype=ci&cid=664805