M4a2 TEAM DEV AND LEADERSHIP Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

M4a2 TEAM DEV AND LEADERSHIP - Essay Example nal connections built over time between the team members, therefore passionate debates regarding more critical issues associated with the task at hand were replaced with veiled or irrelevant discussion about social issues among group membership. This created, in itself, a secondary type of dysfunction referred to by many scholars in academia and leadership philosophy as lack of commitment. Why is this? Because individuals in the group did not consider the development of conflict as being vital to producing a basket of opinion, it did not provide the group with the foundations for quality and relevant ideas about cognitive dysfunction. The social connections within the group put members into the position where individuals would, to save their in-group status, avoid debatable topics that would have enhanced the discussion and improved cognitive mapping. According to Lencioni (2002) dysfunction is introduced into teams where there is a strong social connection and members will seek what is referred to as artificial harmony rather than worthwhile debate or discussion. Katzenbach and Smith (1992) support this notion, suggesting that the conventional wisdom among in-group members, or where there are powerful, previous social connections, is to avoid conflict in pursuit of harmonious discussion not necessarily relevant to the actual, productive construction of conflict. This avoids the ability to create workable, differing opinions that somewhat flatten the quality of discussion toward the main goal assigned to the group. If left unchecked, Field (2009) iterates that it will become increasingly difficult to establish a sense of purpose for the group. The team will become further more indecisive due to the desire to continue with in-group discussion more relevant to the social environment rather than academia. In order to overcome indecisiveness, lack of group clarity about goals, and fear of conflict, it would be pertinent for the group leader to actually inspire

Organ Transplant Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Organ Transplant - Research Paper Example The determination of the process of organ transplantation is an important subject matter in organ transplantation. It increases on consciousness and awareness on the issue of organ transplantation. There are different phases in the process of organ transplant. These include the determination of organ facts, the possible diseases, the devices, organ allocation, the waiting list and the hospitalization and surgery (United Network for Organ Sharing, 2011). Determination of Organ Facts First is the determination of the organ facts. This includes the defective organs of the patients needing replacement. The common organs transplanted are liver, kidney, pancreas, heart, lung and intestine. Kidney is one of the organs susceptible to damage which can lead to the lost of function specifically the removal of waste from the body through filtration then urination. Regulations of blood pressure, blood volume and chemical or electrolyte composition of the blood, are included in the main functions of the kidney. Included in the kidney diseases that can lead to the need for organ transplant are polycystic kidneys, nephrosclerosis, chronic pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, diabetes mellitus, kidney stones, renal cell carcinoma ad Wilm’s tumor (United Network for Organ Sharing, 2011). Liver is another organ susceptible to failure since it’s one of the largest organs with important function such as processing of carbohydrates, fats and proteins, and storage of vitamins. It is responsible for the substance in blood clotting. ... It is responsible for the substance in blood clotting, bile for fat digestion and can break down toxic substances in drugs and alcohol. Diseases such as primary sclerosing cholangitis, acute hepatic necrosis, cirrhosis, metabolic diseases, portal hypertension, hepatitis, liver tumors and biliary atresia (United Network for Organ Sharing, 2011). Pancreas is another organ with the main role of producing enzymes for digestion as well as insulin which functions as a regulator of blood sugar in the body. A need for organ transplant can be caused by diabetes mellitus type II. Heart is another organ of importance commonly transplanted. It pumps blood that distributes nutrients and oxygen and gathers wastes and carbon dioxide from different parts of the body. It can acquire diseases and malfunctions caused by coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy, congenital or valvular heart diseases, and hypertensive heart disease. Also located near the heart is the lung which is described as a spongy org an in the chest that functions for breathing. A person needs organ transplant when the lungs are damaged through COPD, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, primary pulmonary hypertension, cystic fibrosis, and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Intestines are also included in the organs transplanted. It can be damaged through short gut syndrome and other malabsorptive bowel problems (United Network for Organ Sharing, 2011). Waiting List of Organs One of the most important factors in the process of organ transplantation is the waiting list. In the study of the United States waiting lists of candidates by organ released on April 1, 2011, the largest composition is composed of people who needs kidney transplant, which

The Natural Insulation Materials Construction Essay

The Natural Insulation Materials Construction Essay This is usually the type of building that are considered alternative today, have their heredity in structures that humans have been constructing for centuries. The reason why these building techniques are gaining popularity in modern times is twofold. First, the old building techniques are far more eco-friendly than the majority structures we used to seeing; second, these structures are simple enough in nature that they can built cheaply and can be built without the aid of a lot of the heavy and expensive equipment which is normally related with most new construction. Currently words such as green, sustainable and alternative get used often in the construction industry, which make its pretty confusing and difficult to tell if any one particular method or material fall under one or many of these heading. The report will help identify, green alternative building method and materials which are less damaging to the environment than a similar practice used in conventional lumber-framed construction. The need to find alternative practices will encompass any building technique that can be done repeatedly without changing the environment in any noticeable way. The Importance of Finding alternative Materials As the world population continues to grow at an alarming rate, people are realizing that planet cannot sustain such continuous and exponential growth. With land being increasable limited and we are continually diminishing our natural resource such are timber, with majority of it being used to build homes. It is evident that we cannot continue to use our natural material at this rate to build our homes. With the awareness of these natural materials become increasing limited, has made the construction industry rethink their way and start to think more about sustainable construction. Using alternative material for 8building homes is much more environmental sustainable than conventional homes building. Depending on the type and amount of sustainable materials used, these types of alternative material can reduce the carbon footprint which is produce in building homes. According to the Worldwatch Institute, an independent organization that analyzes critical global issues, one-fourth of the worlds wood and one-sixth of its fresh water are used  in building construction. This situation will only become worse as the worlds population and more people continue to migrate toward cities. The greater demands also will add pressure on increasingly scarce essential resources, especially water. The Environment The environment has now become issues and with it being heightened news, the Governments and individuals have seem to take notice and now taking to make a change because we cannot continuing abusing the environment, this is not an option anymore. The chart below shows the proportion of CO2 emissions in the UK from buildings in use, the construction process (mainly due to the CO2 from the manufacture of building materials) and from all other sectors including industry, transport, agriculture etc. Buildings in use contribute about half of our CO2 emissions (and consume about half of our energy use). Figure 1 CO2 emissions The next chart shows where these emissions come from and with over half of our energy use and CO2 emissions from building use come from heating our buildings. Figure two Energy Waste. Government Action The UK government have stated that England must take action now, in order to make vast improvement to energy efficiency in both new and existing buildings. The government have set many ambitious goals, an example of one: they anticipate dramatic energy reductions to achieve its goal that all new homes in England will be carbon-neutral by 2016. World Business Council for Sustainable Development (2007) There are three main approaches to energy neutrality: Cut buildings energy demand by, for example, using equipment that is more energy efficient Produce energy locally from renewable and otherwise wasted energy resources Share energy create buildings that can generate surplus energy and feed it into an intelligent grid infrastructure. Efficiency gains in buildings are likely to provide the greatest energy reductions and in many cases will be the most economic option. A study by McKinsey estimated that demand reduction measures with no net cost could almost halve expected growth in global electricity demand. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report estimates that by 2020 CO2 emissions from building energy used can be reduced by 29% at no net cost World Business Council for Sustainable Development (2007) and a cost curve for greenhouse gas reduction, McKinsey Quarterly 2007 Number 1. Fox and Murrell (1989) state the fundamental ecology principle of renewable material, such as wood is sustainable source and are renewable however, for materials like metal, plastic, gravel and sand, stone-based materials such as cement, concrete and plaster, have been used cannot be used again, their consumption if the earth itself. (Berge, 1992) The extraction of certain raw material can be very destructive effects especially to the water table and wildlife habitats. Over usage of these materials can affect the availabilities of in the near future, cause environmental degradation, and contribute to global warming. Impact of the Construction The industry has a major impact on the environment, it affect are not only on the resources it consumes but also the waste it produces. The construction industry is accountable for producing a whole variety of different wastes, the amount and type of which depends on factors such as the stage of construction, type of construction work and practices on site. In Great Britain, over 90% of non-energy minerals is extracted and are used to supply the construction industry with materials. Furthermore, every year more than 70 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste has been produced in England and Wales The key is alternative basic materials because they have historically driven innovation in every industry, and could spur significant advances in todays housing. In order to gain acceptance, however, basic alternative materials must offer more benefits than the traditional materials or methods they replace. They must reduce costs, increase design flexibility, enhance sustainability, perform multiple functions, have superior performance characteristics, or meet a market niche. Another potential driver for adopting alternative basic materials is a shortage of existing natural materials or concerns about their long-term sustainability. Martà ­n(2005) states that in recent years, there has been a shortages of core natural resources; including lumber, steel, and gypsum, and this has driven construction costs higher. This volatility of supply and price motivates the industry to look for more sustainable solutions. Sustainability and resource shortages, in fact, will help to drive innovati ons in the future. The objective of alternative basic materials is to develop new materials that spur innovation by serving multiple functions, increasing cost-effectiveness and efficiency, and using more sustainable materials. In many cases, these technologies form building systems that enable other Concept Home principles such as integrated functions, floor plan flexibility, and improved production processes. Alternative basic materials consist of core technologies that manufacturers can use to create products or systems and composite systems that builders can purchase and use to build homes. Martà ­n(2005) Before considering the use of alternative materials, and before implementing into homes, practical issues must be considered, (Berge, 1992) say to be realistic to imagine a technology that functions in line holistic ideas, none-mainstream approach but also providing humanity with an acceptable material standard of living, basically Berge is trying to say there just be a balance between the Eco approach and what consumer want. Government Schemes and Regulation After The Stern Review (2006) which advised that the implications of climate change couldnt be avoided any longer and urgent action was required, the government took notice and started implementing changes to building regulations. In 2007, the Government introduced the  Code for Sustainable Homes  to help improve the energy efficiency and sustainability of houses, by setting target for all new houses to achieve a carbon rate of zero by 2016. This is a level 6 in the Code for Sustainable. Currently, the standards of the code are not mandatory for private house builders but there are intentions to incorporate them into the  Building Regulations over the next couple years, starting with changes to Part L in 2010. CAN I ADD MORE Constructing environmental friendly house To construct an environmental friendly houses are to focus on reducing the environmental impact of both its  construction  and its ongoing  operation. This is achievable at the design phase by selecting the correct material and the process. Environmental friendly houses and sustainable construction offer an exciting future for building houses. With the prospect of living in an environmentally efficient house that can generate its own power. Also reducing waste and running costs, safe in the knowledge that your house is not effecting but instead helping the environment. This is a positive step for a sustainable future. It is well documented the impacts that human activity has had on our planet and with the Office for Climate Change 2010, attributing 27% of the UKs total carbon emissions to household heating and electricity, house construction is an area where we can make a huge difference. Ecological impact During the development and construction stages of house being built, a ecological assessment should be carried out that reduces its impact. Also the see if it is feasible to create new habitats in the form of green or living roofs. Materials Houses are constructed using a vast range of products and materials from a range of sources. For each one the industry must need to consider: The sustainability of the raw materials used. The lifespan of the material. Its performance characteristics as part of the building fabric. The energy use and waste generated from: The acquisition of raw materials. Processing. Transportation. Manufacture. The possibility for re-use or recyclability at the end of life. the-self-build-guide.co.uk(2009) Luckily, a lot of the legwork has been done for you on this one, with resources such as the BREs Green Guide, which provides environmental ratings for building materials and components. Material specific organisations like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) only certify timber taken from responsibly managed sources. You can find suppliers who use environmental management systems (EMS) to maximise the environmental efficiency of their businesses. EMS accreditation can be awarded through British Standards (BS) and the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). Alternative building systems improve on standard brick construction through their use of high performance materials and accurate construction techniques. Although many alternative systems involve the construction of buildings in-situ, in the same way that brick buildings are built, there are also many that are turning to off-site construction techniques to improve accuracy. Another benefit of off-site construction Alternative Natural Construction: Building Systems Alternative building systems improve on standard brick construction through their use of high performance materials and accurate construction techniques. Although many alternative systems involve the construction of buildings in-situ, in the same way that brick buildings are built, there are also many that are turning to off-site construction techniques to improve accuracy. Another benefit of off-site construction is that it can drastically reduce waste by up to 90% over traditional building methods. Mud brick Mud brick is a building material, which consists of clay-loam soil puddle with water, sometimes containing straw. The ideal soil requires clay content and the straw can be added to reduce drying and cracking. However, almost any soil can be adapted to make mud bricks; making it one of the most flexible and convenient building methods. It is most popular due to its simplicity, which is easily grasped by the layperson with limited experience, time or resources. If the design and construction are good, the building will last indefinitely. http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/11435929.jpg Mud brick has several advantages over conventional fired clay or concrete masonry. The advantages include: Low in embodied energy Utilisation of natural resources and minimal use of manufactured products Good sound absorption characteristics High thermal mass A claimed ability to breath Suited to a wide range of soils Easily manufactured and worked Flexibility in design/colour/surface finishes Insulation properties similar to those of concrete or brickwork The disadvantages Mud brick building is very labour intensive Texts and magazines suggest it is possible to make 100 bricks per day per person, although that level of productivity comes with experience and fitness! Thousands of bricks are required for most dwellings. Only two or three courses of bricks can be laid at one time, because the courses need to dry out before more are added on top, to prevent the wall slumping or warping. The technique requires a lot of water, which can be a problem in dry areas. Although it is possible to make bricks in wet weather, a large undercover area is needed. Mud brick building is very labour intensive and quite tiring (the most exhausting part is mixing the soil and water). (BBC h2g2, 2003) Timber Wood is a very low carbon and sustainable material, it is important that the wood is ethically sourced and treated. There are types of wooden construction systems, they are: timber framing which is constructed completely on-site Structural Insulated Panels (SIP)- they are manufactured off-site and assemble on-site. Timber framing is a cost effective method of construction which is available , they can be used for buildings up to around seven stories high and can be highly insulated: level 4 or 5 of the Code for Sustainable Homes should be achievable. The drawbacks of timber farming are that construction time to build the walls to the specification at the suppliers. With the possibilities of dry rot or wood worm if the timber is not treated properly in the first place. Which mean that only certified companies can be used. SIPs, this method usages large sheets of plywood or chipboard (more or less) to sandwich to provide a stern insulting core, with these structurally sound panels then joined together to construct the building. SIPs are more expensive, are slightly less flexible in the buildings they produce, but are generally extremely well insulated and airtight: level 6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes is achievable.   The drawback of wood-clad panels is that they do not provide any thermal mass as part of their composition. Frechette (2009) http://www.greenhomebuilding.com/sip.htm, stats that when SIP it will burn, it has been demonstrated that they remain structurally sound for a lengthy period during a fire and do not emit fumes any more hazardous than those of wood products. Another possible concern is with insects or rodents nesting in the insulation since this can be an ideal habitat for them. One last concern is that a well-constructed SIP structure is practically hermetically sealed, which means that the  walls are not breathable; for this reason they require some sort of mechanical ventilation system for healthful habitation. Straw bale Construction http://hurricanecandice.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/straw-bale-home-1.jpg Brian Waite from straw bale house design states that the UK alone produces 4 million tons of surplus straw every year enough for 250,000 homes.  Straw must have the lowest embodied energy of any building material and is probably the cheapest and most sustainable. Straw-bales have an insulation U value much better than required by the building regulations as  well as excellent sound deadening properties which, together, give a living space an ambience that has to be experienced to be appreciated. Contrary to common perception straw-bales in a building, is not a fire risk, is not a vermin risk and are not short-term, but would compost back into the earth if and when required to do so. Straw in bales is so tightly bound that it doesnt contain enough air to support combustion, just add a (carbon neutral) breathing lime render/plaster and any fire regulation requirement is easily met. There is no nutritional value in straw and so it does not attract vermin, it is only voids that vermin like, so proper attention to detail is the only precaution needed. Lime rendered straw-bales breath so evening out fluctuations of humidity thereby creating a healthier environment. Straw bale construction is the use of compressed blocks (bales) of straw, either as fill for a wall cavity (non-load bearing) or as a structural component of a wall (load bearing.) In each case, the interior and exterior sides of the bale wall are covered (by stucco, plaster, clay, or another treatment.) The drawback of straw is that it requires special measures must be taken to provide nailing surfaces, since straw bales do not hold nails as well as wood and anchored to the foundations. The external weatherproof cladding will need to be good, as bales will rot badly if they get damp If straw bales are not available within a few hundred miles of your construction site, the cost of shipping them, along with the potential pollution from the transportation, must be taken into account. Views of the industry Straw bales may be plastered inside and out to provide thermal mass and, like standard construction, the walls must be protected from moisture Straw bale can be more resistant to termites and vermin than stick construction, but (as with any type of construction), elimination of cracks and holes is key Rammed Earth http://cdn.webecoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/rammed-earth-home.jpg Rammed earth walls (aka pies) are constructed by the compacting (ramming) of moistened subsoil into place between temporary formwork panels. When dried, the result is a dense, hard monolithic wall. Rammed earth is an ancient form of construction, usually associated with arid areas. There remain plentiful examples of the form around the world evidence that rammed earth is a successful and durable way of building. A few historical rammed earth buildings are to be found in the UK. Rammed earth construction is once again gaining in popularity for home builders looking for eco-friendly options.   With rammed earth, youre using the dirt under your feet (or from a local quarry) to build a house.   This is certainly a green practice since it usually makes use of local materials (local dirt!) and you dont need lumber, quarried stone, brick, etc. to be transported from long distances. Rammed earth construction has its pros and cons of course.   Lets take a look at the positives and negatives. A properly sited and designed rammed earth home is ideal for passive solar strategies, so it can be great for an off-the-grid house.   The thick, dense walls absorb the warmth from the sun all day and slowly release the heat into the interior of the house at night.   This helps keep heating bills low in the winter, and these homes tend to stay cool in the summer as well.   Dirt is an easy-to-acquire material and while there are some requirements (not all dirt is going to have the right mix of sand and clay), you ought to be able to get it locally, so this tends to be an eco-friendly building material. Soil selection needs to be done carefully, and if you are able to use dirt from the building site, youll end up with some big holes you need to figure out how to work into the landscape. Though it might seem that a house made out of dirt would be cheap, rammed earth construction actually tends to cost 5 to 15% more than conventional construction (due to the labour-intensive process of creating the rammed earth forms). Its difficult to impossible to create rounded or sculpturally shaped walls the way you can with other materials.   Homes made with rammed earth construction are going to be boxy in nature.   Constructing a rammed earth house in the UK would probably require extra insulation, (its typical to add foam insulation to exterior walls and then cover it up with stucco) as rammed earth method is not suitable for colder climates Cob http://www.ranchomastatal.com/images/PicsTim100405009.jpg Another mud-hut style of building, but there are occupied cob houses around the UK that are anything up to 500 years old. Not bad for a mud hut. Cob houses are built from a mixture of earth, clay, sand and straw. The ingredients are mixed together with a little water until they form a paste-like substance. The paste is then slapped onto a stone foundation to form walls that are often around two foot thick, then more and more slapped on to form a monolithic structural building. The slap is usually built up in layers about 18 inches high to avoid slumping. The great thing about cob houses is that they can be built into more or less any shape you care to dream up: curves, vaults, domes etc. This can result in some pretty funky buildings. The drawback is that it is very labour intensive and the walls can take up to a year to fully set. Cob is a Cheap, sustainable and eco-friendly method of construction using local materials. This is as load-bearing method of construction and needs no framework. A cob house uses 60 per cent less timber than a stud frame building. a cob house typically uses 20 per cent less energy. Cob house are naturally energy-efficient to cool and heat, provided the builder takes care to insulate the ceiling, and attend to solar positioning advantages. Straw bales embedded into north walls make this truer. Heat tends to pass out through north facing walls. Straw bales tend to keep this heat in, better that only earth, which is more porous for air passage. Contractor do not like working with Cob material as it is time consuming and labour-intensive. It makes the need for community obvious, while demonstrating our inherent unified power. Cob has to breathe to dry out naturally after becoming wet. It used to be that the exterior walls were either left bare or lime rendered (which is expensive these days). Excessive moisture can give you a probleme, as the material needs some moisture (3-5% is considered good much higher than that and you might have rising damp). Cob generally exceeds the minimum u-values for a house. Cost benefits compared below Building system Cost ( £/m2)* Benefits Drawbacks Traditional brick block 800-1500 Well known, flexible, popular, robust, durable. Materials not eco-friendly, high waste, often poor performance. Timber framing 200-1000 Sustainable, cheap, fairly rapid, well known, good performance. Poor image, needs good planning. SIP 300-1300 Sustainable, excellent performance, rapid, can be fairly cheap. Poorly understood, few contractors, inflexible, needs good planning. Straw bale 80-1000 Very sustainable, good performance, can be very cheap. Misunderstood and could have low sale value, limited lifespan, needs very good planning. Rammed earth 500-1500*** Very sustainable, durable, good performance. Misunderstood and could have low sale value, needs insulating, easily water damaged, long build time. Cob 500-1500*** Very sustainable, durable, good performance, very flexible. Misunderstood, needs insulating, easily water damaged, long build time. Traditional Material Traditional Building Method and Materials used The majority of new homes in England and Wales are built using  traditional masonry construction. With most people in the construction industry are familiar with this method. This method has many advantages, such as a deep historical and psychological attachment to masonry construction, which has contributes to its persistence use as the main house building method in the UK. A national survey by MORI found that 61% of respondents would prefer to buy a newly built property of traditional block construction. Most building systems in England and Wales use a timber frame for the skeleton of the house , this is the core of most traditional method of construction, however manufacturing developments have moved many of these methods into the categorization of modern methods of construction discussed below. This is currently second most popular technique for new home construction in the UK and, according to the UK Timber Frame Association, is the fastest growing method of construction in the UK. Traditionally used in North America and Scandinavia, as those areas are rich in timber resources, it comes with some good environmental credentials. http://www.ajbuilding.co.uk/userimages/parsonagefarm3.jpg Before considering what type of alternative method or material to use, we need to understand how current building methods and materials are being used. Below is a basic method Once the excavation and installation of the foundations is completed, the bricklayers erect cavity walls that consist of an inner and outer skin. The inner skin is the main structural element, which supports internal floors and the roof structure. It is constructed using concrete blocks laid on beds of sand and cement mortar. The outer skin of the house is the first line of defence against the elements and provides the aesthetic element to the structure. This is constructed usually with brick, stone or block work, this can produces a number of finishes. The two skins are connected by steel wall ties and separated by a cavity that is partially or fully filled with insulation. Internal floors, they are constructed using timber joists, composite timber beams, or one of many precast concrete systems which are available. The roof is usually traditional cut timber or prefabricated truss construction. Traditional Material Concrete With environment and health issues, concrete are non-toxic stains and sealants can be used. They are Manufacturer of Portland cement contributes between 5-8% of carbon dioxide emissions and greenhouse gases, which means concrete is non-green material. It under goes a chemical process of limestone, it creates the same amount of carbon dioxide in weight, but concrete can be grounded and recycled for use in roads and pavements (Holistic Interior Designs,2007) Concrete is often used in the construction and constructing home and is there a need to find an alternative material to replace concrete. Traditional concrete contains material such as stone or other material with similar properties. Concrete is made from gravel, sand, cement and water through a chemical process, the concrete is next, poured into slabs for worktops and panels creating a stone like appearance. The traditional use for concrete are use walls, floors, fireplace surrounds, worktops, panels, wall finishes, concrete furniture, sinks and basins. It offers an exceptionally high lifespan up to 3 times that of alternate building materials The use of concrete has many advantages, Farrell (2009) summaries the advantages and disadvantages of concrete: which are stated below Advantages: Fire, moisture, insect, rot and rust resistant, Can be poured into form Absorbs and retains heat very well, Concrete is water resistant and will not warp, rust or rot. Concrete homes are less affected by flooding or by leaks from tanks or water pipes. Concrete walls between adjoining properties offer high levels of security and peace of mind to property owners. Disadvantages: Which are Poor insulation properties Concrete May Not Offer Pleasant Aesthetic Embodied Energy of concrete manufacture creates very high levels of carbon emission. Origin Extraction of the raw materials in very large quantities has a negative impact on the local surrounding environments. Transportation of raw materials over long distances accounts for further release of carbon dioxide levels into the atmosphere Bricks There are now more environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional concrete on the market, made with hemp or carbon neutral concrete. Traditional concrete should be the last choice. Which will be explain later chapter. Are Bricks Green or Not? (Proefrock, 2007) asks what is brick made of, which is just clay and water and that is it, there are no complex chemicals, no exotic compounds, no imported components. Brick are effectively just a manufactured clay stone with a special shape. It breaks down into earth since it comes from earth. (Proefrock, 2007) Clay mining is comparatively benign, compared to ore mining for metals, which requires far more material to be extracted and processed to produce the finished product. Clay is not a resource that is in short supply, which makes it a more attractive material to use, as well. The main reason brick is not an even greener building material is that it takes a lot of energy to make a brick. However, the extra energy is relative. (Proefrock, 2007) Finding alternative Insulation sustainablebuild.co.uk (2010) state: insulation is a key component of sustainable building design. A well insulated home reduces energy bills by keeping warm in the winter and cools in the summer, and this in turn cuts down carbon emissions linked to global climate change. In regard to energy efficiency, investing in high levels of insulation materials when constructing houses is a cost-effective method of saving energy, rather than investing in expensive heating technologies. It is important to choose the correct type materials in the context of whole building design. Insulation materials are used in roofs, walls and floors. Alternative methods that have solid walls structures from cob and adobe cannot be insulated, Cob and Adobe already offers good thermal mass to compensate. Houses that construction with Timber frame require wall insulation in the form of batts (pre-cut sections that are designed to fit between stud walls), rolls or boards. Other types of construction methods such as brick or concrete insulate with spray foam, loose fill or rolls. Insulation materials work by resisting heat flow, measured by an R-value (the higher the R-value, the greater the insulation). This R-value varies according to material type, density and thickness, and is affected by thermal bridging, unwanted heat flo

Comparing and Contrasting Self-Awareness in the Works of Emerson, Whitm

Defining Self-Awareness in the works of Emerson, Whitman and Poe Literature in the American Renaissance influenced the Romantic sentiment that prevailed during this period: the emergence of the individual. This materialization evolved out of the Age of Reason, when the question of using reason (a conscious state) or faith (an unconscious state) as a basis for establishing a set of beliefs divided people into secular and non-secular groups. Reacting to the generally submissive attitudes predominant in America at this time, nineteenth century writers envisioned "the source of religion within consciousness itself" (Chai, 10). This "secularization of religion" ultimately led to the "isolation of the self from others" (Chai, 10), and manifested the persuasive theme in Renaissance literature that promoted independent thinking. The writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Edgar Allan Poe, and Walt Whitman all emanate from this Romantic spirit. "Trust thyself" asserts Emerson, do not remain "clapped in jail by [your] consciousness" (261), be "led [out] in triumph by nature" (542). Merging the individual and nature is a common motif in Romanticism, but these writers had contrasting views on the dynamics of this connection. While Emerson and Whitman were on one end of the Romantic meter proclaiming the potential greatness of the individual, Poe was at the other end questioning human nature. Indeed, the literature these authors produced are relative to the Romantic trend in elevating self-awareness, however their work demonstrates Emerson and Whitman differ with Poe regarding the ascendancy of the conscious and unconscious states of the mind. Emerson and Whitman celebrated the conscious power of the individual, while Poe exposed the hidde... ... "Being Odd, Getting Even." The American Face of Edgar Allan Poe. Ed. Shawn Rosenheim and Stephen Rachman. Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press, 1995. 3-36. Chai, Leon. The Romantic Foundations of the American Renaissance. Ithaka: Cornell University Press, 1987. Coleridge, Samuel. The Portable Coleridge. Ed. I. A. Richards. New York: Penguin Books, 1950. Emerson, Ralph Waldo. Essays and Lectures. Comp. Joel Porte. New York: Literary Classics, 1983. Lauter, Paul, ed. The Heath Anthology of American Literature. 3rd ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1998. Poe, Edgar Allan. The Philosophy of Composition. Lauter 1529-37. Waggoner, Hyatt H. American Poets: From the Puritans to the Present. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1984. Whitman, Walt. Preface to Leaves of Grass. Lauter 2729-43. ---. Song of Myself. Lauter 2743-94. Â   Comparing and Contrasting Self-Awareness in the Works of Emerson, Whitm Defining Self-Awareness in the works of Emerson, Whitman and Poe Literature in the American Renaissance influenced the Romantic sentiment that prevailed during this period: the emergence of the individual. This materialization evolved out of the Age of Reason, when the question of using reason (a conscious state) or faith (an unconscious state) as a basis for establishing a set of beliefs divided people into secular and non-secular groups. Reacting to the generally submissive attitudes predominant in America at this time, nineteenth century writers envisioned "the source of religion within consciousness itself" (Chai, 10). This "secularization of religion" ultimately led to the "isolation of the self from others" (Chai, 10), and manifested the persuasive theme in Renaissance literature that promoted independent thinking. The writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Edgar Allan Poe, and Walt Whitman all emanate from this Romantic spirit. "Trust thyself" asserts Emerson, do not remain "clapped in jail by [your] consciousness" (261), be "led [out] in triumph by nature" (542). Merging the individual and nature is a common motif in Romanticism, but these writers had contrasting views on the dynamics of this connection. While Emerson and Whitman were on one end of the Romantic meter proclaiming the potential greatness of the individual, Poe was at the other end questioning human nature. Indeed, the literature these authors produced are relative to the Romantic trend in elevating self-awareness, however their work demonstrates Emerson and Whitman differ with Poe regarding the ascendancy of the conscious and unconscious states of the mind. Emerson and Whitman celebrated the conscious power of the individual, while Poe exposed the hidde... ... "Being Odd, Getting Even." The American Face of Edgar Allan Poe. Ed. Shawn Rosenheim and Stephen Rachman. Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press, 1995. 3-36. Chai, Leon. The Romantic Foundations of the American Renaissance. Ithaka: Cornell University Press, 1987. Coleridge, Samuel. The Portable Coleridge. Ed. I. A. Richards. New York: Penguin Books, 1950. Emerson, Ralph Waldo. Essays and Lectures. Comp. Joel Porte. New York: Literary Classics, 1983. Lauter, Paul, ed. The Heath Anthology of American Literature. 3rd ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1998. Poe, Edgar Allan. The Philosophy of Composition. Lauter 1529-37. Waggoner, Hyatt H. American Poets: From the Puritans to the Present. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1984. Whitman, Walt. Preface to Leaves of Grass. Lauter 2729-43. ---. Song of Myself. Lauter 2743-94. Â  

Time Machine

Eliot states that, â€Å"Home is where one starts from, as we get older, the world becomes stranger, the pattern more complicated. † I do agree with T. S. Eliot, and I do have one story about my past that will prove his quotation. When I was 4 years old, I thought that life was a fairy tale. A typical fairy tale where I would be married to a handsome prince, and we will live happily ever after. Life would be very simple and laid back.All I needed to do was to learn how to read, write, and count numbers. I didn't have any bills due at the end of every month, and I did not have to work very hard to get what I want. I remember those days where crying gave me everything I desired. I wish that I can stay young forever; however, that is not how life works. Life is about growing up and maturing whether I like it or not. As I get older, things become more complicated, and I learned that not everyone will always stay by my side. Especially my dad who died in the early age of my life. M y dad had been a huge art of my life.He molded me and taught me a lot of things about life. I learned that there will come a time where I have to stand up on my own, and not depend on someone to defend me. Time is the only thing that I could never bring back, no matter how hard I try. I Just wish I could make things right with my dad so he would know that I really love and cherish him always. I was seventeen years old when I lost my dad. I could still remember his warm smile that brightened up my darkest day. My dad have a slightly squint-eyes that guided me to the inner side of his soul.With is deeply tanned skin and calloused hands, I could proudly say that he worked hard day and night Just to give my family a better life. One day, a single car crash took away the life of my dad. If I could be with my dad again, I would treasure him more and take another chance to correct my previous mistakes. Regrets make my life miserable in different areas. Never a day that passes by that I do not ask myself, â€Å"What if my dad were still alive? † This thinking drives me crazy, and I wish I could travel back in time so I could make some changes; however, that is Just an illusion.Time is the only thing that we could never bring back, no matter how hard we try. I just wish I could make things right with my dad so he would know that I really love and cherish him always. My dad worked odd Jobs, took night classes to get his high school diploma, and raised us with love and discipline. I knew I wasn't an easy kid but he never complained, not even once. As a teenager, I always envied my classmates who have everything they ever wanted in life. Their parents were executives, ambassadors, or celebrities.One time, I saw Tiffany bragging about her Calvin Klein lack leather Jacket, a white mid-thigh length Dolce and Cabana sundress, and a pair of knee-high Giorgio Airman leather black boots. I felt insecure when I looked at myself, wearing my usual clothing; baggy t-shirt and Jeans. When I got home, I excitedly ran and knocked on my parent's room. My dad gestured his arms widely so I could give him a warm hug. With a big smile, I asked my dad if he could buy me some beautiful clothes so that I could feel beautiful like the other girls in my class. His face suddenly changed and I could trace the confusion from his eyes.With a gentle and raring voice, he told me that real beauty is about being comfortable in my own skin. It is about knowing and accepting who I really am. It is not measured by the brand of clothes I wear nor the amount of cosmetics I put on. Inner beauty comes from the inside and captivates the heart of a true person. I could see the sincerity in his eyes as he looked at me with integrity. I could sense the emotion and honesty in every word that he say. The 21st of August, 2013, is the most unforgettable tragedy in my life because that is the day when my dad passed away.The moment I woke up to repaper for school, my mom knocked at my door and with a shaky, yet gentle voice she told me that my father died in a car crash back in the Philippines. When I heard that, I was speechless; I was lost. My body violently shook, the fear ran cold in my veins. I broke out in a nervous sweat, but I could not stop shivering like I was suddenly in southern part of Antarctica. My fingers had held a vice grip onto the legs of my tights, my nails dug holes into the seams. Tears drenched in every inch of my face, all over my cheeks, and over my chin.Liquid ran down my neck and devoured y clothes beneath it. I wanted to stop shaking; I wanted to be able to breathe again. I could not believe that my dad is gone and I could not do anything because I am in America. All off sudden, our happy memories started to play in my mind. I remember when he went to my high school graduation; he was so proud of me because I was one of the top students. My dad and I went to the salon to get ready for my graduation. We rarely visit salons and malls due to lack of budget, but this time he said that he could buy me a new shoes because I did a great Job in school.He wore his favorite polo with a Ana blue neck tie and his hair is brushed on one side. When the principal called my name, he proudly stood up and accompanied me to the stage. My dad walked on the stage with a smile that is brighter than the sun, he hung the shiny gold medal on my neck. I felt like I am on cloud nine. The flowers danced and rejoiced over my success. I heard the people clapped their hands while the principal announced all the achievements that I had during my high school years. I remembered the day when we were at the airport, the day when I last saw my dad's beautiful face.We did not have any conversation on our way to the airport. The car was filled with silence and I felt the sadness in his eyes. I have a lot of things that I want to tell him, but I could not figure out what words would exactly fit the emptiness and grief that I am feeling inside. The moment that I laid my feet on the airport, my shoulders became heavier, hours became minutes, and minutes became seconds. The lady announced that we have to fall in line because our plane would depart in less than fifteen minutes. My dad held my hands and hugged me.I saw my ad's tears ran down his cheeks, but he tried his best not to cry in front of me. His once tanned face became red and looked like he would burst in tears in Just a matter of seconds. His red lips became pale and his hands are shaking. He ran his fingers through my hair and put it beneath my ears. My dad looked at me with sincerity and told me that he loved me. The words were so heartwarming that it left me with tears. I did not want to look at him anymore because it would only make me cry harder. Those memories would forever be treasured in my heart.I would never forget those detersives moments that I had with him. I regret many things in life. If only I could go back in time; then I wouldn't have to worry anymore. I cou ld be with my loved ones for as long as I could. I would make our time together to be as memorable as possible. I could correct those errors, and maybe my dad would know how much I loved him before he died. Since time machines do not exist, all I could do is to accept the fact that everybody would leave me; nobody would stay with me forever. Death leaves a heartache no one could heal, and love leaves a memory no one could steal.Without all those trials and circumstances, I would never be the person that I am right now: stronger and braver than I was before. What I did wrong before is that I never treasured the people that surrounded me. I thought they would be with me forever so I took them for granted. Life is so unpredictable, which makes it challenging. Growing up is not easy especially when a huge part of my life is gone; however, that is how life works. People come and go no matter what happen. The main question is, are we prepared to lose someone during our Journey in life? 1 572 words

Hero Myth †Achilles Essay

The concept of the hero is as old as myth itself. Throughout history both concepts have evolved together. Myths tell tales of the adventures of man, frequently the son of a god or goddess and a human, who is endowed with great promise and destined to perform great feats. Often these feats involve acts of rescue, war or protection. This heroic myth is rooted in the ideal of familial romance. Particularly during adolescence it sustains and expresses the identification of the ego with idealized imagery. The hero myths have been used for centuries to educate and train youths as parts of institutions and groups. One example of a hero is Achilles, made famous through Homer’s epic Illiad. While we may not look at myths today in the same ways as our ancient forebears, the hero myth is still alive and well in our culture today. Achilles was the hero of the Trojan war as related by Homer in the Illiad. He was the mightiest of the Trojan warriors. He began life as a demigod, the son of Peleus, the king of the Myrmidons and a mortal, and Thetis who was a Nereid. The Myrmidons were legendary warriors, very skilled and brave. Nereids are sea nymphs being the daughters of Nereus and Doris. Thetis was very concerned that her son was a mortal. Therefore she attempted to make him immortal. There are two stories of how she wet about this. The lesser-known story is that she burned him in a fire nightly and then healed his wounds with a magical ambrosia. The more well-known story is that she held him tightly by the heel and submersed him in the river Styx. This made his entire body invulnerable except for the spot on his heel where she held him while he was in the river. During Achilles’ boyhood, a seer named Calchas prophesied that Troy would not fall without help from Achilles. Knowing that he would die if he went to Troy, Thetis sent Achilles to the court of Lycomedes in Scyros. He was hidden there in the guise of a young girl. While at the court he had a romance with Deidameia who was the daughter of Lycomedes. The result was a son who was named Pyrrhus. The disguise finally came to an end when Odysseus exposed Achilles by placing arms and armor amongst a display of female garments and picked Achilles out when he was the only â€Å"female† to be interested in the war equipment. Achilles then willingly joined Odysseus on the journey to Troy. He led a host of his father’s Myrmidon troops in addition to his utor Phoenix and his friend Patroclus. Once in Troy, Achilles quickly gained the reputation as an undefeatable warrior. One of his most notable feats was the capture of 23 Trojan towns. One of these was Lyrnessos where he took a war prize in the form of a woman named Briseis. The central action of the Illiad was sparked when Agamemnon, the leader of the Greeks, was forced to give up his war-prize woman, Chryseis, by an oracle of Apollo. As compensation for the loss of Chryseis, Agamemnon took Briseis from Achilles. Thus enraged, Achilles refused to continue fighting for the Greeks. With Achilles’ withdrawal from the action, the war started to go badly for the Greeks and they offered large reparations to try to lure back their greatest warrior. Achilles continued to refuse to rejoin the war, however, he did agree to allow his close friend Patroclus to don his arms and armor and fight in his place. The next day Hector, a Trojan hero, mistook Patroclus for Achilles and killed Patroclus. Achilles was engulfed with rage at Hector and consumed by grief for his friend’s death. Thetis went to Hephaestus and obtained fabulous new armor for Achilles. Achilles recommenced fighting and killed Hector. Not satisfied with Hector’s death, Achilles used his chariot to drag the body before the walls of Troy and refused the corpse funeral rites. Hector’s father Priam, the king of Troy, went secretly to the Greek camp to beg the return of the body. Finally, Achilles relented and allowed Priam to take Hector’s remains. After Hector’s death time started to run out for Achilles. He continued to fight heroically and killed many Trojans as well as their allies. Eventually, Paris, who was another of Priam’s sons, enlisted the aid of Apollo and wounded Achilles in his weak spot – the heel – with an arrow. This caused Achilles death. The enduring legend from the story of Achilles has to do with the concept of the Achilles’ heel. An Achilles’ heel has come to mean that despite overall strength, there is a mortal weakness that can lead to one’s downfall. While the original myth refers to a physical weakness, in modern times it has come to reference other types of character flaws or qualities that can cause ruination. The concept of the hero has changed somewhat in our modern culture. Instead of daring people who buck trends and traditions in order to help their families, nations or cultures, today we tend to revere people like sports figures and actors. While we have the occasional government or political leader such as Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King or Nelson Mandela, most of what you hear about is who is making the most money due to their sports or acting ability. The concept of the sports figure hero can have some validity as these figures do occasionally overcome great odds and perform daring feats on the modern â€Å"battlefield†, i. e. , the sports arena. However, this is nothing compared to the feats of the ancient heros. Hero myths are powerful stories from ancient times. So powerful are they that they cross cultures and ages, continuing to influence us today. Achilles was one of the great heros of ancient times as the mightiest warrior of the Trojan war. While who we classify as a hero has changed in our modern societies, we still look to the concept today. We teach young people about heros as a method to inspire them. We look to our heros as adults to give us guidance and to give us something to guide our hopes and dreams. While modern heros may not be of Achilles’ status, they remain an integral part of our cultures.

Free Essays on Affluenza

Affluenza When I get home, the first thing I see is my brother who is more than likely watching television. His favorite television program at the moment is Nickelodeon’s Sponge Bob Square Pants. As he watches this children’s television channel, he is being attacked by many marketers telling him what he should have and absolutely needs. Unfortunately, many young children, like my brother, cannot resist temptation and ask their parents to buy them these toys that they see on television. They are shown at a very young age what plastic money is and are too young to grasp the idea that credit cards are real money. Too many commercials nowadays are being targeted at young children more than ever before. They focus on them because they know there is a big market on things that children want. There is also a pattern that goes with this commercial marketing to children. From a start, children feel like they can never have enough of what they want. When they see something that they do not necessarily need they want it in order for them to fit in with their peers. It’s a vice that will grow with them until they are adults, and the older they get the more serious the problem. More than ever, marketers have their money set on children to buy more, get more and have more. Of course they are the money makers of the family, so they are the ones who are to influence their parents to buy them what they want. Nowadays children are constantly bombarded with television commercials and advertisements. When kids get home from school their first instinct is to rush to the television set to watch their favorite cartoons. Between the hours of three in the afternoon till about six, marketers try to sell their products to the young consumers. They are bombarded with Barbie, Pokemon, Lego, and various action hero toys that children want to have and buy. At the movie theatres, there are always advertisements for upcoming films that are t... Free Essays on Affluenza Free Essays on Affluenza Affluenza When I get home, the first thing I see is my brother who is more than likely watching television. His favorite television program at the moment is Nickelodeon’s Sponge Bob Square Pants. As he watches this children’s television channel, he is being attacked by many marketers telling him what he should have and absolutely needs. Unfortunately, many young children, like my brother, cannot resist temptation and ask their parents to buy them these toys that they see on television. They are shown at a very young age what plastic money is and are too young to grasp the idea that credit cards are real money. Too many commercials nowadays are being targeted at young children more than ever before. They focus on them because they know there is a big market on things that children want. There is also a pattern that goes with this commercial marketing to children. From a start, children feel like they can never have enough of what they want. When they see something that they do not necessarily need they want it in order for them to fit in with their peers. It’s a vice that will grow with them until they are adults, and the older they get the more serious the problem. More than ever, marketers have their money set on children to buy more, get more and have more. Of course they are the money makers of the family, so they are the ones who are to influence their parents to buy them what they want. Nowadays children are constantly bombarded with television commercials and advertisements. When kids get home from school their first instinct is to rush to the television set to watch their favorite cartoons. Between the hours of three in the afternoon till about six, marketers try to sell their products to the young consumers. They are bombarded with Barbie, Pokemon, Lego, and various action hero toys that children want to have and buy. At the movie theatres, there are always advertisements for upcoming films that are t...

Mahatma Gandhis Leadership

Mahatma Gandhis Leadership Executive summary Mahatma Gandhi is perhaps the greatest leader of the millennium. His leadership pioneered peaceful and non-violent civil disobedience and set the stage for the development of human rights. Ghandi used transformative, people-centred, charismatic and servant leadership to lobby for India’s independence from the British. He was particularly a good power manager and never rose above his followers.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Mahatma Gandhi’s Leadership specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More He voluntarily decided to be poor, fasted for days as a way of passing his disapproval and even dressed in the same way as his followers. Gandhi set a legacy that has been instrumental in the fight for freedom. This report discusses Gandhi’s leadership style and behaviour, and his power management skills. Introduction Mahatma Gandhi was a great leader. When one reads his many famous quotes, there is no doubt that they were informed by an in-depth understanding of leadership (Nath 2010). Gandhi is no doubt among the greatest political personalities who lived during the twentieth century. His influence is far-reaching and he is credited to be the inspiration behind the leaders of the American Civil Rights Movement. â€Å"Gandhi was born in Gujarat on October 2nd 1869, and was assassinated on January 30th 1948† (Yates 2013, p. 1). Mahatma was a charismatic leader, who was analytical and deliberate in his behaviour. A product of the colonial era Gandhi was interestingly inspired by the Bhagavad-Gita, which had been written many years before he was born. He was an orator, a politician, an intellectual and a writer. He was indubitably a quite complex human being, one who believed in voluntary subordination and simplicity and yet had a strong stand about his vision for a free society. This report is an analysis of the behaviour and leadership style of Ghandi, the transaction al and transformative aspects of his leadership and the way he used the power he had to help India gain Independence. Gandhi’s leadership style and behaviour According to Dalglish and Miller (2010, p. 94), â€Å"A people-centred leader stresses concern for people†. Gandhi was such a leader. His people-minded leadership is confirmed by his ahimsa principle. Gandhi used this principle to urge his followers to love all humans regardless of whether they are their friends or enemies. The ahimsa principle was informed by his belief in non-violence (Gandhis Non-violence n.d.). Gandhi not only urged his followers to refrain from physically harming their opponents (the British) but he also urged them to avoid developing ill-will and hatred towards them. Therefore, non-violence was not all about avoiding physically harming the British. Mahatma believed that the colonialists in India needed to be convinced of their injustice and not to be punished (Gandhis Non-violence n.d.).Adve rtising Looking for report on biography? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It can therefore be argued that Gandhi was focussed on having a virtuous following while protesting against the injustices of the British colonialists. This proves the fact that he was a people-centred leader. The Satyagraha principle, that was basically an extension of ahimsa principle, was also instrumental in the fight against colonialism by the British. It means ‘soul-force’ and it advocated for a firm stand on the ideals that the Indian populace held, but without ill-will and hatred. Its form in the public domain was civil disobedience as well as failure to cooperate with evil. The former involved breaking unjust laws while the latter involved non-compliance with unjust systems. â€Å"The Salt March of 1930 was one of Gandhi’s greatest successes in civil disobedience. Salt was necessary to the life of Indian farmersâ₠¬â„¢ cattle, and the British monopoly on salt production had led to massive taxes on the vital substance† (Gandhis Non-violence n.d., p. 1). After Gandhi broke the British Salt Law, a myriad of Indians followed his example and broke the law too. It also encouraged them to break other oppressive laws. This is proof of people centred leadership because Gandhi empowered the masses to reject oppression through civil disobedience. The second element of Satyagraha did not involve breaking laws. They accomplished it by avoiding British products, getting out of schools established by the British and so forth. This led to halting of production systems that were set up by the British (Gandhis Non-violence n.d.). â€Å"Research showed that people centred leadership is not consistently related to productivity but does tend to enhance group satisfaction and cohesiveness† (Dalglish Miller 2010, p. 94). Gandhi had the potential to move and inspire masses in India. He was particularly good at empowering people, making common Indians engage in the struggle for independence and making them realize the progress they had made after each protest. He toured the whole of India and personally led all major movements in the country, repeatedly holding public meetings with his supporters (Gupta 2008). He was always accessible to others and thus they became connected to him and shared his vision, making the whole of India resistant to British oppression.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Mahatma Gandhi’s Leadership specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Gandhi’s transformative and transactional leadership Transformative leadership Transformative leadership theory has evolved with time but is remains an invaluable part of contemporary leadership literature. Dalglish and Miller (2010) describe transformational leadership as a style of leadership that seeks to change the current state of affairs by acc omplishing three main tasks. Firstly, the leader connects with his followers and instils in them a sense of a greater purpose. Secondly, the leader frames the issues at hand such that they relate with both the followers’ and leader’s values and vision (Pillai 2011). Lastly, the leader ensures that he/she upholds the morals necessary for the achievement of the vision, often at a level much higher than that of his/her followers. This way, the followers strive to emulate the leader and this leads to change of status quo (Dalglish Miller 2010). Gandhi has been cited in various literatures as the embodiment of transformative leadership (McDowelle 2009). This section investigates the transformative aspects of Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership. Gandhi was imprisoned for a long period, and fasted for so long that his health was threatened. He intended to use this as a way of sending a message to the Indian populace and the colonialists. He created a moral vision that was tra nsformative in nature and â€Å"based on what he called truth† (McDowelle 2009, p. 1). His way of protesting therefore made him win the feelings and emotions of his followers, a key component of transformational leadership (Lowe, Kroeck Sivasubramaniam 1996). Aluya (2009) describes Mahatma as a transformational and a spiritual leader. â€Å"His leadership style transcended the polarization of ethnic or religious boundaries and was regarded as the father of the Indian Nation† (Aluya 2009, p. 4). Mahatma’s leadership style that advocated for non-violence was recently recognized by the declaration of October second, his â€Å"birthday, as the International Day of Non-Violence† (Aluya, 2009, p. 4) by the UN (United Nations). It is important to note that transformative leaders share many attributes with charismatic leaders (Harith 2012), and thus Mahatma was a charismatic leader as well.Advertising Looking for report on biography? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Transactional leadership Dalglish and Miller (2010, p. 139) define transactional leadership as the form of leadership that â€Å"is characterized by leaders and followers being in an exchange relationship†. Transactional leadership is transitory in nature and thus the parties may part ways after the completion of the transaction. This is the main downside of transactional leadership (Dalglish Miller 2010). Gandhi’s leadership can be viewed to have a transaction that is not so obvious to discern. Indian masses needed independence from the British (Palshikar 2008) and Gandhi was in the process of self discovery and self development. After being an non-practicing lawyer for some time, Gandhi had made a resolution to follow a higher calling; ensuring that people get justice through his leadership. It is therefore arguable that he needed the support of the Indian populace, after coming back from South Africa, if he was to fulfil his dream of a just society. Mahatma achieve d transactional leadership after winning the hearts of the populace and the attention of the British through imprisonment and fasting. He however delivered his part of the exchange much later; after India gained independence from Britain (Aarons 2007). Gandhi’s use of power Transformational leaders get their power from influencing and inspiring the masses to believe in the same things they believe in, and their ability to stimulate the populace to act in a certain way in order to realize a common goal (Lai 2011). Gandhi was a transformational leader and therefore he gained his power by empowering the people to resist oppressive laws and share a common vision of an India independent from British colonialism. While the majority of leaders elevate themselves with symbols of power, Gandhi was a symbol of the people he served (Barnabas Clifford 2012). Gandhi dressed in loin cloth like his followers and voluntarily accepted to be poor in order to serve people better. Although he h ad power in the way he could control Indian masses, Gandhi was more of a people’s servant than a power-bearer. Gandhi can therefore be described as a servant leader who understood the need for voluntary subordination in service (Barnabas Clifford 2012). Gandhi used the power of his vision as the guiding principle of his protests. â€Å"He could write the most complex intellectual work to be sure his point was understood. Yet, he could express the feelings of his followers in the most simple and eloquent ways† (Yates 2013, p. 3). He indubitably had great intellectual power, which he did not show off to the British. He instead used his intellectual power to influence people in order to rally support for rejection of oppression and colonialism. An example of how he appropriately used his intellectual power is when he collected a handful of salt from the beach, an action that was against the Salt Law and an expression of freedom from oppressive laws, and that was meant to show his disapproval of the aforementioned law. This act was copies by many Indians and led to imprisonment of many. The protest against the Salt Law is however credited as a major step towards the independence of India (Yates 2013). Gandhi also drew power from his disregard for himself and fearlessness. He singlehandedly halted slaughter in Bengal by meeting combatants without fearing for his life. This meeting was preceded by a fearless fasting period. It is important to note that his use of non-violence and disregard for himself were his greatest weapons. Gandhi also drew power from the aspects of transformative leadership that he exhibited. This power is described by Shields (2010, p. 567) as â€Å"the ability of the leader to reach the souls of others in a fashion which raises human consciousness, builds meanings, and inspires human intent that is the source of power†. After gaining such power, Gandhi used servant leadership to lead his followers and thus he never acted in a way suggesting that he took credit for beginning the revolution. His way of disobedience had a great influence on leaders all over the world. Some of the leaders who got their inspiration from Gandhi include Martin Luther King and his counterpart in American Civil Rights Movement, Malcolm X (Yates 2013). Conclusion From the above discussion, it is apparent that Mahatma’s leadership style can be summarized into four leadership styles. These are transformational leadership, people-oriented leadership, servant leadership and charismatic leadership. Gandhi was a special and remarkable individual and thus his leadership was more or less a legacy. His disregard for himself in the fight for freedom and use of non-violence transformed civil disobedience and influenced civil movements throughout the world. He was commendably the inspiration behind Martin Luther King’s advocacy for dialogue and peaceful protests during the American Civil Rights Movement that took place in the mid-twentieth century. Among the most interesting things about Gandhi was the way he used the power that had been bestowed upon him by his followers. Gandhi lived like one of them and interacted with them freely. He never misused the power he had over the masses and only used it to stage civil disobedience against oppressive laws and colonization. Gandhi frequently fasted for days as a way of showing disapproval of British laws and behaviour. He was ready to die for his country that at one time he faced a battalion alone. He died by assassination and became an inspiration to many people around the world. Reference List Aarons, G 2007, ‘Transformational and Transactional Leadership: Association With Attitudes Towards Evidence-Based Practice’, Psychiatric Services, vol. 57, no. 8, pp. 1162-1169, National Centre for Biotechnology Information, DOI 10.1176/appi.ps.57.8.1162 Aluya, D 2009, Complexity of Leadership, Organizations and the Real Estate  Industry, Author Hou se, Bloomington, IN Barnabas, A, Clifford, P 2012, ‘Mahatma Gandhi – An Indian Model of Servant Leadership’, International Journal of Leadership Studies, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 133-154, regent.edu/acad/global/publications/ijls/new/vol7iss2/IJLS_Vol7Iss2_Barnabas_pp132-150.pdf Dalglish, C Miller, P 2010, Leadership: Understanding its Global Impact, Tilde University Press, Australia. Gandhi’s Non-Violence n.d., socialchangenow.ca/mypages/gandhi.htm Gupta, A 2008, Gandhi: An Exemplary Leader, practical-management.com/Leadership-Development/Gandhi-An-Exemplary-Leader.html Harith, S 2012, Different Styles of Leadership, personalitytutor.com/different-styles-of-leadership.html Lai, A 2011, ‘Transformational-Transactional Leadership Theory’, AHS Capstone Projects, Paper 17, http://digitalcommons.olin.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1013context=ahs_capstone_2011 Lowe, K, Kroeck, K Sivasubramaniam, N 1996. ‘Effectiveness correlates of transfo rmational and transactional leadership: A meta-analytic review of the MLQ literature’, The Leadership Quarterly, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 385-415, http://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncg/f/K_Lowe_Effectiveness_1996.pdf McDowelle, J 2009, ‘A Contemporary Consideration of Transformative Leadership’,  Journal of Curriculum and Instruction, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 1-5, East Carolina University, DOI 10.3776/joci.2009.v3n2p1-5 Nath, S 2010, Mahatma Gandhi’s Leadership Styles in Management, betternetworker.com/blogs/view/drwhitefield/mahatma-gandhis-famous-quotes-surpass-leadership-styles-management Palshikar, K 2008, Charismatic Leadership, unc.edu/~ketan/documents/Charismatic%20Leadership.pdf Pillai, M 2011, 5 Effective leadership styles, http://runapptivo.apptivo.com/5-effective-leadership-styles-4292.html Shields, C 2010, ‘Transformative Leadership: Working for Equity in Diverse Contexts’, Educational Administration Quarterly, vol. 46, no. 4, pp. 558-589, Sage Journals, DOI 10.1177/0013161X10375609 Yates, M 2013, Gandhi, leader- values.com/leaders.php?lid=2

After Divorce

Myparents divorced when I was two, and the repercussions of their split lasted longafter it was final. My mother was a parochial school teacher who earned justenough to stay off welfare, but not enough for us to live comfortably. Utilitiesin our home were shut off from time to time, and it seemed like we would nevercatch up. My mother also worked nights, so after school I would go to mygrandparents house. I spent little time with my mother because she worked duringthe week, and eventually on weekends, too. My most painful memories ofthat time are not of being teased for my limited wardrobe, or the times we had norunning water because my mother missed payments. The most difficult experiencewas watching my mother cry at night, while I hugged her and told her I lovedher. Through all this, I learned so much. I came to value education,family and faith. I worked hard in school, and earned good grades. I learned frommy mothers example (she went back to school after three children and a divorce)that it is important for a woman to go to college and not depend on a man. I cameto value extended family support and developed a close relationship with mygrandparents and cousins because I was with them so much while my mother worked. Last, my faith became very strong. Although my mother was very busy, shemade sure we all went to church together every Sunday. Most important, we did notblame God for our situation. Instead, we thanked Him for the good things in ourlives. We were grateful for the people who cared about us, for not being on thestreets, and for good health when we did not have health insurance. My parentsdivorce caused hardships and pain, but it was also an experience that I would notchange because of how much I learned.

The Alhambra in Granada Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Alhambra in Granada - Term Paper Example Alhambra in Granada is an important work of Muslim art in Europe that needs to be unfolded. For centuries, it has charmed visitors with its equipped walls, pointed arches, towers, attractive flourishes, carvings, and stunning gardens. The monument in Granada was created in the thirteen century by a Muslim ruler Nasrid Emirs of Granada, Spain (Allsop 2011). The name of the castle was originated from an Arabic  source. The name refers to the fact  that the shade of the towers and walls that enclose  the complete  hill  of are silver in night and  gold in daylight. The given name of Alhambra  has a meaning of  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Red or Crimson Castle† (Fogarty 2007). The dimension of the hill where the Alhambra is situated has a length of 740m (2430 ft). The highest breadth is 205m (574 ft) in width. The monument is based on a large area of 142,000 square meters. Darro is a river which flows from the north and functions to separate the plateau and the Albican district of Grana da (Hernandez et al 2010). The construction of the palace was initiated by the Arabs who were highly impressed by the work of the Romans. This motivated them to expand and add new foundations to roads and cities.  In9th century the construction of Alhambra was subsequently started in Sabika Hill, though it is believed that in Roman times and even before there was not any structure that massive. The Cordova civil war resulted in the taking over of the state by a new Caliph and the first important step that was the movement of the capital from Elvira to Granada. This step was taken in the eleventh century during the time of the Zirid Dynasty. The initiation of the fifteenth century was marked by the occupancy by the Ziries in Alcazaba Cadima, or current castle, situated within the Albayzin region and was made part of King Dar-al-Horra’s Palace. The town of Granada started prospering from the bottom of the hill where initially Jews were settled. Vizier Samuel ibn Naghrela star ted the construction and rebuilt the deserted skeleton situated on the Sabikah Hill and started work on the Alhambra to make it his castle (EdicionesEdilux S.L 2007). In twelfth century the succeeding attacks of Almoravides and Almohades in Granada came to a halt following violent and blood-spattered fights in the  Alcazaba Del Albayzin  and in the castle of Alhambra, which was the safe haven for the Andalusians as well as the Borth African attackers (Allsop 2011). Ahmar ibn Nasir was the initiator of the Nasrid Dynasty. He used to live at the Alcazaba of the Albayzin. Ahmar was highly concerned with regard to the demolished structure of the Alhambra and he decided to rebuilt the palace and use it as his court. Ahmar was aware of the high status of the Alhambra as kings and sultans had used this palace and lived in it. He raised the status of the place and the high ups and the kings of Nasrid Dynasty maintained the trend and the Alhambra was therefore marked to be the residence of the privileged people. The Alhambra maintained its privilege throughout the tenure of the Nasrid Dynasty. The Dynasty eventually came to an end in the fifteenth century (EdicionesEdilux S.L 2007). Some sources believe that there is no evidence to the Alhambra being held as a residence of kings until the thirteen century, but still

Principle of Marketing in the Food and Beverages Market Research Paper

Principle of Marketing in the Food and Beverages Market - Research Paper Example Bearing the lessons in mind, the marketing strategies which shall be proposed for Shin Shii shall be founded upon the characteristics of the market in question and, proceeding from that, shall aim towards the maximization of effect within a reasonable budget. In selecting its marketing strategy for entry into the U.S. market, it is necessary to consider both the threats and opportunities which shall confront Shin Shii. Based on observations of the US beverages market, marketing and market research scholars have determined that the primary threats confronting both existing companies and new entrants are over-saturation and an increasingly health-conscious consumer-base (Swot,'2005). In other words, not only is competition extremely intense and dominated by a handful of major food and beverages companies but, health concerns are functioning as a threat to the maintenance of the existent market, let alone its expansion. While market research scholars have identified a number of serious threats confronting the food and beverages' market, they have also identified a number of attractive opportunities, especially pertinent to the case of Shin Shii. In the first place, while the beverages' market may be oversaturated, the U.S. consumer market is a highly experimental one by nature and is attracted to novelty (Swot,' 2005). In other words, it exhibits a persistent and unfailing tendency to test the new. In the second place, the trend towards health consciousness implies that while the soda market may be sealed off for the present, there is a market for beverages which are considered healthy or, at least, benign, in that they neither have negative nor positive health effects.  

Examination of Curriculum and Assessment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Examination of Curriculum and Assessment - Essay Example plan for learners in grade 3-5 the curriculum is well designed as it meets most of the requirements in terms of the objectives of the study the deliverables that are expected out of the learning process and the entire process it topped up with a comprehensive assessment that will test the level of comprehension of the learners to ascertain if the objectives of the course were indeed met. The course is fashioned in the right manner and it will serve of great significance to the students since the knowledge that they will gain revolves around the daily experiences in their lives, especially in the American society where the issue of immigration is a significant problem since there is an influx of a vast number of unregistered immigrants who illegally cross over the border to seek refuge in the country. Some of the learners may be experiencing this problem first hand, thus the lesson will tend to give them knowledge and facts about the issue while elaborating the background of the probl em and the potential solutions that can be sought to solve it amicably (Scott, 2001). The immigration lesson plan is designed in a manner that it gives the learners an in-depth perspective on the topic by dispensing a pool of knowledge that is related to the issue of immigration in the world and particularly in America hence helps them to have a higher degree of risk and how experts use the very information and knowledge to formulate relevant policies that will contribute to deal and solve the problem amicably. Furthermore the primary aim of any syllabus is to equip learners with the skills of critical thinking so as they can be able to utilize the knowledge they have acquired in class to devise a solution for the challenges that they face in their environment (Scott, 2001). The immigration lesson touches on the social issues that are predominant in the American society hence the learners are privilege to utilize the skills of thinking critically and making rational decisions in their

Sharia Law in Islam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Sharia Law in Islam - Essay Example Moreover, they argue that the set of rules given in Sharia are not necessarily extremists and that there are positive reasons behind them. This paper contains some Sharia-opposing charges from a modern point of view, which are retaliated by Sharia-supporting facts taken from various sources (Maqsood; Cohen; Ali). One of the main criticisms of Sharia is the extremism regarding punishment for those who have sinned. Many believe that it is inhumane to cut off the hands of thieves or to throw stones at those who have committed adultery. They prefer giving such sinners sentences to prison or some other forms of legal punishments, instead of such brutal acts of violence. However, those who believe this are not well informed about the exact Sharia law concerning such offenders. According to Sharia, such measures are usually the only extreme penalty taken (if the offender’s hand is cut off, no other penalty will be given to him/her). Some Muslims even feel that this punishment is justified because they feel more sympathy for the victims of theft, rather than the thief. However, Sharia is not so strict, due to the fact that this punishment is not given to those stealers who prove that they have stolen only because they were in dire need. Although cutting the hands of the offender might seem har sh, Muslims believe that this measure prevents further such acts from happening. The Middle East, where Sharia is mostly practiced, does not contain one-handed people. This shows how effective such a punishment is in warning potential thieves, and why Sharia is considered so important in Islam (Maqsood). Another charge brought against Sharia is the punishment given to women who have had an illicit affair. For instance, there was a case of a woman in Nigeria who was in danger of being stoned by angry villagers because she was accused of adultery.However, after being taken into custody and judged by Sharia law, she was given a chance to appeal and explain herself.

Density of regular solids Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Density of regular solids - Essay Example An analysis of the lab results shows that it fulfilled its purpose; it presents the densities of the materials obtained using different procedures. The objectives of this lab were, therefore, met, since, everything happened as expected. The  main  source  of  error  in the  experiment  is the  taking  of  measurements. The  error  due  to  direct  measurement  is  less  than that  due  to the  displacement  method; the values are 2.619 and 18.2  percent  respectively. The  difference  between the two is  so  big  that it  brings doubt into  the  suitability  of the  displacement  method  in  calculating  density. There is a  difference  between the  results  obtained  in this  experiment  and the  expected  results. For  instance, the  lab  results  denote  a  density  of 1.0408 g/cm3 for  water, while the  expected  density  under the  conditions  under which the  lab  was  conducted  is 0.991724 g/cm3. The  difference  might  have  come  about  due  to temperature and pressure changes in the lab. It might also have been caused by human error, especially during calibration and measurement. The lab exercise was successful; the density of the various compounds was established. I learnt the importance of taking precise and accurate measurements while doing experiments. The results of the experiment are entirely dependent on the procedure and accuracy of the measurements taken. I am, however, curious to find out how room temperature affects the density of a material. I hope to establish the facts about this issue in subsequent classes and, perhaps, lab

Examination of Curriculum and Assessment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Examination of Curriculum and Assessment - Essay Example plan for learners in grade 3-5 the curriculum is well designed as it meets most of the requirements in terms of the objectives of the study the deliverables that are expected out of the learning process and the entire process it topped up with a comprehensive assessment that will test the level of comprehension of the learners to ascertain if the objectives of the course were indeed met. The course is fashioned in the right manner and it will serve of great significance to the students since the knowledge that they will gain revolves around the daily experiences in their lives, especially in the American society where the issue of immigration is a significant problem since there is an influx of a vast number of unregistered immigrants who illegally cross over the border to seek refuge in the country. Some of the learners may be experiencing this problem first hand, thus the lesson will tend to give them knowledge and facts about the issue while elaborating the background of the probl em and the potential solutions that can be sought to solve it amicably (Scott, 2001). The immigration lesson plan is designed in a manner that it gives the learners an in-depth perspective on the topic by dispensing a pool of knowledge that is related to the issue of immigration in the world and particularly in America hence helps them to have a higher degree of risk and how experts use the very information and knowledge to formulate relevant policies that will contribute to deal and solve the problem amicably. Furthermore the primary aim of any syllabus is to equip learners with the skills of critical thinking so as they can be able to utilize the knowledge they have acquired in class to devise a solution for the challenges that they face in their environment (Scott, 2001). The immigration lesson touches on the social issues that are predominant in the American society hence the learners are privilege to utilize the skills of thinking critically and making rational decisions in their

Density of regular solids Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Density of regular solids - Essay Example An analysis of the lab results shows that it fulfilled its purpose; it presents the densities of the materials obtained using different procedures. The objectives of this lab were, therefore, met, since, everything happened as expected. The  main  source  of  error  in the  experiment  is the  taking  of  measurements. The  error  due  to  direct  measurement  is  less  than that  due  to the  displacement  method; the values are 2.619 and 18.2  percent  respectively. The  difference  between the two is  so  big  that it  brings doubt into  the  suitability  of the  displacement  method  in  calculating  density. There is a  difference  between the  results  obtained  in this  experiment  and the  expected  results. For  instance, the  lab  results  denote  a  density  of 1.0408 g/cm3 for  water, while the  expected  density  under the  conditions  under which the  lab  was  conducted  is 0.991724 g/cm3. The  difference  might  have  come  about  due  to temperature and pressure changes in the lab. It might also have been caused by human error, especially during calibration and measurement. The lab exercise was successful; the density of the various compounds was established. I learnt the importance of taking precise and accurate measurements while doing experiments. The results of the experiment are entirely dependent on the procedure and accuracy of the measurements taken. I am, however, curious to find out how room temperature affects the density of a material. I hope to establish the facts about this issue in subsequent classes and, perhaps, lab

Officer Selection and Recruitment Process Essay Example for Free

Officer Selection and Recruitment Process Essay There are varying components that go into officer-recruitment and the selection-process. This paper will outline many general concerns for consideration into a law enforcement branch and then focus more on a specific agency and policy once all normal or formal recruitment procedures are addressed. Most law enforcement agencies generally start with a application process that weeds out applicants that do not fit into the general criteria or job experience, and education requirements. The minimum eligibility requirements depend on the level or category of agency you are applying to and what standards need to be met to qualify you for the position. Some of these minimum qualifications are United States citizenship, vision assessment, drivers license, and being somewhere in between the minimum and maximum age at the time you are admitted to the academy. Other parts of this process depend on if you are looking at employment at a local or federal policing agency. Most Local agencies carry an education requirement of a high school degree or at the very least a General Education Diploma (GED). On the other hand federal agencies can ask for a increased education requirement of a bachelors degree in a related field that they desire or a higher masters degree in a discipline that the agency requires. Minimum eligibility requirements imply exactly that; the smallest amount of qualifications you are expected to meet prior to application for employment. Meeting this minimum eligibility does not entitle you to the position or guarantee you to be any closer to employment to the position than any other person may be all this means is that you meet the basic criteria for the possibility of employment at the given agency. Once you meet the minimum requirements for eligibility then you are one step closer to the goal of employment in a law enforcement agency but that’s when the real part of the selection process actually begins. Selection processes do not include everything but are merely a broad spectrum of knowledge and understanding that officers need to adhere to, to furthe r move them along from just an application to the rest of the hiring process. Applicants must pass a written examination, pass a physical abilities exercise, complete a background investigation, and a psychological and other medical examination to qualify. Federal enforcement bureaus also have several step oral interview processes and most likely a polygraph test is required after the background investigation is completed. During a background investigation you are most likely asked detailed questions that are meant to disqualify you later in the process if you were to provide a false response. These truth questions are made to thin the applicant pool and will exclude you from further opportunities even if you do well on any other portion of your examinations. The beginning of the process after the application is submitted is generally a written aptitude test that has to be completed. Assuming the recruited officer passes these standardized tests, the next hurdle is physical agility and endurance testing.Depending again on the size of the agency for which you have tested, it might take quite a while for you to get your test results. The reasons may vary, but whatever they are, you can expect to eventually receive a notification with you r test score. If you are informed that you did not pass, you may receive information on how to appeal your result. In the interest of brevity, this discussion assumes that you passed the test and have been placed on what is generally called the eligibility list. These test examine are comparable to how a police officer may fair during daily tasks. Examples of what you physical activity that you will be asked to exhibit are equivalent to a military Physical Readiness Test (PRT), these are activities such as a minimum time you are able to finish a mile and a half run, sit-ups, push-ups, and basically a confidence course test with obstacles that you may have to maneuver to catch a perp. If recruited officers are in top physical condition and have a body mass equivalent to their height this should not be a issue but because of society being more sedentary this has actual become a major issue in the recruitment process. Completing the physical requirements step brings you to an evaluation of your background and history. Aspects of your life that can be checked are medical, military, school records, employment history, credit history, past criminal record and your driving record. Usually the background investigation coincides with taking a polygraph in most organizations that I have dealt with personally. The polygraph is used as an after action to determine the validity and truthfulness of your statements during the application process. This is meant to determine your strength of character and usually if you fail a poly then you will not be considered for employment. After all of these examinations policing agencies have to take further precautions with employment than most civilian organizations, agencies ask for a psychological and medical evaluation. The medical exams are needed to determine your immediate and long term health and whether or not there needs to be any concerns about how you will perform during any challenges that may arise in field. Agencies are mostly concerned on if you have any withstanding ailments or injuries that could shorten your law enforcement career. Also a major factor during your medical examination is if you have 20/20 vision or normal vision without any color blindness that could hinder your ability to complete normal job functions. The psychological examination normally had two separate parts, the first being a written questionnaire and the second being a meeting with a actual psychologist or psychiatrist who interviews determine you mental health and what you are susceptible. Lastly in the recruitment process is the personal interview which can already have been done through knowledge of some of your other interviews and assessments that were taken to this point. Mostly this portion is just to assess your communication skill set and your responses to predetermined set of questions. Interviewing agencies may be in a board format or a single interviewer but this is meant to assess your answers to difficult but pertinent questions concerning law enforcement actions and situations and create a stress on the interviewee. Interviewers compare recruits on how they handle the stressful situation and according to their line of questioning and if it remained correct throughout the interview. The specific agency that interests me is Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), all of this criteria provided fits into the same selection process that they have implemented. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service a federal agency tasked with protecting military members and their families and any other civilian personnel that has ties to the navy. NCIS protects naval equipment, technology, and the communications networks of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. NCIS personnel number over 1,200 Special Agents, 900 other civilian professionals, and 200-plus military service members all over the world to prevent terrorism, protect our national intelligence, and decrease criminal activity across the United States and over 40 countries around the globe. There are only minute differences such as the training opportunities that make a NCIS Special Agent candidates much more specialized in handling all possible situations that may arise as a federal law enforcement officer both at home in country (CONUS) or abroad (OCONUS). These agents must complete several training programs to include the Criminal Investigators Training Program (CITP) and the NCIS-specific Special Agent Basic Training Program (SABTP) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), Glynco, GA. Later opportunities may include specialized training in Polygraph and Credibility Assessment (PCA) techniques, procurement fraud, forensic science, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, leadership and languages. (NCIS) Working with the military and dealing with classified information and investigations another need that happens during their back ground investigation is to get adjudicated to a top secret security clearance. These officer-recruitment and selection-process are pain taking and rigorous but meant to weed out the undesirable or inexperienced applicants that just don’t quite fit the criteria needed to be a successful officer of the law. The requirements that are set forth make each agencies personnel that much wiser in a given situation and give them the satisfaction that they are one of the few to make it through such an extenuating selection process.