Ancient Spartan Public Education

According to Xenophons Polity of Lacedaemon and Hellenica and Plutarchs Lycurgus in Sparta, a child deemed worth raising was given to their mother to be cared for until the age of 7. During the day, though, the child accompanied the father to the syssitia (dining clubs) to sit on the floor picking up Spartan customs by osmosis. Lycurgus instituted the practice of appointing a state officer, the paidonomos, to put children in school, supervise, and punish. Children were barefoot to encourage them to move swiftly, and they were encouraged to learn to withstand the elements by having only one outfit. Children were never satiated with food or fed fancy dishes. Schooling of 7-Year-Old Boys At the age of 7, the paidonomos organized the boys into divisions of about 60 each called ilae. These were groups of peers of the same age. Most of their time was spent in this company. The ilae were under the supervision of an eiren (iren) aged about 20, at whose house the ilae ate. If the boys wanted more food, they went on hunts or raids. So seriously did the Lacedaemonian children go about their stealing, that a youth, having stolen a young fox and hid it under his coat, suffered it to tear out his very bowels with its teeth and claws, and died upon the place, rather than let it be seen.(Plutarch, Life of Lycurgus) After dinner, the boys sang songs of war, history, and morality or the eiren quizzes them, training their memory, logic, and ability to speak laconically. It is not clear whether they learned to read. The Iren, or under-master, used to stay a little with them after supper, and one of them he bade to sing a song, to another he put a question which required an advised and deliberate answer; for example, Who was the best man in the city? What he thought of such an action of such a man? They used them thus early to pass a right judgment upon persons and things, and to inform themselves of the abilities or defects of their countrymen. If they had not an answer ready to the question Who was a good or who an ill-reputed citizen, they were looked upon as of a dull and careless disposition, and to have little or no sense of virtue and honor; besides this, they were to give a good reason for what they said, and in as few words and as comprehensive as might be; he that failed of this, or answered not to the purpose, had his thumb bit by his master. Sometimes the Iren did this in the presence of the old men and magistrates, that they might see whether he punished them justly and in due measur e or not; and when he did amiss, they would not reprove him before the boys, but, when they were gone, he was called to an account and underwent correction, if he had run far into either of the extremes of indulgence or severity.(Plutarch, Life of Lycurgus) Foster Sons in Attendance Not only were the schools for the sons of the Spartiate, but also foster sons. Xenophon, for instance, sent his two sons to Sparta for their education. Such students were called trophimoi. Even the sons of helots and perioikoi could be admitted, as syntrophoi or mothakes, but only if a Spartiate adopted them and paid their dues. If these did exceptionally well, they might later be enfranchised as Spartiates. Guilt may have been a factor because the helots and perioikoi often took in the children that the Spartiates had rejected at birth as unworthy of rearing. Physical Training The boys played ball games, rode horses, and swam. They slept on reeds and suffered floggings—silently, or they suffered again. Spartans studied dance as a kind of gymnastic training for war dances and wrestling. This practice was so significant that Sparta was known as a dancing place from Homeric times. From Agoge to Syssitia and Krypteia At 16 the young men leave the agoge and join the syssitia, although they continue training so they can join the youth who become members of the Krypteia (Cryptia). Hitherto I, for my part, see no sign of injustice or want of equity in the laws of Lycurgus, though some who admit them to be well contrived to make good soldiers, pronounce them defective in point of justice. The Cryptia, perhaps (if it were one of Lycurguss ordinances, as Aristotle says it was), Gave both him and Plato, too, this opinion alike of the lawgiver and his government. By this ordinance, the magistrates dispatched privately some of the ablest of the young men into the country, from time to time, armed only with their daggers, and taking a little necessary provision with them; in the daytime, they hid themselves in out-of-the-way places, and there lay close, but, in the night, issued out into the highways, and killed all the Helots they could light upon; sometimes they set upon them by day, as they were at work in the fields, and murdered them. As, also, Thucydides, in his history of the Peloponnesian war, tells us, that a good number of them, after being singled out for t heir bravery by the Spartans, garlanded, as enfranchised persons, and led about to all the temples in token of honors, shortly after disappeared all of a sudden, being about the number of two thousand; and no man either then or since could give an account how they came by their deaths. And Aristotle, in particular, adds, that the ephori, so soon as they were entered into their office, used to declare war against them, that they might be massacred without a breach of religion.(Plutarch, Life of Lycurgus) Resources and Further Reading Cartledge, Paul. â€Å"Literacy in the Spartan Oligarchy.† Journal of Hellenic Studies, vol. 98, Nov. 1978, pp. 25-37.Constantinidou, Soteroula. â€Å"Dionysiac Elements in Spartan Cult Dances.† Phoenix, vol. 52, no. 1/2, Spring-Summer 1998, pp. 15-30.Figueira, Thomas J. â€Å"Mess Contributions and Subsistence at Sparta.† Transactions of the American Philological Association (1974-2014), vol. 114, 1984, pp. 87-109.Harley, T. Rutherford. â€Å"The Public School of Sparta.† Greece Rome, vol. 3, no. 9, May 1934, pp. 129-139.Whitley, James. â€Å"Cretan Laws and Cretan Literacy.† American Journal of Archaeology, vol. 101, no. 4, Oct. 1997, pp. 635-661.

Safeway Analysis - 1625 Words

Objective: An analysis of the factors driving performance of Safeway (top performing firm) A. Factors that Drive Profitability (as defined in the Interim Report) and an analysis of how they apply to Safeway and their industry leadership: 1. Location, specifically proximity to strategic markets. Being located close to or within key markets lets firms capitalize on their exposure, allowing them to maximize their control of a region and to enhance their margins. Grocery competition exists locally, since there is only so far that consumers are willing to travel to fulfill their needs, so if a firm can dominate a market with minimal competing operators it will enhance its profitability. †¢ Safeway operates 1,743 stores (as of†¦show more content†¦These four retailers average private-label dollar share of 22%, well above the industry average of 16%. They have also seen higher levels of overall sales growth versus non-leaders – 5.3% versus 3.4% over the past 3 years. 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Falling From Grace free essay sample

This paper discusses the book Falling From Grace by Katherine S. Newman. This paper analyzes the book Falling from Grace by Katherine S. Newman in which she describes how different prototypical Americans have lost their footing on the upward climb of the American Dream. She puts blame on social and economic changes that have been occurred over the past decades and how this has managed to get people to rethink what The American Dream is all about. From the paper: The great American Dream has changed from one generation to another in its particulars. For some it was home ownership, for others a chance to send their children to college, for others a chance to escape the city for the suburbs. But for each generation, regardless of these changing specifics of what it might mean to be a successful American, an essential part of the dreams of those Americans buying into the national dream was that each generation would be better off economically (and perhaps in other less tangible ways as well) from their parents. We will write a custom essay sample on Falling From Grace or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page

Should physician

Introduction Physician-assisted suicide is a hot topic that has managed to stir up heated debates over the years. Two sides have emerged due to this, the people who support it and those who are against it. This has led to a number of states legalizing it while other states are still not up for the idea.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Should physician-assisted suicide be legal? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The central issue this report aims to respond and debate about is the main question posed whenever this issue is raised. The question is should physician-assisted suicide be legal? Physician-assisted suicide is being considered the best choice in cases where prolonging a patient’s life will only prolong suffering, as a result of poor medical condition and its effects (Balkin,2005). New life prolongation techniques and practices have been developed and improved due to medical advancements. So me of these methods go to extreme boundaries to keep people alive. This is one of the roots behind this dilemma. Various methods that are geared towards the smooth facilitation of this practice have also been developed. These methods are fast and painless and are aimed at making this process as easy as possible. Questions that have been raised now and again which act as a pivotal point for most of these arguments are mentioned below. ‘How much should a person suffer before the plug is pulled?’.’ should doctors be allowed to terminate a patient’s life?’, and ‘Is a doctor’s help to end one’s life under these circumstances really suicide?’ and ‘should a person be left to decide his or her own fate?’ Above are some of the questions that have led to the drive to reevaluate the preexisting rules (Engadhi, 2009). This report aims at supporting the need for Physician-assisted suicide. This is done through carefully an alyzing and backing the value of the right of the patient to self-determination.Advertising Looking for research paper on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More At the same time, there is also the matter of looking at a counter argument that opposes my point of view, which is that people think of this form of relief when they are in tremendous pain and depression and if these two elements are dealt with the option of physician-assisted suicide will not be considered (Roleff, 1998). Patient’s right to self-determination In the article the argument is because it is the patient’s choice over if they want to die or not because of bad medical condition. The patient is the one to be in charge. This is obviously, because the patient is the one who is in that situation, not the doctor or the state. The patient can have a number of reasons that may in the end lead to this decision. This may include: The patient may b e in immense pain and this anguish may go on for a very long period. In some cases, the patient may be forced to grapple with the pain for a very long period even if the doctors are sure that the chances of the pain going away are minimal to none. With this in mind, it is not valid for the government or anyone else to decide how long one is to suffer when there is a solution to the problem. This case has been termed as the mercy argument as it is the only reprieve a patient gets and this finally gives them a chance to end the pain and suffering. The costs and medical bills realized from trying to keep a patient in this condition are very high. Despite that, the facts that the person may never recover the bills still have to be paid. Thousands of dollars are being paid on people in a vegetative state or in conditions that have slim chances of improving. The patients’ family may be struggling to keep up and pay the bills while at the same time trying to fend for them. This econ omy argument on the side of the individual is based on the patients’ consideration of the interests of the family that is put in a difficult situation with an aim of guarantying their general welfare and peace of mind. This practice is also allowed in some regions around the world. Some states in the US have adapted this option as a last resort and it works. If this practice has been implemented and proves to work well why can other regions not also do the same? This is another argument question often raised that supports this.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Should physician-assisted suicide be legal? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The other factor that needs to be accepted is that this method is in demand. People want it, this is evident in situations where even the elderly refuse to take their medication so as to try and stop the suffering or when doctors are constantly being asked by patien ts, friends and family members to just pull the plug and ease ones pain even if it goes against the laws of the country or state. Some of them choose to do this as they see the necessity behind it. Some doctors are even advocating for this practice. Overall, death in some cases is compassionate and should be considered if it is necessary. Pain and Suffering Majority of patients who want physician related suicide are those who are in pain or depressed. Some physicians are not trained on how to deal with people with depression; this leaves the patients with little hope when they get sick. The patients believe that they only have two options to suffer or to die. Trained physicians know how to deal with cases of depression and pain. Due to medical advancements treatments have been developed that ease the pain and different approaches of dealing with depression have been adapted that may go a long way in changing the mind of patients, making them opt for the option of living longer. Pati ents right versus pain and suffering Though this argument carries some weight, certain factors in relation to patients’ rights can still not be ignored. This argument does not have more weight over the latter. This is because factors like the case of the mercy argument have still not been dwelt on. Pain in some cases cannot be suppressed some extreme conditions are associated with immense pain that even the most effective drugs cannot always manage. Even with the coping of pain and depression, some cases have very small chances of being cured. The best the patient can do is hope for miracle healing. These cases offer the patient nothing to look forward to in their lives. These bring about things such as pain and suffering that is recurrent, and the question of a compassionate death is still an option.Advertising Looking for research paper on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Either way even if there is no pain or depression some of these conditions require a lot of money. The medical bills because of the medical services, medicine and checkups are very high. Even the patients’ insurance cover may not be able to cover these costs. These bills in most cases even wipe out the patients savings completely. This leaves a strain on the patients’ family and in most cases; the family members and friends have to chip in. This makes them strain in trying to cover all the expenses. The patient even though is not in pain may not want the people around him or her to suffer because of this hence the option of physician-assisted suicide to ease the peoples burden is chosen. Conclusion The patient should be the one to decide his or her fate as in the end it should boil down to ones right. The state and doctors should not be left with the task of dictating the life of a patient despite the pain, suffering and interests. The patients may have a variety of re asons that will lead him or her to opt for this option. The reasons are pain, suffering and the high costs realized because of trying to cope with the condition. Though the argument that the possibility of suppressing pain and depression can help significantly in making the patients not to choose this option other factors such as the amount of pain, the lack of hope of a cure and the financial strains on the patients family and friends make this option less effective. This option should however be practiced with caution, it should be the last resort after all the necessary options have been tried and no solution can be effective. Law from the unsafe implementation of this strategy should also regulate the physicians. Physician-assisted suicide should be legalized with no doubt. Its pros outweigh its cons and that is why different regions should consider this option for the general good. References Balkin, K. (2005). Assisted Suicide. Detroit, MI: Greenhaven press. Engadhi, S. (2009) . Assisted suicide. Detroit, MI: Green haven press. Roleff, T. L. (1998). Suicide: Opposing viewpoints. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven press. This research paper on Should physician-assisted suicide be legal? was written and submitted by user Giselle Daniels to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Belong by The Pains of Being Pure at Heart free essay sample

After falling in love with this band after hearing their self titled album early last year, I was very excited to hear more from The Pains of Being Pure at Heart since they had only released a 4 song EP since that first full length. Upon first hearing the band, I was immediately intrigued by their noisy, lo-fi, and obviously 80s post-punk inspired sound. With their soft, warm guitar playing and catchy love songs straight out of the diary of a 17 year old hopeless romantic protagonist from a Brat Pack film, this NYC band has proven to become one of my favorites. â€Å"Belong†, the band’s second LP, is seemingly less accessible than their self-titled album, and especially their â€Å"High Than The Stars† EP upon first listen. But as you let the record grow on you, and listen to songs like â€Å"Even In Dreams†, and â€Å"My Terrible Friend†, you see that this record becomes extremely catchy, and much easier to accept as an overall outstanding album. We will write a custom essay sample on Belong by The Pains of Being Pure at Heart or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This album starts out absolutely fantastic, but unfortunately loses my attention for a few tracks. I feel like this record comes back around with the the track â€Å"Anne With An E†. Despite my moderate boredom with the first few tracks, the proceeding 6 tracks are what makes this album an honest keepsake. Definitely in my top 5 records of the year.

Most Common Italian Words

Most Common Italian Words What are the 100 most commonly used Italian words? Its a frequently asked question, usually under the assumption that learning those words first will enable one to begin conversing more quickly in Italian. The following list, generated from subtitles of movies and television series (with a total of about 5.6 million words in 2008), includes the dictionary form where appropriate. 100 Most Common Italian Words RANK WORD LEMMA FORM 1. non non 2. di di 3. che che 4. à ¨ essere 5. e e 6. la la 7. il il 8. un un 9. a a 10. per per 11. in in 12. una una 13. mi mi 14. sono essere 15. ho avere 16. ma ma 17. l' la / lo 18. lo lo 19. ha avere 20. le le 21. si si 22. ti ti 23. i i 24. con con 25. cosa cosa 26. se se 27. io io 28. come come 29. da da 30. ci ci 31. no no 32. questo questo 33. qui qui 34. e' essere 35. hai avere 36. sei essere 37. del di + il 38. bene bene 39. tu tu 40. sà ¬ sà ¬ 41. me me 42. pià ¹ pià ¹ 43. al a + il 44. mio mio 45. c' ci 46. perchà © per + chà © 47. lei lei 48. solo solo 49. te te 50. era essere 51. gli gli 52. tutto tutto 53. della di + la 54. cosà ¬ cosà ¬ 55. mia mia 56. ne ne 57. questa questa 58. fare fare 59. quando quando 60. ora ora 61. fatto fare 62. essere essere 63. so sapere 64. mai mai 65. chi chi 66. o o 67. alla a + la 68. tutti tutto 69. molto molto 70. dei di + i 71. anche anche 72. detto dire 73. quello quello 74. va andare 75. niente niente 76. grazie grazie 77. lui lui 78. voglio volere 79. abbiamo avere 80. stato essere 81. nel in + il 82. suo suo 83. dove dove 84. posso potere 85. oh oh! (interjection) 86. prima prima 87. allora allora 88. siamo essere 89. d' di 90. uno uno 91. un' una 92. sua suo 93. tuo tuo 94. hanno avere 95. noi noi 96. sta stare 97. fa fare 98. due due 99. vuoi volere 100. ancora ancora

Healthy eating plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Healthy eating plan - Essay Example This paper will focus on my current eating habits, the nutritional recommendations I received from the Supertracker, and how this tool is vital for us Americans. My food groups and calories reports in the supertracker revealed that I am ‘under’ in the categories of grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy and oils. I am only ‘ok’ as far as my protein intake is concerned. Although my total calorie intake is 1608 which is ‘ok’ as the total calorie limit for a person like me with a weight of 163 lbs. and 5 ‘9’ height is determined to be 2800 calories according to the supertracker. As far as grains are concerned, my intake of whole grains is below the recommended level, which is 1 ½ ounces against a recommendation of 6 ounces, though refined grains intake is over the suggested level. I consumed only 1 cup of vegetables against the recommended level of 3 ½ cups for five days and only  ¼ cup of fruits against the suggested level of 3 ½ c ups. My intake of dairy products is also much below the necessary level (1/2 cup instead of 3 cups) and oils consumption is also lower than the required level. This analysis has revealed that there is a need to increase my level of intake in all the above food categories except protein. To improvise my food and calories intake, I shall include the following in my daily diet:†¢ Intake of whole grains like wheat and reduce the level of refined grains like rice.

Honors Political Science Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Honors Political Science - Research Paper Example The American political system has been mostly unkind to third parties. Third parties function more as sideshows or irritants than significant rivals in US elections. Third parties, such as the American Vegetarian Party, Libertarian Party, Nativist Know-Nothing Party and Agrarian Populist party, have been invaluable as safety valves with regard to alienated voters, as well as sources of new ideas. When these new ideas become popular among the electorate, principal parties typically adopt the ideas. In the last half of the 20th century, third parties were considered as transitory and primarily had insufficient and ineffective infrastructures (Aldrich 211). In 1948, Southerners rejected the Democratic Party’s turn towards civil rights; thus, the Southerners exited to establish the Dixiecrats or otherwise called State’s Rights Democratic Party. Dixiecrats’ candidate Storm Thurmond won many popular votes and 39 electoral votes from numerous Southern states. In the sam e year, Henry Wallace’s party, which had broken away from the leftist Democratic coalition, formed the Progressive Party and won a majority of the votes scattering the North and Midwestern votes. Two decades later, similar civil rights issues pushed a Southern breakaway political group to unite in the American Independent Party allowing George Wallace’s party to win nearly 10 million votes. In the modern era, third parties draw the most attention by being the heroic independent voice against the nominees of the main parties.

History of Medicine and Science Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

History of Medicine and Science - Essay Example To this end, medieval scholars such as Thomas Aquinas supported Aristotle’s theory concerning the material world ( Gribbin, 47).The theory stated that the world was made up of four elements such as water, fire, air, and earth. Moreover, the medieval scholars used the theory of the four elements to formulate the principle alchemy. In this regard, they believed that the four elements formed part of the human body to create the four humours. These were blood, yellow bile, phlegm and black bile. Furthermore, medieval civilization believed in the philosophy of a Greek astronomer known as Ptolemy ( Gribbin, 104). In this regard, the Ptolemaic system espoused that the earth was placed at the centre of everything in the universe. However, following the advent of the scientific revolution, these medieval lines of thought were challenged by eminent intellectual leaders. Notable scholars in the scientific revolution included people such as Nicholas Copernicus (1473-1543). Evidently, Cope rnicus is credited with publishing â€Å"De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium† also known as â€Å"On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres† (Gribbin, 398). In this regard, Copernicus theorised that the Earth revolved annually, around through sun through its daily, rotational movements on its axis. This theory was a direct challenge on the long held theory that the Earth was situated centrally at the universe with all the planets, Sun and moon rotating around it. Galileo Galilee was another eminent Italian physicist, astronomer and philosopher associated with the scientific revolution (Gribbin, 298). To this end, he created a telescope which produced a magnification 30 greater than that seen by the natural eye. In this regard, he used the telescope to make numerous astronomical discoveries such as sunspots, valleys and mountains present on the moon’s surface, various phases evident on the Venus planet, and Planet Jupiter’s four greatest moons. To this e nd, he published the â€Å"Dialogues on the Two Chief Systems of the World.† Sir Isaac Newton was another great scientist of the scientific revolution engaged in the field of physics and mathematics. He is credited with publishing the â€Å"Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica† also known as the Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy† ( Gribbin, 476). Evidently, his findings exhibited how the gravity as a universal force was acting on all the objects within the universe. The scientific revolution scholars faced several obstacles that slowed down the progress of the scientific revolution. For example, Nicholas Copernicus was first afraid to publish his works â€Å"Concerning the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres.† Evidently, he was frightened at the possibility of provoking the theological views of the Church pertaining to the Church. On the other hand, Galileo’s work on the ‘Dialogues on the Two Chief Systems of the Worldâ₠¬â„¢ was challenged by the Church. It contributed to Galileo being placed under house arrest. 2) Explain the Scientific Method. Who were the pioneer thinkers who developed it in the 17th-18th centuries? Why was it a central concept in the growth

Causes of Childcare Policies, Initiatives and Laws

Causes of Childcare Policies, Initiatives and Laws 1. Introduction Childhood, the ten memorable years that fall between infancy and the onset of adolescence probably constitutes the most exciting period of a normal human life. Most men and women have the fondest memories of their childhood years, replete with a million discoveries, of new smells, sights, sounds, touches, and other delightful experiences, of times of safety, comfort, and security. While this is possibly true of most children, in rich and poor societies alike, for many others the world is different; it is unfriendly, hostile, unwelcoming and extremely difficult. The worst affected are those who grow up in poverty and deprivation, or in environments of parental conflict, substance abuse, homelessness, and domestic violence. Very distressingly, childhood problems exist not only in underdeveloped and chronically poor societies, but also in ample measure in richer and advanced countries, like the UK, the USA, and other West European nations. Childhood is a time of phenomenal growth, in all areas of human development, physical, social, emotional, and intellectual. Growth and development of children involves the meeting of many diverse needs, in areas like nutrition, accommodation, regulated activity, health and medical care, cleanliness, hygiene, and sanitation, as well as in areas that involve emotional, social and intellectual growth. Thousands of children in the UK grow up in environments and surroundings that are inadequate, in greater or lesser degree, for proper development; inadequacies that are caused by factors like broken homes, divorced parents, single parenting, poverty, deprivation, domestic violence, substance abuse and child abuse. British society has always been concerned about the proper upbringing of its children and its role in the building of national character. The centuries old saying about the battle of Waterloo being won on the playing fields of Eton is a reminder of the preoccupation of the British with proper upbringing of their young. Recent years have seen increasing concern about improving conditions for the development of children, and have led to a number of governmental initiatives that aim to change the scope and ambit of public services committed to helping and improving this area. This essay aims to examine the origin and status of these initiatives, as well as their likely impact, both positive and negative in meeting the developmental needs of children. 2. Commentary Recent times have been ones of intense social change. The period that commenced after the closing of the Second World War has seen widespread social restructuring, caused by a multitude of factors like the splintering of families, the practice of children moving out of parental homes at relatively early ages, increasing divorce rates, sharp boosts in the numbers of working women, the greater incidence of single parenting, and the absence of grandparents in normal family life. These various reasons have quite often led to parents being inadequately informed, or even otherwise, being unable to satisfy the developmental needs of children. While inadequacies like these are common in normal families, they become far more complicated and result in great inequities upon children in environments involving poverty, deprivation, homelessness, substance abuse, domestic violence and child abuse. Increased immigration and the quiet and gradual formation of a multicultural, multiethnic, and multir eligious society have also led to the development of a number of social segments with different levels of affluence, education and ability. All these factors contribute to the challenges faced by society and government in providing all children with a level playing field and in satisfying their developmental needs. The British social structure has possessed, for many years, public infrastructure responsible for providing financial, physical, medical and scholastic support to children, more so for children from disturbed and difficult backgrounds, living in their natural domestic backgrounds, as well as in places like foster homes and institutions. Various governmental agencies like the department of health, the NHS, and local authorities, work with the help of paid and voluntary social workers to ensure assessment of needs and appropriate action. While the level and efficacy of the support provided to children had always been a source of concern in the past for most citizens, disturbed by occasional media reports of the unsatisfactory state of affairs, matters came to a head with the occurrence of two deaths, 13 year old Aliyah Ismail, in 1989, and 8 year old Victoria Climbie in 2000. Both Aliyah and Victoria, children of immigrants met horrific deaths, despite the full knowledge and involvemen t of social workers in their cases. Aliyah, in and out of several foster homes and institutions, died of a methadone overdose in a decrepit building in Camden Town, whereas Victoria Climbie died after receiving severe physical injuries from her aunt, who was then her carer, and her male companion. At the time of death, her body bore marks of more than 120 separate injuries. The resultant media uproar and several inquiries, commissioned by local bodies and the government, and conducted by eminent and qualified experts, laid the blame for the episodes upon the inadequate working of the social care infrastructure. Aliyah moved more than 60 times, between relatives, homes, and institutions, in the few years she was in care. (Brindle, 1999) The Blackburn report, commissioned by the Harrow local council, focussed on her distressing life, under the country’s programme for children in care, and largely indicted the functioning of the social care system. Victoria Climbie’s death caused even greater anguish and led to a number of investigations by Lord Laming at the specific instance of the government. The investigations and the ensuing report, which laid bare the functioning of the agencies involved in Victoria’s care, revealed that social workers were fully aware of Victoria’s condition and ignored twelve separate occasions to give h er protection and relief, led to widespread anguish, a national resolve to take better care of the country’s young, and finally to a number of initiatives aimed to ensure better care and development of children living in the UK. The key message running through the report is that individual failings, poor standards and ineffective systems are the consequence of a failure in leadership. Senior managers in all agencies, and elected members, are responsible, and thus accountable for this failure. Lord Laming refers to the principle failure to protect Victoria was as a result of widespread organisational malaise. (The Victoria Climbie Enquiry, 2003) While Lord Laming’s report catalysed governmental and public action in the last three years, the issue of addressing children’s needs adequately had first engaged lawmakers nearly twenty years back, when deliberations on the issue led to the enactment of The Children Act, 1989. The legislation, which came into effect in 1993 aimed to radically change the existing approach to meet the needs of children by (a) making children’s welfare a priority, (b) recognising that children grow up best in their families, whenever possible, (c) ensuring the duty of local authorities to provide services for children and families in need, (d) promoting partnership between children, parents, and local authorities, improving the way courts deal with children, and (e) protecting the rights of children. (Children Act 1989) Various child support initiatives owe their origins to the 1989 legislation. A further flurry of activity occurred after the publication of the Kennedy Report in 1989, and the Laming Report in 2003, on the deficiencies that existed in areas of health, education, and social support for all children, especially for those who live in difficult circumstances, either in their domestic environments, or with others. The publication of these reports, discussions in the media and various public forums, and governmental initiatives led to the preparation and publication of the Green Paper â€Å"Every Child Matters† in 2003, which outlined a new approach to the well being of children from birth to 19 and aimed to achieve 5 desired outcomes, namely (a) be healthy, (b) stay safe, (c) enjoy and achieve, (d) make a positive contribution and (e) achieve economic well being. (Every child matters: change for children, 2007) The enactment of The Children Act 2004 and initiatives in various areas aim to transform children’s services by increasing opportunities and reducing risk, as far as possible. The department of health, the department of education, the NHS, and local authorities will work in tandem to achieve this objective. All local authorities now need to work with partners, especially schools, and the NHS, to locate the needs of children and take appropriate action. A number of successive documents detail the approach required by these authorities. Three important initiatives expected to play important roles in the furtherance of child welfare objectives are the Children and Young People’s Plan (CYP), the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) and the National Services Framework (NSF) The NSF for children, published in September 2004, the first such effort in he world, determines standards for children’s health and social services for children, young people and pregnant women, as well as the coordination of these services with education. It is a key delivery mechanism of the â€Å"be healthy† outcome of the â€Å"Every Child Matters† programme and aims to bring about a fundamental change in these services by attempting ensure that their design and delivery focus on the ascertained needs of children and their families. The programme, scheduled to run for ten years, expects to achieve targeted standards for ensuring fair, high quality and integrated health and social care from pregnancy, right through to adulthood. (National Service Framework Documents, 2006) The standards are divided into three parts, part one focussing on services for children and young people, part two dealing with particular groups of children, and part three with maternity services. While full implementation could take upto ten years for implementation, the framework plans to increasingly assess the NHS and local authorities on the quality of their services and the progress achieved in meeting the standards. (National Service Framework Documents, 2006) Criticism of the National Service Framework has ranged from the use of exhaustive recording for surveillance purposes, to issues like over insitutionalisation and consequent dilution of medical care, and the impracticality of cooperative working on such large scales. The conceptualisation and implementation of the Common Assessment Framework (CAF is one of the distinguishing elements of the overarching â€Å"Every Child Matters† initiative. Truly ambitious in its scope, the CAF aims to enable all people working with children, young people and their families, to evaluate distinct needs of different children and families. Once the CAF is fully in use, children’s centres or schools will arrange for most assessments, and will thereby help in identifying children with additional needs before they become serious concerns. Situations that could possibly need the use of CAF include poor nutrition or ill health, substance misuse, anxiety or depression, problematic housing, poor attendance or exclusion from school, overt parental conflict, lack of parental support, disruptive or anti social behaviour, and involvement, or the risk of involvement, in offences. The CAF will obviously not be suitable for the majority of children who make normal p rogress through the universally available services. However, it could really help in identifying the needs of many troubled children at stages where corrective action and appropriate support could change future outcomes very positively. (Common Assessment Framework, 2007) The Children and Young People programme aims to reduce underachievement and improve life chances of children through a set of measures that include taking measures for extended schools, extended early years, looked after children and vulnerable young adults, youth, child protection and children with special needs and disabilities. The programme plans to further educational development and improve health, well being and social inclusion through integrated delivery of support and services. The extended schools concept forms the core of the CYP package by providing activities that essentially look after children for greater hours and effectively reduce the load on parents. Extended Schools will provide activities based on their particular circumstances and needs, but taken from a ‘menu’ which will include breakfast clubs, after-school study support and after-school youth, sport and leisure activities; programmes for parents and community use of schools. The focus will be on supporting learning, creativity and healthy lifestyles, including tackling obesity in children. (Children and Young People Funding Package, 2006) The chief criticisms of the CYP programme focus on the excessive local planning and decision-making, as well as political initiatives that revolve around doing things to young people rather than giving them, and when they are too young, their parents â€Å"the freedom, responsibility and tools to do things for themselves.† (Warpole, 2004) The importance of engaging young people more effectively to participate in all activities is thought to be important by many researchers. 3. Conclusion The UK is going through an epochal change in the development of its young. The planned changes, if successfully implemented, could well result in the creation of a much more competent, tolerant and well adjusted society. The enactment of the Children Bill of 2004, and the slew of initiatives, which apart from the discussed issues, also include the formation of Children’s Trusts, and the Sure Start programme, aim to take the benefits of health, housing, education, social and emotional support, to every child in the nation. Delivered through cooperative inter agency working and focussed on the needs of children and their families, the initiatives include precautionary measures to locate children with problematic needs that need to be addressed early enough in life. While the advantages of the initiatives are enormous, and painstakingly designed to help millions of children, the aim of delivering all these services, through state and local agencies, raises concerns that could wel l turn out to be important. State agencies are notorious for evolving into bureaucratic, system driven, and uncaring, irrespective institutions, of country, society or work ethic of the people. The UK has had its own unhappy experiences with state controlled corporations, as well as with the NHS. The idea of the state, albeit with a certain extent of private participation, taking over a major portion of the responsibility of bringing up children could be fraught with dangers that may arise out of improper and inadequate implementation. It needs remembering that the Aliyah Ismail and Victoria Climbie incidents happened not because of the absence of state support, but despite it. Excessive state control also leads to unnecessary documentation, possibilities of surveillance, and the need for a control and audit mechanism, all of which work against the main objectives of programmes under implementation. Now that the programmes are under way, the challenge will come in their implementation, and in ensuring that they meet their objectives. Bibliography Brindle, D, 1999, Drug death girl shuttled among carers, the Guardian, Retrieved April 30, 2007 from www.guardian.co.uk/drugs/Story/0,,201042,00.html Children Act, 1989, Retrieved April 30, 2007 from www.yjb.gov.uk/en-gb/practitioners/Accommodation/LegislationandResponsibilities/ChildrenAct1989/ Children in Care: now and then, 2000, BBC News, Retrieved April 30, 2007 from news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/642288.stm Child Development Chart book, 2004, The Commonwealth Fund, retrieved April 30, 2007 from www.cmwf.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=237483 Children are unbeatable: alliance, 2007, Retrieved April 30, 2007 from www.childrenareunbeatable.org.uk/pdfs/actionsheetedm606jan07.pdf Children and young people funding package, 2006, Department of education, Retrieved April 30, 2007 from www.deni.gov.uk/index/21-pupils_parents-pg/children-and-young-people-funding-package.htm Common assessment Framework, 2007, Every child matters, Retrieved April 30, 2007 from www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/deliveringservices/caf/ Christensen, P. OBrien, M. (Eds.)., 2002, Children in the City: Home, Neighborhood, and Community. London: Routledge. Every child matters: Change for children, 2007, National literacy trust, retrieved April 30, 2007 from www.literacytrust.org.uk/socialinclusion/youngpeople/greenpaper.html Hallett, C. Prout, A. (Eds.). (2003). Hearing the Voices of Children: Social Policy for a New Century. New York: Routledge. Hocutt, A. M., Mckinney, J. D., Montague, M., 2002, The Impact of Managed Care on Efforts to Prevent Development of Serious Emotional Disburbance in Young Children. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 13(1), 51+. Jacobs, J. E. Klaczynski, P. A. (Eds.)., 2005, The Development of Judgment and Decision Making in Children and Adolescents. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. National Service Framework for children, young people and maternity services, 2007, Department for health, Retrieved April 30, 2007 from www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGEsiteId=enssTargetNodeId=566ssDoc Reeves, R., 2003, The Battle for Childhood: We All Love Children; Even Politicians Do. Yet We Are in Danger of Taking from Them Everything That Is Most Precious Freedom, Health and Happiness. New Statesman, 132, 18+. The Victoria Climbie Enquiry, 2003, Retrieved April 30, 2007 from www.victoria-climbie-inquiry.org.uk Warpole, K, 2005, play, participation and potential, groundwork, Retrieved April 30, 2007 from www.groundwork.org.uk/upload/publications/publication11.pdf

Abraham Lincoln and Huckleberry Finn

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a novel that was written by Mark Twain. The novel was published in 1884 in England and a year later in the United States. The book chronicles the adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a boy running away from being â€Å"sivilized† and Jim, a runaway slave. The book follows them as they travel down the Mississippi River. As the novel progresses and Jim and Huck become closer friends, we begin to see Huck’s inner struggle. He is torn between two different moral commitments- to the slave society he has grown up in and his friendship with Jim.Huck has been trained to tolerate and support slavery, and his friendship with Jim enables him to see the injustice of the institution. Completing my part of the PIOP, Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation, enabled me to see the similarities in the beliefs of Abraham Lincoln and Huck. Both grew up in a time and place where slavery was considered acceptable and racism was ever-present. As the two grew up, or in Huck’s case spent time with a slave, their views began to gradually change. It took Lincoln a while longer to believe that slavery was morally wrong, but for most of his life he advocated for the abolishment of slavery.My part of the project gave me an opportunity to research one of the greatest reformers, orator, and president this country has ever seen. Abraham Lincoln’s humble beginnings in a one-room log cabin in Kentucky gave him the ability to empathize with the common man and those less fortunate than him. From the beginning of his political career until his assassination, Abraham Lincoln advocated for the abolishment of slavery, at first saying it would benefit the United States economically and then on the basis that it was morally wrong. Even though his point of view made him unpopular in the South, he was still elected president in 1860.Abraham Lincoln being president guaranteed slaves and free blacks that they had someone on their side; s omeone to advocate on their behalf. When southern states began to secede from the Union and the Civil War broke out, Lincoln was presented with an opportunity to free the slaves once and for all as a war tactic. On January 1, 1863, Lincoln issued a preliminary Emancipation Proclamation that freed all slaves in rebellious states. Although Lincoln maintained that his duty was to â€Å"save the Union, and is not either to save or destroy slavery,† emancipation is argued as one of his greatest achievements.Lincoln was the first president to combat the issue of slavery head-on. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation didn’t as work as well as he hoped, it paved the way for the passage of Amendment 13 which outlawed slavery in the United States. Mark Twain wrote The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn twenty years after the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation. Slavery had been abolished and the North and South were somewhat getting along. Why would Twain publish a novel about morals about an institution that was no longer in place? Legally, blacks and whites were equal, but there was still a problem with racism.

Introduction to Communications Research

Simple: contain one independent and one dependent variable. . Testable: the ability to test the relationship among variables must be clear. 4. Useful: should provide new 3 criteria for monotheistic causal relationships 1 . Variables are correlated I. E. Describes statistical relationship between 2 variables 2. The cause takes place before the effect (post hoc ergo proper hoc) 3. The relationship between variables is non-spurious Monotheistic explanation is probabilistic in nature and is usually incomplete. Exceptions do not disprove a demonstrated monotheistic causal relationships. Causal relationships can exist even if they do not apply to the majority of cases.Longitudinal Studies Cross-sectional Studies Observations taken at single point in time. Explanation occurs by examining differences across the units of analysis (hopefully representative of population). Less expensive, but harder to establish cause and effect. Observations are taken more than once. Explanation occurs by exam ining differences across time. More expensive, but easier to provide sense of cause and effect. Trend Studies Examines changes in a population across time. Investigator samples randomly from a population over time, with different individuals constituting each sample. Hard to understand WHY change occurred as participants differ.Cohort Studies A type of longitudinal research where an investigator randomly samples from a but cause and effect still hard to show as surveys change. Cohort Analysis: Any study in which some characteristic of one or more cohorts is measured at two or more times. Cohort: a group of people who are linked by some common characteristic of life event. Panel Studies A longitudinal study that examines changes in individuals across time. Panel studies provide the opportunity for more in-depth analysis. Each study collects data from he same individuals. Longitudinal panel studies are expensive but informative forms of research. One must account for attrition as each â€Å"wave† of data is collected from the panel. Reduce attrition by preparation and persistence.Disadvantages of Longitudinal Studies 1. By the time the study is complete, the original measures will have become outmoded, and the overall social context will have changed. Critics will question if the findings are relevant. 2. Longitudinal researchers have to accept postponed gratification. 3. Difficult to secure funding for longitudinal studies because funding iodides often press for measures relevant for cross-sectional questions, rather than longitudinal analysis. 4. Because of their expense, it will always be necessary to plan for multiple uses, and this carries the danger of not addressing any question thoroughly. 5. Attrition over time is an ever-present hazard.Advantages of Longitudinal Studies 1 . They allow an accurate time ordering of events to better address monotheistic causation. 2. They allow the study of within-individual change ? a more powerful causal analyses than cross-sectional surveys. 3. Because these are multiple data mints, they provide a better leverage on the handling of missing data Week 5: Experimental Design 1 19th and 20th century classical experimentation 0 Practice of holding everything constant except the one variable under consideration. 0 Not controlling all potential variables, but rather manipulating levels of selected independent variables in order to examine their influence on dependent variables.Control: experimental design controls background variability so that systematic effects of treatments can be observed. 1. Control by matching Some sources of variation may be eliminated by matching, which limits inerrability However matching is only possible on known and observable characteristics and perfect matching is never possible 2. Control by randomization Converts of all irrelevant sources of possible systematic variability into unsystematic variability (random error) Like life insurance, a precaution against distur bances that may or may not occur and that may or may not be serious if they do occur 3. Control by statistical adjustment Uses statistical relations to simulate matching and increase precision.Week 6: Experimental Design 2 Design: Total experimental plan or structure of experimental research. Pre-test: The initial observation of DVD among subjects (prior to ‘V). Post-test: The measurement of DVD among subjects (after introduction of ‘V). Laboratory Experiments vs. Field Experiments Ecological validity Hawthorne Effect: where subjects alter their behavior because they know they are being studied. As such, field experiments are often non-reactive. But often results in lack of control, as intervening variables might affect the precision of the experiment. Pre-experiments: designs follow basic experimental steps but fail to include a control group or random assignment. One-Shot Case Study One-Group Pre-Test-Post-Test Design

Concavenator - Facts and Figures

Concavenator - Facts and Figures Name: Concavenator (Greek for Cuenca hunter); pronounced con-CAV-eh-nate-or Habitat: Woodlands of western Europe Historical Period: Early Cretaceous (130 million years ago) Size and Weight: About 20 feet long and 2-3 tons Diet: Meat Distinguishing Characteristics: Triangular hump on lower back; possible feathers on forearms About Concavenator Discovering a new genus of dinosaur is rare enough, but discovering a new genus of dinosaur possessing a never-before-seen anatomical feature is a once-in-a-lifetime event. So imagine the wonderment of the Spanish team of researchers that recently dug up Concavenator, a large theropod of early Cretaceous Europe that sported not one, but two, extremely odd adaptations: first, a triangular structure on its lower back, just above the hips, that may have supported a sail or fatty hump; and second, what appear to be quill knobs on its forearms, that is, bony structures that probably supported small arrays of feathers. So what accounts for these strange features? Well, the 20-foot-long Concavenator was a close relative of Carcharodontosaurus, which was itself related to the huge, sail-backed Spinosaurusso the hump/sail on this new dinosaur shouldnt come as a surprise, even though it was situated much further down the spinal column than on other dinosaurs (another surprise: until recently, these types of theropods were thought to be restricted to South America and Africa). As for the quill knobs, those are more of a mystery: to date, only much smaller theropods than Concavenator, mostly dino-birds and raptors, have shown evidence of arm feathers. Clearly, the feathers on Concavenators forearms (and probably only on its forearms) were meant for display rather than insulation, which may provide clues about the subsequent evolution of feathered flight.

Morgan Freeman essays

Morgan Freeman essays Morgan Freeman is a wild card actor. He usually plays the roll of the guy that thinks things out more than was thought possible by the other characters. Born in 1937 Morgan Freeman had a difficult childhood moving from place to place and was encouraged to act to stay out of trouble. Freeman has done quite a few movies many of which have been big hits which leaves great impressions on the viewers and bring them back to see more. His character always thinks about things in different ways then everyone else and he leaves the viewers trying to do the same. The movies he does usually have a plot line that jumps around keeping the viewer on the edge of their seat. Morgan Freeman has given the movie industry an unpredictable actor that can change the movie numerous times and keep the viewer glued to the screen the whole time. Morgan Freeman was also nominated for 3 Academy Awards for The Shawshank Redemption, Street Smarts and Driving Miss Daisy. Morgan Freeman was born June1, 1937, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Morgan and Mayme Freeman. As a child Morgan moved a lot. He lived with his grandmother for 4 years until she died he moved back with his parents in Chicago and after only six months his mother left her husband and took Morgan back to Greenwood, Mississippi, but didnt stay for long. They continued to move about threw out his childhood. He wont speak much about it, but Morgan was in a gang for a short time, but got out by having many school activities to tend to. To stay out of mischief Morgan was encouraged to act in school plays. One time he pulled a chair out from under a girl ha liked in class, but instead of getting in trouble, his teacher offered him a part in a school play, which he won state championship prize for best actor. He didnt take acting serious at this time and after high school he joined the Air Force in 1955. Morgans first big acting role was in the childre...

Implementing change Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Implementing change - Research Paper Example This is because changes in office can bring about stress and anxiety among the employees (Rothwell, 2001). There are a number of ways that a manager can use to successfully implement changes in the department. Communication in any organization is vital. It is the role of the managers to ensure that communication channels are followed and the right message is conveyed and in time. As a manager, therefore, if there are changes in the organization that might either in the short run or long run affect one’s specific department, it is vital to make the communication to the workers in that department in time. Earlier information helps to ease the effects of change. Embrace the positive sides of the change and share it with your workers. When the employees see that their leader is positive with the upcoming change, then they will accept. This thus results to good performance within the said department. When the changes are focusing to a specific department, it can be a source of conflicts and disagreements between the employees from the other departments. It is the duty of the manager to explain to all other workers why the change is focusing a particular department and not all. This is to help curb the feeling of unfairness among the workers, (Britain, 2007). After giving out the necessary information regarding the change, invite suggestions from the employees. Also, let them ask questions regarding the upcoming changes and answer them appropriately. Communication helps in making the transition smooth. When communicating about the change, it is important to give a timeframe of when it is going to happen. Delay on implementation may raise anxiety among the employees. Have goals that are timely and learn to keep promises, (Rothwell, 2001). In case the change is not implemented as earlier stated, inform your employees and give reasons behind the delay. Mange well the department changes and make everyone

Rooms Division Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Rooms Division - Assignment Example The front office sells guestrooms, register guests, and assign guestrooms among other duties. Housekeeping department on the other hand is responsible for the cleanliness, appearance, and condition of the entire hotel. This includes the public areas. It is the largest department in terms of number of people employed. It is the goal of every business enterprise to maximize profits McDonald (1993). Revenue management encompasses the maximization of the total revenue of a hotel. Yield management concentrates on the revenue maximization of accommodation, such as guest rooms, meeting and convention rooms or restaurant space This is the process of understanding, anticipating and influencing the consumer behavior as a way of maximizing profits from fixed or perishable resources such as hotel reservations (www.hotelmule.com/yieldmanagement). Hotels need to sell the right product to the right customer at the right time for the right price (www.wikipedia.org)There is three revenue management methods for measuring the yield management namely: This technique is used to estimate based on history, expectations, trends or experience of an activity over a certain period of time. Forecasting room availability is forecasting the number of rooms available for sale on any future date (www.hotelmule.com/forecasting). It helps manage the reservation process, guides the front office staff for an effective room’s management, and can be used as an occupancy forecast, which is further, useful in attempting to schedule the necessary number of employees for an expected volume of business. Models include; statistical and judgmental. Statistical models include; trend projection, seasonal and smoothing while judgmental include; expert opinion, market surveys and Delphi technique. Moving Average method-Similar to the â€Å"percentage growth method†, the moving average method assumes an increasing or decreasing trend. This technique is aimed at smoothing

Selling Executives on Project Management Assignment - 2

Selling Executives on Project Management - Assignment Example Heerkens (2002)Often times in a project, expectations are not met that are defined in scope and the WBS. Thus, creating contingency strategies is pivotal towards executing a successful project. One of the most pivotal contingency strategies is to have a high incremental cost of resources that continue to plague organizations. One of the strategies I would suggest is financial segmentation. The revenue stream is the focal point that one should examine at Levan. Budget discrepancies are one of the most difficult challenges to deal with when closing down a project because PMs must ensure that they close their projects without any discrepancies. Understanding the segmentation of financials is hectic because it requires signatures, higher authority decisions and collaboration. In midst of the project, most managers forget that budget discrepancies in the beginning can accumulate to be problematic at the end. This not only creates chaos in the project, but diminishes quality, resources and time. The second element I would suggest is that to run more of an Agile environment rather than a waterfall. Agile methodology is one of the best methodologies that have been implemented in the realm of e-commerce. Agile methodology allows organizations to harness growth, breed innovation, and define products that can be tangible and intuitive. One of the best elements of Agile is the fact that one can prototype. The rise of Agile methodology is likely to be more effective because it is very rapid and at the end of each sprint you have something testable and can be given to the client much quicker than waterfall. Heerkens (2002)The techniques that the group found effective were using wireframes and workflows because it is easier to visually understand information than to read 300 page documentation. The third strategy I would suggest is managing change request. It is evident that managing change request is

Legitimacy Crisis Essay Example for Free

Legitimacy Crisis Essay I know that plagiarism is wrong. Plagiarism is to use another’s work and pretend that it is one’s own. 2. I have used the â€Å"Harvard† convention for citation and referencing. Each contribution to, and quotation in, this essay/report/project from the work(s) of other people has been attributed, and has been cited and referenced. 3. This essay/report/project is my own work. 4. I have not allowed, and will not allow, anyone to copy my work with the intention of passing it off as his or her own work. Signature: Jvanrooyn Word Count: 308 excluding in-text citations Jihad Van Rooyen. Introduction to Politics, Tutorial Group #11 12 March 2014 Assignment #3 Legitimacy Crisis Revolutions result in a ubiquitous change in society. This essay ascertains themes throwing legitimacy into crisis through an evaluation of the sources of the French, Russian and Iranian revolutions. As stipulated by Max Weber in his legitimacy crisis ideals, society functions on a moral relationship between the ruler and the ruled (Hague, Harrop Breslin, 1992:19). Non-acceptance by the ruled would result in a regime losing its legitimacy and pave way for a political break-down. This is emphasized by John Locke in the Social Contract, where he deemed that society has no moral obligation to the regime when the contract is breached (Spragens, 1997:34). Thus, legitimacy certifies political stability and must be lost before any revolution can transpire. The French Revolution was based on the constitutional and monetary crises, which lead to instability. Thus through the failure of the regime to meet demands, legitimacy was lost and a secular revolution followed (Hague, Harrop Breslin, 1992:72). Relative deprivation was an immediate by-factor, clearly evident through the revolts against the structural conditions, which ultimately abolished absolute monarchy in France (Hague, Harrop Breslin, 1992:74). Similarly to the French revolution, the Russian overthrowing of the old political system proved easier than consolidating power (Hague, Harrop Breslin, 1992:79), especially after both revolutions were influenced by the regime’s spending on warfare. Both revolutions involved peasants uprising, owing to hunger, poverty and social inequality. The Tsar was not able to meet the demands of the citizens and in so doing lost credibility. In contrast, Iran’s old regime had not been ravaged by warfare nor had it suffered monetary failure, prior to its revolution (Hague, Harrop Breslin, 1992:79). The revolution was a religious affair against the regime. Like the previous two revolutions, expectations amongst the people were not met by the regime. In conclusion, when a regime doesn’t fulfill its moral obligation to the people or if they do not meet the expectation of the citizens, relative deprivation could occur which could ultimately result in illegitimacy and a revolution.

kiss the sky :: essays research papers

Ten people sit, waiting to embark On a journey to a place called Jurassic Park. They sit impatient, they can’t wait to leave Too see something none of them have ever seen. They’ve seen it in movies and on TV But never in real life like they are about to see. Although it will be exciting to be there, It’s as well a dangerous atmosphere; For they all tried to run when they heard the roar But they all got eaten by a dinosaur. So all we know is who they were; Nothing from after or from before But I will tell you what I can guess About all these people, I’ll do my best. There was a man who played on the stage And for each film he made, earned a hefty wage. He was an actor in huge demand Any sum of money would be placed in his hand. He could make you think he was anyone He could even convince his father he wasn’t his son. Although in his head he wasn’t too bright His personality was more than all right. The other nine like him, and that’s no surprise He was especially easy on the eyes. The man who with the actor bonded best Was a man with a million dollar wrist. On the cover of every sports magazine And being him was every boy’s dream. He was a bit short-tempered, but liked to joke They all thought he was funny, even the old folks. Although he could play many sports He was also a gentleman of many sorts. He was quite a charmer, pure to the core No girl could ever ask for anything more. Next on the list was a man who sang And when he did, on every word you would hang. For he could set the mood of any situation And make something small into a big sensation. Although he was not much to look at His words were rich like butter is fat. He was a college man but not very bright He never studied during the day, but he sang at night. He was rather shy and kept to himself Until he was on stage, then his songs he would belt. Then there was a man with utmost control Boss of the country was his role. Every decision was of his own He could change anything by making a call on the phone. But that’s okay, he was quite trusted And so neat about everything, even his ironing board was dusted. Everything he wore looked brand new It’s like everything he wore, he had two. He had great posture, even when he sat He stepped very lightly, just like a cat.

A Dangerous Double Standard

Women face many dangers in society.   Women are generally smaller and physically weaker than men, so a female can be said to be a potential victim for a male.   However, oftentimes, females become endangered simply because they are women. In effect, women are endangered daily by societal double standards with regard to their attitude, clothing and chosen activities.Women’s bodies are the subject of much attention from the media.   The ideal body type is stamped everywhere.   Women who are able to achieve that body type, or nearly achieve it, are likely to want to show it off.   Thus, if a shapely female where’s a plunging neckline or a short skirt, people may consider her to be inviting sexual overtures.However, a man in a shirt which reveals his muscular stature would receive no such insult.   This look can even cause a woman to be the victim of unwanted sexual advances, even rape.   In an extreme case, one attacker was actually freed because his victim w as dressed the way she was.   According to a sexual assault case in the UK, â€Å"a pedophile who raped a 10-year-old girl will be free in just four months after a British judge said his victim had ‘dressed provocatively’.In addition to her appearance, a woman who seems confident, or even aggressive, can earn distasteful responses from both men and women.   Confident women seem to present a challenge to men, even though no such standard exists for men.Men may, again, sexually pursue these women.   Women may feel intimidated and fail to rally behind these women, pushing them to the side, failing to protect them.   Some women are even considered bold and fiery.   Most men and women do not know how to deal with this type of woman, and some might set out to try to make them fail.   As an example, some women who choose to express what is considered an extreme are insulted and even tormented.For example, aggressive women are termed feminazis. One opposed to this view noted that â€Å"These are the staunch feminists that destroy homes and marriages.   I've met a few feminists in my lifetime and I could see that they were just begging to get into an argument.   Some women really thrive off attacking men every chance they get.Many marriages have been destroyed by a meddling feminist.   Of course, hen pecked husbands and sissies are exempt.   A real man is a threat to the feminist's agenda.   Feminism is sin.   It is wrong because it is a rebellion against authority (and against God)† (Militant Feminazis).  Finally, women seem to have less latitude in choosing their own activities.   If a man walks alone at night, drinks too much and flirts with the opposite sex, or sets out to undertake a highly physical adventure, people are impressed.   If a woman does the same thing, she is placing herself in danger.A woman walking at night is subject to attack.   A flirtatious woman may not be in control of the advances of the me n she is flirting with.   A woman who attempts a physical adventure may be seen as overreaching her bounds.   All of these can have cataclysmic results.   If a man is hurt, it is a tragedy.   If a woman is hurt, it was bound to happen.For example, former CIA agent Dr. R.J. Hillhouse writes about her experiences as an agent.   â€Å"Dr. Hillhouse has run Cuban rum between East and West Berlin, smuggled jewels from the Soviet Union and slipped through some of the world’s tightest borders. From Uzbekistan to Romania, she's been followed, held at gunpoint and interrogated. Foreign governments and others have pitched her for recruitment as a spy† (Hillhouse,)   At every corner she met with problems that the male agents did not.Sadly, double standards do exist.   A woman can be hurt by the choices she makes, whether they be her fashion, her attitude or her activities.   Even though this is not the way things should be, women should heed these issues lest they become victims.â€Å"Girl provoked pedophile – judge.† News.com.au.   Retrieved 26 June 2007. http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21969117-2,00.htmlHillhouse, R.J.   The Spy Who Briefed Me. Retrieved 26 June 2007 from http://www.thespywhobilledme.com/â€Å"Militant Feminazis.† Retrieved 27 June 2007 from http://www.jesus-is-   savior.com/Womens%20Page/militant_feminazi.htm

Greek Myths and English Language Essay

Abstract: Do you know â€Å"Achilles’ Heel†? It’s an allusion from Greek myths. Instances like this are not difficult to find in English language. They are terse and vivid because of Greek myths and legends behind them. Therefore, they enjoy popular use. But these words and phrases are peculiar to the native culture and language, they appear exotic to foreign learners. So let’s share some words and idioms which are relevant to Greek myths in view of knowing the ins and outs of them and understanding how to apply them. In the meanwhile, they can help you understand English history and English culture more thoroughly and deep and taste the wisdom and humor of the English people. Key words: relationship, Greek myths, English language, English idioms  Once the Republican supporter made comments on Clinton’s scandal, â€Å"A misbehaving president is regarded as a government’s Achilles heel and is expected to resign.†Ã‚  What is Achilles’ heel? If you don’t know it, you will not understand the meaning of the supporter’s comments. The idiom means the weak or vulnerable point of a person, organization and country, etc. which comes from Greek myths. The story is about Achilles, one of the Greek heroes in the Iliad. When he was a child, he was taken by his mother Thetis and dipped in the river Styx to make him invulnerable. The water washed every part of his body expect the heel in his mother’s hand. It was precisely at his vulnerable point that Achilles was later killed in Trojan battle. Greek mythology is a set of legends about the gods, heroes, natural events and universal history of Hellenic civilization. The myths of Greece mostly come from Hellenic literature such as Homer’s Iliad, Hesiod’s Theogony and Sophocles’ drama. From the Renaissance to now, Greek Myths is one of their required courses when the English people receive classical education. These stories and myths are so enjoyable that they impress themselves upon the English. Therefore the myths of Greece become the abundant supply of English language. Let’s take Europe for instance. Sometimes it is also called Europa, which originally comes from Greek Mythology. In it, Europa is a princess who is abducted and carried off by a white bull to Crete, the cradle of Hellenic civilization. And the bull is actually Zeus, king of the Gods. In the same way, Paris is a person’s name also from Greek myths. Paris is the son of the King of Troy. These two are place names. And the main characters from Greek mythology also appear in everyday speech. For instance, a huge or heroic task is said to herculean. This is in tribute to the Greek mythological hero Hercules. And when you talk about a book of maps, atlas will occur to you. It is named after Atlas, a titan who supported the heavens on his shoulders. Here’s one you are probably familiar with it. It’s the word promethean which describes a daringly creative or defiantly original act, because of the Titan Prometheus, who defied the wrath of Zeus and stole fire in order to benefit humankind. And another word you may have used before without realizing your debt to Greek mythology. The word panic comes from Pan, the God of shepherds. Pan was always considered to be the cause of the sudden fear especially in lonely places. That’s why it’s called panic. Then more attention will be paid to the relationship between Greek myths and English idioms. Idioms consist of set phrases and short sentences, which are loaded with the native cultures and ideas. Therefore, there are a great deal of idioms are relevant to the myths of Greece. And these idioms are not easy to understand from its literal meanings, for example, Greek gift. Does it mean a gift made in Greece? Of course not, it symbolizes a dangerous gift. But as they are colourful, blunt, expressive and impressive, they form an important part of the English vocabulary and are now used in different situations. So I will share some of them with you in view of giving you the background of them. As defined by famous psychologist Sigmund Freud, Oedipus complex is the unconscious desire of a young child for sexual intercourse with the parent of the opposite sex, especially between boys and their mothers. The source of this complex is from the Greek legend of King Oedipus. Oedipus was the son of King Laius of Thebes, a city in Greece. There was a Apollo’s oracle predicted that he would killed his father and marry his mother. So when he was born his father Laius bound his feet together and had exposed him on a lonely mountaintop where it must soon starve. Then the poor infant was rescued by a shepherd and raised by Polybus, King of Corinth. And he was called Oedipus. Years later, Oedipus, too, like Laius, thought to make it impossible for the oracle to come true and resolved never to see Polybus. But on his journey he unwittingly killed King Laius with whom he quarreled. He arrived at Thebes shortly thereafter and saved the city from the ravages of the Sphinx. He was proclaimed king in Laius’ stead, and he took the dead king’s widow, Jocasta, as his own wife. After several years a terrible plague struck Thebes. The Apollo declared that the plague would be stayed upon one condition: whoever had murdered King Laius must be punished. In the course of his investigation, Oedipus discovered that he himself was the killer and that Laius had been his real father. Finally he couldn’t act against the decrees of fate. In his despair at this discovery, Oedipus blinded himself. Girls have a similar sexual desire for the father which is repressed in analogous fashion and is called Electra complex. It also comes from Greek mythology. Electra is the daughter of Agamemnon, the king who led the Greeks against Troy in the Trojan War. To obtain favorable winds for the Greek fleet sailing to Troy, Agamemnon sacrificed his daughter Iphigenia to the goddess Artemis and so came under a curse. After he returned home victorious, he was murdered by his wife, Clytemnestra, and her lover. To avenge his father’s death, Electra helped her brother kill their mother and her lover. The allusion also comes from the Greek legend of King Oedipus. The Sphinx is winged monster having the head and breasts of a woman and body of a lion. She lay in wait for the wayfarers along the roads to Thebes and whoever she seized she put a riddle to, telling him if he could answer it, she would let him go. No one could, and the horrible creature devoured man after man until the city was in a state of siege. And at that time, Oedipus heard what was happening in Thebes in his lonely wanderings. He was a homeless, friendless man to whom life meant little and he determined to seek the Sphinx out and try to solve the riddle. â€Å"What creature,† the Sphinx asked him, â€Å"goes on four feet in the morning, on two at noonday, on three in the evening?† â€Å"Man,† answered Oedipus. â€Å"In childhood he creeps on hands and feet; in manhood he walks erect; in old age he helps himself with a staff.† It was the right answer. The Sphinx, inexplicable, but most fortunately, killed herself. The Thebans were saved. It is so called Sphinx’s riddle which means difficult problems. And Sphinx is also used to describe an enigmatic person. The following are a few examples in actual uses.

The Aftermath of John F. Kennedys Assassination

The Aftermath of John F. Kennedys Assassination Prior to the assassination of President Kennedy on November 22, 1963, life in the United States still seemed to border on naivety in so many ways.   But the series of shots that rang out in Dealey Plaza that afternoon was the beginning of the end of this innocence. John F. Kennedy was a popular president with the American people. His wife Jackie, the First Lady, was the picture of sophisticated beauty.   The Kennedy clan was large and appeared close-knit. JFK appointed Robert, Bobby, to be Attorney General. His other brother, Edward, Ted, won the election for John’s old Senate seat in 1962. Within the U.S., Kennedy had recently made it a public resolve to back the Civil Rights movement by passing historic legislation that would bring about major change. The Beatles were still clean-cut young men who wore matching suits when they performed. There wasn’t a drug counterculture among the youth of America. Long hair, Black Power, and burning draft cards just did not  exist. At the height of the Cold War, President Kennedy had made the powerful Premier of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev, back down during the Cuban Missile Crisis.   In the fall of 1963, there were U.S. military advisers and other personnel, but no U.S. combat troops in Vietnam. In October 1963, Kennedy had decided to withdraw one thousand military advisers from the region by end of the year. Kennedy Calls for the Withdrawal of US Military Advisers The day before Kennedy was assassinated, he had approved National Security Action Memorandum (NSAM) 263 which expressly called for the withdrawal of these U.S. military advisers. However, with the succession of Lyndon B. Johnson to the presidency, the final version of this bill was changed. The version officially approved by President Johnson, NSAM 273, left out the withdrawal of advisers by the end of 1963. By the end of 1965, over 200,000 U.S. combat troops were in Vietnam. Furthermore, by the time the Vietnam Conflict ended, there were over 500,000 troops deployed with more than 58,000 casualties.   There are some conspiracy theorists that solely look to the difference in policy towards U.S. military presence in Vietnam between Kennedy and President Johnson as the reason for Kennedys assassination. However, there is little evidence to support this theory.   In fact, during an April 1964 interview, Bobby Kennedy answered a number of questions about his brother and Vietnam. He stopped short of saying that President Kennedy would not have used combat troops in Vietnam.    Camelot and Kennedy The term Camelot evokes thoughts of the mythical King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. However, this name has also become associated with the time that Kennedy was president. The play, Camelot was popular at the time. It, like Kennedys presidency, ended with the death of the king. Interestingly, this association was created soon after his death by Jackie Kennedy herself. When the former First Lady was interviewed by Theodore White for a Life magazine piece that appeared in a December 3, 1963, special edition of the publication, she was quoted as saying that, â€Å"There will be great presidents again, but there will never be another Camelot.†Ã‚   Although it has been written that White and his editors did not agree with Jackie Kennedy’s characterization of Kennedy’s presidency, they ran the story with the quote. Jackie Kennedys words encapsulated and immortalized John F. Kennedy’s few short years in the White House. The 1960’s after Kennedys assassination saw major changes in the United States. There was a growing degradation of trust in our government.   The way that the older generation viewed the youth of America was changed, and the limits of our Constitutional freedom of expression were severely tested. America was in a period of upheaval that would not end until the 1980s.

VCR Vs. DVD Essays - Video Hardware, Videotape, Consumer Electronics

VCR Vs. DVD Essays - Video Hardware, Videotape, Consumer Electronics VCR vs. DVD INTRODUCTION This report will strive to clearly discern the differences between the average home Video Cassette Recorder (VCR) and the recently developed Digital Video Disc (DVD) system. These two home entertainment components have very clear differences. It is important for consumers to carefully consider each of these concerns before deciding on the home entertainment component that is right for them. When considering the purchase of a home VCR or DVD system, consumers should carefully examine the varying costs of the two components. If cost is a concern, consumers should pay special attention to the purchase price of both systems, as well as the cost of movies and maintenance. A second consideration of consumers when choosing between VCR and DVD should be the video and audio quality. Various technical factors can alter the quality of both picture and sound in both of these systems, making picture and audio quality a major consideration when shopping for home entertainment components. A final consideration that consumers should give special attention is the accessibility of the systems. In today?s growing entertainment market, the difficulty in accessing video and DVD movies can play a large part in the decision of which component is right for the consumer. METHODS The beginning of any research project is in the decision of a topic to research. I chose to research the differences between the VCR and DVD home entertainment systems because the intricacies of the systems and the ways in which they work greatly interest me. I began my work using ordinary encyclopedias, found in the Rosewood High School branch of the Wayne County Public Library. Due to the technical nature of my topics, there was very little information in the encyclopedias dealing with these topics. While I did receive some information on the background of home entertainment systems, especially the VCR, most of my research had to be found from other sources. I continued my research into the differences between these two systems, using the Microsoft Encarta Multimedia Encyclopedia. Through this source, I discovered a great deal of information on how the VCR works. However, little information was to be found on the DVD home entertainment system. For this information, I was forced to search the Internet, where a wealth of information exists. After a general search for DVD, I found several web sights discussing the pros and cons of DVD, as well as the intricacies of how it operates. After making notes of all of the information I had gathered, I proceeded to sort the notes into separate groups dealing with the VCR and DVD. This made it much easier to group my notes into feasible arguments for and against each system, as well as easing the process of making a final decision on the value of each system. At this point in the process, it was necessary to draw my final conclusions, and begin work on the composition of the paper. After completing this phase of the process, all that will be left is to prepare for the presentation of my information and conclusions. RESULTS/DISCUSSION Today, there are two main options of video components in a home entertainment system. The Video Cassette Recorder (VCR) and the Digital Video Disc (DVD) player are both positive additions to any home entertainment system. Both systems offer benefits and disadvantages to their users, and both should be carefully examined before a final decision is made on which one a consumer should purchase. The VCR was first developed in the 1950?s, but did not become a part of the average home entertainment system until the 1980?s, when the machines became much more affordable for the average household. The VCR uses ordinary video cassettes, measuring approximately four inches by seven inches, containing yards of video tape inside. This video tape is little more than a plastic strip covered with particles of iron oxide. This strip is recorded on by changing the television signals used to broadcast programs into magnetic fields, which magnetize the particles of iron oxide into patterns. The tape is played back by converting the magnetic patterns on the tape back into television signals. Many VCRs today use a form of recording and playback known as helical scan. In helical scan, one or two record/playback heads are mounted on the circumference

The 23 Best College Towns (With Great Universities)

The 23 Best College Towns (With Great Universities) SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips After considering the quality of academics at a college, you should also look at the pros and cons of living in the area where the school is located. You don't want to be stuck somewhere that's unfriendly to college students or has zero entertainment options. Being able to eat off-campus is also important for when you get sick of the dining halls! I'll give you a list of the best college towns in the country so that you can learn more about some of the great places that you might have the opportunity to call home for the next four years or more. What Is a College Town? For the purposes of this article, a college town is a small to medium-sized town or city (I have cities with up to almost a million residents on this list) where one or more colleges are located, and the college student population is high enough to make an impact on the culture as a whole.This means that the population is fairly young on average, and there are many entertainment and dining choices that cater to the college crowd. In other words, the university(s) are a big part of the economy and energy of the town; it’s hard to mention these towns without also mentioning their corresponding colleges! The Best College Towns This list is based on a combination of the quality of life in the town and the overall quality of the university or universities in the surrounding area.Looking across a bunch of different ranking lists, these were the towns that came up most frequently as the best for college students.All of the towns in this article were mentioned two or more times on ranking lists and are associated with high-caliber, competitive universities. I put the especially great combinations of universities and towns in the top ten section. These towns were mentioned three or more times by ranking lists. In the following section, I've listed thirteen more towns that were mentioned at least twice by town ranking lists. Thetowns are listed alphabetically within each section. I didn't rank them more specifically because they're all so different; whether you like one over the other mainly depends on personal preference! Top 10 College Towns Ann Arbor, MI; University of Michigan Traveler100/Wikimedia Commons Total Population: 113,934Student Population: 43,625 What’s So Great About It? University sporting events are a huge part of the entertainment culture because the student to resident ratio is so high. A major attraction is the Michigan Theater, a glamorous, old-fashioned movie house that shows unique films. Main Street has an exciting and eclectic mix of locally owned boutiques and restaurants. The city is well-planned to offer a high degree of walkability and bikeability. A few prominent employers are located in Ann Arbor, including Google’s AdWords headquarters. Berkeley, CA; University of California –Berkeley Wikimedia Commons Total Population: 110,000Student Population: 37,581 What’s So Great About It? Life in Berkeley is centered around the university, so it’s a quintessential college town. The population of Berkeley is young, diverse, and highly invested in education. The downtown has a huge selection of great restaurants, breweries, concert venues, theaters, and coffee shops. You’ll also have access to prime hiking spots and beautiful parks, which you can take advantage of year round because of the perfect weather. Silicon Valley is nearby, so if you’re looking for a job in the tech sector after college, you won’t have much trouble networking. Boulder, CO; University of Colorado–Boulder Eddyl/Wikimedia Commons Total Population: 97,385Student Population: 32,080 What’s So Great About It? Boulder has beautiful scenery and tons of opportunities for outdoor activities (hiking and skiing in the Rocky Mountains, anyone?) combined with a prominent art scene and spectacular shopping and dining options. It's surrounded by a greenbelt, which is a swath of preserved natural land just outside the city limits. It's an open-minded, creative community of highly educated people and highly high hippies (not that the two are mutually exclusive). There are strong bonds between students and the community - many volunteer programs exist that students to help people in the surrounding area It has great weather! Boulder is sunny almost all year. Public transportation is high-quality, and the city is very walkable overall. There are many post-grad job opportunities. Cambridge, MA; Harvard University and MIT Wally Gobetz/Flickr Total Population: 105,162Student Population: 35,833 What’s So Great About It? Cambridge is an extremely friendly area for college students because its residents and economy are closely tied to higher education (no surprise considering two of the most prestigious schools in the country are located here!). It’s a great place to find a job after college or get experience in a research lab. The more tech-oriented side of Cambridge is balanced out by a healthy dose of bohemian vibes, so you get the best of both worlds. It’s a very walkable area with lots of quirky, unique shops and restaurants that will appeal to college students. Boston is easily accessible via subway, so you’ll have the opportunity to see famous landmarks, meet other college students in the area, and attend fun events. Chapel Hill, NC; University of North Carolina –Chapel Hill townofchapelhill/Flickr Total Population: 58,424Student Population: 29,135 What’s So Great About It? There is so much to do here: food festivals, performances, bars, shopping, art shows, and hugely popular sporting events. Chapel Hill is sometimes described as one big food festival because of the quality of its culinary scene. Cute cafes and public art are fixtures of the town. There are over 700 acres of parkland for outdoor fun. It’s a good place for sports fans because of the reigning enthusiasm for the North Carolina Tar Heels basketball team. College Station, TX; Texas AM Pmelton87/Wikimedia Commons Total Population: 97,801Student Population: 61,263 What’s So Great About It? You'll get access to Historic Downtown Bryan, where you can have a unique shopping experience with many local craft and artisan shops. There's a vibrant night life with many dance clubs, bars, and live music events. There are a wide variety of dining options (the barbecuehere is a particular point of pride). College Station is home to nine museums including the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, the Brazos Valley African American Museum, and the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History. Students dominate the social and cultural scene; College Station is affectionately called "Aggieland" because of the overwhelming number of Texas AM students (Aggies) that live there. College Station is ranked as the most educated city in Texas. You'll find lots of research opportunities and a strong economy. Columbia, MO; University of Missouri and Columbia College lronski21/Wikimedia Commons Total Population: 115,276Student Population: 50,131 What’s So Great About It? Columbia combines affordable costs of living with a high population of college grads and a strong economy. It has an overall cool, youthful vibe with great music and art scenes. Arcades, art galleries, popular restaurants and pubs, street fairs, museums, and many more attractions add to Columbia’s fun ambiance. There are plenty of nearby hiking trails, campsites, and lakes for outdoor activities. The city also has tons of recreational centers and is highly walkable. Madison, WI; University of Wisconsin Dori/Wikimedia Commons Total Population: 240,013Student Population: 66,533 What’s So Great About It? Madison is located on an isthmus between two lakes, so there are great opportunities for boating and swimming and awesome scenery. Downtown has an eclectic mix of local businesses along with an exciting nightlife that includes a famous Halloween celebration. There’s even a bar where you get to drink for free on your birthday, so you can celebrate your 21st for cheap. Farmers markets and restaurants are plentiful. The economy is doing well, and it's a great place to start your career. San Luis Obispo, CA; California Polytechnic University Rob Bulmahn/Flickr Total Population: 45,119Student Population:20,186 What’s So Great About It? You'll see tons of cool historical sites and beautiful mountain views. There are beaches close by and great weather year round! Activities like hiking, kayaking, and surfing are easily accessible. You'll get to experience free outdoor concerts in the summer and an international film festival in March. It purportedly has some of the best coffee in the country (critical for college). There's a maze of old tunnels underneath the city - awesome and creepy. State College, PA; Penn State Total Population: 41,983Student Population: 47,040 (this is larger than the total population because it's the student enrollment for the Penn State campus, technically located next to State College in University Park) What’s So Great About It? State College is one of the safest and smartest towns in the country. There's an awesome live music scene; a pub called Phyrst has live music every night along with a host of other fun gimmicks, and there's a long list of other places in State College where you can catch some live tunes or perform yourself at open mic nights! You can easily get out of the downtown center and experience nature in the countryside. The town's culture is centered around Penn State. 13 More College Towns to Check Out Ames, IA; Iowa State University Tim Kiser/Wikimedia Commons Total Population: 58,965Student Population: 34,435 What’s So Great About It? A very young population gives the town a fun atmosphere and a thriving nightlife. There are great employment opportunities with national companies that exist alongside a pleasant small-town vibe. Ames has a thriving arts culture with lots of museums and libraries. Amherst, MA; Amherst College and UMassAmherst John Phelan/Wikimedia Commons Total Population: 37,819Student Population:31,827 What’s So Great About It? Amherst is home to many prominent artists and writers, so it’s a very diverse, creative, and intellectual environment. It’s a super liberal place, which appeals to many college students. Fifty percent of the population is employed in the education sector. The quality of the surrounding colleges (which include Smith College, Hampshire College, and Mount Holyoke College, as well as those mentioned above)arguably makes it one of the smartest towns in the country. Athens, GA; University of Georgia Total Population: 119,980Student Population: 35,197 What’s So Great About It? Athens has low costs of living and a vibrant, intellectual culture. It boasts one of the best music scenes in the country (Neutral Milk Hotel and R.E.M. came out of Athens!) and great overall artistic and cultural life (of which the summer Arts Festival is a highlight). Athens is dotted with an assortment of restaurants, bars, and coffee shops that will appeal to college students. Austin, TX; University of Texas - Austin Earl McGehee/Flickr Total Population: 885,400Student Population:56,643 What’s So Great About It? Sixth Street is a famous spot for great bars and nightlife. The city is super bikeable. Austin has nice weather all year and access to many outdoor recreational activities. It’s easy to find part-time work because there are so many small businesses. Likewise, there are tons of opportunities to get professional experience. Austin has a very open-minded culture - â€Å"Keep Austin Weird† is its motto! The food is great (especially the barbecue, since it’s Texas). It’s right in the middle of Texas, so you can get to a lot of other cities pretty easily. Bozeman, MT; Montana State University Tim Evanson/Flickr Total Population: 39,860Student Population: 15,294 What’s So Great About It? You'll have unparalleled access to great outdoor recreational activities including spelunking and rock climbing. Yellowstone National Park is easily accessible along with a few ski areas. Even though it’s kind of small, Bozeman has a respectable assortment of coffee shops, restaurants, art galleries, and performance events connected to the University. It also hosts a bunch of tech startups, so it’s an overall youthful, fun atmosphere. Champaign, IL; University of Illinois Herschman321/Wikimedia Commons Total Population: 231,891Student Population:43,603 What’s So Great About It? Bozeman has a mixture of an urban and suburban atmosphere that provides many of the benefits of a big city with fewer of the drawbacks. Museums (Krannert Art Museum), concerts, and other events abound in the city. The Downtown Festival of the Arts is a highlight along with classic theaters like The Art Theater and The Virginia Theatre (made famous by the renowned critic Roger Ebert, who was a resident of the area) that show unique films. Cultural life revolves around the University; Memorial Stadium is a big draw for football fans. You can also get outside and visit some of the area's numerous parks, orchards, and vineyards. Charlottesville, VA; University of Virginia Bobak Ha'Eri/Wikimedia Commons Total Population: 43,475Student Population:21,238 What’s So Great About It? Charlottesville has pretty natural surroundings including vineyards and rolling hills. There are historical landmarks close by (Monticello is right outside the city). It has tons of art galleries and performance events. The Heritage Theater Festival happens every year. UVA is one of the best public universities in the country. Corvallis, OR; Oregon State University Gregkeene/Wikimedia Commons Total Population: 55,055Student Population: 28,886 What’s So Great About It? It has a beautiful setting with great views of the Cascade Mountain Range. There is an extremely high quality of living overall, with environmental consciousness and an outdoorsy, active feel. There are lots of parks throughout the area. You'll have access to a ton of research opportunities - Oregon State gets the most funding by far of any higher education institution in Oregon. Gainesville, FL; University of Florida Douglas Green/Wikimedia Commons Total Population: 126,047Student Population:51,725 What’s So Great About It? There are many opportunities for outdoor activities, especially water sports like kayaking, snorkeling, and fishing. The nearby parks are also great for hiking. The Downtown features the Hippodrome State Theater, many restaurants and local shops, and an array of craft breweries. It has a prominent art scene and is home to some awesome museums including the Florida Museum of Natural History and Harn Museum of Art. Iowa City, IA; University of Iowa Billwhittaker/Wikimedia Commons Total Population: 70,133Student Population:31,387 What’s So Great About It? There is a strong literary scene associated with authors including Kurt Vonnegut and Robert Frost which is bolstered by the Iowa City book festival and the best creative writing MFA program in the country (the Iowa Writers Workshop - sadly, I only know about this from watching the showGirls). It has a great nightlife with lots of dining options. University of Iowa itself is ranked among the top party schools in the nation, but the community is also very focused on giving back in the form of fundraisers for local hospitals. Lincoln, NE; University of Nebraska Total Population: 295,404Student Population: 24,202 What’s So Great About It? There's a low cost of living. It has a great restaurant scene. Lincoln is very walkable and bikeable (lots of sidewalks and paths and few hills) - no car necessary! There's a large assortment of pubs, clubs, and entertainment venues close to UN’s campus. It's home to expansive parks that accommodate a variety of outdoor activities. Lincoln is currently experiencing exciting economic growth as more and more businesses are drawn to it for its central location. Minneapolis, MN; University of Minnesota Total Population: 400,070Student Population:70,143 What’s So Great About It? Almost 20 percent of the city is made up of parks. It has the most theaters per capita of any city besides New York. There are lots of great bike paths. It's a big-ish city with a smaller city feel. Tempe, AZ; Arizona State University Total Population: 168,228Student Population:50,358 What’s So Great About It? It has great shopping, recreational facilities, and overall economy. Bars feature local craft brews and lots of live music. The Tempe Center for the Arts includes many art galleries and theaters. There are a few water parks to keep you cool. It’s a great place for biking and hiking. Cold Stone Creamery started here! What more can I say? Which Town Is Right for You? Now that you know about all these cool places, how can you decide where to go? There are so many great options! First off, think about where in the country you want to be for college. If you're hoping to stay relatively close to home, you should focus on college towns that are in your region of the country. You should also consider the sizes of the towns. Some of these "towns" are actually decent-sized cities. Living in Minneapolis is going to be a lot different from living in Amherst. You can read more about the differences between rural, urban, and suburban college environments and which might suit you best in this article. You'll notice that many of these college towns are centered around large, public universities, which might not be representative of the types of colleges that interest you. Your primary concern should be whether you're interested in the educational opportunities a college offers, not how many entertainment options and food festivals there are in the area. If you'd prefer to attend a small school for a more personalized educational experience, you should prioritize that over how exciting the town is. Students always find ways to have fun, even at colleges that are virtually in the middle of nowhere! What's Next? Curious about one of the best college towns? Consider taking acollege tour to experience the campus in person. Can you still get a great education at a school with a reputation for a crazy party scene? Read about the best colleges where students work hard and play hard. If you don't know where to start in the college search process, read my step-by-step guide for how to do productive college research! Want to improve your SAT score by 240 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now: