Successful Points Of The Ancient Chinese Civilization Essays

Successful Points Of The Ancient Chinese Civilization SUCCESSFUL POINTS OF THE ANCIENT CHINESE CIVILIZATION The Ancient Chinese civilization went through a series of successful social affairs as well as a series of social disarray. Each Dynasty resulted in slightly different reforms, but it seems as though the overall Chinese population held the same general beliefs on such things as family, education and the civilization as a whole. I believe that these morals are what really held the Chinese civilization together in times of conflict and political division. FAMILY A Chinese family was traditionally very large. It was what would be called an extensive family today. The grandparents, parents, and children of one family all lived together. It was considered a sign of good luck and happiness, if five generations lived together at one time. In Ancient China, the family was a strict hierarchy: father sons (oldest to youngest) mother daughters (oldest to youngest) Being the ruler in his home, the father assigned his childrens careers, determined their education, arranged their marriages, gave rewards or punishments, and controlled the family finances. Every family member gave their earnings to the father, who then decided how to redistribute the money. EDUCATION The Chinese have always respected and stressed learning. All parents tried to give their sons, rather than daughters, the best education possible. In poor families, boys were usually trained from early childhood to do the same jobs as their fathers. At times, however, extremely intelligent boys were able to attend school if a rich relative or group of neighbors agreed to help pay the fees. Boys from wealthy families could either attend school or choose to learn from a private tutor in their own homes. Girls from wealthy families might also learn at home from a tutor. Otherwise, she would learn domestic tasks from her mother, such as sewing and embroidery. The main goal of schools was to train boys to be able to become a government official. However, it was not easy to enter the government due to the difficult exams that must be passed. As a result, boys started to prepare early, and began their education at the age of eight or nine. All students had to learn and memorize the important texts that Confucious used in his teachings. DYNASTIES Although there were several different Dynasties during the Ancient Chinese era, they each flourished with the different achievements of the Chinese culture. The Han Dynasty During this period, records were kept, enabling us to learn more about this exciting time. Han strengths included mathematics, geography, and astronomy which led to technological advancements. These advancements led to inventions such as the magnetic compass and the sternpost rudder. Iron came into use, aiding the improvement of agricultural practices, which in turn helped produce sufficient amounts of food to supply the growing urban population. The Tang Dynasty The Tang emperors focused on giving back to the peasants. They adopted the equal field system which entitled the state to fertile land only after the death of the peasant owner. The state then turned and reassigned the land to another worthy adult peasant for their needs and resources. Also during this period, Chinese culture began to influence Japan due to successful foreign affairs. The Song Dynasty The Song rulers aggressively promoted the use of the previous dynasties innovations. The use of printing was encouraged. The revolution of irrigation was made by the water pump and the spiral worm-drive for liquids. This made mining less difficult and of course aided in the general field of agriculture. As stated before, it seems as though the general Chinese civilization had firm beliefs and morals within the family and from those beliefs the population simply lived their lives. Although they did go through several different dynasties and social/ political reforms, the basis of family and education remained constant, forming a firm faith of the two elements. History Essays

I Do Not Believe in Ghosts Essays

I Do Not Believe in Ghosts Essays I Do Not Believe in Ghosts Essay I Do Not Believe in Ghosts Essay I do not believe in ghosts When I was little I lived in a house that was haunted. Wait don’t go! I know, I know, this subject is tired. The thing is I don’t even believe in ghosts. At least that is what I tell myself now, but back then I’m telling you that house was haunted. We moved there when I was in first grade and the first time I saw it, I started crying. Something about the house just seemed wrong. It was â€Å"pretty†, but it gave me a really ugly feeling. All sorts of weird, creepy, and inexplicable things would happen there. We had three dogs when we lived there, two of them ran away, and one went crazy and couldn’t live with us anymore. We had rabbits and they all died. We stopped getting pets. The toilet would flush itself. Once, I was talking back to my mom and she told me to stop or God would punish me and I said something along the lines of â€Å"yeah, right† and then the ground shook. I kid you not there was an earthquake, but no one except my mother and I felt it. Apparently, only our house shook. Another time, my brother who was an infant at the time was in his bassinet under a lamp that was hanging from the ceiling. I looked at my mother and told her she shouldn’t put him there because that lamp was going to fall on him. I walked over and moved the bassinet and as soon as I moved him the lamp fell. Crazy! It makes no sense to me that I have such clear memories of this house that was seemingly possessed and yet, I do not believe in ghosts. Do you?

Learning the Importance of Breakeven Point Analysis

Learning the Importance of Breakeven Point Analysis Breakeven point analysis is a very important tool, especially if you are preparing a business plan, to figure out the volume of sales your arts and crafts business needs to make in order to cover both your variable and fixed costs. At breakeven point, your arts and crafts business has made or lost no money. This is important info for you, the business owner, as you have to be able to handcraft your arts and crafts items at a price that your customers will pay while still providing an adequate amount of income to cover your personal living expenses. Once you get the hang of it you will find it quick and easy to figure breakeven point using an Excel spreadsheet. Breakeven Point by Item or Entire Business When discussing breakeven point analysis with clients, the goal is to figure it for either their entire business or by-product. While its more difficult to figure breakeven point for every item you make (this is more of a job costing extravaganza), its not impossible. Later on, well show you how to do a rough breakeven by item. Exploring Breakeven Point Analysis Consider the following scenario: One day a potential client walks through the office door, who is wondering whether they should go ahead and open an arts and crafts business. The clients main concern is whether they will be able to cover all their business costs. They also want to know how many arts and crafts items they will have to sell to pay themselves a certain amount of income each month. They have done their preliminary research, including lining up raw materials suppliers and getting price lists from those suppliers. Importantly, they have also found out what they need to do to become a wholesale customer of the suppliers and discount terms. The craft business owners have also made prototypes of the items to get an idea of how much raw material will be needed if the business goes into production mode. Walking Through Breakeven Point Facts Using a handy-dandy spreadsheet program, were going to present a step-by-step guide to breakeven point analysis for our fictitious new arts and crafts client - Oak Desk Clocks, Inc. Before we set up breakeven point analysis for them, we need some basic cost facts and figures: Variable expenses are those expenses that are tied to the number of units sold. For each clock that Oak Desk Clocks, Inc. makes they figure there is a cost of $25.00 for the combined total of material and labor.Fixed expenses are those expenses that do not change based upon the increases or decreases in the sales of your desks. A very good example of this is rent expense. Oak Desk Clocks lease calls for a monthly rent payment of $1,000. So, no matter if Oak Desk Clocks sells one clock or a million, the company is still responsible for the fixed amount ($1,000) in rent payments each month. Setting Up Breakeven Point Analysis Shown below are the initial entries we plan to make into a breakeven point spreadsheet for Oak Desk Clocks, Inc. None of these entries require any formulas - these are just the assumptions the owners of Oak Desk Clocks have made based upon their research into the clock-making industry. Sales price per clock is $35.00 with an expected increase in sales price of 10% per year.Variable costs per clock are $25.00 with an expected increase in the price of raw materials and labor of 5% per year.Fixed costs per year are $75,000, which Oak Desk Clocks feels will remain constant over the next five years.Advertising expense of $15,000 will be a major expense in the first year of business but should decrease by 12% each year over the next five years.

Strategics Management Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Strategics Management - Research Paper Example The following table presents SWOT analysis of Kellogg in the competitive environment Considering the Strength, Kellogg has its presence in 17 countries and its product is being marketed across the globe. Since the company has established esteemed international operations, it can enjoy the cost and tax incentives of the other countries. In addition, the company also displays distinguished financial credibility and its shares are listed on one of the biggest stock exchanges of the world. A sound financial outlook always attracts investors to invest in the operations of an organization. Kellogg can easily raise capital by issuing new shares in the stock market and it can certainly be expected that the issue would be completely subscribed. Another source through which the company can raise finance for the expansion of its operation is through debt. Banks and financial institutions are likely to sanctions credit facilities to companies having credible financial outlook. The only weakness that is apparent from the ongoing operations of the company is that Kellogg has not updated its product line with the passage of time. Its production line still contains items that were originally developed over 50 years ago. Regarding the threats, the company faces fierce competition from several firms in the food industry who possess the volume and potential to outcast the company by introducing more sophisticated products and ingenious production strategies. Apart from that, the company also faces threats from store brand products which are cheaper to sell for the retailers. In addition to the discussed, it appears that the company has placed too much reliance on the discount merchandisers. These giant stores have the potential of exerting pressure on the company’s margin and forcing them to sale their products on lower prices. In the recent past, the company has started incurring expenditure in making its food items more nutritious and healthy. Kellogg is one of the first one to use the oil to lower levels of trans fat and unsaturated fats in its products. This venture can prove to be full of opportunities for the company. The company earns 66% of its revenue from the North America, and since the recent demographic studies suggests that people are becoming more diet conscious due to the prevailing obesity related disease, Kellogg’s investment in the modified and nutrition enriched food products is likely to reaps positive results. (b) Porter’s five forces model is an effective tool in exploring the competitive forces of the environment in which the organization operates. It allows the business to critically analyze its current business strategy and formulate one which can allow it to achieve a competitive position in the market. The first competitive force according to the model is the entry of new competitors into the market. New entrants might be able to capture some of the market share of Kellogg and will adversely affect the profit ability. With the implementation of sophisticated data gathering software, Kellogg can repel this threat to its business. The sales department can maintain a database of the orders which can significantly assist in identifying which product is most popular among the customers. This information can

The Inclusion of Traveller Pupils - Raising Achievements Essay

The Inclusion of Traveller Pupils - Raising Achievements - Essay Example Increasing mainstream access is an important goal† (cited in Rayner 2007: 35). While there are a lot of various definitions of educational inclusion, this concept is always understood in the context of an ideology of social justice, namely in the context of the principle of equity in education. Inclusive education may be viewed as equal education for all pupils who come to school, regardless of a range of student characteristics, including â€Å"class, race, ethnicity, sexuality, perceived level of ability or disability, or age† (Rayner 2007: 36). OFSTED (2000) adds that it is for the most part about the provision made for and the achievement of different groups of pupils within a school, including â€Å"minority ethnic and faith groups, Travellers, asylum seekers and refugees† (p.4). However, equity in education should not be understood as â€Å"treating all pupils in the same way†, rather it involves â€Å"taking account of pupils’ varied life exp eriences and needs† (OFSTED 2000: 7). ... The recent evolution of inclusion within the British educational system started in 1997, when the New Labour came to power. In 2000 a revised National Curriculum was designed to â€Å"secure for all pupils †¦an entitlement to a number of areas of learning and to develop knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes necessary for their self-fulfilment as active and responsible citizens† (Hodkinson and Vickerman 2009: 74). This Curriculum 2000 is intended to be a curriculum for all as of right (Clough 1988: 11), and it is based upon three core principles: (1) setting suitable learning challenges; (2) responding to pupils’ diverse learning needs; (3) overcoming potential barriers to learning and assessment for individuals and groups of pupils (QCDA online). During the recent decade, significant changes in policies and practices aimed at the development of inclusive education have occurred. It is widely recognised that there are many benefits of children when they rec eive an inclusive education. The most important of these benefits have been documented by Moore (2009: 22-23) on the basis of analysis of recent research. They are: Increasing of growth in social skills of children as a result of their socialising with similar age peers. Forming a better sense of belonging, this is considered to have a great impact on achievement a sense of self-worth and performance in society. Exercising a basic right to be educated with peers and to participate in all facets of childhood and school setting on equal terms with other pupils. Minimising an effect of labelling that is very important in terms of maturation and development of a child’s performance. Learning and forming a positive feeling about others who have differences in lifestyle, race, customs and traditions.

Key pieces of legislations promotion Essay Example for Free

Key pieces of legislations promotion Essay Places a duty for schools to produce a Disability Equality Scheme (DES) and an Access Plan. Schools must encourage participation in all aspects of school life and eliminate harassment and unlawful discrimination Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 Ensure to develop the good relationship between organizations and people. Human Rights Act 1998 Set out the rights of the individuals and guide them how to take action against the authorities if these rights are effected Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 Makes it unlawful for educational providers to discriminate against pupils with a special educational need or a disability Children Act 1989 Sets out the duty of local authorities (including schools) to provide services according to the needs of children and to ensure their safety and welfare Education Act 1996 Sets out the school’s responsibilities towards children with special educational needs. The Act also requires schools to provide additional resources, equipment and / or additional support to meet their needs Children Act 2004 Sets out the duty to provide effective and accessible services for all children and underpins the Every Child Matters outcomes Equality Act 2010 Sets out the legal responsibilities of public bodies, including schools, to provide equality of opportunity for all citizens. This brings together nine equality laws Table B: Code of Practice about promotion of equality and valuing of diversity Code of Practice Purposes The special educational needs code of practice 2001 This code outlines the statutory guidance for policy and the procedures and responsibilities

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Essay -- American History

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass In learning about the history of America from the colonization to the reconstruction I decided to read The Narrative Life of Frederick Douglass. Frederick was one of the very few literate slaves. He was an incredibly important character in American and African-American history. Though he was blessed with intelligence most slaves were not, he still lived the same kind of life of the typical slave. Fredrick Douglas was born in Maryland; he does not know the date of his birth, as did most slaves. He never really had a chance to know his mother, only having seen her four or five times. Fredrick taught himself how to read and write despite it being against his slave-owners wishes. He could not let his knowledge be known to anyone except for other slaves. Fredrick saw his knowledge of words both as a blessing and a curse. White men were given supreme power over their black slaves and it corrupted their character. Most African Americans of the early to mid-nineteenth century experienced slavery on plantations similar to the experiences described by Frederick Douglass; the majority of slaves lived on units owned by planters who had twenty or more slaves. The planters and the white masters of these agrarian communities sought to ensure their personal safety and the profitability of their enterprises by using all the tactics-physical and psychological-at their command to make slaves obedient. Even Christianity was manipulated in a way that masters communicated to their slaves that God had commanded them to obey their masters. People like Frederick Douglass who preached abolition of slavery, only had to nurture the already existing spirit within slaves to strive for freedom. Only a tiny fraction of all slaves ever took part in organized acts of violent resistance against white power. Most realized as Frederick Douglass did that the odds against a successful revolt were very high, and bitter experience had shown them that the usual outcome was death to the rebels. Consequently, they devised safer ways to resist white dominance. For Frederick Douglass, it was clear that his way of fighting the power was to become educated so that he may better understand his situation. However, he described that knowing that: "wit†¦[was] the pathway from slavery to freedom." (Pg. 20) "†¦Reading†¦ enabled me to utter my thoughts, and... ...obey his master-to do as he is told to do." (Pg. 57) He was referring to the wrongfulness of his wife's attempt to educate Frederick Douglass. This was the view held by most whites toward African Americans. Consequently, other adjectives such as: lazy, irresponsible, childlike, and simple-minded were used by whites to describe the African American character. This portrayal stole the African American sense of independence and created the false image of black childlike dependence on their white masters. That combined with the fact that most African Americans were born into slavery disallowed them any experience of freedom or of Africa by which they may make comparisons to their situation of total bondage. The slave owners struggle to control the slave brought out an evil in them that cannot be brought out by any things. The slaves’ struggle for freedom and the suppression by their masters broke their spirit, which is a large part of human character. America would not have grown to be so great in such a short time without slavery, because of the economic value of it. But, it would not have been such a violent society then or such a violent society now if slavery had never existed.