The New World

The Spanish, French and English explored America and left a lasting mark on the New World’s development. Different methods of colonization were used by the Spanish, French and English. The Spanish and English had similar ways of colonization, and the French had quite a different style. When he Spanish conquered the New World, they were the most wealthy and powerful of the three. The Spanish brought epidemic disease that depopulated areas over many years causing civilizations to collapse, along with brutal killings of Natives.Spanish integration with the Indians over time resulted into a modern distinction between Latinos and Spanish into a new population. Forced labor and Christianity pushed the Spanish wealth into accidental discoveries of Tobacco, Chocolate, and Vanilla Spices. The English were similar to the Spanish of their brutal behavior towards the Natives, slavery and the epidemic of disease. On discovering the America’s, a belief of new shipping lanes were form ed. This proved to be an advantage for trading because it provided quicker routes.Agriculture was founded and traded due to success of using slavery. Gold, copper and the products of farming were traded and used for power. The French had a very different approach unlike the Spanish and English, as they used commerce versus conquer. Accidently being discovered while exploring, the French came across the Natives and started trading furs. This turned out to be long lasting relationship and provided a different way to cohabitate with the Native’s, instead of taking the land.The Spanish, English and French had similarities that were common. The English colonies were better fed and clothed as the French and Spanish had much larger empires. Slavery, trade routes, farming and religion were very common of all, and benefitted in establishing the New World. Faraher, J. M. , Buhle, M. J. , Czitrom, D. , & Armitage, S. H. (2009). Out of Many: A History of the American People (5th ed. ). U pper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Sociological Theories About The Modern Family

â€Å"The family is the most important institution in society. † This statement is repeated in almost every sociology text in some form or another. However, current trends suggest that there may be some inaccuracies in this claim. Family is indeed important and necessary. It can even be defined as very important, but its relationship to the term institutional may be problematic. The conflict is inherent in the definition of family based of the functionalists and the conflict theorists. Functionalist TheoryThis conservative, macro-level perspective emphasizes the role of family as a social institution that contributes to social stability. Carroll (2012) explains that the violence and terror of the French Revolution and the mass violence resulting from the desperate circumstances of the workers during the Industrial Revolution led to fears of the consequences of a crumbling social order. Out of this fear grew conservative intellectual writings that examined social bonds, rules, and socialization practices that enable society to maintain a sense of stability that benefits all members of society.Functional theorists warn of dire consequences if a strong society and effective socialization practices are not maintained. Carroll explains that Émile Durkheim, the French scholar who first presented this theory, suggested that society had a moral authority to â€Å"limit individual aspirations† in order to maintain norms and values and to limit social change in order to prevent social upheaval. Within this theory, family is seen as the institution that is responsible for socializing children, regulating sexual activity and reproduction, and provides its members with a social identity (Carroll, 2012).Conflict Theory This macro-level perspective focuses on the negative outcomes of societal norms, such as social inequality, and seeks to address and redress the aspects of society that perpetuate these undesirable norms. Carroll (2012) explains that this the ory grew out of the works of Marx and Engels who believed that revolution was a necessary step for transforming a capitalist social order that enslaved the working class (the proletariat) to the ruling class (the bourgeoisie) and perpetuates poverty and misery for the enslaved.The primary conflict according to Marx and Engels is based on perpetuating social norms within a class system that benefits one class over another. Conflict theorists examine how the family unit is also an institution that perpetuates inequality, by reinforcing patriarchy, between members of the family and seeks to find solutions to reduce or eliminate these innate inequalities. Feminist theory, in particular, evaluates how gender inequality is perpetuated within the family as children are socialized to fulfil future social, political, and economic roles (Carroll, 2012).Symbolic-Internationalist Theory A micro-perspective paradigm examines the meanings, interpretations, and understandings of the interactions o f individuals within a society. While this type of theory does not contribute to evaluating and solving social issues such as poverty, racism, sexism, or social change, it does allow a context for understanding the nature of institutions, such as the family, within the macro-perspective theories. Social order is transmitted through symbols— roles, behaviours, and other social constructions— that are integrated as a result of social interactions (Carroll, 2012).Although this is a micro-theoretical paradigm, understanding the interactions, communication, symbols, and expectations could contribute to alleviating the clash between the two macro-level theories. Understanding what works and what does not work permits opportunities to change or delete the aspects of family or family dynamics that contributes to inequality, without dismantling the entire institution and causing complete social upheaval.The Changing Nature of Family O'Neill (2002) evaluates the â€Å"fatherles s family† and provides ample statistics to show that the breakdown of the traditional family of father,  mother, and offspring— due to increasing divorce and out-of-wedlock reproduction— is correlated with poverty, emotional, psychological, and heath problems, and interaction problems with children for lone mothers; health issues or increased engagement in high risk behaviours for non-resident fathers; poverty, deprivation, school troubles, more health problems, and increased risk of abuse for children who do not live with their biological fathers. Her conclusion that these issues are the result of the breakdown of the family is an example of functionalist theory.She suggests that the outcomes are the result of the social breakdown of a vital social institution. A conflict theorist would more than likely suggest a different reason for the observed dysfunctions outlined by O'Neill (2002). The symbolic-internationalist would provide very specific context of the n ature of the interactions within the families described by O'Neill and may find that the dysfunctions are not the result of resistance to socialized norms, but in fact due to conformity.The â€Å"fatherless† family is led by a mother, and she is likely to be subject to societal norms that diminish her ability to earn as much as her male counterparts (increased poverty— which contributes to greater stress, diminished health, deprivation, etc. ). The functionalist would argue that the distressing results found in these families are also necessary outcomes, as society must not reward those who seek to disrupt the social order.This functionalist attitude is very evident in current American political discourse as a number of far right-wing conservative politicians are introducing and passing legislation that reflects their fundamentalist Christian ideals in which patriarchal values that limit the â€Å"individual aspirations† of women to control their own reproductio n. The traditional family consists of a bread-winning father and a home-making mother, an ideal that is held sacrosanct by this group of legislators.The conflict theorist, by contrast, seeks to discover the constructs in society and within the family that cause the inequalities, rather than to blame the inequalities on those who are trapped by them for not conforming to the functionalist ideals. Families are continuing to evolve— at least the definition is— in that there is increasing acceptance— both social and legal— for families in which the primary adults are a same-sex couple, either with or without offspring.The battle of ideologies still rages on in the United States, although an increasing number of states  have extended legal status to families of this type. In Canada, the Civil Marriage Act was passed in 2005 and after a brief re-vote in 2007— which defeated the Conservative motion to restore the traditional definition of marriageâ€⠀ marriage equality became a non-issue (politically) when the prime minister announced his government would not bring it up again (Makarenko, 2007). Family as a Societal Institution The family serves a functional purpose in society in that it provides the environment for producing, nurturing, and socializing the next generation.However, the nature of family has changed significantly and some of the new styles of families— single parent families, cohabiting unions, same-sex intimate partnerships, egalitarian marriages, and blended families— contradict the societal norms representative in a traditional patriarchal family. Cherlin (2004) explains that the â€Å"weakening of social norms that define partners' behaviour† has deinstitutionalized marriage. The political and religious backlash is indicative of the conservative functionalist view of social stability being reliant upon maintaining the status quo. In fact, these conservatives are holding many of societies ills (e.g. , increased crime, debilitating poverty, sexual promiscuity, etc. ) as evidence that society is breaking down and traditional norms must be re-established in order to preserve order.The conflict theorists would argue that social norms are, in fact, the source of the dysfunctions in society. The solution is somewhere in between. The social norms that define family as an institution are likely problematic. The aspects of family that support and nurture intimate partners and children are vital to our continued well-being. In fact research suggests that the â€Å"symbolic significance† of marriage is still valued by individuals (Cherlin 2004).Family as a refuge, a safe place to grow, learn, and achieve, is an ideal that inspires us, but family as a tool of the state to perpetuate inequity is what makes it an institution. The functionalists are correct, the institutions are failing, but a new family paradigm is emerging. Family is more about the relationships and what members of families can do for each other, rather than what the unit can do for the state. Burgess and Locke (1945) argued that the family is moving away from â€Å"institution† and moving toward â€Å"companionship†. Perhaps it is time to let go of the functionalist  definition and embrace the research of the social internationalists â€Å"to understand the other person's symbols and meanings†¦ [and] approach common ground† (Hammond, 2009).Inglehart and Baker (2000) found evidence in their World Values Surveys— that included 65 societies that represented 75 percent of the world's population— that religious and traditional values continue to leave an imprint upon cultures but economic development is â€Å"associated with shifts away from absolute norms and values toward values that are increasingly rational, tolerant, trusting, and participatory.†Conclusion The modern definition of family is much too diverse to fit the functionalists' traditional paradigm as an institution designed to perpetuate social norms in order to maintain social stability. Some modern families are examples of contradictory norms and are held up as examples by conservatives as the very reason society is on the brink of chaos. However, it is unlikely that society is in fact in danger of a complete breakdown. The new families are actually indicative of a society that is moving into a new paradigm where diversity is embraced.Family is still valued and supported, but not as an institution that perpetuates social norms, but as a function that supports individual growth and security. The nature of this societal grouping is one of affection and security for all its members and as such will remain important and as long as families— of all types— are supported and sustained by society and by its members, the larger community will also benefit with the same stable society that the functionalists so adamantly wish to preserve. Sociological Theories About The Modern Family â€Å"The family is the most important institution in society. † This statement is repeated in almost every sociology text in some form or another. However, current trends suggest that there may be some inaccuracies in this claim. Family is indeed important and necessary. It can even be defined as very important, but its relationship to the term institutional may be problematic. The conflict is inherent in the definition of family based of the functionalists and the conflict theorists.Functionalist TheoryThis conservative, macro-level perspective emphasizes the role of family as a social institution that contributes to social stability. Carroll (2012) explains that the violence and terror of the French Revolution and the mass violence resulting from the desperate circumstances of the workers during the Industrial Revolution led to fears of the consequences of a crumbling social order. Out of this fear grew conservative intellectual writings that examined social bonds, rules, a nd socialization practices that enable society to maintain a sense of stability that benefits all members of society.Functional theorists warn of dire consequences if a strong society and effective socialization practices are not maintained. Carroll explains that Emile Durkheim, the French scholar who first presented this theory, suggested that society had a moral authority to â€Å"limit individual aspirations† in order to maintain norms and values and to limit social change in order to prevent social upheaval. Within this theory, family is seen as the institution that is responsible for socializing children, regulating sexual activity and reproduction, and provides its members with a social identity (Carroll, 2012).Conflict TheoryThis macro-level perspective focuses on the negative outcomes of societal norms, such as social inequality, and seeks to address and redress the aspects of society that perpetuate these undesirable norms. Carroll (2012) explains that this theory gr ew out of the works of Marx and Engels who believed that revolution was a necessary step for transforming a capitalist social order that enslaved the working class (the proletariat) to the ruling class (the bourgeoisie) and perpetuates poverty and misery for the enslaved.The primary conflict according to Marx and Engels is based on perpetuating social norms within a class system that benefits one class over another. Conflict theorists examine how the family unit is also an institution that perpetuates inequality, by reinforcing patriarchy, between members of the family and seeks to find solutions to reduce or eliminate these innate inequalities. Feminist theory, in particular, evaluates how gender inequality is perpetuated within the family as children are socialized to fulfil future social, political, and economic roles (Carroll, 2012).Symbolic-Internationalist TheoryA micro-perspective paradigm examines the meanings, interpretations, and understandings of the interactions of indiv iduals within a society. While this type of theory does not contribute to evaluating and solving social issues such as poverty, racism, sexism, or social change, it does allow a context for understanding the nature of institutions, such as the family, within the macro-perspective theories. Social order is transmitted through symbols— roles, behaviours, and other social constructions— that are integrated as a result of social interactions (Carroll, 2012).Although this is a micro-theoretical paradigm, understanding the interactions, communication, symbols, and expectations could contribute to alleviating the clash between the two macro-level theories. Understanding what works and what does not work permits opportunities to change or delete the aspects of family or family dynamics that contributes to inequality, without dismantling the entire institution and causing complete social upheaval.The Changing Nature of Family O'Neill (2002) evaluates the â€Å"fatherless famil y† and provides ample statistics to show that the breakdown of the traditional family of father,  mother, and offspring— due to increasing divorce and out-of-wedlock reproduction— is correlated with poverty, emotional, psychological, and heath problems, and interaction problems with children for lone mothers; health issues or increased engagement in high risk behaviours for non-resident fathers; poverty, deprivation, school troubles, more health problems, and increased risk of abuse for children who do not live with their biological fathers. Her conclusion that these issues are the result of the breakdown of the family is an example of functionalist theory.She suggests that the outcomes are the result of the social breakdown of a vital social institution. A conflict theorist would more than likely suggest a different reason for the observed dysfunctions outlined by O'Neill (2002). The symbolic-internationalist would provide very specific context of the nature o f the interactions within the families described by O'Neill and may find that the dysfunctions are not the result of resistance to socialized norms, but in fact due to conformity.The â€Å"fatherless† family is led by a mother, and she is likely to be subject to societal norms that diminish her ability to earn as much as her male counterparts (increased poverty— which contributes to greater stress, diminished health, deprivation, etc. ). The functionalist would argue that the distressing results found in these families are also necessary outcomes, as society must not reward those who seek to disrupt the social order.This functionalist attitude is very evident in current American political discourse as a number of far right-wing conservative politicians are introducing and passing legislation that reflects their fundamentalist Christian ideals in which patriarchal values that limit the â€Å"individual aspirations† of women to control their own reproduction. The traditional family consists of a bread-winning father and a home-making mother, an ideal that is held sacrosanct by this group of legislators.The conflict theorist, by contrast, seeks to discover the constructs in society and within the family that cause the inequalities, rather than to blame the inequalities on those who are trapped by them for not conforming to the functionalist ideals. Families are continuing to evolve— at least the definition is— in that there is increasing acceptance— both social and legal— for families in which the primary adults are a same-sex couple, either with or without offspring.The battle of ideologies still rages on in the United States, although an increasing number of states  have extended legal status to families of this type. In Canada, the Civil Marriage Act was passed in 2005 and after a brief re-vote in 2007— which defeated the Conservative motion to restore the traditional definition of marriage— marr iage equality became a non-issue (politically) when the prime minister announced his government would not bring it up again (Makarenko, 2007). Family as a Societal Institution The family serves a functional purpose in society in that it provides the environment for producing, nurturing, and socializing the next generation.However, the nature of family has changed significantly and some of the new styles of families— single parent families, cohabiting unions, same-sex intimate partnerships, egalitarian marriages, and blended families— contradict the societal norms representative in a traditional patriarchal family. Cherlin (2004) explains that the â€Å"weakening of social norms that define partners' behaviour† has deinstitutionalized marriage. The political and religious backlash is indicative of the conservative functionalist view of social stability being reliant upon maintaining the status quo.In fact, these conservatives are holding many of societies ills (e .  g. , increased crime, debilitating poverty, sexual promiscuity, etc. ) as evidence that society is breaking down and traditional norms must be re-established in order to preserve order. The conflict theorists would argue that social norms are, in fact, the source of the dysfunctions in society. The solution is somewhere in between. The social norms that define family as an institution are likely problematic. The aspects of family that support and nurture intimate partners and children are vital to our continued well-being. In fact research suggests that the â€Å"symbolic significance† of marriage is still valued by individuals (Cherlin 2004).Family as a refuge, a safe place to grow, learn, and achieve, is an ideal that inspires us, but family as a tool of the state to perpetuate inequity is what makes it an institution. The functionalists are correct, the institutions are failing, but a new family paradigm is emerging. Family is more about the relationships and what mem bers of families can do for each other, rather than what the unit can do for the state. Burgess and Locke (1945) argued that the family is moving away from â€Å"institution† and moving toward â€Å"companionship†.Perhaps it is time to let go of the functionalist  definition and embrace the research of the social internationalists â€Å"to understand the other person's symbols and meanings†¦ [and] approach common ground† (Hammond, 2009). Inglehart and Baker (2000) found evidence in their World Values Surveys— that included 65 societies that represented 75 percent of the world's population— that religious and traditional values continue to leave an imprint upon cultures but economic development is â€Å"associated with shifts away from absolute norms and values toward values that are increasingly rational, tolerant, trusting, and participatory.†ConclusionThe modern definition of family is much too diverse to fit the functionalists' tra ditional paradigm as an institution designed to perpetuate social norms in order to maintain social stability. Some modern families are examples of contradictory norms and are held up as examples by conservatives as the very reason society is on the brink of chaos. However, it is unlikely that society is in fact in danger of a complete breakdown. The new families are actually indicative of a society that is moving into a new paradigm where diversity is embraced.Family is still valued and supported, but not as an institution that perpetuates social norms, but as a function that supports individual growth and security. The nature of this societal grouping is one of affection and security for all its members and as such will remain important and as long as families— of all types— are supported and sustained by society and by its members, the larger community will also benefit with the same stable society that the functionalists so adamantly wish to preserve.

Analysis and Evaluation of an Argument Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Analysis and Evaluation of an Argument - Essay Example Since then, the desire to develop anti-ageing strategies grew in him. He has done several researches and merged them with logic ideas. That is why he says that ageing is rather a curable disease is any other. His reasoning is based on the body tissue that results in metabolism. He said the effects of metabolism are what brings about growing old in human beings. He felt the need to enable people not to lose the ones they love anymore due to health issues, lack of liveliness, and the ability of functioning in ageing process (De Grey, 210). He felt this loss had to stop since the majority of the people that died due to old age always had agonizing and very expensive death. The expense was due to that old people were vulnerable to lots of diseases and there most of the time is spent with medical assistance. Old people are not productive. This is because they can hardly assist in any job. They are therefore seen as valueless in the society. Aubrey De Grey has developed seven biological related steps to help slow the ageing process of human being. These steps help to repair the damaged organs in the body ones the ageing process crops in the body (De Grey, 222). Accumulation of damaged organs in the tissue of the body is what brings about diseases and other problem that result in death in old age. Cellular damages occur seven ways in the ageing process. Therefore, the seven steps are to help clean the junk of the cells both inside and outside. As people age, there tend to be worn out cells that need to be removed and protein cross-linking in the body. The bad cells are the one that causes the diseases of old age and therefore, they need removal and the body needs to be induced to produce new one. Prevention is always said to be better than cure. Dr Grey uses the quote a lot and says that people should not wait until they develop ageing problems to be cured. They should be earlier precautions and preventions to old

American Consumer Culture Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

American Consumer Culture - Research Paper Example This leads to the many topics which arise when studying American consumer culture. One of the major impacts of American consumer culture is its association to materialism. The critics and the advocate of the American consumer culture believe that materialism, which has a close association to the culture, has the disadvantages and advantage respectively, on the economy. The realization of materialism as a major topic in American consumer culture makes it inevitable to discuss the roots of materialism and its impact throughout the American history. In his book, Lawrence Glickman asserts that consumerism has been treated as excessive materialism classified as a moral danger and a popular culture (Glickman, p. 1). Materialism refers to the act of individuals in the society stressing on the importance of the physical possession than they do to the spiritual. The major thesis statement for the article, American consumer culture causes individuals to care more about their personal possessio n than their internal well-being. Impact materialism in American history Benefits The impact of materialism is much evident in the American society where consumer culture has a strong foundation. History shows that materialism saved America from overproduction. It is true that America is one of the strongest economy in the world hence it is easy to associate it to materialism. Materialism can thrive in the economy because there is much resources to support the needs of the consumers. Consequently, materialism proves useful to American economy since the consumers have the urge of purchasing more and more allowing supply and demand to occur naturally. In chapter 5 of Lawrence volume collection, Durning asserts â€Å"materialism is caring about things and taking care of them meaning it isn’t necessarily a bad thing† (Glickman, p. 78). Durning is right owing to the present state of America which consumption drives it current economic system. Further, materialism have also contributed to the American economy being self sustaining and self regulating since the consumers are much interested in buying the products in the market. It is true that a product can only exist in the market if the consumers are willing to buy hence the benefit of materialism. History shows that after the World War I American society feared the emergence of overproduction since the consumers had no desire in buying the products . The only remedy was to train the society into being materialistic with subsequent desire to buy the products. There was need for shaping a new mentality whereby the desires of man would overshadow their needs hence the birth of materialism (Bussinessinsider, 2013). It is acknowledged that consumer culture is a very important recipe for economic growth, it make the people to perceive spending as a way of obtaining happiness and satisfaction that can be very helpful in the times of economic recession as they will continues to spend cushioning the economy f rom experiencing the pinch in a significant way. Consumer culture makes spending be a bonding experience, for example doing shopping together with the friends, peers, and age mates, it brings about a strong bonding culture (McLaren, and Torchinsky 57). Drawbacks One of the major disadvantages of materialism arising from consumer culture is its effect in causing poorer well-being. The people with high materialistic nature often appear to possess goal orientation that may ultimately impact the society negatively. Don Campbel in

Modelling Unknown System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Modelling Unknown System - Essay Example Finite impulse response filters known as Finite Impulse Response are fed forward or nonrecursive filters, which are stable since they have no feedback. Finite impulse response filters can have linear phase characteristic unlike the IIR making them a stable form of filter. However, these filters are not always the desired choice that is why they are facing out on the market. LMS is one of the two basic algorithms in the area of adaptive filtering; however, these algorithms in their simplest forms suffer from several drawbacks and limitations [4]. The convergence of LMS filters is flawed by two main problems: the spread of the eigenvalue correlation matrix of the input signal and the coupling between modes of convergence. Eigenvalue spread results in nonuniform speed of convergence for the filter values; mode coupling results in nonmonotonic trajectories toward convergence of coefficients of filter and in eigenvalue propagation of the disparity effects between the various modes. This l eads to irrecoverable instability problems in the finite impulse response filters. In order to improve on the normal LMS algorithm, alternative adaptive structures like the LMS lattice and the LMS frequency-domain are designed for mode coupling counteraction, though at the price of a greater non adjustment. Pre-whitening filters are proposed applications in system identification and time-delay estimation to reduce the eigenvalue spread consequences [4]. Yule-Walker equations and its mathematics as applied to solving the various problems. The equation is applied in the estimation of the autoregressive (AR) parameters of an observed AR process in time-series analysis, with varied applications that include: blind channel identification, speech analysis, signal detection, spectral estimation, adaptive filtering and speech coding. Yule-Walker equations are a classical tool for the estimation problem applied to autocorrelation [3]. When the driving noise is Gaussian, the estimate resultin g from solving the Yule-Walker equations with the correlations estimated coincides asymptotically. This occurs when the end effects are negligible with the maximum Likelihood (ML) estimate. This estimate is asymptotically unbiased and optimal in the sense of mean square estimation error, asymptotically attaining the Cram?er-Rao lower bound (CRLB) associated with it [3]. However, with non-Gaussian driven noise, the estimate resulting is no longer ML (maximum likelihood estimate) and may be far from the optimal. The derivation and computation of the ML estimate may then become computationally clumsy in some cases. For the case of a Gaussian-Mixture which is intractable, it is of interest, in such cases, to look for other, simpler estimates, which, although not optimal, may still offer significant improvement over the correlations based estimate [3]. Autocorrelation is the similarity between the observations and time of separation between signals. It is termed as the mathematical tool for determining repetitive patterns like periodic signals damped under noise. It is also used for locating and identifying the missing basic frequency in a signal implied by its harmonic frequencies, often used for processing of signals for analyzing functions [2]. Autocorrelation is used in processing of signal for evaluating the series of values and functions such as time domain signals. Autocorrelation

Edgar Degas, Women on the Terrace of a Cafe in the Evening Essay

Edgar Degas, Women on the Terrace of a Cafe in the Evening - Essay Example The essay "Edgar Degas, Women on the Terrace of a Cafe in the Evening" gives a review of Edgar Degas's art. This period is normally viewed as a bridge between modernity and the middle ages. It was characterized by the developments of music, philosophy, science and literature. Renaissance art was therefore developed for purposes of promoting this concept of the renaissance movement. Artists such as Donatello, Michellozzo, and Masaccio are some of the most famous French sculptors and artists responsible for promoting the renaissance movement. France is a country that was known for its unique artistic works. In the 19th century, a unique style of painting emerged in France, and it was called impressionism. These paintings were very unique in nature. This is mainly because they were promoting the contemporary style of living in France. This paper is an analysis of the painting by Degas, called, â€Å"Women on the Terrace of a Cafe in the Evening†. This painting by Edgar Davis is a n example of a painting that was done through the principles of impressionism, and this is because it promotes the ways of life, in the 19th century France. Impressionism was an artistic movement that began in Paris and thereafter, it did spread to other parts of the country. This movement was characterized by an emergence of an independent group of artists. These people were able to experience opposition from the traditional societies of art, in Paris. The artistic paintings of these people were characterized by the use of thin brushes.

Learning Disabilities and its Causes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6000 words

Learning Disabilities and its Causes - Essay Example If a child is diagnosed, it is necessary to trace back his history of activities to uncover the risk factors. Genetics is the most suspected cause of learning disabilities, while some cite a relationship to IQ. Surprisingly, there are those who believe that it is the result of too much television. Poor diet and lack of early childhood intervention are also attributable cases. Most people cite early intervention as the remedy, while half of the respondent erroneously believe that medication and mental health treatment is a solution. Common characteristics are classified under academic problems, attention disorders, poor motor abilities, psychological challenges, poor cognition, reading challenges, oral language problems, social skill dysfunction, and mathematical disorders. Even so, some students may only exhibit one of these characteristics, while some will still be successful in class even with some disabilities. Problems arise based on the duration, intensity, and quantity of the characteristics. Boys are more prone to girls to have a learning disability. To maintain attention, assignments should be in smaller segments, the time for each class should be increased gradually, prompts and verbal and written cues are essential. Finally, it is essential to teach students to identify and highlight information. Predictions, in form of pictures, graphs, headings, and subtitles can help a student activate prior knowledge before reading and increase attention. In addition, questions are necessary before reading to increase attention to important information. An advanced organizer can help focus on key material while self-monitoring and self-evaluation techniques are applicable for longer passages. Direct instruction helps to identify and instruct specific academic skills and the use of proven teaching techniques. This teacher-directed method ensures information is organized  and presented in an organized manner.  

The Reform of the Banking System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

The Reform of the Banking System - Essay Example led because there is a prevalence of risk about their existence that in the future again their performance might lead to economic and financial crisis. According to the President of the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank, Richard Fisher, the pseudo-banks and the large banks are difficult to manage due to their big size that creates problem in its supervision. The President is of the view that the costs that these banks impose are more than the advantages that people or society receives from their existence. The financial institutions which were considered â€Å"too big to fall† intensified the crisis in the past few years and had resulted in the fall of potential output and most importantly employment. Moreover, it is better to have several manageable units rather than one big unmanageable unit (Nutting, 2010). 1.2 Banks should not be broken up According to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the banks should not be broken up because the splitting policy could harm the role of the UK at the control of global finance. The present public anger should be tackled which is over the bankers’ larger bonuses by ensuring that the banks in the UK can still attract and employ top talents. The Independent Commission on Banking (ICB) was set up in Britain during the year 2010, whose responsibility was to analyse the probable shaking up of the industry after the credit crisis occurred and it found that top lenders such as Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland are in need of taxpayer bailout. It is believed by the CBI that breaking up the banks would be a mistake and they need to develop a strong system of banking that would help the economic growth as a whole. The views of the CBI are supportive if observed from the side that during the global financial crisis, many universal banks... This essay approves that the rules of the regulatory bodies regarding the penalties against the banks that violate the standards should be presented in stringent form to the bankers. The policy can be set in which the bankers get paid only for the returns on five to ten years of investment by the people. This will make the bankers to concentrate on the amount of risk when it develops and sells products. This paper makes a conclusion that Financial Crisis Responsibility Fee is incorporated by the government to earn the bailout cost. This is an earning of the government through tax that primarily performs two things. One is that it modifies the behaviour of the banks and the other is that it generates revenue for the government which can be used for reimbursing the taxpayers for bailout cost in the economy’s financial system. The tax would affect the bank behaviour in the sense that tax is more precisely termed as a payment of interest. In this case, it is paid after the occurrence of the disaster rather than before the occurrence. It can also be termed as a loan to the banking industry if the cost of the bailout is paid in full by the banks. They are only charged for certain direct and indirect costs such as the package of stimulus for helping the ruined economy. This arrangement would provide an assurance to the government that in case of occurrence of any financial crisis in the future where the government has to bail the banks out, the banks will not be able to escape payment of certain costs.

Famous Trial of Scott Lee Petersen Essay Example for Free

Famous Trial of Scott Lee Petersen Essay Born on October 2nd 1974 in San Diego California, Scott Lee Peterson, an American, was convicted of the murder of his 8-months pregnant wife, Laci Peterson, and their unborn son- Peter Conner. Â  Peterson’s parents were Lee Arthur Peterson and Jacqueline Helen Latham. Arthur was employed by a trucking company and later ventured into crate-packaging. Jacqueline owned the Put On boutique in La Jolla California. Lee Peterson was employed as a caddy at a golf course while schooling at the University of San Diego High School. The young Peterson was a golfer at school. He later attended California Polytechnic State University. Scott met Laci Rocha while working as a waiter at San Luis Obispo cafe as he was studying at California Polytechnic. Scott married Laci in August 1997. Scott and Arthur Peterson alleged that Phil Michelson was known to Scott. Arthur asserted that his son and Michelson were friends and that Scott abandoned his ambitions of being a professional golfer due to the fact that Scott couldn’t match Michelson’s prowess (Lee, 2004, 17). Mickelson said that he couldn’t remember Scott. Laci Peterson’s disappearance Laci was reported missing from their home in Modesto California on 24th December 2002 by Arthur Peterson. Laci was due to deliver on February 10th 2003. Scotts and Laci’s families, Scott and the Modesto community addressed press gatherings. A witness observed that Scott had initially said that he was golfing and later claimed that he was fishing at Berkeley marina when Laci disappeared. Laci’s and Conner’s bodies were discovered on different dates five kilometers from the place Scott was supposed to be fishing. Conner’s body was found on April 13th 2003 and Laci’s on April 14th. Peterson was not initially regarded as a prime suspect by the police mainly because Laci’s friends and family believed Peterson was innocent at the outset. Contradictions in Peterson’s statements later led police to grow suspicious of him. Petersons many extramarital affairs came to the fore on 17th January 2003, the latest being with Amber Frey, a massage expert. Frey sought police assistance when she learnt that Peterson was not honest with her since by lying to her about his marriage. Frey was suspicious of Peterson owing to the disappearance of his wife, the existence of whom he had hidden from Frey (http://crime.about.com/od/current/a/scott040718.htm). Laci’s family stopped presuming Scott’s innocence. The family was not incensed by the illicit affair but by Peterson’s statement to Frey that he had lost his wife and that he would be spending his first Christmas without a wife 15 days before Laci’s disappearance. Frey construed Scott’s statement to imply that he was a widower. The family was convinced that Scott had pre-planned Laci’s murder before her actual disappearance. Frey was recruited as a major witness against Peterson after she conceded to police taping of her subsequent conversations with Scott. The motive was to induce Scott to confess, an act he never did. Frey’ and Peterson’ phone conversations recordings were played at the trial and the transcripts made public. Peterson’s character was dented by the recordings which also deeply implicated Scott. It was adduced that Scott lied to Amber that he had traveled to Paris on holiday with his new partners Pasqual and Francois after Laci’s disappearance. However, Scott was actually attending Laci’s candlelit vigil at the New Year’s Eve when he had one of the conversations. Recovery of bodies A male fetus was found on 14th April 2003 on San Francisco Bay in Richmond’s Point Isabel region’s shoreline. The body had been washed ashore north of Berkeley Marina where Scott had been boating at the time of Laci’s disappearance. An incomplete female torso without feet, hands and head was washed ashore on April 15th in the same locality. The bodies were identified to be Laci’s and Conner’s but due to putrefaction autopsies couldn’t determine the exact time and cause of death. Laci had her 5th, 6th and 9th ribs broken before death, injuries not resulting from dragging of the body along the bay rocks. It was assumed that Laci had been strangled or suffocated in the Modesto home. The FBI and Modesto Police Department undertook forensic searches at the Modesto home, Scott’s tool box, Scott’s truck, his warehouse and his boat. The single evidence adduced was a single strand of hair presumed to be Laci’s on pliers found on Scott’s boat (Lee, 2004, 32). Peterson’s arrest Detective Taylor Burlingame arrested Scott on 18th April 2003 in La Jolla California at a golf course’s parking lot. Peterson alleged that he was due to play golf with his father and Zak O’regan, his brother, at Torrey Pines golf course. Several golf-irrelevant items were found on Scott at his arrest. Peterson had: 4 cell phones, $ 15,000 in cash, his family members credit cards, camping gear (knifes, food warming equipment, tarpaulins, tents, water purifier), twelve pairs of shoes, a gun, changes of clothing, a map to Frey’s workplace printed on the same day, a shovel, a T-handled double –edged knife, rope, Viagra, 24 packs of sleeping pills, and a brothers drivers license. Scoot had also dyed his hair and beard blond, but he alleged that the color resulted from chlorine after swimming at a friend’s pool. The said friend later asserted that Peterson had never used his pool or his hot tub. Police concluded that Peterson was planning to escape probably to Mexico (Posey, 2005, 50). The trial of Scott Peterson The Stanislaus County Public Defenders Office was assigned to be Peterson’s defense on Scott’s request. Kent Faulkner, Chief Deputy Public Defender and Maureen Keller, Deputy Public Defender, were the attorneys in the case. Later Peterson chose to hire attorney Mark Geragos as private counsel. Owing to mounting hostility to Scott and much media attention, Peterson’s trial was transferred from Modesto to Redwood City, California. The People of the State of California vs. Scott Peterson trial was opened in June 2004 with Rick Distaso as lead prosecutor. Amber Frey, the prosecution witness, hired attorney Gloria Allred, not subject to the gag order, to protect her privacy from the press. She held that Frey couldn’t confirm or deny Peterson’s guilty. Allred appeared severally on TV criticizing the defense thus displaying her solidarity with the prosecution (Graber, 1997, 5). Defense lawyers at Peterson’s case capitalized on the lack of evidence and quashed circumstantial evidence. They argued that Conner was a full-grown infant and suggested that somebody else had abducted Laci, detained her up to birth and dumped the two bodies. Geragos had Dr. Charles March to show that Conner died one week after the prosecutors’ time estimates. Â  The prosecutions’ medical team proved that Conner had not fully grown and that Laci and the baby died simultaneously. Geragos argued that a satanic cult had kidnapped the expectant woman. Peterson was viewed as an immoral person for cheating on his wife but not a murderer. One juror was eliminated earlier in the trial owing to misconduct and replaced by an alternate. This followed CourtTV’s complaint that Laci’s older brother, Brent Rocha and the juror exchanged words in court. Â  A video footage was shown to lend credence to these claims (http://crime.about.com/od/current/a/scott040718.htm). Gregory Jackson, a medical student and the jury foreman, was later removed on his request made during jury deliberations. Jackson could have asked to be removed because he was due for replacement although Geragos indicated that Jackson had been threatened. An alternate replaced Jackson. Peterson was found to be guilty of first-degree murder with special circumstances for killing his wife and second degree murder for killing Conner on 12th November 2004. The trial’s punishment period commenced on 30th November and ended on 13th December. The twelve-member jury recommended death sentence for Peterson on 13th December at 1:50 PM PST (Scott, 2008, 7). The jury indicated that Scott’s behavior particularly his lack of remorse and his phone conversation with Amber after Laci’s disappearance pointed to his guilt. The sentence was based on the many circumstantial evidence details deduced from the trial. Petersons absconding of his duty to protect his family also earned him the verdict. Evidence The evidence was purely circumstantial. Peterson altered his looks to camouflage himself from the press and purchased a car in his mother’s name. A day after Laci’s disappearance, Scott subscribed to 2 hardcore pornography TV channels, a pointer that he was sure his wife would not return. Scott wanted to sell the family home and he sold Laci’s land rover. A United States Hydrological Survey hydrologist, Ralph Cheng also a San Francisco Bay tides expert, and a witness said that tides aren’t violent enough to drown person. Cheng also couldn’t explain how the bodies were transported and deposited. Peterson’s affair with Amber and the conversations they had was also evidence for Scott’s guilt (Scott, 2008, 9). Motives The prosecution surmised that Peterson killed his wife owing to his affair with Amber. Increasing debt and a yearning to be free from coming family obligations could also be one of Scott’s motives. Sentencing Judge Alfred A. Delluchi sentenced Peterson to death by lethal injection on 16th march 2005. Defense’s requests for a re-trial pleading juror misconduct and media meddling in the earlier trial were quashed. Peterson was taken to San Quentin State Prison on 17th March 2005. His case is on automatic appeal to the Supreme Court of California in Sacramento. Legacy A TV film starring Dean Cain was aired in 2004. Amber Frey published a book detailing her experiences with Scott Peterson in January 2005. Richelle Nice, a member of jury in Scott’s case, is one of Peterson’s correspondents in prison. Â  Conclusion Since Petersons trial was based solely on circumstantial evidence, rules of natural justice dictate that a retrial should be done to try to adduce concrete evidence against Scott. The failure to determine the exact time and cause of Conner and Laci is also a pointer that Peterson’s case was not conclusive. Scott could be suffering innocently in prison.

Role and Functions of Law Essay Example for Free

Role and Functions of Law Essay The role of law functions in everyday business transactions and the surrounding societies. Melvin (2011) stated, â€Å"Law is a body of rules of action or conduct prescribed by controlling authority and having legal binding force† (p. 4). Role of law in a business and society are the same however can impact businesses differently. Kelly and Associates Insurance Group are compliant with many state and federal laws. Functions of Law Legal terms are often referred to as jargon or legalese. Law creates duties, obligations and rights that reflect accepted views of society. The U.S. Constitution includes the preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The function of law is to establish a structure of federal government to settle disputes by establishing rules. Separating of powers to maintain the order and resolve disputes, and protecting the liberties and the rights of the people. Most of the U.S. laws are set forth by the first three articles in the U.S Constitution containing the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch. Role of Law in Business and Society The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is an example of a recent role of law for public companies performing business. The main purpose of this act is to prevent fraudulent business activity. Internal controls established so one employee, who receives a bill and enters the invoice, should not be the same employee creating the check, signing it and mailing it out. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act passed as a law due to the scandals at Enron and WorldCom. These companies both filed bankruptcy, as they revealed that their financial reports were fraudulent. The function of law in society is to protect the liberty of the people. In chapter 2, case 2.1 Cipollone v. Liggett Group Inc. Cipollone filed suit against Liggett  violation of New Jersey consumer protections statutes. Melvin (2011) stated, â€Å"Congress’s broadest power is derived from the Commerce Clause whereby Congress is given the power to â€Å"regulate Commerce amount the several states† (p. 33). â€Å"Article VI of the U.S. Constitution provides that the laws of United States shall be the supreme Law of Land. Thus [†¦] it has been settled that state law that conflicts with federal law is ‘without effect.’ [†¦]† (Melvin, 2011). In this case, the state law was preempted as it conflicted with the federal law, therefore, dismissed. Cipollone’s mother had used Liggett’s products and passed away. Liggett was protected under federal statutes with the general surgeon’s warnings on their product. Kelly and Associates Insurance Group Functions in Law Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) regulates health-care providers, plans, and program administrators in gathering, storing, and disclosing medical information about individuals this is a well-known privacy protection act passed by Congress. Kelly and Associates Insurance Group is a third party administrator to many health insurance companies like CareFirst (BlueCross BlueSheild), Untied Healthcare, and Aetna. We are required by HIPPA laws to safeguard materials that have protected health information (PHI) readily available. PHI is a person’s name, geographic information, date elements, phone numbers, social security numbers, license numbers, or any medical information. Kelly and Associates Insurance Group are compliant with the HIPPA laws by having internal auditors. Random audits take place during the day and after working hours. The audits are a group of people who inspect any papers left out, check accessibility of PHI. In the event, information has been breached an affidavit is completed and report it to our compliance team for their completion of the violation. Each case is reviewed and depending on the severity of the violation Kelly and Associates Insurance Group, could be penalized or sued. Kelly and Associates Insurance Group have a service bureau payroll division that is working on reporting Affordable Care Act (ACA) hours. And generating reports to ensure their clients are compliant with the ACA requirements. Same-sex domestic partnership has been another law passed by federal and only some states recognize same-sex domestic partnership. The partner’s cost of insurance is considered taxable  and should be included as imputed income to the states that do not recognize same-sex marriages. Tax compliance laws occur in the payroll division as each state and federal regulations vary from their deposits and filing per client. The filing frequency is determined by the amount of reported wages through payroll; however it is always determined by the taxing authority. This information must be provided to the payroll division by the client due to the liability the payroll department could face as each taxing agency charges penalties and interest for late filing or incorrect filing frequencies. Conclusion Law is practiced many times a day by businesses and society. Without laws, the world would have no guidelines to follow. There would be no right, or wrongdoing, and there would be no justice for the people of United States. We are the people, the land of the free; with laws as guidelines to make U.S. a safer place. Laws are being established to better the business transactions and improve society’s quality of life. References: Melvin, S. P. (2011). The Legal Environment of Business. A Manageriel Approach: Theory to Practice. McGraw-Hill Company.

Acceptance of MNC Mutual Fund by IFAS

Acceptance of MNC Mutual Fund by IFAS Introduction Mutual fund is a trust that pools the savings of a number of investors who share a common financial goal. This pool of money is invested in accordance with a stated objective. The joint ownership of the fund is thus â€Å"Mutual†, i.e. the fund belongs to all investors. The money thus collected is then invested in capital market instruments such as shares, debentures and other securities. The income earned through these investments and the capital appreciations realized are shared by its unit holders in proportion the number of units owned by them. Thus a Mutual Fund is the most suitable investment for the common man as it offers an opportunity to invest in a diversified, professionally managed basket of securities at a relatively low cost. A Mutual Fund is an investment tool that allows small investors access to a well-diversified portfolio of equities, bonds and other securities. Each shareholder participates in the gain or loss of the fund. Units are issued and can be redee med as needed. The funds Net Asset value (NAV) is determined each day. Investments in securities are spread across a wide cross-section of industries and sectors and thus the risk is reduced. Diversification reduces the risk because all stocks may not move in the same direction in the same proportion at the same time. Mutual fund issues units to the investors in accordance with quantum of money invested by them. Investors of mutual funds are known as unit- holders. ORGANISATION OF MUTUAL FUND Mutual funds have a unique structure not shared with other entities such as companies of firms. It is important for employees agents to be aware of the special nature of this structure, because it determines the rights responsibilities of the funds constituents viz., sponsors, trustees, custodians, transfer agents of course, the fund the Asset Management Company(AMC) the legal structure also drives the inter-relationships between these constituents. The structure of the mutual fund India is governed by the SEBI (Mutual Funds) regulations, 1996. These regulations make it mandatory for mutual funds to have a structure of sponsor, trustee, AMC, custodian. The sponsor is the promoter of the mutual fund, appoints the trustees. The trustees are responsible to the investors in the mutual fund, appoint the AMC for managing the investment portfolio. The AMC is the business face of the mutual fund, as it manages all affairs of the mutual fund. The mutual fund the AMC have to be register ed with SEBI. Custodian, who is also registered with SEBI, holds the securities of various schemes of the fund in its custody. SEBI SEBI regulates mutual funds, depositories, custodians and registrars transfer agents in the country. The applicable guidelines for mutual funds are set out in SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996, as amended till date. An updated and comprehensive list of circulars issued by SEBI can be found in the Mutual Funds section of SEBIs website. Some segments of the financial markets have their own independent regulatory bodies. Wherever applicable, mutual funds need to comply with these other regulators also. For instance, RBI regulates the money market and foreign exchange market in the country. Therefore, mutual funds need to comply with RBIs regulations regarding investment in the money market, investments outside the country, investments from people other than Indians resident in India, remittances (inward and outward) of foreign currency etc. Stock Exchanges are regulated by SEBI. Every stock exchange has its own listing, trading and margining rules. Mutual Funds need to comply with the rules of the exchanges with which they choose to have a business relationship. Anyone who is aggrieved by a ruling of SEBI, can file an appeal with the Securities Appellate Tribunal. Sponsor: The sponsor is the promoter of the mutual fund. The sponsor establishes the Mutual fund registers the same with SEBI. He appoints the trustees, Custodians the AMC with prior approval of SEBI, in accordance with SEBI regulations. He must have at least five year track record of business interest in the financial markets. Sponsor must have been profit making in at least three of the above five years. He must contribute at least 40% of the capital of the AMC. Trustees: The Mutual Fund may be managed by a Board of trustees of individuals, or a trust company a corporate body. Most of the funds in India are managed by board of trustees. While the board of trustees is governed by the provisions of the Indian trust act, where the trustee is the corporate body, it would also be required to comply with the provisions of the companies act, 1956. The board of trustee company, as an independent body, act as protector of the unit holders interest. The trustees dont directly manage the portfolio of securities. For this specialist function, they appoint an AMC. They ensure that the fund is managed by AMC as per the defined objectives in accordance with the trust deed SEBI regulations. The trust is created through a document called the trust deed i.e., executed by the fund sponsor in favor of the trustees. The trust deed is required to be stamped as registered under the provision of the Indian registration act registered with SEBI. The trustees begin the pri mary guardians of the unit holders funds assets; a trustee has to be a person of high repute integrity. Custodian: Often an independent organization, it takes custody all securities other assets of mutual fund. Its responsibilities include receipt delivery of securities collecting income-distributing dividends, safekeeping of the unit segregating assets settlements between schemes. Mutual fund is managed either trust company board of trustees. Board of trustees trust are governed by provisions of Indian trust act. If trustee is a company, it is also subject Indian Company Act. Trustees appoint AMC in consultation with the sponsors according to SEBI regulation. All mutual fund schemes floated by AMC have to be approved by trustees. Trustees review ensure that net worth of the company is according to stipulated norms, every quarter. Though the trust is the mutual fund, the AMC is its operational face. The AMC is the first functionary to be appointed, is involved in appointment of all other functionaries. The AMC structures the mutual fund products, markets them mobilizes fund, manages the funds services to the investors. Other Service Providers RTA The RTA maintains investor records. Their offices in various centres serve as Investor Service Centres (ISCs), which perform a useful role in handling the documentation of investors. The appointment of RTA is done by the AMC. It is not compulsory to appoint a RTA. The AMC can choose to handle this activity in house. All RTAs need to register with SEBI. Auditors Auditors are responsible for the audit of accounts. Accounts of the schemes need to be maintained independent of the accounts of the AMC. The auditor appointed to audit the scheme accounts needs to be different from the auditor of the AMC. While the scheme auditor is appointed by the Trustees, the AMC auditor is appointed by the AMC. Fund Accountants The fund accountant performs the role of calculating the NAV, by collecting information about the assets and liabilities of each scheme. The AMC can either handle this activity in-house, or engage a service provider. Collecting Bankers The investors moneys go into the bank account of the scheme they have invested in. These bank accounts are maintained with collection bankers who are appointed by the AMC. Leading collection bankers make it convenient to invest in the schemes by accepting applications of investors in most of their branches. Payment instruments against applications handed over to branches of the AMC or the RTA need to be banked with the collecting bankers, so that the moneys are available for investment by the scheme. Through this kind of a mix of constituents and specialized service providers, most mutual funds maintain high standards of service and safety for investors. Distributors Distributors have a key role in selling suitable types of units to their clients i.e. the investors in the schemes. Distributors need to pass the prescribed certification test, and register with AMFI. Asset Management Company (AMC) Day to day operations of asset management are handled by the AMC. It therefore arranges for the requisite offices and infrastructure, engages employees, provides for the requisite software, handles advertising and sales promotion, and interacts with regulators and various service providers. The AMC has to take all reasonable steps and exercise due diligence to ensure that the investment of funds pertaining to any scheme is not contrary to the provisions of the SEBI regulations and the trust deed. Further, it has to exercise due diligence and care in all its investment decisions. As per SEBI regulations: The directors of the asset management company need to be persons having adequate professional experience in finance and financial services related field. The directors as well as key personnel of the AMC should not have been found guilty of moral turpitude or convicted of any economic offence or violation of any securities laws. Key personnel of the AMC should not have worked for any asset management company or mutual fund or any intermediary during the period when its registration was suspended or cancelled at any time by SEBI. Prior approval of the trustees is required, before a person is appointed as director on the board of the AMC. Further, at least 50% of the directors should be independentdirectors i.e. not associate of or associated with the sponsor or anyof its subsidiaries or the trustees. The AMC needs to have a minimum net worth of Rs10 crores. An AMC cannot invest in its own schemes, unless the intention to invest is disclosed in the Offer Document. Further, the AMC cannot charge any fees for the investment. The appointment of an AMC can be terminated by a majority of the trustees, or by 75% of the Unit-holders. However, any change in the AMC is subject to prior approval of SEBI and the Unit-holders. Asset Management Companies In India INDIAN AMCs Axis Asset Management Company Ltd. Baroda Pioneer Asset Management Company Limited Birla Sun Life Asset Management Co. Ltd. Canara Robeco Asset Management Co. Ltd. DSP BlackRock Investment Managers Ltd. Edelweiss Asset Management Limited Escorts Asset Management Ltd. HDFC Asset Management Co. Ltd. ICICI Prudential Asset Management Co. Ltd. IDBI Asset Management Ltd. IDFC Asset Management Company Private Limited J.M. Financial Asset Management Private Ltd. LIC Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. LT Investment Management Limited Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Co. Ltd. Motilal Oswal Asset Management Co. Ltd. Peerless Funds Management Co. Ltd. Quantum Asset Management Co. Private Ltd. Reliance Capital Asset Management Ltd. Religare Asset Management Company Private Limited Sahara Asset Management Co. Private Ltd. SBI Funds Management Private Ltd. Sundaram Asset Management Company Limited Tata Asset Management Ltd. Taurus Asset Management Co. Ltd. UTI Asset Management Company Ltd. MNC AMCs AIG Global Asset Management Company (India) Private Ltd. Bharti AXA Investment Managers Private Limited BNP Paribas Asset Management India Private Limited Daiwa Asset Management (India) Private Limited Deutsche Asset Management (India) Private Ltd. FIL Fund Management Private Ltd. Fortis Investment Management (India) Pvt. Ltd. Franklin Templeton Asset Management (India) Private Ltd. Goldman Sachs Asset Management (India) Private Limited HSBC Asset Management (India) Private Ltd. ING Investment Management (India) Private Ltd. JP Morgan Asset Management (India) Private Ltd. Mirae Asset Global Investments (India) Private Ltd. Morgan Stanley Investment Management Private Ltd. Principal PNB Asset Management Co. Private Ltd. Pramerica Asset Managers Private Limited Mutual Fund Industry in India The Evolution The formation of Unit Trust of India marked the evolution of the Indian mutual fund industry in the year 1963. The primary objective at that time was to attract the small investors and it was made possible through the collective efforts of the Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India. The history of mutual fund industry in India can be better understood divided into following phases: Phase 1. Establishment and Growth of Unit Trust of India 1964-87 Unit Trust of India enjoyed complete monopoly when it was established in the year 1963 by an act of Parliament. UTI was set up by the Reserve Bank of India and it continued to operate under the regulatory control of the RBI until the two were de-linked in 1978 and the entire control was transferred in the hands of Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI). UTI launched its first scheme in 1964, named as Unit Scheme 1964 (US-64), which attracted the largest number of investors in any single investment scheme over the years. UTI launched more innovative schemes in 1970s and 80s to suit the needs of different investors. It launched ULIP in 1971 and six more schemes during 1981-84, Childrens Gift Growth Fund and India Fund (Indias first offshore fund) in 1986, Mastershare (Indias first equity diversified scheme) in 1987 and Monthly Income Schemes (offering assured returns) during 1990s. By the end of 1987, UTIs assets under management grew ten times to Rs 6700 crores. Phase II. Entry of Public Sector Funds 1987-1993 The Indian mutual fund industry witnessed a number of public sector players entering the market in the year 1987. In November 1987, SBI Mutual Fund from the State Bank of India became the first non-UTI mutual fund in India. SBI Mutual Fund was later followed by Canbank Mutual Fund, LIC Mutual Fund, Indian Bank Mutual Fund, Bank of India Mutual Fund, GIC Mutual Fund and PNB Mutual Fund. By 1993, the assets under management of the industry increased seven times to Rs. 47,004 crores. However, UTI remained to be the leader with about 80% market share. Phase III. Emergence of Private Sector Funds 1993-96 The permission given to private sector funds including foreign fund management companies (most of them entering through joint ventures with Indian promoters) to enter the mutual fund industry in 1993, provided a wide range of choice to investors and more competition in the industry. Private funds introduced innovative products, investment techniques and investor-servicing technology. By 1994-95, about 11 private sector funds had launched their schemes. Phase IV. Growth and SEBI Regulation 1996-2004 The mutual fund industry witnessed robust growth and stricter regulation from the SEBI after the year 1996. The mobilisation of funds and the number of players operating in the industry reached new heights as investors started showing more interest in mutual funds. Investors interests were safeguarded by SEBI and the Government offered tax benefits to the investors in order to encourage them. SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 was introduced by SEBI that set uniform standards for all mutual funds in India. The Union Budget in 1999 exempted all dividend incomes in the hands of investors from income tax. Various Investor Awareness Programmes were launched during this phase, both by SEBI and AMFI, with an objective to educate investors and make them informed about the mutual fund industry. In February 2003, the UTI Act was repealed and UTI was stripped of its Special legal status as a trust formed by an Act of Parliament. The primary objective behind this was to bring all mutual fund players on the same level. UTI was re-organised into two parts: The Specified Undertaking, The UTI Mutual Fund Presently Unit Trust of India operates under the name of UTI Mutual Fund and its past schemes (like US-64, Assured Return Schemes) are being gradually wound up. However, UTI Mutual Fund is still the largest player in the industry. Phase V. Growth and Consolidation 2004 Onwards The industry has also witnessed several mergers and acquisitions recently, examples of which are acquisition of schemes of Alliance Mutual Fund by Birla Sun Life, Sun FC Mutual Fund and PNB Mutual Fund by Principal Mutual Fund. Simultaneously, more international mutual fund players have entered India like Fidelity, Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund etc. There were 29 funds as at the end of March 2006. This is a continuing phase of growth of the industry through consolidation and entry of new international and private sector players. Key Developments over the Years The mutual fund industry in India has come a long way. Significant spurts in size were noticed in the late 80s, when public sector mutual funds were first permitted, and then in the mid-90s, when private sector mutual funds commenced operations. In the last few years, institutional distributors increased their focus on mutual funds. The emergence of stock exchange brokers as an additional channel of distribution, the continuing growth in convenience arising out of technological developments and higher financial literacy in the market should drive the growth of mutual funds in future.AUM of the industry, as of February 2010 has touched Rs 766,869 crores from 832 schemes offered by 38 mutual funds. In some advanced countries, mutual fund AUM is a multiple of bank deposits. In India, mutual fund AUM is hardly 10% of bank deposits. This is indicative of the immense potential for growth of the industry. The high proportion of AUM in debt, largely from institutional investors is not in line with the role of mutual funds, which is to channelize retail money into transforming mutual funds into a truly retail vehicle of capital mobilization for the larger benefit of the economy the capital market. Various regulatory measures to reduce the costs and increase the conveniences for investors are aimed at. ADVANTAGES OF MUTUAL FUND Professional Management Mutual funds offer investors the opportunity to earn an income or build their wealth through professional management of their investible funds. There are several aspects to such professional management viz. investing in line with the investment objective, investing based on adequate research, and ensuring that prudent investment processes are followed.   Affordable Portfolio Diversification Units of a scheme give investors exposure to a range of securities held in the investment portfolio of the scheme. Thus, even a small investment of Rs 5,000 in a mutual fund scheme can give investors a diversified investment portfolio. With diversification, an investor ensures that all the eggs are not in the same basket. Consequently, the investor is less likely to lose money on all the investments at the same time. Thus, diversification helps reduce the risk in investment. In order to achieve the same diversification as a mutual fund scheme, investors will need to set apart several lakhs of rupees. Instead, they can achieve the diversification through an investment of a few thousand rupees in a mutual fund scheme.   Economies of Scale The pooling of large sums of money from so many investors makes it possible for the mutual fund to engage professional managers to manage the investment. Individual investors with small amounts to invest cannot, by themselves, afford to engage such professional management. Large investment corpus leads to various other economies of scale. For instance, costs related to investment research and office space get spread across investors. Further, the higher transaction volume makes it possible to negotiate better terms with brokers, bankers and other service providers.   Liquidity At times, investors in financial markets are stuck with a security for which they cant find a buyer worse; at times they cant find the company they invested in! Such investments, whose value the investor cannot easily realise in the market, are technically called illiquid investments and may result in losses for the investor. Investors in a mutual fund scheme can recover the value of the moneys invested, from the mutual fund itself. Depending on the structure of the mutual fund scheme, this would be possible, either at any time, or during specific intervals, or only on closure of the scheme. Schemes where the money can be recovered from the mutual fund only on closure of the scheme, are listed in a stock exchange. In such schemes, the investor can sell the units in the stock exchange to recover the prevailing value of the investment.   Tax benefits Specific schemes of mutual funds (Equity Linked Savings Schemes) give investors the benefit of deduction of the amountinvested, from their income that is liable to tax. This reduces theirtaxable income, and therefore the tax liability. Further, the dividend that the investor receives from the scheme is tax-free in his hands.   Investment Comfort Once an investment is made with a mutual fund, they make it convenient for the investor to make further purchases with very little documentation. This simplifies subsequent investment activity.   Convenient Options The options offered under a scheme allow investors to structure their investments in line with their liquidity preference and tax position.   Regulatory Comfort The regulator, Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has mandated strict checks and balances in the structure of mutual funds and their activities. These are detailed in the subsequent units. Mutual fund investors benefit from such protection. LIMITATIONS OF MUTUAL FUND   Lack of portfolio customization Some securities houses offer Portfolio Management Schemes to large investors. In a PMS, the investor has better control over what securities are bought and sold on his behalf. On the other hand, a unit-holder is just one of several thousand investors in a scheme. Once a unit-holder has bought into the scheme, investment management is left to the fund manager (within the broad parameters of the investment objective). Thus, the unit-holder cannot influence what securities or investments the scheme would buy. Large sections of investors lack the time or the knowledge to be able to make portfolio choices. Therefore, lack of portfolio customization is not a serious limitation in most cases.   Choice overload Over 800 mutual fund schemes offered by 38 mutual funds and multiple options within those schemes make it difficult for investors to choose between them. Greater dissemination of industry information through various media and availability of professional advisors in the market should help investors handle this overload.   No control over costs All the investors moneys are pooled together in a scheme. Costs incurred for managing the scheme are shared by all the Unit holders in proportion to their holding of Units in the scheme. Therefore, an individual investor has no control over the costs in a scheme. SEBI has however imposed certain limits on the expenses that can be charged to any scheme. These limits vary with the size of assets and the nature of the scheme.   No guarantees No investment is risk free. If the entire stock market declines in value, the value of mutual fund shares will go down as well, no matter how balanced the portfolio. Investors encounter fewer risks when they invest in mutual funds than when they buy and sell stocks on their own. However, anyone who invests through a mutual fund runs the risk of losing money.   Management risk When you invest in a mutual fund, you depend on the funds manager to make the right decisions regarding the funds portfolio. If the manager does not perform as well as we had hoped, we might not make as much money on our investment as we expected. However, if we invest in Index Funds, we forego management risk, because these funds do not employ fund managers. TYPES OF MUTUAL FUND Equity Funds are considered to be the more risky funds as compared to other fund types, but they also provide higher returns than other funds. It is advisable that an investor looking to invest in an equity fund should invest for long term i.e. for 3 years or more. There are different types of equity funds each falling into different risk bracket. In the order of decreasing risk level, there are following types of equity funds: Aggressive Growth Funds In Aggressive Growth Funds, fund managers aspire for maximum capital appreciation and invest in less researched shares of speculative nature. Because of these speculative investments Aggressive Growth Funds become more volatile and thus, are prone to higher risk than other equity funds. Growth Funds Growth Funds also invest for capital appreciation (with time horizon of 3 to 5 years) but they are different from Aggressive Growth Funds in the sense that they invest in companies that are expected to outperform the market in the future. Without entirely adopting speculative strategies, Growth Funds invest in those companies that are expected to post above average earnings in the future. Speciality Funds Speciality Funds have stated criteria for investments and their portfolio comprises of only those companies that meet their criteria. Criteria for some speciality funds could be to invest/not to invest in particular regions/companies. Speciality funds are concentrated and thus, are comparatively riskier than diversified funds. There are following types of speciality funds: i. Sector Funds: Speciality Funds have stated criteria for investments and their portfolio comprises of only those companies that meet their criteria. Criteria for some speciality funds could be to invest/not to invest in particular regions/companies. Speciality funds are concentrated and thus, are comparatively riskier than diversified funds.. There are following types of speciality funds: ii. Foreign Securities Funds: Foreign Securities Equity Funds have the option to invest in one or more foreign companies. Foreign securities funds achieve international diversification and hence they are less risky than sector funds. However, foreign securities funds are exposed to foreign exchange rate risk and country risk. iii. Mid-Cap or Small-Cap Funds: Funds that invest in companies having lower market capitalization than large capitalization companies are called Mid-Cap or Small-Cap Funds. Market capitalization of Mid-Cap companies is less than that of big, blue chip companies (less than Rs. 2500 crores but more than Rs. 500 crores) and Small-Cap companies have market capitalization of less than Rs. 500 crores. Market Capitalization of a company can be calculated by multiplying the market price of the companys share by the total number of its outstanding shares in the market. The shares of Mid-Cap or Small-Cap Companies are not as liquid as of Large-Cap Companies which gives rise to volatility in share prices of these companies and consequently, investment gets risky. iv. Option Income Funds: While not yet available in India, Option Income Funds write options on a large fraction of their portfolio. Proper use of options can help to reduce volatility, which is otherwise considered as a risky instrument. These funds invest in big, high dividend yielding companies, and then sell options against their stock positions, which generate stable income for investors. Diversified Equity Funds Except for a small portion of investment in liquid money market, diversified equity funds invest mainly in equities without any concentration on a particular sector(s). These funds are well diversified and reduce sector-specific or company-specific risk. However, like all other funds diversified equity funds too are exposed to equity market risk. One prominent type of diversified equity fund in India is Equity Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS). As per the mandate, a minimum of 90% of investments by ELSS should be in equities at all times. ELSS investors are eligible to claim deduction from taxable income (up to Rs 1 lakh) at the time of filing the income tax return. ELSS usually has a lock-in period and in case of any redemption by the investor before the expiry of the lock-in period makes him liable to pay income tax on such income(s) for which he may have received any tax exemption(s) in the past. Equity Index Funds Equity Index Funds have the objective to match the performance of a specific stock market index. The portfolio of these funds comprises of the same companies that form the index and is constituted in the same proportion as the index. Equity index funds that follow broad indices (like SP CNX Nifty, Sensex) are less risky than equity index funds that follow narrow sectoral indices (like BSEBANKEX or CNX Bank Index etc). Narrow indices are less diversified and therefore, are more risky. Value Funds Value Funds invest in those companies that have sound fundamentals and whose share prices are currently under-valued. The portfolio of these funds comprises of shares that are trading at a low Price to Earning Ratio (Market Price per Share / Earning per Share) and a low Market to Book Value (Fundamental Value) Ratio. Value Funds may select companies from diversified sectors and are exposed to lower risk level as compared to growth funds or speciality funds. Value stocks are generally from cyclical industries (such as cement, steel, sugar etc.) which make them volatile in the short-term. Therefore, it is advisable to invest in Value funds with a long-term time horizon as risk in the long term, to a large extent, is reduced. Equity Income or Dividend Yield Funds The objective of Equity Income or Dividend Yield Equity Funds is to generate high recurring income and steady capital appreciation for investors by investing in those companies which issue high dividends (such as Power or Utility companies whose share prices fluctuate comparatively lesser than other companies share prices). Equity Income or Dividend Yield Equity Funds are generally exposed to the lowest risk level as compared to other equity funds. Money Market / Liquid Funds invest in short-term (maturing within one year) interest bearing debt instruments. These securities are highly liquid and provide safety of investment, thus making money market / liquid funds the safest investment option when compared with other mutual fund types. However, even money market

Translating Cultural Subtext in Modern Korean Fiction :: Free Essays Online

Translating Cultural Subtext in Modern Korean Fiction Translation as an Act of Bridging Two Cultures Literary translation can be described in many ways. In the first place we can think of it as retelling, in that we take a Korean story and tell it in English. In retelling the story we make it public. This means we have an audience, either readers of our translation or listeners of a public reading of that translation. Public readings are an important way of disseminating a translation. And in the case of Korea, readings have a special relevance. In premodern times improvised poems were often shared during gatherings of literati. Even today poetry readings are not uncommon in Korea (though readings of fiction are rare--a vestige of the greater esteem traditionally attached to poetry by Koreans?). Retelling is an especially apt approach to translation when we translate an author such as Pak Wan-sà ´, whose narrators often sound as if they are speaking directly to the reader. Second, we can think of translating as an act of re-creating, in the sense that translators produce something that is recognized as literature (whatever that is--anyone who has read the first chapter of Terry Eagleton’s Literary Theory will realize how difficult it is to precisely define literature). Translation can also be thought of as reenacting. Here I draw on the Lacanian notion of retrieving a lost narrative of our life. Translators may be thought of as taking part as a silent observer, or, to borrow the title of a Joseph Conrad story, as a â€Å"secret sharer,† in the stories they reenact. Finally, translation is a joint enterprise between translator and author. As such, it is desirable to have a good match between author and translator. Such a match often manifests itself as a similarity of aesthetic outlook and a shared commitment to the author’s works. In this joint enterprise the translator is a kind of medium. JaHyun Kim Haboush reports, for example, that the voice of Lady Hong rang in her head for years as she translated that princess’s memoirs, the Hanjungnok. Other translators have described this phenomenon as a merging of themselves with the persona of their author. The late Marshall R. Pihl reported having such an experience while translating stories by O Yà ´ng-su; I myself have had a similar experience in translating stories by Hwang Sun-wà ´n and O Chà ´ng-hà »i.

The Good and Bad of R.A.T. Theory. Essay -- Essays Papers

The Good and Bad of R.A.T. Theory. Why do people commit crime? It depends on who you ask and how you look at it, also what you define crime as. There are many theories out there about why people commit crime. One of these theories is Routine Activities Theory. Routine activities theory was first articulated in a series of papers by Lawrence Cohen and Marcus Felson. Crime and victimization involve the intersection of three factors: targets, guardians, and motive. The following quote gives a description of these three motives. Cohen and Felson assume that both the motivation to commit crime and the supply of offenders are constant. Every society will always have some people who are willing to break the law for revenge, greed, or some other motive. The volume and distribution of predatory crime (violent crimes against a person and crimes in which an offender attempts to steal an object directly) are closely related to the interaction of three variables that reflect the routine activities of the typical American lifestyle: 1. The availability of suitable targets, such as homes containing easily salable goods. 2. The absence of capable guardians, such as police, homeowners, neighbors, friends, and relatives, 3. The presence of motivated offenders, such as large number of unemployed teenagers. The presence of these components increases the likelihood that predatory crime will take place. Targets are more likely to be victimized if they are poorly guarded and exposed to a large group of motivated offenders such as teenage boys. Cohen and Felson argue that crime rates increased between 1960 and 1980 because the number of adult caretakers at home during the day... ...case doctors blames victims.† South China Morning Post Ltd. 29 Nov. 2002. Ragsdale, Shirley. â€Å"Anger against someone who looks like an Arab is misdirected† The Des Moines Register Online. 21 Nov. 2001. Siegel, Larry J. Criminology: The Core. Wadsworth/Thomson Learning. United Sates. 2002. Witosky, Tom. â€Å"Pierce deal: Positive Step for Victims?† The Des Moines Register Online. 11 Nov. 2002.

Challenges in HRM Essay

The main purpose of this article is to define the five major challenges in HRM. With the constant employee demands and constant negative consequences for employees, there has always been a need to satisfy them and provide them with benefits. HRM or human resource management is what looks into these types of issues and it focus on managing them efficiently and appropriately. The goal of this process addresses the most beneficial way to support employees while achieving results. Due to that reason, specific things need to be thought about thoroughly and plans must be made to asses those things. With this always comes challenges and in an article posted on Forbes, five of these challenges are put into perspective and they are explained with an enough detail to understand the reasons for focusing on theses specific issues. The key question that the author (s) is addressing is What it takes to be a good Leader and what are the top challenges for HRM to develop those leaders. Leadership skills are very important in today’s society and in every business. Being a leader is in itself a challenge. The most important information in this article is: Developing and retaining the best leaders is going to be one of the most important roles for Human Resources. The HR department has a clear role in this process and what it takes to determine the success of the organization. The main point(s) of view presented in this article are the challenges in HRM. The first two challenges are the investment in leadership development and to create a culture of collaboration. The reason for investing in leadership development is because it helps the best employees attain those necessary attributes to become a good leader. Some of these training includes something like a worthy education program through universities. Although this type of training might end up being expensive, the results of this investment are more beneficial than anything else. Helping the employees achieve their potential has a leader creates more leaders with improved skills and capabilities. Next challenge that is addressed is the need for a culture within the workplace that is based on collaboration. Individual improvement is not sufficient enough to have a successful group of employees. Building a need for collaboration will help  those leaders work with other employees in a more efficient man ner. Collaboration can help a group of workers to do things as a unit and preferably reap better results. These are just two of the challenges in human resource managing that should be focused on in a business that will eventually lead to a better functioning staff. Managing these matters in the best way for the company is necessary and a significant part of HRM. The next two challenges presented in HRM are developing communicating skills and accountability. Having leaders and employees with good communication skills is a must and training should be given to those who lack in the skill. Without proper communication a team bond is harder to form and trust will also be hard to achieve. Leaders that have good communicating skills are able to build this type of unity in a group of workers which may help improve productivity from everyone. It is also a good thing to make sure that the standard for this type of skill is high. Employees, especially leaders, should always be looking for constant ways to improve how they communicate with other co-workers. The key concept we need to understand in this article is that: Leadership constantly presents challenges both to the leader’s abilities and to a person. Things change, change brings challenge, and no matter how good a leader, they can’t stop that from happening. How leaders handles those challenges will define them as a leader and have a great deal to do with how effective they can be. Some challenges come in the form of people or problems that present obstacles to reaching a goal. Far more come from within the leader itself, or from the situation of simply being a leader. Every leader must face many of those challenges and learn to deal with them in some way. The main conclusion in the article is: Leaders and HRM personnel need to raise awareness of the challenges that they are facing and the responsibilities that they have to develop the future leaders. References 5 Great Challenges Ahead For HR And Leaders – Forbes. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/meghanbiro/2012/11/11/5-greatest-challenges-ahead

After Many a Summer Dies the Swan by Aldous Huxley

Aldous Huxley was an English fiction and non-fiction writer, novelist and critic. Besides novels he published travel books, histories, poems, plays, and essays on philosophy, arts, sociology, religion and morÄ ls He was a humanist, pacifist and satirist. He was interested in spiritual subjects as parapsychology and philosophical mysticism. His lifelong preoccupation with the negative and positive impacts of science and technology life makes him one of the representative writers and intellectuals of the 20th-century. Aldous Leonard Huxley was born on 26 of July in 1894, in Godalming, Surrey, England. His family was a part of English intellectual elite.Aldous’ grandfather was the great biologist, agnostic and controversialist Thomas Henry Huxley, who helped develop the theory of evolution. His mother was sister of Mrs. Humphrey Ward, the novelist and niece of Matthew Arnold, the poet. He had three brothers, two of them – Julian Huxley and Andrew Huxley were outstanding biologists. His third brother Noel Trevelyan Huxley committed suicide after a period of clinical depression. Huxley’s heritage and upbringing had an effect on his work. He attended Hillside school, after that he was educated at Eton College, Berkshire, and after his eyesight recovered (he had keratitis punctata which left him practically blind for two years, but it also saved him from participation in the World War I), he was able to study English literature at Balliol College, Oxford.Already then he entered the literary world while he was at Oxford, meeting writers like Lytton Strachey and Bertrand Russell and becoming close friends with D. H. Lawrence After graduation he was financially indebted to his father, that’s why he became a French teacher, but he couldn’t keep discipline. He worked also at Air Ministry and Brunner and Mond chemical plant in Billingham. In 1920-21 he worked as a drama critic for Westminster Gazette and an assistant at the Chelsea Book Club and the Condà © Nast Publications. He married Maria Nys in 1919.Their only child, Matthew Huxley, was born in 1920. The family divided their time between London and Europe, mostly Italy and France, in the 1920s, and traveled around the world in 1925 and 1926, seeing India and making a first visit to the United States. He moved in 1937 with the guru-figure Gerald Heard to the United  States, believing that the Californian climate would help his eyesight, which caused him problems all the time. A year later he with his family moved to Hollywood, where he became a screenwriter (among his films were also adaptations of Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice).In the 1950s Huxley became famous for his interest in psychedelic or mind-expanding drugs like mescaline and LSD, which he apparently took a dozen times over ten years. In 1955died his wife Maria Huxley, and a year later hemarried Laura Archera. He died November 22, 1963, the same day that President John F. Kennedy was assassin ated. He was cremated, and his ashes were buried in his parents' grave in England. In 1961 he suffered a severe loss when his house and his papers were totally destroyed in a bush-fire. On his deathbed, unable to speak, Huxley made a written request to his wife Laura for â€Å"LSD, 100  µg, intramuscular†. Huxley died aged 69, on 22 of November, in 1963.Media coverage of Huxley's passing was overshadowed by the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the death of the British author C. S. Lewis, alln on the same day. Huxley's ashes were interred in the family grave at the Watts Cemetery, home of the Watts Mortuary Chapel in Compton, England. Aldous Huxley produced 47 books in his long career as a writer. His most famous novels are Brand New World, Eyeless in Gaza, Ape and Essence, Island and After Many a Summer dies the Swan.The English critic Anthony Burgess has said that he equipped the novel with a brain. Other critics objected that he was a better essayist than no velist precisely because he cared more about his ideas than about plot or characters, and his novels' ideas often get in the way of the story.Novel After Many a Smmer Dies the Swan was written in 1939. Aldous had lived and worked in California for a year, so this satirical novel caricatures what he had seen as a strange life there. The novel won Huxley that year's James Tait Black Memorial Prize for fiction. In 1959 the American Academy of Arts and Letters gave him the Award of Merit for the Novel, a prize given every five years; earlier recipients had been Ernest Hemingway, Thomas Mann, and Theodore Dreiser. I need to confess, that I had never heard of this author and his novel before. In search of it, I decided that I want to read a work in original languageband because it is also a language course, I wanted to find something in English, that I haven’t heard about, that I don’t have an opinion about. Something that can challenge me.In spite that this author’s most famous novel is Brand New  World, I chosed After Many a Summer Dies the Swan, because this title intrigued me. I must say, that I don’t feel disappointed after reading this novel and I found very much quotations which made me to THINK more about THINGS. The action in this novel revolves around characters which are brought together by a Hollywood millionaire Jo Stoyte, who is in his sixities, after strokes and conscious of his mortality. In order to keep an eye on him and cure him, he has hired Dr. Sigmund Obispo, which is interested in researching the secrets of longlivity and no idications of obsolescence in animals, and his assistant Peter Boone.Mr. Stoyte is supporting Dr. Obispos’ research. Mr. Jeremy Pordage is an English archivist and literature expert, who is brought by Mr. Stoyte from England in order to archive a rare collection of books. Mr. Pordage's presence highlights Mr. Stoyte's shallow attitude towards the precious works of art, that he can affor d himself. Virginia Mounciple is Mr. Stoyte’s twenty-two year old mistress, who gives pleasure to the old man, secretly likes Dr. Obispo, and who’s young assistant Peter is in love with. Mr. Propter is Jo Stoyte’s neighbour, who is only one of the characters who achieves success and happiness, without upsetting anyone ar creating evil. All these characters have different life philosophies.Dr. Obispo places great faith in science and medicine as saviours of humankind. He sees everyone as a stepping stone to science, the greater good. According to Propter's philosophy, he is trapped in ego-based â€Å"human† behaviour that prevents him from reaching enlightenment. Dr. Obispo seduces Virginia in a characteristically egotistical way. She is unable to resist him despite her loyalty to Mr. Stoyte. When she is found out by Stoyte, he wants to kill Dr. Obispo, but accidentally kills Peter instead. Dr. Obispo covers up the act for money and continued research supp ort. This takes him, along with Virginia and Stoyte, to Europe, where they find an immortal human, the Fifth Earl of Gonister, who is 200 years old and still alive, but who now resembles an ape.Mr. Stoyte can not grasp that transcendence or goodness should be one's ultimate goal, rather than prevention of death, and expresses his wish to undergo treatment so that he too will live forever. The story works scientific knowledge into a more traditional form of narrative. The evolutionary principle of neoteny has been invoked to explain the origin of human characteristics from ape ancestors. The storyline suggests that, if we lived  longer, we would continue to develop along the path of an ape and eventually become ape-like.The story has been interpreted as the British Huxley's contemptuous nod to the Hearstian reality of the United States in the early part of the twentieth century: Jo Stoyte is an allegory for William Randolph Hearst by his acquisitions of art and living in an opulent estate – similar to Hearst Castle – with Virginia, who can be taken as a parody of Marion Davies. This novel has been adapted in theatre, cinema and radio. NBC University Theater radio made adaptation on 12 of December in 1948, starring Paul Henry and Alan Hale, Sr., with intermission commentary by Norman Cousins. In 1967 UK released 45- minute T movie – After Many a Summer, directed by Douglas Camfield.It’s story tells about an American millionaire who is searching for a magic potion, that will grant him eternal life. In early 2000 the Baryshnikov Dance Foundation commissioned a 35-minute dance for the White Oak Dance Project called After Many a Summer Dies the Swan. The book is mentioned in the novella and film A Single Man (2009), when George Falconer (Colin Firth) who is an English professor, one year after the sudden death of his boyfriend, who is unable to cope with his typical days in 1960s Los Angeles, takes an empty pistol and some notes alongsi de with this book in his briefcase.I must say, that reading this novel was difficult, because of author’s use of words, that are not acquainted in these days and special scholastic terminology, and because of that, I have feeling that I haven’t truly understood everything, but I suppose that it is normal, because I am only studying and I don’t have responsibility to know everything. In novel, there were a lot of philosophical and psychic thoughts and ideas, so I chosed the most interesting and inspiring quotes for me, which all not reveals central plot of novel or main characters perception of life, but speaks about faith and philosophy, about life and death, about good and evil, about men nature and also biology. So now I will start to pull my favourite quotes out of the story.†Potential evil is in time; potential good isn't. The longer you live, the more evil you automatically come into contact with. Nobody comes automatically into contact with good. Men don't find more good by merely existing longer.† Men have always wanted to live longer then they are supposed to, but it mostly isn’t because they want to fulfil their life with compassion and generosity to others, to those, who need help, or to gain more knowledge. All they mostly want to achieve is only their own, well, maybe sometimes also their families, goodness and wealthiness. Most of men only thinks of self-interest, but are they really inteded just for it.There must be something more for them (and us) in this life. All our life we are busy to make our plans and dreams to come true, and when our time has almost come to an end, we want to life longer to do something good. But why now, why we haven’t thought of it earlier? Because we didn’t have time. But I must say, it is so lame argument. Time was all around us, but we didn’t spend it concerning about and doing things that really matters. So, if you can extend your time, it doesn’t m ean that you will know how to spend it and find good. Time is evil, because it is slowly and consistently killing us.†Why do we fall when we jump out of a tenth-story window? Because the nature of things happens to be such that we do fall.† I really liked this quote. It is so simple and obvious fact, but I have never thought of it, because it just happens so. This first sentence really sounds to me like wordplay. Why do we fall when we jump? Some will say it is because of gravity, and there is nothing we can do about it. It is science. But maybe we are not created to do and desire whatever we want. †Jumping† or reaching for something we want, but don’t need to get, achieve or gain is †falling† or maybe even salvation from it.Our misfortune is that we don’t always stop after †fall†, but instead we get back on that windowsill, despite our scars and bruises,and start looking down, searching for someone to catch us or somethi ng we can land on. This, in my opinion, is human nature. We don’t want to give up (ofcourse there are a loto f people who do give up, but that is already another story), we are stubborn, we know nature of things, but we are sure of that we can experiment and try to change it. † Why should some animals live much longer than human beings and yet show no signs of old age.Somehow, somewhere we had made a biological mistake.† This thought sound very interesting. We are cold the crown of nature, of all beings, but why is then do we live shorter lives than those, who are supposed to be below us . We are smarter, wiser, simply better than animals. Why don’t we live longer, for instance, why could not we day at age of 200? And again – time is evil.It will last longer, but it will kill us anyway. And if we really, even obligatory, must life that long and become ape-likes, do we really want that? Would we like to become as Jo Stoyte, who doesn’t care abo ut anything at all? I won’t. I think I would rather commit suicide, than become an animal. But question is – what went wrong in our development? Who made the mistake? I can’t explain why it is so, but I believe that it must be this way. We come into the world, we live and we die, and there is nothing wrong with it. It is nature of life. We are humans, we don’t need eternal life. We are smart and capable, buti f we could have more time, I think we won’t have any normal idea what to do with it. I believe that our world is breaking apart, there are too much bad things, catastrophes, cold-blooded people, who are willing to do everything to make moore good for themselves.I would not like to live too long to witness all that what is going to happen and what we don’t know a thing about. †If you're always scared of dying, you'll surely die. Fear's a poison; and not such a slow poison either.† This spoke to me too and it is connected with previous quotes and my thoughts. I don’t really know statistics, but I think there are nearly equal amount of people who are scared of dying and who are not. I can include me in this not scared part. Why should I be scared? I know, I will die, sooner or later. I don’t believe in any predictions, but once I filled test with title – „When you will die?†. If it is true, it will happen on 16 of January, in 2016.So, it seems that I will be able to finish my studies and maybe even work for and half a year, and then †¦ That’s it! I am gone, and how? In a car accident. But thank goodness, I don’t have a drivers licence. I think it is obvious, that I am making fun of this. I don’t believe I will day at age of 26. But if I will, I am not scared of it. I almost like my life, it isn’t bad, but it always could be better, and if it becomes better untill 2016, then death – bring it on! I don’t have self-destructive in clination. I am living here and now and I am suggesting others to do the same. Don’t do stupid things and play with your destiny, but use our days, make them worth it. Thinking of dying will kill much faster.Don’t be afraid of death, if it smells your fear, it will track you down and kill you more painfully. There were a lot of nice quotations, but because of the page limit (and if there won’t be any, I would need much more to write everything I would like), I will only write some of them down without discussing. †The real conditions at any  given moment are the subjective conditions of the people then alive†. On the human level. men live in ignorance, craving and fear. Ignorance, craving and fear result in some temporary pleasures, in many lasting miseries, in final frustration. †What is man? A nothingness surrounded by God, indigent and capable of God, filled with God, if he so desires.†In conclusion I can say, that I was interested i n these philosophical and eternal thoughts, proposed by the author. They are meaningful, they make me think and I consider that the greatest credit of studying.