Friday, November 29, 2019

A Peer Reviewed International Journal of Asian Research Consortium free essay sample

It helps them to recall the brands of the durable products. The consumers of durable products have their motivational sources from need and product utility. The study revealed that the celebrity’s convincing endorsement motivates them to materialize the purchase of durables. The consumers are induced significantly by the celebrity endorser when the target is on quality and price. The purchase attitude is influenced by the celebrity endorsement factors, product evaluation and brand recognition. CONCLUSION The world of today is changing fast. India is no exception. Especially after the opening up of the economy, the pace of change that India and its people are experiencing in their socio-cultural milieu is mind boggling. India, with its wide diversity, offers a fascinating scope to study the host of changes which developmental activities have brought about in its social and economical framework. While it is possible to get some estimates of the macro changes taking place in India, it is impossible to get any accurate measures of the subjective experiences that proceed, accompany or follow such changes. We will write a custom essay sample on A Peer Reviewed International Journal of Asian Research Consortium or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page However, the fact remains that the profile of the Indian market is vastly different from what it was earlier. Although these changes are difficult to measure at the micro level, nevertheless, they have been of great significance to marketers. Any marketer is keen in closely monitoring the changes in terms of numbers and specially keeping regular track of the changing pattern of consumers’ aspirations and competitive actions. REFERENCES Amos, C, Holmes, G and Strutton, D (2008), International Journal of Advertising, Vol. 27, No. 2, pp. 09-234 Armstrong, Ayuk, Ceasarine Nyaseda (2008), C. F. C MODEL The Appropriateness Of Celebrity Endorsement In Developing African Nations: A Study of Cameroon and Kenya Brown, M (2007), „What are the benefits of celebrity-based campaigns? Knowledge Point, Journal  of  Asian  Research  Consortium  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  45 http://www. aijsh. org AJRM   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Volume  1,  Issue  5  (October,  2012)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ISSN:  2277? 6621 Busler, M (2002), „Product Consumers Perception of Quality Differentiation, Celebrity Endorsements and the Byrne, A, Whitehead, M, Breen, S (2003) „The naked truth of celebrity endorsement, British Food Journal, Volume: 105 Issue: 4/5 Page: 288 – 296 ISSN:0007-070X Capuyan, JT (2010), „Perceived Credibility of Celebrity Endorsers of Over-The-Counter Medicines and Its Influence On Health Care Decisions of Rural Mothers, Communication Research, BS Development Communication senior, Visayas State University Charbonneau, J and Garland, R (2006), „The use of celebrity athletes as endorsers: views of the New Zealand general public, International Journal of Sports Marketing Sponsorship Damian Thompson, Admap, January , Celebrities Must Be Relevant To Increase Brand Engagement, pp. 42-43 Daneshvary, R, Schwer, RK (2000) „The association endorsement and consumers intention to purchase, Journal of Consumer Marketing, Volume:17 Issue:3 Page:203 213ISSN: 0736-3761 Escalas, JE, Bettman, JR, Connecting with Celebrities: Celebrity Endorsement, Brand Meaning, and Self-Bran d Connections Farrell, KA, Karels, GV, Montfort, KW and McClatchy, CA 2000, Managerial Finance, Volume: 26 Issue: 7 Page: 1 – 15

Monday, November 25, 2019

The Constitution in Public Administration A Report on Education

The Constitution in Public Administration A Report on Education The American constitution is supreme to other laws in the country; with this notion, public administration must follow the demand of the constitution. The constitution should be the overall law that governs issues and management of public institutions; in some instances, the constitution may have some bureaucracy that hinders efficiency among public administrators however it is normative that the administrators understand the requirements of the law and follow them.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Constitution in Public Administration: A Report on Education specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In some cases, the constitution is seen to offer some stuck guidelines that are only needed to be followed for the general good of the law. Some scholars have argued that some of the demand made under the constitution lead to designs of inefficiency among public institutions. Among public administration causes, there have been debates and recommendations that the rule of law should be taught; this is to facilitate knowledge among them and ensure when they are taking the oath of office, they understand what they are committing themselves to. In general the oath mandates them to uphold the rule of law and act ethically for the general good of the entire society (Rorh, 1982). Ethics and Comparative Administration Public servants of U.S. bureaucracy system are expected to uphold high degrees of ethics when working and performing their tasks; the general belief is that the constitution has some frameworks that can be used as the pillars of ethical code of conducts. The constitution should protect moral aspects of human being respecting ones fundamental rights and freedom. According to the article, democracy has an effect on bureaucratic ethics, there is need to have freedom of choice and expression. Although the bureaucratic ethics notion, the system of operation that administrators should adopt should respect the rule of law and ensure that they perform their duties diligently, professionally, with the heart and the interests of the larger majority in their heart. I agree with the argument that democratic governance is the foundation of bureaucratic ethics; this is so because when the ruling class adopts effective systems of governance, the policies they make will be ethical and for the general good of the society. For example, the police are expected to ensure justice prevails in the society; they should have effective systems of administration. For instance, when a crime has been committed that calls for the use of public funds, police should not use the amounts selectively, they should have the same policy.Advertising Looking for essay on public administration? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More According to my belief, the society can attain high levels of bureaucratic ethics however there is need to have a central body that controls the flow and direction that behavior among administration officials follow. In the case that there is conflict of issues, the administrating central body should prevail. In a nation’s administration, democracy backed with the constitution stands a better chance to maintain bureaucratic ethics (Rorh, 2007). Conclusion In the administration of social policy, public officials should uphold professionalism, integrity, and ethical behavior. For uniformity, governments need to enact policies that reinforce the rule of law and administration of justice; the constitution is supreme thus it should have guidelines to governance frameworks that support ethical behavior among citizens. Constitution as a course in tertiary education should not be limited to administrators but should be a common course in all professions; this will facilitate administration of justice and respect of fundamental rights freedoms. References Rorh, J. (1982). The Constitution in Public Administra tion: A Report on Education. American Review of Public Administration, 16(4), 429-440. Rorh, J. (2007). Ethics and Comparative Administration: A Constitutional Commentary. American Review of Public Administration, 10(1), 65-74.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Strategic Management Outline Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Strategic Management - Outline Example Resources a firm acts as its competitive strength when strategically exploited. The exploitation of organization resources with a view of creating sustainable advantage occur over time. Strategic resource positioning The performance of a firm would depend on a number of factors. First, product viability depends on its cost in comparison to similar products and the capacity of the product to meet the demands in the market. Strategic placement of product would dictate product innovation; which includes designing, composition, and conditions, which influences its processing. The uniqueness of the product does not only influence imitation of the product, but also the identity in the market. Firms whose products are not viable innovate or shift in order to remain economically viable. How resources meet consumer demands The consumer’s behavior defines whether the product is valuable. This attribute would dictate the success of an industry. Industries consider product innovation stra tegies, which would produce unique response in the market. It means that the product has to be hard to imitate as well as identified by many consumers. Many firms consider product innovation strategy, which would create a product that is hard to substitute as well as rare in supply. Products, which create satisfaction, would retain the consumers over a time. Types of resources Resources of a firm are critical to its success. These resources are either tangible or intangible. Tangible assets include infrastructure, reputation, and database while intangible assets are strategies of the firm. The ability of a firm to compete in the market depends on its asset mobilization. Strategic resources The influence that a firm exerts in the market would depend on the strategies it develops in the following areas: financial assets, human assets, reputation assets, capabilities and competencies, and intellectual assets. Mobilization of the assets with an aim of achieving the organization goals in fluences the positioning of the firm. Reputation assets The viability of a firm would depend on the reputation it commands in the market. For a firm to build a good reputation it would consider cost of the product, competitors influence, consumer behavior, and economic constraints (Haberberg and Rieple, 2007:8). The above factors influence the approach that a firm would take towards building its reputation. Firms rebrand their products in response to consumer behavior in order to keep the product viable in the market. Relational assets Competitiveness of a firm does not only rely on reputational assets, but also relational assets. The internal environment of the firm would influence its productivity. The relationship between various departments must focus on the interest of the firm. Internal relationship in the firm would influence the work out put of the firm. This will in turn influence consumers’ satisfaction. For instance, satisfaction of the employees would contribute t o satisfaction of the consumers because the employees would strive towards achieving the goals of the firm. The relationship between the firm and the government will define its operations in the market. Thus, the relation must demonstrate an interest in serving the consumers. Dynamic capabilities The ever-changing market conditions require dynamic approaches in organization’s functions. Firms must be ready to demonstrate innovation in a changing environment. The uncertainty of the future dictates that a firm has to change its

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Precis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Precis - Essay Example The United States also imports oil from unstable countries such as Syria, Pakistan, Algeria and Colombia. Conflicts in these regions majorly arise from unequal sharing of oil revenue. Money from oil trade funds dangerous governments (Lefton & Weiss 2). The expanse use of oil in U.S. is a major cause of climate change. Global warming comes from burning oil by passenger vehicles. It is apparent that climate change has a negative impact on national security. Climate change will create unstable governments, increase terrorist activities and natural disasters, and as a result, displace people from there home (Lefton & Weiss 3). The top five oil companies; BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, ConocoPhilips and Shell are the major benefactors of imported oil in the United States. These companies have made billions of profit by importing oil into the United States. These companies have invested a lot of money in campaigns against clean-energy policies with the objective of ensuring oil dependency (Lefton & Weiss 4). On the contrary, implementing clean-energy policies will save the environment from global warming and economic decline. The above will come into reality if the money to import oil is reinvested in the United States. There will be the creation of new jobs, maintenance of a clean environment and a stabilized economy (Lefton & Weiss

Monday, November 18, 2019

Management problem Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Management problem - Essay Example Therefore, preparing a good business proposal and business plan is a requisite of any business that wishes to be successful. While a business proposal should contain the specific goals that the project seeks to meet, explaining in details the technical aspects and activities to be undertaken to accomplish the project and indicating the expected results (Mullins, 2002 p305), a business plan serves as a road map to the business (George and Jones, 2002 p26). A business plan helps the owners of a business to confirm the business idea, making it possible for the owners of a business to set clear business objectives and allow the business stakeholders, partners, sponsors and financiers to make a decision regarding whether and how to work with the company (Brown, 1995 p20). Thus it is necessary for any business seeking to succeed to formulate a business proposal and a business plan. This two documents act as a tool for a business to negotiate with the potential suppliers, distributors, part ners, shareholders and clients on the necessities that the business requires to succeed. In our case, the organization lacks a well formulated business plan, while its business proposal is just a ten page document of idea. There is a need to address these issues, if the housing development project for the organization is to succeed. As a consultant, in response to the lack of a well formulated business plan, the advice to the business is that a business plan is requisite for the organization to successfully achieve its housing development project. Considering that the organization experiences a problem of undertaking its housing development project due to a lack of funding available to sustain the development, then, a business plan is the required tool for use in negotiating for funding of the project by financiers. There are various reasons as to why the business entity requires having a well formulated business plan. Possession of a well formulated business plan serves to indicate to the potential financiers that the business has a mission and an objective that it seeks to meet, and that it is serious in its desire to meet this. The plan serves to indicate to the potential investors the nature of the management team that the business has and how it is committed to achieving its set goals and objectives (Camal, 2003 p52). The plan also serves to indicate to the potential investors and financiers that the business understands the needs of its customers and that is committed and dedicated to meet these needs in the best way possible, to the satisfaction of the customer. The plan also serves to show the investor and financiers that the business is well positioned to deal with the products and services the organization seeks to offer and it understands them well (Mullins, 2002 p321). It is still an advantage of the organization to have a well formulated business plan, since it shows the investors how the organization seeks to market its products and how it is equ ipped to overcome market risks, challenges and competition. A proposal on the other hand is required so as to communicate the business prospects of the organization to its stakeholders. This goes a long way to ensure that the business has secured the support of all its stakeholders in undertaking the project in question. In this case therefore, the organization should modify the ten page document comprising of business ideas into a well formulated housing development proposal for the organization. This way, the organization is able to negotiate for support from all its stakeholders, who include the shareholders, the employees and the potential investors. It serves to show that the project is important for the organization to undertake (Carnwell and Buchanan, 2005 p19). The proposal should

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Case Study Marketing: Nyquil

Case Study Marketing: Nyquil Nyquil is a brand of over the counter drug produced by Vicks, which is a division of the Procter and Gamble Company. This drug comes in form of syrup and liquid capsules and tablets that are used to for the treatment of a wide range of cold symptoms. Marketing of Nyquil is done both in the domestic market and internationally by the Procter and gamble through it Vicks subsidiary that it bought from Richardson Vicks in 2005.Vicks is known world widely for its marketing of branded consumer health care products. Before its acquisition by PG the Vicks Company had more than thirty subsidiaries all over the world some of which were acquired by PG too. One of them is the India Richardson Hindustan Limited (RVL) Company that has greatly contributed in the manufacturing and distribution of the Nyquil drug (Richardson Vicks Inc. (RVI)).Nyquil is the number one drug recommended by pharmacists for night time relief of cold among adults and it is available in more than 70 countries within five continents where its distributed by varied PG distributors. Drug distributors in pharmacies, government and private hospital and pharmaceutical companies get their Nyquil drugs shipped to their countries with the by the manufactures and the Subsidiaries of PG pharmaceutical products. This physical distribution of the drug is done through a well organized supply chain that spreads from the manufacture to the consumer. The purchasing of this drug can either be done by physically visiting the pharmaceutical companies or by placing online bids through website like Amazon.com and Vicks.com Some pharmaceutical companies that dont produce the Nyquil drug act as the distribution centers by buying the drug in bulk from Vicks company and other pharmaceutical associated with PG and they repackage it with direction and permission from the manufacturer. Such companies employ sales agents who sell the drug either directly or through the internet. They market Nyquil to the wholesalers, private buyers, hospitals and sometimes to selected retail dealers. The wholesalers buy from such companies, break the bulk and redistribute the drug to the retail sellers in pharmacies and small private hospitals. This multi channel distribution of Nyquil has made it easy to export the drug to various markets all over the world. The marketing of the Nyquil drug has for the longest of time been assisted by its brand strength. Mention Nyquil to any American and they will understand what you are taking about. In fact it could equally qualify as the most abused cold over the counter drug since it has a sedating effect on its user. Widespread television radio and print advertisement have helped create product awareness and created ideal market exposure for the drug. The liquid variation of Nyquil was tested for the first time in 1966, and officially launched into the market in 1968 with several television and magazine advertisement and recommendation from the medical world. Consequently, Procter and Gamble used $ 17 million dollars to promote liquid Nyquil during its launch in 1980(New York Magazine 12 Vol. 24, No. 38) Further more, Nyquil has become a common name to most house holds in American households and its the mostly recommended over the counter drug for remedying cold symptoms. Its slogan that calls it The nighttime, sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, best-sleep-you-ever-got-with-a-cold medicine is an eye catcher for anyone displaying the mentioned symptoms of a cold. With this slogan comes a list of Nyquil variation, each tailored to the different formulations on offer. More over the Nyquil Liquid medication is available in ranges of the Soothing Original, Soothing Cherry, and Vanilla Cherry Swirl. The earliest marketing of Nyquil also created a niche market for it as the best night time relieve for cold since it has an ingredient that makes someone drowsy and help him sleep peaceful. This quality of Nyquil was previously critiqued by those who didnt want to use a cold remedy with the intention of sleeping immediately. To maintain the drugs niche and retain her customers Vicks company came up with Dayquil, a daytime counter part of Nyquil which does not contain the sedating ingredients or alcohol that is found in Nyquil. Therefore, Procter and gamble s able to satisfy both the day time and night time consumers of effective cold remedy. Another marketing method used in the marketing of Nyquil is the use of Nyquil Coupons. This coupons which are distributed by either Procter and Gamble Sunday News Circular supplement called PG Brand Saver, from the physicians and allergists, weekly circular of pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS or in third party Coupon Sites like Coupon.Com.These coupons enables to one buy Nyquil medication at a discounted rate during a repeat purchase and are working to attract and sustain repeat buyers of the product. To make it easier for customers the coupons are available in clippable and printable online form, and so any person is able to access them (Pharmacy Drug Guide.com). Another promotion strategy that was launched for this product in 2009 was the use of social media Facebook.According to the a customer review the most attractive thing about the Nyquil face book page was that the introductory language used in it did not try to get you straight to the product but first told you about the page itself detailing the growing number of its fans in order to make someone feel like he was missing out on something. During the same period it had a free Nyquil T-shirt offer for the Nyquil customers who posted the best peaceful sleeping photos purported to have been taken after one had taken Nyquil for their cold. According to another blogger, it took only 7 days for the number of Nyquil fans to grow from 30199 to 95,125 and in the next twenty four hours they had grown to a hundred thousand. This kind of marketing has created an extensive exposure to the product and interested buyers from all over the world can easily access information on it. In effect, the approach has helped in creating wide spread product knowledge and in beating the common misconceptions that competitor sometimes spread about the product. Other than face book, marketers at PG use different Websites to advertise their product. For instance, Vicks.com is a website that gives product information on all the variations of Nyquil medication and any promotions involved in its purchase and where to shop for it. For instance, on the Nyquil and Dayquil product information page there is information on the availability of Combo packages of the drug and on the promotion page there is a promotional advert that asks someone to Search Nyquil on face book to enter the Vicks Nyquil/Dayquil search for the most dedicated NFL fan. The Promotion catch line is In the NFL there are no sick days. Such promotional activities are aimed at appealing the drug to the NFL fans (Vicks.com). The marketers of Nyquil have also been known to market the product through creation of its demand. This kind of marketing plays on human psychology by using words that are attractive to the consumer. Most Nyquil advertisements Market it as a medication that that work while a person is sleeping. This is interpreted to mean that it does not interfere with a persons daytime schedule. This night time appeal combined with the fact Nyquil tablet comes in not only Tablet and capsule form but also in liquid form helped increase the demand for the product. In essence there fore Nyquil is perceived as the most potent cold medication. This is a pull approach that helps in attracting consumers to the product without the manufacturer prodding them to do so. Although NyQuil contains 25% alcohol this remedy has become the gold mark of cold medication. However, the variation of Nyquil given to children only come in syrup form and does not contain any alcohol. When it comes to customer care, PG aims at providing the best for her Nyquil customers who are spread all over the world. The task of handling so many customers can be quite a logistic burden and man power burden to one company. There fore, PG usually out-sources the customer care service from Public Relation experts on contract basis. This extra service complements and helps to build up the customer skills displayed by PG personnels. For instance on June 30th, 2003 the company outsourced the customer care expertise of Syke Enterprises Incorporated on a five year contract at a cost of 70 million. Sykes, a reknown giant in provision of customer care services was to provide customer care management services and help provide solution to the P G consumer problem and help save cost. Part 2 Although the above marketing methods have helped open the sales gates for Nyquil some of them have achieved decreasing sustainability. For instance, in some cases PG has been accused of engaging in illegal marketing strategies in the promotion of Nyquil. Example was in the late 2009 when PG got itself under the scrutiny of the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for illegally touting two Vicks branded over-the -counter drugs, Vicks Nyquil plus vitamin C and its day time counterpart Vicks daytime plus vitamin C as both a medication for cold as well as a dietary supplements. The marketing language used on this drugs said that they worked by combining the powerful multi symptom relief of Dayquil with more than 150% of the recommended value of vitamin. This was done as a marketing strategy during the time of a swine flu epidemic but FDA claimed that there isnt well researched and verified material that shows vitamin C helps in prevention of colds. Consequently, the company was given 15 day s to amend the violation (Straczynski). Market competitors of Nyquil have also critiqued the use of alcohol as an ingredient to the drug. This has led to the rampant abuse of the drug is search for the high that is derived from its overdose. Although its manufacturers tried remedying this problem by changing the formulation of this medication it realized that the sedating quality of the medicine was still needed by those suffering from cold. This made customers abandon the New Nyquil in search for a drug with the qualities of the original Nyquil. Vicks was forced to revert back to the old formulation but the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 only allows regulated over the counter purchase of this drug. Another critique is in the use of social media where one is only able to access the Nyquil page through series of applications that asks for private information that may drive away potential customers. The Nyquil wall does not allow interactive participation of the fans and it fails on not engaging customers enough. Consequently, Instead of using the platform to engage their user they have reverted to the traditional marketing tactic where you are only allowed to see the product but you cannot comment on it. They forget that the number of fans on a social website page does not always translate to potential customers since some people just like them for nostalgic reasons. Lastly although the drug has become a brand in America, it may have corresponding competition from other cold remedy manufacturers when it goes to outside markets. Never the less most of the advertisement and promotional activities have been concentrated in America where there is already saturation of information. In consequence there the following remedial measures should be taken in marketing of Nyquil. Instead of the manufacturer constantly changing the drug formulation due to its controversial sedating characteristics caused by the alcohol ingredient(Green 60), its marketers should be confident with the original Nyquil and market it as it is, since market research has shown that most initial consumers of this drug prefer it in its original form. Different formulation of the same medication erodes the consumer confidence in the product. Second, if the marketers of Nyquil plan to use social media network for marketing and advertisement purposes they should do it in a way that allows for consumer feed back. Lack of interaction creates disinterest and most potential consumers are likely to dislike the Nyquil page. 3. Illegal marketing strategy that gives lying information to consumers a marketing no-no that should be discouraged at any chance. Nyquil marketers should only advertise the truth about the product because customers may abandon the product when they find out that someone has been lying about it (Straczynski).This will happen due to reduced confidence in a product. 4. Finally, if PG want to increase it sale of Nyquil to the market outside America, is should increase, it advertising and promotional activities in these countries through its subsidiaries and distributors. This will accentuate the sales volumes especially from the largely untapped market. Research study: factors that enable depression Research study: factors that enable depression Introduction Research studies are essential to the practice of Social Work. Social Work practice is extremely complex and research studies allow social workers to develop theories and hypotheses that will help them understand the root of the issues that their clients are experiencing. Academic evidence is vital for backing up the practices, policies and values that underpin Social Work practice. Academic research not only benefits the social worker through the expansion of their knowledge but can also benefit clients and society at a policy level. In this essay I will be evaluating the research carried out by Brown and Harris (1984) in their book â€Å"Social origins of depression: a study of psychiatric disorder in women†, specifically on chapter 10, â€Å"Social class, provoking agents and depression†. Brown and Harris carried out this research to find out how life events and social and cultural factors may lead to the development of depression amongst women. I will briefly descri be their study and their findings and then discuss the methodology they used and the advantages and disadvantages of their methodology. I will also discuss how Brown and Harris’ research is extremely important and influential for the practice of Social Work and how the study is still used today to show how social and cultural factors can lead to depression. Description of study and findings The study aimed to find out how social factors and life events lead to women’s depression. They sampled 458 women in the south London area of Camberwell and surveyed them using â€Å"clinical based interviews† (Brown Harris 1984) on their daily lives and depression. Brown and Harris aim to contest the wide spread belief that depression is more common amongst women of higher social classes, as asserted by previous studies carried out by sociologist Pauline Bart, psychiatrist Ernest Becker and psychologist Charles Costello. Brown and Harris’ study contests this idea that middle class women are more likely to develop depression as they found in their study of 458 women that it was much more common for those who were working class to develop a psychiatric disorder, depression in particular. They found that 23% of working class women were â€Å"considered cases† as opposed to only 6% of middle class women. They measured the social class of the women by the occ upations of the women’s husbands and when this wasn’t available they used the occupation of the women’s father to determine their social class. In addition to class differences, Brown and Harris also looked at the â€Å"five life stages† which consisted of, three stages where women has a child at home with the youngest child being less than 6, between 6 and 14 and 15 and over. The remaining two life stages consisted of women younger than 35 where there was no child at home and women over 35 where there was no child at home. They found that in all life stages, working class women had a higher rate of depression than middle class women. Most notably, the highest percentage was of 31% for working class women with a child of less than 6 compared to 5% of middle class women. Brown and Harris found that depression was more prevalent amongst women of working class because there is greater vulnerability attached to working class. Vulnerability factors included lack of a confiding relationship, loss of mother before age of 11, unemployment, poor housing and low finances. These vulnerability factors, which were more common amongst those women who were working class, were found to increase the chance of developing depression. Vulnerability factors, when combined with stressful life events, like divorce, illness and death, which Brown and Harris called â€Å"provoking agents† further increased the chances of developing depression amongst working class women as they are more vulnerable with less support, financial and familial. These provoking agents or life events were ranked in severity by Brown and Harris, ranging from the most severe being â€Å"death† to the least â€Å"residence change†. â€Å"When social class is considered it is onl y severe events that show a class difference and then only among women with children† (Brown Harris 1984) , for both working and middle class women without children 1 in 3 experience at least one severe life event in the year, however when considering those with children the number stays the same for working class women, 1 in 3 whereas it drops to 1 in 5 for middle class women with children, implying that middle class women with children are more protected from provoking agents that lead to depression. The study concluded that social factors and life events are linked to depression. Working class women were more likely to develop depression than middle class women in all instances showing that the risk of developing depression is linked to social class. Brown and Harris found that being from a lower class meant increased vulnerability and greater chance of being exposed to provoking agents than middle class women. Importance to Social Work The study by Brown and Harris has been marked for many years by a combination of imaginative flair and commitment to the rigorous testing of their ideas (Tennant and Bebbington 1978). This study is extremely important to social work practice as it providing a turning point in looking at depression amongst women. The study provided an awareness of women’s mental health. Before this study, most research focused on personality traits and experiences in childhood that linked women to depression, however Brown and Harris’ study was different in that it investigated the social and cultural factors related to women’s mental health. It’s a very important study as it recognized that depression could be linked to social class and that life events or difficulties relating to social class could provoke the development of depression. Brown and Harris’ study is very important to the practice of social work as it provided a theory of the relationship between socia l class or status and depression amongst women and a clear understanding that poverty is linked to depression. In addition to finding a link between class and depression, this study is also very significant to social work as it allowed for the broadening of perspectives. Before, there was a medicalised model or way of looking at depression and mental illnesses however this study allowed social workers to develop the social model of depression, a thinking which challenged the medical model and looked for a much broader understanding of the reasons for depression. Furthermore, this study was connected to the growing awareness of women’s unequal position in society and in the family, so whilst it did not originate from feminist enquiry the study helped the evolving feminist movement which began to give women a voice in society. It also led to the development in the understanding of the demands of caring for children and the impact of the reduction in the extended family at this time. This study is very important to Social Work practice as it strengthened the role of social work with families and individuals who are in distress through community based practice. It also allowed women and mothers’ networks to strengthen as the study helped shine a light on the difficulties of being a mother, of experiencing different life events and the difficulties related to being working class. The study highlights the importance of social work values like anti-oppressive practice that strive towards equality for women and the recognition that wha t women feel should be understand. Furthermore, this study is extremely important to social work practice as it allows social workers to understand the roots of depression in women. This study shines a light on the social factors that lead to depression, social workers can use this study to identify what social factors lead to depression and target these factors and implement prevention techniques for those women who are most likely to develop depression. Advantages and Disadvantages of methodology Brown and Harris used a mixed methodology in their research. Statistical data was gathered and analysed by Brown and Harris, alongside the qualitative data obtained by individual narrative and stories. They used a mixture of qualitative and quantitative methods which increases validity and reliability. Reliable data means that the research could be repeated and the same results would occur and valid data means it’s a true picture of what the researcher is trying to measure. Brown and Harris used random sampling in their research and they used the sample of 458 women to represent the target population – middle class and working class women. Random sampling means their research is representative of the target population and they can therefore make generalisations about depression suffered by middle class women in contrast to working class women. Brown and Harris carried out semi-structured interviews meaning that the women could be asked open-ended questions which would give qualitative data, increasing validity by obtaining an in-depth understanding of the women’s situations. Interviews mean that the conversation developed naturally and so is a good method for researching sensitive issues like depression as the natural conversation allows the interviewee to feel relaxed and able to open up more to their interviewer. Interviews also allow a relationship to build between researcher and respondents. Brown and Harris continued their research over a long period of time (1969/71 and again in 1974/75) which would also strengthen their relationship with the women, allowing their evidence to be more valid and paint a true picture. However, there have been criticisms made of the methodology used by Brown and Harris. Tennant and Bebbington (1978) criticise Brown and Harris’ methodology on the basis of their random sampling. They argue that 15% of households in the sample had 2 or more age-eligible women living in them, but Brown and Harris only chose one. Tennant and Bebbington therefore argue that there is bias in the sample and that larger than average households are slightly underrepresented in their research. Tennant and Bebbington (1978) further criticise Brown and Harris on their â€Å"conceptualization and definition† of the concept of â€Å"vulnerability factors†. Tennant and Bebbington argue that the construction of the vulnerability factor â€Å"parental loss† is open to criticism. Brown and Harris argue that maternal loss influences the risk of depression whereas paternal loss doesn’t affect the risk of developing depression. They argue that Brown’s definition of loss consists of three different variables, â€Å"loss through death, separation from one parent, and marital separation of the parents† events which Tennant and Bebbington describe as â€Å"qualitatively quite different† and that the composition of â€Å"maternal† and â€Å"paternal† loss groups may be so different that they are not valid to compare their impact on mental health (1978). They argue that in the instance of separation women usually get the custod y resulting in a paternal loss and regarding death, the risk of losing fathers in childhood is greater than the risk of losing your mother (Langer and Michael 1963 cited by Tennant and Bebbington 1978) and so this comparison in relation to depression is misleading and it would be much more appropriate to compare maternal/paternal death and maternal/paternal separation for more valid results. Conclusion In conclusion, I would argue that this research study by Brown and Harris is undeniably important to Social Work practice. Through its mixed methodology, using both qualitative and quantitative methods of research, it proves a very reliable and valid picture of class differences and social factors linked to women’s mental health. This research is vital to Social Work practice as it marks a turning point in a change in attitude towards mental health, a shift away from the medical model to a social model of depression. It underpins values that are at the heart of Social Work practice like anti-oppressive practice and equality for women. Word count: 1941 Bibliography Brown, G, W. Harris, T, (1984) 10. Social class, provoking agents, and depression' from Brown, G W. Harris, T, Social origins of depression: a study of psychiatric disorder in women pp.150-169,353-358, London: Tavistock Publications Brown, G. W., Harris, T. (1978). Social origins of depression: a reply.Psychol Med,8(4), 577-88. Tennant, C., Bebbington, P. (1978). The social causation of depression: a critique of the work of Brown and his colleagues.Psychological Medicine,8(04), 565-575.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Essay -- Papers

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, depicts a vivid reality of the hardships endured by the African American culture in the period of slavery. One of the many things shown in Frederick's narrative is how slaves, in their own personal way, resisted their masters authority. Another is how slaves were able to create their own autonomous culture within the brutal system in which they were bound. There are many examples in the narrative where Frederick tries to show the resistance of the slaves. The resistors did not go unpunished though, they were punished to the severity of death. Fredrick tells of these instances with a startling sense of casualness, which seems rather odd when comprehending the content of them. He does this though, not out of desensitization, but to show that these were very commonplace things that happened all over the South at the time. One example that Frederick mentioned in the subject of resistance of the slaves against the masters is when he was under the charge of Mr. Gore. A slave by the name of Demby was getting whipped for a mistake he made. After Demby received but a few stripes he ran and jumped into a creek to the depth of his shoulders and refused to come out. This took great bravery considering Mr. Gore had a famous reputation for being nasty to slaves. Demby was given to the count of three to get out of the creek or he was to be shot, knowing the consequences Demby still refused to get out. He was then shot in the face by Mr. Gore with a musket. Demby truly resisted his master at the greatest cost he could have paid, his life. Another example given by Frederick in his narrative of how slaves were able to ... ...laves to be drunk during this time; in fact, they often got angry if they weren't drunk. Frederick feels that the master tries to make the slaves sick of freedom during this holiday time, by showing them only the abuse of it rather than the good. There was also a mention of a couple of "classes" among the black slaves. Slaves, from the viewpoint of Frederick, I feel, had a sort of "slave-class". The richer your master was the higher class you were, the poorer your master was the lower class you were. "To be a poor man's slave was a disgrace indeed!", was what Frederick mentioned of the issue. As you can see Frederick Douglass provided many glimpses into the world of slavery in his narrative. He showed many different examples of how slaves were able to resist their masters and create their own autonomous culture within the brutal system of slavery.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Article Review Draft

I am reviewing literature that relates to my research topic of how the Information genealogy affects the employment rate in the logistics field. I have assembled 16 individual books, articles, and or sources that will support me in my research of my hypothesis. My goal of this review is to properly order and summarize the data have accumulated, and to determine areas in which further research and focus is required (Crewel, 2014). The first article that is going to be absolutely critical to my research is the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2015) Occupational employment statistics estimates.This isn't an article but more specifically a database of information collected by U. S. Overpayment organizations in order to calculate nationwide employment rates. The data is collected on a monthly basis by the U. S. Census Bureau and from a sampling Of sixty thousand households. The employment databases goes back to 1942, however for purposes of my study I will just use recent information from the last 10-15 years. While this data is subjective, it offers strong set of supporting historical employment trends in logistics career fields, and is the current standard in U. S. Employment information (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015). In a research article by (Anderson, German, & Scrum, 1 997), the authors look to provide empirical research into the impacts of downsizing or reducing the amount of employees on logistics performance. Two main conclusions are reached; companies that have reduced their logistics workforce have a perception of improved logistics performance but in reality they have the same indicators as firms that have not reduced their workforce. The other conclusion is the reduction of workforce contributes greatly to the lack of loyalty, decreased moral, and vastly increased stress levels.This article provides interesting argument that tit firms striving to reduce employee number totals; reduction equally increases negative aspects as well. The article (Jackson, 20 01 ) clarifies the beginning of the Internet age and details what and when it came into existence, as we know it today. The development of the Internet was a collaborative team research effort created in U. S. Governmental agencies around 1960. The Internet was not a viable option for civilian society until 1990. This article will allow me to accurately focus on the proper time frame of Internet availability to the logistics community.I will not rely solely on the information in this article and back up the findings of this article with the data in a similar Internet origin articles. Additionally this article makes clear that the many supporting technologies and infrastructure developments positively contributed to the advent of the Internet. In the article by (Laser, 2004), he explores the ways and methods that the Internet, computers, and software with communications affect logistics and specifically transportation. This study confirms the vast importance of technology in revoluti onize modern logistics areas.One important aspect of this particular article is the mint that no matter the technological innovation, location still drives transportation speed, timeliness and efficacy. I can utilize this important realization with other aspects of research and technology application and ensure my internal bias is reduced. The key takeaway I came away with is that no matter how much information or data is improved the location and distance of transporting goods and materials will always persist. The article One on One by (Roberts, 2004) is an interview with the vice president of the company Oracle, Greg Tennyson.This interview captures the strategies ND leveraging of technologies in order to increase profitability of logistics operations within the realm of shipping raw materials globally. Specifically useful to my research is the discussion of â€Å"offspring† logistics operations. â€Å"Offspring† is described as transitioning logistics operations fr om the L] . S. To overseas markets, which offer vastly cheaper labor and trade restrictions. India is a primary market utilized by Oracle in this article. I believe that the perspective of cheaper overseas labor cannot be mistaken for the advances in informational technologies.This article will further reduction of y bias by tempering it with different empirical data supporting a theory that labor reductions in logistics may be due to cheaper labor in different regions of the globe. Despite the increase of offspring, the article still reiterates the central importance of communications technologies in order to synchronize the complex and intricate global transactions. The article from (Atkinson, 1 999) discusses the usage of communications and web-based technologies in order to develop logistics cost savings.The specific technology discussed in this article is Collaborative, Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment (CUFF). CUFF is the Internet based communications business solution u tilized by many fortune 500 companies today including Wall-Mart. The article details the successes of this technology from a cost savings perspective. The key point of this study in relation to my research is the importance of communications, not only externally to a logistics company, but internal as well. Communication enables timely delivery of information and ensures needs are forecasted and met.Technology and automation coupled with advanced communications technology is integral with the future Of logistics. In another article from (Atkinson, 1999), the author cuisses the expansion of the Internet in the logistics sector and the development and maturation of E-commerce. E-commerce is commerce that takes place between two or more organizations electronically. Early on in the inception of the Internet, many logistics companies were reticent to employ Internet based technologies in fear of security issues.Those companies that mastered the web-based technologies were rewarded by re duction in costs and labor efficiencies. The main learning point of this article is the fact that it correlates using technology and the Internet with reducing labor forces and Ewing more productive with less people employed. With the article by (McGovern, 1998), it is undeniable that the Internet is a crucial area for growth in logistics sectors. The only argument about the Internet as it pertains to the logistics industry is how to apply and utilize it in the best manner possible.The main issue with this article in regards to my research is the fact that it pertains mainly to visibility and communication and does not include hard data with employment statistics. While can use the perspective and insight provided additional support with numerical data will be more relevant to use in my study. I can always use and improve upon the information provided in this study. The article is quite old (1998) in reference to the subject of my research.I will be able to use all information here as either pre or post Internet and in that way even older articles can provide much-needed context. With infill article by (Williams, 2001) he provides additional support to the origins of the Internet. This article analyzes three components of logistics, inventory control, order processing and transportation. The Internet impacts all three areas in positive ways in the article. One area this article could be of more assistance to my research reports is again more usage of empirical data and numerical figures on employment and how that relates to performance.In conclusion the articles summarized together present a consistent gap of research in regards to how informational technologies impact the employment of logistics employees. I believe can utilize the data surveys from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and incorporate supporting documentation to identify that informational technologies did and continue to reduce employment opportunities within the united States of America. Can cont inue to refine my literature or more clearly define the scope of my research question in order o synchronize the availability of research available at this time.

Friday, November 8, 2019

Red-Eyed Tree Frog Facts

Red-Eyed Tree Frog Facts The red-eyed tree frog (Agalychnis callidrayas) is a small, non-poisonous tropical frog. The scientific name of the frog derives from the Greek words kalos (beautiful) and dryas (wood nymph). The name refers to the frogs vibrant coloration. Fast Facts: Red-Eyed Tree Frog Scientific Name: Agalychnis callidryasCommon Name: Red-eyed tree frogBasic Animal Group: AmphibianSize: 2-3 inchesWeight: 0.2-0.5 ouncesLifespan: 5 yearsDiet: CarnivoreHabitat: Central AmericaPopulation: AbundantConservation Status: Least Concern Description The red-eyed tree frog is a small arboreal species. Adult males are smaller (2 inches) than adult females (3 inches). Adults have orange-red eyes with verticals slits. The frogs body is bright green with blue and yellow stripes on the sides. The species has webbed feet with orange or red toes. The toes have sticky pads that help the animals stick to leaves and branches. Habitat and Distribution Red-eyed tree frogs live in humid climates in trees near ponds and rivers in southern Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. They occur from Veracruz and Oaxaca in Mexico to Panama and northern Columbia. The frogs have a relatively narrow temperature range requirement, so they only live in the rain forests and lowlands. Ideally, they require a daytime temperature from 75 to 85  °F (24 to 29  Ã‚ °C) and nighttime temperature from 66 to 77  Ã‚ °F (19 to 25  Ã‚ °C). Red-eyed tree frog distribution. Darekk2 Diet Tree frogs are insectivores that mainly hunt at night. They feed upon flies, crickets, grasshoppers, moths, and other insects. They are preyed upon by dragonflies, fish, snakes, monkeys, birds, and a variety of other predators. They are also susceptible to fungal infections. Behavior The frogs red eyes are used for a startle display called deimatic behavior. During the day, the frog camouflages itself by flattening its body against a leaf bottom so only its green back is exposed. If the frog is disturbed it flashes its red eyes and reveals its colored flanks and feet. The coloring may surprise a predator long enough for the frog to escape. While some other tropical species are poisonous, camouflage and the startle display are the red-eyed tree frogs only defense. Tree frogs use vibration to communicate. Males quiver and shake leaves to mark territory and attract females. During the day, the frog folds its colored legs beneath it. If disturbed, it opens its eyes to startle predators. Ferdinando valverde / Getty Images Reproduction and Offspring Mating occurs from autumn to early spring, during the peak rainfall period. Males gather around a body of water and make a chack call to attract a mate. The egg-laying process is called amplexus. During amplexus, the female carries one or more males on her back. She draws water into her body to use to lay a clutch of around 40 gel-like eggs on a leaf overhanging water. The best-positioned male fertilizes the eggs externally. If the eggs are not disturbed, they hatch within six to seven days, dropping the tadpoles into the water. However, red-eyed tree frog eggs exhibit a strategy called phenotypic plasticity, in which eggs hatch early if their survival is threatened. Tree frogs lay their eggs on leaves over water. The tadpoles fall into the water when they hatch.  ©Juan Carlos Vindas / Getty Images The yellow-eyed, brown tadpoles remain in the water for a few weeks to months, depending on environmental conditions. They change to adult colors after metamorphosis. The red-eyed tree frog lives about five years in the wild. The species will breed in captivity in a high-humidity environment with tropical plants, controlled lighting (11-12 hours daylight), and controlled temperature (26 to 28  Ã‚ °C day and 22 to 35  Ã‚ °C night). Breeding is initiated by simulating a rainy season. Captive-bred frogs often live longer than five years. Conservation Status Due to its large habitat range and protected status in some areas, the IUCN classifies the species as Least Concern. Red-eyed tree frogs are also abundant in captivity. However, the species does face challenges from deforestation, pollution, and pet trade collection. In the wild, the frogs population is decreasing. Sources Badger, David P. Frogs. Stillwater (Minn.): Voyageur Press, 1995. ISBN 9781610603911.Caldwell, Michael S.; Johnston, Gregory R.; McDaniel, J. Gregory; Warkentin, Karen M. Vibrational Signaling in the Agonistic Interactions of Red-Eyed Treefrogs. Current Biology. 20 (11): 1012–1017, 2010. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2010.03.069Savage, Jay M. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica: A Herpetofauna Between Two Continents, Between Two Seas. University of Chicago Press, 2002. ISBN 0-226-73537-0.Solà ­s, Frank; Ibà ±ez, Roberto; Santos-Barrera, Georgina; Jungfer, Karl-Heinz; Renjifo, Juan Manuel; Bolaà ±os, Frederico. Agalychnis callidryas. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2008: e.T55290A11274916. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T55290A11274916.enWarkentin, Karen M. The development of behavioral defenses: a mechanistic analysis of vulnerability in red-eyed treefrog hatchlings. Behavioral Ecology. 10 (3): 251–262. 1998. doi:10.1093/beheco/10.3.251

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

How I Won a Scholarship to a Writers Retreat

How I Won a Scholarship to a Writers Retreat Time to write- who doesnt want more of that? I certainly did. But as a full-time freelancer with no paid vacation days to subsidize professional development, paying to attend a writers retreat was not an option. After unsuccessfully applying for scholarships, I tweaked my approach- and won a full scholarship to the  Writers Winter Getaway. Here are four strategies that helped me find success. 1. Read the Guidelines Carefully   Before writing my application, I read both the scholarship guidelines and event details looking for keywords. What made this event unique? What were their core values? How did they market this event to writers? I found three concepts to emphasize in my application: Community, supportive workshop environments, and time to write. I made sure to touch on each of these in my application. For instance, my rural community doesnt offer many opportunities to connect with writers, so the community aspect of the event was important to me. This research was time-consuming, but it helped me organize my thoughts and outline my application. It also cut through self-doubt. I didnt ask myself What should I say? or How can I convince them to pick me? I let my research guide me in writing a strong essay. 2. Research the Honoree My wife, who reviews thousands of scholarship applications in her job, offered valuable insight. Many scholarships are given in honor of someone, but few applicants connect their story to the honoree. Those who do stand out to the scholarship committee- and often go on to win. Before completing my application, I looked up the honoree, poet Toni Brown. Not only could I connect personally to Toni, since we were both LGBTQ writers, but I found ways to touch upon her story in my application materials. While I never mentioned Toni 3. Use Details to Create a Sense of Urgency I almost didnt apply for this scholarship, because applications closed the day before I left for a two-week vacation. With my bags packed, I found time to review the application and pull something together quickly. With no time to stress- if I didnt finish this now, it wouldnt get done- I found urgency that allowed me to be transparent in expressing my need without feeling the shame or embarrassment that can come up when asking for financial assistance. My application explained what I wanted to work on at the retreat (a new novel), where I was in the work (10,000 words in), what specific goals I wanted to accomplish (which tied back to their guidelines), and why now was the ideal time for me (I was facing burnout). My time constraints helped me demonstrate urgency to the scholarship committee. When I received a phone call that let me know I was a finalist, they said as much, telling me It sounds like you could really use this opportunity. 4. Send Your Best Work   Even though I planned to work on a new project, I sent my strongest work- in my case, five pages from my polished novel. A committee member sought me out at the retreat to let me know how much she enjoyed my writing. While it was a true gift to receive a scholarship to a writers retreat, the process I developed to handle applications is what Im most proud of- and hope to put to good use again soon.

Monday, November 4, 2019

Review of a cotemporary film feat. black people or a prominent Black Essay - 1

Review of a cotemporary film feat. black people or a prominent Black performer - Essay Example Coming from a family who holds great pride in being black and prominent, Kenya is picky with her men and very much single. At the start of the movie, being â€Å"all that† yet single is starting to get to her. She finally agrees after much persuasion from her friends to go out on her very first blind date, and as if this were not uncomfortable enough, she enters Starbucks to find her date good-looking—and very much white. She goes jittery all of sudden doing small talk to strangers of the same skin color. Is it guilt? Is it fear of public judgment? Whatever it is, it is significantly beyond surprise. She dumps her Caucasian blind date, Brian Kelly (Simon Baker), in record time. But as fate would have it, they meet again at a common friend’s engagement party and he ends up being her landscape architect. The movie shows Kenya as highly professional, impeccably organized, admirably devoted to work. In other words, she is horribly uptight. Brian is unlike Kenya as much in personality as in color. He is accomplished but rugged, direct but sweet, dependable but spontaneous. After some Saturdays and despite much resistance, they fall in love and it seems although he has exactly what she needed—warmth and spontaneity. She takes out the weave that straightens her hair, and wears her natural curls. Soon her garden comes to life, and so does the rest of her house. Kenya repaints her house essentially getting rid of more than just the original â€Å"safe† color beige. She gets rid of her stops, and in the words of her brother (Donald Faison), she starts â€Å"dating white men.† Although much of Kenya has changed, some of the deeply-rooted sensibilities remain. Happy as she is, dating out of her race makes her publicly uncomfortably, and the rest of her friends and family are not making it any easier. The movie shows Brian to be more nonchalant about the situation or perhaps more patient

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Marc Chagalls Blue House Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Marc Chagalls Blue House - Essay Example The essay "Marc Chagall’s Blue House" explores Marc Chagall’s "Blue House". One of the modernists describes the process of painting as an attempt â€Å"to make visible that there is something which can be conceived and which can neither be seen nor made visible†. This â€Å"something that can be conceived but not seen nor made visible† is often referred to as the sublime, a quality of transcendent greatness â€Å"with which nothing else can be compared and which is beyond all possibility of calculation, measurement or imitation†. The presence of this sublime element, then, inspires the imagination in a specific direction based on which elements remain visible or understandable. Its significance is in the way in which it brings attention to the uncertainty of meaning inherent in the work, such that no resolution makes itself apparent. To understand how this untouchable element can be communicated through visual art, Marc Chagall’s oil painting â€Å"Blue House†, currently on display at the Museum of Fine Arts in Liege, Belgium, will be analyzed as an example. This â€Å"something that can be conceived but not seen nor made visible† is often referred to as the sublime, a quality of transcendent greatness â€Å"with which nothing else can be compared and which is beyond all possibility of calculation, measurement or imitation†. The presence of this sublime element, then, inspires the imagination in a specific direction based on which elements remain visible or understandable. It brings attention to the uncertainty.... e is also in a state of dilapidation that would make it completely unsuitable to live in as the roof does not seem structurally sound with large gaping holes in places, the boards are falling off the doorframes and windows and the very walls themselves seem be about to come disconnected. Despite its apparent abandonment, a small path remains leading down into the valley which is divided nearly down the middle by a small, concrete-grey river. This river marks the division point in the content of the painting as it helps to distinguish between the two sides of the valley floor. On the side nearest the house, the valley seems to be relatively desolate, with large dry areas and wild, new, light green grassy areas. On the other side of the river, though, there are dark green cultivated fields standing before a great city standing on the hill at the other side of the valley. The city is full of large white and red-tinged buildings, some of them long and blocky and others tall with spires. Some have red roofs and others have blue roofs, but all seem crammed together and, as a group, they block out the horizon. This city appears to have a wall around its base, separating it from the fields before it and protecting it from the unassuming opposition. All of this is depicted under a grey and somewhat threatening sky, which contributes to the dead grey of the river and gives an impression that there is smoke emerging from the top of the blue house's back chimney. With its emphasis on the long view, the painting immediately seems to be a landscape. This is mostly thanks to the concentration of the house and faraway city and view of the valley between (His, 1936: 30). There is a sense of overpowering nature involved in that the city must be protected even from its own