Chaplin Essays - American Comedy Films, Charlie Chaplin, Chaplin

Chaplin Essays - American Comedy Films, Charlie Chaplin, Chaplin Chaplin Charlie Chaplin Charles Spencer Chaplin was born on April 16, 1889 in Walworth, London, and lived a Dickensian childhood, shared with his brother, Sydney, that included extreme poverty, workhouses and seeing his mother's mental decline put her into an institution. Both his parents, though separated when he was very young, were music hall artists, his father quite famously so. But it was his mother Charlie idolized and was inspired by during his visits backstage while she performed, to take up such a career for himself. He achieved his ambition when he joined a dancing troop, the Eight Lancashire Lads, and this eventually led onto parts in Sherlock Holmes and Casey's Court Circus. Sydney, meanwhile, had joined the famous Fred Karno Company and quickly became a leading player and writer therein. He managed to get Charlie involved, and he too became a Karno star. For both boys, Karno was almost a college of comedy for them, and the period had a huge impact on Charlie especially. In 1910 Charlie toured the U.S. with the Karno group and returned for another in 1912. It was on this tour that he was head hunted by Mack Sennett and his Keystone Film Company, and Charlie was thus introduced into the medium of film. His first film, in 1914, was aptly titled Making A Living, and it was directed by Henry Lehrman. He starred in many of his Keystones along side Mabel Normand, who also directed three of his films, but it wasn't until Twenty Minutes of Love that he had a taste of directing himself, and this quickly became the only way he worked. His success was such that he was able to move from one company to another, each time into a better deal. In 1915, after thirty-five films, he moved to Essanay, and it was here he really found his feet, not to mention his longest serving leading lady, Edna Purviance. Notable films during this period include The Champion, The Tramp and The Bank. In 1916 he moved to Lone Star Mutual, with even greater control and financial rewards. Here he made the definitive Chaplin short comedies, The Rink, Easy Street, The Cure and The Immigrant. First National were next, and it was here he constructed his full length masterpiece, The Kid. Shorter comedies of note at this time included Sunnyside and The Idle Class. Along with his great friend, Douglas Fairbanks, as well as Mary Pickford and D.W. Griffith, Chaplin formed United Artists in 1919. He made his first film for them in 1923, the Edna Purviance vehicle, A Woman of Paris, perhaps the least known of his films, but it was followed by the Chaplin classics - The Gold Rush, The Circus, City Lights and Modern Times. It wasn't until 1940 that he made his first talkie, The Great Dictator, to be followed by the more refined Monsieur Verdoux and Limelight, a look back to the music hall world of his youth. Limelight (1952) was the last film he made in America. McCarthyite political maneuverings effectively ejected him from the country and he wasn't to return until 1972, when he received a special Academy Award. In the meantime, though heartily welcomed back to Britain, he moved to Switzerland with his wife, Oona O' Neill, and their children. He made two more films, A King In New York (1957, with Dawn Addams) and A Countess From Hong Kong (1967, with Sophia Loren and Marlon Brando) and spent his final years writing music for his films and enjoying his family life before he died, at 4 A.M. on Christmas Day in 1977. Bibliography Robinson, David. Charlie Chaplin: The Art of Comedy (1995) Mitchell, Glenn. The Chaplin Encyclopedia (1997) Karney, Robyn and Cross, Robin. The Life and Times of Charlie Chaplin (1992) Gifford, Denis. The Comic Art of Charlie Chaplin (1989) McCabe, John. Charlie Chaplin (1978) Payne, Robert. The Great Charlie (1957)

The Lexical Approach in Language Teaching

The Lexical Approach in Language Teaching In language teaching, a set of principles based on the observation that an understanding of words and word combinations (chunks) is the primary method of learning a language. The idea is that, rather than have students memorize lists of vocabulary, they would learn commonly used phrases.   The term lexical approach was introduced in 1993 by Michael Lewis, who observed that language consists of grammaticalized lexis, not lexicalised grammar (The Lexical Approach, 1993). The lexical approach is not a single, clearly defined method of language instruction. Its a commonly used term thats poorly understood by most. Studies of literature on the subject often show that its used in contradictory ways. It is largely based on the assumption that certain words will elicit a response with a specific set of words. Students would be able to learn which words are connected in this way. Students are expected to learn the grammar of languages based on recognizing patterns in words.  Ã‚   Examples and Observations The Lexical Approach implies a decreased role for sentence grammar, at least until post-intermediate levels. In contrast, it involves an increased role for word grammar (collocation and cognates) and text grammar (suprasentential features).(Michael Lewis, The Lexical Approach: The State of ELT and a Way Forward. Language Teaching Publications, 1993) Methodological Implications The methodological implications of [Michael Lewiss]  Lexical Approach (1993, pp. 194-195) are as follows: - Early emphasis on receptive skills, especially listening, is essential.- De-contextualized vocabulary learning is a fully legitimate strategy.- The role of grammar as a receptive skill must be recognized.- The importance of contrast in language awareness must be recognized.- Teachers should employ extensive, comprehensible language for receptive purposes.- Extensive writing should be delayed as long as possible.- Nonlinear recording formats (e.g., mind maps, word trees) are intrinsic to the Lexical Approach.- Reformulation should be the natural response to student error.- Teachers should always react primarily to the content of student language.- Pedagogical chunking should be a frequent classroom activity. (James Coady, L2 Vocabulary Acquisition: A Synthesis of the Research. Second Language Vocabulary Acquisition: A Rationale for Pedagogy, ed. by James Coady and Thomas Huckin. Cambridge University Press, 1997) Limitations While the lexical approach can be a quick way for students to pick up phrases, it doesnt foster much creativity. It can have the negative side effect of limiting peoples responses to safe fixed phrases. Because they dont have to build responses, they dont need to learn the intricacies of language.   Adult language knowledge consists of a continuum of linguistic constructions of different levels of complexity and abstraction. Constructions can comprise concrete and particular items (as in words and idioms), more abstract classes of items (as in word classes and abstract constructions), or complex combinations of concrete and abstract pieces of language (as mixed constructions). Consequently, no rigid separation is postulated to exist between lexis and grammar.(Nick C. Ellis, The Emergence of Language As a Complex Adaptive System. The Routledge Handbook of Applied Linguistics, ed. by James Simpson. Routledge, 2011)

The differences and similarities between the democrat party and the Essay

The differences and similarities between the democrat party and the republican party - Essay Example An ideological debate causes a more emotive response in individuals than does any other. The 9-11 attacks, abortion, the war in Iraq, the loss of civil liberties, global warming, evolution, health care, gay marriage, stem cell research and many other politically motivating subjects ignite emotional ideological battles. The terms conservative and liberal usually are attached to one’s stance on social issues. Liberals historically have proved to be very conservative regarding fiscal, Constitutional and foreign relations matters. Conservatives align themselves with the socially conservative religious faction of society. Of course, both ideologies share much in common, the want for peace and prosperity, the love of country and family for example. However, the differences are sharp, extensive and have existed in this country since the Rebels and Loyalists took separate sides of the political fence. The tenets of Liberalism proclaim a strong conviction in democracy and belief that the constitutional authority of the people will limit a powerful, expansive government. Liberal legislative leadership, partly through necessity, has instigated steady governmental growth well beyond where the architects of the constitution and most citizens would favor. Conservatives are against the government regulating corporations but are very much for legislation that regulates the private conduct of individuals and for advancing their religious agenda regardless of the damage to civil rights and liberties or the scientific or constitutional evidence that is contrary to their opinion. Abortion, stem cells, teaching evolution and gay marriage are preeminent examples of current ideological debates between conservatives and liberals. Those of a conservative ideology are against legalizing abortion. They believe it to be murder and are crusading to save babies’ lives. However, conservatives are also against funding prenatal care

Comparative Religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Comparative Religion - Essay Example Three negative aspects and at least one positive aspect of each religion will be named and explained. Secondly, Christianity which seems the closest to the â€Å"truth† for me will be evaluated and five positive aspects and one negative aspect will be stated. In addition, it will be outlined how I am going to deal with the aspect I did not like. Finally, a conclusion will be provided in which I will explain how this class helped me in the search for the â€Å"truth†. Hinduism is the main religion in India and other countries on South Asian Subcontinent, especially India and Nepal. It has no single founder or creator, several holy writings and more than one god. Therefore, many people often refer to Hinduism as a way of life, instead of calling it a religion. Furthermore, Hindus have a common system of values, such as duty, virtue, and morality, known as Dharma. Hinduism is a very old religion and for many people it is the religion closest to the â€Å"truth†. The most appealing aspect for me is that Hinduism is a rather animal friendly religion, for instance, many Hindus are vegetarian. Treating animals well is important to me and therefore, I believe this to be a positive aspect. However, there are three aspects that I do not like. First, Hinduism includes the concept of Varna (class), which divides society into four groups: teachers and priests, warriors and nobles, farmers, merchants, and businessman, and servants and workers. The division of classes served as a model for the social order. I believe it is a negative aspect, because people are born into a certain class and have almost not change of escaping it. It can be argued that Varna was partly responsible for the caste system in India. Secondly, Hindus believe that life is a continuous series of birth, death and rebirth, which is regulated by Karma. Although that might be an attractive aspect for some people, it is not for me, because it sounds restless and wearing. Thirdly, cremati on is obligatory for most Hindus, when they pass away. Although that might be a minor aspect for many, this is a major negative aspect for me, because I would prefer to be buried. When people are buried in a graveyard, it gives friends and family a place to go to and I believe that is important. III. Buddhism Buddhism is a very old religion or way of life, which can also predominantly be found on the Indian subcontinent. It is a very spiritual religion, which focuses on spiritual development and insight into the nature of life. Furthermore, Buddhists do not worship one God or many Gods; instead they follow the teachings of Buddha. Buddhism is a very peaceful religion, since non-violence is the centre of Buddhist thinking and acting. The peaceful character is a major positive characteristic for me. Religion has been misused for many wars and acts of violence, but it is difficult to justify any wars or acts of violence with such a peaceful religion as Buddhism. Nevertheless, Buddhism is not the closest religion to the â€Å"truth† for me, due to these aspects. First, Buddhists do not believe in the existence of a God. Although this might not be a negative aspect for many, it is a difficult aspect for me, because I like to believe in the existence of a higher power, so the absence of such a higher power is a negative aspect for me. Secondly, meditation as a main feature of Buddhism is a further negative aspect for me. A lot of people praise the benefits of meditation, which is perfectly all right; however, meditation is not for me. I tried to meditate on several occasions, but it does not work for me. Thirdly, a negative aspect of Buddhism for me is that life or existence is described as being a tragedy, filled with suffering

Hazara people Essay Example for Free

Hazara people Essay 1. Friendship, guilt, redemption â€Å"He knew about Assef, the kite, the money, the watch with the lightning bolt hands. He had always known. ‘Come. There is a way to be good again,’ Rahim Khan had said on the phone just before hanging up. Said it in passing, almost as an afterthought. † (Chapter 14, pg 202). This quote symbolizes how Amir strived to do everything to forget, all he needed to do was to fly to Pakistan and see what Rahim Khan wanted him to do. So thats exactly what Amir did. Rahim Khan tells Amir that there is a way to be good again. Amir knew straightaway what he was talking about. He realizes, that all of those years, Rahim Khan had known about Assef, the kite, the money, the watch with the lightning bolt hands. He had always known. Rahim Khan had knew about Hassan getting raped. He needs to go to Afghanistan and talk about the ‘unspoken secret’ they both knew about. After the phone conversation, Amir keeps remembering Hassan saying ‘for you, a thousand times over! ’ Thinking of this, he knows he has to go to Afghanistan, see Rahim Khan, uncover the secrets and do whatever he asks to ‘be good again’. By this he means that Amir has the opportunity to make up for his betrayal of Hassan by saving his son, Sohrab. Rahim Khan knows what really happened to Hassan and also knows that this has been bothering Amir for years so he is basically implying that Amir can still redeem himself if he goes back to Afghanistan. When Amir ran, he ran from jealousy and fear; fear of Assef and fear of his own reputation as a Pashtun standing up for a Hazara. The negativity of the social setting influenced Amir’s rash decision on betraying Hassan. The prevailing theme of guilt and redemption is weaved through the journey of Amir’s life, influenced by the society, where Hazaras are betrayed. 2. Parental relationships â€Å"Here is another cliche my creative writing teacher would have scoffed at; like father like son. But, it was true, wasn’t it? As it turned out, Baba and I were more alike than I’d ever known. We had both betrayed the people who would have given their lives for us. And with that came this realization: that Rahim Khan had summoned me there to atone not just for my sins but for Baba’s too. † (Chapter 18, pg 238) I chose this quote because not only is it ironic in and of itself, but it also ironically characterizes all the characters in the novel. Amir felt his â€Å"sin†Ã¢â‚¬â€betraying Hassan—made him so different from his father. He has spent much of his life trying to please Baba and mimic his father’s life. It is ironic that now, all these years later, when he discovers he and had father were so similar, it sickens him rather than bringing him joy. In the novel, he continually states that he would’ve never would have dreamed that Baba’s greatest sin would be theft on so many different levels (stealing wife, purity, truth) and gone against the nang and namoos, he so adamantly preached to his son. Amir and Babas relationship changes throughout the novel. The novel starts out with Amir doing whatever he could to win his fathers attention, which includes betraying his best friend, Hassan. He betrayed Hassan for his fathers full attention. He then earns it when Hassan and Ali move out and Baba and Amir move to America. This quote shows that Amir and Baba are very alike. They both betrayed their best friends. Baba betrayed Ali by sleeping with his wife, and Amir betrayed Hassan by not standing up for him while getting assaulted. Then they both try to redeem themselves with doing other good deeds. Baba, running an orphanage, and Amir going back to Kabul to save Sohrab, Hassans son. 3. Maturing â€Å"Earlier in the morning, when I was certain no one was looking, I did something I had done twenty-six years earlier: I planted a fistful of crumpled money under a mattress† (Chapter 19, pg 254) This quote shows how Amir had changed and grew more mature than before. In Kabul, before he had done the same thing to kick out Ali and Hassan. I lifted Hassans mattress and planted my new watch and a handful of Afghani bills under it. I waited another thirty minutes. Then I knocked on Babas door and told what I hoped would be the last in a long line of shameful lies. † (pg. 110) Before, when he put the money under Hassans mattress, it was a coward move. He did it so Baba would get rid of both Hassan and Ali. Amir kept trying to cover up his past and get rid of it by setting Hassan up. He thought if Hassan left, then everything would go back to normal, but it didnt. Now, Amir had a heart. Rahim Khan told Amir to come back to Afghanistan to rescue Hassans son Sohrab. Amir stayed with Wahids family. They didnt have much at all. They served Amir all their food they had. Amir felt guilty for all the riches he had. Living in America, without war, having sanitary living conditions and enough food for meals three times a day. So, when it was time for Amir to leave, he snuck a fistful of money under the mattress. This time, it wasnt a coward who had done it, it had been a loving, but guilty man. Amir was slowly paying back his dues and hardships he had created in the past. 4. Strength of the human spirit â€Å"Then I told him I was going to Kabul. Told him to call the Caldwells in the morning. ‘I’ll pray for you, Amir jan,’ he said. †(Chapter 18 pg 239) Not only did Amir not stand up for himself, he did not stand up for others either (like Hassan when he got raped). Amir didnt dare to say his opinion, to the public, or to Assef that he and Hassan are friends because Hassan is Hazara and always was going to be. Later that changes. He fights for Sohrab, in fact what he really is doing is fighting back for all the times he didnt fight for Hassan, against Assef. In the fight he gets hare lipped just like Hassan, I think thats a symbol. A symbol that says that he has become as brave as Hassan. Another thing that indicates this change is that in the dreams he used to have where he couldnt part his father from the bear he later dreams of himself as the bear. He always admired his father, and his father was very brave. Bears are significant as brave and fearless. Back in Kabul, it seemed like Amir was finally doing something good in his life. After some misgivings, Amir agrees to rescue Hassans son, Sohrab, from an orphanage in Kabul. Amir even fights against a Taliban official who turns out to be Assef in order to save Sohrab. This reminds Amir and the readers that this time it wasn’t Hassan who was in Assef’s fist, it was his son and Amir had to save Sohrab because he couldn’t save Hassan last time. This is action instead of inaction; bravery instead of cowardice; selflessness instead of self-absorption. Perhaps this streak of good deeds will make up for his betrayal of Hassan. Its almost as if the confident Amir combines with the helpless and coward childhood Amir. While saving Sohrab, Amir makes a huge mistake and goes back on a promise to Sohrab. As a result, Sohrab tries to commit suicide. Were watching Amir repeat mistakes from the past even as he attempts to put the past to rest. This is Amir at his best and worst and perhaps this is the real Amir that really combines all the previous versions of him. Hes weak and blind, but also essentially kind. Hes jealous, but in the end only wants to be loved. Even though sometimes during the book, we would want to scream at Amir, but as we know that hes an utterly human character, and can’t blame him for anything. 5. ‘Discrimination and prejudice â€Å"True, I hadn’t made Ali step on that land mine, and I hadn’t brought the Taliban to the house to shoot Hassan. But I had driven Hassan and Ali out of the house. Was it too far-fetched to think things might have turned out differently if I hadn’t? Maybe Baba would have brought them to America. Maybe Hassan would have a home of his own now, a job, a family, a life in a country where no one cared that he was a Hazara, where most people didn’t even know what a Hazara was. Maybe not. But maybe so. † (Chapter 18, pg 238) The Kite Runner tackles the issue of discrimination in Afghanistan with an example of the relationship between Pashtuns and Hazaras. Babas father sets an example for Amir of being kind to Hazara people, even though they are historically not appreciated and persecuted. Baba could have easily sent Ali to an orphanage after his parents death, but he chose not to and picked the decision of raising him in his household. Baba does the same with Hassan, although this is because of the fact that Hassan is actually his son after all. Even in Babas house, the house of best intentions, the class barrier between the Pashtuns and Hazaras endures. Ali is as dear to Baba as a brother. Baba calls him family. But Ali still lives in a hut and sleeps on a mattress on the floor. He tends the garden, cooks, and cleans up after Baba, and raises Hassan to do the same. So strong is Hassans identity as a servant that even as an adult, when Baba is gone, he has no sense of entitlement. He insists on staying in the hut and doing housework. When Hassan dies defending Babas house, he does so not because he feels it belongs to him, but because he is being loyal to Baba and Amir. Discrimination is everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Assef tells Amir, Afghanistan is like a beautiful mansion littered with garbage, and someone has to take out the garbage. Like his idol, Hitler, he feels entitled to killing those he deems unworthy of living in his land. He even relishes the term ethnic cleansing because it goes so well with his garbage metaphor. Like Baba, many people do not mention the Hazaras history of persecution. The author shows that the persecution of the Hazaras is not new, but a greatly intensified outgrowth of long-held discrimination. 6. Man’s inhumanity to man â€Å"How could he have lied to me all those years? To Hassan? He had sat me on his lap when I was little, looked me straight in the eyes, and said, There is only one sin. And that is theft When you tell a lie, you steal someones right to the truth. Hadnt he said those words to me? And now, fifteen years after Id buried him, I was learning that Baba had been a thief. And a thief of the worst kind, because the things hed stolen had been sacred: from me the right to know I had a brother, from Hassan his identity, and from Ali his honor. His nang. His namoos. † (Chapter 18, pg 237) Until Rahim Khan reveals Babas secret, Amir thinks he is the only sinner among his family and friends. The biggest shocker to Amir was that Hassan was really his half brother. After Amirs mother died, Baba had slept with Hassans mother and got her pregnant. All along Baba knew that Hassan was his son and Ali covered as his father and the two of them were servants in Babas house. Amir thought about the reason why Baba was so worked up over Amirs mentioning of getting new servants was because he would be losing his son that way. There were so many signs he realizes like the plastic surgery and always inviting Hassan to events. Amir was filled with anger and he felt betrayed by Rahim and especially Baba. The regret is even greater in his life that he had driven out his own half brother and did not even know it, and now there is no way to make things right because Hassan is dead. Amir is shocked, taken back, and deeply hurt. Even before Amir betrays him, Hassan makes him feel guilty simply by being such a righteous person. Amir is constantly trying to measure up to Baba, because he does not realize that Baba is so hard on him because of his guilt over his own sin. Amir feels as though his entire life has been a cycle of betrayal, even before he betrayed Hassan. But having a taste of betrayal himself does little towards redeeming Amir. In Ghazi Stadium, the Taliban skews the words of Muhammad in order to justify murdering the alleged adulterers. The mullah announces that every person should have a punishment befitting his sin. Although he would not want to compare himself to the Taliban, Amir believes this in regards to his own sin. When he tried to get Hassan to pelt him with pomegranates, he was expressing his feeling that in order to be forgiven for hurting Hassan, Hassan must hurt him. When Assef almost kills Amir, he felt healed, as though now that Assef has hurt him, it is fair. He even tells Farid that in the room with Assef, he got what he deserved. In the end, Amir finds out that punishment is not what will redeem him from his sin. It is not even saving Sohrab. In order to make up for his sin and Babas before him, Amir must erase the lines of discrimination he has lived with all his life by giving Sohrab an equal chance at success and happiness.

Expressionism: Van Goughs Starry Night Essay -- essays research paper

During the Modern Era of the late 19th century and the early 20th century, many artists were turning away from the idea of painting realistic images. Photography, having just been developed for public use a few decades earlier, made artists of the day focus less on painting as an precise copy of what is seen, as had been done for centuries. Since the Middle Ages, most artists painted exact representations of life. Starting in the late 1800s, though, many artists were starting to embrace the theory of art as an impression of what is seen. Impressionism, the art movement that began in the 1870s in France, was the first real development of this new concept of painting. Impressionists, such as Claude Monet, sought to put on canvas how they saw light and nature. Unlike the artists from centuries before, the Impressionists were not interested in painting images of nobility or religion; instead they focused more on painting ordinary people and nature. Post-Impressionism, which occurred abo ut a decade later, still used similar subject matter, however, focused more on the structure and form of the subject while still portraying the impressions of light and atmosphere on the subjects and its surroundings.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of these Post-Impressionists was the Dutch artist, Vincent van Gogh. Van Gogh believed that art was a form of expression. Painting was an emotional and spiritual experience for him. He painted not only how he interpreted his surroundings, but his sen...

Art History Slide Notes

Venus of Willendorf from Willendorf, Austria 28,000 – 25,000 BCE Limestone Naturhistorisches Museum, Vienna Paleolithic – representation of a woman – female anatomy is exaggerated – serves as a fertility image – no facial features, just hair/hat – freestanding sculpture Statuettes of 2 worshipers from the Square Temple at Eshnunna (Tell Asmar), Iraq 2700 BCE (early dynastic/Sumerian) Soft gypsum and inlaid with shell + black limestone Iraq Museum, Baghdad – represent mortals praying – tiny beakers were used in religious rites men wear belts + fringed skirts + have beard + shoulder-length hair – women wear long robes – heads tilt upwards with large open eyes – not proportionate, eyes=too big and hands=too small Bull-headed lyre from tomb789 (King’s Grave), Royal Cemetery, Ur (Tell Muqayyar), Iraq 2600 BCE Bull’s head = gold leaf over a wooden core Hair, beard = lapis lazuli University of Pennsyl vania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia – sound panel depicts a hero grasping animals that look human, serving at a banquet + playing music Spotted horse+ negative handprint rom Pech Merle, France 22,000 BCE (Paleolithic) Wall painting (cave) – negative hand imprints – horse in profile Hall of the Bulls from Lascaux, France 15,000 – 13,000 BCE (Paleolithic) – coloured and non-coloured silhouettes Wall painting of horses, rhinos, aurochs from Chauvet Cave, Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, France 30,000 – 28,000 BCE – oldest cave paintings – advanced features (overlapping animal horns) Bird Headed Man with Bison from Lascaux, France 15,000 – 13,000 BCE Paleolithic – depicts a possible hunting scene – early example of a narrative Victory Stele of Naram-Sin from Susa, Iran 2254 – 2218 BCE (Akkadian empire) Pink sandstone Louvre, Paris – king defeats his enemies; one has spear through throat, one begs for mercy, one thrown off cliff – 3 stars=3 gods – hierarchy of scale is used to emphasize king’s absolute power and influence; he is the focal point b/c he wears horned crown (signifies divinity) + larger + leads army (who look at him for guidance) up the mountain + in profile – diagonal tiers, relief sculpture – narrative Stele of Hammurabi from Susa, Iran 1780 BCE (Babylonian) Basalt Louvre, Paris – top = relief of Hammurabi with sun-god, Shamash – Hammurabi salutes Shamash, hand up and is able to rule as he is given permission from Shamash – one of the first examples employing foreshortening (representation at an angle) e. g. Shamash’s beard = series of diagonal lines Palette of King Narmer (back) from Hierakonpolis, Egypt 3000 – 2920 BCE (Predynastic) Slate Egyptian Museum, Cairo – relief carving – utilitarian object; carried eye makeup which was also used to protect eyes from sun – circle stands for union of Upper + Lower Egypt King of Narmer = detailed, largest, calve muscles, directional lines lead up to him, wears a crown, has a beard, has an aggressive pose, holds a baton, has a bull’s tail, wears decorated kilt Horus – King’s protector/falcon – organized into registers very flat, linear Palette of King Narmer (front) – 2 heads of a cow (top) with woman’s face = identified as goddess – hieroglyphic represent Narmer’s name – narrative art King Narmer combined Upper + Lower Egypt Khafre enthroned (Statue of Khafre) from Gizeh, Egypt 520 – 2494 BCE (4th Dynasty) Old Kingdom Diorite – hardest stone to sculpt Egyptian Museum, Cairo – idealistic portrait – carved for the pharaoh’s valley temple and for the king to reside in, in case the mummy disintegrates – king sits firmly/rigidly upright on throne (fused); bare-chested, detailed kilt, feet placed firmly on the ground, right hand fisted, false beard atta ched, royal linen nemes headdress with the uraeus cobra of kingship on the front, looking strong and young (regardless of age), calm, head tilted slightly upwards – might have held omething important in his hand—a symbol that shows Khafre=king – throne’s legs show intertwined lotus and papyrus plants (which happen to be symbolic of the united Egypt) – falcon sits on the back of his head with its wings around for protection. falcon=Horus – perfectly symmetrical, flawless, well-developed, muscular body to show that he was a divine ruler – statue’s function was to make sure it lasted for eternity, so no breakable parts Menkaure and Khamerernebty from Gizeh, Egypt 2490 – 2472 BCE (4th Dynasty) Graywacke Museum of Fine Arts, Boston double-portrait, high-relief sculpture, contained sculpture – she holds onto him, signifies that they are married – carved for Menkaure’s valley temple – Menkaure is rig idly frontal, his arms lie straight and close to his well-built body, has clenched fists, even with left foot forward body stays rigid, physique is idealistic, short beard – Khamerernebty’s right arm encircles the king’s waist, left hand rests on his left arm, clothing is light to show female form – both look out into space, not at each other – function – to show the timeless nature of the stone statue that was also designed to provide an eternal substitute home Nefertiti bust by Thutmose from Amarna, Egypt 1353 – 1335 BCE (18th Dynasty) New Kingdom Painted limestone Agyptisches Museum, Berlin – Nefertiti (Akhenaton’s wife) has expression of entranced musing + sensitivity + delicacy – work, unfinished b/c of missing left pupil – long curved neck balance long crown, broken right ear – portrayed as elegant beauty, symmetrical – found in Thutmose’s workshop – purpose? Thutmose’s model Akhenaton, Nefertiti, 3 daughters from Amarna, Egypt 1353 – 1335 BCE (18th Dynasty) New Kingdom Limestone Agyptisches Museum, Berlin – sunken relief – intimate family portrait = new, never been done before undulating curves replace rigid lines – figures possess prominent bellies (characteristic of Amarna period) – family bask in life-giving rays of the Sun (Aton, the sun disk) – mood = informal, anecdotal – Akhenaton lifts 1 daughter to kiss, one sits one Nefertiti’s lap who gestures toward father, youngest one reaches to touch pendant on mother’s crown – flowing scarves suggest wind Innermost coffin of Tutankhamen, from his tomb from Thebes, Egypt 1323 BCE (18th Dynasty) New Kingdom Gold with inlay of enamel + semiprecious stone Egyptian Museum, Cairo – tomb contained sculpture, furniture, jewelry – mummy within the innermost of 3 coffins dressed in official regalia, nemes headdress, fake beard – effects of mask and tomb treasures express power, pride, wealth – innermost coffin – gold, portrays pharaoh as Osiris (god of underworld/afterlife) Egyptians – enjoyed life – loved to eat + drink – loved and embraced life – believed afterlife = important – evolved and made their gods (sun gods) – left behind artworks to show that the kings were to exist eternally in the afterlife – majority = farmers – had intimate relati onships with Gods – preserved bodies – made solid tombs that preserved materials – wore jewellery to look good, loved precious stones would never have bothered to live in Egypt if it weren’t for the Nile – believed that they would have a straight narrow path like the Nile – believed that people have spirit – Middle kingdom disintegrated, Egyptians were invaded by the Hyksos (shepherd kings) with chariots + horses, but were later overthrown by Ahmose – Ahmose = 1st king of the 18th Dynasty (first to call Pharaoh), ushered in the New Kingdom, in which borders were extended and new capital, Thebes (in Upper Egypt)became a luxurious metropolis with palaces, tombs, temples – have ceremonial meal/feast/banquet at the deceased tomb 1/year – purpose? Commune with deadFacts about Egypt – houses = mud brick and were made to not last – Nile river (longest river on Earth) floods 1 a year – desert = sand, dry – no rainfall for decades – rich mud = good for growing plants – ultimate god – Re = is the Sun, creates dry land, – – creates life by ejaculating/spitting, creates gods of dryness/wetness – only wealthy people could afford mummification between the Old and Middle kingdom, Egypt was in a state of civil unrest – rock-cut tombs were characteristic and became popular during the middle kingdom, even replaced the mastaba as standard Egyptian tomb – temples were built to honour pharaohs, gods – long narrow passageways = characteristic of Egyptian temples (eg, Hatshepsut + Amen-Re) – successful hunting = metaphor for triumphing over death + disorder, which ensured a happy existence in the afterlife – King Tut – died at 18 â₠¬â€œ NEW KINGDOM – temple of Hatshepsut, Ramses, Amen-Re Old kingdom = pyramids Middle kingdom = rock-cut tombs New kingdom = temples Predynastic Period Early Dynastic Period Old Kingdom (3,4 dynasty) Middle Kingdom (11-14) New Kingdom (18,19)Old stone age (Paleolithic period) Sumerian (3500-2340 BCE) Akkadian (2340-2180 BCE) Babylonian (2125-1750 BCE) Mastaba – an Egyptian tomb made of brick/stone that is rectangular in shape with sloping sides, featuring a chapel with a false door. Some included a serdab – a small room that housed a statue of the deceased elonging to take into next world – portrait sculpture â€Å"he who keeps alive† Slide exam – Title, Artist, Date, Period, Medium. Be able to analyze style + significance, be able to compare MINOANS No big statues, no ideas that there were kings, built palaces on slopes, bull-leaping ceremonies, typical to have columns with cut stone bottoms, artists painted on wet plaster (fresco) which has the advantage of a picture staying on the wall, Minoans adored nature , 2 key elements Minoan art – line and color. Unlike the Egyptians who painted in fresco secco (dry fresco), Minoans painted on a white lime plaster and used a true (wet) fresco. Volcanic eruption on Thera (Cyclades), 4. 12 big eyes, holds snake, skirt has folds, snakes didn't come from Crete, came from Asia Minor. Unlike Egypt, no temples/monumental statues of gods, kings, or monsters have been found in Minoan Crete, Minoan sculptures usually small in size, Proto geometric Geometric Oritentalizing Archaic Early classical High clausal Late classical Hellenistic

Analysis of Chocolat

Analysis of Chocolat In this extract from Chocolat by Joanne Harris, a mother and her young daughter, Anouk, have just arrived at Lansquenet-sous-Tannes, a small village in France. The story is told from the mother’s point of view in the first person. Only at the end of the scene – when a man asks â€Å"On holiday, Madame? † – we discover that the narrator is a woman. It is carnival time. The narrator describes the excitement of the participants using the senses. For example, the atmosphere is full of smells of foods which sound really good; â€Å"pancakes and sausages and powdery-sweet waffles† contrast with the cold of the winter.In the same way, the woman appeals to the sense of sight to describe the decorated carts which remind to some fairy tales; for instance, â€Å"a gingerbread house all icing and gilded cardboard† calls to mind Hansel and Gretel. Then, she compares the carnival with others that both she and her daughter have seen. â €Å"A procession of two hundred and fifty of the decorated chars in Paris last Mardi Gras, a hundred and eighty in New York, [†¦] drum majorettes with batons spinning and sparkling† tells us that the carnival itself is something typical of their lives.In this case, it can represent the new beginning in the new town. It also means that they have travelled a lot. Moreover, when Anouk asks her mother â€Å"Are we staying? † we understand that the child likes so much the new village that she wants to stay there. In contrast with the carts of the carnival, which are colourful and expressive, the houses of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes â€Å"leaning secretively together†. Only people have secrets, not the houses, so the author uses a metaphor to suggest something sinister about the place and probably to stimulate the interest of the readers.The small village looks apparently perfect. â€Å"There is no police station at Lansquenet-sous-Tannes, therefore no crime† means that people think that there are no crimes, but this does not convince the woman. â€Å"But for now everything is blurred†. There is also a strong presence of the church and of the religion in general. For example, the church is described as â€Å"aggressively whitewashed†; similarly, the priest is seen as â€Å"a black figure† who is compared to the Plague Doctor.The priest is also described with a â€Å"rigid stance† and â€Å"pale eyes† which confirms the idea of an unfriendly person. All the other residents are characterized in two different ways. On the one hand, there are the adults, who look suspiciously and with curiosity to the two protagonists. As the text says, â€Å"tourists are a rarity†. The sentence â€Å"I feel their eyes upon us† emphasizes the fact that the woman and her daughter are observed. On the other hand, the children transmit colour and vitality.For instance, the clothing of the adults are â€Å"brown, black or grey†; the children, instead, â€Å"flying colours of red and lime-green and yellow, seem like a different race†. The author uses a lot of adjectives, which add many details to the descriptions. For example, when the woman talks about her daughter, she says â€Å"her eyes, which are the blue-green of the Earth seen from a great height, shining†. This also helps us to understand the close relationship between the two characters.

Punjab National Bank Information Systems Essays

Punjab National Bank Information Systems Essays Punjab National Bank Information Systems Essay Punjab National Bank Information Systems Essay INDEXPAGE INTODUCTION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY3 DEFINITION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY3 COMPANY PROFILE Profile 4 Vision and Mission 4 INFORMATION SYSTEM IN PNB PNB IT Setup * IT Setup4 * Network Design4 * Storage5 * WAN amp; Connectivity5 * Security Systems5 * Hardware amp; Software Resources6 Organizations Other Computing Resource * Payroll TPS6 * Online Assistance7 * Account Opening – MIS7 * SPNS, RTGS 7 * Mobile Alert Service7 Cloud Computing8 Recommendations9 References10 Introduction Development of Information technology is showing its importance for development in all the sectors across. Information technology in recent years showed a complete revolution in how information is collected, stored/managed and used in both business and government around the world. The world and the workplace has been changed from working on paper documents which always face the problem of errors and delays, to the world of computers and information technology where work is carried out in its own way with accuracy and on time. Information technology can be even used to interconnect different systems for the purpose to share and exchange information in the organisation for everyone’s use. mcst. gov. mv/Downloads/Documents/Samp;T/Part2-03Information_Technology. pdf ) Definition of Information Technology. Information technology system refers to all the hardware and software that are used in the organisation may be any industry to operate different functions such as store-manage the information, retrieve and control the stored information. At the lowest level organisations have the net working tools and servers with an operating system. Database and web serving software are installed on these servers. These networking tools help to connect all the database to each other and also to all the users in need who have their personal hardware, operating system, and software tools. ( mariosalexandrou. com/definition/information-technology. asp ) PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK (PNB) 1. A professionally established and managed bank with a successful track record of over 110 years. 2. It is the Largest branch network in India of 4668 Offices including 432 Extension Counters all across the country 3. Business covers all the main cities including the metro-politant one’s. 4. Strong hold in the banking relationships with over 217 international banks of the globe. 5. Many well-known international banks maintain their Rupee Accounts with PNB. Vision To be a Leading Global Bank with Pan India footprints and become a household brand in the Indo-Gangetic Plains providing entire range of financial products and services under one roof Mission Banking for the unbanked IT SETUP in PNB. PNB has a huge number of applications running on its network like any other Banking/Financial Institution. All the platforms of the bank has standardized on UNIX operating system and RDBMS on Oracle. Bank also uses other OS like Microsoft’s windows 2000/ XP which are enabled in the centres. The hardware PNB uses are provided by the ‘Sun Microsystems’ for Web servers at the data centre. PNB branches are also using Compaq, IBM and Xeon servers. DOS machines are also used for the running of some ATM machines. Network design Cisco has linked with PNB to frame the network design and execute a nationwide network strength to connect all its offices across. PNB will adapt an understanding from CISCO to better impelemnt many technologies related with the project. This established network infrastructure gave a way for PNB to normalize the applications and software needed to carry out the banking services and other functions. Implementations of new-world routing and switching technologies connects many branches of PNB to the data centre. ( networkmagazineindia. com/200305/tech4. shtml ) Storage systems Keeping into the mind the RBIs storage requirement guidelines bank has met the Policies and have been made to store transaction data for around 10 years. In certain cases, data is stored permanently. Nearly 164 Sun enterprise class servers are used in DAS architecture. The total capacity is of several TB’s. The Sun hardware uses an in-built storage management tool. Later look over a storage management application from VERITAS. ( networkmagazineindia. com/200305/tech4. shtml ) WAN and connectivity 101 branches of the PNB were on a WAN in the year 2000. The bank then expanded the number to 500-odd branches on the WAN in the year 2002, and in coming next 3 years the WAN had around two thousand branches. The bank worked on many connectivity methods. 02. 11b Wireless connectivity was installed in 5 branches to begin with. PNB then started using the leased lines and used its network/internet connectivity from Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited. It also used used leased lines form other companies between Mumbai and Delhi. Reliance Infocomms fiber optic became the in locations where the optic fiber was unable to reach. with HCL Com-net carried out all the monitoring operations of the country wide network twenty four hours all seven days. There is a direct live connectivity between HCL and PNBs IT head office. a separate monitoring system is used to remotely monitor banks IT facility. Security Systems PNB could afford no compromise and hence security became very important. The security architecture had to be strong, efficient, properly managed, trustworthy, and scalable to meet up present needs as well as in the future. Cisco was the company which was appointed as the service provider and it succeeded in meeting these strict requirements. The bank uses loads of security softwares and products like IDSs ,Anti-virus programmes/software’s and Firewalls and from Cisco to enable protection and avoid threats from its LANs and WAN. Ramco Systems are the security integrator for PNB. The security integrator is accountable for the complete security infrastructure and is reponsible for any kind of security break-down. ( networkmagazineindia. com/200305/tech4. shtml ) Software Resources PNB is using many software’s for its operational activities for its smooth and efficient running, the Softwares which PNB implements are as follows:- . Microsoft office 2003 2. Operating System’s:- UNIX, Solaris, Windows NT, 2000 Server, XP etc.. 3. Attack Filters: Spyware, Trojan, VoIP etc. 4. Protocols: IP, VLAN, DNS, HTTP, FTP, TCP, TELNET, UTP etc. 5. Databases: MS Access, MS SQL, Oracle, FoxPro. 6. Bank-mate 7. Acrobat Reader Hardware Resources To fulfill the requirement and as per compatibility with the software PNB uses these hardware are used as a support to the software above. They are as follows:- 1. Network Cards. 2. Printer 3. Sun’s hardware for Solaris, 4. Routers, Scanners 5. NT Based servers from IBM, 6. HCL, IBM etc Desktops, etc. Organizations Other Computing Resources Payroll Transaction Processing System Payroll TPS is a distinctive accounting transaction processing system used by PNB. Payroll TPS keeps track of the money paid to employees. Master file cosists of separate pieces of information (such as a name, address, or employee number) called as data elements. Data are keyed into the system, updating the data elements. The elements on the master file are shared in different ways to make reports of interest to management and government agencies and to send pay checks to employees. This helps the Management view employee’s efficiency to work and may declare additional bonus or any other incentive payable. This report is checked, revised and approved by the branch manager, only after which the pay cheque is issued to the employee. Online Assistance PNB provides its customers online assistance by providing i-banking, online complaints, providing them information about various products and services. These complaints and supports are processed by customer care services Executive. Hence there is a need for a proper data base for controlling all the information on the website. Account Opening – MIS is used. In account opening the Management Information System (MIS) is used, every information about the customer is recorded/feeded like their name, address, account, type of account, account information, their sample signature, these helps in Identification of customer instantly and creating a database at faster rate. This includes the filling of KYC and AC forms. SPNS (Shared Payment Network System) Swadhan, the first SPNS launched in Mumbai by IBA. The banks that join on this network could issue the cards to consumers to transact on the networks. RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement) RTGS System is a payment settlement system that minimizes the credit risk in the established cheque clearing system. RTGS settles the funds on a near real time basis across Banks in various locations. Bank offers this quick electronic fund transfer facility to RTGS enabled bank branches across everywhere throughout the country. Mobile Alert Service The customers now have the facility to enrol for the Mobile Alert Service for receiving alerts on registered mobile phone numbers instantly after there is any transaction of the fundsin the account. CLOUD COMPUTING Cloud computing is a model for enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e. g. , networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction. This cloud model promotes availability and is composed of five essential characteristics, three service models, and four deployment models. ( http://servicesoftware. blogspot. com/2009/12/cloud-computing-nist-definition. html ) Advantages ( Cloud Computing )Disadvantages Reduced CostRequires a constant Internet connection. Increased StorageDoesnt work well with low-speed connections. Highly Automated Features might be limited FlexibilityStored data can be lost More Mobility Stored data might not be secure. Allows IT to Shift Focus Recommendations There are various available alternatives for which the banking industry can opt. These are:- Office Accounting Professional 2009 SAP ERP Financials Tally 9: Financial Accounting and Inventory Management Software Flexcube – ‘i-flex solutions’ Hyperion Financial Management System 9 The bank is using information system efficiently and it has increased the customer satisfaction, efficiency, data storage, fast data retrieval. But to improve more and regarding future success of PNB here are the some suggestions. 1. The bank must update Hardware to get maximum performance from Information Systems in order to allow the IS to procure the least amount of system resources it requires for functioning. 2. The bank should update all their software, networks etc to keep information system up to date for competitive edge, customer satisfaction. 3. Steps should be taken to increase the safety amp; to avoid the unethical practices like phishing. 4. Need for improved training for using Information Technology and tools to employees. 5. Intra firm communication should be improved. In context of cloud computing suitability with the working of the bank and its information system, Cloud Computing is highly recommended as business can be connected all over the country investing less in hardware’s and software’s. This can be benefial to control overall banking from a particular place including the routine business transactions and e-banking. It may fasten the working and attract more customers by its services which are quicker than the competitors not using this modern technology. References ( mcst. gov. mv/Downloads/Documents/Samp;T/Part2-03Information_Technology. pdf ) ( mariosalexandrou. com/definition/information-technology. asp) ( networkmagazineindia. com/200305/tech4. shtml) (http://servicesoftware. blogspot. com/2009/12/cloud-computing-nist-definition. html) ( macs. hw. ac. uk/modules/F24SR1/linksis/lec5. htm)

Nora Helmer of A Dolls House, a Play by Henrik Ibsen

Nora Helmer of 'A Doll's House,' a Play by Henrik Ibsen One of the most complex characters of 19th-century drama, Nora Helmer prances about in the first act, behaves desperately in the second, and gains a stark sense of reality during the finale of Henrik Ibsens  A Dolls House. In the beginning, Nora exhibits many childish qualities. The audience first sees her when she returns from a seemingly extravagant Christmas shopping excursion. She eats a few desserts which she has secretly purchased. When her condescending husband, Torvald Helmer, asks if she has been sneaking macaroons, she denies it wholeheartedly. With this minor act of deception, the audience learns that Nora is quite capable of lying. She is most child-like when she interacts with her husband. She behaves playfully yet obediently in his presence, always coaxing favors from him instead of communicating as equals. Torvald gently chides Nora throughout the play, and Nora good-naturedly responds to his critics as though she were some loyal pet. Nora Helmers Clever Side However, Nora has been leading a double life. She has not been thoughtlessly spending their money. Rather, she has been scrimping and saving to pay off a secret debt. Years ago, when her husband became ill, Nora forged her fathers signature to receive a loan to save Torvalds life. The fact that she never told Torvald about this arrangement reveals several aspects of her character. For one, the audience no longer sees Nora as the sheltered, care-free wife of an attorney. She knows what it means to struggle and take risks. In addition, the act of concealing the ill-gotten loan signifies Noras independent streak. She is proud of the sacrifice she has made. Although she says nothing to Torvald, she brags about her actions with her old friend, Mrs. Linde, the first chance she gets.  Basically, she believes that her husband would undergo just as many hardships, if not more, for her sake. However, her perception of her husbands devotion is quite misplaced. Desperation Sets In When the disgruntled Nils Krogstad threatens to reveal the truth about her forgery, Nora realizes that she has potentially scandalized Torvald Helmers good name. She begins to question her own morality, something she has never done before. Did she do something wrong? Were her actions appropriate, under the circumstances? Will the courts convict her? Is she an improper wife? Is she a terrible mother? Nora contemplates suicide in order to eliminate the dishonor she has wrought upon her family. She also hopes to prevent Torvald from sacrificing himself and going to prison in order to save her from persecution. Yet, it remains debatable as to whether or not she would truly follow through and jump into the icy river. Krogstad doubts her ability. Also, during the climactic scene in Act Three, Nora seems to stall before running out into the night to end her life. Torvald stops her all too easily, perhaps because she knows that, deep down, she wants to be saved. Nora Helmers Transformation Noras epiphany occurs when the truth is finally revealed. As Torvald unleashes his disgust towards Nora and her crime of forgery, the protagonist realizes that her husband is a very different person than she once believed. Torvald has no intention of taking the blame for Noras crime. She thought for certain that he would selflessly give up everything for her. When he fails to do this, she accepts the fact that their marriage has been an illusion. Their false devotion has been merely playacting. She has been his child-wife and his doll. The monologue in which she calmly confronts Torvald serves as one of Ibsens finest literary moments. The Controversial Ending of A Dolls House Since the premiere of Ibsens A Dolls House, much has been discussed regarding the final controversial scene. Why does Nora leave not only Torvald but her children as well? Many critics and theater-goers questioned the morality of the plays resolution. In fact, some productions in Germany refused to produce the original ending. Ibsen acquiesced and grudgingly wrote an alternate ending in which Nora breaks down and cries, deciding to stay, but only for her childrens sake. Some argue that Nora leaves her home purely because she is selfish. She does not want to forgive Torvald. She would rather start another life than try to fix her existing one. Or perhaps she feels that Torvald was right, that she is a child who knows nothing of the world. Since she knows so little about herself or society, she feels that she is an inadequate mother and wife. She leaves the children because she feels it is for their benefit, painful as it may be to her. Nora Helmers last words are hopeful, yet her final action is less optimistic. She leaves Torvald explaining that there is a slight chance they could become man and wife once again, but only if a Miracle of miracles occurred. This gives Torvald a brief ray of hope. However, just as he repeats Noras notion of miracles, his wife exits and slams the door, symbolizing the finality of their relationship.

Effective pedagogic principles in primary teaching today Essay

Effective pedagogic principles in primary teaching today - Essay Example During the development of academic content for students of the English language, teachers should check that they establish standards for the content to be covered by the syllabus. Apart from doing that, it is primarily important for teachers to employ all the means available to them, to increase the accessibility of the given content among the students (Garinger, 2002). In a similar way, the teacher should guarantee that the language used for teaching should be culturally relevant and authentic. The research done in this field shows that the textbooks used for teaching the English language should be suitable to the varied needs of the students to be taught using the specialised teaching materials. The extensive research done in this area shows that the textbooks used for teaching students should be varied, progressive, and challenging (Garinger, 2002). The materials used for teaching English should offer learners the opportunity to use language in an integrated manner, and more importantly, the different materials should be connected to one another, so as to allow for the progression of skills in language (Howard and major, 2005). The selection of the materials incorporated into the teaching of English should take into account, the varied cultural backgrounds of the learners, and incorporate the use of culturally relevant literature. The materials used should incorporate a wide range of texts related to different themes, and the activities should foster the language acquisition of the students. In order to help students to understand important concepts, the literature should incorporate a variety of visual representations, including charts, diagrams, pictures and concept maps; visual aids help to make language and content more accessible to students.

Mediation Paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Mediation - Research Paper Example Man is also a social being. Because he belongs to the civilized society, man is expected to interact with his fellow human beings and form a variety of relationships like friendship. When man is required to make decisions, he may or may not solicit his friends’ opinions. â€Å"†¦in making decisions, people often consider all relevant information...† (Goodell, 2009) For man, a rational and social being, friends are important and so are their opinions which usually form part of man’s consideration. Since it is not a perfect world, man may have altercations with others. These can be trivial ones and/or serious fights. Whatever the dispute is, some form of mediation comes into play. In mediation, a neutral third party works with the people involved to resolve their dispute. (Kline, n.d.) â€Å"Unlike a judge or arbitrator, a mediator has no decision-making authority†¦[he] acts to facilitate the parties reaching their own solutions.† (Mediation v. Litigation, page 1) In mediation, the decision-making authority rests with the parties. (The Mediation Process, page 1) Thus, it is very important for the parties to take note of every variable before reaching an agreement. As mentioned earlier, being a social being as well as a rational one, it is common nature for man to hold his peers’ opinions as one of those variables. These people, who are not actually sitting around the table, can have a deep effect on mediation. (Rosenthal, 2009) One wonders just how strong a man is influenced by his peers’ opinions. Already, the strength of peer influence has been recognized and researched as evidenced by the studies done on peer mediation. In one article, researchers shared the results of their project â€Å"designed to investigate the effectiveness of a school-wide conflict resolution curriculum and peer mediation program.† (Daunic, et. al., 2000) The research was done in three middle schools.