The monkeyman free essay sample

Calculate the margin of safety. (Round your intermediate calculation and final answer to the nearest dollar amount. Omit the $ sign in your response. ) Margin of safety $ c. Calculate the operating leverage. (Round your answer to 2 decimal places. ) Operating leverage 2. Sawaya Co. , Ltd. , of Japan is a manufacturing company whose total factory overhead costs fluctuate considerably from year to year according to increases and decreases in the number of direct labor-hours worked in the factory. Total factory overhead costs (in Japanese yen, denoted ? ) at high and low levels of activity for recent years are given below: Level of Activity Low High Direct labor-hours 52,800 70,400 Total factory overhead costs ?233,040 ?255,920 The factory overhead costs above consist of indirect materials, rent, and maintenance. The company has analyzed these costs at the 52,800-hour level of activity as follows: Indirect materials (variable) ?58,080 Rent (fixed) 136,000 Maintenance (mixed) 38,960 Total factory overhead costs ?233,040 To have data available for planning, the company wants to break down the maintenance cost into its variable and fixed cost elements. We will write a custom essay sample on The monkeyman or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Requirement 1: Estimate how much of the ?  255,920 factory overhead cost at the high level of activity consists of maintenance cost. (Hint: To do this, it may be helpful to first determine how much of the ? 255,920 consists of indirect materials and rent. Think about the behavior of variable and fixed costs! ) (Omit the ? sign in your response. ) Maintenance cost ? Requirement 2: Using the high-low method, estimate a cost formula for maintenance where X represents the number of direct-labor hours. (Round variable cost per unit to 1 decimal place. Omit the ? sign in your response. ) Y = ? + ? X Requirement 3: What total factory overhead costs would you expect the company to incur at an operating level of 58,080 direct labor-hours? (Omit the ? sign in your response. ) Indirect materials ? Rent Maintenance: Variable cost element ? Fixed cost element Total factory overhead cost ? 3. Deavila Inc. produces and sells two products. Data concerning those products for the most recent month appear below: Product Q91I Product J53Z Sales $ 16,100 $ 11,400 Variable expenses $ 5,720 $ 4,940 Fixed expenses for the entire company were $13,920. Required: a. Determine the overall contribution margin ratio for the company. (Round your answer to 2 decimal places. ) Contribution margin ratio b. Determine the overall break-even point in total sales dollars for the company. (Round your intermediate calculation to 2 decimal places and final answer to the nearest dollar amount. Omit the $ sign in your response. ) Break-even point $ c. If the sales mix shifts toward Product Q91I with no change in total sales, what will happen to the break-even point for the company? It will result in a decrease in the companys overall break-even point. It will result in a increase in the companys overall break-even point. 4 The Central Valley Company is a merchandising firm that sells a single product. The company’s revenues and expenses for the last three months are given below: Central Valley Company Comparative Income Statement For the Second Quarter April May June Sales in units 4,400 5,050 6,400 Sales revenue $ 616,000 $ 707,000 $ 896,000 Cost of goods sold 220,000 252,500 320,000 Gross margin 396,000 454,500 576,000 Selling and administrative expenses: Shipping expense 52,000 57,980 70,400 Advertising expense 68,000 68,000 68,000 Salaries and commissions 134,000 149,600 182,000 Insurance expense 10,000 10,000  10,000 Depreciation expense 38,000 38,000 38,000 Total selling and administrative expense 302,000 323,580 368,400 Net operating income $ 94,000 $ 130,920 $ 207,600 Required: a. Determine which expenses are mixed and, by use of the high-low method, separate each mixed expense into its variable and fixed components. State the cost formula for each mixed expense. (Round per unit answer s to 2 decimal places. Omit the $ sign in your response. ) Cost formula $ + $ per unit $ + $ per unit b. Compute the company’s total contribution margin for May. (Round your answer to the nearest whole number. Omit the $ sign in your response. ) Contribution margin $ 5. The management of Harlow Corporation, a manufacturing company, would like your help in contrasting the traditional and contribution approaches to the income statement. The company has provided the following financial data for January: Sales $231,000 Variable production expense $22,000 Fixed production expense $38,000 Variable selling expense $15,000 Fixed selling expense $27,000 Variable administrative expense $13,500 Fixed administrative expense $49,000 The company had no beginning or ending inventories. The contribution margin for January was: $156,000 $180,500 $184,000 $66,500 = $231,000 – ($22,000 + $15,000 + $13,500) 6. Boening Enterprises, Inc. , produces and sells a single product whose selling price is $148 per unit and whose variable expense is $48 per unit. The companys monthly fixed expense is $510,500. Assume the companys monthly target profit is $11,900. The unit sales to attain that target profit is closest to: 7,195 5,224 10,883 3,530 = 7. Ringstaff Corporation produces and sells a single product. Data concerning that product appear below: Per Unit Percent of Sales Selling price $141 100% Variable expenses 28. 2 20% Contribution margin $112. 8 80% The company is currently selling 7,800 units per month. Fixed expenses are $609,000 per month. The marketing manager believes that a $26,072 increase in the monthly advertising budget would result in a 240 unit increase in monthly sales. What should be the overall effect on the companys monthly net operating income of this change? Decrease of $26,072 Increase of $1,000 Increase of $27,072 Decrease of $1,000 8. The management of Harlow Corporation, a manufacturing company, would like your help in contrasting the traditional and contribution approaches to the income statement. The company has provided the following financial data for January: Sales $232,000 Variable production expense $31,000 Fixed production expense $25,000 Variable selling expense $18,000 Fixed selling expense $33,000 Variable administrative expense $12,500 Fixed administrative expense $36,000 The company had no beginning or ending inventories. The gross margin for January was: $125,000 $76,500 $188,500 $176,000 9. The management of Archie Corporation would like to better understand the behavior of the company’s warranty costs. Those costs are listed below for a number of recent months: Product Returns Warranty Cost May 34 $ 3,869 June 37 $ 3,915 July 30 $ 3,799 August 40 $ 3,936 September 46 $ 4,012 October 38 $ 3,903 November 39 $ 3,916 December 43 $ 3,962 Management believes that warranty cost is a mixed cost that depends on the number of product returns. Required: Estimate the variable cost per product return and the fixed cost per month using the least-squares regression method. (Do not round intermediate calculations. Round your fixed cost to the nearest dollar amount and the variable cost to 2 decimal places. Omit the $ sign in your response.  ) Variable cost $ per product return Fixed cost $ per month y = 12. 43x + 3858 Variable Cost = $12. 43 Fixed Cost = $3,858 10. Riven Corporation has a single product whose selling price is $17. At an expected sales level of $1,938,000, the companys variable expenses are $684,000 and its fixed expenses are $283,000. The marketing manager has recommended that the selling price be increased by 25%, with an expected decre ase of only 8% in unit sales. What would be the companys net operating income if the marketing managers recommendation is adopted? $971,000 $1,945,700. Wertman Corporation produces and sells a single product with the following characteristics: Per unit Percent of Sales Selling price $152. 00 100% Variable expenses 103. 36 68% Contribution margin $48. 64 32% The company is currently selling 3,800 units per month. Fixed expenses are $215,800 per month. Management is considering using a new component that would increase the unit variable cost by $3. Since the new component would increase the features of the companys product, the marketing manager predicts that monthly sales would increase by 300 units. What should be the overall effect on the companys monthly net operating income of this change? increase of $13,692 increase of $2,292 decrease of $13,692 decrease of $2,292 12. Monsky Corporation produces and sells a single product whose contribution margin ratio is 65%. The companys monthly fixed expense is $416,000 and the companys monthly target profit is $63,050. The dollar sales to attain that target profit is closest to: $270,400 $311,382 $640,000 $737,000 13. When the level of activity increases within the relevant range, how does each of the following change? Choice C Choice B Choice A Choice D 14. What is the cause of the difference between absorption costing net operating income and variable costing net operating income? Absorption costing includes variable manufacturing costs in product costs; variable costing considers variable manufacturing costs to be period costs. Absorption costing deducts all manufacturing costs from net operating income; variable costing deducts only prime costs. Absorption costing includes fixed administrative costs in product costs; variable costing considers fixed administrative costs to be period costs. Absorption costing allocates fixed manufacturing costs between cost of goods sold and inventories; variable costing considers all fixed manufacturing costs to be period costs. 15. On a cost-volume-profit graph, the break-even point is located: where the total revenue line intersects the volume axis. where the total expenses line intersects the dollars axis. at the origin. where the total revenue line intersects the total expenses line. 16. The margin of safety is equal to: Sales (Variable expenses/Contribution margin). Sales Net operating income. Sales (Variable expenses + Fixed expenses). Sales (Fixed expenses/Contribution margin ratio). 17. Net operating income computed using variable costing would exceed net operating income computed using absorption costing if: the average fixed cost per unit is zero. units sold are less than units produced. units sold exceed units produced. units sold equal units produced. 18. Witczak Company has a single product and currently has a degree of operating leverage of 5. Which of the following will increase Witczaks degree of operating leverage? Choice C Choice A Choice B Choice D 19. A disadvantage of the high-low method of cost analysis is that: It relies totally on the judgment of the person performing the cost analysis. It uses two extreme data points, which may not be representative of normal conditions. It is too time consuming to apply. It cannot be used when there are a very large number of observations. 20. Assuming that direct labor is a variable cost, product costs under variable costing include only: direct materials and direct labor. direct materials, direct labor, variable manufacturing overhead, and variable selling and administrative expenses. direct material, variable manufacturing overhead, and variable selling and administrative expenses.  direct materials, direct labor, and variable manufacturing overhead. 21. Denton Company manufactures and sells a single product. Cost data for the product are given below: Variable costs per unit: Direct materials $7 Direct labor 12 Variable manufacturing overhead 3 Variable selling and administrative 5 Total variable cost per unit $27 Fixed costs per month: Fixed manufa cturing overhead $297,000 Fixed selling and administrative 186,000 Total fixed cost per month $483,000 The product sells for $40 per unit. Production and sales data for July and August, the first two months of operations, follows: Units Produced Units Sold July 33,000 29,000 August 33,000 37,000 The companys Accounting Department has prepared absorption costing income statements for July and August as presented below: July August Sales $1,160,000 $1,480,000 Cost of goods sold 899,000 1,147,000 Gross margin 261,000 333,000 Selling and administrative expenses 331,000 371,000 Net operating income $-70,000 $-38,000 Requirement 1: Determine the unit product cost under Absorption costing and Variable costing. (Omit the $ sign in your response. ) Unit product cost Absorption costing $ Variable costing $ Requirement 2: Prepare contribution format variable costing income statements for July and August. (Input all amount as positive value except net loss which should be indicated with a minus sign. Omit the $ sign in your response. ) July August $ $ Variable expenses: Total variable expenses Fixed expenses: Total fixed expenses Net operating income (loss) $ $ Requirement 3: Reconcile the variable costing and absorption costing net operating income figures. (Input all amount as positive value except net loss which should be indicated with a minus sign. Leave no cells blank be certain to enter 0 wherever required. Omit the $ sign in your response. ) July August Variable costing net operating income (loss) $ $ fixed manufacturing overhead cost deferred in inventory under absorption costing fixed manufacturing overhead cost released from inventory under absorption costing Absorption costing net operating income $ $ Requirement 4: Which is the most appropriate method of costing? 22. This makes no sense at all, said Bill Sharp, president of Essex Company. We sold the same number of units this year as we did last year, yet our profits have more than doubled. Who made the goof—the computer or the people who operate it? The statements to which Mr. Sharp was referring are shown below (absorption costing basis): Year 1 Year 2 Sales (34,000 units each year) $1,267,000 $1,267,000 Cost of goods sold 680,000 578,000 Gross margin 587,000 689,000 Selling and administrative expenses 334,000 334,000 Net operating income $253,000 $355,000 The statements above show the results of the first two years of operation. In the first year, the company produced and sold 34,000 units; in the second year, the company again sold 34,000 units, but it increased production as shown below: Year 1 Year 2 Production in units 34,000 44,000 Sales in units 34,000 34,000 Variable manufacturing cost per unit produced $5 $5 Variable selling and administrative expense per unit sold $1 $1 Fixed manufacturing overhead costs (total) $510,000 $510,000 Essex Company applies fixed manufacturing overhead costs to its only product on the basis of each years production. Thus, a new fixed manufacturing overhead rate is computed each year. Requirement 1: Compute the unit product cost for each year under (Round fixed manufacturing overhead cost per unit and final answers to the nearest whole dollar. Omit the $ sign in your response.) Unit product cost Year 1 Year 2 a. Absorption costing $ $ b. Variable costing $ $ Requirement 2: Prepare a contribution format variable costing income statement for each year. (Input all amounts as positive values. Omit the $ sign in your response. ) Year 1 Year 2 $ $ Variable expenses: Fixed expenses: $ $ Requirement 3: Reconcile the variable costing and absorption costing net operating income figur es for each year. (Leave no cells blank be certain to enter 0 wherever required. Round fixed manufacturing overhead cost per unit and final answers to the nearest whole dollar. Omit the $ sign in your response. ) Year 1 Year 2 Variable costing net operating income $ $ : Fixed manufacturing overhead cost deferred in inventory under absorption costing Absorption costing net operating income $ $ Requirement 4: The net operating income for Year 2 was higher than for Year 1 under absorption costing, although the same number of units was sold in each year. This is because by increasing production and building up inventory, profits increased without any increase in sales or reduction in costs. Is the above reason true or false?

How Computer Encription Works How Computer Key Encryption Works essays

How Computer Encription Works How Computer Key Encryption Works essays Computer encryption is based on the science of cryptography (Tyson, 2000), which has been used since the days of the Roman Empire. Prior to the technological age, the governments used cryptography for military purposes. The existence of coded messages dates back to the Roman Empire. However, most forms of modern cryptography are based on computers, simply because a human-based code is relatively easy for a computer to crack. Encryption is a strategy used to make email messages, data files and electronic-commerce transactions secure (Ouellette, 2003). Encoded blocks of data, called keys, are used to protect the message from outside viewers while it is traveling across the Internet. When it gets to the recipient, that recipient also must use a special key that can unlock the message. Computer key encryption is a technology that has been around for decades but has only recently gained global recognition as an expedient and inexpensive way for businesses to secure their data transmissions. Key encryption, which is also known as cryptography, has gained popularity recently for three reasons: Internet and extranet growth, an accelerating electronic-commerce market and a more mobile and remote workforce. In today's global marketplace, businesses need to use the Internet and email to send vast amounts of information, including purchase orders and client data, to customers, vendors, researchers and more. However, security concerns pose a barrier to their ability to do web-based electronic commerce. Key encryption offers a solution to this problem. Most computer encryption systems fall into one of two categories (Tyson, Symmetric-key encryption Public-key encryption In symmetric-key encryption, each computer has a secret code or key that it uses to encrypt a packet of information before it is sent to another computer via a network. Symmetric-key requires that u...

Microeconomics Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Microeconomics - Term Paper Example The various market structures that are discussed within microeconomics are perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition, and oligopoly. One of the objectives of microeconomics is to analyze the mechanisms of market. Microeconomics sets up the relative prices amongst the services and the goods and allocates the available amount of limited resources among the alternative uses. Some of the significant fields of study under this branch of economics include asymmetric information, general equilibrium, game theory and choices under uncertainty. All wealth that fulfills the wants of consumers constitutes the wealth of a nation. Therefore, the aim behind expanding wealth is broadening the choices of the consumers in terms of quality, quantity and variety. Economists are involved in researches on the idea of free market with socially optimal allocation. The notion of competition constitutes the central part of economic theory. The objects of the choices available to the consumer are called the consumption bundle. The consumer has the objective of maximizing the well being. They are well informed about the availability of the goods in the market and desires variety in their consumption bundle. There are two sets of consumption bundles (x1, x2) and (y1, y2). The consumer ranks the availabilities according to their affordability. When the consumer is just satiated consuming the bundle of x goods as compared to the satisfaction he would have earned consuming the other bundle of y goods, according to his own preferences, then it is said that the consumer is indifferent. The axioms of consumer theory are complete, reflexive and transitive (Samuelson, 1956. p.3). The two axes represent a typical consumption pattern of goods 1 and 2. A consumption bundle (x1, x2) is offered along with the other bundles of consumption that are weakly preferred to the selected bundle. The other consumption bundles are called the weakly preferred sets. The indifference

The Evolving Role of Government in Education Essay - 2

The Evolving Role of Government in Education - Essay Example On the other hand, the federal government also grants the public schools’s funding; the government has a number of federal agencies, along with organizations, which are helpful in benefiting children educational necessities so as to effect their success (Sandars, 2000). In the past 2 centuries, momentous federal support of education existed, although slowly, but and steadily, while, at the same time, the increasing federal commitment to education regarding monies and policies turns to be impressive. The NCLB changes the role of the federal government within elementary, as well as secondary education by necessitating for the states, together with schools in measuring success in regards to student performance. Conversely, the federal government is also responsible for the provision of grants and scholarships to those people who are going through college or university pursuing higher education. Consequently, the NCLB also tends to be beneficial to children with a disability, since they have the similar rights and opportunities compared to other children who are not disabled of attending any school that is public, college or even university thereby enhancing their knowledge, while, at the same time, becoming successful individual (Fred & Allan, 2011). In the recent past, there was the consolidation movement whose intention was to eliminate school boards that were small, as well as rurally dominated. Although this was a perception that this was the beginning of the end, there are a number of people who perceive these efforts as education efficiency. Conversely, others view it as luck of the draw, with students, regardless of their background, tend to take an active role concerning their education, thereby getting what they desire from it (Sandars, 2000). However, the next significant move in education happens to be Board of Education vs. Brown during 1954 whereby this ruling reversed the 1896 Plessy vs. Ferguson ruling that founded the separate but

The most Dangerous Game The hunter becomes the Hunted Research Paper

The most Dangerous Game The hunter becomes the Hunted - Research Paper Example For instance, the story revolves under learning and experience. Moreover, it talks of the how the hunter ends up hunted. The story elaborates how moralities are tested and how an individual eventually learns the hard way. Richard Connell uses irony in the short story to portray his message of learning and experience. The main irony portrayed in the story is the fact that Rainsford who is the hunter, becomes hunted. Rainsford believes in the world of hunting where he regards hunting as the best sport that ever existed in the world (Connell Richard, 8). In the beginning of the story, Rainsford views the world as a place with only two classes that include the hunters and the hunted. As a hunter he travels with his colleges on sport hunting where on their way, they are met by misfortune and fall off their yacht and Rainsford swims to an assumed safety on Ship-Trap Island (Connell Richard, Connell Richard, 11). Indeed it is depicted as trap Island since whoever finds himself/herself in the Island, never comes out of the Island alive. At the Island, he meets General Zaroff who turns merciful and treats him with the utmost respect (Connell Richard, 16). Zaroff later discloses his personality to Rainsford. It is ironical for Rainsford who is the hunter eventually becomes the next target to be hunted. As a hunter, Rainsford treats his prey with no mercy yet as the prey, he is treated with the utmost respect. It is ironical for Rainsford to fall in the trap and become the prey yet he believes himself as the hunter. The second irony portrayed in the short story is the Rainsford’s view of how the prey feels when being hunted. According to Rainsford, the prey understands not even a little bit, of what is happening. Therefore, it is of no importance to care about the feelings of the prey. His friend Whitney tells him that the prey is ever subjected to fear as it meets its death. Ironically, Rainsford only laughs at the comment but

The Effect Of Games On Vocabulary Learning

The Effect Of Games On Vocabulary Learning Learning another language has always been problematic for learners. How and what skills should be learned has been a matter of inquiry. It is true that integrating language skills and component is against the nature of language and language should learn holistically, but some components of language, like vocabulary, are the building block of learning. Vocabulary learning and teaching has had a long history in second language learning field, sometimes it has been the focus of attention and sometimes its margin; but it has never been absent. About six hundred experimental reports published over the last twenty -five years, indicates the significant role of vocabulary in L2 learning (Brown, Rodgers, 2002). In addition, different scholars mentioned the central role of vocabulary; Vocabulary knowledge is crucial to reading comprehension(Mosher, 1999, p.9;cited in klepper,2003,p.4); Mastering English vocabulary is crucial for ESL student to become language competent (Avila Sadoski, 1996; cited in Gaudio, 2003, p.18); Without grammar very little can be conveyed, without vocabulary nothing can be conveyed( David Wilkins; cited in Thornbury, 2002, p.13) . If you spend most of your time studying grammar, your English will not improve very much. You will see most improvement if you learn more words and expressions. You can say very little wi th grammar, but you can say almost anything with words (Dellar Hocking; cited in Thornbury, 2002, p.13). L2 learners are the ones who struggling with learning and the first weapon used in this struggle is dictionary (Krashen, 1997; citied in Brown, Rodgers, 2002) so it is evident that they are more aware of vocabulary role than scholars and researchers. Sometimes, I am a lack of useful vocabularies to express my opinions. And too often my speaking is hard caused by missing word; these are how learners mentioned their needs of vocabulary in Thornburys book (Thornbury, 2002, p.13). What has been done in this field, remains no doubt in the importance of vocabulary on both scholars and learners side. However, which approach to take in order to make vocabulary teaching more effective, is still a question. According to scholars, learning vocabulary through games is one effective and interesting way that can be applied in any classrooms( Thanh Huyen, Thu Nga,2003 , Learning Vocabulary Through Games,para.1) Using games as an educational tool is not something new and had a long history in language teaching. Games were used for more repetition in Audio lingual; they were introduced in Desuggestopedia as role-play activities or other activities aiming to reduce language barriers; most activities in TPR were game like ones to insert fun in classroom environment; and they found to be handy in Cooperative language teaching, in order to maximize the learner- learner interaction. This long story may prove the effectiveness of games; however, what is the role of games in vocabulary learning? Moreover, do games truly have educational value? To answer this question systematically, as Klepper suggested (2003), to form a basis for researching the effectiveness of games used in vocabulary instruction (p.4), it would be useful to review researches done in related idea; like the effect of games on student retention and memory, and motivation. To start, it would be a good idea to review games and memory in vocabulary teaching and learning. One of the teachers desires is to see their students retain what have been taught. To realize this wish, learners should memorize and recall the information in this field (vocabulary) accurately. Frequently asked question by student is how to memorize and recall what they have learned. Even highly motivated learners facing the difficulty of memorizing vocabulary lose their motivation, because memorizing requires them to make efforts to keep increasing vocabulary accurately. Vocabulary needs great repetition drills to establish (Atake, 2003). It is true that drills are sometimes boring, but there is a simple solution for this problem, insert games to make drills fun. Games bring in relaxation and fun for students, thus help them learn and retain new words more easily( Thanh Huyen, Thu Nga,2003 , Learning Vocabulary Through Games,para.1). For learning vocabulary, learners need to be able to remember long term. Information, first is held in short-term memory and by lack of attention, it is quickly lost. In order for the information in the short term to be retained, enough rehearsal and elaboration is needed. The more that the knowledge is rehearsed in the memory the more likely it is to be retained in long term memory (Klepper, 2003). It is important to keep student attention, in order to increase their ability to retain words. One way to keep students attention as scholar suggested is emotion. When an educator creates emotion, such as in a game format, music, or drama, then the students attention is most likely to remain with the material and task at hand. In addition, using this strategy directly after a lesson increases the chances that the material will be recalled later.(Meyen, et. al.1999,cited in Klepper, 2003) The other related field is games and motivation. We know that motivation is the root problem in learning. Without due attention to motivational inputs, they [output or ends of learning] are rarely achieved (Clark, 2007, p.11). In order to achieve learning goal, teachers should pay attention to motivating strategies and One of these strategies used by teachers, as Hootstein (1994) mentioned, is using games. While you are teaching, sometimes you feel your students are just physically in the class, and what happen to attention? Not even a sign of it, what is the reason? As Ersoz (2002) mentioned, language learning is a hard task which can sometimes be frustrating. Constant effort is required to understand, produce, and manipulate the target language (p.1). It is hard for students to keep trying to overcome their frustration and unfortunately, it is possible for students to easily lose their motivation (Atake, 2003, p.9). When learners face so many essential words to comprehend and produ ce a language, they will find learning a burden. This burden is so heavy that makes even highly motivated learners, demotivate. Research shows that games can serve to motivate and interest student in learning (Hogle, 1996, p.8-10). Most scholars ( Wright, Betteridge , Buckby , 1984; Ersoz , 2000; Su Kim, 1995; Uberman, 1998; Lee,1979;Richard-Amato, 1988; Hansen, 1994; Wierus and Wierus, 1994; Zdybiewska, 1994; Thanh Huyen Thu Nga, 2003; Yong Mei Yu-jing, 2000; Lewis, 1999;Tyson, 2000; Lengeling Malarcher, 1997) believe in the significant role of games in EFL field specially vocabulary development in addition some complained about the negligence of its importance; as Lee stated, a game should not be regarded as a marginal activity filling in odd moments when the teacher and class have nothing better to do (Language teaching games and contests, 1979; cited in Using Games in EFL Classes for Children,2000 ). He also says that games should be treated as central not peripheral to the foreign language teaching program. Thanh Huyen and Thu Nga,also aptly mentioned the advantages of using of games: Games have been shown to have advantages and effectiveness in learning vocabulary in various ways. First, games bring in relaxation and fun for students, thus help them learn and retain new words more easily. Second, games usually involve friendly competition and they keep learners interested. These create the motivation for learners of English to get involved and participate actively in the learning activities. Therefore, the role of games in teaching and learning vocabulary cannot be denied. ( 2003 , Learning Vocabulary Through Games,para.1) However, considering games, as the central activity does not mean it is a safe way to stick to it and call it super technique. It can be said that games are an effective tool, but as Thanh Huyen and Thu Nga themselves observed, a matter of caution still remains: However, in order to achieve the most from vocabulary games, it is essential that suitable games are chosen. Whenever a game is to be conducted, the number of students, proficiency level, cultural context, timing, learning topic, and the classroom settings are factors that should be taken into account.( 2003 , Learning Vocabulary Through Games,para.1) So games are effective as long as their style, as Dunne (1984) reported, match with subject matter and types of student.

Gender Roles in Classical Greece Essay examples -- Term Papers Researc

Gender Roles in Classical Greece Missing Works Cited In Classical Greece, roles played by males and females in society were well-defined as well as very distinct from each other. Expectations to uphold these societal norms were strong, as a breakdown within the system could destroy the success of the oikos (the household) and the male’s reputation—two of the most important facets of Athenian life. The key to a thriving oikos and an unblemished reputation was a good wife who would efficiently and profitably run the household. It was the male’s role, however, to ensure excellent household management by molding a young woman into a good wife. Women were expected to enter the marriage as a symbolically empty vessel; in other words, a naà ¯ve, uneducated virgin of about 15 years who could be easily shaped by a husband twice her age. Through the instruction of her husband, the empty vessel would be filled with the necessary information to become a good wife who would maintain an orderly household and her husbandâ⠂¬â„¢s reputation, thereby fulfilling the Athenian female gender role for citizen women. In order for a young woman to be marriageable—unadulterated, inexperienced, and unknowing—she had to have been raised in an extremely sheltered environment, given little contact with the world beyond her father’s household. In Xenophon’s Oeconomicus, the husband, Ischomachos describes his new wife to Socrates: How Socrates . . . could she have known anything when I took her, since she came to me when she was not yet fifteen, and had lived previously under diligent supervision in order that she might see and hear as little as possible and ask the fewest possible questions (Oeconom... ...imately men were in command in all situations: Ischomachos’s wife says, â€Å"For my guarding and distribution of the indoor things would look somewhat ridiculous, I suppose, if it weren’t your concern to bring in something from outside (Oeconomicus, VII 39).† This suggests that even though the wife was the indoor household manager, she was still obeying her husband’s orders that were the driving force of her own agency within the oikos. Making the transition from living a naà ¯ve existence under the protection of the father to presiding over the oikos under the supervision of the husband was the essential social norm for youthful citizen Athenian women. It is unsurprising, then, that in a patriarchal society, the young female could only fulfill her societal role as manager of the oikos when her assumed empty vessel was filled by her husband with the proper knowledge.

Feminism and the Importance of Identity Politics Essay

â€Å"To be feminist in any authentic sense of the term is to want for all people, female and male, liberation from sexist role patterns, domination, and oppression†. Bell Hooks succinctly sums up what it means to be a feminist, and yet when we look to the feminist movement and feminist theorizing today, we see a disturbingly different picture. In a social movement founded on equality for all human beings, the patriarchy and its’ power structures have still made a negative impact in the way this movement is shaped and perpetuated, especially in terms of intersectionality and identity politics. Whose voices are heard? What issues are prioritized? Who is considered a â€Å"true† feminist? When we ask how and why issues of identity and intersectionality are relevant to feminist theorizing, the answer is simple. When the true and complex identities of individuals and social groups are ignored, what forms is a limiting and narrow view inherently oppositional to the mo vement’s foundation and goals. Essentially, ignoring these issues means perpetuating the oppression the movement itself is trying to fight. What follows is a brief analysis on three reasons why feminists should care about identity and individuals with complex identities: 1) addressing oppressions in a movement dedicated to eliminating all oppression, 2) identifying the negative consequences of elision of difference, and 3) recognizing the real importance of intersectionality in terms of survival in the real world, as opposed to simply theorizing in academics. While the feminist movement is explicitly dedicated to fighting racism and any other types of â€Å"isms†, we see that typically marginalized groups continue to be marginalized within the movement. These groups are well aware of this oppression, yet how often their voices are heard or even considered are slim to none. In a statement from Black feminists part of The Combahee River Collective, it is explained that there was â€Å"the need to develop a p olitics that was anti-racist, unlike those of White women, and anti-sexist, unlike those of Black and white men† (CRC: 59). As members of two oppressed groups in society, Black women face the highest obstacles in their pursuit of complete liberation, especially because of the dominant narrative and voices that have typically commandeered the political movement. As Kimberle Crenshaw purports, â€Å"the need to split one’s political energies between two  sometimes opposing groups is a dimension of intersectional disempowerment that men of color and white women seldom confront† (Crenshaw: 85). The intersectional experience of White women have typically dominated the women’s movement as White women have had more accessibility and opportunity to speak out/theorize academically as opposed to Black women. Thus, the experiences of Black women – which are distinguishably different from the White woman’s – are essentially absent from the discussion, an issue that is highly problematic as it points to racism and oppression within a social justice movement (not to mention a limited perspective). Feminist theorists and activists must make sure to account for intersectional experiences in order to avoid this hypocrisy. Specifically, White feminists and activists must understand that their role as genuine activists in the movement mandates a need to be educated and literate in Black history and culture, something that the Combahee River Collective has explicitly called for. As they argue, â€Å"eliminating racism in the white women’s movement is by definition work for white women to do, but we will continue to speak to and demand accountability on this issue† (CRC: 63). Being a conscientious and fully aware member of this movement involves more than addressing intersectionality and racism within the movement. Feminist theorists need to identify the importance of 1) making the personal political, and subsequently 2) avoiding the harmful and common elision of differences between and within groups. These two ideas cannot happen or be fully achieved without the other. The first step requires a great deal of honesty and self-reflection, which may come with some discomfort and pain, a reason that many individuals may avoid this introspection. As Mari Matsuda argues in her article, â€Å"by claiming, exploring, and questioning my own identity in an explicit way, I seek truth, and I seek to encourage my students to do the same† (Matsuda: 75). Feminist theorists must consider the value of truth and justice over any type of discomfort or personal guilt that blocks the path towards complete liberation for all. Just as honesty is crucial in terms of oppression within the movement, it is also key in recognizing privilege. Matsuda supports this idea: â€Å"I do not know of any other politics of social change that works other than the one that asks people to explore deeply their own location on the axes of power† (Matsuda:  76). Once one has a certain amount of self-awareness and recognizes their privilege, only then can they be able to avoid ignoring intragroup differences. Ergo, the White woman cannot fully understand the complexity & struggle of a Black woman’s experience in the movement if she does not understand her own privilege over the Black woman within the same movement. While intersectionality is quite real in the day-to-day lives of women, feminist theory has typically categorized identity as a limiting either/or dichotomy between â€Å"woman† or â€Å"person of color†, leaving women of color marginalized. In terms of violence against women, Crenshaw argues that this elision of difference is harmful because it is perpetuating the violence by not fully understanding how multiple dimensions of woman’s identity contribute to her experience. For example, in our society ruled by a racist/patriarchal structure and system, battered women of color face poverty and racially discriminatory employment/housing, thus have a much harder time finding shelter and support. The elision of difference can also be harmful because it poses as a threat to solidarity – ignoring intragroup differences simply continue to raise tension between these sub groups and ultimately harms the progress of the movement, which requires everyone to stand with one another. Lastly, feminist theorists must recognize the importance of intersectionality and identity as transcendent issues that go beyond simply theorizing and play a very real role in the lives of women every day. As Crenshaw argues, â€Å"The struggle over incorporating these differences is not a petty or superficial conflict about who gets to sit at the head of the table. In the context of violence, it is sometimes a deadly serious matter of who will survive and who will not† (Crensaw: 89). The commonly shared assumption that battering is a minority problem, for example, exemplifies the issues with ignoring intersectionality/identity. Battering is a human problem, and if a Latina woman cannot get shelter from a husband threatening to kill her multiple times because she can’t prove she is English-proficient, then something is very wrong. These exclusionary policies are inherently oppositional to the goal of human liberation and the women’s movement, and if feminist theorists do not address this, then not only will real change remain absent, but we will continue to lose the lives  of women around the world. These are human beings that deserve to live and exercise their rights; that deserve to celebrate their multi-dimensional identity, instead of suffer from it because feminist theory and societal structure are ignoring them. Feminist theorists, we need you to be honest with yourselves and your privilege. We need you to address the complexity and beauty of every individual, help use these differences to resist against oppression instead of perpetuate it, and ultimately harness and use the full power of group solidarity to truly and genuinely fight for human liberation.

Empowered by Manolos, Bound by Cosmos Femininity and Gender Roles in Darren Star’s Sex and the City

Entertainment has long been one of the most accessible forms of communication because it appeals to the sense of pleasure than any other avenue in the information process. Today, in most parts of the world, entertainment has conquered a host of media that may be appropriated by both producers and consumers, with each medium translating specifically to the audience it aims to reach. From print to broadcast, from film to the internet, mass communication has provided ways and means for audiences of any age to claim the kind of entertainment they prefer—thereby creating its niche in the prevailing popular culture in any country or community. Among the forms mentioned, the stellar history of film and the allure of convenient glamour and lifestyle associated with it have catapulted it to the top of the most influential of all media. Considering most people have access to cinema, it is correct to assume that this medium has had its share of voice in achieving social change, advocacy, politics, and empowerment. And, apart from being instrumental in relaying news and other traditional informative content, cinema and its success in entertainment has also become a veritable avenue to communicate these integral issues through visuals, acting, and choice of format. One of the most celebrated productions in recent time is the iconic Sex and the City film, released in 2008 and based on the cult television show of the same title. By showcasing the formerly undesirable concepts of singlehood among females over thirty, professional success, and the unabashed references to sexuality and independence, its creator Darren Starr had stumbled upon a void clearly anticipated by women in these situations—and launched a culture that debunked most traditionalist ideologies and heralded new mindsets of feminism and empowerment. II. Power and the Feminine Approach Feminist inquiry was established to â€Å"offer theories that center women’s experiences and to articulate the relations between the categories of gender and other social categories, including race, ethnicity, class, and sexuality† (Littlejohn 2008, p. 49), and this claim is evident in the purposive nature of SATC. Individually, the characters of Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte possess their unique strengths and focus: writer Carrie is the intellectual and introspective; Samantha’s focus is on her sexual nature; lawyer Miranda conveys independence; and Charlotte is depicted as the arguably traditional of the group yet is never relegated to being permanently at the mercy of her goal to find a husband. In other words, these women are all portrayed to be whole and complete on their own, and have already made their decisions on their particular brands of femininity. Once a woman has defined her sense of self, it is easy to understand how power can come logically. Most audiences of SATC find pleasure in the witty musings of Carrie, the stern yet human concerns of Miranda, the extent to which Charlotte would go to get married, and the sexual adventures of Samantha. In the film, though, each has had her own story finally played out, not necessarily in the ways they planned: Miranda is a mother, Samantha is in a committed relationship, and Charlotte is married and has adopted a child. Only Carrie appears to have taken the more expected route of continuing her relationship with Mr. Big, a man who had long been the cause of many of her mishaps. But while each of them has realized their traditional roles as females, their background activities still remain indicative of their career successes. Like in the TV show, the women of the SATC film still engage in their females-only conversations and gatherings, during which they discuss men, relationships, an d sexuality. According to Littlejohn (2008, p. 244), â€Å"women’s groups often are less interested outcomes and traditional group tasks—less interested in doing and more interested in being†, which then justifies the nature of their bond. Among friends, the four women can merely be and not be concerned with what should be; among their colleagues, they are more goal-driven and objective. The conversations the SATC females have within their group are, in reality, material that audiences can live by, and are almost always philosophical or pragmatic enough to communicate new thinking. When Miranda discovered that Steve had a sexual affair with another woman, she immediately reported the incident to her girlfriends—who, in turn, expressed approval at Miranda’s decision to leave Steve. When Carrie announced that she and Mr. Big were getting married, the group actually came up with two opinions—validation from Charlotte, and ambivalence from Samantha. These two examples at once present rational ways to address these common life circumstances, without resorting to the stereotypical reaction of women approving of marriage or staying in one despite significant problems. Apart from that, their nonchalant manner in discussing sexuality signals an unconventional pattern not often shown among women in films and other media, but occurs in women’s discussions in real life. The vulnerability exhibited by at least two of the four characters while engaging with men is more about being human than succumbing to societal pressure; it has more to do with their personalities than a non-negotiable objective to feel adequate with men in their lives. Again, this goes back to the development of each character in the film, being completely defined and expected for women their age. Of course, it would be harder to prove had they been in their twenties, still searching for themselves in New York, like Carrie’s assistant Louise. Modern femininity is definitely confirmed in the events, reactions, and portrayals of the SATC girls: strong and individual, yet completely aware of their identities and priorities. Compared to younger women, the four characters are each shown carrying the same sense of self one her own, or with her friends. Therefore, the issue of power in the film is attached to the evolved characters of Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte—they know who they are, including their strengths and weaknesses, and are capable of appropriating such when it comes to men, or any other concern. III. Representing the Thirty-Something Female With the exception of Samantha, who celebrated her fiftieth birthday in the SATC film, the main characters are in their late thirties. In fact, Carrie had probably just turned forty as this was one of the highlights in the film—the suitability of a 40-year-old woman to be photographed in a wedding dress. However, this may be less of an issue compared to the question of the accurate representation of women in this age range. Israel (2002) stated the still-existing stereotype of single women, that they are â€Å"social outcasts†¦ odd women who require constant translation† (p. 46). If this is the present concept of the public regarding single women, then the issue is not in the misrepresentation but in society’s unchanged opinion of female expectations. While the show’s creator had indeed chosen to center on the lives of New York women, possibly to highlight the urban culture and wealth of material related to the area, the demographic shown is not far from the truth. It may not be correct to assume that all thirty-something females live the kind of lives seen in SATC, but he combined factors of location, career opportunities, and culture all figure in the equation. Much of the TV show and the movie itself is focused on the New York life—fashion, music, night life—and the defining characteristics of the location that has made it legendary. Opportunities for career and wealth are often associated with gumption and chutzpah, which are part of the psyche of a typical New Yorker. This is most evident in Miranda’s and Samantha’s stories, whose careers as a lawyer and a public relations expert, respectively, are born out of their being in New York. Even Carrie and her sex column’s credibility have more to do with being in New York, the bastion of all things forward and modern, than by merely being a smart single woman with enough authority about sex. The aberration, more than being the appropriate representation of single women, is Charlotte; her perceived values and preference for tradition appear to be more suited to a less worldly area than Manhattan. Like in the TV series, consumerism and brands form a significant function in the film; Carrie’s display of wedding dresses identified by designer shows the amount of importance given to labels. But the New York premise once again provides the perfect excuse, being the center of fashion and home to most luxury brands. Had Carrie been in a small and not-so-cosmopolitan area would have made this appear pretentious and unreal, but the established facts of New York, her career as a magazine columnist, and her affinity for fashion make the association with designer labels quite expected and normal. Without the penchant for brands and the access afforded by being in New York, the SATC women’s representations of the thirty-something female are not far from accurate. At this age, most women have, or are in the process of establishing their careers, or are obsessing over finding a husband and starting a family—as seen, respectively, in Miranda and Charlotte. Yet they had not neglected the other aspects of themselves that would make them achieve their life goals, such as motherhood, responsibility, and friendship; these are clearly established in the film, but due to the necessity to adhere to a cohesive storyline, these have been placed conveniently as background material. Still, some traditionalists may dismiss the film as a celebration of consumerism, anti-feminism, and overt sexuality—concepts that contradict each other when taken as a whole—but it is only because SATC managed to introduce a new breed of independent females who recognize both their strengths and limitations. The characters are complete and wholly developed, creating personalities so real and defined that the more conservative viewer may find them at once curious and controversial. The female audience comprising the age range portrayed by the SATC women will always find the film liberating, for two possible reasons: because they can identify with the trials and tribulations of the four characters; or because they can only hope to reach the level of individuality and liberation available to these New York women. Of course, the common pleasure derived by women in either situation may be found within the more superficial elements of meeting men per se and fashion—it is still entertainment, after all. But the deeper issues of love, relationship, marriage, friendship, career, life, loss, sadness, joy, and other concepts present in the film are universal constructs that affect women, and men as well. However, if one were to stop at the shallow enjoyment of the aesthetic elements provided by the film—such as designer fashions, swanky homes, and gorgeous men—then the experience would not be maximized, and would most likely box in the film in the category of triviality and shallowness. Also, manipulation would only be the case if the film depicts a world far from real, with unbelievable characters, and an obvious objective to sell its audience to a life impossible to reach. Carrie and her friends represent every single woman, perhaps not in all aspects, but in the mindset and priorities; the issue of singleness at thirty being the key qualifier in the equation. Naturally, their concerns would not be identical to those of a younger or married woman, who would have different realities altogether. An example would be the wildly popular TV show Gossip Girl (2007), which is undoubtedly limited to the lives of the affluent youth and uses a questionable method of communicating reality through visual pleasure and aspiration. IV. The Politics of Gender Roles in SATC The topics chosen for discussion in the regular lunch, coffee, and shopping dates of the four characters vary at all times, with gender-related issues taking a significant portion. The nature of entertainment provides an effective avenue for these concerns, specially with a smartly-written script and a sense of responsibility to communicate the issues properly. In the movie, the women discuss sex in the presence of Charlotte’s daughter Lily, and they use the word â€Å"color† to substitute for â€Å"sex†Ã¢â‚¬â€producing a witty exchange that came off as both enjoyable and informative yet socially acceptable. Marriage, in Carrie’s case, was construed on the outset as a matter of convenience, in order to share an apartment with Mr. Big, but was really a serious issue that had her debating on her reasons for getting married—whether it was out of love or mere practicality. But despite all the carefully-crafted dialogue, the scenes referring to life-changing issues such as Miranda’s separation from Steve and Charlotte’s discovering she is pregnant were treated with utmost subtlety and thought, and would not be out of place in any other traditional text discussing the very same points. What may be left out to some extent is the politics among the characters themselves; since female competition is a powerful theme in most women’s lives (Barash 2006), it is questionable how the four women have almost no semblance of rivalry or contest, at least in the film. This phenomenon is largely common among groups of women, in particular, and SATC had shown almost nothing about competition even if it could have been appropriated in several points in the story. The only allusion to it would be Miranda’s declaration that marriage is not the right choice to make, yet without any reference to her envy of Carrie and Mr. Big. V. Conclusion The entertainment culture introduced by the pioneering SATC text redefined the landscape of feminism, empowerment, and the resulting popular culture that has been embraced by audiences the world over. Through the use of female characters who were instruments to convey individuality and power, the celebration of women as symbols of strength is done with much success. The fact that they discuss issues once considered taboo for media portrayal is already a feat in the world of feminism and empowerment, albeit relatively against the norms of tradition or the approved style of standard feminists. But the goal of entertainment in SATC does not stop with entertainment itself—the reality of the thirty-something single woman is enough reason to make it a pronounced voice in educating society about the capabilities of females beyond the label of marital status.

Free Online Classes Directory

Free Online Classes Directory If you’re new to learning through the internet, want to test out a class, need to brush up on some skills for your credit classes, or just want to learn a few new facts, you’ll want to check out one of the many free courses available online. Although these courses don’t provide college credit, they do give students a lot of information and can be a valuable supplement to your regular studies. There are two main types of online courses: independent courses that are made exclusively for the internet, and open courseware classes that are designed for actual classrooms. Independent Courses Independent courses are made especially for e-learners. From poetry to financial planning, theres something out there for everyone.Brigham Young University has a number of online courses offered for credit to paying students, but they also offer free classes that are open to the general public. Although these classes do not offer interaction among peers, they have a sensible set up and often provide useful information. One of the most common subjects offered is genealogy; BYU has quite a few specialized courses to help genealogists locate their personal family information. A number of religious courses are also available.Stanford University offers free lectures, interviews, and material that are avaliable for download on iTunes.Free-ed.net offers a variety of courses that include materials completely online. Some even have free online textbooks. The Information Technology programs are some of the best and include step-by-step instructions on mastering various types of computer skills . The Small Business Administration provides dozens of links to courses that teach you how to plan, start, market, and run a successful business, and also how to apply for grants and loans. The Teaching Company sells audio and video classes taught by top professors. However, if you sign up for their email newsletter, they will send you occasional free lectures that can be downloaded and saved. Open Courseware Open courseware programs are designed to give students around the world access to course materials actually used in university classrooms. Participating colleges post syllabi, assignments, calendars, lecture notes, readings, and other materials online, making it easy for self-learners to study the topic on their own terms. Open courseware programs do not require registration or charge tuition. However, they  do not award credits or allow for interaction with a professor.Want to take an MIT course for free? MIT’s open courseware program offers students around the world access to materials and assignments used in actual classrooms. More than 1,000 courses are currently available.Tufts University also offers a handful of quality open courseware classes as does Utah State University and John Hopkins University.

Girl powdering her neck Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Girl powdering her neck - Essay Example The essay "Girl powdering her neck" concerns The painting â€Å"Girl Powdering her Neck†. The figures of women that he portrayed through his art served to provide them with a voice in a society where they were often marginalized and oppressed. Utamaro’s paintings serve to show women in their positions of vulnerability and seek to show the forces of the society that place them in these positions of vulnerability. The painting â€Å"Girl Powdering her Neck† is one where the reflection of a woman’s face assumes the centre stage on the canvas. The vulnerability of a woman in the society is revealed through the depiction of a frail and delicate woman who is grooming herself so as to maintain her beauty, her only asset in a masculinist and patriarchal society. The painting shows the reflection of the woman and thus serves to remind one that what is seen of a woman in public is often nothing but her reflection. Her real self is never revealed to the world because of the constraints of the society which frames her in a mirror and confines her identity to her physical self. Utamaro questions this structure if the society and talks of how it would be possible for women to come out of their cloistered existence only if they were given the chance to express their real selves. What Utamaro does, ironically, confines the woman within a painting without giving her an alternative existence. The poem â€Å"Girl Powdering Her Neck†, talks of this very inability of the woman to break out of the moulds that were made for her.

Application for a doctorate program in special education Personal Statement

Application for a doctorate program in special education - Personal Statement Example One thing that brings great contentment in somebody’s life is getting the opportunity to pursue one’s path that later enables him/her to see his or her aspirations become a reality. More specifically, attaining one’s academic objectives and ultimately being able to utilize the gained knowledge towards positive contribution in one’s area of specialty is great success. This is a key driving force in persons’ lives, including mine. I am requesting for a chance to participate in a doctorate program in Special Education, not because I have a yearning for a master program graduate title, but because I have a passion of delving into this field thus accomplishing my career objectives – to teach, become an administrator in the educational field and eventually teach special education practitioners at the university level. I also aspire to guarantee high performance in my area of specialization to the best of my interest and that of the public by employ ing my skills directed by integrity and accountability for progressive competence. My educational background has greatly given me exposure to invaluable essential knowledge, which will give me great backing once I enroll for this program. I possess a Masters of Arts in Special Education w/ a concentration in Autism with an overall GPA of 3.52, which is perchance the most powerful facet of my application.