Essay --

After the financial crisis of 2008 there has been a dramatic decrease of foreign direct investment (FDI) around the world. Particularly the rapid decline in inflows has affected the recovery speed of FDI around the world. Inflows into Europe contracted by 42% and to North America by 21%, inflows to Australia and New Zealand together declined by 14% 1. However there are few exceptions to the trend, such as the United Kingdom who have managed to keep its FDI attraction. UNCTAD has confirmed that FDI inflows into the UK have risen by 22% 2 over the past year. Inward FDI into the UK In the last 30 years the UK has put in a lot of effort to dramatically increase the inflows of FDI into the country. The strategy succeeded due to the rich and diverse ecosystem of the UK and ease of doing business. The inflow FDI has shown constant growth until 2000, which peaked to $118.8 billion. The IT bubble burst in 2000 caused a dramatic fall in IFDI which can be illustrated in Figure 1. The downfall resulted in the UK attracting only $16.8 billion in 2003. The data shows that the FDI inflows boosted in the period of 2004-2007, and that Mergers and Acquisitions that the Multinational Corporations used to enter the UK, as well as the reduced interest rate, can explain this. Due to the sudden collapse of the world’s economy in 2008 M&A became an unfavourable method of FDI and in just one year IFDI into UK shrank by 50%. The trend continued up to 2011, as the FDI pattern moved towards investments into third world countries and developing nations. This enormous change in the FDI graph after the financial crisis is mainly due to a decline in investments from transnational corporations that are located in the European Union. As the world’s economy has... ...T and communications sector in the UK is likely to stay attractive and to increase its share of IFDI. The plans for UK network companies to move to 4G speed only open opportunities for foreign investors. Overall, I believe that foreign direct investment is going to increase within the next 5 years. Even though the manufacturing sector is likely to shrink, IT and business services will make up for the losses. Due to the nature of the UK economy and a high diversity and educated pool of labour, the IT and Business industries are going to expand. UK is already one of the most favourable countries in the world for IT and financial services due to its ease of doing business, the attractive corporate and personal tax environment, the preferred use of both the English language and English law in business operations, and the UK’s involvement in the European Single Market7.

Adderall Literature Review Essay

According to DSM-IV (2005), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is defined as â€Å"persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is more frequently displayed and is more severe than is typically observed in individuals at comparable level of development.† A recent study suggests that 9% of U.S. school-aged children (3-17) are diagnosed with ADHD (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010). At first, there was a misconception in society that ADHD only affected children and that eventually they would outgrow it. However, recent data suggests that 4.4% of the U.S. adult population have ADHD. Studies also indicate that 30%-70% of children with ADHD continue to have symptoms as adults. (Desantis, 2008, p. 31) See more: Experiment on polytropic process Essay In terms of treating ADHD, Adderall is the most commonly prescribed medicine for children and adults. According to Desantis (as cited in Okie, 2006), â€Å"The number of American adults who are prescribed medication to treat the disorder has increased by 90% from 2002 to 2005, with adults receiving one-third of all prescriptions† (p. 32). Shire Pharmaceuticals introduced Adderall in 1996. In 2001, Shire introduced an extended release version known as Adderall XR. Adderall is a mixed salt amphetamine. It works to increase concentration and focus by stimulating the production of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain (Schiffner, 2010). For individuals with ADHD, Adderall produces enough dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain to bring them to a normal state of functioning and focus. For individuals without ADHD, Adderall tends to over-stimulate the brain, which results in an even higher level of functioning and focus. Adderall, along with cocaine and other substances, is classified as a Schedule II substance because of its potential for abuse and dependency both physically and psychologically. Consumption of Adderall by College Students The main subject being explored throughout this paper is the use of Adderall among college students. There have been numerous studies that have explored the overall usage of Adderall, but only a few have focused specifically on its consumption by college students. Studies have also been done on the illegal usage of other stimulants among college students, which highlight relative statistics. Nichols (2004) indicated, â€Å"†¦the United States Department of Health and Human Services found in an annual survey of drug use that 1.8 million Americans between the ages of 18 and 25, or 6 percent of those surveyed, admitted having taken Ritalin — an older stimulant used to treat attention-deficit disorder — without a prescription† (p. A41). This study indicates that there is a growing population of college students who consume non-prescribed stimulants. McCabe et al (2005), conducted a study in which 10,904 students were surveyed at 119 different 4-year colleges in the United States. From that study McCabe et al (2005) found that 6.9% of the students surveyed used an illegal prescription stimulant in their life. 4.1% of which used an illegal prescription stimulant in the past year. Also for the study, McCabe et al (2005) found that non-medical prescription stimulant users were â€Å"more likely to report use of alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine, and other risky behaviors† (p. 96). Loe et al (2008) conducted a study on Adderall and Ritalin amongst the college population and results showed that students â€Å"†¦may resort to medical means to manage their time and to perform well inside and outside of the classroom† (p.8). Although the primary use of the drug is for academic purposes, students also turn to it for recreational purposes. Statistically, Loe et al (2008) reported, â€Å"75% of the students who took these meds indicated doing so for academic purposes. Students also list taking them for fun (68%), to stay awake (56%), and to party (50%) as other reasons† (p.8). Adderall may also help young adults improve their driving ability. It has been reported that individuals with ADHD are more likely to be at fault in driving accidents (Burgbacher and Brewer, 2006, p. 7) (as cited in Kay, 2005). This data indicates that students are finding alternative reasons for using stimulants and not just for academic purposes. Desantis et al (2008) surveyed 1,811 students at a large public institution in the southeast. Of the students surveyed, only 4% reported having a prescription to ADHD while 34% reported having used ADHD medication illegally (p. 32). Desantis et al (2008) also indicated that only 2% of the students believed Schedule II amphetamines posed a health risk. 81% of the students believed that ADHD medications were â€Å"not dangerous at all† or â€Å"slightly dangerous† (Desantis et al 2008, p. 33) More recently, Schwarz (2013), in an article for the New York Times, indicated (as cited in I.M.S. Health, 2011) that nearly 14 million monthly prescriptions for the condition were written for Americans ages 20-39, two and half times the 5.6 million just 4 years before. (p. 18) Each of these studies reported similar statistics and similar trends growing amongst the college population. Each study reported a high rate of students consuming non-medical ADHD medications. The more alarming statistic revealed by these studies is that non-medical prescription stimulant users were more likely to abuse other drugs and also believed that ADHD medications were not dangerous at all. This indicates that Adderall and other ADHD medications are becoming a gateway drug. It is also indicates that students may be justifying their usage of non-medical consumption of ADHD medication. Attainment of Adderall Studies show that Adderall is used very often which indicates that it is not difficult for a student to attain. Evidently, those without prescriptions find it rather easy to obtain Adderall. On college campuses, there are usually peers selling or willing to give away Adderall, which is a federal crime. Stolz (2012) put much of the blame on universities by stating that, â€Å"Universities are a large part of the problem. Student can simply go to the health clinic on campus and obtain a prescription for Adderall or an ADHD diagnosis. The process is easy for most, and many students are misdiagnosed in that manner. University clinics eliminate the need for these students to find and make appointments with a psychiatrist, which may take months and entails more stringent testing prior to diagnosis.† (p. 586) Studies also show that, along with universities, physicians often prescribe ADHD prescriptions without performing exact assessments that physicians are trained to perform (Nichols, 2004).   Furthermore, money is also areason for a student to seek an Adderall prescription. Based on the previous statistics mentioned, it is widely known that there is a high demand for Adderall on a college campus, which makes it a profitable investment. Not only does the individual who obtains the prescription benefit from the enhancement of their own academic performance, but also the potential to earn income by selling the pills (Stolz, 2012, p. 586). Loe et al (2008) reported that â€Å"Of the 68 students who claimed to have taken prescription stimulants without a prescription, a large majority, 87%, received the drugs from friends and family and 26% purchased the drug.† (p. 9). This statistic further verifies the simplicity in obtaining prescription stimulants. Health Concerns in Correlation with Adderall Consumption Along with the upside of the drug, as with any other drug, there is a downside that negatively affects individuals physically and psychologically. Negative side effects of Adderall consumption include difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, seizures, uncontrolled shaking and body movements, and hallucinations (Schiffner, 2010). The Medical Guide for Adderall (which is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug administrations) lists common side effects as, â€Å"Headache, decreased appetite, stomach ache, nervousness, trouble sleeping, mood swings, weight loss, dizziness, dry mouth, and fast heart beat† (Medication Guide, 2011, p. 17)   More drastic side effects may result from long periods of Adderall consumption, especially for individuals who do not have ADHD. Ultimately, this long term consumption can result in severe physical and psychological dependence. In a recent article in the New York Times, Schwarz (2013) (as cited from The Journal of Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2006) wrote, â€Å"†¦about 10 percent of adolescents and young adults who misused ADHD stimulants became addicted to them. Even proper, doctor supervised use of the medications can trigger psychotic behavior or suicidal thoughts in about 1 in 400 patients, according to a 2006 study in the American Journal of Psychiatry† (p. 18). In March 2005, Health Canada actually suspended the sale of Adderall XR based on 20 international reports of sudden death in patients (Kratochvil, 2005). Evidently, the long-term use of Adderall can cause major health issues including, severe dependence, psychotic behaviors, possible suicidal ideations, and even sudden death. Justifications for Illegal use of Adderall and Other Attention-deficit Medications In society, individuals with drug and substance abuse issues often try to justify their abuse. The main goal of Desantis’ (2008) study was to see how college students â€Å"conceive the drug and justify its use† (p.35). The first justification was comparing ADHD stimulants to party drugs. They asserted that it was morally justifiable to use ADHD stimulants because it was to promote a positive outcome (Desantis, 2008 p. 36). Another assertion was that ADHD stimulants were â€Å"good†, legal drugs because they come from medical establishments rather than â€Å"bad,† illegal street drugs (Desantis, 2008, p. 36). Other participants believed that there’s no high because it does not alter their mind and pose the same side effects in comparison to other illegal street drugs (Desantis, 2008 pp. 36-37). Other justifications indicated in Desantis’ (2008) study were that students use ADHD stimulants in moderation and therefore it is not harmful. Other students maintained that they use stimulants to self-medicate because they believe they have ADHD themselves and have not been diagnosed. The final rationalization is that ADHD stimulants are â€Å"harmless, benign, and a socially acceptable anti-fatigue aid† (Desantis, 2008, pp. 38-41). All in all, the previous research supplies recent qualitative and quantitative data that implies that Adderall and other ADHD stimulant consumption among the college population is a recurring and growing trend. Research also maintained that universities and physicians are also responsible for the drugs circulation. As a result of this research, it is evident that college-aged individuals are unaware of the major physical and psychological risks that can result from the illegal consumption of Adderall and also believe that their consumption is justifiable within society. For this study, a survey will be anonymously distributed among college campuses in the area containing both quantitative and qualitative questions about their experience and/or knowledge of Adderall. The sample population will be college students in the area between the ages of 18-25. The sample population will be selected anonymously and will remain anonymous because the study touches upon illegal activity. I will gain access to my subjects via social media networks (facebook, twitter, etc.). From the survey, I expect to obtain pertinent information that will help understand why college students consume non-prescribed Adderall, how they gain access to Adderall, and if they are aware of the risks that come along with Adderall consumption. References – Burgbacher, Katie, and Amanda Brewer â€Å"Study of Adderall Use Among College Students: A New and Upcoming Trend† University of Kentucky. RUNNING HEAD: Research Project (2006). Pp 1-19 – Desantis, Alan, and Audrey Curtis Hane. â€Å"†Adderall is Definitely Not a Drug†: Justifications for the Illegal Use of ADHD Stimulants.† Substance Use & Misuse 45 (2008): 31-46. Print. – Diagnostic criteria for attention deficit for hyperactivity disorder, (2005). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. American Psychiatric Association. – Kratochvil, Christopher. â€Å"Health Canada suspends Adderall.† Brown University Child & Adolescent Psychopharmacology Update 7 (2005): 12. Print. – Loe, M. E., DeWitt, C. , Quirindongo, C. and Sandler, R. , 2006-08-11 â€Å"†Pharming† to Perform in the Classroom: Making Sense of the Medically-Disciplined College Student Body† Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association, Montreal Convention Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Online . 2012-06-24 from http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p103442_index.html – McCabe, S. E., et al (2005). Non-medical use of prescription opioids among U.S. college students: Prevalence and correlates from a national survey. Addictive Behaviors, 30(4), 96-106. – Nichols, K. (2004). The other performance-enhancing drugs. Chronicle of Higher Education, 51(17), A41-A42. – Okie, S. (2006). ADHD in adults. New England Journal of Medicine, 354:2637–2641. – Schiffner, Jennifer. 2010. â€Å"Harder, Better, Faster Stronger: Regulating Illicit Adderall Use Among Law Students and Law Schools† Express – Schwarz, Alan. â€Å"Drowned in a stream of Prescriptions.† The New York Times 3 Feb. 2013: 1, 18-20. Print. – Stolz, Stefanie. â€Å"Adderall Abuse: Regulating the Academic Steroid.† Journal of Law and Education 41, No.3 (2011): 585-592. Print. – Visser, SN, RH Bitsko, ML Danielson, and R Perou. â€Å"Increasing Prevalence of Parent-Reported Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Among Children –United States, 2003 and 2007.† Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 59.44 (2010): 1439-1443. Print.

Alternative Power Sources

Mexico is one of the countries that utilize alternative or renewable energies aside from its major power generating plants such as thermal and coal fired power plants. Renewable energy represents the production of electrical energy with the resources being provided by nature on a sustainable basis. Utilization of this renewable energy gives an alternative solution to the prevailing demand for energy. It also lessens or eliminates the emission of harmful threats to the environment cause by the usage of the typical sources of energy such fossil fuels in the form of carbon, oil, or gas.The environmental effects are long term in nature and irreversible in process such as the increasing hole in the ozone, global warming and contamination of the atmosphere, the greenhouse effect, and nuclear waste. Alternative or renewable energies may be in the form of a hydropower plant that uses the kinetic energy of water to be able to generate power; a solar panel utilizing photovoltaic cell to harnes s the energy rays coming from the sun; a windmill that uses wind power to produce energy; and geothermal energy that utilizes steam coming from the earth’s core.Adapting to the usage of renewable energy not only has a positive effect on Mexico’s environment but also in its economy. An evaluation of renewable power sources will provide significant help in producing additional power in Mexico. Mexico utilizes alternative sources of energy in the form of hydropower which comprise 22% of the total rated capacity, 2% to geothermal plants, 3% to nuclear plants, only a small fraction of percent goes to wind power and large percentage accounts to thermal plants of CFE and others from independent power producers.CFE refers to the â€Å"Comision Federal de Electricidad† or the Federal Electricity Commission, and it represents the sole state owned electric company. CFE is responsible for the construction of generating plants to meet the demands for domestic lighting, irrig ation, dragging and milling; increasing the rated capacity of power needed; unified economical and technical criteria by standardizing the operating voltage and frequency with the purpose of standardizing equipment thereby reducing manufacturing time as well as cost, inventory and storage.At present there are two governing bodies in Mexico’s electrical public system, the Central Light and Power Company and the Federal Electricity Commission or CFE. The two bodies govern agreements on transmission and interconnection services being granted to renewable power sources. Regulatory schemes are being implemented to balance the competitive condition of power production thus enabling competition under similar conditions.The Energy Regulatory Commission or the CRE has the sole responsibility regarding the economic and technical regulation of the electricity sector. The objective is to protect consumer’s interest either short or in long terms. Factors to consider in economic reg ulations include costs, prices, quality of service and investment. CRE is also responsible in concessions and permits, settling disputes, and promoting competitions among participants.Mexico’s energy sector played a key role regarding the economic growth of the country such as the relative increase in the Gross domestic product or GDP, certain percentages coming from the energy exports, total public revenues, and investments in the energy sector greatly contributed to the economic growth of the country. The figure below shows the structure of the Mexican Energy Sector.

Dividend Irrelevance Theory Essay Example

Dividend Irrelevance Theory Essay Example Dividend Irrelevance Theory Paper Dividend Irrelevance Theory Paper Dividend, a periodic payment made to stockholders to compensate them for delaying consumption and for the use of and risk to their investment funds O1. A firms decisions about the dividends are often mixed up with other financing and investment decisions. Some firms pay low dividends because management is optimistic about the firms future and wishes to retain earnings for expansion. In this case the dividend is a by-product of the firms capital budgeting decision. Another firm might finance capital expenditures largely by borrowing. This releases cash for dividends. In this case the dividend is a by-product of the borrowing decision O2. Once a company makes a profit, it must decide on what to do with those profits: either continues to retain the profits within the company, or pays them out to the owners of the firm in the form of dividends. Once the company decides to pay dividends, a somewhat permanent dividend policy may need to be established, which may in turn impact on investors and perceptions of the company in the financial markets. What kind of decision is depended on the situation of the company now and in the future. It also depends on the preferences of current investors and potential investors. Fisher Black (1976) wrote: The harder we look at the dividend picture, the more it seems like a puzzle. Based on our study, this article wont cover all the aspects of Dividend Policy, but from the view of a finance director, it attempts to provide a summary report to Board of Directors, regarding some related issues on dividend policy decision making in UK market. Dividend Theories Theoretically, there are 3 typical extensions trying to explain the relationship of a firms dividend policy and common stock value: Dividend Irrelevance Theory (Miller Modigliani, 1961) O3: which is lately known as MM. This theory purports that, in a world without any market imperfections like taxes, transaction costs or asymmetric information, a firms dividend policy has no effect on either its value or its cost of capital (Figure 1. 1). Investors value dividends and capital gains equally. However, the crucial assumption here is the independence of a companys investment policy from its dividend policy. Investment policy is all that matters, since value of the firm equals present value of future cash flows. How these cash flows are split between dividends and retained earnings are then irrelevant. Given the companys investment policy, dividend policies affects only the level of outside financing required (in addition to retained earnings) to fund new investment and pay the dividend. This means that each dollar of dividends represents a dollar of capital gains lost. According to MM, the only important determinant of a companys market value is its investment policy because it is responsible for the companys future profitability. As a result, it does not matter whether the firm pays out its earnings or not. The basic contention (and recommendation) underlying the MM proposition is that manager should subordinate the dividend decision to investment decisions O4. Optimal Dividend Policy (Gorden Lintner, 1962) O5: Proponents believe that there is a dividend policy that strikes a balance between current dividends and future growth that maximizes the firms stock price. Addresses the investor preference for receiving dividends without selling stock, arguing that a capital gain in the bush is perceived as riskier than a dividend in the hand. Miller Modigliani refer to this theory as the bird in the hand fallacy, suggesting that most investors will reinvest their dividends in the same or similar firms anyway and that in the long run risk is determined by asset cash flows not dividend policy. This theory from Myron Gordon is rather an argument about investment policy than about dividends. What the Bird in the Hand-Theory is really saying is that companies paying low dividends tend to have riskier investments. For this reason and not for the low dividend perse investors discount the earnings of low dividend (and therefore risky) company more heavily. The market discounts future earnings according to the risk of the company, regardless of whether those earnings will be retained or distributed. However, what is important to recognize is that higher risk causes lower dividend, and not the reverse. Dividend Relevance Theory (Graham Dodd, 1988) O6: The value of a firm is affected by its dividend policy. The optimal dividend policy is the one that maximizes the firms value. Since dividends are taxed at higher rates than capital gains, investors require higher rates of return as dividend yields increase. This theory suggests that a low dividend payout ratio will maximize firm value. Results of empirical tests of these theories are mixed and have not led to definitive conclusions. In the less than theoretical real world, companies budget future dividend payments the same way that they budget any other cash outflow such as debt service requirements, capital expenditures, or any foreseeable demand for cash. As a result, when a board of directors sets a general dividend policy, it is often in terms of and always in consideration of projected cash flows not earnings. Thus, the internal policy might well be described as a certain percentage of cash flow, even for companies that express their policy publicly in terms of payout ratios or a percent of earnings In the real world, markets cannot be absolutely efficient or wholly inefficient. Markets are essentially a mixture of both, and daily decisions and events cannot always be reflected immediately into a market; moreover, if all participants were to believe that the market is efficient, no one would seek extraordinary profits, the force that keeps the wheels of the market turning. Semi-strong market efficiency, as indicated by Jack Treynor, holds that the market will not be always either quick or accurate in processing new information. On the other hand, it is not easy to transform the resulting opportunities to trade profitably against the market consensus into superior portfolio performance O7.

Kansas State University GPA, SAT ACT Admissions Data

Kansas State University GPA, SAT ACT Admissions Data Kansas State University GPA, SAT and ACT Graph Kansas State University GPA, SAT Scores and ACT Scores for Admission. Data courtesy of Cappex. How Do You Measure Up at Kansas State University? Calculate Your Chances of Getting In  with this free tool from Cappex. Discussion of Kansas States Admissions Standards: In the graph above, you can see that the majority of applicants to Kansas State University are admitted, and that the admissions bar isnt overly high. The blue and green dots represent students who won admission. Most had SAT scores (RWM) of 950 or higher, an ACT composite of 18 or higher, and a high school average of a B- or better. Kansas State has fixed admissions requirements, and a student with any one of the following will be eligible: a 21 or higher on the ACT, 1060  or higher on the SAT (RWM), top 1/3 class ranking, and a 2.0 GPA in a college preparatory curriculum. The Kansas State admissions process is largely numerical, so grades and test scores are extremely important. The admissions standards, however, vary from program to program. You can see a few red dots (rejected students) and yellow dots (waitlisted students) mixed in with the green and blue in the graph. This is mostly likely because some Kansas State programs have selective admissions and limited space availability. Applicants to the College of Architecture, Planning and Design as well as the Interior Design, Wildlife and Outdoor Management, and Athletic Training programs are held to higher standards than other applicants to other Kansas State programs. To learn more about Kansas State University, high school GPAs, SAT scores and ACT scores, these articles can help: Kansas State University Admissions ProfileWhats a Good SAT Score?Whats a Good ACT Score?Whats Considered a Good Academic Record?What is a Weighted GPA? Articles Featuring Kansas State University: ACT Score Comparison for Kansas CollegesSAT Score Comparison for Kansas Colleges If You Like Kansas State, You May Also Like These Schools University of Kansas:  Profile  |  GPA-SAT-ACT GraphFort Hays State University:  Profile  Colorado State University - Fort Collins:  Profile  |  GPA-SAT-ACT GraphUniversity of Arkansas:  Profile  |  GPA-SAT-ACT GraphPurdue University:  Profile  |  GPA-SAT-ACT GraphBaylor University:  Profile  |  GPA-SAT-ACT GraphOklahoma State University:  Profile  |  GPA-SAT-ACT GraphTexas Tech University:  Profile  |  GPA-SAT-ACT GraphUniversity of Nebraska - Lincoln:  Profile  |  GPA-SAT-ACT GraphIowa State University:  Profile  |  GPA-SAT-ACT Graph

Why it is so difficult to evaluate the influence of women on Viking Essay

Why it is so difficult to evaluate the influence of women on Viking society - Essay Example The saga writers of the 13th century belonged to an oral tradition, which embraced written culture like the Holy Bible. It is characteristic of Scandinavian or Norse societies, that they had never had any hierarchical form of governing. But Viking societies now had a king, who served as a ruler, and men were the dominant group in the society and the family. All these social aspects were then highlighted in epics and romance. As a result, saga writing became a political act in gender relations under this situation. The ideological view of the binary opposition formed a kind of "stereoscopic" view on women as depicted in the sagas, paying special attention to gender roles and the contexts of these performances. First, when one looks at women's representation in one of the oldest forms of Icelandic literature, the 'Gylfaginning' saga, most of the gods are represented as warriors, and are thus heroic images. This depicts the social role of males as being the 'external' heroes and proves their dominance both in the society and in their own family. Goddesses such as Frigg and Freyji usually represented marriage, motherhood, fertility, love, household management and domestic art2. Frigg and Freyji are the highest goddesses from the sir and Vanir races. In addition to their divine images, they are always seen as role models for the moral code for Viking women. Oral literature or written sagas were the major entertainment for Vikings, so the sagas worked as 'social education', developing the stereotype and the binary ideology in the Viking society. With this change and suppression of the past, there still were "strong women" in oral sagas in the Viking age. But nevertheless women we re constrained from playing the role of remembering and preserving the connection with the past, and evoking it in a way that minimizes its potential disruption of, or threat to, the present symbolic order3. Additionally, because of changes in political, social and religious culture, Viking women have lost their power in the public sphere. That's why women in sagas have always been the subordinate group under the authority of the male in the family. As in the Laxdoela Saga, the father was the one who decided about Gudrd's first marriage to Thorvald, a man she did not love4. This fact shows that women were under male's authority and seldom appeared in public. They were powerful in their limited private surrounding, taking care of their household and family, but still faced the binary opposition that influenced their society and the role and power of Viking women. Ultimately, it has blurred or flattened the influence of female Vikings on Viking society. To understand the social and historical function of sagas in Old Norse society, it is necessary to see, how women were represented in early legislation, together with their life's depictions in archaeological documents. In the medieval Scandinavian culture and from my study of the sagas, Viking women were always signified and related to the household and to nurturing their family and children. We can see this from one of the oldest sagas in Northman Literature, the Saga

Instructional Coherency and School Improvement Research Paper

Instructional Coherency and School Improvement - Research Paper Example This research will begin with the statement that a compelling schooling system does not depend only on educators who are technically proficient, appropriate school curriculum, and the provision of other associated school facilities. Many kinds of research into the subject of school reforms and improvement have focused on the significance of organizational characteristics, governmental policies, leadership values, and student- teacher learning processes, all of which are considered in the modern times, as important for achieving a high-quality education. A supportive organizational environment, strong leadership, combined with technical reforms within teaching methods and school curriculum, is most likely to be of optimal benefit for the students. In the present efforts to elevate the standards of the high schools in U.S., there have been various forms of reforms, ranging from an increase in course exigency to guaranteeing competency standards of the educators. Some of the schools, on the other hand, have removed the passing grade standard of Ds and focused on simpler courses and vocational tracks to facilitate learning. The various State education departments, in turn, have raised the number of credits necessary for the core content subjects, created a standard for the content, while introducing standardized test patterns. Besides these various reforms brought in to elevate the levels of education in the US, there has been another aspect which has been gaining prominence in the recent times: instructional program coherence.