The Role Of Women In The Church Essays - Christianity And Women

The Role Of Women In The Church Essays - Christianity And Women The Role of Women in the Church With the advent of the feminist movement, the role of women in all parts of society has come under increasing scrutiny. One area of recent controversy is the role of women in the Christian Church. Some churches whose traditions and practices are less rigidly tied to Biblical doctrines have begun placing women in leadership positions such as pastor or teacher. Other churches which interpret the Bible more literally have been slow to adopt such changes. Much of the confusion is based on attempts to interpret scriptures pertaining to women. In this essay, we will use the Bible to underezd the role of women in the church of the first century and apply that underezding to the church of the twentieth century. Many people would dispute the Bible's relevance to contemporary thought in general, and in particular to the role of women in worship. If the Bible were not written under divine inspiration, a person or practice is not bound by its teachings. He or she can therefor pick and choose whatever corresponds to his/her point of view. However, if the Bible is of divine inspiration, then a cautious consideration of passages relevant to a particular issue must be undertaken. Traditions and customs that have arisen after the Bible was written may thus be carefully scrutinized. Such practices may or may not prove sound after comparison with scripture. Before we discuss specific issues concerning women in worship, we should consider principles derived from the relationship of Adam and Eve as described in Genesis chapter one. The Apostle Paul frequently uses this passage as a guideline when discussing women and women's issues. Genesis 1 verse 27 states: "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." Most Commentators agree that man and woman are both equally a reflection of God's image; the word "man" here is used as a synonym for humanity. Adam and Eve were also given joint dominion over creation. But the fact that Adam was created before Eve has significance to Paul and other Old Testament scholars; it signifies role distinction between the two sexes. The role of the man is leadership, while the role of woman is as a source of strength and support. In the letter to the Ephesians, Paul states: "For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. . ." (Eph. 5:23) This is an important analogy. If a person wants to underezd the Christian authority of a man over his wife, he must consider how Christ demonstrated his leadership as head over the Church. Primarily, he gave his life for his church, not using force or coercion for her submission. When considering mens and woman's ministry in the church, it is important to keep in mind this role distinction. Lets examine the public ministry of women in the Church. Two major passages give specific instructions regarding women during worship in the letters of the Apostle Paul. These two passages are used frequently when denying women a public role in church life. The first is in I Corinthians chapter 14 verses 33 - 35, this passage commands women to be silent during worship service. Similarly but with more details, I Timothy 2 verses 8 - 15 not only contains a command to be silent but also instruction on authority along with a reference to the fall of Adam and Eve for further explanation. Here is the passage in its entirety using the NIV (New International Version) Bible translation: I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. A women should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.

Causative Verbs in English for ESL Learners

Causative Verbs in English for ESL Learners Causative verbs express an action which is caused to happen. In other words, when I have something done for me I cause it to happen. In other words, I do not actually do anything, but ask someone else to do it for me. This is the sense of causative verbs. Intermediate to advanced level English learners should study the causative verb as an alternative to the passive voice.  There are three causative verbs in English:  Make, Have  and  Get. Causative Verbs Explained Causative verbs express the idea of someone causing something to take place. Causative verbs can be similar in meaning to passive verbs. Here are some examples for your comparison: My hair was cut. (passive)I had my hair cut. (causative) In this example, the meaning is the same. Because its difficult to cut your own hair, its understood that someone else cut your hair. The car was washed. (passive)I got the car washed. (causative) These two sentences have a slight difference in meaning. In the first, its possible that the speaker washed the car. In the second, its clear that the speaker paid someone to wash the car.   Generally speaking, the passive voice is used to place emphasis on the action taken. Causatives place the stress on the fact that someone causes something to happen. Causative Verb Examples Jack had his house painted brown and gray.The mother made her son do extra chores because of his behavior.  She had Tom write up a report for the end of the week. The first sentence is similar in meaning to:  Someone painted Jacks house  OR  Jacks house was painted by someone.  The second sentence indicates that the mother caused the boy to take an action. In the third, someone told someone to do something. Makeas a Causative Verb Make as a causative verb expresses the idea that the person requires another person to do something. Subject Make Person Base Form of Verb Peter made her do her homework.The teacher made the students stay after class.The supervisor made the workers continue working in order to meet the deadline. Haveas a Causative Verb Have as a causative verb expresses the idea that the person wants something to be done for them. This causative verb is often used when speaking about various services. There are two forms of the causative verb have. Subject Have Person Base Form of Verb This form indicates that someone causes another person to take an action.  Have  someone do something  is often used to management and work relationships.   They had John arrive early.She had her children cook dinner for her.I had Peter pick up the evening newspaper. Subject Have Object Past Participle This form is used with services that are commonly paid for such as car washing, house painting, dog grooming, etc.   I had my hair cut last Saturday.She had the car washed at the weekend.Mary had the dog groomed at the local pet store.   Note: This form is similar in meaning to the passive. Getas a Causative Verb Get is used as a causative verb in a similar way as have is used with the participle. This expresses the idea that the person wants something to be done for them. The causative verb is often used in a more idiomatic manner than have. Subject Get Person Past Participle They got their house painted last week.Tom got his car washed yesterday.Alison got the painting appraised by an art dealer.   This form is also used for difficult tasks we manage to complete. In this case, there is no causative meaning.   I got the report finished last night.  She finally got her taxes done yesterday.I got the lawn done before dinner.   Have done = Get Done Have done  and  get done  have the same meaning when used to refer to paid services in the past. I had my car washed. I got my car washed.  She had her carpet cleaned. She got her carpet cleaned.

Explain the rationale behind antibody usage in common laboratory Essay

Explain the rationale behind antibody usage in common laboratory assays such as ELISA, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, - Essay Example Many clinical laboratory tests incorporate antibodies because of their unique feature in identifying and singling out among very much interrelated antigens (Estridge & Reynolds 2011). Any test concerning an antibody-antigen reaction is referred to as a serological test (Kudesia 2006, p. 197). These tests make use of the reality that a good number of viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic illnesses bring forth accomplished antibody rejoinders. Therefore, identification of antibodies to infection agents in patients’ samples helps in the discovery of infections such as influenza, HIV, hepatitis, and rubella (Estridge & Reynolds 2011). ... Immunological tests make use of monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies. Antibodies of one class with specificity to only one epitope are called monoclonal antibodies. These antibodies are derived from a single cell line hence the name monoclonal. They are manufactured in the laboratories, making up the key reagents in most commercially available immunodiagnostic supplies. Polyclonal antibodies, on the other hand, are assortments of antibodies generated by many cell lines. These commercially available antibodies make use of a cloning process during their manufacture. The advantage of cloning antibodies is that it results in higher specificity in the antibodies. Both monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies can be produced from living organisms and cell cultures in the laboratory (Buchwalow & Bocker 2010). Scientists use mice, rats, and rabbits to clone antibodies. Antibody cloning is the production of antibodies from both living and non-living sources. The first step of monoclonal antibody p roduction in rats involves injecting the rat with an antigen that elicits an immune response by production of antibody-forming cells. These antibody forming cells (B-cells) are isolated from the organism. The B-cells then fuse with tissue cultured tumor cells to form hybridomas (Buchwalow & Bocker 2010). The hybridomas then undergo screening for antibody production after which they are cloned into many hybridomas. The final step is the isolation of monoclonal antibodies from the hybridomas. Experience shows that monoclonal antibodies from rabbits exhibit more specificity than antibodies from rats and mice (Buchwalow & Bocker 2010). Measurement of immune responses following an

ERP Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

ERP - Assignment Example Accordingly, business representatives should use those communication sources which are suitable for customers according to their surroundings and societal status. Technical communication solutions are beneficial for making any business winning and successful in the market. This is confirmed that those companies which are presenting their business solutions with utilization of effective communication resources are capable to make their financial purposes achievable and obtainable without any hurdle. In this matter, people should observe customer opinion strictly because this is linked with bringing betterment in financial achievements without any intricacy and complex. This observance can be performed by all consumers and this is effective to present new and shining ideas for promotion of business in the market place. Accordingly, concern of latest communication resources is also advantageous to take public opinions about performance and presentation of specific products and services. A main disadvantage of ERP is linked with lack of practice of those people which are performing with this commercial technique in the social order. The use of support of experts is the way of sensation in these conditions and this scenario is helpful for success of commercial objectives. Enterprise resource planning is a topical source of business promotion and this is procurable for all humans according to their commercial and social objectives. Technical communication, performance measurement, utilization of latest sources is imperative for sensation of the business and this is an observable matter with the instance of presentation of latest products in the market. These solutions are complex free as clients can bring easiness and acceptance in their social and commercial life. Accordingly, customers are also trouble free as they can procure their desired services and make their life gratifying and pleasurable according to their wishes and desires. Thus, technical communication

Business valuation Essay Example for Free

Business valuation Essay †¢One of your friends uses the terms ethics and morality interchangeably. You do not think this is correct. How would you explain the difference between ethics and morality? Provide an example of morality and one of ethics in your explanation. Ethics are more about a set of rules for a specific class of people, or a situation. They are more of a set of rules. While morals are more about an individuals’ set of rules for them, what they hold to be right or wrong that they follow to make decisions or take actions. A good example would be a lawyer who is defending a person who has committed a robbery. The lawyer’s morals tells him that the person is guilty, but his ethics tells him that he must defend the person. †¢Select two major ethical theories covered in your readings for Week One. What are the major differences between these two theories? Which one of these theories best aligns with your personal beliefs? Explain. I choose utilitarian theory and deontological theory. Utilitarian theory is to maximize utility as well as maximize happiness while deontological theory refers to following rules or regulations. Utilitarian can be a scenario where it benefits the individual or group say be given a weekend off even though there is still much work to be done, while within the same scenario the employees could almost be forced to work the weekends, even though they are tired and would like to spend time with their families. I prefer utilitarian as maximizing my happiness is important to me. I have worked with companies predominantly the Navy, whose type of theory is deontological. Duty within the Navy is huge, rules create the structure. Knowing that the happiness of myself and my family are a huge part of my determination when making the decision to take a job. †¢What are examples of virtues, values, and moral concepts? How do each of these relate to one another? In what ways are they separate and in what ways are they connected? Virtues are a person’s thoughts and/or actions that are guided by are morals, are morals are what we hold to be true ranging from honesty to being faithful, while are values are simply what he hold to be valuable. They all go together like cogs, working together to reach the same goal, but if one is not there then the whole thing will not work. They are separate because they’re all slightly different, say like parts of a car engine, and yet they are all required in order for the engine to work. If one is not present the engine will not work. †¢In Ch. 6 of Basic Ethics, the author discusses the relationship of religion as it relates to morality and ethics. Using your own personal experiences as a resource, what, if any, relationship exists between religion, morality, and ethics? Explain your answer. †¢Select a public figure from politics or business. Select an ethical theory that seems to best fit this person. Why does this theory seem best? Which theory seems to least suit this person? Why? Hilary Clinton, she would highly appear to follow a deontilogical ethical theory. It seems to suit her and her political career nicely, it just does not seem to be in the best interest of the citizens. Following utilitarianism she would be putting the happiness of the voters and citizens either above her own or at the very least equally. †¢If a person is described as virtuous, is this the same as saying that person is moral or ethical? Why or why not? How would you explain the relationship between these three concepts? Provide examples. If one has to be called ethical or moral I would not say that it means that they are virtuous, but I would say that if someone has to be called virtuous that they would be both ethical and moral. Being virtuous means having or showing high moral standards, so to be virtuous means one would have to have high ethics and high morals. The three work together, morals is doing what is right, ethics is moral principles that govern a persons or groups behavior, and being virtuous is a combination of these two as well as going above and always being moral.

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Essay -- Narrative Life Fr

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The tone established in the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is unusual in that from the beginning to the end the focus has been shifted. In the beginning of the narrative Douglass seems to fulfill every stereotypical slavery theme. He is a young black slave who at first cannot read and is very naà ¯ve in understanding his situation. As a child put into slavery Douglass does not have the knowledge to know about his surroundings and the world outside of slavery. In Douglass’ narrative the tone is first set as that of an observer, however finishing with his own personal accounts.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When first introduced to Douglass and his story, we find him to be a young slave boy filled with information about those around him. Not only does he speak from the view point of an observer, but he speaks of many typical stereotypes in the slave life. At this point in his life, Frederick is inexperienced and knows nothing of the pleasures of things such as reading, writing, or even the rights everyone should be entitled to. Douglass knowing hardly anything of his family, their whereabouts, or his background, seems to be equivalent to the many other slaves at the time. As a child Frederick Douglass sees the injustices around him and observes them, yet as the story continues we begin to see a change.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  With the progression of time we find Frederick Douglas begin to shift the tone to a focus within himself. The story begins to c...

Case study Nivea Essay

NIVEA FOR MEN wanted to increase its share of the UK male skincare market. This case study examines how NIVEA re-launched the NIVEA FOR MEN range in 2008. This was part of its overall plan to develop the range in the UK. It shows how the company developed a marketing plan for the relaunch and organised its marketing activities to achieve its aims and objectives. The study focuses on how a company can respond to changes in consumer expectations, external influences and business aims to achieve those objectives. What is a marketing plan? A business needs to set its overall direction for the company through a business plan. This plan sets out how the company is to achieve its aims. The aims and objectives of a business inform and shape its business plan. A vital part of the overall business plan is the marketing plan. The relationship between the two plans is shown in the diagram. 105 32184_NIVEA:NIVEA STUDY V6 23/6/09 15:25 Page 2 Marketing involves identifying, anticipating and satisfying customer needs. A marketing plan takes the stated aims and objectives and then puts in place a series of marketing activities to ensure those objectives are achieved. Marketing plans can cover any time period, but normally set out activities for the next one to five years at either a business or brand level. www.thetimes100.co.uk GLOSSARY Brand: A name, symbol or design used to identify a specific product and to differentiate it from its competitors. SWOT analysis: Identification and evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses inside a firm and the opportunities and threats in its external environment. Return on investment: The return on the funds invested in the business. Profits: money that is earned in trade or business, after paying the costs of producing and selling goods and services. The main sections of the plan cover: †¢ SWOT and competitive analysis – to assess where the business or brand is currently and what competitors are doing †¢ objectives – what the plan needs to achieve †¢ the marketing strategy – how the objectives will be achieved †¢ sales forecast – by how much sales are likely to increase †¢ budget – how much the marketing activities will cost and how the plan will be financed †¢ evaluation – how outcomes will be monitored and measured. There is no set model for a marketing plan. The structure of the plan – and the amount of detail – will depend on the size of the brand, the timescale involved and how the market and economy is behaving. However, NIVEA’s marketing plan for the relaunch of NIVEA FOR MEN follows closely the outline described here. Assessing the market The first step in devising a marketing plan is to conduct an evaluation of the business, its brands and products. This should include an assessment of the brand’s position and the state of the market. NIVEA FOR MEN needs to know what its male customers want and what competitor products exist. As well as targeting the male consumer, women are also an important target market for NIVEA FOR MEN. This is because women often buy male grooming products for their partners as well as helping them choose which products to buy. NIVEA FOR MEN used a SWOT analysis to help it assess the market. This takes a detailed look at the internal strengths and weaknesses of the business, as well as external opportunities and threats in the marketplace. NIVEA FOR MEN identified several strengths †¢ NIVEA FOR MEN was the UK market leading male facial skincare brand* which gave it strong brand recognition. †¢ The company had a sound financial base, so it had the resources to put together a strong marketing campaign. †¢ It also had staff with relevant skills – researchers with the scientific skills to develop products that men want and marketing staff with the skills to help promote these products effectively. As the leading male facial brand, NIVEA FOR MEN needed also to be aware of any weaknesses †¢ Was the product range still relevant for the target audience? †¢ Did it have the right sales and distribution outlets? †¢ Was its market research up-to-date? S WO T One clear opportunity was that the market was growing However, as the market for male skincare products grows, there are threats †¢ NIVEA FOR MEN had seen an increase in the sales of male skincare products and it wanted a greater share of this market. †¢ The company wanted to take advantage of changing social attitudes. Men were becoming more open, or certainly less resistant, to facial skincare products. †¢ Consumers were becoming more knowledgeable and price conscious. They often expect sales promotions such as discounts and offers. †¢ The risk of competitors entering the market. NIVEA FOR MEN needed to differentiate its products in order to ensure that, in an increasingly competitive market, its marketing activity gave positive return on investment in terms of sales and profits. * NIVEA FOR MEN the UK’s leading male skincare brand (IRI Data to 27th Dec 2008). Page 3 Setting objectives A successful marketing plan relies on setting clear and relevant objectives. These must relate directly to the business’ overall aims and objectives. In other words, the marketing plan must fit with the overall company strategy that is set out in the business plan. Beiersdorf states its goal as ‘†¦to increase our market share through qualitative growth. At the same time we want to further improve our sound earnings performance so that we can fulï ¬ l our consumers’ wishes and needs with innovations today and in the future. This will give us a strong position within the global competitive environment.’ The marketing team set SMART objectives for the NIVEA FOR MEN relaunch. These are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic (given the available resources) and Time constrained (to be achieved by a given date). The marketing team used research data to forecast market trends over the next three-to-five years. This helped them set specific targets for increasing sales, growing market share and improving its brand image. Beiersdorf wanted to increase its UK market share for NIVEA FOR MEN, but also wanted greater market penetration for male skincare products. In other words, it wanted not just a greater share of the existing market; it wanted to expand that market. It wanted more men buying skincare products. One key aim was to move men from just considering skincare products to making actual purchases. It also aimed to sell more male skincare products to women. Research had indicated that women were often the initial purchaser of skincare products for men. NIVEA FOR MEN used this key fact as a way to increase opportunities for sales. Another objective was to develop the NIVEA FOR MEN brand image. The NIVEA brand has always stood for good quality products that are reliable, user-friendly and good value for money. The brand’s core values are security, trust, closeness and credibility. These values would be strengthened and expanded on with the re-launch, to get more men and women to think of NIVEA as first choice for skincare. www.thetimes100.co.uk GLOSSARY SMART objectives: Framework for constructing objectives in a way that meets a business aim. Marketing strategies: Longterm plans designed to enable an organisation to identify and meet the wants and needs of its customers. Promotion: Making products and services better known through a range of activities. Marketing strategies The NIVEA FOR MEN team devised marketing strategies to deliver its objectives. These strategies set out how the objectives would be achieved within the designated budget set by the management team. Two strategies: This focus on product development combined with an emphasis on consumer needs is a key differentiator for NIVEA FOR MEN. It is a major reason why in the UK the brand is still the market leader in the male facial skincare market*. Another cornerstone of the UK marketing strategy for the re-launch was promotion. NIVEA sought to build on and develop the approach it had used in the past. In the 1980s, advertising in men’s style and fashion magazines along with product sampling was a major promotional tool. In the 1990s, the company used radio, television and press advertising together with sampling. Since 2000, there has been a greater emphasis on consumer needs and an increasing use of experiential activities in the promotional mix. Experiential marketing is about engaging consumers through two-way communications that bring brand personalities to life and add value to the target audience. This helps build an emotional connection between the brand and the consumers. * NIVEA FOR MEN the UK’s leading male skincare brand (IRI Data to 27th Dec 2008). 107 32184_NIVEA:NIVEA STUDY V6 23/6/09 www.thetimes100.co.uk GLOSSARY Above-the-line promotions: Direct expenditure on advertising, such as for a TV commercial. Below-the-line promotions: Indirect expenditure on promotion, such as through free gifts, PR or competitions. Brand affinity: How well customers identify with the brand. Evaluation: A systematic process that seeks to determine the worth, value or meaning of something. Key performance indicators: Financial and non-financial measures to monitor performance across a range of activities within a function, department or role. 15:25 Page 4 It is important to get the promotional balance right. NIVEA FOR MEN promoted the new launches of its products through a mixture of above-the-line and below-the-line promotion. The use of sport was a key element here. NIVEA FOR MEN supported football events at a grass-roots level through its partnership with Powerleague to build positive relationships with men. This helped create stronger brand affinity for NIVEA FOR MEN among men. It also allowed the brand to build and maintain a consistent dialogue with men, which helps to drive sales. Above-the-line promotion included television and cinema adverts, which reached a wide audience. By using links with sport, NIVEA FOR MEN aimed to build a positive male image associated with male facial skincare. The brand also benefited from press advertorials in popular men’s magazines, making the daily usage of their products more acceptable. Promotions were used to attract new customers. For example, the distribution of free samples encouraged trial of NIVEA FOR MEN products which drove purchase. These promotions have helped build up brand awareness and consumer familiarity which reinforce the NIVEA FOR MEN brand presence. There is a dedicated NIVEA FOR MEN website to support its products and provide information to educate men on their skincare needs. To enhance the brand a tool called a ‘Configurator’ was created on the website to help customers specify their skin type and find the product that best suits their needs. Conclusion – evaluating the plan The Times Newspaper Limited and  ©MBA Publishing Ltd 2009. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of information, neither the publisher nor the client can be held responsible for errors of omission or commission. The marketing plan is a cycle that begins and ends with evaluation. The final stage in the marketing plan is to measure the outcomes of the marketing activities against the original objectives and targets. Continuous evaluation helps the marketing team to focus on modifying or introducing new activities to achieve objectives. 108 NIVEA FOR MEN adopted a range of key performance indicators to assess the success of the NIVEA FOR MEN re-launch in the UK. It looked at: †¢ market share – Did the re-launch accelerate this growth and help achieve its market share objectives? NIVEA FOR MEN is market leader in many countries and is consistently gaining additional market share. †¢ overall sales – Was this in line with objectives? Internationally, NIVEA FOR MEN skincare products grew by almost 20%. Its sales in the UK market at retail in 2008 were nearly  £30 million and in line with expectations. †¢ brand image ratings – NIVEA FOR MEN was the Best Skincare Range winner in the FHM Grooming Award 2008 for the fifth year running. This award was voted for by consumers. It illustrates that NIVEA FOR MEN has an extremely positive brand image with consumers compared to other brands. †¢ product innovation – In response to consumer feedback and following extensive product innovation and development, the NIVEA FOR MEN range has been expanded and the existing formulations improved. These results show that, in the UK, the NIVEA FOR MEN re-launch met its overall targets, which was a significant achievement, considering the difficult economic climate. The marketing plan for the re-launch used past performance and forecast data to create a new marketing strategy. This built on the brand and company’s strengths to take advantage of the increasing change of male attitudes to using skincare products. Questions 1. Describe two pieces of data that NIVEA used when preparing its marketing plan to relaunch NIVEA FOR MEN. 2. Explain why NIVEA used football sponsorship to help increase its sales of NIVEA FOR MEN products. 3. Using the case study, put together a SWOT analysis of NIVEA’s position just before the relaunch of NIVEA FOR MEN. www.niveaformen.co.uk 4. Discuss how effective you think the marketing plan for NIVEA FOR MEN has been.

Women in “Merchant of Venice” Essay

In Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, there are many controversies over religion and friendship, but the idea of the play that interested me the most was the role of women. The two women that are in this play take on the role of the saviors of the men who seem helpless and hopeless compared to them. Influences of the Radical Feminist Perspective in The Merchant of Venice Angela Caravella 2006 The role that women play within many Shakespearian plays often highlights their perseverance, strength, and intelligence. This perhaps indicates the playwright’s understanding that women should be on equal ground with men. However, the conclusion of his works lead to the powerful, independent woman settling back into society with her husband. Within the play The Merchant of Venice, the female characters achieve amazing deeds to â€Å"clean up† the messes that their husbands had made and achieve their own goals, only to return to their subordinate positions as wives. Portia, Nerissa and Jessica’s assumption of the male form to move unnoticed between Belmont and Venice allowed them a glimpse into the world of feministic ideals. In later scenes, when Portia and Nerissa push the boundaries of their disguise, they specifically emphasize the nature of radical feminism. The altering of Portia, Nerissa, and Jessica’s gender to suit the society of Venice is a direc t spat in the face of the patriarchy within the environment of The Merchant of Venice. Unfortunately, the overarching ideals of the world at this time are able to recapture their stranglehold on Jessica, Portia, and Nerissa. The construct of feminism is based upon the woman’s struggle in society for social, political, and economic equality with men. Feminism seeks to eliminate the notion of sexism, which is the degradation, oppression, and subordination of women (http://www.feministissues.com/radical_feminism.html). Feminism possesses many subcategories that focus on specific areas within the sphere of women’s inequality tin conjunction to men. One sub category, radical feminism, concerns itself with the idea that society is influenced by a male dominated or patriarchal hierarchy. Under this school of thought, the patriarchy can be described as â€Å"the division of rights, privileges and power primarily by gender, as a result of oppressing women and privileging men. A radical feminist essentially believes that they are oppressed on the single ideal that the gender of a woman is inferior and it can be considered that to alter one’s gender would be a radical feminist activity. The method in which the patriarchy is exercised upon women exists in physical and psychological forms through the physical action of deeds invariably leads to the psychological acceptance of the female’s role as subordinate. Women must adhere to several physical standards that obey the guidelines that determine the feminine form. They must be of the desirable body type, with small and graceful movements confined within an invisible enclosed space that is modestly dressed and eyes cast downward (Bartky, 67-69). Conversely, men with regards to space, take up as much of an area as possible that he influences unlike a woman who tends to be a victim of her environment. A woman who does not conform to such stringent standards is often termed by society as a â€Å"lo ose† woman or bad influence. This type of woman has already been accounted for under the patriarchal system. She is of less stature than women who adhere to the proper code of conduct and society has marker her for disgrace: â€Å"Her looseness is manifest not only in her morals, but in her manner of speech, and literally in the free and easy way she moves† (68). Eye contact is another physical action in which the proper woman makes little of so as to not challenge the man to whom she converses with. The loose woman again is seen as a threat to social norms because she looks at whatever and whomever she solicits her attention (68). When an action has been performed by the woman to displease a man a great deal of suffering ensues. The man himself may deny intimacy if he is unsatisfied with a female’s performance but the woman too punishes herself for having defiled the expectations placed on her by the patriarchy. â€Å"The depth of [these] women’s shame is a measure of the extent to which all women have internalized patriarchal standards of bodily acceptability† (77). Since women have made patriarchal values part of their inner psychological being, it is difficult to not feel the ramifications of feministic practices within one’s self. Within the play, The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, the three female characters: Jessica, Portia and Nerissa’s experience with differing levels of the influence of the patriarchy upon their radical fem inist actions taken throughout the play. The radical feminist perspective  has a focus on gender inequality, so to defy traditional societal norms of gender; for example, cross-dressing might be a physical action that a woman could perform as a method of control, empowerment and activism to promote this ideal. The female characters Jessica, Nerissa and Portia all engage in cross-dressing however, each woman uses this activity to achieve different aims as well as possess varying opinions regarding its use. Within Act II Scene 6 of the play, Jessica assumes the form of a man so that she may escape from her father’s grasp and elope with Lorenzo. I am glad ’tis night, you do not look on me, For I am much ashamed of my exchange. But love is blind, and lovers cannot see ,The pretty follies that themselves commit For if they could, Cupid himself would blush To see me transformed to a boy†¦ What, must I hold a candle to my shames? They in themselves, good sooth, are too too light. Why, ’tis an office of discovery, love, And I should be obscured (Shakespeare, 2.6, 36-40,42-44). Jessica is embarrassed by the disguise of a page to flee which exemplifies how tight the patriarchal ideals are bound to her personality. She is almost unable to save herself and exercise her own will when she realizes that she must pretend to be a man. When Portia and Nerissa cross-dress, the opinion is quite different or at least not indicated by Shakespeare. When we are both accounted like y oung men, I’ll prove the prettier fellow of the two, And wear my dagger with the braver grace, And speak between the change of man and boy With reed voice; and turn two mincing steps ,Into a manly stride; and speak of frays Like a fine bragging youth; and tell quaint lies, How honourable ladies sought my love, Which I denying, they fell sick and died-†¦(3.4,63-71). These characters â€Å"neatly solve a knotty legal problem† for Antonio and Bassanio under the guise of male lawyers (Jardine, 30). In their form they are able to manipulate the course of action within the courtroom as well as outside it by attracting ladies’ attention and convincing Bassanio and Gratiano to give up Portia and Nerissa’s rings. By defying their genders to enter into the male-dominated society in Venice they enact the essence of radical feminism. Portia and Nerissa do not hold shame for their actions that could be an indication of their lack of concern for patriarchal values but also an interest in saving the life of Antonio because he has a deep relationship with Bassanio. The most powerful point of Portia and Nerissa’s  activity as lawyers in Venice is that they are able to move undetected in society and achieve their goals. This activity deconstructs the male hierarchy because they achieve more than what Bassanio, Antonio or Shylock cou ld accomplish within the courtroom. As men these women were capable of accomplishing astonishing deeds since they were out of the realm of low expectations placed on women. To further strengthen the radical feminist philosophy, Portia and Nerissa are able to obtain power over the men so as to adjust the gender imbalance while not shrouded under the garb worn by men as well. â€Å"Portia’s clothes effect no metamorphosis on her spirit, the lawyer was never a lady, although the lady is always something of a lawyer (Dusinberre, 267-268). While Belmont can be considered more liberal in regards to women’s equality there is at lease one decree that remains steadfast, Portia’s marriage as determined from the casket test. Portias father’s power over his daughter even in death is a testament to the control men have in the affairs of women, as though they were property and not human beings. According to her father’s will, Portia’s husband will be the man who chooses the correct casket that contains a picture of Portia. â€Å"Oh, me, the word, â€Å"choose†! I may neither choose who I would nor refuse who I dislike; so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father† (Shakespeare,1.2,22-24). While the casket selection appears to be a strict stipulation, the clever Portia deciphers a method in which she can still have an influence upon the man that she marries. Portia â€Å"accepts† the fact that she must marry Bassanio after he selects the lead cask et as the fulfillment of her father’s desires. She was able to tip the scales of the decision-making process in her favor so that she could choose her husband by discreetly providing clues to indicate the correct casket. â€Å"Let music sound while he doth make his choice†¦Let us all ring fancy’s knell I’ll begin it- Ding, Dong, bell. Ding, Dong, bell† (3.2, 43, 69-71). Superficially, the situation relates to the overarching patriarchy and its strength; Portia however, acts to work against the oppressive contract she is bound to and chart the course of the selection of her husband (Dusinberre, 85). In addition to the creation of an equilibrium over her destiny by means of manipulation of her father’s will, both Portia and Nerissa are able to exercise some means of assurance that they will keep their husbands with the ring test. The concept of loyalty of the men towards the women embodied  within a ring serves as a form of commitment and gives the full right to end at the engagement of marriage should such a keepsake be misplaced. The promise Bassanio and Gratiano make to Portia and Nerissa respectively regarding the rings as strong a contract for the women as a legal bond similar to Shylock and Antonio’s agreement (Phialas, 145). When Portia and Nerissa call attention to the loss of the rings to Bassanio and Gratiano, they show signs of distraught and anger so much as to deny them their love. This exercises the feministic perspective because they are able to use as much discretion a man could in the gaining and subsequent dismissal of their fiancà ©s. Feministic values are highly prominent in the play The Merchant of Venice, especially those including the radical feminist concept of a patriarchal society. The female characters were able to utilize the activity of cross-dressing to carry out the bu siness they needed so that their lives might be more bearable while under the control of men within society. Not all of the characters felt empowered by their action to become men, a sense of shame accompanied Jessica during her course as a man. Portia and Nerissa were able to humble their future husbands to provide an equal ground for both couples with the ring test. Portia also even made it possible to guide the husband selection decision to suit her interests. The constant varying tension between the male and female characters in their struggle for dominance over the other indicates that Shakespeare had a deep and profound knowledge of the dynamic between men and women. Portia is the heroine of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. A rich, beautiful, and intelligent heiress, she is bound by the lottery set forth in her father’s will, which gives potential suitors the chance to choose between three caskets composed of gold, silver and lead. If they choose the right casket – the casket containing Portia’s portrait – they win Portia’s hand in marriage. If they choose the wrong casket, they must leave and never seek another woman in marriage. Portia is glad when two suitors, one driven by greed and another by vanity, fail to choose correctly. She favours Bassanio, a young Venetian noble, but is not allowed to give him any clues to assist in his choice. Later in the play, she disguises herself a s a man, then assumes the role of a lawyer’s apprentice (named Balthazar) whereby she saves the life of Bassanio’s friend, Antonio, in court. Portia is one of the most prominent and appealing of the heroines in Shakespeare’s mature  romantic comedies. She is beautiful, gracious, rich, intelligent, and quick-witted, with high standards for her potential romantic partners. She obeys her father’s will, while steadfastly seeking to obtain Bassanio. She demonstrates tact to the Princes of Morocco and Aragon, who unsuccessfully seek her hand. In the court scenes, Portia finds a technicality in the bond, thereby outwitting Shylock and saving Antonio’s life when everyone else fails. Yet, she also shows immense injustice and cruelty towards the figure of Shylock and those who are sympathetic with Shylock see her as the epitome of blunt, barbaric, Christian primitivism. It is Portia who delivers one of the most famous speeches in The Merchant of Venice: Th e quality of mercy is not strain’d. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes. Despite Portia’s lack of formal legal training, knowledge ,education,(give lines from text book.)she wins her case by referring to the details of the exact language of the law. Her success involves prevailing on technicalities rather than the merits of the situation. She uses the tactics of what is sometimes called a Philadelphia lawyer. However, the concept of rhetoric and its abuse is also brought to light by Portia – highlighting the idea that an unjust argument may win through eloquence, loopholes and technicalities, regardless of the moral question at hand – and thus provoking the audience to consider that issue. Portia From the first time we meet Portia, we see that she is a very smart woman and that she is looking for a man that has more thoughts in his head than those of money and beauty. She and Nerissa talk of the stupidity of all her suitors and it is very clear that she is looking for a respectable man who will love her for who she is and not for her money. This separates her from the men from the beginning. All the comments that she makes about the men put her on a pedestal compared to them. Just by speaking of men this way she shows that she is just smarter than they are. â€Å"God made him, and therefore let him pass for a man. In truth, I know it is a sin to be a mocker, but he!† (Act I. Scene ii. 56-58). The scenes in which she meets with the  suitors to choose the caskets and to see if they will marry her, she is clearly in the dominant position. She acts like she is a judge in a court and she has all authority over the suitors as they choose the different caskets and find out their fates. â€Å"Behold, there stand the caskets, noble prince. If you choose that wherein I am contained, Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemnized. But if you fail, without speech, my lord, you must be gone from hence immediately† (II.ix.4-8). She says these lines as a judge would pass down his or her sentence to the defendant found guilty of a crime. She shows herself to be of higher status to the readers and it seems a first to me because I have never read a Shakespeare play in which the women hold dominant roles over the men. Quick-witted, wealthy, and beautiful, Portia embodies the virtues that are typical of Shakespeare’s heroines—it is no surprise that she emerges as the antidote to Shylock’s malice. At the beginning of the play, however, we do not see Portia’s potential for initiative and resourcefulness, as she is a near prisoner, feeling herself absolutely bound to follow her father’s dying wishes. This opening appearance, however, proves to be a revealing introduction to Portia, who emerges as that rarest of combinations—a free spirit who abides rigidly by rules. Rather than ignoring the stipulations of her father’s will, she watches a stream of suitors pass her by, happy to see these particular suitors go, but sad that she has no choice in the matter. When Bassanio arrives, however, Portia proves herself to be highly resourceful, begging the man she loves to stay a while before picking a chest, and finding loopholes in the will’s provision th at we never thought possible. Also, in her defeat of Shylock Portia prevails by applying a more rigid standard than Shylock himself, agreeing that his contract very much entitles him to his pound of flesh, but adding that it does not allow for any loss of blood. Anybody can break the rules, but Portia’s effectiveness comes from her ability to make the law work for her. Portia rejects the stuffiness that rigid adherence to the law might otherwise suggest. In her courtroom appearance, she vigorously applies the law, but still flouts convention by appearing disguised as a man. After depriving Bassanio of his ring, she stops the prank before it goes to far, but still takes it far enough to berate Bassanio and Gratiano for their callousness, and she even insinuates that she has been unfaithful Act 3, Scene 2 Love 7: Bassanio and Portia are clearly in love with one another – they want to marry, but find themselves bound by the arbitrary rule set by her father. Portia doesn’t want to say goodbye to Bassanio forever, so he asks him to delay choosing a chest – if this is going to be the last time she ever sees Bassanio, she wants it to last as long as possible. Bassanio, on the other hand, can’t bear delaying his choice any longer. He can’t bear to live another moment not knowing if he’s going be able to marry Portia and spend the rest of his life with her.Ring: The ring Portia gives to Bassanio as a symbol of their love. He swears he will never part with it, and she uses it to test which of his loves is stronger, his love for her, or his love for his friend Antonio. Act 2 Scene 1:Persecution 3: The Prince of Morocco knows full well that the color of his skin would be an issue with anyone in Portia’s position, but begs her to take other things into consideration. He explains that there are other ways to judge him beyond the colour of his skin, and that in any of those respects, he is more than worthy. Portia says she has accepted the puzzle of the chests, and beyond that she has no interest in the color of his skin.Persecution 4: After the Prince has failed, Portia exclaims her relief that she won’t have to marry a dark-skinned man, and hopes that if any other dark people try to win her hand, they’ll fail just as the Prince had. Portia Like Antonio, Portia is an example of nobility. She is a fair-haired beauty with an immense power to attract. Her goodness and virtue enhance her beauty. Unlike Antonio, she is not passive, but displays energy and determination. In many ways, hers is the more forceful figure in the play. Her authority and control with which she deals and manipulates the circumstances of the play are exemplary. In Belmont, the terms of her father’s will leave her without any choice in her future husband, and she is saddened that she does not have an appropriate mate. As a dutiful daughter, however, she is compelled to accept her father’s wishes. Despite her dissatisfaction with her circumstances, she has a cheerful and optimistic nature. She is clever with words and wit and enjoys the opportunity of performing, both in Belmont and Venice. She uses her wonderful ability with words and her keen sense of humor to enliven the scenes in which she  appears. Her treatment of her money reflect s Bassanio’s belief that money is to be used only in the sense of helping loved ones. She proves she is unselfish and generous. Her happiness and Antonio’s meet in Bassanio. Her ideal of mercy is unselfish generosity and she shows an understanding of Christian values. As a Christian gentlewoman, she considers it her duty to show Shylock the foolishness of his exact interpretation of the law that has no mercy. She dresses as a young lawyer and goes to court to defend Antonio. Like Shylock has demanded, she strictly interprets the law and disallows the Jew from taking a drop of Antonio’s blood when he takes his pound of flesh. Since this is impossible, Shylock begs to just be given money, but Portia is unrelenting. She cites another law that states any alien who tries to take the life of a Venetian is to lose all of his money, which will be split between the state and the person who was to be killed. As a result, Shylock loses all of his wealth. Portia has cleverly tricked Shylock at his own game. Portia is the most multi-dimensional character in the play, alternating between a beautiful woman in the remote setting of Belmont and the authoritative lawyer in Venice, who orchestrates the victory of good over evil. Nerissa Character Analysis Nerissa is Portia’s woman in waiting (read: her sidekick). At the beginning of the play, she acts as a sounding board to Portia. She listens to Portia complain about her life and the unfairness of the casket contest and tells her to suck it up and be glad her father was wise enough to plan for his daughter’s future. This, of course, tells us that Nerissa is a very practical girl. Hmm. This must be why she agrees to marry Graziano if Bassanio can win Portia. Read all about it in our analysis of Graziano. she has patience says good things about her father Act 2, Scene 9 Love 6: Nerissa hopes that the god of love will bless Portia and bring Bassinio to her, since there is no other man who deserves her, and she can’t choose him. She thinks that only the devine intervention of Cupid could possibly bring Bassanio to Portia, and ensure that he chose the correct chest, that only with the help of a god could love overcome blind luck. Nerissa is Portia’s maid. She acts as a backdrop to the wit displayed by Portia. Her long association with her mistress has elevated her mannerisms and behavior to the point that she now acts as a witty and intelligent person. She, too, follows the examples set by Portia in many ways: she marries a gentleman from Venice, she follows Portia to Venice, she assumes the role of a lawyer’s clerk and she takes her ring from her lover. She is to Portia what Gratiano is to Bassanio. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..x†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.X†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. Love 9: in order to give her husband a chance to prove his love, Portia tests him by demanding his wedding ring. Bassanio at first balks at the idea, h aving pledged that his wife is more important to him than anything else. Gratiano convinces him to part with the ring, though, assuring Bassanio that his wife will understand. Act 5, Scene 1 Love 10: Portia and Nerissa forgive their husbands for giving up their wedding rings, and return them. Bassanio and Gratiano pledge that no matter what happens, they won’t ever again make anything more important than their wives. Jessica:CHARACTERS Jessica Character Analysis Jessica is Shylock’s only daughter. She breaks her dad’s heart by running off to marry a Christian (Lorenzo) and helps herself to her dad’s ducats and some treasured family heirlooms. Being Shylock’s Daughter Before we dismiss Jessica as a selfish jerk who steals from and abandons her dad, we should keep in mind that life at Shylock’s house is not so great. It becomes even worse when their clown/servant Lancelot leaves: â€Å"I am sorry thou wilt leave my father so,† Jessica says to Lancelot. â€Å"Our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil, / Didst rob it of some taste of tediousness† (2.3.1). Shakespeare gives us a little taste of life at Shylock’s in Act 2, Scene 5: when Shylock and Jessica appear onstage together, Shylock barks orders at his daughter (while screaming at his servant). He demands that Jessica stay inside and â€Å"lock up [the] doors† so the sounds of music don’t drift in from the streets (2.5.5). OK, we can understand why Jessica wants to get out of Dodge, and she’s certainly not the only Shakespearean daughter to elope. But it does seem pretty cold when she trades her dead mother’s turquoise ring for a monkey after running off with Lorenzo. Her thoughtlessness devastates her father: Out upon her! Thou torturest me, Tubal: it was my turquoise; I had it of Leah when I was a bachelor: I would not have given it for a wilderness of monkeys. (3.1.14) Jessica’s Conversion Jessica not only runs away from her father’s house, she also converts to Christianity, and both are portrayed as acts of abandonment. When Lancelot the clown says Jessica is â€Å"damned† to hell because she’s the â€Å"Jew’s daughter,† Jessica declares â€Å"I shall be saved by my husband. He hath made me a Christian† (3.5.3). The idea here is that Jessica’s marriage to a Christian man will automatically make her a Christian too. The concept comes from 1 Corinthians 7:14 in the New Testament: â€Å"The unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband.† As literary critic Janet Adelman points out in Blood Relations, â€Å"marriage appears to occur to [Jessica] largely as a way to escape† being her father’s daughter: Alack, what heinous sin is it in me To be ashamed to be my father’s child! But though I am a daughter to his blood, I am not to his manners. O Lorenzo, If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife, Become a Christian and thy loving wife. (2.3.2) Here it becomes clear that Jessica not only hates her father’s rude â€Å"manners† but also associates Shylock’s conduct and behavior with being Jewish, which is why she can’t wait to â€Å"become a Christian.†As the daughter of Shylock, she is compelled to abandon him. The difference in their temperaments has made her circumstances intolerable. She is, although a Jew, as different from her father â€Å"as jet to ivory.† She is more at home with Christian ways than with the austerity of her father’s Jewish house. She likes Launcelot because of his capacity to introduce merriment to an otherwise gloomy household. She shows ingenuity in disguising as a pageboy to effect her elopement. Although guilty of theft and filial ingratitude in betraying her father, she shows an understanding of the moral sins that she has committed. Her drawbacks are mitigated by her loving and exuberant nature, which is similar to Portia’s vivacity and wit.

Utilitarian Perspective of Genetic Testing Essays

Utilitarian Perspective of Genetic Testing Essays Utilitarian Perspective of Genetic Testing Paper Utilitarian Perspective of Genetic Testing Paper How do you feel about genetic testing? Genetic testing is a very controversial issue, especially in the workplace. Genetic testing could determine if personnel might possibly develop illnesses and side effects due to exposure of chemicals in the workplace. Yet, the use of genetic testing also brings fear of the outcome of the testing. All articles that I have researched support the utilitarian perspective, which verifies that genetic testing is not a valid measure to determine hereditary diseases and should not be used for employment purposes. However, the deontological perspective would be that genetic testing is moral when it is used properly, controlled and regulated by the appropriate agencies. UTILITARIAN PERSPECTIVE Genetic testing most definitely has its benefits. Knowledge about a genetic tendency toward a disease can help a person take steps to prevent it altogether or lessen its severity when the disease does strike. Yet, people who might benefit from knowing the about the possibility of inheriting a risk for certain diseases may shy away from genetic testing, or other family history information, due to their fear that employers will use that knowledge to deny job opportunities or health insurance. The actual testing will identify those that are susceptible to contracting a disease, but is not to be used as a means of diagnostic measures. However, there is a large amount of concern about the potential misuse of genetic information being available to employers. Testing would identify employees or potential employees who are unusually susceptible to workplace risks, or whose genetic makeup could be adversely affected by exposure to workplace toxins. While these results would not only be in the best interest of the employer, but also the employee, there are definite negative aspects to testing. Testing may identify employees or potential employees who may become prematurely unable to work, or who are likely to incur substantial health care bills. In 1995, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued a compliance manual for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) interpreting the ADA as covering genetic information relating to illness, disease or other disorders. The speculation of actually contracting a disease, over the actual predisposition which would make it more likely to contract a disease, do not warrant genetic testing. Genetic testing should not be conducted as it could have an impact on the decision to hire an employee, regardless of their abilities and qualifications. DEONTOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE Genetic testing for the benefit of the individual by limiting exposure to chemicals or other hazardous working conditions by companies is not only a moral but also a humanitarian act. This testing has the potential to save employees lives if conducted in a legal and moral way. A second type of testing is genetic monitoring. Genetic monitoring would determine whether an individual’s genetic material has changed over time, due to workplace exposure to hazardous substances. If there were evidence of genetic changes in a population of workers, this information could be used to target work areas for increased safety and health precautions and to indicate a need to lower exposure levels to those exposed to a previously unknown hazard. The ultimate goal of genetic monitoring would be to prevent, or possibly, reduce the risk of disease caused by genetic damage. Legal documents outlining specific testing requirements should be given to individuals that would be required to be tested. The greatest fear of genetic testing and monitoring is that the results will be used in a negative manner towards the individual. Genetic testing is morally beneficial when agencies utilize testing and monitoring in accordance with federal and state guidelines and have ethical business policies that continue to keep the employee informed of the reasons for testing. CONCLUSION I believe that employers and insurance companies should not conduct genetic testing and monitoring due to the possible misuse of the results. Genetic testing, like all testing, is speculative at best. Results are inconclusive and should not be used to anticipate actual diseases. It is stressed throughout every article that I researched that even though the genetic makeup is present for a disease, does not mean that the disease is present or ever will be present. Testing is moral when used in accordance with regulatory standards of legal testing policies and procedures and when handled responsibly and most importantly, confidentially. People desire to know the results of testing, yet fear them at the same time. The most common reason is the potential misuse and violation of privacy. Bibliography : RESOURCES Employer Use of Genetic Information – Workplace Visions, January/February 1999 Government-Citizen Group Suggests Policies to Limit Genetic Discrimination in the Workplace – The National Human Genome Research Institute Genetic Information and the Workplace – The National Human Genome Research Institute, Department of Labor, Department of Health Human Services, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Department of Justice, January 20, 1998 Genetic Screening in the Workplace, American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Risk of Job Bias Seen in Genetic Testing –Paul Recer, Associated Press, March, 21, 1997

An Overview of the Common Core Assessments

An Overview of the Common Core Assessments The adoption of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) is arguably the biggest educational shift in the history of the United States. Having a set of national standards that most states have chosen to adopt is unprecedented. However, the bigger shift in traditional educational philosophy will come in the form of the Common Core assessment. While the national adoption of the standards themselves is immense, the potential impact of having a shared national assessment system is even bigger. Most states would argue that the standards they already had in place align pretty well to the Common Core State Standards. However, the rigor and presentation of the new assessments will even challenge your top tier students. Many school administrators and teachers will need to totally revamp their approach in order for their students to succeed on these assessments. What has been the norm when it comes to test prep will no longer be enough. In an age where a premium has been placed on high stakes testing, those stakes will have never been higher than they will be with the Common Core assessments. Impact of a Shared Assessment System There are several potential ramifications of having a shared assessment system. Many of these ramifications will be positive for education and many will no doubt be negative. First of all the pressure placed on students, teachers, and school administrators will be greater than ever. For the first time in educational history states will be able to accurately compare their students’ achievement to students in neighboring states. This factor alone will cause the pressures of high stakes testing to go through the roof. Politicians will be forced to pay more attention and increase funding in education. They will not want to be a low performing state. The unfortunate reality is that many excellent teachers will lose their jobs and others will choose to enter another field simply because the pressure of getting students to perform well on these assessments will be too large. The microscope for which teachers and school administrators will be under will be massive. The truth is that even the best teachers can have students perform poorly on an assessment. There are so many external factors that attribute to student performance that many would argue that basing the worth of a teacher on a single assessment is simply not valid. However, with the Common Core assessments, this will most likely be overlooked. Most teachers will have to increase rigor in the classroom by challenging their students to think critically. This will be a challenge for both students and teachers. In an age where parents are less involved, and students have information readily given to them at the click of a mouse, developing critical thinking skills will be even more of a challenge. This has been arguably one of the most neglected areas of education, and it will no longer be an option to omit it. Students must excel in critical thinking if they are to perform well on these assessments. Teachers will have to restructure how they teach to develop these skills. This will be such as massive shift in teaching and learning philosophies that it may take a generation of students to cycle through before we see a large group truly start to develop these skills. In the end, this shift in educational philosophy will better prepare our students to succeed. More students will be ready to transition to college or will be work ready when they graduate high school. In addition, the skills associated with the Common Core State Standards will prepare students to compete on the global level. Another benefit of a shared assessment system will be that costs to individual states will be reduced dramatically. With each state having its own set of standards, they have had to pay to have tests developed specifically to meet those standards. This is an expensive endeavor and testing has become a multimillion dollar industry. Now with a common set of assessments, states will be able to share in the cost of test development, production, scoring, etc. This could potentially free up more money allowing it to be spent in other areas of education. Who is developing these assessments? There are currently two consortia responsible for developing these new assessment systems. These two consortia have been awarded funding through a competition to design new assessment systems. All states who have adopted the Common Core State Standards have selected a consortium in which they are a partner with other states. These assessments are currently in the development stage. The two consortia responsible for developing these assessments are: SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) – Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.Partnership for Assessment of Readiness of College and Careers (PARCC) – Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Within each consortia, there are states that have been selected to be a governing state and others who are a participating/advisory state. Those that are governing states have a representative that gives direct input and feedback into the development of the assessment that will accurately measure student progress toward college and career readiness. What will these assessments look like? The assessments are currently being developed by the SBAC and PARCC consortia, but a general description of what these assessments will look like has been released. There are a few released assessment and performance items available. You can find some sample performance tasks for English Language Art (ELA) in Appendix B of the Common Core State Standards. The assessments will be through course assessments. This means that students will take a benchmark assessment at the beginning of the year, with the option of ongoing progress monitoring throughout the year, and then a final summative assessment towards the end of the school year. This type of assessment system will allow teachers to see where their students are at all times during the school year. It will allow a teacher to more readily cater to a particular students strengths and weaknesses to prepare them better for the summative assessment. The assessments will be computer-based. This will allow for quicker, more accurate results and feedback on the computer scored portion of the assessments. There will be portions of the assessments that will be human scored. One of the biggest challenges for school districts will be preparing for the computer-based assessments. Many districts across the United States do not have enough technology to test their entire district via computer at this time. During the transition period, this will be a priority that districts must prepare for. All students grades K-12 will participate in some level of testing. Grades K-2 tests will be designed to set the foundation for students and also give information to teachers that will help them better prepare those students for the rigorous testing that begins in the 3rd grade. Grades 3-12 testing will be much more tied directly to the Common Core State Standards and will consist of a variety of item types. Students will see a variety of item types including innovative constructed response, extended performance tasks, and selected response (all of which will be computer based). These are much more difficult than simple multiple choice questions as students will be assessed on multiple standards within one question. Students will often be expected to defend their work through a constructed essay response. This means that they simply won’t be able to come up with an answer, but will additionally need to defend the answer and explain the process through written response. With these Common Core assessments, students must also be able to write coherently in the narrative, argumentative, and informative/explanatory forms. An emphasis on balance between traditional literature and informational text is expected within the framework of the Common Core State Standards. Students will be given a passage of text and will have to construct a response based on questions over that passage in a specific form of writing that the question asks for. The transition to these types of assessments will be difficult. Many students will struggle initially. This will not be due to a lack of effort on teachers but will be based more on the overwhelming task at hand. This transition will take time. Understanding what the Common Core Standards are all about and what to expect from the assessments are the first steps in a long process of being successful.

English Literature Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

English Literature - Essay Example John Clare begins his poem with a description of the wild and untamed plains of his youth, â€Å"Still meeting plains that stretched them far away / In uncheckt shadows of green brown and grey† (5-6). As he describes the beauty that he once enjoyed in these sights, he begins to illustrate how the freedoms they once offered have been overtaken by the ravages of capitalism and consumerism, being turned to profit by the â€Å"little tyrant with his little sign† (67). More than simply discussing how the land itself has been bounded in, Clare illustrates how the animals and mankind, particularly the poor, have also been constrained by the temporary blockages that have been put in place by wealthier men in the interest of making a profit. At the same time, he suggests that these wealthier men have discovered in the process that their â€Å"dreams of plunder in such rebel schemes / Have found too truly that they were but dreams† (79-80). Rather than reaping significant profit from ‘their’ lands, the owners have discovered that they have given up something precious, rare and unrecoverable for temporary and insufficient material gain. This seems to be in direct contrast to Stephen Duck’s poem as Duck focuses on the activities of the poor workers, particular those of the threshers, as they struggle all year long to produce profit for their master. The subject of this poem is perhaps set by the inspiration that birthed it, â€Å"’The Thresher’s Labour’ was commissioned by Duck’s local patron, the Reverend Mr. Stanley, as a poem ‘on his own Labours.’

COR101 Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

COR101 - Coursework Example tional if the law’s most severe penalty is imposed on one whose culpability or blameworthiness is diminished, to a substantial degree, by reason of youth and immaturity†. ( DPIC, 2004) . It must also be kept in mind that many young children today are not properly guided by their parents since they are busy working for a living Minors are supposedly guided by their parents so that they would grow up to be mature individuals with a healthy sense of moral judgment. Unfortunately, this is not the case since most young people today are heavily influenced by their peer groups. Why? Because they spend more time with their peer groups or the PC rather than with their parents. Another counter-argument is that executing minors would not be an effective counter-deterrent since society itself would reject such law. The major purpose of prison systems is to rehabilitate the offender and not to punish. If we encourage a culture that would hang even minors, then their innocent blood is in the hands of the very institutions that should nurture