Category: Essays

With the company expanding into several new markets in the coming months, Cable & Moore was anticipating a large increase in sales revenue. The future looked bright for this provider of television, telephone, and Internet services. However, management of Cable & Moore was well aware of the importance of customer service in new markets. If the public had problems with new service and could not quickly and efficiently have their problems solved, demand would quickly erode and it might take years to recover from the bad publicity. Therefore, management was adamant that there would be enough well-trained customer service representatives to handle the calls from new customers and from potential customers.

Based on experience in other markets, the anticipated number of phone calls to customer service was projected. Given the average call-length, the number of hours of customer-service time from April to August was projected and is shown below.

Month April May June July August

Hours needed 22,600 24,600 27,200 28,100 29,500

Through experience, management knew that training a new employee well was essential. Each new employee was put through a 1-month training program, and was assigned to an existing employee for an entire month. Normally an existing employee would work 160 hours per month. However, when an employee was assigned to perform training of a new-hire, the productive work hours for that employee dropped to 80 hours per month.

During the training period, the trainee was paid $2,000 for the month. At the end of that time, the monthly salary increases to the standard salary for a regular customer service representative which is $3,500 per month. In the past, the company lost about 5% of the trained customer service representatives per month due to attrition. While the company is looking to improve upon this, for the next several months it is anticipated that this will continue. There will be 170 trained employees at the beginning of April. Management of the company would like to develop a schedule of hiring new employees so that there are sufficient customer service representatives to meet the demand, but this is to be done at the lowest possible cost.

Discussion Questions

1. Develop a schedule for hiring new employees. What is the total cost of this schedule?

2. Discuss any limitations that exist for this solution.

3. How would the schedule change if the attrition rate could be lowered to 3% per month instead of 5%? What would be the impact on the cost?

Dr. Claude Shannon (1916 – 2001), “the father of information theory,” observed that the maximum error-free capacity in bits per second (bps) obtainable in a communication channel can be found by the Shannon-Hartley equation:

Above, , is the bandwidth of the channel in Hertz and is the signal-to-noise ratio of the channel. Since 0 does not make sense in this situation, assume that the formula below is correct:

This is a “pure” number with no unit labels on it. The value of is called Shannon’s Capacity Limit or channel capacity. This is the theoretical upper limit for the bits per second through the channel with a specific value and a specific given channel frequency, .

Be sure to show your work details for all calculations and explain in detail how the answers were determined for critical thinking questions. Round all value answers to three decimals.

1. In the table below, using the letter T, choose a bandwidth for your communication channel. Write your maximum error-free channel capacity function.

(Note: The actual value of will be your chosen value times 1,000,000 since the table values are in MegaHertz (MHz).)

First letter of your last name

Possible values for in MHz

A–F

100199

G–L

200299

M–R

300399

S–Z

400–499

2. Calculate the derivative of your channel capacity function with respect to Interpret the meaning of it in terms of channel capacity.

3. Generate a graph of this function using Excel or another graphing utility. (There are free downloadable programs like Graph 4.4.2 or Mathematics 4.0; or, there are also online utilities such as this site and many others.) Insert the graph into the Word document containing your answers and work details. Be sure to label and number the axes appropriately.

4. For your function what is the instantaneous rate of change in maximum error-free channel capacity with respect to SNR, for ?

5. What is the equation of the tangent line to the graph of , when ?

6. Research the Internet or Library to find a reasonable (signal and noise values should both be in watts) and bandwidth in Hertz for a CAT6 coaxial cable. Be sure to list creditable sources for your research. Based on your research, what would be the theoretical channel capacity for the CAT6 cable’s value that you found?

7. At what value of will

(Note: You cannot solve this equation algebraically using ordinary techniques. You will need to use an equation solver like Mathematics 4.0 and the fact that or by the Change-of-Base formula for logarithms. Or, you may solve this equation by graphing both and on the same graph to see where these graphs intersect. Alternatively, you may investigate the Lambert W-Function. These are some examples of how you can approximately solve equations when the solution cannot be found easily with usual algebraic methods.)

Generate a graph of this function, , years after 1974, using Excel or another graphing utility. (There are free downloadable programs like Graph 4.4.2 or Mathematics 4.0; or, there are also online utilities such as this site and many others.) Insert the graph into your Word document that contains all of your work details and answers. Be sure to label and number the axes appropriately. (Note: Some graphing utilities require that the independent variable must be “x” instead of “t”.)

2. Find the derivative of with respect to .

3. Choose a -value between 20 and 34. Calculate the value of

4. Interpret the meaning of the derivative value that you just calculated from part 3 in terms of the function.

5. If the function is reasonably accurate, for what value of will the rate of increase in MIPS per year reach 1,000,000 ? Approximately which year does that correspond to?

6. For the -value you chose in part 3 above, find the equation of the tangent line to the graph of at that value of . What information about the function can be obtained from the tangent line?

7. Using Web or Library resources research to find the years of introduction and the processor speeds for both the CPU A and the CPU B. Be sure to cite your creditable resources for these answers. Convert the years introduced to correct values of and determine how well the function predicts when these CPUs’ processor speeds occurred.

Write a report, 6 pages in length, exploring and analyzing the media coverage of a politically charged issue, keeping in mind the ideas on the previous page and throughout this module. The following are the steps and elements required:

Part Two: Writing Checklist
In the introduction, provide a brief history of the issue you are investigating, and state the purpose of your inquiry.
Write a brief summary of each of the articles, videos or audio clips you chose starting with the article from Chomsky’s site. Keep each summary to 150 words maximum.
Discuss how each media outlet angles the story in its own distinctive way. Consider intended audience and purpose. How is the political bias of the media outlet revealed in its presentation?
Look at aspects such as the language reporters use, the use and nature of visuals (pictures), the length of the article released for publication, the choice of interviewees, the location of the item on the web site, and any other aspects of the coverage that illustrate how that network “angles” the story in a particular way.
Compare and contrast.
In the last section of your paper, discuss McLuhan’s ideas of globalization and retribalization. In light of your media inquiry, how do you (or do you not) see McLuhan’s ideas applying?

Length: 4-6 pages, double-spaced (it can be longer if you choose to include images, etc.) Include links to the stories/clips/articles in your essay.

Remember: you must follow MLA formatting for this paper. The next lesson includes videos on how to format your paper, how to cite sources within your paper, and how to create a Works Cited page.

Upload your draft to the “Critical Media Draft” Dropbox to obtain helpful feedback from your teacher before submitting your final draft

Marshall McLuhan postulated that the electronic envelope surrounding the earth links us all together in a global village, retribalizing humanity.

The key to understanding Krastev’s thinking is that comment that we consume only “the information that confirms our biases.” So, if this is the case, what we’ll see is a polarization of attitudes because people harden in their notions if all they read pertains to a certain point of view. This is clearly the case with opinions on gun ownership in the U.S. and gun registration in Canada as well as on issues such as the Keystone pipeline and oil sands development.

Adhering only to one side of any argument retribalizes (or tribalizes) the readers and makes changes in their opinions more unlikely. There’s a reason why only two mainstream parties exist in the U.S., for example with hardened factions in both Demo. and Repub. tribes.

So McLuhan and Krastev would agree on the increasing divsions in society. The great irony is that even though we have more information than ever, there is possibly less free thinking than at any other time in history. If faced with innumerable choices we’ll go with what we know: Fox, BBC, etc.

Write a report, 6 pages in length, exploring and analyzing the media coverage of a politically charged issue, keeping in mind the above ideas. The following are the first steps and elements required:

Part One: Research

FIND A CHOMSKY ARTICLE: Browse Noam Chomsky’s web site and find an article or a video on a subject that interests you. Choose a topic with strong political implications (as most of them will be), and choose something that is current, topical and ongoing.

Chomsky.info Articles

EXPLORE MAJOR MEDIA COVERAGE: Go to web sites hosted by major online media outlets (such as Al Jazeera, Fox, NBS, BBC, CBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, etc.) and search your topic. Choose at least four different articles to analyze. Save the links.
EXPLORE ALTERNATIVE MEDIA COVERAGE: Research your topic on other alternative and independent media sites such as human rights watch (hrw.org). (Find at least one article.)
EXPLORE INTERNATIONAL COVERAGE: Research international media from both sides of the issue or conflict.

Before you start writing, your teacher will give you feedback on the sources you have chosen to make sure you are on the right path.
Write a one paragraph description of why you chose the topic. You may wish to summarize the Chomsky article and state why the article caught your interest.
Next, post links to the articles and videos you have chosen to use in your research. Your teacher will let you know whether or not you have chosen credible sources.
Finally, post any questions you have about this assignment. This is your chance to clarify the instructions. Read the assignment description on the next page for the complete assignment instructions.

Shakespeare has had a profound influence on our daily lives, ranging from the speech we utter to the music we listen to and play. Several classical composers have used the Bard’s plays as the central focus in their compositions. Prokofiev’s ballet Romeo and Juliet remains popular to this day as are pieces by classical composers such as Mendelssohn in his work, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” As for Hamlet, the British composer, Frank Bridge, wrote “There is a willow grows aslant a brook” in an attempt to capture the tone of Gertrude’s lament which follows the death of Ophelia in act 4 scene 7. Listen to the piece by following the link below and then comment on how Frank Bridge achieves the desired effect by examining the rhythm, tempo, key signature and orchestrationin his work:

There is a Willow Grows Aslant a Brook

Painters and print-makers have tried to capture scenes from Hamlet on canvas and paper for the last two centuries. Examine three or more paintings or prints that are based on the play, and decide how successfully the artists portray the events, ideas, and characterization contained within the scenes. Students who choose to answer this question should consider composition, color, contrast, symbolism, and other techniques that the artists use in their depictions. If a print is in black and white, what is the effect of this rendering? Remember to include the images you are discussing in your answers. Some background in fine arts will be helpful to you in answering this question. You will find suitable images at this link:

An outline is a means of organizing the material for your essay in such a way that the direction of your arguments can be charted. Thus, the outline is a skeleton of the essay; it provides form and structure. If the outline is sound, the essay will likewise be sound. Once you have organized your material in outline form, you have a plan for the essay itself. You always know where you are in your argument, as well as where you have been and where you are going. In the outline you decide what to say; thus, in writing the essay you need to concentrate on how to make your argument clear. The result should be an organized essay.

There are two formats for an outline: the sentence and the point formats. As their names imply, the former is less abbreviated than the latter. Generally, the point outline is preferable since it is less cumbersome and forces you to condense your ideas in a phrase. Remember, however, that too much abbreviation can lead to confusion. If your outline is too sparse, it may exclude necessary material. The outline is for your use. Find a balance that is suitable for you.

Remember the diagram of the essay structure. The body of the essay is a point by point proof of the thesis. Your outline lists your points (and subpoints) in the order in which you choose to deal with them. When you write your essay, you expand your points into paragraphs. Look at the following sample outline for the Macbethessay:

The American novelist, John Irving, says said about his work The World According to Garp, that it is “a life-redeeming work in which everybody dies. Comment on the extent to which the same might be said of Hamlet.
Locate a copy of Tragedy and Philosophy by Walter Kaufmann. Read the relevant sections of the text (Chapter 9) and decide which of the philosopher’s views comes closest to your own regardingHamlet.
One of the inevitable and time-honoured questions asked about Hamlet focuses on the question of his insanity, whether he has put on an “antic disposition” or whether he is truly insane. Discuss whether you believe Hamlet is putting on an “antic disposition” or whether you believe he is truly insane. Consider the following questions in preparing your response, but do not answer them specifically.

What is sanity or insanity?
How people know whether they are sane or insane?
If an individual lives entirely on his or her own, how can that person determine whether she or he is insane or sane?
Does one have to be insane to take another person’s life? To commit murder?
Is Hamlet sane or insane during this act of the play?

While many have discussed Shakespeare’s work in Freudian analyses, C.G. Jung, one of Freud’s younger colleagues also interests many readers. Click on the link below, which contains an essay by Dr. C. George Boeree on Jungian personality theory. Read the short sections, “Introversion” and “Extraversion” and “The Functions.” The second link, “The Personality Theory of Carl Jung,” provides similar information in a different format. Read the articles, then decide and argue (in proper essay format) how Jung’s theories might be applied to three major characters in the play

Motivation:
Every day there are approximately 50 volcanoes erupting around the world, and hundreds of different volcanoes have erupted in the past few centuries. Most of you will have not heard of these volcanoes; this assignment gives you the opportunity to investigate one of them in detail.

Resources:
Your primary resource for this assignment will be the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program’s database of active volcanoes, located here: http://volcano.si.edu
Additional websites that may be useful are:
Oregon State University’s Volcano World: http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/
US Geological Survey Volcano Page: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/
Volcano Discovery: http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/home.html

You will find information on your volcano here along with links and additional references to help you gather the information you need. Google is also your friend, but be careful which websites you trust. Websites ending in “.gov” or “.edu” are generally trustworthy, as are websites associated with major new outlets. Be careful however with any website ending in “.com”. Anyone can create a website and write whatever they want, it’s your job to discern the reliability of that information.

Assignment:
Answer the following questions about a volcano chosen for you at random. If you missed class when this assignment was handed out, email the TA, Brett Carr, at bbcarr@asu.edu to be assigned your volcano.

References: If you got any information from any sources other than the websites listed above, please list them here. Include full website address or Title/Author/Publication Year/Publisher for any book/article/etc.
My Volcano Is: Tambora

In what country and region is your volcano? (If your volcano is on an island, name the island; otherwise give a basic approximation of your volcano’s location within its country. ex. Mt. Fugi is located in Japan, on the island of Honshu. Galeras is located in southwestern Colombia).

What is the tectonic setting of your volcano? (i.e. Continent-Ocean subduction zone, ocean-ocean subduction zone (an island arc), hot spot, etc.)

Be sure to save an electronic copy of your answer before submitting it to Ashworth College for grading. Unless otherwise stated, answer in complete sentences, and be sure to use correct English, spelling and grammar. Sources must be cited in APA format. Your response should be four (4) double-spaced pages; refer to the “Assignment Format” page located on the Course Home page for specific format requirements.

Part A

Step 1: Make capitalization corrections.

Correct capitalization for the following sentences.

orson welles’s mercury theater radio broadcast of “the war of the worlds” caused mass panic and hysteria on october 30, 1938.

before the lecture began, the instructor spoke briefly to the students, stating, “welcome to pre-algebra mathematics 130.”

several students who plan to major in the social and behavior sciences meet on tuesday and thursday to discuss many issues, including the impact of jeffersonian democracy on contemporary society.

we were unable to distinguish the honors students from those on academic probation based on their dress, social affiliations, musical preferences, or ethnicity.

the scarsdale passengers enjoyed the scenic bus route that passed such stores as macy’s, gourmet cook, and periwinkle’s tonsorial parlor.

Step 2: Explain the corrections.

For each of the five (5) sentences you corrected, answer the following questions.

Why did you make the changes you did to the sentence?

List the rule (or rules) that state how the original sentence was incorrect.

Part B

Step 1: Read a scenario.

WorldConnect Language Services started well and is going strong. However, to expand beyond your Memphis, Tennessee, home market, you need a one-time infusion of cash to open branch offices in other cities around the Southeast. At the Entrepreneur’s Lunch Forum you attended yesterday, you learned about several angels, as they are called in the investment community—private individuals who invest money in small companies in exchange for a share of ownership. One such angel, Melinda Sparks, told the audience that she is looking for investment opportunities outside of high technology, where angels often invest their money. She also indicated that she looks for entrepreneurs who know their industries and markets well, who are passionate about the value they bring to the marketplace, who are committed to growing their businesses, and who have a solid plan for how they will spend an investor’s money. Fortunately, you meet all of her criteria.

Step 2: Compose a persuasive message.

Use a word processor to draft an email message to Sparks, introducing yourself and your business and asking for a meeting at which you would present your business plan in more detail. Explain that your Memphis office was booked to capacity within two months of opening, thanks to the growing number of international businesses looking for translators and interpreters. You’ve researched the entire Southeast region and have identified at least 10 other cities that could support a language services office such as yours. Making up whatever other information you need, draft a four-paragraph message following the AIDA method, ending with a request for a meeting within the next four weeks. Your response should be 1 page in length.