Category: Essays

An accounting firm has just contacted your consulting business for assistance. They want to hire someone to do accounting and payroll. The bookstore is downstairs, while the office is upstairs in an older building. The essential functions of the job include operating a computer, maintaining a ledger, providing the owner with financial statements, completing tax returns, paying bills and employees, and balancing the bank statements. The desk for this is at the top of a flight of 24 steps. There is no elevator, and the building is too old to be ADA compliant. The firm is struggling financially, but hopes to increase sales as a new coffee shop just opened next door. The most qualified applicant to their advertisement has just come into the bookstore in a wheelchair.

Summarize your consulting recommendations to the accounting firm. Be sure to discuss whether this candidate is capable of performing the essential functions of this job from a wheelchair. Analyze the issue of reasonable accommodation. What does the law say? Could the employer make a reasonable accommodation here to hire the best candidate for this job? How could they do that considering their tight finances?

Find a court case on ADA that has reached a verdict, how did the court case interpret the law as written? How might that outcome provide any insight or application to the discussion scenario or to reasonable accommodation, in general?

Read the Porsche case provided in the course materials section and describe the company’s history, products, and major competitors in a paragraph or two. Assess the financial performance and condition of the organization. Then, conduct a SWOT analysis detailing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that may affect the organization. Finally, assess the quality of the decisions made by the company and provide recommendations for improvement. (NOTE: This will become part of your final paper).

Your paper must be five to six pages in length (excluding the title and reference pages), incorporate at least two scholarly sources from the Ashford University Library (other than the case and textbook), and be formatted according to APA style guidelines as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center

Presidential Elections and Peaceful Transitions.

In the first paragraph, describe three key campaign strategies that the next U.S. presidential candidate can use in order to ascend to presidency in today’s political environment. Provide 3 concrete examples to support your answer.

In the second paragraph, compare at least three such successful strategies that were used in the past by U.S. presidential candidates. Provide 3 concrete examples to support your answer.

Please make sure you respond to one of your peers initial posting and check back to see if you need to answer a response from the professor or another peer on your initial posting. Don’t just respond to your peer with “I like what you said”, or “I agree”, or “Good posting”. Your response to your peer should keep the discussion going by asking or inquiring further into what he/she stated

General Education Capstone

 

Prepare: As you prepare to write your response to this discussion assignment, it will be in your best interest to review the following resources in the Ashford Writing Center, which can be found within the Writing Resources tab under Research Writing Tutorials:

Developing a Topic
Incorporating Sources Into Your Research

And in the Ashford University Library, view tutorials titled Picking Your Topic IS Research and Database Search Tips.

Reflect: When considering a research topic, consider an interesting topic that is worth further research. For instance, having a strong opinion on a specific topic may deter you from thinking more critically, and therefore the research might end up being one-sided. It is a good idea to pick a topic in which you can provide a good argument for both sides of the societal issue.

Write: The first step in the research process is selecting a topic that is both interesting and manageable. For this discussion:

Review the Final Research Project instructions in Week Five, and identify two potential research topics. Keep in mind that you will choose just one for the Week Three Annotated Bibliography assignment and the Final Research Project.
Describe methods to use in identifying and narrowing your research paper topic.
Examine and summarize information from at least two scholarly sources for one of the topics that may prove valuable as you seek to defend your claims regarding your chosen topic.
Address why scholarly sources should be used to support your writing on the selected topic.

Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from required material(s) and/or other scholarly sources, and properly cite any references.

Respond to Peers: Review your classmates’ posts, and respond to at least two of your peers by Day 7. In each response, provide comments on your classmate’s topic idea and ask a question that prompts your classmate to think more critically about how to explore the research topic in more detail. Each participation post should be a minimum of 75 words.

Do independent directors add value to a board of directors?

[Pin It]

Topic 2: Do independent directors add value to a board of directors?

Literature pointers:

Zattoni, A., Cuomo, F. (2010) ‘How Independent, Competent and Incentivized Should Non-executive Directors Be? An Empirical Investigation of Good Governance Codes’, British Journal of Management, Vol. 21, Iss 1, pp.63-79.

Johanson, D., Østergren, K. (2010) ‘The Movement Toward Independent Directors on Boards: A Comparative Analysis of Sweden and the UK’, Corporate Governance: An International Review, Vol. 18, No. 6, pp.527-539.

As a way of experiencing the Humanities beyond your classroom, computer, and textbook, you are asked to do a certain type of “cultural activity” that fits well with our course and then report on your experience. Your instructor will require you to propose an activity and get instructor approval before you do it and report on it (students should look for any instructions in that respect). Every effort should be made to ensure that this is a hands-on experience (not a virtual one), that this activity fits the HUM 112 class well, and that the activity is of sufficient quality for this university course. The two (2) key types of activities are a museum visit or a performance.

Note: This must not be a report on the same activity (and certainly not the same report) as done for another class, like HUM 111. For instance, one might go to the same museum as done for HUM 111, but this HUM 112 report will focus on entirely different works and displays.

1. Visit a museum or gallery exhibition or attend a theater, dance, or musical performance before the end of Week 10. The activity (museum or performance) should have content that fits our course well. Have fun doing this.

2. Write a two to three (2-3) page report (500-750 words) that describes your experience.

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Clearly identify the event location, date attended, the attendees, and your initial reaction upon arriving at the event.
Provide specific information and a description of at least two (2) pieces.
Provide a summary of the event and describe your overall reaction after attending the event.
Use at least the class text as a reference (additional sources are fine, not necessary unless required by your content). Your report should include connections you make between things observed in your activity and things learned in the course and text.

Visiting a Museum

It makes sense to approach a museum the way a seasoned traveler approaches visiting a city for the first time. Find out what is available to see. In the museum, find out what sort of exhibitions are currently housed in the museum and start with the exhibits that interest you.
If there is a travelling exhibition, it’s always a good idea to see it while you have the chance. Then, if you have time, you can look at other things in the museum.
Every effort should be made ahead of time to identify a museum that has items and works one can easily connect to our HUM 112 class and book. Since HUM 112 covers from 1600 AD to the present, it makes more sense to focus on items from this time frame. In general, museums with fine arts work better than history museums.
Any questions about whether a museum-visit activity fits the course and assignment well enough will be decided by the instructor when the student seeks approval for the activity. Any alternative activity outside the normal ones listed here, such as for those limited by disability or distance, will be determined by the instructor. Normally, we do not expect students to travel over an hour to get to an approved activity.
Make notes as you go through the museum and accept any handouts or pamphlets that the museum staff gives you. While you should not quote anything from the printed material when you do your report, the handouts may help to refresh your memory later.
The quality of your experience is not measured by the amount of time you spend in the galleries or the number of works of art that you actually see. The most rewarding experiences can come from finding two or three (2 or 3) pieces of art or exhibits which intrigue you and then considering those works in leisurely contemplation. Most museums have benches where you can sit and study a particular piece.
If you are having a difficult time deciding which pieces to write about, ask yourself these questions: (1) If the museum you are visiting suddenly caught fire, which two (2) pieces of art or exhibits would you most want to see saved from the fire? (2) Why would you choose those two (2) particular pieces?

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA Style format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. (Note: Students can find APA style materials located in the Additional Resources section of their Student Center within their course shell for reference)
Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

Explain the importance of situating a society’s cultural and artistic expressions within a historical context.
Examine the influences of intellectual, religious, political, and socioeconomic forces on social, cultural, and artistic expressions.
Use technology and information resources to research issues in the study of world cultures.
Write clearly and concisely about world cultures using proper writing mechanics

Unit VIII Case Study

Select one of the three NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Reports listed below, and perform a critical analysis of the report:

Option 3. Health hazard evaluation report, HETA 2007-0098-3061. (2008). Ergonomic Evaluation of Frank Hangers at a Turkey Processing Plant – California.

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2007-0098-3061.pdf

Your case study review must include the following headings per APA guidelines:

1. Introduction –Provide a description of the selected case. Describe the issues of the case, and state the purpose for the paper.

2. Methods – State the evaluation criteria used in the NIOSH HHE Report.

3. Results – Present the findings from the Health hazard evaluation.

4. Recommendations – Describe the recommendations for improvements.

5. Discussion – Review relevant literature on the subject. Does research support the recommendations of the case? In addition, are there any other issues of concern?

6. Conclusion – Present your comments on the case. What did you learn in this review? What more would you like to have seen discussed in the report? In general, your own opinions should only be included in this section.

Instructions:

Your answer to this assignment must be four to six pages, double spaced, and 12 point font (separate title page and reference page are not included in the page length). The assignment requires that you use your textbook and at least two other references and readings which pertain to the topic in question. requires that students use APA style for papers and projects. Therefore, the APA rules for formatting, quoting, paraphrasing, citing, and listing of sources are to be followed.

In formatting the review you must have the following:

Introduction

Summary

Critique

Conclusion

Reference

We know that both genetics and environment have an effect on human development. We have genetic tendencies, but we are also influenced by factors such as the environment and parenting style. Choose a factor—such as IQ, autism, ADHD, or addiction to drugs or alcohol—that is influenced by both nature and nurture. Then discuss your beliefs on how much each of those sides influences your chosen factor.

Back up your viewpoint with a least one example of current research or an expert opinion. Your short paper should demonstrate an understanding of the topic, as evidenced by discussing the required critical elements, sharing your opinion, and applying current research.

Analyze the topic, integrate text and reference material into the short paper, and apply course concepts into your discussion.

Demonstrate your critical thinking ability by giving your thoughts and opinions on the topic, and explain why you hold those beliefs.

Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:

Nature versus nurture for a chosen factor

Application of current research

Critical analysis Guidelines for Submission: Use at least one reference in addition to the course textbook. It must be from a reliable source, such as a journal or a professional association or university site.

Follow these formatting guidelines: one to two double-spaced pages, 12-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins, and references in APA format at the end of the paper.

Case Analysis/Scenario

Analyze the following situation:

Mary has worked for Bob for two years. About 6 months ago, Bob asked Mary out to dinner. They had a good time together and agreed that they had some real interests in common outside of work. The pair dated for two months. Mary initially liked Bob, but he was beginning to get annoying. He called her all the time, was very pushy about her seeing him, and wanted to control all aspects of her life; both at work and at home. Mary decided to call it off. When she told Bob that she did not want to see him personally anymore, he went crazy on her. He told her she would be sorry and that he would see to it that she regretted it.

Bob began to make life miserable for Mary at work. She suddenly started to get poor performance evaluations after two years of exemplary reviews. Even the managers above Bob were beginning to make comments about her poor attitude. Mary decided it was time to act. She was worried she would be fired, all because Bob wanted her to continue to date him. She loved her job and knew she did quality work. She made an appointment with the HR manager.

Using the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1991, review the two basic types of sexual harassment (quid pro quo and hostile work environment) and assess the type of sexual harassment Mary is experiencing.

Evaluate the obligations of the HR manager once Mary reports her concerns. If the HR manager investigates and finds Mary is telling the truth, what should s/he do to handle the situation so that the company is not found complicit by the EEOC if further complaint is made?

Analyze the likelihood that Bob would be found guilty of sexually harassing Mary. If found in Mary’s favor, what options does the HR manager have to remedy the situation?

600–900 words with 10 total pages, including empty sections – Due 08/24/15

Overview

You will need to research and identify a project of your choosing to be the representative project for this course. The project identified by you will be applied for all of the assignments as appropriate.

It can be argued that one of your most important assets to a project is your “human” resource. Therefore, a key project management skill is leadership in terms of developing and motivating the project team. In this course, you will gain expertise in preparing a strategy incorporating good human resource practices based on accepted theories and models. You will select a project that you may have developed in a previous class or a known project in an organization that has a project team that could benefit from a Project Human Resource Management Strategy Plan.

Throughout this course, you will be working on developing several components of the final Key Assignment. Additional information and the deliverables for each Individual Project will be provided in the assignment description for this project.

In this first Individual Project, you are asked to develop the outline of the sections that will be included in your Project Human Resource Management Strategy Plan document and a draft of a proposal to submit to your instructor. The other information that you will include is a high-level description of the project that you will be developing the strategy plan for.

You will also be setting up the final Key Assignment outline that you will add to each week. The combined Individual Project (IP) assignments will be your final Key Assignment deliverable.

Project Selection

The first step will be to select a project that you plan to develop a human recourse strategy plan for. This project will be used as the basis for each of the assignments throughout the course and should conform to the following guidelines:

1. Nontrivial: The selected project candidate should reflect a real-life project.

2. Domain knowledge: You will be applying knowledge of this project to address assignments related to motivating and supporting the human resource component of the project.

Select a project that fits these requirements, and submit your proposal to your instructor before proceeding further with the assignments in the course. Approval should be sought within the first few days of the course. Your instructor will tell you how to submit this proposal and what notification will be given for project approval.

Assignment Guidelines

Your first task in this process will be to select a project to use as the basis of your Key Assignment. You will also create the shell document for the final project Key Assignment document deliverable that you will be working on throughout the course. As you proceed through each project phase, you will add content to each section of the final document to progressively complete the final project delivery, which is the Project Human Resource Management Strategy Plan.

The following are the project deliverables:

Submit the project proposal to your instructor for approval.

Project Human Resource Management Strategy Plan document shell:

Use Word

Title page

Course number and name

Project name

Your name

Date

Table of Contents (TOC)

Use an autogenerated TOC.

This should be on a separate page.

This should be a maximum of 3 levels deep.

Be sure to update the fields of the TOC so that it is up-to-date before submitting your project.

Section Headings (create each heading on a new page with “TBD” as content, except for Week 1)

Project Outline

Communication and Leadership Style Assessment

Motivating Project Team Strategy

Project Conflict and Stress Assessment

Conflict Management Strategy

Consensus Decision Making

Communications Plan

Project Leadership Strategy

New content to be inserted in above shell:

Project Outline

Brief description of the project

Overall project deliverable

Material can be taken from approved proposal submitted to instructor, and will serve as the draft for the proposal

Be sure project is approved by the instructor

Communication and Leadership Style Assessment

Select 1 of the links that you researched in this week’s Discussion Board, and assess your leadership style.

Put together a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis based on the results of the assessment, listing a minimum of 3 under each category.

Strengths

Weaknesses

Opportunities

Threats

Select 1 of the links researched in this week’s Discussion Board, and assess your communication style.

Discuss the results, placing emphasis on your strong forms of communication and a plan to develop the weaker areas that are important to managing projects