Category: Essays

Applied Research Methods – Research Critique The purpose of this course is to make you informed consumers of research and over the semester you have gained knowledge of the components of research that will assist you in this final assignment. The research critique consists of reading three research studies and answering several questions about each. All three studies have been provided for you. The studies selected for the critique are as follows: Article 1: Guerette, Rob T. (2007). “Immigration Policy, Border Security and Migrant Deaths: An Impact Evaluation of Life Saving Efforts under the Border Safety Initiative.” Criminology & Public Policy, 6(2): 201-222. Article 2: Kovandzic, T., Sloan, J., and Vieraitis, L. (2004. “’Striking Out’ as Crime Reduction Policy: The Impact of ‘Three Strikes’ Laws on Crime Rates in U.S. Cities.” Justice Quarterly, 21(2): 207-239. Article 3: D’Alessio, S; Stolzenberg, L., and Terry, W. Clinton III (1999). “Eyes on the Street”: The Impact of Tennessee’s Emergency Cellular Telephone Program on Alcoholrelated Fatal Crashes.” Crime and Delinquency, 45(4): 453- 466. For each of these research articles perform the following:

1. Identify the research design used.

2. Specify the type of data used to conduct the analysis.

3. Identify the sampling procedure employed.

4. Specify the dependent variable of the study.

5. Present the key findings of the study.

6. Identify at least 3 limitations of the study (e.g. threats to validity, reliability, etc.) and explain each.

Provide separate answer sheets for each article and identify your responses to the specific question above that you are answering. Your responses should be typed, 12 point font, and single spaced. Your answers are due on the last day of the week that the final exam is scheduled). Be sure to explain each of your answers fully. You should strive to be as comprehensive in your answers as possible as if you were explaining your answers to a lay person who knows nothing about research methodology

4 essays.  Write essays of at least 1.5 pages each on three of these questions.   Include at least one picture with each essay.  The first four questions relate to Chapters 19-21.  The last four questions relate to the course as a whole; for those questions you will want to examine various time periods.  You may do an extra essay for up to four extra points.

 

 

1. Europe.  Describe some of the political, social, cultural and economic changes in Europe in the era from 1000 to 1500 CE.  Which changes do you think were most important for shaping the European society we have seen in more modern times?

 

1. The Americas.  How do you see the societies of North and South America developing in the centuries before European contact?  In what ways is their history similar Eurasian or African history in this era?  In what ways is their development remarkably different?

 

1. Oceania.  What do you find most remarkable about the Oceanic societies?  How do you see these cultures changing in the era from 1000 to 1500 CE?  In what ways are they similar to the societies of North and South America in this era?  How are they different?

 

1. Expanding Horizons.  How do you see the world coming together in the era from about 1000 to 1500?  Discuss how long-distance trade and cross-cultural interaction impacted three different parts of the world (such as Europe, China, Africa or North America).

 

1. Cultural Awareness.  Discuss what you have learned about three of the cultures we have studied in this class.  What were the roots of these cultures and how did they develop over time? From studying other cultures, what insights do you get about your own culture?

 

1. War and Peace.  Examine the dynamics of war and peace in three different time periods.  What are the causes and consequences of war?   Which societies achieved the most stability?  Are peaceful societies more prosperous?  Use specific examples to develop your points.

 

1. Comparative Philosophy. Choose two philosophical or religious traditions discussed in the book, such as Confucianism, Jainism and Islam.  Compare and contrast their values and worldviews.  How did these philosophical differences affect the actions of the people?

 

1. Economics. Compare and contrast the economies of two different historical regions (Mesoamerica, India, Oceania, etc.).  Tell how the economies grew and changed over time. How did new inventions, agricultural techniques, and business practices change these regions?

 

1. Comparative Cultures.  Compare the cultural development of two societies, on two different continents.  Discuss how factors such as family, gender, religion, or community life, played a role in the history of each society.   How are these societies similar to our own society today?

The Assignments
Budgeting Assignment
Overview
Starting the week of Sepember 1st, you will be tracking your income and expenses into your own
ClearCheckbook account. Please enter your expenses in the following default categories in
ClearCheckbook:
Housing
Supermarkets and Grocery Stores
Gasoline and Automotive
General Merchandise (retail purchases from places such as Wal-Mart, Target, etc.)
Restaurants and Bars
Miscellaneous
Details
Go to ClearCheckbook and click on the Register Now link
Create a username and password
Click the Project Code link below the fields for your username, password, and e-mail address and enter the
following: CSR342
After submitting your request, you will receive an e-mail from ClearCheckbook.com confirming your registration
and providing a link to setup your account. Follow the instructions to create your own personalized spending
categories and accounts
Each time you have an expense or make a deposit/payment, record the transaction via the website
If you don’t enter the project code, you will not be able to view the average spending of the class, which you will
need for the budget report
You should try to display your transactions as accurate as possible so it can help you keep track of your
actual expenses. The goal of his report is for students to realize their actual expenditures so it can help
you change “bad habits”.
Note: When you live in the dorm you still encounter expenses for housing and food. Calculate those
expenses on per monthly basis.
At the end of the semester, you will submit your assignment on Blackboard Learn in the assessments
folder.
Report Questions
(You are required to answer all questions/bullet points)
ClearCheckbook Spending Patterns and Graphs
By looking at representations of your spending over the past 3 months, comment on your general
spending pattern. Do you see room for improvement and, if so, which areas? Justify your answers.
Provide a pie chart detailing your spending of each month.
Look at your expenses over the past three months. Are your income sources sufficient to manage your
expenses?
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Individual versus Class Spending
Include ClearCheckbook line graphs that compare your spending to the class average. Briefly discuss
the pattern you have observed for each spending category.
Projected Budget for May
Create a budget for May and describe it in great detail.
Create a calendar and bar graph for May of your projected budget, planning when you will spend each
of the five categories. (Housing, groceries, general merchandise, gas, & restaurants/bars).
Name your budget amount per week; explain why you chose this number and how you will manage
this on a week-by-week basis.
Describe two specific action plans you are going to initiate in order to stay within your budget.
There is no page length requirement, but do try to be succinct with your writing.
2 Assignments.nb
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Investing Assignment
Overview
This exercise has been designed to expose you to the world of investing and trading. To that end, youll
learn about and use trading rules and strategies which youll use to invest in the stock market. You are not
expected to put any of your own money on the line! The grades that you will receive for this exercise will
not be based on how much you profited or lost during the exercise. Your grade will come from report
that you will write based on the transactions that you have made.
Details
Begin trading activities the week of 8 September.
Each individual will be allotted $16,000 in the MarketWatch game.
After you register your account and enter the game, youll be able to invest this money in any way that
you see fit; as long as it falls within the guidelines that we set for this assignment. Each trade you make
will be charged a flat $9.95 commission fee. Keep this mind when you choose your trading strategy.
Investing Assignment Report
The first step is to look through chapter 7 of the textbook and pick a core strategy. Are you going to be an
Investor or a Trader? Your decision here will influence the actions you take and the paper youll write at
the end of the semester.
Youre allotted $16,000 that you will need to divide evenly between four investment areas (outlined
below). Make sure you keep track of the prices at which you buy and sell shares, the tickers of your
various securities, quantities of your transactions, etc.
The Four Investment Areas:
Momentum (or Gainers):
The idea behind a momentum strategy is to find stocks/mutual funds/ETFs that are experiencing
substantial increases in price and buying shares of them to try and profit from the upward trend.
Contrarian (or Losers):
The idea behind the contrarian strategy is that todays loser could be tomorrows winner. You need to
find a stock/mutual fund/ETF that has essentially fallen as low as it can go. You do this with hope that
after you buy the stock it will start an upward trend which will result in large profit.
Fund
The idea behind the fund strategy is to invest in a specific mutual or index fund, as then your returns are
the same as of a market of your choosing.
Note: You must do your own research and select a suitable mutual, market, or index fund. Wal-Mart is NOT a
market fund. It is a company with stocks. Funds are carefully bundled collections of stocks. If you pick a stock
for your fund strategy, you will receive 0 points for this section.
Own Strategy
You can invest $4,000 in anything you want in the game. Just be sure to explain what you pick and why
you invested in it.
Submit your assignment on Blackboard Learn under the assessments section.
Times New Roman , double spaced, normal 1-inch margins
There is no page length requirement, but do try to be succinct with your writing.
Assignments.nb 3
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The two parts of your paper:
Part 1: Investments: Investing in both individual stocks, mutual funds
and/or ETFs
Declare which strategyinvesting or tradingyou decided to utilize throughout the course of this project.
Why did you choose that strategy? How did your choices follow (or betray) the rules found in chapter 7
for your chosen strategy? Explain how you did or didnt follow these rule.
Which stocks/mutual funds/ETFs did you choose for the momentum section of your portfolio? Why did
you choose these investments over others in the market? Explain your answer.
Which stocks/mutual funds/ETFs did you choose for the contrarian section of your portfolio? Why did
you choose these over other losers in the market? Explain your answer.
Which mutual funds/index funds/ETFs did you choose for the this section of your portfolio? Why did you
choose these over others in the market? Explain your answer.
How did you decide what to buy for your own strategy? Please provide a brief explanation for your
answer.
Part 2: Profits/Losses
Show the following information for each stock/mutual fund/ ETF purchased in a simple table like this
one:
Momentum Contrarian Fund Your Own
Ticker
Number of shares
purchased
Price purchased
Closing
1
or sold price
Commission Fees
Profit per share
2
Gain on investment
3
1Closing price means the price of your security at the time you write your paper.
2Profit per share=(Closing price)-(price purchased)
3Gain on investment=
IClosing priceM-Iprice purchasedM
Iprice purchasedM
Based on your return calculations, which strategy offered the highest returns: your strategy or one of the
required strategies (momentum, contrarian or fund approach)? By how much?
4 Assignments.nb
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Peer-Review Reflection Essay 5% of overall grade This assignment will assess the following student Learning Outcomes and Core Objectives: 1. Demonstrate knowledge of individual and collaborative writing processes (ACGM). 2. Critical Thinking: Creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and the analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information (THECB). 3. Communication: Effective written, oral, and visual communication (THECB). Students will meet the following assignment requirements: 1. Reflect on both previous solitary writing practices and recent peer-review collaborations. 2. Submit reflection essay to the “Peer-Review Reflection Essay” drop-box by Friday, December 5 at 11:59 p.m. Prompt Instructions: For this essay, you will need to write a reflection about your previous solitary writing rituals and practices and the adjusted writing practices you adapted after receiving feedback from your peer-review sessions throughout the semester in order to answer the following central question: How will both individual and collaborative modes of writing contribute to improving your future attempts at composing written, digital, and oral communication in your field of study? As with any essay, make sure this reflection paper presents a thesis statement that features two-three subtopics—keywords explaining what you have learned from both individual and collaborative writing experiences that may help improve your future writing. Note: You can adapt your organization and mode of writing to the sample essay in doc-sharing titled “Sample Reflection Essay” in the main Composition I folde

Indicate three conventions of character, plot / theme, and iconography that are distinctive of film noir, and explain how these are utilized in the film noir you viewed. Provide examples from specific scenes, explaining their possible effects on audiences.
i) Character:

ii) Theme / Plot:

iii) Iconography:

Documentary Films:
Explain what a Rhetorical documentary is? What are some of its characteristics? Provide examples from Prelude to War.
How is Trust a central component of Documentary Films? Explain the relationship that exists between the audience, the filmmaker, and the subject of the film.

What are the differences between diegetic, non-diegetic, internal, and external sounds in films? Give specific examples from films viewed throughout the semester and explain the function of such sounds. Explain how the use of these sounds, separately and in combination, allows for a greater emotional impact on the audience.
Diegetic:

Non-diegetic:

Internal:

External:

Since the beginning of the semester, we have been looking at the relationship that the form and style of a film has to its content. Explain why the way that a film tells a story is as important, if not more important, than the story itself. Use films discussed in class as examples. Be as specific as possible.

Notes available at http://filmstudiesonline.com/FS101/unit%2016.html
user: online
password: movies

Goals of Assignment
1.Gain a deep knowledge of a work of literature that interests you
2.Demonstrate ability to organize and develop an 8 page paper
3.Gain proficiency with an academic form critical for continued college success
4.Analyze a work using a literary theory
5.Learn to identify and apply relevant literary criticism
6.Use summary, quotes, paraphrases accurately
7.Use correct MLA format, including in-text citations and works cited.
8.Write a thesis statement appropriate for a longer paper
Do not write an announcement thesis
Description
Your research will take a playwright (WHICH NOW IS TEMPEST) we will have studied this semester and use one of the literary theoriesnew critical, feminist, post-colonial(I PICKED THIS ONE), new historicalto render a deep analysis of a work.

Special considerations for this essay form
1. Incorporate no less than 4 critical essays/discussions (one of these may be historical data) in your analysis. In addition, use a minimum of one review or similar source that discusses the play in production.
2. Be sure your essay is well organized around a thesis.
3. Use quotes and paraphrases to support your claims and be sure that for each you have an in-text citation. Always avoid using long, block quotes unless it is absolutely necessary; however, if you have a quote that exceeds two lines, use a block quote. You must read and use the script of the play itself to support your ideas; you cant just use a film version. I expect you to include stage directions in your discussion.
5. The tone of the research paper is more formal; the tone you use is different from how your writer your personal responses, for example. Poetic language or first person experience is not appropriate. One exception to this guideline might be in your introductory paragraph, where you could indicate how your personal experience led to your research project.
6. Be sure your introduction is exciting, compelling. I strongly recommend writing the introduction last, once you know what you want to say. For conclusion, please do not just summarize what you just wrote! Write something interesting: how the play resonates today, for example.
Specifications
Paper length is a full 8 pages, typed, double-spaced, using MLA style format. Prepare a works cited and be sure each item on your works cited relates to an in-text citation (the works cited should be page 9).

Answer the following discussion questions on the readings we have done in class. Each question should be at least one paragraph.

Question 1- Unbowed (pg 1-138)

1.)As we discussed in class, non-fiction writing does not utilize the literary techniques that are used by fiction writers to create meaning in their fictional works, and therefore meaning needs to be achieved in other ways. An autobiography often gains much of its meaning from the unique and compelling aspects of the person and the life being described. Write a response that considers Wangari Maathai as a person and the life that she has led. What is notable or compelling about that life? What does her life teach you about African enviromentalism, Kenya, women in Africa, etc…?

Question 2- Unbowed (pg 139-315)

2.) Wangari Maathai ends her afterword with a story about a hummingbird who says, “I’m doing the best I can!” (307). Maathai then says,
And this is what we are called to do, no matter who or where we are, or what our capabilities. We are called to do the best we can!” (307).

Consider how this statements relates to what you have learned about Maathai’s life in the second half of her autobiography. How is it related to the overall purpose of this writing?

Question 3- The Heart of Redness (pg 1-122)

3.)Respond to the story about the Cattle Killing. What are your thoughts about this strange event in history? How is Mda using this historical moment to inform the current circumstances of his story (in other words, what parallels are emerging between the two stories and what is Mda’s purposes in creating these parallels)?

Question 4- Heart of Redness (pg 123-277)

4.)In your opinion, do the Unbelievers or the Believers win the day at the end of the novel? Or does the novel not allow a clear winner in the final analysis? What is Mda ultimately saying about the tensions that have embroiled this Xhosa community, both in the 1880s and the 1990s?

Question 5- Blog about Ken Saro Wiwia stories

5.)Write about one of the following topics, considering how it applies to the four stoires and then focusing in one story for examples:
— the tone of the stories

— the style of the writing

— the characterization used in the stories

Question 6- Ken Saro Wiwas pgs 80-171

6.)At the end of Saro Wiwa’s prison diary, he writes, “I have been detained for a month and a day, during which I had witnessed the efficiency of evil. In a country where virtually nothing worked, the security services, armed with all the gadgets of modern invention, made sure that all orders were carried out with miliarly precision. And the men were marvellously faithful to their instructions” (171). Explore how these comments relate to his experiences as he recounts them in his diary and how you, as the reader, as affected by this presentation of the governmental forces.

2) Kan Saro Wiwa explains his rationale for embracing non-violent resistance in the following passage: “It is also very important that we have chosen the path of non-violent struggle. Our opponents are given to violence and we cannot meet them on their turf, even if we wanted to. Non-violent struggle offers weak people the strength which they otherwise would not have. The spirit becomes important, and no gun can silence that” (133). Explain how the non-violent approach is taken up by the Ogani people and your response to that approach.

3) Ken Saro Wiwa advocates ethnic identification over national unity, as seen when he comments “Certainly what we have done for the Ogani can be done for other groups in Nigeria, in Africa. Its importance lies in the fact that a small ethnic group has not only been prepared pyschologically to confront its history and take its fortune into its own hands, but is prepared to take on its oppressors in teh form of the nation-state and teh multinational giant” (133). Comment on his belief in ethnic divisions and your response to this privileging of ethnicity over other forms of identity.

Read through the unit pages.
Click on the orange links to access the film clips and the external websites.
Watch the clips.
Look over the external websites.

Answer the following questions (approx. 500 words):
What is the effect of using still photographs for the stylistic system of La Jete? How does this contribute to the narrative, and how does it affect your interpretation of the film?
How are Ballet Mchanique and Koyaanisquatsi different? How are they similar? Explain.
How would you interpret Koyaanisquatsi? Is this an experimental film? A documentary?

Link to the material:
http://filmstudiesonline.com/FS101/Units%20and%20PDFS/FS101%20Unit%2015.pdf

One of the most important challenges for current and future business leaders involves finding the thinking space and courage to keep the long view in mind for their organisations. Leaders are increasingly in the public eye, with numerous stakeholder groups enforcing their entitlements. This challenge becomes increasingly important and difficult as business practitioners rise through the ranks of their organisations and take on more general management and strategic leadership roles.
In this weeks Key Concept Exercise, you will continue further exploration of the ideas and issues you studied in previous weeks. You will explore challenges and opportunities to improve leadership practice and analyse the advantages of effective leadership practice. You will also evaluate how leaders manage teams and how teams shape the requirements for effective leadership.
To prepare for this Key Concept Exercise:
Read the Required Learning Resources for Week 7 and do further readings through the Library. (use a minimum of 13 references)
see attachment some references
Reflect on the specific challenges of global leadership.
Identify and retrieve one peer-reviewed academic journal article and one professional or trade journal article from the Library. These articles should be related to leadership theories and frameworks (the academic article) and leadership practices (the professional or trade journal) that you think are relevant to one of the global challenges you chose to address in Week 5 (). The articles must have been published within the last two years.
Consider how each of your chosen articles discusses the meaning, influence and importance of leadership.
To complete this Key Concept Exercise, in an approximately 500-word response, address the following issues/questions:
Analyse the challenges and opportunities to improve leadership practice with regards to your identified global challenge. In your analysis, explain the advantages effective leadership practice would bring to the meeting of that challenge. Additionally, explain how each of your chosen articles relates to your analysis.
In formulating your Key Concept Exercise, consider the following questions:
Why did you choose this global challenge and these two articles?
What specific leadership practices and behaviors might help you overcome those global challenges and create opportunities?
How do the two leadership articles relate to the challenge you have identified and how can they help meet the challenge?
How can leadership practice be improved in general?
———-
Added on 05.12.2015 19:22
Some references provided to be used. Key references to be used is \”Northouse\”

Answer the following discussion questions on the readings we have done in class. Each question should be at least one paragraph.

Question 1- Unbowed (pg 1-138)

1.)As we discussed in class, non-fiction writing does not utilize the literary techniques that are used by fiction writers to create meaning in their fictional works, and therefore meaning needs to be achieved in other ways. An autobiography often gains much of its meaning from the unique and compelling aspects of the person and the life being described. Write a response that considers Wangari Maathai as a person and the life that she has led. What is notable or compelling about that life? What does her life teach you about African enviromentalism, Kenya, women in Africa, etc…?

Question 2- Unbowed (pg 139-315)

2.) Wangari Maathai ends her afterword with a story about a hummingbird who says, “I’m doing the best I can!” (307). Maathai then says,
And this is what we are called to do, no matter who or where we are, or what our capabilities. We are called to do the best we can!” (307).

Consider how this statements relates to what you have learned about Maathai’s life in the second half of her autobiography. How is it related to the overall purpose of this writing?

Question 3- The Heart of Redness (pg 1-122)

3.)Respond to the story about the Cattle Killing. What are your thoughts about this strange event in history? How is Mda using this historical moment to inform the current circumstances of his story (in other words, what parallels are emerging between the two stories and what is Mda’s purposes in creating these parallels)?

Question 4- Heart of Redness (pg 123-277)

4.)In your opinion, do the Unbelievers or the Believers win the day at the end of the novel? Or does the novel not allow a clear winner in the final analysis? What is Mda ultimately saying about the tensions that have embroiled this Xhosa community, both in the 1880s and the 1990s?

Question 5- Blog about Ken Saro Wiwia stories

5.)Write about one of the following topics, considering how it applies to the four stoires and then focusing in one story for examples:
— the tone of the stories

— the style of the writing

— the characterization used in the stories

Question 6- Ken Saro Wiwas pgs 80-171

6.)At the end of Saro Wiwa’s prison diary, he writes, “I have been detained for a month and a day, during which I had witnessed the efficiency of evil. In a country where virtually nothing worked, the security services, armed with all the gadgets of modern invention, made sure that all orders were carried out with miliarly precision. And the men were marvellously faithful to their instructions” (171). Explore how these comments relate to his experiences as he recounts them in his diary and how you, as the reader, as affected by this presentation of the governmental forces.

2) Kan Saro Wiwa explains his rationale for embracing non-violent resistance in the following passage: “It is also very important that we have chosen the path of non-violent struggle. Our opponents are given to violence and we cannot meet them on their turf, even if we wanted to. Non-violent struggle offers weak people the strength which they otherwise would not have. The spirit becomes important, and no gun can silence that” (133). Explain how the non-violent approach is taken up by the Ogani people and your response to that approach.

3) Ken Saro Wiwa advocates ethnic identification over national unity, as seen when he comments “Certainly what we have done for the Ogani can be done for other groups in Nigeria, in Africa. Its importance lies in the fact that a small ethnic group has not only been prepared pyschologically to confront its history and take its fortune into its own hands, but is prepared to take on its oppressors in teh form of the nation-state and teh multinational giant” (133). Comment on his belief in ethnic divisions and your response to this privileging of ethnicity over other forms of identity.