Periodic Table Research Paper

Aaron Wong History and Development of the Periodic Table Period 11 The most basic arrangement of the periodic table was in 1649. By this time, many elements have been known but the first scientific discovery of an element was in 1649. Hennig Brand discovered phosphorus, the first element discovered through scientific inquiry. He attempted to create a  Philosopher’s Stone which was supposedly able to turn metals into pure gold. During his experiment, he heated residues from boiled urine, and a liquid dropped out and turned into flames. This was the first discovery of phosphorus.During the next 200 years were when chemists started to recognize patterns in properties of elements and gained much knowledge about the properties and compounds of them. In the late 1700s, the first extensive list of elements was created. It was created by Antoine Lavoisier, a French chemist. The first list contained 33 elements and was distinguished between metals and non-metals, dividing the few kno wn elements into four classes. He devised a naming system for the discovery of new elements. Additionally, Antoine Lavoisier was the first chemist to define an element as a substance that cannot be broken down by chemical means.His findings greatly contributed and impacted many chemists and their ideas on elements. It helped them start to categorize and understand the elements more thoroughly. In 1803, John Dalton developed an atomic theory based off the fact that elements were combined with each other according to different ratios by weight. As a part of his theory, Dalton built a scale of atomic weight based on the hydrogen atom. John Dalton calculated the first relative weights of atoms and compounds. In 1808, he published a list of elements along with their atomic weights.Around 1810 to 1830, Jons Jakob Berzelius, a Swedish chemist, developed a table of atomic weights that contained all of the elements known to that date. He also introduced and incorporated letters to symbolize elements. These letters abbreviated the elements based off their Latin names. Before this, symbols from the early Greeks and alchemists were used to symbolize elements. Berzelius became most famous for this series of experiments that demonstrated the fact that the elements in substances are held together in definite proportions by weight. This became known as the law of constant proportions.Through these experiments, Berzelius was also able to discover many new elements such as cerium, selenium, thorium and many more. With all of these elements, he determined the atomic weights of almost all of them and created his own table of atomic weights. In the table, he used oxygen as a standard of weight and set its weight equal to exactly 100. During the 1820s, Johann Dobereiner, a German chemist, discovered the existence of families of elements with similar chemical properties. He grouped these elements in triads, group of threes. The appearance and reactions of the elements in a triad wer e similar to each other.He first found that Strontium had about the average properties of Calcium and Barium, and grouped these three together accordingly. Not only did Dobereiner find chemical patterns of the elements in the triad, but also physical patterns. He stated that the atomic mass of the middle element of the triad was almost equal to the average atomic mass of the first and third element. Furthermore, Johann went on and tested if the other properties of these triads were similar, such as their specific gravity and affinity, and they were. He ended up discovering two other triads.The halogen triad of chlorine, bromine and iodine and the alkali metal triad of lithium, sodium, and potassium. His discovery of the triads gave other scientists a clue that relative atomic masses were important when arranging the elements. In 1862, a French geologist, A. E. Beguyer de Chancourtois, published the first geometric representation of the elements. He drew a list of the elements on a c ylinder arranged by atomic weight. There was a continuous spiral around the cylinder and it was separated into 16 parts. Chancourtois ordered the elements by increasing atomic weight and with similar elements lined up vertically.He wrote the atomic weights on the surface of the cylinder with a circumference of 16 units, which was the approximate atomic weight of  oxygen. The resulting helical curve brought similar elements onto corresponding points above or below one another on the cylinder. From this he proposed that â€Å"the properties of the elements are the properties of numbers. †Ã‚  He was the first scientist to see elements when they were arranged in order of their atomic weights. He saw that the similar elements occurred at regular atomic weight intervals. This was the first geometric representation of the periodic law.His diagram contained ions and compounds as well so it was not a correct representation of the elements. In 1863, John Newlands, an English chemist, classified the 56 known elements into 11 groups based on similar properties. He arranged all the elements into a table in order of relative atomic mass. Newlands noticed that any element’s chemical properties were similar to the eight element following it in the table. This was known as the Law of Octaves. 1869 lothar meyer, Dmitri Mendeleev 1895 lord Rayleigh 1898 william ramsey 1911 ernest Rutherford 1938 henry Moseley 1940 glenn seaborg

Methods of Government, explained by Mr. Lao Tzu

Mr. Lao Tzu,  I am glad to write this letter to you and I wish you to stay in good health. Being myself interested in the art of state governance I could not fail to be moved by your outstanding writings. Philosophers with such profound views as you have are rare, so, desiring to further dispute certain ideas about government and administration I have found nothing better than to write this letter to you and thusly invite you to discussion. Please accept this letter calmly as it is due to a philosopher, for I have not wished to contest your wisdom, but only to share some views which I have obtained via long years of struggles and dangers. My most sincere desire is to have an advice with you because truth is sprout in discussion. Thereto let me pass to my argument.In your famous Tao Te Ching you write:  Ã¢â‚¬Å"If you want to be a great leader, you must learn to follow the Tao. Stop trying to control. Let go of fixed plans and concepts, and the world will govern itself[1].†Ã‚  I admire this argument but I put it in a little other way for I think that it is better to be adventurous than cautious, because fortune is a woman, and she needs to be beaten and dominated[2]. That what you call â€Å"Tao† I use to call Fortune. Fortune is something what we can not control, but we can benefit from it. Every ruler has a Fortune, but not all of them are fortunate, because some of them are able to benefit from fortune and others are not. And to benefit from Fortune one has to feel it and take effort to obtain every possible necessary result from lucky events. That’s why I say that Fortune loves young. The young can better feel it and they are faster in using it. Using your terms I can say, that Tao flows by itself outside of our will. The one who feels the flow of Tao and moves with it will win[3]. But in order to win he has to move in the direction he needs only using Tao because in case he moves with Tao he will lose his aim of sight and will be a pr isoner of circumstances.Another piece of your writing which attracted my attention is:â€Å"If a country is governed with tolerance, the people are comfortable and honest. If a country is governed with repression, the people are depressed and crafty. When the will to power is in charge, the higher the ideals, the lower the results. Try to make people happy, and you lay the groundwork for misery. Try to make people moral, and you lay the groundwork for vice.[4]†I agree with you entirely that a ruler is always an example for his subjects, however, I would like to notice, that ruling only by example is a much too vague basis for power. There are always people who do not accept any virtues and who are willing to overthrow even the most perfect ruler, at least to take his place. So I think that except for example a ruler is to inspire love and fear to the people, and at that fear is more important than love, because love is changeful and does not depend on ruler’s will, and fear is an instrument which is always available for a ruler[5].   Moreover, I believe that a ruler is to incur evil and forget about virtues in some cases. I mean those vices without which he might hardly save the state; because, if one considers everything well, one will find that something that appears a virtue, if followed, would be his ruin, and that some other thing that appears a vice, if followed, results in his security and well-being[6].You speak about love and fear not as of methods of ruling, but as of ruler’s qualities when you write that â€Å"When the Master governs, the people are hardly aware that he exists. Next best is a leader who is loved. Next, one who is feared. The worst is one who is despised.†[7]As I have already mentioned, I believe, that fear is a better foundation for power than love, but now I would like to speak exactly of the ruler’s qualities. To my opinion a ruler is not to be good or bad, he is to be reasonable. What works go od once can be not so good next time. Fortune, or Tao as you call it, may change, so the best ruler is the one who skillfully adapts to the situation and never freezes in his qualities. The ruler has to deal with different people who have different desires and so it is hardly possible for him to be same for all. A ruler has not to follow an ideal, but he is to be realistic[8].You call upon princes to let things happen as they happen when you say:â€Å"Center your country in the Tao and evil will have no power. Not that it isn't there, but you'll be able to step out of its way.[9]†Let me used a term which I am used to and call Fortune that what you call Tao. I believe that this argument is weak, because it assumes that the country is ideal. And what about the countries which are not ideal and which are not in conformity with fortune? I would compare her to one of those raging rivers, which when in flood overflows the plains, sweeping away trees and buildings, bearing away the soil from place to place; everything flies before it, all yield to its violence, without being able in any way to withstand it; and yet, though its nature be such, it does not follow therefore that men, when the weather becomes fair, shall not make provision, both with defenses and barriers, in such a manner that, rising again, the waters may pass away by canal, and their force be neither so unrestrained nor so dangerous. So it happens with Fortune, who shows her power where valour has not prepared to resist her, and thither she turns her forces where she knows that barriers and defences have not been raised to constrain her[10]. So a ruler does have to act in order to bring his principality to perfectness and make it protected even from Fortune itself.Let me conclude my modest letter by this. Hope you were not bored while reading it and you will find it possible to answer my most humble writing.Cordially yours humble servant,Niccolà ² di Bernardo dei MachiavelliWorks Cited:1. Lao Tsu, Tao Te Ching, 25th-Anniversary Edition, Vintage, 19972. Machiavelli.   The Prince. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 19983. Mary G. Dietz, Trapping The Prince: Machiavelli and the Politics of Deception, The American Political Science Review, Vol. 80, No. 3 (Sep., 1986), pp. 777-7994. David Hall, Commentary on the Lao Tzu by Wang Pi by Ariane Rump, Wing-tsit Chan, Philosophy East and West, Vol. 31, No. 1 (Jan., 1981), pp. 97-98[1] Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, 25th-Anniversary Edition, Vintage, 1997. Verse 57 [2] Niccolo Machiavelli.   The Prince. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998, p.- 83 [3] Lao Tzu dows not speak so directly, but it is usually mentioned by commentators. For example see: David Hall, Commentary on the Lao Tzu by Wang Pi by Ariane Rump, Wing-tsit Chan, Philosophy East and West, Vol. 31, No. 1 (Jan., 1981), pp. 97-98 [4] Lao Tzu, 58 [5]   See: Niccolo Machiavelli, chap. XVII [6] Lao Tzu, 58 [7] Lao Tzu, 17 [8] For this Machiavelli’s argument see: Mary G. Dietz, Trapping The Prince: Machiavelli and the Politics of Deception, The American Political Science Review, Vol. 80, No. 3 (Sep., 1986), pp. 777-799 [9] Lao Tzu, 60 [10] Niccolo Machiavelli, p.- 119

Psychological Effects of Organ Donation on the Organ Donor Dissertation

Psychological Effects of Organ Donation on the Organ Donor - Dissertation Example The two sources of organ donation are live human donors, mostly close family relatives of the patient in need of the organ, and cadaveric donors. Â  Live donors usually do it for altruistic reasons in the hope of saving the life of a loved one. On the other hand, in the case of cadaveric donation, the issue of consent of the deceased donor comes into question.The two sources of organ donation are live human donors, mostly close family relatives of the patient in need of the organ, and cadaveric donors. Â  Live donors usually do it for altruistic reasons in the hope of saving the life of a loved one. On the other hand, in the case of cadaveric donation, the issue of consent of the deceased donor comes into question.Straus and Corbin (1990) wrote that any phenomenon with limited information can still be better understood by using qualitative research methods. Qualitative methods are useful in unearthing new insights or perspectives on phenomena that are already much studied. It is po ssible to acquire more depth of information than what has surfaced so far, which may otherwise be difficult to explain quantitatively. Â  For this study, the qualitative method will be used, specifically, interviews with organ donors and their family members recruited from an organ donor facility or hospital. Â  At least 8 participants are targeted and their interviews will be guided by the following questions and their insights will be encouraged. Â  Data will be analyzed using thematic analysis which looks for patterns emerging from the data such as predominant thoughts, emotions and opinions commonly shared by the respondents regarding organ transplantation. This study will not claim that the data gathered will be representative of the views of the general population of organ donors and their families, however, it will contribute information to the literature on Health Psychology based on the data gathered

Oliver Stones 1991 film JFK Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Oliver Stones 1991 film JFK - Essay Example minal case in the country that charged anyone with conspiracy in the death of the president or called into question the results of the Warren Commission. At the same time, it takes a look into the personal life of Garrison as he dealt with both internal and external pressures in bringing this case to trial. Because of the way in which he goes about detailing the development of various theories as to what happened that afternoon in Texas, Stone’s interpretation makes it clear in a very public way that at the least, the Warren Commission could not have been correct in its findings when it ruled a lone gunman achieved the death of a president. Up to the release of the movie, Americans were falling asleep regarding the details behind the assassination, but with its release, they once again asked the questions that had remained unanswered since the House Select Committee on Assassination Report was released in 1979 (Renner, n.d.). To understand how Stone’s individual interpr etation of the events leading up to the murder of JFK are supported within the film to provoke such a reaction, an analysis will be made of film formats, color usage and appeals to reality.

Analysis of an Extract from Joseph Townsends Disseration on the Poor Essay

Analysis of an Extract from Joseph Townsends Disseration on the Poor Laws (1786) - Essay Example An important piece of work in this matter is the paper by Joseph Townsend titled, A Dissertation of the Poor Laws (1786). Here, he emphasizes that it is the basic law of nature that the poor should be in a state of improvidence to some extent so as to make sure that there is a perpetual need to accommodate the most servile positions in society. He further notes that in this way, the cup of human happiness remains overflowing, while the so called â€Å"delicate† breed of aristocrats are set free of ever experiencing any kind of drudgery, and the scope of employment is lost so as to spare them the misery of working. In this way, they are at liberty to pursue activities which they feel like, and which are important for the functioning of the state. Regarding the poor, he has said that they should adopt the policy to take up the most menial tasks and the most laborious works, as well as those activities that involve maximum danger. In the meantime, they may entertain themselves with the hope of any reward for undertaking risks and hard work. Without these standards rules of poverty, the fleets and armies of a country face a serious dearth of soldiers and of sailors. This kind of a situation will also exist if sensitivity towards the poor were to universally prevailed. This is due to the reason that it is only distress and poverty which can prevail upon the lower classes of the people to encounter all the horrors which await them on the waves of the ocean, or in the bloody fields of battle. It is a well known and well acknowledged fact that no man who has seen an easy life would be willing to fight in the army or take up risky ventures. Further, he talks about the fact that there must be a degree of pressure, so as to make sure that hunger is either felt or feared. This will fuel the desire of earning one’s daily meals to quietly adjust the mind to undergo the greatest hardships, which will

Alexander Hamilton Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Alexander Hamilton - Essay Example Hamilton served as Secretary of Treasury during the Washington administration from September 1789 until January 1795. During his stint, hew was deemed to have significantly helped position the US under a sound economic regime. He presented a comprehensive financial program to the first Congress ("Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia"). To illustrate this point, his works such as the Report on Public Credit (1790) proposed to the federal government the redemption of confederation government securities and full payment of debt accumulated by the Continental Congress. As part of his financial program, this provision resolved and nationalized financial chaos inherited from the Revolution (Foner & Garraty). Apart from this, Hamilton also generated the Report on Manufactures (1791), wherein he impelled the federal government to encourage manufactures and proposed protective laws including the imposition of tariff on imported manufactured goods and series of excise tax both for the purpose of preserving of home market and generating revenue for the government to pay its debt (Burt).

Discussion Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 41

Discussion - Assignment Example It is also worth mentioning that both the knife and electric water pump require to be operated manually and the operator has to do some ‘work’. Thus, in this case, the issue of laziness doesn’t arise at all. According to the BLS American Time Use Survey, A.C. Nielsen Co. conducted in the first quarter of 2012, the average American spends slightly over 5 hours a day watching television. While on the surface he figure looks staggering, it is important to note that the figure takes into account people beyond retirement age who while away entire days in care centres glued to the screen of television. The bulk of he productive population would typically watch television only when having dinner and during weekends. To them, this is more like a hobby than a lifestyle. As with regards to the use of technology and it making us more lazy,nothing can be farther from the truth. It is a matter of perception, which has evolved over time. Fifty years ago the word â€Å"hardworking† was directly proportional to the muscle one possessed and the amount of sweat shed and effort spent in the process. Today, one could achieve much more using by far less energy. A housewife could use tools like washing machine, dishwasher and vacuum cleaner and make her house sparkling clean within a short period of time. Without these, the same housewife would take a whole day performing the same tasks, and probably wouldn’t do it as well as he machines would. To sum it all up, I’d like to remind us that machines are tools meant to assist us in performing tasks and making our lives more comfortable. They are here not to replace us or do our jobs for us, but as tools at our disposal. Life would not be as comfortable or well-advanced were I not for machines. Let us embrace them and appreciate their usefulness in our daily

Term paper for 1500 words Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

For 1500 words - Term Paper Example The National Broadband Network (NBN) represents the future generation of infrastructure and mode of communication. In the 21st century, the world is advancing at a rapid pace and Australia is also taking part in these technological advancements. According to the Prime Minister of the country, a slow internet connection is one major hindrance in the path of growth. Economic activities are highly dependent on the flow of information. Different communication channels lead to the identification of investment opportunities. Hence, a speedy connection of broadband would boost up economic activities and enlighten the future of the economy. Therefore, the Government of Australia has taken the initiative to connect every individual via the broadband network. It is imperative to ensure that all citizens gain access to the NBN. The project has been started in the year 2010 and is due for completion by the year 2015 (NBNCO, 2013). ‘Fiber to the node’ network A fiber optic network is a network of multiple nodes. By implementing fiber optic, the system designer can create a passive medium of network consisting of several nodes. The presence of multiple nodes makes the distribution network system safe and reliable (Cobo, 2012). By using a single mode of operation, the speed of information transfer might be increased up to 1 gigabit per second. The error rate of high speed optical networks has been found to be quite less and acceptable (Cobo, 2012). When a good broadband infrastructure is combined with highly advanced information technologies, it becomes capable of affecting productivity of firms operating in the economy and boosting economic growth. Common households across the country would be able to connect with one another, which fosters national integration. Highly effective broadband infrastructure creates additional ways in which the economic growth of the country might be augmented. Advanced information technologies can change as well as improve the metho d of processing information that results in higher involvement of IT firms, which implies the creation of new employment opportunities. Fiber to the node network allows the companies to implement processes, such as e-procurement, customer services, e-billing as well as make recruitment online using the internet network connection. The IT division of the firms, thus, makes a noteworthy contribution in the (long-term as well as short-term) performance of the firm, through its interactions with the other functionaries of the firm (Zyskind and Srivastava, 2011). Characteristics of NBN Broadband internet connection enables exchange of information and data across the different agents in the economy located in multiple locations. Through implementation of a high speed internet broadband network, companies would be able to manage their functions and operations in a decentralized manner of information processing. In the Australian economic system economic agents use available information as input for generating new output. The NBN in Australia would facilitate this process of information management. In this process, the nationwide network of internet would allow the firms as well as individual users to weigh and evaluate information before taking actions on the basis of that information. It leads to multiplication of data that benefits all actors in the economy. The NBN is a cost

Organizational development Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Organizational development - Assignment Example The firm that is analyzed in the paper is XYZ Company that deals with textile design. It has 2,000 employees. The company designs and makes clothes for various customers in Europe, Asia and North America. The company supply its products to different countries specifically designed according to preferences and demand of the market. Last year, XYZ ventured into African market with various customers demanding various designs that fits African cultures. In light with this, the company saw the need for the establishment of new outlets in three African countries which have an interest in using XYZ products. The human resource department resolved that the company has to transfer some employees from the U.S offices to the newly established offices in Africa. However, the move to diversify market to the African market was as a result of the downward trend in sales from the already existing markets. When employees were notified about the intentions to be transferred to the new market, over 100 employees resigned their positions as employees of EYZ Company. However, the situation deteriorated with more resignation letters flowing into the human resource office daily. At first, the human resource manager thought that the employees were afraid of being transferred to work in the new market. As some investigations were conducted, it was noticed that the employees left the company because of bad working conditions. Amazingly, those that had left were hired by XYZ’s main competitor whose working conditions were more enticing than those of XYZ. Intentions to open new offices in the new market were temporarily suspended until some organizational development was realized in the existing market. Statement of the problem Since its establishment in 2000, XYZ has been leading in textile design. At first, XYZ operated in the U.S market only. Its marketing strategies and employee relations were perfect, something that led to the establishment of new outlets in the European marke t. However, since the retirement of its human resource manager in 2008, the company performance has been deteriorating year after year. It has been argued that employee wellness and reward system has been ignored by the new management since 2008. Employees have not been proactive as there before, thus poor performance of the company. It is argued that employees are one of the best capitals an organization can ever have (Jex 245). Therefore, their wellness is vital as it help retain and motivate them. Once employees are motivated, they tend to perform their duties effectively. Due to this fact, XYZ’s profit margins have gone down to the extent of failing to take care of its liabilities including payment of its employees. This is what prompted the management to think of opening up new markets in the African market. The presumption was that there was a decrease in demand and stiff competition of their products in the existing markets. However, it is believed that a company is ab le to have a competitive advantage in markets with stiff competition only after employing all necessary measures including employee wellness. It is apparent that if XYZ fails to intervene on the matter, it is highly unlikely to remain in the market. In the short term intervention, it would be essential for XYZ to find ways of retaining the current employees by addressing their grievances at hand. This way, it is highly likely that the company will be able to uphold its present performance without going on a downward trend. Nevertheless, it is equally important to employ long-term measures, which would enable the company improve and survive the highly completive market. Objectives of intervention The main objective of this intervention is to use a reward systems intervention to help XYZ improve its performance Specific objectives To propose appropriate re-structuring of the XYZ organization To propose reward systems to XYZ that would help retain and motivate its employees Scope of in tervention Since XYZ company

Bmw Swot Analysis Essay Example for Free

Bmw Swot Analysis Essay Logo-BMW’s white-and-blue logo is recognizable worldwide, and recalls the company’s start as an aircraft engine manufacturer. It symbolizes a pilot’s view through a propeller as alternating white and blue segments. †¢Most successful multi-brand premium car manufacturer-BMW has three brands, BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce. They delivered 141,952 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce automobiles in 2007 and sales increased by 7. 4% from the previous year. †¢Super luxury Rolls Royce car-The Rolls-Royce phantom holds the number one position in the super-luxury car segment. The Phantom was launched in 1993, and the final assembly, as well as all-wood and leatherwork are custom made for each customers individual specifications. The plant where they are produced, the Goodwood plant in England, contains only two robots to paint the space frame body; all other work is done by hand, in keeping with the Rolls-Royce tradition. †¢Spends one of the highest revenues on R;D-BMW Group employs about 8,000 people worldwide within the research ; development (R;D) network and has invested millions of dollars over the years. They employ engineers, designers, model builders, computer experts, and scientists of various disciplines FIZ co-ordinates and optimize research activities across the group to create the BMW cars of the future. †¢Brand-BMW ranked in the top 20 most recognized global brands. BMW is now the only multi-brand automaker that utilizes a pure, premium brand strategy. The objective behind this strategy is to generate higher income per vehicle on the basis of products with a high intrinsic value and a strong brand image. Their brand ranked number 15 in 2006. Longevity-Bavarian Motor Works (BMW) was formed in 1916 after two small aircraft engine manufacturers merged. In 1923, BMW began to build motorcycles, then its first car in 1928. †¢Driving School-Many manufacturers have associations with driving schools; BMW runs its own. The BMW Performance Center, adjacent to the BMW Manufacturing facility in Spartanburg, attracts owners and prospects from around the country for an ultimate br and experience. †¢Sales-BMW is one among the leading players in the premium cars segment. It achieved a record sales volume of 1,373,970 units in 2006. BMW is ranked among the ten largest car producers globally. Awards/Recognition-Reflecting BMWs commitment to developing quality and innovative products, the company has been honored with several awards in the past. For example, BMW was presented with the Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany in February 2006 for the BMW 6 Series Coupe and Convertible models. Presented by the German Design Council, the award was the highest official German design award. Following this, the MINI model of the company won the Golden Steering Wheel 2006 award in seven out of 15 categories, ten days ahead of its official market launch in November 2006. Formula 1-BMW won its first Formula 1 championship in 1983 using a four cylinder, 1. 5-liter production based engine. Of course it was turbocharged and could develop well over 1,000 horsepower, some say over 1,500 for short periods of time. BMW continues to field a Formula 1 team because it provides the ultimate in competition and thus the ultimate in learning for BMW. †¢Excellence through quality innovation-BMW Group’s success is its strategic focus on developing customer-friendly innovations, coupled with an approach to innovations management that is unique within the motor industry Customize your own car-BMW has the option of seeing a sample of the car you’d like by selecting different options such as the color of interior design and exterior design, the wheels, the model etc. †¢Intelligent processes-the COSP(Customer oriented sales and production process) bases production on the customer’s customized version and not by company standards. They employ 70,000 workers in 23 different locations to build the customized cars. A customer can change or alter the options and style of the car right before it goes into production. †¢Environment-friendly-BMW considers environmental and recycling requirements. They use recycled products to build cars. They have environmental standards for all the plants throughout the world. They build cars that lower the amount of fuel consumption. †¢Superior technology and development of new products BMW is doing this is by developing a hybrid engine as part of a global alliance. The aim of this development is known as a â€Å"two-mode† hybrid vehicle, combining a combustion engine with two electronic engines. This design is aimed towards improving the performance, fuel consumption, emissions and range of conventional hybrid vehicles. The primary goal of modern hybrid systems is to save fuel. †¢Commitment to customers BMWs’ main goal is to focus on getting the product to the customer as quickly as possible. BMW has a program known as the â€Å"Customer oriented sales and production process. † This way, the customer is able to make any last minute changes to the equipment and accessories they’ve ordered shortly before the vehicle goes to assembly-without delaying the date of delivery. †¢Design Work design process of building vehicles is done by California Innovation Triangle. This state of the art firm uses computers to help aid the process of design. The highlight of this facility is what the industry has begun to call â€Å"the model plate. † The model plate is a measurement system that transfers the contours of the object being scanned to computers where a 3D model is produced. The designers can then go in and make changes to the object through the computer in order to make the part as suitable for its intended use as possible. What makes this machine so rare is the size of object that can be scanned. The model plate can scan very large object, up to the size of an omnibus. With the use of this technology BMW and California Innovation Triangle are able to layout and design entire vehicles piece by piece. †¢Involvement in community South Africa serves as good example of BMW’s social commitment. BMW works to bring change from within by enacting equality in the workface, and investing not only in the business, but also in education, healthcare and recreational facilities for employees. The factory at Rosslyn, near Pretoria, evolved from a CKD facility to serve the old South Africa, into a sophisticated facility that is now part of BMW’s international production-distribution network. This risk BMW took provided South Africa the ability to export. And in 2002, the South African factory captured the J. D. Power and Associates gold award for initial production quality. †¢Environmental commitment BMW factories meet the demanding ISO 14001 environmental standards worldwide. This is not only true for the oldest BMW factory in the city of Munich and at 10 year old American plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, but also with new factories in emerging and less regulated markets like Thailand and Russia. Excellence through quality innovation-BMW Group’s success is its strategic focus on developing customer-friendly innovations, coupled with an approach to innovations management that is unique within the motor industry. From features like the twin-flat motorcycle engine, V-shaped overhead valves, and hemispherical combustion chambers introduced on the classics of the 1920s and 30s, to modern technology including ABS brakes, Xenon lights, smart airbags, the head protection system, Valvetronic and iDrive, BMW constantly reinforces its credibility as a premium manufacturer Management-Chief executive, Norbert Reithofer, who took office on September 1, will be seeking to build on the Bavarians’ global momentum. Reithofer has a brilliant track record as head of production, such as combining lean manufacturing and Japanese-like continual improvement with benchmark flexibility for a premium automaker which gives BMW a big cost advantage over leading competition and making it tough for competitors like Mercedes to gain any ground. †¢Young customer base-With the Mini and series 3, BMW has a significant dvantage of gaining younger and first time purchasers over other luxury brands. The youth market is critically important because if a young buyer chooses a particular brand for a first car, he or she is more than likely to buy others with the same name plate as they mature and move up in the market. Even though buyers in the 16-35 age category only accounted for a small percentage of overall sales it is important to gain there sales because as the old marketing principle goes it is easier to keep a customer than to gain new ones. WEAKNESSES †¢New Models-Is it really worth developing new models? It entails expenses along with shipping prices. Each day BMW is striving to produce and develop new cars to satisfy the customers. In the long run, who actually knows if these cars are going to be a big hit. The company might actually be wasting their time and money in producing a model that will not be worthwhile. When developing and producing cars it is important to decipher whether or not the car will become one that is popular on the market. †¢BMW’s heavy cost German base. -More and more competitors are shifting product development activities to lower cost countries. BMW could be forced to negotiate a way to maintain cost competitiveness and its reputation for German engineering excellence made in different countries. †¢Price-Another weakness of the BMW industry is getting the customers to buy these cars. Yes, the hybrid vehicle will save you fuel, but it will be so expensive that it might be hard trying to find customers to buy them at such a high price. Another reason the price of the vehicle is so high is because they are shipped across the United States and also come from a factory in Germany. The expenses of the vehicles and the shipping rate are two key weaknesses that many companies must work with. †¢Motorcycle Sales-The European market accounts for more than 60% of BMWs motorcycle sales on an average. The group is heavily dependent on this region with Germany being one of the largest markets for its motorcycles business. With the demand in Germany being highly inconsistent in the past six years, this high dependence on a particular region can have an adverse effect on the companys sales, during periods of demand stagnation in the region. For example, BMWs motorcycle sales in Germany declined by 9. % to 24,064 units in 2005, which further declined to 23,617 units in 2006. †¢Corporate image-too serious ad tradition-bound. †¢Hybrid Prices-These types of cars will save you a lot of money on fuel, but the problem BMW is having trouble with is pricing the hybrids. It would be hard for BMW to find customers that would buy the hybrids at a high cost. †¢Ship ment Cost-Most of the cars are shipped from Germany to the United States. The shipping cost would affect the price of the car. This is one the expenses that the BMW company’s would have to deal with in pricing their vehicles for the customers satisfaction. Online Strategies-BMW is not winning the â€Å"information war† in the market place about its own customers, their attitudes, complaints, wishes, etc. BMW is not operating in a manner, which acts to â€Å"include† its customers including their meeting and information sharing sources. Existing online efforts do not meet consumer needs. There is a lack of â€Å"human intelligence† and an over-reliance on visual marketing in BMW’s on-line strategies. †¢Dealer Networks-BMW’s dealer network is in the midst of great change. Overall basic product margins are down while business infrastructure requirements are up. Many dealers do not feel that the field reps are there to help them build their business but rather just to comment arbitrarily and deliver business change requirements from BMW headquarters. There is a problem with two way information flow in the distributor-dealer relationship. Dealers feel that they are not being listened to and are also not being serviced in critical areas of their business by BMWNA staff. †¢Management-Dealers want to be able to discuss key elements of their business given their limited capital resources. Given the size and nature of he motorcycle market many dealers feel that BMW’s current policies are overly restrictive to the healthy development of their business and that BMWNA should operate in a more flexible manner which could be seen as co-development of a dealer’s franchise not just top-down management by memo. †¢Changing Consumer Environments-Also, as it appears that BMW’s dealer strategy is to move to larger centralized â €˜corporate style’ stores, many of the smaller ‘mom and pop’ dealerships that historically or currently serve a key segment of the BMW owners/riders are being alienated and/or eliminated. By following this policy of upgrade or be eliminated BMW is removing both the habitat in which the consumers live as well as the knowledge base and support structure from which they engage in BMW oriented motorcycle commerce. OPPORTUNITIES †¢India-The Company has been launching several new initiatives and has been widening its product base since 2001. The company expects ample growth opportunities in India, and it is keen on expanding its bases in these countries. †¢The expansion of the euro. -In May 2004 more countries adopted the euro making it the world’s biggest trading block. This offers ample opportunities for BMW to leverage its strong European position in the premium car segment to gather more market share across new and expanding markets. †¢A Chinese luxury car market-Rigorous attempt to get into the Chinese luxury car market signifies an increase in the earnings of the company over the coming years. China already ranks as the third largest market for BMW’s 7 Series luxury limousines. BMW predicts that vigorous growth will place China among the company’s seven largest markets in a few more years. †¢Diesel Power-BMW foresees an immense opportunity in the diesel-powered cars segment. Tourism-the Zentrum building is located in South Carolina. This gives tourists the opportunity to take a look at the history of BMW, also at the cars, the speed and innovation free of charge. It is the only BMW museum in the United States. It is also located next to the only BMW manufacturing plant in the United States. BMW should take a look into bu ilding more museums throughout the world. †¢Expansion-although BMW is very successful they should think about expanding their manufacturing plants throughout the United States and other countries. They only have one location in the United States which is in South Carolina. †¢Have the best and most current technology-It is important for BMW to have the best research and development staff where they can keep the company up-to-date with technology. With the latest technology and supplies, BMW can create the best cars the fastest and most efficient way possible. †¢Broaden information sharing -BMW should broaden information sharing amongst their dealers, distributors, and factory. This will improve product repair knowledge resulting in improved customer service and satisfaction. Improve and run their business based on their business plan-Improving the capabilities of dealers to sell more BMW products in the marketplace through refinement of their business plan †¢Utilize the Internet more-Multiply the value of the ‘human capital’ in the BMW network by â€Å"e-knowledge† and â€Å"e-training. † †¢Better training of their salespeople-Deve lopment and implementation of business practices that harness the best of each individual dealer and make their unique market position/skills a valuable part of the entire network. Partnering with Sirius Radio-In 2005, BMW partnered with Sirius Satellite Radio to promote its new 3-serious car for 44 days. BMW used Sirius to promote its new car because the radio station had 1. 24 million subscribers and still growing. On the final day of promotion it broadcasted a live concert with various artists. †¢Acquiring Volvo-The chairman of BMW, Dr. Norbert Reithofer, is plan on expanding the business with a fourth brand name, Volvo. Although sales of Volvo has been slow in the North American and Europe, its brand name focuses mainly on safety and its fashion appeal is not attractive to the eye. BMW could help out by acquiring the company to make it a more global brand, also in the Asian Market. †¢Apple iPhone-The new Apple iPhone is one of the next best things of phones. It is a touch screen phone with a built in iPod. This would give BMW the opportunity to integrate the iPhone into their cars. †¢China market-An opportunity for BMW is the increase in the luxury automobile market in china. The most significant growth of the luxury market can be attributed to Jiangsu province which has created an 84 percent increase. Next to Jiangsu is Guangdong, making 79 percent recorded growth in the market. On the other hand, Zhejiang province also bagged a 54 percent increase. THREATS †¢Demand Patterns-BMW operates in an industry that is prone to cyclical demand patterns due to consumer wants and needs. †¢Currency-Any unfavorable trend in Euro valuation against major currencies can hurt BMWs performance. †¢Fuel Efficiency-While BMW continues to work on high performance, clean and efficient gasoline engines, the company is also committed to a green-house-gas- free hydrogen powered vehicle as a long-term strategy. At this time we have an active development program that will enable us still to bring to market a full size automobile, propelled with hydrogen, before the end of the decade. †¢The continuing decline of the dollar against the euro-This threatens to undercut BMW’s top-line thereby tempering its profitability. The euro to one-dollar ratio has dropped from 0. 702626 euros to 0. 690376 euros from October to November. †¢The rising price of raw materials -Materials such as steel threaten to offset the company’s earnings. BMW continues to face the rising cost of raw materials as the key challenge to maintain and improve their growth performance. The annual average market price of aluminum, copper and plastic rose by 34%, 76% and 13%, respectively, in 2006. Likewise, the price of industrial raw materials also increased by more than 30% in 2006. †¢Rising gas prices – with a weak U. S. market, steadily rising gas prices and gaining popularity in non-luxury vehicles there is the temptation to move down market.

American Sign Language As A Language Education Essay

American Sign Language As A Language Education Essay In this chapter, a review of the literature that serves as a foundation for this study is presented. The literature review addresses the theoretical basis of considering American Sign Language as a language, issues in the administration of modern/foreign language programs that parallel the concerns of sign language program administrators, national language program standards, the history of the teaching and administration of post-secondary sign language programs including information on the academic acceptance of sign language in higher education. Concluding this chapter will be a discussion on the state of the literature. American Sign Language as a Language The discussion of ASL and its membership as a language did not occur before William Stokoe, of Gallaudet University in Washington D.C., breached the topic in 1955. Many educators believed sign language was a system of pantomime or broken English. This belief was also held by the deaf individuals themselves (Miller, 2008). Stokoe believed that ASL was indeed a naturally occurring and distinct language ustilized by deaf people and could be studied as a language (Stokoe, 1960 ). Stokoes research spanned from 1955 to 1965 and covered signing as a linguistic system and signs as a part of the system. The first American Sign Language Dictionary was published in 1965 at the conclusion of the first part of Stokoes research. The focus part of Stokeoes continued research focused on the syntax of the language and its importance to teaching English to deaf children. Dr Stokoe asserts he was in constant contact with the Center for Applied Linguistics, the Georgetown University School of Language a nd Linguistics, and the Washington Linguistics Club, laying the foundation and belief that parts of sign language grammar paralleled parts of the languages they were studying (Stokoe, 1990). Stokoe believed signs could be taken apart and analyzed into parts allowing researchers and linguists to study how the language works, how they evolved, and how they could be taught. The work of William Stokoe was not widely accepted among all professionals. Since the 1970s many have argued against the language classification for ASL and especially that of foreign language (Stokoe, 1960; Wilcox, 1990). ASL was studied and analyzed without further evidence that it was a full blown language. Questions have been raised regarding ASLs legitimacy as a foreign language. The following are a set of questions that are common among critics of ASL. (a) Isnt ASL indigenous to the United States and therefore not foreign? (b) Isnt ASL a derivative of English which would disqualify it as a separate language? (c) Is ASL naturally occurring and evolving? (d) If ASL is not written, how can it have a culture? (e) Is there a body of literature to support ASL and its culture? All of these questions have been asked over the decades and have been the major road blocks to ASL being recognized as a language. William Stokoe effectively answered these questions over several years which have been supported by several other scholars in linguistics and culture. In response to the questions regarding whether or not ASL is a language, Stokoe explains in detail with books and dictionaries the morphology, phonology, syntax, as well as semantics and pragmatics and how it differs from that of English or other spoken languages (Stokoe, 1960). Wilcox Peyton (1999) state, ASL is a fully developed language, one of hundreds of naturally occurring sign languages in the world. Conover (1997) states that one is not likely to find much opposition to ASL as a language form linguists, however the most resistance comes from colleges and universities who do not believe ASL should be taught as a foreign language (Miller, 2008). There is a great deal of research, according to Wilcox Peyton (1999), which demonstrates that ASL grammar is radically different from English grammar; it contains structures and process es which English lacks (Wilcox, 1999; Vigoda, 1993). When comparing American Sign Language to other accepted foreign languages one must take in to account that Navajo and several other Native American languages are widely accepted as foreign languages, being even more indigenous to America than ASL. A language need not be foreign to be considered a foreign language (Wilcox, S. Wilcox, P., 1991). In response to the literature question, researchers have found a vast body of literature among deaf people (Cooper et al, 2008; Armstrong, 1988). The literature is not in a written traditional form but, like Native American languages, through story telling passed from generation to generation. With modern technology these very old stories can now be viewed on the internet and on DVDs. The widespread use of storytelling in deaf culture has become more and more available to the general population. ASL continues to be a topic of research at numerous universities and has evolved to be the lead topic in language acquisition, eurolinguistics, psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, anthropology, cognitive studies, teaching methods, and assessment of sign language skills (Jacobowitz, 2005; Miller, 2008). Empirical research on language in the human brain has provided support for Stokoes initial findings. Studies focused on neural processing of signed language found the same areas of the brain are used to process spoken language (Hickok et al., 2001). The New York Times in 1992 argues ASL is a language because it uses the same elements of spoken language and is organized like any other spoken language (Hickok et al., 2001; Stokoe, 2005). Two linguists from the Salk Institute, Klima and Bellugi (1979) began studying sign language in the 1960s, they wondered whether ASL was an language as other linguists understand that concept. The findings of Klima and Bellugi (1979) supported the linguistic components of ASL, which they called a complexly structured language with a highly articulated grammar, a language that exhibits many of the fundamental properties linguists have posited for all languages (p. 4). Definitions of ASL continued in 1980 with Baker and Cokely indicating ASL is a visual-gestural language created by deaf people (p. 47). They defined the language as a system of relatively arbitrary symbols and grammatical signals that change across time and that members of a community share and use for several purposes: to interact with each other, to communicate their ideas, emotions, intentions, and to transmit their culture from generation to generation (p. 31). Issues of Administration Administrators of LOTE programs often face issues that are not unique to their program. Instructors of American Sign Language often rely on the philosophies, policies, theories, and strategies used in other programs that teach LOTE. Concerns faced by ASL administrators often face similar concerns of LOTE Administrators. A study conducted by the MLA in 1989 showed that language requirements varied depending on the type of language program, and type of institution. More than half of the institutions surveyed (58.5% public, 41.5% private) viewed language study as essential to a well-rounded education (Cooper, 1997, p.29; Huber, 1989). Additionally the MLA study indicated that 87% of the institutions housed all languages within one divisional unit. Of those institutions the languages were housed with other non-language courses and in departments outside of the language emphasis such as philosophy and Humanities. Essentially, the study finds that administrative decisions regarding language instruction was made by departments and administrators with no experience in LOTE. Huber (1989) suggests foreign language instruction may take a secondary role to English when both are offered in the same department. Over half (56%) that offered a degree in English did not offer a degree in LOTE, and those that offered a MA in English only offered a BA in some of the other languages. Huber (1989) also suggests that language programs may be housed in non-language departments because of resource restraints or low student interest. A study of 1000 foreign language department chairs done by Cardenas (1988) indicated over seventy percent (73.7%) of the respondents found one of the most frustrating pieces of administration of the language departments was the lack of momentum with their own research and teaching. Much of the frustration was motivating unproductive faculty (60.2%), faculty evaluations (54.3%), managing the budget (51.7%), and recruiting part-time faculty (48.3%). National Language Program Standards The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) states as part of their philosophy that Language and communication are at the heart of the human experience (ACTFL).   The organization goes on to say they envision a future in which ALL students will develop and maintain proficiency in English and at least one other language, modern or classical (ACTFL). In essence these statements open the door for all forms of communication that meet the standards of language learning. The Standards for Foreign Language Learning; Preparing for the 21st Century has been a mainstay for guidance of foreign language instruction. These standards, according to the ACTFL, are called the 5 Cs (Communicate, Culture, Connect, Compare, and Community). According to Lear and Abbott (2008) To comply with these standards, the successful student will use language to communicate for real purposes, understand multicultural and global issues, connect with other disciplines and acquire new knowledge, make comparisons with their own language and culture, and participate in multilingual communities(Lear Abbott, 2008, p. 77) (Table 1). A language program should attempt as much of the 5 Cs as possible, however little discussion is found to what extent each must be accomplished (Lear Abbott, 2008). It is widely accepted that goal 5 is difficult to accomplish in a closed classroom setting. In a position paper by the ACTFL in 2011 ASL was recognized as a LOTE when it stated, Communication for a classical language refers to an emphasis on reading ability and for American Sign Language (ASL) to signed communicative ability (ACTFL Position Statements, 2011). The publication of Standards became known as the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¢genericà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬- version of standards in that it addressed issues and delineated standards common to all second-language learning yet contained examples in many languages (Phillips, J. Abbott, M. 2011, p.1). From 2005 to 2010, the American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA) and the National Consortium of Interpreter Education Centers (NCIEC) collaborated on Table 1. A complete listing of ACTFLs Standards for Foreign Language Learning. Communication Communicate in Language Other Than English Standard 1.1: Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions. Standard 1.2: Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics. Standard 1.3: Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics. Cultures Gain Knowledge and Understanding of Other Cultures Standard 2.1: Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the culture studied. Standard 2.2: Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the culture studied. Connections Connect with Other Disciplines and Acquire Information Standard 3.1: Students reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the foreign language. Standard 3.2: Students acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the foreign language and its cultures. Comparisons Develop Insight in the Nature of Language and Culture Standard 4.1: Students demonstrate understanding of the nature of language through comparisons of the language studied and their own. Standard 4.2: Students demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the cultures studied and their own. Communities Participate in Multilingual Communities at Home and Around the World Standard 5.1: Students use the language both within and beyond the school setting. Standard 5.2: Students show evidence of becoming life-long learners by using the language for personal enjoyment and enrichment. the development of standards for ASL instruction as a guide to teachers and administrators of sign language programs. These standards utilized the ACTFLs Standards for Foreign Language Learning framework. The standards use the same 5 Cs of language instruction and are printed as part of the 2012 ACTFL Standards for Foreign Language Learning (Phillips, J. Abbott, M. 2011). Originally the standards were written with nine languages being considered: Chinese, Classical Languages, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish the Standards have expanded to include languages other than the original nine. Standards for learning Arabic are now in the printed version; they have also been developed for Hindi, Swahili, Korean and American Sign Language (Phillips, J. Abbott, M. 2011). History of Academic Acceptance of Sign Language Sign Language appeared as a language for the first time beginning in the mid-1960s when Stoke, Casterline, and Croneberg published the Dictionary of American Sign Language on Linguistic Principles. This event gave linguistic recognition to ASL for the first time in its history, although very few people recognized the event as significant (Wilcox, S. Wilcox, P, 1991). Depaul University has been recognized as the first university in the United States to offer sign language classes in 1965 (Shroyer Holmes, 1980). The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) built a Communication Skills Program in 1967 in an attempt to spur language acquisition in schools, universities and programs who serve deaf people by offering sign language classes (Newel, 1995a). During the same period of time several sign systems were invented to assist in teaching deaf children English. The most popular systems used were Seeing Essential English (SEE I), Linguistics of Visual English (LOVE), and Signing Exact English (SEE II) (Cooper, 1997). The purpose of these sign systems was to simplify the process of teaching English to deaf children; however, over time they became recognized as sign systems and were taught as varying sign language classed in colleges and universities (Cooper 1997). Other events in the 1960s and 1970s contributed to the increased availability of sign language classes in schools and higher education. Research and publications by Stoke (1966 1990), Klimba and Bellugi (1979), Wilbur (1979, 1987), and Cokely and Baker (1980) added support for the general acceptance of ASL as a language (Cooper, 1997). Legislation also played an important role for sign language in the schools as the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and PL94-142 of 1975 expanded the requirement to provide Sign Language Interpreters in the classroom as a service for deaf students. The caused an increased need for skilled hearing individuals to learn sign language so that interpreters may be available in the schools when required. Interpreter training programs gained federal funding in an effort to relieve the pressure for skilled interpreters (Newell, 1995b). Implications for Future Research Additional and ongoing research regarding individual views regarding sign language is needed including tracking the growth of programs nationally would be beneficial. Future research in development of ASL programs regionally is essential particularly as it partners with LOTE programs. Current data on institutions that recognize ASL as a LOTE and houses it with other languages is important. Particular interest regarding institutions that discontinue their programs and the reasons behind it would be valued. This study did not address certifications of teachers currently working as ASL instructors however data regarding the fact is needed to assess future needs in training instructors in the language. The correlation of signing and non-signing administrators was not examined. Neither was the ethnicity or gender discussed although this would be interesting to research for further influence among minorities and genders. Evaluation of the State of the Literature Regarding current research the surveys administered should be shorter in length to increase the participation rate of responders. Additional information regarding majors, minors, and other university requirements would be helpful including where the sign language program is housed. For example, knowing if the program is a stand-alone program, part of another language department, or listed for credit as an elective would assist institutions in making decisions on language administration. The research to this point in history has focused mainly on which schools accept ASL for credit and the overarching reasons why some may not accept it. Not a lot of research has been done to discuss the programs reasons for acceptance or the process of approval if they were able to secure approval. This research attempts to answer the question many researchers failed to answer, which is a more detailed understanding of personal views of ASL by administrators of languages other than English. Past research has been able to list categories of rejection or acceptance and attempted to list which institutions have been able to recognize sign language for credit on par with other languages at the institutions. The question left unanswered are at what level does ASL receive the most support or resistance in the process of gaining recognition as a language at the institutions. This is important for future organizations who seek approval at various colleges and universities. Additionally, the overall acceptance of sign language in various countries would also be valued to find the international point of view of sign language as it is compared to the United States.