Major Changes in Kuwaiti Culture and Economy during the Past 20 Years Research Paper

Major Changes in Kuwaiti Culture and Economy during the Past 20 Years - Research Paper Example A marketing technique that works in, say, North America, may not work on another continent, like Asia. Using the same marketing method may actually backfire and even cause harm to a product or service when used in a country with a different culture (TradePals). The following factors need to be considered in international marketing: International marketing research plays an important role in the identification and development of a company’s strategies for internationalization. It enables a business to identify, evaluate and compare potential foreign market opportunities and develop a marketing plan. Research also provides a company with foreign market intelligence to help it anticipate events, take appropriate action, and prepare for global changes. Kuwait is located between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, and a short trip across the Persian Gulf from Iran. Kuwait was nominally part of the Ottoman Empire until 1899 when it fell under British protection. It remained a British protectorate until 1961, although Britain granted independence to Kuwait in 1914. Oil was discovered in 1938, and Kuwait is believed to have about 10 per cent of the worlds known oil reserves. With little arable land or natural fresh water with which to grow crops, petroleum dominates the Kuwaiti economy. Presently, Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy headed since 1977 by Amir Jabir al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah. Political parties are illegal in its 50-seat, popularly elected legislature, but several informal political groups — including Muslim groups — have put up candidates. Eighty-five per cent of Kuwaiti residents are Muslim, and only 45 per cent of the nation's residents are ethnic Kuwaitis. Others are mostly from elsewhere in the region. In August 1990, Iraq attacked and invaded Kuwait. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a UN-mandated coalition led by the United States began a ground assault in February 1991 that liberated  Kuwait.  

Report on the Religious Life of Planet Earth Essay

Report on the Religious Life of Planet Earth - Essay Example This article will explain what religion looks like. It will provide examples of three beliefs related to religion in line with the function of religion to the survival of human kind. Religion can be defined as a collection of belief systems, cultural systems and worldwide views which relate humanity to the spiritual world (Pope, 1996). In most cases, religions have various symbols, which have their meanings. Certain individuals claim that religion is the act of believing in a supreme being. Most scholars in the discipline of science believe that religion was formulated in order to manipulate humankind. However, other individuals claim that religion is a way of life. As an alien trying to determine the aspect of religion in the world, it is prevalent that the earth is a religious planet. Contrarily, different individuals have different opinions regarding religious status. One of the most prevalent examples that point out the existence of religion on earth is the gathering of individua ls in fellowship (Pope, 1996). Individuals usually gather in certain places in order to fellowship and give thanks to their creator. Therefore, it is necessary to be committed to a certain religion in order to appreciate and understand the teachings. In addition, the philosophy of religion also reveals the existence of religion. It is prevalent that religion would be non-existent if there was no philosophy of religion. Recently, most of the individuals who claim to be religious usually spend most of their time reflecting about the existence of a supreme being. Moreover, they are significantly inspired when they take part in worship acts (Pope, 1996). The planet earth also meets the specifications of a religious planet. This is because approximately 84% of the population comprise of followers of one of the 23 radical religions that are known to the human species (Pope, 1996). Religion enables individuals to understand certain concepts hence; sustaining morality. According to empirica l research, religion plays an essential function in planet earth. For instance, religion helps human beings to define who they are. Additionally, religion holds the society together through the provision of human desires such as integrity, discipline, love and empathy. Some of the individuals believe that religion has a medicinal value that is portrayed through healing especially after prayers. Furthermore, religion also ensures that human beings are able to live according to the guidelines of human life (Pope, 1996). While observing the aspect of religion on earth, I found out that religion was extremely crucial among the believers. As stated above, religion is defined as a response to the dimensions of life which are regarded sacred. Religion can also be defined, by the way an individual prefers to worship and perform their spiritual practices. Research asserts that there are three main religions that are recognized all over the world. They include Christianity, Islam, and Hinduis m (Pope, 1996). In conclusion, the Christians believe in the existence of God who is the sole creator of everything in the universe. In addition, they usually quote the scriptures enshrined in the Holy Bible which resembles an instruction sheet. On the other hand, Muslims believe in a supreme being named Allah.

Business ethics Essay Example for Free

Business ethics Essay In business there will always be the line to act with integrity or to lie, cheat, and steal. Famous author Douglas Adams once said, â€Å"To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity† (Heathfield, n. d). The priority of any business is to serve the needs and wants of the customer and more important his or her stakeholders. Any business decision made in major corporations must line up with stakeholder’s interests, but more important stakeholders have the social responsibility to represent in the best interest of the entire corporation. The prevalence of so many major scandals with corporations caught in the public is drawing much needed attention on concepts of ethic, and social responsibility. Ethics and corporate responsibility is a direct application of the ideas of in business practice. This papers purpose is to explain the role of ethics and social responsibility in building a strategic plan while incorporating the stakeholder interests. Business execs have the responsibility to adhering to the unspoken ethics they have only not taught but also have enforced by society and the law. Ethics are inherently common sense decisions made by those in authority with the power to affect an entire organization. When, business executives make decisions they must consider business ethics and the organizations (stakeholders) values. Once the essential questions ask is, â€Å"Do the organization’s values reflect accepted society values? (Young, 2004) Business executives must execute strategic business plans where they take into account not only each value associated with each choice, but the consequences of each choice. The interests of the stakeholder are one of the prime obligations of an organization. The demands of the stakeholders are generally to increase profits; this is echoed by economist Milton Friedman, the â€Å"one and only one social responsibility of business is to increase its profits, assuming an honest and open marketplace†. (Bigelow, 2013), According to Friedman also that corporations owe no responsibilities to society. However, critics will disagree that corporate social responsibility is always to put the customer first, which ensures a customer’s happiness and loyalty. Stakeholders are not only investors into companies but they also have voting power, which carries social, and financial influence within the company. Their social responsibility is to the customers and to the employees (Jones, 2012). They have decision power, and ultimate control over allocation of resources. Corporations and organizations ultimately exist to satisfy the needs and agendas of the stakeholders. The problem lies in, however; when the needs and the agendas of the stakeholders can blur the line between what is ethically right and what is considered against the law. The organization’s obligation to the stakeholder is as much as a priority as the relationship to the public. â€Å"The relationship between a customer and a firm exists because of mutual expectations built on trust, good faith, and fair dealing in their interaction† (Ferrell). When creating a strategic business plan the organization must incorporate its social responsibilities for the customer, and prevent any ethical dilemmas. Clear examples that recently have captivated the news over the decade has been the highly publicized cases of Waste Management, Enron, WorldCom, Tyco, HealthSouth, which exaggerated earnings to meet the expectations of stakeholders, Freddie Mac, AIG, Bernie Madoff, and host of others. These examples of accounting fraud, manipulation of books, and stealing from clients made by top executives in the position to meet the expectations of stakeholders and not making ethically sound decisions. To prevent these scandals from occurring, ruining not only the organization, the employees but also the public’s faith within the corporate world, according to research ethical risk management is an option dependent on the infrastructure in which it promotes ethical conduct and standards. The directives and the support from management in the way it manages potential problems with the lack of ethical standards. Because of the number of scandals not only have businesses implemented stronger measures for ethical practices but also have the legal systems. The establishment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) in 2002, which came after the scandal of WorldCom, was because the number of major corporations collapsing under the weight of their own unethical practices. According to the SEC, â€Å"the Act mandated a number of reforms to enhance corporate responsibility, enhance financial disclosures and combat corporate and accounting fraud, and created the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, also known as the PCAOB, to oversee the activities of the auditing profession† (SEC, 2012). Ethics is a fundamental part of compliance and governance systems. Ethics explicitly should integrate into the elements of strategic planning in businesses. In determining the roles that factor into managing stakeholder’s interests ethically organizations must first take into consideration that the business is the first line of defense in taking responsibility for managing and supervising corporate responsibility effective in accordance with the level of influence the business set by the organization. Executives in a position to communicate to stakeholders must always implement ethical decisions when balancing their needs and the organizations’. The executives must be responsible in providing clarification and verification of ethical standards in place. The executives must drive the culture and work environment of compliance toward ethical standards and practices to ensure the effectiveness. Business ethics is important in every organization and the main responsibility is to act with integrity and honesty. References Ferrall, O. C. (2004). Business ethics and customer stakeholders. Academy of Management Executive, 18(2), retrieved from http://danielsethics. mgt. unm. edu/pdf/Customer Stakeholders. pdf. Bigelow, L. (2013). What are the social responsibilities of a company to its stakeholders? Hearst Newspapers, Retrieved from http://smallbusiness. chron. com Heathfield, S. (n. d. ). Inspirational quotes for business and work: Integrity. Retrieved from http://humanresources. about. com Young, P. (2004). Ethics and risk management: Building a framework. Risk Management, 6(3), 23-34. Retrieved from http://www. jstor. org â€Å"The Laws That Govern the Securities Industry. † (2012). SEC. Retrieved from http://www. irmi. com/expert/articles/2005/head02. aspx.

Project Management Gantt And Schedules Construction Essay

Project Management Gantt And Schedules Construction Essay Project Management is a huge subject and without it, construction or engineering projects as we know them today simply could not be undertaken. Project management has needed to adapt as the industry has grown and methods have developed particular in the last century, which has seen possibly the greatest transformation of all. Some aspects of Project management have had to be adapted with this whereas others have led the way to change, thanks to innovative thinking from the likes of Fayol and Maslow. The successful management of a civil engineering project depends upon a number of factors. Planning, Organisation, Communication, Decisiveness are all subcategories that need managed. It is imperative that the right procedures are put in place at the start of the project. Good project management will allow for excellent organisation and tracking; better control and use of resources; reduced complexity and early identification of problems leading to quicker correction. A project manager should have a sound body of knowledge that will include the nine core areas of scope, time, cost, risk, integration, quality, procurement, communications and human resources. In addition to a project engineers professional judgement they will need to call upon the necessary tools in order to manage a project successfully, which could include past or similar tasks undertaken or specific management tools, such as charts and schedules. History of Scheduling Gantt charts were developed by mechanical engineer, Henry Laurence Gantt in the early 20th century as a visual tool to show scheduled and actual progress of projects. Although commonplace, today the Gantt chart was fundamental change in the way projects were managed at the time. Gantt charts were first used on high profile construction projects like the Hoover Dam (1931) and the interstate highway network (1956). Complex network diagrams called PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) charts were invented as part of the Polaris missile submarine program in 1955. Booz-Allen Hamilton worked with the U.S. Navy to create these charts and schedules. The Critical Path Method (CPM) was developed by the DuPont corporation in 1957, to deal with a variety of tasks and numerous interactions at many points in time. Arguably, the evolution of modern project management is a direct consequence of the need to make effective use of the data generated by the schedulers in an attempt to manage and control the critical path. The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) was initially developed by the U.S. defence department, as an advancement of the PERT system noted above. In 1968, it was issued as a military standard, which required the use of work breakdown structures across the U.S. defence department. The standard has been revised and updated over the years and is still in use today. Project Installing new steel beams throughout an existing masonry building and adding a new floor. The project will start on January the 14th and is to be completed by Friday the 29th of March. List of Tasks I have assumed the process of this project management starting from the design phase. Existing masonry strength investigated/tested for ability to take loads Building survey to set out the masonry piers and levels Steelwork design required based on loads to be imposed /spans between piers Timber floor joists and edge restraints designed (with timber plywood deck to act as structural diaphragm). Fabrication drawings completed and issued for tender Steel Tender period Fabricator chosen and contract signed for steelwork Fabrication commences Method statement to complete (Health and Safety) Method statement approved by CDM co-ordinator Erection of scaffolding around piers Existing general masonry repair to piers Masonry removal for padstone and bearing end of beams Padstone installation (Pouring of the in-situ concrete padstone) Concrete padstone curing Ordering of steel installation equipment (crane rig or cherry pickers) Steel delivery to site Steel erection and fixing Timber cut on site Timber floor joists fitted Plywood cut to size Timber edge restraints fixed Plywood decking fitted. Scaffolding around piers removed Project handed over to client for fit out As built drawings records sent to Building Control Project Completion. The importance of getting this engineering aspect of the project completed on time (using affective and accurate scheduling) will allow the decking to be fitted and make the floor usable, enabling the fit out to commence on time and without the need for expensive temporary platforms. Estimated resources and time periods for the tasks Task resources for personnel- abbreviations for use in tables, charts etc. PM Project Manager SU Surveyor SE Structural Engineer FB Steel Fabricator SW Site Workers HS CDM co-ordinator (Health Safety) Estimated No. of days required to complete the task. Personnel resource abbreviation Breakdown of time and resources example Detailed name of the task from task list on previous page Shortened task name as it will appear in schedules PM 0 Days Existing masonry strength investigated/tested for ability to take loads Existing Masonry Test SU 7 Days Building survey to set out the masonry piers and levels Building Survey SU 3 Days Steelwork design required based on loads to be imposed /spans between piers Steelwork Design SE 4 Days Timber floor joists and edge restraints designed Timber Design SE 3 Days Fabrication drawings completed and issued for tender Fabrication Drgs SE 3 Days Steel Tender period Steel Tender Period FB 7 Days Fabricator chosen and contract signed for steelwork Fabrication Contracts PM N/A Steel fabrication commences Steel Fabrication FB 15 Days Method statements to complete (Health and Safety) Method Statements PM 2 Days Method statement approved by CDM co-ordinator CDM Approval HS 5 Days Erection of scaffolding around piers Scaffolding SW 3 Days Existing general masonry repair to piers Masonry Repair SW 2 Days Masonry removal for padstone and bearing end of beams Masonry Removal SW 2 Days Padstone installation (Pouring of the in-situ concrete padstone) Padstone Installation SW 2 Days Concrete padstone curing Concrete Curing N/A 3 Days Ordering of steel installation equipment (crane rig or cherry picker) Plant Order PM N/A Steel delivery to site Steel Delivery FB 1 Day Steel erection and fixing Steel Erection SW 2 Days Timber cut on site to fit Cutting Timber SW 1 Days Timber floor joists fitted Timber Joists SW 4 Days Timber edge restraints fixed Timber Restraints SW 3 Days Plywood cut to size Cutting Plywood SW 1 Day Plywood decking fitted Plywood Deck Fixed SW 1 Day Scaffolding around piers removed Scaffolding Removal SW 1 Day Project handed over to client for fit out Project Hand Over PM N/A As built drawings records sent to Building Control As Built Records PM 1 Day Project Completed Project Completed N/A N/A Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) The WBS communicates a clear view of the total scope of the project, providing a logical and coherent statement of what the project comprises of. The WBS is neither over-simplified or overly complex. It is not a project plan or a project schedule, and it is not a chronological listing. A coding system is implemented to enable cost, schedule, technical and other data to be cross referenced across a project. The project manager is to structure the project work into WBS elements that are: Definable can be described and easily understood by project participants. Manageable a unit of work where specific responsibility/authority can be assigned. Estimate duration and cost can be estimated in terms of resources. Independent minimum dependence on other on-going elements (i.e. assignable to a single task), and clearly distinguishable from other work packages. Integrate integrates with other project work elements and with higher level cost estimates and schedules to include the entire project. Measurable can be used to measure progress; has start and completion dates and measurable milestones. Adaptable sufficiently flexible so the addition/elimination of work scope can be accommodated in the WBS framework. On the following pages are two different forms of the WBS. A standard tabular view used for quick reference / easy production, and the more familiar tree structure view; used to show more clearly the flow of tasks and their relationships. Gantt Charts A common technique for scheduling construction activities is the Gantt chart, named after the developer Henry Laurence Gantt, as mentioned in the introduction section. The Gantt chart lists the construction tasks that need to be performed down a single column, generally in the order in which they are to be carried out, along with a second column indicating the length of time required to complete each task. At the top of the chart, dates for the construction project are noted in a horizontal row. To the right of each task a line/bar indicates the starting date to the completion date for that task. All tasks in the first column are charted in this manner across the rows of the chart, with the bar for each task beginning at the earliest possible starting date. Many tasks must be completed in sequence, requiring the completion of one activity before the next can be started, although some tasks may be completed independently of other work and can be charted when the work is most convenient. The charting of activities allows the project manager to identify critical points in the construction schedule and provides the opportunity to adjust the tasks to meet schedule demands. Gantt charting is useful for small projects that must be completed in a linear manner, or one step after the other, and for contractors who have small crews and can only engage in one activity at a time. Most Gantt charts these days are constructed using computer scheduling programs. Templates provide a listing of typical construction tasks so the project manager only has to insert the duration of the work; scheduling programs have advanced to the point where data about the activities, such as duration and sequence, can be provided and the entire chart generated. For my worked example I have used Microsoft Project. On the following page is a Gantt chart, listing the project tasks and scheduling dates of completion; noting how each task is related and creating a program of works in real time, with dates and deadlines throughout the working week. It outlines which tasks are reliant on others and also which can run concurrently or have no specific scheduling requirements. For example the steel needs to be designed and ordered before it can be delivered to site and the padstones it sits on would need to be in place and the concrete cured before the steelwork could be erected. To maximise time efficiency these tasks will run concurrently (i.e. padstones can be installed while steel is fabricated and before it is delivered to site) these links between tasks can be seen on the Gantt chart. Critical Path Analysis (CPA) Similar to the Gantt chart the critical path analysis is a project-management technique that lays out all the activities needed to complete a task, the time it will take to complete each activity and the relationships between the activities. Also called the critical path method, critical path analysis can help predict whether a project can be completed on time and can be used to predict problems within the program both before starting it and as it progresses, to keep the projects completion on track and ensure that deliverables are ready on time. Advancing from the Gantt chart on the next page is the project critical path (highlighted in red on the subsequent page). Any fluctuations to these dates would have a knock on effect to the overall programming of the project meaning time would need to be made up elsewhere on the remaining tasks, or possible weekend overtime working would need to be implemented to ensure the project was completed by the March 29th deadline. Project Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) As projects become even more complex and unpredictable, more complex scheduling methods become appropriate. Methods such as the program evaluation and review technique combines critical path analysis with probability to identify completion dates that are optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely. Such scheduling techniques are not applicable to every project, but may be used in large construction projects that are likely to be influenced by nature or human factors. Examples include projects that are to be completed during unseasonable weather conditions or grading in an area that may be delayed due to unknown underground conditions. PERT planning involves the following steps that are described below. Identify the specific activities and milestones. The activities are the tasks required to complete a project. The milestones are the events marking the beginning and the end of one or more activities. Using a work break down structure is helpful to list the tasks that in later steps can be expanded to include information on sequence and duration. Determine the proper sequence of the activities. This step may be combined with the task identification step above since the activity sequence is evident for some tasks. Other tasks may require more analysis to determine the exact order in which they must be performed. Construct a network diagram. Using the activity sequence information, a network diagram can be drawn showing the sequence of the serial and parallel activities. Each activity represents a node in the network, and the arrows represent the relation between activities. Software packages simplify this step by automatically converting tabular activity information into a network diagram. Estimate the time required for each activity. Days are a commonly used unit of time for activity completion, but any consistent unit of time can be used. PERT has the ability to deal with uncertainty in task completion time. For each activity, the model usually includes three time estimates: Optimistic time generally the shortest time in which the activity can realistically be completed, also referred to as the best time. Most likely time the completion time having the highest probability. Note that this time is different from the expected time, (as explained below). Pessimistic time the longest time that an activity might require, also referred to as the worst time. PERT can also assume a beta probability distribution for the time estimates. Expected time For a beta distribution, the expected time for each activity can be approximated using the following weighted average: Expected time = ( Optimistic + 4 x Most likely + Pessimistic ) / 6 This expected time is not always used on the network diagram. On the following page I have used Project Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) scheduling to construct a network diagram that estimates; best, worst and most likely time periods for each task. While also determining the proper sequence of the activities with a critical path and milestones.

Professional Essay -- Teaching Education Careers Essays

Professional As people go through life, they most likely come upon a person who affects their life for the better, and sends them in the right direction. For some, however, they may never have a person who gives them this push, or perhaps someone had the opportunity to be that person who does the pushing, but does not. Many people have been propelled to success because of the care of another person. Some of these positive influences may include a parent, minister, or a friend. Though all three of these persons embody the needs of everybody from time to time, it is the teacher who connects these together and gives a person more that just an education. In every human’s life, they will come in direct contact with a teacher, whether it is in preschool or a jobsite. A teacher is what I have set out to be, to educate, to challenge, to push, to guide, and to nurture. The purpose of education is to prepare young people to leave the care of their parents, and build their own lives. The days of getting by with a high school diploma or just an elementary education are over. High school is only a stepping-stone to things much higher and harder, and there are many paths that students can choose from. I want my students not only to gain knowledge, but also to search with in themselves and find what they want to do, to give the students the push in the right direction to achieve their goals. Parents put their trust in teachers to prepare their children go on to bigger things; this is a responsibility that I take very seriously. I believe it is a profound injustice to a student to give them a half-hearted education and leave them behind others when they go out to compete in college or the workforce. I know the feeling of being ... ...t his long time placement. The ally that these organizations provide makes the job much easier knowing that someone is behind you. I would not want to work in any field without having the protection of an organization such as this in case something came up such as that. Looking over the last 15 years of my life, my teachers have been a great impact on my life both mentally and socially. In a rapid growing technological society, teachers are vastly needed to prepare students for the road ahead. I decided that I wanted to become a teacher so I can have an impact on someone else’s life as my teachers have done for me. Teaches bring a world of knowledge to an empty slate and push students to want more in life. Being a teacher, I will do my best to challenge my students to take the lessons that I teach and use them to make their lives the best that they can be.

National Basketball Championship Essay examples -- Sports Basketball

The ball soaring towards the basket; flying all the way from half-court. Bang! The ball slams off the backboard and plunges onto the rim as 70,930 people fall into shock. Will the impossible happen? Unfortunately for the upstart Butler Bulldogs, Gordan Hayward's desperation heave at the buzzer of the 2010 NCAA National Championship game was 3 inches off the mark, allowing perennial power Duke to walk away with their fourht National Championship. However, Butler's magical run shows why the NCAA Tournament is such a great event and why it does its job as a fair way to decide the National Champion. Meanwhile, three months earlier, Boise State is stuck at home, wondering what could have been as they watch Alabama and Texas get the opportunity to play for the National Championship. Boise State was undefeated. The BCS system, which decides the two teams who get to play for the title in college football, is considered by many to be iniquitous and believe the sport should switch to a playoff format similarly to what is used in college basketball. The two championships are set up quite differently. The obvious difference is that the basketball format is a playoff, while in football only two teams get the chance to play. A committee of people come together and set up the basketball tournament by seeding the teams into four â€Å"brackets†, seeding the teams 1-17 in each bracket. The decision making process can be quite complicated. First of all, 30 teams automatically play their way into the tournament by winning their conference tournament. This means no matter how terrible a team played in the regular season, they still get the chance to play their way into the National Championship game. The only exception to this is the Ivy League. They do ... ... truth is the reason that the college football universe is being prevented from getting a playoff. Even though in many ways a playoff is a fairer, more efficient, and more entertaining way of deciding the National Champion, money and power end up smothering this idea. Until the people with the power decide to finally do the right thing, there will always be teams such as Boise State or TCU on the outside looking in, wondering what could have been. Works Cited Eisenburg, Jeff. â€Å"How college hoops would look if the BCS replaced the NCAA tourney.† rivals.yahoo.com. 11 November 2010. Web. 22 November 2010. Murphy, Austin. â€Å"BCS supporters don’t get it: current system isn’t better than playoff.† www.si.com. 12 November 2010. Web. 22 November 2010. Murphy, Austin and Dan Wetzel. â€Å"Does it Matter?† Sports Illustrated. 15 November 2010: 42-48. National Basketball Championship Essay examples -- Sports Basketball The ball soaring towards the basket; flying all the way from half-court. Bang! The ball slams off the backboard and plunges onto the rim as 70,930 people fall into shock. Will the impossible happen? Unfortunately for the upstart Butler Bulldogs, Gordan Hayward's desperation heave at the buzzer of the 2010 NCAA National Championship game was 3 inches off the mark, allowing perennial power Duke to walk away with their fourht National Championship. However, Butler's magical run shows why the NCAA Tournament is such a great event and why it does its job as a fair way to decide the National Champion. Meanwhile, three months earlier, Boise State is stuck at home, wondering what could have been as they watch Alabama and Texas get the opportunity to play for the National Championship. Boise State was undefeated. The BCS system, which decides the two teams who get to play for the title in college football, is considered by many to be iniquitous and believe the sport should switch to a playoff format similarly to what is used in college basketball. The two championships are set up quite differently. The obvious difference is that the basketball format is a playoff, while in football only two teams get the chance to play. A committee of people come together and set up the basketball tournament by seeding the teams into four â€Å"brackets†, seeding the teams 1-17 in each bracket. The decision making process can be quite complicated. First of all, 30 teams automatically play their way into the tournament by winning their conference tournament. This means no matter how terrible a team played in the regular season, they still get the chance to play their way into the National Championship game. The only exception to this is the Ivy League. They do ... ... truth is the reason that the college football universe is being prevented from getting a playoff. Even though in many ways a playoff is a fairer, more efficient, and more entertaining way of deciding the National Champion, money and power end up smothering this idea. Until the people with the power decide to finally do the right thing, there will always be teams such as Boise State or TCU on the outside looking in, wondering what could have been. Works Cited Eisenburg, Jeff. â€Å"How college hoops would look if the BCS replaced the NCAA tourney.† rivals.yahoo.com. 11 November 2010. Web. 22 November 2010. Murphy, Austin. â€Å"BCS supporters don’t get it: current system isn’t better than playoff.† www.si.com. 12 November 2010. Web. 22 November 2010. Murphy, Austin and Dan Wetzel. â€Å"Does it Matter?† Sports Illustrated. 15 November 2010: 42-48.

Drama Coursework †Response Phase Essay

As part of our drama course we are studying the play â€Å"blood brothers† by Willy Russell. Blood Brothers is about twins who were separated at birth because their mother could not afford to keep both. As they grow up they meet, become friends and eventually blood brothers. However they both fall in love with the same girl and this conflict ultimately leads to their tragic deaths. First we read the play blood brothers as a class, then our teacher, Mrs O— asked us to choose and then act out three or four scenes which we, as a group thought were most important. In my group were S—, G— and N—. The first scene we chose was when Mr Lyons asks Mrs Johnston to give away one of her babies, we thought this was a crucial moment in the play because in this scene we see how the brothers first got separated. We also see the differences between the middle and the working class people, which was important as it is a main theme in the play. I was playing Mrs Lyons and N— was playing Mrs Johnston. We started our performance with a freeze frame; our freeze frame was useful as it showed the audience what scene we are going to perform. Nicola, playing Mrs Johnston was looking down holding her stomach as if she was pregnant. I was standing on her side holding a bible pushing it towards her. We wanted to show the part where Mrs Lyons was asking Mrs Johnson to make a binding agreement, we used facial expressions to show which characters we were trying to portray. As I was Mrs Lyons, I stood with a smug arrogant look to show that I was the wealthy one, while N— was looking sad, worried and a little scared. Our role-play started with Mrs Johnston working and Mrs Lyons coming in to see how she was doing. As Mrs Lyons I spoke with a posh accent boasting about how big my house is and looking down at N—-. We used thought tracking to get inside the characters mind and see what they are really thinking. When N—- was telling me about how she can stop getting pregnant and I can’t have any babies thought tracking was useful as I got to show the audience how I was actually jealous and thought that the babies would be better off with me. We also used it to show that N— did not like Mrs Johnston showing off and thinking she was better then her. After the visit to the doctors, N—- acted like she was nervous and panicking that the welfare will come and take her children away and worried about how she would cope with two more babies. At this point I used thought tracking to hint to the audience that I was thinking about asking for a baby. When I did ask for a baby I started to act more mean and scary grabbing hold of N—- and begging her to give me a child to show how desperate Mrs Lyons was to have a baby. N—- used thought tracking to show the audience that she was thinking about agreeing to give me a baby and also to show that she was a little scared of me. I was shouting at her doing all I could to make her agree and getting a bible and forcing her to make a binding agreement. We also used hot seating in our performance; this helped the audience to get to know more about the characters. Our teacher, Mrs O— first asked us questions and we had to answer staying in character. The audience got to know about how N—-‘s husband left her and how she has to look after all the kids by herself. We also used it to show that she was considering giving a child a baby to Mrs Lyons, as she could not afford to have any more kids. The hot seating helped me show how Mrs Lyons’ evil side and how she did not care if it was wrong all she wanted was a child and she does not care how she gets it. For our second scene we choose the part when the brothers meet for the first time. This we thought was another key scene as it shows how they meet and become blood brothers, not knowing that they were actually real bothers. G— was playing Edward and S— was playing Mickey. In this scene we see how better off the rich one, Edward is that Mrs Lyons is looking after him. The freeze frame for this scene was when the two boys were crossing fingers and Mrs Lyons in the background. We made it clear what scene they were going to perform was when they first meet because it was the part when they became blood brothers. They were both smiling and happy to have made a new friend while Mrs Lyons stood in the background with her arms crossed looking angrily at the two of them. We added a bit of comedy to this part because they are seven year olds and we wanted to show that. Shikira was sitting on her own making funny gun noises looking very scruffy and G—- walks in acting very posh. When S— taught him swear words he was shocked and amazed at all the â€Å"smashing† things that S— says. We used thought tracking to show how G— had never meet a boy like him but actually liked him. The hot seating gave the audience a chance to see that G—- has not got a lot of friends as they all bully him but not S—-. They audience also got to see that S—- never meet a posh boy like him but they became friends. In the second group were K—, M—, M— and B—-. The first scene they done was when Mrs Johnston gives one of her babies away to Mrs Lyons. K—- was playing Mrs Johnston and M— was playing Mrs Lyons. Their freeze frame was of K—- down on her knees scrubbing the floor and M—- crossing her arms looking down at her. It was obvious what scene they were going to do and what characters they were playing by using body positions and facial expressions. M—- looking arrogant and like a snob and showing how she thinks she is above K—– just because she is richer. Their performance was very well organised and they all knew what they were doing. M—- was very good at acting arrogant and as K—– cleans she was looking down at her and used good thought tracking to show how she felt. K—– did well as Mrs Johnston acting like she is happy to work for her but suing thought tracking show that she secretly did not like Mrs Lyons and that created tension between the two of them. I thought that they lacked thought tracking as the play went on and could have added more towards the end of their performance. Their use of hot seating was good; although I thought when they answered they could have gone into more detail and let the audience find out more about their characters. From the hot seating we learnt that M—– does not think its wrong to take K—-‘s baby and that K—- has no money to look after any more children. I thought that M—– could have improved her performance by added more thought tracking and speaking louder but I thought she did well at showing she was Mrs Lyons by the way that she spoke and her attitude towards K—–. K—– acted confidently, and used good thought tracking to show what she was thinking at the start of the play. She would have improved her performance by adding more detail to her answers in the hot seating and more thought tracking at the end of their performance. In the third group were G—-, T—–, S—- and T——. One of the scenes they acted out was the last scene; this is an important scene in the play because it was when Mickey finds out about Linda’s affair with Edward. Mrs Johnston’s secret deal with Mrs Lyons is also reviled and both brothers end up dead. T—– played Mickey, C—— was Edward and Grace played Mrs Johnston. Their freeze frame was off the end of the play when Mickey and Edward were dead. T—– and C—- were lying down on the floor dead and G—- was standing over them. They did well to show the tragic ending of the play and g—— used good facial expressions to show that she was shocked and upset at what had just happened. She stood with her head slight down and looked like she was crying out in disbelief. They stared with Mickey who was played by T—— going crazy wandering around the stage looking for the pills. She used thought tracking to tell the audience what she was looking for and how she angry she felt that she did not have them. When she found out about Linda and Edward’s affair she acted good and confidently showing how angry and frustrated she was. She used thought tracking telling the audience how she was thinking out killing him when she went to get the gun before storming out to find Edward. C—– playing Edward was doing his job making a speech acting normal when suddenly T—— barges in pointing a gun in his face. The use of hot seating at this moment let the audience know how scared Edward was and how T——- was not thinking straight and how she was just angry. I thought that this group also could have spoken in more detail to explain to the audience how they feel. At this moment G—— runs in trying to stop T——. She used thought tracking to say how she was thinking of telling them the truth. G—– trying to stop Mickey shouts out to not to kill Edward because they are brothers. But this just makes T—- even more angry thinking that he could have ended up like C———- with a good job and a great life. G—- in a final attempt to stop Mickey pushes his hand but the gun shoot and kills Edward. The police then shoot T—— and she falls to the floor, leaving G—– in crying in shock. I thought that in this part they could have been more organised and put more thought tracking in but all in all they had a great performance.