Popular Culture and the Humanities Essay Example for Free

Popular Culture and the Humanities Essay I am writing this letter as a piece of a time capsule. I wish to capture for you a day in the life of the typical person in 2012. I have to say at this point that my day starts early. The house really starts buzzing around 6:00. Usually my husband is out to work at this time. Giovanni, my son, takes a shower getting ready for school. I start making coffee, and getting breakfast ready. Then we have breakfast together and soon he has to wait for the bus to bring him to school. His bus ride is about thirty from where we live. We chose a Catholic school for our children, Guilherme, 21 yrs old, graduate from Salesian High School and is current living in Pennsylvania in his last year in De Sales University and Giovanni 15 yrs old, attends Salesian High School. We want them to learn and practice a catholic faith. Next I have to get ready to go to work. It takes about ten minute driving to the school. Little Angels is private Preschool School; I teach a Pre-school class, which has 13 children. We have to use an electronic card to gain access to building. Nowadays you can’t be too careful with security. My schedule is from 9 to 5 every day, I have one hour lunch break, and I spend trying to juggle between homework, work and chores. I am currently a part time student at Kaplan University. I do not attend physical classes in a physical building. My classes are online. This means that I receive the information through the internet. The internet is the only way to communication nowadays. I have never met my professors face to face, but we correspond through discussion boards on the school’s web site. The Internet is named for interconnection of computer networks. It is a massive hardware combination of millions of personal, business, and governmental computers, all connected like roads and highways . Business, schools and even governments have come to depend on the internet as the main way to exchange information and even goods. No single person owns the Internet. No single government has authority over its operations. Some technical rules and hardware/software standards enforce how people plug into the Internet, but for the most part, the Internet is a free and open broadcast medium of hardware networking. Most of my banking, education and work are done online. Throughout a typical day, I will pay bills on the internet, access my class information on the internet and correspond with my sister and brother in Brazil through e-mail or Skype. At 5 when I came home usually my husband is waiting for me and we go for a two mile run. After I use the stove which cooks food by using electricity to heat pots or pans on the top of the stove or elements in the oven of the stove. This may not really represent our popular culture right now, since many people prefer to eat in restaurants, but we prefer to cook our own food since it healthier that way. That is pretty much what our days are like in the year 2012. We use a lot of technology, but family time and interaction with each are still the strengths of my day. We enjoy devices like cars, GPS, and dishwashers, refrigerators, air condition, cell phones, Ipads, which makes our lives so much easier. Even though we have made much medical advancement, we still have not found cure for Cancer, but we had good news this week, it looks like a regular sports bra, but it’s meant to help women detect early signs of breast cancer. Lifeline Biotechnologies has developed the First Warning System, or a smart bra, after years of research. The concept is called â€Å"thermography,† which relies on precisely detecting heat or abnormal heat signatures from tumors versus normal tissue. †Dr. Siavash Jabbari of Sharp Barnhart Cancer Center in Chula Vista, Calif., said the device is an â€Å"encouraging sign in the fight against cancer,† and it will give hope to the one in eight American women who develop the disease in their lifetime. The bra is still in a trial stage, but it’s showing good results. The company hopes the device will be available in the U.S. within the next two years. To us women this is good news, because mammograms are so painful and not so efficient. Times right now seem pretty uncertain. Unemployment is high, and it is difficult to find a job. My only wish is that my boys to grow up to be good people, to give back to society rather than take from it, and I want them to be able to take care of themselves and their future families. This is a year of a President Election, Barak Obama our President against Mitt Romney. Im personally going for Obama because hes actually trying and he is the best hope for our financial country recovery. Sincerely, Vivian Lopes Part 2: An Example of Morality and Decision Making Abortion and Pro Life Nowadays, in this world, there are a lot of problems that can cause great conflicts for human beings. One of the most complex problems is abortion. This is due to moral and ethical values which we all have. The majorities of us are Catholics and as small children were taught values that are based on the bible such as that famous phrase Thou shall not kill. This phrase relates to an abortion because abortion is the murder of a human being. My own personal beliefs of abortion come from my Christian faith I believe abortion is wrong and it is murder. Pro Life is great organization that is sponsored by Catholics as they try to prevent abortion and promote alternatives to abortion. Abortion is murder. We should support life and not end it. Part 3: My Definition of Happiness A smile, a laugh, a quick thoughts, going for a jogging in a cool summer day; chocolate; my son’s up to give me a hug because he hasnt seen you all day or in a long time, these are the little things, these are happiness these are all things that make me happy. Happiness is very simple to me. Having the necessities of life and knowing that my family is taken care of. Have shelter and food and clothes. I want my boys to have the best educational opportunities that they need and the healthcare that they need. I want to live debt free and try to teach that lifestyle to my Boys. Being materialistic does not make anyone happier. The things that are most important are relationships with my husband and children, our friends and extended family. These things will bring more happiness that any expensive vehicle will. I have come to this view seeing many people chase things that in the end leave them alone and unhappy. Just being happy with your life and accepting who you are and what you have will bring you happiness. Part 4- The day Osama bin Laden had been killed On May 1, 2011, President Barack Obama announced that Osama bin Laden had been killed in a terrorist compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. In an 8-month plan enacted by the president, and led by CIA director Leon Panetta and American special forces, Osama was shot several times. His body was taken as evidence of his death, and DNA tests revealed that the body was, in fact, his. For over two decades, bin Laden has been al Qaedas leader and symbol and has continued to plot attacks against our country and our friends and our allies, President Obama said in a late-night address to the nation on the eve of Osamas death. The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nations effort to defeat Al Qaeda. He added that his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity (www.biography.com) Part 5: The Twin Towers I believe that the Twin Towers of the World Trade should be included because they represent big change in our society. When the Towers were attacked on September 11, 2001, many people realized that the world not completely favorable of the American lifestyle. We realized that there are people out there like to hurt and kill for no reason, or just try to take our freedom .Every day we live with the reality of being at war. It made us all step back and think about our national security and how to be safer. The sense of community that happened after that attack still brings tears to my eyes. Over 3,000 people died in those attacks that were coordinated by al-Qaeda. After twelve years later, we’re about to finish building the first green building in Manhattan. It consists of four main things that make it green. Those are; energy efficiency, water efficiency, good indoor air quality, and sustainable materials. It runs on fuel cells which are powered by natural gas. This is probably standard in your world; however, this is the first building that has this ground breaking technology. It is supposed to be made from materials that make it near impossible to destroy. I remember watching a documentary where they showed how they were going to build it. I remember them saying the stairwells are wider with oxygen being pumped into the air and automatic safety features installed for emergencies. It is an impressive building that symbolizes us still stand as one nation under God; and also represents all the innocent’s lives lost for no reason. Part 6: Taylor Swift – Long Live song Taylor Swift at just the age of twenty, She is simply a young, brilliant, and stunning singer. She has released 3 albums all of which have had hit singles. Though it was only 4 years from her debut to her most recent album Speak Now, her music shows how much she has grown as a person and as a singer ; with each song written so beautifully, it is amazing to believe it was written by a twenty year old. This is one of my favorite songs on the album. It means a lot to me, looking back at my life and remembering how it felt and what the journey was to get here. It is deep and profound and makes me happy inside can explain. Part 7: Shrek Fairy tales dont always follow the same boring pattern; beautiful princess falls in love with her prince charming and they live happily ever after. The movie Shrek, an ogre and a beautiful princess fall in love, though this beautiful princess has a secret; her secret is that by day she is a beautiful princess, and by night she’s an ogre. Shrek thought she was beautiful as a human and as an ogre; this hidden message is shown as beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Also in the movie, another implied message is that people are prejudice to stereotypes. Though, once you truly know someone, it can be really wonderful and life changing. Though this fairy tale isnt like the average fairy tale, it still has implied and hidden messages. Shrek displays many of these, each were carefully thought out and written to match the others perfectly. Even though Princess Fiona didnt end up beautiful in the way she thought, Shrek still thought she was beautiful as an ogre. Being beautiful to someone can mean more than being beautiful to everyone. Donkey may have been very annoying in the beginning, but Shrek learned that he was a true friend, even when he judged him from the beginning Donkey reminded Shrek who he loved and wanted, which changed his life forever. Friendships can last forever, and can have many impacts on a person. Part 8: The I Pad I chose the I Pad (portable computer), to leave in my time capsule. This electronic device is where you store all of your information. Im sure you have something much more advanced, but this was quite the item back in my day. It is portable and most people use them when they are in school, working, or to read. This is the technology of the 21st century; the I Pad is just one of the devices owned by Apple. They are also responsible for bringing us the iPod for music, the iPhone cellular device of our century and the Mac Book (laptop). They are the most expensive devices, but they are very impressive machines. This company (Apple) owns the electronics of our time. References: Net for beginners References: Retrieved from http://netforbeginners.about.com/od/i/f/What-Is-The-Internet.ht./ Fox news References: Retrieved from http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/10/18/new-mart-bra-could-detect- breast-cancer/#ixzz29xjyPhGM Bibliography Imdb.com Shrek (2001) References: Retrieved from2012/10/18 Memorable quotesImdb.com (1990) Shrek (2001) Memorable Biography References: Retrieved from, 2012/10/18http://www.biograph.com/people/osama-bin-laden-37172quotes. Online Available at: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0126029/quotes You tube; References: Retrieved from, 2012/10/18 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gidYacgDeH8 Apple; References: Retrieved from, 2012/10/18 http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/

The Green Divide: Class Conflict within Klingle Valley :: Green Ecology Environment Essays

The Green Divide: Class Conflict within Klingle Valley As a sign of our times, urban development has been occurring throughout the United States and the global arena at a rapid rate. In the course of this development, the green spaces of cities have been affected in a generally negative way. Overall, people have lost recreational sites for play and relaxation, which are crucial to a healthy society. Look at our nation’s capitol. Thanks to the great influx of businesses and firms entering the District, the green space has been slowly declining. Washingtonians are beginning to fear that one of America’s largest and most beautiful parks—Rock Creek Park—will fall victim to the urban development encouraged by the profit-seeking government. The government believes that urban development is the most effective way to produce the space of the city. However, some citizens feel that Rock Creek Park is a space that must be preserved for the society’s well being. For over a decade now, the fate of the closed portion of Klingle Road in Northwest Washington, D.C. has been debated. Those primarily living east of Rock Creek Park favor repaving the old road so that it can be used once again for vehicular traffic. Those primarily living west of the park favor continued closure of the road and preservation of the environment. On the surface, it appears to be only a geographical division and a conflict between green space and urban development; however, an overlooked ‘Green Divide’ between economic and racial classes seems to lie beneath the surface. Before I continue, it is crucial to understand several key terms. Green space can be defined as open space. It includes "trees, shrubs, grasses, flowers, and other components" in a setting usually deemed a park, which may or may not have recreational facilities (Brewer 150). Along with green space, preservation and conservation should be defined. The two words are synonymous and mean the "planned management of natural resources" (Mish 170). "Planned management" allows for encroachment on green space, but in a controlled way. These terms are the primary components of the rhetoric of keeping Klingle Road closed. The propaganda, generated by the road closure advocates, continually uses the words green space and preservation. These terms are easily identifiable by the general public. Furthermore, upon hearing these terms, the general public usually leans toward the environmental side. Furthermore, advocates of continued road closure designate the following terminology upon the opponent.

Project Proposal for a Student Record Database Management System

Project Proposal for a Student Record Database Management System for Microtech Institute of Multimedia & Technology (MIMUT) TitleStudent Record Database Management System Centre Name:West African Chartered College Student Name:Malamin Gassama IMIS Membership Number:344029 Supervisor Name:Mr. Mike Topic Area: Records Management Project Title:Student Record Database Management System to keep track of student’s enrolment process, course, class dates and tuition fees.Introduction:This project is undertaken as a result of the Management team of Microtech Institute of Multimedia & Technology though it is necessary to develop a system that can keep track of their students enrolment processes, class start dates, courses chosen and tuition fee payment. With the above aim they should be able to have access to the information mention in real time. This will help the management to take decisions and also will make the record and finance staff work more organized.Database Management System and DataThe institution is experiencing a lot of student turn out to their various courses. Some do apply for multiple courses at the same time. Some times files are being missing, which makes it very difficult to access a particular student’s record in regarding to personal information, class start dates and tuition fee payment. Justifications: For the company: Microtech Institute of Multimedia and Technology wishes to have a student record management system to keep record of the student’s enrolment process, course, class dates and tuition feesMicrotech Institute of Multimedia and Technology is please about the system (Database application) is to develop or implement and this will give me the opportunity to choose Microsoft Access 2007 as the database back end. For the student: It will provide me with the opportunity for the first-time to design and develop a rich database management system for use by the Institute in real-time. Designing and implementation of the da tabase system will be challenging and will also provide me with what it’s like in a real production environment to design and develop such type of system for business use or purpose.Objectives: A minimum of four Objective: Activities: 1. Analyse the works and duties of the Institute admission process. Deliverables: Works with the members of staff in the admission department for few days to observers the way they carry out student enrolment as well as the finance department in tuition collection Summary of report explaining the function of the admission department. Who will use them and why: The reports will help me through the development phase of the database model and schema. Objective: Activities: Deliverables: Who will use them and why . Improve the work of the Institute admission Department. Creating of forms and queries and database model. User friendly Graphic User Interface with input, which the help the user to easily interact with the database. And input the correct data types in their respective fields. This will reduce the tendency of inputting the wrong figures. It will help the admission department to easily find and track student’s who did not complete their tuition fee, and whether if they are doing the right courses they apply for. Objective: Activities: Deliverable:Who will use them and why 3. System testing. Allowing the Institute’s admission Department staff and other members of staff as well to test the database application using dummy and live data. The data will include normal, valid and invalid data, and quantity. Come up with a ready and normal database management system ready for use. To ensure that the proposed database management application meets the user’s requirement and delivers their needs. Objective: Activities: Deliverable: Who will use them and why4. User and Technical documentation.Produce a well explain user and technical documentation. Working copies of the user and technical documentations. Co mplete signing off of the proposed project. Resources Needed for Carrying out the Project: Microsoft corporation to help me with the documentation of Microsoft Access database application license, features and technical requirement. Hardware:A personal computer (PC) or a Laptop at least Pentium 3 processor, RAM size of at least 128 MB, Hard drive size of at least 40GB, Internal or external Network Interface Card of 10/100 mbps.Software:Windows Operating System (Window XP or later), Microsoft Office Access application (ms access 2007 or later), Antivirus software, Microsoft Office picture manager, Literature sources:Microsoft TechNet website, IMIS website, wikipedia and IT journals and library resources. Risks: Type: Gathering of required information from end users, to know what they want the application to do and functions. I. e. application requirements. Action to be taken if arise:Failure in gathering sufficient information for the start of the proposed project. Type:Emerging of n ew technologies. Action to be taken if arise:With new technologies comes up that I need to learn for the successful completion of the proposed project then I might need to have extra lectures after college hours, do research on the internet, self study and professional help if possible. Type:Political risk e. g. changes of top management of the institution. Action to be taken if arise:The new management will be updated about the project, so that they can know exactly the overall development process and benefits to the institution. Investigation Plan:Steps to be taken:†¢Gathering of required materials like articles, books and published papers in student record management. †¢Search on the internet for readymade student record management system application packages on the market (Trials Versions) and review their features. This can help me through be project development phase. †¢Also journals and magazines on the use of software for student record management and how this can boost business productivity if it is automated. Books/Articles read: †¢ CADLE, J & YATES, D (2001), ‘Project Management For Information System’, Third Edition.Pearson Education. †¢ LAUDON, KC & LAUDON, JP (2004), ‘Management Information Systems-managing the digital firm’, Eighth Edition. Pearson Education. †¢ WARD, J & PEPPARD, J (2002), ‘Strategic Planning For Information Systems’, Third Edition. John Wiley & Sons. †¢ THOMAS CONNOLLY, CARLYN ‘Database systems’-A practical approach to Design, Implementation, and Management. Forth Edition. Addision Wasley. Internet sites include: †¢ http://www. google. com †¢ http://www. wikipedia. com Project Development Plan: Giant chart with milestones CHART FOR STUDENT RECORD MANAGEMENT DATABASE APPLICATION FOR MIMUT:WBS WBS DESCRIPTION START END DURATION 1 Project Management 10/08/2011 12/12/2011 22 Weeks 2 Investigations 10/08/2011 24/08/2011 2 Weeks 3Systems Requirements 17/08/2011 21/09/2011 5 Weeks 4 Design 21/09/2011 06/12/2011 11Weeks 5Implementation And Evaluation 06/10/2011 27/12/2011 3 Weeks 6 Testing 19/10/2011 27/12/2011 10 Weeks 7 Documentation 25/08/2010 12/01/2012 20 Weeks Supervisor’s Comments:Supervisors must make comments about what was discussed with the student. How would the project be tackled/completed? What problems may they anticipate? What additional training is required?Also what are the student’s weak areas, and what they have to do to overcome them? Finally is the project fit for purpose? The following are not acceptable: 1) a good project, 2) I am of the impression that it is suitable, 3) good, etc. Reasons for comments: Areas of concern: Additional support required: General guidance/comments: Letter of Agreement A letter of agreement from the employer must be attached for all projects containing work-based material. Signature of Student: Signature of Supervisor: Date of Agreement: NB Electronic signatures will be accepted.

Child Abuse At High School - 1397 Words

Being a sophomore in high school, I noticed people with small bruises and scars. It doesn t really change the way I look at them, other than they might seem different to others and are very mute. People don’t understand the circumstances of their home life, until we notice them walking around town a lot, just to avoid their homes and hurtful parents. We don t do much other than, tell friends what we notice and we feel bad, but don t do anything to help, we want to, but how? Everyone has different stories, we come up with lame excuses, just so we don t feel bad or feel the obligation to step in and help. Then there are the kids who bully classmates just to feel better about themselves, but have we stopped a minute to realize that they†¦show more content†¦Sexual abuse, neglect, mental abuse, exploitation, and physical abuse, a problem that goes around is that people only think it s an abuse if it s violent. However, that s not the only difficulty that children suffer f rom being abused. When a parent purposely tells a child that could mentally break them down, is also a form of abuse; mental abuse. Abuse verbally can hurt just as much as physically; even though physical abuse is used on children about 10% more than emotional, stated by the (NCANDS) National Child Abuse and Neglect Data system. Child neglect can conclude into hurting the health of those children during and after the beating.The abuse doesn t stop when the guardian leaves them alone, because it s always there in the back of their mind; haunting them. Primary source â€Å"Child abuse and neglect statistics† Written by the health and human sources stated that neglect on children is used 62.8%, which is the most used on children, published in 2007. (americanhumane.org) What is neglect? Neglect is a type of abuse that the caregiver, doesn t care for the child. There are varieties in child neglect along with Physical neglect; which is not giving the child proper necessity to havi ng a healthy life, including food, clothes, and shelter. Physical neglect can also comprise of abandoning the child, inadequate supervision along with rejection of the