Disability And Sexuality And Social Work Practice Social Work Essay

Disability And Sexuality And Social Work Practice Social Work Essay There is a growing recognition of the need to provide sex education to people with learning disabilities, as well as their right to achieve such education. Despite a desire to help with this, social workers and other health professionals can lack the confidence and tools to deliver sex education to this population. In an effort to accumulate evidence of best practice thus far, a narrative review of the literature will be conducted to answer the following question: What interventions are available within social work practice for the delivery of sexuality education to people with learning disabilities? By identifying the key consistencies and inconsistencies across effective interventions, feasible interventions can be established and further research identify. Background and Rationale In the past, people with learning disabilities were excluded from sexual education or help with issues around their sexuality. Fortunately, in modern day society this exclusion is beginning to change, which is in part due to a shift from institutionalised care to supported living. This has resulted in an increase in independent living as well as a greater acknowledgement of the needs of people with learning disabilities. Furthermore, the myth that people with learning disabilities are eternal children (McCarthy, 1999) no longer holds sway and it is acknowledged that people with learning disabilities are not asexual; they have the same needs as people without a learning disability, including needs regarding sexuality. The Sex and Relationships research project, set up in 2007, was particularly influential in challenging the previously faulty beliefs and myths that maintained the exclusion of people with learning disabilities. This was a 3-year research programme conducted by CHANGE (2009), a national organisation that fights for the rights of people with learning disabilities. As part of this project it was found that people with learning disabilities, aged 16-25 years old, shared that they were not told about sex and relationships when they were younger. Furthermore, they also said that if they had been given better sex education, they might have made different choices as adults. This highlights a clear unmet need experienced by people with learning disabilities, as well as indicates that these unmet needs discriminate individuals via reduced choice in adulthood. Professionals working within the field of learning disabilities, including social workers, remain reluctant to become involved in sexuality education due to lack of confidence and lack of availability of educational materials designed for this population (Howard-Barr et al., 2005). They want to support people with learning disabilities, but do not have the information or skills to do so (Garbutt, 2008). Thus, there is a need to establish effective interventions designed to equip social workers and other healthcare professionals with the personal and professional tools necessary to deliver sex education to people with learning disabilities. This provides the rationale for a narrative review of the literature. Research Question The research question posed from the background literature is: What interventions are available within social work practice for the delivery of sexuality education to people with learning disabilities? More specifically: What effective interventions are already available? What are the key concepts and theories relevant to effective interventions? How has efficacy of interventions been assessed? What are the key consistencies and inconsistencies across studies? What answers remain? Research Design and Methods A narrative review of the literature will be conducted in order to identify interventions available within social work practice for the delivery of sexuality education to people with learning disabilities. A narrative review has been selected due to its recommended use with comprehensive topics (Collins and Fauser, 2005), and the benefits that derive from being able to include subjective interpretations based on personal experience of social work practice. Social work is a person-centred and holistic discipline that warrants this phenomenological approach. Furthermore, a narrative review can be used to synthesise evidence from both quantitative and qualitative studies, thus benefiting from the strengths of both approaches, the former of which offers scientific rigour and the latter of which offers subjectivity and depth. The relevant literature will be synthesised through the use of data extraction forms (appendix 1), the identification of key themes and controversies between studies, and the development of a considered narrative for each key theme. By identifying established knowledge within this area, as well as where gaps in knowledge remain, conclusions will be made on the efficacy of different interventions or techniques that social workers could utilise in the delivery of sexuality education to people with learning disabilities. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria Inclusion in this review will be confined to primary research meeting the following additional inclusion criteria: Randomised control trials (RCTs); control trials; prospective pre- and post-test cohort studies; qualitative studies. The study needs to be testing or exploring an intervention for the delivery of sexuality education to people with learning disabilities. Population: social workers or other healthcare professionals working with people who have learning disabilities. Studies conducted over the last 5 years (2006-2011). In addition, the following exclusion criteria apply: Studies conducted before 2006. Non-English studies. Studies that do not meet the pre-defined inclusion criteria. Search Strategy A search of the literature will be undertaken using Boolean logic, which will allow for a more sensitive search of the title and abstracts of the following databases: the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Medline, Embase, PsychINFO and The Cochrane Library of clinical trials. Keywords to be searched include learning disabilities OR learning dis*AND sex* AND educ* OR train* OR interv* OR intervention studies. The truncation symbol (*) will be applied to search for words that might have various endings (e.g. sex* will find sex, sexuality, sexual). The reference list of all articles that are obtained in full will also be hand-searched for relevant studies. In addition, two key social work journals will be hand-searched from 2010 to 2011 to identify the most up to date research in this area: British Journal of Social Work and Journal of Social Work. The title and abstracts of all literature identified by the search strategy will be scanned for relevance, with irrelevant or duplicate articles being excluded. All records meeting the pre-defined inclusion criteria will be obtained in full for data extraction. A data extraction form recommended by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE, 2010) will be used to elicit key details from each of the studies obtained (appendix 1), including: study design; intervention; and, main findings. Synthesis of Findings Thematic content analysis will be used to identify key themes across studies, followed by the identification of convergent and divergent findings within these key themes (Aveyard, 2010). Narratives will be created for the most prominent themes. A critical analysis of how social work practice could be informed, developed and improved with respect to the evidence obtained from this review will be included, with a specific emphasis on the importance of evidence-based practice. Study Resources, Risks and Timetable Internet databases that provide access to academic peer reviewed journals will be the primary source utilised for searching the literature. The university library will also be a valuable resource for locating learning disability and social work journals that can be hand-searched, as well as providing access to a librarian who can be asked for advice on suitable web-based subject gateways. In addition, the reference lists of reviewed articles are a source of access to further relevant research. Ethical approval will not be required for this review. A timetable for completing this review is presented in Table 1, with the deadline for submitting the reviewing being February 2012. Table 1: Timetable for Review Action Dates 1. Choose research question based on scoping of the literature and consideration of relevant policy. Beginning of March 2011 2. Conduct a preliminary literature search to gather information on the background and rationale for review. Mid-March 2011 3. Develop a review proposal and timetable, including search strategy and inclusion criteria, etc. End of March 2011 4. Conduct first search of the literature, utilising selected web-based databases, excluding irrelevant or duplicate records and obtaining the full text of remaining records. Complete data extraction forms for each study. April and May 2011 4. Hand-search selected journals, obtaining the full text of relevant records and completing data extraction forms for each study. June 2011 5. Hand-search the reference lists of all articles included from the database and journal searches, obtaining the abstract of potential articles of relevance. Exclude those that become irrelevant on closer inspection and obtain the full text of remaining references. Complete data extraction forms for each study. July 2011 6. Identify the key themes and controversies between studies. Write a narrative for each key theme, including objective discussion of studies and subjective interpretations in relation to experience, knowledge, and social work policy. August and September 2011 7. First draft of introduction and rationale chapter. October 2011 8. First draft of methods and results. November 2011 9. First draft of discussion chapter. December 2011 10. First full draft of review make necessary adjustments and finalise. January 2011 11. Submit final review. February 2012

Impact of Mental Health Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence

Among the stated objectives of the Healthy People 2010, a national, multi-stakeholder program that aims to improve the over-all health of the American people through health promotion and disease prevention is to expand treatment services for mental health disorders. In particular, the program is aimed at â€Å"increasing the proportion of children with mental health problems who receive treatment† by enhancing the support network of affected children and their families and improving their access to mental health and other social services.The inclusion of mental health disorders as a priority public health issue that needs to be addressed stems from the acknowledgement of the gravity of the social and economic costs of mental health problems to families and communities. More importantly, the inclusion of mental health as a national health priority reflects a significant shift in attitude in public health policy.Indeed, mental health disorders have affected a significant portion of the American population for a long time. Estimates from the United States Department of Health and Human Services reveal that mental health problems affect 20 percent of the population annually. Likewise, the risk of developing mental health disorders cuts across age, ethnicity, gender, education, and socio-economic status, making children almost as vulnerable as older people to mental health problems.It is estimated, for instance, that 20 percent of children and adolescents within the 9 to 17 age group are likely to exhibit symptoms of mental health disturbances such as major depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders; with 5 percent of the cases being severe and debilitating to children’s normal growth and development. (USDHHS (a), 2000)Clearly, the impact of mental health disorders on children and adolescents’ well-being is grave. Children and adolescents with mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders usually perform poorly in school and are more vulnera ble to alcohol and drug addiction. As in adults, mental health disorders also increase the risk of children and adolescents towards violent and aggressive behavior and suicide. In the 1999 alone, the suicide rate among children and adolescents was as high as 2.6 percent. (USDHHS (b), 2000)Unfortunately, mental health disorders have been poorly understood which usually deprives those affected of access to necessary treatment and services. It is worth noting, for instance, that only 27 percent of children and adolescents afflicted with mental health disorders avail of treatments, most of them receiving help mainly from in-school facilities and services. (USDHHS (b), 2000) Prevailing health policies have largely ignored the fact that mental health problems usually begin during childhood and adolescence and may have a lifelong impact on affected children. In the same manner, the public and social costs of mental health disorders have been largely ignored or underrecognized.On the other hand, mental health disorders have been shown to have a tremendous impact on public and private health spending, amounting to $69 Billion in diagnosis and treatment expenses. (USDHHS (b), 2000) Majority of these costs were shouldered by public funds while the remainder were paid for through private spending. The figures could be higher when the indirect costs of mental health illness on productivity, damages to property, criminal justice and litigation, and insurance claims are accounted for.Likewise, mental health disorders also place a tremendous strain on the economic lives of families and communities. A study done by Busch and Barry (2007) aimed at determining the impact of childhood mental disorders on the financial well-being of families with afflicted children reveals that the impaired functioning of children with mental disturbances affects parents’ work productivity and caring for or arranging for the care of the child often leads to lost family income in terms of lo st work hours. (p. 1090) The researchers contend that caring for children with mental health disorders are as costly as caring with children with other chronic illnesses. (p. 1088)Busch and Barry’s study was conducted by analyzing the responses of respondents to the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs (NS-CSHCN) to compare the effects of children’s mental health disorders on the family’s economy to the economic impact on the family of children requiring special health care needs. (p. 1089)To this end, the researchers utilized propensity-score matching and logistic regression in controlling for differences between children with mental health disorders and the general population sample. Results of study supported their contention that caring for children with mental health disorders was a cause of financial burden especially for those who were privately insured. (p. 1089) Results of the study also showed that caring for a child with mental h ealth disorder severely limited the labor-market participation of parents, increased the time they spent caring for or arranging for childcare, and consequently reduced the time parents spent on other activities. (p. 1091)Thus, the authors encourage the implementation of programs and policies aimed at supporting the families of children with mental health disorders to alleviate the adverse economic outcomes brought about by heavy costs incurred from intensive and extensive child care and treatment requirements. (p. 1095) Such programs could include the elimination of mental health restrictions in private insurance policies that prevent or reduce children’s access to mental health services and treatment that increases the risk of prolonged and degenerative disability. Another suggestion made by the authors is extending financial assistance to families caring for children with mental disorders that would help defray some of the costs involved in the medical care of such childre n. (p. 1094)It is clear that the social and economic impact of mental health disorders should be a great concern for the nursing community. Nurses, who are at the frontline of health service delivery, play an important role in health promotion and disease prevention. As a critical health workforce, nurses’ support in the implementation of mental health programs is crucial in meeting health objectives and achieving positive health outcomes. Nurses have the ability to contribute to the promotion of mental health through a renewed focus on patient-centered care that takes into account the holistic dimensions of health and places emphasis on early detection and diagnosis of mental health problems.Nurses are an important part of the support network of families and communities with respect to the provision of information and other forms of resources. Given that mental health disorders are preventable and treatable diseases, the ability of nurses to provide a timely referral for tre atment services and intervention for children and adolescents who exhibit the symptoms of mental, behavioral, and emotional disturbance would be a significant factor in improving the health and lives of children and adolescents. A significant improvement in the detection of mental health disorders, for instance, can be achieved with adequate attention on the part of nurses on the cognitive, emotional, and psychological aspects of their patients.Therefore, the nursing community, as an important part of the health workforce, must be conscious of the prevalence of mental health disorders and be sufficiently informed about their role in the prevention and treatment of these problems. This way, nurses will be able to provide the needed support to reduce the economic and social costs of mental health-related diseases. Nurses will also be fully prepared to meet the exacting challenge of improving the health and quality of life of the individuals they serve.Works Cited:Busch, Susan H. & Col leen L. Barry (2007). Mental health disorders in childhood: Assessing the burden on families. Health Affairs, 26(4): 1088-1095.United States Department of Health and Human Services (a) (2000). Healthy People 2010: Leading Health Indicators. Retrieved 21 April 2008 from the Healthy People 2010 website: https://www.healthypeople.gov/Document/html/uih/uih_bw/uih_4.htm#mentalhealth

Foundations and Limits of Freedom of the Press - 705 Words

In â€Å"Foundations and Limits of Freedom of the Press, â€Å" Judith Lichtenberg explores the ongoing controversial argument surrounding the regulation of the press and mass media. She evaluates the ability of the press to shape our opinions and values through an examination of the interdependent relationship between freedom of speech and press. Furthermore, she notes that, while the two rights appear similar as they are both considered as forms of self-expression, it is important to differ between the two. While Lichtenberg states that freedom of speech and freedom of press are â€Å"inseparable† and â€Å"equally fundamental† she also claims that there are distinct difference between the two basic rights (Lichtenberg 329). She defines the freedom of speech as the equal foundational right to symbolic expression of multiplicity of voices (Lichtenberg 337). The main difference between freedom of speech and press lies in that freedom of press is in the public domain a nd once self-expression is launched into a public sphere, it threatens to restrict another’s autonomy. Here Lichtenberg uses the analogy of a restaurant to illustrate her claim. Although the restaurant may be privately owned, its success depends on the public; therefore it ceases to remain an entirely private institution (Lichtenberg 343). While freedom of speech concerns only the individual and is nearly unconditional, freedom of press regards organizations that lies in the public domain therefore we it should be exercisedShow MoreRelatedSpeech On Freedom Of Speech950 Words   |  4 Pagesspeak and express yourself freely. Liberty was not absolute for everybody. Way back and even today people still don’t have complete liberty in America. The early Americans put limits on freedom even when they were trying to create more freedom. The type of limits that the early Americans put on freedom were limits on freedom of speech, and much more. Even with the American Revol ution, it was not for everybody. The American Revolution was only for the colonist and men, but over time the idea of libertyRead MoreThe National Communication Structure And Media Of South Africa Essay1150 Words   |  5 Pagesother African countries has been in a vibrant war with the national media over freedom of expression, with President Jacob Zuma using different tactics to protect his malpractices. In line with this, this paper analyzes the national communication structure and media of South Africa from the apartheid error to present. South Africa is a home to the vibrant media landscape. The organizations advocating for press freedom have actively from past been pushing back against government encroachment on rightsRead MoreEssay on Social Networking: Limits to Privacy and Freedom of Speech1186 Words   |  5 Pages According to the first amendment, citizens of the United States are guaranteed freedom of speech. My older friends and family members tell me that that is true, or at least it used to be. In our current generation there is one major factor of society where freedom of speech is extremely limited. That part of society is social networking. This leaves me to, is our generation free to express our opinions whenever we feel the urge? According to Oscar Gandy’s (1993) perspective, â€Å"we probably doRead MoreThe Catcher In the Rye Should Not be Banned Essay789 Words   |  4 Pagesbe banned. The novel, The Catcher In the Rye, should not be banned from inclusion in the literature courses taught at the high school level. nbsp; Banning a book on the basis of profanity is merely a superficial reason of those who wish to limit beliefs that do not coincide with their own. By excluding a novel from a high school curriculum in order to shelter students from profanity, is an attempt to do the impossible. Profanity is found everywhere. According to TV Guide, Profanity isRead More Amendments to the Constitution Essay1290 Words   |  6 PagesThe framers of our Constitution knew that time has a way of changing countries and their citizens. Our country was in a whirlwind of change in 1789 as people were experiencing freedom from the tyranny of England for the first time in their lives. Our country was being molded and formed into a great nation by the founding fathers. Expectations and rules had to be set to protect the rights of the minorities and majorities. Amendments to the Constitution were written to ensure equality for all in changingRead MoreThe Potential Abolishment of Government Assistance Programs 1 248 Words   |  5 Pagesnumber one on the list for needing to be suppressed. There are some who say that social security is a mandatory Ponzi scheme that has a bad effect on American workers. According to Julia Borowski, staff writer at Freedom Works, who promotes lower taxes, less government, and more freedom, calls social security a mandatory Ponzi scheme. Borowski also claims that everyone is being forced to pay social security payroll taxes but should have a right to opt out (Julia Borowski). Rick Perry made headlinesRead MoreFreedom Of Speech : Free Speech1296 Words   |  6 PagesFreedom Of Speech In 399 B.C, the Greek Philosopher Socrates was persecuted for an early argument promoting free speech. Later on, The Protection of Speech was first introduced when the Magna Carta was signed in 1215, and in 1948, the United Nations stated that free speech is a human right and drafted into the international Declaration of Human rights.The government doesn t have the right to make a law abridging the freedom of speech because Free Speech is a form of democracy and it s a fundamentalRead MoreUnderstanding Organisations and the Role of Hr Essay701 Words   |  3 Pagesand Category C (minor ailments and injuries that often do not result in hospital treatment). Our three key finance targets are to: - Break even in the year; - Achieve a 3.5% Return on Capital; - Comply with the External Financing Limit Analysis of a Minimum of Four External Factors and their Impact on the Business Activities of the Organisation As the Trust sits within the public sector, funding is the most important external factor affecting the service. T he Trust is largelyRead MoreQ1.name And Describe The Two Dominant Opposing Approaches1283 Words   |  6 Pages(Patterson Lindberg, 1991). Over the past, these rights were almost unlimited. People would use existing developments as if they were their own without any regard of the creator’s exclusive rights. The need to balance and limit such rights arose, and governments established these limits for the general good of the public. One of the main opposing approaches of the copyright laws was the Neoclassic approach. Neoclassic theory, in copyright, denies the society the free use of intellectual material unlessRead MoreThe Rights Of The Citizens Of A Country973 Words   |  4 Pagescountries with legal and political systems have some sort of legal protection system that protects the values and freedoms that they think are important. While it is there to list and protect the rights of man, it is also in play to limit the power of the government, and to declare things Congress shall never do. These limitations serve to protect freedoms of religion and speech, a free press, free assembly, and free association, and the right to keep and bear arms. The U.S Bill of Rights is a document

ACT Score Comparison for Admission to Alabama Colleges

Essay on Comparison Between Pop Music and Classical Music

Classical Music versus Pop Music Classical music and popular music are both genres of music that have been in existence for a long time and listened to by the entire populace. Classical music is more complex and appeals to the older population while pop music appeals to the younger population. There are benefits associated with classical music and it is of general opinion that it requires more attention to details than pop music because of its complexity. It is a known fact that music is a form of art whose medium is sound. Its common elements are pitch, rhythm, and dynamics. Music helps in soothing ones disturbed soul and helps us to live life to the fullest; therefore, the aim of music is to touch the core of the heart.†¦show more content†¦It is not usually written, performed, and recorded as a symphony or concerto. The basic form for pop music is the song, which usually consists of verse and repeated chorus. (www.about.com/od/popmusic). However, classical music is a comp lex form of music, which requires high musical skills, and ability to coordinate with other musicians. The performance of classical music demands a significant level of technical mastery on the part of the musician, thorough understanding of tonal and harmonic principles, hence one has to go through proper training before learning this type of music. Today classical music has an elite patronage whereas pop music has more universal appeal. Usually classical music is often perceived as opulent, only appreciated by the upper class. Classical music mostly features in pop music forming background music for movies, television program, and advertisement. Because of this, many people unknowingly regularly listen to classical music. The appeal of pop music lies in its simple, energetic rhythm, appealing vocal lines, and its symbolic association with the plight of the underprivileged whereas classical music is a complex form of music requiring musical skills like learning the ragas and abilit y to coordinate with other musicians while maintaining the complex relationship between its emotional flows. (www.buzzle.com). Both classical and pop music in recent times have experimented with electronicShow MoreRelatedRelationship between Reducing Stress and Upbeat Music824 Words   |  3 PagesRelationship between reducing stress and upbeat (Pop) music This study examined the relationship between reducing stress and listening to upbeat (Pop) music. It was hypothesized that listening to upbeat (Pop) music would reduce stress and elicit happiness in the 420 female participants. Method Participants Four hundred and twenty women, ages 19 to 40 participated in the experiment. Women were selected as the primary participants for this study because when it comes to emotional display, they areRead MoreDo A Work Of Fine Art?1157 Words   |  5 PagesCans, a current pop song, or a symphony by Beethoven, a piece of literature authored by Emily Brontà «, or one by the Kardashians? Due to its objectivity, art is all encompassing: It can be anything created, written, performed, or photographed within which someone finds beauty. Conversely, fine art is exclusive and elite as evidenced by its’ name and the distinction between itself and art as a whole. Whether visible to all or not, there is a definitive line between pop culture and pop art versus worksRead MoreThe Mystery of Jazz and its Powerful Impact on the Community807 Words   |  3 Pagesand its powerful impact on the music community can be explained largely by the context of it’s creation. Jazz was born in the Unite d States, and because of this, many have referred to Jazz as â€Å"America’s music.† Like America, Jazz has a balance between structure and spontaneity. It capitalizes on the fluidity of the musicians, having several different instruments with independent spirits, coming together as one to form a great piece of music. Unlike other styles of music, Jazz has a certain way aboutRead MoreStudying with Classical Music Will Increase Concentration Ability2359 Words   |  9 Pages Literature Review Topic: Studying with classical music will increase concentration ability, allowing for quicker problem solving. Name of article: â€Å"Does music help you study?† Author: Sheela Doraiswamy Website: â€Å"Mind the science gap† Date published: October 8 2012 1:Different background noise/music was used to test students recalling abilities. The test was carried out in a quiet room with first, no sound then a steady state speech (in this case three wasRead MoreMusic As A Predictor For Personality3016 Words   |  13 PagesFor years, music has been an important part of the lives of millions of people all over the world. Music is one of the earliest forms of expressive art and is part of many cultures. It is used by all people of different ages, ethnicities, and gender for many purposes. For many, music is a part of everyday life, being used in social situations. For others, it may be used just as a way to unwind after a long, stressful day, but can it be used to as a predictor for personality? Do people who experienceRead MoreThe Physical Effects of Music Essay1157 Words   |  5 PagesMusic can be a big influence on the life of a person. To some people, music can tell a story. It inspires creations, and influences behaviors. Artists can u se music to express themselves through. Different music styles and eras relate to different cultures and time periods. What some people are not aware of, though, is that music also influences a person physically. Listening to and playing music can improve brain efficiency and health; therefore, children should be exposed to music at a young ageRead MoreMUSI 1002 Notes2546 Words   |  11 PagesStandardization Popular music standardized: 1. Number of types immediately recognizable 2. Small number of structures 3. Small number of components to each song that’s interchangeable (ex.Intro,verse,chorus etc) Pseudo-individualization The type of variation between standardized products Surface changes (rhythm), not basic structure (chord progressions, verse, chorus) If pop music is standardized, why doesn’t everything sound the same? High vs Low culture Serious vs. Popular music Differences: Read MoreMaking Music With Different Online Programs2787 Words   |  12 Pages Making Music with Different Online Programs: High School student tries to become a Record Producer 1. THE INTRODUCTION I’ve listened to a lot of music in my 514,561,058 seconds of life. Of course the beginning first few years of my life did not consistent of heavy articulation and rhythm interpretation, rather it was to see if I could sing back the ABC’s or mumble the Arthur theme song to my sister. Most of the music influence I have was harvested back when I was eleven. I listened to a wideRead MoreRomeo And Juliet Film Analysis1647 Words   |  7 Pagesthe play that they excel at reimagining unique to itself. 2. The most important aspect of this article by Anthony Davies for my paper is his analysis of Zeffirelli. In his close-reading, Anthony goes in depth on how Zeffirelli portrays the feud between the families along with the psychological structures of the characters, specifically Mercutio, and how it was influenced by the time period it was made in. This relates to my paper because the notion of when the films were created and the effect itRead MoreHeavy Metal Music7270 Words   |  30 PagesHEAVY METAL MUSIC WHAT IS HEAVY METAL MUSIC? Heavy metal  (often referred to simply as  metal) is a genre of  rock music  that developed in between 1968 and 1974 , largely in the United Kingdom and the United States.With roots inblues-rock  and  psychedelic rock, the bands that created heavy metal developed a thick, massive sound, characterized by highly amplified  distortion, extended guitar solos, emphatic beats, and overall loudness. Heavy metal lyrics and performance styles are generally associated

Russian History Questions Free Essays

Name _________________________________ Date __________ Period ___________ Researching Russia Directions: Using the reference materials (including but not limited to the Internet, almanacs, atlases, encyclopedias, and books), research the answers to the following questions. The Internet is a useful source but you should make use of other resources should it not be available! 1. On November 1, 1993, the parliament of the Russian Republic of the USSR granted Russian President ______________________ broad power to begin radical economic reforms. We will write a custom essay sample on Russian History Questions or any similar topic only for you Order Now 2. In 1991, the population of Russia was estimated at ________________________. 3. In the ninth century, Scandinavian chieftains established the first Russian state, centering it on ___________________ and Kiev. 4. When did Lenin die? _____________ How did he die? _____________________ 5. The ‘900-day siege’ of Leningrad lasted from June 1941 until January ___________. 6. When did Stalin die? ________ How old was he? _______ 7. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, massive Soviet military aid to __________________ helped assure communist victories throughout Southeast Asia. 8. Russia comprises over ________% of the total area of the former USSR and has ____________________ square miles, making it the largest country in the world. 9. What is the current life expectancy for Russian males? 10. The Russian monetary unit is the _________________. 11. The breed of cat known as the Russian blue is distinguished for its vivid ___________ colored eyes and the _____________ quality of its blue-gray coat. 12. Who is the author of War and Peace? 13. Who is the author of The Brothers Karamazov? 14. Which Russian author was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature for Doctor Zhivago but declined the prize? 5. Leningrad’s St. Isaac’s Cathedral on Decembrists’ Square was designed by French architect ______________________ and built between 1819 and 1858. 16. The _______________, or Russian wolfhound, was first imported into the United States in 1889. 17. In 1854, British poet Alfred Lord Tennyson made Balaklava famous in his poem _______________________ ________. 18. On January 22, 1904, George Melitonovich Balanchivadze was born in St. Petersburg, Russia. He gained a reputation for the foremost representative of neoclassicism ballet. His professional name was __________________________. 9. Russian physiologist Ivan Petrovich Pavlov is best known for what experiment? ____________________________________________________________ _________ 20. In 1910, Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova made her American debut with Russian dancer ______________________ at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. 21. Which Russian chemist compiled the ‘periodic table of elements? ’ ______________________________________ 22. On what date was the Russian Sputnik I put into orbit? ______________________ 23. On what date was the Russian Sputnik II put into orbit? ______________________ 24. September 17, 1957, was the 100th anniversary of the birth of Russian rocket pioneer Konstantin E. _________________________. 25. On January 2, 1959, unmanned interplanetary flight was proved feasible when the Soviet Union’s Mechta entered into orbit around the sun. 26. The Volga River is ________ miles, or ________ kilometers long. 27. What was the name of the imperial family that ruled Russia from 1613 until 1917? _______________________________ 28. The age of romanticism in Russian literature is from the late _________ until the early 1840s. 29. Who wrote The Twelve (1918)? __________________ 0. During World War II, the Soviet Union and Finland fought each other in two wars. The ‘Winter War’ was from 1939 to __________________. The ‘Continuation War’ was from 1941 until ______________. Who lost both wars? 31. When did the Russo-Japanese War begin? ____________ 32. When did the Russo-Japanese War end? ___________ 33. Catherine the Great (1729-96) ru led Russia for _________ years. 34. In what year did construction of St. Basil’s Cathedral begin? 35. The breed of dog known as the borzoi originated in Russia in the 1600s. Its average weight is __________ to ___________ pounds. 36. When World War I broke out, Russian-born composer Igor Stravinsky settled in what country? _______________________ 37. In which direction would you travel if you drove from Tula to Moscow? __________ 38. The island Great Lyakhov is in the _____________ Sea. 39. Who wrote Boris? _____________________________ 40. The ‘900-day siege’ of Leningrad during World War II caused ____________ deaths. 41. Russia is ____________ times the size of the United States but has a population of less than _______% percent of the people in the United States as of 2000. 42. What is the per capita Russian income? _____________________ 43. What is the life expectancy for Russian females? _____________ 44. In 1967, the Soviet government produced a film adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace in commemoration of 50th anniversary of the Revolution. The Russian language version of the film ____ hours and _____. 45. ____________________ delivers gifts to Russian children on New Year’ s Eve. 46. In which direction would you travel if you drove from Moscow to St. Petersburg? __________________________ 47. The ________________ Mountains form a dividing line between Asia and Europe. 48. The _____________________ Strait separates Russia and Alaska. 49. Tsar Nicholas II was married to the granddaughter of Queen _____________ of England. 50. Name the son of Tsar Nicholas who suffered from hemophilia. _______________ 51. Twenty-three of the _________________ volcanoes on Kamchatka Peninsula are active. 52. The Caucasus Mountains are composed of limestone and ______________ rocks with some volcanic formations. 53. The Caspian Sea has a surface area of about ________________ square miles. 54. In December, Moscow averages _______________ days with overcast skies. 5. St. Isaac’s Cathedral is located on ______________ Prospect, a famous thoroughfare in Leningrad. 56. In the late 1980s, the population density of the USSR was _______ persons per square mile. 57. In the mid-1980s, the population density of the USSR was _______ persons per square mile. 58. The State _______________ Museum in Leningrad is considered to be one of the world’s great museums. 59. Valent ina V. ___________ was the first woman to orbit the earth. 60. The ___________________ Railroad runs north of the Trans-Siberian Railroad. USS How to cite Russian History Questions, Papers

Strategic Management Journal of Business Strategy - Finance Management

Question: Describe about the Strategic Management for Journal of Finance. Answer: Introduction Strategic Management refers to the strategy that the business or the corporate adopts in the organizations or business firms. Strategic management is often concerned to the senior management who are responsible for the success as well failure of the organization (Gaughan 2013). Moreover, different firms have different choices to restructure the strategic choices in the organization. Although, strategic management is grounded is grounded in practice and provides strategic direction to the organizations. However, strategic management is only achieved in well organized organizations (Hill, Jones and Schilling 2014). An organization which has diversified itself globally acquires the need to get restructured in various dimensions. However, restructuring itself can be based on corporate actions like refocusing, repurchasing, alliances, consolidations as well as leveraged capitalizations (Eckbo and Thornburn 2013). On the other hand, restructuring provides opportunities that can help an organization to restore its value through diffusing excess diversification. Restructuring even possess some issues that needs to be well accepted in propositions while adopting any control and effect measure. In other words, according to Soni (2016), restructuring is the process of redesigning aspects in the organization that are implemented due to number of factors like adverse economic climate, competitive nature and new direction for the corporation. It is basically done to attain new markets as well as greater efficiency. However, the three broad types of restructuring are organization and management restructuring, financial restructuring and portfolio and asset restructuring. Figure: Broad Types of Restructuring Source: (Hallinger, Murphy and Hausman 2013) Conversely, the three broad types of restructuring are provided based on the expansion, contraction, corporate control and change in ownership. Forms of Restructuring 1. Merger or Amalgamation The merger or amalgamation is the restructuring two organizations/ business in the form acquiring a new company such that asset6s and liabilities of the merging companies becomes one (Bena ad Li 2014). Moreover, mergers can be further divided in the two forms of mergers that can be done either done by absorption or consolidation to enhance the long term profitability by expanding the operations. By Absorption Absorption can be explained when two or more companies merges with one existing company. This can be explained by Billabong International Limited, one of the Australian Listed Company that acquired other small firms like Von Zipper and Element (Mules 2014). By Consolidation On the other hand, consolidation is the form of merger that combine on or two companies to become one new company. Here, the assets and liabilities of two companies are exchanges in the forms of cash or shares. One example that can define such companies is from India that is merger of Hindustan Computers Limited, Hindustan Instruments Limited, Reprographics Limited and Indian Software Company Limited into a new company named by HCL Limited (Hellstrm, Liu and Sjgren, 2016). Furthermore, mergers can be of three types namely that is vertical merger, horizontal merger, concentric merger and conglomerate merger. Figure: Types of Mergers Source: (Brueller, Carmeli and Drori 2014) 2. Acquisition and Takeover On the other hand, acquisition is buying controlling such that 100% interest is developed in another firm with the intention of acquiring the other firm within its desired portfolio whereas takeover is a particular type of strategy that does not ask for the buying firms proposal. However, Takeovers hold half of the nominal value of the equity such that they are only able to retain their legal entities and maintain separate books of accounts (Gaughan 2013). Conversely, takeovers are considered hostile even when it is undesired and unexpected by the target firm. All the more, tender offers are the formal offers that are used in takeovers for direct approach with and without negotiations. Moreover, with negotiations is done when the acquiring company directly approaches the target company through means of shareholders by means of tender offer whereas tender offer without negotiations is used for hostile takeovers (Carline, Linn and Yadav 2014). This can be further elaborated by the merger of TATA Tea of CLL (Consolidated Coffee Limited) where 50% of shareholders sold the shareholding to TATA Tea at the offered price is the example of tender offer. The basic reasons for acquisitions are to overcome the entry barriers to speed up the cost of new product. The other reasons could be increased diversification, reshaping of competitive advantage as well as developing new capabilities. The following figure explains the reason as well as the problems in achieving success : (Vazirani 2015). Figure: Acquisitions Source: (Vazirani 2015) 3. Divestiture (Asset Acquisition) The asset acquisition or divestiture is the form of selling of the assets or acquiring effective control over assets, cash for securities by another company without any piecemeal manner. However, it is done to mobilize resources, unlocking value, selling cash cows and for a strategic change without any combination of businesses or companies. Moreover, both kinds of assets can be acquired tangible assets like manufacturing units as well as intangible assets like brands, etc (Jung, Aguilera and Goyer, 2015). Example can be of HLL that buys the brands of Lakme in India. 4. Strategic Alliance The strategic alliance of the corporations can be acquired through Joint ventures and Demergers Joint Ventures are the agreement between the two companies to develop new assets that can contribute to equity followed by enterprise and consequent assets and revenues for a finite time. The famous joint venture example in Australia is combination of Yahoo Channel with Channel 7 (Attruia, 2015). On the other hand, demergers are further divided into three types namely Spin Offs, Sell Offs and Split Offs Sell off is the usual practice of selling out a part of the business that is unprofitable part that could drain resources to a third party. Secondly, Spin Offs are new companies created that are created from single entities. Moreover, spin offs leads to no change in ownership and shareholders holds shares in two different companies. Thirdly, split offs involves the divisions in the parent company itself such that two companies are formed that exists even after the company goes for mergers and acquisitions (Bergh and Sharp 2015). 5. Restructuring Strategies The restructuring strategies are applied when the organization even changes its business or finance structure which can be broadly divided into three types namely downsizing, downscoping and leveraged buyouts (LBO). Restructuring efforts is either by reducing diversification (downscoping) or reducing the size of the workforce (downsizing) which is performed in the acquisition of new businesses (Hitt et al. 2012). Downsizing As per the research in Fortune, it is said that downsizing strategy has been applied by 85% of the firms from 1000 firms in 2002-2003. Downsizing is the paramount activity downsizes itself to remain in business during the session of loss of revenue. Hence, most companies will either close product lines and close departments or sell activities and lay off managers to still be in business. That may or may not change the companys portfolio Change Incentives Changing Incentives is possibly done to create longer managerial time horizons for division managers. This risk is adopted to diminish the managerial risk aversion by reducing business portfolio in a set of stable as well as mature business in which financial controls are appropriate and involve less innovation. However, this business scenario does not solve the competitiveness problem but it diminishes information processing of executives by focusing in set of unrelated rather mature activities. However, to reduce this problem, incentives should be derived in a way that motivates the executives in taking risks by operating on their own interest as incentive system is linked to performance evaluation of strategic actions (Milidonis and Stathopoulos 2014). Downscoping On the other hand, with help of downscoping businesses can make narrow span of control to reassert the strategic control and emphasize resources as well as strengths. However, downscoping allows more of incentives as well as governance. He financial risk in such strategic strategies reduces the financial risk and leads to debt deduction with the willingness to accept the risk of innovation strategies. Downscoping can be used as a strict sense of term where reduced bureaucratic control may result in market retreat and may involve the rehain its strategic control. Nevertheless, it leads to loss of critical employees because now the retention has been through voluntary programs (Hitt, Ireland and Hoskisson 2012). On the contrary, downscoping is considered to be more beneficial than downsizing as its emphasis on restructuring. Moreover, Marriotts disinvestments of restaurants, exit from foods from American Brands, General Mills withdrawal from retailing as well as Allegis sale of car rental and hotel business are the examples that had lead to downscoping strategy being more successful (Hitt, Ireland and Hoskisson 2012). Leveraged Buy Outs It is a form of acquisition in the company that is majorly financed through debt such that when the managers of the companies buys the company from the owners that is shareholders of the company then it known as management buy-out. It is then evaluated by the discounted cash flow method and the firms who target LBOs are high market share and growth firms. High debt capacity and liquidity firm, low operating risk firms and high profit potential firms (Hitt et al. 2012). Errors to Avoid while Restructuring The following errors need to be avoided while restructuring strategies or organization structure. Firstly the company should avoid integration difficulties, larger or extraordinary debts should be avoided. The problems even lead to problems of synergies that exceeds the value of units working independently. The private synergy of combining and integrating the assets with the other company may cause the acquisition to downsize. Too much diversification will lower the incentive level. Although, acquisition leads to change of attitude towards the firms that increases their expectations by leading to following: Additional costs increases the benefits of economies of scale that leads to additional market power but may eventually lead to drop in profits later, once the costs are only increasing. The innovation and diversification may be hampered The large market power firms will lead to bureaucratic controls. However, the formalized controls adopted may lead to rigid and standardized managerial attitude and behaviour (Hitt, Ireland and Hoskisson 2012). Conclusion Corporate restructuring based on ownership and strategy can lead to elements that not only lead to positive but as well as negative changes that can hamper effectiveness and performance of the organization. The basic aim lies in the amalgamation of strategy as well as structure that introduces changes in the performance as well as structural parameters of the company so the entity can drive to be enlisted in the profit making companies. References Attruia, R.M., 2015. The creation of shareholder value through spin-offs: the xase of Yahoo. Bena, J. and Li, K., 2014. Corporate innovations and mergers and acquisitions.The Journal of Finance,69(5), pp.1923-1960. Bergh, D.D. and Sharp, B.M., 2015. How far do owners reach into the divestiture process? Blockholders and the choice between spin-off and sell-off.Journal of Management,41(4), pp.1155-1183. Brueller, N.N., Carmeli, A. and Drori, I., 2014. How do different types of mergers and acquisitions facilitate strategic agility?.California Management Review,56(3), pp.39-57. Carline, N.F., Linn, S.C. and Yadav, P.K., 2014, March. Corporate governance and the nature of takeover resistance. InAmerican Finance Association Meetings Working Paper. Eckbo, B.E. and Thorburn, K.S., 2013. Corporate restructuring.Foundations and Trends in Finance, Forthcoming. Gaughan, P.A., 2013.Maximizing Corporate Value Through Mergers and Acquisitions: A Strategic Growth Guide. John Wiley Sons. Hallinger, P., Murphy, J. and Hausman, C., 2013. Conceptualizing school restructuring.School-based management and school effectiveness, p.22. Hellstrm, J., Liu, Y. and Sjgren, T., 2016. Stock exchange mergers and weak-form information efficiency: Evidence from the OMX Nordic and Baltic consolidation. Hill, C., Jones, G. and Schilling, M., 2014.Strategic management: theory: an integrated approach. Cengage Learning. Hitt, M., Ireland, R.D. and Hoskisson, R., 2012.Strategic management cases: competitiveness and globalization. Cengage Learning. Hitt, M.A., King, D., Krishnan, H., Makri, M., SCHIIVEN, M., Shimizu, K. and Zhu, H., 2012. Creating value through mergers and acquisitions.The Handbook of Mergers and Acquisitions, p.71. Jung, D.K., Aguilera, R. and Goyer, M., 2015. Institutions and preferences in settings of causal complexity: foreign institutional investors and corporate restructuring practices in France.The International Journal of Human Resource Management,26(16), pp.2062-2086. Milidonis, A. and Stathopoulos, K., 2014. Managerial Incentives, Risk Aversion, and Debt.Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis,49(02), pp.453-481. Mules, R., 2014. Exporting for success: How small and large businesses negotiate the task. Soni, Y.P., 2016.Organizational Restructuring. Xlibris Corporation. Vazirani, N., 2015. A Literature Review on Mergers and Acquisitions Waves and Theories.SIES Journal of Management,11(1).