The Blues Meaning and Significance

The Blues Meaning and Significance What is the blues? It seems that the answer to this question can be easily found while examining its peculiarities as the music style, but this issue remains to be one of the most controversial questions which are associated with the blues as the music and philosophy.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Blues Meaning and Significance specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Moreover, the attempts to define the blues as a notion gave the start for the discussions of the blues as the expression of the African-Americans’ identity and the possibility to play this music by white people. Thus, can white people play the blues? To examine the problem and give the reliable answer, it is necessary to pay attention to the blues as the cultural phenomenon and to its ethical significance. In his work â€Å"The Blues as Cultural Expression†, Phillip Jenkins gives the answer to the question and discusses the blues from severa l approaches to it as the cultural and aesthetical phenomenon. Jenkins states that it is necessary to differentiate between two understandings of the blues in order to be right while answering this provocative question. Thus, he accentuates the blues as â€Å"the cultural expression† and as â€Å"the musical form†[1]. When people speak about the blues as the cultural expression it is important to focus on the fact that white people cannot play the blues because they do not have those national identity and historical, social, and cultural experience and background which the African-Americans have. However, when we speak about the musical form it is possible to state that â€Å"the blues is really nothing more than sound patterns or forms that require only the ability to manipulate the instruments (including the voice) in the right way†[2]. That is why white people can follow the blues techniques and play it. Nevertheless, is it a real blues? In their work â€Å" Even White Folks Get the Blues†, Douglas and Nathaniel Langston argue the first one of Jenkins’s principles and support the second statement about the blues as the possibility of white people to play the blues as the musical form[3]. Their argument is based on the idea that it is unnecessary for people to be black, if they come from the South and feel the blues as the African-Americans do. Moreover, the blues can exist in the world of white people as the specific form known as the white blues[4]. That is why Jenkins’s thesis can be considered as rather controversial.Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The blues is the music which traditionally reflects the feelings and emotions of the African-Americans in relation to their state in the country, the peculiarities of their living and visions of their life. Thus, the main ideas of the blues are closely con nected with the issues of justice and liberties in the society. That is why it is possible to discuss the blues in the context of social and ethical significance. To understand this significance, it is useful to refer to Michael Sandel’s ideas about social liberties which reflect some which are typical for the blues. Social justice can be based on individual rights and the freedom of choice[5]. This idea is close to the ethics of the blues because the blues is the music of freedom of will, choice, and desires which are not limited by restrictive social norms. It is difficult to define the blues as a notion and to develop strict considerations about its meaning and significance because the blues is the music of the souls which freedom cannot be limited by any social, cultural or philosophical norms. Jenkins, Phillip. â€Å"The Blues as Cultural Expression†. Blues – Philosophy for Everyone: Thinking Deep About Feeling Low. Ed. Jesse R. Steinberg and Abrol Fairwea ther. USA: John Wiley and Sons, 2011. 38-49. Print. Langston, Douglas and Nathaniel Langston. â€Å"Even White Folks Get the Blues†. Blues – Philosophy for Everyone: Thinking Deep About Feeling Low. Ed. Jesse R. Steinberg and Abrol Fairweather. USA: John Wiley and Sons, 2011. 167-176. Print. Sandel, Michael J. Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do? USA: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2010. Print. Footnotes Phillip Jenkins, â€Å"The Blues as Cultural Expression†, Blues – Philosophy for Everyone: Thinking Deep About Feeling Low, ed. Jesse R. Steinberg and Abrol Fairweather (USA: John Wiley and Sons, 2011). Phillip Jenkins, â€Å"The Blues as Cultural Expression†, Blues – Philosophy for Everyone: Thinking Deep About Feeling Low, ed. Jesse R. Steinberg and Abrol Fairweather (USA: John Wiley and Sons, 2011) 40. Douglas Langston and Nathaniel Langston, â€Å"Even White Folks Get the Blues†, Blues – Philosophy for Everyone: Think ing Deep About Feeling Low, ed. Jesse R. Steinberg and Abrol Fairweather (USA: John Wiley and Sons, 2011). Douglas Langston and Nathaniel Langston, â€Å"Even White Folks Get the Blues†, Blues – Philosophy for Everyone: Thinking Deep About Feeling Low, ed. Jesse R. Steinberg and Abrol Fairweather (USA: John Wiley and Sons, 2011). Michael J. Sandel, Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do? (USA: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2010).

Impact of hyperinflation on investors and ordinary citizens in Essay - 1

Impact of hyperinflation on investors and ordinary citizens in zimbabwe - Essay Example or collection of data and determination of the process for analysing the accumulated data and information in order to arrive at a realistic solution of the research problem (Alexander and Dhumale, 2012). Such research methodology will be framed on the basis of the theoretical framework and ongoing economic circumstances in Zimbabwe. Research philosophy strikes an association between the theoretical aspects of the study with its practical exposure. Therefore, selection of appropriate research philosophy holds utmost importance for the successful completion of a research work. According to Alexander and Dhumale (2012), in order to derive the best research philosophy, its three distinct attributes should be analysed, such as; ontology, epistemology and axiology. The concept of ontology deals with realism and thus, it tends to analyse the social entities and social variables associated with the research objective so that research outcome becomes highly correlated with the practical world. Epistemology concentrates on the study of knowledge and attempts to apply the conjectural aspect for understanding the real world situation. Finally, axiology indicates the importance of value judgements (Alexander and Dhumale, 2012). As this particular research is conducted for academic purpose, epistemology is considered to be the most relevant philosophy for analysing the impact of hyperinflation on the general inhabitants of Zimbabwe. Under the research epistemology, positivism research paradigm will be adopted. Excellence of positivism reflects in its ability to observe the accumulated data and information explicitly and analyse such data applying the credible knowledge level (Maxwell, 2012). Research approach aids the researcher to precede the research work in a comprehensive manner. Conventional research methodology involves multiple research approaches such as abduction, deduction, induction etc. In order to analyse the effect of hyperinflation on the investors and

Impact of Class Size on Students' Achievement Thesis

Impact of Class Size on Students' Achievement - Thesis Example Since education is the understanding, wisdom and the information that any individual elucidate and illuminate in order to become proficient in a particular area of interest. However, there are abundant of students especially in the underdeveloped countries who do not even get the opportunity to get the elementary or primary education due to their poor financial statuses. Whereas, the developed nations are providing the students with quality education that helps them in making them live a better and standard life with the power of knowledge (Saracho, 2002). In view of the fact that education and learning is a critical and vital process that determines the future of any individual and how the person will shape his entire life with the knowledge that he will get. Therefore, education is one principal factor that cannot come under ignorance. Nevertheless, like any other field, the domain of education also has numerous problems that the students may encounter in their academic lives. Howe ver, the problems may come across with the teachers as well either with the administration department or in coping up with students (Saracho, 2002). By means of the rising population in the modern world in conjunction with the significance of education, the design, plan, and initiative for the development and enhancement of academic programs have escalated the proportion of students for each class. There are several reasons due to which elementary schools tend to have larger number of students per class without considering the fact that this is making a huge impact on the students’ accomplishments and achievements in their academic careers (Jepsen &Â  Rivkin, 2002). The relationship of students’ achievements caused by the class size has come under numerous researches and exploration since couple of decades; the aftermaths and findings have elevated this matter of subject into many discussions and arguments. In addition, the arguments provide the evidence for the fact that how the suggestions can contribute and influence to the improvements of the students’ performances. Moreover, the suggestions also propose the idea that how all students can get individual attention that can lead to a positive impact on to their achievements (Jepsen &Â  Rivkin, 2002). One of the leading obstacles that are under debates and arguments in the current times that catch the attention of one’s mind is the size of the class that the students study in, as it is one of the imperative subjects that give rise to the problems in the field of education. It has come under surveillance that the class size has a direct impact where it persuades on the learning and accomplishments of the students. In addition, the class size plays a great deal of value and prominence in the essence of learning and education that a student acquires and gains (Franciosi, 2004). Another query arises with the class size concern is that whether the students tend to perform better, gain additional and supplementary knowledge and have high level of achievements and success? This question is in comparison to the students who study in class where there are more students and

The Best Way to Increase Work Motivation Essay Example for Free

The Best Way to Increase Work Motivation Essay Introduction The purpose of this essay is to distinctively identify the effects of financial rewards on the work motivation of an organization and also whether or not this system of reward can cause an increase in the levels of work motivation already present in the organization. It furthermore aims to discuss weather Financial Rewards are the best way to increase the work motivation present. Although the essay shall primary be focused on Financial Rewards and Work Motivation, other factors that may have an effect on work motivation shall be discussed. For this purpose the understanding of work motivation shall be taken as such: The factors that are internal and external to employees that determine when he or she works, how hard he or she works and how long he or she works (Colquitt, Lepine and Wesson, 2009, pp.178-179). Furthermore the understanding of Financial Rewards to be undertaken is : The entire Reward System which focuses on Salary, Bonuses, Incentives etc., which aims to increase the amount of effort put in by the employees to achieve their work goals and increase work motivation in the organization as a whole (Hollyforde and Whiddett, 2002, p.166). By the conclusion of this essay the need for Financial Rewards its importance and status as apparently â€Å"the best way† to increase work motivation shall understood. There have been countless efforts over the years to understand the numerous factors and desires that determine and help to fully appreciate the intensity, quality, efficiency and reliability of the work performance of an employee. Since the eventual progress of learning and observation of the environment and factors has led to the conclusion that an employee’s performance is one of the most distinguishing factors that the organization or a business needs to cultivate in order for the organization to succeed. Work has always existed and been around in one form or another throughout our history but it is only in the recent couple of decades that we have come to understand the motivation to work or simply work motivation (Kressler, 2003, p.3). We must also take into consideration that different ways of motivation are influenced or can be influenced by the cultural context that it is applied in. People of different cultures may be motivated in different ways by the same rewards or incentives. The System of Reward must not differ substantially from the culture it is implanted in. However we must also note that most motivational theories are biased in the sense that they are US centric and based on studies conducted on test sample populations that may reflect cultural connotations and behaviors only found in the US.(Chiang and Birtch, 2012, pp.538-541) A Theory that seems to understand the disadvantage of a system solely focused on Financial Rewards is the Cognitive Evaluation Theory by E.L. Deci in which Financial Rewards would be seen as the External locus of Control and as understood by this it lessens the intrinsic motivation of the employee or person. It is assumed that activities are likely to be sustained longer if started by being motivated by intrinsic motivation and not an extrinsic motivation (Hollyford, et al, 2002, pp.37-38). According to the description by Kallberg and Rognes (2000) Non-financial rewards tend to have more broader aspects regarding improving performance and are focused on motivation for the long term of an organizations towards their employees. On the other hand as per Hofstede’s Topology in the category of Individualism-Collectivism explains Financial Rewards as being short-term and transactional in nature hence they are preferable for individuals who emphasize the aspects of individual contribution, individual ability and those that support that personal efforts are ultimately responsible for the job outcome. It is also suitable to people who see an increase in Financial Rewards as an attainment of Higher Status and Authority in the organization.(Chiang, et al, 2012, pp.542). Offering Non-Financial or pay benefits have been seen to have a positive effect as quoted by Francois Podeur, â€Å"The employees prove a high degree of organization commitment, are more loyal, feel more motivated to exceed their limitations and personal growth.†(Ciorbagui-Naon, 2010, pp.44) On the other hand as stated in Victor Vrooms Expectancy Theory in 1964 that when rewards are offered employees effort is increased and Money is almost always used as it is supposedly the most powerful and influential incentive in society and is already in fact largely used. . (Zani, Rahim, Junos, Samanol, Ahmad, Merican, Saad and Ahmad, 2011, pp.328-329) Since money is the basis or foundation of financial rewards and most Reward Systems the value of money against work motivation can be directly quoted as follows: â€Å"Money is not everything, Many would be happy with more time off, or more job security, than more money. People are prepared to trade off things for money once they have enough or grow weary of the game.†(Furnham, 2006, p.26-27) Furthermore several studies that have been carried out regarding the relative importance of pay or money have shown that money or pay ranks below factors such as job satisfaction, recognition, good people to work with etc., But the tendency of people to rate the things and factors which are regarded as more socially acceptable or less socially acceptable higher or lower respectively, the results of such studies could have varied or misleading results (Armstrong, 2010, p.143-144). In Concurrence with the above, according to Deming â€Å"Pay is not a motivator† as it buys the things people want but it does not motivate you to work. There is no research that supports paying people more money will encourage them to better the work performance, especially in the long run. This is also agreed upon by Kohn (1993) and Turner (2006). But the studies also concluded that it has a slightly higher or lower effect in different industries for example as in a study by Turner(2006) conducted on factory workers and service businessmen which found little relation between performance and financial incentives in factory workers but found the opposite when the study was conducted on service businessmen. (Zani, et al, 2011, pp.330). Although Financial Rewards are supposedly provided equally according to the Principle of Distributive Justice, this is not always so as most systems are individualistically designed that they cater towards one person’s performance on the whole and may serve to de-motivate the average and low-performance attaining employees. Furthermore according to studies by Thompson (1992b) and Marsden and Richardson (1994), financial incentives related to pay have little to no effect in increasing motivation and work performance. Also according to these studies the effects of Financial Rewards are hard to determine as there are debatable or skeptical ways of monitoring its effectiveness and to also take into consideration the other factors that at the same time may be in effect that may affect performance and motivation such as innovation, new technology etc. Another factor that must be taken into consideration is the way Financial Reward are introduced into the organization and the principles and practices used implementing it, according to a study conducted for The Department of Employment in the UK by Bowey and Thorpe successful l outcomes are more dependent on the effectiveness of communication and Support systems rather than the pay design or financial reward provided. (Armstrong, et al, 2010, pp.147-150). Conclusion On the basis of the above information reviewed and analyzed we can conclude that while financial rewards are the most commonly used and implemented system of reward used today it is not necessarily the best way to increase work motivation on the whole, for the organization. The use of financial rewards cannot be rejected or discarded as it plays a part in motivating an individual but it must be taken into consideration that Financial Rewards work best when within the Framework of an Integrated system of reward that combines both Non-financial and Financial Rewards together. The system that might work best is a system that takes into consideration also the cultural context in which it is placed as this may have an effect on the performance of an individual due to a reward used. Also the ratio of Financial Rewards to Non-Financial Rewards affectedness is dependent on the industry or sector it is situated in. References Armstrong, M. (2010). Armstrongs Handbook of reward Management Practice Improving Performance through Rewards. 3rd ed. London: Kogan Page Limited. pp.143-144. Armstrong, M. (2010). Armstrongs Handbook of reward Management Practice Improving Performance through Rewards. 3rd ed. London: Kogan Page Limited. pp.147-150. Chiang, F.F.T. and Birtch, T.A. (2012). The Performance Implications of Financial and Non-Financial Rewards: An Asian Nordic Comparison. Journal of Management Studies. Vol.49, No.3, pp.538-541 Chiang, F.F.T. and Birtch, T.A. (2012). The Performance Implications of Financial and Non-Financial Rewards: An Asian Nordic Comparison. Journal of Management Studies. Vol.49, No.3, pp.542 Ciorbagui-Naon, R. (2010). Modalities of Non-Financial Motivation of Employees Within Organisations. Annals of the University of Petrosani Economics. Vol.10, No.4, pp.44. Colquitt, J., Lepine, J. and Wesson, M. (2009). Organizational Behavior Improving Performance and Commitment in the Workplace. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill/ Irwin. pp.178-179. Furnham, A. (2006). Pouring Money Down the Drain?. British Journal of Administrative Management. Vol.53, Issue.2, pp.26-27. Kressler, H. (2003). Motivate and reward Performance Appraisal and Incentive Systems for business Success. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. pp.3 Hollyford, S and Whiddett, S. (2002). The Motivation Hand book. London: CIPD House. pp.37-38. Hollyforde, S. and Whiddett, S. (2002). The Motivation Handbook. London: CIPD House. pp.166. Zani, R. Md., Rahim, N. A., Junos, S., Samanol, S., Ahmad, S. S., Merican, F. M. I., Saad, S. M. and Ahmad, I. N. (2011). Comparing the Impact of Financial and Non-Financial Rewards Towards Organizational Motivation. Interdisciplinary Journal of Contemporary Research in Business. Vol.3, No.4, pp.328-329. Zani, R. Md., Rahim, N. A., Junos, S., Samanol, S., Ahmad, S. S., Merican, F. M. I., Saad, S. M. and Ahmad, I. N. (2011). Comparing the Impact of Financial and Non-Financial Rewards Towards Organizational Motivation. Interdisciplinary Journal of Contemporary Research in Business. Vol.3, No.4, pp.330.

Black Men and Public Space in America Essays -- Jim Crow Segregation

Black Men and Public Space: An Agent of Change African-American men and white men are born and raised within the continental U.S.; each of their own faculty empowered to change the social injustice of a society. The innate qualities of the African American do not compare to those of the white man, yet - â€Å"empowered† they are with character. The foundation for the concept –â€Å"character† is best defined as â€Å"holistic,† meaning of physical, mental and social qualities – A. Adler’s school of thought, as well as A. Maslow and C. Rogers’ thoughts –â€Å"[a]n equal human being†¦ cognitive, emotional, and volitional† (Ambrus, 33 -34) Jennifer Ritterhouse, author of Growing Up Jim Crow: How Black and White Southern Children Learned Race, explains that childrearing practices by caregivers resulted in the facilitation of race discrimination and it included â€Å"[r]acial self-consciousness and the ‘etiquette’ of racial interactions.† These two facets, Ritterhouse says, gave â€Å"[u]nderstand[ing to] their own position and identity within a white supremacist society†; through exchanges among peers, they were reinforced. (para 7) Furthermore, they are not â€Å"[i]nstinctive†; she ascertains socialization as â€Å"[u]nwritten rules governing all instances of interracial interaction.† This setting dates from the 1980’s. Having clarity on a realm of discrimination, we can then imagine the migration of racism stretching from the South to vast regions of the U.S. In the United States, opportunities for the cultural growth of African American men have been absent, because so cial discrimination continues to exist. In 2005, the phrase â€Å"[N]o Child Left Behind† (NCLB), coined by Kathy Emery, reverberated throughout the United States. It was a vision for the education system ... ... Nelson, Claire Nee. â€Å"Growing Up Jim Grow: How Black and White Southern Children Learned Race.† Georgia Historical Quarterly. 2007. University of Maryland University College. America: History & Life. 4 Jul 2008. Simons, Jeffrey. Expository Writing. Course home page. Jun. 2008-August 2008. Dept. of English, University of Maryland University College 15 Jul 2008. http://tychousa7.umuc.edu/WRTG291/0806/8906/class.nsf/Menu?OpenFrameSet&Login. Staples, Brent. â€Å"Black Men and Public Space.† The Norton Reader. Ed. Linda H. Peterson and John C. Brereton. Shorter 11th ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2004. 231-32. Wallace, Maurice O. â€Å"Constructing the Black Masculine: Identity and Ideality in African American Men’s Literature and Culture, 1775-1995.† Academic Journal. 2003:90.America: History & Life. University of Maryland University College Library. 4 Jul 2008.

Biometrics Essay

Biometric Recognition or Biometrics refers to the automatic identification of a person based on intrinsic physical or behavioral traits. It requires physically present at the point of identification. Identification based on biometric techniques lessen the need to remember a password or carry a token like a physical ID. Various biometric traits are being used for real-time recognition, the most popular being face, iris and fingerprint. However, there are biometric systems that are based on retinal scan, voice, signature and hand geometry. First, a user must be enrolled in the system so that his biometric template or reference can be captured. This template is securely stored in a central database. The template is used for matching when an individual needs to be identified. Depending on the context, a biometric system can operate either in a verification (authentication) or an identification mode. The biometric recognition system is a technology design to monitor the students’ official entry inside the campus. It will also serve as the Internet and Tool room access pass. With the issues concern on the monitoring of students, the researchers delve on the propose project study entitled â€Å"TUPT using Biometric Technology.† It will also be used to identify students who will use University facilities like Internet Center and Tool Room. This study will help the security system by adopting the biometric recognition to identify the bona fide students of TUP- Taguig. It will also track and manage the end user of Internet Center same with the borrower in Tool Room. Statement of the Problem This study would utilize the security systems in the campus. Several problems incurred in the campus wherein the security guards encountered difficulties in dealing with student’s admission. To a large extent, borrowing, monitoring and tracking of equipments by the students are also considered in this study. In view, the researchers prompted to conduct this study by enhancing the ID system in which the Biometric Recognition should be adopted. Objectives General Objective: This study aims to enhance the University ID system by adopting Biometric Technology. Specific objectives: 1.To create a system that will enhance the security of the campus using Biometric technology. 2.To develop a more efficient management and operation in ID system. 3.To gather information regarding the development of ID system in TUP- Taguig using Biometric. 4.To test and implement the effectiveness of said system in the campus.

Chemical Structures Starting with the Letter I