Evaluating Strategic Management Essay

The strategic management process result in decision that can have significant, long lasting consequences. In many organizations, strategy evaluation is simply an appraisal of how well an organization has performed. Strategy evaluation includes three basic activities: 1. Examining the underlying bases of firm strategy 2. Comparing expected result with actual result 3. Taking corrective action to ensure that performance conform to plan. Strategy evaluation is becoming increasingly difficult with the passage of time, for many reasons. domestic And world economies were more stable in years past, product life cycles were longer, product development cycles were longer, technological advancement was slower, change occurred less frequently, there were fewer competitors, foreign companies were weak, and there were more regulated industries. Other reasons why strategy evaluation is more difficult today include the following trends: 1. A dramatic increase in the environment ‘s complexity 2. The increasing difficulty of predicting the future with accuracy 3. The increasing number of variables 4. The rapid rate of obsolescence of even the best plans 5. The increase in the number of both domestic and world events affecting organizations 6. The decreasing time span for which planning can be done with any degree of certainty Four Criteria (Richard Rummelt in evaluating strategic management: †¢ Consistency Strategy should not present inconsistent goals and policies. Conflict and interdepartmental bickering symptomatic of managerial disorder and strategic inconsistency †¢ Consonance Need for strategies to examine sets of trends †¢ Adaptive response to external environment †¢ Trends are results of interactions among other trends †¢ Feasibility Neither overtax resources or create unsolvable sub problems †¢ Organizations must demonstrate the abilities, competencies, skills and talents to carry out a given strategy †¢ Advantage Creation or maintenance of competitive advantage †¢ Superiority in resources, skills, or position Nowadays, the strategy evaluation is become difficult because adjusting with the trends happened. There are some reasons for it: 1. Increase in environment’s complexity 2. Difficulty predicting future with accuracy 3. Increasing number of variables 4. Rate of obsolescence of plans 5. Domestic and global events 6. Decreasing time span for planning certainty a.Reviewing Bases of Strategy – Develop revised EFE Matrix – Develop revised IFE Matrix Review effectiveness of strategy is important to evaluate how far these strategy matches with our goals, the way are: 1. Competitors’ reaction to strategy 2. Competitors’ change in strategy 3. Competitors’ changes in strengths and weaknesses 4. Reasons for competitors’ strategic change 5. Reasons for competitors’ successful strategies 6. Competitors’ present market positions and profitability 7. Potential for competitor retaliation 8. Potential for cooperation with competitors b.Measuring Organizational Performance †¢ Comparing expected to actual results †¢ Investigating deviations from plan †¢ Evaluating individual performance †¢ Progress toward stated objectives

Internet Cafe Essay

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Taraba Digital Village Centre (TDVC) proposal articulates a compelling vision, that will enable Jalingo, the state capital to through the centre, play a pivotal role in assisting the government to define, develop and  deliver its programmes and facilitate development based on the new Information Communication Technology (ICT’s) strategy(ies) and so facilitate business opportunities that is unrivalled in the 21st century. The center’s immediate benefit shall focus on the creation of a better business competitiveness, jobs creation, investment opportunities, infrastructural improvements, global inclusion and participation within the information society process. The essential component of the centre would be a place where ICT knowledge is disseminated through the cutting-edge of information knowledge economy and transfer initiative, the use of communication technologies and sophisticated knowledge sharing process and education. The centre will be a place where the ne xt generation is educated, trained and skilled to take positions at all levels of development required by the 21st century businesses and entrepreneurship. The centre will be socially inclusive and accessible to the citizens of the state to participate in building the cultural diversity of our society. Taraba Digital Village Centre project is a bold vision for broad -partnership and catalyst for global businesses and competitiveness. The driving vision behind Taraba Digital Village Centre (TDVC) is shaped around the epicenter for a dynamic environmental and learning center that foster gender participation in today’s Information Community. INTRODUCTION: Jalingo, the capital city of Taraba State – Nigeria has emerged from the last fifteen (15) years of creation to be a city centered around fresh ideas, expertise, governance, economic opportunities and real investors confidence. This transformation brings with it an unprecedented opportunities to boost dynamic and sustainable power base that fully maximized the city’s unique assets that centers around the new emerging Information Communication Technology (ICTs) so as to properly position the State and its people within the Local, National, Regional and International Information Society processes thereby becoming a recognized New Millennium City, where great things are shaped with commitment. In today ’s Global economy, where knowledge and innovation are keys to competitive success, we are delighted to say that with a digital center in the city, Jalingo is uniquely placed to provide necessary services and impetus on ICT to a growing population  and to conform to international competitiveness and standards. If its capacity are integrated into the information and telecommunication Network of the world and its resources tapped and released through the Center much would have put in place to serve the underserved Youths, gender, and Stakeholders needs on ICTs DESCRIPTION OF JALINGO CITY: Taraba State was created in August, 27th 1991. The state covers a land area of 9,400 square km with sixteen local government Areas (LGAs). Jalingo Local government HQtrs is the capital city of Taraba State as well as the Traditional Seat of Muri Emirate ,the Emirate that was founded since 17th century. All Federal and State parastatals are located in Jalingo. Businesses, Socio-Economic and Political activities takes firm and flourishing growth in Jalingo. Tertiary institutions established by the state and other Modern urban development infrastructures that attract the Youth and other Nigerian citizens including Foreign Nationals into the capital city are located in Jalingo POPULATION: The 1991 Census figures, Taraba State has a population figure of (1,512,163 million). As at the 2003 projection of 31% the population of the state now stand at (2,074,615 million). Many ethic groups occupies the state notably , the Mumuye, Jukun, Wurkum, Mambilla, Fulani, Kuteb Hausa, Kunini, Jenjo, Yandang, Chamba, Ichen among others. WHY THERE IS A NEED FOR A DIGITAL VILLAGE PROJECT?: The Project is contained in the Taraba State Economic Empowerment Development Strategy (TSEEDS) document that articulated â€Å"Making available the benefits of the new Information and Communication Technology† (ICT). To bridge the Digital divide and open doors to many underserved youths of the state and beyond . Attaining height in the standard of education for Technology and the creation of new job opportunities and market oriented values using ICTs. Improving quality of life and creating new opportunities for others who otherwise may not have had the opportunity. Development of a virtual library that provides information and answers urgent questions that meets real economic benefits, impact and social and gender inclusion. TARGET POPULATION: The underserved youths and women across the state and beyond. To meet the needs of growing businesses in and around the state. Students and educational institutions, private and public sector of the state. FACILITIES NEEDED: The complex which will be referred to as â€Å"The Digital Village† shall have facilities such as: Computers and Printers for Training and Internet Access. Telephone and Fax Machines. Source of Power supply (Solar and Electrical). Equipped and Furnished conference Centre Air Conditioners. Laptops. Manpower Operators. Project Occupancy at a time @ 300 persons 24 Hours Access and opens at 8:00am. TIME-TABLE FOR RAISING FUND TO START PROJECT OPERATION: 2006 Project Team Exchange visit between the Project Prospective Development Technical Partner .This is to facilitate Formative stages and drawing –up of project details for actualization of plans. 2006- 2007 Funds made available and work begins at site and if the building is to be provided and not constructed, then renovation on the site to suit Project as designated. Last quarter 2007- Project commissioning. CORE PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES: The Taraba Digital Village Centre (TDVC) Project will provide: Training and equipping it’s our target groups /participant with necessary and basic skills in Information Communication Technology applications through aiding them to understand trends behind the information society today. Research and Education for Development Professional Service and Practical applications Skills development programmes and work force initiatives Better academic acceleration programmes through the engagement of our academic community in the state, National and International. The TDVC is intended to provide a dynamic environment for genius generation, global focus on knowledge economy driving competition and enhancement of partnership development. BUDGET COST: i. Equipment supplies and installation @ N4,000,000.00 $30,000.00 ii. Construction and furnishing of the centre @ N6,000,000.00 $60,000 iii. Staff recruitment and remuneration @ first two years i.e. management staff and domestic @ N1.428,250.20 =$9,850 iv. Technical service and maintenance @ N1.280,000.00 =@$8,820 v. Consultancy @ #2,005,123,00 =@ $ 13,794 vi. Contingency/Miscellaneous @ # 2,500,000,00=@ $172,414 vii. Total in Naira@ N18,493,624 viii. Total in US $ 127,543 ix. Exchange rate of N145 to $1 dollar x. Eighteen Million, four hundred and ninety three thousand, six hundred and twenty four naira. xi. One hundred and twenty seven thousand, five hundred and forty three dollars. CORE AREAS OF COLLABORATION IN THE PROJECT: The TDVC Initiating Team/ Organization(s) and the Government of Taraba State will to provide a designated Structure(s) that would accommodate PCs, for Internet facilities, training centre, business centre, library and conference Hall among others. Technical Development Partner(s) on the other hand, to Supply and Provide the technical know-how/expertise that will equip the centre in Jalingo, Taraba State with PCs. And such a Partners(s) to play consultancy role and management before eventual transfer of ownership of the centre to the Initiating Team and Taraba State Government after the latter must have set-up a management structure for the centre. Other Areas of collaboration which may not have been detailed here in the proposal including legal contract agreements etc, to be agreed upon in the final draft agreement for the project having the preliminary objectives/idea for the realization of the Center is accepted as the basis of project initiation. EXISTING CAFES: Taraba State cannot be said to have been fully connected to the internet Network or its Digital and Telecommunication Infrastructures are full developed. At Wukari LG, there is only Internet Cafà ©. At Zing LGA, the internet Cafà © located at Bizarre Hotels may not serving broad society needs. At the state capital Jalingo, there are only four functional internet Cafà ©s. With over 2million people population therefore, the state need more internet connectivity and access than it is currently obtainable. TRAINING PROGRAMMES: The training at the centre shall be designed to enhance accessibility to Information Technology with key aim of preparing and equipping applicants/trainees to automatically fit into competitive labor pool with best and optimum result that meets job creation in the private and Public Sectors. TDVC INTERNET CAFÉ: The primary responsibility of this sector at the Center is to continue to explore and provide access to Information Communication Technology and or to the society through the use of internet access. This section will be multi-stake-holder to provide the best and efficient service desired of a growing metropolitan community like Jalingo, the capital city of Taraba State- Nigeria. EXPLANATORY NOTES/CONCLUSION: The project was once commissioned shall be renamed after the Name of the first Executive Governor of Taraba State. It is thus proposed that the center be Named as â€Å"REV. JOLLY T. NYAME CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE†. This is the first Project in Taraba State to bear the inscription of His Excellency. It shall then be a Model for other New Millennium ICTs project. It shall enhance the way people and organizations communicate, exchange knowledge and access information. The centre shall facilitate the development of : – Entrepreneurship and youth leadership development. A unifying focus for all tribes, race without discrimination. A centre that provide a world class and unique socio-economic, political and Technological development. The project shall be a convergence of opportunity for moving people and ideas that maintains a high quality of life and sustainable development. PROJECT TEAM MEMBERS Mr. Gimba Joseph. (M.A.L.D) Lectures at College of Agriculture, Jalingo, Taraba State. A Youth NGO Leader and Ex-officio executive of the NYCN, North-East, Zone, Nigeria , Project Manager, NETWORK FORUM, WORLD BANK HIV/AIDS Assisted project, Taraba State Co-coordinator, TARABA STATE Chapter, National Youth Network on HIV/AIDS and Member ,Information Society Stakeholders Forum, in Nigeria and Pricipal facilitator of the project. Mr. Raymond N. Enoch (JP). Staff of Government College, Jalingo, Taraba State. Education and Training officer, WORLD BANK HIV/AIDS assisted project. Member, Nigeria Information Society Stakeholders Forum, Member African Youth ICT4D Network, and Secretary, Taraba State chapter, NYNETHA. Member, Youth@WorldBank Network in Nigeria, Co-Facilitator, TARABA DIGITAL VILLAGE RESOUCE CENTER (TDVRC) Comrade Simon D. Shinpu The Administrative Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, Taraba State Wing. A former Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly.Member, Facilitating Team of the Project. The Executive Chairman, Jalingo LGA Local Government Secretariat Jalingo, Taraba State – Nigeria. Mallama Hauwa Umar. NGO Youth Leader. Administrative Secretary Global HIV/AIDS Nigeria (Ghain). FHI/USAID Abuja, Nigeria, member, Nigeria Youth Network on MDGs, Member of the Facilitating Team of the Project. Mr ‘GBENGA SESAN, Project Manager, Lagos Digital Village ,Vice-Chair Technical African YouthICT4D Network(AYIN) Technical Adviser to the Project

Outsourcing and Negotiation in Project Management

The prevailing tendency of organizations is to concentrate on core activities and opt to outsource those activities which are considered to be noncore. 1) Discuss the concept of outsourcing, reason behind outsourcing and its challenges. Outsourcing is the act of one company contracting with another company to provide services that might otherwise be performed by in house employees. Often, the tasks that are outsourced could be performed by the company itself, but in many cases there are financial advantages that come from outsourcing.Many large companies now outsource jobs such as call centre services, email services and payroll. These jobs are handled by separate companies that specialize in each service. Outsourcing is therefore, the process of contracting an existing business function or process of an organization to another independent organization and ceasing to perform that function or process internally, instead, purchasing it as a service. Reasons for Outsourcing i. Cost redu ction/Cost Savings- outsourcing cuts costs such as labour costs, regulatory costs and training costs.Most companies that provide outsourcing services are able to do the work for considerably less money as they don't have to provide benefits to their workers and have fewer overhead expenses to worry about. ii. Focus on Core Business- companies are able to focus their money and resources more towards improving the core aspects of their business when outsourced. this allows the outsourcing company to build onto its core functions that keep the business running smoothly. iii. Access to more Knowledge, Talent and Experience- outsourcing means contracting to an organization that is more specialized in a particular area, e. . , payroll services. this means that the process that is outsourced will be performed in a more efficient and effective manner hence improved services. iv. Increased profits- due to the fact that some services or processes are outsourced at a cheaper cost, it means tha t the services/products a company offers will also be provided at an affordable price hence higher revenues. Cost savings and reduction also increases the profits. Challenges of Outsourcing i. Eliminates direct communication between a company and its clients especially in instances where customer service has been outsourced.This may prevent a company from building solid relationships with their customers which can lead to dissatisfaction. ii. The danger of not being able to control some aspects of a company which have been outsourced which can lead to delayed communication and project implementation. In turn, this can cause a company to become highly dependent on its outsource providers which can cause problems or complications should the outsource provider back out on the contract for one reason or another. iii. Any sensitive information is more vulnerable as there is reduced confidentiality and also the risk of leakage.Outsourcing means that some information needs to be shared wit h the outsource provider hence confidentiality is compromised. 2) Discuss the significance of negotiation and its approaches to achieve procurement objectives, factors influencing buyer negotiations, strengths and weaknesses of negotiation styles. Negotiation is dialogue between 2 or more people or parties intended to reach an understanding, resolve point of difference or gain advantage in outcome so as to satisfy various interests of the negotiating parties. It is therefore mutual discussion and arrangement of the terms of a transaction or agreement.It is a process where each party involved in negotiating tries to gain an advantage for themselves by the end of the process. Negotiation is intended to aim at compromise. Approaches to Negotiation i. Structural Approach Structural approaches consider negotiated outcomes to be a function of the characteristics or structural features that define each particular negotiation. These characteristics may include features such as the number of parties and issues involved and the composition or relative power of the competing parties.In this approach, there's an emphasis on the means parties bring to a negotiation. Power is thus the central determining factor in negotiation. In this view, the relative power of each negotiating party affects his/her ability to secure their individual goals. However, other factors such as negotiating skills can play a key role in shaping negotiated outcomes. Therefore, victory in negotiations does not always go to the party that is more powerful. Another limitation of structural approaches is their emphasis on taking positions.Negotiators should be aware that a blind attachment to winning from a negotiation regardless of the resulting satisfaction of other parties, can be a poor long term strategy if it means that the other side will lose its will or ability to maintain its side of the negotiated agreement. ii. Strategic Approach Here, the emphasis is on the role of ends (goals) in determin ing outcomes. Negotiators are viewed as rational decision makers with known alternatives who make choices guided by their calculation of which option will maximize their ends or gains.Actors choose from a choice set of possible actions in order to try and achieve desired outcomes. It's grounded in the belief that there is one best solution to every negotiation problem hence look for best solutions from all perspectives of a negotiation. iii. Behavioural Approach Behavioural approaches emphasize the role that negotiators' personalities or individual characteristics play in determining the course and outcome of negotiated agreements. It explains negotiations as interactions between personality types. It therefore, highlights human tendencies, emotions and skills.It may emphasize the role played by arts of persuasion, attitudes, trust, perception or misperception, individual motivation and personality in negotiated outcomes. iv. Integrative Approach Negotiations are viewed as interacti ons with win-win potential. It looks for ways of creating value so that there is more to share between parties as a result of negotiation. Uses objective criteria, looks to create conditions of mutual gain and emphasizes the importance of exchanging information between parties and group problem solving. It thus calls for participants to work jointly to create win-win solutions.It involves uncovering interests, generating options and searching for commonalities between parties. Objectives of Negotiation for Procurement 1. Obtain the quality specified- through negotiation, buyers and suppliers are able to reach a consensus on quality required for the products/services. 2. Obtain a fair and reasonable price. 3. Create a long term partnership with a highly qualified supplier- through negotiation, an organization is able to identify which supplier it best relates with hence creating a long term relationship. 4.To get the supplier to perform the contract on time- delivery date schedule fo r quantity and quality specified should be realistic. It's important that buyers negotiate delivery schedules which suppliers can realistically meet without endangering other requirements of the purchase. 5. To exert control over the manner in which the contract is performed- buyers need to negotiate for controls which will assure compliance with the quality, quantity, delivery and service terms of the contract. Factors Influencing Buyer Negotiations 1. Type of Buyer All buyers are not equal.Buyers have different acquisition objectives, growth and competitive pressures, availability of capital and the attendant costs, risk tolerance and adeptness at negotiating deals that will impact the amount they are willing to spend on procurement. 2. General Attractiveness of the Company Naturally, an asking price that is below market valuation will make a supplier more attractive. Also, an asking price that is in close proximity to a company's fair market valuation is also attractive. Therefor e, factors that make a supplier attractive include: †¢ Strong management A strong balance sheet †¢ High growth rate †¢ Leadership or dominance in the market Such factors will attract buyers since the supplier will be viewed as dependable or reliable. 3. Financial Parameters A buyer's financial parameters that determine what to be paid include: internal cash available for procurement and the amount they are willing to invest in a single procurement deal. 4. Relative Negotiation Skill and Bargaining Leverage of the Parties As a buyer, the amount of money you will pay will be influenced by your negotiation skills, bargaining leverage and time constraints.For example, if the products/services are required urgently, then you might not have enough time to bargain for a good deal. Ultimately, the greatest power possessed by both the buyer and seller is to walk away or end the negotiation process. 5. Buyer's Experience with Prior Suppliers The amount of money that a buyer is willing to pay is influenced by prior experience. If the buyer paid a high price in the past and the supplier failed to deliver, they will think long and hard before offering an overly generous price and vice versa. 6. Inherent Risk Factors and the Buyer's ToleranceRisk can be defined as the possibility of a bad outcome or the uncertainty of a desired outcome. Tolerance of risk is a buyer's willingness to accept and manage risks that can come about say due to a delayed or even failed delivery. When it comes to negotiation, the biggest risk is overpayment then the product/service procured does not meet the specifications or is not even delivered. 7. General Market and Economic Conditions Economic and market conditions strongly influence buyers. Favourable economic conditions means that buyers are willing to spend more; unfavourable economic conditions means that buyers will reduce on their spending.

Political structure of libya in the past and its current challenges Research Paper

Political structure of libya in the past and its current challenges including the national transition council - Research Paper Example Unlike the protests in Tunisia and Egypt, Libyans took a different approach torching and demolishing government buildings from the outset. Within a few days, the protests had found their way to the capital Tripoli and other major cities especially in the north-west. A look at other Arab countries such as Tunisia and Egypt revealed an active participation of organized social movements, opposition parties and trade unions (Inbar 110). However, this was not the case in Libya, the long serving Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, had actively suppressed these organized bodies which informed their inexistence. Initially, the actors of the uprising were unorganized young men who acted spontaneously and lacked the social interactive forums as was the case in other Arab countries (Panara and Gary 10). Furthermore, these young men could not be identified as representatives of the Libyan middle class as the Libyan private sector was comparatively weak. There were two main reasons that led to the de velopment of the uprisings into a revolution. The first reason was the regime’s violent response to the protests. Initially, the uprisings were isolated and the regime was keen on suppressing them before they reached unprecedented levels as was the case with most of Libya’s neighbors (Panara and Gary 10). ... The second development was the institution of NTC (National Transition Committee) in Benghazi in early March. NTC was largely made up of elitists who had defected from the regime and assumed leadership of the unorganized uprising with a promise of bringing down the regime (Inbar 110). The background of the Libyan revolt against ruler Muammar Gaddafi had little to do with the overall performance of the economy. The high prices of oil in the international markets had helped the Libyan economy prosper. Following Gaddafi’s decision in 2003 to give up weapons of mass destruction programs, Libya returned to the forefront of international investor attention. From that point, overall growth increased, reaching 10 percent in 2010. Libya’s estimated 2010 GDP was $71.336 billion, of which oil accounts for 98 percent (Inbar 111). Nevertheless, there was vast corruption and nepotism, at least one third of residents lived in poverty, the unemployment rate was 30 percent, and substant ial income gaps existed between rich and poor; all of this helped fuel the resistance to the Gaddafi regime. Political developments From the beginning, both the political leadership and the forces that shaped the revolution were diverse and disjointed. The NTC was largely made up of longstanding members of the exiled opposition and had also created room for Gaddafi loyalists turned dissidents such as General Abdel Fatta Younis. The NTC also played host to influential and aristocratic families who had been isolated by the Gaddafi regime. This diversity created a clear split of ideas on the way forward, some of these individuals fought for reforms, while others only fought for inclusion (MacQueen 378). This

Application statement for leadership program course Personal

Application for leadership program course - Personal Statement Example My level of experience and position has earned me the status of a mentor for medical students and fellow nurses in the emergency department; I hold great pleasure in guiding people this way and helping them to improve their performance. The reputation of being a senior and resourceful employee increased my interest in the Clinical Leadership Program. The field of medicine requires effective team work and mutual support more than any other field since it is a matter of life and death in numerous instances. The clinicians, who do not realize the relevance of team work, cannot provide good quality service to their patients. The presence of team work and mutual support can be expected from any team if they are managed and led by effective leaders. The Clinical Leadership Program bears the necessary aspects that develop a regular clinician into an attentive and organized leader. All clinicians aim to improve the services for patient care but the tools and skills that are taught in the respective program make the person aware about innovative approaches of giving a patient-centric service. As stated earlier, I work in the emergency department and am faced with nerve wrecking instances every day that require coordinated actions and presence of mind. I believe that this program will facilitate the development of my skills to tackle challenging tasks with confidence and lead the team members in a coordinated fashion. It is natural for clinicians to panic at some instances but such professional trainings help the individuals to maintain their focus to improve their decision making abilities and quality of service. I possess skills to comprehend the boundaries and scope of medicine that makes me plan the course of action to be taken to provide quality care to the patient. However, the course of action is judged on the basis of my experience as a nurse. A formal study of the required skills and leadership traits

How national culture relates to marketing strategy Essay

How national culture relates to marketing strategy - Essay Example From this research it is clear that numerous authors have studied various market theories and models with respect to national cultural effects. Their works looked at the specifics of marketing tasks to culture (micromarketing view) and the marketing concept to culture (macro marketing view). However, there are no significant works on the view between the micromarketing and the macromarketing in which the realm of marketing strategy falls. One reason for this is that it is typically a more difficult area to study. Each type of business dictates a different marketing strategy. It is easier to study very specific items, such as culture to product development, or culture to product choice. Or study very broad topics, such as national culture to market orientation. However, the study of marketing strategy is between the micro and macro marketing views making it difficult to develop theories that are testable. Overall marketing strategy is too broad to practically study, yet not homogeneou s enough to relate to as a whole. Therefore, to study this area requires the creation of artificial boundaries.Since it is such a difficult area to study authors have not published any significant research that may lead to a better understanding of why businesses have failed in their international efforts. Moreover, there is still debate among the academic community concerning the relevance of national culture in regards to customization versus standardization of products and marketing efforts.

Factors Affecting Healthcare Systems Management Term Paper

Factors Affecting Healthcare Systems Management - Term Paper Example The present study has identified that the 1929 depression had significant social economic impacts to the society in a healthcare system, which led to the introduction of plans that has persisted to today. The government and private sectors introduced health insurance programs after the 1929 depression with the aim of helping the citizens to obtain affordable healthcare services due to the hard economic times that rendered the citizens the inability to pay for health services. This program serves as a security for health service for the people although the government has taken advantage of high income among the Americans to increase the Medicare tax. Consequently, this has led to the perception of exploitation among patients and the public who pay for the program as most of the tax is not used on the healthcare system, which leaves most of the people wondering on what the government is undertaking to ensure that the crisis once in the U.S in 1929 does not occur again. However, positiv e perception of the health system is increasing among the population of U.S. from the negative view that Americans have had towards the system since the 1929 depression. Cost and coverage is the main factor that most people consider when evaluating the effectiveness of the healthcare system. The people's dissatisfaction on the health care system today in the U.S. indicates that the impact on the 1929 depression to the health sector has devastated the balance between the cost and quality health care services, which has led to about 67% of the citizens dissatisfied by the healthcare system.

Select an Industry and Analyse it According to Porter's Five Forces Essay

Select an Industry and Analyse it According to Porter's Five Forces - Essay Example However, before venturing into this tiny automobile industry, it is essential to evaluate the competitive forces. If the forces are intense, it becomes difficult to achieve attractive returns on investment (Porter, 2008). However, the company achieves profits when the forces are benign. The strongest competitive forces determine the profitability of the industry and also guide the firm in developing the strategy. Based on Porter’s Five Forces Model, the picture of competition can be build in three stages – identification of the specific competitive pressures with each of the five forces, evaluate the strength of each of the five competitive forces, and determine if the collective effect of the five forces is conducive to making profits within the industry. The five forces that shape strategy have been shown in the diagram below and each of them has been discussed separately: Source: Porter (2008). Threat of new entrants The automobile industry is mature and to survive i n this industry the firm must be able to achieve economies of scale. This requires mass production and heavy investments. Because of low sales consolidation is taking place in the industry. Apart from manufacturing regular innovation is necessary to sustain and this requires heavy investments in research and development as well. The cost of entry into an industry also depends upon the probable reaction from existing competitors (Porter, n.d.). High switching costs also deter a manufacturer from entering an industry. Switching costs in this case may be high because of periodical technology up-gradation to survive in the market. Automobile manufacturing and especially with new technology requires intensive distribution strategy with several distribution channels. This becomes difficult for a new entrant to establish and hence threat from new entrants is low. However, foreign competition, new technology and management skills do pose a threat in the industry. Moreover, the UK government is supportive of innovation in the auto industry which makes the threat from new entrants high. Bargaining power of suppliers The automobile manufacturers now outsource bulk of their auto parts to other manufacturers thereby enabling them to focus on the core products, on innovation and research and development. This is known as the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) principle where the industry brand name works with a large number of suppliers (Molnar, 2009).This implies that one automobile manufacturer is dependent on several suppliers at the same time and these suppliers too may be sub-contracting work in turn. Thus there are several layers of suppliers for each automobile manufacturer. Toyota in fact has two or three suppliers for the same parts which reduces their dependency on one single supplier (SD, 2005). This suggests that the bargaining power of suppliers is low in the industry. However, since this is a new concept with innovative technology the dependency on supplier s may be high initially as more manufacturers enter the market. Bargaining power of buyers The automobile industry is totally dependent on the sale of output by the buyers. Thus the bargaining power of buyers is high. Buyers have become demanding of facilities and are also price

Research Argument Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Research Argument - Essay Example Admittedly the various crimes for which execution was the verdict have been brought down in recent times. Also the methods of execution (quartering, boiling, and impaling to name a few) have been made less barbaric in the recent years. However whether death penalty should be allowed a place in our law at all is a much debated point. Two thirds of the countries around the world have completely abolished capital punishment for any crime. Many countries have even abolished it as late as 2008: Uzbekistan for one did so on 1st January 2008. The European Union is also firm in its stand against death penalty. Currently though 60 countries retain the use of the same for certain crimes like premeditated murder while others retain death penalty but have not executed anyone within a span of 10 years (â€Å"Death penalty: Abolitionist and Retentionist countries†). The United States has been under fire from various fronts regarding the large number of executions since 1976, the year during which death penalty was reinstated in the country. The support in the nation against death penalty is steadily on the rise. Yet there is a strong belief among quite a large population that the only punishment fit for a person who has taken the life of another is death itself and no less. A legal scholar, writes, â€Å"Abolitionists appear to value the life of a convicted murderer or, at least, his non-execution, more highly than they value the lives of the innocent victims who might be spared by deterring prospective murderers.† (van den Haag). In certain cases like that of Timothy McVeigh, where the convict shows no remorse for his heinous crimes it seems like death penalty is the only fitting verdict that can be pronounced. Timothy McVeigh was sentenced to death and executed on 11 April 2006 for the attack on a federal building in Oklahoma. He was responsible for the death of 168 individuals, including 19

Business ethics Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Business ethics - Term Paper Example However, it is worth to note that such move put my job on the line from two perspectives. Revealing the truth will upset the company through possible sales back clash and ruined image. Internal conscience and professional ethics also push for doing the right thing. Reconciling these two difficult situations constitutes the pressure in making the final decision concerning the defective products. The main question that is important in this case is what ought to be right. In this respect, the monetary gain of an action may not necessarily be right and as such must be shunned. In this respect, it would be important to enlist the Kant ethical theory which emphasizes the moral obligation to do what is right even if it might have small quantitative gain. In the short run, the company may enjoy but individual sales team would be breaching ethical codes expected of them in keeping the truth from the clients. Making such special payments amount to illegal and unethical business practices. It is important to note that legal structure guiding business in United States shuns corruption. Besides, fair competition offers level ground so that firms can compete on quality judged by customer under no undue influence. Critical ethical assessment of the act puts personal conscience on perpetual slavery of guilt on what may happen next and the magnitude of the problem. It is there important to act on the right rather that from the utilitarian perspective which considers only gains. In that respect, I would oppose my company’s plan to pay the $ 5000 special fee. Some of the consideration includes the potential explosion of product defective nature that will ultimately bring the company down. On the other hand such an action would provoke investigation on the legal platform on which such a business is to be operated. Should the authorities find out the illegal arrangement, the

Black people in south africa in the 90 s Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Black people in south africa in the 90 s - Essay Example Though the transfer and sharing of political power is long a matter of the past, the leveling of economic disparities among the non-White peoples of South Africa remains an elusive and as yet unrealized goal. Africa in general, though South Africa in particular, has in the last twenty years been a testing ground for a variety of programs and initiatives to heal racial divisions and remedy racial and social inequities. â€Å"At a more general level, there is Africa’s role in the broad redefinition of international morality and law. Africa, perhaps more than any other continent, has helped to make domestic racism in a particular society an issue of international relevance† (Mazrui 304). The paradox is such that though South Africa led the way in redressing the political wrongs left by colonialism, it has largely faltered in fixing the socio-economic ones. It is that disparity which stands before us here. The Union of South Africa was formed into a dominion of the British Empire in 1910, whereupon racial segregation and economic isolation became an institutionalized policy of the white-dominated government (South Africa 1998). Looking back, this was by far the decision which would have the greatest consequences upon the future of the country. Even if the ways and means whereby race-based economic disparities continued to plague South Africa’s black population throughout the 1990’s were as widespread as the disparities themselves, one area for which the country should receive praise is in the realm of literacy rates and infant mortality. By 2000 literacy rates had risen from their pre-1991 level of some 77% to approximately 88% of the population, a marked increase. This successfully solved the lack of basic reading skills in those members of the population who had until then been ignored or denied basic access to education. As well, infant mortality levels have dropped f rom 49% in 1990 to 46% in 2007, a change which can be directly attributed

United States South Korean Alliance Essay Example for Free

United States South Korean Alliance Essay About 55 years have been passed since the U. S. -R. O. K. alliance, a pillar of East Asia security indeed, which has been proven to be quite successful and beneficial to both the countries in the history of International Relations. For the Republic of Korea, the security guaranteed by this alliance has acted as a major instrument for its transformation. While on the other end, the United States expresses its gratified sentiments to have played a vital role in supporting the progression of democracy, human rights and in holding out its aid for the very survival of the population in the Republic of Korea. A set of mutually related policies of understanding and agreement exist in this alliance. There happens to be a series of goals, whose accomplishment has been a shared responsibility of both the partners. A strong foundation indeed, this firm security alliance has turned the very relationship into a more mature and inclusive partnership for both the countries. However, lately, this longstanding alliance has undergone an intricate time. There exist a number of challenges which seem to pose quite a concentrated threat to this collaboration. Concerns are growing at both ends, with experts and historians wondering over what the future would be for this alliance. Nonetheless, deep down, both the parties foresee the much feared atrophy as a terrible mistake. â€Å"Experts say friction in the U. S. -South Korean relationship is hardly new, but the alliance has managed to endure. † And for a continued survival, both the countries need to envision a renewed perspective towards the very many present and forthcoming challenges. The History Following the post-World War II splitting of the peninsula between the then occupying forces of the United States in the south and the now called Soviet Union in the north, as the promised national elections continued to pend, the United Nations in 1948 finally pronounced the Republic of Korea (R. O. K. ) as the only legal and rightful government on the peninsula. This assertion was highly rejected by the Soviets. In retaliation, the Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK) invaded South Korea in 1950. This was the time when the United States held out its support and reached to the rescue. Insuperable challenges had to be faced as the struggle continued till 1953, and an armistice finally took effect. It was in 1954, that the United States and South Korea approached and mutually signed the U. S. -R. O. K. Mutual Security Agreement. In this, they corresponded to protect each other in the episode of outside aggression. Present Challenges to the Alliance Society does change with time. For natives it may be acceptable as it is about their own country, but when it is in relation to some other country, even if it is a coalition partner, things get a little complicated. For both South Korea and United States, the issue of raising public awareness , of the changes taking place in each other’s society is the biggest challenge fronting their alliance. The impact of the September 11 attacks on America, and the resulting magnitude of its effect wasn’t and still isn’t fully appreciated. Similarly, on the part of Americans, it is also tough for them to cope with the radical changes evolving within Korea. For America, the September 11 attacks chiefly affected their foreign relations, as well as the political, domestic and economic landscape. If considered in some other context, rather than that of September 11 and the subsequent fundamental changes it brought to the American society, the U. S. policy of fighting against terrorism and weapons of mass destruction and promoting the spread of autonomy and social equality as the best solution to extremist ideologies, creates unrest in the international community. Thereupon, the South Korean government unwaveringly and gallantly supported the war on terrorism, at the same time exposing itself as a fervent supporter of democracy around the world and playing an active role in encouraging constructive changes in the developing world. Such common interests of the two countries and next to no areas of conflict are a merit in their alliance. In 1998, South Korean President Kim Dae-jung adopted the â€Å"sunshine policy,† an Asian variant of the â€Å"Ostpolitik† policies pursued by West Germany toward the Communist East during the Cold War. Kim extended his proposal of economic and altruistic support to North Korea. In return it asked the North Korean government to be humble in recouping the contacts between long-divided families and other cultural concession, under the intention to defrost the inter-Korean relations. However, a generational divide largely exists in South Korea over how to handle it. The abysmal memory of the 1950 war that frets the older generation about relations with the DPRK, while the younger generation’s empathy with the impoverished North Korea, and who instead, has powerful reminiscence of their own nation’s tyrannical rule, are indeed two opposite sides of the picture. Due to this generational fault line, a paradigm shift has been brought about in the foreign policy objectives, as many Koreans of today’s time, who grew up in a room knowing only democracy, independence, freedom and global impact, no longer see North Korea as an enemy. Instead, they consider it a partner in need of support and understanding. They expect to achieve genuine peace, settlement and reunion through augmented exchanges and collaboration with North Korea. Now here, the North Korea’s nuclear program appears in the limelight, being a big challenge to South Korea and its alliance with the U. S. In 1994, four countries consisting of North and South Korea, Japan and the United States arrived at â€Å"Agreed Framework† Pact whose purpose was to end the North’s nuclear weapons research in return for economic and political privileges. In order to carry out the terms of the pact, the â€Å"Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization† (KEDO) was established by the United States, Japan and North Korea. But it wasn’t far away when North Korea started violating the agreement and troubles started rising. The U. S. President Bush terminated diplomatic talks with North Korea in 2001. The relations kept on fraying, and in 2005 when North Korea claimed that it has nuclear weapons, followed by the July 2006 long-range missile tests that it carried out, operated to further aggravate tensions. This made the U. S. to hard-boil against the DPRK. Due to this, South Korea, on the other end, also had to cut the humanitarian aid to its northern neighbor. At the same time, however, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, who did not want to lose ground on the progress that had been made so far in the inter-Korean relations, tried to give a lower profile to the July missile tests, being of the view that the weapons were not as much a bigger threat to the United States as they were for Seoul, the capital of South Korea. In reality, for South Korea, the North Korean nuclear weapons, is not a critical issue – it never was. In fact, its prime concern is how to settle the issue of national unification and incorporate North Korea back into the world’s most active region, whether or not there are nuclear weapons. In contrast, U. S. concerns are global and military. Being so over focused on the anti-terrorism issue, the United States has been emphasizing on denuclearizing the North, viewing this policy as a narrow addition to its anti-terrorism policy. Therefore, the attitude toward DPRK missile tests and the disapproval shown by the South Korean President towards such an increased authorization incensed the U. S. government. South Korea also, in return, objected the fact America is ignoring about all the gains it has made so far. Such beliefs and different strategic priorities have led to serious strains, resulting in the upsetting of the U. S. -South Korean alliance. Regarding the issue, the Six-Party talks among the United States, Russia, Japan, China, North and South Korea, was thought to act as a basis for a closer coordination between the two alliances, and also for the purpose of convincing North Korea to join the international community by giving up its nuclear weapons program, and getting out of its self-imposed remoteness.

Gothic Culture: History, Culture and Art

Gothic Culture: History, Culture and Art To find the influence of Gothic culture was been easy for popular culture. However, to give a clear definition for Gothic culture was been difficult because different connotations and quality of uncertainty was had in the term of Gothic in different social-cultural group. For examples, industrial or classical music, Goths like that, but it was not gothic. For another examples vampires and interest in death, were gothic, in spit that many Goths disliked. Such as bands like Marilyn Manson and Nine Inch Nails, were thought of as gothic by some people, but they were not gothic. And such bands like Sisters of Mercy and Dead Can Dance, did not call themselves gothic even if they were considered gothic by most people. It was an ambiguous label with many people using it that didnt understand the meaning. The people who did understand it often had many different definitions. The background of gothic culture The term Gothic was used to symbolize forms of art of the Middle-Ages. The Middle-Ages was referred to the period between the Classical era and the Renaissance. For the Italians hated that the Goth destroyed the Roman Empire at that time, it meant barbaric and boorish that they called the period as Gothic. Around at 1800, the culture of the Middle-Ages and its related things gradually became a kind of fashion in some peoples eyes in the Romantic Movement. The romanticism was the center of this cultural movement. The romanticist was willing to jump up from the limit of history. Some wished they had returned the Middle-Ages, some looked for the ideal from the religion or the mysticism, and some tried to find the answer in the nature. In the whole Romantic Movement, Goth began to be considered it as related to dark, exotic, ghosts. For example, the romantic and gothic writers such as Byron, Shelley, Baudelaire, as well as Verlaine were engrossed in the expression of the dark side of human beings. At this period, many gothic novelists were constantly emerging. Gothic literature was a challenge to the orthodox thought pattern in the current temporal society. Gothic sentiment had a very clear manifestation in the visual arts. The dark and the desolation were drawn by the painter such as Caspar David Friedrich. The Gothic style in the realm of architecture had been becoming fashionable. In the80s of 20th century, modern Gothic movement started in the UK. The emergence of the Gothic movement might be considered as the continuity of punk movement. The people were shown the influence of Gothic spirit in musical field. It was known that The Gothic music took human gloomy and empty as the theme. Moreover, death was focus on as an intense interest. Slowness, sadness, and even terror, were the characteristics of the music. The History of Gothic culture Generally speaking, the origin of gothic movement was considered as Bauhaus released the song Bela Lugosis Dead in 1979. The first generation of the movement emerged in the UK, which was a splinter from the punk movement. Bands, such as the Damned, Bauhaus, the Banshees and Siouxsie who were called so later were the first generation which didnt consider them as Gothic at that time. In the early 1980s, the gothic movement was flourished with bands like the Sisters of Mercy at the forefront. However, the movement was going off by the middle to late 1980s. In the late eighties and early nineties, a new and second generation of gothic bands grew to breathe new life into the scene. They regularly called themselves Gothic in contrast with the first. Examples would include The Shroud, Rosetta Stone, and London After Midnight. At the same time the US Goth movement turned up significantly. Gothic became recognized as a distinct subculture. Gothic music and culture grew and branched out into various subsets. The boundaries of gothic what had previously been considered were expanded. It was apparent that widespread mainstream was interested in the gothic subculture in recent time. The behavior was many quirks of gothic culture have filtered into mainstream culture, such as an interest in the supernatural and dark aesthetics. In the late 1990s a distinct third generation emerged to shape the future progression of the gothic movement. The third generation stood for an explosion in the number of people referring to themselves as gothic. Many people had learned about gothic culture because the present widespread commercial was available. Shock Rock (Marilyn Manson) became the spotlight onto this subculture. The term of Spooky kids was often used for these youths. The first and second generations of Goths looked suspiciously upon the new generation, who doubted their authenticity and disliked the exposure they gave to a subculture which would prefer to remain underground. It would be difficult to predict what the future held for the Gothic movement. Gothic culture and Gothic art As above exposition on this topic, it was indicated that to give a definition of Gothic culture was difficult. However, Gothic art given birth by Gothic culture included the following parts: the Gothic literature, the Gothic film, the Gothic music, the Gothic painting, the Gothic architecture, the Gothic fashion. Gothic literature Gothic fiction as a kind of Gothic literature would be introduced in this paper. It belonged to the English literature faction which generally considered come forth as the novel Ao Telang Fort map written by Horace Hua Er Boer. It was Ann Radcliffe (1764-1823) who established truly the standard style of Gothic fiction. Her novel The Mysteries of Udolpho was published in 1794. The Casles of Athlin and Dunbayne was published in 1789. The Romance of the Forest was published in 1791. The Italian was published in 1797. Frankenstein was written by Mary Shelley, the wife of England poet Shelley, in 1818, which was considered as the first true sense of science fiction in the world. However, Gothic fiction had waned in U.K. of 1840. It was because that too many cheap writers created cheap horror fictions and over-exposure of sexual description. The works of violence came out to greatly reduce the status of the Gothic fiction. In spite that Gothic fiction had a deep effect on the literature of Victorian era, it set off a wave of short ghost stories at that period. Moreover, it brought into being Allen Poes story with the theme of death. It was called back after the rush of Victorian ghost story. It was in 1880 when the Gothic-style novel was revitalized as a kind of semi-orthodox literature. Stevenson and Wilder were the writers in this period. The most popular villain of Goth was birth in the fiction Dracula written by Bram Stoker. The character often came out in the Gothic film later. Gothic film The first influential gothic film was Haxan directed by a Swede Benjamin Christensen in 1921. After a year, Germany director Murnau shot a film Nosferatu which became the first landmark of the Gothic Film in the history of mankind. American director Browning took the story about Vampire Count Dracula on the big screen in accordance with Stokes Original novel in 1931. This film is Vampires Breakfast that is the first Gothic talkie. French director Georges Franju shot a film Eyes without a Face which is the first classical Gothic film without Vampire image. It is worth mentioning that the Hollywood Desire directed by Tony Scott in 1983 of the whole 80s. Gothic film was truly ushered in a golden period of development until the 90s of last century. The U. S. director Tim Burton shot a film Edward Scissorhands in 1990. The film Sleepy Hollow was released in 1999. The Hollywood director Coppola shot a film Dracula. And other films such as Interview with the Vampire shot by Irish director Neil Jordan, the Crow shot by U.S. director Provas, and Dellamorte directed by Italian Michele Soavi were worth watching. A surprising film Brotherhood of The Wolf was shown to the gothic fans all over world by Franch director Gans in 2001. Two years later, another surprising was 3D animation Kaena. At the same time, the topic of Gothic film was more and more extensive instead of the solo theme of epic. Gothic film started to move closer to the traditional type of film, and gradually blend of the characteristics of other traditional types. It made the audience accept them easier. The three American films as Queen of the Damned, Underworld in 2003, and Van Helsing directed by Stephen Sommers in 2004 were the representatives. Gothic music It was usually considered that Gothic music is gloomy, icy, and decadent, making an atmosphere with terror. The people were gotten to feel oppressive and hopeless. Full with artistic spirit, the willing to death and black color was often expressed. Its mood was full of being tired of the world. It listened like bone-chilly, with a fine sense of beauty. At the same time, lots of inconsistent tone were deviated from the melody line and were inserted at the range level. Extreme contempt for all the traditional music was shown. In the lyrics and at the performance level, a desolate life and erotic was expressed by the singer. The state of reality was disgusted, and the executed fun of spiritual abyss was pursued. Nowadays so called Gothic music exactly refers to Goth Rock. This music genre was brought out in the 80s of the 20th century. It had no relation to the original meaning of the term Goth. It was so called Goth just because the elements of horror and darkness were borrowed from Gothic fictions of the 18th or 19th century. The origin of Gothic Rock was affected by two parties. One was post-punk movement at the end of 70s. The other was Gothic fiction of the 18th or 19th century. The inclination of restoring ancient ways was demonstrated clearly in Gothic music that was applied by opera voice. There were some famous Gothic bands such as Autumn Tear, Bauhaus, Christian Death, Dead Can Dance, Death In June, Nick Cave The Bad Seeds, The Cure, Fields of the Nephilim, The Sister Of Mercy, and The Swans. Gothic Painting Font The zenith of Gothic painting was between the 14th and the 15th century. In the end period of the 20th century, a very big effect had been put in the field of painting by the development of computer technology. To draw by computer board was tried by many painters. Gothic painting was driven into a new realm. For example, Linda Bergkvist, born in Sweden, made a lot of Gothic-genre CG cuts. Gothic Fonts had many different styles with classic and luxuriance. An example was the title of the cover of Death Note. Gothic Architecture Gothic architecture was a kind of architectural style, prosperous in the Middle-Ages. It was evolved from Romanesque architecture, and inherited by the Renaissance. It was originated in France in the twelfth century. It was continued until the sixteenth century. Acuminate arches, ribbed vaults and flying buttresses were included in the features. Most of all were seen in the Catholic Church, as well as the secular buildings. An important position was occupies by Gothic architecture with its high degree of technical and artistic achievements in history of the construction. The most famous Gothic architectures were such as Assumption Cathedral of Russia, Duomo del Mialno of Italy, the Cathedral of Cologne of Germany, Westminster Abbey of England, Notre Dame Cathedral of France were. Duomo Del Mialno of Italy was the biggest one in the world. Gothic Fashion The sublime related to fear was considered the foundation of Gothic aesthetics. The well-known England Esthetician Edmund Burk divided calli- beau into the beautiful and the sublime. When he discussed the sublime, he had already talked about the strongest emotion of mankind is fear. And he linked the sublime with the fear. In the eighties, the Gothic style clothing was evolved from Gothic music. Black-dyed long hair, pale skin, tight black cloth, pointed boots and a large number of silver, mostly used by religious design of early Europe and Egypt . However, these clothing was not accepted by mainstream fashion designers at the time because of its somewhat negative, aggressive and brutal style with the distribution of revolt spirit. Until nowadays, Gothic clothing style was popular again. Then clothing is not only limited to order superfine cloth by small workshops. It was started to pay attention by the designer of some great dress brands, such as Kenzo, Anna Sui, Issey Miyake and so on. The Reason for Goth Become a Popular Culture from Subculture According to the analysis of Goth cultures history, I think there are some reasons for Goth become a popular culture from the original subculture. Firstly of all, the rich spiritual connotation of Gothic culture was the basis for keeping its sustained vitality. Secondly, a more easily accessible channel was supplied to ordinary people by the popularity of mass media, especially the advances in computer technology. Thirdly, the business value behind the culture was cared by some big commercial companies, such as film studio, record company, clothing company with a great brand. It was invested. The consumption goods of this style were made for market sale. That pushed the development of Goth from subculture into popular culture. Fourthly, the buying ability of young people, with a strong ability to accept popular culture, was obviously enhanced, with the development of the world economy. The promotion of the Goth culture was speeded up.

Indonesian Interference In Learning English Cultural Studies Essay

Indonesian Interference In Learning English Cultural Studies Essay Background of the Study Indonesian interference can be found in form of sentences in any aspects such as pronunciation, especially in grammar and vocabulary. Grammar and vocabulary cannot be separated because they are included as the important elements that depend on each other. Students who have the best concepts in grammar, it must be the students have also the knowledge of words. Interference is caused by humans first language or mother tongue that influences a second language. So, interference refers to humans when they use or adapt from their first language to say a word in second or foreign language (www.britishcouncil.org). In teaching and learning grammar and vocabulary, interference of Indonesian can be seen when students put inappropriate words in conscious or not in producing sentences of paragraphs in writing skills or when students do the exercises. This case can be seen in the process of teaching and learning grammar and vocabulary that teachers should remind students about the interference, examples and the characteristics. Therefore, teachers role is needed in the process of teaching and learning Grammar and Vocabulary. Teacher should beware or alert these elements of the interference so that students avoid in doing the interference in the unconsciousness process. Teacher is expected to alert students in the way of telling them before or in the discussing exercises. So, students will know the interference itself especially in producing sentences and will not do the mistakes in lexicogrammar of the language. Interference of Indonesian in the sentences, clauses, phrases were found in students thesis. It has enough evidences that can be concluded as the misunderstanding or not knowing at all about the interference itself. If students did mistakes in usage of words appropriately, it means that students have not had the right or strong concepts in understanding structures of grammar and the usage of words, so it will affect in the writing of the thesis. According to www.britishcouncil.org, lexicogrammatical meant the systematic and predictable manner by human beings when they use language to communicate with one another. It can be said that the sentences, clauses or phrases that are wrong in placing the words or even the usage called lexicogrammatical. It makes a person who read the sentences, clauses or phrases cannot be analyzed or know the meaning exactly because of the systematic itself. Here are the examples of lexicogrammatical that writer got from the websites: (http://images.google.co.id and http://img49.imageshack.us/i/32289191ut1.jpg/) Therefore, the writer is motivated to conduct this research which is aimed to find out whether the process of teaching and learning of Grammar and Vocabulary in JBSI-UNJ include the possibility Indonesian interference. The writer also learns more about the interference of the lexicogrammar in English Grammar and Vocabulary subjects. Research Question Do the process of teaching and learning of Grammar and Vocabulary in JBSI-UNJ include the possibility of Indonesian interference? Purpose of study The purpose of the study is to investigate whether the process of teaching and learning of Grammar and Vocabulary in JBSI-UNJ include the possibility Indonesian interference. Significance of study The objective in this research is to find out whether the process of teaching and learning of Grammar and Vocabulary in JBSI-UNJ include the possibility Indonesian interference. This research is expected to be a suggestion for improving the teaching and learning of English Grammar and Vocabulary at English Department and also for the writer in learning the interference of the lexicogrammar in English Grammar and Vocabulary subjects. CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW Lexicogrammatical Features of Language According to www.britishcouncil.org, lexicogrammatical meant the systematic and predictable manner by human beings when they use language to communicate with one another. It is meant that in sentences, clauses or phrases must be systematic in writing so that the message will convey the meaning itself. When the sentences are systematically, it can be understood easily and the communication from the sentence or the message will be delivered well. Whereas, when the systematic are broken in sentences, the message must be not delivered well. So, in producing the writing, someone has to avoid the usage the in appropriate words in sentences that people can understand the meaning is. Hunt stated in http://www.ihes.com/bcn/tt/eltconf/lexico-grammar.pdf that lexicogrammar sees language as meaning conveyance of words working in grammatical parameters. It can be said that the parameters of the conveying of words is part of lexicogrammar. Parameters were used as the benchmarks in writing the sentences. If the sentence are not systematic, it does not convey the meaning of its. In applying or writing thesis, students have to write or use the appropriate words in conveying the message. Students have to use the parameters in producing writing skill. As stated in www.englishforum.com, lexicogramamtical means a combination of vocabulary (lexus) and grammar. Wikipedia adds that lexicon of a language is its vocabulary, including its words and expressions. Usually a lexicon is a container for words belonging to the same language. While grammar is the set of logical and structural rules that govern the composition of sentences, phrases, and words in any given natural language. The term refers also to the study of rules. From the meaning of each part above, lexicogrammatical consists of vocabulary; how the vocabulary in a language is structured, how people use and store words, how they learn words, the history and evolution of words (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/lexicon), the usage of words and related to the meaning while grammar; the study of the rules of structural in sentences, clauses or phrases. Both of them cannot be separated because the bounded of the meaning and structural. Influences of Mother Tongue in Learning Grammar and Vocabulary Language interference (also known as L1 interference) is the effect of language learners first language on their production of the language they are learning. The effect can be on any aspect of language: grammar, vocabulary, accent, spelling and so on (http://wiki.eflgeek.com/index.php/ESL-wiki/Language-Interference/). Interference happens when learners first language cannot find words to say then they use or adapt from their mother tongue (www.macmillanenglish.com). It means that learners first language can be interfered when they are not able to communicate the second language of conveying in the sentences, clauses and phrases. In learning Grammar and Vocabulary, students maybe interfere in producing sentences, clauses and phrases. The interference can be happened if students are not able to communicate in second language, they still use their mother tongue in conveying the message of the communication itself. So, students have to know the concepts of structural rules of grammar and also the words are used and learned. If they do, they can be avoided from the Indonesian of interference especially in producing sentences. When the relevant unit or structure of both languages is the same, linguistic interference can result in correct language production called positive transfer correct meaning in line with most native speakers notions of acceptability. However, that language interference is most often discussed as a source of errors known as negative transfer. Negative transfer occurs when speakers and writers transfer items and structures that are not the same in both languages (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_transfer). It can be said positive transfer is the transfer that is related to the languages and tend to mutualism aspect. While negative is the transfer which is not related in languages and cannot complete each other. So the function of the language will be error. Teaching Grammar Dixson (2004) explained clearly about the principles of the teaching of modern languages that was discussed at an international seminar organized by UNESCO. The principles are divided into five aspects; Approach to the teaching of all foreign languages-should be primarily oral. In learning foreign language, Dixson emphasized that teacher should teach the language in oral practices. Dixson gave the situations that teachers disable to communicate English well in classroom. He stated that teachers do not have any fluency in English, not have teaching of methods that can be used in oral practice. Teachers in fact only do the translation as the major teaching technique and using the mother tongue as the one of major in communication. Dixson also stated that teachers who poorly paid are one of the reasons why teachers could not teach students to speak. Because this technique needs more energy and enthusiasm to make students are interested. b) Active methods of teaching should be used as far as possible. In this principle, Dixson invited teachers start to teach the oral practice. He also gave the examples; the teacher must participate actively in almost every phase of the lesson. She must give oral drill on all aspects of the grammar. She must teach new vocabulary, not by the simple device of translation, but by the use of pictures, pointing at objects, or explanations in English. She must be careful to keep within the vocabulary range of her students. She uses reading not merely as a passive exercise in understanding but as a source of conversational material as well. She asks questions on the text. She leads the class into whatever conversational channels may present themselves. She continually corrects faulty pronunciation. She tries vigorously to inculcate in her students correct habits of grammar and speech(p.8-9). Teachers start to give the oral practice every part of the language. Teachers must give the exercises that continuously do by students. Therefore, teachers should have enough patience for those exercises in teaching the oral of techniques. Students also can practice their language as well as possible. c) The greatest possible use of the foreign tongue should be made in the classroom. Dixson explained that when teachers use the oral approach and give students the practices in understanding and speaking the language, so that English will be the one of language that is used in our communication. Maybe, teachers face the difficulties in explaining the points of grammar or words in the language and then teachers may be choose to explain it with the native language. But, in other way, teachers must use English in her teaching. Teachers also should make students to speak in English in classroom and continuously pay attention to it. Teachers should keep and do this rule strongly. Dixson stated the reason in his explanation below. It is of great psychological advantage if students feel that they are in an English speaking environment where English is the sole means of communication. In this connection, the teacher should also use only English in such everyday classroom matters as calling the roll, calling upon students to recite, directing students in their various classroom activities etc. Teachers have the important role in using English in classroom. Students can initiate in using English and then they are comfortable in communicating the language. d) The difficulties of the foreign tongue in the matter of pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar should be carefully graded for presentation. Dixson gave some suggests for teacher to teach vocabulary for students in the simplest way of translation. Teachers also teach grammar in the simply way to make students can remember easily and make them also to pronounce. Teachers should monitor students continuously. e) The teaching of a language should be considered more as the imparting of a skill than as the provision of information about the forms of the language. Dixson stated a skill is a capacity developed through prolonged practice and repetition (p.11). Teachers must emphasize the teaching of English in sharpening the skills. So that, teachers will teach the language be fairly free and easy as an acquired skill. Dixson added in his books in teaching grammar, he explained the two main of methods in teaching grammar. They are inductive and deductive methods. He explained them below. Induction is meant a process of learning or teaching whereby numerous examples of a certain principle are presented and the rule is then inferred from these examples. Deduction means starting with the rule and then offering examples to show how the rule applies (p.25). In inductive method of teaching process, teachers give the material that contains the grammar that needs to be studied. After reading the material, teachers can give the statement of the rule that are going to discuss then followed by some exercises. While the deductive approach, teachers can start with giving the rule of the grammar then follow it with practice exercises then proceed to the reading material where the grammar rule is applied in practical form. Dixson added that there are many students who choose the inductive method in learning English. Students meet new material in context first then learn it to understand after that, students proceed to a statement of the rule. Dixson also explained, it does not matter which the two methods that is going to choose to teach in classroom. The main important in teaching grammar is the rule itself. How teacher teach the rule for students and give them some practice so that students can understand and can speak English. Therefore, it is needed teachers role in classroom that must provide the practice, control it continuously and guide it into the appropriate goals. Dixson gave some suggestion for the teachers who are going to teach grammar (p.27-45). First is about English textbook. Dixson suggests teachers to choose the best books for students and analyze the exercises appropriately. For the best result, the exercises should be repeated for several times. Teachers can make the instruction of oral practice in giving the exercises for students and then students will follow it. Second is especially for teacher to provide special oral drills, supplementary to those in the text. In textbooks English, there are many exercises that are provided the grammar part to do. While in oral practice, it is provided rarely. Sometimes, students are able to do the exercises in grammar part, but do not know in using the language itself. Therefore, teachers have to provide students in oral practice. Third is about some methods in process of teaching e.g. The question-answer. Teachers can use this technique through asking the questions that are involved in grammar part. Then students recite answer individually. Use the simple question and can also use the drill methods to make a simple discussion. Teachers can also ask a question then a student answer it. Teachers can make some group then ask them to spoke one minute about the material that day. After students are able to do the step, teachers can add in asking students to answer rapidly. Start with the simple question so that students can catch quickly to what they are supposed to do. The Choral-Method: The Choral Method is another means of teaching language orally, but it is rather widely today. It is particularly good for teaching the aspects of grammar and related to pronunciation or intonation. The grammar forms such as contractions, verb tenses formed with auxiliary verbs, prepositional phrases, exclamatory sentences can often be taught by this method. In using it, teachers can emphasize the rhythm pattern at the same time that teachers teach the grammar principle. For example in teaching contractions, teachers might say, Hell be back at six oclock. Teachers lay stress on the rhythm. The students can repeat the teachers statement following the same rhythm. Teachers can do this step possibly two or three times. Oral grammar: For example teacher is going to teach indirect speech form. Teacher will ask one student Where did John go? Student answers, I dont know where John went. Teacher then asks the second student Does Helen speak English well? Students answer I dont know whether Helen speaks English well. Teachers can use this method for several times until students can answer automatic and sharp. After students are able to do that method, teachers can add the exercises in making some group of them. Teachers give the same question which has just practiced orally. Then, the first group will be a teacher which read the questions and the second group will answer it. After it done, students reverse the role. The teachers can choose the best methods in teaching grammar in classroom. Teachers can take the special techniques in encouraging students to learn the language. The methods are chosen to not make students bore in process of learning grammar. Teachers also should limit the time or period in using the method especially when students are encouraged in doing exercises and enjoying their parts. Diane Larsen explained briefly how to teach grammar and emphasizes the focus on form theory. She said from the research that shown, teachers who focus students attention on linguistic from during communicative interactions are more effective than those who never focus on form or who only do so in contextualized grammar lesson (Spada and Lightbown 1993: Lightbown 1998). It follows, then, that most educators concur with the need to teach grammatical form. However they advise doing so by focusing on form within a meaning-based or communicative approach in order to avoid a return to analytic approaches in which decontextualized language forms were the object of the study. Focusing on grammatical form during communicative interactions rather than forms in isolation (Long 1991) is one way to prevent the pendulum from swinging beyond its point of equilibrium. Teachers are not interested in filling our students head with grammatical paradigms and syntactic rules. If students know all the rules that had ever been written in English but are not able to apply them, teachers would not be doing their job as a teacher. Teaching grammar exactly means to make students be able to use grammatical structure accurately, meaningfully and appropriately. Teacher should think grammar is a skill to be mastered rather than as a rule to be memorized then teachers will teach students in the right way. Harmer (1998) in How to teach English p 1-6 explained the criteria how to be a good teacher. He stated that teacher must be approachable that means students can share their problems to the teachers even tough students do not get along with the subject. Teachers also have an affinity that means she/he can identify with the hopes, aspirations and difficulties of the students while they are teaching. In classroom, teachers not only give their attention to students who dominated by loud, extrovert, bright, teachers should takes efforts to students who dominated by quiet, shy, to get some chances. It means that a good teacher should try and draw out the quiet ones and control the more talkative ones. Teachers also have to learn how to manage students and how to control boisterous classes which is one of the fundamental skills of teaching. The way that teachers talk to students is also the main points to be a good teacher. Harmer added that teachers have to use physical movement; gestures, expressions, mime. It can show happiness and sadness, movement and time sequences. In giving instructions, teachers must be kept as simple as possible and must be logical. It should be clear and well staged. Teachers can check students understanding what they have learnt before giving the instructions. In teaching lesson, teacher should not make the students be bored. It means that teacher have to know the way she/he is wearing, the way they are explaining, the way they are arranging the activities in classroom. Good teachers find a balance between predictable safety and unexpected variety. In arranging plan, teachers have to concentrate on the teachers ability to respond flexibly in classroom, flexible enough to cope the situation [unplanned event], recognize that their plans are only prototypes and they may have to abandon some or all of them if things are going too fast or too slow. From all the explanation above, teachers are equipped in teaching grammar with the several of methods even the best of them that will be chosen. Teacher should give the appropriate and useful exercises for students in order to make students master the grammar and the component. So they have the right concepts in their mind and apply it successfully. Teachers also know how to behave as a teacher in class or outside. The best teacher is a teacher who cares about their students learning than they do about their teaching. Teaching Vocabulary I.S.P Nation (2001) gives the explanation of method in teaching vocabulary. The What is it? technique is a useful way of learning new vocabulary. Teachers gradually communicate the meaning of a word by using it in context. When the learners know the word, they raise their hands and answer it. After that, teachers ask the explanation or translation of the word. When the technique is being used, the learners are interested and paying attention. They are trying to find an answer even though it is not quickly. Still in this book, it explained the techniques of teaching vocabulary; a) Recycled words. Blake and Majors (1995) have described the five procedures; they are; 1.Preteaching of vocabulary, 2.Oral reading of a text containing the vocabulary with discussion of the meaning of the text, 3.Deliberate word study, 4. Vocabulary puzzles, quizzes, or tests, and finally 5.Writing making use of the vocabulary. This procedure moves from receptive use to productive use with a focus on deliberate learning the second-hand cloze. This activity involves three steps: 1; b) the learners read texts containing the target vocabulary, 2. They deliberately study the vocabulary, 3. Learners are then given cloze passages which are summaries of the ones they originally read. In this step the learners are helped to recall the target words by being given a list of L1 equivalents of the target words that they have to translate into L2, and then use to fill the gaps in the cloze text; b) the vocabulary interview. One of the goals of the interview procedure is to make learners aware of the aspects of knowing a word. Another goal is for them to learn new words. This technique is better to used in the process of teaching and learning Vocabulary. This technique not only simple to use or practice but students will get more knowledge about it. It emphasizes the productive skills in learning Vocabulary such as writing, oral reading, quiz, puzzle and so on. It can encourage students because the variety of the steps in understanding the words and also in applying into the real context. In journal of Modern English Teacher volume 10 number 2, Paul Docherty added his explanation and revealed the three ideas for teaching vocabulary. They are; a) Home-made cloze: The procedure is firstly, teachers prepare a list of words that are going to learn that day. Teachers take four or five words randomly then write them on cards and given to students that work in pairs or group. The students task is to make a short paragraph using the words or their derivatives. Teachers should monitor group to group and giving them help when they needed. Students who has decided the paragraph, they re-write it and omit the words originally that given to them. The home-made cloze tests invented by each group that are exchanged and filled in. If there any problem, a student of the group has to explain the meaning of the difficult word and also provide the missing word. A final task is students in group have to make the spelling of the lexis used. So, if the vocabulary will appear on the test tha t students can do in written and oral tests. b) Work with dictionaries; in teaching lexis in classroom, students can and should be encouraged to use dictionaries effectively and efficiently, especially in higher level that will possibly do their work inappropriate language. Paul gave the example in listening skill. In this example, Paul suggested teachers to use a song in improving students vocabulary. According to Paul, this is a very useful skill. Students not only have to decide words appropriately but also the form of the word that they need, which students may increase their confidence in using a dictionary effectively and fixing the words in their memories. Using pictures; Students may use pictures on magazines and pinned on the walls in classroom. Then, students are invited to write what they could see and described it. Teachers can easily check what students have written and make correction if they need. A final task is teachers can choose some pictures and show them at different times of the year. In teaching vocabulary, teachers should also show the meaning of new words. Although many new English words are listed in each lesson or at the end of the text book, it is very important that teachers must give the words meaning and provide definitions in English, use words which the class can understand. In dealing with individual words, the teacher has really a choice of four techniques: (a) to explain the meaning of the difficult words, either by translation, or by giving an explanation or gloss in simpler English; (b) to simply ignore the word, unless a question about it is raised by the students; (c) to get the students to check up the target words in their dictionaries; (d) to try to get the students to guess or infer the meaning through context, morphemes or word association (Retrieved from http://docs.google.com/gview?a=vq=cache:lmeSCg4k97kJ:www.linguist.org.cn/doc/uc200803/uc20080308.pdf+teaching+vocabulary+techniques+in+collegehl=engld) In http://www.slideshare.net/irwyn12/basics-of-teaching-vocabulary-1556430 edition June 2009, it is stated the basic of teaching vocabulary is explained that teacher should teach clearly and not have complicated explanation. Teachers also must to relate the present teaching to the past by showing the pattern so that students will understand clearly. In explaining, teachers should use oral and written techniques. Teachers write on the whiteboard while explaining the material. Then, teachers should give the attention to students who already partly known. Learning Grammar Celce-Murcia and Larsen-Freeman (1999) explained the learners of grammar. They stated that learners should not learn only the structures and master it, but they should learn it consistently Learning is a gradual process involving the mapping of form, meaning and use; structures do not spring forth in learners inter language fully developed and error-free Learners have to master the structures because sometimes students still use and apply in wrong way. In this condition, teacher should not despair for what students do. The best way to learn English, one of the most useful tools that they use grammar exercises. Such a grammar exercise is a specialized tool to learn English, with the aim to challenge and expand a persons knowledge about grammar. While it is necessary to learn the rules of grammar, there is really no substitute for learning English through grammar exercises. Students have to exercise themselves in doing grammar exercises, memorize the pattern and apply the structure into the sentences. Learning the grammar of a language will enable students understand how sentences are constructed and to construct your own sentences (http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/). Learning to arrange the words in the correct order is probably one of the most important and useful things students will learn after pronunciation and vocabulary. Harmer (1998) p.10 explained the characteristics of learners in classroom; Learners have a willingness to listen in the sense of paying attention, listen to the English that is being used and soak it up with eagerness and intelligence. A willingness to experiment: learners who extrovert or not must have same conceptions to be successful learners in taking risks, trying it out, and see how it works. A willingness to ask questions: asking/finding out something is part of a successful learners equipment. Good teachers will respond the learners who try to ask something. Good learners also have to do it. A willingness to think about how to learn: good learners will bring their own study when they are studying. For examples learners have to read an article, translating every word, quickly, trying to get the message of the text. A willingness to accept correction: good learners are prepared to be corrected by their teachers. Teachers will give feedbacks for their responds. So, learners will do appropriately. From the explanation above, learners who know well about grammar, must be learn it consistently and will apply the concept in the right way. Learners are expected to be active in classroom for the four skills and have to able to master all. Applying the rules of grammar in those skills will make learners be creative and have the strong components of the process in their thinking. It means that learners themselves to think about the concepts or knowledge appropriate of the process itself. So, if learners are success in the process of their thinking, learners will also successfully mastering grammar and enable to apply the concept of their knowledge in doing exercises. Learning vocabulary Learning vocabulary is a very important part of learning a language. The more words students know, the more they will be able to understand what they hear and read; and the better they will be able to say what they want to when speaking or writing. Nunan (2003) explained that students are asked to learn from meaning-focused input. It means that the learning involves the listening and reading skills. The goal is students need to know 98 percent of the running words already. So, students will know exactly the usage of each word such in sentence, clauses or even phrases. Hu and Nation (2000) added that in learning vocabulary, students should be only one unknown words in every fifty running words. It concludes that students memories are strong enough in the words that have ever been in their mind. Secondly, deliberate meaning which is called form-focused instruction, language-focused learning or language study. Learners are asked to learn new vocabulary by memorizing their first language translations. Learners should give their attention to sounds, spelling, vocabulary, grammar etc. So that students always add the new words in their mind and do not meet the difficulties in comprehending text or in understanding the meaning of the text. CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHODOLOGY This chapter presents the methodology applied in conducting the study that provides an explanation of how the study is planned and conducted in order to answer the research question that ask to what extent the tutors questioning techniques effect the learners in language production. 3.1 Research Procedure In conducting this study, first the researcher finds the background of the study. Based on the background of the study, the researcher identifies the problem identification and the purpose of the study. In order to collect the data in observing classes, the researcher attends the meeting of classes and records the process of teaching and learning in classrooms while making notes in the process are held. After making notes, the researcher makes data explanations and correc

Pygmalion and Educating Rita - Rita as a Modern Day Eliza :: Comparison Compare Contrast Essays

Pygmalion and Educating Rita - Rita as a Modern Day Eliza Although Rita stands in contrast to Eliza, they share so many similarities that one could support the statement that "Rita is a modern day Eliza". Both Rita and Eliza rebel against the inflexible class system and have problems developing their potential. They suggest that everyone is capable of fulfilling his potential if he is only given the opportunity. And their teachers and other members of their class misunderstand them. Furthermore they reject the traditional role of women as well. Concerning their characters, Rita and Eliza are intelligent, quick to learn and with a strong individuality. In order to become educated, the have to make sacrifices: Eliza has to give up her accent and Rita loses her spontaneity and originality. They also become alienated from their working class backgrounds, for they advance socially through acquiring education. Unlike Rita, Eliza didn't want to change her character. Rita, on the other hand, had dreamed of becoming a completely different person. Consequently, when Rita is happy after passing her exam, whereas Eliza is feels lost between two worlds, neither belonging to the working class nor the middle class. As to the relationship with their teachers, both students become more self-confident and their teachers become dependent on them, be it in a materialistic or personal way. Yet it is Eliza who complains about Higgins ignorance and carelessness whereas Frank reproaches Rita for her superficiality. At the end Eliza has regained her pride and improved her standard of living although Eliza remaining a social misfit.

Willem De Kooning :: Biographies

Willem De Kooning Willem De Kooning had been widely acknowledged as one of the greatest painters of this century known for his daring originality. Several exhibitions in the U.S. and abroad have celebrated the artistic achievements of this eminent artist's 60-year career. My essay covers part of his early life with real focus on his late paintings. His last works, painted in the 1980s, as he was in deteriorating health have come under criticism by some critics. Willem de Kooning was born on April 24, 1904 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. His father was a beer distributor and his mother ran a bar. At the age of twelve he became an apprentice at a commercial design and decorating firm. He studied for eight years at Rotterdam's leading art school. In 1926, de Kooning secured a passage on a streamer to the United States, illegally entering and settling in New Jersey. He quickly moved to Manhattan, painted signs and worked as a carpenter in New York City. Then in 1935, he landed a job with the Works Progress Administration, a government agency that put artists to work during the Great Depression. By the next decade, he had attained a place in the downtown art scene among his fellow artists. By the late 1940s, de Kooning along with Arshile Gorky, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and Barnett Newman, began to be recognized as a major painter in a movement called "Abstract Expressionism". This new school of thought shifted the center of twentieth century art form Paris to New York. Willem de Kooning was recognized as the only painter who had one foot in Europe and one in America. He combined classical European training in Holland with a love for popular American culture. The restlessness and energy of American life was a source of great inspiration and passion for him. Gary Garrells, the chief curator at the San Fransisco Museum of Modern Art said, " He had the wildness of Pollock but mixed with the impeccable craftsmanship of the European tradition. He was not interested in style, he was interested in the process of looking and knowing and getting under the skin." Willem de Kooning, 93, was the last survivor of his famous peers. One would not have predicted for him a great old age. Among the leading figures of hard-living generation he belonged by temperament and talent to a romantic tradition of artists who burned the physical and psychic fuel of themselves with devastating speed and completeness. Few of de Kooning's closest friends and colleagues survived the harshness of the 1940s and