Landscape Architecture Essay Example

Landscape Architecture Essay BUILD ENVIRONMENT The term built environment refers to the human-made surroundings that provide the setting for human activity, ranging in scale from buildings and parks or green space to neighborhoods and cities that can often include their supporting infrastructure, such as water supply, or energy networks. The built environment is a material, spatial and cultural product of human labor that combines physical elements and energy in forms for living, working and playing. It has been defined as â€Å"the human-made space in which people live, work, and recreate on a day-to-day basis†. The â€Å"built environment encompasses places and spaces created or modified by people including buildings, parks, and transportation systems†. In recent years, public health research has expanded the definition of built environment to include healthy food access, community gardens, â€Å"walkabilty, and â€Å"bikability†. Early concepts of built environments were introduced thousands of years ago. Hippodamus of Miletos, known as the â€Å"father of urban planning†, developed Greek cities from 498 BC to 408 BC that created order by using grid plans that mapped the city. These early city plans eventually gave way to the City Beautiful movement in the late 1800s and early 1900s, inspired by Daniel Hudson Burnham, a reformist for the Progressivism movement who actively promoted â€Å"a reform of the landscape in tandem with political change†. The effort was in partnership with others who believed that beautifying American cities would improve the moral compass of the cities and encourage the upper class to spend their money in cities. This beautification process included parks and architectural design. Modern built environment We will write a custom essay sample on Landscape Architecture specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Landscape Architecture specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Landscape Architecture specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Currently built environments are typically used to describe the interdisciplinary field that addresses the design, construction, management, and use of these man-made surroundings as an interrelated whole as well as their relationship to human activities over time (rather than a particular element in isolation or at a single moment in time). The field is generally not regarded as a traditional profession or academic discipline in its own right, instead drawing upon areas such as economics, law, public policy, public health, management, geography, design, technology, and environmental sustainability. Within the field of public health, built environments are referred to as building or renovating areas in an effort to improve the community’s well-being through construction of â€Å"aesthetically, health improved, and environmentally improved landscapes and living structures†. Urban planning The term urban planning indicates that much of the environment we inhabit is man-made and that these artificial surroundings are so extensive and cohesive that with regards to the consumption of resources, waste disposal, and productive enterprise, they are similar to organisms. Public health In public health, built environments refer to physical environments that are designed with health and wellness as integral parts of the communities. Research has indicated that how neighborhoods are created can affect both the physical activity and mental health of the communities’ residents. Studies have shown that built environments that were expressly designed to improve physical activity are linked to higher rates of physical activity, which in turn, positively affects health. Neighborhoods with more walkability had lower rates of obesity as well as increased physical activity among its residents. They also had lower rates of depression, higher social capital, and less alcohol abuse. Walkability features in these neighborhoods include safety, sidewalk construction, as well as destinations in which to walk. In addition, the perception of a walkable neighborhood, one that is perceived to have good sidewalks and connectivity, is correlated with higher rates of physical activity. Assessments of walkability have been completed through the use of GIS programs. One such program, Street Smart Walk Score, is a walkability assessment tool which determines distances to grocery stores and other amenities, as well as connectivity and intersection frequency using specific addresses. Assessments such as Street Smart Walk Score can be utilized by city and county planning departments to improve existing walkability of communities. Public health also addresses additional components of built environments including â€Å"bikeability† and healthy food access such as proximity to grocery stores and community gardens. Bikeability refers to the access that an area has granted to safe biking through multiple bike paths and bike lanes. Both walkability and bikeability have been cited as determinants of physical activity. Access to healthy food is also an important component to the built environment. A higher density of convenience stores has been associated with obesity in children. In contrast, improved access to community supermarkets and farmer’s markets is correlated with lower overweight status. Specifically in low income neighborhoods, the presence of a local grocery store is correlated with lower BMI/overweight risk. Community gardens are also considered a part of the built environment, and have been shown to increase fruit and vegetable intake among gardeners. Scholars say that community gardens have also been shown to have positive social and psychological impacts that lead to lower levels of stress, hypertension, and an improved sense of wellness, affecting the overall health of the individual and the community. The intersection of public health with other disciplines is evident in the design process of built environments which includes environmental planning, policy development and land-use planning. Research suggests that people are more active in mixed-use communities or those that incorporate retail and residential and densely populated areas as well as those with good street connectivity. Those who preferred to walk and live in walkable environments often have lower obesity rates and drive less over those who preferred living in auto-dependent environments. The strength of the evidence for reducing obesity through environment has been highlighted by the Center for Disease Control in its Common Community Measures for Obesity Prevention Project, which includes measures of healthy food access and physical activity environments. Landscape architecture In landscape architecture, the built environment is understood to mean a human-made landscape, as distinguished from the natural environment; for example, a city park is a built environment. NATURAL ENVIRONMENT The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally[-0] on Earth[-1] or some region thereof. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species. The concept of the natural environment can be distinguished by components: Complete ecological[-2] units that function as natural[-3] systems without massive human[-4] intervention, including all vegetation[-5], microorganisms[-6], soil[-7], rocks[-8], atmosphere[-9], and natural phenomena[-10] that occur within their boundaries.  §Universal natural resources[-11] and physical phenomena[-12] that lack clear-cut boundaries, such as air[-13], water[-14], and climate[-15], as well as energy[-16], radiation[-17], electric charge[-18], and magnetism[-19] , not originating from human activity. The natural environment is contrasted with the built environment[-20], which comprises the areas and components that are strongly influenced by humans. A geographical area is regarded as a natural environment. It is difficult to find absolutely natural environments, and it is common that the naturalness varies in a continuum, from ideally 100% natural in one extreme to 0% natural in the other. More precisely, we can consider the different aspects or components of an environment, and see that their degree of naturalness is not uniform. If, for instance, we take an agricultural field, and consider the mineralogic composition[-21] and the structure[-22] of its soil, we will find that whereas the first is quite similar to that of an undisturbed forest soil, the structure is quite different. Natural environment is often used as a synonym for habitat[-23]. For instance, when we say that the natural environment of giraffes is the savanna[-24]. PLANT STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS The Typical Plant Body The Root System (Usually underground)  §Anchor the plant in the soil  §Absorb water and nutrients  §Conduct water and nutrients Food Storage The Shoot System (Usually above grounds)  §Elevates the plant above the soil  §Many functions including:  §photosynthesis  §reproduction dispersal  §food and water conduction TYPE OF PLANTS Cacti (Cactus) Cactus plants are well adapted to hot and dry weather by storing water in their succulent stems. They are also known for their spines, for which they are famous. Flowers Fl owers are the reproductive part of angiosperms, also known as flowering plants. Herbs Herbs are used for culinary, medicinal and spiritual uses. In cuisine, the leaves of the herb are normally the only part used. All parts of herbs are used in various medical or spiritual practices. Shrubs and Bushes Usually under 6 m tall, shrubs and bushes are categorized as woody plants. Shrubs have multiple stems and many are covered with flowers of all shapes and sizes. Trees Trees are everywhere in the world. Trees are tall, large and some are very old. Trees are important in fighting soil erosion and responsible for the clean oxygen we breathe. Vegetables The term vegetable is not actually a scientific classification of a plant, but rather strictly a culinary term. Vegetables are parts of plants (flower buds, seeds, stems, fruits, etc) that are edible and used in culinary dishes. PLANT Plants, also called green plants (Viridiplantae in Latin), are living organisms of the kingdom Plantae including such multicellular groups as flowering plants, conifers, ferns and mosses, as well as, depending on definition, the green algae, but not red or brown seaweeds like kelp, nor fungi or bacteria. Green plants have cell walls with cellulose and characteristically obtain most of their energy from sunlight via photosynthesis using chlorophyll contained in chloroplasts, which gives them their green color. Some plants are parasitic and may not produce normal amounts of chlorophyll or photosynthesize. Plants are also characterized by sexual reproduction, modular and indeterminate growth, and an alteration of generations, although asexual reproduction is common, and some plants bloom only once while others bear only one bloom. Precise numbers are difficult to determine, but as of 2010, there are thought to be 300–315 thousand species of plants, of which the great majority, some 260–290 thousand, are seed plants. Green plants provide most of the worlds free oxygen and are the basis of most of the earths ecologies, especially on land. Plants described as grains, fruits and vegetables form mankinds basic foodstuffs, and have been domesticated for millennia. Plants enrich our lives as flowers and ornaments. Until recently and in great variety they have served as the source of most of our medicines and drugs. Their scientific study is known as botany. [-;0] http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Nature [-;1] http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Earth [-;2] http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Ecological -;3] http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Nature [-;4] http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Human [-;5] http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Vegetation [-;6] http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Microorganisms [-;7] http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Soil [-;8] http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Rock_(geology) [-;9] http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Atmosphere [-;10] http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Natural_phenomenon [-;11] http://en. wikip edia. org/wiki/Natural_resource [-;12] http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Physical_phenomena [-;13] http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Air -;14] http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Water [-;15] http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Climate [-;16] http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Energy [-;17] http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Radiation [-;18] http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Electric_charge [-;19] http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Magnetism [-;20] http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Built_environment [-;21] http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Mineralogy [-;22] http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Soil_structure [-;23] http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Habitat [-;24] http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Savanna

The Significance of Colonialism Essay Example

The Significance of Colonialism Essay Example The Significance of Colonialism Essay The Significance of Colonialism Essay Essay Topic: Burial Rites Whether it is all consuming character of Prospero, the vainglorious superiority of the Utopians or the savage greed of the first English Virginian colonists; there is a common will exercised in these three literary texts: conquer and take all. It is my aim in this essay to prove how an underlying theme of colonialism is being operated and advocated in these three texts, as a means of the progression and enrichment of a society specifically European and even more specifically white and English. To attempt to discuss the discourse of colonialism in these texts, it is important to locate them in the historical and political climate of the time. During the late 16th and early 17th centuries, England was experiencing a vast array of problems, both internally and externally. The foremost of these were a private-enterprise seaborne war against Spain (James 5), and a litany of potentially subversive Catholics resident within England itself and of course the newly acquired issue of overpopulation. An influential group of English courtiers and councillors, including the Earl of Leicester, Sir Francis Walsingham and Sir Walter Raleigh, (James 5) saw the vision of an expansionist Empire across the sea in the New World as the solution to many of these difficulties. Many plays, pamphlets and images were circulated which accorded with these aspirations. In fact, accounts of the miraculous survival of members of the company of the Sea Adventure, wrecked off Bermuda in 1609, are said to have provided Shakespeare with an immediate source for The Tempest (Tmp) (Brown 48), and there is much evidence to suggest that Shakespeare had America in mind when writing this play as, the spirit, Ariels songs are seen to be based on Algonquian dances and intended Caliban to be representative Indian and Prospero a planter. (Wilson 333). Utopia is said to be inspired by accounts of the communistic way of life observed in some of these new found lands, although it is an imaginary world whose backbone is based upon slavery. Needless to say, Utopia seems to have inspired some of the ideology behind the concept of colonialism during this era, such as this portion from the play Eastwood Ho, which was written by George Chapman, Ben Jonson and John Marston and first performed in London during the summer of 1605. In this fragment, Captain Seagull describes th e wealth of the Virginian Indians: Why, man, all their dripping pans and their chamber pots are pure gold: and all the chains, with which they chain up their streets, are massy gold; all the prisoners they take are fettered in gold; and for rubies and diamonds, they go forth on holidays and gather em by the seashore, to hang on their childrens coats. (James 4) This description bears an uncanny resemblance to the Utopians treatment of gold, written by More almost a century earlier, and proves that Utopia contributed greatly to the adventurous beliefs associated with these new lands across the ocean. they make their chamber pots and close-stools of gold and silverof the same metals they likewise make chains and fetters for their slavesThey find pearls on their coast, and diamonds and carbuncles on their rocks; they do not look after them, but, if they find them by chance, they polish them, and with them they adorn their children (More 25) A Map of Virginia (Virginia) was written by John Smith as a promotional literary piece to encourage new settlers to the Virginia colony, for al is open for labor of a good and wise inhabitant (Smith 80). It is a historical, anthropological and geographical piece of literature which details the people and the commodities of the region and how those commodities may be used and made profitable. Consequently it is evident that a theme of colonialism is deep rooted in these texts, as Tmp and Virginia were written at the epicentre of the expansionist age, and Utopia written at the dawn of this era, when news of these new lands and peoples as just beginning to reach English shores and a dream of an empire was being pondered upon. It is interesting to note that the word colony comes from the Roman colonia which meant farm or settlement, and referred to Romans who settled in other lands but still retained their citizenship (Loomba Colonialism 7). In Tmp, Prospero is ousted from his dukedom of Milan and arrives on the island on which the play is set and sets up his own colonia on the isle, after expropriating it from its previous owner, the poisonous slave (Shakespeare 1.2.319), Caliban. This subjugation of Caliban, is justified by Prospero due to the tyranny of his mother, thy wicked dam (Shakespeare 1.2.320) Sycorax and to his innate savage behaviour, on whose nature / Nuture can never stick (Shakespeare 4.1.188-9). Although when Prospero first arrived on the isle, relations were quite cordial between the two, as Caliban recounts: When thou camst first, / Thou strokst me and made much of me ; wouldst give me / Water with berries int, and teach me how / To name the bigger light and how the less and then I loved thee, / And showed thee all the qualities othisleCursed be that I did so! (Shakespeare 1.2.332-339) Prospero masked his dependence on Caliban for information about the island with displays of physical affectionOnce petted, Caliban now remains penned like a pig, but on a rock barren of all food. Tales of initial native hospitality and sharing of fold and resources were stock-in-trade of English colonisers (Seed 203). Similarly, in Virginia, initial relations were positive, with regards to the relationship between that of John Smith and the Powhatan tribe of Amerindians. When the colonists first arrived in the Cheapeseake Bay area, the people in al parts kindly intreated them (Smith 31/32), and even after some disorder between the two groups, so moved are the Indians by the suffering that the starving colonists are enduring that they even share their corn with them: God the patron of all good indeavours in that desperate extreamity so cha~ged the harts of the Salvages, that they brought such plenty of their fruits, and provision as no man wanted. (Smith 35) After Smith is captured by the Powhatans, he manages to mesmerise them with his knowledge of science and geography, and in doing so is able to trick them into believing that he and his associates are of a superior power to them and come in friendship. This is reminiscent of the way that Prospero once loved and petted Caliban, teaching him how to name the bigger light and how the less burn by day and night. So he had incha~ted those poore soules (being their prisoner) in demonstrating vnto them the roundnesse of the world, the course of the moone and stares, the cause of day and night the largenes of the seas the qualities of our ships, shot and powder, The devision of the world, with the diversity of people, their complexions, customes and conditions. All which he fained to be vnder the command of Captaine Newport, whom he tearmed to them his father. (Smith 16-17 (38)) Prospero and John Smith use their knowledge to gain control over the dominions that they seek to conquer. Prospero has an aide in the spirit Ariel, who can subject the poor Caliban to endure tremendous pain and torments: Thou shalt have cramps,/ Side-stitches that shall pen thy breath up. Urchins/ Shall, for that vast of night that they make thy work, / All excercise on thee. Thou shalt be pinched / As thick as honeycomb, each pinch more stinging / Than bees that made em. (Shakespeare 1.2.325-330)) One of the ways that Prospero marks out Caliban as inferior is by his physical appearance. He is described as a freckled whelp, hag-born-not honoured with a human shape. (Shakespeare 1.2.283-284), and later in Act 2 Trinculo arrives on the island and encountering Caliban, gives a description of his appearance: What have we here-a man or a fish?A strange fish ! Were I in England now, as once I was, and / had but this fish painted, not a holiday-fool there but would give a piece of silver. There would this monster make a man-any strange beast there makes a man. / When they will not give a doit to relieve a lame beggar, they will lay out ten to see a dead Indian. Legged like a man, and his fins like arms! (Shakespeare 2.2.24-34). What Trinculo could possibly be making reference to here is to the possibility that Indians who died in England could have possibly been embalmed, clad in their indigenous attire and put on show for paying audiences, as no records attest to the departure or burial of more than a dozen Amerindians whose presence in England during Shakespeares lifetime is certain (Vaughan 58-59). Calibans subjugation is also justified because he is the spawn of a wicked dam (Shakespeare 1.2.320), the foul witch Sycorax (Shakespeare 1.2.257). There is no doubt that Sycorax was an African woman, as Prospero outlines her banishment from Algiers by the king of Tunis. Sycorax is branded as inferior due to her blackness, her female gender and then finally for the black arts that she practised and did harm with. The magical power that Prospero holds never comes into question for he is a white male and even though his sorcery too is evil and causes harm, he is protected by the colonial hegemony he has establis hed upon the island. Thus Prospero establishes a colonial power which is specifically white and male. He goes to great pains to enroot this belief by reminding the spirit Ariel of the cruel life enforced upon him by the islands old queen: This damned witch Sycorax, / For mischiefs manifold and sorceries terrible / To enter human hearing, from Algiers / Thou knowst was banished-for one thing she did / They would not take her lifeThou, my slave, / As thou reportst thyself, was then her servant,Refusing her grand hests, she did confine theeInto a cloven pine (Shakespeare 1.2.264-277). Prospero sees himself as superior and therefore reasonable in his enslavement of Caliban; because of Calibans assumed physical defects, his lineage from the corrupt witch Sycorax and his uncivilised behaviour. Prospero has confined Caliban on the hard rock (Shakespeare 1.2.343) because of an unsuccessful attempt to rape Miranda, but previous to this act, Prospero and Miranda had attempted to educate and civilise Caliban with disappointing results. Abhorred slave, / Which any print of goodness wilt not take, / Being capable of all ill! I pitied thee, / Took pains to make thee speak, taught thee each hour but wouldst gabble like / A thing most brutish But thy vile race- / Though thou didst learn-had that int which good natures / Could not abide to be with ; therefore wast thou / Deservedly confined into this rock, / Who hadst deserved more than a prison. (Shakespeare 1.2.350-361). Caliban is a failure at learning properly the language that Miranda has gone to such great pains to teach him. Prospero once even once lodged thee/ In mine own cell, till thou didst seek to violate / The honour of my child (Shakespeare 1.2.346-348). Miranda teaches Caliban language with the intention of conscripting him within the project of moral renewal but his wicked deed culminates in him being dispossessed and driven from her presence (Gillies The Figure 194). Calibans fall is reminiscent of Aristotles theory of the natural slave; unable to learn a language succinctly and incapable of bridling his sexual desires, Calibans punishment is a lifetime of servitude and shame. Thus his failure at education and misdemeanour provides Prospero with rationale for the expropriation and enslavement of Caliban. Patriarchal colonial rule is established upon the isle with Prospero as supreme head of state; protecting his pure, virginal daughter (even though she is quite capable of uttering a pr ofanity herself) from the unchecked carnal desires of the deformed Caliban. This preoccupation with preventing sexual connections (or even the threat of such contact) between English women and native men (Seed 211), has proven itself to be an enduring characteristic of many British colonies, where it has often been used the reasoning behind many cruelties and displays of violence (Seed 211). Something that would have resonated with Shakespearean audiences who watched this play were the many images circulating during this time, depicting the Sceptred isle as full and the New World as empty (Seed 205) as English colonists wanted to begin peopling the excess English population into this new territory; a concept which resonates with The Tempest during Calibans speech upon his failed attempt of raping Miranda and therefore unable to realise his dream: Thou didst prevent me-I had peopled else/ This isle with Calibans. (Shakespeare 1.2.348-349) In Virginia, special attention is also paid to the physical appearance and habits of the native Indians. He describes their attire as being assembled in a rude manner and the natives are viewed in subhuman, animalistic terms. In describing the character of the Powhatan tribe, Smith writes: Some are of disposition fearefull, some bold, most cautelous, all SavageThey are soone moved to anger, and so malitious, that they seldom forget an injury (37). (A stark contrast to Smiths description of them as seeming of an honest simple disposition earlier in the text). Smith accuses the Indians of child sacrifice, and of executing a fellow colonist, George Cassen, of a most merciless and cruel method of death (de-jointing a victim, then disembowelling him, finally setting him alight while being bound to a tree throughout the entire ordeal). Although these situations could have possibly occurred, he has evidence to support neither of them. Both accounts are merely hearsay, are hardly objective and obviously entered with the desired effect of swaying the judgment of the reader to thinking of the engrained savage nature of these Indians. There are many other tirades launched against the Indians (despite them saving the colonists from starvation out of compassion) but the cornerstone of his argument for civilising them is their religion, as Smith outlines their Chiefe God they worship is the Diuell. Him they call Oke serve him more of feare then loue. Smith writing this during a period of extreme religious piety in England and the actuality that the majority of the first colonists were God fearing Puritans, highlights the point that Smith was trying to make that these Indians were heathens and to colonise and therefore civilise them was Gods will. And end to the high glory of God, to the erecting of true religion among Infidells, to the overthrow of superstition and idolatrie, to the winning of many thousands of wandering sheepe, vnto Christs foldhave strayed in unknowne paths of Paginisme, Idolatrie and superstition (Smith ?). These new aims that claimed by Smith and his followers are quite different from the aims that Smith acknowledged the Virginia Company had outlined for them as to discover the country, subdue the people, bring them to be tractable, civil and industrious, and teach them trades, that the fruits of their labours might make vs recompence, or plant such colonies of our own that must (Smith ?). The use of religion as a means of suppression advocated by Machiavelli years before hand; he himself having traced the idea back to the foundation of the Roman Empire, when Romuluss successor, Numa Pompilius, finding a very savage people, and wishing to reduce them to civil obedience by the arts of peace, had to recourse to religion as the most necessary and assured support of any civil society (Greenblatt 20). The Virginia colonists aspirations to introduce the Indians to Christianity seem to be very suspicious especially when one considers the occasion when Smith fooled the Indians into thinking he was of a status of a demigod; capable of raising the poor Indian boy from the dead once his brother swore never to steal again. Even though Smith portrayed himself as a staunch Christian and as outlined previously stated that he wanted to bring an end to Paginisme, Idolatrie and Superstition, he exploited the superstitions of the Indians. The Indian king, Powhatan, asked Smith, what will it availe you, to take that perforce, you may quietly have with loue, or to destroy them that provide you food? (Smith). Powhatan was completely aware of the Virginia Companys true intentions, and there was very little Christian compassion and love engrained in them. Like Prospero, once Smith had gotten the information that he needed in order for James Town to prosper, he required a valid reason to force the Indians into submission, for as he said, For we haue a rule to finde beyond your knowledge (Smith). The Utopians, on the other hand, have already mastered the art of subduing and colonising, for although they do not hasten to go into war; when they do, they totally vanquish the enemy. Firstly, they do not use their own men in the war but employ a mercenary army of a neighbouring tribe, the Zapolets, who are a rude, wild and fierce nation, who delight in the woods and rocks, among which they were born and bred up. They are hardened both against heat, cold and labour, and know nothing of the delicacies of life (More 39). Once the Utopians have struck down their enemies and entered into their lands, they never lay their enemies country waste nor burn their corn, and even in their marches they take all possible care that neither horse nor foot may tread it down, for they do not know but that they may have use for it themselves (More 41). The use that they make of these newly conquered lands is to establish somewhat a form of a colony, extracting taxes from the occupied country. When a war is ended, they do not oblige their friends to reimburse their expenses; but they obtain them of the conquered, either in moneyor in lands, out of which a constant revenue is to be paid themThey send some of their own people to receive these revenues, who have orders to live magnificently, and like princes, by which means they consume much of it upon the place; and either bring over the rest to Utopia, or lend it to that nation in which it lies. (More 41). In Utopia, the whole foundation of their civilisation has been founded upon conquest and colonisation. For as their history records: Utopus that conquered it (whose name it still carries, for Abraxa was its first name) brought the rude and uncivilized inhabitants into such a good government, and to that measure of politeness, that they now far excel all the rest of mankind (More 17). The Utopians regard slavery as a normal part of their culture, and similar to Prosperos chastisement of Caliban, use it as the punishment even of the greatest crimes; for as that is no less terrible to the criminals themselves than death, so they think the preserving them in a state of servitude is more for the interest of the commonwealth than killing them; since as their labour is a greater benefit to the public than their death could be, so the sight of their misery is a more lasting terror to other men than that which would be given by their death. If their slaves rebel, and will not bear their yoke and submit to the labour that is enjoined them, they are treated as wild beasts that cannot be kept in order, neither by a prison nor by their chains, and are at last put to death. (More 35). Another sort of slaves are the poor of the neighbouring countries, who offer of their own accord to come and serve them; they treat these better, and use them in all other respects as well as their own countrymen, except their imposing more labour upon them, which is no hard task to those that have been accustomed to it. (More 33). A form of communal living presides in the countryside, people living together in country families, which consist of no fewer than forty men and women in it, besides two slaves (More 17). All of the most menial and unpleasant tasks of Utopian life are performed by these slaves, such as the slaughter and butchering of animals, for they suffer none of their citizens to kill their cattle, because they think that pity and good natureare impaired by the butchering of animals. (More 23). The Utopians regard themselves as morally and intellectually superior to these slaves, but due to their love of education, take it upon themselves to redeem these slaves through knowledge and pestilence.

Justice and Christians Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Justice and Christians - Essay Example criminals are treated by laws alone in pursuit of justice beyond spiritual guidance, knowing the rigidity of discipline imposed by the justice system ruling, such setting may further aggravate any state of psychological imbalance with inmates. The authorities taking custody of these people may as well not find themselves able to provide sufficient moral support at getting exhausted with daily routine of having to attend to a somewhat unmanageable number of other detained suspects. It is hence more than reasonable for Christian standards to modify the objectives of employing justice in this regard. Every true Christian acts by faith and teachings which exhibit a humble, patient, and compassionate attitude of dealing with a sinner without prior judgment (Christian Justice). By the freedom of exercising righteous deed towards any one, a considerate person who handles an offender may do so in a Christian manner of promoting the essence of love and faith in life through the Holy Scriptures. Once the erring party manifests being moved in response to the atmosphere filled with love, there is high probability that this person would in turn be inspired to change heart and give the favor back. In the process, Christian justice could possibly enable the convicted person to understand the gravity of his sins then to find no great deal in the will to be executed or be served proper charges since by this time, he would have taken a huge step to forgive himself. As a result, Christianity transforms the individual at fault and establishes in him a type of conviction which is able to overcome remorse and discern the fairness in the fact that justice would not be held back from sinner. At this stage the offender, having been spiritually renewed, accepts his punishment wholeheartedly. Similarly, an act of a just Christian reaches out to the victim by supplication of comfort and bridges the gap between the victim and the person in offense. To a certain extent, the former may also

Property Law as Applied to Rural Retreats Essay

Property Law as Applied to Rural Retreats - Essay Example As the discussion stresses this agreement restricting Rural Retreats’ use of Easy Access constitutes a significant instrument that crucially affects the proper use of the lot, where its abandonment in the part of Rural Retreats will negatively affect the well-being of its purchasers and successors in title. The importance Easy Access holds as a car park for the estate constitutes what Sec. 29 of the Land Title Act of 1994 as crucial to â€Å"ensure that the register is an accurate, comprehensive and useable record of freehold land in the State.† This paper declares that no registrable interest exists for Nohrain in this case, the registrar should have registered details about Easy Access being a car park, which cannot be used for other purposes or sold, without the lot owners’ consent. In order to protect his interests to the parking lot, Nohrain, preferably with the cooperation of the other lot owners in the estate, has two options: he can make an appeal by virtue of the Land Title Act for the registrar to correct the register to Easy Access and include the provisions included in the sale of the lots regarding Easy Access, or Nohrain can lodge a caveat on Easy Access to prevent the property from being sold or modified in its terms of use. Nohrain has rights to the easement because as the agreement between Olga and the Council provides, Olga, together with her family, occupiers of her lot, and successors in title, which includes Nohrain, are included among those who will benefit from the free water supply.

Psychology (personality) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Psychology (personality) - Essay Example Adler’s strategies can be compared to various points of scripture from the Bible. From the point of both aggression and withdrawal, the section of Genesis in which the Lord expels Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden is applicable. â€Å"Because thou hast†¦ eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of they life† (Holy, 1945). This passage shows both agression and withdrawal, because the Lord is aggressively expelling the couple, and they are being made to withdraw into the world. There tends to be more about punishment in Genesis, showing more aggression. Excuses can also be explained and correlated to scriptures and sections of the Bible, including passages from Job. In terms of applying Adler’s theories to scripture, one can see how the three major safeguarding strategies are put forth as described by Adler in terms of personality, and of cou rse, human beings are still human beings, just as in the Biblical

Billabong Business Report

Billabong Business Report Billabong was established in Queensland as a private company in 1973. In 2000 it was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX), becoming a public company with shareholders. Over the years it has established operations across 4 continents with distribution to over 60 countries worldwide. Billabong has firmly established its brand at home and abroad with its focus on innovative yet functional products. Acquisitions of other brands such as Von Zipper, Element, Nixon and Honolua have helped the Company diversify their product range. The Company has managed to remain competitive in a receding global economy in the past year aided by strong growth sales in the Europe and Australasian sectors. Billabong employs over 1750 staff world-wide and has a strong commitment to all their stakeholders in terms of integrity and governance. (Cory, 2008, website) Introduction Founded on Australias Gold Coast in 1973 by surfer and surfboard shaper Gordon and Rena Merchant, Billabong has since established itself as a prominent Australian icon. The Company sprang from humble beginnings, with the couple designing boardshorts in their flat overlooking Burleigh Heads, cutting them out on the kitchen table and then carting the finished product around to the local surf shop to sell. Gordons no frills, practical approach to boardshort manufacturing paid dividends, as Billabong grew steadily until his little homespun factory literally burst at the seams. (Pacificshop, 2006, website) From those inauspicious early days the Company has grown rapidly to become a publicly listed international company. Today, Billabongs core business is the design, production, marketing, distribution, wholesaling and retailing (through shops and agencies owned by the Company) of surf, skate and skiing apparel; accessories; and eyewear. This report is an analysis of Billabong Internationa ls business framework. Business Model and Organisational Framework By the 1980s, Billabong had firmly cemented its place in Australian surf culture and was international expansion was in its sights. The Companys first international operation was established in the USA in 1983, followed by New Zealand in 1985 and Europe in 1987. A range of other international operations were established in subsequent years, with Japan opening in 2000 and Brazil in 2001. Through the 1990s the surf industry grew exponentially and professional surfing gained a newfound respectability. The Company also followed its core customers into other boardsports markets, including skate and snow, where it replicated its proven business model. By the close of the decade, Billabong had been restructured to capitalise on the growing global opportunities in all boardsports sectors. The restructure set the foundation for an initial public offering in Australia in mid 2000. The move saw the Companys shares publicly listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in August of that year. Shortly after the public float the Company demonstrated its growth plans with a number of acquisitions including Von Zipper sunglasses brand and the emerging Element Skateboards brand. The successful integration of those businesses saw the Company add to its stable of brands in following years, with Honolua Surf Company acquired in January 2004, Kustom footwear and Palmers Surf in September 2004, a controlling interest in the beach culture airport-retail business in November 2005 and Nixon watches and accessories in January 2006. Other businesses were also established, including the Element footwear range, the California-based Beachworks retail business and various branded concept stores around the world. (Global Village Partnerships, 2009, website) Business Mission/Vision Billabong Internationals values remain consistent with its foundation objectives, which include: a commitment to brand protection and enhancement the manufacture of design-relevant and functional products marketing in the core boardsports channels such as sponsorship of events and athletes, as well as advertising in selected print media to expand into new geographical markets to expand the product range, particularly in the core board sports and youth fashion markets the professional development of staff and ongoing customer service and relationships and to deliver returns to shareholders Leadership Gordon Merchant has consistently had a hands-on role in the designing, marketing and sales of for the Company and brand. He currently sits on the board of directors along with Derek OHYPERLINK javascript:;HYPERLINK javascript:;Neill the CEO, and Paul Naude the Executive Director. The other board members consist of: Ted Kunkel Margaret Jackson AC Allan McDonald Colette Paull Tony Froggatt (Billabongcorporate, 2009, website) Financial Position According to Billabongs full year financial report, the Companys profit for the year ended31st June 2009 was $160.2 million. This was down 9.2% from the same period last year. This is largely in line with the decline in the global economic activity over the past year. The decrease in net profit meant that earnings per share was also down 11.2%. Although net profit decreased, there was a rise in sales revenue. This was largely due to new acquisitions made by the Company and the adverse movement of the Australian dollar against other major currencies such as the US dollar and the Euro. Operations in North America felt the heaviest impact from the economic slowdown. However, this was offset by strong sales growth is the South America sector. Europe was the star performer, with an almost 24% increase in sales revenue. Australasia also managed sales revenue gains of almost 8%, largely helped by the resilience of the Australian retail market and supported by the governments economic stimulus packages. Given the lack of retailer confidence, the steep slowdown in consumer spending in various global economies and the extreme volatility in exchange rates, the Company has performed reasonably well. The forecast for the coming year seems to be conservative in light of the current uncertainty of the global economy. Europe and Australasia are predicted to remain stable, and despite the initial reduction of forward orders in the US, there are promising signs of a recovery. (ONeill D, 2009, website) Human Resources and Stakeholder Management Billabong International has a diverse group of stakeholders that both influence and are impacted by the operations of the Company. These include employees, shareholders, business associates, athletes, suppliers, opinion leaders and customers. Billabong International employs over of 1750 staff worldwide, with the greatest concentration of staff in Californias Orange County, Australias Gold Coast and Hossegor in France. Employees are the main stakeholders in any company and building and maintaining relationships with employees is vital to maintaining effective relationships with business partners, customers and the community. Staff are encouraged to expand their skills and potential, and have access to and receive support for further training and to experience opportunities. Programs for managers to develop vital skills with an emphasis on innovation, planning, leadership and teamwork are a focus of the business. The Company also has guidelines and policies for remuneration to ensure a fair approach to rewarding employees. The Company also has a consultative committee comprising staff representatives and senior managers to discuss issues and consider improvements to the workplace. Billabong International is also committed to conducting business in an ethical and socially responsible manner. This is defined in employee work agreements that effectively form a code of ethics that governs acceptable workplace practices. The Companys corporate governance policy states that the maintenance of all environmental, social and health and safety issues is to be the responsibility of the Board of Directors. As a public company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange Billabong International is required by law to hold an Annual General Meeting of shareholders to discuss the Companys business. The Company also addresses shareholders at least twice a year to update trading conditions and provide a forward business outlook. The Company also consistently interacts with stakeholders through the staging of events around the world. These range from the elite World Championship Tour professional surfing contests, through to professional skate and snow competitions and a range of junior and amateur surf, skate and snow events. At a supplier level, the Company undertakes regular factory visits to conduct audits. During these audits, workers from the shop floor are randomly selected for interviews to help understand workplace standards. Large posters outlining Billabongs supplier Code of Conduct are fixed to high profile locations within factories to ensure workers are aware of their rights. Multi-stakeholder meetings that bring together staff from the Companys geographically diverse regions are also held twice annually. These provide a forum to discuss the direction of the business and gain a better understanding of the motivation that drives business decisions. International Nature of the Business From its origins in Australia nearly 30 years ago, Billabong has evolved into a global business that operates on four major continents. Its name-Billabong International Limited-now reflects this focus and the promotion and protection of its brands and name are a major component of the business around the world. The original market for boardshorts and wetsuits was limited in its size, so Billabong (along with several other similar companies) looked to expand their product range to include clothing and accessories. Originally, these were manufactured in Australia. The drivers for Billabong included the need to expand to new and larger markets in order to increase sales and profits, improvements in technology that led to better production and communication, and the advent of global consumers because of the increasingly popular surf culture and lifestyle. This is essentially a global strategy using global branding in that the same, standardised product is sold in all markets. Deregulation of markets and government influences had minimal impact on Billabong. Billabong also achieved economies of scale through its increase in production, as well as some cushioning of the economic cycle-having operations in both hemispheres, which have opposite seasons, allows the development of products to suit summer in Australia, which can then be sold in the Northern Hemisphere four months later. The globalisation of Billabong was achieved through: seeking cheaper sources for manufacturing (in Hong Kong and China)-factories were established to produce garments for sale in Australia exporting and distributing in the United States (initially in surf areas, such as California) exporting and distributing in France and then in the rest of Europe establishing operations in the United States, France, Japan, New Zealand, Canada, Hong Kong and Brazil that are responsible for importing, distributing and wholesaling Billabong products. This is a form of foreign direct investment the acquisition of other businesses so that they became wholly owned subsidiaries of Billabong. This occurred with Element and Von Zipper-these companies retain their name (brand) but are wholly owned and controlled by Billabong licensing, which allows distributors and some retail outlets to use the Billabong name as part of their operations. There are several key areas which are important in the management of a business at a global scale: Financial Exposure to foreign exchange is a concern for all global companies as well as methods of payment and credit risks. However, the establishment of operations and distributors in various countries ensures that Billabong is in a position to access borrowed funds from overseas if required. Operations In order to reduce production costs the majority of Billabongs manufacturing occurs in China. This is a form of outsourcing and strict procedures are in place to ensure quality control. Billabong has offices in Australia (Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria), the United States (California), France, Japan, New Zealand, Canada, Hong Kong and Brazil. By adopting a global web approach and using subsidiaries, Billabong can move products more easily, avoid some government regulations, be closer to its markets and customers, and avoid some foreign exchange risks. Employment Relations Billabong needs to be aware of differences in labour laws and cope with pressures relating to minimum labour standards. The Company also must adhere to the global standards covering factory inspections (on general human rights and environmental issues) and laboratory tests. Conclusion The original Billabong business focused on gear for local surfers, before diversifying into clothing and accessories for surfing, snow skiing and skating. Billabong now has over 2200 product lines and is the leading surfwear brand in Australia with its products being distributed in more than 60 countries internationally. Despite the doom and gloom of the current economic environment, Billabong has managed to largely steer clear of any major short-comings, enjoying success in most of its global sectors. From a small backyard operation in 1973 to todays multi-national publicly floated company, Billabong is certainly an entrepreneurs dream come true.

Comprehensive Structure and Process of Human Resource Planning Essay

Table of Contents Term of Reference Executive Summary Company profile Recruitment „P  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Nature of Recruitment „P  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Objectives of recruitment „P  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Job vacancies „P  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Recruitment Methods Selection „P  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Selection Criteria „P  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Selection methods „P  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Evaluation of the selection process Retention „P  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Nature of Retention „P  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Turnover analysis „P  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Retention strategies Reward „P  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Nature of reward „P  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Objectives of the reward system „P  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Reward determination „P  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Types of reward system „P  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Performance Management Training and Development „P  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Nature of Training and development „P  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Objective of Training and Development „P  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Training and Development process „P  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The role of training and development Conclusion Reference and Bibliography Term of Reference The purpose of this report is to provide comprehensive structure and process of human resource planning to Widgets Unlimited's Director, which the content of this report will include the section of employing new staffs, and the section of developing original staffs. This report is provided by the senior manager of human resource management department to the managing director of Widgets Unlimited, which to provide new human resource strategy for the incoming year. This report includes academic study as well as empirical research on the market, which will provide the strategies on the academic foundation, but analyzing in practical ways. Executive Summary Human Resources Management (HRM) is that branch of management that deals with managing one of the resources of the organization-Human Resources. Institute of Personnel and Development defines human resource management as: "Recruiting and selecting people, training and developing them for their work, ensuring that payment and conditions of employment are appropriate, where necessary negotiating such terms of employment with trade unions, advising on healthy and appropriate working conditions, the organization of people at work, and the encouragement of relations between management and work people." This report is focus on explaining the process and steps of human resource planning, and analyzing the strength and weakness in each steps. This includes the recruitment and selection on the new employees, and further develops on retention of original staffs, rewards on t... ...l and continuously develop and train staffs skill and knowledge in order to maintain company ¡Ã‚ ¦s competitive advantages. In this report has emphasis on the important relationship with the size and budget of the company, which this consideration has to be included in analyzing the possibility of adopting the plan. It is important for the director to note that before accepting the plan, it will need further and deeper analysis on company ¡Ã‚ ¦s capital available and the external business environment. Overall, this report provides the guide line for the director to understand broadly process of human resource planning. Reference and Bibliography Bratton, J & Gold, J (1994) Human resource management : theory and practice. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire : Macmillan McKenna, E & Beech, N. (2002) Human Resource Management: a concise analysis. London: Person Education Limited Sturges, J & Guest, D. (1999) Shall I say or should I go? Warick: Association of Graduate Recruiters Thomason, G. (1988) A textbook of human resource management. London : Institute of Personnel Management Torrington, D & Laura, H & Taylor S. (2002) Human Resource Management. London: Prentice Hall