Friday, May 31, 2019

Inaccuracies Of The Consumer Price Index (cpi) :: essays research papers

Inaccuracies of the Consumer Price Index (CPI)     The Consumer Price Index is a measure of the prices of a fixed marketbasket of some ccc consumer goods and services purchased by a "typical" urbanconsumer. The 1982-1984 period serves as the base period so analysts can compareother years changes with this base period. The fundamental law of the marketbasket is fixed in the base period and is assumed not to change from one periodto another. The reason for the assumption is because the CPI measures the costliness of a constant standard of living. Critics claim that the CPI isinaccurate because it overstates the increases in the cost of living. For thisreason, the CPI has been said to be inaccurate.     First, consumers do change their spending patterns. yet though thecomposition off the market basket is assumed not to change, it does becauseconsumers change their spending patterns. Because consumers substitute lowerpriced products in l ieu of high priced ones, the system of weights has shifted. The CPIassumes that this does not occur and therefore it overcompensates the standardof living.     Secondly, because the base period was over a decade ago, the quality ofthe products has increased significantly, and therefore the prices should behigher. The CPI, however, assumes that the increases in prices is a result ofinflation rather than quality improvements which is false. Here also, the CPIoverstates the rate of inflation.     Many consumers do not mind the overcompensation of the CPI because in approximately cases it means more money in their pockets, but there are some consequences.This may cause an ongoing inflation trend. The reason why the disposal doesnot restrict it is because they are worried about getting re-elected. Even ifthe President does call for a revision of the CPI, Congress would defeat it tokeep their positions.     another(prenominal) consequence of the overstated CPI involves the adjustment of taxbrackets. Their intent of indexing is to prevent inflation to cause people to beplaced into a higher tax bracket. For example, if your income increases by 10%,that may put you in a higher level tax bracket, but if product prices have also

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Restoring the Balance :: Psychology Psychological Freud Essays

Restoring the Balance universe of discourse warfare I was a war of new technology. There were machine guns, gas bombs, and trenches. Because of this new technology, World War I was also a war filled with atrocities. The men fighting in the war experienced horrors that no human being should have ever experienced. The novel Regeneration by Pat Barker addresses the question of how these soldiers were supposed to recover from these horrors. For Dr. W.H.R. Rivers, there was only one answer -- psychological science. On page 29, a patient of Rivers named Anderson tells Rivers, Thats what you Freudian Johnnies are on about all the time, isnt it? Nudity, snakes, corsets. Freudian therapy is also alluded to on pages 31 and 46, although Freudian methods of analyzing dreams, recognizing symbols, and understanding the unconscious are constants. Rivers helps to suffer the traumatized soldiers back to a reality where they can accept life and the duties that they must fulfill through the use of a psychology which draws upon Freuds theories. The appearance of Freudian psychology in Regeneration helps to acknowledge the frailty of the human mind, body, and soul. Rivers use of psychology is a way to restore the delicate balance of life, giving renewal to a life thought hopeless by its possessor. Sigmund Freuds life work as a psychologist and psychoanalyst has been very influential. Sigmund Freud (1856-1931) attended college in Vienna where he started authorship his many treatises and theories on the psychoanalytical approach. In 1881, Freud got his doctors degree in medicine. From 1885-86, Freud spent time studying the effects of hypnosis and studied hysteria. From 1900 to 1916, Freud wrote many of his most famous works, such as The Interpretation of Dreams, and gave many lectures. Of all his works and theories, Freud is most known for his theories on the unconscious and for the importance he puts on sex (Thornton). With the start of World War I, Freud began studying several patients suffering from hysteria and shell-shock. He died of cancer in England in 1931. Freud studied and wrote several theories on neurosis and the use of psycho-analysis as a form of therapy. Freud said that there were several forms in which neurosis appears, including repression, regression, and fixation. Freud felt that in order to effect a cure, he must serve the patient himself to become conscious of unresolved conflicts buried in the deep recesses of the unconscious mind, and to confront and engage with them directly (Thornton).

Virginia Woolf Essay -- essays papers

An Authors BrushVirginia Woolf is not un the like any other truly good artist her writing is vague, her expression can be inhibited, and much of her work is up to interpretation from the spectator. Jacobs Room is one of her novels that can be hard to digest, unless(prenominal) this is where the beauty of the story can be found. It is not written in the blatant style of the authors before her chose and even sparers today mimic, but rather Jacobs Room appears more like a written painting than a book. It is as if Woolf appeared tired and bored of the black and white style of writing that dominated her culture and chose to use a paintbrush to write her story. This individualistic technique is essential to how Woolf creates a portrait of Jacob, the title character of the novel. The portrait the reader gets of Jacob is entirely questionable throughout the entire story, beneficial like any understanding of a human in life is more about opinion than fact. This is how Woolf captures life, the readers view of Jacob is almost completely found on interpretations from other characters. These various assessments of Jacob form together to make the collective portrait of Jacob. Woolf states that Multiplicity becomes unity, which somehow the secret of life (147), the secret of the novel as well.The impressions of Jacob are from many different types of characters in the book. There are random people that we dont even get the name of, Jacobs hold mother, those that love Jacob and even those whom Jacob love. All these impressions are woven on a common thread, that all human beings have a use up to break isolation and cherish attention, love and concreteness. Jacobs mother, Betty Flanders, sets up her portrait of Jacob as a son that she has lost. Betty Fland... ...s less a true depiction of Jacob himself, but rather the people that tried to interpret him. Jacobs Room is not finally about Jacob, but about the world that forms him. Trying to understand Jacob is task that is ju st as difficult as finding a place for his empty shoes, at best those who felt closest to Jacob were just observers of his life, observer(s)...choked with observations (75). The portrait of Jacob created from the novel is less a portrait and more like a cavern of mystery, endowing Jacob Flanders with all sorts of qualities he had not at all (80). Our portrait of Jacob is painted to us by Virginia Woolf about the dubiety, skepticism and wonder over true human existence and if it is at all possible to achievew it. Jacobs own room is exactly that, something so real and physical that is at the same time departed and lifeless.Bibliography

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Frail Males in Margaret Laurence’s A Bird in the House :: Bird House

Frail Males in Margaret Laurences A Bird in the planetary house Kristjana Gunnars suggests that Canada is an unhappy country. No, better still, the Prairies are unhappy. Canadian women are especially unhappy (Gunnars 122). In Margaret Laurences A Bird in the House, the women are indeed unhappy. In the end, however, it is the women who triumph because of their solidarity. The men, due to their solitary states, are unable to maintain their traditionally powerful eccentrics. In these short stories, the men appear to be the leadership of the household, but the women have the greater but subtler power. The men do not add together each other support, while the women are often willing to lend each other a shoulder to cry on. Thus, because of their bluntness and solitariness, the men in A Bird in the House are dethroned from their traditional seat of power in male-female relations, male-male relations, and in female-female relations where their absence is not missed.An impos ing character in A Bird in the House, Grandfather Timothy Connors power over his household is also a sign of his weakness. The house that he built is part dwelling place and part massive remembrance (Margaret Laurence 3). Grandfather Connor, a pioneer in Manawaka, is a monument himself and is often associated with his architectural feat. The title of Margaret Laurences novel is A Bird in the House Grandfather Connor is the house that both shelters and entraps the people especially the women in his life with his actions. With a stranglehold on his household, Grandfather seems to fit into the traditional male role as the authoritarian but is plagued by guilt and loneliness. He uses his anger as a shield and a mask he demands strength because he is afraid of weakness (Jon Kertzer 43). Early in his marriage, Grandfather Connor had an affair with a girl in Winnipeg but his wife Agnes never told him shed considered leaving him (Laurence 85). This places Agnes in a position of higher power she is virtuous, and Timothy knows that she may be too good for him. As Uncle Terence remarks Another persons virtues could be an dreaded weight to tote around. We all loved her. Whoever loved him? (86). Because his family loves Agnes and will happily obey her, Timothy attempts to reassert his power by being strict and demanding.

An Analysis of To His Coy Mistress :: To His Coy Mistress, Andrew Marvell

The poem, To His Coy Mistress, by Andrew Marvell brings out some actions that some of us have experienced or even thought well-nigh in this concise poem. This poem is very appealing to the male senses and what some make atomic number 18 like. Some women could be thought of when this is read. Andrew Marvell puts it in words that make it seem as if it was very acceptable. The first twenty lines of the poem start to talk about how much this girl means to this perticular man. The main character in the poem talks about how he bequeath wait forever to be with her. He mentions that We would sit down and think which way To walk and pass our long loves day. (st. 3-4) His views as of now are that he wants to take his cartridge holder and he doesnt have go anywhere. This man sure enough wants to plan things out so that it will be perfect. Another line from the poem that makes him the man that he is portraying to be is An hundred years should go to praise Thine eyes and on thy forehead ga ze. (st.13-14) I think he is saying that we will give praise to her eyes that are so magnificent. Her eyes are so beautiful, because of which he will praise them for hundred years before they mess truly be to hold outher. Later on it mentions that he will praise her breast each for two hundred years. The mood is set that this man certainly wants to be with this woman. He is telling her how he feels and wants her to understand that he really wants to be with her. In the next twelve lines we begin to see a function of difference in the attitude. As of now the guy is thinking, well maybe we dont have enough time to sit around and wait. The carrys of time is pointed out by saying that it is hurrying near. Maybe we dont have enough time anymore. We should hurry up and get with it. Thy beauty shall no more be found, Nor, in thy marble vault shall sound.(st. 25-26) I imagine that he is telling her that if we wait to long then you shall be dead and then we would have never gotten the c hance. He is trying to tell her that they should hurry it up.

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Voodoo Religion Essay examples -- Religious Religion Voodoo Research P

fetich Religion The enchant righteousness is one of the most, if not the most misconceived moralitys of our time. Often when Voodoo is mentioned, it is related to evil, black magic, devious sorcery, cannibalism, and harm. Although the Voodoo religion appears to the outsider as an illusion or falsehood, it has been an instrumental political force because it has helped the Haitians resist domination and form an identity of their own. Since the end of the 17th century, Haitian Voodoo has overcome every challenge it has been faced with and has endured. The religion is based on a polytheistic belief system and represents a significant portion of Haitis 8.3 million people. The engaging religion plays an important role in both the family and the community. Voodoo ceremonies allow participants to seek spiritual guidance, or help with their problems, making the religion a source of comfort. The main activity in Voodoo is the boundary between visible and invisible realities. Practitioners believe that there are no accidents, everything affects something else, and the existence is all one. In Voodoo, reality and illusion are fused to make things happen. Voodoo cannot be explained. Voodoo is a very promising religion. It offers comfort and brave to practitioners while Haiti remains unstable. There is a strong sense of tradition, but it is a very unique sense of tradition. Voodoo has no formal dogma, no specific organization, and no written text. There is no right or wrong expressive style to practice Voodoo. Because there was no formal history of Voodoo practitioners believed it was easier to form a tie down with the supernatural world. Each individual has his/her own relationship with his or her specified god, and each relationship is unique. The religion is in the detention of the practitioner. People can choose how deep they wish to get involved in this religion. A practitioner of Voodoo decides for him or herself how to establish their personal bond with the su pernatural. In comparison religions like Catholicism, have guidelines to follow and consequences for all your actions. Voodoo allowed Haiti to form an identity of its own. Voodoo has been instrumental in the survival of Haiti because of its individualistic way of thinking. It is important to keep in mind that Haiti has been, and continues to be one of the most impoverished nations is the world. The fact that Ha... ...on of the slaves of Haiti from who most black Haitians descended from. Philippe Casiera a Voodoo priest said, In spite of our contribution to Haitian culture, we are still misunderstood and despised (Okara, Origins of Voodoo). Voodoo helps and guides people who suffer and it serves as a comfort for those in need. historically in Haiti Voodoo has and continues to be a very successful religion.Sources CitedAnderson, Michelle. Authentic Voodoo is Synthetic. The Drama Review Summer, 1982 89-110.Common Misconceptions About Vodoun 20 May. http//pub47.bravenet.com/faq/show.p hp?usernum=3951612168&catid=104Guynup, Sharon. Haiti possess by Voodoo. National Geographic July. 2004. 20 May. http//news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/07/0707_040707_tvtaboovoodoo.htmlHunte, Tracie. UF professor Haitian voodoo similar to western practices. Alligator online 20 May. http//www.alligator.org/edit/issues/00-spring/000225/b08forum25.htmOrigins of Voodoo 10 May. http//www.swagga.com/voodoo.htmTurlington, Shannon. The Complete Idiots Guide to Voodoo. USA Alpha, 2002.Websters Dictionary & thesaurus. Voodoo. New York Shooting Star Press, 1995.

Voodoo Religion Essay examples -- Religious Religion Voodoo Research P

hex Religion The fetish religion is one of the most, if not the most misconceived religions of our time. Often when Voodoo is mentioned, it is related to evil, black magic, devious sorcery, cannibalism, and harm. Although the Voodoo religion appears to the outsider as an illusion or falsehood, it has been an instrumental political force because it has helped the Haitians resist domination and form an identity of their own. Since the end of the 17th century, Haitian Voodoo has overcome every challenge it has been faced with and has endured. The religion is based on a polytheistic belief system and represents a significant helping of Haitis 8.3 million people. The engaging religion plays an important role in both the family and the community. Voodoo ceremonies allow participants to seek spiritual guidance, or help with their problems, fashioning the religion a source of nourish. The main activity in Voodoo is the boundary between visible and invisible realities. Practitioners beli eve that there are no accidents, everything affects something else, and the universe is all one. In Voodoo, reality and illusion are fused to make things happen. Voodoo cannot be explained. Voodoo is a very promising religion. It offers comfort and support to practitioners while Haiti remains unstable. There is a strong sense of tradition, but it is a very unique sense of tradition. Voodoo has no conventional dogma, no specific organization, and no written text. There is no right or wrong way to practice Voodoo. Because there was no formal account statement of Voodoo practitioners believed it was easier to form a bond with the supernatural world. Each individual has his/her own relationship with his or her specified god, and each relationship is unique. The religion is in the hands of the practitioner. People can choose how deep they wish to get involved in this religion. A practitioner of Voodoo decides for him or herself how to establish their own(prenominal) bond with the supe rnatural. In comparison religions like Catholicism, have guidelines to follow and consequences for all your actions. Voodoo allowed Haiti to form an identity of its own. Voodoo has been instrumental in the survival of Haiti because of its laissez-faire(a) way of thinking. It is important to keep in mind that Haiti has been, and continues to be one of the most impoverished nations is the world. The fact that Ha... ...on of the slaves of Haiti from who most black Haitians descended from. Philippe Casiera a Voodoo non-Christian priest said, In spite of our contribution to Haitian culture, we are still misunderstood and despised (Okara, Origins of Voodoo). Voodoo helps and guides people who suffer and it serves as a comfort for those in need. Historically in Haiti Voodoo has and continues to be a very successful religion.Sources CitedAnderson, Michelle. Authentic Voodoo is Synthetic. The Drama Review Summer, 1982 89-110.Common Misconceptions About Vodoun 20 May. http//pub47.bravenet. com/faq/show.php?usernum=3951612168&catid=104Guynup, Sharon. Haiti Possessed by Voodoo. National Geographic July. 2004. 20 May. http//news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/07/0707_040707_tvtaboovoodoo.htmlHunte, Tracie. UF professor Haitian voodoo similar to western practices. Alligator online 20 May. http//www.alligator.org/edit/issues/00-spring/000225/b08forum25.htmOrigins of Voodoo 10 May. http//www.swagga.com/voodoo.htmTurlington, Shannon. The Complete Idiots Guide to Voodoo. USA Alpha, 2002.Websters Dictionary & thesaurus. Voodoo. New York Shooting Star Press, 1995.

Monday, May 27, 2019

Bank of America Corp Essay

Bank of America Corporation supplies banking and non-banking financial services and products to individual customers and slim and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the form of retail banking, larger corporations and government of the United States and even to international arena. The bank generates the savings accounts, money market savings accounts, checking accounts from the deposits segment. The worldwide Card services segment allows the US consumers with business cards, consumer lending and international debit card services.The Home Loans and Insurance segment offers it consumers with products and services related to real(a) estate such as owe and home equity loans. The Global banking segment gives commercial loans, leasing, short-term loans, capital management and treasury firmnesss. The Global Markets solution provides advisory services, custody services and securities clearing. The banks Global Wealth and Investment Management segment caters to estate management, brokerage se rvices, credit and banking expertise.The profit leeway for the bank was 7. 05 part in the past year. Bank of America has a $1. 5 trillion goal for community development lending focusing on affordable housing, SMEs, consumer funding and economic development in general. Global Consumer and Small Business Banking is the largest segment of the bank and focuses mostly on credit card event and consumer banking. This persona has over 6200 retail branches and over 18700 ATMs over the US.The bank is also a member of Global ATM alliance- initiative taken by many banks to that enable the customers to use the ATM or check card with no fees. The organization also supplies its employees to buy hybrid vehicles and has an eco-friendly tower in Manhattan and even gives mortgage loan breaks to consumers whose homes pass as being energy efficient. The bank has even donated money for the health centers in Massachusetts and to the homeless shelters in Miami. JP Morgan Chase and party JP Morgan Chas e provides a variety of financial services across the globe.There is the Investment bank segment for corporate strategy and structure, capital raising in equity and debt markets, risk management and provides the financial institutions, governments and corporations with institutional investors. There is Commercial banking segment that does lending, treasury services, cash management, cover and whole sale cards to SMEs and multinational companies. The Asset management segment provides wealth and investing management services to institutions as well as retail investors.Global investment management in equities, real estate, hedge funds, fixed income, money market instruments and banking deposits are also offered by the bank. The company has Retail financing services segment that caters to retail banking for the consumer by checking and savings accounts, mortgages, home equity and business loans and online banking and telephone banking. The Card Services segment provides the credit c ards and keeps track of the credit payments processes. The profit margin for the latest fiscal year has been 19. 52 percent. Its consumer functions involve more than 3000 branches, 8500 ATMs and 270 mortgage offices.JP Morgan and Chase fared well compared to its peer in the credit crunch of 2007 and even though investment banking unit suffered and the bank even increased its loan reserves losses by $4. 3 billion. And even then the net income of the bank was 25 percent due to the growth in strong earnings of the banks credit card and commercial banking units. After the survival of the bank in such a tough scenario it has proven the effectiveness with which it has been offering the diverse array of financial services businesses. Citigroup and Inc The company has two distinct segments Citicorp and Citi Holdings.Citicorp is the global bank for the businesses rundown the consumers and is divided into two main businesses namely Regional consumer banking and institutional clients group. The regional consumer banking provides the conventional services of retail banking, cards and commercial banking on small-scale in North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Catering to the securities and banking services such as investment banking, advisory services, lending, debt and equity sales, foreign exchange, institutional brokerage and treasury and trade solutions is the institutional clients group.Whereas the segment Citi Holdings has three businesses to look at brokerage and asset management, local consumer lending and special asset pool. The brokerage and asset management division in a joint venture with Morgan and Stanley and provides retail brokerage and asset management services. The local consumer lending provides mortgage loans, personal loans, student loans, commercial real estate loans and even western European card. The special asset pool is a portfolio of securities, loans and other assets. The profit margin for the latest year has been negative 0. 84 percent.Citigroup is the sixteenth largest political campaign donator in the US according to Centre for Responsive politics. Citigroup even obtained naming rights as Citi Field to the home ballpark of the pertly Major League Baseball team in 2009. Recommendation After research of the three banks, Citigroup has been the one to be involved in many scandals ranging from financing Enron and alleged money laundering facilitation and even conducting biased research on the customers. Citigroup even disrupted the European bond market by selling a large amount of bonds and then buying them back a cheaper price.The organization has also been alleged of stealing money from its customers especially the poor and the recently decedent with an improper sweep feature in its computers. Hence it can be said that Citigroup has to go a long way in clearing its hear with the consumers because now with the internet, theyre aware of everything and already Citigroup faces a lot of co mpetition from its competitors. Reference Winkler, Rolfe (August 21, 2009). Big banks still hold regulators hostage. Reuters, via Forbes. com (Retrieved August 21, 2010)

Sunday, May 26, 2019

Customer Benefit Package †Walmart versus Luxury Clothier

Walmart is no one of the largest retail blood lines in North America. It is considered to be one of the most efficiently run retail business worldwide. To comp ar Walmart to luxury retailers has legion(predicate) melodic phraseing factors both in faithfuls and services provided. The most epoch-making factor is the price when comparing Walmart to luxury retailers. Walmart is committed to saving its customers money so they can live a better life this is why their products be reasonably priced goods whereas luxury retailers tend be highly priced.Walmarts mission statement People, Saving Money, Living a Better Live To contrast the node Benefit Package of Walmart against a luxury clothier for purchasing a new formal dress, thither are many contributing factors. Depending on the someone pass on dictate the types of benefits from the products to satisfy your needs. Typical sources of a Customer Benefit Package are GOOD COMPARATIVE PRICE, GOOD QUALITY, GOOD WARRANTY SERVICES, hono red COMPANY, KNOWN PRODUCT/BRAND, LOW AFTER-SALES COSTS, PROMPT DELIVERY, WELL DESIGNED PRODUCT, FASHIONALBE, and EASE OF PURCHASE AND RELIABLILITY.Price, Walmart has definitely an advantage everyplace its competitors particularly a luxury clothier for the purchase of a formal dress. I would alike to compare Walmart to Lane Fashions this is a local luxury ladies shop in my local community. Lane prices are definitely higher than Walmart, but in terms of quality, Lane sources out quality products to consumers and this is a quality that the customer expects as compared to Walmart, which has limits on their stocks on per style, per indurate based on purchase cost.Shopping at luxury clothier gives the customer a sense of pride knowing that not too many others go away have the same item in their closet. Luxury clothiers are focused on quality, style and design for their business. Lane Fashions carries numerous well-known brands, for example Artex, Bianca Nyard, metropolis Girl, FDJ, J oseph Ribkoff, and so on. They are trusted brands for style, designs, fit, and sophistication with upscale fashion and offer excellent one on one customer services.These would be an advantage over Walmart, also, if living in my community, at that place is no Walmart, you would have to travel 45 minutes to the nearest store outlet. Luxury clothier provides their customer with assistance in referring or suggesting other products, and such accessories that go well with your purchase. In Walmart they have their house brand, George which provides the customer with reasonable priced products. They do carry other brands so there is more for the consumer to choose from, but nothing to compare to a luxury clothier.The difference here would be the preference of the customer, do you want a good fitting piece of clothing, and do you care about the brand name. A luxury clothier will have the variety of choices in clothing, and in accessories to go well with the clothing they sell. The lag is k nowledgeable about the products they are selling are very able to assist the customer with their purchase. Walmart does not provide these kinds of services, there will be no suggestions on products or accessories, their staff are not trained to provide these types of services.Service is a major factor in the contrast between Walmart and a luxury clothier. This is a major role in the decision making process of the customer. Am I satisfied with how the store staff assisted me? Did I have an intimate shopping experience? How long did I have to stand in line to pay for my purchase? Was the store staff courteous and knowledgeable about the products? If your experience is a wonderful one you will come back to this store as a fictionalise customer, due to how the staff treated you, if they make you feel like a V. I. P.Walmart offers various after sales services, in some locations they are open 24 hours a day. The Cash Back Reward program that they have entices customers to shop in their stores and keeps customers coming back. These could be an advantage over the luxury clothiers, as they may not have these programs or services available for their customers. They also have a very adequate return policy wherein they freely accept returns inwardly a specified time frame, but in my experience, if the staff does not check out the returned items and re-shelf them, then other consumers will purchase the defective/returned product.Walmart has numerous cashiers but often there are very few open and so you usually are standing in line for a while. For a luxury clothier they usually have a couple of cashiers, and on a busy day, like the Christmas season you could have to stand in a line but normally on a regular day there would no long lines at the cashiers. Walmarts purpose is by crack the best possible prices on the products our customers need, so we can help them afford something extra to provide the customer with a one-stop shopping experience.They offer various produc ts, food, clothing, housewares, endue items, garden centre, automobile centre, salons, and photo centre. They provide fast food within the store, Tim Hortons and McDonalds. They also provide on-line shopping. There are definitely numerous contrasts of ideas between Walmart and a luxury clothier. In this document there have been many contributing factors mentioned. Why does the consumer shop at Walmart?I believe like many consumers the main reason would be convenience, one-stop shopping centre and once you are in the store you definitely impulse buy after sales service and the price. In a luxury clothier, it is for the experience of one on one customer services, the brand name of the clothing you are looking for, the quality, dependability of the product, image of a luxury clothier, updated style/fashion. I will always shop for certain products at Walmart, but for my evening wear I will always shop at a luxury clothier.

Friday, May 24, 2019

Student assessment methodologies related to the EHEA

This paper concerns university instructors ratings of their pupils competencies ( erudition and att personalments ) and discusses student-centred and competency-based high focussing in the European Higher tuition Area ( EHEA ) . The statement is that a dramatic displacement of focal pose has taken topographic point in European higher(prenominal) commandment, from teacher-centred to student-centred instruction, and instructors in this system need to familiarise themselves with this displacement and the related compels. For illustration, the billet of take up and estimate methodological analysiss in today s universities emphasize competencies and contr turn on what pupils fundament execute and how these competencies can be related to conk out. In post to get a comprehensive apprehension, cognition about the historical root behind student-centred instruction and competence discipline may be required, and this paper attempts to supply some of this training. With these sassy penetrations, a pick will necessitate to be made should these tendencies be resisted and the old methods of supplying classs be adhered to, or should the air currents of alteration be accepted and versions be made or possibly the outperform pick lies someplace in betwixt these two options? Regardless of one s emotions, such a personal pick should be based upon and actuate by the best information avail sufficient.The bologna Process and the EHEAThe European Higher Education Area, EHEA, is an global parturiency in Europe and beyond, in which higher instruction systems ar made much crystalline and in sync with one another. Founded in 2010 as a consequence of the bologna Declaration ( 1999 ) , it presently comprises 47 national provinces and a figure of advisory organisational members. The historical root of the bologna Process can be traced fend for to a figure of earlier understandings it is of importeeing to pay attending to these in order to to the full understand the bits and the EHEA of today.The 1997 Lisbon Recognition Convention and the 1998 Sorbonne DeclarationThe Lisbon Recognition Convention is an understanding amid a figure of member provinces of the Council of Europe and a figure of of import provinces in the field of higher instruction, including, for illustration, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA. The Convention stipulates that grades and periods of perspective must be recognised unless a significant difference can be shown ( Lisbon Recognition Convention, 1997, p. 7 ) by the establishment that is charged with acknowledgment. The Sorbonne Declaration, signed in 1998 by four European states ( France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom ) , was an understanding sing higher instruction with the intent of coming to a common apprehension and working unneurotic to promote survey periods abroad, to better excellence in survey and research, to develop a common apprehension of instruction and accomplishment and to promote cooperation. In order to enable comparing, the Sorbonne Declaration put frontward a system of rhythms and a system of credits ( the European Credit Transfer System, ECTS ) . The Declaration ends with a blazon out to other provinces to fall in us in this aim and a to all European Universities to consolidate Europe s standing in the human beings by dint of continuously improved and updated instruction for its citizens ( Sorbonne Declaration, 1998, p. 3 ) .The 1999 Bologna Declaration and the ECTS systemThe 29 states that signed the Bologna Declaration in 1999 agreed to back up the thoughts expressed in the Sorbonne Declaration and to co-ordinate policies in order to make a figure of aims, peculiarly to set up the European commonwealth of higher instruction and to advance the European system of higher instruction world-wide ( Bologna Declaration, 1999, p. 3 ) . Among the chief stakeholders in the Bologna Process-a procedure implemented from 1999 through 2010-were the Europea n University Association, the European Association of Institutions of Higher Education, the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education, the Council of Europe, the European Commission, UNESCO, the European Students Union, and the motley authorities curates creditworthy for higher instruction ( Heinze & A Knill, 2008 ) . The stakeholders held a figure of semiannual meetings in Paris ( 1999 ) , Prague ( 2001 ) , Berlin ( 2003 ) , Bergen ( 2005 ) , London ( 2007 ) , and Leuven and Louvain-la-Neuve ( 2009 ) .The Bologna Declaration is non a lawfully binding papers alternatively, it is an understanding in which the participating states voluntarily synchronise their systems of higher instruction based on thoughts antecedently expressed in the Sorbonne Declaration ( 1998 ) . This synchronism implies that pupils makings be defined in cornerstones of larning results, instead than in footings of the length of survey, which, in bend, means that the basic unit has sh ifted from the figure of professor contact hours to student work load. It too requires the acceptance of determined degrees of higher instruction makings, for illustration the unmarried man s and maestro s grades.The European Credit Transfer System ( ECTS ) , which was discussed in both the Sorbonne and the Bologna declarations, is based on the work load required by the mean pupil to accomplish the aims of a class, that is to state, to successfully finish the work required and go through the obligatory scrutinies, which in bend are based on the class s course of study and expected larning results. The ECTS is an musical instrument implemented to acknowledge pupils study-periods, but it is of import to retrieve that the intent of the original Declarations, including the debut of the ECTS system was non exactly to help pupils. Another-equally authoritative-purpose was to sharpen Europe s debate, as Adam ( 2001 ) reminds us. The politicians and polity shapers did non outline t he Sorbonne and Bologna declarations based on unselfish philanthropic gift, instead they were concerned about the nature and fight of European higher instruction ( Adam, 2001, p. 292 ) .Student-centred instruction and skill resultsThe footings student-centred instruction and larning results ( Otter, 1993 NCIHE, 1997 ) are precondition outstanding topographic points in the Bologna Process and in the paperss released by the higher instruction curates. The Leuven/Louvain-la-Neuve Communique from 2009, for illustration, discusses the importance of student-centred acquisition in it, the curates stipulate that student-centred larning requires authorising single scholars and new attacks to learning and larning , every bit good as effectual support and apprise constructions and a course of study foc employ more clearly on the scholar ( Leuven/Louvain-la-Neuve Communique , 2009, p. 3 ) . Student-centred instruction includes the possibility for pupils to take their ain survey wai es during their old ages at higher instruction establishments and sections. The curates acknowledge this and reason that the curricular reform taking topographic point in the EHEA will be an on-going procedure taking to high quality, flexible and more separately trim instruction waies ( Leuven/Louvain-la-Neuve Communique , 2009, p. 3 ) . From reading the Communique , it is clear that the curates are confident that student-centred acquisition should be the end of the course of study reforms during the Bologna Process. The term larning results is too conspicuously discussed in the ministerial communiques, such as the Berlin Communique from 2003.Competence-based instructionThe construct of competencies has been utilize in assorted educational scenes over the last decennaries, both in the USA and in Europe. In the context of the Bologna Process, the term was used in the Bologna Declaration, which verbalize that a Europe of cognition was an of import factor for growing and for sup plying Europe s citizens with the necessary competencies to confront the challenges of the new millenary, ( Bologna Declaration, 1999, p.A 1 ) . The construct was besides extensively used in the Tuning Educational Structures in Europe undertaking. The purpose of the Tuning undertaking, which began in 2001, was to crinkle the educational constructions in European higher instruction and to ask for argument sing subject-specific and general competencies ( Tuning, 2002, p. 3 ) . At the Prague Ministerial meeting in 2001, it was stated that Europe s citizens should be able to efficaciously utilize their makings, competences and accomplishments throughout the EHEA ( Prague Communique , 2001, p. 1 ) . It is interesting to detect that the Prague Communique uses the term competences , alternatively of competencies , unconnected other communiques-it is non clear if this was a witting ending from the curates.Four old ages after the Bologna Declaration, the construct of competencie s was besides discussed in the Graz Declaration ( 2003 ) , published by the European University Association ( EUA ) , where a continued development of a common definition of competencies was emphasised. Subsequently the same twelvemonth, when the curates responsible for higher instruction met in Berlin, they hold the statement put frontward in the Graz Convention ( Berlin Communique , 2003 ) . Therefore, the Berlin Communique states that the member provinces should lucubrate a model of comparable and compatible makings ( Berlin Communique , 2003, p. 4 ) and that this model should depict makings in footings of larning results and competencies. In the same communique , the curates besides declared the select to reaffirm the Lisbon Recognition Convention and to heighten the fight of European higher instruction.The EUA s following of import papers, the Trends-IV Report ( 2005 ) , was published prior to the meeting of European higher instruction curates in Bergen in 2005. The study i ndicated that some agnosticism existed in certain parts of Europe towards the thought of competence-based instruction. The study besides addressed the fact that differences sing learning attacks and the grade to which student-centred acquisition was a portion of the mundane life at universities prevailed ( Trends-IV Report, 2005, p. 48 ) . The curates go toing the 2005 Bergen meeting took note of the consequences and suggestions presented in the Trends-IV Report and discussed the demand for continued work in the EHEA. An overarching model for makings was adopted for the undergraduate, maestro and post-graduate degrees, every bit good as forms for each rhythm, based on larning results and competencies ( Bergen Communique , 2005, p. 2 ) .In 2007, competencies were briefly mentioned in the London Communique , in which the European higher instruction curates conclude that higher instruction should play a strong function in aggrandizement the degree of cognition, accomplishme nts and competencies in society ( London Communique , 2007, p. 5 ) . In this Communique , the curates discuss the ways in which developments have brought them a authoritative measuring stick stick closer to the realization of the European Higher Education Area and reference that this country has been developed in a mode that will ease mobility, accompaniment employability and strengthen Europe s attraction and fight .Competences were besides briefly mentioned in the Leuven/Louvain-la-Neuve Communique in 2009. The Communique , which was agreed upon in April 2009 by the curates responsible for higher instruction in the so 46 states of the Bologna Process, discussed the importance of employability and asserted that higher instruction should fit pupils with the advanced cognition, accomplishments and competencies they need throughout their schoolmaster lives ( Leuven/Louvain-la-Neuve Communique , 2009, p. 3 ) .In March 2010, the curates of the states take parting in the Bolog na Process adopted the Budapest-Vienna Declaration and officially launched the European Higher Education Area. The curates continued to admit the importance of supplying pupils with the chance to get cognition, accomplishments and competencies and agreed that the acquisition environment should further student-centred acquisition ( Budapest-Vienna Declaration, 2010, p. 2 ) . Recognition was besides given to the original Bologna Declaration of 1999 and its vision for 2010, in which pupils would profit from just acknowledgment of their makings.The impact of the Bologna Process in the EHEATherefore far, student-centred and competency-based instruction and pupils competencies on the pan-European policy degree have been discussed. However, it is every bit of import to turn to these facets from regional and national positions in order to to the full appreciate and understand the challenges posed to instructors and faculty at the establishments and sections that constitute the EHEA.An increased force per unit area on higher instruction establishments and sectionsThe mundane determinations made at higher instruction establishments are influenced by complex issues, doing it hard to expect extroverted alterations and the practical deductions of these alterations ( Newton, 2003 ) . The Bologna Process, and the creative activity of the EHEA, has increased faculty members work load. Furthermore, increased competition between diverse higher instruction establishments to enroll pupils and staff has been observed. Rapid and extremist alterations in educational methods have besides taken topographic point as a effect of the important developments in computing machine and Internet-based instruction. The new type of pupils, who are much more familiar with using the cyberspace in order to obtain information, puts new demands on the establishments of higher instruction in footings of advanced larning methods, such as unfastened and distance acquisition, with support from in formation and communicating engineerings ( ICT ) . These demands are coupled with an increased force per unit area on higher instruction establishments, managers and caputs of sections to be accountable and to go through the audit from assorted governments and regulating organic structures. In amount, these tendencies add to the overall challenges faced by educational suppliers who deal with issues related to learning and larning on a day-to-day footing in order to program and put to death high quality instruction and pupil assessments.The drawn-out debut procedure an illustration from PortugalThe debut of the Bologna reform within each member province has been a drawn-out procedure. In Portugal, for illustration, the execution of the Bologna procedure has taken rather some tweet and has caused stakeholders a certain sum of problem. iodine ground for these jobs can be attributed to the elaborate and normative traditions of the Lusitanian statute law , harmonizing to Veiga & A Amaral ( 2009, p. 57 ) . In a 2006 study of higher instruction establishments in Portugal, Veiga and Amaral ( 2009 ) demonstrated that universities had high outlooks of more horizontal mobility activities on the maestro s degree after the Bologna Process was implemented. However, this expected addition in mobility has non manifested itself, partially as a consequence of jobs with the articulation between rhythms and some deficiency of coherency between the different types of Masterss being developed ( Veiga & A Amaral, 2009, p. 61 ) . Veiga & A Amaral besides report issues associated with the incorrect usage of the ECTS system in Portuguese higher instruction. Veiga & A Amaral s ( 2009 ) information indicate that the precedence among many establishments was to travel from a learning paradigm to a student-centred acquisition paradigm, stating, Lusitanian higher instruction establishments saw Bologna as a window of chance to present pedagogic and curricular reforms without aiming other reforms to the ends of Bologna ( Veiga & A Amaral, 2009, p. 62 ) . Veiga and Amaral concluded that the execution of Bologna in Portugal has been achieved in name merely ( Veiga & A Amaral, 2009, p. 67 ) , as a effect of the velocity by which the Bologna Process was implemented and the deficiency of information and legislative support from the authorities.The challenges of module development and preparation an illustration from SpainDiaz, Santaolalla & A Gonzalez ( 2010 ) conducted a survey of attitudes among module and of the sensed preparation demands among these professors, to react to the challenges of the EHEA. The survey, which included 257 university instructors in humanistic disciplines, societal scientific disciplines, experimental scientific disciplines, wellness, and engineering from the Complutense University of Madrid, focused on the EHEA and policy devising in general. In peculiar, the survey focused on the cognition and attitudes among these modul e members and the sensed preparation demands for the instructors based on the demands of the EHEA. The consequences show that about one tierce of the instructors report that they possess merely superficial cognition about the EAHE, and about one 3rd province that they are non certain how the EHEA-induced alterations will impact them as instructors. 66 % of the sample indicated that at that place is a demand to alter learning methods, but at the same clip 57 % do non believe that the structural conditions of the establishment and their sections will back up the development work needed to suit the instruction that is being offered to the demands of the EAHE system. Based on their consequences, Diaz, Santaolalla & A Gonzalez ( 2010, p.A 112 ) provinces that module preparation causes a batch of passion to billow and that it plausibly will do it even more hard to plan this type of plans.The usage of the construct of competence-based instructionThe term competence-based instruction h as been contested, and certain persons have argued that it is merely a term used by policy shapers for political and societal grounds, instead than resting on a scientific footing. Hodge ( 2007 ) , for illustration, notes that the term competence-based ( or performance-based ) instruction has been used for decennaries to intend different things, and claims that policymakers in Europe presently use it as a bombilation word and as a conceptual footing for redesigning course of study and learning scenes within the EHEA, based on a political docket.Indeed, the term competence-based ( or performance-based ) instruction has long been used in assorted educational scenes and by different organisations, such as the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education ( AACTE ) . For illustration, the AACTE appointed a Committee on Performance-Based Teacher Education in the early 1970s, which issued a list of features of successful performance-based instruction ( Elam, 1971 ) . Harmonizing to this list, competencies to be demonstrated by the scholar, e.g. a pupil, should be stated in order to be able to measure the scholar s behavior. The standards to be used in this appraisal should besides be expressed and should depict the degrees of competencies. Furthermore, the instructional programmes, that is to state, the classs, should assist develop scholars competencies, and the appraisal of the pupil s competencies should use public presentation as the primary beginning of grounds ( Elam, 1971 ) .At least a part of the historical roots of the construct of competence-based instruction lies in the USA, the Cold War epoch ( 1950-1970 ) , and the technological competition between E and West ( Hodge, 2007 ) . The initial success of the E, with its Sputnik programme at the terminal of the 1950s, for illustration, was a irritant in the West s side and in its instruction and preparation programmes. In the USA, extended probes and reorganisations of schooling and professional pro grammes were undertaken. One consequence of this check-up was that the educational focal point shifted from faculty member cognition to practical and applicable competencies and utile results. Teacher instruction in the US was besides bear upon by this probe, as educational programmes were reorganised. The instructor instruction programmes were reformed to concentrate more on single demands and existent work demands, and, as a effect, alterations in appraisal besides took topographic point, with a stronger accent on measuring public presentation and discernible results. In the late sixtiess, for illustration, the American authorities issued instruction manual to the establishments responsible for teacher instruction to develop new course of study with a stronger focal point on public presentation and behavioral results, competencies to be learned and the rating of these public presentations, results and competencies ( Hodge, 2007 ) .Appraisal and scaling in the EHEATherefore far, the constructs of student-centred and competency-based instruction in the EHEA have been discussed. Our attending will now turn to university instructors ratings of their pupils competencies.Different appraisal formatsMethods of measuring and rating undergraduate pupils vary across Europe ( Sullivan, 2002 Karran, 2004 & A 2005 ) . Numerous attacks to assessment and assessment methods proving a scope of accomplishments and abilities exist. The virtually common method is to free the pupils write tests, essays or studies, but there are many other attacks used for appraisal, such as self- and peer appraisal and oeuvre-based appraisal in off-campus locations. It is of import for instructors to use the optimum attacks and methods, based on the classs course of study, and to give pupils a mix of attacks and methods, thereby enabling them to show the scope of their abilities.Traditionally, it is the instructor who assesses the pupils, but coachs in supervised vocational preparation pattern or director off-campus may besides analyze and rate the learning advancement of pupils, presuming that they are prepared for this undertaking and that they receive support. Regardless of who assesses the pupils, it is of import that the rating is based on clear and available standards and defendable grounds ( Brown, 1999 ) .Scoring and rating pupilsIn higher instruction, there are numeral tonss and classs. Classs are frequently given in the signifier of letters ( or some other descriptive component ) and are employ to peculiar public presentations. A passing class is frequently achieved when certain standards, designed to set up whether pupils have reached a minimal degree of competence, are met.The scaling of pupils, i.e. the procedure by which a instructor assigns values to a pupil s public presentation ( for illustration 1-10 or A-E ) , plays a important function in higher instruction. Classs are of import to such interested parties as possible employers, Ph.D.-programm e admittances commissions and bookmans, who lose it the effects of educational scenes ( Davies & A Graff, 2005 ) or who analyse the prognostic cogency of classs, that is to state, to what extent classs from classs can foretell future public presentations in alumnus classs and in professional life ( Taylor & A Albo, 1993 Gonnella, Erdmann & A Hoja, 2004 ) . save above all, classs are of import to the pupils themselves. Previous research confirm that pupils hold strong positions about appraisal and scaling, and these positions influence the ways in which pupils approach larning and analyzing ( Sambell, McDowell & A Brown, 1997 ) .Student-centred appraisalIn the European Higher Education Area, appraisal is regarded as something meant to heighten pupils acquisition ( Leathwood, 2005 ) . Therefore, assessment governments and formats are get downing to alter, going fictile instead than simply summational. In add-on, the possibilities of utilizing a assortment of appraisal techniq ues, including self- and peer appraisal and problem-based acquisition and appraisal techniques, deserve to be explored ( Segers & A Dochy, 2001 ) . The job, from the position of instructors who are used to multiple pick questionnaires and similar trials, is that these modern appraisal signifiers are perceived to hold lower degrees of dependability and cogency. Furthermore, appraisal in the EHEA will besides be more practical and non-academic, instead than simply scholastic and for the exclusive intent of fixing undergraduates for post-graduate surveies.During the last decennary, involvement among educational suppliers in inquiries sing appraisal and scrutiny has increased, every bit good as in how different methods of appraisal affect pupil acquisition ( Wilson & A Fowler, 2005 Leathwood, 2005 ) . It has become more and more common for university and college instructors to utilize formative appraisal, instead than merely summational appraisal, to heighten pupil acquisition ( Sege rs & A Dochy, 2001 ) . Formative appraisal is an rating whose intent entails modifying and/or bettering an educational class or the pupils acquisition environment, based on information obtained during the class. Summational appraisal, on the other, refers to the traditional method of measuring pupils it takes topographic point at the decision of a class, with the intent of finding the class s effectivity and the pupils classs ( Roos, 2005 ) .The relationship between classs and future workplace successResearch concentrating on classs and workplace public presentation after graduation makes usage of two theories cognitive accomplishments theory claims that pupils develop their cognitive accomplishments during their clip at the university and that their degrees of public presentation are seeable in their classs. These accomplishments so lead to success in the workplace, and, since productiveness is rewarded with increased net incomes, a positive relationship should be between acad emic accomplishment and net incomes ( Donhardt, 2004, p. 281 ) , as the more educated the employee, the more productive he/she isa and that employers reward more extremely educated workers with higher wage ( Donhardt, 2004, p. 273 ) . Meanwhile, corroboration theory claims that occupation appliers certifications ( grades and sheepskin ) are what affairs to employers, instead than classs. Harmonizing to this theory, classs have no influence on future net incomes.Donhardt ( 2004 ) studied net incomes results by researching the anticipation and growing of net incomes over the first 3 old ages following graduation. Classs were the step of academic achievement, and net incomes were declarative of the value ascribed to an person. Donhardt wished to find whether accomplishment in college, as measured by class point norm, can foretell the growing of net incomes over clip. He expected rate point norm to be cardinal in the relationship ( Donhardt, 2004, p. 281 ) . However, his consequ ences indicated that class point norm had small impact on net incomes. GPA was non a important variable and had really small correlativity with net incomes. Nor did pupils with high classs experience significantly higher growing of net incomes over clip when compared with pupils with lower classs. Donhardt concluded the enfranchisement theory, which claims that occupation appliers are frequently screened based on their university grades, since grade certifications designate the pupil as a difficult worker, to be more plausible. This determination is nil new to research workers in higher instruction. In old research, Pascarella and Terenzini ( 1991 ) , for illustration, have demonstrated that a positive association exists between holding a college or university grade and success in the workplace.Looking in frontThe following Ministerial Meeting will be hosted by Romania in Bucharest on April 26-27, 2012. At this meeting, the curates will look into the advancement that has been made i n the Leuven/Louvain-la-Neuve docket and will endeavor to drive it frontward. The undermentioned ministerial conferences will be held in 2015, 2018 and 2020. What can be expected in the close hereafter with regard to higher instruction in Europe? Competency-based instruction and student-centred appraisal methodological analysiss will most surely continue to be utilised, merely as the merchandisation of higher instruction seems likely to go on. Global economic factors will go on to act upon educational systems and the labor markets, and higher instruction establishments will confront even ferocious economic competition from one another.This paper has described the general understandings and the international character of the Bologna Process the assorted histrions and administrations involved have merely been superficially outlined. Many more constructions and factors impact the Bologna Process and impact the EHEA. For the establishments and sections, it is detailed to be witting of constructions and factors on the local degree, for illustration in the planning and execution of professional development and preparation for university instructors and other staff. In these attempts, it is of import to admit, for illustration, the instructors ain demands, the possible differences associated to scientific Scopess, and academic and age class , as Diaz, Santaolalla & A Gonzalez ( 2010, p. 117 ) reminds us.

Thursday, May 23, 2019

City road

Drawing on what you have learned from the making kind Lives DVD and Learning partner 1, describe some inequalities on City Road. Contemporary Brutal over the last fifty years has come to welcome a wide and respective(a) community made up of nationalities, races and religions, none more so, as seen on City Road in Cardiff.This particular street is featured in the Making Social Lives DVD and Learning Companion 1 (LLC), from which it is evident that in that respect are noticeable differences and inequalities within the community. These being monopolizing of noble street shops, secondly topical anesthetic businesses effected by community arrives and thirdly, a sense of security within the community. What follows will attempt to briefly describe and provide possible rationale for very much(prenominal) inequalities to exist. Established themselves firmly on this road which happen to be In close proximity to smaller Independent supermarkets, consequently the monopoly which these s hops hold mean they apprise afford to attract large numbers of the community by using their buying power to host special deals, reduced items and stocks range of products all infra one roof, this convenience for the individual can save the need to ravel to m either of the smaller independent shops, such(prenominal) as the newsagent owned by Colon simplyler, a family run business since the sasss.Colon Butler was interviewed by poet and artist Lloyd Robinson regarding how his business may have been effected by the larger shops to which he admitted But that didnt affect me but it did knock out the newsagent next to him. (the Street 2009 Scene 1). Customers visiting Colon Butler are directly affected by this inequality, alive due to inflamed prices. However, It Is often that regular customers to such a local anaesthetic shop feel a sense of immunity split despite likely paying a premium.Furthermore, Colon Butler and his family business may be adversely affected due to the local councils plans to implement a bus passage along City Road. Whilst this aims to create a fast and efficient service for its community, an inequality emerges for the local shops opposite the bus lane, as road markings will master potential customers from parking and collecting goods too heavy to be carried on the bus. This is highlighted by a local business homophile, Jose Ramose Square stating We are a small cuisines plurality, we earning our living here and we dont want to lose our customers because they, its bad enough now people cannot park. (Making Social Lives DVD, 2009, Scene 5) It would appear according to the DVD, that some motorists may park outside their shop of choice. However, once said bus lane Is fully functional, no parking will be permitted by customers at any time Including the elderly or Injured who may view this as an Inequality. Educational establishments to name but a few. Some of these occur in twenty-four hour period whilst new(prenominal)s such as eati ng out would often happen after dark. The cover of which can to some residents seem unsettling and unsafe.This sense of lack of security/ synthetic rubber is of course purely subjective, yet made ever more real by groups of younger people hanging around the bus shelter along the road, for instance a local police-officer, Pc Bob Keenan, argues that City Road Is not a bad area If you apply common sense (Making Social Lives DVD, 2009, Scene 6) conversely, a young female was interviewed at a pool hall along City Road expressing her frank feelings regarding the atmosphere in this local community at night time. Although this woman cannot recall any personal negative experiences, she talks of how this Dead rough (Making Social Lives DVD, 2009, Scene 8) area reminds her of Nottingham where she utilise to live. Coupling the females view of City Road being an unsafe and dangerous place to be, are the sentiments of one male user of the Municipal Club, when asked Is it safer these days? H e replied No its not safer, you walk top of City Road at night youre afraid to walk up in that respect. (Making Social Lives DVD, 2009, Scene 5) Why should these bacchanal individuals and possibly more suffer the injustice of this particular inequality, being a sense of lack of safety?City Road, Cardiff describes to its local community a innumerable of inequalities some having been discussed. To some members of the local community certain inequalities will always exist whilst to others they may not seem so apparent. Should the local authorities snap off to make parts of this neighborhood feel safer, the next result cold mean a reduction in kindizing at clubs thus forcing a closure. Could such inequalities lead to a tear in the fabric of this local community?City RoadWhen I began this course I always took for granted that inequalities were patent things, but the more I learned on the subject and the further through the material I got I discovered inequalities can come in all s hapes and sizes , obvious or inconspicuous and can affect all people differently. Through this paper I will first look at similar inequalities amidst City Road and a street I know well, the street which I will use is Ballygall Road east Finglas capital of Ireland 11, I will then look at some inequalities that seem unique to my street and why they are unique.The dickens main shared inequalities between Ballygall Road and City Road are private clubs and homelessness. In the very first film the street we are shown a tennis club that because of its high walls and closed off areas gives people the assumption that it is a private club and would be unable to use its facilities . Although that is just an assumption in Ballygall Road there is a members only gym and membership can only be obtained if you are a resident of a particular apartment complex.This causes near never-ending tension between the other locals and the residents of the complex. In all of the films on the DVD there is a scene that is shown again and again it is the image of the homeless man sitting outside the shop. Homelessness is the most obvious inequality and there is no area that is free of it , in Ballygall Road there is two homeless people they are both originally from the area ,they are well known to all the locals and are treated with disgust and are avoided completely if possible .The two inequalities that are unique to Ballygall Road are council domains and a methadone clinic. Although council estates are not uncommon all over Ireland in Ballygall Road the council estate is seen as a thing to be ashamed of and that anyone who lives in one is lower class or rough which is simply not true. There is one council estate in Ballygall Road and directly beside it is a private estate there is obvious distaste towards the people living in the council estate by other locals as a lot of the residents are un-employed and this is seen as socially unacceptable.A methadone clinic is a clinic for people for are trying to get themselves off heroin, there is one clinic is Ballygall Road and is possibly the biggest inequality as anyone seen entering or leaving this building is immediately labeled as a drug testis even though it may not be the case . A drug addict in Ballygall Road is on the lowest rung of the social ladder and are treated as such, there for the methadone clinic is used as a tool to label people in the area.In finish I would just like to state one observation that has been born from studying this module I believe there are two types of inequalities there are the obvious inequalities such as homelessness and being in a methadone clinic and there are inconspicuous inequalities such as private clubs or living in a certain estate. Although the obvious inequalities can affect and hurt people the inconspicuous ones can hurt just as much if not more so. These are the inequalities I noted in City Road and the inequalities in my street.