International Student at MSU and the Problem They Face Essay

International Student at MSU and the Problem They Face - Essay Example In short, the MSU can help itself in attracting a large number of international students years-on if the offered environment is congenial enough for international students that all their important issues get a patient listening by the authorities at the helm of affairs. International students wanting to study are not accustomed to the new way of life waiting them at MSU. A good chunk of their time gets in updating their VISA documentation work completed, leaving no time to do research on the new environment. So a feeling of discomfort circumvents when sudden problems surface, making them confused as to how to overcome the problems, which could be social or psychological or any other related matter of concern. One such social problem is that of communication with the native students (Jang, 2005). The most important social problem of international students is communication, as it becomes a big hindrance to them. They are not as good in the spoken form of English as are the natives. As belonging to different cultural backgrounds, they don’t get the desired environment and feel aloof like strangers. They cannot express their views on topics of interest comfortably with their American and other international classmates, as they also come from different cultural and social backgrounds. ... orientation courses can be offered to such students to increase not only their English speaking skills but reading and writing skills as well (Jang, 2005). Another most important problem of International students is although academic but it strains them psychologically, as they get psychologically affected to first focus on attempting their majors so that they become eligible for scholarship. They cannot ignore either English learning or their majors, devoting their time equally on both. Time becomes the major hindrance in communicating with others. Miscommunication sometimes adds to their problems, as they cannot speak English as fast as the natives. It promotes unpleasantness among students belonging to various countries and the native students (Jang, 2005). The most important administrative problems are concerned with student ID cards, billing, and payment procedures. Students require keeping two identities, one is passport identity and the other is SMSU student identity card or à ¢â‚¬Å"Mustang ID†. Students have to carry their student identity card with them all times. Without showing their identity card, they cannot get access to library and computer labs. Administrative staff can ask them to show their international student identity any time. Further, students need to follow the deadline of depositing fee and other expenses, which are quite crucial from students’ perspective because a shortage of funds can be decisive to the progress of their semester. Students, therefore, need to be always on the alert to be disciplined in all academic and administrative matters (SMSU, 2010). One Korean student, named Tim, told that she felt hesitant in asking unrelated questions in the classroom. She was under the impression that only related and selected questions can be asked

Informal Reading Assessment Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Informal Reading Assessment - Case Study Example III. GENERAL OBSERVATION †¢ Interpersonal response to the clinician On the examination day, john entered the assessment room when he was so frightened. He seemed to be scared because I was new to him. Moreover, the class teacher did not brief him about the assessment. After I explained in details the purpose of our meeting, john was extremely inquisitive to know why I was assessing him. In fact, he asked me if their class teacher was not qualified enough to conduct the assessment. I explained to him that all the other students were to undergo the same test. As I was about to start the test, I realized that John was busy trying to find out what was in my laptop. I asked him what his favorite class program was, and he told me about a cartoon TV program that he always watches at home in the evening. I listen to him so that he would feel appreciated. John answered short answer questions extremely well. However, I kept quiet and looked at the laptop when I asked him to explain some q uestions. This was expected because at his age, a child does not like challenging things or questions. †¢ Perceptiveness of the task of reading From how he read the passage in one of the story books, it was so evident that John enjoyed reading short passages. He could struggle to pronouns some long words and those with silent syllables. †¢ Attention and concentration during assessment John’s attention during the assessment was commendable. However, he was often distracted by the laptop, that made me realized that he likes computers and video games. The student’s overall grades levels are as follows Independent grade level was 0 miscues in word recognition, 90% miscue in comprehension and 0 miscue in listening level. This come to an average of 99% Instructional Grade level were 2 miscues in word recognition, 3 miscues in comprehension and 2 miscues in listening level. This come to an average of 90% Frustration Grade level were 8 miscues in word recognition, 49 % miscues in comprehension and 4 miscues in listening level. This come to an average of 90%=49%. It is very evident that the student’s performance is good. However, a few improvements should be made, since the student has a potential of performing higher than this. IV. Discussion on the assessment Word recognition results and graded word list John did not have many problems on the word list. In fact, all the questions on the word list for grade three were not an issue to him. He was able to handle them with a lot of ease. His frustration manifested on instructional and partly independent level, where he could miss the pronunciation of words whose syllables are almost similar. The greatest problem is where he could say the words that are particularly common in the text books whenever he sees a similar word. For example, it was†¦. For any sentence that start with It. This also resulted to confusion of words whose last syllables changes. For instance, he said enabled instea d of enabling. Another problem was reading long words. He had a habit of skipping such word because they were hard to pronounce. In addition, he would interchange the pronunciation of some words. For instance, t instead of d. this is attributed to the influence of child’s first language. Goal The teacher needs to give more concentration on john’s points of weaknesses. The best way to improve on such areas is giving more assignments on the same and monitoring him closely. The books

Shang Dynasty Essay Example for Free

Shang Dynasty Essay The Shang Dynasty ruled a region of China in the Yellow River valley, an area of land that is now commonly referred to as the cradle of Chinese civilization?. The Shang Dynasty ruled their empire from around 1500-1050 B. C. E. and existed during the time of China’s Bronze Age. The Shang is the first Chinese Dynasty to leave behind sufficient evidence of its culture. This evidence has come in the form of written documents, several bronze works, and the Shang oracle bones. As a result of discovering these ancient artifacts and translating them, much is known of the Shang Dynasty and how it was run. Government was ran in the style of a monarchy and there was a class system in place as well. Over the course of the nearly 600 years that the dynasty ruled, there were about 30 kings in total that were served by officials who often held specialized positions of authority?. The Shang created a social pyramid not much unlike many other ancient cultures â€Å"with the king at the top, followed by the military nobility, priests, merchants, and farmers†?. The most distinguishable aspect of the culture between the upper classes and lower classes recognizable today is the burial process. It was not uncommon for the upper class to be buried in extremely extravagant tombs that often contained sacrifices and other gifts. It was also not common for the lesser class to be simply buried in pits that varied in size, while the lowest classes of people were occasionally thrown down wells when dead4. This organized government and society was one of the Shang dynasty’s many contributions to Chinese civilization. The Shang also made a few additional historical contributions to Chinese civilization that include the invention of writing in China, advances in bronze technology, and the use of the chariot and bronze weaponry in war. Most of the writings found from the Shang dynasty today are found in the form of the Shang oracle bones. This is most likely due to the fact that other forms of writing during the time was done on bamboo and silk, which have since decomposed, or on bronze where the writing was usually short5. Bronze in the Shang dynasty was used in very specific ways. This is known because â€Å"it is clear that only those with any degree of power in the kingdom had access to using bronze objects†6. These bronze objects ranged from food and wine vessels to military weapons, such as spears and bows. The Shang mastered the art of molding these bronze objects and weapons that helped them to be very religious and, even more importantly, extremely effective in maintaining its military supremecy7. This military supremacy along with the invention of writing and an organized government allowed the Shang dynasty to rule for many centuries and also make it one of the most historically significant times in Chinese history. A. Legalism Legalism is a philosophy in which power is concentrated with the ruler, there are strict laws, and severe repercussions for breaking the laws. Legalism was created by putting together ideas from Confucianism, Daoism, and Han Fei himself. Consequently, the largest advocate of this philosophy was Han Fei himself. He lived from around 280-233 B. C. E. and is said to have studied under a Confucian master named Xunzi. He also served as a minister during the Qin Dynasty which tried to put legalism in place. The whole idea behind legalism is that humans are born evil and selfish in nature and will only act in their own self-interest. For this reason, legalism demands a very strict agenda. Once set in place, â€Å"law must be enforced without any favoritism or exceptions, there must be no consideration of extenuating circumstances, and the law takes on a life of its own and its integrity takes precedence over any individual (except the ruler†¦)†8. Everyone in the society was required to do exactly as the law says and no less. Han Fei also believed that for such a law to be uniformly effective it had inflexible so that everyone could understand it. To this end, he also believed that that best rewards were the ones that were predictable. Legalism and Han Fei also called for severe and inescapable punishments for minor offenses in the hopes that fear would drive anyone away from committing major offenses that would call for unimaginable consequences9. This idea is extremely contradictory to Confucianism ideals, where rulers and their people should rely on morality. Han Fei didn’t believe people could ever change from their selfish state and for this reason didn’t believe Confucianism could be effective. Legalism may conceivably work, but it is not possible to create a set of laws that cover all possibilities and it holds flaws that over time tend to create separation in society that is detrimental to the state10. A. Indus Valley Civilization. The Indus Valley Civilization, more commonly known today as the Harappan Civilization, was the earliest society is South Asia that began at around 3000 B. C. E. and lasted until 2000 B. C. E.. The Harappan Civilization was based in the Indus River Valley where its two largest cities were located. Nevertheless, by about 2500 B. C. E. a uniform culture had â€Å"spread across nearly 500,000 square miles, including parts of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Baluchistan, Sind and the Makran coast†11. During the time this civilization was in existence it was extremely stable. The cities were well engineered and contained well designed infrastructures that were host to strong building built from brick and streets that were laid at the correct angles and lined with elaborate systems of covered drains12. The civilization had also grown to domesticate animals such as camels, goats, and water buffalo and cultivate crops such as wheat barley and peas13. In addition to domestication and cultivation, the Harappan people were also avid traders. This is known by the many seals discovered. There have been so many uncovered that it suggests each merchant or mercantile family had its own seal14. The civilization was extremely successful for an extended period of time, but at around 1700 B. C. E. it began to decline. By 1500 B. C. E. the Harappan people and their civilization seemed to disappear. There are many questions as to why this happened and also many theories. Some include ecological changes that forced them to move out of the region. An example could have been flooding along the Indus River. Another theory involves other groups of people, that could involve the Aryans or other barbaric tribes of the region, forcing the Harappan people out. A. Hellenism After Alexander died in 323 B. C. E. his generals divided the land amongst themselves and by around 275 B. C. E it was divided into three powerful Hellenistic monarchies. Hellenistic is defined as relating to Greek culture, language and history. These three monarchies were defined as such because although they lied separately from the former Greek empire, they all still embraced the Greek language and culture while sharing no political uniformity at all. The Hellenism allowed people from any monarchy to travel, speak the native language, and relate to the citizens, creating some uniformity between the three regions. These new states were ruled absolutely by kings, compared to classic Greek states where the people ruled. These kings were extremely interested in amassing large sums of riches and purchased items from all around the world ranging from India, Syria, Spain, and Cornwall15. Once these riches were obtained they were put on display for all to see. The kings made huge donations to zoo and libraries16. An example is the Library of Alexandria. The people of these states were not as satisfied. Not long ago they were involved in the workings of a democratic state and now they were a part of an impersonal empire that sought only wealth17. Many philosophers criticized this saying that money is not what brings happiness. The Hellenistic age did not last long and ended in 36 B. C. E. when the last of the Hellenistic people fell to the Romans. B. 1. The Origin of Death The story of the origin of death created by the Kono people of West Africa tells a story of an old man and a god. The last lines in the story read: In keeping with his promise, Alatangana had no choice but to let his children go and answer Sa, whenever he called. Thus even today, Alatangana’s children still answer to the call of Sa. All because Alatangana didn’t pay a dowry when he marries Sa’s daughter. The story arrives at this point only after a series of events play out between the old man, Sa, and the god, Alatangana. The first event is Alatangana creating a more habitable world for Sa, his wife and his daughter. Alatangana then begins to fall in love with Sa’s daughter and asks Sa for his permission to marry her. Despite being told no by Sa, Alatangana does so anyway. Alatangana and the daughter have fourteen children together, seven of which are male and seven which are female. Every one of them is a different race and every one of them speaks a different language. This is Sa’s doing and he also sends Alatangana’s children to every corner of the world. When his children ask to be taken of out the darkness Alatangana asks Sa for help. He sends birds back to Sa that will sing and bring forth the light of day. However, in return for this gift Sa tells Alatangana that he may now take a child of his whenever he so pleases. Alatangana must agree to this and the deal is done. In this story death is portrayed by Sa, who many now take any of god’s children whenever he sees fit. The last lines of the story demonstrate how the Kono relate such an ancient tale to today by stating that â€Å"†¦Alatangana’s children still answer to the call of Sa†. In addition, the fact that the dowry is once again highly stressed in the final line show the importance of that aspect in their culture at the time. This interpretation of how life and death came to be are historically relevant because it illustrates how earlier civilizations made sense of the world they found themselves in. It also shows us that the Kono believed that death was an equally, if not more significant, part of life compared to gods and other aspects. The story also shows that the Kono believed everyone was a child of god and that death did not choose a certain class to focus death upon, or deny a class death because of something such a wealth or power. The story suggests equality between all people with regards to god and death. B. 3. Purusha The myth of Purusha is one on how the world is created and is from the Rigveda. The Rigveda is the oldest Aryan scripture, being transmitted orally from around 1500-1000 B. C. E. before being written down in Sanskrit at around 800-500 B. C. E. The story of Purusha tell how that world is created but in a very symbolic way. Each part of Purusha’s body is used to make what becomes each of the social classes and gods of old. According to the myth â€Å"The Brahmin was his mouth, of both his arms was the Rajanya made. His thighs became the Vaisya, from his feet the Sudra was produced†. Each body part became a specific class for a specific reason. The Brahmin came from the mouth because they devoted their lives to memorizing all the Veda’s. They were the only ones who knew the Veda’s and therefore were called upon to recite a Veda when someone needed guidance. The Rajanya, or warrior class, was made from the arms because fighting required heavily upon your arms and strength. The Vaisya, or merchant and artisan class, were made from the thighs because they represented hard work and were the pillars on which the civilization ran. The Sudra, or laborer class, was made from the feet because they were the lowest of all the people created and could metaphorically be stepped on by higher classes. In the myth the two higher classes are also described together in the first sentence together, emphasizing the line between the two upper classes and the two lower ones. Along these lines, this myth is to show were these classes lie in society and give the people in the classes a reason to why they are there. This way, the people in power now have a reason to stay in power and give the people in lower classes a reason to stay there. Therefore, the story is used as a validation for the caste system of the time as a whole. It suggests that any other form of social structure would be wrong because it would not be divine. This small exert from the myth of Purusha on how humans were made played an important role on how the caste system was working at the time and gave people a reason not to question it. 3. 6. Analects The Analects is a text that contains hundreds of sayings of Confucius written down by his students after his death and completely out of context. Confucianism was based on the idea that all people had the ability to become good and that society should be run on morality. This is in contrast with other ideals such as Legalism which was based on the idea that everyone was born evil and selfish, could never change, and required to be severely punished for minor offenses. Confucius did not believe that this was an effective way to rule people and his reasoning is shown in the Analects. It is written in Book II, III. 1. â€Å"The master said, ‘If the people be led by laws, and uniformity sought to be given them by punishments, they will try to avoid the punishment, but have no sense of shame’†. By stating this Confucius believes that if a ruler is trying to obtain uniformity to obey a law by punishment people will simply try and avoid the punishment without conforming and will have learned nothing. In the second part of the passage he states â€Å"If they be led by virtue, and uniformity sought to be given them by the rules propriety, they will have the sense of shame, and moreover will become good†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . With this he simply states that upon learning a moral philosophy that people will uniformly want to become good. With this in mind, Confucius also believed that the government should play a small role in the lives of the people and always hold the people in its best interest. The following saying recorded in the Analects go on to state how people should be treated when alive, while being buried, and how they should be sacrificed. All of these things should be dependent on how well you conformed to the acceptable standards of morality that should be set in place. These passages all sum up some of the main points of Confucianism such that morality should play a key role in how one’s life is lived and how ruling should take place. B. 7. The Apology In The Apology written by Plato, Socrates is being put on trial by the city of Athens and is giving his defense. He is on trial for corrupting the youth and being impious, although it is certain he has done neither of these formally accused things. During Socrates defense he states that Athens and other cities need people like him. Someone who would go around and ask questions in order to make people think. Socrates believed that people didn’t truly think about what they were doing and to do so needed to ask more questions. Socrates also believed he was wiser than any other man in that he knew that knew nothing. In fact, his defense against the charge of being impious was that he firmly believed he was carrying out the will of Apollo and was told by the oracle of the god that he was the wisest man. If he believed such things then there is no way he could possibly not be pious. With this that charge was somewhat thrown away. He tried to explain that he was only trying to promote productive thought throughout the city and its people. He felt that he was necessary for the city to be attached to just as a gadfly to a horse. Just as the city was unwilling to think without a being questioned, the horse was too lazy to move without a sting. He ended his defense by stating that instead of killing him they should reward him. With his argument that they needed him more than they knew it and somewhat sarcastic punishment suggestion, he was sentenced to death. This is only an interpretation by Pluto and states that it is beneficial for someone to be asking questions and trying to enlighten others. It also represents the philosophical style which Plato learned from Socrates and advocated during his lifetimes as well. A style that effected Athenian life by making the city more conscious and aware of the actions it partook on a day to day basis when put into practice. C. 1. Paleolithic to Neolithic The Neolithic Revolution marked the beginning of the Stone Age and set up a new form of lifestyle for early humans. The Neolithic Revolution was proceeded by the Paleolithic era. The people that were alive at this time are the oldest know people in existence. These people were hunters and gatherers, relying on the food they could find in the forest or the animals they could kill to eat. They were also nomadic people, never staying in one concrete place but rather moving to wherever the climate and was suitable for their style of life. When the Neolithic Revolution took place people began to work more on their stone working abilities. Thus, the Neolithic revolution coincides with the beginning of the Stone Age. The Neolithic revolution also marked several other large changes in the way people live. People began to farm and produce their own food along with domesticate animals. It is now known that the Neolithic people planted and grew primitive forms of wheat and barley. This crop could have been very useful because it could be stored and used at a later date18. For example, during a drought or dry season one could use their stored crop to help feed their animals. In this way agriculture grew alongside the domestication of animals. This time called for planning that involved picking the most productive grain to plant the next growing season and which of your most powerful animals you should have mate19. This newfound knowledge and ability to stay in one place allowed the human population to grow in concentrated areas. This was a very change from Paleolithic times where groups typically ranged from 20-30 people. During the Neolithic age it was not uncommon for there to be large farming towns and cities with thousands of residents. Almost every of life was changed during the Neolithic revolution and the way of life it brought was effective. Until recently, in the past couple centuries, Neolithic culture had survived in many parts of the world. C. 4. Polis The term polis in Greek means city-state, and its existence during the Archaic age and at the time of Alexander the Great had a large effect on Greek culture. The Archaic age burst from the dark ages in Greece and lasted from around 800-500 B. C. E. and with it brought a revitalized trade, agricultural and urbanization elements. At the height of the Greek colonization there were about 1,500 city-states that occupied a very large Greek speaking cultural zone. These city-states were often run in one of three way that included a democracy, and oligarchy, or a tyranny. The democracy is the one which the power is held in the people’s hands. In this system everyone may have equal power with accordance to the law but it was often recognized that the wealthy still retained more power. The system where the few wealthy and powerful did run the government was called and oligarchy. One in which only one person rules is a tyranny. The city-states at the time had no standing armies, were religiously centered, and also focused on the arts. By the time the Classical age came to be along with the great ruler Alexander the Great Greece was very powerful and rich with culture. This was due impart to the city-states that allowed the Greek culture to spread to all corners of the empire while retaining a stable social and political structure within themselves and therefore the entire empire. Notes 1. Selena Lai and Waka Takahashi Brown, â€Å"The Shang Dynasty, 1600 to 1050 BCE. † FSI Stanford Spice Digests, (2006): Accessed September 29, 2013, http://iis-db. stanford. edu/docs/117/ShangDynasty. pdf. 2. Ibid. , 1. 3. ushistory, 9b. Shang Dynasty — Chinas First Recorded History. Accessed September 29, 2013. http://www. ushistory. org/civ/9b. asp. 4. Ibid. , 1. 5. Lai and Brown, â€Å"The Shang Dynasty, 1600 to 1050 BCE,† 1. 6. Ibid. , 1. 7. Ibid. , 1. 8. Gregory Smits. â€Å"Legalism,† in the web-based book Topics in Premodern Chinese History. (accessed September 29, 2013). http://www. personal. psu. edu/faculty/g/j/gjs4/textbooks/PM-China/ch5. htm. 9. Ibid. , 1. 10. Ibid. , 1. 11. Tripod, The Indus Valley Civilisation. Accessed September 29, 2013. http://sympweb. tripod. com/IndusValleyhistory. htm. 12. Ibid. , 1. 13. Ibid. , 1. 14. Ibid. , 1. 15. The History Channel, Hellenistic Greece. Accessed September 29, 2013. http://www. history. com/topics/hellenistic-greece. 16. Ibid. , 1. 17. Ibid. , 1. 18. Edrene S. McKay, â€Å"Paleolithic Neolithic Societies,† in World Civilizations from Prehistory to 1500. Accessed September 30, 2013. www. Online-History. org. 2 19. Ibid. , 2. Bibliography McKay, Edrene S. , â€Å"Paleolithic Neolithic Societies,† in World Civilizations from Prehistory to 1500. 1. Accessed September 30, 2013. www. Online-History. org. 2 Lai, Selea and Waka Takahashi Brown, â€Å"The Shang Dynasty, 1600 to 1050 BCE. † FSI Stanford Spice Digests, (2006): 1. Accessed September 29, 2013. http://iis-db. stanford. edu/docs/117/ShangDynasty. pdf Smits, Gregory. â€Å"Legalism,† in the web-based book Topics in Premodern Chinese History. 1. Accessed September 29, 2013. http://www. personal. psu. edu/faculty/g/j/gjs4/textbooks/PM-China/ch5. htm). The History Channel, Hellenistic Greece. Accessed September 29, 2013. http://www. history. com/topics/hellenistic-greece Tripod, The Indus Valley Civilisation. Accessed September 29, 2013. http://sympweb. tripod. com/IndusValleyhistory. htm. ushistory, 9b. Shang Dynasty — Chinas First Recorded History. Accessed September 29, 2013. http://www. ushistory. org/civ/9b. asp.

EBay Marketing Case Study

EBay Marketing Case Study Teresa A. Cochran EBay has established itself as one of the largest and most popular online trading sites on the internet. Developed in 1995 by computer programmer, Pierre Omidyar, eBay has grown tremendously, creating what may have described as the perfect market. EBay not only pioneered emerging technology but revolutionized a new business model with person to person online sales without interference of outside regulation. The online auction industry itself has grown tremendously since the 1990s, with thousands of Americans supporting themselves solely by selling merchandise online as one of the original internet trading platforms. EBay gained notoriety by having reasonable prices and for having hard to find items. It allows sales both locally and on an international level, with a diverse and energetic group of members and independent companies. Today, eBay connects a global community of buyers and sellers via an exceptional platform that connects people who, otherwise would not be connected (Kotler Keller, 2012). By creating a business model that relied on connections, the eBay platform offers millions of unique items for sale or trade each day. EBays growth and momentum has continued as individuals and small businesses discovered that eBay was an efficient way to reach new customers and other businesses (Kotler Keller, 2012). EBay offers many different products in a large number of categories ranging from clothing to cars, and the bidding format puts the consumer in charge of the trade. But why has eBay grown into a billion-dollar global enterprise while other similar sites have failed? Since its inception, eBay is one been of the pioneers in internet e-commerce and has been successful in creating an online community of buyers and sellers of practically anything imaginable. This case study will analyze several factors in the development and ultimate success in addition to mechanisms by which eBay interacts with the market. An analysis into these strategies reveal that the growth of eBays online auction platform can be attributed to growth in the e-commerce market, an innovative approach to social interactions, emerging market trends, strong sense of community, and the core values of the organization have all contributed to the success of the company. EBays positioning statement is The worlds Online Marketplace, which is significant for the companys view of its identity. The core values at eBay were to develop a culture of trust and fun. Among the factors that have been credited for eBays success have ranged from the use of website to increased customer feedback, buyer protection, range of items, competitive prices and also the ability to reach a global market. EBays successful evolution has been based on their ability to reduce risk to the buyer, minimize disinformation, and enforcing rights to property. By developing relationships between buyers and sellers in a trade many of the issues around mistrust, uncertainty, and cooperation are resolved and seek to guarantee both parties a successful exchange. This exchange satisfies both by parties by allowing the buyer to control the maximum price they are willing to pay and the seller can benefit from increased profit margin and the efficiencies gained by utilizing an online platform. Buyers can view items by seller, location, condition or time remaining in the auction. As evidenced by the number of site visits per day, eBay appears to be an efficient way for individuals and more recently businesses to sell merchandise (Kotler Keller, 2012). The organization also regulates transactions its seller profile and feedback forums. This form of rating and comment is linked to the sellers performance. Feedback has been attributed as a major important factor for achievement of success. The members of the eBay community have the ability to leave feedback or rate items bought on eBay This type of feedback encourages both buyers and sellers to feel like and integral part of the organization. EBays online personal trading community relies on the mutual trust and respect. This creates a connection between both parties; therefore there is a mutual dependency in all transactions that underpins the culture of the eBay community. Business relationships between buyers and sellers are pivotal in the maintenance of the business structure. These relationships involve issues regarding compliance with formal or informal regulations. As previously noted, the business model utilized by eBay is one that is based on mutual trust. The company offers users buyer protection on purchases made via PayPal. Therefore, by members use of the PayPal payment system, each member can be confident that their transaction is protected against deceit or being duped in any fashion. Evaluation of eBay fee schedule EBays business process creates a business model, which does not require the carrying of inventory, but rather has its share of the profit margin from every transaction that it does (Mishra, 2010). This type of fee structure in most commonly referred to as second degree price discrimination. This practice refers to the charging of an insertion fee for each item listed and is designed to attract vendors with higher sales volumes. In addition to the listing fee, the vendors are charged a percentage based on the final dollar amount of the auction or buy it now listing. EBay also caters to buyers who purchase goods in higher volumes. This strategy attracts a small business owner who would like to purchase merchandise in bulk but does not have the resources to buy from larger wholesale distributes. The discussion of whether or not the fee schedule is optimal depends on the vendors status in the marketplace. In response to feedback from sellers, EBay has made significant revisions to the fee schedule in response to increased competition in ecommerce. EBay has launched a new fee structure and incentives for sellers in an effort to remain the most competitive commerce platform (Rao, 2013). The simplification of the pricing structure allows vendors to list items for free therefore both individuals and eBay store owners can increase their profit margin. The listing fees for the occasional seller are very different from those of power seller in that there is a difference in the number of free listings. Small volume sellers can list up to fifty listings monthly while power sellers can list up to twenty five hundred. This fee structure is optimal for smaller volume sellers. These changes in the fee structure will benefit larger power sellers by discounting fees charged to maintain thei r online store. In the older fee structure, there were no free listings for stores (Rao, 2013). Other revisions to the fee schedule include basing the final value fee on the items price at the completion of the transaction. As with any other business traditional or ecommerce, an evaluation and adjustment must be done routinely to their pricing structure to ensure that it is beneficial to both the vendor and the buyer. EBay must continue to evolve to remain competitive in a very diverse segment of the consumers who will be participating in the online marketplace via new outlets such as Facebook Marketplace. This fee structure is been made more optimal for buyers and sellers but will be a vulnerability as more consumers utilize platforms that do not charge a transaction fee such as Facebook and Craigslist. Whats next for eBay? Online auctions have become an increasingly popular and efficient ecommerce method of facilitating the participation of Internet users in trading activities through flexible pricing processes, convenient access and the availability of a large variety of products (Cui, Lai, Liu, 2008). The advancement of eBay commercial center has developed into a worldwide commercial center since its dispatch in 1995. Current market patterns demonstrate that far from the underlying concentration of individual to individual deals so as to be more aggressive with other online retailers. A significant number of the efficiencies that added to the underlying development of eBay, access to data, diminishing geographic impediments to online business are the consequence of the development of the web. EBay is currently still growing as an online auction marketplace, with operations in the United States, Europe, African and even Asian countries. There is such an enormous interest for web based business in this quickly creating world. eBay has a great deal of preferences if the drive proceeds with, this movement could quicken given eBays emphasis on online installment frameworks, for example, PayPal, the ascent of web-based social networking and its consideration on creating markets. This will help them to maximize their chances to market and make other investments that will enhance the marketplace and help the sellers grow their businesses (Kotler Keller, 2012). When completing an evaluation for whats next for eBay, innovation and continued expansion into undeveloped markets must consider. Demand for products to be available online is growing at a rapid pace. Another aspect central to continue success is to evaluate the technology utilized and focus on innovation in order to remain competitive in the fast paced online auction market. EBay sales dipped when GOOGLE changed its algorithm and eBay was no longer on the top of the search results when people were shopping online (Rao, 2015). With web based business growing rapidly, eBay can utilize online networking as a platform to increase sales. Social media sites like Facebook Twitter and Instagram can be utilized as promoting diverts to attract more clients for eBay. Auctions can also be cross-promoted on local sites such as Craigslist. Web-based social networking enables online shoppers to support the development of an online business. EBay could build its customer base by addition and expansion current of partnerships and investments around the globe as well as focus on the maintenance of current connections between the buyers and sellers. Additionally, eBay must focus on maintaining a fee structure that is optimal for all parties, buyers, and sellers. Fees should be as low as possible to the vendors in order to reduce the final price to the buyer. The company should improve technology as one of the key components of the existing business model, making it easier to think of new way to do development of alternative ways to reconfigure existing resources (Kimble Bourdon, 2013). In conclusion, with the high number of goods and services that can be exchanged without geographical constraints, eBay is well positioned to maintain is growth rate and achieve even greater sales volume. References Cui, X., Lai, V. S., Liu, C. K. (2008). Research on Consumer Behaviour in Online Auctions: Insights from a Critical Literature Review. Electronic Markets, 18(4). http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10196780802420752 Kimble, C., Bourdon, I. (2013). The link among information technology, business models, and strategic breakthroughs: examples from amazon, dell, and eBay. Global Business and Organizational Excellence, 33(1), 58-68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/joe.21523 Kotler, P., Keller, K. L. (2012). Marketing management (14th ed.). Retrieved from https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781323291016 Mishra, M. K. (2010, December). Why is eBay the Most Successful Online Auction? Global Journal of Management and Business Research, 10(9), 62-65. http://dx.doi.org/GJMBR-B Classification (FOR) 350213 Rao, L. (2013, March 19, 2013). To Compete With Amazon, eBay Debuts Free Listings And Simpler Fee Structures For Sellers [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2013/03/19/to-compete-with-amazon-ebay-debuts-free-listings-and-simpler-fee-structures-for-sellers/ Rao, L. (2015, July 20, 2015). For eBay, a new chapter begins. Fortune Tech. Retrieved from fourtune.com/2015/07/19/ebay-independence

Crime and Punishment as a Polyphonic Novel :: Crime Punishment Essays

The term 'polyphony' was introduced into literary theory by Mikhail Bakhtin in his à Ãƒ °Ãƒ ®Ãƒ ¡Ãƒ «Ãƒ ¥Ãƒ ¬Ãƒ » à ¯Ãƒ ®Ãƒ ½Ãƒ ²Ãƒ ¨Ãƒ ªÃƒ ¨ Äà ®Ãƒ ±Ãƒ ²Ãƒ ®Ãƒ ¥Ãƒ ¢Ãƒ ±Ãƒ ªÃƒ ®Ãƒ £Ãƒ ®. The polyphonic novel is dialogic rather than monologic; this means that multiple voices can be heard, and each voice represents an alternative version of 'the truth'. (NB. The use of dialogue as a formal device does not make a novel polyphonic in the Bakhtinian sense; genuine polyphony entails a sense of ambivalence, a situation where the different voices compete with one another and represent alternative viewpoints between which the reader cannot make a straightforward choice.) In Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov is the main focalizer: his point of view is adopted by the third-person narrator almost throughout (exceptions include a small number of episodes involving Svidrigaylov, and the relatively impersonal first chapter of the the Epilogue). The reader is thus allowed access into Raskolnikov's inner world, and although third-person narration is used, the novel as a whole comes close to being the central character's interior monologue. Nevertheless, there is also a strong tendency towards dialogue. This has several manifestations: (1) Actual dialogues between characters are of central importance in shaping not only the events but also Raskolnikov's mental processes; in relation to Raskolnikov, the other characters with their distinctive voices all represent alternative truths and alternative points of view. The other characters, and their ideas and values, are perceived through the prism of Raskolnikov's consciousness: their voices echo in his mind, and he reacts to the ideas put forward by these external voices, often entering into a mental dialogue with them. (2) Raskolnikov also conducts an endless dialogue with himself (frequently addressing himself in the second person); the voice of his shrewd intellect alternates with the voice of conscience, and a lucid understanding of his situation coexists with unaccountable (even contradictory) emotional reactions. (3) The reader also has access to Raskolnikov's subconscious mind (the voice of the subconscious) in the context of his nightmarish visions (see especially chapters I:5 and III:6) In all, Raskolnikov's mind becomes a battlefield where a number of different internal and external voices (representing different ideas and world-views, or different facets of Raskolnikov's personality) keep vying for supremacy.

Symbol, Allusion, and Myth in Irving Laytons Rhine Boat Trip Essay

Symbol, Allusion, and Myth in Irving Layton's Rhine Boat Trip  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   "...haunted/by the ghosts of Jewish mothers/looking for their ghostly Children" (Layton). Though physical evidence of the Holocaust is now slightly limited, as time tends to destroy the tangible, the cry for justice and the remembrance of systematic genocide by a sadistic people enacting ignorant dogma will ring indefinitely throughout the world. Humanity will always be guilty of the atrocities that it instigates. Irving Layton, in his poem, Rhine Boat Trip, depicts the eternal evidence of the Nazi Crime, a stain of culpability that is reducible from all who have witnessed it. Layton is able to portray the onus of this horrific event through his employment of symbolism, allusion, and myth. The everlasting, inescapable pain of the Holocaust is so imbedded in our culture that our senses can become paralyzed by the enormity of its reverberation through the years since the last chimney fire in Aushwitz was snuffed. Through his use of symbolism, Layton is able to -it a picture in the minds of his readers, one that juxtaposes the subject matter with his choice of diction. Beginning with the title, Rhine Boat Trip, symbolism is installed in the poem. A boat trip on the Rhine is thought to be a journey through the ultimate bucolic paradise. What is encountered on this scenic route; however is far from the ideal vacation experience. Layton creates an ironic dichotomy between a life of luxury and intense human suffering. When the boat visits castles along the Rhine, its passengers are really witnessing the remnants of wealth accumulated by the Nazis from slave labor in concentration camps, a cruel practice that quickly stimulated the struggling German econom... ...rnatural power. Even the voices of the Lorelei, which sailors could not drown out of their ears, are ineffectual and in audible when the beauty of nature is tainted by the barbarity it has given   to, forever reminded of the supremacist desire that went too far. Even the most serene places of the Rhine, are filled of reminders of a massive suffering and a people who could not face the truth of the wickedness found in the Aryan race for dominance. Irving Layton's poem, Rhine Boat Tdp, depicts the immortality of the legacy left by those who were murdered, a legacy of remembrance they left in every breath of humanity, eternally seared with its guilt. Layton illustrates his message by expertly using literary devices such as symbolism, allusion, and myth. He is able to paint in the mind of the reader an unforgettable picture of human flaw and the karma of crime.

Novel Nicholas Nickleby Essay

Mr Squeers is one of Charles Dickens’ very vivid characters and one that plays an important role in the novel Nicholas Nickleby. He is owner and headmaster of Dotheboys Hall which is set in Greta Bridge in Yorkshire. Dotheboys Hall is a boarding school for disabled and illegitimate children. It is an all-boys school and Mr Squeers runs the school with extreme cruelty together with his wife, who is equally cruel. The children are sent there because they are disabled in some way and their families did not want them. Mr Squeers has very cunning ways and his only aims are to benefit himself. His main aim is to make money and he does this very well by being sneaky and taking short-cuts in the keeping of his school. He tries to put as little money as possible to Dotheboys Hall whilst getting as much money out as possible. Another of his objectives is to have the instant obedience that he desires. He wants a school where he has ultimate power over the boys so that when he asks something of them they do it immediately – with no question. He tries to obtain this instant obedience in school by regularly beating the boys with a cane. Mr Squeers sees his school more as a business than a school-learning environment. â€Å"This is our shop, Nickleby†. This quote shows that he is treating the school as a business because his primary objective is to make money. He does not really care about the boys’ education, just as long as he turns over a nice profit. As Mr Squeers is owner of Dotheboys Hall he decides how to teach the boys or not, as the case may be. Mr and Mrs Squeers deeply dislike all of the boys in their school, except their own children. In fact they perceive the boys as â€Å"their natural enemies†. Clearly, if they see the boys like this then they are not fit to run a school but as it is their own school, they can do as they like. Mr and Mrs Squeers both hate the boys. â€Å"The only difference between them is that Mrs Squeers wages war against the boys openly whilst Mr Squeers tries to cover his rascality†. I think Mr Squeers tries to cover his rascality because he knows that he is not treating the boys very well and should not be doing this. However, don’t be fooled! Mr Squeers hates the boys as much as his wife but Mrs Squeers doesn’t really look for an excuse to beat them – she just enjoys doing it. All of the boys at Dotheboys Hall are terrified of Mr and Mrs Squeers and live in fear of the dreaded cane which they both use to mercilessly beat them. At the Hall, the boys don’t get much freedom and think what they are told to think. They dare not argue or answer back to Mr Squeers as they are kept too weak and undernourished. It is clear that the boys are scared of him because of the amount of times and the violent manner in which Mr Squeers uses the cane.