Mini Position Paper Essay

Many schools exist that don’t create student success. In too many school systems today, students are deprived of the education they need to become successful in life. What is society doing to make sure these students find their way? What does it take for them to become successful participants of society? After reading Freire’s, Pedagogy of the Oppressed, I must say there is some truth to students being oppressed for they are being forced to matriculate in an educational environment they aren’t familiar with; can’t survive in; or don’t want to be in. Students who are in the predicament noted above are not able to thrive in a strong academic environment because, as Freire states, they don’t know their reality. If they knew their reality, they would be better prepared to adjust to what they need for academic success. My position is that students that will better succeed in vocational or magnet schools. The vocational option is best suited for students that are not college bound and need to learn hands-on job skills to work right out of high school. For the nontraditional student the magnet option can work well. As a dancer, I attended magnet performing art school and this opportunity allowed me to learn about my craft and move on to earning a scholarship to Temple University in dance and theater. It allowed me the option to get involved in a field that I love and having a love for what you do makes the difference in which you become. There is no denying that people are mentally in different places at different times in their lives. Whether they have been raised in a single parent home, or whether they grew up in an environment that isn’t conducive to learning, it is important that students know what they can handle in an educational setting. For some students, an advanced math class or AP courses may not be reasonable. There are some students that understand where they stand academically and know that they aren’t able to learn under the same conditions as other students. These students need to develop other avenues in which to become successful. Vocational and Magnet schools are a great source for students that aren’t ready for a rigorous academic curriculum. Although students will still get the core courses they need to graduate, they will also have a trade that will at least keep them employed and able to take care of them after graduating. There are students that have a love for cosmetology, auto mechanics or even plumbing. One important fact is that there are colleges that offer two year degrees in these vocational trades. It is crucial that today’s generation know that there are options outside of becoming a doctor or lawyer. While we always need lawyers, doctors, and teachers, the world also needs mechanics to fix cars, a plumber to fix leaks the correct way or even a specialist to make sure a heating or air conditioning system is properly working. It is important that today’s student be comfortable in knowing that being academically challenged is okay, and that choosing a vocational education is an option. Vocational Magnet educations are just as important and should be interjected in all of today’s schools for they too serve a vital function in preparing our students in life. â€Å"The Guardian†, a newspaper printed in the U. K. , ran an article in 2013 regarding vocational educations. It questioned the validity of the concept of vocational educations by asking the public if they value vocational skills. The article allowed people to give their opinions. Although most people were in support of vocational education, there were some that weren’t. One person commented that though he didn’t look down on vocational education, he would not consider the vocational route if he didn’t get the grades needed to attend a university. He finished by explaining he would definitely go for A-levels because in his opinion, â€Å"they are far more respected by employers and universities†. In his opinion, having a career rather than a skill is more esteemed. After reading the article, I was stunned at the idea that vocational educations aren’t respected. That a plumber or custodian is not valued is a disrespectful and cocky position to take. Society will always needs someone to make sure offices are clean and bathroom toilets run properly. People underestimate that diverse careers are needed for the world to effectively revolve. Unfortunately vocational skills like plumbing, carpentry, and electricians have been downgraded in social status over the years. One of the biggest issues in education today is low graduation rates, low college entry and a growing rate of unemployment. Vocational education can be the resolution to this problem. What are missing in schools are alternatives like a technical baccalaureate, which offers valuable learning and real skills, and leads to real jobs for young people. Getting children in the right program for their learning needs is what leads to success. Vocational qualifications serve a need for particular kinds of students and are very important skills. Vocational education training provides career and technical education for students interested in jobs that are based upon labor-intensive or real-world jobs. The plus side to vocational education is that students have the opportunity to work in their field while in school; it requires less education than four year degree programs; the vocational fields are vast and varied such as, pharmacy and medical technicians, paralegals, medical assistants, office assistants, cosmetologists, mechanics and construction workers; it assists in higher graduation rates; increased employment; and overall student achievement. The objective in education is to assist students in their quest of having a stable life. A vocational education reinforces the connections between secondary and postsecondary education, and improves accountability for students.

John Locke and the Declaration of Independence Essay

In 1689, John Locke published, what proved to be, a valuable document for the American Revolution as well as life in present day America, known as the Second Treatise of Government. In his document he creates a model of his ideal civil government, which is created by the people to ensure their â€Å"natural rights† of life, liberty, and property. This government may also be dissolved upon the decision of the people, when it is believed that the sovereignty has ceased to function properly. Locke’s model government is based on his idea of the â€Å"state of nature†; perfect freedom, the state all men are in naturally. This idea infers that all men will govern themselves accordingly; however chaos and anarchy would always occur. Men, in the â€Å"state of nature†, all have the drive and want to acquire more than which they already possess. Men, also, have the same capabilities of doing so, which ultimately creates conflict between men. This is where the idea of the â€Å"politic society† comes into play. The â€Å"politic society† is where men forfeit their individual right to govern themselves, and instead create a â€Å"social contract† amongst one another. The â€Å"social contract† is a binding agreement between the government and the governed, in which the governed agree to sacrifice their individual political power and obey laws, while the government agrees to provide protection of property and enforce/create laws th at promote the common good. The government is prohibited from doing which the governed does not consent nor comply with. Once government goes above or beyond its prescribed capabilities, it is then that it should be dissolved. Locke insists the government may be dissolved in any instance, if does not receive consent from its governed during: legislative alteration, executive hindering its legislative, alteration of elective process the executive, failure to enforce existing laws, and subjection to foreign powers. It is evident that, while Thomas Jefferson was formulating his document, The Declaration of Independence, he was highly influenced by Locke’s views within his Second Treatise of Government. In fact, the preamble to The Declaration of Independence encompasses Locke’s ideas of the â€Å"state of nature† and the â€Å"politic society† as demonstrated here: â€Å"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing it powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to affect their safety and happiness.† This is directly parallel to what Locke states in his Second Treatise to the Government, with the insertion of property in place of happiness, when he says: â€Å"Men being, as has been said, by nature, all free, equal, and independent, no one can be put out of this estate, and subjected to the political power of another, without his own consent†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Another instance of parallelism is within the Declaration of Independence’s list of grievances and Locke’s grounds for dissolution. Jefferson states that: â€Å"He (The King of Great Britain) has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. He has refused for a long time, after such dissolution, to cause others to be elected†¦ He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people†. All of these grievances are considered by Locke, to be just reasons for the dissolution of the current government. Even though, both documents appear to be quite similar, there is a slight difference. Locke’s views are more individualistic. He concentrates on the rights and duties of the individual. While on the other hand, Jefferson’s main focus is on the government and its rights and limitations. Both proved to be highly effective in each owns instance. Case in point, on July 4, 1776, that The Declaration of Independence was formally adopted by the Continental Congress and the American Revolution officially began. Another important issue to be discussed is slavery. In the Second Treatise of Government, Locke maintains that the â€Å"perfect condition of slavery† is based upon consent. That â€Å"man is to be free from any superior power on earth, and not to be under the will or legislative authority of man, but to have only the law of nature for his rule† yet† having by his fault forfeited his own life by some act that deserves death, he to whom he has forfeited it may, when he has him in his power, delay to take it and make use of him to his own service†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Locke essentially is saying slavery is a consensual debt to someone and should not be used in any other instance. The topic of slavery was not included within the embodiment of The Declaration of Independence. In America, slavery was not consistent with Locke’s view of doubtful servitude. Instead, slaves were brought over from other countries, or born into it themselves and it became a common, harsh way of life for African Americans of that time. A prime example would be Frederick Douglass; a self educated, escaped slave, who was a part of the abolitionist movement during the pre-civil war era. He believed that the Declaration of Independence, the document itself and its ideas, did not apply to he and his people, for they were not free. In his oration, what to Say to the Slave is the Fourth of July, he declares that: â€Å"I am not included within the pale of this glorious anniversary! Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us. The blessings in which you, this day, rejoice, are not enjoyed in common— the rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence†¦ is shared by you and not by me.† It is clear that Frederick Douglass shows a great deal of discontent towards the 4th of July and what it represents to Americans because it doesn’t represent anything for African Americans but after a great deal of effort and a civil war, slavery was abolished in 1868 with the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. During the abolitionist movement, there was another prominent cause in America, the women’s movement. The women of the time, Lucretia Mott for example, felt that women shared a similar cause with the African Americans, in that they were treated unfairly and suffered from inequality in society. They wanted equal rights, mainly the right to vote. The Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions was a Mott’s response to the Declaration of Independence; a parody of the rights of man, the Caucasian man in particular. It is in this document that she demonstrates how women are deprived of the rights to liberty, justice, and property. After many rallies and protest, women were granted the right to vote in 1919 under Amendment XIX. The next great movement of America’s history was the Civil Rights Movement. This forged many great leaders such as Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Both men shared t opposite views on which actions to take to promote their cause. Dr. King advocated the non-violent approach. He and his followers held rallies and protests and tried to educate America about this current state of inequality and segregation through pamphlets and orations. One of Dr. King’s most famous pieces was a Letter from a Birmingham Jail. He too, like Mott, used words in order to express the current condition of deprivation of life, liberty, and property. All of these great movements would have been impossible, if it were not for Locke’s Second Treatise of Government. This document created what became a domino effect of social revolutions in the post years after its publication and is a valuable source of model democratic system still today.

The Death Of Meursault s Mother - 1572 Words

What effect does the death of meursault’s mother have on him and to what extent does this affect him in the novel? Why did camus choose to pick mother and not someone else and how does this show the role of women in the novel? Uchenna Diamond Umunna Written Assignment Mrs. Pillarella May 30, 2015 Uchenna Diamond Umunna Mrs. Pillarella Ib English, Period 5 30 May 2015 What effect does the death of meursault’s mother have on him and to what extent does this affect him in the novel? Why did camus choose to pick mother and not someone else and how does this show the role of women in the novel? â€Å"Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don’t know. I got a telegram from the home: ‘Mother deceased. Funeral tomorrow. Faithfully yours.’ That doesn’t mean anything. Maybe it was yesterday.† (Camus, pg. 3). Meursault in the novel is a person who views and describes much of what occurs around him. He is emotionally different to others around him even to his mother and his lover, Marie. He also refuses to follow the accepted moral order of society, â€Å"I said that I didn’t believe in God† (116). After Meursault kills the Arab,he goes to jail and is put on trial. However, the true focus of Meursault’s murder trial quickly slides away from the murder itself to the way Meursault believes in his attitudes and beliefs. Meursault’s lack of emotional grief at his mother’s funeral act for a serious challenge to the morals and beliefs of the society in which he lives. Maman is theShow MoreRelatedAlbert Camuss The Stranger1030 Words   |  5 Pagesfrom the home: ‘Mother deceased. Funeral tomorrow. Faithfully yours.’ That doesn t mean anything. Maybe it was yesterday.† (1.1.1) In The Stranger, Albert Camus sets the stage for the character of Meursault. Meursault, being the main character, portrays an individual who struggles with himself in functioning and reacting to daily situations. Meursault views the world with lack of meaning and disregard to the meaning of human life. His lack of remorse for his mother’s death is just one exampleRead MoreThe Stranger By Albert Camus1391 Words   |  6 PagesThe Stranger â€Å"The Stranger,† written by the Algerian writer Albert Camus, is a novel about Meursault, a character who’s different and even threatening views on life take him to pay the highest price a person can pay: his life. This was Camus’ first novel written in the early 1940’s, in France, and it reflects the authors belief that there is no meaning in life and it is absurd for humans to try to find it places like religion. The main themes of the novel are irrationality of the universe and theRead MoreThe Characterization Of Meursault In The Stranger1013 Words   |  5 PagesStranger, the characterization of Meursault plays and valuable role in outlining the meaning of this novel. Meursault is the main character in this book and the story follows a part of his life form his first person point of view. Meursault, like the author, does not believe in God, or any religion for that matter. Throughout this story it is revealed that meursault lives a highly indi fferent life, and physical impulses such as sex and smoking make him happy. Meursault is tried for the murder of anRead MoreAnalysis Of The I Don t Feel Anything 1292 Words   |  6 Pagesanything else.† (4) Meursault is trying to shrug off a soldier, so just goes along with what the soldier is saying. His detachment is foreshadowing for dealing with his mother’s death, as he won’t show any emotion throughout her funeral. I predict that his detachment will come back later to bite him. The irony here is, that he’s annoyed, yet trying not to show emotion. So his whole ‘I don’t feel anything† act is really a big phony. This scene builds character, that Meursault is a very unfeeling personRead MoreAnalysis Of The Stranger1 By Albert Camus1331 Words   |  6 Pagesthe life of M. Meursault from the time of his mother s death up to a time evidently just before his execution for the murder of an Arab. The central theme is that the significance of human life is understood only in light of mortality, or the fact of death; and in showing Meursault s consciousness change through the course of events, Camus shows how facing the possibility of death does hav e an effect on one s perception of life. The novel begins with the death of Meursault s mother. Although heRead MoreAnalysis Of The Stranger1 By Albert Camus Essay1331 Words   |  6 Pagesthe life of M. Meursault from the time of his mother s death up to a time evidently just before his execution for the murder of an Arab. The central theme is that the significance of human life is understood only in light of mortality, or the fact of death; and in showing Meursault s consciousness change through the course of events, Camus shows how facing the possibility of death does have an effect on one s perception of life. The novel begins with the death of Meursault s mother. Although heRead MoreAnalysis Of The Stranger By Albert Camus1526 Words   |  7 PagesWithout the role of the Arab, Meursault, would never have gone to prison, and never be tried for murder. Part C: Foil Character In literature, foil characters are used to bring out the distinctive qualities of another character by contrasting with them. In The Stranger, by Albert Camus, Marie Cardona plays the role of a foil character as she brings out Meursault s emotional characteristics. When she told him that she loved him and asked if he loved her, Meursault responded: I answered the sameRead MoreAnalysis Of The Outsider 1397 Words   |  6 Pagesimportance of the physical world in the novel The Outsider, through his character Meursault. Camus uses the elements to exhibit the importance of an individual s physical needs, and how they shape their personality. Meursault is a character that requires his physical needs to be met before he is able to make logical decisions for himself. When he follows through with his decisions, society views them as immoral creating Meursault as a villain in the eyes of society. However, his thoughtless decisions areRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book The Stranger 1670 Words   |  7 Pagesreading the first sentence of Albert Camus s masterpiece The Stranger, many readers and critics conclude that its protagonist, Meursault, is either a fool, a madman, or a callous boor: Today, maman died. Or perhaps yesterday, I don t know. I have received a telegram from the nursing home. Mother deceased. Burial tomorrow. Sincerely yours. That doesn t mean anything. It was perhaps yesterday (Camus 1, my translation). Quoting Stuart Gilbert s slightly inaccurate English translation of thisRead MoreThe Stranger, My Understanding Of The Culture And Absurdist Perspective1287 Words   |  6 PagesStatement Through our class discussion on Camus’ The Stranger, my understanding of the culture and absurdist perspective of this book was furthered amplified. During our dialogue we discussed the French existentialist movement occurring in the 1940’s and how this directly influenced both Camus’ The Stranger and his essay on Sisyphus about absurdism. It was important to note the culture and setting in which Camus wrote this novel to further understand the character Meursault’s feelings of physical

Different Theories Of Communication, Leadership, And...

Introduction Toastmasters is a group that seeks to promote communication skills and strategies among those who are interested in developing them, and to build leaders. For this purpose, Toastmasters helps people improve their abilities to communicate by presenting various types of public speeches. It is useful for all type of professionals to gain self-confidence and personal growth. This paper discusses the three distinct but interrelated theories of communication, leadership, and interpersonal relations within the context of a Toastmasters meeting recently held at a Calabasas hospital. On the evening of this meeting as usual, the agenda was made available to all in attendance. The Toastmaster was introduced, who explained the theme of the meeting and all the components of the group agenda. In all, there were 24 members, not including the two guests and myself. There were three major sections to the meeting: the ice-breaker, the speeches, and the evaluation of the speeches. Following the ice-breaker, three speakers followed who conversed on different topics, none of which actually dealt with the theories to be discussed, however, the interaction of the group illuminated the theories to be discussed here. After the three speeches, the members would take notes about each one separately. Time reports were performed and then members voted on which of the three was the most effective speech performance. The third part of this event was the evaluation of each speaker

Coexistence of Contrary States in Blake’s The Tyger Essay

Coexistence of Contrary States in Blake’s The Tyger Since the two hundred years that William Blake has composed his seminal poem The Tyger, critics and readers alike have attempted to interpret its burning question - Did he who made the Lamb make thee? Perhaps best embodying the spirit of Blake’s Songs of Experience, the tiger is the poetic counterpart to the Lamb of Innocence from Blake’s previous work, Songs of Innocence. Manifest in The Tyger is the key to understanding its identity and man’s conception of God, while ultimately serving to confront the reader with a powerful source of sublimity which reveals insight on Blake’s ideal union and coexistence of the two contrary states. The most significant underlying ideology†¦show more content†¦There could be no better symbol to portray experience than a vicious beast - raging, inhuman, savage, and unrestrained. Another relationship between The Lamb and The Tyger comes from the different syntax of the poems. In The Lamb, the final stanza of the poem is mainly resolved with intransitive verbs, indicating a conjunction of subject and object - creator and created. The simplicity of the response to the question of who made thee? is Little Lamb, I’ll tell thee. A syntactical and philosophical immobility is achieved. In The Tyger, however, Blake never overcomes the dialectic of the transitive, the action of subject upon object. Indeed, in the original engraved plate of The Lamb not one question mark appears after any of the many interrogations, while The Tyger ends in a question mark (Miner 62). Just as the New Testament God shared qualities of the Lamb in the form of Jesus Christ, the Old Testament God was a sublime force that bloodily and violently laid his wrath upon his perverted creations. In this embodiment of forms it is clear that the maker of the Lamb is quite capable of the sublime terror and punishing energy of the tiger. If such diversity of spirit is within the scope of the maker’s capabilities, the application of His various moods may be mirrored in His creations. Indeed, the central question of the poem should not be Did he who made the Lamb make

Argummentative Essay free essay sample

You are to write an argumentative essay in response to one of the following topics: High school students arent ready to enter college. Age matters in relationships. All citizens should speak a second language. Your essay should have the following format: Paragraph I. Introduction: Give necessary background information and includes a clearly defined thesis statement. II. Supporting Evidence: Provide specific factual and/or anecdotal evidence to support your thesis. III. Refuting Contrary Positions: Show why counterarguments are incorrect. IV. Conclusion: Summarize main ideas and reaffirm your thesis. Expectations: Please use Times New Roman 12 point font, 1 inch margins, and 1. 5 line spacing. You may not exceed two pages. Deadline: This essay is due on Sunday, May 19th at 11:59 p. m. Please e-mail it rather than printing a hard copy. Evaluation: You will be evaluated according to the attached rubric. Mark| Criteria| 4. 5-5| The student performs the task very well, covering all the main points using a wide range of structures and vocabulary. We will write a custom essay sample on Argummentative Essay or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page There are no errors and the language is very well-controlled. Ideas are organized clearly and the student uses linking words with ease and proper punctuation. The register and form are also correct. The student greatly exceeds the level expected for the task. | 4-4. 5| The student performs the task well covering most, if not all, the important points using a good choice of structures and vocabulary. The language is controlled with few mistakes and the whole text is clearly comprehensible. Ideas are well-organised and the student uses linking words and generally punctuates. The register and form are also correct. The student is above the level expected for the task. | 3. 5-4| The student covers many of the important points using relevant tructures and vocabulary with few mistakes. There may be occasional incomprehensibility but this does not affect the overall understanding of the text. Ideas are mostly organized correctly and there is some use of linking words and punctuation. The register and form are mostly correct. The student is at the level expected for the task. | 3-3. 5| The student attempts the task. Some points are made but they m ay not all be relevant, clear or comprehensible. Structure and vocabulary contain errors that can affect meaning and there may be cases of incomprehensibility. Ideas may not be organized correctly and there may be little evidence of linking words and punctuation. Register and form are mostly correct. The student is below the level expected for the task. | Below 3| The student largely fails to perform the task. The student is not consistently relevant, clear or comprehensible. There are major errors of structure and vocabulary which affect meaning. Ideas are not well-organized and there is little or no evidence of linking words. Register and form may be incorrect. The student is well below the level expected for the task. |

The King, Charles The First, Actions Were Legitimate, Under The Ideolo Essay Example For Students

The King, Charles The First, Actions Were Legitimate, Under The Ideolo Essay gy he ruled with, absolutism. Though never stating it Charles the First, justified by his wife, was an absolutist. So from his perspective his practices are not at fault, and that is the bias this editorial will be written from, the viewpoint of someone who believes the king should be an absolute Monarch. What Oliver Cromwell, a majority of Parliament, and the Parliamentary forces did was a direct violation of the Kings power. To take a quote from Louis the XIV, L?tat, cest moi, a phrase meaning I am the state, is a phrase that could be used to describe the absolutist rule that Charles the First was supposed to have. But actions taken by adversaries of the King and Country, including Civil War, attack on English troops, trespassing, treason, arresting the King, having soldiers march on parliament, and murder of King were treasonous actions against the King and consequently against the Country of England. Because as mentioned earlier in reference to the King, L?tat, cest moi. So any crimes against the King are against the state. Making all who were involved in the fight against the king in the civil war are basically defeating the idea that it was a civil war since by definition they were fighting against there own country, and being extremely treasonous at the same time. To sum up my previous statements the King is the Country so any crimes against the King are against the Country So the English Civil war was in fact not a civil war but a separatist movement against the Country of England. With aims to establish a military rule and discriminate against those of the Catholic faith. Cromwells followers were upset over many things and tried to change them, violating the kings power. Cromwell was upset over remnants of the Catholicism in Anglicans churches and he wanted those things removed. But he had no right to do that since the King is head of the Anglican Church a right established by Henry the VIII and thus Cromwell could not set church policy. They tried to apply laws to the King such has treason. Which they can not do since according to absolutism the king is above the law and can not be controlled by any person, organization, governmental body for such a thing could be a threat to the sovereignty of England itself. This makes sense in the following example . If the king were to be ever controlled by a group with sinister intentions then they could control the polices and laws that the King sets, giving them untold power over the destiny of England, that has you can see is why the king must rule above all others. Which leads me to my next statement. If the king is above the law he should have control over all those under the law which is why the king should be able to command parliament, another major gripe of Cromwells. People were upset when the king takes land away from the people, well he had every right to has the absolute ruler of England, in addition these people should have been proud to be serving there country by giving up the land for the betterment of England. We will write a custom essay on The King, Charles The First, Actions Were Legitimate, Under The Ideolo specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now By now you may be asking what gives the king the claim to all this privilege. Divine Right does. What mortal man would ever question Gods very own choosing, Oliver Cromwell did, making him a heretic too. In conclusion the English Civil war was nothing but an uprising lead by traitorous heretics out to question the Kings Divine Right over England and satisfy there own cravings for power.