Does Homework Work?

Does Homework Work? My major is social psychology, so you can imagine the amount of homework I’m dealing with! Don’t get me wrong â€" I still did my homework before, but now it’s completely different because I don’t see this process as a tedious thing I can’t wait to get over and done with. It only takes a few minutes to apply for an absentee ballot at mnvotes.org. Once it comes in the mail, voters also can be encouraged to take their time filling out those ballots. A lot can happen between now and the primary and between now and Election Day. The co-op board meetsâ€"and over my objections makes me secretaryâ€"before I can start on Esmee’s homework. It is now time for me to struggle with Earth Science. By late afternoon, I am tired after filing a magazine article on deadline. When I arrive home, a few minutes ahead of Esmee, I consider delaying my week of homework, but then I realize that Esmee can never put off her week of homework. That is the advice of my 13-year-old daughter, Esmee, as I struggle to make sense of a paragraph of notes for an upcoming Earth Science test on minerals. “Minerals have crystal systems which are defined by the # of axis and the length of the axis that intersect the crystal faces.” That’s how the notes start, and they only get murkier after that. However, one thing I can do is setting priorities when it comes to homework. I’m Chris and If you’d ask me six months ago whether I liked doing my homework, I’d answer something along the lines of ‘of course not â€" who does? ” Today, it’s me who does like doing all kinds of homework. After a few minutes, replies started coming in from parents along the lines of “Thank God, we thought we were the only ones,” “Our son has been up until 2am crying,” and so forth. Half the class’s parents responded that they thought too much homework was an issue. The teacher was unmoved, saying that she felt the homework load was reasonable. If Esmee was struggling with the work, then perhaps she should be moved to a remedial class. I suggested that parents’ meeting to discuss their children’s education was generally a positive thing; we merely chose to have our meeting in cyberspace instead of the school cafeteria. My daughter has the misfortune of living through a period of peak homework. This algebra unit, on polynomials, seems to be a matter of remembering a few tricks. Though I struggle with converting from standard notationâ€"for example, converting 0. My older daughter’s homework load this evening is just seven algebra equations, studying for a Humanities test on industrialization, and more Earth Science. I sneak in and grab her copy ofAngela’s Ashesand catch up on my reading, getting all the way to page 120. The hardship of too much homework pales in comparison with the McCourt family’s travails. Still, because we are sharing our copy ofAngela’s Ashes, I end up going to bed an hour after Esmee. When I ask Esmee what this actually means, she gives me her homework credo. It would be to be more confident about doing homework. I know the flow of homework never ends and if you don’t get it all under control, it becomes overwhelming very quickly. It often makes me feel like I’m getting so much work done at once. In reality, it’s definitely the worst strategy for doing homework! The textbook Esmee’s class is using is simply calledEarth Scienceand was written by Edward J. Tarbuck and Frederick K. Lutgens. “The termsynergisticapplies to the combined efforts of Tarbuck and Lutgens,” says the biographical note at the beginning. These questions are very easy, but they help me learn which homework I should prioritize in my schedule. I don’t write down everything during lectures and don’t use highlighters to make important parts of my notes. However, I’ve found out that I can only try multitasking and not actually do it, as the studies show. I learned that doing research is also a skill much too late. When I couldn’t find relevant sources, I got so frustrated that often bought academic articles online, getting way out of my budget. Organizing all the books, articles, and papers in folders by course and class helps keep track of all the information and never lose anything you might need later.

Development of the Family Melodrama Genre A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and A Raisin in the Sun - Literature Essay Samples

A melodrama is a film which appeals to the emotions of its audience, on a higher level than the simple â€Å"drama† genre. The characters of a melodrama are often stereotyped and exaggerated to indicate something about the culture of the times, making their traits illustrations of the writer’s thoughts on society. Both A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945) and A Raisin in the Sun (1961) are family melodramas of the classical and postclassical periods, respectively. There are three main elements which were altered, or rather developed, from 1945 to 1961 which change the qualities of the melodrama genre: historical context, conventions and icons. Therefore, while the general understanding of the genre remains the same, and while the themes within the two films are very similar, the elements change according to the attitudes of the times and the development of societal issues, or indeed their progressive nature. Before analysing and comparing the genre which links these two films, it is important to note the periods in which they were set and made, and the social constructions behind both their main themes and their characters’ actions. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn was made in 1945, the year in which the Second World War ended. However, the story is set between the years of 1900 and 1918, the last four of which would have occurred during the First World War. Bordwell and Thompson highlight features characteristic of classical Hollywood cinema. These include features such as the â€Å"narrative form†, direction of â€Å"focus† on central character, â€Å"a process of change†, motivations of a psychological nature, and finally â€Å"closure† (Bordwell and Thompson, 98). A Tree Grows in Booklyn clearly demonstrates all of these characteristics, as discussed later. A Raisin in the Sun was made sixteen years after A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, in 1965, when the classica l period had ended and the post classical period was coming to an end. The post-classical era began right after the Second World War and ended, in 1962. It was characterised by its experimental and transitional nature, as its position in the film-period time-line was the next step towards the Modernist Period. The change from classical to post-classical was a result of the progression in sophistication of both â€Å"creator and consumer† (Casper, Lecture) of the film, and the technologies used to create it. According to Casper with Edwards in Introduction to Film Reader, there were various types of experimentation that occurred within this period such as using â€Å"genre as a vehicle†, â€Å"nostalgia†, â€Å"topical accommodation†, amongst others (Casper with Edwards, 308). Due to the cultural differences of the times in which these films were made, it is no surprise that the ways in which the themes of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and A Raisin in the Sun are demonstrated, and the melodrama genre which they fall into, are seemingly different. In Reality Television, Melodrama, and the Great Recession, Susan Schuyler states that â€Å"melodrama fluidly adapt to changing public tastes, borrowing tropes and techniques from diverse dramatic genres† (Schuyler, 44 ). The phrase â€Å"fluidly adapted† supports the idea that melodramas focus on real issues, their characters caricatures of the men and women of the time in which they are based, a method of commenting on our ever-changing society through entertainment. The conflicts in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and A Raisin in the Sun lie in the aspirations of the main characters and money. The dreams that both Francie Nolan (Peggy Ann Garner) and Walter Lee Young (Sidney Poitier) have are simple dreams. However, the introduction of stronger narratives in the post-classical era changes the way in which the Family Melodrama genre is portrayed, as societal issues are enhanced through the presentations of the characters. Francie Nolan is a young girl who aspires to become a writer, and Walter Lee Young is a man who dreams of buying a house which he can be proud of. Both of these ambitions are relatable, and would be achievable if these two families did not live in poverty. However, the differences between the dreams can be explained by the cultural context which surrounds these two stories. Francie Nolan’s dream is one which must be achieved by hard work, and perseverance against all odds, such as her alcoholic father Johnny Nolan (James Dunn) w ho dies at the height of her motivation. Francie is not supported by her family until the very end of the film as her mother lies in bed and tells her that she regrets not reading her compositions: â€Å"I ain’t read any of your compositions. It’s on my conscience†, (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, 1945) Francie’s situation could have been applied to young people from any culture with a similar class background. In contrast, A Raisin in the Sun pushes the boundaries of the Family Melodrama genre by providing an alternate culture to the classic Hollywood family portrayal, by using an African American family. Thompson and Chappell argue that â€Å"In culturally influenced resources, the culture is not essential to the underlying message of the movie, but it has a unique effect on the message and viewers responses to it African American culture uniquely influences the messages conveyed† (Thompson and Chappell, 223). The dynamic of the dreams in A Raisin in the Sun is different to that in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn because Francie’s ambitions are more personal, while Walter struggles with his personal dreams and dreams of his family members, and the decisions which he must make for his succeeding generation. Because the Young family are African American, and are subject to prejudice and racism, the decision that Walter ultimately makes is tied in with the unity of the family against the white people who attempt to oppress them: â€Å"And we have decided to move into our house because my father – my father – he earned it for us brick by brick† (A Raisin in the Sun, 1961). In this way, the Family Melodrama genre progresses as a stronger narrative is introduced. A narrative is, according to Bordwell and Thompson, â€Å"a type of filmic organization in which the parts relate to one another through a series of causally related events taking place in time and space† (Bordwell and Thompson, G-4). A Tree Grows in Brooklyn has a clear storyline, a beginning, middle and end which all contribute to the Bildungsroman nature of its plot. However, the stronger narrative occurs in A Raisin in the Sun, as the Melodrama acquires its drama through events which are linked by the moral question of the house that Walter wants to move into. In this way, through the symbol of the house, A Raisin in the Sun comments more on society, and is less focused on t he individual characters, but instead uses them as a vehicle to enhance its melodramatic qualities. Conventional film form, techniques and patterns changed from the 1940s to the 1960s, as presented in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and A Raisin in the Sun. The classical era was one which is known for its studio system, which relied on big studios such as 20th Century Fox Studios for its shooting locations. As seen in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, the settings of the classical era Hollywood films were elaborate and costly. It is easy to see that this film was shot in a professional studio, due to the visible camera angles and lighting used in its scenes. For example, the shots of the staircase in many of the scenes would have needed mounted cameras in order to show the height of the space. This is indicative of the focus of family in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. The inclusion of the different floors and levels in the house helps to capture the focus on the Nolan family as a whole. The three point lighting used creates beautiful portraits of all the characters, highlighting the importance of indi vidual character development in the plot. In Behind the Silver Screen Series: Cinematography, Keating and Cagle argue that in the classical period, lighting was used to â€Å"primarily to suggest three-dimensionality, to differentiate stars, and to provide glamour† (Keating and Cagle, 40) Three point lighting includes back-light, fill light, and key light which shines directly on the subject to â€Å"to achieve the desired portraiture† (Keating and Cagle, 40). The surrounding lights allowed for the visual prioritisation of the most important subjects. Keating and Cagle argue that â€Å"Paired with an encouraging director and an appropriate script, cinematographers pushed the classical envelope and experimented with convention† (Keating and Cagle, 61). This progression and experimentation was driven by economic and social change. After the economic boom which occurred after World War II in the 1940s, â€Å"1947 initiated a sharp financial decline for the motion picture industry†, and â€Å"the studios slashed their overhead† (Keating and Cagle, 60). This lack of money is evident in the way that A Raisin in the Sun was filmed. The majority of the film occurs in the small apartment of the Young family, venturing away from this location occasionally for plot-related purposes. The more simple set of this film helps the audience to focus more on the historical and social context of its story. Without the elaborate settings, and the beautiful portraiture that is displayed in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, A Raisin in the Sun relies more heavily on the importance of the construction of society at the time in which it was set. According to Keating and Cagle, in the post-classical period, â€Å"cinematographers began to mix the visual markers of newsreel authenticity with different stylistic choices that also connoted realism, many of which deemphasized glamour†(Keating and Cagle, 65). This heightened sense of realism can be seen in A Raisin in the Sun as the simplified setting contributes to the realistic nature of the plot. It focuses on the truthful problem of racism in America in the 1950s, and the struggle of immigrants to progress in society, and their strive to challenge the seemingly insurmountable immobility of the class system. Because it does not concentrate as heavily on the development of the individual character, as done in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, A Raisin i n the Sun shows the development of the family melodrama genre as it becomes a â€Å"bourgeois tragedy, dependent upon an awareness of the existence of society† (Keith Grant, 73). The conflict that the Young family faces highlights their culture being introduced into Hollywood film, and the unified response of African Americans towards feelings of white supremacy. The decision Walter has to make between pride and money, involves his entire family. The Youngs appear to be a representation, and an inspirational symbol for African American families in 1950s America as Walter chooses to stand up against social normalities and oppression. In this way, the iconography of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and A Raisin in the Sun differ in that A Raisin in the Sun strives to create icons out of its characters, for the purpose of discussing the racism aforementioned, while the symbolism in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is less obvious, as it is more standardised and can be widely understood without the need for background historical knowledge. It is, as put by Judith E. Smith, â€Å"a plotless story, in the way that life itself never seems to offer much in the standard notions of plot† (Smith, 42). Family melodrama is an ever-evolving genre as it is subject to changes that occur within society. Therefore, the alterations to this genre are difficult to anticipate, but in the future are interesting to study with the advantage of historical hindsight. Cultural changes and societal issues manifest and present themselves in the comparison of films such as A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and A Raisin in the Sun. In the words of Barry Keith Grant, â€Å"The case of melodrama is significant because of its centrality and extreme adaptability in the history of cinema† (Keith Grant, 232).

Meholic Alcohol Case Study - 1611 Words

Alcohol Use Among Hispanic College Students Along the US/Mexico Border This study was created to observe and gather knowledge of the alcohol use among Hispanic college students along the US/Mexico border. It was successful with the help of two hundred and ninety-six participants. The hypotheses include, males tend to consume alcohol more often and in more quantity when compared to females. The methods the author used included the two hundred and ninety-six Hispanic college students who took place in this study. The college students would document their drinking behaviors over the time period of 30 days and also complete a measure of acculturation. The results of this study showed that fifty-nine percent of the college students consumed†¦show more content†¦The only questions or concerns I had towards the author’s method over this study, I believe there possibly should have been more participants in this study; a wide range of college student consumes alcohol weekly- I believe this could have made it a stronger study and thereby make the research more appealing and less room for any errors; â€Å"the margin of error percentage for a sample size of two hundred is 7.1% vs. if the sample study were to have been a size of 500 it goes down to a 4.5%† (Niles, 2006). Although, I do believe this was a good strategy of research and I do no think much error occurred, I would think a bigger sample size could be used for alcohol consumption among college students. Also maybe expanding it not just from the US/Mexico border; I think it would be interesting to make it more broad and in general study alcohol consumption among all college students- which would require a lot more work and research, but I think with the right technology and large amount of people working on a study like this it could easily be successful. It seems that college students are widely affected by the use of alcohol. This case study was definitely intriguing and was successfully managed with successful results; it is just my opinion that it would be cool to add on to this

One Flew Over The Cuckoo s Nest By Ken Kesey - 1873 Words

The novel I chose to read was entitled â€Å"One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest† written by Ken Kesey. First off, It is important to provide some of Ken Kesey’s background in order to better understand why he wrote it. After receiving his bachelor’s degree, Kesey ended up at Stanford in a creative writing program. He ended up volunteering in an experimental drug program where he was used to test the different effects of the drugs at the Local Veterans Administration hospital. This was where he began to experiment with LCSD. During his experimental time, He ended up taking a job as an orderly in the mental institution where he got to witness how the mentally ill were treated by the staff and how the facility was run. He couldn t have written a†¦show more content†¦By standing up for themselves and leaving, Nurse Ratched’s authoritarianism has been overthrown and she is left with a limited amount of power. The narrating character is Chief Bromd en. Kesey describes him as being a tall Native American who is known as â€Å"Chief Broom† ( p. 3) to the orderlies who make him sweep the floors. He has been in the Institution for ten years. According to Kesey in his book, both the patients and staff refer to him as â€Å"deaf and dumb†(Page 3) because he hasn’t spoken so therefore, they assume he is deaf. Kesey describes how the Chief is treated by the orderlies by saying, â€Å"The least black boy and one of the bigger ones catch me before I get ten steps out of the mop closet, and drag me back to the shaving room. I don’t fight or make any noise† (1962, p. 6). However, unbeknownst to anyone, the Chief can hear and speak, but between being heavily medicated and bullied as the time, he is left feeling fearful as well as unsteady. He thinks that if he remains silent, then no one will bother him and he can just hide in the shadows where he will not be in the spotlight. Right in the beginning of th e book as Nurse Ratched enters the ward, Kesey describes Chief Bromden’s reaction by saying, â€Å"She slides through the door with a gust of cold and locks the door behind her and I see her fingers trail across the polished steel - tip of each finger the same color as her lips.Show MoreRelatedOne Flew Over The Cuckoo s Nest By Ken Kesey1534 Words   |  7 PagesThe portrayal of women and minorities in the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey, shows readers the opinions of a majority of the population during the 1960s in which women in power were ridiculed. The book’s antagonist Nurse Ratched is presented as machine-like, and robotic. This shows how author Ken Kesey dehumanizes women who are in power, and decides to take away all their feminine qualities when they are in power because to Kesey it simply doesn t make sense that a female can beRead MoreOne Flew Over The Cuckoo s Nest By Ken Kesey1925 Words   |  8 PagesPatient: Bromden, Chief For many years in modern history, what occurred in mental institutions were not well known and discussed about widely. One book that actually brought the reality of what happens inside mental institutions to public attention was the book entitled â€Å"One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest† written by Ken Kesey. The book shows the lives of the people residing in an Oregon mental asylum through the perspective of the patient named Chief Bromden. In the book, it isn’t stated exactly whatRead MoreOne Flew Over The Cuckoo s Nest By Ken Kesey1860 Words   |  8 PagesThe book titled, â€Å"One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest† written by Ken Kesey is what I chose to read and evaluate. Before I go any further, it is important to share some of Kesey’s background in order to better understand why he wrote this book. After receiving his bachelor’s degree, Kesey ended up at Stanford University in a creative writing program. During his time at Stanford, he volunteered himself to be in an experimental drug program where he was used to test the different effects of the drugs atRead MoreOne Flew Over The Cuckoo s Nest By Ken Kesey1332 Words   |  6 Pagesboth a bully or that one individual that we simply didn t need to be around or even anybody they knew. Additionally, every person has had that one character they favored, for sticking up for themselves and declaring what they wanted, even though it intended sure punishment. In One Flew Over the Cuckoo s Nest by author Ken Kesey, these attributes stick out in the story. A dialogue of the setting, theme, and character situations into the story will help one capture how ones’ feelings fall into lineRead MoreKen Kesey s One Flew Over The Cuckoo s Nest1629 Words   |  7 Pages1962, Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest is a timeless classic. This novel has been subject to analysis through many different literary lenses: feminist, Marxist, and of course, psychoa nalytic. One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest provides a plethora of evidence when it comes to using the psychoanalytic lens. The lens in question deals with the teaching of Sigmund Freud. When reading this novel, the audience sees quite clearly that the world of psychology plays an impactful role in One Flew OverRead MoreOne Flew Over The Cuckoo s Nest By Ken Kesey1579 Words   |  7 PagesIn the book One Flew Over the Cuckoo s Nest by Ken Kesey we are taken into the mind of a mental hospital patient who does not seem to cope well with reality. The whole book itself, revolves around the issue of either being sane or not. We are met with the thought of whether the narrator themselves are sane. But when it comes to our world today, we must ask ourselves how can we define someone as insane or sane? If if we can, who should be in charge of saying that they are? The first character thatRead MoreKen Kesey s One Flew Over The Cuckoo s Nest1716 Words   |  7 PagesThe Geese in the Wolf’s Nest â€Å"The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.† (Orwell). Although animals might only look like animals, they are symbols of deeper meanings. Throughout the fiction novel One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, by Ken Kesey, many symbols/motifs are presented in the form of animals that represent characters. These animals give meaning to the story and illuminate the plot by givingRead MoreAnalysis Of One Flew Over The Cuckoo s Nest By Ken Kesey1622 Words   |  7 Pagesor someone. Leadership on the other hand, may be a tool used to overcome authority which is depicted when McMurphy is admitted into the ward and effectively changes the patient’s lives for the better. Throughout the novel, One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, written by Ken Kesey, McMurphy’s leadership dominates Nurse Ratched’s authority due to his success in transforming the patie nts into better people from the second of his arrival and giving them the option to live a better life. McMurphy, a gamblerRead MoreOne Flew Over The Cuckoo s Nest By Ken Kesey1625 Words   |  7 PagesWorks of literature innately embody the author’s ideology and the historical context of the given time period. Within the novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, by Ken Kesey, the author furthers his ideals against the issue of oppression as he attempts to take stabs against its deteriorating effects and support those who rebel. Set in the microcosm of a small mental hospital, he establishes man’s external struggle to overcome tyranny. At the head of the head of the ward is the corrupted characterRead MoreAnalysis Of Ken Kesey s One Flew Over The Cuckoo s Nest2637 Words   |  11 Pages The Author and His/Her Times: Ken Kesey was born on September 17, 1935 and died on November 10, 2011 at age 66. Kesey was once arrested for possession of marijuana and a â€Å"faked suicide† and was put into prison for five years. He also had a lot of experimentation with psy choactive drugs, which could spark his interest in the human mind, which has a lot of influence on the novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. The novel was put on The Times list of To honor Kesey after his death, there is a film

Robbers Cave Experiment free essay sample

Through the experiments exercised you will see he outcome of different variables added to covey the studies purpose. Theory Experiment The Robbers Cave experiment focused on a group Of boys, how the groups are formed, and the hierarchies created within the group. Robbers cave also focused on what happens when the group comes into contact with other groups. The experiment added competition within in the group to discover a level of hierarchies in the group. Also the group conveyed a level of comradely within the group.The experiment divided the boys into 2 groups, in the beginning neither group knew the other group existed. The theory introduced the ideal of how groups deal with integration of another group with common goals. The Len- group formation phase was used for the group to begin the bonding stage. The bonding between the boys help create an interrelation to one another. The group was also asked to label their group. We will write a custom essay sample on Robbers Cave Experiment or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Labeling helped the boys create an identity to help identify themselves with the group. The second phase is described as the Friction phase, at this point each group was able to acknowledge each group existed.During this time each group would engage in a series of competition that created a friction. There were prizes given to the group with the highest scores. This also led to the hierarchies between the groups. The competition lasted for several days to build up a degree of frustration amongst the two groups. Due to the friction caused by the competitive sports this created the antagonizing atmosphere between the two groups. (Green) Entering into the third phase of the study the boys were all taken to a common area they would share together.The 3rd phase Integration was designed to create cooperation amongst the two groups Green). There was a series of scenarios designed for the groups to accomplish together. The first experiment was for the group to figure out a way to fix the water supply problem that was vandalized. The group together was able to fix the problem. This also helped create interdependence on each other as a whole. The second experiment was for the boys to agree on a movie that they would watch during dinner. The boys were able to decide on a movie and were able to eat in the same common area.The theory was able to explain the concept of what will happen between groups when certain rabbles take place. It also was able to show that when things of common interest are at the fore front of issues that can affect all parties, they were able to come to a solution. The Robbers cave also exposed the simplicity of how groups interact within a group and when another is introduced. This is similar to the way cultures engage with one another. Looking at real life situations Robbers Cave can be used as a platform for understanding group relations towards each other. Using the example of a practicing therapist, who is leading a group of high school teenagers during a group therapy session. Robbers cave can be used for the therapist to see how groups can are formed within a group. The leading example would be some of the groups members are teasing a few of the other group members because of their social economic back grounds. The therapist would begin to identify the variable that divides the group. Although Robbers cave participants came from similar back grounds, the group of teenagers also has similar attributes.Therefore I believe it would be up to the therapist to identify what would cause this group to progress by introducing topics that are neutral in order or the teens to develop relationships. Culture diversity represents the Robbers Cave well. When dealing with a foreigner coming to the Ignited States, I believe that you can apply the Robbers cave theory. By understanding the level of competitiveness within American and the hierarchy created from financial capital. The recent job market revealed a level of racism amongst the groups in America. For example White America was saying that the Hispanics are taking their jobs.This was not deployed until the economic crisis was introduced. The common goal would be to create an equal playing filed for each group to be working for a common goal. By placing each group in a setting were they forced to have to depend on one another will hopefully open up the dialogue, about how to create jobs for all people ii groups. Conclusion The Robbers Cave theory applies to many scenarios society faces today. The observations made from the Robbers Cave gave insight on how groups are formed and the hierarchy created within the in group.

The Conflict In The Former Portuguese Southeast Asian Colony Of East T

The conflict in the former Portuguese Southeast Asian colony of East Timor, illegally invaded and annexed by Indonesia in September 1975, continues to fester away. Indonesia's suppression of legitimate East Timorese aspirations for respect of their human rights, including the right of self-determination, has been a cause for continued international tensions. The death toll in East Timor is approximately 250,000. The size of the death toll, combined with Indonesian policies that seem to be explicitly aimed at lowering and diluting the Timorese population have led to accusations stating that this is intentional genocide by the Indonesian regime. The Indonesian military has established an intense and pervasive presence in East Timor. Weapons have been supplied to the military by many countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. The government of Singapore supports the removal of such weapons as fighter planes, bombers, missiles, helicopters, light tanks, armored personnel carriers, armored water cannons, Bailey bridges, Land Rovers, frigates, patrol boats, naval guns and firing systems. Such actions as reductions to the Indonesian Military Education and Training (IMET) program, an embargo on the sale of light weapons to Indonesia, and a suspension on the sale of certain types of heavy weapons is also supported. The government of Singapore is giving their full support toward removing troops from East Timor. Not only will this cease the violence, it will also allow the process of self-determination to begin. In December of 1975 and April of 1976, the Security Council of the United Nations passed resolutions which demanded that "the Government of Indonesia withdraw all of its forces from the territory." Although all United Nations members are bound to abide by Security Council resolutions, Indonesia has been in defiance of this rule for over twenty years. The government of Singapore is showing a willingness to work with the international community towards removing these troops. Singapore fully believes that peace can not be solely established in East Timor with just the removal of the Indonesian military, but through the process of removing all weapons, and with the reductions of such programs as the IMET. The Situation in Afghanistan Singapore, as much of the global community, is concerned with the current crisis in Afghanistan. In August of 1998, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1193, which called for an immediate cease-fire, peace talks, elimination of aid, and the immediate release of any diplomats held by the Taliban. This Resolution has been refused by the Taliban to this date. Because of the many humanitarian issues involved, Singapore, as upholders of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Religious Intolerance, believe that the Taliban's restrictions are a direct violation of many basic human rights, such as freedom of religion. In addition, more economic and humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan is strongly recommended by the Republic of Singapore who encourages all members to support joint resolutions advocating such actions. As the Taliban's actions threaten to lead the war between Afghanistan and Iran, Singapore calls upon the Taliban government to answer all of Iran's complaints honestly and to negotiate a settlement without preconditions to prevent further problems in the future. The Kosovo Crisis The government of Singapore is severely concerned with the violent actions which are taking place in Kosovo. On February 28, 1998, Serbian special police launched a brutal attack against the Albanians. From that day on, several massacres of innocent civilians have been committed. Singapore supports the peace talks taking place in France, which give the international community an historic opportunity to create peace in Kosovo that provides the basis for long-term stability in the region. The government of Singapore will show a willingness to work within the international community to create a resolution in order to gain and retain peace. The government of Singapore also believes that all Serbian forces should be removed from Kosovo. Removal of the forces will dramatically improve the security situation for international peace-keepers assigned there by removing the target of KLA attacks. The removal will also create an atmosphere of security in which the population of Kosovo can end its reliance on armed resistance. In exchange for the removal of Serb forces, Singapore also believes that the Kosovar Albanians must provide a

Early Roman Architecture essays

Early Roman Architecture essays The Romans gained much of their engineering skill from the Etruscans and drew on Etruscan and Asian models for the semicircular arch. From them, the Romans learned the use of the keystone arch, which enabled them to build extremely strong and durable structures. Many of these engineering and architectural projects are still standing. Some are still in use after two thousand years like this bridge in Spain. Early Roman architects were influenced by Greek post-and-lintel construction. But the Greek design was limited in its capabilities to span large distances and being able to bear heavy loads while not falling down of its own weight. Post and lintel construction comprises a flat piece of stone bridging a space between two upright supports. Post and lintel supports have a flaw. When a heavy weight is placed on the middle of the span too much stress may be put on the stone and it can break in the middle. The Romans solved this problem by using a type of construction called voussoir arch with keystone. The engineering principle of the arch is quite simple. The circle is the strongest structural shape. The arch is just half of this perfect form. To create a voussoir arch, tapered stone blocks were cut then arranged like the diagram at the right. It was then stood up on its ends. The ends rested on piers made of stone blocks or bricks mortared together with pozzolana cement in the typical Roman arch bridge. The cement was named after a local mountain that the ingredients of the cement came from. The weight of the stone and concrete of the bridge itself compressed the tapered stones together, making the arch an extremely strong structure. During construction, the voussoir's were supported by a temporary wooden frame until the keystone was inserted. The Roman invention of the arch allowed architects to build larger structures than ever before. The extension of the arch idea lead t ...