Learning Journal Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Learning Journal - Assignment Example Being a foreigner from Saudi Arabia, I spent a considerable amount of time trying to adapt to the new environment both academically and socially. Despite all these challenges, I managed to come through and the reflective journal presented me with an opportunity to take account of the events that shaped my first one year in the university as a master’s student. It provided me with an opportunity to note down my history so that I could learn from it as it is normally said that if you do not learn from your history, it repeats itself. It was the tips that made me recognize the value of learning journal that it is a means to keep tract of one’s academic progress. It presents one with a chance to maintain course, change course or start all over again with respect to learning. I realized how I could be able to reject habits that did not contribute towards y academic and constructive social objectives. Orientation week: brief overview of the key events My life in the universit y in Canada started on a rather low note because I had neither friend nor a relative in the country. The process of making up new friends with diverse cultural background was a daunting task. The orientation process was conducted successfully but personally, I did not gain much because everything was new and strange. However, it was conducted normally and we were taken through the entire institution’s infrastructure, learning resources, recreational facilities, services, programs and other important details. I think the process of orientation should have been more at least two weeks because for foreign students like me, one week was not enough to start the life around a mix of native and foreign students from all over the globe. In fact, not to me alone, the first few weeks of learning is awfully strange because people are not very free with each other. Almost all students share very little for nearly the entire semester. Learning process is also very slow because students sp end time trying to reach out for each other and to accommodate each other’s cultural background (Michael, 2010, pp. 97-123). After a week of orientation, the class sessions begin almost immediately. A number of students still found difficulty in finding their way around in the institution because of slow mastery of the new environment. I did get lost on several occasions and being reserved, it was difficult to even ask. Apart from student’s life, the most affected of all is the learning process that picked up very slowly because of the mix of diverse cultural background, fear, shyness and new order of process (Heike & Helen, 2013, pp. 17-30). Foreign students such as me are affected the most because native students easily understand every process and entire institution. However, I must say I benefitted a lot from interactive forums that were organized to try to break the uneasiness among the students and to start normal socialization process that makes the society of t he institution lively. These forums fostered understanding and opened up students to try to get to each other and regard one another naturally. Learning process begun when these forums were initiated but, according to me, the learning process begun after these forums. Training on leadership The sweet dream of pursuing master’s degree in business in Canada was first marred by social challenges that I came to

Hamlet And The Theories Of Tragedy

Hamlet And The Theories Of Tragedy Shakespeares Hamlet includes various theories and elements of tragedy, of which two will be discussed in this essay. Shakespeare addresses Aristotles theory of tragedy, but he challenges the theory in many aspects through setting, plot, and character. Shakespeare seems to heavily incorporate the wheel of fortune theory of tragedy, mostly through the character Hamlet. Aristotle, who is concerned with formal presentation of tragic plays, defines tragedy as: a representation of an action that is worth serious attention, complete in itself, and of some amplitude; in language enriched by a variety of artistic devices appropriate to the several parts of the play; presented in the form of action, not narration; by means of pity and fear bringing about the purgation of such emotion. (Aristotle 38 9) Shakespeare employs character and plot in order to create an atmosphere that is unsettling and dark, which instead of conjuring fear and pity instead sets up an atmosphere rank with revenge. In this way, Hamlet does not follow Aristotles definition of tragedy. Another of the ways Aristotle characterizes tragedy is through The noble actions and the doings of noble persons (Aristotle 35). According to Aristotle, Hamlet should be a noble person committing noble actions. This is best represented in the scene where Hamlet refuses to kill Claudius during prayer. T his becomes the turning point for Hamlet, where he truly becomes an ignoble person, saying he wants Claudius Soul may be damned and black/ As hell, whereto it goes. Hamlet truly wants Claudius to suffer in the worst possible manner, and in doing so Hamlet falls from nobility. Aristotle also believed heroes are First and foremost good (Aristotle 51). Hamlet does contemplate good and evil frequently, but ultimately Hamlet fall from the path of goodness. Fortinbras may have been the kind of hero Aristotle characterizes, but Fortinbras is not a tragic character. The plot events with which Aristotle disagrees give meaning to Hamlets theme. Shakespeare intentionally portrays many characters unheroic. For example, Hamlet does not treat Ophelia well, but at the same time Ophelias unwavering loyalty to her father causes her to treat Hamlet badly. Both characters invoke disgust from the reader from their ignoble actions. The only characters who act somewhat heroic are Horatio and Fortinbras. Interestingly, these are the only two characters who survive, so Shakespeare may be making some kind of commentary on Aristotles tragic hero. Another theory of tragedy has to do with the wheel of fortune. This kind of Tragedy was perceived as a reversal of fortune, a fall from a high position. This view of tragedy derives from the Medieval concept of fortune, which was personified as Dame Fortune, a blindfolded woman who turned a wheel at whim; men were stationed at various places on the wheelthe top of the wheel represented the best fortune, being under the wheel the worst fortune. However, the wheel could turn suddenly and the man on top could suddenly be under the wheel, without warning. (Landmarks of Literature) There are many instances where Shakespeare incorporates these elements of tragedy into Hamlet. At the beginning of the play, Horatio cries out to the Ghost, Speak to me: If thou art privy to thy countrys fate, / Which, happily, foreknowing may avoid, / O, speak! Horatios outburst suggests that fate isnt inevitable, but earlier Horatio indicates that the Ghost is a bad omen, just like in Rome before the mightiest Julius fell and the graves stood tenantless and the sheeted dead/ Did squeak and gibber in the Roman streets. Horatios conception of fate embodies the fate of the the entire country, not the individual. In response to a comment about how mens faults can ruin reputations, Hamlet responds by saying, Carrying, I say, the stamp of one defect/ Being natures livery or fortunes star/ Their virtues else- be they pure as grace/ As infinite as man may undergo/ Shall in the general censure take corruption/ From that particular fault. Hamlet establishes his view of fate and bad character with this claim; he thinks you are either born with bad qualities or you acquire them through the environment (through no device of your own), but its not something that a person is in control of; rather it is something that simply happens to a person, and there is no way to avoid it. Later in this scene Hamlet exclaims, My fate cries out, / And makes each petty artery in this body / As hardy as the Nemean lions nerve. Hamlet believes it is his fate to follow the ghost, and because it is his fate he is given the strength and vigor with which to do it. Hamlet asks Rosencrantz and Guildenstern how they are, and Guildenstern answers, Happy, in that we are not over-happy, on fortunes cap we are not the very button. This is a joke that implies that Guildenstern and Rosencrantz live in Fortunes privates; This joke implies that Fortune is a whore. Later in the same scene, the idea that Fortune is a whore comes up again in a more serious tone. During a play, Hamlet asks the First Player to recite the piece of the death of Priam. Afterwards, the player comments: Out, out, thou strumpet, Fortune! All you gods, In general synod take away her power; Break all the spokes and fellies from her wheel, And bowl the round nave down the hill of heaven, As low as to the fiends! (2.2.493-497) The player is asking the gods to break Fortunes wheel and roll her down to hell. The idea is that our destinies are merely random, when people try to climb on top of the wheel it may simply move and the person on top becomes the one being crushed by the wheel. The First Players speech calls for a fate ruled by something other than Fortune. Hamlets third soliloquy suggests that fortune is simply out to hurt you and questioning whether it is even worth it to challenge the wheel of fortune: To be, or not to be: that is the question: / Whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer / The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, / Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, / And by opposing end them? Before the play The Murder of Gonzago, Hamlet stands alone with Horatio and commends him as A man that Fortunes buffets and rewards / Hast taen with equal thanks. Hamlet goes on to praise Horatio for not becoming a pipe for Fortunes finger to play; Hamlet appears envious of Horatio, praising him for a quality that Hamlet himself lacks. Hamlet sees himself as passions slave, a person who cannot maintain a stable identity or sense of self. In The Murder of Gonzago the Player King tells his wife that he hopes when he dies she will find a good man and remarry. The wife promises vehemently she will not find another husband after his death, to which the king responds: This world is not for aye, nor tis not strange / That even our loves should with our fortunes change. The king points out that a man who has been favored by fortune could just as easily lose his fortune, and with it his friends, money, wife, etc. The king doesnt address it as though it is something to be deplored, but simply the way of life and something that needs to be accepted, because Our wills and fates do so contrary run / That our devices still are overthrown; / Our thoughts are ours, their ends none of our own. In the end, the king is right, and the wife quickly remarries after the kings death. After Polonius has been stabbed, Hamlet says to the body, take thy fortune; / Thou findst to be too busy is some danger. Hamlet believes Polonius fortune was not simply bad luck; Hamlet believes Polonius brought his own bad luck upon himself and had earned his own death. Later in the same scene, Hamlet says, For this same lord, / I do repent: but heaven hath pleased it so, / To punish me with this and this with me, / That I must be their scourge and minister. According to this view of things, Polonius death is not an accident at all, but part of a divine plan. In the last scene of the play, Hamlet writes to Horatio about how he found his own death warrant. Hamlet said he was sneaking around and told Horatio, let us know, / Our indiscretion sometimes serves us well, / When our deep plots do pall: and that should teach us / Theres a divinity that shapes our ends, / Rough-hew them how we will. Hamlet suggests that even though something may look random it could be part of a plan that will turn out for the better. Then, later, Hamlet repeats the concept; Horatio asks how Hamlet could have possibly sealed a new warrant with the kings seal. Hamlet replies, Why, even in that was heaven ordinant and explains that Hamlet had his fathers signet by chance and used it to make the seal. Even later in the scene, right before the final fencing duel, Hamlet says that everything is ill in his heart. He doesnt hint that this feeling is prophetic of his own death in any way, but when Horatio offers to call off the fencing match, Hamlet speaks as though he kno ws hes about to die: Not a whit, we defy augury: theres a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come: the readiness is all: since no man has aught of what he leaves, what ist to leave betimes? Let be. In another view of this revenge tragedy, Hamlet is the player of a Senecan tragedy. He is involved in a sensational murder scene, commanded by a Senecan ghost desiring revenge, and after hampered by court intrigue, resorts to feigned madness. Since apparitions are known to tell half-truths to deceive people, Hamlet is given instruction without a resolute plan. For majority of the play, he acts with passion and indecision and he proceeds with the ghosts wishes as his adversary allows. And, for the most part, only Claudius, Hamlet, and Horatio know the action of revenge. (Landmarks of Literature) Word Count: 1837

Should Racist Speech Enjoy Protection under the First Amendment?

Persuasive Speech - Should Racist Speech Enjoy Protection under the First Amendment? Prejudice and racial stereotyping are two of this country's greatest problems today. Many people in our society have tried to find ways to eliminate or at least limit these types of behavior, but have met with very limited, if any, success. Because of the complex nature of racism and racist acts, coupled with the fact the first amendment prohibits the government from limiting the publics' right to free expression and speech, the Federal government has been ineffective in eliminating racist actions that pervade our society. State governments and institutions have attempted to set up their own laws condemning such actions, but have been wholly unsuccessful. Some of those waging a war on racism have established anti-discrimination policies, and have had these policies challenged as a result. Central Michigan University, for example, had instituted a discriminatory harassment policy, only to have it shot down by the Supreme Court in 1995 on grounds that the policy "necessarily requires [the] university to assess racial or ethnic content of speech." Since Central Michigan University is a State school, the First Amendment prohibits it from enacting regulations that would limit an individual's right to free speech unless the regulations, according to a 1986 ruling by the Supreme Court, are "narrowly and precisely designed." As you can imagine, precisely tailoring any statute in order to prohibit racist speech is nearly impossible - and as many other speakers have already said, banning the current racial slurs will only create new ones. Additionally, an outright ban on racist speech and ideas could likely lead to a higher level of violence in our society. A number of other supreme court rulings have come out in favor of protecting all speech, including racist speech, such as: A 1941 ruling on the case of Sullens v State, stating that the "Freedom of speech includes freedom to speak unwisdom or even heresy." A 1949 ruling on the case of Terminillo v Chicago, stating that "Attacks on racial and religious groups are protected by right of free speech in absence of showing of serious substantive evil that rises far above public inconvenience, annoyance, or unrest†¦" A 1952 ruling on the case of Joseph Burstyn, Inc. v Wilson, stating that: ... ...ks and racial slurs in the workplace, we can somewhat satisfy those who clamor for an outright ban on racism. By not allowing this type of speech to be criminalized, we stand by our First Amendment rights and continue to allow freedom of expression. By offering each side this compromised solution we can not only help to phase racism out of our society, but also protect our unalienable rights. The Freedom to speak one's mind is one of this country's citizens' most venerably held rights, and any discussion which deals with government imposed limitations on this right should not be taken lightly. Completely banning speech that is deemed by some to be racist only serves to bury the problem of racism itself, and is not an acceptable solution. Thus, the First Amendment should continue to protect racial slurs as well as all other speech in order to preserve and ensure the freedoms we have today. In conclusion, I'd like to quote one last ruling from the 8th circuit Federal court from 1946: "[The] First Amendment is intended to assure privilege that in itself must be so actual and certain that fear and doubt are absent from [an] individual's mind, or freedom is but abstraction."

Marijuana Prohibition Canada

The Controlled Substances Act (Marijuana Prohibition) CLN-4U Unit One Essay Cailey Bazik CLN 4U – Unit One Essay Controlled Substances Act Marijuana Prohibition The Controlled substance act pertaining to Marijuana has been a long on going battle as to whether marijuana should be legal in Canada and taken out of this act. The law behind the drug has a long history and many failed attempts at decriminalization. There are both positive and negative effects to this law, but I believe the positive effects weigh out the negative and that because of this marijuana will be legal in the near future.The Marijuana laws in Canada today are unresolved, as superior courts have ruled all cannabis laws to be of â€Å"no force or effect†. Although the federal level of courts have made this ruling it has not caused any changes to other Canadian jurisdictions, the Criminal Code or the Controlled Substances Act. (â€Å"Legal History of Cannabis in Canada) The Controlled Drugs and Substanc es Act was passed in 1996 by the government under Prime Minister John Cretien. It is Canada’s federal drug control statue. This act outlines penalties for possession, trafficking and production of the substances established as illegal, including Marijuana. â€Å"Controlled Drugs and Substances Act) Canadian laws pertaining to drugs began in 1908 with the opium act, which was replaced by the opium and narcotic drug act in 1920. Marijuana however was not added to the confidential restricted list until 1923. (â€Å"Legal History of Cannabis in Canada†) Marijuana and the laws surrounding the issue only started to receive attention in the 1930’s and even then it was very minimal. It wasn’t until the 1960’s where problems arose with the law. At this time the maximum penalty for possession of small amounts of cannabis was 6 months n prison and a $1000 fine. A government injury was commissioned and public hearings were held to analyze the law over a perio d of three years. A report on the findings of this inquiry was published in 1972. The â€Å"La Dain Commission† suggested that penalties for can ibis possession be abolished, but to not legalize the substance. Of course this proposal was denied, along with other potential law reforms over the years. (â€Å"here to help†) In Recent Years the fight for the decriminalization of Marijuana has been more persistent.Research showed that Marijuana for medical use could help a number of ailments and disieses. Medical Marijuana in Canada was made legal in 2001 for things such as HIV, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord disease and injury, anorexia severe pain, seizures and persistent muscle spasms. (â€Å"Legal History of Cannabis in Canada†) Along with the boost in medical use came a boost in personal use. According to a report from the United Nations Canada is the highest in marijuana use in the industrialized world and more than four times the global rate. â€Å"Can adian Pot Use Four Time Global Rate†) In May 2002 Chretien introduced a bill to decriminalize marijuana for personal use. This bill was denied mainly because of pressure from the U. S and a threat to slow down border crossing between the two countries. Paul Martin in 2004 tried to pass an almost identical bill, which was also rejected. (â€Å"Legal History of Cannabis in Canada†) It was in 2007 when Justice Minister Rob Nicholson and the conservative minority government introduced Bill C-26, which presented mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenders (â€Å"Controlled Drugs and Substances Act†).A recent poll released by Toronto’s Forum Research showed that majority of Canadians support relaxing marijuana laws. In fact it showed that 65 % of Canadians support either the decriminalization in small amounts or legalization and taxation of the substance. (Ballingall) Unfortunately with the new mandatory minimum sentences it seems our laws do not reflect soci eties views. (Wood, Antweiler) Although it seems Canadians and Americans are in favour of decriminalizing Marijuana it is important to understand the reason these laws are there in the first place.Marijuana is harmful to ones health and to youth. The president of the Canadian Police Association believes Canadians are trying to decriminalize marijuana prematurely. He says supporters of change are overlooking the risks. â€Å"We don’t have the tools and the training available to us now to ensure that people aren’t driving cars, for example, or operating machinery, while they’re impaired by Marijuana† he said. â€Å" There are all kinds of implications that I don’t think people are considering carefully enough†¦ Its still a harmful substance ultimately† (Ballingall)That being said there are many negative effects to having the prohibition of Marijuana in place. The Union of B. C municipalities passed a resolution summoning research be done looking into the legalization of marijuana. They came to the conclusion that the prohibition has been ineffective in deterring youth use, and production of the plant. (Wood, Antweiler) It seems that other measures need to be taken in order to ensure the youth of Canada don’t use drugs recreationally, and criminalizing marijuana has little effect. Researchers from the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser’s university have estimated B.C’s marijuana market would be worth more than $500 million annually. Unfortunately most of the revenue goes to criminal organizations. (Wood, Antweiler) This number is based on one province alone, think of how much this number would go up if the whole country were involved in their research. The profiting of criminal organizations in turn causes more violence, guns and other illegal activity in the country. If Canada were to legalize and tax cannabis the government would then receive all the profits, this money could fund government programs such as health care, social assistance and education.It would also significantly decrease criminal activity, and save money in courts and jails. One of the main reasons in the past for the prohibition on marijuana was the negative response from the U. S, however there are now 12 states that have decriminalized Marijuana (Wood, Antweiler) meaning there is less pressure from our bordering Country. This and the obvious preference of legalization from Canadian citizens means it is only a matter of time before marijuana is officially decriminalized, taken out of the Controlled Drugs Act, the criminal code and consistent laws in all Canadian jurisdictions.This I believe will come first, and potentially government controlled sales and taxation shortly after. It would be insane for the government to not take seize the opportunity to bring in so much revenue for the country. It seems as though the prolonged struggle to legalize marijuana still needs time and The Controlle d Substances Act will remain as it is for a while longer. Although there are potentially many positive effects to decriminalization and controlled sales for taxation It is clear Canada still need the time to prepare to ensure it is done safety, effectively and not detrimental to youth.Canadians may be ready for a change and the government will eventually have to surrender, regardless of minor health issues cannabis causes. Bibliography 1. ) Ballingall, Alex. â€Å"Canada. † Thestar. com. The Toronto Star, 20 Nov. 2012. Web. 21 Feb. 2013. . 2. ) â€Å"Canadian Pot Use Four times Global Rate. † Canadian Pot Use Four times Global Rate. N. p. , 10 July 2007. Web. 21 Feb. 2013. . . ) â€Å"Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. † Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 02 Oct. 2013. Web. 21 Feb. 2013. . 4. ) Hathaway, Andrew. â€Å"Legal History and Cultural Experience of Cannabis. † Www. heretohelp. ba. ca. N. p. , 2009. Web. 21 Feb. 2013. . 5. ) â€Å"Legal History of Cannabis in Canada. † Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 02 Apr. 2013. Web. 21 Feb. 2013.

Sample Research Chapter

Background of the study Seafaring Is one of the most common profession in the Philippines. Working contractually for a number of months away from their love ones and experiencing the challenges of the corners for several days without seeing any landmarks are their sacrifices for monetary purposes. As a result, seafarers are prone to depression and anxiety. These cases are avoidable yet if not prevented and given much attention It might Jeopardize the safety of the crew working on board the vessel.Depression is a psychiatric disorder characterized by an inability to concentrate, insomnia, loss of appetite, feelings of extreme sadness, guilt, helplessness and hopelessness, and thoughts of death (http://www. Differentially. Com/depression). According to Jeanne Seal, Ph. D et. Al Lully 2013), a depressed person feels helpless and hopeless, loss of interest in daily activities, easily irritated, physically drained, concentration problems and in serious cases, may act recklessly.These acts will jeopardized the safety of other crew, the ship and the environment. Thus, this state should be cured and prevented. The Olio's Maritime Labor Convention (ML), 2006 provides comprehensive rights 1 OFF and protection at work tort the world's more than 1. 2 million starters. Convention aims to achieve both decent work for seafarers and secure economic interests in fair competition for quality ship-owners (http://www. Oil. Org/global/ standards/maritime-labor-convention/Lang–en/index. Tm). It has also a specific regulation regarding recreational facilities, Mail and Ship Visit Arrangement which will help lessen the effects of depression. This research study aims to determine the compliance of passenger ships berthing in port of Lillo on ML 2006 , Guideline 83. 1. 11 which is all about Recreational Facilities, Mail and Ship visit arrangement which will help to avoid mental and emotional stress and to build a safe operation on board.Statement of the Problem This study aims to determine the compliance of selected passenger ships berthing in Lillo Domestic Port on ML 2006 Guideline, 83. 1. 11 (Recreational Facilities, mail and ship visit arrangement) Specifically, this study sought to answer the following question: 1) What is the percentage of compliance of the selected passenger ships berthing and ship visit arrangement)? 2) What is the percentage, from the selected Passenger ships, which fully comply on ML 2006 Guideline, 83. . 11 (Recreational Facilities, mail and ship visit arrangement) Significance of the Study The study aimed to determine the compliance of passenger ships berthing on Lillo Domestic Port as per ML Guidelines 83. 1. 11( Recreational Facilities, Mail and Ship Visit Arrangement). The result of the study would be beneficial to the following passenger ships. Through this study, they would be aware to comply with the Maritime Labor Convention 2006 requirement.The companies would be aware of the needed requirement for their ships with regar ds to the recreational, facilities, mail and ship visit arrangement as per the Maritime Labor Convention Standard. This would give them the assurance that the living of seafarers on board utilizing the recreational facilities equipped on board are as per the standard. Definition of Terms Compliance- is the act or process of complying to a desire, demand, proposal, or regimen or to coercion. In this study, it refers to the compliance on ML 2006 Guidelines 83. . 11 (Recreational facilities, visit and ship visit arrangement) Passenger Ship – is a merchant ship whose primary function is to carry passenger, In this study, it refers to the selected watercraft's carrying passengers with 500 gross tonnage and above.