Week 3 exercises Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Week 3 exercises - Essay Example A long term liability is one that has to be repaid in more than 1 year. These include bonds, long term loans, debentures and other similar long term debts that the company takes from others and the repayment schedule is more than one year. A bond is a debt instrument which is used to borrow money. The organization in need of money issues bonds (the issuer); the lender who pays money to obtain bond is called bond holder. The bond holder gets interest payments on the bond at future dates. The principal is paid at future date also. The period of the bond is predefined and is called maturity. A bond is different than stock as the bond holder does not assume any ownership right on the company as compared to stock holders unless it is a convertible bond. Bond is an example of long term liabilities. A secured bond is one that has physical backing of an asset to ensure that bond holder’s capital is safe even if the issuer defaults on payments. This provides assurance to the lenders that their capital will be returned in case of any mishap to issuer organization. Some examples of secured bonds include mortgage bonds (which are backed by real estate) and equipment trust certificate (which are secured through company equipment). An unsecured bond, on the other hand, is one that is not backed by any security or collateral. In case of default, the bond holder would lose the invested funds and will have no recourse. As it is apparent, the risk in unsecured bonds is higher; but then these are issued at higher interest rates to attract investors. Unsecured bonds issued by government do not carry high interest rates. This is because these bonds are backed by the government and thus the risk of failure is quite low. A convertible bond is one that can be converted into common shares or cash, at a predefined rate. Convertible bond is a semi-debt, semi-equity like

Economic Issues Simulation Paper Essay Example for Free

Economic Issues Simulation Paper Essay The Castor Collins health plan is a health maintenance program (HMO) that was found in 1999 and has grown over the years. The company provides health insurance coverage through a system that involves a network of physicians and hospitals. Castor Collins Heath Plan uses the capitation model to fund its large distributed group of physicians and health care organizations. Castor Collins currently provides health care coverage to 100,000 subscribers and would like to increase their enrollees. It is the responsibility of the Vice President along with his most trusted advisers, Helen Feuerman, Chief Financial Officer, Jonathan Wilkes, Chief Medical Officer, and Adam Hunter, Executive Vice President, Planning and Development, to reach out to new clients; two in particular, E-Editors and Constructit. E-Editors The company E-Editors employs 1,600 individuals, 760 males and 840 females. The employee’s ages range from 35-54. Most of the employees with E-Editors are married so they will need to provide an affordable health care plan for their families. Looking at the kind of work involved for most of the employee’s, Castor Collins found that many of the individuals have a sedentary position. In fact, ninety-five percent of the employees at E-Editors have a position that requires long hours of sitting in front of a computer; the remaining five percent of the employees have positions that require physical activity. A thorough health screening was conducted by Castor Collins. Their findings were as followed, most of the employees who have sedentary positions had problems with their vision. Twenty two percent of the employees had no history of health issues. Twenty six percent of the employees are smokers, most of them revealing that they are considered heavy smokers, although none of employees that smoke reported any respiratory complications. The remaining forty- five percent of the employees are obese. Interestingly, the obesity is due to a sedentary job, poor eating habits, and little to no physical activity. These populations of employees are at risk for severe health complications and diseases. Constructit Constructit has 1,000 employees; 550 being male and 450 are females. The age group ranges from 26-42, and sixty percent of the employees are married. Fifty three percent of the employees have positions that require physical activity. Thirty-two percent of this group has high activity positions and twenty five percent have moderate activity positions. The remaining forty three percent of the employees have sedentary positions. The result from this groups health screening are as followed, thirty-eight percent of the employees have no preexisting health issues and are in good physical health. Ten percent of the employees are smokers. Thirty nine percent of the employees are considered obese, which is a high obesity rate. Some of the illnesses that were reported are digestive disorders, respiratory diseases, injuries, and allergies. Analysis of both groups It is Castor Collins job to find suitable health care plans that will benefit both companies, employees, and Castor Collins while keeping in mind to make it affordable and beneficial to all. They will need to evaluate the potential risks and assess the cost of premiums for both. All members of the team determined the best way for deciding would be best conducted by using the cost-benefit analysis system. â€Å"The cost-benefit analysis (CBA) is a set of techniques for assisting in the making of decisions that translates all relevant concerns into market (dollar) terms† (Gertzen Allen, 2007). The team must first consider the age, gender, and profiles of all employees. Secondly, decide the potential health risks, calculate premium and profit. Thirdly, decide what services will be covered and co-payments for these health plans. When taking into consideration the different health profiles of all employees’ obesity seemed to be an issue for both. This alone makes the population at high risk for health issues associated with obesity such as; heart diseases, strokes, and diabetes. E-editors seem to have a higher percentage of obesity and smokers putting them at a much higher risk with health issues. Outcome After evaluating the cost and benefits that go along with providing health insurance coverage to both E-Editors and Constructit, Castor Collins financial team decided that they would only be able to provide health insurance coverage to Constructit and not E-Editors. The reason for this decision is E-Editors have a higher percentage of employees that are at risk for developing chronic diseases. The team went ahead and presented an offer to Constructit and their employees. Castor Collins can offer their employees the Castor Standard plan, which the premium to be charged will be $3,428.00. The reasoning behind choosing this plan over the Castor Enhanced and the Castor Enhanced Minor is the premiums for each employee would be significantly lower than the Enhanced and Enhance Minor plans even though each employee was willing to pay a maximum of $4,000 for their annual premium. Also, Castor Standard does not cover preexisting health conditions, so this would be a low risk investment. Preexisting conditions can cost a company thousands of dollars and in the end not be beneficial to the company’s profits. If Castor Collins were to contemplate preexisting conditions a much higher premium may have to be considered. This is an advantage that can help keep the annual premiums down and still provide many other health coverage services. The premiums that Castor Collins will charge the employees at Constructit are much lower than anticipated, which means a lower profit return. This group is considered a lower health risk group so increasing premiums could create a possibility to make greater returns, but the outcome is still fitting. Conclusion Many hours of planning and development were considered for the final decision of adding Constructit and not E-editors as a client. The team made this decision by utilizing the CBA method and determining that Constructit would be low risk to provide health coverage too. The plan that was chosen Castor Standard will have a lower return but in the long run be beneficial to Castor Collins. The employees at Constructit will be able to afford the health coverage plan and look towards the future knowing they are insured and covered for any emergencies without draining the wallet. Castor Collins and Constructit will begin a rewarding journey that will benefit both companies in the end. The team based this decision on considering all the  necessary health profiles, risks, and premiums and comparing all of the facts between both companies. Reference Getzen, T. E., Moore, J. (2007). Health Care Economics: Principles and tools for the Health Care Industry. Hoboken,, NJ: John Wiley Sons, Inc.

Feminism Portrayed In Movies

Feminism Portrayed In Movies Films have long been used as a tool to portray human imaginations and ideas that are sometimes deemed impossible in reality. The characters in films have had a huge impact, with regard to gender stereotype, on audiences of all ages (Neuendorf et. al., 2010). Though there have been debates of how female characters are being portrayed in films, from being submissive to hyper-sexualised and lately, adopting more dominant roles in films, has there really been a change in male characters in films instead (Gilpatric, 2010)? Have male characters in films adopt female traits like how the female characters have adopted manly traits? This paper looks into how the portrayals of male characters in films have changed or are changing and how they affect gender construction. The feminist movement has constantly fought for womens right and equality so as to place women on equal standing to men in the society. This revolution has since been translated onto the silver screens as films depict women playing prominent and dominant roles in films (Gilpatric, 2010; Neundorf et. al., 2010) which is a stark contrast to the past when women played a submissive and subservient roles to the male character. Furthermore, films mirror the changing nature of our society, expecting men to behave in accordance to societal expectations deconstructing the male stereotype. Thus, the increasing trend in films shifting away from portraying men as having the traditional masculine trait, reconstructing it to more what termed today as the New Age Men (NAM) has been a result of the increasing prominence and dominance of females in films and the evolving nature of the society. The NAM is thus seen as a fusion of having both the traditional traits of males and females, embracing both masculine and feminine traits. Here, masculinity is defined as having the size, physical strength, rejection to authority and the use of physical force (Eschholz and Bufkin, 2001). Along with those masculine traits, the NAM are also expected to have traits like caring and being able to handle housework. The birth of the NAM has been heavily attributed to the rise of females in films and the changing nature of the society. Men today feel there is a need to differentiate themselves from females in films to assert their dominance in the industry and to reintegrate into the society, deconstructing the male stereotype. Female Characters in Films Today. Male characters in films are moving away from having masculine traits due to the rise of female prominence and dominance in the roles they play by adopting those masculine traits. Female characters like Lara Croft and Kill Bill highlights the point that traits like submissive and subservient are no longer being associated with female character. The casting of the Bond girl character is as equally important, receiving just as much attention as the casting of James Bond himself, and though a Bond film may lack the innovative gadget, never has there been a Bond film without a Bond girl (Neuendorf et. al., 2010). This accentuates that the womens roles are equally important to the Bond character. Men, who relate closely to Bond who usually portray masculine traits, view this as a challenge to their masculinity as the Bond character is dependent on the female character. The lack of innovative gadgets also portrays a crisis in masculinity since men regard these technologies as macho (Neuend orf et. al., 2010). This is further amplified with female characters playing main characters in films being created with complex and enthralling personalities relative to male characters who are rather one-dimensional and are of minor interest (Russell-Watts, 2010). Women are also selected to play roles previously played and deemed suitable for men. Though Lara Croft and Kill Bill props to mind, the Hamlet by William Shakespeare is another example. Despite Hamlet being a male character, women have been manifesting their interest to play the role and there has been an increasing trend of women getting selected to personify Hamlet (Howard, 2007). Moreover, the Hamlet is known to be involved in violence as portrayed by the character Alexandra Tranda, who parallels the happenings of Hamlet to the events occuring in her life and ends up killing her father (Howard, 2007). Violence is defined as any intentional infliction of physical pain or harm (Eschholz and Bufkin, 2001) and has a positive correlation to masculinity (Eschholz and Bufkin, 2001; Neuendorf et. al., 2010; Gilpatric, 2010) thus proving an increase in violence equates to in an increase in masculinity. Men feel the idea of a women hamlet as unhealthy and feel ashamed for a woman to take th e Hamlet role (Howard, 2007). This is an indication to men that women are challenging their masculinity and dominance in the film industry especially in roles crafted for men. The rise of females in films adopting a more masculine nature and playing characters deemed more suited for men resulted men to feel challenged in their masculinity and has since led to a crisis in it. Men feel there is a need to differentiate themselves from the female characters and assert their masculinity and dominance within the society, re-constructing the gender stereotype to create the NAM. The Dynamic Nature of the Society. Films impact audiences (Gilpatric, 2010) and may portray a reflection of the society. The dynamic nature of the society portrayed through films has been a contributing factor to the deconstruction of the male gender stereotype to form the NAM. Relative to the past, women today are generally more educated, enabling them to take up jobs also held by men (Buchbinder, 2008). Accelerated by the feminist movement, women today are equally as likely as men to be casted to play professional roles and jobs like doctors and lawyers (Gilpatric, 2010). There is an increase of female characters holding major roles from 12% in 1960 to 32% in 1990 (Neuendorf et. al., 2010) and female characters in films can be a true representation of their position in the society as 51% US workers who hold high-paying management and professional jobs are women (Gilpatric, 2010). Similarly, most young man today expects to go through at least three major career changes in his life (Buchbinder, 2008). Also, improvemen ts in the economy have enabled both women and men to spend on luxury items. Narcissistic concern with ones look and body, traditionally marked as feminine are being linked to men, making it harder to comply with the traditional masculinity trait of a man (Buchbinder, 2008). There has also been a shift in the portrayal of men in films today. In the past, men have always adopted the central figure but roles recently played by men and women in films have been blurred as the gap between masculinity and feminity. According to Breillat, There is no masculine psychology in my cinema. They contain only what women feel and desire. Therefore, men must not try to recognise themselves in my male characters (Russell-Watts, 2010, p. 72). This shows that men play secondary roles to women in todays films restricting them to relate to the traditional male masculinity. Moreover, men are also increasingly portrayed in films as the figure of the schlemiel. Schlemiel is a Yiddish word which means a foolish personà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦a social misfit (Buchbinder, 2008, p. 228) and is unable to meet the performance and attitudinal requirements of traditional masculinity (Buchbinder, 2008, p. 230). For instance, Bond girls have been known to play independent and intelligent roles eve n outwitting Bond himself in the latest Bond movie. Despite Bond films representing Bond as having a chauvinistic persona (Neuendorf et. al., 2010), this places Bond in the Schlemiel category of a foolish character causing men to view this as a crisis to their masculinity. These factors when combined has resulted men to lose its masculine traits and restricted them to conform to the traditional masculine traits deconstructing the traditional male stereotype and reconstruct the NAM to help them assimilate back into society and be of an equal standing or higher to the women. Stereotypes Still Prevails. Some might argue that despite the rising prominence and dominance of women, the subservient and submissive nature of womens portrayal still prevail while mens masculinity are still confined to the traditional stereotype. Women in films are still regarded as subservient and submissive as the dominance exerted is based on a maternal motif, creating a stereotype of mothers or wives to save her child or loved ones (Gilpatric, 2010). Moreover, the societal movement of feminism is lacking, as women in films today still report to a more dominant male character (Neuendorf et. al., 2010), acting as a sidekick to a male character and getting involved in a romantic relationship with them (Gilpatric, 2010). Male characters though may have less masculine traits as portrayed by Robert in the movie Romance, his masculinity is emphasised through his occupation, being the boss of the main female character (Russell-Watts, 2010). This proves that despite being portrayed as dominant character in films t oday, women still conform to the gender stereotype of the traditional feminine traits of reporting to a more dominant male character. Some may argue also that films may not be a true reflection of society hence the portrayal of men as less masculine are not true. Films portray women as successful only when they are thin and attractive (Neuendorf et. al., 2010) when in fact, success is judged based on merit and not only looks. Building on, by showcasing one man as less masculine in the form of the schlemiel figure, subtly it provides a foil for other male characters to stand out, bringing out the masculine traits in the other male characters, (Buchbinder, 2008) indicating that male characters in movies still conform to the male gender stereotype of masculinity. New Age Man is the New Man. Despite the portrayal of women as subservient and submissive, women are still just as likely as men to commit violent acts in films. Presently, women are more likely to show acts of aggression (Neundorf et. al., 2010) and masculinity levels in male and females have increased (Eschholz and Bufkin, 2001). Though many may argue that the feminist movement may not have reached its promised desire, it cannot be regarded as a failure. Womens role in movies has since increased transcending the traditional feminine traits (Gilpatric, 2010). No longer women are being portrayed as one-dimensional who plays stereotypical female characters. Moreover, men today are unlikely to conform to the traditional form of masculinity although they may still hold superiority over the female characters as masculinity portrayed by men in films today is excessive in nature and something that men cannot relate to. The rugged masculinity shown through characters played by Mel Gibson, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger is being described as a fantasy (Eschholz and Bufkin, 2001). Men feels there is a need to form a new identity something that they can relate to and has slowly since give rise to the birth of the NAM. Though portraying men as less masculine or as the schlemiel figure helps to bring out the masculinity in other male characters (Buchbinder, 2008), this very need has proved that there is a decreasing trend in films, which showcase men as masculine. Conclusion. Films have evolved tremendously down the years and will continue to do so at such rapid rate. As womens roles in films continue to rise and take centre stage, male characters in films have since taken steps in the opposite direction, adopting lesser of the traditional masculine traits but instead adopt more feminine traits. This has not being helped by the changing nature of the society where women continue to rise in status at workplaces challenging men for jobs. The birth of the NAM has been heavily attributed to the rising dominance and prominence of female characters in films and also the changing nature of the society. As the world become more globalized, womens status in society is also expected to improve and NAM may well form a new stereotype for men in times to come. (1996 Words)

Tragic Redemption of King Lear Essay -- King Lear essays

The Tragic Redemption of King Lear Shakespeare's ultimate Tragedy, King Lear, is indeed a dark and soul-harrowing play. The tragic madness of King Lear, and of the subsequent turmoil that follows from it, is all the more terrible for the king's inability to cope with the loss of his mind, his family, and his pride. This descent into horror culminates at the tragic conclusion, where both the innocent and the guilty die for other's mistakes and lack of judgment. And yet, as bleak and grim as the final scene is, all is not lost is misery. Many have died, and those that remain - the new generation - believe that "The oldest hath borne most; we that are young/Shall never see so much, nor live so long." (V.iii.326), understanding that a great age has passed, and that they must now pick up the pieces and try to continue on. However, among the death and despair, their have been powerful instances of change and transformation. Though the ending of King Lear is, indeed, grim and terrible, and King Lear himself dies miserable and in agony, their nevertheless remains a message of hope; among all the death, there are clear signs of redemption[1]. This redemption is integral to the story of King Lear, though Lear is not the only one to undergo this process. Indeed, many of the main characters, from Edmund to Gloucester to Cordelia are transformed in the end; it is the tragedy of the play that they do not survive their redemption. However, to understand their change, it is important to know from whence they came, and what caused them, what forced them, to submit to this painful and bitter process. The impetus is, of course, the gradually escalating madness of the king. One can not clearly state that King... ...ty. Still firmly in the grips of madness, grasping at the faint hopes that Cordelia still lives, he must still feel the death and torment that surrounds him. He may die a better man, a redeemed man, but he dies an unhappy one. Works Cited Aggeler, Geoffrey. "'Good Pity' in King Lear: the Progress of Edgar." Neophilologus 77 (1993): 321-331. Kermode, Frank. "King Lear." The Riverside Shakespeare. Ed. G.B.Evans. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1974. 1249-54. Muir, Kenneth, ed. King Lear. London: Methuen & Co, 1972 Partee, Morriss Henry. "Edgar and the Ending of King Lear." Studia Neophilologica 63 (1991): 175-180. Notes: 1. It was Bradley who suggested that the play be called "The Redemption of King Lear. (Muir, 1iii) [1]It was Bradley who suggested that the play be called "The Redemption of King Lear. (Muir, 1iii) Tragic Redemption of King Lear Essay -- King Lear essays The Tragic Redemption of King Lear Shakespeare's ultimate Tragedy, King Lear, is indeed a dark and soul-harrowing play. The tragic madness of King Lear, and of the subsequent turmoil that follows from it, is all the more terrible for the king's inability to cope with the loss of his mind, his family, and his pride. This descent into horror culminates at the tragic conclusion, where both the innocent and the guilty die for other's mistakes and lack of judgment. And yet, as bleak and grim as the final scene is, all is not lost is misery. Many have died, and those that remain - the new generation - believe that "The oldest hath borne most; we that are young/Shall never see so much, nor live so long." (V.iii.326), understanding that a great age has passed, and that they must now pick up the pieces and try to continue on. However, among the death and despair, their have been powerful instances of change and transformation. Though the ending of King Lear is, indeed, grim and terrible, and King Lear himself dies miserable and in agony, their nevertheless remains a message of hope; among all the death, there are clear signs of redemption[1]. This redemption is integral to the story of King Lear, though Lear is not the only one to undergo this process. Indeed, many of the main characters, from Edmund to Gloucester to Cordelia are transformed in the end; it is the tragedy of the play that they do not survive their redemption. However, to understand their change, it is important to know from whence they came, and what caused them, what forced them, to submit to this painful and bitter process. The impetus is, of course, the gradually escalating madness of the king. One can not clearly state that King... ...ty. Still firmly in the grips of madness, grasping at the faint hopes that Cordelia still lives, he must still feel the death and torment that surrounds him. He may die a better man, a redeemed man, but he dies an unhappy one. Works Cited Aggeler, Geoffrey. "'Good Pity' in King Lear: the Progress of Edgar." Neophilologus 77 (1993): 321-331. Kermode, Frank. "King Lear." The Riverside Shakespeare. Ed. G.B.Evans. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1974. 1249-54. Muir, Kenneth, ed. King Lear. London: Methuen & Co, 1972 Partee, Morriss Henry. "Edgar and the Ending of King Lear." Studia Neophilologica 63 (1991): 175-180. Notes: 1. It was Bradley who suggested that the play be called "The Redemption of King Lear. (Muir, 1iii) [1]It was Bradley who suggested that the play be called "The Redemption of King Lear. (Muir, 1iii)

“Pankration”: Nicasylus changes Throughout the Novel Essay

Throughout the novel Pankration, Nicasylus changes dramatically. Nicasylus was only considerate of himself and was very selfish; by the end of the novel he was kind, caring, unselfish and self-reliant. Nicasylus becomes less selfish through the novel, he faces his fears and learns to fend for himself and not rely on others as much. Throughout Nicasylus journey he becomes less selfish. Nicasylus starts out as a boy living in Athens who can have slaves do his every command. When the plague strikes Nicasylus is sent away on a boat which is attacked by pirates. The pirates held Nicasylus captive and he had his freedom taken away from him It was such a relief to be given the opportunity to clean of that smell that seemed to have permeated his skin. He climbed into the barrel and scrubbed fiercely at his body, while the crew stood about, staring and laughing rudely. Cadmus the Pirate sold Nicasylus as a slave and he was faced with adversity when he had to undertake tasks as a goat herder With no reason to enjoy life as a slave, Nic enjoyed the long haul up the mountain. The conditions were poor and Nicasylus had to learn to cope in the hard conditions and he became more self-relying because of it. Nicasylus had to face his fears both physically and emotional throughout the novel. Nicasylus journey to Pankration in Athens was full of obstacles. Nicasylus had to live in rough conditions being held captive on a pirates boat; he also had to defend himself against a wolf The stone struck the wolf between the eyes. It hit the ground, a landslide of heavy flesh, and the kid, not yet dead, rolled out of its jaws whilst he was as slave working as a goat herder. Nicasylus also had to escape from Amasis who kidnapped him. Nicasylus had to survive throughout many bad conditions by himself and he grew stronger, learning from these experiences. Nicasylus had to learn to fend for himself and be more self-relying. Whilst Nicasylus was sailing the Aegean Sea being held captive on the pirate ship, he had no-one to rely on, this was also the case when Nicasylus was sold as a slave and became a goat-herder The first months went past like a bad dream, Nic had not been brought up to clean, sweep, look after dirty animals or do any of the tasks he was set. Whilst Nicasylus was a goat-herder he had  to fight a wolf and with help from another slave (Tiso) he avoided death. During Nicasylus adventures he couldnt rely on others, he had to learn to be self-sufficient. When someone has other people to do everything for them they dont learn to do anything by themselves. At the start of Pankration Nicasylus was a selfish boy who couldnt do anything himself. Throughout the novel Nicasylus had to fend for himself and face his fears, this made Nicasylus appreciate what he has and made him learn to be more self-reliant. Therefore, this justifies Nicasylus changes dramatically throughout the novel PANKRATION.

My Role Model My Mom Essay

This is a better version of My role model my mom Role models are like a torch of light that inspires and guides in the darkness. That torch of light for me is my mother. My mother is very kind, strong, and hardworking. But what makes her truly worthy of looking up to is that she teaches her children these qualities through her actions. For as long as I can remember,my mother has always been kind and gracious to everyone she meets. She taught my siblings and I to treat everyone we meet with respect and to act with humility. She is extremely supportive of us, whether we pass or fail in our endeavors. She also works to connect and understand each of her children in order to help us grow and reach beyond our capacities while reminding us to laugh at ourselves and never take life too seriously. She takes on all of the family’s troubles and hides them from her children so that we would not be worried. Read more: Role model essay She does not want us to stress over bills and other problems from her workplace because she wants us to concentrate on our studies and enjoy our youth. Even when she is overwhelmed with anxiety, she bravely bares a smile on her face so that we can emulate her. Her hard work throughout the years to support us, putting up with the fights me and annoying sister would have. Her days would be routine she would wake up at 5:30am everday and pray for her family.She would cook breakfeast for my dad and leave at 6 am . after all day of working she would come home, take shower and cooks dinner and go to sleep.So we dont spent alot of time together and if we do it will be for like 1 or 2 hour.Although there are sometime i couldn’t stand her at times due to a few reasons.How she would always find the littlest things to complain to me about such as not doing my chorous and yelling me to do home-work even if I tell her i dont have any. Now that I’m old enough to realize how much my mother has done for her sons and daughter. she’s someone i truly look up to.There are many great people out there and i could of chose many important people but I chose my mom because I want to follow her footsteps, If i do that I know, I will find the true path that leads to happiness, and find a way to take a dream and turn it into reality.