Classical History

Sappho - Greek Poet in Ancient / Classical History Basic Data on Sappho: The dates of Sappho or Psappho are not known. She is thought to have been born around 610 B.C. and to have died in about 570. This was the period of the sages Thales, considered, by Aristotle, the founder of natural philosophers, and Solon, the lawgiver of Athens. In Rome, it was the time of the legendary kings. [See Timeline.] Sappho is thought to have come from Mytilene on the island of Lesbos. Sapphos Poetry: Playing with the available meters, Sappho wrote moving lyric poetry. A poetic meter was named in honor of her. Sappho wrote odes to the goddesses, especially Aphrodite the subject of Sapphos complete surviving mode, and love poetry, including the wedding genre (epithalamia), using vernacular and epic vocabulary. She also wrote about herself, her womens community, and her times. Her writing about her times was very different from her contemporary Alcaeus, whose poetry was more political. Transmission of Sapphos Poetry: Although we do not know how Sapphos poetry was transmitted, by the Hellenistic Era when Alexander the Great (d. 323 B.C.) had brought Greek culture from Egypt to the Indus River, Sapphos poetry was published. Along with the writing of other lyric poets, Sapphos poetry was categorized metrically. By the Middle Ages most of Sapphos poetry was lost, and so today there are only parts of four poems. Only one of them is complete. There are also fragments of her poetry, including 63 complete, single lines and perhaps 264 fragments. The fourth poem is a recent discovery from rolls of papyrus in Cologne University. Legends About Sapphos Life: There is a legend that Sappho leaped to her death as the result of a failed love affair with a man named Phaon. This is probably untrue. Sappho is usually counted  as a lesbian the very word coming from the island where Sappho lived, and Sapphos poetry clearly shows that she loved some of the women of her community, whether or not the passion was expressed sexually. Sappho may have been married to a wealthy man named Cercylas. Established Facts About Sappho: Larichus and Charaxus were Sapphos brothers. She also had a daughter named Cleis or Claà ¯s. In the community of women in which Sappho participated and taught, singing, poetry, and dance played a big part. Earthly Muse: An elegiac poet of the first century B.C. named Antipater of Thessalonica cataloged the most respected women poets and called them the nine earthly muses. Sappho was one of these earthly muses. Sappho is on the list of Most Important People to Know in Ancient History.

Should Abortions be Illegal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Should Abortions be Illegal - Essay Example As such, abortion should be illegal given that it does not provide a long term solution to the recurrent problem of unwanted pregnancies especially among the teenagers. Abortion should not be treated as an option but concerted efforts should be made to address the root cause of this problem in every society. Against this background, this argumentative essay is going to argue in favour of the topic which suggests that abortion should be illegal. However, the second part will look at the topic from the other angle where some advocates argue that abortion should be legalised. A synthesis will be drawn at the end of the paper to summarise the main points discussed and defend the argument in favour of the topic. Tribe (1992, p. 3) posits to the effect that â€Å"no right is more basic than the right to live and the untimely death of a young child is among life’s most awful tragedies.† To cause such a death to an innocent soul is a great wrong which deserves to be treated wit h the contempt. The right to life is an inalienable right that is conferred to every person upon birth. However, in some instances, unborn babies are denied this right before even seeing the earth as a result of aborted pregnancies. Basically, abortion can be described as the process of terminating or ending unwanted pregnancies (Wharton, 1989). ... cle/12504-teen-pregnancy-rates-usa/>, The Center for Disease control says â€Å"that the United States has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the industrialized world whereby one-third of girls get pregnant before the age of 20.† It also states that Teenpregnancy.org, a site which is managed by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy has revealed that about 750  000 teen pregnancies are reported annually where eight out of ten of these are not planned. The trend is similar in many countries and abortion should not be treated as a viable option given that teenagers for instance indulge in sexual activities without properly weighing the consequences hence they should not have any legal right to terminate life unless otherwise it is beyond their control. There are many reasons why unplanned pregnancies occur and carelessness is one of them (Gutman, 1987). Some teenagers have misguided perceptions that they want to believe that having sex at an early age ca n prove their manhood or woman hood which is not correct. As a result, unplanned pregnancies are reported and this cannot be the problem of the unborn fetus in the womb given that it is life already developing which must not be ended unceremoniously. It is the responsibility of the mother in particular to ensure that they take preventive measures against unwanted pregnancies. For instance, the use of contraceptives such as pill as well as condoms is another viable way of preventing unwanted pregnancies. Instead of preferring abortion as the last resort, both men and women need to take responsibility for contraception since this is the best alternative to abortion. Abortion is therefore considered as murder hence cannot be condoned. No society likes abortion and the main task is to enable the women to

Culture awarness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Culture awarness - Essay Example The course was designed according to what the students wanted and needed. The students wanted to learn about the cultures of certain countries and specifically, the way business is conducted in these countries (Vollmer, Alnuaimi and Macku 3). A flaw in our needs assessment design was our failure to determine the student’s level of awareness. We failed to ask questions concerning much they already knew about the cultures of the different countries. In hindsight, we forgone general awareness questions because we gave the students the choice of which countries they would like to learn about. Doing this made it difficult to assess any prior knowledge of the countries the students may have had. Another flaw within our course was we realized in hindsight more emphasis could have been given to the industries that have the greatest potential in the country. We now realize we could have been more industry specific within our presentation since most of the students communicated their concerns about jobs and business. Information about how to perform during business meetings within the different countries was included in the course because the survey results indicated the students agreed upon the importance of learning about different cultures in light of the recent globalization of the business world. Dining etiquette and dress codes were also included within the course because of unanimous agreement within our group that both topics are extremely significant to a country’s culture and therefore should be included within cultural awareness training. Based on research evidence, students realize the need for cultural awareness especially with the trend of business moving towards globalization. Students agreed that they will need the necessary skills to be able to prepare for expatriatism. Two-thirds of the students, deem it important to be aware of the different cultures of the world because they will need that knowledge and skill base for their future jobs. The

Foreign Policy Roles of The President and The Congress Essay Example for Free

Foreign Policy Roles of The President and The Congress Essay According to the United States Constitution, the making of foreign policy is shared by both the President and the Congress. They are said to be working at a cross-purposes in foreign policy. Each plays important roles that are different but often overlap. It is quite inevitable to have disagreements between these executive and legislative branches. But these foreign policy disputes are actually sometimes constructive or not necessarily bad. Every so often, this can contribute to useful improvements to foreign policies. Significantly, the two branches possess ongoing opportunities in making and altering foreign policies, and the interactions between them continue indefinitely throughout the life of a policy. However, when the foreign policy is poorly served, the relationship between the executive and legislative branches becomes hostile and unpleasant. Having the accountability for check and balance between these government branches, the Congress should critic the administration of the President in the light that it is seeking better partnership with the administration in view of better governance of the country and, in this specific case, progress in the formulation of America foreign policy. The President usually responds to current events in foreign countries and thus initiates U. S. policy. Sometimes, the executive branch wants to begin a foreign policy program that requires legislation, and accordingly proposes legislation to Congress, thereby needing approval from the latter in this situation. Also, the power of negotiation gives the executive branch a dominant role in making foreign policy through international agreements, but the President must take into account congressional opinion because these agreements often require the approval of the Senate or the Congress. The latter also influence agreements by placing in legislation instructions and views concerning international agreements, indicating what kind of agreement would be acceptable. The President also establishes US foreign policy through unilateral statements or joint statements with other governments. The executive branch also establishes foreign policy through legislation, continues to shape policy as it interprets and applies the various provisions of law. Occasionally, the President undertakes a sudden foreign policy action before Congress is fully informed about it. The Congress then usually supports the President, but sometimes it tries to halt or reverse the policy or pass legislation to restrain the President from similar actions in the future. The Congress introduces many resolutions stating the sense of the House on foreign policy, and many of these resolutions are adopted. It sometimes initiates a foreign policy by using legislation to establish a new program, set objectives and guidelines, authorize and direct the executive branch to undertake specified activities, and by earmarking appropriations used in a specified way. At times, the Congress pressures the executive branch into a new direction in foreign policy by threatening to pass legislation, even though the legislation is not enacted, or by continuing to exhort a policy through many means. Providing advice to the executive branch in informal contacts is also a means of the Congress to shape foreign policy. Regular oversight of executive branch implementation of foreign policy helps the Congress as well in shaping these policies (Grimmet). The international agreements regardless of their title, designation or form whose entry into force with respect to the United States takes place only after two thirds of the US Senate has given its advice and consent under Article II, section 2, Clause 2 of the Constitution, are treaties. On the other hand, international agreements brought into force with respect to the United States on a constitutional basis other than with the advice and consent of the Senate are international agreements other than treaties, and are often referred to as executive agreements. Treaties require the consent of the Senate. The Senate, therefore, may approve, reject or revise a treaty. The Senate approves most of the treaties but some are also rejected. One significant example is the Treaty of Versailles. Executive agreements are far more common than treaties. They do not require the consent of the Senate, though Congress may be notified shortly after an agreement is reached. Unlike treaties, these agreements do not supersede existing statues. Examples are the Yalta and Potsdam agreements and the Vietnam Peace agreement. In summary, the President or the executive branch can make foreign policy through responses to foreign events, proposals for legislation, negotiation of international agreements, policy statements, policy implementation and independent action. Moreover, the Congress can make foreign policy through resolutions and policy statements, legislative directives, legislative pressure, legislative restrictions / funding denials, informal advice, and congressional oversight. The Congress maintains a decisive voice in either supporting the President’s approach or changing it. Changing policies may prove to be quite complex in the short term. In most cases though, Congress agrees with the President, but often makes significant modifications in the process of approving them. It is then important to note that the support or approval of both the legislative and executive branch is required for an effective and well-founded U. S. foreign policy. Works Cited Grimmett, Richard F. Foreign Policy Roles of the President and Congress. Foreign Affairs and National Defense Division. US Department of State. 1999, June 1. http://fpc.state.gov/fpc/6172.htm.

Sensitive Groups And Social Issues :: essays research papers

Sensitive Groups and Social Issues   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many factors have contributed to the heightened awareness of sensitive groups and social issues where marketing is concerned. The article Sensitive Groups and Social Issues has brought to light the causes, pitfalls, pro-active strategies, and benefits of addressing these social issues. Due to the fact that consumer markets and values are constantly changing, it is important to address these issues head on. A few of the key issues discussed in the article that relate to the text readings are the marketing concept, social responsibility, and changing demographics. Addressing such issues will not only satisfy the sensitive and social groups involved, but open new and potentially profitable opportunities for companies that do so.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of the main points that I found useful in the article was how marketing to sensitive and social groups paralleled that of the marketing concept. Successful companies have to fill the needs and wants of their consumers. Sensitive and social groups are part of every companies market. Each company's products and services should be customized to that of their customers. This is called mass customization. How a company defines its social responsibility is also part of the marketing concept. If a company does not care to be viewed as socially responsible, then they will not care how they market products to those groups and the company will suffer. Relationship marketing is a part of the marketing concept and strongly applies to this article. A company wants to build trust with its customers in order to build customer loyalty and a long-term bond. This gives the customer a value-added feature of doing business with a particular company. In marketing orientated companies, the customer's needs have to be targeted and different social classes or issues need to be taken into account. If a company does not take different sensitive and social groups into account when marketing, then they will not build a feeling of goodwill with the consumers. The consumer will think that the firm cares more about selling its goods than the consumer. The firm's social responsibility should be taken into account and work hand-in-hand with the marketing concept. A firm's interests may not portray societies best interests. This is where the societal marketing concept comes into play. Our text states that the marketing concept can be work together with social responsibility. The firm must extend the breadth and time dimension of its marketing goals.

Motivation Case Study

I found both case studies to be very interesting. In the Two Men and a Lot of Trucks case study, I could identify the expectancy theory and Maslow’s needs hierarchy theory. The text states that Mary Ellen quit her well-paying job with benefits to grow her business. What started as a part-time gig working from her dining room table quickly became a successful franchise operation. Mary Ellen’s hard work and dedication paid off as there are currently 152 franchise locations.Maslow’s needs hierarchy theory can also been found in this case study through Mary Ellen’s devotion to providing superior customer service and using her prior work experience. Mary Ellen was able to create high-performing teams by establishing Stick Men University. Offering this level of training has effectively helped Two Men grow. As Sheets says, â€Å"I want them to be successful as fast as they can. † (Jones, 2007) In the Siemen’s case study I could identify both the exp ectancy theory and the job enrichment theory. The study stated that Kleinfeld wanted employees to work more flexible hours and on weekends.With everyone’s job on the line, Kleinfeld put in the extra effort to motivate workers. He made himself available around the clock and it paid off. Even though Kleinfeld relies on the support of the management board he seems to have the freedom to do his job his way. He has held 10 positions within Siemens which has allowed him â€Å"to explore every corner of the far-flung Siemens empire. † I believe that Kleinfeld used the participative approach to creating high-performing teams within Siemens as he was involved with most aspects of this company’s growth. (Jones, 2007)

The Origin, Evolution and Properties of Spiral Galaxies

Spiral galaxies are among the most beautiful and plentiful galaxy types in the cosmos. When artists draw galaxies, spirals are what they first visualize. This is likely due to the fact that the Milky Way is a spiral; as is the neighboring Andromeda Galaxy. Their shapes are the result of long galactic evolution activities that astronomers are still working to understand. Characteristics of Spiral Galaxies Spiral galaxies are characterized by their sweeping arms which stretch out from the central region in a spiral pattern. They are subdivided into classes based on how tightly the arms are wound, with the tightest classified as Sa and those with the most loosely wound arms as Sd. Some spiral galaxies have a bar passing through the center of which the spiral arms extend. These are classified as barred spirals and follow the same sub-classification model as normal spiral galaxies, except with the designators SBa - SBd. Our own Milky Way is a barred spiral, with a thick ridge of stars and gas and dust passing through the central core. Some galaxies are classified as S0. These are galaxies for which it is impossible to tell if a bar is present. Many spiral galaxies have what is known as a galactic bulge. This is a spheroid packed with lots of stars and contains within it a supermassive black hole that binds together the rest of the galaxy. From the side, spirals look like flat disks with central spheroids. We see many stars and clouds of gas and dust. However, they also contain something else: massive haloes of dark matter. This mysterious stuff is invisible to any experiment that has sought to directly observe it. Dark matter plays a role in galaxies, which is also still being determined.   Star Types The spiral arms of these galaxies are filled with lots of hot, young blue stars and even more gas and dust (by mass). In fact, our Sun is sort of an oddity considering the type of company it keeps in this region. Within the central bulge of spiral galaxies with looser spiral arms (Sc and Sd) the population of stars is very similar to that in the spiral arms, young hot blue stars, but in much greater density. In contracts spiral galaxies with tighter arms (Sa and Sb) tend to have mostly old, cool, red stars that contain very little metal. And while the vast majority of the stars in these galaxies are found either within the plane of the spiral arms or the bulge, there exists a halo around the galaxy. While this region is dominated by dark matter, there are also very old stars, usually with very low metallicity, that orbit through the plane of the galaxy in highly elliptical orbits. Formation The formation of spiral arm features in galaxies is mostly due to the gravitational effect of material in the galaxy as waves pass through. This posits that pools of greater mass density slow down and form arms as the galaxy rotates. As gas and dust pass through those arms it gets compressed to form new stars and the arms expand in mass density further, enhancing the effect. More recent models have attempted to incorporate dark matter, and other properties of these galaxies, into a more complex theory of formation. Supermassive Black Holes Another defining characteristic of spiral galaxies is the presence of supermassive black holes at their cores. It is not known if all spiral galaxies contain one of these behemoths, but there is a mountain of indirect evidence that virtually all such galaxies will contain them within the bulge. Dark Matter It was actually of spiral galaxies that first suggested the possibility of dark matter. Galactic rotation is determined by the gravitational interactions of the masses present within the galaxy. But computer simulations of spiral galaxies showed that the rotation velocities differed from those observed. Either our understanding of general relativity was flawed, or another source of mass was present. Since relativity theory has been tested and verified on virtually all scales there has so far been resistance to challenging it. Instead, scientists have postulated that an as-yet-unseen particle exists that does not interact with the electromagnetic force - and most likely not the strong force, and perhaps not even the weak force (though some models do include that property) - but it does interact gravitationally. It is thought that spiral galaxies maintain a dark matter halo; a spherical volume of dark matter that permeates the entire region in and around the galaxy. Dark matter has yet to be detected directly, but there is some indirect observational evidence for its existence. Over the next couple of decades, new experiments should be able to shed light on this mystery. Edited and updated by Carolyn Collins Petersen.