Coffee Growers

1. Coffee growers in poor rural areas are paid very little for their crop. What strategies are proposed in this clip for changing that situation?The strategies that are proposed in this clip for changing this situation are for coffee growers to adapt to the fair-trade market. Under the fair-trade market coffee growers will have the chance to a decent market price that will help increase their production. 2. Now that you know something about the â€Å"sociology of coffee† and globalization, will your own consumption habits change at all? Explain why you would change or not your consumption habits.I prefer not to drink coffee as a result my consumption will not change. 3. In what ways is the â€Å"coffee-go-round† an example of what Mills called â€Å"public issues† and â€Å"private troubles?†The public issues are coffee growers in poor rural area are not paid reasonably for their crops. The private troubles are coffee growers are trapped to sell only coca because of the competitive markets and expensive expenses.1. C. Wright Mills said that the sociological imagination comes from our ability to see the connection between â€Å"public issues† and â€Å"private troubles.† How does the narrator of this film make such a connection in his life? What are the â€Å"public issues† and the â€Å"private troubles?† The narrator of this film makes such a connection in his life by connecting his relationship with his brother through his childhood experiences and a tragic accident which created and caused a decision for his brother to go to West Point University and become a Black Hawk pilot for the army that as a result change the narrator’s connection between him and his brother through his childhood. Now having to send American troops to Iraq is a public problem and worrying to have to hear from a love one or relative going to war and not returning back to his family and tragically changing his family’ s life is a private trouble.Article Questions Article 141. How do the authors define â€Å"early adulthood†? How do they explain the incidence of prolonged early adulthood in the United States? Early adulthood is a time of struggle to gain the skills and credentials required for a job that can support the family they wish to start and a struggle to feel in control of their lives or is when people figure out when they want to do and how best to realize their goals. The primary reason for a prolonged early adulthood is that it now takes much longer to secure a full-time job that pays enough to support a family.2. Examine figure 2. How are the lives of young people in 2000 different from those in 1960? What do you think accounts for these differences? The lives of young people in 2000 are less successful completing the transition to adulthood than the lives from those in 1960. Young adults not finding a full-time job that pays enough to support a family.3. Discuss positive and n egative effects of postponing adulthood on parenting. How do you suspect this changes childrearing practices? How does having children change the careers of middle-aged workers? The positive effects of waiting to become a parent while in your adulthood are more likely to leave home, be financially independent, and completed schooling. The negative effects of postponing adulthood on parenting are not likely to be financially independent and completing schooling. Parents who postpone adulthood on parenting are likely to show care and loving towards their children than parents who are trying to complete their adulthood. Having children change the careers of middle aged Article 591. What is the Gautreaux program in Chicago and how is it departure from previous policy? The Gautreaux program in Chicago is an experiment in public housing. Such policies assume that to depopulate the ghetto, gentrify it, or blow it up is effective solution to the problems concentrated in it instead Gautreaux program try to improve the lifestyles and environment around the less unfortunate.2. What is the relationship between the â€Å"quality of life† in neighborhoods and their crime rates (as suggested by the work of Clifford Shaw and Henry  McKay)? The relationship between the â€Å"quality of life† in neighborhoods and their crime rates are lacked to control the behavior of local youth as a result traditions of delinquency are passed on by neighborhood youth.3. Logan refers to studies that used census data to understand variations in crime rates between neighborhoods and the demographic characteristics of their residents. Why is census data a valuable resource in this case? Can you think of ways in which the use of census data in social research might lead to questionable findings? Census data is a valuable resource in this case because it shows the average rates of juvenile delinquency in Chicago tracts that makes some neighborhoods unsafe. We can find out basic info rmation about the size of the population, and its composition by age, gender, race and ethnicity. The use of census data in social research might lead to questionable findings as to understand what are the causes and problems that each individual face.4. To explain the conditions in a neighborhood, Logan suggest we must answer two questions. What are these questions, and how do they differ from the approach of most studies of neighborhood inequalities? First, what happened to these places to create their conditions? Second, how and why do certain kinds of people come to live in places with such problems? The two questions are different from most studies of neighborhood inequalities because most studies of neighborhood inequalities strongly focused on race and education. Coffee growers Coffee growers in poor rural areas are paid very little for their crop. What strategies are proposed in this clip for changing that situation?The strategies that are proposed in this clip for changing this situation are for coffee growers to adapt to the fair-trade market. Under the fair-trade market coffee growers will have the chance to a decent market price that will help increase their production. 2. Now that you know something about the â€Å"sociology of coffee† and globalization, will your own consumption habits change at all? Explain why you would change or not your consumption habits.I prefer not to drink coffee as a result my consumption will not change. 3. In what ways is the â€Å"coffee-go-round† an example of what Mills called â€Å"public issues† and â€Å"private troubles?†The public issues are coffee growers in poor rural area are not paid reasonably for their crops. The private troubles are coffee growers are trapped to sell only coca bec ause of the competitive markets and expensive expenses.1. C. Wright Mills said that the sociological imagination comes from our ability to see the connection between â€Å"public issues† and â€Å"private troubles.† How does the narrator of this film make such a connection in his life? What are the â€Å"public issues† and the â€Å"private troubles?† The narrator of this film makes such a connection in his life by connecting his relationship with his brother through his childhood experiences and a tragic accident which created and caused a decision for his brother to go to West Point University and become a Black Hawk pilot for the army that as a result change the narrator’s connection between him and his brother through his childhood.Now having to send American troops to Iraq is a public problem and worrying to have to hear from a love one or relative going to war and not returning back to his family and tragically changing his family’s li fe is a private trouble.Article Questions Article 141. How do the authors define â€Å"early adulthood†? How do they explain the incidence of prolonged early adulthood in the United States? Early adulthood is a time of struggle to gain the skills and credentials required for a job that can support the family they wish to start and a struggle to feel in control of their lives or is when people figure out when they want to do and how best to realize their goals. The primary reason for a prolonged early adulthood is that it now takes much longer to secure a full-time job that pays enough to support a family.2. Examine figure 2. How are the lives of young people in 2000 different from those in 1960? What do you think accounts for these differences? The lives of young people in 2000 are less successful completing the transition to adulthood than the lives from those in 1960. Young adults not finding a full-time job that pays enough to support a family.3. Discuss positive and negat ive effects of postponing adulthood on parenting. How do you suspect this changes childrearing practices? How does having children change the careers of middle-aged workers? The positive effects of waiting to become a parent while in your adulthood are more likely to leave home, be financially independent, and completed schooling. The negative effects of postponing adulthood on parenting are not likely to be financially independent and completing schooling. Parents who postpone adulthood on parenting are likely to show care and loving towards their children than parents who are trying to complete their adulthood. Having children change the careers of middle aged Article 591. What is the Gautreaux program in Chicago and how is it departure from previous policy? The Gautreaux program in Chicago is an experiment in public housing. Such policies assume that to depopulate the ghetto, gentrify it, or blow it up is effective solution to the problems concentrated in it instead Gautreaux pro gram try to improve the lifestyles and environment around the less unfortunate.2. What is the relationship between the â€Å"quality of life† in neighborhoods and their crime rates (as suggested by the work of Clifford Shaw and Henry  McKay)? The relationship between the â€Å"quality of life† in neighborhoods and their crime rates are lacked to control the behavior of local youth as a result traditions of delinquency are passed on by neighborhood youth.3. Logan refers to studies that used census data to understand variations in crime rates between neighborhoods and the demographic characteristics of their residents. Why is census data a valuable resource in this case? Can you think of ways in which the use of census data in social research might lead to questionable findings?Census data is a valuable resource in this case because it shows the average rates of juvenile delinquency in Chicago tracts that makes some neighborhoods unsafe. We can find out basic informati on about the size of the population, and its composition by age, gender, race and ethnicity. The use of census data in social research might lead to questionable findings as to understand what are the causes and problems that each individual face.4. To explain the conditions in a neighborhood, Logan suggest we must answer two questions. What are these questions, and how do they differ from the approach of most studies of neighborhood inequalities? First, what happened to these places to create their conditions? Second, how and why do certain kinds of people come to live in places with such problems? The two questions are different from most studies of neighborhood inequalities because most studies of neighborhood inequalities strongly focused on race and education.

America’s Failure at the Bay of Pigs

Cuba was a US-controlled isand since 1898 when it won Cuba from Spain after the Spanish-American war. While itofficially controlled Cuba only until 1902, it established itself on the island with a long-term lease on Guantanamo Bay for a naval base. Up to the time before Castro was seated in power, the US ambassador to Cuba was the second most pwoerful officail after the President. (Lafeber, 19 Aril 1986, p. 537). President Truman inn March 12, 1947 called the Truman Doctrine recomended to Congress to halt the Russian aggression in Europe.â€Å"I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting atempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures. † (cited in Ismael, 1965, p. 3212). Regular battles with the threat of communism and in 1948, the Belrin blockade where the Russian tries to starve out the Western sector but the US responded by airlifting a tremendous amount of food and other supplies. The US assistd the Na tionalistas versus the Communista in the civil war in China which the Communists eventually won in 1949.In 1950, the US gladly responed to the call to end the Communists North America aggression towards South Korea by sending troops under Gen. Douglas McArthur. While the Korean war became inetnsely unpopular aong many Americans as casualties were heavy and the Truman administration was blamed for not foreseeing the attack. There was a general agreement nevertheless that the cuommunist leders had to be shown that the US would, if necessary, use force to stop the expansionist plans. In 1953, Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected president.Anti-cmmunist sentiment was still going strong as McCarthy continued his unproven charges â€Å"that the government payrll included communists†. Through his charges, teh Sneator speread fear and dissension throughout the countyr. In 1954, Cimmunist China threatened the islands held by the Nationalist government. The US announced that it would defen d Taiwan against any atack and pledged itself to aid any fellow Sout East Asian Trety Organizaton member in fighting communist advances. Communist influence in Latin America became more and more apparent especially in Cuba. In 1959, Fidel Castro ended the island’s totalitarian governemnt.Soon, Caro was displaying dictatorial tendencies and strong leanings towards communism. By 1960, it was evident that Cuba was trying to implant communism in other Latin American nations. (Book of Knowledge) Castro first attracted international attention and national history when he led an unsuccessful attack on the Moncada Barracks in Santiago, Cuba on July 24th 1953 hoping to overthrwo the dictatorship of then President Fulgencio Batista. Castro was pardoned in 1955 and sailed to Mexico but returned in 1956 and instigated a guerila wafare against Batista’s regime.In the early hours of 1st January 1959, Batista and the former Prime Minisster and newly–elected President Dr. Andre s Rivero Aguero fled Cuba (Telzrow, 2006). On Jan. 6th, an official note proclaiming â€Å"the sincere goodwill of the government of the United States towards the new government† was sent to Castro (Welch, 1982, p. 29). Career diplomat Philip Bonsal was then appointed as the new US Ambassador to Havana with the hope that Bonsal will be able develop good raltions with Castro replicating his sucess in Bolivia where he was able to establisg good relationships with the left-leaning incumbent adminsitration.On April 19, 1959 after a 3 ? hour meeting with Vice President Richard Nixon in Washington D. C. , Nixon was convinced that Castro was indeed a communist. Castro was determined to transform Cuba led to radical reforms and other economic changes that brought him closer to the Cuba communist party and put him on a collisison course with the Eisenhower Adminsrtration. When in early 1960, the US tried to strangle Castro with tough economic sanctions, he turned to the Soviet bloc fo r help. (Lafeber) Free lections were suspended, private business was socialized, US property was confiscated, On Oct.12, the Cuban government nationalizes 382 big businesses including manufacturers of sugar, liquor, beer, perfume, soap, textiles and milk products as well as bank. (Blight & Kornbluh, 1999, p. 161). As early as Oct. 1959, programs had been proposed by the Department of State in agreement with the CIA to support elements opposed to the Cuban government while making Castro’s downfall seem to be the result of his own mistakes. In Dec. 1959, J. C. King, the CIA’s head of its Western Hemisphere division outlines a series of covert and propaganda operations to overthrow Castro.On March 17, Preseident Eisenhower approves a CIA policy paper title â€Å"A Program of Covert Action Against the Castro Regime†. (Blight & Kornbluh, 1999, p. 159). In the History of Cuba as compiled and written by J. A. Sierra (2007, par. 14), the plan was siad to have included: 1) the creation of a responsible and unified Cuabn opposition to the Castro regime located outside of Cuba, 2) the development of a means for mass communication to the Cuban people as part of a powerful propaganda offesnive,3) the creations and development of a covert intelligence and action organization within Cuba whioch would respond to the orders and directions o the exile opposition, and 4) the development of a paramilitray force otuside of Cuba for future guerilla action. These goals were to be achieved ‘in sucg a manner as to avoid the appearance of U. S. intervention. ’ In July 1960, Soviet Prime Minister Nikita Khruschev openly declared its support for Castro by speaking of â€Å"figurative rockets that would protect Cuba from teh U. S. † to which Pres.Eisenhower announced that the US would no â€Å"tolrate the establishment of a regime dominated by international communism in the Western hemisphere. (cited in Sierra, 2007, par. 7). On Oct. 28, Amb. Bons al was permanently recalled to Washington. On Jan. 3, 1961, all diplomtic relations were broken off with Cuba. The year 1960 was also the year for the campaign period for the the presidential elections. Vice President Richard Nixon was running against SenatorJohn F. Kennedy. The Kennedy campiagn rode on the American voters anti-Castro sentiment and their restlessness towards the resolution of the Castro issue.On the eve of a candidate’s debate, Kennedy attacked Eisenhower’s Cuba policy. He called for U. S. support for the â€Å"non-Batista anti-Castro forces in exile, and in Cuba itself, who offer eventual hope for overthrowing Castro. † Stated further, â€Å"thus far these fighers for freedom have had no support from our government. † Nixon attacks Kennedy’s position on Cuba as irresponsible and reckless since he knew that CIA Director Allan Dulles himslef briefed Kennedy some months back on intelligence amtters including the training of Cuban exi les for operations against the Castro government.(Blight & Kornbluh, 1999, pp. 160-162). Meanwhile, the program for covert action was being put in place. Radio Swan goes on the air in May 1960. The programs were taped in Miami and routed throught the Swan transmitter, An airport was built in Guatemala, a cuntry whose president was beholden to the CIA-led U. S. support in overthrowing the reformist government in 1954. The Cuban exiled forces called Brigade 2506 who were being trained in Useppa Island off the coast of Florida were transferred to a camp in Guatemala.Eventually, the size of the brigade grew to about 1,500 soldiers and were called Brigade 2506. A few months later, Castro charged â€Å"that the U. S. has taken over Swan Island and has setup a very powerful broadcasting station there, â€Å" during an address to the UN General Assembly which the US refuted claiming that there is a private commercial broadcasting station in Swan Island . Foreigh Minsiter Raul Roa addresse d the UN a month later providing details on the recruitment and training of the Cuban exiles wherein he referred to them as mercenaries and counter-revolutionaries.The CIA recruits were paid USD400 per month to train and an additional USD175. 00 for their wives and more for their children. (Sierra, 2007, par. 19) NOTE: In a historic meeting of the participants of both sides in 2001, Castro himself pointedly referred to them as brigadistas. President Eisenhower approves a budget of USD13 million for the covert antCastro operation as well as the use of the Department of Defense personnel and equipment. However, it was specified that no US military personnel are to be used in combat status. 2ND PLAN The CIA changes the conception of the plan in Nov.8-9, 1960 from a guerilla infiltraion to an amphibious invasion Blight & Kornbluh, 1999, p. 162). Why? – Cuban accustaion of propaganda via Radio Swan – First attempt at droping weapons and supplies to the internal Cuban resist ance was a failure having missed the drop zone by seven miles, lands on a dam, picked up by Castro forces and the gound agent caught and shot – Young officers revolt in Guatemala due to the presence of the Cuba expeditionary force which the US helped to quell – The operation is no longer a secret as it is known all over Latin America and was being discussed in UN circles.The Joint Chief of Staff were consulted for the first time on Jan. 11th 1961. A working committee including representatives from the CIA, Defense and the JCS resulted which the Pentagon code names Operation Bumpy Road. On Jan. 28th, newly-elected President John F. Kennedy receives his first CIA briefing on the Cuban operation. The concept of the plan as outlined in the memorandum prepared by two senior CIA official in charge of the brigade, Jacob Esteline and Jack Hawkins is as follows: The initial mission of the invasion force will be to seize and defend a small area.There will be no attempt to break out of lodgment for further offensive operations unless and until there is a general uprising against the Castro regime or overt military intervention by the US forces has taken place. (Blight & Kornbluh, 1999, p. 164). The landing would be in the vicinity of the old colonial city of Trinida, Cuba in the southern coast of Cuba. This is approximately 400 km. Southeast of Havana at the foothills of Escambray mountains. The Trinidad site provided a number of options that the exile brigade could exploit during the invasion.The popiltaion of Trinidad was generally opposed to Castro and the rugged mountains outside the city provided an area into which the invasion force could retreat and establish a guerilla campaign were the landing to falter. Throughout the 1960, the growing ranks of Briagde 2560 rained throughout for the beach landing and possible mountain retreat (Wikipedia). Richard Bissell, CIA Director of Plans, assessed the plans as having â€Å"a fair chance of success – success meaning ability to survive, hold ground and attarct groing support for Cubans and get a ful-fledged civil war in which the US could then back the anti-Castro forces openly.At worst, the invaders should be able to fight their way to the Escabray and go into guerilla action. (Bight & Kornbluh, 1999, p. 164). The military plan for d-day of Macrh 5 is put back until April after examination of all possible alternatives. Why? – State Department point out grave effects on US position in Latin America – No way to disgusie US complicity However, Bissell argued for the invasion on the grounds of â€Å"disposal† problem if the mission is aborted: â€Å"brigade members will be angry, disillusioned and aggressive† (in fact a revolt did occur in late Jan.1961 among the Cuban exiles in Guatemala and almost half of the more than 500 en in camp resigned. ) (Blight & Kornbluh, 1999, p. 164). Bissell concludes that this is the last opportunity for the US to bring do wn Castro without overt US military intervention or a full embargo. National Security Adviser McGeorge Bundy recommended to institute a trade embargo first and let internal oppositon build for several months and then launch â€Å"Bissells’s battalion†. Ther Trinida plan is rejected as the President prepfers a quiet landing, prefereably at night with no basis for American military intervention.CIA presented three alternatives. The first is a modification of the Trinidad plan, the second targets an area on the northeast coast of Cuba and the thrid is an invasion at the Bay of Pigs codenamed â€Å"Opertion Zapata†. The pPresident orders modifcations of the Zapata Plan to mak it appear more like an inside, guerilla-type operation. It was modified to a night landing (instead of a dawn landing) and air drops a t first light. Kennedy questions the necessity of the air strikes, A compromise is agreed upon limited air strikes two days pror to d-day simultanoeus with a di versionary landing of 160 men in Eastern Cuba.These strikes will give the impression of being the action of Cuban pilots defecting from teh Cuban air force and thus supproting the fiction that air support for the invasion force is coming from within Cuba. Bissell also reassures Kennedy that the Cubans on the island will join in an uprising. Sen. William Fulbright, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations describes the venture as ill-considered and predicts that it will be impossible to conceal the US hand. After polling a dozen advisers, all vote in favor of moving ahead ecept for Sec.Of State Dean Rusk who remained noncommittal. Defense Sec. Requested the JCS to reconsider the rules of engagement to ensure that the US would not become oertly engaged with Castro forces. Seven days before d-day, Esterline and Hawkins, two of the leaders of the invasion call on Bissell to tell him that they want to quit. They say that the project is out of control. Bissell asks them to stay and they d o. Three days before the invsion, â€Å"Kennedy rules outm under any condition, an intervention in Cuba by the US Armed Forces.One day before the invasion, the number of plane were reduced from 16 to 6 planes as ordered by Kennedy in order to keep it minimal. On April 16, Kennedy formally approved the landing plan. However, fearing international condemnation, Kennedy cancels the dawn air strikes until the beachhead airfiled is in the hands of the aldning force and completely operational and capale of supporting the raids. Bissel argued that the ships as well as the landings will be seriously endangered without the dawn strikes,In early morning, aboard the Blagar, CIA agent Grayston Lynch receives a message from Washington: â€Å"Castro still has operational aircraft. Expect you to be hit at dawn. Unload all troops and supplies and take ships to sea as soon as possible. † On learning that the invading troops will meet resistance in the landing area, due to failure to destroy all of the Cuban air force, the Blagar moves in close to shore and delivers gunfire support. Brigade troops commence landing at 0100 hours. Later that morning, the Houston comes under air attack and is hit.It goes aground with about 180 men on the west side of the Bay of Pigs—about five miles from the landing beach. At 9:30 AM, the freighter Rio Escondido is sunk by a direct rocket hit from a Sea Fury—with ten day's reserves of ammunition on board, as well as food, hospital equipment, and gasoline. All crew members are rescued and transferred to the Blagar. Fighting rages throughout the day, with the brigade freighters withdrawing 50 miles out to sea. That evening, President Kennedy discusses the deteriorating situation with his advisers.(Blight & Kornbluh, 1999, p. 168). On April 18, the Brigade Commander refused a call for evacuation. While at the UN on the same day, Ambassador Adlai Stevenson continued to deny that the United States had intervened militarily in Cuba . Bissell, in direct violation of Kennedy’s instructions, authorized American pilots to fly combat missions when a number of the Cuban pilots at Pueto Cabezos refused to fly. On April 19, two planes flown by U. S. pilots were shot down and the pilots killed. The invasion force were captured.About 130 were killed and 1,189 were taken prisoners. Cuba’s casualties were about 157. Mass trial were held and each was sentenced to 30 years in prison. After 20 months of negotations, most were released in echange for USD53 million in baby food and medical supplies. (Sierra, 2007). Lymann Kirkpatrick, the CIA Inspector General, issued a report that pointed to Bissell and his aide Tracy Barnes as not having firm plans for the invasion and failed to advise Kennedy that a covert action is not at all possible.Bissell rebutted by issuing a memorandum of his own and putting the blame on Kennedy’s withdrawal of the air strikes. On June 13, 1961, General Taylor, head of the Taylor Commitee composed on Gen. Maxwell taylor, Atty. General Robert Kennedy, Adm. Arleigh Burke and Dir. Gen. Of CIA Allen Dulles to investigate why the operation failed submits their report to President Kennedy: A paramilitary operation of the magnitude of Zapata could not be prepared and conducted in such a way that all U. S.support of it and connection with it could be plausibly disclaimed†¦. By about November 1960, the impossibility of running Zapata as a covert operation under CIA should have been recognized and the situation reviewed. If a reorientation of the operation had not been possible, the project should have been abandoned. (Blight & Kornbluh, 1999, p. 169). Apart from the reports of Kirkpatrick of the CIA and the Taylor Committee, and after more documents relating to the Bay of Pigs invasion surfaced and were declassified, the following can be concluded:– the CIA made decisions on mere assumptions that the people would spontaneously assist in overthrowing Cast ro (Lafeber, 1986). – they failed to see that the exiles and the supporters were the loud minority while the majority were straddling the fence in a wait-and-see attitude inasmuch as Castro’s government was still at its inception and already seemed to have eben serious about its reforms in distributing the wealth concentrated on the few during the previous regime which was openly supported by the U.S. – the United States could have lost sympathy from the locals since from 1898, they have exerted great influence over Cuba’s internal affairs seemingly to the point of meddling in order to favor American businessees and the invasion was undeniably a US-backed operation – the US did not trust its own invading force, not even telling the Cuban exiles the actual day of the invason. One aganet admitted that, â€Å"I don’t trsut any goddamn Cuban.† (Lafeber, 1986) – aside from being trapped by his own campaign statements, the ongoing co ld war forced Kennedy to take immediate if undecisive action in battling Cuba’s Castro and ultimately the USSR’s Nikita Kruschev for the Western hemisphere – there were tactical errors such as mistaking the coral reefs in the Bay of Pigs for seaweed which ran the exile craft aground and made easy targets – the US underestimated the Castro’s security and defenses.In a historic meeting in 2001 between the antagonists and the protagonists in the invasion which was held in Cuba, it was divulged that â€Å"a vast security network had been established and about 20,000 suspected dissidents were rounded up† which effectively squelched US expectations of a mass rebellion. Moreover, the Cuban air forces’ better planes were camouflaged and the ones that were destroyed by teh pre-d-day strike were decoys. (Dinges, 2001, p. 6).– the CIA strategy is rooted on another assumption that no president, Kennedy included despite his statements again st overt operations, will allow the United States to â€Å"go down in ignominous defeat† and will send in the Marines (as related by Whote House adviser Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. In Dinges, 2001). – There were no CIA broadcasts to announce the invasion (Telzrow, 2006). It would seem highly improbable that the world’s greatest superpower would be defeated by a revolutionary government barely over a year in power. However, that is exactly what Cuba did did under Fidel Castro’s leadership.On April 19, 1961 Cuba was able to repulse an invasion led by 1,400 commandos of Brigade 2506 who arrived at Playa Giron (Giron Beach) from Bahia de Cochinos (Bay of Pigs) Brigade 2506 was US-backed all the way. The planning and training was done by the CIA. They were armed and supplied by the US. It was not a failure of the men of the invasion force who fought valiantly and refused to be evacuated. Given the circumstances surrounding the invasion, it was a â€Å"perfect fai lure† as it has now been dubbed for the spectacular defeat of the US.Overall, this is mainly due to the arrogance displayed by America and has now been immortalized in the Bay of Pigs. ? References Blight, J. G. & Kornbluh, P. (Eds. ) (1999). Politics of illusion: The Bay of Pigs invasion re-examined. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner. Dinges, J. (2001, April 23). Back to the Bay of Pigs. The Nation, 272, 6. Ismael, F. L. (1965). The United States as a world leader. The Book of Knowledge, vol. 9, pp. 3206-3224. New York: Grolier Incorporated. Lafeber, W. (1986, April 19). Lest we forget the Bay of Pigs; the unlearned lessons. The Nation, 242, 537-539. Sierra, J. A. (2007).History of Cuba. Retrieved August 15, 2007, from http://www. historyofcuba. com/cuba/htm. Telzrow, M. E. (2006, August 21). Bay of Pigs betrayal: The batrayal of the Cuba people by the CIA, State Department and staff members of the New York Times ranks as one of the America’s darkest foreign-policy moments. T he New American, 22, 37-39. Welch. R. E. (1985). Response to revolution: The United States and the Cuban revolution, 1959-1961. Chappel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press. WIKIPEDIA. 2007. Bay of Pigs invasion. Retrieved August 15, 2007, from http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Bay_of_Pigs_Invasion.

Ch 2 Solution

CHAPTER 2 Mechanics of Futures Markets Practice Questions Problem 2. 8. The party with a short position in a futures contract sometimes has options as to the precise asset that will be delivered, where delivery will take place, when delivery will take place, and so on. Do these options increase or decrease the futures price? Explain your reasoning. These options make the contract less attractive to the party with the long position and more attractive to the party with the short position. They therefore tend to reduce the futures price. Problem 2. 9. What are the most important aspects of the design of a new futures contract?The most important aspects of the design of a new futures contract are the specification of the underlying asset, the size of the contract, the delivery arrangements, and the delivery months. Problem 2. 10. Explain how margins protect investors against the possibility of default. A margin is a sum of money deposited by an investor with his or her broker. It acts a s a guarantee that the investor can cover any losses on the futures contract. The balance in the margin account is adjusted daily to reflect gains and losses on the futures contract. If losses are above a certain level, the investor is required to deposit a further margin.This system makes it unlikely that the investor will default. A similar system of margins makes it unlikely that the investor’s broker will default on the contract it has with the clearinghouse member and unlikely that the clearinghouse member will default with the clearinghouse. Problem 2. 11. A trader buys two July futures contracts on frozen orange juice. Each contract is for the delivery of 15,000 pounds. The current futures price is 160 cents per pound, the initial margin is $6,000 per contract, and the maintenance margin is $4,500 per contract. What price change would lead to a margin call?Under what circumstances could $2,000 be withdrawn from the margin account? There is a margin call if more than $1 ,500 is lost on one contract. This happens if the futures price of frozen orange juice falls by more than 10 cents to below 150 cents per lb. $2,000 can be withdrawn from the margin account if there is a gain on one contract of $1,000. This will happen if the futures price rises by 6. 67 cents to 166. 67 cents per lb. Problem 2. 12. Show that, if the futures price of a commodity is greater than the spot price during the delivery period, then there is an arbitrage opportunity.Does an arbitrage opportunity exist if the futures price is less than the spot price? Explain your answer. If the futures price is greater than the spot price during the delivery period, an arbitrageur buys the asset, shorts a futures contract, and makes delivery for an immediate profit. If the futures price is less than the spot price during the delivery period, there is no similar perfect arbitrage strategy. An arbitrageur can take a long futures position but cannot force immediate delivery of the asset. The d ecision on when delivery will be made is made by the party with the short position.Nevertheless companies interested in acquiring the asset will find it attractive to enter into a long futures contract and wait for delivery to be made. Problem 2. 13. Explain the difference between a market-if-touched order and a stop order. A market-if-touched order is executed at the best available price after a trade occurs at a specified price or at a price more favorable than the specified price. A stop order is executed at the best available price after there is a bid or offer at the specified price or at a price less favorable than the specified price. Problem 2. 14. Explain what a stop-limit order to sell at 20. 0 with a limit of 20. 10 means. A stop-limit order to sell at 20. 30 with a limit of 20. 10 means that as soon as there is a bid at 20. 30 the contract should be sold providing this can be done at 20. 10 or a higher price. Problem 2. 15. At the end of one day a clearinghouse member is long 100 contracts, and the settlement price is $50,000 per contract. The original margin is $2,000 per contract. On the following day the member becomes responsible for clearing an additional 20 long contracts, entered into at a price of $51,000 per contract. The settlement price at the end of this day is $50,200.How much does the member have to add to its margin account with the exchange clearinghouse? The clearinghouse member is required to provide 20 ? $2, 000 = $40, 000 as initial margin for the new contracts. There is a gain of (50,200 ? 50,000) ? 100 = $20,000 on the existing contracts. There is also a loss of (51, 000 ? 50, 200) ? 20 = $16, 000 on the new contracts. The member must therefore add 40, 000 ? 20, 000 + 16, 000 = $36, 000 to the margin account. Problem 2. 16. On July 1, 2010, a Japanese company enters into a forward contract to buy $1 million with yen on January 1, 2011.On September 1, 2010, it enters into a forward contract to sell $1 million on January 1, 2011 . Describe the profit or loss the company will make in dollars as a function of the forward exchange rates on July 1, 2010 and September 1, 2010. Suppose F1 and F2 are the forward exchange rates for the contracts entered into July 1, 2010 and September 1, 2010, and S is the spot rate on January 1, 2011. (All exchange rates are measured as yen per dollar). The payoff from the first contract is (S ? F1 ) million yen and the payoff from the second contract is (F2 ? S ) million yen.The total payoff is therefore ( S ? F1 ) + ( F2 ? S ) = ( F2 ? F1 ) million yen. Problem 2. 17. The forward price on the Swiss franc for delivery in 45 days is quoted as 1. 1000. The futures price for a contract that will be delivered in 45 days is 0. 9000. Explain these two quotes. Which is more favorable for an investor wanting to sell Swiss francs? The 1. 1000 forward quote is the number of Swiss francs per dollar. The 0. 9000 futures quote is the number of dollars per Swiss franc. When quoted in the same way as the futures price the forward price is 1 / 1. 1000 = 0. 091 . The Swiss franc is therefore more valuable in the forward market than in the futures market. The forward market is therefore more attractive for an investor wanting to sell Swiss francs. Problem 2. 18. Suppose you call your broker and issue instructions to sell one July hogs contract. Describe what happens. Hog futures are traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. (See Table 2. 2). The broker will request some initial margin. The order will be relayed by telephone to your broker’s trading desk on the floor of the exchange (or to the trading desk of another broker).It will be sent by messenger to a commission broker who will execute the trade according to your instructions. Confirmation of the trade eventually reaches you. If there are adverse movements in the futures price your broker may contact you to request additional margin. Problem 2. 19. â€Å"Speculation in futures markets is pure gambling. It is n ot in the public interest to allow speculators to trade on a futures exchange. † Discuss this viewpoint. Speculators are important market participants because they add liquidity to the market.However, contracts must be useful for hedging as well as speculation. This is because regulators generally only approve contracts when they are likely to be of interest to hedgers as well as speculators. Problem 2. 20. Identify the three commodities whose futures contracts in Table 2. 2 have the highest open interest. Based on the contract months listed, the answer is crude oil, corn, and sugar (world). Problem 2. 21. What do you think would happen if an exchange started trading a contract in which the quality of the underlying asset was incompletely specified?The contract would not be a success. Parties with short positions would hold their contracts until delivery and then deliver the cheapest form of the asset. This might well be viewed by the party with the long position as garbage! O nce news of the quality problem became widely known no one would be prepared to buy the contract. This shows that futures contracts are feasible only when there are rigorous standards within an industry for defining the quality of the asset. Many futures contracts have in practice failed because of the problem of defining quality.Problem 2. 22. â€Å"When a futures contract is traded on the floor of the exchange, it may be the case that the open interest increases by one, stays the same, or decreases by one. † Explain this statement. If both sides of the transaction are entering into a new contract, the open interest increases by one. If both sides of the transaction are closing out existing positions, the open interest decreases by one. If one party is entering into a new contract while the other party is closing out an existing position, the open interest stays the same. Problem 2. 23.Suppose that on October 24, 2010, you take a short position in an April 2011 live-cattle f utures contract. You close out your position on January 21, 2011. The futures price (per pound) is 91. 20 cents when you enter into the contract, 88. 30 cents when you close out your position, and 88. 80 cents at the end of December 2010. One contract is for the delivery of 40,000 pounds of cattle. What is your total profit? How is it taxed if you are (a) a hedger and (b) a speculator? Assume that you have a December 31 year end. The total profit is 40, 000 ? (0. 9120 ? 0. 8830) = $1,160 If you are a hedger this is all taxed in 2011.If you are a speculator 40, 000 ? (0. 9120 ? 0. 8880) = $960 is taxed in 2010 and 40, 000 ? (0. 8880 ? 0. 8830) = $200 is taxed in 2011. Further Questions Problem 2. 24 Trader A enters into futures contracts to buy 1 million euros for 1. 4 million dollars in three months. Trader B enters in a forward contract to do the same thing. The exchange (dollars per euro) declines sharply during the first two months and then increases for the third month to close at 1. 4300. Ignoring daily settlement, what is the total profit of each trader? When the impact of daily settlement is taken into account, which trader does better?The total profit of each trader in dollars is 0. 03? 1,000,000 = 30,000. Trader B’s profit is realized at the end of the three months. Trader A’s profit is realized day-by-day during the three months. Substantial losses are made during the first two months and profits are made during the final month. It is likely that Trader B has done better because Trader A had to finance its losses during the first two months. Problem 2. 25 Explain what is meant by open interest. Why does the open interest usually decline during the month preceding the delivery month?On a particular day there are 2,000 trades in a particular futures contract. Of the 2,000 traders on the long side of the market, 1,400 were closing out position and 600 were entering into new positions. Of the 2,000 traders on the short side of the market, 1 ,200 were closing out position and 800 were entering into new positions. What is the impact of the day's trading on open interest? Open interest is the number of contract outstanding. Many traders close out their positions just before the delivery month is reached. This is why the open interest declines during the month preceding the delivery month.The open interest went down by 600. We can see this in two ways. First, 1,400 shorts closed out and there were 800 new shorts. Second, 1,200 longs closed out and there were 600 new longs. Problem 2. 26 One orange juice future contract is on 15,000 pounds of frozen concentrate. Suppose that in September 2009 a company sells a March 2011 orange juice futures contract for 120 cents per pound. In December 2009 the futures price is 140 cents. In December 2010 the futures price is 110 cents. In February 2011 the futures price is 125 cents. The company has a December year end.What is the company's profit or loss on the contract? How is it realiz ed? What is the accounting and tax treatment of the transaction is the company is classified as a) a hedger and b) a speculator? The price goes up during the time the company holds the contract from 120 to 125 cents per pound. Overall the company therefore takes a loss of 15,000? 0. 05 = $750. If the company is classified as a hedger this loss is realized in 2011, If it is classified as a speculator it realizes a loss of 15,000? 0. 20 = $3000 in 2009, a gain of 15,000? 0. 30 = $4,500 in 2010 and a loss of 15,000? 0. 5 = $2,250 in 2011. Problem 2. 27. A company enters into a short futures contract to sell 5,000 bushels of wheat for 250 cents per bushel. The initial margin is $3,000 and the maintenance margin is $2,000. What price change would lead to a margin call? Under what circumstances could $1,500 be withdrawn from the margin account? There is a margin call if $1000 is lost on the contract. This will happen if the price of wheat futures rises by 20 cents from 250 cents to 270 ce nts per bushel. $1500 can be withdrawn if the futures price falls by 30 cents to 220 cents per bushel. Problem 2. 28.Suppose that there are no storage costs for crude oil and the interest rate for borrowing or lending is 5% per annum. How could you make money on August 4, 2009 by trading December 2009 and June 2010 contracts on crude oil? Use Table 2. 2. The December 2009 settlement price for oil is $75. 62 per barrel. The June 2010 settlement price for oil is $79. 41 per barrel. You could go long one December 2009 oil contract and short one June 2010 contract. In December 2009 you take delivery of the oil borrowing $75. 62 per barrel at 5% to meet cash outflows. The interest accumulated in six months is about 75. 2? 0. 05? 0. 5 or $1. 89. In December the oil is sold for $79. 41 per barrel which is more than the amount that has to be repaid on the loan. The strategy therefore leads to a profit. Note that this profit is independent of the actual price of oil in June 2010 or December 2009. It will be slightly affected by the daily settlement procedures. Problem 2. 29. What position is equivalent to a long forward contract to buy an asset at K on a certain date and a put option to sell it for K on that date? The equivalent position is a long position in a call with strike price K . Problem 2. 30. Excel file) The author’s Web page (www. rotman. utoronto. ca/~hull/data) contains daily closing prices for the December 2001 crude oil futures contract and the December 2001 gold futures contract. (Both contracts are traded on NYMEX. ) You are required to download the data and answer the following: a) How high do the maintenance margin levels for oil and gold have to be set so that there is a 1% chance that an investor with a balance slightly above the maintenance margin level on a particular day has a negative balance two days later (i. e. one day after a margin call). How high do they have to be for a 0. 1% chance.Assume daily price changes are normally distribu ted with mean zero. b) Imagine an investor who starts with a long position in the oil contract at the beginning of the period covered by the data and keeps the contract for the whole of the period of time covered by the data. Margin balances in excess of the initial margin are withdrawn. Use the maintenance margin you calculated in part (a) for a 1% risk level and assume that the maintenance margin is 75% of the initial margin. Calculate the number of margin calls and the number of times the investor has a negative margin balance and therefore an incentive to walk away.Assume that all margin calls are met in your calculations. Repeat the calculations for an investor who starts with a short position in the gold contract. The data for this problem in the 7th edition is different from that in the 6th edition. a) For gold the standard deviation of daily changes is $15. 184 per ounce or $1518. 4 per contract. For a 1% risk this means that the maintenance margin should be set at 1518 . 4 ? 2 ? 2. 3263 or 4996 when rounded. For a 0. 1% risk the maintenance margin should be set at 1518 . 4 ? 2 ? 3. 0902 or 6636 when rounded. For crude oil the standard deviation of daily changes is $1. 777 per barrel or $1577. 7 per contract. For a 1% risk, this means that the maintenance margin should be set at 1577 . 7 ? 2 ? 2. 3263 or 5191 when rounded. For a 0. 1% chance the maintenance margin should be set at 1577 . 7 ? 2 ? 3. 0902 or 6895 when rounded. NYMEX might be interested in these calculations because they indicate the chance of a trader who is just above the maintenance margin level at the beginning of the period having a negative margin level before funds have to be submitted to the broker. b) For a 1% risk the initial margin is set at 6,921 for on crude oil. This is the maintenance margin of 5,191 divided by 0. 75. ) As the spreadsheet shows, for a long investor in oil there are 157 margin calls and 9 times (out of 1039 days) where the investor is tempted to walk away. F or a 1% risk the initial margin is set at 6,661 for gold. (This is 4,996 divided by 0. 75. ) As the spreadsheet shows, for a short investor in gold there are 81 margin calls and 4 times (out of 459 days) when the investor is tempted to walk away. When the 0. 1% risk level is used there is 1 time when the oil investor might walk away and 2 times when the gold investor might do so.

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On your name - Essay Example The hospital staff told my parents why they strongly believed that I should be named Victor. They told them the origin of the name. The name Victor is a Latin word meaning â€Å"one who conquerors† or â€Å"champion.† It is derived from the word â€Å"vincere† which means â€Å"to win.† The doctors also said that early Christians referenced â€Å"Victor† to Christ’s victory over sin and death and that there are numerous saints and three popes named Victor. One of the saints was Victor the Moor, a Christian martyr, born into a Christian family who became a soldier in the Roman Praetorian Guard. After he destroyed some pagan altars, he was arrested, tortured and killed. It was claimed that miracles occurred above his grave. A church was built above the supposed grave site. Many churches have been dedicated to him in the city and throughout the Diocese of Milan and its neighborhood. His memorial day is May 8th in the Roman Catholic Church and th e Evangelical Lutheran Church. One of the nurses stated that although I was not born on that day, yet my parents were granted a miracle and it was my determination to make it to this world that allowed that miracle to occur. Everything from the circumstances in which I was born to the name’s beautiful meaning went in favor of having me named

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Why the road measures still fail and how can it be improved - Research Paper Example Road measures are organized safety processes intended at reducing the number and severity of road related crashes. Effective road measures systems provide information for selecting and implementing successful road safety strategies and projects. Different actors are involved in road safety measures; it is vital for their activities to be well coordinated to address the common problem in an integrated way. These actors include the road infrastructure element, which involves the guidelines and standards that manage the planning, design, construction, and operation of the road. Infrastructure component also includes the directional and traffic control signs, road side barriers, as well as signal and pavement markings (United States, 2004). The other actor involved in road safety measures is the vehicle component. In this component legislation, regulations and standards that govern the manufacture and maintenance of automobiles, buses, trucks, motorcycles, and their associated equipments are looked considered. The third actor is the user component. The road user component includes the regulation and public education that governs and provides information on the behavior of drivers, occupants, cyclists, as well as pedestrians (Transportation Research Board, 2002). The United States is missing noteworthy opportunities to lessen traffic fatalities and injuries. Most other high income countries are reducing traffic fatalities and fatality rates faster than in the United States. Some countries that experienced higher fatality rates than the U.S 20 years ago are now below the U.S rate. For instance, from 1995 to 2009, France declined its annual traffic fatality by 52 percent, Australia by 25 percent, United Kingdom by 39 percent but only 19 percent in the United States (United States, 2004) From the experience of these nations, for a national program to function

Cultural-Adaptation Essay Example for Free

Cultural-Adaptation Essay The East African tribe ‘Maasai’ can be found in Kenya and certain parts of Tanzania. Their subsistence strategy has primarily been pastoral for several centuries. The Maasai herd cows, sheep and goats for a livelihood as they depend on the meat and milk for their survival. The Maasai are also semi-nomadic people, making them pastoral nomads (ONeil 2). This helps them move from place to place, in search of better climatic and external conditions suitable for raising their herd animals. They constantly move to areas having greener pastures and adequate water to ensure that their livestock are healthier; it also facilitates grass growing back again in areas that have been grazed by cattle. Their choice of location would also depend upon other factors such as safety from predators such as lions. The Maasai do not construct permanent settlements as they are constantly on the move; they live in temporary dwellings that are simple to construct. The social structure of the Maasai has played a key role in preserving the tribe’s primary subsistence strategy as pastoral for centuries. The age-based social structure is quite fair and consistent as there is no discrimination based on caste or familial segregations. However, there are certain gender-based roles and customs within the tribe. The men are divided into the youths, the warriors also know as ‘moran’, and the elders. On the other hand, the young girls get married to warrior men, bear children and raise them; the women can also become elders after their bear four children. The youths become warriors around the â€Å"age of 13 to 17† and move to a different village, live in unsecure enclosures called ‘manyatta built by their mothers and eventually get married (Martin 7). It is the duty of the warriors to ensure that the tribe is safe and cattle are protected from predators. They are mentally conditioned as well as physically trained from a very young age to perform this duty. The Maasai women specialize in building houses from sticks, mud and cow dung. This helps the tribe to move from place to place easily and sustain their semi-nomadic way of life. The Maasai men also build thorn fences to keep their cattle safe in enclosures. The elders are supposed to impart wisdom and live passive lives, as the responsibilities and duties of the tribe pass over to the next generation of warriors. The authority figure in their social system is a person known as laibon, roughly translated as ’medicine man’; the ‘laibon’ also fills the religious needs of the tribe and practices shamanism for healing. This uniform socio-cultural structure lends stability and contributes to the subsistence of the Maasai way of life, as there is very little room for rebellion within the group. Many aboriginal cultures around the world are going through transition due to modernization and the Maasai are no exception to this rule. Urbanization had led to the Maasai being confined to smaller areas, thus threatening their way of life. To cope with these changes, a small segment of the tribe has recently changed its subsistence strategy to agriculture, fishing and taking menial jobs in urbanized areas. The tourism industry promoted by the government has compelled certain Maasai tribes to diverge away from their self-sufficient lifestyle and act as showpieces for tourists (Akama 717). However, the Maasai still retain certain aspects of their cultural identify such as speaking a language called ‘Maa’ and wearing a red cloth called the ‘shuka’; they also pierce their earlobes and adorn large metal earrings. Despite the influence of the modern world, a large segment of the Maasai tribe is still quite self-sufficient as they produce their own food from cattle and take care of other needs such as shelter and medicine. Works Cited Page Akama, John. Marginalization of the Maasai in Kenya. Annals of Tourism Research, Volume 26, Number 3, July 1999. Martin, Marlene. Society-MASAI. The Center for Social Anthropology and Computing. June 14, 2009, http://lucy. ukc. ac. uk/EthnoAtlas/Hmar/Cult_dir/Culture. 7860 ONeil, Dennis. (2007). Patterns of Subsistence: Pastoralism. Palomar College. June 14, 2009, http://anthro. palomar. edu/subsistence/sub_3. htm

Classroom Management Paper Essay Example for Free

Classroom Management Paper Essay During my classroom observation, I observed the classroom of Mrs. Shanesta Pettway. Mrs. Pettway is a 9th grade history teacher at Jeff Davis High School. She runs a very structured class with a well plan classroom management plan. Mrs. Pettway follows a strict schedule during the 50 minutes of class time that students follow such as 15 minute bell ringer at the beginning of class, 15 minutes of lecture and class participation, and 15 minutes of section review assessment questions. She utilizes the final five minutes for students to put away books and prepare for their next class. Her classroom management plan does not allow students much time to talk or interact with each other. Her transition from the bell ringer to the class lecture was very smooth and the students seem to be in routine with moving from one assignment to the next. I believe her daily schedule is a great method of classroom management because it helps her to keep the students on track. Interaction with Students Mrs. Pettway fully interacts with her students throughout the class period. She walks also the classroom and monitors the progress of each student and makes sure they are staying on task with their assignment. She gets students involved in the discussion questions by randomly calling on them to answer questions. When her students have questions or do not understand information about their assignment, she provides them feedback to get them back on the right track. Classroom Setup The classroom is set up with 27 students. The students’ desks are all facing the front of the classroom. Her class consisted of a whiteboard, smart board, and projector. Mrs. Pettway desk is also stationed at the front of the classroom where she is able to see each student. The students are seated in the classroom in alphabetical order facing the white board where the objectives and assignments and daily schedule were placed visible to the students. She also has two tables in the classroom that are seated away from the rest of the class for students with behavior issues. Classroom rules are placed on the wall near the entrance of the classroom visible for all students to see as they enter the classroom. Examples and Incidents of Mutual Respect Mrs. Pettway seems to be the person controlling the class at all times. She has built a personal rapport with students and they have a lot of respect for her. Mrs. Pettway greets the students by theirs name as they enter the class. When students want to get her attention they raise their hand, she acknowledges them and provides them with an appropriate answer. For example, when Mrs. Pettway was during her lecture, all students were attentive and listening. Her class exhibited no behaviors or distractions during class time. She also gives her students mutual respect by acknowledging and praising them for engaging in class discussion and completing the classroom before the end of class. Preventive Procedures and Activities At the beginning of class, Mrs. Pettway had already had her books turned to the chapter that she would be lecturing from. She also had the students’ assignments for the day listed on the board so they would know what the tasks were for the day. Her lesson was prepared before class and she was confident in the information she was teaching. The class activities were in line with the lecture and class discussion that was previously discussed and they were engaging and seemed to be interesting for the students. Discipline model used in the classroom and school The discipline model that was used in the classroom was to separate the students that had disruptive behavior from the rest of the class. She stated that she uses this model because it helps to cut down on the distractions and helps the rest of the class stay on track. Another discipline that she uses is parent teacher conferences for students with disruptive behavior. The schools discipline policy of disruptive behavior usually result in ISS in school suspension, detention, or suspension away from school. How does the teacher deal with a parent or guardian of a disruptive child? Mrs. Pettway stated that she holds parent or guardian conferences for her students often. If a student is being disruptive in the classroom, she makes contact with the parents or guardian for a conference to discuss the behavior. Mrs. Pettway stated that she deals with a parent or guardian of a disruptive child in a calm and professional manor. She discusses the student’s behaviors with the parents and possible solutions. She also stated that she works closely with the parents to set achieve goals for their child, monitor their behavior and holds follow up conferences with the parents to determine if the student’s behavior is improving. In conclusion, I learned how to effectively run a classroom management plan. The classroom observation was very informative and a great learning experience. I discovered different ways to deal with classroom behavior without affecting the learning of the other students in the classroom. I really enjoyed this classroom observation experience.

Personal delelopment in Accounting and Finance Personal Development Essay

Personal delelopment in Accounting and Finance Personal Development Essay Introduction Personal Development in Accounting and Finance course overall helps me to understand how did my career goal comes about, where do I stand now, and understand the journey and process which I will have to go through in order to achieve my career goal. 2. What did I learn / achieved in PDAF? In PDAF, Belbin lesson, I understand that a team role is a pattern of behaviour. Different team role have different characteristics and all team roles have both strengths and weaknesses. A person could be having a few team roles at a same time. Through the questionnaire, I manage to identify a few team roles which I will normally adopt at work, which include the specialist, the completer/finisher and the shaper role. I manage to identify what are my strengths and allowable weakness. As I am showing the shapers weakness therefore I hope to improve on this area. (See appendix 1). Through this MTBI personality test, I discovered that the personality type which I belong to is ISTJ (introverted sensing with extraverted thinking), whom is a duty fulfiller. This test also allows me to identify my strengths and weaknesses at work and home. I also realise that possible careers for ISTJ are accountants and financial officers which is what my career goal is. (See appendix 3). It was feedback from my group member that she feels that Im in the right career path as the ISTJs personality described me truly. 3. My Career journey thoughts feelings Looking back at my lifeline during lesson 2, I feel that whoever I am now depend on the decision which I had made when I was 19 years old. To choose between going to a polytechnic for engineering course or a private school for CAT made my career journey changed. It is also because of great interest on figures and influences from family, that why I decided to choose a private accounting school for CAT courses rather the other. (See appendix 2) I also feel that all these while in my career journey, I was consider quite lucky. I am lucky in a sense that, I have a lot opportunity to learn new things and gain experience on accounting field compared to the others. I started my first job as Account Assistant with no relevant working experience. Yet I have the opportunity to learn from scratch. I understand that not much company is willing to teach fresh graduate especially when this so called fresh graduate had not officially graduated at that point of time. My career goal is to be an accountant. After doing some website research on the responsibilities for this role, I realise the main duty for an accountant in Singapore public or private sector is about the same. I believe in term of working experience I should be able to fit in as I have pick up quite a valid experience in this area. But looking at the current market entry requirement, sad to comment, although I have the experience and skills in accounting software, I see myself in a non-favourable position in obtaining this position at the current moment. I will need to upgrade my qualification and that is to take up a degree course so that I can fit into the position. (See appendix 4) After working in accounting line for so many years, sometimes I do feel that my interest on my job had faded quite a lot. Sometimes I do not have the energy to move on. I feel that this might be due to long working period with no proper break or rest. As my career goal is to be an accountant, so I will not give up this goal so easily. If financially allows, I am considering of moving out of my working life temporary to have a good break while pursuing my degree course. I think by doing so, I can rest and replenish my energy level on my job, and I can place full time concentration on my study. My follow-up after PDAF After attending this Belbin lesson, I will like to improve on my weakness by showing more concern on the others. Now I tend to think twice before commenting remarks. Although is hard to do it, I hope I can do in time to be. (See appendix 1). I also hope that I can control my emotion (See appendix 2), by not being so affected when my close colleagues left the company. Im happy to know that I am in the right career path and see myself having more strengths than weaknesses being an ISTJ. Being someone whom honored our commitment, loyal and faithful, I hope I can continue this way especially toward my family. There is one weakness which had been around for quite a while and it had been happening quite often at work. It needs a lot of skill and effort in order for me to strengthen it. This weakness is having too strong sense of duty until I had difficult time to say no to others when I was given more work than what we can reasonable handle. I see the need for me to reduce this strong sense of duty image in front of others. I have to control it well so that my sense of duty still exist but yet I know how to say no to them when too much work is being passed down to me. (See appendix 3) I also realise I do not have a proper written cover letter, the current one which I have now contain only a few lines which does not state any impressive remarks to employers. I also did not amend the cover letter accordingly to fit well to each individual job requirement. Therefore I need to pick up some skills on improving my cover letter. My CV was not updated with my latest experience and skill which I have obtained in my previous company. I need to update it regularly or as and when I have done any special projects or obtain any extra skills. Appendices The Group Presentations Appendix 1 Team Roles (Belbin) Presentation content Through the Belbin questionnaire, the team role which I have normally adopts is the Specialist role. Based on the information located from the website http://changingminds.org/explanations/preferences/belbin.htm, specialists strength is it has expert knowledge and skills in key areas and will solve many problems while its allowable weakness is it can be disinterested in all other areas. I do agree on the questionnaire that most of the time at work I have been adopting the specialist roles strength. Example, in my current position, I am handling GL (general ledger) function. Due to job responsibility, I often have to provide knowledge and assistance to other colleagues especially colleagues whom handle Accounts Receivable and Payables on any un-cleared issues or problems. I do not agree that I have adopted specialist roles weakness as in not much of showing disinterest in other areas. Example, usually at work I am very concern about other areas as I often have to attend other departments queries. I agreed that another role which I have also adopted successfully is the Completer/Finisher role. Example, as my position covered month closing and reporting. I often have to do detail checking on entries for errors and omissions before presenting the data to my superior. Also I tend to worry too much when my colleagues do not finish their areas of work on time. Reflection In the Belbin lesson, I understand that a team role is a pattern of behaviour. Different team role have different characteristics and all team roles have both strengths and weaknesses. A person could be having a few team roles at a same time. Through the Belbin questionnaire, I manage to identify a few team roles which I will normally adopt at work. Beside the contributions side of the specialist and completer/finisher, I realise that sometimes I tend to adopt the Shaper role. This role is full energy and action, challenging others to move forwards. This role can be insensitive. Example, at work I often have to push other colleagues and make sure they meet the closing deadline on time, by doing so, I tend to show the shapers weakness which is being insensitive. I sometimes tend to comment blunt remarks show poor attitude to the others when jobs were not done in time or properly. Appendix 2 Job Motivation Presentation content Reasons why I have decided to have accounting as my career choice are because of my interest and influences from my family member. Since I was young, I always like figures and counting, solving problem sums in school. It is also due to my sisters influences, that why I chose to further my study in accounting and hoping to be an accountant. My sister is the first one who enlightened me. She convinced me to convert my interest into my career since my interest is on figures, and I am always being good at mathematics. A few values which are important to me, one of which is money. I personally feel that money comes in hand in hand with hard work so with the hard work I have put in; I will want a justifiable amount of salary. Next value is happiness at work and good relationship with colleagues. I feel that in order to achieve happiness at work, we must maintain good relationships with colleagues. By having that, it will help to motivate us to go to work. Finally is appreciation from superior and career advancement. I feel the needs to have good opportunity to learn and do more things, follow-by promotion. I also need appreciation from superior by recognizing my hard work. Co-workers are the ones whom will influence me at work. Relationship with them often will affect my mood of working. With close and good relationship with my colleagues, I feel happy and more motivated to go to work. As I am a very emotional person. I will feel affected if a close colleague left the company. I know because, in my current job, my mood was greatly affected when my accountant and a close colleague left the company. It is a sense of loss especially toward my accountant as she had given me very good appreciation and opportunity. When she left the company, I feel I have not only lost a good colleague/superior, I also lost my value. Market requirement will affect my career choice. I always feel that accounting roles are always valuable in the market as all companies have accounts department and therefore accounting staffs will never be jobless. Reflection After working for quite a number of years, I realise my interest on my career had faded. My interest on figures is no longer existed. I value my values especially money at work more than interest. I see the important of these values, when my values are being achieve, I tend to be more motivated to move on but when values are not being achieved, it will influence me by affecting my motivation and emotion. Appendix 3 MBTI Presentation content The personality test located from the website http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes1.htm shows that my MBTI type is ISTJ, the duty fulfiller. ISTJ primary mode of living is focused internally, where we take things in via five senses in a literal, concrete fashion. Our secondary mode is external where we deal with things logically. Accountants and financial officers are the one of the possible career paths for ISTJ. One of the ISTJs strength is we are people whom honor our commitment. We are loyal and faithful. We are people who can be depended on to do the right things for our families. Another strength which is, we are stable, practical and down-to-earth. We tend to believe in laws and traditions. We often tend to believe that things should be done accordingly to procedures and plans. ISTJs have strongly-felt internal sense of duty which lends them a serious air and motivation to follow through on task. Because of this strong sense of duty, ISTJs may have difficult time saying no when we are given more work. Another weakness which we have is we will resist putting energy into things which dont make sense to us. I agreed the strength about believing that things should be done accordingly to procedures and plan. I usually like to do proper planning before proceeding. Example, I have habit of listing down the works I have to do for month end closing. I will note it as done once complete. Sometimes because of too many pieces of work coming in at the same time, I tend to state the items down and do it based on priority. I dont quite agree to the point that ISTJ tend to resist of putting energy on things which dont make sense, because perhaps I believe that sometimes at work, things might not be within our control so I often just continue to put in energy even if the things dont make any sense to me. Feedback from my group members One of my team-mate comments that I have performed well in the group presentation. While another feel that Im in the right career path as I fit truly well in ISTJ personality. Reflections Based on the personality test, I feel that I have chosen the right career choice. In term of personality at work, it reflected the very true side of me. It best described what kind of person I am at work or home. It highlighted to me what are the strengths and weaknesses I have. ISJT has such a strong sense of duty that we may have a difficult time saying no when we are given more work than what we can reasonably handle. Looking at this point, I realise that this had happened quite often in my working life. I never say no to my superior when I was given too much work to do. I feel that there is a need for me to reduce my strong sense of duty image to the others especially to those who had been taking advantage of me. Appendix 4 Careers Presentation content The job which I have chosen is accountant position. Employers for public sector include local authorities, schools and etc, while employers for private sector range from large multinational organizations to small local businesses. Accountants in both public sectors and private help to prepare examine and analyze financial statements and other financial reports. They check for accuracy in these records and this allows them to provide a clear picture of the companys financial activities. They report to the management regards to all the finances issues. They develop, maintain and analyze budgets. They also check and pay creditors invoices, collect debts and charge customers for goods and services. Although the duties for accountants in both sectors are similar, a public sector accountants main concern is not raising profit but to make best use of public money. They aim to balance the cost of public services against income. They may carry out internal audits if required. Another difference is as all limited companies must be externally audited therefore accountants for private sector are not allow do audit check. The entry requirement for accountant is at least a bachelors degree in accounting or a related field. In term of skills and abilities requirement, both sectors need the accountant to have a good level of numeric. They should be able to use spreadsheets and specialized finance-related software to analyze and interpret figures and explain them to laymen. Both will need good communication skills, in both spoken and written. They should process good problem-solving skills, and have the ability to work well under pressure. Reflections Looking at the market requirement, I feel that my market value had dropped a bit although I do have the relevant experiences. The reason is because entry requirement had changed compare to the past. In the current situation, a degree qualification is a must. Appendix 5 Job Adverts Presentation content My job ideals is to find a job which is of accountant level and its responsibilities should be similar to what I am currently handling, but it should have some extra work which I am able to gain some experience from it. I have chosen 3 jobs which are all accountant level position. They are accountant, finance for AIC (Agency for Integrated Care), accountant for NTUC (National Trades Union Congress) and accountant for Amanresorts International Pte Ltd. And the one which I have finally decided on is the accountant role for AIC. This roles responsibilities match with my current responsibilities. In this role, they are looking for someone whom will ensure timely month end activities as well as submission of financial and management reports. This role also needs to manage cash and banking matters, liaise with audit firms on audit matter and support budgeting and forecasting exercise. In term of skills and abilities, they are looking for someone whom has minimum 2 years experience in full set of account and knowledge of SAP accounting system. I had exposure on full set and SAP in my previous company, and I was there for more than 2 years. I feel that this job is suitable for me the role responsibilities are scopes which I had handle before and I am comfortable with. In term of accounting system, they are using SAP which I rather preferred. AIC is a private limited company under healthcare industry. It was set up by Ministry of Health but was now under National Healthcare group. In term of benefit, I feel that it should be well too. Reflections I feel that in term of experiences, I do have the opportunity to fit into accountant level position once I obtain my degree. Appendix 6 Draft CV How did I choose the format, layout and content of my CV, and what are the specific problems I have had in designing a targeted CV, The CV format which I have been using is the combination CV. I obtained this format from the website many years ago. The layout for combination CV shows both skills and abilities and employment history. The total pages for current CV I had with me now makes up of 5 pages. In term of contents, I state a bit on my skills on accounting software and Microsoft office, and very detailed employment histories. For the employment history wise, information on the work I had been doing was stated in point form with no strong words to attract interviewers attraction. The whole CV also reflected repeated job-scope as I am doing almost the same job-scope for my initial employment. Overall to comment is I find my CV a bit lengthy. The problem I faced in designing a targeted CV is I am not sure of how to make use of strong wording. Also sometimes I find it hard to describe the effort that we have put on a task on paper so that readers can understand. Assignment 2 Application Pack Introduction Job Title I have chosen to apply for the position of Accountant, Finance for Agency for Integrated Care (AIC). 1.2 Requirement of the Job The responsibilities include handle full set of accounts and ensure month end closing activities. This role needs to handle grant administration, manage cash and banking matters. She/He needs to liaise with audit firms and tax consultants on audit and tax matters. She/He needs to support budgeting and forecasting exercise. The entry requirement is a recognised degree in Accountancy or equivalent with minimum 2 years experience in full set of accounts. It will be an added advantage if she/he has knowledge of SAP accounting system. Job Advertisement This is the job advertisement for the position of Accountant, Finance which I am applying for: Advertised:23-7-10 | Closing Date:22-8-10 Accountant, Finance (Singapore) Responsibilities: You will report to Manager, Finance. Handle full set of accounts (GL, AP, AR and Fixed Assets) and ensure timely and accurate month-end closing activities as well as submission of financial, management and statutory reports, implementation and compliance with Internal Controls Handle grant administration, including prompt claims submission, disbursement and tracking Manage cash and banking matters Liaise with audit firms and tax consultants on audit and taxation matters, including preparation of audit and tax schedules Support budgeting and forecasting exercises Requirements: Recognised degree in Accountancy or equivalent with minimum 2 years experience in full set of accounts Knowledge of SAP accounting system will be an added advantage A team player who is meticulous and able to work independently Good communication and interpersonal skills Please do not use the buttons below to apply for the above position. Kindly forward your detailed resume in MS Word format only, stating full details of qualifications, experience, current and expected salary, to . Top of Form Bottom of Form   Ã‚  Company Information   Ã‚  Email to Friends   Ã‚  View Similar Jobs   Ã‚  Location Map   Ã‚  Save This Job   Ã‚  View Salary Report   Ã‚  All Jobs From Company   Ã‚  Report Advertisement Agency for Integrated Care 5 Maxwell Road #10-00 Tower Block MND Complex Singapore 069110 Website: http://www.aic.sg/ Reasons for choice of job Through searching for job advertisements from internet, I have set my focus on job advertisements for Accountant role. Among the advertisement that I have reviewed, I shortlisted 3 which are listed below: Company Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) Job Title Accountant, Finance (b) Company Amanresorts International Pte Ltd Job Title Accountant (c) Company National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Job Title Accountant These 3 were shortlisted because the job responsibilities are similar to the current job responsibilities which I am currently handling which is involve in month end closing activities and year end budgeting and forecasting exercise. I feel comfortable to advance my career in this scope of duties. Of the above 3, I have selected (a) as the one that I will focus on in Assignment 3. The reason for choosing this job is because the responsibilities for this position in AIC is not only something which I am familiar with but it also has some other responsibility which I will like to learn from. This is preparation of statutory reports. I will like to take this opportunity to pick up this skill. This company is using SAP system, which is a well known accounting system. I feel more comfortable using SAP system compare to other software like Accpac (as per stated by Amanresorts International Pte Ltd). Skills Attributes My suitability for the job Skills My current accounting role with Volkswagen Group Singapore Pte Ltd includes handling month end closing activities. My duty also includes preparing month end financial reports. In my previous exposure in Hercules Chemical Solution, I handle full set of accounts for both Singapore and India accounts. In both company, I used SAP system. Personality Based on the MBTI, I realise that my personality type is ISTJ, which the possible career is being accountant or financial officer. I am someone whom has excellent ability to take on any task given by my superior. I will follow through the task till completion by organizing and planning. I am hard worker, who do now allow obstacles to get in my way of performing my duties. Motivation I am currently motivated mainly by values. Value like money is very important to me now. I hope to find a company which not only pay well but also give good staff benefit. Value like appreciation from superior and career advancement is also important to me. I hope to see myself being recognised through my hard work. Weaknesses What may hinder me in applying for this job My limitation for this job opportunity will be I do not have the experience in preparing statutory reports, which I am not sure if the company is willing to train me on this area. I also do not have the experience in working in healthcare industry. Cover Letter Name Tay Siew Ling Address Blk 684B Choa Chu Kang Crescent #11-330 Singapore 682684 Contact 92975400 (Mobile) Email [emailprotected] 09 August 2010 Agency for Integrated Care 5 Maxwell Road #10-00 Tower Block MND Complex Singapore 069110 Dear RE: Application for the position of Accountant, Finance Refer to your job advertisement on the  www.jobstreet.com.sg on 23 July 2010; I will like to express my interest to apply the position of Accountant, Finance. I am a CAT holder and currently pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Accounting with University of Bedfordshire. In my current employment with Volkswagen Group Singapore, my responsibilities include handling month end closing and preparation of financial reports. I am also involved in year end budgeting and forecasting. In my previous employment with Hercules Chemical Solution, I am responsible in handling full set of account for both Singapore and India account independently in Singapore with reporting head in Shanghai. Additionally, I have hands-on experiences on SAP system, financial module for more than four years. With these exposures, I am confident that I will be able to perform well in AIC I greatly appreciate you taking the time to review my credentials and experience. I hope that youll find my experiences  intriguing enough to warrant a face-to-face meeting, as I am confident that I could provide value to you and your  company as a member of your team. Please feel free to contact me if you have any query. Hope to receive a favourable reply from you. . Yours sincerely, Language Proficiency Spoken Language: English and Mandarin Written Language: English and Chinese Skill Proficiency Well versed in Microsoft Office Software: Words and Excel. Proficient with accounting software: SAP system, Accpac Dos Version, Solomon and Incadea. Proficient with internet online banking: Citi-Direct, Bank of America online banking, Deustche online banking and DBS DEALS Education Qualification University of Bedfordshire Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Accounting (July 2010 to Jan 2012) The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) (1998 to 2003) Fairfield Methodist Secondary School Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education-Ordinary Level (O-level) (1996 to 1997) Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education-Normal Level (N-level) (1993 to 1996) Queenstown Primary School Primary school leaving examination certificate-PSLE Employment History Details Volkswagen Group Singapore Pte Ltd Account Executive (14 May 2008 to Current) Handle the full spectrum of General Ledger and Fixed Asset Ensure proper documentation for all fixed assets and depreciation amount was taken up correctly Month end journal preparation and posting. Ensure timely and accurate closing of monthly account Prepare and review monthly profit and loss statement and balance sheet. Analysis monthly expenses and common cost allocation for respective department. Prepare inter-company reconciliation and ensure AP Executive to follow-up on any invoices not received Prepare reconciliation on Receivable and Payable sub-ledger against General Ledger Prepare weekly cash position report Prepare monthly bank reconciliation Prepare monthly audit and closing schedules Responsible for Fixed Deposit placement and coordinate with AP Executive on any fund transfer and huge payments Quarterly GST preparation and submission Involve in bi-weekly COE bidding process Involve in year-end stock take for vehicle and parts inventories Assist in year-end budget and forecast Liaising with external auditors during yearly audit Assist the Finance Manager in all ad-hoc duties as assigned Achievement Back-dated perform bank reconciliation for January to May 2008 Manage to perform reconciliation between Incadea and SAP system, also reconciliation between AP/AR control account against sub-ledger Involvement in change of chart of account and roll-back project on the accounting system Energy Market Company Pte Ltd Account Executive (June 2006 to April 2008) Handle the full spectrum of Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable and Fixed Asset for EMCs operating account Handle partial spectrum of General Ledger Ensure proper documentation for all fixed assets and depreciation amount was taken up correctly Ensure timely and accurate closing of monthly operating account Ensure timely billings on Industrial Training program fee and seminars Ensure timely posting of all collections received Ensure all supplier invoices matches with purchase orders issued Ensure proper coding of GL code and posting of supplier invoices and staff reimbursement Ensure timely cheque and telegraphic transfer payments to suppliers and staff reimbursement Prepare cash position report Prepare monthly bank reconciliation Quarterly GST preparation Submission on Statistic survey for energy industry Involve in year-end fixed asset checking Liaising with internal and external auditors during quarterly and yearly audit Assist the Finance VP and Accountant in all ad-hoc duties as assigned Achievement Involvement in change of chart of account and update of accounting system Successfully roll-out the E-Fixed Asset module Attended the Microsoft Excel Expert course sponsored by company and was award a Microsoft Office Specialist at the Expert level from Microsoft Hercules Chemical Solutions Pte Ltd Account Executive (June 2004 to June 2006) Handle the full set of account for Singapore and India accounts (up to Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss) Ensure timely and accurate closing of monthly account for Singapore and India Ensure timely billings on services fees and royalty income to inter-company Ensure timely posting of all collections received Ensure all supplier invoices matches with purchase orders issued Ensure proper coding of GL code and posting of supplier invoices and staff reimbursement Ensure timely cheque and telegraphic transfer payments to suppliers and staff reimbursement Prepare and review monthly profit and loss statement and balance sheet including expenses analysis Month end journal preparation and posting. Prepare monthly audit and closing schedules Prepare monthly bank reconciliation Monthly Australia VAT preparation and submission. Quarterly Singapore GST preparation and submission. Quarterly preparation of reconciliation reports for SOX control requirement Liaising with external auditors during quarterly and yearly audit Liaising with tax agent from India on india tax issue Assist the Financial Accountant in all ad-hoc duties as assigned Achievement Involve in moving the manual set of account for India into SAP Involve in change of bank from Citibank to Bank of America SNP Corporation Ltd Accounts Assistant (June 2003 to June 2004) Handle the full spectrum of Accounts Receivable and credit control Ensure timely billings on non-stock related items example rental and advertisement Responsible for proper sort and filing of high volume of tax invoices and credit notes on stock related item Ensure timely posting of all collections received Responsible for customer code creation Prepare month end reports, example sales records and aging reports. Assist the Senior Accountant in all ad-hoc duties as assigned Tee Hai Chem Pte Ltd Accounts Assistant (January to May 2003) Handle the full spectrum of Accounts Receivable Responsib