The positive change Essay Example for Free

The positive change Essay Economic growth implies the positive change or increase in the level of production of goods and services by a given economy or country over a certain period of time. Economic growth can either be nominal economic growth or real economic growth. Nominal economic growth in an increase in production which also include inflation. Real economic growth in the increase in production excluding inflation. The nominal economic growth does not factor inflation and as such the growth is given in monetary terms in the market price whereas in the real economic growth, the growth is given in monetary terms but expressed in constants prices implying that the later expression does not suffer from the money illusion. The differentiating between the real and nominal economic growth is important because the unit in which its expressed, that is monetary terms is subject to changes that make its value to increase or decline, making it less reflective on the real physical increase in goods and services produced in a given country over a specified period of time. Causes of economic growth Economic growth therefore from the definition can be perceived as the change in the countrys Gross Domestic Product, and for this matter an increase in the Gross domestic product. From the expenditure approach of calculating the Gross Domestic product, the GDP is comprised of the sum of Consumption, investment, government purchase and also the net exports. The change in the components of the Gross domestic product is what that brings about the economic growth and this is according to QuickMBA Consumption is the largest component of the gross domestic product and it comprises the durable and non-durable goods and also services expenditure which are incurred by the ultimate users of the goods and the services. The term ultimate user has been used so as to avoid the double counting problem which may arise when estimating consumption, because one firms output can be used as an input in the other firm, and for this reason a mistake may be done of recounting the output which was already counted implying double counting. Consumption is however not affected by value of the goods which are imported. Investment implies the purchase of fixed assets which are expected to assist in the further production of goods and services, and also the increase in the inventory which means the increase in the number of goods and services that have been produced but not yet consumed. The inventories are perceived as being Investments because they are assets which are expected to be sold out for economic gain. The Investments are assumed to be financed by the savings that are made after the consumption. The government purchases implies the summation of all government expenditures and then subtracting the government transfer payments. The transfer payments imply the payments made to transactions which did not contribute to the production of goods and services, therefore they are subtracted from the government expenditure because they did not contribute to the GDP. Net exports imply the difference between exports and imports in a specified period of time. The imports are subtracted from the exports because imports are a kind of expenditure that is incurred but it does not benefit the locals, thus a form of cash outflow from the economy. Exports are included as part of the Gross Domestic product because the expenditure on them is likely to benefit the locals because the goods and services were produced in the country in question according to Barro and Robert . Therefore economic growth arises from the change in any of the components of the gross domestic product as illustrates above.

The Strategies of Ryanair

The Strategies of Ryanair Ryanair Holdings is Europes leading low-fare scheduled passenger airline, carrying roughly 34 million passengers per year, across 19 countries (Ryanair, 2006). The company operates short-haul, point-to-point routes between Ireland, the UK and Continental Europe, and the companys leading market position provides the company with the ability to leverage its market position to further expand its operating network: a key part of its current operating strategy. However, the predicted decline in the domestic European air travel market (Global Market Information Database, 2005) is likely to decrease the demand for the companys services and thus harm its resultant revenues, and so the other key aspect of the organisations strategy is to reduce its exposure to these external threats. (Johnson et al, 2005). Hence this work aims to examine the interplay between these two strategies, critically analysing both their current, and potential future, success. Leveraging market position to drive revenue Ryanair has the leading market share on most of scheduled routes between Ireland and provincial cities in the UK, carrying approximately 43% of all scheduled passenger traffic between Dublin and London. Additionally, the company has more than 45% market share on scheduled routes from Dublin, which include London, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh, and London, which include Venice, Rome, Milan, Hamburg, Valencia and Gothenburg, as of January 2005. (Datamonitor, 2005) Ryanair has also been voted as the airline with the best punctuality highest frequency which, combined with the companys leading market position, provides the company with the ability to leverage its market position to further expand its operating network. Ryanair has also been reporting strong revenue growth since fiscal 1999, and the company reported revenues of 1336.6 million Euros during the fiscal year ended March 2005, an increase of 24.4% over 2004. (Ryanair, 2006) The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in passenger volumes, which increased by 19% over 2004, and the companys revenues increased at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 28.6% from 1999 to 2005, despite the overall fall in air travel during that period (Global Market Information Database, 2005). Additionaly, Ryanairs net income increased at a compounded annual growth rate of 29.1% from 1999 to 2005. Thus, the companys strong consistent financial strength provides its operations with financial stability and the ability to fund its expansion strategies. Ryanair thus has an extremely strong and aggressive business strategy, which is focused on its objective to firmly establish itself as Europes leading low-fares scheduled passenger airline. The company offers low fares designed to stimulate demand, particularly from fare conscious leisure and business travellers. (Ryanair, 2006) The company favours secondary airports, as they are generally less congested than major airports and can be expected to provide higher rates of on-time departures: the company can thus achieve faster turnaround times and fewer terminal delays and gain competitive handling costs. (Datamonitor, 2005) The strategy has enabled the company to have a better on time performance record, than its bigger competitors. In addition, Ryanair enters into agreements with third party contractors to handle passenger and aircraft handling, ticketing and other services, and the company fixes its contracts on competitive terms by negotiating multi-year contracts, at prices that a re fixed or subject only to periodic increases linked to inflation. Ryanairs strong business strategy thus enables the company to synchronize its operational strategies in accordance with the market requirements, thereby enabling the company to maintain a cost effective business strategy. Hedging against external threats. Crude oil prices are at an all time high: in March 2005, light crude oil prices climbed to $55.40 per barrel after peaking at $56.1 per barrel. Additionally, jet kerosene prices have increased by over 80% from 2004. In order to protect their operations from significant volatility, airlines have fairly robust hedging positions, as the volatility in oil price and availability of jet fuel significantly affects operations. Although its European competitors have traditionally been sufficiently well hedged against volatile oil prices, Ryanair has always been unhedged. As of April 2005 the company was not covered by any hedging protection against oil prices however, as of November 2005, Ryanair hedged 90% of its estimated demand for the second half of its fiscal year, at prices corresponding with oil averaging $49 per barrel. Part of the carriers strategy is now to build hedges forward, and its financial prowess means it has the cash position to succeed. (Fiorino, 2005) The companys revenues are also highly dependent upon revenues from the UK and Irish market: historically the company has generated over 50% of total revenues from the UK. For fiscal 2003 and 2004, passengers on Ryanairs routes between Ireland and the UK accounted for 35.9% and 28.6% of total passenger revenues respectively, with Dublin and London accounting for approximately 13.4% and 10.7%, respectively. Additionally, total passenger revenues, and the Dublin-London route accounted for approximately 7.6% and 6.0%, respectively. (Datamonitor, 2005) The companys dependence on Ireland and the UK, could significantly impact the companys revenues due to regional factors, and thus although Ryanair is also attempting to increase its market share as a whole, it is specifically attempting to do this into more diverse areas, such as Eastern Europe, in an attempt to reduce its exposure to the demand changes in the UK and Irish market. Conclusion Ryanairs primary business strategy has always been to fly as many passengers at as low a cost as possible (Ryanair, 2006). Despite the fact that passenger numbers are generally not increasingly significantly (Global Market Information Database, 2005) and the fact that Ryanair has been forced to divert some of its resources to hedging, due to market conditions (Fiorino, 2005), this strategy still forms the core of the airlines business model, and is often viewed as the companys core competence (Johnson et al, 2005) Given that revenues, profits and passenger numbers have soared over the past few years, despite the uncertainty in the external environment (Datamonitor, 2005), this analysis concludes that, not only are Ryanairs current strategies hugely successful, but they will continue to be for the foreseeable future.

Feasibility Study Report Business Essay

Feasibility Study Report Business Essay Assumption As introduction of the assignment said. The school in the case should be in a small village, and both of the pupils, are in the age 5 to 11 years group. So that it should be envisaged it is a small computer room. By received government funding, there should have a network of 8 desktop computers within Internet connection. Assumed there are not mixed class in the computer room. There should be six groups totally. So the total user of the computer room is around forty two persons. Install two interactive whiteboards for classroom use and a networked laser printer is enough . I suggested the school should be install Windows XP as the operating system, make sure it is easier to maintenance and have much more higher compatibility in the software market. They also should have an off the shelf database for school administration. For example, teacher can keep the student attendance records at classes and keep the marks for tests, exams and assignments etc. Access in Microsoft office 2003 is suitable for the case. Because it have a higher performance, lower price with patched version. Two interactive whiteboards are also let the teaching staff to show the teaching materials which they find out from the Internet . In my own opinion, follow the whole project planning. The installation and working should be complete within six months successfully . TASK1 Feasibility study report Introduction This school has received government funding to buy a network of 8 desktop computers with Internet connection, two interactive whiteboards for classroom use, a networked laser printer and an off the shelf database for school specifically. We should complete the hold project within six months . School background This school is a locate in a small village with pupils in the age range 5 to 11 years . There is no in-house expertise to call upon. The senior management of the school is heavily reliant on this plan. We should complete this guide to let the school staff through the project and show what will have to be done to make it a success . The schools vision is to provide fast, reliable technical assistance to pupils and teaching staff on both study and teaching . Our mission is to : Teaching staff can keep records of student attendance at classes and marks for tests, exams and assignments . Teaching staff can also access the Internet for teaching materials that can be used on the interactive whiteboards . Envisaged students will access the Internet for research purposes, and for learning materials . Students can also prepare written assignments and print them out from networked printer . Option recommendation Hardware The recommended current model of item in the market. Shown in table 1.1. Why we choose these model of computer is because the Stability, enhanced security, efficiency, these PCs mean business : HPs most stable and secure business PCs with powerful technology and professional innovations such as energy efficient features and leading remote manageability solutions. Maximum flexibility. Global configurations, a range of ports, slots and bays and a wide variety of HP pre-qualified options and accessories allow you to maximize your investment . Energy Efficiency features. The HP 8000 Elite model has improved energy efficiency over previous generations by 30% when the PCs are at an idle. Take efficiency even further with low power processors and energy efficient power supplies. Enhanced manageability. Designed to be easy to deploy and manage, the HP Compaq 8000 Elite helps lower maintenance costs and protects your assets with a full range of remote management technologies from HP, Altiris and Intel. More secure, HP Protect Tools security software helps you more safely secure your hardware, software, firmware and OS, providing infrastructure protection that allows you to focus on your business, not your points of vulnerability. Global service and support. Get the most out of your investment with HP s world class global services and support portfolio, including HP Total Care and a worldwide network of partners to help you get the most out of your technology investment. Get the most out of your investment with HP s world clas s global services and support portfolio, including HP Total Care and a worldwide network of partners to help you get the most out of your technology investment. Warranty, protected by HP Services, including a 3 -3 -3 standard warranty delivering 3 years of parts and 3 year of both labour and on-site repair. Response time is next business-day and includes free telephone support 9. 00 am to 5. 00 pm. Terms and conditions vary by country. Certain restrictions and exclusions apply . Software I suggested that the school should be install Windows XP with service pack 3 as the operating system, make sure it is easier to maintenance and have much higher compatibility in the software market. The off the shelf database for school administration. The office 2007 as known as bugs in the program and office 2010 is still in the beta version. So I recommended to install Access in Microsoft office 2 003 is suitable for this case. Because it have a higher performance, lower price with patched version . Technical As I am the project manager. So do I will follow the technical problem and give solutions. Also, during the project, briefing of how to use those facilities will be given. So that both teaching staff and student can use it smoothly, reduce the maintenance times and keep those facilities have a longer working hours . Operational As the computer is build up to let the teaching staff and student to use. The first priority should be lesson first. Second, the after school time will be open for the student. To do further searching for there projects or studying materials . Economic If the briefing is given to both teaching staff and student. The working life of the facilities will become longer. So that those item will be more worth of it. Maintenance is also need to join after the warranty date is expiry. Then they were no need to buy or upgrade the computers shortly . Cost benefit Table 1 .1 Contract Item description Price Notes q HP COMPAQ 8000ELite Small Form Factor ** ( not include Mouse, DVD drive and Floppy Disk Drive )** CPU : Intel Core2QUAD Q9550 VPRO( 2.83GHz, 12M L2, Intel Q45 Chipset ) -Hard Dis k:160GB SATA VGA Display : Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500 -RAM : 2GB ( PC3 DDR3-10600MHz ) Total RAM Slots : 4( spare slots : 2 ) Expansion Slots: 1 x low-profile PCI, 1x low-profile ( PCI-EX16 ), 2x low-profile ( PCI- EX1 ) External I/O ports : : Front: 4 x USB ports ; : Rear: 6 x USB ports ; Serial Port: 1 x Parallel port ; 1 x RJ 45 port ; 1 x VGA Port ; 1 x Audio input / output; -Sufficient Bays for installation internal hardware : 1 x optional SATA DVD drive ( internal ) or1 x hard disk ( internal ) with 104 Keyboard and OS License Dimensions : ( Width x Depth x Height ) 338 x 378 x 100 mm ( 13.3 x 14.9 x 3.95 in ); Weight : 8.5 kg ( 18.75 lb ) ; HK $ 4, 995. 0 q LCD Monitor : LG 17( 4 : 3 ) Brightness : 300 cd / m2 ; Contrast Ratio 8000: 1 ; Resolution : 1280 x 1024 ; Input ports : 15 Pin D sub ; à £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€š ¬ Dimensions : ( Width x Depth ( with monitor stand ) x Height ) 370 x 185 x 390 mm ( 14.57 x 7.28 x 15.35 in ) ; Weight :3.4 kg ( 7.5 lb ) ; à £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€š ¬ HK $ 1, 165.0 q DVD Drive: HP 16X SATA DVD RW Drive HK$ 203 .0 q Mouse:HP Wired Ball PS/2 2-button mouse with Wheel HK $ 7 .0 HP LaserJet P2055dPrinter, bundle with 15ftUSB printer cable à £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€š ¬ Print speed : Up to 33pages per minute ( ppm) Resolution : Up to 1200 dots per inch ( dpi ) Paper handing : Automatic two-sided printing Tray 1 : 50 sheet multipurpose tray, Tray 2 : 250 sheet input tray Recommended monthly print volume : 750 to 3000 pages Standard connectivity: parallel port, USB 2.0 port Dimensions ( width x depth x height ) : 365 x 368 x 268mm ( 14.4 x 14.5 x 10.6in ) ; Weight : 10.7kg ( 23.6lb ) ; HK $ 1, 240.0 à £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€š ¬ HANSHIN multi touchable interactive whiteboard Model :TB 01U- 105 105 Diagonal[16 : 9] 2367 x 1387 x 30 HK $ 20,000 ABC Network facility company Network installation HK $ 20, 000 Subtotal amount of project : Set of PC x 8 Network Printer x1 Interactive whiteboard x 1 Network installation HK $ 50, 960 HK $ 1, 240 HK $ 20, 000 HK $ 20, 000 Total amount of project : HK $ 92 ,200.0 Table 1. 1 show the total amount cost of the whole project . Cost / benefit analysis Year 0 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Hardware Costs $72, 200 $0 $0 $0 Installation $20, 000 $0 $0 $0 Total Cost $92, 200 $0 $0 $0 Savings Training Development $25, 000 $25, 000 $25,000 $25, 000 Maintenance Cost Free Free Free Free Table 1. 2 Table 1. 2 show that, besides the build up budget. School is no need to pay extra fund. In the first three years, there is no need to pay maintenance fee. Cost-effectiveness analysis is distinct from cost benefit analysis, which assigns a monetary value to the measure of effect .Cost effectiveness analysis is often used in the field of health services, where it may be inappropriate to monetize health effect. Typically the CEA is expressed in terms of a ratio where the denominator is a gain in health from a measure ( years of life, premature births averted, sight-years gained ) and the numerator is the cost associated with the health gain. The most commonly used outcome measure is quality-adjusted life years. Cost utility analysis is similar to cost-effectiveness analysis . Risk Assessment Risk assessment consists in an objective evaluation of risk in which assumptions and uncertainties are clearly considered and presented. Part of the difficulty of risk management is that measurement of both of the quantities in which risk assessment is concerned potential loss and probability of occurrence can be very difficult to measure. The chance of error in the measurement of these two concepts is large. A risk with a large potential loss and a low probability of occurring is often treated differently from one with a low potential loss and a high likelihood of occurring. In theory, both are of nearly equal priority in dealing with first, but in practice it can be very difficult to manage when faced with the scarcity of resources, especially time, in which to conduct the risk management process. Expressed mathematically . In auditing, risk assessment is a very crucial stage before accepting an audit engagement. According to ISA315 Understanding the Entity and its Environment and Assessing the Risks of Material Misstatement, the auditor should perform risk assessment procedures to obtain an understanding of the entity and its environment, including its internal control. There are two methods of risk assessment in information security field, qualitative and quantitative. Purely quantitative risk assessment is a mathematical calculation based on security metrics on the asset ( system or application ). Qualitative risk assessment is performed when the organization requires a risk assessment be performed in a relatively short time or to meet a small budget, a significant quantity of relevant data is not available, or the persons performing the assessment dont have the sophisticated mathematical, financial, and risk assessment expertise required. Qualitative risk assessment can be performed in a shorter period of time and with less data. Qualitative risk assessments are typically performed through interviews of a sample of personnel from all relevant groups within an organization charged with the security of the asset being assessed. Qualitative risk assessments are descriptive versus measurable . Number Case of risk solution recommendation 1 Lost data Purchase a backup tape drive See whether have budget or not after government funding 2 Computer repair Join maintenance Join maintenance after the third year 3 Abuse the computer and room facilities Limit the computer room open time Nominate some student leader to look after it 4 PC performance lower Upgrade parts in future See the cost of parts in future if necessary 5 Lost leakage Purchase encryption software See the cost of parts in future if necessary TASK2 The main activities to be undertaken in the project is shown as follow. The life cycle of it can be a waterfall diagram ( Table 2 .1 ) . Requirement Analysis Specification Analysis Design Code unit test Integration Test Staff training System acceptance test Table 2 .1 In Table 2. 1, show how the project run, it is a waterfall model. The waterfall development model has its origins in the manufacturing and construction industries; highly structured physical environments in which after-the-fact changes are prohibitively costly, if not impossible. Since no formal software development methodologies existed at the time, this hardware-oriented model was simply adapted for software development. To follow the waterfall model, one proceeds from one phase to the next in a sequential manner. For example, one first completes requirements specification, which after sign off are considered set in stone. When the requirements are fully completed, one proceeds to design. The software in question is designed and a blueprint is drawn for implementers (coders) to follow this design should be a plan for implementing the requirements given. When the design is fully completed, an implementation of that design is made by coders. Towards the later stages of this implementation phase, separate software components produced are combined to introduce new functionality and reduced risk through the removal of errors . We can find that there are six stages need to go throw. It is requirement analysis specification, analysis, design, code and unit test, integration test staff training, system acceptance test . TASK3 Contract Item description Price Notes q HP COMPAQ 8000ELite Small Form Factor ** ( not include Mouse, DVD drive and Floppy Disk Drive )** CPU : Intel Core2QUAD Q9550 VPRO( 2.83GHz, 12M L2, Intel Q45 Chipset ) -Hard Dis k:160GB SATA VGA Display : Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500 -RAM : 2GB ( PC3 DDR3-10600MHz ) Total RAM Slots : 4( spare slots : 2 ) Expansion Slots: 1 x low-profile PCI, 1x low-profile ( PCI-EX16 ), 2x low-profile ( PCI- EX1 ) External I/O ports : : Front: 4 x USB ports ; : Rear: 6 x USB ports ; Serial Port: 1 x Parallel port ; 1 x RJ 45 port ; 1 x VGA Port ; 1 x Audio input / output; -Sufficient Bays for installation internal hardware : 1 x optional SATA DVD drive ( internal ) or1 x hard disk ( internal ) with 104 Keyboard and OS License Dimensions : ( Width x Depth x Height ) 338 x 378 x 100 mm ( 13.3 x 14.9 x 3.95 in ); Weight : 8.5 kg ( 18.75 lb ) ; HK $ 4, 995. 0 q LCD Monitor : LG 17( 4 : 3 ) Brightness : 300 cd / m2 ; Contrast Ratio 8000: 1 ; Resolution : 1280 x 1024 ; Input ports : 15 Pin D sub ; à £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€š ¬ Dimensions : ( Width x Depth ( with monitor stand ) x Height ) 370 x 185 x 390 mm ( 14.57 x 7.28 x 15.35 in ) ; Weight :3.4 kg ( 7.5 lb ) ; à £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€š ¬ HK $ 1, 165.0 q DVD Drive: HP 16X SATA DVD RW Drive HK$ 203 .0 q Mouse:HP Wired Ball PS/2 2-button mouse with Wheel HK $ 7 .0 Subtotal amount of project : Total amount of 8 set of PC HK $ 50, 960 TABLE 3. 1 In table 3. 1 show the requirement of PC that hardware recommend and should be meet . Software side, in the assumption. There was suggested to user Microsoft Office Access 2003 with service pack 3. Beacause Microsoft Office Access, previously known as Microsoft Access, is a pseudo relational database management system from Microsoft that combines the relational Microsoft Jet Database Engine with a graphical user interface and software-development tools. It is a member of the Microsoft Office suite of applications, included in the Professional and higher editions or sold separately. In mid-May 2010, the current version Microsoft Office Access 2010 was released by Microsoft in Office 2010 ; Microsoft Access 2007 was the prior version. Access stores data in its own format based on the Access Jet Database Engine. It can also import or link directly to data stored in other applications and databases . Listed below are selection criteria of choosing both the hardware and off the shelf software which we need to purchases. We need to consider about both assessment of supplier, assessment of contractual and assessment of technical . Supplier assessment The main criteria to consider when evaluating the suitability of the supplier organization are as follows : Financial: Financial strength, time in market place, market presence, future plans, number of employees, R D investment . Culture : Values, risk sharing, openness, commitment, responsiveness, strategy, ethos . Capability : Size, number of staff and skills, location, track record, availability of staff, size of user base . Management : Standards, processes for quality, change control, risk management, planning, control . Contractual assessment The main criteria to consider when evaluating the suitability of the contract being drawn up between yourself and a third party supplier of the provision of goods or services are as follows : Financial : Pricing structures, penalty clauses, payment terms, disclaimers . Materials : Ownerships of materials, service level agreements, support and maintenance, change process . Personnel : Lines of demarcation, assignment of responsibilities, use of sub-contractors . Technical assessment The main criteria to consider when evaluating the technical capabilities of the proposed solution put forward by the supplier or organization are as follows : The product : Meets requirements, robust, sufficient features, adequate documentation, maintainable, capacity for growth . Modification : Is it needed, cost, support, how much, how easy, who will do it, time to do achieve, backup etc . Standards / quality : Does it match your standards, complies with standards and law, adequate resources, technical knowledge required . Environment : Will it work in your environment, complies with standards and law, adequate resources, technical knowledge required . TASK4 Stakeholder communicate method When will need to have communicate What purpose Senior management reports Specific review purposes User ( Teachers ) reports routine needs analysis User ( Students ) task assignments If use needs analysis Supplies specifications routine review purposes Table 4. 1 In table 4. 1 show how do the stakeholder work and communicate with the project manager. Make sure that their opinion can be easier to voice out and enhance the project. The project manager is directly under the senior management. Although the have not got a high knowledge in the information technology field. But they are deeply involve the whole planning and the school development. So the communication must needed. The review of project stage and effective is on a specific time, Too much will be disturb the development. In addition to it. Make sure the project run smoothly also can enhance by training, and also their opinion can be help us to develop other IT project in future. So, user s comment also need to take. But it is not regularly. On the other hand, communication with supplies is very important . Reference and Bibliographies: NCC Managing Business Projects. ( International Advanced Diploma in Computer Studies ) 2008 Syllabus . Gofton, L. ( 1997 ). Business Market Research. London, Kogan page . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . Total word count of this assignment : About 4200 words . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .

Literature - Postmodern Literary Criticism :: Literature Essays Literary Criticism

Postmodern Literary Criticism    Postmodernism attempts to call into question or challenge the notion of a single absolute unified master narrative without simply replacing it with another. It is a paradoxical, recursive, and problematic method of critique.    It encourages transcendence through or in spite of limitation, while simultaneously decentering the concept of absolute transcendence. To this end, it encourages the development of a heightened sense of self in relation to itself and the world around it.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Postmodernism assumes an ontology of fragmented being. Where modernism asserts the primacy of the subject in revealing universal truth, postmodernism challenges the authority of the subject and, thus, universal truth based on it. Modernism and postmodernism, however, draw upon distinctly different epistemological modes: critical and dogmatic.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Modernism posits itself as a source of dogmatic knowledge. Dogmatic knowledge is an unchanging, absolute ideology. It has found the Truth or believes it is possible to acquire it. Knowledge is objective, tangible and quantifiable. The dogmatic mode attempts to subordinate further critical thinking in order to spread knowledge of Truth.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Postmodernism, on the other hand, aspires to reflect the critical. Critical knowledge is a process, rather than product. Absolute knowledge is unattainable, conditional, and provisional at best. Any unequivocal sense of the real is rendered superfluous. Truth, therefore, remains elusive, relativistic, partial, and always incomplete; it cannot be learned in totality. "Truth itself is a contingent affair and assumes a different shape in the light of differing local urgencies and convictions associated with them" (Fish 207). Critical knowledge has no choice but to exercise complicity with the cultural historical context in which it is hopelessly mired. As Lee Patterson states, "Even scholars who are dealing with chronologically and geographically distant materials are in fact examining a cultural matrix within which they themselves stand, and the understandings at which they arrive are influenced not simply by contemporary interests but by th e shaping past that they are engaged in recovering" (259).      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Postmodern literary criticism asserts that art, author, and audience can only be approached through a series of   mediating contexts. "Novels, poems, and plays are neither timeless nor transcendent" (Jehlen 264). Even questions of canon must be considered within a such contexts. "Literature is not only a question of what we read but of who reads and who writes, and in what social circumstances...The canon itself is an historical event; it belongs to the history of the school" (Guillory 238,44). Literature - Postmodern Literary Criticism :: Literature Essays Literary Criticism Postmodern Literary Criticism    Postmodernism attempts to call into question or challenge the notion of a single absolute unified master narrative without simply replacing it with another. It is a paradoxical, recursive, and problematic method of critique.    It encourages transcendence through or in spite of limitation, while simultaneously decentering the concept of absolute transcendence. To this end, it encourages the development of a heightened sense of self in relation to itself and the world around it.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Postmodernism assumes an ontology of fragmented being. Where modernism asserts the primacy of the subject in revealing universal truth, postmodernism challenges the authority of the subject and, thus, universal truth based on it. Modernism and postmodernism, however, draw upon distinctly different epistemological modes: critical and dogmatic.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Modernism posits itself as a source of dogmatic knowledge. Dogmatic knowledge is an unchanging, absolute ideology. It has found the Truth or believes it is possible to acquire it. Knowledge is objective, tangible and quantifiable. The dogmatic mode attempts to subordinate further critical thinking in order to spread knowledge of Truth.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Postmodernism, on the other hand, aspires to reflect the critical. Critical knowledge is a process, rather than product. Absolute knowledge is unattainable, conditional, and provisional at best. Any unequivocal sense of the real is rendered superfluous. Truth, therefore, remains elusive, relativistic, partial, and always incomplete; it cannot be learned in totality. "Truth itself is a contingent affair and assumes a different shape in the light of differing local urgencies and convictions associated with them" (Fish 207). Critical knowledge has no choice but to exercise complicity with the cultural historical context in which it is hopelessly mired. As Lee Patterson states, "Even scholars who are dealing with chronologically and geographically distant materials are in fact examining a cultural matrix within which they themselves stand, and the understandings at which they arrive are influenced not simply by contemporary interests but by th e shaping past that they are engaged in recovering" (259).      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Postmodern literary criticism asserts that art, author, and audience can only be approached through a series of   mediating contexts. "Novels, poems, and plays are neither timeless nor transcendent" (Jehlen 264). Even questions of canon must be considered within a such contexts. "Literature is not only a question of what we read but of who reads and who writes, and in what social circumstances...The canon itself is an historical event; it belongs to the history of the school" (Guillory 238,44).

Dreams in Invisible Man Essay -- Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man

   There are many types of dreams and many interpretations of those dreams. Dreams of power... of glory... of the past and the present... but none are as vivid as those that are found in Ralph Ellison's novel, Invisible Man. The dreams start occurring in the very beginning of Invisible Man. In the infamous "Reefer Dream", IM talks about a dream he had after he used narcotics. In this bizarre dream, IM hears a speech on "the blackness of black", is assaulted by the son of a former slave, and is run over by a speeding machine. All of this occurs while listening to "What Did I Do To Be So Black and Blue?"(pgs 9-12). This is one of the most significant dreams in the book. In another important dream, IM's deceased grandfather gives him a letter that says," To Whom It May Concern, Keep this Nigger-Boy Running (Ellison 33)." At the time IM had no insight to its meaning, but this dream would constantly be used as a reference throughout the story. Trueblood has a dream about his home, Mobile, Alabama, that directly affects IM's future. At the same time, Trueblood was having sex ...

Touching Wedding Speech from the Father of the Bride -- Wedding Toasts

Touching Wedding Speech from the Father of the Bride (to the crowd) As Father of the Bride, I am honored to be the first to speak this evening. I would like to begin by welcoming each and every one of you on this joyous occasion. It is good to see so many friends and family here today to help celebrate Paula and Manson’s wedding. I would also like to remember those who have meant so much to our family, but could not be here today. (to Manson) At this time, I would like to take this opportunity to formally and wholeheartedly welcome Manson into our family. I hope that we will get to know you better in the coming months and years. (to the crowd) It is about this time in every wedding that the bride begins thinking, â€Å"oh-my-gosh, what is daddy going to say?† â€Å"Is he goin...

17th Century Art, Light vs. Dark Essay

The use of light and dark in 17th Century art captures your eye, and you wish to include this important Baroque element in your book. Look at the portraits in the text and pick two painters and compare how they use brilliant light and dark shading to illuminate parts of the human body. I will use two different artists Antonio del Pollaiuolo, Battle of the nudes. Along with, Michelangelo. Pieta from Old Saint Peter’s. 17th Century Art, light vs. dark I will take a look at Antonio del Pollaiuolo, Battle of the nudes from the c. 1465-1470 The engraving is in my hometown of Cincinnati Art Museum, in Ohio. This shows men at war fighting and killing one another everyone is in the nude. The five men wearing headbands and five men without, fighting in pairs with weapons in front of some woods. To me it looks like the ones that have on the bands are on one team and the other’s are together. The designer and engraver, sculptor was a trained goldsmith and bronze sculptor. answers. com) I like this one because its art you can feel. Michelangelo. Pieta from Old Saint Peter’s, laying across the Virgin Mary. With the dead Christ in her arms, with the body of an average-sized man. Cardinal Jean Bilheres de Lagraulas’ due to his death, he was not able to see the completion of. The inventive triangular composition conveys grandeur. Mary is seated upon the Rock of Golgotha, which had supported Christ on the cross. She is extensively draped in clothing and her body is large. He’s body looks like its falling off of the lap of Mary. Instead of Christ’s body showing deformation from hanging on the cross. On this statue hands are very expressive, with her right hand holding and cradling Christ, while her left hand is extended. One of the most famous works of art, the Pieta was probably finished before Michelangelo was 25 years old.