Author: chris

1. Discuss the following question. Write about 250 words.

Attempting to address environmental concerns across national lines is extremely difficult. Why? Can you think of historical examples of success and failure that suggest models of action for the future?

2. Make a comment to the following respond. Write about 3-4 sentences.

I really think it is hard to think about the environment internationally since the world (as a whole) is not driven by the economy nature, but the economy of money. This concept bring in a self (human) interest approach that historically has been a detriment to the Earth (as we have read about in this course). One such recent (1944) event became a catalyst for selfishness. In Bretton Woods, NH (an area I frequently hike in) World leaders gathered to ensure the economy of the world would be safe for trade and avoid a recurrence of the Great Depression (Steinberg, 272). U.S. Secretary of Treasury Henry Morgenthau believed world peace and economic harmony rest on robbing the Earth of its resources to ensure “material progress on an earth infinitely blessed with natural riches” (Steinberg, 272). The leaders who met in NH have funded dams, massive road systems, and more at the expense of the environment in pursuit of world security; however pollution became a big factor. Like a festering wound upon the Earth, pollution oozed its toxins from the cuts upon the land, spreading to all life as the wound opens further, and further.

In Africa, as part of an “English-inspired” move towards conservation of wildlife and game animals, parks and reserves were created; these places proved most successful in protecting nature in Africa, more so than policy itself (Nash, 355).

All in all, the world needs to come together in a way the stimulates natures economy and see that connection in our own; and not just in terms of natural resources to be used up, but as a sustainable balance of give and take. Ultimately, we will have to continue to protect certain areas of land so that nature is preserved worldwide, as to maintain ecological integrity on some portion of the landscape.

As a side note: I enjoyed this class very much. The readings were very interesting, especially when they referenced areas I live in (MA) or often travel to (NH). I knew there was a lot of history in my area but really didn’t realize that amount of environmental history it experienced. But I guess that just proves the point of this course, human history is environmental history, because our footprint is left everywhere we tread. I only hope others see that humanity is indefinitely intertwined with the earth for better, or worse, so it is our job to work with it instead of against it.

View the“Flexibility in Seeking Solutions” Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation located in this week’s Media Enhancements link.

Write a 1,050- to 1,400-word paper in which you identify an occurrence of invidious comparison and vicarious traumatization that you have experienced. Address the following in your paper:

Explain how to stop invidious comparison.
Identify strategies you currently use to avoid vicarious traumatization in your personal life.
Will those strategies help you avoid vicarious traumatization as a human services worker?
What strategies could you develop to avoid vicarious traumatization?

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

Click the Assignment Files tab to submit your assignment.

** I have attached power point that goes along for the paper

Assignment 1: Leadership and Motivation

You were recently appointed as a new manager. You face a number of issues in your new position. Please address each.

The previous manager used a transactional leadership approach, which has been relatively ineffective. Evaluate one leadership style and describe which you would take.

An experienced executive assistant discovered that she made the same amount of money as a newly hired janitor. Consider the role the human resources department plays in driving organization performance. What HR strategies would you employ to address this?

To keep people motivated in a tough economic environment, the company has shifted from annual to semiannual bonuses. Do you think offering semiannual bonuses is a good way to motivate the kind of behaviors organizations need to survive the economic downturn? What might be some potential problems associated with this approach? What other strategies would you use?

Post your answers in paragraph form (minimum of 500-600 words) to all the questions located at the end of the case study to the Discussion Area. Be sure to justify your responses by using material from your weekly readings. Participate in the class discussion by providing meaningful substantive feedback to two of your peers.

Final Paper

Your Final Paper should include a problem statement or description of the social problem you have selected, a discussion of the scope and consequences of the problem, and an assessment of society’s responses to the problem (including public policies and other less formal responses). Papers should also present a clearly reasoned alternative that is supported by scholarly research.

While the following example can be modified to suit your needs, using this outline as a guide will likely result in a high quality final paper:

Title
Describe the social problem.
Explain why this problem qualifies as a social problem.
Indicate the sociological theory or theories that may explain this social problem.
Discuss the individual and social implications of this problem. Your discussion of implications should be supported by accurate research data.
Summarize what social science experts have to say about this social problem. Are their conclusions methodologically sound?
Explain what we, as a society, have done about this problem, considering public policies and other less formal responses.
Explain how well societal efforts to solve the social problem are working.
Describe an alternative.
Discuss why the alternative is, or can be, an effective response to the problem. Remember to consider negative consequences of the alternative response.
Conclude with reflections and thoughts about your chosen social problem.
References

Writing the Final Paper

The Final Paper:

Must be five to seven double-spaced pages in length, and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
Must include a title page with the following:
Title of paper
Student’s name
Course name and number
Instructor’s name
Date submitted
Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.
Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
Must use at least five scholarly resources, including a minimum of three from the Ashford Online Library.
Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

The assignment (1–2 pages):

Describe your identity development process (or that of the person you know), both personal and cultural.
Include the statuses of James Marcia that apply to you (or the person you know): diffusion, foreclosure, moratorium, and achieved.
If you (or the person you know) have an achieved identity, describe one exploration experience and one value or belief to which you (or the person you know) are committed.
Likewise, use Jean Phinney’s parallel model for describing your cultural identity (or that of the person you know).
If you (or the person you know) have an achieved cultural identity, describe one exploration experience and one value or personal belief.

To prepare for this assignment:

Review Chapter 1 in the course textbook, paying particularly close attention to the section beginning on page 2 entitled “What Is Psychological Abnormality?”
Consider some personal encounters that you have had with others during which you thought that their behaviors might be deemed “abnormal.”

The assignment (1–2 pages):

Describe and analyze your personal experiences and encounters with abnormal behavior.
Describe in detail three examples of abnormal behavior, based on your personal experiences, encounters with others, or examples from the news.
Identify elements in these examples that relate to “the four D’s” that can be used to identify what is abnormal, including deviance, distress, dysfunction, and danger.
Discuss cultural factors that might have an impact on whether or not the behavior you described would be considered abnormal.
Discuss any limitations to “the four D’s” approach to defining abnormal that are highlighted by your three examples and your analysis of these examples.

Theory to Practice

Big Time Toymaker (BTT) develops, manufactures, and distributes board games and other toys to the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Chou is the inventor of a new strategy game he named Strat. BTT was interested in distributing Strat and entered into an agreement with Chou whereby BTT paid him $25,000 in exchange for exclusive negotiation rights for a 90-day period. The exclusive negotiation agreement stipulated that no distribution contract existed unless it was in writing. Just three days before the expiration of the 90-day period, the parties reached an oral distribution agreement at a meeting. Chou offered to draft the contract that would memorialize their agreement. Before Chou drafted the agreement, a BTT manager sent Chou an e-mail with the subject line “Strat Deal” that repeated the key terms of the distribution agreement including price, time frames, and obligations of both parties. Although the e-mail never used the word contract, it stated that all of the terms had been agreed upon. Chou believed that this e-mail was meant to replace the earlier notion that he should draft a contract, and one month passed. BTT then sent Chou a fax requesting that he send a draft for a distribution agreement contract. Despite the fact that Chou did so immediately after receiving the BTT fax, several more months passed without response from BTT. BTT had a change in management and informed Chou they were not interested in distributing Strat.

At what point, if ever, did the parties have a contract?
What facts may weigh in favor of or against Chou in terms of the parties’ objective intent to contract?
At the end of the scenario, BTT states that it is not interested in distributing Chou’s new strategy game, Strat. Assuming BTT and Chou have a contract, and BTT has breached the contract by not distributing the game, discuss what remedies might or might not apply.

Assignment 2: Discussion—Using Business Analytics

Many organizations today do not utilize business analytics to help them with their decision-making processes. For some organizations, it could be a lack of knowledge about how to apply it, and for other organizations, it could be a lack of technology. When managers do not feel applying business analytics is worth their time or they feel that it is too complicated, they will not utilize it. If you were to work for a company that did not utilize business analytics, how would you convince them that they should?

Using the Argosy University online library resources and the Internet, research the benefits and challenges of implementing business analytics.

Respond to the following questions:

How do you think business analytics can help your current organization with their decision-making processes?
What challenges do you anticipate in getting your organization to implement and utilize business analytics?
How would you approach management in regards to getting them to implement business analytics?
Why should you have an understanding of statistics in order to utilize and implement business analytics?
What would be some challenges in using business analytics?

Write your initial response in 300–500 words. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.

By Saturday, August 29, 2015, post your response to the appropriate Discussion

Final Research Paper Outline

The end of the class is rapidly approaching and now is the time to begin working on your Final Research Paper. This assignment will give you an opportunity to create a detailed outline of your Final Research Paper that will be reviewed by your instructor. The feedback provided will help you create a better final product.

Review the Final Paper instructions in Week Five. Then, view the Sample Outline from the Ashford Writing Center and format your outline for the Final Research Paper according to the Sample Outline.

First, select a topic from the list provided below:

The impeachment of President Clinton, 1998.
The passage of the War Powers Resolution, 1973.
Executive Order – The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863
Executive Orders #9066/9102—Internment of Japanese Americans, 1942

As explained in the Final Research Paper instructions in Week Five of the course, your paper and outline will consist of five major sections. For this assignment, you will need to complete the following sections in your outline:

Introduction:
Introduce the paper’s main points and present a thesis.
Background information:
Discuss the paper’s main topic and describe how the issue involves one of the following processes:
Congressional process that affected the powers of the President.
Presidential process that affected the powers of Congress.
Describe the political tensions surrounding the issue.
Results of the process:
Explain why and how the process increased cooperation or conflict between Congress and the Presidency.
Changes in political power:
Assess whether Congress or the Presidency gained power as a result of the process.
Conclusion:
Summarize the paper’s main points and thesis.

The outline must be two to three pages in length (excluding title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style. You must use at least three scholarly sources (at least two of which must be found in the Ashford University Library) in addition to the textbook to support your claims. Cite your resources in text and on the reference page. For information regarding APA samples and tutorials, visit the Ashford Writing Center, within the Learning Resources tab on the left navigation.

The discussion assignment for this week will be about finding an appropriate format for writing a procedures manual for a set of business processes or procedures. Proper execution of processes or procedures may be dependent upon a properly constructed procedures manual. Careers exist in technical writing to accomplish this very goal. Procedures manuals may also serve as a reference guide once the staff member has mastered the how-to portion. The audience for the procedures manual ranges from novice, for someone with very little background information, to experienced, for those who want a quick refresher on a certain process or procedure. Think about a process or procedures manual you have found helpful in the past to serve as a guide.

Complete the following for this assignment:

Research the library and the Internet for information on suggested guidelines and templates for organizing a procedures manual.
Select 1 set of guidelines or template that you think will be most appropriate for developing a procedures manual for a business process or set of procedures of your choosing.
Provide a summary of the selected guidelines.
Describe how you will adapt this to develop your procedures manual in the next assignments.
Discuss the strengths of the selected guidelines for providing the information that various audiences will require.
Respond to at least 2 of your fellow classmates with a reply of at least 100 words.
What did you learn from your classmate’s posting?
What additional questions do you have after reading the posting?
What clarification do you need regarding the posting?
What differences or similarities do you see between your posting and other classmates’ postings?