Is capital punishment still a relevant form of punishment in today's Essay

Is capital punishment still a relevant form of punishment in today's society - Essay Example By contrast, the abolitionists see the impact of executions as a statement of pervasive importance about the relationship between the government and the individual. (James, 33-40) Abolitionists in the United States view capital punishment as a fundamental political issue; proponents usually assert that the question is neither fundamental nor political. As far as the question of relevance of capital punishment still as a form of punishment in today's society is concerned, it is simply refutable. Though there are many people who support capital punishment, yet they are few and they have not strong justifications to present in its favor. On the other hand, the civilized world has a firm stand and argumentative rebuttal of capital punishment in the contemporary era. While this is just one way in which the disputants talk past each other in the capital punishment debate, this particular disagreement helps to explain other aspects of the capital punishment dispute. ... National government and constitutional values have little direct influence on most punishment decisions. If the availability of death as a criminal punishment were a garden-variety choice of punishment option, state and local power over them would be consistent with an important American tradition. If, on the other hand, one regards capital punishment as a fundamental moral and political question, the national government and constitutional values are the appropriate vehicles for decisions. (Jan, 110-12) The Flaws in Implementation of Capital Punishment The proper way of characterizing the capital punishment may be an important question but it is not a difficult one. Our history, the recent history of other developed nations, and even the importance that the proponents of the penalty attach to it are powerful evidence that the capital punishment is an issue of transcendent importance, one that is principally moral and political. (Zimring, 78-82) There are certain reservations from some corners of public discussions as regards to the unreliable evidences that caused capital punishment but consequently proved false. It is hard to believe how prosecutors can admit evidence from unreliable sources. In some cases witnesses have later recanted or disavowed their testimonies claiming that they had only made their statements under pressure or coercion from prosecution and law enforcement. These false testimonies proved to be the condemning evidence in many cases. Lastly, most of the people charged in capital cases cannot afford defense attorneys. The appointed defense counsels in several cases have exhibited incompetence. Some of them did not even look for or missed important evidence that proved the innocence of their clients.

Online vs. Traditional College Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Online vs. Traditional College - Essay Example According to Dean (2005, p28), online classes originated from computer based e-learning programs that were structured to replicate the traditional learning styles. The classes later developed into a more collaborative learning supported by computer, which enabled sharing of knowledge in a given community. Though these developments mainly took place in the corporate sectors, the mainstream education system adopted the technology in the 1980s when several western universities created an online platform to enhance interaction between students (Bear, 2001, p 36). The internet revolution of 1990s enhanced greater mobility, accessibility of internet-based applications, and by 1993, the first online lecture was delivered through the computer (Dean, 2005, p 37). It is from this successful delivery that educationists created virtual classrooms, which developed to online colleges in the following years. In United States, online education received support from the Congress and since then, its g rowth in the world is phenomenal (Bear, 2001, pp 52-54). Millions of students have enrolled and graduated in various online courses and the rapid growth of information technology has increased the number of institutions offering different online courses around the world. In spite of the popularity of online college, traditional colleges are still the choice of majority students in the world. Advantages of online college Studying online offers many benefits to students and with just average computer skills, earning a degree certificate at the comfort of home is now a reality. Studying online offers flexible schedules and for people engaged in full time commitments such as family and work, online learning is more convenient compared to traditional college. In addition to the flexibility of online college, students complete their studies at shorter time compared with traditional colleges. Online classes are also geographically flexible because students are not required to travel to the campus or the college to study. Accessibility to internet is all that is required and it does not matter whether you are in rural or urban areas. Students from less developed countries do not have to travel to foreign countries to study, spending a lot of money in the travel and living expenses (Dean, 2005, pp30-33). Online classes offer learning that is more flexible because a student is not required to take notes like in traditional college. All learning materials are online and it is easier to access books and other academic materials online. This saves a lot of time traveling to physical libraries, which sometimes do not have the necessary learning materials. The technological applications of online college such as multimedia applications enhance better interactions and discussions between lecturers and students (Dean, 2005, p73). Online college does not require any specific dress code since students learn at their own convenience. In addition, they offer wide range of courses and students who lack admission in the traditional colleges do not only have a wide range of courses to chose from, but also have a better opportunity of studying disciplines of their interest. Moreover, online classes offer better learning environment for students from diverse cultural backgrounds because such classes do not subject them to culture shock and challenges that multicultural

W4a2-modernism Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

W4a2-modernism - Assignment Example dings constructed during the modernism period were designed to accommodate modern architectural elements including little ornamentation, factory made parts, man-made materials such as metal and concrete. Mies believed that for one to be successfully fulfilled, he or she should co-exist with the culture if his or her time. Emphasis was also put on the purpose of the building being built. Mies designed a simple house that served as a weekend retreat and also intended to create a space whereby life would unfold freely and interdependently with the nature. Mies acted as both the architect and the general contractor (Mies van der Rohe Society). Philip Johnson designed the Glass house in 1949 as a residential house. He was the owner of the building that he built on a dairy farm land he bought in Connecticut. The Glass house is similar to Mies Farnsworth house with only a few differences. He was inspired byMies design of the Farnsworth. Johnson designed the building taking maximum economization and transparency into consideration. The design of the building also employed the modern architectural elements including little ornamentation, factory made parts, man-made materials such as metal and concrete just as Mies design of the Farnsworth. The building has with two parallel planes suspended between the earth and the sky by eight w-shaped steel columns. The design seems simple, but it incorporates a thorough attention to detail. Since, in the design, the floor and the roof of the building were suspended, strong steel structures and high grade concrete were necessary for its construction. Precast concrete slabs formed the roof and the floor and steel frame construction supported the uninterrupted floor and roof planes. The steel frames were accurately welded to minimize their visibility.In the interior, Mies incorporated a continuous curtain rack that allowed for the occupants defined privacy. Mies used an extensive clear glass than span from the floor to the ceiling to

Fitness Center's System Development Plan Case Study

Fitness Center's System Development Plan - Case Study Example The system will benefit both members and fitness consultants by tracking participation in various fitness activities, such as free weights, volleyball, swimming, stair climbers, and yoga and aerobic classes. It will help the members (customers of the organization) plan fitness programs to meet their particular needs. Not only will the system ensure easy access to information to the customers but it will also provide information regarding general customer preferences, the number of customers and keep track of and predict revenues to the management. The information system will thus enable the Fitness Center in obtaining a competitive edge over other fitness clubs as envisioned by the top management. "The Fitness Centre" will be required to establish a project team to work on the project from beginning till the end. The team will include all stakeholders such as the managers, fitness consultants, customers, systems development specialists and support personnel. The development team will be responsible for determining the objectives of the information system and delivering a system that meets these objectives to the organization. Systems Analyst - A systems analyst is a professional who specializes in analyzing and designing business systems and is responsible for designing and developing an information system. Systems Analyst serves as a bridge or link between the technical and non-technical staff, conveying and explaining the requirements of one party to the other and vice versa. Software builder and programmers - Professionals who will write the coding for the actual software Technical specialists and the support staff: Network engineers - responsible for installing and maintaining local area networks Data warehousing specialists - for developing and designing enterprise-wide applications for data mining Database administrators - administration and control of data and information resources Data communications specialists - they will be responsible for evaluation, installation, and monitoring data communications equipment and software. All the above mentioned groups should be grouped into teams each having a team leader and all the team leaders will be made responsible to the project manager. The project manager is tasked with the responsibility of planning, controlling, staffing scheduling and organizing the whole project. 2. Plan a. Outline the considerations for systems investigation, based on input and output information sources. The basic consideration for systems investigation is that the research should be based on substantive theoretical and methodological grounds. There are two main phases in systems investigation (each with two aspects): Investigation & Analysis Recording & Presentation Important

Case study Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Case study - Coursework Example The failure to do this is the reason why Alisi’i cannot gainsay whatever Ed says, since Ed is her boss. Mei can also not speak up for the same reason (Marynissen, 2011, 194). The task maintenance role that Ed plays is managing the financial, health and safety aspect of the project. Alisi’i will have to keep the accounting records of the project as Mike looks for the most pocket-friendly package for the project. Mary represents the clients while Wirimu oversees the process entirely carried through. Mei may help install the heat pumps. The four problems Wirimu is facing are: the big man syndrome in the meeting (as is epitomized by Ed); inordinate balancing of power among the project members; the presence of hardliners; and lack of proper communication. The major problem is the sharp difference in opinion concerning the installation of the heater, as the way to solving extreme temperature variations. The solution is making sure that the members of the project team are equal in authority and calling for a compromise in the team. It is the best decision that Wirimu has allowed the team to email him. This will help the team carry out a consensus to determine the way forward. GameZ new organisational culture can be described as bet your company culture. This is because GameZ is taking on new approaches such as removing Friday evening shouts, appointing three senior employees in a less competitive manner and being emphatic on the organisation’s profitability without factoring unforeseen consequences. The possible reason for Jane’s behaviour may be the detection of performance gap, at the end of the fiscal year. The link between culture and communication is complementary in nature. Organisational culture is relayed through communication, while proper organisational culture fosters democratic dissemination of information hierarchically and horizontally. To develop proper organisational culture, it is

History of Learning Theories Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

History of Learning Theories - Research Paper Example A brief history of the theories of learning can provide a context for understanding social learning. The basics of three learning theories—Behaviourism, Cognitivism and Constructivism—are discussed in this section (Mergel 1998). Behaviourism took form as a learning theory when Aristotle made an essay entitled "Memory". This essay discussed associations between events such as lightning and thunder. The theory concentrated on behaviours that are overt enough to be observed and measured (Good & Brophy 1990). The illustration is that the mind is some sort of a â€Å"black box† such that the response to a stimulus can be quantified and observed. However, this assumed that the possibility that processes are running in the mind are totally ignored. Pavlov was considered as one of the key players of the development of the Behaviourist Theory together with Skinner, Thorndike and Watson. Pavlov was known for his reputation as the Russian physiologist who worked on stimulus substitution, more popularly known as classical conditioning. His experiments mainly involved food, a dog and a bell. Others who followed Aristotle's thoughts include Hobbs in 1650s, Hume in 1740s, Brown in 1820s, Bain 1860s and Ebbinghaus i n 1890s (Mergel 1998). However, when the 1920s came, the limitations in the behaviourist approach to understanding learning were noticed. It was in this time where Cognitivism was born. Specifically, Edward Tolman observed that the rats he used in his experiment seemed to have a mental map of the maze he was using for the experiment. It was noticed that when he closed a part of the maze, the rats did not bother to look for an alternative path because they seem to know that it led to the blocked path. This was the phenomenon that behaviourists were unable to explain. Certain social behaviours seemed to be out of the bounds of behaviourism.

Inter-Organizational Relationships Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Inter-Organizational Relationships - Assignment Example This proposed dissertation explores the feasible ways by which organizations with the interlocking relationships of the global economy can best respond to the challenges posed by increased business competition and complexity. It will focus on human resource management, which has assumed a new dimension because of the presence of a third party organization that can exercise control over employees of another firm. The paper will propose that in the multi-employer environment of business globalization, the best-fit or best practice objectives of HRM can be achieved by incorporating the inherent advantages of franchising in a company's HR strategies, especially in the matter of pay and reward. The present-day challenge of human resource development is to design HR practices that fit with the new business requirements or, in the words of Mohmann & Lawler (1999), to formulate practices that fit into a "dynamic, unpredictable corporation with a myriad of approaches to getting the work done." In this concern, the franchising sector provides a microcosm of the difficulties being encountered by the human resource department in working out innovative assessment systems that will demonstrate their influence over the company's bottom lines, which are profitability and shareholder value (Becker, et al., 2001). The reason is that franchise holders, especially those engaged in the sale and servicing of cars, have as many third-party partners as the existing number of automotive manufacturers who all demand a voice in deciding the franchisee's HRM practices (Swart, et al., 2002). Franchising in effect typifies the inter-organizational dependency involving human resource management and the attendant dilemma on how the HR department of a franchisee firm can implement a strategic pay-and-reward system that promotes its long-term interest without alienating its network partners. Curran & Stanworth (1983) define franchising as "a business form essentially consisting of an organization with a market-tested product or service maintaining a contractual relationship with another organization to sell the brand." In general, franchisees are self-financed and independently owned and managed small firms operating under the franchiser's brand name to produce or market goods or services according to a format specified by the franchiser. Because of the subsequent growth of this sector, the franchising outlet was later redefined as "a legally separate business entity with its own capital base, set of employees, organizational structure and specific customer relations (Stanworth & Curran, 2003)," which indicate that franchisees have become analytically independent of their franchisers. On franchising as growth sector, Floyd & Fenwick (2003) note that this business sector now accounts for over one-third of retail sales in the US and 29 percent of those in UK, thus claiming a huge proportion of the workforce of either country. The