Modern Project Management Answer Key free essay sample

Multiple Choice Questions 1. The advent of project management has been most profound in A. Automobile manufacturing B. Construction C. Information technology D. The U.S. Department of Defense E. Film making The impact of project management is most profound in the area of electronics industry, where the new folk heroes are young professionals whose Herculean efforts lead to the constant flow of new hardware and software products. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Easy 2. A professional organization for project management specialists is the A. PMI B. AMA C. MIS D. IPM E. PMBOK The Project Management Institute (PMI), is a professional organization for project managers. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Easy 3. Which of the following is not considered to be a characteristic of a project? A. An established objective B. A clear beginning and end C. Complex tasks D. Only for internal use E. Never been done before See List on Page 5. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Application Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Medium 4. Which of the following activities is not considered a project? A. Developing a new software program B. Designing a space station C. Preparing the site for the Olympic Games D. Production of automobile tires E. Developing a new advertising program A project is not routine, repetitive work! Ordinary daily work typically requires doing the same or similar work over and over, while a project is done only once; a new product or service exists when the project is completed. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Evaluation Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Medium 5. From among the following activities, which is the best example of a project? A. Processing insurance claims B. Producing automobiles C. Writing a term paper D. Completing a college degree E. All of these are good examples of projects See table 1.1 on Page 6. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Analysis Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Medium 6. Which of the following constraints is not typically found in managing projects? A. Time B. People C. Cost D. Performance E. Both B and D are not typical constraints Specific time, cost, and performance requirements bind projects. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Medium 7. Which of the following choices is not one of the stages of a project life cycle? A. Conceptualizing B. Defining C. Planning D. Executing E. Delivering See List on Page 7. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Knowledge Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Medium 8. In which of the following stages are project objectives established, teams formed, and major responsibilities assigned? A. Conceptualizing B. Defining C. Planning D. Executing E. Delivering Specifications of the project are defined; project objectives are established; teams are formed; major responsibilities are assigned. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Medium 9. In which of the following stages is a major portion of the physical and mental project work performed? A. Conceptualizing B. Defining C. Planning D. Executing E. Delivering A major portion of the project work takes place—both physical and mental. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Application Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Medium 10. In which of the following stages are you more likely to find status reports, many changes, and the creation of forecasts? A. Conceptualizing B. Defining C. Planning D. Executing E. Delivering Time, cost, and specification measures are used for control. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Application Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Medium 11. Which of the following characteristics is not typical of a project manager? A. Managing a temporary activity B. Possesses in-depth technical knowledge C. Managing a non-repetitive activity D. Manages independently of the formal organization E. Provides a direct link to the customer Increased competition has placed a premium on customer satisfaction. Customers no longer simply settle for generic products and services. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Analysis Learning Objective: The Importance of Project Management Level: Difficult 12. Which of the following choices is not one of the driving forces behind the increasing demand for project management? A. Compression of the product life cycle B. Knowledge explosion C. Development of third world and closed economies D. More emphasis on the product and less on the customer E. Corporate downsizing Increased customer attention has prompted the development of customized products and services. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Application Learning Objective: The Importance of Project Management Level: Medium 13. Which of the following statements is true? A. Project management is becoming a standard way of doing business B. Project management is increasingly contributing to achieving organizational strategies C. Project management is being used at a consistent percentage of a firms efforts D. Both A and B are true E. A, B, and C are all true Project management is no longer a special-need management. It is rapidly becoming a standard way of doing business. The future promises an increase in the importance and the role of projects in contributing to the strategic direction of organizations. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: The Importance of Project Management Level: Difficult 14. Project management is ideally suited for a business environment requiring all of the following except A. Accountability B. Flexibility C. Innovation D. Speed E. Repeatability Competing in a global market influenced by rapid change, innovation, and time to market means organizations manage more and more projects. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: Project Management Today An Integrated Approach Level: Medium 15. Which of the following is the number one characteristic that is looked for in management candidates? A. Overall intelligence B. Works well with others C. Experience D. Past successes E. Good references The phrase works well with others has long been a staple on grade school report cards; now, in the IT world, its the No. 1 criterion for management candidates.(See Research Highlight on page 16). AACSB: Communication Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: Project Management Today An Integrated Approach Level: Medium 16. A common rule of thumb in the world of high-tech product development is that a six-month project delay can result in a loss of product revenue share of ___ percent. The waste on failed projects and cost overruns is estimated in the neighborhood of A. 10 B. 20 C. 33 D. 45 E. 50 A common rule of thumb in the world of high-tech product development is that a six-month project delay can result in a 33 percent loss in product revenue share. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: The Importance of Project Management Level: Medium 17. The waste on failed projects and cost overruns is estimated in the neighborhood of A. Under $100 Million B. Over $150 Billon C. Under $10 Billion D. Between $90-$100 Billion E. Between $125-$135 Billion The need for elevating performance continues to challenge the project management profession. The waste on failed projects and cost overruns is estimated in the neighborhood of over $150 billion! AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Knowledge Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Easy 18. Which of the following is the first step in developing a set of strategies designed to best meet the needs of customers? A. Market Research B. Define the Integrated Project Management System C. Environmental Analysis D. Project Selection E. All of the above are correct Project management is critical both to development of customized products and services and to sustaining lucrative relationships with customers. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Knowledge Learning Objective: The Importance of Project Management Level: Easy 19. Integration of project management with the organization takes place with the A. Master budget B. Strategy plan C. Process of managing actual projects D. Both b and c are correct E. A, B, and C are all correct Since projects are the modus operandi, strategic alignment of projects is of major importance to conserving and effective use of organization resources. Selection criteria need to ensure each project is prioritized and contributes to strategic goals. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Knowledge Learning Objective: Project Management Today An Integrated Approach Level: Medium 20. Two dimensions within the project management process are A. Technical and sociocultural B. Cost and time C. Planned and unexpected D. Established and new E. Unique and reoccurring There are two dimensions within the actual execution of projects (see Figure 1.3. The Technical and Sociocultural Dimensions of the Project Management Process on page 15). AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Knowledge Learning Objective: Project Management Today An Integrated Approach Level: Easy 21. Which of these is not part of the technical dimension of project management? A. WBS B. Budgets C. Problem solving D. Schedules E. Status reports See Figure 1.3. The Technical and Sociocultural Dimensions of the Project Management Process on page 15. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Knowledge Learning Objective: Project Management Today An Integrated Approach Level: Medium 22. Which of these is not part of the sociocultural dimension of project management? A. Negotiation B. Resource allocation C. Customer expectations D. Leadership E. Politics See Figure 1.3. The Technical and Sociocultural Dimensions of the Project Management Process on page 15. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: Project Management Today An Integrated Approach Level: Medium 23. Corporate downsizing has increased the trend toward A. Reducing the number of projects a company initiates B. Outsourcing significant segments of project work C. Using dedicated project teams D. Shorter project lead times E. Longer project lead times Companies outsource significant segments of project work, and project managers have to manage not only their own people but also their counterparts in different organizations. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: The Importance of Project Management Level: Medium 24. The importance of project management has increased due to A. The movement of manufacturing operations out of the U.S B. Time to market C. The movement toward flatter and leaner organizations D. Both a and b are true E. A, B, and C are all true One of the most significant driving forces behind the demand for project management is the shortening of the product life cycle. In todays flatter and leaner organizations, where change is a constant, project management is replacing middle management as a way of ensuring that things get done. Corporate downsizing has also led to a change in the way organizations approach projects. Companies outsource significant segments of project work, and project managers have to manage not only their own people but also their counterparts in different organizations. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Synthesis Learning Objective: The Importance of Project Management Level: Difficult 25. Which of the following is not typically the responsibility of a project manger? A. Meeting budget requirements B. Meeting schedule requirements C. Meeting performance specifications D. Coordinates the actions of the team members E. All of these are typical responsibilities They must ensure that appropriate trade-offs are made between the time, cost, and performance requirements of the project. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Knowledge Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Easy 26. A series of coordinated, related, multiple projects that continue over extended time intended to achieve a goal is known as a A. Strategy B. Program C. Campaign D. Crusade E. Venture A program is a group of related projects designed to accomplish a common goal over an extended period of time. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Easy 27. In which of the following stages is it determined what the project will entail, when it will be scheduled, whom it will benefit, and what the budget will be? A. Conceptualizing B. Defining C. Planning D. Executing E. Delivering The level of effort increases, and plans are developed to determine what the project will entail, when it will be scheduled, whom it will benefit, what quality level should be maintained, and what the budget will be. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Easy 28. Competing in a global market is influenced by A. Rapid change B. Innovation C. Time to market D. Politics E. A, B, and C are all true Competing in a global market influenced by rapid change, innovation, and time to market means organizations manage more and more projects. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: Project Management Today An Integrated Approach Level: Easy 29. Integration of all project processes and practices to improve Project Management is due to A. Centralization B. Environmental analysis C. Customer Expectations D. Project management system E. The organizations environment and culture Centralization entails integration of all project processes and practices to improve project management. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Application Learning Objective: Project Management Today An Integrated Approach Level: Easy 30. From 1994 to 2009 the trend for projects late or over budget was: A. Significantly better B. Slightly better C. About the same D. Slightly worse E. Significantly worse Failed projects also declined from 31 percent in 1994 to 18 percent in 2004. However, the CHAOS Summary 2009 report shows a small decrease in the numbers. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Evaluation Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Medium Fill in the Blank Questions 31. Like most organizational effort, the major goal of a project is to __________. satisfy a customers need Like most organizational effort, the major goal of a project is to satisfy a customers need. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Medium 32. The initial stage in the Project Life Cycle is the __________ stage. defining Specifications of the project are defined; project objectives are established; teams are formed; major responsibilities are assigned. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Application Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Easy 33. The final stage in the Project Life Cycle is the __________ stage. closure Closure includes three activities: delivering the project product to the customer, redeploying project resources, and post-project review. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Application Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Easy 34. The __________, a professional organization for project managers, has grown from 93,000 in 2002 to more than 230,000 currently. PMI The Project Management Institute (PMI), is a professional organization for project managers. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Easy 35. In the __________ stage of the Project Life Cycle a major part of the project work, both physical and mental, takes place. executing A major portion of the project work takes place—both physical and mental. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Application Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Easy 36. In the _________ stage of the Project Life Cycle what will be accomplished by the project is determined along with the projects schedule and budget. planning The level of effort increases, and plans are developed to determine what the project will entail, when it will be scheduled, whom it will benefit, what quality level should be maintained, and what the budget will be. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Application Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Easy 37. A common rule of thumb in the world of high-tech product development is that a six-month project delay can result in a __________ percent loss in product revenue share. thirty-three A common rule of thumb in the world of high-tech product development is that a six-month project delay can result in a 33 percent loss in product revenue share. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: The Importance of Project Management Level: Medium 38. In todays high-tech industries the product life cycle is averaging _________ years. 1 to 3 Today in high-tech industries the product life cycle is averaging 1 to 3 years. Only 30 years ago, life cycles of 10 to 15 years were not uncommon. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Knowledge Learning Objective: The Importance of Project Management Level: Easy 39. The advent of many small projects has created the need for an organization that can support __________ management. multiproject This climate has created a multiproject environment and a plethora of new problems. Sharing and prioritizing resources across a portfolio of projects is a major challenge for senior management. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Knowledge Learning Objective: The Importance of Project Management Level: Easy 40. Increased competition has placed a premium on customer satisfaction and the development of __________ products and services. customized Customers want customized products and services that cater to their specific needs. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Knowledge Learning Objective: The Importance of Project Management Level: Easy 41. In some organizations, selection and management of projects often fail to support the broad-based _________ of the organization. strategic plan Today, projects are the modus operandi for implementing strategy. Yet in some organizations, selection and management of projects often fail to support the strategic plan of the organization. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Knowledge Learning Objective: Project Management Today An Integrated Approach Level: Medium 42. WBS, schedules, and budgets are examples of the _________ dimension of the project management process. technical See Figure 1.3. The Technical and Sociocultural Dimensions of the Project Management Process on page 15. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: Project Management Today An Integrated Approach Level: Medium 43. Leadership, teamwork, and negotiation are examples of the _________ dimension of the project management process. sociocultural See Figure 1.3. The Technical and Sociocultural Dimensions of the Project Management Process on page 15. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: Project Management Today An Integrated Approach Level: Medium 44. The ________ is a professional organization for project management specialists. Project Management Institute (PMI) The Project Management Institute (PMI), is a professional organization for project managers. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Easy 45. One of the defining characteristics of a project is that it has a singular purpose, i.e., an established ________. objective Projects have a defined objective—whether it is constructing a 12-story apartment complex by January 1 or releasing version 2.0 of a specific software package as quickly as possible. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Easy 46. Because projects have a defined beginning and end, the ________ is frequently used to manage the transition of a project from start to completion. Project Life Cycle The project life cycle typically passes sequentially through four stages: defining, planning, executing, and delivering. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Synthesis Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Difficult 47. The development of schedules, budgets, and identifying risks are common elements to the ________ stage of the project life cycle. planning The level of effort increases, and plans are developed to determine what the project will entail, when it will be scheduled, whom it will benefit, what quality level should be maintained, and what the budget will be. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Application Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Medium 48. The establishment of project goals, specifications, and responsibilities usually occurs in the ________ stage of the project life cycle. defining Specifications of the project are defined; project objectives are established; teams are formed; major responsibilities are assigned. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Application Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Medium 49. Training the customer, reassigning staff, and releasing resources occurs in the ________ stage of the project life cycle. closure Includes three activities: delivering the project product to the customer, redeploying project resources, and post-project review. Delivery of the project might include customer training and transferring documents. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Application Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Medium 50. Project managers are expected to ensure that appropriate trade-offs are made between the time, cost, and __________ requirements of the project. performance Project managers are ultimately responsible for performance (frequently with too little authority). They must ensure that appropriate trade-offs are made between the time, cost, and performance requirements of the project. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Analysis Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Medium 51. The growth in ________ has increased the complexity of projects because projects typically include the latest advances. new knowledge The growth in new knowledge has increased the complexity of projects because projects encompass the latest advances. Product complexity has increased the need to integrate divergent technologies. Project management has emerged as an important discipline for achieving this task. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Knowledge Learning Objective: The Importance of Project Management Level: Medium 52. A _________ is a series of coordinated, related; multiple projects that continue over extended time intended to achieve a goal. program A program is a group of related projects designed to accomplish a common goal over an extended period of time. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Easy 53. In the __________ stage, it determined what the project will entail, when it will be scheduled, whom it will benefit, and what the budget will be. planning The level of effort increases, and plans are developed to determine what the project will entail, when it will be scheduled, whom it will benefit, what quality level should be maintained, and what the budget will be. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Application Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Easy True / False Questions 54. Because of the profitability motive, project management is nearly always limited to the private sector. FALSE Project management is not limited to the private sector. Project management is also a vehicle for doing good deeds and solving social problems. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Application Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Easy 55. Ten years ago major universities offered only one or two classes in project management, primarily for engineers. TRUE Ten years ago major universities offered one or two classes in project management, primarily for engineers. Today, most universities offer multiple sections of project management classes, with the core group of engineers being supplemented by business students majoring in marketing, management information systems (MIS). AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Application Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Easy 56. The professional certification for project managers is a Project Management Professional (PMP). TRUE PMI provides certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP)—someone who has documented sufficient project experience, agreed to follow the PMI code of professional conduct, and demonstrated mastery of the field of project management by passing a comprehensive examination. (See Snapshot on Page 4). AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Application Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Easy 57. Because of its flexibility, project management is equally useful in ongoing, routine work as well as unique, one-time projects. FALSE A project is not routine, repetitive work! Ordinary daily work typically requires doing the same or similar work over and over, while a project is done only once; a new product or service exists when the project is completed. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Application Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Easy 58. One of the defining characteristics of project management is that the projects are not confined to a single department but involve several departments and professionals. TRUE One of the major characteristics is the involvement of several departments and professionals. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Medium 59. One of the characteristics that separate project management from other endeavors of the organization is that there are specific time, cost, and performance requirements. TRUE Major characteristics are specific time, cost, and performance requirements. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Medium 60. The singular purpose of a project is often lacking in daily organizational life in which workers perform repetitive operations each day. TRUE This singular purpose is often lacking in daily organizational life in which workers perform repetitive operations each day. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Medium 61. Since a construction company builds many buildings the projects after the first building do not fit the definition of a project. FALSE All projects are nonroutine and has some unique elements. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Comprehension Level: Medium 62. The first stage in the Project Life Cycle is the Concept stage. FALSE The first stage is defining. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Application Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Easy 63. A major portion of the project work, both physical and mental, takes place during the Production stage of the Project Life Cycle. FALSE A major portion of the project work, both physical and mental is done in the executing stage. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Application Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Medium 64. In practice, the amount of work accomplished in each stage of the Project Life Cycle will vary greatly depending on the department or work group. TRUE In practice, the project life cycle is used by some project groups to depict the timing of major tasks over the life of the project. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Application Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Easy 65. Because of the requirement for in-depth expertise, project management is generally restricted to specialists. FALSE Unlike their functional counterparts, project managers generally possess only rudimentary technical knowledge. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Knowledge Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Easy 66. On the project team, the Marketing manager is the primary, direct link with the customer. FALSE Project Managers are typically the direct link to the customer and must manage the tension between customer expectations and what is feasible and reasonable. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Knowledge Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Easy 67. One of the most significant driving forces behind the demand for project management is the ever increasing expansion of the product life cycle. FALSE One of the most significant driving forces behind the demand for project management is the shortening of the product life cycle. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Application Learning Objective: The Importance of Project Management Level: Easy 68. Unlike their functional counterparts, project managers generally possess only rudimentary technical knowledge to make trade-off decisions. TRUE Unlike their functional counterparts, project managers generally possess only rudimentary technical knowledge. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Knowledge Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Medium 69. Because of the significant loss in potential product revenue, time to market has become one of the most critical factors in developing new products. TRUE Time to market for new products with short life cycles has become increasingly important. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Application Learning Objective: The Importance of Project Management Level: Easy 70. A common rule of thumb in the world of high-tech product development is that a six-month project delay can result in a 33 percent loss in product revenue share. TRUE A common rule of thumb in the world of high-tech product development is that a six-month project delay can result in a 33 percent loss in product revenue share. Speed, therefore, becomes a competitive advantage; more and more organizations are relying on cross-functional project teams to get new products and services to the market as quickly as possible. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Application Learning Objective: The Importance of Project Management Level: Easy 71. Project management integration necessitates combining all of the major dimensions of project management under one umbrella. TRUE Project management integration necessitates combining all of the major dimensions of project management under one umbrella. Each dimension is connected in one seamless, integrated domain. Integration means applying a set of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to a collection of projects in order to move the organization toward its strategic goals. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: Project Management Today An Integrated Approach Level: Easy 72. Due to corporate downsizing significant segments of project work have been outsourced to other organizations. TRUE Corporate downsizing has also led to a change in the way organizations approach projects. Companies outsource significant segments of project work, and project managers have to manage not only their own people but also their counterparts in different organizations. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Knowledge Learning Objective: The Importance of Project Management Level: Easy 73. Smaller projects in larger organizations tend not to need project management skills. FALSE Many small projects can eat up the people resources of a firm and represent hidden costs not measured in the accounting system. Organizations with many small projects going on concurrently face the most difficult project management problems. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Knowledge Learning Objective: The Importance of Project Management Level: Medium 74. In the current trends, Project managers are typically required to manage many diverse systems such as; networks, bar charts, job costing, task forces, partnering and schedule, to manage projects. FALSE Project managers must shape a project culture that stimulates teamwork and high levels of personal motivation as well as a capacity to quickly identify and resolve problems that threaten project work. This dimension also involves managing the interface between the project and external environment. Project managers have to assuage and shape expectations of customers, sustain the political support of top management, negotiate with their functional counterparts, monitor subcontractors, and so on. Overall, the manager must build a cooperative social network among a divergent set of allies with different standards, commitments, and perspectives. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: Project Management Today An Integrated Approach Level: Easy 75. Project management is usually restricted to specialists. FALSE Unlike their functional counterparts, project managers generally possess only rudimentary technical knowledge. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Easy 76. Project management is becoming a standard way of doing business. TRUE Project management is no longer a special-need management. It is rapidly becoming a standard way of doing business. AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Application Learning Objective: The Importance of Project Management Level: Easy Short Answer Questions 77. Compare and contrast the Product Life Cycle and the Project Life Cycle. Product Life Cycle deals with the time it takes to develop a product and the time it remains in the marketplace. The Project Life Cycle is the stages that a new product goes through while being developed. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Analysis Learning Objective: The Importance of Project Management Level: Medium 78. Identify the five major characteristics of a project. see list on page 5 of your text AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Medium 79. Identify and briefly describe the four stages of the Project Life Cycle. see list on page 1-7 AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Knowledge Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Easy 80. Project managers perform the same functions as other managers. Agree or Disagree and support your decision. Many of the same basic management functions are performed by project managers; however, there are aspects of the project managers job that make it unique. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Analysis Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Medium 81. Identify and briefly describe the six factors that are increasing the demand for project management. 1. compression of the product life cycle, 2. knowledge explosion, 3. triple bottom line, 4. corporate downsizing, 5. increased customer focus, 6. small projects represent big problems AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: The Importance of Project Management Level: Difficult 82. What is meant by an Integrated Project Management Process? All efforts are focused toward the strategic plan. Piece meal tools are no longer accepted. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: Project Management Today An Integrated Approach Level: Difficult 83. Identify and briefly discuss the two key areas where project management need to be integrated within the organization. 1. with the Strategic Plan and 2. within the process of managing actual projects AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: Project Management Today An Integrated Approach Level: Medium 84. Identify and briefly discuss the two key dimensions of managing actual projects. 1. Technical and 2. Sociocultural AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: Project Management Today An Integrated Approach Level: Medium 85. The success of individual projects is typically measured by performance compared to three constraints usually placed on all projects. Identify and briefly describe those three constraints. 1. time, 2. cost, and 3. performance AACSB: Reflective Thinking Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Medium 86. Describe what it means that a Project Manager must work with a diverse troupe of characters? They are typically the direct link to the customer and must manage the tension between customer expectations and what is feasible and reasonable. Project managers provide direction, coordination, and integration to the project team, which is often made up of part-time participants loyal to their functional departments. They often must work with a cadre of outsiders—vendors, suppliers, subcontractors—who do not necessarily share their project allegiance. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Analysis Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Medium 87. What is the difference between a project and a program? The terms are often used interchangeably in business, however, a program is considered to be a series of coordinated, related, and multiple projects that continue over extended time intended to achieve a goal. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: What is a Project? Level: Medium 88. Describe the connection between Project Management and an organizations Strategic Plan. Today the emphasis is on an integrated project management process that focuses all project effort toward the strategic plan of the organization. AACSB: Analytic Blooms: Comprehension Learning Objective: Project Management Today An Integrated Approach Level: Medium

Romeo and Juliet Essay Example

Romeo and Juliet Essay Example Romeo and Juliet Paper Romeo and Juliet Paper Good morning Ms Spillane and fellow classmates. Act 1 scene 5 sees Tybalt furious about Romeo, Benvolio, and Mercutio being able to stay at the Capulets ball. Today through an interior monologue I will give you a better understanding of the thoughts going through Tybalts mind after the ball. I will explore Tybalts personality in the process. How dare that filthy Montague dance with fare Juliet. If he thinks he can just stroll in here and dance with a Capulet then hes asking for trouble. She fell right into dirty arms; tomorrow she will just be another one of Romeos girl. How could a Montague ever be a guest of ours? How could someone of such low caliber be allowed to join us Capulets. I have been brought up all my life to hate Montagues, yet Master Capulet allows that dirty scum into the house. To be a real man in this world you have to show honour. Allowing dirty Montagues into our house shows not honour, but dishonor. That family wouldnt be hated so much if they hadnt have kill ed my father. An innocent man he was, fighting for his freedom, the pain that comes to mind when I think of the topic is unbearable. I will fight for the respect that I show towards my father. I will live my life in the way my father would have wanted me to. He was my role model and the Montagues tortured an innocent man, he didnt kill Master Montague, yet my father was put to death. I will fight till death. This has been the worst night of my life, being in the presence of such trash. How could Capulet let not only intruders, but Montagues into our household? How dare he dishonor the Capulet name? Is the great Capulet going to listen to the Prince? Is he going to end the Great War? The feud will go on between us and Im going to make sure it does. I could have killed Romeo there and then tonight. I could have killed a Montague. I would have brought great pride to the Capulet name. I can see the headlines around the papers now Romeo and Juliet Essay Example Romeo and Juliet Essay Romeo and Juliet Essay I think the main turning point in this scene is Romeo reading the letter (invitation) from the illiterate servant, Shakespeare makes this scene fit perfectly in the play by getting the party in where Romeo and Juliet first meet. The thing that stimulates Romeo to attend the party is the invitation, which had Rosalines name on it. Earlier Romeo was talking about her with Benvolio and said that he was madly in love with her. Not mad, but bound more then a madman is (Act 1 Scene 2, lines 50 -55).Capulet and Paris are in the middle of a conversation, Capulet says that he and Montague had become old and should stop the ongoing family rivalry. Paris asks for Juliets hand in marriage. Capulet indirectly approves the proposal but asks for two summers (two years) to pass because Juliet is still young. My child is still a stranger to the world, she hath not seen the change of fourteen years (Act 1 Scene 2, lines 5 -10).In lines 32 33 Capulet gives similar advice that Benvolio gave to Romeo, h e asks Paris to look at other lades and compare them with Juliet. Capulet shows that he is a very loving father who is concerned about Juliets future and well being (letting her chose who she marries) but we see a very different approach later in the play. In this scene Capulet express more love for Juliet when he states, Earth hath swallowed all my hopes but she (Act 1 Scene 2, lines 10 -15). This might mean that Capulet had other children that had died.After reading the letter and the strong urge from Benvolio, Romeo decides to go to the party (in the next scene). Different events unfold step by step, some of which are predictable while others come as an extensive surprise. The audience get an ounce of an idea that Romeo is going to meet Juliet at the party.The feeling of risks, guilt and suspense begins to creep in this scene; there was a street fight at the beginning of the play, but that was quite ordinary due to the ongoing family feud. This scene changes the whole plot of th e story because if Romeo had never read the invitation then he wouldnt have attended the party. The heart of the drama is the conflict between the two families and the love between Romeo and Juliet.Both Romeo and Juliet have to conquer a mental war; desire versus responsibility. For Romeo who is an adventurous and emotional young man, who is also quite immature at the beginning of the play, his desire overcame his responsibility. He is vastly unpredictable because at the beginning of the play it seems that he is madly in love with Rosaline and he wont give her up, but later we find out that he looses all his feelings towards her when he meets Juliet. I think he was quite irresponsible when he didnt have a second thought towards Juliet, he should have thought about all the complications and the consequence. Later in the play Romeo takes some responsibility when he tried to make peace with Tybalt. He took great risks and truly loved Juliet. He is also quite emotional, and a little bit softhearted looking for the easy way out when he thought he lost Juliet.Likewise Juliet who is very young (less then fourteen years) is a very obedient and conventional upper class daughter and is loyal to the father. When she falls in love with Romeo she dramatically changes. She begins to show a very practical side to her character and proves to be very determined and independent minded. She is intelligent and perceptive, possibly more so then Romeo. She is utterly loyal to Romeo and defies the whole world for him. She easily could have chose Paris was a gentleman but stayed loyal. She is prepared to risk taking a very dangerous drug to fake her death so that she could be with Romeo. She accepts death willingly when fate had turned against both of them at the end.This scene creates the whole plot and storyline in the play. The scene also creates many problems and opens a path for further things to come. For example the indirect approval of Paris offer to marry Juliet creates a ma ssive problem for Romeo, Juliet and especially Friar Lawrence. The party hosted by Capulet is where Romeo and Juliet met.In the earlier scene Romeo was expressing his love for Rosaline, which was the sheer reason of him attending the party. In the next scene when he attends the party, he briefly meets Juliet and each of them learn of each others love and identity.Id say there are three main parts in this scene:; The conversation between Capulet and Paris; When the servant is wondering what to do with the letter; When Benvolio and Romeo are talking to each otherHowever it is possible to break these scenes down to smaller parts.At the beginning of the scene Capulet admits that he is willing to keep peace. For men so old as we to keep the peace (Act 1 Scene 2, lines 1-5).Capulet and Paris enter in the middle of a conversation where they were discussing the peace. After some time in the conversation Paris starts to flatter Capulet with his speech and asks for Juliets hand in marriage. B ut now my lord what do you say to my suit (Act 1 Scene 2, lines 5 -10).Capulet replies by saying that Juliet is too young to get married and still is a stranger to this world; he is also replying Paris for the second time. But saying oer what I have said before (Act 1 Scene 2, lines 10 -15).After getting an indirect acceptance of his proposal from Capulet, Paris still requests that the time is right. Younger then she are happier mothers made (Act 1 Scene 2, lines 5 -10).Capulet still believes that Juliet is too young to get married and renews his thoughts to Paris. Capulet invites Paris to a feast saying that there will be many attractive women and he should compare them to Juliet. Paris is very keen to marry Juliet and on the other hand Juliet is totally against the idea (after meeting Romeo). She is not willing to exchange Romeo for Paris who is a well-respected Gentleman.I think Juliet is too young to even think about getting married. Although in the olden days girls probably use d to get married younger; thirteen years is far too young to make the kind of decisions she made. She took many risks and followed her heart. At this age, one would assume she would give up one passion (Romeo) for another (Paris) but she didnt. Before here meeting with Romeo she seemed to be a very obedient daughter, but later all this changed dramatically.Capulet suggests that old men are better to keep the peace than young men and better to keep their tempers then young men. And in act this proves to be largely true. It is young men who lose their tempers and get involved in stupid fights. However it is also true that Capulet and lady Capulet show them selves of keeping their tempers with Juliet.Shakesphire shows the issue of behaving moderately more concerned with old people who can behave responsibly, where as young people are to challengeable and passionate.Friar Lawrence is constantly arguing immoderate passions but without success.In Romeo and Juliet the parents dont come out as responsible people, especially Juliets parents, who are more concerned with social success, prestigious marriage for their daughter, then they are in making them happy. At the beginning of the scene it seems that Capulet is a very carrying and considerate father who will let Juliet decide who she will marry, but we find out differently later in the play. I think Juliet has the right to decide whom she gets married to. Capulet tells Paris that his agreement will only be a part of the decision for Paris to marry Juliet, and that Juliet will have to also agree.Capulet plays a larger role then Montague in the play. He is shown to be very understanding but as a matter of fact is quite aggressive, especially towards Juliet near the end of the play.The characters that participate in this scene are Capulet, an unpredictable father; Paris, a smart gentleman who wants Juliets hand in marriage; Capulets servant who is illiterate and not very cleaver (he muddles his words up); Romeo, an adv entures young man and Benvolio his friend.I think the impression we got from this scene was misleading because Capulet is shown to be calm and considerate but we learn otherwise and Romeo seem to be very irresponsible and quite straight forward but isnt.The characters that are at the heart of the scene are Capulet, Paris and Romeo. Capulet and Paris do most of the gossip while Romeo shares his feelings with Benvolio. The servant played quite an important role because if Romeo didnt read the invitations then the story could not have proceeded.Although Juliet does not participate in this scene she is greatly the main subject of speech between Capulet and Paris. When we discover that Romeo is going to attend the party we have a suspicion that Romeo will meet Juliet.I think every main character is affected by the events of this scene.Romeo Door opens to meet Juliet, gets banished and commits suicide.Juliet Door opens to meet Romeo, rejects proposal from Paris and commits suicide.Capul et looses loyalty from his daughter, gets aggressive, makes peace with Montague.Montague Looses his son and makes peace with Capulet.Tybalt Fights with Romeo and gets killed.Paris doesnt marry Juliet and gets killed.Friar Lawrence gives drug to Juliet, explained what happened.There are not many arguments in this scene; Paris is flattering Capulet in order to gain approval of his proposal to Juliet. Romeo and Benvolio are talking to each other like normal friends.This scene shows that Romeo is a normal young man who is madly in love, he uses many metaphors in his speech such as, Not mad, but bound more than a madman is (Act 1 Scene 2, lines 50 -55). Romeo is quite adventures and not as hard hearted as most of the characters. Romeo is shown to be a very irresponsible person but that dramatically changes in the play. We learn just how much he loves Rosaline, even though we learn later that his love for Rosaline is very shallow. This can cause a doubt over the extant of Romeos love for Juliet, but I think his love for Juliet is as deep as he claims it to be because he dies for her at the end.Some conflicts can be resolved. When Romeo refused to fight Tybalt he thought he had a solution to the problem, he accepted looking like a coward. However his solution didnt work; instead he later ended up killing Tybalt due to the fact that Tybalt killed his friend Mercutio.An underlying problem, Romeo and Juliet are trying to live in an idealistic way in a society, which is not idealistic at all. They are practicing love in a society, which is full of hate. They are Romantic in a cynical society, which is focused on wealth and sex.We get to know the characters by their speech, especially Paris. Paris is shown to be a smart person who is very intelligent and persuasive. However unlike Paris, Romeo is shown to be a person who is not concerned in worldly matters except love. His metaphors are not connected with each other. Benvolio is a good friend to Romeo who gives him a dvice; he also cares for his well-being.Romeo talks in contradictions, for example when discussing love with Benvolio he says, not mad, but bound more then a madman is: shut up in prison, kept without my food, whipped and tormented. (Act 1 Scene 2, lines 50 -55).The image of stars; Capulet talks about stars walking the earth, what he means is that women walking around as beautiful stars. Shakesphire uses the image of stars quite often. Later, when Romeo is desperate thinking Juliet has died, he defies the stars, but this time the stars mean something quite different. When he is defying the stars, he is defying the heavens, which in those days was thought of as the place where God lived, and so he is really defying God.Capulet uses some figures of speeches, which are rather typical of shakesphires writing when he makes comments about all his other children that are dead and have been buried.In Act 1 Scene 1 the immediate thing that happened leading up to the scene was Romeo and Benvo lio talking about Romeos love. This scene (Act 1 Scene 2) sets up the whole storyline in the play and makes other events unfold in due time (e.g. the party).I think Juliets Parents are trying to do what they think is best for her. If there had not been a family conflict then they would possibly have had no problem with Juliet meeting Romeo; except maybe for the issue of age. Juliet is motivated and very determined to follow her inexperienced heart.I conclude by saying that this scene is one of the most important scene in the play. It changes the whole flow of the story changing everything, creating dilemmas and causing characters to take desperate risks. Romeo and Juliet Essay Example Romeo and Juliet Essay Romeo and Juliet Essay romeo and juliet is adapted from the play written by Shakespeare, it is about two rivaling families, the Capulets and the Montagues, they have been feuding for generations, one day the daughter of Capulet and the son of Montague meet and fall in love at first sight. However forced to keep their love a secret many bad things happen to them eventually resorting in untimely death and despair for both families. Baz Luhrmann wanted his film to reflect the play almost exactly and used clever mise en scene to do so. The mise en scene at the beginning of the party sequence reveals Capulet mansion lit up then it cuts to Romeo his mask is being placed upon his face, his disguise, inside the mansion the music begins and lots of dancing starts to happen at which point it shows Romeo spinning. This is to let us know that Romeo is on drugs, in the previous scene he had taken a drug given to him by Mercutio, all around him things are moving in slow motion the scene then quickly turns manic this is evident by everyone moving faster than normal which is mirrored through camera movement and the type of music playing. The camera then focuses on Mercutio singing and having a good time being the center of attention. Mise en scene here is really playing with the viewer by showing Mercutio as the center of attention and getting the viewer to be inside the mind of Romeo and his life being friends with someone like Mercutio so we can relate to him. The director uses this upbeat music and dancing to emphasize the atmosphere in the Capulet mansion. Everyone is having a good time getting drunk and dancing, while Romeo is starting to feel out of place and trying to find a way out, this is shown by the hand held camera suddenly starting to dart around. All the sounds are significantly louder and sharper than usual because Romeo is high and his senses are very acute so he can here every little thing. You notice that in this scene the camera cuts from Romeo to Mercutio to Capulet to Tybalt, it doesnt focus on one person, which again helps us know how Romeo might be feeling. At the very beginning you do get the feeling of Romeo being very intimidated by all the people around him, this lets us know that he probably hasnt taken drugs like that before. The way that the camera starts to circle Romeo shows that he is slowly becoming almost unconscious and the scene moves cleverly on as if the changing of the location is also the change happening in Romeos mind. The costume he wears adds to the mise en scene his armour represents his role in the film, he is the knight who saves Juliet who is in the form of an angel, thats how everyone sees her. Capulet is a god because he rules over the mansion and his wife is Cleopatra who was the Queen of Egypt but here is the queen of the mansion. Later on we see him with his head in the water, we see him take off his mask and throws it in the basin. This might suggest that his fake identity has fallen another form of mirroring. When the mask comes off the music then starts to slowly play, the music is slow to suggest a romantic moment is about to happen, the director is playing with our emotions here. He knows what is going to happen next so he is giving us a clue, and keeping us on the edge of our seats constantly. The music soothes Romeo as he takes in everything around him everyone else also becomes still and quiet taking in the beauty of the song. It also reflects the mood of Romeo he is quite sultry and so the music is added to compliment this, it is a score about that first moment kissing someone, this is key to the sequence as later on we see Romeo and Juliet kissing in the elevator. It is a very obvious contrast to the previous music. Before he moves away from the sink the camera cuts to a point of view shot of him looking around, this could suggest that someone is watching him. He then walks towards the fish tank and the camera or person is tracking him as again we watch him from behind, this time though he spots what ever is watching him and turns around to face Juliet. This really adds to the mood of the scene, as it is quite a romantic moment as they both follow each others eyes, flirting, the tank clearly being a symbol of the barrier between their love. The fish also could represent a different world that they are both in. The camera movement is very slow here so as not to distract us from what is clearly emerging between them. Its almost as if the camera is our eyes following their every move like a spy, the camera mirrors Romeos movements. Then there is a long romantic scene where Romeo and Juliet use a lot of eye contact in their flirting and the camera doesnt move too much except it cuts to Romeo and Juliet separately to see each others reaction but while you see one reaction you see the other through the fish tank. Which is nice and simple but very effective because its almost as if there already, she can look but she cant touch and its the same with him. Its all interrupted when the nurse comes in and all of a sudden the camera focuses on Juliet being taken away by the nurse by jumping from focusing on Romeo chasing Juliet to the nurse dragging Juliet away. This is very clever because it takes us out of our romantic trance and back to the real world where we know that Romeo and Juliet cannot be together. When the nurse and Juliet are rushing back to the party Romeo rushes after them. This is reflected in the camera movement as it has gone from moving slowly and smoothly to rough and fast. Neither the camera nor the characters stop moving till Juliet is forced to dance with Paris. Her mother who is the one forcing her to dance is now pleased that she has gained some control over her daughter. Paris is wearing an astronaughts costume this could quite easily suggest that he thinks very highly of himself. When they start dancing the camera becomes still again and the music lowers back down, this is so we can focus on the couple dancing, we know that Juliet is not interested in Paris which makes this shot even more interesting. This scene has the potential to be romantic but is deliberately interrupted by Mercutio insisting that Romeo leaves.

Union College Admissions and Acceptance Rate

Union College Admissions and Acceptance Rate Union College in Schenectady, New York is a relatively selective school, admitting 37 percent of its applicants. Learn admissions data for this school. You can  calculate your chances of getting in  with this free tool from Cappex. Admissions Data (2016) Union College Acceptance Rate: 37  percentGPA, SAT and ACT Graph for Union AdmissionsUnion College is test-optional About Union College Founded in 1795, Union College is a private liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, northwest of Albany. It was the first college chartered by the Board of Regents in New York State. Explore the campus with the  Union College photo tour. Union students come from 38 states and 34 countries, and they can choose from 30 degree programs. Union has a 10 to 1  student/faculty ratio, and upper-level classes average 15 students (20 students for introductory courses). Unions strengths in the liberal arts and sciences earned the school a chapter of  Phi Beta Kappa. Student life is active with more than 100 clubs and activities, 17 fraternities and sororities, 12 theme houses, and seven Minerva Houses (centers for academic and social activities). In athletics, the Union College Dutchmen compete in the NCAA Division III Liberty League (Hockey is in the Division I ECAC Conference Hockey League). Enrollment (2015) Total Enrollment: 2,269  (all undergraduate)Gender Breakdown: 54 percent male / 46 percent female98 percent full-time Costs (2016 -17) Tuition and Fees: $51,696Books: $1,500  (why so much?)Room and Board: $12,678Other Expenses: $486Total Cost: $66,360 Union College Financial Aid (2015 -16) Percentage of Students Receiving Aid: 85  percentPercentage of Students Receiving Types of AidGrants: 83 percentLoans: 43 percentAverage Amount of AidGrants: $25,492Loans: $7,843 Academic Programs Most Popular Majors:  Biology, Economics, English, History, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Political Science, PsychologyWhat major is right for you?  Sign up to take the free My Careers and Majors Quiz at Cappex. Graduation and Retention Rates First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 92 percent4-Year Graduation Rate: 81 percent6-Year Graduation Rate: 87  percent Intercollegiate Athletic Programs Mens Sports:  Football, Hockey, Lacrosse, Swimming, Track and Field, Baseball, RowingWomens Sports:  Lacrosse, Rowing, Soccer, Softball, Track and Field, Basketball, Field Hockey If You Like Union College, You May Also Like These Schools: Skidmore College: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphTufts University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphTrinity College: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphHobart William Smith Colleges: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphCornell University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT Graph  Bates College: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphAlfred University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphVassar College: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphBinghamton University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphSyracuse University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphStony Brook University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT Graph Union College Mission Statement: mission statement from union.edu/about/mission/index.php Union College, founded in 1795, is a scholarly community dedicated to shaping the future and to understanding the past. Faculty, staff, and administrators welcome diverse and talented students into our community, work closely with them to provide a broad and deep education, and guide them in finding and cultivating their passions. We do this with a wide range of disciplines and interdisciplinary programs in the liberal arts and engineering, as well as academic, athletic, cultural, and social activities, including opportunities to study abroad and to participate in undergraduate research and community service. We develop in our students the analytic and reflective abilities needed to become engaged, innovative, and ethical contributors to an increasingly diverse, global, and technologically complex society. Data Sources: National Center for Educational Statistics and the Union College Website

Inclusion of Sen into mainstream schools Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Inclusion of Sen into mainstream schools - Essay Example Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit (n.d.)" Though there are tribes that are unaware of any formal educational system, still knowing and learning the culture that they have and the important skills to subsist and to live harmoniously with his country can be considered education. Included in the kinds of persons that have the right to be educated are those who have learning and other kinds of physical and psychological impairments. These are students with learning disabilities that require special educational needs for them to be educated. They are students with special education needs or simply SEN students. The Education Act of 1996 considers a child has "special education needs" if he has a learning difficulty. In this case, a child has learning difficulty if "he has a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of children of his age," and "he has a disability which either prevents or hinders him from making use of educational facilities of a kind generally provided for children of his age in schools within the area of the local education authority" (Education Act of 1996). Students with Special Education Needs (SEN) have difficulties in l... Examples of students that needs special attention are those having known disabilities like: Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder (ADD/ADHD), Aspergers, Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Cerebral Palsy, Down's Syndrome, Emotional Behavioural Difficulties, etc. (Types of Special Needs 2003). Evidences have backed up the necessity of SEN inclusion. Foremost of these are the reports submitted by the Alliance for Inclusive Education and Disability Equality Into Education that shows the feasibility and effectiveness of inclusive education for disabled children with different impairments (British Council of Disabled People 2005, p.2). The paper submitted by 2020 campaign laid down the advantages supporting the claim of SEN advocates that inclusion is beneficial for disabled students. Through this system, they have been given the opportunities to make friends, to improve their social and academic skills and to initiate a change in this world (Inclusion is Working, 2005, p.1). Also statistics reveal that children from special schools "do less well in exams, have higher rates of unemployment and are often more socially isolated as they grow older than their peers in the mainstream (Inclusion is Working 2005, p.2)." With these papers backing up the inclusion of SEN into mainstream education, the Special Education Needs and Disability Act 2001 has been legislated to provide a revised statutory framework for inclusion. It empowers SEN students to attend a mainstream school, unless their parents choose otherwise. Audit Scotland and HMIE released a report of the findings made by the commission. These organisations found out that to make mainstreaming pupils with SEN work, schools should have time to join their headteachers and

HR Analytics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

HR Analytics - Essay Example Analytics mainly focus on the trend with respect to performance, results, behaviour, growth and development, which further draws management’s attention to specific areas unlike reporting tools that only focus or gather historic data and performance. Contemporary businesses and management lay strong emphasis on measurement of all aspects related to the business and management. Lundgaard (2009) emphasizes the significance of HR analytics in enabling the establishment of HR as a strategic organisational function and credits this to the high competition in business environment which is further pressurizing achievement of greater performance, productivity and profits for business/organisational sustenance. For this, firstly HR initiatives must be made quantifiable through appropriate measures. Lundgaard (2009) suggests a six-domain framework that identifies six key areas for HR: staffing, training/development, appraisal, rewards, organisational governance, and communication. Obtain ing HR analytics based on these six core areas makes measuring HR function feasible. Application of this framework to HR initiatives still depends upon the measurability of these areas, for which Hunter et al (2005) have suggested the Balanced Score Card (BSC) system. First proposed by Kaplan and Norton, this framework allows linking strategy to value creating processes. As stated by Kaplan and Norton (1996; p.2), ‘the BSC translates an organisation’s mission and strategy into a comprehensive set of performance measures that provides the framework for a strategic measurement and management system.’ The BSC measures organisational performance across four balanced perspectives: financial, customers, internal business processes, and learning and growth. It helps in capturing the critical value-creation activities of skilled and motivated employees. All activities that an organisation needs to perform in order to achieve its goal can be categorized according to these perspectives, which include categorization of all initiatives by the HR department into these four core areas. The BSC helps in assessing the total business value derived from particular department. To assess the total business value of HR initiatives, they must be made or converted to measurable objectives (Hatry, 2006). For measurement, Lawler and Boudreau (2009) advocate the use of efficiency, effectiveness and impact for measuring HR programmes, where efficiency refers to resources used by HR programmes such as cost-per-hire; effectiveness refers to changes produced by HR programmes such as learning from training; and impact refers to business or strategic value created by the programme such as higher sales from better-trained product developers or sales people (p.61). All three, efficiency, effectiveness and impact are equally important to assess the actual weight of any activity/programme. For instance, measuring the monthly/daily sales without measuring customer satisfaction will be of no use for the business in long run. Similarly, paying out more incentives to staff for over performance without assessing employee satisfaction may or may not yield any improvement in employee satisfaction. Efficiency and effectiveness of HR initiatives can be measured by assigning specific measurable objectives to each initiative. Paladino (2007) emphasized Managing by Objectives (MBO) as an effective tool to enhance organisational efficiency at

Theory of Inner Core Super-Rotation: An Analysis

Theory of Inner Core Super-Rotation: An Analysis Andrew Brown Introduction This article investigates the various thought processes behind, and controversies surrounding, the theory of Inner Core super-rotation. The Inner Core of the Earth is composed predominantly of soli iron, and lies at the centre of the planet, surrounded by a liquid Outer Core (again, predominantly composed of iron). It is a region that has long been known for having a profound influence in the processes that maintain convection within the liquid Outer Core. Understanding the workings of the Inner Core could be key in the understanding of dynamo theory, the Earth’s magnetic field (from its origins, through to the present day), heat-flow, core-history, core-composition, and possibly effects on the Earth’s gravity field. In recent years, many seismic studies have indicated that the Inner Core contains large-scale anisotropy in its velocity structure. It was discovered that there was evidence of systematic changes in the travel-time of waves travelling through the Inner Core. These changes (changing over long time periods) were interpreted as indications of the Inner Core rotating at a different rate than that of the other material within the Earth. It was suggested that the Inner Core is rotating in an Eastward direction relative to the Mantle and Crust, at a rate measurable within human time-scales. This finding was initially dismissed as being either too slow a rotation-rate, or considered to be physically impossible. However, additional evidence, displayed in recent studies into the matter, is found to support the hypothesis that the Inner Core is, in fact, super-rotating. Despite this finding, the topic of Inner Core super-rotation, along with discussions about the rate at which it is rotating, i s still considered a controversial area of research. Research History The first suggestion of a super-rotating mass at the centre of the Earth was brought on by analysis of the interaction between the solid Inner and liquid Outer Core. The viscosity of the Outer Core is very low, and is thought to convect at a rate of approximately 1cms-1. It could be thought that this might result in the appearance that the Inner Core was moving with respect to the mantle. In order to investigate this phenomenon further, Glatzmaier Roberts (1995) modelled a numerical solution for 3D convection dynamo motions within the Outer ore. This model successfully reproduced observed magnetic field strength and reversal behaviour. However, in the model, the Inner Core was free to rotate, and what was found was that it naturally super-rotated in an Eastward direction. From this is was then hypothesised that seismic reflections, rebounding off the Inner/Outer Core boundary, could show evidence of this modelled rotation, but it was later found that a more efficient data set would be to examine seismic waves that are transmitted through the Inner Core (Song Richards, 1996). Using this technique, along with others (such as analysis of geodynamo processes and shear-wave conversions within the Inner Core), there is more evidence supporting a super-rotating Inner Core, than not. However, even upon agreeing that this idea is both plausible and probable, there is still a large level of uncertainty surrounding the rate at which the Inner Core is rotating with respect to the Mantle. There have been suggestions in recent studies that it is rotating at a rate of less than 1à ¢Ã‚ Ã‚ °yr-1, but equally, there have been suggestions of rotation rates of over 1à ¢Ã‚ Ã‚ °yr-1, and even suggestions recently of no discernable difference in rotation. Evidence for Super-Rotation Our current theories of the origins of the Earth’s magnetic field rely on the understanding of the geodynamo processes occurring within the core. Differential rotation is a requirement for the geodynamo to exist. It is this differential rotation that drives the dynamo action by generating toroidal magnetic fields from poloidal. Initially, there are poloidal field lines, which are then ‘wound up’ by the differential rotation (shown in figure 1). Only a small amount of diffusion is needed to break these poloidal lines and form a toroidal loop, and these new toroidal field lines then amplify the original poloidal field, and the process repeats. It can be observe that the core surface appears to drift in a westward direction. If the Inner Core is, indeed, differentially rotating, then it would suggest an eastward drift at the Inner Core boundary. This predicted eastward drift agrees with the eastward drift observe in geodynamo simulations. In addition to this, it is well understood by electromagnetism, that Inner and Outer Core are well coupled, and thus would suggest that the Inner Core should be super-rotating, and drift east. Although a super-rotating Inner Core is consistent with current geodynamo theories, such a controversial subject area requires more actual, observable evidence in order to validate these assumptions. This evidence comes from analysis of Inner Core seismology. P-waves are found to travel through the Inner Core approximately 3 or 4% faster in a direction almost parallel to the north/south axis, than in directions along the equatorial plane. (Poupinet et al., 1983; Morelli et al., 1986; Song Helmberger, 1993). In addition to this, analysis of the free-oscillations of the Earth that contain significant energy within the Inner Core shows evidence of shear-wave splitting (Masters Gilbert, 1981; Sharruck Woodhouse, 1998), another indication of a variation in velocity between planes. Both these phenomena are show Inner Core anisotropy, with the ‘fast axis’ tilted approximately 10à ¢Ã‚ Ã‚ ° from the rotation axis (figure 2). This fact can be used to the advantage of research ers, as if the Inner Core is super-rotating then it should be possible to observe this ‘fast axis’ precessing over long time periods. In other words, if the anisotropic Inner Core rotates about the north/south axis at a different rate to that of the Mantle, then the observed travel-times will change in a systematic fashion for repeated seismic signals passing through the Inner Core. Interpretations of the relative (rather than absolute) timings are use in order to reduce the methods sensitivity to errors in source locations. The method uses a combination of source and receiver pairs that allow for seismic rays through the Inner Core, that also have an orientation that will be sensitive to the effect of the hypothesised rotation on the ‘fast axis’. The differences in travel-times are analysed for three different ray path phases: AB, BC and DF (shown in figure 3). Ray paths through the Earth are very close together, hence the need to analyse relative travel-times. Mantle convection is slow, and the Outer Core is well-mixed, and thus the travel time of the BC phases should remain relatively constant over time. It should, therefore, be safe to assume that any variations observed over time will have an Inner Core origin. Each of these phases travel through different sections of the Earth’s Mantle and Core, and thus contain different information, therefore, changes between phases are unlikely to be due to event mislocation. The contrast between AB and BC phases are mostly just scattered; however, the difference between BC and DF phases show a systematic increase over time. However, interpretation of the differences in travel time, alone, is not sufficient to detect super-rotation. It is the effect on the parameter, ÃŽ ¾ (the angle of the ray with respect to the Inner Core ‘fast axis’), that is sensitive to the changes in ray paths that would be observed if the Inner Core were differentially rotating. Figure 4 shows two curves: the percentage velocity perturbations with ÃŽ ¾; and the derivative of this curve, with respect to ÃŽ ¾, which illustrates the sensitivity to changes in velocity with ÃŽ ¾, which is what would be expected with super-rotation. Studies of these core-phase relative travel times have indicated a definite eastward Inner Core rotation rate of approximately 1à ¢Ã‚ Ã‚ ° per year (Song Richards, 1996), although further studies have produced varying results for this rate. Ovtchinnikov et al. (1998), again, used BC-DF travel-time differences brought on by nuclear explosions, thus reducing the error in source location. The result of this study, produced through the analysis of long time-series data over decades, was consistent with a cylindrically symmetric Inner Core which is moving in an eastward direction. It was found that it rotated at a rate of 0.3-1.1à ¢Ã‚ Ã‚ °yr-1. Another, different, approach by Vidale Earle (2000) was to use short-period seismic waves, or ‘coda’, that are reflected back from the Inner Core (PkikP phase). This method is particularly affective (in comparison to previous techniques) as it allows for the measurement of changes in Inner Core rotation rates. They found that, over a period of around 3 years, the western hemisphere of the Inner Core appeared to be moving towards the recording station, and the eastern, away. This is what would be expected for an eastwardly super-rotating Inner Core, and the rate of this rotation was estimated to be around 0.15à ¢Ã‚ Ã‚ °yr-1. Controversies Surrounding Super-Rotation Although many studies agree on an eastwardly rotating Inner Core with respect to the Mantle, research using only slightly different methodologies and phase combinations has produced vastly varied results. Researchers have dismissed the variations in the findings as being due to the methodology producing the results being inadequate, and that the data is insufficient. All of the methods described rely on the use of data over a time period which could be up to decades. Seismogram quality has improved greatly over time; therefore arrivals will end up being picked earlier in the more accurate, modern seismograms. In addition to this, the rays being analysed have to 1st travel through local source, receiver and deep mantle structure before then passing through the area of interest (Inner Core). These have greater effects on the velocity variations than that of the Inner Core anisotropy, which reduces the accuracy at which the effects of the Inner Core can be interpreted. All initial studies, although successful in providing ‘proof’ of Inner Core super-rotation, rely on the assumption of a homogeneous, cylindrically symmetric model for the distribution of Inner Core anisotropy, with a north/south tilted fast axis. On top of this, the assumption of the Inner Core as essentially a rigid rotating rigid body, forces a potentially unrealistic framework. Instead, a ductile Inner Core is more plausible, which would deform as rotates. Recent studies into mode splitting functions have shown that there are complex patterns of inhomogeneity in anisotropy within the Inner Core. These must be included in the base-model because of the effects of Inner Core lateral velocity variations on the observed travel times as the body rotates. Therefore, work is still needed to be done to understand these heterogeneities, in order to interpret the changes in travel times for a more precise estimation of the rotation-rate. In addition to heterogeneities within the Inner Core, the effects on seismic velocities brought on by artefacts (such as subducting slabs) at the base of the mantle must be understood, as they could lead to misinterpretation of ‘evidence’ for temporal brought on by the rotation. Thus there is some-what of a trade-off between the rotation rate, and the lateral change in velocities when interpreting the travel-times. It is found that a non-zero rotation rate of approximately 0.2à ¢Ã‚ Ã‚ °yr-1 is required to explain the temporal variations in observed relative travel times between the BC and DF phases. Finally, â€Å"the Inner Core is far less accessible to us than the surface of any planet in the solar system†. The Inner Core lies at the very centre f the Earth, inside a highly variable 3000km of solid mantle and a convecting liquid Outer Core. This results in poor, restricted sampling locations and reduced number usable of ray-paths, resulting in biased results, as there are only limited locations for source receiver pairs that can collect information on the key phases (see figure 3) used in the interpretation. Conclusions In conclusion, although there is increasing evidence supporting the theory of Inner Core super-rotation, it is clear that there is still a lot of work and research needed to be done. In addition to this, even if the theory of a super-rotating Inner Core is viewed as not only plausible, but necessary, a further understanding of the dynamics and structural influences of the Outer and Inner Core is still required to correctly determine a precise rate for this rotation It is for these reasons that the topic of Inner Core super-rotation, along with discussions about the rate at which it is rotating, is still a very active and controversial area of research. References Glatzmaier, G. A. and Roberts, P. H. 1995. A three-dimensional convective dynamo solution with rotating and finitely conducting inner core and mantle.Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 91 (1), pp. 6375. MAkinen, A. M. and Deuss, A. 2011. Global seismic body-wave observations of temporal variations in the Earths inner core, and implications for its differential rotation.Geophysical Journal International, 187 (1). Masters, G. and Gilbert, F. 1981. Structure of the inner core inferred from observations of its spheroidal shear modes.Geophysical Research Letters, 8 (6), pp. 569571. Morelli, A., Dziewonski, A. M. and Woodhouse, J. H. 1986. Anisotropy of the inner core inferred from PKIKP travel times.Geophysical Research Letters, 13 (13), pp. 15451548. Ovtchinnikov et al. 1998 About the velocity of differential rotation of the Earth’s inner core. Dokl. Russ. Acad. Sci. Geophys., 362, 683-686. Poupinet, G., Pillet, R. and Souriau, A. 1983. Possible heterogeneity of the Earths core deduced from PKIKP travel times.Nature, 305 (5931), pp. 204206. Richards, P. G. 2000. Earth’s inner corediscoveries and conjectures.Astronomy Geophysics, 41 (1) Sharrock, D. and Woodhouse, J. 1998. Investigation of time dependent inner core structure by the analysis of free oscillation spectra.EARTH PLANETS AND SPACE, 50 pp. 10131018. Song, X. and Helmberger, D. V. 1993. Effect of velocity structure in D †³on PKP phases.Geophysical research letters, 20 (4), pp. 285288. Song, X. and Richards, P. G. 1996. Seismological evidence for differential rotation of the Earths inner core.Nature, 382 (6588), pp. 221224. Vidale, J. E. and Earle, P. S. 2000. Fine-scale heterogeneity in the Earths inner core.Nature, 404 (6775). 1

Orthodox Jewish family Essay

(1) â€Å"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.† Exodus 20:8 Describe in detail the way in which a fully observant Orthodox Jewish family would keep this mitzvah. You should explain the symbolism of the various ceremonies and rituals where relevant Shabbat is the only Jewish holiday enjoined by the Ten Commandments, making it an especially important one to the whole family. It is observed on the seventh day in commemoration of the seventh day on which God rested after completing the Creation, and of God’s role in history and his covenant with the Jewish people. Along with all Orthodox Jews, the family are strictly obligated to sanctify Shabbat at home and in the synagogue. They will all avoid work on this day and will engage in worship and study. The Talmud specifies the activities which they are to abstain from and, being Orthodox, the family would say that anything resembling these is work and is therefore forbidden on Shabbat. They stop their creative work in order to reflect on the powers God has given, making sure they make the right use of them. A member of the family, usually the mother or father, will use a Jewish calendar, diary or newspaper to find out the precise time Shabbat begins on that Friday evening. This is because it varies from week to week and it is therefore uncertain to which day the period between sunset and nightfall begins. Knowing the correct time is important to the whole family to ensure they are observing the rules for Shabbat for the exact length of time God expects from them and because the time division follows the biblical story of creation: â€Å"And there was evening and there was morning, one day† (Genesis 1:5). Shabbat lasts from sunset on Friday evening to sunset on Saturday. Before Shabbat each member of the family will carry out the necessary preparations so that they won’t need or want to undertake any of the forbidden activities. For example, the mother will have prepared all the meals needed because God said it was important to have three meals during Shabbat, but that they should still abstain from growing or preparing the food. Modern technology has made this easier because the Jews are able to put their meals in slow cookers and although the parents aren’t able to create a fire or turn on the heating, they are able to set a timer for the heating. The light on the fridge is also taped up so that the fridge can be opened without breaking the Shabbat rule, not to create fire or light. It is usually the mother that thoroughly cleans the house and gets all the necessary shopping beforehand because cleaning is seen as work and is therefore forbidden. The use of a car is also forbidden, so the parents will be unable to drive to shops. Collecting food is also seen as work because the Israelites had to collect manna in the wilderness. The whole family must have prepared their clothes for the day, because the mother is unable to iron or sew. Children must have completed any homework or jobs that have to be done, before the Friday evening, because the completion of work and writing is also forbidden. The children must also be able to leave school early (especially during winter) in order to ensure they have enough time to arrive home before Shabbat begins. If either of the parents have jobs, they must make sure that everything important is completed and that they wont need to speak to colleagues because they are unable to use the phone or machines such as computers and fax machines. The Shabbat table must be laid by the family beforehand because the meal that they share on the Friday evening is very important, even members of the family that have left home try to return for this meal because it unites them. Each member of the family has a bath before sunset and wears their best clothes, for the meal. All members of the family will try to wear some white to symbolise purity and hope. It is important to the whole family to abstain from these activities, and many more, during Shabbat. This is because the Talmud lists them as forbidden and says that God made the seventh day holy by resting after making the world, therefore the opportunity to rest is the mark of being free and Shabbat offers this opportunity. The Shabbat preparations involve everyone in the family, from the youngest upwards because, although there are synagogue services to attend, the main focus of Shabbat revolves around the home and is a day for the family to share together. In preparation for the approaching day of holiness, the woman of the house must light white candles before the sunset. This not only welcomes Shabbat, but it also symbolises peace coming into the house, joy, blessing and serenity, because God created light. For the family, the home is central to the celebration of Shabbat and this is an important duty for the woman. She will then recite the berachah of God, all in hope of driving away any sorrow and unhappiness. The father then takes an important role in welcoming the Shabbat. He says a special blessing over bread and wine and the emphasis of the family is expressed by blessing the children and reciting proverbs in honour of his wife. A father’s blessing is very important for the Jews because Abraham began the custom with their ancestors. The males in the family will attend an evening service in the synagogue. The service is attended to welcome Shabbat as a bride. The ‘husband’ is the Jewish people. The women do not attend this service because it is felt that their place is at home at this time. They are also very busy with preparations and the rituals they partake in to welcome Shabbat. The men greet each other by saying ‘Shabbat shalom’, which wishes them a good and peaceful Shabbat. They also say hymns and psalms and recite blessings, like Kiddush, over wine. The Shabbat celebratory meal is eaten on the Friday evening. Each Friday morning, usually, the mother will bake fresh Challot (sweet braided loaves) because as it bakes it produces an amazing aroma that fills the house and reminds the family that Shabbat is on its way. Everybody washes their hands as a symbol of purity to give Shabbat the best welcome possible. Before the meal, after the father has blessed the family, he recites the prayer of holiness so that each member of the family is involved, by saying ‘Amen’ at the end of each blessing. Kiddush begins the meal because it sets a special atmosphere and gives a sense of occasion. Kiddush is said because it is an important way of sanctify the meal. One of the adults in the family will recite part of the Genesis; this has the importance of teaching the children because it speaks of God resting after creating the world. This helps the family understand the importance of Shabbat and sticking to its rules. Throughout the meal, many items are present and many actions take place that are an important part of the festival. A white tablecloth is laid out on the family dining table before the meal, symbolising the purity. The woman of the house, or whoever has prepared the meal, must ensure it is eaten with the best cutlery and crockery because it is important that the family welcome the Shabbat with the utmost significance and treat it like a queen or bride. Two candles are used to give extra brightness than usual and to symbolise the extra or ‘double’ soul that each member of the family has on Shabbat. This number of candles also has many other meanings that different members of the family will believe in. The adults present often believe that it symbolises the number of parents in an ideal family and the different commandments that have to be observed on Shabbat. The family may also believe it is an important symbol of past (creation) and future (exodus). Two loaves are placed on the table, and blessings are said over them. The double portion is an important reminder of when the Israelites were in the wilderness after the Exodus and a double portion of Manna was left for them so that they wouldn’t have to collect any on Shabbat. The loaves are covered by a cloth called a Hallah, symbolising the dew over the manna. This is important because it makes the meal even more special and precious to the family. The hallah dressed the bread like a bride and protects its sensitivities. The two loaves, that the family eat, must be plaited to represent God, Israel and the Torah which are important when bound together in the bread because they are mutually dependant, showing the family that the three can’t exist without each other. After the blessings, a piece of bread is dipped in salt and given to each member of the family. The parents or children will often have invited guests to this special meal and they are also given a piece of the salted bread because hospitality is always greatly important to the Jewish faith and its festivals. The knife that is used to cut the bread for each member of the family is covered during the meal because the knife is a weapon of war and violence. The parents want to protect the children from this and emphasise that Shabbat is a time of peace and harmony. During the meal, a plaited candle is always present to symbolise God’s omnipresence and the potential in every human being. After the meal a special grace is said by a member of the family and Bible stories are told to the children to spread joy and happiness whilst they learn. The whole meal and the preparation involved is extremely important to the whole family because it brings them together on one of the most important days of the week and reminds them of their dependence on God for all that is good in life. Sometimes the family may sing songs at the table, which emphasise the joy and togetherness that Shabbat brings. On Shabbat morning the whole family will attend a synagogue service, which is one of the most important and central parts of the festival. It is the chief bond uniting the family with each other and other Jews. The parents ensure that the service is attended because it keeps the family as part of a worshipping community. It is often three hours long for everyone to fully appreciate the importance of the holiday. The males and females will sit separately during the service. The parents aren’t allowed to use the car during Shabbat, so the family are likely to walk to the synagogue together. The Rabbi leads the family and others in prayer, during the service. The men of the family refrain from wearing their Tefillin whilst praying because Rabbis say that Shabbat is a sign of God’s relationship with the Jews and no other sign is required. Every Shabbat one, or maybe two, scrolls are taken out of the Ark and as it is opened each family member will join the congregation in si nging the first line of the Shema. The scroll is then carried round the synagogue with great rejoicing. The men will kiss their tallit as they touch the passing Torah, before it is taken up to the bimah. Having the Torah read to the Orthodox family, from the bimah, is very important because it reminds them of the altar in the Temple. The father may be involved in carrying the scroll and other members of the family may be called up to read or recite a blessing. If a boy in the family has had his 13th birthday during the previous week he celebrates his Bar Mitzvah during this service. This is a Jewish custom and makes the birthday extremely special for the young boy and his family. This is all a very important part of the service, especially for the family, because it involves them in the joy and gives them a sense of identity. The readings, by members of the congregation, are said before or after a portion of the Torah is read. This is then followed by the chanting of the Haftara. Psalms are also read to the whole congregation, by the Rabbi, during his sermon. These readings are all very important to the family because Jews look upon the Torah and Shabbat as God’s two greatest gifts to them. Kiddush is said again at the end of the service as an important blessing. As the family leave the synagogue they wish each other and, members of the congregation, ‘Shabbat Shalom’. This wishes them the peace of Shabbat. Often guests will be invited back to the family’s home for the afternoon because hospitality is a great feature of Shabbat and the religion. Attending the service each week helps them to show their dedication to God and ensures the day is lived as a celebration and not an annoyance. The synagogue service is usually held in the morning, leaving the family with the afternoon free to enjoy the Shabbat holiday. A lunch is often eaten similar to the meal eaten the night before. Kiddush is again said over Challot to sanctify the remaining hours of the holiday and keep them just as special as the rest. The festival forbids many things, but there are still plenty of activities each member of the family can partake in. They may set time aside in order to study the Torah, this will remind them about what matters most to Jews – the family and the Torah. They will spend time, during Shabbat, thinking about what God intends human life to be because Jews realise that it is important to God that there is human co-operation. All Jews want to help make the world a better place, and the family may spend this time thinking of ways in which they can achieve this. This can also be done in the synagogue during an afternoon service, if the family want to attend. If not, they may choose to go for a walk to spend more time together because family is seen as very important. If the adults are feeling particularly social, they may hold a gathering at their home to express outwardly the happiness inherent in the Shabbat holiday. Hospitality has also been very important to Jews because it is a custom that occurs in many festivals and goes back to the times of Abraham, so friends and family are invited. The group entertain them selves with drama, community discussions, lectures and singing. The children can play games and music. Usually the mother or father will provide refreshments that can be offered round by themselves or the children, in order to complement the congenial atmosphere and perpetuate the Talmud’s recommendation to eat three full meals that day. As the day draws to an end, a special ceremony is held in the family’s home to mark the end of Shabbat. It is said at any time after nightfall in order to give the day a departing ceremony. This is to show how special and important it is to them. They may choose to attend this ceremony at their local synagogue, to give a sense of socialism and community, instead of at home. Wine and candles are used to welcome the Shabbat and the same symbols are used for it’s departure. A chosen member of the family will say a special blessing called the Havdalah, which means ‘division’. It is said to emphasise the idea of separation (between light and dark, sacred and the profane, Israel and other nations and Shabbat from weekdays). It praises God for all these separations. The family then chant two other blessings, the first over sweet smelling spices and the second over a lighted candle. The spice box is passed around each member of the family, in the hope that the deeds of the next week will be sweetened. The spices are also important for the family to be able to remember Shabbat throughout the week, by the sweet scent of the spices. The lit candle is a very important symbol for the departure of Shabbat because fire can now be kindled, after having been forbidden for the past day. Each member of the family then spreads their hands towards the light to express the thought that light is God’s gift and is too be used to good purpose. It also reminds them that the first thing God created was light. With the end of Shabbat, the ‘first day’ of creation begins. The family have used all five senses of smell, sight, taste, hearing and touch throughout this ceremony and this heightens the spirituality of the festival. The mother or father will end the ceremony by putting out the candle with the wine as the rest of the family sing songs that ask for help and for the arrival of the messianic age. (2) Discuss the ways in which the lives of this family will be affected by their observance of this mitzvah, and the reasons why they are enthusiastic about keeping the traditional Sabbath practices alive in modern times. The family’s lives will be affected in many ways by their observance of Shabbat. It is the most difficult mitzvah of the year and will put each member of the family under pressure. There are lots of ways in which the festival can be very difficult and many Orthodox Jews would feel that although it is a day meant for rest it actually makes life more stressful, by having to fit it in around the busy, hectic lifestyles of today’s society. The word Sabbath means ‘rest’, but in the home of an Orthodox family a great deal of work has to be done before the day. Friday becomes busier than any other day of the week and this puts the family under more stress to get everything completed on time. The whole house must be cleaned, food cooked and all jobs finished before sunset. Someone in the family also has to take even more time out in order to find the exact time in which Shabbat begins that week. This has to be done before Friday evening and can be difficult because the time is only displayed on some Jewish calendars and newspapers. This causes extra stress before the day has even begun. Orthodox women are not obliged to pray during Shabbat, wear the Tefillin or read the Torah at the services so it seems that the festival is easier for them and has less effect on their lives, but this is not so because there is lots that they are obliged to do. They must always keep to the traditional guidelines to set a good example to the children. It is usually the women who have to take time off work and important jobs in order to prepare for Shabbat. They must cook the meal, clean the house, light the candles and carry out traditional rituals like the removing of a piece of dough whilst the bread is baking. Women work more these days and preparation for Shabbat can be virtually impossible or can make their lives very hectic, making it difficult for them to obtain certain jobs and complete work on time. The men in the family are obliged to attend the Synagogue on Friday evening to pray, whereas the women aren’t. This could have the effect of dividing the family on an occasion which is meant to be joyous and bonding occasion. This may be difficult for the younger men in the family because they will see their sisters and mothers being able to stay at home on the Friday evening. As with the adult women, the men will also have to take time off work to observe the Sabbath in the traditional way and this can cause stress over the early or late completion, or worry over what is happening whilst they abstain from work, because they are unable to communicate via technology like the telephone and computer. Traditional observance of Shabbat will affect the choice of job the adults make because they have to ensure that they will be able to take at least a whole day off, each week. Using the car is forbidden and even using public transport, which means that the parents can’t travel any distances and therefore can’t make any important trips. This can have bad affects within businesses because it prevents problems from being solved as quickly as possible. Taking this time of work can cause a reduced wage, which can have a disastrous effect on the whole family. Life can be even more expensive if you have a family and so they would need as much money as possible. This could make it difficult to find enough money to buy essentials and pay the bills. To make things worse Shabbat can be an expensive holiday to have each week because to for an Orthodox family to observe it, they would need the correct bread and candles, good crockery and posh clothes. The family would also lose even more money by having to abstain from creativity, which means leaving the heating and lights on for the whole day, if they don’t have timers. Not only do the candles cost money but they are a hazard to have in a family home. The constant lighting and close contact could cause a fire, effectively ruining homes and lives. They are also dangerous to have around children, especially the very young or babies. If accidentally left unattended the candles could cause the death of a child. The many forbidden activities on a traditional Shabbat could make the parents feel as though they are wasting a day because they are unable to get on with important jobs around the house. Even the children may feel they are wasting homework time. Not being able to work would have a very bad effect on teenagers because they would be unable to revise for important exams and would lose a day each week for coursework. University and sixth form students are unable to write essays and coursework over this time. This could ultimately affect their school and exam results, which affects their lives and futures. Children often have to leave school early, especially during winter, because it is a tradition to be home before sunset so that you can welcome in the Shabbat with the family. This can cause them to miss important information and work each week. It also puts them under stress to catch up on missed work, at the same time as new work. Teenagers and sixth form students are unable to get Saturday jobs, so they have less money than their friends and less to pay school fees. This can make life even more of a struggle during their education. This Orthodox family may have to abstain from doing things which they enjoy, during this free time, because they have been defined as work. This can be very frustrating because different people consider different things as work. Sometimes people choose to do things which are hard work to others, because they enjoy them. This makes it hard to abstain from doing these, whilst they have all this free time. The laws of Shabbat mean that food and milk can’t be heated for babies. This can make it difficult for parents to feed them and if they don’t get the correct food and nutrients it can cause health problems in the future. In today’s society, a traditional Shabbat can have a particularly restrictive affect on children and can cause boredom, which leads to resentment against the festival and even the religion. If there are no afternoon activities planned and no television or computers allowed the day can become very boring. Modern society relies on things like television and computer games as a form of entertainment; it is very difficult for children to give this up each week. They are unable to participate in many weekend activities like other children their age and this can have a depressing affect on children, causing them to feel left out and isolated. It can also lead to bullying or loss of friends, which can have a devastating affect on children. Teenagers can’t go shopping or even use mobile phones, causing them to feel isolated or cut off from society and their friends. Taking part in traditional rituals and practices on Shabbat can make the children, and even the parents, feel like an exhibit, different and as though they are not normal. Shabbat often doesn’t fit in with local cultures and modern society work practices. This is made even worse by the fact that the Christian Sabbath, which is the majority, celebrate Sabbath on the Sunday. They can see everyone else going out and leading what society sees as a ‘normal’ life. This can encourage bullying and a lack of enthusiasm for the festival. There are just too many rules to follow and all the ‘dos and don’ts’ make the Jews sound weird to other people, affecting their lives in the community and creating a problem for the family, in distinguishing what can and can’t be done. Using the car is forbidden on Shabbat, making the day even more difficult for the family, especially if they have young children or elderly or disabled members of the family. This means that walking long distances can become an almost impossibility. In Orthodox, traditional observance the family are meant to walk no further than 1 and 3 quarters miles. This is still a long distance and will tire certain members and make the trip feel like a chore. This also means that, to keep this rule, the family have to buy a house within this distance from a synagogue. This reduces their choice and can leave them feeling unhappy with the area they live in. However, for an Orthodox family, the Jewish rules become such a complete way of life that they can’t and won’t break the traditional observance, despite any restrictions and difficult effects it has. Tradition- doing things the way they have always been done- is very important in Judaism. It comes every week and is an important reminder of God’s creation. Shabbat itself symbolises the covenant God has with the Jewish people and this emphasises why they are so enthusiastic about keeping traditional practices, they feel these practices thank God , praising him for the covenant and creation, and help them feel closer to him. Despite the pressures involved, Shabbat is so unique that it must be respected by behaving differently, to differentiate it from the rest of the week, there are also many positive ways in which the day affects the lives of each member of the family and causes them to be enthusiastic about observing it in the traditional way. They festival has so many benefits for the family, heightening the enthusiasm. Orthodox Jews hold very firmly to the teachings of the Torah because they were revealed by God to Moses. The observance of Shabbat is the fourth commandment. This rule came from God, so strict Jews, such as this family, have no objections against it and enjoy the challenge Shabbat creates, seeing it as a necessity to their religious faith. Many Jews would say that all the festivals are wonderful occasions and Shabbat provides a discipline to life which brings family togetherness, right from childhood and this is seen as a wonderful thing. The adults in the family are particularly enthusiastic about keeping the tradition of a day of rest, because it allows them to set time aside to study the Torah and Talmud. This is important to them for guidance in life and to learn new things, whilst enabling them to pass their Jewish knowledge to the children. Shabbat affects the way in which the next generation of Jews will develop because the parents are more able (through the festivities) to teach their children a sense of values and pass on what is believed to be right. The children will realise a sense of right and wrong, what is of real value in life and how people should behave. Shabbat is also a time for relaxing with the family. Nowadays, many people live highly stressful lives. People work too hard and Shabbat gives them time to remember what’s really important in life. They are continually hurrying to get things done and families seldom have time to just be together. Shabbat is like calling time out, everything stops and an incredible peace descends on the family. A traditional Shabbat is important to them because they are able to spend time together in an unhurried, relaxed atmosphere. The family like to keep it traditional and abstain from work to feel relieved, happy and to aim for better spirituality, whilst feeling better physically. The opportunity to rest is the mark of being free, and the family know a traditional Shabbat offers this. This increases their enthusiasm for the holiday because it is enjoyable and they are able to talk about what has happened to each of them during the week. This is a nice change from always watching the television, ensuring that the family don’t become more and more distant from each other. They want to keep it traditional, as their Jewish ancestors would have celebrated it, because their heritage is extremely important to them and is wonderfully satisfying. It is keeping Jewish culture alive and unites the family with all Jewish communities in the world to give them security and a sense of identity. Children may find the day restrictive, but most parents will try not to make it so. After a hard working week the whole family look forward to Shabbat because it’s a pleasure to come together, relax, eat a meal together, be able to talk and have some time to read without interruption. Some Jewish families feel pressurised to have certain objects at Shabbat, like fine cutlery or a white tablecloth, but the traditions and nature of the festival teach the family that it’s not the objects, but the actions that are important. It’s having the loaves of bread on the table, not what covers them that matters. Many Orthodox Jews are enthusiastic about the practices of Shabbat each week because it is a day out of the twentieth century for a change. A day of rest and relaxation. All the traditions like candles, songs, a special meal affects each individual. It provides a sense of wellbeing and fulfilment, as though everything they do is right. This means they enjoy life more and have something to look forward to each week. It is a festival primarily enjoyed in the home, which affects the lives of the family in a very positive way and is important because the home is a very special place in the Jewish faith. It is the central point of the religion and is of great spiritual and physical importance because it is where we learnt to talk, walk, feed and play. This reflects on how the family feel about Shabbat. Instead of feeling like they are being cooped up inside all day, they feel there is much to learn and share. They are able to have a celebratory meal together and even invite friends and re latives, to be hospitable and make it more enjoyable. During the meal, the family are able to have deep and interesting discussions lasting long into the night. It is quality time, a time of connection, communication and inclusion. The women are especially enthusiastic to observe the tradition of candles and the lighting, because it is seen as a lovely sharing time which brings mums, daughters, grans, friends and guests close in the warmth and beauty of the moment. It is important to them, to know that Jewish women all over the globe do the same thing, and that gives a wonderful feeling of unity. Baking home made Challot for Shabbat is very satisfying for the women in the family. They are still able to keep the tradition, even if they are unable to bake their own, because it is easy to buy some from tasty Jewish bakeries that are now around. The celebratory meal fills the house with many wonderful aromas of traditional Shabbat food, including from the lunch for the next day, this increase the enthusiasm of everyone involved and especially entices the children to keep the festival traditional, whilst reminding and teaching everyone present of their dependence on God for all that is good in life. As technology progresses, keeping the traditions of Shabbat has become easier for the whole family, which makes them more enthusiastic to observe it as it always has been. For example, the family may eat a dish called ‘cholent’ for lunch. This will be left to keep warm on the stove, the low flame of which will be covered with a sheet of metal called a ‘blech’. This covers the flame and controls of the stove, as no cooking is allowed over the entire Shabbat. Modern appliances have made it much easier for Orthodox Jews to keep to the rules of Shabbat, which inevitably increases their enthusiasm for keeping the holiday traditional. For example, timers can be set for things like the heating and lights so that they don’t have to be left on for the whole of Shabbat. This saves the family money that would have cost previous Jews. Machines can be programmed to do things at certain times, like cookers and even computers, so essential work may not be missed. The synagogue plays a very important part in Jewish worship. This is part of the reason why the family are enthusiastic to keep the festival traditional, by attending special services to worship God. The Friday evening study services at the synagogue help the family to better understand the Torah and how to live your life, the service will not only help them to strictly observe Shabbat, but it also brings the congregation together and the family can be more social, making new friends or just spending time with ones they already know. The children can also attend youth services and groups that help them meet with other Jews their own age. They can learn about fun things surrounding Shabbat and it helps them realise that although Saturday is a special day out for their non-Jewish friends, it is just as special, in so many ways, to the Jews. As well as attending these services, the children can also conduct their own, which would be more appropriate to their interests and much more suit able and interesting for the youths of the congregation. This also helps them to become practically involved with the religion as well as giving them key skills in preparation, speech giving and co-operation which are very important. The services during Shabbat are especially important to young boys, because the first Shabbat after their 13th birthday is when their Bar Mitzvah is held. They are especially enthusiastic to keep it traditional around this time because it is a celebratory custom that has been conducted since the time of Abraham. The Orthodox family would have found their home near to a synagogue, because walking there each Shabbat is a tradition they would want to keep. By not using the car for a whole day each week, the family are saving money that non- Jews wouldn’t. This makes them more enthusiastic to keep the tradition of only walking, to travel, on Shabbat. The walk can have a very positive effect on the family, giving them time to spend together and a chance to walk rather than constantly depending on the car, because life is always a rush. It slows life down, giving each individual a chance to think. After the services there are lots of afternoon activities that take place to prevent boredom. These will often happen in the home. The children and parents can get much enjoyment and happiness out of this hospitality. They make new friends, feel part of the community and can play games or show off certain talents in drama and singing. These activities are fun and still keep to the rules of Shabbat. This makes it seem less restrictive and encourages the family to keep it traditional. The free afternoons are also a perfect time for the children to importantly widen their knowledge on the religion. Any festival has its negative effects on those that observe all its rules, but despite these the family are still enthusiastic about keeping the traditional Sabbath practices alive because they can all become involved and enjoy the festivities of their unique day. It is important for parents to bond with their children and to encourage them to do something different when they find it difficult to abstain from televisions and computers. Children may find it particularly difficult and separating from their friends, but it helps them to learn that if your friends are truly genuine and caring, they will respect your religious beliefs as part of who you are. It’s a day so different from all the others, that gives each member of the family a sense of identity and by keeping the traditions they can all find their own place in the religion, knowing they are spending the day as their older relatives always have done. They know that, by observing traditional practices, Jews around the world are doing the same things and this emphasises their sense of identity and helping them to feel part of a community. When they are in the homes of other family members or friends, during Shabbat, they know that each ritual will be the same and this provides a welcome structure for the whole family. So to be able to spend a holiday at a friend’s or relative’s house and see the same candles, the same bread and the same wine focuses the mind, to create something beautiful out of very basic objects is very satisfying. (3) â€Å"For religious people, every day should be holy.† Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Judaism in your answer. I believe that in religion, every day should be treated as holy because, especially in Judaism, the whole life is directed towards thinking about and putting into practice their faith in God and observance of his guidelines. There are days of the year on which holier rituals are carried out and more time is spent reflecting on the religion, but every day of the week involves activities that are important to the religion and are considered holy. The faith of a Jew is incorporated into every day of their life, giving each one a special holiness because of its dedication to God. The covenant that God created between himself and the Jews is the reason for this. By following the lifestyle advocated by God: â€Å"And you shall do that which is proper and good in the eyes of Hashem,† The Jew is commanded to â€Å"be holy† and â€Å"to create holiness† in themselves. They can experience and contribute to the holiness through many actions. They feel that as a sign of gratitude and commitment every aspect of everyday should be sacred and set apart. They also believe that actions which aren’t considered holy or being carried out for God should not be done. On an average day, Jews will be thinking about God, their religion and how they should act, which already makes the day more sacred and holy to them, but they aill also partake in lots of rituals that set time apart for remembrance, thanks or even just thought. Even the home, in which every day is spent, is considered holy because of the mezuzah, a parchment scroll on which two passages are written. These command the Jew to write God’s words on the doorpost, setting it apart from other houses. It is a constant reminder of God and his Torah. By having mezuzah in the house as well they can make every room sacred for God. They touch it and then their lips when they enter or leave the room. It is then a permanent visual aid, reminding them of God’s commands in their home life. A typical Jewish day is the best example of the way Jews want every day to be holy. Prayer is not simply something that happens in the synagogue once a week but it is an integral part of everyday life. They are constantly reminded of God’s presence and of their relationship with him because they continually pray to him. The first thought in the morning, even before they get out of bed, is a prayer thanking God for returning their souls to them. The holiness and sanctity continues throughout the day because there are prayers to be recited before enjoying any material pleasure, such as eating and before performing any mitzvah, such as washing and lighting candles. They will also pray whenever something good or bad happens and before they got to bed. These are known as berakhot and have to be said at least 100 times each day to increase the holiness and acknowledge God as the ultimate source of all good and evil in the universe. These prayers are said in addition to the formal ones which are recited three times a day, every weekday. This is to dedicate as much of the day as possible to thought about God and to increase the awareness of the role he plays in their lives. If they only pray when they feel inspired then not every day would be set apart for God. The Talmud states that it is permissible to pray in any language, nut to pray in Hebrew adds a special importance and holiness to each day. Reciting in Hebrew is important because it is the pure essence of Jewish thought and is a responsibility they undertook as part of the covenant made with God. It is also considered a â€Å"holy language† because of its intrinsic characteristics. As well as praying in Hebrew, every time they pray they face Israel. This makes it extra sacred because the Land of Israel is more holy than all other lands. A Jewish day completely revolves around their religion and keeping it holy. This is partly due to the comprehensive way of life, filled with rules and practices that affect every aspect of life: what they can and cannot eat, what they can and cannot wear, how to groom themselves, how to conduct their business and most importantly, how to treat God. These rules and practices are known as ‘Halakhah’ and is the Jewish law. It gives spirituality to each day and gives all trivial acts a religious significance. They are constantly reminded of their faith and so it becomes an integral part of their entire existence. The daily rituals, I am about to explain, are laws of the Halakhah, instituted in the Torah to keep every day, between holidays, holy. Kashrut is the body of Jewish law that deals with what they can and cannot eat and how it must be prepared and eaten. They call this keeping â€Å"kosher† and it is something the Jews will do every single day of their lives. This involves the maximum removal of blood from their meat and not mixing meat with milk. This is because the Torah commands â€Å"thou shalt not boil a kid in its mother’s milk.† Every day, great trouble is put into observing this law, making sure they are not cooked or eaten together. It is observed with exact care as a means to self discipline and purity. This shows their obedience to God and it elevates the simple everyday act of eating into a religious ritual. Even the dinner table, used regularly each day, is holy because it is compared to the Temple altar. A Jew that observes the laws of kashrut cannot eat a meal without being reminded of the fact that they are a Jewish. A Jew will ensure that time is set apart each day to study the Talmud and Torah. They learn more about the religion and achieve guidance in life, whilst proving their commitment to God and keeping his mitzvah. They are able to spend thinking only of this and none of the material things in life, which is very holy and sacred to them. At the heart of the Halakhah is the unchangeable 613 mitzvot that God gave to the Jewish people in the Torah. The Jews keep to all mitzvah (commandments) that apply to them. For example, every day Jews observe the mitzvah to recite grace after meals because the Torah has told them to and that it blesses the Lord. It is also performed out of respect for God and to make the day holier for him because he has ultimately provided them with the food they need to survive. As well as prayer each day, Jews will often visit the synagogue by themselves or with the family, to bring extra holiness to each day. They don’t just visit the synagogue for special services and festivals; instead they often go to just pray and be closer to God. Prayer in the synagogue brings them closer to God and allows their mind to be completely focused on God rather than things that are happening in the home. There are many items worn during prayer in the synagogue that are of great significance to each day and the sacredness of prayer. There are three items worn by adult male Jews, each time they pray, as reminders of God and their obligations to him. The first is a prayer shawl, called a Tallit, a white, square or rectangular garment made of wool or silk. The most important feature of it is the fringe tzizit in each four corners. This is very important to remind them of the holy mitzvoth they have to keep each day. The second sacred object is the tephillin, which are two black boxes that contain four passages of the Torah to instruct the Jew. The material it is written on is very important because it comes from a kosher animal and is treated with great respect. This is worn every time the Jew prays. One box is bound to the forehead and the other to the arm opposite the heart. This is important because they remind him that he must worship God with his whole person, the heart and the head. Tephilin are very holy symbols of the covenant because they stress obedience to the Torah. The third item is the kippah. This is a skull-cap worn by the men during prayer. Some wear this all day as a way of expressing their respect for God. To incorporate their faith into everyday and make it holy Jews will fulfil the commandment in the Torah to help those in need, both in physical and financial. They will give at least ten percent of their income to charity. It is a sacred, instinctive response to express thanks to God, ask forgiveness or to request a favour from God. The spiritual benefit of giving to the poor each day is so great because it gives them an opportunity to perform Tzedakah, which is the highest of all commandments. Although I agree that for the Jews, each day is holy there are some days which are holier than others and have a special focus. These days are considered holidays, emphasising their holiness because the word originated from ‘holy day.’ Morally, everything a Jew does each day is directed towards God, but certain days are more important because more focus is put on God. These days are mainly well known festivals and are holier because extra effort is made, there are more rules to observe and far more togetherness. Pesach (or Passover) is a very important festival because unlike all other holy days it celebrates the beginnings of the Jewish people, when God delivered them from slavery in Egypt. Before Passover their house must be cleared of all foods containing leavened grain products or yeast in response to a passage commanding so in the Torah. This is followed so completely that families will have special kitchen utensils, crockery and cutlery used only for this festival and stored away for the rest of the year This makes it extra sacred because it means the use of it reminds them only of Passover and of God’s control over history and nature. The most spiritual part of the festival is the opening meal, called the Seder, in which unleavened bread is eaten to recreate the slavery conditions of their ancestors and to relive the exodus. It is very holy because of its strong connections with their ancestors and God, and because of its reminder of their dependence on him. Bitter herbs are eaten during Seder, to remind them of what is being commemorated. Parsley leaves represent freedom and the bitter stalk, slavery. This is rarely eaten throughout the year, giving it its own important spiritual meaning. These are dipped in salt water as a symbol of the slave’s tears. Many other spiritual, unusual foods are eaten, including a hard boiled egg and a lamb bone as a reminder of the sacrifices offered in the temple. The Talmud states that each person must also drink four glasses of wine. This shows dedication to Gods commandments. The days of Passover are sacred and set apart from the rest because they celebrate freedom and without the events commemorated by it, there would be no Jewish people. In every Kiddush, throughout the year, Jews speak â€Å"in remembrance of the exodus†, but it is Passover which celebrates the birth of a nation. It expresses the sense of belonging to a people, chosen by God and depending on him. The tradition and ritual of Sukkot creates an important festival to the Jews. The seven days in which it is observed are very holy and special because they focus on what God has given and celebrate his protection of the Israelites in the wilderness. This is different and holier than the rituals carried out on normal days because the Jews fulfil the mitzvah to â€Å"dwell in booths.† These booths remind them of their dependence on God and contain a hole in the roof, so that they feel closer to him. Having to stay in these booths is very special because it means families are able to spend more time, than usual, together. The â€Å"four species† is a very symbolic part of Sukkot and makes it extra holy. It contains an etrog and different leaves as a reminder of the harvest and the variety of people making up the Jewish community. It is waved in all directions, each day of the festival. This is a very spiritual act that symbolises God’s omnipresence. The days leading up to the festival of Rosh Hashanah are far holier than most of the year because they are spent repenting and Jews must enter into a mood of self reflection. The days are made holier and happier by an increase in good deeds. To fulfil the obligations of honouring and enjoying the festival, Jews will prepare, bathe, wear new clothes and clean the house. Rosh Hashanah lasts for two days, in which certain work is forbidden. These days are of great holiness and importance because they are traditionally when God opens the â€Å"Book of life.† During these days Jews beseech mercy in recognition of their sins, reflecting the importance of God. It is also the anniversary of the creation of the world, making it particularly holier and more significant than other festivals. Sacred blessings are recited over the candles, lit before sunset on the first night. Evening prayers and services are conducted with special melodies that enhance the special atmosphere. Each day of the festival is sanctified over wine by saying Kiddush, which sets it apart from other days. Special foods are eaten on Rosh Hashanah that aren’t eaten for the rest of the year, this gives the meals a special importance. Jews are more careful about keeping kosher on these days – to make it holier and perfect in the eyes of God. Each food is very symbolic to the Jews, for example apples dipped in honey represent joy and blessing. Fruit is eaten, that has not been eaten for a year, to represent renewal. On Rosh Hashanah everyone should hear the Shofar to fulfil the commandment in the Torah. Its powerful blasts are a very important part of making the festival holier than others because it is only blown 100 times on these days out of the whole year. It not only warns people of the coming day of judgement, but importantly calls people together before God, so that communities and families spend more time together. Yom Kippur is without a doubt the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. It is a sacred experience for the Jews. The principle theme is atonement and is extremely holy because all actions are directed towards making God happy. On this day, Jews ignore physical needs, such as eating, to help them to concentrate on special needs, notably forgiveness. This Day of Atonement is extra holy because it combines the elements of remorse and confession with those of prayer and spiritual purification. Fasting enhances this because it is done in fulfilment of the biblical command â€Å"you shall afflict your souls.† In honour of the holiday, it is customary to wear best clothes and to prepare the house as they would for Shabbat. Most clothes and special materials are white, on this day, for holiness and to symbolise purity. Many Jews will carry out a special ritual on the eve of Yom Kippur, particular to this festival to set it apart from others. They immerse themselves in a ritual bath in order to enter into a â€Å"pure†, holy manner. Jews do not light candles in their home every day, only for special occasions, and because Yom Kippur is so holy they will light specific candles called Yahrzeit candles. To set it apart from regular days and other festivals, Jews attend more services on Yom Kippur. They chant Kol Nidrei to stress the importance of the day and to remember when Jews were forced to convert to Christianity, but vowed to God to remain Jewish. The story Of Jonah is read on this day as a sacred reminder that God is willing to forgive anyone that repents their sins. Yom Kippur is especially holy because of the constant communication with God and the many pleas of forgiveness, for sins. It is the holiest day of the year because, they believe, it is when God makes his final judgement on each individual and what will happen to them throughout the next year. In addition to these festivals, Shabbat is the holiest day of each week. It is a spiritual day because of its constant focus on God. It is immensely holy because it is the only festival in whose observance is a commandment. Sabbath is so important each week that God told the Jews to keep it â€Å"holy†, therefore it is referred to as the â€Å"holy day†. This emphasises how holier it is than regular days with the same rituals each day. Shabbat has lots more additional mitzvah and rituals, for every Jew to partake in. Shabbat itself is the holiest day of each week, even without the rituals, because it symbolises Gods creation of the world and his covenant with the Jewish people. The holiness is shown by the way in which the day is welcomed so much differently from any other. Other than festivals, it is the only day of the week in which the Jews must ensure that the house is cleaned, the table laid, food prepared and the best clothes are worn by everybody. There are also so many more rewards for observing Shabbat because each individual has something to do and everyone wants to keep the day holy to show their obedience to God. A special meal is eaten on Shabbat, where the whole family and guests can spend more time together than usual meals. The rituals and symbols involved with this meal make the day much holier and give it great meaning. They also give the family something important to look forward to each week. Plaited loaves are eaten on Shabbat as an important representation of the dependence between God, Israel and the Torah. Two loaves are used to symbolise the double portion that God left for their ancestors so that they wouldn’t have to break the mitzvah to not work, looking for food. Shabbat is the only day of the week where a Hallah cover is used to protect the bread and the best cutlery and crockery are used. Candles are an extremely important part of Shabbat, to set it apart from regular days. They are lit various times throughout the day, symbolising peace coming into the house, the creation of the world and the extra brightness that Shabbat brings over other days. The family can spend more time together and with God on Shabbat because they are not distracted by work and school, like the rest of the week. They are also able to spend more time within the Jewish community because there are special synagogue services that only occur on Shabbat. They meet as a community to pray and worship before God. It is only during the Shabbat service that a weekly portion of the Torah is read. This makes the services on Shabbat extra holy because of the great importance of the Torah to Judaism. It is how God wishes them to live their entire lives. Shabbat even has its own special greeting, different form other days. When greeting or bidding farewell, each Jew will say â€Å"Shabbat Shalom† to express their wishes that everyone has a peaceful and happy Shabbat. The afternoon is made extra sacred by the study of the Torah or spending more time in the synagogue. Shabbat gives them the time to do this and focus on God. As well as having a special welcome, Shabbat is set apart from normal days by its sacred departure. The Havdalah is performed and more prayers are recited. This shows how important and holy the day is because they are sad that the day has ended. The ritual involves blessings over wine and spices as well as a candle, and this only happens on Shabbat. For a Jew, each day is holy and important, but there are some days in their lives which are even more important to the individual and their family. These days are so important that they have a special name, each one is known as a ‘rites of passage’. The rituals carried out on these days are in addition to the normal mitzvah, making them even more holy than usual. The birth of a Jew, into a family, is an extremely sacred occasions. They believe a child is born completely pure and free from sin and the birth is so holy that extra prayers are said. They believe that every person is a gift from God, so the day must be sanctified by prayer in thanks to God. After a child is born, the father is given the holy honour of aliyah, which is an opportunity to bless the reading of the Torah in the synagogue. This is especially holy because it is the only day when a blessing is recited purely for the health of the mother and the child. Brit Milah is a much holier day than most because it is one of the most universally observed commandments. It is the circumcision of a male, usually when eight days old. There is more to the ritual than merely the process of removing the foreskin; it is very holy because it is a commandment specific to the Jews. The circumcision is a physical sign of the eternal covenant between God and the Jews. It is also a sign that the Jewish people will be perpetuated through the circumcised man. The circumcision is performed on the eighth day of the boy’s life and is holier than most other rituals because it can only be carried out by an observant, educated Jew called a mohel. This man is religiously qualified and it is a very religious ritual, blessed by a rabbi, so that it is completely directed towards God. The Bar and Bat Mitzvah is the next very holy ‘rite of passage’ in the life of a Jew. ‘Bar Mitzvah’ means ‘son of the commandment’ and occurs when the Jewish boy reaches the age of 13. Bat Mitzvah is the same for girls at age 12. It is very important because it enters them into the covenant relationship with God. When approaching Bar Mitzvah, the boys wear a very sacred prayer shawl and can begin wearing a pair of Tefillin. On this special occasion the relatives recite blessings for the child as they become adults in the religion. During the ceremony, for the first time the child is able to read a portion of the Torah to the congregation, in Hebrew. This brings them closer to God and involves them more in their religion. After this, the father recites baruch shepatarani, in which they thank God for having brought the boy to maturity and declares the boy is now responsible for his own actions. This is very sacred to the father because it is the o nly time he will recite it for that child. Marriage is an extremely holy occasion in the life of an adult Jew. It is seen as vitally important in Judaism. Refraining from it is not considered holy. There are many rituals carried out on the day of the ceremony that set it apart in the life of a Jew and bring them much closer to God. The ceremony takes place under a chupah because it can be held up by 4 poles, held by friends or relatives of the couple. This is a very important way of bringing people together before God. The Rabbi reads a section from the psalm as a blessing. This is a sacred way of blessing the couple in the name of the Lord and expresses thanks to God. The bride then circles the groom to symbolise her basic rights for the rest of their marriage: food, clothing and sex. A betrothal blessing is said to sanctify the marriage. The groom places the brides ring on her right index finger to symbolise her acceptance. The Ketubah is read and signed before God to sanctify and bind the marriage, setting it apart from the betrothal. The ceremony is set apart from most other joyous occasions, by the blessings over wine. This is very sacred, as well as adding to the festivity. Kiddush is recited twice to sanctify the occasion. Fasting on the day of the wedding is a very important part of the holiness because the couple are able to make peace with God before entering the covenant of marriage. In Judaism, life is valued above almost all else to every day is considered holy, but death is not considered a tragedy or any less holy. Death is the last ‘rite of passage’, but is still considered very holy because they believe, like our lives, it is all part of God’s plan. Candles are a sacred symbol in Judaism and so they are lit next to the body. The mourner recites a specific blessing, holier than usual blessings, to describe God as â€Å"the true judge†. The mourners have a special meal that is very symbolic and holy. It usually consists of eggs (as a symbol of life) and bread. Death is such a holy occasion for Jews that it has a mourner’s prayer called Kaddish. This is to reaffirm their faith in God, despite their loss. Holiness and faith is incorporated into every day of their lives, so I agree that every day is holy for them, but the specific festivals and ‘rites of passage’ are considered much holier days. The sanctity and importance of each of these extra rituals, brings every individual Jew closer to God. The focus of these days is completely spiritual, with none of the usual distractions faced every day.