****Word limited: 200 words ONLY, no more than 200words!!!!
***this is a summary of specific lecture note and one given reading material **** (these will be the upload files, NO other research material or reference in this summary!!!)
Number of sources/ reference = 0
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
• Be familiar with key sociological concepts as they are applied to the study of Australian society.
• Have developed an understanding of a range of theoretical perspectives on social life from the
19th century to the present.
• Have developed a broad understanding of how the ‘sociological imagination’ can be used in
thinking about social issues and trends.
• Have developed a broad understanding of research techniques, materials social science
epistemology.
• Be able to read, summarise and apply essential sociological ideas to the study of contemporary
life.
• Have developed a rich understanding of contemporary Australian life.
• Written and verbal expression allowing the synthesis and clear explanation of complex ideas.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Inequalities can either be visible or invisible,individualistic or structural. Given its ambivalence, inequality will depend on how one can see it. In real life, inequalities persist because of Structural problems, Public constraints and Political-institutional constraints. Given inequality permeates all aspects of society it is important to understand it.
Categorical inequality is a by-product of interpersonal interactions composed of negotiated collective boundaries. Care should be taken not to assume that categories will always produce inequalities – differences are guaranteed. Inequality is mostly a consequence of distributive effect of scarce resources. When one or more value producing resource is controlled, inequality emerges as decision on its supply and ability to produce more value with it has to be considered.
Recent studies suggest that financial capital, information, science and type of value-producing resource are the main factors that contribute the most to inequality. All this factors are currently controlled by small networks of persons compared to the world’s population as a whole. These identified factors will still have an effect of future inequality. Their impact will depend on their integration with categorical differences and their relation to concentrated means of coercion.
Type of document = Summary of lecture note and 3 readings
Requirements & marking guide for this summary:
This task is designed to assist you to keep up with the weekly programme; listening to the lectures and
reading the material provided. The focus is on developing effective reading and note-taking skills.
These weekly entries will help provide you with a solid basis for addressing the other assessment tasks.
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
• Be familiar with key sociological concepts as they are applied to the study of Australian society.
• Have developed an understanding of a range of theoretical perspectives on social life from the
19th century to the present.
• Have developed a broad understanding of how the ‘sociological imagination’ can be used in
thinking about social issues and trends.
• Have developed a broad understanding of research techniques, materials social science
epistemology.
• Be able to read, summarise and apply essential sociological ideas to the study of contemporary
life.
• Have developed a rich understanding of contemporary Australian life.
• Written and verbal expression allowing the synthesis and clear explanation of complex ideas.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Australia Society (History)
The world we live in has become so different from that of our parents. Conflicts, social divisions, global warming, lawlessness and tensions have risen since the nineteenth century. Sociological imagination forms the basis of understanding the who human beings are, the purpose of life and provides answers to several questions in life such as about the origin of the world and the direction the change observed will take in the future. Most of theories in sociology are explaining the sources of our behaviour that has been passed down from generation to generation. As a result on modern technology, new research techniques have been used to disapprove some the theories such as introduction of internet.
Essential sociological ideas studied in this weekly program sociological imagination, and sociological perspective of public health problems such as suicide. The factors influence criminal justice system not only in Australia. Suicide attempts and deaths resulting from suicide in Australia show that social values and ideas have been eroded in this continent. This continent must be having high degree rates of regulation, oppression and isolation since these are the primary causes of a rise in suicide attempts in this Australian society, endangering future generation.
Monitoring and controlling a project including preparing project performance reports, are some of the most important tasks a project manager will perform. The requirements for performance reporting will be determined by the stakeholders and should be documented in the project plan. Earned value analysis is one technique for determining how a project is performing. The results of earned value analysis are key inputs to stakeholder reporting which, in turn, are used to make decisions about the project.
Scenario for the Discussion
Refer to question #27 on page 266 of the Mantel text.
After considering the scenario, post by Day 3 your response to the following questions:
•What is your assessment of the performance of the project?
•What metrics did you use to come to your conclusion about the performance of the project?
•What do you think should be communicated to the stakeholders? Why?
SAMPLE ANSWER
The following project is at the end of its sixth week. Find the cost and schedule variances. Also find the CPI and SPI. Then find the critical ratio of the project using earned value calculations. Finally, calculate the ETC and EAC for the project
Activity Predecessors Duration (wks) Budget ($) Actual Cost ($) %Complete
a — ———– 2 300 400 100
b — 3 200 180 100
c a 2 250 300 100
d a 5 600 400 20
e b, c 4 400 200 20
The Cost Variance (CV) is arrived at by finding the difference between the Earned Value (EV) and the Actual Cost (AC). The Earned Value (EV) is a sum of the Actual Completion (AC) (in percentage) and the Budget at Completion (BAC) (Bible, Bivins & Susan, 2011)
Activity‘d’ CV = EV – AC; Therefore EV = Actual Completion (%) X BAC
= 20% X 400
= 80
Activity‘d’ CV = 80 – 400
= -320
Activity‘e’ CV = EV – AC; Therefore EV = Actual Completion (%) X BAC
= 20% X 200
= 40
Activity‘e’ CV = 40 – 200
= -160
The Scheduled Variance (SV) is calculated by getting the difference between the Expected Value and the Planned Value (PV). On its part the PV is a sum of the Planned Completion (in percentage) and the BAC (Bible, Bivins & Susan, 2011)
Activity‘d’ SV = EV – PV; Therefore PV = Planned Completion (%) X BAC
= 20% X 600
= 120
Activity‘d’ SV = 120 – 600
= -480
Activity‘e’ SV = EV – PV; Therefore PV = Planned Completion (%) X BAC
= 20% X 400
= 80
Activity‘e’ SV = 80 – 400
= -320
Cost Performance Indicator (CPI) is an index that reveals the efficiency in resource utilization on the project (Bible, Bivins & Susan, 2011). The CPI is the value of dividing the Earned Value (EV) with the Actual Cost (AC)
CPI (Activity d) = EV / AC
= 80 / 400
= 0.2
CPI (Activity e) = EV / AC
= 40 / 200
= 0.2
The Scheduled Performance Indicator (SPI) is an index that is used to show the efficiency of the time utilized of the project (Sanchez, & Robert, 2010). It is a result of dividing Earned Value with the Planned Value
SPI (Activity d) = EV / PV
= 80 / 600
= 0.13
SPI (Activity e) = EV / PV
= 40 / 400
= 0.1
Estimate to Complete (ETC) refers to the estimated cost required to complete the remainder of the project (Sanchez, & Robert, 2010). ETC = Budget at Completion (BAC) – Actual costs to date (AC)
Activity d= 600 / 400 = 1.5
Activity e= 400 / 200 = 2.0
Estimate at Completion (EAC) refers to the present day estimate of the total cost of the project. It is arrived at by getting the difference between the approved budget for the whole task and the cost variance of the work done to date (Sanchez, & Robert, 2010)
Activity d = Budget at completion (BAC) + Actual Cost (AC) – Earned Value (EV)
= 600 + 400 – 80
= 920
Activity e = Budget at completion (BAC) + Actual Cost (AC) – Earned Value (EV)
= 400 + 200 – 40
= 560
The project is experiencing very poor performance. For starters, the projects is running over budget and behind schedule. This makes the project more expensive in the long run. In addition to having the project over budget and behind schedule, the project has not gained the expected value thus the value of project thus far is below the expectations.
The stakeholders need to know the current state of the project. They need to internalize their exposure to project risk. Additionally, the stakeholders need to know the value of their investment so that they can judge whether the management is generating the best value for their investment and if they are using the available scarce resources efficiently (Eden, Ackermann & Williams, 2005). To the stakeholders the information accessible to them assists them make informed decision about the organization.
References
Bible, Michael J., Bivins, Susan S. (2011). Mastering Project Portfolio Management: A Systems Approach to Achieving Strategic Objectives. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. J Ross Publishing, Inc.
Eden, C., Ackermann, F. and Williams, T. (2005) The amoebic growth of project costs. Project Management Journal, Vol. 36, No. 2, pp.15–27.
Assignment:
Applying Theory to a Practice Problem: Part 1: Introduction and Problem of Practice
Due Date: Dec 31, 2014 23:59:59
Details:
Refer to “Identify Practice Problem Grading Criteria.”
Write a paper of 2,000?2,500 words. You will develop the paper in three parts.
In Part 1, you will identify a practice problem from a review of the literature, then write an introduction to the paper.
The introduction should state the purpose of paper, which includes applying theory to practice situations, identifying the practice problem and stating the rationale for the selection—i.e. why is this an important problem, as well as defining the practice problem and supporting it with the literature review.
Prepare this assignment according to APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center. Only Word documents can be
Assignment:
Applying Theory to a Practice Problem: Part 2: Application of Middle-Range Theory to Problem
Due Date: Jan 07, 2015 23:59:59
Details:
In Part 2, you will apply a middle-range theory to the problem described in the introduction.
Describe the theory, starting with a short bio of the theorist along with the major influences that the theorist has contributed.
Describe the concepts and propositions of the theory. Provide an example from the literature as to how the theory has been applied.
Apply the theory to your practice problem, demonstrating the links to the elements of the problem and theory. In addition, make sure to describe how practice would change by incorporating the theory. It should be clear to reader that this is an appropriate theory for the problem.
Prepare this assignment according to APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
Refer to the “Apply Middle-Range Nursing Theory Grading Criteria.”
Assignment:
Benchmark Assignment: Applying Theory to a Practice Problem: Part 3: Application of Borrowed Theory to Problem and Conclusion
Due Date: Jan 21, 2015 23:59:59 Max Points: 150
Details:
Revise Parts 1 and 2 of your paper, based on the feedback provided by the “Identify Practice Problem Grading Rubric” and “Apply Middle-Range Nursing Theory Grading Criteria.”
In Part 3, you will apply a borrowed theory to the problem described in the introduction.
Describe the theory, starting with a short bio of the theorist along with the major influences that the theorist has contributed.
Describe the concepts and propositions of the theory. Provide an example from the literature as to how the theory has been applied.
Apply the theory to your practice problem, demonstrating the links to the elements of the problem and theory. In addition, make sure to describe how practice would change by incorporating the theory. It should be clear to the reader that this is an appropriate theory for the problem.
Write a conclusion. The conclusion should summarize key points of the paper. Identify the usefulness of applying theory to practice, including both nursing and borrowed theory, and identify problems with the application of the two theories presented in Parts 2 and 3.
Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a grading rubric. Instructors will be using the rubric to grade the assignment; therefore, students should review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful completion of the assignment.
You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center. Only Word documents can be submitted to Turnitin.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Application of Theory to the Practice
Section 1
In the modern age, the field of nursing is ever evolving to meet the new challenges that emerge in every setting. Many hospitals have embraced the nursing code of ethics and nursing theories in their duties and as a result, there have been successful results. Over the years, there have been a number of nursing theories that have enhanced a significant contribution in the nursing professional. The impact that nursing theory enhances in the nursing practice cannot be underestimated in that it creates a strong framework to define and support nursing practice, enhance quality patient care, and provide solutions to problems that emerge in nursing practices (Parse, 1995). The theory of human caring by Jean Watson creates a strong platform to understand the importance of understanding and applying nursing principles to resolve the challenges that emerge on a daily basis. In depth, this section will discuss how nursing theories impact nurse staffing in hospitals.
Practice Problem and its Importance
A body of nursing literature reveals that nurse staffing has been an ongoing challenge faced by most hospitals (Alligood and Tomey, 2006). Healthcare leaders have acknowledged that staffing issue is an ongoing concern that influences the safety of patients and nurses. Nurse staffing is an elusive problem for many nurse leaders, clinical nurses, and educators in the acute setting. Hospitals with inadequate or low nurse staffing level have poorer patient outcomes, thus compromising on quality care. Decreased nursing staff affects patients’ safety and increased incidences of medication errors, patients’ falls, longer hospital stays, and high patients’ mortality rate. Despite the problem affecting nursing professional, traditional methods of solving the issue with the retention plans and financially based recruitment have not fully resolved the issue. Nevertheless, applying nursing theories has provided great insights on how nurses can work hard to enhance quality care to patients. Managers and hospital administrators understand the need to boost quality care and increase nurses’ morale. Indeed, when nurses are motivated to perform their tasks they would be valuable resources that strive to enhance the well-being of patients.
In today’s society, nurses face a lot of challenges trying to balance their personal lives and their career. By applying Watson’s theory, healthcare leaders understand that nurses should be motivated by various rewards to perform their duties effectively. This theory creates a strong platform for hospitals to understand that human caring is a crucial aspect in nursing that promotes quality care and solve staffing issues. To fully respond to the problem of nurse staffing, every individual in the clinical setting should understand that a human being is a valued being that should be nurtured, assisted, supported, cared for, and respected. This theory provides insights that, a caring environment is one that provides the development of an individual’s well being and allows the healthcare provider to accomplish his or her career goals (McEwen and Wills, 2011).
So, by putting the theory of human care in the hospital set-up, nurse managers and leaders understand the need of motivating nurses to perform, their duties effectively with an aim of promoting quality care delivery. The application of Watson’s theory has been used to improve nursing practice and provide nurses with the most satisfying aspects that boost holistic care. Applying theories in nursing is logical in that it offers solutions to immediate problems that emerge in the health sectors (Parker, 2006).
References
Alligood, M. R., and Tomey, A. M. (2006). Nursing theory; Utilization and Application (3rd ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier.
McEwen, M. and Wills, E. M. (2011). Theoretical basis for nursing (32nd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Parker, M. E. (2006). Nursing theories and nursing practice. (2nd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F. A. Davis.
Parse, R. R. (1995). Illuminations: The human becoming theory in practice and research. New York, NY: National League for Nursing Press.
Section 2
The Theorist Bibliography
Jean Watson is a recognized nurse theorist who has transformed the world with her knowledge and contribution of human caring. Born on June 10, 1940, Watson is a known scholar and the father of Watson Caring Science Institute. The institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to support and expands the insights of the practices and theories of human caring in the healthcare sectors. The modern society celebrates Watson for having six honorary doctorates that have transformed the world. The theorist has had the privilege of travelling worldwide teaching nurses and healthcare providers the theory of human caring. In 1961, Watson graduated from Lewis Gale School and continued with her studies at the Colorado University where she earned her B.S. She later earned her M.S in 1966 and acquired her PhD, in the education and counseling psychology in 1973.
This theory has been applicable in the modern age in that the body of nursing has increasingly been used as a distinct caring discipline and profession that transform the well-being of human beings. The aspect of human caring is crucial governs the body of nursing in the sense that this action is what has enhanced a strong impact in ensuring that all patients are handled well irrespective of where they are coming from. Dr. Watson’s theory has three major elements that have been used in the nursing field. These factors include carative factors, transpersonal caring relationships, and caring moment. Nurses have been encouraged to exercise these aspects at all cost regardless of challenges that emerge. Nursing practice would change by incorporating this theory in the sense that, every human being desire to be cared and loved.
Propositions and Concepts of the Theory
To this theory, human beings have the capacity of caring for other human beings. According to this theorist, human caring is crucial in the nursing profession as it results into the satisfaction of human needs. When demonstrated in the healthcare institutions, the aspect of human caring boosts health of individuals and enhances family growth. A caring environment is crucial as it allows individuals to choose the best actions that improve their lives and those around them. In essence, the key assumption of this theory is that, interpersonal interaction is crucial in boosting quality care and this reflects on the human nature of providing and expressing care in each other.
The theorist defines her theory in ten important factors that promotes healing, health, and wholeness of the human beings. These ten factors include practicing love and kindness towards self and other people, instilling faith and encouraging others, nurturing individuals’ beliefs to have confidence in life, fostering trusting and helping relationships, taking every opportunity as a way to grow, supporting individual needs, and creative solutions that improves patients’ well-being. Other factors include creating a positive environment that attends to societal, spiritual, and physical needs of the patients, fulfilling acts of healing and attending to human needs, and remaining open to embrace every challenge that emerged in the healthcare industry. The ten factors regard the need to have self-respect and respect those in leadership. The theory is crucial in the interventions of interpersonal relationships. Specifically, it creates a strong ground where healthcare providers or else nurses understand the importance of building strong relationships both with their colleagues and patients at large. The theory encourages the body of nursing to embrace the concept of caring, forgiveness, kindness, and compassion in nursing practice (Meleis, 2007).
Theory Applied Practically
The theory has been used to describe the importance of having a caring approach in the nursing leadership. Specifically, it provides adequate insights and foundation of how human caring creates a strong platform to enhance quality m anagement. Leaders can use this theory to understand and motivate nurses to achieve a guided or structured vision of care. As mentioned, motivating employees in an organization is crucial as it boosts customer care services. So, motivating nurses promotes patients’ healing process and wholeness. The theory helps nurse managers to have an ethical and moral guidelines or else principles that address the problems that emerge in the administration and in the delivery of patient care (McEwen and Wills, 2011).
Nurse staffing is a crucial aspect that hospitals cannot ignore when delivering patients’ care (McEwen and Wills, 2011). Although many hospitals spend a lot of resources managing the workflow and optimizing staff hours, much needs to done about caring of nurses. When a hospital embrace the aspect of caring for its staff, then this will increase nurse retention, customers or else patients’ satisfaction, and improve the entire delivery of care. Therefore, understanding the concept of human caring is crucial as it lays a strong ground where nurses are motivated to perform their tasks. It also lays a strong path for nurses to exercise their duties to improve the well-being of patients.
Practice Change with the Theory Implementation
A perfect example of how human caring theory can enhance change can be outline in solving the issue of nurse staffing. According to Brown (2005), nursing leaders can address this issue by implementing the basic concepts of the theory. For instance, nurse managers can support nurses to engage in human or else self-care practices and activities that promote love, kindness, and respect of self and others. Nurse leaders can also develop and implement health policies that provide healing process, support team work, allows nurses to rest, and help nurses to learn from one another. In so doing, this would demonstrate how utilizing this theory would enhance a significant contribution in the work environment and reduce the issue of nurse staffing. This theory allows nurse leaders to incorporate human caring in depth and ensure that nurses are working hard to improve the well-being of patients. The impact and connection between nurses’ leaders, nurses and patients are understood by understanding Ken Wilbur’s integrated theory (Hamric, Spross and Hanson, 2009).
References
Brown, S. J. (2005). Direct clinical practice. In A.B. Hamric, J.A. Spross, C. M. Hanson (Eds) Advanced practice nursing: An integrative approach, (3rd ed.). (pp. 143-185). St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier.
Hamric, A. B., Spross, J. A., and Hanson, C. M. (2009). Advanced practice nursing: An integrative approach (4th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier.
McEwen, M., and Wills, E. (2011). Theoretical basis for nursing (3nd ed.). Philadelphia:Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins.
Meleis, A. F. (2007). Theoretical nursing: Development and progress (4th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins.
Section 3
Borrowed Theorist Biography
Over the years, Wilbur’s theory has been known to support the input of human caring theory by Jean Watson. Born in 1949 in Oklahoma City, Ken Wilber is the most celebrated and influential American Philosopher of the modern age. Wilber’s journey to discussing about human caring has been fascinating. Wilber enrolled at Duke University in 1967 and he became inspired to influence the world with his teachings. After few years, Wilber enrolled in the Nebraska University Lincoln where he pursued a degree in biology and chemist and later a master degree in biochemistry. While in school, Wilber became interested in western and eastern philosophy and psychology and he established the need to elaborate about consciousness through which he later used this concept to incorporate integrated theory. In 2000, Wilbur established the Integral Institute, whose aim was to educate many people about self-awareness. Wilbur believed that human beings have the responsibility of knowing who they are and further encouraged his audience to care for self and others. Indeed, the theorist support the theory of human caring various books such as “Caring Science as sacred science” and the Philosophy and science of human caring” (McEwen and Wills, 2011).
Theory Applied Practically
Integral theory has had a superb reputation of providing insights about western and eastern understanding of the consciousness. The theory has been applied to politics, art, business, medicine, ecology, and spirituality. Through this theory, researchers have established applications of coaching, leadership, and development. In leadership aspect, the theory provides insights of leadership theories and further help people to apply them in different perspectives. The model described by the theorist discusses four models; one that examines the self, collective aspects, internal, and external aspects. Understanding the four quadrant models creates a strong platform to enhance an environment that cares for people. Integral theory has also been applied by instructors at colleges when leading students and enhancing an environment that facilitates smooth learning experience.
Practice Change with the Theory Implementation
Nursing practice would change by incorporating this theory in the sense that, it creates insights on the importance of having a strong identity. Through this theory, nurses are encouraged to know who they are and further work hard to enhance the well being of others. Indeed, when an individual knows who they are in terms of their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats then they are in a better position to do activities that enhance the well being of people. In the nursing field, it helps nurses to avoid tasks that would deteriorate the well being of patients. In addition, this theory is appropriate in solving the root issues of staffing. For instance, by using the quadrant model used by Wilbur namely the self, collective aspects, internal, and external aspects, nurse leaders can understand the importance of making decisions that improves the well-being of staff and patients. Having a clear understanding of self may be vital for leaders in making the decisions that eradicate the issue of nurse staffing. Understanding how to motivate nurses to perform their tasks effectively would be vital in eradicating the issue of staffing and improving patients’ health (Dreyfusn and Dreyfus, l986).
Potential Challenges
It is vital to note that, the change does not rely on the most common methods of retention and recruitment, rather requires the hospital and its management is to have adequate knowledge on how enact the change required. Thus, applying this theory may be costly especially when creating awareness to the employees on how to improve their services to patients. Educating and training employees on the aspect of caring demand a lot of resources. (Alligood and Tomey, 2006).
Conclusion
Nurse staffing has been a common challenge faced in most healthcare institutions. Over the years, this issue has been address through various methods such as additional pay incentives, and recruitment bonuses. Despite the initiative made to address the issue, the truth of the matter is that these methods have not fully addressed the root cause of the issue. With this in mind, applying Integral and human caring theory promotes a caring environment. By applying Watson’s theory, healthcare leaders understand the importance of having rewards in the workplace. This theory creates the need to motivate competent and potential employees in the organization. Despite the benefits that emerge from applying this theory, the truth of the matter is that it requires adequate training to be effective in the workplace. An organization must invest on giving rewards to their employees to motivate their effort.
References
Alligood, M. R., and Tomey, A. M. (2006). Nursing theory: Utilization and Application (3rd ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier.
Dreyfus, H. L., and Dreyfus, S. E. (l986). Mind over machine: The power of human intuition and expertise in the era of the computer.New York: Free Press.
Please add footnotes from Jones, Created Equal 4th edition volume 2
PLEASE FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS
Assignment Prompt.
Imagine you are an American diplomat in 1970. You are part of a team sent to a strategic Third World country in hopes of making an alliance. Soviet diplomats have been there before you and have suggested to the leaders of this Third World country that the United States should not be trusted as a partner because of how Americans treat their own minority populations. You have been asked to provide a formal, written rebuttal to the Soviet claims. ?After giving the matter some thought, you have decided to base your rebuttal on key changes in both foreign and domestic policy over the past 50 years to convince this Third World country to join with the Americans as allies in the Cold War. You realize that you cannot simply “sugarcoat” things and be believable, therefore you plan to provide a thoughtful response that does admit inequities in American society in addition to discussing ongoing changes and positive policies. ?Note 1: Successful responses will consider a broad range of evidence in support of arguments. Take a few moments to consider how you would respond by making a list of both “good” and “bad” aspects of American society and policy. When looking at the “good,” ask yourself why they are good for the purposes of this rebuttal, how would non-Americans perceive things? When looking at the “bad” (which is what the Soviets used against us in the Cold War, as well as the Nazis in WWII, as propaganda), consider change over time. Are there groups working toward ameliorating the bad? Are public policy changes taking place, even if at a slow pace? Or is nothing being done? Admitting injustices while discussing efforts at reform may be enough to sway someone to your side.?One way to organize would be along the lines of first discussing domestic socio-economic issues, followed by domestic political issues, and finally foreign policies in the era under discussion. Remember that each of these elements of the overall argument would have its own paragraph and thesis (the rule of three)?Note 2: This is a real-life situation, there was a fight for the hearts and minds of the world. The Cold War is an ideological (and sometimes hot) battle over two socio-economic/political systems and 1970 is in the heart of the Cold War. Who will be the victor was not yet clear. Most of the Third World nations courted by the United States were not European, therefore how the US treated minorities would be a cause for concern. But these nations would also have very real geopolitical considerations beyond American domestic policy to consider. The Soviet propaganda was meant as a wedge. Also remember that no nation or society is perfect, that is not what you are arguing here. In your persona as a diplomat from 1970, you are giving an honest assessment of the US, warts and all, in hopes of gaining an ally.????
THE “RULE OF THREE” ??You will need to use an analytical writing style in this class. The basic form of analytical writing utilizes the “Rule of Three.” Simply, there should be at least three key points/pieces of evidence in a piece of writing introduced by a strong clear thesis.? Your paper should begin with an Introduction which sets the prompt in the historical context, the LAST sentence of the intro paragraph is the thesis statement which lists the (minimum of) three points (X,Y,Z) that will be more fully developed in the paper. The first paragraph of the body (paragraph 2) would discuss key point X (this paragraph would have its own thesis as the first sentence, followed by three pieces of evidence/analysis in support), then a paragraph on Y, and finally one on Z. An essay ends with a conclusion paragraph – which sums up the argument you made and ties X, Y, and Z together. The conclusion is NOT the place to introduce new arguments or evidence.?Another way of thinking about it is that an essay is comprised of three paragraphs in the body of similar composition to the one paragraph you wrote in the Reaction 1 exercise.?So Rule of Three means three key points in a thesis, a body with three paragraphs (one for each of your key points), each paragraph has a thesis supported by three key pieces of evidence. Followed by a conclusion.?
???Important notes ??All information you need to respond to the prompt is contained within the materials assigned in the 1312 course module. I want you to react to the assigned materials. DO NOT DO OUTSIDE RESEARCH or seek your answer on the internet.?I also want to know what YOU think, therefore DO NOT DIRECTLY QUOTE SECONDARY SOURCE MATERIALS. Most students use quotes as fillers, this is unacceptable in a college history course and does not reflect upon YOUR understanding of the topic at hand. The only acceptable use of a quote is a short (phrase or sentence) quotation from a primary source document (properly identified and cited) that you immediately discuss and is part of your analysis. ?PRIMARY SOURCE = Something produced in the historical era under study?SECONDARY SOURCE = Something produced at a later date. A history textbook, a documentary film, etc.????
How the Assignment is Graded ??- THESIS – Do you have a well thought out and clear thesis??? EVIDENCE – You must have solid evidence for each point you raise in the thesis. Evidence is not simply a statement, there must be an explanation of how that evidence supports the thesis statement. You must provide a MINIMUM of THREE pieces of evidence in support of your argument.?Example: If you were writing a paragraph on the causes of the Cold War, you might use the Baruch Plan as an example. Simply writing “the Baruch Plan was a cause of the Cold War” in your paragraph would not be enough to earn a point. However, the following sentences would earn a point:?”One cause of the Cold War was the failure of the United States and the Soviet Union to agree upon a plan for nuclear disarmament after World War II. The Baruch Plan, presented by the US, would maintain the American atomic weapon advantage for the foreseeable future. This played into Stalin’s suspicions of the Americans’ true motivations toward the USSR.”?You should have a minimum of three pieces of evidence in support of your thesis (each point of the thesis needs at least one piece of evidence in support). There are three possible points here, one for each piece of evidence.??HISTORICAL ACCURACY, CLARITY, AND LOGIC ??Is your argument clear and does it make sense? Is it historically accurate? Does your evidence prove your point? ??PROPER CITATION Have you properly cited? Have you used the format required in this course (modified Turabian). You must also FOOTNOTE(Jones, Created Equal, pg.# ). Parenthetical cites are NOT allowed. No research allowed, so no outside sources.?
SAMPLE ANSWER
Introduction
Being an American diplomat and a part of the team sent to a third world country to make an alliance that could be mutually beneficial for both countries. The official report is that Soviet diplomats currently living in the country have suggested to the leaders of this Third World
country that the United States is not be trusted as a partner because of how Americans treat their own minority populations[1]. The purpose of this paper is therefore to provide a formal and written rebuttal to the Soviet claims that Americans are not trustworthy and they do not treat minority groups fairly through the practical issues in society and foreign policy.
Where domestic and socio-economic issues are concerned, since the days of Rosa Parks where her and her colleagues refused to give up her seat on the bus because of the color of their skin, significant progress towards equality has been made by the United States Government under law for all citizens. This progress includes the right to vote, the freedom of movement, speech, and the right to be free from discrimination of various forms such as employment and housing discrimination[2]. This evidence of the progress in socio-economic progress has reduced the racism and discrimination that since existed with regards to minorities in the American society. The founding fathers in America emphasized prudence as a concept since it is the art of achieving what is best in the limits of what is possible in human relations. Prudence as a concept shuns the limits to what is possible and aims at what is simply right and just[3].
Where the domestic political issues are concerned, the number of minorities in positions of power has also improved and grown in public and private life[4]. In fact, the current sitting president in America is black American whose roots are from Kenya. Contrary to the soviet claims therefore, minorities in America enjoy greater civil and political opportunities than any other time in history as much as complete equality has not been achieved in certain areas such as in the criminal justice system[5]. Black and Hispanic Americans living in Missouri for example have companied about their victimization by police following the shooting of Mr. Brown and have as a result resulted to increasing their voting numbers in order to make a difference to the Caucasian politically dominated communities which have predominantly Hispanic and Black residents to have representative elected officials.
The rebuttal is also based on key changes in both foreign and domestic policy that have occurred over the past 50 years to convince this Third World country to join the Americans as allies in the Cold War. Every president since Wilson have used the progressive foreign policy ideology to justify the actions of Americans action abroad with assurances that we are acting not merely for our interests, but for the global community as a whole[6]. For instance, major military interventions abroad in Kuwait (1991), Somalia (1992), Haiti (1994), Bosnia (1995), Kosovo (1999, Afghanistan (2001) and Iraq (2004) have attempted to blend the two rationales.[7] Understanding Progressive foreign policy as well as its shortcomings coupled with the knowledge of Founding foreign policy results in the development of contemporary foreign policy used by Americans has been adopted over the years to liberate and provide welfare of others. This resulted in forward-thinking actions necessary for future security and real opportunities to help others hence advancing the universal principles to which we as a country are dedicated[8]
Conclusion
Therefore, we as Americans believe that helping others need to be done in the right manner, at the right time, for the right reasons and at the right place. We do not seek to partner at the expense of your beloved country rather we are here to work together and develop mutually beneficial activities for both our countries that will foster cooperation, progress and our moral duties to each other and the world at large.
• The PrOACT model has provided us a systematic approach to:
o Address the right decision problem (Pr).
o Clarify the objectives (O) – considering needs of key stakeholders .
o Develop a range of creative alternatives (A) – both creative and routine
o Understand the consequences of each alternative.(C)
o Make appropriate trade-offs among conflicting objectives (T) as we:
Create unweighted / weighted decision matrices or use even swap as decision aids
Deal sensibly with uncertainty.
Take account of your risk-taking attitude/preferences
Plan ahead for future linked decisions
o FYI: As many of you noted in LA 7-2, luck favors the prepared mind.
o I’ve truly enjoyed our learning experience together!
• Final Project – It’s Also Found in Syllabus
• Joan Salmon is the 35 year old daughter of Garret Salmon the owner of a medium sized party invitation company, “Invitations Inc.” Joan has recently received a degree from UMUC in Business Management and is anxious to take over her father’s company. She is a single mother, very attractive but a little retiring in her manner. She and her father have been planning her take over for several years ever since her ex-husband left the business after their divorce, an event that did not go unnoticed within the company. Joan has always worked in some capacity within the company but never in a serious leadership role. She is simply known as the “boss’s daughter”. Joan and her father have agreed that she will take over as CEO in the next two months. No one knows of this decision.
Having taken BMGT 317 Joan realizes that she has a lot of important decisions to make if she is going to make this transition work. The first thing she has to do is take stock of the company. This is what she sees. The company has netted 1.5 million in sales for the last two years with no growth rate. Costs have, however, increased by 3 percent. The company produces and sells a variety of invitation styles and price points but her most popular items seem to be either the “budget” invitations or the “high end” expensive paper products. Her sales people have traditionally only sold to card stores or stationers. The company has never sought to sell directly to the customer. Joan would like to explore the online market for future growth potential. In addition to new markets, Joan would like to revamp the company image and marketing plans. The business side seems solid right now but her father has never really changed things since he started the business forty years ago. The business needs growth products.
Her father, Joan thought, is another matter. What is his role going to be? He jokingly says that he wants to go into “semi retirement” but never really says what that means. In fact, Joan is not really sure that he wants to retire. When she asks him what role he wants his reply is “I have just one request, don’t make me a figurehead. I would rather retire completely. You choose the job or have me retire either way I will do what you want. It is your show now sweetheart. ” Garret Salmon is an extrovert through and through. He always wants to be near the action and thrives on running the company. Joan is not sure what would be best for him and her emotions are torn as she wants him to be happy but at the same time does not want him to usurp her authority. His open personality and hands on style has made the business what it is now, but is it what will make the business grow? Joan knows her Dad has been successful, but her role as the “I’ll do any job girl” has made her privy to company gossip and it has made her wonder. New middle management staff of which there are three, say he is nice but too controlling while others such as the Vice President and CFO, men who have been with him for 25 years, just go with “his” flow. They do not question anything he says. Joan wonders, “Can this work for the future? What should I do with my father?”
Final Project
This project is worth 30% of your final grade. This project allows student to demonstrate what they have learned in the course by applying the PrOACT model to a business decision as well as evaluate the interaction with stakeholders and the management of risk, and the role of change in decision making. Students should review all learning activities and assignments to ensure an understanding of key concepts.
Students will be provided with a business case study.
Required Elements to include in the Final Project:
You are to apply the PrOACT method to Joan’s dilemma.
You must explain each step in the process and how you arrived at your conclusions.
Make sure to reference the reading material covered in the course.
You must include in your analysis the application of the five step process and a weighted and unweighted decision matrix.
Make sure your five steps include an in- depth discussion of all the elements. Be sure to include a risk analysis, psychological traps, shareholders, consequences, and change. I urge you to think outside the box with your alternatives.
Review the application of the PrOACT method in the beginning of chapter one. You want to make sure you are exploring all the alternatives. Creativity is really a great tool in this exercise.
Required Formatting of Final Project:
This report should be double spaced, in narrative format, 12-point font, and 7-8 pages in length excluding the title page and reference page;
Title page with your name, the course name, the date, and instructor’s name;
Include a reference page;
Use headings to separate the different sections;
This paper is to be written in the third person. There should be no words in the paper such as “I. we, you or your;”
Use APA formatting for in-text citations and reference page. You are expected to paraphrase and not use quotes. Deductions will be taken when quotes are used and found to be unnecessary;
Submit the paper in the Assignment Folder.
Due Date
Dec 14, 2014 11:59 PM
Hide Rubrics
Rubric Name: Written Assignment (30%)
Criteria Outstanding Superior Good Substandard Failure
Subject Matter Knowledge: Decision Alternatives, Consequences, Stakeholders, Trade offs, Change Management 10.5 points
Demonstrated complete understanding of problems – their symptoms, causes, and definition 8.93 points
Demonstrated complete understanding of all but one of the knowledge requirements associated with this assignment. Knowledge of one element was not demonstrated or was only partially demonstrated. 7.88 points
Demonstrated complete understanding of all but two knowledge requirements associated with this assignment. Knowledge of two elements was not demonstrated or was only partially demonstrated. 6.83 points
Demonstrations of knowledge requirements associated with this assignment appeared to be superficial. 5.78 points
Did not demonstrate knowledge of any of the knowledge requirements associated with this assignment.
Demonstrated clear evidence of critical thinking skills. Provided sound rationale in identifying symptoms and potential root causes. Problem definition based on strong foundation of facts or reasonable assumptions. 8.93 points
Usually demonstrated clear evidence of critical thinking skills. One or two areas showed a deficit in analyzing the situation or coming to conclusions based on facts or reasonable assumptions. 7.88 points
Occasionally demonstrated clear evidence of critical thinking skills. Three or more areas showed a deficit in analyzing the situation or coming to conclusions based on facts or reasonable assumptions. 6.83 points
Rarely demonstrated clear evidence of critical thinking skills. More than three areas showed a deficit in analyzing the situation or coming to conclusions based on facts or reasonable assumptions. 5.78 points
Did not demonstrate clear evidence of critical thinking skills.
Responsiveness to Assignment Requirements 4.5 points
Demonstrated full understanding of requirements. Responded to each aspect of assignment. 3.83 points
Demonstrated understanding of requirements. Missed one minor aspect of assignment. 3.38 points
Demonstrated some understanding of requirements. Missed a key element or two minor aspects of assignment. 2.93 points
Failed to show a firm understanding of requirements. Missed two key elements or several minor aspects of assignment. 2.48 points
Did not demonstrate understanding of assignment requirements.
Writing Skills 4.5 points
Paper was well-organized and clear. Error-free grammar and spelling. Citations followed correct APA formatting. 3.83 points
Paper was for the most part well-organized and clear. Grammar and spelling were mostly correct. APA formatting of citations was correct or mostly correct. 3.38 points
Paper was difficult to follow, or grammar, spelling, or APA formatting was often incorrect. 2.93 points
Paper was difficult to follow and grammar, spelling, and APA formatting were often incorrect. 2.48 points
Paper was not well-organized and clear. There were numerous errors in grammar and spelling. APA formatting of citations was incorrect or missing.
Overall Score Outstanding
18 or more Superior
16 or more Good
14 or more Substandard
12 or more Level 1
0 or more
SAMPLE ANSWER
Introduction
The PrOACT method is a decision making model that assists decision makers to make better decisions and PrOACT is an acronym for Problem definition, Objectives, Alternatives, Consequences and Tradeoffs. Defining the problem involve identifying the decision the decision maker is trying to make. For instance if a company is faced with increased demand, the problem could be whether to install additional capacity or outsource some of the functions. Framing the decision problem is the most important single step. A decision problem framed well will a drive the entire process of decision making (Akridge & Foltz, 2005). A good decision problem assists in determining alternative courses of action in solving the problem. The next step in the model involves specifying the objectives of the decision being made. For instance what is the objective of installing additional capacity or outsourcing some of the functions? What the decision maker intends to accomplish has an impact on the decision to be made (Akridge & Foltz, 2005).
The next step involves creating alternative courses of action. This step is not difficult if the first two steps have been made properly that is defining the problem and outlining the objectives to be achieved by the decision to be made. Identifying a set of possible alternatives that offer possible solutions to the problem is what is required in this step. The alternatives selected should be the ones that will enable the decision made to achieve the objectives of the decision problem (Akridge & Foltz, 2005). The next step in the PrOACT decision making model is to understand the consequences of every alternative identified. The decision maker at this step maps the alternatives selected with the objectives of the decision problem. This step in some cases makes use of a decision matrix to identify the best alternative that best achieves the objectives of the decision problem (Akridge & Foltz, 2005). The last step in the PrOACT decision making model is grappling with trade-offs. Many complex decisions in business involves making trade-offs. This step involves identifying what will be given up by choosing one alternative relative to what will be given up by choosing another alternative a decision is being made. These steps of the PrOACT model briefly define what Joan Salmon should do to arrive at a smart decision on the way forward for Invitations Inc. (Akridge & Foltz, 2005).
The application of the PrOACT method to Joan’s dilemma
In applying the PrOACT model, it is critical to design the decision problem. An analysis of the company shows that it made sales of $1.5 million over the last two years with no growth rate and costs have increased by 3 percent in the period. The company’s business model has never undergone any major shift since the company was started over forty years ago. There is therefore a lot of resistance to change. The organizational structure is hierarchical with the CEO practicing an authoritarian leadership style (Akridge & Foltz, 2005). This can be attested to the fact that the middle level managers feel that Mr. Garret Salmon, the CEO, is too controlling whereas the CFO and Vice President just go with the flow. Decisions are made from the top and cascaded downwards for implementation. Jane is also seeing opportunities that the company can exploit to grow the company but which either no one is seeing or they are too scared to mention. These opportunities include developing new products to grow the product line, selling to customers directly etc. Jane’s decision problem is therefore what is the best strategy to grow sales which have flattened, manage costs which are growing and increase employee productivity to get competitive advantage? (Ram, Montibeller & Morton, 2011)
The objectives of the decision problem are that Jane would like to increase the company’s market share and increase sales revenues. The fact that the company made $1.5 million over the two year period with no growth is one of her major concerns. She would like to identify the best organizational structure, grow sales, and manage costs, increase employee morale and productivity as some of the objectives of the decision problem. She wants also to improve customer satisfaction by increasing engagement with the end users of the company’s products. The other objective is that she wants the company to be adaptable to the changing environment. The last objective is that she wants to design an organizational structure that improves the productivity of all employees and especially assigns an appropriate role for his father that fits his skills and competences. Other objectives includes coming up with an ideal organizational structure that will accommodate Jane’s father (Tompkins & Rhodes, 2012).
The next step in the PrOACT decision model is developing a range of creative alternatives to solve the decision problem facing Jane Salmon. The first alternative is vertical integration. This strategy will enable the company to produce its raw materials and be engaged in transportation, marketing and retailing. The next strategic option is divestiture. The other strategic option is divestiture. In this strategic option, Jane will need to carry out a value chain analysis to identify which activities or divisions in the company to divest from to cut costs. The other strategic option that Jane could choose is market development (Woiceshyn, 2011). Market development is the expansion of the total market for products. The strategy could involve developing new products for the existing market, increasing sales of existing products to new customers or developing new products for new markets. The next alternative is adopting market strategic option. Market penetration is a strategy that identifies ways to eliminate internal barriers to sales and increases promotional efforts to sell more to current or new customers (Ram, Montibeller & Morton, 2011). The next alternative solution to the decision problem is restructuring the company. This strategy will involve modifying the structure and operations of the company to eliminate significant problems in the company that are preventing it from optimizing sales and minimizing costs. The last alternative solution to the decision problem is retrenchment. This is a strategy aimed at reducing the overall size of the company. This strategy is aimed at cutting expenses to enhance the financial stability of the company (Ram, Montibeller & Morton, 2011).
The next step in the PrOACT decision making model is that Jane needs to understand the consequences of each alternative strategic options. The first alternative solution to the decision problem is vertical integration. The first consequence of this strategic option is that it could be very costly to implement. The company will require funds to make its raw materials and it will also require substantial amounts of money to set up card stores and stationeries in the location it chooses to locate them (Oliveira, 2010). The firm will also incur costs in hiring and training additional employees to undertake the new activities. The next alternative is divestiture. This strategy will require that a consultant firm that is competent in divestiture strategy is hired. The strategy may involve laying-off some staff which would cost the company in terms of severance pay to those affected. The strategy could also lead to poor morale among the survivors. The strategy could also lead to a lot of resistance to change especially when it will be substantial. This will be costly as well. The next strategic option alternative is market development (Ram, Montibeller & Morton, 2011). This strategic option is also expensive especially when it involves developing new products or moving into new markets. These activities will require an increase in promotional activities and investment in new infrastructure such as new delivery vans, new sales staff etc. The next strategic option is market penetration which involves identifying and eliminating barriers to sales and increasing promotional activities to increase sales. This strategy is also expensive since requires that the company increases its expenses in promotional activities (Ram, Montibeller & Morton, 2011; Malakooti, 2012).
The next strategic option is restructuring. This strategy is less expensive than the ones previously discussed. However, if it requires that Jane outsources the function to a consultant then it will be costly to undertake. The other consequence is that it is likely to be resisted by staff since the company has never implemented any change since inception. Any proposal to introduce a new way of doing things will most likely meet strong resistance. This strategy might involve laying-off staff which might be costly and lead to low morale to the surviving staff. The last strategic option alternative is retrenchment (Ram, Montibeller & Morton, 2011). Retrenchment is costly especially when it involves reducing the number of employees to cut the size of the payroll. In this case the staffs who survive the retrenchment are normally demoralized as they become uncertain about the level of job security in the company. It will also be quite expensive to retrench staff since it involves paying them their retirement benefits and a generous severance package (Baer & Liabotis, 2009).
The next stage in the PrOACT decision making model is for Jane to make appropriate trade-offs among objectives. The best way to do this is by using a decision matrix. The alternatives are ranked as from 1 to 5 ; 1 being the most ineffective, 2 as being ineffective, 3 as being unsure, 4 being effective to achieve the objective and 5 being the most effective to achieve the objective. The matrix is as follows. The matrix uses the flowing acronyms; Vertical Integration –VI, Diversification-D, Market Development-MD, Market penetration-MP, Restructuring-Res and Retrenchment-Ret
Objectives
VI
D
MD
MP
RES
RET
Increase market share
1
1
5
5
3
1
Achieve sales growth
1
1
5
5
3
1
Cut costs
3
5
1
1
5
5
Increase motivation levels
4
1
5
4
2
1
Improve customer satisfaction
1
1
5
5
2
1
An ideal organizational structure
1
1
1
1
5
1
The main trade-off areas is to achieve sales growth and market share versus coming up with an ideal organization structure that will ensure the father is gainfully engaged. The other trade- off is cutting costs versus increasing market shares and achieving high sales growth.
The most ideal alternative is market development (MP) which will assist the company to achieve most objectives identified. The next step involves identifying uncertainties and coming up with mitigating strategies. The risks that are involved in market development strategy include market risk, operational risk and financial risk. Market risk relates to the inability to get an adequate market to enable the company meet its sales growth projections (Malakooti, 2012). Operational risk relates to the inability or lack of capacity by the company internal operational set up to service a large market. Financial risk relates to the inability by the company to obtain adequate funds to finance the new strategy activities. Jane needs to prepare a budget to implement the activities involved in market development strategy. It is important for Jane then to identify decisions that will be linked to the market development strategy decisions. A decision to enter new markets will require new capital expenditure decisions. It is important for Jane to identify uncertainties involved in the decisions he will make and if possible try to forecast future linked decisions (Malakooti, 2012).
References
Akridge, J., & Foltz, J. (2005, Oct). Making better decisions. Feed & Grain, 44, 29-30,32-34.
Oliveira, F. S. (2010). Bottom-up design of strategic options as finite automata. Computational Management Science, 7(4), 355-375. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10287-008-0084-1
Ram, C., Montibeller, G., & Morton, A. (2011). Extending the use of scenario planning and MCDA for the evaluation of strategic options. The Journal of the Operational Research Society, 62(5), 817-829. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1057/jors.2010.90
Tompkins, T. C., & Rhodes, K. (2012). Groupthink and the ladder of inference: Increasing effective decision making. The Journal of Human Resource and Adult Learning, 8(2), 84-90. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1318922285?accountid=45049
Woiceshyn, J. (2011). A model for ethical decision making in business: Reasoning, intuition, and rational moral principles. Journal of Business Ethics, 104(3), 311-323. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10551-011-0910-1
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Is consumerism a valid way of forming group identities and relationships
Is consumerism a valid way of forming group identities and relationships
Order Instructions:
Essay Topic:
Miles argues that ‘Consumer goods and services potentially play an important role in who we are and how we construct our social lives’ (Miles 1998: 3) and that we relate to other people through goods and services we consume. Is consumerism a valid way of forming group identities and relationships?
Discuss with reference to fashion, giving specific examples.
Points to note and include:
1. Historically, people dress to reflect social status. Talk about the renaissance period or 18th century Marie Antoinette. (Example 1 – Minor point 1. Write about this as background).
2. Football fans wearing jerseys to show support to their favourite clubs. (Example 2 – Minor point 2. Write about this as brief background)
3. Subcultures. Mention bricolage. Talk about historic examples such as Skinheads/Teddy Boys. And then modern examples such as Transgender. (Example 3 – Major point 1. Deserves 1 to 2 paragraphs dedicated to it. Major elaboration.)
4. In today’s celebrity obsessed culture, purchasing of celebrity designer brands such as Victoria Beckham, or The Row (designed by the Olsen twins), to feel a more personal connection and relationship to the stars. (Example 4 – Major point 2. Deserves 1 to 2 paragraphs dedicated to it. Major elaboration.)
SAMPLE ANSWER
Is consumerism a valid way of forming group identities and relationships
Consumerism or rather the way people or consumer consumes their products and services changes over time. People as well have different choices and preferences of the products they consume. Some of these preferences aim at identifying with some figures in the society such as celebrities and famous individuals. Certain category of products is designed to suit people of certain social status or from a certain geographical location. Miles asserted that ‘Consumer goods and services potentially play an important role in who we are and how we construct our social lives’ (1998: 3). This therefore means that the products and services that people consume shape the way they perceive the society. Fashion is one of the areas that have shaped the way people consume their products. From time in memorial various fashions designs have emerged. Consumers have adopted these designs on various instances to be part of the bandwagon of the wave of transformation. This discussion, therefore, provides an argument whether in deed consumerism is a valid way of forming group identities and relationships focusing on fashion industry. The paper provides various examples on how fashion has contributed in the formation of these group identities and relationships.
Historically, people dress to reflect their social status. Those in the leadership positions dress in manners that befit their status in the society. Society as well expected that these persons dressed decently by virtue of the position they hold. Those that deviated from these expectations were viewed in a different way as rather contravening the values and norms of the society. In some instances, it attracted a public outcry (Illouz 2009). For instance, in the renaissance period and period around 18th century dressing code was very critical for those people that had some influence in the society. The members of the public expected the leaders to dress in a certain manner. One of the famous fashionist in the 18th century was Marie Antoinette a wife to a French King. Her dressing attracted the attention of the members of the public. She wore gowns and hats designed by Marie-Jeanne Rose Bertin. In most of her letters, she says that she used fashion to give her credit and appearance. She wanted to earn reputation and credibility from the members of the society. As a woman, she expressed her power through her dress code. Therefore, because of her status in society. She had an opportunity to influence other women in the government. Unlike other previous queens, she paid more attention to fashion by moving away from the usual fashion of the traditional court dress codes. Therefore, through this, she lead fashion industry by creating new styles and dominated the fashion industry to gain attention and to earn some prestige in the eyes of the other court members.
This is therefore a typical example of how fashion helped to create identity and as well establish relationships. She adapted to this style of dressing with an intention of appearing different. She wanted to break away from a bandwagon in the dressing codes of the court queens. This therefore enabled her to earn credit and form an identity. Fashion as well helps in creating of relationships in the society. This fashion created a brand that people or other women adopted to match the status of the Marie. Most of people that adopted this dressing fashion included those of her social status in various positions in the government. The fashion was expensive and beyond reach of many women of low social status.
Another example on how consumerism is a valid way of forming group identities and relationship in experienced amongst football fans wearing jerseys of their teams to show their support of favourite clubs. This has been a trend from historical periods. Football fans wear jerseys of their teams during matches as well as in off the stadium as a way of identifying with the teams they support (Matthews 2013). It s not difficult to tell the team the fans support but to just look at the jerseys they wear. Football teams especially those that are at the top of the leagues mint a lot of money by selling these jerseys to fans. For instance, most of the famous teams with professional players such as Manchester and Arsenal have a wider fan base that will always dress in the team’s jersey during their match to support them. “Neuroeconomics and behavioural economics have shown that shopping produces emotional reactions, rather than rational decisions and that human are liable to manipulation” (Shermer 2008). This statement hold truth in circumstances where the consumers of fashions are obsessed with the celebrity euphoria making them not to consider the fashion itself (Van tuinen 2011). The emotions associated with certain celebrities may therefore lead to consumers making unprecedented decisions pertaining to their consumption behaviors, a scenario evidenced among football fans
Consumerism is also used to form relationships and to exemplify identities among subcultures. People will dress in a certain style that demonstrates the values and beliefs they hold. Subcultures contributed to the emergence of new designed that were developed from combination of styles meant for other purposes to suit their styles. This is a concept popularly known as bricolge styles. The major aim of this style is to create new products by erasing the original straight meaning. Examples of such fashions is the consumerism is a valid way of forming group identities and relationships focusing on fashion industry joining candy wrappers to produce a purse. These kinds of fashions modify the existing styles to make them suitable for the purpose of the specific category of group. Example of the groups that used bricolage fashion were the Teddy boys and skinheads (Teddy Boys 2014). Teddy boys were a group of young teenagers in 1940s and 1950s that were a member of cult wore fashion were inspired by Edwardian era (1901-1910) (Teddy Boys 2014). They had money and therefore they had power to purchase or consume the cloths or fashions styles they wished. They adjusted the dressings codes the former trousers and shirts had drapes and drainpipe (Teddy Boys 2014). This was customized as drapes had collars, cuff and pocket trimmings. The trousers were customized and became narrow, they wore crepe soled shoes and beetle crushers. The hairstyles were greased into a quiff and it was shaped into a DA, also called ducks arse. This style was the first to be self-created in history.
With increasing number of changes in the society, the consumption behaviors have as well continued to evolve and change. The society has continued to change and people as well have continued to agitate for their rights (Michael 2008). Transgender category of people/subculture has as well contributed in the revolution of fashion and dressing codes. Designers are coming up with clothes that suit transgender. They achieve this by incorporating various materials and designers. These clothes are as well identified by the transgender subcultures. The increased agitation of this category of people in the society has necessitated these amendments in the fashion industry.
In the contemporary world today, fashion has become very important and designers are doing the best they can to come up with designs that meets the expectations of the people. Most of the designs that celebrities wear attract a huge followers who want to be associated with such individuals in society (Morris 2005). This has as well contributed to the increase in competition in the fashions trends. New fashions or styles of dressing are cropping up every day as celebrities competes for the best designs. Followers of those that like these celebrities are also not being left behind in these quests. They are doing their best to ensure that they keep to the standards of the celebrities. The culture today people are obsessed, and often will purchase celebrity designers brands of such propel like Victoria Beckham to feel personal connection and relationship to these stars. Evolutionary theories contend that, “Consumers are subject to a host of cognitive biases which…appear to render them vulnerable to manipulation’ ((Van tuinen 2011). This biasness makes the consumers to associate or purchase certain kinds of products and not the others. They can easily be manipulated to associate with certain kinds of fashion.
A star and a celebrity such as Victoria Becham has a fashion label that has grown and which has attracted many people or consumers. The star is famous and consumers want to create a connection and touch with what she wears and what she does. For instance, the fans of this celebrity will always want other people to identify by their like of the style, the kind of cloths and other fashion products they have (Michael 2008). The recent fashion label has launched deals with various dresses, and other luxury products such as handbags. These diffusion ranges of products offered through her outlines are highly consumed by the consumers. Victoria is as well one of the most talked designers in the social media such as twitter especially during New York Fashion fashion week. This signifies her place in the fashion industry. The consumer base of her fashion trends is growing every other day as people see her as a model and a success story. The human mind is wired to associate with what others feel is right. The bandwagon effect is experienced among many fashion lovers. They will go for anything that is associated with celebrities and which they perceive is new and stylish. Addictive critique contends that, “Noting the importance of fashion to the phenomenon of consumerism connects with the third of the more common criticisms of consumer behavior, which is that it is an addiction” (Campell 2010). Fashion is addictive and people or consumers may find themselves purchasing new products because fashion continues to change. This therefore explains why many consumers that engages in purchasing behaviors on every fashion that comes out.
Fashion designers as well must consider various aspects when designing these fashions to their customers. This means that some of the consumers will go for specific attributes in a fashion and therefore being able to concentrates on such areas will increase their consumption. One is to consider how the product or service image is to be represented. The designers should ensure that they factor in the cultural aspects of the people or target consumers. Therefore, focusing on local theories and beliefs will help the fashion to sell more quickly. Behaviors of the consumers are built on constructed through the social groups in respect to various aspects of fashion and preferences and life and transformation of these into norms and beliefs. Therefore, products can become marketable image through the way people identify with their own image, representation and symbols. Most of the jersey won by fans is designed to match the interests and preferences of the fans. The fans have their favourite players and that is why most of them are printed with the names of the players on them. This therefore, gives the consumers a freedom to buy the jersey with the player they like. This personalization of fashion makes the fans identify at a much closer distance with their favourite team players not just the team they support.
Consumerism behaviors highly depend on the media depiction and portrayal of the products and services. Media has become an essential channel to influence the behaviors of people towards fashion (Morris 2005). Media such as television and nowadays-social media play keyhole in influencing adoption of certain fashions. Media and movies contribute greatly to reshaping, re-patterning lives, meanings, and needs of the consumers. It therefore contributes to the formation of group identities and relationships by helping to distribute information to the consumers. Most consumers’ view or access information through media and it as well shapes the way they consume fashion. The media platform is therefore very crucial in helping showcase latest fashion trends in the society (Morris 2005). Celebrities as well attain their celebrity through frequent media appearances that makes them reach a wider market. Media agenda setting theory helps to understand the importance of media in its role in influencing the decision making process of the consumers. People act and react to information they view or see through these media platforms. Social media such as facebook have become popular media for people to showcase their fashions. These media are popular in all parts of the world and it has become easier for fashion to be showcased and to spread across the globe. Many of the celebrities across the world for instance, have managed to influence consumers fashion trends courtesy of media. “Media play a more important role in our lives than before television became dominant; commercial messages are more pervasive and more penetrating. Brands are now marketed as representations of lifestyles or ‘meaning’” (Klein 2005). This therefore, qualifies the agenda setting theory and portrays the impact that media can have in determining or influencing the way people purchase fashion. Media portrayal of certain kind of fashions or dresses triggers consumers to purchase the same to be part of the brand. They also want to be identified with the celebrities that champion those brands.
In consumerism, it is also very important for the designers of various fashion trends to customize or fragment their markets for specific category of consumer. People from a certain part of the country or those within a certain age bracket or those within a given income range, social status require consideration when designing a fashion. The preferences of individuals also vary and this will as well play a critical role in creating identities and relationships. For instance, designs for people from the entertainment industry may not be similar to those in corporate sector/industry. There must be a clear understanding and lines in designing fashions. Customization will therefore ensure that the needs and the wants of that particular group of the consumer’s targets are met (Caput 1991). For instance, most of the consumers that will go for the products of celebrities such as Victoria must have high level of income to buy these products and as well must understand who Victoria is and her values. They as well may be motivated by her dressing and fashions because they want to be like her.
Fashion is also one way that consumers choose to show solidarity and support to those celebrities or things they admire and like. In most of the fashion, designs involving celebrities many people go buying such fashions because they love them and wants to show their support for them. For example, in football and other popular games, fans will actually show their support to their clubs and favourite footballers by wearing their jerseys even though they identify with the teams, they also want to show that they are with the teams through thick and thin. They give their teams’ moral to keep going and doing what they can to win.
Any fashion designers are also expected to showcase the benefit of their products. Making a product look attractive and appealing starts by defining the value of the product in the mind of the customer. The mindset of the customers should be captured in the design of the products before it is designed (Cheveresan 2013). Having clear mindset and positioning it becomes easy to design mechanisms that allows production of appropriate products that offers the values distinct , and desirable as well offers a meaningful representation over the other on the market (Ding 2014). Fashion designers therefore must understand the thinking or the mindset of the customers when creating their designs to suit specific tastes of their consumers. For instance, a fashion designer, that creates or designs clothes and other products for celebrity for instance, needs to put in mind the target consumers of the celebrity. This will help the designer to come up with an appropriate design that will as well enable the consumers to purchase the same because they will have some connections and relationship or attachment to that celebrity.
In fashion industry, consumers as well have the reasons they consume certain kinds of products and not the others. Some of the consumers will not be moved or motivated to purchase certain fashion products because they do not mind the trends. While others are very much attentive to any new fashion trends and will not hesitate to scan a round for any new trends in fashion (Edvardsson, Enquist & Johnston 2005). The core benefits of the products in fashion are not more on quality but it is a trend and a lifestyle people embrace. Consumers of fashion, may not be mindful of the cost of the dress provided that they are part of the group that share the fashion.
Extensive research studies have been done in the area of consumerism and consumer behaviors, the experiences and purchasing patterns. Various questions that pertains to purchasing is what makes people to purchase the products, the basis on which people make their purchases- whether they base on the core benefits or on intangible representation (Henry 2005). Gaining an understanding to these allows the producers or fashion designers to have a clear understanding of the best strategies to position their products. For instance, those that purchase these fashion products based on core benefits may go for the quality, the design and not the popularity of the cloths. However, those that are pushed by the euphoria surrounding the fashions such as the celebrity will make a purchasing decision without having to consider the core benefits of the products.
Therefore, in the contemporary world today competition has increased and it is s very important for the fashion designers to embrace strategies that delve on creativity and innovation to remain relevant and to meet the needs of their customers. The behaviors depicted by people or consumers should be closely monitored and scrutinized as this will give the designers and upper hand in their decision (Illouz 2009).
The fashion industry has experienced development over the years. New designs have changed over the years. For instance, in the 18th century dressing was more important and was caused to signify social status. People in leadership positions were expected to wear certain dressings. Example of people that shaped fashion industry included Marie. Football funs as well provide a good example of how fashion is used to demonstrate identity and relationships. Most football fans wear jerseys of their fauvorite team to identify with them and to show their support and solidarity behind them. The Teddy boys as well have contributed to the fashion trends in 1940s and 1950s. The dressing was distinct and was customized for their identity to that cult. In contemporary days, fashion has changed. Most of the celebrities have shaped the fashion industry. Their dressing styles go viral and are replicated across many of their fans who seek for personal association and for identity. Therefore, it is no doubt that fashion or consumerism helps in forming group identities and relationships.
Caput, J 1991, ‘Charting the Flow: The Construction of Meaning through Juxtaposition in Media Texts, Journal of Communication Inquiry, vol. 15 no. 2, pp. 32-47.
Edvardsson, B, Enquist, B, & Johnston R 2005, ‘Cocreating Customer Value Through Hyperreality in the Prepurchase Service Experience, Journal of Service Research, vol. 8 no. 2, pp. 149-161.
Assignment #3: Delegation
Instructions:
Review APTA guidelines for supervision of support personnel at: http://www.apta.org/Practice&Patient Care/PracticeAdministration/Supervision&Teamwork. Review state requirements for supervision of support personnel for the state you intend to seek licensure. Links to each state’s practice act are available at: https://www.fsbpt.org/LicensingAuthorities/index.asp
Analyze the two supervision scenarios provided in the course syllabus. What did the PT (and/or PTA) do wrong? What should s/he have done? You MUST cite your state PT practice act and APTA guidelines in your analyses. Submit both analyses as one document.
For your record attaching copy of scenarios, practice act of state of Connecticut(CT) for your reference.
All assignments are to be word processed; 12 point font and double spaced are preferred. Do not use color, pictures, etc. in your documents. Use only black text. Number the pages and make sure your name is on every page.
PT referral for scenario 1 is right after surgery when pt was discharge from hospital
SAMPLE ANSWER
Delegation
Supervision Scenario 1
In the first supervision scenario, the physical therapist (PT) delegated the task of stretching the patient and putting ice on the patient’s shoulder to the athletic trainer (ATC)/the clinic manager. The athletic trainer did exactly what he was asked by the PT to do: stretch the shoulder of the patient and then ice it. However, this caused the patient pain since what the ATC did brought about re-injury to the repaired site. However, a second surgical operation repaired the rotator cuff. What the physical therapist did wrong was to delegate the supervision to an athletic trainer rather than a physical therapist assistant (PTA). As per the Connecticut General Statutes, a physical therapy assistant is an individual who is licensed to aid in the practice of physical therapy in Connecticut under a PT’s supervision (Connecticut General Statutes, 2014).
In essence, the Connecticut General Statutes 376§20-74 does not forbid anyone who is a PTA from assisting in the practice of PT under the supervision of a licensed PT so long as such assistance is limited to the treatment of an individual by using effective properties of physical measures to prevent, correct, or alleviate a mental or physical disability (Connecticut General Statutes, 2014). In this scenario 1 however, the PT did not delegate the task of stretching the shoulder of the patient and putting ice on it to a PTA, but to an athletic trainer who is prohibited by Connecticut General Statutes from assisting the PT. Moreover, the other thing that the PT did wrong was that she did not supervise the athletic trainer in the tasks that she had delegated to him. Supervision, according to the Connecticut General Statutes (2014), implies the participation in, or the overseeing of a PTA by a licensed PT. This supervision basically includes (i) constant availability of direct communication between the PTA and a licensed PT. (ii) Availability of a licensed PT on a regular basis to (a) assess the PTA’s practice; and (b) support the Physical Therapist Assistant during the execution of the PTA’s services. (iii) A prearranged plan for crisis situations, such as the designation of an alternate licensed PT if the regular licensed PT is absent.
What the PT should have done is that she should have delegated the tasks of stretching the shoulder of the patient and putting ice on it to someone who is actually a physical therapist assistant, instead of an athletic trainer. Secondly, as a licensed PT, she should have supervised the task which she had delegated to that person by ensuring there is (a) constant availability of direct communication between the two of them; (b) support the PTA as the PTA carries out his services; and (c) develop a prearranged plan for situations that are emergency, like in this scenario when the patient experienced severe pain in his arm during the stretching done by the athletic trainer (Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, 2014). Supervision and direction are vital in providing quality PT services and the PTA should at all times work under the direction and general supervision of the licensed PT (American Physical Therapy Association, 2014).
Supervision Scenario 2
In the second scenario, the physical therapist carried out an initial examination and assessment of the patient, developed a plan of care and established that a physical therapist assistant could perform therapy interventions for the 60-year-old patient. The PT supervised the PTA, which was actually an apt thing to do. In this second scenario however, what the physical therapist assistant (PTA) did wrong was that she determined a treatment plan for the patient; something that she should not have done. What the physical therapist (PT) did wrong is that he did not develop a plan of care basing on the initial examination that is specific enough and which actually includes the goals and outcomes of the physical therapy. In this second scenario, the written physical therapy plan of care did not specify if the hip prosthesis was uncemented or cemented. Moreover, it did not record particular limitations to the weight bearing status of the patient on the patient’s operated leg. Given that the plan of care did not have precise information with regard to the sort of prosthesis utilized, the physical therapist assistant determined to follow a care progression that she thought was in line with that of a cemented hip. The PTA began the patient at toe touch weight bearing on the lower extremity that was affected, and progressed the patient to minimal weight bearing over the next 21 days and later on partial weight bearing. The patient’s physician pointed out that these initial weeks of weight bearing progression in physical therapy was essentially the primary reason of the failure of initial prosthesis. What the PTA should have done is that she should have asked the licensed PT and confirm with him about the patient’s treatment plan as well as a specific physical therapy plan of care.
What the PT should have done right is provide a physical therapy plan of care that documented whether the hip prosthesis was uncemented or cemented. The PT should also have ensured that the PT plan of care record specific limitations to the patient’s weight bearing status on his operated leg. According to APTA (2014), the physical therapist has the crucial task of creating a plan of care basing on the initial examination or reexamination that includes the goals as well as outcomes of the physical therapy. The Connecticut General Statutes 376§20-74 states that it shall not ban a PTA from aiding in the practice of PT under the supervision of a licensed PT so long as that assistance does not include the determination of treatment plans. The PTA in this second scenario actually determined the patient’s treatment plan, which is prohibited (Connecticut General Statutes, 2014).
Assignment #1: Screening
Instructions: Assignment #1: Using the Documentation Template from the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice (See Handouts), complete a history and systems review on a volunteer subject. Submit the completed forms and a 1-2 page summary of the results including any findings that would indicate a need for referral to another health care provider. NOTE: Do NOT use the subject’s actual name, address, or any other confidential identifier. Use the Inpatient Form if your volunteer subject is an inpatient OR the Outpatient From if your volunteer is an outpatient. The Systems Review Form is used for both in-patient and out-patient subjects. Save the forms completed by hand as a pdf. Be sure YOUR NAME is on every page you submit.
For assignment 1, make copies of the history and systems review from the Guide to PT Practice (see Handouts section), complete them by hand, scan them and save them in pdf format for submission. Any volunteer subject can be used for that assignment. They do not have to be an actual physical therapy patient. All assignments are to be word processed; 12 point font and double spaced are preferred. Other than the forms for Assignment #1, handwritten assignments will not be accepted. Do not use color, pictures, etc. in your documents. Use only black text. Number the pages and make sure your name is on every page.
Attaching the inpatient and outpatient form and system review form depending which one you want to use. Select total knee replacement case if selecting inpatient form.
SAMPLE ANSWER
SUMMARY
The patient is a 39-year-old single female of African American descent and an elementary school teacher with a college education. She lives alone in a private apartment with an elevator, is a reformed smoker who quit 4 years ago and a social drinker. An Advanced Practicing Nurse referred the patient to us. She is generally in good health. The father had a stroke in his late fifties; so this patient is genetically predisposed to high blood pressure and diabetes.
She presented with a sprained ankle and difficulty in walking or standing for prolonged periods of time, which occurred 3 months ago. She also presented with a high blood pressure of 180/100 mmhg and a weight of 200 lbs on a 5’6 frame.
The sprained ankle was sustained during her morning power walk, which is an exercise routine she does twice a week. Patient also complained that she was unable to stand on the leg for long periods of time and this was having a negative effect on her job, as she is an elementary school teacher and moving about in class was extremely difficult. The patient’s excess weight exacerbated the situation as it placed further strain on the already compromised ankle.
Before coming to see the physiotherapist 3 months after the incident, the patient had tried to manage the sprained ankle at home by keeping her weight off the leg and applying a warm towel compress on the painful and tender ankle in an effort to reduce the pain, which only exacerbated the situation. This procedure for early ankle sprain management was contradicted by Tiemstra (2012), who clearly stated that early mobilization speeds healing and reduces pain more effectively than prolonged rest. Also, contrary to common believe that lower levels of activity in obese patients may make them less susceptible to injury than normal-weight individuals, studies have shown that strains, sprains and dislocations are actually more common in this vulnerable population (King, 2013).
Diagnosis was then established as a strained ankle in an overweight hypertensive woman with impaired joint mobility and a limited range of motion, associated with localized inflammation.
The patient presented with a BMI of 32.3, where a BMI above 30 is an indication of obesity. The fact that she was overweight and hypertensive were indicators that she needed further investigation and follow up. She was therefore referred to a Primary Health Care Physician for proper management.
Patient management, which includes anticipated outcomes, expected outcomes, interventions, patient education and discharge plans can be located in the patient’s chart.
Order Instructions:
To prepare for this Discussion, bring to mind the mission and vision statements you reviewed last week as well as the values you have seen exemplified in the public health field. What do you consider the main values of public health? Do you see areas of alignment between the explicit or implicit values of public health organizations and the values expressed by you and your classmate? Do you see any conflicts among them?
This is the Mission and vision statements on last week:
Mission and Vision of Public Health
Most of the vision and mission statements I read have some similarities. The visions and mission provide the desired expectation of the organization. Most of them focus on providing quality healthcare through various interventions (Collins & Porras, 1996). They also provide insights on the prevention strategies the organization have embraced to improve patient heath outcome. They also highlight on the commitment of the staffs to ensure that quality healthcare is provided. In general, the vision and mission focus on the aims, goals and objectives of the health facilities.
‘Future of the Public’s Health in the 21st Century’ provides various findings and recommendations. The most interesting finding that interests me is the fact that increased insurance coverage will help to reduce ethnic and racial disparities in accessing to health care services. Furthermore, this will help reduce disparities that have been experienced in mortality and morbidity among various ethnic groups (Gostin, Boufford & Martinez, 2004). On the other hand, the recommendation that interested me is ensuring lifelong learning on nurse practitioners. This will help to improve quality of care in health facilities. Furthering on these findings and recommendations will further the mission and vision of health in terms of ensuring equality in accessibility to healthcare. It will also help to reduce the number of death in future due to increased accessibility to healthcare and competent nurse practitioners.
If individuals in public health organization do not know what is mission and vision, healthcare services will not meet the expected threshold. Vision and mission statement provide a sense of direction to the leaders and staffs. Therefore, lack of knowledge will make it difficult for the health facilities to operate efficiently as they will not have objectives, aims or goals. The implication is poor quality healthcare.
Answer the following Questions:
1. Briefly explain what led you to choose public health and where you want to take your career.
2. Discuss any ways in which you believe your own personal values align with the values held within the public health profession, and or in which these values might not be in alignment with your own. Consider what you are passionate about; what has framed your perspective.
3. Discuss at least two of your colleagues’ responses, identifying the aspects you found most intriguing, surprising, thought-provoking, or otherwise noteworthy. What did you learn from each of these postings that helped shed further light on your own values?
Here is two colleagues responses:
Colleague one
Mission and Vision Statements
The purpose of this discussion is to examine the mission and vision statements for public health and determine what commonalities exist. Secondly, I will analyze one of the recommendations in the readings for public health. Lastly, I will discuss the impact if an individual does not know what the organization’s mission and vision are.
Public Health Mission and Vision
Mission and vision statements set the stage for how an organization operates, and provides the framework or roadmap for all of the organization’s activities. Generally, vision statements define what an organization aspires to be, and mission statements outline how the organization will do that or what exactly they will do (Ebben, 2005). For public health organizations, the common theme in the vision is to see healthy communities or to be the voice for local health organizations. The mission statements are to “protect America from health, safety and security threats” (CDC, 2014) or to “…protect and improve the health of all people…” (NACCHO, April). So, to put the vision and mission into my own words for public health organizations, I would say the vision is “to advocate for healthy people in our communities” and the mission is to “protect the public health and support programs that advocate for better health and longevity.”
Findings and Recommendations
The Institute of Medicine made multiple findings and recommendations for public health organizations in the 21st Century. The finding that seems the most approachable is the first that describes how public health law at the local, county, state, and federal role is out of date and internally inconsistent. They recommend that the Department of Health and Human Services appoint a national commission to review all laws and provide guidance to improve and update public health regulations (Institute of Medicine, 2002). States need to be consistent about their public health policies, and continue to work with other communities to be as up-to-date as possible. Inconsistency among states can lead to public relations issues as well as be counter to public health goals. An example is the recent quarantine laws for ebola workers returning from West Africa – some states enacted these regulations and some did not. Many were critical of these policies as acting against public health interest (Drazen, et al., 2014).
Lastly, it is important that anyone in an organization be aware of the mission and vision for the organization. Without that knowledge, there is no guidance or framework for the work that one does every day. It must be clear to all public health officials about what the guiding principles of the organization are.
Colleague two:
The purpose of this discussion is to discover common themes in mission and vision statements and how they relate to public health, the future of public health, and the impact when those mission and visions are compromised.
Common Themes
A mission and vision statement is built on values. As companies are formed there is a base reason for needing the business or wanting to provide a service. In health care we can with certainty say that most facets of the industry want to help people be or feel better. From there we begin to develop our base for providing services and can build our mission and vision statement. After viewing several of the websites listed it was confirmed that many were formed from a base of basic values of equality, excellence, participation, respect, integrity, leadership science, and innovation. Within the mission and vision statements many of the same verbiage appeared including: partnership, promote, prevent, protect, safety, provides, improves, develops, and best outcomes. I would articulate the mission and vision of public health to read: Mission: to adequately provide health care opportunities to all citizens. Vision: through a collaborative effort with key stakeholders all aspects of health care prevention, maintenance, and outcomes will be critically evaluated to ensure the highest quality, safest, and most efficient care is provided to all citizens. As stated in The Future of the Public’s Health in the 21st Century, “health is a primary public good because many aspects of human potential such as employment, social relationships, and political participation are contingent on it” (p. 2).
Summary of Findings
As I prepare for my dissertation I have been torn between leadership and public health and the use of our health care system with so many compromised citizens. In The Future of the Public’s Health in the 21st Century, it was discovered that lack of or the inadequate health care coverage that many people have lead to undiagnosed and untreated conditions that lead to societal constraints. As we consider equality for all how does that look in a country that is built on freedom, business, and the ability to be successful? Why are we allowing the health care sector to be run as a free market where competition drives costs? We are talking about people’s lives not selling cars. There must be a significant change if our country expects to be able to provide health care services to all those entering our system through the Affordable Care Act. Health care is a diverse and constantly changing environment with different needs at stages of birth, life, and death and so should the care and services we provide to our public. Acting on this recommendation would help to further the mission and vision of public health because we would be anticipating the needs of our citizens through a progressive and collaborative method. All governmental, regulatory, and health care leaders would be held accountable to meet the needs and respond to changes. The implications for public health organizations that do not have a mission or vision include not defining their objectives or strategies for success, a short and long-term structure, and a clear statement of how customers will be treated and what they can expect (IOM, 2002).
Article:
Course Text: Influencer: The New Science of Leading Change
Part 1, “The New Science of Leading Change”
Chapter 1, “Leadership is influence”
Part 1 introduces the purpose of the book and how effective leaders can lead change through influence. Then, Chapter 1 personalizes the discussion by examining case studies in leadership and what you can do to become a more skilled and effective leader.
Goleman, D., Boyatzis, R., & McKee, A. (2001). Primal leadership: The hidden driver of great performance. Harvard Business Review, 79(11), 42–5 1.
Please apply the Application Assignment Rubric when writing the Paper.
I. Paper should demonstrate an excellent understanding of all of the concepts and key points presented in the texts.
II. Paper provides significant detail including multiple relevant examples, evidence from the readings and other sources, and discerning ideas.
III. Paper should be well organized, uses scholarly tone, follows APA style, uses original writing and proper paraphrasing, contains very few or no writing and/or spelling errors, and is fully consistent with doctoral level writing style.
IV. Paper should be mostly consistent with doctoral level writing style.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Personal Values and Public Health Values
Individuals differ in their personal values and this explains why they end up making the choices they make in life. This discussion explains to the reasons that led to my choice of public health and where I want to take the career. It also deliberates on how personal values align with values held within public health profession and provides a discussion of responses of two of my colleagues.
I decided to choose public health to help in providing quality healthcare to the members of the public. Many issues are not moving on well in most of the public health facilities that compromise of quality. Many of the health practitioners work in deplorable conditions impeding delivery of quality health care. I believe that I will help address some of these issues to elevate the quality of care provided in health facilities. I have ambitions of pursuing this career to the doctorate level. I want t acquire high level of skills and knowledge to be able to address the many issues that face public health.
I do believe that to large extend my personal values align with the values held within the public health profession. As a health professional, you must understand the requirements and the standards to meet when delivering healthcare (Collins & Porras, 1996). It is therefore very important to have a personal desire and a sense of commitment to providing health care something I feel cuts across many of the public health professionals. Personally, I value life and I will do all that I can to my best of my ability to help any human being lead a healthy life.
My colleagues have as well highlighted on various issues that are important in health. One of the most intriguing aspects in my colleagues’ response is that some of the public health laws at various levels have inconsistencies (Goleman, Boyatzis & McKee, 2001). This grave mistake may compromise delivery of health care. Another issue worth noting is that societal constraints have been brought by inadequate and lack of coverage. Many people have been undiagnosed and missed treatment due to these inequalities. Therefore, from these two positing, I have learned that, it is important for any health facility to have vision and mission to guide them as they provide healthcare. I have also learned that inequality deters accessibility to healthcare and therefore, efforts should be underway to eradicate these inequalities
References
Collins, J. C., & Porras, J. I. (1996). Building your company’s vision. Harvard Business Review, 74(5), 65-77.
