Learn more about pursuing a graduate degree in international affairs COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog

Learn more about pursuing a graduate degree in international affairs COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog Were heading down to DC on Wednesday, June 19th.   Spread the word.   If you are in the area and want to mingle with admissions representatives, alumni and current students; you should plan to stop by.   If you cant make it to this one, well be back again on July 18th. Representatives from the following graduate international affairs programs will be available: Columbia University â€" School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) Georgetown University â€" Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service Johns Hopkins University â€" The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) Princeton University â€" The Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs Tufts University â€" The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy Registration will start at 5:30 p.m., presentation begins at 6:00 p.m.   If you are interested in attending, you may register in advance through the Summerfest 2013 Eventbrite link: http://summerfest13.eventbrite.com/. The event will be held at Johns Hopkins University (SAIS), Kenney Auditorium, 1740 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20036.   The easiest method of transportation is via Metro. SAIS is about a 5-minute walk from the Dupont Circle Metro stop (Red Line). Hope to see you there.

Understanding The Wal-Mart Effect by Charles Fishman Free Essay Example, 1500 words

Wal-Mart's buying power allows them to set prices that have not anything to do with the provider and demand of the marketplace for a good. For instance, Wal-Mart used to sell a 12 pound, the gallon jar of Vlasic pickles for $2.97. Vlasic and Wal-Mart were creation an income of only one or two pennies a jar if that. This exacting price had nothing to do by means of the supply of cucumbers or the insist for pickles, but was a false price, compulsory by Wal-Mart to draw customers in with their "abundance of abundance". 3 Coercing Vlasic to agree to this price allowance move the majority of Vlasic's rents to Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart also influences a company's products. Firms may drop brands that do not meet with Wal-Mart's performance expectations and try to tailor their products to be sure that Wal-Mart will carry them. Video game maker Planet Moon censored certain aspects of the game Giants, such as changing the color of blood from red to green, clothing a topless character, and toning dow n offensive language in order to have the game granted a "teen" rating by industry standards. We will write a custom essay sample on Understanding The Wal-Mart Effect by Charles Fishman or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now The logic behind the censorship? To ensure that Wal-Mart and other big-box retailers would carry their product. Wal-Mart also refuses to sell CDs with offensive lyrics and has been known to cover up or discontinue selling "racy" magazines such as Maxim. Censorship is an example of lessened product differentiation. In the pursuit of concessionary lower prices, production quality suffers. TV stands are made thinner, cheaper materials are used, and unnecessary extras are removed from products. This extreme influence that Wal-Mart has over the products that are supplied to consumers is a little frightening. The loss of variety, quality, and obvious censorship involved is a disturbing effect that Wal-Mart has on the product market. According to the expert analysis, it is a relief to discover that Fishman an editor at Fast corporation magazine is not just one more journalist on an assignment to depiction Wal-Mart as a monstrous scheme next to the little g uy.

Reconstruction Of The United States - 1814 Words

The United States of America has gone through constant hardships and difficulties since joining together as one nation involving war and changes in the political system. A lot of highly respected leaders in America have come donating their own ideals and foundation to administer a better life with more opportunities for Americans, but no other political change, or battle is more scandalous than Reconstruction. The start of reconstruction began in the mid-late 1860s and finished in 1877, but even today is still labeled one of the most debated issues in American history on whether post war reconstruction was a success or failure as well as a contest over the memory, meaning, and ending of the war. Reconstruction focused on three issues†¦show more content†¦Blight protests that Reconstruction was a battle between two notable, but incompatible goals that â€Å"vied† for both reconciliation, to bring the union back together and emancipation of slaves. On the contrary Hah n contests that â€Å"freedmens† and confederate whites were more than willing and prepared to fight for what they thought was truth, â€Å"reflecting a long tradition of southern violence that had previously undergirded slavery†. Hahn also concluded that reconstruction finished when the North got tired of fighting the South over the decade and some freedom conflict (Major Problems). Although, many people are skeptical over that proposition, Hahn’s arguments brings forth a more tolerable argument oppose to that of Blight’s. The inevitable defeat of Reconstruction was when the North pulled military soldiers from the South permitting confederate whites to rule again; consequently, the failure of reconstruction as the south reverted back to their actions of oppressing â€Å"freedmen’s† civil, political, and economical position. The beginning of Reconstruction in 1865 challenged the divided nation to reestablish unity and peace in the heated country (Reconstruction Moderate). What made it difficult to bring peace back to the nation was the fact that 620,000 people died which made it

Natural Disaster Hazard Assessment Free Essays

string(57) " it would most likely be coming from the Gulf of Mexico\." Hazard Assessment for Memphis, Tennessee Environmental Geology Hazard Assessment for Memphis, Tennessee A natural disaster is defined as any event or force of nature that has catastrophic consequences (â€Å"natural disaster†). The only reason that these events are considered to have catastrophic consequences is because people are negatively affected by these natural events. If people were not present during these events, they would not be considered catastrophic. We will write a custom essay sample on Natural Disaster Hazard Assessment or any similar topic only for you Order Now The more people affected means the event would be considered more catastrophic. Tennessee is the 17th most populated state, with approximately 6. million residents (Infoplease. com). Within the state, Shelby county covers the most area, (755 square miles), and is also the most populated county, with approximately 927,644 people residing there (Infoplease. com). Shelby county includes the city of Memphis. Memphis is the most populated city within Tennessee with at least 645,000 residents (Infoplease. com). I have attached several maps in order to see different parts of the land. Map I shows where the county lines are located within Tennessee. You can also see where Memphis is located within the county. Map II shows the elevation levels of the state. As you can see in that map, Memphis is located within the lowest elevation levels of the state. Map III shows the rivers that run throughout the state. The main river that runs between the Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri borders is the Mississippi River. There are several natural disasters that I would consider to be threats to the Memphis area. One natural disaster that I would consider to be a concern to Memphis would be an earthquake. According to the United States Geological Survey, (USGS), there is an approximately six percent chance that there will be a major earthquake within 50 kilometers of Memphis in the next 50 years (Homefacts. com). The last earthquakes that had magnitudes of five were in 1976 and 1991 (Homefacts. com). The earthquake recorded in 1976 was approximately 40 miles away from Memphis. Looking at the sources found, I see that Tennessee has had its fair share of earthquakes, so I would say that another earthquake occurring in the area should be a concern of the citizens and government officials. â€Å"There is a broad agreement in the scientific community that a continuing concern exists for a major destructive earthquake in the New Madrid seismic zone. Many structures in Memphis, Tenn. and other communities in the central Mississippi River Valley region are vulnerable and at risk for severe ground shaking. † (USGS. gov). The New Madrid Earthquake of 1812 was one of the most significant events in U. S. history. Topographic changes were noted over an area of 75,000 to 130,000 square kilometers, with the total area shaken being at least five million s quare kilometers (USGS. gov). Back then, the damage was minimal because of sparse population. Nowadays, an earthquake that severe could result in â€Å"great loss of life and property damage in the billions of dollars† (Cusec. rg). The fact that Memphis is the most populated city in the state, a small earthquake could cause a significant amount of damage. â€Å"By learning about the potential earthquake hazards in your area and by taking certain preparedness measures now, you can increase your chances of surviving an earthquake and minimize its dangerous and damaging impacts† (Cusec. org). There are many organizations that Memphis has in order to help citizens learn how to prepare for these catastrophic events, and what to do in order to survive. One organization is the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (R. A. C. E. S. ), which is a volunteer communications group that assists the Shelby county area. R. A. C. E. S. provides emergency personnel that can help with communications during local, regional, or national emergency/disaster events (Cityofmemphis. org). Another organization that provides help during emergency situations is the Memphis/Shelby County Emergency Management Agency (EMA). The EMA helps local, state, and federal agencies with response to disasters that requires a multi-agency/multi-jurisdictional response. The EMA has satellite links with the National Weather Service that activates sirens in order to warn the residents of multiple cities, including Memphis (Cityofmemphis. org). There are also things that the citizens and homeowners could do in order to minimize the damage during earthquake. Earthquake drills are a great way to help enforce the importance of preparedness, and to prevent panic and injury during an earthquake. Families should have emergency plans that lay out where everyone is going to be and where to reunite with one another. Keep a flashlight and a batterypowered radio in the home. Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves, and fasten the shelves to walls. And lastly, have a seven to ten day supply of food and water (Cusec. org). You can never be too prepared for any natural disaster, so being safe is better than being sorry. Not all natural disasters are threats to Memphis. Volcanoes are an example of a natural disaster that is not a threat to the Memphis area. There are no known volcanoes in the area that would cause any kind of harm to the residents of Memphis. Historically, there have not been any known volcanoes in the area either. Memphis is not located on any fault boundaries, so I would think that there would no volcanoes forming in the area any time in the near future. Hurricanes are a little more of a concern for Memphis. The western area of the state has the possibility of being affected by the end of certain storms. Hurricane Katrina is an example of this situation in which Memphis can be affected by storms not necessarily in the direct area. When Hurricane Katrina hit the U. S. in 2005, multiple counties in Tennessee were evacuated; Shelby County was one of those counties (Fema. gov). I would consider Memphis to be slightly concern about hurricanes occurring in the area, especially since the city is located at a low elevation. The lower elevation would be more susceptible to flooding. The government should have adequate warning of the hurricane, since it would most likely be coming from the Gulf of Mexico. You read "Natural Disaster Hazard Assessment" in category "Papers" I would also expect that the citizens would be prepared for hurricanes, since they are used to flooding situations. Tornadoes, I feel, are more of a concern than hurricanes. There are many more tornadoes in the middle of the state then there are on the outskirts. Tornadoes are more likely to strike open plains rather than in an urban area, like Memphis. â€Å"The reality is, very few tornadoes ever touch down in the city of Memphis†¦.. Nevertheless, tornadoes can and have struck within the city† (About. com). There have been numerous tornadoes that have affected Shelby county, but not nearly as many as the middle of the state. The last one that affected Shelby County, and had a high death count was in 1987, with at least 120 deaths (NWS Memphis Forecast Area Tornado Database). There have since been tornadoes that have caused deaths, hich is not surprising considering the amount of people that live in the city. With all the tornadoes that have gone through the county, there has always been a significant amount of damage. That also is understandable since there are a lot of buildings in the city. There have also been plenty of tornado warnings for the state, but not all of them affecting Shelby County. The last tornado warning that included Shelby County was on May 9, 2011. In order to be prepared for a tornado, there are several things we could do. First of all, avoid windows and seek shelter in the center-most room on the lowest floor possible. Use your hands and arms to protect yourself from falling debris. Also, keep some sort of identification on you at all times in case you are hurt or disoriented (About. com). Keeping identification on you is a good idea for every natural disaster. It will help emergency personnel identify who you are and hopefully get you back with your family. Tsunamis are another type of natural disaster that is not a concern for Memphis. There have been no known tsunamis recorded for Memphis. I do not think that there will be any future tsunamis in Memphis because there is no ocean or large body of water located near Memphis. The Mississippi River is near Memphis, but the river does not create waves that would be large enough to create a seismic wave. Even though tsunamis are not a threat to the city, flooding is a huge concern for the city. The Mississippi River is right near the city, so that would be a reason as to why the area floods frequently. The city is also at a low elevation, which is another reason as to why the area floods frequently. There is currently an active flood warning in effective right now (Fema. gov). Last year, there was flood that occurred in the beginning of May. The Mississippi River was supposed to rise to a record level of 48 feet, with 48. 7 being the record crest in 1937. More than 1,300 homes were ordered to evacuate and nearly 400 people were living in shelters. According to an article on abcnews. com, the most extensive damage occurred in Memphis, where â€Å"entire neighborhoods have been swallowed by the water and vehicles completely submerged† (Tanglao, â€Å"Memphis Flooding†). Since this obviously happens frequently, the citizens and government have ideas of what the levees can hold, and what the river’s maximum water level is. To prepare for flooding situations, there are certain things the government should tell their residents in order to make sure they are safe. They must send out warnings letting people know when and if the water level is high enough to go over the lands limits. In Memphis, the government should be able to accurately know when and if the Mississippi River has reached its maximum, and if people should evacuate their homes. As a resident, you should also be aware of what is going on in your community and know about the town’s emergency plans. You should also have sump pumps with back-up power in order to prevent contamination of the flooded water. Turn off all utilities at the main power switch in order to prevent electrocution. Fill bathtubs, sinks, and soda bottles with clean water, so you have water to drink that is not contaminated. You should also have water bottles and a food supply that will last a couple of days (Bt. cdc. gov). On the opposite end of the spectrum, wildfires are another example of a non-threat to Memphis. There are no forests in Memphis because it is a highly urban area with lots of people and buildings. The last wildfire reported in Memphis was in 1952, when there was a serious drought (Tnema. org). Even though there was that wildfire many years ago, I do not think that there is a serious threat to Memphis for another wildfire. Lastly, I also think that there is not a threat for extreme winter conditions to occur in Memphis. The last warning for some sort of winter conditions for Shelby County was in February 1992 (Fema. gov). Even though that was not too long ago, I still feel like there is not a huge concern for extreme winter conditions to occur any time soon again. Since Memphis is further south, they do not really get harsh winters like we do here in Pennsylvania. Memphis Tennessee has its fair share of natural disasters. They have to be concerned about earthquakes, floods, and tornadoes the most, while extreme winter conditions, volcanoes, and tsunamis the least concerned about. Every place on the Earth has to be concerned with natural disasters. Humans make the disasters a lot worse than they actually are, but there is nobody else to blame but ourselves. We get in the way of nature, and have to pay the consequences some way or another. Map I Map II Map III Works Cited Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Natural Disasters Severe Weather. Web. 12 April 2012. Central United States Earthquake Consortium. Earthquake Safety. Web. 12 April 2012. City of Memphis. Emergency Management Agency. 2003-2011. Web. 12 April 2012. Federal Emergency Management Agency. Tennessee Disaster History. 26 March 2012. Web. 12 April 2012. â€Å"Memphis Earthquake Information. † Homefacts. com. 2012. Web. 12 April 2012. â€Å"Natural Disaster. † Dictionary. com. Web. NWS Memphis Forecast Area Tornado Database. Web. 12 April 2012. Tanglao, Leezel. Memphis Flooding: Mississippi River Nears Record Highs. † AbcNews. com. 9 May 2011. Web. 12 April 2012. â€Å"Tennessee. † Information Please Database. Pearson Education, 2011. Web. 12 April 2012. Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. Wildfire. Web. 12 April 2012. â€Å"Tornadoes in Memphis: What to expect and how to stay safe. † About. com. The New York Times Co mpany, 4 April 2011. Web. 12 April 2012. United States Geological Survey. Earthquake Hazard in the New Madrid Seismic Zone Remains a Concern. 3 August 2009. Web. 12 April 2012. United States Geological Survey. Tennessee: Earthquake History. 21 October 2009. Web. 12 April 2012. How to cite Natural Disaster Hazard Assessment, Papers

The Fight Against Terrorism by Christian and Islam Leaders

Religion is a powerful tool in restoring, as well as maintaining peace in the society. Many people perceive the Muslim community as dangerous thus capable of enhancing terrorist attacks. It is imperative to note that a synergistic effort from Muslim religion can immensely tame the spread of terror attacks.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Fight Against Terrorism by Christian and Islam Leaders specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Apparently, leaders from Islamic community have exuded interest in reducing the killings of innocent individuals. Additionally, several organizations champion for elimination of terrorism and related issues. Following the article from Earth Times, Pope Benedict XVI engaged Muslim principals in an effort to diminish terrorism. He was speaking to German Muslim leaders; however, the information was targeting the entire world. It is remarkable that during the summit in Cologne, Pope urged the Muslim leaders to intensify the war shunning terrorism. This was to reduce the incidences, which endangered the lives of innocent individuals. There is a need to inculcate optimism, as well as hope amidst all people instead of panic and pessimism. This is factual since it encourages peaceful coexistence, as well as calling all the leaders to take action against terrorism interrelated attacks. According to Pope, he was echoing his own reflections as a spiritual leader, and did not have any political attachment. Although Muslims commit most terrorist attacks, Pope’s speech did not touch on Islam. This was a show of respect, as well as setting a harmonious path for solving the problem. Most opinionated leaders have been at the forefront in blaming Muslim leaders for the recurring terrorist activities across the globe. It is imperative to declare that the Muslim leaders who were in the meeting responded positively to curtail the act. Not only does terrorism occur in Christian wor ld, but it also prevalent in Islamic communities. This shows that it is a problem that he whole world share, and thus requires a synergistic effort from every fragment of the population. This is why Pope who is a faith leader urges the Islamic leaders to take action to reduce terrorism. â€Å"Interfaith dialogue is a necessity at every level: international, regional, and local; working groups on different levels should be established with emphasis on issues such as education, peace building and the promotion of solidarity and understanding among different communities and cultures† (Smock Huda 3). This quote is significant since it supports the reading; furthermore, it suggests means of curbing terrorism. Ending terrorism is possible through dialogue amid concerned parties.Advertising Looking for essay on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It is notable that another solution to this vice is through comp rehending each other’s religion and culture. This move will reduce hostility, as well as clearing blame amongst people, while amplifying cordial coexistence. Confirmation from the Turkish Islam Union, that studying religion and customs is critical in the reduction of terrorism incidences. This shows that the leader was positive towards Pope’s utterances. This shows the importance of the article since it relates with the reading, as well as depicting out the theme of the topic. â€Å"Islam, as a religion of peace, rejects terror and promotes peace and harmony. We urge Muslim organizations and institutions to exercise their Islamic duty to correct and dispel misinterpretations of our faith† (Smock Huda 2). This quote is significant since it shows willingness of all Muslim leaders in curtailing ungodly deeds like the killing of innocent citizens. In conclusion, both Christian and Islam leaders have devised several means of controlling terrorism. The late developme nts, especially interfaith movement against bombing activities have played critical role in shunning terrorism. It is noteworthy that the article concerning Pope’s call on Muslim leaders to join the fight against terrorism is relevant to the reading. Work Cited Smock, David, Huda, Qamar-ul. Islamic Peacemaking since 9- 11. New York, NY: United states Institute of peace. 2009. Web. This essay on The Fight Against Terrorism by Christian and Islam Leaders was written and submitted by user Helen Rios to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

How to Get Recommendation Letters for Grad School

How to Get Recommendation Letters for Grad School Recommendation letters are a critical part of the graduate school application. If you are planning on applying to grad school, think about who you will ask for letters of recommendation well before you begin preparing your graduate school application. Make contact with professors during the first two years of college and develop relationships as you will rely on them to write recommendation letters that will land you a spot in the graduate program of your choice. Every graduate program requires applicants to submit recommendation letters. Dont underestimate the importance of these letters. While your transcript, standardized test scores, and admissions essay are vital components of your graduate school application, an excellent recommendation letter can make up for weaknesses in any of these areas. Why Do Graduate School Applications Require Recommendation Letters? A well-written recommendation letter provides admissions committees with information that isnt found elsewhere in the application. A recommendation letter is a detailed discussion, from a faculty member, of the personal qualities, accomplishments, and experiences that make you unique and perfect for the programs to which youve applied. A helpful letter of recommendation provides insights that cannot be gleaned by simply reviewing an applicants transcript  or standardized test scores. Moreover, a recommendation can validate a candidates admissions essay. Who to Ask? Most graduate programs require at least two, more commonly three, recommendation letters. Most students find choosing professionals to write recommendations difficult. Consider faculty members, administrators, internship/co-operative education supervisors, and employers. The people you ask to write your recommendation letters should: Know you wellKnow you long enough to write with authorityKnow your workDescribe your work positivelyHave a high opinion of youKnow where you are applyingKnow your educational and career goalsBe able to favorably compare you with your peersBe well knownBe able to write a good letter Keep in mind that no one person will satisfy all of these criteria. Aim for a set of recommendation letters that cover the range of your skills. Ideally, letters should cover your academic and scholastic skills, research abilities and experiences, and applied experiences (e.g., co-operative education, internships, related work experience). For example, a student who is applying to an MSW program or a program in clinical psychology might include recommendations from faculty who can attest to their research skills as well as recommendation letters from faculty or supervisors who can speak to their clinical and applies skills and potential. How to Ask for a Recommendation Letter There are good and bad ways of approaching faculty to ask for a letter of recommendation. For example, time your request well: dont corner professors in the hallway or immediately before or after class. Request an appointment, explaining that youd like to discuss your plans for graduate school. Save the official request and explanation for that meeting. Ask the professor if he or she knows you well enough to write a meaningful and helpful recommendation letter. Pay attention to their demeanor. If you sense reluctance, thank them and ask someone else. Remember that it is best to ask early in the semester. As the end of the semester approaches, faculty may hesitate because of time restraints. Also be aware of common mistakes students make when requesting recommendation letters, such as asking too close to the admissions deadline. Ask at least a month ahead of time, even if you dont have your application materials composed or your final list of programs chosen. Provide Information   The best thing that you can do to ensure that your recommendation letters cover all the bases is to provide your referees with all the necessary information. Dont assume that they will remember everything about you. For example, I might remember that a student is exceptional and an excellent participant in class but I may not remember all of the details when I sit down to write, such as how many classes the student took with me and extracurricular interests (such as being active in the psychology honors society, for example).  Provide a file with all of your background information: TranscriptResume or curriculum vitaeAdmissions essaysCourses youve taken with themResearch experienceInternship and other applied experiencesHonor societies to which you belongAwards youve wonWork experienceProfessional goalsDue date for the applicationCopy of the application recommendation forms (if a paper/hard copy letter is required and if the forms are provided by the institution)List of programs to which you are applying (and have them send email requests for recommendations early, well before the deadline) Confidentiality The recommendation forms supplied by graduate programs require you to decide whether to waive or retain your rights to see your recommendation letters. As you decide whether to retain your rights, remember that confidential recommendation letters tend to carry more weight with admissions committees. In addition, many faculty will not write a recommendation letter unless it is confidential. Other faculty may provide you with a copy of each letter, even if it is confidential. If you are unsure of what to decide, discuss it with your referee. As the application deadline approaches, check back with your referees to remind professors of the deadline (but dont nag!). Contacting the graduate programs to inquire whether your materials were received is also appropriate. Regardless of the outcome of your application, be sure to send a thank you note once you have determined that faculty have submitted their letters.

Stiff Pen Shell (Atrina rigida)

Stiff Pen Shell (Atrina rigida) The stiff pen shell, or rigid pen shell, is one of the several species of pen shells. These mollusks have a long, triangular, or wedge-shaped shell and attach to rocks or shells in sandy, shallow ocean bottoms. Description Stiff pen shells can be up to 12 long and 6.5 wide. They are a brown or purplish-brown color and have 15 or more radiating ribs that fan out across the shell. They may also have erect, tubular spines. Pen shells may produce black pearls. Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: MolluscaClass: BivalviaOrder: PterioidaFamily: PinnidaeGenus: AtrinaSpecies: rigida Habitat and Distribution Stiff pen shells live in warmer water from North Carolina to Florida, and also in the Bahamas and West Indies. They are found on sandy bottoms in shallow water. They attach with their byssal threads, pointed end down. Feeding Pen shells are filter feeders and eat small particles passing through the water. Conservation and Human Uses Pen shells have a scallop-like adductor muscle (the muscle that opens and closes the shells) and are edible. They also produce black pearls which may be used in jewelry. Pen shells in the Mediterranean (Mediterranean pen shells) were harvested for their byssal threads, which were woven into an expensive cloth. Sources Gofas, S. 2011. Pinnidae. World Register of Marine Species (Online) Accessed on May 24, 2011Meinkoth, N.A. 1981. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Seashore Creatures. Alfred A. Knopf, New YorkScott, S. 2011. Pen Shells Provided Ancients Byssal Threads for Fine Sea Silk (Online) Accessed May 24, 2011