A Liberal Arts Education :: essays research papers

A Liberal Arts Education   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A liberal arts education provides students with a broad spectrum of information enabling them to expand knowledge and to advance society in a positive direction. This universal education provides a strong foundation of knowledge in many subjects. The students can observe the strengths and capabilities, as well as the limitations of each field of study. This allows the students to find connections between diverse fields of study, to explore them, and to discover new theories, thoughts, or inventions. It allows the students to investigate areas of intrigue and create new fields of study by blending subjects that compliment each other. With these new inventions, discoveries, ideas, and new methods of problem solving, society will advance in a positive direction. Standards of living will rise with these inventions and discoveries, making society more productive and more capable of controlling its surroundings. New thoughts and theories will give insight to those who desire meaning and understanding of concepts. A liberal arts education provides a strong foundation of knowledge in many fields and subjects allowing students to create new theories, inventions, and connections between fields. With this foundation, great thinkers can build and expand from what others have learned rather than wasting time and effort on what has already been discovered. While it is true that the factual information about each subject is very important, the most useful tool liberal arts students can possess is the knowledge of the strengths and capabilities of each individual field, as well as the weaknesses and restrictions. With this knowledge, the students can mesh attributes of different subjects to formulate new and more brilliant concepts; the brilliance being a function of the strengths and compatibility of the chosen subjects. As in mixing colors, a new color can only be created by mixing different colors. The brilliance of this new color depends on the shades and hues of the colors used to create it. The same is true for education. The resulting idea or innovation is a function of the aptness and compatibility of the subjects meshed to create it. For example, the invention of the transistor, one of the most important electronic devices, was developed by a team of research specialists. Specialized mathematicians, scientists, physicists, and engineers all worked together to find a quicker, more efficient way to process the overload of telephone calls. The leaders of this research team had to be highly educated in every one of those fields of study, as well as language. They had to practically translate the technical terms of each field to the other team members so each one understood the A Liberal Arts Education :: essays research papers A Liberal Arts Education   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A liberal arts education provides students with a broad spectrum of information enabling them to expand knowledge and to advance society in a positive direction. This universal education provides a strong foundation of knowledge in many subjects. The students can observe the strengths and capabilities, as well as the limitations of each field of study. This allows the students to find connections between diverse fields of study, to explore them, and to discover new theories, thoughts, or inventions. It allows the students to investigate areas of intrigue and create new fields of study by blending subjects that compliment each other. With these new inventions, discoveries, ideas, and new methods of problem solving, society will advance in a positive direction. Standards of living will rise with these inventions and discoveries, making society more productive and more capable of controlling its surroundings. New thoughts and theories will give insight to those who desire meaning and understanding of concepts. A liberal arts education provides a strong foundation of knowledge in many fields and subjects allowing students to create new theories, inventions, and connections between fields. With this foundation, great thinkers can build and expand from what others have learned rather than wasting time and effort on what has already been discovered. While it is true that the factual information about each subject is very important, the most useful tool liberal arts students can possess is the knowledge of the strengths and capabilities of each individual field, as well as the weaknesses and restrictions. With this knowledge, the students can mesh attributes of different subjects to formulate new and more brilliant concepts; the brilliance being a function of the strengths and compatibility of the chosen subjects. As in mixing colors, a new color can only be created by mixing different colors. The brilliance of this new color depends on the shades and hues of the colors used to create it. The same is true for education. The resulting idea or innovation is a function of the aptness and compatibility of the subjects meshed to create it. For example, the invention of the transistor, one of the most important electronic devices, was developed by a team of research specialists. Specialized mathematicians, scientists, physicists, and engineers all worked together to find a quicker, more efficient way to process the overload of telephone calls. The leaders of this research team had to be highly educated in every one of those fields of study, as well as language. They had to practically translate the technical terms of each field to the other team members so each one understood the

The Proverbs of Administration Herbert Simon Summary

Bekki Drewlo Simon, Herbert A. (1946). The Proverbs of Administration. In J. M. Shafrits & A. C. Hyde (Eds. ), Classics of public administration (6th ed. ) (pp. 124-137). Boston, MA: Thompson Wadsworth.ARTICLE SUMMARY:In Herbert Simon’s â€Å"The Proverbs of Administration† he begins outlining what he describes as the â€Å"accepted administrative principles† (p. 124). These principles state that administrative efficiency is increased by specialization of tasks among members of a group, unity of command, limiting the span of control at any one point in the hierarchy and by grouping the workers according to purpose, process, clientele and place.He then goes on to detail specific examples of how each principle could be tested in real world administrative situations for validity. Simon subjects each principle in turn to a very critical analysis beginning with specialization. He describes specialization as a â€Å"deceptive simplicity† and conveys that the fun damental problem with specialization is that it is ambiguous and he leads the reader to determine that the principle of specialization is â€Å"of not help at all† in deciding how to specialize to improve efficiency (p. 25) Turning to unity of command, Simon points out that this principle is simply â€Å"incompatible with the principle of specialization† (p. 125). If using the specialization principal, then the specialist would be looked upon for the decisions, not the person in command as the unity of command principal would require. Span of control contradictions are highlighted by Simon by describing how both an increase and a decrease in the span of control could increase or decrease efficiency in an organization. Lastly, Simon evaluates organization by purpose, process, clientele and place.In this principle, organization based on one aspect would be to the detriment of the remaining three. In each evaluation Simon provides either contradictory solutions that meet the requirement of the proverb in question or describes situations where adherence to the proverb could be inefficient if not irresponsible. Simon suggests rather that the â€Å"principles of administration† are merely â€Å"criteria for describing and diagnosing administrative situations†(p. 131). Finally, Simon relates that the proverbs of administration are in desperate need of empirical research and ultimately revision.He states that efficiency should be a definition of what is â€Å"good† or â€Å"correct† administrative behavior rather than a principle of administration (p. 133). He goes on to describe an approach for a more scientific analysis of administrative principles that would allow one to easily choose between equally viable yet opposing solutions to a single administrative problem. He provides the road map by which he believes this could be accomplished, yet admits that it may even be a â€Å"quixotic† undertaking (p. 136).The irony of this final contradiction is not lost on this reader.KEY POINTS:The accepted administrative principles or proverbs are inherently flawed.These principles are still of value by using them as â€Å"criteria for describing and diagnosing administrative situations†(pg 131).SpecializationUnity of CommandSpan of ControlOrganization by purpose, Process, Clientele, PlaceThe accepted administrative principles or proverbs are in desperate need of empirical research and ultimately revision.RELEVENCE:This article is relevant to students and practitioners of administration because it highlights the ongoing struggle with administrative theory. Simons highlights the contradictions inherent with the â€Å"accepted administrative principles† but leads the reader to understand that these principles are useful as tools in the practice of administration (p. 124). After evaluation of specialization, unity of command, span of control and organization by purpose, process, clientele and pla ce, administrators can rely on experience to determine the appropriate behavior.

Public Opinion as It Relates to Abortion and Birth Control - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 879 Downloads: 9 Date added: 2019/10/30 Category Society Essay Level High school Tags: Birth Control Essay Did you like this example? Question one The issue explored from poll results is the aspect of Abortion and Birth control. What does this suggest about public opinion about the issue? Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Public Opinion as It Relates to Abortion and Birth Control" essay for you Create order Largely, public opinion and response the issue changes with differences in questions and wording used. In the first question, the citation referred to the Roe versus Wade case and the 1973 Supreme Court decision that upheld the constitutional right to abortion. The question posed to the public is to provide their view on whether they consider it the right or wrong decision, and the majority view considers it the right decision that should not be overturned. In a different context when the wording is changed and the public is required to give their view on whether the Supreme Court ought to make abortion harder than it is now or make it easier, the majority view gave a response that abortion should be made harder. In the stated example, the two questions posed to the public are similar, yet the response of the public changes with a difference of wording in the question, largely to show how public perception of an issue changes when different words are used. What does this suggest about public opinion about the issue? The frame of the question influenced the answers in the sense that the public seems to support a case that uses noble language regarding an issue they perceive to understand. The public seems to support court decisions and cases compared than if the question has been asked using noble terms. The public change in response presents the notion that the public is likely to give more accurate responses about abortion when the question is posed in a manner that is easy for them to understand from a general outlook than if the question quoted a clause in law or a clause they are uncertain about, their responses are more skewed. Can differently worded questions be used to promote different policy agendas? Largely, differently worded questions are used to promote different policy agendas. Such is accurate in the context that the wording of the question creates a different impression or meaning to the audience, creating misunderstanding or wrong perception. In this regard, the questions posed to the public should be comprehensive and clear to ensure that they understand the opinion being sought by the researcher. What message, if any, should these polls provide to policymakers? The message that the polls provide to the policy makes is that questions aimed at seeking public opinion should be elaborate and clear to them. In cases whereby, they quote a law clause of a court case, it is important to expound on such a case so that the public has a well-guided opinion on the case rather than basing their responses on guesses and assumptions. Question Two Identify the biggest differences in opinion between Millennials and older generations. The biggest difference in opinion between millennials and the older generation, referred to as the silent generation in the poll, has been noted as most significant in the issue of allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally. From the poll, 59% of millennials support same-sex marriage under the law, whereas only 33% of the older population support same-sex marriage legally. The difference in polls regarding the issue of same-sex marriage differs significantly across the generations. In particular, this difference indicates the diverse public opinions associated with perception pegged on generational gap. The role each of the following may play in contributing to these differences: Political Socialization Political socialization generates differences in public opinion to an issue in the sense that an individual will tend to support the popular view upheld by the political wing they support. Mainly, the political socialization has been considered as the process through which individuals learn and internalize the political views that shape their perception of different issues and views. In the presented case, most Americans are either Democrats or Republican. Taking an example of a position whereby Democrats would be supporting same-sex marriages legally, then an individual who considers themselves a strong Democrat would adopt the same view and position. In this regard, such views and positions are attached to political socialization and affiliation. Priming Priming has been referred to as the process via which the media address some issues and avoid others, thus altering the view of the public in the case of an issue. An extensive media campaign to support same-sex marriages legally, for example, is likely to shape the public opinion positively, and most people may be influenced to support the position held by the media. If the media was to portray same-sex marriage in a negative light, then most members of the public are likely to influence the public negatively and they may oppose the issue. Opinion Leaders Opinion leaders are regarded as influencers and decision makers, whose support or opposition to an issue largely shapes public opinion. The public may largely follow the judgment held by the opinion leader as the most popular and acceptable view. Opinion leaders are considered public influencers and they shape the view of the public regarding an issue. Bibliography Pew Research Center. Section 8: Domestic and Foreign Policy Views. 2011. Retrieved from https://www.people-press.org/2011/11/03/section-8-domestic-and-foreign-policy-views/ Polling Report, Inc. Abortion and Birth Control. 2018. Retrieved from https://www.pollingreport.com/abortion.htm