Author: chris

Assignment 1: LASA 2—Critiquing an Article

In Module 4 Assignment 2, you were asked to provide your impressions of Peter Singer’s article “America’s Shame.” Now, you will compose a researched response to this article. This assignment allows you to assess and defend the reasonableness of your personal beliefs through critical assessment of Singer’s arguments and the presentation of your own, original arguments about the subject using the tools of evaluation you have learned throughout the course.

Assignment Overview:

For this assignment, assume that you have been asked to present a PowerPoint presentation at your local community center about the topics of world poverty and education. You have decided to use Peter Singer’s article as the starting point of your presentation. As you craft your presentation you will need to:

• Present the major claims of Singer.
• Present your own original argument offering thoughtful solutions to real-world problems.
• Back up your argument with outside research.

 

Here is the link to the article by Singer: “America’s Shame” from The Chronicle of Higher Education. 55(27), B6–B10. (EBSCO AN 37137370).

Assignment Details:

• Develop a 12–15-slide presentation in Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Include two additional slides—one for the title and the other for a References page.
• Bullet points are acceptable, but use complete sentences throughout the presentation.

Be sure to include the following:

• Describe the portions of Singer’s article you seek to engage/critique.
• Clearly state your own argument/thesis in response.
  • Remember, the nature of the stance is not important; you can agree or disagree with any point Singer makes in the article. The important thing is for you to construct a stance that clearly engages Singer’s position. Include properly cited examples from the article.
  • As you advance your own thesis, be sure to include your position on how to address the problems that Singer discusses in his article. Again, you may agree or disagree with Singer; however, be sure to offer your own solutions to the issue of world poverty, as discussed by Singer.
• Support your argument with the use of original research.
  • Use at least three credible, academic resources to support your positions.
  • These should be sources other than Singer’s “America’s Shame” article.
• Apply APA standards to citation of sources.

Utilizing the information you compiled for your literature review paper, and the feedback you received from your instructor about the literature review, prepare a 10-15 minute Power Point presentation on your topic, summarizing the key points and conclusions. Be sure to direct this presentation to an audience in the community. For example, if your paper pertained to a topic in developmental psychology, direct your presentation toward parents, or a parenting center. If your topic pertained to substance abuse, direct it toward a community service agency which may use this information for educating teens or parents about preventing drug use, or current clients about treatments and facilities available. Please state in your presentation the specific audience toward whom your presentation is aimed. Include a reference page in APA format, as well as speaker notes and an audio file with your presentation.

Your slides should provide answers to the following questions:

• What was your topic?
• What question did you hope to answer by completing this literature review paper? Explain the practical implications of the conclusions of the literature review and the audience to which they are directed.
• Given the results of your literature review, what is/are the prevailing argument(s)? In other words, which of those is supported by the existing evidence? Be sure to include full coverage of the arguments, including strengths and weaknesses of each of them, supported by your findings from reviewing the relevant articles.
• Did the researchers consider multicultural factors in their studies? If not, what factors may be involved? What multicultural factors should future studies include?
• What ethical issues are related to your topic and/or discussed in the studies you reviewed?
• How do the conclusions of your literature review relate to the various specialization areas in psychology? Tie them to as many as apply from the following areas: biological, cognitive, developmental, social, personality theory, psychopathology, and applied psychology.
• How can the conclusions of your literature review inform the population towards whom your presentation is directed? How can they apply this information to their daily lives? What advice or ‘take home message’ can you provide to your audience based on the research you reviewed?
• What research question could you ask in order to further develop this area of study?
• Why is your research question important and relevant to the current work being done on your topic?

Your presentation should also follow these guidelines:

• It should be approximately 10-15 minutes in length.
• It should be clear, concise, and professional.  Writing should be free of spelling and grammatical errors; it should conform to current APA style (including any in-text citations).
• It should include graphs, tables, figures, or images illustrating your ideas.
• There should be a final slide listing references in current APA style.
• The bulk of the text should be placed in the Notes pages of each slide. Keep the amount of text on the slide, itself, to a minimum.
• You should record an audio file of your oral presentation. You should also type the text of the speech you would give while showing these slides to an audience should be typed into the Notes area.  If you are unable to use the audio feature, the Notes text will suffice.
• You can refer to the Power Point tips document provided in the Doc Sharing section of the cours

LASA 1 Analyzing Theories of Crime

You are an investigative reporter for a large news network. You are working on a news piece identifying how theories of crime explain specific crimes including the demographics of perpetrators and victims. You are required to make a thirty-minute presentation to your producers to convince them to run your story.

Choose a specific crime from the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program at the following:

• US Department of Justice, The Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2009). 2008 Crime in the United States: About crime in the U.S. Retrieved fromhttp://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2008

Research this crime using your textbook, the Argosy University online library resources, and the Internet. Be sure to include the UCR and other crime reports in your research

Based on your research, develop a presentation that addresses the following:

• Define the crime. Include both the legal definition and others as necessary.
• Summarize demographics of the crime for both the perpetrators and the victim. Be sure to cover the following:
  • Gender
  • Ethnicity
  • Socioeconomic characteristics
  • Other relevant diversity issues
• Choose two theories of the causes of crime that have been discussed and analyzed so far in the course; apply those theories to the selected crime. Be sure to cover the following:
  • Explain the type of each theory in detail.
  • Discuss the development of each theory and the main theorists associated with them.
  • Compare and contrast the two theories of crime selected. Discuss the ways in which they fit with the crime and the specific demographics associated with the crime.
• Based on your research, develop your own hypothesis of the cause of this crime. Using the theories that you have chosen, you can develop your own “combination” theory.
• Give valid reasons and scholarly, peer-reviewed sources in support of your theory.

You are allowed to present your theory in first person; however, be careful not to abuse this privilege.

Your presentation should include the following:

• A title slide and a reference slide (these will not count towards the total number of slides).
• At least five sentences of speaker notes for each section to clarify anything not included in the slides. (As this is a presentation the slides should cover the main points and the details should be covered in the speaker’s notes.) The speaker notes should be properly referenced.

PART I: SHORT RESPONSE

 

Write a response to the following prompt using proper APA Style.

 

Prompt: You will read a description of a speaking situation, make decisions about how to adjust the speech delivery based on the situation, and answer questions about your decisions.

 

Step 1: Review the information presented in Module 6 that explores speech delivery and how it should be modified based on the characteristics of the audience and other factors.

 

Step 2: Read the following description of a speaking situation:

 

You work as a technical support manager for a satellite television company.  As part of a company-sponsored tuition reimbursement program, you are also attending college courses part time and pursuing a degree in communications.  Your Human Resources representative asks you to give a presentation to a group of people at an upcoming career fair.  The HR manager is interested in you helping motivate potential applicants to apply for part-time positions that pay a relatively low hourly wage and include only limited benefits.  This is exactly the type of position you accepted when you first started with the company.  The job fair will be held in a part of the city with a relatively low unemployment rate.  The people attending are likely to come from middle- to upper middle-class families.  The people who attend the career fair from upper middle-class families are used to getting what they want without too much effort; therefore, they may not be able to relate directly to the persistence you showed to work your way from a part-time low-paying position into a higher-paying one that includes benefits.  The ones from middle-class families may relate more to your personal story.  You can’t gather all the characteristics of all the career fair attendees in advance, but you do know that the way in which you explain the advantages of working for the satellite television company and the type of language you use will affect the attendees’ decision on whether or not to apply for a position with the company.

 

Step 3: Write a paragraph or more to answer each of the following questions related to this speaking situation:

 

1. When you state you thesis, how will you phrase it to avoid negative reactions from potential applicants who are expecting more pay and better benefits when they first start with the company?
2. What language strategies would you use in your speech to make it sound more appealing to the entire group?
3. What techniques could you use to establish common ground with everyone in the audience?
4. How would you change your speech delivery if the audience consisted mostly of low-income mothers trying to enter or re-enter the workforce?

 

Step 4: Save and submit your document.  Remember to use proper APA Style.

 

SLO = 9

 

PART II: SPEECH

 

Modules 5 through 8 Homework Assignments will be a continuation of the speech process.  You will construct your speech by answering the following prompt, which will be given at the beginning of each homework assignment.  This is a step-by-step process.  As long as you read the textbook, read the online material, and complete the activities, you will not encounter much difficulty.

 

Prompt: The Internet is home to worldwide content, which can be informational and sometimes controversial.  Should the Internet be censored by the government?  Develop a persuasive speech that argues for or against having the government censor the Internet.  You will construct a traditional, five-paragraph speech (introductory paragraph, 3 body paragraphs, concluding paragraph) that answers this prompt.  The total length of pages should not exceed 3 typed pages.

 

1. Continuing from Module 5 Homework Assignment, take out your outline and reread your position and reasons.

 

2. Based on your outline, write a thesis statement.  Your thesis statement should state the reason why you ultimately chose your position.

 

3. You will now construct an introductory paragraph by using the model below:

 

1. Introduction
2. Attention Getting: opening line that attracts the audience’s attention
3. Supply any interesting background information that will make the audience better understand the issue and why it is important
4. Thesis statement: State your position and why you chose your position

 

4. You will turn in the introductory paragraph (in paragraph form, not outline form).

 

Remember to use proper APA formatting: Times New Roman, 12-point, and double-spaced.

 

 

Here is an example of an introduction:

 

*Please note that the following introduction is different in content from the introduction you are writing.  This is just an example of how your work should look like when you turn it in.*

 

1. Introduction
2. Shopping online may be more convenient for some; however, nothing can truly replace shopping in an actual store.
3. Most believe that shopping online can save time, but when buying certain items, it may be best to visit the actual store and try the product out beforehand.  Many times, online policies can be difficult to comprehend, especially in regards to returning merchandise.
4. The traditional way of shopping is more efficient than online shopping because a product can be tried out before being purchased, the price can be determined accurately, and physical activity is involved in the process.

Shopping online may be more convenient for some; however, nothing can truly replace shopping in an actual store.  Most believe that shopping online can save time, but when buying certain items, it may be best to visit the actual store and try the product out beforehand.  Many times, online policies can be difficult to comprehend, especially in regards to returning merchandise.  The traditional way of shopping is more efficient than online shopping because a product can be tried out before being purchased, the price can be determined accurately, and physical activity is involved in the process.

 

The role and function of law

 

Write a paper of 700- to 1,050-words in which you discuss the roles of law and courts in today’s business environment.

• Differentiate the federal court structure with your state’s court structure.
• Discuss the concept of judicial review.
• Explain how laws or regulations affect your present job or industry.
• Describe various forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and discuss how this is different from the court system.
• Properly cite to at least three peer-reviewed references.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. 

ssignment 1: HR Manager

Imagine you are the HR manager at a company, and an employee came to you upset because she felt a male co-worker had sexually harassed her by repeatedly asking her out on dates even after she said “no.” What would you do?

Write a one (1) page paper in which you:

1. Formulate the conversation you would have with the employee, based the concepts found in Chapter 2 in your textbook.
2. Summarize the conversation you would have with the employee’s male co-worker, based on the concepts found in Chapter 2 of your textbook.
3. Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
   1. Typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
   2. Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, your name, your professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Explain the human resource management process, its role in supporting the overall organizational strategies, and the various functions involved in human resource management.
• Explain the key provisions of major government legislation affecting human resource management, including equal employment opportunity, affirmative action, health and safety, and labor relations.
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in human resource management.
• Write clearly and concisely about human resource management using proper writing mechanics.

Select at least two creation myths from two different cultures. For ideas, refer to this week’s readings and the myths section of the Big Myths website for animated presentations of many creation myths.

Write a 700- to 1,400-word paper about the selected creation myths that answers the following questions:

• Which world or worlds, such as sky, earth, and underworld, are represented in the myths you chose? What are the elements of these worlds?
• Describe the creators. Are the creators male or female, and of what significance is gender? Describe what they created, including the steps or cycles of creation. Also, include descriptions of any destroyers or destruction if applicable.
• Include the role of cosmic occurrences or natural phenomena, such as celestial bodies, floods, rain, wind, and fire.
• Compare the creators, creations, the steps or cycle of creation, and the cosmic elements of the two myths. What are the similarities and differences?
• Why do you think cosmic or creation myths are important to a culture? What value do they bring, if any?

Format your citations and references consistent with APA guidelines.

This section provides the opportunity to develop your course project. Conducting an internal environmental scan or organizational assessment, provides the ability to put the strategy audit together.

In this module, you will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the internal environment at your business unit or organization you are working with for this project, also known as an organizational assessment, and present your findings in a report. In your report, you should analyze the operating characteristics and assets of your business unit.

The SWOT model is one of the most common business tools used during organizational assessment. Another is developing a balanced scorecard based on a prescribed or planned set of performance objectives that will be measured and evaluated regularly. In this assignment, based on the external environmental scan you conducted in M2: Assignment 2 and the internal environmental scan in this assignment, you will develop a SWOT analysis and a balanced strategic scorecard.

Part I: Internal Environmental Scan (2–3 pages)

The internal environmental scan or organizational assessment should include the following:

• Mission, vision, and values: Assess the organization’s understanding of the mission, vision, and values, and how they relate the business strategy. Is there consensus on the mission and vision of the organization? What are the shared values of the organization? What are the behaviors espoused by these values?
• Strategy clarification: Assess the organization’s understanding of the business strategy through the interview with a mid-level or senior manager. Assess his or her understanding and agreement of the business unit’s value proposition, market position, and competitive advantage.
• Cultural assessment: Explain the unwritten rules and shared values that govern behaviors in the organization. Do they act as enablers or blockers to the strategy? For example, is there a culture of information sharing and collaboration that enables the organization to respond quickly across structural boundaries to solve problems for customers? On the other hand, do groups not share important information through informal mechanisms, thus slowing response times?
• Value chain analysis: Identify the primary (direct) and support (indirect) activities that create and deliver your product or service to your customers. Assess each activity’s contribution to competitive advantage through cost or differentiation. Identify any areas where the business may be at a competitive disadvantage.
• Summary of findings: Using these different analyses, identify the organizational strengths and weaknesses as they relate to the business strategy. Organizational strengths are assets, capabilities, and resources that contribute directly to the organization’s strategic fit, differentiation, and competitive advantage relative to competing organizations. Organizational weaknesses are characteristics and capabilities (often lacking) that place the organization at a disadvantage relative to competitors.

Part II: SWOT Analysis (1–2 pages)

Your SWOT analysis should summarize the opportunities and threats from the external environmental scan with the strengths and weaknesses from your organizational assessment or internal environmental scan.

Your output should include a matrix depicting strengths or weaknesses on the horizontal axis and opportunities or threats on the vertical axis. This matrix will reveal a set of strategy forces that can be used to assess the current strategy and identify important potential changes to the strategic direction of the company.

In creating your SWOT analysis, look for natural pairings of internal and external factors that match internal resources and capabilities to the external environment. Internal strengths and external opportunities depicted in the upper-left quadrant on your matrix might form complementary pairs that suggest necessary strategic focus for the business unit to pursue opportunities that fit its competitive strengths. Conversely, internal weaknesses and external threats shown in the lower right quadrant of the matrix may combine to illustrate the need for a defensive strategy to avoid becoming highly susceptible to competitive threats.

Your matrix should not simply be a collection of four lists compiled together in a matrix. Your analysis should combine factors and explain why specific strengths complement specific opportunities, and selected weaknesses are amplified by external threats. In addition to your matrix, provide a brief narrative that summarizes the main findings in your analysis and the implications for the current and projected strategy.

Part III: Balanced Strategic Scorecard (1–2 pages)

Use the balanced scorecard or another similar tool to recommend indicators and measurements that will tell you if the company is successful or unsuccessful in progressing toward your vision through execution of strategy.

A balanced scorecard presents organizational performance on four primary groups of measures:

• Financial
• Customer (external stakeholder)
• Learning and growth
• Internal process

Write a 1050- to 1,750-word paper in which you discuss and explain the term social institution, as it applies to organized crime. Which empirical and speculative theories are most applicable when applied to organized crime and criminal behavior?

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

6 questions need done by tomorrow morning. Questions are not related and should be answered separately with correlating question number on top. References are required.

 

Q1

Because this is inventory week, will those of you who have been on inventory audits share some of your war stories for either the enjoyment of us old auditors or for the classmates who have never had the pleasure of auditing inventory? From your adventures, we will learn about the pitfalls and great plays of auditing inventory.

Q2

We have very hot topic this week, let us start discussing what the auditors must do to meet their obligations under professional auditing standards related to the observation of inventory?

Q3

Audit committees of public companies have many responsibilities in today’s financial reporting environment. Among those responsibilities are hiring the company’s external audit firm, overseeing the company’s financial reporting processes, and meeting with management to understand decisions around accounting and auditing matters and so forth. Please explore the Internet to find information on the audit committee made available by a corporation, and answer the following questions.

1. What are the committee’s responsibilities related to financial and business risks?
2. How many times does the committee meet on an annual basis?
3. What authority does the committee have in carrying out its responsibilities?

Q4

What is one contingency that would concern an auditor, and how would the auditor become aware of this contingency?

Q5

What are the highest priorities to consider when acquiring another company, business, or other organization?

Q6

Good initial discussion regarding priorities to consider when acquiring another company. Let’s further discuss the reasons why a company would choose to consider an IPO. What would be the reasons not to consider an IPO?