What is a strategic control system what role does accounting play in a Essay

What is a strategic control system what role does accounting play in a strategic control system are the strategic management accounting in Caterpillar effecti - Essay Example The process can be considered as a fundamental due to the fact that it involves even the strategic management accounting as one of the essential aspects. Basically SMA is one of the specializing areas in strategic control systems due to the fact that it deals primarily on management accounting issues specifically by using data and information related to finances and accounting (SMA Supplementary Notes 2-3). The strategic control management then can be considered essential in the operation of the whole system and in the specific aspects of the operation as well. In relation to management accounting, the said process can be considered to be involved in the study of the different groups involved in the market along with the market’s behaviour, the determination of most effective solutions and implementation of the said strategies (SMA Supplementary Notes 3). The main role of strategic control system in accounting is evident in the dimensions covered by the SMA. Specifically, it is the planning of possible projects and implementations of different plans related to financial issues. Due to the characteristic of being strategic, there are different alternatives and contingencies that are presented to ensure the success of the operation. It is important to consider though that management accounting is not the sole field wherein strategic control system is involve. Although majority of the companies concentrate on the strategies to improve and achieve profits for the company, the coverage of the system is extensive due to the involvement in different aspects and departments of the company or organization. Based on the study by Ittner & Larcker, the main processes included in the strategic control system are the strategic implementation process, the internal and the external monitoring (3). The said processes are applied

The Theatre of Marcellus Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The Theatre of Marcellus - Essay Example Today, there are a number of theories regarding what is architecture and they continue to change with time, material, usage of the structure and so forth. To help limit our discussion, Vitruvius provides us with three basic elements of design that must be considered when attempting to understand architecture. These include utility, flexibility and beauty. â€Å"By utility, Vitruvius means the functional arrangement of rooms and spaces so that there is no hindrance to use and so that a building is perfectly adjusted to its site. Firmness referred to foundations that were solid and to building materials being used wisely to do their required work. Beauty meant that ‘the appearance of the work is pleasing and in good taste, and [that] its members are in due proportion according to correct principles of symmetry† (Roth 11). These three principles will be taken into account in an examination of the architecture of the ancient Theatre of Marcellus as it existed within its cont emporary society and as it has influenced architecture into the future. Social life in ancient Rome was full of spectacle including triumphal processions, aristocratic funerals, public banquets, gladiatorial contests, wild beast shows, athletic competitions and chariot races. â€Å"As a whole, this pervasive culture of spectacle served both as a vehicle for self-advertisement by the sociopolitical elite and as a means of reinforcing the shared values and institutions of the entire community† (Klar, 2006). One form of entertainment that had long-term impact upon the citizens of the city was the theatre. â€Å"According to the ancient historian Livy, the earliest theatrical activity at Rome took the form of dances with musical accompaniment, introduced to the city by the Etruscans in 364 BC† (Klar, 2006). Full length plays were introduced by 240 BC through the comedies and tragedies of

Comparison of Housing Loans from SBM and UBI

Comparison of Housing Loans from SBM and UBI This research article is aimed to compare and critically analyse the housing loan schemes offered by State Bank of Mysore and Union Bank of India, Bangalore Branch, India OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY To recognize and evaluate literature relevant to the theories of home loans. To evaluate the general awareness of the various schemes currently offered by HFCs / banks and the purpose of which housing loan are given. To perform comparative analysis for housing loan schemes for State Bank of India and Union Bank of India. To study the documentation process in HFCs (Housing Finance Companies) and critically evaluate problem faced by clients during the process of lending housing finance in banks. To assess and suggest appropriate Conclusions and Recommendations with regards to housing loan schemes offered by SBM or UBI Bank to the customers. Introduction This article explains the housing loan schemes offered by banks in order to bolster the current housing finance situation in India and to taper down the margin between the housing demand and the availability of houses, The National Housing Bank was set up in the year 1988. This was done by keeping in mind that a home seeker though does have a desire for a house but lacks the resources for construction or buying it. To give an enhancement to private housing finance institutions the National Housing Bank came into the picture. It is a principal agency to promote housing finance institutions both at local and regional levels and to provide financial and other support to such institutions. While it is important to keep in mind that the National housing Bank itself does not give loans or finance individuals or a party as such. It is only a corporate body to promote, establish, support or aid the housing finance institutions.   India have been serving the people for around three decades and providing various housing loan schemes according to the customers various needs at attractive and reasonable interest rates. In order to facilitate the best housing loan schemes at the least interest rate this research article will help in critically evaluating and comparing the schemes of housing loan for two banks i.e. State Bank Of India and Union Bank of India, Bangalore, India in order to know the best offers provided by the banks as well their performances in order to retain in competition within marketplace. This research article analyses the effectiveness and efficiency of housing loan schemes provided by SBM and UBI bank which will provide its customers a attractive interest rates in on housing loan. Company Overview of SBM and UBI State Bank of Mysore was formed as Bank of Mysore Ltd. in 1913 under the benefaction of the former Government. Of Mysore, on the illustration of the banking commission headed by the great Engineer-Statesman,  Late Dr. Sir M.Visvesvaraya. Subsequently, in March 1960, the Bank became an Associate of State Bank of India. State Bank of India holds 92.33% of shares. The Banks shares are listed in Bangalore, Chennai, and Mumbai stock exchanges. Branch Network The Bank has a widespread network of six hundred eighty two only (682) branches (as on 30.09.2009) and 20 extension counters spread all over India which includes 5 specialised SSI branches, 4 Industrial Finance branches, 3 Corporate Accounts Branches, 4 specialised Personal Banking Branches, 10 Agricultural Development Branches, 3 Treasury branches, 1 Asset Recovery Branch and 8 Service Branches, offering wide range of services to the customers. Human Resources The Bank has a dedicated workforce of 9720 employees consisting of 3169 supervisory staff, 6551 non-supervisory staff (as on 31.03.2008). The skill and competence of the employees have been kept updated to meet the requirement of our customers keeping in view the changes in the environment. (Source: http://www.statebankofmysore.co.in/profile.htm) Union Bank of India UBI Bank is consistently dedicated to bind and maintain its distinctiveness as a foremost, pioneering cost-effective Bank, by means of a down to business approach to the shifting requirements of the general public. A extensive scale of goods and services has been resulted and also made accessible to its precious customers to cater the least of their requirements. Today, with its well-organized, value-added services, continual intensification, reliable productivity and expansion of innovative technology, UBI bank has ensured comprehensive shopper delight, keeping up its image,  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“GOOD QUALITY POPULACE TO BANK WITHâ‚ ¬?.   The key to the triumph of any organisation lies with its personnel or manpower. No wonder, UBI dedicated tem of dynamic and enthusiastic skilled personnel consists of 26000 thousand employee who contribute to the maximum in order to ensure growth for UBI. The bank went for Initial Public offer (IPO) on 20th august 2002 which was followed by the publi c offer made on February 2006.Government of India holds fifty five percent (55.43%) share capital of Union Bank the current share capital holding of the bank is forty four point five seven percent 44.57 % which includes Individuals and Others. Reason behind choosing the topic for the study Housing is the one of the main priority sector needs a lot attention now days the interest rate of the housing loan is raising very high customers are worried about the rates due to indefinite fluctuation. This study is about the comparison of the various schemes and the interest rate of the two banks State Bank of Mysore and Union Bank of India. After this study we will be able to know that which bank is more convenient in the lending of loan. Different schemes of the bank are convenient in different manner according to customers priority. The study is important also in case of comparison of the many other banks schemes to these two banks. Literature Review Meaning of Loan: Loan is a method of lending under which bank gives credit to a borrower for a fixed period and for a specific purpose. Loan are promises for future payment, they have to be repaid in periods beyond a year and are therefore long-term liabilities 3.3Types of Loan: Generally bank grant loans for different period like shorts, medium and long and for different purpose. Broadly, the loans granted by banks are classified follows Bank Loans (1) Short-term Loans: Short-term loans are granted to meet the working capital needs of the borrowers. These loans are granted against the securities of tangible assets mainly the movable assets like goods and commodities, share debenture, etc. (2) Term Loans: Medium and long-term loans are usually called term loans. These loans are granted for more than a year and are meant for purchase of capital assets for the establishment of new units and for expansion or diversification of an existing unit. Loan Procedure: Generally various banks adopt following procedure for loan. Appraisal of Loan Submit the Application Documentation Convene to loan applicant To Issue Draft or Pay order Submit the Application: First of all the loan borrower should submit application to the particular bank. The borrower is required to fill out a common application form, which seeks comprehensive information about proprietors and loan borrowers back ground and his business network and as well as his cost of project and economic consideration. Appraisal of Loan: The bank follows good appraisal system for effective lending and to make easy repay in future way. The main task of the lending bank is to make sure that the income generated from the loan is sufficient to repay the loan installments according to the terms and conditions of amortization. The risk involved in term lending is much more than the risk in short-term lending because the loans are given to new undertaking, or for the modernization and expansion of existing undertaking and for loan period. Before sanctioning any loan a banker should assure himself that the borrowing concern shall be able to earn sufficient income to pay the loan installments. The methods of analysis and standard to be adopted for an appraisal of loan are more similar to investment decision than to short-term lending. The appraisal of loan included projection of future trends of output, sales estimated of costs, returns and flow of funds. It is extremely difficult to have a clever cut formula for the appraisal of term loan since many factors have to be considered such as the type of borrowing bank and its activities, the markets potential, its management, and financial position. The amount of loan and the period of its repayment. Another important factor is whether to give weight age to profitability or to its broad economic significance in the development of the economy. A term loan may be appraised by considering four different aspects of the proposal. They are: Technical feasibility Economic feasibility Managerial competence Financial feasibility Documentation: After completing the step of submit the application and appraisal system of loan. Then loan applicant should collect the document for borrowing loan, every documents and requirement are needed according to the co-operative bank rate. If the loan applicant wants to borrow loan of huge amount, so at a time strong documents are presented by loan applicant against bank like evident of shareholders, original and photocopy of propertys documents, photocopy last three years income tax returns file, etc. if loan applicants has no any recommendation from share holder so firstly the bank becoming share holders of his bank by issuing share to them, so above types of documents are used to borrow loan and advances from the bank. Convene to Loan Application: After collecting the necessary documents, an officer of the recipient bank review it to ascertain whether it is complete for processing, when the application is considered complete. Then the co-operative bank held meeting of his loan applicant and sanctioned the particular loan. Generally this meeting is convened on Monday and Thursdays in every week. Otherwise expected it in other contingent situation and gives date, day and time for delaying particular meeting. To Issue Draft or Pay order: At the last stage is that, after convening of loan applicant and sanctioning loan, borrower should pay its stamp duty, margin and one installment of loan, then in the stamp document or stamp procedure. Then bank gives to them pay order or draft. If the any loan borrowers want to purchase machinery or vehicle from out of city so he need quotation of that particular company, and finally bank made draft of companys name otherwise if the quotation of city area so at a time the co-operative bank made pay order of companys name. Them it gives to company through loan applicant. Thus above procedure is followed by the loan applicant, who wants to borrow loan from banks and satisfied his goal or objectives. 1.) In December 2006 Fulbag Singh and Reema Sharma had studied about the housing Finance in India. Housing, as one of the three basic needs of life, always remains on the top priority of any person, economy, government and society at large. In India, majority of the population lives in slums and shabby shelters in rural areas. From the last decade, the Government of India has been continuously trying to strengthen the housing sector by introducing various housing loan schemes for rural and urban population. The first attempt in this regard was the National Housing Policy (NHP), which was introduced in 1988. The National Housing Bank (NHB) was set up in 1988 as an apex institution for housing finance and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The main objective of the bank is to promote and establish the housing financial institutions in the country as well as to provide refinance facilities to housing finance corporations and scheduled commercial banks. Moreover, f or the salaried section, the tax rebates on housing loans have been introduced. The paper is based on the case study of LIC Housing Finance Ltd., which analyzes region-wise disbursements of individual house loans, their portfolio amounts and the defaults for the last ten years, i.e., from 1995-96 to 2004-05 by working out relevant ratios in terms of percentages and the compound annual growth rates. A relevant chart has also been prepared to highlight the results. 2) In May 18, 2007 Michael La Cour-Little had studied about the Economic Factors Affecting Home Mortgage Disclosure Act Reporting. The public release of the 20042005 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data raised a number of questions given the increase in the number and percentage of higher-priced home mortgage loans and continued differentials across demographic groups. Here we assess three possible explanations for the observed increase in 2005 over 2004: (1) changes in lender business practices; (2) changes in the risk profile of borrowers; and (3) changes in the yield curve environment. Results suggest that after controlling for the mix of loan types, credit risk factors, and the yield curve, there was no statistically significant increase in reportable volume for loans originated directly by lenders during 2005, though indirect, wholesale originations did significantly increase. Finally, given a model of the factors affecting results for 2004-2005, we predict that 2006 results will c ontinue to show an increase in the percentage of loans that are higher priced when final numbers are released in September 2007 3.) â‚ ¬Ã…“The housing finance market has been consistently exhibiting rapid growth in the past few years. Growth has been largely concentrated on urban areas and in the middle to high income groups, focusing on the salaried class. This growth was partly fuelled by the entry of commercial banks seeking asset growth in a sluggish business environment coupled with the tax incentives on housing loans. The banks, with their lower cost of funds, extensive branch network, capability to provide a range of personal banking services and aided by the average low default rates in housing finance, could expand the market considerably. They however, continued to focus on middle to higher income groups. Lower income groups, self employed and the rural population are by and large excluded. While the middle and higher income groups may continue to access conventional housing finance, increasing attention will need to be paid to the needs of the underservedâ‚ ¬?. (Source: Saravanan P. Recent Experiences in the Housing Finance Sector A Study with Reference to India.  Housing Finance International  [serial online]. September 2007; 21(5):45-48. Available from: Business Source Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed June 17, 2010) 4.) The innovations in housing finance systems in advanced economies over the past two decades have altered the role of housing sector in business cycle and in the monetary transmission mechanism. It concludes that these changes have spilovers from the hosuing sector to the rest of the economy and have amplified their impact by strengthening the role of housing as collateral. This analysis suggests in economies were developed mortgage markets, monetary policymakers may need to respond over aggressively to developments in housing sectors, within a risk-management approach that treats house price dynamics as one of the key factors to be considered in assuming balnce of risks to output and influence. (Source: World Economic Outlook(International Monetary fund), 2008, ISBN 978-1-58906-719-6) 5.) Today, the housing finance market has evolved into an oligolpolistic structure (SSKI, 20606) with three dominant providers-DFC, the largest housing company, ICICI bank the largest private sector bank, State Bank of India the largest bank in country. According to SSKI India research estimation in 200, the three leading housing credit providers accounted for approximately 75 of the market. Only a few foreign banks are involved and they tend to focus on High net worth individuals.Towards the end of 2005, India saw a graduate inching uo of interest rates. Despite this, close to 85 % of housing credit customers still prefer floating rate of interest.(Source: Housing Finance mechanism in India, 2008, ISBN- 978-92-1-131970-5, [emailprotected] United Nations Human Settlement Programme 2008) 6.) â‚ ¬Ã…“As per a article report published in wall street the trend in housing sector in India as on February 20,2008 were heading for a slowdown. The withdrawal of an Initial Public offering (IPO) by Emaar MGF Pvt. Ltd is an indication of difficulties companies worldwide are having in tapping market. (Source: Kilbinger, Sara Seddon. India Faces Housing Slowdown.  Wall Street Journal Eastern Edition  20 Feb. 2008: B7.  Business Source Complete. EBSCO. Web. 17 June 2010) 7.) â‚ ¬Ã…“The housing market in the Indian metropolitan city of Bangalore. Some problems of housing finance from the viewpoints of families and of public authorities are indicated. It is argued that it is these financial problems that make access difficult for the poorer half of the population of Bangalore to forms of housing other than inner city slums or urban fringe informal housing. Public housing with its unrealistic standards of service provision, but especially its high initial access costs is not well designed to meet the needs of the majority of families. The paper concludes that unless public housing authorities emulate the private housing market they will continue to play a marginal role in housing in a city such as Bangalore. There are signs that this is happening in India with experimentation in both housing finance and lower service standard. (Source: Blore, Ian. Housing and the working class in an Indian metropolis.  Public Administration Development  9.5 (1 989): 557-568.Business Source Complete. EBSCO. Web. 17 June 2010.) 8.) The housing sector in India for several decades faced a number of set-backs, such as an unorganized market, development disparities, a compartmentalized development approach and a deterrent rent control system. There was not even a concerted attempt to understand the housing problem let alone promote it. Reforms introduced in the sector during the 1990s, however, have overturned the situation to a great extent. The designing of a shelter policy, the organization of the housing finance market, the introduction of fiscal incentives, increased public investment, legal reforms and others initiatives have brought about a number of changes in the housing sector. Interestingly, these changes have been concerned with both reducing the housing shortage and increasing the number of quality housing stock besides increased access to various other housing amenities like safe drinking water, good sanitation and household electricity. However, the reform initiatives of the housing sector need t o take deep roots and to go a long way to address the growing incidence of sub-standard and dilapidated housing stock for further minimizing the deprivations of housing amenities. This paper considers a few policy options towards addressing the challenges of the housing sector. (Source: Mahadeva M. Reforms in housing sector in India: impact on housing development and housing amenities.  Habitat International[serial online]. September 2006;30(3):412-433. Available from: Business Source Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed June 17, 2010) OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF THE CONCEPT EMI- Equated Monthly Installment is what a loaner pays the Banks every month towards repayment of loan. It is comprises of principle and interest. EMI = L * r (1 + r) n x 1 (1 + r) n â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" 1 12 Interest rate- It is the amount which banks charge along with the principal amount per year on the basis of fixed rate or floating rate. UBI- Union Bank of India SBM- State Bank of Mysore HFC- Housing Finance Company METHODOLOGY The study dwells on both secondary and primary data. The primary data is collected through interviewing staffs of the banks, secondary data is collected through past details of the Housing finance structure, reports, pamphlets, brochures etc Primary research is form of research which includes the gathering of new data using an acknowledged research method. This could be in form of opinion poll, questionaaire, telephonic interviews or personal interview etc For this research article the author has chosen to carry out primary research by collecting data in form of questionnaire or by interviewing SBM and UBI with the support of bank officials or staff members of bank. Secondary Research is referred to data which is not a original creation. This form of data is already available to a researcher in order to carry out the research process in form of websites, journals or newspapers or company annual reports. How Primary data can be collected: 1.) Questionnaire or Opinion Polls: Questionnaire or opinion polls are intended to gather primary data from a sample taken into consideration, with a aim to critically evaluate or analyse the data in form of tabulated results e.g. stastical data or even by simplifying the results in form of a inference of the numeric data. Questionnaire can be performed in several ways such as telephonic interview, Emails, Online surveys or face to face. These methods of opinion polls are elaborated in broader perspective: Telephone interview: This is the most important and widely accepted method of collecting the original and accurate data for resolving the complex issues and providing the accurate solutions. Merit: From the author point of view the main merit of this method is that its more time consuming and a person can explain views more easily which they cannot do sometime face to f ace. Demerit: The demerit of this method could be that the rejection for telephonic interview which doesnt allow the researcher to receive any data for the research. Online Surveys: Surveys nowadays most commonly and widely accepted method of research as it can be presented in many dimension and can be analysed and interpreted based on the requirement of the person and also can be presented in form of tabulation sheets or some analytical software. Merit: This method is very advantageous as a researcher can have a global access from the respondent and its more faster and accurate and easy to administer. Demerit: For this method to have access a user must be well versed with computers as well as its more global method a user should ahve access to internet so that could be a biggest drawback in order to collect data if the respondent dont have knowledge or access to these resources. Personal interview: This form of method is acceptable by everyone as its being designed and implemented based on the convenience of the respondent. A respondent can choose their timing to answer the questionnaires as well its helps in solving the complex issues as it provides the accurate data as well a discussion about the analysis of data from the respondent Merit: The main advantage of face-to-face or direct interviews is that the researcher can accommodate the questions as necessary, classify doubts and ensure that the responses are properly understood, by repeating or rephrasing the questions. The researcher can identify nonverbal clues from the respondent. Disadvantages: The main disadvantage of face-to-face interviews is that geographical limitations may impose restrictions on the surveys and the vast resources that would be needed if such surveys need to be done nationally or internationally. Respondents may feel uneasy about their privacy of their responses when they interact face-to-face with the interviewer. Postal Interview: The most commonly used method of distribution which is fairly easy to administer. The questionnaire and the covering letter will be posted to the sample, usually with a prepaid envelope for returning the completed questionnaire. For this medium short questionnaire will be used. Advantages: A wide geographical area can be covered with the use of postal interview. The respondents use their convenience to fill the form at their own pace. Anonymity of respondents is high. Disadvantages: Any doubts that respondents have cannot be clarified. The return rates of mail questionarres are typically low. Follow up procedures for non responses are necessary in postal interviews. Sampling: Survey provides representative information about a group from which sample was drawn. This qualitative research will involve nonrandom sampling or non-probability sampling where everyone in the population will not have an equal chance to be chosen as part of a sample. The non-probability samples provide good estimates of a population characteristic. Target Population: The target population of my sample will include all bank employees of IS bank. The recruitment of individuals for participation will require the selection of individuals who are employees of IS bank. The sample for the research survey will be selected mostly by these methods: Convenience Sampling: This will be used to identify bank employees who are willing and available for the research survey. As most of the bank employees will be working and will not be available for questioning convenience sampling would be a better choice. Snowballing: This sampling method will be used to identify the first participant. Then that first participant will be asked to refer to other participants with similar characteristics. I have used this method to select bank employees and their friends. It is easier to get representatives for research through this method that has same characteristics. Secondary data can be obtained by: Comparative Case studies: I will go through case studies of competitors who are offering mortgage products in the Turkey market. This will help in understanding their strategies and policies. It will also help in understanding about how they achieve their goal. It will also help in identifying the challenges they faced during marketing their products. Comparative Case Studies helps in comparing two industries and understanding their shortfalls. Hypothesis Since the interest rate on home loan is frequently changing and it is expected that it will rise again by the end of the year 2010. Customers who want to take loan for a long time i.e. more than 15 years and also the big amount are really worried about the payment of high EMI. The problem is mainly for salaried class people who are unable to pay the EMI fixed by the banks on their monthly salary. As the fixed rate of interest is 12.5% now customers are suggested to take loan on floating rate of interest. So hypothesis will be based on the current and future trend of the interest rates of the banks. Analysis of Data Data for analysis will be present in following ways in order to carry out the research as well to do comparative analysis for the subject by giving information in different perspective. Frequency tables  Ã‚   Bar charts, histograms and pie charts  Ã‚   Contingency tables or cross-tabulations   Quantitative and Qualitative data: Qualitative data is form of data which includes the fact and figures such as financial report of a company and Quantitative data is a form of data which can be used analyse the data which is in form of questionnaire and surveys which help in order to analyse the current situation of company and provide the better solutions for company. For this research article author will be using both the data Quantitative as well Qualitative as the research includes both data collection numeric data as well survey or questionnaire data. 3). LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY If there are advantages of study then obviously there are limitations of that study also. So, some limitations of this study are: This is basically an academic study suffers from time and money constraints. The other limitation includes the sample size, which is small. Analyses of only two banks are done rather than more banks Study is limited to local area of Bangalore, India Since banks are not willing to disclose their client details so the availed information is limited to report, pamphlet, brochure etc. SCOPE OF STUDY The study mainly deals with Housing Finance Sectors. The two important sectors identified for this purpose are companies and client of public and private Housing finance sector in Bangalore, India. AREA OF THE STUDY The study is limited to only one branch of both banks i.e. UBI and SBM situated in Bangalore due to time, money and information availability constraints. Ethics As the research article is focused on banking industry the confedentiaity of the data will be used for academic purposes within the field of study that is housing schemes of two banks and as per the accordance of business ethics. Comparison of Housing Loans from SBM and UBI Comparison of Housing Loans from SBM and UBI This research article is aimed to compare and critically analyse the housing loan schemes offered by State Bank of Mysore and Union Bank of India, Bangalore Branch, India OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY To recognize and evaluate literature relevant to the theories of home loans. To evaluate the general awareness of the various schemes currently offered by HFCs / banks and the purpose of which housing loan are given. To perform comparative analysis for housing loan schemes for State Bank of India and Union Bank of India. To study the documentation process in HFCs (Housing Finance Companies) and critically evaluate problem faced by clients during the process of lending housing finance in banks. To assess and suggest appropriate Conclusions and Recommendations with regards to housing loan schemes offered by SBM or UBI Bank to the customers. Introduction This article explains the housing loan schemes offered by banks in order to bolster the current housing finance situation in India and to taper down the margin between the housing demand and the availability of houses, The National Housing Bank was set up in the year 1988. This was done by keeping in mind that a home seeker though does have a desire for a house but lacks the resources for construction or buying it. To give an enhancement to private housing finance institutions the National Housing Bank came into the picture. It is a principal agency to promote housing finance institutions both at local and regional levels and to provide financial and other support to such institutions. While it is important to keep in mind that the National housing Bank itself does not give loans or finance individuals or a party as such. It is only a corporate body to promote, establish, support or aid the housing finance institutions.   India have been serving the people for around three decades and providing various housing loan schemes according to the customers various needs at attractive and reasonable interest rates. In order to facilitate the best housing loan schemes at the least interest rate this research article will help in critically evaluating and comparing the schemes of housing loan for two banks i.e. State Bank Of India and Union Bank of India, Bangalore, India in order to know the best offers provided by the banks as well their performances in order to retain in competition within marketplace. This research article analyses the effectiveness and efficiency of housing loan schemes provided by SBM and UBI bank which will provide its customers a attractive interest rates in on housing loan. Company Overview of SBM and UBI State Bank of Mysore was formed as Bank of Mysore Ltd. in 1913 under the benefaction of the former Government. Of Mysore, on the illustration of the banking commission headed by the great Engineer-Statesman,  Late Dr. Sir M.Visvesvaraya. Subsequently, in March 1960, the Bank became an Associate of State Bank of India. State Bank of India holds 92.33% of shares. The Banks shares are listed in Bangalore, Chennai, and Mumbai stock exchanges. Branch Network The Bank has a widespread network of six hundred eighty two only (682) branches (as on 30.09.2009) and 20 extension counters spread all over India which includes 5 specialised SSI branches, 4 Industrial Finance branches, 3 Corporate Accounts Branches, 4 specialised Personal Banking Branches, 10 Agricultural Development Branches, 3 Treasury branches, 1 Asset Recovery Branch and 8 Service Branches, offering wide range of services to the customers. Human Resources The Bank has a dedicated workforce of 9720 employees consisting of 3169 supervisory staff, 6551 non-supervisory staff (as on 31.03.2008). The skill and competence of the employees have been kept updated to meet the requirement of our customers keeping in view the changes in the environment. (Source: http://www.statebankofmysore.co.in/profile.htm) Union Bank of India UBI Bank is consistently dedicated to bind and maintain its distinctiveness as a foremost, pioneering cost-effective Bank, by means of a down to business approach to the shifting requirements of the general public. A extensive scale of goods and services has been resulted and also made accessible to its precious customers to cater the least of their requirements. Today, with its well-organized, value-added services, continual intensification, reliable productivity and expansion of innovative technology, UBI bank has ensured comprehensive shopper delight, keeping up its image,  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“GOOD QUALITY POPULACE TO BANK WITHâ‚ ¬?.   The key to the triumph of any organisation lies with its personnel or manpower. No wonder, UBI dedicated tem of dynamic and enthusiastic skilled personnel consists of 26000 thousand employee who contribute to the maximum in order to ensure growth for UBI. The bank went for Initial Public offer (IPO) on 20th august 2002 which was followed by the publi c offer made on February 2006.Government of India holds fifty five percent (55.43%) share capital of Union Bank the current share capital holding of the bank is forty four point five seven percent 44.57 % which includes Individuals and Others. Reason behind choosing the topic for the study Housing is the one of the main priority sector needs a lot attention now days the interest rate of the housing loan is raising very high customers are worried about the rates due to indefinite fluctuation. This study is about the comparison of the various schemes and the interest rate of the two banks State Bank of Mysore and Union Bank of India. After this study we will be able to know that which bank is more convenient in the lending of loan. Different schemes of the bank are convenient in different manner according to customers priority. The study is important also in case of comparison of the many other banks schemes to these two banks. Literature Review Meaning of Loan: Loan is a method of lending under which bank gives credit to a borrower for a fixed period and for a specific purpose. Loan are promises for future payment, they have to be repaid in periods beyond a year and are therefore long-term liabilities 3.3Types of Loan: Generally bank grant loans for different period like shorts, medium and long and for different purpose. Broadly, the loans granted by banks are classified follows Bank Loans (1) Short-term Loans: Short-term loans are granted to meet the working capital needs of the borrowers. These loans are granted against the securities of tangible assets mainly the movable assets like goods and commodities, share debenture, etc. (2) Term Loans: Medium and long-term loans are usually called term loans. These loans are granted for more than a year and are meant for purchase of capital assets for the establishment of new units and for expansion or diversification of an existing unit. Loan Procedure: Generally various banks adopt following procedure for loan. Appraisal of Loan Submit the Application Documentation Convene to loan applicant To Issue Draft or Pay order Submit the Application: First of all the loan borrower should submit application to the particular bank. The borrower is required to fill out a common application form, which seeks comprehensive information about proprietors and loan borrowers back ground and his business network and as well as his cost of project and economic consideration. Appraisal of Loan: The bank follows good appraisal system for effective lending and to make easy repay in future way. The main task of the lending bank is to make sure that the income generated from the loan is sufficient to repay the loan installments according to the terms and conditions of amortization. The risk involved in term lending is much more than the risk in short-term lending because the loans are given to new undertaking, or for the modernization and expansion of existing undertaking and for loan period. Before sanctioning any loan a banker should assure himself that the borrowing concern shall be able to earn sufficient income to pay the loan installments. The methods of analysis and standard to be adopted for an appraisal of loan are more similar to investment decision than to short-term lending. The appraisal of loan included projection of future trends of output, sales estimated of costs, returns and flow of funds. It is extremely difficult to have a clever cut formula for the appraisal of term loan since many factors have to be considered such as the type of borrowing bank and its activities, the markets potential, its management, and financial position. The amount of loan and the period of its repayment. Another important factor is whether to give weight age to profitability or to its broad economic significance in the development of the economy. A term loan may be appraised by considering four different aspects of the proposal. They are: Technical feasibility Economic feasibility Managerial competence Financial feasibility Documentation: After completing the step of submit the application and appraisal system of loan. Then loan applicant should collect the document for borrowing loan, every documents and requirement are needed according to the co-operative bank rate. If the loan applicant wants to borrow loan of huge amount, so at a time strong documents are presented by loan applicant against bank like evident of shareholders, original and photocopy of propertys documents, photocopy last three years income tax returns file, etc. if loan applicants has no any recommendation from share holder so firstly the bank becoming share holders of his bank by issuing share to them, so above types of documents are used to borrow loan and advances from the bank. Convene to Loan Application: After collecting the necessary documents, an officer of the recipient bank review it to ascertain whether it is complete for processing, when the application is considered complete. Then the co-operative bank held meeting of his loan applicant and sanctioned the particular loan. Generally this meeting is convened on Monday and Thursdays in every week. Otherwise expected it in other contingent situation and gives date, day and time for delaying particular meeting. To Issue Draft or Pay order: At the last stage is that, after convening of loan applicant and sanctioning loan, borrower should pay its stamp duty, margin and one installment of loan, then in the stamp document or stamp procedure. Then bank gives to them pay order or draft. If the any loan borrowers want to purchase machinery or vehicle from out of city so he need quotation of that particular company, and finally bank made draft of companys name otherwise if the quotation of city area so at a time the co-operative bank made pay order of companys name. Them it gives to company through loan applicant. Thus above procedure is followed by the loan applicant, who wants to borrow loan from banks and satisfied his goal or objectives. 1.) In December 2006 Fulbag Singh and Reema Sharma had studied about the housing Finance in India. Housing, as one of the three basic needs of life, always remains on the top priority of any person, economy, government and society at large. In India, majority of the population lives in slums and shabby shelters in rural areas. From the last decade, the Government of India has been continuously trying to strengthen the housing sector by introducing various housing loan schemes for rural and urban population. The first attempt in this regard was the National Housing Policy (NHP), which was introduced in 1988. The National Housing Bank (NHB) was set up in 1988 as an apex institution for housing finance and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The main objective of the bank is to promote and establish the housing financial institutions in the country as well as to provide refinance facilities to housing finance corporations and scheduled commercial banks. Moreover, f or the salaried section, the tax rebates on housing loans have been introduced. The paper is based on the case study of LIC Housing Finance Ltd., which analyzes region-wise disbursements of individual house loans, their portfolio amounts and the defaults for the last ten years, i.e., from 1995-96 to 2004-05 by working out relevant ratios in terms of percentages and the compound annual growth rates. A relevant chart has also been prepared to highlight the results. 2) In May 18, 2007 Michael La Cour-Little had studied about the Economic Factors Affecting Home Mortgage Disclosure Act Reporting. The public release of the 20042005 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data raised a number of questions given the increase in the number and percentage of higher-priced home mortgage loans and continued differentials across demographic groups. Here we assess three possible explanations for the observed increase in 2005 over 2004: (1) changes in lender business practices; (2) changes in the risk profile of borrowers; and (3) changes in the yield curve environment. Results suggest that after controlling for the mix of loan types, credit risk factors, and the yield curve, there was no statistically significant increase in reportable volume for loans originated directly by lenders during 2005, though indirect, wholesale originations did significantly increase. Finally, given a model of the factors affecting results for 2004-2005, we predict that 2006 results will c ontinue to show an increase in the percentage of loans that are higher priced when final numbers are released in September 2007 3.) â‚ ¬Ã…“The housing finance market has been consistently exhibiting rapid growth in the past few years. Growth has been largely concentrated on urban areas and in the middle to high income groups, focusing on the salaried class. This growth was partly fuelled by the entry of commercial banks seeking asset growth in a sluggish business environment coupled with the tax incentives on housing loans. The banks, with their lower cost of funds, extensive branch network, capability to provide a range of personal banking services and aided by the average low default rates in housing finance, could expand the market considerably. They however, continued to focus on middle to higher income groups. Lower income groups, self employed and the rural population are by and large excluded. While the middle and higher income groups may continue to access conventional housing finance, increasing attention will need to be paid to the needs of the underservedâ‚ ¬?. (Source: Saravanan P. Recent Experiences in the Housing Finance Sector A Study with Reference to India.  Housing Finance International  [serial online]. September 2007; 21(5):45-48. Available from: Business Source Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed June 17, 2010) 4.) The innovations in housing finance systems in advanced economies over the past two decades have altered the role of housing sector in business cycle and in the monetary transmission mechanism. It concludes that these changes have spilovers from the hosuing sector to the rest of the economy and have amplified their impact by strengthening the role of housing as collateral. This analysis suggests in economies were developed mortgage markets, monetary policymakers may need to respond over aggressively to developments in housing sectors, within a risk-management approach that treats house price dynamics as one of the key factors to be considered in assuming balnce of risks to output and influence. (Source: World Economic Outlook(International Monetary fund), 2008, ISBN 978-1-58906-719-6) 5.) Today, the housing finance market has evolved into an oligolpolistic structure (SSKI, 20606) with three dominant providers-DFC, the largest housing company, ICICI bank the largest private sector bank, State Bank of India the largest bank in country. According to SSKI India research estimation in 200, the three leading housing credit providers accounted for approximately 75 of the market. Only a few foreign banks are involved and they tend to focus on High net worth individuals.Towards the end of 2005, India saw a graduate inching uo of interest rates. Despite this, close to 85 % of housing credit customers still prefer floating rate of interest.(Source: Housing Finance mechanism in India, 2008, ISBN- 978-92-1-131970-5, [emailprotected] United Nations Human Settlement Programme 2008) 6.) â‚ ¬Ã…“As per a article report published in wall street the trend in housing sector in India as on February 20,2008 were heading for a slowdown. The withdrawal of an Initial Public offering (IPO) by Emaar MGF Pvt. Ltd is an indication of difficulties companies worldwide are having in tapping market. (Source: Kilbinger, Sara Seddon. India Faces Housing Slowdown.  Wall Street Journal Eastern Edition  20 Feb. 2008: B7.  Business Source Complete. EBSCO. Web. 17 June 2010) 7.) â‚ ¬Ã…“The housing market in the Indian metropolitan city of Bangalore. Some problems of housing finance from the viewpoints of families and of public authorities are indicated. It is argued that it is these financial problems that make access difficult for the poorer half of the population of Bangalore to forms of housing other than inner city slums or urban fringe informal housing. Public housing with its unrealistic standards of service provision, but especially its high initial access costs is not well designed to meet the needs of the majority of families. The paper concludes that unless public housing authorities emulate the private housing market they will continue to play a marginal role in housing in a city such as Bangalore. There are signs that this is happening in India with experimentation in both housing finance and lower service standard. (Source: Blore, Ian. Housing and the working class in an Indian metropolis.  Public Administration Development  9.5 (1 989): 557-568.Business Source Complete. EBSCO. Web. 17 June 2010.) 8.) The housing sector in India for several decades faced a number of set-backs, such as an unorganized market, development disparities, a compartmentalized development approach and a deterrent rent control system. There was not even a concerted attempt to understand the housing problem let alone promote it. Reforms introduced in the sector during the 1990s, however, have overturned the situation to a great extent. The designing of a shelter policy, the organization of the housing finance market, the introduction of fiscal incentives, increased public investment, legal reforms and others initiatives have brought about a number of changes in the housing sector. Interestingly, these changes have been concerned with both reducing the housing shortage and increasing the number of quality housing stock besides increased access to various other housing amenities like safe drinking water, good sanitation and household electricity. However, the reform initiatives of the housing sector need t o take deep roots and to go a long way to address the growing incidence of sub-standard and dilapidated housing stock for further minimizing the deprivations of housing amenities. This paper considers a few policy options towards addressing the challenges of the housing sector. (Source: Mahadeva M. Reforms in housing sector in India: impact on housing development and housing amenities.  Habitat International[serial online]. September 2006;30(3):412-433. Available from: Business Source Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed June 17, 2010) OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF THE CONCEPT EMI- Equated Monthly Installment is what a loaner pays the Banks every month towards repayment of loan. It is comprises of principle and interest. EMI = L * r (1 + r) n x 1 (1 + r) n â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" 1 12 Interest rate- It is the amount which banks charge along with the principal amount per year on the basis of fixed rate or floating rate. UBI- Union Bank of India SBM- State Bank of Mysore HFC- Housing Finance Company METHODOLOGY The study dwells on both secondary and primary data. The primary data is collected through interviewing staffs of the banks, secondary data is collected through past details of the Housing finance structure, reports, pamphlets, brochures etc Primary research is form of research which includes the gathering of new data using an acknowledged research method. This could be in form of opinion poll, questionaaire, telephonic interviews or personal interview etc For this research article the author has chosen to carry out primary research by collecting data in form of questionnaire or by interviewing SBM and UBI with the support of bank officials or staff members of bank. Secondary Research is referred to data which is not a original creation. This form of data is already available to a researcher in order to carry out the research process in form of websites, journals or newspapers or company annual reports. How Primary data can be collected: 1.) Questionnaire or Opinion Polls: Questionnaire or opinion polls are intended to gather primary data from a sample taken into consideration, with a aim to critically evaluate or analyse the data in form of tabulated results e.g. stastical data or even by simplifying the results in form of a inference of the numeric data. Questionnaire can be performed in several ways such as telephonic interview, Emails, Online surveys or face to face. These methods of opinion polls are elaborated in broader perspective: Telephone interview: This is the most important and widely accepted method of collecting the original and accurate data for resolving the complex issues and providing the accurate solutions. Merit: From the author point of view the main merit of this method is that its more time consuming and a person can explain views more easily which they cannot do sometime face to f ace. Demerit: The demerit of this method could be that the rejection for telephonic interview which doesnt allow the researcher to receive any data for the research. Online Surveys: Surveys nowadays most commonly and widely accepted method of research as it can be presented in many dimension and can be analysed and interpreted based on the requirement of the person and also can be presented in form of tabulation sheets or some analytical software. Merit: This method is very advantageous as a researcher can have a global access from the respondent and its more faster and accurate and easy to administer. Demerit: For this method to have access a user must be well versed with computers as well as its more global method a user should ahve access to internet so that could be a biggest drawback in order to collect data if the respondent dont have knowledge or access to these resources. Personal interview: This form of method is acceptable by everyone as its being designed and implemented based on the convenience of the respondent. A respondent can choose their timing to answer the questionnaires as well its helps in solving the complex issues as it provides the accurate data as well a discussion about the analysis of data from the respondent Merit: The main advantage of face-to-face or direct interviews is that the researcher can accommodate the questions as necessary, classify doubts and ensure that the responses are properly understood, by repeating or rephrasing the questions. The researcher can identify nonverbal clues from the respondent. Disadvantages: The main disadvantage of face-to-face interviews is that geographical limitations may impose restrictions on the surveys and the vast resources that would be needed if such surveys need to be done nationally or internationally. Respondents may feel uneasy about their privacy of their responses when they interact face-to-face with the interviewer. Postal Interview: The most commonly used method of distribution which is fairly easy to administer. The questionnaire and the covering letter will be posted to the sample, usually with a prepaid envelope for returning the completed questionnaire. For this medium short questionnaire will be used. Advantages: A wide geographical area can be covered with the use of postal interview. The respondents use their convenience to fill the form at their own pace. Anonymity of respondents is high. Disadvantages: Any doubts that respondents have cannot be clarified. The return rates of mail questionarres are typically low. Follow up procedures for non responses are necessary in postal interviews. Sampling: Survey provides representative information about a group from which sample was drawn. This qualitative research will involve nonrandom sampling or non-probability sampling where everyone in the population will not have an equal chance to be chosen as part of a sample. The non-probability samples provide good estimates of a population characteristic. Target Population: The target population of my sample will include all bank employees of IS bank. The recruitment of individuals for participation will require the selection of individuals who are employees of IS bank. The sample for the research survey will be selected mostly by these methods: Convenience Sampling: This will be used to identify bank employees who are willing and available for the research survey. As most of the bank employees will be working and will not be available for questioning convenience sampling would be a better choice. Snowballing: This sampling method will be used to identify the first participant. Then that first participant will be asked to refer to other participants with similar characteristics. I have used this method to select bank employees and their friends. It is easier to get representatives for research through this method that has same characteristics. Secondary data can be obtained by: Comparative Case studies: I will go through case studies of competitors who are offering mortgage products in the Turkey market. This will help in understanding their strategies and policies. It will also help in understanding about how they achieve their goal. It will also help in identifying the challenges they faced during marketing their products. Comparative Case Studies helps in comparing two industries and understanding their shortfalls. Hypothesis Since the interest rate on home loan is frequently changing and it is expected that it will rise again by the end of the year 2010. Customers who want to take loan for a long time i.e. more than 15 years and also the big amount are really worried about the payment of high EMI. The problem is mainly for salaried class people who are unable to pay the EMI fixed by the banks on their monthly salary. As the fixed rate of interest is 12.5% now customers are suggested to take loan on floating rate of interest. So hypothesis will be based on the current and future trend of the interest rates of the banks. Analysis of Data Data for analysis will be present in following ways in order to carry out the research as well to do comparative analysis for the subject by giving information in different perspective. Frequency tables  Ã‚   Bar charts, histograms and pie charts  Ã‚   Contingency tables or cross-tabulations   Quantitative and Qualitative data: Qualitative data is form of data which includes the fact and figures such as financial report of a company and Quantitative data is a form of data which can be used analyse the data which is in form of questionnaire and surveys which help in order to analyse the current situation of company and provide the better solutions for company. For this research article author will be using both the data Quantitative as well Qualitative as the research includes both data collection numeric data as well survey or questionnaire data. 3). LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY If there are advantages of study then obviously there are limitations of that study also. So, some limitations of this study are: This is basically an academic study suffers from time and money constraints. The other limitation includes the sample size, which is small. Analyses of only two banks are done rather than more banks Study is limited to local area of Bangalore, India Since banks are not willing to disclose their client details so the availed information is limited to report, pamphlet, brochure etc. SCOPE OF STUDY The study mainly deals with Housing Finance Sectors. The two important sectors identified for this purpose are companies and client of public and private Housing finance sector in Bangalore, India. AREA OF THE STUDY The study is limited to only one branch of both banks i.e. UBI and SBM situated in Bangalore due to time, money and information availability constraints. Ethics As the research article is focused on banking industry the confedentiaity of the data will be used for academic purposes within the field of study that is housing schemes of two banks and as per the accordance of business ethics.

the old man and the sea Essay -- essays research papers

The Old Man and the Sea   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the timeless novel The Old Man and the Sea, the hero is undoubtedly the old man, Santiago, whom us as readers become very acquainted with. Santiago is a hard-worker and perseveres through every problem nature brings to him. He is in the midst of a horrendous fishing drought, during which the townspeople laugh and ridicule him. Santiago just lets the criticism pass him by because he is confident that the fish of his lifetime is coming soon. In a sense, Santiago represents the ideas of honor and pride. He is also a hero to a young boy named Manolin who conveys the image that the old man is whom he would rather live and spend time with rather than his biological father.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Santiago has many noteworthy character traits. He possesses a very strong sense of pride that will not allow him to give up on fishing even after eighty-four days without a single fish. He is also virtuous in that no matter what happens to him, he will not make up excuses or false accounts in an attempt to cover up his bad luck. He is also very unselfish for the reason that he never looks down on the boy or treats him unfairly. Everything they accomplish together, Manolin is given credit for, which I found unusual because more often than not, old men will try to hoard their achievements to try and hold on to their glory days. Instead, Santiago is trying to...

Dostoevsky: Psychiatric Genius?

The book Crime and Punishment and its author, Fyodor Dostoevsky, both came many years before their time. In the book, Dostoevsky clearly describes the medical disorders we now know today as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and dissociative identity disorder which is also known as multiple personality disorder. The book was first published in 1866, however, schizophrenia was first described officially in 1887 by Dr.Emile Kraepelin and not given the name â€Å"schizophrenia† until Eugene Bleuler coined the term in 1911 (The History of Schizophrenia). And it was not until the late 19th and early 20th century that Pierre Janet coined the term dissociative identity (Pendergrast). Bipolar Disorder was also a relatively new disorder being that it was officially described in 1854 (â€Å"A Brief History of Bipolar Disorder†).The character of Raskolnikov is a good example of these three disorders because of the way he acts towards others or towards himself and then suddenly has a change of feelings or mindset. Schizophrenia is defined as a common type of psychosis, characterized by abnormalities in perception, content of thought, and thought processes (hallucinations and delusions) and by extensive withdrawal of interest from other people and the outside world, with excessive focusing on one's own mental life (WebMD LLC).In the beginning of the book, the narrator talks about how Raskolnikov has â€Å"become so completely absorbed in himself, and isolated from his fellows that he dreaded meeting, not only his landlady, but anyone at all† (Dostoevsky 1). This is the first sign of schizophrenia that Dostoevsky shows in Raskolnikov, it is obvious that Raskolnikov has become isolated and does not want to be around any other people. Next, Raskolnikov’s illness is almost completely caused by his hallucinations, delusions, and dreams.This is seen in part two, chapter one after Raskolnikov has committed the murders â€Å"He sat down on the sofa in exh austion and was at once shaken by another unbearable fit of shivering†¦he covered himself up with his winter coat and once more sank into drowsiness and delirium. † (92). This is also seen in chapter three after he returns to his room and has a dream about his landlady being beaten, â€Å"He was not completely unconscious, however, all the time he was ill; he was in a feverish state, sometimes delirious, sometimes half conscious. † (120).Raskolnikov continues to focus on his own mental state throughout the novel and he does not truly become well until the end of the story when he confesses, suffers, and becomes educated. Raskolnikov also has many symptoms of dissociative identity disorder, which is defined as a severe form of dissociation, a mental process, which produces a lack of connection in a person's thoughts, memories, feelings, actions, or sense of identity. Dissociative identity disorder is thought to stem from trauma experienced by the person with the dis order (WebMD LLC).Raskolnikov’s condition has obviously stemmed from the trauma Raskolnikov experienced after having committed the murders which is a major sign of dissociative identity disorder, and there are instances where Raskolnikov will do something and immediately completely regret his decision such as when he gives money to Marmeladov and then wants to go up to the room to take his money back â€Å"Raskolnikov had time to put his hand into his pocket, to snatch up the coppers he had received in exchange for his rouble in the tavern and to lay them unnoticed on the window.Afterwards, on the stairs he changed his mind and would have gone back† (Dostoevsky 26-27). Rakolnikov also has a form of dissociation because he gets into moods when he is thinking about certain things but disregarding other important details such as closing the door at the pawnbroker’s, locking his own door the night of the murder, and checking his clothes for blood. A third disorder t hat Dostoevsky describes through the character of Raskolnikov is bipolar disorder.Bipolar disorder is a major affective disorder, or mood disorder, characterized by dramatic mood swings. Bipolar disorder is a serious condition, when mania causes sleeplessness, sometimes for days, along with hallucinations, psychosis, grandiose delusions, and/or paranoid rage (WebMD LLC). Raskolnikov has many mood swings throughout the story. One of the first examples is when he is debating whether he should go talk to his friend Razumikhin, he changes his mind several times and then decides not to see him.Raskolnikov also switches moods about his â€Å"act† that he is planning to commit which we come to know is the murder of Alonya Ivanova. He switches his decision several times and finally commits to killing her when he finds out that she will be alone at seven o’ clock, â€Å"he felt suddenly in his whole being that he had no more freedom of thought, no will, and that everything was suddenly and irrevocable decided† (Dostoevsky 65). We also know that Raskolnikov suffered from hallucinations, delusions, and paranoid rage that he used to kill Alonya.These hallucinations included the dream of the horse getting beaten, the dream that his landlady was being beaten, and the nightmare when Raskolnikov is trying to kill the pawnbroker but she does not die, she only laughs. Dostoevsky helped to pave the way for other doctors and scientists to discover all of the symptoms of these mental illnesses we now know as schizophrenia, dissociative identity disorder, and bipolar disorder. This shows how much Dostoevsky knew about human nature. He was able to pick out tendencies that many mentally ill people have.Not only did he describe these three, he also described alcoholism very accurately by using the character Marmeladov to show that alcoholism only leads to suffering and the more one continues to drink, the more suffering they endure, â€Å"â€Å"the more I drink, the more I feel it. That’s why I drink too. I try to find sympathy and feeling in drink†¦. I drink so that I may suffer twice as much! † And as though in despair he laid his head down on the table† (14). Dostoevsky was a very extraordinary man and he gave mankind many contributions.Psychology was an important part of Crime and Punishment, but it is also clear that Dostoevsky is a very intelligent writer and incorporates many different themes into his works. ? Works Cited â€Å"A Brief History of Bipolar Disorder. † Today’s Caregiver. 2009. http://www. caregiver. com/channels/bipolar/articles/brief_history. htm. Dostoevsky, Fyodor. Crime and Punishment. Ed. Bantam Classic Reissue. New York: Bantam Dell, 2003. â€Å"The History of Schizophrenia. † Schizophrenia. com. 2004. http://www. schizophrenia. com/history. htm .Pendergrast, Mark. Victims of Memory. Upper Access Books, 1996. â€Å"Schizophrenia. † Dictionary. com. 2009. http:// dictionary. reference. com/browse/schizophrenia. WebMD LLC. â€Å"Bipolar Disorder. † WebMD. 2009. http://www. webmd. com/depression/guide/bipolar-disorder-manic-depression. WebMD LLC. â€Å"Dissociative Identity Disorder. † WebMD. 2009. http://www. webmd. com/mental-health/dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder. WebMD LLC. â€Å"Medical Dictionary: Schizophrenia. † WebMD. 2009. http://dictionary. webmd. com/terms/schizophrenia.

Growing up in a small town

Greg has completed his final tour of duty with the armed services and is glad to be returning home. He is grateful that he was able to accomplish the goals he set for himself: (1) complete basic training; (2) use his newly learned skills to support his unit with honor; (3) stay healthy; and (4) return home so he can use his veteran’s benefits to complete his education. As he begins his life as a civilian, he realizes that he will no longer have an officer giving him orders and directing his every movement.He must begin to define the orders for himself and use the discipline he learned in the service to his advantage as a civilian. Greg wonders where and how to begin since his time in the military conditioned him to follow orders and work with a team to achieve the mission. Greg realizes that now he must take control of his own personal mission †¦ to succeed in completing his degree. Greg recalls that he has given it some thought. He begins to reflect on what it would take for him to accomplish his ultimate goalof earning a degree.He thinks back to his time in basic training and remembers the phrase of the instructor, â€Å"success begins with one step at a time. † Greg keeps that thought foremost in his mind as he starts to prepare a list of goals (the steps he will need to take on the path to his ultimate goal). He remembers that he performs best when he is able to write his goals/steps down and recalls the satisfaction and motivation he gets when he is able to check them off as he completes each one. It makes him feel good to be able to see what he has accomplished on the list and have a visual picture of his movement toward his ultimate goal.This is a new beginning for him and he needs to ensure he gets the tools to help him be successful. He remembers that his advisor, Wanda, recommended a template for him to use to create a goal list as he began his first class. He wishes he had paid more attention to her because he sure could use that t emplate. He recalls she sent it to him in an email. He searches his emails and locates the template which includes helpful reminders. Click here to download the SMART Goals template.He begins to complete the template and vows to update it after every session to ensure he stays on track to complete his goals and accomplish the dream of earning his degree. In the case above, Greg realized that he needed to set specific goals so he had a plan to guide his steps toward completing his degree. He began by finding a resource that would help him create his goals. Now that you are completing UNIV103, what are your next steps? This assignment will give you an opportunity to create a personal goal template to use as a resource moving forward into your program.Specifically, you will: 1. Reflect upon the ideas you had as you completed the application process. 2. Create the ultimate SMART goal you would like to achieve considering the ideas you had as a starting point. 3. Using the template that Greg’s advisor provided, create at least 3 (immediate, mid-range, long-range) SMART goals each for your personal, academic, and professional life that will step you toward achieving your ultimate goal. Be sure to list advantages, disadvantages, and ultimate costs.

101 Peer Review Professor Ramos Blog

101 Peer Review Speed Review Quick Write What questions do you have about the essay? Speed Review What story are you analyzing? What are you looking at in the story? What scenes are you looking at? In-Text Citations One author: (Ramos 23). Two Authors: (Ramos and Smith 23). Three or more authors: (Ramos et al. 23). Quote from the article â€Å"Sandra Cisneros’s Modern Malinche: A Reconsideration of Feminine Archetypes in  Woman Hollering Creek† by  Alexandra Fitts: Cisneros reevaluates, and in a way revalues, the three most prevalent representations of Mexican womanhood: the passive virgin, the sinful seductress, and the traitorous mother, idolized in the figures of the Virgin of Guadalupe, La Malinche, and La Llorona. Peer Review Keep these things in mind. Peer edit the same way you revise your own work. Be specific in identifying problems or opportunities. Offer suggestions for improvement. Praise what is genuinely good in the paper. Peer Workshop Workshop looking for structure and evidence, â€Å"Chips and Salsa.† Find the chips for your essay and the salsa to make it good. Make sure you have the right amount of salsa for each chip.

Gradualism vs. Punctuated Equilibrium

Gradualism vs. Punctuated Equilibrium Evolution takes a very long time to become visible. Generation after generation can come and go before any changes in a species are observed. There is some debate in the scientific community as to how quickly evolution occurs. The two generally accepted ideas for rates of evolution are called gradualism and punctuated equilibrium. Gradualism Based on geology and the findings of James Hutton and Charles Lyell, gradualism states that large changes are actually the culmination very small changes that build up over time. Scientists have found evidence of gradualism in  geologic processes, which the  Prince Edward Island Department of education  describes as the ...processes at work in the earths landforms and surfaces. The mechanisms involved, weathering, erosion, and plate tectonics, combine processes that are in some respects destructive and in others constructive. Geologic processes are long, slow changes that occur over thousands or even millions of years. When Charles Darwin first began formulating his theory of evolution, he adopted this idea. The fossil record is evidence that supports this view. There are many transitional fossils that show structural adaptations of species as they transform into new species. Proponents of gradualism say that the geologic time scale helps show how species have changed over the different eras since life began on Earth. Punctuated Equilibrium Punctuated equilibrium, by contrast, is based on the idea that since you cannot see changes in a species, there must be very long periods when no changes occur. Punctuated equilibrium asserts that evolution occurs in short bursts followed long periods of equilibrium.  Put another way, long periods of equilibrium (no change) are punctuated by short periods of rapid change. Proponents of punctuated equilibrium included such scientists as  William Bateson, a strong opponent of Darwins views,  who argued that species do not evolve gradually. This camp of scientists believes that change happens very rapidly with long periods of stability and no change in between. Usually, the driving force of evolution is some sort of change in the environment that necessitates a need for quick change, they argue. Fossils Key to Both Views Strangely enough, scientists in both camps cite the fossil record as evidence to support their views. Proponents of punctuated equilibrium point out that there are many  missing links  in the fossil record. If gradualism is the correct model for the rate of evolution, they argue, there should be fossil records that show evidence of slow, gradual change. Those links never really existed, to begin with, say the proponents of punctuated equilibrium, so that removes the issue of missing links in evolution. Darwin also pointed to fossil evidence that showed slight changes in the body structure of the species over time, often leading to  vestigial structures. Of course, the fossil record is incomplete, leading to the problem of the missing links. Currently, neither hypothesis is considered more accurate. More evidence will be needed before gradualism or punctuated equilibrium is declared the actual mechanism for the rate of evolution.

Biography of John Sutter, Landowner During Gold Rush

Biography of John Sutter, Landowner During Gold Rush John Sutter (born Johann August Suter; February 23, 1803–June 18, 1880) was a Swiss immigrant in California whose sawmill was the launching spot for the California Gold Rush. Sutter was a prosperous pioneer and land baron when one of his sawmill workers found a nugget of gold at the mill, on January 24, 1848. Despite the rush for gold and fortune that ensued on his land, Sutter himself was driven into poverty. Fast Facts: John Sutter Known For:  Sutter was a settler and founder of California and his mill was the launching spot for the California Gold Rush.Also Known As:  John Augustus Sutter, Johann August SuterBorn:  February 23, 1803 in Kandern, Baden, GermanyDied:  June 18, 1880 in Washington, D.C.Education: Possibly a Swiss military academySpouse: Annette DuboldChildren: 5Notable Quote: After having proved the metal with aqua fortis, which I found in my apothecary shop, likewise with other experiments, and read the long article â€Å"gold† in the Encyclopedia Americana, I declared this to be gold of the finest quality, of at least 23 carats. Early Life Johann August Suter was a Swiss citizen born on February 23, 1803, in Kandern, Baden, Germany. He went to school in Switzerland and possibly served in the Swiss Army. He married Annette Dubold in 1826 and had five children. Leaving Switzerland In early 1834, with his shop failing in Burgdorf, Switzerland, Suter abandoned his family and set off for America. He arrived in New York City and changed his name to John Sutter. Sutter claimed a military background, saying he had been a captain in the Royal Swiss Guard of the French king. This claim has not been proven by historians, but as â€Å"Captain John Sutter,† he soon joined a caravan headed for Missouri. Traveling West In 1835, Sutter was moving farther westward, in a wagon train headed for Santa Fe, New Mexico. For the next few years, he engaged in several businesses, herding horses back to Missouri and then guiding travelers out to the West. Always close to being bankrupt, he heard about opportunity and land in remote regions of the West and joined an expedition to the Cascade Mountains. Sutters Peculiar Route to California Sutter loved the adventure of travel, which took him to Vancouver. He wanted to reach California, which would have been difficult to do overland, so he first sailed to Hawaii. He hoped to catch a ship in Honolulu bound for San Francisco. In Hawaii, his plans unraveled. There were no ships bound for San Francisco. But, trading on his purported military credentials, he was able to raise funds for a California expedition which, oddly, went by way of Alaska. In June 1839, he took a ship from a fur trading settlement at what is today Sitka, Alaska to San Francisco, finally arriving on July 1, 1839. Sutter Talked His Way Into Opportunity At that time, California was part of Mexican territory. Sutter approached Governor Juan Alvarado and impressed him enough to obtain a land grant. Sutter was given the opportunity to find a suitable location where he could begin a settlement. If the settlement was successful, Sutter could eventually apply for Mexican citizenship. What  Sutter had talked himself into was not a guaranteed success. The central valley of California at that time was inhabited by Native American tribes who were very hostile to white settlers. Other colonies in the area had already failed. Fort Sutter Sutter set out with a band of settlers in late 1839. Finding a favorable spot where the American and Sacramento Rivers came together, on the site of present-day Sacramento, Sutter began building a fort. Sutter dubbed the little colony Nueva Helvetia (or New Switzerland). Over the following decade, this settlement absorbed various trappers, immigrants, and wanderers who were also seeking fortune or adventure in California. Sutter Became a Casualty of Good Fortune Sutter built up a huge estate and by the mid-1840s, the former shopkeeper from Switzerland was known as â€Å"General Sutter.† He was involved in various political intrigues, including disputes with another power player in early California, John C.  Frà ©mont. Sutter emerged unscathed from these troubles and his fortune seemed assured. Yet the discovery of gold on his property by one of his workers on January 24, 1848, led to his downfall. Discovery of Gold Sutter attempted to keep the discovery of gold on his land secret. But when word leaked out,  the workers in  Sutters settlement deserted him to search for gold in the hills. Before long, word had spread worldwide of the gold discovery in California. Crowds of gold seekers came streaming into  California and squatters encroached on Sutters lands, destroying his crops, herds, and settlements. By 1852, Sutter  was bankrupt. Death Sutter eventually returned East, living in a Moravian colony in Lititz, Pennsylvania. He traveled to Washington, D.C. to petition Congress for reimbursement for his losses. While his relief bill was bottled up in the Senate, Sutter died in a Washington hotel on June 18, 1880. Legacy The New York Times published a lengthy obituary of Sutter two days after his death. The newspaper noted that Sutter had risen from poverty to being the wealthiest man in the Pacific coast. And despite his eventual slide back into poverty, the obituary noted that he remained courtly and dignified. An article about Sutters burial in Pennsylvania noted that  John C.  Frà ©mont  was one of his pallbearers, and he spoke of their friendship back in California decades earlier. Sutter is known as one of the founders of California, whose Fort Sutter was the site of present-day Sacramento, California. His rise from poverty to wealth and his descent back to poverty is marked by a profound irony. The gold strike that created so many fortunes was a curse for the man on whose land it began and led to his ultimate ruin. Sources Discovery of Gold, by John A. Sutter - 1848.Hurtado, Albert, L. John Sutter: A Life on the North American Frontier,  University of Oklahoma Press, 2006.

What is freedom and what does it mean to you Essay

What is freedom and what does it mean to you - Essay Example If the government oversteps its bounds, as outlined in the Constitution, the people can and loyal patriots would dismantle the government then build another that adhered to the peoples will. Freedom is a concept that requires a continual effort to preserve whether fighting on the battlefield, speaking at city council meetings or by simply voting. The meaning of freedom is broad but my personal viewpoint narrow and defined. Simply put, an American has unrestricted personal freedoms. Of course the ‘your rights stop at my nose’ clichà © applies as does the ‘no harm no foul’ rule. My conception of freedom was drawn from those who offered their definition in the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. The government, by law, should be allowed only to enact legislation that follows the ‘no harm’ rule. Those who cause harm to others should be justly punished but those who are excising personal freedom, their constitutionally guaranteed right, should be allowed to pursue happiness in whatever manner they choose. Overwhelmingly, lawmakers and the public have approved the substitution of money for freedom as quickly as they have sacrificed liberty for security in the ‘war on terror.’ Subjects such as euthanasia and abortion are but two of the more high profile issues surrounding personal freedoms. Seatbelt and helmet laws, prostitution, bigamy, and gambling are other examples of ‘no harm’ laws. The justification for seatbelt/helmet laws is that fewer and less severe injuries are sustained as a result of the law which, when properly enforced, ultimately lowers the cost of health care for everyone. Prostitution laws are ridiculous. What else can yo u give away but can’t legally sell? Gambling is illegal and immoral unless the state does it and calls it lottery. Other activities popularly trumpeted under the personal freedom umbrella such as smoking in public, carrying concealed firearms or

The Impact of Global Recession on Small Businesses Dissertation

The Impact of Global Recession on Small Businesses - Dissertation Example Prior research done by John Kitching mentioned that small businesses are treated as highly susceptible to external shocks, such as recessions, with firm performance declining in line with GDP. Small firms possess limited resources, customers and product lines across which to spread their risk – all of which restrict a firm’s capacity to withstand competitive pressures in adverse macroeconomic condition. They are also much more likely to cease trading than larger enterprises. Falling GDP at the macro level causes performance decline at the micro level and, in severe cases, business closure. Many economists have now been predicting the world global recession since the 1930s. Such grim warnings discovery spending by households and businesses, depressing output even more. America, Britain, the Euro area and Japan are almost certainly already in recession according to the popular rule of thumb of two successive quarters of falling GDP. In an updated World Economic Outlook, published on Nov 6th 2009, the IMF predicted the world GDP would fall to 2.2% in 2009, based on purchasing power parity weights, from 5% in 2007 and 3.7% in 2008. GDP is a measure of the total value of production of goods and services by all resident producing units in an economy during an accounting period, which is usually one year or one quarter. While recessions involve falls in GDP, they are namely characterized by rising unemployment. Fear of a long recession stems not just from the distressing developed country figures.

Reflective analysis Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Reflective analysis - Assignment Example The use of the particular voice, tone, or even rhythm in the narration helps the author in creating an element of mystery all through the narrative and especially at the end of the account where he keeps the mystery about the young man open-ended. In the narrative account, the narrator begins with a focus on the hero's entering to the scene and there is exclusive account of the features of the person along with his way of walking, talking, and gesturing. Similarly, the author has been effective in creating a piece of great organization through keeping all the accounts related to the person of interest. Another noticeable feature of the narrative is the use of diction and he has been effective in keeping things simple while narrating the events concerning the mysterious ways of the young man's behavior. The readers gain an interesting perspective of approaching strange elements in life and the author's tone and diction help them greatly in appreciating the beauty of the passage.

Loose-leaf for Essentials of Life-Span Development Research Paper

Loose-leaf for Essentials of Life-Span Development - Research Paper Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that the best way the Garcia parents can solve this impasse is by using authoritative parenting. The fact that authoritative parenting is more lenient compared to the authoritarian model of parenting necessities the consideration of the Garcia parents. This is because, the main beneficiaries of parenting, Kerry and Timothy are still young. Timothy, in this case, has a desire to copy his parents and to create gaming situations. Unlike the authoritarian model which is emphatic on the following of rules and regulations and the meting out of punishment, the authoritative model is more lenient and readily amenable to administrative and democratic styles of training and leadership. It is a fact that Timothy, in this case, is too young to appreciate the import of punishment and regulations. In a closely related wavelength, it is true that the authoritarian model of parenting may not auger well with Timothy’s emotional and intellectual develop ment. It is at this time that children become more inquisitive and ask many questions. At this stage, the leniency of the authoritative model will Timothy acquire more knowledge from Patricia and Michael Garcia. It is at Timothy’s stage that he is bound to resolve his struggle with the Oedipal complex with learning and accepting the social role identification which the society assigns. Should natural desires and goals overwhelm or frustrate timothy, Timothy will become predisposed to guilt feelings. Again, it is important to remember that it is at this stage where Timothy’s most important relationship is with the Garcias, his basic family. This may demand that Patricia and Michael make readjustments on their work schedules which will help them be present during Timothy’s development.

Introduction to Sociology of Religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Introduction to Sociology of Religion - Essay Example Department of State par. 4). Therefore, one’s personal immersion to religion, as a subject in class, was actually during the course entitled Religions of the World which had been very illuminating. I realized from then on that the subject appropriately prepared me for life beyond the traditional classroom setting and also in various settings including the work place. The course is definitely a dynamic and evolving source of sociological learning due to its interactive nature to diverse societies worldwide. Knowledge of different religious beliefs, teachings, practices and how these are applied in current scenarios made one recognize the diversity and richness of religion as it encompasses social structures. The experience made one compare other courses, such as engineering courses, where theories and concept prepared students for applications to work behind computers or research laboratories, as well as in high technology settings. Since the first religion course, the next successive courses on religion have been enriching in terms of learning so much about diversity in people from various cultural orientations. Despite being in the field of technology, one acknowledges that through increasing emphasis on globalization, one has significantly become most respectful towards other people’s religions and diversity in culture and social perceptions towards beliefs, preferences, value systems, and family life. One’s expectations from the course on sociology of religion include highlighting religion as a belief system and also as a social expression of faith. It could therefore include looking back at the theories and concepts learned from the past religion courses; but at the same time, the course could be more advance in terms of thinking how these religious theories are linked to sociological theories in both the domestic setting and on a more global scale. As one learned from Religions of the World, most of the practices become

How old are the rocks of the Lewisian Complex in NW Scotland, and how Essay

How old are the rocks of the Lewisian Complex in NW Scotland, and how do we know - Essay Example This was followed by the new rocks folding and heating, and the intrusion of further magmas during the metamorphism, resulting in almost all the rocks being gneisses (Waters, 2003). The Lewisian Gneiss are a major division of Precambrian rocks (4.6 billion to 542 million years ago) in northwestern Scotland. In the region where the Lewisian rocks are found, they also form the lowermost rocks, also the Outer Hebrides, form the islands of Coll and Tiree, and are exposed along the northwestern coast of Scotland. â€Å"The oldest rocks of the Lewisian have been dated by radiometric technique between 2.4 billion and 2.6 billion years old, whereas the youngest Lewisian rocks have been dated at 1.6 billion years (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2010). Further, the Lewisian Complex form the oldest rocks of the British Isles, and are Mid- to Late- Archaen in age (Jones15). Most of these rocks are deformed and metamorphosed igneous rocks or orthogneisses. The types of rocks found in the Lewisian Comples are broadly subdivided into felsic gneisses which have a high content of light coloured minerals, mafic gneisses with a large proportion of dark mafic minerals, and ultramafic gneisses containing purely mafic minerals. Usually, the most highly abundant felsic gneisses develop from acidic igneous rocks, and mafic gneisses from basic igneous rocks. â€Å"Mafic and ultramafic gneisses are generally found together in this part of the Lewisian Complex, and are considered to be metamorphosed varieties of gabbro and peridotite† (Waters, 2003). The Lewisian Complex has been subjected to successive developments in techniques of age determination. There has been progressive tightening of constraints from Rb-Sr (rubidium/ strontium), K-Ar mineral (potassium/ argon) mineral dating, Rb-Sr and Pb-Pb (lead) whole rock studies through U-Pb dating of bulk zircon fractions, Sm-Nd rock and mineral investigation, to the most

Introduction to Sociology of Religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Introduction to Sociology of Religion - Essay Example Department of State par. 4). Therefore, one’s personal immersion to religion, as a subject in class, was actually during the course entitled Religions of the World which had been very illuminating. I realized from then on that the subject appropriately prepared me for life beyond the traditional classroom setting and also in various settings including the work place. The course is definitely a dynamic and evolving source of sociological learning due to its interactive nature to diverse societies worldwide. Knowledge of different religious beliefs, teachings, practices and how these are applied in current scenarios made one recognize the diversity and richness of religion as it encompasses social structures. The experience made one compare other courses, such as engineering courses, where theories and concept prepared students for applications to work behind computers or research laboratories, as well as in high technology settings. Since the first religion course, the next successive courses on religion have been enriching in terms of learning so much about diversity in people from various cultural orientations. Despite being in the field of technology, one acknowledges that through increasing emphasis on globalization, one has significantly become most respectful towards other people’s religions and diversity in culture and social perceptions towards beliefs, preferences, value systems, and family life. One’s expectations from the course on sociology of religion include highlighting religion as a belief system and also as a social expression of faith. It could therefore include looking back at the theories and concepts learned from the past religion courses; but at the same time, the course could be more advance in terms of thinking how these religious theories are linked to sociological theories in both the domestic setting and on a more global scale. As one learned from Religions of the World, most of the practices become

Pi and Plato Essay Example for Free

Pi and Plato Essay Socrates, in his conviction from the Athenian jury, was both innocent and guilty as charged. In Platos Five Dialogues, accounts of events ranging from just prior to Socrates entry into the courthouse up until his mouthful of hemlock, both points are represented. Socrates in dealing with moral law was not guilty of the crimes he was accused of by Meletus. Socrates was only guilty as charged because his peers had concluded him as such. The laws didnt find Socrates guilty; Socrates was guilty because his jurors enforced the laws. The law couldnt enforce itself. Socrates was accused of corrupting Athens youth, not believing in the gods of the city and creating his own gods. In the Euthyphro, Socrates defends himself against the blasphemous charges outside the courthouse to a priest Euthyphro. Socrates looks to the priest to tell him what exactly is pious so that he may educate himself as to why he would be perceived as impious. Found in the Apology, another of Platos Five Dialogues, Socrates aims to defend his principles to the five hundred and one person jury. Finally, the Crito, an account of Socrates final discussion with his good friend Crito, Socrates is offered an opportunity to escape the prison and his death sentence. As is known, Socrates rejected the suggestion. It is in the Euthyphro and the Apology that it can be deduced that Socrates is not guilty as charged, he had done nothing wrong and he properly defended himself. However, in the Crito, it is shown that Socrates is guilty only in the interpretation and enforcement of Athens laws through the court system and its jurors. Socrates accusations of being blasphemous are also seen as being treasonous. In the Euthyphro, Socrates is making his way into the courthouse; however, prior to entering he had a discussion with a young priest of Athens, Euthyphro. This dialogue relates religion and justice to one another and the manner in which they correlate. Euthyphro feels as though justice necessitates religion and Socrates feels the opposite, religion necessitates justice. Euthyphro claims that religion is everything, justice, habits, traditions, customs, cultures, etc. all are derived from religion. Socrates went on to question what exactly would be the definition of pious. Euthyphro offered Socrates three definitions of pious and in all three Socrates was able to successfully find fault. The first definition Euthyphro offered was that piety is the life he lives (5e). Socrates disputed this definition because he said that Euthyphros way of life may be pious, but it is not the definition of pious. If it were the exact definition, only Euthyphro would be pious. He said that Euthyphro did not understand the difference between a definition and an example. Next, Euthyphro says that piety is found in things that are dear to the gods (7a). Socrates again rejected Euthyphros definition of piety. The Greek gods were anthropomorphic; therefore, another may despise what would be dear to one god. This definition offered was not distinct. Finally, Euthyphro said that what is pious is what loved by the gods (9e). However, Euthyphro cant answer whether something is pious because it is loved or it is loved because it is pious. He cant conceive the difference between cause and effect. It is in the Euthyphro that Socrates begins his defense of his actions and principles to the reader. A priest cant give him a concise answer as to what is religious; therefore, how can anyone else, especially one less religiously guided than a priest, accuse him of blasphemous actions? In the Apology, Socrates aimed to do three things: defend his ideas and principles, continue to teach those who will open their mind and state that he knew regardless of what he said he was aware that all five hundred and one jurors knew who he was and disliked him. Socrates was well aware of the fact that he had made multiple enemies, he knew that the politicians, poets, rich and craftsmen all had reasons to dislike his actions. Socrates went as far as to accuse the jury as not trusting the gods because they had not believed the oracle when it said that Socrates was the wisest in all of Athens (20d-e). If the jury and the people of Athens believed the oracle, the word of the gods, then Socrates would not be on trial. In the Apology, or defense, Socrates aims to legally justify his actions. He is accused of three things: corrupting Athens youth, not believing in the gods of the city and making up new gods. All three charges can be related back to treason and a large penalty. Socrates almost laughs off the first charge of corrupting the youth. He made a sensible argument as to why that charge made no sense and had no base. He said that willingly corrupting the youth of Athens would only make his living there more difficult. Logically, no one would aim to make his or her home a more dangerous, corrupt place to live (25d). He then asks his accusers to present some sort of evidence, a corrupted youth. Socrates knew that none of his students would speak out against him. To defend himself against the second and third charges, Socrates simply says that his belief in any new gods would necessitate believing in the old gods because the new gods are derived from the old gods (26c). In the Apology, conceivably, Socrates defended himself decisively against the three legal charges brought upon him. He was able to offer sufficient resistance, with a lack of prosecuting evidence, against the allegations. Plato uses the Crito, a discussion between Socrates and Crito, to display exactly why, even though innocent, Socrates accepted the penalties bestowed upon him. Socrates has thoroughly justified his own decision to obey the opinions of the majority and serve out the sentence that his own city has deemed appropriate for his crimes. Throughout the dialogue Socrates is explaining his reasoning for not running from the government. Crito does not understand the madness of Socrates, Crito will do whatever it takes to help his friend to flee, instead of being exiled by the government. I do not think that what you are doing is right, to give up your life when you can save it, and to hasten your fate as your enemies would hasten it, and indeed have hastened it in their wish to destroy you (58c). Throughout the Crito, two major ideas are established in the discussion of the two friends. The first being that a person must decide whether the society in which they live has a just reasoning behind its own standards of right and wrong. It is also examined whether or not the person has the option to leave if they dont agree with the laws of the city. Socrates has lived his whole life in Athens; therefore, he feels that there is an implied contract between himself and the laws of Athens. Not one of our laws raises any obstacle or forbids him, if he is not satisfied with us or the city, if one of you wants to go and live in a colony or wants to go anywhere else, and keep his property (63d). Socrates states; that making a conscious choice or effort to remain under the influence of a society is an unconscious agreement with that society to live your life by its standards and virtues. The second concept established between Socrates and Crito is that a person must have pride in the life that he or she leads. If Socrates does not face the penalties enforced, it would be the same as him disrespecting his own morals and principles. He would have followed them until they led him to hardships, and then abandoned them. In this, Socrates feels that escaping to survive would only result in the death of his teachings, the reason why he lives. I am the kind of man who listens only to the argument that on reflection seems best to me. I cannot, now that this fate has come upon me, discard the arguments I used; they seen to me much the same (59b). In establishing basic questions of these two concepts, Socrates has precluded his own circumstance and attempted to prove to his companion Crito, that the choice that he has made is just. He states that his decision is justified by the fact that the laws and governing agents of the society must command a certain degree of respect. Any person who would unjustly disobey these laws creates a deliberate attempt to destroy them, as well as, the society that has imposed them. However, that whoever of you remains when he sees how we conduct our trials and manage the city in other ways, has in fact come to an agreement with us to obey our instructions (63e). If the decisions of the citys governing agents are not thoroughly respected as just and cohesive parts of society, the very structure by which the society stands is subject to collapse. Socrates was not guilty as charged; he had done nothing wrong, as seen in the Apology. Not even a priest could tell Socrates what he had done wrong religiously, Euthyphro wasnt even able to give Socrates a precise definition of piety. It is then questioned by Crito why Socrates would remain to face a penalty for a crime he did not commit. In the Crito, it is explained why, although innocent, Socrates must accept the penalties his peers have set upon him. It is his peers that will interpret and enforce the laws, not the law which will enforce it. Even if the enforcers dont deserve attention and respect because they have no real knowledge to the situation, Socrates had put himself under their judgment by going to the trial. Therefore, Socrates must respect the decisions made by the masses because the decisions are made to represent the laws, which demand each citizens respect.