Ethics – Environmental Activists

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At a lumber mill workers were being injured when the band saw was knocked off the pulleys by metal spikes driven into the trees. Local ecological activists had driven these metal spikes into the trees to make the lumber company stop logging in a specific area. In response, the company ran the trees past a scanner to look for metal. This prevented the men from being injured. So, the activists drilled holes in the live trees and poured concrete into them. The scanners could not pick up the concrete and men began getting hurt again.

  • Were the actions of the environmental activists ethical? Why or why not?
  • What would you do if you were the owner and why?

Cultural Critique Essay

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For this assignment, you will write a 500-750 word reflection paper on a documentary or interview that looks at the issues of character and/or culture. The three video options for this assignment are available either online through Regent’s digital library, or through a link provided for each item below. Access the digital library through this link or navigate to the Regent Library homepage, click on Databases under Research Tools, hover over the Browse by Category tab, and click on Digital Videos & Images. Both Generation Like and Minimalism are available through the Kanopy Film Collection.

DISCLAIMER: The views and philosophies expressed in these videos do NOT necessarily reflect a Christian worldview, but they do express various cultural views that are important for Christians to be aware of and to examine.

Select one of the following videos to view:

1. Generation Like

DISCLAIMER: Contains content that some may find offensive. If you are concerned that this may be a “stumbling block” to you, please select one of the other options.

Thanks to social media, today’s teens are able to directly interact with their culture–artists, celebrities, movies, brands, and even one another–in ways never before possible. But is that real empowerment? Or do marketers still hold the upper hand? In Generation Like, author and FRONTLINE correspondent Douglas Rushkoff explores how the perennial teen quest for identity and connection has migrated to social media–and exposes the game of cat-and-mouse that corporations are playing with these young consumers. Do kids think they’re being used? Do they care? Or does the perceived chance to be the next big star make it all worth it? The film is a powerful examination of the evolving and complicated relationship between teens and the companies that are increasingly working to target them.

2. Minimalism: A Documentary about the Important Things

Can true happiness and success be measured by material possessions? What is the personal and global impact of our consumer culture? Is there an alternative? Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things examines the many aspects of the growing “minimalist” movement that is challenging compulsory consumerism and seeking a different path. It takes viewers on a road trip across America that reveals the core ideas behind minimalism and meets people who share their transformational stories.

3. Simpson-Bowles Budget Interview

In this interview on the Charlie Rose program on PBS, the co-chairs of President Barack Obama’s Bipartisan Deficit Reduction Commission highlight the unsustainability of our nation’s financial situation and explain how the current political climate makes it impossible to remedy the structural problems that underlie the debt crisis.

Select one of these videos and watch in its entirety.

As you watch the film you selected, thoughtfully consider all that you have read, watched, and discussed in the course to this point, in particular, your readings from N.T. Wright on character, Andy Crouch on culture, Kouzes and Posner on leadership, and the Scriptures. Appropriately incorporate these readings and, when possible, bring in the expertise and/or perspectives from your major field of study. Interact with the film and materials and write a 500-750 word reflection paper on something you saw or heard in the film that grabbed your attention and warrants a response. In your response, please include a discussion of if or how the principles and leadership practices you have learned in this course were or were not reflected in the film. A large portion of your grade will be based on your ability to integrate the ideas and concepts from the course materials.

The rubric for this essay is located

writing the essay

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We will all use the same topic, a simple one that is focused on explaining Magical Realism, what it is, where it came from, and some of its practitioners. I suggest that you start with simple research about what Magical Realism is, how it came about, the great authors of Magical Realism, and finally how it manifests itself today, that is to say, in what genres.

As you prepare this essay please beware that you must include and quote three to five outside sources, use the MLA format, and in the process of the paper explain what magical realism is, how it developed, some of the great authors and works, and its international scope today. (all of which are quoted in the body of the paper at least once consistent with the MLA style. The paper uses parenthetical references and must have a Works Cited, which, unlike the annotated bibliography, contains the reference but not the annotations.)

Maintain Medicare As-Is Debate – 500 words needed

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The Medicare system is currently undergoing a dramatic shift, as the number of people participating is increasing, which in turn has enormous consequences for how it is funded.  Some argue that Medicare spending is out of control and will result in a collapse of the system if nothing changes, while others claim the system is doing well and is meeting the needs of the millions of Americans who have no other health care. For this discussion, you will participate in a debate with your classmates about Medicare.

Students with last names starting with the letters A-M will be on the “Maintain Medicare As-Is” side.

To start, you will need to craft your initial argument in support of the side you have been assigned based on your last name (either maintain or reform).  This post must be a minimum of 300 words.  Describe how the organization and delivery of Medicare and the social, financial, legal, ethical, and regulatory forces impact your side of the debate.  Remember, your post must analyze how these factors work together to support your assigned view on Medicare reform.  Even if you do not personally agree with the side that has been assigned to you, you must still present a convincing argument that upholds that side in your initial post and your responses.  

Then, you will respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts who were assigned the opposite side of the debate.  Each of your responses should analyze how the differing stances on funding Medicare affect the cost, quality, access, and provision of services.  Your responses to your classmates should present a counter-argument, where as a supporter of your assigned side, you give reasons for why you disagree with them based on pertinent information.  You are strongly encouraged to review this week’s recommended reading and to research on your own to identify other sources to support your argument.

Your initial post must include:

  1. A succinct thesis statement that demonstrates your stance on the topic.
  2. A clear explanation for your rationale and examples to support your view.
  3. A minimum of two scholarly, peer-reviewed sources. One of these sources may be from the course Required and/or Recommended Resources, and at least one must be obtained through the Ashford University Library. 

Position Essay, Introduction and 4 paragraphs

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part 1 introduction.

Use the following points to write the introduction.

1. Compose an anecdote (real or imagined) about your topic.

2. Think of a question you could ask the reader to begin your paper.

3. Find provocative facts or statistics you could start your paper with.

4. Write down the elements of general background information you think the reader needs before they begin the body of your paper.

part 2 the 4 paragraphs

First paragraph.

*the potential for legal owners to use their weapons during an active mass shooting incident is very low regardless of whether gun is concealed or otherwise

second paragraph.

*the empirical evidence from several studies showed that the natural response of people to such a situations is flight and not when they are not the direct target or unclear about the position of the shooter

Third paragraph

* the high potential of students to engage in reckless behaviours that could compromise their safety and those of others is higher than any potential benefits that are derivable from the decision to permit them to carry gun on campus grounds. The example of the failure of the legal gun owners at the scene of the 2015 Umpqua Community College, Oregon shooting and high rate of suicide and aggressive behaviour among students of tertiary institutions are evidence to support these perspectives.

Fourth Paragraph.

*
Gun owners that become the target of
active mass shooters on college campuses can use their concealed or unconcealed
weapons for self-defense during the incident. It is the fundamental reason for
the campaign to legalize the use of guns on the grounds of public campuses.
Also, the position is based on the fact that the active mass shooter would not
target the individuals whom he or she considers as capable of firing shots at
him or her since all human do not like the idea of being shot at by others.
Therefore, the permission has the greater potential to deter the potential
active mass shooter from engaging in the violent crime.

Make all the paragraphs in one assignment and link all of them together.

essay summary

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Choose one (1) of the essays below and write an extended summary of the essay (“they say”)
(“I say”). Do not use or include any outside research. Include only your own ideas and those in
the essay that you chose. Use Chapters 1-3 in They Say/I Say

1. “Don’t Blame the Eater” David Zinzcenko 391
2.. “Escape from the Western Diet” Michael Pollan 434
Content and Support: See rubric • You must use essay form that is appropriate to
college-level writing (paragraphs, transitions, an
introduction and conclusion, etc.).
• You must explain your ideas in detail in order to
make a clear and complete argument.
• Make sure that your essay is written only in first
person (where appropriate) and third person. Do not
use second person (you).
Support: See rubric • You may NOT use outside research in
completing this assignment.
• Instead, present your own ideas only and the ideas in
the essay that you chose.

News Media: How (and why) to spot “fake” news.

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Course-Level Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)

For all Assessments, the following general requirements hold:

(1) Assignments should be 2-3 double-spaced pages, with reasonable (12 pt.) font and reasonable (1 inch) margins.

(2) Citations to the material are required; in-text citations are preferred (MLA style).

(3) Assignments should be turned into eCampus (for the collection of artifacts for scoring)

_____________________________________________________________________________

Assignment Three:

SLO
#3: News Media: How (and why) to spot “fake” news. 70% of students will
successfully research and evaluate the news media in an effort to
identify reputable journalism containing more accurate political
content. [SLO #3 fulfills the following Program Level Outcomes:
Communication, Critical Thinking, Social and Personal Responsibility, as
well as the following Course Level Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.]

Activity for Assessment:

Read the following: http://www.factcheck.org/2016/11/how-to-spot-fake-news/ and Watch the following: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYc-hd1QSwA

Take this quiz: https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/politics/cognitive-biases/?tid=sm_tw&utm_term=.9b2747fd076b ( right click and choose “open link on incognito window”)

  • If
    you had to help someone spot “fake news,” what would you tell them?
    Choose a news article from a reputable media outlet and compare it to
    an online story that you know is fake.
  • Using
    the checklist provided on the fact check web site, compare the two.
    Although fake news is not new, it seems harder to distinguish and more
    accepted now. Why? How will this acceptance of fake news impact our
    democracy?
  • How
    has the idea of “fake news” impacted our ability to be really informed
    on the important topics of the day? What steps can we take to become
    informed with legitimate information?
  • Is
    “fake news” really all that recent, or do we hear more about it as a
    result of the recent election cycle and events that have followed?
  • What are your thoughts on the quiz you took?

This
assignment must follow MLA guidelines, be typed in Times New Roman, 12
pt. font, and be a minimum of 1000 words with a works cited page. The
works cited are not included in the minimum word count. Any
articles/links/videos given in the assignment prompt MUST be cited in
your paper and works cited. You may also use other sources, but these
are the minimum required. Without all of them, your paper is a 0.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Program-Level Objectives met with this assignment:(PLO: 1,2,5,6)

1: Communication
Skills-to include effective development, interpretation and expression
of ideas through written, oral and visual communication

2: Critical
Thinking Skills-to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and
analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information

5: Personal Responsibility-to include the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making

6: Social
Responsibility-to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic
responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional,
national, and global communities

Course-Level Objectives met with this assignment:(CLO: 5,6,7,8)

5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in the political system.

6. Analyze the election process.

7. Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens

8. Analyze issues and policies in U.S. politics

Complete Short Discussion for Business Information Systems Course

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NO PLAGIARISM AND AT LEAST 500 WORDS

Discussion: Shared Practice—Driving Value of Business Information Systems Through Process-Oriented Organization

For this Discussion, read the case study “Creating a Process-Oriented Enterprise at Pinnacle West”.

By Day 3

Based on your reading and analysis of the case study, post your response to the following:

  • What challenges does Brown, the CIO, face in creating a process-oriented organization?
  • What are the requirements for creating a process-oriented culture in an organization? To what extend does Pinnacle West address these requirements? Where is it lacking?
  • Is it necessary to push the process-oriented culture to the entire company, or is having a process-oriented information technology organization sufficient for driving value from business information systems?
  • What lessons can you learn from the Pinnacle West case, and how might you apply those at your organization? How effective is management at promoting a process-oriented culture? What could management do better or improve upon to create or implement enterprise-wide business information systems? Provide specific examples to support your observations.

Please be specific, and use citations and references as appropriate and necessary.

Inferential Statistics and Analytics

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Scenario

Frank has only had a brief introduction to statistics when he was in high school 12 years ago, and that did not cover inferential statistics. He is not confident in his ability to answer some of the problems posed in the course.

As Frank’s tutor, you need to provide Frank with guidance and instruction on a worksheet he has partially filled out. Your job is to help him understand and comprehend the material. You should not simply be providing him with an answer as this will not help when it comes time to take the test. Instead, you will be providing a step-by-step breakdown of the problems including an explanation on why you did each step and using proper terminology.

What to Submit

To complete this assignment, you must first download the word document (also attached), and then complete it by including the following items on the worksheet:

  1. Incorrect Answers
    • Correct any wrong answers. You must also explain the error performed in the problem in your own words.
  2. Partially Finished Work
    • Complete any partially completed work. Make sure to provide step-by-step instructions including explanations.
  3. Blank Questions
    • Show how to complete any blank questions by providing step-by-step instructions including explanations.

Your step-by-step breakdown of the problems, including explanations, should be present within the word document provided. You must also include an Excel workbook which shows all your calculations performed.

English help

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Read the prompt below. Decide how you want to approach the topic. Then write a narrative response. You have 30 minutes to complete this assignment. Your assignment will be graded based on the Narrative Prompt Grading Rubric. The rubric can be found in your Unit Resources.

Prompt

As much as humans like to control their own lives, there are many aspects that are outside of our control. For example, we do not choose the families into which we are born or the places where we grow up. The same is sometimes true of friendships. Some friends we choose because we identify them as people who are similar to us and because they offer us something we want. Occasionally, however, we make unexpected friends. For example, a young person bumps into someone at the library who is crying because she has lost an important paper she was writing for school. As a result, the two become friends and learn that helping people through tough times is at the core of strong relationships.

Assignment

Tell the story of a time you made an “unexpected” friend and learned something important from that friend. In your response, be sure to explain how the friendship came about and the ways in which this friendship taught you something.