International Relations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

International Relations - Essay Example He was known to be an Athenian; his generation came immediately after that of the Socrates. Although he was not the conversation leader, his dialogue features the Socrates. Plato has the political doctrine attributed to him, it was mainly obtained from the statesman, the laws and even from the republic Taylor, (121-122). He focused mainly on the following; that living a good life is considered to be our actions final end, which is individuals pursuing happiness in life. Plato also highlights that an individual having a good life depend on utilizing personal skills and abilities and that of other different external goods. He further adds that all these require individuals to have virtues. Virtues on the other hand forces individuals to have the knowledge of the good. Plato concludes that the search of happiness required an individual to possess the knowledge of good. Thus through his various contributions Plato is perceived to play a key role in the establishment of the ancient d the medieval political theory. In bringing about the philosophy, polis also resulted in what Aristotle referred to as being two lives. This included the life of politics and that of philosophy. There were several issues that needed clarification and it included; whether philosophers could conduct themselves politically, whether they could be involved in the normal politics in the current regimes or come up with their own, and also if they were suppose remain purely philosophical without getting involved in politics. Considering the above questions, the philosophical life of Socrates was considered as having been involved in politics before experiencing death philosophically. However for both Plato and Aristotle they perceived politics as being less divined and considered it to be less attractive as compared to studying the world truth which to them was extensive. Even though philosophy may handle issues on politics its major task is more as compared to that of politics. It is important to understand that those who established the earlier political philosophy were focused in differentiating and making philosophy independent from the ordinary actions of politics. This does not necessarily imply that they did not possess ordinary intentions of politics, but rather to clearly state that the establishment of political philosophy was meant to problematized the ordinary political life value. Considering the conception of the modern state it greatly varies with the polis philosophy. There is no clear difference between the state and the political life. It is even difficult to determine which one is above the other, which in reality the state should be superior. According to Plato a political community which is just is structured in a manner where every citizen gets an appropriate opportunity to make contribution for the sake of the communities to benefit. Hence, individuals should have virtues which include social virtues, and an individual can attain this through the the oretical teaching and through education provided. The knowledge of the good according to Plato has different ways; it includes the different modes where an individual’s character is trained and the theoretical knowledge obtained. This consists of a particular type of knowledge considered to be of second-order which mostly concerns the appropriate logical patterns and the given criteria used particularly in the epistemic quality of beliefs evaluation. True reality is not always obvious to majority of us mainly because of how we conduct our

Enhancing community intergration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Enhancing community intergration - Essay Example Kennedy signed the law requiring states to begin investing in community-based mental health programs rather than funding state institutions for treating individuals with mental illness, the promise remains unfulfilled" In the modern times, meaning of community and its involvement is fast thinning. There is no doubt that we live in a deprived sense of 'loss of community'. Sociologists have untiringly pointed out this bereavement of modern times. "Maurice Stein's 1960 review of major sociological and anthropological community studies concludes with the central finding of a disappearance of the sense of community among residents of the towns studies (Stein 1960)," Rossi (2001, p.32). Even though olden days had their share of mental ill health, modern times of stress and strain have thrown up a plethora of mental health problems for people of all ages, especially for the elderly. Mental health problems could be very difficult for the afflicted person and for his family. As it is mostly a life span problem, with certain relief combined with cure, or sometimes simply progressive, the problem has to be faced for years and decades. Mental health problems cannot be faced in isolation. It needs help from family, school, and more importantly from community and society. ... It is not an individual problem either. It is the problem of community and society and should be treated so. Community has to take fair share of its responsibility because a person going through a mental sickness, or being cured and coming out of it, has a right to expect better and more considerate treatment from community around him. Treatment meted out to him by the community will be taken as standard measurement of his achievement in being cured, or the lack of it. Reaction of the community and people around him could send an individual reeling back into serious and more difficult mental problems, or can encourage him to come out of it. Afflicted person in his hopelessness of future and helplessness will be very watchful and wary of people around him. He would clutch at any kindness, but could turn violent or morose at the very hint of discrimination or ridicule. Mary and Andrew are mother and son, and the son is afflicted by the unfortunate Schizophrenia. We learn from his own words that Andrew treats his mental inadequacies as a form of education and a boon. He feels that he would never come out of his childhood, and experiences the complete happiness of childhood any time again, will never ask for better things and get disillusioned. He has his hobbies, his pets, his ideas and in his small world he is happy. Community around him had been understanding and cooperative and there lies the real root of Andrew's fulfilment. Is Andrew deceiving himself or taking a brighter view of his very difficult-to-cure mental problem It could be anything. But the fact remains that Andrew is happy in the small community, in their house along with his mother Mary. He could be blocking out the difficulties of the

What Is The Pre Modern Society?

What Is The Pre Modern Society? Human history can be divided into three phases: pre-modern, modern and post modern. There is no definite beginning or end to each of these phases; rather they merge into one another, as not all societies moved forward at the same time. Sociology and modernity have been described as closely intertwined, but it has also been argued that sociology is a product of modernity. Sociology came out of something described by Polanyi (1973) as the Great Transformation, a term which refers to social, economic, political and cultural changes, which were the cause of new forms of social life. During this piece I will discuss pre- modern society, the impact industrialisation had on society and why the study of this era is important for sociology. What is Pre- modern Society? In pre-modern society, work was not highly specialised and the number of roles necessary to produce things were relatively small, therefore the division of labour was simple when compared to modern societies. Most of the labour forces engaged in agricultural activity and produced food through subsistence farming. The majority of pre-industrial groups had standards of living not much above survival, meaning most of the population were focused on producing only enough goods for means of survival. The term pre- modern, covers a number of different societal forms: hunter-gatherer, agrarian, horticultural, pastoral and non-industrial. Pre-modern social forms have now virtually disappeared, although they are still in existence in some of todays societies. An example of a hunter- gatherer society that exists today is the Inuit people, who inhabit northern Alaska, Canada, and Greenland. Due to the lack of vegetation in these areas of the world, most Inuit people live on a diet of meat. Many Arctic people are extremely mobile like the feudal societies of pre- modern times, and travel around the land, often moving with the seasons, in pursuit of migratory animals. Hunting and gathering societies hunt animals and gather vegetation in order to survive. All humans were hunters and gatherers up until around 12,000 years ago, and although, these societies still exist today in some parts of the world, they are in fast decline as they are being taken over by the advance of industrial society (Macionis J. Plummer K, 2005, p.75). Hunting and gathering societies began to turn into horticultural and pastoral societies after new technology was introduced. People began to use hand tools to help them to farm the land and to work the soil in order to sow seeds. Societies living in mountainous or parched regions turned to pastoralism which is based on the domestication of animals. Some societies combined the two technologies so they could produce a variety of foods. Agrarian societies came about with the discovery of large scale farming, which involved using ploughs which were harnessed to animals. Farmers could work larger plots of land unlike the horticulturists who worked garden sized plots of land. Agrarian societies began to permanently settle and created large food surplus, which they could now transport using animal powered wagons. Increased food production provided societies with surplus materials, which meant the build up of storable produce. This represented a cultural advance for civilisation. With the development of storage, in some rare cases came some social unrest, as what could be stored could also be stolen, although is thought that in pre- modern times there was very little deviance, as communities were extremely close knit and everybody knew each other. This new technology could have also created social inequality as some families produced more goods than others. The families producing more food may have assumed positions of a uthority and privilege. Industrialisation and the making of Modern Society: In order to understand why the study of pre- modern times is vital to sociology, it is important to look to the Industrial Revolution, as this was a time of great change for European society, and the crossing over from pre- modern to modern society. Industrialisation is the process whereby social and economic change transforms a pre- industrial society into an industrial one. Until industrialism the main source of energy was humans and animals, where as mills and factories now used water, and later steam, to power machinery. Industrialism is technology that powers sophisticated machinery with advanced sources of energy (Macionis J. Plummer K, 2005, p.79). During the Industrial revolution, an economy based on manual labour was replaced by one taken over by industry and the manufacture of machinery. Rapid industrialisation cost many craft workers their jobs and scores of weavers also found themselves unemployed as they could not compete with machinery. Many unemployed workers turned their anger towards the machines that had taken their jobs and began destroying factories and machinery. These activists became known as Luddites and became extremely popular. The British government took drastic measures against the Luddites using the army to protect the factories. The Industrial Revolution also saw the emergence of class, urbanisation and the bad conditions in which people had to live and work. Marxism essentially began as a reaction to the Industrial Revolution. As the Industrial Revolution progressed so did the gap between class structures. According to Karl Marx, industrialisation polarised society into the bourgeoisie, and the much larger proletariat. Ordinary working people found increased opportunity for employment in the mills and factories and in some cases had no choice but to move to the towns and cities in search of work. By the early 1900s up to eighty per cent of the population of Britain lived in urban centres (Kumar, 1978, cited in Bilton et al, p.28). Using the clock to time ones self, as a basis of social organisation, was an indicator of the emergence of a modern society. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries both agricultural and manufacturing labour became set by the clock in a way that was very different to pre-modern production. In pre-modern times factors such as hours of daylight set work rhythms, whereas the factories were regulated by the clock, labour was synchronised and took place for a certain number of hours each day and on particular days of the week. For the factory owners and their employees, time now equalled money. The working conditions were often strict with long working hours and a pace that was set by machinery and production. With the Industrial Revolution came an increase in population. Education was still limited and therefore children were expected to work. Child labour was appealing to employers as it was cheaper than employing an adult yet productivity was similar. The machines did not require strength to operate and there were no experienced adult labourers as the system was completely new. The majority of ordinary people were greatly affected by capitalism and industrial production. By the late 1900s Englands Black Country was one of the most industrialised parts of the United Kingdom and in the 1830s was described in the following way; The earth seems to have turned inside out. The coal. is blazing on the surface by day and by night the country is flowing with fire, and the smoke of the ironworks hangs over it. There is a rumbling and clanking of iron forges and rolling mills. Workmen covered in smut, and with fierce white eyes, are seen moving amongst the glowing iron and dull thud of the forge-hammers. (Jennings,1985 p.165) Societies were changing faster than they had ever done before and industrial societies had transformed themselves more in a century than societies had for thousands of years before. In the 19th century the invention of the railway and steamships revolutionised transport and made the world feel much smaller than it had previously. The invention of Sociology was created out of concern for a rapidly changing industrial world (Macionis J. Plummer K, 2005). Conclusion: The transition from pre- modernity into modernity was important for sociology as people began to see that society was something important to study. Some argue that this was when sociology began as the emergence of modern societies created a new intellectual world aware of its surroundings and concerned with acquisition of knowledge. As modernity came about, changes in social attitudes within society occurred making society itself interesting to others. Unlike the static pre- modern society, modern societies appear to have created many different groups, causing new and interesting communications and interactions between people. In the pre- modern era, relationships between people in society were extremely similar and perhaps uneventful and society had been static, therefore sociology was not required.

Religion and Coming of Age in Olive Ann Burns’ Novel, Cold Sassy Tree E

Religion and Coming of Age in Olive Ann Burns’ Novel, Cold Sassy Tree In the small southern town of Cold Sassy, Georgia, at the turn of the twentieth century, teenage boys had to grow up fast. They were not in any way sheltered from the daily activities of the town. This was especially true for fourteen year old Will Tweedy. Olive Ann Burns’ first, and only completed novel, Cold Sassy Tree, tells of young Will’s coming-of-age. His experiences with religion, progress, and death in Cold Sassy escorted him along the path to manhood. During the early 1900s, the south was full of religious fervor. Most small communities were based around two or three church families. Cold Sassy Tree, which is a recounting of Will’s memories, contains many references to religion and God. Rucker Blakeslee,...

Economics. Exchange rate to the larger country’s currency Essay

†¢A managed floating exchange rate refers to (an exchange rate that is not pegged, but does not float freely) †¢A small country with strong economic ties to a larger country should (PEG ((HARD OR SOFT)) THEIR EXCHANGE RATE TO THE LARGER COUNTRY’S CURRENCY) †¢An increase in the real exchange rate (real depreciation of domestic currency) will result in (AN INCREASE IN NET EXPORTS) †¢China has pegged its currency against the U.S. dollar. If demand for dollars decreases (THERE IS PRESSURE FOR THE U.S. DOLLAR TO DEPRECIATE. IN THIS SETTING, CHINA HAS TO PURCHASE DOLLARS TO MAINTAIN ITS PEG) †¢Consider Figure 10.4, â€Å"Supply and Demand in the Foreign Exchange Market.† If U.S. demand for the British pound decreases, in the long run (THE DEMAND CURVE WILL SHIFT IN TO THE LEFT, AND THE DOLLAR WILL APPRECIATE) †¢If the U.S. dollar depreciates in terms of the Euro (American goods would be cheaper for Europeans) †¢In a fixed exchange rate system, how do countries address the problem of currency market pressures that threaten to lower or raise the value of their currency (a & b only: if demand rises, countries must fill the excess demand for foreign currency by selling their reserves, if demand falls, then countries must increase demand by buying up the excess supply with domestic currency) †¢In the debate on fixed versus floating exchange rates, the strongest argument for a floating rate is that it frees macroeconomic policy from taking care of the exchange rate. Why is this also the weakest argument (the freeing of monetary policy from the task of maintaining an exchange rate creates a lack of external discipline on monetary policy and leads to an over reliance on inflationary policies to satisfy domestic economic needs) †¢Suppose a bond issued by the European Central Bank and denominated in euros pays 2% per year. Today the exchange rate is 1.87 dollars per euro. It is expected that the exchange rate in one year will be 2.06 dollars per euro. What is the annual dollar return on this bond (12 percent) †¢The price of a currency that will be delivered in the future is called (THE FORWARD EXCHANGE RATE) †¢Under a Gold Standard (THE EXCHANGE RATE IS FIXED) †¢Which is true (SOME COUNTRIES PEG TO A BASKET OF CURRENCIES) †¢Which of the  effects is not considered when choosing an exchange rate system (THE FISCAL ((SPENDING)) POLICY THAT THE CHOOSING COUNTRY WILL MAINTAIN) †¢Which of the following would be interested in holding foreign currency to engage in transactions (a & d only: a tourist, a manufacturing firm) †¢Which of the following would be interested in holding foreign currency to take advantage of investment opportunities (a portfolio manager) †¢SUPPOSE THE DOLLAR-YEN EXCHANGE RATE IS 0.013 DOLLARS PER YEN. SINCE THE BASE YEAR, INFLATION HAS BEEN 1 PERCENT IN JAPAN AND 9 PERCENT IN THE UNITED STATES. WHAT IS THE REAL EXCHANGE RATE (.0120) WORK: REAL EXCHANGE RATE = (NOMINAL EXCHANGE RATE) X ((FOREIGN PRICES) / (DOMESTIC PRICES)) THE FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC PRICES ARE FOUND BY TAKING 100 + THE INFLATION PERCENT. THEREFORE, THE REAL EXCHANGE RATE = 0.013 X ((101) / (109)) = 0.0120 IN REAL TERMS, THE DOLLAR HAS APPRECIATED AGAINST THE YEN (TRUE) †¢DUE TO THIS CHANGE, THE U.S. DOLLAR WILL (APPRECIATE), THE CANADIAN DOLLAR WILL (DEPRECIATE), AND THE LENGTH OF THE EFFECT WILL BE (MEDIUM RUN) †¢Exports represent about ___ percent of Israel’s economy (40) †¢One of the reasons Israel’s currency has appreciated recently is due to (low interest rates in other major economies) †¢Israel’s benchmark interest rate is now (1.25%) †¢Market determined currency exchange rates are also known as (floating exchange rates) †¢What is the impact of currency depreciation on the country experiencing the decline in currency value (exports will increase) †¢When a country allows their currency to depreciate it will (increase exports) †¢When a foreign currency becomes more expensive in terms of another currency it is said to have; (appreciated) †¢How will lowering the interest rates impact the value of the currency (it will devalue the currency) †¢How does the appreciation of the British pound versus the euro impact the British economy? Goods priced in pounds are now (more expensive to consumers in Europe that use the euro, resulting in a further decline in British exports) †¢Why is the British pound appreciating versus the euro (because investors and savers that hold their wealth in euros are looking for â€Å"safe haven† currencies to place their money) †¢How does the Bank of England’s quantitative easing impact the pound’s strength (normally  quantitative easing would cause a currency to depreciate, so the fact that the pound is appreciating provides a strong indicator of investors’ fear of the euro)

Knowledge and skills framework Essay

According to DH (2004), NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (NHS KSF) refers to the information that NHS employees need to implement in their service delivery to guarantee quality. NHS issues a single, comprehensive, consistent and exceptional structure to execute in the review and motivation for all the staff. NHS KSF and its success have been as result of its drive for Agenda for Change. The designs are made to cut across all NHS employees irrespective of their capacity, as long as they fall under the change agreement for the agenda. This agreement is applicable to all the staff with exceptions of physicians, dentists and board management team, who have different arrangements for their advancement review. Throughout this study, the staffs mentioned are those who fall under the Agenda for Change National Agreement. Purpose of NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework The role of NHS KSF framework is to foster advancement of services to address the needs of the users and the entire public. Also it supports efficient learning and advancement of persons and groups of persons in their career development. This purpose does however; consider other facets such as empowerment of individuals in their capacities which promotes diversity and equality for the entire staff, in order to foster development (DH, 2004). Core dimensions According to Moullin (2002), NHS KSF is structured to create 30 dimensions which seek to identify major roles required by NHS to facilitate better quality services to the people. Six of the dimensions however are core to every position in NHS. These core dimensions include communication, which suggests ways of improving communication between various categories of people, individual and people advancement, which seeks to advance individual capacity as well as empowering other stakeholders within the health sector, health, safety and security which assists in the maintenance of one’s health status while considering the security of others, quality which facilitates the maintenance of one quality of service delivery and encourage others to formulate a culture that seeks to improve quality, service improvement and lastly, equality and diversity. The other dimensions do not apply to all groups and are specific to particular jobs. Communication as a core dimension According to McSherry (2008), Communication as a core dimension may assume the following forms: verbal communication, written and signing communication, electronic conveyance of information, communication aids, communication through third parties (for instance translators and interpreters). This passage of information entails communicating with patients, families, general public and their representatives, co-workers and colleagues. These forms of communication may also face challenges for instance a noisy environment. Personal health and the welfare of the individuals involved and social conflicts such as violent situations are other obstacles to effective communication to various groups of people. Communication may also be impaired by illiteracy levels which may interfere with the capacity to read and write. The existing policy frameworks and procedures may also act as barriers to communication when assessed from local or international dimensions. The policies may entail confidentiality, conflict resolution and preservation of information among others (McSherry, 2008). Application of effective communication Effective communication entails identification of the information conveyed by others in additional to self communication. It also involves advancing effective communication interactions which are characterized by advancements in the communication situation, subject matter, intention and the number of individuals being communicated to, their backgrounds and the impacts that this may have on the communication skills obtained. Effective communication entails communicating with a wide range of persons over diverse issues and formulating procedure of advancing communication on complex matters and situations (DH, 2000). Equality and Diversity Promotion of equality and appreciation of diversity is based on the belief that investment in workforce enhances service delivery and improves patients care across the continents (DH, 2004). Trainers, trainees and others stakeholders need to be involved in the administration of relevant questionnaires regularly. People’s diversity and equality attract recognition on the basis of gender, age and social backgrounds. Patients, families, co-workers within NHS and those from outside may experience oppression, discrimination or harassment based on their place of origin, ethnicity, mental status, bodily outlook among others. The policies, regulations and procedures that have been put in place to address inequality and diversity include domestic laws and international agreements pertaining to human rights, employment, anti-discriminatory activities and conflict resolution mechanisms (KAI, 2004). According to RCGP (2007), equality entails participation by all and access to opportunities to reveal their maximum potential. Under UK laws, all institutions have a responsibility to counter discrimination and enhance diversity. Diversity involves recognizing and appreciating the differences in order to create a culture that values, respects and harnesses the difference for the satisfaction of the entire institution. Influence on communication on my current practice and personal life Effective communication has contributed significant in influencing my personal life as well as my life as a nurse. It has enabled me to minimize the common obstacles of communication for instance addressing individuals of particular groups while maintaining a positive image of myself. Communication has also enabled me to provide reports with precision according to institutional procedures. This however does not make me forget that there are policies, legislations and procedures that need to be observed. Every form of communication goes along with accountability, to ensure that it does not jeopardize the discharge of responsibilities bestowed on me (DH, 2004). Communication has also enabled me to exemplify my skills to a wide range of persons and help resolve any differences that may accrue. This has helped me to address people of diverse backgrounds consistently especially when delivering information that I feel may not be pleasant such as the death of a close relative. This is accompanied by giving relevant feedbacks which comply with institutional policies and procedures. Decision making is another attribute which have gained through effective communication. There are some instances when I am expected to provide an immediate feedback especially on life threatening matters. Effective communication has also helped me in the resolution of disputes arising during the daily discharge of my duties. These skills do not only apply to professional life and have come in hand to shape my personal life towards the positive direction. It is based on this argument that Moullin (2002) states that communication dimension applies to all the sectors where there is interaction between people. Moullin also notes that this does not come without challenges for instance where the actions of people are beyond their control, poor historical background in communication and complexity of circumstances which may sometimes go beyond once control. Communication comes in handy when advocating issues on behalf of my colleagues, asserting a stand and retaining its adversity, revelation of unwelcoming news and supporting the recipients of the news. Communication has also emerged vital in the delivery of presentations which significantly encourages active contribution by the audience (DH, 2000). Influence of equality and diversity dimensions in my current practice and personal life According to Moonie, Bates and Spencer-Perkinsd (2004), equality and diversity are two crucial dimensions that have enable me in my profession to improve my interpersonal relationships with people. It has assisted me in my interactions with clients, colleagues and people across various institutions. I have appreciated the diversity that exist within the society and have learnt to appreciate people of diverse cultures, ages, creeds and other social backgrounds. The nursing profession has exposed me to diverse issue which can only be addressed by accommodating and appreciating people the way they are. My movement from one institution to the other within the health sector has improved my performance after being exposed to different values and challenges which have made me a better nurse. My support for equality has been unperturbed and I have learnt various policies and legislative procedures which assess the effectiveness of institutions for instance the Gender Recognition Act, 2004 (Cooper, 2004). Equality has helped me to appreciate the fact equal opportunities need to make accessible to all people irrespective of their financial capabilities. Through my understanding of equality and diversity, I have perceived the extent to which laws could be applied to foster culture and to address the discriminatory challenges that engulf the society. I have also appreciated that the success of this core dimension is subject to proper resource allocation, advancement and existence of relevant services. Lastly, equality has motivated me to play the role of being a good model that is considerate of all members of the society irrespective of their shortcomings (Hargie, (2006). Conclusion From the literature cited above, it is exhibited that NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework creates opportunities for information sharing and the implementation of this information enhances service delivery and creates motivation for the staff working in health institutions. NHS has been motivated by its drive for change which has enhanced the implementation of the six core dimensions in health care delivery. Communication which is the first core dimension determines the operations of the other core dimensions. Efficient communication entails establishing a good rapport with various stake holders who include professionals, institutions and clients. NHS Knowledge and Skills framework also identifies and appreciates the significance of equality and diversity while dealing with individuals of various backgrounds. Relevant policies, laws and procedures are put in to place to ensure that discrimination does not jeopardize service delivery in the health sector (Moonie, Bates and Spencer-Perkinsd, 2004). References Berry, D 2007. Health Communication Theory and Practice, Maidenhead: Open University Press. Cooper, D 2004. Challenging Diversity: Rethinking Equality and the Value of Difference. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Department of Health, DH 2000. The Vital Connection-an equalities framework for the NHS working together for quality and equality. Department of Health, DH 2003. Equalities and Diversity in the NHS-progress and priorities, London: Department of Health. Department of Health, 2004. The NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (NHS KSF) and the Development Review Process, Department of Health Publications: London, Retrieved from www. dh. gov. uk/policyAndGuidance/HumanResourcesAndTraining/ModernisingPay/agendaForChange/fs/en Department of Health, 2004. The NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (NHS KSF), London: Department of Health Publications. Hargie, O. (ed), 2006. The Handbook of Communication Skills. London: Routledge. Hilary, G, 2007. Unequal lives: Health and Socio-economic Inequalities. London: Routledge. KAI, J. (ed), 2004. Valuing Diversity- a resource for effective health care of ethnically diverse communities- a Training manual London: Royal College of General Practitioners. McSherry, R, 2008. An Introduction to Excellence in Practice development in Health and Social Care Maidenhead Open University Press. Moonie, N. , Bates, A. & Spencer-Perkinsd, 2004. Diversity and Rights in Care. Oxon: Harcourt Education Ltd. Moullin, M, 2002. Delivering Excellence in Health and Social Care. Maidenhead: Open University Press. Royal College of General Practitioners, RCGP, 2007. Promoting Equality and Valuing Diversity, 14 Princes Gate, Hyde Park: London.

21 Bucket List Items For Graduating College Students

21 Bucket List Items For Graduating College Students The idea of a bucket list - referring to things someone should do before he or she kicks the bucket - doesnt just have to apply to older folks. Students, too, can make their own bucket list to make sure they get in every last memory and bit of fun before tossing their caps at graduation. Here are some things to consider adding to yours: 1. Confess a Crush   Scary? Sure. But if you think youll regret not telling a certain someone how you feel about them before you both part ways after graduating, its time to go for it. After all, even if it doesnt go well, you wont have to really see them again, right? 2. Take Pictures of People Who Have Made a Difference in Your College Life   When do you think back on your years at school, who mattered most? A certain professor or two? Several friends in particular? Maybe a mentor or administrator? Even if youre convinced that youll stay in touch with these folks for years, take a picture anyway. You can laugh at how young everyone looked when youre old and gray and reminiscing about all the silly things you did in college. 3. Thank Your Favorite Professor Chances are one professor, in particular, stands out for the influence he or she had on you during your time in school. Tell them thanks before you leave. You can thank them in person, write an email or even leave a small thank-you note (or maybe a gift) for them on graduation day. 4. Try Food You Never Did Somewhere on Campus If youve never tried a certain kind of food on campus, gather your pride and dig in before you graduate. Youll get a good experience exposing yourself to something new and - you never know - you just might end up liking it.   5. Buy Yourself a Graduation Gift  From the Bookstore Sure, your funds are probably even tighter than normal around graduation time. But pinch your pennies and reward yourself with a gift, no matter how small, from the bookstore. A simple keychain, license plate holder, bumper sticker, business card holder  or travel bag will remind you for years to come about one of your greatest accomplishments so far. 6. Thank the People Who Helped Pay Your Way If scholarships, your parents and/or others helped pay your way through school, make sure to let them know how much you appreciate their support. One suggestion: Include a picture of you in your cap and gown on graduation day in a simple but heartfelt thank-you note. 7. Write Something for the School Paper You may be shy, you may not think of yourself as a good writer and you may have never written for the paper before. But youll be graduating soon - meaning youve succeeded at college and have important advice to share with your peers. Ask the editor if you can make a submission, and take a few hours to put something together that passes along your wisdom. 8. Take a Picture of Yourself and Your Room It may seem silly now, but how fun will it be to look back at how you looked and what your room/apartment looked like five, 10 or 20 years from now? Dont let something that you see every day now slip away with time. 9. Go to a Part of Campus Youve Never Been Before Even if youre at the smallest of schools, head to a corner of campus youve never been before. You just might get a new perspective of how things look and come to appreciate a side of your school that feels brand new just as every other part of it is feeling old. 10. Go to a Sports Event Youve Never Been To   Football and basketball games may be all the rage on your campus, but try something new. If its a gorgeous day, grab some friends and some snacks and go watch a softball or Ultimate Frisbee game. Its a great way to relax and get a new college memory. 11. Go Swimming in the Campus Pool Many students forget theres a campus pool - or are too self-conscious to use it. But these pools can be huge, gorgeous and a lot of fun. Grab your suit, leave your insecurities behind and go have a ridiculously fun game of  Marco Polo  with some friends. 12. Have Your Favorite/Most Influential Professor Sign a Book They Wrote When you think of which professor has been the most brilliant during your time in school, one or two undoubtedly stand out from the rest of the crowd. Have them sign a copy of their latest book before you graduate for a great keepsake youll cherish for years. 13. Participate in a Campus Tradition Being tossed into a fountain on your  birthday? Going on a midnight excursion with your  fellow sorority or fraternity members? Make sure to participate in at least one campus tradition before you graduate for a lasting, irreplaceable memory. 14. Attend an Event on Something You Know Nothing About You went to college to learn new things, right? So head on over to an event youd normally  never  consider attending. You dont have to do anything other than listening and learn. 15. Treat Yourself to a Nice Meal Off Campus You may be so used to bad muffins in the campus coffee shop and the same dishes in the dining hall that heading off campus for a nice meal seems completely out of the realm of possibility. Chances are, however, that you can ask around and find a super yummy, affordable place that will provide you  with a great meal  and a great memory. 16. Vote in Student Government Elections OK, sure, you may have thought they were boring or unimportant before. But now that youre graduating, you have a pretty serious responsibility to leave behind a strong legacy and support system for the classes that will follow you. Honor them by voting  for student leaders  who you think will maintain the standards other students set for you when you first arrived on campus. 17. Go to a Professional Sports Game Off Campus If you live in a big city and have never been to a professional sports game, now is the time to go! After all, how silly would you feel if you had to confess, for years and years after you graduate, that even though you lived in, say, Boston for 4 years, you never saw a  Red Sox  game? Grab some friends and head out. 18. Go to a Cultural Event in Town Even if you live in what you consider to be the smallest of small towns, theres a culture there that cant be replaced and that youll probably miss once youre gone. Go to a poetry slam, a performance, a county fair or anything else being put on in town and absorb all you can before you move somewhere new. 19. Go to a Museum in Town You never know what history your college town has to offer. Challenge yourself to learn a little more before you graduate by hitting a museum in town. It could be an art museum, a history museum, or even something that speaks to the unique identity of your city. Even better: Use your  student discount  for admission. 20.  Volunteer Off Campus Even if you dont interact with people off campus all that much, the community that surrounds your school has helped make your experience possible. Give back a little by volunteering for a one-day, one-month, one-semester, or one-year commitment to an off-campus organization that supports your own values and priorities, too. 21. Do Something That Scares You If you look back at your college years and realize you played it safe, you might not be pushing yourself  out of your comfort zone  enough. Take a deep breath and challenge yourself to try something new and scary. Even if you regret it, youll learn something about yourself.