A Peoples History of the United States vs the Enduring Vision Essay Example for Free

A Peoples History of the United States vs the Enduring Vision Essay How complete are our textbooks these days? Yes, they may cover Christopher Columbus’s all the way to today’s current events. But just how complete are they? Often books tend to lean a certain direction, and offer perspective from only one point of view; most commonly the views of the victors, dominant country or possibly stories of heroes. What about the other side? Far too often the lesser of the two is left out of the textbooks and out of our minds. There are always two sides to a story, in this case, much of what we read is a mere, â€Å"partial truth†. In the following paragraphs and analysis, assumptions and generalizations we have made about our country and it’s â€Å"heroes† will be examined in an in-depth interpretation of the standard American textbook, The Enduring Vision vs. Howard Zinn’s, A People’s History of the United States, a strongly worded book meant to offer a different point of view, one not of the hero, but of men they truly were. Everyone knows who discovered America, Christopher Columbus, of course! â€Å"In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue† At a very young age we are taught that, but that’s only half the story. According to, The Enduring Vision, â€Å"Religious Fervor led Columbus to dream of carrying Christianity around the globe, but he also hungered for wealth and glory. †(p. 27) Upon discovery, Columbus became very fond of himself, and what he had done. He discovered a land and a people that before his discovery never existed. Because of this, Columbus’s hunger for wealth and glory came to the forefront. The textbook makes no mention of the less publicized portions of his life; it certainly was not carrying Christianity to the world. The book fails to mention, the cruel and inhumane things that were done to the Native American who currently inhabited the â€Å"New World†. Those actions seem to be brushed under the rug, because of the fact that he is an American hero. However, Howard Zinn offers a view from a different perspective. â€Å"†¦They willingly traded everything they owned†¦. They were well built, with good bodies and handsome features†¦They do not bear arms, and do not know them, for I showed them a sword, they took by the edge and cut themselves out of ignorance. They have no iron. Their spears are made of cane†¦. They would make fine servants†¦. With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want. † (Zinn 17) Columbus’s lust for wealth, power, and domination of the people blinded his view of spreading Christianity. In Columbus’s report back to the royal court in Madrid, Spain, Columbus uses religious talk to convince the court that he was establishing a community, and to establish fame and a reputation back in Spain. In exchange for a little help, Columbus was to bring them, â€Å"as much gold as they need†¦ and as many slaves as they ask. Concluding his report he said, â€Å"Thus the eternal God, our Lord, gives victory to those who follow His was over apparent impossibilities† (Zinn 20) this was not entirely true, his report was exaggerated, however, the court granted him his expanded fleet and men. However, Columbus was not out to colonize the new world, he was looking for his personal gain ; Gold, and slaves. This American â€Å"Hero† isn’t everything the history books and movies make him out to be. Columbus was a liar, cruel, and was out for glory and fame. It’s a sad truth to such an important piece of an American history. As American we would like to believe that Columbus was the man he was made up to be, and definitely not a â€Å"Christ-like† figure. He was much more than an explorer who owned a few slaves; he is a man responsible for the institution of slavery and the murder of many, many Native Americans. Another well-known figure in history has a distorted past, he happens to be one of our most respected presidents; Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson is perhaps most known for his hand in writing the Declaration of Independence. Although Jefferson was a major player in gaining our country’s independence from England; he wasn’t much for granting independence to a certain group of people in America. Although, it is noted that Jefferson had a personal distaste for slavery, that did not stop him from owning slaves, hundreds of slaves until the day he died. Jefferson even slipped a portion his views into the Declaration of Independence. It is a very common cliche phrase that is known by many, in which he lists property, in a list of â€Å"unalienable† rights. That among these are Life, Liberty, and property† However, Congress didn’t approve, and instead, they chose, â€Å"Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness†. Slaves were often referred to as property at that time, not human beings, but property, as if they were a possession. So, who really was Jefferson, was he a noble president, who still today remains a prominent figure in the history of the United States? Or was he just like everyone else, a slave owner, and didn’t truly believe that â€Å"All men are created equal†? Personally, I believe that Jefferson was a product of the time period. Being a slave owner was common; he was in line with what wealthy plantation owners. He may have believed that slavery was not a moral institution, but that doesn’t require him to being an abolitionist. According to Zinn, Jefferson’s paragraph was removed because, â€Å"slaveholders themselves with the desirability of ending the slave trade. †(Zinn 77) Thomas Jefferson was an extremely intelligent man, and I believe he wrote that, with the foresight of the country in mind. He knew that it should not be a part of America going forward, however, at the time; it was a part of life. In addition to that, Jefferson needed to keep his popularity high, and by ending the slave-trade, Jefferson would lose many of his supporters. For this I believe that in this case Zinn may be bias, he goes after every flaw in people we look up to, and we simply cannot expect them to be perfect. Yes, they may have made some mistake and at times be hypocritical, but everyone is guilty of that at some time in their life, especially at a time where presidents where selected on what they had done in battle, not in politics. The next difference comes in the form of another president. Andrew Jackson, the face of our twenty dollar bill. According to the textbook, â€Å"Jackson’s victory over the British at the Battle of New Orleans made him a national hero, and southerners admired him as a Tennessee slaveholder, a renowned Indian fighter, and an advocate of Indian removal† 216). Many American regarded Jackson as a â€Å"Living link to a more virtuous past. † Upon, gaining the presidency, one of Jackson’s first moves was to remove all the members of upper ranking officeholders†¦of the rival party. It was not well received by many; they began calling it the â€Å"spoils system†. He defended his actions by conveying that it was on the basis of Democracy; so that more people could work for the government. Jackson often gave jobs to family members or friends before giving the public their fair shake. Jackson was also willing to give jobs to people who weren’t qualified, because he knew them. This wasn’t the only thing that Jackson took heat for; his â€Å"morals† got him into more trouble. Jackson was easily bribed, and used deception as well as force to get what he wanted. Whether it was land or gold, Jackson was willing to use his power as president for his gain. Zinn 128) Zinn, points out the fact that this will never be printed in a text book, as Jackson is a face of this country. â€Å"If you look through high school textbooks and elementary school text books in American history you will find Jackson the frontiersman, soldier, democrat, man of the people-not Jackson the slaveholder, land speculator, executioner of dissident soldiers, exterminator of the Indians. †(Zinn 125) Strong and harsh words for a man, especially a president nonetheless. As we have seen in this and past examples, that Zinn emphasizes the other side of the story, the one you don’t hear about. Unfortunately, these are stories that everyone should know. Zinn, places an emphasis on teaching what the textbooks don’t, the textbooks focus on the spoils and fame of the individual. Howard Zinn provides an alternative view that sheds light on the morals of these men, which are not well publicized. Abraham Lincoln, the savior of the Union, often considered to be one of the best if not the best presidents in the history of the United States. However, this is one of the rare instances in which Zinn agrees with the textbook. For once, Zinn focuses on the results, rather the character. Lincoln didn’t believe that the African-Americans were his equal, but he did believe they had the rights of a human being; no human should be subject to being owned by another. However, Lincoln’s main priority was to preserve the Union, and to unite the States of America. The fact that Zinn agrees with the textbook in their positive view of Lincoln, shows the Zinn is not out to attack our great American Heroes. However, Zinn simply wishes for the other side of the story to be told, after all, all this stuff should be taught. Teaching as if this never happened, is like teaching addition without subtraction. Finally, we conclude with yet another president; our first President of the United States, George Washington: The fearless and ambitious leader that America looked to, to become our first president and lead the country in a positive direction. The Enduring Vision says it well, â€Å"American Victory depended on the ability of one man to keep his army fighting despite defeat† (120) Washington’s record in battle was poor, he lost more times than he won. However, the important part was that the people followed him. George was exceptionally tall for this time, so people naturally looked to him to lead them-despite losing. However, Washington was a slaveholder himself. Although, he did free them before he died. During the Revolutionary war, Washington did turn down a request of black slaves to fight in the army. (Zinn 83) Despite, his downfall, George Washington was an honorable man, who was the perfect choice for first President of the United States. Zinn tends to tarnish Washington’s reputation, with some of the things he chooses to publish; he gives Washington little credit for his accomplishments. In fact, I believe that Washington’s failures is what makes him such an insightful historical figure, failure spurred his ambition for bigger and better things. In conclusion, I have determined that much of what is printed is only partial truth. Thanks to Howard Zinn, people can explore the character that shaped out country. Although Zinn may seem to attack these men, he is simply pointing out that they weren’t the men they are made out to be in modern day history books and films. After reading, A People’s History of the United States, I am very pleased that someone decided that the truth must be told; even though it is not always what we want to hear.

The Ear And Hearing Loss Essay -- essays research papers

The Ear and Hearing Loss The ear is the organ of hearing and balance in vertebrates. The ear converts sound waves in the air, to nerve impulses which are sent to the brain, where the brain interprets them as sounds instead of vibrations. The innermost part of the ear maintains equilibrium or balance. The vestibular apparatus contains semicircular canals which in turn balance you. Any movement by the head, and this apparatus sends a signal to the brain so that your reflex action is to move your foot to balance you.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The ear in humans consist three parts: The outer, the middle, and the inner portions. The outer ear, or pinna, is the structure that we call the ear. It is the skin covered flap of elastic cartilage, that sticks out from the side of the head. It acts like a funnel catching sound and sending it to the middle portion of the ear. The middle portion contains the ear drum and the connection between the pharynx and the drum, the Eustachian tube. The inner ear contains the sensory receptors for hearing which are enclosed in a fluid filled chamber called the cochlea. The outer and middle ears purposes are only to receive and amplify sound. Those parts ofd the ear are only present in amphibians and mammals, but the inner ear is present in all vertebrates.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The ear can hear in several different ways. They are volume, pitch, and tone. Pitch is related to the frequency of the sound wave. The volume depends on the amplitude or intensity of the sound wave. The greater the frequency, the higher the pitch. Humans can hear about 30 and 20,000 waves or cycles per second. High pitch sounds produce more of a trebly sound, while low pitch sounds produce a rumbling bass sound.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When a person loses these abilities to comprehend sound, it is referred to as deafness. It can be caused by disease, toxic drugs, trauma, or an inherited disorder. Those causes can be classified as conductive, sensorineural, or both. A conductive hearing loss results from damage to those parts of the ear which transmit sound vibrations in the air to the fluids of the inner ear. This type of damage is usually to the eardrum or small bones known as ossicles. Ossicles conduct sound from the eardrum to the cochlea. They cannot perform such an action if the eardrum is perforated, if the middle ear cavity is fill... ...lly there may be a school in a hospital.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hearing devices are also available. Hearing Aids operate on battery. They amplify the sound waves that the ear would normally receive. They range from $500 to $6000. INTERVIEW Question: How did you become about this disability? Answer: I was born with a hearing disability Q: When we talk, what exactly do you hear? A: The sound volume is lower but no distortion Q: Would you consider yourself hard on hearing? A: No, and I say no because I can hear when I pay attention but when I am not paying attention, it is like I am in my own world. Also, sometimes, I can see their lips moving which signals me to listen closely. Q: Did you ever go for any treatment? A: No, I didn't feel that it was necessary since it was just a matter of paying attention. Q: Do you wear any hearing devices? A: No, (same reason as last question) Q: Was it hard at all to communicate either as a child or as an adult? A: All the time I face the problem of someone talking to me and I don't even know it. Once someone mistakenly accused me of ignoring them. Q: Do you know what your overall score was on an audiometer? A: No, I was never tested

How Human Activities Negatively Affect the Ecosystem Essay

In various ecosystems, negative changes have been seen as consequences of human activities. Specifically, these various activities of people have been observed to contribute directly and indirectly to the negative changes and implications in one of the major ecosystems, the marine ecosystem. This paper suggests that many of the human activities employed in the environment, specifically the marine ecosystem, yield multiplicative detrimental effects. It is said that humans have a high influence over ecosystems, and the various activities they make alter the environment’s conditions (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2003). According to Hylland (2002), there are many different perspectives that could affirm the impact of human activities towards nature. However, in purely simplistic illustrations, human activities that involve physical disturbance, release of harmful chemicals, and other destructive forms cause serious effects such as a reduced biodiversity. Physical disturbances such as trawling, large scale fishing, or coastal construction prevent fish and other marine species from staying in their original habitat. This means that these marine fauna are displaced from their habitat which may have been destroyed or changed beyond recovery by drastic fishing activities made by man. Similarly, the marine ecosystem may not only be lessened because of the displaced marine organisms, but it is also possible that an eventual decrease in the population level of these organisms may happen. This could trigger to a relatively damaging human activity wherein humans will aim for the fish nearer the coastal areas. Under many legislation proceedings, fishing near the coastal areas is prohibited because the act will strip the number of fish and other marine species into a minimal number. Over-fishing could as well cause the decrease in the biodiversity of marine animals (Hylland, 2002). The use of chemicals in fishing could also destroy not only the marine species but also their habitat and where eventually, humans will also be affected. This is a chain-like series of events that could lead into a negative effect, destruction even, among marine biological ecosystems. Cyanide and other dynamite fishing are often used by fishermen as an easier method of fishing that kill even the smaller fish. If these methods continue, the marine species will no longer be sustained. The chemical by products from these methods also destroy their natural ecosystem by contaminating changes that are harmful to the lives of these species. Similarly, there are instances where pollutants and toxic materials from pesticides go as water run-off from residential and agricultural areas toward the seas and other water forms, thereby contaminating the seas and the living organisms in it with the toxic substances (Hylland, 2002). Another major implication that is currently of relevance is the aftereffect of negative human activities that characterize an indirect implication: climate change. Because of the ensuing pollution, forest denudation and other factors, climate change and global warming have been relatively causing damage. These have negative effects as well on the marine ecosystems as the seas are heating up, thereby changing the distribution of species (Hylland, 2002). Conclusively, it must be noted that many various human endeavors have multiplicative detrimental effects to many ecosystems, specifically the marine ecosystem. As mentioned, the negative effects do not only encompass the destruction of the marine ecosystems but also the biodiversity of the marine species. When the habitats are destroyed, the number of marine organisms decreases, therefore catapulting to unsustainability in the ecological balance. This goes to show that every human activity that has negative impacts will be felt multiplicatively through direct and indirect measures. References Hylland, K. (2002, February). How [Do] Human Activities Affect Marine Biodiversity And Ecosystem Processes? Paper presented at the The EC IMPACTS Cluster First Workshop. Universite de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, Pau cedex, France. Retrieved April 2, 2009 from http://web. univ-pau. fr/impacts/Theme2part1. pdf. Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. (2003). Ecosystems and Human Well-being: A Framework for Assessment. Washington DC: Island Press.

Quantitative Article Review - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 5 Words: 1548 Downloads: 4 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Education Essay Type Analytical essay Did you like this example? Quantitative Article Review Contents Abstract: Introduction: Discussion: Research Question/Hypothesis: Purpose or the context of the study: Population Sample: Research Design: Methods of Data Collection: Data Analysis Methods: Philosophical Framework: Critical Analysis: Conclusion: . Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Quantitative Article Review" essay for you Create order Abstract: The current article does an analysis of the research which has been made on introducing new technologies in the realm of education. The Faculty members of the College of Education were the chosen sample. The discussion opens with an introduction on artier explaining its details. Next the discussion illustrates the research question, after which we see that the purpose of the study is explained after which the sample population is analyzed. The way of conducting the research is next explained and the methods of collection of data are also analyzed. In the subsequent part of the discussion illustrates the philosophical background that did initiate the discussion and later in the critical analysis part we see that the limitations are discussed. Introduction: In the current article we will be reviewing the article à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Analysis of Predictive Factors that influence Faculty Membersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ technology Adoption levelà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  by the authors Ismail Sahin of the Selcuk University, Meram, Konya Turkey and Ann Thompson of Iowa State University Ames, IA USA. The article was published in the journal JI. Of Technology and Teacher Education (2007) 15(2), 167 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" 190. The article within its scope deals with the facet of various technological tools that happens to be adopted by the teachers in the process of their teaching that happens to be bringing an edge to their teaching skills in the current era of innovative technology. Discussion: Research Question/Hypothesis: The article through its scope did investigate the tendency of the teachers who are in the process of adoption of new technology and tools in the process of teaching. The level of acceptance o the new technology is to be discerned on the basis of the certain parameters such as the demographic considerations of the faculty members, experience with the computer, the role of instructional hardware in the process of teaching and the methods that the faculty members will be employing themselves in the process of learning about the new technology. The research question in this case will be referring to basic and certain parameters that a faculty member must observe and must be possessing so that they could adapt themselves to the new technology that is to be mastered in the process. In short it could be said that the research question will try to underline the exact facet that the faculty member must be possessing that will be making them the most conducive towards the new technological k nowhow. Purpose or the context of the study: The study tries to illustrate the fact that in the current age of technology every aspect of the human life is touched by the feature of innovative technology. In fact it is this element of technology that has really added much to the dynamism of the human life and society. In this case we again see that the education segment happens to be no different. It has been witnessed by the observers and the scholars that the entry of different types of technology has in fact really revolutionized the whole education and the academic system and we see that various types of new technologies are being increasingly incorporated within the education system. It is in the context of the same that the teaching faculty needs to become the entire more adept in using different types of technologies and innovative tools. Population Sample: Ismail Sahin and Ann Thompson in their endeavor to trace the adoption of new technologies by the teaching faculty did take a sample of professors from the College of Education better known as COE which is a large Midwestern University in the US where the faculty members are given questionnaire on the said topic that will be containing their answers. It is their answers that will be further analyzed and evaluated that will be bringing out their adaptability to the new technologies in the process of teaching. The total number of teachers who did happens to constitute the sample population were total 87 in number out of which 43 did respond to the provided questionnaire. Statistics do reveal that nearly 50% of the sample population did come up with answers. Research Design: The Figures 1 and 2 in the given article happens to be illustrating adoption rate amongst the teachers as in the given situation of the new online services and the new technologies that they are to get accustomed to in the process of teaching and imparting instruction. In this case we see that the author has adopted the Learning adoption Trajectory model that did happens to be the protagonist central theoretical model that happens to be serving as the illustrating structure on which the thesis has been based. Once again the level of the adoption rate of the teachers of the new technologies are illustrated through the help of distinct and different stages that explains the process through which the teachers got used to the new technologies, mastered the same and also taught the same to the others who were their students. The teachers of the College of Education had been chosen who had been taken as the sample population for the research. Methods of Data Collection: The researchers Ann Thompson and Ismail Sahin did use the method of primary data collection in which we see that the authors did choose a particular batch of teachers who are teaching as faculty members in a University in the US College of Education. The authors did in the process choose a selection of queries that had been compiled together to make a questionnaire and see to the fact that the questions did generate response from the faculty members on certain and four very different and distinct genres of information. Hence in the process the authors did employ the style of primary source data collection that is information collection from individuals whose experience and knowledge and situation is relevant for the research and collecting their feedback through the tool of a questionnaire. However the entire sample population did not react or respond to the whole of the query sheets or the prepared questionnaires. Data Analysis Methods: The data that had been derived from the answers to the questionnaire that had been provided to the 87 faculty members of the College of Education in the US, as a part of the investigation process, did opine that the various teachers and the faculty member did have their own pace and reaction rate to the question and answers. In this case we also see that can be derived from the bar graphs and the tables that the frequency of each of the member to accept and adopt the new teaching method and technology did differ from each other and also the fact that each of the teachers and the faculty member did undergo nearly five stages that defined their own reception index of the technology. Philosophical Framework: The research that has been undertaken seems to be in vogue with the current state of affairs that can be observed in the general sense. In this case we see that the researcher clearly states that in the current era of technology and an increased use of the computers and the other systems and machines education as a field again essentially happens to be more and more and increasingly dependent on the new technological systems. As a result of the same we see that the new technology is finding its way into the education system and the academics is becoming all the more techno friendly and new gadgets are being used to make the education all the more easy, convenient and interesting that could teach the students through the help of vision, sound and super and special effects of both. Hence it becomes all the more imperative that the teachers also gets a grasp of the new and the modern technologies and of employing the same in the field of education that will be helping the students to understand the lessons better. Critical Analysis: The research has been conducted in a very systematic way and definitely deals with a very contemporary situation and problem. In fact this is again the crying need in every institution irrespective of the stream specialization. In this case we see that the author has employed a particular style that has been adopted to understand that how well the sample population does happens to get accustomed to the new technology. However in response to the same it could be said that the selectiveness of the criteria of evaluation and the streamlined or narrow scope of the sample population could be considered to be a problem for the researcher where the said factors are but limitations that could have had influenced the end results of the research. Conclusion: The researchers Ismail Sahin and Ann Thompson did find a strong trace of the requirement of bringing in new technologies within the realm of the teaching arena. This facet of the new and the modern technology will not just make the whole education system a lot more in sync with the rest of the outside world but at the same time we see that learning as a field will become more welcoming for both the teachers and the students.