Author: chris

What is the purpose of a hedge?

Topic #1: Hedging

Although a company would never dispel gains from currency fluctuations, they truly hate accounting for the losses. This is why minimizing risk is so important. It is absolutely necessary to retain a firm’s profits from selling a product or providing a service. Please consider the following questions:

  • What is the purpose of a hedge?
  • How does a hedge operate?
  • Provide an example of three hedging strategies.
  • Of the three, which do you prefer?

Topic #2: Translation and Remeasurement

In viewing how to restate financial statements, there are two major processes. The first is known as translation and the second is known as remeasurement. You will look at these two processes as you answer the following questions:

  • What is the translation method and when is it used?
  • What is the remeasurement process and when is it used?

How can negative and positive labels placed on a group become self-fulfilling prophecies?

ALL work must be completely ORIGINAL and must use APA format and need to use at least 4 sources.

 

 

Discrimination: Reflection and Interview

Watch the Frontline program online.

Frontline: A Class Dividedhttp://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/divided/

A Class Divided explores the nature of prejudice. Third grade teacher Jane Elliott deliberately created a classroom situation to teach her students how it feels to be on the receiving end of discrimination. This is an encore presentation of the classic documentary on third-grade teacher Jane Elliott’s “blue eyes/brown eyes” exercise, originally conducted in the days following the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. This classic classroom experiment, conducted in the late 1960s in a small Midwestern town, demonstrates how quickly and easily schoolchildren can internalize prejudice and discriminate. Years later, these children discuss the valuable lessons they learned from this experiment. Elliott employs this same teaching strategy with a group of adults in the workplace, and discusses their reactions.

This assignment is designed to allow you to synthesize what you have been learning about the various dimensions of diversity and the necessity of treating everyone in an inclusive, sensitive and respectful manner.

Discrimination Paper Part I: Interpersonal Reflection

After viewing the video, consider the following questions and write your response. Your response should be 4-5 pages and should address each question thoroughly, reflecting an accurate representation of what you have learned in this course. Demonstrate scholarship by utilizing supporting resources to justify your ideas and responses:

  • What did you learn from the film? What scene or scenes do you think you’ll still remember a month from now and why those scenes?
  • Did any part of the film surprise you? Do you think someone with a disability, of a different sexual orientation, an older American or some of a different religion would also find it surprising? Why or why not?
  • Both Elliott and her former students talk about whether this exercise should be done with all children. What do you think? If the exercise could be harmful to children, as Elliott suggests, what do you think actual discrimination might do? Use an example, different from the example you used to describe labels, from what you have learned about people with disabilities, older people, sexual minorities, or people of differing religions.
  • How can negative and positive labels placed on a group become self-fulfilling prophecies? Use an example from what you have learned about people with disabilities, older people, sexual minorities, or people of differing religions.
  • Based on what you have learned in this course, discuss an example (either from the video or from your experiences) that illustrates each of the following statements:
    • Dimensions of diversity may be hidden or visible.
    • Dimensions of diversity are in a constant state of flux.
    • Dimensions of diversity are not always clear-cut or easily defined.

Discrimination Paper Part II: Personal Interview

For Part II of this assignment, you will have a conversation with someone who you feel may have faced discrimination. Examples include someone with a disability, an older American, someone who is a sexual minority, or someone who lives in a multicultural family. After choosing an individual to interview, explain to this individual what you have seen in the Class Divided program. Invite them to watch the program, or parts of the program, with you. After watching or discussing the program, pose the following questions to the individual. Be sure to explain the reason for your questions and why you have selected them to participate in the interview:

  • What, if any, discrimination do you experience?
  • How have you coped with this situation?
  • What do you think needs to change at the cultural level to reduce discrimination?

Following your refection (Part I listed above), add 2-3 pages to your paper which addresses the following:

  • A description of the individual you chose to interview and why. Explain how you went about approaching this individual for the interview.
  • What are your observations about the person’s view of discrimination and how it affects his/her daily life?
  • Did the interaction with the person change your view of discrimination? If so, explain how the interaction has affected you either positively or negatively. If it did not change your view of discrimination, explain why.
  • How well do you think you would cope with discrimination from this person’s perspective?
  • Finally, what is the best manner in which to advocate for those facing discrimination? What actions will you change based on what you have learned in this course and how will you serve as an advocate for those individuals who face discrimination?

Your final assignment, consisting of both Part I and II, should be approximately 6 -8 pages. Be sure to address each topic listed above and, as appropriate, cite the online course, the textbook, and other credible sources to substantiate the points you are making. For example, when discussing an example of how diversity may be hidden or invisible cite sources, which you have referenced to substantiate the points you are making.

Do you eat a healthy diet with fruits, vegetables, fish, chicken, and whole grain?

Healthy Lifestyles

 

Research the South University Online Library and the Internet to read more about the behavioral patterns. Conduct an interview (via phone or face-to-face) of ten or more people in the age group of fifteen to sixty-four years, to survey the impression of their health, health problems, and lifestyle choices.

 

Ask the following questions, while conducting the interview:

 

Do you smoke?Do you drink alcohol?Do you wear a seatbelt while driving a car?Do you talk on the phone while driving?Do you exercise four to five times a week?Do you eat a healthy diet with fruits, vegetables, fish, chicken, and whole grain?Do you suffer from any of the following conditions: high blood pressure, stress, weight issues, or diabetes?

 

Compile the data collected through the interview for each category of questions, taking into consideration the age group to which they belong.

 

For doing so, create a three column chart.

 

In the first column, list the health behaviors for which people were interviewed.In the second column, list the percentage of individuals interviewed against each behavior.In the third column, list the percentage of people who believe they have healthy lifestyles (information can be found in the text readings or from the Internet).

 

Next, analyze the chart to understand how these columns differ from each other.

 

In a Microsoft Word document, create a 3- -page report of your analysis, answering the following questions:

 

Are you surprised to see the trends of the most common behaviors? Discuss.Did an individual’s age relate to his or her health behavior? For example, do individuals in the age group of fifty to sixty years have different behaviors than individuals in the age group of thirty to forty years?What are some of the changes that the people you interviewed could implement in their lifestyles and behaviors to improve their health status?

 

Support your responses with examples.

 

Cite any sources in APA format.

 

Determine if the way that key urban needs are met today is sustainable and/or harmful to the environment and need to be replaced by greener options.

Urbanization Analysis, Green Options & Global Warming Strategies Part 1
Write a 1,050- to 1,400-word paper ensuring that the content is academically well researched, practical and realistic.
Consider the following scenario: You work preparing for climate change in an urban city planning department and you will be presenting your findings to city leadership. Your role is to identify and review the key practical needs of an urban society and how they are being met today along with helping city leadership plan a recommended changeover to greener products and processes. You will also strategize and prepare for the potential global warming projections for your city.
● Select an existing city or create your own, it can be large or small.
○ Identify the site and provide a map of your city along with a physical description of the land, topography, etc.
○ Research the global warming projections for your area and address them.
○ Provide an analysis of how the climate has shaped the land up to this point and a projection of how the physical land may change in the coming years due to climatic effects.
● Identify the needs and services of this urban society.
○ Consider the kinds of energy used (coal, oil, gas, etc.), local food production versus transporting food in, clean water availability, air quality, transportation, education, cost of living, employment, healthcare, landfills, etc.
○ Determine if the way that key urban needs are met today is sustainable and/or harmful to the environment and need to be replaced by greener options.
● Research and identify greener options for the city to implement for power, water, and other urban needs. Discuss how your city can start to introduce them. Explain how the practical greener options you have presented help the environment, reducing the cost of environmental cleanup in the future and reducing healthcare costs for the population. Discuss funding & planning options if possible, and methods to overcome potential barriers or resistance to the proposed changes.
● Summarize your research and present your proposed options.
Include 3 to 5 references; one can be your textbook.
Format your assignment consistent with APA guidelines.

This is the text being used:
Dahlman, C. T., & Renwick, W. H. (2014). Welcome to Geography: People, Places, & Environment (6th ed.). : Pearson Education Company.

This assignment has another part but I have to wait for the feedback from the instructor to submit to you.

Examine the potential motivation for unethical behavior by executives that may take place in the capital budgeting process and explain how biasing cash-flow estimates can work to the advantage of the executive who intentionally inserts such bias.

Investment projects should never be selected through purely mechanical processes. Managers should ask questions about the positive net present value (NPV). Good managers realize that the forecasts behind NPV calculations are imperfect. Therefore, they explore the consequences of a poor forecast and check whether it is worth doing more homework. They use several different tools and analysis techniques to answer their “what-if” questions.

In addition, managers should consider the types of bias, both unintentional and intentional, that may enter into the capital budgeting analysis.  As part of this assignment, you will examine the potential motivation for unethical behavior by executives that may take place in the capital budgeting process and explain how biasing cash-flow estimates can work to the advantage of the executive who intentionally inserts such bias.

Assume that you are employed by a wood milling company that is evaluating the desirability of adding a new product to their product mix.  The product would require the addition of new and different CNC (computer numerical control) milling equipment.  Your boss has asked you to analyze a project proposal and recommend whether the project should be accepted or rejected.  The most likely project estimates are:

  • Unit selling price =  $50
  • Unit variable cost =  $30
  • Total fixed costs including depreciation =  $300,000
  • Expected sales =  30,000 units per year

The projects will last for 10 years and will require an initial investment of $1 million, which will be depreciated straight-line over the project life to a final value of zero.  The firm’s tax rate is 35% and the required rate of return is 12%.

Your boss recognizes that some of these estimates are subject to error and wants to better understand the risks associated with the project and alternatives for dealing with those risks.  You have been asked to include a sensitivity analysis in your report.  You are also to explain how changing the discount rate might be helpful.

Your boss has heard about cash flow estimates being biased for personal gain at the company’s expense in another firm and would like to better understand that potential problem.  You have been asked to address that in your report.

The team developing the proposal estimated that variable cost and sales volume may each turn out to be as much as 10% higher or 10% lower than the initial estimate. To complete this assignment, you are to  submit  a four to five page paper  that includes the following:

Using MS Excel:

  • Calculate the project’s NPV for the most likely results.
  • Calculate the project’s NPV for the best-case scenario.
  • Calculate the project’s NPV for the worst-case scenario.
  • Calculate the project IRR for the most likely results.

You will transfer your calculations into your final report. In a 4-5 page paper in MS Word:

  • Exhibit your Excel function entries and results, or your calculations using present value tables, for each of your NPV and IRR calculations (A-D) and provide an explanation  of all calculations
  • Explain your recommendation regarding whether the project should be accepted and a justification of your response.
  • Provide an explanation of how adjusting the discount rate in the basic NPV model of capital budgeting deals with the problem of project risk.
  • Examine the potential motivation for unethical behavior by executives that may take place in the capital budgeting process and explain how biasing cash-flow estimates can work to the advantage of the executive who intentionally inserts such bias.

The paper must be submitted as a Word document and it must follow APA style guidelines.

Explain the evolution of political parties from the Federalists and Democratic-Republicians to the political parties that exist today.

“only for true writer”

 

1. Explain the evolution of political parties from the Federalists and Democratic-Republicians to the political parties that exist today

 

2. . Describe how public opinion is measured in the United States and the problems that can arise as a result of this measurement. Also discuss how public opinion can influence government policy. Cite a specific example

 

 

3.

Discuss the structure and role of party organizations. Mention each level of party organization

Do these models suggest a correlation between cognitive development and learning development throughout the human lifespan?

Kimbrilee Schmitz: To respond my opinion 8.1
Consider the models of Piaget, Erickson, and others regarding the stages of cognitive developmental. Do these models suggest a correlation between cognitive development and learning development throughout the human lifespan? Why or why not?

Learning development consists of allowing a person to learn at their own pace so they fully understand what is learned and feel accomplished when they master a task. If a person is pushed to learn to fast, they feel defeated because they do not understand the concepts. If a person is learning at a pace that is too slow, they become bored. People also need to have time to learn, reflect, and apply what they have learned (Mayhew, Wolniak & Pascarella, 2008). Although some learning needs to be structured so people learn the correct concepts, there needs to be time for out of the box thinking and hands on applications.

Piaget’s stages of cognitive development starts with an infant that cannot recognize that they are separate from the world and ends around age 11 where a child has a good concept of themselves and the world around them (Malerstein and Ahern, 1979). Erickson’s stages of life development stretches from birth to old age. Erickson believed that people had to complete steps in one phase before entering the next stage. These stages go from learning about one’s self and the world and end in reflecting on life and making sure all questions are answered (Ornstein, Cron & Slocum, 1989). Both of these models have a correlation with learning development. People have to learn certain things in each stage of their life. If they do not learn or accomplish certain things it is difficult for them to move forward in their life. Although there are age ranges set up with the models of cognitive development not everyone reaches each stage in the same time period. Just like learning development, people must learn and accomplish things at their own pace.

Resources:
Malerstein, A., & Ahern, M. M. (1979). Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development and Adult Character Structure. American Journal Of Psychotherapy, 33(1), 107. Retrieved from: https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rlh&AN=5349402&site=eds-live&scope=site
Mayhew, M. J., Wolniak, G. C., & Pascarella, E. T. (2008). How Educational Practices Affect the Development of Life-long Learning Orientations in Traditionally-aged Undergraduate Students. Research in Higher Education, (4). 337. Retrieved from: https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsjsr&AN=edsjsr.25704567&site=eds-live&scope=site
Ornstein, S., Cron, W. L., & Slocum, J. W. (1989). Life stage versus career stage: A comparative test of the theories of Levinson and Super. Journal Of Organizational Behavior, 10(2), 117-133. Retrieved from: https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=1989-31344-001&site=eds-live&scope=site
Deborah Hill

2 posts
Re:Module 8 DQ 2
How has this course altered your perspective of human learning and cognition? How might this altered perspective influence your doctoral research? As a result of your learning in this course, what new assumptions must you now address as you begin your research?
This course has altered my perspective of human learning and cognition by disclosing the roles of learning and behavior through creativity, problem solving and decision making based on awareness of intricate components in the learning process.
The basis for which creativity is presented as a by product in the aftermath of positive and/ or negative affect ( Bledow, Rosing, & Frese, 2013). For example, emotions of a painter shows through the designs of his or her canvas which may appear as an abstract or a an impressionist display of images of the painter’s ideas.
In addition, it has generated thoughts and ideas about learning which shifted my delivery of teaching in the classroom. As an adjunct instructor, I am more driven to support quality education with better resources to course my student’s curriculum. These improved methodologies has promoted activities and more action oriented approaches in the classroom through group assignments, guest speakers, and scheduled outings.
Bledow R, Rosing K, & Frese M. A Dynamic Perspective on Affect and Creativity. Academy Of Management Journal [serial online]. April 2013;56(2):432-450. Available from: Business Source Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed October 31, 2015.
Deborah Hill

1 posts
Re:Module 8 DQ 1
Consider the models of Piaget, Erickson, and others regarding the stages of cognitive developmental. Do these models suggest a correlation between cognitive development and learning development throughout the human lifespan? Why or why not?

Learning and development appears to be intermingled processes which takes place through the course of a life span. Progress whether mental or physical, demonstrates a significant factor for increased knowledge, skills, and abilities combined with individual experiences. The psychosocial protocol of Erickson’s stages of human development suggests that both mental and physical parameters produce maturation as displayed through human actions across advances in life from birth to death ( Nevid, 2013).
For example, cognitive progresses are identified from birth where the oral stage shows recognition between trust vs. mistrust. A child will remember the difference between a loving parent to who cares for him or her and wants to be held, but cries when a stranger tires to pick the child up. Each stage from birth presents how internal constructs which appear from external functioning, such as seen from the onset of the oral stage- in muscular strength, locomotor, Adolescence, young adult and middle adult, maturity shows how dependent learning is shaped by development (Nevid, 2013).
Jean Paiget’s theory outlines the processes of development such that expectaions are suggested in an observable context from internal to cognitive maturity. However, Piaget provides a hierarchial approach limited from birth to 12 years of age. His concepts begin with the emphasis of sensory and motor sense organs such as sight take and touch provides a source for memory and learning, continued by set quantified ranges from birth to 2; Pre-operational -(2-7) language and word acquistion, (7-11) Concrete operational functions – logical thinking manifest concerning objects and events, (11 and above) Formal operations – presents logical thinking concerning abstract and hypothetical problems (Goldstein, 2011).
Piaget’s approach relates to the school of cognitive theory known as “cognitive constructivism” other scholars, known as “social constructivists”, such as Vygotsky and Bruner, have emphasized more on the part played by language and other people in enabling children to learn.
According to the correlations between advances in cognition and the physical activities, it appears that performance does not improve unless cognitive development takes place regardless to age. The issue of age restricted progress, I beleive should be approached with caution due to differences in maturation as well as environment. While one child may be able to walk by 12 months another child might began at 16 months. Does this mean that there is dsyfunction with the child or is there a maturation function which pertains to other factors? pershaps social interaction, lack of environmental nurturing?
References:
Goldstein, B.E. (2011). Cognitive psychology: Connection mind, research and everyday experience (3rd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. ISBN-13:9780495095576.
Nevid, S. J. (2013). Psychology: Concepts and applications (4th ed.). Mason, OH: Cengage Learning: ISBN-13: 978-1-285922-16-4

Defining key elements of a paragraph and writing to develop coherent paragraphs.

http://www.umuc.edu/writingcenter/

Actions for Week 3 – Topic 1

Unlocked: Sunday, January 24, 2016 12:01 AM EST – Sunday, January 31, 2016 11:59 PM EST.

 

Discussion Topic 1: Using Writing Resources

Review and Write:  Visit the UMUC’s Effective Writing Center (EWC) – you need to find the link yourself!  Explore the vast resources provided by the EWC to UMUC students and faculty.  Select between two and four features they offer, and write two substantive paragraphs about what you learned.  Include at least two links in your writing to sub-pages on the EWC site that relate to your paragraphs.  Use a business tone, and make your writing persuasive, to encourage your classmates to visit the EWC!

 

Discussion Topic 2: Active and Passive Voice

Review and Write:  Jose M. Blanco is a college English instructor who has developed a wealth of informative and helpful lessons and worksheets on English grammar.  His website is available at http://www.grammar-worksheets.com.  To complement the lesson in WRTG 394, week 3 on Writing Business Messages, this short lesson on Active and Passive Voice will help you improve your business writing.  The term voice, when used in English grammar, refers to the structure of a sentence. There are two “voices” in English grammar –active voice and passive voice.

Active Voice: In an active voice sentence, the agent (the one who does the action in the sentence) is stated explicitly as the grammatical subject. The thing that the agent does something to (the direct object) comes after the verb. Here’s an example.

Active Voice Sentence: Julio cooked fried rice.

“Julio” is the agent. He’s the one who does the action. In this case, he’s the one who cooked the rice. In this active voice sentence, Julio is the grammatical subject. What did Julio cook? He cooked fried rice. The words fried rice make up the direct object. The fried rice is the thing that the agent (Julio) does something to. In this case he cooked it.

Passive Voice: In a passive voice sentence, the thing that the agent does something to is placed as the grammatical subject of the sentence. The agent (the one who does the action) is placed after the subject, usually in a prepositional phrase. In fact, sometimes the agent is hidden, not even mentioned.

Passive Voice Sentence: The fried rice was cooked by Julio. (The agent is mentioned.)

Passive Voice Sentence: The fried rice was cooked. (The agent is not mentioned.)

In business writing, you almost always want to use the Active Voice.   Studies in readability indicate that active voice sentences, where the agent is stated first, are easier to understand than passive voice sentences.

So when should you intentionally use the Passive Voice?

1. When the receiver of the action is more important than the agent.

Active Voice: The Nobel Foundation awarded President Obama the Nobel Peace Prize.

Passive Voice: President Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

The passive voice construction places the emphasis on the receiver of the Nobel Peace Prize, not on the organization that awarded the prize.

2. When you consciously try to minimize the role of the agent or the agent is not known.

Active Voice: Marie Jenkins could not complete the status report because James McDonald misplaced the manufacturing data.

Passive Voice: The status report was not completed because manufacturing data were misplaced.

3. When you write about scientific, technical or natural processes.

Active Voice: The conveyor belt delivers the shrink-wrapped product to the packing station.

Passive Voice: The shrink-wrapped product is delivered to the packing station.

Using active voice or passive voice is a stylistic choice about sentence structure. It’s important to understand the structure so that you control the structure instead of letting the structure control you. But remember; use the active voice in most of your work-related writing.

Exercises: Below are 25 sentences written in either active or passive voice.  Select 15 of the sentences and convert each sentence from passive to active or active to passive, if needed. Please select them randomly, so that the entire list gets covered –last 15, middle 15, odd numbered, even numbered, etc.

1. When the Phillies’s Shane Victorino overran him, third base was stolen by Johnny Damon.

2. A happy Thanksgiving is wished by me for everyone.

3. The attorney general indicted the notorious gangster, Al Capone, for federal income tax evasion.

4. The student services committee forwarded revised disciplinary procedures to the campus president.

5. Six Thousand shares of Disney stock were bought by Jenny Allen when she was only nineteen.

6. People can view the dazzling meteor shower from the observation tower at the planetarium.

7. The acceptance letter from Harvard was received by Jenny Arteaga last Tuesday.

8. An invitation to Francis Suarez’s victory party was received by Mr. Packer, the state party chairman.

9. The Baseball Writers Association of America named Joe Mauer, the Minnesota Twins’ catcher who led the American League with a .365 batting average, MVP for 2009.

10. The window was broken.

11. Whenever my family went camping, the emergency flashlight was left behind.

12. Marlon Byrd of the Chicago Cubs was knocked down by Alfredo Aceves with a hard, inside fastball.

13. Fifteen oak seedlings were planted by Mrs. Vigil’s second grade class.

14. Biological diversity is considered a crucial survival issue by Professor Edward O. Wilson of Harvard University.

15. The cashier was commended by the branch manager for her tactful handling of an irate customer.

16. The wet umbrella was removed from the table by the server.

17. The police officer was angered by Jason when Jason refused to present his identification card.

18. The 2010 – 2011 budget was not approved by the appropriations committee.

19. The playground area was left in a shambles after the birthday party.

20. Dirk Nowitzki was guarded by Lebron James during the third quarter of Wednesday night’s championship game.

21. Five hundred pounds of illegal drugs were confiscated by the Coast Guard in January of 2011.

22. Thirty-seven migrants were found by Homeland Security inside a small van trying to cross the border in the middle of the desert.

23. The Toyota Prius is manufactured in Japan by Japanese workers.

24. A bill to force state employees to contribute to the retirement plan was signed by Governor Rick Scott yesterday.

25. Victor was given the science award by the selection committee for his outstanding project on salt-water intrusion in the Biscayne aquifer.

Blanco, J. (2011).  Retrieved from www.grammar-worksheets.com. Freely reproducible for non-profit educational purposes.

 

Discussion Topic 3:  Elements of the Writing Process

Review and Write:  Based on the readings this week in the textbook, the supplemental chapter, and the module, write two substantive paragraphs incorporating at least three of the following five topics:

  • Establishing your credibility and projecting your company’s image
  • Defining key elements of a paragraph and writing to develop coherent paragraphs
  • Being sensitive to your audience in writing
  • Improving the clarity and readability of your writing
  • Proofreading your writing for grammar, omitted words, spelling and punctuation

A company is considering creating and selling a new type of cookies. Create a report explaining the research process that should be used by the company to make this decision.

A company is considering creating and selling a new type of cookies. Create a report explaining the research process that should be used by the company to make this decision. Your report should answer the following questions:

  • What is the research question?
  • What is the proposed research?
  • How would you design the research project?
  • What data would you collect and how would you prepare that data?
  • How would you analyze and interpret the data?
  • How would you report the results?

Submit your report in a