Building an Effective Plan of Improvement for Teachers

Building an Effective Plan of Improvement for Teachers A plan of improvement can be written for any teacher who performs unsatisfactorily or has a deficiency in one or more areas. This plan can be stand-alone in nature or in conjunction with an observation or evaluation. The plan highlights their area(s) of deficiency, offers suggestions for improvement, and gives a timeline in which they must meet the goals set in the plan of improvement. In many cases, the teacher and administrator have already had conversations regarding the areas that need improvement. Those conversations have yielded little to no results, and a plan of improvement is the next step.  A plan of improvement is intended to provide the teacher with detailed steps to improve and will also provide critical documentation should it become necessary to terminate the teacher. The following is a sample plan of improvement for teachers. Sample Plan of Improvement for Teachers Teacher: Any Teacher, Any Grade, Any Public School Administrator: Any Principal, Principal, Any Public School Date: Friday, January 4, 2019 Reasons for Action: Performance Deficiencies and Insubordination Purpose of the Plan: The purpose of this plan is to provide goals and suggestions to help the teacher improve in areas of deficiencies. Admonishment: Area of Deficiency Instructional IneffectivenessUnsatisfactory Teaching PerformanceWillful Neglect of Duty Description of Conduct or Performance: I have formally and informally visited Mrs. Teacher’s classroom several times since the beginning of the school year. Most every time Mrs. Teacher has been sitting at her desk, students have been working on worksheets, writing spelling words, etc. I have seen very little teacher instruction occurring and when I have seen instruction it has been a review of previously learned concepts, rather than new information.During my observations, I have noticed that the students are not involved in learning. Most seem disinterested in the classroom proceedings, and many of them hardly bother to go through the motions of responding when called upon by Mrs. Teacher.On Wednesday, December 19, 2018, I walked into Mrs. Teacher’s classroom and noticed the students were left in there unattended. Mrs. Teacher left the classroom to grab a cup of coffee and to use the bathroom and did not have anyone watch her classroom.On, Friday, December 21, 2018, I visited Mrs. Teacher’s classroo m three times throughout the day with the visits lasting about 10-15 minutes each time. When I entered the classroom all three times, Mrs. Teacher was at her desk, and the students were working on worksheets. Many of the students seemed bored and disinterested with their work. On occasion, a student would go up to her desk for help, and she did get up on one occasion and walk around the room monitoring the students’ progress. Assistance: Mrs. Teacher must receive prior administrator approval before leaving her classroom while students are in the classroom.Mrs. Teacher will be given several articles that provide successful tips for classroom management, motivation techniques, and instructional strategies.Mrs. Teacher will be required to observe another designated teachers classroom for one hour on Monday, January 7, 2019, from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. and again on Thursday, January 10, 2019, from 1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. The other teacher is a veteran teacher and does a fantastic job motivating and instructing students.Mrs. Teacher must not leave any students without adult supervision during any part of the school day. Timeline: This plan of improvement will remain in effect for three weeks, beginning Friday, January 4, 2019, and ending Friday, January 25, 2019. Consequences: This is a plan of improvement that highlights your deficiencies as a professional educator. These are serious enough to admonish you and give notice of deficiencies in the areas listed above. Failure to correct these deficiencies will result in a recommendation for your suspension, demotion, non-reemployment, or dismissal. Delivery Time to Respond: This plan of improvement was delivered in a meeting with Mrs. Teacher on Friday, January 4, 2019. She has until Friday, January 11, 2019, to sign and return a copy of the plan of improvement. Formative Conferences: The initial conference to go over this plan of improvement will be on Friday, January 4, 2019. We will have a review conference on Friday, January 25, 2019. This conference will be used to review and discuss the progress Mrs. Teacher has made towards the provisions listed in this letter of admonishment and plan of improvement. Signatures: ______________________________________________________________________  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Any Principal, Principal, Any Public Schools/Date ______________________________________________________________________  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Any Teacher, Teacher, Any Public School/Date I have read the information outlined in this letter of admonishment and plan of improvement. Although I may not agree with the assessment of my supervisor, I understand that if I do not make improvements in the areas of deficiency and follow the suggestions listed within this letter that I may be recommended for suspension, demotion, non-reemployment, or dismissal.

National Merit Finalist - How to Win the Scholarship

National Merit Finalist - How to Win the Scholarship SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Many students take the PSAT in the fall of their junior year. What a lot of students may not notice is the full name of the test is PSAT/NMSQT, or Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Thus, the PSAT is not just good practice for your SATs. It’s also the first step in becoming a National Merit Finalist and hopefully, earning a $2,500 scholarship from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). In this article, we’ll discuss what steps you need to take to become a National Merit Finalist and compete for a scholarship. We'll also give you advice on how to write a strong application and maximize your chances of becoming a National Merit Scholar. Here’s how the numbers break down: Each year, about 1.6 million students take the PSAT. Of the juniors who take the exam, about 16,000 earn scores that qualify them as Semifinalists (that's around 1%). This group is narrowed down to 15,000, who become Finalists. Of this group, about 7,500 are awarded scholarships of $2,500 a year (that can be renewed each year you're in college). This article will explain the three key steps you need to follow to win the National Merit scholarship, from meeting the entry requirements, to scoring well on the PSAT, to submitting a standout application. Step 1: Meet the Entry Requirements The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) requires you to have a few qualifications to even be considered for the scholarship: You must be enrolled as a high school student, progressing normally toward graduation. You must plan to enroll full time in college starting the fall following high school graduation. You must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. lawful permanent resident planning to become a U.S. citizen. These requirements will be checked with a few questions at the beginning of the PSAT. Step 2: Score in the Top 1% of the PSAT Becoming a National Merit Finalist is competitive and requires a top score on the PSAT. Although it varies from state to state, most students must score above 1400 (out of 1520) to qualify as a Semifinalist, which means they can compete to move on to Finalist standing. How can you achieve a top 1% score on the PSAT? Prepare with high-quality materials. Identify your weak points and work to improve them. If the Reading section confuses you, spend the majority of your time practicing those sections. If math isn’t your thing, commit yourself to drillingPSAT Math problems.The National Merit competition usesa Selection Index that is based on yourReading, Math, and Writing test scores, so mastering all three sections is key. Take control of your learning and study with practice questions and sample tests. This practice will also pay off later when you take the SATs in the spring of your junior year and fall of senior year. Bonus: Aiming for a National Merit Scholarship? If you're not sure you can self-study your way to a qualifying PSAT score, you'll love our PSAT prep program, PrepScholar. We designed our program to learn your strengths and weaknesses through advanced statistics and customize your prep to be as effective as possible for you. When you start with PrepScholar, you’ll take a diagnostic that will determine your weaknesses in over forty PSAT skills. PrepScholar then creates a study program specifically customized for you. To improve each skill, you’ll take focused lessons dedicated to each skill, with over 20 practice questions per skill. This will train you for your specific area weaknesses, so your time is always spent most effectively to raise your score. We also force you to focus on understanding your mistakes and learning from them. If you make the same mistake over and over again, we'll call you out on it. There’s no other prep system out there that does it this way, which is why we get better score results than any other program on the market. Check it out today with a 5-day free trial: For more info on prepping for the PSAT, check out ourdetailed guide to attaining National Merit Semifinalist status. Step 3: Submit an Excellent Application Complete the NMSC application requirements by fall of your senior year (usually early October). This application allows 15,000 of the 16,000 Semifinalists to move on to Finalist standing. If you don't become a Finalist or don't qualify, you may still get word that you're a Commended Student or remain as a Semifinalist, which are great distinctions that will stand out on college applications. However, only Finalists are eligible for National Merit Scholarship awards. The online NMSC application is the same as your college application in some ways and different in other ways. Similarities You must submit the following: Your academic record (transcript) SAT scores* Information about your activities and leadership roles A personal essay *You have to take the SATs on approved dates, usually in the fall of your senior year, and make sure to send along your score report to NMSC. They need to receive your scores by December 31st of your senior year. While there is no strict cutoff for SAT scores, they must be competitive like your PSAT scores (usually around 1400 or above) so they know your PSAT wasn't a fluke. Differences You must submit the following: A recommendation from your high school principal or someone the principal designates as a school official Information about your school’s curricula and grading system Let's dig into each component to maximize your chance of building a strong application to win the National Merit Scholar title. Academic Record and SAT Scores The National Merit Corporation is first and foremost looking to award academic achievement. There is no strict cutoff, but a competitive GPA (3.5 and above) and high SAT scores (approximately 1400 and above) are recommended. Your academic record should also show that you challenged yourself with honors and AP classes. When you're a high school junior, there isn't much you can do about this, other than continue to excel in your classes. Want to learn more about the SAT but tired of reading blog articles? Then you'll love our free SAT prep livestreams. Designed and led by PrepScholar SAT experts, these live video events are a great resource for students and parents looking to learn more about the SAT and SAT prep. Click on the button below to register for one of our livestreams today! Extracurricular Activities and Community Service The NMC is also looking at the skills and accomplishments shown in your application. Demonstrated leadership goes a long wayfor example, leading in Student Council or other student organizations. Your activities should reveal your passions and interestsit is usually better to show â€Å"depth over breadth.† In other words, get deeply involved in a few activities you’re passionate about rather than showing minor participation in every club, team, and organization your school has to offer. Almost all activities are valuable if they show your commitment, leadership potential, and ability to work with and help others. Recommendations Recommendations go a long way. Cultivate good relationships with your teachers, counselor, and principal and provide a â€Å"brag sheet† for them with the qualities and accomplishments you would like them to include in your recommendation. Your brag sheet may include the following: What six adjectives best describe you? What do you consider your greatest accomplishment(s)? What are your strongest goals for the next five years? What is a meaningful experience you have had during high school? These anecdotes will make writing a lot easier, and they'll thank you for this. Make sure to ask for your recommendation at least three weeks in advance of the deadline, and follow up with your writer to make sure it'll be submitted on time. The earlier you notify them, the more ahead you'll be of your classmates, most of whom will need college application letters. Personal Essay The personal essay adds your voice to your application materials. Your essay is the place where you can share your unique story and perspective and make your application materials come to life. Here is an example of a past National Merit essay question: To help the reviewers get to know you, describe an experience you have had, a person who has influenced you, or an obstacle you have overcome. Explain why this is meaningful to you. Use your own words and limit your response to the space provided. The space allows for about 500 - 600 words. You should focus on two important components of the essay. First, the NMC wants to see that you can express yourself clearly and powerfully through writing. Make sure to proofread, edit, and revise for any spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, or weaknesses in syntax and diction. Second, your essay reveals how you think about yourself, your accomplishments, and your goals. What do your experiences mean to you? What do they reveal about your identity? Spend some time brainstorming before you decide what aspects of your identity are most important to share with the NMC readers. For example, did a group science fair project show you the power of collaboration in making new discoveries? Did a Student Council debate reveal the complexity of perspectives on a single issue? Did Lisa Simpson teach you the importance of sticking to your principles, even if your family may not always agree? The topics are endless, and there is no best answer, but whatever you choose should reveal something significant about who you are. Once you have your first draft, ask a friend, family member, counselor, or English teacher for feedback on what worked and what didn’t. It’s a short essay, so make sure every sentence is there for a reason and important for telling your story. In Conclusion Staying motivated and committing yourself to all these goals will put you in the best position toward becoming a National Merit Finalist. Remember, only 15,000 students ( 1%) are chosen as Finalists, and of those, only about 7,500 students receive scholarships. On a percentage basis, it's even more competitive than getting into the Ivy League, so even with all your hard work, you’ll still need a certain amount of luck! NSMC notifies students if they have become finalists in February of their senior year. Scholarship notifications go out in March. By that time, most of your college applications will be done and submitted. Now you just have to try to relax and wait for the decisions to come! If you complete all the steps mentioned above, you can be confident that you’ve done all you can – now hopefully the National Merit Scholarship Corporation will recognize all your hard work. What's Next? Want more tips on how to get a top PSAT score?Check out our guide on how to get a perfect PSAT score for all the info you need to know. Are you striving for perfection on the SAT?Read our detailed guide by our resident SAT full scorer. Aiming to get intoa top-tier school? Check outour article: What's a good SAT score for the Ivy League? Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points? We have the industry's leading SAT prep program. Built by Harvard grads and SAT full scorers, the program learns your strengths and weaknesses through advanced statistics, then customizes your prep program to you so you get the most effective prep possible. Check out our 5-day free trial today:

The Reasons for the Fall of the Inca Empire Essay

The Reasons for the Fall of the Inca Empire - Essay Example The people in this kingdom used assimilations to incorporate the majority of the western part of south America. They also used violence to spread their rule within the region. The kingdom was spread from the mountains in Andrea to Ecuador over to Bolivia and into the countries of Chile and Columbia. Their official language was called Quechua though many dialects of the language were spoken. The people of the kingdom worshipped the sun god and considered their king as a son of the sun god. 2 Most of the people in the kingdom were pastoralists. After the attack and occupation of the Spaniards on the capital, Cusco, the Inca people constructed other strongholds in the towns of Vilcabamba along with Vitcos. The fall of the Inca Empire came as a result of their defeat in war by the Spaniards among many other reasons. The Spaniards had already managed to conquer the Indians of Mexico in the year 1519 under the leadership of Hernan Cortes. 3 The Incas though had no information concerning th e conquest of the Indians. The Inca people only realized that the white man was around in the years between 1523 to 1525. There was an attack by the Spaniards accompanied by the Indians of central Mexico and under the leadership of Alejo Garcia, a Spaniard, on the Inca at Gran Chaco. This helped in creating awareness among the Inca of the white man’s presence.4 In the year 1527, an outbreak of small pox affected the people of the empire leaving very devastating effects on the community. The Inca’s leader known as Huayna Capac passed away in the same year leaving a very large kingdom that encountered many wrangles on his progression. The leader had 500 boys and two of them seemed the favorites to succeed their father. They were Huascar and Atahualpa who resided in Cusco.5 This culminated in the outbreak of a civil unrest that lasted for a period of five years due to the power struggles between the brothers. The war was fought between two factions each being led by eithe r of the step brothers. Atahualpa won the war but his victory did not last long enough. This is because after two weeks the Spaniard Pizzarro arrived for his second trip to the region accompanied by one hundred and seventy seven men. Among these men only sixty seven of them were soldiers and they arrived in the year 1532 at Tumbes.6 The Inca leadership under Atahualpa had precise information concerning the whereabouts of the Spaniards.7 They however made faulty interpretations of the details since they were told that the white’s guns were only thunderbolts which could fire twice. Their soldiers were also told to that the whites man horses were not appropriate at night. 8 They claimed that the horse and the man were the same thing and the survival of one depended on the other. This implied that if one of them fell, the other was completely useless. The Inca people were also led into believing that the Spanish swords would do no harm to them. The perpetrators of this propaganda claimed that their swords were just as inefficient like a woman’s plank used for weaving purposes. The Spanish people did not however attack immediately.9 They invited the Inca leader, Atahualpa, to visit in their walled city and the leader foolishly walked into their trap. He was accompanied by many of his tribesmen though they were unarmed. They came in this condition as a result of being convinced by a Christian priest and a demigod of the Inca. The Spaniards laid an ambush on the Inca’

IB History Course Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

IB History Course - Essay Example In some instances, they were actually used as death camps by literally working people to death intentionally, while in other cases people simply died because of the heavy demands and harsh conditions. Entire ethnic groups and races, such as Jews and Polish workers, were sent to these harsh labour camps to work until they died or at least wished to themselves that they would die to escape their miserable fate (Britannica Online 2008, Conquest 1991, and Noble 1961). The aim of this investigation is to evaluate the true purpose of the Gulags under the rule of Stalin. The investigation will cover the development of the Gulags, how they were used for different purposes, what work people were made to do in them, who were put in the Gulags, and how many people died. An analysis of these sections should indicate the extent to which these camps were actually death camps rather than labour camps. Much of the research will come from the following sources: Gulag: A History, by Applebaum; The Great Terror, by Conquest; and Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar, by Montefiorte. The conditions in the Gulags were horrendous and of slave proportions. People were allowed to wear very little clothing, if any, and it was in terrible shape. Many nude photos of prisoners slaving away in the camps exist today; all one has to do is perform a quick keyword search on the Internet (Applebaum, 2005). The labor that they were subjected to was extremely harsh compared to anything that would be seen today. For example, prisoners were made to lag around large boulders, work in areas where heavy things were likely to fall on them, haul large amounts of lumber, and much more back-breaking work. They were fed very little and their meager meals in combination with the hard labor they were performing led to them being very skinny and unhealthy (Applebaum, 2005). Many times, it became physically impossible for a prisoner to handle the exhaustive physical labor and he simply could not go on. These prisoners were often whipped or beaten to death because it was taken by those who ran the labor camp that the person was refusing to follow orders. Other punishments were dealt out to these individuals as well, including starvation and isolation (Applebaum, 2005). These labor camps appear to be quite similar to Hitler's concentration camps in which many Jews perished. The main difference appears to be that the labor camps were punishment (and death) camps for the unlawful, while the concentration camps were death camps for the Jewish. In both, people were herded to them by the thousands, forced to work beyond what their bodies could handle, and were punished or killed as a result. People were lined up and shot execution style. People were herded into gas chambers. Some were just worked in the harsh weather conditions until they just fell over dead. 2. Development of the Gulags Individual camps were grouped together in what were called camp complexes. It is estimated that at least 476 of these complexes existed. Within the complexes were somewhere between 100 to over 1,000 different camps. Some camps were considered to be worse than others, with the top three on that

Tersiary education in South Africa Essay Example for Free

Tersiary education in South Africa Essay Many young south Africans face the problem of deciding what to study after school. Tertiary education is a higher form of education that furthers a learners knowledge of a particular field. Tertiary education is also referred to as third stage, third level, higher education and post-secondary education, it is the educational level following the completion of a school education (after grade 12). tertiary education includes universities, technikons, internships and institutions that specify in skills such as FET colleges. There are also other higher education facilities such as nursing schools There are 4 main options for higher education in South Africa Universities the dictionary defines university as a high-level educational institution in which students study for degrees and academic research is done. There are many universities in south Africa, but they are often hard to be accepted into. They require students who are prepared to study long hours and and make sacrifices in return for a degree which takes a minimum of 4 years to complete Universities are mostly revloved around theory and do not include much practical work. Universities only accept students after grade 12. Benifites of university: Degrees are required for a wide range of careers such as Medicine, Education, Engineering, Accounting and Law. A university education will help establish a career. University graduates gain professional qualifications that are recognised and respected worldwide. University graduates are offered higher pay and greater financial stability. Requirement and thing to do to increas your chances of admittion For a undergraduate diploma study the student must have atleast a NSC cod of 4 (40-49%) and for a bachelors degree study, learnes must of achieved a minimun o a NSC cod 5 (50-59%) To increas chances of getting in to university: apply early, achieve high marks/ higher than NSC code 5, get strong letters of recogmendation , particxipate in extra cirriculem activity and participate in community servise. They also check your social network accounts so delete anything that may bring your character down. FET collages Further education and training collages offer vocation courses which get you ready for a particular job. FET collages focus on scarce skills and careers. They are practical but also involve theory. They provide opportunities for work experience as part of there course. Some FET courses are accepted at university, meaning you can continue to further your knowledge/degree at university, which could get you higher paid jobs. FET collages accept students from grade 9-12 and offer exciting practical courses. Advantages of FET collages: Finding jobs are more easy. Collages have links with institutions and corporal world You don’t have to pass grade 12 to be accepted Requirements and things to do to increas your chances of attening a FET collage; at least a grade 9 certificate is required . to help your chances of being accepted, apply with a grtade 12 certificate, they get first preference, get good references, show interest in community projects and sport. Apply early Technikon or university of technology Technikons offer mainly diploma and certificate courses, as well as degree courses and diploma courses usually take three years to complete. Technikons focus more on the technical study fields a practical form of training, as one third (e. g. one year) of the study period consists of on-the-job training and experience. A technikon is basically a mix between a university and a fet collage. They offer the same level of study as a university Advantages students are exposed to the world of work at an early stage high-quality work and motivation might lead to full-time employment very quickly after graduation. Requirement and thing to do to increas your chances of admittion For a  undergraduate diploma study the student must have atleast a NSC cod of 4 (40-49%) and for a bachelors degree study, learnes must of achieved a minimun o a NSC cod 5 (50-59%) To increas chances of getting in to university: apply early, achieve high marks/ higher than NSC code 5, get strong letters of recogmendation , particxipate in extra cirriculem activity and participate in community servise. They also check your social network accounts so delete anything that may bring your character down Learnerships  A learnership is a s learning process that involves on the job training, where you gain practical skills and theoretical knowledge in ajob which leads to a qualification. Learners participating in a learnership have to attend classes at a college or training centre to complete classroom-based learning, and they also have to complete on-the-job training in a workplace. The workplace experience must be relevant to the qualification. You can also get payed while doing a learnership . Some learnership programmes do not require any entry requirements while others require a Grade 12 certificate. Learniships do not usually cost anything, most are free of charge. What are the benefits of a Learnership? You will receive a nationally recognised qualification upon successful completion of the learnership proramme. You will gain work experience that will improve your chances of getting work. You gain links with the employment network, increasing your chances to find work. You can earn a promotion or be redeployed into a more satisfying job. You can progress onto a higher level learnerhship for personal growth and development. Requirements and things to do to increase your chances of admission; . A grade 12 certificate is required to join and a good letter of recogmendation also good marks will assist. Many people have the believe that university is the best option, because you get better qualifications and a degree. But it might not always be the best option of study and it might not be possible to attend a university. Many companies look for people that have work experience, which university students will not have after sitting inside lecture rooms for 4 years. Universities are also extremely expensive. They can cost a small fortuin, which the average person does not have readily available. Yes loans can be taken out but it may take years to repay and can lead to further debt due to the increase in interest rates. Its not always possible for students with a bad perfermance in grade 12 to attend universities. Universities do not accept students with extremely poor marks. To enter university a bachelors pass is required, which is a NSC with an achievement of rating 4 (adequate achievement 50-59%). FET collages and learnerships are a great option for under performers that want to improve there skills , they involve lots of practical work that can be very benifitial. At the end it all comes to the marks you got in school that effect your choice in tertiary education, those who normaly get bad marks chose learnerships and collage and those who get good marks go to univerities and techhnikons. But there might always be that surprising clever student that wants to persue something practical. The choice is yours.

The Masque (Mask) of the Red D, William Wilson, Tale of the Ragged Moun

Landscape in Masque of the Red Death, William Wilson, Tale of the Ragged Mountains, and House of Usher A careful reading of Poe’s tales will quickly reveal the importance that landscape plays in the development of each literary work.   "Ragged Mountains" has both a surreal and realistic landscape allowing Poe to use both the mental and the physical environment to explain his tale.   This technique is also found in "The Fall of the House of Usher," "William Wilson," and "The Masque of the Red Death."   In these tales too the reader may tend to focus on the action at hand, and the psychological details, because that is what we are prone to do with Poe stories.   However, it is also important to understand that physical landscape as well.   As Daniel Philippon states in his article "Poe in the Ragged Mountains": "Any search for a whole universe of suggestion must be held in check by the realities of the landscape in which it occurs."   In "A Tale of the Ragged Mountains," it is pretty obvious that the landscape is going to play an important part in the story - we are given the setting right in the title.   However, a majority of the story actually takes place in an "Orientalized" locale that has been transposed into the Ragged Mountains.   This alone is a great juxtaposition: the title describes what seems to be a run-down, unappealing landscape, while the real action takes place in fantastical setting.   But why is the landscape so important if the psychological aspect is what Poe is trying to focus on?   Most likely it is because the landscape gives us clues about what is actually happening in the minds of the characters, and hints at things that make the story clearer.   For example, Bedloe starts his tale by describing "the thic... ...dscape as well as a physical one, his pieces pack a more powerful punch, and always allow the reader to find hints about what is really going on at a deeper level.   Since much of Poe's 'action' is psychological, the landscape is an element of the story that can't be ignored, and should not. Works Cited: Poe, Edgar Allan. "The Masque of the Red Death." The American Tradition in Literature. Ed. George Perkins and Barbara Perkins. 9th ed. vol. 1. New York: McGraw, 1998. Poe, Edgar Allan. "A Tale of the Ragged Mountains" [1843]; in Poe, ed. Harold Beaver. The Science Fiction of Edgar Allan Poe. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1976. Poe, Edgar Allan. "William Wilson." Selected Poetry and Prose of Poe. Ed. T. O. Mabbott. New York: Modern Library, 1951. Poe, Edgar Allen. "The Fall of the House of Usher". R.V.Cassill, ed. The Norton Fiction. New York, London, 1995. The Masque (Mask) of the Red D, William Wilson, Tale of the Ragged Moun Landscape in Masque of the Red Death, William Wilson, Tale of the Ragged Mountains, and House of Usher A careful reading of Poe’s tales will quickly reveal the importance that landscape plays in the development of each literary work.   "Ragged Mountains" has both a surreal and realistic landscape allowing Poe to use both the mental and the physical environment to explain his tale.   This technique is also found in "The Fall of the House of Usher," "William Wilson," and "The Masque of the Red Death."   In these tales too the reader may tend to focus on the action at hand, and the psychological details, because that is what we are prone to do with Poe stories.   However, it is also important to understand that physical landscape as well.   As Daniel Philippon states in his article "Poe in the Ragged Mountains": "Any search for a whole universe of suggestion must be held in check by the realities of the landscape in which it occurs."   In "A Tale of the Ragged Mountains," it is pretty obvious that the landscape is going to play an important part in the story - we are given the setting right in the title.   However, a majority of the story actually takes place in an "Orientalized" locale that has been transposed into the Ragged Mountains.   This alone is a great juxtaposition: the title describes what seems to be a run-down, unappealing landscape, while the real action takes place in fantastical setting.   But why is the landscape so important if the psychological aspect is what Poe is trying to focus on?   Most likely it is because the landscape gives us clues about what is actually happening in the minds of the characters, and hints at things that make the story clearer.   For example, Bedloe starts his tale by describing "the thic... ...dscape as well as a physical one, his pieces pack a more powerful punch, and always allow the reader to find hints about what is really going on at a deeper level.   Since much of Poe's 'action' is psychological, the landscape is an element of the story that can't be ignored, and should not. Works Cited: Poe, Edgar Allan. "The Masque of the Red Death." The American Tradition in Literature. Ed. George Perkins and Barbara Perkins. 9th ed. vol. 1. New York: McGraw, 1998. Poe, Edgar Allan. "A Tale of the Ragged Mountains" [1843]; in Poe, ed. Harold Beaver. The Science Fiction of Edgar Allan Poe. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1976. Poe, Edgar Allan. "William Wilson." Selected Poetry and Prose of Poe. Ed. T. O. Mabbott. New York: Modern Library, 1951. Poe, Edgar Allen. "The Fall of the House of Usher". R.V.Cassill, ed. The Norton Fiction. New York, London, 1995.

Public Enemies: Book Review Essay

The author arranged the book in such a way where he would be able to simultaneously show the progress of the gangs in the so-called â€Å"public enemies† era. He also wrote what happened in every specific time period. He organized his writing by dates; he divided actions and development among the gangs into certain time spans. He mainly focused on the years between 1933 and 1936, were Bonnie & Clyde, the Dillinger gang, and other more was mainstream. Furthermore, the author’s goal towards this book was to give the reader a complete and broad overview of the FBI on the War on Crime history. His goal was to portray the whole story, after the FBI released all files all the cases in the late 1980s. There were three things that made me interested in this book. First, I was amazed by how determined these criminals was. They put thought and planning in all their robberies, which they usually end up succeeding at. Moreover, these are crimes that were implemented about 77 years ago. I also admire their nature. I could never imagine how much courage and will these crooks had in order to carry out their brutal risky heists. I especially enjoyed reading the parts where the Dillinger gang would rob banks quickly and efficiently. Then they would aggressively open fire on the police officers as they perform their getaway. They made the police seem too simple to deal with. Secondly, I was astonished by the loyalty of women back in those days. They didn’t care that their men were actually robbers and in some cases killers. Except for Bonnie Parker where she was a robber herself. They would care for their men, cover for them, and comfort them as much as they can. I found that amazing since these women don’t actually exist anymore in our present time of â€Å"equal-rights. Finally, I was mind blown by how John Dillinger managed to escape from prison twice, and in addition to that, he also freed his fellows from prison as well. The public enemies indeed did have things in common. Nearly all of them are actually European immigrants or offspring of European immigrant parents. All of them seem to be aggressive, dangerous, and trouble making since their youth. Lots of them have even been sent to prison at a very early age. Hence, the majority of the public enemies have already obtained a criminal record before they went on their large scale heists. Furthermore, they all relied on a few common things when it came to undergo a robbery. They all had planned their robberies and getaways. They also used the same technique of preparing a generous amount of powerful gun power to be used in case of a police encounter. They all did not have long lives either. Most of them were killed in their 30s. They have been able to dodge the police for so long mainly for two reasons. First of all, they were well supplied with lots of powerful weapons. This has always helped them even out with the police in a shoot out. The public enemies were also extremely violent and aggressive. In any encounter with the police they would open fire and start shooting vigorously and brutally and the police without thinking or hesitation. Thinking and hesitation are two things the police did not lack, which always gave the crooks an edge. Secondly, they usually had planned their getaways through. Nearly all of them had even kidnapped innocent people, who were sometimes dragged along the shooting during the getaways to get a better chance of escape. Finally, they made sure they had good hiding spots, and they were also on the move continuously. Eventually, the FBI and all cooperating law enforcement agencies had reached their limits of hesitation. They have decided to shoot at the crooks the second they show absolutely any sigh of resistance. Obviously, there were lot of injuries and deaths. The FBI also decided to take the public enemies down once and for all by outnumbering them and engaging them at times were they are least prepared. For instance, they ambushed Bonnie and Clyde, and when the two lovers realized they were in danger they opened fire. But they were outnumbered and eventually killed by the police. Pretty Boy Floyd was killed in Ohio during a pursuit by local officers, and was shot dead by Melvin Purvis himself. The Dillinger Gang was hunted down one-by-one, and at the end killed John Dillinger after he got out of the movie theatre. Machine Gun Kelly was arrested in October 1933 and was poisoned for life. Baby Face Nelson was deeply wounded at the battle of the Barrington and died shortly after. Finally, Baker Karpis Gang was being hunted down and somehow split up. At the end Karpis was arrested in New Orleans and poisoned for life. And he was the last one on the public enemies list.

Bessie gutmann’s art Essay

The role of women in art has always been very controversial as society did not want a woman to prove that she could be not worse (sometimes even much better) than a man in various spheres, in particular, in painting, architecture and design. The beginning of the twentieth century brought women some freedom and independence; thus, females received a chance to show what they really cost. Bessie Pease Gutmann is considered to be the best and perhaps one of the most well-known painters of children’s book within the first half of the twentieth century. She had been creating her masterpieces for about fifty years and got the world wide glory and popularity. The artist did not limit her art with just infants’ drawings; her brush touched grown-ups, animals and other colorful scenes as well. This wonderful woman performed about six hundred prints which were the reflections of superb and marvelous world around her. Gutmann’s drawings could be seen on numerous calendars, postcards, magazines and were extremely popular not only in the United States but abroad as well. Many of her illustrations of children are still very popular and rather expensive nowadays. Life of Bessie Gutmann Bessie Pease Gutmann was born on the 8th of April 1876 in Philadelphia in the family of a seller of tobacco – Horace Collins Pease Gutmann. From the early childhood, the girl became interested in art and she received the support from both her parents and her teachers to study painting. As the result, Bessie started to attend the so called Philadelphia School of Design for Women after graduation from high school. She didn’t stop on it and later entered the Chase School of Art (the former name of the New York School of Art) and the Art Students League. Having received the necessary knowledge, Gutmann was full of joy and persistence to start her career. And here she faced the first problem. The status of women at the beginning of the 20th century was very difficult and Bessie had to prove her talent. She started from small portrait sketches for local newspaper advertisements and for some time earned her living in such a way. However, her position changed in 1903 when Bessie’s cousins, Hellmuth and Bernard decided to open their own art print company under the name Gutmann and Gutmann. They suggested Bessie to become their commercial artist and she showed her skills in the best way she could. Owing to her natural charm and due to her professional talents, she attracted the attention of Hellmuth and in 1906 she married him. Her marriage saved Bessie from rumors about her spinsterhood (Christie). The first book she made illustrations to was A Child’s Garden of Verses written by Robert Louis Stevenson. Several other books, including Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, were illustrated by Bessie as well. Very soon her works slightly changed – Bessie gave birth to her three children – Alice, John and Lucille. The artist found new inspiration and depicted her children on the walls of some nursing houses, on many calendars, postcards and even on popular periodicals (the Washington Post, Chicago Sunday tribune, etc). Since that time Gutmann became the most popular woman-artist and had been on the top of her career until the World War II. Unfortunately, due to the worsening of eyesight, Bessie made up her mind to stop making illustrations, however, it was a very difficult decision. And it is no wonder – the artist’s creative work included more than six hundred wonderful art prints. As the result, after her husband’s death, Bessie sold the Gutmann and Gutmann company (Bessie Collins Pease Gutmann). Death of her husband and impossibility to work negatively influenced Gutmann and on 29th of September, 1960 Bessie Gutmann died in New York In order to commemorate the art of this great woman, three children’s books full of her best illustrations were issued after her death. Gutmann’s art and its historical significance The years from 1800 up to 1900 are called the Golden Age of illustration. The reason for such a name results in blooming of industry and increasing number of new printing methods and technologies. Bessie Gutmann had the chance to work during this period and she could be named the most successful woman artist of this epoch. Her works were influenced by the so called â€Å"Brandywine School† of illustrators that were very popular in Philadelphia; therefore, the artist got some necessary and outstanding pieces of advice from Howard Pyle, N. C. Wyeth, Robert Henri and some other prominent artists. While at first her drawing style had elements of influence of these great masters, but later she managed to elaborate her own and very soft style, not similar to others. The main peculiarity of her works was that she never simply drew portraits, she included a lot of details, like expressions, mimicry, joy, etc. She made her portraits alive, demonstrating that she could skillfully grasp and notice the true spirit and soul of a depicted person. She was more than an excellent artist, but a really good psychologist and a good mother (Choppa). These skills helped her to create such wonderful works that differed from the works of other artists. Moreover, Bessie was not afraid of experimenting: starting from black-and-white paintings, she further moved on to luminescent oils and watercolors, using some impressionists’ technique. Except for her famous children’s pictures and prints, Bessie Gutmann was also engaged in creation another series of prints under the name Colonial Interior Series which were less known than her infants’ drawing. However, they were not worse than children’s series. The first Colonial Series were issued in 1916 in order to compete with Wallace Nutting. In comparison with Nutting Interiors (who used photos as illustrations), Bessie’s illustrations were well-prepared prints from her own original drawings. Every illustration depicted some colonial subject, usually a mother or a daughter at home. Unfortunately, these Gutmann’s Colonial Series are valued less than her children’s series, notwithstanding their originality. Role and position of women and women-artists in the first half of the 20th century The status of women-artists has been extremely difficult almost the whole 20th century. Females did not get the support from publicity, and were deprived of showing their real talents. Women artists suffered from such attitude greatly and had to overcome numerous obstacles in order to receive success and recognition; some were pioneers in this or that branch. Some women were successful as they co-operated with their husbands, a few had to reach their goals independently. Still, a lot of wonderful works appeared in this period. Louisa Chase, Catherine Critcher, Bessie Vonnoh, Violet Oakley, Cecilia Beaux – these are just several of notable names, that are â€Å"responsible† for great ideas and wonderful innovations in art field. Catherine Critcher, for instance, had to â€Å"pave her way† in a man’s world by herself; as the result, she was the only woman who was provided a membership in the Taos Society of Artists (the society included men artists) and the Director of her own Critcher School of Painting. Violet Oakley is considered one of the first outstanding mural painters; her large and beautiful works adorn the walls of Pennsylvania Capitol Building. The main theme of most works was an independent, strong and powerful woman who was able to both work and bring up children. Moreover, the issue of a woman’s place in society is depicted thoroughly: a female identity, health, morality, nationality and even her body. The strong sex discrimination began to lose its power and strong independent women appear instead. Conclusion The works of Bessie Pease Gutmann have exceeded time, nationality and age range. They are still very popular among people all over the world. This popularity may be explained by the fact that the artist included the part of her inner soul to each of her hand-made illustrations and paintings. She wanted other people to see not just a depiction of a child or a woman, but rather, the embodiment of purity, innocence and tenderness; the artist wished to change the world to better, she wanted to open people’s eyes and to make them see and listen. Showing the usual and simple themes of family and sacred hearth, Bessie Gutmann appeals to love, friendship, hope and kindness. Her numerous wonderful works radiate light, warmth and comfort; her paintings help people to cope with their problems and to become better. Her art and her talent shows that a woman is able to create such works of art that can be shined throughout years and centuries, causing astonishment and admiration of people. Works cited Bessie Collins Pease Gutmann. Available at: http://www. ortakales. com/illustrators/gutmann. html 17 April, 2005. Choppa Karen. Bessie Pease Gutmann: Over Fifty Years of Published Art. Schiffer Publishing, 2000. Christie, Victor. Bessie Pease Gutmann: Her Life and Works. Wallace-Homestead Company, 1990.

Gatsby Thought and Garden Party Essay

Gatsby Thought and Garden Party Essay Gatsby: Thought and Garden Party Essay After reading the text â€Å"The Garden Party† by Katherine Mansfield, it is possible to notice many conflicts of mind of the main charater, Laura, a poor rich girl who faces two sides of life: One side, which is always beautiful, full of parties and flowers – her house; and the other side, which is not good to be seen where, even the flowers, do not want to be in – the neighborhood out there. These two worlds are separated by a wall. How may two different visions be separated just by brick and cement? This question can be answered when we think about the wall as something more than concrete. It simbolizes the division between rich and poor; what is beautiful and ugly; what has to be seen and what has to be covered. The wall, under this point of view, can be considered an allegory.1 Since the beginning the reader notices how Laura was disturbed by her own thoughts. In the moment that she found herself organizing the garden party, she did not know how to react towards the workers (to be harsh or to be nice to them?). According to her upbringing she was born to command without getting involved with subordinate people; the girl grew up thinking that the world’s attention was focused on the space in which her house stood. Later on, Laura started wondering about the reason of such rudeness towards the workermen, as expressed by Katherine Mansfield in The Garden Party â€Å"Oh, how extraordinarily nice workmen were, she thought. Why couldn’t she have workmen for friends rather than the silly

Major General Joseph Hooker in the Civil War

Major General Joseph Hooker in the Civil War Born November 13, 1814, at Hadley, MA, Joseph Hooker was the son of local store owner Joseph Hooker and Mary Seymour Hooker. Raised locally, his family came from old New England stock and his grandfather had served as a captain during the American Revolution. After receiving his early education at Hopkins Academy, he decided to pursue a military career. With the assistance of his mother and his teacher, Hooker was able to gain the attention of Representative George Grennell who provided an appointment to the United State Military Academy. Arriving at West Point in 1833, Hookers classmates included Braxton Bragg, Jubal A. Early, John Sedgwick, and John C. Pemberton. Advancing through the curriculum, he proved an average student and graduated four years later ranked 29th in a class of 50. Commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 1st US Artillery, he was sent to Florida to fight in the Second Seminole War. While there, the regiment took part in several minor engagements and had to endure challenges from the climate and environment. Mexico With the beginning of the Mexican-American War in 1846, Hooker was assigned to the staff of Brigadier General Zachary Taylor. Taking part in the invasion of northeast Mexico, he received a brevet promotion to captain for his performance at the Battle of Monterrey. Transferred to the army of Major General Winfield Scott, he took part in the siege of Veracruz and the campaign against Mexico City. Again serving as a staff officer, he consistently displayed coolness under fire. In the course of the advance, he received additional brevet promotions to major and lieutenant colonel. A handsome young officer, Hooker began to develop a reputation as a ladies man while in Mexico and was often referred to as the Handsome Captain by the locals. Between the Wars In the months after the war, Hooker had a falling out with Scott. This was the result of Hooker supporting Major General Gideon Pillow against Scott at the formers court-martial. The case saw Pillow accused of insubordination following refusal to revise exaggerated after-action reports and then sending letters to the New Orleans Delta. As Scott was the US Armys senior general, Hookers actions had long-term negative consequences for his career and he left the service in 1853. Settling in Sonoma, CA, he began working as a developer and farmer. Overseeing 550-acre farm, Hooker grew cordwood with limited success. Increasingly unhappy with these pursuits, Hooker turned to drinking and gambling. He also tried his hand at politics but was defeated in an attempt to run for the state legislature. Tired of civilian life, Hooker applied to Secretary of War John B. Floyd in 1858 and asked to be reinstated as a lieutenant colonel. This request was denied and his military activities were limited to a colonelcy in the California militia. An outlet for his military aspirations, he oversaw its first encampment in Yuba County. The Civil War Begins With the outbreak of the Civil War, Hooker found himself lacking the money to travel east. Staked by a friend, he made the trip and immediately offered his services to the Union. His initial efforts were rebuffed and he was forced to watch the First Battle of Bull Run as a spectator. In the wake of the defeat, he wrote an impassioned letter to President Abraham Lincoln and was appointed as a brigadier general of volunteers in August 1861. Quickly moving from brigade to division command, he aided Major General George B. McClellan in organizing the new Army of the Potomac. With the beginning of the Peninsula Campaign in early 1862, he commanded the 2nd Division, III Corps. Advancing up the Peninsula, Hookers division took part in the Siege of Yorktown in April and May. During the siege, he earned a reputation for looking after his men and seeing to their welfare. Performing well at the Battle of Williamsburg on May 5, Hooker was promoted to major general effective that date though he felt slighted by his superiors after action report.   Fighting Joe It was during his time on the Peninsula that Hooker earned the nickname Fighting Joe. Disliked by Hooker who thought it made him sound like a common bandit, the name was the result of a typographical error in a Northern newspaper. Despite the Union reverses during the Seven Days Battles in June and July, Hooker continued shine on the battlefield. Transferred north to Major General John Popes Army of Virginia, his men took part in the Union defeat at Second Manassas in late August. On September 6, he was given command of III Corps, which was redesignated I Corps six days later. As General Robert E. Lees Army of Northern Virginia moved north into Maryland, it was pursued by Union troops under McClellan. Hooker first led his corps in battle on September 14 when it fought well at South Mountain. Three days later, his men opened the fighting at the Battle of Antietam and engaged Confederate troops under Major General Thomas Stonewall Jackson. In the course of the fighting, Hooker was wounded in the foot and had to be taken from the field. Recovering from his wound, he returned to the army to find that Major General Ambrose Burnside had replaced McClellan. Given command of a Grand Division consisting of III and V Corps, his men took heavy losses that December at the Battle of Fredericksburg. Long a vocal critic of his superiors, Hooker relentlessly attacked Burnside in the press and in the wake of the latters failed Mud March in January 1863 these intensified. Though Burnside intended to remove his adversary, he was prevented from doing so when he himself was relieved by Lincoln on January 26. In Command To replace Burnside, Lincoln turned to Hooker due to his reputation for aggressive fighting and chose to overlook the generals history of outspokenness and hard living. Assuming command of the Army of the Potomac, Hooker worked tirelessly to improve the conditions for his men and improve morale. These were largely successful and he was well-liked by his soldiers. Hookers plan for the spring called for a large-scale cavalry raid to disrupt the Confederate supply lines while he took the army on a sweeping flanking march to strike Lees position at Fredericksburg in the rear. While the cavalry raid was largely a failure, Hooker succeeded in surprising Lee and gained an early advantage in the Battle of Chancellorsville. Though successful, Hooker began to lose his nerve as the battle continued and assumed an increasingly defensive posture. Taken in the flank by an audacious attack by Jackson on May 2, Hooker was forced back. The next day, at the height of the fighting, he was injured when the pillar he was leaning against was struck by a cannonball. Initially knocked unconscious, he was incapacitated most of the day but refused to cede command. Recovering, he was compelled to retreat back across the Rappahannock River. Having defeated Hooker, Lee began moving north to invade Pennsylvania. Directed to screen Washington and Baltimore, Hooker followed though he first suggested a strike on Richmond. Moving north, he got into a dispute over defensive arrangements at Harpers Ferry with Washington and impulsively offered his resignation in protest. Having increasingly lost confidence in Hooker, Lincoln accepted and appointed Major General George G. Meade to replace him. Meade would lead the army to victory at Gettysburg a few days later. Goes West In the wake of Gettysburg, Hooker was transferred west to the Army of the Cumberland along with the XI and XII Corps. Serving under Major General Ulysses S. Grant, he quickly regained his reputation as an effective commander at the Battle of Chattanooga. During these operations, his men won the Battle of Lookout Mountain on November 23 and took part in the larger fighting two days later. In April 1864, XI and XII Corps were consolidated into XX Corps under Hookers command. Serving in the Army of the Cumberland, XX Corps performed well during Major General William T. Shermans drive against Atlanta. On July 22, the commander of the Army of the Tennessee, Major General James McPherson, was killed at the Battle of Atlanta and replaced by Major General Oliver O. Howard. This incensed Hooker as he was senior and blamed Howard for the defeat at Chancellorsville. Appeals to Sherman were in vain and Hooker asked to be relieved. Departing Georgia, he was given command of the Northern Department for the remainder of the war. Later Life Following the war, Hooker remained in the army. He retired in 1868 as a major general after suffering a stroke that left him partially paralyzed. After spending much of his retired life around New York City, he died on October 31, 1879, while visiting Garden City, NY. He was buried at Spring Grove Cemetery in his wifes, Olivia Groesbeck, hometown of Cincinnati, OH. Though known for his hard drinking and wild lifestyle, the magnitude of Hookers personal escapades is a subject of much debate among his biographers.

How the design approach differs from the systems approach used in Essay

How the design approach differs from the systems approach used in transport and land use - Essay Example This makes up the main distinction between the design and systems approach. Within the design approach the role of the user is high. As Ruth and Davidsdottir explain, â€Å"The user might also have input to the construction of the framework, identifying inter- and intra-sectoral dynamics that must be represented, and identifying potential tensions (†¦) and designing relevant variables to expose tensions† (Ruth & Davidsdottir, 2009, p. 100). They also add that both experts and end users have to be asked while resolving the issues of input/output disaggregation, or more detailed framework construction. Thus, design appears to be the product of â€Å"iterations through computer simulation, learning and innovation from the user, and repeated simulation† (Ruth & Davidsdottir, 2009, p. 100). An example of design approach employed to land use was found on the Internet. On the â€Å"Hills and Forrest† website that is powered by a team of International Golf Course ar chitects, the design approach to land use in this sphere can be seen. It is based on a few core principles illustrated by questions and practical applications: 1) Key is Communication. This rule suggests listening to the client and attempting to understand what he/she would like to achieve. Questions: How will the development be positioned? What are the goals of the development process? 2) Develop the Routing. This suggests close cooperation with the land planner, team members, and engineers. â€Å"Design workshop... Use of latest technology... Computer graphics and simulations† (Arthurhills.Com, 2011). 3) Utilize Industry Resources. This suggests going through permitting and approvals process. Qualified contractors, agronomists, irrigation consultants, etc need be recommended at this point. 4) How to Measure Success? Check all development goals and see whether the object corresponds to the set characteristics. (Arthurhills.Com). Furthermore, design approach to land use is ab out building safe constructions in the areas that are recognized hazardous (Burby, 1998 ) This kind of land use allows economic benefits to be released, yet this might happen at the cost of bigger loss of natural resources and values. In addition, the susceptibility of bigger damage is an issue especially taking into account the possibility of events overpower. In this context, to manage the development of design, regulatory and non-regulatory techniques may be employed by communities. As for the former, they contain building codes and separate ordinances which require specific actions, e.g. elevating structures above expected flood levels, bracing constructions to reduce damage from shaking of the ground during earthquakes, and using hurricane clips that will ensure roofs remain attached to the houses even in high winds. As for the non-regulatory techniques within the design approach, they deal with providing public information, as well as various training programs aimed at informi ng builders and house owners of specific design techniques that are damage-resistant (Burby, 1998). The systems approach focuses on reducing the elaborate details of the planning process (e.g. transport) to a few principal steps. These are usually definition of the problem, data collection, forecasting plus analysis, evaluation of the plan, and its

Macro Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 2

Macro Economics - Essay Example What where the policies adopted for combating their effects? Where these policies deemed appropriate or adequate? What role has OPEC played in the wide fluctuations of international oil? Seeking to address these questions and many more with respect to the role of geopolitical affairs on the international oil sector, this essay will explore the Oil Crises of the 20th century (1973 to 1974 and then 1979-81). With an emphasis on international events and the role that that they play in the international supply of oil, we will begin with a quick overview of OPEC and expand our analyses of these two major events (Aldeman 2003). What is OPEC? OPEC, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, is an international trade cartel composed of 12 oil producing countries. These 12 countries account for two-thirds of the world’s total reserves and close to 40% of the world’s total oil production. Due their significant share of the world oil market, OPEC plays a huge role in global oil production and the determination of oil prices (Mouad 2006; BBC 2008). During the First Oil Crisis, the Arab countries of OPEC established OAPEC, Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries, an organization which played an important role in the oil shocks of the early 1970s. It is to this event that we now turn as we explore the geopolitical factors which precipitated this international crisis. A Jewish state in the Middle East remains a divisive and controversial subject and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict remains one of the most enduring and complex disputes of modern times. After two major wars, in 1948 and again in 1967, Israel and her neighbors entered into another armed conflict in 1973, this one however, had enormous geopolitical and economic ramifications. On Yom Kippur 1973 – the Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the Jewish year - the concerted armies of Egypt and