Business Report on Van Morrison Supermarkets Coursework

Business Report on Van Morrison Supermarkets - Coursework Example IT application is also found to be effective for operations to develop one system to be used across the stores for an effective utilization of the stock with the purpose of enhancing the business process. In accordance with the company, Van Morrison Supermarkets, which is operating within the national and international market place as a retail supermarket chain can be observed as facing problems with regard to IT and IS. The problems that are currently being faced by the company includes its infrastructure related to the IS/IT, with high dependency on Microsoft software as well as the operating systems using technology of low standards within the workstations. As a consequence, the staff working within the company is often dissatisfied due to the poor performances of IT/IS software often being down which causes delay in dealing with the customers as well as the suppliers causing massive damage to the customer satisfaction prospects of the organisation. Emphasising on this particular aspect, the objective of the study will be to suggest remedies for better applications of tools and concepts used in the modern IT/IS integration frameworks in Van Morrison to counter the identified problems. Tools, Concepts and Ideas in Formulating the IT and Information IS With Respect To the Retail Sector In the modern day scenario, the companies are viewing new dimensions for the use as well as the application of the Information Systems (IS) and the Information Technologies (IT) used as a means to obtain better operational efficiencies. In this context, for the companies to sustain and develop these added dimensions of the IS and the IT, act as a competitive as well as a strategic weapon too, to combat industrial complexities and obstacles effectively. The three aspects with respect to the IT applied in organisational settings, which are often argued to be responsible for the success of the companies, comprises of the presence of strong IT staff within the organisation, the pres ence of a firm technology base that can be reused and a consensus partnership between the IT staff as well as the management. In the modern day scenario, the global economy and the use of the internet facilities has been growing rapidly. In accordance with the field of e-commerce, the process and the manner through which the companies tend to utilize its IT applications have often been argued to result in the success of the company (Multimedia University, 2011). The strategies with regard to the IT and IS applications commonly include the incorporation of the computer as well as the manual systems, computer telecommunication and computer technology. The IT and IS strategies also involve the various aspects of management of the organisation. The objectives as well as the aim of the organisations adopting the IS and IT strategies further include, aligning the business strategies with that of the strategies of the IS and IT so as to determine the prioritised field with regard to the

The reality of war Essay Example for Free

The reality of war Essay Choose two or more poems from the selection that reveal the reality of war. Write about these poems in as much detail as possible, comparing the attitude and tone in each poem. The two poems I have chosen are dulce et decorum est and anthem for doomed youth which are both written by Wilfred Owen in October 1917, who served in the great war. He wrote many poems about the reality of war which he learned during the years he served, to try and bring out the truth of war which was being covered up by jingoistic writers and propaganda. In both of the poems there is a very negative, depressing tone. The reason for writing these poems is to uncover the harsh realities of war, and to show men thinking of joining up to the forces the real life of war, and not the way the jingoistic writers have been showing the war. Because the way people saw the war back in Britain was totally different to the war in the trenches, and Owen was not pleased with this at all. Wilfred Edward Salter Owen was born on March 18, 1893. and after visiting a hospital he decided, in September, 1915, to go back to England and sign up. After serving for almost two years Owen was injured in March 1917 and sent home; he was fit for duty in August, 1918, and returned to the frontline. November 4, just seven days before the Armistice, he was caught in a German machine gun attack and killed. He was twenty-five when he died The meaning of dulce et decorum est is quite an ironic and sarcastic meaning , because it means it is sweet and honourable to die for your country, but Owen really doesnt agree with this at all, therefore he is being sarcastic. In my opinion the poem is written for men thinking of joining up to the army, that need to know what war life is really like. The conditions in the trenches was very bad, and the very bad condition that the soldiers had to withstand. The soldiers had to march for days without rest and carrying severe injuries. Bent double, like old beggars under sacks , knock kneed , coughing like hags This tells us that they have been squatting in their small trenches, and their not used to the walking. And also it shows us that they were helpless and the conditions were awful. The soldiers had been walking for days, and that the lack of medication and the gasses used in the war was causing had caused the soldiers to become very ill, and they started coughing. There was also a severe lack of rest amongst the soldiers and the soldiers men marched asleep but they were very determined to carry on, but most of them didnt know what was happening and they were practically asleep, but they had nothing else to do, had nothing left apart from to carry on marching til the end. They were like zombies marching to their death Real war life was totally different from what the jingoistic writers had made it out to be. limped on, blood-shod. All went lame all went blind The soldiers were injured badly, and covered in blood (not only their own) but they are very determined to carry on. The soldiers also had chosen to try and ignore what was happening and were choosing to be blind, and not watch what was happening, because it was very depressing. Other bad conditions for the soldiers is the noise factor Deaf even to the hoots this shows us that because of all of the explosions and the guns firing, and the soldiers were used to the noise, and blocked it out altogether, because all day there was bombs going off , and guns firing. The soldiers didnt seem to be prepared for everything, because as the warning for the gas attack. And it seemed to be quite manic, as the soldiers tried to put on their helmets. an ecstasy of fumbling usually ecstasy means excitement, or something positive. But in this case it is the opposite and it is a very worrying time. There was also many risks , which the jingoists had never mentioned, but Owen wanted people to know about but someone still was yelling out and stumbling as a soldier couldnt put on his helmet and unfortunately died. Owen described the death of the soldier with the theme of water, as the gas killed him, and it is as if the gas was described as water.. under a green sea, I saw him drowning plunges at mechocking, drowning. In the third stanza the tone changes and slows down and after the first two stanzas describing the conditions, the rhythms calms down. Owen makes us feel sorry and quite sad as he describes how they followed the wagon that the soldier had been thrown into the back of. Behind the wagon that we flung him in, and watch the white eyes writhing in his face, his hanging face like a devils sick of sin; this says that the soldier looked so bad that he was like a the devils sick. (Which is not a pretty sight) as the poem draws to an end it is very depressing. gargling from the froth corrupted lungs, obscene as cancer bitter as the cud the cud is a slang word for the countryside, and that could be reverting to the countryside as the battlefield. There is also a feeling of regret as he says incurable sores, on innocent tongues I think this means that it has left a physical mark, or a bad taste in the mouth. The poem then ends with the old lie: dulce et decorum est pro patria mori. Which it is sweet and honourable to die for country, which in Owens view definitely untrue, hence the old lie: In anthem for domed youth, there is a similar tone to dulce, as they were both written by owen at a similar time. In my opinion the reason for the name anthem for doomed youth is because as the soldiers were marching thoughts o death would be running through the soldiers heads. At the start of the 1st stanza there is a question asking what passing bells for those who die as cattle this is an effective way of describing the soldiers because it is like the soldiers are like cows in a slaughterhouse, and the soldiers are just marching to their death. In this poem Owen describes what a soldiers death would be like, and describes what happens when a soldier dies.

Essay --

DRYING It is the most crucial part of every herb and spice sector. It is not only increases the product shelf but also enhances the product quality. At the time of harvesting moisture content is 70-85%. Due to high water content cardamom is highly susceptible for bacterial multiplication. It is highly desirable to keep the final moisture should be ranges from 10-12%. It is important to dry the cardamom capsules as soon after harvest as possible to prevent the loss of aroma. It is also imperative that the drying process is as short in order to avoid mould growth and retain the bright green color of capsule. The drying temperature should not be above 50Â °C otherwise it will affect the color and delicate flavor of the final product. Cardamom capsules with a good green color can be sold for a premium price. If the drying period is too long mould can start to grow on the cardamom. Various types of dryers are used for processing of spices, ranging from simple sun drying to gas drying, wood firer drying and humidity controller dryer. SUN DRYING. It is very ancient and very cheap method of dr...

Coconut: the most economically important member of the great palm family Essay

CHAPTER 1 (BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY) In this modern world considered as the era of comforts, we also face poverty and scarcity of resources because of over population. So, people today are searching for some easier and better ways to save money through substituting commercialized products with improvised and homemade products, economizing, etc. In short people today are just being practical on what they will buy or what they will do to meet their needs. The coconut is the fruit of the most economically important member of the great palm family, Palmae. The genus Cocos are Southeast Asians and contain only one species, Cocos Nucifera.  Cultivated in tropical lowlands, almost always near the sea, the coconut has long been distributed throughout Southeast Asia and along the Tropical African and American coasts. The coconut is known for its great versatility as seen in the many uses of its different parts. For centuries, the coconut pal has supplied the people of the Pacific Islands with food, drink, shelter, and most of their needs. The durian is the fruit of several tree species belonging to the genus Durio. There are 30 recognised Durio species, at least nine of which produce edible fruit. Durio zibethinus is the only species available in the international market: other species are sold in their local regions. Regarded by many people in Southeast Asia as the â€Å"king of fruits†, the  durian is distinctive for its large size, strong odor, and formidable thorn-covered husk. The fruit can grow as large as 30 centimeters (12 in) long and 15 centimeters (6 in) in diameter, and it typically weighs one to three kilograms (2 to 7 lb.). Its shape ranges from oblong to round, the color of its husk green to brown, and its flesh pale yellow to red, depending on the species. Corn (Zea mays) has been grown in the northeast for generations, and is a demanding crop but one that is highly-valued for its use. Corn, Zea mays, is an annual grass in the family Poaceae and is a staple food crop grown all over the world. Corn is the second most important crop in the Philippines. About 14 million Filipinos prefer white corn as their main staple and yellow corn accounts for about 50% of livestock mixed feeds. Some 600,000 farm households depend on corn as a major source of livelihood, in addition to transport services, traders, processors and agricultural input suppliers who directly benefit from corn production, processing, marketing and distribution. Shoe shining is the process of applying an external substance to the surface of a shoe to improve the materials and make it shinier. Shoe shining has been a part of shoe care for hundreds of years. Adding a shine to a shoe brings polish to an outfit. Shoe polish products are low-value items are frequently purchased as a single but might last for several days. The researchers wanted to produce shoe polish out of the coconut husks, durian husks and corn cobs because we found another use for them. This leads to conduct an experiment using the ashes of coconut husk, durian husks and corn cobs for shoe polish. If these products would be successful, it can help in recycling coconut husks, durian husks and corn cobs and can lessen them to avoid them scattering all over our community. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM This study aims to make an effective shoe polish out of ashes from burned coconut husks, durian skins, and corn cobs. Specifically, the study would like to answer the following: * What are the components that are present in the ashes? * How effective is the shoe polish in terms of: – Shine that it could give – Life Span – Color of Polish compared to other brands * What is the difference between the commercial shoe polish from the shoe polish out of ashes from the coconut husks, durian skins, and corn cobs? ASSUMPTION The researchers believed that Coconut husks, Corn Cobs and Durian Skins are effective alternative shoe polish and can make it a source of income. HYPOTHESIS There was no significant difference between the efficiency of our product to the commercial shoe polish that was sold on the market. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY One of the main benefits of a shoe shine is that it helps preserve the material that shoes are made out of. Polishing products also provides the coating of wax on the leather that helps in keeping it waterproof and reduces the dirt accumulated on the leather. Shoe polish also gives a moisturizing effect to the leather and proper care may help in lasting the shoes for several years. Since coconut, durian, and corn is abundant in our country, people can make it a source of livelihood. SCOPE AND LIMITATION The study is focused on the effectiveness of the alternative shoe polish and aims to shine shoes at a long period of time. Furthermore, this study is only limited to the effectiveness, color, shine, duration, and the odor it can give. METHODOLOGY The purpose of this chapter is to present the experimental assumptions underpinning this research, as well as to introduce the research strategy and empirical techniques applied then the materials used in conducting this  study. The chapter defines the scope and limitations of the research design. Materials The researchers utilized the following materials in accomplishing the project: Coconut husks, Corn Cobs, Durian Skins, Coals, Matchsticks, Ashes, Tongs, Strainer, 3 Basins, Pitcher, Water, Measuring Cups, Detergent Bar Soap, Knife, Frying Pan, Spoon, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Dye, and Kerosene. The sun was used as the source of heat to dry the Coconut husks, Corn cobs and Durian skins. The coals and matchsticks are used to burn the three different fruit shells and tongs was used to protect our hands from getting burned. The strainer was used to remove big particles and for us to gather fine ashes. The 3 basins were used as containers of the ashes. The pitcher was used as a container for the water. The measuring cups were used to measure the quantity of the water, citric acid, glycerin, dye and kerosene needed. The knife was used to cut the bar soap. The frying pan and spoon were used in heating up the whole mixture. Procedure The researchers gathered (1) one sack coconut husk, (1) one sack corn cobs and (1) one sack durian skin. After collecting the three different fruit shells the researchers let them stay under the sun for three days to get totally dry. Then after three days the researchers prepared the materials for the burning process. The researchers burned the three different dried fruit shells separately and collected the ashes. Afterwards, they inspect the ashes and they remove the big particles using a strainer. 1.Burn the dried coconut husk, corn cob, and durian skin separately and collect the ashes. 2.Inspect the ashes and remove the big particles. 3.Measure a certain amount of water. 4.Cut the bar soap into small pieces and dissolve it on water. 5.Add the ashes. 6.Heat the mixture until it boils, then stir evenly. 7.After few minutes add the citric acid and the glycerin. 8.Pour into a container. The mixture needs to settle for a number of hours before used.

How I Believe America has changed since 9/11

The 9/11 incident is a unique one being considered as one of the worst catastrophes not only in America but all over the world. With the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and of the Soviet Union in 1991 a period of extreme optimism opened, with markets triumphant and globalization as the universal panacea (Evans, 2003, para.3). Such nations who experienced failure in one way or another have shifted and depended on their sanguinity for success and advancement through the United States of America.However, after the 9/11 terrorist attack, the world was in shock that even the world’s greatest superpower has met some vulnerable moments against an uncertain force. The evidence we have gathered all points to a collection of loosely affiliated terrorist organizations known as al Qaeda (Bush, 2001, para. 13).Following the 9/11 disaster, one aspect of change which should be analyzed is how Americans perceive freedom now after this event. U.S. President George W. Bush has applied an aggres sive and one-sided approach in dealing with the terrorist issue.The Bush administration is presently the prime mover of the long running â€Å"war on terrorism.† Everything has changed in the sense that the war on terrorism has given U.S. foreign policy a focus not seen since the height of the Cold War (Garrett, 2002, para. 1). The invasion and occupation of Iraq is a result (politically, of course, not logically)†¦(â€Å"What has changed since 9/11?,† 2006, para.2). Undaunted and unapologetic, the Bush administration continues to argue the virtues of staying the present course (Connetta, 2006, para. 6). Can the Americans live in the real essence of freedom with this road the Bush leadership is taking?Will the Bush Administration sacrifice civil liberty for the sake of national security? America has always takes pride of being a free nation embedded with dignity and glory. But after 9/11, the Americans have lived in fear, ambiguity and doubt.ReferencesBush, G.W. ( 2001). Address to a Joint Session of Congress and the American People. Retrieved July 28, 2007, from http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010920-8.htmlConnetta, C. (2006). Pyrrhus on the Potomac: How America's post-9/11 wars have undermined US national security. Retrieved July 28, 2007, from http://www.comw.org/pda/0609br18.htmlEvans, L. (2003). America and the World: What Has Changed Since 9/11? Retrieved July 28, 2007, from http://www.international.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=3552Garrett, G. (2002). One year after 9/11: What Has Really Changed? Retrieved July 28, 2007, from http://www.international.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=2617â€Å"What has changed since 9/11?† (2006). Retrieved July 28, 2007, from http://ask.metafilter.com/41748/What-has-changed-since-911  

Architecture Timeline of Important Historic Periods

Architecture Timeline of Important Historic Periods When did Western architecture begin? Long before the magnificent structures of ancient Greece and Rome, humans were designing and constructing. The period known as the Classical Era grew from ideas and construction techniques that evolved centuries and eons apart in distant locations. This review illustrates how each new movement builds on the one before. Although our timeline lists dates related mostly to American architecture, historic periods do not start and stop at precise points on a map or a calendar. Periods and styles flow together, sometimes merging contradictory ideas, sometimes inventing new approaches, and often re-awakening and re-inventing older movements. Dates are always approximate - architecture is a fluid art. 11,600 B.C. to 3,500 B.C. - Prehistoric Times Stonehenge in Amesbury, United Kingdom. Jason Hawkes/Getty Images Archaeologists dig prehistory. Gà ¶bekli Tepe in present day Turkey is a good example of archaeological architecture. Before recorded history, humans constructed earthen mounds, stone circles, megaliths, and structures that often puzzle modern-day archaeologists. Prehistoric architecture includes monumental structures such as Stonehenge, cliff dwellings in the Americas, and thatch and mud structures lost to time. The dawn of architecture is found in these structures. Prehistoric builders moved earth and stone into geometric forms, creating our earliest human-made formations. We dont know why primitive people began building geometric structures. Archaeologists can only guess that prehistoric people looked to the heavens to imitate the sun and the moon, using that circular shape in their creations of earth mounds and monolithic henges. Many fine examples of well-preserved prehistoric architecture are found in southern England. Stonehenge in Amesbury, United Kingdom is a well-known example of the prehistoric stone circle. Nearby Silbury Hill, also in Wiltshire, is the largest man-made, prehistoric earthen mound in Europe. At 30 meters high and 160 meters wide, the gravel mound is layers of soil, mud, and grass, with dug pits and tunnels of chalk and clay. Completed in the late Neolithic period, approximately 2,400 BC, its architects were a Neolithic civilization in Britain. The prehistoric sites in southern Britain (Stonehenge, Avebury, and associated sites) are collectively a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The design, position, and inter-relationship of the monuments and sites, according to UNESCO, are evidence of a wealthy and highly organized prehistoric society able to impose its concepts on the environment. To some, the ability to change the environment is key for a structure to be called architecture. Prehistoric structures are sometimes considered the birth of architecture. If nothing else, primitive structures certainly raise the question, what is architecture? Why does the circle dominate mans earliest architecture? It is the shape of the sun and the moon, the first shape humans realized to be significant to their lives. The duo of architecture and geometry goes way back in time and may be the source of what humans find beautiful even today. 3,050 B.C. to 900 B.C. - Ancient Egypt The Pyramid of Khafre (Chephren) in Giza, Egypt. Lansbricae (Luis Leclere)/Getty Images (cropped) In ancient Egypt, powerful rulers constructed monumental pyramids, temples, and shrines. Far from primitive, enormous structures such as the Pyramids of Giza were feats of engineering capable of reaching great heights. Scholars have delineated the periods of history in ancient Egypt. Wood was not widely available in the arid Egyptian landscape. Houses in ancient Egypt were made with blocks of sun-baked mud. Flooding of the Nile River and the ravages of time destroyed most of these ancient homes. Much of what we know about ancient Egypt is based on great temples and tombs, which were made with granite and limestone and decorated with hieroglyphics, carvings, and brightly colored frescoes. The ancient Egyptians didnt use mortar, so the stones were carefully cut to fit together. The pyramid form was a marvel of engineering that allowed ancient Egyptians to build enormous structures. The development of the pyramid form allowed Egyptians to build enormous tombs for their kings. The sloping walls could reach great heights because their weight was supported by the wide pyramid base. An innovative Egyptian named Imhotep is said to have designed one of the earliest of the massive stone monuments, the Step Pyramid of Djoser (2,667 B.C. to 2,648 B.C.). Builders in ancient Egypt didnt use load-bearing arches. Instead, columns were placed close together to support the heavy stone entablature above. Brightly painted and elaborately carved, the columns often mimicked palms, papyrus plants, and other plant forms. Over the centuries, at least thirty distinct column styles evolved. As the Roman Empire occupied these lands, both Persian and Egyptian columns have influenced Western architecture. Archaeological discoveries in Egypt reawakened an interest in the ancient temples and monuments. Egyptian Revival architecture became fashionable during the 1800s. In the early 1900s, the discovery of King Tuts tomb stirred a fascination for Egyptian artifacts and the rise of Art Deco architecture. 850 B.C. to A.D. 476 - Classical The Pantheon, A.D. 126, Rome, Italy. Werner Forman Archive/Heritage Images/Getty Images (cropped) Classical architecture refers to the style and design of buildings in ancient Greece and ancient Rome. Classical architecture shaped our approach to building in Western colonies around the world. From the rise of ancient Greece until the fall of the Roman empire, great buildings were constructed according to precise rules. The Roman architect Marcus Vitruvius, who lived during first century B.C., believed that builders should use mathematical principles when constructing temples. For without symmetry and proportion no temple can have a regular plan, Vitruvius wrote in his famous treatise De Architectura, or Ten Books on Architecture. In his writings, Vitruvius introduced the Classical orders, which defined column styles and entablature designs used in Classical architecture. The earliest Classical orders were Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. Although we combine this architectural era and call it Classical, historians have described these three Classical periods: 700 to 323 B.C. - Greek. The Doric column was first developed in Greece and it was used for great temples, including the famous Parthenon in Athens. Simple Ionic columns were used for smaller temples and building interiors. 323 to 146 B.C. - Hellenistic. When Greece was at the height of its power in Europe and Asia, the empire built elaborate temples and secular buildings with Ionic and Corinthian columns. The Hellenistic period ended with conquests by the Roman Empire. 44 B.C. to A.D. 476 - Roman. The Romans borrowed heavily from the earlier Greek and Hellenistic styles, but their buildings were more highly ornamented. They used Corinthian and composite style columns along with decorative brackets. The invention of concrete allowed the Romans to build arches, vaults, and domes. Famous examples of Roman architecture include the Roman Colosseum and the Pantheon in Rome. Much of this ancient architecture is in ruins or partially rebuilt. Virtual reality programs like Romereborn.org attempt to digitally recreate the environment of this important civilization. 527 to 565 - Byzantine Church of Hagia Eirene in the First Courtyard of the TopkapÄ ± Palace, Istanbul, Turkey. Salvator Barki/Getty Images (cropped) After Constantine moved the capital of the Roman empire to Byzantium (now called Istanbul in Turkey) in A.D. 330, Roman architecture evolved into a graceful, classically-inspired style that used brick instead of stone, domed roofs, elaborate mosaics, and classical forms. Emperor Justinian (527 to 565) led the way. Eastern and Western traditions combined in the sacred buildings of the Byzantine period. Buildings were designed with a central dome that eventually rose to new heights by using engineering practices refined in the Middle East. This era of architectural history was transitional and  transformational. 800 to 1200 - Romanesque Romanesque Architecture of the Basilica of St. Sernin (1070-1120) in Toulouse, France. Anger O./AgenceImages courtesy Getty Images As Rome spread across Europe, heavier, stocky Romanesque architecture with rounded arches emerged. Churches and castles of the early Medieval period were constructed with thick walls and heavy piers. Even as the Roman Empire faded, Roman ideas reached far across Europe. Built between 1070 and 1120, the  Basilica of St. Sernin in Toulouse, France is a good example of this transitional architecture, with a Byzantine-domed apse and an added Gothic-like steeple. The floor plan is that of the Latin cross, Gothic-like again, with a high alter and tower at the cross intersection. Constructed of stone and brick, St. Sernin is on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. 1100 to 1450 - Gothic The Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame de Chartres, France. Alessandro Vannini/Getty Images (cropped) Early in the 12th century, new ways of building meant that cathedrals and other large buildings could soar to new heights. Gothic architecture became characterized by the elements that supported taller, more graceful architecture - innovations such as pointed arches, flying buttresses, and ribbed vaulting. In addition, elaborate stained glass could take the place of walls that no longer were used to support high ceilings. Gargoyles and other sculpting enabled practical and decorative functions. Many of the worlds most well-known sacred places are from this period in architectural history, including Chartres Cathedral and Paris Notre Dame Cathedral in France and Dublins St. Patricks Cathedral and Adare Friary in Ireland. Gothic architecture began mainly in France where builders began to adapt the earlier Romanesque style. Builders were also influenced by the pointed arches and elaborate stonework of Moorish architecture in Spain. One of the earliest Gothic buildings was the ambulatory of the abbey of St. Denis in France, built between 1140 and 1144. Originally, Gothic architecture was known as the French Style. During the Renaissance, after the French Style had fallen out of fashion, artisans mocked it. They coined the word Gothic to suggest that French Style buildings were the crude work of German (Goth) barbarians. Although the label wasnt accurate, the name Gothic remained. While builders were creating the great Gothic cathedrals of Europe, painters and sculptors in northern Italy were breaking away from rigid medieval styles and laying the foundation for the Renaissance. Art historians call the period between 1200 to 1400 the Early Renaissance or the Proto-Renaissance of art history. Fascination for medieval Gothic architecture was reawakened in the 19th and 20th centuries. Architects in Europe and the United States designed great buildings and private homes that imitated the cathedrals of medieval Europe. If a building looks Gothic and has Gothic elements and characteristics, but it was built in the 1800s or later, its style is Gothic Revival. 1400 to 1600 - Renaissance Villa Rotonda (Villa Almerico-Capra), near Venice, Italy, 1566-1590, Andrea Palladio. Massimo Maria Canevarolo via Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0) A return to Classical ideas ushered an age of awakening in Italy, France, and England. During the Renaissance era architects and builders were inspired by the carefully proportioned buildings of ancient Greece and Rome.  Italian Renaissance master Andrea Palladio helped awaken a passion for classical architecture when he designed beautiful, highly symmetrical villas such as Villa Rotonda near Venice, Italy. More than 1,500 years after the Roman architect Vitruvius wrote his important book, the Renaissance architect Giacomo da Vignola outlined Vitruviuss ideas. Published in 1563, Vignolas The Five Orders of Architecture became a guide for builders throughout western Europe. In 1570 Andrea Palladio used the new technology of movable type to publish I Quattro Libri dell Architettura, or The Four Books of Architecture. In this book, Palladio showed how Classical rules could be used not just for grand temples but also for private villas. Palladios ideas did not imitate the Classical order of architecture but his designs were in the manner of ancient designs. The work of the Renaissance masters spread across Europe, and long after the era ended, architects in the Western world would find inspiration in the beautifully proportioned architecture of the period. In the United States its descendant designs have been called neoclassical. 1600 to 1830 - Baroque The Baroque Palace of Versailles in France. Loop Images Tiara Anggamulia/Getty Images (cropped) Early in the 1600s, an elaborate new architectural style lavished buildings. What became known as Baroque was characterized by complex shapes, extravagant ornaments, opulent paintings, and bold contrasts. In Italy, the Baroque style is reflected in opulent and dramatic churches with irregular shapes and extravagant ornamentation. In France, the highly ornamented Baroque style combines with Classical restraint. Russian aristocrats were impressed by the Palace of Versailles, France and incorporated Baroque ideas in the building of St. Petersburg. Elements of the elaborate Baroque style are found throughout Europe. Architecture was only one expression of the Baroque style. In music, famous names included Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi. In the art world, Caravaggio, Bernini, Rubens, Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Velzquez are remembered. Famous inventors and scientists of the day include Blaise Pascal and Isaac Newton. 1650 to 1790 - Rococo Catherine Palace Near Saint Petersburg, Russia. Saravut Eksuwan/Getty Images During the last phase of the Baroque period, builders constructed graceful white buildings with sweeping curves. Rococo art and architecture is characterized by elegant decorative designs with scrolls, vines, shell-shapes, and delicate geometric patterns. Rococo architects applied Baroque ideas with a lighter, more graceful touch. In fact, some historians suggest that Rococo is simply a later phase of the Baroque period. Architects of this period include the great Bavarian stucco masters like Dominikus Zimmermann, whose  1750 Pilgrimage Church of Wies is a UNESCO World Heritage site. 1730 to 1925 - Neoclassicism The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Architect of the Capitol By the 1700s, European architects were turning away from elaborate Baroque and Rococo styles in favor of restrained Neoclassical approaches. Orderly, symmetrical Neoclassical architecture reflected the intellectual awakening among the middle and upper classes in Europe during the period historians often call the Enlightenment. Ornate Baroque and Rococo styles fell out of favor as architects for a growing middle class reacted to and rejected the opulence of the ruling class. French and American revolutions returned design to Classical ideals  - including equality and democracy - emblematic of the civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome. A keen interest in ideas of Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio inspired a return of Classical shapes in Europe, Great Britain, and the United States. These buildings were proportioned according to the classical orders with details borrowed from ancient Greece and Rome. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, the newly-formed United States drew upon Classical ideals to construct grand government buildings and an array of smaller, private homes. 1890 to 1914 - Art Nouveau The 1910 Hà ´tel Lutetia in Paris, France. Justin Lorget/chesnot/Corbis via Getty Images Known as the New Style in France, Art Nouveau was first expressed in fabrics and graphic design. The style spread to architecture and furniture in the 1890s as a revolt against industrialization turned peoples attention to the natural forms and personal craftsmanship of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Art Nouveau buildings often have asymmetrical shapes, arches, and decorative Japanese-like surfaces with curved, plant-like designs and mosaics. The period is often confused with Art Deco, which has an entirely different visual look and philosophical origin. Note that the name Art Nouveau is French, but the philosophy  - to some extent spread by the ideas of William Morris and the writings of John Ruskin - gave rise to similar movements throughout Europe. In Germany it was called Jugendstil; in Austria it was Sezessionsstil; in Spain it was Modernismo, which predicts or event begins the modern era. The works of Spanish architect Antoni Gaudà ­ (1852-1926) are said to be influenced by Art Nouveau or Modernismo, and Gaudi is often called one of the first modernist architects. 1895 to 1925 - Beaux Arts The Paris Opera by Beaux Arts Architect Charles Garnier. Francisco Andrade/Getty Images (cropped) Also known as Beaux Arts Classicism, Academic Classicism, or Classical Revival, Beaux Arts architecture is characterized by order, symmetry, formal design, grandiosity, and elaborate ornamentation. Combining classical Greek and Roman architecture with Renaissance ideas, Beaux Arts architecture was a favored style for grand public buildings and opulent mansions. 1905 to 1930 - Neo-Gothic The Neo-Gothic 1924 Tribune Tower in Chicago. Glowimage/Getty Images (cropped) In the early 20th century, medieval Gothic ideas were applied to modern buildings, both private homes and the new type of architecture called skyscrapers. Gothic Revival was a Victorian style inspired by Gothic cathedrals and other medieval architecture.  Gothic Revival home design began in the United Kingdom in the 1700s when Sir Horace Walpole decided to remodel his home, Strawberry Hill. In the early 20th century, Gothic Revival ideas were applied to modern skyscrapers, which are often called Neo-Gothic. Neo-Gothic skyscrapers often have strong vertical lines and a sense of great height; arched and pointed windows with decorative tracery; gargoyles and other medieval carvings; and pinnacles. The 1924 Chicago Tribune Tower is a good example of Neo-Gothic architecture. The architects Raymond Hood and John Howells were selected over many other architects to design the building. Their Neo-Gothic design may have appealed to the judges because it reflected a conservative (some critics said regressive) approach. The facade of the Tribune Tower is studded with rocks collected from great buildings around the world. Other Neo-Gothic buildings include the Cass Gilbert design for the Woolworth Building in New York City. 1925 to 1937 - Art Deco The Art Deco Chrysler Building in New York City. CreativeDream/Getty Images With their sleek forms and ziggurat designs, Art Deco architecture embraced both the machine age and ancient times. Zigzag patterns and vertical lines create dramatic effect on jazz-age, Art Deco buildings. Interestingly, many Art Deco motifs were inspired by the architecture of ancient Egypt. The Art Deco style evolved from many sources. The austere shapes of the modernist Bauhaus School and streamlined styling of modern technology combined with patterns and icons taken from the Far East, classical Greece and Rome, Africa, ancient Egypt and the Middle East, India, and Mayan and Aztec cultures. Art Deco buildings have many of these features: cubic forms; ziggurat, terraced pyramid shapes with each story smaller than the one below it; complex groupings of rectangles or trapezoids; bands of color; zigzag designs like lightening bolts; strong sense of line; and the illusion of pillars. By the 1930s, Art Deco evolved into a more simplified style known as Streamlined Moderne, or Art Moderne. The emphasis was on sleek, curving forms and long horizontal lines. These buildings did not feature zigzag or colorful designs found on earlier Art Deco architecture. Some of the most famous art deco buildings have become tourist destinations in New York City - the Empire State Building and Radio City Music Hall may be the most famous. The 1930 Chrysler Building in New York City was one of the first buildings composed of stainless steel over a large exposed surface. The architect, William Van Alen, drew inspiration from machine technology for the ornamental details on the Chrysler Building: There are eagle hood ornaments, hubcaps, and abstract images of cars. 1900 to Present - Modernist Styles De La Warr Pavilion, 1935, Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex, United Kingdom. Peter Thompson Heritage Images/Getty Images The 20th and 21st centuries have seen dramatic changes and astonishing diversity. Modernist styles have come and gone  - and continue to evolve. Modern-day trends include Art Moderne and the Bauhaus school coined by Walter Gropius, Deconstructivism, Formalism, Brutalism, and Structuralism. Modernism is not just another style  - it presents a new way of thinking. Modernist architecture emphasizes function. It attempts to provide for specific needs rather than imitate nature. The roots of Modernism may be found in the work of Berthold Luberkin (1901-1990), a Russian architect who settled in London and founded a group called Tecton. The Tecton architects believed in applying scientific, analytical methods to design. Their stark buildings ran counter to expectations and often seemed to defy gravity. The expressionistic work of the Polish-born German architect Erich Mendelsohn (1887-1953) also furthered the modernist movement. Mendelsohn and Russian-born English architect Serge Chermayeff (1900-1996) won the competition to design the De La Warr Pavilion in Britain. The 1935 seaside public hall has been called Streamline Moderne and International, but it most certainly is one of the first modernist buildings to be constructed and restored, maintaining its original beauty over the years. Modernist architecture can express a number of stylistic ideas, including Expressionism and Structuralism. In the later decades of the twentieth century, designers rebelled against the rational Modernism and a variety of Postmodern styles evolved. Modernist architecture generally has little or no ornamentation and is prefabricated or has factory-made parts. The design emphasizes function and the man-made construction materials are usually glass, metal, and concrete. Philosophically, modern architects rebel against traditional styles. For examples of Modernism in architecture, see works by Rem Koolhaas, I.M. Pei, Le Corbusier, Philip Johnson, and Mies van der Rohe. 1972 to Present - Postmodernism Postmodern Architecture at 220 Celebration Place, Celebration, Florida. Jackie Craven A reaction against the Modernist approaches gave rise to new buildings that re-invented historical details and familiar motifs. Look closely at these architectural movements and you are likely to find ideas that date back to classical and ancient times. Postmodern architecture evolved from the modernist movement, yet contradicts many of the modernist ideas. Combining new ideas with traditional forms, postmodernist buildings may startle, surprise, and even amuse. Familiar shapes and details are used in unexpected ways. Buildings may incorporate symbols to make a statement or simply to delight the viewer. Philip Johnsons ATT Headquarters is often cited as an example of postmodernism. Like many buildings in the International Style, the skyscraper has a sleek, classical facade. At the top, however, is an oversized Chippendale pediment. Johnsons design for the Town Hall in Celebration, Florida is also playfully over-the-top with columns in front of a public building. Well-known postmodern architects include Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown; Michael Graves; and the playful Philip Johnson, known for making fun of Modernism. The key ideas of Postmodernism are set forth in two important books by Robert Venturi. In his groundbreaking 1966 book, Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture, Venturi challenged modernism and celebrated the mix of historic styles in great cities such as Rome. Learning from Las Vegas, subtitled The Forgotten Symbolism of Architectural Form, became a postmodernist classic when Venturi called the vulgar billboards of the Vegas Strip emblems for a new architecture. Published in 1972, the book was written by Robert Venturi, Steven Izenour, and Denise Scott Brown. 1997 to Present - Neo-Modernism and Parametricism Zaha Hadids Heydar Aliyev Centre, 2012, Baku, Azerbaijan. Christopher Lee/Getty Images Throughout history, home designs have been influenced by the architecture du jour. In the not far off future, as computer costs come down and construction companies change their methods, homeowners and builders will be able to create fantastic designs. Some call todays architecture Neo-Modernism. Some call it Parametricism, but the name for computer-driven design is up for grabs. How did Neo-Modernism begin? Perhaps with Frank Gehrys sculpted designs, especially the success of the 1997 Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. Maybe it began with architects who experimented with Binary Large Objects - BLOB architecture. But you might say that free-form design dates back to prehistoric times. Just look at Moshe Safdies 2011 Marina Bay Sands Resort in Singapore: It looks just like Stonehenge. Prehistoric Stonehenge (left) and Moshe Safdies 2011 Marina Bay Sands Resort in Singapore (right). Left: Grant Faint / Right: photo by william cho Sources History and Research: Silbury Hill, English Heritage Foundation, english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/silbury-hill/history-and-research/; Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, United Nations, http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/373 Additional photo credits: Tribune Tower, Jon Arnold/Getty Images; Stonehenge / Marina Bay Sands Resort, Images (cropped) by Archive Photos/Archive Photos Collection/Getty Images (left) and AT Photography/Moment Collection/Getty Images (right)

Essay Example

Essay Example Essay – Term Paper Example â€Å"The unexamined life is not worth living† The quotation from Socrates means that life to have value should be examined, reviewed, and remunerated. There are diverse issues to be expounded on: firstly, from whose perspective should one’s life be deemed valuable? Secondly, who should do the examination of life that should be taken in significance? And thirdly, as human beings, should the reason for living be taken as a universal perspective or that from the point of view of the individual? To address these concerns and to clearly explain the quotation, the point of view that should be taken is the individual’s perspective where one’s life is deemed valuable when activities and endeavors are pursued for the improvement of the wellbeing of others – not only of oneself. One therefore agrees with Socrate’s contention that people should question the validity of one’s actions in able to gauge their relevance, not only to oneself but to ot hers. As averred by Angelo (2011), â€Å"the "unexamined life"†¦ is the opposite of the life Socrates tried to live, and in that sense I know = I have learned or I have discovered that I am without wisdom. Socrates knew that he was without wisdom because he had questioned [examined] himself and questioned [examined] all others he could find who were said to be wise, and nowhere did he find the wisdom that he has sought, wisdom meaning here: knowledge of the correct way for a human being to live, knowledge of the particular excellence that is proper to human nature† (Angelo par. 5). These statements indicate that when a person does not know or question learning how one should live, then, the purpose of living is defeated. To engage in frequent self-assessment gives humans validity to support that their lives are better than living things without rational abilities and therefore no way to indicate if the life lived is indeed worth living.Angelo, Robert Wesley. "The unexami ned life". 1 October 2011. 29 November 2011 .