Verbal-Text as a Process of Compositional and Improvisational Elaboration in Litungu Music Essay Example

Verbal-Text as a Process of Compositional and Improvisational Elaboration in Litungu Music Essay VERBAL-TEXT AS A PROCESS OF COMPOSITIONAL AND IMPROVISATIONAL ELABORATION IN BUKUSU LITUNGU MUSIC by ABIGAEL NANCY MASASABI Submitted as per the prerequisites for the level of DOCTOR OF MUSICOLOGY at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA SUPERVISOR: DR MARIE R. JORRITSMA CO-SUPERVISOR: DR FLORENCE NGALE MIYA MAY 2011 I DECLARATION Student number: 3658-166-6 I announce that VERBAL-TEXT AS A PROCESS OF COMPOSITIONAL AND IMPROVISATIONAL ELABORATION IN BUKUSU LITUNGU MUSIC is my own work and that all sources that I have utilized or cited have been demonstrated and recognized by methods for complete references. _______________________ SIGNATURE (Miss A N Masasabi) ______________ DATE ii DEDICATION To the late Japheth Muia Mutangili and my little girl Grace Buyanzi. iii Acknowledgments This work would not have been practiced without the good and expert help of various people. I am especially appreciative to my administrators for their understanding, backing and direction. I express gratitude towa rd Dr Marie Jorritsma for her perceptiveness in issues of hypothetical substance, language and association. Her cautious perusing and reactions prompted generous improvement in the nature of this proposition. I am likewise obliged to my second chief Dr Florence Ngale Miya whose remarks and proposals were a wellspring of motivation. Dr Miya‘s support and her trust in my capacity propped me up all through my work. I say thanks to Dr Kidula for setting aside some effort to investigate my proposal, guiding me to books applicable to my examination and for sending me various articles that improved my proposition. I express gratitude toward Dr and Prof Tamusuza for savvy reactions to the hypothesis, strategy and wordings utilized in my proposition. I additionally express gratitude toward Dr Kilonzo for her consolation and for editing my theory. We will compose a custom article test on Verbal-Text as a Process of Compositional and Improvisational Elaboration in Litungu Music explicitly for you for just $16.38 $13.9/page Request now We will compose a custom exposition test on Verbal-Text as a Process of Compositional and Improvisational Elaboration in Litungu Music explicitly for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Recruit Writer We will compose a custom exposition test on Verbal-Text as a Process of Compositional and Improvisational Elaboration in Litungu Music explicitly for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Recruit Writer Moreover I might want to acknowledge Dr Omondi Okech for altering my theory. I might likewise want to recognize the help of Fred Wekesa Kusienya and Isaac Shitubi who made my hands on work a lot simpler. They helped me to recognize interviewees and accompanied me during my hands on work. Shitubi was instrumental during the meeting procedure and Kusienya helped me by confirming the interpretations of tunes from Lubukusu to English. I value the participation I got from my interviewees who included individuals from the Jackson Kisika Band, the Namatete Band, the Sinani Group Band, the Lugulu Bumusika Band and the Kwane Band. An abundance of thanks go to my folks Cleophas Masasabi and Grace Masasabi, my siblings Richard and Wellington, and sisters Catherine and Dorcas for their help and motivation. Extraordinary gratitude to my mom for dealing with my child Grace as I was caught up with gathering information. At long last, I value the omnipotent God for invigorating me and the sound psyche to attempt this examination. iv ABSTRACT The Bukusu people group is overwhelmingly found in Bungoma area of Western Kenya. The Litungu is a word alluding to a lyre among the Bukusu people group. Music joined by this instrument is what is alluded to as Litungu music. This music utilizes sung text and â€Å"verbal-text†/silao-sikeleko (discourse and discourse song) and silao-sikeleko is the point of convergence of this examination. Silao-sikeleko is acted in rotation with sung text in Litungu music. This investigation tries to recognize the social and compositional job of silao-sikeleko in the music. To accomplish the targets of this investigation I utilized a subjective way to deal with gather and examine information. Information assortment incorporated the utilization of meetings and perception. The interviewees included entertainers of Litungu music, whose music was sound recorded and video recorded for examination. Also, I mentioned objective facts of the presentation locales and execution conduct, taking notes and making sound and video recording. Music for investigation was then chosen on the premise that it had the silao-sikeleko part. The Bukusu social perspective on silao-sikeleko is talked about corresponding to their traditions and lifestyle. The execution of silao-sikeleko depends on a socially considered system that permits the contribution of different entertainers in the presentation organization process. Here the settings inside which silao-sikeleko is performed are recognized. Investigation of the connection between sung text and silao-sikeleko set up that though the two are specifically brought together, silaosikeleko validates the sung messages by encouraging a comprehension of messages contained in the melodies. The examination of language utilize learned that silao-sikeleko utilizes language gadgets, for example, maxims, sayings, imagery, conundrums and analogies. I set up that silao-sikeleko as an exhibition compositional component has its own presentational structure that impacts the general structure of the Litungu music. Litungu music has a semi rondoic structure whose yield isn't static yet fluctuates as per setting and the desires of the soloist. The soloist deciphers how successfully a given message has been conveyed during execution deciding how much silao-sikeleko ought to be performed. Silao-sikeleko is by and large formed and performed by different individuals from a performing gathering. Key terms: Kenyan music, Bukusu music, Bukusu culture, Litungu music, silao-sikeleko, execution sythesis, music arrangement, melody text, music structure, ad lib. v List of chapters DECLARATION . ii DEDICATION . iii Acknowledgments .. iv ABSTRACT ILLUSTRATIONS ix LIST OF FIGURES . ix LIST OF TABLES . x LIST OF PLATES . Meaning OF TERMS xi CHAPTER ONE .. 1 INTRODUCTION .. 1. 1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY .. 1. 1. 1 Who are the Bukusu? .. 2 1. 1. 1. 1 Bukusu Origin and Settlement 3 1. 1. 1. 2 The Bukusu Family and Social Life 6 1. 1. 2 Bukusu Litungu Music .. 10 1. 1. 2. 1. Litungu Music in the Community . 0 1. 1. 2. 2. Sex Issues in Litungu Music 11 1. 1. 2. 3. Development of the Litungu . 12 1. 1. 2. 4. Litungu Performance Technique and Ensemble 14 1. 2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM . 19 1. 3 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES .. 0 1. 4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS 20 1. 5 RATIONALE AND SIGNIFICANCE . 21 1. 6 SCOPE AND LIMITATION . 22 1. 7 THEORETICAL AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK . 23 CHAPTER TWO .. 8 LITERATURE REVIEW . 28 2. 1 INTRODUCTION .. 28 2. 2 COMPOSITIONAL ELEMENTS IN AFRICAN MUSICS . 28 2. 3 SONG TEXTS AND SILAO-SIKELEKO 38 2. 4 CREATIVE PROCESS IN AFRICAN MUSIC .. 44 2. End . 48 CHAPTER THREE . 49 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY 49 3. 1 INTRODUCTION .. 49 3. 2 RESEARCH DESIGN .. 49 3. Populace AND SAMPLING 50 3. 3. 1 Target populace . 50 3. 3. 2 Purposive examining . 50 3. 3. 3 Snowball inspecting .. 51 3. 4 DATA COLLECTION . 2 vi 3. 4. 1 Fieldwork 53 3. 4. 2 Interview strategy . 54 3. 4. 3 Observation . 56 3. 4. 4 Note taking .. 56 3. 4. 5 Audio and video ecording.. 57 3. 4. 6 Photography .. 57 3. 5 DATA PROCESSING, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION.. 58 3. 8 CONCLUSION . 58 CHAPTER FOUR . 0 FORMAL STRUCTURE OF LITUNGU MUSIC 60 4. 1 INTRODUCTION .. 60 4. 2 SILAO-SIKELEKO STRUCTURE . 61 4. 2. 1 Narration . 62 4. 2. 2 Dialog by Two People. 3 4. 2. 3 Dialog by More Than Two People 64 4. 3 OCCURRENCE OF SILAO-SIKELEKO. 67 4. 4 THE CONSTRUCTION OF INSTRUMENTAL PHRASES .. 71 4. 5 OVERALL FORM OF LITUNGU MUSIC .. 79 4. 7 CONCLUSION . 2 CHAPTER FIVE .. 94 THE CULTURAL ROLE OF SILAO-SIKELEKO IN BUKUSU LITUNGU MUSIC . 94 5. 1 INTRODUCTION .. 94 5. 2 THE ORIGIN OF THE SILAO-SIKELEKO ELEMENT IN LITUNGU MUSIC .. 95 5. 3 CONTEXT OF SILAO-SIKELEKO IN LITUNGU MUSIC .. 97 5. Social FUNCTION OF SILAO-SIKELEKO IN LITUNGU MUSIC 105 5. 4. 1 Introduction and Acknowledge Personalities 105 5. 4. 2 Education . 108 5. 4. 3 Self Expression . 113 5. 4. 4 Social Commentary. 113 5. End .. 121 CHAPTER SIX 123 SUNG TEXT AND SILAO-SIKELEKO . 123 6. 1 INTRODUCTION 123 6. 2 THEMATIC ROLE OF SILAO-SIKELEKO .. 24 6. 3 QUANTITY OF SILAO-SIKELEKO IN LITUNGU MUSIC . 136 6. 4 LANGUAGE USE 141 6. 4. 1. Writing versus Poetry. 143 6. 4. 3. Symbolism 145 6. 4. 6. Axioms and Sayings 48 6. 4. 7. Imagery . 152 6. 4. 9. Question .. . 155 6. 4. 10. Informal Expression . 156 6. 4. 11. Moral story 156 6. 5. WORDS DEPICTING RELATIONSHIPS 158 6. 6 CONCLUSION .. 160 CHAPTER SEVEN .. 163 vii PERFORMANCE COMPOSITION IN BUKUSU LITUNGU MUSIC 163 7. 1 INTRODUCTION 63 7. 2 PREREQUISITES FOR THE IMPROVISATIONAL PROCESS . 165 7. 2. 1 Prolonged Exposure to Music 167 7. 2. 2 Knowledge and Mastery of Lubukusu .. 171 7. 2. 3. Information on Cultural Environment and Events .. 173 7. 2. 4. Nearness and Maturity of Audience .. 174 7. 2. 5. Intra-Group and Inter-Group Interaction 175 7. 2. 6. Information on Instrumental Genre . 176 7. 3 THE CONSTANT AND VARIED FEATURES OF LITUNGU MUSIC .. 177 7. 4 THE CREATIVE PROCESSES 188 7. 5 CONCLUSION .. 193 CHAPTER EIGHT .. 195 SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.. 195 8. 1 SUMMARY . 195 8. 2 CONCLUSIONS 195 8. 3 RECOMMENDATIONS .. 99 BIBLIOGRAPHY .. 201 APPENDIX I 216 SONGS IN LUBUKUSU AND THEIR TRANSLATION INTO ENGLISH 216 APPENDIX II .. 252 CONSENT FORM FOR RESEARCH ASSISTANTS .. 52 APPENDIX III . 254 CONSENT FORM FOR INTERVIEWEES . 254 APPENDIX 1V 255 INTERVIEW QUESTIONS . 55 APPENDIX V .. 256 FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION INTERVIEW GUIDE 256 APPENDIX VI. 257 INDEX TO AUDIO CD . 257 viii ILLUSTRATIONS LIST OF FIGURES 1. 1 Map of Kenya demonstrating the area of Bungoma locale 1. An Exam

Science and Grammar Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Science and Grammar - Essay Example Simultaneously, science becomes significant when it is spread to an enormous gathering of individuals. A few people are probably going to overlook these realities, yet doing so is simply declining to acknowledge the reality and reality. Considering this, a few understudies and individuals everywhere may scrutinize the significance of composing logical issues and ideas effectively with no syntactic or spelling botches. There is no specific and explicit meaning of science, as more definitions are probably going to be made by various individuals in various scholastic fields. Be that as it may, as a rule, science can be seen to comprise scholarly and viable action, which may include the deliberate investigation of the structure and conduct of the physical and normal world through perception and trial (Ray 2). Science from this basic definition can be believed to be significant and basic to the lives of individuals and in the age and scattering of information. Understudies may believe that, as long as the primary thought in the logical information has been progressed to the peruser, there is no central motivation to stress and have worry with respect to language structure and right spelling. The understudies may believe that these angles are not significant in logical world. Be that as it may, understudies need to realize this isn't the situation or isn't a position, and as an instructor, I can bolster . Much the same as the manner in which sentence structure and spelling contemplations are significant in different fields, understudies should realize that the equivalent applies in logical world. Simply envision perusing logical bit of information that is brimming with language structure missteps and spelling. To start with, as a peruser of such article, one is probably going to consider the essayist not genuine with the work or even the author to be thoughtless. Additionally, the peruser of such article is probably going to be disheartened or even to get unengaged in perusing such an article from the world go. Subsequently, the logical

Waitlist Decisions 2011

Waitlist Decisions 2011 For the sixth consecutive year, we will admit students from our waitlist. This year, a high number of admitted students have chosen to enroll, but we do plan to admit 26 students from the waitlist. Today, around 3pm Eastern Daylight Time, we will notify the admitted students via email, informing them that they have been admitted from the waitlist. If you have applied for aid, the Financial Aid Office will follow up shortly thereafter with award packages. Admitted students can then choose to accept our offer (it is an understood part of admissions that some people will shuffle around during the waitlist period; you will lose your deposit at the other school, but it is a standard practice to consider accepting a waitlist offer) or decline it. For all other students on the waitlist, we will notify them today via email (at approximately 3pm Eastern Daylight Time) that we will not be able to offer them admission. At that point, we will consider our waitlist closed and do not expect to admit any additional students this year for the Class of 2015. Thanks to all of you on the waitlist for your time and patience during this process. Congrats to those that were admitted we hope to see you in the fall. For those whom we were unable to admit this year, we wish you all the very best at the college youve chosen.

Drug Use And The Therapeutic Treatment Of Drug Addiction

I. Hypothesis It commonly believed that over time, the effects of drug related cues increases the efficacy of relapse. To this end, the researchers are looking to key brain chemicals to aid in the therapeutic treatment of drug addiction. A main concern is how can drug-related cues be counteracted or reduced in patients prone to relapse. In one study, investigators found that â€Å"drug use and relapse involves learned associations between drug-associated discrete and contextual cues and drug taking†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Bossert, Marchant, Calu, Shaham, 2013). This is further corroborated by data suggesting with repeated drug use, an attentional bias occurs (Jasinska, Stein, Kaiser, Naumer, Yalachkov, 2014). As a result, drug cues take over perceptual, cognitive and memory processes. This produces a priming effect, essentially putting the addict in a state of â€Å"drug-seeking† readiness. 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T. S. Eliot The Waste Land Essay - 1551 Words

Sooyeon Kim Professor Dunlap History 118 Unit Exam No. 2 17 Oct 2017 Progressivism as a Project of Humanity: Roosevelt, Wilson, the Great War These fragments I have shored against my ruins Why then Ile fit you. Hireronymo’s mad againe. Datta. Dayadhvam. Damyata. Shantih shantih shantih --T.s. Eliot, The Waste Land (1922)[1] I. THE AFTERMATH of the Industrial Revolution revealed new realities born of the marriage between technology and capitalism. 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A Survey of Information Technologies in Logistics Management Free Essays

string(111) " System Logistics Information System \(LIS\) is the application component of logistics information technology\." A Survey of Information Technologies in Logistics Management Anil Gurung University of Texas at Arlington Department of Information Systems and Operations Management, College of Business Administration Office: Room 630 Business Building Box 19437 701 S West St. Arlington, Texas 76019-0437 Voice: 817. 272. We will write a custom essay sample on A Survey of Information Technologies in Logistics Management or any similar topic only for you Order Now 3528 Email: gurung@uta. edu ABSTRACT This paper analyzes the impact of information technologies (IT) on logistics by conducting a survey of literatures on academic logistics journals and practitioner journals. The literature survey and practice find that third party logistic providers have better opportunity to leverage IT since they need to have interoperable IT systems with their customers. The business philosophy of Just-In-Time (JIT) has also contributed to the impact of IT in logistics. Further, information technologies are identified that has benefited the logistics. Future directions of logistics are discussed. INTRODUCTION The proliferation of information technologies (IT) and the internet technologies have provided impetus and challenges to the logistics. New technologies present new means to manage the flow of information. IT as a productivity tool can be utilized to both increase the capability and decrease the cost at the same time (Closs et al. , 1997). It has been widely accepted that firms can achieve competitive advantage by cost reduction or differentiation with the proper implementation of IT (Porter Millar, 1985). Enabled by IT the logistics has become a source of competitive advantage for many firms. Two streams of research are identified that highlights the role of IT in logistics. First stream relates to just-in-time logistics information system (Anderson Quinn, 1986; Bookbinder Dilts, 1989; Das Handfield, 1997; Gomes Mentzer, 1988; Perry, 1988; Schwarz Weng, 2000; Spencer, M. S. et al. , 1994; Spencer, M. S. et al. , 1996; Takahashi Nakamura, 2000; Titone, 1996; Wafa Yasin, 1996). The other stream is the third party logistics (Lewis Talalayevsky, 2000; Peters et al. , 1998; Sauvage, 2003; Sink Langley, 1997; Vaidyanathan, 2005). Importance of IT in logistics has grown to some extent by business philosophy of Just-InTime (JIT) by firms. With the emphasis of firms on JIT, the impact of logistics has grown as it is increasingly recognized as a source of consistent, low lead time, damage free deliveries (Bardi et al. , 1994). In pursuit of competitive advantages, firms outsource their functions which are noncore competencies so that they can focus on their core competencies. A recent survey found that 83 percent of the surveyed Fortune 500 companies reported having at least one contract with a third-party logistics provider (Lieb Bentz, 2004). Over the years, the use of third-party logistics has been increasing. Similar survey of Fortune 500 companies taken in 1991 had only 38 percent of the respondents reporting the use of third-party logistics provider (Lieb, 1992). The 618 third party logistic operators attempt to harness the capability of information technology to provide superior services to their customers. The objective of this paper is to study how IT has impacted logistics. To this end, literature review of both leading academic and practitioner logistic journals is conducted. The next section will report the framework of logistics. The following section will analyze the IT enablers in logistics. Then, the implications of ecommerce are discussed followed by a section on future directions for logistics. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE A classification scheme logistics functions provides a meaningful way to study how IT has impacted the various functions of logistics. Previous research in logistics have categorized the use of information systems in logistics in different ways. A system of logistics functions can be divided into following five broad areas (Bowersox, 1974): facility location, transportation, inventory, communication and material movement. Based on the problem areas that application addresses, seven areas of logistics has been identified as facility location, inventory control, order entry, vehicle scheduling, warehouse layout planning, freight rate retrieval, and product and shipment tracing (Ballou, 1976). Another survey identified five categories as facility location, inventory control, transportation, production scheduling, and total physical distribution (House, 1978). These categories treated each category as individual entities rather than a whole system. Noting this shortcoming, Stenger (1986) proposed another classification consisting of transaction systems, short-term scheduling and inventory replenishment systems, flow planning systems, and network planning and design systems. Expanding on the framework developed by Bowersox, Novack et al (1992) divided logistics function into two categories. The first category refers to physical activities that are required various utilities of customer need. These will include inventory, transportation and customer service operations. The second category refers to flow of information or transaction activities that follow or initiate the physical activities. The physical and information flows in logistics function is well-depicted in Figure 1 that shows the categorization of logistics functions as described by Vaidyanathan (2005). As shown in the figure, information flows between logistics function are managed, coordinated and supported by various logistics technologies. 619 Inventory and Logistics Management: – Freight Consolidation – Freight Distribution – Shipment Planning – Traffic Management – Inventory Management – Carrier Selection – Order Entry/ Management Information Flow Customer Service: – Freight Payments – Auditing – Order Management – Fulfillment – Help Desk – Carrier Selection – Rate Negotiation Information Flow Warehousing: – Packaging – Product Making – Labeling – Warehousing Material Flow Transportation: – Fleet Management – Cross Docking – Product Return Figure 1: Categorization of Logistics Functions (adapted from Vaidyanathan 2005) IT enablers in Logistics The literature in logistics is full of instances where information technology has been touted as a means to enhance logistics competitiveness (Bowersox, 1974; Closs et al. , 1997; Rabinovich et al. , 1999; Stenger, 1986). Yet there has been few empirical studies that relates logistics information capabilities to logistics competence (Closs et al. , 1997). A popular framework in information systems discipline put forward by Gorry Morton (1989) place logistics decisions as structured and varying from operational to strategic. The role of logistics information systems as operational and strategic enablers in different areas of the firm’s supply chain has been stated in the literature (Langley et al. , 1988). There has been a shift of IT from being an enabler of operational and material handling functions to being an enabler of decision-making and activityplanning functions within the supply chain (La Londe Auker, 1973). Logistics Information System Logistics Information System (LIS) is the application component of logistics information technology. You read "A Survey of Information Technologies in Logistics Management" in category "Essay examples" An effective LIS facilitates the proper information flow between inventory, 20 Information Flow warehousing and transportation to realize the high level of customer service. The ability to optimize the logistics cost and service levels is affected by the LIS of the firm and its partners. Firms that provide better logistics services at a lower cost can have competitive advantage over its competitors (Bardi et al. , 1994). Two classes of LIS has been recognized in the literature (Closs et al. , 1997). Logistics operating systems (LOS) refer to transactional applications such as order entry, order processing, warehousing, and transportation. Logistics planning systems (LPS) refer to coordinating applications such as forecasting, inventory management, and distribution requirements planning. EDI Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) has successfully enhanced the communication between firms which is essential for logistics. This technology requires firms to have common data formatting and transmission standards or protocols. Such technologies have been employed by companies to coordinate their value chain activities including logistics. Early applications of EDI has been on transmitting vehicle location information by railways to their customers. Other types of logistics information carried by EDI are purchase orders/releases and changes, advanced shipping notices, bills of lading, and invoices. Timely and accurate information is crucial in decision making about complex logistics problems. Japan Airlines (JAL) adopted EDI to manage their complex value chain logistics required for their operations, including procurement and just-in-time delivery of aircraft fuel, repair and maintenance aircraft parts, food catering and other customer requirements (Chatfield Bjorn-Andersen, 1997). The competitive advantage gained by companies employing EDI is cited in the literature. Firms utilizing EDI were better able to fulfill greater number of services to their customers (Rogers et al. , 1992). Bar coding Bar coding is one of the most IT enablers to date and has made significant impact in the practice. Starting in 1960’s some of the earliest implementation of bar codes were in rail road cars. Nowadays it is rampant in anything that needs to be identified and tracked. The different type of bar codes are available, known as symbologies, for different purposes. In practice, most firms prefer to use industry standards rather than proprietary standards for most of their bar codes on their products. By following industry standards, bar codes reduce the complications inherent in the use of multiple standards and thus provides a strong foundation for integrating the corporate logistics and the supply chain (Closs Kefeng, 2000). Real-time communications capability The logistics IT capability of real-time communications is essential for maintaining the flow of information. As noted by Dudley Lasserre (1989), one of the important roles of logistics IT is to substitute information for inventory. To make real-time tracking of goods, logistic information systems of business partners should have real-time communications capability. The business partners require an integrated messaging architecture which exchanges business data while customizing business flows and format transformation. Real-time communications also allows for schedule plans to change in dynamic routing and scheduling system when the vehicles are 621 already out on the road. Any last minute changes in routing and scheduling system or constant tracking has been possible only with real-time communications ability of the respective systems. RFID RFID helps to identify, track and locate items automatically. The use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is expected to increase rapidly in coming years. Often referred to as the next step in the evolution of bar-coding, RFID is growing rapidly in the automatic data capture and identification market (Srivastava, 2004). RFID is not a new technology, in fact, its use dates back to 1940’s but only now it is starting to make a significant impact within the supply chain. The growth in use of RFID will be enhanced to some extent by mandates from large retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target, and the US Department of Defense, who require their suppliers to adopt this technology within the next few years (Asif Mandviwalla, 2005). Among the companies that are piloting RFID in their supply chain management prominent ones are WalMart, Procter Gamble, Coca-cola and Gillette. Although the biggest driver in the popularity of RFID has been supply chain, companies are experimenting in other applications as well. Other applications are theft detection, asset tracking, mobile payments, in-process inventory tracking and luggage tracking. Dell, Seagate, Boeing and Ford are among other companies that are using RFID to track their in-process inventory in manufacturing. An RFID system includes transponders or tags that can identify items ; antennas that allows tags to be interrogated and to respond; and software that controls the RFID equipment, manages the data and interfaces with enterprise applications. RFID has lots of potential to improve the efficiency in the supply chain and reduce waste. For example, efficiency would result from automatic update of inventory system when products with RFID tags are unloaded from trucks into stores. The advantages of RFID over bar coding are as follows: RFID tags can provide longer read distances; store more data; require no direct line of sight between tag and reader; and can collect data from multiple sources simultaneously (Asif Mandviwalla, 2005). There are some technical and business challenges to overcome before RFID can be ubiquitous. Technical issues include problems of interference, security and accuracy while business issues relate to costs and lack of standards. Another significant business challenge in adopting RFID faced by managers is to work out a business case for the executive board. Early adopters of these technologies are marred by problems such as possible adverse consumer outbursts to perceived invasion of privacy, reliability of the RFID system, and issues related to health, safety and IT integration. IMPLICATION OF ECOMMERCE ON LOGISTICS The growth of ecommerce pose opportunities and challenges for logistics. As internet retailing increases the companies are accepting orders from their clientele across the borders. In many instances the location of clients are not covered by any existing distribution system of the companies. On such occasions the companies have no resort but to turn towards third party logistics operators for physical flow of goods. As for the information flow, the companies need to have capabilities for ecommerce applications. The group of technologies and processes for coordinating logistics information flow has been named e-logistics. An important web 622 technology that facilitates the exchange of business data among logistics business partners across different platforms is extra markup language (XML). For example, UPS is exploiting the power of the web services to streamline its information flows for logistics activities such as RFQ, shipping and tracking. Changing Trends in Logistics Consultants are beginning to take an active part in helping out the shippers select third party logistics operators. Shippers hire consultants to help them align business processes with supply chain strategies. The newly coined term â€Å"4PL† for consultants stands for dominant role that consultants will be taking in managing the resources, the technology and the processes in the supply chain. It is yet to be seen whether the shippers will let the consultants manage all the logistics processes. Instead of handing over the authority to manage the logistics processes to the consulting firms, shippers may choose to develop alliance with the third party logistics operators and maintain the supply chain themselves. The key thing that will allow coordination between shipper firms and the third party logistics will be information technology and management skills to run the supply chain effectively. This implies that firms should also have proper logistic technologies in place to enjoy the full benefits of use of third party logistics. FUTURE RESEARCH DIRECTIONS The research directions that are available for researchers in logistics are numerous. Before companies implement new logistic information technologies such as RFID it is important to assess the viability of adopting the technology. What would be the expected benefits? What is the ROI? Researchers can come up with various econometric models to predict the outcomes of adopting logistics technologies. Modeling techniques can be used to assess the scenarios that would be beneficial for adopting new technologies. As companies are entering into ecommerce, better coordinating techniques are required to streamline logistics activities for transactions taking place on the internet. Collaborative technologies for supporting e-logistics would greatly enhance the future logistics. Multi-agent systems (MAS) provide an interesting avenue of research that is applicable for supporting logistics technologies on the internet. Intelligent software agents can be used to assess the bids offered by multiple third-party logistics operators. To support global ecommerce the companies need to have different options for global logistics. The best way to traverse the geographical distribution is through technology. What are the communication channels and technologies that would benefit the company in terms of monitoring and coordination logistics functions? More empirical evidence will be preferred to establish the direct link between organizational performance and logistics information systems. Researchers can seek to examine the complex relationships between logistics technologies and performance from different paradigms and theories. The perspective of organizational learning can be used to evaluate the performance gained by employing logistics information systems. 23 CONCLUSION The objective of this paper was to observe the impact of information technology on the logistics functions. A literature review of the academic and practitioners journals was conducted. The information technologies that have been used to support logistics functions were discussed. It is evident that academic researchers are aware of new tec hnologies in practice such as RFID. Development in technologies offer sources of competitive advantage for companies. Adoption of new technologies provide challenge and opportunities for the companies. Proper business case and calculation of ROI needs to be done to assess the expected benefits from new technologies. Changing trends in business in terms of ecommerce open new markets for firms for all sizes to expand their market share. Strategic use of information resource would bear results of competitive advantage and thus leading to success stories. The best practices in logistic information technologies need to be adopted by firms in alignment of their strategic goals. Future trends in logistics may prompt companies to rethink their logistics strategies. Firms may choose to use third party logistics in order to focus on their core competencies. However, firms need to have logistics information systems in place that is compatible with the third party operators in order to fully benefit from their services. REFERENCES Anderson, D. L. Quinn, R. J. 1986, â€Å"The Role of Transportation in Long Supply Line Just-InTime Logistics Channels â€Å", Journal of Business Logistics, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 68-88. Asif, Z. Mandviwalla, M. 2005, â€Å"Integrating the Supply Chain with RFID: a Technical and Business Analysis†, Communications of the AIS, vol. 15, pp. 393-427. Ballou, R. H. 976, â€Å"Computer Methods in Transportation-Distribution†, Transportation Journal, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 72-85. Bardi, E. J. , Raghunathan, T. S. Bagchi, P. K. 1994, â€Å"Logistics information systems: The strategic role of top management†, Journal of Business Logistics, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 7185. Bookbinder, J. H. Dilts, D. M. 1989, â€Å"L ogistics Information Systems in a Just-In-Time Environment â€Å", Journal of Business Logistics, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 50-67. Bowersox, D. J. 1974, Logistics Management: A Systems Integration of Physical Distribution Management and Materials Management, Macmillan Publishing, New York, NY. Chatfield, A. T. 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Edward Albee Essay Example For Students

Edward Albee Essay Written by Edward Albee, is a play that takes us into one evening of the lives of one couple entertaining another. This play has very dramatic characters that are very diverse and dynamic. Albee explores the dangerous fun and games played by one married couple and how they use two seemingly innocent people as pawns in their games. By the end of the night, a stunning revelation is revealed that threatens both couples emotional sanity. The play is soaked in imagery and above all symbolism that Albee uses to portray and dismantle the perfect American dream. Edward Albee was born in Washington, D. C. on March 12, 1928. Two weeks later he was adopted by Reed and Frances Albee and taken to live in the family home in Westchester, New York. Albees adoptive father owned a nationwide chain of vaudeville theaters, which meant that young Edward got much early exposure to theater personalities. Albees childhood was very comfortable. He had many servants, tutors, riding lessons, winters in Miami, summers sailing on the sound and an inexhaustible wardrobe housed in a closet that was as big as a room. His father was believed to be dominated by his wife, which is a very evident in, Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf? In the play, Martha is very omineering and controlling of the meek and suppressed George. Albee attended the Choate school from 1944 to 1946, when he enrolled at Trinity College, a small liberal arts institution in Hartford , Connecticut. (Burns 2523) His stay there was brief, but he gained some dramatic experience playing the role of characters in plays. Over the years, Albee has introduced thirteen plays to the American stage. He is an important figure in the American theater no only for his works, but also for his efforts to introduce new opinions. (Albee ii) In Albees own words, his plays are an examination of the American Scene, an ttack on the substitution of artificial for real values in our society, a condemnation of complacency, cruelty, and emasculation and vacuity, a stand against the fiction that everything in this slipping land of ours is peachy-keen. (Flasch 283) The title of the play (Virginia Woolf) is the name of a famous British novelist who went insane and drowned herself. The title of the play is also related to the nursery rhyme, The three little pigs. When the characters of the play are drunk, they go around singing Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf? much like Whos afraid of the big, bad wolf? The play consists of four characters. George is a middle-aged professor of history in a small New England who is married to the daughter of the president of the college. Martha is Georges wife, seven years his senior. She is a very domineering woman who goes between loving and hating her husband throughout the play. Nick is a new addition to the small faculty who is young and very ambitious. Honey is Nicks wife. She is very timid and childlike. There are several themes in the play that often overlap and support one another in ways that make the play very complex. The theme of truth and illusion is apparent in the play. George and Martha have to face the fact that the imaginary child that they have created and that possibly holds their marriage together must now be destroyed. In addition, the truth behind each character seems to show itself. The loud and vulgar Martha is really vulnerable and needs to be protected by the outside world. George, who seems passive at first, is the one who finally takes control of his and Marthas lives. Nick, the stud turns out to be impotent in bed with Martha. That leaves Honey, the seemingly simple minded girl has been deviously using birth control to prevent pregnancy. This is the plays most important theme: that people today have been forced to create illusions for themselves because reality has become too difficult and painful to face. .u8d00661ac60af5f73656ea7bb3ba2029 , .u8d00661ac60af5f73656ea7bb3ba2029 .postImageUrl , .u8d00661ac60af5f73656ea7bb3ba2029 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u8d00661ac60af5f73656ea7bb3ba2029 , .u8d00661ac60af5f73656ea7bb3ba2029:hover , .u8d00661ac60af5f73656ea7bb3ba2029:visited , .u8d00661ac60af5f73656ea7bb3ba2029:active { border:0!important; } .u8d00661ac60af5f73656ea7bb3ba2029 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u8d00661ac60af5f73656ea7bb3ba2029 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u8d00661ac60af5f73656ea7bb3ba2029:active , .u8d00661ac60af5f73656ea7bb3ba2029:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u8d00661ac60af5f73656ea7bb3ba2029 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u8d00661ac60af5f73656ea7bb3ba2029 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u8d00661ac60af5f73656ea7bb3ba2029 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u8d00661ac60af5f73656ea7bb3ba2029 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u8d00661ac60af5f73656ea7bb3ba2029:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u8d00661ac60af5f73656ea7bb3ba2029 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u8d00661ac60af5f73656ea7bb3ba2029 .u8d00661ac60af5f73656ea7bb3ba2029-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u8d00661ac60af5f73656ea7bb3ba2029:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Lady Of Shalott EssayA very important part of this play is the symbolism involved. On one level, George and Martha portray the American dream gone wrong. Their imaginary child is shown to us as all of their unsuccessful hopes and dreams. On another level George and Martha are chosen to symbolize George and Martha Washington as the founding parents of our country, whose child (America) has died because of all the greed and cruelty in the world nd the greed and cruelty they have shown each other. Daniel McDonald stated that, A more honest or moral playwright does not exist. And if what Albee is doing is giving us a sentimentalized view of ourselves rather than one as harshly and starkly unsentimental as any I know, why didnt those theatre party ladies buy it up ahead of time as they do all those other technicolor postcards which pass for plays? Or is Albee not rather dedicated to smashing that rosy view, shocking us with the truth of our present-day behavior and thought, striving to purge us into an actual confrontation with eality. (McDonald 64) Another critic, Wendell Harris was not as impressed by the play as McDonald was. Harris stated, I am outraged at a theatre and an audience that accepts as a masterpiece an insufferably long play with great pretensions that lacks intellectual size, emotional insight, and dramatic electricity. Im tired of play-long metaphors-such as the illusory child of Virginia Woolf-which are neither philosophically, psychologically, nor poetically valid. Im tired of plays that are badly plotted and turgidly written being excused by such palaver as organic unity or inner form. Im tired of morbidity and sexual perversity which are there only to titillate an impotent and homosexual theatre and audience. Im tired of Albee. (Harris 252) As the critics have concluded, there are many different opposing opinions on the play, Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf? , Like in any great form of literature there will always be conflicting beliefs. I would rather agree with McDonald in his statement that A more honest or moral playwright does not exist. (McDonald 64) Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf? highlights the different personalities, fears, and beliefs held tightly by the American public even in todays times. Albee was able to portray all of these themes into one beautifully written and well-crafted play. We are able to go from the loss of one dream, George and Marthas imaginary child that they use to throw at one another for the pure purpose of pain. To the hope of another dream, George and Martha facing the truth about their lives to one another and the new hope now that Nick and Honey will not end up in the same fun and games emotional battle that George and Martha have been in. In a way, Nick and Honey have come to represent the lost child of George and Martha, yet Nick and Honey have the chance to live on to the next day.