For Many Years, Man Has Been Advancing His Race Through Technology. Ma

For many years, man has been advancing his race through technology. Many things through those were questionable and questionable, but none are close to a certain technology today. And that would be genetic engineering. What exactly is genetic engineering? To put it shortly, it is where scientists splice, alter, and manipulate genes of one thing to how the scientist want it, and even insert that gene into a foreign host. This technological tool is too powerful for us to handle. It is advancing faster than we can expect. Because of this fact, genetic engineering raises many moral and ethical issues while also showing signs of many dangers. This controversially technology could be looked at two ways, one religiously and the other, scientifically and economically. First, let's talk a religious point of view on genetic engineering. With the current knowledge we have today in genetic engineering, life can easily be created and manipulated to one's liking. How can one ?Play God? by creating and altering life at one's will and not at all feel guilty? Haven't we learned that trying to be on a level as God is a punishable act? Such examples are ones such as the destruction of Babylon. People at that time tried to build a tower high enough to reach God, but it was destroyed, a punishment by God that warned us of what will happen if we tried to get powerful as him. People say that God gave us the knowledge to discover. If this is so, did God give us the knowledge to make the atom bomb so we could wipe out cities and vast lives in an instant? Did God give us the knowledge to make deadly biological weapons to kill each other with? And did God give us the knowledge to be so advance in warfare today that the world could be destroyed in minutes? God did not give us the knowledge to do these things or for genetic engineering. Man ignorantly chooses his own way and chooses to venture out doing things that are wrong. So who are we to decide what sex a baby should be, how it should look, and what skills it might have? These are just few of the many questions raised in a religious point of view. Next, is the scientific and economical view. One goal of genetic engineering is to make products more efficient. Things such as crops and other plants are one of the things that have been experimented on and even released into the environment. This is especially dangerous because scientists are not fully sure of what could go wrong. A genetically altered crop or plant could become dominant and take over all of the its like species and become a problem such as becoming major pests. There have been many cases where non-indigenous plants introduced into a different environment served no use and became major pest problems. But even more dangerous altered plants are genetically altered humans. The functions of all the genes are not known, only these of a very small percentage of the total genes in organisms such as humans. So why would a scientist take a risk, not knowing the full potential dangers it might cause, such as having an effect on other genes? Privacy is another major concern. What if a sing drop of a person's blood could reveal all the faults of that person? When will we wake up in a world where everyone has permanent records of what defect will come up in their lifetime and what other things they are susceptible of getting. What if insurance companies got hold of these records? Could people be refused of health insurance because of these facts? There are many examples where people have been refused of some health care because of genetic screening. Not only that, in a recent poll in Time magazine, a question was asked if a person whose genetic profile shows potential problems pay higher health-insurance rates than someone whose profile does not? Only 8 % answered yes while the majority 88% said no. Obviously even the majority of this nation does not want to be genetically profiled. One recent controversy that has come up is cloning.

How to Get Into USC 5 Expert Admissions Tips

How to Get Into USC 5 Expert Admissions Tips SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips The University of Southern California (USC) is a highly ranked private school located in Los Angeles, and, as a result, it draws thousands of qualified applicants each year.If you’re applying here, you are probably wondering what the USC admissions requirements are and what you’ll need to stand out as an applicant. In this article, we explain how to get into USC, offering you specific tips for what you can improve in your application.But first, how hard is it to get into USC? Feature Image: Ken Lund/Flickr How Hard Is It to Get Into USC? USC is a very selective university with an acceptance rate of just 13%- this means only about 1 in 8 students gets accepted. Interestingly, this percentage has fallen by 3% since 2017, indicating a downward trend in USC's acceptance rate, which has decreased in recent years due to a growing number of applicants.In the 2017-18 school year, a record 64,352 applicants applied to USC, out of which 8,339 were admitted. Here's howUSC's official news websitedescribes its student body: "More than a third of the [fall 2018] admitted class are straight-A students, and 60 percent have standardized test scores in the 99th percentile." Looking at this data alone, we can say with confidence that it's generally pretty difficult to get into USC- and it’s growing more difficult every year. So what kind of applicants is USC looking for? Let’s take a look. What USC Looks for in Applicants Because USC is so competitive, and because there are so many applicants applying each year, this school is looking for the best of the best when it comes to applicants. Here’s what USC writes about applicants on its website: "We look for those students we believe will thrive at USC. Our application process is designed to discover your individual story, so that we might see how you would take advantage of the many opportunities available at USC. †¦ We will review your performance in school, the rigor of your program, writing skills and test scores. We also consider personal qualities, as revealed in community involvement, leadership and achievements." In addition to strong numbers (i.e., test scores and grades/GPA), USC wishes to admit applicants with strong "personal qualities."These qualities can be illuminated through either academic or non-academic accomplishments, community service/volunteer efforts, or leadership experiences (for example, maybe you're the captain of the track team or you once organized a successful food drive at your school). As PrepScholar co-founder and perfect SAT/ACT scorer Allen Cheng discusses in his detailed guide to getting into Harvard, USC, like Harvard and other top schools, prefersapplicants with "spikes" in their extracurriculars- applicants with strong passions for specific activities or interests. After all, with USC's more than 60,000 applicants each year, you’ll definitely need something to help your application stand out! Here's how USC describes its most successful students to give you more of an idea of what they're looking for in applicants: "USC students pursue ambitious intellectual and professional goals by studying across disciplines and taking advantage of the diversity of programs available. They are willing to venture outside their comfort zones. They are interested in the world, in other peoples and cultures, and enjoy examining important issues from a global perspective." As you can see, USC is looking for applicants who aren’t just academically gifted but who are also willing to challenge their limits, learn about new fields, and assume a global perspective. Can You Apply Early Action or Early Decision to USC? Unlike many other private and prestigious universities, USC does not offer an early action/early decision plan to first-year students.Therefore, anyone applying to USC must do so by the same deadline (refer to the next section for more information on important dates). While you can’t apply early to USC, if USC is indeed your first-choice school, it's a smart idea to tell the admissions committee this so they can note it in your application.Here iswhat USC admissions expert Joe Beltran specifically recommends applicants doif USC is their first choice: "Students often ask me how they can let the admission office know that USC is their first choice. It’s simple: Just tell us. Tell us in your application, over email, telephone or in person. And we make note of that. We add these things to your files if you ask us to, and we keep them in mind as well."* *Emphasis mine Although you can’t apply early to USC to demonstrate your interest in attending the university, you can (and definitely should) let the admissions committee know about your interest in it so they can take this into consideration as they look at applications. Don't hide your true feelings- if USC is your first choice for college, let them know! Getting Into USC: Logistics and Deadlines All freshman applicants to USC must apply through the Common Application.Here's a checklist of all the major USC admission requirements: Common App USC Writing Supplement (on Common App) Official SAT/ACT test scores- applicants may also submit SAT Subject Test scores, AP test scores, and TOEFL scores (if international) Transcripts showing all high school coursework and any college coursework completed Letter(s) of recommendation- the number of letters you must submit to USC depends on the program/school you’re applying to Additional materials, such as a portfolio, writing sample, or resume (only if required by your specific program/school) Fall grades- these can be submitted via the Mid-Year Report Form on the Common App As indicated above, certain schools and programs at USC require additional materials from applicants.The following table shows the schools and programs that require supplementary documents and information (in addition to all the components listed above): School/Program Required Supplementary Materials School of Architecture Portfolio, Architecture Writing Supplement Roski School of Art and Design Art/Design Essay, list of creative experiences, portfolio Iovine and Young Academy for Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation Proposal video, portfolio, interview (if selected) Marshall School of Business - World Bachelor in Business Program Video introduction, World Bachelor’s Business written prompts (on USC Writing Supplement) USC School of Cinematic Arts* Personal Statement, writing sample, creative work sample/portfolio, creative portfolio list, video sample, image essay, audio portrait, autobiographical character sketch, creative challenges, "Most Challenging Moment" task, project questions Glorya Kaufman School of Dance Portfolio, dance resume, short answer, additional information (optional), two video solos and descriptions, live audition (if selected) USC School of Dramatic Arts* Headshot, drama resume, "Take Three" image task, letter from drama teacher/coach, essay questions, creative submission, audition videos, live audition Thornton School of Music Portfolio, music resume, repertoire list, introductory video (certain majors only), audition recording, live audition (if selected) Resident Honors Program** Essay questions, short answers, counselor nomination form *Exact supplementary materials required for admission will vary depending on the major. **This program is only open to high school juniors. Now, let’s take a look at all the major USC deadlines, ordered from soonest to latest. December 1, 2018 Freshman application deadline for merit scholarship consideration (note that this is not an early action or early decision deadline) Freshman and transfer application deadline for the following schools/programs: Dramatic Arts (all programs) Cinematic Arts and Music (all programs) Kaufman School of Dance Iovine and Young Academy World Bachelor in Business (WBB) program January 15, 2019 Freshman application deadline (this is the regular freshman application deadline without merit scholarship consideration) February 1, 2019 (For freshman applicants)Last day by which merit scholarship notifications will be sent out Transfer application deadline for all other programs February 13, 2019 (For freshman applicants) Financial aid deadline for FAFSA and CSS profile applications March 4, 2019 (For transfer applicants) Financial aid deadline for FAFSA and CSS profile applications April 1, 2019 (For freshman applicants) Last day by which final admission notifications will be sent out May 31, 2019 (For transfer applicants) Last day by which final admission notifications will be sent out (For transfer applicants)Last day by which scholarship status notifications will be sent out Heed these next tips so you can be the happy face. USC Admission Requirements: 5 Tips for Getting In Now that you know the logistics of applying, let’s take a look at how to get into USC.What do you need in your application to increase your chance of getting into USC, one of the most prestigious colleges in the country? #1: Get a High GPA Admitted applicants to USC typically have very strong GPAs. For the fall 2018 class, the average (unweighted) high school GPA was 3.79/4.00.This means that the majority of admitted applicants had relatively strong grades, getting mostly or all As and possibly a few Bs. If your GPA is below 3.79, you'll most likely have a more difficult time getting into USC. Therefore, it’s best to aim as high as you can, preferably at least around a 3.85, so you will be well above average but won’t suffer too badly if you get a B in one or two classes. If you’re having trouble maintaining a high GPA, figure out which classes are bringing down your grades and then consider spending more time studying for those classes or hiring a tutor to give you the extra support you need. #2: Have a Rigorous, Challenging Course Load Another important aspect USC wants to see in applicants is evidence of a strong and challenging course load.Ideal applicants will have taken a fair share of AP, honors, and/or IB classes. Here's how USC describes its ideal applicantson its undergraduate admissions website: "No specific curriculum is prescribed or required, though students offered admission typically pursue the most rigorous program available to them in English, mathematics, science, social studies, foreign language and the arts. Careful attention is paid to preparation for the intended major." In addition to doing well in classes, strong applicants will have excelled in a rigorous academic program, particularly in classes relevant to their intended majors. If you’re a junior or younger and haven’t taken any challenging courses yet, try to sign up for some AP, honors, or IB classes the following academic year and for each subsequent year you’re in high school. It’s best to choose challenging classes that focus on the fields in which you’re already strong or have a large interest in studying.For example, if you’re a science buff, you could take AP Bio or AP Physics. While you don’t need to make every class you take a super hard one,aim to take about three to five upper-level classes each school year, at the very least starting your junior year.This doesn’t necessarily mean you must take the AP tests that go with these courses, though it’s not a bad idea to do so since it might earn you some college credit! Strong test scores- and possibly super strong back muscles- will definitely catch USC's eye. #3: Earn Strong SAT/ACT Scores In general, USC expects fairly high SAT/ACT scores from strong applicants. Below are the middle 50%, or average, score ranges*for both the SAT and ACT for the fall 2018 USC freshman class: SAT Composite: 1400-1530 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW): 680-750 Math: 710-790 ACT Composite: 31-35 English: 33-35 Math: 29-35 *The lower score in each range is the 25th percentile (meaning 25% of applicants or fewer got this score), and the higher score is the 75th percentile (meaning 75% or fewer got this score). Clearly, you’ll need to have a pretty high SAT/ACT score in order to be considered a competitive applicant to USC.For the SAT, most applicants have a minimum score of 1400, or the 94th percentile nationally. Meanwhile, for the ACT, most applicants have a minimum score of 31, or the 95th percentile nationally.In other words, you’ll need to score in the top 5-6% of test takers in order to meet just the 25th percentile score at USC. Although getting a score below USC's 25th percentile threshold doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be rejected, it does indicate that it’ll likely be harder for you to get into USC unless you have other significantly impressive qualities. If you don’t meet this "minimum" threshold (1400 on the SAT and 31 on the ACT), the best course of action is to try to raise your SAT/ACT score.One way todo this is to make an SAT/ACT study plan that caters to your weaknesses.I also recommend checking out our guides for sometips on how to increase your SAT or ACT score. If you prefer having more hands-on guidance in your test prep, consider using our online SAT or ACT prep program, which is 100% customized to your test-prep needs and includes realistic questionswritten by real top scorers. #4: Write Excellent Essays In addition to the Common App essay, you're required to write two shorter essays as part of the USC Writing Supplement.Each essay must be no longer than 250 words, or about half the length of a typical college admissions essay. For the first USC essay, you must choose one of three prompts to respond to: USC believes that one learns best when interacting with people of different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Tell us about a time you were exposed to a new idea or when your beliefs were challenged by another point of view. Describe something outside of your intended academic focus about which you are interested in learning. What is something about yourself that is essential to understanding you? Choose the prompt that appeals to you the most and that you'll be able to respond to easily and effectively. For the first prompt, you shouldwrite about a specific incident in which a belief or opinion of yours was challenged.The key here is to focus on your reaction and what this particular incident taught you about yourself.This could be a political stance, a religious belief, or a personal opinion on a social issue. The second prompt is all about a field outside your intended major that you’re also interested in studying.This is a great opportunity to discuss how you became interested in this particular field and what you might do with it in the future.For instance, perhaps you plan to major in computer science but have recently realized, by taking a required art class, that you also have a strong interest in learning more about the history of paintings. The third essay prompt is quite broad and allows you to talk about anything you feel is important for the USC admissions committee to know about you.You could introducea specific interest, skill, or experience you have, or even offer an explanation for a problem in your academic record, such as a dip in your grades one semester or a below-average SAT score. A great tip to remember as I write my best-selling novel you write your USC essays. In addition to this first essay, you’ll have to write a second essay for the USC Writing Supplement. This essay only has one prompt (so you don’t get a choice here!): Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests at USC. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. This essay prompt simply wants to know what you plan to major in at USC and how you'll achieve your academic goals as a student. Basically,what's the intellectual path you expect to take at USC? For instance, if you plan to major in English, you could write about how you intend to take a more interdisciplinary approach by integrating foreign literature classes into your course load. Overall, in order to ensure you’re submitting two excellent essays to USC, be sure to use specific details, be honest about your experiences and feelings, and edit and proofread each essay before sending it in.Get more expert tips by reading our guide to the USC supplement (coming soon). It’s also important to note that some programs and schools require additional essays or short answers.For example, those applying to the School of Architecture must answer extra questions in the Architecture Writing Supplement. These school-specific essays are just as important as, if not more than, the three general USC essays you must write.Why? Because these essays ask you even more specific questions that relate to your intended field of study.Thus, you'll need to be able to clearly explain exactly why you’re interested in the field/program/school you're applying to. #5: Craft an Impressive Portfolio (Required for Certain Programs) Some programs at USC require the submission of creative portfolios along with the more general requirements listed above. If a portfolio is required,it’ll likely be one of the most important parts of your application. Make sure your portfolio follows all instructions, is 100% original, and is emblematic of your own creative mind, abilities, and goals. Here are all the schools at USC that require the submission of a portfolio: School of Architecture Roski School of Art and Design Iovine and Young Academy for Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation USC School of Cinematic Arts Glorya Kaufman School of Dance Thornton School of Music What’s Next? USC is a great college in California, but it's not the only one there!If you want to attend college in the Golden State,you'll benefit from learninghow to apply to the UC schoolsand getting info on thecheapest colleges in California. How does USC's selectivity compare with those of other top colleges? Get the answer in our guide to the most selective schools in the nation! USC likely isn't the only school you're applying to. Check out our guides to learn more about how to get into Columbia and how to get into NYU. Want to get into USC or your personal top choice college? We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League. Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

Stock Vs. Bonds Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Stock Vs. Bonds - Essay Example However, before delving further into this economic argument it is best to, first of all, understand the definition and composition entailed in the term ‘risk.’ This is because there has been a general misconception and understanding of the term ‘risk’ more so among long-term investors. In this regard, much of the literature regarding the term ‘risk’ is misconstrued and totally misleading to long-term investors. This is somewhat due to the over-reliance and stressing on ‘short-term volatility’ (Nicholson, & Snyder, 2009). According to the definition generally accepted by the investment community and long-term investors, the risk is regarded as the volatility return accrued from an investment in the short term of daily, annual or monthly. Evidently, the measurement of the volatility of returns is either by standard deviation or variance. From this perspective, the definition offered is flawed in relation to a long-term investor for two reasons. Foremost, the conclusions and analysis drawn are reliant on nominal returns while blatantly paying no attention to the erosion of purchasing power instigated by inflation (Nicholson, & Snyder, 2009). In the case of investors in the short term, inflation is not a significant concern but of high impact during the long-term. The second flaw is that the conclusions and analysis drew more than often place an emphasis on the volatility of daily, monthly or annual returns. In the case of many investors, a focus that is based annually maybe more appropriate. However, fo r long-term investors, their concerns should me mostly focused on risks consistent with their long-term wealth parameters and not basically focused on the short-term pitfall along the way (Nicholson, & Snyder, 2009). Evidently, stocks provide higher return potential when compared to bonds. However, they accrue a greater volatility in the process. The major questions arising from this percent are; why do stocks produce more returns when compared to bonds?

Exclusive interview with E. H. Sutherland Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Exclusive interview with E. H. Sutherland - Essay Example The theory also had a structural element positing that conflict and social disorganization are the underlying causes of crime because they determine the patterns of people associated with. This latter element was dropped when the fourth edition was published in 1947. But he remained convinced that social class was a relevant factor, coining the phrase white-collar criminal in a speech to the American Sociological Association on December 27, 1939. In his 1949 monograph White-Collar Crime he defined a white-collar crime as approximately as a crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation. Sutherland's Response. Criminology is a fascinating field and because of my curious nature and natural passion for intrigue. I joined this profession and as you are already aware that the distinctive feature of criminology since the 1930s has been the dominance of sociology among the various disciplines studying crime and criminal justice. My humble contributions to the sociology of crime and delinquency came from his teaching, scholarship, and involvement in criminal justice policy and this field has helped me to pioneer, innovate and provide significant contributions to the study of organized crime, prisons, and criminological theory. I have also made central and lasting contributions to the sociology of criminal law and white collar crime and my ideas in each of these areas are reviewed to produce a portrait or profile of what he added to criminology, to remind those who know it already and also to those who have no knowledge about this field. Q2 Being an expert criminologist do you think that money and greed are the reasons w

Safety Precautions for Nurses while delivering Medications to Patients Essay

Safety Precautions for Nurses while delivering Medications to Patients - Essay Example â€Å"A medication error is any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of the health care professional, patient, or consumer. Such events may be related to professional practice, health care products, procedures, and systems, including prescribing; order communication; product labeling, packaging, and nomenclature; compounding; dispensing; distribution; administration; education; monitoring; and use" (National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention, 2012, p. 1). From the definitions, these errors are an action that are apparently committed and are divergent from the intended act; and, as a consequence fails to adhere to the principles of safety and conformity to the delivery of the highest quality of patient care, as expected from the health care profession. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) appropriately provided definitions of patient safety and quality of care as presented from the paper written by Mitchell. Accordingly, the IOM was reported to have provided the definition of quality as â€Å"the degree to which health services for individuals and populations increase the likelihood of desired health outcomes and are consistent with current professional knowledge† (Lohr, 1990; cited in Mitchell, 2008, p. 1). As such, quality of care incorporates elements that ensures patient safety and the delivery of highy quality of health services. Concurrently, patient safety was defined by the IOM as â€Å"the prevention of harm to patients† (Aspden, Corrigan, Wolcott, & al., 2004; cited in Mitchell, 2008, p. 2). The nursing theory that espouses both patient safety and quality of care is adherence to the principles of beneficence and least harm: to do good and to possibly inflict the minimum possible harm, if not at all preventable. In this regard, several studies have already tried to

Life Of Gladiators In The Roman Empire

Life Of Gladiators In The Roman Empire The name gladiator was derived from a Latin word gladiatores. Gladiators were both skilled and amateur fighters in ancient Rome who were regarded as expensive investments and fought to death in entertaining their spectators. Throughout the empire the matches took place in arenas with engagements pitying man against man or man against animals in combat. To the Romans themselves, the foundation of the arena was one of the significant features of their civilization. There was hardly any contemporary voice that was against the morality of staging gladiatorial combat in fact, the gladiators own epitaphs proudly talked about their profession without indignity, regret, or resentment. At present, the notion of gladiators combating to the death, and ideas of an amphitheatre where battle could be staged and watched by a passionate audience, epitomizes the extent to which the Roman Empire was capable of falling. The origin of gladiatorial combat originated from the Estruscan customs that sacrificed humans to appease the dead. The first gladiators were slaves who were forced to fight to the death at the funeral of an eminent aristocrat, Junius Brutus Pera in 264 BC. This spectacle was organized by the heirs of the deceased in honor of his commemoration. This concept of (the Munus) was that it kept alive the memories of important personalities after their death. The munus was held sometime after the funeral and were frequently repeated at annually or a five year intervals. This gladiatorial games or munera as it was locally referred were not made a regular part of public spectacle until the late first century. Gradually the gladiatorial exhibitions were separated from the funerary perspective and began to be staged by the affluent people as a way of showing of their power and influence in the society. The number of gladiators to be put on show was the main attraction, the bigger the number, th e more generous the sponsor was alleged to be, and the more thrilling the spectacle. Most gladiators were recruited from slaves, criminals and prisoners of war and had no choice if selected for such duty. Since they had lost their rights and some never had citizenship they had no option but to comply as they would have an opportunity of a renewed life in the arena as a respected gladiator. Surprisingly, a number of gladiators were not prisoners of war or slaves but free-born volunteers. They had never lost their rights as citizens but choose the profession voluntarily by pledging their allegiance to the owner of a gladiatorial troupe by swearing an oath to endure branding, flogging or die by the sword (UNRV History).The oath meant that the owner of the troupe had the final authority over the gladiators life, even assimilating him to the status of a slave. The key motivation was perhaps the down payment that a volunteer received after taking the oath as a gladiator. By the closing stages of the Republic, almost half of the gladiators were volunteers that took on the p osition of a slave for an agreed-upon duration of time, similar to agreed servitude that was widespread in the late second millennium. Throughout the Roman Empire gladiators were trained in exceptional and specialized schools called ludi that could be found as general amphitheatres. In these schools, the gladiators were subjected to a thorough training, fed on a high-energy diet and received expert medical attention, this made them an expensive investment that were not to be dispatched lightly. Rome itself boasted of four schools, the largest of which was named the Ludus Magnus and was connected to the Colosseum by an underground subway. The most famous training ground was the school of Capua where Spartacus sparked the gladiator and slave rebellion in 73 BC. In general, most of the gladiators would not battle more than two or three times a year but with the fame and fortune of the arena they would eventually buy out their freedom. However, some gladiators who had initially committed crimes were either anticipated to die within a year ad gladium, or might get their freedom after three years ad ludum, if they survive d in the arena (Coit 967). Matches involving gladiators took place in ampitheatres or colosseums and were often staged after the animal fights (Venationes) and open executions the noxii. In its original forms the equestrian status or persons of patrician often planned the matches in order to gain political favor on the part of the public and audience. The organizers of these games were commonly referred to as dominus, the editor or munerator and were privileged with the official status and respect of a magistrate. In case a gladiator dies in combat, the lanista or trainer received payment for compensation by the sponsor of the fatal and deadly spectacle almost a hundred times the cost of a gladiator who survived the battle. For this reason it was very much expensive for sponsors to supply the bloodshed that spectators frequently demanded, though if they did allow a gladiator to be slaughtered it was taken as a suggestion of their kindness(Bagnell 621). In spite of their servile, outlaw, legal and slavery status, gladiators commanded a wide-ranging following. They often benefited from great social prestige as even young Roman boys were fond of hanging out at gladiator schools and sometimes taking combat lessons by the gladiators, something their parents really disliked. In many occasions, Roman matrons in particular enjoyed having affairs with gladiators due to their celebrity status. Many tombstones of the gladiators had wall graffitis marked with comments such as, Celadus makes the girls swoon (Coleman). More so, there were cartoons that contained accompanying messages and headings scratched on plastered walls showing the tally of a gladiators records. It was the sanction of the sponsor, acting upon the wishes of the crowd in the coliseum, to make a decision whether to hand in official pardon for the defeated gladiator or consign him to the victor to be slain. The guiding rules for gladiatorial fights were almost certainly precise to different styles of combat. In the arena gladiators were armed individually in different combinations, each combination commanding its own fighting style and technique. It was uncommon to find gladiators being paired against an opponent in the same fighting style. For example, it was difficult to find the equites (horsemen) who entered the arena on chariots and horseback fighting against other horsemen. The most interesting pairing involved divergent advantages and disadvantages against each other the most favorite being combat between the fish fighter (Murmillo) and the hoplomachus or thraex. The fish fighter had a large shield that covered him from shoulder to calf giving him stout protection but was very heavy. The thraex carried a small squared shield in combat that only protected his torso while the hoplomachus had a small and rounded shield however; all of them wore leg protectors that stretched well abo ve the knee. Out of all the gladiators, the retiarius (Net fighter) was the most defenseless since he only had a shoulder guard on his left arm that acted as his protection. On regular combats he fought with the secutor who was heavily armed although virtually invincible, crumbled under the heavy weight of his armor. These gladiators were named according to their fighting styles, initially the various fighting styles emanated from the types of combat the Romans encountered with the natives who they fought and conquered. For instance, thraex literally meant inhabitants of Thrace the unfriendly land bordering the north and east by the Danube and notorious black sea respectively. Consequently, as styles in fighting became recognized and official gladiators were trained in a definite ethnic style that is totally different from his real place of origin. Interestingly there was also a category of women gladiators, this was widespread but never lasted for long as women fighting in the arena was outlawed by Emperor Septimius Severus in the third century, C.E. The Roman Empire had gladiatorial barracks that were marked by heterogeneity as membership and life of brotherhood constantly fluctuated due to betrayal and tours by troupes in the local circuit. Some gladiators survived up to retirement as fresh recruits were brought in to train as gladiators. Above all, gladiatorial combat was a demonstration of bravery and skillfulness.

The Real Purpose of a University Education Essay -- Argumentative Educ

The Real Purpose of a University Education All my life I knew I would be attending college. There never seemed to be any other option available as far as I knew. I never really stopped to think about whether or not it was necessary for me, or why it was so important; I was just funneled into the college curriculum in high school. I have attended the University of Arkansas for three years now, and have heard two main arguments over the purpose of a college education. One is that college is a place to train for a job, and the other is that college should be an institute of higher learning with no real focus on a future job. Challenged to form an opinion on this matter, I finally decided that neither side is absolutely right. In fact, I decided that the â€Å"purpose† of college should not even be an issue. College is what the student makes it. However they view college, all of the students will come out with some very similar experiences and benefits. I often hear professors grumbling about students who don’t value learning for the sake of learning. They feel that students who view college as job training may as well be in some vocational school, leaving university life for the more â€Å"enlightened† among us. This seems ridiculous to me. The majority of people in the United States will have to get jobs in order to support themselves or their families until retirement. So, you may as well plan to get a good job that pays well and you enjoy. What better place to plan and train for a future job that college? First of all, college provides students with an opportunity to explore different subjects and to find out what they truly love doing. Also, according to a 1994 College Board Study, college students will make an av... ...this, imagine the possibilities of a college education. Obviously, all of these things that you gain from college that I have discussed in reference to society could also be applied to finding jobs. A potential employer would find any of these qualities attractive. However, as already mentioned, this is beside the point. I think we should stop wasting time fussing over the purpose of a university education, and simply make it whatever you want it to be. If you’re here to get prepared for a job, then do it. While you’re at it, learn something you did not necessarily plan to. You may enjoy it. If you’re here to become absorb knowledge like a sponge, then do it. While you’re at it, you get ready for a future career. You may need a job someday. It doesn’t matter if you attend college to get a job or to become enlightened--the benefits will come either way.