American Literature Example

American Literature Example American Literature – Book Report/Review Example WELL-LIVED LIFE Insert Individual character perspective of a well lived life Charlie Wales is of the view that humility is fundamental to life. This is confirmed after Alix congratulates him just as he remarks that he has changed from his old days’ stiff stand. It also appears that despite being very rich it would take wisdom to pinpoint it. Honoria Wales. Marion Peters observes a life worthy the moment we get considerate. This is backed by the fact that she so understands to Charlie who is quite uncomfortable. He is worried of what she thinks but contrary to this she is intact an unperturbed. Lincoln Peters scores in his wit. He talks less and when he does so, he is always commenting on a complementing remark. He is able to break the silence in the air in the event that Charlie and Marion are quieted by their encounter. He is generally soft spoken. Elsie believes in achievement in the long run effect since she is academically ranked neither at the top nor the bottom list. Ric hard Peters on the contrary has one major barrier which is associated to his schooling since he appears last.In my case one of the major barriers is brought about by peoples’ influence. I can easily be swayed by people’s opinions. If they are negative I am most often withdrawn from my course, regardless of any prior beliefs I may have shown. Consequentially this has never allowed me to set nor attain my own objectives in life. This barrier occurs most often when I seek the consent of my friends in anything I am about to do. I think to remedy the situation I must identify with friends who regard my worth contrary to those who rubbish my course. I must also inculcate in me a culture of independence in order to achieve my life goals.The bible addresses the issue of barriers by suggesting faith and commitment to prayers. As a Christian one has to constantly believe and pledge allegiance to the power of the creator. My barrier can be remedied biblically. This is justified i n the book of Romans 4:20 that goes: â€Å"He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God,†ReferenceScott Fitzgerald, F. (1931) Babylon Revisited. Saturday Evening Post (21 February)Nelson, T. (1983) The Holy Bible: New King James Version. National Publishing Company

Exploring the Discipline of Geography as a Science

Exploring the Discipline of Geography as a Science Many secondary education institutions, particularly in the United States, include very minimal study of geography. They opt instead for separation and focus of many individual cultural and physical sciences, such as history, anthropology, geology, and biology, which are encompassed within the realms of both cultural geography and physical geography. History of Geography The trend to ignore geography in classrooms does seem to be slowly changing, though. Universities are starting to recognize more the value of geographic study and training and thus provide more classes and degree opportunities. However, there is still a long way to go before geography is widely recognized by all as a true, individual, and progressive science. This article will briefly cover parts of the history of geography, important discoveries, uses of the discipline today, and the methods, models, and technologies that geography uses, providing evidence that geography qualifies as a valuable science. The discipline of geography is among the most ancient of all sciences, possibly even the oldest because it seeks to answer some of man’s most primitive questions. Geography was recognized anciently as a scholarly subject, and can be traced back to Eratosthenes, a Greek scholar who lived around 276-196 B.C.E. and who is often called, â€Å"the father of geography.† Eratosthenes was able to estimate the circumference of the earth with relative accuracy, using the angles of shadows, the distance between two cities, and a mathematical formula. Claudius Ptolemaeus: Roman Scholar and Ancient Geographer Another important ancient geographer was Ptolemy, or Claudius Ptolemaeus, a Roman scholar who lived from about 90-170 C.E. Ptolemy is best known for his writings, the Almagest (about astronomy and geometry), the Tetrabiblos (about astrology), and the Geography – which significantly advanced geographic understanding at that time. Geography used the first ever recorded grid coordinates, longitude and latitude, discussed the important notion that a three-dimensional shape such as the earth could not be perfectly represented on a two-dimensional plane, and provided a large array of maps and pictures. Ptolemy’s work was not as accurate as today’s calculations, mostly due to inaccurate distances from place to place. His work influenced many cartographers and geographers after it was rediscovered during the Renaissance. Alexander von Humboldt: Father of Modern Geography Alexander von Humboldt, a German traveler, scientist, and geographer from 1769-1859, is commonly known as the â€Å"father of modern geography.† Von Humboldt contributed discoveries such as magnetic declination, permafrost, continentality, and created hundreds of detailed maps from his extensive traveling – including his own invention, isotherm maps (maps with isolines representing points of equal temperature). His greatest work, Kosmos, is a compilation of his knowledge about the earth and its relationship with humans and the universe – and remains one of the most important geographical works in the history of the discipline. Without Eratosthenes, Ptolemy, von Humboldt, and many other important geographers, important and essential discoveries, world exploration and expansion, and advancing technologies would not have taken place. Through their use of mathematics, observation, exploration, and research, mankind has been able to experience progress and see the world, in ways unimaginable to early man. Science in Geography Modern geography, as well as many of the great, early geographers, adheres to the scientific method and pursues scientific principles and logic. Many important geographic discoveries and inventions were brought forth through a complex understanding of the earth, its shape, size, rotation, and the mathematical equations that utilize that understanding. Discoveries like the compass, north and south poles, the earth’s magnetism, latitude and longitude, rotation and revolution, projections and maps, globes, and more modernly, geographic information systems (GIS), global positioning systems (GPS), and remote sensing – all come from rigorous study and a complex understanding of the earth, its resources, and mathematics. Today we use and teach geography much as  we have for centuries. We often use simple maps, compasses, and globes, and learn about the physical and cultural geography of different regions of the world. But today we also use and teach geography in very different ways as well. We are a world that is increasingly digital and computerized. Geography is not unlike other sciences that have broken into that realm to advance our understanding of the world. We not only possess digital maps and compasses, but GIS and remote sensing allow for an understanding of the earth, the atmosphere, its regions, its different elements and processes, and how it can all relate to humans. Jerome E. Dobson, president of the American Geographical Society writes (in his article Through the Macroscope: Geographys View of the World) that these modern geographic tools â€Å"constitute a macroscope that allows scientists, practitioners, and the public alike to view the earth as never before.† Dobson argues that geographic tools allow for scientific advancement, and therefore geography deserves a place among the fundamental sciences, but more importantly, it deserves more of a role in education. Recognizing geography as a valuable science, and studying and utilizing progressive geographical tools, will allow for many more scientific discoveries in our world