Author: chris

Choose one (1) of the topics below and develop a three to four (3-4) paragraph essay (of at least 250-500 words) which adequately address the topic you have chosen.

Topic Choices

• There have been many theories regarding how the pyramids at Giza were constructed. Most experts agree that they were constructed as burial monuments for pharaohs, but “how” these ancient people constructed monuments of such great size without modern machinery is a mystery which is still being debated.
• No one can say for certain what happened to the great urban Mayan civilization, but theories abound and include varied possible alternatives to explain the relatively abrupt and mysterious disappearance of the Mayan civilization.
• Tutankhamen died young, at approximately eighteen (18) years of age. However, his cause of death has been the subject of quite varied scholarly theories and conclusions. Did he die of an injury, of illness, of murder, or something else?.
• Minoan Crete was a major civilization in its time, but several theories have been advanced to explain its demise, including speculations associating it with mythical Atlantis. What were the causes of Minoan Civilization’s decline?
• Great Zimbabwe is an enormous complex of structures in East Africa. Since the builders and occupants left no written records, several theories have developed as to the identity of its builders and the functions of the structures. Which theory makes the most sense?
• The monumental size and complexity of the Tomb of Shihuangdi is astounding, yet its location and construction details were to be kept secret. What was the emperor’s purpose for such an elaborate, secret burial place?
• Other topic choice recommended and approved by the professor and supported by the grading rubric.

Write a three to four (3-4) paragraph paper in which you:

1. Clearly state the “mystery” and provide a brief summary of at least two (2) reasonable and scholarly theories which could explain the mystery. Because some theories may sound far-fetched, include the source or promoter of each theory – such as a scientist, a historian, a theologian, etc.
2. After summarizing at least two (2) scholarly theories, identify one (1) of the theories as the most plausible and provide at least two (2) convincing reasons why the theory you have chosen is the best one to explain the mystery. This will involve some critical reasoning skills on your part.
3. Use at least two (2) sources plus the class textbook. (Three [3] sources total as the minimum) Note: Wikipedia and other similar Websites do not qualify as academic resources. You are highly encouraged to use the Resource Center tab at the top of your Blackboard page.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA style format. Both in-text citations and a References list are required. Citations and references must follow APA style format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. (Note: Students can find APA style materials located in the course shell for guidance).
• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length. For our purposes, you may omit any abstract page.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Explain how key social, cultural, and artistic contributions contribute to historical changes.
• Explain the importance of situating a society’s cultural and artistic expressions within a historical context.
• Examine the influences of intellectual, religious, political, and socio-economic forces on social, cultural, and artistic expressions.
• Identify major historical developments in world cultures during the eras of antiquity to the Renaissance
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in the study of world cultures.
• Write clearly and concisely about world cultures using proper writing mechanics.

ou work in a health care office. Your new coworker has never worked in an office environment. She asks you to give her some insight into workplace communication.

Write a 350 -700 word e-mail to her, in which you do the following:

• Explain the major components of communication in the workplace.
• Include types of communication she will experience while working in a professional envi

• Suggest which type of income statement a retailer should use. Defend your suggestion.
• Analyze inventory valuation methods discussed in the textbook. Based on your analysis, recommend the most accurate valuation method that reflects current economic conditions. Provide

Students, please view the “Submit a Clickable Rubric Assignment” in the Student Center.

Instructors, training on how to grade is within the Instructor Center.

Assignment 1: To Organize or Not to Organize?

Due Week 3 and worth 240 points

Select one (1) company headquartered in your home state that you would like to work for, that does not currently have unionized employees. Assume that you are an employee of this company and interested in starting a union. Use the Internet to research industry union.

Write a five to seven (5-7) page paper in which you:

1. Create a scenario of the specific working conditions that has prompted the attention of employees.
2. Outline the major benefits of organizing a union for this particular company.
3. Create a mission, purpose, and objective statement for a strategic plan to organize a union for this group.
4. Outline the components you would need to start a union and brainstorm ideas for each step of the process.
5. Determine a possible timeline for the execution of the union based on the plan you drafted with rationale.
6. Speculate two (2) of the management teams’ objections the union is likely to face. Develop two (2) arguments to counter the management position.
7. Use at least five (5) quality academic resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia does not qualify as an academic resource.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

• • Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
  • Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• • Examine the relationship between management and unions.
  • Create a strategic plan to organize a union for a specific labor force.
  • Use technology and information resources to research issues in employee and labor relations.
  • Write clearly and concisely about employee and labor relations using proper writing mechanics.

Write a one- to two-page essay that describes the benefits of using the Ashford University Library. Your paper should:

• Explain the differences between scholarly resources and popular resources.
• Describe the key things to remember when searching for sources within the Ashford University Library (e.g., databases, FindIt@AU search tool).
• Detail how you will be most effective and efficient in finding resources that fit your research needs.

Please watch the required video tutorial Quick ‘n’ Dirty by clicking on the video below. Runtime: 4:15 min.

Click here for the Quick ‘n’ Dirty Transcript.

Format your paper according to APA style guidelines as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Your paper should demonstrate your ability to use the functions within MS Word to create a document with the following elements:

• A title page (see below for specific information to include on this page)
• Page numbers located in the top, right corner of the page (header page number function)
• Paragraphs that are double spaced with the first line indented by .5 inch (line spacing function)
• Page margins set to one inch on all four sides (margins function)
• Spelling and grammar check (spelling & grammar function)

The Paper:

• Must be one to two pages in length (excluding title page and reference page) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
• Must include a title page with the following:
  • Title of paper
  • Student’s name
  • Course name and number
  • Instructor’s name
  • Date submitted
• Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement. Statements such as “This paper is about…” or “I am going to tell you…” are not acceptable in college-level writing.
• Must address the topic of this paper with critical thought.

Assume you are employed as a counselor at your local high school. You need to conduct a 30-minute interview with a student who has suddenly had a dramatic decline in her grades. Prior to conducting any interview, it is extremely important to plan its structure, the type of information you hope to acquire, the timing and sequencing of the interview, and the types of questions you might want to ask. To prepare for the interview, analyze the structure of the interview and present a summary including the following reasons for your choices:

• Purpose of your interview
• Discuss the topics you plan to cover and the sequence in which you will cover them
• Questions you will use to obtain the information
• Opening techniques to build rapport with the volunteer
• Types and examples of questions you want to avoid

In your discussion, please be sure you cite, at a minimum, the online course and the text book for the course. Your paper should be 2–3 pages (not counting the cover and reference pages), be APA formatted, and include a reference page. Submit your assignment to the M2: Assignment 2 Dropbox.

DISCUSSION QUESION – WEEK 3

“Making the Right Decisions”  Please respond to the following:

• Research a company that has been in the news for a significant business decision within the last 18 months. Summarize the decision that was made, and state your opinion on whether it was a good or bad move for the company. Post a link to the article in your thread for everyone to read, and give feedback to two of your peers.

Week 3

Assignment 1: Personal Assessment of Strengths

Due Week 3 and worth 200 points

To prepare for this assignment, make sure to complete the StrengthsFinder quiz located in the back of your book. This will take approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Then, view information about your top five strengths at “Start Here – An Overview of the StrengthsFinder Movement,” found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50J8DYo7r44&list=PLhYBLDN6sURWX7h8IdebX2CYyR9QwqoDX. Then view information about your top five strengths at “Strategic – Learn more about your innate talents from Gallup’s Clifton StrengthsFinder!” found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sWM36m3d48&list=PLxDaK7wIyw9609RQuIcVwcCtJ6j17hmO4&index=1.

Write a one to three (1-3) page paper in which you:

1. Describe your initial reaction to finding out your top five strengths.
2. Explain how your top five strengths relate to your leadership style. Determine how they relate to the key functions you would need to perform as a manager.
3. Determine what traits you need to work on the most to become a good leader. Then, explain whether these traits differ from the strengths you need to be a good manager.
4. Indicate which of your strengths you anticipate you will use the most in college or a future career.
5. Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
   1. Typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
   2. Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, your name, your professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Describe the primary functions of management (planning, organizing, leading, controlling) and the associated skills, tools, and theoretical approaches that can be used to accomplish these functions.
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in management concepts.
• Write clearly and concisely about management concepts using proper writing mechanics

) Please respond to the following:

• Suppose you are opening a shoe manufacturing firm that is going to begin selling shoes (your choice of shoe type: tennis shoes, men’s or women’s dress shoes, boots, etc.) in your previously chosen country. Using the demographic breakdown of your chosen country, choose at least one (1) demographic that you will segment by and identify a minimum of two (2) target markets. Summarize the key reasons why you choose those particular demographic(s) and target markets.

2) You will use your chosen country (from the Discussions) for this Assignment. In addition to the country, you will reference the shoe manufacturing firm (introduced in the Discussions).

Write a four to six (4-6) page paper in which you analyze the following components of your chosen country:

1. Describe the political / financial background of your country, including relevant historical events.
   1. What kind of government does it have?
   2. What is the political stability?
   3. Is it open for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)?
   4. Has the currency been relatively stable?
2. Analyze the general demographics.
   1. Identify the ethnic groups; the languages spoken; the population demographic breakdown by age and gender.
   2. What is the population growth rate?
   3. What are the major urban areas and their population sizes?
3. Examine the employment figures.
   1. Identify the education attainment; employment; unemployment; and labor force size.
4. Explain the current state of the economy.
   1. What is the GDP and the GDP per capita using Purchasing Power Parity (PPP)?
   2. Identify the inflation rate and current exchange rate.
5. Examine the major industries and transportation data.
   1. Identify any major imports, exports, and trade restrictions.
6. Identify three (3) major direct competitors you will be competing against. Describe how your firm will be positioned against them.
7. Use at least three (3) quality academic resources for in-text citations in this assignment. Note that Wikipedia and similar type websites do not qualify as academic sources.
8. Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
   1. Typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
   2. Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
   3. Include a reference page. Citations and references must follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Evaluate the considerations for product adaptation in foreign markets and common approaches to adjusting promotional strategy to fit foreign markets.
• Examine the process for market research to assess foreign market potential.
• Determine the logistics and product distribution channel options available to support international marketing.
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in international marketing.
• Write clearly and concisely about international marketing using proper writing mechanics.