Author: chris

Mapping is a technique that is often used in the business world to track and measure various indicators. Product positioning maps, business process maps, and strategic road maps are all examples of mapping tools that visually represent key information for organizational leaders to analyze. Another type of map that is applicable for analyzing total rewards is the compensation strategy map.

A compensation strategy map provides a snapshot of an organization’s total rewards package and how it relates to different strategic objectives. An effective compensation strategy map can help determine the total rewards message conveyed to employees. In addition, the map can be used to determine how well a total rewards package aligns to an organization’s strategic objectives. If the map indicates that the total rewards do not align, the organization may need to reconsider its total rewards package.

In this Assignment, create and analyze a map of the compensation strategy for an organization of your choice. You may select the same organization that you chose for this week’s Discussion. Then, use Exhibit 2.8, “Contrasting Maps of Microsoft and SAS,” from the course text to map your selected organization’s compensation strategy.

To complete this Assignment, analyze the total compensation strategy for an organization of your choosing:

Part 1: Using Exhibit 2.8, create a compensation strategy map for the organization you selected.
Note: Exhibit 2.8 compares two organizations. For the purposes of this Assignment, you are required to map the compensation strategy of only one organization. But the template you create must include all of the objectives listed in Exhibit 2.8. Include this map as an appendix, following APA styles.

Part 2: Analyze an organization’s total compensation strategy in a 2- to 3-page paper:
Briefly describe the rationale behind the placement of each of the points on your compensation map.
Cite references to your research where applicable.
Summarize the key points of your organization’s strategy. To what extent, if any, does the organization’s compensation strategy align to its strategic goals?
Support your answer by providing examples of alignment or misalignment

Visit these sites related to recent controversy on the use of medication to treat depression and the question of whether we are now using medication to treat not only clinically severe depression but all manner of normal sadness and grieving:

Goldacre, B. (2008) A quick fix would stop drug companies’ bending the truth. Retrieved May 21, 2011 from http://www.badscience.net/?p=619#more-619

Kirsch, I. et al (2008) Initial Severity and Antidepressant Benefits: A Meta-Analysis of Data Submitted to the Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved May 2011 from PLOS Medicine at:

http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.0050045

Read these articles and do your own research using TUI’s library and the Internet (judiciously).

rationally evaluate the claims made by both sides in this controversy regarding the overuse of anti-depressant medications. Feel free to use other web-based or library resources to support your argument in both of these endeavors. You may choose to support one side or the other in your concluding statements, but your position must rely on facts and careful analysis and not be primarily founded on rhetoric and emotional arguments.

ASSIGNMENT EXPECTATIONS:

1) Objectively discuss the benefits of modern psychiatric practice to society, and its possible weaknesses or abuses. How do you address thoughtful criticisms from within and without the mental health professions?

2) Application of modular readings when appropriate (APA formatting not required).

The following components should guide your work and will be the criteria by which I will be grading:

Clearly demonstrates an understanding of the relevant concepts.

Clearly exhibits the ability to effectively apply relevant concepts from readings to the case presented.

Uses a logical structure appropriate to paper’s subject and purpose.

Includes a well-developed introduction, summative conclusion, and section headings or clear transition statements.

Uses appropriate, relevant, and compelling content to support ideas, convey understanding of the topic, and shape the whole work.

Paper shows a high level of analysis and evaluation of the data and resources, as well as recognition of differences, contradictions, and biases. Compelling discussion.

Uses words with precise meaning and an appropriate level of specificity. Sentences are varied, yet clearly structured and carefully focused, not long and rambling.

Almost entirely free of errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Correct in-text referencing. Complete, accurate reference list in consistent standard format

One of the chief objections to the enforcement of mental health parity laws is the fear voiced by managed care providers and others that giving generous unlimited benefits for mental health treatment will result in enormous increases in operating costs and ultimately in the premiums and other expenses charged to the consumer.

Spend some time researching this question on the Internet and in the Cyber Library. Pretend that you are preparing a report for the worried CFO of a small managed care provider. To what degree are these concerns based in reality? What about the issue of malingering — feigning mental illness — for some type of financial benefits? What are the base-rates for malingering by feigning physical illness and injury? Is there any reason to believe that providing parity in mental health coverage will promote more malingering?

When reading reports and editorials, be alert to the possible sources of bias that might affect the writer or investigators view of the problem. Be a good critical thinker as you read and consider the views presented to you.

Submit Case 3 when it is completed.

SUGGESTED LENGTH: 2 to 3 pages typed and double-spaced.

Due on the first day of Module 4.

ASSIGNMENT EXPECTATIONS:

The following items in particular will be assessed:

1) Define the term “parity” and discuss the controversies surrounding the issue of parity in mental health treatment benefits. What are the pros and cons of providing parity in mental health coverage?

2) Application of modular readings when appropriate (APA formatting not required).

The following components should guide your work and will be the criteria by which I will be grading:

Clearly demonstrates an understanding of the relevant concepts.

Clearly exhibits the ability to effectively apply relevant concepts from readings to the case presented.

Uses a logical structure appropriate to paper’s subject and purpose.

Includes a well-developed introduction, summative conclusion, and section headings or clear transition statements.

Uses appropriate, relevant, and compelling content to support ideas, convey understanding of the topic, and shape the whole work.

Paper shows a high level of analysis and evaluation of the data and resources, as well as recognition of differences, contradictions, and biases. Compelling discussion.

Uses words with precise meaning and an appropriate level of specificity. Sentences are varied, yet clearly structured and carefully focused, not long and rambling.

Almost entirely free of errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

Correct in-text referencing. Complete, accurate reference list in consistent standard format.

TOPICS:

1. What is the soul?

2. The infinite openness of the human mind

3. Human nature and social life

– Formulate arguments and counterarguments.

– When formulating counterarguments, please make sure that you also answer them. Do not simply throw counterarguments into the text and then pass to another subject.

– Give your own examples, not the ones given in class. Do not give examples from movies discussed in class (I will take off half letter if you do it: this exam is not a copy/paste of class notes! The final paper is supposed to make you work with your own mind.)

– You do not need an elaborated introduction and an elaborated conclusion for each topic.- Please treat each question separately and indicate the question before answering it. Each question – 2 pages. However, all questions must be included in one paper, stapled (do not submit three different papers, one for each question).

– In treating the topics, please combine more readings that are relevant to that topic: do not refer to just one reading. This exam is like a puzzle: you have to put together information from different texts in order to find the proper answer for one question.

– Speak in the first person, but do not abuse the word I: find instead some elegant ways to convey your opinion: adjectives, adverbs. Ex: Plato’s idea is convincing; Aquinas’ theory bears some difficulties; Hobbes’ view of human nature is hard to accept.

The list below makes reference to the material covered in class. It might help with writing the paper.

– Plato, Apology, 29d-42 (p. 34-44): Wisdom, excellence and death

-Plato, Apology, 29d-42 (p. 34-44) “Unexamined life is not worth living” – movie discussion: Forrest Gump, Hannah and her sisters

– Plato, Republic Ch. 3 – Fundamentals of inner politics (analogy city-soul) 368a-376c

– Plato, Republic Ch. 9 The supremacy of good (human condition) 508 c- 521 a (p. 235-248): analogy with the sun, analogy of the line, myth of the cave

– Plato, Republic Ch. 9, the myth of the cave. Movie discussion: Truman show, Adele H., Matrix

–  Aristotle De anima, The nature of the soul p. 155-164

– Aristotle De anima, Sense-perception & Imagination p.189-200

– Aristotle, De anima, Intellect, p. 201-210

– St.Augustine Confessions Book One, Finding God in Oneself, p. 3-8

– Augustine, Confessions, Book One, Original sin, p. 8-9, p. 20-21

– Augustine, Confessions,  Book Ten, memory p. 195-to the end

– St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa of the Summa, soul and body, p. 243-251, 252-260

– St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa of the Summa, will p. 289-296

– St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa of the Summa, free-will &predestination p. 297-300

–  Movie discussion: Sliding doors on predestination

– St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa of the Summa,  evil p. 208-218

–  Training: How to write a philosophical paper

–  Hobbes, Leviathan

– Maritain, Christianity and Democracy (on Blackboard)– human nature and politics

– Maritain,  Person and property

            Marx, Economic writings – on alienated labor

1.* Develop a thesis pertaining to the assigned film text and whether or not it, the film, in your view has the power to transform one’s political sensibilities. Your argument should express your point of view regarding the politics of difference, political sensibilities, and political transformation(s) as related to the film. Remember, you’re writing (developing) an analytical essay
*
2. Develop three (3) topic sentences that articulate the major ideas that will comprise the body of your essay. Remember that your topic sentences should clearly state the argument or point to be made in the respective paragraphs.
*
3. Identify three (3) scenes from the film that support your thesis statement. Briefly explain.
*
4. Lastly, fully develop your introductory paragraph. Remember that the best possible thesis will answer some specific question about the text. In this case a question related to the film’s power to transform political sensibilities regarding difference

class book is The State of Texas: Government, Politics, and Policy by Sherri Mora, William Ruger, and Edward Mihalkanin
must use book as reference in paper

Essay Question:
Define “due process” in your own words and carefully explain the stages of due process in Texas. Discuss at least one problem for each stage and recommendations on how it could be resolved.

Compare/contrast the views of Paul and Williams on salvation (Williams uses “redemption). Consider their views of Jesus death, and of salvation by faith and/ or works. And how do their views relate to Jesus teachings in Matthews Sermon on the Mount?

The Objective: The purpose of this project is for you to analyze and understand the risk exposure and risk management of Canadian financial institutions (FIs) by examining the financial statements of a specific Canadian bank. You are to approach the assignment from the perspective of an analyst who has been asked to prepare a business report. The focus of the study this term is the foreign exchange risk and international exposure of Canadian FIs.

Source of data:

1. Go to http://www.rbc.com/investorrelations/  and download the FI’s 2012 Annual Report from the Investor Relations section of the bank’s web site. You should also download the quarterly reports and any press releases that you think are relevant.

1.

1. PriceWaterhouseCoopers provides analysis of the Canadian banking environment and individual Canadian banks. PWC’s report, Canadian Banks 2013 A new normal: Perspectives on the Canadian banking industry provides comparisons of the banks and is available in pdf format at:

http://www.pwc.com/ca/en/banking-capital-markets/canadian-banks.jhtml

 

1. The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI): http://www.osfi-bsif.gc.ca/

Here you can download the latest monthly and quarterly reports to OSFI by all Canadian banks.

 

1. The Canadian Banker’s Association provides a summary of Basel III (Global Banking Regulations and Banks in Canada, September 2013) as it relates to Canadian banks, and also discusses the regulations pending in the U.S. You can download a pdf file this report here:

http://www.cba.ca/en/media-room/50-backgrounders-on-banking-issues/667-global-banking-regulations-and-banks-in-canada

 

1.  Use any other sources of information such as newspapers, analyst’s reports etc. and documents that help you understand your bank.

5.

 

What to Do:

Your report will cover the following topics:

Part 1: Introduction (approximately 2 pages)

Provide an introduction to the bank that you have chosen to study: what does this bank do? What does the bank recognize as its major sources of risk? How does it manage risk?

 

Part 2: Foreign Exchange Risk and International Exposure (approximately 5 pages)

1. Discuss the foreign exchange risk exposure of your chosen bank. Which countries? What types of on balance sheet assets contain foreign exposure (show total dollar amounts and percentage of the total assets)? What is the percentage of total assets for each country or region? What types of off balance sheet items have a foreign exposure (dollar amounts and percentage of the total)? Is your bank globally diversified?

2. Given the exposure that you have described above, does your FI have a regulatory risk related to their operations? For example, if your bank operates in the U.S., Europe, South America or Asia, has the bank identified risks of changing regulations or currencies that could put their operations at risk? Describe the impact on your bank.

3. How does a change in the value of the Canadian dollar affect your bank’s income? Its balance sheet?

 

Part 3: Comparison with A Canadian Life Insurance Company (approximately 2 pages)

Canadian life insurance companies also have extensive international exposure. Compare the international exposure (U.S. and other countries) of your bank with either Manulife Financial or Sun Life Financial. How do the foreign exchange risks and the foreign exposure differ between your bank and the life insurance company?

 

Part 4: Conclusion: Your bank as a Global FI (approximately 1 page)

Chapter 5 of the PWC 2013 report states that Canadian banks are ‘considered to be some of the safest banks globally’ (PWC 2013, page 26) as does the CBA Report (CBA 2013, page 1). Explain why (or why not) the bank that you have studied is ‘safe’. Summarize your analysis and your view of this bank’s place as a Canadian and global financial intermediary.

 

Tuskeegee air men

Watch one of the two films listed below and use these set of guidelines to
frame your paper.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975), Directed by Milos Foreman, and
starring Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher or The Elephant Man (1980),
Directed by David Lynch, and starring Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt, and Anne
Bancroft.
(a) Introduction (1 page): Briefly introduce the film, your initial reactions, and
your thesis/argument.

(b) Body (2-3 pages): The questions below were developed to help guide the
body of your paper. Depending on the film you watched, some questions will
resonate more than others. If there are other areas you wish to discuss, feel
free to do so.
 Briefly describe how sanity and insanity are portrayed.
 Do the definitions of sanity and insanity match those you learned or
those included in the text and acceptable by the profession?
 Are sanity and insanity real, socially constructed, or both?
 In what way does the central character defy what is sane or insane?
 Describe how secondary characters relate to central character.
 How is therapy represented in the film?
 How are institutions represented in the film?
 How is authority represented in the film?
 How did you feel about the film’s conclusion?
 Which of the seven unifying themes in psychology appear most relevant
in the film and why?
 A central theme in both films is the struggle between the sane individual
vs. the insanity of institutions. Do you agree? Why/Why Not?
(c) Reflection (2-3 pages): In what way does this film contribute to your own
understanding of what is normal? Was there anything about the film that
surprised you, enlightened you, or made you question your assumptions about
what you believe to be normal/abnormal behavior?

(d) Conclusion (1-2 pages): Considering what you learned by completing this
assignment, how would you diagnose the central characters of the film? Close
the paper by summarizing the main points of your paper.