Abstract
This paper proposes a study of African-American college student views of student learning goals and the congruence of their parents' views of those goals, and the impact of this on college graduation. This paper presents a literature review of African-American graduation rates, research on congruence of views of learning goals, and the methodoogy of the study.

From the Paper
"The drop-out rate and stop-out rate for African-American college students is an alarming statistic, especially when compared to their white peers. Less than half of black students who attend college actually graduate in 6 years or less and white students have a 20% higher graduation rate (Carey, 2008). These statistics have been consistent over the past few decades and has inspired significant research into the causes of student departure from college, and specifically, African-American student departure."

Tags:conflicting, learning, objectives

Abstract
In this paper, the writer discusses how different views regarding the serpent are portrayed in different cultures. The writer points out that images of serpents appear in the historical art of many cultures and traditions. The writer shows that although the serpent is usually connected with the Bible story of Adam and Eve, the serpent is also known to represent positive things in different cultures.

From the Paper
"Images of serpents appear in the historical art of many cultures and traditions. Most commonly recognized as the trickster from the Old Testament and the story of Eve, serpents generally take on a bad connotation in modern Western society. Yet, in many myths the serpent represents positive things, such as healing and rebirth. In some cases, these opposing views are related or affected the emergence of one another. It is important to learn how the values, history, and experiences of each culture may have contributed to how that culture viewed the serpent. The serpent in the story of Nala and Damayanti (from India), is a royal serpent, a naga, "endowed with magical powers". The serpent bites Nala, which gives him a different appearance. He also prophesizes about events that do indeed happen in Nala's future. In this myth, the serpent is both helpful and frightening."

Tags:mythology, serpent, differences

Abstract
This three page undergraduate paper examines an infinity puzzle called 'Doing Business with the Devil'. The writer explains that resolving the puzzle requires accepting the interpretation that there may be many infinities. The writer discusses that if this is true, turning a light switch on and off at ever decreasing intervals and then determining whether the light would be on or off after two minutes would result in a conclusion that the light would be both on and off.

From the Paper
"In discussing and analyzing the "Doing Business with the Devil" puzzle presented in the lecture, resolving the puzzle requires accepting the interpretation that there may be many infinities. If this is true, turning a light switch on and off at ever decreasing intervals and then determining whether the light would be on or off after two minutes would result in a conclusion that the light would be both on and off. From the point of view of Rucker, this is the only logical conclusion that can be made, "for the infinite regresses resulting from recursion" confirm that the infinite "is a real, rather than imagined, concept" (Rucker)."

Tags:infinity, and, perception

Abstract
This paper considers conflicts of interest and their impact on organizational discourse. Specifically, this research examines the way conflicts of interest impact business decision making and how these issues can be reconciled to create improved outcomes for the organization. Through a careful review of what has been noted about managing conflicts of interest, it will be possible not only to garner a better understanding of the challenges created in this situation, but also to evaluate the potential improvements that can be achieved through this process.

Outline:
Introduction
Literature Review
Conflicts of Interest: Definition and Scope
Managing Conflicts of Interest
Policies and Practices
Mathematical/Contingency Modeling
Benefits of Managing Conflicts of Interest
Summary/Recommendations/Conclusions

From the Paper
"The final issue addressed in the context of this investigation was the benefits of conflict in the organization. Even though conflicts of interest clearly create notable challenges for decision making and action, the reality is that these conflicts also bring to light deficiencies in the organization that can improve outcomes for operations. By being aware of the issues and further using the issue to help the organization grow and develop, managers can set a positive example for addressing ethical issues and further provide employees with vital information which could facilitate their decision making in the future."

Tags:critical, issue, business, conflicting

Abstract
This paper uses five examples to explore how and why ethical conflicts arise. The author begins by describing and analyzing a conflict of moral values on a strictly personal level. The author then expands the context of each successive example, examining dilemmas arising in the workplace, in American culture, and with Muslim immigration to America. The paper concludes with a discussion of conflicting values on an international scale.

From the Paper
"Making an ethical decision should not depend on how well that decision is received, but in fact creating a more receptive atmosphere for ethical behavior should be a priority and would have real benefits for society as a whole. It is not enough to say that we prefer ethical behavior, for we have to show that this is the case and that we honor those who take this route."

Tags:individuality, responsibility, exceptionalism, morality, tolerance, fear

Abstract
This paper examines Spike Lee's film, "Mo' Better Blues." The paper specifically discusses three main themes in the film: the existence of conflicting interests among the characters, the use of irony as a dramatic device, and the characters' relation to their memory of past events. The paper briefly looks at issues of race and gender representation in the film as well.

From the Paper
"Spike Lee's Mo' Better Blues, as with most of his movies, has a tendency to be shot in ways that make them hard to analyze, and categorize. However, despite depictions of an African American community that is not entrenched in the limitations of life in the slums -violence, drugs, lack of opportunity- Bleek Gilliam's story would perfectly satisfy the standards set by Hollywood. He is a black man for whom love for music and women are sufficient reasons to live. Besides, his entourage does not seem to have any political consciousness and still is involved in shady businesses, i.e. Giant. Even if Spike Lee's movies do not fulfill the objectives set by the L.A. School of filmmakers which can be perceived as the most relevant objectives in terms of black cinematic production, his work can be understood as an "effort to show African American life in socially relevant terms" (Reid, 104)."

Tags:past, race, gender, consciousness

Abstract
This paper focuses on the dynamics of a departmental work group which was created to manage daily operations within a specific working environment. This paper examines the initial goals of the group as well as the instances and reasons for severe issues of conflict within the group. The writer of this paper discusses the various strategies and processes the group must implement in order to resolve the issues of conflict to once again become an effective and productive team. This paper lists the various acceptable and non-acceptable behaviors within a group environment. The writer contends and explains why it's imperative that there be an effective leader that is capable of guiding and leading his or her team to resolve issues of conflict which ultimately impede on the productivity of the entire group. This paper also examines the effectiveness of the 'storming' process in resolving conflict. The storming process addresses the lack of leadership and/or cohesiveness within the group. The storming process allows for members of the group to aspire for higher positioning or for a leadership role within the group while at the same time rejecting the current self-assigned leader.

From the Paper
"One of the major problems with the team is that the main focus for many members is based on jockeying for position, rather than on achieving the goals of the team. It must be noted that for a team to be effective, members must be aligned and focused on achieving team goals together, not on achieving individual goals. This is not occurring. I believe that a major reason for this is based on the fact that members are viewing the work group as an opportunity to be noticed by the manager and achieve individual success. In saying this, it must be noted that the work group is the first opportunity many members have had to contribute to the department. This means that members are viewing the work group as an opportunity to contribute more to the department."

Tags:applied, practice, conflict, group, workplace, human, resources, leader, team

Abstract
This paper discusses the theme of conflict in the novel "The Remains of the Day," by Kazuo Ishiguro. The writer describes the conflict between the butler's perception of world events and what is actually happening in the world, and his struggle to reconcile his own private thoughts with the later public vilification of his master, Lord Darlington. The writer explains how the butler's loyalty leads him to commit crimes and later justify his master's crimes as well.

From the Paper
"This reminds us that there is a thin line between devotion and madness. It's one thing to be devoted to something and it's something completely different to be in total denial of the reality. The conflict between private devotion and public truth is at its most acute in this novel as the narrator and main character of this novel, the butler Stevens, is totally confused with his unquestioning loyalty to a man who arranged unofficial meetings between British government officials and representatives of the German Nazi government and was responsible for the murder of Jews."

Tags:amateur professionalism Hitler interpretation, tunnel vision, punishment

Abstract
The paper relates that Ivan Turgenev's "Fathers and Sons" represents an interesting subject for critical analysis of the concepts of male and female in Western culture. The paper argues that to understand the gendered relationships in Turgenev's novel, we must consider gender not in isolation but in conjunction with class and ideology. The paper demonstrates how the male and female characters in the novel are frequently conflicted in their relationships and their happiness by their class and the ideological paradigms within which they attempt to live.

From the Paper
"Ivan Turgenev's "Fathers and Sons" represents an interesting subject for critical analysis of the concepts of male and female in Western culture. In large measure, the appropriateness of Turgenev's novel to this analysis lies in its striking modernity. "Fathers and Sons" explores relations between generations and genders in a society experiencing radical social transition; a commonplace characteristic of modernity, it seems, in the Western world. As this essay will argue, to understand the gendered relationships in Turgenev's novel we must consider gender not in isolation..."

Tags:turgenev, literature, gender

Abstract
The paper maintains that team conflict within an organization is all too common in the United States and is often due to misunderstandings and miscommunication between people from different cultural backgrounds. The paper explains that personality clashes, conflicting ambitions and related factors contribute to team conflict as well, but regardless of the causes of conflict, organizations can reduce conflict by fostering more effective communication within teams and within the organization as a whole.

Tags:team, conflict, issues