Abstract
The purpose of the universe has been seen from many angles in human history. The scientific view of the purpose of the universe has fluctuated together with various epochs and the philosophies connected with these epochs. Various philosophies of the purpose of the universe, and whether indeed the universe does have a purpose, are discussed.

From the Paper
"Cosmology, or the study of the universe, originated in Mesopotamia. The philosophy of the time was that the earth was the center of the universe. Main philosophers of the time were Aristotle and Ptolemy. Because of Aristotle's power, this view of the world remained relatively uncontested until 1543. This philosophy also made the idea of the purpose of the universe fairly simple. The universe existed for human beings, who were created at the center of it. The understanding of the world, being simple, was therefore unproblematic. It therefore might be not only Aristotle's power but also the basic human need to feel that there is a purpose to things that perpetuated this view."

Tags:cosmology, science, aristotle

Abstract
The paper relates that the learners are teachers of Grade K-12 Students, the time is 30 minutes, and the goal is for the teachers within the district to determine a universal concept of the purpose of education, determining the collective mission of the teachers and the focus of their intent in teaching over the course of the school year.

Tags:edu, class, teach

Abstract
This paper is a statement of purpose explaining why the student wants to be admitted to the university's B.A. in psychology program.

From the Paper
"I would like to be admitted to the university's B.A. program in psychology because I am interested in the science of human behavior. The study of psychology is instrumental in understanding behavior in terms of a number of vital human activities, such as personal relationships, organizational dynamics and the predictability of human responses in particular situations. Each of these areas of study has application both from a personal and a professional standpoint. I am interested in psychology not just from an academic perspective but..."

Tags:Psychology, statement of purpose, B.A.

Abstract
This paper examines how the teleological argument for the existence of God holds that the universe shows signs of order and design; therefore, there must have been a creator. The author puts forward the argument that purpose can only be based on circumstance, and therefore, there is no such thing as presupposed purpose.

From the Paper
"William Paley's argument for design is famous for the watchmaker analogy. This analogy doesn't really seem to fit, however. A watch is an intricately designed mechanism with a specific purpose, but there is nothing superfluous about it. Every part of the watch is there for a single purpose, to help one tell time. The Earth is clearly not so single-minded. "Millions of species of living forms have lived and perished and this temporary condition applies to inanimate forms as well as to living forms" (Brill 102). Dinosaurs ruled the Earth for millions of years without seeming to have any specific purpose. (Unless we suppose that their purpose was to one day supply human beings with a source for oil). If it was an asteroid impact 65 million years ago that caused the dinosaurs to go extinct, this event can only be couched in terms of incredibly fortunate chance."

Tags:anthropic, chaos, creator, divine, evolution

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that curtailments on free speech are usually associated with the political right, but a recent trend toward the creation of speech codes on university campuses suggests that demands for such codes come from the political left. The writer discusses that the idea for such codes is that certain types of speech has an intimidating effect and damages the educational mission of the university. Such codes may be general or may contain specific terms or types of speech that are to be prohibited, with sanctions for their use. The writer points out that critics see this as just a form of censorship that does not belong in a university, where freedom of expression should be supported and promoted. Others insist that such codes are needed to protect the most vulnerable from verbal intimidation, though it is not always possible to demonstrate any damage from speech alone. The writer concludes that the arguments for these codes are largely based on a belief that some persons who are not part of the mainstream majority need special protection as they try to enter the mainstream through education, and opposition stems from the view that free speech should really be free, that demonstrating a real harm is not possible, and the speech codes go against the real purpose of the university.

From the Paper
"The ACLU has taken the stand that speech codes are wrong, and the organization has fought successfully against such codes at many universities. Most such battles have been at public universities, where the fight is easier because those universities are government entities and so prevented from engaging in censorship. The fight is now moving to private universities, where the burden is greater. This is noted by some engaged in a lawsuit against Stanford University in California, which, because it is a private institution ... "

Tags:campuses, students, restrictions, censorship

Abstract
The paper relates that in today's globally competitive marketplace, the need for a universal set of accounting standards is becoming more and more evident. The paper discusses how a number of nations around the world have begun taking steps towards the development of universal accounting standards. The paper looks at how in the forefront of developments, the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) has adopted a sector neutral approach and has plans to release one set of standards for the private and public sector in the near future (Greite 2007, p. 21).

From the Paper
"In the current age of global economics, many nations around the world have begun calling for the development of universal accounting standards. In the forefront of developments, the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) has adopted a sector neutral approach and has plans to release one set of standards for the private and public sector in the near future (Greite 2007, p. 21). Despite these efforts, however, many challenges confront the AASB with respect to reconciling unique aspects of private and public sector entities with respect to accounting standards and financial reporting. The current study examines whether it is reasonable..."

Tags:not, for, profit, iasb, aasb

Abstract
This paper examines the retention rate of African-American males in predominantly white universities. The paper compares the factors influencing African-American women versus men in completing their university studies. The author states that the purpose of this research is to find out exactly what the retention rate of African-American males in white universities is, and what explicit and implicit factors influence the retention rate.

Outline:
Research Question or Alternative Hypothesis
Independent Variable
Dependent Variables
Possible Confounding Variables
Research Design
Participants
Instrumentation

From the Paper
"The retention rate of African American males has been a hotly debate topic in the college domain. Although statistics have shown that the overall retention rate of African Americans within college has progressively increased, few studies have specifically focused on the African American male student within a predominantly white university. Michael J. Cuyjet explains in his book, "Helping African American Men Succeed in College", that African American males are different from females in several different categories that include course learning, exposure to campus activites, use of student unions, involvement in clubs and organizations, etc (Cuyjet, Chapt. 1). The goal of this research study is to find out exactly what the retention rate of African American males in white universities is, and what explicit and implicit factors impact the overall impact the retention rate. We will conduct a research design that will consider the multiple factors within retention rates and develop a quantitative metholodgy to measure the factors contributing to African American male retention rates."

Tags:higher, education, African-American, males, academic, success, university

Abstract
The paper argues that the systems of university and college rankings that first appeared during the 1980s and disseminated by the mass media contain serious drawbacks. The paper explains that the ranking s are based on performance indicators which are not precise but merely indicative (Townley, 2005). The paper discusses how among the numerous issues with such rankings, their ostensible purpose of aiding students and parents to choose an institution of higher learning is clearly not the primary rationale for these rankings' existence. The paper points out that what the system of rankings in fact leads to is a budgeting system that is based on performance so that when an institution does not meet certain criteria they lose funding (Townley).

From the Paper
"The systems of university and college rankings that first appeared during the 1980s and disseminated by the mass media contain serious drawbacks. The rankings are based on performance indicators which are not precise but merely indicative (Townley, 2005). Among the numerous issues with such rankings, their ostensible purpose of aiding students and parents to choose an institution of higher learning is clearly not the primary rationale for these rankings' existence. What the system of rankings in fact leads to is a budgeting system that is based on performance so that when an institution does not meet certain criteria they lose funding..."

Tags:university, rankings, methodology

Abstract
This paper is a personal statement for a student seeking a graduate degree in financial analysis at USF.

From the Paper
Statement of Purpose for Graduate School My background demonstrates not only my readiness for the M S program in Financial Analysis but also my achievement and consistent pursuit of my goals I earned my Bachelor of Science in Business from USC Marshall School of Business in having already been inducted into Alpha Sigma Gamma Honors Society and achieved the Dean's Honor's List at both Santa Monica College and the University of Southern California In I became a Registered Representative of the National Association of Securities Dealers NASD Series and

Tags:University of San Francisco, personal statement, graduate, investment fund manager

Abstract
The paper looks at William Paley's conception that the design and purpose of the universe is such that it is impossible for anything other than an omniscient designer to be responsible for its formulation. Specifically, the paper argues that Paley's theory about a divine creator - while elegantly penned - falters for the very simple reason that the teleological argumentation upon which it is based depends upon a number of assumptions that are both un-provable and arbitrary. The paper asserts that while Paley's zeal in making his case is laudable, he is no closer to revealing the origins of the universe than anyone else. The paper concludes that while one can certainly appreciate Mr. Paley's efforts and ingenuity, his work should not be interpreted as a legitimate philosophical exploration into the workings of the cosmos.

From the Paper
"The idea that there is some extraordinarily intelligent being responsible for the machinations of the universe is something that has animated religions like Christianity and philosophers like William Paley. With this in mind, the following paper will look at William Paley's conception that the design and purpose of the universe is such that it is impossible for anything other than an omniscient designer to be responsible for its formulation. Specifically, the paper will argue that Paley's theory about a divine creator - while elegantly penned - falters for the very simple..."

Tags:paley, intelligent, design