Friday, 15 November 2013

Critical reflection

Hitting the nail on the head
The lessons have equipped and educated me with the appropriate tools to consciously write a convincing and comprehensible academic piece. Prior to this course, I always chose to believe that I had a strong foundation in grammar but realised I still have much to learn. This course has increased my depth of knowledge of accurate grammatical writing as well as utilising suitable linguistic artillery to enhance the clarity of my work. The classes were highly engaging and the interactive nature of them made the learning process both fun and fulfilling. Frequent group discussions and peer to peer evaluations aided in gathering feedbacks from multiple individuals of various writing calibre. The variety of feedbacks gathered were allowed for a more enriching and motivating class experience altogether. I was able to able to grasp the essentials of writing a more quality argumentative essay as compared to those I wrote during my non-tertiary school years.

I am aware that I still have flaws in essay structuring which often affects the coherence of my work. People who had the opportunity to read my essays usually claimed that they became incomprehensible towards the end. In addition, I need to state my thesis more clearly so that the reader comprehends the main argument of my essay. In my opinion, reading plays a major role in becoming a better writer because one can capture ideas and learn from avid writers who should have a stronger command in English. I need to indulge myself in more academic journals, thesis and non-fictional articles in addition to novels if I wish to seek more improvement in academic writing. Occasional casual writing can supplement reading by providing opportunities to observe progress in the maturity of my writing. Currently, I shall apply what I have learnt in this course for other modules during my stay in the university.

In conclusion, this course shall be my stepping stone to criticise, analyse and sharpen my skills in writing. I also truly believe that less complacency and more humility will drive me further for life long learning and correction.

Saturday, 9 November 2013

Critical reflection 2

Hitting the nail on the head

The lessons have equipped and educated me with the appropriate tools to consciously write a convincing and comprehensible academic piece. Prelude to this course, I always chose to believe that I had a strong foundation in grammar but realised I still have much to learn. This course has increased my depth of knowledge of accurate grammatical writing as well as utilising suitable linguistic artillery to enhance the clarity of my work. The classes were highly engaging and the interactive nature of them made the learning process both fun and fulfilling. Frequent group discussions and peer to peer evaluations aided in gathering feedbacks from multiple individuals of various writing calibre. The variety of feedbacks gathered were allowed for a more enriching and motivating class experience altogether. I was able to able to grasp the essentials of writing an argumentative essay which I failed to better comprehend during my non-tertiary school years.

I am aware that I still have flaws in essay structuring which often affects the coherence of my work which results in deviation from the main point of argument. People who had the opportunity to read my essay usually claimed that it became incomprehensible towards the end. In addition, I need to state my thesis more clearly so that the reader comprehends the main argument of my essay. In my opinion, reading plays a major role in becoming a better writer because one can capture ideas and learn from avid writers who should have a stronger command in English. I need to indulge myself in more academic journals, thesis and non-fictional articles in addition to novels if I wish to seek more improvement in academic writing. Occasional casual writing can supplement reading by providing opportunities to observe progress in the maturity of my writing. Currently, I shall apply what I have learnt in this course for other modules during my stay in the university.

In conclusion, this course shall be my stepping stone to critically criticise, analyse and sharpen my skills in writing. I also truly believe that less complacency and more humility will drive me further for life long learning and correction.

Tuesday, 5 November 2013

Critical reflection

Hitting the nail on the head

The lessons have equipped and educated me with the appropriate tools to consciously write a convincing and comprehensible academic piece. Prelude to this course, I always chose to believe that I had a strong foundation in grammar but realised I still have much to learn. This course has increased my depth of knowledge of accurate grammatical writing as well as utilising suitable linguistic artillery to enhance the clarity of my work. The classes were highly engaging and the interactive nature of them made the learning process both fun and fulfilling. Frequent group discussions and peer to peer evaluations aided in gathering feedbacks from multiple individuals of various writing calibres. The variety of feedbacks gathered were allowed for a more enriching and motivating class experience altogether. I was able to able to grasp the essentials of writing an argumentative essay which I failed to better comprehend during my non-tertiary school years.

I am aware that I still have flaws in essay structuring which often affects the coherence of my work which results in deviation from the main point of argument. People who had the opportunity to read my essay usually claim that it becomes incomprehensible towards the end. In my opinion, reading plays a major role in becoming a better writer because one can capture ideas and learn from avid writers who should have a stronger command in English. I need to indulge myself in more academic journals, thesis and non-fictional articles in addition to novels if I wish to seek more improvement in academic writing. Occasional casual writing can supplement reading by providing opportunities to observe progress in the maturity of my writing. Currently, I shall apply what I have learnt in this course for other modules during my stay in the university.

In conclusion, this course shall be my stepping stone to critically criticise, analyse and sharpen my skills in writing. I also truly believe that less complacency and more humility will strive me further for life long learning and correction.

Monday, 4 November 2013

Final Essay

Globalisation can be defined as the increasing cross-border interaction and integration of various aspects of human activity. Based on this view of globalisation, identify one problematic area of the phenomenon and discuss its influence on contemporary society. What actual or possible means are there to ameliorate the issue you have highlighted?

 
Transnational threats and their challenges in this modern day context

 
Globalisation accelerated by the advancement in telecommunication and transport technologies have empowered people, goods and services to transcend from one border to the next with ease. The movement of many forms of human activities around the world has brought about both positive and negative impacts. The incessant mobility of people, activities and material goods have increased vulnerability of nations to defence threats which can harm lives and property. This essay will argue that globalisation has opened doors to transnational threats and how they affect the world we live in today. In addition, possible methods to mitigate its occurrences and effects will be discussed

Transnational threats can be defined as threats than can transcend borders easily which can affect the economical and social aspects of nations .  Firstly, globalisation has allowed for wide spread of technological breakthroughs and new innovations, some of which have proven to be unfavourable and unjustified for the safety of mankind when landed in the  wrong hands. The 9/11 attacks demonstrate how globalisation has made it possible for the distributions of powerful arsenals and equipments to terrorists who were from third world nations.(Davis, 2003) Secondly, the implications of a defence threat to any nation in the world poses a threat to the world economy. This is result of the interconnecting nature of globalisation which has made nations  dependent on one another . There has been surge in oil prices since 2008 due to constant unrests in the middle-east.(Roubini, 2012) Furthermore, since oil is regarded as an indispensable asset, economies around the world have also been adversely affected by the rise in oil prices. Thirdly, technology has enabled nations to harness more lethal weaponry which makes it even more deadly and fearful for nations who do not. The presence of rogue states like North Korea has drawn fear all over the world due to the presence of nuclear weapons and its constant malicious intentions to attack other nations .(Suter, 2000)

Innovative and flexible strategies are needed to combat these transnational threats. The strategy of  'fighting fire with fire' seems feasible. Similarly globalisation itself can be used to enforce and enhance the protection of nations and their people. The presence of international organisations are continuing to uphold is presence of preserving peace in the world.(Couluci, 2013) However, nations should not rely on them to settle international disagreements rather work as a team and support one another. For example when tsunami struck Aceh in 2005, nations all around the world came to the aid of Indonesia. This can also be applied when it comes to defence issues. It is the responsibility of each and every country to look after each other because friendship is better than forming enemies. However, those that refuse to cooperate peacefully should be severely dealt with because no unaltruistic nation should compromise the national securities of others. Penalties can be imposed on rogue states such as sanctioning and cutting economic  ties with nations who attempt to utilise nuclear and chemical warfare.

Multilateral diplomacy and joint military exercises can only function efficiently to promote peace in the world if and only if nations themselves are capable of deterring their own threats. It is the responsibility of the governments to protect its people and interests.  This includes having a capable armed force, government prioritising defence spending as well as coping well with internal security affairs. The presence of a strong internal security ensures that other nations have higher confidence  to rely and cooperate for regional or international security so that nations can collaboratively support and protect each others' borders.

In conclusion, nations need to be self-sufficient in defending themselves so that they will not be a liability to others and able to support other fellow nations in the fight against any forms of transnational threats. In addition,  working as a team can allow each player to reap the benefits of success so nations should continue to focus on international relations to sustain themselves and promote world peace.

 References

1.Davis, L. E.(2003). Globalizations' Security Implications. Retrieved  from http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/issue_papers/2005/IP245.pdf.

2.Suter, K.(2000). In defence of Globalisation. Retrieved from http://global-directions.com/Articles/Environment/Globalization-Defence.pdf.

3.Coulcci, L. (2013). Solutions to U.S. Security Threats in 2013. Retrieved from http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/world-report/2013/01/10/solutions-to-threats-from-iran-north-korea-and-al-qaeda.

4.Roubini, N.(2012). Scary Oil. Retrieved from http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/scary-oil.