1. In “Cathedral,” how would you describe the relationship between the narrator and his wife? Do you think their relationship will change after this experience? What do you feel is the significance of the Robert’s lack of vision?

2. Look at Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use” and explain how the quilts in the story symbolize the family’s heritage.  How do Dee and Maggie view the significance of the family’s heritage, and how is that represented by the quilts in the story?

In this first discussion, I would like for you to focus on “What is Professionalism?” Why is professionalism important when you are attending college, while you are working in your chosen profession and even when you are answering questions in a discussion forum for an online class?

Your discussions must be at least 300 words in length. They must answer the initial question appropriately. The answer must be meaningful and clear. Mechanics and grammar will be graded as well. You must also reply to at least two other posts of your classmates with meaningful and substantive responses.

1. Jean Piaget did not consider himself an educational reformer; however, his research and beliefs have had a lasting effect on education and the ways that people view children and child development. In your own words, explain how knowledge of Piaget’s four stages of intelligence might inform your thinking about children and your future work with children and families.
2. Explain Lev Vygotsky’s theory of the Zone of Proximal Development and how knowledge of this theory might inform your future work with children.
3. Using examples from this week’s Learning Resources, explain how your views are similar to or different from those of one of the psychologists studied this week.

4. Online Reading: Week 4 Online Reading (PDF)

   To open this document, you will need the free Adobe® Reader® software.

The Genesis Energy operations management team is now preparing to implement the operating expansion plan. Previously, the firm’s cash position did not pose a challenge. However, the planned foreign expansion requires Genesis Energy to have a reliable source of funds for both short-term and long-term needs.

One of Genesis Energy’s potential lenders tells the team that in order to be considered as a viable customer, Genesis Energy must prepare and submit a monthly cash budget for the current year and a quarterly budget for the subsequent year. The lender will review the cash budget and determine whether or not Genesis Energy can meet the loan repayment terms. Genesis Energy’s ability to repay the loan depends not only on sales and expenses but also on how quickly the company can collect payment from customers and how well it manages its supplier terms and other operating expenses. The Genesis Energy team members agreed that being fully prepared with factual data would allow them to maximize their position as well as negotiate favorable financing terms.

The Genesis Energy management team held a brainstorming session to chart a plan of action, which is detailed here.

• Evaluate historical data and prepare assumptions that will drive the planning process.
• Produce a detailed cash budget that summarizes cash inflow, outflow, and financing needs.
• Identify and compare interest rates, both short-term and long-term, using debt and equity.
• Analyze the financing mix (short/long) and the cost associated with the recommendation.

Since this expansion is critical to Genesis Energy expanding into new overseas markets, the operations management team has been asked to prepare an executive summary with supporting details for Genesis Energy’s senior executives.

Working over a weekend, the management team developed realistic assumptions to construct a working capital budget.

1. Sales: The marketing expert and the newly created customer service personnel developed sales projections based on historical data and forecast research
2. Other cash receipt: Rental income $15,000 per month
3. Production material: The production manager forecasted material cost based on cost quotes from reliable vendors, the average of which is 50 percent of sales
4. Other production cost: Based on historical cost data, this cost on an average is 30 percent of the material cost and occurs in the month after material purchase
5. Selling and marketing expense: Five percent of sales
6. General and administrative expense: Twenty percent of sales
7. Interest payments: $75,000—Payable in December
8. Tax payments: $15,000—Quarterly due on 15th of April, July, October, and January
9. Minimum cash balance desired: $25,000 per month
10. Cash balance start of month (December): $15,000
11. Available short-term annual interest rate is 8 percent, long-term debt rate is 9 percent, and long-term equity is 10 percent. All funds would be available the first month when the firm encounters a deficit
12. Dividend payment: None

Based on this information, do the following:

1. Using the Cash Budget spreadsheet, calculate detailed company cash budgets for the forthcoming and subsequent years. Summarize the sources and uses of cash, and identify the external financing needs for both the forthcoming and subsequent years.

   Download this Excel spreadsheet to view the company’s cash budget (this is the attached document titled m3_a2_cash budget). You will calculate the company’s monthly cash budget for the forthcoming year and quarterly budget for the subsequent year using this information.

2. In an executive-level report, summarize the company’s financing needs for the forecast period and provide your recommendations for financing the planned activities. Be sure to comment on the following:
   1. Your recommended financing solution and cost to the firm: If Genesis Energy needs operating cash, how should it fund this need? Are there internal policy changes with regard to collections or payables management you would recommend? What types of external financing are available?
   2. Your concerns associated with the firm’s cash budget. Is this a sign of weak sales performance or poor cost control? Why or why not?

Write a 7-page paper in Word format. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.

**I have included 2 documents that have been provided by the instuctor to help with the calculations.  I have started but please double check what I have done (m2_a2_ cash budget)***

The Jungle is a powerful work of fiction.  Published serially in the socialist newspaper Appeal to Reason in 1905, the book still resonates with readers over a century later.  The study of history is not just about understanding the past, but helping us understand and evaluate the present.  This journal assignment requires you to react to what you have encountered in The Jungle.  Because I am looking for your reactions, there are no “wrong” answers, so please focus on how the text affects you.  In your entry, you must respond to three separate passages or quotes in the book (with page numbers in parenthesis).  Your entry is to be at least 500 words long.  You can choose from one of the following questions or contact me to have your own question approved BEFORE you begin writing.

If you had been Jurgis, or any other of his family who came to Chicago, what would you have done differently? What would you have done the same?

Explain the significance of the title. List and explain which of the novel’s numerous metaphors are most effective for you.

What do you think of Jurgis’s maxim, “I will work harder”? Do you think this is a good solution?

What is your opinion of Jurgis’s and the family’s handling of money? What advice would you have for them? What would you do differently in their place?

How much of Jurgis’s life is governed by fate, and how much is based on his decisions? Evaluate his decisions throughout the book.

Explain why all students should be required to read this book.

Explain why no students should be required to read this book.

Your entry needs to be at least 500 words.  For full points you must reference your the book to help make your case at least three times.  Simply put the page number of the passage you are citing in parenthesis like this: (83).  Please practice good writing practices.  Structure your entry with an introduction, evidence, and conclusion.  It is a good idea to draft your entry in your computer’s word processing program (Word, Libreoffice, Pages, etc.).  This will allow you to check your spelling and grammar as problems in that area will impact your grade. You can then paste the text into the directly into the journal text entry box.  Consult the rubric for this assignment for more details.