Based on Chapters 1 & 2 from The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism

Adapted from Christina Nadler’s Classical Sociology Class, City University of New York

Role and Audience: This assignment was initially developed when scholars “read” papers at professional conferences. In order to give provide variety in assignments and follow the format for contemporary professional conferences I am going to switch from a paper format to a slide format. Write your slides as if you are a colleague of Weber’s and delivering a speech for him to other sociologists.

Format: This “paper” will be formatted as a twenty slide presentation, including the title slide.

Task: Imagine you are required to make a presentation for Weber after the first publication of The Protestant Ethic to a room full of colleagues at one of the first Annual German Sociological Association Conference. He was too depressed to attend, as he suffered from serious depression (maybe related to his feelings about the world?). You thought he was going to give you a prepared presentation, but all you got was a copy of Chapters 1 & 2 from his book. Feel free to also browse the preface and author’s notes.  Prepare a presentation where Weber emphasizes his critique against a ‘naïve historical materialism’ as he does in The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. Be mindful, there could be Marxists in the room, so you will really want to explain how Weber makes his socio-historical argument and include, with description of each, the three aspects of Protestantism that create the ethic. You may also want to note how the explicitly ‘Protestant’ aspect of this ethic had faded away leaving (depressingly?) just the spirit of Capitalism.

Criteria for Evaluation: You will be graded on accuracy, evidence and quality of examples, as well as a clear understanding of the audience and your role. Your essay (speech) should be focused, and it should be clear how each piece of evidence supports your argument. Spelling will count to the extent you spell important new terms correctly.  Many of these terms are from last weeks defining concepts assignment. See the rubric posted below for a more detailed schema of evaluation.

1. First watch the video below on Mendelian genetics and monohybrid crosses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lsj-Ij53CkA

Also read: Mendelian Genetics – Introduction to Drosophila and Genetic

This week you are to discuss the experiments conducted by Mendel and discuss the role of transcription and translation from the Central Dogma of Biology that connects “genotype” to “phenotype.”

(1) Provide a general overview of Mendel’s experiment.

(2) What was the organism that Mendel studied (provide the genus and species name as well as the common name)?

(3) Why was this organism ideal to study the law of independent assortment?

(4) List one dominant and one recessive example for a phenotype that Mendel found and describe the phenotypic ratio expected to result from crossing two parents heterozygous for only that trait.

(5) In simple terms discuss gene transcription and translation. What type of molecule results from translation? How do gene transcription and translation lead to a specific phenotype? Most importantly for this question: what does transcription and translation have to do with the inheritance of Mendelian traits? 

2. Why Bees are Disappearing, by Marla Spivac ( watch and comment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dY7iATJVCso

3. (2) Photosynthesis – Mr Anderson’s lecture ( Watch and comment)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g78utcLQrJ4

4. How important is the protein called ATP synthase in this process?

5. Which ingredients are needed for photosynthesis and why?

6. Respond to the following post below with references.

(a) Provide a general overview of Mendel’s experiment. 

Mendel’s experiment was to understand genetic inheritance. When Mendel first began his work with pea plants, the scientific concept of heredity was rooted in the concept of blended inheritance, which held that parental traits were somehow mixed into offspring in the manner of different-colored plants, producing a result that was not quite the mother and not quite the father every time, but that clearly resembled both. Mendel was not interested in the appearance of his pea plants per se. He examined them in order to understand which characteristics could be passed on to future generations and exactly how this occurred at a functional level, even if he didn’t have the literal tools to see what was occurring at the molecular level. 

Mendel’s experiment consisted of cross breading 2 types of Pisum sativum (peas). The primary purpose of using this pea was due to the ability to self-fertilize and the ease of cross breading. He specifically was concentrated on the cross breeding of seven different features of the peas such as height, flower color, seed color and seed shape.

Mendel studied inheritance in peas (Pisum sativum). He chose peas because they had been used for similar studies, are easy to grow and can be sown each year. Pea flowers contain both male and female parts, called stamen and stigma, and usually self-pollinate. Self-pollination happens before the flowers open, so progeny are produced from a single plant.

Peas can also be cross-pollinated by hand, simply by opening the flower buds to remove their pollen-producing stamen (and prevent self-pollination) and dusting pollen from one plant onto the stigma of another. Mendel crossed pure lines of pea plant. 

(2) What was the organism that Mendel studied (provide the genus and species name as well as the common name)?                                                                Mendel studied Pisum sativum (peas) 

(3) Why was this organism ideal to study the law of independent assortment?

Peas were ideal to study the law of independent assortment because dominant traits appear in the first generation and recessive traits appear in the second generation. The inheritance of one trait does not depend on the inheritance of any other trait.

4). List one dominant and one recessive example for a phenotype that Mendel found and describe the phenotypic ratio expected to result from crossing two parents heterozygous for only that trait.

One dominant example for a phenotype that Mendel found is the purple pea plant’s flower which is the parental variety that is SEEN in F1 progeny or F1 generation, one recessive example for a phenotype that Mendel found is the white pea plant’s flower which is the parental variety that’s HIDDEN or ABSENT in the F1 progeny. Heterozygous means that there are different alleles. given that the purple pea plant flower is the dominant allele (P) and the white pea plant flower is the recessive allele (p), a heterozygous plant will have Pp alleles. A cross between two heterozygous parents would result in a phenotypic ratio of 3 dominant : 1 recessive, which means 3 purple pea plant flowers and 1 white pea plant flower using the Punnett square. In summary dominant traits, like purple flower color, appeared in the first-generation hybrids (F1), whereas recessive traits, like white flower color, were masked. However, recessive traits reappeared in second-generation (F2) pea plants in a ratio of 3:1 (dominant to recessive).

5) In simple terms discuss gene transcription and translation. What type of molecule results from translation? How do gene transcription and translation lead to a specific phenotype? Most importantly for this question: what does transcription and translation have to do with the inheritance of Mendelian traits?

Gene transcription is the first step in gene expression. It involves copying a gene’s DNA sequence to make an RNA molecule.

Transcription is performed by enzymes called RNA polymerases, which link nucleotides to form an RNA strand (using a DNA strand as a template). The goal of transcription is to make a RNA copy of a gene’s DNA sequence. Transcription has three stages: initiation, elongation, and termination. 

Gene translation is the process in which ribosomes in the cytoplasm or endoplasmic reticulum synthesize proteins after the process transcription of DNA to RNA in the cell’s nucleus 

The molecule that results from translation is protein –translation produces short sequences of amino acids called peptides that get stitched together and become proteins.                      

Gene transcription and translation leads to a specific phenotype by which the RNA copies the genetic sequence of a DNA strand which translates to produce amino acids. The RNA polymerase enzyme copies gene-encoded information noting the nature and composition of genes in the DNA strand. If a dominant gene is copied, this will be carried to the translation phase and the resulting proteins produced will be a dominant phenotype. Transcription, and Translation are the three main processes used by all cells to maintain their genetic information and to convert the genetic information encoded in DNA into gene products, which are either RNAs or proteins, depending on the gene.

In eukaryotic cells, or those cells that have a nucleus, transcription take place within the nucleus while translation takes place outside of the nucleus in cytoplasm. In prokaryotic cells, or those cells that do not have a nucleus, all processes occur in the cytoplasm. 

Respond to the post below with references.

B. Provide a general overview of Mendel’s experiment.

Mendel’s experiment consisted of cross breading 2 types of Pisum sativum (peas). The primary purpose of using this pea was due to the ability to self-fertilize and the ease of cross breading. He specifically was concentrated on the cross breeding of seven different features of the peas such as height, flower color, seed color and seed shape. (Kahn Academy, n.d)

· What was the organism that Mendel studied (provide the genus and species name as well as the common name)?

Mendel carried out his key experiments using the garden pea, Pisum sativum, as a model system. Pea plants make a convenient system for studies of inheritance, and they are still studied by some geneticists today. (Kahn Academy, n.d)

· Why was this organism ideal to study the law of independent assortment?

Peas were ideal to study the law of independent assortment because dominant traits appear in the first generation and recessive traits appear in the second generation. The inheritance of one trait does not depend on the inheritance of any other trait.

· List one dominant and one recessive example for a phenotype that Mendel found and describe the phenotypic ratio expected to result from crossing two parents heterozygous for only that trait. 

Tall plants were dominant, and the short plants were recessive. (Science Learning Hub – Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao, 2011) With the change, he noted three were dominate and one showed the recessive gene (3:1).

· In simple terms discuss gene transcription and translation. What type of molecule results from translation? How do gene transcription and translation lead to a specific phenotype? 

Gene transcription and translation is the process of building and converting genetic information into proteins. Transcription is the non-coding strand of DNA acts like a template for the matching RNA polymerase. Translation is in which the mRNA directs the protein synthesis.

  

International Marketing Plan

Overview

For this assignment, you will create a marketing plan for your shoes, including market segmentation, goals, marketing programs, pricing, channels, and sales.

Instructions

Write a 4–6 pages paper in which you:

• Identify      two forms of market segmentation for your shoes and support your choices.
  • Identify       two target markets for each segment and explain those choices.
    • Remember:        A market segment is the group or groups the firm wants to market        to, while the target markets are the specific markets such as        cities where the segments are located.
• Give      examples of four actionable goals for your business as you embark on your      mission to market shoes in your chosen country (AUSTRALIA).
  • Describe       why each goal is important to the firm.
• Select      the global product marketing program that you feel best suits your firm as      a strategic alternative in your chosen country.
  • Provide       a rationale for your choice.
• Choose      the global pricing policy that will best suit your firm and selected      country.
  • Support       your decision for choosing such a policy.
• Choose      the marketing channel alternative that will best suit your firm and      selected country.
  • Describe       the function of each channel member.
• Describe      the sales promotions that will be used to entice consumers and trade      channel partners.
• Determine      whether the firm will use salespeople or sales agents to promote and sell      your products in the chosen country.
• Use at      least three sources to support your writing. Choose sources that are      credible, relevant, and appropriate. Cite each source listed on your      source page at least one time within your assignment. For help with      research, writing, and citation, access the library or      review library      guides.

1. How would you classify Mi Ola’s consumer products? Explain your answer.
2. In which stage of the product life-cycle would you place Mi Ola’s products? In this stage, would you expect Helena Fogarty to put more emphasis on developing new products, deleting existing products, or modifying existing products? Why?
3. What is Helena Fogarty doing to build brand equity for Mi Ola?

 Please provide a one to two-page paper on the topic. This work should include an opening paragraph clearly restating the questions (DO Not simply copy the questions). Then apply at least one complete paragraph on each of the topics, followed by a closing or summary paragraph. Cites and structure should comply with APA v6 style.  

Mi Ola Strives for a Marketing Splash

Helena Fogarty got the idea for her startup bikini manufacturing firm, Mi Ola (“My Wave”), when she learned to surf while on vacation from her fast-paced New York City fashion career. As much as she enjoyed the fun of riding a wave, she was frustrated with the fit and durability of her swimwear. Based on her experience, Fogarty identified a profitable opportunity to make a business splash with colorful bikini tops and bottoms designed to look good and to stay in place, in and out of the surf.

The target market is the segment of women who are active in water sports and seek the benefits of stylish swimwear that fits properly, wears well wash after wash, and protects the skin. Fogarty manufactures her bikinis domestically so she can be closer to her U.S. customers, monitor product quality, and have easy access to the newest fabrics. For added appeal and differentiation, she markets her products as “Made in America.”

Being the head designer, not just the founder, Fogarty puts her own personal taste into every product she creates. She plans for new products by researching what female surfers want and need, analyzing their comments and complaints about competing products, and coming up with ideas for solving customer problems. Once she develops new designs, she asks female surfers to test the tops and bottoms and then provide in-depth feedback about how the bikini pieces look, how they fit, how they feel, and how they can be improved. If a new item receives mixed reactions, she probes for more information. But if she hears mostly negative comments, she’ll take that product back to the drawing board for a redesign. Because she’s in the fashion business, Fogarty moves quickly to catch the newest trends while building in innovative features for functionality valued by women surfers.

Mi Ola is a new and unknown brand, so Fogarty is using a combination of social media and public relations to build awareness and attract the attention of retailers and customers alike. She appreciates the ability to post product photos on Facebook and, within a short time, read comments and count “likes” to gauge customer reaction. In addition, she posts product updates on Twitter and harnesses the visual qualities of Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube to convey her brand’s unique image of fashion and function.

Fogarty’s background includes working with top style brands such as Chanel, which means she understands that the fashion world revolves around the introduction of seasonal clothing collections. To be competitive, she must have her products ready during the periods when store buyers typically review new collections and place orders. As Mi Ola grows, she has had to make difficult decisions about how many pieces of each design, each color, and each size she will pay to manufacture. Here, the objective is to invest in sufficient inventory to meet projected demand without having an ocean of unsold bikinis left at the end of the season.

The entrepreneur is realistic about the need to make marketing decisions without complete information and within the framework of a young company’s limited resources. She believes in careful analysis, and she consults her expert advisory board for advice—but she is also determined to proceed aggressively toward higher market share month after month.