1.Becoming a Change Agent--Active Listening Active listening is one of the most powerful skills that can be used to connect with another human being. It is a technique that allows us to really be present for another person that extends far beyond “normal,” everyday conversations.At some point this week engage in a brief conversation with a friend, family member, co-worker or other person in your life.For the purpose of this discussion topic, please complete the following:1. During your conversation, take note of your active listening skills, such as eye contact, body language, silence, and verbal minimal encouragers.2. Concentrate on following the speaker's train of thought and see how many of the active listening skills mentioned in the textbook you used during the conversation.3. Respond to the following questions:a.  Did the results surprise you?b.  Were there some active listening skills that you demonstrated more than others?c.  Which skills do you need to practice?d.  What was hard and/or rewarding about this experience?4. Be sure and use in-text citations and references when you mention information from the textbook. 2.You Look Great for Your Age!: The Dimensions of Ageism Your readings for this discussion explore ageism and the implications of this injustice. In particular, this discussion focuses on the many ways that ageism is perpetuated in the U.S.For the purposes of this discussion please respond to the following:1.  Give 3 examples of the ways that ageism is perpetuated in our society.2.  What are some of the underlying factors which might account for discrimination against older persons?3.  What is the impact/personal cost of ageism?4.  Why should we care?5.  Do any of the examples you offered in #1 represent an intersection with other forms of oppression? Please explain3. Freedom of Religion and the Work Place http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/index.cfm2. Respond to the following questions.a.What role, if any, do you believe religion plays in the workplace?b.How far should a workplace be required to go to accommodate religious practice? (i.e. religious holidays, daily prayer time, religious expression at work (religious symbols in offices, saying "God bless you" on voice mail recordings)c.Is it possible to affirm our different religious (and nonreligious) beliefs in the workplace and still be good employees and co-workers? Please explain.

Instructions For this assignment, you will write an essay in which you compare and contrast the following strategic measurement tools used by business and human resource professionals as presented in the Required Unit Resources for this unit. Compare and contrast the following measurement tools.  Economic Value Added (EVA)  Return on Investment (ROI)  Balanced Scorecard (BSC)  HR Scorecard  What are the advantages and disadvantages of each measurement tool? Give an example of how each could be used in your current (or a previous) organization.   

LEGAL BRIEFS. 1. Case #1 Review the case on page 5 of the textbook entitled Brown v. Board of Education. Answer the following questions using the IRAC format discussed in this lesson. What was the issue that the U.S. Supreme Court addressed in this case? The rule is that “separate but equal” schools violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. How did the U.S. Supreme Court apply the facts in this case to this rule? What was the Court’s final conclusion? 2. Case #2 Review Case 4.4 on page 73 of the textbook entitled Cavazos, Acting Warden v. Smith. Answer the following questions using the IRAC format discussed in this lesson. What was the issue that the U.S. Supreme Court addressed in this case? The rule is that appellate courts are allowed to examine mistakes of law but are not entitled to address alleged mistakes of fact so long as the determination of facts by the lower court can be supported by the facts. How did the U.S. Supreme Court apply the facts in this case to this rule? What was the Court’s final conclusion? 3. Review the case entitled Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Cockrell on page 87 of the textbook (Case 5.1). Using the IRAC form discussed earlier, state the issue that this case is analyzing. What is the rule of law that is applicable here? Apply the facts from the case to the rule of law that you are using. Then draw a conclusion regarding the issue that is being analyzing. 4. Review the case set forth in the textbook in the section entitled Ethics Cases on page 153. The case is called Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. v. Passport Video. Using the IRAC form discussed earlier, state the main issue addressed in this case. Explain the rule(s) that would apply to resolving this issue. Apply the facts in this case to that rule(s). Then draw your conclusion regarding the resolution of this issue.