Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Other courses

Chapter 5: Uncovering Systemic Injustice

Bryan Stevenson begins a deeper investigation into Walter McMillian’s case, uncovering significant misconduct by law enforcement and the prosecution. He discovers that Walter was placed on death row before his trial, an unusual and cruel treatment that underscored the racial bias in the case. Stevenson learns about the prosecution’s reliance on coerced and fabricated testimony from Ralph Myers and Bill Hooks. He faces hostility and intimidation from local officials as he works to challenge the wrongful conviction.

Key Figures and Their Roles in the Case

Walter McMillian

Walter was placed on death row even before being convicted, a rare and punitive measure. His alibi—being at a fish fry with dozens

Support Vector Machines (SVM)

A support vector machine is a supervised method for classification or regression that seeks a boundary in a high-dimensional space which separates classes with the widest possible margin. The training process involves choosing a boundary that maximizes the distance to the nearest training points, known as support vectors. When data are not perfectly separable, slack variables can be introduced to allow some misclassifications or margin violations while balancing margin maximization and classification accuracy. A kernel is a special function that effectively maps data into higher-dimensional spaces without doing the mapping explicitly; it lets the support vector machine handle nonlinear relationships by measuring... Continue reading "Machine Learning Algorithms: Comprehensive Definitions" »

Email Structure: Key Components

Subject Line: Clear and relevant (e.g., "Inquiry About Extended Essay Research Sources").

Salutation: Polite greeting (e.g., "Dear Ms. Smith").

Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself and the purpose of the email (e.g., "I am a Year 12 student seeking guidance on...").

Main Content: Provide details concisely; ask clear questions.

Connection to IB Values: Relate to IB Learner Profile traits if applicable (e.g., "As an inquirer...").

Closing: Summarize points and express gratitude (e.g., "Thank you for your consideration.").

Sign-Off: Formal closing (e.g., "Sincerely,").

Signature: Name, role, and contact info (e.g., Alex Johnson, Year 12 Student, XYZ School).

Essay Structure: A Comprehensive Outline

Title: Clear and concise;... Continue reading "Effective Email, Essay, and Letter Structures" »

Black Beauty: A Horse's Enduring Story

"Black Beauty" is a timeless classic novel, told from the unique perspective of a horse. This poignant narrative by Anna Sewell delves into themes of animal welfare, human kindness, and the harsh realities faced by working animals in Victorian England.

Early Life and Birtwick Hall

The story begins on Farmer Grey’s farm, where young Black Beauty grows up content and happy, learning obedience and strength in a calm, peaceful setting. His idyllic early life, however, takes a significant turn when he is sold to Squire Gordon and moved to the esteemed Birtwick Hall. Here, he experiences a period of excellent care, treated kindly by the compassionate coachman John Manly. At Birtwick, Black Beauty forms bonds... Continue reading "Black Beauty's Journey: A Horse's Tale of Resilience" »

Competition vs. Cooperation in Education

The question of whether schools should prioritize competition or cooperation in their approach to education is complex, with valid arguments on both sides. While fostering a competitive spirit can drive individual achievement, an emphasis on collaboration and teamwork builds crucial social and interpersonal skills vital for success in the modern world.

Arguments for Competition

Arguments for promoting competition in schools often center on the idea that it pushes students to strive for excellence. A competitive environment can motivate students to work harder, achieve higher grades, and develop a strong work ethic. This drive for individual success can lead to greater personal achievement and potentially... Continue reading "Competition vs. Cooperation in Education: A Balanced Approach" »

Human Needs and Abilities

• Humans develop abilities because of their needs and the opportunities to fulfill them.
• The need to experience is central to human existence and is never fully satisfied.

The Systematic Nature of Existence

• Everything in the human body is considered a system.
• Humans interact with both physical and conceptual realities from the moment they are created.

Defining Human Systems

• A system is a group of elements working together to create a complex whole.
• Examples of human systems include hand and face development, language, and the shift from orality to writing.

Layers of Systematic Reality

The Natural Layer: Biological & Psychological

• This layer includes biological and psychological aspects that can be verified scientifically.

The

Strategic Approach: Begins with technical reviews to identify errors early. Moves from component-level (unit testing) to system-level integration. Different strategies suit conventional software, object-oriented software, and web applications.

Strategies for Different Systems

• Conventional Software: Focus on module testing and integration.
• Object-Oriented Software: Emphasis shifts to classes, attributes, and their collaborations.
• Web Applications: Covers usability, interface, security, and environmental compatibility.

Key Strategic Issues: Define requirements quantitatively before testing. Develop robust software with self-testing capabilities. Use iterative testing cycles to refine quality. Employ independent testers alongside developers.

Regression

International Law and National Legal Systems

The relationship between International Law and national legal systems is complex and dynamic. The lack of a solid institutional structure in International Law means that its application largely depends on the will of States. However, the growing importance of international cooperation and integration organizations has added new layers of complexity to this relationship, especially as these organizations take on functions that have traditionally been the responsibility of States.

Integration of International Law into National Legal Systems

The integration of International Law into national legal systems presents fundamental challenges. The need for specific acts of reception to incorporate international... Continue reading "International Law's Impact on National Legal Systems" »

Key Concepts of Critical Theory

The Culture Industry

• Homogenization of content and audiences.
• Fragmentation of values and promotion of consumerism.
• Advertising acts as an ideological pillar reinforcing the capitalist system.
• *Impact:* Instead of encouraging critical thinking, culture promotes rigid mindsets and conformity.

Pseudoculture

Trivial culture that helps preserve the bourgeois system through specific values (e.g., success, latent authoritarianism).

One-Dimensional Society

• Integrates individuals into the productive system through false needs.
• Suppresses social conflict and the possibility of cultural emancipation.
• Both high and low culture are controlled by market rules.

Technical Reproducibility of Art (Walter Benjamin)

• Loss of Aura: Art loses