Trading and business in Islam has been identified as the second best profession after agriculture and Prophet Muhammad （PBUH） himself has been engaged in trading. The Islamic theory of market aims to provide optimiz...Trading and business in Islam has been identified as the second best profession after agriculture and Prophet Muhammad （PBUH） himself has been engaged in trading. The Islamic theory of market aims to provide optimization of returns and satisfaction for all stakeholders. It also seeks to make ＂free market＂ an instrument of promoting equity and social justice for the welfare of society. It combines tenants from the free market model as well as those in command market economy. Islamic economics identifies certain functional parameters for the efficient functioning of the market to achieve the optimization of returns and social welfare like absence of middle men, prohibition of hoarding, mode of finance free from interest and usury, taxation and other wealth redistribution instruments like Zakat and Khums, asset-based and risk-sharing partnerships and stakes, etc.. It essentially creates conditions for proper functioning of a competitive market as an instrument of economic progress and social equity. In Islamic economics, the role accorded to the state is to ensure that institutions are set up and vigilance officers are appointed which create the specified condition for the proper and fair functioning of the market and hence preventing what is identified as ＂market failure＂. The role of the state is to improve the functioning of the market as opposed to that of systematic intervention. This paper tries to examine the Islamic notions of ＂free market＂ in the traditional sources like Qur＇an, Hadees, the early texts of Islamic Jurisprudence, and contemporary writings on Islamic economic system and to make a comparative analysis with theories of market in capitalist and socialist frameworks. The paper will examine the extent to which Islamic notions of free market offer an alternative model to resolve the problems of growth, inequity, and risk management.展开更多
A design project was used in junior level mechanical design course to challenge the students＇ creativity skills. Beside the theoretical foundation of the course subject, the students were introduced to several profes...A design project was used in junior level mechanical design course to challenge the students＇ creativity skills. Beside the theoretical foundation of the course subject, the students were introduced to several professional skills such as： decision making tools, technical review meetings, interaction with customers, and teamwork skills. The design challenge was to develop a bike rack to meet a list of technical and marketing constraints. Details of the project requirements are presented with a brief overview of the main project mentoring tools. Students＇ creativity is discussed through two samples of the student work. It was noticed that, the basic creativity skills of the students can be improved by using some of the training tools, however, the students vary in their response to this training.展开更多
Learner autonomy (LA) has attracted more and more attention especially in the western world since 1970s. In recent years, a considerable number of Chinese researchers have begun to show great interest in LA. However, ...Learner autonomy (LA) has attracted more and more attention especially in the western world since 1970s. In recent years, a considerable number of Chinese researchers have begun to show great interest in LA. However, research on LA with Chinese students has not yet come to any definite conclusion about the applicability of LA in the local context. This study aims to elicit some useful information based on the investigation of Chinese students' attitudes towards LA. The questionnaire is composed of 24 statements, concerning the students' attitudes and perception towards language learning, teachers' and learners' roles, and perception of their capability in language learning. The results indicate that students show positive attitudes towards LA; they have a general desire to be involved in the language learning process and believe in the value of effort and self-discipline. The paper then, based on the results of the study, puts forward a few tentative suggestions as to how to facilitate the development of LA in Chinese pedagogical context. Teachers should transfer more power to students in classroom, and provide more room for student involvement in language teaching. Meanwhile, it is essential to raise students' awareness for Autonomous Language learning (ALL) and enhance their abilities in doing so.展开更多
文摘Trading and business in Islam has been identified as the second best profession after agriculture and Prophet Muhammad （PBUH） himself has been engaged in trading. The Islamic theory of market aims to provide optimization of returns and satisfaction for all stakeholders. It also seeks to make ＂free market＂ an instrument of promoting equity and social justice for the welfare of society. It combines tenants from the free market model as well as those in command market economy. Islamic economics identifies certain functional parameters for the efficient functioning of the market to achieve the optimization of returns and social welfare like absence of middle men, prohibition of hoarding, mode of finance free from interest and usury, taxation and other wealth redistribution instruments like Zakat and Khums, asset-based and risk-sharing partnerships and stakes, etc.. It essentially creates conditions for proper functioning of a competitive market as an instrument of economic progress and social equity. In Islamic economics, the role accorded to the state is to ensure that institutions are set up and vigilance officers are appointed which create the specified condition for the proper and fair functioning of the market and hence preventing what is identified as ＂market failure＂. The role of the state is to improve the functioning of the market as opposed to that of systematic intervention. This paper tries to examine the Islamic notions of ＂free market＂ in the traditional sources like Qur＇an, Hadees, the early texts of Islamic Jurisprudence, and contemporary writings on Islamic economic system and to make a comparative analysis with theories of market in capitalist and socialist frameworks. The paper will examine the extent to which Islamic notions of free market offer an alternative model to resolve the problems of growth, inequity, and risk management.
文摘A design project was used in junior level mechanical design course to challenge the students＇ creativity skills. Beside the theoretical foundation of the course subject, the students were introduced to several professional skills such as： decision making tools, technical review meetings, interaction with customers, and teamwork skills. The design challenge was to develop a bike rack to meet a list of technical and marketing constraints. Details of the project requirements are presented with a brief overview of the main project mentoring tools. Students＇ creativity is discussed through two samples of the student work. It was noticed that, the basic creativity skills of the students can be improved by using some of the training tools, however, the students vary in their response to this training.
文摘Learner autonomy (LA) has attracted more and more attention especially in the western world since 1970s. In recent years, a considerable number of Chinese researchers have begun to show great interest in LA. However, research on LA with Chinese students has not yet come to any definite conclusion about the applicability of LA in the local context. This study aims to elicit some useful information based on the investigation of Chinese students' attitudes towards LA. The questionnaire is composed of 24 statements, concerning the students' attitudes and perception towards language learning, teachers' and learners' roles, and perception of their capability in language learning. The results indicate that students show positive attitudes towards LA; they have a general desire to be involved in the language learning process and believe in the value of effort and self-discipline. The paper then, based on the results of the study, puts forward a few tentative suggestions as to how to facilitate the development of LA in Chinese pedagogical context. Teachers should transfer more power to students in classroom, and provide more room for student involvement in language teaching. Meanwhile, it is essential to raise students' awareness for Autonomous Language learning (ALL) and enhance their abilities in doing so.
