Celia Wolf-Devine: Proportional Representation

question 24

Multiple Choice

Celia Wolf-Devine: Proportional Representation
In "Proportional Representation," Celia Wolf-Devine examines what she takes to be a basic presupposition of the debate over affirmative action: that the low percentage of women and minorities employed as college professors relative to their proportion in society as a whole is a problem in need of remedy. She presents two arguments for this claim and finds each of them wanting. According to the first argument, the under-representation of women and minorities in academia must, as a requirement of justice, be remedied because it is the result of discrimination. Wolf-Devine, however, argues that this under-representation can be reasonably explained by factors other than discrimination. For example, Wolf-Devine argues that there is no reason to suppose all racial and ethnic groups share an equally strong desire to pursue college teaching. On Wolf-Devine's view, different ethnic and racial groups have different ideas about what careers are most prestigious and worth pursuing. In addition, large numbers of racial and ethnic minorities have been scarred by the effects of poverty, which have created serious obstacles to entering college, let alone entering college teaching. And with respect to women, Wolf-Devine claims that their statistical under-representation may partly reflect personal preferences and choices-such as decisions to spend more time on childcare-rather than simply the operation of discriminatory hiring.
According to the second argument Wolf-Devine considers, college faculties should reduce the under-representation of women and minorities because of the benefit brought by the resulting increase in diversity. Given that intelligent dialogue is a vital part of the purpose of universities, Wolf-Devine accepts that intellectual diversity is beneficial. However, Wolf-Devine argues that gender and racial diversity does not guarantee intellectual diversity. In fact, gender and racial diversity is compatible with total ideological conformity in Wolf-Devine's view. Moreover, Wolf-Devine argues that we should not suppose that an individuals' gender or race indicates what beliefs or intellectual commitments they hold. Indeed, to do so is to engage in a demeaning form of stereotyping according to Wolf-Devine.
-According to Wolf-Devine, affirmative action is often defended not only as a way of combating unjust discrimination in academic hiring, but also as a way of:

• A) improving race relations.
• B) promoting diversity.
• C) closing the gap between rich and poor.
• D) all of the above.

Understand the concepts of direct material and direct labor variances including rate, efficiency, and quantity variances.

Identify and calculate variances related to direct material price and quantity.

Identify and calculate variances related to direct labor rate and efficiency.

Understand the components and calculations of variable overhead and fixed overhead variances.

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Definitions:

Business Investment Expenditures

Business investment expenditures refer to the outlays by companies on capital goods, including machinery, equipment, and buildings, aiming to enhance their production or operations.

Consumer Durable Expenditures

Spending on goods that are expected to last for more than three years, such as appliances, vehicles, and furniture.

Corporate Tax Rate

The percentage of a corporation's profits that is paid as tax to the government.

Fixed Costs

Costs that do not change with the level of output or sales, such as rent or salaries.