Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Arts and Humanities

Social Influence on Gender and Emotions

From a young age, society shapes our understanding of gender and emotions. Societal pressures often encourage women to be more emotional, while men are expected to be more aggressive and physical. This early characterization influences children's play and behavior, with girls often engaging in gentle, emotional games, and boys in more physical and violent ones.

The Anguish of Separateness

Separateness is a source of human anguish, leading to feelings of isolation and helplessness. This isolation can feel like an 'asylum,' preventing genuine connection with others. The story of Adam and Eve illustrates this; upon realizing their nakedness and difference (being of different sexes), they felt shame and guilt,... Continue reading "Societal Impact on Gender, Emotions, and Human Connection" »

Medieval Period (13th and 14th Centuries)

The Medieval period saw advances in the Reconquista and strong literary development, exemplified by Gonzalo de Berceo. This era focused on verse and religious subjects with a didactic purpose.

• Cuaderna Vía: Stanza formed by four monorhyme verses.
• Alexandrine Verse: Verse of fourteen syllables.
• Celestina: Marks a departure from medieval ideals, reflecting the spirit of the time.

Renaissance (16th Century)

The Italian Influence and Realism

The Renaissance, originating in Italy during the 16th century (Siglos de Oro), marked a rebirth of classical learning, emphasizing change, human development, and natural elegance.

• Garcilaso de la Vega: Noble warrior and poet known for his eleven-syllable verse, sonnets, and

Twentieth Century Novel Characteristics

It is characterized by significant technical innovations. The narrative technique experiences a dramatic renewal.

Narrator and Point of View

The narrator tends to be objective, acting as a film camera. It merely reports what the characters say or do. Some techniques favor the narrator's "disappearance":

• Dialogue gains importance and occupies much of the novel.
• The free indirect style is introduced, using the third person.
• First-person narrative is often used, allowing access to much information. This is taken to its extreme with interior monologue.
• Sometimes, second-person narrative is used, where the narrator tells "you" the facts, addressing either another person or the self.

Argument Focus

The argument is not... Continue reading "Novel Techniques: 20th Century and Post-War Spain" »

Mass Communication Media (MCM) Defined

Mass Communication Media (MCM) are artificial channels through which messages are transmitted to a receiver or social group.

Purpose of Mass Media

The primary purposes of mass media are to inform, educate, entertain, and shape public opinion.

Impact and Effects of Media

Regarding the effect of delivering information and advertising, mass media can:

• Convince people to adopt (persuasion) or avoid (deterrence) a certain attitude.
• Influence and shape public opinion.

Types of Mass Communication Media

Mass media can be categorized by their sensory elements:

• Verbal/Auditory Media (e.g., Radio): Utilize paraverbal elements (intonation) and nonverbal elements (music, sound effects).
• Written/Visual Media (e.g., Newspapers,

Realism Literary Movement

Realism was a literary movement that appeared in France in the second half of the nineteenth century, manifested in the narrative genre. Realists rejected the idealism of Romanticism and defended an art inspired by nature to represent in their work, adopting an attitude of thorough observation of the social environment.

Realism Characteristics

• Aims to reflect contemporary everyday life.
• Detailed description of location and time of action.
• Characters typically belong to the middle and lower classes; authors delve into psychological aspects explaining behavior.
• Narrative Techniques: third-person omniscient narrator, free indirect style, and interior monologue.

Naturalism Literary Movement

Naturalism was a literary movement that... Continue reading "Realism and Naturalism Literary Movements" »

Marketing and Research Techniques

1. Brainstorming

Characterized by bringing together a group of people to discuss a topic. It aims to generate ideas among all participants and select the best ones from the brainstorming session.

2. Delphi Method

The Delphi method presents the following characteristics:

• Anonymity: Participants are unknown to each other, and even personal data remains confidential. Anonymity allows individuals to express their opinions freely without fear of judgment.
• Moderator: A moderator guides the discussion and ensures the group stays focused on the topic.
• Free Response Interviews: Respondents answer interview questions openly. While there's a possibility of insincere answers, it's often balanced by the diverse perspectives of

Phidias and Classical Greek Sculpture

Phidias represents the peak of Greek classicism. His figures are ideal prototypes, full of serenity, balance, and beauty. His works are characterized by the serene expression on the faces and the flexibility and transparency of the garments. He is the artist who best represented the gods. Phidias cultivated both free-standing sculpture and relief, reaching a very high degree of perfection.

Decoration of the Parthenon

Phidias was entrusted with the sculptural decoration of the Parthenon, primarily situated in the pediments, friezes, and metopes. He devised and supervised the work. Some characteristics of Phidias' style are:

• The clothing, using the technique of "wet drapery," allows the anatomy to be appreciated,

Radio: Information, Education, and Entertainment

Radio's primary function is to inform, educate, and entertain.

Language of Radio

Spoken Word

Spoken Word is characterized by oral language traits: spontaneity, immediacy, fleetingness, informality, and repetition. Since it's primarily auditory, the speaker must use intonation, vocalization, pauses, inflection, and rhythm to maintain listener interest (Parasintetic Elements).

Music

Music serves various purposes, including identifying programs or stations, marking program segments, introducing advertisements, filling gaps, setting the mood, and providing content for music-focused programs.

Sound Effects

Sound effects help listeners interpret messages correctly and imagine events: applause, laughter, screams,... Continue reading "Radio and Television: Genres, Language, and Elements" »

The Novel

Definition

The novel is a prominent contemporary narrative subgenre, captivating both critics and audiences. It presents narrative patterns found in other subgenres, offering a compelling storytelling experience.

It is a story of considerable length, centered around a narrator who presents actions, characters, times, and places, emphasizing one of these categories as dominant.

Structural Elements

1. Time

As a story, the novel's events are arranged in a specific sequence.

• Time of speech: The final point in time of the narrated events.
• Story time: The timeframe in which the story unfolds.

2. Space

Space serves to locate characters and their actions, creating symbolic effects. It functions independently and can symbolize character or mood.

3. Plot

The... Continue reading "Understanding the Novel: Structure, Elements, and Classification" »

The Thinker by Auguste Rodin

Basic Information

• Name: The Thinker
• Author: Auguste Rodin
• Commissioned by: The Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris, on August 16, 1880
• Date: 1880-1900
• Project: Part of *The Gates of Hell*, an ambitious project with 186 figures, which remained unfinished.
• Style: French Impressionism
• Original Location: Not specified
• Current Location: Rodin Museum in Paris

Description and Technical Details

• Materials: Bronze, sculpted from a single block
• Dimensions: 1.98 meters x 1.29 meters x 1.34 meters (large scale)
• Color: Monochrome
• Short Description: *The Thinker* depicts a man with exaggerated musculature in a reflective pose.
• Technique: Casting
• Position: Seated
• Figurative/Non-Figurative: Figurative
• Volume: Closed
• Anatomy: Muscular anatomy, with