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

• The earliest preserved art object to date to the Paleolithic period, which occurred between 44000 and 9000 BCE.

• The inhabitants of ancient Sumer in Mesopotamia established the earliest city-states.

• Hierarchy of scale is used to indicate the greater importance of figures by either size or position.

• The Neolithic architecture in northern Europe is described as megalithic because it uses large stones.

• The two centuries of peace that began under the reign of the emperor Augustus are called the Pax Romana.

• Any sculpture that is completely detached from its original material so that it can be seen from all sides is called a sculpture in the round.

• Ancient Mesopotamia is situated in the so-called “fertile crescent” between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

... Continue reading "Ancient Art and Architecture Glossary: Terms, Styles, and Concepts" »

The Modern Theater

THE MODERN THEATER.
REALISM: An attempt to faithfully reproduce the surface appearance of life, especially that of ordinary people in every day situations.
CHARACTERISTICS: 1. Eliminates traditional conventions; utilizes realistic conventions.
2. Presents controversial and/or unpleasant themes.
3. A box set (3 walled room -- realistic instead of proscenium)
4. Actors and actresses must behave as if they lived in a room; speak and act naturally, which means that they don't declaim in oratorical passion, nor talk to the audience.
5. No soliloquies nor asides.



HENRIK IBSEN (1828-1906): Is considered the father of modern realistic drama, His plays attacked society's values and dealt with unconventional subjects within the form of the... Continue reading "The Emergence of Realism in Modern Theater" »

Key Concepts in Rhetoric and Public Speaking

This glossary defines fundamental terms related to persuasive communication, audience analysis, speech delivery, and logical reasoning.

Ethos

Ethical appeal, based on the speaker's credibility and character.

Pathos

Persuading the audience through emotional appeal.

Logos

An appeal that is rational and reasonable, based on evidence and logic.

Mythos

A term given when content supports a claim by reminding the audience of shared cultural values or history.

Rhetoric

The art of persuasive speech and effective communication.

Oratory

A form of eloquent public speaking.

Delayed Feedback

Audience response received after the speech is performed.

Internal Previews

Transitions that tell the audience what you will say next, helping... Continue reading "Essential Vocabulary for Rhetoric and Effective Public Speaking" »

Essential Film and Audio Production Terms

Radio and Podcasting

• Radcom brief: Similar to a job advertisement.
• Pod: A radio program that is stored in a digital format, which you can download.

Film Production

• Cue: A word or action in a film that is used as a signal by a performer to begin saying or doing something.
• Running order: The order in which the parts of an event have been arranged to happen.
• Debriefing: A document that collects information about the customer.
• Release form: Permission to shoot on certain locations.
• DV footage: Nonprofessional filming.
• Pull focus: The focus of the camera is moved from one point to another.
• Recce: To visit a place to see the location and possibilities.
• Hook: Something that keeps you watching a film.
• Approach: To come

... Continue reading "Essential Film and Audio Production Terms and Definitions" »

Constructivism in International Relations

Main Scholars

• Alexander Wendt

Origins and Core Tenets

Constructivism emerged in the 1980s as an alternative perspective to neo-realism and neo-liberalism. It posits that International Relations (IR) is a social construction, not an objective discipline. Reality is mutable; there is no material world independent of human perception and cognition (linking to Immanuel Kant's ideas).

Theoretical Stance

• It adopts a critical and normative view of IR.
• It links conceptually with idealism and Marxism.
• It rejects the notion of an external, objective reality as such.
• It specifically rejects the Hobbesian state of nature concept.
• Social phenomena are understood as being humanly and socially constructed.
• It favors a subjective

... Continue reading "Understanding Constructivism in International Relations Theory" »

Managing Audiovisual and Entertainment Production

Audiovisual and entertainment production involves planning, organizing, overseeing, and managing the financial, material, technical, and human resources required for a project. This ensures compliance with production time, cost plans, and overall project conditions.

Essential Skills for Production Management

Successful production managers require expertise in:

• Audiovisual and scenic technical media
• Project planning for audiovisuals, shows, and events
• Administration and promotion of entertainment and audiovisuals
• Management of audiovisual and scenic resources
• Project management across film, video, multimedia, TV, radio, shows, and events

The Six Phases of Audiovisual Production

Phase 1: Development

The... Continue reading "Mastering Audiovisual Production Management and Crew Roles" »

1. The Hook Shot

This shot is sometimes called a leading shot. It’s the shot that grabs you or ‘hooks’ your attention and draws you into the photo-essay. It’s often the first shot of the essay. It is an image of a thing or person that is often very creative and leaves the viewer wanting information about the topic.

2. The Establishing Shot

The establishing shot lays out the visual context for the story. It is often a wide shot that shows the setting or the environment where the story takes place or where the character lives/has been.

3. The Medium Shot

The medium shot serves to inform the viewer who the characters are, and what they are doing. The shot should include both the subject and its surrounding. If your story has people in it, the... Continue reading "Essential Shots in Photo-Essays: A Guide" »

Literary Terms and Definitions

Iridescent: Showing luminous colors that seem to change when seen from different angles.

Infallibility: Knowing truth with certainty. Can refer to a person (or a group of persons), to an act of teaching by these persons, or to the information being taught.

Mar: Impair the appearance of; disfigure.

Condone: Accept and allow (behavior that is considered morally wrong or offensive) to continue.

Disarming: (Of manner or behavior) having the effect of allaying suspicion or hostility, especially through charm.

Uncanny: Strange or mysterious, especially in an unsettling way.

Solicitously: Anxious or concerned.

Scruples: A feeling of doubt or hesitation with regard to the morality or propriety of a course of action.

Zealous: Feeling... Continue reading "Literary Terms and Definitions: Enhance Your Understanding" »

T.1: Feelings and Activities

Enjoyable, relaxing, dull (bored), exciting, interesting, frustrating

Verbs related to Activities:

• HAVE: a bad time, an hour's rest, a laugh (hacer reir), fun, a great time
• TAKE: a break, a rest, an opportunity
• SPEND: your (free) time, your morning
• WASTE (malgastar): your pocket money, energy

T.2: Adjectives and Phrasal Verbs

Complained (quejarse), attention span (capacidad atenc.), medium (medio), seekers (buscadores) / comical, respectable, cowardly, courageous, resourceful, spiteful (rencoroso), sentimental, angry

Phrasal Verbs:

• check over: asegurarse está bien
• work at: intentar hacer algo
• turn over: pensar repetidamente
• write down: apuntar papel
• get across: comunicar idea
• come up, come to

T.3: Achievement and Time Clauses

Reach... Continue reading "English Vocabulary and Grammar Cheat Sheet" »

Knowledge Sources in the Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, knowledge gained from the Holy Scriptures was given more credibility than information acquired through experiments.

The 17th Century Scientific Revolution

A scientific revolution is considered to have taken place in the 17th century due to significant advancements across various fields:

• In astronomy, the heliocentric theory of the universe was proposed.
• In medicine, physicians began dissecting human bodies, making progress in the field of anatomy.
• In physics and chemistry, the properties of matter were discovered.
• In geography, highly accurate world maps were created.
• In botany and zoology, the first classifications of living organisms were made.

Nicolaus Copernicus and His Heliocentric Theory

Nicolaus... Continue reading "Middle Ages Knowledge, Scientific Revolution, Baroque Art" »