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

Middle Ages and the Dawn of the Renaissance

The Middle Ages preceded the Renaissance.

Humanism

• Life didn't have to be all work.
• Humans could enjoy comforts.

Utopia: Definition and Origin

An ideally perfect place; an impractical idealistic scheme. The term originates from two Greek words: ou ("not") and topos ("place"), meaning "nowhere." The word was coined by Thomas More in 1516 when he wrote a book titled Utopia.

Utopian Concepts

• A beautiful society with a generally pacifistic attitude.
• Poverty and misery are eliminated.
• Very few laws are necessary.
• Money is not necessary.
• People only perform work that they enjoy and which benefits the common good.

Varieties of Utopia

• Ecological Utopia: A traditional way of life that is more in harmony with nature; an organic way of life.
• Economic Utopia: An equal distribution of goods, frequently with the total abolition of money. Citizens only do work they enjoy and

Adjectives with -er and -est

big bigger than biggest
busy busier than busiest
cheap cheaper than cheapest
clean cleaner than cleanest
cold colder than coldest
cool cooler than coolest
dark darker than darkest
deeep deeper than deepest
dirty dirtier than dirtiest
dry drier than driest
easy easier than easiest
fast fastier than fastiest
friendly friendlier than friendliest
funny funnier than funniest

Adjectives with more and most

attractive: more attractive than the most attractive
beautiful: more beautiful than the most beautiful

Irregular adjectives

good better best
bad worse the worst

Articles

Article 1: howover= sin embargo, himself= el mismo
Article 2: began=empezo, join= unirse, boiled= hervido, desire= deseo, upward= hacia arriba
Article 3: self-aware= reconocerse,... Continue reading "Comparative and Superlative Adjectives, Irregular Adjectives, and Articles" »

Essential Movie & Film Terms

Action movie: A movie with many exciting and violent scenes. // Cast: All the actors and actresses in a movie or TV show // Character: One of the people in a story // Cinema: A place where movies are shown on a big screen // Comedy: A film with lots of funny scenes. // Director: The person in charge of making a movie // Documentary: A film that's about real people, events, or issues // Drama: A movie about realistic characters in dramatic situations // Entertainment: Enjoyment from movies, concerts, TV shows, etc. // Family movie: A movie that both children and adults can enjoy // Film: Another word for movie (or motion picture) // Genre: A kind or style of music, movie, TV show, painting, etc. // Horror movie:

Core Journalism Concepts

Writing Style and News Criteria

• Inverted Pyramid: A common writing style in journalism, prioritizing the most important information first. It was notably developed during the Civil War.
• Prominence: A newspaper story criterion focusing on well-known or popular subjects.
• Proximity: A newspaper story criterion relating to the geographical closeness of an event to the readers.

News Content and Influence

• Weather: Often considered the most important news broadcast section for many viewers.
• Sports: Particularly significant in regions like Texas.
• Media Control: The idea that an authoritarian elite group can control press content.
• 9/11 Reference: The term "Bastards" was noted in relation to the 9/11 attacks.
• Social Media: Holds huge influence

Outfoxed: A Critique of Journalistic Integrity

In my opinion, Outfoxed highlights a significant issue that discredits modern journalism. It demonstrates how Fox News is driven more by political ideologies than by the veracity of facts. I believe this is a major problem for the industry, as it is a trend occurring in other countries, albeit perhaps not as exaggerated as on Fox TV.

I struggle to understand how journalists become involved in this game. I am not referring to the editors who fear losing their jobs, but rather the TV presenters who attack guests and ridicule them to assert the supremacy of their own ideology. Such individuals are not journalists; they are propagandists, and they are a dishonor to the profession.

The downside of the... Continue reading "Media Ethics and the Power of Investigative Journalism" »

William Blake's Songs of Innocence and Experience: Two Contrary States of the Human Soul

William Blake's initial intention for Songs of Innocence and of Experience was to create a book for children, dedicated to the theme of innocence. The book's frontispiece, a key visual element, depicts an angel and a man holding a pipe or a flute. Two trees frame a gateway through which the man appears to be entering. Interestingly, he is shown seemingly naked, yet also clothed, a visual paradox. This image serves as a representation of the introductory poem, suggesting that the book illuminates the reader, much like the "Children's faces" mentioned in the text. The contrasting attitudes of the woman and the children, highlighting the adult versus child... Continue reading "William Blake's Songs of Innocence and Experience: Symbolism and Themes" »

Student’s Book Vocabulary

Page 29: Musical Idioms

• Face the music: Accept criticism or punishment for something you did.
• Blow your own trumpet: Talk about your achievements.

Page 30: Key Terms

• Struggle (line 10): Fight.
• Midst (line 11): Middle.
• Conductor (line 16): Person who leads the musicians in an orchestra.
• Fulfil (line 18): Achieve or get (a dream).
• Manage (line 21): Succeed in doing something.
• Procure (line 22): Obtain.
• Give up (line 27): Abandon or leave.
• Point out: Draw somebody’s attention to show or indicate something.
• Make a point: Consider something as indispensable.
• There’s no point: There is no reason for something.
• Get the point: Understand the intention.
• What’s the point?: Asking for the use or purpose of something.

Page 31: Vocabulary

Context and Intended Audience

This cartoon, created by award-winning Australian political cartoonist Andrew Marlton, was published shortly after NASA's discovery of water on Mars. The intended audience is primarily individuals aged 15-35. The cartoon presents a complex and serious topic humorously, making it engaging for a younger audience who may prefer learning through humor rather than a purely factual article.

Cartoon Description and Analysis

Initial Panel: Dogs and Mars

The cartoon is presented as a comic strip, employing exaggeration and whimsical characters, such as dogs, to address a serious issue. It begins with a headline announcing the discovery of water on Mars. Below, two dogs are depicted observing Mars, which is illustrated with... Continue reading "Mars Water Discovery: A Humorous Cartoon Analysis" »