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

Renaissance Art

A period during the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries characterized by a revival in classical learning and an increase in secular values.

Humanism

An intellectual movement during the 15th century focused on developing the full potential of men. Its effect was to inspire individuals to abandon the traditional values of the medieval period and bring about new thoughts and creations. Human nature is the primary study, emphasizing the dignity of man and his potential.

Historical Context

• New Monarchies: The 15th and 16th centuries saw the declining influence of the church in the political affairs of Europe, the decline of feudalism, and the rise of the middle class.
  • Louis XI of France established an annual tax for land.
  • Henry VII of England

Richard Hoggart: The Father of Culturalism

Richard Hoggart followed culturalism, a current of thought that uses culture to analyze history and society. Growing up in a working-class family in Leeds amidst privations, he became the founder of the Birmingham Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies. He was an avid writer whose seminal book, ‘The Uses of Literacy’, remains a primary focus in the field.

The Significance of The Uses of Literacy

The book’s most significant achievement was demonstrating an interconnection between public values and private practice. This is exemplified by everyday activities such as men frequenting pubs or working clubs, as well as the nuances of family roles and gender relations.

Hoggart vs. the High Culture Gladiators

While... Continue reading "Richard Hoggart and Working Class Cultural Identity" »

Renaissance Art: Masters and Styles

Italian Renaissance

Sculpture

• Donatello: Revived the classical Greco-Roman style of sculpture that was realistic and could be viewed from all sides. Donatello's David was the first free-standing human sculpture in this period.
• Michelangelo: Painter, sculptor, architect, and poet. Characteristics: Realism, details of the human body, expression, emotion. His works: Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel with biblical images of amazing detail, beauty, and power. Creation of Man, Pieta was his most important sculpture.
• Leonardo da Vinci: Painter and sculptor. Characteristics: Incredible realism, emotion, depth, details, expression. His works: The Last Supper shows Jesus' last meeting with the 12 apostles before the crucifixion.

New Product Branding & Brand Extensions

New products are often vital to the long-term success of a firm. When a firm introduces a new product, it has three choices for branding it:

1. Develop a new brand, individually chosen for the new product.
2. Apply one of its existing brands.
3. Use a combination of a new brand and an existing brand.

Understanding Brand Extensions

A brand extension occurs when a firm uses an established brand name to introduce a new product. When a new brand is combined with an existing brand, the brand extension can also be a sub-brand. An existing brand that gives birth to a brand extension is known as the parent brand.

If the parent brand is already associated with multiple products through brand extensions, it may also be called... Continue reading "Strategic Brand Extension: Growth & Profitability" »

Many people agree that Messi, the historic soccer player, is the best player in the world. Throughout his career, he has been an idol for many people because of his incredible plays and amazing goals.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Messi was born on June 24, 1987, in the city of Rosario, Argentina. Possessing exceptional technical ability and exceptional speed, since he arrived at F.C. Barcelona at the age of 13, he made an accelerated career through the different categories up to the first team, in which he made his debut at just 16 years old.

Impact Under Pep Guardiola

But his real impact came with the arrival of Pep Guardiola on the Barça bench. During the four seasons in which the coach led the team, his goalscoring statistics reached very... Continue reading "Lionel Messi: The Legacy of a Football Legend" »

Branding Definition

A brand is a name, term, sign, symbol, or design, or a combination of these, used to identify the goods and services of a seller and to differentiate them from competitors. Consumers can easily recognize the brand and its values. Branding serves to identify products and distinguish them. A brand personality is a set of human characteristics associated with a brand name.

Functions of Brand Names

• Create an image and identification for a product
• Make it easy to distinguish products
• Help create effective promotion and advertising
• Guarantee a certain level of quality, quantity, and satisfaction

Benefits of Branding

This encourages repeat purchases through brand loyalty. Branding also helps businesses create product differentiation. Businesses... Continue reading "Branding Fundamentals and Decisions" »

Blake's Songs of Innocence and Experience

Infant Joy

This poem, from Songs of Innocence, is about a mother who has just given birth. Blake uses simple and direct language (despite some archaisms) to create an atmosphere of childlike simplicity. Through this simplicity, the poet conveys the intimacy between the two main poetic voices: the mother and child. An alternative interpretation suggests the dialogue is between the child and a poetic persona, rather than the mother.

The child remains nameless, serving as an embodiment of childhood itself. More importantly, names were traditionally given to introduce children into society. By having no name, the child represents pure innocence, as the Romantics often associated society with corruption. A... Continue reading "Symbolism and Themes in English Literature: Blake to Joyce" »

Essential English Vocabulary by Topic

Digital Technology and Online Life

• Charging a mobile phone
• Uploading photos
• Checking messages
• Designing software
• Using a landline phone
• Accessing the internet
• Search engine
• Social networking
• Mobile network
• Power
• Crash (computer)
• Use social media
• Keep in touch
• Post updates
• Account (online)
• Post comments
• Wireless technology
• Help to develop
• Delete
• Out of date
• Gadget
• User-friendly
• Save (data)
• Up-to-date
• Device store information
• Do a search
• Go viral
• Download apps
• Solve a problem
• Go online
• Laptop
• Screen
• Digital camera
• Webcam
• Headphones
• Keyboard
• Printer
• Scanner
• Tablet

Crime, Law, and News Media

• Masked
• Attack
• Brag
• Get away
• Witness
• Thief
• Evidence
• Suspect
• Robbery
• Patrol
• Prevent
• Goes off (alarm)
• Lock
• Break the law
• Safe (secure)
• Burglar alarm
• Press (media)
• Reporters
• Front page
• Daily

Modern Literature and the Rise of Modernism

Modernism is a complex movement which started sometime after 1910 and flourished in the 1920s and 1930s, involving all forms of art, from literature and music to the visual arts and cinema. One thing all the aspects of Modernism have in common is the desire to make a clean break with the traditions which came before them, through experimentation with form and style. Traditional forms of narration and representation are often rejected in favor of a direct attempt to represent the workings of the mind and of the unconscious. Modernist work is typically fragmentary and relative, favoring subjective perceptions of reality. The idea that there is only one truth or explanation of events is often rejected.... Continue reading "Understanding Modernism in Literature and the Novel" »