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

The Foundations of Islamic Civilization and Art

Historical Context of Islamic Civilization

The Islamic civilization originated from the momentum of the new religion preached by Muhammad and his ability to unite the nomadic peoples of the Arabian Peninsula. Its architectural definition begins in the Umayyad period, marked by Byzantine influence, where the fundamental model of the mosque (patio, prayer hall, mihrab) was established. The civilization's historical span often concludes with the period of the Ottoman Turks.

Islamic Periods in Spain

In Spain, the most significant periods include the Caliphate period and the Nasrid period. These eras were situated between the period of the Taifa kingdoms and the subsequent rule of the Almoravids and Almohads.... Continue reading "Key Elements of Islamic Civilization, Architecture, and Art" »

Gestalt Principles: Perception and Marketing

According to the Gestalt school of thought, the content of perception is not simply the sum of the qualities corresponding to the projected image. The mind organizes information into simple forms, suggesting that basic and simple messages are most effective.

Figure-Ground Relationship

Perception requires contrast with the environment. Individuals organize stimuli into a figure and a background:

• Figure: The central element that captures attention, well-defined, solid, and in the foreground.
• Ground: Seen as poorly differentiated, indefinite, vague, and continuous.

While people tend to organize perceptions in terms of figure and ground, the decision of what is perceived as figure and what as background depends... Continue reading "Gestalt Principles: Enhance Perception and Marketing Strategies" »

The Double Articulation of Language

Language is characterized by its double articulation, meaning it is structured on two distinct levels:

• First Articulation: Monemes

  Monemes are the minimum units of meaning. They carry both lexical and grammatical information. For example, in the word cats, cat is a moneme carrying lexical meaning, and -s is a moneme carrying grammatical meaning (plurality).

• Second Articulation: Phonemes

  Phonemes are the minimum units without meaning. They are distinctive sound units that differentiate words. For example, the sounds /k/, /æ/, /t/, /s/ in cats are phonemes; individually, they have no meaning, but their combination creates meaningful units.

Properties of the Linguistic Sign

Language is a system composed of interdependent... Continue reading "Fundamentals of Language Structure and Meaning" »

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" »

Understanding Human Communication Dynamics

The evolution of spoken language involved the ability to link and articulate sounds, shaping the very foundation of human interaction.

Interpersonal Communication Defined

Interpersonal communication is an exchange that transcends the mere transmission of data. It necessitates the presence of another entity to facilitate this exchange. This process occurs between living beings (humans and animals) in general communication, and specifically between human actors in interpersonal communication. The exchange involves information or signs that refer to something beyond themselves.

Human Communication Processes

Human communication processes can be categorized into two main types:

• Technologically Mediated Communication:

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,

The following profiles detail the main characters and their roles in the drama:

Bernarda Alba: Tyrant and Despot

Everything negative is focused on her. She is tyrannical, hypocritical, and despotic, making her the target of most criticism in the work. Her language reflects her character: the repeated use of prescriptive words and her reliance on the staff (bastón), symbolizing absolute power.

Angustias: The Eldest Daughter

Angustias is the eldest child, born from Bernarda's first marriage. She is expected to marry Pepe el Romano because of his money. Although aware of this arrangement, she is indifferent, as her only desire is to leave the house and escape her mother's power. At over 40 years old, she is devoid of passion and joy.

Magdalena: Resignation

Calderón de la Barca: Master of Spanish Baroque Drama

Pedro Calderón de la Barca (1600-1681) was a pivotal playwright and poet of the Spanish Golden Age. His extensive body of work profoundly influenced Spanish theater, evolving Lope de Vega's dramatic formula with deeper philosophical and psychological dimensions.

Key Works and Genres

• Entanglement Dramas (Comedias de Capa y Espada)

  These plays often feature intricate plots, mistaken identities, and honor conflicts, typically set in urban environments.

  • The House with Two Doors is Hard to Guard (La casa de las dos puertas es difícil de guardar)
  • The Phantom Lady (La dama duende)

• Tragic Dramas

  Calderón's tragedies explore profound conflicts, often between individual freedom and destiny, or the complexities

Sculpture

In sculptural representations, there was a clear dominance of religious imagery. The Castilian school was distinguished, represented by the works of Gregorio Fernández, and the Andalusian school, with Martínez Montañés, Alonso Cano, and Pedro de Mena.

Sculpture Characteristics

Work and Author: La Piedad (1616), by Gregorio Fernández (1576-1636).
It was done in polychrome wood, as this allowed for greater realism, emphasizing the expressive ability and drama of the scene.
The figures were part of altarpieces or processions; this work was destined for the church of the Augustinians in Valladolid.
Theme: Religious. The Virgin holds the body of Christ in her arms.
Expressiveness: It tends to emphasize the expressive drama, as seen... Continue reading "Spanish Baroque Art: Sculpture & Painting" »

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" »