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

Adjectives and Their Qualities

An adjective is a word that accompanies and complements a noun. Its form consists of a stem and morphemes that indicate gender (masculine and feminine) and number (singular and plural).

Superlatives and Degrees of Comparison

Absolute and relative superlatives are forms of adjectives that semantically express the highest degree of a quality for a relational noun. Adjectives also express different degrees of comparison:

• Positive: The base form of the adjective.
• Comparative: Used to compare nouns, indicating equality, superiority, or inferiority.

Derivational Morphemes

Adjectives can be modified with derivational morphemes, such as prefixes, suffixes, and diminutives.

The Verb: Action and State

A verb is a word that expresses... Continue reading "Understanding Verbs, Adjectives, and Other Parts of Speech" »

Workplace Hygiene & Sanitation

Article 12: Basic hygiene and grooming needs.

Article 13-14: Systems and potable water supply.

Water Supply & Facilities

Toilets, Sinks, and Showers

Articles 21 to 26: Every workplace must have toilets and sinks appropriate to the number of workers, and showers if the work situation requires. For temporary tasks, toilets may be replaced with sanitary latrines or chemical toilets. An employer is responsible for maintaining the proper operation and cleaning of these facilities. Wastewater must be discharged into the public sewer system or treated through a private system or plant.

Cloakrooms & Dining Facilities

Paragraph V. Cloakroom and dining mentioned in Article 27:

Dressing Room Requirements

Article 27 states... Continue reading "Workplace Safety, Hygiene, and Fire Prevention Standards" »

Baroque Theater: Types of Dramas

In Baroque theater, two main types of dramas were represented: serious and comical.

Long Works

Long works can be classified as follows:

Serious Dramas

• Tragedies: Present pitiful disasters, emotionally involving the audience.
• Tragicomedy: Explore a variety of topics, usually related to honor.
• Autos Sacramentales: Religious works celebrating the Eucharist.

Comic Dramas

• Comedy Swashbuckling: Deal with love affairs carried out by gentlemen.
• Comedy of Figurehead: Inserts a comic character into the scheme of swashbuckling comedy.
• Comedy Palate: Sitcoms with noble protagonists.
• Comedy Burlesque: Comedy based on the reversal of values and verbal humor.

Short Works

The Baroque style saw a dramatic proliferation of short dramatic pieces,... Continue reading "Baroque Theater: Types of Dramas and Representation Elements" »

Realism in 19th Century Literature

Realism emerged in France and developed across Europe and America during the second half of the nineteenth century. It conceives art and literature as mirrors of contemporary reality, allowing for a critical objective.

Key Characteristics of Realism

• Objective Vision of Contemporary Reality: This movement relies on necessary documentation regarding all aspects of reality, including characters, environments, customs, and conflicts. It studies inner reality and the motivations for actions, leading to the development of the psychological novel.
• The Topics: Themes usually involve problems intrinsic to the bourgeoisie (ideological, economic, romantic, or moral) or the relationships and conflicts between the bourgeoisie

The Second Vanguards: Historical Context

Key events following the Second World War (1939–1945) shaped this era:

• The Cold War: The division into two antagonistic worlds (capitalist and socialist), led by the two superpowers: the USA and the USSR.
• Specific Conflicts: The birth of the State of Israel and the start of the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Cuban Revolution.
• Political Shifts: The independence of European colonies, the rise of dictatorships in Chile and Argentina, the Carnation Revolution in Portugal, and the end of the Franco dictatorship.

The 1980s saw the end of the Cold War with the fall of the Berlin Wall (1989), altering the European map. The 1991 Maastricht Treaty established agreements that created... Continue reading "Post-War Art Movements: The Second Vanguards Era" »

Understanding Humanism: Renaissance Intellectual Movement

Humanism is an intellectual, philological, and philosophical movement closely linked to the European artistic Renaissance. Originating in 15th-century Italy, Humanism advocates for the full development of individuals in all aspects, drawing inspiration from classical Greco-Latin sources, many of which were newly discovered at the time.

Key Factors Fostering Humanism's Rise

• Migration of Byzantine Scholars: As the Eastern Roman Empire faced siege by the Turks, many scholars sought refuge in Western Europe, bringing their knowledge and ancient texts.
• Invention of Printing (1449): Johannes Gutenberg's invention significantly lowered the cost and facilitated the widespread dissemination of books

Juan Ramón Jiménez: A Poetic Evolution

Juan Ramón Jiménez's poetic career underwent a profound evolution, marked by distinct stages and influences.

Early Works: Melancholy and Modernism

The first stage of Jiménez's work is characterized by a pervasive sense of melancholy. Aestheticism and decadence are prominent in his early works, with recurring themes such as nostalgia and the presence of death.

Symbolism is evident in works like Sad Arias and Distant Gardens, the latter expressing an underlying erotic conflict. His return to Moguer brought with it the influence of Modernism. In Green Leaves, he incorporates new Orientalist elements and experiments with metric forms. Elegy, Poems of Magical and Dolorous Sound, and Loneliness refine Modernist... Continue reading "Juan Ramón Jiménez: Poetic Evolution and Key Works" »

Journalistic Genres: Information, Opinion, and Hybrid Forms

Information Genres in Journalism

These genres aim to transmit information as objectively as possible. Major sub-genres usually included in this group are:

• The News

  An objective account of an event where no opinion of the journalist is involved. It is a short and concise text that describes general information of interest. The text type is narrative-expository. News answers who, where, when, how, and why. Its structure is as follows:

  1. Head: A phrase that emphasizes the aspect of the story intended to attract attention.
  2. Input or Lead: A paragraph that encapsulates the most important news.
  3. Body: Several paragraphs that develop and complete the entry information. Its structure, often an inverted

Marx's Historical Materialism: Core Principles

One of the strongest features of Marx's philosophy is called historical materialism. This is understood as a theory of social evolution, i.e., a theory of historical development. This theory has five key findings:

1. The Material Basis of Human History

   The history of human beings is the history of the material conditions that allow them to build their lives. Human beings are natural and part of nature. However, humans also produce their livelihoods, build their way of life, feed themselves, build their homes, and use tools that transform nature; they therefore produce their material life. This material life is what Marx called the economic process of production and exchange. Historical materialism maintains

Rodin's The Thinker: An Iconic Sculpture

The Thinker is a renowned work by Auguste Rodin, one of the most influential sculptors of his time. In 1875, he traveled to Italy, where he was captivated by the movement and musculature in Renaissance sculptures (e.g., by Donatello and Michelangelo). This iconic piece, created between 1880 and 1900, is a bronze sculpture. It measures 71.5 cm x 40 cm and exhibits an Impressionistic style. Its theme is symbolic, and the sculpture is housed at the Musée Rodin in Paris.

Rodin's Artistic Development

Upon his return from Italy, Rodin gained recognition through the Parisian salons and several sculptures that showcased his distinctive style, characterized by strong forms and textured modeling.

Anatomy and Composition