Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Social sciences

Understanding New Criticism

New Criticism is a significant critical movement characterized by renewal and innovation. It has two main branches:

• The British branch, known as Practical Criticism.
• The American branch, called New Criticism.

Originating in England in the 1920s, New Criticism reached America, where it found fertile ground for growth. It significantly influenced the study of literature and poetry in Western countries.

At the beginning of the 20th century, American critics were captivated by European, particularly British, art and culture. They experienced a sense of cultural inferiority, feeling limited to European or Native American traditions.

New Criticism's influence is undeniable; one must either oppose it or align with it. It is impossible... Continue reading "Understanding New Criticism: Origins and Impact" »

Saint-Simon's Social Critique

Saint-Simon did not develop an idea of a future perfect world, but proceeded to radically criticize the society resulting from the French Revolution. In this context, he felt that governments should aim for improving the moral and material conditions of the working class, and ending poverty and war, but exercising less and less government (understood as despotism) and more administration.

Not opposed to private property, he suggested deleting the inheritance. The State should undertake great public works for the benefit of the society: railways, dams, bridges, communication channels, credit unions, etc.

Challenges for Utopian Communities

The main obstacle to the creation and consolidation of utopian communities was... Continue reading "Socialist Thought: Saint-Simon, Marxism, and Early Labor Movements" »

The Triumph of Capitalism: The Industrial Revolution

Capitalism emerged as a new economic system, built upon economic liberalism and private ownership. Its most important proponent was Adam Smith.

Capitalism: An economic system where industry and business are privately owned and operated for profit.

The Growth of Finance

Industrialization spurred the development of finance. Banks were created to facilitate payments and relations between companies, suppliers, and consumers. Public limited companies, also known as joint-stock companies, emerged, allowing for multiple owners.

Competing Ideologies

Marxism (1864)

Leaders: Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. A radical form of socialism advocating for a revolution to overthrow capitalism.

Anarchism (1864)

Leaders:... Continue reading "The Industrial Revolution: Capitalism's Rise and Societal Shifts in 19th Century Spain" »

Fandoms: From Passive Consumers to Active Producers

Question 4: Fandoms (Henry Jenkins, Pierre Bourdieu...)

To appropriately answer this question, one must deal with the definition of 'fan'. The term is an abbreviation of 'fanatic' and comes from the Latin word 'fanaticus', which has religious connotations and refers to devotees. It has negative connotations in society. Henry Jenkins, an American media scholar and lecturer of the second half of the 20th century, deals with different phenomena related to the fan in his book Textual Poachers: Television Fans and Participatory Culture (1992). He rejects fan stereotypes such as the comic, nerdy fan, the psychotic fan, and the eroticized fan. Moreover, he expresses the fan as a defensible position... Continue reading "Fan Studies: From Consumers to Active Producers" »

International Organizations and European Integration: Essential Facts

Most Important Treaties for European Integration

The following treaties allowed for the gradual deepening of the European integration process:

• Treaty of Paris (1952): Established the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC).
• Treaties of Rome (1957): Established the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom).
• Single European Act (1986): Launched the Single Market.
• Maastricht Treaty on European Union (1992): Established the European Union (based on three pillars).
• Treaty of Amsterdam (1997): Authorized further enlargement.
• Treaty of Lisbon (2009): Authorized constitutional changes.

Composition of the European Council and its President

The European... Continue reading "Key Concepts in International Organizations and European Integration" »

British Modernism

A Literary Response to Disillusionment and Lost Community

Modernism emerged from a profound sense of disillusionment and the loss of community and civilization. The horrors of World War I shattered faith in established institutions and traditional values, leaving individuals feeling alienated and questioning the meaning of life.

Modernist writers explored themes of pessimism, psychological turmoil, and the search for meaning in a world that seemed fragmented and uncertain. They challenged conventional literary forms and experimented with new techniques to reflect the complexities of the human experience.

Key Characteristics of Modernist Writing:

• Character: Modernist literature moved away from clearly defined characters, instead

EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement

A New Economic and Social Partnership

While not replicating the prior level of economic integration, this agreement surpasses traditional free trade agreements, fostering continued friendship and cooperation. It encompasses:

Free Trade Agreement

This establishes a new economic and social partnership, extending beyond goods and services to areas like investment, competition, state aid, and more. It ensures:

• Zero tariffs and quotas on compliant goods.
• A level playing field through high standards in environmental protection, climate change action, labor rights, and tax transparency, with robust enforcement mechanisms.

Fisheries

A framework for joint management of fish stocks allows the UK to develop its fishing industry... Continue reading "EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: A New Partnership" »

European Language Families

Slavic Languages

South Slavic:

• Slovenian
• Croatian
• Bosnian
• Serbian
• Bulgarian
• Macedonian
• Old Church Slavonic (Extinct)

Note: These languages were formerly grouped under Yugoslavia. Montenegrin is a sub-national variety.

East Slavic:

• Russian
• Belarusian
• Ukrainian
• Rusyn

Note: Rusyn and Ruthenian are considered sub-national varieties. The terms "Great Russian" and "Little Russian" (referring to Ukrainian) are extinct and considered offensive, as they imply Ukrainian language subordination.

West Slavic:

• Polish
• Czech
• Slovak
• Sorbian
• Kashubian
• Polabian (Extinct)

Note: Kashubian and Lachian are considered sub-national varieties. Slovincian is another extinct West Slavic language.

Germanic Languages

East Germanic:

• Gothic (Extinct)

North Germanic:

• Danish
• Swedish
• Norwegian
• Icelandic
• Faroese

West

Q.1. We All Have Multiple Identities: Exploring Social Groups

Statement: “We all have more than one identity and can belong to more than one social group.”

Discussion: This statement rings true in our diverse world. Let's consider a few examples:

• Individuals belonging to the same religion might feel distant from others within that religion due to differences in caste or sect.
• Conversely, people from different religions might find common ground and closeness through shared caste affiliations.
• Even within families, economic disparities can create rifts, as seen in strained relationships between wealthy and less affluent relatives.

Example: Athletes Carlos and Smith, both Afro-American, shared a racial identity that distinguished them from their... Continue reading "Understanding Social Identities and Differences: A Comprehensive Guide" »

Foundational US Political Concepts

Limited Government

The principle that government power is restricted, positing that certain things are out of the government's boundaries because of citizens' natural rights.

Colonial Charters

Documents granted to American colonies by English kings establishing governments; they fostered the American tradition of written constitutions.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, drafted by James Madison, which place limitations on government and protect natural rights. Most state constitutions have a version of this.

Commonwealth

Although four states call themselves commonwealths (Pennsylvania, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Kentucky), the term refers to any self-governing community and currently