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

Economic Integration

Economic integration is the phenomenon of the progressive elimination of economic borders among a group of countries. It occurs in phases:

1. Preferential Agreement: A number of countries grant each other customs advantages not applied to other countries.
2. Free Trade Area: Member states eliminate tariff obstacles but maintain their own tariffs against third parties.
3. Customs Union: A common external tariff is applied to all imports coming from third countries.
4. Common Market: This is a customs union in which there is also a free flow of factors of production.
5. Economic Union: This means a complete common market with coordinated macroeconomic policy and the implementation of common economic policies.
6. Monetary Union: All currencies of

Nietzsche: Historical and Philosophical Context

Historical-Cultural Context

The nineteenth century was marked by dramatic changes caused by the Industrial Revolution and the triumph of capitalism. Growth was due to decreased mortality and increased birth rates arising from greater knowledge of disease. This resulted in theoretical debate, such as the doctrine of Malthus. Population growth led to a shift of population from rural areas to cities.

The Industrial Revolution began in Britain, followed by France and Belgium. Along with this revolution, there was also the Agricultural Revolution, which increased productivity and reduced the need for manpower in the field. The development of the revolution gave rise to two opposing social groups: the... Continue reading "Nietzsche: Historical, Cultural, and Philosophical Context" »

Scientific and Technical Discourse: Genres

Scientific and technical texts are communicated through various channels, by different sources, in diverse social spheres, and with varied intentions.

Oral Channel

• Conference: A public presentation of informative and educational content.
• Discussion: Aims to unify contrasting opinions and reach mutually acceptable conclusions.
• Speech: An informative presentation aimed at specialists.
• Scientific Discourse: A public presentation by an eminent academic institution, specifying an augmentative.

Written Channel

• Scientific Paper: A brief exposure to scientific information with didactic intent, typically published in media.
• Essay: A philosophical or scientific paper addressing a topic from a personal perspective, presenting

Spain's Multilingual Reality

Article 3 of the Spanish Constitution acknowledges the country's multilingual nature, stating that:

1. Castilian (Spanish) is the official language of the State, and all Spaniards have the duty to know it and the right to use it.
2. Other Spanish languages are also official within their respective Autonomous Communities.
3. The richness of Spain's distinct linguistic modalities is a cultural heritage that shall be respected and protected.

Bilingualism in Society

Bilingualism, the proficiency in two languages, can manifest both individually and societally.

Language Contact Dynamics

Language contact situations give rise to phenomena such as code-switching, interferences (including morphosyntactic, phonic, lexical, and orthographic... Continue reading "Spain's Multilingualism: Languages and Standardization" »

Analysis of Pronunciation Teaching and Remedial Proposals

Pronunciation and spelling are fundamental to verbal communication. Sounds and letters form the surface of oral and written language. Often, pronunciation receives little attention. Few people notice the pronunciation mistakes of politicians, TV contestants, neighbors, or even ourselves, though these may be more serious than misspellings.

In schools, pronunciation is often treated as a minor issue, except in second language instruction. Students are assumed to have mastered sounds by the time they reach middle school, learning through natural language acquisition. Consequently, few pronunciation practices are linked to literacy. Pronunciation is typically addressed only in the early grades.... Continue reading "Improving Spanish Pronunciation: Classroom Analysis and Remedial Strategies" »

Adam Smith: Wealth of Nations and Division of Labor

Adam Smith's work surged in the 18th and 19th centuries. His seminal work, *The Wealth of Nations* (1776), explored the division of labor and its impact on society. Karl Marx drew from Smith, recognizing that specialization increases productivity but also simplifies the complexity of work, potentially leading to worker alienation. Smith was concerned about the inequality of work and argued that the state must intervene to prevent workers from reaching exclusion or self-marginalization.

Max Weber: Alienation, Legitimacy, and Ideal Types

Max Weber was aware of Marx and Smith but held different ideological views. He believed that alienation is a characteristic symptom of progress in modern societies.... Continue reading "Adam Smith, Max Weber, Webb: Key Thinkers on Labor & Society" »

Varieties of Spanish

Northern Range

Hablaba is in the eleventh century, there were two: Navarroaragones and Asturias-Leon.

Southern Varieties

Dialects are: Andalusia, Extremadura, Murcia, Canary Islands.

• Lisp
• Yeismo
• Aspiration of the 's'
• Loss of 'd' between vowels
• Alternation 'l' and 'r'

Bilingual Communities

Catalonia, Balearic Islands, Valencia, Galicia, Basque Country, and parts of Navarre.

Spanish in America

• Phonics: Lisp, yeismo, aspiration of the 's', alternating 'l' and 'r'
• Morphosyntactic: Voseo disappears and you and your substitute for you, diminutives, adverbialization of adjectives
• Lexicons: Accept Spanish words, palabras Indias (Indian words), they use old words of Spanish, using neologisms

Castilian Origin

This is a Romance language, it has its... Continue reading "Spanish Language: Origins, Dialects, and Evolution" »

Organizational Metaphors: Definitions & Examples

• Organizations as Machines: This metaphor refers to an organization designed to operate mechanically. The organization is considered static, like a closed system. It assumes that the behavior of workers can be matched to the operation of machine components.
• Organizations as Organisms: This metaphor refers to an organization designed to adapt to the environment. Organizations are born, grow, decline, and die in variable or changing environments.
• Organizations as Cultures: This metaphor refers to an organization that emphasizes a particular corporate culture. Ideas, values, norms, rituals, and beliefs are dominant.
• Organizations as Brains: This metaphor refers to fractal organizations based on teamwork

Antipositivism in Sociology

Sociology, as a non-empirical field, studies social action through subjective means. If society is viewed as separate from individuals, the state might be perceived as totalitarian. However, the state is the highest form of social organization, while society represents the lifestyle and organization of individuals. The state aims to defend common interests, and individuals are subordinate neither to society nor to the state.

The Interplay of Law and Society

Laws originate from society, making all legal phenomena social phenomena. However, not all social phenomena are legal. Examples of social phenomena include fashion, good manners, and sports. Legal sociology explores the relationship between social structure and... Continue reading "Understanding Social Action: A Weberian Perspective" »

Economic Liberalism

Adam Smith

• Job was the only source of wealth
• Personal interest is in the interest of the community
• Law of supply and demand
• Maximum individual initiative
• Exchange (free trade)

Class Society

Public Sector Management (disappearance of privileges, the rise of the bourgeoisie, and the onset of the proletariat).

Workers' Movement

Labor Conditions: Workers had no holidays or social security (for medical care or to cover leave). Workers were forbidden to join for the improvement of their status.

Trade Unions

Associations of workers of the same trade who were seeking better working and living conditions.

Syndicalism

Labor unions were associated with improvements in working conditions.

Utopian Socialism

Opposing ideological currents to capitalism... Continue reading "Economic Liberalism, Class Society, and the Rise of Labor Movements" »