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

The Essay: Definition and Characteristics

The essay is a prose text of variable length, addressing diverse themes with a reflective character. It has several characteristics, such as the use of exposition and argumentation within textual modalities. The reflection is subjective, presenting the author's perspective to persuade the reader, often with a dialogical character. Its structure is open, organized with freedom, and may include heterogeneous fragments. It typically employs a standard language style, sometimes including colloquial voices and idioms, with few technical terms.

Fin de Siècle Spanish Writers (Generation of '98)

Following the crisis of social consciousness and values after 1898, authors sought a national cultural identity, focusing... Continue reading "Spanish Literature: Unamuno, Ortega y Gasset & Movements" »

Language and Languages

Language and languages can be synonymous in certain contexts but can also be distinguished by examining the words very precisely:

• Language: The ability to communicate through words.
• Language: Specific words used to communicate.

There are languages where there are signs or symbols. Their meaning must signify something: The words of a language are what is common to all languages. Human language is the ability to communicate. We all have the capacity for language, and all have the same capacity, but everything to do with a language we know is our own. Language is materialized by language.

• Language: Communication system; human power.
• Languages: Lesser, concrete materializations.

Human beings are fundamentally linguistic, endowed... Continue reading "Understanding Language: Characteristics, Linguistics, and Human Communication" »

The Commonwealth of Catalonia: Formation and Challenges

In Madrid, there were differing opinions regarding the Commonwealth of Catalonia. The Conservative party was opposed, and even within the ruling Liberal party, opinions were divided. Some saw it favorably, while others did not. President José Canalejas agreed to the Commonwealth and committed to the Catalan cause. Unfortunately, Canalejas was assassinated before he could pursue this agreement, and the project was stalled. It was not until the following year, 1913, that the Conservative government of Eduardo Dato finally allowed the Catalan Commonwealth. The Commonwealth was established in April 1914.

The Constitution of the Commonwealth

The first president of the Commonwealth was Enric Prat

Capitalism, Politics, and Social Change

The core of capitalist leadership, including the U.S., Europe, and Japan, extended to Latin America, Africa, and Oceania at the political level. Democratic systems were implanted in most countries, based on the recognition of individual freedoms, the division of power, and political pluralism.

Economically, a capitalist economy based on private property and free markets prevailed. Differences existed in the degree of intervention, favoring societies based on class and wealth.

Political Situation

Governments in Western countries leaned towards the center-right (liberal and Christian democratic) and center-left (social democratic).

Years of Growth

A period of elevated growth was based on:

• Advance advisory and

LOGSE vs. LOE: Primary Education Curricula

This document compares the curricula for Primary Education under the LOGSE (Organic Law of the General Organization of the Educational System) and the LOE (Organic Law of Education) in Spain.

Curriculum Comparison

EU Regional Policy and Its Objectives

The European Regional Policy has two main objectives: addressing regional imbalances and promoting development. A previous regional policy implemented in 1986 was deemed ineffective. Its purpose is to increase territorial cohesion (solidarity). This is based on three principles:

• Solidarity among regions.
• Development of autonomy status.
• Further integration into the European Community.

The consequences of integration include the receipt of funds, which are integrated into the EU's regional policy. A new EU regional and cohesion policy was introduced for 2007-2013 (focused on competitiveness) with three objectives for sustainable development:

• Strengthening competitiveness.
• Boosting the economy (R&D).
• Improving

Underlying Principles of Scientific Inquiry

Key Considerations:

• Truths lacking universal validity should be subject to trial and error, enriching the information available for the object of study. The predictive capacity and error margins in social sciences may differ from other disciplines, but this doesn't negate their scientific nature.
• Science, as a human and social product, must be analyzed within its historical context. Scientific objectivity arises from mutual criticism and rigorous scrutiny within the scientific community, characterized by public and intersubjective discourse.
• Scientific theories are human constructs that facilitate understanding relationships between phenomena, enabling intervention and utilization.

Therefore, research... Continue reading "Research Methods and Techniques in Social Sciences" »

Languages in Contact: Bilingualism and Diglossia

The Sociolinguistic Situation of Asturias

Currently, there are approximately five thousand languages in the world, grouped into language families based on historical relationships. Most European languages are derived from a now-extinct language, Indo-European.

Political and linguistic boundaries do not always align. Sometimes, a single state has several languages, as in Spain. Conversely, different states may use the same language, such as Great Britain and America, or Spain and South American countries. Language contact situations are very common, where people develop the ability to communicate in two or more languages (bilingualism) for various reasons.

The nature of language coexistence, the communicative... Continue reading "Bilingualism, Diglossia, and Sociolinguistics in Asturias" »

Semantic changes are produced using a process where several stages are distinguished: innovation, spread, generalization, and consolidation. As a part of this process, there are specific procedures or mechanisms that lead to changes in the meaning of words:

1. Significant Extent

A term acquires a more general meaning. It is also a significant expansion in the use of nouns as names referring to a singular class of people (a womanizer). For this procedure, common nouns have been created (matchmaker).

2. Significant Restrictions

A common language word acquires a new meaning, more specifically, to pass as a specific term used in a group. It is also common in scientific and technical language that relies on words commonly used to form jargon (acid).... Continue reading "Semantic Changes: Mechanisms and Processes" »

Understanding the L-1 Status

The institutions created to organize the life and activities of people living within the same territory are governed by certain laws:

Key Elements of a State

• Territory: Well-defined borders distinguish it from other states.
• Population: People living within the state's territory are subject to its power and laws, with corresponding rights and obligations.
• Power: The state performs several crucial functions:

Functions of the State

• Sets the laws governing social relations. In democratic countries, these laws are made in Parliament.
• Enforces laws through the judiciary.
• Maintains order within its territory and ensures external security.
• Holds exclusive competence in foreign policy (relations with other states).
• Collects taxes,