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

The Rise of Basque Nationalism

Early Influences and Ideological Roots

The text explores the emergence of Basque nationalism, highlighting its connection to Carlism and the Catalan model. The Carlist motto, "God, King, and Fueros," resonated with Basque nationalism's emphasis on religion and fueros (traditional rights and privileges). Sabino Arana, a key figure in Basque nationalism, drew inspiration from the Catalan model during his studies in Barcelona.

Characteristics of Basque Identity

The author emphasizes the distinct characteristics of the Basque people, including their unique race, language, religion, traditions, and way of life. These characteristics, particularly the strong sense of cultural identity, fueled the movement for autonomy.... Continue reading "Basque Nationalism: Origins, Ideology, and Evolution" »

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" »

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" »

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" »

A. Pluralism: - Groups compete openly to influence governmental decisions & policy. - Specific groups do not have official preferential access.

B. Corporatism: Certain major groups are officially designated as representatives of certain interests. Example 1: Major union representing labor (ex. the European Trade Union Confederation, the TUC in UK). Example 2: Major business organizations representing capital (Business Europe in the EU, Finance Watch). - These groups have a more structured interaction with the government in power and state administration.

Pluralism & Representation

Advantages: Equal opportunity for groups to influence policy, Marketplace of ideas. Disadvantages: Collective action problem (special interest vs interests of... Continue reading "Interest Group Representation: Pluralism vs Corporatism" »

Social Divisions: Not Just Big Countries Like India?

It is not correct to say that social divisions exist only in big countries like India. We can take the example of Belgium. The ethnic composition of this small country is very complex. Of the country’s total population, 59% live in the Flemish region and speak the Dutch language. Another 40% live in the Wallonia region and speak French. The remaining 1% of Belgians speak German. In the capital city, Brussels, 80% of people speak French while 20% are Dutch-speaking.

Multiple Identities in Different Contexts Explained

The statement "We have different identities in different contexts" can be supported by the following facts:

• It is common for people belonging to the same religion to feel that they