Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for University

Council of Europe: A Champion of Democracy and Human Rights

The Council of Europe is a regional, multilateral organization established in 1949 by the Treaty of London. It is headquartered in Strasbourg, France, and has 47 member countries. It is important to note that the Council of Europe is not an integration process.

Objectives

The Council of Europe's primary objectives are to promote freedom and create a democratic and legal area based on the principles outlined in the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Convention, established in 1950, is the Council's main achievement. Any country wishing to become a member must ratify it, organize free elections, abolish the death penalty, and guarantee the rule of law. It is the first instrument to... Continue reading "Council of Europe: History, Structure, and Human Rights" »

Embarrassment:

When something is sudden and unexpected, onlookers are amused. It is a social mistake and makes the person the center of attention. Feeling empathetic for someone else's embarrassment is a display of care. People are often forgiven for their mistakes because they blush, which makes them feel smaller. Embarrassment peaks during teenage years (pregenual ant. cingulate cortex).

Shame:

Shame occurs when a person has failed to live up to expectations or has done something morally wrong. Onlookers are angry, and it often involves poor performance or hurting someone's feelings by failing to meet their expectations.

Guilt:

Guilt is the result of failing to perform one's duty, such as lying, cheating, or stealing (Medial prefrontal, visual... Continue reading "Understanding Emotions and Hormones in Relationships" »

Leases and licences: proprietary and personal rights

Leases give an individual a proprietary right in land which is binding on any third parties, while a licence gives a personal right that can be revoked at any time, as stated in Thomas v Sorrell. Licences are also not binding on third parties.

Furthermore, if one obtains a lease, they will have statutory protection under the Rent Act 1977 and the Housing Act 1996, which do not allow the leaseholder to be evicted simply and which provide rent control. As opposed to this, a licence does not provide any statutory protection to the occupier.

Court difficulties in distinguishing leases and licences

As such, most occupiers of properties would like to establish a lease instead of a licence, as a lease... Continue reading "Lease vs Licence: Rights, Statutory Protection and Case Law" »

Down and Trimmed by the Stern

Deck Line

General Considerations

• Good physical conditions and staying healthy.
• Misusing of alcohol or drugs.
• Do not drink alcohol while undergoing medical treatment.
• Personal cleanliness is essential.
• Use a protective cream on your skin.
• Clean all cuts and abrasions to prevent infections.

Working Clothing

• Working clothes should be comfortable but sufficiently close-fitting.
• Gaping pockets, sweat rags, watch straps, and rings are easily caught in moving machinery.
• Wear industrial footwear with slip-resistant

Understanding Global Inequality: Thomas Piketty's Capital in the 21st Century

The Inequality Problem: R > G

Thomas Piketty's research on inequality has gained significant attention, particularly his formula r > g, where:

• r represents the return on capital (profits or interest from investments)
• g represents the overall growth of the economy

Piketty argues that over time, wealth concentrates in the hands of the wealthy few, regardless of hard work or intelligence. The actual distribution of wealth reveals higher inequality rates than commonly perceived. To combat this, he advocates for active redistribution and improved access to education.

Capitalism and Inequality

Piketty's book, Capital in the 21st Century, challenges the notion that capitalism... Continue reading "Understanding Global Inequality: A Deep Dive into Thomas Piketty's Capital in the 21st Century" »

Symbols

Symbols are objects, characters, figures, or colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.

Daisy and Randolph

The most frequently noted symbols in Daisy Miller are Daisy herself and her younger brother, Randolph. Daisy is often seen as representing America: she is young, fresh, ingenuous, clueless, naïve, innocent, well meaning, self-centered, untaught, scornful of convention, unaware of social distinctions, utterly lacking in any sense of propriety, and unwilling to adapt to the mores and standards of others. These traits have no fixed moral content, and nearly all of them can be regarded as either virtues or faults. However, Randolph is a different matter. He is a thinly veiled comment on the type of the “ugly American”... Continue reading "Symbolism in Henry James's Daisy Miller" »

Daisy Miller: Chapter 4 Analysis

Winterbourne's Denial and Daisy's Inscrutability

As Daisy’s friendship with Giovanelli intensifies, particularly after Mrs. Walker’s party, Winterbourne is in the unpleasant position of having to wonder about the exact nature of the relationship between Daisy and Giovanelli. Winterbourne has many theories, but he never confronts the possibility that he himself has feelings for Daisy. He always couches his interest in her relationship with Giovanelli in terms of concern for her reputation.

Nevertheless, there seems to be evidence to suggest that Daisy is more interested in Winterbourne than she is in Giovanelli. Besides her praise of Giovanelli’s voice and musicianship, she pays no attention to his performance... Continue reading "Winterbourne's Moral Conflict and Jealousy in Daisy Miller Chapter 4" »

Mrs. Costello's Influence on Winterbourne's Perception of Daisy

The Unflattering Light of High Society

Mrs. Costello, a representative of high society, casts an unflattering light on Winterbourne by influencing his opinions of Daisy Miller. Her snobbish views and shallow nature lead Winterbourne to question Daisy's character.

Mrs. Costello's Suspicions

Mrs. Costello suspects Daisy of being an adventuress, a social hustler seeking to compromise Winterbourne. This suspicion stems from Daisy's European background and her willingness to accept Winterbourne's invitation to Chillon.

The Millers' Vulgarity

Mrs. Costello also objects to the Millers'"new mone" status and their vulgar behavior. Daisy's excessive talking, use of slang, and lack of social graces... Continue reading "The Unflattering Influence of Mrs. Costello on Winterbourne's Perception of Daisy" »

Daisy Miller: An Analysis

The Narrator and Gossip

The narrator of Daisy Miller presents the events as a "true" story that took place "three or four years ago." The story is framed as a piece of gossip, told by a distant, first-person narrator who is interested but not involved. This narrative strategy is ironic, as the story itself revolves around gossip, assumptions, and the difficulty of judging character based on hearsay.

Themes and Contrasts

The opening paragraph establishes several key themes, including the contrast between old and young, history and novelty, movement and stillness, and American vibrancy and European dignity. The narrator describes the variety of hotels in Vevey, from the grand and new to the classical and mature. The bustling... Continue reading "Daisy Miller: A Study of American Innocence and European Sophistication" »