Humanities II course work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Humanities II course work - Essay Example As the movement grew, it gave rise to expressions of the fantastic and the exotic (Cunningham & Reich, 459). While Romanticism can be a nebulous concept, it’s most accurately expressed through a core group of elements in art and in literature. One of its earliest manifestations was a love of nature, expressed by artists throughout Europe, who exhibited an unprecedented use of personal perspective, scope and color. This was, in large part, a reaction against the onset of modern society. â€Å"The growing industrialization of life in the great cities, and the effect of inventions like the railway train on urban architecture stimulated a ‘back-to-nature’ movement as Romanticism provided an escape from the grim realities of urbanization and industrialization† (Cunningham & Reich, 430). This style struck a chord with people who were, in their own ways, seeking an escape from the de-personalizing effects of society. As the Romantic style gained momentum in the la te 18th and early 19th centuries, it became more self-consciously a rejection of classical art forms. The American and French revolutions utilized classical forms to express their rejections of the old forms of government Romanticism to Post-Modernism 3 against which they were rebelling (Cunningham and Reich, 424). The leaders of America’s revolution against Great Britain borrowed heavily from classical forms of architecture to express a timeless connection between their Democratic form of government and that of the ancients Greeks and Romans. For Romantic artists, this was a limiting artistic convention not adapted to the kind of self-expression with which the new style was infused. In the early phase of the Romantic movement, Goethe’s plays served as a literary catalyst for the turbulent, aggressive Sturm und Drang school. His works were prototypes of the emotionalism and rejection of governmental authority that characterized Romanticism. â€Å"Modern criticism stil l considers Goethe’s use of dramatic technique in the Sturm und Drang as unconventional and revolutionary with respect to dramatic forms in general and Aristotelian drama in particular† (Stewart, 277). This trend would come to encompass music, poetry and the philosophy of Emmanuel Kant, Georg Hegel and Arthur Schopenhauer. The political environment in Europe at the time was set in turmoil by the French revolution and its aftermath. The Napoleonic wars of the late 18th and early 19 centuries aggravated nationalistic fervor throughout the continent. This historic and political cataclysm had a profound influence on artists and thinkers. Romanticism lent itself readily to mythological themes, and the great life-and-death struggle that engulfed Europe inflamed the mythologies and folk traditions in every European nation. In Germany, for instance, this phenomenon found its apex in the ancient Norse mythology that Richard Wagner would fashion into his famous Ring cycle opera. The lasting impact of Romanticism was that the nationalism of Europe’s nation Romanticism to Post-Modernism 4 states was enhanced - in some cases created - by the writers and artists of the Romantic movement. â€Å"Many Romantic artists identified with the nationalist movements of the times and either supported their own country’s fight for freedom (as in the case of Verdi) or championed the cause of others (as did Lord Byron)†

The Story of an Hour Essay Example for Free

The Story of an Hour Essay The Story of an Hour† by Kate Chopin is about a woman named Mrs. Mallard, who learns that her just died in an accident. As I continued to read the story I learned that Mrs. Mallard, was not your ordinary grieving widow, she is actually somewhat happy of the news of her husband’s death. Chopin uses symbolism and irony to show readers the world through Mrs. Mallard’s eyes. Symbolism was a strong term in the story, mainly because Chopin uses symbols in many of her paragraphs. Also the author uses irony to get readers to understand why she is so happy that she is free of her husband. The two literary elements that are prevalent in the story is symbolism and irony because Chopin uses them the most to create different feelings in the readers’ minds. In the â€Å" Story of an Hour† Chopin uses symbolism as much as she can throughout the story. The symbolism begins when Chopin says â€Å" the delicious breath of rain was in the air† (23). I believe this means she is about to start a new life, and that she can finally start living for herself. Another example, is â€Å" there stood facing the open window, a comfortable, roomy armchair† (23). The open window symbolizes being open to change; the adjectives roomy and comfortable symbolizes a feeling of being embraced, a feeling of love and security. While looking through the window Chopin describes other symbols such as: The warm weather which suggest life rather then the cold of winter that symbolizes death. I believe the quote â€Å" were all quiver with the new spring life† (23), symbolizes a new life to come, or maybe something new and exciting was about to happen in her life. The setting of a â€Å" delicious breath of rain† in the air refers to the calmness and quietness after the storm (23). I believe Chopin uses that to refer to Mr. Mallard’s death and the new life she will have now that she is free of him. Another thing outside the window are the â€Å" singing of birds† and â€Å" the distant song of someone who was singing (23). This symbolizes a feeling of relief that she is finally free of her husband, almost as if a burden has been lifted from her shoulders. In the story, Mrs. Mallard is described as being â€Å" a fair, calm face† (23), symbolizing beauty and innocence. I believe Chopin used the symbols in an underlying way to give the readers a feeling empathy for Mrs. Mallard. In â€Å"The Story of an Hour† this is much irony used throughout the story. Irony is first detected in the way Mrs. Mallard reacts to the death of her husband. Instead of reacting like a typical grieving widow, she accepts it and wants to be alone in her room, where she visualizes her life being better off without him rather than missing him. Another example, of irony is when Mrs. Mallard whispers, â€Å" free, free, free† (23). But as the story continues, we learn that ironically she really isn’t free because Mr. Mallard didn’t die after all. Another thing that is ironic is when the doctors say she died of the â€Å"joy that kills† (24). In reality the doctors are correct, but they don’t understand what joy actually killed her, it wasn’t the joy of her husband being alive, but rather that she was finally able to live her life without him. The recognized irony in the story was the fact that Mrs. Mallard was excited about her new life, but ironically she only gets to enjoy her new life for an hour before she dies. In closing, Chopin uses symbolism and irony to get the readers to understand the underlying message that she was trying to get across. Symbolism and irony are two very important literary elements because they provide the story with incite and heighten the readers expectations and interest throughout the story. I feel that Chopin did a very good job in implementing irony and symbolism into the story especially when trying to get the readers to view the world through Mrs. Mallard’s eyes and to describe her state of being regarding her husband’s death.

Multicultural Education Essay -- Sociology, Ethnic Differences, Equali

Multicultural Children’s Literature Multicultural education must be integrated into the curriculum and focus on the appreciation of all cultures and ethnic differences. Much research has been documented supporting the use of high quality multicultural children’s literature as a powerful medium to develop varying cross-cultural understandings of perspectives concerning cultures, roles, insights, traditions and beliefs (Au, 2001; Callins, 2006; Howrey & Whelan, 2009; Lowery & Sabis-Burns, 2007; Mei-yun, 2007) . Teachers also can use multicultural literature depicting children's worlds as a means to bridge home and school cultures personally as well that of the students. Within Howrey and Whelan’s (2009) research project, utilization of multicultural children’s literature was used to enhance teachers to become culturally responsive educators. â€Å"According to Villegas and Lucas (2002), exposure to the literature of different groups can give future teachers access to the rich textures of people†™s lives, hopes, aspirations, dreams, disappointments, pains, and joys† (p. 27). Literature can be a powerful vehicle for understanding cultures and experiences different from our own. Howrey and Whelan (2009) research analysis concluded that multicultural children’s literature provides not only â€Å"a mirror on one culture and a window to another† for children, but for adults as well. (p. 132). In parallel, the work of Evans (2010) highlights the use of multicultural literature to address racial, ethnic, and linguistic equality. In this qualitative study, demonstrated that through using an innovative critical literacy practice with multicultural literature, students’ awareness and understanding of others was positively impacted. Over a period of ti... ... diversity of our society and understand that all teachers enter the classrooms with personal social identities and cultural biases. Respecting, valuing, and celebrating personal and students’ unique strengths foster in creating equitable classroom communities. Taking the time to develop appropriate knowledge bases, having high expectations for all students, providing a welcoming environment, and working with family members and the community, depict a multicultural classroom atmosphere. Sheets (2009) provides on culturally responsive instruction, â€Å"it is important to become conscious that the arduous journey from novice to expert requires hard work, relentless commitment, and a high investment of time and energy† (p. 17). All teachers must continually acquire the ability to apply and translate ideologies immersed within diversity to enable all students to achieve.

Dispension for Study Abroad

Education and schools play a substantial role to anyone. I always see schooling as a path to opportunity. Schooling in Waseda University as Japan`s top private, co-educational institutions of higher learning reflects the value of equal opportunity. I believe studying business in Waseda University is crucial to my personal success. I want to study Japanese as I lived oversea for 18 years already.I want to learn Japanese culture as I see it as an important factor in ones` success in business since Japanese are known to have the â€Å"business attitude† that made them successful after their downfall in World War II. Moreover, I think that the Japanese society offers great business educational opportunity. In the future, I want to write a research paper about E-business and role of internet in marketing since nowadays the rapid growth of the role of Internet and other Web based marketing strategies present business organizations with both opportunities and challenges.Under such ci rcumstances, sound and timely E-business strategy plays an increasingly important role for companies to stay competitive in the dynamic electronic marketplace. Also, the Internet is the largest and fastest growing interactive network, â€Å"the network of networks†, which is today’s de facto information highway. It presents a challenge to the billion-dollar International Marketing Industry.Every facet of conventional marketing strategy is challenged by this evolving communication potential of the internet. I am interested in this topic since most businesses around the globe have been rushing to the Internet at an incredible pace, in hopes of â€Å"striking it rich,† by marketing over the Internet. This is what I want to do, I must develop new, or at least revised methods of international marketing. So, in order to write this research, I should study really very hard in Waseda University.

Reforms by the United Kingdom

The delivery of public services has always been directly connected with the stability of a country’s economy. The more stable the economy, the better the public services. In recent years, as the world slowly adjusted to the rise of global markets, many countries began transforming their public sector management (Hughes 2003).Today, management of public services is more flexible and market-based. It has moved from public administration to New Public Management (Hughes 2003). With this paradigm shift comes a shift in the role of government in society. It also redefines the relationship between government and its citizenry.Together with this new orientation of public service management is the need for reforms in the whole structure. These reforms are required to strengthen services in protection, education, recreation and care (Flynn 2002). The stronger economies of the world have taken steps towards these reforms. The United Kingdom is one of these stronger economies that have p rogressively taken the initiative for public service reforms.Major public service reforms began in the United Kingdom (UK) in the 1980’s under the Thatcher government (Hughes 2003). The following pages will try to explain the different reforms in UK’s public service management. It will address the bigger issues that surround it. It will identify the unique qualities of the UK reform programme and present the advantages they may achieve. Through these inferences, a more objective and balanced view of UK’s reform programme will be achieved.Response to the UK Public Sector ReformsThe United Kingdom’s initiative to reform their public service programme is mainly due to fitting of the services with the changing demands of the times. The rise of living standards, coupled with the growing diversity of citizenry calls for the change in public services (Prime Minister’s Office 2002).In the 1980’s, under the leadership of then PM Margaret Thatcher, th e first major steps to public reforms were taken. At the center of these reforms is the wide-spread initiative to privatize services (Flynn 2002). Towards the end of the decade, management of basic services, gas, water and electricity, were transferred under private control (Flynn 2002). Apart from these, four other major government controlled corporations also were given up to private enterprises.Privatization was not the only way to reform public service management. Soon after the turn-over of basic services to private control the central government and the National Health Services began outsourcing many of their functions and services.In 1997 however, under the leadership of PM Tony Blair, a new campaign was launched to further reform the public service management. Public services were believed to have been suffering from under-funding (Prime Minister’s Office 2002).However a strong economy is essential for the reforms. The Blair administration then began working on buildi ng a stronger, more stable economy.The ultimate objective of the 1997 reforms is to provide everyone with real opportunity and security (Prime Minister’s Office 2002). In three years time, the UK finally experienced a sort of rebirth within the public services. In 2000, health services and education have never been better. Reform plans did not end here. Long-term goals to uplift standards in the areas of transport, education, criminal justice system and health were designed.The road to these reforms has been tough. The setbacks and controversies are inevitable. There needs to be a genuine partnership between the government and people in the front line. The desire for reforms has propelled public service in the forefront of many political and social debates (Darwall 2005).One of the biggest concerns with the current reform programme lies in policy and communication confusion (Wintour, 2007). The government is clear with its vision for reforms. However, it does not provide a co herent framework for action (Darwall 2005). While the reforms are meant to increase efficiency, the citizens do not feel this happening.Modernized civil service is actually the consistent delivery of better services and getting the best value for public funds (Darwall 2005). The question lies on accountability for the use of these public funds. The UK’s public service history shows that bad decisions made create obligations and consequences across generations.Debates arise because of this very reason. While one group sees the necessity of spending to provide better public services, the other fears that much spending may not necessarily increase the level of efficiency in delivering these services (Douglas, Richardson, and Dobson 2003).The reforms brought about the founding of different agencies (Armstrong and Ford, 2000) to handle such use of public funds. However there is growing concern about the qualifications of people managing these agencies. Public servants are not nece ssarily managers. Improvement of efficiency requires a great deal of management (Darwall 2005). Even the best policies can easily crumble in the hands of those who are not fit to handle them.The growing impression about these newly established agencies then is that they do not do not speed up delivery of services. On the contrary, these agencies, while under the supervision of less experienced managers, slow down the process of public service.In fact the popular notion about these agencies is that they rather make collaboration and cooperation more difficult. The formation of these agencies is one of the most debated issues concerning the reforms.Ethical issues are also being raised against the reforms. The shift of public service towards a market based orientation makes the definition of boundaries between what is public and what is private more difficult (Public Administration Select Committee 2002).Interface between public sector and private enterprise is becoming more evident. P rivate businesses are becoming more involved in providing public services. More and more then, ethical concerns are raised.There is growing clamor to cultivate and strengthen the ethical considerations in public service management. It is important to ensure that ethics are not lost or put aside, especially at a time when services are being delivered in new ways by new providers (Public Administration Select Committee 2002).In public service there should always be a way to check impartiality, accountability, trust, equity and probity. This is the key to keeping the ethical considerations in public service management whilst implementing its reforms.From the time of PM Thatcher in the 1980’s to the reform programme of PM Blair in 1997, the UK public sector has underwent alterations both in policy and implementation. However caution has been taken. Reforms have been worked on reforms slowly. Unrestrained expansion usually results in policy failure (Lane 1993). Both the government and its citizenry agree.There is no doubt that reforms are a welcome idea for everyone. The promise of better services being delivered more efficiently and consistently can be actualized (Public Administration Select Committee 2002). The government is confident about their plan. The have laid down the strategies to achieve them. Even then, the citizenry is skeptical. There are many issues surrounding these reforms.The government admits there are hurdles along the way of reforms. The journey towards better services is long and hard. But the government has a strategy. It addresses the questions of improving national standards, devolution of responsibility, increasing flexibility and providing better choices (Prime Minister’s Office 2002).The citizens are waiting patiently. So far, reforms have been implemented but the issues still remain. Somehow the general impression is that the strategies set by government are not being translated into actual action (Public Administration S elect Committee 2002).Some improvement in the areas of education and health has been achieved. The question is, is it enough to address the growing demands of society?The citizenry of UK sees very little results from the reforms. They seem to pale in comparison with the growing demands of an ever evolving society. Successful reforms are transformational. This only means that the impact of these reforms should be strong enough to affect all areas of life.Unique Qualities of UK Public Sector Reforms  While the UK’s reforms remains heavily debated and scrutinized, there is no doubt that it is one of the most dynamic. In public service history, the UK programme has been one of the most studied. Many parallelisms have been made on the reforms. Many other similar programmes have been initiated based on its working history.The reforms are based on the three important E’s in public service management. They are economy, efficiency, and effectiveness. This is one unique charac teristic of the UK programme.The wide-spread privatization instituted by the Thatcher administration applied this premise (Flynn 2002) in all the transactions. Before the Cable and Wireless turn-over in 1981, a comprehensive study on its advantages was conducted to prove its viability under these three considerations.Apart from this unique way of assessing possible changes in servicing, the programme has proven to be very resilient. It has withstood challenge in the past. And it continues to withstand challenges today. Even the strongest challenge against its agenda control and policy review (Parsons 1995) could not deter the progression of its reforms.In fact it is this very same resiliency that brought about a big improvement in health care. The persistence in the area of health reforms provided increase in health care workers by at least 40,000 in seven years.There are two working concepts of the UK Public Sector Reform Programme, the â€Å"best value review† and â€Å"co mprehensive performance assessment† (Harris, 2003). These two working concepts provide a basis for check and balance of the reforms.This is unique to the programme. It also sets the tone on how reforms should be made. The UK government works very closely with organizations like Reform to objectively assess the veracity of the reforms. It is through studies conducted by organizations like Reform that insures that equity and environmental impact are not overlooked in the formulation of reforms.