Neoclassicism in Music Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Neoclassicism in Music - Essay Example Neoclassicism as a musical term was not coined until sometime after its supposed development began. Rather than a style of composition, the term initially referred to a conception or reaction to a musical historical event. That is, Neoclassicism represents a way of viewing music history as a reaction to the contemporary trends in fin-de-sicle France that regarded the current musical trajectory as one that was defined for the most part by German musical historical conceptions and aesthetic trends. Namely, the music of Wagner was perceived by a growing number in France as, decadent and unduly romantic. However, the original use of the word "neoclassicism" did not refer to originally to a reaction to the German Romantics, but a somewhat derisive term to refer to writers and other artists, who parroted Greek and Roman themes as a kind of sterile, lifeless, pastiche-rather than a reinvigoration of the classical spirit that perhaps one might envision such a term connoting. Thus, the neocla ssical style in music was more correctly labeled at the time Nouveau Classicisme. Messing then explicates the role that composers such as Saint-Saens, Debussy and Ravel whose interests in composers before Beethoven such as Mozart, Bach, Handel and even earlier such as the work of the Couperin family played out in some of their compositions. Messing technical analysis of the musicological comparisons between the work of these new classical French composers and their classical counterparts reveals a rhythmic and structural similarity. Yet that similarity did not extend across the new classical scene, rather the particular inspiration that the above composers chose was modified and developed so as to make any comparison between say Saint-Saens and Debussy much more tendentious. Therefore, Messing notes to place this musical aesthetic ideal under some uniform stylistic rubric called "neoclassicism" was invalid. In another chapter, Messing deals with post-war neoclassical analysis through the work of Igor Stravinsky and the eventually polemic that developed between his followers and the Arthur Schoenberg and his revolutionary serialist style. Moreover, as Messing suggests neoclassicism as a distinct music style with specific gestures did not congeal until after the war and its juxtaposition with the work of Schoenberg. It seems according to Messing that the intervening war caused a radical shift in understanding of the term and its followers from one which represent a musico-historical reaction to Wagner in France, to a theoretical shift in composition. The disparate influences of the earlier neo-classicists seemed to have been conflated together in the comparison to the work of Schoenberg and his prodigious number of students. Moreover, it can be seen that Stravinsky's music, which was supposedly indicative of this specific style was no so radically different from the work of Schoenberg, a nd thus suggesting that only are the differences between neoclassicism and serialism overwrought and artificial. It also reveals that to conceive of neoclassicism in

Open source intelligence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Open source intelligence - Essay Example What’s more, this can be seen as an improvement from the 1981’s scenario whereby Israel attempted to set back Iraq’s nuclear program by bombing its nuclear reactor – such a process is very risky as it can cause massive loss of lives.1 Although Iran has, on different occasion, promised to cooperate - it has kept reneging on promises by embarking on uncompromising positions, which has been a major stumbling block. Once, a report by the IAEA director general revealed that Iran’s cooperation with inspectors has been erratic. In most cases, Iran argues that its nuclear program is developed as a source of energy, but it is very easy to read foul play from its pronouncements. It is Iran’s frustrating actions that have forced the United States to harden its stance, for example, by requesting the board of the International Atomic Energy Agency to stop issuing warnings to Iran and instead refer its nuclear program to the Security Council. As such, thes e desperate measures by the United States are understandable because, if action is not taken, Iran is likely to drive the world into a very compromising position in the future, consideration that it does not seem to cooperate any soon.2 Actually, the U.S. administration should heighten its campaign to push Iran to abandon its nuclear program.3 Furthermore, even the report by the American 007 agents supports that Iran’s nuclear program has not been peaceful. According to this report, it is not clear what Iran is currently planning, which implies that it could be planning to manufacture weapons of mass destruction. In view of this, this report proves untrue the allegation by past negotiators that the problem facing Iran originates from disregard to give the accurate information to the IAEA instead of an arranged disguise. As confirmed by this report, the Iran’s nuclear program could have led to production of dangerous weapons, only that this has always been aborted due t o pressure from the international community – after all there is evidence that this program has been under supervision of the Iranian army, whom central objective is linked to weapon.4 In fact, this is the argument that American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice used to rely upon in order to win the support of the international community to put more pressure upon Iran. In addition, there was a cause for alarm because this report had mentioned that Iran possesses strong industrial, technological and scientific capabilities, which it can use to develop dangerous weapons any time in the future. Although it sounds interesting, there could be some truth in the America spies’ assertion that Iran is positioned to develop weapon in year 2015, especially considering its existence in supporting the war against the weapon. However, the report of the America’s spies cannot be taken as a gospel truth because they also have their own conflicting interests and objectives the y would want to achieve. 5 Although the U.S. intelligence is making great efforts in dealing with Iran’s nuclear program, as a mater of fact, there are numerous gaps that need improvement - especially concerning its ability to collect valid information. While some experts had posed questions against the report released by a U.S. congressional committee some years back, many others supported its arguments about the existence of gaps. Unless one experiences a biased opinion, it is not

Learning Goals in a Pluralistic Society Research Proposal

Learning Goals in a Pluralistic Society - Research Proposal Example All children are entitled to an experience that is variant because each child has a distinct need. The notion that all children can learn in no way embraces the theory that they learn in the same manner or at the same time or at the same level of achievement. Schools began as simple institutions often run by churches and teachers advanced through the leadership chain with out training. (Murphy 1998). Accordingly, as a principal, one must expect to see different outcomes within the same time frame. Against that backdrop, there is a dramatic change in the role of principals and their duties to their students. (Shipman 2007) Simply having knowledge of the educational system is not enough for a principal to be considered an effective leader. (Shipman 2007) This paper seeks to discuss the first standard of the ELCC standards, the knowledge of the principal. The principal has a deep understanding of diversity and its implications for education. Knowledge of the learning goals of a pluralistic requires that a principal assess the goals which are immediate and long term. Firstly, a principal must be able to have a working definition of what a pluralistic society actually is. Banks and Banks (2006) defined the obligations of a leader in a pluralistic society as those that envision: â€Å"Maintaining a democratic society and preserving and enlarging freedom require citizens who embrace democratic values and recognize their responsibilities to help narrow the gap between real and idealized American values† (Banks and Banks p.46). Naturally, a principal has the obligation to teach these values to his/her students. A leadership principal clearly values individuals who are diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, exceptionality, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status or gender. In teaching the staff, the principal must also keep an open and professional relationship with the teachers of his/her school which is revolved

Choose one country in the world and answer the following questions. i Essay

Choose one country in the world and answer the following questions. i pickd Brazil - Essay Example language is Portuguese, and although Brasilia is the capital city, Sao Paulo is the largest city in the country (as of 2012 its population stands at massive 11.2 million). Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte and Salvador are also hugely populated. The annual population growth rate currently stands at 1.17%- one of the fastest in the world. Life expectancy in Brazil is one of the highest in the world at 73.1 years, with an average annual income of $12,917; the GDP (nominal exchange rate) is $2.5 trillion, while the GDP (purchasing power parity) is $2.3 trillion (Richard 52). Annual growth stands at 3.5% as of 2012. According to the Brazilian government’s 2011 statistics, 90.3% of the adult population is literate and the infant mortality rate is 22.5/1,000, representing 22.5 deaths per a thousand births. What surprised me most about Brazil is that the country’s land size and population just about matches that of the United States. Apart from this, I was also slightly taken aback to realize that Brazil actually manufactures its own aero planes and jets, being the fourth largest producer of commercial planes and jets in the whole world. Something else which got me scratching my head is that it is also the only Latin American country to own, service and maintain its own aircraft carrier; I consider this to be quite an achievement. Compared to the United States, life in Brazil is cheaper, taking into consideration that both countries are large, populated and heavily industrialized (Richard 74). Just like the United States, the population is very diverse as it is composed of people of Portuguese, Spanish, German, Italian Japanese and Middle Eastern heritage in addition to indigenous peoples. Brazilians are hardworking and dedicated, but they are also one of the friendliest and fun loving people in the world. They lead lifestyles that can be considered liberal and free. According to Richard (105), 60% of the world’s largest tropical rainforest and ecosystem (the Amazon)

Saudi Arabia Politics (Paper 2) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Saudi Arabia Politics (Paper 2) - Essay Example ssion on the politics of Saudi Arabia is taken from a 2-tier perspective, where in the first instance, Saudi Arabia is viewed as a sovereign country with much respect for its political decisions as possible. In the second instance, the discussion is done from an international perspective where the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is seen as part of the international League of Nations and so must have basic considerations for international political principles. The discussion is also undertaken from a post-modern perspective whereby the influence of the current political system on the modern day Saudi Arabian is viewed. At the end of the paper, what the future is hoped to look like has been suggested and titled â€Å"future trends†. Since 1932 when what has been known as the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was founded by Abdulaziz bin Abd al-Rahman Al Saud (Idn Saud), the country has operated a monarchy political system, which is handed over from one ruler to the other through a hereditary monarchy system (Mayan, 2012). This means that there is a Royal Family from which prospective rulers are picked to lead the country. This manner of governance has not changed since 1932. Even though this political system has been in place since 1932, there was no written document that guided as a governmental instrument of leader till 1992 when the Basic Law of Governance was established by royal decree under the rule of King Fahad (Atipoe and Marion, 2011). The Basic Law of Governance may best be compared to a constitution of any democratic country as it defines the government’s rights, responsibilities and mandate. The political system of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is such that it allows all inclusive governance wher e three arms of government namely Executive, Legislature and Judiciary are all identified to play check and balance roles. The roles that these arms of government play also inter-link each other in such a way that all parties are expected to judiciously execute their parts

Adam Bede Essay Example for Free

Adam Bede Essay George Eliot s novels are all dramas of moral conflict. She did not believe in art for arts sake, but in art for moralitys sake. According to Leslie Stephen, George Eliot believed that a work-of art not only may. but must, exercise also an ethical influence. She believed that, our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds. If we yield to temptation and sin, suffering and nemesis are sure to follow. We have to reap the consequences of our own actions. Her characters suffer because they violate some moral code, because they yield to temptation whether consciously or unconsciously, in Adam Bede both Hetty and Arthur suffer for this reason. Poignant tragedy is the result because both Arthur and Hetty are creatures of weak moral fibre. They are unable to resist temptation. This moral weakness results in sin, which is followed by punishment and intense suffering. Arthur-Hetty story traces the movement from weakness to sin and from sin to nemesis. Stratagems of Passion The stratagems of passion are seen with illuminating c1arrty when Arthur, after luncheon, is unable to recall the feelings and reflections which had been decisive in his decision to avoid Hetty. We are told of his conscious thoughts, and the self-deceptions and distortions of truth that we see in them make, so to speak, a chart of the subconscious force of his impulse to see her-as a strong underwater current, showing nosing on the surface, is yet known to be present by the extent to which its pull on the keel of a ship alters its course. It is in such accounts of motives, conscious and unconscious, that Arthur is created and exists as a character in the novel. Our recognition of his good intentions, self-deceptions and weaknesses of will make the portrayal real and acceptable to us. Maturity through Love We are not permitted to see the process by which Dinah is enabled to . overcome her fear, and it is a serious flaw in the novel that it is so. All, we learn is that having been told by Adam of his love for her and having admitted in turn a love for him, Oinah once more retreats to Stonyshire, not staying even long enough to participate in the Harvest Supper. Adam, after waiting for several weeks, is no longer able to endure the strain and sets out for Stonyshire to find her. As he leaves the Loamshire world and enters gray treeless Stonyshire, he is reminded of the painful past, but in an altered light~ for now he possesses what George Eliot calls a sense of enlarged being, the consequences of thtt ruller life brought about by his suffering. He sees Stonyshire now through Dinahs eyes, as it were, and ifhis vision includes the barren land, it also includes the wonderful flooding light and the large embracing sky. Adam waits for Dinah to return from her Sunday preaching not at her home, but on a hill top. Here, in the midst of her world, he discovers that Dnah has undergone a change, the power of her love for him has in a sense overcome her fears; she feels like cl divided person without him, and she is willing †¢to become his wife. He, therefore, takes her back to Loamshire whence she had so fled. It is not, however, to the green and golden world of. June with which the book began; rather to an autumnal mature world. Here, on a rimy morning in departing November, when there is a tinge of sadness in the weather as well as in the joy which accompanies the wedding, Adam and Dinah are married. it is in the fitness of things that they should so come together, for they are bound to either by their common suffering for Hetty and by their painful memories, suffering gives rise to sympathy, and love based on such sympathy alone can be fruitful and lasting. Critic after critic has expressed the view that Adam is too good to be true. It has been said that he is a perfect human being, George Eliots ideal, fully mature and enlightened from the very beginning. But the truth is otherwise. A moment’s reflection shows that he is proud, hard and self-righteous with little sympathy for ordinary sinners, which we all poor mortals are. As a matter of fact, the novel traces the process by which he gradually sheds his faultsof his education, enlightenment and maturity, through a process of suffering and love-and becomes ultimately a complete man, a fully integrated personality, through his love of Dinah and his marriage with her. The process of his education occupies the centre of the novel. The point would become clear, if we briefly consider this process. Hard and Self-righteous There can be no denying the fact that Adam is hard and self-righteous. In the very chapter we are told,† The idle tramps always felt sure they could get a copper from Seth; they scarcely ever spoken to Adam. This is the flaw (not a fatal one) in Adams innocence: In fact, Adam is a stone-hearted person at the very beginning. The very fault in him lies in his over-confidence which makes him to think that he is righteous and it is not wrong in any way. This is told to us by the hymns he sings and the ending with the same hymn is not only appropriate but it also gives him the impression how much significant the hyn1n is? He does not harm anybody, knowingly. Not for a single moment he thinks when he hurts anybody. He is much confident about his doings, Ive seen pretty clear, ever since I could cast up a sum, as you can never do whats wrong without breeding sin and trouble more than you can ever seen. His confidence is shaken when he catches his friend red handed while making love with his beloved Hett}, in the woods. He realises his mistakes, how incomplete his mental seeing has been! He understood it all now-the locket, and everything else that had been doubtful to him a terrible scorching light showed him the hidden letters that changed the meaning of the past. Here starts the process of his education and self-realisation. Realities of Midlands’ Life: George Eliots novels reveal the very aspects of the English Midlands, more specially Warwickshire and Coventry. The†¢ beauty of these Midlands plains caught the attraction of her eyes and these plains found their setting in her novels. Quite a feature of the scenery-and indeed of Warwickshire generally is that the hedges are everywhere closely painted with trees, whose height, as well as the riotous wastefulness of the hedgerose, give evidence of a kindly soil and climate. Methodic Themes: Written by Feuerbach, The Essence of Christianity was translated into English by George Eliot. The influence of Feuerbach can be seen in George Eliot, in her works. In the above mentioned book, Feuerbach talks about the religious significance of water, wine and bread. All of three are sacred for him. The reason for the sacredness of water lies in the fact that it isa force of nature and it keeps us reminding that we have our origins in nature, the same origin of other lower creatures. Thus necessity of water symbolises our oneness with nature and Baptism as well. Wine and bread are man made things which look towards nature for the raw-material, thus symbolises that man is much superior to other lower creatures who are not so efficient to modify natural things. In the Christian ritual of Baptism, only water is used, for innocent and pure-hefirted childr~n. Whereas for the mature man, the Lords supper which includes wine and bread, is served. It suggests that man is much above animals. If the man is hungry and thirsty, he will no more remain a human being and taking of bread and wine restores him to his humanity. This truth is revealed to us through three suppers which is taken by Adam and his humanity kept ever-present in him. References Eliot. George. Adam Bede. New York: Penguin. 1996. Greegor. G. R. George Eliot: a collection of critical essays. Englewood Cliffs, N. J. , Prentice Hall. 1970. Ian Adam.Character and Destiny in George Eliots Fiction. Nineteenth-Century Fiction. University of California Press 1965. 127-143 Jones, Robert Tudor A critical commentary on George Eliots Adam Bede. London: Macmillan. 1968. Levine. G. L The Cambridge companion to George Eliot. Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2001. Pletzen, E Van. Eliots Adam Bede. The Explicator. 56, no. 1, (1997): 23. Thale, Jerome. The novels of George Eliot. New York, Columbia University Press, 1959. Watt, Ian P. The Victorian novel; modern essays in criticism. London, New York, Oxford University Press, 1971.

A Comparison of Person Centred and Existential Therapies

A Comparison of Person Centred and Existential Therapies Although person centred and existential therapies are both humanistic in their approaches both these therapies have many differences as well as similarities in the use of the therapy towards their clients. Yalom agrees with Rogers in that it is the therapeutic relationship that heals. However Yalom helps his clients from a philosophical stance in dealing with their problems. Furthermore this is where existentialism differs from Rogerss person centred therapy Jones, R. (2006). This essay will compare and contrast person centred and existential therapeutic approaches to therapy. Whereas the person centred approach regards the individual as the authority on their own experience (Mulhauser, G. 2010). In contrast the existential approach views the client as having continual change and transformations throughout their experiences. However the person centred approach provides three core conditions that the client finds useful to aid them in their growth and therapeutic change these are according to Rogers as cited in Jones, R. (2006), the first is unconditional positive regard where Roger regards as the trust the therapist puts in the clients ability to constructive change. Furthermore Roger believed that as well as this trust placed in the client; that the therapists also have their own struggle in that the therapist must be mindful of the clients ability to attain constructive self-direction if that respect is part of their personality. This then makes a critical feature of Rogers therapeutic approach and the relationship in which the client is valued, and resp ected as a worthy person (Jones, R. 2006). Empathic understanding is the next core condition Rogers as cited in Jones, R. (2006) suggests it is a empathic understanding the therapist shows in understanding and accepting the clients point of view. Furthermore in understanding the clients thoughts as well as their feelings the therapist shows understanding it can also shows the client point view is important and accepted. However when Roger talks about the third condition congruence he is saying that the client does not need to guess what the therapist is really like (Mulhauser, G. 2010) however the therapist must be in touch with their feelings whilst still have awareness of these feelings which the therapist can communicate if appropriate (Rogers, 1962: 417) as cited in Jones, R. (2006). Which does not mean the therapist can come out with every feeling but must also try to avoid turning it from person centred to therapist centred; with therapists sharing their feelings this can be s een as strengthening the relationship between the therapist and client by being expressed genuinely. Furthermore these three conditions are what Rogers had confidence in that the client was able to use to develop their own identity, which resulted in the client experience of therapeutic change. Existential therapy on the other hand according to Mulhauser, G. (2010) is about facilitating the clients own encounter and, to work alongside them in the job of exploring and understanding their values, assumptions and ideals. The therapist is concerned mostly with the client (Mulhauser, G. 2010). The same can be said of person centred approach is very similar by working with the clients own experiences to help them explore and understand their values, assumptions, and ideals. Furthermore this is where both therapies have similarities in that both types of therapies try not to impose their own bias or judgements during therapy or on the client (Mulhauser, G. 2010); this then helps the client to figure out and expand on their perspective, the main objective in helping the client to live life well. The clients own assessments of their own experiences and according to Mulhauser, G. (2010) attributions of value may be replaced by creations partly or even entirely due to the pressures fe lt from other people. Which Mulhauser, G.(2010) says that the individual displaces personal judgements and meanings with those of others. This may cause Psychological disturbances which can occur when the persons self-concept clashes with their other experiences. Furthermore according to Mulhuser, G. (2010) the existential approach shows the same similarities with the clients capacity in making well- informed choices about their own life and the attitude towards it, this however highlights the need for the therapist to remain in control of their own personal and professional assumptions. He also goes on to suggest that whereas the existential approach is completely symmetric in giving emphasis to self-awareness. In contrast the person centred approach is considered asymmetric in the client self-awareness (Mulhauser, G. 2010). Furthermore he suggests that the existential idea works along similar to the person centred approach in that the two of us, you and me, are responsible for the coming to grips with the vagaries of life, meaning, and even death this is where the therapist should concentrate on the client and not themselves. Mulhauser, G. (2010) also says the same about the person centred approach in that the two of us, you and me are involved in different accomplishments, here the therapist reassures the client that they are there for them and to accept the client with unconditioned positive regard and to show congruently on them and not themselves (Mulhauser, G. 2010). On the other hand the existential approach wants to understand what it means to be human and what conflicts people face. Death for instance is one of the first existential conflicts to be addressed in that being aware of death and the predictability of death as well as some people wishing to be dead life and death is a constant source of anxiety whether it be neurotic, normal or existential. Furthermore when you here the term death terror this implies a more force of death than the anxiety of death. However the fear of death can be either conscious or unconscious from earlier experiences when growing up as children are preoccupied with death these feelings of anxiety can be repressed to form a defence to cope with this conceivable threats of terror. However this is where psychopathology has failed in its attempts to transcend death Jones, R. (2006). The second conflict is how people cope with freedom and how this leads to both anxiety and dread due to when people are separated from others can increase our sense of control in assuming accountability in that they become responsible for their own lives and their actions and this is why we give up our freedom by joining groups you can avoid isolation. On the other hand isolation can cause anxiety and people have always had a deep need for belonging and they want approval of others. Also shown in freedom above people join groups but in doing so may in overtly take on the identity of the group they have joined therefore trading their independence to belong with others, as well as this; isolation can remind the person of how vulnerable they are and their also there morality even though each person has to die sometime but when we isolate ourselves it can lead to ,choices which could even lead on to death. This type of solitary life can become a punishment that not only refers to prisons but also the home whereby as a child you are sent to your room, as well as being ignored this is used to bring unruly children and adults into line (Jones, R. 2006) . In conclusion you can see that both these therapies have both similarities and differences. Whereas existentialism focuses on freedom of choice in how a persons life is shaped it also shows us how the client is responsible to their life for self-awareness. With the uniqueness of each individual and how it shapes their own personality; this starts from being a child; also this type of therapy focuses on the present in that the therapist shows and challenge the client that they are responsible for their choices in life. So by existentialism giving this freedom of choice to the client the same can be said of the person centred approach as it also give the client more responsibility in their own treatment and the therapist will steer the client towards self-awareness by letting the client address certain denied feelings by doing this the therapist guides the client to a way of resolving these issues, as the same as existentialism person centred also focuses on the here and now. Both of t hese approaches dont consider on past events in treating the client and just look at the here and now.