Essay --

The importance of cultural context within any type of text is essential in order to elucidate a distinct argument. In Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, a novella starring the experiences of an ivory trader in Central Africa named Charles Marlow, various themes of racism and human cruelty are discussed in relation to its contextual features. The film â€Å"Apocalypse Now† by Francis Ford Coppola adapts this idea of implementing a correlation between its central ideas to a specific cultural context as well. The central research question this extended essay focuses on is how do different features used in Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad and the film version of "Apocalypse Now" by Francis Ford Coppola help criticize imperialism? In Heart of Darkness and â€Å"Apocalypse Now,† the struggle between the barbaric nature of the natives and the oppressive nature of Imperialism is questioned through the use of characterization of various factors. Before Kurtz, the main antagonist in both texts, is even introduced in either the novella or the film, details are revealed about him through Marlow and Willard, the protagonists of the two texts. The gruesome nature of imperialism is revealed through Marlow and Willard journey through the jungles. The inhumane state in which the slaves are illustrated opens Marlow’s eyes to the cruelty of slavery. Similarly, Willard witnesses the torture the locals experience on a daily basis, such as the way they are treated. The journeys of both protagonists project the overall negativity associated with imperialism, which helps the audience in understanding the soldiers’ psychological states before Kurtz makes an appearance. Although Colonel Kurtz is the antagonist in both texts, he is admired by the two protagonists,... ...h is not restrained by social conventions, Imperialism attempts to justify its savagery. The very fact Imperialists claim to be ‘fighting to the sanity of the world’ demonstrates the corrosive effects it has not only in a confined area, but also to neighboring cultures. By delving deeper into the characters’ subconscious and the true nature of Western Imperialism, the absurdity of what really is considered â€Å"true evil† is questioned by both Conrad and Coppola. Despite the fact colonization in various parts of the world officially ended in the 60’s, different systems of indirect rule were put in place because of continued interest in some parts. Both Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad and â€Å"Apocalypse Now† by Francis Ford Coppola are aware of this continued, albeit unfortunate practice, and represents the futility of expecting the eradication of imperialistic values.

The Secret of Ella and Micha Chapter 22

Micha She looks terrified as hell, her eyes round, and her body is trembling as she says, â€Å"I love you.† My smile breaks through. â€Å"I know you do. I have ever since the day on the bridge.† She looks confused so I explain further. â€Å"When you tried to leave, I caught up with you and took you up to our spot by the lake to calm you down. When you did, you told me that you loved me.† Her lips part. â€Å"I did†¦ why didn't you tell me?† â€Å"Because I wanted you to tell me again,† I say. â€Å"When you were a little less out of it. Took you long enough, by the way.† Her lips expand to a smile and I can't help but kiss her. My body rolls onto her on its own accord, even though it hurts like hell to use my arm to keep my weight off her. She trails her fingers up my back as her legs fall to the side, giving me permission to press up closer to her. It's what we've been doing every night for the last few days, almost reaching the end, but not quite. Suddenly, she jerks back and I blink my eyes open. â€Å"What's wrong?† Biting on her lip, she sits up and I lean back, giving her room as she slips her shirt and bra off and throws them on the floor. Locks of her auburn hair fall across her chest. Grinning, I move my lips for hers again, but she shakes her head and stands up on the bed, slipping her shorts and panties off and discarding them on the floor. I've seen her naked a couple of times over the week – and once when we were sixteen and she left her curtain open – but each time gets my adrenaline pumping. She kneels down in front of me and kisses me passionately, her nipples brushing against my chest. Her body is shaking in a way that means she's nervous. â€Å"Make love to me,† she whispers against my lips. I've been dreaming about those words leaving her lips since I was sixteen. â€Å"Are you sure?† She nods with a sparkle in her eyes. â€Å"Yeah, I'm sure.† I wait a few seconds longer to give her time to back out if she needs to. She remains silent and reaches for my shirt, helping me pull it over my head so I don't have to lift up my arm. Her fingers run across my tattoo, lyrics I wrote about her, although I don't think she knows it. Then her hands find the button on my jeans and she unfastens it. Deciding to help her out, I peel my jeans and boxers off. Grabbing a condom from my wallet, I lie her down and situate between her legs. â€Å"Are you sure you're sure?† I check again. Her auburn hair is spread across the pillow and the light above our heads reflects in her green eyes as she nods. â€Å"Micha, I'm more certain about this than I am about anything else in my life.† Suddenly, I get a little nervous. This is the first time I've ever been with someone I've cared about and it's going to be different. Mentally preparing myself, I slide into her slowly so I don't hurt her. Her legs promptly constrict around my hips and she squeezes her eyes shut. I give her a minute, letting her breathe through the pain. When she opens her eyes again, I push into her further. Her head tips back as she forces air in through her nose. I start rocking in and out of her. The pained expression slowly turns to ecstasy and her eyes gloss over. It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Ella At first it hurts – more than I anticipated. I'm wondering what the big deal about sex is, when he starts rocking in and out of me, pushing in further and filling me with him. The pain eases away and all that's left is hunger. I secure my legs around his hips and open up to him as his lips cover mine. He kisses me fervently and I start coming undone, releasing all control of my body and mind. I let my head fall back as he sucks and nips on my neck and down to my breasts, before returning his lips to mine. Our skin covers in sweat as his movements become harder, thrusting deeper inside me. I scream out his name as a fire inflames within me and everything comes apart. Moments later, his movements become jerkier and then he stills. His head is tipped down and his warm breath caresses my neck. He places a kiss on my collar bone, then on my lips, finally looking at me and smoothing my hair back from my damp forehead. â€Å"I love you,† he whispers with a content expression. I smile at him as he carefully slips out of me. Then he holds me in his arms and we drift off to sleep, relaxed and satisfied. *** I wake up to Micha sitting on the bed in his boxers, playing his guitar, the tune â€Å"Behind Blue Eyes† by The Who. He's got his head tipped down as his fingers pluck away. Sitting up, I rub the tiredness out of my eyes while holding the sheet up to cover my chest. â€Å"Why are you playing your sad song?† I ask. He keeps singing, shutting his eyes, really getting into it. â€Å"It's not my sad song anymore.† His fingers keep playing. I tuck my legs under me and kneel up in front of him. â€Å"Since when?† â€Å"Since the night you opened up to me,† he says. â€Å"And it was playing over and over again. From now on, every time I hear this song, I'm going to think of you.† I shut my eyes and listen to him play a little longer, letting his beautiful voice flow over my skin. When he stops playing, I open them back up right as he yanks the sheet away from me. I scream and then laugh as he lays me back down and enfolds his body over mine. I kiss him passionately, giving extra attention to the ring in his lip. â€Å"I have to tell you something,† he says when I free his lip ring from my teeth. The sound in his voice makes me uneasy. â€Å"Okay†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He sighs and rakes his fingers through his hair. â€Å"I think I'm going to go on the road with Naomi and her band.† I sit up, shocked, and nearly bump foreheads with him. â€Å"Did she ask you to join?† â€Å"Yeah, a few weeks ago, but I told her I had to think about it.† He rolls to the side, bringing me with him and hitching my leg over his hip so I'm opened up and vulnerable to him. â€Å"I think this is something I have to do, otherwise I'll regret it for the rest of my life.† My mind is racing, but I force my voice to sound even. â€Å"When are you leaving?† He traces my cheekbone with his finger. â€Å"In a couple of days.† Shutting my eyes, I talk myself through it. I know I have to let him go because regrets do nothing but eat away on the inside. It's still hard, though. I force a small smile as I open my eyes. â€Å"Will you visit me in Vegas?† â€Å"Every single moment I get,† he says and seals his lips to mine. â€Å"I promise.†

Mosquito Control With Birds and Other Natural Predators

When the topic of  mosquito control is discussed, thrown into the mix is usually a fervent argument for installing purple martin houses and bat houses. Stores that cater to bird enthusiasts often tout the purple martin houses as the best solution for keeping your yard mosquito free. Bats, which may not be the most beloved of mammals, are defended with the claim that they consume hundreds of mosquitoes per hour. The truth of the matter is that neither purple martins nor bats provide any significant measure of mosquito control. While both eat mosquitoes, the insect makes up a very tiny portion of their diets. Other animals might have an upper hand on mosquito control, particularly in the fish, other insect, and amphibian classes. Mosquito Munchies For bats and birds, mosquitoes are more like a passing snack. Multiple studies of wild bats have consistently shown that mosquitoes consist of less than 1 percent of their diet. In purple martins, the percentage of mosquitoes in their diet is slightly higher—about 3 percent, at most. The reason is simple. The payoff is small. A bird or a bat that feeds on insects must invest considerable energy in flying around and must catch the bugs in mid-air. Birds and bats are usually seeking the biggest caloric bang for their buck. Given the choice between a mosquito morsel, a hardy beetle, or a mouthful of moth, the mosquito hardly makes the top-10 list. An Efficient Mosquito Natural Predator Gambusia affinis, also known as the mosquitofish, is an American fish that is utilized by some mosquito control districts across the country as a very effective predator of mosquito larvae. As far as natural predators go, the mosquitofish is by far the most efficient natural predator of mosquitoes. The mosquitofish is a voracious predator. In certain studies, mosquitofish have been shown to consume up to 167 percent of their body weight in invertebrate prey, including mosquito larvae, per day. Mosquitofish, as well as small predatory fish such as guppies, can be quite useful in the reduction of mosquito larvae given the right conditions. Other Mosquito Consumers The closely related  dragonflies and damselflies  are natural predators of mosquitoes but do not consume enough mosquitoes to cause a significant impact on the wild mosquito population. Dragonflies are often referred to as mosquito hawks for an unsubstantiated claim of being able to kill thousands of mosquitoes. One thing that does make the dragonfly a better predator than most is that, in the aquatic larval stage, one of their food sources is mosquito larvae. Dragonfly larvae can sometimes live up to six years in this stage. During this phase of life, dragonflies do the most damage to mosquito populations. Frogs, toads, and their young tadpoles are often touted as excellent for mosquito control. In reality, while they do consume their fair share, it is not enough to seriously put a dent in vast mosquito populations. When frogs and toads do consume mosquitoes, it is usually after they have transformed from tadpole to adult.

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce

The word religion is defined as the belief in a God/group of Gods; an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies and rules used to worship a God or a group of Gods. I believe religion is important to every human being. Without it we are unaware of our true beliefs in life and ourselves. Growing up and going to Catholic School, I learned without God you can become lost and in need of a God to follow behind and learn from. As I started out reading A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, basically Stephen’s autobiography in third-person from his early childhood to early adulthood. Stephen takes us though his daily activities and thoughts of a young male growing up and maturing becoming more individualistic. Religion was the center of life for Stephen Dedalus as a child. Religion is a significant and recurring theme in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Stephen brought up in the Catholic Church, he faced many severe major life-changing events that challenged his devotion to his religion and his family. Born and raised in a strict loving Catholic family, maturing and evolving, Stephen is on the hunt to discover his own identity. As a young child, religion can be crucial in ones life. Stephen’s family trying to raised him to be a good Catholic follower sending him off to boarding school. From the beginning of Stephen Dedalus life he was always confused, his mother Mary always said apologize while his father Simon always said never feel guilty. So one parent says to feelShow MoreRelatedA Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man By James Joyce1929 Words   |  8 Pages What is the name of your work? What is the author’s name? When and where does it take place? A Portrait of The Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce is a semi-autobiographical novel that takes place in Ireland during a surge of political reformation, and calls for separation from England during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Describe your response to reading this novel. Was the novel absorbing? Burdensome? Aligned with your expectation? Not? Was there a difference in your usual reading, since thisRead MoreJames Joyce s A Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man1720 Words   |  7 PagesTwenty First Centuries reveals a deepening understanding of the impact of childhood and adolescent experiences in the long-term development of adulthood. Such is the case of James Joyce’s A portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, which explores the lasting impact of Steven Dedalus’ boyhood and teenage years on his destiny as an artist. The majority of the novel centres on these early years and draws upon the conventions of the Bildungsroman. The narrative largely is driven by impressionistic and sensoryRead MoreMy Understanding Of A Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man By James Joyce1029 Words   |  5 Pagesexploring various literary pieces can be an interesting task for the young mind. By observing myself an d my peers I have developed an opinion, this opinion was reinforced by reading How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas Foster. There are different stages of comprehension. Authors and readers utilize both experiences and prior knowledge quite often. My understanding of A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man By James Joyce was vastly impacted after reading Foster’s book. Instead of just readingRead MoreAnalysis Of James Joyce s A Portrait Of An Artist As A Young Man Essay2057 Words   |  9 PagesJames Joyce and H.G. Wells had different styles of writing and relied on different forms of narration. H.G. Wells was direct and focused on the external environment or situation. He did not give much insight on the thoughts or internal struggle of his characters, while James Joyce did. Joyce supplied his characters with a greater level of internal comprehension than Wells did and was able to provide more human like characters. This difference is especially seen in H.G Well ’s Tono-Bungay and JamesRead MoreAnalysis Of James Joyce s A Portrait Of An Artist As A Young Man Essay1953 Words   |  8 PagesJames Joyce and H.G. Welles had different styles of writing and relied on different forms of narration. H.G. Wells was direct and focused on the external environment or situation. He did not give much insight on the thoughts or internal struggle of his characters, while James Joyce did. Joyce supplied his characters with a greater level of internal comprehension than Wells did and was able to provide more human like characters. This difference is especially seen in H.G Well’s Tono-Bungay and JamesRead MoreAnalysis Of James Joyce s Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man2299 Words   |  10 Pagescontrol by the Catholic Church provided structure and stability in their lives, for others it was a source of major struggle and inner conflict. James Joyce found the Catholic Church’s power to be both overwhelming and repressive. In his Portra it of the Artist as a Young Man, we see his inner struggle portrayed through the main character Stephen Dedalus. Like Joyce, Stephen struggles throughout his childhood and adolescence with the rigidity and severity of the Catholic Church. Initially, Stephen blindlyRead MoreAnalysis Of James Joyce s Portrait Of An Artist As A Young Man2639 Words   |  11 PagesOrganized Religion: an Impediment to Human Fulfillment In Catholicism, religious beliefs are determined by the sacred scripture and tradition. These beliefs offer a comprehensive and definitive explanation of the nature of God. James Joyce s Portrait of An Artist as a Young Man is a narration of the transition from childhood to adulthood of the protagonist, Stephen Dedalus, who grows up in a Catholic society and family life in Ireland. Because of the nature of his church s role in his life, StephenRead More Stephens Journey to Maturation in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce 1234 Words   |  5 PagesStephens Journey to Maturation in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce    In A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, the author James Joyce uses the development of Stephen from a sensitive child to a rebellious young man to develop the plot of the novel. In this novel, Joyce suggests that through Stephens experiences with religion, sexuality and education, Stephen not only becomes more mature but these experiences also inspire him to redefine his world and his understandingRead MoreDedalus and Daedalus In James Joyce’s novel, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Joyce tells1500 Words   |  6 PagesDedalus and Daedalus In James Joyce’s novel, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Joyce tells us a story of a young man who struggles with who he is and who he is to become. Stephen Dedalus was born into an Irish Catholic family with very strong beliefs. Stephan believes in God and follows the path he is taught. His young life is very doctrinaire, but he believes in his God. He follows the ways of the Church because he does not want to let God down. Later, as Stephan matures, he struggles withRead MoreJames Joyces Alter Ego in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man929 Words   |  4 PagesJames Joyces Alter Ego in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man Works Cited Missing In James Joyces A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Stephen Dedalus, a young man growing up, has many of the same traits of the young James Joyce. For example, On 1 September 1888, at the age of half-past-six, Joyce was taken by his parents to be enrolled in the finest Catholic preparatory school in Ireland, Clongowes Wood College, situated A Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man By James Joyce What is the name of your work? What is the author’s name? When and where does it take place? A Portrait of The Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce is a semi-autobiographical novel that takes place in Ireland during a surge of political reformation, and calls for separation from England during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Describe your response to reading this novel. Was the novel absorbing? Burdensome? Aligned with your expectation? Not? Was there a difference in your usual reading, since this was an assignment but not for class discussion? On the whole, this novel really surprised me. When I was going in, primarily because of my experience from reading Angela’s Ashes the year before, I just expected it to be a lyrical jaunt through†¦show more content†¦The novel has five chapters, chronologically following his childhood. In chapter one, we learn that Stephen is a serious, and sensitive young boy. This sets up an important theme; even within his family, he often feels isolated. At his boarding school, while he’ll occasionally swell up with excitement along with the rest of his class, it quickly falls away as he ponders the colors of things, or the goodness of the church. We’re also introduced to the conflict in Stephen’s life around politics; while he’s disinterested in politics, his life is defined on the daily by it. When he comes home for Christmas, his father, uncle, and governess get into a screaming match about the decision to expel Parnell, a recently disgraced political revolutionary, from the church. Stephan sits through the spoiled dinner, only to return to school after Christmas break to suffer through the same subject. But he does form a sharp mind on authority, and takes it upon himself to question his school marm after the class receives collective corporal punishment. He begins to think that maybe not all priests are good, and perhaps that the church is not the only source of morality within his life. In addition to this, he becomes less isolated, as the incident gains him respect among his classmates, and elevates his social status upon the previous mousy position he had, making him feel less isolated. The chapter ends on this note. ChapterShow MoreRelatedJames Joyce s A Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man1720 Words   |  7 PagesTwenty First Centuries reveals a deepening understanding of the impact of childhood and adolescent experiences in the long-term development of adulthood. Such is the case of James Joyce’s A portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, which explores the lasting impact of Steven Dedalus’ boyhood and teenage years on his destiny as an artist. The majority of the novel centres on these early years and draws upon the conventions of the Bildungsroman. The narrative largely is driven by impressionistic and sensoryRead MoreA Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce594 Words   |  2 Pagesand learn from. As I started out reading A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, basically Stephen’s autobiography in third-person from his early childhood to early adulthood. Stephen takes us though his daily activities and thoughts of a young male growing up and maturing becoming more individualistic. Religion was the center of life for Stephen Dedalus as a child. Religion is a significant and recurring theme in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Stephen brought up in the Catholic ChurchRead MoreMy Understanding Of A Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man By James Joyce1029 Words   |  5 Pagesexploring various literary pieces can be an interesting task for the young mind. By observing myself and my peers I have developed an opinion, this opinion was reinforced by reading How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas Foster. There are different stages of comprehension. Authors and readers utilize both experiences and prior knowledge quite often. My understanding of A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man By James Joyce was vastly impacted after reading Foster’s book. Instead of just readingRead MoreAnalysis Of James Joyce s A Portrait Of An Artist As A Young Man Essay2057 Words   |  9 PagesJames Joyce and H.G. Wells had different styles of writing and relied on different forms of narration. H.G. Wells was direct and focus ed on the external environment or situation. He did not give much insight on the thoughts or internal struggle of his characters, while James Joyce did. Joyce supplied his characters with a greater level of internal comprehension than Wells did and was able to provide more human like characters. This difference is especially seen in H.G Well’s Tono-Bungay and JamesRead MoreAnalysis Of James Joyce s A Portrait Of An Artist As A Young Man Essay1953 Words   |  8 PagesJames Joyce and H.G. Welles had different styles of writing and relied on different forms of narration. H.G. Wells was direct and focused on the external environment or situation. He did not give much insight on the thoughts or internal struggle of his characters, while James Joyce did. Joyce supplied his characters with a greater level of internal comprehension than Wells did and was able to provide more human like characters. This difference is especially seen in H.G Well’s Tono-Bungay and JamesRead Mor eAnalysis Of James Joyce s Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man2299 Words   |  10 Pagescontrol by the Catholic Church provided structure and stability in their lives, for others it was a source of major struggle and inner conflict. James Joyce found the Catholic Church’s power to be both overwhelming and repressive. In his Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, we see his inner struggle portrayed through the main character Stephen Dedalus. Like Joyce, Stephen struggles throughout his childhood and adolescence with the rigidity and severity of the Catholic Church. Initially, Stephen blindlyRead MoreAnalysis Of James Joyce s Portrait Of An Artist As A Young Man2639 Words   |  11 PagesOrganized Religion: an Impediment to Human Fulfillment In Catholicism, religious beliefs are determined by the sacred scripture and tradition. These beliefs offer a comprehensive and definitive explanation of the nature of God. James Joyce s Portrait of An Artist as a Young Man is a narration of the transition from childhood to adulthood of the protagonist, Stephen Dedalus, who grows up in a Catholic society and family life in Ireland. Because of the nature of his church s role in his life, StephenRead More Stephens Journey to Maturation in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce 1234 Words   |  5 PagesStephens Journey to Maturation in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce    In A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, the author James Joyce uses the development of Stephen from a sensitive child to a rebellious young man to develop the plot of the novel. In this novel, Joyce suggests that through Stephens experiences with religion, sexuality and education, Stephen not only becomes more mature but these experiences also inspire him to redefine his world and his understandingRead MoreDedalus and Daedalus In James Joyce’s novel, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Joyce tells1500 Words   |  6 PagesDedalus and Daedalus In James Joyce’s novel, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Joyce tells us a story of a young man who struggles with who he is and who he is to become. Stephen Dedalus was born into an Irish Catholic family with very strong beliefs. Stephan believes in God and follows the path he is taught. His young life is very doctrinaire, but he believes in his God. He follows the ways of the Church because he does not want to let God down. Later, as Stephan matures, he struggles withRead MoreJames Joyces Alter Ego in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man929 Words   |  4 PagesJames Joyces Alter Ego in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man Works Cited Missing In James Joyces A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Stephen Dedalus, a young man growing up, has many of the same traits of the young James Joyce. For example, On 1 September 1888, at the age of half-past-six, Joyce was taken by his parents to be enrolled in the finest Catholic preparatory school in Ireland, Clongowes Wood College, situated

Multicultural Education And Educational Education - 770 Words

According to Sonia Nieto, the definition of multicultural education is defined in sociopolitical context and relates to comprehension of school reform. Namely, the multicultural education works in reforming schools and providing an equal and excellent education for everyone. Likewise, the author gave a definition of multicultural education based on her experience surrounding education environment. She divides multicultural education into seven basic characteristics: antiracist education, basic education, important for all students, pervasive, education for social justice, a process, and critical pedagogy (Nieto Bode, 2012). Overall, multicultural education needs to be understood as antiracist education. This is the first step to ensure that students have assess to a wide variety of viewpoints. The teachers should be an opened-mind to accept individual learning styles distinctively. The schools and teachers should provide school policies, curriculum, and materials which can link with the rejection of racism and other forms of discrimination in schools and society. Also, among teachers, students, and students’ families should have a good interaction and relationship. Since the author asserts multicultural education is basic education, it s not something that is separate from the curriculum and the climate in the school. The author describes the failure of monocultural education as an incomplete education. The students have limited background knowledge and experience inShow MoreRelatedEducating Through A Multicultural Perspective Essay1644 Words   |  7 PagesEducating Through a Multicultural Perspective What the Research Says? Defining Multicultural Education The United States serves as a culturally rich country who opens its arms to individuals from many different ethnicities, backgrounds, and life experiences. It seeks to be the melting pot of a blended group of people, providing opportunity and equity for all. Consequently, our educational system is the cornerstone for providing equal opportunity for all persons. Therefore, as the United States continuesRead More The Effectiveness of a Multicultural and Bilingual Education1198 Words   |  5 PagesEffectiveness of a Multicultural and Bilingual Education 1 There is a lot of controversy concerning our public educational programs. Opinions and lifestyles differ; [-- often] Often what is beneficial for one group of people is counterproductive for another group. Educational issues are complex and sensitive; [-- therefore] Therefore, we must analyze both sides of the issue before we make a decision. Two controversial issues in todays public educational program are multicultural and bilingualRead MoreMulticultural Education And Multicultural Schools1210 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction There have been multiple definitions for Multicultural definition which has become so imperative. Multicultural education alludes to any form of education or teaching that incorporates the histories, texts, values, beliefs, and perspectives of people from different cultural backgrounds (Bank).America is considered to be a â€Å"melting pot† because of the many people who have immigrated in search of a better life. Immigrants have brought with th em their own unique cultures. Different gendersRead MoreThe History of Multicultural Education Essay863 Words   |  4 PagesSummary Multicultural Education in the United States made its debut beginning with the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s. Its intent was to become part of the cultural mainstream. The Civil Rights Movement brought to light the apparent concerns of discrimination, intimidation and inequality. During this period, pressure was placed on the Federal Government to examine their roles in the perseverance of inequalities when it came to Multicultural Education (Russell, Robert, The History of MulticulturalRead MoreThe History of Multicultural Education Essay1333 Words   |  6 Pagesespecially with the emergence of the Civil Rights Movement. Although the term â€Å"multicultural education† had not come into play yet, the idea that the U.S needed to reexamine their efforts of educating diverse groups was emerging. During this time inequality especially among minority groups in comparison to the white dominant culture became a social issue (Banks 1999). Before the arrival of this reform mu lticultural education was displayed in the classroom as having minorities adapt to the predominantRead More Multicultural Education: Piecing Together The Puzzle Essay913 Words   |  4 Pages Multicultural Education: Piecing Together the Puzzle nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;When a child opens his (or her) first puzzle and the pieces fall to the ground, it may seem very confusing. What are they to do with this pile of shapes in front of them? It often takes a parent to explain to them that all the different pieces fit together into one whole picture. Although every piece is different and unique, when they are all put into their place they form one whole picture. In the same way, teachersRead MoreEssay on Multicultural Education1681 Words   |  7 PagesMulticultural Education History/Past Challenges: One of the major goals of the American school system is to provide all children with equal educational opportunity. However, with regard to minority students, meeting this particular objective has presented a real challenge to educators as they have been confronted with the task of reshaping education in the multilingual, multicultural society that characterizes the United States. Many significant events contributed to the needRead MoreMulticultural Approach Essay904 Words   |  4 PagesMulticultural Approach Doris McMillan ECE 405: Children Families in a Diverse Society August 29, 2010 Definitions of multicultural education vary. Some place emphasizes on the cultural characteristics of diverse groups, some emphasize social problems such as those associated with oppression, some place emphasize on political power, while others on the reallocation of economic resources. Some restrict their focus to people of color, while others include all major groups that are differentRead More Multicultural Educational System Essay1701 Words   |  7 PagesMulticultural Educational System Historically, The United States has been a racially and ethnically a diverse nation. Since Americans represent a variety of cultures and have a variety of viewpoints, we share many cultural traditions, values, and political ideals that cement us together as a nation. Children can develop their ideas and their identity at early stages in schools. Education should stress the value of diversity and avoid portraying one culture or group as superior to others. A multiculturalRead MorePromoting Cross Cultural Competence For Pre Service Teachers Through Multicultural Education Experiences Essay1390 Words   |  6 PagesPre-service Teachers Through Multicultural Education Experiences†, author Dr. Jared Keengwe discusses the growing conflict of diversity in American classrooms. Dr. Keengwe argues that 21st century educators are not properly prepared to teach, or communicate effectively with students of diverse backgrounds. In many examples provided throughout the article, Dr. Keengwe presents the negative attributes associated with such educators who lack experience in multicultural educational environments. With immigration

Essay On Pop Culture Free Essays

string(138) " of popular cultures that appeal the students in different ways and many students can no longer be affected by only the local traditions\." Technological advancements the last decades have contributed to the creation of a globalized era, with the English language as a common denominator, as the major language spoken between those who do not share any language. Globalization have made it possible for an extreme output of popular culture that has mainly origins of English speaking countries with U. S. We will write a custom essay sample on Essay On Pop Culture or any similar topic only for you Order Now A. as the main exporter of popular culture through music, movies, television etc. In this essay I explore the positive aspects that using popular music in the classroom might potentially have. In my main issues I discuss the motivational aspects of popular culture, why teachers might feel insecure or unwilling to use the student’s personal interests of popular culture in the classroom. Also how popular culture can be used to understand the cultural values of foreign countries and societies. Furthermore I will present some practical tasks and suggestions for lessons in how to use popular culture and the sub-category music as the most important teaching resource within popular culture in exercises in the classroom as a motivating way to promote communicative skills of the language. Also important aspects on how cultural and historic influences on music by people and countries can be used to teach students of other values and how music can be used to create understanding for other peoples way of perceiving life. Major Issues: Inviting the student’s social environment into the classroom: Motivational effects of popular culture one important factor for successful learning in any context is motivation, a concept that in all forms of education is a key to classroom learning (Harrett Benjamin, 2009, p. 138). Language learning is not just about teaching student’s formal academic language. In order for a student to be able to effectively communicate in a broader context the student also needs to have knowledge of the informal language and social structures that might not be as present in the literature the schools provide. These issues can be however found within popular culture such as media from television or music, in order to engage in the situations of their life where they have to adapt their language to â€Å"the various domains of their world† (Lambirth, 2003, p. 11) In teaching languages, the introduction of popular culture is a method of creating motivation, as the students can then relate their classroom work to their knowledge, experience and interests of their social life (Harrett Benjamin, 2009, p. 134). In a study of the English subject for second language learners in Mexican schools it is suggested that an increased attention to popular music in the curriculum would enhance the students motivation for the English language as activities involving this sub-category of popular culture would; â€Å"Using their knowledge, their music and their language.† (Domoney Harris, 1993, p. 235). Music is such a popular concept for the students, used correctly, it will help to motivate and increase the interest of a subject through a conscious and emotional involvement from the students (Kanel, 1997, p. 218). Pop culture is a way of gaining the student’s interest, by connecting the student’s familiar knowledge of the English language that they are exposed to outside of school. Using the students’ knowledge of popular culture will then serve as a meaningful resource to teach the language (Lambirth, 2003, p.12). Using popular culture makes students more prone to learning the subject and will prevent any inhibitions of learning that comes from an affective filter; Peter Krashen’s metaphor for when the student feels anxiety, boredom, stress and/or other pressures, they create an emotional barrier that prevent learning (Kanel, 1997, p. 219, Griffee, 1988, p. 24). Developments in English language teaching have been on the interaction and negotiation of the students and on the importance of integrating their experiences, knowledge and feelings into classroom. The ideas and discussions revolving about pop music included these valuable inputs from outside of school and came together and related to the more communicative focus of language learning that is still a popular method of teaching (Domoney Harris, 1993). â€Å"They get enough of that at home†: Claims that pop culture does not belong in the classroom are outdated. Teachers might feel a general unwillingness toward incorporating popular culture in the classroom and there are often several issues that create this point of view. Teachers might not understand the contemporary popular culture of today’s youth and therefore project negative thoughts on what is popular, expressing ideas such as; children who are more interested in popular culture are not as bright as those who prefer reading. Teachers might also regard pop culture as contra productive for student’s creativity and reason that they get enough of input in their spare time (Lambirth, 2003). However, the teachers are not those who can fully take the blame for not wanting to incorporate popular culture in the classroom. The teachers are caught between the two strong influences, of the popular culture industry and those who create the educational policies (Lambirth, 2003) It might therefore be unfair to lay blame on teachers for not wanting to take a gamble on their jobs and career by using methods that does not follow their curriculum. Using popular culture in the subject demands some knowledge of current technology and in using media properly in the classroom. The teacher education programs lack the teaching of these issues, young teachers are therefore anxious in using these kinds of modern methods of teaching as they do not want to stray too far from the curriculum. It is of the essence that the teacher training programs start education the students in how to properly use these ways to keep the next generation in tune with the progressive modern digital world. (Harrett Benjamin, 2009) Classrooms can no longer be a room and place where local traditions are taught and implemented upon the students; the role that popular culture plays suggest that there is a need for better education of informal language (Pennycook, 2010, p. 82). The globalization have created transcultural flows of popular cultures that appeal the students in different ways and many students can no longer be affected by only the local traditions. You read "Essay On Pop Culture" in category "Essay examples" The student’s identities are instead reflected by the popular music and culture that are in constant flow. If the education for our future generations want to stay in touch with the trends of society, by paying attention to the student’s knowledge, identity, interests and desires, then it is crucial that issues the students can relate to, such as popular culture are introduced into the language learning in schools (Pennycook, 2010, p. 82). Research supporting the use of pop culture music in the classroom As i have mentioned above in my paragraph on motivation, pop music is a very large branch of the popular culture and there are studies that affirm musical knowledge and skill as useful and valuable in the classroom All human beings possess varying degrees of musical intelligence, one of the intelligences that the human race has developed, the others are; linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic and personal intelligences. Asserted in the educational theory of â€Å"multiple intelligences† by Gardner in 1985 (Failoni, 1993). The theory of multiple intelligences confirm that excluding those with brain damage, every person on this earth possess some form of musical intelligence. Anthropologists have acknowledged after tests on both normal and learning disabled-students that music attributes to several functions of language learning that is important. The properties of music, that include: rhythm, melody, harmony, dynamics, form and mood, aids in the cognitive process of gaining vocabulary, enhance retention and is a good way to promote general language development and reading skills (Kanel, 1997). Music can be viewed as an instrument which everybody in the classroom can be involved in use and understand. It is therefore certainly arguable that integrating the musical intelligence in the classroom as a teaching tool by adopting and adapting it into lessons and activities without any demand on either teacher or student to have any knowledge on how to perform or compose music (Failoni, 1993). Audio-lingual method of teaching also supports the use of authentic songs, if the songs are properly chosen so that there is no abundance in non-standard grammar or excessive slang. As the songs that are constructed for ESL lacked the effectively to interest the student as the lyrics ended up being a collection of phonemes in a text (Kanel, 1997). Also the pedagogical theories of Vygotsky as well as Lave and Wenger are applicable to methods of using popular culture in the classroom. Lave and Wenger’s theories of situated learning theory states that learning occur naturally through activities, contexts and cultures. The learners utilize their knowledge and experience from their informal sociocultural world and apply them to understand new information. Vygotsky’s theories of the socio-cultural are based on how children acquire knowledge through their culture (Debbie, 2007). Even though these theories are abstract they are both successful and popular within pedagogical methods and theories. And they are highly related to the student’s exposure of popular culture. the popular culture is an important sphere in which the student’s identity outside of school is affirmed, challenged, taken apart and reconstructed (Pennycook, 2010). Teaching values of cultures: Understanding cultural aspects through contemporary popular culture To perceive cultures as national entities with shared values and are separated by boundaries of borders to other countries is to look at culture from a very narrow perspective. Culture can be described as â€Å"‘Big C little c† The Big C are the formal institutions of a country, little c being the daily lives studied by sociologists and anthropologists, patterns of behavior and cultural traditions. When learning a second language, culture is a prominent theme in the process of learning the new language, and that involves studying customs and beliefs of a country (Yuen, 2011). This perspective of culture becomes complex and problematic when studying languages of a nation that have a lot of diversity and different ethnicities. France is an example of an ethnic diverse country because of their imperial history. Through the French hip-hop scene that have been one of the prominent genres for the last two decades we can study the way in which the informal languages of the streets have evolved by influence of various cultures. Traditionalists have disregarded these linguistic features because of their departure from traditional grammar (Pennycook, 2010). The French hip-hop culture however despite averting from traditional grammar have their own grammatical rules that is followed, (Chi’en, 2008) discusses the weird English that is a result of globalization and of many different English languages co-existing, the same goes for the French hip-hop lingua, it is not broken or radical or â€Å"wrong† it is in fact a form of art; one which can be reproduced only with knowledge of the genre. The hip-hop scene has become a new symbol for the â€Å"tricolor† i. e. the French flag. The opposition of the nationalistic red, blue white flag which does not symbolize the society of modern France should instead be ascribed to the new colors; â€Å"black, blanc beur† representing the multiracial, multicultural multilingual society that is a more objective reflection of how the French social scene looks today. (Pennycook, 2010) Discussing the history of either Jazz, Rock Roll or Rap is a way of learning the cultural aspects of the African-American community and the roots of both genres which both were born in Africa and brought to America, carried by the slaves and further evolved there to what it is today.  (Omoniyi, 2006) The global use of English has been a key factor to the spreading of the popular culture from major informal institutions such as Hollywood, or the hip-hop music which has been very influential world wide. Studying the re-appropriation of the hip-hop music in African countries as Nigera gives insight of how their values are reflected in songs by comparing them to North American contemporaries. Although the artists in Nigeria are similar to their colleagues in the U. S.  by following the trends of popular culture in appearance, the Nigerian hip-hop differ a lot in their lyrics, such as different themes such as love instead of the misogynist ideals represented in the American hip-hop. (Omonyi, 2006) Studying the sub-genres of hip hop African countries gives us knowledge of the African countries that speak English as native tongue and is a part of the globalization of the English language, but are even so underrepresented in text books supplied by schools (Yuen, 2011) The result of the English globalization is that there are a lot of countries that have their own unique music, even though they share the same genre as other English speaking countries. Irish folk music is a popular sub-genre of the folk music, which has aspects of entertainment values with songs about drinking and what the comical consequences of drinking too much. Many songs also contain more serious and political protest songs against British tyranny or the songs about the civil war in Ireland, giving the audience a broad insight into the countries culture and history by listening to their music. But teachers using these methods to promote cultural understanding should be wary not to promote stereotypes of a country â€Å"That Mexicans only dance the hat dance for example† (Failoni, 1993). Implications for Practice â€Å"Music, the great communicator† the phrase that popular rock group Red Hot Chili Peppers coined in their song Can’t Stop. It cannot be assumed that they implicated anything regarding language learning, but they did in fact have a valid point with that statement. Music can be used in teaching the all four strands of language learning; listening, reading, speaking writing. Students experiencing difficulties with communication skills are likely to react positively to the entertaining aspects of music and might improve their communicative skills as rhymes, melodies and rhythm are easier to remember than ordinary speech (Failoni, 1993). Teaching informal language is something that I have stressed in this article as the researchers have argued that it is important to integrate more of the student’s experience from outside of school to promote student participation (Pennycook, 2010). Using authentic pop music as listening material have been since the 70’s gained an increased popularity, because it colloquialism that student’s otherwise miss out on in the classroom (Griffee, 1988). Furthermore it will make student’s aware of phonetic structures. Listening exercises can be used with mixing reading comprehension, having the students underlining vocabulary in text that is chosen by the teacher consciously as a specific goal for learning (Failoni, 1993). Taking the next step with music from the listening comprehension to speaking, pronunciation skills are improved by the student first hearing the lines and the repeating them with the rythm of music as a cognitive help for the student to more pronounce the words more aptly. (Failoni, 1993) Communicative exercises can be created on the base of exploring different musical styles which is an easy alternative for teachers willing to introduce music in the classroom. (Failoni 1993) There are also a lot of different cultural aspects and styling’s that can be taught in the classroom to promote cultural awareness. Exercises to engage students about culture can be done through finding songs that are unique in the way that they are symbols of the country or region, some examples are: The Genius of Ravi Shankar (India) Rampal Japanese Melodies (Japan) Bagpipe Music (Scotland) Bach’s Toccata Fugue in D minor (Germany) (Griffee, 1988) Playing these kind of songs can be used in form of quizzes as relaxed competitive tasks for the students. World map’s in the classroom than this is a great tool for enhancing the task and going deeper into details. Further ways are giving the students pictures of things that symbolize the origin of the song, pictures of what kind of food is eaten there, how the buildings looks like, historical remnants like the coliseum. The songs are repeated and the students are asked to chronologically place the pictures based on the order of the songs. This is method is pedagogical in a cognitive way by the connecting the visual and hearing senses. After all the countries of the songs played then follow-up activities is a way to discuss further create cultural awareness by discussions on for an example based on the pictures in front of them, (Griffee 1988) Understanding of social and political structures, both past and contemporary can be discussed and understood under the basis of only discussing a genre of music, listening to Latin American pop music presents the listener to nationalistic views (Failoni, 1988). This is a way for the students to learn these things as many youths are interested in the music. And if it so happens that the students in that particular classroom is not interested in the Hip Hop / Rap genre then the positive thing is that there are an infinite amount of genres to explore. An option is also not using only one genre as a discussion point but bringing in the option for students to do research on the unique historical and cultural aspects of the music they listen to. 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Silverthorn(2012) by Kamelot free essay sample

Staying in the modern era of Kamelot, their 2012 is the first album to not feature former vocalist Thomas Youngblood. Now this doeas not detracked anything from the album, in fact it gives a nice change of pase when compared to some of the older ones. Following more of the Epica/Ghost Opera styles of Kamelot, this album includes many singles as well to help new fans get into the band like Falling Like the Farenheit, Ashes to Ashes, and Sacrimony. The album is a fun ride front to back especially with the 8 minute epic just ending off the album. I can see a bright future for the men of Tampa, Florida. I also expect a new album soon so, Ill be waiting for that. Of course with the new vocalist there could be some issues with the fans because of how much they knew about Tom, but to me, this guy doesnt sound that much different from Tom so I dont exactly see your issue. We will write a custom essay sample on Silverthorn(2012) by Kamelot or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Its like comparing Bruce Dickingson and Blaze Bayley, the only difference is that Blaze has a slightly deeper voice which he does use to his advantage at times in X-Factor but otherwise, nothing else. Also, the band isnt exactly Shakespeare with lyrics but tracks like Song For Jolee or Torn are awesome lyrically. Overall, one of the best of 2012 and it goes to show that a little step can go a long way. As if I didnt like this band before, this is one of the reasons why Im proud to be Floridian. 9.5/10. This is the Grim Reaper, signing off.