M1A1: Creativity Essay Humans seem to have a genius for conceiving new ideas and inventing new things. Throughout history, this creative spirit has resulted in solutions for a variety of human problems and expressions of a spectrum of human experiences. The collection of visual arts, music, literature, and other related types of human expression known as the humanities can be seen as a primary way by which we express our creativity.But creativity can be either encouraged, resulting in cultural and technical progress, or discouraged, resulting in individual and cultural stagnation. As in other key eras in human history, it is essential in our own time that the creative human genius be nurtured so that the problems we are facing may be dealt with effectively and exciting new possibilities may be realized.•In Chapter 1 of the textbook, review the story of Sam on pp. 1–2. Once done, visit YouTube.com and view the following videos.Sir Ken Robinson—Defining Creativity. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Video file][4 min 42 sec] YouTube website. Retrieved from Sir Ken Robinson: Do schools kill creativity?(Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Video file][20 min 03 sec] YouTube website. Retrieved from Carefully analyze the main points of each video and write a 2-page essay on the importance of encouraging human creativity. Be sure to cover the following topics:The definition of creativityThe conditions which foster creativityThe conditions in current society which discourage creativityHow circumstances can be changed to encourage creativityThe different perspective on life which a creative broadening of the mind can produceBe sure to include a convincing, inclusive conclusion at the end of your essay and a bibliography of at least two sources that you used to prepare your essay, one of which may be the class text. Do not use and cite Wikipedia as a source. Instead, visit the Excelsior College Library to learn about academic sources. The page on Evaluating Information Evaluating Information (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. includes helpful sections on "Print vs. Web Resources," Evaluation Criteria," Evaluation Scenarios," and "Media Literacy."Write a 500-750 word essay. Follow APA style, using the Excelsior College Library resources on learning to use APA Style. Excelsior College Library resources on learning to use APA Style (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.2.M1D1: Artcyclopedia and Analysis 6 6 unread replies. 6 6 replies.An important aspect of studying the humanities is knowing where great works of art can be found and how they can be analyzed and appreciated. Beyond looking in the cultural events section of the local newspaper, or stumbling across an exhibit at the mall, thousands of great works of art can be accessed on the Internet. This assignment will introduce you to the wonderful array of opportunities to participate in the humanities online. It will also get you started in the lifelong process of developing an informed appreciation for art. Access the Artcyclopedia Web site: Artcyclopedia (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. At the top of the homepage, you will see a box in which you can search for artists by name. Enter a search for the seventeenth century Spanish painter, Diego Velazquez. On his page, you will see that his work is displayed in a variety of museums and exhibitions. Select the Prado Museum in Madrid, click on English in the right hand corner, and then type "Velazquez" in the search bar. In this collection, choose any of the Spanish royal portraits painted by the artist—for example, Felipe III, Felipe IV, Prince Baltasar Carlos, Queen Isabel de Bourbon, or Queen Margarita of Austria. How does the work you chose highlight elements of Baroque style? You may also discuss your own personal reaction to the artwork as well.This is your task. Evaluate the painting you select using Goethe’s three questions for critiquing art:What is the artist trying to say?Does he or she succeed?Was the artwork worth the effort?It will be helpful to review the final paragraph of Chapter 1, under the heading Communication. Submit your 250-500 word critique to a thread in the Module 1 Discussion Board. Once you have submitted your post, you should read a minimum of two critiques posted by your fellow students. Respond to your peers by critically reading their submissions and addressing the following issues:How thorough were your peers’ answers to Goethe’s three questions?How is your own critique different from your peers?What are your opinions on the pieces your peers chose to critique?3 M1D1: The Sacred and the Profane6 6 unread replies. 6 6 replies.INTRODUCTIONVirtue ethicists Socrates and Hannah Arendt contend that we achieve moral behavior by reflectively thinking about our beliefs and actions, and not simply conforming with the crowd mentality. In “Flatulence and Philosophy: A Lot of Hot Air, or the Corruption of Youth?” William Young proposes that the television comedy South Parkoffers us the same opportunity:Through its different characters, and even in its apparently mindless vulgarity, South Parkshows the need for engaging in dialogue, and thinking from others’ perspectives, in order to pursue wisdom, examine life, and make it worth living (p. 5).This activity aligns with module outcome 3.DISCUSSION QUESTIONPrepare for your discussion by studying the William Young and Sean McAleer articles and listening to one episode, compilation, or clip of The Office. Then respond to the following:To what extent might you concur with William Young that vulgar comedies such as South Park, or even The Simpsons, encourage such a deep reflection on ethics and ultimately encourage virtuous behavior? Is this the type of reflection that Arendt and Socrates intended? Please explain.To what extent is author Sean McAleer right when he proclaims, “The Officehas much to teach us about Aristotle’s ethics, for its major male characters illustrate the structure of a character virtue as a mean between extremes” (162)? Reference your chosen episode of The Office (the British version) and offer examples4 M1D2: Cognitive Dissonance and our Evil Lives?3 3 unread replies. 3 3 replies.INTRODUCTIONEthical relativists hold that our values are relative to our culture and there is essentially no objective right and wrong. Another form of ethical relativism is cultural ethical relativism in which society shapes the ethical values and provides the foundation for moral judgments. Cultural ethical relativism explains why ethical viewpoints differ from society to society and that neither is considered correct or incorrect. This activity aligns with module outcome 4.DISCUSSION QUESTIONPrepare for this discussion by completing your readings and viewings. Then respond to the following:Comedian Louis C.K. is skillful in capturing the cognitive dissonance we experience between our moral beliefs and our actual moral behavior. To what extent is Louis C.K. right that our lives are evil? How might appreciating the work of a morally compromised artist like Louis CK himself create cognitive dissonance? Is it possible to separate the work from the artist? Is it necessary?What are the three most important virtues by which you live? Identify any comedian or any form of comic medium that represents these virtues and describe the representation. Please include a link to a clip (or article) that best illustrates your point.5.M2A1: Critical Analysis Project An important skill in appreciating pictorial art is the ability to analyze various types of pictures critically. This exercise will help you develop and sharpen this skill.Examine the Outline and Critical Analysis sample shown at the conclusion of Chapter 2. Access the Artcyclopedia website (Artcyclopedia (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.) and search for one of the following works of art by typing in the artist’s name and then selecting the site where the picture is displayed:Rosa Bonheur: The Horse Fair (National Gallery, London)Caspar David Friedrich: The Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog (Web Museum)Joseph Wright (of Derby): An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump (National Gallery, London)Nicholas Poussin: The Holy Family on the Steps(Cleveland Museum of Art)Using the textbook example as a guide, write a two-page outline and critical analysis of the piece of art you select. Be sure to include the following headings as part of your paper:Subject Matter and Medium: List the artist, title, date, stylistic movement, medium (the materials the piece is made from), and a general background and description.Composition: Analyze lines, shapes, color schemes, focal areas (perhaps indicated by chiaroscuro), balance, and perspective. Consider the intended purpose of these things in the composition.Artists’ purpose or message: Though this is not included in the textbook example, you should conclude with what you believe was the artists’ purpose or message, whether he or she succeeded in communicating it, and your reaction to the work as a whole.Be sure to include a convincing, inclusive conclusion at the end of your critical analysis and a bibliography of at least two sources that you used to prepare your analysis, one of which may be Artcyclopedia.com. Do not use and cite Wikipedia. Instead, visit the Excelsior College Library to learn about academic sources. The page on Evaluating Information Evaluating Information (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.includes helpful sections on "Print vs. Web Resources," Evaluation Criteria," Evaluation Scenarios," and "Media Literacy." Write a 500-750 word critical analysis. Follow APA style, using the Excelsior College Library resources on learning to use APA Style. Excelsior College Library resources on learning to use APA Style (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.6.M2D1: Comparison of Pictorial Styles No unread replies. No replies.Understanding and distinguishing between artistic styles and movements is an important component of art appreciation. A little basic training will enable you to begin to distinguish between an artistic masterpiece and pictorial art of a more mediocre quality. Further training and practice will help you to compare fine art composed in a particular era and region of the world with equally outstanding pictorial art from a different time and place. This exercise will help you develop the ability to identify major artistic styles and contrast them with one another.From the following list of stylistic movements in the pictorial arts, choose two movements to research and compare: Abstract Expressionism, Baroque, Cubism, Expressionism, Impressionism, Neoclassicism, Pop Art, Post-Impressionism, Realism, Rococo, Romanticism, Surrealism. Please use specific artworks to help illustrate and support your points for the two movements being compared.To research the two movements you select, a good resource is Artcyclopedia.com. You may also want to gather information from other reputable sources, such as The Web Gallery of Art, accessible by clicking http://www.wga.hu (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. In your research, find the origins, basic characteristics, development, and significant artists of each movement. It will be helpful to use specific art works to help support and illustrate your points about the movement.Post your findings and critique to the Module 2 Discussion Board in a 250-500 word post and include images of the specific art pieces in your post as well. Once you have submitted your post, you should read a minimum of two critiques posted by your fellow students. Read postings from your peers who have not posted on the same movement of yourself:After reading posts on other movements, what interested or surprised you about the movements? What are your own interpretations on the specific pieces your peers chose to critique?7.M2A1: Mini EssayThis assignment gives you the opportunity to explore ethical perspectives in film. In 500-600 words, please consider the three primary ethical schools we have explored in the class: virtue ethics, teleological, and deontological ethics. Choose a film, and then identify the primary school of thought that is best reflected in the film. This activity aligns with module outcomes 1, 3 and 5.CONTENT REQUIREMENTS:Specifically refer to at least two scenes in the film as evidence for the school of thought that is best reflected in the film.Quote dialogue from the film and provide some context for the scenes you’re discussing and analyzing.Remember to discuss why the other two schools may not strictly apply to the film. Or perhaps you can argue that the two other schools are present in some of the decisions or actions of some minor characters, but they do not necessarily dominate the film.Speculate as to why a specific ethical school dominates this film. Does the topic lend itself to the particular ethical view? Does the setting or historical period of the film lend itself to a certain ethical view? Has the director stated or implied what was ethically important when he or she made the film?Read and quote from 2 movie reviews and your readings to help clarify or support any of your ideas.WRITING REQUIREMENTS:Develop an interesting introduction which includes an evident thesis.Logically organize your ideas, ensuring that there are transitions between each paragraph.Use proper grammar and syntaxUse detail, dialogue, and description to support your ideas.Use direct quotations from the movie review and your readings, using APA citation styleThis course uses the American Psychological Association (APA) format for scholarly writing. References and citations must adhere to the proper format for all written work presented including essays, discussion postings, and essay exams. Online tips for using APA style may be found at the Perdue Online Writing Lab (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..To assist you in your research, the library has the following tutorials and links for you to use:Getting Started with Your Research (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.Frequently Asked Questions (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.8.M2D1: Invincible VillainsNo unread replies. No replies.INTRODUCTIONThe question of whether or not Batman should kill the Joker is one of many modern versions of an age-old philosophical problem. Philosopher Philippa Foot best characterizes this classic, moral dilemma, a choice between what is right versus what produces good results, in her formulation of the Trolley Problem. This activity aligns with module outcome 5.DISCUSSION QUESTIONPrepare for your discussion by completing your readings and viewings. Then respond to the following:Do you think Batman should kill the Joker? Should the controller switch the trolley to another track? Are these questions one and the same? Identify the moral implications of such actions, employing both Kantian and utilitarian theories.Reflecting on your own life, describe a real-life scenario where you had to make an ethical decision, choosing between deontological and teleological options. Do you see any connections between Batman’s decisions and your own scenario? What could you learn from Batman’s actions in your life?9M2D2: Popcorn and PrinciplesNo unread replies. No replies.INTRODUCTIONKant’s concept of the categorical imperative is a moral obligation to guide us toward what we ought to do, regardless the circumstances. Kant has us test our actions by asking of ourselves: “What if everyone did it?” This activity aligns with module outcome 4.DISCUSSION QUESTIONPrepare for this discussion by completing your readings and viewings. Then respond to the following:Identify a film that best reflects at least three of your own categorical imperatives. Be specific about how the film demonstrates your beliefs. Why is it important for you and others in your life to adhere to those categorical imperatives you listed? Why is it important in the film that those imperatives were followed? Include a clip, if you can.Please share with your classmates the film you chose for your Module 2 Mini Essay. Speculate how the film may or may not align with your own preferred ethical stance or theory.M3A1 Critical Analysis Project: Sculpture. Beyond the actual techniques and methods behind creating a sculpture is the understanding of the artist’s purpose and an overall appreciation of the work itself. This activity will enable you to evaluate a piece of sculpture as a work of art and see its contribution to the human experience.From the following choices, select one sculpture. Evaluate the sculpture using the critical analysis example at the conclusion of Chapter 3 as a guide. You will need to do some research on the piece you choose in order to give the historical background, artist (if known), context, technique, etc.You will also want to refer to Chapter 3 and the accompanying PowerPoint for the technical terms and concepts necessary in the analysis. Be sure to include all points of the outline (minimum one full page in length). Choose one of the following for this assignment:Pieta (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. by Michelangelo BuonarrotiContext of Pieta, Rome: StPeter Basilica light streams (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.(Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.Trajan addressing his troops (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (Aldocutio) by Apollodorus of Damascus:Context of Trajan’s Column (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., RomeThe Spoils of Jerusalem(Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (from Arch of Titus)Context of Arch of Titus(Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., RomeTerracotta soldier: Soldier Horse (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.Context of soldier, Lintong District, Xi’an, China: 1 terracotta army 2011(Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.Click here to see the sculptures before you visit the web pages. Be sure to include a convincing, inclusive conclusion at the end of your critical analysis and a bibliography of at least two sources that you used to prepare your analysis, one of which may be the class text. Do not use and cite Wikipedia. Instead, visit the Excelsior College Library to learn about academic sources. The page on Evaluating Information Evaluating Information (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. includes helpful sections on "Print vs. Web Resources," Evaluation Criteria," Evaluation Scenarios," and "Media Literacy."Write a 500-750 word critical analysis. Follow APA style, using the Excelsior College Library resources on learning to use APA Style. Excelsior College Library resources on learning to use APA Style (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.M3D1: Explaining Types of SculptureShort of the actual experience of sculpting a work of art yourself, the best method for learning the techniques of sculpture is to explain them to someone else. In this activity, you will be building on your reading in Chapter 3 and the study of the accompanying PowerPoint by watching sculptors at work in various You Tube videos. From this, you will then be able to explain a particular type of sculpture to your fellow students. From the following links, choose one of the following types of sculpture: subtractive, constructive, substitutionary, or manipulative. SubtractiveMarble face (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Video file][5 min 55 sec]Wood free form (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Video file][7 min 27 sec]Wood owl (chainsaw)(Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Video file][3 min 26 sec]ConstructiveClay horse Part 1 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.[Video file][15 min 23 sec]Part 2 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.[Video file][10 min 46 sec]Clay head (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Video file][5 min 20 sec]Manipulative:Wire horse Part 1 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.[Video file][4 min 06 sec]Part 2 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.[Video file][4 min 31 sec]Part 3 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.[Video file][4 min 37 sec]Part 4 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.[Video file][4 min 48 sec]Wire scorpion Part 1 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.[Video file][7 min 28 sec]Part 2 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.[Video file][2 min 37 sec]Part 3 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.[Video file][3 min 21 sec]• Pottery tea set (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Video file][4 min 34 sec]• Pottery bamboo vase (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Video file][18 min 05 sec]Substitutionary:Bronze casting Buddha(Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Video file][10 min 19 sec]Bronze axe head (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Video file][2 min 50 sec]Using the links provided, watch the videos for the type of sculpture you selected. You may want to explore other available videos as well. For this discussion activity, assume the role of instructor and teach this basic information of this type of sculpture to your peers. Do the following:Write a one-page (minimum 3 substantial paragraphs) description and explanation of what you learned. Craft the explanation for your hypothetical class of beginners.Remember to point out not only techniques, but also the effects the techniques are intended to produce.Once you have submitted your post, read and critically respond to a minimum of two explanations posted by your fellow students. In your responses, answer the following questions:What did you learn about the type of sculpture, technique, etc.?What was important to learn about the piece, which was not addressed?How did you react to the piece aesthetically? Did the explanation in the post enhance your aesthetic appreciation?M3D1: The Vampire or the Archer?No unread replies. No replies.INTRODUCTIONIn 1949, philosopher Simone de Beauvoir wrote the foundational, philosophical, feminist text, The Second Sex, in which she analyzes the roles of men and women, and determines that gender roles limit our opportunities to be free agents. These roles demote women to an inferior status and encourage women’s propensity toward self-sacrifice. This activity aligns with module outcomes 2 and 4.Today, researchers are still undecided about just how much difference gender makes on ethical decisions and moral reasoning. Some scholars believe that any gender differences are simply a matter of socialization. Some feminists worry that delineating male and female ethics might encourage more gender stereotypes, and lead to the evaluation of one ethical approach as superior to the other.DISCUSSION QUESTIONPrepare for this discussion by completing your readings and viewings. Then respond to the following:Given your readings from the textbook or your own familiarity with these characters, to what extent do you think Bella Swan from Twilight and Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games are operating within a feminist ethical framework? Are they free agents?Regardless of your own particular gender, is there anything about the ethicalM3D2: Gonads and GoodnessNo unread replies. No replies.INTRODUCTIONFeminist scholar Carol Gilligan developed a feminist approach to ethics, the ethic of care, with her book In a Different Voice. She, along with other feminists, maintain that the traditional, male identified ethical theory tends to focus on justice and abstract reasoning, whereas women’s approach to ethics often aims at maintaining and nurturing attachment with others. Further, the ethics of care values the role of emotions such as empathy and sensitivity as a means to determine the best ethical course of action. This activity aligns with module outcomes 1 and 4.DISCUSSION QUESTIONPrepare for this discussion by completing your readings and viewings. Then respond to the following:Is caring necessarily a female trait, biologically or socially? To what extent does distinguishing between male and female ethics encourage more gender stereotypes? Can it lead to the evaluation of one ethical approach as superior to the other? Please provide a concrete example.Describe the ethics of care and identify a character in a book, poem or piece of literature who best exemplifies this philosophy.