Week 4 Discussion Each week we will be looking at a set period from our past. Although these are our ancestors, it will seem like we are studying a distant planet, inhabited by people with the strangest of habits. Fortunately, these subjects of our observation give us abundant clues about who they are. Their art, their writing, their technology, the way they do business, the way they govern themselves all feed into a picture we will attempt to paint for ourselves each week. Understanding who they were will help us understand who we are. Each week you will be given three or four questions pertaining to important topics covered in the materials provided in the question itself, the textbook, the lectures, the other materials provided, and my comments in my Live Session. You choose the one you like and post a response of 125 words or more. You also need to respond to another post from one of your fellow students. This second post should be at least 60 or so words long and should not just agree with or repeat what has been said. Please use an example that has not already been used in the discussion. 1.Imagine that you have been sent by Starfleet Command or by your boss (whichever you prefer to report to) to observe two composers of a new style of music. "Romantic" music swept the precision of Classical aside because of these composers' intense creativity. Select two of these Romantic composers and using a specific composition by each, explain why they are defined as "Romantic". Use the textbook's definition of "Romantic". This week's eight music selections all relate to chapter 27, pp. 931-938. Ludwig van Beethoven's Eroica: In this week's readings (chaps. 27-28), we encounter a number of musical pieces, all of them covered in chapter 27, pp. 907-913. On pp. 931-934, there is a brief discussion of Beethoven's Eroica (Italian for "Heroic"), formally called Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat. This was first performed in 1804 and was composed in the 2 or 3 years leading up to that, a time when he was wrestling with increasing deafness and depression (pp. 931-934). Beethoven personally embraced the ideals of the French Revolution and at some point seemed to admire Napoleon greatly. So much so that at some point Napoleon's name was in the title of this work and the work's dedication was to him. But, Beethoven changed this and renamed it Eroica and removed the dedication to Napoleon. One account says this was because of his disenchantment with Napoleon's autocratic drift, as especially revealed when Napoleon finally proclaimed himself "Emperor", a move Beethoven despised. See http://www.beethovenseroica.com/Pg1_why/whyeroica.htm and http://www.beethovenseroica.com/Pg2_hist/history.html . Perhaps Beethoven's reasons for the change were more pragmatic. In any case, the result was this masterpiece, which changed the direction of music forever. This work is considered transitional from the CLASSICAL style of music perfected by Haydn and Mozart in the late 1700s to the ROMANTIC style of music that would prevail for most of the 1800s. The first clip below is a 10-minute clip of the first movement. The second is a clip of the second movement which shows short clips of it in three different versions. Note: Beethoven composed this for a bigger symphony orchestra and made it a much longer work than anything done by Haydn and Mozart. His work is also much more charged with emotion and drama and change. Enjoy the following links Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 ("Eroica"), 1st Movement http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XL2ha18i5w Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 ("Eroica"), 2nd Movement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drxcjTbDsts --------------------------- Beethoven's Fifth Symphony: On pp. 931-934 (chap. 27), we encounter a discussion of Beethoven's famous Fifth Symphony, first performed in 1808. Read the description carefully and give this a listen: Beethoven: Symphony No. 5, 1st Movement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM3y09RjKLs&feature=youtu.be -------------------------- Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 30, E major, Op. 109 : Read about this beautiful piano composition on p.931-934. Then, give this a listen: Beethoven: Sonata No. 30, E Major, Op. 109, 1st Movement http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxB1MKOo9FI ---------------------------- Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Ode to Joy: On pp. 931-934 (in chap. 27), there is a fine discussion of Beethoven's crowning work, his Ninth Symphony, first performed in 1824. (Beethoven died in 1827). Note his innovation of combining a vocal chorus as part of this symphonic work. In the YouTube below, Leonard Bernstein introduces Beethoven and this particular work. If you wish to get right to the music, fast forward (click and drag) to the 3:37 mark. Bernstein is conducting the Vienna Philharmonic. Give this a listen: Beethoven: Symphony No. 9, in D Minor, Ode to Joy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZJ1Tgf4JL8 (Start music at 3:37 mark) For German lyrics and English translation, see http://www.andrerieutranslations.com/Lyrics/Ode-to-Joy.html . -------------------------- Hector Berlioz, Symphony Fantastique: This is discussed on pp. 935-936 (in chap. 27). This grand work is often presented as the great example of the ROMANTIC style of music in the 1800s, a style that is emotional and given to drama. It was composed in 1830. Berlioz did this in a grandiose manner. Read carefully pp. 935-936 about "program music" and the idée fixe ("fixed idea") as they relate to this work. You realize that a dramatic story is being told, not just a change of mood. Listen to the following clips. Berlioz: Symphony Fantastique, 1st Movement http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjri6MyXKRI Berlioz: Symphony Fantastique, 4th Movement (March to the Scaffold; artist hallucinates) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roX70PAu3oA Berlioz: Symphony Fantastique, 5th Movement (Dream of a Witches Sabbath) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cao6WyF-61s ------------------------- Felix Mendelssohn, Concerto in E Minor for Violin: This work was composed in 1844. Read carefully p. 912 (in chap. 27) and note the skill required on the part of a violinist to play this. Sarah Chang will do this in the YouTube below. Then, give this a listen: Mendelssohn: Concerto in E minor for Violin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCLxso5XDN4 (You can start at 1:00 if you like.) --------------------------------- Robert Schumann, Widmung (=Dedication): This is an example of a lied (plural= lieder ) of the Romantic style in the mid-1800s, which were normally songs for a solo voice with a piano. Read carefully pp. 912-913 (in chap. 27). Schumann composed the music for this in 1840 to celebrate his wedding. His wife, Clara Schumann, not only inspired some great compositions, she became a well known piano virtuoso. One of the links below has the German lyric and translation. Watch and listen to the great Jessye Norman sing this in German: Robert Schumann: Widmung (Dedication) sung by Jessye Norman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHq4FKsLFsQ For the German lyric and translation see http://classicalplus.gmn.com/classical/work.asp?id=644¬es=true&webcast=true . ------------------------- Frederic Chopin, Fantasie Impromptu: Chopin (pronounce SHOH-pan) composed this Romantic style work for the piano. Read carefully p. 913 (in chap. 27) about this work and how it exemplifies Romantic style musicianship. Note the tempo changes. Then, give this a listen: Chopin: Fantasie Impromtu http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x93pwAvUkAA and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-HosIOod_A 2. Compare the view of the early Romantic writers like Wordsworth and Keats with the view Charles Dickens has in Hard Times. Has anything changed in England between the times in which each was writing? What do they have to say about the Industrial Revolution versus Nature? 3. French painting became ever more realistic and precise between 1750 and 1870. At the same time, photography began to become better and better. Your textbook has good sections on each. Compare French realism in painting to the new technology of photography. Which did a better job of "telling the story"? 4. John Constable and JMW Turner were painting a beautiful pastoral England and a powerful British empire in their work. Goya was depicting a country besieged by invaders. Using works from one of the English painters and works from Goya, explain how each saw their own countries at the time. Which painter had reason to celebrate the condition of his and which did not?

Discussion #11: The Fall from Grace-WatergateRichard Nixon served as Vice-President of the United States from 1953 to 1961, and as President from 1969 to 1974. He was the only person to be elected twice to both the Presidency and Vice Presidency. In 1969 Americans had joined together in pride over the lunar landing and Neil Armstrong's walk on the moon. Yet Nixon's personality may have played a part in his eventual demise. He believed the United States faced grave dangers from the radicals and dissidents who were challenging his policies, and he came to view any challenge as a "threat to national security." As a result, he created a climate in which he and those who served him could justify almost any tactics to stifle dissent and undermine the opposition. He has been described as being a devious, secretive, and embittered man whose White House became a series of covert activities. On August 9, 1974, Richard Nixon became the first chief executive in American History to resign, because of his role in the Watergate scandal.Some Americans viewed this as an indication that the system worked. They were proud of the way the US political system had weathered the crisis and peacefully transferred power. Others worried about the further erosion of popular trust and belief in their government. Regardless, when he left office the nation remembered an administration that had been discredited by the Agnew and Watergate scandals. Watergate has come to define Nixon's presidency.In order to prepare for this discussion forum: Review and identify the relevant sections of Chapter 30 that support your discussion. Read the linked essay DEBATING THE PAST: WATERGATERead the following excerpts from the Nixon Tapes. As you read them to consider what the conversations reveal, about the casual use of federal agencies for political purposes.Review the discussion on the Nixons' "so-called "imperial Presidency" at this PBS site The American President: Richard NixonDigital History: Restraining the Imperial PresidencyIdentify one source that addresses the topic you choose to discuss. The source must be cited in your discussion.Additional recommended reading:Read Chapter 1 of the book All the President's Men available at this link. I also recommend the that you watch the 1976 film version.Read the following reviews and articles on Stanley Kutler's book Abuse of Power:"The Exile" (Review of Kutler), Russell Baker"The Unraveling" (Review of Kutler), Rick PerlsteinNixon Tapes (PBS chat with Kutler)After you have completed your readings post your response to only One of the following questions:Evaluate Richard Nixon's presidency. Aside from Watergate, should he be considered a good president?In his 1973 book The Imperial Presidency, Arthur J. Schlesinger raised the argument that the Presidency has been evolving to the point that it was out of control, and was exceeding its constitutional limits. Do you agree or disagree with his arguments?

Prepare: View the Globalization at a Crossroads (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. series episode and read the article A Model of Global Citizenship: Antecedents and Outcomes by Stephen Reysen and Iva Katzarska-Miller (2013). Go to the Ashford University Library, and locate one additional source on global citizenship that will help support your viewpoint.Reflect: Please take some time to reflect on how the concept of global citizenship has shaped your identity, and think about how being a global citizen has made you a better person in your community.Write: Use the Week 1 Example Assignment Guide when addressing the following prompts:Describe and explain a clear distinction between “globalism” and “globalization” after viewing the video and reading the article.Describe how being a global citizen in the world of advanced technology can be beneficial to your success in meeting your personal, academic, and professional goals.Explain why there has been disagreement between theorists about the definition of global citizenship and develop your own definition of global citizenship after reading the article by Reysen and Katzarska-Miller.Choose two of the six outcomes of global citizenship from the article (i.e., intergroup empathy, valuing diversity, social justice, environmental sustainability, intergroup helping, and the level of responsibility to act for the betterment of this world).Explain why those two outcomes are the most important in becoming a global citizen compared to the others.Describe at least two personal examples or events in your life that illustrate the development of global citizenship based on the two outcomes you chose.Identify two specific general education courses.Explain how each course influenced you to become a global citizen.The Importance of Becoming a Global CitizenMust be 750 to 1,000 words in length (not including title and references pages) and formatted according to APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center’s APA Style (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.Must include a separate title page with the following:Title of paperStudent’s nameCourse name and numberInstructor’s nameDate submittedFor further assistance with the formatting and the title page, refer to APA Formatting for Word 2013 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..Must utilize academic voice. See the Academic Voice (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. resource for additional guidance.Must include an introduction and conclusion paragraph. Your introduction paragraph needs to end with a clear thesis statement that indicates the purpose of your paper.For assistance on writing Introductions & Conclusions (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. as well as Writing a Thesis Statement (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., refer to the Ashford Writing Center resources.Must use at least one credible source in addition to the two required sources (video and article).The Scholarly, Peer Reviewed, and Other Credible Sources (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. table offers additional guidance on appropriate source types. If you have questions about whether a specific source is appropriate for this assignment, contact your instructor. Your instructor has the final say about the appropriateness of a specific source for an assignment. The Integrating Research (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. tutorial will offer further assistance with including supporting information and reasoning.Must document in APA style any information used from sources, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center’s In-Text Citation Guide (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..Must have no more than 15% quoted material in the body of your essay based on the Turnitin report. References list will be excluded from the Turnitin originality score.Must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA style. See the Formatting Your References List (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. resource in the Ashford Writing Center for specifications.