Discussion n. 25: A final word to your classmates (Aug 15)

Leave a note for your classmates. You can also point to someone in particular whose comments made an impression on you.

[And, if you happen to be around next semester, please stop by my office to say hello. I will be in WED and THU more or less the whole day.  I am in Boylan 4304.]

Discussion n. 24: What do you remember? Aug 15

Pick the single piece of trivia you will remember after you will have forgotten everything else from this course.

 

 

It must be ONE piece of information, maybe a date, a name, or a factoid. Just ONE.

 

COMMENT and REPLY to someone's choice.

 

And enjoy this

 

 

Discussion 23 - Two diametrically opposed reactions (Aug 13)

About La grande Guerra one of the questions was:

 

What single "error" by the Austrian officer turns cowardice into courage? Does a moment of pride redeem the decision to be traitors?

 

 

>>

The Austrian officer  is overwhelming arrogant and confident the soldiers will tell him where the bridge is. In his arrogance, He makes fun of their courage as Italians. He references that “all the Italians know is the Venetian dish liver with onions“. As a result, the officer underestimates the pride and courage of Busacca. I believe Busacca was redeemed for his traitorous pledge by defending his courage and engaging in telling off the Austrian General. He knew exactly what the outcome would be for him. Oreste Jacovacci was witty in telling the General that only Busacca knew where the bridge was.  In the end,  a moment of pride does redeem them of their decision to be traitors because the end result was not traitorous. The irony is that no one will ever know of the courage they displayed at the end of their lives. 

 

>>

 

- The Austrian officer insulted Giovannis pride by paying his debts in front of the two soldiers for losing a bet that they would not have given the location of the bridge because they seemed more courageous than they were acting. Giovanni had a sudden surge of pride and since his ego had been insulted he decided to act out and refuse to give the location of the bridge. Giovanni lost his life for refusing to give the location, however, the heroic act is lost because his decision to do so was based on a selfish impulse and not a selfless act for his country. I do not believe that Giovanni’s moment of pride was redemption for their initial betrayal. They were willing to give up the location of their fellow comrades in order to save themselves and there is no way to redeem yourself for that deception.

 COMMENT and REPLY to a comment that caught your attention.

Discussion 22 Another sample from a student Aug 10

From KATHRYN with many thanks:

This video was immensely inspiring, but verges on overwhelming for me personally. I have these thoughts and desires as well on how to use art to lift up and inspire society for the better. But how to impart this as a party of one? Does it start local? I also wonder if Italy still follows the architectural codes from the Renaissance, and if these codes are universal and timeless.

It feels to me that our current society has a lack of ambition and understanding of what it will really take to heal our world, and that we need a ‘mission’ again as was implemented in the Renaissance. But who specifically had this vision, and who will step up to the plate now to lead the new Renaissance? It’s interesting thinking about the idea of approaching advertising in a new way to not just sell, but inspire a new code of responsible, sustainable living. Perhaps it is the modern day artists’ responsibility to adjust their messaging in their technological media platforms. It can start small and catch on like wildfire.

COMMENT and REPLY

This is my wishful thinking, but as a teacher and father of two millennial young women, I draw succor from hearing more and more young people expressing distaste for the current state of affairs, with a split-screen video script in front of their eyes when they think about the future and their role: technology and progress on one side; simplicity of life and ethical values on the other.

Will the millennials be able to reconcile those visions?

My generation has failed miserably at this task.

Discussion 21 Renaissance (from a student) Aug 10

I would list this mini-essay under the heading "self respect" more than "self reflection.'

Thank you, Ting Ting, for making it available to your classmates.

 

COMMENT and REPLY as you see fit.

 

 

I gained intellectually from learning the meaning of the Renaissance. In my self-reflection  a few questions came to mind. What is my mission in this world?  What am I advertising in my life? Did I spend and invest my time efficiently? As I am watching the video lecture, I am constantly reminded to not only cherish what we have but to preserve it. Although we cannot preserve time, we can invest time in things that put value in our life. I appreciate more of my past (good or bad) and I am hoping to redefine myself in this world.

Emotionally, I felt disappointment, resentment (I have an impulse to act) and inspired. The meaning of the Renaissance gave me an enlightenment and impulse to learn more about the greatness of the world. I acknowledged that I have a sensitive personality and I seek inspiration for my ideas from  knowledge (information). I want to continuously get closer to what the meaning of life is.

Discussion 20 About the Renaissance (from a student) Aug 10

This passage is pervaded with a sense of intellectual humility. It reveals how Rina
truly arrived at an understanding and, consequently, a sense of marvel at what s/he learned.

I find the subdued tone perfectly aligned with the content.

Thank you, Rina, for sharing it.

COMMENT and REPLY but - most of all - be honest in your assessment. I only pointed to a possible interpretation but there may be many more.

 

History of ideas - The Renaissance

This a video lecture, that provides an overview of Renaissance, the reasons it started and how it impacted the world. It briefly states the purpose of studying history in general and Renaissance in particular and provides description of key ideas of that era.

Information in this video lecture is an historical overview of the Renaissance with respect of modern reality. It tells a story of how art   was created and knowledge was acquired. It draws parallel with today’s reality, for example, when the wealth of the Medici family was compared to what Forbes’ list members have nowadays. To me, the first thing, that caught my attention, was the phrase, that the purpose of studying history is to use the lost and forgotten knowledge and ideas in today’s world. It is exactly what Renaissance is about. It was an era of going back to the values of ancient Greece and Rome. To me, that knowledge means, that looking back and analyzing the past is valuable. Sometimes people need to look back to move forward. Now, when I studied some history of Renaissance, I feel like studying history makes more sense to me. I think, that knowledge makes me more respectful of the past and makes me want to reexamine some of the things I learned, and look for inspiration in the past.

Discussion n 19 LEONARDO Aug 10

COMMENT : three separate paragraphs

 

1) What is the single most impressive talent Leonardo was gifted with, from your perspective? Why/

 

2) What is the gift, out of the many Leonardo had, you would like to possess in the same measure? What would you do with it?

 

3) We show disdain for sport figures who take "performance enhancing" substances. What if there was a (secret) miracle pill that miraculously allowed you to excel in the area you most care about? Would you take it? Would you do it to become the next Truman Capote? Or Frank Lloyd Wright? Or Einstein?

 

 

REPLY to the most intriguing answers.

Discussion 18 A very well articulated opinion

I am writing anonymously to give you my honest feedback on this ITAL 1510 class. I spent a lot of money to be able to take this class and so far I have wasted that and 95% of the time.

Here's why:

1. You are very condescending, rude and disrespectful. It is as if you are trying to make up for you sad, pathetic life. You take way to many points for the most unnecessary things. Words are inadequate to describe how foolish this is!

2. I have never taken a class where it was demanded that I send a picture of myself as a requirement. This is ridiculous and unnecessary! I believe that you care about what we look like so you can place us in a box to judge us based on your own ignorance. This is race based!

3. Your video, the ones where you try to explain the lectures are not helpful because for most of the lecture you ramble on and on with your own personal opinion rather than providing an unbiased one. And a good example of this is the videos that were included in the last assignments. You raved on and on about how wrong the facts are in the movie - a movie you requested us to watch! Then, you focused mostly on the correct pronunciation of Michaelangelo's name. It pains my poor ears to listen to you speak.

4. Have you ever thought about how you can teach this class in a way where it might actually educate us? 98% of this class is a waste of time because what the fuck does "my intellectual curiosity" have to do with anything? How do you foresee this as educating me?

5. Why do we have to comment on a post of someone else? What if we don't find anything on the post interesting enough to comment? 

6. The way the course is structured is very confusing. There are materials on the course's homepage for some other class all thrown together. Finding out what you need to do is like searching through a puzzle.

7. I just don't understand what you asking when you post questions on that ridiculous blog of yours. What exactly are you asking for in Discussion 17? I bet only God can answer this. The same thing with the aug 6th assignment, you ramble on on on and still didn't get to the point. What exactly do you mean? What do you want!?

8. How are you expecting adults with lives to watch 8 different videos for one assignment? Have you ever thought about how these videos could benefit your students?! 

9. I wish I could be refunded for this waste of time, money and energy! I'm so disappointed. I don't understand how people like you get to educate other people. What a waste!

10. Your instructions are never clear. Maybe you should attempt to answer the questions in the current assignment, you will understand what I am talking about!

11. I am so frustrated and I wish I hadn't taken this class or that I dropped it before losing so much money. 

Discussion 17 Intellectual curiosity part 2 (Aug 6)

It seems the topic aroused a lot of interest.

OK, let's go deeper, then

 

Leave aside your intellectual curiosity for a field you are already eager to investigate.

 

Do you think you nurture intellectual curiosity per se?

 

IF something unexpected crosses your path (a 'recommendation' in the right-side list of youtube videos) that opens the window on something complex -- not just the top 10 most obnoxious movie actors -- do you feel the thrill, a light zap in your brain, do your eyes light up?  And, immediately after, the disappointment for 1) knowing nothing about it, 2) the resignation you will never know anything about it, 3) the resignation that there are only 24 hours in a day and 1 billion heart beats in your life.

 

You are probably aware of the metaphor "trying to drink water from a fire hose." Does it HONESTLY feel that way, or do you hardly get close enough to see that there is a fire hose open full blast?

 

 

COMMENTS AND REPLIES.  I would recommend looking for the comment that is receiving the most replies and adding to it. This way, your collective thoughts will be concentrated rather than dispersed.

Discussion 16 Intellectual curiosity Aug 3

How do you define "intellectual curiosity?"

What field of human endeavor attracts your intellectual curiosity the most?

COMMENT and REPLY ad lib (ad libitum).

Discussion 15 Michelangelo's Agony Due Aug 3

Michelangelo and "Agony."

 

  The scratching you hear in the audio is caused by a hand-held microphone.

 

COMMENT

 

Was the film effective in rendering the atmosphere of the Renaissance? What is missing? What is the film's most valuable contribution to your understanding of the Renaissance?

 

REPLY to an insightful and original comment.