The achievements and contributions of Merce Cunningham
The achievements and contributions of Merce Cunningham This essay focusses on Merce Cunningham, who is a choreographer that produces works that can be described as both modern and postmodern, as 'conventional thinking tends to place Cunningham somewhere in between these two genres - too cool and objective for modern dance, too virtuosic and technically accomplished for Judson-era postmodernism' (Copeland, 2004:230). The sources of most use for this essay include Bremser's Fifty Contemporary Choreographers; Carter's Routledge Dance Studies Reader; Copeland's Merce Cunningham and the Modernizing of Modern Dance and What is dance?; Cunningham's interview with Lesschaeve in The Dancer and The Dance; Morgenroth's Speaking of Dance; Morris' Moving Words, Re-Writing Dance and Vaughan's issue of Choreography and Dance, entitled Merce Cunningham: Creative Elements. The sources used to compile this essay compromise largely of secondary sources, which Cunningham has not written or contributed to, however, are written by authors knowledgeable in the field of dance. In addition, some primary sources have been used in reference for this essay, where Cunningham has had direct input, for example in The Dancer and the Dance, which is a documented interview. Through this research, it appears that secondary sources are more accessible than primary sources on this choreographer, giving
A look at the Origin, Stigma/Discrimination and Government Involvement with AIDS in the United States of America and African Countries
AIDS Anyone can have it, Internationally feared, Deadliest Sickness A look at the Origin, Stigma/Discrimination and Government Involvement with AIDS in the United States of America and African Countries Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, AIDS, is now known as being one of the most deadliest and incurable viruses in the world. AIDS snuck into America in the beginning of the 1980's, then exploded in what seemed a matter of moments. America would soon learn that this was not just a health problem in the "immoral" cul-de-sacs of American but an international epidemic affecting all types of life. Today's youth see's a constant fight in curing and eliminating AIDS around the world; however, this has not always been the case. AIDS has been most publicized in the United States and African countries. This paper will compare the origin of AIDS, the stigma and discrimination of AIDS and the government involvement with AIDS in the United States and African countries. Individuals who first appeared with AIDS in America during the early 1980's were diagnosed with Pneumocystis Pneumonia (PCP), which is usually found in people with poor immune systems. 1 However these individuals who were sick did not have poor immune system, but the individuals were homosexuals. As more and more homosexual males appeared to have the disease, it became labeled as GRID (gay related immune
Cuban Missle Crisis
Nicholas Beller Mr. Bjork ENGL 2010 - Sec 00- February 22nd 2008 The Cuban Missile Crisis The Cuban Missile Crisis was much more than a standoff between the United States and Soviet Union. It was the pinnacle of the Cold War as America realized that the threat of a bomb was more imminent than expected. In what could have nearly been the end of the world from nuclear holocaust turned out to be a mild misunderstanding with nearly no casualties. While many people consider the Cuban Missile Crisis to be a dark time period for America, it could be argued that it was a turning point in the Cold War that helped America and the Soviet Union set standards of what would happen if another confrontation was to occur. The turmoil between Cuba and the United States began years before the Cuban Missile Crisis occurred. An incident known as the "Bay of Pigs" can be cited as the event where things started to turn sour. In 1959, a young Fidel Castro was leading a revolution in Cuba in an attempt to turn Cuba into a dominating communist power with the likes of the Soviet Union. It was obvious that it was in the United States' best interest to stop the possibility of a second evil empire. At the same time as Castro was having a revolution, an equally fresh faced leader was coming into power in the United States in a much different way. John F Kennedy Jr. was democratically elected as
Does Deterrence work?
Does Deterrence work? Deterrence is a theory of International relations based in Realism. Essentially, it tries to explain the situation of when two or more states threaten retaliation if attacked, in order to deter the attack. It is therefore possible to very simply state deterrence as "You hit me, I hit you." For this essay, two main questions have to be addressed, 'Has it worked?' and 'Does it make sense?' To answer these questions, I will firstly define what deterrence is, I will then examine some of the main arguments for and against it, in theory and in reality; finally, I will show some of the consequences of states following such a policy. Deterrence, as already stated, can concern itself with any form of threatened counter-attack, however, for this essay, I shall be concentrating on Nuclear deterrence, using examples from the cold war, therefore, when the word 'deterrence' is used, it should be taken as 'nuclear deterrence'. Hedley Bull describes deterrence as follows: "To say that country A deters country B from doing something is to imply the following: (i) That Country A conveys to Country B a threat to inflict punishment or deprivation of values if it embarks on a certain course of action; (ii) That Country B might otherwise embark on that course of action; (iii) That Country B believes that Country A has the capacity and the will to carry out the threat,
Examine the role of Fidel Castro in East/West relations.
Examine the role of Fidel Castro in East/West relations. The Cold War, which existed between the Soviet Union and the United States following World War II, and the incessant threat of nuclear destruction which it presented, evolved throughout its history. The relationship between these two countries was strained at best - at worst, it was hostile and came near the unleashing of the devastating nuclear arsenal both countries possessed. The relationship also evolved over time, and the emergence of Fidel Castro in Cuba was a catalyst for a change in the nature of the relationship between these powers. The threat he and his Communist party presented to his American neighbours would change the way Americans dealt with their Cold War enemies. In the same way, Castro's Communists also gave Nikita Khrushchev and the Soviets an entrance into North and Central American affairs. Prior to the revolution in Cuba, during Batista's brutal regime, there was what is described as "an easing of tensions" (Lundestad 100) in relations between the East and the West. These tensions were eased because many of the potential conflicts between East and West had been resolved, such as the 1956 uprising in Hungary and the Suez conflict of 1956, which led to war between Egypt and the alliance of Britain, France and Israel. The Soviets promised support to the Egyptians, bringing with it the threat of a
Anti-colonialism and independence Discuss the proposition that independence movements represented the interests of their middle-class leaders and not of the rural poor
Week 7: Anti-colonialism and independence Discuss the proposition that independence movements represented the interests of their middle-class leaders and not of the rural poor In this essay, there shall be an exploration into whether independence movements represented the interests of their middle-class leaders and not of the rural poor. First, the definition of class shall be looked at and what the middle classes and rural poor hoped to gain through independence. Then, this piece will turn to the influence of African and Indian heroic leaders on the equalitarian nature of independence movements and examples where issues of communalism and racial discrimination were more prominent than the issue of class. Lastly, there will a comparison between examples where colonial elites and intellectuals stood to gain from independence and where socialist issues were at the heart of the nationalists' agenda and whether or not this was purely rhetoric. Under the capitalist mode of production, Marx described society as dividing into two classes: the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. "Landlords and capitalists form the ruling class and secure an excellent standard of living, and political power, by using their ownership of the means of production. From this position they exploit the mass proletariat."1 The rural poor are made up predominantly of those peasants who mainly rely on a
The Cold War and the relations of Superpowers with Europe1945-1990
Richard Lowe University College Topic 1: The Cold War and the relations of Superpowers with Europe1945-1990 a. Was the emergence of a Cold War in Europe unavoidable? In January 1945, Winston Churchill stated 'The only hope for our world is the agreement of the three great powers. If they quarrel, our children are undone.' Evidently, the great three did quarrel and thus, resulted a Cold War conflict in Europe. The question, 'Was this quarrel avoidable?' is well worth considering and I believe that by examining key aspects of the initial history of post-war superpower relations, it will allow me to conclude. I believe that the key events to the origins of European Cold War are; the conditions in Europe after the war, the questions over Poland and post-war Germany, politics in Eastern Europe and finally the US commitment to Marshal Aid throughout the whole of Europe. When examining the picture of post war Europe and particularly the great European powers, a far different picture exists than at the beginning of the war. Britain had become a small island whose resources, economy and population were inadequate to compete with the Superpowers. France had suffered major wartime destruction and her economy was in major recession. Germany was humiliated and economically crippled due t years of warfare. The Red Army with the possible exceptions of Greece, Italy and Turkey
When and Why did British Decolonisation begin?
When and why did British Decolonisation Begin? British decolonisation was a gradual process which punctuated the years interceding the aftermath of the Second World War in 1945 and the handover ceremony of Hong Kong to China as a special administrative region in 1997. However, when regarding as to why this process began, one must consider the factors which were involved, of which include the British metropolitan, global, and colonial perspectives. Although each one of these perspectives can be attributed in some way to the beginning of the end of the British Empire, not one can stand scrutiny of being a direct trigger to decolonisation. Rather, their interlocking relations to one and other created an atmosphere conducive to decolonisation. Such an atmosphere would inevitably lead to decolonisation based on practicality, as opposed to sheer necessity. The British metropolitan is a defining factor in the creation of an atmosphere conducive to decolonisation. The reasons for this is routed in the socio-economic changes which had occurred in the aftermath of the Second World War and how these changes took precedent over the issues of the Empire. Indeed, one can see an, almost, indifference towards the issues of empire, as both the political parties, the Conservative Party and the Labour Party, appeared to debate very little on the issue of decolonisation following the end of the
How does the life of Sidney Poitier illuminate the greater significance of the African American experience
In what ways does the life of Sidney Poitier illuminate significant aspects and broader themes of the African American experience? In a current age when it is normal to see the big screen lit up by stars such as Denzel Washington, Halle Berry and Will Smith it is easy to forget the impact Sidney Poitier had in establishing African American cinema. Sidney Poitier became the first African American actor to win the Oscar for Best Actor in 1963 for 'Lilies in the Field'. Poitier became the first African American to earn a star on the Hollywood "Walk of Fame", in 1967 a run of three successful and critically acclaimed films 'In the Heat of the Night' 'To Sir with Love' and 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner' became the top box office star of the year, showing not only the huge success that could be achieved by an African American actor but also the mass appeal to audiences both white and black of the racially charged themes of the films explored in Poitier's work. Poitier was the first black actor to be allowed a romantic relationship onscreen, the first black actor to become involved in an interracial marriage onscreen and the first black actor to be a hero for both black and white audiences. Emigrating from the Caribbean and rising from a background of poverty and juvenile delinquency Poitier established himself as a leading man in roles that refused to compromise the dignity and
Who are the Chinese Diaspora? Explain this term and explore the contemporary relevance of the Chinese Diaspora to mainland China. Please cite specific examples in your response.
INR3004 – Ass. 1 Michael Blyth d9913169 INR3004 Change in Contemporary China *Please complete the highlighted sections. Student Name: Michael Blyth Student Number: d9913169 Assignment 1: Short paper (2000 words) Total Word Length: 2000 Topic: (Please write the topic you selected here – exactly as it appears in the Study Guide). Who are the Chinese Diaspora? Explain this term and explore the contemporary relevance of the Chinese Diaspora to mainland China. Please cite specific examples in your response. Declaration – please tick box to confirm declaration I declare that: no part of this assignment has been copied from any other person's work except where due acknowledgement is made in the text, and no part of this assignment has been written for me by any other person except where such collaboration has been authorised by the examiner concerned. I hold a copy of this assignment which I can produce if the original is lost or damaged. ________________ ________________ *Do not delete this page. MARKING CRITERIA AND FEEDBACK FOR ESSAYS ________________ NB: The following criteria reflect High, Low and Medium standards. Structure Introduction: . Well defined and justified 2. Adequately defined, but not well justified 3. No coherent definition or justification /10 Body: Argument/Analysis: . Logical and coherent development 2.
