Phantasms in music

Tese de mestrado, Teoria da Literatura, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Letras, 2009Esta tese é sobre a forma como a música pode ser descrita mimeticamente. Começando por discutir o tratamento contemporâneo deste tópico, comparo vários argumentos sobre música (em particular música e representação') e descrevo a razão porque estes são relevantes para a questão original da mimêsis. No segundo e terceiro capítulos, discuto ideias ou soluções (para o problema da música mimética' de Aristóteles) para os problemas colocados no primeiro capítulo, e relaciono estes com conceitos usados por Aristóteles nos seus escritos sobre música. O terceiro capítulo trata especificamente do tópico da phantasia e dou ênfase à importância da phantasia no argumento de Aristóteles sobre mimêsis e imitações em relação à música.This thesis attempts to describe how music can be called mimetic. Beginning with a discussion of current work on this topic, I compare various arguments on music (mainly music and representation') and why I find them to be relevant to this original question of mimêsis. In the second and third chapters, I build on ideas or solutions (for the mimetic music' problem originally taken from Aristotle) for problems posed in the first chapter and relate them to concepts Aristotle uses when writing about music. The third chapter specifically treats the topic of phantasia and I propose the importance of phantasia in Aristotle's argument of mimesis and imitations as related to music

The Material of the Servant: Theology and Hermeneutics in Handel’s Samson

George Frideric Handel’s Samson oratorio (HWV 57, 1743) has posed critical difficulty for scholars because of its libretto. The librettist, Newburgh Hamilton, is often accused of making a poor adaption of John Milton’s Samson Agonistes (1671). One of the main points of criticism centers on how Hamilton removed much of Samson’s deliberation from the source text. In this article, however, it will be argued that the way ideas and commentary pass through different voices (namely, from Samson and Micah to the Chorus of Israelites) contributes to the unique interpretation the oratorio puts forward of the Samson narrative. The method to explore this theme is interdisciplinary, derived from literary hermeneutics and musical aesthetics, to locate theological notions specifically related to the material of the body in the oratorio. To emphasize the hermeneutic movement in the oratorio, and the theological relevance of the different perspectives embodied in these voices, this article will focus on one particular sequence in the oratorio (from in act 1, scene 2): the “Total Eclipse!” air, to the accompagnato “Since Light so necessary is to Life,” to the chorus “O first created Beam!” This excerpt is especially interesting from a hermeneutic perspective since the libretto draws on Milton’s Samson Agonistes (ll. 80-97), and Hamilton returns to the same Miltonic lines within this sequence multiple times. This sequence is particularly important for the Samson narrative; “Total Eclipse!” constitutes a frequently cited starting point for Samson’s spiritual progress in the oratorio, notably because of how successful the air is in portraying Samson’s pathos. The main theological argument that will come to the forefront as the sequence unfolds rests on a hermeneutic principle derived from Augustine, where observation of the material world offers insight into the relation between the creation narrative and Samson’s particular narrative (and suffering). Ultimately the accompagnato and chorus, through reference to the creation narrative, will show how Providence (in light of the material body) reveals the purpose of the individual (and all created life) as the servant of God

Teacher perspectives on professional development needs for better serving Nebraska\u27s Spanish heritage language learners

A growing number of heritage language speakers of Spanish are enrolling in Spanish language courses during secondary school. Current scholarship has suggested that these heritage language learners (HLLs) have very different instructional needs than learners of second or foreign languages. Because Spanish language instruction in Nebraska secondary schools has been traditionally conceptualized only as foreign language instruction, classroom teachers may not be adequately prepared to meet the needs of HLLs. This dissertation examined the experiences of Nebraska secondary Spanish teachers who worked with HLLs in order to inform the creation of relevant professional learning experiences for pre- and in-service teachers. Specifically, data were collected from a statewide survey of Nebraska Spanish teachers (n=92) and follow-up semi-structured interviews of nine of the survey participants representing three sub-groups. Findings from this design study indicated that while most teachers recognized significant differences between HLLs and L2 learners enrolled in their courses and had very positive attitudes towards HL maintenance, few were engaged in significant instructional differentiation practices in mixed-enrollment courses. There were few reported instances of HLL specific courses offerings such as Spanish for Spanish speakers (SSS) across the state. Respondents reported, on average, receiving very little pre- or in-service professional development related to HLLs but indicated strong interest in learning more about serving HLLs. These data informed the design and delivery of a practitioner-led professional development workshop focused on one of the most significant practitioner- articulated learning needs: instructional differentiation for HLLs in mixed courses. Additional professional development areas identified by study included sociolinguistic characteristics of HLL affect and motivation, models of curriculum design and development for SSS courses, models of course articulation sequences and placement procedures for HLLs in World Language departments, and frank collegial discourse on the subject of teacher qualifications for HL instruction. This dissertation illuminated the importance of practitioner-led inquiry into “problems of practice,” and suggested several foci for future efforts in better preparing Spanish teachers to work with HLLs. Adviser: Edmund T. Haman

Contemporary Utilitarianism

This project was designed to modernize and stylize workwear. By designing overalls that retain the function and practical characteristics of the workwear staple, while updating the fit and exaggerating proportions. Making it possible to create a fashionable post-modern aesthetic which still embodies the utilitarian purpose overalls serve. Several changes were made in updating the overalls linen was used rather than denim, excess ease to create a drop crotch, cuffing the pant hem with elastic, and exaggerating pocket and strap proportions. The oversized white t-shirt was made to complement but not overshadow the overalls, it simplifies the look to create a contemporary minimalistic take on aesthetic and comfort focused workwear. The fit of the overalls, and oversized aesthetics of the look were inspired by the work of Yohji Yamamoto throughout the 1980s in which he presented an impoverished and unconventionally oversized aesthetic in a highly stylized and marketable fashion

Resilience: Activewear for Lower Limb Amputees who Utilize Prosthetic Limbs

Resilience is a collaborative functional design concept and qualitative research project that examines the activewear needs of female lower limb amputees who utilize prosthetic limbs. The goal was to provide aesthetically pleasing, transitional, durable, and comfortable active apparel with ease of donning and doffing while maintaining thermal comfort, mobility, and integration of prosthetics for optimal performance and independence. With the number of amputations performed annually set to double by 2050, due in large part to an aging population and a projected increase in diabetes, there is a need for apparel tailored to the needs and preferences of amputees (Amputee Coalition, n.d.; Ziegler-Graham et al., 2008). The activewear apparel product category is essential for amputees due to the necessary physical therapy and activity needed for physical rehabilitation post-amputation which dictates the need for appropriate activewear garments

Structured Elegance

Justification for my research was to illustrate use of advanced couture sewing methods. The application of couture methods will enable me to educate others on couture sewing and to sustain the practice and use of such techniques