20th Century Europe: Cultural Shifts, Philosophical Context, and Spanish Intellectuals
Historical and Cultural Context of the 20th Century
The 20th century is characterized by multiple breaks and fractures, where economic value overrides political, ethical, and religious values. Scientific advances led to a fascinating and terrifying new world. Chemical bombs, machine guns, and tanks in World War I turned people into fodder. The Europe of scientific progress and economic prosperity disappeared on the battlefields.
Communism rose in Russia, and the U.S. and Japan gained importance as
Read MoreConditionals and Vocabulary Exercises for English Learners
Conditionals and Vocabulary Exercises
1. Risky Jobs and Essential Needs
Give two possible answers to the questions below. Pay attention to the words in bold.
- What are risky jobs?
- Police officer, firefighter
- To be secure, to have food and shelter
- SMS, Facebook
- Weight, age
- Bank, department store
2. Vocabulary Completion
Complete each sentence with a word below. There are more words than you need.
1. Don’t read my e-mail – it’s an invasion of privacy 5. hazardous 2. dishonest 6. illegal 3. deadline 7. warned
Read MoreRestoration and Liberalism in Europe (1815-1848)
The System of Restoration: The Congress of Vienna
The great powers met under the sponsorship of the Austrian Chancellor Metternich at the Congress of Vienna. The great principles inspiring the Restoration were:
- The fundamental objective was to return to the situation prior to the French Revolution.
- Ending the principles of national sovereignty.
- A return to absolutism.
The basis was the hereditary right of monarchs deposed by Napoleon to have their thrones. In some countries, given the impossibility of
Read MoreUnderstanding Spain’s Balance of Payments
The balance of payments (BoP) measures transactions between residents and non-residents. These measurements are made on an annual basis. The institution in charge of making the measure is the Bank of Spain, following the directions of the Sixth Edition of the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM6) of the International Monetary Fund.
Components of the Balance of Payments
- Credits: Exports of goods and services, income receivable, reduction in assets, or increase in liabilities.
Mesoamerican and Andean Civilizations: A Comparative Study
Mother Cultures in Mesoamerica
Contributed to the cultural development of Mayan and Aztec civilizations
Teotihuacan
They bet on urban planning and construction of large ceremonial centers.
Zapotec
They designed a solar calendar and a writing system based on figures – the city was better known as Monte Alban.
Toltecs
Contributed gods and sacrificial rites, and the ball game.
Olmec
They developed a calendar and an accounting system. Their heads were famous giant sculptures.
Cultures in the Andean Mother Region
These
Read MoreSpanish Conquest & Colonization: Impact on Spain
Conquest and Colonization (1519-1550)
The process began with Magellan and Elcano’s first circumnavigation of the world (1519-1522), passing Cape Horn. The first stage of the conquest was led by Hernán Cortés. He landed in Mexico, founded Veracruz, and militarily dominated the Aztecs (1522) and a large area inhabited by the Mayans. This became the viceroyalty of New Spain. The second stage was directed by Francisco Pizarro, who conquered the Inca Empire (Peru, Ecuador) and its capital, Cuzco, in
Read MoreVocabulary: Values, Relationships, and Inventions
Unit 4: Vocabulary
Values
Beautiful / beautifully / (in)dignity / discrimination / (un)equal / honest, honestly, honesty / humane, humanely, humanity / kind, kindly, kindness / loyal / prejudice / racism / (dis)respect, respectfully / trust
Idiomatic Expressions
- Be fond of: To like very much
- Be history: To be finished or over
- Be sick of: To be tired of
- Down in the dumps: To be sad or depressed
- Eyes meet: To look at each other at the same time
- Have something in common: To share interests or characteristics
- In
Philosophy: From Everyday Language to Metaphysics
Everyday Language: Philosophy as Ideology
Everyday language: Philosophy is synonymous with ideology. A systematized set of ideas that give a vision or interpretation of reality.
Etymologically: Philo (friend) sophia (wisdom). The philosopher is in an approach between ignorance and wisdom, but not wise. A sage has reached a full solution of knowledge, and philosophers do not have any issue. They ascertain that it is what they wanted to have. True ignorance is proper to animals, and, in effect, wisdom,
Read MoreKey Concepts in Geography and Climatology
Key Geographical and Climatological Terms
Climate and Weather
Rainfall Regime: Change in rainfall characteristics in terms of frequency, duration, and dominant eras. These define a climate or region.
Isohyets: Lines on weather maps connecting points on the Earth’s surface that have the same level of rainfall in a unit of time.
Isotherms: Curved lines on a weather map linking areas with the same temperature.
Anticyclone: A high-pressure area surrounded by lower pressure; winds circulate clockwise.
Aridity:
Read MoreAnimal Breathing: Types and Respiratory Processes
Usually, the inclusion of oxygen into an animal’s body is called breathing, but breathing encompasses three processes:
- Ventilation: Oxygen is taken from the environment and brought to the respiratory organ, and carbon dioxide is expelled.
- Gas Exchange: This occurs between respiratory organs and blood. The exchange takes place by diffusion, a process by which molecules pass from a more concentrated region to a less concentrated one without expenditure of energy. These regions are separated by a semipermeable