Maya Public Ritual Arts

The main idea, which is being explored throughout the course of Inomata’s article, is that the functional purpose of plazas in ancient Mayan cities has been concerned with providing Maya’s rules with an opportunity to expose their subjects to public spectacles.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Maya Public Ritual Arts specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In their turn, these spectacles served the purpose of endowing ancient Mayans with the sense of communal belonging – hence, contributing to the formation of collectively explored self-identity, on their part, â€Å"Large-scale theatrical events gave physical reality to a community and helped to ground unstable community identities† (Inomata 818). Given a rather unconventional sounding of this idea, it is not very surprising why the publication of Inomata’s article attracted a number of critical responses. According to Aoyama, Inomataà ¢â‚¬â„¢s line of argumentation can indeed be considered as such that represents a scientifically objective value, as the analysis of plazas’ holding capacities supports the validity of a suggestion that they could have been used for staging public performances. Aoyama explores the legitimacy of his point of view, in regards to the relevant empirical data, collected by archeologists in the Mayan cities of Aguateca and Copan. Becker, however, is challenging Inomata’s assumption. According to him, there is no rationale in believing that plazas served this specific purpose. This is because the amount of plazas’ open space may in fact be reflective of polities’ wealth, which in turn cannot be discussed as such that directly relates to the size of corresponding populations.Advertising Looking for essay on art? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Becker also criticizes Inomata for his failure to consider the p ossibility that, as time went on, plazas’ ‘holding’ function might have undergone a qualitative transformation. Yet, it is specifically the fact that Inomata’s idea is based upon the assumption that Mayan polities have been unilaterally governed by ‘divine rulers’, which appears to have caused Becker to adopt a strongly critical stance towards his colleague’s line of argumentation. Mazariegos’s reaction to Inomata’s article can be referred to as being generally positive. After all, he does recognize the validity of Inomata’s idea that Mayan plazas are in fact theatrical spaces. At the same time, however, Mazariegos points out to the fact that there a number of more effective ways of endowing people with the sense of a shared identity, such as prompting them to participate in a warfare, â€Å"Opposition to outside enemies, the shared vicissitudes of military campaigns†¦ are likely to create shared identitiesâ⠂¬  (822). Nevertheless, Mazariegos does welcome Inomata’s article, as such that is being potentially capable of advancing our understanding of ancient Mayan civilization. Ruiz and Pavon’s response to Inomata’s article can also be defined as being generally positive. In it, they acknowledge that by publishing his article, Inomata was able to contribute immensely to our knowledge of ancient Mayan culture. At the same time, Ruiz and Pavon suggest that there are no good reasons to believe that the artistic depictions on stelaes are being necessarily concerned with theatrical performances.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Maya Public Ritual Arts specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Partially, the validity of this suggestion can be illustrated in regards to the specifics of steales’ location, â€Å"The (Inomata’s) analysis links the presence of stelae with the largest plazas, but this link cannot be asserted categorically† (823). This appears to be the only critical remark in Ruiz and Pavon’s response. According to Clancy, the assumption that plazas in Mayan cities served theatricality-related functions is indeed being fully legitimate, â€Å"Ancient Maya plazas were surely places for performances choreographed by royal intentions† (823). At the same time, however, Clancy does not quite subscribe to the suggestion that it was solely ancient Mayans’ exposure to public performances, which used to endow them with the sense of a communal identity. Grube’s response to Inomata’s article can be defined as being enthusiastically supportive, â€Å"I strongly concur with Inomata’s conclusions† (824). According to Grube, the reason why Inomata’s idea can be considered thoroughly legitimate is that it correlates with our knowledge of how the rulers of Mayan polity-states used to go about exercising a political aut hority. Given the fact that, due to the absence of adequate technologies, Mayan rulers could not utilize any technical means for imposing their authority upon populations, they had no choice but to rely upon purely psychological ones. In this respect, staging public performances, on the part of Mayan rulers, would prove particularly effective. Even though that, while reflecting upon Inomata’s article, Isendahl did acknowledge its high discursive value, he nevertheless expressed his concerns as to whether Inomata’s utilization of the term ‘theatricality’ is being conceptually appropriate, â€Å"Theatricality is simply not the most appropriate analogy† (825).Advertising Looking for essay on art? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Moreover, Isendahl appears rather skeptical about Inomata’s assumption as to what accounted for the actual nature of centrifugal tendencies in ancient Mayan societies. According to Stuardo, Inomata can be well congratulated for having advanced our understanding of what might have accounted for the very principle of political centralization in ancient Mayan city-states. Nevertheless, it is specifically the fact that Inomata’s article allows the conceptualization of new methodological approaches to researching subject matters, concerned with ancient Mayan civilization, which Stuardo considers the most important aspect of this article. Looper’s response to Inomata’s article can also be defined as being highly supportive. Nevertheless, this response does contain a few critical remarks. For example, Looper points out to the fact that Inomata’s line of argumentation implies ancient Mayan societies having been rather secularized. However, this point of vi ew is being inconsistent with how the majority of historians and archeologists discuss the discursive implications of the factor of religion in these societies, â€Å"Theatrical metaphors and models risks secularizing ancient Maya performance† (826). According to Looper, however, this does not affect the overall legitimacy of Inomata’s article. According to Lucero, Inomata’s line of argumentation does deserve to be taken into consideration by mayanists. At the same time, Lucero suggests that in his article, Inomata downplayed the importance of a number of down-to-earth factors for ancient Mayans (especially rural dwellers) to be committed to participating in mass-gatherings. After all, one of the possible reasons why Mayan rural dwellers used to participate in these gatherings is that they were driven to do so by purely objective circumstances , â€Å"Rulers also fulfilled (people’s) material needs—specifically, water during the annual droughtâ₠¬  (827). The foremost of aspect of Newsome’s response to Inomata’s article is that this response stresses out the discursive importance how the author went about substantiating his line of argumentation. According to Newsome, it is not only that Inomata succeeded in revealing the actual mechanics of how Mayan rulers used to ensure the societal integrity of polities, but that he also succeeded in discovering a qualitatively new dimension to the very notion of ‘theatricality’. Therefore, the reading of Inomata’s article will prove utterly beneficial to just about anyone who strives to overcome the limitations of a number of euro-centric discursive conventions. In his response to Inomata’s article, Dorado criticizes the assumption that the staging of public spectacles should be considered a universally applicable tool of maintaining the social integrity of just about every hierarchically structured state. At the same time, however, Dorado expr esses his agreement with Inomata, as to the fact that plazas in ancient Mayan cities did in fact serve the function of accommodating crowds for a number of ritualistic purposes. According to Sanchez, Inomata’s hypothesis, in regards to the functional purpose of plazas, can indeed be defined as being logically and discursively coherent. At the same time, Sanchez suggests that this hypothesis is far from being considered as such that represents an undeniable truth-value, because as of today, the concerned subject matter remains relatively unexplored. Despite the fact that Tokovinine does admit that the author did contribute to our knowledge of ancient Mayan civilization, he also points out to an essentially speculative nature of many of Inomata’s conclusions. In particular, Tokovinine suggests that there is no well-grounded rationale in believing that the theatrical activities, depicted on Mayan murals, connote publicity. While replying to the earlier outlined responses, on the part of his critics, Inomata pointed out to the fact that, even though his interpretation of what should be considered Mayan plazas’ functional significance is far from being considered unchallengeable, it does help to explain how Mayan rulers were able to exercise an administrative control over their subjects. In addition, Inomata suggests that in many cases, responses’ critical overtones appear to reflect the fact that some of his arguments have been misinterpreted. I personally consider the line of Inomata’s argumentation logically coherent but somewhat speculative. This is because; the discussion of a significance of just about any public event through the conceptual lenses of a particular ‘performance theory’ becomes invariably affected by this theory’s discursive subtleties. Given the fact that there are strongly defined euro-centric undertones to how Inomata went about elaborating on the societal implications of public performa nces in ancient Mayan city-states, it is quite doubtful whether Inomata’s conclusions could be considered ideologically neutral. Bibliography Inomata, Takeshi. â€Å"Plazas, Performers, and Spectators: Political Theaters of the Classic Maya.† Current Anthropology 47.5 (2006): 805-842. Print. This essay on Maya Public Ritual Arts was written and submitted by user Izaiah R. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

The Purpose Is What Has Endured essays

The Purpose Is What Has Endured essays Today weve had a national tragedy. President George W. Bush spoke these words after a horrendous attack on America. As we watched bombs fly into steel and then explode, we waited to hear the advice and comfort our President would give to us. One hundred thirty-seven years ago, President Abraham Lincoln experienced a similar national tragedy for a duration of four years. Lincolns second inaugural address had to provide the United States of America with similar advice and comfort near the end of a civil war. After four years of this gory civil war, Lincoln was re-elected for the presidency of the United States. When he wrote his speech, Lincoln must have though about the past four years. The southern states had formed the Confederate States of America; a civil war had begun, and the nation had erupted in turmoil. He knew that the North wanted a harsh punishment for the southern states, but he also knew that this was one reason why the South did not like the North. As Lincolns pen starts to form the words, With malice toward none; with charity for all;...let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nations wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, his desire is to heal a broken land. Though he had signed Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln knew that, the issues at hand could not be solved by either emancipation or armistice (203). Lincoln had to change the hearts of his people, and as William H. Seward told the president, Be sure that while all your administrative conduct will be in harmony with Republican principals and policy, you cannot lose the Republican party by practicing in your advent to office the magnanimity of a victor. (75) He had to unify the country in one speech, and this was his only chance. Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather than let the nation su...

A Teacher Affects An Eternity

A Teacher Affects An Eternity A teacher affects an eternity: they can never tell where their influence stops. The education of a child is the root of their future; a good education increases the chances of future success. Teachers are there to inspire a future generation to be the best they can be. I believe a child’s chance of success starts in the classroom. The growth and development of any child begins with the ambition and drive of the teacher to guide them through the aspects of life either in the classroom or in the field. I am an ambitious young woman, aiming to become an excellent Secondary School Geography teacher inspiring the minds of 11-18 year olds. My passion for teaching (and in particular geography teaching) arises from my own school years. My geography teacher was an inspiring man making learning fun as well as challenging. The field courses that we attended were particularly enjoyable as the experience of learning outside the classroom creates a more interactive learning atmosphere. The positive support received by members of the geography department gave me the ambition to want to learn more about the subject and consequently made me choose to study geography at degree level at Swansea University. Departments within the school showed me that individual teachers are influential and inspiring as well as educational and how this can affect children. For example, the behavioural support unit, who offer one-to-one support for those children who may require an extra helping hand (academically or socially), does an excellent job in guiding children to be the best they can be. Taking an interest in a child’s personal development alongside their educational development establishes a secure foundation to a well-rounded future. In a report in November 2012 by the chief inspector of OFSTED stated that â€Å"Access to a good education for children and young people is far too dependent on where you happen to live†, I believe this is totally unacceptable and that every child should have the same rights to an education regardless of where they live or their socio-economic backgrounds. The success of a school is the responsibility of its staff and teachers, a good quality teacher educates a child who produces good quality exam results. I want to make a difference to the education system and I aspire to be the best teacher I can be. Geography gives an insight into different aspects of the world something that is forever increasing in modern media and allows an exploration into both human and physical impacts of everyday life. Creativity and imagination are key tools in creating a memorable and educational lesson and teaching geography at a secondary level especially at GCSE and A-level stages is overly important as these key stages in a child’s education sets them up for their future. Even if a child doesn’t remember what you said the way you made them feel about the subject will stay with them forever. Relevant Work Experience I took the initiative during my summer vacation at university to acquire real-world experience within a classroom. For the period of three weeks starting 18th June 2012 to 7th July 2012, I volunteered as a classroom observer and teaching assistant at Fitzharrys School, Abingdon. During my time at the school I took an interactive role within the geography department, in the classroom and in the field. For example, during the work experience I looked at the schemes of work for several years and devised and taught some appropriate starter activities for both year 8 and year 13. In addition to this, I also took a small group and devised an activity based upon the lesson to support the less able students, including working directly with an EAL (English as an additional language) student during their assessment period.

The Primary Function of Human Resource Management Term Paper

The Primary Function of Human Resource Management - Term Paper Example Programs such as those that rotate employees between different kinds of units within the organization and those that encourage directed learning as well as promoting inter-agency communication across the entire company are being increasingly viewed as having paramount importance. Furthermore, Human Resource department must develop a system of recognition and reward for the staff in regards to their contributions to the agency. While there is still some truth to the image of the HR department as keeping track of birthdays and other events for the betterment of the morale of the staff, HR is now developing into a much more sophisticated part of the overall business network. In fact there is bound to eventually be a complete split between the duties of the â€Å"file clerk† aspect and the duties of the director of the department. †¦the Society for HR Management (SHRM) Global Forum report on "The Maturing Profession of Human Resources Worldwide" (2004) showed that over half ( 54.8%) of HR professionals say the most frequently encountered obstacle to career advancement is HR's not being held in high esteem by the organization. One thing is certain, HR is evolving and the profession will either be driven reactively by external changes or will more proactively define its own future. (Vosburgh, 2007, p. Talent, for lack of a better term, is one of the most strategic parts that HR is playing in the current business model. â€Å"Talentship† is a term being used to describe this new paradigm in the creation.... One of the first steps in bringing HR into a more productive and strategic part of the business model is to make the same type of paradigm shift in separation of functions. While many HR professionals today still struggle to get a seat at the business table, the HR profession in the future should continue to evolve and take more responsibility for overall organizational effectiveness. To do this the HR professional will need to become better at utilizing systems thinking and systems measurement. (Jamrog, and Overholt, 2004, p. 54) Talent, for lack of a better term, is one of the most strategic parts that HR is playing in the current business model. â€Å"Talentship† is a term being used to describe this new paradigm in the creation of a more far-reaching strategy for Human Resource Planning. Similar to the roles between finance and marketing, HR is now also being asked to help companies’ research and locate another critical component, the market for talent. Using the sa me analogy, a company cannot succeed if their finance and accounting team is not successfully pared with their sales and marketing team. In fact over time there have been regulatory and best practice applications that have helped to further cement this finance-marketing relationship. However, in HR the guidelines are a little fuzzier, and in fact are usually only to be found in individual policies and procedures and certainly in some academic and business journals. â€Å"Organizational decision processes and tools employed in the talent market are far less mature and refined than those used in finance or marketing† (Boudreau, 2005, p. 18). Now more than ever companies need professional practices in place in order to align their business needs with greater

How does themed hotels affect the tourism industry Lab Report

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The Melancholy In John Steinbecks Books Essay Example for Free

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