Category Archives: College Papers

German Music Recital

Posted on by

 

On Thursday, February 18,  I attended the senior recital of mezzo-soprano singer Charity Barker at Oral Roberts University.  Usually, I am not one to pick out concerts for vocal qualities.  I tend to prefer the more instrumental performances.  However, I did attend Ms. Barker’s recital and feel it was a good experience for me.

Ms. Barker has a strong vibrant voice.  As vocal majors are required, Ms. Barker sang songs in Italian, German, French, and British and American English.  Since I do not understand most of those languages, I followed along in the little flier in the bulletin. I was surprised at the depressive lyrics to several of the songs.  The song Son tutta duolo especially was full of saddened lyrics.

The Italian piece, Orontea somehow reminded me of aristocratic gardens as one would watch out a large window pane.  It seemed to flow gently.  Even though I could not understand the lyrics, they held the quality which made me think of a lady missing her lad who was away.

As I listened to the music, I took notes so I could write some of the feelings I was having as I listened.  I described the German music as heavier and darker than the other pieces.  Of the German pieces I wrote, “Tries to be light and jovial but doesn’t quite make it.”  The German pieces somehow had a heavier sound.  Perhaps it was the guttural sound of the German tongue or just the style of those pieces.   The American pieces by Gershwin held a light sound with a hint of frivolity.

Overall, I think I gained a better understanding of what the different language styles and at least a little more appreciation of vocal music by itself.

The Story of Sadhu Sundar Singh

Posted on by

Story Of Sadhu Sundar Singh by Cyril J. Davey presents the story of the life of a young Indian mystic who rebelled against God.  After struggling with his life, he finally sought God and received an answer when the Lord Jesus appeared to him.  From that point on Sundar Singh lived the life of an Indian holy man who was totally committed to Christ.  His ministry stretched across India, into Tibet, and around the world.  All this took place during his 39 years of life.

Sadhu Sundar Singh (1889-1929), the son of a wealthy landowner in the Punjab plain of India, was a prime candidate for becoming another honored member of the “Singh” (lion) family.   God had other plans. Continue reading →

Sociolinguistics studies affect on practical TESL

Posted on by

#3 Discuss how the topics in sociolinguistics will affect your practice in TESL and other relationships.

This Sociolinguistics class covered a variety of topics, and has proven very enlightening about communication styles and political attitudes in the United States concerning language education and very practical in how to deal with communications between cultures and genders. Continue reading →

Communication Styles

Posted on by

Compare and contrast the communication style of American Indians, Israelis, and Black Americans based on readings, include why they choose to communicate in certain ways.

Being a part of community is vital to interaction between societies of every background.  In this essay we will consider some of the ways American Indians, Israelis, and Black Americans retain their sense of community between those who belong to those communities and exclude those who do not belong within their communities. Continue reading →

Searching for Meaning in Life

Posted on by

The human race is continually searching, searching for the one thing which has eluded generations, but only because they are looking in all the wrong places.  It is as if they were to go to a grocery store knowing that they came for something but not remembering what it is.  With eyes drifting across the shelf, they glance at the top and at the bottom just in case that one item was tucked away in some recess.  Walking through the aisles their cart is filled with all sorts of products, but not one seems to be that for which they came.  Upon arriving home they unload their newly acquired goods and enjoy them for a while, but they eventually realize that that one product is still missing.

In John Updike’s Pigeon Feathers, young David is confronted with opposition to his faith in God.   Continue reading →

Complex Simplicity

Posted on by

10 March, 2000

Humanity is searching for simplicity in the midst of this life so full of complexity.  In Henry David Thoreau’s “Where I Lived and What I Lived For” and Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s “The Channelled Whelk” the reader is exposed to two authors’ desire for simplicity and how they seek this.  Although from different centuries, both authors have found similar sensations in nature to be calming and draw feelings of simplicity from it.  One attempts to absorb the basis of life by changing surroundings and absorbing the simple things of this world.  The other recognizes the way nature reminds humanity that the life within can retain lessons in simplicity and grace of the mind, heart, and environment. Continue reading →

Purposeful Attitudes

Posted on by

23 February, 2000

Human attitudes toward each other reflect a deeper level of consciousness toward God.  In her short story, “The Displaced Person,” Flannery O’Connor shows how self-righteousness and prejudices are within the characters while subtly allowing the reader to recognize those same attitudes in himself.  The text has the feeling that there is great significance in the words that hold a sense of power.  Still, the story retains the smooth rhythm that keeps the attention of the reader with a natural ease.  O’Connor uses a limited omniscient point of view to give the reader a sense of being alongside the ever-observerant Mrs. Shortley in the fields, barns, and conversations as she sees, hears, and takes note of all that occurs until the author carries on the story without her.  The symbolism O’Connor creates in this story is beautifully mysterious, strangely prophetic, and subtly vibrant.  Despite the seriousness of the ending, the displacement of characters en masse keeps the reader acutely aware of the irony of misconceptions, biased attitudes and disregard for Christ. Continue reading →

Defining Community Development

Posted on by

Michael P. Shead

Senior Paper

International Community Development

Oral Roberts University

Tulsa, Oklahoma

December 7, 1999

 

 Part I

Chapter 1: A definite purpose and plan

Defining Community Development

Community development is a process. Development is a long-term process of helping people to help themselves.  It is said, “Give a man a fish and you will have fed him for a day, but teach him how to fish and you will have fed him for a lifetime”.  This is the concept of community development–to empower people to care for and improve themselves.

In his book, Two Ears of Corn, Roland Bunch defined community development as “A process whereby people learn to take charge of their own lives and solve their own problems.” (1982).  It is a development of attitude as well as resources. Bunch noted that poverty is often linked directly to mental attitudes more than actual physical situations (1982).

Community development includes many different areas: agriculture, economics, literacy, hygiene, and others.  No matter what area in which the development is taking place it is important to remember that the purpose is to empower the people within their own society and culture so that changes are coming from within the culture and from the people, not merely because an outside influence is changing them.

In 1973 Dale Kietzman presented a definition of community development to the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL).  He said, “Community Development is the process of helping to strengthen a community (and its leadership) so that it can resolve, through its own initiative, the problems which face it” (Yost & Yost, 1999). Continue reading →

Review: Senior Recital – Oboe

Posted on by

On Thursday, October 29, I had the pleasure of attending the senior recital of Joy Pittman.  Joy plays the oboe.  I have never before paid a lot of attention to the sound of the oboe itself.  I was amazed to hear such pure notes.  Personally, I’m tend to not like very much vibrato except in a violin, so I really enjoyed the pure clean notes Joy played.  In comparison to the oboe, Joy’s sister Jamie played the flute in a oboe-flute-piano trio at the recital.  While, the flute is a nice instrument but the breathy-pipe sound of the flute was almost distracting compared to what I consider the beauty of the well-played oboe.

Oboe

Please note:  Both Joy and Jamie Pittman are excellent players.  These comments are on my personal preference about instruments not players.

Especially lately, I’ve found myself with a desire to hear more classical music.  I finally borrowed one of my brother’s compact discs of Baroque music so I can play it in my room.  [Who knows maybe Humanities has really inspired me!]  This recital was an enjoyable time that I shared with several friends as we listened to a variety of musical pieces including a Mozart quartet for Oboe, Violin, Viola, and Cello.  Mozart’s style had a different sound to it which went beyond the addition of instruments.  I don’t think I can put my finger on it, but the Mozart piece had a very distinctive style untypical of the other pieces at the recital.

By attending this concert I was able to hear the oboe played and really listen to this double-reed instrument.  I now have a better appreciation of the oboe.  The next time I attend an event with an orchestra I will probably try and pick out the clean, crisp notes of the oboe.

A view of the Clinton Affair from the world perspective

Posted on by

A news story I wrote in college on February 2, 1998

“These are good times for the American people,” claimed President Bill Clinton during the State of the Union address Tuesday.  Yet, while Clinton spoke of “good times,” the American people watched the presidency sink beneath scandal and possible impeachment.

Wednesday, Jan. 21, allegations were made that Clinton had a sexual relationship in 1995 and 1996 with then-21-year-old, Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern.  Yet, while under oath, both Clinton and Lewinsky said they never had sex.

If Whitewater independent council, Kenneth Starr, proves Clinton lied or told Lewinsky to lie in her sworn affidavit, impeachment looms before a president already stricken with scandals. Continue reading →