Religion and Happiness

In this module, you have learned about different religions and philosophical views of happiness. Write a 1-2 page essay answering the following:

 

  • 1. What role does religion play in being happy? Provide detail and examples.
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  • 2. Is religion necessary for happiness? Why or why not?
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Support your position by providing three pieces of evidence from the readings and lesson content.

 

Characteristics of a Hero

Directions:

Choose a heroic figure from a book, film, or comic/cartoon series with which you are familiar (such as Theseus, Oedipus, Calaf in Turandot, King Arthur, Siddhartha, Moses, Mohammed, a cowboy hero, or Frodo from The Lord of the Rings).

Alternatively, you may choose a person who is/was known for their humanitarian efforts, or who have led a movement (such as Mother Teresa or Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.).

Initial Post: Write 1-2 paragraphs in which you introduce your chosen hero. Apply at least two of Campbell’s characteristics as you elaborate on that hero’s life.

Hero’s Journey Infographic

Joseph Campbell’s theories on mythology and the Hero’s Journey connect mythology to our everyday lived realities. In this module, you learned that all myths follow the arc of the Hero’s Journey and that the Hero’s Journey is as influenced by real-life experiences as it is the inspiration for future human creation.

 

Instructions: Think of a time in your life in which you have participated in the path of the Hero’s Journey. You could have been any of the main characters—the hero or a figure supporting the hero.

 

Use a free online application (Canva, Piktochart, etc.) to create an infographic that includes an explanation of the following:

  • Each of the ten steps of the Hero’s Journey as it relates to your situation
  • Which role you play
  • What the call to adventure was
  • How the journey unfolded during each of the ten steps

 

Your infographic should be saved as a PDF document.

 

What Causes Sarcopenia?

Directions: 

Sarcopenia is the normal age-related process of muscle fiber loss. Type I muscle fibers support endurance and posture. Type II muscle fibers support strength for heavier loads and speed, as well as older adult functional independence in activities such as going up stairs and standing up from a chair. Resistance training can help slow muscle fiber loss at any age.  

 

For this discussion, we will examine the more microscopic underlying question: “Why do we lose muscle fibers with the aging process? Where do they go?”  

 

Initial post: Select one of the two reference articles listed below for this discussion. Within the selected article, read the abstract, introduction, conclusion, and at least one additional section of your choosing. 

From your research, how would you answer the question: “Why does sarcopenia occur? Where do the muscle fibers go?” While you may use scientific terminology, also include your own words to describe the phenomenon. Support your positions with the assigned reading. Use APA citation to credit your source.  

 

 

                 References

Carter, C. S., Justice, J. N., & Thompson, L. (2019). Lipotoxicity, aging, and muscle contractility: does fiber type matter? GeroScience, 41(3), 297–308. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-019-00077-z 

Budui, S. L., Rossi, A. P., & Zamboni, M. (2015). The pathogenetic bases of sarcopenia. Clinical Cases in Mineral & Bone Metabolism, 12(1), 22-26.  

The Future of Movie Theaters

Directions:

Is the cinema theater dead? It seems as if new methods of delivering and viewing media are popping up all the time. Today, we can watch films from our streaming accounts virtually anywhere, including from our phones. We can stream movies directly to our devices and view them from the comfort of our own homes.

 

Moreover, the prevalence of streaming services has changed the way we view TV episodes and movies. The phenomenon of “binge-watching” has transformed stories that may have once been reserved for the big screen into shorter 6-10 episode “seasons” and made available all at once. However, movie theaters still exist in every city and town, and people can still be seen lining up to buy tickets or popcorn for a showing.

 

Initial Post: Write one to two paragraphs, answering the following:

  1. 1. Is the cinema or movie theater “dead?
  2. ”
  3. 2, What do you think is the purpose and function of movie theaters today?
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  5. 3. Do you still go to movie theaters? Why or why not? Are there certain films you prefer to see on “the big screen?”
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  7. 4. Share suggestions for ways that the concept of the movie theater may evolve in the future.

 

Movie Analysis

 

Everyone is familiar with watching movies. With the abundance of streaming services and wireless devices, watching movies are more accessible than ever before. No matter how much or how little you watch movies, there are always those that stand out above the rest. Sometimes, it is because of a favorite actor. Other times, it is the story told, or feelings evoked. This assignment invites you to think more deeply about one of your favorite movies.

 

Instructions: Choose your favorite movie of all time and write a 1-2 page analysis. Address the following:

 

  1. 1. Describe the unique features of your chosen movie.
  2.  
  3. 2. Identify the genre of your chosen movie (film noir, romantic comedy,  the screen musical, the western, horror, suspense, thriller, documentary, fictionalized biography, comedy, drama, etc.).
  4.  
  5. 3. Explain what you like and/or dislike about the genre.
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  7. 4. Analyze what makes your chosen movie a good representation of the genre. Use descriptive language and include at least two examples.
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  9. 5. Describe at least three aspects of this movie that make it engaging and memorable.
  10.  

Your assignment should be written in APA format and should include in-text citations and a reference page.

 

Humanities and Creative Expression

 

This module provides abundant examples of how humanities influence creative expression. Everything not found in nature makes up our culture, and all of those cultural artifacts are touched by humanities. Everything we encounter that is made by humans is both part of our culture and part of human expression. This assignment invites you to consider some of the many ways the humanities have shaped creative expression.

 

Instructions: Create a PowerPoint or Prezi presentation by performing the following:

  1.  
  2. Provide eight examples of ways that the humanities influence creative expression.
  3.  
  4. Cover four or more branches of the humanities (i.e., not all examples of musicians or authors).
  5.  
  6. Each example should have its own slide with a clear, appropriate image and a brief explanation of how that example has been impacted by humanities (example: a slide featuring an image representing the movie Lord of the Rings with a sentence stating “The film LOTR incorporates aspects of the human condition such as discrimination, despair, courage, the feeling of triumph, happiness, internal mental scarring, and loss.”).
  7.  
  8. Include a title slide.
  9.  
  10. Include a reference slide with links to your resources.
  11.  
  12. Proofread your work for spelling and grammar.

 

Humanities and Creative Expression

 

This module provides abundant examples of how humanities influence creative expression. Everything not found in nature makes up our culture, and all of those cultural artifacts are touched by humanities. Everything we encounter that is made by humans is both part of our culture and part of human expression. This assignment invites you to consider some of the many ways the humanities have shaped creative expression.

 

Instructions: Create a PowerPoint or Prezi presentation by performing the following:

 

  1. 1. Provide eight examples of ways that the humanities influence creative expression.
  2.  
  3. 2. Cover four or more branches of the humanities (i.e., not all examples of musicians or authors).
  4.  
  5. 3. Each example should have its own slide with a clear, appropriate image and a brief explanation of how that example has been impacted by humanities (example: a slide featuring an image representing the movie Lord of the Rings with a sentence stating “The film LOTR incorporates aspects of the human condition such as discrimination, despair, courage, the feeling of triumph, happiness, internal mental scarring, and loss.”).
  6.  
  7. 4. Include a title slide.
  8.  
  9. 5. Include a reference slide with links to your resources.
  10.  
  11. 6. Proofread your work for spelling and grammar.
  12.  

Perceptual Awareness of Music

Listening to music is something everyone does. Some people listen to music constantly, while others listen to it situationally, such as when driving, studying, exercising, or relaxing. Different playlists can be made for these different tasks. But how carefully and deeply does the listening experience go? This assignment requires you to delve deeper into one of your favorite songs to maximize appreciation of it through achieving an understanding of the complexities that go into the creation of your preferred music. In doing so, you will increase your perceptual awareness, not just for music, but for all things!

 

Instructions: Choose a musical artist (from any music era). Choose one of his or her main works (songs or compositions) and listen to the piece so that you can comment on your reaction to the work. Write a 1-2 page essay about the following:

 

  1. 1. A brief summary of the background or history of the artist
  2. 2. The meaning of the song you chose
  3. 3. The musical elements being used, with examples
  4. 4. The contribution that the piece has had to the development of music and how it influenced future music

Your assignment should be written in APA format and should include in-text citations and a reference page.

 

Resources

Exploring Music Genres

Directions:

Oftentimes, we as humans tend to gravitate to music that is familiar to us. Although we have a variety of music to choose from, rarely do we try a genre of music that is new to us. According to Plato, “Music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of the soul.” It is worth exploring different kinds of music to experience the impact of music and how it can touch us in unique ways.

 

Initial Post: To expand your music horizons, listen to a genre of music that is new to you (Country, Classical, Rap, Pop, R&B, etc.). After listening to a song or piece from your new genre, explain why you would or would not be open to hearing more music from this genre. Share the following:

 

  1. Title of the song or musical piece
  2.  
  3. Artist or composer
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  5. Year the song or piece was made
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  7. Genre of music the piece falls under
  8.  
  9. Describe how you were impacted by the new genre
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  11. Explanation of why you would be open to hearing more music from this genre