The Course of Mexican History Research Paper Essay

The Course of Mexican History Research Paper - Essay Example The reflection specifically aims to address the following: (1) to provide a description of how the course has enhanced one’s understanding of the term "culture"; (2) to explain how historical and social contexts have helped to shape human belief systems and values; and (3) to evaluate how one’s own cultural perspective has influenced personal intercultural experiences. Description: Personal Understanding of the Term Culture One’s personal contention is that the term culture encompasses a collaborative learning and experiences of a particular group of people who have developed common sets of values, preferences, traditions, norms and practiced these as their way of life from generation to generation. This understanding of the term culture was reinforced by discussions on business culture (Unit 1), specifically how Mexicans value personal relationships, mix business transactions with leisure activities and continue to practice the manana habit that tends to delay a ctivities to a later time or date. Further, lessons on art and architecture from ancient times that marked the development of practices from the time of the Olmec and Aztec cultures, enhanced one’s understanding of how various religious practices influenced traditional beliefs and the way architecture was created and built (Unit 3). Culture, as a way of life, were discussed to be manifested and expressed through music (Unit 10) from the rule of the Spanish conquests to contemporary times in terms of the evolution and development of musical instruments, styles, and forms. Finally, one of the most evident cultural forms is exemplified through the way Mexicans enjoy and prepare their food (Unit 2) and how their eating habits differ from other cultures. Diverse historical timelines that aimed to trace the roots and evolution of Mexicans, as an indigenous group, presented more comprehensive discussion of how Mexicans were influenced by significant personalities from the time of Ki ng Charles V of Spain (Unit 5) to the restoration of the republic through revolt in 1910 (Unit 6). All these events helped shape and make Mexico a distinct and rich culture that have influenced other people through interactions and global connections through time. Explanation: Historical and Social Contexts that shaped Belief Systems and Values Human belief systems and values are likewise shaped by the historical and social events depicted through the rich experiences discussed in the module. One of the most pronounced social events is the use of musical instruments that were traced since the time of the Aztecs from their drums that accompany their ceremonies (Unit 10). The role of the church is also crucial in the development of a distinct musical genre focusing on solemnity, hymns and chants. Other historical events that significantly shaped beliefs and values of Mexicans were the art and literature expressed in architectural sites which were traced from their religious practices of worshipping gods and goddesses (Unit 3). The experience of Mexico is parallel with other cultures that exemplify religion as having shaped traditional values and beliefs. Most of these are handed from generation to generation and some remain to be practiced until contemporary times. Finally, the influence of other races: Spaniards, in particular, in their way of life, in political endeavors, and in fighting for national freedom from foreign rule and

Cognitive Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Cognitive Theory - Essay Example The other assumption is that prior happenings add considerably to understanding a lesson. The last assumption is that memory of a person determines the transmission of the knowledge process (Mitchell& Myles, 2004, 303). Concepts related to cognitive theories include primeval concept, lexical and typical concepts. 2 The videos watched involved a teacher and students evaluating various hypotheses and the way they relate to learning. They had to address the various ways in which learning tremendously depends on one’s memory and the connections of reasoning (Ortega, 2009, 304). They explained that manners of students were the least contributor to learning. This is because student’s manners may have several factors facilitating it. The other activity that students indulged in were identification of things read in previous lessons. Remembering was essential, in that the teacher related it to the assumption that memory was vital in learning. The other activity was trying to de fine concepts emanating from the cognitive theory. This was through evaluating the primeval way in which memory was required in learning. 3) Assumptions from the video - Memory playing a part in learning - Prior encounters determining a lesson 4) Memory assumption was widely exemplified in the video. This was through the study of a person’s brain blocks concerning education. The study involved handling of memory as an education prerequisite. For example, by asking the students to remember about previous lessons, this was in relation to the primeval theory. The fact that they could retain information reflected the way the intellect programming determines learning. Those students who did not recall the way the previous lessons were did not proceed well in the lesson. Learning contributes to one’s wits composure and the way one could advance their remembrance. The assumption that previous encounters contributed to the present lesson was also explored. The students who han dled issues similar to the lesson contributed a lot in answering. This is because they were already recognizable to the lesson running. Those students who heard the lesson for the first lesson took time to relate matters. Therefore, the teacher got a leeway of explaining the assumption with ease. This is because she asked the students about encounters that they had. The encounters played the greatest role in setting the lesson. 5) Response of the students was an explanation of the cognitive hypotheses. For example, the fact that they answered questions asked by the teacher showed that they were listening. Answering questions meant that the mind processed the questions asked. Answering questions explained the way cognitive speculation stemmed from the mind (Mitchell & Myles, 2004, 303). On the contrary, students who were not attentive did not answer questions well. This is because their common sense did not process what the teacher asked. The teacher had a hard time addressing studen ts who did not understand the lesson. When she picked on a student that was not attentive, the student encountered a hard time in answering questions. This is because the mind did not have a stockpile of any information that she said. It is because of this that such students could not retrieve any information from their brains. When the teacher gave instructions to the students, the response was different from the students. This is because