Humanistic Mission Research Articles

REPRESENTATION OF THE GOSPEL CODE IN THE NOVEL “GETTING INTO CHARACTERˮ BY H.L. OLDIE THROUGH THE PRISM OF SHAKESPEARE’S THEATRICAL METAPHOR

In the presented study the novel “Getting into Characterˮ (1991) by Henry Lyon Oldie (the pen name of Dmytro Hromov and Oleh Ladyzhens’ky) is considered as a part of Hamlet`s text of modern Russian-language literature. The peculiarities of the representation of the Gospel code of the novel are analysed. They are conditioned by the author’s concept of the artistic world, which assumes the recreation of reality according to the stage laws. It is established that the transformation of the Gospel code in the novel occurs at the level of the image system (Actor-Hamlet-Christ, mentor/Master-Messiah, pupil/apprentice-follower, stage word as Logos, theatre as religion, abyss as unrealised creative work), motif structure (motifs of mentoring, faith, salvation and resurrection of the soul). The ideological and thematic content of the artistic work is changed (the theme of art and its Creator, the problem of faith and faithlessness, the idea of redemption of human sins – the humanistic mission of the protagonist). It is determined by the theatricality as the most important category of the novel`s poetics, underlying the construction of the artistic reality of “Getting into Characterˮ. Special attention is paid to the representation of Shakespearean theatrical metaphor, as well as to the intertextual connection of H.L. Oldie’s novel with Shakespeare’s “Hamletˮ tragedy.

IMMERSIVE APPIAN WAY HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE: HUMAN CENTRIC DIGITAL TWIN (THE PAAA ARCHEOLOGICAL PARK OF THE APPIAN WAY 12KM STATE-OWN SECTION, UNESCO CANDIDATURE)

Abstract. From Rome to Benevento, the Appian Way (Via Appia Antica) was born as a military road, 'Regina Viarum'. In 312 b.C., consul Appio Claudio extended the infrastructure for 132 miles to Capua. Many transformations and integration occurred across the centuries, resulting in a unique multi-stratified world heritage (landscape, architecture, archaeological remains and tombs along the military way). In the 19th century, Luigi Canina conceived the Appian Way as an outdoor museum, realizing a first state-own section along the 12km here surveyed and described. This year, the Ministry of Culture (MIC) has launched the UNESCO nomination for the road. The article discusses aspects of the mass digitization undertaken by the Parco Archeologico dell'Appia Antica (PAAA, the Archaeological Park of the Appian Way). The aim is to build a Digital Twin of the infrastructure supporting knowledge enhancement, preservation, design, communication and fruition. A virtual space where digital technologies and eXtended Reality are the digital arms of the contemporary Vitruvian humanistic mission and vision of the PAAA Appian Way as a source of wealth and healthiness for all the users and visitors.

Podcasting as an instrument to accomplish libraries’ humanistic mission

The total digitalization of every sphere calls for changing libraries as information and sociocultural centers, ways to fulfill their humanistic mission of harmonious development of individuals. New forms of generation, distribution and providing access to information on the Internet give boost to using podcasts as instruments of communication with library existing and potential users. Podcasting is widely used in broadcasting, journalism, business, culture and education for it enables to communicate reliable information to customers. Though this technology is new to the libraries, podcasts have become increasingly popular in library practice. There are just few case studies on these library activities. The authors examine different approaches to podcast classification; options for their use by the libraries to promote books and reading, as an educational resource, and as an instrument to advocate libraries and improve librarians image. They substantiate the need to implement podcasting technology supporting the libraries’ humanistic mission. They also point to the need to expand the studies on the details of podcasting adaptation to library practice, as well as experience systematization, development of detailed recommendations on creating, using, promoting podcasts in the library sphere.

On the interdisciplinary library studies (review of the book: Markova T. B. “The library and the book as the forms of memory transmission”)

The interdisciplinary approach to studying the book and library as the forms of memory transmission is discussed. The purpose of the study was to substantiate the concept of the library “as the form to memorize knowledge and preserve cultural memory”. The originality of the study lies in the defining traditional library functions: they not only preserve information and deliver it to users but also orient them in the world of books, and facilitate their creativity. The monograph in structured in four chapters. Chapter 1 “The methodological foundations of the memory phenomenon studies” examines the concepts of the book and reading in the memory structure. Chapter 2 “Conceptualization of the memory in philosophy and cultural studies” comprises the analysis of memory concepts related to the memory institutions: libraries, museums, and archives. In the Chapter 3, “The memory organizational forms”, the evolution and institutionalization of collective memory forms are discussed. Chapter 4 “The library and cultural memory” focuses on the book and library as memory transmission forms. The libraries’ humanistic mission is substantiated; they do not only preserve cultural and historic heritage but are also naturally and creatively apply new technological possibilities. The interdisciplinary approach chosen by the author enables to demonstrate the prospects for the libraries, books and academic community in upgrading cultural environment.

Sociocultural activity of the library in the conditions of its digitalization

The purpose of the article is to outline the main most effective online means of communication that contribute to the socio-cultural objectives of the library in terms of its humanistic mission. Today the issues of transformation of the national library system are relevant, which is due to global trends in thetransformation of the classical library into a modern socio-cultural and information institution of a new type, which would be interesting for society. One of the main directions of modernization of library services is its digitalization because digital technologies are actively entering all spheres of modern society. The digital economy sets the vector by which socio-cultural institutions will develop. The methodology is based on the use of general scientific methods, namely synthesis, deduction, induction, description, and explanation. Scientific novelty. The study describes the main most effective digital tools that contribute to the socio-cultural objectives of the library in terms of its humanistic mission. The authors emphasize that digitalization is one of the main directions of modernization of the library institution, and outline its advantages while emphasizing the ambiguity of the impact of digitalization on society. The study represents the level of productivity of the main network means of communication in the implementation of socio-cultural objectives of the library in terms of library practitioners. Research of socio-cultural activity of the library in the conditions of its digitalization allows use in the practice of the basic network means of communication taking into account their productivity. Today libraries are faced with the need to digitize their activities,which is the focus of public policy in the library field. Conclusions. Among the most effective digital tools that contribute to the socio-cultural objectives of the library, there are two groups: first, online communication tools, which include library sites, social media pages, library blogs, virtual exhibitions,virtual literature reviews, podcasts, book trailers, digitized library holdings, and second, more traditional events that use digital technology.Key words: archive, innovation, management, digitization, information, rebranding, technologization, fund.

Functioning and development of conscious ability in communication, play, artistic activity

A necessary condition for the existence of conscious ability in the way of correlative correlation between the planes of mental acts (noesis) and content-meanings (noema) – is an activity. Despite the communicative content of other activities, there is actually a communicative activity – communication, the leading motive of which is communication itself. Psychological and physical contact with the object of such communication is a self-sufficient goal for the subject. The emotional-dispositional basis of his motivation is all kinds of love and amicability. Deprivation of communication causes serious damage to the mental health of almost all people. Therefore, communication is a basic condition and a way of normal functioning of human conscious ability, the main factor of mental development of speech as a basis for this ability of infants and young children, who desperately need communication, full of expressive manifestations of love and tenderness. Children, who suffer from the deprivation of such communication, noticeably lag behind in development: their own speech and understanding of what is addressed to them, intelligence, self-awareness, adequate emotionality, social activity and adaptability. Mechanisms of social-psychological interaction are gradually “connected” to the process of intuitive “interiorization” of infants and young children, the essence of which is that in the noems of the subject’s conscious ability, the attitude to him, to other people, to the world of authoritative and referent for him individuals and groups is reflected. The most powerful subjective factor of the effectiveness of a child’s personal development is authentic activity through the volitional effort required to follow the rules of the game that attracts and captures it. Children benevolently accept the restrictions required by the rules of the game and are happy to follow them, because these are the conditions for testing their mental and somatic life potential, because in the process of the game «play» the vital forces of the child that please her. Such pleasure is the emotional-motivational basis of any real game and the deep foundation of the psychological affinity of game self-limitation and self-overcoming with the morality and spirituality of a personality, and thus a subjective factor in the development of his spiritual-moral conscious ability. At the same time, its aesthetic sensitivity develops due to the fact that the rules of the game form the harmonious system that gives the aesthetic impression of the beauty of the game. The deep basis of motivation of artistic-figurative activity (creation and perception of works of art) is a secret human desire – freedom of spirit, liberation from the shackles of its biological and social “handcuff”. Therefore, the ideological-emotional core of the images of high art is the freedom-loving human spirit, which is subject to the urges caused by the biological nature of human and social taboos and imperatives that oppress him. In the process of artistic-figurative activity, the subject empathically identifies with the struggles of the spirit of the art works’ heroes. These empathic shifts of one’s own spiritual-moral ability delight the subject, who develops the emotional-dispositional foundations of corresponding noems of his conscious ability. Cognition requires a serious attitude and hard work, which is most motivated by interest in its content. An effective way of such interest is the game psychological content of teaching. In general, the question of including the game into cognitive activity makes sense only as a fulfillment of the learning process with game psychological content. To organically combine the hard efforts of students, which requires knowledge and assimilation of scientific truths and spiritual values with game attractiveness - is not easy, but possible, especially concerning subjects of artistic-aesthetic cycle due to the semantic affinity of motivation of game and artistic-figurative activities. A necessary condition for the humanistic mission of sport is that it must be a noble competition, that is, a real game.

INTERNATIONALIZATION STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT: APPROACHES AND TOOLS

Developing the strategy of internationalization it is important to focus on the University’s key priorities, areas and respective tools of international cooperation. Based on the presented statistics of university students and professors involved in the international activities, the authors draw conclusions about the elitist approach to internationalization. The possibility of long-term and gradual internationalization in accordance with the University’s humanistic mission is being considered, that will maximise the University professors’ and students’ involvement and participation in the internal internationalization, and as a result, will affect the quality of education and the competitiveness of the university. The authors make an attempt to systematize and give a holistic view of the tools of internationalization of higher education. The tools of internationalization are considered key in managing the process of institutional strategy development. The issue of limited resources means it is essential to focus the tools which will lead to the required results.

Transformation or modernization: what to choose for libraries

The paper presents a vision of the problem of changing modern libraries and defining their mission under the influence of the requirements of the emerging in-formation society. The main provisions of legislative acts in the field of culture, education, and librarianship in recent years allow us to assert that the mission of libraries is humanistic. However, the purpose of libraries is very vague in these documents. This leads to a discussion in the environment of the library community. Increasingly, there is a shift in library activity towards over-activation of cultural and leisure activities or digitalization. College libraries usually focus on the introduction of computer and telecommunication technologies, networking between libraries, the replenishment of electronic resources for information support of science and education, with-out paying due attention to the promotion and education process, which is humanistic in nature and is a part of education.It is emphasized that the radical transformation of libraries' activities proposed by V. K. Stepanov will lead to their disappearance. For further successful development of libraries, it is necessary to modernize, modernize, based on the understanding of the humanistic mission of the library. The list of priority measures that will help to increase the role of libraries in society and implement their humanistic mission is given.

‘PANDEMIC’ OF CORONAVIRUS CARTOONS

Many cartoons of artists from many countries around the world associated with the coronavirus pandemic have appeared in a short period of time. The purpose of this article is to analyze the semantic content and artistic level of such cartoons. Thus, cartoonists reacted unusually quickly and smoothly to the coronavirus pandemic. Many ‘pandemic’ cartoons were created by artists in just a few months. These cartoons reflected all the vicissitudes of the struggle of mankind with a pandemic from the first shock, pessimism, to preparedness for the fight and belief in victory. The cartoon art brilliantly fulfilled its social satirical duty to humanity. However, coronavirus was a serious test not only for humanity, but also for the art of cartoon. A coronavirus pandemic swept the inquisitive minds of artists around the world. ЃePandemicЃf drawings sharply reflected the crisis, which is increasingly manifested in the art of cartoon in recent years. This crisis was identified by the appearance of many cartoon clones, similar in their messages to the audience and similar visually. Coronavirus, this spherical object with short processes, has become a very attractive way to create typical cartoons. Well-known techniques for creating comic effects in ironic graphics are easily traced in the ЃepandemicЃf cartoons. The art of cartoon fulfilled its social role expressed in responding to the coronavirus pandemic by means of humor and satire. Cartoonists embraced almost all stereotypical images with their ЃecoronavirusЃf creativity. The coronavirus pandemic laid bare the crisis inherent the art of cartoon in recent decades, like by x-rays which cartoonists managed to ridicule at after their discovery. Cartoonists around the world created similar cartoons, not really caring about heuristic. Therefore, we see so many works repeating each other. As we see, cartoons are becoming more ЃelightЃf, superficial. The cartoons created in the early period of the appearance of coronavirus had a panic character, were saturated with black humor. However, then the artists began to urge humanity to fight the pandemic through cartoons, thereby fulfilling their humanistic mission in their messages. And at the same time, ЃepandemicЃf cartoons showed that there was practically no heuristic in the works by witty artist in most cases, they were mainly built on the expected stereotypical images.

Libraries in blogosphere: Modern trends

The activities of libraries in blogosphere as a segment of their presence in the media space in respect of realizing a humanistic mission of a library is considered.The statistical data on the quantity of library blogs in 2010–2017 are presented. It is indicated that the total quantity of library blogs increases, but the quantity of those keeping updated at present reduces. The updated blogs (despite of relatively small amount of subscribers) operate actively enough which is proved by the year-to-year growing quantity of posts and users’ responses.The activities university libraries in blogosphere (2016–2018) in respect of contents of content and frequency of its updating, amount of user audience, level of interaction with users and their subject preferences are analyzed. The accent is made on the statement that contents of the majority of blogs is oriented towards education and cultural growth. The importance of interaction with user groups is highlighted. The conclusions are made on the necessity of activating libraries’ activities in blogosphere on the basis of searching the cross points of libraries’ and users’ interests, studying users’ requests and accenting the attention on humanistic principles of the society development.

Service technologies in academic libraries (case study of I. S. Turgenev Orel State University Scientific Library)

Innovative technologies for providing the scope of library information services are discussed. Users satisfaction with the products/services quality within the services strategy of Orel State University Scientific Library was monitored. The study goals were to investigate into the new format of staff operation, to refine criteria and evaluation indicators, and to specify services and practices.The quality features were measured and compared to the ideal model of library and information services. It is found that the service dominant idea is consonant with the staff’s and users’ orientation toward open, secure, friendly working environment. The author remarks to the staff's business activity, increasing the Library’s rates in the external environment. She proves that the service technologies make the efficient instrument of the humanistic mission rather than obtaining of the maximum extrabudgetary funding.The author proposes several key management solutions, i.e. stimulation of staff’s culture; development of corporate professional cooperation in information exchange; generation of inhouse intellectual content; intensification of user awareness forms; methodological support; monitoring; promotion of the existing resources and dissemination of information products.The obtained empirical data make the foundation for increasing effectiveness of services.

Образование как сфера личностно-культурной реализации

The paper demonstrates that being the foundation of a wide range of pedagogical systems, the idea of “improving” a person seems deniable today. Basing upon studies of mosaic culture, the author concludes that the essence of the modern human culture is determined by its marginal nature. The problem of the conceptualization of education viewed in the context of its social and cultural as well as humanistic mission in the history of pedagogical thought not only gives grounds to identify the reasons for the development of this civilizational institution but also provides the possibility of justifying the vision of education in the future. The study proves that the education system cannot be limited to transferring the social and cultural standards and finished scientific knowledge. Its purpose is the self-identification of the personality able to navigate in a complex social and cultural space and acquire its own system of cultural values in it. The research defines the concept of cultural conformity of the personality and highlights the main components of this category.

Reflections on the International Adjudication of Cases of Grave Violations of Rights of the Human Person

The coexistence of contemporary international tribunals has fostered the access to justice for the determination of international responsibility. There are approximations and convergences between the International Law of Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law, the International Law of Refugees, and contemporary International Criminal Law. The central place is of the human person. In addressing grave violations of the rights of the human person, international tribunals have a humanist common mission of rendering justice as a form of reparation. Jusnaturalism prevails over legal positivism, conscience stands above the “will”.

Sociological Debate on Inequalities in Russia and Beyond

The review considers the 5th All-Russian Sociological Congress held at the Ural Federal University in Yekaterinburg in October, 2016. The event, entitled “Sociology and Society: Social Inequality and Social Justice,” attracted more than 1000 delegates from Russia and abroad. The Congress took place against a background of increasing social inequality in Russia, following the economic crisis of 2015. The program included 17 sessions, 37 panels, and 35 round tables which covered burning topics such as the unequal distribution of resources in Russian regions, the reduction of social welfare, the low living standards of vulnerable social groups, the growth of ethnic tension, and others. One of the plenary talks was given by the president of the International Sociological Association, Margaret Abraham, who spoke on the humanistic mission of Sociology, and called to coalesce in the struggle against social injustice in the world. The discussions at the Congress have shown that sociologists in Russia follow the global trends in examining urgent social problems, as well as in reflecting methodological issues, e.g., the application of new approaches in inequality studies. The debate on the restriction of academic freedoms in Russia at the closing plenary session made it obvious that the solution to this problem can be found in professional solidarity and is the responsibility of everyone who belongs to the sociological community.

Сайты библиотек вузов как одно из средств реализации гуманистической миссии библиотеки

The potential of university library websites for library humanistic mission realization is examined. The Internet-activities of Central Chernozemny Regional Methdological Amalgamation are discussed. The author concludes on the necessity to increase humanistic content of the university library websites.

Safeguarding Education as Public Good and Regulating Private Providers

Mushrooming of privatisation which one witnesses at all levels in education aggravates marginalisation and exclusion. It has a crippling effect on the principle of equality of opportunity in education, which is a fundamental principle established by almost all international human rights conventions. Instead of supplementing education, private providers are supplanting it. Rather than controlling this phenomenon, governments even provide subsidy to private providers. There is widespread concern with the negative effects of privatisation in education in scholarly writings by intellectual community, civil society organisations and international organisations. Every child is entitled to education free of cost as an inalienable right, and access to education should not be based on capacity to pay fees which often are exorbitant. This also puts in jeopardy the principles of social justice and equity, which are key pillars of the United Nations system. Safeguarding education as a public good and fostering its humanist mission is of paramount importance. Under no circumstances education should be allowed to be mercantalised. States have the obligation to ensure that when education is provided by non-State entities, the principles and norms underlying right to education are respected, and education is not allowed to be reduced to business. They have the obligation to regulate and control all private providers in education and protect public interest in education. Abusive practices by private providers denote the failure of States to adequately monitor and regulate privatised education. This calls for strengthening human rights mechanisms to effectively address and sanction all abusive practices. In this, governments can be inspired by numerous decisions by courts and emerging jurisprudence.

Information Functions and Humanistic Mission of the Russian Libraries

In the context of Library Science there are considered the notions of “Information”, “Information Function”, “Humanistic Mission” and “Library Humanism”.

Information Functions and Humanistic Mission of the Russian Libraries

In the Library Science context there are considered the following notions: “Information”, “Information Function”, “Humanistic Mission”, “Library Humanism”.

APPLICATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY TO LANGUAGE LEARNING

Beginning with the concern of those who view "computer revolution" as a threat to the present system of education, the paper suggests that technology can be destructive only if it fails to function in response to the "humanistic" objective of educational programs. This objective is examined in relation to language instruction, and the ultimate function of language study is defined as an attempt "to achieve an understanding, as complete as possible, between people of different linguistic background." It is then suggested that because of its great potential for improving and facilitating the earner's progress, modern-language-teaching technology can help us fulfill our humanistic mission more efficiently. To achieve this end, it is first necessary to change the negative reaction by students and teachers which started with the introduction of language lab. For this purpose, an attempt is made to dispel some of the "myths" that arose in the course of the first wave of language-teaching-technology.

Cock-A-Doodle

Art Historian Jed Perl's challenge to reveal a topic in the work of Pablo Picasso that hadn't been thoroughly covered results in “Cock-a-Doodle,” an analysis of the master's lifelong penchant for making art about poultry. Less glorious and known than the master's celebrated images of women and bullfights, birds intended for the dinner table are nonetheless a critical aspect of his oeuvre. For Picasso common birds were perfect tools for implying the elemental. He was not a gourmet. Food was less important for him as nourishment than as a mirror of the soul. Based on an eighty-five page analysis of all of his works on the topic, this essay focuses on his 1962 painting Coq Troussé (Trussed Cock). In this picture Picasso reversed the ordinary process whereby birds are slaughtered before plucking, making this painting unique in the history of game bird portraiture. Horrified and horrifying, the unwilling star of Picasso's timeless and global image demands that his viewers confront their fears of savagery and death. Picasso focused on the carnage lurking behind societal niceties; loved divulging the viscera of so-called civilization; and found in humble, ungainly chicken (and other edible birds) an enduring motif for his humanistic mission.