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The Importance of Humanities

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The Importance of Humanities in the Professions

Healthcare/Nursing

Introduction
Three creative works being analyzed:

• Caged Bird, by Maya Angelou
• “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke
• The Means to an End, by Kara Walker

Intro cont..
Caged Bird
► Author Maya Angelou
► Discipline of literature
► Form of poetry

Intro cont.
“A Change is Gonna Come”
► Singer/Songwriter Sam Cooke
► Discipline of music
Intro cont.
The Means to an End
► Artist Kara Walker
► Discipline Visual Art
► Silhouette Portraits

Humanities in Healthcare
Understanding Diversity in Cultures
Roles of Nurses
► Non-bias or opposing self-interest on patients.
► Understanding and acceptance of any and all cultures/ethnicities.
► Equal treatment of all patients
► Not conforming to stereotypes

Humanities in Healthcare cont.
► Broadening your exposure to different cultures and through the arts and artifacts presented, you become more aware and better prepared to give quality healthcare amongst the diverse communities.
► The 3 works being presented will display the perseverance, struggles, and some history of the Black American ethnic group.
The Literary Work
Objective Analysis
► Caged Bird by Maya Angelou

A free bird leaps on the back of the wind and floats downstream till the current ends and dips his wing in the orange sun rays and dares to claim the sky

But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage can seldom see through his bars of rage his wings are clipped his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn and he names the sky his own
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
Cont.

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom.
► Form of poetry
► Subject matter in this poem deals with racial discrimination, segregation, and domination. It also speaks of perseverance despite the persistent duration of struggle and lack of opportunities.
Subject Matter Cont.
Elements used to show subject matter:
► Imagery
► Repetition
► Metaphors
► Symbolism
All are used to create mental pictures for the readers.

Examples
► Free bird vs. Caged bird ( white vs. black )
► The caged bird’s wings are clipped and feet tied.
► Fat worms, trade winds soft, sighing trees. All given to the free bird.
► “Bars of rage, and narrow cage.”
► “Grave of dreams”. Dreams of the Caged Bird.

Non Literature Art Form
Objective Analysis
“ A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke

Cont.
► Discipline of Music
► Two types of Genres:
• Folk Music- created for common people of a particular region or by a disadvantaged ethnic group.
• Popular Music- reflects a style of music.
► Style of Soul Music- combination of gospel music and rhythm and blues ( two separate styles).
Subject Matter
► Composed during Civil Rights Movement

► Artist inspired by another song “Blowing in the Wind” a protest song by Bob Dylan, (who sang against unequal treatments of Black American race).

► Built around frustrations of Jim Crow Laws in the segregated south with lyrics such as,
“I go to the movies, then I go downtown, somebody keeps telling me don’t hang around.”

Elements Used
► Dynamics- strong vocal intro used to capture attention of audience.
► Rhythm/Beat- Slow and steadily paced so that the lyrics will stand out.
► Quintessential Timbre- Use of orchestrated music is noted in the musical composition for a soulful yet classical sound.
► Motifs- repeatedly stating lyrics “ I know a change is gonna come”. to create a belief for the listener.
► Use of a Theme- “I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it is.” repeatedly used in the song as the message.
► Self Expression
Non Literature Art Form 2
Objective Analysis
► The Means to an End, by Kara Walker

Objective Analysis Cont.
► Most Known for Paper Cut Silhouette
► Inspired by 18th Century artist Etienne de Silhouette, who introduced the technique.
► Deals with the subject of Racism and the Struggle for Power.
► Historical facts during antebellum south and slavery.

Elements Used
► Caricature in the Subjects Depicted
i.e. body shapes, facial features, and clothing are exaggerated to represent a certain ethnicity.
► Use of Outlines to form shapes
► establishes the boundaries of color usage
► Color Use
• White Backdrops
• Bold Black Silhouettes
► Catharsis- provoking of strong emotions to viewers with the use of images of slavery, rape, bondage, and torture.

Subjective Analysis of Literature
Caged Bird, by Maya Angelou
► Feelings of Entrapment, Jealousy
► Longing of Freedom and Opportunities
Subject Matter
► Involves discrimination, or being held back because of skin color.
Most Noticeable Theme
► Perseverance example; use of Metaphors- “His wings are clipped and his feet are tied”, but “ The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still.”

Subjective Analysis of Non-Literature
► “A Change Is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke
► Mood is sadness
► Anger
► Despair
Subject Matter
► Self Expression- to control others mood or state of mind, influential.
Most Noticeable Theme
► Inspiration example, Cooke sings, “ There been times that I thought I couldn’t last for long, but now I think I’m able to carry on.”

Subjective Analysis
Of Non-literature Work 2
► The Means to an End by Kara Walker
► Mood depicted is of outrage, shock, despair, disturbing.
► Cartoonish at a glance
► Vulgar images of a racist past
Subject Matter
► History of the slave
► Use of Catharsis – igniting strong emotions in viewers
Most Noticeable Theme
► Bold Historical depictions portrayed in the subject
Example, Radical images of Slavery and accounts that are generally unspeakable
Analysis of Works
Similarities
► Subject Matters - include historical pasts of division, inequalities and oppression.
► Mood - all give a sense of sadness, for the inhumane treatment of another human being.
► Theme - Overcoming of adversity is noticeable in all works.
Differences
► Subject Matter - Invokes a different underlying message or theme in each. i.e., Perseverance, Inspiration, and Being Knowledgeable.
► Mood – different feelings emerge with each work.
i.e., anger, despair, jealousy, shock.
► Theme - Transformation of perception, Questioning/Not accepting, Acknowledgment.

Analysis Cont.
► Both similarities and differences enhance knowledge of this particular ethnic group’s struggle for equality.
► Thinking of the :
Declaration of Independence In which all men were ,“declared to be equal”, sounds hypocritical when you look at the inequalities depicted in the time and works of the arts shown.
Reflection as a
Healthcare Professional
► What is Culture?
Definition- commonly held customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group; also : the characteristic features of everyday existence.
► Healthcare workers needs knowledge of all cultures.
► Benefits:
• Diversity in quality of care
• Equal treatment to patients
• Non-stereotypical to different beliefs
• Better nurse/patient communication
• More effective plans of care

Conclusion
► How Humanities plays a role in healthcare? ü Understanding of different cultures/ethnicites.
• History, Struggles, Beliefs, etc. ü Roles of Nurses
• Non-bias or opposing self-interest on patients.
• Understanding and acceptance of any and all cultures/ethnicities.
• Equal treatment of all patients
• Not conforming to stereotypes ü Transformation of perception, Questioning/Not accepting, Acknowledgment.

ü
Conclusion Cont.

► Benefits for Patients and Healthcare as a Whole would Include:
• Diversity in quality of care
• Equal treatment to patients
• Non-stereotypical to different beliefs
• Better nurse/patient communication
• More effective plans of care
• Better preventative healthcare services

Citation

► A Change Is Gonna Come. (2012, February 12). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21:06, March 1, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=A_Change_Is_Gonna_Come&oldid=479425934
► culture. 2011. In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved May 8, 2011, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culture
► I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. (2012, January 24). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21:10, March 1, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=I_Know_Why_the_Caged_Bird_Sings&oldid=473040710
► Kara Walker. (2012, February 7). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21:21, March 1, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kara_Walker&oldid=475656148

Citations Cont.
► Kara Walker & Hamza Walker. (1997). Kara Walker, Exhibition at The Renaissance Society at The University of Chicago. Retrieved 14/02/2012 from http://renaissancesociety.org/site/Exhibitions/Intro.51.0.0.0.0.html
► Maya Angelou.(1983).Caged Bird. Poetry Foundation. Retrieved 12/02/2012 from http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/178948
► Sam Cooke (lyrics, vocals).Rene Hall ( musical arrangement).Hugo Peretti. & Luigi Creatore. (Producers).(1964). “A Change is Gonna Come." n:p: RCA Victor

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