IE Chris (FA20)

Wikipedia Trail - Week #3 Carnatic Music Raga Tala Shruti I started looking at Carnatic music from doing research for my project topic. Then, I stumbled across Raga, Tala, and Shruti, which are all basic elements of Carnatic music. Shruti is the pitch, raga is the mode/scale, and tala is the rhythm. This would be nice to incorporate into a sort of cross-cultural theory program.  (Shruti pitches compared to the Western 12TET pitch system -  image - Wikipedia)

Review: Week 3 Part I: I did the Google backup. Part II: I did the Canvas Checkup Part III: Theories of Myth: CC World Mythology #12 This was a really interesting video. I especially like the bit about the etymology of "mythology" from "mythos and logos" or "myth -ology". An extra bonus was the Protoindo European mention, as that helps to explain a fair bit of the similarities between cultures.  This is just a beautiful painting listed below. It was really nice to come across.  (image: Rama and Sita on Garuda -  Credit - Posterazzi)

Outside of School: This technically isn't outside of school, as it pertains to school but is not relevant to the coursework I'm doing now. That said, as of last week, I started sending emails out to different professors inquiring about grad school. I actually have a Zoom call in about 12 hours that I am very much looking forward too. But it's stressful sending these emails for me because I totally and concerned with the first impression. I think that one of the last emails I sent, I checked the email about four or five times to ensure that everything was spelled correctly and that they grammar was all in the right place. It's a very nerve-wracking event. I also started the actual application for some schools, which is obviously a fair bit of paperwork. But the reason why I'm preparing and starting on this now ties into my " Next Week " blurb. Next week, starting on Tuesday, Sept. 15th, a LOT of grad school postings are finalized, which is when the nitty gr...

Tech Tip: Canvas Gradebook I just finished inspecting the new gradebook system for Canvas (which I guess I hadn't noticed when it first came out) but now I feel more comfortable with consulting the gradebook in this course. 

  Feedback Strategies: Part 3 Feedforward, not Feedback How to Give Bad Feedback Without being a Jerk I read the articles listed above and had some interesting thoughts generated as a result.  The "giving feedback without sounding like a jerk" article was interesting. The concepts within about leveling yourself on the same level as of who you're giving feedback to is good. I also like it framed from the aspect of "I've received this such feedback and it helped me". Also, avoiding compliment sandwiches for the reasons spelled out in the article was an interesting concept. Usually I find it nice to hear positive feedback but I guess it can come off as insincere if you're not careful about the wording. As far as the feedforward article, I thought that it made a good point in terms of we should give criticism that focuses on the future and not the past. At first and still to an extent, this seems like a bit of a silly oversimplification to me. The future doe...

Project: Storybook Topic Research: Hanuman Hanuman Kirtan Nataraja Damaru Indian Folk Music Carnatic Music Anuja Kamat - Introductory Episode Anuja Kamat - TEDxPanaji I was really trying to find a way to create storybook entries out of the music researcher. The music theorist in me really wants to develop a multi-cultural Music Theory Curriculum that incorporates Indian music and demonstrates the parallels between the two (hence the Anuja Kamat video links).  However, for pure story book options, my immediate thoughts evidently drifted towards Hanuman (which I suppose blends my suggested topics of Shiva and Music, right?) For story book options, I considered the following:  Hanuman, as a child, Reaches for the Sun Thinking it is a Fruit     (when I read this, it feels like parallel to the myth of Daedalus and Icarus) Hanuman, the Warleader, as he is sent bu Sugriva on a rescue mission to find Sita       (in Part C or D of the Ramayana, I guess? I ...

Storytelling Week 3: Vishnu's Choice Indra and the Council of the Gods finally had to convene. They met and conversed for a long time, drinking coffee until the night sky overwhelmed them like a flood on the plain. They had finally agreed on the course of action. The next morning, they woke up and set out on their journey. They were headed to the heaven of Brahma. Just beyond the pearly entrance, Indra was able to make out the figure that was Brahma.  "It is good to see you again, my friends. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" Brahma's deep voice echoed throughout the air.  "It is good to see you as well, old friend. We need to speak to Vishnu. It's about Ravana." Indra replied. "Very well. Let us make haste then." replied Brahma. He began to escort them to the Ocean of Milk, where the palace of Vishnu resided.  The gods slowly trekked inside the palace. It was as opulent as ever, and crown jewels adorned the long stretches of hallwa...

Reading Notes: Ramayana Part B Part B Sources used:  M. Dutt ,  R. Dutt ,  Gould ,  Griffith ,  Hodgson ,  Mackenzie ,  Nivedita ,  Oman ,  Richardson , and  Ryder . 21. Bharata learns of his father's passing and is devastated. He also learns of what his mother did to ascertain his position on the throne. Mourning the physical loss of his father and the social loss of his brother, he vows to get his brother Rama back and restore his rightful place on the throne.  22. Dasharatha's funeral has come. It is the duty of Bharata to perform the funeral rites for his father. He must do this before he can begin to search for Rama. 23. Bharata treks out into the wilderness to find Rama. They lament over the loss of Dasharatha and discuss the future. They seem to be at an impasse, for Rama refuses to violate the command of his father and return to the city.  24. As a compromise, Bharata has Rama wear a pair and sandals and then gift the s...

Reading Notes: Ramayana Part A Part A Ramayana - Public Domain Edition authors:  M. Dutt ,  R. Dutt ,  Gould ,  Griffith ,  Hodgson ,  Mackenzie ,  Nivedita ,  Oman ,  Richardson , and  Ryder . 1. Maharajah Dasharatha lives in a wonderful and incredibly prosperous city. He had three loyal wives, two loyal family priests, and eight loyal and sage counselors. However, despite his massive wealth and fortune, he was empty-hearted. For his loyal wives had not bore him any sons to succeed him.  2. Dasharatha became desperate and eventually performed an ancient ceremony known as the Ashwamedha [horse sacrifice]. This was supposed to greatly increase his chances of having a son. 3. However, Dasharatha's predicament occurred at a fortuitous time, for there was a parallel problem in heaven. Ravana, the evil king of the Rakshasas, was invulnerable to gods demons. Ravana could only be injured by humans and apes. So Vishnu the Preserver promised...