George Orwell’s Pessimistic Vision of 1984 or Francis Fukuyama’s Optimism: The Future of Higher Education Exemplified by British Universities

George Orwell’s Pessimistic Vision of 1984 or Francis Fukuyama’s Optimism: The Future of Higher Education Exemplified by British Universities

Author(s): Marek Smoluk / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2015

Keywords: Higher Education; British Universities; Future of Higher Education;

A new report on higher education, which marks the 50th anniversary of the Robins Report, reveals that academics, instead of devoting more time to teaching, actually prioritise their research. Further, it is claimed that two-thirds of students receive no feedback. These findings have been publicised in a pamphlet which at the same time, discloses new predictions, including a huge increase in the number of university entrants by 2035. The analysis of these findings, confronted with subsequent reasoning which may have caused them, should allow the establishment of the present trends that have been formed in higher education and are bound to be followed; especially by the ‘newer’ United Kingdom universities. Thus this paper’s main aim is to identify possible challenges and pitfalls which may well await these universities in the future. Also, such an evaluation becomes quintessential in view of the fact that at present students’ fees have risen to circa £9,000-10,000 for the very same courses which were available at the time when such tuition was free. The paper provides evidence that the underlying reason for many of the present problems these ‘less prestigious’ universities are experiencing, is chronic under-funding. As the current pattern of expansion appears to be occurring even more speedily than expected, one needs to bear in mind that distortion usually results when such goals wish to be achieved with a minimum effort and more importantly, at minimum possible cost.

The Third Way

The Third Way

Author(s): Nebojša Vasić / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2015

Keywords: approaches; concepts; contemporary; the third option;

Apart from the traditional division "the teacher-centered" or "the student-centered education" the third option is, according to my mind and experience, more promising, more effective and more flexible. Namely, "the teacher-centered" education looks like an obsolete and worn-out concept, while "the student-centered" is mostly recognized as contemporary approach which must totally replace the old concept with predominant teacher's authority. The teacher-centered notion encapsulates teachers as the focal points of education. In other words teachers are organizers who rule the whole process of education, while students are mostly passive observers which active participation is strictly limited. On the other hand "the student-centered" education allegedly eliminates all major deficiencies of traditional authoritarian style fostering students' participation in all phases of education. The focus is shifted from teaching to learning (from teachers to students). The solution seems workable, efficient and self-evident - which is not the case. Instead of two extreme positions the third option emerges as more efficient; "the quality-centered education". The purpose of my paper is to prove the benefits of the "third approach" and define its major characteristics.

The cult of Aphrodite in Ancient Chersonesus (according coroplastics)

Культ Афродиты в античном Херсонесе (по данным коропластики)

Author(s): A. V. Shevchenko / Language(s): Russian / Issue: 1/2008

Keywords: Archaeology; Ancient Chersonesus; History; coroplastics;

Aphrodite's cult in Chersonese Taurian is known from an initial stage of formation of the policy, but a paramount role in a pantheon of the early period and Hellenistic era he didn't play. Nevertheless, Aphrodite's cult was among the most popular, though remained long time in the sphere of private cults. Its traces are traced according to a coroplastiсs.

Winery of the Roman time on chorus of Chersonese Taurian

Винодельня римского времени на хоре Херсонеса Таврического

Author(s): L.A. Kovalevskaya,I.Yu. Suhanova / Language(s): Russian / Issue: 1/2008

Keywords: Archaeology; Ancient Chersonesus; History; winemaking;

The winery found on an allotment 340 is undoubtedly unique. It is the first winery on chorus of antique Chersonese with three platforms. We hope during further researches we will receive additional material for more exact clarification of the general design and separate elements of the structure of the found winery.

To a question of interpretation of a plot of relief composition of a red varnish of a dish from excavation of a burial ground "Sovhoz-10"

К вопросу об интерпретации сюжета рельефной композиции краснолакового блюда из раскопок могильника «Совхоз-10»

Author(s): L.A. Ryizhova / Language(s): Russian / Issue: 1/2008

Keywords: Archaeology; Ancient Chersonesus; History; art history; coroplastics;

In 1961 at excavation of the burial ground located in the territory of sovhoz "Sevastopol" ("Sovhoz -10") the red varnish of a dish with horizontally unbent edge and low, simple, without any profiling, the ring pallet was found. Article is devoted to attribution of the multifigured composition decorating it.

The idea of a modern home in interwar Lithuania: between functionalism and national romanticism

Modernaus būsto idėja tarpukario Lietuvoje: tarp funkcionalizmo ir tautinio romantizmo

Author(s): Lijana Šatavičiūtė / Language(s): Lithuanian / Issue: 4/2011

Keywords: interwar daily life culture; interiors of the 1920s and the 1930s; national style; functionalism; rationalism

In the current article, the living interiors of interwar Lithuania are discussed from the aspect of the relation between modern and conservative tendencies. The author seeks to reveal the discourse of the modernistic thought and find out how the new aesthetics was put into practice in a living space. Modernist propaganda in interior furnishing began to manifest itself in the 1920s and gained momentum in the 1930s, with the acceleration of the processes of the society’s modernization, the growth of cities, and the merging of traditional lifestyle with new forms of daily life. Modern culture in Lithuania was associated with progress and renewal. It was directed not only to introducing innovatory aesthetics, but also to overcoming backwardness. Lithuanian citizens were acquainted with the main features of modern architecture on the popular level. The authors of the articles ( Juozas Valentukonis, Mikalojus Vorobjovas, Halina Kairiūkštytė-Jacinienė) that appeared at that time were advanced specialists in their fields, well aware of the importance of the culture of daily life in forming a conscious society. However, the publications lacked deeper theoretical insights, and methodical advice based on practical logic – how to build and furnish a house in a more economical, simple and sanitary way – prevailed. With the aim to consolidate the professionalism of craftsmen, schools and courses of fine crafts were established. One of the important centres of training was the Evening Courses for Decorators established by the Ministry of Education in Kaunas in 1932, in which the creative abilities of apartment decorators were trained, their interests were expanded, and their taste was developed. An innovatory environment took root in Lithuania under the impact of local needs and traditions. Although the tendencies of functionalism and rationalism were reflected in interior furnishing, the conservativeness of the citizens, the limited financial possibilities of the state and individuals, the restrained attitude to the new aesthetics, and possibly the ideal of a cosy home became a hindrance to the radical development of innovations. The understanding of contemporariness did not clash with the traditional aesthetic norms and national features, which were adapted in the conditions of a new era.

Modernization of domestic life in Lithuania in the 20th century: modernization campaigns in the public space

Buities modernizacija Lietuvoje XX a.: modernizacijos skatinimo kampanijos viešojoje erdvėje

Author(s): Regina Lakačauskaitė-Kaminskienė / Language(s): Lithuanian / Issue: 4/2011

Keywords: domestic life; everyday environment; modernization; social engineering

This paper discusses the processes of domestic life modernization in Lithuania in the 20th century. Two main campaigns of everyday life modernization are specified – one took place in the interwar period (in the late 1920s and in the 1930s), and the second, much more intensive, took place after forty years, in the middle of the 1950s and in the 1960s. The research reveals domestic life as an important and powerful social engineering instrument, which was used quite intensively in the pre-war period and extremely intensively after the war. Despite the fact that both campaigns of modernization had an intention to create a new society and a new man, they had completely different ideological and political backgrounds. The campaign of modernization which took place in interwar times was not centralized or organized from the above. It was more like an initiative of a group of individuals to modernize the way of living and make Lithuania look more like Western countries. The second, post-war, modernization campaign was properly centralized and determined by the highest political decisions. Domestic life was officially declared as an object of interest for policy, ideology and propaganda. The main objective of this campaign was not only to modernize society via domestic life, but also to create a new man, an individual absolutely loyal to the regime.

The influence of Nordic modernism on the formation of the Lithuanian school of modern architecture in 1959-1969

Šiaurės modernizmo įtaka „lietuviškajai architektūros mokyklai“ 1959–1969 m.

Author(s): Marija Drėmaitė / Language(s): Lithuanian / Issue: 4/2011

Keywords: Lithuanian school of modern architecture; modernism in Lithuania; Nordic architecture; Lazdynai, block of the Composers’ Union; Čekanauskas; Brėdikis; Vällingby; Tapiola

The paper focuses on the contemporary question of the Soviet culture about the formation of the Lithuanian school of modern architecture in the period of transition from Stalinist architecture into contemporary style (1959–1969). The period is featured as a search for a modernist and national expression in architecture. Nordic architecture, especially Finnish and Swedish, played an important role in this process because of the possibility to experience Finnish modern architecture at first hand during the study trips in 1959–1964. Also, knowledge about Nordic modern architecture was of high interest and available from international architectural magazines due to expanding connections with the West. Two case studies are described in the paper: the terraced houses and a hall of the Lithuanian Composers’ Union as one of the most Finnish-influenced examples, and a large suburban housing estate Lazdynai, which combines both Finnish (Tapiola) and Swedish (Vällingby) planning ideas with the settling in the forest and terrain. The research leads to a conclusion that Nordic regionalism was an acceptable solution for Lithuanian architects since it combined modernist design with regional tradition and thus expressed their aspiration for national expression.

Following the trail of one document: the inventory of artworks of the Misiūnai estate of 1940 and its interpretations

Vieno dokumento pėdsakais: Misiūnų ūkio meno vertybių 1940 m. aprašas ir jo perskaitymai

Author(s): Giedrė Jankevičiūtė / Language(s): Lithuanian / Issue: 4/2011

Keywords: Vladas Eidukevičius; art historiography; history of art collections; nationalization of art values; Misiūnai estate, national style; portrait; Jonas Prapuolenis; Stasys Šilingas; Kazys Šimonis

The current publication presents the inventory of the art collection of Stasys Šilingas, a political figure of the interwar independent Lithuanian state, amassed in the family’s country house in the Misiūnai estate, which was compiled in the summer of 1940 after the Soviet occupation, at the beginning of nationalization of estates, and the possible ways of art-critical interpretation of this inventory. The document has been published and analyzed before by art historian Dalia Ramonienė, thus in this case new approaches to the already known data source are sought, and inaccuracies of the earlier interpretations are corrected. The publication consists of two parts: the text of the source, and its commentary. The commentary on the source seeks to reveal the taste of the com- piler of the collection, his motives for collecting artworks, and to show how Šilingas’ collection is typical of interwar Lithuania.

The Use of Collocations by B1, B2 and C1 Level Students of English as L2 at the University of Zenica

The Use of Collocations by B1, B2 and C1 Level Students of English as L2 at the University of Zenica

Author(s): Edina Rizvić-Eminović,Kamiah Arnaut-Karović / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2015

Keywords: collocations; lexical collocations; grammatical collocations;

The paper presents a research into the use of collocations by B1, B2 and C1 level students of English at the University of Zenica conducted by analysing student’s examination papers. Collocations represent an important segment of the knowledge of a foreign language and its vocabulary. They appear in many different forms and learning them might be seen as the most difficult task of L2 learning. Difficulties in using collocations appear even at advanced levels of language learning. A preliminary study into the use of collocations by B2 level students of English showed that the students used proper lexical collocations in about 60% and proper grammatical collocations in about 50% of the cases. In view of those results, a research was conducted among B1, B2 and C1 level students of English at the English Department of the University of Zenica to investigate their use of collocations. Student translations were analysed with a focus on the different types of collocations. The translations were produced as a part of their final examination in the Contemporary English courses 1 through 8 corresponding to the different CEFR levels analysed. We assumed that the results of the students in all four years of the English studies would be consistent with the results of the preliminary study, and that there would be no significant difference between the use of grammatical and lexical collocations.

Using Corpus in Enhancing Reporting Verb Patterns in Teaching/Learning Process

Using Corpus in Enhancing Reporting Verb Patterns in Teaching/Learning Process

Author(s): Samina Dizdarevic,Fahreta Fijuljanin,Aldin Rastic / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2015

Keywords: reporting verb patterns; teaching/learning; corpus; COCA;

Knowing which patterns are associated with different reporting verbs is one of the biggest single grammar challenges facing learners. Using electronic language corpus is a good way of teaching all those other reporting verbs apart from ‘say’ and ‘tell’which have a variety of structures (verb + obj + that, verb + ing, etc) e.g. promise, advise,deny, etc. Giving the students a long list of verbs with structures is only confusing and also very boring. With the help of a corpus, students acquire knowledge and skills in the language they are studying. Corpus linguistics can thus be seen as a learning model where students take responsibility for their own learning. The Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA) currently comprises more than 450 million words of text and is equally divided among spoken, fiction, popular magazines,newspapers, and academic texts. COCA offers a setting of problem-based learning where the students’ discoveries and interaction with a corpus give them a learning curve very much triggered by their own activity and motivation. Further, by being exposed to authentic data, students are given a more nuanced encounter with language than traditional grammars are able and are given the opportunity to evaluate data and draw their own conclusions. From a pedagogical point of view it is quite evident that the integration of corpora in language teaching/learning is beneficial to students.

Is communication really food?

Is communication really food?

Author(s): Sandra Veinberg / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2015

Keywords: Media effects; Communication; Toxic Communication; Social Media; Bakhtin; Thich Nhat Hanh;

This paper examines a new doctrine for communication. It argues that effective communications are as important to our well being and happiness as the food we put into our bodies. ‘It can either be healthy (and nourishing) or toxic (and destructive),’ notes the Zen master and Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh. To examine this theory I decided to test my students. Use was made of a non-proportional stratified sample of younger adults, a total of 200 students who were involved in the survey study. Research is also based on an analysis of a qualitative research programme (a qualitative study) which involved 200 questionnaire texts that were set using two methods: critical discourse analysis and context. The results of my research show that students stressed that they were not using traditional forms of media, that the younger reader wants dialogue with the author or journalist, and that they tend to favour relationship-based communications which are offered by social media. My conclusions show that social media is regarded as ‘an anti-loneliness tool‘, and that it encourages a dialogue between the transmitter and the reader and allows a dialogue between them both. Language acts here as a relationship-building resource and shows a level of interaction between text and participants. This shows that, via social media, the internet provides a special form of communication which compensates the audience as might a gourmet restaurant.

Antique lapidary monuments from the excavations of the "Basilica in 1935"

Античные лапидарные памятники из раскопок «Базилики 1935 года»

Author(s): E.N. Zherebtsov / Language(s): Russian / Issue: 1/2008

Keywords: Archaeology; Ancient Chersonesus; History; art history; coroplastics;

In 1961 at excavation of the burial ground located in the territory of sovhoz "Sevastopol" ("Sovhoz -10") the red varnish of a dish with horizontally unbent edge and low, simple, without any profiling, the ring pallet was found. Article is devoted to attribution of the multifigured composition decorating it.

Archaeological monuments of Boyka: current state, problems and prospects of research

Археологические памятники Бойки: современное состояние, проблемы и перспективы исследования

Author(s): E.V. Strukova,Sergey V. Ushakov / Language(s): Russian / Issue: 1/2008

Keywords: Archaeology; Medieval Crimea; History; monuments protection;

It is difficult to overestimate historical value of the "cave" cities of the mountain Crimea. However all of them aren't studied fully yet. Article was written for the purpose of drawing attention of researchers to a condition of one of the major, extensive settlements of this kind – Boyka. The problem of protection of this monument against robbers isn't less important.

Chronology of crypts of early Christians of a necropolis of Chersonese (in the light of this excavation of 2006)

Хронология склепов ранних христиан некрополя Херсонеса (в свете данных раскопок 2006 г.)

Author(s): Eugeny Ya. Turovskiy,A.A. Filippenko / Language(s): Russian / Issue: 1/2008

Keywords: Archaeology; Ancient Chersonesus; History; Christianization;

New data on the history of medieval Armenian community in Kishlav basin. Settlements Bor-Kai and Sala

Новые данные по истории средневековой армянской общины в Кишлавской котловине. Поселения Бор-Кая и Сала

Author(s): A.M. Bayburtskiy / Language(s): Russian / Issue: 1/2008

Keywords: Archaeology; Medieval Crimea; History; monuments protection; Christian Archaeology;

So far from the Armenian antiquities in a hollow of Kishlav only churches Surb Sargis and Surb Urpat in Topolevka were studied in detail. Finds of the last years near villages Kurskoe and Grushevka allow to expand geography of medieval Armenian monuments in the region. This article is also devoted to a statement of results of their studying.

Crimean earthquakes of antiquity and Middle Ages: to the historical background

Крымские землетрясения древности и средневековья: к истории вопроса

Author(s): V.V. Khapaev / Language(s): Russian / Issue: 1/2008

Keywords: Archaeology; Medieval Crimea; History; Geography;

Archaeological studying of monuments of the medieval Crimea hardly possibly without fixing of earthquakes. Fortunately, data on them remained in written sources. However their treatments aren't unambiguous. These nuances also reveal in my article.

To a question of values of early medieval bronzes of Cherson

К вопросу о номиналах бронз раннесредневекового Херсона

Author(s): Mikhail M. Choref / Language(s): Russian / Issue: 1/2008

Keywords: Byzantine Cherson; History; Numismatics; Coin production; Economy;

We will at once notice that practically all kinds of coins of molding and a chekan of the Byzantine Cherson are so far introduced into scientific circulation. However still there is no uniform point of view concerning their dating. The matter is that the designations placed on these coins still are treated ambiguously. Development of the convincing scheme of decoding of designations of face values became a research objective that as we believe, will allow to look in a new way at history of monetary circulation in the Byzantine Taurica.

To a question of localization of a shelter of St. Vasily, the bishop of Chersonesus

К вопросу о локализации убежища св.Василия, епископа Херсонесского

Author(s): N.V. Dneprovskiy / Language(s): Russian / Issue: 1/2008

Keywords: Archaeology; Medieval Crimea; History; monuments protection; Christian Archaeology;

Research was devoted to studying such valuable, but, in too time, to ambiguously treated source of historical information, as "Lives of bishops of Cherson". More particularly, clearing of the key moments of the biography of St. Vasily became the purpose.

To the history of Eski-Yurt

К истории Эски-Юрта

Author(s): Mikhail M. Choref / Language(s): Russian / Issue: 1/2008

Keywords: Archaeology; History; Medieval Crimea; Golden Horde; town planning;

Recently interest in monuments of the late medieval Crimea amplified. However their studying will be hardly possible while there is no clarity with localization of the settlements mentioned in written sources. With the purpose to approach permission of this problem, we will try to formulate our reasons on the history of the Eski-Yurt.