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Books in Arts and humanities

Elsevier's Arts and Humanities titles encompass a rich spectrum of scholarship that explores human culture, history, philosophy, and creative expression. These works offer deep insights into language, literature, visual arts, and critical theory, supporting the academic community in understanding diverse perspectives and cultural legacies. Designed for scholars, educators, and students, this collection bridges classic studies with contemporary issues, fostering a deeper appreciation and knowledge of the human experience.

    • Relativity

      The Theory and Its Philosophy
      • 1st Edition
      • Roger B. Angel
      • Mario Bunge
      • English
      Relativity: The Theory and its Philosophy provides a completely self-contained treatment of the philosophical foundations of the theory of relativity. It also surveys the most essential mathematical techniques and concepts that are indispensable to an understanding of the foundations of both the special and general theories of relativity. In short, the book includes a crash course in applied mathematics, ranging from elementary trigonometry to the classical tensor calculus. Comprised of 11 chapters, this book begins with an introduction to fundamental mathematical concepts such as sets, relations, and functions; N-tuples, vectors, and matrices; and vector algebra and calculus. The discussion then turns to the concept of relativity and elementary foundations of Newtonian mechanics, as well as the principle of special relativity and its philosophical interpretation by means of empiricism and rationalism. Subsequent chapters focus on the status of the doctrine of conventionalism in the theory of special relativity; the commensurability of classical and relativistic mechanics; mathematical foundations of special relativistic physics; and the classical or Newtonian theory of gravitation. The principle of general covariance and its relation to the principle of general relativity are also examined. The final chapter addresses the fundamental question as to the actual information concerning the structure of spacetime that is conveyed to us through the theory of general relativity. This monograph will be of interest to students, teachers, practitioners, and researchers in physics, mathematics, and philosophy.
    • The Quality of Life: Systems Approaches

      Proceedings of the International Congress on Applied Systems Research and Cybernetics
      • 1st Edition
      • G.E. Lasker
      • English
      Applied Systems and Cybernetics covers the proceedings of the International Congress on Applied Systems Research and Cybernetics. The book presents several studies that cover the application of systems research and cybernetics in improving the quality of life. Majority of the materials in the text tackle various aspects of quality of life in relation to systems and cybernetics, such as living space, future prospects, work, education, politics, law, ethics and values, culture and ethnicity, and social systems. The selection also presents articles that cover the elemental properties of quality of life, such as the concept, views, indicators, and dimension. The book will be of great interest to any scientists regardless of disciplines, since it covers the main purpose of science, the improvement of quality of life.
    • Criteria for Awarding School Leaving Certificates

      An International Discussion
      • 1st Edition
      • Frances M. Ottobre
      • English
      Criteria for Awarding School Leaving Certificates: An International Discussion focuses on formal and official evaluation of school learning and student achievement at the time schooling is discontinued. The book is based on the proceedings of the 1977 Conference of the International Association for Educational Assessment held at the Kenyatta Conference Center in Nairobi, Kenya on May 23-28, 1977. The selection first discusses school leaving examinations as a function of external and educational factors and the terms of reference for school leaving examinations. The book also takes a look at the comparability of grading standards in public examinations in England and Wales; basic assessment issues in school-leaving examination programs; and the case for school leaving examinations in The Netherlands. The text reviews the alternatives to school leaving examinations in Sweden and Brazil, as well as the abolition of final examination, transition from secondary school to higher education, and support structures. The book also ponders on the structure of secondary school system in Austria, Australia, Bermuda, Cyprus, Hong Kong, India, and Ireland. The selection is a dependable reference for readers interested in school learning and student achievement measurements.
    • Money and Monetary Policy in Less Developed Countries

      A Survey of Issues and Evidence
      • 1st Edition
      • Warren L. Coats + 1 more
      • English
      Money and Monetary Policy in Less Developed Countries: A Survey of Issues and Evidence focuses on monetary policy, the financial intermediation process, and the role of money in economic development in less developed countries (LDCs). Topics covered include financial development and economic growth in underdeveloped countries; instruments and techniques used in the implementation of monetary policy: and econometric policy models. This book is comprised of 46 chapters and begins with a discussion on the main lines of thought in the field of money and monetary policy in LDCs, with emphasis on the significant empirical results. The reader is then introduced to the role of money in the development process; production and monetization in the subsistence sector; some aspects of financial policies and central banking in developing countries; and the efficacy of monetary rules for LDCs. The subsequent chapters explore monetary policy instruments such as interest rates, credit controls, and exchange rates; credit policy and the balance of payments in developing countries; and price and output behavior in the Indian economy from 1951 to 1973. A semiannual macroeconometric model of the Philippines for the period 1967-1976 is also described. This monograph will be a valuable resource for economists, economic policymakers, and central bankers as well as students.
    • Evaluation in Education

      Volume 1
      • 1st Edition
      • Bruce H. Choppin + 1 more
      • English
      Evaluation in Education, Volume 1 is a series of monographs that compiles various studies that cover the methodologies and techniques utilized in evaluating student performance in various educational systems. The first material is a comparative study of the differences in the achievement of overtime between ethnic groups in Israeli elementary school. Next, the book presents a paper about defining educational objectives. The next study discusses the various aspects of a multiple choice type of test. The last article tackles the impact of success and failure on the learner. The text will be of great use to individuals involved in the development and implementation of student evaluation related policies in educational institutions.
    • Foreign Language Learning, Today and Tomorrow

      Essays in Honor of Emma M. Birkmaier
      • 1st Edition
      • Jermaine D. Arendt + 2 more
      • English
      Foreign Language Learning, Today and Tomorrow is a collection of papers that attempts to shed lights into the concerns and issues that will be encountered by foreign language instructors. The title first deals with the futurism in foreign language learning, and then proceeds to humanism in learning foreign languages. Next, the selection presents a thematic approach in learning a second language. The text then covers the individualization of foreign language learning. Chapter 5 cites some studies, which claim that children can learn to read far earlier. The selection also covers the system for evaluation of a foreign language program, along with the sequence of learning activities that work well in the classroom. Chapter 8 talks about possibility of language learning thrive as an elective in American schools, while Chapter 9 deals with individualizing and sequencing training for inter-cultural communication. The last two chapters detail the alternatives in education and suggestions for the continuing development of pre- and in-service programs for teachers of second languages. The book will be of great use to foreign language instructors. Individuals who are involved in the design and implementation of school curriculum will also benefit from the text.
    • Safety of Computer Control Systems

      Proceedings of the IFAC Workshop, Stuttgart, Federal Republic of Germany, 16-18 May 1979
      • 1st Edition
      • R. Lauber
      • English
      Safety of Computer Control Systems is a collection of papers from the Proceedings of the IFAC Workshop, held in Stuttgart, Germany on May 16-18, 1979. This book discusses the inherent problems in the hardware and software application of computerized control to automated systems safeguarding human life, property, and the environment. The papers discuss more specific concerns, such as railway systems, aircraft landing systems, nuclear power stations, chemical reactors, elevators, and cranes. The book also describes the safety and reliability of complex industrial computer systems together with an example showing the application of computers in power plants. One paper presents guidelines in documenting safety related computer systems that will help various parties who are involved in their purchase and operation. Another paper discusses how to detect failures in microcomputer systems such as memory violations and invalid operation code detectors. This book then concludes by discussing the necessity of inspecting process computers used in nuclear power plants, especially when computers are used in reactor protection, control rod, and authentication of log-in systems. This collection can be of interest for students of programming, process-computer analysts, heads of computer technology departments and institutions, and lecturers in industrial computer programming and design.
    • Britain Observed

      A Russian's View
      • 1st Edition
      • V. V. Ovchinnikov
      • English
      Britain Observed: A Russian's View focuses on the understanding of the customs, identity, political and social structure, and societal relations of the British. The book first underscores some of the misperceptions of the British of Russia, the author's country. The text also highlights the experiences of the author when he first arrived in Britain, noting the process of acclimatization that he has undergone. The manuscript emphasizes the appreciation of the author of the sceneries in England, as the sloping hills, fertile meadows, and village church spires that emerge from the hilltops are mentioned. The author also signifies that England is the kingdom of private life and says that neighbors maintain a certain degree of secrecy, and that they discourage intrusion into their private lives. The text also conveys how the author perceives the structure of the government and how Buckingham Palace influences the functions and operations of the government. The book is a fine reference for readers who want to learn the traditions, political considerations, and identity of the British.
    • The Arts and Personal Growth

      Curriculum Issues in Arts Education
      • 1st Edition
      • Malcolm Ross
      • English
      The Arts and Personal Growth focuses on the influence of arts education to personal growth, including the development of curriculum that puts the study of the arts at the core and learning of the arts in different time frames and educational considerations. The book is composed of papers derived from the conference conducted at Dillington House in Somerset from July 23 to 28, 1979 under the auspices of the University of Exeter with assistance from the Michael Marks Charitable Trust. The selection first outlines the meaning of the arts and the need for school curriculum to include both social and political settings in curriculum development. The book then examines the interrelations of arts education, curriculum, and multi-cultural society, putting emphasis on the contention that minorities have brought with them valid cultures that have various art forms. The text underscores the need to put arts at the highest consideration in curriculum development. The challenges posed to teachers of arts and the ability of experts in the arts to maintain natural and human artefacts are noted. The manuscript also ponders on the reality that learning the arts surpasses age and educational boundaries. The influence of art to a sound personal development is also mentioned. The publication is a dependable reference for readers and art patrons interested in the value of arts in personal growth.
    • Rutland Street

      The Story of an Educational Experiment for Disadvantaged Children in Dublin
      • 1st Edition
      • Séamas Holland
      • English
      Rutland Street is a project that explores the ways in which education can help develop human’s innate abilities and the importance of this concept to the educational needs of the disadvantaged. The book consists of a recording of the valuable experience gained during pre-school and junior school of the subject children between the ages of 3 to 8, who belong to a poor family. The text provides a background of the Bernard van Leer Foundation, which is the initiator of the project. The description of the geographical location of the project site as well as the history of the location and its residents are given. The planning of the project is explained. The background and implementation of the educational program that will be used for the project is discussed in detail. Another program is initiated to include the adults of the area in the development of the Rutland Street project. The book is an interesting read for people concerned with humanitarian projects and for educators, students, and researchers in the field of sociology.