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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.

  • Praxiology

    An Introduction to the Sciences of Efficient Action
    • 1st Edition
    • Tadeusz Kotarbinski
    • English
    Praxiology: An introduction to the Sciences of Efficient Action deals with the general theory of achieving efficient actions. The concept of a praxiology and the technique of a praxiologist toward finding the most efficient way of achieving things are the concerns in this book. Praxiology is discussed as being the codification for practical behavior. The notions of praxiology is clarified and the tasks of registering and ordering what are already known and existing concepts of efficient work are gathered and presented. This book also shows the concepts of the simple act of the agent, the free impulse, material, tool, and product involved in any kind of external work that is undertaken. An analysis following instruments as the source of power in themselves is considered, because these instruments can exert pressure on the external work being done. This text then discusses action as a compound act or a collective act. Then, the author expounds that among other possibilities, there is only a fine possibility that an action can be done. Taken into consideration are the praxiological values, the economization, preparation, and instrumentalization of actions. The principles of co-operation are discussed, compared to struggling or negative cooperation, as leading to improved accomplishment and efficiency of work. The author adds that praxiology can be applied mentally as well, but he considers this as a special case. Psychologists, psychiatrists, work process engineers, and behavioral scientists will find this book illuminating and educational.

  • The Social Psychology of Female-Male Relations

    A Critical Analysis of Central Concepts
    • 1st Edition
    • Richard D. Ashmore + 1 more
    • English
    The Social Psychology of Female-Male Relations: A Critical Analysis of Central Concepts covers the thoughts, feelings, and behaviours of individuals in social interaction and explicitly considers women and men in relation to one another - as individuals, as representatives of social categories, and as significant social groups. Chapter One lays out the parameters of the social psychology of female-male relations. Chapter Two contains two major insights: that gender identity is a complex, multifaceted construct and that the structure and degree of differentiation of gender identity develop and change over the life course. Chapters Three and Four present a relatively general cognitive social-psychological framework for two important constructs, sex stereotypes and gender-related attitudes. Chapter Five offers a critique of analyses that explain the behavior of women and men in close, personal relationships in terms of sex differences in the individual dispositions of the participants. Chapter Six presents a strong and straightforward critique of the current usage of the term sex role to describe a global set of behavioral prescriptions that apply to all women and to all men. Chapter Seven presents a comprehensive review of research on gender-related patterns of behavior in task groups that cannot be found elsewhere. The concluding chapter summarizes points made in earlier chapters and offers a set of notes toward a theory of female-male relations. Social scientists (especially, psychologists, sociologists, and anthropologists) doing research on women, on men, or on women and men in relationships or in social interaction.

  • The Gun Merchants

    Politics and Policies of the Major Arms Suppliers
    • 1st Edition
    • Cindy Cannizzo
    • English
    The Gun Merchants: Politics and Policies of the Major Arms Suppliers focuses on the political and policy considerations in arms transfers, taking into consideration the positions of different arms-exporting countries on the control of conventional arms trade. The book first offers information on the trends in 20th-century arms transfers, including history of arms transfers, sophistication of arms, and transfer modes of arms. The text also underscores the position and influence of Jimmy Carter and the United States on the restraint of arms trade. The manuscript examines Soviet arms policy towards Africa, including the context of Soviet policy, factors influencing Soviet behavior, and the future of Soviet policy in Africa. The increase in the volume of arms sold in Africa is highlighted. The book also takes a look at domestic and international considerations of British arms sales; the policies of the Federal Republic of Germany and France on arms transfers; and evaluation of arms transfer control proposals. The publication is a dependable reference for readers interested in exploring the international policies and procedures in arms trade.

  • Human Settlements

    National Reports: Summaries and Reference Guide
    • 1st Edition
    • Sam Stuart
    • English
    Human Settlements is a collection of government reports presented at HABITAT: United Nations Conference on Human Settlements held in Vancouver, Canada from May 31 to June 11, 1976. The reports describe human settlement issues of greatest concern to each government and consider solutions that may be successful. These issues include the threatening growth of the world's population, the grain to feed them, and the safe water to restore their health, as well as work to end unemployment and the gaps in income. This book is comprised of seven chapters and begins with an assessment of the policy framework within which nations approach human settlement decisions. Aspirations for the improvement of the quality of human life are discussed, along with objectives and goals to be attained through planning. The following chapters explore the experiences and promise of planning for human settlements in regional, metropolitan, and rural areas; the practical technological and policy problems in satisfying basic human requirements within settlements, with emphasis on shelter, infrastructure, and social services; the importance of land in human settlements; and the roles of public participation within the planning process for human settlements. The last chapter summarizes the possibilities and problems of solving human settlement problems through international cooperation and discusses various mechanisms which may be useful to the international community. This monograph will be a valuable resource for social scientists, social policymakers, human settlement planners, public officials, and citizens who are committed to the improvement of living conditions for all members of society.

  • Communism in Europe

    Continuity, Change, and the Sino-Soviet Dispute
    • 1st Edition
    • William E. Griffith
    • English
    Communism in Europe: Continuity, Change, and the Sino-Soviet Dispute, Volume 1 focuses on the great changes in European communism and the role of several European Communist parties in Sino-Soviet rift. This book discusses the interaction between domestic and Sino-Soviet developments within the major European Communist states and parties. Organized into five chapters, this volume starts with an overview of the significant contribution of the Sino-Soviet rift in the consolidation of Polish moderation, ideological revisionism in Italian communism, and the extension of liberalization in Hungary. This text then examines the political and economic nationalism in Romania. Other chapters explore the internal retrogression and external rapprochement with Moscow in Yugoslavia. This book discusses as well the developments in European communism in general. The final chapter discusses the significance of the Tenth Congress of the Italian Communist Party (Partito comunista italiano). This book is a valuable resource for students, intellectual leaders, sociologists, and politicians.

  • Napoleon III and Europe

    Bibliographical Studies, Sixteen Illustrations
    • 1st Edition
    • Sam Stuart
    • English
    Napoleon III and Europe investigates, outside the field of France's own political development, those positive changes in the organization of Europe and the world which Napoleon III effected. It examines Napoleon III's attitude towards the so-called nationality principle with regards to the Balkans, and the attention he gave to the fate of the Christian nations in European Turkey. Napoleon's role in the unification of Italy is also discussed. Comprised of 10 chapters, this book begins with an analysis of Napoleon's Balkan policy in relation to the Ottoman Empire, as well as his attitude towards the principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia. The two areas of Europe in which the problem of nationality was most acute and complex are considered, namely, the empires of the Hapsburgs and the Turks. Attention then turns to Napoleon's policy towards Italy and its unification. The process of Italian unification is discussed in relation to European politics during Napoleon III's reign. Napoleon's foreign policy on Europe and the diplomatic actions of German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck are also examined, along with his contributions to the development of European politics and culture. The final chapter is a selective bibliography of Europe between 1852 and 1890. This monograph will appeal to historians and political scientists.

  • Biopolitics and International Values

    Investigating Liberal Norms
    • 1st Edition
    • Ralph Pettman
    • Albert Somit
    • English
    Biopolitics and International Values: Investigating Liberal Norms attempts to provide as profound an understanding of human behavior as possible. It sorts out the subjective meanings we share with other people that define our cultures and the symbolic contexts that surround us all. The book begins with a discussion of the sources of order in contemporary world politics, in particular the intellectual and moral values that have come to prevail there (the European doctrines of social justice and human rights, and the underlying assumptions they make about human fraternity, equality, liberty, and felicity). This is followed by separate chapters that examine the individualistic ethic of the American polity, counterposing the collectivist concerns of the Soviets; discuss the various meanings of equality and the ways in which it has historically been used in political and philosophic discourse. The book also looks at various attempts by political theorists to analyze liberty; examines what a biological understanding of human nature makes of that most abiding and most elusive of contemporary political aspirations; and reviews research into such areas as genetic engineering (particularly recombinant DNA) and the possible consequences this might have for society and politics.

  • Approaches to Specific Problems

    Handbook of Behavior Therapy with Sexual Problems
    • 1st Edition
    • Joel Fischer + 1 more
    • Arnold P. Goldstein + 1 more
    • English
    Handbook of Behavior Therapy with Sexual Problems, Volume II: Approaches to Specific Problems compiles case studies illustrating the use of techniques as they are applied to specific sexual problems. This publication is divided into two parts. Part I discusses approaches to the problems often encountered by men and women in heterosexual intercourse. For men, the two major areas included are problems with achieving or maintaining erections during sexual activities and problems associated with ejaculation. The problem areas covered for women are problems in orgasmic functioning and problems of painful or difficult intercourse. Part 2 elaborates sexual problems associated with undesired sexual object choices. The homosexual, fetishistic, cross-dressing, exhibitionistic, pedophiliac, sadomasochistic, voyeuristic and miscellaneous behaviors are also covered. This publication is a good reference for behaviorally-oriente... clinicians and practitioners who are attempting to alleviate the suffering associated with their clients’ sexual problems.

  • Habitat: Human Settlements in an Urban Age

    • 1st Edition
    • Angus M. Gunn
    • English
    Habitat: Human Settlements in an Urban Age discusses the man-made environment and its physical setting, focusing on the urban slums of the world and rural hinterlands that caused the slums. Each chapter of this book deals with a specific issue, and the study of each issue is concluded with three questions—one answerable from the text, a second raising value questions for discussion, and a third extending the study beyond the documentation available in this text. Numerous maps, statistical charts, photographs, and end table of facts and figures are also provided to further assist in the investigation process. Topics elaborated in this text include the rural-urban system; urban frontier; rural stagnation; population; poor and rich; hazards of the environment; energy crisis; shelter for the urban millions; and planning for tomorrow. This publication is intended for secondary and tertiary students, but is also a good reference for individuals researching on the issues of habitat or human settlement.

  • Modern Gear Production

    • 1st Edition
    • H J Watson
    • English
    Modern Gear Production focuses on the processes and methods in gear making. The book first gives information on the history of gear making and types of gears. Topics such as the classification of gears based on the disposition of their shafts; shafts lying in the same plane with axes intersecting; and shafts lying in parallel planes but with axes inclined to one another are then discussed. The text describes gear groups, tooth forms, and gear materials. Heat treatment of steels, casehardening, nitriding, induction hardening, sulfinuzing, and flame hardening are explained. The book takes a look at blank manufacture, gear milling, and gear shaping and planning. The text further examines gear hobbing. Topics include precision of hobbing machines, worm-wheel hobbing, hob setting, control of accuracy of gears, and hobbing gears for general purposes. The different kinds of hobs, profile grinding, and shaving and lapping are also discussed. The book also focuses on other manufacturing methods, such as thread whirling, broaching gear teeth, tooth rounding, work hardening, and electrochemical machining. The text is a vital source of data for readers interested in gear making.

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