Faculty of Arts

Network music foregrounds the materials and processes of communication and in so doing repositions the acousmatic and other strata of electroacoustic music practice. The type of network music considered in this paper, at base defines
a member of its category as music which undergoes an electrical-optical conversion, referring to its transport over fibre-optic research network backbones. A more compelling motivation for us is the realisation that network music entails the exploration of disjunct chronotopic frames (stated less poetically as ‘latency in the network’) using probes of sonic material travelling near the speed of light. This article is
an overview of a three-year project investigating music performance over high-speed research networks, a project funded by the Canada Research Chair programme (Syneme). The aim of the project was fourfold: to investigate aspects of physical and social networks in the production of network music (The Network); to investigate a branch of study continuing but critically distinct from Internet music as marked by ingenious strategies mounted to overcome the conditions of slow networks (Liveness); to embed ourselves in new practices (Telemusic Studio) and technologies (Artsmesh); and to compose network music pieces (Net Works). Our narrative picks up from where high-speed
P2P networking crosses a threshold producing a successor to the Internet akin to the methodological shift that occurred in electroacoustics when CPUs achieved rendering speeds that allowed for real-time audio.

The views of categorisation presented in this paper along with my own are for the purpose of providing background for current taxonomic projects related to electroacoustic music (e.g. EARS: ElectroAcoustic Resource Site). The views might be summarised as top-down (ontology) as described in Peterson, bottom-up (folksonomy) as described in Shirkey and Weinberger, and a view from the middle ground (TagOntology) as described in Gruber. Semantic Wikipedia enters this discourse in relation to what one might call folk- ontology. It is crucial to conduct experimentation with minimal specifications and practical methodologies in order to facilitate the interoperability of dynamic, emergent knowledge bases within the Semantic Web context.

Obesity is a condition that plagues various individuals within our society. Our research team chose to study childhood obesity in participants ranging from ages 5-15. We will be focusing on finding the answer to the question, to what extent do a family’s eating habits have an effect on their children’s weight?
For the purposes of this study, we will utilize ethnographic research and focus groups. The combination of these methods is the most appropriate procedure because it will allow the researchers to play the role of ‘observer as participant’, to observe the families in their natural environment, and give the participants an opportunity to express their opinions and experiences regarding their perspective on eating habits and obesity. Due to the scope of this topic, ​there are copious articles that study the link between environment and parenting styles with childhood obesity rates. We will also examine nature versus nurture, and whether that has an influence on childhood obesity. The preventions of childhood obesity have seemed to focus on positive body image and healthy behavioral development. Furthermore, other sources highlight factors such as gender or genetics that affect obesity, however, the articles generally conclude that among other factors; environment and family eating habits significantly affect obesity rates within child populations. We chose our research question because by gaining a better awareness of the causes of childhood obesity parents will be better equipped to understand the importance of creating a healthy environment for their children and ultimately contribute to reducing childhood obesity rates.

The escalation of hate speech laws since the Second World War has posed important queries on hate speech limitations (Cohen, 2014). Democracies that are liberal impede speech deliberated as racially discriminatory or hateful, and they consider freedom of expression as an important human right. Canada seeks the perfect landing regarding the freedom of expression (Boland, 2014). Unlike in the United States where all forms of expression are safeguarded, while the United Kingdom’s hate speech laws are found on equality and human dignity, in Canada, there are hate speech laws in existence, which embody compromise. Free speech is profoundly ingrained in democracy and represents one of the stalwarts that founded most of the world’s democracies. It is irrefutably a fundamental human right that democratic states seek to protect (Ronning, 2013). While freedom of expression is considered vital, suppressing free speech to the point censorship is not appropriate but then allowing hate speech to go unsanctioned remains improper. This paper reviews the existing legal setup on hate speech in Canada and assesses local and worldwide application to establish the difference in the hate speech decree in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

This paper seeks to use the Aristotelian argument to analyze the speech delivered by Madonna, a famous American singer, and actress during the Women’s March event, which took place on the 21st January 2016 in Washington, D.C. Madonna spoke on the need for women and the whole society to remain united against social injustices and oppressions. Excellent rhetoric skills are portrayed throughout the piece and assist in conveying the message as well as persuading the audience.

The term digital divide refers to the economic equality among groups in which one group has prompt access to computer technologies and information and the other group does not. Intellectual property, on the other hand, is an invention or creation that is a corollary of creativity for which the inventor or creator has right for and can apply for a trademark or copyright, case in point, music or a manuscript. There exists a digital divide of intellectual property between Third World countries and First World countries, and little or no effort is being devoted towards narrowing this gap (Andrews, 2002). This paper analyzes the initiatives that, through global governing bodies, have led to improvements in intellectual property protection, particularly among the developing countries. These initiatives will address a succinct analysis on the history of IP, technological hegemony and the nature of the issues surrounding IPR, perspectives of stakeholders in bridging the digital divide, and the ongoing political and economic negotiations between interest groups.

Free expression is the, “base of human rights, the root of human nature and the mother of truth. To kill free speech is to insult human rights, to stifle human nature and suppress the truth.” (Xiaobo, 2012). These were the sentiments of a Chinese political activist and writer when he won the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize. Free speech is profoundly ingrained in democracy, and it is among the pillars that found most democracies around the world. Thus, it is a fundamental human right that democratic countries fight to protect.

The advent of social media platforms has enhanced the level of connectivity amongst individuals, businesses, and organizations. Social media platforms facilitate the rapid sharing of information by building and improving personal relationships due to higher levels of connectedness in real-time. For example, individuals and organizations can share updates on diverse information and coordinate events using social media sites. Moreover, law enforcement agencies use social media platforms as tools for interaction with the public where they can post crime trends, community events and updating the public on crime hotspots to enhance safety. On the other hand, criminals are also using social networking sites to coordinate crimes like robberies, carjacking, and terrorist attacks. To combat this, Law enforcement agencies are also utilizing social media data to unearth crimes and make arrests using surveillance technologies. Currently, a significant challenge for law enforcement agencies is to ensure that the information from social networking accounts of suspected criminals is obtained and utilized legally. However, to date there is no government official social media policy enforced among law enforcement agencies to guide media surveillance in investigative and criminal mitigation activities. As such, the procedures for collecting such data through surveillance activities must not contravene the individual rights and privacy of the suspects. Therefore, it is vital for law enforcement agencies to have a social media policy that ensures the information collected from social media sites for investigative and intelligence purposes is lawfully obtained and used. As such, this essay seeks to answer the question, “What components should a social media surveillance policy include to ensure it not violate the privacy rights of individuals?”

In this essay, I will analyze how the Internet’s role in increasing and deepening public discourse while the power of the traditional media dwindles. Both Taras and Waddell claimed that the traditional mainstream media is in crisis. Current public discourse is showing that unless traditional media becomes as democratic and as pro-citizen as social media could be, Canadian journalism will eventually bite the dust.

This research paper seeks to find the extent by which effective communication and economic wellbeing affects the success of a business by exploring the communication process, the aspects of the organizational culture, and the indicators of the economic stability of the business. Further analysis of communication theories is done to relate effectiveness with the organizational behavior.

There is a wide adoption of the use of Internet resources to conduct personal and official businesses by individuals and corporate entities. The real-time availability and access to social media platforms have made them the most preferred choice for accessing information and sharing of data through posts, videos, and photos. However, it is crucial for the users of social media to appreciate that most of their activities on social media platforms are being monitored by surveillance systems. It, therefore, becomes essential for social media users to demonstrate sensitivity towards the nature and quality of information they share on social media. It is essential for the government to enhance social media surveillance because it acts as a crucial source of identity of individuals and their personality that are vital in subduing crime.

Communicative media platforms such as YouTube, illustrate the impacts of citizen journalism through the nature of interaction and reception among the audience. With social media providing an avenue where videos can go viral, the past decade has seen a revolution in areas such as activism. For example, the issue of racism and affiliated social ills has been majorly focused on through videos released by movements such as ‘Black Lives Matter.' Whereas such videos have often had critical reception, their role in stirring other members of the community to become part of the activism has been significant. Despite the rates at which such videos circulate and are driven at influencing change, it is imperative to consider how the targeted audience is affected. With the public motivated to take action following the surfacing of viral ‘black death’ videos demonstrating social ills and social dignity, their circulation should be upheld as the benefits outweigh the risks.

Communicative media platforms such as YouTube, illustrate the impacts of citizen journalism through the nature of interaction and reception among the audience. With social media providing an avenue where videos can go viral, the past decade has seen a revolution in areas such as activism. For example, the issue of racism and affiliated social ills has been majorly focused on through videos released by movements such as ‘Black Lives Matter.' Whereas such videos have often had critical reception, their role in stirring other members of the community to become part of the activism has been significant. Despite the rates at which such videos circulate and are driven at influencing change, it is imperative to consider how the targeted audience is affected. With the public motivated to take action following the surfacing of viral ‘black death’ videos demonstrating social ills and social dignity, their circulation should be upheld as the benefits outweigh the risks.

In social research, the choice of research methodology depends on the pursued research aim and objectives. Social investigators utilize qualitative methods if interested in understanding human behavior patterns in specific situations and contexts (Newman, 2013). Qualitative researchers also assume a dynamic, social, and negotiated reality, which finds reflection in the informant’s perspective. When concerned with facts about social phenomena, social researchers prefer quantitative methodology. In this case, they assume a fixed, objective, and measurable perspective (Newman, 2013).

Dr. Rory McGreal's "Special Report on the Role of Open Educational Resources in Supporting the Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education Challenges and Opportunities" discusses the importance of Open Educational Resources (OER) and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education (SDG4). He identifies how OER and MOOCs can be a significant aid in ensuring the inclusive and equitable quality of education within Canada and internationally (Mcgreal, 2017). The term "Open Educational Resources" was coined in 2004 by the UNESCO in efforts to establish an essential role in finding a solution to the world's education crisis (Mcgreal, 2017, pp. 292).  He explains how "the OER movement is less than 15 years old but is rapidly growing as more and more nations and institutions adopt the view that publicly-funded research and education content belongs to the people and should, therefore, be open and accessible to them" (Mcgreal, 2017, pp. 292). This topic is especially important as it is a transformative movement that can increase access to learning for those in both developed and developing countries, and address issues of cost, quality, and equity (Mcgreal, 2017, pp. 292). McGreal recognizes the strengths of OER as cost saving, open, and flexible.  Moreover, He discusses how governments should build on the Tri-Council decision to support open access for research and extend it to OER (Mcgreal, 2017, pp. 297).  This paper will critically analyze the article "Special Report on the Role of Open Educational Resources in Supporting the Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education Challenges and Opportunities" by Dr. Rory McGreal and determine its strengths and weakness.

In analyzing the issue facing NOVA Holdings Group, in regards to their educational services, Checkland’s Approach will be used. The application of Checkland’s approach will include seven stages that analyze the problem and provide further details in regards to the
various aspects that are involved.