Today DIW and DJV signed off on the changes to my extension project. This means the project is now completed.
As a result the only thing left to do is to print it out and have it bound accordingly. Hence this is also the final post of this blog as well.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Wk 8, D8 - Second draft
On Monday I received feedback from Mr.Vassallo and Mr. Woodgate. This stated that there were a few minor spelling errors and that I should include a sentence stating when the Church established the date of December 25th.
I have today, made these changes and will now hand a second draft to DJV and DIW.
I have today, made these changes and will now hand a second draft to DJV and DIW.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Wk 7 - Long Weekend: First Draft
Over the course of the long weekend a first draft of the entire major project has been completed.
In Saturday, the first half of the essay was completed and then the essay was finished of on Sunday.
The first half of the essay deals with the views and motives of the Church and the second half deals with possibility and overall likelihood of pagan rituals being responsible for the Christian Christmas period.
Today (Monday) the synopsis was completed following the bibliography analysis and finally the bibliography. The referencing of the essay was also formalised now that a bibliography had been completed.
In Saturday, the first half of the essay was completed and then the essay was finished of on Sunday.
The first half of the essay deals with the views and motives of the Church and the second half deals with possibility and overall likelihood of pagan rituals being responsible for the Christian Christmas period.
Today (Monday) the synopsis was completed following the bibliography analysis and finally the bibliography. The referencing of the essay was also formalised now that a bibliography had been completed.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Wk 6, D7, T2 - DIW Confirmation
Today Mr. Wodgate signed off on my initial research which means that I am now able to start writing my major project.
He also suggested that I research more into the current view of the Vatican from my initial research on Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI.
This afternoon I continued my research and found that he wrote a book called 'The spirit of the liturgy' in which he directly opposes both the Mithras Myth and the festival 'Dies Natalis Solic Invicti'.
From this research it is completely clear that the only way in which to frame the debate NOW is by:
1. Establishing exactly what the Vatican's view is - i.e why the Pope expresses Christmas is based on the annunciation of Christ.
2. Establish the connection which clearly exists between Solis Invictis and the Christian Christmas
3. Establishing the merit between the Mithras myth and the Christian Christmas
It is likely that my line of argument will be that there are direct parallels between these festivals/myths and Christianity in order to make the conversion to Christianity easier.
He also suggested that I research more into the current view of the Vatican from my initial research on Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI.
This afternoon I continued my research and found that he wrote a book called 'The spirit of the liturgy' in which he directly opposes both the Mithras Myth and the festival 'Dies Natalis Solic Invicti'.
From this research it is completely clear that the only way in which to frame the debate NOW is by:
1. Establishing exactly what the Vatican's view is - i.e why the Pope expresses Christmas is based on the annunciation of Christ.
2. Establish the connection which clearly exists between Solis Invictis and the Christian Christmas
3. Establishing the merit between the Mithras myth and the Christian Christmas
It is likely that my line of argument will be that there are direct parallels between these festivals/myths and Christianity in order to make the conversion to Christianity easier.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Wk, D6, T2 - Mr.V sign off
Tonight Mr. Vassallo approved my initial plan.
His only concern is that it may not be long enough to fit a 2000 word essay. I tend to think it is only because of the necessary archaeological evidence, and the extensive work needed for ancient traditions.
Only time will tell.
The next step is to have it signed off by Mr. Woodgate, allowing me to then start writing.
His only concern is that it may not be long enough to fit a 2000 word essay. I tend to think it is only because of the necessary archaeological evidence, and the extensive work needed for ancient traditions.
Only time will tell.
The next step is to have it signed off by Mr. Woodgate, allowing me to then start writing.
Wk, D6, T2 - Finalising research
Currently I am in the process of finalising my research. I have put together a book of my sources and annotated them accordingly. A number of passage/excerpts from books have been found, mainly from internet sources (due to ancient dates ie. 3rd, 4th and 12th century; and modern text - particuarly 1970s), as have a number of internet journals.
From my research surrounding Dies Natalis Solis Invicti I have discovered that the origins of celebrating christmas or the 25th of December, datas back to 4000b.c. to babylonian traditions of celebrating the sun. Similiarly Iranaian and Persian traditions of Mithian tradition also celebrate their God as the sun. This was established officially in Rome under the Solis festival (as well the Saturnian and winter solstice festivals and the later Kalende [New years] festivals). Constatine than made christiantity the official practice and began creating christian festivals. it is important to note that christians and pagans were against each other namely due to the visisbility of the Gods (according to the pagans christians were atheists because their god did not physically exist).
In order to make the conversion from paganism to christianity relatively easy, many of the christian traditions were based on pagan festivals.
The chruch however, maintains that their festivals were based on religious occurances. In particular the annotation of christ. The vernal equinox celbrated by christ also establishes christian practices when converted to the julian calender. It is also worth noting that the 12 days of christmas were also created to include the coming of the three wise men (parallels kalende). The word christmas itself was also used to promote the midnight, morning and night Christ masses.
From this research, I have decided to scrap my work on Santa Claus and focus on the conceptss surrounding the question: 'Evaluate the extent to which pagan festivals impacted the establishment of a Christian Christmas period'.
my next step is to have this research offically signed off from Mr. Vassallo tonight at the History Extension meeting, and then sometime tomorrow from Mr. Woodgate. Assuming I'm given the green light so to speak, I plan to begin writing this week, and have a first draft completed by the end of the Long weekend.
From my research surrounding Dies Natalis Solis Invicti I have discovered that the origins of celebrating christmas or the 25th of December, datas back to 4000b.c. to babylonian traditions of celebrating the sun. Similiarly Iranaian and Persian traditions of Mithian tradition also celebrate their God as the sun. This was established officially in Rome under the Solis festival (as well the Saturnian and winter solstice festivals and the later Kalende [New years] festivals). Constatine than made christiantity the official practice and began creating christian festivals. it is important to note that christians and pagans were against each other namely due to the visisbility of the Gods (according to the pagans christians were atheists because their god did not physically exist).
In order to make the conversion from paganism to christianity relatively easy, many of the christian traditions were based on pagan festivals.
The chruch however, maintains that their festivals were based on religious occurances. In particular the annotation of christ. The vernal equinox celbrated by christ also establishes christian practices when converted to the julian calender. It is also worth noting that the 12 days of christmas were also created to include the coming of the three wise men (parallels kalende). The word christmas itself was also used to promote the midnight, morning and night Christ masses.
From this research, I have decided to scrap my work on Santa Claus and focus on the conceptss surrounding the question: 'Evaluate the extent to which pagan festivals impacted the establishment of a Christian Christmas period'.
my next step is to have this research offically signed off from Mr. Vassallo tonight at the History Extension meeting, and then sometime tomorrow from Mr. Woodgate. Assuming I'm given the green light so to speak, I plan to begin writing this week, and have a first draft completed by the end of the Long weekend.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Wk 5 - T2 - Possible change of topic
Currently I am in the process of extending my research beyond just the myth of Santa Clause, and into the actual origins of Christmas itself. There tends to be more debate in these areas than in the myth of Santa Clause.
After speaking to Mr. Woodgate on Thursday, I was told that it is possible to change the topic on my paper to something of a greater debate in the area if this arises.
Whilst I am still investigating it seems that the origin of the debate of Christmas (that being the 25th of December) is a Roman festival known as 'Dies Natalis Solis Invictus' or the birthday of the unconquering sun.
From here my task is to continue researching around this debate, and to hopefully have at least an essay plan done by the end of the weekend.
Ironically, whilst I've always known that this was an area of contention, particularly from one of my early conversations with Mr. West on the choosing of Christ's birthday, the film 'Angels and Demons' was actually what sparked my realisation that this needs to be investigated.
After speaking to Mr. Woodgate on Thursday, I was told that it is possible to change the topic on my paper to something of a greater debate in the area if this arises.
Whilst I am still investigating it seems that the origin of the debate of Christmas (that being the 25th of December) is a Roman festival known as 'Dies Natalis Solis Invictus' or the birthday of the unconquering sun.
From here my task is to continue researching around this debate, and to hopefully have at least an essay plan done by the end of the weekend.
Ironically, whilst I've always known that this was an area of contention, particularly from one of my early conversations with Mr. West on the choosing of Christ's birthday, the film 'Angels and Demons' was actually what sparked my realisation that this needs to be investigated.
Wk 5 - T2: Update
Regrettably, last term very little work occurred on my major project other than reading the three books and a couple of other articles on Santa Claus. This was the result of a lot of other projects as well as the build up to the Half-yearly exams during the holidays.
From my research into these books it is clear that whilst the legend of Santa clause has changed significant;y over a period of time to suit various cultures and historical periods, the origin of the creation dates back to the Turkish monk, St. Nickolas.
Obviously given the lack of actual writing, and a finishing of my research, my next step is too intensely research the topic and reach a stage by which I am able to start submitting not just a essay plan, but actual paragraphs as well.
From my research into these books it is clear that whilst the legend of Santa clause has changed significant;y over a period of time to suit various cultures and historical periods, the origin of the creation dates back to the Turkish monk, St. Nickolas.
Obviously given the lack of actual writing, and a finishing of my research, my next step is too intensely research the topic and reach a stage by which I am able to start submitting not just a essay plan, but actual paragraphs as well.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
D2,Wk 3, T1 - Progress during the Holidays
During the holidays the project advanced mainly in terms of thought and research. From the deconstruction of the Swartz article and other evidence, it is likely that Saint Nicholas was a Bishop living in Turkey. Three books were also purchased to advance the research. These include:
1. 'The autobiography of Santa Claus', By Jeff Guinn
2. 'Nicholas: The Epic Journey from Saint to Santa Claus', By Jeremy Seal
3. Wonderworker: The True Story of How Saint Nicholas Became Santa Clause' By Vincent A. Yzermans
These three books arrived from America last week and the next step of the project is to deconstruct their views.
During the holidays I also further developed the overall inquiry question into:
'To what extent is the contemporary western character of 'Santa Claus' based on the historical figure Saint Nicholas?'
However, after speaking to Mr. West last week it may be more interesting looking at the philosophy behind why the legend of Santa Claus was needed in western philosophy rather than how it formed.
1. 'The autobiography of Santa Claus', By Jeff Guinn
2. 'Nicholas: The Epic Journey from Saint to Santa Claus', By Jeremy Seal
3. Wonderworker: The True Story of How Saint Nicholas Became Santa Clause' By Vincent A. Yzermans
These three books arrived from America last week and the next step of the project is to deconstruct their views.
During the holidays I also further developed the overall inquiry question into:
'To what extent is the contemporary western character of 'Santa Claus' based on the historical figure Saint Nicholas?'
However, after speaking to Mr. West last week it may be more interesting looking at the philosophy behind why the legend of Santa Claus was needed in western philosophy rather than how it formed.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Wk 6, D10, T4 2008 - Established, proposal
To date the proposal for the project on Santa Claus has been completed, and handed in to DIW.
An initial deconstruction of Swartz's article has been completed
This temporary blog has also been established in order to track progress until the proper blog is established.
An initial deconstruction of Swartz's article has been completed
This temporary blog has also been established in order to track progress until the proper blog is established.
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