Descartes Goes to Hollywood

Descartes Goes to Hollywood Samantha Holland’s article addresses the ‘cyborg’ element in modern contemporary films and the philosophy surrounding cyborgs. Holland’s article focuses on Rene Descartes’ philosophy when analyzing the use of ‘half human-half machine’ characters in films.Advertising We will write a custom book review sample on Descartes Goes to Hollywood specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Samantha Holland addresses various angles of the mind-body philosophy in this article including personal identity, dualism of beings, gender, and technology. Throughout the article, the use of cyborgs in films is used as a tool of analysis by the author. This paper provides a prà ©cis of Holland’s â€Å"Descartes Goes to Hollywood: Mind Body and Gender in Contemporary Cyborg Cinema†. The article begins by providing examples of how materialism and dualism are manifested in cyborg cinema. The movie â€Å"Robo cop† is used to show both the materialistic OCP and the dual existence of Robocop (Holland 158). Holland presents readers with an example of how the mind-body philosophy is the central theme in most cyborg films. According to the article, there are a lot of conflicting philosophies that are contained in most cyborg films. In most cases, the film will be seeking to perpetuate a certain viewpoint but it ends up bringing up a contradiction. The conflict of the body and the mind is also the main theme in most cyborg films according to Holland. The author cites â€Å"The Terminator† and â€Å"Robocop† as examples of films with their main characters suffering from mind-body conflict. The article addresses the gender element in cyborg cinema. According to the author, although cyborg creators insist on the authenticity of the cyborg’s body, they also enhance the cyborg’s gender-look. The article cites the muscled Terminator and the feminine Cherry as exampl es of the emphasized gender-look in cyborgs.Advertising Looking for book review on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The article points out that the reason for gender emphasis in cyborg cinema is to maintain the body-essence and exploit gender roles. In addition, the article faults the notion that cyborgs are meant to go beyond gender boundaries and that they do not emphasize the common gender stereotypes. The author points out how the titles of cyborg films such as â€Å"Robocop†, â€Å"Cherry†, and â€Å"Eve of Destruction† are gender specific (Holland 165). The article continues by covering the feminist myth in most cyborg films. According to the author, most producers only try to portray strong female characters but they do not succeed. The portrayal of Sarah Connor in â€Å"Terminator† is used as an example of how feminism is usually misused in cyborg cinema. It is argue d that feminism is portrayed in both narrative and visual levels in cyborg films. The masculine male body possessed by most cyborgs is an example of the visual portrayal of the ‘strong male-gender’. The article also addresses the issue of how cyborg cinema portrays reproduction. According to the author, the ability to reproduce without using the female element can be interpreted as chauvinistic. The role of the cyborg cinema in the modern world is also addressed. Holland believes that cyborg cinema not only addresses future events but also present events. In addition, they serve as a critique of the human views on mind-body relations. The article concludes by noting that the cyborg cinema represents only the more acceptable notions of the body-mind theories. In addition, most cyborg films highlight the dualism of human beings and other forms. However, no film has been able to portray Descartes’ body-mind philosophy on an advanced level. The author also notes that most cyborg technology focuses on the machine-human interface as opposed to the human-machine interface. Therefore, most cyborg films are a manifestation of the growing anxiety over the increasing use of technology.Advertising We will write a custom book review sample on Descartes Goes to Hollywood specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Holland, Samantha. Descartes Goes to Hollywood.† Cyberbodies/Cyberpunk: Cultures  of Technological Embodiment. Ed. Mike Featherstone and Roger Burrows. New York, NY: Sage, 1996. 157-174. Print.

Information Technology Management Degrees and Careers

Information Technology Management Degrees and Careers An information technology management degree, or IT management degree, is a type of postsecondary degree awarded to students who have completed a college, university, or business school program that focuses on teaching students how to use computer software and systems to manage information. After completing the program, students should be able to find technology-based solutions to important business and management problems.   Types of Degrees There are three basic options for students who are interested in an information technology management degree. A bachelors degree is typically the minimum for most jobs in the information technology management field. Advanced jobs almost always require a masters or MBA degree. Bachelors Degree in IT Management: A bachelors degree in IT management is ideal for students seeking entry-level positions in this field. However, many information technology managers choose to earn a bachelors degree in information science, computer science, or information systems management instead. Regardless of the degree name, most bachelors programs take four years to complete and consist of general education courses combined with specialized courses in information technology and business management.Masters Degree in IT Management: A masters degree in information technology management or a related field is a requirement to work at some companies. It is especially recommended for advanced positions. A masters degree usually takes two years to complete once you have earned a bachelors degree. While enrolled in a masters program, you will study advanced topics in information technology. You will also take business, management, and leadership courses.Doctorate Degree in IT Manageme nt: The highest degree that can be earned in this area is a doctorate degree. This degree is well-suited for students who want to teach or perform field research. It can take anywhere from four to six years to earn a doctorate degree.​ Choosing a Program When choosing an information technology management program, you should first look at schools that are accredited to ensure you find a quality program with degrees respected by employers. It is also important to choose a school that has an up-to-date curriculum that focuses on the skills and knowledge you want to attain. Finally, take time to compare tuition, career placement rates, class size, and other important factors. Read more about choosing a business school. Information Technology Management Careers Students who earn an information technology management degree typically go on to work as IT managers. IT managers are also known as computer and information systems managers. They may be responsible for developing tech strategies, upgrading technology, and securing systems in addition to overseeing and directing other IT professionals. The exact duties of an IT manager are dependent on the size of the employer as well as the managers job title and level of experience. Some common job titles for IT managers include the following. IT Project Manager: Sometimes known as an IT Director, an IT project manager heads up a specific technology project. They may be responsible for managing upgrades and conversions. IT project managers typically have one or more IT professionals who report to them. They usually have at least a bachelors degree along with several years of experience.IT Security Manager:  An IT security manager is usually responsible for overseeing network and data security. They may help to develop, implement, and monitor security protocols. Entry-level positions may require only a few years of experience.Chief Technology Officer:  A CTO designs and recommends new technology for a business or organization. They typically report to a CIO but may have more technical expertise. Many CTOs began as an IT director or project manager. Most have 10 or more years of experience in the IT field.Chief Information Officer: A Chief Information Officer (CIO) helps to develop and oversee technology strategy for a b usiness or organization. They are the decision makers. CIO is an advanced position and typically requires at least an MBA along with 10 or more years of IT experience. IT Certifications Professional or tech certifications are not absolutely required to work in the information technology management field. However, certifications can make you more attractive to potential employers. You may also earn a higher salary if you have taken the required steps to become certified in specific areas.