Wizards Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Wizards and magic have throughout history played a significant role within literature. While it is obvious that wizards can produce fantastic feats of power, their primary function is not always to conjure magic. The defining characteristic of wizards is displayed through the use of intellectual gifts in order to achieve their goals. This thesis investigates
such differences of intellect found between two wizards of modern literature, Gandalf from Tolkien‘s The Lord of the Rings and Harry Dresden from Butcher‘s The Dresden Files.
Using information found in Tolkien’s Unfinished Tales as well as relevant passages from Butcher’s novels, this thesis provides explanations regarding the two wizards’ respective origin in order to establish how they came by their magical abilities, and moreover, investigates whether or not they can be considered fully, or at all, human.
It further explores the respective worlds in which the two wizards reside and will show that there is a significant difference in how morality is presented within their storylines. It posits that Middle-earth does not portray the prevalent moral ambiguity that is present within the Dresdenverse.
Finally, it addresses a popular culture trope known as “manpain” and establishes its relevance to the two wizards, using the pertinent characteristics of each wizard in order to analyze whether or not the characters can be said to be manpained.

- by Atli Dungal Sigurðsson
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- Fantasy Literature, Wizards, J.R.R. Tolkien, Urban fantasy

Edition commentée d'un document judiciaire : 1461, 3-9 août. Lorens Charastrut, paroissien de Marsat, âgé de 80 ans, accusé de sorcellerie par le procureur de Mozac, confesse à Jehan Panyot, châtelain de Mozac, plusieurs crimes... more

Negotiation is a critical activity that encompasses all stages of the virtual organization (VO) creation process. Particularly, negotiations are needed during the selection of partners, determination of their roles and task allocation, definition of the operating conditions of the VO, etc. A synthesis of the results of the negotiation activity can be represented by an agreement among the partners that will participate in the VO. In order to reach such agreement, a negotiation wizard is proposed. Assisted by this wizard, users will be able to access an environment which allows them to negotiate the specific topics of the new VO, either in a safe bilateral way or in a multiparty context. In a simplified perspective, the virtual organization (VO) creation process can be considered structured into three main phases (L. M. Camarinha-Matos et al., 2005): Preparatory Planning: Process of identification and characterization of the Collaboration Opportunity (CO) and draft planning of the VO to fulfill the CO needs; Consortia Formation: In order to get the proper set of partners (competences / capacities / services) for the new VO, a process of partners' search and selection and its corresponding negotiation is then needed; VO Launching: To finalize the VO creation, it is necessary to refine the VO plan and its governance principles, to formulate and model contracts and agreements and to put the VO into operation.

- by Luis M Camarinha-Matos
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- Business, Collaboration, Negotiation, Collaboration Technology

This article discusses the use of online teaching assistants or "course wizards," employed at Mercy College not only to tutor students who are experiencing difficulty but also to facilitate discussion and to model the role of a successful student. It begins with a brief summary of the vocation of tutor as it has changed and developed from ancient times to the present. It continues with a discussion of the current crisis in higher education in America and of how online education brings new possibilities and challenges. Wizards not only help students who are at risk but also facilitate discussion and, most importantly, model the role of a successful student.

- by Boria Sax
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- Tutoring, Wizards, Academic Assistance, Mercy College