Introduction: The American People Discuss in pairs: What do you know about the USA? Content of the unit The American people The political system The economy Religions The family The educational system Culture, leisure, entertainment, sports The American people Not merely a nation, but a nation of nations The Native Americans (Indians) Came from Asia as early as 40,000 years ago Today, there are about 1.5m Indians The British Began in the 1600s, settle the eastern part of North America British culture was the foundation on which America was built. African-Americans West Africans people were bought to work as slaves Discrimination among black Americans Suffered from poverty The American people Immigrants from Northern and Western Europe Began in the 1920s, migrants suffering from poverty, war, discrimination form Germany, The UK, Ireland, Sweden, etc. looked for better lives in the USA They became famers in the Midwest Immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe From the 1870s to the 1930s from countries like Italy, Greece, Poland, Russia The USA changed from a mainly agricultural to a mainly industrial country Hispanic-Americans People of Spanish or Spanish-American origin coming from different countries The largest minority group The American people Asian-Americans 19thC, laws limited Asian immigration China and Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and India Melting pots and Mosaics DISCUSSION Are the many immigrants to your country? Where are they from? Did many people emigrate from your country to other countries? What are the advantages and disadvantages of “melting pot” and “mosaic”? The political system Indirect democracy (people rule through representatives they elect) The Constitution Written in 1787, set up the country’s political system and is the basis for its laws. Worked well as well as today as when it was written (through changes and amendment) Flexible and interpreted differently at different times Federalism Individual states, each with its own government Federal/ national government National government: money printing State government: school system establishing National government National Government The House of Representatives The legislative branch the Congress Make laws The Senate The executive branch The President Departments and agencies The judicial branch The courts The Supreme Court Administer laws Interpret laws State and Local Government State government: legislative, executive and judicial branches Each state has a governor as a leader Two-Party system Democratic Liberal Working classes and the poor Republican Conservative Upper classes DISCUSSION How many main political parties does your country have? What are the differences between the parties? The economy Is based on the free enterprise system Since the Civil war (1861-1865), industrialization transformed the country Many areas, especially the South still remained mainly agricultural and rural Nowadays, there is a shift from industries to services Imports and exports Major imports: machinery, equipment, oil, chemical, etc Major exports: high-technology, cars, aircrafts, fuel. DISCUSSION What are some economic challenges for the USA nowadays? (Compare with your own country) Religion People have the right to worship as they chose No religion can be made official About 94% of Americans who identify with a religion are Christians (1993) Jews are the largest non-Christian group Other religions include: Moslem, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc. There are regional differences when it comes to religion The family Has been undergoing a lot of changes People are getting married at a later age and waiting longer to have children “Dual-earning” families Single-parent families (as a result of high divorce rate, not-married teenager mothers) An aging population Elder people usually live on their own People are also living longer Discussion Are your country changing in the same way as the USA? What do you think a perfect family is like? For example, how many children should there be? Should both parents work? Should the grandparents live with the family? The educational system Source: Linden Educational Services The educational system Schools are compulsory for children aged 7 to 16 More than 90% all children attend public school Some high schools are specialized, offering vocational subjects High school students are involved in some non-academic activities (drama club, sports, newspapers) Trends in education in the USA? Discussion What are some differences between the educational system in the USA and that of your country? Give your personal opinions about the quality of education in the USA Culture, Leisure, Entertainment, Sports International center of culture Many concerts, art exhibitions, museums, orchestras, theaters, etc. Most popular sources of entertainment: TV, movies, radio, recorded music. (some “bad” American movies) They love sports, travelling on vacations, especially car trips, social gathering, outdoor activities Discussion What are some popular leisure and entertainment activities in your country? What are some favorite sports? What do you like to do in your leisure time? How do American people’s leisure activities change these days? Holidays Discuss in groups: What are some important holidays in the United States? New Year’s Day Martin Luther King, Jr. Jed Day President Day Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Halloween Thanks-giving Christmas American people?
