- •1. Describe the geographical position of the British Isles, offering an explanation for its advantages and disadvantages. Define the term «continental shelf», its importance for the economy.
- •3. Examine the main stages in the formation of the population of Great Britain (Ancient Britain, Celts, Romans, and Anglo- Saxons).
- •4.Describe the Danish raids of England. The struggle of Alfred the Great and its results.
- •5. Outline the Norman Conquest and the establishment of feudalism in England and further consolidation of the English state. The main dates in the formation of the u.K.
- •10. Discuss the electoral system. Give an evaluation of the «majority electoral system» existing in Great Britain? Comment on the latest general elections. Change of government in 2007. Reasons.
- •16. Characterize the major political parties in the uk (Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrats). The position of these parties in the House of Commons today.
- •17. Expand on the role of the church in the life of the British people.
- •1. Geographical position of the us
- •2 .Physical features of the us, climate, lakes and rivers, minerals
- •3. Native Americans
- •6. Discuss the reasons, development and consequences of the War of Independence (1775-1783).
- •7. Expand on the basic values of the American nation. Explain their importance. Expand on the notion "the frontier heritage”, the heroes. What is political correctness?
- •8 Expansion in the 1st half of the 19cent.
- •8. Analyze growing antagonism between the North and the South. Examine the chief events of the Civil war, its consequences.
- •10.Development us after the Civil War. Monroe Doctrine. American expansionism at the end of the 19 cent.
- •11 How and when American constitution was adopted. What caused the necessity of the bill of rights?
- •12 Explain the structure of the Congress – the supreme legislative body. Discuss the election of Senators and Representatives and whom they represent.
- •13 Institution of American Presidency, main trends of American foreign policy, new policy of Barack Obama
- •14 Presidential elections, Electoral College, Barack Obama – new president
- •15 Explain what is meant by a “strict division or separation of powers” under the Constitution. Outline the structure of the American Constitution.
- •16 Main political parties,
15 Explain what is meant by a “strict division or separation of powers” under the Constitution. Outline the structure of the American Constitution.
Under the Constitution power was divided among the three brunches of the national government: legislative (the Congress), executive (the President) and judicial (the Supreme Court). Each was given its own authority to prevent abuse of power. These three brunches watch over each other. This watching over is known as the system of checks and balances. That way no single brunch becomes too powerful.
This system gives each brunch the means to restrain the other two. For example the President has the power to veto acts passed by Congress, but the Congress may override the veto by a two-thirds majority. But the Supreme Court has the power to declare acts of Congress or President to be illegal if they are in conflict with Constitution.
The structure of the Constitution
The Constitution of the US consists of the Preamble, 7 Articles and 27 Amendments.
The document begins with the Preamble. It holds in its words the hopes and dreams of the delegates to the convention, a justification for what they had done.
The Preamble is followed by 7 articles.
Article 1, 2 and 3 of the Constitution describe how the members of the three branches of the federal government are chosen, how long they shall serve and what qualifications they must have for office.
Article 4 of the Constitution outlines the relationship between states and between the federal government and the states.
Article 5 provides for making changes or amendments to the Constitution.
Article 6 establishes that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land to which all judges and federal and state officers are bound.
Article7 sets forth the manner in which the Constitution was to be adopted.
The 3 branches of government (Executive branch>President, Legislative Br.>Congress, Judicial Br.>Federal Courts) have many important duties. They share many powers. However, the 3 branches of government also watch over each other. This watching over is known as the system of checks and balances. Each branch acts as a control on the other two branches. The 3 branches also balance each other’s powers. The Constitution calls for a separation of powers in government. There are 3 main parts to the separation of powers idea:
No person may serve in more than one branch at a time; The Constitution lists the powers and duties of each branch of government; Each branch has enough power to check the power of the other branches.
That way no single branch becomes too powerful. The system of checks and balances was set up by the Constitution.
There is another way that the power of government as a whole is checked. This way is not mentioned in the Constitution. People help to check the power of government.
Because of the checks and balances system, one branch cannot work alone. All 3 branches must work together.