- •Foreword
- •Seminar 1
- •I. Present an outline of the events going on in Britain this week.
- •II. Study the stages of historical formation of the uk according to the following outline. Provide each stage with the key-words and expressions as done for Ancient Britain:
- •III. Choose 10 events you think are most important in the British history and prove your choice. Make sure you can comment on the most important historic events.
- •V. Study the geographical position of the uk according to the outline:
- •VI. Write an essay on one of the following topics. Present it in class using the map.
- •Seminar 2
- •I. Present an outline of the events going on in Britain this week.
- •II. Make a survey of the newspaper articles on the British population and present a short outline of the discussed issues.
- •III. Study the lecture on the uk Population. Answer the following questions using the statistics:
- •IV. Compose a scheme, a chart, a diagram or a collage that will be illustrating the answer to one or more of the questions in task III.
- •Seminar 3
- •I. Present an outline of the events going on in Britain this week.
- •IV. Prepare 10 statements on the topic and ask your fellow students to say if they are true or false.
- •V. Make up an outline of the following topics using the key-words.
- •VI. Make a survey of one of the topics (to be done in writing and presented orally in class):
- •Seminar 4
- •I. Present an outline of the events going on in Britain this week.
- •Seminar 5
- •I. Present an outline of the events going on in Britain this week.
- •VI. Prepare dialogues on one of the situations:
- •VII. Prepare a report on one of the British Universities. Recommended sources on the united kingdom
- •Seminar 6
- •I. Present an outline of the events going on in the usa this week.
- •II. Study the recommended sources and fill in the tables on the periods of American History.
- •III. Give a brief explanation of the following words and phrases.
- •IV. Discuss the following questions.
- •Seminar 7
- •VI. Present the report on Native Americans in the usa.
- •VII. Draw a sketch-map of the United States and:
- •VIII. Debate the following topics:
- •Seminar 8
- •I. Present an outline of the events going on in the usa this week.
- •II. Make a survey and present a short outline of the debated issues in Congress this week.
- •III. Read Thomas Jefferson’s inaugural address and state whether you think the objectives of the country he served have changed since the time of his presidency.
- •IV. Give a brief explanation of the following words and phrases.
- •V. Speak about the secret of the us Constitution longevity according to the plan:
- •VI. Complete the table with the information on the makeup of the us Congress.
- •Seminar 9
- •IV. Complete the table characterizing the main economic regions of the usa.
- •V. Prepare a detailed report on one of the economic regions of the usa.
- •VI. Account for the fact that though today farmers make up a little more than two per cent of the American population they produce several times as much as the American people can consume.
- •VII. Discuss the following questions.
- •Seminar 10
- •IX. Organize a debate between the two groups:
- •Recommended sources on the united states
- •The country studies portfolio
- •Final test
Foreword
The manual is designed for the students of the English department in full accordance with the requirements of the current syllabus and curriculum.
The primary objective is to help the students to be an autonomous learner of the Country Studies. To this effect, the manual contains practical advice on how to organize learning effectively; it will guide the students in their study of the subject.
The tasks are aimed at enhancing the interest for the deep insight into the topics posed. The points for discussion focus the students’ attention at the important aspects of British and American life, and stimulate comparative, intercultural perspectives.
In addition, at each stage of the course, the students are encouraged to bring their own knowledge, ideas and experience to the work in hand, and to discuss them with the other students and the teacher.
Finally, the students are required to compile the portfolio on the subject. The aim is to develop their research skills through a thorough survey of the topics, and to provide them with the information they may need in their future job.
The manual contains the tasks on five topics for the USA and the UK: the historical outline and the geographical position; the population, its national identity and general characteristics; the economy and welfare; the educational system.
The manual contains the list of requirements for the portfolio on the subject.
The test in the end of the manual is designed to motivate the students to study the subject and check their basic knowledge.
Seminar 1
TOPIC: The HISTORICAL OUTLINE
and the GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION of the UNITED KINGDOM
I. Present an outline of the events going on in Britain this week.
II. Study the stages of historical formation of the uk according to the following outline. Provide each stage with the key-words and expressions as done for Ancient Britain:
Ancient Britain (till 1066): the first inhabitants, The Celtic invasion, the Roman occupation, the Anglo-Saxon conquest, the struggle against the Danes, the Norman conquest and the establishment of feudalism.
The Middle Ages (1066-1485).
The Tudor Age (1485-1603).
The Stuart Age (1603-1714).
Empire and Industry (1714-1901).
The 20th century.
The stages of the formation of the United Kingdom.
III. Choose 10 events you think are most important in the British history and prove your choice. Make sure you can comment on the most important historic events.
IV. Prepare a card with 10 questions on the British history. The questions should be of different level of difficulty and each question is to be provided with four variants of answers (A, B, C, D), one of which is correct.
V. Study the geographical position of the uk according to the outline:
1. Characterize the coastline of the British Isles referring to the benefits of its identity.
2. Show on the map the main geographical features of the UK (surrounding islands, rivers, lakes, lowland areas, highland areas) and give a brief characteristic of them.
3. Speak on the British natural resources (coal, oil and gas, water, ferrous and non-ferrous metals).
4. Describe vegetation of the British Isles (the characteristics of woodland, agricultural land, areas of grassland, moorland, soils);
5. Speak on the British climate and weather (the basic factors in determining the main characteristics of the climate, features of the British climate).