Seminar 9

TOPIC: THE US ECONOMY and WELFARE.

I. Present an outline of the events going on in the USA this week.

II. Make a survey of the newspaper articles on the present economic situation in the USA and present a short outline of the discussed issues.

III. Develop the following statements using the information from the lecture.

1) The American economy had to be built, as they say, from the ground up.

2) In 1930s after a period of well being the US was entering the Great Depression.

3) Though the New Deal introduced by Franklin D. Roosevelt has limited gains, still it played its positive role.

4) Many reasons have been offered to explain why the US has been able to go from a small, struggling economy to the leading industrial and agricultural nation in such a short time.

IV. Complete the table characterizing the main economic regions of the usa.

Region	States included	Largest cities	Industry	Agriculture
The Northeast
The Great Lakes
The South
The Plains
The Rocky Mountains
The Pacific States

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.

1. What factors have contributed to America’s becoming the leading economic nation in the world?

2. What part does the US government play in the economic production? Is it beneficial for the business?

3. Point out some differences between labor relations in the US and in the other industrialized Western countries. What factors do you think might have contributed to these differences?

4. What programs and benefits exist in the US that help people who are unemployed or sick?

5. ‘Social welfare in the US has always been torn between the concepts of the independent, self-reliant individual and the interdependent, caring community.’ Discuss this statement against the background knowledge of American history.

6. What are some of the arguments for or against comprehensive federal programs for the poor?

VIII. Comment on the role of the United States in world trade.

Seminar 10

TOPIC: The EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM of the UNITED STATES.

I. Present an outline of the events going on in the USA this week.

II. Match the columns and enlarge on the history of the US educational system.

1636 many “land-grant colleges” were established.

1701 the foundation of Yale

1850 women were first admitted to college

1860s the foundation of Harvard

1837 every state had provided for a system of free public schools

III. Dwell on the main concepts of American education.

1. The underlying principle of the American system of education is to educate people in such a way that everyone has the opportunity to develop to his/her greatest potential.

2. Another major purpose of education in America is to lay the ground work for achieving success in life.

3. Equality of opportunity – the declared motto for life in the United States – is also an important aspect of the American system of education.

IV. Compare the Russian and American school systems. Point out similarities and differences.

SIMILARITIES | DIFFERENCES

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V. Draw a scheme of the American system of higher education. Use the scheme when presenting the report on different types of colleges and Universities in the US.

VI. Prepare a detailed report on one of the American Universities.

VII. Make up a list of strengths and weaknesses of the American educational system.

STRENGTHS | WEAKNESSES

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VIII. Discuss the following questions.

1. What problems do minorities have to face and how does the educational system try to solve them?

2. Why do standardized tests play such an important role within the American system of education?

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the local control over education?

4. What is the essence of the debate about national priorities and the schools in America? Is similar debate being held in Russia?