LISTENING 1
PRE-VIEWING QUESTIONS:
Do you happen to know what the term Pax Americana means? What accepted terms was this one modelled on?
Vocabulary
1. frenzy — a state or period of uncontrolled excitement or wild behaviour
2. magnum opus /ˈmægnəm ˈəʊpəs/ — a work of art, music, or literature that is regarded as the most important or best work of an artist, composer, or writer has produced
VIEWING TASK
a) Watch part of the video and take notes of the principles that underpin Pax Americana.
b) Answer the following questions.
1. When did Pax Americana experience a rise and when did it start to show signs of decline?
2. What contribution to American dominance did President Obama make?
Speak Up
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What makes Pax Americana different from Pax Britannica and Pax Romana?
2. Do you think American pervasive military presence has so far ensured world peace and stability?
3. How would you answer the question posed in the title of the video?
Follow-Up
State your opinion on the issue in question. Make sure your statement contains a claim supported by arguments. Use the above texts and Listening 1, texts from the Reader, or any other resources for evidence.
LISTENING 2
PRE-VIEWING QUESTION
Can you define exceptionalism? What connotation do you think this word has?
Vocabulary
1. to teem with — be full of or swarming with
2. incantation — a series of words said as a magic spell or charm
3. to bestow — to confer or present (an honour, right or gift )
4. vigilante /vɪdʒɪˈlænti/ — someone who illegally punishes criminals and tries to prevent crime, usually because they think the police are not doing this eff ectively
5. full-fledged — (AmE; cf BrE fully fledged) completely developed or established Note Tarring and feathering is a form of public torture and punishment used in feudal Europe and its colonies in the early modern period, as well as the early American frontier, mostly as a type of mob vengeance. The image of a tarred-and-feathered outlaw remains a metaphor for severe public criticism.
VIEWING TASK
Listen to the lecture and note the important points (fill in the table below). Pay attention to the vocally stressed words.
| Name of | Key words to describe it |
| concept: | |
| notion: | |
| idea: |
Pair work
Compare your notes with a classmate’s and try to give a short description of each concept / idea, etc. If in doubt, at home listen to the lecture again. To check your comprehension, answer the questions (A) and mark the sentences (B) as True, False or Not Given. Support your opinion.
A.
1. What does the idea of American exceptionalism imply?
2. Why is the word ‘freedom’ so extensively used in American political discourse?
3. What serves as a symbol of freedom and liberty in America?
4. What are the features of American freedom?
B
1. Americans know better how to solve others’ problems.
2. Republicanism implies the rule of the majority.
3. The power of the government is limited by checks and balances.
4. America wasn’t supposed to have trade relations with Europeans as they were not to be trusted.
5. American exceptionalism stresses the divine origin of the American mission.
6. The idea of Manifest Destiny was used to validate the acquisition of the North American continent by the colonies.
Critical Thinking
1. Did you find the lecture comprehensive enough? Do you have any questions left that would prompt you to listen to the second part of the lecture? If so, listen, watch and share the new information with your classmates.
2. Did you find the lecturer’s tone appropriate? Was it impartial or did it give an indication of the lecturer’s stance?
Speak Up
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What do you make of American exceptionalism?
2. Why does the idea still hold? Do you think American interference in other countries’ aff airs can be justifi ed by their mission to spread freedom and democracy? Explain your reasoning.
3. What role do you think Manifest Destiny played in the establishment of America as a country?
4. In your view, does America still live up to the standards of liberty and democracy it set for itself?
LISTENING 3
American Decline: Global Power in the 21st Century (6:40)
PRE-VIEWING QUESTIONS
1. Do you think the balance of power in the world has shifted?
2. What, to your knowledge, is the current role of the US in the international arena?
Vocabulary
1. asset — a useful or valuable thing or person
2. to be broke — (here) to be in decline or crisis
3. battering — a damaging experience or situation: an injury, setback or defeat
VIEWING TASKS
a) Watch part of the video up to 1:20 to note the distinction between relative and usable power (according to Peter Trubowitz).
b) Tick the points you hear about what makes up American power.
| Higher education | The English language |
| Diverse culture | Medical research |
| Military power | Economic power |
| Technological innovation | Powerful allies |
| Scientific achievements | American values |
c) Watch the video to the end and fill in the gaps to complete the summary. America became a dominant country after the end of the Cold War and gained even more power by __________. However, nowadays there is an ongoing debate on the US global role. Critics claim that the US is in decline because ___________________. Others believe America is not in decline but _______________________ and predict the US position will remain strong due to ________________________. China, which is considered by many America’s main rival, has accomplished a lot in the past decades in terms of ____________ , but it is unlikely to become the global leader in the foreseeable future because ____.
Speak Up
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Do you agree with Peter Trubowitz that America lacks usable power? Give your reasoning.
2. Which of the political analysts, in your opinion, is the most persuasive in his arguments?
3. Do you believe America still has capacity to lead the world? If not, what do you think could potentially help the country reclaim its global leadership?
4. Do you think China has the muscle to surpass America as the world’s biggest power?
5. In your view, is the world likely to become multipolar sometime soon?