{"id":1034,"date":"2022-08-23T19:59:13","date_gmt":"2022-08-23T16:59:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kaf1.moscow\/?page_id=1034"},"modified":"2024-12-07T18:04:17","modified_gmt":"2024-12-07T15:04:17","slug":"unit-2-video","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/kaf1.moscow\/?page_id=1034","title":{"rendered":"unit 2: video"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

LISTENING 1<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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«The Return of the American Empire? (3:35\u20139:36)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

PRE-VIEWING QUESTIONS<\/strong>:<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you happen to know what the term Pax Americana means? What accepted terms was this one modelled on? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vocabulary <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. frenzy<\/strong> \u2014 a state or period of uncontrolled excitement or wild behaviour <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. magnum opus<\/strong> \/\u02c8m\u00e6gn\u0259m \u02c8\u0259\u028ap\u0259s\/ \u2014 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 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

VIEWING TASK <\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

a) Watch part of the video and take notes of the principles that underpin Pax Americana. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

b) Answer the following questions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. When did Pax Americana experience a rise and when did it start to show signs of decline?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. What contribution to American dominance did President Obama make? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speak Up <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS <\/strong><\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. What makes Pax Americana different from Pax Britannica and Pax Romana? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Do you think American pervasive military presence has so far ensured world peace and stability? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. How would you answer the question posed in the title of the video? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow-Up <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LISTENING 2 <\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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American Exceptionalism (0:00\u201314:43)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

PRE-VIEWING QUESTION <\/strong><\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can you define exceptionalism? What connotation do you think this word has?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vocabulary<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. to teem with <\/strong>\u2014 be full of or swarming with <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. incantation<\/strong> \u2014 a series of words said as a magic spell or charm <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. to bestow<\/strong> \u2014 to confer or present (an honour, right or gift ) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. vigilante<\/strong> \/v\u026ad\u0292\u026a\u02c8l\u00e6nti\/ \u2014 someone who illegally punishes criminals and tries to prevent crime, usually because they think the police are not doing this eff ectively <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. full-fledged<\/strong> \u2014 (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<\/a> outlaw remains a metaphor for severe public criticism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

VIEWING TASK <\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen to the lecture and note the important points (fill in the table below). Pay attention to the vocally stressed words. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Name of<\/strong><\/td>Key words to describe it<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
concept:<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
notion:<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
idea:<\/td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Pair work<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compare your notes with a classmate\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. What does the idea of American exceptionalism imply?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Why is the word \u2018freedom\u2019 so extensively used in American political discourse?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. What serves as a symbol of freedom and liberty in America?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. What are the features of American freedom?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

B <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Americans know better how to solve others\u2019 problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Republicanism implies the rule of the majority. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. The power of the government is limited by checks and balances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. America wasn\u2019t supposed to have trade relations with Europeans as they were not to be trusted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. American exceptionalism stresses the divine origin of the American mission. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. The idea of Manifest Destiny was used to validate the acquisition of the North American continent by the colonies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critical Thinking<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Did you find the lecturer\u2019s tone appropriate? Was it impartial or did it give an indication of the lecturer\u2019s stance?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speak Up <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS <\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. What do you make of American exceptionalism?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Why does the idea still hold? Do you think American interference in other countries\u2019 aff airs can be justifi ed by their mission to spread freedom and democracy? Explain your reasoning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. What role do you think Manifest Destiny played in the establishment of America as a country?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. In your view, does America still live up to the standards of liberty and democracy it set for itself?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LISTENING 3<\/strong><\/mark>
American Decline: Global Power in the 21st Century (6:40)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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