English Speaking Countries (Spring 2012)

Course Description and Objective

This course will give you insight into issues such as ethnicity, race, gender, immigration, labour, religion, education, social services, and private life, all relating to the social and cultural aspects of the five major English-speaking countries: the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.  The principle focus will be on the history, geography, and lifestyle of the people in these countries.

• Course Syllabus (.doc)
  

You Will Be Able To:

• Write and speak more accurately about related topics
  

• Hold in-depth conversations on current events
  

• Explain the historical precedent for modern customs
  

• Research and present information about a specific topic
  

• Form well supported opinions and make judgments
  

• Make comparisons between the five countries and China
  

• Understand how their national identity is perceived globally
  

Textbook

Major English-Speaking Countries: A Survey

(英语国家概况)

by 王恩铭 主编  

Course Grading

• Attendance: 10%
  

• In-class participation: 20%
  

• Homework: 10%
  

• Mid-term Test: 20%
  

• Final exam: 40%
  

Final Exam Format (40%)

• True or False: 25 questions, 25%
  

• Matching: 50 questions, 25%
  

• Multiple Choice: 25 questions, 25%
  

• Short Answer: 5 question, 25%
  

Homework Assignments (10%)

Homework assignments are due at the beginning of the class following the class they were assigned.

Assignment 1 - Week 2

(Due Week 3)

History (UK 1.3)

• Unit 3, Simple Questions, page 41
  

• Answer TWO questions in your notebook, writing between 50 and 100 words for EACH question.
  

• Pairs of questions: 1 and 6, 2 and 7, 3 and 8,  4 and 9, 5 and 10
  

Assignment 2 - Week 4

(Due Week 5)

History (US 2.2)

• Read part two, unit two on page 124
  

• Answer one essay question on page 144
  

1. Throughout American history...

2. Over the past quarter of a century...

Assignment 3 - Week 8

(Due Week 9)

The Land and the People (CA 3.1)

• Read part three, unit one on page 226
  

• Answer one essay question on page 238
  

Assignment 4 - Week 10

(Due Week 11)

Social and Cultural Life (CA 3.2)

• Read unit five, page 271
  

• Answer one essay question on page 282
  

Assignment 5 - Week 12

(Due Week 13)

History (AU 4.2)

• Read part four, unit two, pages 294 - 306
  

• Answer one essay question on page 306
  

Mid-term Project (20%)

• Form a group of 5 or 6
  

• Pick one of the five countries
  

• Pick a chapter or topic we didn’t cover in class: history, government, economy, religion, education, etc. It doesn't have to be from the book.
  

• Present that chapter/topic to the class
  

• Click here for available chapters/topics
  

• Click here to download the rubric (.doc)
  

Extra Credit

Sing the national anthem of any of the five countries, by yourself, during class, for up to 5 points.