10-01-2008, 04:49 PM
Quote:Angel' date='Sep 29 2008, 06:14 AM' post='154338']
Hello all!
I currently work as an English teacher at a upper secondary/high school, and we're about to do the chapter on US history. I was thinking that it would be an interesting idea to assign each student (16-17 year olds) one specific phrase or terminology that they investigate and write about. Ideally, these phrases should be unfamiliar to Norwegian students, and they should illustrate one (or more) aspect(s) of American society, history, culture and ideology.
I'm thinking of terms such as:
* Manifest Destiny (migration)
* Old Money (economic values)
* Rags-to-riches (culture)
* E pluribus unum (ideology)
* "No taxation without representation" (History)
* "...with liberty and justice for all." (Patriotism, religion)
The idea (however misguided it may be;)), is that students will choose freely from this list of subjects, brave the vast libraries of teh intarweb and write a short report explaining this term. As a collection, these reports will then illuminate important aspects of America that our text book may only cover superficially.
My question to you, dear Lurkers, is: Can you think of any other phrases or terms that would fit into this type of teaching strategy? I'm sure there are loads, and I'll have to be picky and only select the most important ones. Also, these are 16-17 year old Norwegians, so it can't be too technical or obscure.
Thanks for your help!
I feel sorry for you you poor bastard. You couldn't pay me enough to deal with the little hellions that humanity produces. While I don't share the christian belief that all children are born evil because of satanic influence, I believe that all children are evil. As stated in the Dilbert cartoons... where's a flamthrower when you need one?
No taxation without rep... it's Called Washington, D.C. take a look at what their license plates used to say. Also called, Illinois pesonal income tax for non-residents.
With liberty and justice for... those with money, power, influence, "christian values", etc. For the rest of the people, well, burn in hell for all eternity. Justice is a funny concept... like the new "bail out" package that would reward people who bought up bad debt by paying the with government funds:P
Why study American ideas anyway? Sounds like dealing with Norway. In just about everyway imaginable they kick America's ass. Seriously: we're on the backwards slide to mediocrity driven by incessant demands for "morals," "values," and most importantly paying dues to "christ." Why study this, unless you want to know how to avoid it? We were once a great nation ... now we're a nation ... and probably soon to be just a notion.
Here's one "Only the little people pay taxes":)
Here's another "Everything the could be invented has been invented" Director of the U.S. Patent office circa 1890.