英语国家社会与文化(美2).ppt

Preface Hello, class! In todays class, we are going to read a chapter on U.S. political system. I am sure that you know the United States is at once a very new nation and a very old nation. It is a new nation in the sense that it is constantly renewed by the additional elements of population and of new States. But in other senses, it is old. It has the oldest written constitution, the oldest continuous federal system, and the oldest practice of self-government of any nation. But, before we begin, lets take the time to preview some of the questions regarding the history and the working of the U.S. government. Please see if you can answer the following questions. Please put down the correct answers, if you happen to know them, in the space bellow. Part I Warm-up questions 1. Do you happen to know of the name of George Washington? Is he(a) one of the founding fathers of the United States?(b) the first Governor of the State of New York?(c) the author of the Declaration of Independence? 2. The U.S. government consists of three branches:? (a) the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch, (b) the State Department, the Department of Defense, and the Energy Department (c) the White House, the Senate, and the Supreme Court?  3. Who is Abraham Lincoln? What was he famous for? (a) Uncle Toms Cabin, (b) The Federalist Papers, (c) the Emancipation Proclamation 4. What is the idea behind checks and balances?(a) to help the president get more power,(b) to restrict governmental power and prevent its abuse,(c) to help the Congress to derive more authorities. 5. Which of the following political parties is American in origin?(a) the Republican Party, (b) the Green Party, (c) the Labor Party Part II Focal points 1. The Articles of Confederation (联邦条款 ) 2. The making of the U.S. Constitution (制定美国宪法) 3. The three branches of the federal government 4. Checks and balances ( 制约与平衡 ) 5. T