In his first speech as president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden announced his intention to bridge the deep and bitter divisions in American society. He promised to heal a nation that, in many aspects, seems broken beyond repair.

It will be a difficult struggle. Americans have rarely been as deeply divided as they are today.

During the course of the semester, we will introduce the learners to various political, economic and social issues US society has recently been struggling with. Topics that will be covered include:

• an overview of the US-American political landscape
• the death of the American dream
• tribalism and the psychology of crowds
• the role social media plays in the division of society
• conspiracy theories, alternative facts and fake news
• social activism and the struggle against the systemic discrimination of minorities

siehe Lehrplan für Englisch

siehe Lehrplan für Englisch

siehe Reifeprüfung

• Tribalism and the psychology of crowds
  

  Discussing basic concepts of social psychology; Analyzing why humans are so groupish

• The death of the American dream
  

  Discussing income inequality, social mobility and the myth of the American dream; Analyzing the protectionist backlash to neoliberal deregulation policies

• Social activism
  

  Debating current social activist movements such as #blacklivesmatter and #metoo; Analyzing the systematic discrimination against ethnic minorities with regard to various aspects of life such as education and the real estate market

• I can understand extended speech and lectures and follow even complex lines of argument provided the topic is reasonably familiar.
• I can read articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems in which the writers adopt particular stances or viewpoints.
• I can take an active part in discussion in familiar contexts, accounting for and sustaining my views.
• I can explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

• Lehrervortrag
• Schülervortrag
• Diskussion

• Mitarbeit
• Referat

A fairly good command of English (B1+)

Costs that will have to be covered by the students:

• A maximum of € 5,- for copies