Abi Englisch 2023

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Labour Party are the dominating players in UK politics the British parliament consists of two chambers: the House of Commons and the House of Lords → the members of the House of Lords are appointed or inherit their seats (they can influence politics in delaying laws by vetoing them; help the House of Commons to consider all proposed legislation) Debate about reforming the House of Lords Pro 1. experiences of other generations/ different professions 2. neutral opinions on subjects (no member of any party) 3. another system the check the government's proposals Con 1. In parties are already various generations/professions (also more and more Lords every year) 2. does not match with democratic system (no relationship with electorate) 3. Additional taxes The Conservative Party was founded in 1834 and emerged from the former Tory Party →the Conservatives are still referred to as "Tories" traditionally, the party stood for little state interference and free-market capitalism → that was especially poignant during Margaret Thatcher's terms in power (1979-1990) →during it's time as opposition (1997-2010) the party underwent a change, becoming slightly more oriented towards social programs and state regulation (David Cameron and Theresa May were also PM's of the Conservative Party) 2 The Labour Party - was founded in 1900 its explicit aim was to support the working class →the resulting government after WWII is remembered for the nationalization of many industries and for introducing extensive welfare measures (National Health Service) under Tony Blair's "New Labour" approach the party changed →he modernized the country by reforming the House of Lords →devolution: separate local governmental units for Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and London since 2010 the party has burn the opposition The constitutional monarchy The UK is a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy →→ Britain is a hereditary monarchy →current monarch: King Charles III The monarch is head of state but his or her power is limited by constitutional written or unwritten conventions → the monarch dissolves and opens Parliament, has to give his royal assent to all laws passed in the UK, appoints and dismisses the prime minister and other governmental ministers, weekly consultations with the prime minister → Commander in Chief of armed forces, Head of the Church of England and Fount of Justice Immediate line of succession -Divorced King Charles III Diana, Princess of Wales William, Prince of Wales Prince George of Wales I Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022 Camilla, Queen Consort Autumn Phillips Harry, Duke of Sussex Catherine, Princess of Wales Anne, Princess Royal Princess Charlotte of Wales Captain Mark Phillips Meghan, Duchess of Sussex Prince Louis of Wales Peter Zara Phillips Tindall Vice-Admiral Timothy Laurence Archie Lilibet Savannah Isla - Members of the Royal Family are just representatives → official, ceremonial, diplomatic and representational duties. Philip, Duke of Edinburgh 1921-2021 Andrew, Duke of York Mike Tindall Princess Beatrice of York Sarah, Duchess of York Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi Edward, Earl of Wessex Sophie, Countess of Wessex Lady Louise Windsor Princess Eugenie of York James, Viscount Severn Jack Brooksbank Mia Lena Lucas Sienna August Grace Elizabeth Philip Elizabeth Philip BBC → their power is limited by constitutional written or unwritten conventions → the power to make and pass laws resides with Parliament as the elected legislative → they do charitable work and are good ambassadors for the country abroad → are important for tourism = more money 3 Should the British governmental system be changes drastically? monarchy and Royal Family are an important part of the national identity Pro I I monarch has no real power, other people can do this compromise democratic system as they are not elected but hereditary principles → people should be able to elect their head of state are financed by taxes of residents of the UK no progress of modernization monarchy is expensive successor is born into royalty, doesn't have to be qualified still have a lot of political power/influence goes against freedom of speech/press (articles about them are suppressed) Royals are too privileged lots of scandals, that have been kept quiet monarchy doesn't fit into modern society chance that Royal Family will lose popularity after Queen dies head of states can't be removed monarchy reinforces class system Update: Con Royals function as role models (extremely popular/admired) economic impact as they provide work places due to tourism unites society as part of national identity give a sense of stability and continuity → Royals stay the same while government changes Why change a working system? add national values to British culture positive image is good for trade deals president isn't necessarily cheaper PMs value weekly audiences to discuss political matters, have someone to keep secrets impartial role in negotiating two party system is easier to find compromises no written constitution: can be interpreted differently Prince Andrew Jeffery Epstein affiliation: → March 2011, criticism friendship of Prince Andrew and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein → 30 Dec 2014, Andrew involved in sexual activities with the minor Virginia Giuffre → 20 Nov 2019, Buckingham Palace announced Andrew is suspended his public duties → 28 Jan 2020, US attorney Geoffrey German stated Andrew provided "zero co- 4 operation" with federal prosecutors and the FBI regarding investigations into Epstein May 2020, announced Andrew permanently resigns all public roles over Epstein ties 1.2. Empire and Commonwealth Great Britain = England + Scotland + Wales United Kingdom Great Britain + Northern Ireland British Isles = UK + Republic of Ireland British Empire - Colonization during its peak time (Queen Victoria's reign) the British Empire covered almost one fourth of the world's land area and ruled over more than 400 million people →"the empire on which the sun never sets"; large geographical extension → suppression of colonies, brutalizing the inhabitant Two phases of the Empire: 1. Phase: Acquiring possessions in North America at the beginning of the 17th century, but they lost them at the end of the 18th century (War of Independence) 2.Phase: by 1920, Empire consisted of New Zealand, Australia, Burma, large parts of Africa, the middle East, the Caribbean, parts of China reasons: exploitation of natural resources, access to new markets → spread of Christian religion → scientific curiosity → power (military power, good navy) and money justification of colonization: → British = superior race → they have the duty to civilize the savage world → religious salvation decline: Colonies got independent, annoyed by the burdened laws/taxes; as well as bankruptcy of the UK after WWII Commonwealth - Decolonization In the course of 20th century Britain lost almost all of its former colonies partly violent independence movements in the colonized territories reasons for the decline of the Empire: → British were proud of their freedoms, but didn't share them with their colonies → after WWII Britain poor and exhausted = no power/will to control large part of world - The legacy of the British Empire lives on in many of its former subject states' political, legal and cultural organization Many of Britain's former colonies (about 50) are now members of the Commonwealth of Nations (1949) -intergovernmental organization of "free and equal" member states → each member country has its own government → the British monarch is their head of state → close cooperation in economy, education and government based on a shared history, culture and on common values like democracy, human rights and the rule of law Update: 5 1.3. Multicultural Britain Immigration: acculturation vs. parallel societies during the British Empire the population of Great Britain changed and became more ethnically diverse - - 1948 "Empire Windrush": starting point of mass immigration after the passing of the British Nationality Act (1948): Commonwealth allowed unrestricted immigration for people from former or current British Empire countries they needed more workers → India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, China, South Africa and other Asian countries → multicultural society (no overt racism, no real segregation) e.g. Great Britain integrated festivals from other cultures (Halal food festival) → Indian cuisine got extremely popular in Great Britain → rather acculturation than parallel societies → no real sense of shared national identity (not yet) - 1950s "Notting Hill Carnival": riots against migrants 1960s "Rivers of Blood speech": Enoch Powell's warning of too much immigration 1970s more than 5% foreign-born people several acts passed in the 1960s and 1970s made it more difficult for immigrants to gain British citizenship (Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962) prospective immigrants have to fulfill certain criteria (e.g. special skills) → 2008 Points Based System: categories of professional qualifications / background entry into the European Union: many immigrants from central and eastern Europe Treaty of Maastricht guaranteed free movement of People Refugees and asylum seekers from all over the world (e.g. Somalia or Sudan) pull factors: high standard of living, good infrastructure → student migration, support for family, better job offers Salad Bowl Theory: metaphor for the way a multicultural society can integrate different cultures while maintaining their separate identities Melting Pot Theory: metaphor for a heterogenous society becoming more homogenous; they have abandoned their cultures to become totally assimilated into one society "East is East, and West is West and never shall the twain meet" Pakistani culture arranged marriage traditional clothes/wedding rules regular visits of mosque traditional gender roles and family hierarchy oppose homosexuality atypical for women to do sport Muslim restrictions different rights for sexes mindless obedience expected English culture different family hierarchy eating pork (do not adhere to religious rules) - going to club free in choice of clothes personal freedom as core rule What makes Muslims turn to violence? - experience insults on a daily basis; hard for them to integrate - caught in the middle: strong family hierarchies vs. Western individuality frustration because of clan power - being hemmed by both cultural communities no understanding of struggles from both sides Pros and Cons of a multicultural society Pro cultural exchange and input → diverse knowledge and experience → enrichment for society, broadens the horizon economic growth, immigrants bring new skills - ethnic restaurants attract tourists learn new language get to know other religions/traditions - different options and solutions → more tolerant and accepting society lots of change in education → learn about different perspectives and reduce racial discrimination high skilled workforce with a mix of Updates: Con - "Britishness" might be lost due to foreign cultures religious conflicts language barrier difficulties to deal with different cultures and understanding their beliefs and norms fear among the individuals to lose their original culture and identity children from ethnic minorities may have issues to be accustomed to local culture risk of social conflicts; culture-clash - racism - no unity → ethnic groups isolate themselves 7 1.4. History - 1946 Churchill suggests union between Germany and France but states Britain's exclusion Britain and Europe - After WWII distanced relationship to US - 1957 European Economic Community (EEC) is founded with six countries - 1959 Britain created EFTA, but did not benefit much - 1961 Britain applied to join the EEC - French vetoed - 1973 Britain joins the the EEC, having been rejected twice by Charles de Gaulle 1975 Conservatives campaigned to stay, Labour wanted to leave → results of referendum is to remain 1980s Margaret Thatcher criticized agricultural policy with British neglecting and demanded special compensation - 1983 Labour party's election manifesto called for withdrawal from EU - 1997 Labour Party under Tony Blair promoted pro-European policy - 2013 David Cameron promises referendum if Conservatives win election 2015 Conservatives win - 23 June 2016 After referendum Britains vote 52:48 to leave the EU - 24 June 2016 PM David Cameron resigns as he was in favor of remaining - 13 July 2016 Theresa May becomes PM 17 January 2017 May's strategy to leave the EU's single market and control EU immigration - 29 March 2017 May triggers Article 50 (legal trademark with EU to enter/exit Britain), deadline for 29 March 2019 8 June 2017 General elections: May loses majority in parliament, but stays in power - 26 June 2017 Formal negotiations between Britain and EU begins 13 December 20 Reb Tory MPs side Brexit deal Opposition, requesting vote on 13 November 2018 draft agreement on withdrawal - 15 January 2019 Government was defeated by a majority of 230 12 March 2019 House of Commons rejects Brexit deal (391:242); May promises to resign if her deal is adopted - 29 March 2019 MPs reject deal again, delay of process - 11 April 2019 EU agrees to delay until October 31 - June 2019 may resigns after result of European elections 23 July 2019 Boris Johnson becomes leader of Conservatives and PM, promises Brexit with or without a deal - 9 September 2019 Queen approves law to delay Brexit if there is no deal to be found - 2 October 2019 Johnson publishes final Brexit proposals, rejected by EU in Brussels 10 October 2019 backstop plan: → Northern Ireland would stay in the UK customs union → the "hard" border would run between the Irish island and the Great Britain the "soft" Brexit solution → the whole Uk could remain part of the EU single market the "hard" Brexit solution → would make free movement of people, goods and services between the two customs unions impossible 8 - 17 October 2019 Agreement of EU and Britain on a draft Brexit 19 October 2019 MPs vote to delay Brexit 5 December 2019 Johnson wins General Elections, UK's EU withdrawal bill → law 29 January 2020 European parliament passes deal - 31 January 2020 UK officially leaves EU - 1 February 2020 11-month transition phase begins Pros and Cons of Brexit Pro - control of mass immigration free deals with non-EU member states no EU fees don't have to deal with problems of other countries gain sovereignty possible stronger relationship with EU get rid of being ruled by other countries focus on own interest more self-determination - more independence in general Update: Con economic disadvantages → won't be in custom union or single market → no more free trades within EU →no EU support "hard border" between NI and the Republic of Ireland power/value possibly destroyed powerless to cut mass integration (low wages, mass unemployment) suppressed by leading states like Germany divides people general uncertainty restriction of free movement (more border checks) less opportunities for young people short transition period because of late exit less tourism fewer companies can export to US as it is more expensive renegotiation of new trading agreements UK isolates itself ties between members of UK could be 9 1.5. Definition: • The state or quality of being British, or of embodying British characteristics • The quality of being British or of having characteristics regarded was typically British Unity, liberty, fairness, responsibility Living under a democracy and having the freedom to do what you want with your life ● Basics: Britishness Great Britain: England →→ 55.98 million Wales → 3.136 million • Scotland →→ 5.454 million • Northern Ireland →1.885 million → 66.65 million people live in Great Britain Meaning: • Creates identity Unity ● • Multiculturalism Trust No discrimination & peoples rights & freedom • Pride History • Politics Heritage Stereotypes: tea(time), red callboxes, royal family, bad weather.... Changing: Some Brits say that Britishness is gone → wars are over and steel industry isn't there / isn't that necessary anymore, the globalization destroyed → the closer you look the more it seems to be falling apart → changing of the diversity of ideas, cultures, benefits, traditions and values 10 2. United States of America 2.1. National identity/mentality e.g. American dream The American dream A concept of self definition for the country Promotes the idea that everyone con be successful in America if they work hard enough (work ethos) and idea of equal opportunities and social mobility to everyone origin of the word: first expressed by American historian James Truslow Adams 1931 - its basic underlying concept has roots in the Declaration of Independence 1776 which refers to basic human rights (life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness) which are inalienable and god given - Roots in westward expansion of settlers: Homestead Act 1862, every citizen was given land to (→ initial hope for a free and independent life, as well as happy life) Many descriptions emphasize the economic wealth achievable in the US, but the dream is also closely connected to ideas like freedom and democracy → "From dishwasher to millionaire"/"From rags to riches" - The Creed of America: the idea of self-reliance and responsibility for one's faith (individualism) Problems: Became materialistic over time; once about becoming the best version of yourself (pursuit of happiness) - Based upon equal starting point such as education - Issues: puts a lot of pressure on yourself, education not equal as many can't afford a college degree, your financial background decides your future success, upward mobility almost not possible for poor; social barriers; Self-esteem depends on your productivity → seems old-fashioned and unsuitable for today's society Especially black people never had a fair shot at the American dream, seems to be designed only for white men Manifest Destiny . the term was coined in 1845 used to justify westward expansion of US and occupation of foreign territory → the American people had god given right to extent their democratic principles and expand their power over the American continent and beyond → the beliefs to spread US vision of freedom and democracy connected with belief in country's moral superiority and exceptionalism; downside is that it justifies the near extinction of Native Americans or military interventions with thousands casualties for democracy and "civilization" Development throughout the time → 1776 Founding Fathers created government for right to pursue one's happiness → 1862 Congress expanded right → 1920 women got right to vote → 1944 State of the union address: Economic bill of rights by Lincoln → 1949 State of the union address: Truman's fair deal expanded idea of entitlement → 1964 President Johnson supports Title VII of Civil Rights Act → 1993-2004 Bill Clinton + George W. Bush support home ownership →2010 Reform of health care system 11 →2015 Obama's Affordable Care Act An Empire in decline? → demand for product, production cost decreases →good competition because of enough customers → Creation of a myth: God's chosen people (either work hard enough and become rich or you're lazy) → Masses of workers come to the US (bad competition) → Monopoly as outcome (rich can create market according to their ideas; less wages, Workers can't climb social ladder) Declaration of Independence War of Independence (1775-1783) between the UK and its 13 American colonies → colonies felt misrepresented and oppressed → "no taxation without representation" - → colonies felt that they were only exploited to serve the British Crown's interest Boston Tea Party (protest against tax laws) - declared the independence of the 13 states and the split from Britain focuses on human rights and the equality of all human beings - Statue of Liberty as welcoming figure to all immigrants (tablet= declaration of independence; torch = symbol of light) Frontier geographical line of settlement that continuously went westward in the 19th century → many families (=pioneers) were encouraged to head west to make a new life for themselves → they established American settlements, with American values, across the expanse of North America expanding its territory to the west helped to fulfill America's destiny of becoming the world's greatest nation →shaping the country's character with its focus on freedom, determination, self- reliance, individualism and democracy (often romanticized) this land was populated by Native Americans who were often brutally driven off their land or even murdered pioneer spirit: restless, nervous energy → dominating individualism, a masterful grasp of material things and coarseness and strength combined with inquisitiveness Notes: 12 2.2. Civil Rights Movement / The Deep South - the American South is known for its culture and history → conservative political attitudes and racism with white supremacy →sweltering climate and rundown places; rural - → developed its own customs, music styles and cuisines → the Southern ethnic heritage is very diverse geographically: located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Western US, with the Midwestern US and Northeastern US to its north and the Gulf of Mexico and Mexico to its South redneck = a poor white person without an education, especially one living in the countryside in the southern US, who has prejudiced ideas and beliefs - white trash = poor white people who often embody the concepts of ignorance, racism, violence, alcoholism, and anglo-saxon ancestry heavy influx in contrast to North, general low income Slavery and Civil War the South includes the states that fought for the Confederate States of America in the American Civil War (1861-1865) →the states wanted to become an independent nation and fought for the right of secession against the Unionists of the North → they also wanted to keep up slavery - reasons for Civil War: a fundamental economic difference between the northern and the southern regions, North wanted to abolish slavery, the South not → north: manufacturing and industry was well established, agriculture was limited to small scale farms wanted to abolish slavery → south: economy was based on a system of large scale farming (plantations) that depended on the labour of black slaves = southern population feared that the existence of slavery in America (the backbone of their economy) was in danger due to their technologically advanced army the north won the war - loss of civil war brought destruction to South "Emancipation proclamation" (1863): slaves would be forever free Reconstruction Period time after the Civil War reintegration of the former Confederate States into the Union and their economic reconstruction the Reconstruction Amendments officially abolished slavery (13th Amendment) African Americans were granted full citizenship rights (14th Amendments) and former slaves got the right to vote (15th Amendment) Ku Klux Klan (KKK) - a secret hate group in the southern US: active for several years after the Civil War - aimed to suppress the newly acquired rights of black people want to keep "white power", often through very violent acts (e.g. killing people) 13 Segregation - after the Civil War, African Americans were theoretically made equal to their white fellow citizens in the South → discriminatory practices continued and were even constitutionalized in the Supreme the former Confederate States disenfranchised back people and invented the "Jim Crow laws" →enforcement of segregation (e.g. in schools, buses and public facilities inferior in quality) and continued discrimination of African-Americans → "separate but equal status" Civli Rights Movement: desegregation the Civil Rights Movement refers to the campaigns and direct actions fighting for equal rights for African Americans (in the 1950s and the 1960s) → origins of the Civil Rights Movement date back to the American Civil War starting with the Supreme Court ruling Brown vs. Board of Education (1954) the Movement gained impetus and organized protest actions → introduced school desegregation the Civil Rights Movement proved successful when the Civil Rights Act Wass passed in 1964 - → very difficult race relations in the South (until today), economic disparities → created protests such as the Selma-to Montgomery Marches (1965), when violent protests broke out and was used by police even today segregated schools e.g. in Selma, white often want their kids segregated, believe of desegregation only a myth bot not real life - → founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Treyvon Martin's murder Goal: eradicate white supremacy and build power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state, against racism and for equality - not really successful: blacks still disadvantaged and discriminated; the past is not the past and issues are coming back; internalized racism of white people (Trump intensifies racism and hatred by using popularism to negatively influence the country) → outlawed any discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin the Voting Rights Act followed 1965 (secured the voting right for African Americans) still difficult race relations, continued inequality (e.g. work, housing, education, wealth, imprisonment, etc.) and renewed protests against unfair police targeting of POC →aims of the Civil Rights Movement are not achieved yet →BLM Movement Important participant members Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: famous Civil Rights leader; speech "I have a dream" (1963) became world-famous, advocated non-violent resistance Rosa Parks: American activist who initiated the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955) → political and social protest campaign against the policy of racial segregation Barack na: was elected as the USA's first African American president in 2008 important victory of the Civil Rights Movement's aims Breonna Taylor: black woman who was shot and killed by the police offices during a botched raid on her apartment; the officers involved have not been charged George Floyd: black man who was killed while being arrested "I can't breathe" 14 2.2 Multicultural America Immigration The American Dream has served as a pull factor for millions of immigrants who came to the "land of free" and the "country of unlimited opportunities" →in search of a better life in political and economic respects 1. colonial immigration (early 17th century) British, Scottish, German, French and Swiss settlers came to found colonies → 1607: first British settlement in Jamestown, Virginia → 1620: the "Pilgrim Fathers" sailed to the "New World" (a group of English Protestants = Puritans, who were not content with the Church of England's still too "Catholic" structure and searched for a "New Canaan" of the American continent) 2. forceful shipping of African Americans as slaves (17th - 19th century) 3. mid-19th to early 20th century → Protestant settlers from central and western Europe and Scandinavians → 1848 gold was found in California: attracted Chinese immigrants → immigrants were urgently needed to cultivate the land or work in the country's progressing industries 4. between 1880 and 1920 → southern Europeans and Jews, who escaped religious persecution in eastern Europe 1892-1954: official federal immigration centre on Ellis Island → has become one of the main symbols of American immigration (almost 20 million immigrants entered the USA) Politics - immigration quotas and laws restricted the numbers of newcomers after WWI → higher numbers of illegal immigrants (especially from Central American countries) Civil Rights Movement's achievements: race-based quotas were abolished → more Asian and Latin American immigrants after 1965 significant reduction of immigration after 9/11 → immigrants were less welcomed; immigration policies more strict → fear of Americans due to terrorism → discrimination against immigrants (especially against people from the same countries as the terrorists, e.g. Muslims) Immigration of Mexicans → border fence with border patrol along the Mexico-United States border → intention: reduction of illegal immigration to the USA from Mexico → Trump wants a hard border=wall along the whole border ("zero tolerance" policy) 15 Great Migration Relocation of more than 6 million African Americans from the rural South to the cities of the north, midwest and the west from about 1916-1970 push factors (South): - unsatisfying economic opportunities; harsh segregationist laws, violent riots Pull factors (North): → need for industrial workers; segregation was not legalized; education (also for POC); economic mobility Impacts on African American culture and US society: → spreading of the culture (e.g. music) →less discrimination, more integration → impact of racism became more obvious participation of African Americans in public life (e.g. politics) → more self-determination Diversity and equality: acculturation vs. parallel societies in recent years criticism that the Dream is no longer alive is growing louder → surveys reveal that the proclaimed social mobility does not exist in reality → tendencies like racism, intolerance or skepticism against foreigners are growing challenging the concept of a country that welcomes everyone with open arms Today's challenges: ignorance, prejudices, storm on capitol, difficult to overcome split in society, Republican party shifted to right wing; no consequences for politicians Melting pot Describes the American society in which millions of immigrants from all over the world are formed into a harmonious whole through the common experience of living in the USA → cultural assimilation Salad bowl Describes the USA's multicultural society → in a salad bowl, the original ingredients remain visible while they combine to make a successful whole Different ethnic groups are encouraged to keep their distinct backgrounds because they are all necessary to make up the whole of the USA's society → the traditional melting pot's image of "forced assimilation" is avoided 16 2.4. Social and economic issues / The Rust Belt 1. The Rust Belt = region of the US that experienced industrial decline since 1980, especially elimination or outsourcing of manufacturing jobs → portrays opposite of the "Sun belt" "Rust" = impact of deindustrialization, economic decline, population loss, urban decay primarily Northeast and Midwest regions 2. Trump addressing issues of the population: people feel like government has gotten to much power → do not want to pay taxes / have workplace restrictions - have a problem worth a free Health Care System as they don't want a welfare state reacts as populist and nationalist (puts the "we" above the needs of immigrants etc) 3. US Health Care System Health insurance plan has to be purchased through a company; Public health coverage only allegeable for very low-income families - Problems: lack of stuff, lack of transparency of cost, high costs due to non- standardized prices; Inefficiencies (usage of high-tech treatments); lack of insurance coverage; inequalities (minorities more valuable) Proponents of reform: unsatisfied with access to care and insurance coverage; acknowledging benefits of universal health care (specialized care cheaper, diseases get discovered sooner, less costs, removes disparities, higher economic productivity) Opponents of reform: believe it's not government's responsibility (higher income Republicans); see disadvantages of universal health care system (increase of taxes, individuals have to be responsible) Trump pushed for repealing the ACA, has promoted the private market - Biden wants to expand the ACA, believe that healthcare is a right → unsuitable for a developed country, but does reflect American ideals like self- reliance and skepticism about the government interference 4. Afro-Americans and the American dream 40% of black children are poor, black unemployment rate twice that of whites Black middle class feel like they have no savings, whereas white families have accumulated wealth over generations Example of Chicago - 1910s: not many workers in auto industry; Ford as center with much development - 1930s: largest town in US; reduction of factoring cars due to Great Depression 1950/60s: UAW most powerful force; helped creating a middle class; NAFTA treaty → car companies can easily lower costs; population shrinking; racial tension/riots 21st century: 2013 file for bankruptcy protection; auto industry shrinking; few workers - Reasons for decline: shrinking taxes; only auto industry as work branch; many retired workers 17 2.5. Governmental / Electoral system Constitution the USA is a federal democracy - American Constitution regarded as oldest written and codified constitution which is still in force as the country's supreme law (→ introduction in 1789) federalism = the central government shares the power with regional or state governments, the separation of powere is fixed in the constitution system of checks and balance: executive, legislative and judiciary constitutionalism: limits the power of the government, legal framework for democracy - Bill of Rights determinate crucial civil rights in order to protect them from government civil-military relations: military depends on the civilians - Freedom and Human rights guaranteed to everyone equally - the rule of government is the law: law-obedience, courts hold people accountable Presidential Elections majority rule; minority rights every 4 years: democrats vs. republicans Primaries and caucuses: parties decide on candidate → in some states everyone can vote, in others voters have to be registered; only elect the delegates which vote for candidate → "National Convention" election candidate, needs to have at least of the votes General election: first Tuesday in November → indirect election, number of delegates according to population; "winner takes it all" in swing states equally high chance of winning Inauguration on Jan, 20 The Democratic Party is one of the two major parties in US politics, founded in 1828 → it is the oldest political party in the world which is still active it's party program promotes social and economical equality, supporting a welfare state and moderate governmental intervention in the economy → also environmental protection, stricter gun control, an immigration reform and equality for same-sex marriages many women, ethnic minorities, academics and young people tend to vote democratic; the party's symbol is a donkey and it is typically associated with the color blue The Republican Party is the second of the major parties in the US politics, founded 1854 it's party program promotes conservatism, lower taxes and a free market capitalism → many republicans are in favor of a strong national defense, gun rights and traditional values, focus on self-reliance and independent the party appeals especially to "people strong enough to look after themselves", but also to voters from rural areas and strongly religious people the party's symbol is an elephant and it is typically associated with the color red 18 2.6. 9/11 and consequences - was a terrorist attack: terrorist hijacked 4 planes and crashed two of them into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York almost 3 thousand people were killed, 6 thousand injured the radical islamist group al-Qaeda and their leader Osama Bin Laden were behind the attack → the hijackings were seen as an attack on western culture and the USA's standing in the world - direct consequences: → President George W. Bush declared the War on Terrorism several wars (predominantly in Iraq and the Afghanistan) have unofficially been called Wars on Terror following consequences: → new security measures and a new anti-terrorism legislation → the competences of security services and law enforcement agencies were expanded → anti-muslim feelings surged in many countries Gun control 2.7. 2nd amendment: "A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." - were needed in the Wild West and later during the Great Depression for hunting, therefore associated with 19th century westward expansion traditionally passed on from generation to generation as sign of masculinity the question whether the 2nd Amendment was to be understood as an individual right of gun possession has been controversially discussed → only guaranteed right to defend liberties in state militia to check federal tyranny evidence of the dangers of individual gun possession: mass shootings and alarming numbers of gun-related deaths → according to statistics, there are more gun-related deaths in the USA on a day than in the UK in a year → nearly half of the global guns owned in the US, 120 guns per 100 people widespread gun ownership propagates a culture of violence (gun law proponents) gun ownership can be seen as a sign of personal freedom and democratization (opponents of stricter gun control) symbol of independence and part of American identity → individual gun ownership is essential for self-defense or successful resistance to oppression, the American way of protection → the National Rifle Association (NRA) is a non-profit organization in favor of individual gun ownership, try to pay politicians to be pro-gun ownership; over 5 million members to advocate gun ownership - militia = a military force that is raised from the civil population to supplement a regular army in an emergency (origin of the self-defense thought) 19 Arguments against gun ownership 1. many shooting accidents happen because of a lack of security devices 2. background checks including mental/criminal records and having an acquired license strongly lower gun homocide in other developed countries 3. military-graded firearms should be banned or civilians because they're unsuitable and dangerous 4. civilians aren't supposed to step in as law enforcement as they are not trained 5. guns are leading cause of death - could be reduced by background checks and gun identification requirements 6. second Amendment doesn't protect the right to carry a weapon in public 7. critical incidents (school shootings in public, Sandy Hook, San Diego, EL Paso) Background checks: not required by state law, but at least 22 states have some for private sales Minimum age: 1986 Gun control Act: at least 18years old - Who's restricted: non-permanent residents, people restrained by court to prevent harassment, prior felony convicts, mental issues if you are involuntary committed to health institutes Does federal or state government regulate firearms: type of gun regulated by state, open/concealed carriage regulated by state, possession regulated by 2nd amendment Requirement of permit: concealed and open carriage vary by state "Gunshow loophole": anyone can sell guns as long as they are not conducting as part of regular business activity - 20 3. Around the globe 3.1. English as a Lingua Franca → A language that facilitates communication or trade between people who speak different languages is also called a lingua franca. - 360 native speaking countries - 400 million people speak English as their first language - 350 million people speak English their second language - Reasons: British colonialism, imperialism and the US military Reasons for Usage: historical (British imperialism); political (communication between different ethnic groups as a neutral language); economical (predominant language in global trade and business); practical (is language of international communication, e.g. tourism or emergency services); intellectual (most scientific and academic information in English) → will most likely remain the global lingua franca → possibility, that English will transform due to enorme usage into a mixture of different languages ● negative aspects: - Smaller languages go extinct English words are being made up Language determines culture → extinction or change of language means loss of cultural alienation → cultural Imperialism goes along with dominance of language and culture positive aspects: English has become a skill you need it you want to work globally (better career) English is everywhere (social media, music...) communicating is easier 3.2. Globalization • Growing global network of trade, travel, knowledge and influence Process of interaction and integration among people, companies and governments worldwide English is relatively easy to learn Languages and cultures have always undergone change . • Globalisation has accelerated over half century because of improvements in transportation, communication and freedom of trade • Possible to buy and sell products all over the world, to travel to any place and to exchange information across the planet Danger: human rights, environment, individual culture, financial security, international peace keeping, sustainability, democratization →raise wages, improving health & safety standards and ng conditions 21 chances - move and travel freely - cultural awareness → reduce cause of - conflict →global civil society cheap and unrestricted mobile and internet technology communication, education, work (even in rural areas) fill labour gaps Easy trade, travel, contact cultural identity can be shared, explained and continued gaining access global market area → economic stability global trade of goods supporting poor communities fair trade campaigns → fair share of profits more information available . ● Being future-oriented; sustainability; raise our awareness to our consumption • Global climate change Improve health and safety standards in developing countries Stewardship of natural resources ● challenges - westernization ( cultural diversity) intervention of developed countries using power to intervene in other countries' affairs → dangerous rapid economic growth of large emerging markets (adopting the West's unsustainable lifestyle) environmental factor → limited resources, toxic waste, pollution increased migration → illegal, people-smuggling, bad treatment of immigrating minorities - poor working conditions - low standards of living and income, horrendous working conditions, child labour Global companies: Global business is a company doing business across the world • Allows to find lower-cost ways to produce their products • Increases global competition = drives prices down and creates a larger variety of choices for costumers = lowered cost help developing countries live better on less money • Nestle: a global company → the company is stealing products (e.g. water) from developing countries → Other global companies: Red Bull, Nike, Domino's, Airbnb, Amazon, Apple ● tax evasion, stagnating wages (develop. contr.) personal data →less security, controlling aspect big flood of information (difficult to asses quality) spread of diseases (covid-19) unfair distribution of wealth e.g.large cooperations against small businesses . The EU: international organization comprising 27 European countries and governing common economic, social, and security policies Created by the Maastricht Treaty (November 1, 1993) • was designed to enhance European political and economic integration by creating a single currency, a unified foreign and security policy and common citizenship rights and by advancing cooperation in the areas of immigration, asylum, and judicial affairs → was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2012 in recognition of organization's efforts to promote peace and democracy in Europe 22 The UN: The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 Currently made up of 193 Member States The UN and its work are guided by purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter • It has evolved over the years to keep pace with a rapidly changing world • It remains the only place on Earth where all the world's nations can gather together, discuss common problems and find shared solutions that benefit all of humanity . • Goals: wants to build a more sustainable world and it has agreed to collective action to slow down climate change (e.g. Agenda 2030) 3.3. Ireland and Irish identity Historical and political developments: • Ireland is separated from Great Britain by the Irish Sea • Island of Ireland is divided into four large provinces: Leister, Munster, Connacht, Ulster → first three provinces and Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan are the Irish Republic with its capital Dublin → the northern part of the province Ulster is also known as Northern Ireland (UK) with its capital Belfast • two million people live in NI→ similar number of Roman catholics and protestant • Five million reside in the Republic of Ireland 78% catholics • Most Irish people are descendants from the Celts, Vikings, Danes, Normans and British . Mayo CONNAUGHT Galway Limerick MUNSTER Cork SLongford Leitrim Cavan ULSTER Westmeath Offaly (Kings) Tipperary Monagha • Act of Union: created United Kingdom of Great Britain and Iceland → independent legislation ended ro Laois (Queens) Invasion and struggle for Independence • 600 BC → Celts arrive in Britain and Ireland from central Europe, spreadi their culture Vikings begann to raid various places in Ireland and Britain 1169 the Anglo Normans invaded Ireland and made Dublin the center of their conquest • 1171 → Henry I invaded Ireland Henry VII (1457-1509) was the first monarch to send English settlers to secure the control of the territory → Plantations of Ireland • the Irish, in their majority of conflicts, saw these protestant newcomers as invaders and occupiers →colonization marks the beginning of the Ulster conflict Irish Rebellion (1641)→ against the English administration in Ireland • Glorious Revolution (1688/89): Irish Catholics supported James the second, while Ulster Protestants backed William of Orange LEINSTER Meath • Battle of Boyne (1690)→ the English controlled the Irish parliament passed laws against the catholics • 1829: Roman Catholic Relief Act → secured Irish representation in the British Parliament in Westminster • 1916: The Easter Rising →Irish rebels seize the Post Office building in Dublin but are eventually outburst by British soldiers →15 of the rebellions' leaders are executed 23 Wicklow • Irish Civil War (1922/23) between a faction who supported treaty (IRA involved) and a group opposing it → no formal end 1949 Ireland left the commonwealth → fully independent Republic of Ireland Economy • Industrial Revolution → better living conditions → growth in population demographic shift brought by a catastrophe in the mid 1840's • the entire potato crop failed → Great Famine → many people died of starvation -population 50% → people fled across the Atlantic • British ruling class prevented the government in London from helping the Irish →>>> political elite and the middle classes were still deeply prejudiced against the catholic Irish → population of Ireland was deeply traumatized hatred towards British • many Irish emigrated to Britain, where they found work • conditions in Ireland stayed bad, slums, extreme hunger turning point →→ economic policy of protectionism was replaced with liberal, wide-open economy urban, touristic centre country Irish emigration stopped, people came home people from EU migrate to Ireland • new job opportunities, the unemployment rate went down → also labour shortage → Boom years called the Celtic Tiger rapid economic transformation ● ● . ● . 1919-1921: guerrilla campaign against the British Army →separation into North (UK) and the Irish Fee State (domination within the commonwealth) → Anglo-Irish Treaty ● → companies invested in Ireland (low taxes) e.g. Microsoft, Apple... high tech workers/good education → less time . → people became more materialistic and greedier → people have more pride and confidence but also more stress → farmers are not as valuable as before → religion / traditional values lost their importance → suicide rates went up Emigration from Ireland Irish emigrated to America with hopes for a better life and because of the famine • welcomed as "wretched refuse" → Types of Industry: technology export, beer, car sales, viagra Hardly hit by financial crisis in 2008 Today much tourism →hard hit by COVID-19 experienced great discrimination religious routed conflict in Irelar → were identified with the catholic church 24 Conflict in Northern Ireland • constant revolts all Ireland against the often brutal British rule ignited in the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin → caused a chain of events that led to Ireland • protestants in Ulster did not want to be a part of the catholic dominated Ireland → country was divided • south: the Republic of Ireland (Nationalist, Republicans) • north: union with Great Britain (Unionist, Loyalist) 1912: Ulster volunteers founded (Protestant paramilitary force) to resist Home Rule 1913: Irish volunteers ● ● • 1937: After the Civil War the Republic of Ireland was declared 1972: Bloody Sunday Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2 • . ● Challenges in Ireland today generation is still separated . Peace walls (needed - guarantee peace) → separated people • more hatred (anonymous behind the wall) • difficult arrange mixed religious groups ● single identity (them vs. us) Separation even deeper due to Brexit (land boarder vs. sea border) • Prices on things imported from GB are rising ● • British Soldiers shot in a crowd of unarmed, civil-rights protesters in Northern Ireland, killing 13 people not only police → military British intention was to send a sign Years of violence followed Irish identity/ Stereotypes • Celtic names . Good Friday Agreement 1998 - IRA promised to hand in their weapons promised participation of catholics give up idea of uniting the country peace marches Bloody Sunday march every year ● ● • Like potatoes • Like to drink - pubs religious and conservative Gingers ● talkative Extremely friendly Leprechauns • St Patricks Day • Irish Coffee Updates: 25 3.4. . Utopia Definition: positive future scenario of places in which everything is perfect Visions of the future Characteristics: equality, happiness, peace, safety • better living conditions • scientific progress • paradise-like • education for everyone peaceful government → optimistic about the future society Developments in an Utopian World: • end all wars, conflicts, crises and terrorism • high technological standard around the globe • all basic needs will be covered for everyone • democratic world order living in harmony with nature • social mobility "living in an utopian world": • economy based on sustainability and renewable resources • local production of food in an eco- friendly way • modernization of infrastructure political system based on equality, peace and health non-violent, non-threatening and successful ways to enforce these ideas • cultural diversity → great emphasis on sustainability and equality Dystopia Definition: negative future scenario of places in which there is great suffering or injustice Characteristics: discrimination, bad living conditions (sickness, poverty) • war and Terrorism • no policy • absolute control by the system (dictatorship) limited freedom → pessimistic about the future society (Difference) Developments is a dystopian world: not able to reach world peace technological underdevelopment or overdevelopment . ● ● inequality • no social mobility destroy nature world leaders who decide by their own (global government) "living in a dystopian world" conflicts for ressources . high crime rates destroyed cities, infrastructure diseases, death Everybody cares for himself → selfish and collapsing . 26 3.5 Science and Technology Robotics = field of engineering that deals with designing, constructing and operating robots Robots are machines that operate autonomously from human supervision they are mostly used for: manufacturing (e.g. assembly lines in factories), the military (e.g. drones), science (e.g. in medicine, healthcare) androids humanoid robotics three laws of robotics: - 1. Robots must never harm humans/allow them to come to harm by inaction 2. Robots must follow instructions from humans without violating 1. 3. Robots must protect their own existence without violating 1. and 2. Pro cost effectiveness: no lunch breaks, holidays sick leave → increase in production at a lower cost repetitive tasks lead (after certain period of time) to natural decline in concentration → costly errors serious injuries that could be avoided if robots do these tasks can work in hazardous/unstable environments (e.g. high level of chemicals, extreme temperatures, without air, underwater, Fukushima) require programming and knowledge how to operate them → need skilled staff (e.g. expand skillset of existing employees) can be more precise than people (don't tremble/shake, can have smaller more versatile moving parts) → some medical surgeries have been performed by robots can be specifically designed for their task (whatever size, strength, speed etc. is necessary) Con potential job losses: eradicate a wide range of middle class jobs in several industries (e.g. car manufacturing) Initial investment costs are very high Can't handle unexpected situations (robots require programming → behavior has to be pre determined) lack empathy → limits how robots can help and interact with humans Security risks when entrusted with responsibility and data (cyberattacks) have impact on the environment malfunctioning/ robots that are designed for welfare can be very dangerous to people can't improve results of their job outside of their predefined programming 27 Artificial intelligence (Al) = computer systems able to perform tasks normale requiring human intelligence (e.g. visual perception, speech recognition, translation between languages, decision- making, learning from experience) examples: smart assistants (Alexa, Siri), driverless cars, healthcare management, maps and navigation, facial recognition to unlock smartphones, Autocorrect; recommendation algorithms 4 types of Al: Reactive Al → programmed to provide a predictable output based on the input it receives → responds to identical situations the same way every time (e.g. playing chess, Netflix recommendation) Limited Memory Al → uses historical, observational data in combination with Theory of Mind Al→ true decision-making capabilities → understand and remember emotions, adjust behavior based on them → still a number of hundreds to achieving it Self-Aware Al→→ level of consciousness and intelligence similar to human beings → has own desires, needs, emotions and is aware of them → not possible yet preprogrammed information to make predictions and perform complex classification tasks but doesn't save the information in its long-term-memory (e.g. observing other cars speed and adjusting as needed Chat GBT (Chat pre-trained Transformer): • can e.g. provide answers to questions, complete texts, write fiction and non-fiction, translate, summarize, respond to texts developed by Open Al (research firm founded by Elon Musk ● Turing Test: • evaluation to determine whether or not sb can tell if they are communicating to an Al after a 5 minute conversation interrogator in separate room texts a computer and human questions for 5 min & guess which one was the computer Homo Deus (Yaval Noah Harari): algorithms push humans out of job markets . . → concentration of wealth and power in the hands of the elite that owns them algorithms could become the owners themselves (they could own companies, land, hire lawyers, earn money and invest it) like intersubjective entities like corporations and nations already can • even creativity can be simulated by algorithms (they recognize and reorganize patterns9 so that professionals thought the piece created by Al was an actual Bach Life 3.0 (Max Tegmark): experts' opinions on when Life 3.0 (1.0 being biological stage, 2.0 being cultural stage) will arrive and what it will mean for humanity? Digital Utopians: few decades-100 years; life should spread throughout our Galaxy 28 - Techno-skeptics: Virtual reality (VR) = simulated 3D environment that enables user to explore and interact with a virtual surrounding in a way that approximates reality, as it is perceived though the users sense created with computer hard and software concerns: - can be experience through devices like goggles, helmets, glasses, headphones augmented reality images produced by a computer & used together with a view of the real world and beyond, can only do so in digital form - Al paranoia delaying the digital utopia - military takeover hundred of years → don't have to worry about it Now →have to worry about the future - fields of application: Playstation, video games, education, training purposes (e.g. fighting simulator), house showings Cyborgs (cybernetic organism) = people who have integrated technology into their bodies to improve/monitor some aspects of their health = → no universal agreement what makes a human a cyborg (some people think that any artificial component e.g. hearing aid or pacemaker is enough) = Genetic engineering: direct manipulation of genes within an organism → DNA is added or removed to improve the organism or create new forms of life application of GMO's (genetically modified organisms) biological & medical research • Production of pharmaceutical drugs Experimental medicine (e.g. gene therapy) Agriculture • In vitro fertilization (preselect embryo → no dissuaders) - Medicine / Transhumanism philosophy: seeks to improve efficiency & capability of humans whilst using technological advancements Aims of the movement: eradicate aging als source of death; use tech. to augment our body and mind, merge with machines to remake the image of our own higher ideals positive: human sensory reception, emotive ability, cognitive capacity, human health → more or less permanent & integrated into the human body - Past: hearing aids (technology used to help people who are partly or completely deaf), artificially developed limbs (people who have undergone any kind of bodily amputation can be helped by prosthetic limbs), spectacles, false teeth → enhancements to our bodies are already employing potential Future: implants to augment senses, boost cognitive process with memory chips, strengtl empathy transhuman devices can be used to care for the elderly, sick and later to boost lifestyle - risks: dehumanization - once it starts experimenting with the core of human existence, we could lose what makes us human, cruelty of removing healthy limbs to argument then, inequality - transhumanistic improvements can be expensive →capitalistic idea 29 Genetically modified food: → either supposed to grow easier (modified to be more resistant to weather extremes, helpful in regions where farming is nearly impossible) or be more nourishing (e.g. more vitamins → eradicate hunger & malnutrition in 3. world countries) US: scientific principle: right now, no proof GM foods are bad → taken of market as soon as there is Europe: precautionary principle: scientific proof to approve GM foods Pro plants require fewer environmental resources (water, fertilizer) - Resistance to insects/weeds →less use of pesticides (herbicides & insecticides) (produce them within) → environmentally friendly & less impact on human health sufficient yields despite poor weather higher crop yields increased shelf life →can ship it to remote areas higher levels of specific nutrients - faster growing plants → increased supply of food, more foods can be produced in less time → productivity, efficiency - better taste - herbicide tolerance reduce production costs →→ cheaper → feeding the world fight against hunger & malnutrition Con - no long-term studies - Could trigger allergies in humans (genes from allergy causing food inserted in another food →→ could cause same allergy & new allergies due to mixing of genes unintended harm to other organisms in ecosystem →→ lower biodiversity GM crops could prove toxic to organisms → could lead to extinction - bacteria + viruses used for modifying plants →→ new diseases could emerge and become a threat to human health Studies: GMO corn and soy higher risks of liver and kidney problems on rats glycosphosphate greatly used in GM foods classified as cancer causing by WHO insulin growth factor increased in dairy products from cows fed with GM foods Studies: infertility/reduced fertility Expense: farmers end up in debt Immunity against antibiotics (easier spread of infections) 30 Gene pharming: = use of genetic engineering to insert genes that code for useful pharmaceuticals into host animals/ plants advantages curing diseases cheap alternative to creating pharmaceuticals in a lab → medicine becomes cheaper and more affordable → people who couldn't afford it in the past can live healthier - could be possible to produce meat without animal harm production of protein-based drugs like Insulin animals become "drug- factories". → animals producing proteins that perform better Gene Testing = medical test that interferes and changes genes, chromosomes or proteins → can confirm or rule out suspected genetic conditions or help determine a person's chance of developing or passing on a genetic disorder advantages early prevention & treatment of diseases peace of mind dangers possible unknown side effects animal rights → using animals to produce drugs can be considered unethical → treated as living factories many offspring of transgenic animals are born with abnormalities or don't produce the right drug can determine parenthood → evidence results can agi decisions in the future (e.g.knowing your child will likely not have or certainly have this condition → decision whether or not you want that kid) can examine developmental delays in children → reasons for significant lays in physical, mental and emotional growth dangers some tests only require a blood sample but others (e.g. prenatal testing) can be dangerous → cause miscarriages may cause emotional & psychological stress & tension among family members - results of genetic testing included in a persons medical history →→ abnormalities become known to the employer →genetic discrimination can often not tell the severity of the disease and result may not be conclusive → single test cannot identify all the genetic changes tests can be costly 31 Healthcare Management: Google Baseline Study: = giant data base on human health that gets its information from Google Fit products in clothes bracelets etc. that collect biometrical data & from DNA testing positive impact: alert people to health problems earlier (when it's easier to fight e.g. cancer) all knowing medical health service (fight epidemics, shield from cancer etc.) help in decision-making progress, reliable consultant Driverless cars: pro: - human error (e.g. distraction, delayed reaction time, tailgating) responsible for most accidents autonomous driving would save many lives & health cost would be lower→safer driving more fuel-efficient, better for the environment time efficient: driving time used for leisure/work - enhanced mobility for elderly, young, disabled lower cost of vehicle insurance no more drunk driving/ speeding negative impact: - monitors everything, knows everything about you, no privacy No human free will (determining what's good, beautiful; what's the meaning of life decisions based on statics → rational, no feelings Humans aren't treated as individuals con: - loss of driving-related jobs (transport industry, cab drivers) risk of automotive hacking →→ controlling the car terrorist attacks: car loaded with explosives productive time while driving as an incentive to live far away from city but work there→→ carbon footprint when introduced likely too expensive for most computermalfunctions could cause worse crashes whose fault are car crashes: software designer/ owner ETHICAL DILEMMA: unavoidable accident, who does the car save (pedestrian/occupant) weather can interfere with its effectiveness 32 advantages - can be used to produce children for infertile or same-sex couples without other DNA Cloning: therapeutic cloning = cloning of embryonic cells to obtain organs for transplantation treating injuried nerve cells/ other health purposes reproductive cloning = use of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) to obtain that could develop into adult individuals - → concluding: Impossible to clone an entire human being because the result could bedifferent from the original genetic research, better understanding of diseases may be possible at some point to reproduce some parts of an organism (e.g. lung) for transplants defective genes could be eliminated with cloning human's body's good cells I sugestion: cloning of persons of great intellectual/artistic achievement or of great virtue →improving the genetic condition of mankind considerably BUT: even someone with the same genetic material might not be the same person because of the unlimited possibilities of combinations from the genotype; the environment has a great influence on a persons development; life itself changes a person dangers not safe yet Dolly the sheep, the first cloned mammal in 1996 took 270 trials. I →low success rate great majority of pregnancies of mammals with clones end in spontaneous abortions → miscarriages Animal clones suffer from serious health handicaps (e.g. obesity, early death, ...) Dolly had to be euthanized bc of it clones as sources for transplant organs or tissue (social aspect, human rights, identity crisis) clones have lost the right to have its own genetic material because the original forced its genes onto them - cloned children would unavoidablybe raised in the shadow of their nuclear donor in a way that would strongly tend to constrain individual, psycological & social development creates a lack of diversity within the human population could speed up the aging process (adult cells that are cloned could somehow carry their age) playing God: interfering with nature, procreation is something that shouldn't be tempernd with - could result in problems nobody knows about There are many good intentions behind genetic engineering like curing the worst diseases and fighting starvation but we never know how many other health problems are caused by the side effects. Since science is often ahead of people's ability to use it sensibly, we can never know if it is not taken to far at some point and which effects this technology might have on humanity that are reversible and which aren't. There is just no way to predict exactly what consequences genetic engineering will have on our society long- term. Besides mostly these procedures have not been perfected and tested enough to be determined safe 33 Gene altering (humans): genetic therapy treatment for people with genetic disorders (e.g. Down-syndrome) → replacing a malfunctioning gene with one that functions properly = the study of a person's DNA in order to identify genetic differences or susceptibility to particular diseases or abnormalities genetic screening - savior siblings designer babies in vitro fertilization (IVF)= preselecting an embryo that is free from genetic disorders advantages: - cure damaged tissue from within (own stem cells) saving terminal ill patients (Alzheimers) healing incurable diseases with embryonic stem cells (adult cells can only heal wounds and not organs or diseases advantages: preselected features of baby improvement of special genes prevent genetic diseases like Alzheimers dangers: using embryonic cells→ require destruction of life Designer Babies: = babies whose genetic makeup has been artificially selected to ensure the presence/ absence of certain characteristics (e.g. eye color) Reduces risks of inherited conditions such as anemia obesity diabetes extend lifespan decrease rate of birth defects → allows parents to give their child a healthy life parents set their own limits for engineering their baby moral obligation to give children the best life possible could possibly lead to improvement of the whole species - after fertilization embryo is a life and must be protected - not accepted to take a life in order to save one danges: technology is still in the experimental stage → not safe, likely errors altering baby's life without consent →take away individuality Segregation between designer babies and ,,natural ones" → designer feeling superior →→ ,,imperfect ones" would be discriminated against allows humans to process high power over things that should be left to Nature → playing God - not affordable by all →>>> segregation rich-poor gene pool might be damaged Parents might use this for superficial things → hair and eye color, sex nothing unique about each person 34 Savior Siblings: = a child who is born to provide an organ or cell transplant to a sibling that is affected with a fatal disease such as cancer that can best be treated by hematopoietic stem cell (=immature cell that can develop into all types of blood cells found in the peripheral blood & bone marrow9 transplantation → created in-vitro via IVF → screening to look for compatibility in eight-cell-stage (by day 3 of human embryonic development), not compatible cells are rejected this test is called Pre-Implantation genetic organisms (PGD), done before putting embryo into mother → donates (from the moment of birth) blood from the umbilical cord, stemm cells from the bone marrow, organs avantages: - a human life is worth a lot and needs to be saved by all means Preventing more suffering most parents have more than one child so why shouldn't one sibling help the other, might as well have another child PGD: making sure the baby will have a healthy life In most cases, nothing happens the savior sibling because most procedures are safe Designer baby's are a thing now so why not use it to do something good rather than choosing the baby's gender Might make the savior sibling proud of saving its sibling dangers: - donor has no choice to get a savior sibling many other embryos are discarded, destroyed - donor might feel unwanted → it is (only) created to save its siblings, not valued as an end in itself but a means to an end, just a commodity would the donor be less happy than another child who is not able save the elder sibling? & if parents are willing to conceive another child to protect the first suggests they're highly committed to well-being of their children + will value second child for its own sake as well - there's a chance the two siblings won't be a match despite the embryo being hand- picked → parents harming the child emotionally since it can't fulfill the original morally wrong to instrumentalist one child to save the other → then reasons like being a playmate for an existing child, having an heir etc. aren't valid either PGD only accepted for children that benefit from it 35 The Media: = Communication channels through which news, entertainment, education, data or promotional messages are disseminated. = influences peoples opinions on politics, current affairs, science & economy examples: newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, billboards, direct mail, telephone, Internet Factors influencing public opinion: • mass media (= media technologies that reach their audience via mass communication) usually less influential than social environment, establishes prevalent opinions focuses the public's attention on certain issues - reinforces latent attitudes & "activate them" promoting people to take action(e.g.vote) - Let individuals know what other people think &give political leaders large audiences - In developing countries & countries where media is strictly controlled is this not an option • environmental factor: most pervasive social environment (friends, family, school etc.) People adjust their opinion to the prevalent one in their social group opinion leaders: e.g. prominent figures in public life/ person whom people look up to major role in defining popular issues & influencing individual opinions regarding them • complex influences: changes in opinion triggered by specific events because they heightened awareness Filter Bubbles: = intellectual isolation that can occur when websites make use of algorithms to selectively assume the information a user would want to see & give information to the user according to this assumption (based on click behavior, browsing history) → user gets significantly less contact with contradicting viewpoints & only gets their opinion confirmed → greater polarization influence of filter bubbles may have been overstated: studies show that direct browsing often just consists of 1-2 sites that you regularly read & socials expose you to a number of other sources → most people actively seek out additional sources that do not match their opinion → only 8% sorted sb low on measures of media diversity that they could be living in a filter bubble →→still very worrying → reading more diverse news sources may lead to more, not less political polarization → participants that read different political viewpoints become more confident of their own initial beliefs instead of developing more nuanced stance on issues - so attached to our political identities that we dismiss any evidence that that disagrees with it - self-licensing: unconscious belief that once we have shown our open mindedness in one situation, we have somehow earned the credentials to be more prejudiced later on →PROBLEM not because of voices we hear but how we deal with them 36 4. Schwerpunktthema 4.1. Ambiguity of Belonging - Ambiguity sth that has various meanings Belonging to be part of sth (feeling comfortable) Meaning: find your place in life and the right people to be with Identity Made up upon social surroundings, nationality, ethnicity, preferences, freedom of choice, education, mindset, experiences, success/accomplishments 4.2. The drama movie "Gran Torino" (2008) was produced by Clint Eastwood. It is set in Detroit, Michigan and depicts the character development of Walt Kowalski and Thao Lor through the development of their friendship, the escalation of gang violence and Thao's process of growing up. Characters - Gran Torino 1. Walt Kowalski: - his conservatism, patriotism and racial prejudice make him a typical white American men in his 50s, old-fashioned - last white neighbor, "real American man"; self-confidence and self-reliant worked at Ford, owns a Gran Torino haunted by his Korean War experiences (killing innocent people) • has a troubled soul (mental health problems, PTSD) • bitterness, emotional numbness, recurring feelings of guilt → makes up by going for revenge after Sue's rape proud of being a war veteran, uses rifle racist worldview (condemns his Hmong neighbors) is alienated from world around him and his sons (portrayed as a "grumpy" loner) → makes up by being a role model to Thao Lonely after his wife Dorothy died he only had his dog Daisy, not close relationship with his sons getting in touch with his Hmong neighbors changes him: • learns that he has more in common with the Hmong neighbors than his family realizes that he is responsible for the escalation of violence ● → makes up by protecting Thao, sacrificing himself sacrifices himself in the confrontation with the Hmong gang, finally finds peace (atones for his guilt) → searches his sense of life → answers violence with violence and dies because of that 37 2. Thao Lor grows up in a female-dominated household (no father figure = lacks a male role model and self-confidence) does not know where he belongs and searches his identity easy to push around (always does what he is told to do) no friends/doesn't belong to a group being taught to talk and behave like a man, he grows from teenager to male adult → Thao, the boy: submissive, shy, no job, small, not masculine, not respected → Thao, the man: wants revenge for Sue, aggressive, able to fix stuff, makes own decisions, drives Gran Torino, goes on date stuck between his Hmong origin and American identity hybrid character → Hmong Thao: Hmong community, upbringing, traditional clothes, speaks Hmong → American Thao: adores Gran Torino, job at a construction side, American clothing style, Walt as a role model ("Americanized") inherits Walt's Gran Torino (gives him opportunity to assimilate into American society → doesn't find complete sense of belonging, but confidence and direction through Walt (being independent) Gender identity Stereotypical masculinity Gran Torino = symbol for American masculinity solving conflicts alone and with violence protect and defend yourself and others (owning a gun) hard physical work: refurbishment and repairing → blue collar job (e.g. Ford construction site) self-confidence and bravery: don't show weaknesses being a role model superiority, determination dominant, authoritarian, strong Stereotypical femininity quiet and compliant weakness dependent (on me) -submissive inferiority sensitive vulnerable Walt behaves typically masculine → is a former soldier (served in Korean War) → fetishizes a car (the Gran Torino), worked in a blue-collar job (Ford)→ hides his critical illness → being aggressive and racist, overtaking leadership → is a male role model for Thao - Walt's aim: "manning Thao up": acquire basic handyman skills, get a job, learn how to speak like a "real man", ask a girl out Thao is not manly enough → female appearance, passive, shy → does women's work →does not meet the expectations of being the man in the house 38 Family different degrees of integration/assimilation to American society in Hmong family (generation conflict) relationship between Walt and his sons:greed, disappointment, lack of understanding and interest → Walt's blue-collar mentality: has worked in the car industry for almost 30 years, proud of Gran Torino and handyman skills vs. → his son Mitch works in sales of foreign cars (middle-class existence) = contemptuous family does not need to be defined by blood ties Sue is a strong young woman and very self-confident → does not shy away from any open confrontation is very intelligent (superior verbal skills) → does not accept / respect masculine superiority - Friends names symbolize respect and friendship: distance vs. closer relationship → Sue calls Walt "Wally" Sue bridges the gap between her family and Walt (mediator between two cultures) e.g. invites Walt to family dinner, teaches Walt her culture, encourages Thao to talk to Walt Walt and Thao help each other: e.g. refurbishing houses - Walt wants father Janovich to call him "Mr. Kowalski", later lets him call him "Walt" → Walt has a closer relationship with Sue and Thao than with his own sons in the end Hmong gangs propagate wrong image of family loyalty → want Thao to join the gang but Thao rejects depiction of masculinity through violence - Gangs and socio-economic background harass the Lors'; want Thao todo their work gang violence is probably a result of disorientation, hopelessness and lack of future prospect (girls go to college and boys go to jail) gang seem to provide orientation for alienated male teenagers escalation of violence: insults, threats, physical violence → e.g. Smokie burning Thao with a cigarette, Walt beating up Smokie, gun attack, Sue's rape, Walt provoking gang into shooting him dead Language Hmong family: older generations do not speak English at all, Sue and Thao are bilingual → Hmong gangs speak English as a rebellion against older generation typical sociolects for different ethnic groups Hmonggang/ African Americangang Walt's racist and insulting language presents as a sign of his masculinity → Walt's uses special language to communicate with his friends (solidarity) → racial and ethnic slurs, provocations → objectifies and sexualizes women → competitive speech style Thao needs to learn how to talk like a "real man" → lack of use of language shows inferiority 39 Ethnic background / racism - traditional Hmong culture → men as leaders who should be strong and in control (shaman) → women whose primary roles are child birthing and household chores → women should be submissive and obedient to their husbands/fathers/brothers it's often difficult for Hmong boys to find their place in American society → because of fathers who are either absent or not able to fulfill the expectations of strong leaders → Thao is a typical example of a teenager torn between two cultures Walt has a lot of prejudices against other cultures and is racist - → calls his Hmong neighbors "gooks", "zipper hats", "swamp rats", ect. → calls Hmong wrong names (e.g. "Toad" instead of "Thao") Sue knows Hmong customs well, respects the culture, seems to be proud of her heritage → is also home in American society and adapts American values (e.g. white boyfriend Trey) Walt still lives in his old neighborhood, but feels alienated there because of the many Asian immigrants and although his sons urge him to move out → his reason for staying: connection to Dorothy, tries to remain in control Religion (Christianity) Movie begins and ens with a funeral scene in the church (Dorothy and Walt) Dorothy wished for Walt to go to confession → doesn't like to confess to the young and overeducated priest Father Janovich → Walt rejects hypocrisy of the church Walt dies in Christlike manner: → has a critical illness and sacrifices his life for Thao and Sue Father Janovich learns about life and death through Walt's example Guilt and redemption Walt feels guilty for not having a close relationship with his sons and especially for doing cruel things in the Korean War - Walt blames himself for the escalation of violence of Hmong gang (Sue's rape) Walt feels "soiled", does not want Thao's "pure" soul to suffer from the vicious circle of violence too - Walt's act of self-sacrifice → redeeming his former sins and saving Sue and Thao from further violence 40 Violence 1. Gang racially insults, Spider defends Thao 2. Gang visits Thao 3. Thao tries to steal Gran Torino 4. Walt defends his property 5. Walt saves Sue from Gang 6. Gang attack Thao 7. Walt attacks Gang members 8. Shooting at the Lor house 9. Rape of Sue Background information Korean War 1950-1953 (part of the Cold War) • After WWII Korea was divides into the communist North and the non-communist South (American-occupied) • In 1950, the North Korean Army invaded South Korea, US helped South Peace treaty in 1953 ended war returning Korea to divided status . . The Hmong 1960-1975 Hmong people recruited by CIA to fight in Vietnam war • 1975-1980 facing prosecution after US withdrawal many fled to Thailand; throughout the 70s multiple immigration waves Today about 210 000 Hmong people reside in US Detroit Ford motor Company was founded in 1903 • Detroit became "Motor City" (the world's automotive capital) Unemployment and poverty are pressing problems ● ● Structure Initiation Ritual of stealing the 1972 Ford Gran Torino rivaling gangs; Thao and the Hispanic gang Walt's family problems Sue's harassment by the African Americans „Get of my lawn" Walt's death Drive-by shooting; Sue's rape in Walt's last will 41 Symbols Gran Torino: Walt's most expensive/important memory of the past masculinity (muscle cars) American's past and its values Walt's true American pride - start of Walt's and Thao's friendship and shows their closeness (Walt's last will) - Walt's symbolic presence after death - That becoming the "new" Walt Tools/Beer/Cigarettes: - truly masculine things to do/have - cigarettes: Walt's illness and him coughing up blood because of his lung cancer - tools: showing Thao how a man should behave and what he must have in his household (manning-up process) borrowing Thao his tools - symbol of trust Guns (symbolic or real): Walt points at the African Americans who were harassing Sue, also pointing/pretending to shoot at Spiders gang - should threaten Walt always shows his gun and weapons but never uses them - in contrast to gang guns: masculinity and strength → defending yourself Walt: defending himself (not accepting help), defending the people he cares about Gang: violence, showing dominance, kill people to gain respect, also the end of them - materialistic connection to Korean War - Mirror: - self-recognition (self-acceptance) - realizing he is ill Key-scene: fleeing to the bathroom at Lor's house and seeing his perception towards the Hmong people change and he has more in common with them than is own family Lighter/Medal of Honor: reminder of Walt's guilt Carries his lighter with him since 1951 (reminds him of the war) - dealing with trauma - Gets shot by the gang - takes the lighter from his pocket to trick the gang members - unloading his burden from the past and ending the gang violence towards Thao and Sue (ending something bad - his past, starting something new and good - that's and Sue's peaceful life) 42 4.3. Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter Introduction The crime novel "Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter" (CL,CL) was written by Tom Franklin and published in 2010. The story is set in rural Mississippi and combines two main plots - friendship and crime - and retraces the ambiguous friendship between Silas Jones, an African American constable, and Larry Ott, a white lonely Outsider, from the 1970s until 2008. Character development 1. Larry Ott ("Scary Larry") job: mechanic runs garage of his late father (Carl) interest: books, nature, animals, hunting, fishing - relationship: bullied by peers (nerd, brought snakes), misunderstood (mistreated by father), close to mother, former friendship with Silas, isolated/labeled as a murderer, only friend Wallace Stringfellow (kind of naive) - character: not manly enough, insecure, shy, nice, loyal, socially inept, working morals Reasons for his isolation: atypical interests, white skin color as majority, introverted, different mindset as other boys, lack of appreciation, lack of self-determination, weakness, empathy with monsters Attempts to fit in: copies racist behavior of peers, tries to impress everyone (monster mask), acts according to father's expectations, watches Cindy, tries to teach Silas how to shoot → struggle of finding a sense of belonging (loses his own self, neglects his character traits, feels never settled with his own being) 2. Silas ("32") Jones - job: police constable in Chabot - interest: baseball relationship: parents Alice Jones and Carl Ott, former friendship and Half-brother of Larry, interracial relationship with Cindy Walker, girlfriend Angie, respected in town - character: proud as a young boy, athletic, outspoken, evades responsibility, shows courage by confessing, takes risks (Cecil), feels duty towards Larry, ambitious (worked his way up), social adept, smart, always just moved forwards by leaving everything behind → lets Larry take the blame regarding Cindy Walker → betrayal Aspects of Belonging: Religion: Ina Ott is highly religious (Christian) → night time prayer for a "special friend" for Larry Larry initially wants to continue to go to his mother's church → connection to mom → loyalty - church is the place where Wallace Stringfellow sees Larry for the first time churches mostly segregated in Larry's and Silas youth 43 Gender: Larry seen as girlish and not manly enough by his father and peers Larry's "girlishness" one of the reasons why he is an outsider and why his alleged date is so important for him - one aspect of the plot: (sexual) crime against women (Cindy Walker, Tina Rutherford), Wallace Stringfellow's misogynist attitude (dog: John Wayne Gacy) Ethnicity: - setting: Southern United States: Mississippi, late 1970s (after segregation period) Larry and Silas go to a racially integrated high school, but racism part of everyday life - Alice (Silas' mom, black) as maid and mistress of white Ott family (Carl), poverty, single mom, Silas feeling of being disadvantaged/inferior Larry's racism as means to belong to a group of white boys and as reaction to humiliation and bullying ("Monkey lips"-incident) mixed-race relationship between Silas and Cindy still undesirable, which sets in motion the event leading to Cindy's unexplained disappearance - insult "n-word" ends Larry's and Silas' friendship (connection with inferiority, humiliation, getting the upper hand) Family: Alice and Silas have a loving relationship → she works hard to provide him better chances but seems servility to white people → Silas is dissatisfied with his poor and fatherless upbringing but feels like he is not a good son to his mom → shaped his character (lack of role model and identity crisis) Larry's character strongly shaped by his dominating and cruel father (always longed for his love, approval, acceptance, affirmation and support) Ina doesn't stand up for her son against her husband → broken relationship between Ina and Carl (cheating) → family completely destroyed after the disappearance of Cindy Walker Peer group Larry saw date with Cindy as a turning point in his life (getting accepted and becoming popular; getting his family's acceptance (mostly from his dad); building self-esteem → after relegation of Cindy's plan (taking Larry on a date and then meeting up with Silas), all of his expectations are destroyed: Larry wants to pick her up but she's not there; Larry becoming suspect in her disappearance → impact of the date: Larry can't go to school, no social contacts, worse relationship with parents, Carl becomes an alcoholic, life long bad reputation Larry's youth: outsider, not accepted by other boys, victim of bullying, friends with Silas on unequal footing: Silas is socially "inferior", but more self-confident and popular (due to his talent in baseball) → interracial friendship unusual, kept it a secret, give and take balance, learn from each other, but they don't see eye to eye because of difficult surroundings Silas' popularity and social standing in Chabot: baseball star, later police officer → also based on concealing the truth about Cindy's disappearance - Silas relationship with Angie: slowly opening up to her and letting her see the real Silas Wallace sees Larry as a role model and is fascinated by him; one-sided friendship → tries to get closer to him and to confess Cindy's murder 44 → Larry longs desperately for a friend and talks to him because of that → Larry lost his sense of belonging: befriends the wrong people, gives up values Social Class - - As an adult, Larry's social standing has deteriorated: high school dropout, few customers, has to sell land - - Larry is born int a rather well-off middle-class family → possession of land, father's respected job in his own garage Silas early time in Chabot was in extreme poverty: single-mom Alice has two jobs, they live on the fringes of society in Ott's old cabin → Silas aware of this inequality Language especially in direct speech: Southern vernacular which emphasizes the novel's local character Adult Silas however has become a well respected member of society: first his baseball career offered him an opportunity to go to college, then he becomes a member of Chabot's police force - → Silas priorities his career and tries to forget about Cindy's disappearance "White Trash Avenue": Wallace Stringfellow, Irina Mott and others as typical representatives of white "underclass" Walker family: lower class, dysfunctional family, Cindy's wish to escape her toxic stepdad - Home Larry's and Silas' local area/home: Chabot, Amos and Fulsom, Mississippi → decay, drug problems, etc. Silas moves to Chabot from Chicago at 13, returns after college Silas has a sense of belonging and security in Chicago, going South marks a turning point for him, disrupts relationship with Alice, after returning to Chabot he has no definition of him being Silas and has struggles with his past partly racist slurs and insults to mark "men's speech" (Carl Ott, Cecil Walker, but also Wallace Stringfellow) Larry presented as a rather well-read through his use of technical terms after years, becomes the man he always wanted to be and finds his sense of belonging (created roots and identification trough sports and peer group) - Larry doesn't leave despite being an outsider and having no customers Larry and Silas both have a deep-rooted connection to home: family loyalty, "unfinished business" places in Violence Larry's experience with violence: victim of bullying, abusive father, accused of violence sexually motivated crime against Cindy and Tina, almost killed by Wallace Carl Ott's rifle marks beginning and ending of Larry's and Silas' friendship - gun ownership connected to masculinity, power, having a father (figure) → attractive to young Larry and Silas guilt and redemption - apparently obvious guilt (Larry and his alleged crime) vs. hidden guilt (Silas cowardice) "n-word" insult as real reason for end of friendship or as pretext for conscience stricken Silas not to tell the truth (lost Silas' trust and respect) - Wallace's obvious guilt and Larry's attempt at denying it 45 Symbols mailbox: used to repair it after it gets destroyed, now he plans to make it more stable, Snakes in Irina's mailbox Silas' attempts at making up for past errors. feeding the chickens, visiting Mrs. Ott, finally telling the truth, visiting Larry, cleaning Larry's house with Angie opens question: is forgiveness possible after years of lies? - snakes: sign of evil and betrayal, sign for Wallace, Larry tiers to belong with snakes, caught snakes with Silas together, evoke death chicken: symbol of weakness, now no longer wants to stay quiet and in his "cage", connection to mom TV: used to be okay with three Chanels and whatever he got, now ready to face reality zombie mask: hide his identity, first time people were interested in him, used to scare Wallace Wallace shoots him with the mask on, - - Books: Larrys only safe place / escape from reality, connection to Silas, isolating himself from daily life Guns: violence, destruction, Silas' and Larry's friendship, sign of betrayal Carl gave the gun to Larry as a symbol of respect M, I, crooked letter, crooked letter, I, crooked letter, crooked letter, I, humpback, humpback, I gives the novel its name → Larry from passive to active: doesn't want to be a victim anymore Reconciliation Larry: 1. stayed in same room with Silas, but refuses to talk to Silas 2. checks himself out of the hospital (takes responsibility) 3. accepts to fix Silas' car Silas: 1. tries to clear Larry's name by telling reporters the truth 2. Silas approaches Larry and accepting his guilt for Larry's broken life 3. Silas cares for Larry and tries to right the wrongs of the past Both: 1. repair of Silas' car sets common goal 2. becoming active Lonely vs. Alone Being Lonely Being by yourself because you don't have anyone to talk to - Loneliness is a feeling you get when other people choose to e.g. exclude you Isolated, outcast, abandoned, lone, withdrawn, estranged, friendless Being Alone Being by yourself because you want to spend time alone - Solitude is a choice everyone can make by their own Solitary, separate, apart, detached, by yourself, unaccompanied 46 5. Useful things 5.1. How to write... Text based composition: written by the author wants to mention (short 1. Introduction → put quote in context → According to the text summary of what the text is about) (Transition to the Quote) ,, Quote" (I._I._) (now 2-3 sentences of explaining the quote in relation to the text →if perfect quotation text!) 2. Transition → the author criticizes/gives several examples of (fit quote) in his/her text 3. Main-part (quote related sentences out of the text - what actor said about this topic) → First of all, Also, This shows According to The author also mentions The author refers to 4. Conclusion SO with the quote 4. Conclusion (2 sentences) → to summarize / conclude the author points out (When author mentions → future point out) etc. without own opinion - just quote what the author said their opinion is pro/con composition 1. Introduction (get attention, explain position + overall thesis statement that fits both personal experience, example, quotation, current event/problems, Opinions) general opinion - to get readers interest, rhetorical question, addressing the readers Directly, reference to imaginary scene or situation 2. Transition sentence (just so it flows into the first argument nicely) 3. Arguments (5 Arguments, p-p-c-c-c, c-p-c-p-c; statement - explain - example - fact) →short transition after every argument → Many people believe another viewpoint is, on the other hand for example/instance, such as, like, in particular, therefore, for this reason, because, as, since, as a result, → However, still, but, nonetheless, even though, despite/in spite of (the fact that) → Neutral thesis statement so reader isn't pushed towards one side → While they also (I.) taken from the text as we can see from the text All this knowledge shows that → Taking everything into consideration All of all, all things considered outweigh in conclusion This to conclude/ to sum up 47 5.2. Vocabulary 48