REVISING THE COURSE: INTRODUCTION TO BRITISH AND AMERICAN STUDIES

PART 1

Organizing concepts

What is a nation? (Đất nước, dân tộc)

A country considered as a group of people with the same language, culture, and history, who live in a
particular area under one government.

What is national identity?

National identity is a person's identity or sense of belonging to one state or to one nation. It is the
sense of a nation as a cohesive whole, as represented by distinctive traditions, culture, language and
politics.

What is a state?

State is an organized community living under a single political structure and government, sovereign or
constituent.

What is a nation-state? Distinguish nation-state from other forms of social organization such as
tribe, city-state, empire, theocracy, etc.

Nation state is form of sovereign state (a political entity on territory) that is guided by a nation (a
culture identity). and which derives its legitimacy from successfully serving all its citizens. The nation-
state implies that a state and a nation coincide.

· Citizenship:

Citizenship is the status of a person recognized under the custom or law as being a legal member of a
sovereign state or part of a nation.

• Tribe: A tribe is viewed, developmentally or historically, as a [social group] existing before the
development of nation-states, or outside them. A tribe is a group of distinct people, dependent on
their land for their livelihood, who are largely self-sufficient, and not integrated into the national
society.

• City-state: (thành quốc) A city-state is a sovereign state, also described as a type of small
independent country, that usually consists of a single city and its dependent territories. Historically,
this included cities such as Rome, Athens, and the Italian city-states during the Renaissance (thời Phục
Hưng).A great deal of consensus exists that the term properly applies currently to Singapore, Monaco,
and Vatican City. City states are also sometimes called micro-states which however also includes other
configurations of very small countries.
• Empire: An empire is defined as "an aggregate of nations or people ruled over by an emperor
or other powerful sovereignor government, usually a territory of greater extent than a kingdom, as
the former British Empire, Persian Empire, French Empire, Russian Empire, or Roman Empire".

• Theocracy: Theocracy is a form of government in which a deity (God) is the source from which
all authority derives (originates). (a country is ruled by a religious leader)

History of the UK and the US

The Victorian Era

When did the Victorian era start and end? Name three key features of the era.

The Victorian Era lasted 64 years, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901.

Three key features of the era:

Political stabilization.

• The UK was the biggest empire in the world after the end of the century.

Industry and expansion.

• An enormous increase in wealth

• A change in attitude towards colonization (the White man’s burden):

Growth

• Most people lived in town or cities

Reform

• Reform in political (more of a nation-state) and public life (human rights recognized in laws)

• A turn from industrial lifestyle to the countryside.

American Civil War

Name the major debate that motivated the American Civil War?
- The Slavery issue: n 1820 ,3 branches in the US government did not reach agreement
about the whether slavery would be legal in western territories or not. 750.000 deaths The
Union: against slavery. The Confederate: support slavery.
During what years was the Civil War fought?
- 1860 : 11 states left the Union and proclaimed themself an independent
nation.
The Confederate States of America
. Civil War ( 1861-1865)
What were the two opposing forces in the American Civil War?
- The Northern states
- The Southern states
Or The Union and the Confederate

What was the name of the secessionist faction ( phe ly khai) of the Civil War?
- The Confederate States of America:
Who was the President of the US at that time?
- Abraham Lincoln, who played the most important role in putting an end to
slavery.
The Civil War resolved two matters that vexed Americans since 1776. What are they?
- It put an end to slavery
- It decided that the country was not a collection of semi- independent states but
indivisible whole

4. World War I
During what years was the war fought?
- WWI- Great War : 1914-1918
- WWII:
How did the UK enter World War I?
- Cause: when Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Australia was assassinated in Sarajevo,
Australia declared war on Serbia, which in turn was allied to French, Russia and the Uk.

How did the US enter World War I?

- Germany’s declaration of unrestricted submarine warfare against all ships bound for
Allied ports under minded that position
=>> 1917 Congress of America declared war on Germany.

Who was the US president during the war?

 - WWI: Woodrow Wilson
- WW2: Franklin D. Roosevelt Harry S.Truman

Did the US join the League of Nations ( hội quốc liên) ?

- No. the US Senate did not ratify the treaty.

5. Roaring Twenties ( 1920s)

What war ended right before the start of the Roaring Twenties?
- World War I
What is often said about the spirit of the Roaring Twenties?
- The spirit of the Roaring Twenties was marked by a general feeling of novelty associated
with modernity and a break with traditions. Everything seemed to be feasible through
modern technology. New technologies, especially automobiles, moving pictures, and radio,
brought "modernity" to a large part of the population. Formal decorative frills were shed in favor
of practicality in both daily life and architecture.

In the US, what style of music became popular during the Roaring Twenties?
- Jazz, Jazz and dancing rose in popularity

What event brought the Roaring Twenties to a grinding halt?

- Stock market crash 1929.
The Wall Street Crash of 1929 ended the era, as the Great Depression brought years of worldwide gloom
and hardship.

. World War II
● In what years was the war fought?
- 1939-1945
● How did the UK enter World War II?
- Nazi Germany was becoming more menacing as Hitler grew more powerful and
aggressive. Finally, Britain and France were forced to declare war on Germany after the
invasion of Poland (9/1939)
=>> World War 2.
● Who was the British Prime Minister during the war?
 - Winston Churchill ( 1847-1965)
● How did the US enter World War II?
- What brought America into the World: bombing of Pearl Harbor naval base by the
Japanese.
- US entered in the war, first against Japan and then against its allies.
Again neutrality was the initial American response to the outbreak of war in Europe in 1939. But
the bombing of Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii by the Japanese in December 1941 brought the
US into the war, first against Japan and then against its allies, Germany and Italy.

● What happened to the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, 1945,
respectively?
- Harry Truman ordered the use of atomic bombs against the cities of Hiroshima and
Nagasaki
The United States dropped nuclear weapons on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on
August 6 and 9, 1945, respectively.

● Name the conference where the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
(IBRD) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) were established.

● Name the conference where the United Nations was formulated and negotiated among
international leaders.
The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and International Monetary
Fund (IMF) were established by delegates at the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944 and became
operational in 1946.
 Name the conference where United Nations was formulated and negotiated among international
leaders.
The Dumbarton Oaks Conference or, more formally, the Washington Conversations on
International Peace and Security Organization was an international conference at which
the United Nations was formulated and negotiated among international leaders. The conference
was held at Dumbarton Oaks, in Washington, D.C., from August 21, 1944, to October 7, 1944.
III. NATIONAL BELIEFS AND VALUES
1. What does the phrase “a city upon the hill” refer to?
“A city upon a hill” is a kind of American Exceptionalism. It refers to a goal that every president
of America pursue. They want America to become a place that ranks the first place in every fields,
a city that anybody have to look up on and always dream to probably live there.
2. What is the American Dream?
It’s a traditional value and belief of Americans. In this term, American is considered as a dream
that everyone always pursue. In America, people have equality of opportunity and self-reliance
and they come to America for a better live because of its incredibly abundant resources, the US
appears to be a “land of plenty” where millions can come to seek their fortunes. From then, the
phrase “going from rags to riches” became a slogan for the great American Dream.
The American Dream is rooted in the Declaration of Independence, which proclaims that "all men
are created equal" with the right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
3. What is American exceptionalism? What are some examples of American exceptionalism?
a. What is American exceptionalism?
American exceptionalism is an ideology holding the United States as unique among nations in
positive or negative connotations, with respect to its ideals of democracy and personal freedom.
There are 3 ways of understanding what is American exceptionalism (A.Ex):
- The history of the US is inherently different from that of other nations. In this view, A.Ex
developed the uniquely American ideology of “Americanism”, based on liberty,
egalitarianism, individualism, republicanism, democracy and laissez-faire economics.

In this view, American exceptionalism stems from the American Revolution, becoming what political
scientist Seymour Martin Lipset called "the first new nation" and developing the American ideology of
"Americanism", based on liberty, egalitarianism, individualism, republicanism, democracy, and laissez-
faire economics. This ideology itself is often referred to as "American exceptionalism."
- The US had a unique mission to transform the world.
Abraham Lincoln stated in the Gettysburg address (1863), Americans have a duty to ensure
"government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
- The US’s history and mission gives it a superiority over other nations.
Another theme is the sense the United States' history and mission give it a superiority over other
nations.

b. Examples
- The US always believes that the event in which they were the first nation in the world
successfully setting foot on the Moon was the turning point in history of universe
exploration. It helps the US to become the pioneer in this field and Americans believes they
can also be on top in other fields.
IV. POLITICAL SYSTEMS
1. The UK political system:

A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which

a state or other organization is governed.

.
 What is a representative democracy?
All government power rests ultimately with the people, who direct policies by voting for
government representatives.

Ø Form of government: Britain is a constitutional monarchy (Chế độ cha truyền con nối, quân
chủ lập hiến). That means the country is governed by King and Queen with supporting of
Parliamentary democracy. It is a country governed by a king or queen who accepts the advice of
parliament
Ø A parliamentary democracy: Government is controlled by Parliaments, which is elected by
citizens.
Ø Representative democracy: represent for their votes to discuss about policy, proposal.
Ø Separation of powers (tam quyền phân lập): Institutions are usually taken to be:
- Executive.
- Legislature.
- Judiciary.
● How are powers divided in American federalism?
Under federalism, the principle of limited government was achieved by dividing authority
between the central government and the individual states.
- The Federal (national) gov has powers over areas of wide concern. For example, it
has the power to control communications among states, borrow money, provide for the
national defense, and declare war.
- The States possess powers that are not given to the national gov. Eg: each state
establishes its own criminal justice system, public schools and marriage and divorce laws.
- Both the federal and state gov share certain powers called concurrent powers
including the power to tax, set up courts and charter banks
● What does ‘separation of powers’ refer to?
- 3 branches have separate functions
- “Separation of powers” refers to the idea that the major institutions of state should be
functionally independent and that no individual should have powers that span these offices.
● What is a bill?
- A bill is a law.
- A bill is proposed legislation under consideration by a legislature. A bill does not become
law until it is passed by the legislature and, in most cases, approved by the executive. Once
a bill has been enacted into law, it is called an act of the legislature, or a statute.
Political systems
 Describe the political systems of the UK and the US in terms of constitution, form of government,
branches of government, political parties, and election.
1. The UK:
* A constitutional monarchy: a country governed by a king or queen who accepts the advice of
parliament.
* A parliamentary democracy: a country whose government is controlled by a parliament which
has been elected by the people.
*The system resembles a balance of powers more than a formal separation of three branches
(fusion of power).
* The executive branch: formulates and implements policy.
+ The Crown (The Monarchy): in written law, the Queen has almost absolute power but in
fact little power.
+ The Government: single party government (all members of the government belong to the
same political party) => Collective responsibility: every member of the government, however junior,
shares the responsibility for every policy made by the government. If no party wins majority seats in the
House of Commons, the solution is a hung government where the party that wins the largest number of
seats forms a coalition with other parties in order to gain a parliamentary majority.
 Prime Minister: the position of a PM is in direct contrast to that of the Monarch. The
PM appears not to have much power but in reality has a very great deal indeed.
 The Cabinet: includes 20 ministers appointed by the PM (senior members of the
government).
*The legislative branch: (Parliament) comprises the Crown, the House of Commons, and the
House of Lords. Responsibility: makes new laws, gives authority for the government to raise and spend
money, keeps a close eye on government activities and discusses those activities. Works in a large
building called the Palace of Westminster (the Houses of Parliament).
 House of Commons: more important than the House of Lords. Members (Members of
Parliament, MPs) are elected every five years at a General Election. The party with the
largest number of members in the Commons forms the government. The Commons
alone is responsible for making decisions on financial Bills, such as proposed new taxes.
The Lords can consider these Bills but cannot block or amend them.
 House of Lords: members of the House of Lords (peers) are not elected: “hereditary
peers” – the holder of an inherited aristocratic title and “life peers” – the distinguished
retired politicians who used to sit in the Commons. A forum for public discussion, the
place where proposals for new laws are discussed in great detail, a check on a
government that, through its control of the Commons, could become too dictatorial.
Has little real power.
*The judicial branch: comprises the judges in the courts of law, those who hold judicial office in
tribunals and the lay magistrates who staff the magistrates’ courts. Senior judicial appointments are
made by the Crown.
*Election:
  2-party system
 The two parties did not exist to promote single, coherent political philosophies but to
gain power by forming effective coalitions of interest groups and individuals.
 First-past-the-post: a general election: choose MP (the person who will represent their
local area – constituency – in the House of Commons). The political party that wins the
most seats in the House of Commons at a general election forms the new government
and its leader becomes PM. If no party wins a majority of the seats, a situation which is
known as a “hung Parliament”, a minority government or coalition may be formed.
2. The US
*Representative democracy: all government powers rests ultimately with the people, who direct
policies by voting for government representatives.
* To prevent power concentration:
 The federal organization of government
 The separation of powers among different branches of government
 A system of checks and balances to restrict the powers of each branch.
*Federalism: the principle of limited government was achieved by dividing authority between the
central government and the individual states.
 Federal government: powers over areas of wide concern: control communications
among states, borrow money, provide for the national defense, and declare war.
 States: establish its own criminal justice system, public schools, marriage and divorce
laws.
 Concurrent powers: tax, set up courts, charter banks.
*Legislative branch: Congress: make laws
 House of Representatives: lawmakers from all the states are elected to serve here.
Each representative is elected to a two-year term.
 The Senate: the smaller of the two bodies. Each state has 2 senators. The term is 6
years. Every 2 years, one-third of the Senate stands for election.
*Executive branch: administering the laws passed by Congress.
 The President: elected to a 4-year term and can be elected to a second term. Has
many important powers: appoint secretaries of the major departments that make
up the president’s cabinet and senior officials of the many agencies in the
expansive bureaucracy,…
 Vice-president: is assigned only two constitutional duties: to preside over the
Senate and to assume the presidency if the president dies, become disabled, or is
removed from office.
 The Cabinet: is an advisory body made up of the head of the 15 executive
departments. All the members of the Cabinet take the title Secretary, excepting
the head of the Justice Department – Attorney General.
*Judicial branch: determine whether laws of Congress or actions of the president violate the
Constitution. The Supreme Court is the highest court. The Constitution does not stipulate the number of
Supreme Court Justices; the number is set by Congress.
 *Election:
 The Democratic and Republican parties. The balance between the Democrats and
Republicans has shifted back and forth.
 Democrats generally believe that the federal government and state governments
should provide social and economic programs for those who need them.
 Republicans do not necessarily oppose social programs, they believe that many
social programs are too costly for taxpayers. They tend to favor big business and
private enterprise and want to limit the role of government.
V. ECONOMIC SYSTEMS
1. What is a free enterprise system?
Enterprise system is an economic system of U.S
A system allows private business the freedom to operate for profit with minimum government
interference and regulation.

2. Name four or five economic activity sectors that are usually present in descriptions of
a nation’s economy.
- 1. Primary sector: the extraction and harvesting natural products from the earth, such as
agriculture, mining and foresting.
- 2. Secondary sector: processing, manufacturing and construction companies.
- 3. Tertiary sector: Companies that provide services such as retailers, entertainments
firms, financial organizations.
- 4. Quaternary sector: Companies in the intellectual pursuits such as educational
businesses, information technology.
- Services
- Industry
- Farming
- Forestry
- Fishing

3. What can be said about the shift in the growth pattern of economic sectors during
the end of the 20th century in the UK and the US?
During the end of the 20th century, the shift in the growth pattern of economic sectors in the Uk and
the US was the shift in production of goods to high technology sector and services. In the UK, service
sector includes banking, insurance, catering, leisure, finance, and information. On the other hand, in
the US, it includes banking, hotels and restaurants, and communication.
 4. In the context of the UK, the decline of which sector is a major concern? (đoạn 1
trang 80)
The decline of the manufacturing sector is the primary concern of both the government and people
as the UK was the very first country to start industrialization and it is considered a significant
industrial and manufacturing country. Many manufacturing industries didn’t adapt to new markets
and demands, didn’t produce goods efficiently and cheaply enough to compete, and priced
themselves out of the world market.
5. Describe the shifts of how the government in the UK has intervened in economic life.
When did the state become much more involved in economic planning and
nationalize industries? When did the trend start going in the other direction?
Although British governments have historically tended to be somewhat laissez-faire (letting things
take their own course) in economic matters, they become much more involved in economic
planning from the 1940s, and the performance of the economy has been increasingly tied to their
fiscal, monetary and political policies. From 1945 until 1980 the general trend was for the state
to have more and more control. Various industries became nationalized, especially those
concerned with the production and distribution of energy. So too did the various forms of
transport and communication services. By 1980, ‘pure’ capitalism probably formed a smaller part
of the economy than any other country in western Europe.
From 1980 the trend started going in other direction. A major part of the philosophy of the
Conservative government of the 1980s was to let ‘market forces’ rule (restricting the freedom of
business as little as possible) and to turn state-owned companies into companies owned by
individuals. This approach was a major part of the thinking of Thatcherism. Between 1980 and
1994 a large number of companies were privatized. Nowadays, virtually the only services left in
government hands are strictly social ones such as education, social welfare and healthcare
- When did the state become much more involved in economic planning and
nationalize industries?
- (đoạn đầu trang 78) Dù chính phủ Anh historically tended to be somewhat “laissez faire”
(letting things take their own course) in economic matters, they became much more
involved in economic planning growth from the 1940s (1945-1980), and the performance
of the economy has been increasingly tied to their fiscal, monetary and political policies.
- Then, they intervened to manage the economy and stimulate demand and growth.
- When did the trend start going in the other direction?
- (Trong cái box của trang 78) From 1980, the trend started going to the other direction. A
major part of the philosophy of the Conservative government of the 1980s was to let
“market force” rule (giảm hạn chế tự do của việc kinh doanh xuống nhỏ nhất có thể) and
to turn state-owned companies into companies owned by individuals (shareholders).
6. Describe the current pattern of mixed economy of public and private sectors in the UK.
The mixed economy in the Uk includes public and private sectors. The public sector includes the
remaining state-run industries and public services. On the contrary, the private sector belongs to people
who have a financial stake in a company. It consists of small businesses owned by individuals; companies
whose shares are sold to the public through the Stock Exchange; and larger companies whose shares are
not offered for sale to the public. Most companies are private and small or medium-size. They are crucial
to the economy and generate 50 per cent of new jobs. The public sector accounts for under one-third of
the economy and the private sector accounts for over two-thirds and will increase with further
privatization.
 - Describe the situation of budget deficit in the UK and the US.
- In the UK
Between 2007 and 2010, Britain suffered from the worst global recession since the Great
Depression of 1929, when a credit crunch and crisis-ridden banks suggested that the
world’s economic structures were on the verge of collapse. Individual consumers had also
contributed to the problem by taking out large personal loans and incurring debts that they
were unable to pay. The British system was rescued by a Labour government bailout of
banks such as Northern Rock and Royal Bank of Scotland, which remained partly state-
owned. But in 2010 the country experienced the costs of this exercise. The budget deficit
(the difference between government spending and the income it receives through taxation
and other sources) was £178 billion. Political parties and economies disagreed on
measures to reduce it, but the coalition government initiated a mixture payment, cuts in
public spending and a higher taxation band of 50 per cent on incomes over £150,000. Yet,
this did not produce the required results, and in 2014 the deficit stood at £80 billion.
- In the US
The enormous federal budget deficit greatly hampers economic growth domestically and
affects the US’s ability to sell products overseas. Almost every year since 1930, the
government has been spending more money than it has taken in. deficit spending in the
Reagan administration exceeded $200 billion a year – nearly three times greater than that
of any administration. Such huge deficits can cripple the economy because they lead to
inflation, high interest rates, and unemployment. One important measure to control the
budget deficit was the Gramm Rudman deficit reduction plan, adopted in December 1985.
This act calls for yearly spending cuts of $36 billion until a balanced budget is reached in
1991. Most Americans are doubtful these targets will be met. Whether the deficit will be
reduced depends on the ability of the president and Congress to agree on areas for
spending cuts and/or tax increases.
.
 What does the devaluation of a country’s currency mean?
In modern monetary policy, a devaluation is an official lowering of the value of a
country's currency within a fixed exchange rate system, by which the monetary authority
formally sets a new fixed rate with respect to a foreign reference currency or currency basket.
This boosted exports by making them cheaper on the world market, but raised the cost of imports
and dissuaded people from buying foreign goods.
 When did the global financial crisis happen? What have been some of the symptoms/
consequences of the global financial crisis?
The global financial crisis happened in 2007.
While the collapse of large financial institutions was prevented by the bailout of banks by national
governments, stock markets still dropped worldwide. In many areas, the housing market also suffered,
resulting in evictions, foreclosures, and prolonged unemployment. The crisis played a significant role in
the failure of key businesses, declines in consumer wealth estimated in trillions of US dollars, and a
downturn in economic activity leading to the Great Recession of 2008–2012 and contributing to
the European sovereign-debt crisis. The active phase of the crisis, which manifested as a liquidity crisis,
can be dated from August 9, 2007, when BNP Paribas terminated withdrawals from three hedge funds
citing "a complete evaporation of liquidity".
The bursting of the US housing bubble, which peaked at the end of 2006, caused the values
of securities tied to US real estate pricing to plummet, damaging financial institutions globally. The
financial crisis was triggered by a complex interplay of policies that encouraged home ownership,
providing easier access to loans for subprime borrowers, overvaluation of bundled subprime mortgages
based on the theory that housing prices would continue to escalate, questionable trading practices on
behalf of both buyers and sellers, compensation structures that prioritize short-term deal flow over long-
term value creation, and a lack of adequate capital holdings from banks and insurance companies to
back the financial commitments they were making. Questions regarding bank solvency, declines in credit
availability, and damaged investor confidence affected global stock markets, where securities suffered
large losses during 2008 and early 2009. Economies worldwide slowed during this period, as credit
tightened and international trade declined. Governments and central banks responded with
unprecedented fiscal stimulus, monetary policy expansion and institutional bailouts. In the US, Congress
passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Education systems
1.
‘Educationalization’ can be used as the general concept to identify the overall orientation or trend
toward thinking about education as the focal point for addressing or solving larger human problems.

2. 3 goals of American education and examples

According to David Labaree (1997), what are the three goals of the American education system?
Illustrate each goal with examples of educational practices in the US.

- democratic equality: this is the perspective of citizens, from which education is seen as a
public good, designed to prepare people for political roles.
- social efficiency: The perspective of people, from which education is seen as the public
good designed to prepare workers to fill structurally necessary market roles (the ability
to learn and gain knowledge in order to find job and get money)
- social mobility” The perspective of the individual educational consumer, from which
education is seen as the private good designed to prepare individuals for successful
social competition for the more desirable market roles
3. How did 1944 Education Act change the education system in England and Wales?
- state schooling: free and compulsory up to the age of 15.
- The Education Act (the Butler Act) in 1944 reorganized state primary and secondary
schools in England and Wales.
-
- State schooling was divided into 3 stages: State schooling became free and compulsory up
to the age of 15 and was divided into 3 stages: primary schools, secondary schools, and further
post-school training
- primary: (5-11)
- Secondary school (11-15): include grammar schools, secondary modern school, and
technical school. Students must pass the eleven-plus examination adopted by LEAs.
This covered linguistic, math and general knowledge. If students passed this exam, they
 went to grammar schools. If not, they went to secondary modern schools and technical
schools.
- Grammar school: more academic education
- secondary modern schools: emphasized basic schooling initially without national exams
- technical schools: vocationally inclined pupils
- Further- post school training:
- there are 2 types of state schools: county and voluntary
- county: primary and secondary county schools were provided by LEAs (Local Education
Authorities)
- voluntary schools: founded by religious and other groups. And they are partially
financed or maintained by LEAs.
 => decentralized system: a Ministry of Education drew up policy guidelines and local education
authorities (LEAs) decided which formed of schooling would be used in their areas.
 Most secondary schools in England and Wales were effectively divided into
+ Grammar schools: new and state-funded, equated with better education, a socially more
respectable role; and qualified children for better jobs and entry to higher education and
the profession.
+ Secondary modern schools: old foundations now received direct state-funding (grant-
maintained schools), emphasized basic schooling, initially without national examination.
+ Technical schools: old foundations now received direct state-funding (grant-maintained
schools), educated more vocationally inclined pupils.
- Eleven-plus examination: linguistics, mathematical and general knowledge, taken in the last
year of primary school at the age of 11 => to select between academic and non-academic
children and introduce the notion of “selection” based on ability

 Progressive education is a pedagogical movement that began in the late 19 th century and has
persisted in various forms to the present. What was/were characteristics of progressive education?

 Introduce physical education, music and fine arts, and vocational subjects as electives (optional
courses)
 Emphasis on learning by doing – hands-on projects, expeditionary learning, experiential learning
 Integrated curriculum focused on thematic units
 Integration of entrepreneurship into education
 Strong emphasis on problem-solving and critical thinking
 Group work and development of social skill
 Understanding and action as the goals of learning as opposed to rote knowledge
 Collaborative and cooperative learning projects
 Education for social responsibility and democracy
 Highly personalized learning accounting for each individual's personal goals
 Integration of community service and service learning projects into the daily curriculum
 Selection of subject content by looking forward to asking what skills will be needed in future society
 De-emphasis on textbooks in favor of varied learning resources
 Emphasis on lifelong learning and social skills
 Assessment by evaluation of child's projects and productions

4. What is the significance of the Browns. Board

what is significance of the Brown v. Board of Education case?
- It declared that “separate educational public facilities are inherently unequal”,
and helped break the back of state-sponsored segregation, and provided a spark
to the American civil rights movement
- The Supreme Court unanimous decision overturned provisions of the 1896 Plessy v.
Ferguson decision, which had allowed for “separate but equal” public facilities, including
public schools in the US. Declaring that “separate educational facilities are inherently
unequal,” the Brown v. Board decision helped break the back of state-sponsored
segregation, and provided a spark to the American civil rights movement.
-
5. In the US, what is the affirmative action in education
- It is an action program aimed to improve women’s and minority groups’ access
to education proliferated during 1970s.
- Affirmative action in the United States is a set of laws, policies, guidelines, and
administrative practices "intended to end and correct the effects of a specific form of
discrimination. In education, it aimed to improve women’s and minority groups’ access to
education.
-
- main content:
- redesigning the teaching program and textbooks. All of the
discriminations related to women and minority groups were abolished and
replaced with “positive role model” or examples of how they contributed to
American history and culture.
- equal opportunity employers: hiring more teachers from minority groups at
elementary and secondary schools, and more women professors at
universities and colleges.
- there are 2 affirmative action programs designed to help “disadvantaged”
students succeed in primary and secondary schools

head Start: provide preschool tutoring to children in educationally deprived families,

in order to help them begin the formal schooling at the same level as ones in more
fortune families => considered a success and continued to receive additional
congressional appropriations.

Upward Bound: provide remedial teaching, private tutoring and work-study

programs for older students. => suffered repeated funding restrictions.
 6. What are the features of No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
- NCLB is an Act, which was passed by Congress and was signed by President George W.
Bush in 2002. It was the main law for K-12 general education.

Appropriates more federal money for public education

Involves an unprecedented degree of top-down federal intrusion into state and local control over public
schools

Requires the formulation of national and state standards of achievement in core curriculum subjects,
greatly increased use of standardized testing of pupils and teachers to hold individual schools
accountable to these standards, and a system of sanctions against public schools that do not meet annual
targets for improvement.
PART 3

TL: Một người đàn ông ngồi trên cành cây đại diện cho Việc Vương quốc Liên hiệp Anh và Bắc Ireland cắt mình ra khỏi thân
cây nghĩa là rời khỏi Liên minh châu Âu, hay còn được gọi tắt là Brexit).
Brexit (/ˈbrɛksɪt/ or /ˈbrɛɡzɪt/), a portmanteau of "British exit", is the impending withdrawal of the United Kingdom (UK)
from the European Union (EU).

TL: Việc thâm hụt ngân sách lớn nhất trong vòng 10 năm qua tại UK
: The largest budget deficit in the last 10 years in the UK
The UK's current account deficit reached £72.4bn last year, its highest ever cash amount, according to the latest figures
from the Office for National Statistics.
Source:
Source: https://bambooinnovator.com/2013/12/29/britain-must-look-beyond-london-and-put-faith-in-manufacturing/
TL: Sự mất cân bằng giữa sản xuất và dịch vụ tài chính của UK
The imbalance between UK production and financial services
LINK 2

Link giải thích

Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/548383692112734469/
TL: Phán quyết này là một thắng lợi của ông Trump trong chính sách cấm nhập cảnh vào Mỹ đối với công dân 6 quốc
gia Hồi giáo, gồm Cộng hòa Chad, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria và Yemen.
Trump and Muslim ban

Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/575897871079733739/
Chính sách kiểm duyệt người nhập cư của Mỹ, đứng đầu là president Trump