How important is higher education in shaping young people’s mind and their future life ?
Introduction
A definition of higher education
What is higher education? Why do we need it? Higher education is education provided by universities, colleges, and other institutions that award academic degrees. Higher education includes both the undergraduate (i.e., college) and the graduate (or postgraduate) levels. We study higher education in the perspective of universities as places and forms of power. We will try to explain through the texts we studied how higher education can shape young people’s mind. We start with a definition of higher education. Then, we will focus on the link between higher education and young people’s future.
B)The importance of higer education
It is worthwhile to note that in many western countries, schools and education are compulsory (obligatoire) until 16. It shows that many nations are aware of the importance of education.
Exemples : Develop what you learn in class about the two texts :
The cost of University : For or against the rise of tuition fees ?
Coping with the cost, by Crystal.
These two texts show that young people understand what is at stake : Their future.
They demonstrate against the rise of the tuition fees (text 1)
They do their best and work part-time to get a degree. (text 2)
C)The purpose of higher education
a)Higher education seen by Chapter 11’s parents
1)Higher education offers graduates more jobs to choose and opportunities.
2) Higher education improves an individual’s quality of life. Studies show that, compared to high school graduates, college graduates have longer life spans, better access to health care, better dietary and health practices, greater economic stability and security, more prestigious employment and greater job satisfaction, less dependency on government assistance, greater knowledge of government, greater community service and leadership, more volunteer work, more self-confidence, and less criminal activity and incarceration
3) Education is knowledge. When you have knowlege, you can dominate, manipulate or help other people. So, education and knowledge are power !
All these goals of higher education are embodied by Chapter 11’s parents.
b) Chapter 11 and higer education
-his self-transformation : see text
-The tennis table match with his father
-His interests in anthropology
Chapter 11’s purpose of higher education is different from that of his parents.
Knowledge is freedom. It emancipates you : How does universities emancipate Chapter 11 ?
He has become more independent, more mature, more critical of what he sees. He is close to nature and more respectful to the environment. He is like his idol : John Lennon. What does J.Lennon stand for ?
D) Universities as places of power
Examples of universities as places of power : Harvard, Eton, Cambridge. They also train and educate most of the heads of states of the world.
Conclusion
Parents pass on values and principles to their children. Education is a foundation of modern and democratic societies. Why is education so important ? It makes ignorance decline. Ignorance means intolerance, wars, destruction.
Topic: To what extent can we say that the American Dream is still alive ?
OVERVIEW
Nous allons aborder la notion d’Espaces et d’Echanges sous l’axiome du mythe du Nouveau Rêve Américain.
La problématique sur laquelle nous allons travailler va être de comprendre dans quelle mesure les Etats Unis ont toujours attiré autant d’émigrés.
Cette dynamique qui a fait le succès des Etats Unis est toujours d’actualité à l’heure des flux migratoires vers les pays européens notamment l’Angleterre et l’Allemagne. Les Etats Unis attirent toujours autant d’émigrés même si leurs aspirations diffèrent de celles de leurs prédécesseurs.
Cette thématique nous aide à mettre en évidence la notion de globalisation. Les circuits commerciaux et reseaux d’influence constituent des aires culturelles qui dépassent les frontières géographiques et institutionnelles des Etats. La frontière peut être considérée comme une limite mais aussi comme une protection ou une ouverture vers un espace plus élargi.
L’espace devient fluctuant quand on pense au grand espace virtuel et culturel d’internet. Ainsi, malgré une grande diversité et inégalité au niveau économique et politique, le monde reste un ensemble dans lequel les liens se tissent continuellement. Des échanges de toutes sortes ont lieu dans tous les domaines (arts, histoire, philosophie, politique, religion, pratiques sociales).
Les sociétés sont ainsi travaillées par des conflits entre le particulier et l’universel, les oppositions entre la tradition et la modernité.
Introduction
We decided to touch the notion of Spaces and Exchanges throuh the following question : « To what extent can we say that the American Dream is still alive ? »
4)A successful woman, onlineessays.com, Oprah Winfrey’s influence in America.
To tackle our main topic and question, I will first describe the notion of the American Dream and I will then show you the positive and negative points of the American Dream.
I) The Definition of the American Dream
The American Dream is the notion that the American social, economic and political system makes success possible for every individual. Someone who manages to achieve their version of the American dream is said to be « living the dream ».
The American Dream is not the same for everyone. It has an individual meaning. It is peculiar to every individual. For some people to achieve the American Dream is getting a good job, a big house, food on the table for the family. For others, it may have another meaning such as finding a house in a safe neighborhood, a good school for one’s children, being free and far from war and persecution.
II) The Positive aspects of the American Dream
A)In the first text that we studied, the protagonist who is of Asian origin managed to integrate quite successfully in his new country.
When he arrived no one / a few people seemed to notice him / people seemed rather indifferent. But after some years – 30 years – people seem to appreciate and respect him. Wherever he goes, he is greeted by the local population.
Although the narrator expected to be discriminated against rejected / ostracized, people were interested in him and made him feel he was not unwelcomed.
We may think that he was welcomed because he was a doctor and he also play a social part in the society by taking care of people who are sick.
B) The second text is an article from Time. Before going to America, Fareed Zakaria had a mythical idea of America and the American Dream. For him, America was a paradise where everybody lived a wonderful life.The American Dream for him consisted in open land, shiny skyscrapers, fancy cars, cowboy businessmen, sexy actresses… There seemed to be an immense contrast between his native country and the US. By comparison, India seemed far behind. When he came to America on a first visit, the journalist realized it was not what he had imagined. His vision of the American Dream was slightly different.
The situation today is not the same as it used to be. It is a reversed situation. American people seem pessimistic/
discouraged/hopeless about their future whereas Indian people are full of hopes and faith.
After years of stagnation in India, the whole country is coming out /coming to light. It is conveying the image of a booming economy.
However, there are reasons for hope.The reasons for optimism are:
Economic reasons: America is the largest and the richest market in the world.
Demographic reasons: it is the only country in the industrialized world where the population is increasing.
Historical reasons: immigrants have contributed to keep the Dream alive.
The American Dream is a part of American history.
Cultural and psychological reasons: it’s the only country in the world to have the diversity, the openness, the dynamism which give this country its power / which make this country so powerful and unique.
The diversity, the openness and the dynamism have made this country exceptional and unique. Even if the American economy is not thriving, the US still gives immigrants the opportunity to improve their lives / to remain hopeful for the future / to live in a democracy / to have a shot at the American Dream
This is why Fareed Zakaria is optimistic and values America so much.
III) The Negative aspects of the American Dream
The last text that we studies offers a negative aspect of the American Dream. The author, Philip M. Deutsch regards the American Dream on a more realistic perspective. His position is that « race » is an obstacle which prevents you from attaining the American Dream. He compares the case of White people and Black people in America. The situation of Black people is very alarming. They are more likely to be affected by the plagues of drugs, poverty and illiteracy. Racism is a social plague. Hence the use in America of the Affirmative action, a quota system. A certain percentage of jobs or school vacancies are reserved for members of a certain group.
Conclusion
As we said before, the American dream is a myth and it has different meanings. I will finish my exposé by emphasizing the fate of a great woman like Oprah Winphrey who is the richest Afro-American woman. Thanks to hard work, her self-confidence, her wit, she succeeded in creating a real financial empire of which every black people is proud of. As she started from nothing and rose to fame, we can say that she is the evidence that the American Dream is still alive.
To what extent can we say that the American Dream is still alive?
A DEFINITION OF THE AMERICAN DREAM
Instruction: Watch the video and say what the American Dream means for these people.
The American Dream is the notion that the American social, economic and political system makes success possible for every individual. Someone who manages to achieve their version of the American dream is said to be « living the dream ».
The idea of the American dream is older than the USA itself – it dates back to the 1600s, when people began to have hopes for what was a new and largely unexplored continent to European immigrants. People dreamt of owning land and establishing a prosperous business and hoped that this would make them happier.
The American Dream is not the same for everyone. It has an individual meaning. It is peculiar to every individual. For some people to achieve the American Dream is getting a good job, a big house, food on the table for the family. For others, it may have another meaning such as finding a house in a safe neighborhood, a good school for one’s children, being free and far from war and persecution.
So we realize that many people criticize the idea of the American dream because they say that it is impossible for everyone to be able to fulfill their dreams – there are still inequalities in class, race, religion and ethnicity preventing people from « living the dream ».
Today’s the definition of the American dream has changed. People no longer wish for being rich and famous. Most people nowadays hope that they will avoid poverty, will get married, have children and live in a traditional home.
A successful woman, onlineessays.com, Oprah Winfrey’s influence in America (Missions Anglais tle, p.21)
CONCLUSION
1)The new immigrants
Immigration or movement of population is a very old phenomenon. People have moved to other places for a variety of reasons that rank from personal to national reasons. As far asmigration to America is concerned, it is still the case.
America is the first world superpower and as a result attracts/appeals to many people from different countries. So, it is important to know that America has always been a land of immigrants. It is called “a nation of nations” which means that America has welcomed immigrants from various territories.
We know that by the 1900, at the beginning of the XXth century, immigration to America was very important (8thousand people entered the continent). The majority of the immigrants originated from Ireland, Eastern Europe, England.
By the XXIst century, we have the same trend (tendency). Africans, Mexicans and people from Asia make up the majority of the immigrants going to America. In the 1940’s, we had a decrease of the rate of immigrants because of the quota laws.The United States has adopted many different laws regulating the entry of immigrants; sometimes they focused on some nationality like Asian people from 1917 to the 1920’s.
2) Why did people go to America? Why are people still attracted by the myth of the American Dream?
To understand why people go to America, we have to pay attention to the myth of the American Dream.
First of all, the settlers who went to America wanted freedom. America was the land of freedom. When you were persecuted for political or religious reasons you migrated to America. America was a vast and uninhabited continent. We know well the story of the conquest of the west and the indian genocide.
Secondly, America was the land of opportunity. If you were hard working, ambitious and showed determination, you can be successful and become rich in no time at all. This was the case for a Bavarian immigrant called Levi Strauss who sold jeans and became rich.
You have the example of Andrew Carnegie who made his way out of poverty through investing in many projects: bridge building firm, steel company. He was also lucky because after he bought a farm, oil was discovered on his property.
All these stories fuel the imagination and people firmly believe that America is the place to be. All through the 19th century, America benefitted from industrialization and became the richest country in the world.
After America participated in the two world wars, it started to dominate the world economically with the doctrine of liberalism. Also, it began to have an international influence. America then became the policeman of the world trying to wage war against China and communism.
The fact that America is the wealthiest nation explains why people are still eager to migrate to America.
The statue of Liberty still has a powerful impact on people’s psychology.
You also have the myth of the Melting Pot. It is the notion that America is able to integrate people from any nation so that they make one as the political system of America which is a federation of states.
People like Bob Jones (with Apple) or Bill Gates (with Microsoft) who became millionaire because they were smart businessmen.
You have singers like Rihanna, Beyoncé, actors or sportsmen who thanks to their talent could become famous and earn huge sums of money.
One of the best example which support the American Dream (myth) is Obama’s election and reelection. In no country where blacks are a minority you will find a black president. America was able to elect a black president whose parents are from Africa. It’s an unprecedented event in the history of America and the world. And that’s the strength of the American people. That’s why America will continue to attract masses.
Another important idea we must add is the ability of the Americans to transcend themselves, to overcome obstacles, this “sunny attitude” over life, the idea that things can be worse but in America, things will always be better than anywhere else.
This optimism prevailing in America is a crucial element in American appeal.
We must also add that the nature of the American Dream has changed. The American Dream no longer means acquiring wealth, US citizenship, it signifies for the middle class people get consumer goods like big cars and a beautiful house.
ARTICULATION DES ÉPREUVES ORALES EN ANGLAIS SÉRIE L
1. Pour la série L, articulation de la partie orale des épreuves obligatoires de LV 1 et 2 avec les autres épreuves orales : Langues vivantes 1 ou 2 approfondie (LVA), LV3 (épreuve de spécialité ou facultative) et Littérature étrangère en langue étrangère (LELE)
Comment s’organise la partie orale des épreuves obligatoires de LV1 et 2 avec les autres épreuves orales ponctuelles de langues vivantes en série L ? L’articulation entre les épreuves de langues vivantes en série L s’organise comme présenté dans le tableau ci-dessous.
Épreuve
Temps de préparation
Déroulé de l’épreuve
Niveau d’exigence attendu (CECRL***)
LV1 seule
10 min
10 min d’exposé + 10 min de conversation
niveau B2
LV2 seule
10 min
10 min d’exposé
+ 10 min de conversation
niveau B1
LV1+LVA
10 min
10 min d’exposé
+ 10 min de conversation*
niveau B2 à C1
LV2+LVA
10 min
10 min d’exposé
+ 10 min de conversation*
niveau B1 à B2
LV1 + LELE
10 min
10 min d’exposé
+ 10 min de conversation 5 min d’exposé + 5min d’interaction**
niveau B2
LV2 + LELE
10 min
10 min d’exposé
+ 10 min de conversation
5 min d’exposé
+ 5min d’interaction**
niveau B1
LV1+LVA+LELE
10 min
10 min d’exposé
+ 10 min de conversation*
5 min d’exposé
+ 5 min d’interaction**
niveau B2 à C1
niveau B2
LV2+LVA+LELE
10 min
10 min d’exposé
+ 10 min de conversation*
5 min d’exposé
+ 5 min d’interaction**
niveau B1 à B2 niveau B1
LV3 seule
10 min
10 min d’exposé
+ 10 min d’interaction
niveau A2 *
à l’oral, l’épreuve LVA1 ou LVA2 se substitue à celle de la LV1 ou LV2
** L’oral de LELE est accolé à celui de LV obligatoire mais il est distinct de ce dernier (il n’y a plus de temps de préparation pour LELE).
Attention : pour l’épreuve de spécialité, le candidat doit choisir entre une LV1 approfondie, une LV2 approfondie et une LV3.
Si le candidat a choisi comme épreuve de spécialité une LV3, il ne peut pas la choisir comme épreuve facultative.
*** Cadre européen commun de référence pour les langues
Expression orale (épreuve obligatoire LV1 seule ou LV2, série L uniquement)
Vous êtes interrogé par un examinateur extérieur à votre établissement. Vous lui présentez la liste des notions étudiées dans l’année et les documents qui les ont illustrées. L’examinateur choisit l’une de ces notions. L’épreuve dure 30 minutes : 10 minutes consacrées à la préparation et 20 minutes à l’interrogation. L’interrogation se déroule en deux parties :
10 minutes de prise de parole en continu où vous présentez la notion étudiée (ce que vous avez étudié pendant l’année, votre approche personnelle, ce que vous avez aimé ou pas). Vous pouvez vous appuyer sur les documents que vous avez apportés ;
10 minutes en interaction avec le professeur.
Expression orale (épreuve orale de langue de spécialité ou LVA), série L, LV1 ou LV2)
Cette épreuve remplace l’épreuve orale de LV1 ou LV2 si vous avez choisi votre LV1 ou votre LV2 en spécialité. Vous êtes interrogé par un examinateur extérieur à votre établissement. Celui-ci choisit l’une des deux notions que vous présentez parmi celles étudiées pendant l’année. Vous devez avoir constitué pour chacune de ces deux notions un dossier comportant :
2 documents étudiés en classe ;
1 document de votre choix qui illustre ou complète cette notion.
L’épreuve dure 40 minutes, dont 10 minutes consacrées à la préparation, 10 minutes de prise de parole en continu où vous présentez votre dossier et justifiez vos choix, et 20 minutes en interaction avec le professeur.
Expression orale (épreuve obligatoire de littérature étrangère en langue étrangère (LELE), série L)
Cette épreuve a lieu à la suite de l’épreuve obligatoire ou de l’épreuve de spécialité de la langue que vous avez choisie pour cet enseignement (LV1 ou LV2). Vous êtes interrogé par un examinateur extérieur à votre établissement. L’examinateur choisit l’une des deux thématiques du programme de littérature étrangère en langue étrangère que vous présentez. Vous devez avoir constitué pour chacune de ces deux thématiques un dossier comportant :
3 textes extraits d’une ou de plusieurs œuvres étudiées en classe (roman, théâtre, poésie) ;
des documents de votre choix qui permettent d’analyser la réception de la ou des œuvres (extrait de critique, adaptation, illustration iconographique, etc.).
L’épreuve dure 30 minutes, dont 20 minutes consacrées à la préparation (10 minutes qui s’ajoutent aux 10 minutes de temps de préparation de l’oral auquel il est accolé), 10 minutes consacrées à la prise de parole en continu où vous présentez votre dossier et vous justifiez vos choix de documents et 10 minutes en interaction avec le professeur.
Quatre conseils à retenir pour un oral réussi
Vous devez présenter l’une des quatre notions du programme de terminale. Il vous est conseillé de trouver une problématique reliant la notion que vous devez présenter aux documents que vous avez étudiés en classe avec votre professeur.
Présentez un plan organisé en plusieurs parties (introduction, deux ou trois arguments ou idées importantes, conclusion). Pensez à relier les idées entre elles par des liens logiques.
Vous serez surtout évalué sur votre niveau de langue. Il faut donc soigner votre expression, votre prononciation et votre accent. Reprenez-vous si vous pensez avoir fait une faute et parlez à un rythme normal.
N’oubliez pas que l’interaction compte pour moitié de la note finale. Montrez que vous comprenez les questions. Ne laissez pas l’examinateur parler seul : vous devez prendre part à l’échange.
Voici une présentation générale des 4 notions et une méthode claire sur la manière de présenter sa notion devant le jury.
1) Example: The press as a form of Power.
2)Example de production écrite: How power can be limited?
In order to begin my presentation about form and location of power, it will be necessary for me to define what power means. In the Oxford dictionary, power refers to the ability to influence the behavior of others or the political or social authority exercised by a government, individuals or an institution. In addition, if power exists in our society, it means that counter-power exists too. If some forces tend to exercise a power on subjects, these subjects may reject the power. Thus how the power can be limited? We will choose a framework related to the relations between Power and Resistance so as to answer this issue.
I. Abuse of Power
1) Abuse of power to face a threat
– MacCarthyism: during the Cold War, the communism was fought on the American soil – Guantanamo and the Patriot Act
2) Abuse of Power may increase the criminality: golden era of gangsters and mafia during the Prohibition period (cf the movie The roaring Twenties, Cotton Club, The Godfather, …)
II. Social Demand to protest against the Power
Protestations and strikes in the Public space (the street) to struggle against Power.
1) Social demands to share the Power
– The Suffragette in the UK (The Women Social and Political Union, The Cat and Mouse Act, the Women Liberation Movement) toward the parity women/men
– Trade Unions in the US and the UK (beginning of the XXth century); the Union movement (mouvement ouvrier) in GB
2) Racial Protest in the US: How African-American protested to access public space as normal citizens
– African American Civil Right Movement (1955-68): affirmative actions
– Marthin Luther King: the March on Washington (1963)
3) National Claims: Nothern Ireland and IRA (fights in the city, in the street)
4) Uprisings (révoltes civiles): the Boston Tea Party in 1773. American Patriot fought against Great Britain ==> beginning of the Independence War.
III. Rejection of Power
From the second part of the XXth century, movements against the Power have become more and more powerful. In the second part we have shown that claims or protestations were a racial, gender or social issues. In this part, we will see that they can embrace more and more people whatever the social class, gender or race.
1) Anti-establishment movements: during the 60’s, in the US – and then, all around the world
2) Hippie movement tend to reject governmental policies, especially the Vietnam War. Many artists joined this movement and created songs, paintings, movies against the ruling class.
3) the Anonymous: struggle for the Idependence of the Internet in a virtual space
4) Occupy Wall Street: demonstrations in the street to denounce the power of financial institutions.
