Version vom 9. Dezember 2010, 10:33 Uhr

Elections in Germany and America

Election in Germany

1. The last election in Germany took place on September 27.
2. About 70 % of the people who have the right to vote participated in the election.
3. The result is that Angela Merkel is the chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Obama as president

Expectations of the Americans

The Obama Presidency: Between reality and expectation An Arabe reports about what the world expects from Obama. The new president should finish the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan which are high expectations. The author of the article questions if Obama is really able of improving something.

Hopes of the Americans

Let`s face it: Obama is a failure Obama wanted a health care reform but now it seems as if the reality finally has arrived in the White House. And the hopes of the Americans are very little.

Poetry

• Love makes you feel as if you can fly. (Flying is sth. special, it makes you feel free and great.)
• Love is a prison that you can't escape from. (Love can limit your freedom. If you are in love with someone who is not interested in you and if you can't stop loving him, it feels like prison.)
• If you are in love, it feels like being in spring - even if it is the hardest winter. (You feel young, free and new born. You think that you can achieve everything. A new love is like a new start.)
• Your eyes are brown like the most delicious choco-donuts. (If you can't resist choco-donuts, you can't resist him.)
• Love gives life a sense. (It's dangerous if you depend too much on your partner but it can also make your life worth living.)
• A new love frees you from your old chains. (It makes you forget things that happened in the past.)

Analysis of advertising

The advertisement of "Reggaefest" is addressed to everyone who wants to break out of normal and daily life, but of course also to those ones who like Reggae. This message is already underlined by the image that is used. You see a young woman in a strapless dress that looks conservative because of the oldfashioned form. The only decoration is an old chain. Her blond hair is long and would not attract anyone's attention if she hadn't one strand that is formed like dreadlocks. By using this detail people shall wonder why this honest girl wears only one dreadlock. It seems strange and so it is possible that some people are interested in the message of the image. Because of the girl's attractiveness men could also be interested in herself. She seems fascinated and so her mouth is opened as if she looks at something really interesting. When you view the advertisement you read above her head the words: "There's only one day to reggae." The alliteration effects that it is easy to remember the message and that the one day is stressed. Therefore the woman wears "only one" dreadlock. Her hair is very important for that advertising. There are many Reggae-musicians that wear dreadlocks. This is the only hint in the image for the Reggaefest. It stands for adventure, for one day of change. Everyone - even a nice girl - can escape from daily life. For one day - so if you want to go there you mustn't forget the date that is placed directly behind the textmessage. Eye-catching is the color of the advertisement too. The background is blue, as well as the dress and her eyes. Blue means desire for something. In connection with the woman's mien you can say that she looks longingly forward to the coming event. She gives the impression as if she will come - and she invites everybody to do the same.

Drama: Plot, action and content

• Plot: is the 'through-line' of the drama (beginning, middle and end)and the characters that take part in.
• Action: consists of events in the play and the way the actors play.
• Content: of the drama depends on the themes it deals with.

Drama: Climax and anti-climax

• Climax: the whole plot of a drama leads to this point; the audience gets more and more tensed
• Anti-climax: releases the tension of the audience

Drama: Contrast

• contrasting change of pace, rhythm, sights and sounds is used to hold the audience's interest and attention
• example: the silencing of the noisy crowd by the sound of the judge's fallen gavel

Characterization

The woman on picture 4 has short blond hair and is wearing a black shirt. She is looking very self-assured, dominant and decided. She smiles but not in a very real way - rather like celebrities do. Maybe the photo has been taken on the red carpet. Furthermore she seems to be a cool person.

Two main Characters: Personality, Family, Career

University Life and Academical System

Life in the USA vs. Life in Britain

Question Nr.7

Why does Hilary react so strangely at first and why does she change her mind again? (p. 227-230)

Some hours before, Hilary phoned Morris at his office and asked him to stay another night (p.117). But now she changes her mind again and when Morris comes home she tells him to leave because she does no longer want him to stay. That is why she reacts so strangely at first. While they are talking about Philip's affair Hilary starts to cry and Morris consoles her. Now that she knows it she is feeling less guilty about starting an affair with Morris. And she admits that she had sexual thoughts about Morris the night before. Therefore she changes her mind one more time and sleeps with Morris.

Religion in America

Article from The Times: Religion remains fundamental to US politics

• Questions:

1. Explain the religious fundamentalism of many Americans.
2. What happened in the trial of John Scopes?
3. What was the opinion of Frederick Lewis Allen?
4. Why is the term "fundamentalism" rarely used and what is the term they prefer?
5. What is the fastest growing religious segment in the US?
6. How is religious fundamentalism influenced by education?
7. What are the differences between today's fundamentalists and their predecessors?
8. How can the religious attitude of an American President influence the American society beyond the time of his tenure?

• Answers: