The theme fot the fourth meeting is "The State. How is power divided in the United States government"

The state has an important part to play in making and enforcing law. But what is a state? 

It is a political unit with a territory that the international community treats as independent, for example the United Kingdom, the USA or Japan. 

Law settles how the state is to be governed (its constitution), what duties it owes its citizens, and what duties they owe to one another and to it. The law of the state consists, of a system of government, together with a framework for making the life of citizens more secure and for enabling them to flourish.

Articles I-III of the United States Constitution allow for three separate branches of government (legislative, executive, and judicial), along with a system of checks and balances should any branch get too powerful. 

But how is power divided in the United States government? Belinda Stutzman breaks down each branch and its constitutionally-entitled powers.

1. In the late 1700's, who did the Founding Fathers not want ruling the United States?
2. When was the new constitution adopted?
3. Which branch of government is described in Article I of the Constitution?
4. Which branch of the government commands the US military?
5. Who determines if federal laws are constitutional?
6. Besides voting, in what ways can a citizen participate in his/her government?

The theme of the second meeting is "Human rights"

The basic idea of human rights is that each one of us, no matter who we are or where we are born, is entitled to the same basic rights and freedoms. That may sound straightforward enough, but it gets incredibly complicated as soon as anyone tries to put the idea into practice. What exactly are the basic human rights? Who gets to pick them? Who enforces them and how? What are the universal human rights? Benedetta Berti explores the subtleties of human rights.

Comment on...

1. Human rights are universal and apply to everybody no matter where they live.
2. The basis of contemporary international human rights law is the _____.
3. All these are considered universal human rights except:
4. Within the international system, the main body tasked with protecting human rights is:
5. What are some of the limitations of the concept of human rights?
6. Some critics argue that the concept of human rights has become little more than a buzzword with no concrete impact. What are the main limitations of human rights today, and what do you think could and should be done to strengthen the international protection of basic rights and freedoms?

The theme of the first meeting is "What did democracy really mean in Athens?"

While we might consider elections to be the cornerstone of democracy, the Athenians who coined the term actually employed a lottery system to choose most of their politicians. Melissa Schwartzberg describes the ins and outs of the Athenian democracy, and addresses some ways in which a lottery system might benefit us today. 

Comment, please

1. Who could attend the Athenian assembly, or ekklesia?
2. How was the Council of 500, or boule, selected?
3. Which office was filled by election?
4. Who was eligible to hold political office?
5. What does "democracy" mean?
6. How would you contrast Athenian democracy with contemporary democracies?

Human Rights

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights." This is what it says in the very first Article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. List of Human Rights

But what exactly are Human rights?
Who is responsible for protecting them?
And do they really apply to all people?

Education

Education is very important in our life. An educated person is one who knows a lot about many things. Citizens of Russia have the right to education which is guaranted by the Constitution. But imagine a country where girls must sneak out to go to school, with deadly conseq mmjnjnuences if they get caught learning. This was Afghanistan under the Taliban, and traces of that danger remain today. 22-year-old Shabana Basij-Rasikh runs a school for girls in Afghanistan. She celebrates the power of a family's decision to believe in their daughters -- and tells the story of one brave father who stood up to local threats.

Comment below:

1.When Shabana's father shouted, "The Taliban are gone!", what were the implications?
2.Why was Shabana's grandfather disowned by his father?
3.According to Shabana's father, what was the greatest risk?
4.What is SOLA, the dream that Shabana cofounded?
5.During the time of Shabana's talk, how many girls are in school in Afghanistan?

6.What was your parents position on your education?

7.How do you think it has influenced your life? 

8.What is your position on your education?

The English language

English is a world language. English is spoken by more than 350 million people. Geographically, it is the most widespread language on earth, second only to Chinese in the number of people who speak it.
It is the language of progressive science, technology and cultural relations. Without a doubt, English is the most advantageous and accepted language for world-wide business. It is also the major language of diplomacy.
Learning a foreign language is not an easy thing. Learning English is like learning to swim or to play ball. We learn to swim by swimming, to play ball by playing ball and to speak English by speaking English. Nobody can learn to swim or play ball for you. Nobody can learn English for you. It is long and slow process that takes a lot of time and patience.
But to know English today is absolutely necessary for every good specialist, for your career in particular, as the specialist who can speak in the appropriate tongue will gain the advantage today. And you will learn it if you really want to.
Language is not to be taught, language is to be learnt.

Watch The world's English mania by Jay Walker

Can you comment now these questions:

1. What did Jay Walker say was the world's newest mania?

2. How many people are trying to learn English around the world?

Can you complete now these statsments:

1. "If you are a Chinese student, you start learning English in the 3rd grade. That's why China will become the world's ________."

2. Jay Walker says that music is the language of ________.