Unit 3 Social Problems. Content Par I: preparation: on social problems (E1; E2; E3)preparation: on social problems Part II: Reading ICR: Latchkey ChildrenICR:

Unit 3 Social Problems

ContentPar I: preparation: on social problems (E1;

E2; E3)Part II: Reading ICR: Latchkey Children ACR: I: It’s a Mugger’s Game in Manhattan II: ThiefPart III: E1Part IV: Translation & writing A minute for you to thinkFind anything inspirational to write your own

essays and develop your thinking by expanding your ideas and searching on internet.

Part I: Preparation

on social problems

Why does it matter?

Pre-preparatory task:

• part I: E1&E3---talk and get inspired in groups and come back with answers that make sense (group leaders should be responsible to make sure this happens)

• http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-some-social-problems.htm

E1 Brainstorming “social problems”

The post-group discussion workshop

More about social issues

In US: In developing countries: What is happening to us?

Try your own critical thinking

E 2—“mugging”E3—“stop littering”: more like a cet writing topicPart III-E3 E4: a little discussion

Why social problem issues matter

• It would be easy to assume that a social problem only affects the people whom it directly touches, but this is not the case. Easy spread of disease for instance may tamper with the society at large, and it’s easy to see how this has operated in certain areas of Africa. (more cases?)

• It’s also important to understand that social problems within a society affect its interaction with other societies, which may lead to global problems or issues.

• People could be killed by their own shortsightedness (which is actually a disease in medical terms).

In US:

• War-related problems, terrorism threats; environmental threats (pollution), spreading of AIDs, unemployment,

• Domestic violence —(related concepts: family law, custody of child

ren, …)• Adolescents problems (drugs, violence, unplann

ed pregnancy…), • social injustice (growing divide between rich and

poor, racism, sexism),

In developing countries:

• Other issues that may be considered social problems aren't that common in the US and other industrialized countries, but they are huge problems in developing ones. The issues of massive poverty, food shortages, lack of basic hygiene, spread of incurable diseases, ethnic cleansing, and lack of education inhibits the development of society. Moreover, these problems are related to each other and it can seem hard to address one without addressing all of them.

What is happening to us?

Rising housing price Taxation issuesDomestic issues (violence, discarding) SexismMedical problems (patients-doctor relations, expensive medicines,…)Education (family education, school education)Poor commodities qualitiesSocial injustice (judicial system, growing divide of poor and rich, access to opportunities…)

…

In-Class Reading

Latchkey Children—Knock, Knock, Is anybody Home?

Pre-preparatory task:

pre-reading question on P102 read the two essays on my website if possible; note down the key information (group leaders need to help your teammates)

“Keep the questions and different voices for this in your minds and go on with the iss

ue as following”

A clip presentation (video): --- on “Domestic Revolution”

and “how family life has changed in one generation”

to focus on the role of family structure: family structure; mother’s role; children growing

“Latchkey Children”

Preface:

Family has undergone changes in many ways, one of which is that more mothers are taking professional jobs instead of remaining as homemakers. Children are left alone after school, giving rises to problems and changes in their growing: safety, mental health, relationships, study guidance, etc.

Reading in depth: Text on P102-104 Based on instructor’s guidance / questions To understand the title:

latchkey children knock, knock, is anybody home --- kidnapping --- custody

The change of the role of mothers: para 1 from ________ to _________ (taking _____ j

obs) for (1) __________ for (2) __________ line 52-54

the impact on family of this change in mother’s role: para 2

(1)obvious consequences, like _______ (2)subtle ones, especially the _____ impact ---mother’s inner struggle: on one hand: ___________ on the other hand: __________

the impact on children of this change in mother’s role: para 3, 4

they commonly feel _____ and ______ because ______________

Being alone at home after school: • For some youngsters, ___________• For others, ____________

Parents’ strategy for safety concerns: __________, leading to the children’ being ________

latchkey children’s diverse reactions to this change: para 5,6

Group one: (key words)_______________Group two: (key words)_______________

Conclusion: a discussion on solutions:

---Para 7 (whatever the reason,) the real question now is:

“how can an optimum plan be worked out to deal effectively with the situation.”

---Para 8 What could possibly be included in the “optimum plan”?

---what else can be done? (a question for you)

To end the discussion

• E1 of post reading comprehension

Language enhancement

Go over the new words listGo over the phrases and expression listExercise: Vocabulary: E1&2—in class

E3—after classTranslation: Translation----after class

After-Class Reading

Passage I It’s a Mugger’s Game in ManhattanPassage II Thief

retell the two storiesStudents’ questions: 国贸 会计

More discussion Passage one• On it’s dramatic presentation and irony• Recommendation: Castle Passage two To criticize the man in the story(Who made the thief?)

• New words & reading: after class • Exercises: P 120-121 E2, 3—In class; P 132 E2---After class

Part III further developments on

language

E1 Enrich your word powerP133-135 Step one: polysemy

--there are always more than two meanings of one wordP137 Step three:

--you always have to learn the exact meaning of a word in context / decide on the exact word the context requires

Part IV Translation and writing

1 比较结构的学习 : 原级、比较级、最高级 比较结构的翻译：视语境而定

2 translation practice: go to find the keys on the website

3 writing: an intense suggestion

A minute for you to think I’ve learned how to say or spell quite a few social probl

ems (e.g. crime, mugging, thief, women’s role changing, domestic issues, terrorism, drug, incurable diseases…etc.)

I’ve learned to brainstorm as many measures as I can to solve or weaken a social problem like littering or piracy.

I’ve learned to realize the dilemma of mother’s role. I’ve learned how to decipher a “mystery” short story, e

specially those with surprising endings (e.g. O’ Henry) and ironic air.

I’ve learned many new words and old words (graffiti, littering, mugging, suppress, candidly, resentful, deceitful… )

I’ve known the differences of success and successfully, advise and advisable, etc, and how to use them in different contexts. [word speech]

I’ve learned many more meanings of one same word (perfect, engage, significant…etc.) [polysemy]