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Introduction

The purpose of creating your blog is to study selected aspects of the culture of an English speaking country. To accomplish this, you will work in groups of up to 6 students. You have already been assigned a country and allocated to your groups. Each group will be responsible for updating their blogs. You will, however, also have to review and comment on the blogs of the other groups.

Be as creative as you'd like in the appearance of your blogs. Keep in mind that the blogs will be used for evaluation purposes, so each section must be completed on the dates indicated.

Here are the entries that have to be completed first:
  • The first entry is an introduction of the group members where each of you can add a photograph of yourselves and give a short biography. (50 - 75 words)
  • Short description of the geography of the country. This could be done with a map and some pictures but remember, the contents you contribute will be graded.
  • A brief history of the country. No country evolves in isolation and it is also influenced by past events. The history will also be in some ways influenced by the geography of the country.
  • The form of government used in each country (Republic, Monarchy, etc). You need to describe this system and how it came about. Again, this will be related to the history of the country and perhaps even the geography.
  • Next we look at the constitution of the country. How did it come about? What are the main points?
  • Which government structures are in use in the country? (One or two chambers of legislation etc.)
  • Internal organisation and devolution of power. (Degree of decentralisation)
Ultimately you have to compare and contrast the situation in your allocated country with that of Chile, pointing out similarities and differences.

 In conclusion, you have to comment on the other sections' blogs.

After that we will look at some other important structures that influence/are influenced by the culture of your allocated country. First up is education.
  • Funding.
  • Pre-school education.
  • Primary education.
  • Secondary education.
  • Tertiary education.
  • Adult education.
Again, the aim is to compare and contrast these systems with Chile.

We will also look at the health and pension systems used in these countries, again comparing and contrasting it with Chile.

After that we will look at the arts. Included here will be music, films, humour, and customs.

 I will guide the blogs by adding a post relevant to the next post you have to publish. I will use the Republic of South Africa as my allocated country. 

 Each section will carry a certain weight for evaluation purposes. The weight and rubrics will be announced soon in Classroom.

 I hope we will all learn a lot and that this course will contribute a little to the discussions currently going on in our country about the future.


St Paul's Cathedral, London 1940


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