English LK

Inhaltsverzeichnis
American Dream..................................................................................................................................3
History – the puritans.......................................................................................................................3
USA world power............................................................................................................................3
Central Ideas....................................................................................................................................4
Religion as a base for the American State.......................................................................................5
Ideal.................................................................................................................................................5
Concept............................................................................................................................................5
Symbols...........................................................................................................................................5
Declaration of independence...........................................................................................................6
Problems..........................................................................................................................................6
Immigration.....................................................................................................................................6
People of colour in America............................................................................................................7
Gun control......................................................................................................................................7
Poverty.............................................................................................................................................8
Equality/Individuality......................................................................................................................8
Myth or reality.................................................................................................................................8
United Kingdom...................................................................................................................................9
British Asians...................................................................................................................................9
Monarchy.........................................................................................................................................9
History...........................................................................................................................................10
Important Monarchs.......................................................................................................................10
Events of Brexit.............................................................................................................................11
2016...........................................................................................................................................11
2017...........................................................................................................................................11
2018...........................................................................................................................................11
2019...........................................................................................................................................11
2020...........................................................................................................................................12
Nigeria................................................................................................................................................13
Geography......................................................................................................................................13
History...........................................................................................................................................13
Problems........................................................................................................................................14
Globalisation.......................................................................................................................................15
4th industrial revolution:................................................................................................................15
Definition: countries are becoming more interconnected, both economically and culturally,......15
History...........................................................................................................................................15
environment/ecology.................................................................................................................16
economy....................................................................................................................................16
politics.......................................................................................................................................16
technology & media..................................................................................................................16
culture/society...........................................................................................................................16
Migration: “globetrotters” & refugees...........................................................................................17
population..................................................................................................................................17
Effects on the industrialised countries...........................................................................................17
William Shakespeare..........................................................................................................................20
Historical context...........................................................................................................................20
 Biography.......................................................................................................................................20
Shakespeare’s relevance today.......................................................................................................21
Genetics..............................................................................................................................................23
CRISPR CAS9...............................................................................................................................23
History of test tube baby................................................................................................................23
therapeutic cloning.........................................................................................................................23
genetic engineering........................................................................................................................24
GM crops.......................................................................................................................................24
designer babies...............................................................................................................................25
Dystopia..............................................................................................................................................26
Extrapolation..................................................................................................................................26
Genre..............................................................................................................................................26
science fiction...........................................................................................................................26
distopia......................................................................................................................................26
utopia.........................................................................................................................................26
protagonist.................................................................................................................................26
Examples...................................................................................................................................27
Common denominators..................................................................................................................27
current event/problems:.............................................................................................................27
American Dream
History – the puritans
• 1492: the discovery by columbus → geographical basis

• 1630 : Massachusetts Bay Colony founded

◦ 16 Mil. Descendants

◦ mostly Calvinists

• “the elected” destined by God

◦ predestination/”convent of grace”

• British Crown

◦ behaviour regulations would not give freedom to the Calvinists

◦ gambling was allowed

◦ the church of England was not strict enough/ to Catholic for most Calvinists

◦ state controls religion

◦ Sunday – sabbat

• 1776 (4th July): the Declaration of Independence: “All men are created equal; they have a right to live, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness” → the 13 colonies declared their independence from England

• 1789: the US Constitution established the principles of democratic government

• 1790-1890: Time after the Revolutionary War (1776 – 1783); Westward expansion (frontier spirit)

• 1791: the Bill of Rights: freedom of religion, speech, the press, the citizens, right to equal justice→ first 10
amendments of the American constitution

• 1865: Slavery is legally abolished at the end of the Civil War, under the presidency of AbrahamLincoln

• 1964: As a result of Martin Luther King’s Civil Rights Movement and his dream of a colour-blind society,
racial segregation in public places, schools, etc. and job discrimination are banned

USA world power

• 19th century isolationism – peaceful relation to Europe, focus on internal issues Manifest Destiny as driving
force and motive

• End of Isolationism due to acquisition of Pacific territories

• Shift to Imperialism in order to spread the American way of life

• 20th century WW1: 1914-1918

• Treaty of Versailles

• post WW2/ post cold war

• Ultimate establishment of the US as a global superpower

• Rising threat in Communism

• USA never lost a war

• portrait as a myth, powerful creature, godly

• fighting for ideals (freedom, peace, democracy)

 • Vietnam war – blurred lines of good and bad

◦ military defeat, traumatic

◦ not spoken of

• AD promise/believe – fulfilment (difference to Europe)

• Iraq war – press didnt question reasons

◦ took over what state published

◦ imprisoned soldiers took by side

◦ lies about USA actions

◦ Abu-Ghuraib-Scandal

▪ prisoners in USA tortured, abused to death

• distinguished USA from Europe /fulfilment of AD)

• Trump – Kurd troops

◦ nothing to do with America

◦ does not want to fight anymore

◦ “we’re not a police agency, its time to come home” (Trump)

Central Ideas
• divine destiny

▪ to expand its territory to spread ideals and religion

▪ like Israel chosen by God to fulfil special role

▪ establish new and pure Christian commonwealth

• Freedom

◦ from oppression of the crown

◦ from all oppositions to religious authority

◦ defied the civil authority of the state

▪ against socialism

▪ no oppression from state

▪ no help, no social system

▪ everything is done without government and by the people

• Equality

◦ no hierarchy in society

◦ Individualism

◦ working hard archiving goals

◦ a good lives – God blesses – saved

▪ everyone can work hard and archive everything

• old world – Europe

 • New world – land of milk and honey, new Canaan

• overall believe they are better

Religion as a base for the American State

Good aspects Bad aspects
Moral base (Bible laws) reasonably Feel special/ chosen
Equal hierarchy No help from state
Working hard (mindset) Politic and religion – pope disaster (no offence)
Freedom from oppression Kill other believing – not tolerant
Behaviour regulations No freedom of press
Same culture, one church – unity Enslaving others (like crusade)
No religious war

Ideal
• Ideal – perfect picture

• AD – unreachable (always a hope/dream to look up to)

• Myth – divides country

◦ hope/hopeless, Dream/Nightmare

◦ State is splitting (Trump) and collapsing

• State build on personal life, and religion (culture)

• America is paradise, new beginning

• religious – peace and freedom in God

• Patriotism

◦ “Stars and Stripes” – flags are omnipresent (= widespread)

◦ “I’m proud to be American” – strong national pride

Concept
• if a person works hard, he can archieve goals and improve his situation

• life, liberty, happiness

• pursue goal with minimum of state control

• government by/for people

• “from rags to riches”

• fame and fortune, fulfilling life, success

• economic: prosperity and professional success

• social: opportunity, equal justice, classless society

Symbols
• Statue of Liberty

• Flag, Hollywood, LA, Skyscraper

 • California – material success

• The West – no past, find one self

Declaration of independence
• 1776

• all men are created equal, born into freedom and right

◦ men are only white male over the age of 25

• government to protect freedom, receiving power from nation

• nation gives and takes power

• abuse of power – new election

◦ history with abuse of title and crown (British)

• freedom and independence from crown – no taxes and colony

• pledge live fortune and honour to each other – America as unity

Problems
• Mexico

• Trump

• Black Lives Matter, police brutality

• Weapons, NRA

Immigration
• everyone immigrant (except Natives)

• illegal immigrants foundes America

• migrated to reservarts resered for nativ americans

• risked all much to become free and America

• salad bowl

◦ cultures all mixed

◦ next to each other

◦ no melting but preserving

◦ maintain traditions and culture

◦ lot of cultural diversity

• melting pot

◦ generations and culture melts together

◦ abandoned cultures, assimilated into one American culture

◦ no diversity, differences not respected

• ideal: equal rights and oporunities while maintaining own individuality

Pro Immigration Against Immigration

money Takes jobs, lower wages
success Hurt people
opportunity Abuse of welfare state
Cheap labour and help for jobs no one wants Gang, crimes
Better living Too easy, too open
education Illegal for reasons
Health care Lack education
Bring cultural diversity discrimination
security Destroy more than they will create
Peaceful life
Developed country

• Trump does not want Mexican immigrants for those reasons

• like Hitler the Jews

• but still wants cheap labour

People of colour in America

• ex-slaves – long way and lots of fights
• now equal by law, through civil rights movement
• education helps
• gang crimes, prejudices
• Black lives matter movement
• KKK/ racism today (Trump), proud boys, white supremacists
• history of Racism & Segregation in the US
• The Civil Rights Movement-
• Racism against African Americans: huge problem in the US (then and now)
• 20th Century: racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans-African
• American Civil Rights Movement (1954-1968): social movement with the goal offending this segregation and
discrimination-Characterized by major campaigns of civil resistance between 1955 and 1968
• Non violent protests, civil disobedience and boycotts (e.g. Montgomery Bus Boycott, Marchon Washington,
Desegregating Little Rock High School)
• Direct action, voter registration, resistance, community education
• Lead figures: Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Ella Barker, Malcolm X

Gun control
• easy to get a gun (no checking needed)

• free state – free people

• NRA – Lobby, powerful (republican)

• fundamental right to bear arm

• AD, protecting own land

Poverty
• American Nightmare

• no help from state

• gab between rich and poor

• no education – no job (expensive, not free)

• no security in job, no insurance

• happy/satisfied as long as there is a movement between rich and poor (Influencer on YouTube or TikTok as
example)

Equality/Individuality
• no hierarchy, same chances for everyone

• work hard to improve situation

• all used to be immigrants

• free actions – work yourself up

• freedom of thoughts, press, … (lots of fake News if all News agencies are private)

• “if you fail its your own fault” – AD

Myth or reality
• key concept of society, history, cultures

• hard work improves situation

• paradise, new beginning, life in harmony (like Atlantis, Canaan)

• new world, equality, moral society (utopia)

• classless society – democracy

• life, liberty, happiness

• government for/by people

• Symbols, Ideals

• failure – American Nightmare

• believing in myth – brings motivation, strength

◦ forms open society, equal foundation

• myth from the beginning

◦ reality if one believes in it

• America as inspiration

• satisfied – one can always improve

• movement between rich and poor

United Kingdom
• Great Britain consists of just England, Wales and Scotlandthe

• United Kingdom also includes Northern Ireland

British Asians
• Majority of immigrants in UK are Asians

• East India Trading Company (18th century)

◦ looking for a better future

◦ Indian servants were brought to UK, until 1947

• WW2 – Indian soldiers and Indian independence

• Great Migration

◦ 1950 immigrating to UK

◦ loss of East Indian trading Company, loss of labour in India

◦ no mixing of race, religion, culture

• Britain's’ attitude towards immigration

◦ proud to offer safety

◦ escaping persecution

◦ suffering hardship

◦ people who live in poor places found work

◦ got more workers

• Vocabulary immigrations

◦ malting pot, salad bowl

◦ multiculturalism, clash of cultures/religions

◦ discrimination, racism, stereotypes, prejudices

◦ diversity, integration, assimilation(blending), adaption (annehmen)

Monarchy
• monarch head of state

• Prime Minister head of government

• constitutional monarchy

• Parliament reigns

• Oberhaus/House of Lords – Lords, confirms laws

• Unteraus/ Hour of commoners – proposes laws, assists Prime Minister, (elected every 5 years)

Conservative Party Labour party

• centre right • left to centre
• conservatism • left-democratic socialist party
• Eurosceptic position • favours an extended welfare state
 • criticism of Labour’s state multiculturalism • support of multiculturalism

History
• The first British Empire (1497-1783)

◦ set up new colonies and traded all over the world

◦ 13 colonies, colonial power, self-sufficient, trading

◦ splendid isolation: foreign policy persuaded by Britain during the 19th century, which sought to avoid
former alliances, particularly with other European power. It conceded with a time of economic prosperity
and political grandeur for Britain, the peak of the British Empire

◦ the moment they gave up their isolation (being a part of EU) everything went down ⇒ war

◦ USA independence (1783)

• The second British Empire (1783-1924)

◦ “Mother Country”; empire covered a fifth of the land in the world

◦ focus on India/Asia, sea routes, political influence

• The British Empire after 1924

◦ The Commonwealth and the European Union

◦ was dismantled and replaced by a voluntary organisation of former colonies called the Commonwealth

• autonomy through: 1. own government – crown colony 2. taking over all responsibility, self-governing colony/
dominion 3. commonwealth of nation (today)

Important Monarchs
Name information
Henry VIII (8) (Tudor) 1491-1547 6 wives-English reformation-Anglican church
Queen Mary (Tudor)1516-1558“Bloody Mary”- first English Queen-catholic → killed everyone who
was not catholic
Queen Elizabeth I1533-1303“Virgin Queen ”England's Golden Age/Elizabethan age → era of peace
and prosperity-established Protestantism in England-never
married
Guy Fawkes1570-1606 gunpowder plot → failed attempt to blow up England's
KingJames I and the Parliament
CharlesII1630-1685 catholic → turned church again-against parliament
Queen Victoria1819-1901 „Grandmother of Europe”-Empress of India-supported
different religions
King George V (Windsor)1865-1936 changed his name → ashamed of being German
King Edward VIII (8)1894-1972 --abdication crisis: gave up his crown to marry the
americansocialite Wallis Simpson
King George VI (6)1895-1952- became King after Edward1997
Princess Diana 1961- “Queen of hearts”-Charles first wife; children: Prince
William & Harry-died in a car crash

Pro of Monarchy Cons of monarchy

 • unites UK
• tradition
• head of state reigns for a long time→ enough
time to bring the country forward
• politically neutral
• monarch is trained from birth to reign→
experienced
• without monarchy, there would need tobe an
elected head of state ⇒ fear
• symbol (no real power)
• not focusing on specific labels, such as“liberal”
or “conservative”→ focus on issues instead
• monarch is independent → no partymember
• charity work
• decisions are being made more quickly,bc only
one person is making them
• making more savings for the government without
elections
• everyone knows who is going to be the next
leader
• perpetuates the class-system
• doesn’t fit in the definition of equality
• no elections
• financed by taxes
• church and monarchy are not separated
• costs more money, than it brings in
• non transparent (doesn’t have to talk tothe press)
• monarchy carries conservative thoughts into
modern society
• undemocratic, unjust
• religious discrimination (possible)
• outdated
• ruler might not be as serious as needed→ didn’t
fight for it in an election
• can lead to poor governance→ public doesn’t
have the power to dethrone him/her
• invest much power to a single person→ he/she
will have the final say

Important politicians/Brexit

• Prime Minister: Boris Johnson

• Secretary of State of the Home Department: Priti Patel (2019)
• Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Dominic Raab (2019)
• Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union: Stephen Barclay
• Secretary of State for Defence: Ben Wallace (2019)

Events of Brexit

2016
• 23 June – votes to leave EU (52 %), mostly England and Wales
◦ David Camerons campaign, intended to stay in EU – resigns as prime minister
• 11 July – Theresa may wins Conservative Party, new prime minister
◦ Foreign secretary post (diplomat) Boris Johnson
2017
• 29 March – May send letter, triggers article 50 of EU parliament
◦ EU’s Article 50 – the mechanism to set the formal exit process in motion
◦ No deal with the EU would be better than “a bad deal for Britain”, she says.
• 17 July – 8. December – Brexit talks are on the way, breakthrough
◦ two years time for England to get independent
2018
• march 19/July 6 – soft Brexit drafts are published
◦ July 8 – 18 Minister want to quit over the soft Brexit
• September 21 – first denial of Mays soft Brexit plan
• November 25 – deal with EU/UK on Exit terms
• December 13 – May promises to step down
2019
• January 15/March 12 – Government looses “meaningful votes”
◦ Brexit is delaid
• March 29 – third meaningful vote lost, no alternative
• May 23 – UK votes in EU elections, May steps down as party leader, waits for new minister
• July 23 – Boris Johnson is new prime minister
• August 28 – house of common suspended for 2 month
• September 3/5 – no asking for extension, no exit-plan exit
◦ Benni bill – no exit without plan, EU law
 • October – without deal UK party will not vote, another delay from EU, many marches and protest against
Brexit
2020
• January – UK EU withdrawal bill becomes law, Brexit approved,
• January 31 – UK leaves EU at midnight
• February to December – 11 month transition
Nigeria

Geography
• 250 Ethical groups

• Lagos old capital

• Abuja capital since 1991

• Igbo

◦ south east, 5 states

◦ specialised: agriculture, business, traids

◦ values: fairness, honesty

◦ ruler: never all powered, democratic prozess, „Eze“

◦ colony: not easily dominated, strong, indemendent, self-thinking

◦ equal gender roles

◦ religion: christian

• Yoruba

◦ south-west, 6 states, with biggest cities

◦ values: tradition, Gods, spirits

◦ ruler: „Oba“, absolute authority, hierarchy rules

◦ colony: easy to abuse system, soled to slavery

◦ gender roles: man authority, pologamy, rural areas

• Hausa

◦ north, Hausaland (largest cities, greatest territory)

◦ specialised: agriculture, villages

◦ religion/values: Islam (against Christianity)

◦ ruler: „Emirs“, absolutism, Sharia Law

◦ colony: easily dominated

◦ gender rules: women second class, many wifes/mistresses

History
• 15th century – transatlantic-slave-traid

• colony: protectirate from 1901-1960

• republic in 1963, for 3 years,

◦ overruled by military reign for 3 years

• 1966 – coup d’état, the civil war

• 1979 republic overruled by military, for 4 years

• 30 years military ruling

 • 1998 republic, democracy

Problems
• cultures/ethics have own rules, languages, cultures, traditions

• poverty, orphans everywhere – no state to help

• money, bribes rule everything, no laws from government

• colony problems, stolen history

Largos

• from slum to metropole

• with education and investments

• “Largos can not be destroied” – catch phrase

• Fela Kutis – famous musician, global

• many cultures within

English/Igbo

• Igbo should not be spoken by non Nigerians/Nativs

• Igbo used to talk to slaves by white men

• should not be mixed with english but preserved by its people

• Nigerian writing in English – Disgrace

• Nigerians often only use slang or wrong English

• Some want to teach good, proper English and want no dialect to be spoken

• slang mostly not respected

Globalisation
4th industrial revolution:
• cyber physical systems – machines start to communicate

• linked up and digital transformation

• COMPUTING: These capabilities are reliant on the technologies and infrastructure of the 3rd Industrial
Revolution

• The 4th Industrial Revolution represents entirely new ways in which technology becomes embedded within
societies and even our human bodies

• examples: ubiquitous, mobile supercomputing, intelligent robots, self driving cars, Neurotechnological brain
enhancements, genetic editing

• effect – changes the way we live, work and communicate with each other

Risks Chances

• joblessness (because of machines)

• inequality (gap between the rich and poor • potential to connect

economic polarization)
• improve the efficiency of organizations
• shifting powers
• help regulate the natural environment – climate
• organizations unable to adapt change

• societies fragment (underdevelopment of

connections)

Definition: countries are becoming more interconnected, both economically and culturally,
the spread of products, technology, information, and jobs across national borders and cultures.

Globalisation is a term used to refer to developments in the areas of economy, politics and culture. It’s not a new
phenomenon but started centuries ago, for instance with the discoveries of explorers and trade along the Silk road

History
• Exploitation (until 1500)

• Founding and forming of villages, cities and infrastructure

• Colonization (1500-1900)

• The Industrial Revolution (1750-1830)

• Advances in communication (eg. telephone)

• Internationalization (1900-present)

• International trade and organizations (eg. United Nations)

• Technology and global media (eg. computers, internet)

• Global village: whole world, looked at as a single community that is connected by electronic communication
systems a problem caused my global village is the loss of cultural identity
environment/ecology
• Paris Agreement (2015)

• every nation of the world

• take united action

• aim: reduce temperature by 2°C; reduce CO2 emissions

• America will quit the Agreement in 2020

economy
• European Union

• Federation of 28 states

• Goals: peace, freedom, safety, rule of law, sustainable development, no disparities or discrimination,
progress, solidarity (union),

respect-values: dignity, freedom, democracy, human rights

• Pro Globalisation Economic superpowers:

1. United States of America

2. Russia

3. China

4. Germany

BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China)→ newly advanced economic development

• global players: multinational companies that produce wherever labour and overhead costs are cheapest, and
then sell throughout the global market, thus maximising their profits and expanding trade

• increase in mergers (a combination of two things, especially companies, into one) between international
companies, which create huge corporations operating worldwide – rise in international trade and foreign direct
investment, promoted, among others, by the World Trade Organisation (WTO)

• Capital flows around the world much more easily, a trend which is also encouraged by the World Bank and the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) which give loans to finance infrastructure projects and other development
programmes

politics
• UN agencies-NGOs (= non-governmental organisations)-NATO

technology & media

• rapid technological change over the last 30 years – microelectronic revolution

• Distances are shrinking, and information is spreading faster than ever before

• the Internet, the World Wide Web and satellites made it possible for everybody to communicate more easily
and efficiently across national boundaries

culture/society
• spread of largely commercial culture-spread of fast-food chains and ethnic restaurants all over the world

• shift of norms and values

• westernisation
Migration: “globetrotters” & refugees

• Globetrotters: people/tourists who travel to a lot of different countries all around the world

• lots of different, easy and cheap possibilities to travel due to increased mobility (eg. train)

• term mostly fits richer people who can afford to travel

• most people travel to get to know new cultures, to experience new things, to find themselves, to have an
adventure

• Types of migration

• Economic migration – a person who moves from one country to another in order to improve their standard of
living and to find new job opportunities

• usually come from south America, Asia and Africa

• Typical workspace: agriculture, fishing sector, domestic service, factories or building sites

• causes for migration: people from LDCs become poorer and hope for better living standards and more income
in developed countries

• Forced migration – involuntary movement of people away from their home due to sudden life threatening
events

• internal migration: movement within country borders

• external migration: movement across country borders

• Refugee: displaced across border

• internally displaced person (IDP): displaced within border

• causes: natural disasters, war and conflict, persecution (eg. due to religion, race, sexuality)

• increasing number of forced migration (70 million in 2018)

population
• decline (rich countries) vs. expansion (poor countries)

• migration, overpopulation, diseases (e.g. HIV, AIDS) spread more easily

Effects on the industrialised countries

• Growing competition

◦ constant pressure to cut costs in a free market economy→ clear priority for efficiency, speed and profits

• Changes in working conditions and job opportunities

◦ longer working hours and fewer holidays

◦ lower wages with poorer working conditions

◦ rising unemployment and early retirement

◦ a demand for greater flexibility

◦ higher mobility and better qualifications

◦ more part-time and temporary work

• Advantages and hopes

• In the developing countries

 ◦ new jobs (in local branches of multinational companies)

◦ new opportunities and markets

◦ rising living standards and less poverty

• In the industrial world

◦ preserve national social standards and income levels

◦ spread of freedom, democracy, human rights

◦ fewer wars and other conflicts worldwide

• For humankind as a whole

◦ increasing opportunities for exchange on a personal level→ greater understanding and friendship among
“world citizens” ⇒ a peaceful, borderless world of shared universal values and general economic
prosperity

• Criticism and fears

• In the developing countries

◦ increasing dependence on foreign support

◦ investment and credits

◦ or danger of foreign investors suddenly pulling out their capital

◦ political danger in the strengthening of corrupt governments

◦ negative cultural influences or manipulation through the mass media

• In the industrial world

◦ erosion of national cultures in Europe and massive illegal immigration

◦ increasing power of multinational companies → can no longer be controlled by elected governments

• For humankind as a whole

• majority of people will not profit from globalisation;

• increasing inequality as well as a growth in regional and ethnic tensions or in pollution

• Westernisation/Americanisation widens the gap between rich and poor

• encourage suspicion, resentment, xenophobia in less powerful nations which feel overrun by strong global
economies

• Reduce carbon footprint

• Food

◦ Choose organic and local

◦ Buy foodstuffs in bulk, when possible using your own reusable container

◦ Reduce your food waste

◦ compost

• Clothing

◦ Don’t buy fast fashion

◦ buy vintage or recycled clothing

◦ Wash your clothing in cold water

• Shopping

◦ Buy less stuff

◦ Bring your own reusable bag

◦ Try to avoid items with excess packaging

◦ Support and buy from companies that are environmentally responsible and sustainable
William Shakespeare
• Monologue:

◦ extended speech by a character in a play

◦ one or few addresses

• speech:

◦ proper audience

• soliloquy

◦ speech in a drama

◦ delivered by a character alone

• on stage

◦ used to reveal a character’s thoughts, feelings, motives to the audience

◦ equals interior monologue

Historical context
• Elizabethan Age→ absolute monarchy

• divine right⇒ God given politics and religion closely linked

• Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603) ruled over England for almost 50 years

• Her reign was marked by prosperity, achievements in the arts and conflicts

• Her father, Henry VIII, established himself as the head of the protestant church of England (adherents of the
“wrong” religion were persecuted)

• Many conflicts with other nations (especially Spain and France)

• Many public executions and torturing (form of public entertainment)

• “Golden Age”: relative stability, economic growth and flowering of theatre, literature, music, art and
architecture

• Elizabeth secured her position and strengthened the English navy

• She died heir-less in 1603: smooth transition of power to James of Scotland

• Great Chain of Being:

• all phenomena (flood, storms, etc.) were interrelated in a well-balanced hierarchy

• certain priorities, certain things / people that are more important than others

• entrenched in the way the people saw themselves

Biography
• Born in Stratford, April 1564, died in 1616

• Visited the grammar school in Stratford

• First became acquainted with classical ancient literature

• Marriage to Anne Hathaway in November 1582

• Daughter Susanna, Twins Judith and Hamnet

 • 1592: Shakespeare becomes a person of interest in London

• Although he lacks university education, he can compete with highbrow writers

• well established in the London theatre world as an actor, playwright and poet

• 1593: first publications and foundation of an acting company

Shakespeare’s relevance today

• Language:

◦ made significant contribution

◦ invented over 2.000 words in the English language

◦ new expressions: ex. “To be or not to be...” (Hamlet)→ in many countries

• Commercial evergreen/success:

◦ profitable brand for hundreds of years → used to cell soap, chocolate, beer, etc.

◦ work has impact on people

◦ modern adaptations: West-side story (Romeo and Juliette), Lion King (Hamlet)

◦ tourist attraction in England → Globe / Stratford-upon-Aven

• Universal and enduring works and characters:

◦ wrote about the beauty of life as well as its ugliness

◦ work is emotional, hilarious

◦ characters are failable, they do things because of reasons and motifs

• characters:

◦ the planets uranus has 27 moons, the majority of which are named of shakespearean characters

◦ relatable characters/themes

◦ Tragic love → Romeo & Juliet

◦ Grief/revenge → Hamlet

◦ Madness → Ophelia

◦ Ambition → Macbeth

◦ Jealousy → Othello

• Timeless themes:

◦ human nature, love, friendship, ambition / lust of power, jealousy, vengeance (= Rache), hatred/racism,
fear, treason (= Verrat), guilt/betrayal, death/grief/revenge, misunderstanding, superstition, virtues & vices
(!), justice

• Reasons against Shakespeare being taught in class

◦ Plays were made for stage & not to be read → puts generations off Shakespeare

◦ Students can't relate to Shakespeare's stories

◦ Language barrier almost impossible to overcome

◦ English language has changed

◦ It's become a staple instead of a common agreement ⇒ duty

◦ Prejudices stand between Shakespeare and students
Genetics
End-goal is to make humanity immortal and prevent ageing signs

CRISPR CAS9
• DNA redoing, changing

• bacteria after virus attack, it saves code of virus into own DNA, produces protein CAS9

• Can cut out diseases

• 2012 – defending mechanism against virus DNA

• quick, easy, cheap – works everywhere on DNA

• genetic therapy: (people with genetic disorders can be treated by replacing a

malfunctioning gene with one that functions properly)

• (human) cloning

• genetic screening: the study of a person's DNA in order to identify genetic differences
or susceptibility to particular diseases or abnormalities

• In vitro fertilization (IVF): to preselect an embryo that is free from genetic disorders

• saviour sibling: child who is born to provide an organ or cell transplant to a sibling
that is affected with a fatal disease, such as cancer or Fanconi anemia

• designer babies: Babies whose genetic make-up has been artificially selected to ensure the presence or absence
of certain characteristics, especially with the regard to the sex of the child

• Gene pharming: genetically modified plants (e.g. maize) that produce needed medicines

History of test tube baby

• eggs and sperm in a tube

• 1934: Dr. Gregory Pincus performs first fertilization of an animal's egg in a lab

• 944: Dr. Pincus and a lab technician Miriam Menkin create conditions that achieve for the first time the
fertilization of a human egg in the lab

• 1978: Louise Joy Brown, the world's first baby to be conceived via in vitro fertilization (IVF) is born

• The woman takes fertility drugs, stimulate the development of extra oocytes (or eggs) in the ovaries, mature
eggs are removed from the ovaries, in the lab, the retrieved eggs are combined with sperm, the resulting
embryo then develops for a few more days in the lab, one or two of the healthiest embryos are transferred to
the intended mother’s (or a surrogate’s) uterus

therapeutic cloning
Cloning means to take the egg and stem cells from one individuum and use the stem cells to fertilise the egg. That way
the mother is also father and the “child” has the exact same DNA as the individuum

or one takes out the DNA of the egg and fills in all the DNA needed for a clone

Pro embryonic stem cell Problems by using embryonic stem cells

• Cure damaged tissues from within (with use of • Using embryonic cells
own stem-cells)
 • saves terminal ill patients • after fertilisation embryo is a life, must be
protected
• can heal Alzheimer
• science without ethics is dangerous
• heeling unhealable diseases with embryonic
stem-cells • embryonic stem cells require destruction of life

• abortion allowed until end of pregnancy, use of • it is not accepted to take a live in order to save a
embryonic cells only for 14-days after life
fertilisation

• differentiation problematic

• adult stem cells can not differentiate, don’t have a

broad potential

• differentiating adult stem cells into specific cells

is the cure for everything

• 14-Days – after that human structures develop

• The differentiation of cells during embryogenesis is the key to cell, tissue, organ, and organism identity
• can differentiated into every kind of cell that is used
• adult stem cells are in bown marrow
• adult stem cells can only heal wounds but no organs or diseases
• techniques exist were you can break down adult stem cells and use them as differentiating stem cells

genetic engineering
What should be done What should not be done

• Healing inherited diseases • Perfect child (it should be own decision)

• designer baby (outcome unsure)

• healing more than one disease a a time (which

gene is for what)

• selecting a child/embryo (killing other embryos,

all have right to live)

• access information/Data (privacy, data protection

issue)

• cliff between gene editing, healing and designing perfect human

• should be protected by law

GM crops
Benefits, reasons for Danger, negativ aspects, harm

• Resistant against pesticides

• huge scale (as GB already grows), feeds worlds • Forrest burned down to grow more modified food
animals
• breeding makes plans defensless, humans need to
• feed many more look after them

• grows healthier, with less care from farmer • hysteric

 • against climate change • changes ecosystem around themes (Tragic)

• breeding for centuries (something normal/first • extinguishes insects, spreads seeds

carrot)
• uncertainty, high risks
• micro-bacteria as natural as GM
• risks to human health unknown
• make tomatoes healthier with blueberry gene
• organic farms are reduced
(less sick, cannot eat blueberries in winter)
• effect ton environment
• profitable even armish people use it
• gene flow into wild plants
• less spraying insecticides

designer babies
Pros Cons

• Preselected features of baby • Safety concerns

• improvement special genes • ethical dilemma

• battle deadly diseases • reduce diversity

• cure hereditary diseases • enhance socio-economic differences in society –

spread, relieve only temporary
• extend lifespan
• new social class – Plays, no guarantee
• decrease rate of birth defects
• encourages genetic doping
• treat genetic disorder
• violation of the children's rights
• new advancements in medicine/science
• harm mother and children
• more organ matches

• parents decide – intelligent/strong children

choose gender

• less bullying, discrimination

• 2019: Chinese twins Lulu and Nana were edited as embryos

◦ the project run by He – man was HIV-positive and the woman uninfected

◦ IVF with sperm and eggs from the couples and then introduced the CCR5 Δ32 mutation into the genomes
of the embryos using CRISPR/Cas9.

◦ the mutation had integrated into some cells but not all, suggesting the offspring would not be entirely
protected against HIV

• Genetically altered embryos can be achieved by introducing the desired genetic material into the embryo itself,
or into the sperm and/or egg cells of the parents

• either by delivering the desired genes directly into the cell or using the gene-editing technology

• The summit concluded that genome editing of somatic cells using CRISPR and other genome editing tools
would be allowed to proceed under FDA regulations, but human germline engineering would not be pursued.
Dystopia

Extrapolation
• Concept for writers behind dystopian novels

• Current issue/extreme/flow of interests – war/violent ever present

• humans all log for peace and freedom, but it is in our nature to fight, but we also have to protect our society

• fictional worst-case-scenario – hunger games

• impact on today/warning – brings awareness, even though we long for peace our desire is not strong enough to
impact our life and choices

Genre

science fiction
• Comic book, movie

• dystopian world and society, future with fiction (science/tech)

• focuses on story/actions of hero

• happy ending

distopia
• Cover of perfect, new society

• absolutism state, society flaws, serious problems

• exaggerate current issue, brings awareness

• ruled by dictator, with military, brainwashing, propaganda

• opposite of utopia

utopia
• Thomas Moore, first author

• future society, perfect

• everyone is happy, no flaws in society

• no war, crime, hunger, ect.

• Unrealistic – “perfect” is to subjective

protagonist
• Questions society believes, problem part of social structures

• helps reader to recognise negative aspects

• mostly unresolved rebellion, fighting

• ultimately fails to change system

Examples
• brave new world – communism, socialism in it’s highest form, no one owns anything or has love, you need
individual stability for social stability

• 1984 – turning of language: if we are in a war our country is in peace, not to be free means to be inside the
system and be under the state is good, ignorance is good if you follow the big brother

• the circle – secrets are not good, everything need to be public for you to be safe and free from secrets and liey,
sharing is craing for others, privacy is not good for the company

Common denominators
protagonist society

• risk of stability • social stability

• identify • society's failure

• rebel

• tragic hero

• dynamic character

people politics

• minor/major character • totalitarianism

• flat/round character • dictatorship

• stock character • democracy

• manipulation

• hypnopaedia

• pedagogics

• conditioning

• hedonism

narrative perspective Setting:

• observer • often city → (metropolitan)

• omniscient • Isolation: sometimes islands

• selective omniscient • future (technological progress)

current event/problems:
• politics

• environment

• society & culture

• 4th industrial revolution

• rapid developments → technology, science

• religion

• migration (forced, economic, social, ecological)categories

 • politics

• science

• environment

• society

• economy

Dystopian Characteristics: Utopia Characteristics:

• equality, happiness, peace, safety

• dictatorship, totalism
• better living conditions
• discrimination, bad living conditions
• act for the good of society
• society’s failure
• scientific progress
• threatening possibilities
• paradise
• divisive issues
• like
• no policy
• entertainment
• realistic
• illusion

dystopian features:
• modern technology → surveillance

• totalitarian regime/empire

• manipulation

• censorship

• no culture life/feelings → dehumanization

• isolated setting (in future)

• hedonism

• punishment (of outcasts)

• lack of individualism

• uniformity→ people living in a dystopian

world/society often perceive their world as
utopia→ tragic hero who realizes that he is living
in a dystopia