Whatever it takes.

The documents are videos and a text introducing the Netflix series entitled “House of Cards”.

The first one is the trailer for the first season of the TV series. The second document is an extract from the last episode of season 5. Finally, the last document is an article from Fair Observer magazine published in May 2023. It is about what is happening inside the White House, the political ambitions and hidden influences that shape the government. The main character is Frank Underwood, a congressman who was promised the position of secretary of state, however he got betrayed. As a result, he decides to take revenge by manipulating the government and public opinion with the purpose of destroying his adversaries. Frank rises from congressman to vice president and eventually president. He got there by all means necessary.

 (At the following of what we did last time)

According to B. Powers, visitors can learn about the real story of slavery and its impact on today’s world. In fact, black people in America are more arrested by the police and are the main victims of police brutality. It shows how big an issue racism still is in the USA.

On one hand, when the place does not reveal the truth, the visitor’s experience is romanticized. Indeed, the tour is focused on the nice architecture of the building and the lives of the white landowners. Visitors will go away without knowing the real stories that happened there as they had been through a nice whitewashed guided tour. They will leave thinking it was a wonderful place and that people used to live a really nice life there.

On the other hand, when visitors decide to go to a plantation that presents how slaves were treated back in the day, guides should warn the visitors about the harshness of they will hear and see throughout the tour. This type of tour is obviously to educate the visitors on one part of American history.

To conclude, in order to not reproduce what happened in the past, it is important to stay educated on the different events. These plantations are used to set the record straight about the history of America. Moreover, it helps people understand better the racial tensions that still exist nowadays in the USA as a result of slavery (Jim Crows, segregation, Civil Rights movement and Black Lives Matter movement).

 Homework: Learn the lesson. 

Enjoy Your Vacation! 😊

 (At the following of what we did last time)

According to Bernard Powers, visitors can learn about the real story of slavery that is the origin of modern racism in today’s society. In fact, nowadays in America, African-American people are still discriminated against as it is the community of people that are more arrested and more victims of police brutality.

To conclude, the visitor’s experience can differ depending on what they see. In fact, if they visit plantations that only display the beauty of the place, center on the architecture and tell the lives of the owners, at the end of the visit, visitors will feel happy to have been through a whitewashed guided tour.

On the contrary, if visitors decide to go to plantation museums where the hard history of the building is told , they will hear about the remembrance of the lives of the slaves. On top of that, the guide will have to warn the visitors that what they will hear will be difficult stories. At the end of this type of visit, visitors will feel more concerned about modern day racism and race relations current tensions in the USA.

It is important for visitors to know the full history of plantations in order to set the record straight about the full story of America. In fact, it will help people to be aware of the reasons why there are current tensions because of what happened in the past. (Jim Crow Laws, segregation, Civil Rights Movement and Black Lives Matter Movement).

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Enjoy Your Vacation 😊

 Deadly Selfies

The document under study is a recording about the trend of deadly selfies. A journalist has invited someone to talk about it. In the document, we learn that people take deadly selfies next to dangerous animals or in places where the landscape is breathtaking. For example, at the Grand Canyon, people are stepping back while trying to take a panoramic selfie, they do not see the edge and fall to their death. Since the beginning of the trend, there have been more than 200 deaths reported, including 5 in the USA in the last month.

These selfies are lucrative for the people who are taking them as they earn money and more followers on their social media platforms. Besides, the social networking sites also make a lot of money out of this trend.

The aim/goal of the recording is to show that taking selfies is a good way to engrave memories. However, you do not need to put yourself in a dangerous situation to create unforgettable memories.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Bring a Selfie to class for the 

Written Production Evaluation on Tuesday, November 3rd.

Enjoy Your Vacation! 😊

Deadly Selfies

The document under study is a recording about the consequences of deadly selfies. It shows that there are some people who would be ready to do everything to have fame and money. Unfortunately, some people die when trying to take the perfect picture. Indeed, in the world, there have been 200 selfie-related deaths reported and 5 in the USA. The aim of this recording is to show that it is a human condition to be willing to take selfies and to show everyone what we have been doing. However, people should not take the risk of dying just to get likes and money on social media platforms. Besides, social networking sites use people’s selfies to make money out of them.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Bring a Selfie to class for the 

Written Production Evaluation on Tuesday, November 3rd.

Enjoy Your Vacation! 😊

Whatever it takes

The documents under study are for the first one a trailer for the first season of the TV series House of cards. The second document is an extract from season 5 of House of Cards. The last one is an article from Fair Observer magazine, published in 2025. They all deal with the TV series House of Cards. The plot takes place in Washington DC. The main character is Frank Underwood, a congressman. It is about political ambition in the American government. Franck Underwood was promised the role of secretary of state however, he ended not getting it. As a result, he was animated by revenge to rise to the top whatever it takes it.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Complete the questions in the textbook p. 84  

-Describe the character of Frank Underwood. Find three adjectives to describe him and his tactics.

-According to Hous of Cards, where does the power lie in Washington? Quote the documents to justify your answer.

What vision of politics does House of Cards present?

Enjoy your Vaction 😊

Political Power in TV Shows

The end of the show left us on a cliffhanger.

My favorite TV show has a good plot twist.

Lobbying can influence politic debate.

Trump rules over America.

In America the president is very influential.

Some political agenda are going to be debunked by the media.

Homework: Learn the lesson.