CONSTITUTIONS OF THE USA AND THE UK

1. Прочитайте текст и ответьте на вопросы:

1. When was the US Constitution adopted?

2. What does the US Constitution consist of?

3. How are the first 10 amendments to the US Constitution called?

4. What rights and liberties are protected under the Bill of Rights?

5. What is required in federal criminal cases?

6. What kind of trial is guaranteed by the Bill of Rights?

7. What are key features of the US Constitution?

8. What are the three branches of power according to the Constitution?

9. Is there a strict separation of powers?

10. Does any branch have more power than the others?

11. What duties does every branch have regarding the other branches under the principle of checks and balances?

12. What are the composition and powers of the judicial branch according to the US Constitution?

THE US CONSTITUTION

The form of the US government is based on the Constitution of 1787 which was adopted after the War of Independence. The US Constitution consists of 7 articles and 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments are called the Bill of Rights and were adopted in 1791 under popular pressure.

The Bill of Rights is a series of limitations on the power of the United States federal government, protecting the natural rights and liberties, property including freedom of religion, freedom of speech, a free press, free assembly, and free association, as well as the right to keep and carry arms. In federal criminal cases, it requires indictment by a grand jury for any capital crime, guarantees a speedy, public trial with an impartial jury composed of members of the state in which the crime occurred.

Key feature of the US Constitution is federalism - the division of power between the national government and the states. Another major feature of the Constitution is the principle of the separation of powers within the national government. According to this principle the executive, legislative and judicial branches exercise powers that are largely separate and distinct. There is not a strict and complete separation of powers, the powers of the three branches overlap. Each branch has its own responsibilities, but no branch has more power than the other branches. There is the system of checks and balances, which is each branch has certain duties to check the powers of the other branches. This system was meant to protect against the extremes since it makes compromise and consensus necessary.

Legislative branch is called the Congress which consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. It is the responsibility of the Congress to propose and pass laws. In the system of checks and balances, Congress can refuse to approve Presidential appointments and can override presidential veto.

Executive branch consists of the President, the Vice President, the Cabinet and the 13 Departments, and also of the independent agencies. Its responsibility is to enforce laws. According to the principle of checks and balances, the President has the power of veto to reject the bill of the Congress. He also appoints all Supreme Court Justices.

Judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court, 11 Circuit Courts of Appeals and 94 District Courts. This branch explains and interprets laws and makes decisions in lawsuits. It has the power over the other two branches and according to the principle of checks and balances can declare their actions and laws unconstitutional in case they violate the principles of the Constitution.

2. Прочитайте текст и ответьте на вопросы

1. What makes the UK Constitution different from other constitutions?

2. What are the sources of the UK Constitution?

3. What is the core principle of the UK Constitution?

4. What bodies represent the three branches of power (executive, legislative and judiciary)?

THE BRITISH CONSTITUTION

British Constitution is unwritten unlike the constitution in America or the proposed European Constitution, and as such, is referred to as an uncodified constitution in the sense that there is no single document that can be identified as Britain's constitution. The British Constitution can be found in a variety of documents. The main ones are: Statutes (the Magna Carta of 1215 and the Act of Settlement of 1701), Acts of Parliament; customs and traditions, political conventions, case law; constitutional matters decided in a court of law.

Since the English Civil War, the core principle of the British constitution has traditionally been the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty, according to which the statutes passed by Parliament are the UK's supreme and final source of law. It follows that Parliament can change the constitution simply by passing new Acts of Parliamentto to be followed by the Royal Assent. There is some debate about whether this principle remains entirely valid today, in part due to the UK's European Union membership.

According to the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty, Parliament may pass any legislation that it wishes. There are many Acts of Parliament which themselves have constitutional significance. For example, Parliament has the power to determine the length of its own term. However, the Sovereign retains the power to dissolve parliament at any time on the advice of the Prime Minister. Parliament also has the power to change the structure of its constituent houses and the relation between them. Consists of the Sovereign, the House of Commons and the House of Lords. All the legislation must receive the approval of the Sovereign (Royal Assent). Following the accession of the UK to European Economic Community (now the European Union) in 1972, the UK became bound by European law and more importantly, the principle of the supremacy of European Union law.

House of Commons alone possesses the power to pass a motion of no confidence in the Government, which requires the Government either to resign or seek fresh elections. Such a motion does not require passage by the Lords, or Royal Assent. Parliament traditionally also has the power to remove individual members of the government by impeachment. By the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 it has the power to remove individual judges from office for misconduct.

Executive power in the United Kingdom is exercised by the Sovereign through Her Majesty's Government. The monarch appoints a Prime Minister as the head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister then selects the other Ministers which make up the Government. As in some other parliamentary systems of government, the executive is answerable to Parliament.

Courts of the United Kingdom are separated into three separate jurisidictions serving England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as the United Kingdom does not have a single unified judicial system.

Constitutional Reform Act 2005 created a new Supreme Court of the United Kingdom to take over the judicial functions of the House of Lords and devolution cases from the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. The Supreme Court began work in 2009, and serves as the highest court of appeal in England and Wales and in Northern Ireland, and for civil cases in Scotland. The High Court of Justiciary will remain the court of last resort in Scotland for criminal cases.

3. Прочитайте текст о разных видах конституции и переведите его письменно.

Types of Constitutions

Constitution is a system which establishes the fundamental rules and principles which a state will use to govern and regulate are several types of constitutions: written/unwritten constitution, rigid/flexible constitution, federal/unitary constitution.

Term written constitution is used to describe a constitution that is entirely written, that is codified in one single document. Written constitutions normally consist of a ceremonial preamble, which sets forth the goals of the state and the motivation for the constitution, and several articles containing the substantive provisions.

Term unwritten constitution is used to describe a based on series of laws over time. Unwritten constitutions could contain written sources: e.g. constitutional statutes enacted by the Parliament; and also unwritten sources: constitutional conventions, customs and traditions. Historians use the term “rigid” to describe the Constitution because the provisions are in a written document that cannot be legally changed with the same ease and in the same manner as ordinary laws. On the other hand, the Constitution is called “flexible” because it is an unwritten document that can be changed by an act of Parliament or through a process of amendment.

Federal constitution establishes the division of authority between the Federal Government and the component units of the government. In a federal constitution, sovereignty is invested in the central government. It allows a limited amount of government among units. Unitary constitution relates to the parliament. It follows parliamentary system of power.

6. Используя текст, охарактеризуйте конституции Российской Федерации, США и Великобритании

Практическое занятие № 12 (2 часа)

E-MAIL IN ENGLISH

1. Подумайте и ответьте на вопросы:

1. What is email?

2. What do you think about this way of communication?

3. How often do you write emails?

4. How does email differ from a letter?

5.Do you know any rules of writing an email?

Каждое письмо E-mail содержит две основные части: заголовок и тело.

Заголовок письма содержится в следующих полях:

· В поле To: (Куда) записывается адрес получателя сообщения. В зависимости от используемого сервера или почтовой клиент-программы это поле может называться Message To: или Mail To:.

· Поле From: (Ваш адрес E-mail) Обычно этот адрес автоматически записывается и поэтому может отсутствовать на экране.

· В поле Subject: (Тема) указывается краткая аннотация содержания сообщения (не более 20-30 знаков)

· В поле Сс (carbone copy): (Копия) при необходимости записываются адреса корреспондентов, которым рассылаются копии сообщений.

· В поле Всс (blind carbone copy): (Скрытая копия) указываются адреса корреспондентов, которым копии сообщений рассылаются в тайне от первого адресата.

Структура тела электронного письма:

1. Salutation (приветствие). Выбор приветственной фразы зависит того, насколько хорошо вы знаете адресата.

2. Opening sentence (вступительное предложение). Объясняет причину создания письма, всегда начинается с заглавной буквы.

3. Main part (основная часть). Содержание письма.

4. Conclusion (заключение). Часть, в которой вы сообщаете о том, что ждете (или не ждете) ответа от адресата.

5. Close (прощание).

2. Посмотрите на образец письма и соедините цифры с соответствующими английскими названиями частей электронного письма

the heading of the email

opening sentence

the body of the email

addressee

conclusion

sender

Carbone copy (Cc)

Salutation

Close

blind сarbone copy (Bcc)

main part

NOTE: Все электронные письма можно разделить на две группы: деловые, официальные и личные, неофициальные. В зависимости от того, кому адресовано письмо (работодателю, начальнику, коллеге по бизнесу или другу, приятелю, хорошо знакомому коллеге по работе) выбираются соответствующие фразы и выражения.

3.Изучите список фраз, которые используются в деловых и личных письмах.

Formal emails

Informal emails

Salutation: When you don't know the name: Dear Sir or Madam To whom it may concern When you know the name: Dear Mr, Mrs, Ms* When writing to a group: Dear all     Opening sentence: I'm writing to inform confirm request update you This is to let you know to thank you Main part: I would like to Please find the requested information attached We hope you I do apologize for We regret to information Could/Can you please send me...? We are working on your request   Conclusion: I look forward to/ Looking forward to Do not hesitate to contact us if you need any assistance I'd appreciate a reply asap   Close: Your sincerely Best regards Regards Best wishes

Salutation: When you don't know the name: Hello [no salutation] When you know the name: John/Mary etc. [no salutation] When writing to a group: Hi everyone   Opening sentence: How are you? How's it going? Just a quick note to tell Just a short email to get in touch Writing to help Main part: Re your email, I... I'm sorry, but Thanks for... Here's the low-down on... You'll be happy to hear   Conclusion: Please answer asap Feel free to get in touch with any questions Have a nice day/weekend Hope to hear from you soon   Close: All the best Best See you Take care Buy [just the name or initials] [no close]

 

*Mr – господин - госпожа (обращение к замужней женщине)- госпожа (обращение к женщине, семейное положение которой не имеет значения)

4. Посмотрите на электронные письма и определите, какие из них являются официальными, а какие неофициальными. Почему?

 

 

7. Напишите два электронных письма: деловое, официальное и личное, неофициальное. Тему выберете самостоятельно или используйте предложенные варианты

 

Глоссарий

1. according to smth - согласно ч-либо

2. adopt a decree - принимать указ

3. approve a bill - одобрять законопроект

4. be in charge of smth/doing smth - возглавлять ч-либо, нести ответственность за ч-либо

5. bring charges against smb - выдвигать обвинения против к-либо

6. by means of smth - по средствам ч-либо, с помощью ч-либо

7. consider a law - рассматривать закон

8. cover the questions - охватывать вопросы

9. create legislation - создавать закон

10. define basic principles of the constitution - определять основные принципы конституции

11. enter a post - вступать в должность

12. establish the principle of independence, irremovability and immunity - устанавливать принцип независимости, несменяемости и неприкосновенности

13. functions of supervision and control - функции надзора и контроля

14. handle questions - решать вопросы

15. implement judicial power - осуществлять судебную власть

16. law-making body - законодательный орган

17. make amendments - вносить поправки

18. override the veto - отменять вето

19. pass a law - принять закон

20. reach a compromise - прийти к компромиссу

21. reject a bill -отклонять законопроект

22. rights and freedoms of a human and a citizen - права и свободы человека и гражданина

23. take an oath - принимать присягу

24. award - 1. (присужденная) награда или наказание 2. решение суда 3. присуждать что-либо, награждать чем-либо

25. to give (the highest) award - присуждать (высшую) наградуaward a degree - присуждать степень award a judgment -вынести судебное решение

26. college - 1. университетский колледж 2. специальное высшее учебное заведение

27. university’s undergraduate college - университетский колледж, готовящий бакалавров

28. conduct - 1. поведение 2. вести, руководить, проводить

29. rules of conduct - правила поведения

30. to conduct an examination - проводить экзаменconduct cases in court - вести дела в суде

31. degree - ученая степень’s degree - степень бакалавра’s degree - степень магистра

32. law degree - степень в области юриспруденции

33. to earn a degree - заработать степень pursue a degree - стремиться получить ученую степень

34. draft - составлять план, проект, черновой набросок

35. to draft documents - составлять документы

36. to draft a motion - составлять ходатайство

37. to draft an agreement - составлять соглашение (договор)

38. fair - 1. честный, справедливый 2. честно

39. by fair means - честным путем

40. strict but fair - строгий, но справедливый

41. to play fair - играть честно, по правилам, действовать открыто

42. graduate - выпускник, окончивший высшее учебное заведение

43. to graduate from - а) окончить высшее учебное заведение и получить степень бакалавра

44. law - закон, право

45. natural law -естественное право

46. prescriptive laws -предписывающие законы, основанные на праве давности или обычая

47. substantive law- материальное право

48. to amend the law - вносить поправки в закон

49. to apply laws - применять законы

50. be against the law - быть противозаконным break laws - нарушать законы

51. to enforce laws - обеспечить (принудительно) исполнение закона

52. to lay down the law- a) устанавливать правовые нормы, формулировать закон; б) говорить безапелляционным тоном, не допускать возражений

53. to make laws - издавать, принимать законы

54. to obey laws - соблюдать законы

55. to repeal laws - отменять законы

56. to study law - изучать право

57. law and order - правопорядок

58. master - 1. магистр, 2. овладевать (знаниями, языком и т.д.)

59. to take one’s Master’s degree of Law - получить степень магистра права

60. master legal terminology - овладеть юридической терминологией

61. master communications technology - освоить современные технологии общенияmaster

62. writing skills - овладеть навыками письма

63. property - собственность, имущество

64. (public) property - частная (общественная, государственная) собственность

65. property right - имущественное право

66. real property - недвижимое имущество

67. to own a property - владеть собственностью

68. right - 1. правота, справедливость 2. право, привилегия

69. to defend right - защищать справедливость

70. civil rights - гражданские права

71. individual’s right - право человека

72. to respect owner’s right - уважать право собственника

73. right of audience - право выступать в суде

74. rule - 1. правило/ устанавливать правило 2. норма 3. предписание, приказ

75. rule of law - норма праваof behavior - правила поведенияof court - судебное предписаниеof practice - процессуальные нормыrule the law - устанавливать нормы права

76. skill - 1. мастерство, искусство 2. компетенция 3. ловкость, умение

77. skills in logical reasoning - навыки логического рассуждения

78. to develop top-notch organizational skills - развивать навыки высокой самоорганизации

79. legal skills - профессиональные компетенции юриста

80. society - 1. общество, общественный строй 2. ассоциация, организация

81. criminal society - преступное сообщество

82. democratic society - демократическое общество

83. primitive society -первобытное обществоof nations - семья народов-ordered society - высокоорганизованное сообщество

84. training - обучение, подготовка

85. clinical training - учебная практика

86. legal training - профессиональная подготовка (обучение) юристов

87. on-the-job training - обучение по месту работы

88. trainee –

 

 

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