美国文化简介 英文PDF电子书下载

Chapter 1 The Origins of American and Its Development 1

1.1 Europe’s Discovery of America 2

1.2 The English Colonies 2

1.3 Tightening British Control and Colonial Resistance 4

1.4 The Road to Independence 5

1.5 The U.S.Constitution 7

1.6 The War of 1812 8

1.7 Slavery and Sectionalism 9

1.7.1 Secession and Civil War 11

1.7.2 Postwar Industrialization 12

1.8 World War Ⅰ 14

1.8.1 Postwar U.S.and the Great Depression 15

1.9 World War Ⅱ 16

1.9.1 Postwar U.S.and the Cold War 17

1.10 Mid-20th to Late 20th 18

1.10.1 The 1960s in the U.S 18

1.10.2 The 1970s in the U.S 19

1.10.3 The 1980s in the U.S 20

1.11 Reflections on Bill Clinton 21

Conclusion 21

New Words 22

Notes 22

Questions for Consideration 23

Chapter 2 American Political System 24

2.1 Federalist System 25

2.2 3-Branch System 25

2.2.1 The Legislative Branch 25

2.2.2 The Executive Branch 27

2.2.3 The Judiciary 28

2.3 Checks and Balances Principle 29

2.4 Political Parties 29

2.5 Elections in America 32

2.6 Criticisms 32

Conclusion 33

New Words 34

Questions for Consideration 34

Chapter 3 Religion in America 35

3.1 Religious Freedom and Brand of Religion 36

3.2 Christianity in America 36

3.3 The Protestant Church in America 37

3.3.1Baptists 37

3.3.2Methodists 38

3.3.3Presbyterians 38

3.3.4Episcopalians 38

3.4 The Catholic Church in America 39

3.5 Judaism in America 40

3.6 Impact of Religion on American Society 42

3.6.1 Education 43

3.6.2 Abortion 43

3.6.3 Sexuality 43

3.6.4 Intolerance 43

Conclusion 44

New Words 44

Questions for Consideration 44

Chapter 4 American Values 46

4.1 Traditional Values 47

4.1.1 Individual Freedom and Self-Reliance 47

4.1.2 Equality of Opportunity and Competition 49

4.1.3 Material Wealth and Hard Work 50

4.2 Values of Doing Business 52

4.2.1 The Value of Informality： Just Call Me Bob 52

4.2.2 The Value of Time as a Commodity：Time Is Money 52

4.2.3 The Value of the Contract Before the Relationship： First， We Sign then We Toast 53

4.2.4 The American Value of Direct Communication： Call a Spade a Spade 53

4.2.5 The Value of Conflict-style Bargaining：Lay Your Cards on the Table 54

4.2.6 The American Value of Optimism： Never Say Never 54

4.3 Misconceptions 55

Conclusion 56

New Words 57

Note 57

Questions for Consideration 57

Chapter 5 The American Character 59

5.1 Views Toward Individual Freedom 60

5.1.1 Criticizing Authority 61

5.1.2 Provision of Services 61

5.1.3 Consumer Action 62

5.2 Views on Competition 63

5.2.1 The Relationship Between Sports and Competition 63

5.2.2 Materialism as a Form of Competition 64

5.2.3 Risk-taking and Competition 65

5.2.4 Competition’s Negative Impact on American Life 65

5.3 Views on Friendships 66

5.4 Views on Success 67

5.5 Views on Law and Fairness 68

5.6 Views on Diversity 69

5.6.1 Race 69

5.6.2 Sex 70

5.6.3 Age 71

5.7 Views on Problem Solving 71

Conclusion 72

New Words 73

Note 73

Questions for Consideration 73

Chapter 6 American Literature 75

6.1 Early Fiction 76

6.2 Transcendentalists 76

6.3 Power of Imagination 77

6.4 New Visions of America 78

6.5 Reform and Liberation 79

6.6 Regionalism 79

6.7 A New Wave 80

6.8 Sympathetic Views 82

6.9 Rebellious Spirit 82

6.10 The Modernists 83

6.11 The Lost Generation 83

6.12 Harlem Renaissance 84

6.13 New Drama 84

6.14 Depression， Realism and Escapism 85

6.15 Postwar Voices and “the Beat Generation” 85

6.16 New American Voices 86

New Words 87

Notes 88

Questions for Consideration 88

Chapter 7 Technology in America 89

7.1 Early 19th Century 90

7.2 Late 19th Century 91

7.3 Early 20th Century 92

7.4 Mid-20th Century 94

7.5 Late 20th Century 94

New Words 98

Notes 99

Questions for Consideration 100

Chapter 8.Education in America 101

8.1 History of Education 102

8.1.1 Early Beginnings 102

8.1.2 Beginning of Public Schools 102

8.1.3 Compulsory Schooling 103

8.1.4 Shifting Aims 103

8.1.5 Post-secondary Evolution 104

8.1.6 Perceived Crises （1950s -1980s） 104

8.2 Education Today 105

8.2.1 Power Structures 105

8.2.2 National Standards 106

8.2.3 Teaching Styles in Schools 106

8.3 Characteristics of Post-secondary Schools 108

8.4 Features of American Universities 109

8.4.1 Typical Program 109

8.4.2 Growing Competition in Post-secondary Schools 109

8.4.3 Typical Courses 109

8.4.4 Extra-curricular Activities 110

8.5 How to Do Well in University 110

8.6 Problems and Challenges of American Education 111

Conclusion 111

New Words 112

Notes 112

Questions for Consideration 113

Chapter 9 Campus Life in America 114

9.1 Academic Life 115

9.1.1 Selecting a Major 115

9.1.2 Choosing Classes 115

9.1.3 The College Classroom 116

9.1.4 Homework 117

9.1.5 Communicating with Professors 117

9.1.6 Using the Library 118

9.2 Getting Financial Aid 119

9.2.1 Grants 119

9.2.2 Loans 119

9.2.3 Scholarships 120

9.2.4 Work-study Programs 120

9.3 The College’s Role in Student Social Life 121

9.4 Living off Campus 122

9.5 Physical and Mental Health Problems 123

Conclusion 123

New Words 124

Questions for Consideration 124

Chapter 10 Social Life in America 126

10.1 American Family 127

10.2 Food and Drinks 129

10.3 Recreations 131

10.3.1 Entertaining 131

10.3.2 Having Fun 133

10.4 Sports 134

10.4.1 Spectator Sports 134

10.4.2 Active Sports 135

10.5 Activities for Social Benefits 136

Conclusion 137

New Words 137

Questions for Consideration 137

Chapter 11 Social Customs in America 139

11.1 Introductions 140

11.2 General Etiquette 140

11.2.1 Tipping 140

11.2.2 Hygiene 141

11.2.3 Waiting in Line 141

11.2.4 Loudness of Voice 141

11.2.5 Use of Cell Phones and Pagers 142

11.2.6 Smoking 142

11.2.7 Visiting Someone’s Home 142

11.2.8 Taboo Topics 143

11.2.9 Eye Contact 143

11.2.10 Staring 143

11.3 Personal Safety 144

11.4 Borrowing Money 144

11.5 Physical Contact 145

11.6 Relationships 145

11.6.1 Dating 145

11.6.2 Sexual 147

11.6.3 Workplace 147

11.7 Customs at Specific Occasions 148

11.7.1 Weddings 148

11.7.2 Funerals 148

11.7.3 Visiting the Ill 149

11.7.4 Rude vs.Naive 149

Conclusion 150

New Words 150

Questions for Consideration 151

Chapter 12 American Nonverbal Communication 152

12.1 Body Movements 153

12.1.1 The Bobbing Head 153

12.1.2 Impatient Signals 153

12.1.3 The Shoulder Pat 154

12.1.4 The Waving Hands 154

12.1.5 The Open Palm 155

12.2 Posture 155

12.2.1 The Slouch 155

12.2.2 The Anywhere Seat 156

12.2.3 Leaning in and out 156

12.2.4 Spatial Distance 156

12.3 Facial Expressions 157

12.3.1 “ What You See Is What You Get” 157

12.3.2 The Low Mouth， Tight Lip Apology 158

12.3.3 When a Smile Is Not a Smile 158

12.3.4 Stare or Not 159

12.3.5 The Raised Eyebrow 159

12.4 How Time Perspectives Affect Nonverbal Communication 159

12.5 How to Observe and React to American Nonverbal Communication 161

12.5.1 Check Your Instincts with Questions 161

12.5.2 Check Your Judgments About the Person’s Character 161

12.5.3 Watch for Signs of Impatience 161

12.5.4 Respect the Space and Privacy of Americans， Nonverbally 162

Conclusion 162

New Words 163

Questions for Consideration 163

Chapter 13 Social Problems in America 165

13.1 Poverty 166

13.2 Racism 168

13.3 Crime 170

13.4 Drugs 171

13.5 The Aging Problem 172

Conclusion 173

New Words 174

Questions for Consideration 174

Chapter 14 American in the 21st Century 175

14.1 20th-Century Challenges to American Values 176

14.2 The War in Vietnam 177

14.3 The Need for New National Values 179

14.4 The United States： The First Universal Nation？ 180

New Words 181

Note 182

Questions for Consideration 182

Chapter 15 American Holidays 183

15.1 New Year’s Day—January 1 184

15.2 Martin Luther King， Jr.Day—Third Monday in January 185

15.3 Valentine’s Day—February 14 185

15.4 Presidents’ Day—Third Monday in February 186

15.5 St.Patrick’s Day—March 17 187

15.6 April Fools’ Day—April 1 188

15.7 Easter Sunday—Late March or in April 188

15.8 Mother’s Day—Second Sunday in May 190

15.9 Memorial Day—Last Monday in May 191

15.10 Father’s Day—Third Monday in June 192

15.11 Independence Day—July 4 192

15.12 Labor Day—First Monday in September 193

15.13 Columbus Day—Second Monday in October 193

15.14 Halloween—October 31 194

15.15 Thanksgiving Day—Fourth Thursday in November 195

15.16 Christmas—December 25 196

New Words 201

Questions for Consideration 201

Appendix 203

Bibliography 205