Part One British Society and Culture 3
Chapter 1 History and Territory 3
Text Introduction to British Empire 3
Supplementary Reading The Development of the United Kingdom in Early 19th Century 13
Knowledge Expansion Battle of Waterloo 19
Chapter 2 System of Government and Political Parties 21
Text Introduction to British Government and Main Parties 21
Supplementary Reading Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth Ⅱ 32
Knowledge Expansion Parties and Politics 36
Chapter 3 Justice and Law 38
Text British Legal System 38
Supplementary Reading Supreme Court of the United Kingdom 46
Knowledge Expansion United Kingdom's Legislatures 51
Chapter 4 Economy 54
Text British Industries 54
Supplementary Reading John Maynard Keynes 63
Knowledge Expansion British National and Regional Variation 68
Chapter 5 Education 70
Text British Education System 70
Supplementary Reading Eton College 80
Knowledge Expansion British Top 10 Universities in 2010 84
Chapter 6 Healthcare 89
Text Healthcare in the United Kingdom 89
Supplementary Reading Emergency Medical Services in the United Kingdom 99
Knowledge Expansion Funding Healthcare System 104
Chapter 7 Press,Radio and Television 106
Text Introduction to British Media 106
Supplementary Reading Tabloid 114
Knowledge Expansion Top Ten World-Known Business Newspapers 115
Chapter 8 Literature and Poems 117
Text Development of British Literature and Poems 117
Supplementary Reading J.K.Rowling 126
Knowledge Expansion Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare 130
Chapter 9 Food and Drink 131
Text Delicious British Food and Drink 131
Supplementary Reading Changes in Eating Habits 139
Knowledge Expansion Ten Fun Facts You May not Know About British Food 140
Chapter 10 Customs and Etiquettes 142
Text Festivals and Customs 142
Supplementary Reading John Bull ＆ Uncle Sam 151
Knowledge Expansion Pubs 153
Chapter 11 Religion and Beliefs 156
Text Anglicanism—the State Religion of Britain 156
Supplementary Reading Worldwide Distribution of Anglican Church 163
Knowledge Expansion Focus of Unity:The Archbishop of Canterbury 165
Chapter 12 Scenic Spots and Historical Sites 166
Text London:A Thrilling Place 166
Supplementary Reading London Eye 174
Knowledge Expansion Recommended Museums in London 175
Part Two American Society and Culture 183
Chapter 1 Origin and History 183
Text Birth and Development of United States of America 183
Supplementary Reading The Great Depression 192
Knowledge Expansion Nicknames for Some Cities in the U.S 195
Chapter 2 System of Government and Political Parties 197
Text American Government and Political Parties 197
Supplementary Reading Democratic versus Republican Perspectives 203
Knowledge Expansion Current U.S. Supreme Court Justices 207
Chapter 3 Economy 209
Text The Freedom of American Economy 209
Supplementary Reading Structure of Federal Reserve System 216
Knowledge Expansion New York Stock Exchange 220
Chapter 4 Literature 221
Text The Development of American Literature 221
Supplementary Reading Walt Whitman and His Works 229
Knowledge Expansion American Literary Awards 231
Chapter 5 Arts 233
Text Diversified Music and Dances in the United States 233
Supplementary Reading Golden Age of Hollywood 241
Knowledge Expansion Top 10 Broadway Musicals ＆ Shows 244
Chapter 6 Science and Technology 245
Text Advanced Science and Technology of the United States 245
Supplementary Reading Silicon Valley 252
Knowledge Expansion Timeline of United States Inventions after 2000 254
Chapter 7 Sports and Recreation 258
Text My Super Bowl Journey:Jared Retkofsky 258
Supplementary Reading Why Do We Love Sports? 267
Knowledge Expansion The Most Popular American Spots Today 271
Chapter 8 Education 273
Text Ivy League Schools versus State Schools 273
Supplementary Reading Harvard Attempting to Put End to Final Exams 280
Knowledge Expansion President of U.S. and Their Education 282
Chapter 9 Traditional Holidays and Celebrations 285
Text Halloween 285
Supplementary Reading Valentine's Day 295
Knowledge Expansion American Holidays 298
Chapter 10 Religions and Faith 302
Text Freedom of Religion:Separating Church and State 302
Supplementary Reading A Brief Introduction to Nathaniel Hawthorne 313
Knowledge Expansion The Scarlet Letter 315
Chapter 11 Famous Sightseeing 318
Text A Tribute:Yellowstone National Park 318
Supplementary Reading In Hawaii,Thanksgiving Moves to the Beach 327
Knowledge Expansion Top Ten U.S. Travel Destinations 330
Chapter 12 American Black and Nationalities 333
Text Black Power ＆ Black Pride 333
Supplementary Reading Michael Jackson's Black Experience 344
Knowledge Expansion THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION《解放黑奴宣言》 346
参考文献 349