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