当代美国社会和文化chapter 1

华东师范大学本科专业课程大纲课程名称：美国社会与文化（American Society and Culture）一、课程目的、任务：传授美国社会与文化的相关知识和国内外最新研究成果，提高学生英语听、说、写和阅读专业书籍的能力，增进学生专业学习的兴趣和内容，使之更好地成为适应21世纪需求的人才，为他们日后进一步深造和就业打下一定基础。

二、课程内容：课程涉及美利坚合众国历史进程和社会现实的方方面面，包括美国自然环境、民族、历史、政治、宗教、教育、文学、传媒、社会福利、交通、妇女、体育、休闲等诸多方面，既有历史渊源回顾与探析，也有客观情况介绍、剖析与评说。

三、教学方式、实践环节的特色：不仅教师全部用英语授课和版书，而且要求学生用英语完成作业，积极参加课堂讨论，同时采用多媒体教学手段，对美国社会和文化进行客观、公允、详尽的论说和分析，以期达到更好的教学效果。

四、教材及参考书目：教材：Douglas K. Stevenson, American Life and Institutions, Ernst Klett Verlag, 1992.参考书目：1. Luther S. Luedtke, Making America: The Society and Culture of the United States, The University of North Carolina Press, 1992.2. Ronald Takaki, A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America, Boston: Little, Brown & Company, 1993.3. 王恩铭编：American Culture and Society （《美国文化与社会》）上海外语教育出版社2003年版。

五、考核方式与评价结构比例：平时成绩占40％，采用课堂提问、作业等形式进行；期末完成一篇小论文，考试成绩占60％。

美国的知识社会与文化内容简介：本文从美国社会和文化的五个基本价值：个人价值、法制民主、市场经济、宗教、多元文化这样一个角度探讨了２１世纪美国知识社会的特质，认为随着美国社会的更加富裕，其社会问题也将日益突出。

＊＊＊在这个２０世纪与２１世纪交接的历史时刻，美国正处在一个划时代的“信息革命”过程中。

随着这个信息革命继续不断地发展，美国的社会与文化也相应地正在进行一个无形的、本质上的演变。

换句话说，今天的美国将要从２０世纪的“资本主义社会”（即工业社会），逐渐地过渡到２１世纪的“ 后资本主义社会”（即后工业社会）或"知识社会"。

这个从资本主义社会转变为后资本主义社会的过渡，从哲学的角度来看，是一个本质性的变化。

为什么呢？这是因为资本主义社会的本质是决定于资本（资本是创造国家财富的主要泉源）；而后资本主义社会的本质将不是决定于资本，而是决定于“信息与知识”（信息与知识将是创造国家财富的主要泉源）。

但是，一个社会的转变是多方面的、综合性的、复杂的过程。

换句话说，它不但决定于基本的经济结构，而且也决定于其他的因素，特别是这个社会和文化的“基本价值”。

所以，我现在从美国社会和文化的五个基本价值的角度，对２１世纪的美国知识社会做一个初步的探讨。

这五个基本价值是（一）个人价值，（二）法制民主，（三）市场经济，（四）宗教，（五）多元文化。

概括地说，这些价值的根源是来自西方文化的传统，经过美国独立革命的洗礼，同时，又经过了２００多年美国历史发展的考验，所以它们是美国社会和文化的支柱。

当然，这并不意味着，这些基本价值在不同的历史发展时期中，没有任何改变；实际上，它们的含义以及在社会中的具体表现，随着不同社会性质的转变而不断地发展和加深。

我相信，就是在２１世纪的知识社会中，它们仍是美国社会的价值基础。

下面，我就简单地谈谈，这五个基本价值，或五个支柱。

１．个人价值。

这里，我特意地没有用“个人主义”这个名词，因为在人民的心目中，它是一个贬词。

IntroductionHow to define American Literature1. American literature is the literature produced in American English by American citizens.2. “The first American literature was neither American nor really literature. It was not American because it was the work mainly of immigrants from England. It was not literature as we know it---- in the form of poetry, essay, or fiction---- but rather an interesting mixture of travel accounts and religious wr itings.”Basic qualities of American Writers:Independent individualisticCritical innovative humorousChapter OneColonial Period (1607-1775)I.Historical Introduction1. people:Indians were native inhabitants.Now Americans are mainly immigrants mostly fromEurope, esp. from England.2. early history:1) America was first discovered by Columbus at the end ofthe 15th century.2) In 1607, Captain John Smith led some Englishmenacross the ocean. (Jamestown, Virginia)3) In 1620, 102 passengers sailed on the ship Mayfloweracross the sea and settled on the new continent “NewEngland.” (Plymouth, Massachusetts)3. Why did Puritans come to America?-to reform the Church of England- to have an entirely new church- to escape religious persecution* God’s chosen people* To seek a new Garden of Eden* To build “City of God on earth”4.What is the Puritan?Puritan is English protestant, one division of Protestant (one division of Christianity, appeared in the 16th c, against the rulingRoman Catholic. In England, there were many divisions in protestant,for instance, Quakers, Baptism). They regarded the reformation ofthe Church under Elizabeth as incomplete, and called for its further “purification” from what they considered to be unscriptural andcorrupt forms and ceremonies retained from the unreformed church.The 17th century American Puritans included two parts: one part of them were the creators of the Plymouth colony, called“Separatists”. They were so suppressed by the church of Englandthat they sought escape. Those Separatists first went into exile toHolland, then were aboard “Mayflower” in 1620 and settled down in Plymouth. America, therefore, as an infant was born. Theyconsidered that the Church of England had become hopeless andadvocated to separate from it since general reform would be useless.The other part was the Englishmen in the Massachusetts BayColony. Though they came later than those of Plymouth colony, they were richer and better-educated.5.What is the Puritanism?Puritanism is a religious and political movement that developed in England about the middle of the 16th century and later spread influence into the New England in America. Puritanism was a logical aftermath of the Renaissance, the Reformation, the establishment of the Church of England, and the growth of Presbyterianism. Through these movements, one sees emerging the right of the individual to political and religious independence.American PuritanismPuritanism is the practices and beliefs of the Puritans. ThePuritans were originally members of a division of the Protestant Church, who came into existence in the reigns of Queen Elizabeth and King James I. The first settlers who became the founding fathers of the American nation were quite a few of them Puritans.Across the pages of American literature Puritanism is written large. It may almost be considered the ethical mode of American thought. As an extreme form of the Protestant sensibility, Puritanism exaggerated those protestant traits---especially industry, frugality, hardships. They favored a disciplined, hard, somber, ascetic, harsh life. All these, according to Max Weber and other analysts of social history contributed to the rise of capitalism.As a culture heritage, Puritanism did have a profound influence on the early American mind. American Puritanism also had an enduring influence on American literature. It had become, to some extent, so much a state of mind, so much a part of the national culturalatmosphere, rather than a set of tenets.6. Puritanism in America1) Doctrines:- Predestination- Original sin and total depravity (human beings are basically evil.)- Limited atonement (or the Salvation of a selected few)2) Puritan values (creeds):Hard work, thrift, piety, sobriety, simple tastes.Puritans are more practical, tougher, and to be ever ready for any misfortune and tragic failure.They are optimistic.7. InfluenceAmerican Puritanism was one of the most enduring shaping influences in American thought and American literature.American literature is based on a myth, i.e. the Biblical myth of the Garden of Eden.- Puritanism can be compared with Chinese Confucianism. II. Early American Writers and Poets1. South, Jamestown, Virginia:Captain John Smith---first American writer; 8 worksContributions: his description of America were filled with themes, myths, images, scenes, characters and events that were a foundation for the nation’s literature. He lured the Pilgrims into fleeing here and creating a New land.2. North, New England, Puritan WritersWilliam Bradford: first governor of Plymouth,The History of Plymouth Plantation, simplicity, earnestness, direct reporting, readable, moving.John Winthrop: first governor of Boston, The History of New England,candid simplicity, honesty3. Two Poets: Anne Bradstreet, Edward TaylorFeatures of Colonial Poets1. They were servants of God.2. They faithfully imitated and transplanted English literary traditions III. The Writing Style of Colonial America Literature The writing style of this period is fresh, simple and direct; the rhetoric […retərik] is plain and honest, with a touch of nobility often traceable to the direct influence of the Bible. All this has left anobvious imprint on American writing.Revolutionary Period (1775-1783)“The Age of Reason”“American EnlightenmentI. Historical Background1. Relation between England and Colonies2. The Boston Tea Party3. The First Continental Congress4. The Second Continental CongressIndependence War(1776-1783):the industrial growth led to intense strain with Britain. The British government tried to suppress their growth economically, and ruled them from abroad politically and levied heavy tax on them. These aroused bitter resentment in colonies. Constant conflicts resulted in American revolutionary war.5. In the 18th century, people believed in man’s own nature and the power of human reason. With Franklin as its spokesman, the 18th century America experienced an age of reason.Words had never been so useful and so important in human history. People wrote a lot of political writings. Numerous pamphlets and printings were published. These works agitated revolutionary people not only in America but also around the world.The 18th-century American Enlightenment was a movement marked by an emphasis on rationality rather than tradition, scientific inquiry instead of unquestioning religious dogma, and representative government in place of monarchy.Enlightenment thinkers and writers, such as Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Paine, were devoted to the ideals of justice, liberty, and equality as the natural rights of man.The colonists who would form a new nation were firm believers in the power of reason; they were ambitious, inquisitive, optimistic, practical, politically astute, and self-reliant.In this period with the exception of outstanding political writing, such as Common sense, Declaration of Independence, The Federalist Papers and so on, few works of note appeared. Even if there appeared poetry and fiction, they were full of imitativeness and vague universality. So most Americans were painfully aware of their excessive dependence on English literary models. The search for a native literature became a national obsession.II.Leading writers and their worksBenjamin Franklin (1706-1790) The AutobiographyThomas Paine(1737-1809): Common Sense (1776)Thomas Jefferson(1743-1826):The Declaration of Independence (1776) Philip Freneau (1752-1832)“The Wild Honey Suckle”Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)An inventor, scientist, printer, political statesman, diplomat, exemplary self-made man, revolutionary hero, author.1) Life(1) a poor candle-maker’s family. had very little educationbut he was a voracious reader.(2) At 12, he was apprenticed to his elder half- brother, a printer.(3) He set himself up as an independent printer andpublisher. In 1727 he founded the Junto club.2) Major Works(1) The Autobiography《自传》(2) Poor Richard’s Almanack《格言历书》The Autobiographya. It is perhaps the first real post-revolutionary American writing as well as the first real autobiography in English.b. It gives us the simple yet immensely fascinating record of a man rising to wealth and fame from a state of poverty and obscurity into which he was born, the faithful account of the colorful career of America’s first self-made man.c. First of all, it is a puritan document. The most famous section describes his scientific scheme of self-examination and self-improvement.d. It is also an eloquent elucidation of the fact that Franklin was spokesman for the new order of eighteenth century enlightenment, and that he represented in America all its ideas, that man is basically good and free, by nature endowed by God with certain inalienable rights of liberty and the pursuit of happiness.e. It is the pattern of Puritan simplicity, directness, and concision. The plainness of its style, the homeliness of imagery, the simplicity of diction, syntax and expression are some of the salient features we cannot mistake.Poor Richard’s Almanac Maxims（谚语，格言）and axioms（哲理,言）(a) Lost time is never found again.(b) A penny saved is a penny earned.(c) God help them that help themselves.(d) Fish and visitors stink in three days.(e) Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a manhealthy, wealthy, and wise.(f) Ale in, truth out.(g) Eat not to dullness. Drink not to elevation.(h) Diligence is the Mother of Good Luck.(i) One Today is worth two tomorrow.(j) Industry pays debts. Despair increases them.3)Franklin’s Contributions to Society(1) He helped found the Pennsylvania Hospital.(2) He founded an academy which led to the University of Pennsylvania.(3) And he helped found the American Philosophical Society.4) Franklin’s Contributions to Science(1) He was also remembered for volunteer fire departments, effective street lighting, the Franklin stove, bifocal glasses and efficient heating devices.(2) And for his lightning-rod, he was called “the new Prometheus whohad stolen fire from heaven.”5) Franklin’s Contributions to the U.S.He was the only American to sign the four documents that created the United States:(1) The Declaration of Independence,(2) The Treaty of Alliance with France,(3) The Treaty of Peace with England,(4) The Constitution6) Why Franklin is admired and read widely?(1) He is a typical American, model of the self-made man, a cultural hero whose life exemplified the American dream of the poor boy who made good.(2) He stressed the importance of working hard to make money, happiness depending in the first place on economic success and optimistically believed that every American could do so.(3) He was convinced that no man could be virtuous or happy unless he did his best to improve the life of his society and his own life.7) Summary---- Having faith in human accomplishment and Progress.---- Believing that an individual with industry and thrift will improve himself and his community, a self-mad man and an archetypal American success story that has since become part of American popularculture.---- Almost the first example of achieving the “American Dream”.Philip Freneau 菲力浦·弗瑞(1752-1832)Poet of the American Revolution;Father of American Poetry;A gifted and versatile lyric poet;A forerunner of AmericanRomanticism or a transitionalfigure towards Romanticism.1)Works(1)“The Rising Glory of America” (1772)《美洲光辉的兴起》(2)“The House of Night” (1779, 1786)《夜之屋》(3)“The British Prison Ship” (1781)《英国囚船》(4)“To the Memory of the Brave Americans” (1781)《纪念美国勇士》(5)“The Wild Honey Suckle” (1786)《野金银花》(6)“The Indian Burying Ground” (1788)《印第安人墓地》(7)“The Dying Indian: Tomo Chequi《奄奄一息的印第安人：托姆·察吉》2) Lifein New York. At 16, he entered the College of New Jersey (nowPrinceton University).While still an undergraduate, he wrote in collaboration with one of his friends (H. H. Brackenridge) a poem entitled “The Rising Glory of America”.It pronounced the virtues of a new nation progressing towards its freedom; America would be a land blessed with “sweet liberty!/Without whose aid the nobles genius fails,/And science irretrievable must die”) 3)EvaluationHe was the most significant poet of 18th century America.Some of his themes and images anticipated the works of such 19th century American Romantic writers as Cooper, Emerson, Poe and MelvillePoem AppreciationThe Wild HoneysuckleIt is a deistic celebration of nature, romantic use of simple nature imagery, inspired by themes of death and transience. Much of the beauty of the poem lies in the sounds of the words and the effects created through changes in rhythm. A lyrical lament for the mutability of nature and an expression of faith in man’s ability to learn universal truths from nature.Flower vs Human Being, Duration vs LifeShow us how to live an useful life.In a revolution, one should not do nothing for his country forfear of being hurt, harmed and destroyed.Stanza 1The first stanza of the poem treats the advantages as well as disadvantages of the flower’s modest retir ement—it is designed with beauty and well protected in solitude; whereas its beauty might be admired by few.Stanza 2The second stanza suggests that the honey suckle bears a special relationship with nature which has advised it to keep away from “vulgar eye”, it has sent the soft waters flowing gently by. However, in spite of all the nature’s kindness, the flower can not escape its doom. The best time of its life is fading, for death is waiting.Stanza 3:The third stanza reveals the indifference of nature---the “unpitying frosts” are as much a part of nature as the “soft waters”. Thus, the notion that nature has provid ed a “guardian shade” for the protection of the honey suckle is a sentimental fancy. It is relative, but death is absolute.Stanza 4:In the fourth stanza, the poet sees his fate mirrored in that of the flower. Human beings, as any other creatures or flowers, are a part of nature. They originated from nature and will surely return to naturesome day, thus their reduction to nature in the day ahead will constitute no real loss.。

Chapter 1 American BeginningsI. What is an American?--- In 1782, the Frenchman J.Hector St. John de Crevecoeur(赫克托·圣约翰·德克雷夫科尔), who settled in Pennsylvania first asked the question and answered it in his book Letters from an American Farmer(«美国农人书简»)。

He believed that the American was a new man with the mixed blood of Europeans or their descendants. This new man left behind him all the ancient European traditions and received new ones in the New World. In North America, all individuals were melted into a new race of the American. This new man acted upon new principles, entertained new ideas and formed new opinions.(新型的人按照新的原则办事，吸取新的思想，形成新的见解)II. two immigration movements to the Americas--- 1. from Asia (American Indians, who were mistakenly called by Columbus, moved to the Americas from Asia about 25 000 years ago. They developed their own aboriginal cultures and some of them such as the Aztecs(阿兹台克文化/墨西哥地区), the Incas（印加文化/秘鲁地区）and the Mayas(玛亚文化/中美洲) were very advanced when Europeans arrived in the New World. But, as aresult of European conquest, the Indian population was quickly reduced and their cultures were ruthlessly destroyed.--- 2. from Europe and Africa, began with the expansion of Europe from the 16th century.(the discovery of America---- Christopher Columbus, an Italian sailor, believed that by sailing west from Europe he could reach the East. In 1492, he persuaded the Spanish monarchy to support his voyage. He landed on one of the Bahama Islands(巴哈马群岛) in the Caribbean Sea and thus “discovered ” the NewWorld. Based on his voyage, the Spanish king claimed the territory of theAmericas and later conquered the native Americans and established a hugeempire.) * The English king claimed the territory of North America based on the voyage in the year of 1497 of another Italian sailor John Cabot(约翰·卡伯特) IV. the forces that brought about the modern development of Europe--- 1. capitalism--- 2. Renaissance--- 3. Religious Reformation (in 1517, Martin Luther, a German theology professor, started to reform the Catholic Church which had dominated Europe for centuries.He challenged the authority of the Pope and attacked the practice of the sale of indulgences. He believed that people could be saved only by their faith in Jesus Christ and through a direct contact with God. The next important leader of theReformation was John Calvin(约翰·加尔文).The Religious Reformation, which was capitalistic in nature, had great impact on the modern development ofEurope and North America.)Four colonial patternsV. the settlement of Virginia (the 1st English permanent settlement in North America) --- The 1st English permanent settlement was organized in 1607 by the LondonCompany(伦敦贸易公司) with a charter（特许状）from the English kingJames I. The colonists settled in Virginia and survived by imposing strictdiscipline on themselves and by transplanting tobacco into the colony of Virginia.In 1619, the settlers elected their delegates and set up the House of Burgesses (议会), and the same time these white people seeking their own freedom bought and enslaved（奴役）black servants. These two events greatly influenced thepolitical and social development of the United States later.VI. Puritanism--- the 2nd enduring English settlement was established in Massachusetts Bay in 1620purify the Church of England. They believed that human beings were predestined by God before they were born(他们深信人的命运是生前就由上帝注定的。

American welfare systemI have seen the movie -The Pursuit of Happiness two years ago. To be honest, this move was really a big shock to me, and the strong power in Chris has been influencing me all the time. I believe that most of us who have seen the movie should remember the plot that the government took $600 from Chris Gardner´account and he only had $21.33 left, and he was broke again . During that time, he and his son spent a night in the WC, and lived in the church hospice for many days. The church hospice in the movie is a part of American welfare system .And in this essay I will talk something about the system.In the American vocabulary, "welfare" has often had a limited meaning, most commonly associated in public discourse with public assistance to mothers with dependent children. Y et government welfare can also be given a broader definition, as a general social safety net designed to support citizens in need. Under this definition, "welfare" refers to government protections for workers' incomes, which are often threatened by structural economic change under the free market system .In an economy in which workers rely on wages to support themselves.In the United States, then, government welfare has been a collection of different programs that includes unemployment insurance, health insurance, old age pensions, accident insurance, and support for families with dependent children.The American present welfare measures for import from 1935 of Social Security Act and its later improvement. And the American present social system includes: the federal social insurance, unemployment subsidy, public aid, pregnant women and children´s welfare and Social security tax.Federal social insurance is established for the inaugural personage, on-the-job or once worked for oneself and family members can attend. It mainly includes retirement, consolation, disable gold and medical benefits, etc. As to the unemployment subsidy, as long as one is unemployed, regardless of the savings they can apply for subsidy until they find another job.The public aid is designed for low or no income blind person, old people, disabled and no income family. According to their own living conditions, the state decide whether the applicants have qualifications to apply for .Pregnant women and children's welfare is to protect and promote the health of women and children, but it has not assigned cash, but provides health services. What is more, it also provides orphans education fees and cost of living.Therefore, US´s welfare systems are quite perfect. It contained generally the life aspects. It plays an important part in people’s lives. But such perfect welfare system also has the shortcoming, is only the money subsidies, for one person who has the house to live or not, is always regardless of. There is no doubt that such system has its institutional shortcomings. Such as aggravating financial burden, weakening people to alter their fate´s morale , improper using lots of money and fair questions.From my point of view, welfare institution´s purpose is to give people a better life. From American´s institution we can learn a lot which can apply to our country. And I hope people all over the world will live a better life with the improvement of the system of social welfare.。

美国俚语---美国社会与文化的镜子American Slang----A Mirror of American Society and CultureContents Abstract...................................................................................................摘要............................................................................................................... Introduction.................................................................................................. Chapter One The Features of American Slang.........................................1.1 Definition of Slang...........................................................................1.2 Being Highly colloquial...........................................................................1.3 Brevity...................................................................................................1.4 Novelty..................................................................................................1.5 Instability............................................................................................... Chapter Two American Slang and American Subculture Groups..........2.1 Language and Culture..............................................................................2.2 Characters of Americans..........................................................................2.3 Origin of American Slang........................................................................2.4 American Subculture Groups...................................................................2.4.1 Drug Culture and Its Slang...................................................................2.4.2 Gay Culture and Its Slang.....................................................................2.4.3 College Students Culture and Its Slang................................................2.4.4 Army Culture and Its Slang................................................................... Chapter Three Status Quo of American Slang..........................3.1 Attitude to American Slang............................................................... 3.2 The Future of American Slang.................................................................Conclusion.................................................................................................... Bibliography................................................................................................. Acknowledgements......................................................................................AbstractAmerican slang is one of the language varieties in English language. It used to be considered as low, vulgar language, which ought not to be admitted as legitimate language. But there is a strong relationship between language and culture, and even the society. One language could just come into being in a very society and culture. American slang words manifest American culture and characters of American people. With the development of globalization, economy and social system, American slang gets more and more influential. This thesis puts American slang under the discussion of language and culture, and can help us achieve better understanding of American culture and society. The first part of this thesis talks about the basic perspective and features of slang, which gives us a brief introduction to American slang. The second part of this thesis is the keystone. In this part, we will analyze the relationship of language and culture and the sub-culture groups in America. Along with the discussion, we will get clearer understanding of the origin of American slang, and get further knowledge of the development of American culture and society. In the last part of this thesis, discussion will be focused on the status quo of American slang and the attitude people hold to it.Key words:American slang, origin, sub-culture groups摘要语言和社会文化是相互影响的。

美国社会文化简析在美国，Citizenship这个完整的词拥有丰富的含义，包含着公民的责任、公民的权利、公民的信仰、公民的修养、公民的素质、公民的自律精神、公民的良知等。

Ship是船，是载体，所有公民拥有的意义皆装载其中。

这些最深刻的概念，组合成深刻的思想。

这些词汇概念都是美国所谓的立国之本的重要内容，属于美国的传统政治理论中最核心、最关键的词汇。

什么是美国人，什么是美国公民，什么是美国公民文化？2006年，在胡锦涛主席和布什总统的联手努力下，中美关系达到历史上最佳时期。

现在，美国向我们扑面而来，我们了解美国吗？我们了解到的美国往往不是真实的、全面的、深层的美国。

我们这一代知识分子以及中国青年一代，走向个人强大和民族强大的首要的、也是最为重要的工作之一，就是认知美国、消化美国。

那么，什么是美国人？什么是美国市民？或者说什么是美国公民？什么是美国公民文化？市民(Citizen)在中文中与公民有不同的区分。

但在英文中，市民就是公民，公民就是市民。

最早的市民概念是指生活在集市附近的居民。

现代社会的市民有了不同的概念，以往做生意以物易物，后来用钱币，现代市民社会是信用社会。

现代市民的意义比以往任何时候都更加丰富。

英文Citizenship，很多人只把这个词翻译成“国籍和公民身份”，这是远远不够的。

在美国，Citi－zenship这个完整的词拥有丰富的含义，包含着公民的责任、公民的权利、公民的信仰、公民的修养、公民的素质、公民的自律精神、公民的良知等。

Ship是船，是载体，所有公民拥有的意义皆装载其中。

这些最深刻的概念，组合成深刻的思想。

这些词汇概念都是美国所谓的立国之本的重要内容，属于美国的传统政治理论中最核心、最关键的词汇。

传统美国公民和当代美国公民的品格性质、文化特征和趋势拟从25个方面，来细化传统美国公民(市民)和当代美国公民的品格性质、文化特征和趋势。

第一，美国的公民基本理论，源自于美国宪法。

美国宪法规定你的责任，也规定你的权利，美国公民的权利和责任，除了选举、纳税等之外，大部分内容是在美国的修改法案中确定的。