* * * *大学课程论文（20**-20**学年*季学期）论文题目：A Comparative Study on FamilyEducation in America and China 课程名称：跨文化交际策略与技巧任课教师：****班级：123学号：123姓名：123日期：20**年*2月*0日A Comparative Study on Family Educationin America and ChinaAbstract:In a lifetime , family is the first school , in which parents are the first teachers for the children . Children are the hopes of a nation , and family education is the elementary education for children . There are many types of family education in the world and each of them shows distinctive features and is closely responsive to its culture . And American family education is the most famous one among them1. There are great differences in the concepts of education , aim of education , methods of education and contents of education between American family education and Chinese family education . This thesis will complete the comparative study from the differences , the reasons and the results of family education between America and China . The author hopes to find a satisfied family education method through comparing the differences between American family education and Chinese family education . At the same time , the author hopes this thesis can provide some helpful suggestions for family education in order to make children grow more healthily and roundly .Keywords: family education childeren differences education for all-around development Main Body:Ⅰ.The differences of family education between America and China:1.The concepts of family education are different .The different education concepts between America and China lead children to receive differert education . In China , many parents only care about whether the children have a promising future , a good job , a good life or not . Based on these expectations , the majority of parents feel that their responsibility for their children is to create as good conditions as possible they can so that the children will not worry about anything in the future2. Chinese parents would like to provide everything what they can for their children in the process of children’s growth . In short , they would like to sacrifice anything if their children can live better with their help . Therefore, in the process of children’s growth, the most important thing the parents concerning is to develop their children’s intellect , except for caring chi ldren’s daily life . In order to make their children have a good performance in study , become outstanding , or even become a famous person in the future ,they would not let children do anything except studying . Contrastively , American parents generally believe that the growth of childeren must rely on their own strength and experiences. Based on this concept , most American parents emphasize more to train their children’s ability of independence once they are born because they think that children should form a self-supporting will and the capacity to live independently since their childhood . And the capacity comes from the training in the early age3.In the film 《Gua Sha Treatment》4, there is a scene that Datong orderded his son to apologize to his boss’s son when his saw his son was fighting with his boss’s son . What’s more , he slapped his son in the face when his son refused to apologize , which gave his boss aquite a shock . His boss became confused why the father would show the regret by striking his son . This scene and the boss’s confusion reflect the different concepts between the two countries . Traditonal Chinese family education emphasize kindheartedness and bedience5, so we can say that Chinese parents like Datong in the film always want to model their children . On the contrary , America children have more rights of autonomy because their parents emphasis on justice and freedom in the process of family education .2.The aim of family education are different6.The aim of family education is to foster the childeren to grow in some direction by family education . It is the restrictive factor for the direction of family education , deciding the general effect of it . So the aim of family education is the core of family education and the fundamental reason for the differences between the two countries on family education .There is an essential difference between two countrys’aim of family education , with to expect the child to become an outstanding personage and to hope the child to be an comprehensive and independent person giving expressions to the difference . To most Chinese parents , the aim is expecting their child to be a “dragon ”, which is “wang zi cheng long ”in Chinese . But American parents take hoping the child to be a man of ability which is “ wang zi cheng ren ” in Chinese as their aim . For Chinese parents, their aim is to do anyting to support their children to get high marks . What forms apparent contrast to it is , America parents give their children more training about improving abilities . They try to train their children to have the ability of adapting to environmental variety and the ability of living independently .3.The methods are different between America and China .The differences of concepts and aim cause the childen to be taught by different ways and methods . In Chinese family , affected by Chinese traditional culture , parents educate children by “ control ” and “ seal ” type . There are three tips for it 7:(1)Chinese parents prepare all things for their children in daily life . In Chinese family ,children don’t have to do any housework .(2)Chinese parents protect the children to excess in social activities . Many children areprevented from exposure to the outer world because their parents worry about children’s being affected by bad things 8.(3)Chinese parents have a rather strict attitude toward children’s study . Parents regard thegrades as the only standard for future success . “ Tasks Sea ” strategy is often used in study .Chinese children are tired of doing many extra exercises .So Chinese children spend more time in studying than doing other things . What about America children ? Let’s talk about the famous film 《The Pacifier》9. In the film , it may be unconcious , but Shane Wolfe had let the kids master many skills by training them during the time when he cared them . So American parents bring up their children by the method of “ letting go ”but “ not indulging ” to exercise children’s abilities of independent living .4. The different contents of family education between America and China .The differences of family education between the two countries are also reflected in the contents of family education . Although the contents of Chinese family education can also devided into moral education , intellectual education , physical education and artistic education , but intellectual education has been the most important one since they go to school . However , the contents of American family education is abundant , which pay more attention to the harmonious development of language , emotion , knowledge and so on . It is so-called “education for all-around development 10” .Ⅱ.The reasons for the differences mentioned above:1. Different historical background11China with a long histroy has a sort of cohesive and conservative sense of worth , which is lack of spirit of adventure and innovative consciousness . There is a shortage of environment in which people can accept new ideas . By contraries , America is a nation of immigrants with a short history , there remains so little traditional culture . With the influence of multi culture and sense ofworth , it is easy to accept new thoughts and culture . So America children are better at taking risks and innovating .2. Different economic formChina has a long histroy with a large population .Therefore , there are so few opportunities to find a job even a good job which can decide one’s life happiness . And getting high marks has become a necessary condition to have a good job and future . The condition of econemy in America is better than that in China , so there are more employment opportunities in America . American parents think profession is not distinguished whether it is noble or nidering as long as they can survive in society .3.Different social conditionsSo far , social security system and old-age care have not been perfect in China . Many Chinese parents take their children as their private possession in order to receive the children’s return , which is reflected in the methods of education . For this reason , their children’s high scores have become their origin of pride . But in America , there is a prosper development of econemy and sane social security system , so American parents don’t count on their children’s support . They see educating child to be an independent , conscientious and kindhearted person as their duties .4.Different traditional culture12In China , people advocate collectivism which emphasize the collective interests more important than personal interests . Therefore , Chinese parents usually replace children’s interests by their own wills and thoughts . They design children’s future standing in the adult angle . What’s more , in Chinese family , parents can raise their children in the lifetime . However , stressing personality , upholding individual development and caring about personal benefit are all the cores of American culture . Rationalistic American parents insist that children after 18 years old should be independent and not rely on their parents .Ⅲ.The results of two different kinds of family education13: The results of family education in the two countries also display obvious differences because of the differences of education concepts , aim , methods and contents . These are mainly reflected in five aspects .1.Ability of adapting to the societyMost Ameican children can adapt to the society more smoothly than many Chinese children . They can face and overcome setbacks more easily .2.Ability of living independentlyCompared with independent American children , Chinese children have particularly much requirements and strong dependence ,and they always want to get others’ care .3.Interpersonal relationshipsAs a result of parents’overprotection , Chinese children have few ablities of personal interaction . American children are opposite at this point .4.Responsibility of supporting the oldGenerally speaking , Many American children lack the sense of responsibility to support their parents in comparison with Chinese children .5.The relationship among family membersAs a whole , the relationship among Chinese family members is more harmony than that among American family . The relationship of Chinese family is very close , but in America ,family members look like separate individuals .Ⅳ. Discussions and Suggestions14:In this thesis , it is only a generic comparative study on family education in America and China . Of course , there is also distinctiveness on it . In addition , compared with Chinese family education , American family education also has its obvious shortage . So the aim of this thesis is not totally to repudiate Chinese family education or wholly to accept American family education . In the end ,by the comparative study on family education in America and China , the writer wants to cause reform ideas of Chinese family education in order to improve Chinese education level .According to our country’s special circumstances, the number of one-child family is becoming larger , so family education must be improved in the project of educational reform and development and family education must be combined with school education and social education. Therefore, it is necessary to change traditional family education ideas .(1) Chinese parents should educate their children in social environment , in other words , theyshould not only teach their children the knowledge of survival , but also the responsibilities for the society .(2) Chinese parents must cultivate their children’s consciousness of independence,self-support , cooperation and the spirit of caring for others .(3) In China , education for all-around development should be vigorously advocated andimplemented effectively .(4) Much can be learned from each other on the ways of family education for America andChina .In a word , family education is very important . With the development of society , all aspects of family education needs to be improved .Epilogue:This is the first time for me to write thesis in English , and I haven’t had enough knowledge and experience , so there must be some shortcomings . I will appreciate it that my teacher can be kind enoug to point the mistakes and help me to correct them . In the meantime , I will study hard to know more about family education in America and China and make greater progress in the future .References :1.《浅谈中美家庭教育的差异》高维亮王丽艳（《科学时代》 2006.11）2.《学前儿童家庭教育(修订版)》李生兰华东师范大学出版社3.《美国家庭教育的启示》李盈（《教育实践与研究》2005.04）4. 《Gua Sha Treatment》郑晓龙导演5. 《不同文化传统下中美家庭教育中的评价比较》唐梅（《世界教育信息》2007.4）(加标注12)6.《论中美家庭教育的差异》曾芝兰（《太原师范学院学报》(社会科学版)2006.1）7. 校选修课《…………》授课教师：……8. 《中美家庭教育的对比与分析》（《联合早报网》）9.《The Pacifier》Adam Shankman10.《中美家庭教育比较分析及对策研究》李子银（《当代教育论坛》2007.06）（加标注13）11.Sina blog “tingting and her mother ”/jenniferyuting12．《American Family Education》ailin 中央编译出版社13.《East look , West see》zhaihua中图书店出版社14. 《中美家庭教育的六点比较》王乐（《家教指南》2008年第五期）15.《北大批判－中国高等教育有病》薛涌江苏文艺出版社16.《造就小主人：教导孩子在做家务中养成勤劳、负责的美德》帕特丽夏H·斯普林科知识产权出版社12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14。
Social drama—American beauty 一．Basic elements of social drama（社会问题片）1.Definition（定义）:1)It’s an adverse condition affecting a significant number of people.(这个问题必须是对规模较大的一群人产生负面影响的某种环境)2)It is something that can only occur if those concerned about the problem haveenough power and influence to bring it to public attention.（它必须足以构成一个问题，即关心这个问题的人必须有足够的权利和影响力来吸引公众注意）3)If the appropriate measures are taken—the problem can be solved.（人们必须相信，只要采取合理的措施就能解决问题）2.Characteristics（特点）:1）Identify a social ill(发现一种社会疾病)2）Find a method to cure the disease(找到治愈这种顽症的方法)3.Typical example(典型影片):1）One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest(飞越疯人院)—探讨精神治疗制度2）Philadelphia(费城)—探讨艾滋病问题3）American history X(野兽良民)—探讨种族歧视的原因4）Traffic(毒品网络)—探讨毒品问题5）American beauty(美国丽人)—探讨男性危机问题二．Film report—American beauty1.General introductionType ：S ocial dramaShow time ：O ct.1 1991Main award ：T he 72th OscarChinese name：美国丽人English name：American BeautyRegion：AmericaDirector：Sam Mendes2.Detonator(引线): Lester (main role) was dying……Question:Why was he dead? How did he dead?Who killed him?3.Synopsis(故事梗概):American beauty tells the story of Lester, a middle-aged man who lives a sedated(平静的) life with his family in American suburbia(市郊)。
“美国社会与文化”课后练习题I.单选1.Which of the following statement is CORRECT about the geographic location ofthe United States of America?A.South of North America, southern temperate zone;B.South of North America, northern temperate zone;C.North of North America, northern temperate zone;D.North of South America, southern temperate zone.2.The boundary line between America and Mexico, starts from the mouth of the RioGrande River and finally ends at the seashore.A.AtlanticB. PacificC. IndianD. Oceanic3., known as the Eastern Coastal Plain, is a wide strip between the Atlantic and the Appalachians.A.Mexico seacoastB. Caribbean seacoastC. Bering seacoastD. Atlantic seacoast4.Rocky Mountains stretch all the way from to .A.Mexico, the ArcticB. Mexico, the AtlanticC. Alaska, the AtlanticD. Alaska, Mexico5.The Yellow Stone National Park is located in .A.the Grand CanyonB. the Rocky MountainsC. the Death ValleyD. the Willamette Valley6.According to functionalist perspective, which one is not mentioned as the functionof education?A.Providing custodial careB.Promoting national unityC.Reducing unemploymentD.Teaching knowledge and skills7.“Head Start” movement was conducted to .A.Give every child equal opportunity to receive education.B.Bring those who were at disadvantage to have equal opportunity to receiveeducation.C.Initiate an optional course in school.D.Improve the academic performance of students.8.Regarding the education reforms, .A.New paradigm supporters are confident in markets.B.Systemic reformers believe in consumers.C.The new paradigm and the old one are totally different.D.Both the reforms reached good result.9.Which of the following is related closely to religion?A.public schoolsB.Private schoolsmunity schoolsD.Parochial schools10.For the schools at local level, .A.the central government assigns the president.B.Voted governing board is responsible for the governance of the local school.C.The education quality is not very high-standard.D.Teachers are less-paid than the state-run schools.11.The sources of American Folk Music are .A.the British Isles and AfricaB.the British Isles and AsiaC.European countriesD.All of the above12.American Folk Music represents .A.the American IndiansB.the tribal music of primitive peoplesC.American cultureD.The western American lives13.The foremost form of Anglo-Celtic folk music is .A.church musicB.BalladryC.Tribal musicD.Harmonic music14.Bob Dylan is .A.American folk singer folksinger, banjo playerC.American singer and composerD.American folksinger and song writer15.A disc jockey is supposed to .A.Design the programs for radio stations.B.Mix different kinds of music togetheranize the dancing tuneD.Blend only certain types of music together to create new ones.16.Donkey stands for .A. Democratic PartyB. Republican PartyC. Labor PartyD. Federalist Party17.The president of the United States must be at least .A. 40 years oldB. 35 years oldC. 45 years oldD. 37 years old18.Which of the following is not considered as the cornerstone of traditionalAmerican belief?A. Individual FreedomB. Equality of OpportunityC. Material WealthD. Racial Diversity19.is responsible for the relation of the United States with foreign countries.A. congressB. presidentC. ambassadorD. chief judge20.The president can veto any bills passed by congress, unless in each housevote to override the veto.A. 2/3B. 3/4C. 4/5D. 1/221.Juvenile Crime, in law, term denoting various offenses committed by children oryouths under the age of .A. 16B. 14C. 18D. 2022.Which country remains the only Western democracy that imposed the deathpenalty on some of those convicted of murder?A.CanadaB. the United StatesC. EnglandD. Germany23.The largest and best organized association standing for firearm users in Americastates, “ Guns don’t kill people, people kill people”, which is .A.NRAB. Gun ClubC. WHOD. ARA24.Series of studies clearly show that and violence are interrelated.A.RaceB. SexC. AgeD. Drugs25.The unlawful killing of a human being by a person who had an intent to kill is thedefinition of the crime of .A.MurderB. ManslaughterC. AssaultD. Battery26.What is the scientific definition of family given by sociologists?A.We are born into a family, mature in a family, form new families, and leavethem at our death. Family life is a universal human experience.B.The family is a fundamental God given institution built into the very natureof the universe.C.The family is an arbitrary cultural structure. It is a group of people heldtogether by bonds of love and affection.D.The family is a group of people who are related to one another by bonds ofblood, marriage, or adoption and who live together, form an economic unit,and bear and raise children.27.What is the basis for traditional family structure?A.Extended familyB.Nuclear familyC.KinshipD.Immediate family28.What are the diverse patterns of contemporary families?A.Singlehood, Postponing Marriage, Cohabitation, Dual-Earner Marriages,Two-Parent and One-Parent Households, Stepfamilies, Gay and LesbianMarriagesB.Singlehood, Postponing Marriage, Cohabitation, Dual-Earner Marriages,Two-Parent and One-Parent HouseholdsC.Singlehood, Postponing Marriage, Cohabitation, Dual-Earner Marriages,Stepfamilies, Gay and Lesbian MarriagesD.Singlehood, Postponing Marriage, Cohabitation, Two-Parent and One-ParentHouseholds, Gay and Lesbian Marriages29.What are the major family problems?i.Divorceii.Remarriageiii.Violenceiv.Work and Family InequalityA. (1) (2) (3)B. (1) (3) (4)C. (1) (2) (4)D. (1) (2) (3) (4)30.What are the causes for an aging American society?(1) A continued low fertility rate(2)Ever-greater life expectancy rate due to advances in medicine(3)The baby boom generation reaching old age.(4)Improved social services and more favorable public policiesA. (1) (2) (4)B. (1) (2)(3)C. (1)(2)(3)(4)D. (2)(3)(4)31.There occurred three times of immigration waves since 1620. The third wave tookplace , and the number of immigrants rose to 23,500,000, most of whom came from such South-eastern European countries as Italy and Russia.A.between 1820 and 1850B. between 1851 and 1870C. between 1871 and 1920D. between 1881 and 192032.In 1886, gave the United States the Statue of Liberty as a gesture offriendship, and since then the Statue, which is standing on an island near Ellis Island, has become a symbol of hope, lighting the way for new arrivals.A.FranceB. BritainC. GermanyD. Spain33.In recent decades, some important legislative documents have remapped the orderof American immigration policies. Among them, gave the priority to the applicants for family reunification, and since then the number of Asian immigrants has increased rapidly.A.the Immigration Act of 1965B. the Illegal Immigration ActC. the USA Patriot Act of 2001D. the Exclusion Act of 188234.Americans make active use of their legal system and take great pride in being alitigious people. The underlined part means that .A.Americans are fully aware of their legal rightsB.Americans are protective towards their legal rightsC.Americans are jealous of others’ legal rightsD.Americans are fond of taking matters to a court of law35.Like al other judges, are appointed by the president with theapproval and consent of the senate.A.the district judges B the Attorney GeneralC. Chief of JusticeD. justice of the peace36.The most important element in US economy against inflation was .A.the federal Reserve BoardB. the International Monetary FundC. the World BankD. big corporations37.The following are the strengths of the US economy except .A.the highest standard of livingB. the lowest unemployment rateC. low rate of savingsD. high productivity of US industries38.Which of the following is not included as essential elements in Americaneconomic system?A.Productivity.B. Income equality.C. Creativity.D. Stability.39.Which combination is right?A.Passing of the Social Security Act ---- post-1960B.President Nixon --- the Great SocietyC.President Carter --- the Great SocietyD.President Reagan ---- the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act40.Which of the following is not the major role that the US media is playing?A. WatchdogB. Speech RectifierC. SignalerD. Common CarrierII.名词解释1）Gold Rush2)Martin Luther King Jr.3)The New Deal4)The Great Depression5)Laissez-Faire6)Affirmative Action Program7)The Baby Boom8)The Great Society9)Racism10)Ku Klux Klan11)Original Sin (Inherent Sinfulness)12)Welfare State13)Westward Expansion14)WASP15)Rating Code16)McCarthyism17)American Dream18)the Iron Curtain19)the Marshall Plan20)Watergate Scandal21)extended family22)nuclear family23)Hispanic Americans24)Manifest Destiny25)Separation of PowersIII.Essay Questions1)How would you describe the relationship between President and Congress in theUnited States?2)Do you think economic affluence will inevitably lead to consumerism andexcessive individualism? Why or why not?3)What are the major American values? What are the changes in the Americanvalues? What are the factors that contribute to these changes?4)What is the origin of the myth of Asian Superiority? Why do you think the myth ofAsian Superiority is harmful?5)What are some of the characteristics of American education? How do Americansview the role of education in American society and in their individual life?6)America is widely accepted as the engine of the world economy. In what way doyou think the American economy has influenced and will influence the world? 7)Immigration takes place with, at least, two forces at work, namely the pull forceand the push force. Pick any one ethnic group in the United States as an example and illustrate its experience in the “pull and push” framework.8)Throughout the U.S. history, the two major parties, the Republican and theDemocratic, have been holding powers alternatively in the country. What key functions have they played in American politics? Why is it that minor parties in the U.S. have never been able to challenge the two-party system in the power struggle of American politics?9)The death penalty and gun control have been issues of bitter controversy in nationaland state politics of the United States. Discuss the reasons why Americans are so divided over these two issues, and explain how values and principles clash with each other in these two controversial issues.10)Sports, particularly football, have traditionally played a significant role inAmerican colleges and universities. What are their social, cultural, and economic implications for universities and students?Basic American values:Individual freedom --- the freedom of individuals to fulfill their own individual needsand do as they wishSelf-reliance --- being able to take care of themselves and not depend on others for supportEquality of opportunity --- having an equal chance to succeed, regardless of whethersex, race, or ageCompetition --- having to compete with others for success, rather than expecting to be given something for freeMaterial wealth --- viewing possessions as the mark of having status in the societyand as the natural reward for hard workHard work --- the belief that everyone should work hard, sometimes for very long hours, to be successful。
“美国社会与文化”课后练习题I. 单选1.Which of the following statement is CORRECT about the geographic location ofthe United States of America?A.South of North America, southern temperate zone;B.South of North America, northern temperate zone;C.North of North America, northern temperate zone;D.North of South America, southern temperate zone.2.The boundary line between America and Mexico, starts from the mouth of the RioGrande River and finally ends at the ___________ seashore.A. AtlanticB. PacificC. IndianD. Oceanic3. _________, known as the Eastern Coastal Plain, is a wide strip between the Atlantic and the Appalachians.A. Mexico seacoastB. Caribbean seacoastC. Bering seacoastD. Atlantic seacoast4. Rocky Mountains stretch all the way from ________ to _________.A. Mexico, the ArcticB. Mexico, the AtlanticC. Alaska, the AtlanticD. Alaska, Mexico5．The Yellow Stone National Park is located in __________.A. the Grand CanyonB. the Rocky MountainsC. the Death ValleyD. the Willamette Valley6.According to functionalist perspective, which one is not mentioned as the functionof education?A.Providing custodial careB.Promoting national unityC.Reducing unemploymentD.Teaching knowledge and skills7.“Head Start” movement was conducted to __________.A.Give every child equal opportunity to receive education.B.Bring those who were at disadvantage to have equal opportunity to receiveeducation.C.Initiate an optional course in school.D.Improve the academic performance of students.8.Regarding the education reforms, _________.A.New paradigm supporters are confident in markets.B.Systemic reformers believe in consumers.C.The new paradigm and the old one are totally different.D.Both the reforms reached good result.9.Which of the following is related closely to religion?A.public schoolsB.Private schoolsmunity schoolsD.Parochial schools10.For the schools at local level, _____________.A.the central government assigns the president.B.V oted governing board is responsible for the governance of the local school.C.The education quality is not very high-standard.D.Teachers are less-paid than the state-run schools.11.The sources of American Folk Music are _________.A.the British Isles and AfricaB.the British Isles and AsiaC.European countriesD.All of the above12.American Folk Music represents ________.A.the American IndiansB.the tribal music of primitive peoplesC.American cultureD.The western American lives13.The foremost form of Anglo-Celtic folk music is ________.A.church musicB.BalladryC.Tribal musicD.Harmonic music14.Bob Dylan is ____________.A.American folk singer folksinger, banjo playerC.American singer and composerD.American folksinger and song writer15.A disc jockey is supposed to ___________.A.Design the programs for radio stations.B.Mix different kinds of music togetheranize the dancing tuneD.Blend only certain types of music together to create new ones.16.Donkey stands for________.A. Democratic PartyB. Republican PartyC. Labor PartyD. Federalist Party17. The president of the United States must be at least ________.A. 40 years oldB. 35 years oldC. 45 years oldD. 37 years old18. Which of the following is not considered as the cornerstone of traditionalAmerican belief?A. Individual FreedomB. Equality of OpportunityC. Material WealthD. Racial Diversity19. _____ is responsible for the relation of the United States with foreign countries.A. congressB. presidentC. ambassadorD. chief judge20. The president can veto any bills passed by congress, unless ______ in each housevote to override the veto.A. 2/3B. 3/4C. 4/5D. 1/221.Juvenile Crime, in law, term denoting various offenses committed by children oryouths under the age of _______.A. 16B. 14C. 18D. 2022.Which country remains the only Western democracy that imposed the deathpenalty on some of those convicted of murder?_______A. CanadaB. the United StatesC. EnglandD. Germany23.The largest and best organized association standing for firearm users in Americastates, “ Guns don’t kill people, people kill people”, which is _________.A. NRAB. Gun ClubC. WHOD. ARA24.Series of studies clearly show that ______ and violence are interrelated.A. RaceB. SexC. AgeD. Drugs25.The unlawful killing of a human being by a person who had an intent to kill is thedefinition of the crime of ______.A. MurderB. ManslaughterC. AssaultD. Battery26.What is the scientific definition of family given by sociologists?A.We are born into a family, mature in a family, form new families, and leavethem at our death. Family life is a universal human experience.B.The family is a fundamental God given institution built into the very natureof the universe.C.The family is an arbitrary cultural structure. It is a group of people heldtogether by bonds of love and affection.D.The family is a group of people who are related to one another by bonds ofblood, marriage, or adoption and who live together, form an economic unit,and bear and raise children.27.What is the basis for traditional family structure?A.Extended familyB.Nuclear familyC.KinshipD.Immediate family28.What are the diverse patterns of contemporary families?A.Singlehood, Postponing Marriage, Cohabitation, Dual-Earner Marriages,Two-Parent and One-Parent Households, Stepfamilies, Gay and LesbianMarriagesB.Singlehood, Postponing Marriage, Cohabitation, Dual-Earner Marriages,Two-Parent and One-Parent HouseholdsC.Singlehood, Postponing Marriage, Cohabitation, Dual-Earner Marriages,Stepfamilies, Gay and Lesbian MarriagesD.Singlehood, Postponing Marriage, Cohabitation, Two-Parent and One-ParentHouseholds, Gay and Lesbian Marriages29. What are the major family problems?i.Divorceii.Remarriageiii.Violenceiv.Work and Family InequalityA. (1) (2) (3)B. (1) (3) (4)C. (1) (2) (4)D. (1) (2) (3) (4)30. What are the causes for an aging American society?(1) A continued low fertility rate(2)Ever-greater life expectancy rate due to advances in medicine(3)The baby boom generation reaching old age.(4)Improved social services and more favorable public policiesA. (1) (2) (4)B. (1) (2)(3)C. (1)(2)(3)(4)D. (2)(3)(4)31.There occurred three times of immigration waves since 1620. The third wave tookplace ___________, and the number of immigrants rose to 23,500,000, most of whom came from such South-eastern European countries as Italy and Russia.A. between 1820 and 1850B. between 1851 and 1870C. between 1871 and 1920D. between 1881 and 192032.In 1886, _________ gave the United States the Statue of Liberty as a gesture offriendship, and since then the Statue, which is standing on an island near Ellis Island, has become a symbol of hope, lighting the way for new arrivals.A.FranceB. BritainC.GermanyD. Spain33.In recent decades, some important legislative documents have remapped the orderof American immigration policies. Among them, ___________ gave the priority to the applicants for family reunification, and since then the number of Asian immigrants has increased rapidly.A. the Immigration Act of 1965B. the Illegal Immigration ActC. the USA Patriot Act of 2001D. the Exclusion Act of 188234.Americans make active use of their legal system and take great pride in being alitigious people. The underlined part means that ___________.A.Americans are fully aware of their legal rightsB.Americans are protective towards their legal rightsC.Americans are jealous of others’ legal rightsD.Americans are fond of taking matters to a court of law35.Like al other judges, ___________ are appointed by the president with theapproval and consent of the senate.A. the district judges B the Attorney GeneralC. Chief of JusticeD. justice of the peace36.The most important element in US economy against inflation was____________.A. the federal Reserve BoardB. the International Monetary FundC. the World BankD. big corporations37.The following are the strengths of the US economy except __________.A. the highest standard of livingB. the lowest unemployment rateC. low rate of savingsD. high productivity of US industries38.Which of the following is not included as essential elements in Americaneconomic system?A. Productivity.B. Income equality.C. Creativity.D. Stability.39．Which combination is right?A.Passing of the Social Security Act---- post-1960B.President Nixon---- the Great SocietyC.President Carter---- the Great SocietyD.President Reagan---- the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act40．Which of the following is not the major role that the US media is playing?A. WatchdogB. Speech RectifierC. SignalerD. Common CarrierII．名词解释1）Gold Rush2) Martin Luther King Jr.3) The New Deal4) The Great Depression5) Laissez-Faire6) Affirmative Action Program7) The Baby Boom8) The Great Society9) Racism10) Ku Klux Klan11) Original Sin (Inherent Sinfulness)12) Welfare State13) Westward Expansion14) WASP15) Rating Code16) McCarthyism17) American Dream18) the Iron Curtain19) the Marshall Plan20) Watergate Scandal21) extended family22) nuclear family23) Hispanic Americans24) Manifest Destiny25) Separation of PowersIII. Essay Questions1) How would you describe the relationship between President and Congress in theUnited States?2) Do you think economic affluence will inevitably lead to consumerism andexcessive individualism? Why or why not?3) What are the major American values? What are the changes in the American values?What are the factors that contribute to these changes?4) What is the origin of the myth of Asian Superiority? Why do you think the myth ofAsian Superiority is harmful?5) What are some of the characteristics of American education? How do Americansview the role of education in American society and in their individual life?6) America is widely accepted as the engine of the world economy. In what way doyou think the American economy has influenced and will influence the world?7) Immigration takes place with, at least, two forces at work, namely the pull forceand the push force. Pick any one ethnic group in the United States as an example and illustrate its experience in the “pull and push” framework.8) Throughout the U.S. history, the two major parties, the Republican and theDemocratic, have been holding powers alternatively in the country. What key functions have they played in American politics? Why is it that minor parties in the U.S. have never been able to challenge the two-party system in the power struggle of American politics?9) The death penalty and gun control have been issues of bitter controversy in nationaland state politics of the United States. Discuss the reasons why Americans are so divided over these two issues, and explain how values and principles clash with each other in these two controversial issues.10) Sports, particularly football, have traditionally played a significant role inAmerican colleges and universities. What are their social, cultural, and economic implications for universities and students?Basic American values:Individual freedom --- the freedom of individuals to fulfill their own individual needsand do as they wishSelf-reliance --- being able to take care of themselves and not depend on others for supportEquality of opportunity --- having an equal chance to succeed, regardless of whethersex, race, or ageCompetition --- having to compete with others for success, rather than expecting to be given something for freeMaterial wealth --- viewing possessions as the mark of having status in the societyand as the natural reward for hard workHard work --- the belief that everyone should work hard, sometimes for very long hours, to be successful。
