UNIT 31.what is an American? Comment on the answer to the question by crevecoeur?(1)American is either a European, or the descendant of a European , hence that strange mixture of blood, which you will find in no other country.He is an American, who leaving behind him all his ancient prejudices and manners, receives new ones from the new mode of life he has embraced, the new government he obeys, and the new rank he holdsThe American is a new man ,who acts upon new principles. He must therefore entertain new ideas and form new opinions...this is an American.(2)According to Crevecoeur, The American in those days had the mixed blood of Europeans or their descendants without taking into consideration other nationalities such as American Indians ans blacks. But today , the picture of an American is more complex.4 In what way did Puritanism influence American culture?The Puritans believed that governments should enforce God's morality. They strictly punished drunks, adulterers, violators of the Sabbath and other religious believers different from themselves. Roger Williams, one of the Puritans who protested that the state should not interfere with religion, was driven out of Massachusetts. In 1635, he set up Rhode Island colony, which guaranteed religious freedom and the separation of church and state. The Puritans also have left rich cultural heritage to future Americans. The American values such as individualism, hard work, respect of education owe very much to the Puritan beliefs.5.what were some causes of the American RevolutionLong-term social, economic, and political changes in the colonies before 1750 provided the basis for an independent nation with representatives political institutions.More immediately, the French and Indian War (1754-1763) changed the relationship between the colonies and their mother country.Finally, a decade of conflicts between the British government and the colonist, beginning with the Stamp Act crisis in 1765, led to the outbreak of war in 1775 and the Declaration of Independence inUnit43. What are some of the major powers of each of the three branches of the US government? How are the three branches supposed to check and balance each other?The legislative branch can make federal laws, levy federal taxes, declare war or put foreign treatie s into effect.The centre of the executive branch is the president. The president can proposelegislation to Congress, can issue regulations and directives regarding the work of the federal gove rnment’s many departments and agencies, can veto bills passed by Congress, appoint federal judge s, the heads and senior officials of the executive branch agencies as well as ambassadors and other officials. He also is commander-in-chief of the armed forces.The judicial branch applies and explains the laws. Federal courts have jurisdiction over cases arisi ng out of the Constitution, laws and treaties of the US; maritime case; issues involving foreign citi zens or governments; and cases in which the federal government itself is a party. The Supreme Co urt determines whether congressional legislation or executive action violates the Constitution.The Supreme Court can declare a law passed by the Congress or an action by the President to be unconstitutional.The President can veto a law passed by Congress.Congress can pass a law overriding the President's veto. The President appoints Supreme Cour t justices.Congress can refuse to confirm appointments and ratify treaties made by the President4. What is the Bill of Rights? Do you think that it was necessary to write the Bill of Rights ex plicitly into the U.S. Constitution?The Bill of Rights: the first 10 amendments, collectively known as the Bill of Rights, were added within two years of the adoption of the U.S. Constitution. These amendments remain intact today, as they were writtentwo centuries ago. The first guarantees freedom of worship, speech and press, the right of peaceful assembly, and the right to petition the government to correct wrongs. The Bill of Rights and subse quent constitutional amendments guarantee the American people the fullest possible opportunity t o enjoy fundamental human rights.legislation to Congress, can issue regulations and directives regarding the work of the federal gove rnment’s many departments and agencies, can veto bills passed by Congress, appoint federal judge s, the heads and senior officials of the executive branch agencies as well as ambassadors and other officials. He also is commander-in-chief of the armed forces.The judicial branch applies and explains the laws. Federal courts have jurisdiction over cases arisi ng out of the Constitution, laws and treaties of the US; maritime case; issues involving foreign citi zens or governments; and cases in which the federal government itself is a party. The Supreme Co urt determines whether congressional legislation or executive action violates the Constitution.The Supreme Court can declare a law passed by the Congress or an action by the President to beunconstitutional.The President can veto a law passed by Congress.Congress can pass a law overriding the President's veto. The President appoints Supreme Cour t justices.Congress can refuse to confirm appointments and ratify treaties made by the President5. What are the two political parties in the united states？ Do you think they are fundamenta lly different?The Democratic Party and the Republican Party.They are different in some specific policies, but they’re not fundamentally different.(1) It is general considered that the Democratic Party is more liberal and more center-left; The Republican Party is more conservative and center-right.For example: in economic policies, the Democrats believe that the government should be active in alleviating poverty and social injustice, and it also supports progressive taxation and social service; the Republican Party places more emphasis on private enterprise and individual initiative, and it s upports tax cuts. In social policies, the Democratic Party is divided on the subject of same-sex marriage and focus on methods crime prevention; The Republican Party, however, opposes th e legislation of same sex marriage and favor capital punishment. （可适当删减）（2）Despite those differences, they are not fundamentally different. Firstly, both of them advocate the basic American values like individualism and capitalism and are on behalf of the bourgeoisies. Se condly, both of them advocate the political party system. Neither of them wants to change this poli tical system. Thirdly, the aims of both parties are the same . They all want to win the president ele ction and to form a majority in the congress. In this regard, the two parties are tools for election. Fi nally, as new conservatism and new liberalism emerge in recent decades, the parties tend to be mo re and more alike in their ideology. They keep absorbing new ideals from each other which they th ink are beneficial to the whole country. So, fundamentally speaking, they are the same.UNIT 61 In what way do you think that religious freedom was a historical necessity in the United States?A few Americans were so influenced by the new science and new ideas of the Enlightenment in Europe that they became deists, believing that reason teaches that God exists but leaves man free to settle his own affairs. Many traditional Protestants and deists could agree, however,"all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights," and that "the laws of Nature and Nature's God" entitled them to form a new nation. Among the rights that the new nation guaranteed, as a political necessity in a religiously diverse society, was freedom of religion. The First Amendment insured that American government would not meddlein religious affairs or require any religious beliefs of its citizens.2 What is the relationship between government and religion in America?In some ways, the government supports all religions. Religious groups do not pay taxes in the United States. But government does not pay ministers' salaries or require any belief—not even a belief in God—as a condition of holding public office. Oaths are administered, but those who, like Quakers, object to them, can make a solemn affirmation, or declaration, instead4. What are some of the features in religion that are particularly American? What are some of the major differences between American religion and religion in Europe?First of all, Americans with different religions live together under the same law.Secondly, the religious beliefs of Americans continue to be strong with social progress.In Europe, scientific and economic advance and rising material prosperity have accompanied by a decline in religious observance bu in the US, this has not happened.Thirdly, in the United States every church is a completely independent organization, and concerned with its own finance and its own building.There has been little concentration on doctrine or religious argument such as in European history,UNIT 81. What is the goal of education in the United States? Discuss the similarities and differences in Great Britain, the United States and China concerning the goals of education.The goal is—and has been since the early decades of the republic—to achieve universal literacy and to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote both their own individual welfare as well as that of the general public. Though this goal has not yet been fully achieved, it remains an ideal toward which the American educational system is directed. The progress which has been made is notable both for its scope and for the educational methods which have been developed in the process of achieving it.2. How did American education begin to develop?In 1634, they opened a “lateen grammar” school, a school for those who wanted to prepare for college.In 1636, Harvard College was founded for the training of religious ministers.In 1634 and 1638, the Puritans passed laws declaring that all property could be taxed for the common good, which included the support of school.In 1642 and 1647, the Bay Colony passed laws requiring all parents to provide readingeducating for their children.At the end of the 18th century, elementary education throughout the United States was in local hands.3. What are the major characteristics of education in America?(1)Different education laws for different states.(2)Several levels of schooling：Elementary Schooling，Secondary Schooling and High Schooling.(3)curricula for students: there is no national curriculum in the United States.(3)Compulsory education for all students.(4)Equal education opportunities for minority groups.(5)Strong demand for higher education.(6)The complex system of higher education.Some states play a strong role in the selection of learning material for their students.Schools were asked not only to teach this new information, but to help students ask their own questions about it. The “inquiry” method of learning , focusing on solving problems rather than memorizing facts, became popular.Unit 101.The author says that the United States was founded on the principle of human equality, butin practice the nation has fallen far short of that ideal. Illustrate this point with what you have learned from this book.For example, the racial discrimination, sex discrimination, class structure, etc.1. The black "underclass"The majority of the blacks today have failed to share in the general gains of progress made recently. The urban ghettos now contain a permanently impoverished "underclass" of habitually unemployed or underemployed black people. May of them are young and unskilled. They live in cities where the unemployment rate for teen-age black workers runs as high as % or about 8 times the rate for the American work force as a whole. This "underclass" could continue to persist, ever in the absence of racial discrimination, in much the same way as other pockets of poverty persist-that is, for reasons of social- class inequality. Living in an environment of poverty. Decay, crime, drug addiction, joblessness, and hopelessness, this ghetto underclass offers an explosive potential for the future.2. Poverty as a social problemThe United States is one of the most wealthy countries in the world. Yet over 24 million people or about 10% of the population are living at or below the official poverty line, in incomes that the federal government considers insufficient to meet basic requirement offood, clothing, and shelter. There are millions more. Living slightly above the poverty line, whose plight is not much better. Also, the social services in the United States compare unfavorably with those in most industrialized societies. Furthermore, the affluent majority seems indifferent to the problems of the poor. This raises some serious moral problems and inevitably creates fierce conflicts of interest and many political controversies. Therefore, poverty in the United States becomes a social problem.3. Socially stratified American societyAmerican society is a stratified one in which power; wealth and prestige are unequally distributed. It is divided into social classes that have varying degrees of access to the reward the society offers. For example, the richest fifth of American individuals and families owns more than three-quarters of the wealth in the United States, whereas the lowest fifth owns only 0.2% of the wealth. The richest fifth of American families receives over 40% of the national income, whereas the poorest fifth receives only 5.2%.4. Drug abuseDrug abuse in the United States has come to be regarded as one of the most challenging social problems facing the nation, The drug issue always excites strong emotions of Americans because drug abuse is perceived as a major threat to American society, particularly to its younger members. Drug abuse is a social problem because it has a wide range of social costs. For example, drug is closely related with crime, automobile accidents. It has serious effects on individuals physically and mentally. And the economic losses caused by drug abuse are great.5. The profile of a typical criminalAccording to the reports given by the FBI, those arrested for crimes are disproportionately likely to be male, young, a member of a racial minority, and a city resident. For example, more blacks are arrested for crime than white people because a higher proportion of the black populations poor or unemployed and there are high correlations between poverty and the types of crime classified by the FBI as most serious. Also, racial discrimination in the enforcement of law causes more arrests of racial minority people. But if the white-collar crimes are included and if the authorities are more vigorous in their enforcement, the profile of a typical criminal would be older, wealthier, whiter and more suburban than suggested by the FBI.6. White-collar crimesWhite-collar crimes are those committed by higher income groups such as the crimes of fraud, false advertising, corporate price fixing, bribery, embezzlement, industrial pollution, tax evasion and so on. Yet the statistics provided by the FBI tend to overlook white-collar crimes. In fact, white-collar crimes are often ignored by law enforcement agencies. Some sociologists argue that the higher classes may actually have a higher rate of crime than the lower classes.7. The abuse of power by governmentPeople believe that public organizations in the United States sometimes work in concert to advance their own interests rather than those of the people. Government in America is widely distrusted for the lack of answerability. Americans were convinced that the Johnson and Nixon administrations were deliberately and systematically lying to the people in the war against Vietnam and in the Watergate scandal. The FBI and the CIAare responsible for thousands of illegal acts. All these acts show the abuse of power by government.8. The abuse of power by corporationsThe abuse of power by corporations is shown in the fact that these corporations are concerned with their own profits than with social responsibility, the quality or price of their products, or the truth of their advertising. They maintain professional lobbyists in Washington to influence public officials behind the scenes. They argue for legislation to serve their own ends, influence the appointment of officials, block reforms they consider undesirable, and often seem to have more say in the councils of government than the ordinary voters. Many Americans believe that "big business has taken the reins of government away from Congress and the Administration", and that "government is run by a few by interest groups looking after themselves."。
New England also established another Americantradition —a strainof often intolerant moralism. The Puritans believedthat governments shouldenforce God'smorality. They strictly punished drunks, adulterers, violators of the Sabbath andother religious believers different from themselves. Roger Williams, one of the Puritans whoprotestedthatthe state shouldnotinterfere withreligion, was drivenout of Massachusetts. In1635, he set up Rhode Island colony, whichguaranteedreligious freedomand the separationof churchand state. The Puritans also haveleft rich cultural heritage to future Americans. The American values such as individualism, hard work, respect of education owe very much to the Puritan beliefs.1) Long-term social, economic, and political changes in the colonies before1750 provided the basis for anindependent nationwithrepresentatives political institutions.2) More immediately, the French and Indian War (1754-1763) changed the relationship between the colonies and their mother country.3) Finally, a decade of conflicts between the British government and thecolonist, beginningwiththe StampAct crisis in1765, ledtothe outbreak of war in 1775 and the Declaration of Independence inIf Congress proposes a law that the president thinks is unwise, the presidentcanvetoit. Thatmeans theproposal does notbecomelaw. Congress canenactthelaw despite the president's views only if two-thirds of the members of bothhousesvote in favor of it.If Congress passes a law which is then challenged in the courts as unconstitutional, the Supreme Court has the power to declare the law unconstitutional and therefore no longer in effect.The president has the power to make treaties with other nations and to make all appointments to federal positions, including the position of Supreme Court justice. The Senate, however, must approve all treaties and confirm all appointments before they become official. Inthis way the Congress canpreventthe president from making unwise appointmentsIn the essay Emerson clearly expresses the main principles of his Transcendentalist pursuit andhis love for nature. Emersondevelops his concept of"Over-Soul" Or "Universal Mind". Last but not the leas, it affirms the divinity of the human beingsThe "LostGeneration" is a termusedtodescribe the generationof youngmen andwomenwhocametomaturity inthe20s. Someof themfoughtinWorldWar I.They became disgusted with war and disillusioned with the post-war society. They shared the same sense of dislocation, rootlessness and disillusionment.The goal is —and has been since the early decades of the republic —toachieve universal literacy and to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote both their own individual welfare as well as that of the general public.Though this goal has not yet been fully achieved,it remains anideal toward which the American educational system is directed. The progress which has been made is notable both for its scope and for the educational methods which have been developed in the process of achieving it.2 Discuss the social and cultural values embodied inthe Dreaming. 讨论社会和文化价值在做梦中的体现Membership ina particular language group was of great social and cultural significance. Traditionally, languages belong to tracts of country which, in the belief systemof the Dreaming, have beenputintheir places by Dreamtime creatorfigures.。
