Chapter 1 The Origins of American and Its Development

1.1 Europe’s Discovery of America

1.2 The English Colonies

1.3 Tightening British Control and Colonial Resistance

1.4 The Road to Independence

1.5 The U.S.Constitution

1.6 The War of 1812

1.7 Slavery and Sectionalism

1.7.1 Secession and Civil War

1.7.2 Postwar Industrialization

1.8 World War Ⅰ

1.8.1 Postwar U.S.and the Great Depression

1.9 World War Ⅱ

1.9.1 Postwar U.S.and the Cold War

1.10 Mid-20th to Late 20th

1.10.1 The 1960s in the U.S

1.10.2 The 1970s in the U.S

1.10.3 The 1980s in the U.S

1.11 Reflections on Bill Clinton

Conclusion

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Notes

Questions for Consideration

Chapter 2 American Political System

2.1 Federalist System

2.2 3-Branch System

2.2.1 The Legislative Branch

2.2.2 The Executive Branch

2.2.3 The Judiciary

2.3 Checks and Balances Principle

2.4 Political Parties

2.5 Elections in America

2.6 Criticisms

Conclusion

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Questions for Consideration

Chapter 3 Religion in America

3.1 Religious Freedom and Brand of Religion

3.2 Christianity in America

3.3 The Protestant Church in America

3.3.1Baptists

3.3.2Methodists

3.3.3Presbyterians

3.3.4Episcopalians

3.4 The Catholic Church in America

3.5 Judaism in America

3.6 Impact of Religion on American Society

3.6.1 Education

3.6.2 Abortion

3.6.3 Sexuality

3.6.4 Intolerance

Conclusion

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Questions for Consideration

Chapter 4 American Values

4.1 Traditional Values

4.1.1 Individual Freedom and Self-Reliance

4.1.2 Equality of Opportunity and Competition

4.1.3 Material Wealth and Hard Work

4.2 Values of Doing Business

4.2.1 The Value of Informality： Just Call Me Bob

4.2.2 The Value of Time as a Commodity：Time Is Money

4.2.3 The Value of the Contract Before the Relationship： First， We Sign then We Toast

4.2.4 The American Value of Direct Communication： Call a Spade a Spade

4.2.5 The Value of Conflict-style Bargaining：Lay Your Cards on the Table

4.2.6 The American Value of Optimism： Never Say Never

4.3 Misconceptions

Conclusion

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Note

Questions for Consideration

Chapter 5 The American Character

5.1 Views Toward Individual Freedom

5.1.1 Criticizing Authority

5.1.2 Provision of Services

5.1.3 Consumer Action

5.2 Views on Competition

5.2.1 The Relationship Between Sports and Competition

5.2.2 Materialism as a Form of Competition

5.2.3 Risk-taking and Competition

5.2.4 Competition’s Negative Impact on American Life

5.3 Views on Friendships

5.4 Views on Success

5.5 Views on Law and Fairness

5.6 Views on Diversity

5.6.1 Race

5.6.2 Sex

5.6.3 Age

5.7 Views on Problem Solving

Conclusion

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Note

Questions for Consideration

Chapter 6 American Literature

6.1 Early Fiction

6.2 Transcendentalists

6.3 Power of Imagination

6.4 New Visions of America

6.5 Reform and Liberation

6.6 Regionalism

6.7 A New Wave

6.8 Sympathetic Views

6.9 Rebellious Spirit

6.10 The Modernists

6.11 The Lost Generation

6.12 Harlem Renaissance

6.13 New Drama

6.14 Depression， Realism and Escapism

6.15 Postwar Voices and “the Beat Generation”

6.16 New American Voices

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Questions for Consideration

Chapter 7 Technology in America

7.1 Early 19th Century

7.2 Late 19th Century

7.3 Early 20th Century

7.4 Mid-20th Century

7.5 Late 20th Century

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Notes

Questions for Consideration

Chapter 8.Education in America

8.1 History of Education

8.1.1 Early Beginnings

8.1.2 Beginning of Public Schools

8.1.3 Compulsory Schooling

8.1.4 Shifting Aims

8.1.5 Post-secondary Evolution

8.1.6 Perceived Crises （1950s -1980s）

8.2 Education Today

8.2.1 Power Structures

8.2.2 National Standards

8.2.3 Teaching Styles in Schools

8.3 Characteristics of Post-secondary Schools

8.4 Features of American Universities

8.4.1 Typical Program

8.4.2 Growing Competition in Post-secondary Schools

8.4.3 Typical Courses

8.4.4 Extra-curricular Activities

8.5 How to Do Well in University

8.6 Problems and Challenges of American Education

Conclusion

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Notes

Questions for Consideration

Chapter 9 Campus Life in America

9.1 Academic Life

9.1.1 Selecting a Major

9.1.2 Choosing Classes

9.1.3 The College Classroom

9.1.4 Homework

9.1.5 Communicating with Professors

9.1.6 Using the Library

9.2 Getting Financial Aid

9.2.1 Grants

9.2.2 Loans

9.2.3 Scholarships

9.2.4 Work-study Programs

9.3 The College’s Role in Student Social Life

9.4 Living off Campus

9.5 Physical and Mental Health Problems

Conclusion

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Questions for Consideration

Chapter 10 Social Life in America

10.1 American Family

10.2 Food and Drinks

10.3 Recreations

10.3.1 Entertaining

10.3.2 Having Fun

10.4 Sports

10.4.1 Spectator Sports

10.4.2 Active Sports

10.5 Activities for Social Benefits

Conclusion

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Questions for Consideration

Chapter 11 Social Customs in America

11.1 Introductions

11.2 General Etiquette

11.2.1 Tipping

11.2.2 Hygiene

11.2.3 Waiting in Line

11.2.4 Loudness of Voice

11.2.5 Use of Cell Phones and Pagers

11.2.6 Smoking

11.2.7 Visiting Someone’s Home

11.2.8 Taboo Topics

11.2.9 Eye Contact

11.2.10 Staring

11.3 Personal Safety

11.4 Borrowing Money

11.5 Physical Contact

11.6 Relationships

11.6.1 Dating

11.6.2 Sexual

11.6.3 Workplace

11.7 Customs at Specific Occasions

11.7.1 Weddings

11.7.2 Funerals

11.7.3 Visiting the Ill

11.7.4 Rude vs.Naive

Conclusion

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Questions for Consideration

Chapter 12 American Nonverbal Communication

12.1 Body Movements

12.1.1 The Bobbing Head

12.1.2 Impatient Signals

12.1.3 The Shoulder Pat

12.1.4 The Waving Hands

12.1.5 The Open Palm

12.2 Posture

12.2.1 The Slouch

12.2.2 The Anywhere Seat

12.2.3 Leaning in and out

12.2.4 Spatial Distance

12.3 Facial Expressions

12.3.1 “ What You See Is What You Get”

12.3.2 The Low Mouth， Tight Lip Apology

12.3.3 When a Smile Is Not a Smile

12.3.4 Stare or Not

12.3.5 The Raised Eyebrow

12.4 How Time Perspectives Affect Nonverbal Communication

12.5 How to Observe and React to American Nonverbal Communication

12.5.1 Check Your Instincts with Questions

12.5.2 Check Your Judgments About the Person’s Character

12.5.3 Watch for Signs of Impatience

12.5.4 Respect the Space and Privacy of Americans， Nonverbally

Conclusion

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Questions for Consideration

Chapter 13 Social Problems in America

13.1 Poverty

13.2 Racism

13.3 Crime

13.4 Drugs

13.5 The Aging Problem

Conclusion

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Questions for Consideration

Chapter 14 American in the 21st Century

14.1 20th-Century Challenges to American Values

14.2 The War in Vietnam

14.3 The Need for New National Values

14.4 The United States： The First Universal Nation？

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Note

Questions for Consideration

Chapter 15 American Holidays

15.1 New Year’s Day—January 1

15.2 Martin Luther King， Jr.Day—Third Monday in January

15.3 Valentine’s Day—February 14

15.4 Presidents’ Day—Third Monday in February

15.5 St.Patrick’s Day—March 17

15.6 April Fools’ Day—April 1

15.7 Easter Sunday—Late March or in April

15.8 Mother’s Day—Second Sunday in May

15.9 Memorial Day—Last Monday in May

15.10 Father’s Day—Third Monday in June

15.11 Independence Day—July 4

15.12 Labor Day—First Monday in September

15.13 Columbus Day—Second Monday in October

15.14 Halloween—October 31

15.15 Thanksgiving Day—Fourth Thursday in November

15.16 Christmas—December 25

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Questions for Consideration

Appendix

Bibliography