A General Survey of USA主讲人 冯嘉文fiona2021/8/61Part 1 General Introduction of US2021/8/622021/8/632021/8/64National FlagNational Flag:The number of the stars50stars represent the 50 states of America.13 stripes represent the first 13 states that used to be the colonies.2021/8/65Important Facts About USAFull country name:TheUnitedStatesofAmerica(USA)Population:275,000,000Area: 3,618,000 sq miles (9,370,000 sqkm).The 4th largest in the world.Capital city: Washington, DC (pop:607,000)2021/8/66People:Caucasian（高加索人，白种人）(74%),AfricanAmerican(12%),Latino(9%), Asian (3%), Native American(0.8%)Languages:English(officiallanguage),plus many secondary language, chieflySpanishReligion: Protestant (56%), RomanCatholic (28%), Jewish (2%), Muslim(1%)Government: Federal republic of 50states2021/8/67President:ObamaGDP:US$9trillionGDP per head:US$25,850Annualgrowth:4.1%Inflation:2.6%Major industries:Oil,electronics,computers,automobilemanufacturing,aerospaceindustries,agriculture.Major trading partners:Canada,Japan,theEU2021/8/68Thelongestriver:Mississippi River,thelongestintheworld.TheGreatLakes:(fromwesttoeast)Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, & Lake Ontario.LakeMichiganbelongstoUSA.Theother4belongtobothUSA&Canada.ThefamousNiagara Falls.2021/8/69Thethreemostfamousnationalparksare1.TheRockyMountain&YellowstoneNationalPark2.TheGreatCanyonofColoradoinArizona3.YosemiteintheSierraNevada2021/8/610Washington D.C.The capital of the U.S.Washington MonumentJefferson MemorialLincoln MemorialThe White HouseThe CapitolLibrary of Congress2021/8/611波士顿BOSTON2021/8/612Bostonthe State of MassachusettsIt is the earliest city established in the United States.It has many famous universities, such as Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of Boston. It is full of European atmosphere.2021/8/613波士顿（波士顿（BOSTON），位于美国东北），位于美国东北部，濒临大西洋马萨诸塞湾，是美国部，濒临大西洋马萨诸塞湾，是美国新英格兰最大的港口城市和马萨诸塞新英格兰最大的港口城市和马萨诸塞州的首府。州的首府。Boston.located at southeast of United States.is the biggest seaport and the capital of masail in new england,USA.2021/8/614New York (the Big Apple)the State of New YorkThe largest city in both the U.S. and the worldSkyscrapers Empire State BuildingThe United Nations HeadquartersChinatownWall StreetGreenwich VillageCentral Park2021/8/615Central ParkNew York City2021/8/6162021/8/617San Franciscothe State of CaliforniaIn the early days it was the place where Chinese people concentrated.Golden Gate BridgeThe largest Chinatown outside of Asia2021/8/618芝加哥芝加哥Chicago2021/8/619Chicagothe State of IllinoisThe third largest city in the U.S.It has a nickname“The Supermarket of America”Sears TowerLincoln Park2021/8/620芝加哥（芝加哥（Chicago）位于美国中西部。芝）位于美国中西部。芝加哥及其郊区组成的大芝加哥地区，是美加哥及其郊区组成的大芝加哥地区，是美国仅次于纽约市和洛杉矶的第三大都会区。国仅次于纽约市和洛杉矶的第三大都会区。Chicago Located in the Midwestern United States, Chicago and its suburbs of greater Chicago region is second only to New York City, United States and the third Metropolitan Los2021/8/6212021/8/622Philadelphiathe State of Pennsylvania Independence HallBetsy Ross HousePennsylvania Academy of the Fine ArtsFranklin Institute2021/8/623Houstonthe State of TexasNational Aeronautics and Space Administration Manned SpacecraftThere are many famous corporations around the city, such as General Electric (GE) and International Business Machines (IBM).2021/8/624Los Angeles (the Big Orange)the State of CaliforniaThe second largest city in the U.S.HollywoodBeverly HillsDisneylandUniversity of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)2021/8/625Chinatown is located in downtown Los Angeles is a place inhabited by Chinese, with rich Chinese culture. Most people praise of none other than drinking tea with dinner Chinese restaurant. But to pay attention to the best use of a taxi at night2021/8/626Different Parts of USThe Atlantic CoastThe central north-eastThe central areaFurther westThe south-westThe West Coast2021/8/627Important MountainsTherearethreemajormountainranges:theAppalachiansintheeast,theRockyMountainsinthewest,andtheSierraNevadaalongtheborderofNevadaandCalifornia.Appalachian Mts阿巴拉契亚山脉Rocky Mts落基山脉Sierra Nevada内华达山脉2021/8/628Important Rivers(National Rivers)1* Hudson River2* Mississippi River3* Missouri River4* Ohio River(International Rivers)1* Colorado River2* Columbia River3* Rio Granda4* St. Lawrence River2021/8/629Part 2 Political System of USA2021/8/630General PrinciplesFederalismthe separation of powers respect for the Constitution & the rule of law.2021/8/631The Two GovernmentsThe state governmentThe Federal government2021/8/632Political PartiesDemocrats Republicans2021/8/633Separation of Powersexecutive (the President)legislature (Congress)judicial2021/8/634The PresidentThe President is the effective head of the executive branch of government as well as head of state. With the President, a Vice-President is elected, & if the President dies the Vice-President becomes President for the unexpired part of the 4 year. 2021/8/635The Congressthe Senate参议院 (elected every 6 years) the House of Representatives众议院 (2 years)2021/8/636The Party PoliciesSimple-majority electoral system, like the American one, tend to cause a nations politics to be dominated by competition between 2 parties.The 2 great American parties are Republic Party & Democratic Party.2021/8/637Famous Presidents: George Washington (1732-1799)Commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution & 1st President of the U.S. 1789-1797)2021/8/638Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)3rd President of the U.S (1801-1809) & author of the Declaration of Independence. 2021/8/639Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin (17061790), American statesman, diplomat, scientist and writer. He was born into a poor family in Massachusetts, and worked as printer apprentice in his youth. 2021/8/640Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)16th President of the U.S. (1861-1865)Famous and admired because of his leadership during the difficult period of the American Civil War and the liberation of Negroes from slavery.2021/8/641Part 3 American History2021/8/642The Earliest Inhabitants20,000 years ago, American IndiansColumbus found the new continent10,000 years ago, the later Eskimosthe year 1000, the earliest Europeans2021/8/643DiscoveryIn late 15th-century Europe, there was a great demand for spices, textiles and dyes from Asia. Christopher Columbus, a mariner from Italy, mistakenly believed that he could reach the Far East by sailing 6,400 kilometers west from Europe.2021/8/644English SettlementsThe first successful English colony in America was founded at Jamestown, Virginia in 1607. Of the first 105 colonists, 73 died of hunger and disease within seven months of their arrival.One group of English Puritans crossed the Atlantic in the ship Mayflower and settled at Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620. A much larger Puritan colony was established in the Boston area in 1630.2021/8/645Colonial EraBy1733Englishsettlershadoccupied13coloniesalongtheAtlanticcoast,namely,Connecticut,NewHampshire,NewYork,NewJersey,Massachusetts,Pennsylvania,Delaware,Virginia,NorthCarolina,SouthCarolina,Georgia,RhodeIsland,andMaryland.2021/8/646War of IndependenceApril19,1775,theAmericanWarofIndependencebegan.May1775,asecondContinentalCongressmetinPhiladelphia.ThomasJeffersondraftedaDeclarationofIndependence,TheTreatyofPariswassignedinSeptember1783,inwhichBritainrecognizedtheindependenceoftheUnitedStates.2021/8/647The Declaration of IndependenceThe Constitution2021/8/648 Civil WarTime: 1861-1865 Participants: the South (Democratic) and the North(Republican)Cause: Abraham Lincoln was elected as president The Preface: Lincoln was elected as President-1860年11月 South Carolina voted to leave the Union-the signal of the warThe eleven southern states form an independent nationthe Confederate States of America (beginning)2021/8/649The process of the Civil WarThe first stageThe first stage(186i-1862(186i-1862夏夏) ) Failure after failure came to Failure after failure came to the the North.(see the contrast) North.(see the contrast)The second stageThe second stage：（18621862，9186591865，4 4） The Emancipation The Emancipation Proclamation- Proclamation- 1863,1,1 1863,1,1 Homestead Bill1862,5 Homestead Bill1862,5 Battle of Gettysburg- Battle of Gettysburg-1863,7.1, 1863,7.1, turning point turning pointThe third stage: the victory.The third stage: the victory. 1865,4,2 Richmond was 1865,4,2 Richmond was abandon. abandon.TheNorthTheSouthPopulation2234万910万IndustryDevelopedFewrailroadsmanyNearlyzeroMilitaryNotwellequippedFullyarmed2021/8/650Influence of the warTwo achievements:realize the unification of the American nationEnd the slavery system2021/8/651Western MovementoTime : the years following the end of the civil war in 1965 oPeople: miners oPurpose: seek for gold and silver oPlace:Rocky mountain region oFamous figures: hired horsemen- cowboys oResults: Indians are withdrew and buffalo were destroyed 2021/8/652Progressive movementoCause: economy booming + prosperity spreading but poverty coexist oMeasures: change policyn before1900 : laissez-faire n after1900: progressivismo Achievements: passing laws restricting child labor, protecting women workers, limiting work hours and providing worker men compensation o let the sleeping dog lie2021/8/653New DealoEconomy circle: o lowest pointrecovery-recessionprosperityrecession-lowest point o1929,10,24 Black Thursday, Great Depression broke out. oHoover oFranklin D.Rooselvelt oNew Deal2021/8/654Part 4 American Education2021/8/655Structure of American EducationEarly childhood educationGrammar school or elementary school (primary)High school (secondary)College and university (higher/tertiary education)2021/8/656Education in the United States of America美国教育体系2021/8/657 I. The goal of education“Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man how to fish and he will eat for the rest of his life.” - Chinese Proverb The goal of education is to achieve universal literacy and to provide individuals with educational opportunities.2021/8/658 Education in the United States is provided mainly by government, with control and funding coming from three levels: federal, state, and local. Each of 50 states in the United States has its own laws regulating education. From state to state, some laws are similar; others are not.II. Education a local matter2021/8/659III. Expenditure of EducationEducational funds are from several sources. Funds for elementary and secondary schools come from 3 sources: 1.about 50% from local property taxes, 2.40-50% from the states, 3. 8%-9% from the federal government.2021/8/660Levels of schoolingHigher EducationSecondary EducationElementary Education2021/8/661Elementary school and secondary schoolIn most areas, free public school education begins with kindergarten classes for 5 years old.Almost all the 50 states have laws that require 12 years of compulsory attendance at school for children.2021/8/662In some school system, the 12 grades are divided into two stages, the first 6 grades for elementary school and the next 6 grades for secondary school.In other school system, there are three divisions: elementary school (grades16), junior high school (79), and senior high school (1012). 2021/8/663Education in the United StatesGradeAgePreschoolKindergarten5 - 6Elementary School1st Grade2nd Grade3rd Grade4th Grade5th Grade6 - 77 - 88 - 912 - 1310 - 116th Grade7th Grade8th Grade11 - 129 - 1013 - 14Middle School9th Grade14 - 152021/8/66410th Grade11th Grade12th Grade15 - 1616 - 1717 - 18High School2021/8/665IV. Curricula for Students1.Elementary SchoolAlthough the federal government has no national curriculum for education, almost every elementary school provides instruction in these subjects: language arts; math ;penmanship; science; social studies; music; art; and physical education.Physical Education2021/8/6662. Secondary SchoolSecondary schools offer these subjects: English, mathematics, science, social studies and physical education.Most schools offer foreign languages. Spanish is the most popular foreign language for Americans .2021/8/667Class atmosphere is usually relaxed in American schools.American educator believe that children learn better when they are happy and interested, so every effort has been made to arouse the interests of the individual.2021/8/668Private SchoolsMost private schools are related to religious groups. In these schools, religious instruction is part of the curriculum Today, about 12% of all American children go to private schools for their elementary and secondary education.2021/8/669Middle School in U.S.A2021/8/670Standardized TestsIn the last year of high school, students who want to go on to receive higher education have to take some kind of standardized tests.The most popular tests are Scholastic Assessment Tests (SAT) and the American College Testing (ACT)2021/8/671SATThe SAT is a three-hour, multiple-choice exam measuring verbal, math, and reasoning skills.It is required by most higher education institutions in the United States for the admission to undergraduate degree programs.2021/8/672Entrance Requirement of a University or a CollegeSuccessful applicants at such colleges are usually chosen on the basis of :1.Their high school academic performance2.Letters of recommendation from their high school teachers3.The impression they make during the interviews at the university4.Their scores on SAT2021/8/673The Complex System of Higher EducationIt comprises four categories of institutions:The universityThe four-year undergraduate institutionthe collegeThe technical training institutionThe two-year, or community college2021/8/674CreditOne of the measurements for an undergraduate in academic progress is credit or “point”. Typically, an undergraduate student has to earn a certain number of credits (about 120) in order to receive the bachelors degree at the end of four years of college.Credits are earned by attending lectures (or lab classes) and by successfully completing assignments and examinations. 2021/8/675Students who want to pursue graduate study have to take 1.the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), 2.or the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) for law school, 3.or the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) if one wants to go to a medical school.2021/8/676Table of Academic Degrees18 (age)Undergraduate for the Bachelors degree (4 years)1 (grade)19220321422Graduate School for the Masters (1-2)523624Graduate School for the Doctorate (2,3 or more)7258Postdoctoral Study and Research2021/8/677Public UniversitiesPublic universities are operated by a state or local government Some famous public universities: 1.University of California at Berkley2.University of California at Los Angles (UCLA)3.University of Virginia2021/8/678Ivy League UniversitiesIvy League Universities refer to the eight older private universities in the east of America.Harvard University 1636 Cambridge MA Yale University 1701 New Haven CNPrinceton University 1746 Princeton N.J2021/8/679University of Pennsylvania 1740 Philadelphia PAColumbia University 1754 New York City NYBrown University 1764 Providence RIDartmouth College 1769 Hanover NHCornell University 1865 Ithaca NY2021/8/680Harvard University2021/8/681Part 5 American Holidays2021/8/682January1NewYearsDay(新年）15MartinLutherKingJr.sBirthday19MartinLutherKingJr.sBirthdayObserved February12LincolnsBirthday14ValentinesDay（情人节）16PresidentsDay22WashingtonsBirthday25AshWednesdayMarch8InternationalWomensDay（国际妇女节）17St.PatricksDay2021/8/683April1AprilFoolsDay（愚人节）5PalmSunday10GoodFridayArborDay（植树节）11Passover12Easter（复活节）17OrthodoxHolyFriday19OrthodoxEaster22SecretariesDay22EarthDayMay6NursesDay7NationalDayofPrayer10MothersDay（母亲节）16ArmedForcesDay25MemorialDayObserved30MemorialDay2021/8/684June14FlagDay（美国国旗纪念日）21FathersDayJuly4IndependenceDay（美国独立日）August 2FriendshipDaySeptember7LaborDayGrandparentsDay17CitizenshipDay21RoshHashanah30YomKippur2021/8/685October11NationalChildrensDay12ColumbusDay16NationalBossDay17SweetestDay24UnitedNationsDay31Halloween（万圣节前夜）November3ElectionDay11VeteransDay（退伍军人节）26ThanksgivingDecember14FirstDayofHanukkah25Christmas（圣诞节）26FirstDayofKwanzaa2021/8/686Part 6 Questions2021/8/6871TheEmancipation Proclamation toendtheslaveryplantationsystemintheSouthoftheU.S.wasissuedbyA.AbrahamLincoln.B.ThomasPaine.C.GeorgeWashington.D.ThomasJefferson.2021/8/6882WhowrotetheDeclarationofIndependenceandlaterbecametheU.S.President?A.ThomasJefferson.B.GeorgeWashington.C.ThomasPaine.D.JohnAdams.2021/8/6893AccordingtotheUnitedStatesConstitution,thelegislativepowerisinvestedinA.theFederalGovernment.B.theSupremeCourt.C.theCabinet.D.theCongress.2021/8/6904ThePresidentduringtheAmericanCivilWarwas_.A.AndrewJackson.B.AbrahamLincoln.C.ThomasJefferson.D.GeorgeWashington.2021/8/6915U.S.presidentsnormallyservea(an)_term.A.two-yearB.four-yearC.six-yearD.eight-year2021/8/692