BRITISH AND AMERICAN CULTURE

AMERICAN CULTUREIntroduction: The American People The United States is not merely a nation but a nation of nations, said Walt Whitman.Except for the native Americans (Indians),the US has many immigrant groups which are called African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans and Asian-Americans. The melting Pot: a phrase to describe the US, because it is a country in which people from many different races and cultures are melted together, i.e. mixed, to form the US people. Introduction: The Political System The constitution (written in 1787)Federalism: each state with its own government Three branches of government: legislative, executive and judicial.Two-party system: Democratic and Republican parties. Introduction: The familyMarriage and children: most families have one or two children. Dual-earning families: higher percentage of married women work outside. Single-parent and other nontraditional families: approximately 1 in every 2 marriages ends in divorce. Reconstituted family children from previous marriages as well as from the present marriage. An aging population: American culture tends to value youth rather than age. Introduction: The educational systemElementary school through high school Three basic levels: Elementary school (kindergarten 6th grade) Junior high school (7th 8th/ 9th ) High school (9th/ 10th 12th )Children must be in school from the ages of 7 to 16.Public school is free.State and local governments are responsible for education rather than national government.School year (September June)Introduction: The educational systemAdvanced schoolingCommunity colleges/ junior colleges: public schools, low tuition costsColleges and universities have four-year programs bachelors degree.Trends in educationMany more Americans than ever before are finishing high school and college. Introduction: Culture, Leisure, Entertainment, SportsMajor cities regularly host concerts, art exhibitions, lectures, and theatrical performances.The most popular sources of entertainment and information are television, movies, radio, and recorded music. (Now internet, face-book, etc.) Major professional sports events (baseball, football, basketball, and hockey as well as golf and tennis) are witnessed by tens of thousands of fans. Car travel is the most common leisure activity in America.

Introduction: HolidaysThe most important American holiday is the Fourth of July or Independence Day.Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Third Monday in January) Presidents Day (George Washington & Abraham Lincolns birthday in February) Memorial Day (last Monday in May)Labor Day (1st Monday in September) honors the American worker.Columbus Day (second Monday in October)Halloween (October 31st) is NOT an official day, but very special. U.S. Culture NoteThe United State Senate (also the Senate)The upper house of the US Congress. There are 100 Senators (two from each state), and they are elected for periods of six years. Laws must be passed by both houses (i.e. the Senate and the House of Representatives), but the Senate has special responsibility in matters to do with foreign policy, and it also has the power to advise and consent on appointments made by the President. The Vice-president is the senior officer in the Congress. Chapter 1: New EnglandCambridge The birthplace of American intellectual life Harvard University (1636-the nations oldest university)MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)Boston Brahmins The Boston Brahmins were wealthy, well-educated, and exclusive.They socialized in private clubs like the Somerset Club on Beacon Street. U.S. Culture NoteYankee [`jki]1. (also Yank) (BrE informal, sometimes disapproved) a person from the US; an American.2. (often disapproved) (in the southern US) a person from the northern states. US soldiers and people from the North were called Yankees during the Civil War.3. (in the US, especially the northern states) a person from New England Chapter 2: New YorkManhattan geography Divided into the East Side and the West SideThe dividing line is Fifth Avenue.As you go north, or uptown, the street numbers get higher. The financial district The New York Stock Exchange and the American Stock Exchange are both in the Wall Street area. You can tour old houses, ships, and shipyards.You can also tour the Fulton Fish Market, where city restaurants buy their fish at 5 in the morning. Chapter 2: New YorkThe Lower East SidePresident George Washington used to live there. Little Italy and Chinatown Midtown Manhattan Famous for its skyscrapers New Yorks 1st skyscraper was the Flatiron Building, built in 1902. Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building art deco skyscrapersThe United Nations Building and the Seagram Building glass curtain wall skyscrapers Chapter 2: New YorkThe Theater District Times Square _Named after the New York Times On Broadway and off _Broadway the center of theater in the US _Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway theaters are for audience participation. Harlem The 1920s were Harlems great years, especially in the arts.Apollo Theaters Talent Night for amateurs to perform bef0re an audience U.S. Culture NoteFifth Avenue A New York street famous for its expensive shops and department stores , especially between 47th street and 59th street. Also on Fifth Avenue are the Empire State Building, St Patricks Cathedral, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Guggenheim Museum. The avenue divides the East Side and the West Side of Manhattan. On 17 March each year, the central line along it is painted green for the St Patricks Day parade. Chapter 3: The Mid-Atlantic Region Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Two most important decisions (the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution) in American history were made here.The role of Benjamin Franklin in writing the Declaration of Independence and in other activities. Next to Franklin is the most famous Philadelphian comedian and actor W. C. Fields (1880 1946).

The Nations Capital Building a New City French engineer Pierre Charles LEnfant created a design based on Versailles.The event of burning parts of Washington by the British during the war of 1812 did give the White House its name. Museums and Monuments Of all the Smithsonian museums, the National Air and Space Museum is the most visited. Many monuments honoring George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Thomas Jefferson. Chapter 3: The Mid-Atlantic Region Chapter 3: The Mid-Atlantic RegionThe Nations CapitalWashington at work The executive departments (Treasury, Agriculture, Education, etc.) are located there.You can tour the White House at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. If you visit Capitol Hill, you might be able to see some important members of the other two branches of government: the Supreme Court, the Senate and the House of Representative.U.S. Culture NotePhiladelphia [fil`delfi]The fifth largest city in the US and the largest in Pennsylvania. It is a major port on the Delaware River and was established by William Penn. Philadelphia is one of Americas most historical cities. It is the place where the Declaration of Independence was signed and the American Constitution was written. Independence Hall and Liberty Bell are also there.

Chapter 4: The SouthThe civil warThe war In 1861 the southern states separated from the Union and formed a new nation: the Confederate States of America. The American Civil War lasted 4 years (1861 1865).The North had certain great advantages over the South. Chapter 4: The SouthFlorida: Americas vacationland Walt Disney World, near Orlando lets you experience: the past, the present, the future, and world of fantasy. Kennedy Space Center where astronauts are trained.Venice is home to Ringling Brothers, and Barnum and Bailey Circus.Baseball players also rehearse in Florida before starting out.St. Augustine is the oldest city in the United States.Daytona Beach is so firm and flat that you can drive on it.Florida Keys are a series of corals and limestone islands. Chapter 4: The SouthAtlanta, capital of the new south Atlanta has the worlds second largest airport. Of the 500 largest companies in the US, 450 have offices in Atlanta (e.g. Coca-cola). Another characteristic of the New South is improved relations between blacks and whites. Atlanta became one of the 1st cities in the country to elect a black man as its mayor. The 1996 Olympic Games happened there. Atlanta has also become an important cultural center not only for the south but for the world. U.S. Culture NoteMiami [mai`mi]A city and port in southeastern Florida on Biscayne Bay. It is a popular place for holidays because of the warm weather and Miami Beach, which is on an island three miles off the coast. The city is also an important financial and industrial center. It became a town in 1892 and grew rapidly in the 1920s. Many immigrants live in the districts of Little Havana and Little Haiti. More than half of Miami population are Hispanic.

Chapter 5: The Midwest The Great Lakes The Great Lakes Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario are the largest of concentration of fresh water in the world. They lie on the border between the US and Canada. Of the 12 mid-western states, 6 touch on the Great Lakes.The Great Lakes have always played a major role in the Midwests economy. The lakes are used for transporting grain, timber, ore, and other products. The Soo Locks, canals between lakes Superior and Huron, handle more cargo than the Suez and Panama canals combined.

Chapter 5: The MidwestChicago Chicago, Illinois, has been called the most typically American city. The Loop is Chicagos downtown area. Chicagos tallest buildings are John Hancock Tower (Big John), the Standard Oil Building (Big Stan), and the Sears Tower (the worlds tallest building). Chicago is famous for its beaches. Wrigley Field is one of the baseballs oldest, most traditional stadiums.

Chapter 5: The MidwestMotor CityAntoine de la Mothe Cadillac founded Detroit in 1701.Detroit is home to the American automobile industry.Henry Ford introduced standardization and the assembly line. Detroits Ups and Downs The Big Three of the U.S. automobile industry Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors are important employers. In general, Detroit is one of the first cities to feel the depression of the national economy. U.S. Culture NoteChicago The third largest US city. It is in the state of Illinois on Lake Michigan and is sometimes called the Windy City. It had the worlds first skyscrapers, and the Sears Tower is now the tallest building in the US. Chicago is the center of the American Middle West and has the busiest airport in the world. The El train runs around the business district, called the Loop. During Prohibition, Chicago was known for its gangsters (criminals), especially Al Capone. Chapter 6: The Southwest Las Vegas, NevadaLas Vegas is a center of gambling in America. Las Vegas is Spanish for the meadows. Its an oasis of green grass in the middle of a desert.Las Vegas has been nicknamed the City of Lights. Las Vegas has wedding chapels that are open 24 hours a day! It is an adult Disneyland, a fantasy oasis in the Nevada desert. Chapter 6: The SouthwestAncient Cultures of the Southwest The ghost towns in the Southwest are far older and more mysterious. These are huge dwellings that were built by Indians around 900 1200 A. D. The ancient buildings have been preserved because of the dry air of the Southwest. Betatakin in the fascinating Navajo National Monument area is a 135-room structure built against the back wall of a canyon. Construction took place from about 1250 to 1290. U.S. Culture NoteNavajo (also Navaho)A member of the largest group of Native-American people, related to the Apache. There are about 100,000 Navajo, and they live mostly in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah on reservations. They work mainly as farmers and raising sheep. They have also earned money from oil and other minerals on their land. The Navajo are known for weaving carpets and blankets and for making silvery jewelry. Chapter 7: The Rocky Mountain Region Ski Country/ USA Colorado is sometimes called Ski Country/ USA.The light, dry snow is ideal for skiing. Aspen is one of the most popular ski resorts in Colorado. Many celebrities and wealthy people have homes there. Dogsled rides are a favorite choice for people who dont want to ski. The Aspen Winternationals include World Cup skiing events. Gross-country/ ski touring has become as popular as downhill skiing. U.S. Culture NoteAspen [spn]A town that is famous as a center for skiing, in the US state of Colorado. It is in the Rocky Mountains and is often visited by rich and well-known people. It also has a cultural festival in the summer. Chapter 8: The Pacific Northwest and Alaska Seattle, the Emerald CityVisiting SeattleSeattle, Washington is often called the Emerald City or the jewel of the Pacific Northwest. Seattle became wealthy as a result of the gold rush. You can tour a Boeing factory there. Pike Place Farmers Market is the oldest open-air market in the US.International District (ID) has Chinese and Japanese restaurants , a huge Japanese supermarket, an Asian-American museum, and a park named Kobe. Chapter 8: The Pacific Northwest and AlaskaA Livable City Seattle has often been called Americas most livable city. Its a large city with plenty of jobs and excitement; yet it also has a small-town atmosphere, with friendly people. Limits to Growth? In the 1980s, people from other places in the US, especially from California, began moving to Seattle. Seattles prices increased dramatically. So did crowds, pollution, and crime. Chapter 8: The Pacific Northwest and AlaskaAlaska: Land and People Alaska is the largest state. It is twice the size of Texas. One-third of Alaska is above the Arctic Circle. Alaska has the fewest people: 0.7 persons per square mile. Alaska has slightly about 500,000 people, about 15% of whom are native (Indian, Eskimo, and Aleut) The first non-Natives came from Russia. Among non-Natives there are many more men than women.U.S. Culture NoteSeattle [si`tl]The largest city in the northwestern US, also known as the Emerald City. It is in the state of Washington and is a Pacific port on Elliott Bay. It was settled in 1852 and name after a Native-American leader. It is the home of Boeing aircraft company and other industries, but tourists are attracted by its clean air and beautiful scenery. Chapter 9: California and HawaiiCalifornia Land The rocky coast of the north is very different from the sandy beaches for which the south is famous. Redwood trees grow in only two places: a small area in China and an area in northern California. Californias Death Valley, the lowest spot in the US, is also one of the driest and hottest. People Californias people come from many different places and cultures.One-fourth of Californias population is Hispanics. It also has a large Asian population. San FranciscoThe city of San Francisco was itself a result of the Gold Rush. The two great earthquakes happened in 1906 and 1989. (The greater was in 1906.) A Romantic City, a Liberal City San Francisco is famous for its bridges, fog, and foghorns. It has 40 hills. It is famous for its cable cars and bright houses that cling to the hills along steep and narrow streets. San Francisco has one of Americas largest gay communities. Gays play an active role in everything from the citys nightlife to its politics.

San FranciscoVisiting San Francisco San Franciscos restaurant tradition goes back to forty-niner days.There are over 4,500 restaurants, serving every cuisine including California cuisine. Bookstores are just as varied. Chinatown in San Francisco is the largest neighborhood outside Asia. Golden Gate Bridge, which opened in 1937, goes between San Francisco and Martin County and is its symbol. Joseph Strauss was the main designer of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Los AngelesThe Los Angeles area has many beaches, with surfers, volleyball players, and people getting tan. It also the center of the movie industry and home to many movie stars. Beverley Hills neighborhood is famous for its mansions and high-priced shops. Los Angeles has 4 of the 5 busiest highways in North America. It is a city of fads and trends. Los Angeles is a center, not only for entertainment and tourism, but also for manufacturing, business and finance, oil, and trade. Its ports now handle more cargo than New York. Los Angeles has the dirtiest air in the US. Crime and violence are also major problems. U.S. Culture NoteSan FranciscoA city in the US state of California, on San Francisco Bay. It is built on hills and is known for its beautiful views and Victorian houses. It was established by the Spanish in 1776 as Yerba Buena, taken by the US in 1846 and given its present name the following year. It grew rapidly after the Gold Rush but was badly damaged by an earthquake in 1906. its many tourist attractions include the cable cars, Golden Gate Bridge, the restaurants along Fishermans Wharf, Nob Hill, Haight-Ashbury, Alcatraz and Chinatown. San Francisco is a financial and communications center and a center for trade with Asia. It is also known for its many homosexuals. U.S. Culture NoteNob Hill A fashionable district of San Francisco, California. It includes Grace Cathedral and two famous hotels, the Fairmont and the Mark Hopkins. Many of the large Victorian houses originally built there by rich people, or nobs, were destroyed by the 1906 earthquake. U.S. Culture NoteHaight-Ashbury [heit bri]A small area of San Francisco that became famous in the 1960s for the many hippies who lived there. It is known today as a center for homosexuals. Haight-Ashbury is two miles west of the business district of San Francisco and east of Golden Gate Park. It has beautiful Victorian houses and interesting shops. U.S. Culture NoteAlcatraz [`ktrz]A small island with a famous prison on it in San Francisco Bay, California. The island was known as the Rock. The prison was used from 1933 to 1963 for the countrys most dangerous prisoners, including Al Capone. It is now a popular tourist attraction. Now its time to say goodbye to the U.S.A.!