美国社会与文化课程第二章教学Chapter 2. Traditional American Values and Beliefs概要1.ppt

Traditional American Values and Beliefs “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” ----The Declaration of Independence Discussion: values in China 社会主义核心价值观 中国梦 北京精神 Contents 1. context of traditional American values 2. three pairs of values 3. challenges to American values 4. the American dream 1. The Context of Traditional American Values Diversity or pluralism in racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious terms; How could a nation of such enormous diversity produce a recognizable national identity? “We all share a common set of values that make us American.” (John Zogby) 2. Traditional Values:three pairs 2.1 individual Freedom and Self-Reliance 2.2 equality of opportunity and competition 2.3 material wealth and hard work 2.1 Individual Freedom and Self-Reliance Individual freedom (also “individualism” or “freedom”/ “liberty”): among the most respected and popular words in the U.S. Declaration of Independence, 1776—freedom from the power of the kings Constitution, 1789—separation of church and state Also constitution—forbidding titles of nobility By freedom, Americans mean: The desire and the right of all individuals to control their own destiny without outside interference from the government, a ruling noble class, the church, or any other organized authority. Self-reliance—the price to pay for freedom They owe nothing to any man, they expect nothing from any man; they acquire the habit of always considering themselves as standing alone, and they are apt to imagine that their whole destiny is in their own hands. (Tocqueville) American books and movies have made a hero of the person who fights the majority will and tries to accomplish something good independently. The pressure to be at least seen as self-reliant 2.2 equality of opportunity and competition Equality of opportunity