美国课件10+文化知识 美国概况 英语国家概况 英美概况.pptVIP

Culture ;Aims;The American Dream;;The American Dream;;;Recommended movie;The stories reinforced the idea. The idea is that all individuals, no matter how poor, were capable of becoming wealthy as long as they were honest and hard-working. ;For many Americans, however, Horatio Alger’s “rags-to-riches” stories do not represent the reality of opportunity. Today, the poor generally do not rise to the middle upper classes. That is why the “American Dream” is now described as a myth.;;Many young people from poor families struggle along on limited budgets in order to stay in school because they know that a college degree brings higher income, greater job security, more prestige, a more significant career. ;American dreams embodied in education;Task: Discuss the following viewpoints ;C. Government officials: “We have the best view of the issues. We know the budget and we understand the laws and how the apply. Only we can make the best decisions.” D. Religious authorities: “Schools that teach facts but no values weaken the moral strength of the country. We can provide the wisdom and insight on which all teaching should be based.”;E. University experts: “We have studied the problems and done the research. We should be consulted before any decisions are made.” F. Children: “It is our lives and education that are at stake. No decisions should be made without our advice and agreement. ;Crime and punishment;Among developed nations, the US has above-average levels of violent crime and particularly high levels of gun violence and homicide. ;Though it has been abolished in most Western nations, capital punishment is sanctioned in the United States for certain federal and military crimes, and in thirty-seven states. In 2006, the country had the sixth highest number of executions in the world, following China, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, and Sudan. In December 2007, New Jersey became the first state to abolish the death penalty since the 1976 Supreme Court decision. ;Culture ;Culture