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(1) In the 16th century Europeans came to the New World in search of the lost continent of Atlantis.

(2)At times the quest was a religious pilgrimage.

2.What theories does Ralph Emerson explain in his essays? Why are they so influential? 1. Transcendentalism.

2. Could reach a higher spiritual state without formal religion; not only upon other thinkers and writer, but upon the general population as well; just like sermons.

3. Why does Thoreau have a strong influence on environmental writers and environmental activities today?

His commitment to living sustainably and to learning from nature is quite important for human’s life on the earth.

4. Why is Walt Whitman considered one of the most important poets in America?

1. ventured beyond traditional forms to meet his need for more space to express the American spirit. 2.as a prototype of “ The American”

3.celebrated a sweeping panorama of the American landscape and song almost mystically of the rhythms of life uniting all citizens of the democracy.

4. Why did Mark Twain win so many readers both home and abroad?

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1.He captured a peculiarly American sense of humor, telling outrageous jokes and tell tales in a calm, innocent, matter-of-fact manner.

2.sounded distinctive American 3.shrewed the social astir.

5.What are some of the major themes in novels written by the “Lost Generation”?

1.A literature of disillusionment.

2.F. Scott. Fitzgerald: restless, pleasure-hungry, defiant mood of the 1920s; poignantly, of youth’s golden dreams turning to disappointment. 3.Ernest Hemingway: a moral code exalting simple survival and basic values of strength, courage and honesty.

4.William Faulkner: the stream of consciousness, multiple point of view, symbolism and imagery. UNIT 8

1. What is the goal of education in the United States? Discuss the similarities and differences in Great Britain, the United States and China concerning the goals of education.

The goal is—and has been since the early decades of the republic—to achieve universal literacy and to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote both their own individual welfare as well

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as that of the general public. Though this goal has not yet been fully achieved, it remains an ideal toward which the American educational system is directed. The progress which has been made is notable both for its scope and for the educational methods which have been developed in the process of achieving it.

2. How did American education begin to develop?

In 1634, they opened a “lateen grammar” school, a school for those who wanted to preparefor college.

In 1636, Harvard College was founded for the training of religious ministers.

In 1634 and 1638, the Puritans passed laws declaring that all property could be taxed for the common good, which included the support of school.

In 1642 and 1647, the Bay Colony passed laws requiring all parents to provide reading educating for their children.

At the end of the 18th century, elementary education throughout the United States was in local hands. 3.

What do you think some of the characteristics in education that

are particularly American?

1. About 85% of American students attend public schools (schools supported by American taxpayers). The other 15% attend private schools, for which their families choose to pay special attendance fees. Four out of f

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ive private schools in the United States are run by churches, synagogues or other religious groups. In such schools, religious teachings are a part of the curriculum.

2. Each of the 50 states in the United States has its own laws regulating education. From state to state, some laws are similar; others are not. Education in the United States was to remain in the hands of state and local governments.

3. Americans have a strong tendency to educate their children about major public concerns—problems such as environmental pollution, nuclear issues, neighborhood crime and drugs. Unit9

1. What were the major social movement of the 1960s? And what was the historical background of the social movements of that decade? The Civil Rights Movement, the Youth Movement, the Anti-War Movement, Free Speech Movement, Counter Culture, Women’s Liberation Movement.

American Negroes experienced different lives in the South and outside the South of America.

Young people resented traditional white male values in US society. Women experienced different lives during and after World War II. 2. Who were the participants of the social movements of the 1960s? Black Americans, young people and women.

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3.What are the basic characteristics of a social movement?

“structure and spontaneity”. There must be one or more organizations(structure) and people’s actions should come from themselves (spontaneity).

4. The black political movement that began as a force for integration changed course in the mid-1960s and began to emphasize black uniqueness and even black separatism. What cause this transformation?

Although these segregation laws were illegal under the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, the US government would not declare the Southern laws unconstitutional until there were cases brought in federal courts. The civil rights movement began when black people spontaneously protested segregation laws and created organizations to make the protests successful. Long before the students in Greensboro, North Carolina began their sit-ins, there were many others who protested the segregation laws.

5. Draw analogies between the black revolutions and the women’s movement. What common assumptions do they share?

The women activities were most in the civil rights and anti-war movements before. They believed the male leaders of these movements were discriminating against women in the movement just like White’s discrimination against black men. They became known as the “women’s

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