Any other book available.

SEMINAR 4

“American Beliefs and Values”

1.We have agreed that the most important constituents of any culture is the scope of beliefs and values. How do Americans view themselves and other people? What American values are stereotypical all over the world and are imposed on the other countries through films and literature? Why are they so particular about their image, reputation? Why are they trying to seem the nation that is the best, the cleverest, the most free from everything etc.?

2. “Americans are a nation born of an idea; not the place, but the idea, created the United States Government” –this is cited from an unfinished article of Theodore H. White, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author and journalist, to commemorate the Fourth of July. What is this American Idea that the whole nation shares, and is very proud of? Can it be viewed as an anthem of the nation?

3. PROJECT WORK: The National Flag

One of the most precious values is the country itself that shows that Americans are very patriotic (both to their country and to minor regions). They are also very superstitious and believe in symbols, like the flag or the anthem. Answer the question below bearing in mind the following information taken from the official site devoted to the flag of the USA:

The flag is the symbol of our national unity, our national endeavor, and our national aspiration. The flag tells of the struggle for independence, of union preserved, of liberty and union one and inseparable, of the sacrifices of brave men and women to whom the ideals and honor of this nation have been dearer than life. It means America first; it means an undivided allegiance. It means America united, strong and efficient, equal to her tasks. It means that you cannot be saved by the valor and devotion of your ancestors, that to each generation comes its patriotic duty; and that upon your willingness to sacrifice and endure as those before you have sacrificed and endured rests the national hope. It speaks of equal rights, of the inspiration of free institutions exemplified and vindicated, of liberty under law intelligently conceived and impartially administrated. There is not a tread in it but scorns self-indulgence, weakness, and rapacity. It is eloquent of our community interests, outweighing all divergences of opinion, and of our common destiny.

What does the flag stand for? Recollect the film “Patriot” with Mel Gibson staring: in the final scene the main hero – Benjamin Martin – arises patriotic spirit and bravery in the hearts of his men by running through the battle field with a flag and the American troops win the battle and consequently the War for Independence.

What did the flag look like in the times of the War for Independence and in what respect is it different from the State flag of the USA today? What are the differences caused by?

Does our, Russian, that is, perception of our National flag differ from that of Americans? In what respect?

4.Being a “tapestry” or a “vegetable soup” the Americans with all their feeling for community respect individualism of each person irrespective of his/her origin. The most important fact is not to be a looser, i.e. to achieve success, popularity, to express yourself in some business. They aren’t used to being idle, there are toilers. And for the sake of job they can do everything: late marriages and children, moving inside the country or even all over the world, because progress mustn’t stop. Comment on the values below in detail:

Individualism

Success and idealizing practical things

Mobility and psychology of abundance

Volunteerism

Progress

Always being ahead / the mania of winners

5Notwithstanding the fact that constitution guarantees practically all liberties possible, the USA is a country with high moral standards and strong belief in God. Besides, the attitude to different ethnic minorities is ambiguous. In the notorious film “Bowling for Columbine” the director gives a very interesting idea of American history: the old “fathers” of the nation were so afraid in Europe that somebody might offend them that they moved to America, there they met Indians and were still afraid of the latter so much that they had to kill them all, then the slaves made them no less frightened and when slavery was abolished, Ku-Klux Klan appeared , though the problem remained and then they decided that weapon could save them and since that time they are able to kill everybody anytime they want. This is a parody, but it has its grounds. Answer the questions below:

What is personal freedom?

Are they really free in different respects?

Can we call the Americans snobs?

What restrictions concerning private life exist in the Constitution in the USA?

Do you think it’s fair to prohibit smoking, drinking in public places?

Is the problem of racism urgent?

6. PROJECT WORK: Main religious preferences of Americans

One of the features of national identity is religion. The USA has a wide scope of religious beliefs, confessions and even sects.

Democracy was also fundamental to American religion. A series of religious revivals transformed American society in the early 19th century, creating a multitude of egalitarian churches and sects. The Methodists were particularly popular - by 1860 there were 20,000 Methodist churches in America. The greatest moral issue for northern evangelical Protestants was the crusade against slavery. In the south, evangelicals used their faith to justify slavery as a form of Christian paternalism. In response, black people - especially in southern cities - set up their own congregations as statements of independence. Although church and state were formally separate under the Constitution, most Americans thought of their country as a Christian republic.

Why is religion so important for Americans? Why are there so many sects in the country?

Give a study of the main beliefs and the most unusual ones?

Government & or vs. Religion? How can you characterize the up-to-date situation?

7. PROJECT WORK: Lifestyle

What is typical of the American life style? What should a person (a family) possess to be considered a middle class American(s)?

Having a tendency to think of themselves as a community, are they really so united? What is the attitude to the neighbours?

What role does shopping play in the lives of consumer-culture nation? Why are supermarkets so popular? Why being so patriotic they still prefer to have Italian clothes, French cosmetics and perfumes, Chinese food?

What is their attitude (of the fattest nation) to meals? Why do they close McDonalds?

The role of a family in the life of an individual

late marriages and children

the distribution of duties and rights inside the family

the way children are brought up

suburban design for living

the changing role of a woman

traditions connected with marriage, graduation, holidays

8.People move to the USA for the sake of achieving “the American Dream”. What is the essence of this dream? Is it achievable? What should you do for it? Provide examples form the book or your own?

SOURSES: 1) “America in Close-Up”, chapter / articles: p.32 “American dreams”/ p. 35-37 “A Discussion of American Beliefs and values”/ p. 124 “Where There’s Smoke” / p. 30 “The American Idea” / articles: p.86 “Small-Town Life” / p. 87 “Revival of a City’s Virtues”/ p. 134 “How to Have a successful Christian Family”

2) Video “Focus on American Culture” # 192 (episodes # 2, 5/# 6 “Daddy Track”/ #10 “New Suburban Design for Living”)

Lectures

Date: 2016-03-03; view: 1158