美国文化期末考试整理

BUILDING BLOCK 4 ——Control 1.What is destiny? Destiny is what you make of your life.2.3.What is destiny?InternaControlDestiny is what decides your life. What is destiny?Internal ExternalDefinition: Control is inside the individual. There are very few certainties in life, few circumstances which cannot be changed. There are no limits on what you can do or become, so long as you believe it and try hard. Your success is your own achievement. You are responsible for what happens to you. Life is about what you do.Definition: Control is outside the individual. Some things in life are predetermined, built into the nature of things. There are limits beyond which one cannot go and certain givens that cannot be changed and must be accepted. Your success is a combination of your effort and your good fortune (good luck). Life is about what happens to you.ExternalControlAmerican Proverbs of the Day:“Fortune favors the bold.”“Only in America”:Easter April 20, 2014first Sunday afterthe first full moon of springSecular:something that has nothing to do with religion.Sacred:Something that has to do with religion.Jesus:Lived from 3-36 AD- Religious teacher- His teachings were new and popular- Claimed to be equal with God- The government was afraid of his popularity and was worried he might cause a revolution- They ordered that he be killed by crucifixionChristians believe- Three days after his death, he came alive again on a Sunday- He taught for forty more days, then went up into heavenEaster Traditions = Secular1.Going to church2.Easter Eggs3.Easter Bunny :As the Chief Easter Bunny,it was his job to hide all the eggs for all the Easter egg hunts around the world.复活节兔子4.Easter Egg Hunt5.Easter MealExamples of American Internal ControlLarry Swilling（为妻子寻找合适的肾）1.) What is wrong with Larry’s wife? Why is this difficult for them?2.) What does he choose to do to help his wife? Why did he do this?3.) What happened? Was he successful?4.) How is this an example of Internal Control?Jim Valvano（篮球教练）1.) What three things does he say you should do every day?2.) How does he say you can be successful?3.) What did Jim Valvano decide to do with the remaining time in his life?4.) How is this an example of Internal Control?Janne Kouri（冲浪撞到沙堤，下半身瘫痪，靠恢复训练）Internal Control in American Movies橄榄球教练1.) The coach keeps talking about “inches.”What does he mean?2.) What does he believe his team needs to do to be successful?3.) How is this an example of Internal Control?1.) How does Rocky’s son feel about him fighting again?2.) How does Rocky describe life?3.) What is his advice for his son?4.) How is this an example of Internal Control?American Proverb of the Day:“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”Point: Never give up. It’s okay if you feel discouraged because you fail the first few times you try to achieve something. The key is to keep trying again and again until you are successful.Extra Proverb: “Winners never quit, and quitters never win.”BUILDING BLOCK 5————Communication1Opinions 绕弯还是直接2.conflict 3、American Proverb of the Day:“Don’t beat around the bush.”Poin t: Don’t talk around and around what you’re really wanting to say. Speak plainly and clearly. Being indirect takes too much time, effort, and potential for misunderstanding, and therefore is not efficient.Counterpoint: “Read between the lines.”To truly understand something, you have to get information where it is not obvious.“Only in America”：PoliticsPolitical StructureThree Powers:1.) Executive Branch--President, Vice President2.) Legislative Branch--Congress (Senate, House of Representatives) 3.) Judicial Branch--Supreme Court, lower Federal Courts Political PartiesExamples of American Direct CommunicationOverstatements：Americans tend to rely on hyperbole, extreme statements expressing something as very good or very bad, in much of their communication. T his is especially true among teenagers.When speaking with Americans, it is wise to remember this reality and adjust your expectations.Conflict Resolution：American tend to believe that if a conflict exists between two people, the best way to solve it is to get both people together and speak openly and directly about why they are upset.Various books give strategies on the best way to handle this, but the general idea is to confront the problem before it gets worse.Signs：In America, signs are everywhere. Most of these signs are concerning rules and regulations for traffic, but the idea is that people should be informed about what is and is not allowed in a given situation.Unfortunately, in some situations these signs can conflict and becomes confusing. DTR：When men and women begin dating in America, at some point in the process they must have the DTR, which means “define the relationship.”This is when they will speak openly and directly about how they feel about one another and if they want to begin dating “officially,”which means they are boyfriend and girlfriend and cannot date anyone else.Student-Teacher Interaction：In American education, it is expected that students will actively participate in lectures. This means they will regularly raise their hands to ask questions, clarify ideas, make statements, and challenge the teacher.If students don’t speak during a teacher’s lecture, it means they do not care about the material or do not respect the teacher.Information OverloadBecause Americans are so obsessed with information, they sometimes suffer from “information overload.”This means that they have received so much information about atopic, which is often contradictory, that they don’t know what to think or believe.A small example is shopping for a product online. Some of the reviews may state it as both a wonderful and terrible product. Who can you believe?Making ExcusesWhen refusing an invitation, it is expected that you will give clear and direct information to explain why you cannot do what the person has asked.This often creates a uncomfortable situation where a person must create or lie about an excuse because, in truth, they really just don’t like the person or the situation and don’t want to go. But saying “I don’t want to go”is considered too direct and rude. Taboo TopicsEven though Americans are much more direct than Chinese, they are still indirect about some topics. When speaking with Americans, you should be careful to avoid subjects that are taboo in American culture. Americans may feel it is embarrassing or rude to talk about these things openly and directly.Some of these topics include: money, appearance, race, sexual preference, and stereotypes.Monochronic Values in American MoviesAmerican Proverb of the Day:“Give it to me straight.”Point:This phrasing comes from cooking, which means to serve a dish with no extra spices, flavors, or sauces. It means I want to eat it plain. As a proverb, it means to speak directly, with no qualifications or unclear distractions.Counterpoint:“If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything it all.”This proverb is usually taught to children, teaching them that they shouldn’t criticize others and should focus on people’s positive qualities.BUILDING BLOCK 6 ————Authority1.GreetingsHigh power distance cultures often greet with a type of bow. There are rules about what type of bow is required of each person based on their status and importance. In many occasions both parties will bow to show respect.Low power distance cultures rely more on the handshake. This gesture comes from an ancient tradition to show that you have no weapons on you and come in peace. Still, some people can squeeze the hand harder than others to show power and authority.n Japan, for example, how far you bow is an indication of your status with the person you are bowing toward.cationHigh Power DistanceEmphasis on wisdom which is transferred in relationship to a teacher (guru)The role of a teacher earns automatic respect of his/her studentsTeacher-centered education (high value on order)Students expect teacher to initiate communicationStudents expect teacher to outline paths to followStudents speak up in class only when invited by the teacherTeacher is never contradicted nor publicly criticizedEffectiveness of learning related to excellence of teacherRespect for teachers is also shown outside classIn teacher/student conflict, parents are expected to side with the teacherOlder teachers are more respected than younger teachersLow Power DistanceEmphasis on truth that can be learned from principles and ideasA teacher should respect the independence of his/her studentsStudent-centered education (premium on initiative)Teacher expects students to initiate communicationTeacher expects students to find their own pathsStudents may speak up spontaneously in classStudents allowed to contradict or criticize teacherLearning related to amount of two-way communication in classOutside class, teachers are treated as equalsIn teacher/student conflicts, parents are expected to side with the studentYounger teachers are more liked than older teachers3.PoliticsIn high power distance cultures, political leaders are expected to instil confidence in their people by showing strong authority and strict rule. This is believed to create stability and peace in the country.In low power distance cultures, political leaders are expected to instil confidence in their people by showing themselves to be humble and equal to others. This is believed to produce creativity and initiative in the country.4.ParentingParents in low power distance cultures are generally less strict with their children. They believe that through giving children space to become their own person, they will have the freedom to grow, mature, and succeed as an independent adult.Parents from high power distance cultures tend to rely on very strict parenting styles, using physical force or heavy punishments to produce a child who is the kind of person that they believe will be successful.5.ReligionReligions in high power distance culture believe that only certain people can have contact with God, leaving most people to require intermediaries or a chain of leaders who can come between the person and the divine. Religion is more impersonal and requires leadership.Religions from low power distance cultures believe that every person can contact God directly, and thus religious leaders have less authority and need. Religion is more personal and requires less leadership.6.BusinessWork environments in low power distance cultures expect that workers will be able to complete projects and finish tasks on their own with little supervision. A boss is seen as a guide who may provide some guidance, but expects that people will work independently.Workers in high power distance cultures tend to be “micro-managed”more, where a boss or manager will supervise both the big and small aspects of their work, providing a lot of direction and criticism as the work is being done.Power Distance in the MoviesAmerican Proverbs of the Day:“The squeaky wheel gets the grease.”Point: If you have a problem, you should say something about it. Just like the wheel on your bicycle that is squeaking will get your attention, so will the person that complains about their situation get the attention to fix it.Bonus Proverb: “If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.”You should take initiative to fix your problems. You can’t expect others to do things as you want them, so be independent and get it done.“Only in America”:educationSchool Options1.) Public School2.) Private School3.) Homeschool1.) Public School--Free--Provided by local district--Close to home--Quality can be good orbad depending on district--No uniforms-- Larger classrooms(20-30 students)2.) Private School-- Tuition, often expensive-- Provided by private group,often religious (Catholic mostcommon)-- May be close or far away-- Quality generally good-- Must wear uniform-- Smaller classrooms(15-20 students)3.) Homeschool-- Pay for books andcurriculum-- Taught by parents,local cooperations, orlocal colleges-- Convenient location-- Quality varies, butstudents must takestandard exams-- No uniform-- Smallest classroom (1 student)Differences between China & USA1.) No entrance exams2.) Boarding schools (students live at school)are not common3.) All general education (no science vs. art)4.) Elective classes in USA5.) Downtown vs. Suburbs6.) Time spent in school and studyingTypical American StudentDaily Schedule6:30AM –wake up 7:15 –leave for school 7:30 –class #1 (elective) 8:30 –class #2 (English) 9:30 –class #3 (Math)10:30 –class #4 (History) 11:30 –lunch 12:15 –class #5 (elective)1:15 –class #6 (Science) 2:15 –school over 3:00 –sports practice5:30 –come home 6:30 –homework 7:30 –talk with friends9:00 –watch TV 10:00 –go to bedFINAL EXAMFour Sections:1.) Multiple Choice2.) True-False3.) Short Answer4.) Essay5 short essay: 3-5 sentences 2 long essay: 8-10 sentencesWednesday, June 188:00-10:00AMRoom 1102Examples of American Low Power DistanceWhen choosing whom to vote for, Americans often favor the person who is most “normal”or most resembles themselves.This requires that when politicians campaign for office, they must meet with groups of people regularly and in every day settings to show their humility.“First Name Basis”Bosses and powerful people will often try to create a low power distance environment byrequiring that all people call each other by their first name, or “given name.”This enforces equality by eliminating titles and degrees that would make some appear to have power over others.Power ParanoiaAmericans are generally distrusting of power, and therefore do not like systems, businesses, or people who become too successful and hold too much power.This creates a strange contradiction in American culture where people are encouraged and driven to succeed (individualism, internal control) yet disliked once they become successful.ApproachabilityThe value of low power distance means that people should treat one another as equals in all situations, therefore creating an environment that values approachability.Approachability means that a person is friendly, outgoing, and easy to talk to. Many foreigners in America are surprised when people both above them (boss, teacher) and below them (shop worker, waitress) make small talk and ask them personal questions.Casual FridayA common feature in the American workplace is “Casual Friday.”This means that workers who would normally wear formal clothes to work are allowed to wear casual clothing on Fridays.This reinforces the friendly atmosphere of the workplace where people are treated as equals.WARNINGIt is important to know that while LPD is a strong American value, it is not valued by every American person. If you go to America, you may encounter people that do not have this value and will be offended if you treat them as an equal.So be careful when interacting with a boss, teacher, or someone who is very wealthy. Allow them to dictate the relationship and follow their lead. Be especially careful with someone who may be a first generation American.American Proverb of the Day:“Don’t get a big head.”Point: In America, a person with a “big head”is someone who is too proud, arrogant, and thinks they are better than others. This is a warning to people to remember that even though they are successful, they should be humble and to treat others well.BONUS PROVERB: “What goes up must come down.”While this is literally referring to the law of gravity, it proverbially refers to the reality that no one is successful forever. So you should remember to treat others well because you may need them later.电影与对应文化1.幸福来敲门及西部电影、橄榄球（American football）2.拯救地球（Universalism & Particularism）黑客帝国（particularism），两个黑人聊橄榄球（Universalism）例子：幸福来敲门、黑客帝国（Monochronic）橄榄球教练internal contral史泰龙，黑客帝国2电影：中美文化冲突电影：动画片传记。