美国社会与文化

This semester we have learned many about New Zealand and the America, so I will reflect what I acquired in this class. First, I will introduce from New Zealand.New ZealandNew Zealand, also has another name ―Maori Aotearoa‖,meaning ―land of the long whi te cloud‖. It is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean, the southwestern part of Polynesia. The country comprises two main islands—the North and South islands—and a number of small islands, some of them hundreds of miles from the main group and the third largest island is the Stewart Island. The capital city is Wellington, which is the southernmost and windiest capital city; the largest urban area Auckland, whose skyline is dominated by the cones of extinct volcanoes, and both are located on the North Island, which has been formed mostly by volcanoes. Contemporary New Zealand has a majority of people of European origin, a significant minority of Maori, and smaller numbers of people from Pacific islands and Asia. In the early 21st century, Asians were the fastest-growing demographic group.Most New Zealanders live in cities and towns, and about 75% live in the North Island .With a higher birthrate and lower mortality, the North Island had a faster increase number in population. Around 80% of New Zealanders identify themselves as having some European ancestry. New Zealander’s environmental awareness is reflected in legislation, and they are keen to take environmental responsibility on an individual basis, as well as nationally and internationally. New Zealand is now a clean, green image: fresh air; clean rivers, lakes and sea; clean food; green trees and mountains and blue skies.New Zealand is predominantly an English-speaking country, though English, Maori, and New Zealand Sign Language are official languages. Virtually all Maori speak English, and about one-fourth of them also speak Maori.New Zealand is nominally Christian, with Anglican, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, and Methodist denominations being the largest. Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam have a small but growing number of adherents. There is no established (official) religion, but Anglican cathedrals are generally used for state occasions.New Zealand was the first country in the world to give women the right to vote and in terms of equality and opportunity; quality of working life and social welfare provisions, the standard of living is relatively high.The next is Maoritanga, which means ―Maori culture‖, and embraces the language, customs and traditions that make up the rich heritage of the indigenous people. They also have many traditions, such as the strict protocols at a funeral or conference to show their respect, and the best known internationally is the haka, a dance performed to terrify the enemy and prepare warriors for battle.And also the Political System is very different.It is an independent state, governed by a democratically elected parliament and it has no written constitution. The head of state is the British monarch Queen Elizabeth Ⅱin her capacity as Queen of New Zealand, represented by a Governor-general.Also there are three levels of local Government, and a ratepayer may deal with all three in everyday life:Regional councils, Territorial authorities are City Councils, District Councils and theChatham Island Country Council, and Community boards.I really want to study in New Zealand because education in New Zealand is compulsory between the ages of 6and 16, and tuitions in state schools is free to New Zealand residents. There are 9 universities in New Zealand and most of students study part-time and multimedia learning is one of its characteristics.The last thing I learned is export trade is agriculture, forestry and fishing and energy.AmericanAmerican is either a European or the descendent of a European, hence that strange mixture of blood. The American is a new man, who acts upon new principles; he must therefore entertain new ideas and form new opinions.I am quite found of the America Revolution. The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America. They first rejected the authority of the Parliament of Great Britain to govern them from overseas without representation, and then expelled all royal officials. By 1774 each colony had established a Provincial Congress, or an equivalent governmental institution, to govern itself, but still within the empire. The British responded by sending combat troops to re-impose direct rule. Through representatives sent in 1775 to the Second Continental Congress, the states joined together at first to defend their respective self-governance and manage the armed conflict against the British known as the American Revolutionary War (1775–83, also American War of Independence). Ultimately, the states collectively determined that the British monarchy, by acts of tyranny, could no longer legitimately claim their allegiance. They then severed ties with the British Empire in July 1776, when the Congress issued the United States Declaration of Independence, rejecting the monarchy on behalf of the new sovereign nation separate and external to the British Empire. The war ended with effective American victory in October 1781, followed by formal British abandonment of any claims to the United States with the Treaty of Paris in 1783.The roots of affluence in America, first, the vast dimensions and ample natural resources proved from the first to be a major advantage for national economic development; rapid growth of population provides both workers and consumers for its businesses; an unusual degree the entrepreneurial spirit that finds its outlet in such activities as manufacturing transporting, buying and selling; a variety of institutional factors have favored the success of business and industry.The first Amendment insured that American government would not meddle in religious affairs or require any religious beliefs of its citizens, and the government does not pay minister’s salaries or belief. Americans were considered to come in three basic varieties: Protestant, Catholic and Jewish, the order reflecting the strength in numbers of each group.The American Literature has recorded the story of a quest. There are many types of the literature, including early fiction, transcendentalism, religionalism, modernismand so on. During that special period, a lot of famous writers emerge and works flourishThe education in the US just as good as in New Zealand, but it has strict rules for students to attend university. But to select a university is not an easy work, you should concern many aspects.What amazed me most is the social movement of the 1960s in America, especially the Civil Rights Movements. Direct action tactics such as ―sit-ins‖, voter registrations and ―teach-in‖ were used to against the inequality. Eventually, legal segregation ended in the South as a result of the Civil Rights Movements. Together with the women’s movement, the social movement of the 1960s had a strong effect on the way people think and act.I think what troubles most Americans is the social problems. Firstly, the racial problems hav en’t been thoroughly solved, race relations between black and white still leave much to be desired. Secondly, the poverty, because the unequal pay and the big gap between the poor and the rich. Third, drug abuse, which not only has effects on individuals but also cause economic losses. Fourth, the crime: when I hear the accidents in the US, I am shocked, but now I believe it’s true and most arrested were male, young and a racial minority. After learning this unite, I felt a little afraid about living in suc h a violence country, and I think it’s far from the ideal image of the US as ―melting pot‖;‖salad bowl‖;‖mosaic‖ and ―kaleidoscope‖.However, don’t be so pessimistic and disappointed, because many sports in America are quite enjoyable such as the football baseball and the basketball. What’s more, many spectacular scenic spots are of great attraction. I have a dream that ten years later, I will have been to the Great Canyon, the Yellow Stone National Park in the northwest and lucky enough, I will have my vocation in Hawaii to enjoy the sunshine.Besides these things, I think I benefit a lot from Doctor Pan. He shows us many English songs and presents some words he learned in the film or encountered in daily life. He lays great emphasis on essay writing. Every time the good phrases appear, he will remind us to accumulate them in order to supply to the essay writing, and the most significant thing to me is that he now and then give the topics on the graduation essays. Furthermore, I like the atmosphere in this class, we learn knowledge in a relax way; I really highly appreciated the way teacher teach us.10英语2班姜燕。