本书是英语专业学生必修的一门基础知识课程,目的是让学生熟悉英语国家的地理、历史、经济、文化、教育等一般知识,丰富文化修养,加深对语言和文学的理解,提高分析与辨别的能力。通过对本课程的学习,学生应该对英语国家的历史和现状,以及它们的社会发展及其趋势有较好的理解。除掌握有关国家的一些最基本的知识外,学生还可以提高对社会科学类英文书籍的阅读能力。
本书除英美两部分各六章外,对澳大利亚、加拿大及新西兰也作了简单的介绍。全书除历史部分外,均尽可能使用最新资料。对所涉及国家的情况,尽可能做到客观介绍,避免主观评述。
本书内容丰富,资料翔实,图文并茂,选用了最新信息及数据,内容涵盖了英国、美国、加拿大、澳大利亚、新西兰等国的地理、历史、政治、经济、教育、文化等各方面。另外,本书每个章节后都附有讨论题,使读者在了解相关章节背景知识的同时,还有更为广阔的思考和评判空间。
本书可作为高等院校英语专业本科生的教材使用,同时也适合广大英语爱好者自学使用。
Section 1 The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Chapter 1 Land and People in Britain
I. Land
II. People
Chapter 2 British History
I. Origin of the English Nation
II. Feudalism in England
III. The Industrial Revolution and the Chartist Movement
IV. The Rise and Fall of the British Empire
Chapter 3 National Economy
I. Basic Framework
II. The Government's Role in the Economy
III. Industries
IV. Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
V. The Service Sector
VI. Foreign Trade
Chapter 4 British Government and Politics
I. British Government
II. British Politics
Chapter 5 British Education System
I. Introduction
II. The Purpose of the British Education System
III. The National Curriculum
IV. The Relationship between Education and Social Class
V. The Influence of the Church on Schooling
VI. The Present Education System
VII. Teaching Method in UK
Chapter 6 English Language, Religion and Beliefs
I. The English Language
II. Religion and Beliefs
Section 2 The United States of America
Chapter 7 Land and People in the United States
I. Land of the Free
II. The American People
Chapter 8 American History
I. Discovery of the New World
II. The War of Independence
III. Slavery and the Civil War
IV. The United States in the Late 19th Century
V. War, Peace and the Great Depression
VI. America in the Turning Point of the New Millennium
Chapter 9 National Economy
I. Basic Framework
II. A Mixed Economy
III. The World of American Business
IV. Some Historical Perspectives on the American Economy
Chapter 10 American Government and Politics
I. The American Government
II. American Political Parties--the Democratic Party and the Republican Party
III. American Presidents Elections
IV. The Development of the American Government System
V. The New Individualism: Interest Group Government
VI. The Political Future of the United States
Chapter 11 American Educational System and Schools
I. General information of American Education
II. The American Education System
III. Education Philosophy
IV. How to be a Good College Student?
Chapter 12 American Values and Beliefs
I. Mainstream American Values
II. Religions
Section 3 Canada
Chapter 13 Land and People
I. Land
II. People
Chapter 14 History and Culture
I. History
II. Culture
Chapter 15 National Economy
Chapter 16 Government
I. Federal Government
II. Provincial Governments
III. Municipal Governments
Chapter 17 Education
Section 4 Australia
Chapter 18 Land and People
I. Land
II. People
Chapter 19 History and Culture
I. History
II. Culture
Chapter 20 Economy
Chapter 21 Education
Chapter 22 Political System
Section 5 New Zealand
Chapter 23 Land and People
I. Geography
II. Climate
III. People
Chapter 24 History and Political System
I. History
II. Political System
III. Justice and the Police
Chapter 25 Education and Economy
I. Education
II. Economy
Chapter 26 Labor and Employment
Chapter 27 Social Services and Accident Compensation
I. Social Services
II. Accident Compensation
Chapter 28 Defense
Chapter 29 Foreign Policy and Overseas Aid
Bibliography