电影是当代美国文化的象征，是我们了解美国文化的窗口。由史虹涛著的《美国文化研究(透过电影看美国)》首先阐述了文化的定义与内涵，分析了文化与电影的关系，着重通过解析美国经典影片，向读者介绍美国的种族、阶级、价值观、性别角色等发展演变过程，进而使读者对美国文化根源与实质有一个清楚的了解。

Chapter One Culture and Cultural Studies

 1.1 Definition of Culture

 1.2 Characteristics of Culture

 1.2.1 Culture Is Learned

 1.2.2 Culture Is Dynamic

 1.2.3 Culture Is Shared

 1.2.4 Culture Is Based on Symbols

 1.2.5 Culture Is Integrated

 1.3 The Elements of Culture

 1.3.1 Language

 1.3.2 Religion

 1.3.3 Values and Attitudes

 1.3.4 Norms and Ideologies

 1.3.5 Gender

 1.3.6 Class

 1.3.7 Race and Ethnicity

Chapter Two An Overview of American Film

 2.1 The History of American Film

 2.1.1 Silent Period (1895-1929)

 2.1.2 Classical Period (1930o1945)

 2.1.3 World War II and Postwar Period

 2.1.4 Transitional Period (19600 1979)

 2.1.5 Contemporary Period (1980-present)

 2.2 The Style of Hollywood Film

 2.3 Genres of Hollywood Film

 2.3.1 Romance Film

 2.3.2 The Western

 2.3.3 The Gangster Film

 2.3.4 War Film

 2.3.5 Comedy Genres

 2.3.6 Horror Film

 2.3.7 Science Fiction

 2.3.8 Fantasy

 2.3.9 The Musical

Chapter Three Film, Culture and Language Learning

 3.1 Film and Culture

 3.2 Culture and Language Learning

Chapter Four Gender and American Film

 4.1 Gender Issue in America

 4.2 Women in American Film

 4.2.1 Images of Women in Early Film

 4.2.2 Images of Women in 1930s Classical Hollywood Film

 4.2.3 Images of Women in World War l[ and After.

 4.2.4 Images of Women in 1960s

 4.2.5 Images of Women in the "New" Woman's Film in 1970s

 4.2.6 Images of Women in Classical Hollywood After 1980

 4.3 Masculinity in American Film

 4.3.1 Masculinity in Early Film

 4.3.2 Masculinity in Early 20th Century

 4.3.3 Masculinity in World War II and Film Noir

 4.3.4 Masculinity in 1950s

 4.4 Gender in the New Century

Chapter Five Race and Ethnicity and American Film

 5.1 Race and Ethnicity in America

 5. l. 1 African Americans

 5.1.2 Native Americans

 5.1.3 Asian Americans

 5.1.4 White Ethnics

 5.2 Racism and Discrimination

 5.3 African Americans and American Film

 5.3.1 African Americans in Early Film

 5.3.2 African Americans in Classical Hollywood Film

 5.3.3 African Americans in World War II and After

 5.3.4 African Americans in 1980s

 5.3.5 African Americans in the New Century

 5.4 Asian Americans and American Film

 5.4.1 Silent Film and Asian Images

 5.4.2 Asians in Classical Hollywood Film

 5.4.3 Kung Fu Actions Film

 5.5 Native Americans and American Film

 5.5.1 Images and Stereotypes Before the Invention of Film

 5.5.2 Native Americans in Early Film

 5.5.3 Native Americans in 1930s

 5.5.4 Native Americans in 1950s

 5.6 White and Hollywood Film

 5.6.1 The Irish in American Film

 5.6.2 Italians in American Cinema

 5.6.3 Jews and Hollywood

 5.6.4 Arabs in American Film

Chapter Six American Values and American Film

 6.1 American Values and Beliefs

 6.1.1 Achievement and Success

 6.1.2 Individualism

 6. 1.3 Freedom

 6.1.4 Hard Work

 6.1.5 Morality.

 6.1.6 Efficiency and Practicality

 6.1.7 Progress

 6.1.8 Material Comfort

 6.1.9 Equality.

 6.1.10 Science

 6.1.11 Democracy.

 6.2 Personal Success and American Dream in Pursuit of Happyness

 6.3 Freedom and Equality in Forrest Gump

 6.4 Democracy in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Chapter Seven Class and American Film

 7.1 Classes in America

 7.2 Working Class in Hollywood Film

 7.2.1 Working Class in Early Film

 7.2.2 Working Class After World War I

 7.2.3 Working Class After 1950s

 7.3 Class Conflict in Hollywood Film

 7.3.1 Class Conflict in the Industrial Revolution

 7.3.2 Class Conflict in Classical Hollywood Film

 7.3.3 Class Conflict in 1950-1960

 7.3.4 Class Conflict After 1970s

References