CHAPTER I: IN SEARCH OF AMERICA

1. Give some metaphors or similes which express your view of America is.
 The Melting Pot, the Salad Bowl and the Pizza
 People from all over the world has come and adopted the American culture as their
own. This process is called “assimilation” or “Americanization” – becoming parts
of the “melting pot”. Besides, other Americans have, while becoming American in
other ways, maintained much of their ethnic identity. In this sense, U.S. society has
been likened to a “salad bowl”. However, perhaps a better metaphor for American
society would be that of a “pizza”. The different ingredients are often apparent and
give the whole its particular taste and flavor, yet all are fused together into
something larger.
2. Examples of American influences in your daily life
 Consumerism: Black Friday
 Entertainment: Hollywood movies, travelling on holidays
 Food and Beverage: fast foods (KFC, Mc Donald, Pizza Hut), carbonated drinks
(Coca Cola, Pepsi)
3. Why can the US hardly be called a homogeneous nation?
 The US has the third-largest population in the world and the most distinctive
characteristic of the US is its people. People from around the world have come to
the US and influenced its history and culture. Indeed, the US is not merely a nation
but a nation of nations. The large size of the US and the great variety of life which
goes on within it are the two reasons the US can hardly be called a homogeneous
nation.
4. Explain the origin and consequences of the self-criticized tradition in the US.
How and in which areas of American life does this tradition show itself?
 American society is the most open and, at the same time, most intensely and
continually self-critical in the world. Any country that was founded on ideals as the
US was will constantly have to measure the distance between where it is and where
it should be. Besides, the distance between the reality of life and the hope for a
better one is also the basis of the American Dream. Often the most patriotic
Americans are also the most critical of their country. They are most aware of where
America has been, where she is now, and where they want her to be. Many
Americans feel that such freely showing self-criticism can lead to an essentially
negative picture of the United States for all to see and hear and for some to be
misunderstood.
 Fields of influences are literature, law, media, etc.

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 CHAPTER 2 - WE THE PEOPLE

1. Why is difficult to define an “average American”?

 The variety of ethnic identities, immigration experience, and cultural choices that
have gone into making Americans is so complex and difficult to describe the
“average American”. Most Americans may be White, but Americans are not
“normally” White. Most Americans are Christians, but America cannot be called “a
Christian country”. US is one of the few countries that has no official language,
English is common language by use, but it is not national language by law.
We can say that an American is someone who meets the legal requirements of
citizenship and who considers himself or herself to be an American. Any person
born on American soil automatically has the right to American citizenship.
2. Explain the impact of immigration on American society?
 The first impact of immigration is demographic. The immigrants are responsible
for the majority of the contemporary American population. Some Americans
obviously felt they belonged to two or more races or ethnic groups. Some
immigrants quickly assimilated and became part of Melting Pot. Some immigrants
kept much of their ethnic identity, they prefer the term Salad Bowl. Some people
would like to call it Pizza or Gumbo, the different ingredients are often apparent
and give the whole its particular taste and flavor, yet all are fused together into
something larger.
 American history cannot be separated from the history of immigration. There is
estimation that some 20 million people in the US may have some Indian blood. In
1990 census more than 8 million chose to give their ancestry as American Indian.
1.9 million were identified as American Indian Tribal members.
 Immigration has also played an important role in the transition to an urban
industrial economy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Immigrants and their
children have also played an important role in modern American politics.
Immigrants and their descendants were also important in the development of
popular American culture and in creating the positive image of immigration in the
American mind.
3. Discuss possible consequences of recent changes in the pattern of immigration?
 The changes in the pattern of immigration do affect what America is today and
how Americans view the rest of the world. Between 1861 and 1960, the majority of
immigrants came from Europe. But during the past 25 years Latin America and
Asia have provided the largest share. The law passed 1986 gives legal status to
those who can prove that they have been in US since 1982. As a consequence of
immigration from Latin America and Asia, American view of the world is more
likely to shift towards the south and west.

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4. Should stricter laws against further immigration be passed? -> SHOULD Discuss
pros and cons?
 PROS: Major changes to the pattern of immigration have been caused by wars,
revolutions, periods of starvation, persecutions, religious in toleration, and in short
by any number of disasters which led people to believe that America was a better
place to be. More than a million Irish immigrated to America between 1846 and
1851 in order to escape starvation and disease in Ireland. In the 1870s another wave
of refugees left the political turmoil of eastern and southern Europe. Since the
1960s, more and more people have fled the poverty and wars in Asia and Latin
America in the hope of finding a better life in the US. Needless to say, immigrants
will take away jobs from Americans and that the larger numbers from poorer
countries will increase poverty. Many Americans have also expressed concern that
the US will become "Balkanized" split apart by linguistic and cultural differences
=> Should pass a stricter law against further immigration.
 CONS: Without a doubt, the American immigration experience, then and now, is
one of the most important factors in American life. All immigrants have
contributed to the development of some typical American characteristics.
Immigrants provide cheap labor during specific seasons of each year.
However, law only restricts the further immigration not bans totally. When the
negative aspects in American society are concerned, there should be a stricter law
against further immigration.
5. What recent developments have affected the role of women in American society?
 Women who had taken part in many of the nationwide civil rights activities
became more aware of, and involved in changing, their own situation, and the
biases and prejudices with which they were faced. There are 2 major trends can be
seen. First, there are more laws which specifically protect women against
discrimination. Most American women now have special health, psychiatric, and
legal staff to aid in rape cases. Many support houses have been set up for abused
women, and cases involving sexual harassment are being more actively prosecuted.
Second, there has been a gradual improvement in how women are seen and treated
in society. The proportion of women in the total labor force presently about 57% is
expected to continue growing.

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 CHAPTER 3 – AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

1. Why can the birth of the USA be called “a truly revolutionary act”?
 In 1776, when the 13 weak colonies in America came together, stood up, and that
from now on they would be free and independent states, then “a truly revolutionary
act” appeared. With their revolution, Americans broke with an age-old tradition
and so sent shock waves back across the ocean. The revolution manifested that it
was American’s right to choose their own form of government and the statement
that governments should receive their powers only "from the consent of governed"
was radical indeed. This truly revolutionary act brings to the birth of the USA – the
greatest power country of the world now.

2. What are the fundamental principles of the American system of government? 6

 1/ A limited government:  Its functions and powers are prescribed, limited, and
restricted by law (The Constitution).
 2/ Separation of Powers: The individual branches of government (executive,
legislative, judicial) have separate and unique powers the others cannot impinge
upon (3 Branches).
 3/ Checks and Balances: Limits imposed on all branches of a government by
vesting in each branch the right to amend or void those acts of another that fall
within its purview.
 4/ Judicial review: the power of a court to adjudicate the constitutionality of the
laws of a government or the acts of a government official.
 5/ Popular Sovereignty: the doctrine that sovereign power is vested in the people
and that those chosen to govern, as trustees of such power, must exercise it in
conformity with the general will.
 6/ Federalism: A system of government in which power is divided between a
central authority and constituent political units. (Nation/State)

3. What is the relationship between federal, state and local government? What are
their different responsibility?
 The system government in the US is known as “federalism” which is a system of
shared, distributed power between federal, state and local government. Every form
of government in US has its own separation of powers and checks and balances to
minimize corruption, waste, fraud and abuse. Local government is the form of
government which is closest to the people and with which people come to contact
most frequently.
 The federalist system provides that the fifty states are quite diverse in size,
population, climate, economy, history, and interests. The individual states all have
republican forms of government with a senate and a house. All have executive
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 branches headed by state governors and independent court systems. Each state also
has its own constitution but they all must respect the federal laws and not make
laws that interfere with other states.
 The states and local communities in the US have rights that in other countries
generally belong to the central government. All education at any level, for example,
is the concern of the states. The local communities have the real control at the
public school level. They control administration of the schools, and they elect the
school board officials, and their local community taxes largely support the schools.
Each state has its own state police and its own criminal laws. The same is true with,
for example, marriage and divorce, driving, licenses, drinking, and voting laws.
 Most states and some cities have their own income taxes. Many airports, some of
them international, are owned and controlled by cities or counties and have their
own airport police. Each state has their own laws about drug use, capital
punishment, abortion, and homosexuality. America has an enormous variety in its
governmental bodies.

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 CHAPTER 4: EDUCATION
1. Describe the traditions of American education.
 There is no national structure, curriculum or governing law; all laws and policies
are set and enforced by the 50 state governments and over 14,000 local school
districts.
 The US Department of Education is responsible for federal education programmes
of all types and levels. Its role in education is limited by the US Constitution and
by federal statutes. It does not function as a governing body, but operates in
cooperation with state and local authorities.

2. The differences between the structure of the educational system in the USA and in VN.

USA VN

 Preschool: at age 3 or 4  Pre-primary school: age 3 to 5

 Kindergarten: at age 5  Primary school: 5 years
 Elementary school: 6 years  Middle school: 4 years
 Middle school: 2 years  High school: 3 years
 High school: 4 years  Technical school: 2 years
 Community college: 2  College: 3 years
years  University: 4 year plus
 College or university: 4
years plus

College and University College and University

 About 3000 different colleges  About 210 universities
and universities  College: 3 years
 No difference between college => Associate Degree
and university  University: 4 years plus
 Difference between college and => Bachelor, Master and PhD
community college: Degree
 Community college: 2
years

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 => Associate Degree
 College: 4 year plus
=> Bachelor, Master and PhD
Degree

Public and Private School Public and Private School

 Public: 90% >< Private: 10%  Public: 89% >< Non-public: 11%
 From elementary to high school:  From elementary to high school:
 Public: no tuition  Public: low tuition
 Private: tuition  Private: higher tuition
 From college plus:  From college plus:
 Public: low tuition  Public: low tuition
Private: higher tuition  Private: higher tuition

Attending to a College Attending to a College

 Choosing major by themselves  Choosing major by negotiating
 Take SAT test => apply to with parents, even by parents
suitable colleges which require  After 3 high school years: attend
SAT score graduation test
 3 subjects: Math, Writing  6 subjects: Math,
and English Literature, Foreign
 Can reduce time school by Language (mostly
taking more credits English), and 3 more
 Take an university entrance
examination
 Can reduce time school due to
university’s policy

Uniform Uniform
 From elementary to high school:  From elementary to high school:
 Public: no uniform  Public: uniform
 Private: for religious  Private: uniform
school  From college plus:
 From college plus:  Public: no uniform
 Public: no uniform  Private: no uniform
 Private: no uniform No religious school

Learning Style Learning Style

 Active  Quiet
 Free to raise ideas and opinion  A little afraid of showing opinion
respectful in class
 Focus on solving problem and  Focus on testing
critical-thinking skills  Less extracurricular activities
 A large of extracurricular  Lean for achieving academic
activities offerings
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  Learn how to compete
successful

Value of Education Value of Education

1. The monetary value of education 1. Studious
2. Educating the individual 2. Venerated teacher
3. Racial equality 3. Proper behavior
4. Multicultural education

Advantage and disadvantge between the structure of the educational system in the USA
and in VN
 Advantage: Available opportunities for both of them
 Disadvantge:
USA VN

focus on solving problem skills focus on achieving academic

offerings

Advantage and disadvantage of local control over education:

 Advantage:
- Education is considered to be a matter for the people of each state.
- State constitutions give the actual administrative control of the public schools to
the local communities, set school policy and decide what is to be taught.
- Local schools are free to choose any teaching materials or textbooks.
- Local control of the school is a great deal of flexibility. (to fit programs to locals
wishes and needs).
 Disadvantage
- Some universities are free to residents of the state, with only token fees. Others are
expensive, especially for out-of-state students, with tuition fees in the thousands of
dollars each year.
- Handicapped students attend the same school that anyone else does.
5. What problems do minorities have to face and how does the educational system
try to solve them.
 Problems: to fit programs to locals wishes and needs
 Solve: try to be proportion of students – usually elite, who attend higher secondary
school. For ex: an American high school includes all the students within the age
group, not just those with wishes and needs

6. Why do standardized tests play such an important role within the American
system of education?

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 Because there are so many different types of high schools and programs, and so
many differences in subjects and standards, those who attend to a college or
university must do the test (sat and act) to determine the level of abiltyexpected of
those who apply.

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 Chapter V. ECONOMY, LABOR AND WELFARE

1. What factors have contributed to America’s becoming the leading economic

nation in the world?
 Many reasons have been offered to explain this phenomenon. The first reason
obviously is its size and natural resources plus the spirit of American enterprises
and initiative. Americans have always been willing to experiment and find new
solutions to old problems. The government system too has encouraged citizens to
vigorously pursue their own economic interest. Last but not least, major
universities with their basic research and their willingness to support talents greatly
contributes to America’s becoming the leading economic nation in the world
2. What role have tycoons played in American society?
 They give away much of their money before they died. Simply stated, it is better to
give away money to charities and other nonprofit organizations than to give it to
the government in the form of taxes. Today the US has some 200,000 foundations,
large and small, which funds research projects, support the arts, and contribute to
various charitable and public causes
3. Why have measures been taken to control big business?
 Americans believe that “fat cat” companies and businesses tend to get lazy and pay
less attention to their customers. They are convinced that a choice of goods and
services makes for better and cheaper ones.
4. Point out some differences between labor relations in the US and in other
industrialized Western countries. What factors do you think might have
contributed to these differences? 2 differences
 In America, employer and employees relations were not as much a battle between
classes and sociopolitical philosophies as they were in other countries. The
American worker has usually fought for better working conditions, and better
health and retirement benefits, rather than social status, or mobility.
 Other developments particular to American were also important. The labor
movement gained its greatest momentum between 1860 and 1900. At this time,
although many workers in Europe were joining revolutionary labor movement,
most American workers were not interested in destroying the basis system, but in
reforming it for their own benefits.
5. What programs and benefits exist in the US that help people who are
unemployed or sick?
 Social security, Aid to Families with Dependent Children, the Food Stamps
programs, Unemployment Insurance and Workmen’s compensation, Supplemental
Security Income, Medicare & Medicaid
6. “Social welfare in the US has always been torn between the concepts of the
independent self-reliant individuals and the interdependent caring community.”
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 Discuss this statement against the background of your knowledge of American
history.
 Generous to other nations, Americans have much less charitable at home.
Americans very often are too proud to ask for help and welfare. Still some other
Americans feel that people who can’t find some kind of work elsewhere deserve in
part what they get or don’t get.
7. What are some of the arguments for or against comprehensive federal programs
for the poor?
 Two images from America’s past reflect how federal programs for the poor are
viewed in the United States. The support argument is based on the image of self-
reliant individuals best illustrated by the famous quote: God helps them that help
themselves. On the other hand, against argument sets its foundation on the image
of the pioneer community, the interdependent caring groups that helped each other
when things got rough.
8. How have American shown their concern for the protection of the environment?
 Public attention to the problems of pollution has been part of American life.
Indeed, the conservation movement – the protection of natural resources and
wildlife happened relatively early during Theodore Roosevelt’s administration
(1901-1909) with the goal that later generations of Americans could still enjoy
their country’s natural wonders.

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 CHAPTER 6: TRANSPORTATION

1. Outline briefly the development of transportation from the 17th century to the
present
 Steamboat:
- Overlapped the turnpike boom.
- The first successful steamboat was built by Robert Fulton.
- Steamboats were a big hit because in changed America’s navigable steams
which doubled the carrying capacity.
- Ran 10 miles an hour played a big part in opening the West and South.
 Railroad:
- Late 1830s: as the canal boom slowed, the railroad boom kicked into gear.
- 1840: about 3,000 miles of track had been lain in America and investment in
railroads had outstripped that in canals.
- A network of 30,000 miles linked most of the nation's major cities and
towns.
- At first, they extended only short distances. Eventually, extension and
connection of short lines soon provided uninterrupted transportation over
long distances.
- Railroads were faster, cheaper, and had greater range than canals.
 Railroads could reach interior areas, including places where an
insufficient water supply or rough terrain made canals impossible.
 Unlike canals, which froze in winter or became impassable when
water was low, railroads ran year-round and they could easily cross
hills and mountains.
 Turnpikes and roads
- The Lancaster Turnpike in Pennsylvania was highly successful, and helped
jump start western development.
- Turnpike boom lasted about 20 years.
- The National Road (Cumberland Road) is built in 1811.
 Canals:
- The Erie Canal linked the Great Lakes with the Hudson River (1817-1825)
Shipping time reduced from 20 days to 6 days.
- New cities emerged such as Rochester and Syracuse.
- NY became the fastest growing and wealthiest city on the east coast.
 Car:
- Cars are the most popular means of transport in the world.
- The greatest advancements in cars were made by Henry Ford.
- Cars are powered by liquid fuel-either gasoline or diesel.
- Cars are also very popular in motor sports like f-1 and f-2.

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2. Which aspects of this development do you consider specially American?
 Development of large-scale industrial production.
 Each of the three economic regions (the West, the South, and the North) needed an
affordable yet faster means of transporting their goods to another.
3. Explain why the role of the railroad in America has changed in the last few
decades
 Led to westward expansion.
 Increased the population of cities that were previously secluded due to location,
which contributed to the rise of manufacturing and industrialization.
 Helped create a national market.
 Increased the pace of business.
 Increased job opportunities.
 Reduced the costs of shipping, making products more accessible and reducing the
cost
4. What is meant by the “car revolution”, and what factors have favored it?
 Car Revolution is meant:
- Turnpikes were basically “tolled roads” where the toll money was used to
keep the road in good condition.
- “Turnpike” in Ennis was a road that was once tolled.
 Car Revolution has favored it because
- Economy
- First of revolution.
- Use in high way.
5. Why is the car in USA considered “a necessity rather than a luxury”? What is the
situation in your country?
 The car in USA is considered “a necessity rather than a luxury” because:
- Faster journeys
- Cost of carrying goods fell – goods became cheaper
- Faster spread of news
- Migration of people made easier (such as Irish to America)
 The Situation Is In Vietnam: DO NOT USE MUCH OF CAR.
- It is a luxury than a necessity.
- Low income of vietnamese people.
- The development of roads are not overall
6. What factors account for the rapid increase in the air travel in USA?
 Reduce the cost, distance, AND TIME.
 Get easy from one corner of the country to the other.
 Less expensive than car, bus, train.

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  Travelers flying in the easten corridor can symply step aboard the planes which
leave every hour between boston, ny,...
- Without advanced reservation.
- Without tickets.
- Luggage check-in.
7. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of deregulation of the airline.
 ADVANTAGES: airlines reconfigured routes and equipment, making possible
improvements in capacity utilization. These efficiency effects democratized air
travel, making it more accessible to the general public.
 DISADVANTAGES
- Remaining Domestic Economic Controls
- Problems with Political Control of the Grid

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 Chapter VII: MEDIA
1. Explain the function of the news agencies.
 The function of the news agencies is to gather, write and distribute news locally or
internationally to customers, generally media outlets, and not to the public. It is up
to their clients - newspapers, periodicals, radio broadcasters, television
broadcasters, magazines, websites , government agencies - to edit and publish these
news in their final form to the general public. The news agencies do not publish
news but supply it to subscribers who share costs. Many news agencies also
provide news to corporate and individual subscribers such as banks, insurance
companies, consulting firms and alike. Most news agencies in the world are state-
owned, and the vast majority of them are unprofitable.
2. The U.S. leads in the number of books read per capita.” What might be the
reasons for the recent increase in book sales?
 American schools have traditionally stressed and tried to developed a “love of
reading,” to make it a habit. This general educational emphasis has been
successful.
 Public libraries have always been very active in communities throughout the
country. The general policy has been to get books to people rather than to protect
books from people.
 There are no laws, which protect booksellers of fix prices. Anyone can sell new
and used books at discount and sale prices. Books were sold everywhere, in drug
stores and supermarkets, department stores and 24-hour shops, through book clubs
and by colleges as well as regular book stores. Many universities book stores are
operated on a nonprofit basis to keep the prices of the books down. There are large
“paperback supermarkets” located in most shopping centers, which sell mainly
paperback books on variety of subjects, to keep the book trade healthy and
growing.
3. What factors account for the immense variety of American radio and television?
 The law: The radio and television stations in the U.S. can be public or private, can
be owned and operated by any individuals, groups, organizations as well as they
can be licensed to broadcast by the Federal Communications Commission and
conform to its regulations. Allowing just about everyone “a piece of the air” has
result in a tremendous variety. It has meant, for examples, hundreds of foreign-
language radio stations including those broadcasting in Chinese, French,
Japanese… About half a dozen radio stations are owned by American Indian tribes
and groups. There are some 400 radio stations operated by university students.
 The USA itself: The U.S. has the 50 states and federal district, and over 14
territories. Each area has differences in cultural, residential components, therefore,
each communities has their own local radio and TV stations. Thousands of TV and
radio Channels appeared because it's all about giving people specifically what they
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 want such as news, education, entertaining, music, sport, dramas and movies, art,
cultural programs from local, state, national and international sources.
 The benefit: The big benefit from come advertisements on radio and TV programs
also make account for the immense variety of American radio and television. The
owners can get ad revenue (for over-the air channels) and subscriber revenue (for
cable and internet channels). If their programs are watched by many people, they
are more likely to attract more money from advertiser, so they try to create more
and more kinds of radio and TV channels. They also have a considerable income
from selling news and video material to other international television systems.
4. What, in your opinion, are some advantages or disadvantages of having a great
choice of radio and TV programs available?
 Advantages: People can watch television and listen to radio to anything they need
or like and in anytime they want to reduce stress by relaxing or enjoying the
program or learning news, good things and knowledge.
 Disadvantages: For there are close to 10,000 radio and television stations with
similar types but no one station is exactly the same as another, the audiences may
confuse and waste time to decide which one is the needed one. Some children or
even adults would be addicted to watching television programs because of their
diversity and attractiveness.
5. How do you explain the tremendous success in other countries of American
programs such as Sesame Street, Holocaust, Roots, Dallas, or Dynasty?
 American programs such as Sesame Street, Holocaust, Roots, Dallas, or Dynasty
has tremendous success in other countries for their excellent level of quality,
whether in national and international news, entertainment, or education. For
example, children and parents in many parts of the world are familiar with Sesame
Street, a series that was a breakthrough in children’s programming. One of the
factors accounts for its success is that the characters are customized for their
international audiences. The show broadcasts all over the world, and it targets, in
each case, knowledge that kids in that country specifically need. For example, there
is an HIV-positive Sesame Street character in South Africa to help kids understand
that disease and how it is spread.
6. Why is there no real national press in the U.S.?
 Because most daily newspaper are distributed locally, or regionally, people buying
one of the big city newspaper in addition to the smaller local ones. The USA Today
still has only a circulation of 1.2 million and in its popular form, can only offer
news of general interest. This is not enough in a country where state, city, and local
news and political developments most deeply affect readers and are therefore
especially interesting to them. The national press must have great national and
international influence, which spreads far beyond their own readers and there is
still no press like that.

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 Chap VIII: Cultural Life in the United States
1. Discuss the dominant features of the three stages of American cultural history.
 The first stage stretches from colonial times until about Civil War. In this period,
American art, architecture, music, literature and fashion were strongly influenced
by European ideas, traditions and trends. What was fashionable in European
cultural centers such as London, Paris, Rome, or Vienna usually set the pattern for
Boston, New Orleans, New York and Philadelphia.
 The second stage, from the Civil War era until around World War I or so, is
marked by tension. Writer, architects and painters of the 19th century still
considered themselves largely part of the European tradition. Increasingly,
however, America became subject and substance of much artistic creation. Europe
versus America is one of the most significant themes in American literature.
American had developed a cultural style of her own. European influences were still
strong but no longer dominant. However self-consciously, a specific American
direction was being followed.
 The third and present stage is marked by a tremendous surge of American
creativity in all areas, by a growing international influence and by a steady self-
confidence. This vitality and creative experimentation can be seen most clearly
apparent in literature, which now represents the richest, most complex interplay of
intelligence and style in the language, American English.
2. As part of their revolution, many Americans also wanted a cultural break with
Europe.” Discuss the implications of this statement.
 European art, culture, and society were attacked as being "aristocratic." They were
seen as a threat to the ideal of democracy. They were described as being decadent,
degenerate, and debased. The art of America, like the country, would need a fresh
start. This American view of European culture - that it was decadent, corrupt, torn
by wars, and rotten - was to remain strong in the United States for a long time.
American people wanted to change, to have their own culture, which separate from
the European’s.
3. How has the history of the U.S. as a nation of immigrants contributed to the
richness of its cultural life?
 America is a nation of nations, and the immigrants have brought with them and
continue to bring traditions and cultures of their own countries. American people
were more willing to admit to their cultural ties and borrowings. They will point
out the pride the advantages of having so many and such varied cultural traditions.
This cultural maturity has made them less concerned about what can be labelled

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 “foreign” or “made in America,” what is imported and exported. Internationalism
and pluralism are expected and welcomed.

4. What are some frequently heard arguments for or against popular culture?
 1st: It has been “advertised” and marketed through American films, music and
television. But this theory fails to explain why American films, music and
television programs are so popular in themselves.
 2nd: America is a nation of nations, it popular culture find it easy to “return home,”
to appeal to the traditions and taste of other countries.
 3rd: American popular culture is internationally associated with something called
“the spirit of America.” This spirit is variously describe as being young and free,
optimistic and confident, informal and disrespectful.
 4th: American popular culture is popular because a lot of people in the world like
it.
5. What are the pros and cons of subsidizing culture with public money?
 PROS:
- They are good public relations, a way of thanking the community for its
support and making new friends
- Promising of future quality with the large number of musicians, artists…
 CONS:
- Public money should be used for another more important purpose like social
welfare or army.
- Culture, which are expressed through music, art, literature… is not a
necessity for living.

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 CHAPTER IX: LIFESTYLES
1. Make a list of characteristics that you personally consider typical of Americans.
Discuss your view in class.
 a. Americans are incurable optimist.
 b. They also value their individualism quite highly. They place great emphasis on
their individual differences, on having a great number of choices, and on doing
things their own way.
 c. Typically, part of being an American is not being, and not wanting to be.
 d. Most Americans are friendly, courteous, and helpful.
2. Why are generalizations about nations or national characteristics dangerous?
 Generalizations about nations or national characteristics of Americans are
dangerous because they are usually not welcomed, even when they’re basically
accurate.
3. “Frequently things that have different meanings in American are believed to
carry the same meanings that they are at home”. Try to find examples supporting
this thesis.
 Among Americans of roughly the same age group and social status, for examples,
first names are easily and quickly exchanged. Another example is when an
American says “if you’re ever near Chicago, stop by and see us,” it means he
doesn’t expect the foreign visitor to take it literally and will not be pleased to see
him, unannounced, appear on his doorstep. Similarly, the customary “bread and
butter” or “thank you” letter sent to the host is an important and polite gesture.
4. What characterizes the “frontier experience,” and what key terms do you
associate with it?
 Three American “national characteristics” which are most frequently mentioned
do indeed recall the frontier experience. These are the friendliness to strangers, the
strong sense of community and neighborliness, and the general informality.
5. Which aspects of the “American lifestyle” can be traced back to the frontier
experience?
 Many of the most stable features of American life – those mentioned again and
again by generations of foreign visitors – can be traced back to the frontier
experience, to the settlement of a vast, raw land by succeeding waves of people
moving westward.

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 CHAPTER X: SPORTS AND RECREATION
1. Which sports do you consider typically American and why?
 Sports, which are considered typically American, are football, baseball, and
basketball. Because they are the most “scientific” of all outdoor team sport and
they can attract millions of active participants.
2. What are the reasons for the wide and varied interest of American in sports?
 Sports in America are wide and varied interest because they are identity and
motivate for the sport participants. Besides, sports are related to an ongoing
positive experience, which includes having fun, improving skills, and having
positive interactions with peers.
3. Discuss the implications of the way sports are organized in the U.S., and compare
how they are organized in your country.
 Sport became highly organized in the U.S with formalized rules and national
competition. Sports became commercialized with expert athletes entertaining
paying spectators.
 The organization of sports in Vietnam is having less commercialized aspect, just
for entertainment. Another difference is when ports history is American history, in
Vietnam is not.
4. Would you like to have a voice in the decision to hold Olympia Games in your
hometown? Give reasons.
 I would like to have a voice in the decision to hold Olympia Games in my
hometown because it is the golden chance to broadcast my hometown’ images to
the world.
5. Why are Americans unwilling to support national teams with public money?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of such an attitude?
 Because they are especially concerned when their tax is involved. The advantages
are Americans’ tax is not used for developing national teams, and private
companies can make profit when supporting national teams. On the other hand, it
has the disadvantage. When private companies support national teams, profit is
distributed to both national organizations in the U.S and abroad.
6. How can the persistent concern of many Americans with the conservation of the
environment be explained (compare Chapter V)?
 Because Americans had lived so close to the wildness for so long, it is often said
that they have a special love for. So, they preserve wildlife and keep protecting
environment by create enormous national parks and forests.
7. What advantages do you see in the creation of national parks?
 National parks protect natural wonders and preserve wildlife.
 National parks unmatched opportunities “to get away from it all”, to escape from
worries and hectic life of the modern, urban world.

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