新编英美概况教程（第2版）

　　北京大学出版社自2005年以来已出版《语言与应用语言学知识系列读本》多种，为了配合第十一个五年计划，现又策划陆续出版《21世纪英语专业系列教材》。这个重大举措势必受到英语专业广大教师和学生的欢迎。作为英语教师，最让人揪心的莫过于听人说英语不是一个专业，只是一个工具。说这些话的领导和教师的用心是好的，为英语专业的毕业生将来找工作着想，因此要为英语专业的学生多多开设诸如新闻、法律、国际商务、经济、旅游等其他专业的课程。但事与愿违，英语专业的教师们很快发现．学生投入英语学习的时间少了，掌握英语专业课程知识甚微，即使对四个技能的掌握也并不比大学英语学生高明多少，而那个所谓的第二专业在有关专家的眼中只是学到些皮毛而已。
　　英语专业的路在何方？有没有其他路可走？这是需要我们英语专业教师思索的问题。中央领导关于创新是一个民族的灵魂和要培养创新人才等的指示精神，让我们在层层迷雾中找到了航向。显然，培养学生具有自主学习能力和能进行创造性思维是我们更为重要的战略目标，使英语专业的人才更能适应21世纪的需要，迎接21世纪的挑战。

目录

CHAPTER 1 PHILOSOPHY OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION
Introduction
Greek Rationalism
The Middle Ages
The Renaissance
Modern Philosophy
Modern Philosophical Trends
Summary

CHAPTER 2 GEOGRAPHY OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
Introduction
General Characteristics of the United Kingdom
Water： The Key Geographical Feature
Geographical History
Surface Features and Geography——by Political Region
Current Situation
Commonwealth

CHAPTER 3 HISTORY OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
Prehistory to the Norman Conquest
The Making of a Nation： From the Norman Conquest to the Renaissance
The Tudors： Sea Power and Protestantism
Founding of the British Empire
England in Revolution： Representative and Constitutional Government
England in the Eighteenth Century： The Age of Reason
Napoleonic Wars and a Century of Slow Reforms
Nineteenth Century Imperialism
Twentieth-Century England： Crisis of Identity
Appendixes

CHAPTER 4 BRITISH ECONOMY
Introduction
Highlights of Britains Economic Development
Britains Prosperity Today
Britains Economic System： A Unique Mix
Consumer Expenditure
Industrial Structure and Output
International Trade
Taxation and Public Spending
Economic Policy

CHAPTER 5 BRITISH CULTURE
Introduction
The British People——General Traits
Entertainment
Conclusion

CHAPTER 6 BRITISH EDUCATION
Introduction
Medieval England——Church and Class
IRenaissance Education
Eighteenth Century——What Is Correct English
neteenth Century——Class Struggle and Change
wentieth Century——Reform， Socialism and Conservatism
Conclusion

CHAPTER 7 GEOGRAPHY OF THE UNITED STATES
Introduction
Economic Activities
Rural， Suburban， and Urban Living Patterns
Physiographic Subdivisions of the United States
Geologic Processes Shape the Nations Physical and Human Geography
Energy and Mineral Resources Required for a Modern Society
Summary： The United States——"A Land of Contrasts".

CHAPTER 8 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES
Introduction
Native Americans
Colonial North America
The Founding of the United States
Forming A New Nation
VINationalism and the Economy Westward Expansion
The Industrial Revolution and Social Reforms
XThe American Civil War and Reconstruction
Industrialization， Capitalism， and Monopolies
The United States Becomes a World Power
The Post World War I Period
World War 11
The Post World War Period (1945- 1989)
Modern Times
Conclusion
Appendixes

CHAPTER 9BRITISH AND AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
Introduction
Politics
Political Legitimacy
Absolutism and Constitutionalism
Democracy
Indirect or Representative Democracy
Elections
The Assembly Model
Conclusion
Appendixes

CHAPTER 10THE ECONOMY OF THE UNITED STATES
Introduction and Overview
History and Growth
Commercial and Nonprofit Firms
Households
overnment and the Economy
International Trade
Problems and Challenges for the U.S. Economy

CHAPTER 11 AMERICAN SOCIETY
Introduction
Individuals
Families
Groups
ganizations
Socioeconomic Classes， Status and Roles
Race and Ethnicity
Other Social Issues
Social Changes and Global Connections

CHAPTER 12 AMERICAN CULTURE
Introduction
Materialism and the Mass Media
IIndividual Style and Personal Rites of Passage
IVManners
VFood and Meals
VIHousing
Pets
Leisure Activities
Holidays
American Values
CHAPTER 13EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES
Introduction
Issues in American Basic Education
Higher Education
Conclusion
后记