Course : An Introduction to American Studies

Guidelines for exam preparation

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Note that you can prepare for the exam as the following example :
1. WW2. Starting : 1939, finishing : 1945
The U.S position : Neutral
....
2. Butget deficit : It happens when the government spends more money than it can take in.

Chapter 1 : A brief history

1. From colony to revolution

Main points to remember :

English beginnings in America : the time, the number of states.

The American Revolution: the reasons, actions of both sides, main battles, the Declaration of
Independence.

Explain :
City upon a hill
Tea act
Boston tea party

Topics for discussion :

The American Revolution: significance

2. Slavery and the Civil War

Main points to remember :

The time when the first slaves were brought to America
The conflicts caused by slavery in the US
Abaham Lincoln and slavery issues
The civil wars : opinions of both sides, the result.

Explain :
The Missouri Compromise (1820)
The Compromise of 1850
The Confederate army
The Union army

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 Topics for discussion :
“Was the war only about slavery?”

3. The late 19th century

Main points to remember :

The development of the US industry in this period

4. War and Peace

Main points to remember :

WW1 : the time, the US’s position, the happenings and result.
The domestic affairs of the US : social problems and economic achievements.
Explain :
The progressive movement
KKK
Roaring Twenties
Henry Ford

5. The great Depression

Main points to remember : the time and the consequences.

Explain :
Roosevelt’s New Deal

6. WWII and the Cold War

Main points to remember :

WW2 : The time, the US’s position, the happenings and result.
The social problems of the US and Viet Nam war

Explain :

NATO
The Watergate incident
Berlin Wall

Topics for discussion :

The role of the US in the cold war : your opinion

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 Chapter 2 : A Nation of Immigrants
Main points to remember :
Different waves of immigrants : the time, the people, and the reasons.
The American policies of immigration.
Indian Americans : their population and their problems - past and present.
Identity crisis : the reasons and the consequences

Explain :
Nativist sentiment
Assimilation process
WASPs
Melting pot
Salad bowl
Multiculturalism

Topics for discussion :

What do you think of the issue of immigration in the US in this globalization era?

Chapter 3 : American Ideals and Values

Main points to remember :

American Dream and six traditional American values: the history, the meaning, and the
influence.

Explain :
Psychology of abundance
Volunteerism
mobility

Topics for discussion :

American Dream and six traditional American values : ideal and reality

Chapter 4 : The U.S. Economy

Main points to remember :

Adam Smith, the role of government, family income, the US favorable conditions,
achievements and problems, the characteristics of American business

Explain :

Budget deficit
Trade deficit
Productivity
Entrepreneurs
Organization man/woman

Topics for discussion :

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 The U.S. economic role in the global context.

Chapter 5 : The politics

Main points to remember :

Form and structure of government, the functions of each branch and the roles of people in
charge in each branch.
Political party system: characteristics and roles of political parties.
Election system
Political participation: How

Explain :
Checks and balances
Separation of powers
A limited government
Interest groups
Lobbyists
Winner – take – all election system
The electoral college
How a bill becomes a law

Topics for discussion :

A limited goverment and traditional American values

Chapter 6 : The U.S. Education

Main points to remember :

General overview : school system, curriculum, administration, funding, courses and subjects,
extra-activities, achievements and problems.

Explain :

Desegregation in the US education

Bussing in the US education
Decentralized
Affirmative action

Topics for discussion :

American education and traditional American values

By : ng Ng c Sinh