课程概述
语言学习离不开文化的学习和研究。外语专业的学生不仅要精通外国语言,还需深入理解外国文化,才能在不同文化之间搭建起沟通的桥梁。广东外语外贸大学英文学院的《当代美国社会与文化》课程是英语专业的核心必修课程,为想了解美国社会和文化的学生提供全面而深入的介绍,并旨在提升学生对文化现象的分析和研究能力。
课程共十五个单元,内容涵盖美国政治、经济、和社会的各个方面。政治方面主要着重于美国宪法、修正案、政府架构、两大政党、利益集团、司法和社会福利等话题。经济方面包括国内经济、金融、外贸和工作就业等。社会方面较为广泛,包括教育、移民、种族、家庭、媒体、娱乐、犯罪和警察等话题。每一个话题都将提供一个审视美国社会的独特视角,使学生获取对美国文化的多维度、全方位的深刻理解。
课程的独特之处在于它不停留于简单的文化介绍层面,而是注重对美国社会深层架构的探索,提升学生透过现象看本质的分析能力。课程积累了二十多年的教学经验,采用全英教学,教学团队国际化,跨文化的视角尤其适用于想了解美国社会文化的中国学习者。
参考资料
1. Zinn, Howard. 2015. A People's History of the United States. Harper Perennial Modern Classics.
2. Forte, David F & Spalding, Matthew, ed. 2014. The Heritage Guide to the US Constitution, revised. Regnery Publishing.
3. Sadker, David M. 2011. Teachers, Schools, and Society: A Brief Introduction to Education, 3rd ed. McGraw Hill Education.
4. Bayor, Ronald H, ed. 2016. The Oxford Handbook of American Immigration and Ethnicity. Oxford University Press.
5. Stinnet, Nancy; Stinnet, Nick; DeGenova, Mary Kay & Rice, F Phillip, ed. 2016. Intimate Relationships, Marriages, and Families. Oxford University Press.
6. Schiller, Bradley R & Gabhardt, Karen. 2015. The Economy Today. McGraw-Hill Education.
7. Segal, Elizabeth A. 2009. Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs. Cengage Learning.
8. Noel, Hans. 2014. Political Ideologies and Political Parties in America. Cambridge University Press.
9. Sweet, Stephen A. 2016. Changing Contours of Work: Jobs and Opportunities in the New Economy. SAGE Publications, Inc.
10. Luther, Catherine A. 2011. Diversity in the US Mass Media. Wiley-Blackwell.
11. Neubauer, David & Meinhold, Stephen S. 2016. Judicial Process: Law, Courts, and Politics in the United States. Cengage Learning.
12. Panzarella, Robert & Vona, Daniel. 2013. Criminal Justice Masterworks: A History of Ideas About Crime, Law, Police and Corrections. Carolina Academic Press.
【课程简介】
本课程围绕人与自然和谐共生的核心理念,深入解读中国生态文明建设的实践路径与全球意义。您将看到浙江安吉余村通过“绿水青山就是金山银山”理念实现生态经济双赢的转型实践,见证北京蓝天保卫战如何通过精准治理改善空气质量,了解三代塞罕坝人创造世界最大人工林海的奇迹,感受新能源汽车如何推动城市可持续发展的探索,也能知晓中国在联合国大会上提出“碳达峰、碳中和”目标推动全球环境治理的担当。这些实践生动诠释了生态文明理念的丰富内涵,展现了中国式现代化是人与自然和谐共生的现代化。中国以生态优先、绿色发展的现代化路径,为全球可持续发展贡献了中国智慧与实践方案。
【About This Course】
This course centers on the core concept of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature, offering an in-depth interpretation of China’s ecological civilization practices and their global significance. You will explore the transformative practices of Yucun Village in Anji, Zhejiang, where the concept of “Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets” has achieved a win-win outcome for ecology and economy. You will witness how Beijing’s fight for blue skies has improved air quality through precise governance, learn about the miracle created by three generations of people in Saihanba who built the world’s largest man-made forest, and experience how new energy vehicles are driving urban sustainable development. Additionally, you will understand China’s commitment to global environmental governance through its “peak carbon and carbon neutrality” goals proposed at the United Nations General Assembly. These practices vividly illustrate the rich connotations of the ecological civilization concept and demonstrate that Chinese modernization is a modernization of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature. By prioritizing ecology and pursuing green development, China’s modernization path contributes Chinese wisdom and practical solutions to global sustainable development.
【课程特色】
1. 系统阐释中国式现代化,以叙事方式增强传播效能
2. 汇聚权威外语专家,构建高水平课程建设团队
3. 融入多元国际声音,增强课程亲和力与可信度
【Course Highlights】
1. Narrative-Driven Learning: Explains Chinese modernization systematically through engaging storytelling rather than dry theory.
2. Expert Team: Developed by a team of experienced language and culture experts.
3. Global Perspectives: Incorporates diverse international viewpoints to enhance relatability and credibility.
【主讲教师】
彭天洋 北京第二外国语学院
【Instructors】
Peng Tianyang, Beijing International Studies University
【课程简介】
本课程围绕人民当家作主的核心理念,深入解读中国全过程人民民主的实践逻辑与独特价值。您将看到上海虹桥街道立法联系点让基层声音直达国家立法机关的民主实践,见证十三届全国人大代表申纪兰六十余年坚持为民发声的履职历程,了解快递员柴闪闪作为基层代表为农民工群体权益积极建言的担当,感受基层村干部李电波的农村互助养老建议被纳入“十四五” 规划的民主协商力量,也能知晓各民主党派围绕长江生态保护开展专项民主监督的协同治理成效。这些实践生动诠释了全过程人民民主的丰富内涵,展现了中国式民主是最广泛、最真实、最管用的民主。中国以全过程人民民主的制度创新与实践探索,既保障了人民群众的民主权利,又推动了国家治理效能的提升,为人类政治文明进步贡献了中国智慧与中国方案。
【About This Course】
This course is built around the core principle that “the people are the masters of the country.” It provides an in‑depth interpretation of the underlying logic and distinctive value of China’s whole‑process people’s democracy.
You will witness how the Hongqiao legislative outreach office in Shanghai enables voices from the grassroots to be heard directly by the national legislature. You will trace the remarkable journey of Shen Jilan, the longest‑serving deputy to the National People’s Congress, who devoted six decades to faithfully representing the people. You will learn about Chai Shanshan, a courier‑turned delegate advocating for the rights of migrant workers.
In parallel, the course explores China’s consultative democracy through the story of Li Dianbo, a village official whose proposal for “mutual-assistance model for elderly care”, was incorporated into the 14th Five‑Year Plan through consultative democracy. The course also examines how China’s non‑CPC parties collaborate in a five‑year democratic oversight program to protect the ecological environment of the Yangtze River, showcasing a distinctive model of democratic supervision within China’s democratic system.
Taken together, these stories vividly illustrate the rich connotation of whole‑process people’s democracy, revealing why China’s democracy is among the broadest, most authentic, and most effective in the world. Through continuous institutional innovation and practical exploration, this unique democratic approach not only safeguards the people’s democratic rights but also improves the efficiency and quality of national governance—offering Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions to the advancement of human political civilization.
【课程特色】
1. 系统阐释中国式现代化,以叙事方式增强传播效能
2. 汇聚权威外语专家,构建高水平课程建设团队
3. 融入多元国际声音,增强课程亲和力与可信度
【Course Highlights】
1. Narrative-Driven Learning: Explains Chinese modernization systematically through engaging storytelling rather than dry theory.
2. Expert Team: Developed by a team of experienced language and culture experts.
3. Global Perspectives: Incorporates diverse international viewpoints to enhance relatability and credibility.
【主讲教师】
胡杰辉 电子科技大学
【Instructors】
Hu Jiehui, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
【课程简介】
本课程围绕高质量发展的核心内涵,深入解读创新、协调、绿色、开放、共享的新发展理念。您将看到以杭州“六小龙”创新生态为代表的科创突破实践,了解京津冀、长三角、粤港澳大湾区三大经济区域协同共进的发展格局,感受浙江安吉余村践行绿色发展理念实现生态转型的蜕变,认识中国国际进口博览会搭建开放共赢平台的重要作用,以及“东数西算”工程在推动资源均衡配置、实现多方共赢方面的探索。这些实践生动展现了高质量发展的丰富内涵与实施路径,彰显了中国立足新发展阶段、全面贯彻新发展理念,以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴的宏伟目标。
【About This Course】
This course centers on the core meaning of high-quality development and offers an in-depth interpretation of the new development philosophy—featuring innovation, coordination, green development, openness, and shared benefits. You will explore breakthroughs in science and technology innovation, represented by the innovative ecosystem of Hangzhou’s “Six Little Dragons”; gain insight into the coordinated development pattern of China’s three major economic regions—the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area; witness the transformation of Yucun Village in Anji, Zhejiang, as it puts the concept of green development into practice and achieves an ecological transition; understand the important role of the China International Import Expo in building an open platform for mutual benefit; and examine the “East Data, West Computing” project and its efforts to promote balanced resource allocation and win-win outcomes.
Together, these practices vividly illustrate the rich connotations and pathways of high-quality development, highlighting China’s commitment to a new stage of development, fully implementing the new development philosophy, and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese modernization.
【课程特色】
1. 系统阐释中国式现代化,以叙事方式增强传播效能
2. 汇聚权威外语专家,构建高水平课程建设团队
3. 融入多元国际声音,增强课程亲和力与可信度
【Course Highlights】
1. Narrative-Driven Learning: Explains Chinese modernization systematically through engaging storytelling rather than dry theory.
2. Expert Team: Developed by a team of experienced language and culture experts.
3. Global Perspectives: Incorporates diverse international viewpoints to enhance relatability and credibility.
【主讲教师】
张洁 上海财经大学
【Instructor】
Zhang Jie, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics