Geography, Demography, Social Issues, Education and Culture in the United States of America

AlizÃ©e P.

Order the writing of a tailor-made Sociology & social sciences Course material

Free quote online

Course material Format .odt

Geography, Demography, Social Issues, Education and Culture in the United States of America

Download

Read an extract

Themes

Geography, demography, social issue, education, culture, United States of America, New England, car industry, economy, climate, American cities, suburbs, skyscrapers, suburbia, Cold War, illegal immigration, American citizen, black minority, Jim Crow laws, KKK Ku Klux Klan, Hispanic minority, native Americans, Asian Americans, Chinatown, post-racial society, anti-drug campaign, Zero-tolerance laws, federal government, national identity, Pledge of Allegiance, school system, higher education, tuition fees, scholarship, Watergate scandal, Pentagon Papers, mean of transportation

Reader
Abstract
Contents
Extract

Abstract

(...) One of the characteristics of US climatic conditions is the constant fear of violent climatic happening such as hurricanes (in the Southeast, particularly during the fall), violent wind storms known as "tornadoes" (the Midwest), or flooding due to heavy rainfall and storms in the eastern half of the US (basin of the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio rivers).
(...)
American society is not a color-blind society. Racism is very present as we can see is race riots, police brutality (Baltimore in Maryland and Ferguson in Missouri, etc.).
Blacks represent 50% of the prison population while whites represent only 12,6% of the American population.
Cities as highly segregated with Black and White neighborhoods. Whites and Blacks interact at the workplace but don't live in the same neighbourhoods.
(...)
Americans work a lot, at least 40 hours a week and have on average 16 days of paid vacation or holidays a year.

Aspects of American culture
1. Geography and demography of the USA
2. Territories
3. Aspects of American cities
The American people - a heterogeneous population
1. Reasons
2. How to become a US citizen
3. Minorities
Social issues
1. Racism
2. Poverty and Healthcare
3. Drugs and alcohol
4. Obesity
Education
1. A brief history of education in the US
2. Organization - Who does what (federal government vs States)
3. The goals of education
4. The American school system
5. Higher education (post-secondary education)
Media
1. The Press
2. Radio
3. TV
4. Internet
The American Way of Life
1. Life in Suburbia
2. Family
3. Cars
4. The 'No vacation nation'
Important informations

Get this table of contents for free after login.

Extract

[...] They learn English, History, Geography, Mathematics, Science and foreign Languages. But, because there is no national curriculum, in some schools, Geography or foreign Languages are optional. Students do not have the same basic knowledge at the end of secondary schools which it is a big problem for those who would like to go to college or university. American students are advised throughout the school year by guidance counselors. At the end of high school, students receive a high school diploma which made a continuous assessment and a final exam. [...]

[...] Topeka Board of Education (school segregation was unconstitutional); this decision reverses another Supreme Court decision. Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) school segregation as constitutional, establishing the “separate but equal” principle = school segregation was legal if Blacks and Whites enjoyed the same facilities. 1950-1960: laws were passed to destroy culminate in the passing of several Civil Rights Acts by Lyndon Johnson. The 1964 Civil Rights Act = forbade discrimination in the workplace on the basis of race, sex, religion or national origin. [...]

[...] Minorities A group of people defined by specific characteristics a political notion that acknowledges the existence of different groups of people forming a cultural mosaic. Four main “minorities” each with its own specific history. Black Special history as a minority in the US because contrary Hispanics or Asians, they did not choose to come to the US. The first blacks to enter America were slaves and taken out of Africa and transported to the New World not voluntarily. Their history made oppression and discrimination. Millions of Africans are considered as objects by the white people. They had no rights, families were separated. [...]

[...] problem is important with teenagers and children. especially among the less educated, the poorest and in the South several reasons: food is cheap and easily available anytime, anywhere in the US at 24h convenience stores, gas stations and supermarkets, fast food restaurants are everywhere cheap and easy and quick to eat, portions are huge (super-sized portions) decrease in physical activity most people drive to work, there are less physical education classes at school, people watch TV or play video games a lot, etc people die because of illnesses related to obesity (heart diseases, strokes, diabetes); it cost $117 billion in health-care expenses Michelle Obama launched the Let's Move initiative that encourages Americans, especially young Americans to work out and eat healthy food. [...]

[...] Industrial cities: Chicago (Illinois), Cleveland (Ohio), Detroit (Michigan). West: composed of states West of the Mississippi River. Divided into 3 parts: South-west, Mountain states and Pacific Coast. National parks: Yosemite (California) in 1864, Yellowstone (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho) in 1874, Death Valley (California and Nevada), Grand Canyon (Arizona), Rocky Mountains (Colorado). Cities in USA: 9 cities with more than 1 m inhabitant N.Y Los Angeles Chicago Houston Philadelphia Phoenix San Diego San Antonio Dallas Washington D.C. (601,000), Las Vegas (583,000), Miami (400,000). [...]

odt