全新版大学英语综合教程第三册教案 Unit 2

Unit 2Civil Right Heroes

Ⅰ. Teaching Plan

Students will be able to:

1.understand the main idea (early civil-rights struggles in the US, esp. the Underground Railroad);

2.learn to use library resources and other resources for information;

3.grasp the key language points and grammatical structures in the text;

4.conduct a series of reading, listening, speaking and writing activities related to the theme of the unit.

Principles: stimulating, motivating, facilitating, enabling

Task–based: reading, writing, discussing, practicing, commenting, criticizing, evaluating, recreating, investigating, searching for resources, case studying, presenting

and demonstrating, deducting, inducting, etc.

1. T asks Ss the following questions on the recording: (5 minutes)

—What are the special contributions of Abraham, John and Martin to the Americans? (They all advocated black civil rights.)

—How did they die? (They were all assassinated.)

2. Knowledge of American geography (10 minutes)

1)T brings a map of the USA to class, hangs it in the front of the classroom.

1.Ss scan the text to see if there is any natural division between parts of the text. (There is a blank line

between each part.) (2 minutes)

2.T explains the key language points in Part I and gives Ss practice (see Language Study).(10

minutes)

3.Ss sum up the main idea of this part (see Text Organization Exercise 1),then identify the

sentence which connects this part with the following parts, (last sentence in Para 5—“I was intent on telling their stories.”) (3 minutes)

4.T explains the key language points in Part II and gives Ss practice (see Language Study).(15

minutes)

5.Ss sum up the main idea of this part (see Text Organization Exercise 2). (3 minutes)

6.T explains the key language points in Part III and gives Ss practice (see Language Study).(15

1. 1) Ss form groups to discuss the following questions:

—Among so many participants of the Underground Railroad, why were John Parker, Levi Coffin and Henson chosen as their representatives? Who do they each represent?

—We learn about Henson in Part I, then why is his story delayed until the last part?

—Why does the author sometimes quote directly from characters in the stories?

(The answers to these questions are discussed below in Text Analysis.)

2) Some Ss group report discussion results to class (see Text Analysis). (20 minutes)

2.T guides Ss through some after-text exercises. (20 minutes)

3.T checks on Ss’ home reading (Text B). (3 minutes)

4.Ss do Part IV: Theme-Related Language Learning Tasks by drawing on their out-of-class research

project. (1 period)

5.T asks Ss to prepare the next unit: (2 minutes)

1)do the pre-reading task;

2)preview Text A.

Ⅱ.Text Analysis

When we learn a foreign language, we must also learn the culture of the speakers of that language. Text A in this unit is a good case in point. Readers need some basic knowledge of Christianity. Some terms in this text are markedly Christi an, like “Methodist Minister”, “Bible”, “Quaker”. Others refer to characters or places from Biblical stories, such as Moses who led the Jewish people out of slavery in Egypt, or Bethlehem, a holy city for Christians.

The author tells three stories about the Underground Railroad and the early Black civil rights movement. The three stories are chosen because they are representative of all participants in this movement: John Parker is a freed slave who later turned into a courageous “conductor”; Levi Coffin is a

brave white “conductor”; Josiah Henson is a slave who struggled his way to freedom with the help of the Underground Railroad.

We learn about the name of Josiah Henson at the beginning of the text, yet his full story is not told until the last part. In this way the author achieves coherence of text.

Direct speech is more convincing than indirect speech, especially when it comes to expressing personal beliefs. For example, the text quotes Levi Coffin saying “The Bible, in bidding us to feed the hungry and clothe the naked, said nothing about color.”

On other occasions, direct speech makes a story more vivid. For example, in the John Parker story, characters spoke short sentences to stress the urgency of the situation. For another example, Josiah Henson thre w himself to the ground and shouted to astonished onlookers: “Oh, no! Don’t you know? I’m free!” His joy affects us all.

Ⅲ. Cultural Notes

1. Freedom and rights: Freedom of the individual is considered one of the essential features of western

civilization, which is itself sometimes called the Free World. This freedom is often expressed in terms of rights to do certain things or to be treated in a particular way. When a person does something that others think strange, British and American people will often say, “It’s a free country,” meaning that although they disagree with the choice they recognize the other person’s right t o make it.

Americans sometimes call the US the “land of the free”, a phrase taken from its national anthem. British people have always strongly defended their freedom. Fear that they will lose the freedom to decide their own future is behind many people’s lack of enthusiasm for European unity.

In Britain and the US the most basic rights include freedom of expression ( = freedom to say or write anything), freedom of choice (=freedom to make decisions about your own life) and freedom of worship (=freedom to practice any religion).

2. the civil rights movement: (in the US) the national campaign by African-Americans for equal rights,

especially in the 1950s and 1960s. The campaign included boycotts ( = refusals to buy particular products), the actions of freedom riders, and in 1963 a march to Washington led by Martin Luther King.

It succeeded in causing the introduction of bussing and affirmative action. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the V oting Rights Act of 1965 were also introduced as a result of the civil rights movement, which has helped to change the attitudes of many white Americans.

3. the Civil Rights Act of 1964: the US law that forced the southern states to allow African-Americans

to enter restaurants, hotels, etc. which had been reserved for white people only and to end the practice of having separate areas for black and white people in theatres, train stations, buses, etc. The act was mostly the result of the civil rights movement and was strongly supported by President Lyndon Johnson.

It was followed the next year by the V oting Rights Act.

4. Uncle Tom’s Cabin: a novel (1852) by the US writer Harriet Beecher Stowe which increased support for

the movement to free slaves. It is about a kind slave called Tom who is badly treated and finally killed by Simon Legree. Tom’s daughter Little Eva also dies, and another well-known character in the novel is the slave child Topsy. The name Uncle Tom is sometimes used as an insult to describe an African-American who has too much respect for white people.

5. the Underground Railroad: a secret system used in the US before the Civil War for helping

thousands of slaves to escape to the free northern states or Canada. The slaves were called “passengers”, the people who helped them were “conductors”, and the slaves hid in “stations” (safe houses) along the way.

6. Slavery: Slavery played a particularly important role in the history of the US.

The first slaves were taken to North America from Africa by the Dutch in 1619. By the time of the American Revolution (1775) there were 500 000 slaves, mostly in the South. After the Revolution the northern states made slavery illegal but the South needed cheap labor for the cotton plantations.

Gradually the South’s economy became dependent on slaves and by 1860, the year before the Civil War, there were about 4 million slaves.

Conflict between the North and the South increased, and it became clear that supporters and opponents of slavery could not continue to be part of the same country. In 1861 the slave states left the US and formed their own government. This was the beginning of the Civil War.

After the North won the Civil War and brought the southern states back into the US, slavery was ended.

But little changed for former slaves. Some moved to the North but there were not enough jobs there and many suffered prejudice from Whites. Those that stayed in the South often worked on the plantations where they had been slaves. They were paid for their work, but had to buy food and clothes. Many had to stay there trying to pay off debts which became larger each year.

7. Bill Clinton (1946- ): the 42nd US President, elected in 1992 and 1996. He is a Democrat and was

previously the governor of Arkansas. The US economy improved under Clinton, and the North American Free Trade Agreement has been signed. His successes in helping to achieve world peace include the Camp David Agreement for the Near East and the Dayton Agreement to end the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. His wife Hillary (1947- ) tried without success to improve the US health system.

In 1998 President Clinton admitted that he had had a sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky, a junior member of the White House staff, after denying it earlier. He was impeached for lying under oath and obstructing justice, but the Senate judged him not guilty.

8.Quaker: any member of the Society of Friends, a religious group established in England in the 1650s by

George Fox. They were originally called Quakers because members were thought to “quake” or shake with religious excitement. Quakers worship Christ without any formal ceremony or fixed beliefs, and their meetings often involve silent thought or prayer. They are strongly opposed to violence and war, and are active in education and charity work.

9.Grand Central Terminal: the best-known railway station in the US. It is on East 42nd Street in New Y ork

and was completed in 1913 in the American Beaux Arts style. The main area is very large, and the trains

enter and leave the station on 123 tracks, arranged on two levels. The station is often very crowded: You can’t move in there—it’s like Grand Central Station!

10.Methodist: a member of the Methodist Church, the largest of the Protestant Free Churches in Britain and

the US. It was established in 1739 by John Wesley as part of the Church of England but it became separate from it in 1795. It was introduced into the US in the 18th century and today has over 50 million members around the world. It emphasized the importance of moral issues, both personal and social.

11.the Deep South: the most southern states of the south-east US: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana,

Mississippi, South Carolina and eastern Texas. They are among the states that once had slaves and left the Union during the Civil War. They still have racial problems and the people there are mostly conservative in their politics and religion.

Ⅳ. Language Study

1. slender: (of people) slim; not very wide but comparatively long or high

Examples: Although her face was quite plain, she had long, slender expressive hands, like a concert pianist. King crabs have long, slender legs, with a span over 1 meter (3 feet).

2. settlement: a place where people have come to settle

Examples: Manhattan was the site of the original Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam.

These tools were found in an early Iron Age settlement.

3. confident:feeling or showing trust in oneself or one’s ability (usu. followed by about/of/that clause)

Examples: Michael was confident that he would be enrolled by Harvard University.

The more familiar you are with this machine, the more confident you will be about using it.

The soccer team is quite confident of being able to win this important game.

4. give up: abandon an attempt to do sth.

Examples: He’s given up smoking since his illness.

The rescue team had given up all hope of finding the two divers alive. She was working

part-time but she suddenly gave up.

5. ironically: it seems ironic (that)

Examples: Ironically the widespread use of antibiotics seems to be causing a lot of unexpected health problems.

Ironically it is often the poorer people who give the most.

6. racial: relating to a person’s race, or to different races of people

Examples: Slavery is closely associated with racial prejudice, the belief that one race is superior to another.

Mandela was elected President in South Africa’s first multi-racial elections, held in 1994.

7. stand up (for sb./sth.): speak, work, etc. in favour of sb./sth.; support sb./sth.

Examples: You have to be prepared to stand up for the things you believe in.

Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself.

8. historic: famous or important in history

Examples: In his book, Churchill recalls that historic first meeting with Roosevelt.

More money is needed for the preservation of historic buildings and monuments.

Cf: historical

Examples: Historical people, situations, or things existed in the past and are considered to be a part of history.

Many historical documents were destroyed when the library was bombed.

9. site: place where a building, town, etc. was, is, or will be situated

Examples: The local government h asn’t yet chosen the site for the new skyscraper.

There are many archaeological sites in southern England. This monument marks the site of

the battle.

10. mission: particular task or duty undertaken by an individual or a group

Examples: Some delegates were immediately sent to Israel. Their mission was to negotiate a ceasefire.

The five young people have been on a mission to help the Cambodians.

11. forge: (fig) create by means of much hard work

Examples: The two countries agreed to forge closer economic ties.

She forged a new career for herself as a singer.

12. underground: in or into secrecy or hiding

Examples: His mother took him to Hong Kong where she worked in the underground communist movement.

For about thirty years the African National Congress (ANC) operated as an underground

organization.

13. web:network of fine threads spun by a spider or some other spinning creature; complex series or

network

Examples: The little boy was frightened by the spider’s web in the window.

Many commercial and public organizations now have their own Web site and publish a

“home page”, giving information about the organization.

Every day thousands of web surfers flock to this popular site, posting messages.

14. liberate: set free

Examples: The new Afghan government is trying to liberate its people from poverty with international help.

The troops’ aim is to liberate the country by the end of the year.

15. authorize: give approval or permission for (sth.); give authority to

Examples: The central government authorized $200 billion to construct new dams to generate cheap hydro-electric power.

The President requested that Congress authorize the presence of US troops in the eastern

region.

He was obliged by the arguments of the Minister of Labour to authorize a 23 per cent

general wage increase.

16. exploit: brave or adventurous deed or action

Examples: The general’s wartime exploits were later made into a film and a television series.

My grandfather entertained us with stories of wartime exploits.

17. be intent on doing sth.: be eager and determined to do sth.

Examples: Working day and night, Janet seems intent on breaking the record in the Guinness Book of Records.

18. peer: look closely or carefully, esp. as if unable to see well (followed by at/through/into, etc.)

Examples: Stephen had been peering at a computer printout that made no sense at all.

Hawking was a typical grind, underweight and awkward and peering through eyeglasses. 19. decade: period of ten years

Examples: Many countries were involved in Antarctic exploration during the first decades of the 20th century.

Education budgets have been increased over the last decade in China.

20. on the side: as an additional job or source of income; secretly

Examples: Some teachers have to find ways of making some money on the side.

In order to earn enough money to send his children to school, he makes a little money

on the side by cleaning windows in his spare time.

21. capture: capturing or being captured

Examples: Rebel forces captured the city after a week-long battle.

Some of the terrorists who were involved in the 9.11 event were captured by the FBI. 22. close in (on / around): come near to, esp. in order to attack from several directions; surround

Examples: At one time Peter took part in the capture of three thieves.

The International Whaling Commission permits the capture of only 400 whales annually

for scientific purposes.

vt. Examples: Hitler committed suicide as Soviet forces were closing in on Berlin.

Right after the suicide explosion, Israeli troops began to close in on the Palestinian city. 23. painful: causing pain; hurting

Examples: Symptoms of pneumonia include painful cough, fever, difficulty in breathing, rapid breathing and chest pain.

The old photograph brought back painful memories of his childhood.

24. religious: of religion

Examples: Daoism (Taoism) is one of the three main Chinese religious and philosophical traditions, the others being Confucianism and Buddhism.

The local government wants to increase the amount of religious education in schools.

25. conviction: firm opinion or belief

Examples: The old woman had a firm conviction that there would be a better life after death.

It is her personal conviction that all corruption should be exposed and dealt with according

to relevant laws.

26. terminal: (building at the) end of a railway line, bus route, etc.; a piece of equipment, usu. consisting

of a keyboard and a screen, that connects the user with a computer system

Examples: Most large airports have shops, restaurants, and banks in the terminal building, plus special lounges for departing passengers. All staff have terminals attached to the company’s main computer.

27. impose: 1) place a (penalty, tax, etc.) officially on sb./ sth.

Examples: The government has made a decision to impose a further tax on wines and spirits.

The local government tried to impose fines on the factories which poured untreated waste

into the river.

2) try to make sb. accept (an opinion or a belief)

Examples: I wouldn’t want to impose my religious convictions on anyone.

It may not be wise for parents to impose their own tastes on their children.

28.as for: with regard to

Examples: As for your request for a free sample, we will send it to you in about ten days.

Some people ha ve complained, but as for me I’m perfectly satisfied with the work ing

conditions here.

29. transport: take sth. / sb. from one place to another in a vehicle

Examples: Reducing the costs of transporting natural resources to production sites is one of the key factors in economic competition.

Pipelines are used mainly to transport liquids or gases over long distances.

30. disguise: give sb./sth. a false appearance (used in the pattern disguise sb/sth. as)

Examples: She disguised herself as a man so she could fight on the battlefield.

Jack escaped across the border disguised as a Catholic priest.

31. abolish: end the existence of (a law, custom, system, etc.)

Examples: Slavery was not finally abolished in the British Empire until 1833.

Their mission is to abolish the global fur industry permanently by utilizing appropriate legal

and non-violent methods.

32. make the best of: accept an unsatisfactory situation cheerfully and try to manage as well as you can

Examples: I know it’s cold and raining but we’re here now, so let’s just make the best of it.

The living conditions in the village were very poor, but we had to make the best of it.

33. compel: make (sb.) do sth.; force

Examples: In the past children were frequently compelled to work from an early age.

A large debt burden compelled many developing countries to undertake stabilization and

adjustment policies.

34. at risk: threatened by the possibility of loss, failure, etc.; in danger

Examples: It is reported that some areas in the west are at high risk of desertification.

The buildings in the slum tend to be overcrowded, inadequately served by water and at risk

from fire.

35. starve: (cause a person or an animal to) suffer severely or die from hunger

Examples: Some people starved to death during the long drought.

Children in the developed countries are living a happy life, while many African children

are starving.

36. in the eyes of: in the opinion of

Examples: In the eyes of his students, Richard is a sensible and reliable teacher.

In the eyes of my parent, I am still a young person although I am already in my thirties.

37. pass for: appear like; be accepted or looked upon as (same as pass as)

Examples: He speaks American English well enough to pass for an American.

My younger sister really wants to go and see the film, but I don’t think she’d pass for 18.