《编英语教程》教案册Custom.doc

A New English Course (5): Lecture NotesUnit 12: The Science of Custom Unit TwelveText I: The Science of CustomI. Learning objectives1. Learn to use definition in exposition (e.g. anthropology, custom, culture etc).2. Know something about anthropology, especially cultural determinism and cultural relativism in anthropological studies.II. Warm-up questions1. In Para. 1 the author starts exposition by mentioning some false ideas that people have about “custom”. What do people usually think about “custom”?2. What is the transitional expression to introduce the authors own concept on “custom”?3. What expository means that the author uses to explain what he thinks the meaning of “custom”?4. After a definition of “custom”, the author adds, “Yet that is a rather trivial aspect of the matter.” What does “that” refer” to?5. How would you comment on the function of the last sentence of the final paragraph? Examine the statement and decide how many aspects that we expect the author would elaborate?6. What is the difference between customs and language?7. Sum up the main ides of this paragraph. How is this paragraph related to the thesis statement?8. The author quotes John Dewey, a famous educator and philosopher, to explain the predominant influences customs exert on a person. Find the analogy and explain it. Does the general language pattern affect personal speech habits or the other way round?9. Sum up the role of customs discussed in Para. 2.10. How does the author explain the individual behavior it shaped by customs?11. The author says in the topic sentence that we have to accept certain “preliminary propositions”. What are “preliminary propositions” in authors mind?12. What criticism is implored in Para. 3?13. What is the normal method when we make research in natural science? In what way does natural science differ from social science? How has the study of man different from the study of less controversial subjects?14. How would you define “anthropology”?15. What criterion must be the anthropologist accepts before he can undertake the study of man objectively? How to make a study on custom?III. Relevant information1. Author: Ruth Benedict (1887-1948)2. A discussion of the notion of culture3. Culture relativismIV. Organization of the textSection 1 (Para. 1-2): Introducing anthropologyPara. 1:Definition of anthropology: Anthropology is the study of human beings as creatures of society. Para. 2: The distinguishing mark of anthropology among the social sciences is that is includes for serious study other societies than our own Section 2 (Para. 3-5): Importance of studying custom and the proper approach to its study Para.3: Custom plays a predominant role in our experience and our belief, and it manifests itself in a great variety of ways.Para. 4: The role of custom in shaping the behavior of the individual: No man ever looks at the world with pristine eyes. Para. 5: Preliminary propositions to be accepted before the study of custom can be profitable: any scientific study requires that there be no preferential weighting of one or another of the items in the series it selects for its consideration.Section 3 (para. 6): Emphasis on the need to avoid biased approach in culture studies.V. Language points1. unique: adj. being the only one of its kind; without an equal or equivalent; unparalleled; unusual; extraordinary;e.g. the unique existing example of Donnes handwriting That building is unique because all the others like it were destroyed. 2. aberrant: adj. deviating from the proper or expected course; changed from what is normal or expected; unusual; e.g. a rocket on an aberrant course aberrant behavior under the influence of drugs;aberration: n. u (lit) a deviation from the proper or expected course;(fig) stray away from the right path; from what is normal; e.g. stealing chocolate in a moment of aberration3. gamut: n. 1) a complete range or extent;2) (music) the entire series of recognized notes; e.g. a face that expressed a gamut of emotions, from rage to peaceful contentmentthe compete gamut of the spectrum4. pristine: adj. 1) remaining in a pure state; uncorrupted by civilization; primitive; of early times; 2) remaining free from dirt or decay; cleane.g. Who would go back to the pristine simplicity of Anglo-Saxon days?pristine mountain snow5. pure: adj. free of dirt, defilement, or pollution clean; containing nothing inappropriate or extraneous;e.g. When the snow began to melt, it lost its pure whiteness.6. edit: v. to modify or adapt so as to make suitable or acceptable; to alter to bring about conformity;7. institutions: n. 1) a custom, practice, relationship, or behavioral pattern of importance in the life of a community or society; long-established laws, customs or practice; e.g. Giving presents on Christmas is an institution.2) u the act of instituting or being instituted;e.g. the institution of customs3) an established organization or foundation, especially one dedicated to education, public service, or culture the building or buildings housing such an organization buildings or organization; e.g. academic institution8. probe: 1) n. the act of exploring or searching; an investigation into unfamiliar matters or questionable activities; a penetrating inquiry; e.g. a congressional probe into price fixing2) v. to conduct an exploratory investigation; search; to delve into; (journalistic use) investigate or examine thoroughly (somebodys thought, the cause of something)e.g. probe a matter to the bottom9. as: 1) followed by a predicative; e.g. as in contrast with2) introducing adverbial clauses of manner, i.e. “in the way in which”; e.g. Do it as I do it. Leave it as it is.10. vernacular: 1) n. language or dialect of a country or district; e.g. the vernaculars of the U.S.A2) adj. (of a word or language) of the country in questione.g. a vernacular poet11. no more than: only; exactly; just; e.g. It is no more than a beginning.12. thousandth: adj., n. 1) the ordinal number matching the number 1,000 in a series; 2) one of 1,000 equal partsthousandfold adj., adv. a thousand times;13. over against: 1) opposite to; in contrast with; 2) be compared to; e.g. the quality of this product over against that one14. accommodate: v. 1) to provide for; supply with;. 2) to adapt; to make suitable; to get into agreement;e.g. accommodate (sb.)for the nightWe must accommodate ourselves to circumstances. I will accommodate my plans to yours.15. incumbent: adj. 1) imposed as an obligation or a duty; obligatory; e.g. It is incumbent upon you to warn the boy of the danger of excessive smoking.2) currently holding a specified office esp. the stated office; e.g. the incumbent president16. cactus: n. (pl. cactuses, cacti) a kind of plant; any of various succulent, spiny, usually leafless plants native mostly to arid regions of the New World, having variously colored, often showy flowers with numerous stamens and petals;17. nebula: n. (astronomy) a group of very distant stars;18. termite: n. (also called: white ant) an insect; any of numerous pale-colored, usually soft-bodied social insects of the order Isoptera that live mostly in warm regions and many species of which feed on wood, often destroying trees and wooden structures;19. pagan: n., adj. one wh