Cross-cultural understanding and successful communication are the objectives of this study, whose approach focuses upon descriptive knowledge of the foreign culture and society. In this part (written in English), the report focuses on some main culture patterns and social institutions of the United States, under the headings of (1) value system, (2) assumptions in American culture, (3) family, (4) religious institutions, (5) economic institutions, (6) political system, (7) education, (8) intellectual-esthetic institutions, (9) recreational institutions, (10) media system, and (11) social stratification. Thus, the person with knowledge of American life can visualize his counterparts in another sociocultural system (that of France and the French-speaking world). Topical and general bibliographies are included. For a related part of this report see FL 001 494. (WB)