The Culture and history of Great Britain Course 4101-1SKHWBO
The course will cover aspects of British history and culture in a thematic rather than a purely chronological way. Starting with consideration of the four constituent parts of the United Kingdom and how they came together, the course will go on to discuss topics including prehistoric, Celtic, Roman, Anglo-Saxon Britain, and the beginning of modern Britain; the evolution of the English language; major developments in the arts and architecture.
This course has been structured in such a way that the student may gain not only an overview of British history and culture, but also some experience in the use of primary and secondary sources. Primary and secondary source readings are intended to provide a deeper understanding of certain important developments in British history and culture, as well as an ability of cultural interpretation.
The aim of this course is to give a broad understanding of the way in which contemporary Britain has been shaped and influenced by its history and culture. Having completed the course, students should have some insight into the development of British society and will have gained a good knowledge of selected areas of British life, history and culture.
Course Content and Schedule
1.Geography and Topography of the British Isles.
2.Prehistoric and Ancient Britain: Paleolithic, Neolithic, Celtic and Roman Britain.
3.Medieval Britain: Anglo-Saxon and Anglo-Norman England.
4.Consolidation of Medieval England. Chivalry. Feudalism.
5.Celtic and Anglo-Saxon Mythology. Arthurian Legends. Christianity.
6.Medieval Culture.
7.The Early Development of the English Language.
8.Tudor England.
9.The Reformation.
10.Elizabethan and Jacobean Culture.
11.Stuart England.
12.The English Civil War.
13.The Restoration.
14.The Glorious Revolution.
15.The Constitutional Monarchy.
16.Overseas expansion.
17.Transformation of Britain in the 18th Century. Society, Culture and Politics.
18.The Scientific Revolution.
19.Napoleonic Wars.
20.Growth of the Empire.
21.The Industrial Revolution. Growth of Industrial Cities and Working-class Life.
22.Victorian Culture.
23.The Edwardian Period.
24.World War I and Interwar Britain.
25.World War II and Postwar Economic, Social and Cultural Transformations.
26.Angry Young Men Movement in Literature and Cinema.
27.Decolonisation and Devolution.
28.Contemporary Britain: Government.
29.Contemporary Britain: Education System.
30.Contemporary Britain: Popular and High Culture
31.Ireland: History, Culture. Customs. Government.
32.Scotland: History, Culture. Customs.
33.Wales: History, Culture. Customs.
34.Debate.
35.Written Examination (90 minutes).
Type of course
Learning outcomes
KNOWLEDGE
K_W01 the student has a basic knowledge of British culture and history, which has practical application in English language teaching at school education H1P_W01
K_W02 the student has a comprehensive area of knowledge, covering selected areas of British culture and history, which has practical application in English language teaching. H1P_W02
K_W03 the student has an understanding of basic academic terms pertaining to British culture appropriate for teaching foreign languages H1P_W03
SKILLS
K_U01 the student can search, analyze, evaluate, select and use information using various sources and methods H1P_U01
K_U02 the student knows how to acquire knowledge and develop professional skills related to foreign language teaching H1P_U02 K_U09 the student has the ability to substantiate arguments using the views of other authors and to formulate H1P_U10 applications.
K_U12 the student has the ability to prepare oral presentations, in English, on specific topics, using basic theoretical approaches as well as various sources of H1P_U13.
SOCIAL COMPETENCE
K_K01 the is aware of the level of their knowledge and skills, understands the need for continuous professional development and personal development, self-assesses their skills and improves their skills, sets their own directions for development and education H1A_K01 H1A_K04 S1A_K02
K_K05 the student is aware of the responsibility for preserving the cultural heritage of the region, country, Europe, multilingualism and multiculturality in relation to British society H1P_K05
K_K10 the student recognizes and formulates the moral and ethical issues, related to their own and others' work, and is constantly searching for the best solutions and acts in accordance with the principles of ethics H1A_K04 S1A_K04
Assessment criteria
The evaluation includes knowledge, ability to associate facts, events and ideas in the history and culture of the British Isles, independent thinking and ability to transfer acquired knowledge and skills in this field in the English language, in the oral and written form.
Bibliography
The main textbook:
McDowall, David. An Illustrated History of Britain. Harlow: Longman, 1991, or subsequent editions.
Other recommended textbooks:
Diniejko, A., English-Speaking Countries: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Republic of Ireland. Warsaw: WSiP, 1999;
Ford, B. ed., 1992, The Cambridge Cultural History of Britain' Cambridge: CUP, 1992;
Morgan, K. ed., The Oxford Illustrated History of Britain. Oxford: OUP, 1992.
Room, A. An A-Z of British Life. Dictionary of Britain. Oxford: OUP, 1996.
Additional information
Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:
- Teaching Foreign Languages, English, French (2nd subject), full time studies, first cycle programme
- Teaching foreign languages: English, 2nd subj. teaching 'history and social studies'
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: