Cultural overview of English language area 3300-RAOJ-MSF-1-ZIP
The course comprises two sections, one covering the English-speaking countries of America (USA, Canada) and the other covering the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland) with elements of the Commonwealth (especially Australia, New Zealand, Ireland). The topics listed below are repeated in two cycles, relating to the "British" and "American" sections.
- administrative division
- political systems (division of power, elections, political system, political parties)
- institutions of state
- international relations (e.g. striving for independence vs. the desire to remain in close relations with England in the case of Canada/Australia/New Zealand, the Commonwealth)
- high and popular culture
- national myths and symbols, most important historical events, national identities
- traditions, customs, religions, ethnic minorities
Type of course
Mode
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
K_W09 The student has the knowledge and understanding of the multifaceted relations of English literature to historic and cultural processes.
K_W10 The student has the advanced knowledge and understanding of selected events of history of English-speaking countries, and important aspects and features of their culture(s).
K_U14 The student can access and gather information independently, and can develop skills with the help of adequate sources.
K_K04 The student is ready to show respect and care for preserving English cultural heritage.
Assessment criteria
Interactive lecture (with discussion elements, quizzes, questions)
test 80% plus active participation in classes 20%
There are 2 unexcused absences allowed during the course.
Bibliography
Literature
For the British part
Fox, Kate. Watching the English. Hodder & Stoughton, 2004
O’Driscoll, James. Britain. Oxford University Press, 2020
Marr, Andrew. A History of Modern Britain. Macmillan, 2009
documents and source texts available online
For the American part
Diniejko, Andrzej. An Introduction to the United States of America. Kraków: Wydawnictwo EGIS, 2005
Luedtke, Luther, S. (ed.). Making America. The Society and Culture of the United States. The University of North Carolina Press, 1992. /selected essays/
Magleby, David B., Light, Paul C. Government by the people. National edition. Pearson, 23rd edition, 2009
USIA: An Outline of American Geography
USIA: An Outline of American Government
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: