The Culture and History of Great Britain Course 4101-1ZKHWB
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
After completion of the course students acquire basic knowledge of history and culture of the British Isles with particular reference to England and extend their intercultural competence, which they will be able to use in their teaching practice. In addition, they will improve their language skills, especially listening and reading comprehension.
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
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: