British Life and Culture

Course Content:

The aims of this module are as follows:
i. To provide the opportunity for students to develop an understanding and
appreciation of key aspects of contemporary British culture and society, within
an historical context.
ii. To introduce students to key cultural and historical sites in England and to
encourage students to visit additional sites independently and to view such
places in an informed and critical way.
iii. To encourage students to make informed, critical comparisons between what
they observe and learn of British society and culture and their own home
societies and cultures.
iv. To provide the inspiration and methodologies to pursue an understanding of
other cultures, languages and ideas.

Topics covered include:
? British National Identity
? The rise and fall of the Monarchy
? British Parliamentary Democracy
? Class and the Education System
? The English Theatre
? The British Press
? Popular Music & Sport
? Multiculturalism
? Britain in the World
? British Cinema

Teaching:
? 10 weekly 2-hour interactive lectures/workshops/screenings, sometimes
integrated with field activities. Runs on Wednesday afternoons.
? 5 group fieldtrips.

Assessment:
? 2 fieldtrip papers (1000 words) (30%)
? Research essay (2000 words) (40%)
? End of module in-class test ? multiple choice/essay (30%)