English Culture

LEARNING OUTCOMES (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES TO BE DEVELOPED
BY STUDENTS)

Objectives:
▪ To discuss the concepts of "culture", "identity", "national culture", and “national identity”
in the British context;
▪ To examine the sociocultural landscape of post-imperial United Kingdom;
▪ To discuss British culture in articulation with its respective historical, social, and political
contexts;
▪ To promote the debate on literary, filmic, and artistic representations of the United
Kingdom.
Competences:
▪ Understanding of the concepts of "culture", "identity" and "representation" in the British
context;
▪ Ability to discuss fundamental concepts to the study of British culture, namely “class”,
“race/ethnicity”, “immigration”, “multiculturalism”;
▪ Ability to research and critically discuss issues and topics related to study of British culture;
▪ Ability to produce informed opinions and coherent texts on the topics under discussion.

CONTEÚDOS PROGRAMÁTICOS
SYLLABUS
The subject will consist on a critical appreciation of contemporary British culture from a
multidisciplinary perspective on cultural tenets informing British thought. The syllabus will revolve
around the examination of the following concepts:
▪ Discuss the concepts of "culture" and "identity" in the framework of a plural England and
its relation to other members of the United Kingdom;
▪ Reflect upon cultural phenomena which have shaped contemporary Britain: immigration,
globalisation, diversity, multiculturalism:
▪ Discuss contemporary Anglo-Saxon cultural representations (cinema, music, literature);
▪ Reflect upon the current geopolitical position of the United Kingdom and its relation to
national identity: the post-Brexit UK.