Bachelor
2022/2023
History and Culture of Great Britain
Type:
Elective course (Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication)
Area of studies:
Linguistics
Delivered by:
School of Foreign Languages
Where:
School of Foreign Languages
When:
1 year, 1, 2 module
Mode of studies:
offline
Open to:
students of all HSE University campuses
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Contact hours:
52
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The course targets 1st-year undergraduate students majoring in foreign languages and intercultural communication, to whose needs it is specifically tailored. It encourages students to develop lifelong knowledge and skills, including but not limited to a balanced understanding of the heritage and history of countries which constitute the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (that is, England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), their cultural settings, geography, society, political system, and everyday life. The course combines various activities, including discussions, presentations, quizzes, etc. It also includes research projects conducted in small groups on a wide range of topics. To fulfil the requirements of the course students need to have a good command of written and spoken English (required CEFR language proficiency level is B2).
Learning Objectives
- ● to enhance cultural awareness and competence
- ● to study the bulk of the heritage and history of English-speaking countries (England, Wales, Scotland, Province of Northern Ireland), their geography, political and social systems, cultural settings, and everyday life;
- ● to engage with, reflect upon, and respond to a range of key historical issues (significant events, data of the given period, power and influence of specific political leaders, etc.) as well as to discuss their importance to the modern-day state;
- ● to develop lifelong knowledge and skills which will enable students to apply their knowledge in professional, scientific, and interpersonal communication in the multi-cultural world of today
Expected Learning Outcomes
- To be aware of the key terms and culture-specific language units.
- To know the major concepts of British history, political and economic spheres (to be able to describe and analyse the political development of the UK, its system of government, and the party system; to be aware of the current political situation in the country and modern-day political issues).
- To know the major concepts of British history and social life (to to be aware of the major stages of development of the English language; to to explain the reasons for the dominant position of English; to to identify the main features of the British system of education)
- To be able to search and analyse statistical data, academic, reference, and historical literature on cultural, political and social life of the UK
- To be able to critically evaluate information and produce clear, informed, independent opinions and judgements on English media texts
Course Contents
- PART 1. Languages and the language of the UK. Education in the UK.
- PART 2. Country and people: from past to present.
- PART 3. British politics, economy and international relations.
- PART 4. The arts.
Assessment Elements
- Attendance and participation in lectures and seminarsLecture attendance is compulsory for everyone taking the course. As a measure of engagement with the course, it is very important for learning. Students should be aware of the fact that every issues covered during the lecture may be assessed through quizzes. Active participation in group discussions and in-class assignments is required at every seminar and will be evaluated according to the criteria (see below). Students are to prepare for every class and to be active in class discussions.
- Creative activitiesCreative activities include making presentations and current news reports throughout the course as a way for students to demonstrate understanding and mastery in their own unique way. Each student must take part in such activities at least once in two modules. If a student has taken up a report but has to miss the class, they must find a replacement (another student who will agree to do the report in their place). Otherwise, the student will get a zero regardless of any excuses. The grade for creative activities is the average grade of all the reports and presentations made by the student during the course.
- QuizzesDuring seminars, ongoing quizzes will evaluate students’ understanding of required topics, content of required reading and/or lectures. It is up to the instructor to decide whether to give a quiz or not; students may not be warned about it in advance. The grade depends on the percentage points a student gets for the quiz (see below). Quizzes are compulsory and final and cannot be retaken. If the absence is excused, the grade for the quiz is not taken into the account. The grade for quizzes is the average grade of all the quizzes and tests taken by the student during the course.
- Self-study activitiesThe self-study activities grade includes: • MOOC (0.2 point) • film report (0.1 point) • written assignment (0.1 point) As part of the British Studies syllabus, students can take a free online course on a topic related to the history and culture of the UK, intercultural studies or the English language. The list of recommended MOOCs is given at the beginning of the term. Students can get points by watching films on British history (biopics, costume drama, etc) and submitting a brief report (about 100-150 words) on the major historical event(s) or figure(s) featured in the film. The list of recommended films is given at the beginning of the term. Students can get points by submitting a paper. The list of questions for the assignments is given at the beginning of the term. The student must explore the question in depth using the supplementary materials (articles, videos, etc. posted on Smart LMS) and provide a written answer (about 100-150 words) summarizing the key points.
- The final projectThe final project includes two parts: submitting a research paper (50%) making a presentation (50%) As part of their assessment students are to do projects on British economy, politics, culture and arts. They choose a part of the UK and an area that they would like to focus on: elections, industries, art, music, architecture, fashion, festivals, museums, etc. A project is an in-depth study of an issue in the chosen area. The project includes a research paper and an oral presentation. In reporting on the project, students should show that they can: identify a significant issue relevant to British studies; collect relevant up-to-date information about the issue; analyse, interpret and discuss the information; draw conclusions; and write and present a paper in accordance with academic standards at the undergraduate level. Students must prepare and present their project together as a team. Group projects can contribute to student learning, retention and overall academic success. Properly structured, group projects can reinforce skills that are relevant to both group and individual work, including the ability to: break complex tasks into parts and steps; plan and manage time; refine understanding through discussion and explanation; develop stronger communication skills. Group projects can also help students develop skills specific to collaborative efforts, allowing students to: tackle more complex problems; delegate roles and responsibilities; pool knowledge and skills; establish a shared identity with other group members.
Interim Assessment
- 2022/2023 2nd module0.2 * Quizzes + 0.2 * Attendance and participation in lectures and seminars + 0.2 * Creative activities + 0.2 * Self-study activities + 0.2 * The final project
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Middleton, R. (2010). The Oxford Handbook of British Politics. By Matthew Flinders, Andrew Gamble, Colin Hay, and Michael Kenny. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.93428C94
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Oakland, J. (2003). British Civilization : A Student’s Dictionary (Vol. Second edition). London: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=658663