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2010/1 Module Catalogue
 Module Code: ELA1003 Module Title: CONTEMPORARY BRITISH SOCIETY
Module Provider: Language & Translation Studies Short Name: ELA1003
Level: HE1 Module Co-ordinator: MICHELOTTI S Mrs (Lang & Trans)
Number of credits: 10 Number of ECTS credits: 5
 
Module Availability
Semester 1
Assessment Pattern

Unit(s) of Assessment
Weighting towards Module Mark (%)
On-line discussion and reflective blog
35
Group presentation on a selected topic
30
Individual essay on the presentation topic (1000 words)
35
Qualifying Condition(s) 
A weighted aggregate of 40% is required to pass the module.

Module Overview

This course is designed to make students aware of the multiplicity of the influences on British culture and where they derive from. The approach is enquiry-based, as students come to terms with their own first impressions of British culture, which are then balanced by background research and group-work discussion to arrive at an objective analysis. The emphasis will be on exploring the complexity of British identity, culture and society and will go beyond stereotypes.

Prerequisites/Co-requisites
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent
Module Aims

This Module provides an opportunity for students to gain a basic understanding of some key areas of British Culture and Society, moving away from stereotypes towards a broader appreciation of the complexity of people, institutions and the other cultural influences that together make up the State in the British Isles as currently constituted.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the Module students will be able to:
  • Show an awareness  of the complexity of national identity/identities and how they relate to the British context
  • Analyse a variety of both basic and more complex texts and media around the British experience
  • Write reflectively about their own experiences in coming to terms (or not) with some of these issues
Module Content
Such issues as the following will be introduced, before the group decides how best to discover more about them in both individual and group-work research approaches:
 
  • The Press
  • Class
  • Language(s)
  • Culture (‘highbrow’ and popular)
  • Sport and Leisure
  • The Media (Television, film)
  • End of Empire
  • Science and the Arts
  • Multiculturalism
  • Nationhood
  • History
  • Europe
  • Parliament and the Law
  • Holidays, Festivals and Special Occasions.
Methods of Teaching/Learning

Each session will consist of input on the weekly theme, supported by group activities, such as discussions, presentations and reading activities. All students will be expected to participate in at least one group presentation for discussion and to contribute to both the on-line and in-class discussion groups.
Selected Texts/Journals
Essential reading:
 
Christopher, D (2006)                                          British Culture: An Introduction, 2nd Edition, Oxford, Routledge
Oakland, John (2006)                                           British Civilization, 6th Edition, Abingdon, Routledge
O’Driscoll, James (2009)                                      Britain for Learners of English, 2nd Edition, Oxford, OUP
Storry, M & Childs, P (2007)                              British Cultural Identities, 3rd Edition, London, Routledge
 
 
Recommended reading:
 
Marr, A (1996)                                                      Ruling Britannia, London, Penguin
Norridge, J (2009)                                                 Can we have our balls back, please? London, Penguin Group
 
Background Reading:
 
Baker, H, Diawara, M et al (1996)       Black British Cultural Studies, Chicago UP
Bassnet, S. (2003)                                 Studying British Cultures. London, Routledge
Bryson, B (1995)                                   Notes from a Small Island, Black Swan
Caunce, S et al (2004)                                          Relocating Britishness, Manchester, Manchester UP
Dodd, P (1995)                                                      The Battle over Britain, London, Demos
Home Office (2007)                                              Life in the United Kingdom, London, TSO
Kavanagh, D (2000)                                            British Politics: Continuities and Change, Oxford, OUP
Merck, M (1998)                                   After Diana, London, Verso
Morley, D & Robins, K       (2001)                    British Cultural Studies, Oxford, OUP
Sampson, A (2004)                                               Who runs this place? London, Murray
Ward, S (2001)                                                      British Culture and the End of Empire, Manchester, Manchester UP
 
Selected websites:
 

http://www.parliament.uk/
Last Updated

24.5.10