IDENTIFYING DATA

2020_21

Subject (*)

INTRODUCTION TO THE CULTURE OF THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING COUNTRIES

Code

12274123

Study programme

Bachelor's Degree in English Studies (2009)

Cycle

1st

Descriptors

Credits

Type

Year

Period

Compulsory

Third

Language

Anglès

Department

English and German Studies

Coordinator

BARAN , KATARZYNA AGNIESZKA

E-mail

katarzyna.baran@urv.cat

Lecturers

BARAN , KATARZYNA AGNIESZKA

Web

General description and relevant information

This subject offers a multifaceted approach to the history, geography and culture of English-speaking countries. The main objective is to provide students with key concepts to understand the history, economy, political life, society and culture of Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It will be divided into 3 Modules: 1. Ireland and UK, 2. Canada and USA, 3. New Zealand and Australia * Given the current health emergency, during the 2020-21 academic year, the Faculty’s courses will exceptionally and temporarily be taught in either a face-to-face, a blended or an online format depending on the regulations issued by the health authorities and any other competent bodies and if the spatial requirements allow it. * This subject combines face-to-face and blended learning in a percentage that has yet to be confirmed. When the academic year starts, the calendar with all of the planned teaching activities (with timetables and classrooms) will be available from the Moodle online campus for each subject.

Competences

Type A	Code	Competences Specific
	A5	Dominar la llengua anglesa des d’un punt de vista teòric i pràctic i expressar-s’hi oralment i per escrit de manera fluida i precisa.
	A6	Analitzar les obres més rellevants de la literatura en llengua anglesa en els seus diversos entorns culturals.
Type B	Code	Competences Transversal
	CT7	Apply ethical principles and social responsibility as a citizen and a professional.
Type C	Code	Competences Nuclear

Learning outcomes

Type A	Code	Learning outcomes
	A5	Desenvolupa la capacitat d’expressió oral i/o escrita per a satisfer les necessitats que vagin més enllà de l’ús purament instrumental de la llengua anglesa a un nivell avançat.
	A6	Adquireix una visió general dels factors socio-culturals més importants de les cultures dels països de parla anglesa.
Type B	Code	Learning outcomes
	CT7	Be aware of the inequalities and the discrimination caused by gender and understand the reasons that account for it. Recognise and reflect on social needs and problems, and get involved in improving the community.
Type C	Code	Learning outcomes

Contents

Topic	Sub-topic
1. INTRODUCTION	Defining culture.
2. The United Kingdom	Geographical vs Political terms describing the country. Main differences between 4 constituent countries. The political system of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland The British Empire Scotland: Brexit and Scottish Independence Movement Multiculturalism and Nationality as forms of cultural identity
3. Ireland	Historical legacy and colonial disruptions. Ireland in the twentieth century: from the 'Troubles' to Brexit
4. USA	Introduction to political system in the US History of immigration in the US: from 13 colonies to Japanese American internment / incarceration camps * Slavery and its legacy: from Transatlantic Slave Trade to Malcolm X and Martin Luther King * Ethnicity and Race as forms of cultural identity * Stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination
5. Canada	* Introduction to Canada: political system, history and culture * the question of Quebec * Indigenous Peoples in Canada
6. Australia	* Introduction to Australia: political system, history and culture * National flags * Indigenous People of Australia * Reconciliation in Australia: from Stolen Generations to the Australian Declaration Towards Reconciliation
7. New Zealand	* Introduction to New Zealand: political system, history and culture * National flags * Indigenous People of New Zealand: from Abel Tasman, through the Treaty of Waitangi to Maori Renaissance * Immigration, multiculturalism and diversity in New Zealand

Planning

Methodologies :: Tests

Competences

(*) Class hours

Hours outside the classroom

(**) Total hours

Introductory activities

Lecture

Personal attention

Oral tests

Mixed tests

CT7

(*) On e-learning, hours of virtual attendance of the teacher.
(**) The information in the planning table is for guidance only and does not take into account the heterogeneity of the students.

Methodologies

Methodologies

	Description
Introductory activities	Warm-up session to elicit previous knowledge of the subject and specific expectations
Lecture	All classes in this course are a combination of theoretical information provided by the lectures, and practical discussion of the main topics. Students are expected to participate actively in the discussions elicited by analysing articles, essays, films, documentaries related to the topics studied in class.
Personal attention	Students will be encouraged to contact the teacher through e-mail, whenever they have doubts concerning the course topics or explanations in class. Alternatively, students may meet the teachers personally by making an appointment within the visiting hours. General information will be given in class or through Moodle.

Personalized attention

Description

The two teachers in charge of this subject will made public their respective visiting hours at the beginning of the term. Students will be encouraged to use personal appointments not only in case they have academic questions, but most especially if they want to discuss specific topics dealt with in class.

COVID 19: This teaching guide is provisional only. If any health emergency arises or if there is a new lockdown, it will be adapted in order to comply with the directives issued by the competent bodie. Any modification to the personalised attention and the adjustments that need to be made will be announced via the news forum on the Moodle online campus.

Assessment

Methodologies

Competences

Description

Weight

Oral tests

THE ORAL PRESENTATION consists of working in groups and preparing a topic to teach to the class. Instructions for the Oral Presentation will be uploaded to Moodle.
This is an essential part of the Continuous Assessment.

25 %

Mixed tests

CT7

3 written tests: one per each of the 3 Modules

75 %

Others

Class attendance and participation

Other comments and second exam session

In order to pass the subject, you need to take all the tests as well as prepare and present the project. Failure to do so will result in you failing the whole subject and having to take the resit exam.
If you pass all the course (with a minimum overall grade of 5) and attend classes regularly, you will not have to take the resit exam (segona convocatòria).

Please note, however, that if your grade is lower than 3,5 on any of the parts of the subject, you will have to take the resit exam.

COVID 19. This teaching guide is provisional only. If any health emergency arises it will be adapted in order to comply with the directives issued by the competent bodies. Any modification will be announced via the news forum on the Moodle online campus.

Sources of information

Basic	Oakland, John, British Civilization: An Introduction, 7th, 2011 Mauk, David & Oakland, John, American Civilization: An Introduction, 5th, 2009 Ashcroft, Bill, Key Concepts in Postcolonial Studies, 1st, -- Ricahrd Killeen, A Brief History of Ireland. Running Press, , 2010 , http://www.livinginireland.ie/en/culture_society/a_brief_history_of_ireland/, ,

Complementary

Recommendations

Subjects that continue the syllabus

LITERATURE AND SOCIETY/12274009

COMMUNICATION SKILLS: READING AND WRITING II/12274110

COMMUNICATION SKILLS: SPEAKING AND LISTENING II/12274108

COMMUNICATION SKILLS: SPEAKING AND LISTENING I/12274107

COMMUNICATION SKILLS: READING AND WRITING I/12274109

ENGLISH LANGUAGE II/12274106

ENGLISH LANGUAGE I/12274105

ANALYSIS OF ENGLISH TEXTS II/12274120


Other comments
Students are strongly advised to contact their teachers at the beginning of the term if they anticipate they will have problems of attendance. Class attendance and active participation is an essential course requirement for students who want to be assessd on Continuous Assessment.

(*)The teaching guide is the document in which the URV publishes the information about all its courses. It is a public document and cannot be modified. Only in exceptional cases can it be revised by the competent agent or duly revised so that it is in line with current legislation.