IDENTIFYING DATA

2023_24

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

<p> 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 </p><p>Students are strongly advised to contact their teacher at the beginning of the term if they anticipate they will have problems of attendance.</p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>

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	Students are aware of the inequalities and the discrimination caused by gender and other factors, and understand the reasons that account for them. 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, Martin Luther King and BLM * 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

Students will be encouraged to contact the teacher whenever they have doubts concerning the course topics. Alternatively, students may meet the teacher personally by making an appointment within visiting hours. General information will be given in class or through Moodle. The teacher will make her visiting hours public at the beginning of the term.

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.

25 %

Mixed tests

CT7

3 exams: one per each of the 3 Modules

75 %

Others


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).

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 teacher at the beginning of the term if they anticipate they will have problems of attendance. Students are also encouraged to contact their teacher within visiting hours, for whatever problem or doubts they may have, in relation to this course. Class attendance and active participation is an essential course requirement for students who want to be assessed on Continuous Assessment and obtain a satisfactory grade.

(*)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.