IDENTIFYING DATA 2012_13
Subject (*) INTRODUCTION TO THE CULTURE OF THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING COUNTRIES Code 12274123
Study programme
Graduate in English Studies
 Cycle 1st
Descriptors Credits Type Year Period
6 Compulsory Third First
Language
Català
Department Estudis Anglesos i Alemanys
Coordinator
COLLELLMIR MORALES, DOLORES
 E-mail dolors.collellmir@urv.cat
Lecturers
COLLELLMIR MORALES, DOLORES
Web
General description and relevant information This subject offers a multifaceted approach to the history, geography and culture of English-speaking countries. Its main aim is to provide students with the key concepts required to understand the history, economy, political life, society and culture of the United Kingdom, the United States and a wide range of English-speaking countries.

Competences
Type A Code Competences Specific
 A15 Avançar en el coneixement de l'ésser humà dins dels seus diferents entorns culturals.
 A22 Conèixer les cultures dels diferents països de parla anglesa.
Type B Code Competences Transversal
 B3 Critical, logical and creative thinking, and an ability to innovate
 B5 Teamwork, collaboration and sharing of responsibility
Type C Code Competences Nuclear
 C5 Be committed to ethics and social responsibility as citizens and professionals

Learning outcomes
Type A Code Learning outcomes
 A15 Reconeix els procediments que faciliten la construcció de les diverses identitats culturals
 A22 Adquireix una visió general dels factors socioculturals més importants de les cultures dels països de parla anglesa
Adquireix els coneixements clau que permetin entendre les evolucions històriques dels diversos països de parla anglesa
Comprèn i aprecia les singularitats culturals de cada àrea geogràfica
Type B Code Learning outcomes
 B3 Reflect on new ways of doing things.
 B5 Take active part in planning the work of the team, and in distributing the tasks and the deadlines.
Type C Code Learning outcomes
 C5 Be respectful of the values of a culture of peace and democracy.

Contents
Topic Sub-topic
1. UK Culture 1.1 The country (geography, climate, demography, etc.)
2. UK Culture 2.1 The people history, immigration, England, Wales, Scotland, N. Ireland)
3. UK Culture 3.1 Politics and government (political institutions, elections, trade unions, etc.)
4. UK Culture 4.1 International relations (Wars, NATO, European Union, etc.)
5. UK Culture 5.1 Cultural icons in/of the United Kingdom
6. USA Culture 6.1 The country (geography, climate, demography, etc.)
7. USA Culture 7.1 The people (settlement, immigration, women and minorities)
8. USA Culture 8.1 Political institutions (federal, state, local)
9. USA Culture 9.1 Foreign policy (isolationism, imperialism, internationalism, etc.)
10. USA Culture 10.1 Cultural icons in/of the United States
11.The British Empire and the Commonwealth 11.1 The British Empire: expansion and decline
11.2 Origin, justification, extension, and purpose of the Commonwealth
11. The British Empire and the Commonwealth 11.1 The British Empire: expansion and decline
11.2 Origin, hustification, extension, and purpose of the Commonwealth
12. African Cultures 12.1 The Ibo culture of Nigeria
12.2 The history of South Africa: the Dutch settlers, the arrival of the British, the Boer War, the Great Trek, and the system of Apartheid
13. Indian culture 13.1 The complexity of Indian history, the struggle for independence, the partition
13.2 States, religions, and languages of the Indian subcontinent
14. The Caribbean Cultures 14.1 The arrival of the Europeans
14.2 The sugar plantations and the slave trade
15. Canadian and Australian Cultures 15.1 Contrast between Canada's and Australia's origins as settle colonies
15.2 The formation of multicultural societies

Planning
Methodologies  ::  Tests
  Competences (*) Class hours
 Hours outside the classroom
 (**) Total hours
Introductory activities
1 2 3
Seminars
A22
 48 60 108
Personal tuition
3 3 6
 
Objective short-answer tests
A22
 1 6 7
Objective short-answer tests
A22
 1 6 7
Objective short-answer tests
A22
 1 6 7
Extended-answer tests
B3
 2 10 12
 
(*) 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
Seminars All classes in this course are a combination of theoretical information provided by the teachers and practical discussions of the main aspects. Students are expected to participate actively in the discussions either by introducing new elements for discussion or through the questions they may choose to ask.
Personal tuition Teachers and students will be in contact through e-mail. Alternatively, students may meet the teachers personally. General information will be disseminated either 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.

Assessment
Methodologies Competences Description Weight        
Objective short-answer tests
A22
 Short-answer test (20 questions) 20
Objective short-answer tests
A22
 Short-answer test (20 questions) 20
Objective short-answer tests
A22
 Short-answer test (20 questions) 20
Extended-answer tests
B3
 Students will write an in-class essay discussing one article or book chapter they will have previously read 30
Others  

Class attendance and participation

 10
 
Other comments and second exam session

Students are expected to attend classes regularly. In case they don't, they may lose the right to "continuous assessment". This, in turn, may force them to take the second sitting (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, --
Falola, Toyin, Culture and Customs of Nigeria, 1st, --
Brathwaite, Edward Kamau, Folk Culture of the Slaves in Jamaica, 1st, --

Complementary

Recommendations


 
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.
(*)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.