2023-2024 / GERM0003-3

British civilization

Duration

30h Th, 3d FT Tr. Pr.

Number of credits

 Bachelor in modern languages and literatures : German, Dutch and English5 crédits 
 Bachelor in modern languages and literatures : general5 crédits 
 Master in multilingual communication (120 ECTS)5 crédits 

Lecturer

Raymond Echitchi

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This module will provide an introduction to the economic, political, social and cultural history of Modern Britain. It will address the major moments in this history and point towards the ways in which they have influenced life in contemporary Britain. In this context, we will explore the different regions of Britain, focussing on their individuality and the ways in which they are both interrelated and very distinct. Other aspects of British history that we will discuss are the British Empire and Commonwealth, immigration and racism, World War I and World War II, and post-war Britain. We will use journalistic and cultural material in order to consider the influences that these major events, and others, have had on the construction of British national identity and the ways in which the British perceive themselves.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The objective of this module is to provide an introduction to the historical, political and social construction of modern Britain. It will also demonstrate the ways in which Britishness and British identities have been constructed and represented in British literature, film and popular culture.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

A good knowlege of English.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Blended learning


Additional information:

The module will be taught in weekly two-hour sessions

Monday 13:00-15:00

 

Recommended or required readings

Oakland, John (2002). British Civilization: An Introduction. Routledge

Crystal, David (2003). English as a Global Language. Cambridge University Press

 

And

Online Newspapers (The Telegraph, The Guardian, The Independent, The Sun)

Youtube ("The making of modern Britain" -Documentary TV series,  Good Morning Britain, etc.)

Postcolonial literature in English

 

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam

Continuous assessment


Additional information:

Attendance will be taken at the end of every session. Nevertheless, students can always reach out to the instructor if for any valid reason they cannot attend a session. Unforeseen circumstances will also be considered.

Students are highly encouraged to make use of their critical thinking skills and actively participate in class discussions, oral presentations etc. This will certainly enable them to gain a better understanding of the topics discussed and also improve their English language skills. 

Students will have to build a portfolio of written assignments and submit it at the end of the term.

 

Group presentation (30%)

Students will be arranged into groups around the second/third week of class. They will then have to start researching the topic they were assigned and work on a presentation which will be given in class.

Regardless of their continuous assessment mark, students must get at least 10/20 in the final exam to pass the module.

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

Contacts

Dr Raymond Echitchi

Département de Langues et littératures modernes
Place du 20 Aout
Local A2/6/39
4000 Liege

E-mail sechitchi@uliege.be

Association of one or more MOOCs