Social issues of English-speaking countries 2

studia pierwszego stopnia

English Philology

semestr 4

studia stacjonarne

profil akademicki

obowiązkowe

Realizowany w sali

ECTS points in relation to student’s duties:

total number of ECTS: 2

1 ECTS – 30 hours: class participation,

1 ECTS – 15 hours: preparation + 10 hours: consultations

Course description

The course is an introduction to the most significant issues concerning geography, economy, society, identity, modern politics, and culture of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Course objectives

- familiarising with the mast significant issues of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

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Course content

1. The United Kingdom: a country of countries.

2. Geography of the UK.

3. Society. The North/South divide. Social classes. Emigration and immigration.

4. The Constitutional Framework & The Crown.

5. The Government and the Opposition. The Civil Service. The political parties.

6. The Parliament. The legislative branch: the functions & structure.

7. The Law. The judicial branch: the courts, criminal proceedings, and lawyers.

8. Churches and religion. The Church of England. The Church of Scotland. The Roman Catholic Church.

9. Education. The educational system. Higher and further education. Universities.

10. The Mass Media. The press. Radio and television. The web.

11. Wales and Scotland. Devolution processes. Welsh and Scottish culture.

12. Northern Ireland. Devolution. Northern Irish culture.

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Methods of instruction/ forms of classroom activity:

lecture/teacher's presentation, handouts and analysis of originall materials, videos, taking notes, extension readings, discussion, ICTtools/MSTeams if needed

Reading list

Oakland, John. British Civilization: An Introduction. Routledge, 2019.

O’Driscoll, James. Britain for Learners of English. OUP, 2009.

Supplementary reading

Norbury, Paul. Britain - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture. Kuperard, 2015.

Learning outcomes acc to PQR 2019

Knowledge

The student has the basic knowledge about

1.the geography, social issues, political system, economy, education, religions, and cultural phenomena of the UK. (k_W06/ P6S_WG).

2. the similarities and differences between the nations and countries constituting the UK and modern civilisational phenomena taking place in the UK in the wider political, social, and economic contexts of Europe and the world. (k_W09/P6S_WK)

Skills.

Student can

3. The student can recognise various signs of Britishness.and relate and compare various British phenomena and social and cultural attitudes to Polish reality. (k_U02/P6S_UW)

Social competences

4. The student is aware of the cultural heritage of his/her own country and will be tolerant of cultural differences of other countries and nations.(k_K03/P6S_KO)

Forms of evaluation of learning outcomes:

2. Final written open test - 55% of the final grade (outcomes 1,2,3)

3. Active participation in class - 45% of the final grade (outcomes 1,2,3,4)

Criteria of assessment in the final written test:

60% - 70% - 3.0 (barely adequate knowledge; numerous errors)

71% - 75% - 3.5 (adequate knowledge; some errors)

76% - 85% - 4.0 (above average knowledge; few errors)

86% - 90% - 4.5 (superior knowledge; few errors)

91% - 100% - 5.0 (superior knowledge; no errors)