Culture of the British Commonwealth

studia pierwszego stopnia

English Philology

semestr 4

Studia stacjonarne

profil akademicki

fakultatywne

Mieszany: realizowany zdalnie i w sali

English and Culture Studies elective module

ECTS points in relation to student’s duties

total number of ECTS: 2

1 ECTS – 30 hours: class participation (50% university site/50% online)

0,5 ECTS - 15 hours: consultations

0,5 ECTS – 15 hours: preparation and home study

Course description:

This is a course designated to English and Culture Studies Module. It offers an opportunity to explore The Commonwealth and its culture which experienced a 'renaissance' at the end of the twentieth century but now faces critical dilemmas in the twenty-first century.

Course objectives

The objective of the course is to survey the historical evolution and current state of the Commonwealth. To consider the symbols of the association, its political consultations and values, shared official agencies, and to look at aspects of the 'People's Commonwealth' and the critical relationship between the governmental, voluntary and business sectors.

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Course Content

1. What is the Commonwealth?

2. Historical perspectives – origins, meanings, Dominions, Republics and the Secretariat.

3. Britain, Brexit and the EU.

4. Decolonization – Rhodesia and crisis 1960s, Apartheid and crisis 1980s.

5. Symbolic Commonwealth – the head, the logo, the venue, the argot.

6. Political Commonwealth – membership, Chogms, ethos, values, globalization, smaller states and regionalism.

7. Official Commonwealth – the secretariat, foundation, learning.

8. People’s Commonwealth – professional associations, philanthropy, education and culture, sport and the commonwealth games, public-private business partnerships.

9. Africa and the Commonwealth.

10. The nations of North America and the Caribbean.

11. The nations of Australasia.

12. India and Pakistan.

13. Literature of the Commonwealth.

14. The Commonwealth on film.

15. The crisis of human rights and democracy.

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Methods of instruction/ forms of classroom activity:

multimedia presentations, group discussion, pair-work activities, individual reflective activities, thinking routines, reading comprehension, research tasks, ICT tools - MS Teams

Reading list:

A Guide to the Contemporary Commonwealth W. David McIntyre

The Empire’s New Clothes: The Myth of the Commonwealth Phillip Murphy

Shadows of Empire: The Anglosphere in British Politics Michael Kenney and Nick Pearce

The Rise and Fall of the British Nation: A Twentieth Century History David Edgerton

Commonwealth: Inter and Non-state Contributions to Global Governance (Global Institutions) Timothy M. Shaw

The Commonwealth Website: http://thecommonwealth.org/

Learning outcomes acc to PRK 2019

Knowledge

The student knows

1. geographical, historical and political facts referring to the English-speaking countries related to The Commonwealth (k_W06/P6S_WG)

2. the basic terminology of basic terminology of cultural, historical and geographic notions related to The Commonwealth (m-W-1/P6S_WG)

3. the principles of the functioning of cultural institutions in The Commonwelath and related to the scope of English philology (k_W09/P6S_WK; m-W-2/ P6S_WK)

Skills

The student is able to

4. create and read English-language texts and prepare elaborate presentations relating to English studies, and the study of the Culture of the Commonwealth, using formal sources (k_U04/P6S_UK; m-U-1/P6S_UO)

5. take up individual and group activities aimed at developing language skills and study techniques to ensure success in learning (k_U08/P6S_UO; m-U-2/P6S_UW)

Social Competences

The student is ready to

6. accept linguistic and cultural differences and recognize them as natural vocational factors (k_K03/P6S_KO)

7. shape their own views regarding the significance of culture in the political and economic development of the British society, particularly by being ready to identify ideologies and power relations that underpin cultural (re)production (m-K-2/P6S_KK)

Forms of evaluation of learning outcomes:

1. Active participation in class activities 40% (outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

2. Writing an inquiry-based essay 30% (outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4)

3. Delivering a presentation to the class 30% (outcomes 1, 2, 3)

Criteria of evaluation:

60% = 3

80% = 4

100% = 5