Field of study
British Studies
Course Code
14.6VIII01AI04_24
ECTS
3
Module Language
English
Hours
24
Goal of the module
Familiarising students with the major elements of British culture, to enable better
understanding of cultural features and cross-cultural comparisons. Developing
students’ cultural sensitivity and ethno-relative attitudes
Requirements
English language level: B1+
Course content
The course introduces contemporary problems of the United Kingdom through a
presentation of geographical conditions of the British Isles, the political system and
specific character of the constituent countries. The topics covered include also:
election system, functioning of parliament, role of monarchy, education system,
Welfare state, media, elements of British constitution, major trends in international
politics.
Form and terms of
examination
Written exam
Education methods
seminars
Literature
Basic reading:
Mc Dowall, David, Britain in Close-Up. Longman: 2001.
O’Driscoll, James, Britain. OUP: 2006, Oxford..
Oakland, John, British Civilization., Routledge: 2006, London.
Storry, Mike, Peter Childs (eds), British Cultural Identities, Routledge: 1997, London.
Supplementary reading:
Abercrombie, Nicholas; Warder Alan (eds), Contemporary British Society. Polity:
2002.
Budge, Ian, Ivor Crewe, et al. (eds), The New British Politics. Longman. 1998. New
York.
Christopher, David P., British Culture. An Introduction. Routledge: 2006. New York.
Irwin, John, Modern Britain. Routledge: 1994. London.
Morley, David, Kevin Robins (eds), British Cultural Studies. OUP: 2001. Oxford.
Obelkevich, J., P. Catterall, (eds), Understanding Post-War British Society,
Routledge: 1994.
Roberts, David (ed), British Politics in Focus. Causeway Press: 1999. Bath.
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recommended web pages
www.parliament.uk
www.bbc.co.uk
www.guardian.co.uk/
Module coordinator
Dr phil. Anna Gonerko-Frej