Teaching British Culture and Society (BTAN1110MA)
Autumn 2014
MA in English teacher training (full-time)
Room: 109
Th.: 18-19:40
Borus György
Office hours:
Room: 104
Th.: 11-12
Fri.: 13-14
gborus@hotmail.com
The aim of this course is to introduce students to various aspects of contemporary Britain, to
enable them to observe differences and similarities between the civilizations and cultures of
Britain and those of Hungary, and to offer a critical survey of the major political, economic,
social and cultural institutions of the present United Kingdom. Since language is rooted in the
culture, customs and beliefs of the people, the teaching of a language cannot be separated
from the teaching of a particular culture. Teachers of English are also expected to be cultural
instructors. This course will provide students with skills that will help them to become
sensitive and critical observers of British culture and society as well as their own.
Schedule:
1. General Introduction
Film: Amazing Grace
2. The Land and the Peoples of the British Isles
Reading: Guy Miege, ‘The Present State of Great Britain: An EighteenthCentury Self-Portrait’, 30-41
3. Government and Politics
Reading: James O’Driscoll, Britain, Ch. 9 and 10
4. British Slavery and Its Implications
Reading: James Walvin, ‘Ending It All: The Crusade Against Slavery’,
301-316
5. Britain and the World
Reading: James O’Driscoll: Britain, Ch. 12
6. National Holiday—23 October
7. Consultation Week
8. Mid-Term Paper
9. Education, Religion and Welfare
Reading: McCormick, Contemporary Britain, 71-85; John Oakland, British
Civilization (6th ed.), 254-263
10. Multiculturalism
Reading: James Walvin, ‘The Problems of Freedom’, 325-336;
John Oakland, British Civilization, 60-67
11. Post-War Life and Politics I – from Attlee to Thatcher
Reading: Reading: McCormick, Contemporary Britain, 18-33
12. Post-War Life and Politics II – the Thatcher, Major and Blair
Governments
Reading: Peter Clarke, Hope and Glory: Britain 1900-2000, 401-417
13. End-Term Test
14. Revision and evaluation