English Culture

Code: LLT10857L

6 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours

Scientific Area: Literature

Teaching languages: Portuguese, English

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English

Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Presentation

Study of the main social, political and artistic developments of British society, analysing the culture and civilisation of the country and examining the intellectual and historical developments that shaped the British modern era, taking students through geographies of identity.

Sustainable Development Goals

Saúde de qualidade - Assegurar uma vida saudável e promover o bem-estar para todos, em todas as idades.

Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

Igualdade de género - Alcançar a igualdade de gênero e empoderar todas as mulheres e meninas.

Reduzir as desigualdades - Reduzir as desigualdades dentro dos países e entre eles.

Learning Goals

1. To produce autonomous reflection on the notions of culture and identity;
2. To examine the social, cultural and political history of the institutions;
3. To recognise the origins of current debates on the thought, science, the arts, religion, education and political system, understanding and appreciating core aspects of contemporary British culture and society and its historical contexts;
4. To examine intellectual and historical developments that shaped British identity in the modern era.
This course provides a survey of British culture and civilisation, both from a historical and present-day viewpoint. By use of a set of readings, videos and textbook, the student will be made aware of the cultural richness of modern-day Britain and acquire a global view of the national identity debate. Students will acquire the capacity to study and work autonomously, writing and thinking critically, using the adequate terminology.

11. The notion of culture
1.1. Culture and civilization debate
1.2. Culture and Identity
2. Highlights of British history
2.1. The Emergence of Britain;
2.2. The Middle Ages;
2.3. The Tudors and the building of the nation;
2.4. The English Civil War and Restoration;
2.5. The Victorian Frame of Mind: the Age of Reform and Empire;
2.6. Britain between the Wars;
2.7. Britain towards the Future.
3. British identity: the social and cultural context
3.1. Places and People: the four nations;
3.2. The Social and Political System;
3.3. Ethinicity and Multiculturalism;
3.4. Religion;
3.5. Traditions, Arts and Customs;
3.6. England in the wider world

Teaching Methods

In-class sessions, or online sessions, with the following methodologies: collective sessions of introductory explanation of contents; debate of core and of specific problems of the contents; critical readings of the selected texts; other media such as films and documentaries. Moodle platform is also used. The progressive autonomous work of the students is crucial, as well as the work developed outside the walls of the classroom and the formal teaching hours. Assessment is preferably continuous, according to the rules established by the Regulamento Académico and the Assessment Regulation of the Department. It is divided into two written tests (50%+50%), or, alternatively, into 1 individual written work on a topic of the syllabus - maximum 5 pages, (50%) and one written test (50%). Students can also choose to sit final assessment with one written exam at the end of the semester (100%).