INSTITUTIONS, HISTORY AND CULTURE OF THE FIRST LANGUAGE OF CHOICE - ENGLISH LANGUAGE
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Bibliography
- Delivery method
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
Since classes will be held in English, an adequate degree of language comprehension (equivalent to B1/B2 level) is required.
The evaluation will be based on a written test consisting of multiple-choice questions on the contents of the course (1 or 2 points for each correct answer, 0 points for each incorrect answer) and an oral test, both in English. Only the students who pass the written test with a score of 18/30 or higher will be admitted to the oral test.
The oral test will focus on the contents of the lessons, the compulsory texts and the materials uploaded on the e-learning platform http://elearning3.uninsubria.it/ in the section dedicated to the course. Students will be assessed for the relevance and completeness of their answers, the ability to reason critically and analyse the course material in depth, and the ability to place the various cultural events and phenomena within the historical context in which they emerged and developed.
For both tests students will be assigned a score out of thirty.
The course offers the necessary tools for the acquisition and/or enhancement of a specialized knowledge of the linguistic, cultural, political and social dynamics of the United Kingdom and the United States of America in both diachronic and synchronic perspectives.
The ultimate goal of the course is the students’ acquisition of the metalinguistic skills essential for effective mediation between Italy and the numerous nations influenced in various ways and degrees by the Anglo-American language, media and institutions.
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
1. understand the workings of the most important British and American institutions;
2. identify the salient stages of the history of the United Kingdom and the United States in their genesis, developments and effects on the contemporary geo-political scenario;
3. offer a comprehensive overview of British and U.S. cultural characteristics;
4. interpret the recent political choices made by the United Kingdom and the United States on the basis of an in-depth knowledge of the historical, institutional and cultural identity of the two countries;
5. outline the development of the English language in its many diatopic and diaphasic varieties.
The course will provide a comprehensive overview of the linguistic, historical, social, and political realities of the United Kingdom and the United States of America. In particular, the following topics will be covered:
- English and British people;
- History of Britain: from its origins to modern times;
- British monarchy and government (the monarch, the Parliament, the Prime Minister, the judiciary);
- British media;
- British education;
- The British Empire and the Commonwealth;
- Brexit and post-Brexit Britain;
- History of U.S.: from its origins to modern times;
- U.S. government (the Congress, the President, the judiciary);
- U.S. media;
- U.S. education;
- Social issues in the U.S.A.;
- The Question of Native Americans;
- British English, American English and World English.
- J. Oakland, British Civilization. An Introduction, 9th Edition, Oxford, Routledge, 2020, ISBN-13: 978-1138318144, capitoli 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11.
- D. Mauk, A. Tomas Tønnessen, J. Oakland, American Civilization. An Introduction, 8th Edition, Oxford, Routledge, 2022, ISBN-13: 978-0367620943, capitoli 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13.
Please note that students should refer to the editions of the volumes indicated here.
The course consists of lectures, which will alternate with interactive activities (viewing of films, reading of documents, etc.) for a total of 60 hours.
The lectures will be accompanied by slides, films and supplementary texts.
The viewing of films and the reading of literary texts and essays respond to the educational objective of enriching the lectures with materials of particular significance and stimulating debate on the proposed topics.
Classroom discussion will allow students to make a self-assessment of their learning and, at the same time, will allow the teacher to verify the progress of the students’ knowledge. The setting of the course, with class discussion and presentations, makes constant attendance particularly useful and recommended.
Office hours will be announced on the course e-learning platform.