This module provides a comprehensive introduction to the United Kingdom. It is divided into two broad sections, with the emphasis on British society in the Autumn term and British culture in the Spring term.
In the Autumn term the module focuses on the development of the UK since 1945, its political systems and institutions, and current social and political challenges and debates. The overall objective is to examine, discuss and debate the political, institutional, diplomatic, demographic and economic factors which have shaped and continue to shape contemporary British society.
In the Spring term the module focuses on culture, and looks at a selection of British novels, drama, films, music, poetry, art and philosophy to explore what culture is, and what it means to study it. Key moments and figures in the development of British culture over the last 400 years will be considered, along with the most important factors in shaping British culture since the Second World War in order to explore how values, customs and traditions relate to art, literature and other artistic production, and what all of this can tell us about Britain in the twenty-first century.
Areas covered in this section will include: Shakespeare and the birth of the modern; The end of Empire and imaginary homelands; Music and the 1960s; Modernism, revolution and the 20th century; Feminism and more.
By the end of the module students will have a broad familiarity with all of the above aspects of British life, British institutions and British culture. They will also have knowledge and understanding of contemporary issues and current affairs.
In the Autumn term the module focuses on the development of the UK since 1945, its political systems and institutions, and current social and political challenges and debates. The overall objective is to examine, discuss and debate the political, institutional, diplomatic, demographic and economic factors which have shaped and continue to shape contemporary British society.
In the Spring term the module focuses on culture, and looks at a selection of British novels, drama, films, music, poetry, art and philosophy to explore what culture is, and what it means to study it. Key moments and figures in the development of British culture over the last 400 years will be considered, along with the most important factors in shaping British culture since the Second World War in order to explore how values, customs and traditions relate to art, literature and other artistic production, and what all of this can tell us about Britain in the twenty-first century.
Areas covered in this section will include: Shakespeare and the birth of the modern; The end of Empire and imaginary homelands; Music and the 1960s; Modernism, revolution and the 20th century; Feminism and more.
By the end of the module students will have a broad familiarity with all of the above aspects of British life, British institutions and British culture. They will also have knowledge and understanding of contemporary issues and current affairs.