Selected Issues of Cultural Studies of English Speaking Countries

Timetable

tbc

Module aim (aims)

2.1. To get students acquainted with the most important facts about the institutions of the UK (/or/and) USA and the way they function

2.2. To get students acquainted with the topical issues of concern to the contemporary British or/and American people (based on newspaper articles)

2.3. To raise students’ awareness about the role of the UK (or/and) US on the international scene;

2.4. To make students understand the concept of culture in the context of cultural studies as well as the concept of ethnic and national identity, and multiculturalism;

2.5. To teach students how to critically evaluate the sources of information (media literacy);

2.6. To teach students how to ground their opinions in evidence from different sources and be able to provide arguments in essays;

2.7. To activate students by arousing their interest in the course;

2.8. To develop students’ writing skills necessary to write the exam.

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

Knowledge of English at least B2

Syllabus

The course aims to familiarize students with two English-speaking countries' general cultural frameworks.  To this end, it will give a broad overview of the systems of the USA and UK in such areas as society, politics, religion, education, and media. This will be given with a comparative perspective.

 

The second part will have a narrower focus, which is an examination of the African American experience in the United States. Three prominent themes will be addressed throughout this part of the course: 1) History of Blacks from before the arrival of the Mayflower till the present (establishment of slavery in the New World and the slave system in the British North American colonies; The Civil War, Emancipation and Reconstruction; the Jim Crow era; The Great Migration of African Americans to northern cities; The Civil Rights and Black Power Movements; the BLM Movement); 2. The negative consequences of the above historical developments (racism, crime rate, and the poor current socioeconomic status of African Americans, etc.);  (3) the creation of one of the most vibrant cultural traditions in music, sports, painting, and religion.

 

In order to complete the course, students will have to read the assigned reading materials, watch selected movies/movie fragments, participate in discussions, and pass two tests.

 

 

 

1. Introduction to the Course. Defining its focus.

 

Later components will be contingent on the interests of the group. The proposed topics include:

 

2-6 Society – ethnic and racial composition, regions (US/UK: home countries); the political system: legislative, executive and judicial branches, foreign policies, economy and geography, education, religion media, and culture.

 

7-15 New Shades of Black: Introduction to Black American Studies

Reading list

Coursebooks

1. Oakland, J. 2019. British Civilization. An Introduction. Ninth Edition. Lond
2. Mauk, D. and J. Oakland. 2018. American Civilization. An Introduction, 7th Edition. London: Routledge.
3. Crowther, J. (ed.) 2006. Oxford Guide to British and American Culture. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

References:

3. Coleman, Hughes. 2024. The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America. London: Penguin Books.
4. Halloway, Jonathan, S. 2013. Jim Crow Wisdom: Memory and Identity in Black America Since 1940. Chapel Hill: North Carolina.Patterson, Orlando (ed.). 2015. The Cultural Matrix. Understanding Black Youth. Cambridge: Harvard UP.
5. Patterson, Orlando (ed.). 2015. The Cultural Matrix. Understanding Black Youth. Cambridge: Harvard UP.
6. Sowell, Thomas. 2013. Social Justice Fallacies. Basic Books: New York.
7. Articles from British and American media (The BBC, The Free Press, The NYT, Washington Post)