Objectives and competences
The objective of this course is to introduce students to the fact-base of the major English-speaking cultures on the basis of selected literary works, to develop their sensitivity to cultural plurality, to teach students the necessity of checking cultural unknowns and the resources to know where to check, and to motivate students to keep their cultural knowledge up to date.
Content (Syllabus outline)
• Culturally marked conventions of the literary system: allegory, myths, protagonists, connotations, metaphors, culturally-bound figurative language, structure, plot, narrator, etc.
• England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: political system, national anthems, emblems, cultural symbols and mottos as cultural vehicles
• Reflection of historical period of the Troubles in short stories and pop culture of Northern Ireland
• Scottish literature: poetry and contemporary short story
• Language as a cultural convention: Scots, dialects of Wales and Northern Ireland
• Introduction to Canadian literature and culture
• Narrative conventions in Canadian cultural context: popular songs and short stories
• Introduction to Australian literature
Learning and teaching methods
• lectures
• seminars
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
On completion of this course, students will be able to:
• work to a deadline,
• revise their own writing,
• recognize culturally-specific patterns of verbal discourse,
• analyse and imitate these accurately.
Intended learning outcomes - transferable/key skills and other attributes
• ability to recognize culturally-specific patterns of visual discourse and to analyze and imitate these accurately,
• ability to explain their own culture’s specifics to an outsider.
Readings
• Gunnel Melchers and Philip Shaw: World Englishes, The English Language Series. London: Arnold, 2003.
• David Christopher: British culture: an Introduction. Routledge: London and new York. 1999
• Internetni viri
• Leslie Banker and William Mullins: Britannia in Brief. New York: Ballantine Books,2009
• Gillespie, S., Fonseca T. in Pipolo A. P. 2007: Literature Across Cultures. London: Longman.
• Internetni viri.
