BRITISH LIFE AND CULTURE COURSE

Course Outline

Students coming to London on AIFS study programs are given the opportunity to learn about British life and culture not only by living in the capital and experiencing the excitement and diversity of one of the oldest cities in Europe but by travelling around the British Isles to compare and contrast conditions and lifestyles. The compulsory British Life and Culture course is presented in a constructive way to offer lectures and supporting visits on a wide range of issues. These inter-related elements can be used enterprisingly to build up a coherent frame of reference about what life is like in Britain.

Each student is expected to develop a personal agenda for learning about Britain so that, with an earnest degree of application, albeit it tempered with the practical pleasures of discovery, there lies a prospect of rewarding study. This can be either wide ranging across disciplines at an introductory level, or specialised according to individual inclination. Course work and assessment is determined by the home faculty.

Aims of the Course

To portray British Life and Culture:

i) in a geographic and political context

ii) by examining some of the main institutions

iii) as a source rich in theatre, fine and decorative arts

iv) by exploring aspects of its social fabric and undertaking related visits

A full program of lectures and visits with a brief review of what each entails is detailed below:

Lectures: Thursdays, 4 – 5:30pm, ULU room 3A (please note that there are some Monday lectures too)

Fieldtrips: Monday afternoons, various locations

Tue Feb 12 Lecture : Introduction to Britain by Bob Craig

A general introduction to the country and city you have chosen to study in.

Thurs Feb 14 Lecture : Monarchy and the Royal Family by Bob Craig

Learn all about the history of the monarchy– just why does the UK have a Royal Family?

Mon Feb 18 Lecture : The History of London by Bob Craig (11 – 12:30)

A summary lecture which has grand aims – to cover 2000 years of history in one afternoon!

Thurs Feb 21 Lecture: The British Media by Dr. Alex Seago

This lecture examines the Media in the UK in its televised and newspaper formats.

Wed Feb 27 Lecture: Anglo-American Relations by Nicole D’Adamo

An introduction to the historic "special relationship" between Britain and the United States since 1945

* Please note change of day for this lecture. This is due to the Scotland trip, which leaves mid afternoon on Thurs 28^th. The lecture time remains the same, 4 – 5:35pm.

Mon Mar 3 Fieldtrip: Guided tour of the Houses of Parliament

Please meet underneath Big Ben at 8:45am.Nearest tube is Westminster.

Lecture : Parliament and Politics by Graham Brady MP

*To be held at the Houses of Parliament in Committee room 6

Graham was elected to the House of Commons in 1995 to represent Greater Manchester for the Conservative party. He will discuss the parliamentary and political processes in England and examine how they differ from those in the US.

Thurs Mar 6 No class (due to lecture and fieldtrip taking place on Monday)

Thurs Mar 13 Lecture: English Law by Tom Hooper

Tom Hooper is a barrister who will talk about the difference between US and UK Law and the legal system in the UK.

Mon Mar 17 Fieldtrip: Guided walking tour of the legal Inns of Court

Meet at 1:30pm at Temple tube station

This fieldtrip will visit the legal centre of London. All barristers must belong to one of the 4 Inns of Court, which this fieldtrip will visit, along with the Royal Courts of Justice.

Thurs Mar 20 Lecture : World War II and the Blitz by Bob Craig

A consideration of the impact of World War II on Britain in general, and London specifically.

Thurs Mar 27 Lecture : Modern Architecture by Bob Craig

As we are sure you have noticed by now, London is famous for its architecture. This lecture will trace the history of London’s many landmarks and focus upon the rebuilding of London after the Blitz.

Wed April 2 Fieldtrip: Guided walking tour of the old City of London

Meet at St Pauls tube station at 4pm

The tour will take in some of London’s finest architecture – from the old (St Pauls) to the new (Gherkin building).

Thurs April 10 Lecture: Final review by Bob Craig