The Society and Culture of Major English-Speaking Countries

1. The Society and Culture of Major English-Speaking Countries Chapter 1 General Introduction

2. Function of the course • Background information for English study • Cultural knowledge of TEM examinations • Basic understanding of the differences of Chinese and western culture • Preliminary understanding of the word “culture” (civilization)

3. Culture • Definition Sir Edward Tylor (19th century British anthropologist) “Culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society.” “the way people live”

5. Broad ranges of culture arts technology customs beliefs values patterns of communication …

6. Requirements of the course • What? • When? • Where? • Who? • How? • Why?

7. Example: some cultural symbols Briton Union Jack Easter Friday Bank Holiday Uncle Sam GI

8. How to present the class? • Textbook • Preview and review • Powerpoint presentation and video clips • Outlining • Questions and answers • Student participation • Quizzes and tests

9. How are you assessed? • Attendance • Homework • Class participation • Quiz and test score • Final exam

10. A Brief Introduction to UK

11. How shall we refer to that country? • What do you know about Britain or British people? • How much is Britain different from China?

14. Influences from its imperial past the Commonwealth G-8 Ethnic composition of British people • A complex country with a complex name

15. Four constituent parts (countries) of the UK • Racial difference • Religious difference • Gender difference • Class difference • Regional difference • Economic difference • Importance of London

16. Geography of the UK 1. Location 2. Terrain 3. Division 4. Important cities

17. London

18. Glasgow

19. Liverpool

20. 5. Area Total area Length from north to south Width from west to east

21. 6. Population Total amount Composition Identity

22. An isolated country or an integrating nation? ---- The relationship with the continent of Europe

23. 1. European Union’s membership • Attitudes of British people toward new systems in the continent of Europe • Pound & Euro • Blair’s policy (Labor Party) • Disadvantages of adopting Euro

24. Euro GBP (British Pound Sterling)

26. 2. Sources of British attitudes • Particular geographical location “John Bull” • Consciousness of isolation from the continent

27. III. History of invasion • - 1st AD Celtic • 43AD – 5th Century Roman invasion • 5th Century – 8th Century Jutes and Anglos from now Denmark Saxons from Germany

28. Roman invasions (1st-5th centuries AD)

29. Roman Walls in York, England

30. King Arthur

31. 8th Century Scandinavian Vikings Differences between the north and the south in England

32. 1066 Normans invasion William Normandy • Changes in British society a. Aristocracy b. Religion c. Art d. Language e. administration f. Defense

33. Tower of London

35. Scotland & Wales

36. Scotland

41. I. Geographic features • Ruggedness Southern uplands Northern West Highlands

42. Scottish Highlands More than half of the surface of Scotland is occupied by the Scottish Highlands, the most rugged region in Great Britain. They consist of parallel mountain chains with a general northeast-to-southwest trend, broken by deep ravines and valleys.

43. Location of important cities Glasgow Edinburgh

47. Advantages that ruggedness has brought to Scotland not too long-time invasion by Roman invaders Hadrian’s Wall independent spirit/identity

49. II. Special features of Scots • Highlanders • National dress: kilt • Symbols of famous Scottish names