LA1MB1-Modern Britain: Society, culture and history 1

Module Provider: Languages and Cultures
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn and Spring (Double presentation)
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Email: v.collins@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is ONLY AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS ON THE STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMME. It aims to provide a broad-based introduction to key aspects of modern British society, culture, politics and history, identifying past and present issues. Topics explored will include the historical and political landscape of Post war Britain, British identities, patterns of inequality, education, religion, and Britain’s relationship with Europe.

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Support is given and adjustments are made for students with disabilities.

Aims:

The module aims at providing students with:

• An introduction to key aspects of life in Britain today


• An introduction to key political and historical events, debates and people in Modern Britain

• An appreciation of the complexity of what it means to be British today.

Assessable learning outcomes:

At the end of the course students will be able to:

• Identify key aspects of life in Britain today


• Recognise key political and historical events, debates and people in Modern Britain

Additional outcomes:

• Students will be involved group activities and discussions and will develop an awareness of the complexity of life in Britain today.


• Students will develop an ability to lead an evidenced based seminar discussion: researching relevant literature, conveying information clearly, expressing, seeking and responding to others appropriately.

Outline content:

The module will consist of one weekly 2 hour session- a lecture followed by a seminar discussion and activities on key aspects of modern British society, culture, politics and history. The lecture will introduce and provide an overview of the subject, while the seminar will focus on a discussion of more specific issues within each subject. Topics explored will include Post war Britain, British identities, patterns of inequality, education, religion, and Britain’s relationship with Europe.

Recommended textbook/s:

There is no set textbook. A reading list and other materials will be available on the module Blackboard site.

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Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module consists of one weekly 2 hour lecture/seminar. In week 7 of the module, there is a 2 hour seminar discussion, researched and led by students on pre-determined topics.

Independent study tasks include wider directed reading, preparation for seminars (including independent research), group study tasks, and revision for the end of module in class examination. The weekly outline in the module handbook specifies the preparation task (s)

Terms in which taught: Autumn (repeated in Spring)

Summative assessment- Examinations:

A one-hour paper

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Formative assessment methods:

Feedback on the content and delivery of the student led seminars will be provided to enable students to consolidate their learning and improve their research and seminar skills.

Penalties for late submission:

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40% (50% for postgraduate students)

Reassessment arrangements:

A one-hour Multiple Choice Question paper in the term following the first attempt

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 19 December 2019