CIVILIZATION OF ENGLISH-SPEAKING COUNTRIES

Università degli Studi
"G. d'Annunzio"

Chieti - Pescara

Single discipline educational activity

Course Sheet

Course code:

L0644

Academic Year of enrolment:

2022

Year of supply:

2022/2023

Type of Course:

Related/Supplementary

Degree:

Course of 2nd Cycle Degree in MODERN LANGUAGES FOR MANAGEMENT AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

Disciplinary Sector:

ENGLISH LITERATURE

Location:

PESCARA

Credits:

Programme Year:

Professor and Collaborators:

MARTINEZ Carlo

CANANI MARCO

Cycle:

First semester

Hours of classroom activity:

Individual study hours:

120

Prerequisites:

Language proficiency in English: classes, the reading list and the exam are in English

Objectives

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The course provides an introduction to the civilization of three English-speaking countries – the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and South Africa – with a focus on their history and society, their literature, art and culture. The aim of the graduate programme in Modern Languages for Business and International Cooperation is to train experts in international relations and information research and management, translators and interpreters. Accordingly, the course intends to familiarize students with foreign cultures and the communication practices in the specialized domain of international relations. In addition to introducing the concept of World English/es, students are expected to acquire specialized vocabulary with a focus on culture and institutions so as to be able to understand specialized texts and discuss the course contents in formal English

LEARNING OUTCOMES
- knowledge of the course contents: history and institutions of the UK, South Africa, and the US
- use of domain-specific language
- ability to reflect on cultural diversity and its implications
- ability to critically discuss interdisciplinary and intercultural issues
- ability to communicate in institutional and international settings
- critical thinking skills, and ability to discuss critical arguments in formal and correct English

Contents

Introduction to the history, the institutions, the society and culture of the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and South Africa. In particular:
- UK: geography of the country; the population, from the origins to contemporary British society; the UK and multiculturality; politics: the government and the Monarchy; society and the economy; education, schools and universities; the media
- SOUTH AFRICA: geography of the country; the role of English; introduction to the history of South Africa with a focus on the twentieth century and apartheid; literature and the media
- USA: geography; the population and ethnic diversity; institutions: the federal government and the state governments, the parties; the economy; education; religion; the laws and foreign politics; the media; leisure activities, sports and arts

Extended Syllabus

MODULE 1 – THE UK AND THE PURSUIT OF FREEDOM (Prof. M. CANANI)
Introduction to the history and geography of the United Kingdom, its society; politics; the British economy; Reforms and politics in the long Nineteenth century; history, culture and literature

MODULE 2 – SOUTH AFRICA IN THE GRIP OF HISTORY (Prof. M. CANANI)
Introduction to the history and geography of South Africa; ethnicity; the British rule; Apartheid; the relationship between history and fiction in South African culture

MODULE 3 – THE AMERICAN DREAM (Prof. C. MARTINEZ)
Part 3: The American Dream (Prof. C Martinez, 2/3 CFU). The module provides an introduction to US history, institutions, economy, culture, and social life. Special attention will be devoted to the analysis of US Government and political institutions, foreign and immigration policy, economy, minority cultures, religion, social structures and movements, the linguistic and cultural aspects that characterize contemporary America. Classes will also examine some of the myths that typify American culture and society

Recommended Bibliography

MODULE 1: UK (Prof. M. CANANI)
- John Oakland, British Civilization: An Introduction, 9th Edition, Abingdon and New York, Routledge, 2020
- Course reader, available on the e-learning platform (see below)
In addition, the reading list for non-attending students includes:
- Kate Fox, Watching the English: The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour, London, Hodder, 2004
- Nicoletta Vallorani (cur.), Introduzione ai Cultural Studies: UK, USA e paesi anglofoni, Roma, Carocci, 2016 (Ch. 1, 2)

MODULE 2: SOUTH AFRICA (Prof. M. CANANI)
- Robert Ross, Anne Kelk Mager, Bill Nasson (eds), The Cambridge History of South Africa, Vol. 2: 1885-1994, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2011 (Ch. 5, 6, 7, 8)
- J. M. Coetzee, Waiting for the Barbarians, London, Vintage, 2004 (o altra edizione)
- Waiting for the Barbarians, directed by Ciro Guerra, 2020, 112’, colour
In addition, the reading list for non-attending students includes:
- Nicoletta Vallorani (cur.), Introduzione ai Cultural Studies: UK, USA e paesi anglofoni, Roma, Carocci, 2016 (Ch. 5)

MODULE 3: USA (Prof. C. MARTINEZ)
- Maryanne Kearny Datesman, Joan Crandall, Edward N. Kearney, The American Ways: An Introduction to American Culture, Pearson ESL, 2014 (3 ECTS: capp. 1-2-3-4-5-7-8-9-11-12; 2 ECTS: capp.. 1-2-3-4-5-7-8-9)

Teaching Methods

Lectures; class debates with the students’ interaction; seminars. Attendance is strongly recommended

Evaluation methods

Verification of learning:

Oral exam in English on the course contents. The exam assesses the candidates' knowledge of historical, socio-political, economic and cultural issues, as well as their abilities to discuss such issues in formal and correct English. In particular, assessment criteria include:
- knowledge of the course contents: history and cultural institutions of the UK, South Africa, and the US
- use of domain-specific language
- ability to reflect on cultural diversity and its implications
- ability to critically discuss interdisciplinary and intercultural issues
- ability to communicate in institutional and international settings
- critical thinking skills, and ability to discuss critical arguments in formal English

The oral exam assesses the students’ knowledge of the course contents/reading list, their critical thinking skills, and their ability to communicate in English. Students will be graded as follows: 1-17 Fail, 18-21 satisfactory, 22-24 fairly good, 25-27 good, 28-29 very good, 30-30 cum laude excellent

Contacts/More Information

COURSE SCHEDULE
Module 1 (Prof. M. CANANI): 24 hours
Module 2 (Prof. M. CANANI): 12 hours
Module 3 (Prof. C. Martinez): 12 hours

The E-learning site of the course is available on FAD: https://fad.unich.it/course/view.php?id=798
Please refer to this syllabus and FAD for any information about the course organization and for handouts and any other material

Università degli Studi
"G. d'Annunzio"

Chieti - Pescara

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