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

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)

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”

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

Requirements of the course What? When? Where? Who? How? Why?

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

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

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

A Brief Introduction to UK

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

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

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

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

London

Glasgow

Liverpool

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

6. Population Total amount Composition Identity

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

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

Euro GBP (British Pound Sterling)

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

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

Roman invasions (1st-5th centuries AD)

Roman Walls in York, England

King Arthur

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

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

Tower of London

Scotland & Wales

Scotland

I. Geographic features Ruggedness Southern uplands Northern West Highlands

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.

Location of important cities Glasgow Edinburgh

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

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

Distribution of population Highlanders Fishermen Lowlanders

Characteristics of Scots inventive serious minded hard working cautious with money brave

Nicknames in the war bagpipes “devils in skirts” “ladies from hell”

III. History 6th AD Division between highland & lowland: British Celts Northern Irish Picts (original Celts)

9th AD Scottish people unified to fight against Anglo-Saxon England Macbeth Heroes against England in 13th & 14th c. William Wallace Robert the Bruce

Mary, Queen of Scots Mary, Queen of Scots, who ascended to the throne scarcely a week after her birth, grew to be a Catholic monarch in a Protestant land. In 1565 she married the Scottish Catholic lord Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley, father of the future James I of England. After his death, she married James Hepburn, 4th earl of Bothwell, but the resulting fury of the Scots nobles forced her to abdicate and escape to England. Kept as a virtual prisoner by Elizabeth I of England, she joined Catholic plots to topple her fellow queen, and in 1587 Elizabeth reluctantly agreed to her execution.

Union with England 1603 James I of England 1707 participation into the Union 1745 Rebels and Battle of Culloden

The dream of independence Scottish seats in British (English) Parliament Scottish National Party 1960s 1979 1997 General Election 1999 Reopen of Scottish Parliament

Scottish Parliament

Wales

I. Geographical features Capital: Cardiff Coal center

Cardiff

Big Pit Mining Museum, Blaenafon Coal mining was once the main industry of the Rhondda Valley and the surrounding area. The Big Pit ("Pwll Mawr") colliery ceased production in 1980 but its buildings and machinery were preserved and converted into a museum of mining. Visitors descend into the mine via the 90-m (300-ft) lift shaft to walk through underground roadways, air doors, stables (for pit ponies), and engine houses constructed by past generations of miners.

II. History Celtic people Roman invasion Celtic land again Norman authority

Llywelyn ap Gruffudd 1267 Prince of Wales

Edward I

Prince of Wales Caernarfon Castle

15th century Owain Glyndwr

1536 the 1536 Act of Union Union with U.K.

Struggles for home rule in 19th & 20th c. “Plaid Cymru”—The Party of Wales Limited home rule under the Labor government July 1999, National Assembly of Wales opened.

III. Population Celtic people with immigrants from other parts Strong Celtic culture 1. Northerners— livestock herding 2. Southerners—industry Language: Welsh & English Individual identity

IV. Conventions & Traditions Love of music and poetry “National Eisteddfod” Choral singing as a national art Rugby, football