Introduction to British Society: The UK vs. the US, Britons vs. Americans 10 January 2011 Tone Holt Nielsen and Sigrid Brevik Wangsness

Introduction of the course  Structure of the course: lecture series and group sessions  Lecture plan - syllabus in British society  Why British society? Goals  Relevance for your exam

British English and American English  Examples of differences Pronunciations Vocabulary  The same language!  An advantage if you choose a version of the language that other people understand...

Britain and the U.S.A.  Special relationship? (Shared history, culture, language)  Military cooperation  Personal ties between heads of states: Thatcher/Reagan, Clinton/Blair, Bush/Blair. Obama/ Cameron?

National Characteristics and Values  How do Americans see the Brits? Bill Bryson: Notes from a Small Island  What do you consider ”typical” for the British people? For Americans?

Is there one British national character?  Problems of stereotyping/ generalizations  Outside vs. inside perspectives – nuances  National characteristics vs. one national identity

Why is it difficult to generalize about the British (and Americans)?  A multicultural society  Regional differences  Class differences  Professional differences  Individual differences

British Values  Still, the following values have been considered characteristic of British society: 1.Stability 2.Tradition 3.Conservatism (resistance to change)  Examples of how these values are reflected in society in various ways?

Changing British Values (?)  Recent changes in values? - A more “achievement-based” culture? - Increased individualism? - More competition? - More focus on the market? - Change as a good thing for Britain?

Rebranding Britain  Modern Britain: “Cool Britannia” (?)  Images of a traditional/ old- fashioned society hard to change  The 2012 Olympics  British brands: products/ services