GISDepartment of Global and Interdisciplinary Studies

This course will provide an introduction to the culture and society of contemporary Britain. Students will acquire knowledge about Britain: it's geography, climate, history, traditional culture, religion, political system, society, Britishness, and so on. The course will survey British society following globalization after Thatcher's government. Britain in the 70’s was a nightmare, economically crippled, politically in a quagmire, and yet culturally vibrant. Thatcher, as prime minister (1979-1990), changed Britain drastically in the 80’s. She insisted on free enterprise and deregulation, employed monetarist policies, privatized nationalized industries, passed legislations to weaken trade unions' political power, and was tenaciously skeptical about the deepening of European integration. However, socially, she was conservative and put an emphasis on the importance of traditional family, a self-help work ethic and community. Whether her policies worked well or not is still in discussion, but she is commonly thought to have prepared the way for globalisation, economic success, and the rise of so-called Cool Britannia. Political issues are often related to nation, religion, immigration, ethnicity, class, globalisation, gender, youth culture, and so on.
With UK as a case theme, we also understand the diversity of cultures around the world and the significance of enhancing communication with people from other cultural backgrounds.

Students will (1) acquire the general knowledge of the society and people in contemporary Britain, (2) learn how one of the most globalized nations has gone through the changes, and (3) think about the new realities and the implications of the changes. By comparing the situations in Britain and Japan, students will gain clearer perspectives on complex issues common in the most advanced and affluent countries.

Will be able to gain “DP 1”, “DP 3”, and “DP 4”.

英語 / English

Students will attend lectures, read related materials, write short essays, watch videos and films, and have two written examinations.
Feedback will be given through Hoppii. Please note that the teaching approach may vary according to which threat level we are at: at level 1, 70% of this course will be held on campus, though at level 2, 50% will be held on campus.

あり / Yes

なし / No

授業形態/methods of teaching：対面/face to face

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1[オンライン/online]：An Introduction

Course overview

2[対面/face to face]：The Country

Geography, climate and history

3[対面/face to face]：British Attitudes

Characteristics of its people

4[対面/face to face]：Ethnicity and Identity

The English, the Celts and ethnic minorities
The class compares UK and Japan with regard to the conservation of culture

5[対面/face to face]：Politics

The British Constitution and its government

6[対面/face to face]：Religion

Christians and non-Christians

7[対面/face to face]：Course Review and
Mid-term Examination

Course review, students' inquiries and discussions
Written examination

8[対面/face to face]：Monarchy and Class Society

History and changing attitudes
The class is expected to compare UK and Japan in these aspects, discussing with international students

9[対面/face to face]：Britain in Films

People, society and culture in films

10[対面/face to face]：The Economy

The economy after Thatcher

11[対面/face to face]：Britain in the World

Foreign policy and its relations with the US and EU

12[対面/face to face]：Family Life

Changing mores, education and social services

13[対面/face to face]：Culture

Sport, leisure, and the arts
The class is expected to compare UK and Japan in these aspects, discussing with international students

14[対面/face to face]：Course Review
End-term Examination

Students' inquiries and discussions
Course review
Written examination

Students are expected to read the materials as instructed and prepare for class. Preparatory study and review time for this class are 2 hours each.

No textbooks will be used. The lecturer will provide handouts and reading materials.

Abercrombie, Nicholas and Alan Warde. (2000). Contemporary British Society (3rd edn). Cambridge: Polity Press.
Leventhal, Fred M. (ed) (2002). Twentieth-Century Britain: An Encyclopedia (rev. edn). New York: Peter Lang.
Oakland, John. (2015). British Civilization: An Introduction (7th edn). London: Routledge.
Oakland, John. (2001). Contemporary Britain: A Survey with Texts. London: Routledge.
Higgins, Michael, et al.(eds) (2010).The Cambridge Companion to Modern British Culture. Cambridge: CUP.
O'Driscoll, James. (2009). Britain For Learners of English. Oxford: OUP.

Evaluation will be based on class participation (30%), a writing assignment (20%), and exams (50%). More than two unexcused absences will result in failure of the course.

None.

None.