ENG1505L ¨C British Civilisation for the teacher education programme

Course content

This is a broad-based survey course which gives an introduction to British history, culture and present-day British society. It has two main components, one historical and one contemporary. The historical part of the course charts the development of the British Isles from 1066 up to the end of World War 2, with a main focus on political history. The contemporary part focuses on the emergence of the modern British state and modern British society after 1945, as well as central institutions in present-day Britain.

A main theme in the course as a whole is the relationship between the four "historic nations" of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, past and present. We study this relationship both with respect to the gradual unification of the four nations into one British state, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; the subsequent division of this state into the UK and the Republic of Ireland; and the many and varied challenges facing the British state and British society today. In the contemporary part of the course we look at the UK after the partition of Ireland, which means Great Britain and Northern Ireland (not the Republic of Ireland).

The course provides students with a foundation for further studies of the British Isles as an area.

The lectures and the final exam are the same as for ENG1505 - British Civilisation, but the seminars are particular to the teacher education programme ("lektorprogrammet").

Learning outcome

By the end of the course, you will:

• have knowledge and understanding of British culture and society in a historical perspective;
• be able to analyse central themes in the historical development of the British state, and British society;
• be able to analyse important questions and problems facing British society today;
• have knowledge and understanding of central institutions in present-day Britain;
• be able to demonstrate English language skills;
• will be able to demonstrate essay writing skills.

Admission to the course

This course is reserved for students on the teacher education programme ("lektorprogrammet").

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Lectures are open to the public. Seminar teaching requires admission to the course.