Introduction to Culture Studies, SS 2010
Introduction to Culture Studies, SS 2010
Introduction to Culture Studies (UK & Ireland), SS 2010
In this course we examine the geology, geography, history and culture of the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The course runs for one semester and is worth 3 Credit Points for BA (VSLT) and Erasmus students; students studying for a Diploma (DÜ/DD) can obtain the certificate of successful participation (Schein) that they need to register for the Vordiplomprüfung (Englisch 1.FS) or Diplomprüfung (Englisch 2.FS). To successfully complete the course, students need to attend regularly and pass a written examination, which will be held during the normal class time in either the second-last or the last week of lectures, depending on what the majority of participants prefer. It is necessary to register for the examination. BA students must register electronically (online, via HIS-POS); registration closes two weeks before the examination date. Diploma students register for the examination by writing their name on a list that will be available in class, or sending an email to the course leader.
All students taking the course should make sure that their correct e-mail address is on the course mailing list. It would be appreciated if students could include the word “[culture]” (in square brackets) in the subject field of any emails addressed to the course leader.
Prepare any questions you have about the course.
Slides for Unit 0 (Introduction)
Worksheet Questions for Unit 0 (Introduction)
Outline Map of the British Isles
Revise the geological periods (last 500 years).
Worksheet Questions for Unit 1 (Geology)
in case you are not familiar with Darwinian evolution, this is the best all-in-one introduction (it lasts an hour):
David Attenborough: Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life
if you want to go into even more detail, here is a series of five one-hour lectures designed for children:
Richard Dawkins: Growing Up in the Universe
this is the best visual summary of the latest models of how life began (lasts 10 minutes):
cdk007: The Origin of Life - Abiogenesis - Dr. Jack Szostak
this is a brilliantly clear one-hour lecture on the origin of life by one of Richard Dawkins’s teachers:
John Maynard Smith: The Origin of Life
and here is an interesting BBC documentary series by a Scottish professor:
Iain Stewart: How the earth made us
Study the following maps:
Slides for Unit 2 (Geography, Climate, Initial Human Settlement)
Worksheet Questions for Unit 2 (Geography, Climate, Initial Human Settlement)
Map of cities and towns in the British Isles
Geography of the United Kingdom
Jared Diamond: Guns, Germs and Steel (1)
Jared Diamond: Guns, Germs and Steel (2)
Jared Diamond: Guns, Germs and Steel (3)
Jared Diamond: Why Societies Collapse
Revise your Latin, and read Julius Caesar’s description of Britain:
De bello gallico, Book V, Chapter 12
De bello gallico, Book V, Chapter 13
De bello gallico, Book V, Chapter 14
... and if your Latin has run out, you can check the English translations here:
Gallic War, Book V, Chapter 12
Gallic War, Book V, Chapter 13
Gallic War, Book V, Chapter 14
Slides for Unit 3 (C1--C5: Roman Britain)
Worksheet Questions for Unit 3 (C1--C5: Roman Britain)
Notes for Unit 4 (Anglo-Saxons and Vikings)
Worksheet Questions for Unit 4 (C5--C10: Anglo-Saxons and Vikings)
See photocopies in the envelope hanging next to my office door.
See photocopies in the envelope hanging next to my office door.
Worksheet Questions for Unit 5 (C10--C15: Middle Ages)
Descent of Elizabeth II from William I
Notes for Unit 6 (Absolutism and Reformation)
Worksheet Questions for Unit 6 (C16: Absolutism and Reformation)
Slides for Unit 7 (Parliamentarism)
Worksheet Questions for Unit 7 (C17: Parliamentarism)
Worksheet Questions for Unit 8 (C18: Industrial Revolution)
A good introduction to the Industrial Revolution by Professor Rempel
Slides for Unit 9 (Imperial Britain)
Worksheet Questions for Unit 9 (C19: Imperial Britain)
Worksheet Questions for Unit 10 (C20: Post-Imperial Britain)
