History and Culture of Great Britain and the US

Course unit code

Specialization 45.03.02 Linguistics

Course unit title

History and Culture of Great Britain and the U.S.

Name(s), surname(s) and title of lecturer(s)

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vladimir Mikhailovich Smokotin

Level of course

Bachelor of Arts, specialist

Semester

The first semester

ECTS credits

2

Working hours

Contact hours

36

Lectures

22

Seminars

10

Practical classes

2

Consultations

2

Self-study

36

Total

72

Work placement

Variational part of the general science cycle

Prerequisites

English language skills at advanced level

Language of instruction

English

Objectives of the course

Learning outcomes

A student’s assessments methods

Achieving understanding of the system of American culture, including essentials from geography, history, politics, language peculiarities, economic development, societal life, arts, education, national world outlook, national character, religious views, systems of values

At the end of the course, the students can orient themselves in questions connected with culture and politics of the USA

Current assessment: written tests, disputes, debates, oral presentations.

Final attestation: credit test at the end of the first semester

Teaching methods

Lectures, seminars, discussions, debates

Course unit content

The discovery and the exploration of America.

The Revolutionary War.

The Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

The American government.

Political parties and elections.

Americans and ways of life in America.

Education in the USA.

American mass media.

Law and law enforcement in the United States.

Course objective –students acquire competencies in the field of the history and culture of Great Britain and the USA           

Gained knowledge and skills:

1. General cultural competencies:

• Orientation in the system of universal human values
• Guiding by the principles of cultural relativism and ethical norms based on the rejection of ethnocentrism
• Acquiring skills of sociocultural and intercultural communication

2. Professional competencies:

• Understanding the specific nature of the science picture of the world in other languages and cultures
• Achieving freedom from stereotypes; ability to carry out intercultural dialogue in general and professional system of communication.

List of Topics

Topic title

Contact hours

Assignments and independent study hours

The first voyage of Christopher Columbus and the discovery of America

2

2

The road to the independence of American colonies

4

4

The major battles in the Revolutionary War

4

4

The Articles of Confederation and the Constitution of the United States of America

2

2

The Bill of Rights and the fundamental rights of American people

2

2

The fundamental principles of the American government

2

2

Three branches of the American government

4

4

Political parties in the USA

2

2

National characteristics of Americans

2

2

Family and social life in America

2

2

Religious life in America

2

2

Elementary and secondary education in the USA

2

2

Higher education and standards in American education

4

4

Legal traditions of the world and the system of law in America

2

2

Assessment requirements

1. Attendance of not less than 50% of classes; 2. Presenting a review report on a suggested topic. 

Assessment criteria

The level and relevance of the module’s learning outcomes; demonstrating of appropriate knowledge, understanding and skills, and the manner of their presentation.

The composition of final accumulative mark

Class and individual work – 30%, report/abstract – 30%, seminars – 20%, oral and written test – 20%.

Author of the course

Vladimir Mikhailovich Smokotin, D.Sc. (Cultural Studies)