British History
Lingua dell'insegnamento: inglese
Crediti e ore di lezione: 6 CFU / 40 ore
Settore scientifico disciplinare: M-STO/02
Docente:
Michael William Knapton michael.knapton@uniud.it mknapto@tin.it
Prerequisiti e propedeuticità
History: no other course or exam need precede this, but students should preferably possess at least superficial knowledge from secondary school of minimum elements of British history. I.e. constitutional arrangements and politics, international profile, economic characteristics, social structure, culture, as well as the main overall phases from the Renaissance to today, etc.
English language skills: there is no formalized requirement, but students should have solid secondary school experience (or similar) of English, such as to allow good comprehension when reading and listening, and - hopefully - capacity to express themselves in speaking and writing.
Conoscenze e abilità da acquisire
After following the course, students should possess a clear understanding of major themes of British history from the late 17th century to the present: Britain's political system and constitutional arrangements, including the relations between the different nations of the British Isles; Britain's international relations and standing; its economic profile; its social organization, and the tensions and values which are part of it; a few major features of "high" culture, as well as the relationship between "popular" music and society c. 1955-1980.
Expected results of the course:
1) in a more curricular sense, students should significantly increase their knowledge and understanding of the subject in the terms just explained, through the experience of classroom teaching, working together with the teacher on the study material. They should gain fuller awareness of the diversity of historical experience in Europe's past, of the specificity of time and place and its interaction with the constituent elements of social and political organization, economic activity, cultural and technological characteristics, etc. They should also succeed in avoiding a teleological vision of the past, by understanding the actions and choices of past societies within the conceptual framework peculiar to those societies.
2) in a broader sense, of transferable and soft skills, students should develop the ability to engage dialectically with themes of historical analysis, comparing and contrasting, strengthening their critical sense and capacity for independent judgement. Moreover, the course is a useful opportunity to improve English language skills, especially oral and written comprehension. It is obviously especially suitable for non-Italian students.
Programma/Contenuti dell’insegnamento
History of the British Isles, with special attention to the period from the end of the 17th century to today.
The course aims to identify the specific characteristics of English, Welsh, Irish and Scottish history, avoiding excessive, distorted attention to the first of them. It tackles issues of political, economic, social, religious and cultural history. The course also includes the projection of films and the presentation of music, for fuller comprehension of historical issues relating to the twentieth century.
Attività di apprendimento e metodi didattici previsti
The course is conducted in English, at a level suited to average student knowledge. Teaching is closely linked to the Kramer textbook and students must obtain a copy as soon as possible.
It is conducted via a mix of lectures (frontal teaching), listening to music, watching movies (all students together).
Modalità di verifica dell’apprendimento
Course grading:
The exam is based on a three-hour written paper, with open questions in English and freedom of choice between English and Italian for the answers; students answering in Italian also have a brief oral exam.
Testi/Bibliografia
Initial bibliography:
JÜRGEN KRAMER, Britain and Ireland. A Concise History, Routledge. London, 2006 [paperback: ISBN 978-0-415-31196-0]; plus study material from the Uniud website, section "Materiali didattici".
Strumenti a supporto della didattica
I use movies and music, and therefore a multimedial teaching room.
Tesi di laurea
Possible only for students who choose this course but are enrolled in degree courses which require a dissertation: i. e. not classe 12 students. Any subject concerning British history from the later middle ages to today may be proposed.
Note
1) There will also be an evening seminar as an alternative to ordinary frontal teaching (perhaps a useful option for students who work during the day, and certainly familiar as a teaching method to exchange students). Students who choose this must: attend the seminar regularly; read material in Kramer before each seminar, so as to discuss it together. They may choose between doing the exam in the ordinary way, or base their marks thus: (1) 10% of the total on presence at 70% minimum of seminars, with (active!) participation; (2) 35% of the total on answering one third of the normal written exam, relating to the part of the book we study less; (3) 55% of the total on writing two papers relating to the material discussed during seminars. Further information about the seminar is to be found in a freely accessible Word file, available via the University website, in the "Materiali didattici" section.
2) Students intending to do the exam without attending class can only do so if they contact the teacher first (face to face).
3) Students from earlier years can do the exam provided they make contact before enrolling for the exam on Esse3.