HSS2012 : An Introduction to British Cultures 1
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Available to incoming Study Abroad and Exchange students
- Module Leader(s): Dr Rachel Clements
- Owning School: School X
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
*To create an understanding of the complexity of complexity of British Culture(s).
* To introduce students to the key tools of analysis required to critically examine British culture(s).
* To develop students' communication skills and autonomous learning skills through the research and preparation of an essay/podcast.
The module will benefit students who aim for an international career and/or expect to be working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. Using a range of teaching methods students will develop an understanding of the complexity of the role of culture for society, groups and individuals. The course will focus on contemporary Britain but will also provide a historical context for areas of study such as British identity, the changing demography of Britain and British cultural expression.
Outline Of Syllabus
The course will develop an understanding of British culture through analysis of a range of topics, examples of topics may include: social class, multiculturalism, media, sport, accent and dialect and contemporary Britain. Areas of study (which may change each academic year) will focus on contemporary trends and debates within a historical context.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 8 | 1:00 | 8:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 8 | 1:00 | 8:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 1 | 4:00 | 4:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 79:00 | 79:00 | N/A |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The aim of the module is to give the student scope to achieve the knowledge and skills outcomes whilst developing autonomous habits of learning. The work in each topic will be introduced through a lecture. Seminars will enable students to engage with the material through critical discussion using material drawn from texts, academic journals, magazines, the internet and broadsheet and broadcast journalism. Students will be encouraged to observe and analyse British culture and to consider, compare and contrast elements of this with their own country. In terms of the assignment the emphasis is on self-study.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | A | 80 | Students supported to write their own essay (1500 words) or create a podcast (10 minutes) based on an aspect of British Culture relating to themes and concepts in at least one of the lecture series |
| Essay | 1 | A | 20 | Students supported to complete a 500 word or 4 minute podcast-style plan of the essay/ podcast |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 1 | M | In small groups students invited to present on a topic from the previous seminar, relating the topic to their home countries (cultural comparison) |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Formative feedback to be given during the semester via seminar tasks.
Proficiency in all learning and skills outcomes is required to complete the summative assessment. The end of module essay will allow students to choose to explore any of the topics explored throughout the module in more detail. Optional oral presentation enables students to begin articulating cultural comparison, useful in critical interpretation of the target culture -British Culture(s).
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- HSS2012's Timetable