- •Lectures in british studies lecture 01 one of the greatest countries of the world
- •1.1. General description: what comes to mind first?
- •1.2. Contributions to human civilization.
- •1.3 Contributions to world culture.
- •1.4 English, one of the world languages.
- •Lecture 02 britain’s geography and climate
- •2.1. The geographical position.
- •2.2. Britain's relief.
- •2.3. British climate.
- •2.4. Mineral resources.
- •Lecture 03 an outline of early british history
- •3.1. Ancient history of the nation.
- •3.2. The beginning of the Christian era and after.
- •3.3. The Anglo-Saxon period.
- •3.4. Christianity in Britain.
- •Lecture 04 an outline of medieval british history
- •4.1 The formative centuries, 1066 – 1500s.
- •4.2 Wars and conflicts.
- •4.3 Tudor England.
- •4.4. The age of Elizabeth.
- •Lecture 05 the puritan revolution and after
- •5.1. The Civil War.
- •5.2. The Republican rule
- •5.3. The events after 1660.
- •5.4. The Industrial Revolution.
- •Lecture 06 the victorian age, long and glorious
- •6.1. The Victorian Age (1837 – 1901).
- •6.2. Political movements of the Victorian Age.
- •6.3. Social issues during the Victorian Age.
- •6.4. Cultural life: literature and other arts.
- •Lecture 07 britain in the XX century
- •7.1. World War I.
- •7.2. The period between the world wars.
- •7.3. World War II
- •7.4. Postwar Britain.
- •Lecture 08 education in the uk
- •8.1. Secondary education.
- •8.2. Tertiary education.
- •8.3. Great universities: Oxford and Cambridge.
- •8.4. Other establishments of note.
- •Lecture 09 social life in the uk
- •9.1. Social life.
- •9.2. Social issues.
- •9.3. Youth life.
- •9.4. Communications and travel.
- •Lecture 10 the mass media in the uk
- •10.1. The mass media.
- •10.2. Radio and television.
- •10.3. The era of computers.
- •10.4. Top 10 Britons of all time.
1.3 Contributions to world culture.
1.3.1. Britain has been important in the arts throughout modern times. Plays, novels, stories and, most recently, screenplays from Britain have been admired throughout the world. British contributions to literature are remarkable in their richness, variety, and consistency. The names of William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens are universally known. At the end of the XX century, the phenomenal success of the Harry Potter books written by Joanne Rowling made her one of the richest women in the world. Britain can also claim several artists and composers of note, including composer Sir Edward Elgar, as well as such popular artists as Arthur Lloyd Weber and John Lennon.
1.3.2. When we speak about British architecture it needs to be mentioned that some of the oldest examples of British architecture include a few Anglo-Saxon buildings. After the Norman Conquest in 1066, they built the White Tower, which is part of the Tower of London, and the castle, cathedral, and monastery complex at Durham. Sir Christopher Wren, Britain’s greatest architect helped in the rebuilding of the city, after the Great Fire of London in 1666. Wren designed 52 new churches in London. Many of his churches still stand. The grandest of them is Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London. In the 18th century few English buildings followed the ornate patterns of the baroque and rococo architectures used in Europe.
1.3.3. During the Victorian era Britain became the world’s first urban, industrialized society, and a vast middle class developed. Its way of life became a trademark of Britain. The British say “My home is my castle” and they are all in it. British houses are made with concrete blocks or concrete-like building materials because the dampness of the climate causes wood to rot. Central heating is now widespread; previously, individual fires or heating devices were used. The British tend to socialize by joining clubs and hobby groups. The local public house, or pub, serves alcoholic beverages and is an important gathering place, particularly for the working class. Politeness is a hallmark of British society.
1.3.4. Sports are important, and an estimated 29 million people participate in a variety of sports, including football (soccer), rugby, cricket, tennis, polo, horse racing, field hockey, and croquet. Many more are spectators of professional sports. Cricket is considered the national game of England, cricket is also popular in countries that were formerly British colonies. Fishing is popular, but the few people who take up hunting come under considerable criticism for doing so. Reading, music, culture, and the arts are pursued zealously by countless millions. The authoritative and soothing tones of BBC radio and television broadcasts and news reporting inform British people and others worldwide. The development of the powerful cultural medium – the modern computer – owes much to the work of the XIX century scientist Charles Babbage. Some twenty years ago, British Professor Tim Berners-Lee developed the World Wide Web.