British and American Culture and Society, 7.5 credits

Aims and objectives

General aims for first cycle education

First-cycle courses and study programmes shall develop:

• the ability of students to make independent and critical assessments
• the ability of students to identify, formulate and solve problems autonomously, and
• the preparedness of students to deal with changes in working life.

In addition to knowledge and skills in their field of study, students shall develop the ability to:

• gather and interpret information at a scholarly level
• stay abreast of the development of knowledge, and
• communicate their knowledge to others, including those who lack specialist knowledge in the field.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 8)

Course objectives

Knowledge and Understanding
Upon completion of this course, the student will have

• a basic knowledge of some aspects of British and American culture and society.

Competence and Skills
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to

• analyze different types of texts with a starting point in knowledge of cultural or social issues in mainly correct English.

Judgment and Approach
Upon completion of this course, the student will have the ability to

• take a critical, analytical approach to texts on British and American culture and society.

Main content of the course

This course focuses on some central aspects of cultural and national identity in Britain and the US, examining these critically. Categories such as gender, ethnicity and class are introduced and explored in the context of British and American culture and society.

Teaching methods

Teaching may be conducted in the form of lectures and seminars.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Examination methods

British and American Culture and Society I, 5 credits (Code: A001)
Take-home exam.

British and American Culture and Society II, 2.5 credits (Code: A002)
An oral presentation.

For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other forms of examinations.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on examination methods

Examination deadline
If the deadline for the examination is exceeded, the examiner will decide how the examination should be conducted and, when applicable, set the timeframe for it.

Supplementary assignments for a passing grade
The examiner may decide that a student who has not received a passing grade for the course may submit supplementary assignments instead of taking a re-examination. Supplementary assignments should be submitted to the lecturer within one week after the student is notified of the failing grade.

Grades

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

According to regulations on grading systems for first- and second-cycle education (vice-chancellor's decision 2019-01-15, ORU 2019/00107), one of the following grades is to be used: fail, pass, or pass with distinction. The vice-chancellor or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special reasons.

Grades used on course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

British and American Culture and Society I
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

British and American Culture and Society II
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on grades

On 13 November 2018, the Vice Chancellor admitted an exception from the U-G-VG
grading scale in favour of the A-F grading scale. From the autumn semester 2019, the AF
grading scale may be applied on international courses and study programmes (ORU
2018/06084).

To pass the whole course, at least the grade E is required for each examination.

The letter Grades A-E will be converted to numbers 5-1 and combined to an average grade, where the number of credits for each examination also are taken in to account. A weighted average grade of the course modules will thus be reported for the whole course.

Grade A is given when the average mark is at least 4.5.
Grade B is given when the average mark is at least 3.5 but lower than 4.5.
Grade C is given when the average mark is at least 2.5 but lower than 3.5.
Grade D is given when the average mark is at least 1.5 but lower than 2.5.
Grade E is given when the average mark is lower than 1.5.

Specific entry requirements

General entry requirements (cources labelled A2)

or

General entry requirements and also English B (cources labelled 2)

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Transfer of credits for previous studies

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Other provisions

The course is given in English.

Transitional provisions

Should the course undergo changes to such an extent that it is not possible to examine the student in accordance with this course syllabus, opportunities for special examination sessions will be provided in accordance with the university's local guidelines. If this occurs, the university will inform the students involved.

Reading list and other teaching materials

Required Reading

Campbell, Neil & Alisdair Kean (2011)
American Cultural Studies: An introduction to American Culture (3 ed.)
New York: Routledge

Storry, Michael & Peter Childs (2013)
British Cultural Identities (4 ed.)
New York: Routledge

Additional Reading

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, (2008)

Additions and Comments
Additional required reading of about 100 pages. There may be additional costs due to film rentals.