unit 1-2 A brief introduction to uk 英国的详细介绍.doc

A Brief Introduction and Requirements to The CourseSept. 2012& Instructional Objectives of the course: o To aid English majors build up a comprehensive framework of the society and the culture of these two countries, that is, the United Kingdom and the United States, inclusive of the basic knowledge in the fields of geography, history, politics, economy, social and cultural life, etc.FRequirements for the course:before class - preview the related units ;during the class take part in the discussion; take notes if necessary;after class - finish the exercises; review whats learned.F Your final score: class presentation + class performance = 40% final examination = 60%Teaching Contento A brief introduction and requirements to the courseo A brief introduction to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Irelando The Government of the United Kingdomo Politics, Class and Raceo The UK Economyo British Education Systemo Sports, Holidays and Festivals in Britaino A Brief introduction to the United States of Americao American Beginnings and Historyo The Political System in the United Stateso American Economyo Education in the United Stateso Social Movements of the 1960so Technology in Americao Post-WWII American Foreign Policyo Sports and Scenic Spots in AmericaUnit 1-2 A Brief Introduction to the United KingdomA Brief Introduction A complicated country with a complicated name Geography National Flag The Official Coat of Arms History four parts within the one nation-stateA complicated country with a complicated name England Britain/Great Britain the British Isles the UK/the United Kingdom the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandA Brief Introduction of Geography The total area of Great Britain is 244,820 square kilometres. The capital of London is one of the three major international finance centers (Hong Kong & New York). The main areas of high land are in Scotland, Wales and Cumbria. In the centre of England is a range of hills called the Pennines, which are also known as the backbone of England. The highest mountains are in Scotland and Wales: Ben Nevis is 4,406 feet (1,343 m.) and Snowdon is 3,560 feet (1,085 m.). The longest river is the Severn (220 miles, 354 km.) and the second one of much more importance is the River Thames (215 miles, 346 km). The Tower Bridge spans the Thames River from the Tower of London to Southwark on the south side of the Thames. It was the only movable bridge crossing the Thames when it was completed in 1894. The bridge was designed by Sir Horace Jones and built by Sir John Wolfe Barry. Location: an island country; It lies in the north Atlantic Ocean off the north coast of Europe. It is separated from the rest of Europe by the English Channel in the south and the North Sea in the east.National Flag Flag Description:blue field with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) edged in white superimposed on the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland), which is superimposed on the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland);The Official Coat of Arms of the UK The main element of the Arms is the shield which is divided into four quarters. The first and fourth quadrants represent England and contain three gold lions passant on a red field; the second quadrant represents Scotland contains a redlion rampant on a gold field; the third quadrant represents Ireland and contains the gold harp of Ireland on a blue field. A Brief Introduction of History As the dominant industrial and maritime power of the 19th century, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earths surface. The first half of the 20th century saw the UKs strength seriously depleted in two World Wars and the Irish republic withdraw from the union. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council, a founding member of NATO, and of the Commonwealth, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy; it currently is weighing the degree of its integration with continental Europe.A Brief Introduction of Society People: Recently, there have been many waves of immigration into Britain and movement within the UK. For example, many people from Wales, Scotland and Ireland have settled in England; and Jews, Russians, Germans, and Poles have come to Britain (particularly London) during political changes in the rest of Europe. Society:British culture is being enriched through its contact with other cultures. For example, the British are becoming more adventurous in their cooking and eating habits, and Chinese, Indian and Pakistani restaurants are very popular. Another example can be found in the pop music scene where West Indian reggae music has become very influential.Others National flower：Rose National bird：redbreast/robin 红胸鸽 National anthem: God Save the Queen Languages: English, Welsh, Scots and Gaelic Religions: Church of England (established church), Church of Scotland (established church), Church of Wales and Church of Ireland. Ethnic races: English 81.5%; Scottish 9.6%; Irish 2.4%; Welsh 1.9%; Ulster 1.8%; West Indian(印第安人), Indian, Pakistani, and other 2.8%.Four parts within the one nation-state: England: in the southern part of Great Britain. It is the largest, most populous section. Capital: London.England the largest of the four; the most populous (highly urbanized) a cultural and economic dominance; capital: London History: a history of invasion the Celts: 700 BC the Roman Invasion: 55 BC & 43 AD the Anglo-Saxon Conquest: 446 AD the Viking Invasions Alfred the Great the Norman Conquest: (1066)William the Conqueror Scotland the second largest of the four; of the most distinctive identity; capital: Edinburgh Geography: the Highlands in the north; the Southern Uplands in the south; the largest city: Glasgow (a port and the British ship building center) Hadrians Wall people: the Scots independence of Scotland for 300 years union with England in 1707Wales in the west of Great Britain. the