ACADEMIC PROGRAMME FOR WORCESTER CENTRE 2010 All students will take – British Life and Culture Students will take at least one other course from the following choices: – English Literature and Performance – The Making of Modern Britain – British Media and Communication

British Life and Culture (compulsory) During this course you will learn about the history of Britain spanning from the time that Stonehenge was built right up to the 20 th Century. This, in turn, will help you to understand and more fully experience the rich and vibrant modern British culture you will find yourself immersed in throughout your stay with us here in Worcester. Also in the land of Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Turner and Elgar you will discover the literary, artistic and musical treasures of this “green and pleasant land.”

English Literature and Performance This course will focus on a selection of significant writers and dramatists who have been important in the formation of the canon of English literature from medieval times to the twentieth century. The course will be of particular interest to students of literature and drama but will be appropriate for any student who has an interest in British culture and the arts. Set texts will be introduced within specific historic, cultural, and regional contexts which will be researched by students during a series of field trips that are directly related to the texts and their contexts.

The Making of Modern Britain This course will focus on those aspects of British historical development which have made the British experience ‘unique’ or have had a disproportionate global influence eg. The factors which allowed Britain to become the first modern industrial state. The reasons which have permitted the United Kingdom to survive as a modern, democratic, multi-national state. Some of the factors which may threaten this status in the future will be analysed. The legacy of the British Empire and the impact of recent immigration from Europe will be explored in order to examine the reality of multi-culturalism in Britain today.

British Media and Communication This course will introduce key theories and analytical approaches in Media Studies and will put into practice methods of analysis of media texts – film, TV, radio, print texts and images. All material will be situated in the context of British media institutions and culture and students will consider comparisons between the British and US Media institutions, texts and audiences.

Field Trips Each of the academic courses will be related to Field Trips that will take place in each of the five weeks. Students will be prepared during their course of study for research and observation tasks that will be undertaken during as part of the Field Trip and these tasks will contribute to the course assessment. Students will visit a number of locations in the following towns/cities: Worcester, Stratford-upon- Avon, Bath, Birmingham, Malvern. All students will, additionally, spend a full weekend in London

Week 1: Worcester

British Life and Culture: Parliament and the Monarchy, British dialects and the class system, food and drinking culture, Public transport The Making of Modern Britain: Pre-history to Marks and Spencers. With pre-historic, Roman and Anglo Saxon remains; Norman architecture (Worcester Cathedral); and from Tudor, through Victorian to the very latest buildings. Literature and Performance: The development of the English language from King James Bible to English Civil War poetry. Examining Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales. British Media and Communication : Local, regional newspapers; local radio BBC Hereford and Worcester

Week 2: Stratford-upon-Avon

British Life and Culture: Religion in contemporary Britain, British and American English language use and the English and Welsh educational system. The Making of Modern Britain Everyday life in the Tudor period. Literature and Performance: The influence of Shakespeare on the language we use today and attend a performance at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre; meet the actors. British Media, Communication and Culture: Advertising and popular entertainment

Week 3: Bath

British Life and Culture: Tourism in Modern Britain and the British sense of heritage The Making of Modern Britain: The legacy of the Romans in Britain and the role of Britain in the eighteenth century world English Literature and Performance: Jane Austen and the novel of manners British Media and Communication : Representation: the City as text

Week 4: Birmingham

British Life and Culture: The British working class, multicultural Britain and inner city Britain The Making of Modern Britain: The Industrial Revolution and the building of the canals and railways. English Literature and Performance: The portrayal of the poor in 19 th Century British Literature such as Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South. British Media and Communication : Multi-cultural Media representations; Media institutions

Week 5: The Malvern Hills

British Life and Culture: The modern British economy and “Cool Britannia”. Leisure and entertainment in modern Britain The Making of Modern Britain: How the landscape of the British Isles has changed through history and the impact of World War II on Britain English Literature and Performance: Walk in the footsteps of the Dymock Poets and read their works on the glorious hills. Attend a performance at the world class Malvern Theatre. British Media and Communication The leisure industry of the countryside and its representation in advertising

Assessment Portfolio, either multimedia or written (50%) This will be a collection of reflective materials that you will collate in response to the lessons, trips and experiences you have during the course. Presentation (20%) You will be expected to give a presentation in small groups about key aspects of what you have learnt about the history, modern culture, literature, arts and music of Britain. Final paper (30%) This will assess your understanding of what you have learnt on this course.  For those students seeking Honors credit - if you are interested in the possibility of transforming or augmenting a course to satisfy an Honors College requirement, you must contact Dr. John Emert, Associate Dean of Honors College. Permission will be given on an individual basis, and will depend on your past honors work, current honors work, and overall plan of study.

Worcester Centre Summer School Timetable 2010 Breakfast 09: :00Lunch Break Dinner Monday The Making of Modern Britain English Literature and Performance British Life and Culture (1.5 hours) Sports Activity Tuesday British Media and Communication British Life and Culture The Making of Modern Britain (2 hours) Wednesd ay English Literature and Performance British Media and Communication British Life and Culture (1.5 hours) Film night Thursday Early or packed lunch Combined Directed Field Trip (8 hours min) Late dinner Friday Free Day (self catering) Saturday Free Day (self catering) Optional daytrip (small cost for transport / entrance fees) Sunday Free Day (self catering)