british studies materials
TRANSCRIPT
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
1/58
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
2/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 1
CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL INTRODUCTION COUNTRY AND PEOPLE
Geographically speaking
Lying off the north-west coast of Europe, there are two large islands and several muchsmaller ones. Collectively, they are known as The British Isles. The largest island is called
Great Britain. The other large one is called Ireland (The British Isles).
Politically speaking
In the British Isles there are two states. One of these governs most of the island of Ireland.
This state is usually called The Republic of Ireland. It is also called 'Eire' (its Irish
language name). Informally it is referred to as just 'Ireland' or 'the Republic'.
The other state has authority over the rest of the British Isles (the whole of GreatBritain, the northeastern area of Ireland and most of the smaller islands). This is the
country that is the main subject of this book. Its official name is The United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Irelandalthough it is usually known by a shorter name. At the
Eurovision Song Contest, at the United Nations and in the European Parliament, for
instance, it is referred to as 'the United Kingdom'. In everyday speech this is often
shortened to 'the UK'. In other contexts it is referred to as 'Great Britain'. This, for example,
is the name you hear when a gold medal winner steps onto the rostrum at the Olympic
Games. The stickers on cars (GB') are another example of the use of this name. In writing
and speaking that is not especially formal or informal, the name 'Britain' is used. The
normal adjective, when talking about something to do with the UK, is 'British'.
The four nations
People often refer to Britain by another name. They call it 'England'. But this is not strictly
correct, and it can make some people angry. England is only one of the four nations of the
British Isles (England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland). Their political unification was a
gradual process that took several hundred years. It was completed in 1800 when the Irish
Parliament was joined with the Parliament for England, Scotland and Wales in
Westminster, so that the whole of the British Isles became a single state - the UnitedKingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. However, in 1922, most of Ireland became a
separate state.
At one time the four nations were distinct from each other in almost every aspect of
life. In the first place, they were different racially. The people in Ireland, Wales and
highland Scotland belonged to the Celtic race; those in England and lowland Scotland were
mainly of Germanic origin. This difference was reflected in the languages they spoke.
People in the Celtic areas spoke Celtic languages: Irish Gaelic, Scottish Gaelic and Welsh.
People in the Germanic areas spoke Germanic dialects (including the one which has
developed into modern English). The nations also tended to have different economic,
social and legal systems.
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
3/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 2
Today these differences have become blurred. But they have not completely
disappeared. Although there is only one government for the whole of Britain , and people
have the same passport regardless of where in Britain they live, some aspects of
government are organized separately (and sometimes differently) in the four parts of the
United Kingdom. Moreover, Welsh, Scottish and Irish people feel their identity verystrongly.
The dominance of England
There is, perhaps, an excuse for people who use the word 'England' when they mean
'Britain', It cannot be denied that the dominant culture of Britain today is specifically
English. The system of politics that is used in all four nations today is of English origin,
and English is the main language of all four nations. Many aspects of everyday life are
organized according to English custom and practice. But the political unification of Britain
was not achieved by mutual agreement. On the contrary. It happened because England was
able to exert her economic and military power over the other three nations.
.
Today English domination can be detected in the way in which various aspects of
British public life are described. For example, the supply of money in Britain is controlled
by the Bank of England (there is no such thing as a 'Bank of Britain'). The present queen of
Flags of the four nations
The United Kingdom
The Union Jack
England
St Georges Cross
Wales
Dragon of Cadwallader
Scotland
St Andrews Cross
Northern Ireland
St Patricks Cross
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
4/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 3
the country is universally known as 'Elizabeth the Second', even though Scotland and
Northern Ireland have never had an 'Elizabeth the First'! (Elizabeth I of England and Wales
ruled from 1553 to 1603.) The term 'Anglo' is also commonly used. (The Angles were a
Germanic tribe who settled in England in the fifth century. The word 'England' is derived
from their name.) For example, newspapers and the television news talk about' AngloAmerican relations' to refer to relations between the governments of Britain and the USA
(and not just those between England and the USA).
The names Briton and Britannia
Britonis a word used in official contexts and in formal writing to describe a citizen of the
United Kingdom. 'Ancient Britons' is the name given to the race of people who lived in
England before and during the Roman occupation (AD 43-4 10). These are the ancestors of
the present-day Welsh people.
Britannia is the name that the Romans gave to their southern British province (which
covered, approximately, the area of present-day England). It is also the name given to the
female embodiment of Britain, always shown wearing a helmet and holding a trident (the
symbol of power over the sea), hence the patriotic song which begins 'Rule Britannia,
Britannia rule the waves'. The figure of Britannia has been on the reverse side of many
British coins for more than 300 years (Britannia).
SCOTLAND
General introduction
Scotland and its offshore islands comprise the northernmost part of the United Kingdom.
The Scottish mainland, which occupies roughly the northern third of the island of Great
Britain, is bordered on three sides by seas. To the north and west is the Atlantic Ocean; to
Quick facts of The United Kingdom
Official name:
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland
Capital: London
Area: 244,110 sq km
Population: 60,776,238 (2007 estimate)
Population density:
252 persons per sq km (2007 estimate)
652 persons per sq mi (2007 estimate)
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
5/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 4
the east is the North Sea. Rugged uplands separate Scotland from England to the south.
The territory of Scotland includes 186 nearby islands, a majority of which are contained in
three groups. These are the Hebrides, also known as the Western Isles, located off the
western coast; the Orkney Islands, located off the northeastern coast; and the Shetland
Islands, located northeast of the Orkney Islands. The largest of the other islands is theIsland of Arran. The total land area of Scotland, including the islands, is 78,790 sq km
(30,420 sq mi).
An independent nation for much of its history, Scotland was joined to England by a
series of dynastic and political unions in the 17th and 18th centuries. Scotland retains a
separate national identity, however, supported by separate legal and educational systems, a
national church, a parliament with wide-ranging powers, and other national symbols and
institutions.
Land
Scotland has an irregular and deeply indented coastline. The rugged western coast, in
particular, is pierced by numerous inlets from the sea. Most of these inlets are narrow
submerged valleys with steep sides, known as sea lochs (Loch Ness). The larger and
broader inlets are called firths. The principal firths are the Firth of Lorne, the Firth of
Clyde, and Solway Firth. The major indentations on the eastern coast are Dornoch Firth,
Moray Firth, the Firth of Tay, and the Firth of Forth. Measured around the various firths
and lochs, the coastline of Scotland is about 3,700 km (about 2,300 mi) long.
The people of Scotland
The people of Scotland, like those of the United Kingdom in general, are descendants of
various ethnic stocks, including the Picts, Celts, Scandinavians, Anglo-Saxons, and newer
immigrant groups. Scotland is mainly an urban-industrial society with a small, sparsely
scattered rural population. Large-scale internal migration during the 19th and 20th
centuries weakened the historic regional distinctions between Highlander (primarily Celtic,
Loch Ness
Loch Ness is the largest of
a series of interlinked
lochs, or lakes, located in
northern Scotlands Great
Glen. Loch Ness is one of
Scotlands top tourist
attractions.
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
6/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 5
Catholic, and Gaelic-speaking) and Lowlander (Anglo-Saxon, Protestant, and Scots-
speaking). In the 20th century the arrival of immigrants from former British colonial
territories, as well as from other parts of the United Kingdom, has created a culturally
diverse population, especially in the two main urban areas of Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Principal cities
Glasgow (population, 2001, 578,700) is Scotlands largest city. It forms part of the
metropolis of Clydeside, which is composed of a large number of urban areas, including
Clydebank, Paisley, Kilmarnock, and Hamilton. This region is the main industrial and
commercial center in Scotland. Edinburgh (449,000) is the capital of Scotland and also the
countrys major administrative and financial center. The city is Scotlands main tourist
destination and hosts the Edinburgh International Festival, the largest annual arts festival in
the United Kingdom. Other major cities are Aberdeen (211,300), a center for oilproduction and distribution, and Dundee (150,250).
Religion and language
The Church of Scotland, a Presbyterian denomination, is the official state church.
Approximately 70 percent of the population is Protestant. Most of the rest of the
population belongs to the Roman Catholic Church. Other important denominations are theEpiscopal Church in Scotland, Congregationalist, Baptist, Methodist, and Unitarian.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and its second largest city. The view here is
of the city with the hills south of the Firth of Forth.
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
7/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 6
Immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries contributed new religious groups, including
Jews, Hindus, Muslims, and Buddhists.
English is the main language spoken in Scotland, although 30 percent of the
population claims to use the Scottish language, a dialect of the English language. Fewerthan 100,000 Scots (mainly inhabitants of the Highlands and island groups) also speak the
Scottish form of Gaelic, part of the family of Celtic languages. However, Gaelic has
enjoyed a revival in Scotland in recent years. Today, there are more than 2,000 children in
Gaelic immersion schools, primarily in the Hebrides and Glasgow. There is also a Gaelic
language college, Sabhal Ostaig Mor, located on the Isle of Skye.
Culture
Historic cultural differences long divided Celtic Scots of the Highlands and Anglo-Saxonsof the Lowlands. Traditionally, the clan, a grouping of an entire family with one patriarchal
chief, or laird, was central to Highland culture. Clans were also important as fighting units,
and they played an important role in rebellions against the British government. However,
depopulation of the Highlands, which has occurred since the 18th century, fatally
weakened the clan structure. Today, the clan in Scotland exists mainly as a cultural ideal
rather than as a practical form of social organization. Lowland culture was more heavily
influenced by the Industrial Revolution, as well as by Protestantism, which spread
throughout much of Scotland during the Reformation. The extension of Highland cultural
traditions to the Lowlandsincluding the use of clan names, kilts, and bagpipesand the
creation of a Scottish mythology and literary culture can be traced to the late 18th and early
19th centuries. At that time writers such as Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott worked to
create a unified sense of Scottish identity.
Scots have made many outstanding contributions to the arts and sciences over the
centuries. Well-known Scottish painters include the portraitists George Jameson, Allan
Ramsey, Sir Henry Raeburn, and Sir David Wilkie, and the impressionist William
McTaggart. Leading Scottish writers include the poets Robert Burns, Hugh MacDiarmid,
and Edwin Muir, the biographer James Boswell, the novelists Sir Walter Scott and Robert
Louis Stevenson, and the dramatist Sir James Barrie.
Worl d Pipe Band Championships,
Glasgow
Every August, the city of Glasgow,
Scotland, hosts the World Pipe Band
Championships. The prestigious
competition, sponsored by the Royal
Scottish Pipe Band Association,
draws thousands of pipers and
drummers from bagpipe bands
around the world.
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
8/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 7
In the field of philosophy, Scotland has produced numerous influential thinkers,
including the medieval theologian John Duns Scotus, the moral philosopher and historian
David Hume, and the renowned economist Adam Smith. Among the great Scottish
scientists are James Watt, who greatly improved the steam engine, Sir William Ramsay, a
Nobel Prize-winning chemist, and Sir Alexander Fleming, who received a Nobel Prize forhis discovery of the drug penicillin.
Scotland has a rich musical heritage. The traditional instruments of Scotland
include the fiddle, clarsach (the Celtic harp), and bagpipes, an ancient instrument that was
probably brought to Scotland by Romans. Scottish music is noted for the wide use of a
five-tone, or pentatonic, scale. Traditional folk tunes are not standardized, and a single
song may have hundreds of variations in lyrics and music. A revival of traditional Scottish
music began in the 1960s, and it continues to influence contemporary musical forms,
including Scottish folk rock and Gaelic-language music.
Sports have an important place in Scottish life. The most popular sports in Scotlandare soccer and rugby. Professional clubs draw a wide following, and many Scots play on
amateur teams. Sports of Scottish origin, including curling and golf, also remain popular.
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of Saint Andrews, located in Saint Andrews on
Scotlands eastern coast, maintains the worlds oldest surviving golf course and is a
recognized authority on the rules of golf. Shinty, a stick-and-ball game similar to hurling,
is a Highland sport. The traditional Highland dress of tartans and kilts adds color to the
Highland Games, a series of athletic events held annually in Scotland. A beautiful and
varied natural environment supports many forms of outdoor recreation, including hiking,
rock climbing, canoeing, sailing, and skiing. Indoor sports, such as billiards, darts, and
bowling, also attract many enthusiasts.
ENGLAND
General introduction
England (Latin Anglia), political division of the island of Great Britain, is the principal
division of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. England occupies
all of the island east of Wales and south of Scotland, other divisions of the island of Great
Britain. Established as an independent monarchy many centuries ago, England in timeachieved political control over the rest of the island, all the British Isles, and vast sections
of the world, becoming the nucleus of one of the greatest empires in history. The capital,
largest city, and chief port of England is London, with a population in 2001 of 7,172,000.
It is also the capital of the United Kingdom and the site of the headquarters of the
Commonwealth of Nations.
Land
England is somewhat triangular in shape, with its apex at the mouth of the Tweed River.
The base of the triangle fronts the English Channel and the Strait of Dover. The total area
of England is 130,410 sq km (50,352 sq mi), 57 percent of the area of the island. This total
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
9/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 8
includes the region of the Isles of Scilly, southwest of Lands End in the Atlantic Ocean;
the Isle of Wight, located off the southern coast; and the Isle of Man, located in the Irish
Sea.
The terrain of England is diversified. The northern and western portions are
generally mountainous. The principal highland region, the Pennine Chain (or Pennines),forms the backbone of northern England.
Principal cities
After London, Birmingham, population 976,400 (2001), is the second largest city and is
the center of an extensive industrial area that contains major concentrations of the
automotive and other industries. Liverpool (439,500) is the second largest port and a major
cargo export outlet for Britain; it is also a great commercial and industrial center.
Manchester (392,900) is the chief commercial hub of the cotton and synthetic-fiber textileindustries, as well as an important financial and commercial center and a major port.
Among other important cities are Sheffield (513,100), the heavy engineering center famous
for its high-quality steels, cutlery, and tools, and Bristol (380,600), a leading port and
commercial center.
London
London is situated in southeastern England along the Thames River. With a population of
about 7 million, this vast metropolis is by far the largest city in Europe, a distinction it has
maintained since the 17th century. In the 19th century it was the largest and most
influential city in the world, the center of a large and prosperous overseas empire.
Although it no longer ranks among the worlds most populous cities, London is still one of
the worlds major financial and cultural capitals.
Liverpool
During the 19th century Liverpool
was a major British port, second only
to London. The broad estuary of the
Mersey River was the main scene of
activity. Today this stretch of the
river is used mostly by ferries and
recreational craft.
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
10/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 9
Some wonders in London
Big Ben
Big Ben is the great bell in the Clock Tower on the eastern end of the Houses ofParliament. It was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, Londons chief commissioner of works
in 1858 when the bell was hung. The clocks in the 98-m (320-ft) Clock Tower have been
keeping time since 1859 (Big Ben, Westminster Palace, London).
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is one of the most popular meeting spots in London. It is surrounded by
museums, theaters and restaurants. The square was built as a monument to British navy
hero Viscount Horatio Nelson and his victory at Battle of Trafalgar in1805 (Trafalgar
Square, London).
Thames River
The Thames River is the most important river in England and the main source of Londons
water supply. In this picture, the Palace of Westminster is on the left, in front of
Westminster Bridge (thought to be the site of the Romans first crossing point). On the
south bank of the river (on the right of the picture) are Lambeth Palace (the London
residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury), the South Bank Centre arts complex and the
London Eye. (Thames River in London).
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, official town residence of the British monarch since 1837, located
near Saint James's Park, London. Built by John Sheffield, 1st duke of Buckingham andNormandy, in 1703, the palace was purchased for the royal family in 1761 by George III,
although St. James's Palace continued to be the official residence until the accession of
Big Ben, Westminster Palace, London Trafalgar Square, London
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
11/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 10
Queen Victoria. The neoclassical structure was remodeled by John Nash in 1825. In 1856 a
ballroom was added, and in 1913 a new east front was built. Buckingham Palace has about
600 rooms and 20 hectares (50 acres) of gardens. It is noted for its fine collection of
paintings (Buckingham Palace).
British Museums
British Museum, the national museum of antiquities and, until 1973, the national library of
the United Kingdom, located in London. The British Museum was founded in 1753,
incorporating the collection of the British physician and naturalist Sir Hans Sloane; the
Harleian Collection, formed by the statesman Robert Harley, 1st earl of Oxford; and the
Cottonian Library, organized by the antiquarian Sir Robert Cotton. In 1847 the building on
Great Russell Street, in the Bloomsbury section of London, was completed. It now houses
ten departments and part of the British Library (
British Museums).
Thames River in London Buckingham Palace
Br iti sh Museum
The British Museum is located in the Bloomsbury section of London. It was founded
in 1753 by Sir Hans Sloane, a British physician. The museums extensive collections
are housed in a buildin that was be un in the 1820s.
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
12/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 11
Swiss Re Tower, London
Located in central London, the Swiss ReTower (officially called 30 St. Mary
Axe) was designed by architect Norman
Foster and completed in 2004.
Tower of L ondon, England
The Tower of London, located on the
northern bank of the Thames River, was
built in the 11th century.
London Eye
The London Eye is a gigantic ferris wheel
on the banks of the Thames River inLondon, England. A ride in one of its 32
enclosed passenger capsules offers a
spectacular view of the city.
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
13/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 12
WALES
General introduction
Wales, part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, unitedpolitically, legally, and administratively with England and occupying a broad peninsula on
the western side of the island of Great Britain. Wales also includes the island of Anglesey,
which is separated from the mainland by the narrow Menai Strait.
Wales is bounded on the north by the Irish Sea; on the east by the English counties
of Cheshire, Shropshire, Hereford and Worcester, and Gloucester; on the south by Bristol
Channel; and on the west by Saint Georges Channel and Cardigan Bay. The maximum
north-south extent of the Welsh mainland is 220 km (137 mi); in an east-west direction the
distance varies between 60 and 155 km (36 and 96 mi). The total area of Wales is 20,760
sq km (8,015 sq mi). Cardiff is the capital, principal seaport, and shipbuilding center.
Land and People
Wales has an irregular coastline with many bays, the largest of which is Cardigan Bay.
Except for narrow, low-lying coastal regions, mainly in the south and west, Wales is
almost entirely mountainous. The principal range is the Cambrian Mountains, which
extend north and south through central Wales. Other major highland areas are the Brecon
Beacons in the southeast and the Snowdon massif, in the northwest, which reaches an
elevation of 1,085 m (3,560 ft), the greatest in England and Wales.
The people of Wales, like those of Britain in general, are descendants of various
stocks, including Celts, Scandinavians, and Romans. The population of Wales is 2,952,000
(2004 estimate). The population density was 142 persons per sq km (368 persons per sq
mi). About three-quarters of the population is concentrated in the mining centers in the
south.
Principal cities
The major cities of Wales are Cardiff (Cardiffs City Center) , the capital, principal
seaport, and shipbuilding center (2001 population, 305,200); Swansea, a seaport and centerof the tin-plate industry (2001 population, 223,200); and Newport (1996 population,
136,789).
Cardiffs City Center
Cardiff, the capital of Wales, is located at the mouth
of the Taff and Ely rivers on the Bristol Channel. At
one time among the worlds biggest coal-exporting
ports, Cardiff remains an important industrial,commercial, and administrative center.
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
14/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 13
Language
Both English and Welsh are official languages. English is spoken by most of the
population. A small percentage of the people speak Welsh only; more than one-quarter of
the population speaks both Welsh and English. As part of an effort to preserve Welshculture, the government supports Welsh language books, plays, and other artworks, and
Welsh has been included in the school curriculum since 1970. The British Broadcasting
Corporation operates two radio stations in Walesone that broadcasts in English and one
that broadcasts in Welshand contributes programming to a Welsh-language television
station. There are a number of bilingual publications, and most road signs are in English
and Welsh. In 1993 the Welsh Language Act gave equality to English and Welsh in
government business and the courts.
Culture
The Welsh are well known for their love of singing, and their hymns and folk songs are
widely known throughout the world. Music plays a large part in the annual festival, the
Royal National Eisteddfod, at which Welsh poetry and Welsh folk arts are also featured.
The Royal National Eisteddfod is held each year in a different locality, and Welsh natives
and those of Welsh descent from all over the world attend. The International Musical
Eisteddfod is also held annually in Llangollen. The international opera star Bryn Terfel got
his start at eisteddfods. Other popular singers from Wales include Shirley Bassey, Tom
Jones, and Charlotte Church.
The Welsh literary tradition is one of the oldest and richest in Europe, dating back
more than 1,000 years to the bardsCeltic poets who composed, recited, and sang long
epics. The most notable of the early Welsh bardic poets were Taliesin and Aneirin. The
Mabinogion, composed between the mid-11th and late 13th centuries, is a collection of 11
prose stories and one of the most important works of early medieval European literature.
The best known of the 20th-century Welsh-born poets are Dylan Thomas, R. S. Thomas,
and Roald Dahl, though they wrote in English.
NORTHERN IRELAND
General introduction
Northern Ireland, administrative division of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland, situated in the northeastern portion of the island of Ireland. The
remaining portion of the island is part of the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland
constitutes about 17 percent of the land area of Ireland and has 31 percent of the islands
population. The capital of Northern Ireland is Belfast. Northern Irelands population is
deeply divided along religious and political lines. The schism between the Protestant
majority and the Roman Catholic minority extends deep into Northern Irelands past and
has strongly influenced the regions culture, settlement patterns, and politics.
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
15/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 14
Land
The total area of Northern Ireland is 14,160 sq km (5,467 sq mi), of which 628 sq km (242
sq mi) is inland water. The maximum distance from north to south is 137 km (85 mi); from
east to west it is 177 km (110 mi). Northern Ireland is bounded on the north and northeastby the North Channel, on the southeast by the Irish Sea, and on the south and west by
Ireland. The border with Ireland is 360 km (220 mi) long. The regions coastline consists
of wide, sandy beaches, broken by steep cliffs in the north, northeast, and southeast. Near
the northernmost point of Northern Ireland is Giants Causeway, an unusual formation of
basalt columns created by the cooling of an ancient lava flow. Rathlin Island and several
smaller islands lie off the northern coast.
Population
The total population of Northern Ireland is 1,710,000 (2004). The overall population
density is 121 persons per sq km (313 persons per sq mi). The area that is now Northern
Ireland was thinly populated before 1700, but the population grew rapidly from about
1750, doubling in the period from 1750 to 1790. During the 20th century the population
increased slowly but steadily as a result of lower death rates, continuing high birth rates,
and a decline in the rate of emigration.
Principal cities
Belfast (City Hall, Belfast) is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland. Almost half
of the provinces population lives in the greater Belfast area. Founded on the sandy mouth
of the Lagan River in 1613 by settlers from Britain, Belfast took its name from Beal
Feirsde (Irish for the mouth of the sandbank). Belfast remained a small trading port until
about 1800. It subsequently became a major industrial city, growing from about 20,000
people at the beginning of the 1800s to a peak of 443,671 in 1951.
Northern Irelands second largest city, Londonderry (Derry), is much smaller.
Derry (Irish Doire, for place of the oaks), a small community centered around a 6th-
century abbey, was rebuilt by British settlers in 1613. Soon thereafter the town granted
charters to several London merchant companies to develop the area, and the official nameof the city became Londonderry. This name was never fully accepted or used by Catholics,
who in general still refer to the city as Derry. The city is therefore often referred to in
books and other text sources as Londonderry/Derry or Derry/Londonderry.
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
16/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 15
City Hall, Belf ast
Belfast is the capital
and largest city of
Northern Ireland. The
majestic City Hall
building, shown here,
is a landmark located
in Donegall Square in
central Belfast.
Language
Almost all residents of Northern Ireland speak English. Only a tiny percentage speak Irish,
a Gaelic language, except in remote upland areas in the Glens of Antrim, the Mourne
Mountains, and the Sperrin Mountains, where Irish is more widely spoken. The Catholic
and nationalist community has tended to become more enthusiastic about learning Irish as
a second language during periods of heightened political activityfor example, from 1900
to 1920 and from 1970 to the present day. Recent government policies and the expansion
of university education have encouraged mutual respect for the two cultural traditions in
the province. This has boosted the Irish language movement, as well as the rise in
popularity of Ulster-Scots, or Ullans, among the Protestant community.
THIS IS THE END OF CHAPTER ONE
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
17/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 16
CHAPTER TWO: HISTORY
Prehistory
Two thousand years ago there was an Iron Age Celtic culture throughout the British Isles.It seems that the Celts (The Celts), who had been arriving from Europe from the eighth
century BC onwards, intermingled with the peoples who were already there. We know that
religious sites that had been built long before the arrival of the Celts continued to be used
in the Celtic period.
For people in Britain today, the chief significance of the prehistoric period (for
which no written records exist) is its sense of mystery. This sense finds its focus most
easily in the astonishing monumental architecture of this period, the remains of which exist
throughout the country. Wiltshire, in south-western England, has two spectacular
examples: Silbury Hill, the largest burial mound in Europe, and Stonehenge (
Stonehenge). Such places have a special importance for anyone interested in the cultural
and religious practices of prehistoric Britain.
The Celts
The various Celtic tribes were
bound together by common
speech, customs, and religion,
rather than by any well-defined
central governments. The
absence of political unity
contributed substantially to the
extinction of their way of life,
making them vulnerable to their
enemies. Their economy was
pastoral and agricultural, and
they had no real urban life. Eachtribe was headed by a king and
was divided by class into Druids
(priests), warrior nobles, and
commoners. The nobles fought
on foot with swords and spears
and were fond of feasting and
drinking.
Celtic Round Houses
Objects of Celtic life
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
18/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 17
The Roman period (43-410)
The Roman province of Britannia covered most of present-day England and Wales. The
Romans imposed their own way of life and culture, making use of the existing Celtic
aristocracy to govern and encouraging this ruling class to adopt Roman dress and the
Roman language (Latin). They exerted an influence, without actually governing there, over
only the southern part of Scotland.
The remarkable thing about the Romans is that, despite their long occupation of
Britain, they left very little behind. To many other parts of Europe they bequeathed a
system of law and administration which forms the basis of the modern system and a
language which developed into the modern Romance family of languages. In Britain, they
left neither. Moreover, most of their villas, baths and temples, their impressive network ofroads, and the cities they founded, including Londinium (London), were soon destroyed or
fell into disrepair.
Stonehenge
Stonehenge was built on Salisbury Plain
some time between 3050 and 2300 BC. It
is one of the most famous and mysterious
archaeological sites in the world. One of
its mysteries is how it was ever built at all
with the technology of the time (the stones
come from over 200 miles away in
Wales). Another is its purpose. It appears
to function as a kind of astronomical
clock and we know it was used by the
Druids for ceremonies marking thepassing of the seasons. These days
Stonehenge is not only of interest to
tourists, but is also a gathering point for
certain minority groups. It is now fenced
off to protect it from damage.
Hadrian' s Wall
Hadrian's Wall was built by the Romans in the
second century across the northern border of
their province of Britannia (along nearly the
same line as the present English- Scottish
border) in order to protect their territory from
attacks by the Scots and the Picts.
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
19/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 18
The Germanic invasions (410-1066)
One reason why Roman Britannia disappeared so quickly is probably that its influence was
largely confined to the towns. In the countryside, where most people lived, farming
methods had remained unchanged and Celtic speech continued to be dominant. The Romanoccupation had been a matter of colonial control rather than large-scale settlement. But,
during the fifth century, a number of tribes from the north-western European mainland
invaded and settled in large numbers. Two of these tribes were the Angles and the Saxons.
These Anglo-Saxons soon had the south-east of the country in their grasp. In the
west of the country their advance was temporarily halted by an army of (Celtic) Britons
under the command of the legendary King Arthur (King Arthur).
The Anglo-Saxons had little use for towns and cities. But they had a great effect on
the countryside, where they introduced new farming methods and founded the thousands of
self-sufficient villages which formed the basis of English society for the next thousandor so years.
Britain experienced another wave of Germanic invasions in the eighth century.
These invaders, known as Vikings, Norsemen or Danes, came from Scandinavia.
However, the cultural differences between Anglo-Saxons and Danes werecomparatively small. They led roughly the same way of life and spoke two varieties of the
same Germanic tongue (which combined to form the basis of modern English). Moreover,
the Danes soon converted to Christianity. These similarities made political unification
easier, and by the end of the tenth century England was one kingdom with a Germanic
culture throughout. Most of modern-day Scotland was also united by this time, at least
in name, in a (Celtic) Gaelic kingdom.
King Arthur
King Arthur provides a wonderful example of the
distortions of popular history. In folklore and
myth he is a great English hero, and he and his
knights of the round table are regarded as the
perfect example of medieval nobility and chivalry.
In fact, he lived long before medieval times and
was a Romanized Celt trying to hold back the
advances of the Anglo-Saxons - the very people
who became 'the English'!
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
20/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 19
The medieval period (1066-1485)
The successful Norman invasion of England in 1066 ( 1066) brought Britain into the
mainstream of western European culture. Previously most links had been with
Scandinavia.Unlike the Germanic invasions, the Norman invasion was small scale. There was
no such thing as a Norman village or a Norman area of settlement. Instead, the Norman
soldiers who had been part of the invading army were given the ownership of land - and of
the people living on it. A strict feudal system was imposed. Great nobles, or barons, were
responsible directly to the king; lesser lords, each owing a village, were directly
responsible to a baron. Under them were the peasants, tied by a strict system of mutual
duties and obligations to the local lord, and forbidden to travel without his permission.
The peasants were the English-speaking Saxons. The lords and the barons were the
French-speaking Normans. This was the beginning of the English class system. The strongsystem of government which the Normans introduced meant that the Anglo-Norman
kingdom was easily the most powerful political force in the British Isles.
1066
This is the most famous date in English history. On 14 October 1066 an invading army
from Normandy defeated the English at the Battle of Hastings. The battle was close and
extremely bloody. At the end of it, most of the best warriors in England were dead,
including their leader, King Harold. On Christmas day that year the Norman leader, Duke
William of Normandy, was crowned king of England. He is known in popular history as
'William the Conqueror'. The date is remembered for being the last time that England was
successfully invaded.
Language and class
The existence of two words for the larger farm animals in modern English is a result of the
class divisions established by the Norman conquest. There are the words for the living
animals (e.g. cow, pig, sheep).which have their origins in Anglo-Saxon. and the words for
the meat from the animals (e.g. beef, pork, mutton).which have their origins in the Frenchlanguage that the Normans brought to England. Only the Normans normally ate meat; the
poor Anglo-Saxon peasants did not!
Robin Hood
Robin Hood (Robin Hood) is a legendary folk hero. King Richard I (1189-99) spent
most of his reign fighting in the crusades (the wars between Christians and Muslims in the
Middle East). While Richard was away. England was governed by his brother John. who
was unpopular because of all the taxes he imposed. According to legend. Robin Hood
Jived with his band of 'merry men' in Sherwood Forest outside Nottingham, stealing from
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
21/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 20
the rich and giving to the poor. He was constantly hunted by the local sheriff (the royal
representative) but was never captured.
Magna Carta
Magna Carta (Latin, Great Charter), document sealed by King John of England on June
15, 1215, in which he made a series of promises to his subjects that he would govern
England and deal with his vassals according to the customs of feudal law. Over the course
of centuries, these promises have required governments in England (and in countries
influenced by English tradition) to follow the law in dealing with their citizens.
The sixteenth century
The power of the English monarch increased in this period. The strength of the great
barons had been greatly weakened by the Wars of the Roses. Bubonic plague (known in
England as the Black Death) contributed to the reduction of their power. It killed about athird of the population in its first outbreak in England in the middle of the fourteenth
century and continued to reappear periodically for another 300 years.
The Tudor dynasty (1485- 1603) established a system of government departments,
staffed by professionals who depended for their position on the monarch. As a result, the
feudal barons were no longer needed for implementing government policy. They were also
needed less for making government policy. Parliament was traditionally split into two
'Houses'. The House of Lords consisted of the feudal aristocracy and the leaders of the
Church; the House of Commons consisted of representatives from the towns and the less
important landowners in rural areas. It was now more important for monarchs to get the
agreement of the Commons for policy-making because that was where the newly powerful
merchants and landowners (the people with the money) were represented.
Robin Hood
William I, known as
Wil li am the Conqueror, was
king of England from 1066
to 1087.
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
22/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 21
Unlike in much of the rest of Europe, the direct cause of the rise of Protestantism in
England was political and personal rather than doctrinal. Henry VIII (Henry VIII)
wanted a divorce which the Pope would not give him. Also, by making himself head of the
'Church of England', independent of Rome, all church lands came under his control and
gave him a large new source of income.
Henry VII I
Henry VIII is one of the most well-known monarchs in English history, chiefly
because he took six wives during his life. It was during his reign that the Reformation took
place. In the I S30s, Henry used Parliament to pass laws which swept away the power of
the Roman Church in England. His quarrel with Rome was nothing to do with doctrine (it
was because he wanted to be free to marry again and to appoint who he wished as leaders
of the Church in England). In the same decade, he had a law passed which demandedcomplete adherence to Catholic belief and practice.
El izabeth I
Elizabeth I (Elizabeth I), daughter of Henry VIII, was the first of three long-reigning
queens in British history (the other two are Queen Victoria and Elizabeth II). During her
long reign she established, by skilful diplomacy, a reasonable degree of internal stability in
a firmly Protestant England, allowing the growth of a spirit of patriotism and general
confidence. She never married, but used its possibility as a diplomatic tool. She became
known as 'the virgin queen'.
Renaissance
Renaissance, series of literary and cultural movements in the 14th, 15th, and 16th
centuries. These movements began in Italy and eventually expanded into Germany, France,
England, and other parts of Europe. Participants studied the great civilizations of ancient
Greece and Rome and came to the conclusion that their own cultural achievements rivaled
those of antiquity. Their thinking was also influenced by the concept of humanism, which
emphasizes the worth of the individual.
Henry VI I I Eli zabeth I
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
23/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 22
The seventeenth century
The confl ict
During the century, Parliament established its supremacy over the monarchy in Britain,Anger grew in the country at the way that the Stuart monarchs raised money, especially
because they did not get the agreement of the House of Commons to do so first. This was
against ancient tradition. In addition, ideological Protestantism, especially Puritanism, had
grown in England. Puritans regarded many of the practices of the Anglican Church, and
also its hierarchical structure, as immoral. Some of them thought the luxurious lifestyle of
the king and his followers was immoral too. This conflict finally led to the Civil War.
The Civil War
The Civil War ended with complete victory for the parliamentary forces. The king (Charles
I) was captured and became the first monarch in Europe to be executed after a formal trial
for crimes against his people. The leader of the parliamentary army, Oliver Cromwell,
became 'Lord Protector' of a republic with a military government which effectively
encompassed the whole of the British Isles.
But when Cromwell died, he, his system of government, and the puritan ethics that
went with it (theatres and other forms of amusement had been banned) had become so
unpopular that the son of the executed king was asked to return and take the throne.
However, the conflict between monarch and Parliament soon re-emerged. The monarch,
James II, tried to give full rights to Catholics, and to promote them in his government. The
'Glorious Revolution' ('glorious' because it was bloodless) followed, in which Prince
William of Orange, ruler of the Netherlands, and his Stuart wife Mary, accepted
Parliament's invitation to become king and queen. In this way it was established that a
monarch could rule only with the support of Parliament.
The eighteenth century
At the beginning of the century, by agreement, the Scottish Parliament joined with the
English and Welsh Parliament at Westminster in London. However, Scotland retained itsown system of law, more similar to continental European systems than to that of England.
It does so to this day.
Britain gradually expanded its empire in the Americas, along the west African coast
and in India. The increased trade which resulted from the links with these new markets was
one factor which led to the Industrial Revolution. The many technical innovations in the
areas of manufacturing and transport during this period were also important contributing
factors.
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
24/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 23
I ndustri al Revolu tion
Industrial Revolution is the widespread replacement of manual labor by machines that
began in Britain in the 18th century and is still continuing in some parts of the world. The
Industrial Revolution was the result of many fundamental, interrelated changes thattransformed agricultural economies into industrial ones. The most immediate changes were
in the nature of production: what was produced, as well as where and how. Goods that had
traditionally been made in the home or in small workshops began to be manufactured in
the factory.
In England, the growth of the industrial mode of production, together with
advances in agriculture, caused the greatest upheaval in the pattern of everyday life. Areas
of common land, which had been available for use by everybody in a village for the
grazing of animals since Anglo-Saxon times, disappeared as landowners incorporated them
into their increasingly large and more efficient farms. Hundreds of thousands of peoplemoved from rural areas into new towns and cities. Most of these new towns and cities were
in the north of England, where the raw materials for industry were available. In this way,
the north, which had previously been economically backward compared to the south,
became the industrial heartland of the country. In the south of England, London came to
dominate, not as an industrial centre but as a business and trading centre. By the end of
the century, it had a population close to a million.
This industrialization, however, did not benefit everyone. If the standard of living
rose for some, the quality of life declined for others. Agricultural labor was performed to
seasonal rhythms by the light of the sun, but the clock governed factory production, 12
hours a day, 6 days a week. Factory work was dangerous, dirty, and unhealthful, but those
who could get it were considered lucky compared to those who begged or starved in the
streets. In the first phase of industrialization, workers were unprotected by social
legislationeven efforts to eliminate child labor (Child Labor in Britain) met serious
opposition. Few safety regulations existed.
I ronbr idge, Telf ord, England
Ironbridge, which crosses the RiverSevern in Telford, Shropshire, in
northwest England, was completed in
1779. The first large-scale structure made
of cast iron, the bridge was considered a
remarkable feat of engineering at the time
of its construction.
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
25/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 24
The nineteenth century
Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria (Queen Victoria) ruled Britain from 1837 to 1901. Her reign was the
longest of any monarch in British history and came to be known as the Victorian era. As
embodied by the monarchy, this era was represented by such 19th-century ideals as
devotion to family life, public and private responsibility, and obedience to the law. Under
Victoria, the British Empire expanded, and Britain became an increasingly powerful
nation. As the country grew into an industrialized nation, the length and stability of
Victorias reign gave an impression of continuity to what was actually a period of dynamic
change.
Trade Unions
In 1868 leaders of individual unions formed a Trades Union Congress to coordinate action
among the unions, even though the formation of unions was illegal at the time. Up to that
time, only highly skilled workers such as engineers had formed successful unions and
Child Labor in Br itain
Child labor was prevalent in
Britain during the Industrial
Revolution, when childrensometimes worked up to 16
hours a day. Conditions were
often dangerousespecially for
those who worked in mines
and the children usually received
little formal education.
Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria reigned from I 837 to 190 I.
During her reign. Although the modern
powerlessness of the monarch was confirmed
(she was often forced to accept as Prime
Ministers people she personally disliked), sheherself became an increasingly popular symbol
of Britain's success in the world.
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
26/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 25
bargained collectively. In 1871 the government formally recognized the existence of
unions and their right to strike, although picketing remained illegal. At the beginning of the
20th century, representatives from unions and other labor organizations formed the Labour
Party to secure the election of politicians sympathetic to labor issues. During the 20th
century Labour emerged as one of the two major political parties in Britain.
The twentieth century
By the beginning of this century, Britain was no longer the world's richest country. Perhaps
this caused Victorian confidence in gradual reform to weaken. Whatever the reason, the
first twenty years of the century were a period of extremism in Britain. The Suffragettes,
women demanding the right to vote, were prepared both to damage property and to die for
their beliefs; the problem of Ulster in the north of Ireland led to a situation in which some
sections of the army appeared ready to disobey the government; and the government'sintroduction of new types and levels of taxation was opposed so absolutely by the House of
Lords that even Parliament, the foundation of the political system, seemed to have an
uncertain future in its traditional form. But by the end of the First World War, two of these
issues had been resolved to most people's satisfaction (the Irish problem remained) and the
rather un-British climate of extremism died out.
It was from the beginning of this century that the urban working class (the majority
of the population) finally began to make its voice heard. In Parliament, the Labour party
gradually replaced the Liberals (the 'descendants' of the Whigs) as the main opposition to
the Conservatives (the' descendants' of the Tories).
THIS IS THE END OF CHAPTER TWO
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
27/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 26
CHAPTER THREE: POLITICAL SYSTEM & HER MAJESTY GOVERNMENT
Britain is a constitutional monarchy. That means it is a country governed by a king or
queen who accepts the advice of a parliament. It is also a parliamentary democracy. That
is, it is a country whose government is controlled by a parliament which has been electedby the people. The highest positions in the government are filled with members of the
directly elected parliament.
In Britain, as in many European countries, the official head of state, whether a
monarch or a president, has little real power.
The Constitution
The British Constitution is an unwritten constitution, not being contained in a single legal
document. It is based on statues and important documents (such as the Magna Carta), caselaw (decisions taken by courts of law (such as matters), customs and conventions, and can
be modified by a simple Act of Parliament like any other law.
The British Constitution contains two main principles the rule of law (i.e. that
everyone, whatever his or her station, is subject to the law) and the supremacy of
Parliament, which implies that there is nobody that can declare the activities of Parliament
unconstitutional and that Parliament can, in theory, do whatever it wishes.
There are three bodies that have the power to carry out the constitutional laws,
namely 1) the Legislature (the two Houses of Parliament), which makes laws, 2) the
Executive (the Government), which puts laws into effect and plans policy, and 3) the
Judiciary, which decides on cases arising out of the laws.
The Monarchy
The British monarchy stands for the continuity of British history going back to Anglo-
Saxon times, and today it serves as a figurehead for the state. In theory, the British
monarch has enormous powers, but in reality those powers are limited and the Crown
follows the dictates and advice of the ministers in Parliament. The British monarchy has
been a hereditary position since the 9th century.
As the official head of state, the monarch formally summons and dismissesParliament and the ministers of the Cabinet. The monarch also serves as head of the
judiciary, commander in chief of the armed forces, and Supreme Governor of the Church
of England and the Church of Scotland. In reality, the government carries out the duties
associated with these functions.
Theoretically, the monarch appoints all judges, military officers, diplomats, and
archbishops, as well as other church officers. The monarch also bestows honors and
awards, such as knighthoods and peerages. In reality, all of these appointments are made
upon the advice of the prime minister.
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
28/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 27
The Queen takes part inimportant acts of government.
These include:
___________________________
summoning
______________
proroguing
______________
dissolving Parliament
______________
giving Royal Assent to
Bills passed by Parliament
______________
formally appoint many
important office holders
______________
pardoning people
convicted of crimes
______________
conferring peerages,knighthoods and other
honors
______________
Buckingham Palace in Westminster is the official London residence of the British
sovereign. Its interior, open to the public during August and September while the queen is
on vacation, contains many elegantly furnished apartments and noted collections of
paintings.
The real work of the monarchy consistslargely of signing papers. The monarch has the
right, however, to be consulted on all aspects of
national life and review all important government
documents.
The Parliament
The main functions of Parliament are: to examine proposals for new laws; to provide, by
voting for taxation, the means of carrying on the work of government; to examine thegovernment policy and administration, including proposals for expenditure; and to debate
the major issues of the day.
Parliament comprises three parts: the Crown, the House of Lords, and the House of
Commons. Over the course of centuries, the seat of power has passed from the Crown to
the Lords to its final resting place in the House of Commons. Parliament originated in the
great councils called by the Crown during the Middle Ages. Through these meetings,
medieval monarchs sought the advice of their subjects, exchanged information about the
realm, and gathered petitions. In other words, Parliament originated with the royal wish to
gain the approval and sanction of the realm for acts of state. Later, Parliament served to
supplement royal revenues by making grants of taxationthat is, by granting the
Queen El izabeth I I
Elizabeth II became queen of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland upon the death of her father, King
George VI, in 1952.
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
29/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 28
monarchs request for extra subsidies to pay for wars. The Crown invited all great noble s
and church leaders to attend these councils. By the end of the 13th century representatives
from the counties, called knights of the shire, and representatives of the towns, called
burgesses, were also being summoned to attend regularly. The knights and the burgesses
eventually came to sit separately from the nobles and church leaders, in what eventuallybecame the House of Commons. The nobles and church leaders sat in what came to be
called the House of Lords.
Parliament is known as Westminster (Houses of Parliament) because it is housed
in the Palace of Westminster. Parliaments functions today are to pass laws, to raise
enough money through taxation to enable the government to function, to examine the
government policy and administration, particularly its financial programs and to debate or
discuss important political issues. The life of a Parliament is not fixed, and the government
of the day may call for a general election at any time during its five-year term.
The House of Commons
The House of Commons is the source of real political power in the United Kingdom. The
main function of the House of Commons is to legislate. There are 659 Members of
Parliament in the House of Commons. The House of Commons is presided over by the
Speaker who is chosen by a vote of the entire House, although in practice the party leaders
consult with their supporters in order to achieve informal agreement beforehand. The
Speaker is responsible for the orderly conduct of business, and is required to act with
impartiality between Members in the House. Its members are democratically elected by
universal suffrage of citizens over the age of 18.
Members of the House of Commons are elected from geographical constituencies
determined by population, and each MP generally represents a constituency of 60,000 to
70,000 people. Four permanent boundary commissions exist, one each for England, Wales,
Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Their purpose is to keep the constituencies equal and the
boundaries fair.
The House of L ords
The House of Lords today is more a place of discussion and debate than one of power, andit normally passes legislation already approved by the House of Commons. Its members
are not elected. The House of Lords comprises the lords temporal, the lords spiritual, and
the law lords. The lords temporal are either hereditary peers or life peers. Life peers are
appointed by the monarch for the duration of the persons lifetime. These appointments are
usually made in recognition of outstanding careers or contributions to society. Famous
people who have been made peers are former British prime ministers Winston Churchill
and Harold Wilson. The lords spiritual include the archbishops of Canterbury and York;
the bishops of London, Durham, and Winchester; and the 21 next most senior bishops. The
law lords assist in the judicial functions of the House of Lords. The House of Lords is
presided over by the Lord Chancellor.
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
30/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 29
How a bil l becomes a law
Before a proposal for a new law starts its progressthrough Parliament, there will have been much
discussion. If it is a government proposal, Green and
White Papers will probably have been published,
explaining the ideas behind the proposal. After this,
lawyers draft the proposal into a bill. Most bills begin
life in the House of Commons, where they go through
a number of stages.
Houses of Parl iament
Houses of Parliament, also New Palace of
Westminster, seat of the British Parliament
(legislature), a great mass of buildings onthe east bank of the Thames River in
London.
Tony Blair, Prime Minister from 1997 to
2007, answering questions in the House of
Commons.
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
31/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 30
Political parties
As a result of the electoral system, two parties have usually been dominant in Britain, at
different times. Tories and Whigs, Conservatives and Liberals, and since the 1930s,
Conservatives and Labour, with one party normally obtaining a majority of seats in theHouse of Commons and the other having its role limited to criticizing Government policy.
The Conservative Party was formed in the 1830s and was originally the party of
church, aristocracy and land owners. It has increasingly been supported by large business
interests. The Labour Party was formed in 1892 to represent the workers and was more or
less the parliamentary wing of the Trades Unions.
Elections
For electoral purposes the United Kingdom is divided into constituencies, each oneof which elects a Member of Parliament to sit in the House of Commons.
Today there are 659 seats in the Commons, one seat on average for 69,500 electors.
All British citizens (including citizens of the Irish resident in the UK) may voted, provided:
- They are aged eighteen or over.
- are registered.
- are not disqualified by insanity.
- are not members of the House of Lords.
- are not sentenced prisoners.
General elections must be held at least every five years, but the Prime Minister has
the right to call elections before the five year term has expired.
The Government
Her Majesty's Government is the body of ministers responsible for the conduct of national
affairs. The Prime Minister is appointed by the Queen, and all other ministers are
appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. Most ministers are
members of the Commons, although the Government is also fully represented by ministers
in the Lords. The Lord Chancellor is always a member of the House of Lords.
The composition of governments can vary both in the number of ministers and inthe titles of some offices. New ministerial offices may be created, others may be abolished,
and functions may be transferred from one minister to another.
The Prime M ini ster
The chief executive of the government is the prime minister. He or she is the leader
of the party that holds the most seats in the House of Commons. The monarch goes
through the ceremony of selecting as prime minister the person from the House of
Commons who is head of the majority party. The prime minister presides over the Cabinet
and selects the other Cabinet members, who join him or her to form the government that is
part of the functioning executive. Acting through the Cabinet and in the name of the
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
32/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 31
monarch, the prime minister exercises all of the theoretical powers of the Crown, including
making appointments. In the past, prime ministers also came from the House of Lords.
Today, in the unlikely circumstance that a peer (a member of the House of Lords) is sought
as a prime minister by one of the parties, he or she must first resign from the House of
Lords and gain election to the House of Commons. By modern convention, the PrimeMinister always sits in the House of Commons.
The Cabinet
The Cabinet has about 20 members, or ministers, all of whom must be members of
Parliament (MPs). Members of the Cabinet are leaders of the majority party in the House
of Commons or, more rarely, members of the House of Lords. Cabinet ministers who head
a particular government department, such as the Ministry of Defense, are known as
secretaries of state.The prime minister serves as the first lord of the treasury and as minister for the
civil service. In addition to the various secretaries of state, the Cabinet includes
non-departmental ministers who hold traditional officessuch as the lord president of the
council, the paymaster general, and the lord privy sealand ministers without portfolio,
who do not have specific responsibilities but are assigned to specific tasks as needed. The
lord chancellor holds a unique position. The lord chancellors executive duties as a Cabinet
member include being responsible for legal affairs in the United Kingdom, but he or she is
also head of the judiciary, which is a separate part of the British government. The prime
minister has the power to move members of the Cabinet from post to post, or to drop
individuals from the Cabinet entirely. Former Cabinet ministers may retain their positions
as members of Parliament.
Whitehall
This is the name of the street in London which runs from Trafalgar Square to the Houses of
Parliament. The term 'Whitehall' is sometimes used to refer to the government as a whole
(although other departments are in other streets nearby). This is done when the writer or
speaker wishes to emphasize the administrative aspects of government.
Local government
There are five different types of local authority: county and district councils, London
boroughs, metropolitan districts and unitary authorities. There are 387 local authorities in
England. London boroughs, metropolitan boroughs, and unitary authorities are single-tier
councils with full responsibility for all local authority services in their area.
Counties, boroughs, parishes
- Counties are the oldest divisions of the country in England and Wales. Manycounties have 'shire' in their name (e.g. Hertfordshire, Hampshire, Leicestershire). 'Shires'
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
33/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 32
is what the counties were originally called.
- Boroughs were originally towns that had grown large and important enough to begiven their own government, free of control by the county. These days, the name is used
for local government purposes only in London, but many towns still proudly describethemselves as Royal Boroughs.
- Parishes were originally villages centered on a local church. They became a unit oflocal government in the nineteenth century. Today they are the smallest unit of local
government in England. The name 'parish' is still used in the organization of the main
Christian churches in England.
Commonwealth of Nations
Commonwealth of Nations is the worldwide association of nations and their dependencies,
whose members share a common commitment to promoting human rights, democracy, and
economic development. All members accept the British monarch as the symbolic head of
the Commonwealth. The association was formerly known as the British Commonwealth of
Nations, but today is referred to simply as the Commonwealth.
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
34/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 33
About 1.7 billion people live in the 54 independent nations and the more than 20
dependencies that make up the Commonwealth. Commonwealth members share many
customs and traditions as a result of their association with Britain. Many have
parliamentary systems of government on the British model, and their judicial and
educational institutions are often similar to those in Britain. English is an official languageof many members of the Commonwealth. Since 1977 the second Monday in March has
been celebrated as Commonwealth Day; on that day the British monarch, as the head of the
Commonwealth, presents an annual message to all member countries.
THIS IS THE END OF CHAPTER THREE
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
35/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 34
CHAPTER FOUR: EDUCATION
The Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) is the Government Department
responsible for policy on education and training in England.
The Government helps set the framework for the education and training system andworks in partnership with other central and local bodies to implement those policies. It
also provides funds for many of the public bodies involved in education and training.
The Government's overall aim within education and training is:
- to support economic growth and improve the nation's competitiveness and qualityof life by raising standards of educational achievement and skills;
- to promote an efficient and flexible labor market by enhancing choice, diversityand excellence in education and training, and by encouraging lifelong learning.
School
All children and young people between the ages of 5 and 16 in England, Scotland and
Wales, and 4 and 16 in Northern Ireland, must, by law, receive fulltime education. Over
9.8 million children attend 33,400 state and private schools in Britain. About 93 percent
receive free education financed from public funds, and 7 per cent attend independent
schools financed by fees paid by parents. Boys and girls are taught together in most
schools. Most pupils in state secondary schools in England, Scotland and Wales attend
mixed ability comprehensive schools. Secondary schools in Northern Ireland are largely
selective.
Most state school education in England, Scotland and Wales is provided by local
government education authorities and the rest by centrally funded grant-maintained
schools, where parents have voted for self-governing status.
Parents have a statutory right to express a preference for a school. National tables
are published on the performance of all secondary schools throughout Britain. All state
schools have to give parent~ a written annual report on their child's achievements. Parents
are represented on school governing bodies, which appoint staff and manage school
budget.
Each school must be regularly inspected by a team of independent inspectors,
working according to agreed national standards. A new framework for schoolsorganization is to be set up, based on a clear distinction between functions that local
education authorities must carry out and fund centrally and those for which schools arc
responsible, using their delegated budget.
Publi c means pr ivate!
Terminology to do with the school system in Britain can be confusing. Schools funded by
the government, either directly or via local education authorities, are called 'state schools'
and education provided in this way is known as 'state education'. This distinguishes it from
'private education', which comprises 'independent schools'. Some independent schools (a
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
36/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 35
varying number, because the term is not exact) are known as 'public schools'. In Britain
today, about 8% of children are educated outside the state system.
The school year
The school year Schools usually divide their year into three 'terms', starting at the
beginning of September.
In addition, all schools have a 'half-term' (= half-term holiday), lasting a few days or a
week in the middle of each term.
School li fe
There is no countrywide system of nursery (i.e. pre-primary) schools. In some areas
primary schools have nursery schools attached to them, but in others there is no provision
of this kind. Many children do not begin full-time attendance at school until they are about
five and start primary school. Almost all schools are either primary or secondary only, the
latter being generally larger.
Nearly all schools work a five-day week, with no half-day, and are closed on
Saturdays. The day starts at or just before nine o'clock and finishes between three and four,
or a bit later for older children. The lunch break usually lasts about an hour-and-a-quarter.
Nearly two thirds of pupils have lunch provided by the school. Parents pay for this, except
for the 15% who are rated poor enough for it to be free. Other children either go home for
lunch or take sandwiches.
Methods of teaching vary, but there is most commonly a balance between formal
lessons with the teacher at the front of the classroom, and activities in which children work
in small groups round a table with the teacher supervising. In primary schools, the children
are mostly taught by a class teacher who teaches all subjects. At the ages of seven and
eleven, children have to take national tests in English, mathematics and science. In
secondary schools, pupils have different teachers for different subjects and are given
regular homework.
The school curriculum
All state schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland must conform to the National
Curricula. These set out what subjects pupils should study, what they should be taught and
what standards they should achieve. They ensure that pupils cover a broad and balanced
range of subjects that helps them to develop the qualities and skills needed in adult andworking life.
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
37/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 36
The period of compulsory education is divided into four key stages, depending on
pupil age:
Key Stage I - Pupils aged 5 to 7
Key Stage 2 - Pupils aged 7 to II
Key Stage 3 - Pupils aged II to 14 Key Stage 4 - Pupils aged 14 to 16
Pupils at Key Stages I and 2 study English, mathematics, science, design and
technology, history, geography, art, music and physical education; at Key Stage 3 they
study all these subjects plus a modern foreign language. Pupils at Key Stage 4 must study
English, mathematics, science, physical education, technology and a modern foreign
language; this gives pupils more choice and the opportunity to pursue further vocational
courses if they wish.
Exams and qualifications
The main school examination, the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), is
taken in England, Wales and Northern Ireland at around the age of 16. A separate, but
broadly similar, exam system exists in Scotland.
All GCSE and other qualifications offered to pupils in state schools in England and
Wales must be approved by the Government. Associated syllabuses and assessment
procedures must comply with national guidelines.
CGSE, General Certi f icate of Secondary Education.
The exams taken by most fifteen- to sixteen year- olds in England, Wales and Northern
Ireland. Marks are given for each subject separately. The syllabuses and methods of
examination of the various examining boards differ. However, there is a uniform system of
marks, all being graded from A to G. Grades A, B and C are regarded as 'good' grades.
SCE, Scottish Certi fi cate of Education.
The Scottish equivalent of GCSE. These exams are set by the Scottish Examinations
Board. Grades are awarded in numbers (I = the best).
A L evels, Advanced Levels.
Higher-level academic exams set by the same examining boards that set GCSE exams.
They are taken mostly by people around the age of eighteen who wish to go on to higher
education.
SCE 'H ighers' , The Scottish equivalent of A -levels .
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
38/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 37
GNVQ, General National Vocational Quali fi cation.
Courses and exams in job-related subjects. They are divided into five levels, the lowest
level being equivalent to GCSEs/SCEs and the third level to A-levels/'Highers'. Most
commonly, GNVQ courses are studied at Colleges of Further Education, but more andmore schools are also offering them.
Degree:
A qualification from a university. (Other qualifications obtained after secondary education
are usually called' certificate' or 'diploma'). Students studying for a first degree are called
undergraduates. When they have been awarded a degree, they are known as graduates.
Most people get honours degrees, awarded in different classes.
Bachelor' s Degree:
The general name for a first degree, most commonly BA (= Bachelor of Arts) or BSc (=
Bachelor of Science).
Master 's Degree:
The general name for a second (postgraduate) degree, most commonly an MA or MSc. At
Scottish universities, however, these titles are used for first degrees.
Doctorate:
The highest academic qualification. This usually (but not everywhere) carries the title PhD
(= Doctor of Philosophy). The time taken to complete a doctorate varies, but it is generally
expected to involve three years of more-or-less full-time study.
Education after 16
At the age of 16, prior to leaving school, students are tested in various subjects to earn aGeneral Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). If they wish to go on to higher
education at a university, they take Advanced Level examinations, commonly known as
A Levels. Scotland has comparable qualifications.
About 70 per cent of l6-year-old pupils choose to continue in full-time education in
school sixth forms, sixth-form colleges, further education colleges, universities and other
higher education institutions. They study for examinations which lead to higher education,
professional training or vocational qualifications. These include the General National
Vocational Qualification (GNVQ), mainly taken between the ages of 16 and 18, which is
designed to provide a broad-based preparation for a range of occupations and higher
education; the academic General Certificate of Education Advanced (A) level examination
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
39/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 38
taken at the age of 18 or 19 after two
years' study, and the Advanced
Supplementary (AS) examination.
The six th form
The word 'form' was the usual word
to describe a class of pupils in public
schools. It was taken over by some
state schools. With the introduction
of the national curriculum it has
become common to refer to 'years'.
However, 'form' has been
universally retained in the phrase'sixth form', which refers to those
pupils who are studying beyond the
age of sixteen.
Further education & training
About 3.6 million student~ are enrolled in further education. Much of this is work-related
and vocational. Students often attend part-time, either by day release or block release from
employment or during the evenings. Courses are run by some 550 institutions of further
education, many of which also offer higher education courses.
A wide range of national vocational qualifications, designed mainly for people in
work, are based on national standards that define the competence, knowledge and
understanding that employers need.
Higher education
Higher education, consisting of degree and equivalent courses, has experienced a dramatic
expansion. One in three young people now enters higher education compared with one in
six in 1989. The number of postgraduates has increased by over a half in the last decade.There are some 90 universities, which enjoy academic freedom. First degree courses are
mainly full time and usually last three years, with longer courses in subjects such as
medicine. Universities offer courses in a wide range of subjects, including traditional art
subjects and science and technology.
Over 95 per cent of students on first degree and other comparable higher education
courses receive government awards covering tuition fees and a maintenance grant. Parents
also contribute, the amount depending on their income. In addition, students can take out
loans to help pay their maintenance costs. The system of student finance is to be reformed
from October 1998 in order to share the costs of higher education with those who benefit
from it.
-
8/12/2019 British Studies MATERIALS
40/58
DEPARTMENTOF FOREIGNLANGUAGES
BRITISH STUDIES AutumnTensa 2008
Page | 39
Al l Souls Coll ege, Oxford Uni versity
Large numbers of people come to Britain from other countries to study. Over
500,000 overseas students attend publicly funded higher and further education institutions
in Britain, an increase of around three-quarters in the last ten years.
The Open University
This is one development in education in which Britain can claim to have led the world. It
was started in 1969. It allows people who do not have the opportunity to be ordinary
'students' to study for a degree. Its courses are taught through television, radio and
specially written course-books. Its students work with tutors, to whom they send their
written work and with whom they then discuss it, either at meetings or through
correspondence. In the summer, they have to attend short residential courses of about a
week
Types of university
There are no important official or legal distinctions between the various types of university
in the country. But it is possible to discern a few broad categories.
Oxbridge: This name denotes the
universities of Oxford and Cambridge,
both founded in the medieval period.
They are federations of semi-
independent colleges, each college
having its own staff, known as
'Fellows'. Most colleges have their own
dining hall, libr