Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alper Kumcu
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Course Description

This undergraduate course provides a comprehensive overview of the historical and cultural developments in Britain and the United States, focusing on the relationship between history, society, and cultural identity. Students will explore key aspects of British and American culture, including literature, film, music, politics, social institutions, and popular culture. As language and culture are closely intertwined, this course emphasizes how cultural knowledge enhances linguistic competence and translation practice. By examining cultural narratives and historical trajectories, students will gain critical insight into the socio-political and artistic contexts that have shaped contemporary British and American societies.

Course Objectives

  • Analyse key aspects of British and American culture, including literature, film, music, and visual arts.
  • Understand the historical, social, and political contexts shaping British and American societies.
  • Examine the impact of globalization, multiculturalism, and digital media on cultural production.
  • Critically evaluate primary and secondary sources related to cultural studies.
  • Develop research, writing, and presentation skills applicable to translation, interpretation, and cultural analysis.

Weekly Schedule

Week Topic Readings Task
1 Course Introduction: Aim, methodology, requirements, outline - -
2 A Gentle Introduction to British Culture and Britain Christopher (ch.1) -
3 The Social and Cultural Context Abercrombie et al. (ch.2) -
4 British National Identity Oakland (ch.3) -
5 British Social Class Oakland (ch.4) -
6 Multiculturalism in Britain McGuigan (selected entries) -
7 The British Political System Biressi & Nunn (ch.2) -
8 Midterm Exam - Midterm Exam (provisional)
9 British Healthcare and Welfare System Christopher (ch.5) -
10 The British Educational System Oakland (ch.6) -
11 British Media and Popular Culture Selected articles -
12 British Music and the Arts Christopher (ch.7) -
13 British Television and Cinema Selected articles -
14 Literature in Contemporary Britain Christopher (ch.8) -

Schedule: Weekly topics may change in response to current events.

Assigned Readings

  • Abercrombie, N., et al. (1993). Contemporary British Society: A New Introduction to Sociology. Polity Press.
  • Biressi, A., & Nunn, H. (2013). Class and Contemporary British Culture. Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Christopher, D. P. (2015). British Culture: An Introduction. Taylor & Francis.
  • Irwin, J. L. (2005). Modern Britain: An introduction (3rd ed.). Routledge.
  • Kocabaşoğlu, U. (1995). İngiliz Sicimi. İmge Kitabevi.
  • McGuigan, J. (Ed.). (2002). Encyclopaedia of contemporary British culture. Routledge.
  • Oakland, J. (2006). British Civilization: An Introduction. Routledge.
  • O’Driscoll, J., & O’Driscoll, J. (2009). Contemporary Britain: A survey with texts (3rd ed.). Routledge.

Additional readings, articles, and multimedia materials may be assigned throughout the semester.

  • Bend It Like Beckham
  • Educating Rita
  • My Beautiful Launderette
  • North and South
  • Remains of the Day
  • The Queen
  • This is England (and sequels: ’86, ’88, ’90)
  • Threads
  • Yes, Minister / Yes, Prime Minister

Requirements and Evaluation

Assessment Structure

  • Midterm examination: 50% (one exam) Provisionally scheduled for Week 8. The date may change.
  • Final examination: 50% (one exam) Scheduled for the regular course day during the first week of the final examination period.

Homework and attendance are included in the instructor’s assessment; no separate percentage is specified for them.

Requirements

  • To be considered successful in the course, a student must receive at least 50 out of 100 on the final exam. Any student who scores below 50 out of 100 will fail the course.
  • Attendance is mandatory. Students exceeding the absence limit will automatically fail (F1).
  • Missing the final exam results in automatic failure (F2).
  • Late submissions will receive a grade deduction that increases with the length of the delay.
  • Unless an assignment is completed in class with pen and paper, you must upload it to HADİ. I will submit uploaded work to Turnitin. Plagiarism will result in a grade of zero for the assignment and may be referred for further action under university procedures.
  • All assignment files must be named in the format “FirstName_LastName_StudentNumber” (e.g., Alper_Kumcu_12345678.docx).
  • Every digitally prepared assignment must include an AI Use Acknowledgment stating whether you used AI tools and, if so, which tools you used and for what purpose. Plagiarism or submitting AI-generated text as your own work will result in an automatic failing grade for the course.