英语国家概况课程教学大纲教案（2011.4学年第1学期）（一）课程教学目的和要求随着我国对外交往的日益频繁和涉外工作的需要，大学生不仅有必要学好英语语言能力，还应该对英语国家社会与文化基本情况进行大致了解，以便进一步搞好夸文化交流。

该课程主要介绍了英国、美国、加拿大、澳大利亚和新西兰等地的社会与文化基本状况。

（二）课程教学重点和难点1、重点：了解掌握5 个说英语的国家人文、地理、气候特征，政府政治与经济制度，以及文化教育特点。

2、难点：地貌特征产生的原因，各政府政治执政的相同模式和不同点。

（三）教学方法讲解和讨论并用。

（四）课时安排：总课时：36课时，每堂课一个专题。

（五）考核方式：期末考试（六）参考教材王恩铭《英语国家概况》上海外语教育出版社2008谢福之《英语国家概况》外语教学与研究出版社20071) Where does Britain lie?2）What is its full name?3）What is the total land area of the United Kingdom?4）What is British Isles?5）How long does its coastline run?1. Geographic features and its total area.:Britain is situated in Western Europe and is separated from the European continent in the eastby the North Sea, the Strait of Dover and the English Channel in the south. It is an insular（保守的）country. Its coastline runs 12,429 km, I t is one of the countries with longest coastline. To the west of it lies the Atlantic Ocean, across and beyond it is America. The Straits of Dover between France and England is quite narrow and it is 33 km across. In 1985 the British government and the French government decided to build a channel tunnel under the Straits of Dover so that England and France could be joined together by road. This channel tunnel was opened to traffic in May 1994 after eight years hard work.The Britain faces Scandinavia Peninsular (Norway, Sweden and Denmark) to the northeast and to the North lies Iceland To the south across the English Channel lies France and Belgium and to the east across North Sea lie Germany and Holland.The total area is about 244,820 square kilometers.It Is over 1,000 km. from south to north and it is about 500 km. from west to east.2. The names of UKIts full name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,usually shortened , abbreviated to the United Kingdom or U.K.. It may also called Great Britain, Britain or informally England.England: 130.000skm, 60% of whole island.British Isles: Two large islands and several small onesBritain：The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.Great Britain ：England, Wales, ScotlandBritain is divided into highland area and lowland area.It has large mountain ranges : the Pennies：Bulk of Pennines（奔宁山脉）is moorland. The Cumbrian Mountain Range, the Grampian Mountains , the Cambrian Mountain Range and such important rivers as Thames River ,the Seven River, Mercy River, the Humber, the Clyde River and the Forth.Scotland has an area of 78,760 square kilometers in northern part.It is situated in the north of Great Britain with a good number of mountains and islands. There are 800 islands which contain Hebrides, Shetland and Orkney islands. Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland.Wales: Wales is in the west of Great Britain. It has an area of 20,761 square kilometers and it take up less than 9% of the whole island. The capital of Wales is Cardiff. Most of Wales is mountainous. The hills rise steeply from the sea and rather flat on top. 6% of Wales is covered with forest and much of the country is pastureland for sheep and cattle. Wales on the Western Prominence. 20.700skm, 9% of the whole island.Wales was united to England in 14th centuryNorthern Ireland takes up the northern fifth of Ireland. It has an area of 14,147 square kilometers. It is made up of six counties that consist of fertile, drumlin [`drʌmlin] (鼓丘) country surrounding Lough Neagh. Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland. Mountains in the north and south, separated by the fertile basin of Lough Neagh, mainly agricultural, industrial center: two ports–Belfast and Londonderry.3. Climate and Weather ------A maritime type of climate:1) moderated by the Atlantic Gulf Stream, milder than places in the same latitude.2) equable: winters are mild, temperature exceed 4c in the west, lower in the east. July about 18c. 13c in the northern Scotland.3) changeable day-t-day conditions.4) Rainfall throughout the year. No marked dry season.In Britain the weather is rainy, changeable and unpredictable. In fact it has a favorable maritime climate. It rarely rises above 32℃in summer or falls below –10℃in winter. Winters are mild, not too cold and summers are cool, not too hot.“ Can I compare thee to the summer’s day ?”Rainfall: Britain has a steady reliable rainfall throughout the whole year. The average annual rainfall in Britain is over 1,ooo mm.It is rainy and so changeable and unpredictable. One can experience four seasons in the course of a single day. Britain is famous for its fogs. The smoke-fogs of the big town, which used to develop in winter time whenever there was not enough wind to blow the smoke away, were horrible, unhealthy and dangerous to movement4. Rivers and lakes and natural resourcesThere are many lakes and rivers in England: but not very large.1) the longest river: Severn River, 355km2) Thames River, 338km, in Oxford3) Clyde River in Scotland4) lakes lies in Northern Scotland & the Cambria Mountains and North Wales England is rich in coal, iron, tin, copper, oil and gasThere are no large land-based oilfields except in North Sea. (also gas)5. Exercise:Tell if the following are true or false1) The island of great Britain is geographically divided into three parts: England , Scotland and Wales. ( + )2) People in different parts of Britain like to use the name England to refer to their country. ( - )3) Today more than half of people in Wales still speak the ancient Welsh language.( - )4) In terms of population and area, Northern Ireland is the second largest part of the United Kingdom. ( - )5) The longest river of Britain originates in Wales. ( + )6) Because of political troubles, Northern Ireland has been quite significant among the four constituent parts of the United Kingdom. ( + )7) Though the climate in Britain is generally mild, the temperature in Northern Scotland often falls below -10’c in January. ( - )8) The two main islands of the British Isles are Great Britain and Ireland. ( + )9) Cardiff is the capital city of Scotland. ( - )10) According to a 2005 census, Britain now has a population of 60 million. ( + )11) Among the four parts of United Kingdom, Wales is the smallest. ( - )12) English belong to the Germanic group of Indo-European family of language. ( + )13) Almost a quarter of the British population lives in northwestern England. ( - )14) The introduction of Christianity to Britain added the first element of Latin and Greek words to English. ( + )15) The evolution of Middle English was reinforced by the Norman influence. ( + )Lecture Two The People(1)1)What are the Celtic languages? Are they still alive?2)How has English language evolved in history? Is it important to the UK’s class structure?3)What are the minor languages spoken in the UK？Overview: Population: 56,500,000English 80%; Welsh 5%; Scots 10%; Irish 4%.1. The English: Anglo-Saxon in origin, Germanic tribes conquered in the 5th, 6th AD. Norman French, Under William of Normandy in 1066. Welsh, Scot, Irish: Celts from north-western Europe, invaded Britain between 700BC and 200BC.1.1 The characteristics of English people: reserved, unemotional, courteous; shy of strangers; suspicious of change and slow to accept new ideals; solid and dependable with a high sense of honesty, duty and justice; physically and morally courageous; conscious of his place in the social order, disliking any show of emotion and lack of control.2. The Welsh is composed of two groups of people:1) sheep farmers in the mountainous regions of the centre and north;2) industrial workers in the south2.1 Characteristics of Welsh people: musical, emotional, cheerful, proud of their past, and welcoming to friends but suspicious of foreigners. They lived hard-working lives of the Welsh The cultural pride in Wales is very strong, famous for their love of music and poetry.Welsh is an ancient Celtic language, more different from English than English is from French or German.3. Characteristics of th e Scots: inventive, hard-working, serious-minded and cautious with moneyA) Highlanders live by farming sheep and fishing, being proud, independent, hardyB) Lowlanders live in industrialized urban areas.2) Great empire builders, fierce soldiers . “Devils in skirts” or “ladies from hell” are nicknames of Scottish soldiers for their bravery.3) Distinctive national dress: kilt, pleated skirts( 百折裙)4.Characteristics of Irish: introspective(好反省的) dreamers and poets, argumentative and aggressive.1) IRA: the Irish Republican Army on the Catholic side.2) Ulster Unionists, (Loyalists) on the Protestant side.5 . Immigrants:1) escape political or religious persecution2) seek a better life3) A) from old dominions of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South AfricaB) Eastern European refugeesC) West Indies, India & PakistanD) Chinese, Greek, Turkish Cypriots, Italian, SpaniardsEmigration from Britain to Canada and Australia, USA (doctors, scientists) ---- “brain drain”6. The Origins of a Nation6.1. early settlement (---55BC)A) the first immigrants: Iberians from Spain & Portugal about 5000 years ago.their relics: Stonehenge 石林(stone monuments) on Salisbury Plain in southwest of England.B) 3 waves: Celts from north-west Europe after 700 BC., 500 BC, and 100 BC —tall, red hair and blue eyes.C) Celtic conquerors blended with Iberian6.2. Roman Britain (55BC –410)1) Julius Caesar came to Britain in 55BC.2) Roman occupation lasted about 400 years.6.3 Impacts on its culture1) brought Christianity to England2) built roads all across Britain3) towns grew up along the Roman roads4) English upper classes became completely Romanized, Roman landowners and officials.5) Social systems: laws, taxes6) Roman language---Latin7) system of writing & numbering8) written description of the land, peoples9) engineering skills, architecture7. Anglo-Saxon times (446-871)Three Germanic tribes invaded England: Angles, Saxons and Jutes. The name England is named after Angles.7.1. Danish InvasionAt the turn of 8th century, Danes, or Vikings, invaded England from Norway & Denmark.8. NormansThe Norman Conquest in 1066.8.1 Consequences: William of Normandy and his French-speaking followers set up a strong central government which brought a new unified discipline and control to England.8.2. French became the official language.8.3. established a feudal system.8.4. Contacts between England & France increased.Exercises：1. Decide whether the following are true or false:1) The British history before 55BC is basically un documented. (+)2) The name of Britain came from a Celtic tribe ---the Britons. (+)3) The Anglo-Saxons came to Britain in the mid 5th century. (+)4) The Vikings began to attack the English coast in the 8th century.(+).2. Choose the best answer:1)The ____ attack on Roman ended the Roman occupation in Britain in 410.A. NormanB. DanishC. CelticD. Germanic (d)2) By the late 7th century, _____ Christianity became the dominant religion in England.A. CelticB. Anglo-SaxonC. GermanicD. Roman (d)Part I Politics Feudal EnglandRecorded history in Britain began in the year 55BC, when Julius Caesar and his Roman troops invaded the island. Between the 8th and 5th centuries BC, the Celts inhabited the island and became the dominant residents. The name Britain came from the Britons, a Celtic tribe. In 43AD, Britain subsequently became a Roman province and it remains so until the beginning of the 5th century.Many of the native Celtic were driven to the mountainous region of Scotland and Wales, which remain unconquered by the Romans. The Roans were excellent builders and they constructed towns and cities which prospered far longer than any previous settlements on the island. In 410, Germanic barbarians attacked Roman, forcing all Roman troops to leave Britain, which ended the Roman occupation of the island. These warriors included the Angles, the Saxons and Hutes. From that time on, English, the language of the Angles, replaced the old Celtic language as the dominant language of the land. As the Anglo-Saxon were not Roman Christian, St. Augustine was sent to Britain to convert the Anglo Saxon people in 587 with 40 missionaries. They converted many Anglo-Saxons to Roman Christians. Augustine founded a church and a monastery in Canterbury and became the first Archbishop of Canterbury in 601. By the late 7th century Roman Christianity became the dominant religion in Britain. In the 8th century the Vikings from the Scandinavian countries of Northern Europe to attack the English coast. The seven Anglo-Saxons= kingdom in England gradually united under Alfred the Grea t. In 1042, Edward the Confessor,, as a pious Christian, built Westminster Abbey, which exists today. On September 28, 1066, William crossed the channel with a formidable army. His army defeated the English army King Harold (brother in law of Edward) at the battle of Hastings. and began the Norman Conquest of England, which marked the establishment of feudalism in England.By the year 1154, Henry II, William’s great grandson, ascended the throne and thus began the rule of the House of Anjou(also known as (the House of Plantagenet). Henry II is best remembered for his reform of the courts and the laws, He improved the courts of justice, introduced the jury system and institutionalized common law. After Richard I, son of Henry II, was killed in France, his brother John ascended the throne in 1199. He was defeated in a war in France and lost Normandy in 1204. Dissatisfied with John’s leadership, the lords forced him to sign the Magna Carta(大宪法), which is regarded as the foundation of the British constitutionalism and it provides the basic principles for the protection of individual rights. P15 The Hundred Years War (1337-1453) was a series of wars between England and France over trade, territory, security and the throne. This war had significant impact on the English society. It promoted the English concept of nationalism and promoted the development of the textile industry.The War of the Roses was a series of Civil War between two great noble families: the House of York, whose badge was a white rose, and the House of Lancaster, whose badge was a red rose. Both houses battled for power, wealth and ultimately the throne. in the end , the House of Lancaster won and their leader Henry Tudor became King Henry VII and started the rule of the House of Tudor, an efficient centralized government.1. Under William’s rule, the Normans changed England to a feudal state under an absolute kingship.2. King Arthur: in 6th, the central figure of many legends about him and his Knights of round Table.3. the Magna Carta–Great Charter, a document signed in 1215 by King John, to recognize the rights of barons.4. Hundred Years’War: between England & France from 1337 to 1453 in France. French drove English partly through the inspiration of Joan of Arc (a French saint & national heroine), partly through the effective use of guns.5. Wars of the Roses: struggle for the throne of England (1455-1485)between .The houses of Lancaster, whose badge was a red rose, and York, a white rose. Impacts: the war weakened both nobility and the monarch.6. The Black Death: a deadly bubonic plague(淋巴腺鼠疫), struck Europe in middle of 14th, reached England in 1348. ½of the population died.7. Religious Revolution1) the Catholic Church:A) headed by the Pope;B) members accept the gospel of Christ and the teachings of the Bible.C) Any revolt against the traditional Christian faith was “heresy”.D) in the Middle Ages, Pope was powerful2) Protestant Church:A) whose faith and practice originated with the principles of the Reformation.B) Pope’s political power and religious authority declined in 16th, Protestant churches sprang up in Northern Europe, and in the Elizabethan age, became gradually the dominant faith.3) Henry VIII’s divorce question, married his brother’s widow, a Spanish princess, who gave a daughter, Mary, not a son.4) Bloody Mary: a devout Catholic, burnt so many protestants; succeeded by Elizabeth I.5) Elizabethan age: literary achievement, Shakespeare, an age of adventure on the sea.There was an inevitable conflict between the Roman Catholic Church and the King of England who had established absolute monarchy. At that time , the only person who could grant a divorce was the Pope. So Henry VII started the Reformation movement by declaring a break with Rome. He carried out a wholesale suppression of the monasteries and declared himself to be the “only supreme head of the church( in his Act of Supremacy in 1534). The Reformation was in essence a political movement in a religious guise.Part II The English Civil War1. a bitter power struggle (1642-1648) between the monarchy and Parliament.2. the victory of the Parliament led to the execution of Charles I in 1649, and the temporary overthrow of the monarchy.3. a republic founded by Oliver Cromwell for more than ten years.4. King Charles I: divine rights to govern,Ruled without parliament, levied taxes without parliament’s approval.5. Cromwell: Roundhead leader, defeated the King Charles I.The Glorious Revolution1. in 1688, Catholic king James II fled to France.2. the throne was offered to his Protestant daughter and her husband Dutch king William.3. the Bill of Rights was passed by Parliament to restrict the power of the Monarchy.4. beginning of the Constitutional Monarchy in Britain.5. Since then every English monarch rules by permission of Parliament.6. the theories of divine or hereditary right to the throne were ended.7. Bloodless Revolution7.Background:7.1. The 18th century saw ascendancy of the middle class in the life of the nation, with the development of commerce & industry.7.2. Glorious Revolution established the authority of middle class over the crown.7.3. The union of Scotland and England into the nation of Great Britain --- the Act of Union of 1707.7.4. The Seven Years’War (1756-63) in North America (French and India War) --- which left Britain predominant in North America and in India, Britain became the world’s leading colonial power.7.5. In the 2nd half of the 18th century, the great economic and social changes were taking place in Britain --- agricultural and home-based trades and industries gradually gave way to factory-based industries with complex machinery.7.6. England was a great trade nation, with much private capital ready for investment.Not only was trade free to move throughout the British Isles, but also there was freedom of movement between the social classes. Middle class values encouraged self-reliance and enterprising initiative.7.8. Political leaders were interested in commerce. The growing population provided a market. Farmers’improved methods of cultivation freed much labor, which became available for employment in the town factories, and also increased food supplies for towns.7.9 18th century was a time of peace and stability. Foreign plunder, the newly acquired wealth after 7 years’war. Industrial Revolution first began in the textile industry, which was accelerated by important mechanical inventions ---- flying shuttle, spinning jenny, especially the steam-engine by James Watt in 1769.Results1. Factories came into being because they brought about more profits to the owners.2. New cities sprang up, population was concentrated in towns and cities.3. The power of influence of industrial capitalists grew greater.4. It gave birth a new social-economic class –proletariat who were exploited cruelly.5. It brought many economic advantages to Britain and made Britain rich and powerful.Chartist MovementThe Chartist Movement (1836-48): the industrial and commercial classes, with the support of the working classes, demanded to reform the old voting system.Exercise:Tell whether the following are true or false:1)The Magna Carts was designed to protect the rights of both the privileged class and thetownpeople. (-)2)The Hundred Years’ War was a series of wars fought between England and Normans for tradeand territory. (-)3)Westminster Abbey was built at the time of Edward the Confessor. (+)4)The Norman Conquest marked the establishment of feudalism in England. (+)5)The end of the Wars of Roses led to the rule of the House of Tudor (+)6)The direct cause for the Religious Reformation was King Henry VIII’s efforts to divorce hiswife. (+)Lecture Three Government System P31A nation of Constitutional Monarchy1. The Monarch respects the Constitution.2. In law, the monarch is head of the executive, an integral part of the legislature; head of the judiciary; commander-in-chief of3. In the Glorious Revolution, William and Mary became the joint rulers of Britain, and the Constitutional Monarchy began.4. The Bill of Rights which was passed in 1689 restricted the power of the monarchy.The British Constitution1.1. It is unwritten1.2. Its components include Acts of Parliament, the Prerogative of the Crown, Conventions of the Constitution, Common Law and Parliamentary Privilege.1.3. It is more flexible than the written ones in other countries.2. Conventions of the Constitution2. 1. They form an important part of the Constitution just as written laws do.2. 2. They are rules which are not written down but which everyone agrees must be followed in practice.2. 3. They include the following:1) the powers of the Crown are exercised mainly by Ministers;2) the Queen must act on the advice of Ministers;3) Ministers are responsible to parliament for their actions;4) the sovereignty of Parliament3. Common Law3. 1. It is one of the main components of the British Constitution.3. 2. It refers to the Bills which have been passed by courts.3. 3. It marked a sharp decline in powers of the Monarch.4. The Bill of Rights4. 1. It was the Bill passed by the Parliament in 1689 after the Glorious Revolution.4. 2. It laid down a number of things that future monarchs could not do.4. 3. It marked a sharp decline in powers of the Monarch.4. 4. It marked the beginning of the British Constitutional Monarchy5. General Election5. 1. General Election is held at least every five years.5. 2. The country is divided into 635 constituencies, each of which returns one Member of Parliament.5. 3. The one who has the most votes in a constituency becomes a Member of Parliament.5. 4. The leader of the party with the largest number of members returned to the House of Commons becomes Prime Minister.6. Party system in Parliament6. 1. The leader of the party with the largest number of members returned to the House of Commons becomes Prime Minister and is invited by the Queen to form a government;6. 2. The party with the next largest numbers of supporters in the Commons becomes the official Opposition to Government.6. 3. The Prime Ministers and other ministers sit on the7. Political Parties7. 1. The UK has a two-party system.7. 2. The Conservative is major right-wing party.It supports free enterprise and is generally opposed to nationalization and to extending the social services. So conservatives are those who have something to conserve and they usually hate thegreat changes in society.It believes actively in the pursuit of greater social and economic equality.The Labor Party is a party of moderate socialism in favor of Nationalization of key industries. It has always been anti-Communist, supported by some middle class and intellectuals. It is also a main party for working class people.It draws most of its support from highly urban and industrialized people.7.3 . The Liberal Party is the third largest political party since 1922.7.4. The Social Democratic Party was formed in 1981 by a small number of right-wing Labor party politicians.8. British Parliament8.1. It includes 3 elements:1) the Crown;2) the House of Lords;3) the House of Commons8.2. It is the supreme law-making authority in Britain.8.3. The real center of parliamentary power is in the House of Commons.8.4. Other functions:1) to control and criticize the executive government;2) to control the raising and the spending of money.9. The House of Lords9.1. Its members are peers, most of whom are hereditary.9.2. Its powers have been severely reduced by the Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949.9.3. It must pass all financial legislation sent to it from the House of Commons, and can delay other Bills for only one year.9.4. It has a special judicial function.9.5. The Lord Chancellor=Speaker10. The House of Commons1). It consists of 635 elected Members of Parliament.2.) MPs have a number of privileges, eg. The freedom of speech in Parliament.3). it is by far the most powerful and important element in Parliament, therefore plays the key role in the activities of Parliament as a whole.4.) The Speaker presides over the meeting in the House of Commons.Exercise:1. Answer the following questions:1) Which of the following is just rules and practices, but don’t exist legally?A. Statutory LawB. Common LawC. Conventions2）The constitution can be altered or amended by Monarchy, so it is subjects to different bodies, like politicians, judges and scholars. right? *3) Who is the head of the executive branch ____? A. legislature, B .executive C. judiciary4) Parliament consists of the king or Queen, the house of Lords and the House of Commons. Is it right?5) Prominent bishops of the church of England are included in the House of Lords? (yes)6) What’s the legislative function of the House of Lords? to examine the revise bills.7). How often is a general election of the government held? 58). Which of the two Houses has the power of drafting new laws?9). The one important function of the House of Commons is scrutinize or restrain the actions of the government: such as checking the government ‘s estimates and budget, thus controlling expenditures.10) .What is the British government made up of?11). The Prime Minister stands on the side of the majority party and form a new Cabinet which is the center of the British political system.12). What’s the function of the Privy Council?（枢密院）as a body of advisors or to supervise the Cabinet.13). The judiciary is different among islands, Scotland has the most distinct legal system, based on Roman Law, which is the legal basis for most European countries.14). British parliament operates on a two-party system. Those believe in a strong parliament and may associated with the Protestant reformers are known as the Whig Party. Right?2. Tell whether they are true or False:1) In reality, the British King or Queen is the source of all government powers. (-)2) British Parliament is the law—making body of the Commonwealth of the Nation. (-)3) The members in the House of Commons are appointed rather than elected. (-)4) The British Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party in Parliament. (+)5)Cabinet members are chosen by the Prime Minister from various political parties in Parliament. (-)6) British law consists of two parties: the civil law and the criminal law (+)Lecture Four Education Media and Holidays1. Historically, education was voluntary and many British schools were set up by the church. Between the ages of 5 to 11, students mainly attend state primary schools. These schools are called co-educational or mixed schools, because they admit both boys and girls. State secondary schools take in students aged 11, after which compulsory education continues for five years until they have reached the age of 16. Cambridge has thirty-one colleges. Three are for women. Each college is an independent institution with its own property and income. The colleges appointed their own staffs and are responsible for selecting students in accordance with university regulation. Cambridge has more Nobel prize winners than any other institution in Britain. The university celebrated its 800th anniversary in 2009, marking the legacy of eight centuries and determination to remain among the world’s greatest universities. Oxford University and Cambridge University are sometimes referred to collectively as Oxbridge. Early in 1096, teaching was demonstrated in Oxford and in the following century its schools founded the University of Cambridge in the 13th century.2. MediaFor most British people, a day begins with the morning newspaper and ends with television. It is obvious that the media is central to British leisure culture. It is no exaggeration to say that the media shapes the public opinion, determines people’s moral and political orientation and consolidates or undermines the rule of a government.The Observer, which is still published every Sunday, first appeared in 1791, making it the world’s oldest national newspaper, while The Times, first published in 1785, is British’s daily newspaper. The Times, The Guardian and The Daily Telegragh are referred as British’s “Big Three”. The Times has a reputation for its cautious attitude. It often reflects the view held by the government.。