Origins of English英语的起源_英语学习_外语学习_教育专区.pptVIP

A Guide to English-Speaking Countries Colin Affleck 可林 2/9/2018 26 Colin Affleck Football 4 Basketball Britain Spicy food I have 4 siblings(3 brothers and 1 sister) I am 26 years old Often I like to play football I dislikebasketball I am from Britain I love to eat spicy food 3 I drink 3 cups of tea everyday 9 I have travelled to 9 Chinese Provinces Course description The purpose of this course is to cultivate a basic understanding of the history, society and culture of several English speaking countries. In order to understand the culture and modern society of English speaking countries we must investigate the histories and key events which shaped those countries and their peoples. We will begin by looking at the linguistic and sociological origin of the English language and move through the history of Britain and Ireland, following the evolution of the English language from a foreign minority language of the uneducated classes to the most widely spoken language in the world. We will also look closely at the rise and fall of the British Empire, the USA and other key events before concluding with an overview of English speaking countries today and the new challenges they face, particularly in Britain which is threatened by the movement for Scottish Independence. This course is not a test of student’s oral English abilities but is designed to test their research and critical thinking skills. Assessments will be made based on the content of material rather than on the fluency of the English being used. Class overview Linguistic genesis: early Britain and the origins of English language The Picts, Celts and origins of Scotland The Act of Union, it’s history and ramifications English Literature 1: Poetry and epic from Chaucer to Milton The rise of the British Empire Britain’s industrial revolution America United: the revolutionary war: tea, tariffs and representation America Divided: the civil war Mid-term examination English Literature 2: Romanticism to Moder