Job Discussion Forums

[l0ckx]

i have a short-term assignment in a university teaching a "western cultures" class. the students will be studying in the UK in upcoming semesters and was instructed to give them a well-rounded idea of both US and British culture....problem is, i'm not British.

Other than knowing where the UK is on the map, i know people like to eat Fish and Chips...uh...and watch football.

Arguably, these may be the 2 most important things to a native Englishman/woman, but probably won't fly if i try and pitch that lesson to the dean.

So...

I was interested in teaching a short lesson on Folklore. I got the US down, but will need some ideas for British Folklore. I did a google search and saw many different stories, but wanted to ask for the most popular, common, or important pieces of folklore in England and the UK. All i need are the names, and i should be able to find the rest. However, if you are feeling saucy, do not hesitate to write up an entire post of what the story is all about.

Any and all help will go most appreciated. Thanks in Advance!

[silvertonguedcavalier]

King Arthur.

[stillnosheep]

Guy Fawkes; Robin Hood;

[Voldermort]

The Welsh Dragon ( see my avatar )

[kev7161]

Harry Potter, James Bond, dragons, leprechauns, Loch Ness monster. I'm not British either, but these are some characters/myths I associate with their culture(s).

[l0ckx]

Thanks All!!!!

This is a great starting spot for me and i will definitely use these. How silly of me to forget Robin Hood and King Arthur!

[chinaamber]

Leprechauns are Irish.

How about Florence Nightingale?

Something about Jack the Ripper might be interesting too.

The patron Saints (George, Andrew and David) make interesting stories.

http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/

This is a pretty interesting site.

Take care,

Lou.

[fitzgud]

Crag coiners

[cracker]

Kray Twins - Ronnie and Reggie

Incidentally our favourite food is now Indian curry, rather than fish and chips.

You could do a bit of research on immigration into the UK, and how curry superceded fish 'n chips as our national dish.

[l0ckx]

[brsmith15]

Boxing day, which as a non-Brit, I always thought it was a day when all the tough guys got out on the streets and fought.

[silvertonguedcavalier]

[mandu]

the rolling stones
the who
the sex pistols

[sojourner]

Re the story of Robin Hood, you might want to consider showing your class the Errol Flynn DVD, or one of the later versions of the Robin Hood story.

If you decide to introduce the legend of Robin Hood, you shouldn't just focus on the usual stuff such as: hiding out in Sherwood Forest with his "merry men", engaged in a guerilla war against the authorites; as well as "robbing the rich to give to the poor". Although Robin was a member of the privileged class - albeit being a Saxon - in taking up arms against the authorities, he was not aiming to overthrow the established order, but rather because he felt that the authorities were not following the long-established law and traditions.This could then lead to a discussion on Anglo-American constitutionalism, especially with regards to the notion that governments in the US and UK don't always have carte-blanche in what they can do - in that they have to act within constitutional parameters, common law, etc.Thus, you could look at concepts of "limited government", division of powers, etc. Possibly, you could refer to civil disobedience campaigns, such as those carried out by the Civil Rights Movement in the belief that black people had been denied rights entitled to them by the Constitution.

As already mentioned, Robin Hood was a member of the privileged class - yet felt that he had to help those less fortunate than himself.This could then lead to a discussion on the concept of noblesse oblige.You could then refer to the various educational and philanphropic institutions in both the US and UK, founded not by governments but by publicly-minded individuals. Ask your students if they consider that the rich people in China also feel an obligation to help society in such ways. Possibly, this could lead to the topic of social class - eg, is a person a part of the "upper class" merely because he/she has a lot of money - or, is education also important ? In what ways could education help broaden one's understanding - and needs - of the wider society ?

The story of Robin Hood - especially as depicted in the Errol Flynn movie - also has implications regarding the British (and also American) concepts of "egalitariansim" and self-deprecation. In the aforementioned movie, the aristocratic Robin, and his "merry men" (many of whom are peasants) are depicted as being very open and relaxed in their dealings towards
each other. You could ask the class whether a similar "egalitarianism" existed in "old" China - and today ? Also, in the Flynn movie, Robin is depicted as being beaten in a staff fight by Little John - but does not appear too upset by such a humiliation - especially considering that it had been afflicted upon him by a member of an "inferior" social class !

Someone also mentioned Florence Nightingale. Her story could be used to illustrate a common theme in Anglo-American fiction, as well as history, in which someone being aware of some instance of government corruption, inefficiency or injustice, often at great personal cost, seeks to have the matter remedied.There might even be a movie based on her life. You might also want to consider showing the class the Julie Roberts' movie, "Erin Brockovich".

In conclusion: The OP might want to consider approaching the subject of Western Culture from a thematic approach, rather than simply having British/American demarcations. If looking at folklore or historical events, rather than just factual approaches to such, consider ways in which they could throw light on certain aspects of Anglo-American culture - and, possibly, how they could enable the class to think critically about their own culture (but be v.careful how you do this !). Which textbook will the OP be using ? Consider supplementing your teaching with some pertinent movies. Also, get hold of the extensive reading books used by your college.They are full of Readers' Digest-type articles - some of them might be useful for the teaching of subjects like Western Culture, as well as British/American Societies.You should be able to come across stories about Martin Luther King, etc.

Good luck.

Peter

[Mister Al]

The multi-cultural society of UK

Binge drinking, thuggery and gang culture, smoking weed and dropping pills.

Full British breakfast including black pudding (yum)

The differences between Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish and English cultures.

Scotland v England at Wembley 1977.I was there!

Popular figures also include Guy Fawkes, William Wallace (alas not our Dave's poster from Beijing), David Bowie.

Don't forget TV!

I could go on..........