7 Culture and Society in the UK
Explore British history, culture and society.
55 min
6 oppgaver
British historyBrexitCulture
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Understanding the United Kingdom
Storbritannia har hatt enorm innflytelse pa verden gjennom sin historie - fra imperietiden til populaerkultur. A forsta britisk kultur og samfunn gir innsikt i mange globale fenomener.
What is the UK?
The United Kingdom consists of four nations:
- England - London is capital of both England and UK
- Scotland - Edinburgh is capital, own parliament
- Wales - Cardiff is capital, own assembly
- Northern Ireland - Belfast is capital, complex history
Key Facts:
- Population: ~67 million
- Constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy
- Official language: English (also Welsh in Wales, Gaelic in Scotland)
- Currency: Pound Sterling (GBP)
Historical Overview
Key Periods:
Medieval Period (1066-1485):
- Norman Conquest 1066
- Magna Carta 1215 - foundation of rights
- Black Death 1348 - major social change
Tudor Era (1485-1603):
- Henry VIII - Church of England created
- Elizabeth I - Renaissance, Shakespeare, exploration
British Empire (1600s-1900s):
- Colonization of Americas, Africa, Asia, Oceania
- Industrial Revolution (1760-1840)
- "The sun never sets on the British Empire"
20th Century:
- World Wars I and II
- Decolonization
- Welfare state established
- European Union membership (1973-2020)
21st Century:
- Brexit (2016 referendum, 2020 exit)
- Multicultural society
- Global financial center
British Culture and Identity
Cultural Icons:
- Royal Family - monarchy as national symbol
- BBC - public broadcasting, global influence
- NHS - National Health Service, free healthcare
- Premier League - football as national passion
- Tea culture - afternoon tea tradition
- Royal Family - monarchy as national symbol
- BBC - public broadcasting, global influence
- NHS - National Health Service, free healthcare
- Premier League - football as national passion
- Tea culture - afternoon tea tradition
British Values (often cited):
- Queuing etiquette
- Politeness and understatement
- Dry humor and sarcasm
- Fair play
- Individual liberty
Multiculturalism:
- Post-WWII immigration: Caribbean, South Asia
- 14% ethnic minority population
- Cultural fusion in food, music, arts
- Ongoing debates about identity and integration
Class System:
- Historical: Upper, middle, working class
- Still influences education, accent, opportunity
- Less rigid but still present
✏️Example: Understanding Brexit
Hva var Brexit, og hvorfor er det viktig a forsta?
What Was Brexit?
Brexit = "British Exit" from the European Union
Brexit = "British Exit" from the European Union
Timeline:
- 2016: Referendum - 52% voted to leave, 48% to remain
- 2020: UK officially left the EU
- Ongoing: Trade deals, border issues, economic impacts
Why People Voted Leave:
- Immigration control
- Sovereignty ("Take back control")
- Opposition to EU regulations
- National identity
Why People Voted Remain:
- Economic stability
- Free movement of people
- International cooperation
- Peace in Europe
Impact:
- Trade barriers with EU
- Northern Ireland border issues
- Changes to freedom of movement
- Economic uncertainty
- Political divisions
Why Understanding Brexit Matters:
- Largest constitutional change in modern UK history
- Reveals tensions: globalization vs. nationalism
- Impacts UK-EU and UK-Norway relations
- Shows how democracies handle complex decisions
- Ongoing effects on economy, culture, politics
Key Vocabulary:
- Referendum: a direct vote on a specific question
- Sovereignty: independent authority/self-governance
- Single market: free trade zone without barriers
📝Oppgave 1
📝Oppgave 2
Place these historical events in chronological order (1 = earliest):
Events
A) Industrial Revolution
B) Norman Conquest
C) Brexit referendum
D) World War II
E) Magna Carta
📝Oppgave 3
True or False - explain your answer:
a
"The UK is the same as England."
b
"The British Empire was the largest empire in history."
c
"The UK is still part of the European Union."
📝Oppgave 4
Research task: Choose one aspect of British culture and write a short report (200-250 words). Options include:
📝Oppgave 5
Compare and contrast: How is the UK different from Norway? Consider:
a
Political system
b
Relationship to EU
c
Cultural diversity
📝Oppgave 6
Discussion/Essay: "The British Empire's legacy is still felt today." Do you agree? Write 300-400 words discussing both positive and negative aspects of this legacy.