• A
  • A
  • A
  • ABC
  • ABC
  • ABC
  • А
  • А
  • А
  • А
  • А
Regular version of the site
For visually-impairedFor visually-impairedUser profile (HSE staff only)Search
Advanced search
Menu
HSE University
User profile (HSE staff only)Search
Advanced search

Course Syllabus

2025/2026

British Culture through Fiction and Media

Type: Mago-Lego
Delivered by: School of Foreign Languages
When: 1, 2 module
Open to: students of all HSE University campuses
Instructors: Elena Styrina
Language: English
Contact hours: 40

Course Syllabus

Full SyllabusAsk Question

Abstract

The course is designed for students of Intercultural Communication. The students of other departments can take this course on condition that they study additional material on cultural dimensions to be able to apply cultural analysis to the studied texts. The participants of the course will be offered media articles, essays, academic texts, short stories, and excerpts from novels highlighting various features of the British nation. Entry level of English is B2+-C2.
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • To develop students’ skills in analysing and interpreting media, academic and fiction texts within the context of the UK’s national culture and linguistic-cultural specifics.
  • To familiarize students with the key cultural traditions and distinctive features of the United Kingdom as reflected in texts fo various styles and genres though the lens of the theory of intercultural communication.
Expected Learning Outcomes

Expected Learning Outcomes

  • Students will be able to analyse the role of symbols in the UK culture.
  • Students will be able to determine different types of identity in the UK.
  • Students will be able to apply the cultural dimensions theory to the analysis of different types of British discourse.
Course Contents

Course Contents

  • The UK though the lens of cultural dimensions theory.
  • Identity in the UK.
Assessment Elements

Assessment Elements

  • non-blocking Class participation
    Class participation includes discussions, minor quizzes on the knowledge of the theory. The average number of points per class is 3. Students can get maximum points for the class only if they participate with their cameras on or work offline.
  • non-blocking Final test
    At the end of the course students take an open-question test checking their knowledge of the material together with their critical skills.
  • non-blocking Examination
    The examination is an oral discussion where students are offered questions related to the course. In the online format the answer should be given immediately, in an offline format, 15 minutes is given for preparation.
  • non-blocking Final discussion
    The final discussion is an evaluated discussion that takes place in one of the final lessons where the students will demonstrate their knowledge and critical thinking skills in the form of a discussion. The students are divided into groups of 3-4. The professor listens to each group in turn evaluating the contribution of each student.
Interim Assessment

Interim Assessment

  • 2025/2026 2nd module
    0.15 * Class participation + 0.15 * Class participation + 0.3 * Examination + 0.2 * Final discussion + 0.2 * Final test
Bibliography

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

  • Cronje, J. C. (2011). Using Hofstede’s cultural dimensions to interpret cross-cultural blended teaching and learning. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.113A7439
  • Dimitrov, K. (2018). Geert Hofstede et al’s set of national cultural dimensions - popularity and criticisms. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1434882
  • Turner, G. (2003). British Cultural Studies (Vol. 3rd ed). London: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=139147
  • Wierzbicka, A. (2003). Cross-Cultural Pragmatics : The Semantics of Human Interaction (Vol. 2nd ed). Berlin: De Gruyter Mouton. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=390986
  • Телешевская, А. М., Cross-Cultural Business English Communication : учебник / А. М. Телешевская. — Москва : Русайнс, 2024. — 140 с. — ISBN 978-5-466-06957-0. — URL: https://book.ru/book/954183 (дата обращения: 03.04.2025). — Текст : электронный.

Recommended Additional Bibliography

  • An introdution to intercultural communication : identities in a global community, Jandt, F. E., 2013
  • British periodicals and romantic identity : the "literary lower empire", Schoenfield, M., 2009
  • Britishness, popular music and national identity : the making of modern Britain, Morra, I., 2014
  • Cross-cultural and intercultural communication, , 2003
  • Exploring intercultural communication : language in action, Hua, Z., 2014
  • Intercultural communication : a practical guide, Novinger, T., 2001

Authors

  • STYRINA ELENA VYACHESLAVOVNA