英美概况教案总.doc

英美概况教案Part One: UKUnit One: GeographyI. Objectives In this chapter we will look at some general features of Britain and set the scene for the more detailed examination of particular aspects of life there which are dealt with in later chapters.II. Focal Questions What is the full name of the British state? What countries does it consist of? Think of the most well-know symbols and tokens of nationality in China. Are they the same types of real-life objects (e.g. plants, clothes) that are used in Britain? In 1970, the BBC showed a series of programs about the history of the British Empire. Before the series started, they advertised it. The advertisement mentioned “Englands history”. Within a few hours, the BBC had received thousands of angry calls of protest and it was forced to make an apology. Who do you think the angry callers were? Why did the BBC apologize?III. Procedures Presentation by Students Focal questions Lectures by the teacher Class discussion Exploitation Activities Assignment for the next chapterIV. Teaching hours: 4 hours V. Contents1. Related names(1)UK Vs. Great Britain Vs. BritainLying off the north-west coast of Europe, there are two large islands and several much smaller ones. Collectively, they are known as The British Isles (岛). The largest island is called Great Britain. The other large one is called Ireland.Its official name is The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland although it is usually known by a shorter name. At the United Nations, for instance, it is referred to as the United Kingdom. In everyday speech this is often shortened to the UK. In other contexts it is referred to as Great Britain”. In writing and speaking that is not especially formal or informal, the name Britain is used. The normal adjective, when talking about something to do with the UK, is British.(2)British Empire The British Empire was the largest empire in history and for a time was the foremost global power. It was a product of the European age of discovery, which began with the maritime explorations of the 15th century that sparked the era of the European colonial empires. of the worlds land area and population(3)British Commonwealth It is a free association of independent countries that were once colonies of Britain. It was established in 1931, replacing the former British Empire. Member nations are joined together economically and have certain trading arrangements. Today there are about 50 member countries within the Commonwealth.The decision to become a member of the Commonwealth is left to each nation.a loose association connected more economically than politically 2. Physical Geography(1)An OverviewBritain is an island country, situated in thenorthwest of Europe and surrounded by the sea. It lies in the north Atlantic Ocean off the north coast of Europe, and is cut off from the continent by the English Channel in the south and the North Sea in the east. The country covers an area of 244,100 km2. It runs 1,000 km from north to south and extends, at the widest part, about 500 km. It consists of Scotland, Wales and England, and also the northern fifth of Ireland. The British coast is long and has good, deep harbors. The country is slowly tilting with the Northwest slowly rising and the Southeast slowly sinking. The north and west of the country are mainly highlands, while the east and southeast are mostly lowlands. (2)Four parts of the country England the largest, southern part of the island, covering an area of 130,000 km2, taking up 60% of the land area of the whole country The highest peak in this region is Scafell (978 m) in the Lake District in north-west England, while the eastern part is mainly an open cultivated plain. London, Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool are the major citiesLondon (I)London is the capital of England and of Great Britain, the political center of the Commonwealth, and a major port, 65km from the mouth of the River Thames. Administratively it consists of: the City of London, the original nucleus, retaining a medieval system of government of courts of aldermen and an elected lord mayor. Greater London, a metropolitan county, made up of 12 Inner London boroughs and 20 Outer London boroughsThe City, on the north bank of the Thames, is one of the worlds leading banking and financial centers. It contains Guildhall (1411-23) and St Pauls Cathedral (1675-1710). The Port of London lies to the east and its docks extend for 25 miles along the Thames. The Tower of London (11th c.) lies just east of the City. The West End includes Westminster, the area of central government administration, St James Palace (1521-1533), several parks, and fine examples of domestic architecture (esp. 18th-19th centuries). Industries (esp. in the East End and the suburbs): printing, publishing, electrical and mechanical engineering, chemicals, clothing, food processing, plastics. Some of Londons cultural institutions are the University of London (1836), the British Museum (1753), the National Gallery (1838), the Covent Garden Opera House (1856-1858) and Royal Festival Hall (1951). Scotland mainly composed of mountains, lakes and islands covering an area of 78,760 km2 Ben Nevis (1,343 m) is the highest peak in Britain. Edinburgh is the capital city. Three natural zones: the Highlands in the north the central Lowlands the Southern Uplands Wales covering an area of 20,761 km2 (about 9%) in the west of Great Britain a mountainous area with hills rising steeply from the sea and with flat tops 6% of Wales is covered with forest and much of the country is pasture, with only 12% of the area arable. The capital city is Cardiff Northern Irelandtaking up an area of 14,147 km2, the northern fifth of IrelandBelfast is the capital city.The Lough Neagh here is the largest lake in Britain.(3)Rivers & lakesRivers in Britain do not freeze in winter. They play a very important role in Britains economy. The great ports of London, Liverpool and Glasgow are all connected to the sea by rivers. The longest river is the Severn River which is only 338 km long. The second largest river in Britain is the Thames River, which is 336 km long. It rises in southwest England and flows rather slowly through the Midlands of England to Oxford, London and out into the North Sea.There are many lakes in Britain especially in northern Scotland, the Lake District in north-west England and north Wales. The largest lake in Britain is the Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland which covers an area of 396 km2.The Thames (I)Old Father Thames is famous for its history, its culture and its amazing variety. The river has something for everyone. If you enjoy peace and natural beauty, then the gentle and often remote stretches of the upper Thames will suit you. At Oxford, the river - locally known as Isis - springs to life. Here you can take a cruise, hire a punt or motor launch, or just sit at a riverside pub and watch the scullers from the world famous University Clubs in training or competing.The Thames then meanders its way through beautiful countryside reaches and historic settlements with an enormous variety of places to visit, pubs and restaurants to nourish both body and soul. You will be surprised how different your experience of the river will be when on board a boat rather than standing on dry land! Many riverside pubs and eating places are themselves part of the rivers history, a reminder of the days when this was truly a Royal River HighwayPast London Bridge, the river widens as it sweeps down to Greenwich, a town rich in naval tradition and maritime history . and hostelries! The working wharves upstream and downstream of here remind us that the Port of London (which includes the Port of Tilbury). A river cruise downstream takes you past the Millennium Site on the Greenwich Peninsula and onto the Thames Barrier, whose glittering stainless steel casings, reminiscent of the Sydney Opera House, form a fitting gateway to the sea beyond.(4)Climate Features1A Favorable Maritime Climate2a rainy, changeable and unpredictable weather3mild winters and cool summers4a steady and reliable rainfall throughout the year a small range of temperature (4-6 C in the north in winter, and 12-17 C in the south in summer) Factors that contribute to such a climateBritain is an island country, with a comparatively moderate climate although it lies between latitudes 50-60 degrees north, farther north than Heilongjiang of China.1 The surrounding waters tend to balance the seasonal differences by heating up the land in winter and cooling it off in summer.2 The prevailing south-west winds blow over the country all the year round, bringing warm and wet air in winter and keeping the temperatures moderate. 3 The North Atlantic Drift, a warm current, passes the western coast of the British Isles and warms themUnit Two: Early Man and Feudal BritainI. Objectives In this chapter we will focus mainly on the following key points: Celtic people Roman invasion Anglo-Saxon Danish invasion Norman Conquest Great Charter Parliament feudalism Hundred Years War Black Death Peasant Uprising Wycliffe and the Lollards Wars of the Roses Bourgeois Revolution Glorious Revolution RestorationII. Focal Questions Who were the main foreign invaders of Britain at different times in British history? 2. How did feudalism emerge and decline in medieval Britain? What are the basic characteristics of feudalism in England? Why does England have so many castles today? How did the Norman Conquest influence the development of the English language? What is the Magna Carta and why is it so important?III. Procedures Presentation by Students Focal questions Lectures by the teacher Class discussion Exploitation Activities Assignment for the next chapterIV. Teaching hours: 3 hoursV. Contents1. The Origins of a Nation (5000BC-1066) I）Early Settlers （5000BC-55BC） The first known settlers of Britain were the Iberians. At about 2000 BC the Beaker Folk arrived from the areas now know as Holland and Rhineland. The Celts began to arrive Britain about 700 BC. The Celts came to Britain in three main waves. The first wave were the Gaels-came about 600 BC. The second wave were the Brythons-came about 400 BC. The third wave were the Belgae-came about 150 BC. 2）Roman Britain (55BC-410AD) British recorded history begins with the Roman invasion. In 55BC and 54BC, Julius Caesar, a Roman general, invaded Britain twice. In AD 43, the Emperor Claudius invaded Britain successfully. For nearly 400 years, Britain was under the Roman occupation, though it was never a total occupation. Romans influence on Britain. The Roman built many towns, road, baths, temples and buildings. They make good use of Britains natural resources. They also brought the new religion, Christianity, to Britain. Reasons for limited Roman influence on Britain. First, the Romans always treated the Britons as a subject people of slave class. Second, never during the 4 centuries did the Romans and Britons intermarry. Third, the Romans had no impact on the language or culture of ordinary Britons. 3）The Anglo-Saxons (446-871) Basis of Modern English race: the Anglo-Saxons. In the mid-5th century a new wave of invaders, Jutes, Saxons, and Angles came to Britain. They were three Teutonic tribes.The Jutes, who fished and farmed in Jutland, came to Britain first. A Jutish chief became the King of Kent in 449. Then the Saxons, users of the short-sword from northern Germany, established their kingdom in Essex, Sussex and Wessex from the end of the 5th century to the beginning of the 6th century. In the second half of the 6th century, the Angles, who also came from northern Germany and were to give their name to the English people, settled in East Anglia, Mercia and Northumbria. These seven principal kingdoms of Kent, Essex, Sussex, Wessex, East Anglia, Mercia and Northumbria have been given the name of Heptarchy.The early Anglo-Saxons converted to Christianity. The Anglo-Saxons brought their own Teutonic religion to Britain. Christianity soon disappeared, except among the Celts of Cornwall, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. In 597, Pope Gregory I sent St. Augustine, the Prior of St. Andrews Monastery in Rome, to England to convert the heathen English to Christianity. In 579 St. Augustine became the first Archbishop of Canterbury. He was remarkably successful in converting the king and the nobility, but the conversion of the common people was largely due to the missionary activities of the monks in the north.The Early Anglo-Saxons make the contributions to the English state. The Anglo-Saxons laid the foundations of the English state. Firstly, they divided the country into shires, with shire courts and shire reeves, or sheriffs, responsible for administering law. Secondly, they devised the narrow-strip, three-field farming system which continued to the 18th century. Thirdly, they also established the manorial system. Finally, they created the Witan（council or meeting of the wisemen） to advise the king, the basis of the Privy Council which still exists today.4）Viking and Danish invasions The invaders were the Norwegians and the Danes. They attacked various parts of England from the end of the 8th century. They became a serious problem in the 9th century, especially between 835 and 878. They even managed to capture York, an important center of Christianity in 867. By the middle of 9th century, the Viking and the Danes were posing a threat to the Saxon kingdom of Wessex. King Alfred (849-899) and his contributions Alfred was a king of Wessex. He defeated the Danes and reached a friendly agreement with them in 879. The Danes gained control of the north and east, while he ruled the rest. He also converted some leading Danes into Christians. He founded a strong fleet and is known as “ the father of the British navy”. He reorganized the Saxon army, making it more efficient. He translated a Latin book into English. He also established schools and formulated a legal system. All this earns him the title “Alfred the Great.” 5）The Norman Conquest (1066)Reasons for Williams invasion of England after Edwards death. It was said that king Edward had promised the English throne to William, but the Witan chose Harold as king. So William led his army to invade England. In October 1066, during the important battle of Hastings, William defeated Harold and killed him. One Christmas Day, William was crowned king of England, thus beginning the Norman Conquest of England.The Norman Conquest and its consequencesThe Norman Conquest of 1066 is perhaps the best-known event in English history. William the Conqueror confiscated almost all the land and gave it to his Norman followers. He replaced the weak Saxon rule with a strong Norman government. He replaced the weak Saxon rule with a strong Norman government. So，the feudal system was completely established in England. Relations with the Continent were opened, and the civilization and commerce were extended. Norman-French culture, language, manners and architecture were introduced. The Church was brought into closer connection with Rome, and the church courts were separated from the civil courts.The English is a mixture of nationalities of different origins. The ancestors of many English people were the ancient Angles and Saxons. Some English people are of the Norman-French origin.This is one of the most difficult parts. In this part, I will introduce some Kings in English history and their reformations. Though we have to remember a lot of things in this part, we also learn more about English history.2. The Shaping of the Nation (1066-1381)1）Norman Rule (1066-1381)Williams Rule （1066-1087）Englands feudalism under the rule of William the Conqueror：Under William, the feudal system in England was completely established. According to this system, the King owned all the land personally. William gave his barons large estates in England in return for a promise of military service and a proportion of the lands produce. These estates were scattered far and wide over the country, so that those who held them could not easily combine to rebel the king. The barons, who had become Williams tenants-in-chief, parceled out land to the lesser nobles, knights and freemen, also in return for goods and services. At the bottom of the feudal scale were the villains or serfs. One peculiar feature of the feudal system of England was that all landowners must take the oath of allegiance，not only to their immediate lord, but also to the king.King Henry II and his reformsThe ways King Henry II consolidate the monarchy.Henry II took some measures to consolidate the monarchy. He forced the Flemish mercenaries to leave England； recalled grants of Royal lands made by his previous king Stephen； demolished many castles built in Stephens time； strengthened and widened the powers of his sheriffs and relied for armed support upon a militia composed of English freemen.The ways Henry II reform the courts and the law.King Henry II greatly strengthened the Court and extended its judicial work. He divided the whole country into six circuits and appointed justices to each. Cases were therefore heard before the intermittent justices who applied the law impartially. During his reign, a common law was gradually established in place of the previous laws of the local barons. He also introduced a new jury system to replace the old ordeal-based trial system. Besides, he shifted the trial of clergymen charged with criminal offenses from the Bishops court to the Kings court.2）Contents and the significance of the Great CharterGreat Charter was signed by King John in 1215 under the press of the barons. It consists of sixty-three clauses. Its important provisions are as follows: (1) no tax should be made without the approval of the Grand Council； (2) no freemen should be arrested, imprisoned or deprived of their property； (3) the Church should possess all its rights, together with freedom of elections； (4) London and other towns should retain their traditional rights and privileges, and (5) there should be the same weights and measures throughout the country. Although The Great Charter has long been popularly regarded as the foundation of English liberties, it was a statement of the feudal and legal relationships between the Crown and the barons, a guarantee of the freedom of the Church and a limitation of the powers of the king. The spirit of the Great Charter was the limitation of the powers of the king, keeping them within the bounds of the feudal law of the land. 3）The origins of the English ParliamentThe Great Council is known to be the prototype of the current British Parliament. In 1265, Simon de Montfort summoned the Great Council, together with two knights from each county and two citizens from each town. It later developed into the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Its main role was to offer advice. There were no elections or parties. And the most important part of Parliament was the House of Lords.4）The Hundred Years War and its consequences.The Hundred Years War refers to the war between England and France that lasted intermittently from 1337 to 1453. The causes of the war were partly territorial and partly economic. The territorial causes were related with the possession by the English kings of the large duchy in France, while the French kings coveted this large slice. The economic causes were connected with cloth manufacturing towns in Flanders, which were the importer of English wool, but they we