Topic outline
General
Syllabus - the United Kingdom-
1. The Earliest Settlers of Britain
- Understand the origins of the Iberians, Celts, and Romans.
- Analyze the impact of these early settlers on British culture and society.
2. The Nordic Invasions
- Examine the roles of the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings in shaping British history.
- Evaluate the cultural exchanges and conflicts that occurred during this period.
3. The Norman Conquest
- Discuss the significance of the Norman Conquest in 1066.
- Explore the changes in governance, culture, and society post-conquest.
4. The Middle Ages
- Identify key events and figures in the Middle Ages.
- Understand the evolution of feudalism and its effects on society.
5. The Tudors
- Investigate the major developments during the Tudor period, including the Reformation.
- Assess the influence of Tudor monarchs on modern British history.
6. The Stuarts
- Analyze the political and social changes during the Stuart era.
- Explore the causes and effects of the English Civil War and the establishment of constitutional monarchy.
These objectives aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the historical context and significant events that shaped the United Kingdom
NOTE:
The first lessons of civilisation first year for group 1 and 2
General description about the United Kingdom:
Overview of the United Kingdom
Geography
The United Kingdom (UK) is an island nation located off the northwestern coast of mainland Europe. It comprises four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The UK is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the English Channel, and the Irish Sea. Its diverse landscapes include mountains, rolling hills, and coastal regions.
History
The UK has a rich and complex history, marked by significant events such as the Roman invasion, the establishment of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, the Norman Conquest in 1066, and the formation of the United Kingdom in 1707. The British Empire, which expanded in the 18th and 19th centuries, was one of the largest empires in history, influencing global trade, culture, and politics.
Politics
The UK is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. The monarch, currently King Charles III, serves as the head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government. The UK Parliament, based in Westminster, consists of two houses: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The political landscape is characterized by major parties such as the Conservative Party, the Labour Party, and the Liberal Democrats.
Economy
The UK has one of the largest economies in the world, with a diverse range of industries including finance, manufacturing, and services. London is a global financial hub, attracting businesses and investors from around the world. The economy has faced challenges, including the impacts of Brexit, which officially occurred in January 2020, leading to changes in trade and immigration policies.
Culture
The UK is known for its rich cultural heritage, including contributions to literature, music, art, and science. It is home to renowned figures such as William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, The Beatles, and Sir Isaac Newton. The UK celebrates a variety of cultural events and traditions, reflecting its multicultural society.
Conclusion
The United Kingdom plays a significant role on the global stage, with its historical influence, political stability, and cultural contributions shaping not only its own identity but also that of the wider world.
The first inhabitants of what is now the United Kingdom were prehistoric peoples who settled in the region thousands of years ago. Here’s an overview of these early settlers:
Early Inhabitants of the United Kingdom
1. Paleolithic Era (Old Stone Age)
- Time Period: Approximately 800,000 to 10,000 years ago.
- Inhabitants: Early humans, including Homo heidelbergensis and later Homo sapiens.
- Lifestyle: These groups were primarily hunter-gatherers, relying on hunting, fishing, and foraging for food. They lived in temporary shelters and used simple stone tools.
2. Mesolithic Era (Middle Stone Age)
- Time Period: Approximately 10,000 to 5,000 years ago.
- Inhabitants: Small bands of hunter-gatherers continued to inhabit the UK.
- Lifestyle: As the climate warmed, these groups began to establish more permanent settlements, utilizing a wider range of resources, including fish and wild plants.
3. Neolithic Era (New Stone Age)
- Time Period: Approximately 5,000 to 2,500 years ago.
- Inhabitants: The arrival of farming communities marked this period.
- Lifestyle: People began to domesticate animals and cultivate crops, leading to the establishment of permanent settlements. Notable archaeological sites from this era include Stonehenge and Skara Brae.
4. Bronze Age
- Time Period: Approximately 2,500 to 800 BC.
- Inhabitants: The introduction of metalworking brought about significant cultural changes.
- Lifestyle: Societies became more complex, with advancements in agriculture, trade, and social organization. Burial mounds and hill forts from this period reflect emerging social hierarchies.
5. Iron Age
- Time Period: Approximately 800 BC to the Roman invasion (43 AD).
- Inhabitants: Celtic tribes, including the Britons in England and Gaels in Ireland.
- Lifestyle: These tribes developed distinct cultures, languages, and social structures. They built fortified settlements known as hill forts and engaged in trade with continental Europe.
Conclusion
The early inhabitants of the United Kingdom laid the foundations for the diverse cultures and societies that would follow. Their legacy can still be seen in archaeological sites, ancient structures, and the cultural heritage of the British Isles.
First semester online exam in civilisation module, L1 G1 G2
CHARCHAR KARIMA
The Syllabus (S1)
Semester I
1- The United Kingdom (Overview)
2- The Earliest Settlers of Britain:
• Iberians/Celts/Romans (Origins, Culture, and Settlement/Invasion)
3- The Nordic Invasions:
• The Anglo-Saxons (Origins, Culture, Invasion, and the Great Personalities).
• The Vikings (Origins, Culture, and Invasion)
4- The Norman Conquest
• Origins, Culture, and Invasion.
• The English Plantagenets (the Hundred Years War, the Black Death, and the Wars of the Roses).
• The End Middle Ages.
5- Tudors
• Henry VII (The First of the Tudors)
• The English Reformation
• Defeat of the Spanish Armada
6- Stuarts
This lecture introduces the early inhabitants of Great Britain: the Celtic people, the Romans, and the Anglo-Saxons. Each of these groups came to settle or invade Britain for specific reasons. As they read the lecture, students should identify the reasons behind each group's arrival in Britain, assess their impact on the country during their period of settlement or invasion, and identify the factors that led to their downfall.
Session Ended
The Viking raids and subsequent settlements define the period known as the Viking Age in Britain which had profound consequences on the development of the culture and language. Discover more details about the Viking Era in the following lecture.
Session Ended.
In this PowerPoint presentation, you will find the key points we discussed in the previous online session (G3 & G4). Students who missed today's session should attend the next online session to get their questions answered.
First-year groups 03 & 04 are kindly requested to join the chat session this Thursday at 7:00 p.m. to ask any questions they may have about the module, lectures, and assignments. You're most welcome!
Session Ended.
- First Semester Exam in Civilization and the Target Language: Groups 3&4.
Session Ended.
Session Ended. I appreciate the efforts you put into your online presentations. Well done, dear students.
- Lecture Presentation.
- Planning for the second online evaluation (QUIZ)
- The Session Ended
Students who missed their previous online sessions are kindly invited to join this make-up session before the quiz.
Topic 2
Civilization and the Target Language is a module that introduces first year LMD students to the main historical events pertaining to both Britain and the United States. Devoted to the "British Civilization", the first semester provides background information about Britain from prehistory until the Stuart era. Likewise, the second semester, which focuses on the "American Civilization", highlights the key circumstances that led to the accidental discovery of the American continent with a special emphasis placed on the thirteen British colonies.
This second lesson directs attention to the key ideas pertaining to the invasion of Britain by the Celts, the Romans, and the Anglo-Saxons while placing a special emphasis on the main characterics of each group..
In this vocal recording, students are introduced to the "Celts", the first group which settled in present day UK. The origin of these pre-historic people, their lifestyle, peculiar characteristics, religion, in addition to the linguistic legacy they left behind are the main points of the lesson which are explained straightforwardly.
Fernane (groups 5&9)
Session starts at 19:30
1st semester online exam in CIVILISATION
NORMAN CONQUEST (Mr BELAIFA)
The Norman Conquest refers to the invasion and subsequent occupation of England by the Normans in 1066, led by William the Conqueror, the Duke of Normandy. The conflict was precipitated by a succession crisis following the death of King Edward the Confessor, who left no direct heir. Harold Godwinson was crowned king, but William claimed that Edward had promised him the throne. After Harold defeated an invasion by Harald Hardrada of Norway at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, William landed in England and engaged Harold at the Battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066. Harold's forces were ultimately defeated, leading to William's coronation as king on Christmas Day that year. The conquest drastically transformed English society, introducing Norman feudalism, altering the English language, and reshaping the political landscape, with lasting effects that continue to influence England's culture and governance today.
- The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 was a pivotal event in British history that marked the end of Anglo-Saxon rule and the beginning of Norman influence in England. Here are some key points about the Norman Conquest:Background: The conquest was precipitated by the death of Edward the Confessor, the Anglo-Saxon king of England, in January 1066. Edward died without an heir, resulting in a power struggle among various claimants to the throne.Key Figures:William the Conqueror: Also known as William I, Duke of Normandy, he claimed that Edward had promised him the throne and that he was the rightful successor.Harold Godwinson: The most powerful noble in England at the time, he was crowned king shortly after Edward’s death, which led to tensions with William.Battle of Hastings: The most significant event of the conquest took place on October 14, 1066, at the Battle of Hastings. William’s Norman forces defeated Harold’s army, which was significantly depleted due to a prior battle against the Norwegians at Stamford Bridge.Aftermath: After his victory at Hastings, William began a campaign to consolidate power in England. He was crowned King of England on December 25, 1066. The conquest led to significant changes in the English social, political, and cultural landscape.Feudal System: William introduced the feudal system to England, redistributing lands to his Norman followers, which altered the existing Anglo-Saxon hierarchy. This resulted in a new ruling class and substantial changes to land ownership.Domesday Book: In 1086, to assess his new kingdom, William commissioned the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England. This document is one of the most important historical records from the period.Cultural Impact: The Norman Conquest had lasting effects on the English language, law, and architecture, including the introduction of French language and culture, which mixed with the existing Anglo-Saxon elements.The Norman Conquest fundamentally transformed England and laid the groundwork for the development of modern English governance and culture.
Middle Ages-England- ( Mr BELAIFA A.I)
The Middle Ages in the UK, spanning approximately from the 5th to the late 15th century, is a significant period marked by profound changes in politics, society, culture, and religion. Here’s a detailed overview:
1. Periods of the Middle Ages
Early Middle Ages (5th - 11th Century)
- Anglo-Saxon Invasions: Following the Roman withdrawal, various tribes (Angles, Saxons, Jutes) settled in Britain.
- Formation of Kingdoms: Several kingdoms emerged, including Wessex, Mercia, and Northumbria.
- Christianization: The spread of Christianity began, influencing culture and governance.
Central Middle Ages (11th - 13th Century)
- Norman Conquest (1066): William the Conqueror defeated King Harold II at the Battle of Hastings, leading to Norman rule.
- Feudal System: Introduction of feudalism, where land was held in exchange for military service.
- Cultural Developments: Construction of castles and cathedrals, with Romanesque architecture evolving into Gothic.
Late Middle Ages (14th - 15th Century)
- Hundred Years' War (1337-1453): A series of conflicts between England and France over territorial claims.
- Black Death (1347-1351): A devastating plague that killed a significant portion of the population, leading to social and economic changes.
- Rise of the Tudors: The end of the Wars of the Roses (1455-1487) marked the beginning of Tudor rule.
2. Key Events
- Battle of Hastings (1066): This battle marked the start of Norman rule in England.
- Magna Carta (1215): A foundational document that limited the powers of the king and established certain legal rights for nobles.
- Peasants' Revolt (1381): A major uprising against oppressive taxation and feudal obligations.
3. Culture and Society
- Language Development: Transition from Old English to Middle English, influenced by Norman French.
- Literature: Notable works include "Beowulf" and Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales."
- Church Influence: The Catholic Church played a central role in everyday life, politics, and education.
4. Architecture
- Castles: Fortifications like the Tower of London and Windsor Castle were built for protection and as symbols of power.
- Cathedrals: Gothic cathedrals, such as Canterbury Cathedral and York Minster, showcased architectural advancements and served as centers of worship.
5. Economy and Trade
- Agriculture: The majority of the population was involved in farming, with the three-field system becoming common.
- Trade: Growing trade networks developed, particularly in wool, which became a key export.
The Middle Ages in the UK was a transformative era that set the foundations for modern society. The political, social, and cultural developments during this time continue to influence the UK today, making it a crucial period in British history.