British Cultural Heritage

Program Overview

The British Cultural Heritage program explores the diverse heritage of the UK, ranging from art and architecture to literature and popular culture. Through field trips, lectures, and expert-led tours, students discover historical sites and delve into the significance of Britain's cultural legacy. The program includes modules on museums, Liverpool's heritage, castles, and Shakespeare, fostering critical evaluation skills through hands-on experiences. Equivalent to an undergraduate course, the program offers accreditation and a certificate of attendance.

Program Outline

Outline:

• Content: The British Cultural Heritage programme covers the best of British heritage, including art, architecture, literature, music, design, and popular culture.
• Structure: The programme involves a mixture of field trips, self-guided study, and expert-led tours, underpinned by associated lectures.
• Course Schedule: The programme includes field trips to Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site, Liverpool World Heritage Site, Stratford-upon-Avon (Shakespeare Institute/ Shakespeare Birthplace Trust), and Oxford.
• Modules:
• Introduction to Heritage: Explores the meaning of 'cultural heritage', its significance, and how it is protected and managed in the UK.
• Museums and Collecting: Examines museums and their collections, including what a museum is, what happens to objects when they enter a collection, and why we collect.
• The Historical City of Liverpool: Introduces the history and heritage of Liverpool, and the important sites that form the City's UNESCO World Heritage listing.
• A Song of Stone, Visiting English Castles: Provides a history of castles in England and a guide to visiting a castle.
• All about Shakespeare: Explores the history of Shakespeare and the role that the Shakespeare Institute and Shakespeare Birthplace Trust play in engaging the world with his life and works.

Assessment:

• Methods: Students will present their impressions of the UK's cultural heritage based on their observations and experiences.
• Criteria: Presentations will be evaluated on their critical evaluation of the cultural heritage experienced during the programme.

Teaching:

• Methods: Lectures, field trips, self-guided study, and expert-led tours.
• Faculty: Academic staff from the University of Birmingham.
• Unique Approaches: Encourages critical evaluation of cultural heritage through field trips and self-directed study.

Other:

• The programme is equivalent to an accredited undergraduate course (20 UK credits, 5 US credits, or 10 ECTS).
• All students will receive a certificate of attendance.
• The programme plan is subject to confirmation for BISS 2022.