Western Culture for NEMs (Non-English Majors)
A Review PowerPoint will be posted each week. Double-click on the name of the PowerPoint to download.
Culture Questions: Answers to students’ questions about culture, Western, British, or even American
Week |
Review Sheets |
Review PowerPoint |
Links |
4 |
Culture Questions |
Culture Review ppt |
|
5 |
Western Thought Questions |
Western Thought Review ppt |
|
6 |
Western Religion Questions |
Religion Review ppt |
|
7 |
Science Questions |
Science Review ppt |
|
8 |
Family etc Questions |
Dating, Marriage, Family Review ppt |
|
9 |
Attitudes & Views Questions |
Attitudes and Views Review ppt |
|
10 |
Education Questions |
Education Review ppt |
|
11 |
Sports Questions |
Sports Review ppt |
|
12 |
Manners & Food Questions |
Table Manners & Food Review ppt |
|
13 |
Holiday Questions |
Holidays Review ppt |
|
14 |
Subcultures |
Subcultures ppt |
|
15 |
|
Final Exam – in class |
|
Links to material related to the course:
Western World – what does the term mean?
Western Culture– on Wikipedia
UK Trash Culture – a more in-depth look at Trash Culture in the UK, how it propagates, what is being done about it, etc.
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Clothes: What Clothes Do People Wear in England? – from projectbritain.com, an excellent site.
Food: Typical Traditional British Dishes – from projectbritain.com, an excellent site.
Food: Traditional Foods of Scotland and Wales – from projectbritain.com, an excellent site.
Food: Meals and Meal Times – from projectbritain.com, an excellent site.
Food: Sample School Dinner (Lunch) Menu – from projectbritain.com, an excellent site.
House: Houses in England – from projectbritain.com, an excellent site.
House: Inside a Typical English House – from projectbritain.com, an excellent site.
Shopping: Shops in England – from projectbritain.com, an excellent site.
Shopping: How Much Things Cost in England – from projectbritain.com, an excellent site.
Teenagers: Teenagers Life in England/UK – from projectbritain.com, an excellent site.
Teenagers: Teenagers Working Part Time in England – from projectbritain.com, an excellent site.
Transportation: Types of Transport in Britain – from projectbritain.com, an excellent site.
Transportation: Driving in Britain – from projectbritain.com, an excellent site.
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History of Western Philosophy
Greek Philosophy – on Wikipedia
Greek Philosophy – for Kids, so it is not very complex
The Ancient Greeks
Rome – a Brief Overview
Ancient Rome – on Wikipedia
Ancient Rome – for Kids, so it is not very complex
Timeline of Ancient Rome
Medieval Times or Middle Ages – on Wikipedia
Medieval Life
Renaissance – on Wikipedia
Colonialism – on Wikipedia
Colonialism – Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
The Protestant Reformation – on Wikipedia
Industrial Revolution – on Wikipedia
Adam Smith – on Wikipedia
Adam Smith – a biographical sketch
Karl Marx – on Wikipedia
Karl Marx – Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
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Christianity – Various definitions from Answers.com
Christianity – ReligiousTolerance.com
Protestant Reformation – Various definitions from Answers.com
What Religions are there in Britain? – from projectbritain.com, an excellent site.
History of Religion in Britain – from projectbritain.com. Scroll down page to get to History.
Brief history since Christianity came to Britain.
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What is Science? – a definition, and links to other resources about the nature and process of science
Some Definitions of Science
What is Technology? – Various definitions and explanations from Answers.com
History of Science – on Wikipedia. Covers more than just Western science
Ancient Greek Science – for Kids, so it is not very complex
Science in Medieval Islam – on Wikipedia
Scientific Revolution – describes the scientific method; talks about the Enlightenment and Enlightenment thinkers
Scientific Revolution – on Wikipedia
A Brief History of Gravity – from the Canadian Space Agency
The Scientific Method – explanation using a diagram; explains why scientific theories must be falsifiable
The Values that Underlie Science – from the Curriculum and Instruction Division, Saskatchewan Education, Canada
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Daily Life of an English Boy – from projectbritain.com. This was presented in class with a few additions explaining Cub Scouts, etc.
Dating (Activity)– on Wikipedia
Dating and Marriage Customs in Britain – from projectbritain.com, an excellent site
Bachelor And Stag Parties
Wedding – on Wikipedia
Wedding Rituals
Wedding Ceremony Participants – on Wikipedia. Bride, groom, bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, ring bearers, etc.
Wedding Anniversary Gift Lists
History of Marriage – in the Western world
Marriage – on Wikipedia
Same-sex Marriage – on Wikipedia
Changing Values and Norms of the British Family – from projectbritain.com, an excellent site
Family, Work and Childcare – Many statistics regarding family structure in the U.S.
Family – on Wikipedia
Scouts and Cubs – on Wikipedia. Organizations for children and youth focussing on outdoor activities
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British Social Customs – from projectbritain.com, an excellent site.
Acceptable Behaviour in England – from projectbritain.com, an excellent site.
UK Student Life: Polite Social Behaviour – Scroll down the page to get to the content.
British Pub Etiquette
New Zealand: Culture, Etiquette and Customs
Australia: What is Considered Polite Behaviour?
Australia: How do we Greet People?
Australia: Clothing Customs
American Manners, Etiquette and Protocol
Introduction to American Business Etiquette – this is a video (no subtitles though)
Etiquette in North America– on Wikipedia
Canada: Social Interactions (Small but Important Things) – McMaster University, advice for International Students
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Canada’s Education Systems – Diagram. This is in a pdf.
Information for students educated abroad applying for admission to Canadian universities and colleges
Canadian Universities – List of Universities and Colleges in Canada. Includes links to websites of the schools
Canadian Universities – List of Universities in Canada.
Links to a comprehensive write-up about each school
Includes: profile, fees, programs, degrees, housing, research, International education
Canadian Universities and Colleges – Higher Education and Employment in Canada
Great Britain: General Education
Introduction to Education in England– from projectbritain.com, an excellent site.
UK Education Systems
Educational System in Australia
Education in Australia– on Wikipedia
New Zealand Education
Education in New Zealand– on Wikipedia
USA Education System
Applying for a US F-1 Student Visa
Tips for Adjusting to University Life – from the University of Buffalo
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Baseball – on Simple English Wikipedia
How to Play Baseball – you have to scroll down past some ads to get to the information
Cricket – on Wikipedia
How to Play Rugby
How to Play Ice Hockey
Golf – on Wikipedia
Rodeo – on Wikipedia. Scroll down to get a description of competitive events
American Football – on Wikipedia
How to Play Lacrosse – on wikiHow
Canadian Football – on Wikipedia
Sports Played in Britain – from projectbritain.com, an excellent site.
Football Hooliganism– on Wikipedia
Fox Hunting – on Wikipedia
Learn the Equestrian Sport of Polo – SportPolo website
Australian Rule Football Explained – fairly simple explanation
Australian Rules Football – on Wikipedia. More details, including pictures
How to Play Netball – fairly simple explanation
Netball – on Wikipedia. More details, including pictures
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Eating Etiquette – from projectbritain.com, an excellent site.
Food Etiquette – in the UK
13 Basic Table Manners for Kids – You have to scroll down a bit to get to the numbered list.
Proper Table Manners – a fairly formal view
How to Improve your Table Manners
Chinese Dinners vs Western Dinners – a comparison
Typical Traditional British Dishes – from projectbritain.com, an excellent site.
Traditional Foods of Scotland and Wales – from projectbritain.com, an excellent site.
Meals and Meal Times – from projectbritain.com, an excellent site.
Sample School Dinner (Lunch) Menu – from projectbritain.com, an excellent site.
American Recipes – Each recipe has a picture, many showing you the dish. Scroll down to reach the recipes.
Breakfast– on Wikipedia
Lunch – on Wikipedia
Dinner– on Wikipedia
Supper – on Wikipedia
Tipping – in Britain
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New Year’s Day – January 1
Australia Day – January 26. Includes letters from Australians describing Australia Day.
Waitangi Day – February 6. New Zealand National Day
Valentine’s Day, A History of – February 14
St. Patrick’s Day–March 17. On Wikipedia
April Fool’s Day – April 1
April Fool’s Day, Well-known Pranks– on Wikipedia
April Fool’s Day prank – China and Canada to Form one Country
Easter, the Traditions of – date varies from year to year, but in March or April
St. George’s Day– April 23
ANZAC Day– April 25. On Wikipedia
Mother’s Day – 2nd Sunday in May
Father’s Day, A History of – 3rd Sunday in June
Canada Day – July 1. On Wikipedia
Independence Day – July 4. On Wikipedia. Birthday of the U.S.A.
Thanksgiving, Canadian – 2nd Monday in October. On Wikipedia
Halloween, What’s Behind it – October 31.
Remembrance Day – November 11. On Wikipedia. Also known as Veterans Day, Armistice Day, Poppy Day
Thanksgiving, American – 4th Thursday in November. On Wikipedia
Christmas – December 25. Lots of links to further information about different aspects of Christmas
Boxing Day – December 26. On Wikipedia
Kwanzaa – December 26 to January 1
New Year’s Eve – December 31. On Wikipedia
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