IL1BGS: Britain in a Global Society

Module code: IL1BGS

Module provider: International Study and Language Institute

Credits: 0

Level: 4

When you’ll be taught: Summer (vacation) semester

Module convenor: Dr Lucy Watson , email: l.a.watson@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module is delivered under the banner of University or ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø’s ‘International Summer School’. The International Summer School offers students from ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø’s international partnership institutions the opportunity to study on campus at a leading university in the UK. For students considering a transfer to ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø or postgraduate study, this is a unique opportunity to experience UK student life first-hand, attend lectures delivered by experts in their field, meet with faculty staff, and mix with students from around the world. The summer school is ideal for students who want to know more about the UK and studying abroad before they commit to something longer-term, as well as those who just want a taste of the international student experience.

The module explores Britain in the context of global society. It explains how the UK developed into a significant global power and how its role and position has changed in more recent times. The taught sessions introduce students to modern British culture and society, while subject-specific lectures from a range of experts consider the UK’s responses to today’s global challenges, including consideration of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.

You will study with students and staff in your discipline area (e.g. Business, Science, Law, Psychology), visit academic schools, and enjoy cultural and educational trips to broaden your understanding of British life. 

The ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø is a world leader in the study of climate change and sustainability and our programmes actively promote the development of students as global citizens. This module will help you improve your intercultural understanding and communication skills, something which is highly valued by universities and employers. You will receive a certificate of completion for attending the module.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of Britain’s role in global society
2. Describe and explain key aspects British culture
3. Present ideas in a clear and concise manner including more than one perspective
4. Demonstrate an ability to research a topic independently

Module content

The module is delivered by a multi-disciplinary team of academics from across the university. There will be sessions on British history, politics and culture, as well as subject-specific sessions on the UK’s responses to today’s big global challenges; inequality, climate change, technological advancement, for example. There will also be cultural and educational trips and social activities to help develop students’ understanding of British life and culture. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module is mainly delivered in the classroom through a mixture of lectures and seminars. There will be opportunities for small group discussions and interactive activities in class.

Independent study tasks to consolidate learning may also require completion. These tasks may include wider reading, preparation for seminars (including independent research) and group activities.

At the end of the module, students will prepare a group project on a topic of their choosing agreed with the module convenor. 

Study hours

At least 25 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Students will produce a group project on a topic of their choice, e.g. video or poster presentation.

Reassessment

Additional costs