Preface

      This book has been designed as a theoretical and practical study guide to be implemented in the seminar course Socio-cultural and Literary Studies of the English-speaking Peoples I in the teaching track at tertiary institutions in Córdoba, Argentina. The wide range of activities included herein will help students in their exploration of the geographical, political, historical and literary dimensions of UK’s culture. It is our hope that in investigating some of the different varieties of English within the British Isles and their main distinctive features, students will become aware of the cultural importance of language and of the respect different nations and their languages deserve.

Through a didactic and reader-friendly approach the three modules present in the book have been designed to be self-contained, and to promote collaborative and autonomous learning. The first module examines the physical, political and economic characteristics of the UK and its most salient literary productions. The second module consists of the varieties of English within the British Isles, its historical phenomena and the subsequent linguistic consequences. The third module analyses diachronically the development of the English language (from Old English to Middle English to Modern English) and the English literature (from the Middle Ages to the 21^st century).

Since the use of ICTs has become more and more widespread in the field of education, we have created a free-access BLOG estudiosscyl1.blogspot.com.ar, complementary to this book, with interesting and useful resources and activities. It will help us and our students engage in more innovative and creative work bringing new technologies to the classroom. We believe that by accessing this BLOG we, as teachers, will foster self-learning, self-assessment and the training of research, analytic and writing skills in our learners. 

All in all, the ultimate goal of this handout is not only to contribute to a holistic and interactive education of our students, but also to make them better appreciate and understand the past and present culture of the UK.