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Skidmore College
First-Year Experience

Scribner Seminar Program
Course Description

Media and British National Identity

Instructor(s): Joanne Devine, English

What does it mean to be British in the United Kingdom where ongoing challenges to a unified identity have come from a range of sources, including Scottish and Welsh nationalism, the cultural diversity of immigrant populations from former colonies, pressures to conform to the European Union, and globalization/Americanization? What role does the media play in creating, reinforcing and celebrating the idea of a unified British national Identity? Students will explore connections between media–television, film, newspapers, magazines, tabloids and radio-and British national identity, especially as this identity emerges in media treatment of Parliamentary politics, national elections, the monarchy, gender, class, race, sports, and popular music.

Course Offered