BBC Learning English | Grammar Challenge
Revise your grammar by listening to the Mp3s on this site from the BBC.
These are fairly basic grammar points, but you might need revision.
...
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Le travail à l'université
Rappelez- vous de la règle générale : se contenter de répéter, lors des examens, ce que l'enseignant dit dans ses cours, sans ajouter d'autres exemples ou analyses, vaut 8/20 en première année, et 6/20 en deuxième année...
L1 Bloc 2 Identités et conflits sociaux et ethniques...
Information importante;
Je suis en train de corriger vos DST. Je vous rappelle que la note finale pour cette UE sera composée de trois élements.
Pour 25% le DST que vous avez passé
Pour 25% un devoir à la maison que vous rendrez immédiatement après les vacances
Pour 50% un contrôle final qui aura lieu vendredi 8 janvier à 11h, salle 237, et qui durera 2 heures.
Le DST que vous avez passé début décembre comportait deux questions que voici :
1. Quels sont les points communs et les différences entre le sentiment national écossais et le sentiment national gallois? Quels ont été les effets politiques de chacun?
2 Décrivez les plus importantes périodes de conflit social au Royaume Uni depuis 1918, et leurs effets principaux.
Pour votre devoir à la maison, vous allez tout simplement répondre à la question que vous n'avez pas traitée lors du DST. Vous écrirez entre 700 et 900 mots, de préférence tapés à l'ordinateur (mais vous ne pouvez pas rendre votre devoir par mail).
Bien évidemment, vous pourrez consulter des documents à la bibliothèque et sur internet. Citez vos sources. Je rappelle pourtant que si vous utilisez une seule phrase copiée directement d'une autre source, sans guillemets ou sans une bonne raison d'utiliser cette source, c'est du plagiat et devient une question disciplinaire à traiter par les autorités compétentes (en plus d'avoir droit à un zéro).
Les étudiants qui ne réussissent pas à avoir la moyenne dans l'UE auront le droit, bien sûr, de repasser un examen lors de la deuxième session, en juin.
A vendredi!
Je suis en train de corriger vos DST. Je vous rappelle que la note finale pour cette UE sera composée de trois élements.
Pour 25% le DST que vous avez passé
Pour 25% un devoir à la maison que vous rendrez immédiatement après les vacances
Pour 50% un contrôle final qui aura lieu vendredi 8 janvier à 11h, salle 237, et qui durera 2 heures.
Le DST que vous avez passé début décembre comportait deux questions que voici :
1. Quels sont les points communs et les différences entre le sentiment national écossais et le sentiment national gallois? Quels ont été les effets politiques de chacun?
2 Décrivez les plus importantes périodes de conflit social au Royaume Uni depuis 1918, et leurs effets principaux.
Pour votre devoir à la maison, vous allez tout simplement répondre à la question que vous n'avez pas traitée lors du DST. Vous écrirez entre 700 et 900 mots, de préférence tapés à l'ordinateur (mais vous ne pouvez pas rendre votre devoir par mail).
Bien évidemment, vous pourrez consulter des documents à la bibliothèque et sur internet. Citez vos sources. Je rappelle pourtant que si vous utilisez une seule phrase copiée directement d'une autre source, sans guillemets ou sans une bonne raison d'utiliser cette source, c'est du plagiat et devient une question disciplinaire à traiter par les autorités compétentes (en plus d'avoir droit à un zéro).
Les étudiants qui ne réussissent pas à avoir la moyenne dans l'UE auront le droit, bien sûr, de repasser un examen lors de la deuxième session, en juin.
A vendredi!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Classes as usual
I am much better, and my classes on Thursday and Friday will take place as normal.
JM
JM
Thursday, December 10, 2009
L2 Phonetics
I managed to get as far as my computer. You can find here the correct answers to the first part of your phonetics test. Study them carefully.
A description of rituals in the Nacirema tribe
Professor Linton[2] first brought the ritual of the Nacirema to the attention of anthropologists twenty years ago, but the culture of this people is still very poorly understood. They are a North American group living in the territory between the Canadian Cree, the Yaqui and Tarahumare of Mexico, and the Carib and Arawak of the Antilles. Little is known of their origin, although tradition states that they came from the east. According to Nacirema mythology, their nation was originated by a culture hero, Notgnihsaw, who is otherwise known for two great feats of strength—the throwing of a piece of wampum across the river Pa-To-Mac and the chopping down of a cherry tree in which the Spirit of Truth resided.
Nacirema culture is characterized by a highly developed market economy which has evolved in a rich natural habitat. While much of the people's time is devoted to economic pursuits, a large part of the fruits of these labors and a considerable portion of the day are spent in ritual activity. The focus of this activity is the human body, the appearance and health of which loom as a dominant concern in the ethos of the people. While such a concern is certainly not unusual, its ceremonial aspects and associated philosophy are unique.
The fundamental belief underlying the whole system appears to be that the human body is ugly and that its natural tendency is to debility and disease. Incarcerated in such a body, man's only hope is to avert these characteristics through the use of ritual and ceremony. Every household has one or more shrines devoted to this purpose. The more powerful individuals in the society have several shrines in their houses and, in fact, the opulence of a house is often referred to in terms of the number of such ritual centers it possesses. Most houses are of wattle and daub construction, but the shrine rooms of the more wealthy are walled with stone. Poorer families imitate the rich by applying pottery plaques to their shrine walls.
While each family has at least one such shrine, the rituals associated with it are not family ceremonies but are private and secret. The rites are normally only discussed with children, and then only during the period when they are being initiated into these mysteries. I was able, however, to establish sufficient rapport with the natives to examine these shrines and to have the rituals described to me.
The focal point of the shrine is a box or chest which is built into the wall. In this chest are kept the many charms and magical potions without which no native believes he could live. These preparations are secured from a variety of specialized practitioners. The most powerful of these are the medicine men, whose assistance must be rewarded with substantial gifts. However, the medicine men do not provide the curative potions for their clients, but decide what the ingredients should be and then write them down in an ancient and secret language. This writing is understood only by the medicine men and by the herbalists who, for another gift, provide the required charm.
The charm is not disposed of after it has served its purpose, but is placed in the charmbox of the household shrine. As these magical materials are specific for certain ills, and the real or imagined maladies of the people are many, the charm-box is usually full to overflowing. The magical packets are so numerous that people forget what their purposes were and fear to use them again. While the natives are very vague on this point, we can only assume that the idea in retaining all the old magical materials is that their presence in the charm-box, before which the body rituals are conducted, will in some way protect the worshiper.
Beneath the charm-box is a small font. Each day every member of the family, in succession, enters the shrine room, bows his head before the charm-box, mingles different sorts of holy water in the font, and proceeds with a brief rite of ablution[3]. The holy waters are secured from the Water Temple of the community, where the priests conduct elaborate ceremonies to make the liquid ritually pure.
In the hierarchy of magical practitioners, and below the medicine men in prestige, are specialists whose designation is best translated as "holy-mouth-men." The Nacirema have an almost pathological horror of and fascination with the mouth, the condition of which is believed to have a supernatural influence on all social relationships. Were it not for the rituals of the mouth, they believe that their teeth would fall out, their gums bleed, their jaws shrink, their friends desert them, and their lovers reject them. They also believe that a strong relationship exists between oral and moral characteristics. For example, there is a ritual ablution of the mouth for children which is supposed to improve their moral fiber.
The daily body ritual performed by everyone includes a mouth-rite. Despite the fact that these people are so punctilious[4] about care of the mouth, this rite involves a practice which strikes the uninitiated stranger as revolting. It was reported to me that the ritual consists of inserting a small bundle of hog hairs into the mouth, along with certain magical powders, and then moving the bundle in a highly formalized series of gestures[5].
In addition to the private mouth-rite, the people seek out a holy-mouth-man once or twice a year. These practitioners have an impressive set of paraphernalia, consisting of a variety of augers, awls, probes, and prods. The use of these items in the exorcism of the evils of the mouth involves almost unbelievable ritual torture of the client. The holy-mouth-man opens the client's mouth and, using the above mentioned tools, enlarges any holes which decay may have created in the teeth. Magical materials are put into these holes. If there are no naturally occurring holes in the teeth, large sections of one or more teeth are gouged out so that the supernatural substance can be applied. In the client's view, the purpose of these ministrations[6] is to arrest decay and to draw friends. The extremely sacred and traditional character of the rite is evident in the fact that the natives return to the holy-mouth-men year after year, despite the fact that their teeth continue to decay.
Nacirema culture is characterized by a highly developed market economy which has evolved in a rich natural habitat. While much of the people's time is devoted to economic pursuits, a large part of the fruits of these labors and a considerable portion of the day are spent in ritual activity. The focus of this activity is the human body, the appearance and health of which loom as a dominant concern in the ethos of the people. While such a concern is certainly not unusual, its ceremonial aspects and associated philosophy are unique.
The fundamental belief underlying the whole system appears to be that the human body is ugly and that its natural tendency is to debility and disease. Incarcerated in such a body, man's only hope is to avert these characteristics through the use of ritual and ceremony. Every household has one or more shrines devoted to this purpose. The more powerful individuals in the society have several shrines in their houses and, in fact, the opulence of a house is often referred to in terms of the number of such ritual centers it possesses. Most houses are of wattle and daub construction, but the shrine rooms of the more wealthy are walled with stone. Poorer families imitate the rich by applying pottery plaques to their shrine walls.
While each family has at least one such shrine, the rituals associated with it are not family ceremonies but are private and secret. The rites are normally only discussed with children, and then only during the period when they are being initiated into these mysteries. I was able, however, to establish sufficient rapport with the natives to examine these shrines and to have the rituals described to me.
The focal point of the shrine is a box or chest which is built into the wall. In this chest are kept the many charms and magical potions without which no native believes he could live. These preparations are secured from a variety of specialized practitioners. The most powerful of these are the medicine men, whose assistance must be rewarded with substantial gifts. However, the medicine men do not provide the curative potions for their clients, but decide what the ingredients should be and then write them down in an ancient and secret language. This writing is understood only by the medicine men and by the herbalists who, for another gift, provide the required charm.
The charm is not disposed of after it has served its purpose, but is placed in the charmbox of the household shrine. As these magical materials are specific for certain ills, and the real or imagined maladies of the people are many, the charm-box is usually full to overflowing. The magical packets are so numerous that people forget what their purposes were and fear to use them again. While the natives are very vague on this point, we can only assume that the idea in retaining all the old magical materials is that their presence in the charm-box, before which the body rituals are conducted, will in some way protect the worshiper.
Beneath the charm-box is a small font. Each day every member of the family, in succession, enters the shrine room, bows his head before the charm-box, mingles different sorts of holy water in the font, and proceeds with a brief rite of ablution[3]. The holy waters are secured from the Water Temple of the community, where the priests conduct elaborate ceremonies to make the liquid ritually pure.
In the hierarchy of magical practitioners, and below the medicine men in prestige, are specialists whose designation is best translated as "holy-mouth-men." The Nacirema have an almost pathological horror of and fascination with the mouth, the condition of which is believed to have a supernatural influence on all social relationships. Were it not for the rituals of the mouth, they believe that their teeth would fall out, their gums bleed, their jaws shrink, their friends desert them, and their lovers reject them. They also believe that a strong relationship exists between oral and moral characteristics. For example, there is a ritual ablution of the mouth for children which is supposed to improve their moral fiber.
The daily body ritual performed by everyone includes a mouth-rite. Despite the fact that these people are so punctilious[4] about care of the mouth, this rite involves a practice which strikes the uninitiated stranger as revolting. It was reported to me that the ritual consists of inserting a small bundle of hog hairs into the mouth, along with certain magical powders, and then moving the bundle in a highly formalized series of gestures[5].
In addition to the private mouth-rite, the people seek out a holy-mouth-man once or twice a year. These practitioners have an impressive set of paraphernalia, consisting of a variety of augers, awls, probes, and prods. The use of these items in the exorcism of the evils of the mouth involves almost unbelievable ritual torture of the client. The holy-mouth-man opens the client's mouth and, using the above mentioned tools, enlarges any holes which decay may have created in the teeth. Magical materials are put into these holes. If there are no naturally occurring holes in the teeth, large sections of one or more teeth are gouged out so that the supernatural substance can be applied. In the client's view, the purpose of these ministrations[6] is to arrest decay and to draw friends. The extremely sacred and traditional character of the rite is evident in the fact that the natives return to the holy-mouth-men year after year, despite the fact that their teeth continue to decay.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
L2 Civilization : The Citizens Charter fifteen years later
The Citizens Charter fifteen years later
An article about John Major and Tony Blair's approach to public services.
An article about John Major and Tony Blair's approach to public services.
L1 Bloc 2 Identités : Musique ethnique et identité culturelle
Musique ethnique et identité culturelle
Bonjour, étudiants du CM Identités et conflits sociaux et etnhiques.
J'ai attrapé un virus et je serai absent ce vendredi.
Je vous demande de lire l'article sur la musique ethnique et l'identité immigrée, que vous trouverez en cliquant sur le titre ci-dessus.
Si possible, lisez aussi cet article, concernant les réactions sur le lieu de travail au multiculturalisme.
Bonjour, étudiants du CM Identités et conflits sociaux et etnhiques.
J'ai attrapé un virus et je serai absent ce vendredi.
Je vous demande de lire l'article sur la musique ethnique et l'identité immigrée, que vous trouverez en cliquant sur le titre ci-dessus.
Si possible, lisez aussi cet article, concernant les réactions sur le lieu de travail au multiculturalisme.
Absence
J'ai attrapé un virus, et je serai absent jeudi 10 et vendredi 11 décembre. Je mettrai ici sur ce blog dans les jours à venir des pistes de travail pour les différents groupes.
Monday, December 07, 2009
L2 Civilisation BBC - South Yorkshire - History - Remembering the Miners Strike...
BBC - South Yorkshire - History - Remembering the Miners Strike...
The BBC looks back on the great miners strike of 1984-1985.
The BBC looks back on the great miners strike of 1984-1985.
Sunday, December 06, 2009
L2 civilisation - les syndicats britanniques
Suivez ce lien pour lire un excellent article en français sur les syndicats britanniques et les différentes lois de Thatcher et de Blair... :=)
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
BBC - Podcasts - A Short History of Ireland
BBC - Podcasts - A Short History of Ireland
Follow the history of Ireland by listening to this documentary from BBC radio - every episode is only five minutes, and there is a new episode every day.
Follow the history of Ireland by listening to this documentary from BBC radio - every episode is only five minutes, and there is a new episode every day.
BBC - History - British History in depth: Women's Rights Quiz
BBC - History - British History in depth: Women's Rights Quiz
Try this short quiz about the history of women's rights in Britain.
Try this short quiz about the history of women's rights in Britain.
YouTube - Une chanson populaire - Claude François
YouTube - Une chanson populaire - Claude François
To compare, here is Claude François from the 1970s in France.
To compare, here is Claude François from the 1970s in France.
L2 Thème
REVISION / USED TO AND BE USED TO
USED TO DO
The grammatical structure “used to do” is used to talk about past, finished habits
We have a special expression to talk about habits we we have stopped.
I used to smoke too much.
My hobby used to be horse-riding.
When I was younger I used to love playing football.
There used to be a first and a second class on the metro.
French people used to smoke more than they do now.
Notice that this form means that the activity is now definitively finished.
BE USED TO (DOING)
This is a completely different structure which we normally use to express the idea that something is not difficult for us.
I’m used to strong cigarettes.
She’s used to hard work.
Notice in these sentences “Be used to” is followed by a noun. It can also be followed by a form in -ING
I’m used to getting up early.
I’m used to walking for hours.
She’s used to driving at night.
IMPORTANT : this does NOT simply mean that it is something which happens often; it means that it happens often AND THEREFORE IS NOT DIFFICULT FOR ME;
If you want to say in English “J’ai l’habitude de travailler à la maison”, you do NOT need USED TO OR BE USED TO.
Use something else like
“I usually work at home.”
“English people usually drink a lot of tea.”
“My friends usually call me Dédé.”
You can find some exercises, which will only take a few minutes, on
http://www.smic.be/smic5022/used%20to.htm
USED TO DO
The grammatical structure “used to do” is used to talk about past, finished habits
We have a special expression to talk about habits we we have stopped.
I used to smoke too much.
My hobby used to be horse-riding.
When I was younger I used to love playing football.
There used to be a first and a second class on the metro.
French people used to smoke more than they do now.
Notice that this form means that the activity is now definitively finished.
BE USED TO (DOING)
This is a completely different structure which we normally use to express the idea that something is not difficult for us.
I’m used to strong cigarettes.
She’s used to hard work.
Notice in these sentences “Be used to” is followed by a noun. It can also be followed by a form in -ING
I’m used to getting up early.
I’m used to walking for hours.
She’s used to driving at night.
IMPORTANT : this does NOT simply mean that it is something which happens often; it means that it happens often AND THEREFORE IS NOT DIFFICULT FOR ME;
If you want to say in English “J’ai l’habitude de travailler à la maison”, you do NOT need USED TO OR BE USED TO.
Use something else like
“I usually work at home.”
“English people usually drink a lot of tea.”
“My friends usually call me Dédé.”
You can find some exercises, which will only take a few minutes, on
http://www.smic.be/smic5022/used%20to.htm
Monday, November 30, 2009
SNP reveals vision for independence referendum - UK Politics, UK - The Independent
SNP reveals vision for independence referendum - UK Politics, UK - The Independent
The Scottish national Party would like Scotland to become independent from England... is it possible ?
The Scottish national Party would like Scotland to become independent from England... is it possible ?
BBC - BBC Radio 4 Programmes - Saturday Play, A Family Affair
BBC - BBC Radio 4 Programmes - Saturday Play, A Family Affair
This week on BBC Radio, the radio play is about the last few days of Margaret Thatcher's time as Prime Minister. This is not a documentary, but an imaginative reconstruction. Click on the link above to listen to it.
This week on BBC Radio, the radio play is about the last few days of Margaret Thatcher's time as Prime Minister. This is not a documentary, but an imaginative reconstruction. Click on the link above to listen to it.
L2 Civilisation britannique "Britain since 1900" Urgent : danger
As I mentioned to you, the first test was a catastrophe.
Because I don't want 28 out of 30 students taking the exam for a second time in June, I would like you to read some books! Reading parts of the following four books is absolutely indispensable to begin with. All of them are available in the CMC university library.
L’Angleterre de 1945 à nos jours / Roland Marx
La Grande-Bretagne contemporaine : 1890-1973 / Roland Marx
Le pouvoir politique en Grande-Bretagne / Monica Charlot,...
I will recommend some more in a few weeks time
Because I don't want 28 out of 30 students taking the exam for a second time in June, I would like you to read some books! Reading parts of the following four books is absolutely indispensable to begin with. All of them are available in the CMC university library.
L’Angleterre de 1945 à nos jours / Roland Marx
La Grande-Bretagne contemporaine : 1890-1973 / Roland Marx
Le pouvoir politique en Grande-Bretagne / Monica Charlot,...
I will recommend some more in a few weeks time
Friday, November 27, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Cleveleys Working Men's Club in Lancashire | Society | guardian.co.uk
Cleveleys Working Men's Club in Lancashire | Society | guardian.co.uk
A British tradition? Working men's clubs.
A British tradition? Working men's clubs.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Protest and dissent in the British Music-Hall 1900-1920
If you want to hear the talk I gave at Poitiers on the above subject, you can hear it here in MP3 (be patient) the downloading takes some time.
Monday, November 23, 2009
L2 Britain since 1900 DST Text commentary. Some more elements.
Remember the questions you must look at.
WHO wrote the document?
[NB : "a member of the Labour party" is not good enough]
Clement Attlee, ex-prime minister of Britain, one of the Labour ministers responsible for major social reform, and a number of nationalisations immediately after the war.
WHEN did he write it?
[NB : "A few years after the second world war" is not good enough.]
In 1954. The Conservative government defeated Labour in 1951, so Attlee has lived through a major defeat. Nevertheless, the new Conservative government did not dare reverse the social reforms made by Labour, so one can imagine that Attlee is still rather proud of his achievement.
WHY did he write it ?
Politicians write autobiographies to justify their past decisions and also to explain history for people who have a political or intellectual interest in it.
WHAT does he say?
As the ex-prime minister of one of the most successful Labour governments, Attlee criticizes harshly Ramsay Macdonald, one of the least successful Labour governments, who was seen as a traitor because he chose to lead a new "national government" with a Conservative majority, rather than decide not to cut social benefits.
These are just a few notes to begin with...
WHO wrote the document?
[NB : "a member of the Labour party" is not good enough]
Clement Attlee, ex-prime minister of Britain, one of the Labour ministers responsible for major social reform, and a number of nationalisations immediately after the war.
WHEN did he write it?
[NB : "A few years after the second world war" is not good enough.]
In 1954. The Conservative government defeated Labour in 1951, so Attlee has lived through a major defeat. Nevertheless, the new Conservative government did not dare reverse the social reforms made by Labour, so one can imagine that Attlee is still rather proud of his achievement.
WHY did he write it ?
Politicians write autobiographies to justify their past decisions and also to explain history for people who have a political or intellectual interest in it.
WHAT does he say?
As the ex-prime minister of one of the most successful Labour governments, Attlee criticizes harshly Ramsay Macdonald, one of the least successful Labour governments, who was seen as a traitor because he chose to lead a new "national government" with a Conservative majority, rather than decide not to cut social benefits.
These are just a few notes to begin with...
CM Bloc 2 identités - évaluation
Le CM "Identités et conflits sociaux et ethniques" sera évalué de la façon suivant.
- Un test en cours le 4 décembre
- Un travail à la maison pendant les vacances de Noël
- UN contrôle final de 2 heures en cours la première semaine de janvier.
- Un test en cours le 4 décembre
- Un travail à la maison pendant les vacances de Noël
- UN contrôle final de 2 heures en cours la première semaine de janvier.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
L2 Civilization DST commentaire de texte
Quelques éléments :
Clement Attlee
Extract from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clement_Attlee
Prime Minister
Attlee meeting King George VI after his election victory
Now Prime Minister, Attlee appointed Ernest Bevin as Foreign Secretary; Hugh Dalton was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer (it had widely been expected to be the other way around). Stafford Cripps became President of the Board of Trade, while Herbert Morrison was given the post of Deputy Prime Minister and given overall control of Labour's nationalisation programme. Aneurin Bevan became Minister of Health, whilst Ellen Wilkinson, the only woman to serve in Attlee's government, became Minister of Education.
[modifier] Domestic policy
[modifier] Health and Welfare reforms
In domestic policy, the party had clear aims. Attlee's first Health Secretary, Aneurin Bevan, fought against the general disapproval of the medical establishment in creating the British National Health Service. Although there are often disputes about its organisation and funding, British parties to this day must still voice their general support for the NHS in order to remain electable[8].
The government set about implementing William Beveridge's plans for the creation of a 'cradle to grave' welfare state, and set in place an entirely new system of social security. Among the most important pieces of legislation was the National Insurance Act 1946, in which, people in work paid a flat rate of national insurance. In return, they (and the wives of male contributors) were eligible for flat-rate pensions, sickness benefit, unemployment benefit, and funeral benefit. Various other pieces of legislation provided for child benefit and support for people with no other source of income.[9]
[modifier] Nationalisation
Attlee's government also carried out their manifesto commitment for nationalisation of basic industries and public utillities. The Bank of England and civil aviation were nationalised in 1946. Coal mining, the railways, road haulage, canals and cable and wireless were nationalised in 1947, electricity and gas followed in 1948. The steel industry was finally nationalised in 1951. By 1951 about 20% of the British economy had been taken into public ownership.[9] Other changes included the creation of a National Parks system, the introduction of the Town and Country Planning system, and the repeal of the Trades Disputes Act 1927.
[modifier] The Economy
Nevertheless, the most significant problem remained the economy; the war effort had left Britain nearly bankrupt. The war had cost Britain about a quarter of its national wealth. Overseas investments had been wound up to pay for the war. The transition to a peacetime economy, and the maintaining of strategic military commitments abroad led to continuous and severe problems with the balance of trade. This meant that strict rationing of food and other essential goods were continued in the post war period, to force a reduction in consumption in an effort to limit imports, boost exports and stabilise the Pound Sterling so that Britain could trade its way out of its crisis.
The abrupt ending of the American Lend-Lease program in August 1945 almost caused a crisis. This was mitigated by the Anglo-American loan negotiated in December 1945 by John Maynard Keynes, which provided some respite. The conditions attached to the loan included making the pound fully convertible to the dollar. When this was introduced in July 1947, it led to a currency crisis and convertibility had to be suspended after just five weeks.[9] Britain benefited from the American Marshall Aid program from 1948, and the economic situation improved significantly. However another balance of payments crisis in 1949 forced Chancellor of the Exchequer Stafford Cripps into devaluation of the pound.[9]
Despite these problems, one of the main achievements of Attlee's government was the maintenance of near full employment. The government maintained most of the wartime controls over the economy, including control over the allocation of materials and manpower, and unemployment rarely rose above 500,000, or 3% of the total workforce.[9] In fact labour shortages proved to be more of a problem. One area where the government was not quite as successful was in housing, which was also the responsibility of Aneurin Bevan. The government had a target to build 400,000 new houses a year to replace those which had been destroyed in the war, but shortages of materials and manpower meant that less than half this number were built.
[modifier] 1947 crisis
1947 proved to be a particularly difficult year for the government; an exceptionally cold winter that year caused coal mines to freeze and cease production, creating widespread power cuts and food shortages. The crisis led to an unsuccessful plot by Hugh Dalton to replace Attlee as Prime Minister with Ernest Bevin. Later that year Stafford Cripps tried to persuade Attlee to stand aside for Bevin. However these plots petered out after Bevin refused to co-operate.[3] Later that year, Hugh Dalton resigned as Chancellor after inadvertently leaking details of the budget to a journalist, he was replaced by Cripps.
Ramsay Macdonald
Extract from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramsay_Macdonald#1931_general_election
Second government (1929-1931)
Main article: Labour Government 1929–1931
MacDonald at Tomb of Unknown Soldier, 9 October 1929
The strong majority enjoyed by Baldwin’s party allowed him to preside over a government that would serve a full term during which it would have to deal with the General Strike and miners’ strike of 1926. Unemployment in the UK during this period remained high but relatively stable at just over 10% and, apart from 1926, strikes were at a low level.[54] At the May 1929 election, Labour won 288 seats to the Conservatives' 260, with 59 Liberals under Lloyd George holding the balance of power. (At this election MacDonald moved from Aberavon to the seat of Seaham Harbour in County Durham.) Baldwin resigned and MacDonald again formed a minority government, at first with Lloyd George's cordial support.
This time MacDonald knew he had to concentrate on domestic matters. Arthur Henderson became Foreign Secretary, with Snowden again at the Exchequer. J.H. Thomas became Lord Privy Seal with a mandate to tackle unemployment, assisted by the young radical Oswald Mosley. MacDonald appointed the first ever woman cabinet minister Margaret Bondfield as Minister of Labour.
MacDonald's second government was in a stronger parliamentary position than his first, and in 1930 he was able to raise unemployment pay, pass an act to improve wages and conditions in the coal industry (i.e. the issues behind the General Strike) and pass a housing act which focused on slum clearances. However an attempt by the Education Minister Charles Trevelyan to introduce an act to raise the school leaving age to 15, was defeated by opposition from Roman Catholic Labour MPs who feared that the costs would lead to increasing local authority control over faith schools.[40]
In international affairs, he also convened a conference in London with the leaders of the Indian National Congress, at which he offered responsible government, but not independence, to India. In April 1930 he negotiated a treaty limiting naval armaments with the United States and Japan.[40]
Macdonald, c.1929
[modifier] The Great Depression
Main article: Great Depression in the United Kingdom
MacDonald's government had no effective response to the economic crisis which followed the Stock Market Crash of 1929. Phillip Snowden was a rigid exponent of orthodox finance and would not permit any deficit spending to stimulate the economy, despite the urgings of Oswald Mosley, David Lloyd George and the economist John Maynard Keynes.
By the end of 1930 the unemployment rate had doubled to over two and a half million[55]. The government struggled to cope with the crisis and found itself attempting to reconcile two contradictory aims; achieving a balanced budget in order to maintain the pound on the Gold Standard, whilst also trying to maintain assistance to the poor and unemployed. All of this whilst tax revenues were falling.
During 1931 the economic situation deteriorated, and pressure from orthodox economists for sharp cuts in government spending increased. Under pressure from its Liberal allies as well as the Conservative opposition who feared that the budget was unbalanced. Snowden appointed a committee headed by Sir George May to review the state of public finances. The May Report of July 1931 urged large public-sector wage cuts and large cuts in public spending (notably in payments to the unemployed) in order to avoid a budget deficit.[40]
Keynes, though, urged MacDonald to devalue the pound by 25% and abandon the existing economic policy of a balanced budget. Oswald Mosley, put forward a memorandum in January 1930, calling for the public control of imports and banking as well as an increase in pensions to boost spending power. When this was repeatedly turned down, Mosley resigned from the government in February 1931 and went on to form the New Party, and later the British Union of Fascists after he converted to Fascism.
MacDonald, Snowden and Thomas, however, supported such measures as necessary to maintain a balanced budget and to prevent a run on the Pound sterling, but the proposed cuts split the Cabinet down the middle and the trade unions bitterly opposed them.
[modifier] Formation of the National Government
Although there was a narrow majority in the Cabinet for drastic reductions in spending, the minority included senior ministers such as Arthur Henderson who made it clear they would resign rather than acquiesce to the cuts. With this unworkable split, on 24 August 1931 MacDonald submitted his resignation and then agreed, on the urging of King George V to form a National Government with the Conservatives and Liberals.
MacDonald, Snowden and Thomas were quickly expelled from the Labour Party and subsequently formed a new National Labour group, but this had little support in the country or the unions.
Great anger in the labour movement greeted MacDonald's move. Mass riots by unemployed people took place in protest in Glasgow and Manchester. Many in the Labour Party viewed this as a cynical move by MacDonald to rescue his career, and accused him of 'betrayal'. MacDonald however, argued that he was sacrificing it for the common good.[40]
The red letter
The "Zinoviev Letter" refers to a controversial document published by the British press in 1924, allegedly sent from the Communist International in Moscow to the Communist Party of Great Britain. The letter, later revealed to be a forgery, purported to be a directive from Moscow calling for intensified Communist agitation in Britain and helped ensure the fall of the Labour government of Ramsay MacDonald in the October elections. The letter took its name from Bolshevik revolutionary Grigory Zinoviev.
Clement Attlee
Extract from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clement_Attlee
Prime Minister
Attlee meeting King George VI after his election victory
Now Prime Minister, Attlee appointed Ernest Bevin as Foreign Secretary; Hugh Dalton was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer (it had widely been expected to be the other way around). Stafford Cripps became President of the Board of Trade, while Herbert Morrison was given the post of Deputy Prime Minister and given overall control of Labour's nationalisation programme. Aneurin Bevan became Minister of Health, whilst Ellen Wilkinson, the only woman to serve in Attlee's government, became Minister of Education.
[modifier] Domestic policy
[modifier] Health and Welfare reforms
In domestic policy, the party had clear aims. Attlee's first Health Secretary, Aneurin Bevan, fought against the general disapproval of the medical establishment in creating the British National Health Service. Although there are often disputes about its organisation and funding, British parties to this day must still voice their general support for the NHS in order to remain electable[8].
The government set about implementing William Beveridge's plans for the creation of a 'cradle to grave' welfare state, and set in place an entirely new system of social security. Among the most important pieces of legislation was the National Insurance Act 1946, in which, people in work paid a flat rate of national insurance. In return, they (and the wives of male contributors) were eligible for flat-rate pensions, sickness benefit, unemployment benefit, and funeral benefit. Various other pieces of legislation provided for child benefit and support for people with no other source of income.[9]
[modifier] Nationalisation
Attlee's government also carried out their manifesto commitment for nationalisation of basic industries and public utillities. The Bank of England and civil aviation were nationalised in 1946. Coal mining, the railways, road haulage, canals and cable and wireless were nationalised in 1947, electricity and gas followed in 1948. The steel industry was finally nationalised in 1951. By 1951 about 20% of the British economy had been taken into public ownership.[9] Other changes included the creation of a National Parks system, the introduction of the Town and Country Planning system, and the repeal of the Trades Disputes Act 1927.
[modifier] The Economy
Nevertheless, the most significant problem remained the economy; the war effort had left Britain nearly bankrupt. The war had cost Britain about a quarter of its national wealth. Overseas investments had been wound up to pay for the war. The transition to a peacetime economy, and the maintaining of strategic military commitments abroad led to continuous and severe problems with the balance of trade. This meant that strict rationing of food and other essential goods were continued in the post war period, to force a reduction in consumption in an effort to limit imports, boost exports and stabilise the Pound Sterling so that Britain could trade its way out of its crisis.
The abrupt ending of the American Lend-Lease program in August 1945 almost caused a crisis. This was mitigated by the Anglo-American loan negotiated in December 1945 by John Maynard Keynes, which provided some respite. The conditions attached to the loan included making the pound fully convertible to the dollar. When this was introduced in July 1947, it led to a currency crisis and convertibility had to be suspended after just five weeks.[9] Britain benefited from the American Marshall Aid program from 1948, and the economic situation improved significantly. However another balance of payments crisis in 1949 forced Chancellor of the Exchequer Stafford Cripps into devaluation of the pound.[9]
Despite these problems, one of the main achievements of Attlee's government was the maintenance of near full employment. The government maintained most of the wartime controls over the economy, including control over the allocation of materials and manpower, and unemployment rarely rose above 500,000, or 3% of the total workforce.[9] In fact labour shortages proved to be more of a problem. One area where the government was not quite as successful was in housing, which was also the responsibility of Aneurin Bevan. The government had a target to build 400,000 new houses a year to replace those which had been destroyed in the war, but shortages of materials and manpower meant that less than half this number were built.
[modifier] 1947 crisis
1947 proved to be a particularly difficult year for the government; an exceptionally cold winter that year caused coal mines to freeze and cease production, creating widespread power cuts and food shortages. The crisis led to an unsuccessful plot by Hugh Dalton to replace Attlee as Prime Minister with Ernest Bevin. Later that year Stafford Cripps tried to persuade Attlee to stand aside for Bevin. However these plots petered out after Bevin refused to co-operate.[3] Later that year, Hugh Dalton resigned as Chancellor after inadvertently leaking details of the budget to a journalist, he was replaced by Cripps.
Ramsay Macdonald
Extract from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramsay_Macdonald#1931_general_election
Second government (1929-1931)
Main article: Labour Government 1929–1931
MacDonald at Tomb of Unknown Soldier, 9 October 1929
The strong majority enjoyed by Baldwin’s party allowed him to preside over a government that would serve a full term during which it would have to deal with the General Strike and miners’ strike of 1926. Unemployment in the UK during this period remained high but relatively stable at just over 10% and, apart from 1926, strikes were at a low level.[54] At the May 1929 election, Labour won 288 seats to the Conservatives' 260, with 59 Liberals under Lloyd George holding the balance of power. (At this election MacDonald moved from Aberavon to the seat of Seaham Harbour in County Durham.) Baldwin resigned and MacDonald again formed a minority government, at first with Lloyd George's cordial support.
This time MacDonald knew he had to concentrate on domestic matters. Arthur Henderson became Foreign Secretary, with Snowden again at the Exchequer. J.H. Thomas became Lord Privy Seal with a mandate to tackle unemployment, assisted by the young radical Oswald Mosley. MacDonald appointed the first ever woman cabinet minister Margaret Bondfield as Minister of Labour.
MacDonald's second government was in a stronger parliamentary position than his first, and in 1930 he was able to raise unemployment pay, pass an act to improve wages and conditions in the coal industry (i.e. the issues behind the General Strike) and pass a housing act which focused on slum clearances. However an attempt by the Education Minister Charles Trevelyan to introduce an act to raise the school leaving age to 15, was defeated by opposition from Roman Catholic Labour MPs who feared that the costs would lead to increasing local authority control over faith schools.[40]
In international affairs, he also convened a conference in London with the leaders of the Indian National Congress, at which he offered responsible government, but not independence, to India. In April 1930 he negotiated a treaty limiting naval armaments with the United States and Japan.[40]
Macdonald, c.1929
[modifier] The Great Depression
Main article: Great Depression in the United Kingdom
MacDonald's government had no effective response to the economic crisis which followed the Stock Market Crash of 1929. Phillip Snowden was a rigid exponent of orthodox finance and would not permit any deficit spending to stimulate the economy, despite the urgings of Oswald Mosley, David Lloyd George and the economist John Maynard Keynes.
By the end of 1930 the unemployment rate had doubled to over two and a half million[55]. The government struggled to cope with the crisis and found itself attempting to reconcile two contradictory aims; achieving a balanced budget in order to maintain the pound on the Gold Standard, whilst also trying to maintain assistance to the poor and unemployed. All of this whilst tax revenues were falling.
During 1931 the economic situation deteriorated, and pressure from orthodox economists for sharp cuts in government spending increased. Under pressure from its Liberal allies as well as the Conservative opposition who feared that the budget was unbalanced. Snowden appointed a committee headed by Sir George May to review the state of public finances. The May Report of July 1931 urged large public-sector wage cuts and large cuts in public spending (notably in payments to the unemployed) in order to avoid a budget deficit.[40]
Keynes, though, urged MacDonald to devalue the pound by 25% and abandon the existing economic policy of a balanced budget. Oswald Mosley, put forward a memorandum in January 1930, calling for the public control of imports and banking as well as an increase in pensions to boost spending power. When this was repeatedly turned down, Mosley resigned from the government in February 1931 and went on to form the New Party, and later the British Union of Fascists after he converted to Fascism.
MacDonald, Snowden and Thomas, however, supported such measures as necessary to maintain a balanced budget and to prevent a run on the Pound sterling, but the proposed cuts split the Cabinet down the middle and the trade unions bitterly opposed them.
[modifier] Formation of the National Government
Although there was a narrow majority in the Cabinet for drastic reductions in spending, the minority included senior ministers such as Arthur Henderson who made it clear they would resign rather than acquiesce to the cuts. With this unworkable split, on 24 August 1931 MacDonald submitted his resignation and then agreed, on the urging of King George V to form a National Government with the Conservatives and Liberals.
MacDonald, Snowden and Thomas were quickly expelled from the Labour Party and subsequently formed a new National Labour group, but this had little support in the country or the unions.
Great anger in the labour movement greeted MacDonald's move. Mass riots by unemployed people took place in protest in Glasgow and Manchester. Many in the Labour Party viewed this as a cynical move by MacDonald to rescue his career, and accused him of 'betrayal'. MacDonald however, argued that he was sacrificing it for the common good.[40]
The red letter
The "Zinoviev Letter" refers to a controversial document published by the British press in 1924, allegedly sent from the Communist International in Moscow to the Communist Party of Great Britain. The letter, later revealed to be a forgery, purported to be a directive from Moscow calling for intensified Communist agitation in Britain and helped ensure the fall of the Labour government of Ramsay MacDonald in the October elections. The letter took its name from Bolshevik revolutionary Grigory Zinoviev.
University World News - GERMANY: Nationwide Bologna protests
University World News - GERMANY: Nationwide Bologna protests
News about German universities, in English on the University World News site.
News about German universities, in English on the University World News site.
Civilisation britannique Sikh Cyber Museum - History
Sikh Cyber Museum - History
Suivez le lien pour visiter le "cyber musée sikh". Il s'agit d'un site web qui explore la présence des immigrés sikhs au Royaume Uni depuis 300 ans.
Suivez le lien pour visiter le "cyber musée sikh". Il s'agit d'un site web qui explore la présence des immigrés sikhs au Royaume Uni depuis 300 ans.
YouTube - Goodness Gracious Me!
YouTube - Goodness Gracious Me!
Cet extrait de l'émission comique anglaise "Goodness Gracious Me" montre une soirée où un groupe d'anglo-indiens vont à un restaurant anglais. Les convives traitent le serveur mal, font des commentaires sur la sexualité des anglais, et des commentaires anti-anglais. Le sketch est une parodie de groupes de blancs qui vont à un restaurant indien...
L'émission est extrêmement populaire.
Cet extrait de l'émission comique anglaise "Goodness Gracious Me" montre une soirée où un groupe d'anglo-indiens vont à un restaurant anglais. Les convives traitent le serveur mal, font des commentaires sur la sexualité des anglais, et des commentaires anti-anglais. Le sketch est une parodie de groupes de blancs qui vont à un restaurant indien...
L'émission est extrêmement populaire.
Bloc 2 Identités BBC - Asian Network
BBC - Asian Network
La BBC a une chaine de radio spécialisée dans la musique et la culture d'Asie du Sud Est. On peut y écouter de la musique Banghra, mais égalment lire les infos concernant la communauté indo-pakistanais en Grande Bretagne. Suivez le lien.
La BBC a une chaine de radio spécialisée dans la musique et la culture d'Asie du Sud Est. On peut y écouter de la musique Banghra, mais égalment lire les infos concernant la communauté indo-pakistanais en Grande Bretagne. Suivez le lien.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
L2 Civilization WILL FYFFE FILM CLIP OF 1933 94 TODAY
YouTube - WILL FYFFE FILM CLIP OF 1933 94 TODAY
From 1900-1925, the Music Hall remained by far the most popular way to spend a night out for the working class. Here on Youtube you can see a film from the 1930s of a singer, Will Fyffe, whoc was mostly popular between 1900 and 1918.
From 1900-1925, the Music Hall remained by far the most popular way to spend a night out for the working class. Here on Youtube you can see a film from the 1930s of a singer, Will Fyffe, whoc was mostly popular between 1900 and 1918.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
CM identités - Question
Une devinette. Quand a été ouvert le tout premier restaurant indien en Grande Bretagne?
CM identités - Punjabi Wedding Song
YouTube - Punjabi Wedding Song
Extrait d'une comédie musicale récente "Bride and Prejudice" (Coup de foudre à Bollywood)
Extrait d'une comédie musicale récente "Bride and Prejudice" (Coup de foudre à Bollywood)
CM Identités - David Rudder - I'D Rather be in Trinidad
YouTube - David Rudder - I'D Rather be in Trinidad
Un des grands tubes de la musiques Soca, des Caraïbes. David Rudder chante "I'd rather be in Trinidad" (Je préférerais être au Trinidad).
Un des grands tubes de la musiques Soca, des Caraïbes. David Rudder chante "I'd rather be in Trinidad" (Je préférerais être au Trinidad).
CM identités : - Steel Drum - Trafalgar Square - London - Sep 2006
YouTube - Steel Drum - Trafalgar Square - London - Sep 2006
La musique venue des Caraïbes est très présente en Angleterre. Voir ici un "steel band" venu de Trinidad.
La musique venue des Caraïbes est très présente en Angleterre. Voir ici un "steel band" venu de Trinidad.
Seminar on history of Kenya
Le séminaire franco-britannique d'histoire de Paris 4-Sorbonne, en
partenariat avec l'université de Londres, accueillera,
Jeudi 19 novembre 2009 de 17h30 à 19h30 :
David Anderson (St Cross College, University of Oxford) :
"Kenya's colonial legacies: courtroom or confessional?"
à la Maison de la Recherche de l'université Paris IV-Sorbonne (28 rue
Serpente, Paris 6e, salle S 002).
Discutante : Claire Médard (Institut de recherche pour le développement)
Un texte de travail sera disponible dans quelques jours sur simple demande.
Entrée libre
partenariat avec l'université de Londres, accueillera,
Jeudi 19 novembre 2009 de 17h30 à 19h30 :
David Anderson (St Cross College, University of Oxford) :
"Kenya's colonial legacies: courtroom or confessional?"
à la Maison de la Recherche de l'université Paris IV-Sorbonne (28 rue
Serpente, Paris 6e, salle S 002).
Discutante : Claire Médard (Institut de recherche pour le développement)
Un texte de travail sera disponible dans quelques jours sur simple demande.
Entrée libre
BBC - Podcasts - Making History
BBC - Podcasts - Making History
Learn about British history and practise your listening skills at the same time. Every week BBc radio produces this porgramme on history and historians. You can download it as an MP3 file and listen to it on an MP3 player (right click and choose "enregistrer la cible sous"), or you can listen directly on the website.
Learn about British history and practise your listening skills at the same time. Every week BBc radio produces this porgramme on history and historians. You can download it as an MP3 file and listen to it on an MP3 player (right click and choose "enregistrer la cible sous"), or you can listen directly on the website.
Friday, November 13, 2009
A brief history of agony aunts | Life and style | The Guardian
A brief history of agony aunts | Life and style | The Guardian
L'histoire d'un élément des médias britanniques
L'histoire d'un élément des médias britanniques
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
CM Bloc 2 Identités- Dave Allen - Giving up smoking
YouTube - Dave Allen - Giving up smoking
Cette semaine on va regarder l'histoire des immigrés irlandais en Angleterre. Voici sur Youtube, un des célèbres de ces immigrés - un comique, Dave Allen.
Cette semaine on va regarder l'histoire des immigrés irlandais en Angleterre. Voici sur Youtube, un des célèbres de ces immigrés - un comique, Dave Allen.
Cour du jeudi 19 novembre
Le jeudi 19 novembre je n'assurerai pas mes cours à Créteil, car je serai aux journées d'étude "Contester en Chansons" ici.
Mais le vendredi 20 novembre, cours comme d'habitude.
Mais le vendredi 20 novembre, cours comme d'habitude.
Monday, November 09, 2009
L2 Civilization GB Marking scheme
Your mark for the module of L2 civilization is made up of four separate marks:
The classroom test we will have on the 20th November - you will have to comment on a document from before 1945.
The oral commentary that three of you are doing each week.
The "Final test" the first week in January (though it may be the second week, I have to think this out).
The research report you will hand in at the beginning of January.
And that's all!
The classroom test we will have on the 20th November - you will have to comment on a document from before 1945.
The oral commentary that three of you are doing each week.
The "Final test" the first week in January (though it may be the second week, I have to think this out).
The research report you will hand in at the beginning of January.
And that's all!
Saturday, November 07, 2009
L2 identités YouTube - The Klezmer Fiddle...
YouTube - The Klezmer Fiddle...
Like all immigrant groups, the Jews brought musical traditions to England. Here is an example on you tube
Like all immigrant groups, the Jews brought musical traditions to England. Here is an example on you tube
L2 Writing a bibliography
Writing a bibliography
There are different ways of writing a bibliography or a footnote for university work, but normal practice is that you must include all the following information :
Author's surname
Author's first name
Title
Date of publication
Place of publication
Name of publisher
Follow the link above for more information.
There are different ways of writing a bibliography or a footnote for university work, but normal practice is that you must include all the following information :
Author's surname
Author's first name
Title
Date of publication
Place of publication
Name of publisher
Follow the link above for more information.
L2 civilisation britannique - Classroom test
Your classroom test will be on the 20th of November. You will be asked to wtie a commentary on a document which will be from the years 1900-1945
Friday, November 06, 2009
L2 Phonetics - classroom test
Your classroom test will be on the 3rd of December. It will only last half an hour. The first part will be a dictation for phonetic transcription. The second part will be articulatory description of short words.
L2 thème - classroom test
Your classroom test will be on the 26th of November. You will have an hour and a half to translate a passage in class. In preparation, you need to re-read your grammar book : especially the section on BE + ING and on HAVE + EN.
Monday, November 02, 2009
Britain since 1900 - YouTube - NHS - Marr's Modern Britain
YouTube - NHS - Marr's Modern Britain
This youtube video lasts six minutes, and explains, with archive images, the founding of the National Health Service.
This youtube video lasts six minutes, and explains, with archive images, the founding of the National Health Service.
Bloc 2 Identités - YouTube - A Nation Once Again - The Radical Belfast Brigade
YouTube - A Nation Once Again - The Radical Belfast Brigade
Ce vidéo Youtube d'une chanson nationaliste irlandaise, qui rêve du jour où l'Irlande sera "à nouveau une nation".
Vous trouverez les paroles ici.
Ce vidéo Youtube d'une chanson nationaliste irlandaise, qui rêve du jour où l'Irlande sera "à nouveau une nation".
Vous trouverez les paroles ici.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
RTÉ.ie Radio 1: Franke Harte - Singing Voices
RTÉ.ie Radio 1: Franke Harte - Singing Voices
Si vous aimez les chansons traditionelles irlandaises, vous trouverez ici (après les premières minutes) ce que vous cherchez.
Si vous aimez les chansons traditionelles irlandaises, vous trouverez ici (après les premières minutes) ce que vous cherchez.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Britain since 1900 YouTube - Lonnie Donegan - Rock Island Line
YouTube - Lonnie Donegan - Rock Island Line
In the 1950s, a new music style hit Britain - Skiffle. This video shows Lonnie Donegan.
And at this link you can see Lonnie Donegan singing another of his songs : " Does your chewing gum lose its flavour on the bedpost overnight? " (Quand tu laisses ton chewing gum collé au bout de ton lit toute la nuit, est-ce qu'il perd de son saveur?!)
Notez que beaucoup des ordinateurs dans l'Université ne permettent pas l'accès à youtube; ailleurs, vous n'aurez pas ce problème.
In the 1950s, a new music style hit Britain - Skiffle. This video shows Lonnie Donegan.
And at this link you can see Lonnie Donegan singing another of his songs : " Does your chewing gum lose its flavour on the bedpost overnight? " (Quand tu laisses ton chewing gum collé au bout de ton lit toute la nuit, est-ce qu'il perd de son saveur?!)
Notez que beaucoup des ordinateurs dans l'Université ne permettent pas l'accès à youtube; ailleurs, vous n'aurez pas ce problème.
Bloc 2 identités et conflits YouTube - The Dubliners - Fields Of Athenry
YouTube - The Dubliners - Fields Of Athenry
Ce video des Dubliners est d'une chanson qui concerne la grande famine irlandaise des années 1840-1850.
Ce video des Dubliners est d'une chanson qui concerne la grande famine irlandaise des années 1840-1850.
CM identités et conflits YouTube - What is Hurling? (part 1 of 3)
YouTube - What is Hurling? (part 1 of 3)
Ce video sur You tube dure quatre minutes. Il essaie d'expliquer le sport traditionnel irlandais, le hurling.
Ce video sur You tube dure quatre minutes. Il essaie d'expliquer le sport traditionnel irlandais, le hurling.
Kanishk Tharoor: Britain is good at dealing with diversity - Commentators, Opinion - The Independent
Kanishk Tharoor: Britain is good at dealing with diversity - Commentators, Opinion - The Independent
An opinion article about ethnic and cultural diversity in Britain today.
An opinion article about ethnic and cultural diversity in Britain today.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
L2 civilization YouTube - World War Two bombing of London footage
YouTube - World War Two bombing of London footage
And this video shows London under the bombs.
And this video shows London under the bombs.
L2 civlization YouTube - Evacuation of children during the World War II
YouTube - Evacuation of children during the World War II
This video shows some of what it was like to be evacuated from the big towns during the bombings of world war two.
This video shows some of what it was like to be evacuated from the big towns during the bombings of world war two.
L2 Civilization GB YouTube - Sir Winston Churchill Speech - We shall fight them on the be
YouTube - Sir Winston Churchill Speech - We shall fight them on the be
Here on Youtube one of Churchill's famous speeches.
Here on Youtube one of Churchill's famous speeches.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Bloc 2 identités et conflits Black Britons Webquest
Black Britons Webquest
Si vous avez un bon niveau d'anglais, ce webquest vous intéressera. Il vous demande de choisir trois personnes Noires qui ont le plus contribué à l'histoire de la Grande Bretagne... ce n'est pas forcément facile à choisir.
Si vous avez un bon niveau d'anglais, ce webquest vous intéressera. Il vous demande de choisir trois personnes Noires qui ont le plus contribué à l'histoire de la Grande Bretagne... ce n'est pas forcément facile à choisir.
Passage for use in classroom exercise
(otherwise ignore)
Chapitre 1. Une part du “Black Atlantic”
N
ous allons étudier dans ce chapitre les origines des formes artistiques présentes au Carnaval de Notting Hill. Ces origines sont bien sûr caribéennes et africaines, mais de plus en plus internationales.
I. La continuité artistique avec les Caraïbes
A. Le Carnaval de Trinidad
Nous avons déjà parlé des similarités historiques entre le Carnaval de Trinidad et le Carnaval de Notting Hill. Ce dernier découle en effet directement du Carnaval de Trinidad, les formes artistiques représentées au Royaume-Uni sont donc pour certaines les mêmes que dans l'île caraïbe.
Le calypso
Le calypso est la tradition musicale trinidadienne par excellence. Le calypso est en effet une tradition de chants sur l'actualité, chantés tout au long de l'année mais qui connaît une période d'activité plus intense lors du Carnaval. Les calypsos comportent presque toujours un élément critique ou satirique.
La principale particularité du calypso, à ses origines comme aujourd'hui, est qu'il est un moyen de communication et d'information. Le chanteur de calypso fait des commentaires sur les événements marquants pour la communauté, que ce soit à propos des gouverneurs britanniques à l'époque du colonialisme à Trinidad ou de nos jours sur la discrimination raciale, comme le montre ce calypso de 1988 interprété par "Cro Cro" :
Corruption is a constant annoyance
For now too long in common entrance
You don't have to be intelligent that is a lie
Your father must be of good esteem and complexion high.
Le calypso permet ainsi d'informer les classes les moins favorisées de la société, leur servant en quelque sorte de « journal quotidien », en leur donnant accès à une information à laquelle elles n'auraient pas eu accès sans le calypso. Le calypso est la « mémoire des hommes » , car le rassemblement des nombreuses chansons perme
Chapitre 1. Une part du “Black Atlantic”
N
ous allons étudier dans ce chapitre les origines des formes artistiques présentes au Carnaval de Notting Hill. Ces origines sont bien sûr caribéennes et africaines, mais de plus en plus internationales.
I. La continuité artistique avec les Caraïbes
A. Le Carnaval de Trinidad
Nous avons déjà parlé des similarités historiques entre le Carnaval de Trinidad et le Carnaval de Notting Hill. Ce dernier découle en effet directement du Carnaval de Trinidad, les formes artistiques représentées au Royaume-Uni sont donc pour certaines les mêmes que dans l'île caraïbe.
Le calypso
Le calypso est la tradition musicale trinidadienne par excellence. Le calypso est en effet une tradition de chants sur l'actualité, chantés tout au long de l'année mais qui connaît une période d'activité plus intense lors du Carnaval. Les calypsos comportent presque toujours un élément critique ou satirique.
La principale particularité du calypso, à ses origines comme aujourd'hui, est qu'il est un moyen de communication et d'information. Le chanteur de calypso fait des commentaires sur les événements marquants pour la communauté, que ce soit à propos des gouverneurs britanniques à l'époque du colonialisme à Trinidad ou de nos jours sur la discrimination raciale, comme le montre ce calypso de 1988 interprété par "Cro Cro" :
Corruption is a constant annoyance
For now too long in common entrance
You don't have to be intelligent that is a lie
Your father must be of good esteem and complexion high.
Le calypso permet ainsi d'informer les classes les moins favorisées de la société, leur servant en quelque sorte de « journal quotidien », en leur donnant accès à une information à laquelle elles n'auraient pas eu accès sans le calypso. Le calypso est la « mémoire des hommes » , car le rassemblement des nombreuses chansons perme
How to use wikipedia in university work.
News: A Stand Against Wikipedia - Inside Higher Ed
This article form a Higher Education journal explains the uses and pitfalls of the most popular encyclopedia in the world.
This article form a Higher Education journal explains the uses and pitfalls of the most popular encyclopedia in the world.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
BBC - Podcasts - Grammar Challenge (Learn English)
BBC - Podcasts - Grammar Challenge (Learn English)
- I need an MP3 player to improve my grammar!
- What??!!
- Yes, really! Follow the link above to the BBC Learn English website. Every week they give you a podcast (which lasts six minutes) on some point of English grammar. Just download and listen in the metro!
- I need an MP3 player to improve my grammar!
- What??!!
- Yes, really! Follow the link above to the BBC Learn English website. Every week they give you a podcast (which lasts six minutes) on some point of English grammar. Just download and listen in the metro!
L'Ecosse contemporaine: Amazon.fr: Christian Civardi: Livres
L'Ecosse contemporaine: Amazon.fr: Christian Civardi: Livres
Si vous vous intéressez à l'Ecosse, je viens d elire cet excellent livre ...
Si vous vous intéressez à l'Ecosse, je viens d elire cet excellent livre ...
Bloc 2 identités et conflits YouTube - Runrig - Live in Loch Lomond - Loch Lomond
YouTube - Runrig - Live in Loch Lomond - Loch Lomond
Suivez le lien pour regarder Runrig, un groupe de rock Ecossais très important pour l'identité écossaise. Ici ils chantent une chanson traditionnelle de l'Ecosse - Loch Lomond. La chanson est très vieille, mais ils la modernisent. Voici les paroles :
By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie braes,
Where the sun shines on Loch Lomond.
Where me and tea tree my true love spent many days
On the banks of Loch Lomond.
Too sad we parted in yon shady glen,
On the steep sides of Ben Lomond.
Where the broken heart knows no second spring,
Resigned we must be while we’re parting.
You’ll take the high road and I’ll take the low road,
And I’ll be in Scotland afore you.
Where me and my true love will never meet again,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.
Ho, ho mo leannan
Ho mo leannan bhoidheach
(repeat x 8)
You'll take the high road and I'll take the low road,
And I'll be in Scotland afore ye.
Where me and my true love will never meet again,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.
You'll take the high road and I'll take the low road,
And I'll be in Scotland afore you.
Where me and my true love will never meet again,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.
You'll take the high road and I'll take the low road,
And I'll be in Scotland afore you.
Where me and my true love will never meet again,
On the bonnie bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.
You'll take the high road and I'll take the low road,
And I'll be in Scotland afore you.
Where me and my true love will never meet again,
On the bonnie bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.
Suivez le lien pour regarder Runrig, un groupe de rock Ecossais très important pour l'identité écossaise. Ici ils chantent une chanson traditionnelle de l'Ecosse - Loch Lomond. La chanson est très vieille, mais ils la modernisent. Voici les paroles :
By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie braes,
Where the sun shines on Loch Lomond.
Where me and tea tree my true love spent many days
On the banks of Loch Lomond.
Too sad we parted in yon shady glen,
On the steep sides of Ben Lomond.
Where the broken heart knows no second spring,
Resigned we must be while we’re parting.
You’ll take the high road and I’ll take the low road,
And I’ll be in Scotland afore you.
Where me and my true love will never meet again,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.
Ho, ho mo leannan
Ho mo leannan bhoidheach
(repeat x 8)
You'll take the high road and I'll take the low road,
And I'll be in Scotland afore ye.
Where me and my true love will never meet again,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.
You'll take the high road and I'll take the low road,
And I'll be in Scotland afore you.
Where me and my true love will never meet again,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.
You'll take the high road and I'll take the low road,
And I'll be in Scotland afore you.
Where me and my true love will never meet again,
On the bonnie bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.
You'll take the high road and I'll take the low road,
And I'll be in Scotland afore you.
Where me and my true love will never meet again,
On the bonnie bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
CM Bloc 2 Identités et conflits YouTube - Save our planet, Save our jobs! - vestas factory occupation
YouTube - Save our planet, Save our jobs! - vestas factory occupation
Suivez le lien ci-dessus pour voir un video de la grève à Vestas en 2009. Les ouvriers menacés de licenciement ont décidé d'occuper leur usine.
Suivez le lien ci-dessus pour voir un video de la grève à Vestas en 2009. Les ouvriers menacés de licenciement ont décidé d'occuper leur usine.
L2 Civilization YouTube - The RT Hon Stanley Baldwin M.P. Campaign Speech 1929
YouTube - The RT Hon Stanley Baldwin M.P. Campaign Speech 1929
Here is a recording of a Conservative speech for the elections of 1929. For the first time, women and men had the same right to vote.
Here is a recording of a Conservative speech for the elections of 1929. For the first time, women and men had the same right to vote.
L2 Civilization - 1926 YouTube - Tony Benn & Duncan Hallas: Lessons of 1926 General Strike
YouTube - Tony Benn & Duncan Hallas: Lessons of 1926 General Strike
Here is a film based on a debate about the 1926 General Strike. It includes a speech by Tony Benn, who was a Labour government minister in the 1970s. It also includes a lot of films and photos from 1926. Click on the link above.
Here is a film based on a debate about the 1926 General Strike. It includes a speech by Tony Benn, who was a Labour government minister in the 1970s. It also includes a lot of films and photos from 1926. Click on the link above.
L2 Britain since 1900
I have updated the list of exposés, so look again at the message of a few days ago.
Next week we will be listening to three exposés
Doc 3 Socialism (Cécile R)
Doc 9 Emmeline Pankhurst (Djabhana S)
Doc 27 Proclamation of the Irish Rebellion of Easter 1916 (Laura T)
Prepare the documents a little; Ask yourself how you would comment on them.
Next week we will be listening to three exposés
Doc 3 Socialism (Cécile R)
Doc 9 Emmeline Pankhurst (Djabhana S)
Doc 27 Proclamation of the Irish Rebellion of Easter 1916 (Laura T)
Prepare the documents a little; Ask yourself how you would comment on them.
British press : Asterix and the half century - Features, Films - The Independent
Asterix and the half century - Features, Films - The Independent
Asterix comics are fifty years old. In this article from the London paper "The Independant", the journalist calls Asterix "France's greatest export". Follow the link.
Asterix comics are fifty years old. In this article from the London paper "The Independant", the journalist calls Asterix "France's greatest export". Follow the link.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Bloc 2 Identités et conflits -YouTube - llanelli scarlets 'sosban fach'
YouTube - llanelli scarlets 'sosban fach'
La semaine prochaine nous regarderons les identités écossaises et galloises. Ce video sur Youtube montre une chanson très connue en langue galloise.
La semaine prochaine nous regarderons les identités écossaises et galloises. Ce video sur Youtube montre une chanson très connue en langue galloise.
Monday, October 12, 2009
L2 Civilization - dates for your exposés
You will find the date that you are doing your oral commentary, and other vital information here : click on this link.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
L2 civilization YouTube - Roaring Twenties:Crazy Night at Kit Kat Club in London, 1926
YouTube - Roaring Twenties:Crazy Night at Kit Kat Club in London, 1926
What wa sit like at the fashionable night clubs in London in 1926 ? Here is a link to a video clip from the 1920s
What wa sit like at the fashionable night clubs in London in 1926 ? Here is a link to a video clip from the 1920s
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