Scribner Seminar, London FYE 2012

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 do the media play in creating, reinforcing and celebrating the idea of a unified British national identity?  Students will explore connections between media—especially television and film—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.