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Czech Republic: Prague Central European Studies - Photography -
Academics
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Waiting for the carnival
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Students earn a full semester of American University
(AU) credit. These credits are readily transferable
to other colleges and universities. Following are
descriptions of the courses offered. Courses are taught
in English. A full-time CET Academic Programs Coordinator
with knowledge of and experience in Prague supervises
the program. The program is administered by CET Academic
Programs. Academic guidance is additionally provided
by American University's School of Communication for
the Photography program.
Students participate in either:
- the Central European Studies program administered
by CET Academic Programs, an organization partnered
with AU.
OR
- the Photography program administered by CET Academic
Programs, an organization partnered with AU.
Central European Studies Program
Students on the program take five courses for a total
of 15 credits for the semester.
Required Courses
All students on the program take the following courses
(each are 3 credits):
Czech Language
Students will participate in intensive Czech Language
classes at the beginning of the term to introduce
them to practical Czech and life in the Prague. Students
will continue to study Czech throughout the term,
in a course appropriate for their level . Students
will be challenged to utilize their new language skills
in everyday situations.
Politics and Culture of Central Europe
This course will provide an understanding of the important
political, social and cultural developments of the
region during the 19th and 20th centuries. Students
will explore the establishment of independent nation
states during the interwar period, Nazi occupation,
resistance and collaboration, the Holocaust and the
expulsion of the Germans, the nature of the communist
system, its final collapse and the post-communist
transformation.
Elective Courses
Along with the required courses, students on the
Central European Studies program take three elective
English-taught courses as part of the CET administered
program. A range of courses are available to choose
from. All courses are taught specifically for students
participating in the program.
All courses will meet 3 hours/ week and are worth
3-credits each.
Elective Courses - Students are required
to take three elective courses. Some courses may not
be available in every semeser. Course availability
will depend on student interest and enrollment. Students
will receive a final elective course listing once
in Prague .
Czech Art, Architecture and Memory
This course is an introduction to various
aspects of contemporary arts and architecture in Czech
and Central European Culture. Examine the relationship
between the construction of memory and the creation
of art and architectural forms through lectures, discussions
and visits to galleries and architectural sites within
the city of Prague.
European Space and Identity in Film
This unique course is designed to discuss and question
the identity of specific nations in European space,
which has always been a fascinating crossroad of ideas
and ideologies as well as the birthplace of wars and
totalitarian systems. The course will cover masterpieces
of Russian, Hungarian, German, Polish and Czech cinematography,
focusing on several crucial periods of history, in
particular WWII. and its aftermath, showing moral
dilemmas of individuals and nations under Nazi regime
as well as revealing the bitter truth of the Stalinist
years. Fall only.
Modern Czech Film: History on Screen
Gain a deeper insight into the issues of modern Czechoslovak
history and socio-cultural developments as documented
by both major feature films and documentaries by leading
Czech and Slovak directors. Film screenings will include
films covering World War II, the Stalinist fifties,
the period of political and cultural thaw of the sixties
as well as the most significant works of the post-1968
Soviet invasion years. Students will also have an
opportunity to learn more about post-1989 Velvet Revolution
trends and controversies in Czech film art. Spring
only.
Czech and Central European Literature
This course will focus on the essential texts written
by Czech and Central European writers of the 20th
century. Students will look at fiction after the turn
of the century, the Holocaust, Communism and identity
in Czech literature, as well as Samizdat literature
and dissent.
The World of Franz Kafka
This course focuses Franz Kafka’s short stories
and two of his unifinished novels within the context
of Prague German literature, referencing the framework
of modernist culture of fin de siècle and early
20th century Vienna as well as links with the expressionist
and other Avant-garde movements. Combining the methods
of both literary and intellectual history, it also
provides a basic discussion of dominant and thought-giving
voices in the literature on Kafka -- from his contemporaries
up to the present day -- approaching Kafka’s
work as a part of our time, as a possible “passage
into modernity.” This class is cross-listed
with Jewish Studies.
Czech Republic in Transition: From Communism
to the European Union
Since 1989 the Czech Republic has left the Warsaw
Pact, separated from Slovakia and joined the European
Union and NATO. In this class you will learn about
how the Czech Republic has managed the transition
from communism to market economy and democracy since
the Velvet Revolution. It will cover topics ranging
from classical socialism to the current political
structure, to membership in the European Union. We
will discuss ownership, growth patterns, investment,
prices and inflation, wages and employment. The main
theme will be dedicated to issues of transition since
entry into the EU in May 2004 including transformation
of the legal system, trade issues, political transformation,
economic stabilization, privatization, corporate governance
issues, and changing business practices including
women in the working world.
Contemporary Politics of the Czech Republic
This class will explore the changes in the political
system since the Velvet Revolution of 1989 through
the Velvet Divorce of 1993 to the emergence of the
present day parliamentary democracy. Students will
also discuss recent issues, such as the stalemate
and lack of government following the 2006 general
elections, accusations of corruption on the part of
high-level officials, and relations with the United
States. Lessons will come to life as students take
advantage of CET’s unique opportunities for
site visits, guest lectures, and contextual learning
about contemporary Czech politics.
Nationalism, Minorities, Migrations in Eastern
Europe
This course will trace the development of nationalism
in Central Europe from the revolutions of 1848, and
discuss its impact upon the modern nation states of
the European Union. In particular students will investigate
the impact that the coalescence of ethnicity and statehood
has upon minority communities in Europe, and the legal
protections and government and civic organizations
which defend their rights. This class is cross-listed
with Jewish Studies.
Resistance and Dissent
During the 20th century the Czech people have lived
underneath both communist and fascist dictatorial
regimes. This course will cover modes of Czech resistance,
ranging from physical resistance to artistic expression.
Students will also learn about the states' responses
to these movements.
Roma History and Culture
Roma (also known as Gypsies) are a transnational ethnic
group without a state of their own. Residing throughout
the European Union, Roma face many challenges due
to discrimination and marginalization. Students in
this course will learn about Roma history and culture,
and discuss their contemporary situation. 3 hours/week.
Feminism and Gender in Post-Communist Society
Communism portrayed itself to be a system without
gender injustice, but in practice the system of equality
resulted in oppression of women. Post-communist society?perhaps
surprisingly to some?has not proven itself to be fertile
ground for a feminist movement. This class will explore
feminism and gender roles in Central Europe during
the 20th and 21st centuries as well as discuss the
prospects of the development of a viable feminist
movement.
Prague, Vienna and Budapest: An Intellectual
and Cultural History
This course will survey the works of some of the key
figures of the Austro-Hungarian modernity. We shall
study, among others, Franz Brentano on psychology
and ethics; Sigmund Freud on irrationality in culture;
Adolf Loos on architecture and ornament; Georg Lukács
on form and life; Ernst Mach on science; Jan Mukarovský
on aesthetics; Max Nordau on degeneracy; and Otto
Weininger on the genius. We shall situate the works
of these authors in the changing cultural landscapes
of three cities: Prague, Vienna and Budapest.
Photography Program
The Photography program is administered by CET Academic
Programs and is overseen by AU Abroad and the AU School
of Communications.
*Photography*
Prerequisites
- Students are required to have completed a Basic
Photography course to be considered for this program.
- Students are required to submit a portfolio of
work.
The Photography Track, part of the Central European
Studies program, is designed for students with a background
in photography who want to develop their skills and
enhance their portfolio. In this program, students
are able to practice their craft in one of the world’s
most beautiful cities while studying under the direction
of renowned photographer, Miroslav Vojtechovský.
Photography classes go beyond the classroom to take
advantage of resources within the city of Prague;
students not only learn from experts but are also
treated to exhibits at local galleries and talks from
local artists.
Required Courses
Students are required to take five courses on the
program for a total of 15 credits. All students on
the program take the following courses (each worth
3 credits):
Czech Language
Students will participate in intensive Czech Language
classes at the beginning of the term to introduce
them to practical Czech and life in the Prague. Students
will continue to study Czech throughout the term,
in a course appropriate for their level . Students
will be challenged to utilize their new language skills
in everyday situations.
Politics and Culture of Central Europe
This course will provide an understanding of the important
political, social and cultural developments of the
region during the 19th and 20th centuries. Students
will explore the establishment of independent nation
states during the interwar period, Nazi occupation,
resistance and collaboration, the Holocaust and the
expulsion of the Germans, the nature of the communist
system, its final collapse and the post-communist
transformation.
Along with the two above required courses, the
heart of the Photography Track is a pair of 3-credit
courses taught by photography expert, Miroslav Vojtechovský,
a former American University faculty member:
Photography Practicum
This course is a theoretical and practical introduction
to creative photography, which involves lectures,
seminars, and practical demonstrations. The course
is structured through the parallel study of the functions
of cameras used in various situations, darkroom techniques,
studio methods, the development of aesthetics, and
the composition of the photographic image. The course
gives students a chance to hone their photography
skills both in the streets of Prague and on a number
of facilitated trips to other cities, such as Vienna
and Budapest. Students are encouraged to use their
photos to convey how they view Europe, with specific
themes guiding assignments. Professor Vojtechovský
is hands-on and accessible, personally critiquing
students' negatives and helping them strengthen skills
and adopt new techniques, regardless of the students'
preferred subject matter or style.
Imagery, Ambiguity & Culture
This course explores photography as a philosophical
turning point. Questions of ambiguity--from shaping
modern culture to bluffing history--will be explored.
Students will discuss the discrepancy in storytelling
between "mirroring" reality and "creating"
the reality which is to be represented. Lastly, the
course will examine how modern mechanical media can
be understood as symbols of freedom and revolt again
the apparatuses of contemporary society.
For their fifth elective course, Photography
students are then also able to take a single elective
course from among CET's Central European Studies course
offerings or an elective course offered at the FAMU
film school.
Additional informaton on the Photography program
can also be found at the AU School of Communications'
website.
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