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Czech Republic: Prague Jewish Studies - Academics

Students are required to take five courses on the program and earn a full 15 AU credits for the semester. Following are descriptions of the courses offered. Courses are taught in English and are specifically designed and taught to students on the program. A full-time Program Director from the CET organization with native knowledge of and experience in Prague supervises the program.

Required Courses

History of the Jews in East Central Europe
A study of the history of the modern Jewish experience in Europe from the Enlightenment through the present. Special attention will be given to the history of the Czech Lands and Central Europe. The course will focus on the religious, cultural, social, political and economic history of European Jews, and cover topics such as emancipation, Hasidism, and anti-Semitism.

Politics and Cultural History of East Central Europe in the 20th Century
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.

Czech Language
In the fall and spring, all students will participate in a week-long Czech Language Intensive (4 hours/day) at the beginning of the term to introduce practical Czech. No other classes will be taught during the first week. Students will continue to study Czech throughout the term. Students will be challenged to utilize their new language skills in everyday situations.

Elective Courses

Along with the required courses, students on the Jewish Studies program take two 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. Jewish Studies students must take at least one Jewish Studies specific elective but are also allowed to take 1 elective from the course offerings for the Central European Studies Program (these courses are marked with a code of CE). Some courses may not be available in every semester. Course availability will depend on student interest and enrollment. Students will receive a final elective course listing once in Prague.

The Destruction of European Jewry
Why did Jews become the subject of genocidal hatred? This seminar will investigate German Nazism, differences between the Holocaust in Western and Eastern Europe, the Terezín case, issues associated with the perpetrators of the Holocaust, Jewish resistance, and the psychological impact of the Holocaust on first and second generation survivors. Discussions with Czech survivors are an essential component of the course.

Jewish Literatures of East Central Europe
This course will focus on essential texts written by East Central European Jewish writers of the 20th century. It will also cover texts (in translation) written by Jewish authors in German and texts offering images of Central European Jewry written by non-Jewish writers. We will look at fiction after the turn of the century, the Holocaust theme, and life under the Communist regime. Among the themes we will explore are the notion of the collective, communal, and individual identity and the image of the city perceived as a metaphor of modern human existence.

European Space and Identity in Film [CE]
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 [CE]
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 [CE]
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 [CE]
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 Art, Architecture & Memory [CE]
This course in 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.

Czech Republic in Transition: From Communism to the European Union [CE]
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 [CE]
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 [CE]
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 [CE]
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 [CE]
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.

Feminism and Gender in Post-Communist Society [CE]
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 [CE]
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.