CIEE, Prague

Film, literature, and the arts have always played a central role in reflecting the attitudes towards the twin ideologies of Nazism and Communism in Central and Eastern Europe. They were central to propagandizing these ideologies and building their strength after World War I. However, they also provided the most vibrant forum for those challenging the totalitarian regimes established by Nazis and Communists. In the period since their fall, politics and academia have frequently failed to enable an accessible debate on their legacy. Thus, film and literature remain the site of a debate. This course explores the theme in a multi-disciplinary manner, drawing on history, political science, literature, film studies, and psychology. A thematical, rather than chronological, approach was selected to emphasize the occurrence of the examined issues across regions and times, using different methods of exploration. As Prague is one of the few capitals that experienced liberal democracy, Nazism, Communism, and a return to liberal democracy over the scope of slightly more than 50 years, first-hand experience through field trips and guest speakers is incorporated into the course to enhance understanding of the topic.

This course examines the influence of American culture, specifically the American media model, on media in the Czech Republic after the fall of communism in 1989. The course focuses on all aspects of the media, presenting specific examples. It begins with an introduction to American cultural influence on European culture and how this developed after the end of World War II in Western Europe, and after 1989 in Central Europe. It briefly covers the subject of life under communism in order to understand the contrast between the East and the West in Europe. It also focuses on the different existing media models. Students create an “American media model” with its specific characteristics. Students study literature and news items in both the United States and Europe (with an extra focus on the Czech Republic). Upon completion of the course, students understand and articulate American cultural influence in Europe, specifically in Central Europe after 1989; demonstrate their knowledge about both the American and Czech media based on the literature they studied and the examples they have seen and discussed in class and apply this knowledge in their own research; show and explain, in class discussions and in their work, the difference between the media in these two countries and the way this influences the way the news and facts are presented in both countries.

This is an internship opportunity through the Central European Studies Program that responds to a clear necessity among multicultural societies to educate young people abroad in a professional working environment. Apart from onsite work experience, the Internship Program has a strong and challenging academic component exposing students to the world of non-governmental organizations, education, and the social services sector in the Czech Republic and EU as well as developing personal, interpersonal, and intercultural competencies. Qualified students choose from several pre-screened internship positions with local, mostly non-governmental organizations, which may be involved in education, film, organization of international political conferences, local and global human rights issues, and library and administrative work in the field of economics.  International professional experiences are broadened through a series of guided discussions, a reflective journal, and presentations. Students explore major relevant topics, such as organization theory, and develop their intercultural skills through interactive workshops and reflection of their work experience in the host culture.

This course focuses on the political and diplomatic history of the Habsburg Empire, from the emergence of the Habsburg dynasty to the dissolution of Austria-Hungary at the end of World War I. Emphasis is put on key turning points, such as the reign of Maximilian I and his marriage policy, the figure of Charles V, the Battle of Mohacs and the birth of a Central European Empire, the Counter- Reformation, the enlightened absolutism of Maria Theresa and Joseph II, the system of Metternich, and the reign of Francis Joseph. This provides the framework for an analysis of interdisciplinary questions, such as the role of religion or the multinational Empire, focusing on the uniqueness of the culture developed in the Empire.