SemesterFall Semester, 2018
DepartmentSophomore Class A, Department of Slavics Sophomore Class B, Department of Slavics
Course NameCentral Europe : Culture Introduction
Instructor
Credit2.0
Course TypeElective
Prerequisite
Course Objective
Course Description
Course Schedule

The cultural profile of Central Europe is presented in the thematic blocks of lectures. Less attention goes to memorizing the factual details and more to general idea of Central Europe as a source of unique cultural experience. All the presentations, texts, and materials should be understood in the context with attention to the course participants – their goals and motivation to study the topic. A wider variety of approaches is involved to develop students’ knowledge and skills.



 












































































































































週次



Week

課程主題



Topic

課程內容與指定閱讀



Content of the lesson

教學活動與作業



Learning Activities / Homework

學習投入時間



 



In-class Hours + Outof-class Hours

1



9/19

INTRODUCTION

Kundera’s Tragedy of Central Europe (essay on topic)

Reading/discussing

3+2

2



9/26

CONCEPT OF C.E.

Geographical, historical, and cultural concept: Location, natural conditions, landscape; States, regions and places

Map/story reading

3+1

3



10/3

UNIQUE CULTURE SPACE

Ethnic and social history; Cultural heritage (tracks of art&culture)

Art/Movie Presentation

3+1

4



10/10

NATIONAL HOLIDAY

NATIONAL DAY

No classes

0

5



10/17

LIVING PAST

Eastern and Western influence (from Christianity to Enlightenment); Three Kingdoms (Bohemia/ Poland/ Hungary) and the Holy Roman Empire; Religious diversity (Catholics, Protestants, Heretics)

Reading/discussing

3+2

6



10/24

RECENT ASPECTS OF C.E. HISTORY

Hapsburg Monarchy as a model of common CE state; National Revivals in 19th C; Countries of CE between Russia and Germany

Documentary watching/discussing

3+1

7



10/31

LANGUAGES

Ethnic & linguistic variety of C.E.; National Literatures vs German as lingua franca

Reading/discussing

3+1

8



11/6

NATIONS AND MINORITIES

Current minorities in CE states; “Roma” people; Jewish culture (Prague, Krakow, Bratislava etc.)



Revising

3+2

9



11/13

MID-TERMS

Quiz

Testing

3+1

10



11/20

(NON-)SLAVIC CULTURES

Western Slavic cultures (Polish, Czech, Slovak); Moravia as a heart of CE; folk culture, songs, dances; German culture in Austria) & Germans in Sudetenland; Hungarians 

Reading/discussing

3+1

11



11/27

“HIGH” CULTURE AND AVANT-GARDE

Great artists of CE; Baroque art and architecture; Modernism and Avant-garde movement

Documentary watching/discussing

3+1

12



12/5

CURRENT ISSUES

Sociocultural perspective of contemporary Czech/ Slovak/ Polish/ Hungarian society, reflections on “popular” culture & politics

Media and culture review

3+1

13



12/12

EUROPEAN UNION

New-member states in EU, mutual understanding in Europe, European idea

Reading/discussing

3+1

14



12/19

NEW IDENTITIES

Changing identities in C.E. United in diversity (Eu's vs national policies)

Reading/discussing

3+1

15



12/26

GUEST LECTURE

To be announced

 

 

16



1/2

PRESENTATIONS

By students on given topics

Presenting

3+3

17



1/9

PRESENTATIONS;REVISION

By students on given topics

Presenting, Revising

3+3

18



1/16

FINALS

Final Quiz

Testing

3+1


 


Teaching Methods
Teaching Assistant

No


Requirement/Grading

Students have regular quizzes/worksheets given by teacher after finishing a thematic block during the semester. The final written exam includes knowledge as well as some general understanding issues and practical “Europe survival” points.



Homework assigned for some of the class meeting.



Attendance: Unexcused absences are reflected by lowering of final grade down progressively. Maximal number of unexcused absences is THREE (3).



Grading is from zero to 100%, 60% is min. to success. Final grading based on course requirements:



Active participation in lessons (Group Work, Homework, Extra activities) = 25%; Presentation = 25%;



Midterm Exam = 25%; Final exam = 25%


Textbook & Reference

 



Kundera (1984): The Tragedy of Central Europe. New York Review of Books, Vol. 31, No. 7.



Bazant, J. (2010): The Czech Reader: History, Culture, Politics. Duke University Press.



Reader (journal articles and book chapters chosen by a teacher, available since the first class)



Maps, Atlases, Encyclopedias, etc.



Specialized magazines and verified internet sources



Various pieces of art and literature, documentaries, movies, etc.



Note that there is no single textbook to the variety of topics.


Urls about Course
Attachment

syllabus_CE.pdf