Understanding a small state: Czech Republic in a nutshell - JTB348

• Title: Understanding a small state: Czech Republic in a nutshell
• Czech title: Porozumění malému státu: Česká Republika v kostce
• Guaranteed by: Department of European Studies (23-KZS)
• Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences
• Actual: from 2024
• Semester: winter
• E-Credits: 4
• Examination process: winter s.:
• Hours per week, examination: winter s.:2/0, Ex [HT]
• Capacity: 86 / unknown (90)
• Min. number of students: unlimited
• 4EU+: no
• Virtual mobility / capacity: no
• State of the course: taught
• Language: English
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Note: course can be enrolled in outside the study plan; enabled for web enrollment
• Guarantor: PhDr. Zuzana Kasáková, Ph.D.
• Teacher(s): doc. PhDr. Miloš Brunclík, Ph.D.; prof. Ing. Oldřich Dědek, CSc.; Mgr. Lukáš Hájek, M.A., Ph.D.; PhDr. Jan Hornát, Ph.D.; Mgr. Jan Charvát, M.A., Ph.D.; PhDr. Zuzana Kasáková, Ph.D.; Mgr. Jan Miessler; Mgr. Magda Pečená, Ph.D.; PhDr. Ing. Petr Soukup, Ph.D.
• Class: Courses for incoming students

Annotation

The course on the Czech Republic provides a comprehensive exploration of the country's history, political system, economics, society, culture, and media landscape.

Last update: Kasáková Zuzana, PhDr., Ph.D. (13.09.2024)

Aim of the course

Throughout the course, students will develop a holistic understanding of the Czech Republic's past and present, gaining valuable insights into the nation's identity, its role in Europe, and the contemporary issues it faces in an interconnected world, including those related to its economy.

Last update: Kasáková Zuzana, PhDr., Ph.D. (13.09.2024)

Course completion requirements

Course requirements

• final multiple-choice test  (100 pts)

• 50 questions
• 40 minutes
• in class test, room B103A

Grading

• A: 100-91 points
• B: 90-81 points
• C: 80-71 points
• D: 70-61 points
• E: 60-51 points
• F: < 51 points

More in SMĚRNICE S_SO_002: Organizace zkouškových termínů, kontrol studia a užívání klasifikace A–F na FSV UK.

Last update: Kasáková Zuzana, PhDr., Ph.D. (03.10.2024)

Literature

Pánek, J., Tůma, O. et al., A History of the Czech Lands (Praha: Karolinum, 2019), ISBN: 978-80-246-3135-6.

 

 

Last update: Kasáková Zuzana, PhDr., Ph.D. (13.09.2024)

Teaching methods

Lectures. In-class discussions.

Last update: Kasáková Zuzana, PhDr., Ph.D. (13.09.2024)

Requirements to the exam

Course requirements

• final multiple-choice test  (100 pts)

• 50 questions
• 40 minutes
• in class test, room B103A 

Grading

• A: 100-91 points
• B: 90-81 points
• C: 80-71 points
• D: 70-61 points
• E: 60-51 points
• F: < 51 points

Last update: Kasáková Zuzana, PhDr., Ph.D. (03.10.2024)

Syllabus

 

1.     Introduction (1 October 2024)

2.     Turning points in modern Czech(oslovak) history (8 October 2024)

The focus is on the context and causes of the watershed years 1918, 1938, 1948, 1968, 1989 and 2004.

3.     Shape of the Czech Economy (15 October 2024)

Economic status of the Czech Republic, comparison to other countries, structure and drivers of the GDP, economic development and growth, current challenges: fiscal and monetary (policy) issues, successes and failures of our small open economy in the global context.   

4.    Czech constitutional system in a comparative perspective (22 October 2024)

The lecture describes the main principles and institutions of the constitutional system in the country. The focus is put especially on a comparison with other relevant countries. 

5.    Czech political parties and party system   (29 October 2024)

The lecture presents a brief history of political parties in the Czech Republic and their current state. Besides this, the party system is discussed with a focus on its recent transformation. 

6.     Role and functioning of financial markets in the Czech Republic (5 November 2024)

Financial intermediation in the Czech Republic - role of banks in the system, importance of capital markets and other key players. Position and tasks of the central bank (Czech National Bank), Prague stock exchange and other institutions, interaction with the market. Comparison of financial intermediation to international practice. 

7.     Populism in the Czech Republic in a comparative perspective (12 November 2024)

The lecture delves into the phenomenon of partisan populism in the Czech Republic. It begins by exploring the concept of populism, outlining its key characteristics and defining features. The session then examines Czech populist parties in detail, offering a comparative analysis with their counterparts in other European democracies. Through this comparative lens, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the unique and shared aspects of populism across different political landscapes.

8.     Czech Society I (19 November 2024)

Changes in population. Problems related to ageing of society. Czech family in European context. Czech society in postpandemic era – research results.

9.     Czech Society II (26 November 2024)

Czech society and it’s specialities. DIY, free time spending - cottages as Czech phenomenon and related activities, special sport activities. Czech household consumption in European context.

10.  Czech journalism after 1989 (3 December 2024)

The lecture provides a general overview of the Czech media and journalism developments after the regime change in 1989, with focus on the relationship between media ownership and journalistic autonomy. It situates these developments within the context of other Central European countries.

11.  Czech media and politics today (10 December 2024)

The lecture focuses on the current state of the Czech media landscape, with emphasis on the role of the political communication and the role of the new media.

12.  Final exam (17 December 2024)

 

Link to the Moodle: https://dl1.cuni.cz/course/view.php?id=15549

Password: CZFSVUK2024

 

Last update: Kasáková Zuzana, PhDr., Ph.D. (03.10.2024)