Empowerment Self Defense - ASC51V65

• Anglický název: Empowerment Self Defense
• Zajišťuje: Katedra sociální práce (21-KSOCP)
• Fakulta: Filozofická fakulta
• Platnost: od 2025
• Semestr: letní
• Body: 0
• E-Kredity: 3
• Způsob provedení zkoušky: letní s.:
• Rozsah, examinace: letní s.:2/2, Z [HT]
• Počet míst: 16 / neurčen (16)
• Minimální obsazenost: 10
• 4EU+: ne
• Virtuální mobilita / počet míst pro virtuální mobilitu: ne
• Stav předmětu: vyučován
• Jazyk výuky: angličtina
• Způsob výuky: prezenční
• Poznámka: předmět je možno zapsat mimo plán; povolen pro zápis po webu
• Garant: PhDr. Melanie Zajacová, Ph.D., LL.M.; Bc. Linda Štucbartová, DESS, MBA
• Vyučující: Bc. Linda Štucbartová, DESS, MBA; PhDr. Melanie Zajacová, Ph.D., LL.M.

Anotace

This course introduces Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD) as a systemic approach to violence prevention, decision-making under pressure, and institutional resilience. Violence prevention is framed not only as an individual skill, but as a matter of system design, leadership and organizational responsibility.
The course focuses on client violence as a structural phenomenon, particularly relevant in healthcare, public services, helping professions and service-oriented roles, where power asymmetries, emotional load and institutional pressures intersect.
The course is designed for students with an interest in personal and societal safety, prevention of client and interpersonal violence, and decision-making and communication in high-pressure environments, with a particular focus on the intersection between individual behavior and institutional responsibility.
It is especially relevant for students preparing for professional roles in healthcare, social work, public administration, education, and service-oriented professions.
The course is inclusive and accessible regardless of age, physical condition, or prior experience.

Poslední úprava: Zajacová Melanie, PhDr., Ph.D., LL.M. (01.02.2026)

Cíl předmětu

Students will develop practical, psychological, and organizational tools to prevent escalation, strengthen professional boundaries, communicate effectively under stress, and contribute to safer environments at both the individual and institutional levels. 

Poslední úprava: Zajacová Melanie, PhDr., Ph.D., LL.M. (01.02.2026)

Podmínky zakončení předmětu

The course is completed with a pass/fail credit, based on:

• a minimum of 80% attendance,
• a final reflective report analyzing the application of Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD) principles in the student’s own field of practice or intended profession
• a final oral discussion focused on one selected book from the recommended reading list and its conceptual connection to the course content.

Poslední úprava: Zajacová Melanie, PhDr., Ph.D., LL.M. (01.02.2026)

Literatura

Recommended Literature (English)

These texts support understanding of power, boundaries, resilience, and violence prevention at both individual and systemic levels.

1.     Elva, T., & Stranger, T. (2017). South of Forgiveness. London, UK: Scribe Publications.
English-language edition; basis for widely cited quotes and TED-related discourse on accountability, forgiveness, and survivor–perpetrator dialogue.

2.     Gupta, R. (2023). I Kick and I Fly. Bristol, UK: Rock the Boat.
A personal narrative portraying resilience, identity, and coming of age through lived experience.

3.     Rosenfeld, D. L. (2022). The Bonobo Sisterhood: Revolution Through Female Alliance. New York, NY: HarperWave (HarperCollins).
This book explores how female alliances, inspired by the social behaviors of bonobos, can counteract patriarchal violence and promote gender equality.

4.     Snortland, E. (1998). Beauty Bites Beast: Awakening the Warrior Within Women and Girls. Pasadena, CA: Trilogy Books / B3 Books.
This work advocates for women’s self-defense, challenges societal norms, and encourages women and girls to reclaim personal strength and confidence.

5.     Snortland, E., & Gaeta, L. (2014). The Safety Godmothers: The ABCs of Awareness, Boundaries, and Confidence. Berkeley, CA: B3 Books.
A guide focused on awareness, boundary-setting, and confidence-building, particularly for young people.

6.     Taylor, L. B. (n.d.). Get Empowered: A Practical Guide.
A practical guide focused on confidence, personal agency, and self-reflection. Publisher and year to be confirmed based on the specific course edition.

  Recommended Literature (Czech)

These texts provide individual, case-based insights into systemic pressure, identity, and resilience.

1.     Dvořáková, P. (2016). Sítě. Brno: Host.
Kniha Sítě zkoumá tři příběhy žen, které se ocitly v toxických vztazích a byly kvůli nízkému sebevědomí manipulovány.

2.     Moravec, M. (2024). Adam Dolník. Svět elitního vyjednavače. Praha: Martin Moravec.
Kniha přináší pohled do světa vyjednávání. Ukazuje strategické postupy a výzvy, kterým čelí profesionální vyjednavači.

3.     Moravec, M. (2023). Marek Dvořák. Mezi nebem a pacientem. Praha: Martin Moravec.
Autor, lékař letecké záchranné služby, sdílí své zkušenosti z každodenní praxe. Kniha nabízí unikátní vhled do práce záchranáře a příběhy, které zachycují lidskou odolnost.

4.     Moravec, M. (2025). Helena Slováková. Plukovnice lidských duší. Praha: Martin Moravec.
Žena, která v české armádě strávila více než dvacet let a dotáhla to až na hodnost plukovnice – kniha nabízí rozhovor o jejím životě a službě v AČR.

5.     Paprštein, T. (2023). Klubovna Naděje. Praha: Vlastním nákladem.
Kniha přináší příběh o přátelství, odvaze a hledání smyslu života.

6.     Piloušková, I. (2023). Buď hodná. Praha: Vendeta.
Kniha upozorňuje na sílu ženské identity a boj s tlaky okolí. Téma oslovuje především čtenáře hledající sebeuvědomění.

7.     Šebek, T. (2024). Objektivní nález. Praha: Paseka.
Chirurg a autor reportážních knih z humanitárních misí odkrývá své osobní zkušenosti a výzvy. Kniha odhaluje lidskost i obtíže práce v extrémních podmínkách.

8.     Thomas, E. (2024). Chci se ti podívat do očí. Brno: Host.
Kniha nabízí emotivní pohled na odpuštění a smíření.

Poslední úprava: Zajacová Melanie, PhDr., Ph.D., LL.M. (01.02.2026)

Metody výuky

The course is delivered in an interactive format, combining:

·        theoretical inputs,

·        guided discussions,

·        practical exercises,

·        model scenarios reflecting real-world professional contexts.

Poslední úprava: Zajacová Melanie, PhDr., Ph.D., LL.M. (01.02.2026)

Sylabus

The course is based on the Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD) methodology and covers the following areas:

·        prevention and early recognition of risk situations,

·        verbal and non-verbal de-escalation strategies,

·        stress regulation and energy management in high-pressure contexts,

·        basic principles of physical self-defense as a last-resort option,

·        bystander intervention and collective responsibility for safety.

The emphasis is placed on prevention-first strategies, with physical techniques framed within a broader systemic approach to personal and institutional safety.

Learning outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

·        recognize early indicators of escalating risk and institutional stress

·        apply effective communication strategies to prevent and de-escalate conflict

·        make informed decisions under pressure with increased clarity and confidence

·        use basic self-defense principles adapted to individual abilities and limitations

·        understand violence as a systemic and organizational issue, not solely an individual one

·        seek help and provide appropriate support using the Shield Protocol (Prof. Eyal Fruchter)

·        contribute to the creation of safer professional and community environments

Course structure:

The course consists of five thematic modules:

1. Foundations of Empowerment Self-Defense

Where does individual responsibility for safety end—and where does institutional responsibility begin?

·        philosophy and core principles of Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD),

·        three levels of safety: personal, relational, and institutional,

·        self-defense in contrast to combat sports and martial training,

·        client violence as a systemic and organizational phenomenon,

·        personal boundaries and the role of institutional protection.

2. Communication and De-escalation

How can communication prevent escalation—or unintentionally accelerate it—within institutional settings?

·        “soft” and “hard” elements of self-defense,

·        early risk recognition and situational awareness,

·        negotiation and boundary-setting strategies,

·        principles of non-violent and assertive communication.

3. Stress and Energy Management

How do stress, fear, and cognitive overload affect decision-making—and how should systems respond to this reality?

·        fear and stress responses in conflict situations,

·        decision-making under pressure,

·        the role of the amygdala in threat perception and escalation,

·        the “Sacred Four” as a framework for high-stress situations.

4. Practical Self-Defense Principles

When systems fail to prevent escalation, what minimum individual capacities are ethically and realistically required?

·        fundamentals of physical self-defense,

·        escape strategies and prioritization of safety,

·        targets versus weapons: principles and limitations,

·        common myths and misconceptions about self-defense.

5. Shared Responsibility and Safe Environments

What makes an environment genuinely safe—and what role do bystanders, leadership, and institutional culture play in preventing harm?

·        creating psychologically safe environments,

·        bystander intervention and the 5D model,

·        asking for help and offering appropriate support,

·        prevention of secondary victimization.

 

 

Poslední úprava: Zajacová Melanie, PhDr., Ph.D., LL.M. (01.02.2026)