Symbolical Figures of Czech History - YBAJ020

• Anglický název: Symbolical Figures of Czech History
• Zajišťuje: Program Liberal Arts and Humanities (24-SHVAJ)
• Fakulta: Fakulta humanitních studií
• Platnost: od 2023
• Semestr: letní
• E-Kredity: 4
• Způsob provedení zkoušky: letní s.:
• Rozsah, examinace: letní s.:2/0, Zk [HS]
• Rozsah za akademický rok: 26 [hodiny]
• Počet míst: neurčen / neurčen (35)
• Minimální obsazenost: neomezen
• 4EU+: ne
• Virtuální mobilita / počet míst pro virtuální mobilitu: ne
• Stav předmětu: vyučován
• Jazyk výuky: angličtina
• Způsob výuky: prezenční
• Způsob výuky: prezenční
• Poznámka: předmět lze zapsat opakovaně; předmět je možno zapsat mimo plán; povolen pro zápis po webu
• Garant: Mgr. Alena Marková, Ph.D.
• Vyučující: Mgr. Alena Marková, Ph.D.
• Třída: Courses available to incoming students

Anotace

čeština

Poslední úprava: Mgr. Alena Marková, Ph.D. (26.01.2022)

The course deals with symbolical figures of the Czech history (e.g., St. Wenceslaus, Jan Žižka, Jan Hus and many others) and changes in the interpretation of their role throughout history. The attention will be focused on an interaction between ideology and history, history and historical myths, collective memory and historical consciousness. The aim of the course is to familiarize students with significant milestones and symbolical figures of the Czech history as well as to demonstrate the ambiguity of their interpretation due to different political and historical contexts. An educational excursion (National Memorial on the Vítkov Hill) is a part of the syllabus.

Cíl předmětu

Poslední úprava: Mgr. Alena Marková, Ph.D. (04.02.2021)

The aim of the course is to familiarize students with significant milestones and symbolical figures of the Czech history as well as to demonstrate the ambiguity of their interpretation due to different political and historical contexts. Thus, the main goal of the course is to develop and promote critical thinking. 

Metody výuky

Poslední úprava: Mgr. Alena Marková, Ph.D. (26.01.2022)

Structure and teaching methods: lectures, discussions, presentations, educational excursion (National Memorial on the Vítkov Hill)

Sylabus

Poslední úprava: Mgr. Alena Marková, Ph.D. (01.02.2023)

Course syllabus:

1. Introduction into history (goals, approaches to studied topics, examples of main questions to focus on).

2. Methodology. Objectivity of history and historians. Sources critique. How not to be fooled by propaganda?

3. Historical Consciousness and Collective memory. The ways of their formation, sources and theoretical approaches to their study (Talcott Parsons'. Jiří Šubrt's, and Miroslav Hroch's models).

4-5. Symbolical centres and symbolical figures. Theoretical definition. Charles IV, the Father of the Country, and the Golden Age of the Bohemian Crown.

6. Patrons saints of the Czech Crown. Medieval statehood and its symbols.

7. The Good King Wenceslaus and his tale.

8-9. Ideology and historical myths. Jan Hus, Hussites and Hussite revolution: transformation of their interpretation in the course of history.

10. Jan Hus and Jan Nepomuk: two saints, two sides.

11. Czech Music Avantgarde: The Plastic Peoples of Universe.

12. History of Marshal Ivan Konev.

13. Final discussion. Student's presentations.

Recommended Reading:

Bolton J., Worlds of Dissent. Charter 77, The Plastic People of the Universe, and Czech Culture under Communism, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Mass. 2012.
Havel, V., „The power of the powerless", in: Václav Havel, John Keane (eds.), The power of the powerless: citizens against the state in central - eastern Europe, London: Hutchinson, 1985.
or: http://www.vaclavhavel.cz/index.php?sec=6&id=2&kat&from=6&setln=2
Herold, V., Jan Hus - a Heretic, a Saint, or a Reformer?. In: Herold, Vilém. Communio viatorum. A theological journal. 45, č. 1, (2003,) pp. 5-23.
Machovec, M., (ed.), Views from the inside: Czech underground literature and culture (1948-1989): manifestoes - testimonies – documents, Praha: Ústav české literatury a literární vědy, Filozofická fakulta Univerzity Karlovy, 2006.
Paces, C. J., Religious Heroes for a Secular State. Commemorating Jan Hus and Saint Wenceslas in 1920s Czechoslovakia. Paces, Cynthia Jean. In: Staging the Past. The Politics of Commemoration in Habsburg Central Europe, 1848 to the Present. West Lafayette: Purdue University Press, 2001, pp. 199-225.
Pánek, J. (eds.), A History of the Czech Lands, Prague: Carolinum Press, 2009.
Werner, M., „Jan Palach Remembered." Marian Werner. In: Z Londýna opět něco, co nevíte: sborník přednášek Britské skupiny Společnosti pro vědu a umění, London: Britská skupina SVU, 2016, pp. 473-491.

Podmínky zakončení předmětu

Poslední úprava: Mgr. Alena Marková, Ph.D. (04.02.2024)

Course completion requirements:

Students are expected to take an active part in discussions during classes. Class attendance is mandatory, students have to attend classes regularly. Only two unexplained absences are tolerated.

Terms of passing the course: essay or presentation

1.     Final essay

Deadline: July 1, 2024

Final essay (2 650 – 2 900 words long) needs to contain exact references and to state all their sources, i.e. also a bibliography. 

Clear, precise, and comprehensive citation is absolutely essential.

Student’s critical observations and critical reflections are very welcomed.

Essay:

National myths, national heroes, national memory and national history. Use the history of your own nation/state.

Use the following questions to guide your essay:

What are your national heroes/symbolical figures in your national history? What is your favourite national hero and national myth? Which role do they play in the national history, national identity, national consciousness and/or memory? Has their interpretation been changed in the course of the history? Do you have an example of your national myth? Do we need to deconstruct every myth? Can you find any examples of the interrelation between historical policy, historical interpretation, and ideology or propaganda? Which role in national identity does national history play? Which significant events from (your own) national history form (your) national identity? Does (your) national history have an example of a "national enemy" (such as traditionally German "villain" or German element in the conception of the Czech national history through the centuries)? Do we need such an "enemy" for strengthening national identity? and other question.

Students may offer their own topics. However, new pre-agreed topics have to be confirmed by a teacher.

OR:

2.    Presentation: Students can prepare and deliver a ppt. presentation (20-25 min) on a pre-agreed topic during semester instead of a final essay (for example, national heroes of your country etc.). The number of slots for presentation is limited!

Evaluation Method:

Grades will be based on attendance (15%), an active participation in discussions (20%), and a final essay (or a final presentation) (65%)