Problems of culture of the countries of the East and Central Europe (II) - Czech Republic and Slovakia 3224-D4PCZE

 Learning Outcomes
 Knowledge

Upon completing the course, the student:
 possesses knowledge and understanding of the history and
contemporary realities of the region, as well as key historical
terms, concepts, and ideas, with particular emphasis on cultural
processes and phenomena in the context of social and political
transformations;
 understands the formation of national, religious, socio-political,
and economic relations in the Czech Republic/Moravia and
Slovakia;
 is familiar with the broadly understood intercultural context; has
knowledge of the human being as a subject constructing social
structures and cultural artifacts, is aware of the principles of their
functioning, and understands the resulting differences in the
perception of social life by representatives of various national,
ideological, and religious groups, as well as diverse minorities;
 has a basic knowledge of the complex nature of language, with
particular attention to the cultural context of the region’s
countries;
 understands the principles governing cultural and heritage
institutions and is familiar with contemporary cultural life in the
Czech Republic/Moravia and Slovakia, as well as with its
entanglement in political and social discourses.
 Skills

Upon completing the course, the student is able to:
 locate, select, analyze, and use information from a variety of
sources;
 formulate and analyze research problems, select appropriate
research methods and tools, and—under academic
supervision—conduct basic research in cultural studies and related
disciplines concerning the Czech Republic/Moravia and Slovakia;
 further develop their research skills and acquire knowledge
independently with the support of an academic advisor; clearly
formulate ideas and present research results both orally (in class)
and in writing (in various forms);
 apply theoretical approaches, research paradigms, and concepts
specific to cultural studies in typical professional contexts;
 carry out critical analyses of cultural products characteristic of
specific periods in the development of the Czech
Republic/Moravia and Slovakia; identify different types of cultural
artifacts from these countries, analyze them, and recognize varying
perspectives on cultural development, while remaining aware of
cultural identity differences and contexts;
 use acquired theoretical and practical knowledge in professional
communication regarding the history and contemporary issues of
the region, as well as its specificity in the global context, logically
constructing arguments and engaging with the perspectives of
other participants in such communicative situations;
 independently prepare written and oral statements, in Polish and in
a foreign language, on selected topics in cultural theory and issues
concerning the Czech Republic/Moravia and Slovakia (culture,
political, social, and economic sources, consequences and contexts
of cultural phenomena, literature and language as media and
testimonies of culture, social and religious relations, etc.), and
present their work to the group;
 plan and organize individual and team work, as well as plan and
carry out the process of independent learning—including
specialized knowledge—after graduation;
 apply modern communication and information technologies in
their work.
 SocialCompetences

Upon completing the course, the student is prepared to:
 critically assess their own knowledge, engage in lifelong learning,
and supplement acquired knowledge;
 communicate effectively and function within society, including
culturally diverse societies, collaborate in group work, handle
typical professional situations, verify their own views through
constructive discussion, and evaluate their acquired knowledge;
 set priorities necessary for the implementation of tasks, both
individually and in cooperation with others, in the context of
social obligations;
 correctly identify and resolve professional dilemmas while
remaining open to new ideas in the field of social responsibilities;
 participate in cultural life and make use of its various forms.

I. The organization of classes:
According to The detailed rules of studies at the Faculty of Applied
Linguistics (The Resolution No. 114 by the Faculty of Applied
Linguistics Board of 19 December, 2017):
1) Attendance at all classes, covered by the plan, shall be compulsory (§
9 (2)).
2) It is not possible to have a resit if the reason of failing the credit was
noncompliance with the requirement to participate in them. In such a
case a student can be conditionally registered in an successive stage of
study and can repeat the failed course.
3) In case of 30 hours in semester, 2 absences without justifying are
acceptable. Missed classes must be made up in accordance with the
requirements of the lecturer. The requirements are provided by the
lecturer during the first class.

Assessment Criteria
The final grade is composed of:
 Participation in class sessions – 30 hours (1 ECTS)
 Preparation for classes – 30 hours (1 ECTS)
In order to obtain a passing grade for the semester, students are required
to:
 prepare one presentation (preferably in PowerPoint) on a selected
topic during the semester,
 demonstrate knowledge of two readings during the oral exam: one
mandatory for all participants (P. Rankov: Legenda o języku / The
Legend of the Language) and one additional text chosen from the
reading list (with the possibility of selecting an alternative text
upon consultation with the course instructor),
 listen to at least one discussion on cultural, historical, or linguistic
issues (recommended podcast: Czechostacja) and share reflections
and observations on this material during the oral exam.
A student will not receive credit if they score 0% in any of the above
categories, i.e., show no activity in one of them.
A failing grade may be awarded only as a result of unsatisfactory
academic performance, confirmed by partial assessments.

Grading system:
99 – 100% - 5 (excellent)
93 - 98% - 5 (very good)
87 - 92% - 4,5 (fairly good)
77 - 86% - 4 (good)
71 - 76% - 3,5 (satisfactory plus)
60 - 70% - 3 (satisfactory)

Additionally, the workshop lecturer introduces the detailed principles and
criteria of credit during the first class.

Buber-Neumann, M. (2003). Milena. Kafka’s beloved. Warsaw:
Czytelnik.
Budzyńska-Daca, A., & Rusin Dybalska, R. (Eds.). (2022). Political
discourses in Poland and the Czech Republic after 1989: Genres,
communication strategies, media images. Warsaw: WUW.
Čapek, K. (2015). Talks with Tomáš G. Masaryk. Wrocław: Ossolineum.
Čapek, K. (n.d.). Krakatit. Various editions.
Čapek, K. (n.d.). War with the newts. Various editions.
Čapek, K. (n.d.). R.U.R. – Rossum’s Universal Robots. Prague: Various
editions.
Chmiel, R. (2014). The Slovak complex: Essays. Kraków: Universitas.
Gogola, W. (2021). UFO over Bratislava. Wołowiec: Czarne.
Hašek, J. (n.d.). The good soldier Švejk and his fortunes in the World
War. Prague: Various editions.
Hašek, J. (2013). On Podhale, Galicia and… Piłsudski: Unknown
sketches. Warsaw: Iskry.
Havel, V. (1989). Disturbing the peace. Warsaw: Res Publica.
Havel, V. (2007). Briefly, please. Kraków: Znak.
Hrabal, B. (1990). I served the king of England. Warsaw: PIW.
Kaczorowski, A. (2022). Czechy. To nevymyslíš. Warsaw: Agora.
Kosatík, P. (2014). Czech dreams. Wrocław: Ossolineum.
Kundera, M. (1985). Nesnesitelná lehkost bytí [The unbearable lightness
of being]. Prague: Odeon.
Kundera, M. (2014). The joke. Warsaw: W.A.B.
Matla, M. (2014). The origins of states: The Czech Republic. Poznań:
Poznań University Press.
Menzel, J. (2024). Well, I don’t know. Gdańsk: Słowo/Obraz Terytoria.
Migalski, M. (2025). The Czech lesson. Katowice: Wydawnictwo
Uniwersytetu Śląskiego.
Pavel, O. (1976). Death of beautiful deer. Warsaw: PIW.
Rankov, P. (2020). The legend of the language. Wrocław: Książkowe
Klimaty.
Sem-Sandberg, S. (2009). Ravensbrück: On Milena Jesenská. Wołowiec:
Czarne.
Surosz, M. (2011). Ah, those Czech women. Warsaw: Czarne.
Surosz, M. (2021). Pepiki: A dramatic century of the Czechs. Wołowiec:
Czarne.
Szczygieł, M. (2016). Gottland. Warsaw: Czarne.
Szczygieł, M. (2020). A personal guide to Prague. Warsaw: Dowody na
Istnienie.
Škvorecký, J. (1988). Excerpts from the book of dreams. Wrocław:
Ossolineum.
Štyrský, J. (2025). Poems and dreams. Poznań: Rebis.
Tabaczyński, M. (2023). The feast of weightlessness: Moravia. Wołowiec:
Czarne.

Note:
With the exception of The Legend of the Language, the listed readings are
elective. Alternative texts may be selected in consultation with the course
instructor. It is recommended to consider publications from the Czeskie
Klimaty publishing house.

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

• Description of 3224-D4PCZE in USOSweb