Elective course: Václav Havel: Writer, Dissident, and President 3224-PRZEDF100
The following topics will be discussed during the classes:
1. Introduction: Havel and His Family Background
2. Havel and the "Language of Totalitarianism": Early Literary Works
3. Havel and the "Czech Fate": The Prague Spring
4. Havel and the Era of "Normalisation"
5. Havel and Charter 77: The Dissident Movement in Czechoslovakia
6. Havel and the Polish Democratic Opposition
7. Havel and the Experience of Imprisonment
8. Havel and Theatre
9. Havel and the Velvet Revolution: The Fall of Communism in Czechoslovakia
10. Havel and the Presidency
11. Havel and the Development of Democracy and Civil Society
12. Havel and the Post-Communist Transformation
13. Havel and the Idea of Europe
14. Havel and Ethical Politics
15. Havel in Film and Literature: Representations and Interpretations
Student workload:
Classroom participation - 30 hours (1 ECTS)
Preparation of presentation - 30 hours (1 ECTS)
Course coordinators
Mode
Learning outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:
Upon completing the course, the student will know and understand:
• broadly understood intercultural context of countries in the Central and Eastern European region, taking into account the complex nature of language [K_W09].
Skills:
Upon completing the course, the student is able to:
◦ search for, select, analyse and use necessary information from various sources [K_U01].
◦ refer to acquired theoretical and practical knowledge and use it in typical professional statements concerning the literature of the countries of the region, as well as the specificity of the region as a whole in a global context, constructing them logically and referring to the positions of other participants in these communication situations [K_U06].
◦ communicate using various communication channels and techniques on literary topics concerning the countries of the region [K_U07].
◦ independently prepare written and oral statements, in Polish and a foreign language, on selected topics in the field of cultural theory and issues related to the countries of the region and present the results of their work in the group forum [K_U08].
◦ use at least two foreign languages at a minimum level of B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages [K_U09].
◦ plan and organize individual and team work, plan and implement the process of independent learning, including specialist knowledge, after graduation [K_U10].
◦ use modern communication and information technologies [K_U11].
Social Competences:
Upon completing the course, the student is prepared to:
• critical assessment of existing knowledge, continuous learning and supplementing acquired knowledge and skills [K_K01]
• effective communication and living in society, including in a culturally diverse society, working in a team, coping with typical professional situations, verifying one's views through factual discussion and evaluating one's knowledge [K_K02].
Assessment criteria
The course concludes with a graded assessment (according to the study programme: oral statement, presentation).
1. Attendance in scheduled classes is mandatory.
2. Classes cannot be retaken if failure to pass was due to non-fulfillment of the attendance requirement. In such a case, the student may be conditionally enrolled in the next stage of study and repeat the failed course.
Two unexcused absences per semester are permitted, which must be accounted for according to the instructor’s requirements. Unexcused absences in a scheduled class result in the loss of the first assessment term. The student has the right to make up the absences and take the exam in the retake term.
Classes will be conducted in the form of discussions (using various active methods and multimedia presentations) on assigned readings or material presented by the instructor. Active participation in the discussion requires substantive engagement in at least 50% of the classes.
Assessment Criteria
The final grade consists of:
- active and substantive participation in classes (50%);
- the presentation on a topic assigned by the lecturer (50%).
Grading scale:
0%–49% – 2
50%–60% – 3
61%–70% – 3+
71%–80% – 4
81%–90% – 4+
91%–100% – 5
Additional knowledge – 5+
During classes, the lecturer monitors students’ activity, and students are encouraged to participate as actively as possible. Short unannounced quizzes on the assigned readings may also be conducted.
Bibliography
V. Havel, Szkice na marginesach, w: V. Havel, Obywatel kultury, przekł. A. S. Jagodziński, Warszawa 2016, s. 331 – 339; 354 – 440.
V. Havel, Czeski los? w: V. Havel, Obywatel kultury, przekł. A. S. Jagodziński, Warszawa 2016, s. 292 – 300.
V. Havel, Siła bezsilnych, w: V. Havel, Siła bezsilnych i inne eseje, przekł. A. S. Jagodziński,Warszawa 2011, s. 87 – 158.
V. Havel, Listy do Olgi (czerwiec 1979 – wrzesień 1982) wybór, Warszawa 1993, s. 11 – 12; 60 – 63; 192 – 196.
V. Havel, Audiencja, w: W roli głównej Ferdynand Waniek. Antologia sztuk czeskich dysydentów, przekł. A. S. Jagodziński, Wrocław 2008, s. 14 – 44.
V. Havel, Twoja władza narodzie powróciła do ciebie, w: V. Havel, Siła bezsilnych i inne eseje, przekł. A. S. Jagodziński,Warszawa 2011, s. 221 – 228.
V. Havel, Czy polityka może być moralna? w: V. Havel, Siła bezsilnych i inne eseje, przekł. A. S. Jagodziński,Warszawa 2011, s. 366 – 370.
A detailed bibliography for each topic will be provided during the classes.