Plan of courses (modifications are possible):

1. 15.2. Opening class

The class will present the course and the requirements for attestation. In the second half will be preseted a basic historiography of Labour history.

2. 22.2. A brief history of work in a state-socialist regime I

The class will present basic legal and economic framework of a state-socialist work.

3. 1.3. A brief history of work in a state-socialist regime II

The class will continue the lecture on the basic notions of the state-socialist work.

4. 15.3. Socialist Images of the capitalist work

Discussion on the movie Siréna (Sirene): (director Karel Steklý, date of release 1947)

The movie will be provided for the individual screening at home. Czech language with English subtitles.

We will also discuss about the other movie, litterature, and art production reflecting the work. Students will be invited to think about the philosophers, artists, writters, filmmakers dealing with the issue of work, also before 1945. We will eventually read some extrait.

5. 29.3. Planning

Text: Isabelle Gouarné: Mandatory Planning versus Indicative Planning? The Eastern Itinerary of French Planners (1960s – 1970s). In: Michel Christian – Sandrine Kott – Ondřej Matějka (eds.): Planning in Cold War Europe. De Gruyter Oldenbourg 2018, pp. 71–96.

6. 12.4. Unemployment

Text: Natalia Jarska: Unemployment in State Socialism: An insight into the Understanding of Work in 1950s Poland. In: Marsha Seifert (ed.): Labor in State-Socialist Europe 1945–1989. Contributions to a History of Work. CEU Press 2020, pp. 27–47.

7. 26.4. Migration

Text: „Inappropriate Behaviour“: Labor Control and the Polish, Cuban, and Vietnamese Workers in Czechoslovakia. In: Marsha Seifert (ed.): Labor in State-Socialist Europe 1945–1989. Contributions to a History of Work. CEU Press 2020, pp. 99–119.

8. 10.5. Industrial heritage: a walk in Prague (if the pandemic situation enables)/ Closing remarks/Deadline for essays/Discussion about the essay. To be precised depending on the number of participants in course by mid-March.