Course Syllabus

Course Title: Identity, Culture and Cultural Misunderstanding in the

Czech Context

Course Number: ANTH 3005 PRAG

Programs Offering Course: CES, CNMJ

Language of Instruction: English

U.S. Semester Credits: 3

Contact Hours: 45

Term: Fall 2019

Course Meeting Times: Thursday 10:35-12:05

Course Meeting Place: CIEE Prague

Professor: Dana Moree

Contact Information: viaCanvas course site

Office Address: Professors’ Lounge, CIEE Prague
Office Hours: By appointment

Course Description

Although contemporary Czech society is still perceived as very homogenous, topics related to ethnicity, identity, culture and nationalism are nonetheless very vivid. There have been many changes in the ethnic structure of the country since 1918 and ethnic tensions became a strong force that have played an important role in all the changes that took place over the past twenty years. This course will analyze this force and explore the link between political, social and economic changes and intercultural issues from different perspectives.

The aim of the course is threefold: an introduction to intercultural issues in the Czech context against a background of social, political and historical change; an introduction to the main topics related to intercultural issues; and a reflection on intercultural competencies.

Part of the course will be organized together with a group of Czech students from Faculty of Humanities, Charles University, Department of Civil Society.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the course, students will

understand issues concerning identity, culture and cultural misunderstanding pertinent to the Czech environment and ways these issues have been addressed
analyze the ways in which culture influences our daily life in general and in the Czech context specifically
be able to critically examine the way historical and social contexts influence our perception of intercultural issues
be able to reflect on personal experience in the context of living abroad for four months

Course Prerequisites

No prerequisites

Methods of Instruction

To facilitate a genuine experience, the class will employ different methods and tools, including

teacher’s presentations introducing particular topics
students’ presentations demonstrating their understanding of a particular topic
guest speakers
reflections based on a wide range of training methods used in intercultural training
field trips and observations
a visit to an English-language performance at the Theatre of the Oppressed
an intensive workshop

Field Trips:

Monday, September 30, 2019 at 8:00 pm: Theatre of the Oppressed performance, DOX Center for Contemporary Art

Workshop:

Thursday, October 10, 2019, 9:00 am – 7:00 pm: intensive course – a mandatory workshop component of the course

Guest Lecture:

Monday, Sept. 23. 12:15 to 13:45: Jan Hornát: Pivotal moments in Czech and Czechoslovak history over the last century

Guest Speakers:

October 31: Líza Urbanová: the present situation and debate concerning multicultural co-existence.

Assessment and Final Grade

Individual presentation: 20 %
Theatre of the Oppressed reflection: 10 %
Intensive course reflection: 15 %
Midterm paper: 15 %
Final paper: 20 %
Class participation: 20 %

CIEE Grade Scale

Percentage Points	Letter Grade
92.50–100	A
89.50–92.49	A- A-
86.50–89.49	B+
82.50–86.49	B