MVZb2042 Czech-German relations

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2023
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Taught in person.
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Jana Urbanovská, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Jana Urbanovská, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Mon 14:00–15:40 U33
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 30 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 16/30, only registered: 0/30
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 12 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The course offers a complex picture of Czech-German relations and their particular issue areas. It focuses on key lines and milestones of their historical development which had a significant impact on shaping the relationship of Czechs and Germans in modern history and which cannot be missed when trying to understand contemporary Czech-German relations in their full depth. Students of the course will learn about the difficult process from conflict to cooperation that has resulted in the current quality of Czech-German relations, frequently described as “better than never before”. The course also concentrates on the analysis of contemporary bilateral relations between Germany and the Czech Republic, including a comparison of Czech and German perceptions of the mutual relationship.
Learning outcomes
- To describe and explain the development of Czech-German relations from conflict to cooperation, including the historical burden; - To identify and analyse topics that shape current Czech-German relations in the field of politics, society, economy and culture; - To “experience” Czech-German relations through own group projects; - To map opportunities for studying, doing internships, volunteering and working in institutions related to Czech-German relations.
Syllabus
  • 1) Introduction 2) Historical context of Czech-German relations and the Sudeten German question 3) Guided tour through Brno downtown 4) The complicated journey from conflict to cooperation and the process of reconciliation 5) The institutional framework of Czech-German relations 6) Czechs and Germans in a united Europe 7) Key topics of contemporary Czech-German relations 8) Discussion with a representative of Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Czech view of contemporary Czech-German relations 9) Discussion with a representative of the German Embassy in Prague: German view of contemporary Czech-German relations 10) Czech and Germans: How do they perceive each other? 11) Presentations and reflections of group projects I. 12) Presentations and reflections of group projects II. 13) Wrap-up of the course
Literature
  • DANČÁK, Břetislav, Vít HLOUŠEK, Vojtěch BELLING, Vít BORČANY, Petr FIALA, Adéla KADLECOVÁ, Oldřich KRPEC, Zdeněk KŘÍŽ, Michal SKULÍNEK, Jana URBANOVSKÁ, Petra VEJVODOVÁ, Michal VÍT and Vladan HODULÁK. Towards Partnership. The Third Decade of Czech-German Relations. 1st ed. Brno: Masarykova univerzita. 309 pp. ISBN 978-80-210-8541-1. 2016. info
  • KŘEN, Jan. Konfliktní společenství : Češi a Němci 1780-1918. Vyd. 4., V nakl. Karolinum 1. Praha: Karolinum. 416 s. ISBN 9788024621777. 2013. info
  • TAMPKE, Jürgen. Czech-German relations and the politics of Central Europe : from Bohemia to the EU. 1 st. pub. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. xviii, 213. ISBN 0333734491. 2003. info
  • Češi a Němci : dějiny - kultura - politika. Edited by Walter Koschmal - Marek Nekula - Joachim Rogall. Vyd. 1. Praha: Paseka. 473 s. ISBN 8071853704. 2001. info
  • KURAL, Václav. Místo společenství - konflikt! : Češi a Němci ve velkoněmecké říši a cesta k odsunu, (1938-1945). Vyd. 1. Praha: Ústav mezinárodních vztahů. 295 s. ISBN 8085864045. 1994. info
  • KURAL, Václav. Konflikt místo společenství? : Češi a Němci v československém státě, (1918-1938). Vyd. 1. Praha: Nakladatelství R. 272 s. ISBN 809014313X. 1993. info
Teaching methods
The course includes lectures, readings, group projects and their final presentations, debates with experts and a guided tour through Brno.
Assessment methods
Throughout the course, students work on their group projects in which they explore a selected topic related to Czech-German relations from the field of history, politics, society, economy, or culture in a creative way: the projects can take the form of a podcast, video, interview, news report, comic, short story etc. The group projects are presented, discussed and reflected at the end of the course.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2022.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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