ENSb1275 Environmental interpretation

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2025
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. et Mgr. Michal Medek (lecturer)
doc. PhDr. Jan Činčera, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Jan Činčera, Ph.D.
Department of Environmental Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Klára Dubinová
Supplier department: Department of Environmental Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Thu 18. 9. 12:00–15:40 P21b, Thu 2. 10. 12:00–15:40 P21b, Thu 16. 10. 12:00–15:40 P21b, Thu 30. 10. 12:00–15:40 P21b, Thu 13. 11. 12:00–15:40 P21b, Thu 27. 11. 12:00–15:40 P21b, Thu 11. 12. 12:00–15:40 P21b
Prerequisites
! ENS275 Environmental interpretation &&!NOW( ENS275 Environmental interpretation )&&TYP_STUDIA(B)
There are no pre-requisites required.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 25 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 18/25, only registered: 0/25, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/25
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Abstract
This course is taught in English. Frequency of this course is 2 years.
The course is an introduction to the field of heritage interpretation. Students get overview of the theoretical background and interpretation management both abroad and in the Czech Republic. They will study methods of environmental interpretation and relevant concepts of psychology, communication and education. Students learn evaluation of interpretation and will be able to choose good practice in the field based on theoretical concepts. Students will design their own heritage interpretation project.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge:
- students have orientation in the development of heritage interpretation and heritage interpretation studies,
- students are familiar with underpinning learning and communication theories,
- students are knowledgeable of particular HI subdisciplines and aware how to further develop their knowledge and skills

Skills:
- students are able to evaluate interpretation and rigorously discern best practices,
- students are able to develop their own interpretive project.
Key topics
  • 1. 18th September 2025:
    Development of heritage interpretation, schools and current topics of the field. Introductory online video lecture due to the construction work at the Faculty.

  • 2. 2nd October 2025:
    Underpinning theories and interpretive planning: – step-by-step and process models, interpretive plans and strategies. Visitor studies.

  • 3. 16th October 2025:
    Interpretive planning in practice, interpretive media in the process of interpretive planning.

  • 4. 30th October 2025:
    Interpretive media & evaluation – traditional and new media, media classification, front-end, remedial and summative evaluation methods.

  • 5. 13th November 2025:
    Assessment module. Work on the first part of your own interpretive projects.

  • 6. 27th November 2025:
     Interpretive writing and interpretive guiding training methods. (Lecture combines fieldwork outdoors and indoor teamwork).

  • 7. 11th December (date TBS to be convenient to most students):
     One-day field trip + presentation of students' projects.
Study resources and literature
    required literature
  • HAM, Sam H. Interpretation : making a difference on purpose. Golden: Fulcrum, 2013, xxix, 290. ISBN 9781555917425. info
  • TILDEN, Freeman. Interpreting our heritage. Edited by Russell E. Dickenson - R. Bruce Craig. 4th ed., expanded and update. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2007, x, 212. ISBN 9780807831809. info
    recommended literature
  • Beck, L., Cable, T. (2002) Interpretation for the 21st Century. Champaign IL: Sagamore Publishing
  • BLACK, Graham. The engaging museum : developing museums for visitor involvement. First published. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2005, xii, 308. ISBN 041534557X. info
  • HAM, Sam H. Environmental interpretation :a practical guide for people with big ideas and small budgets. Golden: North American Press, 1992, xxvi, 456. ISBN 1-55591-902-2. info
  • Lewis, W. (1980) Interpreting for Park Visitors. Philadelphia: Eastern Acorn Press
  • PTÁČEK, Ladislav. Jak předkládat svět. Illustrated by Lenka Žampachová. 1. vyd. Brno: Nadace Partnerství, 2012, 123 s. ISBN 9788090491854. info
  • Ptáček, L. (2010) Manuál místního průvodce. Slavonice: Slavonická renesanční o.p.s. Veronica XXV. Ročník (2011), č. 4
  • Veverka, J. (1998) Interpretive Master Planning. Tustin: Acorn Naturalists
  • Weaver, S. (2007) Creating Great Visitor Experiences. A guide for museums, parks, zoos, gardens and libraries. Walnut Creek CA: Left Coast Press
  • MEDEK, Michal; Jan ČINČERA; Jana GREGOROVÁ; Kateřina POŘÍZOVÁ and Martina LISKOVÁ. Naučné stezky : zpracování a hodnocení nepřímých interpretačních programů. 1. vydání. Brno: Masarykova univerzita, 2016, 156 stran. ISBN 9788021083349. URL info
    not specified
  • Carter, J. ed (2001) A Sense of Place – An Interpretive Planning Handbook. [online] Tourism and the Environment Initiative, Inverness. v ČR vyšlo doplněné jako Ptáček, L. et al (2004): Interpretace místního dědictví. Brno: Partnerství
  • Black, G. et al (2022) The museum environment and the museum user experience: ‘Crowdwritten’ ideas for the audience-centred museum. Crowdwritten Manuscript
  • BROCHU, Lisa. Interpretive planning : the 5-M model for successful planning projects. xiii, 166 s. Fort Collins: InterpPress, 2013, xiii, 166. ISBN 1879931125. info
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching
The course is taught in English.
The course takes place in odd weeks only in the form of 4-hours blocks. Excursion is an obligatory part of the course and is combined with presentation of own heritage interpretation project.
The seminars require active participation of students: they work with original materials, solve tasks in smaller groups so they concentrate on the topic and keep attention throughout all the meeting.
Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements
Students acquire score either for individual or teamwork. Each individual in the team acquires the same score as the team. Final assessment of students depends on their total score.

Individually acquired score:
- presence at seminars: 2 points for each, 6 points for the excursion;

Team scoring:
- creation of a project of environmental interpretation: 0-15 points;
- presentation of the project: 0-2 points.

Optional individual activity:
- review of a book approved by the lecturer 1-8 points.

25 points are required to receive the credit.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught once in two years.
Information on course enrolment limitations: Kurz se otevírá při 5 a více přihlášených studentech.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2019, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2023.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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