CORE174 The History and Artistic Representation of Perfume in European Culture

Faculty of Education
Spring 2026
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
doc. PhDr. Milena Šubrtová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Milena Šubrtová, Ph.D.
Department of Czech Language and Literature – Faculty of Education
Contact Person: Petra Rozbořilová
Supplier department: Department of Czech Language and Literature – Faculty of Education
Timetable
Tue 8:00–9:50 C2 učebna
Prerequisites (in Czech)
MAXATR(3, core)
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
The capacity limit for the course is 100 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/100, only registered: 121/100, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/100
Course objectives
Learning outcomes of the course unit The aim of the course is to acquaint students with perfume culture in various contemporary contexts and draw attention to its intersections with literature. The subject leads to deepening of competencies to reflect perfume as a work of art.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, the student will acquire basic orientation in the issues of European olfactory culture in relation to literature and other types of art; they will learn the classical perfumes of the 19th - 21st centuries and will learn to analyze their basic components; demonstrates the ability to perceive works of art syncretically using olfactory associations and perceptions.
Syllabus
1. Definition of basic concepts related to perfume culture. 2. The changing position of perfume in culture from the 19th century to the beginning of the 21st century. 3. Literary image of perfume and perfume inspired by literature. 4. Linguistic view of the world of perfume art. 5.-10. Classical perfume works and their interpretation.
Literature
    required literature
  • CORBIN, Alain. Narcis a miazma : pach a společenské představy 18. a 19. století. Translated by Lenka Kolářová. První vydání. Praha: Argo, 2004, 290 stran. ISBN 8072035290. info
    recommended literature
  • De FEYDEAU, Élisabeth. Les parfums. Éditions Robert Laffont, Paris 2011.
Teaching methods
Teaching takes the form of lectures with practical examples, thanks to which students have the opportunity to get acquainted with classical perfumes and their interpretation.
Assessment methods
Colloquial debate (can be replaced by a written essay in the range of 2000-3600 characters) presenting their own reflection of a selected perfume (or reflection of an artwork based on olfactory sensations).
Náhradní absolvování
The course is taught in the form of lectures, in which, in accordance with the MU SZŘ, attendance is not recorded and participation is not a condition for successful completion of the course. Students have access to an interactive syllabus in the IS. Given that the explanations are supplemented with olfactory demonstrations (joint testing of ingredients and perfumes), it is up to the individual to assess whether it makes sense to complete the course without the possibility of at least continuously participating in the lessons directly.
Language of instruction
Czech
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/ped/spring2026/CORE174