Penn-in-Prague, Czech Republic

Explore Central Europe this summer and gain insight into the unique history and contemporary perspectives of the region.

All courses in this 6-week intensive program offer University of Pennsylvania credits, and the non-language courses are taught in English. The program includes group excursions to cultural sites. Students live in program-arranged housing in Prague.

Information Session

Join us at the following session to learn more. Click on the date for details. 

• Wednesday, February 17, 2010. 5:00 p.m.

Program Calendar

Course Information

All students register for a total of 2 course units (CUs). Course offerings are subject to change.

Note for Visiting Students: One CU is generally considered to be equivalent to three semester hours when Penn coursework is transferred to another institution.

Courses:

Elementary Czech
SLAVIC 530 (1CU)
Taught by Alena Macurova, Charles University
Syllabus

The course introduces the student to spoken and written Czech. It is designed to provide a first insight into the basics of Czech grammatical structure and to facilitate elementary communicative competence in Czech. The course will cover core chapters of Czech morphology and syntax and the most frequent topics of everyday communication, which students will be able to practice outside the classroom.

Central European Civilization
SLAVIC 109 (1CU)
Fulfills General Education Requirement: Cross Cultural Analysis
Taught by Peter Steiner, University of Pennsylvania
Syllabus

The reappearance of the concept of Central Europe is one of the most fascinating results of the collapse of the Soviet empire. The course will provide an introduction to the study of this region based on the commonalities and differences among Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, and Germany. The topics will include the history of art, music, and literature, as well as broader cultural patterns characteristic of this part of Europe. The course is taught in English.

European Union: The Politics of the European Integration
POLITICAL SCIENCE 298 (1CU)
Taught by Jan Kavan, Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic 1998-2002; President of the United Nations General Assembly 2002-2003
Syllabus

In this course we will look into the development of integration processes in Europe since the end of WWII and analyze the changing purposes of this integration within the context of international developments. The major themes looked at will include the problematic of the development of Europe as a polity; of the status of nationalism and national sovereignty within the context of this integration; the development of democracy and citizenship in the EU; and EU as an international actor in the globalised world.

Jewish Culture in Prague 
JEWISH STUDIES 298/FOLKLORE 298 (1CU)
Fulfills General Education Requirement: Cross Cultural Analysis
Taught by Michaela Sidenberg, Jewish Museum in Prague
Syllabus

The focus of this course is on Jewish social and cultural history in the Czech lands with a special emphasis on Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic with one of the oldest Jewish communities in Central Europe. The course will give equal attention to building theoretical knowledge on the over millennium-long presence of Jews in Bohemia and Moravia and to providing hands-on experience by working with historical material and visiting historical sites.  The Jewish Museum in Prague (JMP) has graciously opened its doors to the students to study in situ their collection of Judaica and synagogue architecture. Students will be required to attend and participate in classes and field trips, to study the prepared readers and recommended literature, and to complete a final independent project that focuses on a chosen topic, which will allow them to apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills. The course is taught in English.

Housing

Students are housed in double rooms at the Hotel Prokopka. Breakfast and laundry facilities are provided.

Contact Information

Program Director
for details about the program, courses, or location including academic advising, travel dates, housing and orientation

Peter Steiner (profile)
Professor, Slavic Languages and Literature
University of Pennsylvania
E-mail: psteiner@sas.upenn.edu
Tel: 215-898-6234

Penn Summer Abroad Office
for assistance with application, financial questions, pre-departure, or other general information

Penn Summer Abroad
College of Liberal & Professional Studies (LPS)
University of Pennsylvania
3440 Market Street, Suite 100
Philadelphia, PA 19104-3335
Tel: 215-573-7537
Fax: 215-573-2053
E-mail: summerabroad@sas.upenn.edu