Summer Programs

SHORT-TERM SUMMER PROGRAM

Political Participation and Civic Engagement in post-Communist Europe

JUNE 28—JULY 13, 2008

We are pleased to introduce a new program this summer, a slightly shorter program, designed for those unable to take the full six weeks of our longer programs due to conflicts with work or school schedules. Our short program is a two week, three credit hour course entitled Political Participation and Civic Engagement in post-Communist Europe. The course focuses on the daily function of the political system in the Czech Republic, and on how Czechs see themselves within the system. Points considered include the impact of history on political identity and national character, and the lingering effects of the Communist period on the Czech national psyche.  

Like our other programs, Political Participation and Civic Engagement is structured around the Summer Lecture Series, featuring prominent guest lecturers of international stature from the leading edge of Czech and European politics, culture, and civil society. Class discussions are also supplemented with field trips to sites of cultural and historical significance.

The program fee of $2500 includes: welcome and closing receptions; all tuition, books, and materials for three hours of direct credit from USF (CPO 4930: Comparative International Politics); guided walking tour and orientation sessions; lodging based on double occupancy; Prague municipal transit pass for open travel on the entire city transit system; emergency health and evacuation insurance; selected meals.

The program fee does not include: Passport fees (if applicable); International airfare; meals (other than noted) and discretionary spending.

Full Term Summer Programs

Both full-term summer programs are nine credit hours, and are offered as direct credit by USF. They are applicable toward most degree requirements, including the summer attendance requirement.  All programs are structured around the Summer Lecture Series, featuring prominent speakers from the leading edge of Czech and European politics, culture, and civil society. Past speakers have included the first Foreign Minister of Czechoslovakia, the former Lord Mayor of Prague, the Director of Holocaust Studies for the Terezin Initiative Institute, senior staff from the Office of the President of the Czech Republic, former dissident figures imprisoned by the communist regime, and the General Secretary of the Prague Jewish Community.

East Central Europe in Transition

Click here to view a sample Syllabus for this course

JUNE 11 — JULY 30, 2008

This program is offered as a unique opportunity to explore the ongoing transformation of Czech political, economic, and cultural institutions since the fall of Communism in 1989.  The program is organized in three tiers: comprehensive and complementary background study in the areas of history, politics, and the humanities; a focused discussion course centered on major themes in the three areas mentioned above, and featuring guest lectures from figures prominent in Czech and European politics, academia, and civil society; and field trips which complement the classroom components of the program.

All students participating in this program will take three classes while in Prague: a selection of any two from “East Central European History”, “1000 Years of Czech Literature”, "Art & Architecture of Prague", or "East Central European Politics"; and “The Summer Lecture Series™: East Central Europe in Transition”.  These classes constitute a total of nine credit hours (three hours each) at USF, satisfying the Florida State University System summer study requirement.

The centerpiece of the program is the Summer Lecture Series™, which will cover six main subject areas, providing a thematic focus for the class discussions and guest speakers.  These topic areas are:

Communism & it's Aftermath

Politics

Government

non-Governmental (both public and private sector)

Media Issues

Cultural Development

Classroom discussions will be supplemented with readings from texts and articles relevant to each week’s topic, using primary sources wherever possible.  Additional supplemental material and information will be provided through class field trips in and around Prague. 

Guest speakers will address the class on the thematic topic of the week, bringing their own relevant experience and knowledge of the subject area to the discussion.  Each presentation will be followed by a discussion period moderated by the class professor.

The program fee of $4995 includes: welcome and farewell receptions; tuition, books, and materials for nine hours of direct credit from USF; pre-departure orientation sessions and guided walking tour of Prague upon arrival; lodging based on double occupancy; Prague municipal transit pass for the duration of the trip; emergency health and evacuation insurance; daytrips to culturally significant sites near Prague; optional weekend trip to Krakow, Poland, with daytrip to Auschwitz concentration camp museum.

The program fee does not include: Passport fees (if applicable); International airfare; meals and discretionary spending.

The Jewish Experience in Central Europe

Click here to view a sample Syllabus for this course

JUNE 11 — JULY 30, 2008

This program is offered as a unique opportunity to explore the historical, cultural and religious components of central European Judaism.  The program is organized in three tiers: comprehensive and complementary background study in the areas of history and humanities; a focused discussion course centered on major themes in the three areas mentioned above, and featuring guest lectures from figures prominent in the Prague Jewish community, academia, and the governmental and non-governmental sectors; and field trips which complement the classroom components of the program.

All students participating in this program will take three classes while in Prague: “East Central European History”, “1000 Years of Czech Literature”, and “The Summer Lecture Series™: the Jewish Experience in Central Europe”.  These classes constitute a total of nine credit hours (three hours each) at USF, satisfying the Florida State University System summer study requirement.

The centerpiece of the program is the Summer Lecture Series™, which will cover six main subject areas, providing a thematic focus for the class discussions and guest speakers.  These topic areas are:

History and Legends

Jewish Religion and Traditions

Jewish Philosophy

The Holocaust

Judaism During Communism

Contemporary Central European Judaism

Classroom discussions will be supplemented with readings from texts and articles relevant to each week’s topic, using primary sources wherever possible.  Additional supplemental material and information will be provided through class field trips in and around Prague. 

Guest speakers will address the class on the thematic topic of the week, bringing their own relevant experience and knowledge of the subject area to the discussion.  Each presentation will be followed by a discussion period moderated by the class professor.

The program fee of $4995 includes: welcome and farewell receptions; tuition, books, and materials for nine hours of direct credit from USF; pre-departure orientation sessions and guided walking tour of Prague upon arrival; lodging based on double occupancy; Prague municipal transit pass for the duration of the trip; emergency health and evacuation insurance; daytrips to culturally significant sites near Prague; optional weekend trip to Krakow, Poland, with daytrip to Auschwitz concentration camp museum.

The program fee does not include: Passport fees (if applicable); International airfare; meals and discretionary spending.