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Theatre and the Arts in
Prague, Czech Republic

Since the late 1980s, when the Soviet empire came to an end and the Czech Republic gained its independence, Czech culture has flourished. This course explores the riches of this small but lively Central European country.

The program consists of six evening seminar meetings from late October to December 2007, in which various aspects of Czech history and culture are introduced. The course culminates in a 10-day study trip to Prague in January 2008. Given KU’s special connections and interest in Czech theatre, extra emphasis will be placed on theatre. Students will also receive a brief practical introduction to the Czech language (e.g. introductions, polite phrases, numbers) so that they will be able to use some language when they are in Prague.

Advantages of this program: During fall semester 2007, you will be able to carry a heavier load than you might otherwise choose to because the course meetings start halfway through the semester. We will meet each Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. from October 24 to December 5. In addition, you will be able to finish the course work in January after fall semester has ended.

Program Director

Professor Edith Clowes is a Professor in the Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures. Adrienne Harris Boggess is a graduate teaching assistant in the same department. Together they will lead the group during the Prague travel portion of the program.

Academic Program

SLAV 505/THF 304—Introduction to Czech Culture 3 credit hours. No prerequisites. All lectures both at KU and in Prague will be conducted in English. SLAV 505 can be counted toward a minor in Slavic Cultures in Translation.

Requirements for the course: Moderate reading assignments, weekly 1-2 page responses to reading, and a long journal on sites visited during the trip or a research paper on a subject of the student’s choice subject to the approval of the professor.

Readings: Will include a play, one novel, short stories, and one travel book with a brief history of Czech Republic and a map of Prague.

Lectures During the Fall Semester 2007

We will meet each Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. from October 24 to December 5 in Alcove C of the Kansas Union.

The first 30 minutes of each meeting will be devoted to basic Czech language instruction. You will be taught how to sound out words so you can read signs, basic greetings and questions/answers, and some numbers so you can understand prices when you ask how much something costs. During the final 2-3 weeks, the end of the class period will be devoted to a briefing session.

October 24 Czech history
October 31 Prague art & architecture
November 7 Czech literature
November 14 Czech music and folklore
November 28 Czech film
December 5 Czech theatre
February 2 Final class meeting

Travel to Prague

The program is planned for 10 days including international travel. Each day in Prague will include a program of lectures and visits to museums, theatres, monuments, and possibly institutes. A typical day will include a morning lecture or museum visit, a free afternoon during which you can explore Prague on your own, and an evening at the theatre or a restaurant.

Activities and Site Visits in Prague

•2 lectures by local scholars, one each on theatre, art, and literature
•3-4 theatre evenings: Narodni divadlo, Státní opera Praha, Stavovské divadlo, Rudolfinum
•4-5 museum and site visits such as Sternbersky Palac, Veletrzni Palac, Rudolfinum, Convent of St. Agnes of Bohemia, clock tower, and architectural monuments

Tentative Itinerary

Jan. 7, 2008 departure from Kansas City airport
January 8 arrival in Prague, Czech Republic; group dinner and orientation
January 9 tour of Charles Bridge and Old Town; evening - La Traviata
January 10 Prague Castle and Mala Strana; evening concert
January 11 lecture on Czech-Jewish literature; Jewish Quarter; Romeo & Juliet ballet
January 12 lecture on Czech theatre; Tour of National Theatre; evening Tosca
January 13 Terezin excrusion
January 14 Municiple House; Mucha Museum; afternoon shopping; evening free
January 15 Museums; afternoon shoppping; group dinner
January 16 departure for Kansas City

Dates

Fall meetings, KU Lawrence campus

Wednesday evenings, October 24-December 5, 2007

Prague Travel

January 7-16, 2008

Final class meeting, KU Lawrence campus

February 2, 2008

Eligibility

Open to university or college students in good standing from any accredited U.S. college or university.

Credit and Enrollment

Participants will be enrolled for 3 hours during the spring 2007 semester in either TH&F 304 or SLAV 505. University of Kansas credit is granted upon successful completion of the program with a passing grade assigned by the program director.

Cost

Program Fee (2008): Approximately $1,180. ($1,380 for non-KU students) The fee includes accommodations, breakfast in Prague, land transportation from site to site, excursions that are part of the regular curriculum, group admissions and cultural events, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation services, orientation, and administrative costs.

Tuition and Fees: Estimated tuition and fees for 3 credit hours (based on standard tuition rate): $584 *

*actual expenses for KU students will vary by the student’s individual tuition compact. Non-KU students will pay the standard tuition rate listed above.

Estimated Additional Expenses: Airfare, lunches and dinners, books, personal expenses, passport fees, and extracurricular excursions. An optional group flight will be organized for the convenience of participants.

Note

All dates, costs, and program information are subject to change as necessary due to fluctuations in the exchange rate or other reasons.

Financial Aid

KU students may apply financial aid toward the cost of this program.
Non-KU students should check into the resources available at their home institutions.

Application Procedures

Application Deadline: October 1

Applications are available in the KU Office of Study Abroad. You can also download* the application.

For more information contact:

Prof. Edith Clowes, Program Director or
Slavic Languages & Literatures
Wescoe Hall, rm 2134
phone: 785-864-1230
e-mail: amhb@ku.edu

The University of Kansas
Office of Study Abroad
Lippincott Hall
1410 Jayhawk Blvd., Room 108
Lawrence, KS 66045-7515
phone: 785-864-3742
fax: 785-864-5040
e-mail: osa@ku.edu

*Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to download an application. If your computer does not have Acrobat Reader you can download it for FREE.