Syllabus
Sylabus/Topics for the walks:
1) Introduction - European Cities and city maps; the beginnings of urbanism and historical city centres; comparative point of view
2) Prague I – Middle Ages/Early Modern Ages; Praga Caput Regni. Prague in the 14th – 16th century, The Diversity of Baroque Prague (17th – 18th century)
3) Prague II – Early Modern History/Modern History; Prague in the 17 - 19th century
4) The Uprising of Modern Prague (19th/20th century) – urbanisation, industrialisation, nationalisation and social changes
5) Prague in Protectorate (1938-1945). Life under the Occupation Prague and the Communism, New face of Prague after 1989
6) Presentation of students´ reflections on Prague – the mixture of architecture and history, places of of memory
Annotation
To what extent may Prague be currently considered a global city? Which nationalities and ethnicities have come to Prague, shaped its character, met, influenced each other as well as clashed? Who and why was expelled? What do the town´s monuments, street names, demolished buildings and forgotten public festivities tell about the history of the city? Within the scope of the excursions in Prague´s streets, squares, and corners, we will focus on the selected social, political as well as cultural context of the city´s history, including the politics of memory and overlaps with the contemporary life of its inhabitants. Moreover, we will explore examples of a wide range of primary and secondary sources (film trailers, maps, city views, buildings, memorials and commemorative plaques, personal correspondence, political posters, cartoons etc.) through which the history of the Czech capital can be viewed and reconstructed.
Finally, we will discuss how these historical topics can be applied in project teaching and historical excursions with students.