1. Introduction

2. Turning points in modern Czech(oslovak) history (10 October 2023)

The focus is on the context and causes of the watershed years 1918, 1938, 1948, 1968, 1989 and 2004.

3. Czech constitutional system in a comparative perspective (17 October 2023)

The lecture describes the main principles and institutions of the constitutional system in the country. The focus is put especially on a comparison with other relevant countries.

4. Czech political parties and party system (24 October 2023)

The lecture presents a brief history of political parties in the Czech Republic and their current state. Besides this, the party system is discussed with a focus on its recent transformation.

5. Political extremism, radicalism and populism in the Czech Republic (31 October 2023)

The development of the Czech far right and left. The rise and fall of subcultural neo-Nazism, activist waves of anti-system movements, the establishment of right-wing populist political parties and the gradual decline of the Communist Party.

6. Shape of the Czech Economy (7 November 2023)

Economic status of the Czech Republic, comparison to other countries, structure and drivers of the GDP, economic development and growth, current challenges: fiscal and monetary (policy) issues, successes and failures of our small open economy in the global context.

7. Role and functioning of financial markets in the Czech Republic (14 November 2023)

Financial intermediation in the Czech Republic - role of banks in the system, importance of capital markets and other key players. Position and tasks of the central bank (Czech National Bank), Prague stock exchange and other institutions, interaction with the market. Comparison of financial intermediation to international practice.

8. Czech Society I (21 November 2023)

Changes in population. Problems related to ageing of society. Czech family in European context. Czech society in postpandemic era – research results.

9. Czech Society II (28 November 2023)

Czech society and it’s specialities. DIY, free time spending - cottages as Czech phenomenon and related activities, special sport activities. Czech household consumption in European context.

10. Czech journalism after 1989 (4 December 2023)

The lecture provides a general overview of the Czech media and journalism developments after the regime change in 1989, with focus on the relationship between media ownership and journalistic autonomy. It situates these developments within the context of other Central European countries.

11. Czech media and politics today (11 December 2023)

The lecture focuses on the current state of the Czech media landscape, with emphasis on the role of the political communication and the role of the new media.

12. Final exam (19 December 2023)

Link to the Moodle: https://dl1.cuni.cz/course/view.php?id=15549

Password: CZFSVUK2023