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Lecturer(s)
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Franc Jaroslav, doc. Mgr. Th.D.
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Course content
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The subject is established as an introduction to the cultural values and main tenets of the European society. The subject can support the orientation of the students in the culture completely different from their own cultural identity and let them to meet with the new challenges given by dialogue of cultures. The information earned through the study can move forward their cultural shock situation, by reason that the cultural shock is integral part of the study stay in abroad. Structure of the subject is established as the procedure of continuous insight into the cultural and religious values of Europe: (1) Let us start from beauty: Olomouc; (2) The roots of the European culture: Athens, Rome a Jerusalem; (3) European University: faith and/or reason; (4) Europe (!): Faith and religion (?); (5) Interreligious and intercultural dialogue: religious freedom; (6) Workshop: man, family, gift. Content of the seminar: 1 Let us start from beauty: Olomouc; beauty of the art is basic tool of communication between the cultures. Aim: Introduction to the seminary. Subject: Introduction to the roots of the European culture with special focus on the renascence and modern art. Paradigms of the European thought: Athens, Roma, and Jerusalem. 2 Discussion: The situation of the modern man in Europe. Reading/watching: Charlie Chaplin´s masterpiece the movie Modern times. Answer the questions and bring the position statement with you: What is described in the movie as a critical moment in the life of the modern man? What is Chaplin´s answer to the question? Do you agree with him? Presentation: The roots of European culture: Athens, Rome a Jerusalem; We must explore the past to understand the present Europe. 3 Discussion: Freedom and totality in the history of Europe. Reading: Václav Havel: The Power of the Powerless (Moc bezmocných). Answer the questions and bring the position statement with you: What is new for me? What is incomprehensible for me? Do I agree with the author of the essay? Presentation: European University: faith and/or reason; Universities are places of discussion and toleration in order to understand the world. 4 Discussion: Atheism, unbelief, indifference and cultural atheism in the Czech Republic. Reading: M. P. Gallagher What are they saying about unbelief? New Jersey: Paulist Press, 1995 (only Introduction and A Note on Terminology), pp. 1-12. Answer the questions and bring the position statement with you: What is new for me? What is incomprehensible for me? Do I agree with the author of the essay? Which term fits the culture in Czech Republic (glossary p. 11-12)? Presentation: Europe (!): Faith and religion (?); Why are the citizens of Europe today starving for spiritual life and are rejecting the institution of religions? The tension between spirituality and religion. 5 Discussion: The cultural conversion and how to understand it. Reading/watching: Rolanda Joffés movie The Mission (1986). Answer the questions and bring the position statement with you: What is new for me? What is incomprehensible for me? Do I agree with the intention of the movie? Who is responsible for the cultural misunderstandings? Presentation: Interreligious and intercultural dialogue; religious freedom; the sign of the times today is urgent need of cultivation of the interreligious relations within secular society. 6. The position statement: Answer the questions and bring the position statement with you. What is the positive aspect of my stay in Czech Republic (list of the five points)? What is the negative aspect of my stay in Czech Republic (list of the five points)?
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Lecture, Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Projection (static, dynamic)
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Learning outcomes
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The aim of the subject is the basic introduction into the European values and roots of European culture for the foreign students of the Palacký University; especially on those students from non-European cultural background. It pays particular attention to the context of the Czech culture and the standards of academic education. The subject offers to the students the essential hermeneutical key to understand and to interpret the situation of modern European society.
Roots of European culture, interpretation of the cultural divergences, basic values of European culture, standards of the academic education at the European universities.
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Prerequisites
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Active knowledge of English.
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Student performance, Dialog
Active participation; pass the credit.
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Recommended literature
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Benedict, Pope. (2007). Pope, XVI. Europe: Today and Tomorrow. Verlag: Ignatius Press.
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Benedictus XVI. (2010). Light of the world: the Pope, the Church, and the signs of the times (Pope Benedict XVI : a conversation with Peter Seewald). San Francisco, Calif.: Ignatius Press.
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Halík, T. (2009). Patience with God: The Story of Zacchaeus Continuing in Us.. New York: Doubleday.
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Niebuhr, H. R. (1975). Christ and Culture. New York: Harper & Row.
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Robbers, G. (1995). Staat und Kirche in der europäischen Union. Baden-Baden : Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft.
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Robbers, G. (1996). State and church in the European Union. Baden-Baden : Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft.
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Thatcher, O.J.; Schwill, F. (1900). A general history of Europe (350-1900). New York, C. Scribner's sons.
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