For a contemporary young Czech, let alone a young American, it is exceedingly hard to
comprehend what life was like under the communist rule in the Soviet-dominated part of
Europe. It is not only that they miss the direct experience of the place and times. Their
parents' experience cannot be of much help either because it differed so radically from that of
their contemporaries on the eastern side of the Iron Curtain. History books cannot fully
convey the totalitarian experience which was unlike anything people in the West encountered
in their everyday lives. What made the totalitarian system unique was its holistic nature. It
was not a world that was in some respects different from the normal world; it was a world that
was different in practically every respect. And yet it was a world in which people managed to
have lives, families, friendships and loves like in any other world. Thanks to the ordinary
people it was a world that kept refusing to become what it was intended to be. In its later
incarnations it was called the world of “real socialism” and there was really something real in
its dreary ugliness. At the same time it was a world of total fiction, absurdity and make
believe. The proposed course is designed to reflect this contrast.
Last update: Mgr. Nikola Skladanová (01.09.2023)
For a contemporary young Czech, let alone a young American, it is exceedingly hard to comprehend what life was
like under the communist rule in the Soviet-dominated part of Europe. It is not only that they miss the direct
experience of the place and times. Their parents' experience cannot be of much help either because it differed so
radically from that of their contemporaries on the eastern side of the Iron Curtain. History books cannot fully convey
the totalitarian experience which was unlike anything people in the West encountered in their everyday lives. What
made the totalitarian system unique was its holistic nature. It was not a world that was in some respects different
from the normal world; it was a world that was different in practically every respect. And yet it was a world in which
people managed to have lives, families, friendships and loves like in any other world. Thanks to the ordinary
people it was a world that kept refusing to become what it was intended to be. In its later incarnations it was called
the world of “real socialism” and there was really something real in its dreary ugliness. At the same time it was a
world of total fiction, absurdity and make believe. The proposed course is designed to reflect this contrast.
Registration requirements
Last update: Mgr. Nikola Skladanová (28.07.2023)
The teaching period of the UPCES courses begins on September 25, 2023 according to the schedule of the particular course.
UPCES classes are held weekly regardless of any national holidays as opposed to standard CU / FHS classes.
How to enroll in the course:
Enroll in the SIS (registration in the SIS is required before attending the first class) & show up to the course within the first and/or second week (at the latest) of the teaching period according to the schedule of the course.
Students can register for up to 2 UPCES courses (YBAU code) per semester in total.
Degree students can attend these courses from their second semester onwards.
For students enrolled at other CU Faculties, the UPCES courses are available only if the course capacity allows (i.e. not all the places are used by the Faculty of Humanities students), thus enrolment cannot be guaranteed in advance; availability to be checked in the SIS when the registration to courses opens.
Please note:
Organized in cooperation with a partner institution, the capacity of this course might be limited.
In order to allow other students to enroll, please, do not forget to deregister from all courses you decide not to take as soon as possible.
Please, be aware that regular class attendance is mandatory.
Aim of the course
Last update: Mgr. Nikola Skladanová (31.07.2023)
This is one of the courses of the study abroad Undergraduate Program in Central European Studies (UPCES) held in cooperation with the partner institution CERGE-EI. It is designed for the US students participating in the programme as a whole while the Czech and international students of the Faculty of Humanities are welcome to selecte single courses from the programme.
Teaching methods
Last update: Mgr. Nikola Skladanová (31.07.2023)
This is one of the UPCES courses held in cooperation with the partner institution CERGE-EI, designed for the US students and the Czech and international students of the Faculty of Humanities.
These courses are scheduled either twice (2x90 min.) or once (1x180 min.) a week in the CERGE-EI classrooms (Politických vězňů 7, Praha 1).
Attendance is mandatory. Regular attendance is necessary in order to get credit and grade.
Syllabus
Last update: Mgr. Nikola Skladanová (31.07.2023)
Students are required to follow the instructions and requirements specified in the course sylabus available at
