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Prague: Central European History, Politics and Culture 2024

Charles University
Prague, Czech Republic (Map)

General 

"Prague stands at the crossroads of the most important historical, cultural, artistic, religious, and political developments in all of Europe."

The Field School provides around an eight week, in-depth study of European society and culture, history, literature, art, film and contemporary politics seen through the window of the Czech Republic. The program includes courses in language, film and art history, and political science, which are intended to enrich the core field school courses.

Students will receive some language instruction and introduction to Czech culture prior to departure.

Important notes:

  • Field School Director: Dr. Shuyu Kong, shuyu_kong@sfu.ca
  • Applications are closed. The deadline was January 28 2024 (11:59pm PT)
    An academic reference is required for this program
  • This program is open to undergraduate students
  • Visiting students are welcome (from institutions other than SFU)
  • See application instructions here.

 

 

Eligibility 

If you do not meet one of the below eligibility requirements but are interested in participating, please contact the Field School Director to see if the requirement can be waived.

Undergraduate Eligibility Requirements

  • Be 19 years of age or older prior to departure
  • Completed a minimum of 45 units of university courses
  • Minimum 2.5 CGPA
  • SFU Students: be in Good Academic Standing at the time of application
  • Recommended: taken one writing-intensive course (i.e. a "W"-designated course or equivalent)

 

Selection Criteria

  • Demonstrated interest in European society and culture, and independence and maturity
  • Consent of the Field School Director

 

The Field School Selection Committee will be conducting intake interviews in addition to reviewing the completed application as part of the application process. The Field School Selection Committee for each Field School program will select qualified participants. Decisions are expected 2-4 weeks after the application deadline.

How to apply as a non-SFU student

Qualified students from institutions other than SFU are eligible to apply. Visiting students must arrange for transfer credit with their home institution, as well as for a transcript after completion.

You will need to complete an application to this program in addition to a Visiting Student for SFU Field School Application, which is embedded within the program application. Both applications must be complete and submitted by the application deadline for your Field School. See more information here.

 

Academics 

Exchanges: The names of the subject areas may be different at the partner. The above does not guarantee availability in a specific term or language, nor how courses taken on exchange will transfer back to SFU. This list may be subject to change. Use the above list as a guideline for exploring academic options at the partner.

Students from departments outside of Global Humanities are encouraged to apply. Please contact the Field School Director if you have questions about course content or academic requirements.

 

 

Field School Program Information 

Undergraduate Students: 11 Units*

HUM 240-3: Studies in Modern Culture

This course (taught by Charles University faculty) covers topics such as the cultural foundations of the Czech peoples then and now as well as Czech architecture and landscape. The class will take five one-day field trips into the outlying regions of Bohemia, as well as a four-night stay in southern Bohemia. Visits include pre-historical, Romanesque, Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque historical sites on which churches, cathedrals and museums are located. This course also includes Czech language units.

HUM 340-4: Great Cities in Time and Place
This course (taught by Charles University faculty) will examine the political and social history of Prague through courses in art and architecture, history, politics, and film. Students will attend weekly lectures and seminars and participate in site visits and excursions.

HUM 350-4: Great Figures in the Humanities Tradition
In this course, (taught by SFU faculty) students will study the life and work of Franz Kafka, the 20th century writer world-famous for his enigmatic reflections on the nature of human existence. We will analyze Kafka's work in the context of German-speaking and Jewish Prague and the Austro-Hungarian Empire of the turn of the century. The course will focus on some of Kafka's short stories as well as his novel The Castle. It will pose the question of whether Kafka's writings can best be understood as a sociological response to the increasingly bureaucratic nature of social life (Kafka, himself, was an insurance adjuster), on the one hand, or as an essentially theological commentary on the fallen nature of human existence, on the other

* Arrangements can be made for students who have taken one or more of these courses to receive credit for other suitable courses. All instruction will be in English.

* Students requiring 12 units for scholarship purposes may discuss taking an additional 1-credit option with the Field School Director.


Late February - mid-March: Mandatory self-paced virtual orientation program on Canvas

May 5 - June 23: Study in Prague, Czech Republic

*These dates are provided as guidelines and are subject to change

**To discuss attending these sessions virtually, please contact the Field School Director

 


All costs are listed in CAD. You will pay: tuition; activity and other SFU fees; and a Field School Program Fee.

1. Tuition Fees*

a. Undergraduate (domestic): $2,286.68 (11 units)

OR

b. Undergraduate (international): differential rates, between $10,637.33 and $12,116.72(11units)

Western Dean's Agreement students: tuition paid at usual rate to home university.

* This calculation does not include other student fees. International students taking the undergraduate course pay differential tuition.
** Different fees will apply to students in other scenarios (e.g. MA students paying the continuing fee or in a subject area with a higher per-unit rate).


2. Student Activity Fee (off-campus)

Undergraduate: $86.35

3. Program Fees*

FASS Study Abroad Travel Aid: $5,000 Allocation for Prague Field School Participants.


The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) is providing a total of $5,000 to be distributed among students attending the Prague Field School in Summer 2024.*

Apply now and take advantage of this opportunity to make your Field School experience even more accessible!

*The program fee below reflects this discounted cost.

 

  • Maximum $4,939; and
  • Administrative Fee of $300 for SFU students, $400 for Visiting students.
    •

 

  • What's included
  • Shared accommodation
  • Field trips
  • Most in-country transportation
  • Some entrance fees
  • Some group meals
  • Pre-Departure Orientation; in-field/re-entry support
  • What's not included**
  • International return flight to/from Prague: variable cost
  • Most food: budget ~$50 per day
  • Communication costs (i.e. cellphone): budget ~$50
  • Entertainment and additional personal travel
  • Any testing or documentation required for travel (e.g. COVID tests, translations, or notarizations of proof of vaccination, etc.)
  • Vaccinations: may be required. Please consult a travel health doctor
  • Visa: please research if required based on citizenship
  • Mandatory health insurance***

 

* Final program costs are based on the total number of students and are subject to change. The highest number listed is the maximum it would cost. If the program reconciles with a surplus above $100 per student, the remaining surplus will be refunded to program participants

** This list is not comprehensive. You may have additional or varying needs.

Students must pay Tuition and Student Activity fees (numbers 1 & 2) directly to SFU Student Services by the due date as outlined in the SFU Calendar, in mid-May. Field School Program Fees (number 3) must be paid by Thursday, June 27th 2024.

Financial Aid

Students attending the Prague Field School may be eligible for the Institute for the Humanities Travel- Study Award. There are three awards available, each valued at $1,500. Students must submit an electronic application to be considered for the Travel- Study Award; further information regarding eligibility and application steps can be found here.

Full time students (enrolled in a term of 9+ units) participating in SFU field schools are eligible to apply for student loans.
Full time degree-seeking SFU students may also apply for bursaries, scholarships, awards, and International Exchange/Field School Bursaries, including the Suite of Study Abroad awards (valued: $1,000-$2,000) embedded in the program application.

For more information on funding your trip, please visit the SFU Study Abroad's Financial Aid page.

 

 

 

General Info Session

Learn about the application process, funding options, and more! Find the recording of our November 28th Info Session here.

 

Medical Conditions

For people with (physical or mental) medical conditions, international travel can present significant challenges. Because SFU field schools take place in international locations where emergency services, and/or mental or physical support services may be limited, or non-existent, some field school placements will not be appropriate for everyone. Please speak with the program's Field School Director for information on specific conditions for this field school.


If you have a medical condition that poses limitations on your ability to function in certain environments, we strongly advise that you register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL). CAL staff will ask that you provide documentation from a duly-qualified medical specialist, which contains a diagnosis and a treatment plan. Where appropriate, CAL staff will communicate with field school staff with regard to accommodation in the field. (Please note that, while Centre staff indicate to field school staff that a prospective participant requires accommodation for a medical condition, they do not disclose the nature of the medical condition.)


Because overseas arrangements can be complicated, we recommend that you contact the CAL at least three months prior to the commencement of the field school in which you wish to participate. Please note that failure to make proper arrangements in advance of travel could result in termination from the field school with costs and academic credit forfeited

 

All programs require a minimum number of students and are subject to cancellation if minimums are not met. You will not be charged any fees if your program is cancelled for this reason.
Type:
Field School

Program Provider

SFU

Host Institution

Charles University