My course selections

Art 131/1 Prague art and architecture: Tuesday 11:30-14:15

This course examines the key developments in Czech visual art and architecture from the early medieval to the contemporary period. Slide-based lectures are complimented with visits to monuments, art collections, and galleries. This course will provide students with an overview of the history of art in Prague. In this respect, the course intends to have students acquire knowledge of the main characteristics of art styles while observing and analyzing paintings, sculpture, and architecture first-hand.

POLS 320 Politics of the European Union: Tuesday 14:45-17:30

This course examines the politics and economics of the European Union. Beginning with an historical overview of why the EU was originally created and how it has developed, the course then examines the institutions of the European Union and how they promote cooperation between the member states. After examining the successes and shortcomings of the EU, students will look to the future and what European integration may mean for the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

CZE 101 Elementary Czech: Tuesday and Wednesday 8:15-11:00

This course, designed for exchange students, introduces students to contemporary Czech language. It focuses on conversation and basic grammar, but includes reading and writing elements. The course is conducted using interactive methodology.

POL 330 East central European politics: Wednesday 18:30-21:15

This course will address the issues facing East-Central Europe as a region, beginning with an historical overview of the region, followed by a discussion of the 1989 revolutions and the collapse of communism. Students will address issues such as the re-emergence of nationalism, the break-up of states, and the desire to join Western security institutions, and they will study how specific countries in the region are addressing the current political and economic challenges of transition.

JRN 220 Media Ethics and Democracy: Monday 11:30-14:15

Because of that profound declaration, contained in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, American press is above government regulation. There are no minimum standards of education for journalists, no entrance exams, no license to practice, and no systematic reviews of a journalist's performance. The press is basically free to watch the government and all powerful institutions to ensure they're doing just what they are supposed to do for their citizens. But, who will watch the watchdogs to ensure they too are doing their job and not abusing their power?

Invasion of privacy, inaccuracy, bias, cheating, and deception are examples of unethical behavior. Some journalists may resort to such means in order to achieve positive ends for society. Few corporations are consolidating their ownership of the media, increasingly controlling a crucial ingredient of democracy: news and information. At the same time, the news media are experiencing budgetary cuts, downsizing, and shrinking foreign news bureaus. Does this present lost news for the consumer? The events of 9/11 changed the way journalists cover war and terrorism. Sometimes questioning or writing too much can put their patriotism on the line. How is democracy then being served?

Join us for presentations by some of the most intriguing journalists in the Czech Republic to examine the state and role of the media around the world, from the government-controlled media of the Middle East to the unregulated press of the United States. Our speakers include controversial filmmakers, media executives, and international reporters who will cover different regions of the world, including Iran, America, Iraq, Kosovo, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Afghanistan, and of course the Czech Republic.

Students will navigate through the web of media ethics by learning from the real-life experiences of our speakers, as well as active class debates and presentations. They will also learn to use philosophical principles and models to recognize and analyze typical ethical issues that confront journalists. This class will help students to be better journalists and public speakers. It will also improve students' moral reasoning skills, hopefully, for life.


My Alternate Choices:
POL 231 Czech and Slovak Politics
POL 201 Nationalism
HIS 320 War & Diplomacy
REL 271 Religion as a Social Force