Prague Courses – 2025 Fall
Studying abroad can be a more meaningful and invigorating learning experience than at home—both inside and outside of the classroom. You may be more curious and alert than you usually are so use this heightened energy to enhance your studies as well as your cultural and geographical explorations. You may also encounter different teaching styles and course processes; be prepared to adapt and to learn.
Academics
Students may enroll in 12 to 18 credits per semester comprised of a two-week Intensive Czech Language and Culture course plus electives in Czech language, European politics, culture and the arts.
Course availability is contingent upon student enrollment and is subject to change.
Click the course title to view course details, description, and availability.
Fall Semester
Language Courses
All students are required to take the two-week Intensive Czech Language and Culture course. Advanced students have the option to take advanced Czech language courses through Charles University.
- FallCzech 100-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringCzech 100-level 3 credits Taught in English
The course focuses on providing students with basic skills needed to communicate on a daily basis. This course includes basic grammar, conversation, listening and reading comprehension.
Required for all students.
- FallCzech 100-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringCzech 100-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course is designed to introduce you to the Czech language and to provide skills for basic communication. The instructor supervises model conversations as well as real conversational situations during walks in the Old Town. Students with previous knowledge of the Czech language attend the advanced module of this course, read short articles in local newspapers, and do independent research on the social and cultural life of Czech society.
European Politics, Culture, and the Arts
- FallAnthropology Sociology 400-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringAnthropology Sociology 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course provides critical insights into the social functions and practices of ‘alternative’ urban lives in postindustrial society, including artistic production such as modern and postmodern art, street-art, underground, dissent, alternative, experimental, performance, situationist, alter-globalization movements, among others through multidisciplinary cultural, literary, and media studies perspectives. .
- FallArt 300-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringArt 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
In this course, students will explore photography as an expression of the creative mind. The focus will be on photographic style, interpretation of individual bias, aesthetics, and societal and cultural influences. Students will challenge themselves to develop strong theoretical knowledge of a variety of photography genres, such as documentary, abstract, and action, and apply their knowledge through hands-on activities and field trips throughout Prague. This course will explore technical applications, such as exposure settings, framing/cropping, angles, focal length, composition, and depth of field, and how these manipulations of technology influence the perception of the photograph. Readings and course discussions will encourage students to think critically about current topics debated in the photography world, including the extent to the medium's contribution to art and the artistic comparison of nude art and soft pornography.
- FallArt Film 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course will cover topics in Czech and Czechoslovak documentary filmmaking. This course is designed to help students develop the skills to identify and analyze a variety of film styles and the relationship between the filmmaker and their subjects. Students will analyze the nature of documentaries, and evaluate its credibility compared to other genres of film.
Prerequisite: introductory coursework in college-level journalism
- FallArt English Film 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
The course will offer intensive insight into the Czech cinema. The aim is to show different faces of Czech filmmaking, i.e. the variety of approaches toward the film media. Alongside the classic Czech movies, the students will have a chance to watch and analyze experimental films, the documentary, and poetic film.
- Fall200-level 1 credit Taught in EnglishSpring200-level 1 credit Taught in English
The course is based on the principle that cooking is a way to get to learn the culture and language of the Czech Republic. The theoretical part of the course consists of discussions and readings on the history, geography, and social customs of the country. Students will learn about Czech traditions, traditional holidays, as well as about the local cuisine; additionally, they will have the chance to sample some typical Czech dishes. The practical side consists of learning to prepare, as well as to taste, various Czech dishes.
- FallPolitical Science 300-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringPolitical Science 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course takes a synchronic as well as diachronic approach to diplomacy and provides inter-mediate level of insight into what diplomacy is, what its role in international relations is, and what unique tools and instruments it uses. It is partly based on the case study and an exploration of Czech and U.S. foreign policies, both historical and current. It also makes excursions to the major and paramount diplomatic events in the 20th century in Europe and in the world. The emphasis is placed on the current international issues as a result of policies and diplomatic actions. It also discusses EU, its major bodies and mechanisms on which EU operates on the international political scene.
- FallArchitecture Art 300-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringArchitecture Art 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
The course is a survey of styles, trends and movements focusing on the fine arts and architecture in Prague and the Czech Republic against the background of European influences. It covers the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods, up to Modernism and the Contemporary art scene. Special attention will be paid to the unique characteristics and developments of art (e.g. Prague Castle, Baroque churches, Czech cubism) and to the most significant periods in Czech history (era of Charles IV, Rudolf II). Tours, field trips and visits to museums and galleries are a substantial part of the course.
- FallPolitical Science 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
Central and East European (CEE) countries seem to be standing at the crossroads. Liberal democracy is challenged across the region. Populist, authoritarian, and anti-political tendencies are rising. Does this stem from unresolved legacies of the Communist past? Or does it reflect pre-Communist authoritarian political cultures? Or does it simply mirror contemporary global tendencies of anti-establishment moods? With a similar geopolitical position in the former Eastern Bloc, the communist regimes in countries such as Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Hungary differed significantly, as did their transitions to democracy in 1989-1991. This comparative aspect will be studied with special focus. Students are encouraged to challenge the mainstream understanding of “transition” as a predictable, gradual and irreversible progress towards the standard “Western” model.
- FallHistory 400-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringHistory 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
The course will focus on modern Central European political, social and cultural history through a comparison of the modern Czech experience with the histories of other Central European countries, which all historically shared the same fate of small nations between two large historical rivals: Germany in the West and Russia in the East.
- Fall400-level 3 credits Taught in English
In his eminent work Postwar, historian Tony Judt described Europe after WWII as consciously building a new establishment not reminiscent of the prewar era. He succeeded in explaining the Communist governments in East-Central Europe as part of the story. Inspired by the book, this course is an invitation into an era starting with the fall of Berlin in May 1945, yet not stopping – as Judt did - in 1989. The present interpretation of the history of Central European societies will also include their post-Communist transformations in the 1990s and take their perspective to look at more recent challenges that the European Union and the global establishment are facing.
The objective of the course is to help students enhance their experience in the Czech Republic by becoming aware of the contradictory post-1945 era in the region’s history. Each class will include an introductory lecture followed by interactive projects, discussions of the readings, film screenings, field trips, and debates with guest speakers etc.
Prerequisite: introductory coursework in college-level history, or equivalent
- FallEnvironmental Science Political Science 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
Sustainable Development has become a commonplace term and a major reference point in global, national, and municipal politics of most countries, and increasingly also in the actions and policies of various political leaders. The overarching 2015 global framework of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) required UN member states, international organizations, as well as NGOs, businesses, cities and other stakeholders to align their activities/policies along 17 broad areas, ranging from poverty, inequalities to environment, peace, and good governance.
In this course, we will first explore the theories and concepts that support this global development framework. In the first block of the course, we will discuss links between sustainability and quality of life, learn about different ways to measure progress and discuss the ways in which the SDG is different in comparison to previous global development projects. In the second block, we will analyze, based on selected issues of poverty and migration, the role of different actors, the challenges they face, and the types of solutions they offer. The third block will be devoted to the highly important topic of our day – climate change. After establishing background, we will examine strategies offered by businesses, as well as by local communities, to mitigate the impacts and adapt to the new conditions. We will conclude the course with presentations of field projects and discussions synthesizing course themes and major take-aways.
Individual classes combine traditional lecture with interactive debates and workshops, screenings of documentaries, case studies, and guest lectures. As part of this course, students will be invited to visit concrete organization (be it a business, an NGO or a public organization) that is designed on the principles of sustainable development and explore its activities and contributions. At the end of the course, students will have the opportunity to share and discuss their findings.
- FallHistory Sociology 400-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringHistory Sociology 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
In this course, students will explore twentieth-century Jewish theology and analyze specific events from the Holocaust, or properly speaking shoah, meaning catastrophe, annihilation, or devastation. This course will help students develop the theoretical foundation necessary for identifying and analyzing the role of ideology and faith in the Holocaust.
Prerequisite: One semester of college-level humanities
- FallHistory Political Science 400-level 1 credit Taught in EnglishSpringHistory Political Science 400-level 1 credit Taught in English
This course is designed as an introduction to Vienna and Budapest, the capital cities of Austria and Hungary as well as Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Students will visit historical and contemporary sites of cultural and political significance with a focus on the historical development of the region, ethnic relations, European integration, and contemporary political and economic conditions.
Co-requisite: Vienna and Budapest Tour
Business and Economics
- FallEconomics General Business 300-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringEconomics General Business 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
This multi-disciplinary course covers various aspects of globalization, including the environmental, cultural, and economic dimension of globalization-international trade and the role of multi-national corporations (MNC’s). The aim of the course is to help students to understand the process of globalization and its influence on the world economy. It explains the dynamics and importance of the internet and mass media for fostering cross-cultural communication. The course combines theoretical approach with case studies and practical discussions. Students are expected to follow press and electronic articles to be able to participate actively.
- FallGeneral Business Marketing 200-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course will introduce students to fundamental marketing concepts as well as an important ideas and issues in marketing products and services to consumers. This course can be broken down into two components: first, students learn how to understand the marketing environment (market analysis), and then how to implement successful marketing strategies in such an environment (marketing strategy). The course is based on a combination of lectures/discussions, case studies, videos, outside speakers, company visit(s), country snapshots, and a final marketing project in which student teams introduce a product or service into the Italian market.
Spring Semester
Language Courses
All students are required to take the two-week Intensive Czech Conversation and Culture course. Advanced students have the option to take advanced Czech language courses through Charles University.
- FallCzech 100-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringCzech 100-level 3 credits Taught in English
The course focuses on providing students with basic skills needed to communicate on a daily basis. This course includes basic grammar, conversation, listening and reading comprehension.
Required for all students.
- FallCzech 100-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringCzech 100-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course is designed to introduce you to the Czech language and to provide skills for basic communication. The instructor supervises model conversations as well as real conversational situations during walks in the Old Town. Students with previous knowledge of the Czech language attend the advanced module of this course, read short articles in local newspapers, and do independent research on the social and cultural life of Czech society.
- SpringCzech 100-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course provides the linguistic tools necessary both for students to make themselves understood as well as to enable them to gain a better understanding of the way of life in the Czech Republic. Throughout the course, lessons will be sequenced from presentation activities to guided practice activities to communicative activities. Because language practice should be meaningful, it will be communicative and based on situations with the emphasis on real language. Listening activities also be incorporated into the lessons to improve students´ aural abilities. The material covered during the
semester will be reviewed so as to build upon and reinforce the students’ knowledge base.
European Politics, Culture, and the Arts
- FallAnthropology Sociology 400-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringAnthropology Sociology 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course provides critical insights into the social functions and practices of ‘alternative’ urban lives in postindustrial society, including artistic production such as modern and postmodern art, street-art, underground, dissent, alternative, experimental, performance, situationist, alter-globalization movements, among others through multidisciplinary cultural, literary, and media studies perspectives. .
- FallArt 300-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringArt 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
In this course, students will explore photography as an expression of the creative mind. The focus will be on photographic style, interpretation of individual bias, aesthetics, and societal and cultural influences. Students will challenge themselves to develop strong theoretical knowledge of a variety of photography genres, such as documentary, abstract, and action, and apply their knowledge through hands-on activities and field trips throughout Prague. This course will explore technical applications, such as exposure settings, framing/cropping, angles, focal length, composition, and depth of field, and how these manipulations of technology influence the perception of the photograph. Readings and course discussions will encourage students to think critically about current topics debated in the photography world, including the extent to the medium's contribution to art and the artistic comparison of nude art and soft pornography.
- Fall200-level 1 credit Taught in EnglishSpring200-level 1 credit Taught in English
The course is based on the principle that cooking is a way to get to learn the culture and language of the Czech Republic. The theoretical part of the course consists of discussions and readings on the history, geography, and social customs of the country. Students will learn about Czech traditions, traditional holidays, as well as about the local cuisine; additionally, they will have the chance to sample some typical Czech dishes. The practical side consists of learning to prepare, as well as to taste, various Czech dishes.
- FallPolitical Science 300-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringPolitical Science 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course takes a synchronic as well as diachronic approach to diplomacy and provides inter-mediate level of insight into what diplomacy is, what its role in international relations is, and what unique tools and instruments it uses. It is partly based on the case study and an exploration of Czech and U.S. foreign policies, both historical and current. It also makes excursions to the major and paramount diplomatic events in the 20th century in Europe and in the world. The emphasis is placed on the current international issues as a result of policies and diplomatic actions. It also discusses EU, its major bodies and mechanisms on which EU operates on the international political scene.
- SpringPolitical Science 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course will focus on various aspects of the European integration project, including the history and ideology of the European unification process and the emergence and transformation of political institutions in Europe. The integration of former communist states in Central and Eastern Europe posed new challenges that impacted the institutions and political discussions inside the external such as the need for a comprehensive Treaty for Europe and its ratification, public debt, migration, the relationship between the E.U. and UK, and the ways the E.U. relates to external world. Our course will follow these developments through reading and discussing important political speeches, conferences, and articles in academic presses.
- SpringArt Film 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
The course will offer insight into Czech cinema, highlighting different aspects of Czech filmmaking and a variety of approaches to filmmaking, including magic realism and surrealism. Students will view and analyze classic Czech films, experimental films, documentaries, and poetic films.
- FallArchitecture Art 300-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringArchitecture Art 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
The course is a survey of styles, trends and movements focusing on the fine arts and architecture in Prague and the Czech Republic against the background of European influences. It covers the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods, up to Modernism and the Contemporary art scene. Special attention will be paid to the unique characteristics and developments of art (e.g. Prague Castle, Baroque churches, Czech cubism) and to the most significant periods in Czech history (era of Charles IV, Rudolf II). Tours, field trips and visits to museums and galleries are a substantial part of the course.
- FallHistory 400-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringHistory 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
The course will focus on modern Central European political, social and cultural history through a comparison of the modern Czech experience with the histories of other Central European countries, which all historically shared the same fate of small nations between two large historical rivals: Germany in the West and Russia in the East.
- SpringHistory 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
The establishment of Communist systems of government in Russia and postwar Eastern Europe was a major phenomenon in 20th-century European history. The ideological basis of these governments was a creative adaptation of Marxism, an innovative alternative to classical capitalism, in reaction to world wars, economic crises, and new international power relations. Stalinism emerged as a striking phase in the development of the communist movement involving intense power struggles and highly developed systems of oppression and corruption, as well as relative economic development and the emancipation of privileged social strata.
The objective of the course is to help students examine the role of the Stalinist era in the region’s history. Each class will include a short introductory lecture followed by a discussion of the readings, film screenings, field trips, and debates with guest speakers.
- SpringAgriculture Geography 200-level 3 credits Taught in English
Food is central to our lives; this is so in many more ways than the action of eating to sustain body and brain. Food is embedded in culture and acts as a strong, binding link between families and societies, and even between societies as food products and recipes travel the world. More importantly, what is less known is that food production and consumption stand at the crossroad of the big world challenges that humanity faces: hunger, poverty, energy, environment, climate change, and population growth. Finally, access to food is a condition to the political stability of a country as mass demonstrations against high food prices (known as ‘food riots’) have shown in recent years.
The objective of the course is to help students understand the multiple roles that agriculture, food production. and consumption play in the XXI century, as well as how they can act as both a problem and as a solution to the world challenges ahead of us.
The lecture will be divided in 3 parts:
- The global challenge of food security
- Agriculture at the crossroads of other global challenges
- Transformation of food systems
Each lecture will include a short introductory lecture, followed by a presentation and discussion of the readings, film screenings, and field trips.
- FallHistory Sociology 400-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringHistory Sociology 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
In this course, students will explore twentieth-century Jewish theology and analyze specific events from the Holocaust, or properly speaking shoah, meaning catastrophe, annihilation, or devastation. This course will help students develop the theoretical foundation necessary for identifying and analyzing the role of ideology and faith in the Holocaust.
Prerequisite: One semester of college-level humanities
- FallHistory Political Science 400-level 1 credit Taught in EnglishSpringHistory Political Science 400-level 1 credit Taught in English
This course is designed as an introduction to Vienna and Budapest, the capital cities of Austria and Hungary as well as Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Students will visit historical and contemporary sites of cultural and political significance with a focus on the historical development of the region, ethnic relations, European integration, and contemporary political and economic conditions.
Co-requisite: Vienna and Budapest Tour
Business and Economics
- FallEconomics General Business 300-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringEconomics General Business 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
This multi-disciplinary course covers various aspects of globalization, including the environmental, cultural, and economic dimension of globalization-international trade and the role of multi-national corporations (MNC’s). The aim of the course is to help students to understand the process of globalization and its influence on the world economy. It explains the dynamics and importance of the internet and mass media for fostering cross-cultural communication. The course combines theoretical approach with case studies and practical discussions. Students are expected to follow press and electronic articles to be able to participate actively.
- SpringGeneral Business Management 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course examines the challenges facing managers that are competing in a global economy. We will devote our attention to strategic management in a globally competitive environment and the role of culture in motivation, leadership, communication, negotiation, decision-making, HRM practices, and the management of a multicultural workforce abroad or at home. We will cover the process of management based on both the macro (organizational) level of environment and strategy and the micro (interpersonal) level of culture and human resources. Some of the critical topics to be explored include:
• The international environment: politics, economy, culture, technology, and law.
• Managing international strategic planning and implementation.
• Managing people and processes across borders and cultures.
• Ethical dilemmas in international management.
To request a course syllabus: syllabus@usac.edu
Internships
For eligibility requirements and application information, see the USAC internship page.
For more information about placement options, see the Prague internship page.
- FallInternships 300-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringInternships 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
USAC skills-based internships abroad are designed to complement a student’s program of study while providing a structured work or field experience under the direction of a professional supervisor and with the oversight and support of an on-site USAC internship coordinator.
USAC internships facilitate the academic and professional development of students through:
1) the practical application of knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to a professional work environment.
2) the further development of practical competencies essential to the ongoing work of the placement site.
3) the cultivation of a network of professional contacts.
USAC internships will expose students to the workplace culture, norms, and expectations of their respective placement site and host country, deepening cross-cultural understanding and helping students develop intercultural communication and language skills in an internationally focused organization or other professional work setting.
Through the consistent participation in the processes and practices of a professional field, students will acquire a working knowledge of that field and will apply that learning to their own career and academic choices and goals.
This course has an additional fee
Field Studies
Optional field studies are an excellent way to deepen your academic experience abroad. During your 1-credit field study course, you will participate in carefully planned excursions that allow you to explore the cultural, historical, and natural features of the Czech Republic. These overnight field experiences, combined with required academic components such as readings, research, and written assignments, will increase your understanding of the sites and locales visited.
As an experiential learning method, optional field studies complement the larger academic program and provide you with opportunities to learn in new ways, to gain hands-on experience, and to connect your classroom learning to the world around you.
Optional field studies have an additional fee, are subject to meeting minimum enrollment requirements to run, and may not be available every semester. Refer to the course list above for current field study offerings.
Host University Courses
Attending a host university course is a great option for students looking to expand their academic experience abroad. By auditing a class at Charles University, USAC students can experience firsthand the academic style of the Czech Republic, immerse themselves in the academic community of Prague, and get to know local university students with similar academic interests. Most courses are taught in Czech, but English-language offerings may be available.
While it may be possible to earn academic credit for host university courses, Charles University does not provide an official university transcript for courses completed by USAC students. Instead, they may provide a letter verifying participation in the course and the grade received. Be sure to work with your home university academic advisor to determine if host university courses will be accepted for credit. Please note that Charles University may follow a different academic calendar than USAC. This means that final exams may take place after the USAC program has ended. It may be possible to arrange early exams, but USAC cannot guarantee this. Additionally, there may be supplementary fees associated with host university courses that are not covered by USAC program fees.