Construction of Czech National Identity and its Symbols

The course is focusing on the construction of Czech national identity during the 19th and 20th centuries. Although the Czech national awakening started first at the beginning of the 19th century, it used symbols and references throughout all the historical eras of Czech lands starting with the early medieval times. The course will follow the roots of Czech national consciousness from the first ruling dynasty, through the Gothic, renaissance, and Baroque times until the foundation of Czechoslovakia and its history in the 20th century.

Special attention will be dedicated to the symbols and symbolical places, which were used during the creation of Czech national revival as patterns of Czech national identity (e.g. Slavín cemetery, National Museum, National Theatre, Municipal house, the monument of Battle of White Mountain, National Memorial on the Vítkov Hill). By visiting these symbolic places the students will be able to see, what kind of national symbols were used and in which way.

The course will be divided into two parts: the first one will be theoretical, in order to outline the topic and background of the lecture. Secondly, there will follow field trips to one of the museums/memorials, where the different problems will be discussed more precisely.