Credits
6
Prerequisites
None
Courses taught in
English
Dates
May 24 – Jul 5
Program Countries
Czech Republic
Program Base
Prague
Critical Global Issue of Study
Education & Social Change
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Czech Republic
Arts Studios in Creative Writing, Contemporary Dance & Photography
(Filling; Apply by Apr 1, 2023)
Explore photography, creative writing, or contemporary dance through an intensive arts workshop, while examining current debates around arts, politics, and society.
At a Glance
Overview
Why Study Art in the Czech Republic?
Artists are the foremost custodians of free expression in the Czech Republic and other Central European young democracies. In this program, you will learn about mechanisms artists employ to engage political debate and promote the values of inclusion and social justice, take part in daily workshops with professional artists, and attend performances, exhibitions, and other cultural events. You may select one of the three studio workshops, photography, creative writing, or contemporary dance. Photography students will learn experimental photo methods such as photogram, collage and montage, and stop motion animation, with historical roots in the Czech art scene, and prepare their own exhibition at a public art gallery. Creative writing students will write fiction under the guidance of a local novelist, read and critique contemporary Czech fiction and poetry, and present their own work at a final literary evening. Contemporary dance students take part in daily studio work, attend performances, learn about trends in Czech dance, and create a final dance performance. The program also includes day trips to regional alternative arts spaces, galleries, and other off-the-beaten track arts initiatives devoted to community building and engaging social justice debates and politics.
Highlights
- Develop your skills in photography, writing, or dance under the guidance of top Czech artists.
- Attend exhibitions, performances, and other cultural events.
- Explore the intersection of the arts and social justice issues in Central Europe.
- Gain first-hand experience in the Czech cultural scene and its unique community arts initiatives.
Prerequisites
None.
Excursions
Brno
Brno, the historical capital of Moravia and second largest city, cultural hub, but also day trips to rural spaces of South Bohemia and South Moravia to independent cultural spaces. Certain locations are chosen based on activities and opportunities at the time, which are a bit difficult to predict in advance.
Please note that SIT will make every effort to maintain its programs as described. To respond to emergent situations, however, SIT may have to change or cancel programs.
Academics
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Explain the tools and mechanisms employed by Czech activists to impact social change through the arts.
- Discuss contemporary Czech literature, dance scene, or visual arts scene.
- Create works of literature, photography, or dance.
- Take part in relevant readings, exhibitions, or performances.
- Analyze the ways in which select writers, visual artists, or contemporary dancers reflect and engage current Czech social and political debates.
Coursework
The following syllabi are representative of this program. Because courses develop and change over time to take advantage of dynamic learning opportunities, actual course content will vary from term to term.
The syllabi can be useful for students, faculty, and study abroad offices in assessing credit transfer. Read more about credit transfer.
Key Topics
- Day trips to alternative arts spaces, galleries, and other initiatives devoted to community building and engagement with social justice debates and politics
- Discussions with local artists and activists
- Creative writing students will write under the guidance of a local novelist and read and critique contemporary Czech fiction and poetry
- Contemporary dance students will attend performances and learn about trends in the Czech dance scene
- Photography students will learn experimental photo methods such as photogram, collage and montage, and stop motion animation
Creativity in the Czech Context
Creativity in the Czech Context
Creativity in the Czech Context – syllabus
(EURO/ARTS 3005/3 credits)
The Creativity in the Czech Context seminar is devoted to the intersections of human rights, civic action and the creative arts. Students meet with NGO managers and activists utilizing creative mechanisms to promote human and civil rights and raise public awareness and debate in such areas as homelessness, women’s rights, civil rights, mental and physical disabilities, and the environment. They engage in cross-cultural debate on the rich history of Czech dissent and how the roles of artists and civic leaders have transformed in recent decades.
Three Course Options
Three Course Options
Choose one of three courses.
Creative Writing Studio – syllabus
(ARTS 3007/3 credits)
This studio is devoted creative writing practice and an introduction to contemporary Czech literature. Students take part in workshops based on prompts provided by the lecturer, and group critiques of their work. They also meet with Czech writers of fiction and poetry to discuss the writing process and ways in which their writing reflects topics such as Czech identity and history and current public debates around politics and social justice topics. Students keep a journal of field-observation exercises and select one work for revision and presentation at a closing literary evening that also includes a discussion of their processes, topics and inspiration from Czech authors.
Contemporary Dance Studio – syllabus
(ARTS 3006/3 credits)
This class is devoted to studio practice in contemporary dance techniques with an emphasis on contact improvisation, understanding the mind, body and voice for individual and group performance work, and working with sound and light. Students take part in intensive studio sessions, attend contemporary dance and alternative theater performances, keep a fieldwork journal and present their work at a performance in a public venue. They also meet with choreographers, dancers and production specialists to gain insights into the local performance scene and the different ways in which dancers engage or contribute to current social justice and political discourse.
Photography Studio – syllabus
(ARTS 3008/3 credits)
This class is devoted to practice in experimental photography with an emphasis on techniques such as montage, collage, assemblage, stop motion photography, and photogram, all of which have deep roots in Czech visual arts history. Students take part in workshops in artist studios or other workshops, attend exhibitions and visit photographic archives, keep a sketchbook and journal and present their photo experiments in a public gallery space. They also meet with contemporary visual artists and photographers that work with experimental and multi-media methods as well as curators or other specialists to gain insights into the Czech visual arts scene and the different ways in which Czech artists engage in public discourse around politics and social justice topics.
Homestays
Homestay
You will live with families in Prague (both urban and suburban areas) for six weeks in order to experience the Czech lifestyle, culture, and language. Families are chosen based on their interest in the program theme, and many are affiliated with the Prague arts scene as artists or social activists. Students often cite their homestay experiences in Prague as the highlight of their program, and relationships between host families and students often last long after the program’s conclusion.
Other accommodations
Hostels, small hotels, private homes, and arts and NGO centers.
Career Paths
A diversity of students representing different colleges, universities, and majors study abroad on this program. Many of them have gone on to do amazing things that connect back to their experience abroad with SIT. Alumni are currently working:
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for museums, visual arts centers, and theater festivals.
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for NGOs devoted to social issues and education.
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for small presses and literary magazines.
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as independent artists, actors and dancers, copy editors, and graphic designers.
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as a Watson Fellow doing arts-based research.
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as Fulbright teaching assistants at schools in Central and Eastern Europe.
Faculty & Staff
Czech Republic: Arts Studios in Creative Writing, Contemporary Dance & Photography
Sarah Brock, MA
Academic Director
Lenka Krenková
Program Assistant and Homestay Coordinator
Discover the Possibilities
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Cost & Scholarships
SIT Study Abroad is committed to making international education accessible to all students. Scholarship awards generally range from $500 to $5,000 for semester programs and $500 to $3,000 for summer programs. This year, SIT will award nearly 1 million in scholarships and grants to SIT Study Abroad students.
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