Notes on Introductory Lecture: History, Architecture, and Coursework in Prague

Course Introduction and Format

• This session is an online version of the syllabus (elearning). The instructor will cover important topics: assignments, readings, and then present the schedule for the next fifteen weeks.

• The class includes a general overview of the history of Czech lands, with a focus on Prague and its art/architecture. Many classes will take place outside the university (Old Town, Lesser Town, across the river).

• A short break of about fifteen minutes is planned after the initial overview.

• The elearning section includes essential contact info (email and phone number). The phone number is especially important because most classes are held off-campus.

• Communication rules:

  • If you are late or sick, text or WhatsApp the instructor so they know whether to wait (typically 5–10 minutes). If you won’t come, inform in advance.

  • For longer advance notices (a few days), use email.

• Travel and weather prep for outdoor classes:

  • Always bring your travel pass when we are outside; it helps with getting to meeting points and potential transit checks.

  • If you forget your travel pass, you may buy tickets on the tram/bus/subway.

  • Weather changes: mornings can be cold, afternoons feel like summer but will get colder toward late fall. Snow/rain in November is possible.

  • Before each class, check the weather and bring comfortable shoes (no high heels) due to cobblestones in central Prague.

• Readings and readings access:

  • A large reading set will be available through the elearning.

  • For deeper knowledge of Czech history and Prague, a recommended book is Prague in Black and Gold by Peter Demets (a Czech Jew who emigrated to the United States). It provides a popular overview of Czech history and Prague.

  • Book availability: hard copy at a local bookstore (e.g., Uxor near Wenceslas Square) or digital copies (e.g., Amazon). Some other deeper histories can be very long (e.g., 700–800 pages).

  • Additional reading options include general art history texts via Perlego (the uni library platform). Suggested path is to focus on foundational periods (ancient, medieval, Renaissance, Baroque) and then modern/nineteenth–twentieth century.

  • There is a set of shorter reader-like texts (articles and chapters) in the elearning; you don’t need to read everything, but several are highly recommended.

• Key reference works mentioned:

  • Prague in Black and Gold (Peter Demets) — introductory overview of Czech history and Prague.

  • Introductory architectural texts: a PDF titled Prague: 11 centuries of architecture (overview of architecture styles and key buildings).

  • A later, more specialized catalog on Charles era and Renaissance/Baroque topics (for context when visiting sites).

• Class logistics in elearning:

  • The elearning page also hosts the syllabus, and a Teams link is available but not required for outdoor class sessions. Tests and assessments will be conducted as described below.

  • Note: the published syllabus in elearning may not be 100% up to date with in-class adjustments; the instructor will clarify adjustments as needed.

Key Concepts and Focus Areas

• Prague’s urban geography and districts as a framework:

  • Old Town (Staré Město)

  • Lesser Town (Malá Strana)

  • New Town (Nové Město)

  • Castle Town (between the castle and Charles Bridge)

  • Jewish ghetto (Josefov, near the Old Town)

• Primary study emphasis:

  • Architecture as the main lens for understanding Prague’s history (buildings, churches, palaces, bridges, town planning).

  • Art galleries and public monuments as supporting elements (paintings, sculpture, iconography).

• Historical timeline as the backbone of the course, with tests emphasizing dates, architects, and styles.

• The student’s role in historical interpretation:

  • The instructor invites students to verify facts after class and to correct mistakes if needed.

  • Emphasis on cross-referencing class notes with readings to prevent memory errors.

Reading Materials and Access

• Core readings (highly recommended):

  • Prague in Black and Gold by Peter Demets (overview of Czech history and Prague).

  • 11 centuries of architecture (PDF) – an introductory, style-by-style survey of Prague’s architectural history.

  • Additional readings include chapters/articles from catalogs focused on the Charles era, Renaissance, Baroque, and 19th–20th century developments in Prague.

• Optional/expansive readings:

  • General history of art via Perlego (for those new to art history): focus on broad histories with an emphasis on Central Europe, medieval through modern periods.

  • A separate article by a colleague on archaeology and the early history of Prague Castle and the castle area (useful for two classes focused there).

• Where to access:

  • elearning portal for the reading list, PDFs, and links.

  • Luxor bookstore (Berlin-like regional hub in Prague) for English-language art/history texts.

  • Uxor bookstore near Wenceslas Square for English translations of Czech works.

  • Amazon/e-books for digital copies.

Assignments, Assessments, and Key Dates

• Short presentations (assignment topic): 10% of final grade

  • Format: two to three students per presentation (mostly pairs; some may present alone if needed).

  • Duration: 5–10 minutes per presentation.

  • Topics: a rotating list that includes figures and themes such as Charles IV, Wenceslas, Czech national revival, Masaryk, Reinhard Heydrich, Prague defenestrations, Wallenstein, the Thirty Years' War, Velvet Revolution, Prague Spring, etc.

  • How it works: students coordinate in advance (a week or two before their date) to divide the topic (e.g., one presents on Charles IV; the other provides broader context).

  • The instructor encourages using accessible English sources (e.g., Tomas Garrigue Masaryk, etc.).

• Tests and exams:

  • Code review tests 1 and 2 (online): each ~20–30 minutes; based on material covered in several prior classes.

  • Test structure (general):

  • Part A: identification and recognition from images (structure, artist/architect, correct style).

  • Part B: multiple-choice questions, true/false, and one short essay question (about 100–200 words) explaining a concept or piece.

  • Midterm test: on paper, in-class.

  • Final test: on paper, at the end of the term.

  • All tests are designed to assess material covered in class and readings; no external material will be required beyond what was discussed in class and readings.

• Schedule and delivery notes:

  • The instructor will publish a schedule in the elearning system; a detailed weekly plan is provided below.

  • If you are to present or attend, be mindful of dates, and coordinate with teammates early.

Weekly Schedule and Major Class Activities (Outline)

• Today (session 1): Introduction and general overview of Czech history with illustrations and names; outline of the term; basic terminology for architecture; and a preview of readings and the city walk plan.

• Week 1 (September 18): Medieval art in Prague; orientational walk around the historic center focusing on medieval architecture and the era of King Charles IV.

• Week 2 (September 25): A castle-focused session; visit to Prague Castle and related sites (St. Vitus Cathedral, Rotunda, etc.); potential inclusion of additional castle-related sites.

• Week 3 (October): Renaissance focus in the center and castle area; study of the Summer Palace, ball-game hall, and associated Renaissance decorations; exploration of the Frederick era in Praguian history.

• Week 4 (October 16): Baroque focus in central Prague (Wallenstein Palace, Strahov Library, Strahov Monastery); potential visit to Church of Saint Nicholas in Lesser Town (high baroque).

• Week 5 (October 23): Midterm test session in the classroom (on paper).

• Week 6 (October 30): Modern iconography; a walking/excursion session in the New Town and surrounding modern districts; focus on 19th–20th century motifs and decorations.

• Week 7 (November 6): Peshrab Castle area visit; discussion of 19th-century monuments and the riverbank architecture; possible additional stops at nearby modernist or early 20th-century buildings.

• Week 8 (November 13): National Museum visit; discussion of late 19th-century national identity and the role of the museum, as well as other related sites nearby (Namesti Miru area).

• Week 9 (November 20): Modern architecture and 20th-century movements (Cubism, Art Deco, Constructivism) in Prague; walking between neighborhoods to view examples.

• Week 10 (November 27): Brak Between Walls (National Gallery, Holesovice) – focus on the First Republic and interwar modernism in Czech art and architecture.

• Week 11 (December): Prague at War and after; wartime sites and postwar developments; Prague Spring 1968 and the Velvet Revolution with related monuments and sites.

• Week 12 (Late November/December): Review session/excursion; Czech iconography presentation; possible neighborhood walk with architectural explanations.

• Week 13 (Final weeks): Final tests (paper-based) and a review/excursion session; potential winter or pre-Christmas break arrangements.

• Final weeks: December – Final examination (on paper) and concluding reflections; the instructor may host an optional walk through the neighborhood if weather allows.

Prague Geography and Urban Landmarks (Orientation)

• Core districts and landmarks:

  • Old Town (Staré Město): central historic core; Old Town Square with the Astronomical Clock; access to the Jewish Quarter (Josefov) nearby.

  • Lesser Town (Malá Strana): on the west bank of the Vltava; notable for the Church of Saint Nicholas (Jesuit church) and the Ring dome that is visible from much of the historic center.

  • New Town (Nové Město): built around Charles IV’s urban projects; Wenceslas Square and the National Museum area.

  • Castle Town: includes Prague Castle on the hill and the Charles Bridge nearby; the castle area houses St. Vitus Cathedral and other royal/clerical buildings.

  • Cross-river connections: several bridges (including Charles Bridge) link the districts; newer bridges from the 19th–20th centuries distinguish the modern city from medieval core.

  • Josefov (the Jewish ghetto): historic quarter with synagogues and a notable Jewish cemetery; later integrated into the broader Old Town.

• Notable icons and their meanings:

  • The Charles Bridge (medieval engineering, commissioned by Charles IV).

  • Prague Castle (a vast complex with St. Vitus Cathedral as a centerpiece; the president’s seat).

  • Wenceslas Square (a symbol of the Czech nation; site of many demonstrations and national events).

  • National Museum (central to Czech national identity; contains a rich paleontological and archaeological display as well as historical exhibits).

  • The Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock (Medieval/timekeeping monument).

Historical Timeline: Key Eras and Turning Points (Selected Highlights)

• Ancient and early medieval foundations:

  • The region is Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia; Prague sits near a historic crossing on the Vltava River; the crossing and fortifications helped the city grow as a trade hub. The fortress and toll crossing at the river crossing contributed to Prague’s early settlement.

  • The early origin of the name “Prague” is tied to a river crossing and ferry/raft-based crossings; some theories connect the name to the Czech word for raft (praha in old Czech).

• Dynastic and royal early centuries:

  • 1085: Vratislav II (Vratislaus II) becomes the first king of Bohemia (a duchy becoming a kingdom) due to service to the Holy Roman Empire; he builds royal foundations (e.g., the Rotunda of Saint Vitus).

  • 12th–13th centuries: the Přemyslid/early dynasties shape the regional development; the foundation of royal castles and religious centers intensifies.

  • 1348: Charles IV founds New Town (Nové Město) and significantly elevates Prague as a political, economic, and cultural center; foundation of Charles University and major urban planning projects (new market squares, bridges).

  • 1342: a major flood damages the area and influences urban planning.

  • 1355: Charles IV travels to Rome and is crowned Holy Roman Emperor, leading to his lasting legacy in architecture and order in Bohemia.

  • 1365 onward: Charles IV’s rule stabilizes Bohemia and fosters a “golden age” in architecture and culture (cathedral projects, bridges, and religious institutions).

• Late medieval to early modern period:

  • 1310: John of Luxembourg becomes king of Bohemia; later Charles IV’s father, John of Luxembourg, and then Charles IV himself shape Bohemia and its neo-Gothic/Renaissance architecture.

  • 14th–16th centuries: construction of major buildings and churches; Charles University, the New Town, the Castle complex, and the Charles Bridge define Prague’s architectural identity.

  • 1541: Great fire in the Lesser Town and surrounding areas; reconstruction leads to Renaissance styles visible today.

  • 1618–1621: The Hussite Wars and the Battle of White Mountain mark a turning point toward Habsburg Catholic hegemony and religious reorganization (Protestant to Catholic majority).

  • 1620: Battle of White Mountain outside Prague marks the consolidation of Habsburg power and a crackdown on Protestantism.

  • 1621: Execution of 27 Protestant leaders in Old Town Square.

• Habsburg era and national formation:

  • 1526: Habsburgs take power in Bohemia; Roman Catholic influence grows; Charles’s legacy persists through architecture and urban planning.

  • 1618–1648: Thirty Years’ War devastates the region; subsequent Germanization policies intensify under Habsburg rule.

  • 18th century: Enlightenment reforms under Maria Theresa and Joseph II; education reforms, serialization of church influence, and the founding of public schools; the National Gallery is established to preserve Czech artworks.

  • 1848: National revival intensifies; Jewish rights begin to expand; railways and industry transform Prague into a modern city; new bridges and neighborhoods grow (Karlín, Smíchov, Holešovice, etc.).

• Late 19th–early 20th centuries and the First Republic:

  • 1918: Collapse of the Habsburg Empire; establishment of Czechoslovak Republic; Tomas Garrigue Masaryk becomes president; Edvard Beneš becomes foreign minister and later president.

  • 1938: Munich Agreement grants the Sudetenland to Germany, ending the First Republic.

  • 1939–1945: Nazi occupation; Protectorate Bohemia and Moravia under German control; Prague resistance; Heydrich assassination and reprisals; liberation in 1945.

  • 1948: Communist coup; start of the communist era in Czechoslovakia.

• 1960s–1989 and later:

  • 1968: Prague Spring liberalization movement; Soviet-led invasion ends reform.

  • 1969–1989: Normalization period under communist rule; dissent grows, especially through Charter 77 (Havel and friends).

  • 1989: Velvet Revolution; Václav Havel rises as political leader and becomes president.

  • 1993: Dissolution of Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and Slovakia; Prague remains the capital of the Czech Republic.

Important People and Thematic Topics for Presentations

• Suggested short-presentation topics (examples from the instructor’s list):

  • Wenceslas (Saint Wenceslas) and Wenceslas IV

  • John Hus (Jan Hus)

  • Charles IV (Charles the Fourth) and his policies

  • Prague defenestrations (defenestration of 1618) and their consequences

  • Albrecht von Wallenstein and Baroque-era developments

  • The Baroque era and the Church of Saint Nicholas (Lesser Town)

  • The Summer Palace and Rudolf II’s court

  • The Rudolf II era and his art collection

  • The “Between Walls” era and interwar modernism (the First Republic)

  • The National revival and the 19th-century cultural movement

  • Tomas Garrigue Masaryk and the creation of Czechoslovakia

  • Reinhard Heydrich and the Prague region during WWII

  • The Velvet Revolution and Vaclav Havel

• The instructor also emphasizes that these topics are well-documented in English sources; students can search for well-known names (e.g., Tomas Garrigue Masaryk) to prepare.

Attendance, Conduct, and Notes on Absences

• Attendance policy: the instructor emphasizes that, as adults, students should manage attendance themselves; the default is to mark present unless there is a documented illness or a failed presentation without notice.

• The instructor acknowledges situations like sickness, hospital visits, or missing a class when presenting and allows absences with proper notification.

Practical Tips for Success

• For outdoor sessions, bring a travel pass and weather-appropriate clothing; check the forecast.

• Bring comfortable walking shoes for cobblestones and long walks around central Prague.

• Use the elearning portal to review the lecture if you miss parts of the class or to recap complex topics.

• If you notice factual errors in lectures or readings, contact the instructor to provide corrections for future sessions.

• Use the suggested readings to supplement class material; aim to connect theory with the actual urban fabric you observe during field trips.

• Consider combining individual presentations into small groups (two or three students) to cover broader topics and present a more complete context.

Summary of Core Concepts and Significance

• The course uses Prague’s architectural landscape as a lens to understand broader Czech and Central European history, including political power, religion, culture, and national identity.

• The city’s division into five historically distinct districts (Old Town, Lesser Town, New Town, Castle Town, and Josefov) provides a framework for locating monuments and understanding urban development.

• The narrative moves from early medieval foundations (trade, fortifications, and religious foundations) to the Renaissance and Baroque transformations, and finally to the modern era (national revival, industrialization, interwar republic, WWII, communism, and post-1989 democracy).

• The timeline emphasizes pivotal turning points: the creation of Prague as a political and cultural capital under Charles IV; the Hussite movement; the Habsburg consolidation; the Munich Agreement; WWII; Prague Spring; Velvet Revolution; and the 1993 split that led to the Czech Republic.

• The curriculum integrates fieldwork with reading, encouraging students to verify instructor statements with primary sources or scholarly literature and to critically engage with how monuments encode political narratives.

Quick Reference: Notable Dates (selected)

• $1085$: Vratislav II becomes king of Bohemia.

• $1342$: Flood affecting the city.

• $1348$: New Town founded; Charles University established.

• $1355$: Charles IV crowned Holy Roman Emperor in Rome.

• $1365-1378$: Charles IV’s reign and legacy in Prague.

• $1526$: Habsburgs take power in Bohemia.

• $1618-1620$: Defenestrations and Battle of White Mountain; start/end of major religious and political upheavals.

• $1621$: Execution of Protestant leaders in Old Town Square.

• $1848$: National revival intensifies; modernization and expansion of Prague.

• $1918-1918/1919$: Creation of the Czechoslovak Republic; Masaryk becomes president, Beneš key minister.

• $1938-1939$: Munich Agreement; occupation and the Second Republic emerges briefly.

• $1948-1989$: Communist era; late-1960s reform, 1968 Prague Spring, and 1989 Velvet Revolution.

• $1993$: The Czech Republic is established after the split with Slovakia.

How to Use These Notes for Exam Preparation

• Use this structured outline to map lecture content to the exam's expected topics: architecture styles, key figures, major events, and weekly themes.

• Review the weekly schedule to recall where specific topics were discussed (medieval art, Renaissance, Baroque, modern iconography, interwar modernism, WWII, Prague Spring, Velvet Revolution).

• Practice identifying Prague landmarks by era (e.g., Gothic vs Baroque vs Neo-Classical; which buildings belong to which district).

• Prepare short two-person presentations using the suggested topics; focus on combining architectural context with historical events to illustrate the era.

• Revisit the suggested readings (Prague in Black and Gold; the architecture PDF; Perlego material) to deepen understanding and to support short essays or exam questions.

Final Note

• The instructor invites corrections if students find information that differs from their sources and encourages collaboration and open discussion to improve accuracy. Stay engaged with the elearning updates for any schedule changes or new readings.