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PRAGUE YALE SUMMER PROGRAM 2007
Five-week program July 5– August 11, 2007
Questions concerning this course may be addressed to karen.vonkunes@yale.edu.
Questions regarding application procedures or billing matters should be addressed to summer.programs@yale.edu.
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Live in PRAGUE, the most picturesque city in the world, while absorbing the culture of modern Central Europe: http://www.prague.cz.
Address questions concerning this course to karen.vonkunes@yale.edu, but questions regarding application procedures or billing matters to summer.session@yale.edu
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
- In the 5-week program, you will be introduced to PRAGUE JEWISH HERITAGE, and retrace FRANZ KAFKA’S PRAGUE PHYSICAL & SPIRITUAL JOURNEY. Encouraged to apply are students who intend to undertake an independent or as a part of this course research project on Prague Jewish culture.
- In a seminar-style group you will ANALYZE THE GREATEST WORKS BY MODERN CZECH FILM DIRECTORS, WRITERS AND PLAYWRIGHTS. You’ll be inspired by the writers and artists’ insight into human condition.
- You will be provided with an opportunity to meeting artists at informal discussions, and in BARRANDOV FILM STUDIO (the PRAGUE HOLLYWOOD). http://www.barrandov.com/en/barrandov-productions
- In a 4-DAY PRACTICAL FILMMAKING WORKSHOP you will learn how to make a short film, based on YOUR OWN 5-page SCREENPLAY.
- Through readings and viewing the films, you will be INTRODUCED TO TWO CZECH GIANTS, MILAN KUNDERA and MILOS FORMAN. You’ll get an insight into their life and work and be encouraged to produce your own 7-PAGE STORY based on the principles of writing by Milan Kundera and/or Bohumil Hrabal. You’ll be exposed to the idea of responsibility as promoted by PLAYWRIGHT and former PRESIDENT of the CZECH REPUBLIC, VACLAV HAVEL. You may even have an opportunity to meet with Mr. Havel in person.
- You will learn ELEMENTARY CZECH GRAMMAR: you will develop conversational survival skills and basic speaking, reading and writing skills. By the end of the course you will be able to order food in Czech, ask for directions, invite your man or woman for a date, and (believe it or not!) you will be able to read in Czech an excerpt from Milan Kundera’s novel and Czech magazines. Your book “Fun & Easy Czech” by Karen von Kunes takes into accounts your interests and needs (please feel free to suggest any topic for the book in progress by e-mailing or skyping karen.vonkunes@yale.edu.
- In addition to the intellectual exposure, your Prague visit will be a JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY. You’ll discover old Czech cultural and historic traditions, you’ll see how genuine PILSNER beer is made, and how Moravians pride on their WINE CELLARS. You’ll visit Moravia, a birthplace of Milan Kundera, Sigmund Freud, Tom Stoppard, and other famous figures. You’ll hang in CZECH DISCO, mingling with CZECHS OF YOUR AGE, meet with PRAGUE NOBILITY, as well as with children in an ORPHANAGE. You’ll dine in MEDIAEVAL PUBS and taste food that people used to consume as far ago as the 14th century.
- You will have enough free time to explore and have fun on your own. You’ll swim in Moldau River (celebrated in B. Smetana’s Symphony) in Yellow Spa, a favorite place of Franz Kafka, and Kundera’s fictional characters. You’ll be thrilled to join us on a CANOE RIVER RIDE in Cesky Krumlov in South Bohemia, and a CONCERT in Ceske Budejovice, where you’ll be dancing and speaking Czech with youth from local college. The concert and dance are given just for you, the Yale Summer Program participants.
- You’ll go on a trip to VIENNA, AUSTRIA, visit Czech CASTLES, a museum of ALFONS MUCHA, an internationally renowned avant-garde artist. You’ll be amazed by a SHRINE, an OSSUARY, made of real HUMAN BONES from forty thousand people dating back to the14th century (you can even touch the bones!) http://www.kostnice.cz/
- Our journey of Czech discovery begins with the attendance of the 42nd KARLOVY VARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL where you’ll rub shoulders with the rich and famous from all over the world.
- In BARRANDOV Film Studio, you will examine (and, if you wish, try on) the costumes of famous actors, try on hats that Elizabeth Berridge wore in her role of Constanze in Forman’s film AMADEUS.
- You will be touched by the grim side of Czech history: you’ll visit TEREZIN GHETTO, departing station for concentration camp during the HOLOCAUST. You’ll wander in PRAGUE JEWISH QUARTERS, visit JEWISH MUSEUMS and Jewish MONUMENTS. You will come across the legends and myths about the mysterious GOLEM, whose story began in Prague: http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vjw/Prague.html
- And the last but not the least, you will have lot of fun and flexibility. You’ll appreciate an individual intellectual & friendly approach to learning by Dr. Karen von Kunes (known as KvK). After the completion of the program you’ll hopefully say, just like previous participants: “THIS WAS MY BEST SUMMER EVER!”
HEY, JOIN US WHETHER YOU ARE SHY OR SMART, FUN LOVING OR SERIOIUS, with KvK you’ll learn, discover, have the most productive and fun summer. See you. Ahoj! IN KAFKA’S SPIRIT: PRAGUE FILM AND FICTION
This 2-credit course comprises several distinctive, and yet interwoven areas of study that are representative for Prague culture and its heritage. Students interested in one or more areas are encouraged to apply. All these areas are studied as a part of the 2-credit course.
- Prague’s Jewish Heritage
- Franz Kafka’s Impact on Prague
- Milan Kundera’s Prague Intellectualism
- Vaclav Havel’s Velvet, and post 1989-Prague
- Prague exposure to screenwriting and/or short story writing
- Prague exposure to practical filmmaking (4-day program)
- Czech Language, survival tool in Prague
FEES and EXPENSES
Two-Yale Credit Tuition: $4,500, additional expenses estimated $2,000. Total: $6,500
Accommodation, Breakfast, Program Visits, Discussion Lunches & Dinners: See details. Airfare: Individual responsibility
Spending Money: Individual responsibility ($500 - $1,000)
Currency Exchange Rate: US $1.00 = 21.00 Czech Crowns (Kc) REGISTRATION
Between now and April 1, 2007. Encouraged to apply are Yale and non-Yale affiliated participants of any age, country, and national origin. Prerequisites: minimum 18 years old by July 2007, and must be either enrolled in college or university, or be an adult able to keep up with the fast pace of the course. Enrollment limited to 18 participants.
VISA PROCEDURES
To enter the Czech Republic you need a valid US or Canadian passport. Citizens of any other country please contact the Czech Consulate to see whether you need an entry visa.
THINGS TO BRING
Your wireless laptop, and plug for electrical outlet in Czech Republic (available in Radio Shock). Bring several sets of clothes (at least one nice shirt, and/or dress) for warm and cooler weather, two pairs of comfortable shoes, a bathing suit, and your personal items, such as contact lenses solution. Any appliances (radio, hair dryer) should be battery operated since Europe is on 220 V. Bring cash (you’ll get best exchange rate) and travel checks; regular checks are not always accepted. Credits cards are accepted in tourist business only. Plan to purchase a second-hand mobile phone in Prague, which you can resell at the end of the stay.
MEDICAL CARE
While in Prague, you will be covered by Yale Health Plan. You must pay for doctor’s visit in local currency, the amount which should be reimbursed to you. In case of emergency or any other urgent medical need, you will be taken to an English speaking Czech Hospital.
FACULTY 
Dr. KAREN von KUNES, Yale University Senior Lector in the Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures, and Film Studies, is author of Beyond the Imaginable: 240 Ways of Looking at Czech, and Czech-English English-Czech dictionary. Dr. Karen published articles on Czech literature and film (Kundera, Forman and Havel), fiction, and is an author of screenplay. She wrote textbooks Czech Step By Step and Check Your Czech, and her Fun & Easy Czech is in progress. http://www.yale.edu/slavic.
DAY-TO-DAY SCHEDULE
Thursday, July 5 - Saturday, August 11, 2007 ARRIVAL WEEK
INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
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