This course will offer the unique opportunity to study the history of Czechoslovakia, a democratic country in Europe that has been dragged through Nazism and communism to emerge again as a democratic country by analysing a series of period feature films which bear testimony of the value system of each historical era. The analysis of the period film works will be framed within lectures and seminars explaining, with the help of relevant literature, the cultural and historical context.

2hour session: 1 hour lecture and 1 hour seminar over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus.

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The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Class exam (1.5 hours) in the examining period of semester 1 - 50%

■ Class essay (c.2000 words) to be submitted in semester 1 - 50%

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There is no alternative to the class exam, but extra time and/or a separate room can be offered as reasonable adjustment (students should follow the usual process for examination adjustments).

■ There is no alternative to the essay, but an extension to the deadline can be offered as reasonable adjustment (students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor. 

It is the default expectation that all courses will offer opportunities for reassessment or deferred assessment. Where it is not possible to offer this in some assessment components, the grade achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade, and any exceptions for this course are described below.

[No exceptions]

■ This course is intended to provide students with a good knowledge of the developments in Czech cinema. Historically, Czech cinema has been closely connected with social and political developments in the country. 

■ The course provides a case study of the twentieth century history of a medium-sized European nation to give an understanding of developments in recent European history;

■ Improve critical and evaluative skills in the handling of a variety of primary and secondary sources, including period cultural material from the realm of cinema within the context of a relevant historical framework;

■ Enhance confidence and independence of judgement in dealing with conflicting interpretations of major issues;

■ Improve presentational and analytical skills through assessed essays, seminar papers, discussion, and group work.

Upon successful completion of the course students will be able to demonstrate:

1. a detailed knowledge and understanding of the films studied

2. a thorough understanding of the major political and social issues reflected in these films, with which the Czechs have grappled in the later 20th century

3. an appropriate awareness of the main critical texts referred to in the course.