Art, Museums, and Urban History in Prague and Vienna
ONLINE MAY 19-23, 2025
TRAVEL MAY 27- JUNE 20, 2025
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Students will have the opportunity to study ARTH 211: Art, Museums, Urban Development in Prague and Vienna, EURO 216: The Cultural History of Prague and Vienna in two of the great cities of Europe: Vienna and Prague. Participants will undertake pertinent readings that dovetail with the program's venues. Instructors lead this hands-on program with extensive European and Study Abroad experience. Both of these cities have rich cultural histories, including World Wars I and II, the Holocaust, Communism, and the Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, as well as a dynamic political past, present, and future. To prepare for this program, a one-week (May 19-23) online component will provide cultural and historical background for the courses. May 27-June 20 will be dedicated to site visits, active venue learning, and discussions with professors and peers.
Students will have the opportunity to study ARTH 211: Art, Museums, Urban Development in Prague and Vienna, EURO 216: The Cultural History of Prague and Vienna in two of the great cities of Europe: Vienna and Prague. Participants will undertake pertinent readings that dovetail with the program's venues. Instructors lead this hands-on program with extensive European and Study Abroad experience. Both of these cities have rich cultural histories, including World Wars I and II, the Holocaust, Communism, and the Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, as well as a dynamic political past, present, and future. To prepare for this program, a one-week (May 19-23) online component will provide cultural and historical background for the courses. May 27-June 20 will be dedicated to site visits, active venue learning, and discussions with professors and peers.
Why Prague and Vienna?
Virtually untouched by World Wars I and II ravages, Prague looks remarkably as it did 600 years ago. Getting around the city is easy. Czech public transport is punctual and fast. There are many 'crown jewels' of Prague, such as the medieval Jewish Quarter of Josefov, the thousand-year-old Prague Castle or Hradčany, which stands on the hill overlooking the city, and the beautiful 14th century Charles Bridge with its blackened religious sculptures frozen in time. During the last week, we will travel to Vienna, a city that is home to the world's finest music, food, and culture.
Astronomical Clock in Prague
View of the Prague Castle and Charles Bridge
Detail of the Pharmacy Mosaic in Vienna
St Stephan Cathedral in Vienna
Course Director and Instructor Dr. Cynthia Klima
Course Instructor for EURO 216: Cultural History of Prague and Vienna: I have been teaching at Geneseo since 1993 and I am the founder of the Prague and Vienna Study Abroad Program, which I have also directed since 2005. I believe study abroad is a life-changing activity. My father's family is from Prague and from Southern Bohemia. My grandmother had firsthand experience with the Nazi regime and fortunately left before the Nazis took power in Central Europe. My grandfather was born in Prague, AUSTRIA because Czechoslovakia did not exist until 1918! Both of these cities are tremendously interesting and are filled with history, politics, and culture. There is something new around every corner! I will enjoy sharing with you all of the great places where incredible history took place and where writers and playwrights gathered to created immense works of literature. My expertise is in Holocaust, theater, and cafe culture as well as the Czech National Revival.
Instructor Dr. Alla Myzelev
Course Instructor for ARTH 211: I am an art and fashion historian teaching at Geneseo, offering courses on the history of art, activism, museum studies, and visual culture. My primary research focus is Eastern Europe. I am currently working on a book examining how men's fashion in the 20th century was used as a form of dissent against the socialist regime, drawing parallels to the original hippie movement in the USA. As an avid and enthusiastic traveler, I am excited to share with you my favorite art and architecture from the magnificent places we will explore
Instructor-Professor Douglas Owens
I have taught in public schools and higher education for over ten years. My focus has been modern European history, German, and humanities, with a recent interest in post-WWII Central and Eastern Europe. I also have extensive overseas experience in Europe and have studied and taught courses in Germany and the Czech Republic.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROGRAM
In Prague:
The Klementinum houses "The World's Most Beautiful Library" and offers a spectacular backdrop to the Baroque and Enlightenment art and literary eras, including Copernican clocks, medieval manuscripts, and an astronomical tower which we will climb to the top of.
The Vítkov Museum houses a detailed story of the Czechoslovak Republic, from its founding in 1918 through the dark decades of Nazism and Communism. It is also a former meeting place for the Communist Party of Czechslovakia. For your viewing pleasure, you may go out on the roof for a fabulous panoramic view of Prague.
The Alfonse Mucha Museum
Prague's Museum of Communism
The opulent and recently renovated National Museum
In Vienna:
The St. Stephen's Church catacombs
Sigmund Freud's former apartment and clinic
Schönbrunn Palace, home to the Hapsburg Monarchy and the world's oldest zoo
Albertina Museum of Art
Belvedere Palace
Leopold Museum
The Kulturhistorisches Museum (centerpiece museum of Austria)
The Museum of Vienna
Sacher Hotel (home to the famous Sachertorte pastry)
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