Summer schools

Palacký University offers a wide range of summer schools and short programmes. We are happy to tailor them according to your needs.

• Summer School of Slavonic Languages
• Bridging the East and West: Saints Cyril and Methodius in Great Moravia
• Summer School of Music Education
• Summer School of English Language
• Summer School of Drama Therapy
• Summer School of Fine Arts
• ELSA Summer Law School

Faculty of Arts
Duration: 4 weeks/2 weeks (July-August)
Program Overview
The Summer School of Slavonic Languages focuses on developing Czech language skills and cultural immersion into the Czech culture by providing intensive Czech language courses with a focus on literature, history and culture (fine arts, music, etc.) The academic program offers numerous experiential workshops such as theatre workshop led by local actors, folklore dances, as well as extracurricular activities such as film screenings, social events and many more engaging activities.
The course is designed for a wide range of participants: foreigners living in the Czech Republic, international students of the Czech language and literature or Slavonic studies, as well as scholars, translators, journalists, and anybody interested in the Czech language, literature, history, and culture. The curriculum is tailored to the needs of the participants. All language courses are taught in several levels and there is a possibility of a customized program based on the individual's preference of topic-based courses and the preferred length of the program (i.e. 2 or 4 weeks). Moreover, the participants can choose to develop other Slavonic languages such as: Russian and Polish. After the completion of the course, participants will receive Certificate of Palacký University.
Field trips are an academic part of the program. Participants will have a chance to visit culturally important sites in the Czech Republic during the weekend and one-day trips.
Scholarship and discounts available:
Participants can apply for a scholarships awarded by the Ministry of Education of the Czech Republic by contacting the Czech Embassy in their home country.  Discounts are available also for early-bird registration.
Website: http://lsss.upol.cz/en/summer-school-slavonic-languages
Contact: Dr. Petr Pořízka, Course Director (email: LSSS@upol.cz)

Tailored Semester Abroad Program
Faculty of Arts
Duration: 12 weeks (March-May)
Credits: 30 ECTS
Program Overview
Since the 1990s Palacký University in Olomouc has been hosting more than twenty students from the University of Nebraska each year. The goal of the program is to provide the students with an intensive interdisciplinary insight into European history, culture and society and to expose and engage them in on-site research projects.
The curriculum was designed to provide a unique academic experience: covering key topics of Western Civilizations, the Holocaust, Central European history, and present day challenges. It also provides abundant opportunities of cultural immersion through a Czech language courses and extracurricular activities including many academic excursions. Students are also integrated into the campus through numerous events, walking trips, and fun activities like film screenings organized by the university's joint collaboration with ISHA Olomouc (The International Students of History Association). A free week in the middle of the semester enables student to make individual trips and explore other European countries.
Learning Outcomes
At the beginning of the program, students participate in an intensive three-day introduction to Czech culture as well as the orientation at the university and the city of Olomouc. Czech Language Course - Students will acquire basic knowledge of the Czech language and be submerged in the culture (e.g. folklore dancing evening). Session I: Western Civilization and the Holocaust - Students will gain a deeper understanding of the key topics of European history and culture. Session II: Central Europe in Context - Students will gain an interdisciplinary perspective of CE society and cultures. 18 speakers with various backgrounds will offer the lectures on history, art, media studies, political studies, sociology, environmental studies, and economics.
All field trips are academically interlinked with in-class sessions and are designed to provide better understanding of the discussed issues. The program lecturers guide all of the following trips: Prague and Dresden (4 days), Vienna and Venice (5 days), Krakow and Auschwitz (3 days), South Bohemia (5 days), short trips to Bouzov Castle, Kroměříž, Rožnov Open Air Museum.
Scholarship Opportunities: Successful graduates of the program are eligible for a waiver at Euroculture Erasmus-Mundus MA program at Palacký University (www.euroculture.upol.cz).
Website: http://www.unk.edu/international/study_abroad/nebraska-semester-abroad-program.php
Contact: Jan Stejskal, Ph.D., Academic Coordinator (e-mail: jan.stejskal@upol.cz)
Martin Elbel, Ph.D., Academic Coordinator (e-mail: martin.elbel@upol.cz)

Tailored Short-term Program
Faculty of Theology: Saints Cyril and Methodius
Duration: 7 - 10 days (depending on the preferences, any time during the year)
Credits ECTS: TBD
Program Overview
The East and West polarity has been crucial for the formation of European history; it is one of the fundamental paradigms of European culture and politics. In 863 two Greek missionaries, brothers Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius came to Moravia (a historical land in the Czech Republic) by invitation of the Moravian Duke Rostislav to finish the process of Christianization in his country. For two decades the Byzantine Christian and cultural mission of Great Moravia experienced stormy flourishing. However, it came to an abrupt end in 885 when Saint Methodius died and his disciples were expelled. The Great Moravia itself fell victim to Hungarian invasions in 907 and was never restored.
Although it may seem that Great Moravia was a short and not very successful episode of the Central European region, the opposite is true. Great Moravia was the first common Slavic state in Central Europe. Cultural and religious missions of Saints Cyril and Methodius affected all Slavic people in Central, Southern, and Eastern Europe.  Even up to the present day many Slavic people are still using the alphabet and writing created by Saint Cyril for his mission to Moravia. The idea of a broader united Slavic community that has been and still is used for political purposes is based inter alia on a common religion, writing and cultural tradition that have their roots in Great Moravia. The legacy of the two saints has its significant place in the West - in 1980, Saint Pope John Paul II pronounced them, along with other saints and patrons of Europe.
Learning Outcomes
The course is open to a wide range of participants: student of European studies, history, and theology but also to scholars and educators who would like to explore the lands where Saints Cyril and Methodius performed their religious and cultural missions. You will gain a thorough interdisciplinary understanding of how they impacted history and the present day as well as be exposed to places where dukes ruled Great Moravia. Participants will become acquainted with the everyday life of early medieval Slavs at the open air museum of an old Slavic settlement, and visit renewed foundations of religious structures of Great Moravia. You will visit archaeological excavation sites of original settlements of Great Moravian princes and marvel at the unique architectural and natural monuments such as Velehrad, Pohansko, Znojmo and other historical sites.
An integral part of the course are overnight field trips to Slovakia, Prague, and other places in Central Europe where the legacies of Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius are palpable even today.
Other extra-curricular activities include social events, discussions, and film screenings and guided walks exploring the unique historical city of Olomouc
Curriculum will be tailored to needs and interests of the partner institution.
Contact: Dr. Tomáš Parma, Vice-Dean, Course Director (e-mail: tomas.parma@upol.cz)

Faculty of Education
Duration: 5 weeks (July-August)
6 ECTS Credits
The international summer school focuses on history and theory of music a well as on the development of musical skills of participants. The curriculum is based on interactive lectures and workshops on choral singing or ensemble playing and many other. Students have the chance develop also their creative musical competences in a course on musical creativity, harmony and many more.
Part of the curriculum are social and cultural extracurricular activities where international students have plenty opportunities to meet and have fun with domestic students. The course includes field trips to: Prague, Vienna and Jeseniky mountains.
Website: http://www.pdf.upol.cz/en/groups/studying/summer-schools-and-international-weeks/
Contact: Dr. Vojtech Regec, Course Director and Vice-dean (e-mail: vojtech.regec@upol.cz)

Faculty of Education
Duration: 5 weeks (July-August)
6 ECTS Credits
The aim of the course is to provide education for teachers of English. The students will gain knowledge and skills in various areas of linguistics, literature, the culture and history of English-speaking countries and the basics of ELT methodology. An integral part of the curriculum is teaching practice.  A number of courses are taught by native speakers and international faculty.
Part of the curriculum are social and cultural extracurricular activities in the city of Olomouc and outside. The course includes field trips to: Prague, Vienna and Jeseniky mountains.
Website: http://www.pdf.upol.cz/en/groups/studying/summer-schools-and-international-weeks/
Contact: Dr. Vojtech Regec, Course Director and Vice-dean (e-mail: vojtech.regec@upol.cz)

Faculty of Education
Duration: 5 weeks (July-August)
6 ECTS Credits
Future teachers as well as practicing educators have the chance to develop their drama skills as well as a broad range of social and personal skills during numerous engaging workshops. Participants can attend drama therapy, expressive therapy, art therapy, music therapy courses and many more. Moreover, the intercultural and international make-up of the participants provides opportunities of deepening intercultural sensitivity and solution of intercultural issues.
Part of the curriculum are social and cultural extracurricular activities in the city of Olomouc and outside. The course includes field trips to: Prague, Vienna and Jeseniky mountains.
Website: http://www.pdf.upol.cz/en/groups/studying/summer-schools-and-international-weeks/
Contact: Dr. Vojtech Regec, Course Director and Vice-dean (e-mail: vojtech.regec@upol.cz)

Faculty of Education
Duration: 5 weeks (July-August)
6 ECTS Credits
This school is open to all participants interested in fine arts and in improving their skills in graphic design or jewelry production. The curriculum includes courses such as graphic arts, intermedia, metal and jewelry as well courses of art therapy focused on development of social skills. Participants may find inspiration in the beautiful historical city of Olomouc as well as cultural activities and site visits included in the program.
Part of the curriculum are social and cultural extracurricular activities in the city of Olomouc and outside of it, such as Prague, Vienna and Jeseniky mountains.
Website: http://www.pdf.upol.cz/en/groups/studying/summer-schools-and-international-weeks/
Contact: Dr. Vojtech Regec, Course Director, Vice-dean (e-mail: vojtech.regec@upol.cz)

Medical Law
Faculty of Law
Duration: 1 week (July)
The ELSA International Summer Law School focuses on Medical Law and is co-organized with the European Law Students' Association (generally known as ELSA). Approximately thirty law students from various European universities will have the opportunity to work with and learn from Czech and international Medical and Health Law experts and discuss topics such as : home births, vaccination, euthanasia and many more. Students will also be privileged to attend a professionally commentated autopsy in a dissecting room.  This will be both a practical and extraordinary experience.
Social and cultural events are also an important part of the curriculum. Students will take part in events such as: sightseeing tours in the historic town center of Olomouc and view all of the architecturally valuable monuments the city has to offer, a trip to spectacular surroundings of Olomouc, spectacular caves in a nature park, national evenings, a Welcome Dinner, and final Gala Ball.
No fee for undergraduate students!
Website: http://lawschools.elsa.org and http://www.slsolomouc.com or watch our promotional video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlQXo2JAfZ8.
Contact: Mr. Daniel Pospíšil, President of ELSA Olomouc (e-mail: pospisil@elsa.cz)