Courses in English and German in the academic year 2015/2016
(last updated 30 September 2015)
*The winter semester 2015/2016*

Courses recommended for students of Theology

Biblical Archaeology and Theology - RET1042 (Invitation to Tel Azeka Project Results) 
Lecture and Practice, 2 hours/week, 6 credits, Teachers: Prof. ThDr. Martin Prudký, Filip Čapek, Th.D., Dr. Sergi Omer; 
The objective of the seminar is to inform about contemporary discussion that takes part between biblical theology and archaeology. Emphasis will be laid on analysis and critical evaluation of individual positions held in this discussion starting with more general concepts /interdisciplinarity, question of place of origin of Israel, verifiability of great biblical narratives etc./ and ending with particular subjects /chronology, stratigraphy, architecture, pottery etc./. The place that will be preferentially dealt with is Ancient site Tel Azekah.

New Testament Exegesis - RET20385 (Paul on the Church and Israel: Romans 9-11)
Lecture and Seminar, 2 hours/week, 6 credits, Teacher: Jan Roskovec, Th.D.
The three chapters 9-11 form a special unit in Paul’s Letter to Rome. They mark a long passage by which the apostle rounds up the first part of his letter, a broad exposition of what he means by the "gospel" (ευαγγελιον). He lets his exposition issue into the painful question of the role of Israel as God’s people in God’s plans after the "righteousness of God" was revealed in the gospel of Jesus Christ. In the seminar, we will go through Paul’s argument and will try to understand and interpret in the context of his Letter to Rome and of contemporary ecclesiological reflection. Command of New Testament Greek is not required, but a determination for careful work with the texts is expected.

Theological Ethics Seminar - RET5057 (Christian Ethics and Environmental Problems)
Seminar, 2 hours/week, 6 credits, Teacher: Associate Professor Jindřich Halama, Dr.
Christian Ethics and Environmental Problems. Theological reflections on the present ecological crisis, its roots and the role of Christianity. Important theological patterns shaping our view of creation and their representation in the history of Christianity. Our Christian responsibility for creation. Based on the works of P. Santmire, James A. Nash, M. Northcott and J. Moltmann.

Seminar Kirchengeschichte : Kirche und Nationalismus - RET3052 oder RET3052A 
Seminar, 2 Stunden/Woche, 6 Kredite (RET3052A 4 Kredite), Lehrer: Dr. Peter Morée
Die enge Verbindung zwischen Religion und Nation in Zentraleuropa bis 1945 war eng mit dem Nationalismus verbunden. Es gab allerdings verschiedenen Alternativen dieser Verbindung, wie das auch reflektiert wird in der Geschichte der Deutschen Evangelischen Kirche in Böhmen, Mähren und Schlesien. Einführung in die Problematik der Beziehung zwischen Religion und Nation, hauptsächlich in der ersten Hälfte des 20. Jahrhunderts, am Beispiel von Kirchen in der damaligen Tschechoslowakei. Orientierung in den verschiedenen Positionen und ihren Nuancen. Forschung von Archivmaterial der Deutschen Evangelischen Kirche in Böhmen, Mähren und Schlesien.
 
Church History: Introduction to the Bohemian Reformation I - RET3031 
Lecture and Seminar, 2 hours/week, 4 credits, Teachers: Professor David Holeton and Dr. Peter Morée
The Bohemian Reformation between ca. 1350 and 1620 started as a movement of spiritual and liturgical renewal, but entered with Jan Hus a phase in which it offered an alternative model of the church. After a period of revolution and violence a phase of religious pluralism started, in which its players had to find their relations to the other Reformations in Europe and to Rome.

Eastern Orthodox Theology - RET7058A (Protestant Perspective)
Lecture, 2 hours/week, 4 credits, Teacher: Viacheslav Lytvynenko, Ph.D.
This course alerts students to the differences between the Eastern and Western Christian mindsets and the influence of those mindsets on the way each group approaches Scripture and Christian life. Using selections from appropriate primary sources, students will study the teaching of the Eastern Orthodox Churches on the relation between Scripture and tradition and on God, humanity, and salvation. By the end of the course, students should be able to: (1) recognize the influence of cultural mindsets on the way a given group of people understands Christian theology and life; (2) explain at least six major differences between Eastern and Western cultural mindsets; (3) articulate the difference between the Western understanding of authority and the Eastern understanding of tradition; (4) explain the significance of the different approaches to the doctrines of God, creation, and fall in East and West; (5) grasp the Orthodox idea of theosis and the relation of saints and icons to salvation in Orthodoxy; (6) recognize and enumerate the major differences between official and popular Orthodoxy; (7) appreciate the fact that Orthodoxy has much to teach the Western Christian world; (8) be willing to learn from Eastern Orthodoxy, as well as evaluate it critically; (9) be willing to assess their own expressions of faith, where it is appropriate to do so.

Practical Theology: The History and Practice of Christian Initiation - RET6051 
Seminar, 2 hours/week, 6 credits, Teacher: Professor David Holeton
This course covers the development of Christian Initiation from Jewish roots to the present day. Through lectures and assigned readings in primary sources the student will become familiar with the historical development of Christian initiation practices, the various theologies of initiation through the ages as well as the contemporary renewal of initiation practices in the churches. By the end of the course students should have a solid background which to engage the contemporary reforms of initiation practice in their own church as well as the place and theology of baptism and confirmation in ecumenical dialogue.

Tracing the Sacred in the Streets of Prague - RET8055 (Religious motifs in everyday life)
Seminar, 2 hours/week, 4 credits; Teacher: Rut Jochanan Weiniger, Th.D.

Genocide Studies and Massive Violence - RET8059
Lecture and Seminar, 2 hours/week, 6 credits, Teachers,: Associate Professor Pavel Hošek, ThD., Dr. Paul A. Levine, and several guest lecturers
A unique course available to both undergraduate students and MA candidates from a variety of disciplines. The first of its kind at Charles University and in the Czech Republic.
After completing the course you will have extensive knowledge about: the causes and motivations for genocide; some of the most important cases of genocide and massive violence which have impacted the world today; how these crimes against humanity are represented in a variety of media and art; how the subject can be taught at different educational levels. The course is highly inter-disciplinary. International and local scholars will give lectures and engage in close discussion with course participants. 

Is the Reformation to Blame for Secularization? - RET3057
Block seminar, 2 credits; Teachers: Dr. Peter Morée, Prof. Klaus Fitschen
A seminar on the (un?)intended secular impact of the Reformation on European societies in past and present. The course will be held as a block seminar during the weekend of 20-22 November 2015 only.

Courses recommended for students of Social Work

Social Work in Czech Republic I; Current Situation and Challenges – RPZ02
Lecture and Seminar, 2 hours/week, 5 credits; Teachers: PhDr. Eva Křížová, PhD., Mgr. Daniel Bartoň, PhDr. Hana Janečková, Ph.D., PhDr. Jaroslava Šťastná. Ph.D.
The course aims to introduce major social issues and concerns in CR which are closely associated with social work: socio-economic development after 1989, current social structure and emerging problems, approaches to solve them and basic coping strategies. The course will explore theories and concepts related to social exclusion and integration, legal concerns and give examples of practical applications to be analysed and discussed by the course participants. The course is taught over a semester (12 sessions) with one lecture or seminar each week. 

Theological Ethics: Civil Society and Human Rights – RDI0204
Seminar, 2 hours/week, 5 credits, Teacher: ThDr. Pavel Keřkovský

Theological Ethics: Ethics for Helping Professions; Foundations and Applications – RDI0504 
Lecture and Seminar, 2 hours/week, 6 credits, Teacher: Ing. Mgr. Ondřej Fischer, M.A
The course will explore basic ideas of professional ethics in the context of ethical theory, professionalism and vocational ethics. It will start with applications in “helping professions” or “social professions” with casuistry taken foremost from Social Work as their representative. Against this background some of the foundational themes of ethics will be explored in the first part of the course, such as the concepts of good and evil, of happiness, conscience, duty etc. as these emerge in various practical situations. Theological and Christian Ethics will also be included as one of the foundational perspectives and will be also taken into the account when exploring concepts of profession. In the second part of the course some key themes in professional ethics will be discussed against the fundamental concepts and perspectives outlined in the former part of the course as they emerge in the work with specific target groups and professional legislation, codes of ethics or accounts of good practice. Emphasis will be given on the ethical problems and dilemmas taken from actual professional practice. 

Theological Ethics: Psychological Crisis Co-operation – RDI0704
Lecture and Seminar, 2 hours/week, 5 credits, Teacher: PhDr. Bohumila Baštecká, Ph.D.
Psychosocial Crisis Co-operation is the interdisciplinary field that deals with (family, community, organization) responses to emergencies and suffering. Lectures are given in English and they are based on student’s papers covering the main topics.