The Kurt and Ursula Schubert Center for Jewish Studies
The Kurt and Ursula Schubert Center for Jewish Studies at the Faculty of Arts at Palacký University in Olomouc constitutes institution, which in 2006 beginning the accreditation for a follow-up Master's program - Jewish Studies: History and Culture of the Jews – as a first in the Czech Republic filled a gap in the field of scientific discussion about the research of Jewish topics which has a strong and rich tradition in Bohemia and Moravia. In 2013 also BA studies Jewish and Israeli Studies were accredited.
The major has one unique characteristic – narrower focus on regional topics – Jews in Moravia. It forms CJS a regional research and educational center and at the same time a place stimulating interest in Israel which contributes to formation of unbiased attitudes towards the Near East problematics.
Both programs offer interdisciplinary educational model of Jewish Studies. Jewish Studies: History and Culture of the Jews (graduate programme) or Jewish and Israeli Studies (undergraduate programme) represent a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the history, cultural benefits, current development and functioning of the Jewish society not only in our country but also on a global scale and offers versatile academic education, including the most important aspects of Jewish culture, religion, history, sociology, literature and arts. The model system of instruction allows students great flexibility in choosing their subjects and their focus in the field they choose.
Contact
Centrum judaistických studií Kurta a Ursuly Schubertových FF UP v Olomouci Na Hradě 5, 779 00 OLOMOUC
tel.: (00420) 585 633 203, or (00420) 585 633 490
Postal adress
Centrum judaistických studií Kurta a Ursuly Schubertových Křížkovského 10 CZ - 779 00 OLOMOUC
History of Department
The Kurt-Schubert-Institute was established as a Center for Jewish Studies at the Faculty of Arts, Palacký University Olomouc in the year 2004. The MA-program was accredited by the Czech Ministry of Education in October 2005. The first MA-students enrolled in the academic year 2006/07. In fall 2008, the Center was converted into an Institute and named after Kurt Schubert (1923-2007) the doyen of Jewish Studies in Austria, who helped establishing the Centre. The Institute is devoted to researching and teaching the culture and history of Jews, with a special emphasis on Moravian Jewry. Presently, the courses are delivered in Czech, English and German, which emphasizes the international character of the institution. Additionally, the Center offers weekly lectures on Jewish culture and history (Cyklus) geared towards a larger interested public. Since 2007, the institute also hosts a Judaica library named after Nina & Beno Melchet that comprises approx. 3,000 volumes, including some rare and valuable pieces.
The Kurt-Schubert-Institute of Jewish Studies is the first secular institution that offers a full-fledged graduate program in Jewish Studies in the Czech Republic. The establishment of the new institute is also crucial for academic research. The supreme aim is to revitalize the study of the history, culture and tradition of Czech Jewry that has been interrupted by the Holocaust and neglected during the years of communism by providing access to international research results and hosting renowned foreign scholars. The aim of the study program is to offer Jewish topics in a broad context, as for instance, history, sociology, political science, theology, philology, art history etc.
The study program for Jewish Studies: Jewish History and Culture is designed as an interdisciplinary program of cultural studies. The program is compatible with Jewish Studies-programs at foreign universities. The international faculty staff promotes multidisciplinary research and the teaching of Czech and Central European Jewish history and heritage. Therefore, high-level language proficiency in German, English and Hebrew is emphasized.
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