Course at a Glance
Course: HIST 317H
Class and Credits: HIST 317H The Heart of Central Europe (3 credits)
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
When: 8 April to 5 May 2026
On-Site Prague: 24-27 April 2026
Register by: 25 March 2026
Status: OPEN
Highlights:
- Bila Hora
- Vyšehrad
- Prague Castle
- Czech Senate
- Petrin Tower
- Monument to Czech Legion
- Church of Ss. Cyril and Methodius
- Museum of Communism
- Letna Park
Tuition and Fees:
$750.00 Undergraduate 3-credit hour tuition cost
$400.00 Field Study Additional Fee includes: (museum/ticket fees, private tours, excursions or other events organized by the faculty). Not included: meals, transportation to and from the location, and hotel accommodation. Please note that the fee is subject to change based on potential increases in ticket prices.
Historians vacillate on European history between ideas of towering cultural and economic achievements and astonishing brutality and repressiveness to human life.
This field study course investigates Prague's political, economic, and cultural development, emphasizing the factors involved in the Hussite Rebellion, two world wars, and the rise and fall of Communism. Time will be given to explore places of historical significance for Prague's art, culture, politics, and literature. The objective is to evaluate the causes and consequences of significant and major events of this period, its wider influence on Europe, and the local culture it produced in Prague. Fieldwork will include guided tours, onsite lectures, and interactive assignments encouraging students to connect historical theory with real-world observations and experiences.
Faculty member: Dr. Malcolm Magee, e-mail malcolm.magee@umgc.edu
Students should consult an academic advisor to determine how the course fits into their program.
Course Details
Pre-Course and Week 1
You will gain access to the online LEO classroom approximately one week before the start of the course. The official course start date is 8 April 2026. Once you access the classroom, take a virtual course walk-through and begin reading assignments and review the on-site itinerary.
On-Site in Prague
24-27 April 2026
Sample Itinerary (Final confirmed itinerary will be available in the course syllabus)
Bila Hora
Vyšehrad
Subjects Related to Students Research Interests
Petrin Tower and Monument to Czech Legion
Church of Ss. Cyril and Methodius
Operation Anthropoid
Museum of Communism
Letna Park
Historic Jazz Club
Textbooks and Course Materials
Please refer to the current course syllabus found on the schedule for details about course materials.
Registration Details
You may register for the 1-3-credit field study course with your local program coordinator or online at MyUMGC. Tuition assistance or financial aid can be applied toward tuition costs. For more information, contact the UMGC Field Study Office at CIV +49-(0)631-534-800, or e-mail fieldstudies-europe@umgc.edu.
Before completing your travel plans, please verify with your local program coordinator or the Field Study Office at fieldstudies-europe@umgc.edu. that the course will be held as scheduled. If you drop/withdraw from a field study course after the registration deadline, you will be charged a fee of $100. A one-credit hour field study will be charged the amount equal to the pre-purchased tickets. Please see the additional field study fee.
How is a field study course different from a regular course?
A field study course packs all of the 48 contact-hours of other courses into adventure-filled days on location, so you can earn one to three credits at an accelerated pace. In addition, rather than taking place in an education center, a field study course takes place in a historical European city where the subject being studied has its roots. You will visit historical sites and museums as well as participate in lectures that bring it all together for a one-of-a-kind learning experience.
For more information, please visit the Field Study Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page.
Helpful Hints
Before you leave:
- Contact your travel agency concerning insurance coverage for cancellations.
- Contact your health insurance company for information concerning coverage at your destination.
- Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of your destination country.
- Check the weather forecast for your destination.
- Obtain city maps for your destination.
- Leave contact information with people at home who may need to reach you during the course.
- Make sure your legal affairs are in order and leave a short-term power of attorney with someone you trust.
- Make two photocopies of your passport and the contents of your wallet--leave one copy at home and bring the other with you.
For more information, please visit the Field Study Resources page.