TT00_HUNG_CULTURE: INTRODUCTION TO
HUNGARIAN CULTURE
Tutor: Tibor Glant (North American Department, Main Bldg. 120/2, ext. 22507;
tglant@unideb.hu; office hours: WED and THU 13-14; and by appointment)
Place and time: Kassai A222, FRI 14-16
Format: seminar
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to offer incoming foreign students a basic overview of Hungarian culture,
politics, and history. It will help students develop a better understanding of life and possible
challenges in Hungary. A basic introduction will be followed by overviews of Hungarian geography,
politics and society. The course also covers the major turning points in Hungarian history and
provides tips on everyday life in Hungary and Debrecen, and the screening of a Hungarian cult movie.
COURSE GOALS
The course is designed to offer an overview of Hungarian culture and aims to develop all four basic
language skills (speaking, reading, writing and listening) of the students. Yes, even Americans
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
This is a seminar course, and, according to university regulations, students may NOT miss more than
three class sessions under any circumstances. Students will be asked to (1) make one oral
presentation of up to 10 minutes on a topic related to the course and/or on their home country, (2)
write TWO opinion papers of up to three pages on topics assigned, and (3) take an in-class exam at
the end of the course.
Class participation includes not only attending class (and arriving in time), but also participation in
class discussion. Not meeting ANY of the three course requirements listed above will result in a fail
grade. None of this is negotiable. Students must sign up on the NEPTUN for both the course and
exams. Unregistered students will not be accepted in class or given exams. Claiming to have no
knowledge of the rules is no excuse to break them.
CODE OF CONDUCT IN THE CLASSROOM
Attend all classes and arrive on time. Arriving late to class and leaving before the end
of class is not allowed. Bring your syllabus to each class.
Using mobile phones during lessons is not allowed. Switch your mobile phone off
during lessons and place it out of sight.
Respect your surroundings and fellow students.
Pay attention at all times in class, without disrupting the lesson, or the teaching and
learning taking place. Having a discussion with fellow students during teaching
disrupts the lecture. Treat all staff and students with respect.
Swearing and offensive language is unacceptable.
Bullying is unacceptable.
READING
Power Point slides will be made available on a weekly basis. Together with the class material, these
will form the basis for the exam material. Recommended reading: Hazám, hazám, te mindenem
(HHTM: available at Tesco, Malompark and Tóth Könyvkereskedés for about 1800 HUF).
GRADING POLICY
Class participation: 30%; Oral presentation: 15%; Opinion papers: 15%; Exam: 40%
Total: 100%; jeles (5): 90%; jó (4) 80%; közepes (3) 65%; elégséges (2) 50%; elégtelen (1) below
50%
WEEK-BY-WEEK BREAKDOWN OF COURSE
Week 1 (FEB 11): Orientation: getting acquainted; general discussion; assigning oral presentations;
setting the main targets of the course
Week 2 (FEB 18): Debrecen, Introduction to the University
Week 3 (FEB 25): Images, stereotypes and national symbols of Hungary: discussion of
stereotypes of Hungary and Hungarians on the basis of the students’ background; a look at the
Hungarian national symbols: flags, anthems, coats of arms, etc.
Week 4 (MAR 04): Basic facts and figures: facts and figures about Hungary, Hungarian geography
and climate; famous Hungarians
Week 5 (MAR 11): walking tour of downtown Debrecen
Week 6 (MAR 18): Hungarian society: Hungarians and minorities; the Roma question; Slovaks,
Rumanians, South Slavs and Germans in Hungary; problems of upward social mobility
Week 7 (MAR 25): The Hungarian political system and elections: the 1949 constitution and its
revised version of 1989; changes in the form of government in Hungary in the 20th century; the system
of national and local elections, politics at the university in the US and in Hungary
Week 8: March 28-April 1: Spring Break, no classes
Week 9 (APR 08): Hungary in the news: the image of Hungary in the western press, an in the press
of the countries that the students come from; October 23, 2006, Roma problems, anti-Semitism, etc.
Week 10 (APR 15): Turning points in Hungarian history 1: From the House of Árpád to the
Turkish Wars: occupation of the Carpathian basin, founding of the Hungarian Kingdom, St. Stephen,
the Turkish wars: Nándorfehérvár. Mohács, Eger, the reoccupation Film: Egri Csillagok, Part 1
Week 11 (APR 22): Turning points in Hungarian history 2: Hungary’s wars for independence:
Bocskai, Rákóczi, 1948-49; the Compromise of 1867. Film: Egri Csillagok, Part 2
Week 12 (APR 29): Filed trip to Monok, Szerencs, Sárospatak, and Tokaj
Week 13 (May 6): Turning points in Hungarian history 3: World War I and Trianon, World
War II, the Holocaust in Hungary, 1956, and 1989: a review of key historical events in Hungary in
the 20th century
Week 14 (MAY 13): exam
Week 15 (MAY 20): course evaluation