The Faculty of Arts in Pilsen celebrates a quarter of a century, English classes are back

Every region needs experts in the humanities and social sciences. Such a slogan has been coined by the Faculty of Philosophy of the ZČU in the Pilsen region for over 25 years. “Graduates of the faculty are indispensable today in the fields of regional administration, social services, education, preservation of monuments and many others,” explains David Šanc, dean of the Faculty of Philosophy of the ZČU.

That studying at the FF ZČU was never just about philosophy is also proven by the fact that, for several years now, applicants have been most interested in the study program International Relations – Territorial Studies, which also produces the highest number of graduates. Historically, however, most students studied in the general Humanities program, which introduces a wide spectrum of humanities and social sciences. A wide range of programs is constantly being developed with regard to modern trends. “In recent years, the FF ZČU has also focused on the accreditation of professional study programs, i.e. those that connect even more theory with practice and with future employers. The bachelor’s program in Social Work is among the most sought after,” explains the dean of the Faculty of Arts of ZČU.

Traditionally, foreign language studies also gain great popularity among male and female applicants. This year, FF succeeded in reaccrediting the popular study program Foreign Languages ​​for Commercial Practice, which offers students the opportunity to study English in combination with another world language. From April 2024, a new department of philology will be established at the faculty, which will be led by vice-dean Helena Horová. “Graduates do not only learn to speak a foreign language, but we emphasize that they can use the language in practice, in the sphere of business and services, in the field of management or law. Which specialization they choose is up to them,” explains the head of the department, Helena Horová.

In more than two decades, the faculty has already managed to conclude over 200 partnership agreements with foreign universities. “Thanks to this, it can send its students and teachers on stays and internships all over the world, and thus be a gateway to the world for young men and women from Pilsen,” says Petr Krištuf, vice-dean for external relations of the FF ZČU, adding that the faculty already has sovereign the most student mobilities from the entire ZČU and, for example, the department of political science and international relations itself provides more than 10% of all foreign trips of ZČU students.

The goal of the FF ZČU is now to increase the number of students in the opposite direction – that is, to attract more foreign students to Pilsen. One of the first steps is the involvement of ZČU in the follow-up master’s program in International Relations. The Jagiellonian University in Krakow is the coordinator, and in addition to ZČU, the University of Pécs (Hungary) and the Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica (Slovakia) participate. Students from all over Europe spend one semester at each of the universities.

The ongoing research of archaeologists in southern Kyrgyzstan clearly ranks among the foreign achievements of the faculty. Those in the AK-Dzhar locality in the Pamir foothills, together with colleagues from the Osh State University and the academies of sciences of both countries, discovered traces of ancient settlement from the 1st millennium BC to the Middle Ages and the modern era. “In 2023, at the request of the Kyrgyz side, research also began in the Batken area, where no archaeologist had worked since the 1950s. So far, all expenses have been paid by the State University in Batken, which is very interested in further cooperation,” explains Pavel Vařeka, head of the Department of Archaeology.

The FF ZČU will commemorate the important 25th anniversary of its founding with several events, the first of which will be the end of the semester ceremony on June 12, where the management will appreciate students and employees who have contributed significantly to the development of the faculty. The entire quarter-century celebrations will end in the fall with a two-day meeting of the deans of all philosophy faculties in the Czech Republic, which this year will be hosted by Pilsen and ZČU, and where the main topics will be doctoral studies and funding of humanities.