University Communications and Marketing
September 4, 2019
MSU Billings offers Slovak course
Contact:
University Communications & Marketing, 657-2266
MSU BILLINGS NEWS — This fall Montana State University Billings is offering a new course for students and community members, Introduction to Slovakia.
This lecture-series type learning opportunity is led by Dr. Paul Foster, Director of International Studies at MSU Billings, and offers the opportunity to travel abroad on a short study trip to Central Europe.
Participants will study cultural, political, and economic history of Slovakia, with particular emphasis on the past 30 years. The course will compare Central European countries during the 20th Century: independence, rule by Nazi Germany then USSR, independence, emergence of democracy, rule of law, then erosion in some countries and rise of “illiberal democracy”.
Intro to Slovakia will examine how “small” countries such as Slovakia can hold up values and principles of democracy while other larger countries around them are challenged by movements away from these same values and principles.
This culturally rich course will feature Slovak guest lecturers – intellectuals and artists, politicians and public figures, who will join the class in person and via video link.
Foster, who holds a Ph.D. in Slavic Philology, will lead a 10-day Study Abroad trip to Slovakia in November. Trip details and costs will be released in September.
Students and community members are invited to engage in conversation and material at a level they feel comfortable with during the class. They may take the course for credit or community members may choose to audit the new course.
Class will be held each Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. in room 163 of McDonald Hall, starting September 4 and concluding at the end of the fall semester, December 12.
For more information visit the Office of International Studies or contact Paul Foster, Ph.D., 406-247-5785, paul.foster4@msubillings.edu.