SPEDM104 School as a Community

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2026
Extent and Intensity
1/1. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
prof. PhDr. Milan Pol, CSc. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Milan Pol, CSc.
Department of Educational Sciences – Faculty of Arts
Supplier department: Department of Educational Sciences – Faculty of Arts
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the subject School as a Community is to familiarize students with the main theories, professional discourses, and also practical applications related to the community contexts of the school's operation. Students will gradually become acquainted with the main theoretical concepts focused on the community contexts of the school's operation, as well as with research conducted in this area. They will also gain an overview of typical forms of school as a community and the school's role in the broader community. The subject will include examples of specific initiatives both in our country and abroad.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course School as a Community, the students will be able to define the main features of communities, characterize the main topics/results of professional discourses and research related to the matter. They will also be able to identify and describe the community features of schools and to know important school-community initiatives in the Czech Republic and abroad.
Syllabus
  • Definition of basic concepts - community, community education, community schools, school in the community (municipality). Main features of a school as a community. Main features of community education. Typology of school-community relationships. School as a community center. Significant school-community initiatives in the Czech Republic and abroad.
Literature
    required literature
  • HARTL, Pavel. Komunita občanská a komunita terapeutická. 1. vyd. Praha: Sociologické nakladatelství, 1997, 221 s. ISBN 80-85850-45-1. info
  • LORENZOVÁ, Jitka. Kontexty vzdělávání v postmoderní situaci. Vydání první. Praha: Filozofická fakulta Univerzity Karlovy, 2016, 335 stran. ISBN 9788073086503. info
    recommended literature
  • Vik, V. (2007) Jak zavést komunitní vzdělávání do školy. Nová škola.
  • Cleveland, B. et al. (eds.) (2023) Schools as Community Hubs. Building ´More than a Schoolˇ. Springer.
Teaching methods
Lecture and seminar – explanation, discussion supported by the study of professional literature and with the participation of representatives of school-community initiatives. To complete the course, a workload of 125 hours is expected (5 ECTS credits): 30 hours – attendance in classes 50 hours – study of professional literature and other sources 10 hours – preparation of a presentation for the seminar 35 hours – preparation for the written test
Assessment methods
To complete the course, the following is required: (1) attendance at least 75%; (2) systematic preparation according to instructions given by the teacher and active participation in the seminar; (3) elaboration of a presentation of a selected school-community initiative and its presentation (more information will be provided by the teacher during lessons); (4) successful completion of a written test aimed at verifying knowledge based on the course syllabus.
Language of instruction
Czech
Study support
https://elf.phil.muni.cz/24-25/course/view.php?id=643
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught every week.
Teacher's information
The course will have e-learning learning resources (elf).
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