IDS 2040 - Budapest and Beyond

Credits: 4
This course is intended for students interested in exploring their surroundings, discussing what they see and experience, and coming to an informed, reflective understanding of Budapest, Hungary, and Central Europe. Budapest and Beyond: Contemporary Hungary is a hands-on course that encourages students to go beyond the superficial and stereotypical observations made in tourist guidebooks. Students will visit a variety of settings, listen to different voices in Hungarian society, discuss their observations with fellow students, compare what they are seeing and hearing to their home societies, reflect on their personal Hungarian experiences, and arrive at a more profound and nuanced view of Hungary. Major social, political, economic, artistic, and cultural topics will be explored, including different lives and lifestyles in Hungary, Hungarian youth culture and experiences, the political and economic landscape of Hungary, and Hungarian pop culture, sports, cuisine, and family life. The course is cooperatively taught by a number of professors and guests, each of whom brings their own knowledge and experience to the subject at hand. Students’ work will be centered on an online travel journal, which will consist of on-site reports as well as creative reflections, both textual and multi-media.
Note: Offered at the Budapest campus only.