History
Department of Humanities (DH) was established in 1990 with the task to bring education about the classical intellectual legacy as well as about contemporary knowledge in the field of human being and society development. The head of DH has gradually become: Doc. PhDr. Zdeněk Pátek, CSc.; PhDr. Vladislav Labudek; doc. PhDr. Josef Špaček, CSc.; RNDr. Karel Hauzer, CSc.; Prof. PhDr. Ing. Věra Majerová, CSc. and doc. PhDr. Michal Lošťák, Ph.D.
Intention
DH is focused, in accordance with the strategic goals of CULS (Czech University of Life Sciencies), on the preparation of professionals and experts. Graduates are able to find solution for wide range of social issues affecting Czech rural areas and agriculture. Their application could be found in the public administration, regional development and non-profit sector as well. They are prepared to use expert knowledge and skills at work with people – especially where is it necessary to understand the relationships and processes among people in their daily and professional lives.
Educational activities
Master's and bachelor degree study program "Public Administration and Regional Development" in both full-time study and doctoral study "Regional and social development" are guaranteed by DH. In addition DH also guarantees accredited habilitation in this field.
Subjects are taught at all faculties of CULS and at regional centers of the Economic Faculty - all in Czech and English language.
Research activities
With respect to research activities, DH continues in the rich tradition of rural sociology. The research activities are focused on rural and regional development from the perspective of social science disciplines incl. philosophical perspective. DH participated and participates in research intention: "Social and Regional Development of rural areas in the Czech Republic"; "Effective integration of the Czech agrarian sector in the European structures - a prerequisite for sustainable development"; "Information and knowledge support of strategic management" and "Economics of Czech agriculture resources and their efficient use in the context of multifunctional agri-food systems".
Members of DH became successful investigators and co-investigators of the projects financed by providers from the Czech Republic (GA CR, TA CR, various Ministries CR, Higher Education Development Fund, etc.) and Europe (Open Society Fund, the 6th Framework Programme - CORASON; COFA, the 7th Framework Programme - "Data Network for Better European Organic Market Information" and others).
Currently DH participates in 3 international projects: "Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development" (Erasmus+), "An integrated approach to Diversify the genetic base, Improve stress resistance, agronomic management and nutritional / processing quality of minor cereal crops for human nutrition in Europe" (EU Funds) and "The Central-Eastern EU model for Competitive and Sustainable Agriculture and Rural development" (Standard Visegrad Fund).
International contacts and partnership
DH maintains permanent professional contacts with many European and overseas universities and research institutes: University of Vasa (Finland); Wageningen University (The Netherlands); Universidad de Externado de Colombia (Colombia); Research Institute of Agricultural Economics (Hungary); Institute of Agricultural and Food Economics - National Research Institute (Poland); University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (Austria); Slovak University of Agriculture (Slovakia); Universidad de Sevilla (Spain); Queen 's University Belfast (The United Kingdom).
DH members are involved in national and international advisory and research groups - RSG (Research and Study Group by ESRS); ERDN (European Rural Development Network) etc.
Other activities
Among the most important international activities of DH belong: co-organization of the traditional summer school for students and organizing international conferences and seminars for professionals and the general public. Further developing cooperation with LAGs (Local Action Grou) and with the National Rural Network; building an international network CzechRural and other.
