INTRODUCTION TO HUNGARIAN CULTURE I

SPRING 2023

Time: Friday 8:00-9:40

Place: Chemistry Building, B 104
Instructor: Máté Gergely Balogh, website https://ieas.unideb.hu/en/mate-gergely-balogh
email: baloghmategergely@gmail.com; balogh.mate@arts.unideb.hu
Office hours: Thursday 10-11, Friday 10-11, and by appointment (office: Main Building
120/2)

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to offer incoming foreign students a basic overview of Hungarian
culture, politics, and history. It will help students develop a better understanding of life and
possible challenges in Hungary. A basic introduction will be followed by overviews of
Hungarian geography, politics, and society. The course also covers the major turning points in
Hungarian history and provides tips on everyday life in Hungary and Debrecen.

COURSE GOALS
The course is designed to offer an overview of Hungarian culture and aims to develop all four
basic language skills (speaking, reading, writing, and listening). Some basic Hungarian usage
will also be taught, and students will be advised on their individual academic needs.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
This is a seminar course, and, according to university regulations, students MAY NOT MISS
MORE THAN THREE CLASS SESSIONS under any circumstances. MISSING MORE
THAN THREE CLASSES WILL RESULT IN A FAILING GRADE. Exception to this
regulation may only be granted by the Faculty.
If the course continues online, the details of what participating in a class entails will be
discussed below.

The final grade will be based on:

(1) an individual 7-minute oral presentation on a famous Hungarian or a topic related
to Hungarian culture.
NOTE: the end-term exam will include questions based on the presentations. Students
are required to prepare a ppt or pptx to assist fellow students. These should be emailed
to the instructor 3 days before the presentation is scheduled. In the case of in-person
teaching, please, keep in mind that Internet connection in the classroom is unreliable
Presentations must not be copy-pasted from online sources. The content of your talk,
the lay-out of the handout or ppt, your performance, and presentation skills will also
count toward the final evaluation.
Should students be unable to attend the class their presentation is scheduled for,
they MUST inform the instructor the day before the session otherwise NO MAKE-
UP OPTION will be offered.
(2) class participation
Class participation includes not only attending class (arriving ON time and staying
until the end of the session), but also participation in in-class discussions.
(3) in-class exam at the end of the course

ALL are compulsory course requirements and must be met to get a grade. Not meeting ANY
of the three course requirements listed above will result in a failing grade.
Students must sign up on the NEPTUN for the course, unregistered students will not be
accepted in class or given a grade. NOTE: it is essential that in the NEPTUN you indicate an
email you regularly check, otherwise you will not be able to learn of vital course and class
information (assignments, room changes, field trip information, etc.). Claiming to have no
access to the information sent via Neptun will not be accepted as an excuse.

CODE OF CONDUCT
 Attend all classes and arrive on time. Students arriving late for class will lose grade
points form “class participation.” If you regularly cut the beginning and/or the end
of class sessions, it can add up to unexcused full-class-time absences.
 Using phones, iPads, or any electronic device during in person classes is strictly
forbidden.
 Pay attention at all times in class, without disrupting the teaching and learning taking
place. Having a discussion with fellow students during teaching disrupts the class. Treat
all staff and students with respect.
 Students are required to turn on their cameras during online classes, as well as their
microphones if the teacher asks them a question.
 Swearing and offensive language, bullying is unacceptable.

Reading
The REQUIRED textbook which is available on the e-learning system. Students are required to
regularly check the e-learning system, where the instructor uploads the materials.

Grading policy
Class participation: 30% (NO MAKE-UP OPTION)+Oral presentation: 30% (NO MAKE-
UP OPTION)+Exam: 40% (NO MAKE-UP OPTION)=Total: 100%
Grading: jeles (5): 90%; jó (4) 80%; közepes (3) 65%; elégséges (2) 50%; elégtelen (1) below
50%

Date Assignment

02.17. Orientation
02.24. Debrecen and the University
03.03. Hungary Basics: discussion of stereotypes of Hungary and Hungarians on the
basis of the students’ background; Facts and figures about Hungary, Hungarian
geography and climate
03.10. Hungary Basics: a look at the Hungarian national symbols: flags, anthems, coats
of arms; famous Hungarians
03.17. Hungarian society and minorities: Hungarians and minorities; the Roma
question; Slovaks, Rumanians, South Slavs and Germans in Hungary; problems of
upward social mobility
03.24 Hungarian Culture and Identity: the building blocks of national identity and
pride, poetry and music, Hungarians in film and TV history, hungarikumok
03.31. The Hungarian political system and elections: the 1949 constitution and its
revised version of 1989; changes in the form of government in Hungary in the 20th
century; the new constitution of 2012; the system of national and local elections,
politics at the university in Hungary
04.07. Good Friday, no class – rescheduled for walking tour of Debrecen
04.14. Turning points in Hungarian history 1: From the House of Árpád to the
Turkish Wars: occupation of the Carpathian basin, founding of the Hungarian
 Kingdom, St. Stephen, the Turkish wars: Nándorfehérvár. Mohács, Eger, the
reoccupation.
04.21. Turning points in Hungarian history 2: Hungary’s wars for independence:
Bocskai, Rákóczi, 1948-49; the Compromise of 1867.
04.28. Turning points in Hungarian history 3: World War I and Trianon, World
War II, the Holocaust in Hungary, 1956, and 1989: a review of key historical
events in Hungary in the 20th century
05.05. revision, leftover presentations
05.19. In-class test
05.26. Assessment
tba Optional trip to the Hortobágy National Park
later