Yale Summer Session in Prague: Cinematic Storytelling in Prague

Description

[NOTE: Program details (overall status, dates, costs, etc.) are subject to change each summer, and the information on this page will be updated as such details are finalized.]

An intensive, hands-on exploration of the history, theory, tools and techniques of narrative filmmaking offered jointly by Yale and FAMU, the national film and television academy of the Czech Republic. The program interweaves a Yale seminar, in which students learn the fundamental principles and techniques of cinematic storytelling via readings, screenings, discussions and creative exercises, and a FAMU practicum in which students expand and apply the knowledge acquired in the seminar in hands-on workshops, exploratory projects and the mentored development and production, in small groups, of fully-realized capstone films.

All instruction is in English. Enrollment limited to 16. Participants choose to receive credit in either ART or FILM for the Yale credit at the time of application.

The class will meet Monday - Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and students should expect about 4-8 hours of work outside the classroom each week, as well as excursions and other program activities.

Budget

Yale Summer Session Programs Abroad updates program budgets in late January. Please note the year listed on the button below.

Summer 2024 Budget

Trips and Activities

Though Cinematic Storytelling in Prague is first and foremost an intensive filmmaking program designed to make the most of FAMU's world-class facilities, resources and instruction, it is also intended to be an immersive cultural experience.

Students will explore Prague and its surrounding areas, with guidance and independently, as part of their coursework, and the city will be the setting and the subject of the students’ film projects. Students are encouraged to live as much as possible like their Czech film-student peers, finding challenge and inspiration in the atmospheric streets, rich history and vibrant culture of Prague.

Housing

[NOTE: Students are required to stay in program-provided housing.  There is no option for individually-arranged housing.]

Students will stay in double and triple rooms in fully-furnished apartments near the city center, a short journey by tram from FAMU's main building. Students will be responsible for all meals except special group dinners, and are encouraged to create their own culinary experience of Prague by combining meals in the city's many affordable restaurants with food purchased at local supermarkets and farmer’s markets and prepared in their apartment kitchens.

Notes

Please note the second credit for this course is a transfer credit. Yale students are only allowed to bring in 2 outside credits from any Non-Yale summer experience over their 3 summers while enrolled at Yale.

Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements and are expected to arrive in Prague on the first day of the program, and depart no earlier than the last day of the program (see 'Dates' above); additional information will be provided upon admission. Students are not allowed to travel outside of the Czech Republic during the dates of the program.

YSS Tuition Assistance / International Study Award (ISA):

• This program consists of two courses, one that is a Yale credit course (taught by a Yale instructor) and one that is a credit from FAMU, our partner institution.
• YSS financial assistance cannot be granted for non-Yale credits; only the one Yale credit of the two-credit program is eligible for YSS financial assistance. Only the $5,070 Yale 1-credit course is eligible for YSS financial assistance. 
• FAMU course credit is transferred back to Yale, while the Yale course credit is automatically rolled to the transcript as a Yale College course credit.
• This limitation applies to YSS financial assistance and not the ISA. The whole program is ISA eligible.
• Similarly, this program does not meet the YSS COVID-19 Courses eligibility requirements for an abroad option as the tuition cost for the program is only for one Yale credit. As noted, the second credit is transferred in from FAMU.

Questions

For course content questions contact instructor, Jon Andrews.  For general program questions contact the Study Abroad staff.

Important Information Before Applying

• All YSS Programs Abroad are intensive, highly structured academic programs for Yale credit and grades.
• Students may only apply to one YSS Program Abroad per summer.
• Admission is not guaranteed. Applicants should anticipate that more students will apply than there are spots available, and Yale College students should apply to a backup Non-Yale Summer Abroad opportunity.
• Ensure that your transcript reflects how you have met the pre-requisite, if applicable, prior to applying.
• Participants must commit to the full program dates. Late arrivals and early departures are not permitted.
• Participants are required to be enrolled in all program courses.
• Participants should expect evening and weekend requirements. Students who have questions about religious observance during a YSS Program Abroad are encouraged to Meet with an Adviser.
• Program-arranged housing is required for all YSS Programs Abroad. Students are not permitted to secure independent housing. Students who have housing-related questions about placements, allergies, religious observance, or disability-related access are encouraged to Meet with an Adviser.

Apply to a YSS Program Abroad