FVPFP013 Pillars of Democracy: Fixing the System Before it’s Too Late

Faculty of Public Policies in Opava
Summer 2025
Extent and Intensity
0/0/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Nataša Matulayová, PhD., BSBA (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Nataša Matulayová, PhD., BSBA
Faculty of Public Policies in Opava
Contact Person: Mgr. et Mgr. Andrea Silberová
Timetable
Thu 6. 3. 16:25–18:00 C209, Wed 19. 3. 13:05–14:40 C209, Fri 11. 4. 10:35–12:10 C209, Tue 22. 4. 16:25–18:00 C209, Tue 6. 5. 11:25–13:00 C209
Prerequisites
Basic English, willingness to think critically, discuss, and seek answers to interesting questions.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 17 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
This is about your future and how democracy impacts what you care about—climate change, equality, TikTok bans, and fighting corruption. Learn how to challenge the system, amplify your voice, and keep the pillars of democracy standing strong in today’s messy, meme-filled, digital-first world.
Learning outcomes
Why This Course Matters (and Why You’ll Actually Enjoy It)
Let’s be real—democracy sounds kinda boring at first, right? But here’s the thing: it’s not just about guys (and very few ladies) arguing in Parliament. It’s about the stuff you care about—your future, your freedom to speak up (or post that fire meme), and whether anyone’s actually doing anything about, you know, climate change.
This course is about showing you how YOU can make a difference, even if politics isn’t your thing. You’ll learn how to spot fake news like a pro, call out shady politicians, organize a killer protest (peacefully, of course), and actually get people to listen to your ideas. Plus, you’ll get to do it all while laughing, debating, and maybe becoming the next big thing in political memes.
IT’S FUN, IT’S PRACTICAL, AND IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU TAKING CHARGE OF THE WORLD YOU WANT TO LIVE IN. BECAUSE IF YOU DON’T, WHO WILL?
Syllabus
  • Session 1: Democracy 101—Why Should You Care? Theme: “From Velvet Revolution to TikTok Protests.” Kickoff Game: What If Democracy Collapsed Tomorrow? Imagine a world without democracy—what happens to your freedom, choices, and TikTok feed? Work in teams to brainstorm what’s lost when democracy is gone. Discussion: Quick recap of how the Czech Republic built its democracy post-1989. Why does democracy still matter in 2025? Interactive Case Study: “Is the Czech Republic Still Democratic?” Explore real-world examples like election reforms, judicial independence, and public trust. Debate: Are we doing enough to protect democracy? Activity: Build “Your Personal Democracy Wishlist” What issues do YOU want democracy to fix? Climate change? Mental health funding? Affordable housing? Pin your wishlist to the wall!
  • Session 2: Disinformation and Fake News—Who’s Controlling the Narrative? Theme: “Can you even trust the news anymore?” Game: Spot the Fake News! Compete in teams to identify fake headlines and manipulated social media posts. Can you tell real news from misinformation? Discussion: How does fake news spread in the Czech Republic? Discuss recent examples, including political disinformation and Russian propaganda. Activity: Meme Wars! Create a viral meme or TikTok video that debunks a common piece of fake news (e.g., climate change denial, election myths). Share and vote on the most impactful! Takeaway Skill: Learn tools like fact-checking sites (e.g., Demagog.cz) and browser plug-ins to identify fake content.
  • Session 3: Climate Change, Activism, and the Power of Protest Theme: “Can democracy solve the climate crisis?” Case Study: The Student Climate Movement Explore how young activists in the Czech Republic and beyond (like Greta Thunberg and Fridays for Future) have used democratic tools like protests, petitions, and lawsuits to push for climate action. Game: Protest Simulator Design a peaceful protest to demand action on an environmental crisis in the Czech Republic (e.g., coal mines, renewable energy funding). Pick your location, slogans, allies, and media strategy. Discussion: Is the government doing enough? How can YOU, as a 20+-year-young, push for systemic change? Activity: Write a letter to your MP or a social media post calling for action on an environmental issue you care about.
  • Session 4: Social Media, Free Speech, and Cancel Culture Theme: “Is freedom of speech under threat?” Debate: Cancel Culture—Good or Bad? Should people lose their platforms for saying something offensive? Explore real-world cases of cancel culture in the Czech Republic and beyond. Activity: Design the Ultimate Social Media Rules You’re the CEO of a new platform. How will you balance freedom of speech with stopping hate speech and disinformation? Present your rules to the class. Discussion: How do algorithms and echo chambers shape your political views? What’s the role of platforms like Facebook and Twitter in protecting democracy? Game: Echo Chamber Escape Room Work in teams to “break out” of an echo chamber by finding reliable, balanced sources on a controversial topic.
  • Session 5: Fixing the Future—Your Role in Czech Democracy Theme: “What can you actually do to make a difference?” Interactive Simulation: Save Czech Democracy! Your team must solve a real-world challenge (e.g., voter apathy among young people, corruption scandals, or disinformation campaigns). Pitch your solutions to a panel of "judges" (the class). Activity: Civic Power Toolkit Learn how to: - Start a petition that gets noticed. - Organize a protest or campaign. - Vote smart in local and national elections. Reflection: Write a personal pledge: How will YOU use what you’ve learned to protect democracy? Celebration: Award fun titles like "Best Activist," "Most Persuasive Politician," and "Meme Master." Enjoy snacks and chill while reflecting on how democracy can evolve for your generation.
Teaching methods
class discussion, team work, homework
Assessment methods
Students will be assessed on their performance during the sessions.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: 10 hod. sem./semestr.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.slu.cz/course/fvp/summer2025/FVPFP013