Charles University: A Historical and Contemporary Overview

Charles University (Univerzita Karlova in Czech), also known as Charles University in Prague (CUNI), stands as a state-controlled institution of higher learning in Prague, Czech Republic, with a rich history and a significant presence in the academic world. As the oldest and largest university in the Czech Republic, it holds the distinction of being the first university established in Central Europe. This article delves into the history, location, academic structure, and modern standing of this venerable institution.

Founding and Early Years

The establishment of Charles University was inspired by Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. He requested his friend, Pope Clement VI, to create the university. On January 26, 1347, the Pope agreed. He issued a special paper to create the university in Prague. It was designed like the famous University of Paris. On April 7, 1348 Charles, the king of Bohemia, gave to the established university privileges and immunities from the secular power in a Golden Bull and on January 14, 1349 he repeated that as the king of the Romans. Most Czech sources since the 19th century prefer to give 1348 as the year of the founding of the university, rather than 1347 or 1349. The university officially opened in 1349 and was modeled on the first European universities, Bologna and Paris in particular. The school takes its name from its founder, King Charles IV, King of Bohemia and King of the Romans.

Initially, the university was divided into "nations" based on the students' origins, including Bohemian, Bavarian, Polish, and Saxon groups. The Bohemian group comprised students from Bohemia, Moravia, and parts of Hungary. The first student graduated in 1359. The oldest building for lectures was called the Karolinum, built in 1366.

The Hussite Influence and Subsequent Challenges

In the early 1400s, Jan Hus, a scholar and religious reformer, translated some writings of John Wycliffe into Czech. Wycliffe's ideas became very popular. During the Western Schism, the Bohemian "nation" supported King Wenceslaus, while other "nations" supported a different Pope. King Wenceslaus changed the rules in 1409, granting the Bohemian masters three votes, which led to the departure of many foreign professors and students, who later started the University of Leipzig in May 1409.

Jan Hus was chosen as the head of the university, which became a center for the Hussite movement. However, by 1419, the theology and law departments closed. The arts faculty became very important for the Hussite movement. From 1417 to 1430, no degrees were given out, and there were only a few professors.

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Jesuit Influence and the Charles-Ferdinand University

Emperor Ferdinand I invited the Jesuits to Prague, and in 1562, they opened an academy called the Clementinum. From 1618 to 1621, during the start of the Thirty Years' War, the Jesuits were forced to leave. However, by 1622, they had a lot of power with the emperor. An order from the emperor on September 19, 1622, gave the Jesuits control over all schools in Bohemia.

On February 23, 1654, Emperor Ferdinand III combined the Carolinum and Clementinum, creating one university with four faculties, called Charles-Ferdinand University.

Language Shifts and Division

In the late 1700s, the university started to change. In 1784, German became the main language for teaching instead of Latin. Soon after, Protestants and Jewish people were allowed to study there. The university also saw the need for a Czech language and literature department.

In 1848, students fought to have Czech taught more at the university. By 1863, 22 courses were taught in Czech, but most were still in German.

After many discussions, Charles-Ferdinand University was split. It became the German Charles-Ferdinand University and the Czech Charles-Ferdinand University. This happened on February 28, 1882. Each part was independent and had equal standing. They shared some facilities like medical and science buildings, the library, and the botanical garden. By 1890, the Czech university had 112 teachers and 2,191 students, while the German university had 146 teachers and 1,483 students.

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The 20th Century: Conflict and Dissolution of Dual Universities

Before World War I, the German University was home to famous scientists like Albert Einstein. After the Austro-Hungarian Empire ended in 1918, Czech politicians wanted the university's old symbols to belong only to the Czech university. In 1920, a law was passed that said the Czech university was the true successor to the original university. It was named Charles University.

Things changed in 1938 when German troops entered parts of Czechoslovakia. On March 15, 1939, the Nazis took control of the Czech lands. The historical symbols were given back to the German University, which was renamed Deutsche Karls-Universität in Prag.

On November 17, 1939 (now International Students' Day), the Czech University and all other Czech higher education schools were closed. They stayed closed until the end of World War II.

The Second World War marked the end of the coexistence of the two universities in Prague. In 1945, the German-speaking Charles-Ferdinand University was dissolved, and many of its members were expelled.

Post-War Recovery and Modern Era

After 1945, the university started to recover quickly. However, it did not have full academic freedom for long. After the communist government took power in 1948, they removed people who disagreed with their ideas. In the late 1980s, things began to get better. Students organized protests, which helped start the Velvet Revolution in 1989.

On December 21, 2023, a mass shooting occurred at the university, resulting in the loss of 14 lives and injuries to 25 others.

Location and Facilities

Charles University does not have one big campus. Its different faculties are spread out in Prague, Hradec Králové, Plzeň, and Brandýs nad Labem. Many university buildings are in different parts of Prague. For example, the Faculty of Arts is in the Old Town.

At the centre of the university is an historic building known as the Carolinum. The oldest building, Karolinum, is in Prague's Old Town. It is the main center of the university. The rector's office is there, and important ceremonies like graduations happen in this building. The university also has its own publishing house, Karolinum Press. It runs several museums.

Academic Structure and Programs

Charles University originally had four main departments: law, medicine, arts (philosophy), and theology. Today, it has 17 faculties, including ones dedicated to Catholic Theology, Protestant Theology, Hussite Theology, as well as Law, Arts, Pharmacy, Science, Mathematics and Physics, Education, Social Sciences, Physical Education and Sport, Humanities, and five separate Medicine Faculties. The university comprises faculties of mathematics and physics, natural science, general medicine, pediatrics, humanities, law, journalism, and education.

The university comprises 17 faculties in total, including ones dedicated to Catholic Theology, Protestant Theology, Hussite Theology, as well as Law, Arts, Pharmacy, Science, Mathematics and Physics, Education, Social Sciences, Physical Education and Sport, Humanities, and five separate Medicine Faculties. Additionally, the CU estate houses three institutes, five service facilities and six other units, all supported by a staff totalling in excess of 8,000.

CU is a modern, multi-disciplinary and research-oriented institution that is home to more than 50,000 students undertaking bachelor, master’s and doctoral programmes.

International Standing and Collaborations

Charles University is highly ranked among universities worldwide. In the QS World University Rankings, it is ranked 1st in Eastern Europe and 265th globally. The university is considered the best in the Czech Republic.

Charles University is a founding member of the 4EU+European University Alliance. This group includes other major universities like the University of Heidelberg and Sorbonne University. The university takes part in the Erasmus Programme. This program allows students to study abroad in other countries.

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