TOPICS FOR THE GRADUATION EXAM IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2011/2012

1

RADIO AND TELEVISION - radio and TV history and their inventions, differences between TV and radio, black and colour broadcasting history, differences between state and commercial TV and radio, cable TV, music channels, popular music channels, satellite TV.

2EDUCATION IN OUR REPUBLIC - musical education, your experience with local artistic schools, the system of education in our republic. Which subjects are the most important to prepare a student for real life? Your experience. Has the conservatory prepared you for real life and how?

3MUSIC SINCE 1900 UNTIL THE 1950S - new kinds of music, the electric guitar, radio stars, first records, Glen Miller, Jan Ježek, Voskovec a Burian, R.A.Dvorský.

4POPULARITY - Talk about some of the most popular Czech artists, actors or bands currently. What is it about their work that has made them so popular? What do you think will happen to them in the future? What are the advantages and disadvantages of becoming famous through your work?

5CINEMA AND ITS HISTORY - silent film, sound film, Hollywood industry, Czech film history (Barrandov, the sixties, the contemporary situation), the Oscar Awards, famous Czech directors, famous world directors, famous world and Czech film stars.

6CLASSICAL MUSIC TO 1900 - overview since the Middle Ages, historical periods, famous classical pieces of music, popular composers and musicians.

7THE CZECH THEATRE OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY - influence of Czech playwrights on Czech culture - K. Čapek, M. Kundera, Václav Havel, etc., actors, actresses. What are the spatial and functional sections of a theatre?

8

MUSIC IN THE HOME - Is music (or should it be) an important part of life at home? Describe the influence of the radio, internet, and other forms of modern technology in relation to music in the home. How many families have instruments at home and how does this make a difference? What is the importance of passing down folk music from generation to generation?

9MUSIC AND TEXT - the importance of good lyrics for songs - strong texts. Can strong lyrics cause any changes in society? The 1960s, the Iron Curtain, famous songwriters - K. Kryl, J. Nohavica, J. Hutka, P. Vrba, M. Horáček, Jiří Suchý, M. Hrůza, etc. Music and poetry - should lyrics always be a poem?

10

MODERN CIVILIZATION - Compare and contrast lifestyle of your parents or grandparents to your own contemporary developed way of life. What is the same, and what has changed? What are the most pressing problems facing modern society? What in your opinion should be done about them? Many feel that the world is getting smaller as globalization spreads—what do you feel is the role of theatre, art and music in a globalized world?

11PRESS AND MASS MEDIA - their influence on people’s lives. Differences between tabloids (gossip) and serious newspapers. What is your opinion on gossip, and the negative impact of tabloids? Differences between newspapers, magazines, fliers and the Internet. Commercials and advertisements.

12POLITICS - Describe the structure of the political system of the Czech Republic. Do you think the system functions well, or should changed be made? What is the current political situation? In your opinion, are politics important to the average citizen? How important is it to be politically active (or at least aware)?

13

GETTING A JOB IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC - advertisements and the other ways of looking for a job. Think of a person you know who has a difficult job. What makes it so difficult? What are the job conditions like? What is the best / worst job you have ever had? The best motivation / relations between employer and employees.

14JAROSLAV JEŽEK - Speak about Jaroslav Ježek and his work, life and legacy. Consider his work with the Liberated Theatre, Voskovec and Werich and other projects. What has been his greatest artistic contribution to the modern world? Has he influenced you personally in any way?

Školní rok 2011/2012

15

SUPPORT OF THE ARTS - How well are music, arts and culture supported in the Czech Republic? How does this compare with other parts of the world? Do you feel that the government is doing enough to subsidize the arts? What else could/should be done in your opinion? Do you feel that audiences are in general growing or shrinking? How do you perceive the future for music, arts and culture in this country?

16THE EUROPEAN UNION - Czech roots in the EU, EU history, the executive bodies of the EU. What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a member of the EU? Various kinds of restrictions, the European free market, the importance of being a member for a musician.

17

NATURE & ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - What role does nature play in your life? How important is it for you spend time away from the city and in the outdoors? Describe the role national parks and nature reservations play for a country. In general, are people strengthening or losing their connection to nature? How can we prevent our planet from future disasters? Power stations, waste, the Green House Effect, the green movement, green political parties and their role in politics.

18

B. ALCOHOL AND DRUGS - Is there a substance abuse problem in the Czech Republic? If so, is enough being done to fight against it? ‘Drinking’ is certainly a big part of Czech social culture. Is this a good or bad thing? Many draw a line between ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ drugs, and advocate the legalization of the latter. Where do you stand on this issue?

19

CONTEMPORARY ART AND LIFE IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC - What role do art, theatre and music play in the day-to-day lives of people in the Czech Republic? Would you generally consider Czechs to be enthusiastic supporters of arts and culture? If so, what accounts for this? If not, what are the consequences for you and your future? Discuss some of the major cultural institutions available to the average citizen of this country and their importance. Theatre, films and entertainment centers. Prague and other cultural centers in our country, Czech society, cultural and social life.

20

STRESS HEALTHY AND UNHEALTHY LIFESTYLE - Would you consider your life stressful? What things in life cause you the most stress? If you’re feeling stress, how do you manage it? Study and school can be a very ‘pressure-filled’ experience. What advice would you give to students who are just starting at KJJ? In general, has life become more or less stressful than in the past? Civilization diseases. Various kinds of addiction to drugs, PCs, smoking etc, how to prevent from AIDS and other mortal diseases.

21MUSIC SINCE THE 1950s - new styles, rock ´n roll, Elvis Presley, big bands, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, famous bands, Michael Jackson, Madonna, the contemporary situation in pop music in our republic, famous musicians and singers.

22

GREAT WRITERS/MUSICIANS - Which great writer/musician inspired you to follow your course of study here at KJJ? Describe their life and work, as well as their place in the artistic world they are a part of. What has their influence been on you personally? What elements of their style do you try to incorporate into your own?

23PRAGUE - Describe the history of Prague and explain its role as a centre of education and culture. What are the most important events that have taken place in Prague and what influence have they had on the Czech nation? What is the role of Prague in today’s Europe?

24

TECHNOLOGY AND THE INTERNET AND ITS ROLE IN OUR LIVES - Describe some technological advances that have developed in your lifetime. How have they changed life as we know it? In general, have their contributions been positive or negative? The rate of technological change today is extremely fast—what can one do to keep up? Your favourite browser and web pages. Problems and dangers in global communication – hackers, pedophiles. Mobiles and other ways of modern communication - Skype, Facebook, Twitter. Advantages and disadvantages of social networks.

25MUSIC AND COPYRIGHT - What is a Public Domain, “ripping off,” “quoting?” How do you feel about making copies or downloading music illegally? How do people use youtube.com, myspace music, etc. to share music? Is it possible to create anything totally new nowadays?

Školní rok 2011/2012