Fascism: A History

Who it is for

Members of the International Women's Association in Prague (IWAP).

This short course is specially designed for the International Women’s Association in Prague. It offers a clear introduction to one of the most contested concepts in modern history: what fascism actually is, and why (both in scholarship and in everyday use) there has always been so much confusion about it.

We begin with that confusion itself, tracing how the historiography moved from early polemics to today’s interpretive frameworks and why the term remains so difficult to pin down. From there the course turns to history proper. We examine the two movements that seized power and built regimes, Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, before widening the lens to the smaller European movements, with a closer look at Czech fascism and the British Union of Fascists. We then leave Europe to consider fascism as a global phenomenon (its variants in Brazil, China, and the vexed case of wartime Japan), asking how far the concept travels and where it breaks down. Finally, we trace what became of fascism after 1945 and how it is invoked in the twenty-first century.

Across six sessions, the format is primarily lecture-based, with ample room for questions and discussion. Suitable for those seeking solid historical orientation without prior specialist knowledge, the course aims to leave you able to think about fascism with greater precision than the public conversation usually allows.

Practical information

• Start date: September 16, 2026
• Schedule: Every other Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. — September 16 and 30, October 14 and 28, November 11 and 25, 2026
• Time commitment: 90 minutes per session, biweekly (6 sessions)
• Format: In-person sessions, with optional afternoon visits to local museums and sites
• Language: English
• Location: AAU Campus, Letenská 120/5, Prague 1
• Participants: Minimum of 15
• Completion: AAU Certificate
• Lecturer: Jakub Drábik, Ph.D.

What’s included

• Expert instruction by a qualified and experienced AAU lecturer
• A personalized, interactive teaching approach
• Access to AAU’s library and course materials
• Optional individual consultations with the lecturer
• AAU classroom resources
• Access to other AAU guest lectures and events
• A beautiful learning setting in a 17th-century palace near Vojanovy sady
• Certificate of completion

Course price

Please note that the course price per person will vary depending on the total number of participants. The more people join, the lower the cost, and up to a 15% discount is available if 36 or more participants enroll. After your application is received, an invoice for payment will be sent to you.

*Price does not include entrance fees to museums, exhibitions, etc.

Cancellation policy

• Full refund if canceled 30 or more days before the course begins
• 80% refund if canceled between 15 and 30 days before the course starts
• No refund for cancellations made within 15 days of the start date

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to Veronika Johanovská at veronika.johanovska@aauni.edu.

How to register

This course is organised for members of the International Women’s Association in Prague (IWAP). Use the application form on this page to sign up; you will receive payment instructions by email. For any questions, contact Veronika Johanovská at veronika.johanovska@aauni.edu.

Upcoming sessions

• 16 September 2026 – 25 November 2026 · 10:30–12:00 Seats left: 25
  AAU Campus, Letenská 120/5, Praha 1 – Malá Strana (Thurn-Taxisův palác, místnost 2.07) · 6 lectures, every other Wednesday 10:30–12:00 (16 Sep – 25 Nov 2026), min. 15 participants

Syllabus

• What is fascism? The confusion around the concept — from early polemics to today's interpretive frameworks
• Fascist Italy: the movement that seized power and built a regime
• Nazi Germany
• The smaller European movements: Czech fascism and the British Union of Fascists
• Fascism as a global phenomenon: Brazil, China and the vexed case of wartime Japan
• Fascism after 1945 and its invocations in the twenty-first century

Lecturer

Jakub Drábik

Historian, comparative fascism studies

Historian specialising in comparative fascism studies and the 20th-century history of Central and Eastern Europe.