J 2015

Professors and Associate Professors in Communist Czechoslovakia – A Case Study of the Process of Awarding Academic Degrees in the 1950s

STELLNER, František and Marek VOKOUN

Basic information

Original name

Professors and Associate Professors in Communist Czechoslovakia – A Case Study of the Process of Awarding Academic Degrees in the 1950s

Name in Czech

Profesoři a docenti v komunistickém Československu. Případová studie

Authors

STELLNER, František (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution) and Marek VOKOUN (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution)

Edition

Littera Scripta, České Budějovice, Vysoká škola technická a ekonomická v Českých Budějovicích, 2015, 1805-9112

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Článek v odborném periodiku

Field of Study

60101 History

Country of publisher

Czech Republic

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

RIV identification code

RIV/75081431:_____/15:00000559

Organization unit

Institute of Technology and Business in České Budějovice

Keywords (in Czech)

akademické tituly; Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze; Československo po roce 1948

Keywords in English

Academic degrees; University of Economics in Prague; Czechoslovakia after 1948

Tags

Tags

International impact, Reviewed
Změněno: 17/2/2016 11:12, Mgr. Václav Karas

Abstract

V originále

The paper focuses on the scientific degrees awarded by the University of Economics, Prague (UEP), in 1950s Czechoslovakia. Unique primary sources, such as minutes from UEP Scientific Board meetings and witness statements, were used in an interdisciplinary economic-historical analysis of the UEP scientific research position after the implementation of the Soviet model doctrine, through the dogmatic teaching of Marxism-Leninism in 1953. The results show that the UEP failed to increase the number of scientists and teachers, particularly associate professors and professors. Changes in the law, which saw the introduction of the CSc. (candidatus scientiarum) and DrSc. (doctor scientiarum) degrees and a “deputy” version of the associate professor degree, allowed a number of combinations for scientific career progression with the possibility to waive or skip some of the traditional requirements thereof, such as a dissertation thesis or previous scientific experience. Contrary to our expectations, political economics was not given preference at the expense of other fields of study among the new associate professors. Due to the new cadre policies, only highly politically reliable teachers were appointed. This frustrated many and prevented them from working for the universities. The lack of flexibility at the Ministry of Education, the rigid bureaucratic policies of the State Committee for Scientific Degrees, continuous changes in laws and regulations along with the total control of the Communist Party, led to a lack of experienced scientists. It also created a class of deprived teachers who had no time to immerse themselves in intense research activities due to inadequate preparation in both knowledge and methodology. In addition, a teacher’s salary was unsatisfactory and young graduates were not motivated to remain in the academic field. The results also suggest that the appointment of professors without appropriate education, pedagogical and scientific activities wasn’t an easy task. This proves that the Communist leadership was, to some extent, reluctant to completely ignore the need for a scientific background.

In Czech

Studie prokazuje, že v padesátých letech 20. století působil na jediné škole připravující ekonomy – Vysoké škole ekonomické v Praze velmi malý počet profesorů a docentů. Důvodem byl postup komunistického vedení, pro jehož většinu univerzity symbolizovaly buržoazní svět, jejž neznalo a jejž se snažilo změnit či nově konstituovat, takže se dopouštělo řady přehmatů. Kádrová politika zmařila řadě osobností šanci působit na vysokých školách a umožnila postup pouze politicky spolehlivým učitelům. Též šlo o důsledky nepružnosti byrokratického aparátu, negativní dopad neustálých změn v zákonech a předpisech a nedostatek zkušených učitelů, kteří navíc byli zavalováni administrativou a různými mimoškolskými aktivitami, takže neměli čas na skutečně intenzivní badatelskou činnost. Neprokázalo se, že by obory upřednostňované po roce 1948, například politická ekonomie, byly v řízeních preferovány na úkor ostatních.