Development of the national cultural identity, traditions and values in the subject of Czech language at elementary schools

This thesis examines changes and evolvement in conceptual notions of nationalism and national identity from the beginning of the 19th century until present. The thesis is composed of two parts, theoretical and practical. The theoretical part delineates the concepts of nation, national identity and attempts to characterize Czech national identity. Further, it explores the notion in the context of socio-political transformations in our motherland. Moreover, this section looks at notions of education and patriotic education and the way such education was exercised in schools in particular historical periods. The study also concentrates on the concept of mother tongue and its role in building Czech national identity. Comparison of various ways the relationship towards mother tongue in various types of primary schools in this and last century is likewise offered. The practical part consists of two research segments. The first one analyzes various curricula, school material and textbooks from the beginning of the last century until present with emphasis on patriotic education. Emphasis has been put on textbooks intended for the fifth grade of all types of primary schools. The research shows the ways attitude towards patriotic education has evolved in the context of socio-political transformations in the..