Psychology and Today’s Challenges: Psychology for Study and Life

This course will provide you with an introductory overview of major fields and key concepts and methods of psychology with particular focus on development of your skills to apply them in daily life and/or help you get prepared for study of psychology.

You will gain insights into historical roots of psychology. You will learn about research methodology and have opportunity to practice critical evaluation of classic experiments, contemporary studies, and ethical considerations.

While focusing on personality characteristics and their measurement, intelligence, decision making, managing emotions and stress, motivation, effective communication and presentation skills, you will have opportunity to discuss the topics in class, and to practically develop your skills to apply them in real life. You will be supported to identify your personal values, motivation and developmental goals. Attention will be given to contemporary challenges in psychology, e.g. the role of AI and ethical requirements in psychology, strengthening mental health to manage stress and anxiety in the modern digital world, to control influence of social media, etc.

ACQUIRED SKILLS

  • Understand basic psychological concepts related to the practical application in real life
  • Understand the role of psychological experiments and research, including ethical issues
  • Comprehend the biological basis of human behavior
  • Understand human emotions and their role in motivation and communication
  • Understand the unique character of personality and tools to identify and measure different personality types
  • Improve interpersonal skills based on understanding and application of relevant concepts of intelligence, abilities, emotions, motivation, communication, decision making, and creativity
  • Understand and differentiate common mental disorders and their treatment
  • Understand the psychological challenges of the digital age with a focus on impact of social media and AI
  • Obtain knowledge and skills for potential study of psychology

GENERAL INFORMATION

Course term: 
Available seats: 
Price: 
Category: 
Status: 
Deadline: 

20. 07. – 31. 07. 
2 
950 € 
Personal Development & Communication Skills 
Few places left 
30.04.2026  

Course term: 20. 07. – 31. 07. 
Available seats: 2 
Price: 950 €
Category: Personal Development & Communication Skills 
Status: Few places left 
Deadline: 30.04.2026 

DESCRIPTION

The Introduction to Psychology course is an entry level course to Psychology. You will therefore have a better understanding of the applied psychological approaches, methods and tools used for defining ones personality characteristics and their measurement including intelligence, decision making process, coping with emotions and stress, motivation, effective communication and the level of presentation skills.

Teaching Methods: Lectures, presentations, in-class group discussions, role plays and exercises, feedback, examinations, article reviews, analysis of cases, homework readings and assignments, team project, etc.

SCHEDULE


Day 1

Introduction to course and discussion on class expectations • Syllabus review • Introduction to psychology – definitions and overview

Day 2

Basic concepts of general psychology • Six main psychological perspectives

Day 3

Psychology as science • Research methods in social sciences • Key psychological experiments • Ethical aspects of psychological research

Day 4

Biological basis of human behavior • Cognitive abilities • Intelligence and learning • Decision making and creativity

Day 5

Emotions and moods in human behavior • Emotional intelligence • Stress management and conflict resolution, mental heath

Day 6

Personality I: key concepts • Unique character and determinants of personality • Personality traits and types

Day 7

Personality II: tools to identify and measure different personality types • Impact of personality on people interactions • Examples of personality tests and their usage

Day 8

Motivation: key concepts and their application • Motivation at work: job satisfaction, employee engagement • Motivation in personal development and growth

Day 9

Common mental disorders and their treatment • Contemporary challenges in psychology (role of AI, social media, ethical issues…) • Final project

Day 10

Catch-up and/or reinforcement of previous topics • Final group exercise and recapitulation
<span class="kurz-detail-output" data-field="lecturer_kurz" style="display: contents;">Ivana<br>Schmidtova</span>

LECTURER

Ivana
Schmidtova

Charles University in Prague 
Psychologist, Counselor and Lecturer

Ivana Schmidtova is an experienced psychologist, manager, HR expert, and teacher. She earned both her Pharmacy Doctor degree and MA degree in Psychology at the Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. She also obtained the coaching certification at the Academy of Coaching Excellence. She gained broad management and leadership experience, especially in the area of Human Resources Management, including local and international assignments, in one of the largest global pharmaceutical corporations (Merck & Co.). Currently, she works as a private psychologist, consultant and counselor, and teaches at the Anglo-American University and at the Charles University in Prague.
Courses taught: Introduction to Psychology, Managerial Psychology, Industrial Psychology, Organizational Behavior, Organizational Culture. Human Resources Management, Introduction to Management.
Specialization: Psychology, Coaching, Counseling, Motivation, Career Development, Human Resources Management, General Management, Leadership, Communication Skills, Organizational Behavior, Organizational Culture & Change

Course outline

COURSE GALLERY

CREDITS

You will receive an official Certificate of Attendance upon completion of your course. Please inform the organizing staff if you require any extra supplements, such as Transcript of Records. The student is eligible to receive up to 5 ECTS credits, however please follow the instructions here and consult the acknowledgment process with your university in advance.

ASSESSMENTS

– attendance in class 15%
– team assignment 40%
– individual assignment 35%
– exam 10% (optional, if required by home University)

COURSE TIME TOTAL 125 HOURS

– Course runs 2 weeks Monday to Friday 9:00-14:00
– Total time of in-class work = 50hours
– Preliminary assignment = 10hours
– Preparation = 65hours

PRICE

Course fee includes the course itself, application fee, study materials, afternoon/evening social activities and events, welcome and goodbye drink as part of the graduation party. Other expenses, such as meals, accommodation, insurance, personal expenses, public transportation ticket, extra activities (such as trips outside of town over the weekend and entrance fees), and required equipment (i.e. pencils, paper for illustrations) are not included in the price.

Please note, after the 30th of April 2026 there will be a late enrollment fee charged in the amount of 100EUR on top of the course fee.

Terms and Conditions – Cancellation fees

Costs of living in Prague

ACCOMMODATION

For accommodation options, please visit the dedicated page

PREREQUISITES

– Intermediate level of English (at least B1/B2)

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ANY QUESTIONS?

Feel free to contact our coordinator:

Andrea Josífková 
Coordinator

+420 777 879 192

info@europeansummerschool.com

Testimonials

Student Ajita

Ajita

Online Marketing Challenge

Working on a project with students from other countries was a great learning experience in terms of understanding the differences and similarities between the cultures and perspectives that are observed in different parts of the world. I wrote very interesting article about my European Summer School experience here.

Student Tiziano

Tiziano

Design Thinking (ON CAMPUS)

I came to the design thinking course to learn and get an overview of this approach, it helped me a lot to figure out the design process. Now i feel more confident with the methodology. The materials shared were really valuable and the course was taught in the best possible way. I really enjoyed it and I higly appreciated the activities that ESS was proposing everyday. You can discover and enjoy the city, you'll live in an international context and you'll make for sure new good friends. At the end of the courses there's a cerimony where everyone can shows the output and also get a certificate. I was in team with a Portugeuse engineer and a Japanese master student, we worked on a project for a pharmacy of Prague. I'm happy to remember the time we spent on it and all the great moments I shared with the participants of the summer school. Thank you ESS! It was definitely an amazing experience.

Ilaha Ibrahimli

Project Management: From Theory to Practice

While searching for the course to take both for educative and entertaining, encountered the European Summer School (not knowing a lot about it, took the risk and applied). Never could believe it will be such interactive activities along with 5 hours long lessons. Happy to be part of this class and be one of participants of such a diverse group. The team was well-supportive in all matters! Highly recommend to apply!

Thom Gadeyne

Personal Development (ON CAMPUS)

One of the best experiences I've ever had!


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