Humanities courses at AIT aim to acquaint students with Hungary and the Hungarians, their history, art, culture, and language. For example, the Budapest through Cinema, People and Streets course provides an overview of Hungarian history and culture through films, walks in the city, and discussion of literary, art and cinematic heritage. The Budapest Studies component, which can also be taken on its own, offers a glimpse into the Hungarian way of life, past and present. Our course on Hungarian Music in a Central European Context explores the folk roots of Hungarian music, popular urban music, and the operetta. Our language courses offer our students insights into Hungarian society and culture through Hungarian language.

Foundations Courses

Computing Elective Courses

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Title Descriptions Faculty Credits
Budapest Studies – life and culture of a city and its dwellers
Distinctive features of a 21st century city with a long history
Mariann Schiller
2 credits

Short description

This course provides an overview of Hungarian history and culture through watching films, walking in the city and discussing cultural heritage (arts, architecture, cinema, literature, sport, gastronomy, daily life, etc.). It is a 4-credit course that has two components in two separate timeslots: Budapest Studies and Hungarian Cinema. In Budapest Studies students acquaint themselves with the history of Budapest since Roman times to the present. The Cinema course gives an overview of 20th and 21st century Hungarian history through watching and discussing some of the most influential old and recent Hungarian movies. Note that Budapest Studies can be taken on its own, but the Budapest through Cinema course must be taken in conjunction with Budapest Studies.

Budapest through Cinema, People and Streets
Learning about 20th-21st century Hungarian history and culture through films
Mariann Schiller
Anna Gács
4 credits

Short description

This course provides an overview of Hungarian history and culture through watching films, walking in the city and discussing cultural heritage (arts, architecture, cinema, literature, sport, gastronomy, daily life, etc.). It is a 4-credit course that has two components in two separate timeslots: Budapest Studies and Hungarian Cinema. In Budapest Studies students acquaint themselves with the history of Budapest since Roman times to the present. The Cinema course gives an overview of 20th and 21st century Hungarian history through watching and discussing some of the most influential old and recent Hungarian movies. Note that Budapest Studies can be taken on its own, but the Budapest through Cinema course must be taken in conjunction with Budapest Studies.

Introduction to Hungarian Language and Culture I.
Discovering the basic language and grammar structures and uniqueness of the Hungarian language and culture
Katalin Bakonyi Berényi
Márta Magasi
2 credits

Short description

This course introduces students to the basics of the Hungarian language and provides insights on various aspects of Hungarian culture. We help students navigate everyday life by being able to use Hungarian in different situations (shopping, getting around town, talking about yourself, etc.) and gain some experience of their stay in Budapest in this way. Culture is also an organic part of the course, which we approach through the learning-by-doing method.

Introduction to Hungarian Language and Culture II.
Focusing on the application of the acquired language patterns in real life situations with highlights on the similarities and differences between English and Hungarian
Katalin Bakonyi Berényi
Márta Magasi
2 credits

Short description

The course focuses on continuing the students' immersion in different topics of the Hungarian language and culture. The students go on navigating everyday life in new fields and situations (talking about studies, future plans, etc.), gaining a more complete experience of their stay in Budapest in this way. Culture is still an organic part of the course, which we approach through the learning-by-doing method.

Hungarian Music in a Central European Context
Exploration of the sounds and stories of Hungarian music and its Central European environment
Lóránt Péteri
Anna Belinszky
2 credits

Short description

This course provides a stimulating introduction to the history of Hungarian musical culture and its Central European environment in the last few centuries. In the class sessions, we listen to and discuss a wide array of music, giving insights into the art of influential classical composers (e.g. Joseph Haydn, Franz Liszt, Gustav Mahler, Béla Bartók, and György Ligeti). Students partake in the thrill of live performances, including two organized concert visits at the exceptional concert halls of Budapest.