The course examines Central European History and Culture, its medieval and imperial past, and its complex transition from being the conflicted Soviet buffer zone into being a modern Central Europe with its differences. Via series of lectures, experiential learning, and excursions the course examines this central European country, and its close neighbors; it explores geopolitical aspects, culture, history including its medieval history, Communism and Holocaust, and even cultural commodity beer as reflected in the regional culture. This course attempts to study Central-East Europe (CEE), despite the unfortunate 20C history being integrated back to Europe. The course is to demonstrate that by learning of culture, history, language, and its people one can grasp the story of Europe.