VARIA XXXI

E-book

Pavol Tholt

The work presented in the following text is an attempt to analyze Patočka's perspective on the emergence and essence of mathematical natural science in the 17th century. During this period, Patočka's attention was particularly drawn to Descartes' philosophy and Cartesianism, as well as the philosophies of Galileo, Bacon, and Leibniz.

Patočka himself devoted continuous and exceptional attention to these questions, as evidenced by several monographic works and numerous articles and studies he wrote on the subject.

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Renáta Orosová - Zuzana Boberová

The university textbook "Pregraduate Teacher Preparation – Organization of Pedagogical Practice at UPJŠ" reflects the changes that have occurred in the pregraduate preparation of students of academic subject teaching in connection with the comprehensive accreditation in 2015. It is intended for students of the second level of university studies in the study programs of Academic Subject Teaching at the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Science at UPJŠ in Košice. The aim of the university textbook is to provide theoretical foundations and methodological guidelines for the organization of all types of pedagogical practice carried out under the conditions of UPJŠ.

Preparation for the teaching profession has both theoretical and practical components. While theoretical academic preparation focuses on acquiring and developing knowledge, skills, and competencies in pedagogy, psychology, and the scientific disciplines of the teaching subjects, practical professional preparation is oriented towards preparing for the actual performance of the profession, i.e., the didactic aspect of the teaching process. A significant part of the practical preparation for the teaching profession is realized within the subject of pedagogical practice, which at UPJŠ takes four forms/levels – Observational pedagogical-psychological practice, Ongoing teaching practice, Continuous teaching practice I, and Continuous teaching practice II.

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Magdaléna Hovanová

The university textbook offers a view of the family in social contexts. It deals with the basic characteristics of the family, the life cycle of the family from the choice of partner, through the arrival of children in the family to the end of the family. During its duration, the family performs various functions. A functional family is ideal for a harmonious relationship between partners and a suitable environment for raising children.

However, a number of factors enter the life of the family, which directly or indirectly affect the performance of these functions and can cause various disorders. It is here that the task of social work is to offer help to families to cope with their big and small problems. A specific feature of social work is the focus on the whole and a comprehensive assessment of the family, where it is necessary to take into account both the client's point of view and the aspect of the environment in which he lives and which constantly affects him. Therefore, the university textbook offers procedures for social work with the family, from the assessment of the life situation, through the plan of work with the family to social intervention.

The university textbook is intended for students of social work, who have the opportunity to practice complex issues within the assessment of the case through the enclosed case studies.

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Veronika Vasiľová - Soňa Lovašová

The formation of social work as a scientific discipline is not a completed process because of with changes in society also change social problems that need to be identified and analyzed with the intention to develop methodological solutions aimed at preventing and interventing these social problems.For this reason, the field of social work as such is constantly expanding, as its dynamic nature makes it possible to respond to emerging social problems and react to the needs of society.

Social work in the school environment is a functioning science field abroad.In the conditions of the Slovak Republic, this area of social work is still missing.Therefore, the monograph deals with the possibilities of social work in the school environment in Slovakia. 

The monograph is primarily intended for the professionals working in the field of social work and in the third sector with children and youth.

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E-book

Marianna Sedláková - Marián Gladiš (eds.)

The content of the book publication Pavol Jozef Šafárik in Continuity consists of contributions from two events organized by the Department of Slovak Studies, Slavic Philologies, and Communication at the Faculty of Arts of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice during its short existence.

The first event was a scientific seminar held on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of P. J. Šafárik, titled Pavol Jozef Šafárik – Scientist and Artist, which took place on January 27–28, 2012, in Košice and Kobeliarovo. The second event was an internal scientific seminar on the occasion of the 220th anniversary of Šafárik’s birth, held on December 15, 2015, under the title In the Quiet Home Circle. Symbolically—beginning with death and ending with birth (thus indicating the living continuity of Šafárik’s research legacy)—we aim to continue the study of Pavol Jozef Šafárik’s scientific work and increasingly involve the youngest generation of researchers (represented by doctoral students of the department in the field of literary studies). This is despite the fact that the literature on the life and work of this scholar and poet, who stood at the birth of Slavic studies, is very rich, and most of his works have already been scientifically analyzed. However, it appears that even seemingly outdated views of Šafárik still deserve scientific attention in the new context of humanities and natural sciences, as can be read in the contributions published in this volume.

Through the continuous publication of the Collected Works of Pavol Jozef Šafárik, both mentioned seminars, and the publication of this volume, the Faculty of Arts of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice has continued the activities of the Prešov Faculty of Arts from the time before its separation from the union of faculties of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice in 1997. The selection and arrangement of contributions in the volume symbolize the "passing of the baton" in research and publishing activities related to Pavol Jozef Šafárik—a scientific personality of global stature, who in 1959 gave his name to our university.

Compiled by the editors.

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Katarína Šiňanská - Dušan Šlosár

The presented monograph deals with various views on of the community issue and community work, with which  area of social work or other helping professions is closely connected. It offers theoretical analysis as a basic theoretical framework of the issue, which is necessary to know in the study and in the performance of the practice in the helping profession. The authors consider community work to be one of the possibilities for fully involving the inhabitants in co-responsible decision-making on things that fundamentally affect their lives.

The monograph characterizes in  fifteen chapters the community and the processes that takes place in it, outlines a brief history and approaches in community work. It offers theoretical background, which is used in community work as a necessary prerequisite for a professional approach practice. The monograph also points to the important position of professional help in community.

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Eugen Andreanský

The presented monograph aims to critically map the understanding of the concept of possible worlds.

The first chapter describes the formation of the semantics of possible worlds, along with indicating some problems it brings, which were incisively revealed primarily by W. V. O. Quine. In the next two chapters, the work focuses on more modern views on the nature of possible worlds, with the main attention given to the dichotomy between the possibilist and actualist approach to the question of modalities, alongside which it is necessary to assess other distinctions (essentialism - anti-essentialism, realism - reductionism (or ersatzism or fictionalism), naturalism - non-naturalism, etc.). Increased attention in the work is specifically devoted to the possibilism of D. Lewis and the actualist concepts of S. Kripke, A. Plantinga, R. M. Adams, N. Rescher, D. Armstrong, and J. Hintikka.

An unconventional approach to the issue of possible worlds is captured in the fourth chapter. It is primarily dedicated to the significant concept of Jaakko Hintikka, which works with the notion of epistemic possible worlds and documents the inclination towards the modification and relativization of modal discourse. The conclusion provides an evaluation of the discussion that touches on the main problems associated with considerations of possible worlds.

In the presented monograph, some representative concepts of possible worlds, or possible individuals, are clarified, and the overall process is indicated from assessing possible worlds as ideal logical constructs through their relativization by separate domains of individuals for individual worlds and further through the relationship of attainability to financial, impossible, and non-standard possible worlds.

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Slávka Janigová

This academic textbook is addressed to students of English linguistics as an introductory course on syntax, but also to anyone interested in the composition of the English sentence, whether affiliated with academia, school teachers or practising translators. The textbook pursues the Prague Linguistic School tradition of functional structuralism along with an onomasiological perspective as the major methodological focus of the Košice Onomasiological School of Linguistics. Within an onomasiological approach to syntactic analysis the key to the identification of surface structures (ranked as Phrases, Clauses, and Sentences on the syntactic pyramid) is the syntactic meaning (a frame-to-chain approach). The syntactic analysis starts with identification of the arrangement of semantic roles (a deep valency frame) and proceeds to determine a surface valency chain, often several of them, by means of surface grammatical and structural tests. Readers are encouraged to use their intuitions in deciphering the syntactic meaning and identifying the surface chain capable of its activation in both the English sentence analysis as well as cross-linguistically.

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Ján Hvozdík

With great interest, I read the proposal for the reissue of the monograph by Prof. PhDr. Ján Hvozdík, DrSc., Základy školskej psychológie (Foundations of School Psychology). It was an honor for me to be part of the editorial board for the new edition of the textbook.

The reissue comes at a time when school psychology seems to be experiencing a renaissance in its application. This is no coincidence, as the professor’s conception of school psychology as a theoretical-applied and integrated psychological discipline strives not only directly but also indirectly, through the pedagogical practice of teachers, to influence specific situations in educational practice within the school environment. From my perspective, I also appreciate the attention given in the textbook to the ever-relevant topic of self-directed learning, that is, the autodidactics of pupils and students. School psychology has become a core subject, within which its specializations are also realized.

It is worth mentioning the fact that, under the conditions of totalitarianism, the professor was not a member of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, and yet he made significant contributions to the development of school counseling, both in theory and in practice, which commands respect and admiration. The reissue of the textbook is not an apology but rather a celebration of his positive contributions.

prof. PhDr. Ján Grác, DrSc.

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Renáta Panocová

The university textbook "Theories of Intercultural Communication" is primarily intended for master's degree students of translation and interpreting, as well as doctoral students of British and American Studies.

The goal of the textbook is to familiarize students with key theories in the field of intercultural communication. Eight chapters cover a selection of current theories focused on defining cultural dimensions, identity management and negotiation, accommodation and adaptation, anxiety and uncertainty management, and current research on the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis.

The final chapter provides a historical overview of intercultural communication theories and outlines key research questions for the future.

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Mária Mičaninová

Scholars whose works constitute medieval philosophy were active as theologians, jurists, physicians, and sometimes even poets. Among them, there is hardly anyone who could be described exclusively as a philosopher.

For theologians and (religious) jurists, the primary source of their philosophical reflection was the Bible or the Qur’an. The second source was the philosophical heritage of the preceding antiquity, in which the figure of Aristotle and his commentators dominated. The Peripatetic legacy was complemented by followers of Plato in the long line of so-called Neoplatonic philosophy (e.g., Plotinus, Iamblichus, and Proclus), which in its beginnings developed within the environment of Hellenistic schools.

It is therefore not surprising that the main philosophical problem for medieval scholars was the relationship between theology and philosophy, or faith and reason, and, consequently, the relationship between theology and metaphysics. In the context of Christian thought, this was already discussed in the 2nd century, when some Church Fathers questioned the value of secular learning for those to whom the truth had been revealed by God.

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Jozef Bavoľár

Decision-making is an everyday activity for us, whether it involves decisions about routine matters such as what to have for breakfast or more significant choices like selecting a career after finishing school. Due to the far-reaching consequences that a single decision can have on our entire lives, this area has received considerable attention in psychology. After all, the classic goals of psychology—describing, explaining, and predicting human behavior—are essentially attempts to understand decision-making and identify and describe the factors influencing it. Fundamental psychological disciplines such as the psychology of emotions and motivation, cognitive psychology, social psychology, and personality psychology all strive to achieve this understanding.

The presented text primarily adopts a cognitive approach, focusing on the processes of information processing and utilization. Since there are very few events in the future we can be completely certain about, key concepts include terms expressing uncertainty about the future, such as uncertainty, risk, objective probability, and subjective probability.

The central question thus lies in processing information from the environment and utilizing it in the decision-making process.

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Magdaléna Hovanová - Dušan Šlosár

The monograph deals with the issue of social protection of the family, where the basis is a view of the family as a natural part of human and social life. The starting point is provided by the institutes that create and structure it, influence its value orientation, the development of social relations within the family, but also relations to the social environment.

In broader contexts, the monographic treatment of social protection provides the results of transdisciplinary knowledge. It deals with the work of helping professionals with functional and non-functional families and families with special needs. It offers problem solving through tailored methods, techniques, procedures and measures used by various helping professions in the field of social protection and social guardianship.

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René Šebeňa

The main goal of this textbook is to introduce selected experimental methods that have been developed to study various psychological processes.

Traditional textbooks on cognitive psychology usually offer a comprehensive system of theoretical knowledge and descriptions of experiments. However, we believe that for a deeper understanding, students need to have their own experience.

This textbook provides instructions on how to demonstrate, visually verify, and thereby better understand selected theories and phenomena through practical exercises. Such direct experience can help in the realization of their own projects.

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Dana Kušnírová - Peter Pavonič

Collection of Contributions from the Scientific Conference. Košice, November 18-19, 2020

The collection titled Borders in Space and Time consists of twelve contributions presented at the tenth edition of the doctoral conference Meeting of Young Historians, which is organized annually by the Department of History at the Faculty of Arts, UPJŠ in Košice. In 2020, we commemorated the centenary of the signing of the Trianon Peace Treaty, which definitively established the borders of Hungary, including those with Czechoslovakia, after World War I; therefore, the theme of the conference was chosen to be the history of borders. The individual contributions focus on the development of borders in the 20th century, borders in thought and education, and borders in earlier historical periods.

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E-journal

Juraj Schenk a kol.

The scientific journal Sociálne a politické analýzy (Social and Political Analyses) serves as an interactive electronic platform for communication and the presentation (publication) of experts and their work in the fields of basic and applied research and analyses within sociological, psychological, political, and methodological contexts. It is a medium focused on intensively supporting research activities and analyses within an interdisciplinary framework, facilitating the exchange of experiences, fostering collaboration, and revitalizing the production of scientific work in this area.

The publication section of the journal offers space for works such as:

- Original sociological, psychological, and political studies and analyses in any areas of social life

- Methodological studies

- Research reports

- Studies from qualification theses Research and analysis projects

- Reviews

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E-book

Pavol Tholt

The work presented in the following text is an attempt to analyze Patočka's perspective on the emergence and essence of mathematical natural science in the 17th century. During this period, Patočka's attention was particularly drawn to Descartes' philosophy and Cartesianism, as well as the philosophies of Galileo, Bacon, and Leibniz.

Patočka himself devoted continuous and exceptional attention to these questions, as evidenced by several monographic works and numerous articles and studies he wrote on the subject.

Download the e-book for free (pdf)

E-book

Renáta Orosová - Zuzana Boberová

The university textbook "Pregraduate Teacher Preparation – Organization of Pedagogical Practice at UPJŠ" reflects the changes that have occurred in the pregraduate preparation of students of academic subject teaching in connection with the comprehensive accreditation in 2015. It is intended for students of the second level of university studies in the study programs of Academic Subject Teaching at the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Science at UPJŠ in Košice. The aim of the university textbook is to provide theoretical foundations and methodological guidelines for the organization of all types of pedagogical practice carried out under the conditions of UPJŠ.

Preparation for the teaching profession has both theoretical and practical components. While theoretical academic preparation focuses on acquiring and developing knowledge, skills, and competencies in pedagogy, psychology, and the scientific disciplines of the teaching subjects, practical professional preparation is oriented towards preparing for the actual performance of the profession, i.e., the didactic aspect of the teaching process. A significant part of the practical preparation for the teaching profession is realized within the subject of pedagogical practice, which at UPJŠ takes four forms/levels – Observational pedagogical-psychological practice, Ongoing teaching practice, Continuous teaching practice I, and Continuous teaching practice II.

Download the e-book for free (pdf)

E-book

Magdaléna Hovanová

The university textbook offers a view of the family in social contexts. It deals with the basic characteristics of the family, the life cycle of the family from the choice of partner, through the arrival of children in the family to the end of the family. During its duration, the family performs various functions. A functional family is ideal for a harmonious relationship between partners and a suitable environment for raising children.

However, a number of factors enter the life of the family, which directly or indirectly affect the performance of these functions and can cause various disorders. It is here that the task of social work is to offer help to families to cope with their big and small problems. A specific feature of social work is the focus on the whole and a comprehensive assessment of the family, where it is necessary to take into account both the client's point of view and the aspect of the environment in which he lives and which constantly affects him. Therefore, the university textbook offers procedures for social work with the family, from the assessment of the life situation, through the plan of work with the family to social intervention.

The university textbook is intended for students of social work, who have the opportunity to practice complex issues within the assessment of the case through the enclosed case studies.

Download e-book for free (pdf)

E-book

Veronika Vasiľová - Soňa Lovašová

The formation of social work as a scientific discipline is not a completed process because of with changes in society also change social problems that need to be identified and analyzed with the intention to develop methodological solutions aimed at preventing and interventing these social problems.For this reason, the field of social work as such is constantly expanding, as its dynamic nature makes it possible to respond to emerging social problems and react to the needs of society.

Social work in the school environment is a functioning science field abroad.In the conditions of the Slovak Republic, this area of social work is still missing.Therefore, the monograph deals with the possibilities of social work in the school environment in Slovakia. 

The monograph is primarily intended for the professionals working in the field of social work and in the third sector with children and youth.

Download the e-book for free (pdf)

E-book

Marianna Sedláková - Marián Gladiš (eds.)

The content of the book publication Pavol Jozef Šafárik in Continuity consists of contributions from two events organized by the Department of Slovak Studies, Slavic Philologies, and Communication at the Faculty of Arts of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice during its short existence.

The first event was a scientific seminar held on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of P. J. Šafárik, titled Pavol Jozef Šafárik – Scientist and Artist, which took place on January 27–28, 2012, in Košice and Kobeliarovo. The second event was an internal scientific seminar on the occasion of the 220th anniversary of Šafárik’s birth, held on December 15, 2015, under the title In the Quiet Home Circle. Symbolically—beginning with death and ending with birth (thus indicating the living continuity of Šafárik’s research legacy)—we aim to continue the study of Pavol Jozef Šafárik’s scientific work and increasingly involve the youngest generation of researchers (represented by doctoral students of the department in the field of literary studies). This is despite the fact that the literature on the life and work of this scholar and poet, who stood at the birth of Slavic studies, is very rich, and most of his works have already been scientifically analyzed. However, it appears that even seemingly outdated views of Šafárik still deserve scientific attention in the new context of humanities and natural sciences, as can be read in the contributions published in this volume.

Through the continuous publication of the Collected Works of Pavol Jozef Šafárik, both mentioned seminars, and the publication of this volume, the Faculty of Arts of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice has continued the activities of the Prešov Faculty of Arts from the time before its separation from the union of faculties of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice in 1997. The selection and arrangement of contributions in the volume symbolize the "passing of the baton" in research and publishing activities related to Pavol Jozef Šafárik—a scientific personality of global stature, who in 1959 gave his name to our university.

Compiled by the editors.

Download the e-book for free  (pdf)