SemesterFall Semester, 2025
DepartmentFreshman Class A, Department of Slavics Freshman Class B, Department of Slavics Sophomore Class A, Department of Slavics Sophomore Class B, Department of Slavics
Course NameIntroduction to Poland
InstructorBednarz Karolina Aneta
Credit2.0
Course TypeSelectively
Prerequisite
Course Objective
Course Description
Course Schedule




























































WEEK

TOPIC

1



 

Poland: Name and Land Over Time.



The Beginnings of the Polish State & Changes in Poland’s Borders Over Time

2

Contemporary Poland: An Overview.



National Symbols, the Polish Language, Government and Politics, Economy, Society, Values & Religion

3

Across the Map: The Regions of Poland — Mazowieckie Voivodeship and Warsaw.



Warsaw Uprising (1944)

4

Poland and the Poles During World War II

5-6

Across the Map: Łódź



Contemporary Polish Cinema

7

Across the Map: Eastern Poland.



Polish Holidays, Traditions, and Customs. Folklore Then and Now

8

From the Nobleman’s Manor to the Peasant’s Cottage: Polish Cuisine

9

All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day in Polish Culture.



Polish Composers and the Sound of Fear: Jazz, Classical, and Avant-Garde

10-11

Across the Map: The Regions of Poland — Lesser Poland (Małopolskie) Voivodeship and Kraków



The Holocaust in Polish Literature and Cinema

12

Across the Map: The Regions of Poland — Silesian, Opole, and Lower Silesian Voivodeships

13-14

Across the Map: The Regions of Poland — Pomeranian (Pomorskie) Voivodeship.



Poland’s Walk to Freedom: Solidarność

15

Beats of Freedom: Rock and Punk Music and Its Role in Fostering a Spirit of Freedom in Poland

16

Final examination



Teaching Methods
Teaching Assistant
Requirement/Grading

Students will be assessed based on their active participation, engagement with the course materials, and demonstrated understanding of key topics discussed in class. The final grade will be calculated according to the following components:




  1. Class Attendance and Participation – 25%



Regular attendance and active participation in discussions. Students are encouraged to share reflections, ask questions, and contribute their perspectives to enrich the learning experience.




  1. Final Presentation or Project – 45%



An individual presentation on a selected topic related to the themes of the course, demonstrating research, creativity, and critical thinking.




  1. Final Examination – 30%



A written exam testing students’ understanding of the main historical, cultural, and societal aspects of Poland, including multiple-choice and short-answer questions.


Textbook & Reference

Davies, N. (1981). God’s playground: A history of Poland (Vols. 1 & 2). Oxford University Press



Davies, N. (2001). Heart of Europe: A short history of Poland (Rev. ed.). Oxford University Press



Glinski, M., Davies, M., Zulawski, A. (2021). Quarks, elephants & pierogi: Poland and the Polish. Instytut Adama Mickiewicza.



Miłosz, C. (1983). The history of Polish literature (3rd ed.). University of California Press



https://culture.pl/en



https://ninateka.pl/



https://cyfrowe.mnw.art.pl/en/home



https://muzhp.pl/en/



https://instytutksiazki.pl/en/


Urls about Course
Attachment