Texts analysis classes: Polish Philosophical Literature. Close Reading

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The aim of the course is to familiarize participants with the principal authors contributing to major developments in the history of Polish philosophy as well as the essential themes present in their writings. It will be done by the analysis of (excerpts from) texts covering the period since the late Middle Ages till the 20th century. The emphasis will be placed on enhancing students’ ability to independently analyze issues explored by particular authors. An attempt will also be made to help students perceive various social/cultural/political tensions underlying Polish philosophy in their proper context.

Topics covered/reading list (excerpts from):

1. Paweł Włodkowic, Saevientibus, in: Ludwik Ehrlich, "Works of Paul Vladimiri" (A Selection), Vol.I – III, Instytut Wydawniczy PAX, Warszawa, 1968.

2. Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski, On the Reform of the Commonwealth (O poprawie Rzeczypospolitej): excerpts. Trans. Michael J. Mikoś. Polish Renaissance Literature: an Anthology. Ed. Michael J. Mikoś. Columbus, OH: Slavica. 1995. 98-107.

3. Piotr Skarga, Sermons to the Diet,(Kazania sejmowe), Eighth Sermon ("On the Sixth Illness of the Commonwealth . . ."). Trans. Michael J. Mikoś. Polish Renaissance Literature: an Anthology. Ed. Michael J. Mikoś. Columbus, OH: Slavica. 1995. 123-135.

4. Stanisław Konarski, , On the Effective Method of Deliberating or On Upholding the Ordinary Sejms, (O skutecznym rad sposobie) : excerpt. Trans. Michael J. Mikoś. Polish Baroque and Enlightenment Literature: An Anthology. Ed. Michael J. Mikoś. Columbus, Ohio/Bloomington, IN: Slavica Publishers. 1996. 199-205.,

5. Stanisław Staszic, A Warning for Poland (Przestrogi dla Polski): excerpt. Trans. Alfred Bloch. The Real Poland: An Anthology of National Self-Perception. New York: Continuum. 1982. 80-82.

6. Maurycy Mochnacki, Thoughts on How the Translation of Foreign Belles-Lettres Influences Polish Literature (Kilka myśli o wpływie tłumaczeń z obcych języków na literaturę polską).Trans. Zuzanna Ładyga. National Romanticism: The Formation of National Movements. Vol. II of Discourses of Collective Identity in Central and Southeast Europe, 1770-1945 series. Ed. Balazs Trencsenyi and Michal Kopecek. New York: Central European University Press. 2007.

7. Adam Mickiewicz, The Books of the Polish People and of the Polish Pilgrimage (translated by James Ridgway, London, 1833)

8. Juliusz Słowacki, Genesis from the Spirit, (translated by K. Chodkiewicz, London, 1966.

9. August Cieszkowski, The Desire Of All Nations: Being An English Edition Of August Cieszkowski's, Our Father (1919) Hardcover – June 2, 2008 by August Cieszkowski (Author), William John Rose (Editor)

or:

Prolegomena to historiosophy, Selected writings of August Cieszkowski / edited and translated with an introductory essay by André Liebich

10. Karol Libelt, O miłości ojczyzny (?)

11. Roman Dmowski, Charakter narodowy (?)

12. Stanisław Brzozowski, wybów tekstów (?)

13. Leszek Kołakowski, Main Currents of Marxism, Excerpts. (London: Oxford University Press, 1978)

14. Józef Maria Bocheński, The Road to Understanding. More than Dreamt of in Your Philosophy, Genesis Publishing Company 1996.

15. Jan Paweł II, (Karol Wojtyła), Memory and identity: Conversations at the Dawn of a Millennium (Pamięć i tożsamość), New York (2005)

1. Paweł Włodkowic, Saevientibus, in: Ludwik Ehrlich, "Works of Paul Vladimiri" (A Selection), Vol.I – III, Instytut Wydawniczy PAX, Warszawa, 1968.

2. Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski, On the Reform of the Commonwealth (O poprawie Rzeczypospolitej): excerpts. Trans. Michael J. Mikoś. Polish Renaissance Literature: an Anthology. Ed. Michael J. Mikoś. Columbus, OH: Slavica. 1995. 98-107.

3. Piotr Skarga, Sermons to the Diet,(Kazania sejmowe), Eighth Sermon ("On the Sixth Illness of the Commonwealth . . ."). Trans. Michael J. Mikoś. Polish Renaissance Literature: an Anthology. Ed. Michael J. Mikoś. Columbus, OH: Slavica. 1995. 123-135.

4. Stanisław Konarski, , On the Effective Method of Deliberating or On Upholding the Ordinary Sejms, (O skutecznym rad sposobie) : excerpt. Trans. Michael J. Mikoś. Polish Baroque and Enlightenment Literature: An Anthology. Ed. Michael J. Mikoś. Columbus, Ohio/Bloomington, IN: Slavica Publishers. 1996. 199-205.,

5. Stanisław Staszic, A Warning for Poland (Przestrogi dla Polski): excerpt. Trans. Alfred Bloch. The Real Poland: An Anthology of National Self-Perception. New York: Continuum. 1982. 80-82.

6. Maurycy Mochnacki, Thoughts on How the Translation of Foreign Belles-Lettres Influences Polish Literature (Kilka myśli o wpływie tłumaczeń z obcych języków na literaturę polską).Trans. Zuzanna Ładyga. National Romanticism: The Formation of National Movements. Vol. II of Discourses of Collective Identity in Central and Southeast Europe, 1770-1945 series. Ed. Balazs Trencsenyi and Michal Kopecek. New York: Central European University Press. 2007.

7. Adam Mickiewicz, The Books of the Polish People and of the Polish Pilgrimage (translated by James Ridgway, London, 1833)

8. Juliusz Słowacki, Genesis from the Spirit, (translated by K. Chodkiewicz, London, 1966.

9. August Cieszkowski, The Desire Of All Nations: Being An English Edition Of August Cieszkowski's, Our Father (1919) Hardcover – June 2, 2008 by August Cieszkowski (Author), William John Rose (Editor)

or:

Prolegomena to historiosophy, Selected writings of August Cieszkowski / edited and translated with an introductory essay by André Liebich

10. Karol Libelt, O miłości ojczyzny (?)

11. Roman Dmowski, Charakter narodowy (?)

12. Stanisław Brzozowski, wybów tekstów (?)

13. Leszek Kołakowski, Main Currents of Marxism, Excerpts. (London: Oxford University Press, 1978)

14. Józef Maria Bocheński, The Road to Understanding. More than Dreamt of in Your Philosophy, Genesis Publishing Company 1996.

15. Jan Paweł II, (Karol Wojtyła), Memory and identity: Conversations at the Dawn of a Millennium (Pamięć i tożsamość), New York (2005)

Attitudes – criticism in relation to superficial renderings of social/political tensions in Central Europe as well as readiness to perceive them in their proper context

Competence - the ability to independently analyze issues explored in Polish philosophical literature

Knowledge – the knowledge of principal authors contributing to major developments in the history of Polish (Central European?) philosophy as well as of the essential themes present in their writings

Assessment will be based on participation in classes and submitting one essay (1500 words) on the topics covered