Polish Culture and Thought 1

średnio-zaawansowany

FI2_W07

FI2_W08

FI2_W12

FI2_W16

FI2_U04

The aim of the course is to give students an overview of the history of Poland as reflected in Warsaw’s monuments as well as art and history museums. The visits to places of interest will be intertwined with class discussions and presentations of video material (documentaries and fiction) related to particular topics. An attempt will be made to demonstrate the specificity of Poland’s historical experience as well as to facilitate the recognition of Polish unique contribution to the universal legacy of European culture. Confronted with the essential turning points shaping Poland’s contemporary cultural identity, the students will be encouraged to perceive and adequately interpret social, political and cultural developments in Poland against the general background of its history and cultural heritage.

Topics covered:

1. From the beginnings to the challenge of 1410 – visit to the National Museum.

2. Video material + discussion.

3. The legacy of Polish-Lithuanian commonwealth - visit to the Museum of the History of Polish Jews.

4. Video material + discussion.

5. The struggle for survival – visit to the Royal Castle and Warsaw’s Old Town

Norman Davies, God’s playground, A History of Poland, Vol. 1: The Origins to 1795, Vol. 2: 1795 to the Present. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1981.

Timothy D. Snyder, Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin, Basic Books, 2010

Andrzej Nowak, History and Geopolitics. A Contest for Eastern Europe, Polish Institute of International Affairs, 2008.

Attitudes – openness towards the specificity of Poland’s historical experience combined with the recognition of Polish unique contribution to the universal legacy of European culture

Competence - the ability to perceive and adequately interpret social, political and cultural developments in Poland (the other countries of the region) against the general background of its history and culture with special emphasis put on philosophical ideas influecing these developments

Knowledge – the knowledge of basic historical facts and essential turning points shaping Poland’s contemporary cultural identity; the general knowledge of philosophical issues/theories essential in interpreting social life

Assessment will be based on students' participation in classes as well as their submitting one essay (1500 words) on one of the topics covered

E-Learning (pełny kurs) z podziałem na grupy

obowiązkowy

nie dotyczy

The aim of the course is to give students an overview of the history of Poland as reflected in Warsaw’s monuments as well as art and history museums. The visits to places of interest will be intertwined with class discussions and presentations of video material (documentaries and fiction) related to particular topics. An attempt will be made to demonstrate the specificity of Poland’s historical experience as well as to facilitate the recognition of Polish unique contribution to the universal legacy of European culture. Confronted with the essential turning points shaping Poland’s contemporary cultural identity, the students will be encouraged to perceive and adequately interpret social, political and cultural developments in Poland against the general background of its history and cultural heritage.

The course will focus on the major events in Poland's history in the 20th century confronting them with the significant developments in the Polish culture and public debate. A few visits will be made to some of Warsaw museums.

Norman Davies, God’s playground, A History of Poland, Vol. 1: The Origins to 1795, Vol. 2: 1795 to the Present. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1981.

Timothy D. Snyder, Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin, Basic Books, 2010

Andrzej Nowak, History and Geopolitics. A Contest for Eastern Europe, Polish Institute of International Affairs, 2008.

General knowledge of issues related to Modern World history (20th century)