(in Polish) Polish history and culture DIKS-CMS-SL>PolHist
The aim of the course is to present a millennium of Poland’s history from the formation of the Polish state in the 10th century through the collapse of the communist system in 1989 to nowadays. It gives an overview of Polish history in a broad European context. It focuses on political developments, but careful attention is also paid to significant social and cultural phenomena. Beginning with the legendary roots of Polish identity, going through development of the Polish state under the first Piasts dynasty, it examines the period of feudal disintegration and the reunification of the Polish kingdom; then analyzes Poland under the Jagiellonian dynasty and the formation of the Commonwealth of Two Nations, its society, culture and position in Europe. It discusses the rise of the nobles’ democracy and its transformation into a magnates’ oligarchy, as well as the crisis and downfall of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The 19th century struggle for Poland’s independence, the rise of the modern Polish nation and social and economic changes are also presented, followed by the reestablishment of the Polish state after World War I and its internal politics as well as its international positions. Closer attention is given to the plight of Poland during World War II and the period of Communist rule. Finally, particular consideration will be given to Polish faith and culture as the cradle and crucible which formed John Paul II, and the reciprocal contribution of John Paul II to the faith and culture of Poland.
(in Polish) Tryb zajęć
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
The course Polish history and culture held in English was designed to give students coming to study at the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow an opportunity to get acquainted with the country and its heritage, which they had chosen for their studies. This course extends the knowledge about Poland presented to the incoming students during the Orientation Program in the beginning of the semester. The aim of the course is to give students a coherent overview of Krakow’s past and present in many fields, including Poland’s history and culture. This introductory course will create a base for further studies.
Assessment criteria
Oral exam at the end of course.
Attendance: Regular attendance is expected. More than three unexcused absences may impact your final grade.
Academic Integrity: Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary action.
Late Assignments: Late submissions will be penalized unless prior arrangements are made.
Participation: Active engagement in discussions and activities is encouraged and rewarded.
Practical placement
Identifying ways that foreigner can be enriched by living in Poland
Responding to challenges and obstacles associated with establishing effective dialogue between Poles and foreigners
Analyzing the heritage of Krakow as a case study in order to understand Polish culture and history
Bibliography
Davies, N. (1981/2005). God’s playground: A history of Poland (Vol. 1): The origins to 1795 . New York, NY: Columbia University Press.
Davies, N. (1981/2005). God’s playground: A history of Poland (Vol. 2): 1795 to the present . New York, NY: Columbia University Press.
Gierowski J.A., The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the XVIIIth century: from anarchy to well-organised state, Kraków 1996
History of Poland, ed. by A. Gieysztor et al., Warszawa 1968
Kolek L., Polish culture: an historical introduction, Lublin 1997
Kłoczowski, J. (2008). A history of Polish Christianity . Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Lukowski, J., & Zawadzki, H. (2001). A concise history of Poland . Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Miłosz Cz., History of Polish literature, numerous editions
Milczarek, D. and O. Barburska, Poland in the European Union: first experiences: selected political, legal and social aspects. Warszawa 2008.
Pogonowski, I. C. (1987). Poland: A historical atlas . New York, NY: Hippocrene Books.
Prażmowska A.J., A History of Poland, Basingstoke 2004
Radzilowski, J. (2007). A traveller’s history of Poland . Northampton, MA: Interlink Books.
Reddaway, W. F. (1950). The Cambridge history of Poland (Vol. 1): From the origins to Sobieski . Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Reddaway, W. F. (1950). The Cambridge history of Poland (Vol. 2): From Augustus II to Pilsudski . Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Weigel, G. (with Gress, C., & Weigel, S.). (2015). City of saints: A pilgrimage to John Paul II’s Kraków . New York, NY: Image/Penguin Random House.
Zamoyski, A. (2009). Poland: A history . London, UK: HarperCollins.
Film
Historical: World War II
Abberley, J., Patricof, J., Levin, D. M., Zubick, K., Tollin, R. (Producers), & Caro, N. (Director). (2017). The zookeeper’s wife [Motion picture]. United States: Scion Films.
Kwieciński, M. (Producer), & Wajda, A. (Director). (2007). Katyń [Motion picture]. Poland: Akson Studio/Telewizja Polska.
Polanski, R., Benmussa, R., Sarde, A. (Producers), & Polanski, R. (Director). (2002). The Pianist [Motion picture]. France: Canal+.
Spielberg, S., Molen, G. R., Lustig, B. (Producers), & Spielberg, S. (Director).
(1993). Schindler’s list [Motion picture]. United States: Amblin Entertainment.
Żołędziewski, R. (Producer), & Chochlew, P. (Director). (2013). 1939 battle of Westerplatte ( Tajemnica Westerplatte ) [Motion picture]. Poland: Pleograf/Lightcraft.
Historical: John Paul II
Bernabel, L., Petrocchi, F. (Producers), & Harrison, J. K. (Director). (2005). Pope John Paul II [Motion picture]. United States: CBS Productions/Ignatius Press.
Bihum, K. J. (Director). (2010). Kraków Jana Pawła II (The Cracow of John Paul II) [Motion Picture]. Poland: V.O.P. Consulting.
Bossie, D. N., Knoblock, K. (Producers), & Knoblock, K. (Director). (2010). Nine days that changed the world . United States: Citizens United Productions.
Czyszek, S., Nuzzo-Naglieri, M., Cayszek, J. (Producers), & Naglieri, D. (Director). (2016). Liberating a continent: John Paul II and the fall of communism . United States: Ignatius Press.
Piria, P. (Producer), & Bleckner, J. (Director). (2005). Have no fear: The life of Pope John Paul II . Lithuania: Lithuanian Film Studio; United States: Five Mile River Films/American Broadcasting Company.
Valsecchi, P. (Producer), & Battiato, G. (Director). (2005). Karol: A man who became pope [Motion picture]. Italy: Capri/Taodue Films.
Valsecchi, P. (Producer), & Battiato, G. (Director). (2006). Karol: The pope, the man [Motion picture]. Italy: Capri/Taodue Films.
Wyler, C., Hallet, J. D. (Producers), & Hallet, J. D. (Director). (2005). Witness to hope: The life of John Paul II [Motion picture]. United States: Xenon Pictures.
Dramatic: Polish Classics
Frykowski, J., Hoffmann, J., Michaluk, J. R. (Producers), & Hoffman, J. (Director). (1999). With fire and sword ( Ogniem I mieczem ; Vols. 1 & 2) [Motion picture]. Poland: Agencja Produkcji Filmowej/United States: Polart Distribution.
Hoffmann, J., Kersten, A., Zukrowski, W. (Producers), & Hoffman, J. (Director). (1974). The deluge ( Potop ; Vols. 1 & 2) [Motion picture]. Poland: Agencja Produkcji Filmowej/United States: Polart Distribution.
Hoffmann, J., Lutowski, J. (Producers), & Hoffman, J. (Director). (1969). Colonel Wolodyjowski ( Pan Wołodyjowski ) [Motion picture]. Poland: Agencja Produkcji Filmowej/United States: Polart Distribution.
Król, Z. (Producer), & Ford, A. (Director). (1960). Knights of the Teutonic order (Krzyżacy) [Motion picture]. Poland: Zespół Filmowej.
Rywin, L. (Producer), & Wajda, A. (Director). (1999). Pan Tadeusz: The last foray in Lithuania [Motion picture]. Poland: Heritage Films/Canal+.
Kijowski, A. (Producer), & Wajda, A. (Director). (1972). Wesele (The Wedding) [Motion picture]. Poland: Film Polski/Zespoly Realizatorow Filmowych.
Dramatic: Wojtyła
Anderson, M. (Director). (1988). The jeweller’s shop [Motion picture]. Netherlands: European Film Partners; United States: Ignatius Press.
Zanussi, K., Pezzali, G., Stingl, G. (Producers), & Zanussi, K. (Director). (1997). Our God’s brother: The story of St. Albert Chmielowski . Poland: TOR Film Production; United States: Ignatius Press.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: