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Polish Studies Program |
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 Poland in Europe 
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Fall 2007 - PS 210 History of Poland HIS 211; ENG 213; POL 223 Tuesday, Thursday - 9:30 AM to 10:50 AM - 4 Clemens Professor: Dr. Slawomir Józefowicz Course Description The history of Poland is full of dramatic changes: splendid victories and tragic defeats. At its height, Poland's empire made it one of the largest and most powerful European states in the 15th and 16th centuries. In the depths of its national catastrophes, it lost its independence in late 18th century, suffered partition lasting for 123 years, and waged relentless, often bloody struggles with oppressors. The aim of the course is to introduce students to the main issues and controversies of Poland's history. We will identify the most important turning points and formative periods, beginning with adoption of Christianity in 966 and the establishment of Polish statehood under the Piast dynasty. The major developments of both the Piast (996-1370) and Jagiellonian (1385-1572) eras will be discussed as well as the characteristic features of the highly original Noble Republic (1569-1795) and the reasons of the loss of independence. We will also look closely at the era of partitions and struggles for independence (1795-1918), the mid-war period of the Second Republic (1918-1939), the main events of WWII affecting Poland (1939-1945), the formation and evolution of the People's Republic (1945-1989), the Solidarity revolution of 1980-1981, the role of Pope John Paul II, the martial law period and the eventual demise of the communist system in l989. Fall 2007- PS 410 Polish National Identity and Political Culture HIS 338; ENG 415 Tuesday, Thursday - 12:30PM - 1:50 PM - 108 Baldy Professor: Dr. Slawomir Józefowicz Course Description Shaped by numerous historical experiences-some highly spiritual and inspirational, others traumatic and destructive-Polish national identity is complex: strong yet ambivalent, firmly established, yet lacking in self-confidence. This paradox finds its reflection in the evolving Polish political culture of the last few decades. This interdisciplinary course will explore a variety of factors shaping Polish national identity and political culture: geographical and geo-political, ethnic and religious, historical and cultural. Topics include: the historical role of the Church; the predominance of rural culture (nobility and peasantry); Sarmatism and the socio-political system of the Noble Republic; traditions of extreme individualism and anarchy alongside religious and ethnic tolerance in multi-cultural ancient Poland; the consequences of partition; legacy of resistance; the culture of romanticism juxtaposed with realism/pragmatism (positivism); the formation of Polish nationalism; the consequences of the communist system; the legacy of the Solidarity revolution; the roots of modern Polish conservatism; the reasons for the relative weakness of liberalism; the impact of market reforms; consumer culture and intensification of contacts with other nations after 1989. Spring 2008 - PS 210 Contemporary Poland and Central Europe Tuesday, Thursday - 12:30-1:50 PM Professor: Dr. Slawomir Józefowicz Course Description This course will introduce students to the main issues of contemporary Polish and Central European politics as well as social, cultural and economic life. It will focus on the developments affecting post-communist Europe after 1989. The experiences of Poland, the Czech and Slovak Republics and Hungary's transition to liberal democracy and a market economy will be examined and compared to the post-Soviet experiences of Russia and other Eastern European societies (Ukraine and Byelorussia). The course will identify both positive and negative aspects of the transformations after the fall of communism, discussing such issues as the social and economic consequences of market oriented reforms; the development of civil society; the heritage of the old system; nationalistic, xenophobic and populist tendencies; and commercialization and westernization (as well as Americanization) of life. The role of the accession to the European Union in 2004 with its profound consequences will be thoroughly examined. We will also discuss the present dilemmas of Polish and Central European politics, the future of the European integration (European federation vs. Europe of homelands), relations with Russia and the US, and the direction of further internal reforms. The history of Poland is full of dramatic changes: splendid victories and tragic defeats. At its height, Poland's empire made it one of the largest and most powerful European states in the 15th and 16th centuries. In the depths of its national catastrophes, it lost its independence in late 18th century, suffered partition lasting for 123 years, and waged relentless, often bloody struggles with oppressors. Spring 2008 - PS 211 History of Poland and Central Europe Tuesday, Thursday - 9:30-10:50 PM Professor: Dr. Slawomir Józefowicz Course Description To what extent is the history of the part of Europe between Germany and Russia different from the history of Western Europe? What made the Central European historical experience unique? What are the similarities and differences between Russia and Eastern Europe (Ukraine and Byelorussia) on the one hand and Central Europe on the other hand? The course will explore these questions, identifying the roots of the Central European identity and historical consciousness, analyzing its evolution through the centuries, starting from the very beginnings of Central European nationhood. The turning points in the history of Poland and Central Europe will be identified and the most important controversies arising from them will be discussed. The course will focus on the process of the national emancipation of the small and mid-size nations of the region from multi-national structures (such as the Habsburg empire), oppressive regimes (Nazi occupation and Soviet domination), up to the demise of the communist system in 1989. We will also compare and discuss the actual variety of Central European historical experiences and national perspectives. Spring 2008 - PS 411 Poland and Europe: Cultural and Political Transformations Wednesday, 4:00-6:50 Professor: Dr. Slawomir Józefowicz Course Description This course will introduce students to the main issues of the Polish presence in Europe - understood both as a cultural and political community of nations. It will focus on the international, intercultural and comparative aspects of the changing status of Poland in Europe. The history of Poland's relations with its neighbors - especially Russia, Byelorussia, Ukraine, and Germany - will be discussed. We will also consider the ways Poles perceive and represent their neighbors and, on the other hand, are perceived by them. The course will examine the Polish re-integration with the West after the collapse of communism in 1989, the consequences of joining NATO in 1999 and the EU in 2004, as well as the present dilemmas of Poland's foreign and security policy. Special emphasis will be put on Poland's present eastern policy and the evolution of relations with Russia, Byelorussia and Ukraine. We will also consider Poland's special relations with the US in the contexts of US-EU controversies regarding the war on terrorism and Iraq, as well as the role of the "American factor" in Polish politics and social consciousness in general. The course will cover not only political but also social and cultural changes taking place in contemporary Poland after its historical "return" to Europe. | ||