At the turn of the twentieth century, Poland did not exist as an independent state on any political map of Europe; at the turn of the twenty-first, it is a major force in European culture and international relations. This course provides a survey of the important literary works that track the often stunning transformations of a country the historian Norman Davies has called "God's playground." At the same time, we will examine a range of interpretive methodologies, drawing on cultural and historical critism, philosophy, and close reading, and using masterpieces of Polish literature as test subjects for the close development of our own critical perspectives. Authors will include Nobel laureates Czesław Miłosz and Wisława Szymborska, Polish-Jewish writer and artist Bruno Schulz, conceptual novelist Witold Gombrowicz, contemporary enfant terrible Dorota Masłowska, and others.

Intended Audience:

While this course continues POLISH 325: Literature in English to 1890, it has no prerequisites. No knowledge of Polish is required. All readings and lectures will be conducted in English.

This course welcomes entirely online participation. Section 001 is for students who are able to attend in-person class meetings. Students who are unable to be on campus or present in person should register for section 002.

Class Format:

The twice-weekly lectures will be recorded and made available online. Instruction will be synchronous.

Though recorded lectures will be available online, students are expected to be logged in for synchronous lecture/discussion even when engaging remotely.

Testing for this course will be asynchronous and conducted within a set time frame on Canvas.