Our Polish program has been exceptionally successful over the past decade, and it continues to grow. Language courses are the core, with offerings including first-, second-, third-, and fourth-year Polish. U-M is the only American university to offer four levels of Polish every year.
Major Requirements
Are you interested in learning the Polish language?
Are you a heritage speaker who would like to learn more about Polish culture and history?
Have you already elected another concentration but are looking for a second concentration that will diversify your credentials?
Look no further! You can now combine language study with deeper investigations into the culture of Poland. U-M's Polish program is one of the strongest--possibly the strongest--Polish program in the country. In addition to being the only U.S. university to offer four levels of Polish every year, we offer Polish literature, drama, film, and culture courses.
Prerequisites to Major
Polish 121, 122, 221, and 222, or the equivalent.
Major Program (27 credits)
At least 15 of the 27 credits must be upper-level (300 or above).
- Polish Language: 6-12 credits of POLISH 321, 322, 421, 422; or equivalent
- Polish Literature: 6-9 credits of POLISH 325, 326, 432
- Polish Culture: 6-9 credits of POLISH 214, 215, 314, 450, SLAVIC 490*
- Electives. 3-9 credits of:
- SLAVIC 225, 240, 270, 312, 396, 490* (appropriate sections of SLAVIC 490 include “Rocks Kill Communism” and “Revolution in the Attic”);
- HISTORY 330, 331;
- REEES 396;
- up to two terms of another Slavic language (Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Czech, Russian, Ukrainian) can also be counted as electives;
- see department for additional course options.
Residence Requirement. At least 15 of the 27 required credits must be taken in residence or through a study abroad program affiliated with the University of Michigan. Study Abroad credit my count toward the concentration. Please consult with the Polish advisor prior to studying abroad.
Minor Requirements
The academic minor in Polish is designed to give students a fundamental competence in Polish language upon which they can build, as well as knowledge of some of the major cultural achievements and individual masterpieces of Polish literature and cinema.
Prerequisites to the Academic Minor
POLISH 121, 122, and 221, or equivalent.
Academic Minor Program
16 credits of courses; at least 6 of which must be taken at the upper level (300 or above):
- Polish language: POLISH 222, or equivalent
- Polish literature and culture: 6 credits in POLISH 214, 215, 314, 325, 326, 432, 450, SLAVIC 490*
- Electives:
- 6 credits in SLAVIC 225, 240, 270, 312, 396, 423, 490 (appropriate sections of SLAVIC 490 include “Rock Kills Communism” and “Revolution in the Attic”)
- POLISH 330, 331
- Up to three credits of Third-Year Polish (POLISH 321 and 322) may be counted.
- See department for additional course options
Residence Requirement. At least 10 of the 16 required credits must be taken in residence or through a study abroad program affiliated with the University of Michigan.
Study Abroad credit may count toward the academic minor. Please consult with the Polish advisor prior to studying abroad.
Typical Courses Offered
Polish | ||
Course No. | Typically Offered | Course Title |
121 | F | First Year Polish |
122 | W | First Year Polish |
214 | W | Rock Poetry and Political Protest in Poland |
215 | F | Heart of Europe: Poland Today |
221 | F | Second Year Polish |
222 | W | Second Year Polish |
314 | W | Polish Cinema |
321 | F | Third Year Polish |
322 | W | Third Year Polish |
325 | W (offered every other year) | Polish Literature in English to 1890 |
326 | W (offered every other year) | Polish Literature in English Since 1890 |
421 | F | Fourth Year Polish |
422 | W | Fourth Year Polish |
450 | F; W | Directed Reading |
525 | F | Early Polish Literature |
526 | W | 20th Century Polish Literature |
621 | F | Directed Reading: Polish Literature |
622 | W | Directed Reading: Polish Literature |
Polish Language Studies Scholarship
The U-M Copernicus Center for Polish Studies and the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures offer scholarships of up to $1,000 for Polish language study at U-M. See the scholarship page for more information and to apply.