Summer Studies Abroad

JAGIELLONIAN UNIVERSITY, KRAKOW  2013

Please scroll down for prices, program dates and course schedule. Return to the main Summer Sessions page for information on eligibility requirements,  and application forms.  

Program description: Three-, four- and six-week sessions dedicated to the study of Polish language and classes on Polish history and culture are offered at the Jagiellonian University. The program consists of language classes which are held in the morning from Monday through Friday and a choice of courses held in the afternoon.  Sightseeing trips on weekends.  Students may add afternoon lecture classes to their course schedule at no additional cost. A Jagiellonian University Polish Language Certificate is awarded to all students who pass the final language exams and meet attendance requirements.  

Program fees include: language classes and course materials, afternoon lectures, three meals per day, a double occupancy room in the student dormitory and scheduled sightseeing trips on weekends. 

Additional fees for: registration, airfare, single rooms, theater performances and concerts, visits to galleries and museums, and program options such as the course on Art history as well as optional trips.

Language classes: Each session offers language classes at an intensive pace PLI, however, non-intensive classes PL, are available during Session A.  The maximum number of participants in each language class will not exceed 12 students.

Housing: Students will live at Dom Studenta Piast, ul. Piastowska 47, 30-067 Krakow,  5 tram stops from the Old Town.

The dormitory is arranged in suites which consist of two rooms and a small bathroom. A room is shared by two persons. Friends who are applying for the same session may request to room together - see the accommodation form.

Towels, sheets, pillowcases and pillows are provided.

Internet Access: Internet access is available in each dorm room.  Ethernet cables are available at the reception desk free of charge. Students may purchase an extension with the proper wall outlet plug locally.    Wi-Fi access is available on the ground level, in the cafe and in the dormitory lobby. 

Meals: Three meals a day are served at a nearby cafeteria. Arrangements for vegetarian diets are possible, however, strict macrobiotic meals are NOT available.

What is the difference between an intensive and a non-intensive class?  Intensive classes meet for longer periods of time per day than non-intensive classes.   All language classes meet Monday through Friday.

Do you offer classes for absolute beginners? Yes. With six different levels of language instruction, the program begins with A1-Basic User for absolute beginners and progresses to C2-Proficient User, the highest level available for Polish language learners.  Levels include A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2.  These language levels correspond to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.  Please see the syllabus link below for additional information.

How do I chose a language level? You will be placed in an appropriate level based on an oral and written placement test which will be given on the first full day of your program. 

Can I take these classes for credit? Yes, the majority of the classes offered in this program are available for credit.  If you wish to take classes for credit please speak with your academic adviser about the courses you are interested in applying for to determine whether they can be used towards  degree requirements or electives.  Complete the  Kosciuszko Foundation's Credit Approval Form.  You'll need a copy of this year's course descriptions, found below, as well as the 2012 syllabus. You may also be required to complete credit transfer forms required by your home university. 

Credit transfers are handled  differently by each university.  Approval is often based on whether or not you have met your home university's degree requirements.  Make yourself aware of your university's policies and speak to appropriate persons in your home university's  Study Abroad Office,  Records Office, language department, and/or International Student's office. 

The 2012 syllabus  includes details concerning teaching methods, the grading system, attendance and a list of lecture titles for each course.  If approved by your academic adviser, please return the completed Credit Approval From to the Kosciuszko Foundation.  See below for address information. 

Students who do not wish to take courses for credit may attend classes on an audit basis (non-credit). 

Is a course syllabus available? A course syllabus for 2013 will be available at the start of the program.  For details concerning Jagiellonian University's policy regarding grading, attendance, credits and list of lecture titles please refer to the syllabus link above.

How many hours make up one credit? The course descriptions below list the official number of hours and credits available for each course. 15 hours is equivalent to one credit.   Please note that in Polish educational system,  1 academic hour = 45 minutes. 

How do I put together a schedule? The daily program includes morning language classes and two afternoon lecture slots.  You may include one class per time slot.  Students who register for the Art class may also register for a non-intensive language class as the time-frames do not overlap.  Students in the 6-week program may choose one course per time slot from courses offered in July and August.  Afternoons may be left open for study or free time.  Language classes meet daily.  Afternoon class meet Monday through Friday but may not run through to the end of a Session.  

In the evening, students may take part in informal Polish conversations and take part in daily Polish language consultations.  Cultural aspects will include film showings and informal gatherings dedicated to learning about Polish traditions and customs.  Evenings will be filled with opportunities to learn Polish folk songs and traditional dances as well as the opportunity to take part in celebrations of Christmas Eve and Easter traditions, a make-shift Polish wedding and much more.  A schedule of programs, courses and dates is found in the charts below.  Course descriptions appear below the charts. 

Are classes given in Polish or English? Language classes will be given in Polish. Most of the afternoon lectures are given in English, however, some exceptions exit.  Course descriptions indicate which courses are offered in Polish.  Films are subtitled. 

What sightseeing trips are included? All sessions begin with tours of Kakow's Old Town and Wawel Royal Castle.  Weekend trips will include a trip to the Pieniny Mountains with a raft ride on the Dunajec River, a trip to the Tatra Mountains and the resort town of Zakopane, the Martyrdom Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau, and the Salt Mines of Wieliczka or Pieskowa Skala Castle.  Sightseeing is organized for each session separately.

Program dates and prices for 2013 are:

SCHEDULE OF AVAILABLE CLASSES:

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

ART Polish Art: Past and Present 
The development of Polish art since the 10th century. Special emphasis will be placed on the importance of Poland within Europe, including the formative effects of geopolitics on the development of Polish artistic movements,  Polish church art, folk art, poster art and architecture. This in-depth art history course includes many field trips.  Limited admission.      July 5 - 26; 45 hours, 3 credits, 11:00 - 1:30 p.m.                      Note:  There is an additional fee of $140 for this course to cover various admission fees and other expenses.  This course is offered during Session A.   << back to schedule

CULT Polish Culture: Lessons in Polish Literature 
A presentation of some of the most interesting problems in the thousand-year history of Polish culture, with emphasis on themes related to national existence. Literary masterpieces of the past and present including poetry of Nobel Prize winners, Czeslaw Milosz (1980) and Wislawa Szymborska (1996); Polish Romanticism; culture in a political context; writers in exile; literature and totalitarianism and other "great questions" of Polish culture will be discussed.
July 5 - 24; 30 hours, 2 credits, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
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GRAM - Polish Grammar
A series of lectures in English on the structure of the Polish language, its morphology and syntax, in English. Everything about Polish grammar that you always wanted to know but never had the occasion to ask.                       July 26 - August 14; 30 hours, 2 credits, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.             << back to schedule

HIST History of Poland 
A survey of Polish history from the Piast dynasty through Jagiellonian rule, the elected kings, 123 years of partitioned Poland, the 1920's and 1930's, World War II, the creation and functioning of the People's Republic and the collapse of the communist system.
July 5 - 24; 30 hours, 2 credits, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.                     August 6 - 14; 15 hours; 1 credit, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
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HISTPL Historia Polski (in Polish)
Zarys historii Polski od dynastii Piastow, poprzez epoke Jagiellonow, krolow elekcyjnych, rozbiory, II wojne swiatowa, powstanie i funkcjonowanie Polskiej Rzeczypospolitej Ludowej - po upadek systemu komunistycznego. 
  July 5 - 24; 30 hours, 2 credits, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.                           << back to schedule

JEWS The Jews in Poland
An introduction to the long and glorious history of Jewish communities in Poland; the Holocaust (1939-1945), Post-Holocaust history of Jewish culture in Poland with emphasis on Jewish-non-Jewish relations, antisemitism, and the recent revival of Jewish life in Poland.
July 16 - 24; 15 hours, 1 credit, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
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KULT Polska Kultura Wspolczesna (in Polish)                                 Prezentacja najwazniejszych zjawisk i przemian w polskiej kulturze (literatura, film, teatr, muzyka, malarstwo, rzezba, media...) od upadku komunismu (1989) po czas obecny.  W ramach wykladow fragmenty filmow, przedstawien teatralnych, utworow muzycznych.                                                      July 16 - 24; 15 hours, 1 credit, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.                                  << back to schedule

LIT Literatura polska XX wieku (in Polish)
Najwazniejsze zjawiska w polskiej literaturze wspolczesnej.  Dwudziestolecie miedzywojenne; dziela Witkacego, Schulza, Gombrowicza. Poezja Milosza i Szymborskiej (Nagrody Nobla w dziedzinie literatury). Literatura wobec Holocaustu. Kultura na obczyznie, wspolczesna poezja. 
July 5 - 15; 15 hours, 1 credit, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
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PL - Polish Language (Non-intensive)
A non-intensive (approx. 2 hrs per day) Polish language course designed to introduce students to the Polish language or to improve their knowledge of Polish.  Offered during Session A only.
  45 hours, 3 credits, Session A only
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PLI - Polish Language Intensive
An intensive Polish language course designed to build a firm linguistic foundation.  Offered during Sessions A, B, C and D; 4-5 hours a day.
75 hours, 5 credits - Sessions A, C and D
120 hours, 8 credits - Session B
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POL Dlaczego ten jezyk jest taki skomplikowany? (in Polish)
Kurs teoretyczny dla osob zainteresowanych jezykiem polskim. Wyklady dotycza cech charakterystycznych struktury jezykowej, skladni, odmian stylistycznych polszczyzny i tendencji rozwojowych slownictwa wspolczesnego jezyka polskiego.
July 5 - 15; 15 hours, 1 credit, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
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RLS Polish in Real-Life Situations (English/Polish)                                  Practical exercises which enable the participants to hone their Polish language skills in real life situations, exploiting the grammar and vocabulary learned during lectures in actual conversation with Poles, outside  of the confines of study halls.  Courses are offered at all levels of proficiency and take advantage of multimedia aids as well as Internet-based sources.  Activities are task-and-project-based.  Please see http://www.plschool.uj.edu.pl/projekty-studenckie                                          July 5 - 24; 15 hours, 1 credit, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.                            July 5 - August 14; 30 hours; 2 credits, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.            July 26 - August 14; 15 hours; 1 credit, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.                << back to schedule