Knowledge about the Baltic Countries

obligatory courses

Familiarity with the basic facts about Lithuania and Latvia (at the level of final secondary school examination)

Classroom

During classes the students acquire a basic knowledge concerning the geographical situation, ethnic composition, confessional structure, culture, history, economy and politics of Lithuania and Latvia.

The aim of the course is to present basic knowledge concerning the specific character of the region, its traditions and customs, culture, economy, and the transformation process between 1988 and 1991. Particular attention is paid to contemporary history, events, phenomena and processes and to developmental tendencies in Lithuania and Latvia as member countries of the European Union.

Active participation of the students in the classes (unassisted reading of source materials, preparation of class papers) should help the students develop the habit of expanding their knowledge in this domain without outward assistance

I semester – Lithuania

1. Litwa. Zarys wiedzy o kraju, red. B. Piasecka. Vilnius 2007.

2. Łotwa – ziemia, którą kochamy, red. P. Apinis, M.Šetlere. 2005.

3. L. Laučkaitė: Współczesna sztuka wobec tradycji. „Konteksty” 1993, nr 3-4.

4. Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis. Twórczość, osobowość, środowisko. Kaunas 2001.

5. Pogoń za Litwą. Sześćset lat po Grunwaldzie. PiW 2010.

And additionaly materials prepared by teacher.

II semester – Latvia

1. Eberhardt P., Przemiany narodowościowe na ziemi łotewskiej w XX i na początku XXI wieku, Sprawy Narodowościowe, nr 49/2017.

2. Michaliszyn M., Początek trzeciego przebudzenia narodowego Łotwy – Trzeciej Atmody. Odzyskanie niepodległości. Społeczeństwo i Polityka. Akademia Humanistyczna im. A. Gieysztora w Pułtusku, z. 3/2016, 173-190.

3. Smarzewska A., Przez trudy do gwiazd, „Przegląd Bałtycki”, 29 lipca 2018.

4. Szczygielski M., Na strategicznym pograniczu. Łotwa pomiędzy Rosją i Zachodem, Centrum Stosunków Międzynarodowych, nr 4/2015.

5. Wilczewski D., Polacy na Łotwie, w: Mniejszość polska na Białorusi, Litwie, Łotwie i Ukrainie: uwarunkowania, stan aktualny, perspektywy, red. T. Stępniewski, Lublin 2020, s. 83-112.

And additionaly materials prepared by teacher.

On completion of the course the student:

(KNOWLEDGE)

- is able to list basic factors determining the specific character of the region;

- has a thorough knowledge concerning the historical and cultural ties linking the Latvia to Poland;

- has insight in the present-day political, social, economic and cultural situation in Latvia and Lithuania;

(SKILLS)

- is able to independently interpret political, socio-cultural phenomena in Lithuania and Latvia and to situate them in the context of European tendencies;

(AWARENESS)

- realizes the necessity of independently expanding his / her knowledge concerning the Baltic region.

Terms and conditions of obtaining a semester credit (for a mark):

(a) regular attendance in classes (a student is entitled to 2 absences per semester, each subsequent absence should be credited in a manner agreed with the instructor; absence from 50% of classes excludes obtaining credit);

b) current preparation and active participation in classes;

c) preparation of a paper on a selected topic in the field of knowledge of the Baltic countries.