This course is a non-credit course that will begin Wednesday, October 14 and meet weekly on Wednesdays for 8 weeks (no class on November 25). It will be taught by Dr. Tomasz Markiewka, our 2015 CSU Visiting Scholar and Kosciusko Fellow. The course meets from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Polish American Cultural Center in Slavic Village. The fee is $125.

Cinema Polska will explore contemporary Polish cinema with a different film shown each week. There will be an introduction to the film by Dr. Markiewka (and special guests) and discussion will follow after the film. This course is a wonderful complement to the series of Polish films currently being shown at the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque.

To register: http://www.campusce.net/csuohio/course/course.aspx?C=620&pc=26&mc&sc

Polish-American Cultural Center

Saturday, September 19, 2015 at 6pm

Address: 6501 Lansing Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44105

This event will include presentations about modern Polish society and contemporary culture from a sociological and artistic point of view from Dr. Hanna Mamzer (Poznan University-UAM), Dr. Tomasz Markiewka (University of Bielsko-Biala /The Kosciuszko Foundation Fellow at CSU), and Sebastian Smolinski (film critic). A discussion and Q&A session will follow, led by Dr. Mamzer.

This event, all of which will be in English, is free and open to the public.

 The symposium is organized in collaboration with

Dr. Ed Horowitz, Director of the Polish Studies, Cleveland State University

Dr. Kathy Farkas, “Invisible Groups in Today’s Poland”, Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, CWRU

and Gene Bak, Polish- American Cultural Center

Międzynarodowe Sympozjum na temat współczesnego społeczeństwa polskiego.
Odbędzie się w Polsko-Amerykańskim Centrum Kultury w Cleveland
w sobotę, 19 września, 2015. Początek o godz. 18-tej.
Adres Centrum: 6501 Lansing Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44105

Sympozjum organizowane jest wspólnie przez:
Dr. Ed Horowitz from “Polish Studies” of Cleveland State University
Dr. Kathy Farkas from “Invisible Groups in Today’s Poland” of Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences
And Gene Bak of Polish-American Cultural Center

Idea tego spotkania powstała w wyniku współpracy Dr. Horowitza (CSU) i Dr. Farkas (MSASS) z grupą polonijną przy Centrum. Dr. Horowitz od lat organizuje przyjazdy artystów i intelektualistów z Polski do CSU w ramach studiów polskich. We współpracy z Dr. Piotrem Wilczkiem z Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego zaproponowali na najbliższy semestr wizytę Dr. Tomasza Markiewki i Sebastiana Smolińskiego w Cleveland. Dr. Kathleen Farkas z MSASS od czterech lat współpracuje z wydziałem socjologii Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego (UAM). W tym czasie gościła w MSASS dwójkę studentów i profesora socjologii UAM Dr. Jakuba Isańskiego. W tym roku zaprosiła Dr Hannę Mamzer z UAM na wizytę w Cleveland. Centrum i Polonia w Cleveland wspiera te kontakty i międzynarodową współpracę. Spotkanie 19 września będzie okazją zaprezentowania społeczeństwu Cleveland trójki wybitnych przedstawicieli kultury i nauki współczesnej Polski. Poniżej krótkie opisy zainteresowań naszych gości.

Hanna Mamzer
doktor habilitowany w Zakładzie Socjologii Kultury i Cywilizacji Współczesnej. Zajmuje się zagadnieniami związanymi z przemianami współczesnej kultury. Autorka wielu publikacji poświeconych tej tematyce. Stypendystka Fundacji Fulbrighta, Central European University, British Council, Programu Socrates Erasmus, European University Institute we Florencji, Fundacji im. Stefana Batorego, laureatka akcji stypendialnej Polityki, licznych nagród i wyróżnień. Prowadzi szeroko zakrojoną współpracę międzynarodową.
Dr Mamzer pełni funkcje formalne i społeczne jest przewodniczącą Interdyscyplinarnego Zespołu ds. Wspomagania Współpracy z Zagranicą, operującym przy Ministerstwie Nauki i Szkolnictwa Wyższego. Jako koordynator projektów prowadziła trzy granty na badania z programu Akademicki Poznań- dwa granty poświecone badaniu poziomu zaufania Poznaniaków w stosunku do obcokrajowców.

Tomasz Markiewka
literaturoznawca, absolwent Katolickiego Uniwersytetu Lubelskiego oraz Uniwersytetu Śląskiego w Katowicach, na którym uzyskał doktorat w 2002 roku. Zajmuje się polską literaturą współczesną, w szczególności powieściopisarstwem historycznym Teodora Parnickiego, ponadto specjalizuje się w teorii literatury, teorii przekładu oraz komparatystyce literackiej. Od 2007 jest wykładowcą Akademii Techniczno-Humanistycznej w Bielsku-Białej, gdzie prowadzi zajęcia na polonistyce i anglistyce. Opracował Dzienniki z lat osiemdziesiątych Teodora Parnickiego (Wydawnictwo Literackie 2008), zaś w 2015 roku ukaże się opracowane przez niego pierwsze książkowe wydanie lwowskiego debiutu literackiego Parnickiego z 1929 roku – powieść Trzy minuty po trzeciej (Noir Sur Blanc). Prywatnie wielki miłośnik Śląska, dobrej muzyki i jazdy na rowerze.
W 2015 roku, jako stypendysta Fundacji Kościuszkowskiej, prowadzi zajęcia z historii Polski oraz filmu polskiego w ramach Studiów Polskich na CSU.

Sebastian Smoliński
student amerykanistyki i kulturoznawstwa w ramach Kolegium MISH UW, pasjonat historii kina, krytyk filmowy i operowy. Publikuje w „Tygodniku Powszechnym”, “Dwutygodniku” i „Kinie”. Współpracuje z „Kulturą Liberalną” i festiwalem Dwa Brzegi. Moderator spotkań i konferencji prasowych na Festiwalu Filmowym w Gdyni. Laureat III miejsca w Konkursie o Nagrodę im. Krzysztofa Mętraka dla młodych krytyków filmowych w 2015 roku.
W 2011/2012 roku Teaching Assistant na Cleveland State University przy kursie “Polish Culture Through Film” prof. Piotra Wilczka. Przez rok prowadził i programował klub filmowy na Uniwersytecie Warszawskim (Mishowa Komisja Filmowa przy Kolegium MISH). We wrześniu w Hiszpanii ukaże się monografia Krzysztofa Kieślowskiego “La doble vida de Krzysztof Kieślowski” pod redakcją Joanny Bardzińskiej, na potrzeby której napisał esej o wpływie reżysera na polskie i światowe kino współczesne (premiera książki odbędzie się na festiwalu w San Sebastian).
Lubi jazz, muzykę poważną i współczesną. W wolnych chwilach gotuje, uprawia sport oraz poznaje nocne życie Warszawy.

POLISH STUDIES
New Course Calling All Students

New Course Just Added!!

MLA 255 Western European Film (3 credits)

Taught by Dr. Tomasz Markiewka
2015 CSU Visiting Polish Scholar and Kosciuszko Fellow

Tuesdays and Thursdays
12:30 – 1:45 pm
Fenn Tower, Room 10

Fulfills a General Education Requirement in “Arts and Humanities”!

This course will analyze and discuss recent European movies—with an emphasis on Polish films—to understand national identity and culture.

For more information, please contact Dr. Edward Horowitz, Director of Polish Studies, at: e.horowitz@csuohio.edu
or 216-687-4511.

90-minute film to air on WVIZ/PBS ideastream- World Channel, 25.3

Sunday June 1st, 8:00-9:30pm

Monday June 2nd, Midnight-1:30am

Monday June 2nd, 8:00am-9:30am

Monday June 2nd, 2:00-3:30pm

CHICAGO – February 14, 2014 — Narrated by Catholic activist and actor Martin Sheen, Jerzy Popieluszko: Messenger of the Truth is the remarkable true story of Polish martyr and 20th century hero of human rights, Blessed Father Jerzy Popieluszko.  The dramatic 90-minute film, presented by WTTW National Productions and distributed nationally by American Public Television.

Father Jerzy was the chaplain of the Solidarity movement in Poland, who was later murdered by the Communists for speaking the truth in a country full of propaganda, oppression and social injustice.  “Totalitarian systems destroy man because they captivate his inside, his thoughts, free will and conscience.  The only efficient defense against these systems is the Truth,” he said.

It was Father Jerzy’s strong faith, conviction and courage that mobilized a nation to stand united against the Communist regime in Poland.  At his funeral, an estimated one million people surrounded his church in Warsaw and as one, they promised to continue his struggle for freedom through non-violence.  Present at the funeral, Solidarity leader Lech Walesa said, “Rest in peace, Father Jerzy.  Solidarity is alive because you gave your life for it.”

Jerzy Popieluszko: Messenger of the Truth was awarded first place in the documentary category at the 28th International Catholic Film Festival in Warsaw, Poland.  His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, said “…This film is a must-see for all who believe in the rights of religious liberty, the dignity of the human person, and those who are lovers of freedom and defenders of the truth.”

Father Jerzy was beatified on June 6, 2010 in Warsaw and is expected to be canonized in the near future.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014, 2:00 – 4:00 PM
Western Reserve Historical Society

As part of the series of events celebrating the life and work of Julian Stanczak, a panel discussion on Cleveland’s Polish immigrant community will be held at Western Reserve Historical Society on Wednesday, March 19^th, from 2 to 4 pm. Participating in the discussion will be Gene Bak, Mary Erdmans, John Grabowski, and Sean Martin. This panel discussion will examine the long history of Cleveland’s Polish immigrant community, with particular emphasis on the post-war migration of individuals like Julian Stanczak who came to play major roles in art and culture within and outside of that community. This is a free event. For more information on Stanczak, including details of current exhibitions, see http://www.siegallifelonglearning.org/stanczak-programs.html

All are welcome. Reception starts at 2 PM.

More info about Polish Independence Day

               The Institute of Sociology at Adam Mickiewicz University and the Center for Youth Vocational Guidance in Poznań recently hosted guests from the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University. Eleven students and two instructors, Drs. Kathleen Farkas and Richard Romaniuk, visited the city from March 10th to March 17th.

Their trip was one of the results of Bogna Frąszczak’s visit to Cleveland in 2008 as part of the International Visitor Leadership Program organized by the United States Department of State. During her visit at the Polish-American Cultural Center, she met Dr. Romaniuk, and the two decided to organize a student exchange. After three years of negotiations and two visits by Dr. Romaniuk to the Department of Social Work at the Institute of Sociology directed by Dr. Anna Michalska, the visit of the CWRU students was organized, as the start of what is to be a cooperative relationship between the two universities. Cultural Attaché Andrew Paul of the United States Embassy in Poland and Krzysztof Podemski, Dean of Social Sciences at Adam Mickiewicz University, participated in the inaugural ceremony marking this cooperation. Paul accompanied the students and guests at a meeting with high school graduates in Poznań thinking of continuing their studies in the United States. During this meeting at the Center for Youth Vocational Guidance, the students from Cleveland presented the advantages and disadvantages of American higher education and shared their practical knowledge of studying in different academic fields at universities throughout the United States.

At Adam Mickiewicz University the CWRU students participated in seven lectures given by sociologists from Poznań and in a Polish-American symposium dedicated to the exchange of experiences in the area of solving social problems. The symposium included a presentation of evidence-based practices in social policy. The academic part of the students’ visit also included field trips to social service agencies in Poznań, such as the Association of Social Emergency, a center for the homeless; the Wielkopolska Center for Mutual Aid sponsored by the MONAR Society, a non-governmental organization that aids the homeless and those with AIDS and problems of addiction; and the “Center” Center for Community Action. The students also met with city officials such as Elżbieta Dybowska, Vice-Director of the Division of Health and Social Affairs, and Michał Kaczmarek, representing the “Academic Poznań” group. Dybowska presented the principles behind community programs meant to address problems of drug and alcohol addiction.

Such an active academic program did not allow for too many cultural offerings, but the students did visit Poznań and the local area as much as possible. They attended a performance of the show Magistryton in the “U Przyjaciół” Theater and visited Ostrów Tumski, one of the city’s most important neighborhoods, the Old Town, and the June 1956 Museum and the National Museum. In the Arkady Fiedler Muzeum in Puszczyków, they met with Krystyna Fiedler, the leader of the program, „Leaders of the Polish-American Foundation of Liberty”.

The CWRU students also met with students in social work from Adam Mickiewicz University and scholarship students from the Lane Kirkland Program. These meetings offered the young students from different cultures a chance to discuss their views and different life experiences. The Lane Kirkland students had the chance to present information about the countries they call home, while the students from Poznań and Cleveland shared information about their experiences as students and young adults.

Bogna and Ksenia Frąszczak