Polish Literature
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The course is part of the specialization path in the field of Polish literature and aims to provide specific knowledge and and a series of skills within the topics covered in class and in the bibliography attached to the present program.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: at the end of the course the student must demonstrate that he has acquired an excellent knowledge of Polish history and literature, focused on the topics presented in class. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: at the end of the course the student will have to demonstrate to be able to remember and analyze the salient features of the works undergoing analysis and to know how to place them in their proper historical framework, in the context of the history of Polish and European literature as well as in the tradition of critical studies. He will also have to demonstrate an excellent knowledge of the most important authors treated in class, possibly in a context of comparison with other European authors. He / she must be able to analyze the texts from the point of view of style and content, basing on the information received during the lessons and obtained from consulting the texts indicated in the bibliography. He/She must be able to carry out an independent critical evaluation of the examined works.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Polish literature is perhaps the branch of European literature that provides the most comprehensive picture of the Second World War. Polish writers have recounted in their works what it meant to live for six years under Nazi occupation, to endure the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising (1943) and the Warsaw Uprising (1944), and finally to face a new occupation, that of the Soviets. The course, which takes the form of a seminar, is divided into three modules. Module A, entitled Polish Literature and the Second World War (20 hours, 3 ECTS credits), will provide an overview of Polish literary works relating to the experience of the defeat in September 1939, the German invasion and the two uprisings, with particular reference to the institutions of the Polish underground state and the reality of economic and social life in Poland during the war years. Module B, entitled Polish Writers and the German Occupation (20 hours, 3 ECTS credits), focuses on poetic accounts of the German occupation of Poland and the destruction of Warsaw. Module C, Polish Literature in the Face of Extermination (20 hours, 3 ECTS credits), focuses on literary texts relating to the persecution of Jews and the Nazi extermination machinery. Reading of texts in the original language is required. THE COURSE WILL BE TAUGHT IN ITALIAN AND, IF NECESSARY, IN POLISH.
Prerequisites for admission
None.
Teaching methods
The course adopts the following teaching methods: lectures, reading, translation, analysis, and commentary of Polish literary works, and screening of Polish films.
Teaching Resources
General bibliographical references:
Marcello Piacentini, 1939-1956 in: Storia della letteratura polacca, a cura di Luigi Marinelli, Einaudi, Torino 2004, pp. 409-430;
Jerzy Święch, Literatura drugiej wojny światowej, Warszwa PWN 2002,
Jan Karski, La mia testimonianza davanti al mondo. Storia di uno stato segreto, a cura di Luca Bernardini, Adelphi, Milano 2013
Module A:
Miron Białoszewski, Memorie dell'insurrezione di Varsavia, a cura di Luca Bernardini, Milano Adelphi 2021;
Czesław Miłosz, Poesie, a cura di Pietro Marchesani, Adelphi, Milano 1983,
Anna Swir, Sono una donna, trad. di Andrea Ceccherelli, Valige Rosse, Vecchiano, 2025.
Zofia Nałkowska, Senza dimenticare nulla, a cura di Giulia De Biase ; traduzione di Bruno Meriggi Napoli, L'ancora del Mediterraneo, 2006;
Kazimierz Wyka, Życie na niby ; Pamiętnik po klęsce, Kraków -Wrocław, Wydawnictwo literackie, 1984;
Module B:
Tadeusz Borowski, Da noi, ad Auschwitz, traduzione e postfazione di Luca Bernardini, traduzioni di L. Bernardini e V. Parisi, Mondadori, Milano 2023.
Andrzej Zielinski Viaggio ai confini di una certa morale: i racconti dal lager di Tadeusz Borowski, Quaderni di ACME, 75, «Rappresentare la Shoah», a cura di Alessandro Costazza, Cisalpino, Milano 2005, pp. 305-317.
Module C
Jerzy Andrzejewski, Wielki Tydzień, Warszawa, Czytelnik 1993;
Jarosław Marek Rymkiewicz, Umschlagplatz, Warszawa, Oficyna Wydawnicza 1992
Luca Bernardini, Una verità non artistica su Auschwitz, o la neve su Birkenau, in: Quaderni di ACME, 75, «Rappresentare la Shoah», a cura di Alessandro Costazza, Cisalpino, Milano 2005, pp. 427-442;
Vincenzo Mengaldo, La vendetta è il racconto. Testimonianze e riflessioni sulla Shoah, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri, 2006.
Marcello Piacentini, 1939-1956 in: Storia della letteratura polacca, a cura di Luigi Marinelli, Einaudi, Torino 2004, pp. 409-430;
Jerzy Święch, Literatura drugiej wojny światowej, Warszwa PWN 2002,
Jan Karski, La mia testimonianza davanti al mondo. Storia di uno stato segreto, a cura di Luca Bernardini, Adelphi, Milano 2013
Module A:
Miron Białoszewski, Memorie dell'insurrezione di Varsavia, a cura di Luca Bernardini, Milano Adelphi 2021;
Czesław Miłosz, Poesie, a cura di Pietro Marchesani, Adelphi, Milano 1983,
Anna Swir, Sono una donna, trad. di Andrea Ceccherelli, Valige Rosse, Vecchiano, 2025.
Zofia Nałkowska, Senza dimenticare nulla, a cura di Giulia De Biase ; traduzione di Bruno Meriggi Napoli, L'ancora del Mediterraneo, 2006;
Kazimierz Wyka, Życie na niby ; Pamiętnik po klęsce, Kraków -Wrocław, Wydawnictwo literackie, 1984;
Module B:
Tadeusz Borowski, Da noi, ad Auschwitz, traduzione e postfazione di Luca Bernardini, traduzioni di L. Bernardini e V. Parisi, Mondadori, Milano 2023.
Andrzej Zielinski Viaggio ai confini di una certa morale: i racconti dal lager di Tadeusz Borowski, Quaderni di ACME, 75, «Rappresentare la Shoah», a cura di Alessandro Costazza, Cisalpino, Milano 2005, pp. 305-317.
Module C
Jerzy Andrzejewski, Wielki Tydzień, Warszawa, Czytelnik 1993;
Jarosław Marek Rymkiewicz, Umschlagplatz, Warszawa, Oficyna Wydawnicza 1992
Luca Bernardini, Una verità non artistica su Auschwitz, o la neve su Birkenau, in: Quaderni di ACME, 75, «Rappresentare la Shoah», a cura di Alessandro Costazza, Cisalpino, Milano 2005, pp. 427-442;
Vincenzo Mengaldo, La vendetta è il racconto. Testimonianze e riflessioni sulla Shoah, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri, 2006.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an individual interview, which includes questions the teacher asks, interactions between the teacher and the student, and the analysis and commentary of one or more excerpts from the works in the exam program. The interview has a variable duration depending on the student's ability to answer questions and takes place in Italian or, optionally, in Polish. The exam aims to verify the knowledge of the topics presented in class, the texts read, the ability to contextualize authors and works, to frame them critically, the skill in their exhibition, and the precision in using specific terminology. The vote is displayed in thirtieths. An excellent knowledge of historical events, authors, and literary works, supported by a broad and systematic vision of the topics covered in class and in the readings indicated in the bibliography, the demonstration of excellent control of expressive means and a specific language will be evaluated with votes of excellence (29 -30). Mnemonic knowledge of the subject, average synthesis, and capability of in-depth analysis skills, as well as correct but not always appropriate language, will lead to discrete evaluations (24-28). Approximate knowledge, superficial understanding, poor capacity for analysis, and not always appropriate expression will lead to evaluations around or above the sufficiency (18-23). Obvious preparation gaps, inappropriate language, and lack of orientation within the bibliographic materials offered in the program will be negatively evaluated. They will lead to the need to repeat the exam.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
SLAV-01/A - Slavic Studies - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
SLAV-01/A - Slavic Studies - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)