Polish Literature 3
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 cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
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
The course, materials, and examination bibliography presuppose skills acquired in previous classes. The prerequisites for students in the degree course in foreign languages and literature are those in force. Students from other degree courses interested in taking the examination must contact the lecturer.
Teaching methods
The course adopts the following teaching methods: lectures, reading, translation, analysis and commentary of Polish fiction, essays, and watching videos of Polish films. Compared to the same course held for second-year students, with third-year students, the texts in the bibliography and those covered in class will, where appropriate, be addressed in Polish.
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 passages from the works in the program. The interview has a variable duration depending on the student's ability to respond and takes place in Italian or, optionally, in Polish. The exam aims to verify the knowledge of the topics presented in class, of the texts read, the ability to contextualize authors and works, to frame them critically, the ability to expose, and the precision in using specific terminology. The vote is shown out of thirty. An excellent knowledge of historical events, authors, non-fiction, essays, fiction narrative, cinematographic and prose works, supported by a broad and systematic vision of the topics addressed in class and of the readings indicated in the bibliography, the demonstration of an expressive mastery and specific language will be evaluated with marks of excellence (29-30). The mostly mnemonic knowledge of the subject, the ability to synthesize and analyze not in-depth, and correct but not always appropriate language will lead to discrete evaluations (24-28). Rough knowledge, superficial understanding, poor analytical skills, and inappropriate expression will lead to evaluations around or above sufficiency (18-23). Obvious training gaps, inappropriate language, and a 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.
International or incoming Erasmus students are requested to contact the teacher. The examination methods for students with disabilities and SLDs must be agreed upon with the teacher in agreement with the competent office.
International or incoming Erasmus students are requested to contact the teacher. The examination methods for students with disabilities and SLDs must be agreed upon with the teacher in agreement with the competent office.
Professor(s)