Polish is the most commonly spoken Slavic language of the European Union and the second largest Slavic language in the world, with over 50 million users across the globe. Poland has a unique and vibrant culture shaped by a millennium of artistic and intellectual innovation and struggles for political, social, and cultural independence. The country survived two world wars and half a century of communist rule to emerge as a regional leader in East-Central Europe, the fastest-growing economy in the EU, and home to one of the most dynamic cultural scenes in the world. It is also a key NATO and U.S. ally in Europe. Polish diaspora is among the world's largest, with major concentrations in the U.S., Canada, the UK, Germany, and France.
The Polish major offers courses in the Polish language, literature, culture, politics, and one of the most intricate, fascinating histories in Europe, providing the knowledge and skills for successful careers in business, politics, diplomacy, arts, translation, international law, environmental science, journalism, national security, tourism, and cultural services.
How to Get in
To declare a major in Polish, students should make an appointment with or email the undergraduate advisor.
University General Education Requirements
All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below. Consult your advisor for assistance, as needed. For additional information, see the university Undergraduate General Education Requirements section of the Guide.
| General Education |
* The mortarboard symbol appears before the title of any course that fulfills one of the Communication Part A or Part B, Ethnic Studies, or Quantitative Reasoning Part A or Part B requirements. |
College of Letters & Science Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Students pursuing a bachelor of arts degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete all of the requirements below. The College of Letters & Science allows this major to be paired with either a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science curriculum.
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
| Mathematics | Complete the University General Education Requirements for Quantitative Reasoning A (QR-A) and Quantitative Reasoning B (QR-B) coursework. |
| Language |
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| LS Breadth |
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| Liberal Arts and Science Coursework | Complete at least 108 credits. |
| Depth of Intermediate/Advanced work | Complete at least 60 credits at the intermediate or advanced level. |
| Major | Declare and complete at least one major. |
| Total Credits | Complete at least 120 credits. |
| UW-Madison Experience |
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| Quality of Work |
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Non–L&S students pursuing an L&S major
Non–L&S students who have permission from their school/college to pursue an additional major within L&S only need to fulfill the major requirements. They do not need to complete the L&S Degree Requirements above.
Requirements for the Major
The Polish major requires study of the Polish language, Polish literature in translation, Polish literature in the original language, as well as culture and area studies, as detailed below:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Polish Language (complete two courses): | 6 | |
| Third Year Polish I | ||
| Third Year Polish II | ||
| Polish Literature and Culture (complete both): | ||
| SLAVIC/LITTRANS 215 | Love and Death: Introduction to Polish Literature & Culture | 3 |
| SLAVIC/LITTRANS 361 | Living at the End of Times: Contemporary Polish Literature and Culture | 3 |
| Additional Course in Polish Language or Literature/Culture (complete one): | 3 | |
| Fourth Year Polish I | ||
| Fourth Year Polish II | ||
| History and Ethics on Film: Polish Cinema 1 | ||
| Polish Literature and Culture Area Studies from: | 6 | |
| History and Ethics on Film: Polish Cinema 1 | ||
| Literatures and Cultures of Eastern Europe | ||
| Escaping Utopia: Cultures after Communism | ||
| Topics in Slavic Literatures | ||
| Eastern Europe: An Interdisciplinary Survey | ||
| Slavic Culture in Context: An Honors Course | ||
| Directed Study | ||
| Study Abroad in Poland | ||
| Polish Culture and Area Studies on Study Abroad | ||
| Intermediate Special Topics in Slavic Languages and Literatures | ||
| Slavic and East European Folklore | ||
| Advanced Special Topics in Slavic Languages and Literatures | ||
| History of Polish Literature until 1863 | ||
| History of Polish Literature after 1863 | ||
| Eastern Europe since 1900 | ||
| History of Poland and the Baltic Area | ||
| Slavic Science Fiction through Literature and Film | ||
| Polish Literature in Translation: Late 19th and 20th Centuries | ||
| Representation of the Jew in Eastern European Cultures | ||
| Literatures and Cultures of Eastern Europe | ||
| Topics in Slavic Literatures in Translation | ||
| Intermediate Special Topics in Slavic Languages and Literatures | ||
| Advanced Special Topics in Slavic Languages and Literatures | ||
| Polish Literature (in Translation) since 1863 | ||
| The European Union: Politics and Political Economy | ||
| Politics and Society: Contemporary Eastern Europe | ||
| Total Credits | 21 | |
Residence and Quality of Work
- 2.000 GPA in all major courses
- 2.000 GPA on at least 15 credits of upper-level work in the major, in residence
- 15 credits in the major taken on the UW–Madison campus
Upper-Level Courses in the Major:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SLAVIC 277 | Third Year Polish I | 3 |
| SLAVIC 278 | Third Year Polish II | 3 |
| SLAVIC 307 | Study Abroad in Poland | 1-4 |
| SLAVIC 308 | Polish Culture and Area Studies on Study Abroad | 1-4 |
| SLAVIC 331 | Fourth Year Polish I | 3 |
| SLAVIC 332 | Fourth Year Polish II | 3 |
| SLAVIC/LITTRANS 357 | Intermediate Special Topics in Slavic Languages and Literatures | 3 |
| SLAVIC/LITTRANS 361 | Living at the End of Times: Contemporary Polish Literature and Culture | 3 |
| SLAVIC/FOLKLORE 444 | Slavic and East European Folklore | 3 |
| SLAVIC/LITTRANS 467 | Advanced Special Topics in Slavic Languages and Literatures | 3 |
| HISTORY 425 | History of Poland and the Baltic Area | 3-4 |
| LITTRANS/FOLKLORE 327 | Vampires | 3 |
| POLI SCI 340 | The European Union: Politics and Political Economy | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI 659 | Politics and Society: Contemporary Eastern Europe | 3-4 |
Honors in the Major
To earn Honors in the Major, students must satisfy both the requirements for the major (above) and the following additional requirements:
- Earn a 3.300 University GPA
- Earn a 3.300 GPA for all SLAVIC courses and all courses counting in the major
- Complete a two-semester Senior Honors Thesis in SLAVIC 681 and SLAVIC 682, for a total of 6 credits
- 9 credits from the following list:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SLAVIC 277 | Third Year Polish I | 3 |
| SLAVIC 278 | Third Year Polish II | 3 |
| SLAVIC 331 | Fourth Year Polish I | 3 |
| SLAVIC 332 | Fourth Year Polish II | 3 |
| SLAVIC/LITTRANS 361 | Living at the End of Times: Contemporary Polish Literature and Culture | 3 |
| SLAVIC/LITTRANS 357 | Intermediate Special Topics in Slavic Languages and Literatures | 3 |
| SLAVIC/LITTRANS 467 | Advanced Special Topics in Slavic Languages and Literatures | 3 |
Footnotes
- 1
SLAVIC 231 may only count within one requirement for the major.
University Degree Requirements
| Total Degree | To receive a bachelor's degree from UW–Madison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits. Students should consult with their college or department advisor for information on specific credit requirements. |
| Residency | Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UW–Madison. "In residence" means on the UW–Madison campus with an undergraduate degree classification. “In residence” credit also includes UW–Madison courses offered in distance or online formats and credits earned in UW–Madison Study Abroad/Study Away programs. |
| Quality of Work | Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing. Students whose academic performance drops below these minimum thresholds will be placed on academic probation. |
Learning Outcomes
- (Polish language proficiency) Develop speaking, listening, writing, and reading skills and integrate these skills to communicate in Polish in a variety of social situations.
- Develop and apply writing skills and oral communication skills appropriate to liberal arts education in the context of Slavic studies.
- Develop and apply critical thinking skills inherent in the liberal arts tradition in the context of Slavic studies.
- Analyze and interpret works of literature in themselves and in the context of specific historical and cultural conditions.
- Demonstrate insight into Polish culture and civilization and apply this knowledge across disciplines such as history, political science, the arts, geography, business, economics, sociology, the sciences, gender studies, philosophy, law, folklore.
Four-Year Plan
This Four-Year Plan is only one way a student may complete an L&S degree with this major. Many factors can affect student degree planning, including placement scores, credit for transferred courses, credits earned by examination, and individual scholarly interests. In addition, many students have commitments (e.g., athletics, honors, research, student organizations, study abroad, work and volunteer experiences) that necessitate they adjust their plans accordingly. Informed students engage in their own unique Wisconsin Experience by consulting their academic advisors, Guide, DARS, and Course Search & Enroll for assistance making and adjusting their plan.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SLAVIC 111 | 4 | SLAVIC 112 | 4 |
| Communication A | 3 | GERMAN 267 | 3-4 |
| Quantitative Reasoning A | 3-4 | Social Science Breadth | 4 |
| Social Science Breadth | 4 | Biological Science Breadth | 3 |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SLAVIC 207 | 4 | SLAVIC 208 | 4 |
| GNS/FOLKLORE 200 (Comm B) | 3 | SLAVIC/GEOG/HISTORY/POLI SCI 254 | 4 |
| Physical Science Breadth | 3 | INTER-LS 210 | 1 |
| Quantitative Reasoning B | 3 | Social Science Breadth | 4 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SLAVIC 277 | 3 | SLAVIC 278 | 3 |
| SLAVIC/LITTRANS 215 | 3 | SLAVIC/LITTRANS 361 | 3 |
| Science Breadth | 3 | Polish Area Studies Course | 3 |
| Electives | 6 | Science Breadth | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SLAVIC 331 | 3 | SLAVIC 332 | 3 |
| Polish Area Studies course | 3 | Polish Area Studies course | 3 |
| Electives | 9 | Electives | 9 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
Advising and Careers
Elementary courses in Polish are designed to meet the needs of students who begin to study the language in college, as well as those who began to study the language in high school. One unit (year) of high school coursework is roughly equivalent to one semester of college work; all incoming students, however, who want to continue their study of Polish are assigned to courses on the basis of placement tests. These tests may admit a student to a more advanced course, but give no credit toward graduation. However, retroactive credits can be granted in recognition of previous language study. L&S Retro Credit Policy.
The Placement Advisor for Polish is Krzysztof Borowski. Please contact the undergraduate advisor to request placement.
For other undergraduate concerns or to declare the major, please contact our undergraduate coordinator:
Joanna Schuth, Undergraduate Advisor
jschuth@wisc.edu
836 Van Hise Hall
Make an appointment through Starfish
For additional career advising, please contact:
Lydia Odegard
Language Directions Specialist
Language Institute
L&S Career Resources
Every L&S major opens a world of possibilities. SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps students turn the academic skills learned in their major, certificates, and other coursework into fulfilling lives after graduation, whether that means jobs, public service, graduate school or other career pursuits.
In addition to providing basic support like resume reviews and interview practice, SuccessWorks offers ways to explore interests and build career skills from their very first semester/term at UW all the way through graduation and beyond.
Students can explore careers in one-on-one advising, try out different career paths, complete internships, prepare for the job search and/or graduate school applications, and connect with supportive alumni and even employers in the fields that inspire them.
- SuccessWorks
- Set up a career advising appointment
- Enroll in a Career Course - a great idea for first- and second-year students:
- INTER-LS 210 L&S Career Development: Taking Initiative (1 credit)
- INTER-LS 215 Communicating About Careers (3 credits, fulfills Comm B General Education Requirement)
- Learn about internships and internship funding
- INTER-LS 260 Internship in the Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Activate your Handshake account to apply for jobs and internships from 200,000+ employers recruiting UW-Madison students
- Learn about the impact SuccessWorks has on students' lives