Conducted in terms: 2024Z, 2025Z

ECTS credits: 3

Language: Polish

Organized by: Institute of Central and Eastern Europe Intercultural Studies

Problems of culture of the countries of the East and Central Europe (I) - Ukraine 3224-D3PKU

The aim of the course is to present the specificity of Ukrainian culture, the factors that have historically shaped its uniqueness, and those that determine its complexity and heterogeneity. Individual aspects of Ukrainian culture are discussed through the prism of selected social, nation-building, ethnolinguistic, literary, artistic and ideological phenomena and processes, perceived here in terms of their impact on the shape of culture. All of the above approaches are to be brought together within the framework of the course by adopting an anthropological perspective as a source of categories and methods for describing and analysing the discussed areas of culture. The issues raised are also presented in the context of problems characteristic of the whole of Central and Eastern Europe. Students develop their research skills and learn to acquire knowledge independently, with the support of their academic supervisor.

The following issues will be discussed:

1. Globalisation processes and Ukrainian culture, adaptation and integration of Western cultural values into Ukrainian culture.

2-3. Preservation of Ukrainian traditions and folk customs: analysis of the current state of customs, rituals and folk holidays, and ways of preserving them.

Elements of folklore in contemporary Ukrainian culture: the influence and integration of folklore in contemporary art, music, literature and cinema.

4. The role and influence of religion on Ukrainian culture: analysis of the influence of different religions on the cultural development of Ukraine.
5. Language issues in Ukraine: history, current status and prospects for the development of the Ukrainian language in the context of the country's multilingualism.

6. The problem of historical past in contemporary Ukrainian culture, historical events and figures in literature, art, cinema and theatre.

7. National minorities in Ukraine, preservation of their cultural traditions.

8. Contemporary Ukrainian literature in the context of world literature, reception of contemporary Ukrainian literature outside Ukraine, with particular emphasis on Poland.

9. Ukrainian diaspora and Ukrainian culture. Artists and writers with dual identity.
10.-11. Cultural heritage of Ukraine: problems of conservation and restoration of architectural monuments, the state and challenges of conservation of historical objects. Museology in Ukraine, new museums.

12. Ukrainian cuisine as an element of national identity: a study of traditional Ukrainian cuisine and its significance in culture.

13. Ukrainian cultural diplomacy: challenges and achievements: the role of culture in Ukraine's international relations.

14. Problems of cultural identity among Ukrainian youth: a study of the identity and cultural preferences of contemporary Ukrainian youth.
15-16. The problem of trauma caused by Russia's military aggression in Ukrainian culture.

Student workload:
Participation in classroom activities – 30 hours (1 ECTS)
Preparation for classes – 30 hours (1 ECTS)
Preparation for oral examination – 30 hours (1 ECTS)

Term 2025Z:

This course is a continuation of *The History of Culture in the Countries of the Region* and aims to explore the specificity of Ukrainian culture—both in its historical and contemporary dimensions. It examines the factors that have shaped and continue to shape its distinctiveness, complexity, and internal diversity.

Selected aspects of Ukrainian culture are discussed through the lens of key social, nation-building, ethnolinguistic, literary, artistic, and ideological phenomena and processes, analyzed in terms of their impact on cultural formation. All issues are approached from an anthropological perspective, providing conceptual tools and methods for the analysis and interpretation of culture.

The course content is also situated within the broader context of cultural transformations in Central and Eastern Europe. Throughout the course, students develop research skills and learn to independently acquire and interpret knowledge under the guidance of the instructor.

**Topics covered include (among others):**

1. Ukrainian culture and globalization – adaptation and integration of Western cultural values.
2. Ukrainian folk traditions and customs – analysis of their current state and modes of preservation.
3. Popular culture and national identity – Ukraine after 1991.
4. Religion and its influence on the development of Ukrainian culture.
5. The Ukrainian language – history, current status, and future prospects in the context of the country’s multilingualism.
6. Historical memory in contemporary Ukrainian culture – the presence of historical events and figures in literature, art, and film.
7. National minorities and their cultural heritage in Ukraine.
8. Contemporary Ukrainian literature in the global context – international reception, especially in Poland.
9. Ukrainian diaspora and culture – creative work by artists with dual identities.
10. Cultural heritage – conservation of architectural monuments and museum development in contemporary Ukraine.
11. New museums in Ukraine – their functions, challenges, and institutional forms.
12. Ukrainian cultural diplomacy – the role of culture in Ukraine’s international relations.
13. Cultural identity among Ukrainian youth – values, attitudes, and preferences.
14. War trauma and its representation in Ukrainian culture – through art, literature, and memory.
15. Representations of war (post-2014 and post-2022) in culture – anthropological and artistic perspectives.

Student workload:

In-class participation – 30 hours (1 ECTS)
Preparation for classes – 30 hours (1 ECTS)
Preparation for oral examination – 30 hours (1 ECTS)

Mode

Classroom

Course coordinators

Rostysław Kramar

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, students will:

[Knowledge:]
1) have a basic knowledge and understanding of the specific characteristics of various cultural models from an anthropological perspective (traditional, noble, bourgeois, mass), the processes of their transformation and interrelationships, as well as their manifestations in the symbolic and semiotic spheres, i.e. in the realm of culture and art, literature and history of Ukraine (K1_W03; Reference to P6S_WG Scope and depth)
2) knows and understands, at a basic level, the broadly understood intercultural context; has knowledge about humans as entities constructing social structures and cultural products, is aware of the principles of their functioning and the resulting differences in the perception of social life by representatives of different nationalities, ideological and religious groups, and variously understood minorities (K1_W07; Reference to P6S_WG Scope and depth, P6S_WK Context/conditions, effects)

[Skills:]
1) is able to search for, select, analyse and use the information they need from various sources (K1_U01; Reference to P6S_UW Use of knowledge/solving problems and performing tasks)
2) is able to develop their research skills, independently acquire knowledge with the support of a scientific supervisor; skilfully formulate thoughts, present research results in oral or written form (of various types) (K1_U03; Reference to P6S_UW Utilising knowledge/solving problems and performing tasks)
3) is able to critically analyse cultural products characteristic of a given period in the development of Ukraine up to the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries; recognise different types of Ukrainian cultural products, analyse them, distinguish between different perspectives on cultural development, being aware of cultural identity differences and context (K1_U05; Reference to P6S_UW Use of knowledge/solving problems and performing tasks)

[Social competences:]
1) is ready to critically evaluate their knowledge, continuously learn and supplement the knowledge they have acquired (K1_K01; Reference to P6S_KK)
2) is ready to participate in cultural life and enjoy its various forms (K1_K05; Reference to P6S_KR)

Assessment criteria

In accordance with the Detailed Rules of Study at the Faculty of Applied Linguistics (Resolution No. 114 of the Faculty Council of 19 December 2017):
1) Attendance at classes included in the schedule is compulsory (§ 9(2)).

2) It is not possible to retake a course if the reason for failing to pass it was failure to meet the attendance requirement. In such a case, the student may be conditionally enrolled in the next stage of study and repeat the failed course (§ 2(4)).

Two unexcused absences per semester are permitted, which must be made up in accordance with the requirements set by the lecturer.

Classes will be conducted in the form of discussions on assigned readings or material presented by the lecturer in the form of a presentation.
Active participation in the discussion means substantive participation in the discussion during at least 50% of the classes.

A written assignment (3-6 pages) or a presentation on a topic assigned by the lecturer is also required.

The deadline for submitting the written assignment is the date set by the lecturer during the first or second class.

Those who are absent from these classes are required to obtain information from the lecturer.

The oral examination will cover the material discussed in class during the semester and will include two randomly selected questions from the material discussed in class.

The final grade consists of:

Active and substantive participation in classes (40%).

Written assignment or presentation on a topic assigned by the lecturer (20%).

Oral examination (40%).

Grading scale:

0%-49% - 2

50%-60% - 3

61%-70% - 3+

71%-80% - 4

81%-90% - 4+

91%-100% - 5

Additional knowledge - 5+

Bibliography

Eberhardt P., Przemiany narodowościowe na Ukrainie w XX wieku, Warszawa 1996.

Grűndberg K., Trudne sąsiedztwo: stosunki polsko-ukraińskie w X-XX w., Warszawa 2005.

Hnatiuk O., Pożegnanie z imperium. Ukraińskie dyskusje o tożsamość, Lublin 2003.

Hrycak J., Historia Ukrainy, 1772—1999. Narodziny nowoczesnego narodu, Lublin 2000.

Hrycak J., Nowa Ukraina. Nowe interpretacje, Wrocław 2009.

Hrycak J., Chruśińska I., Ukraina. Przewodnik Krytyki Politycznej , Stowarzyszenie im. Stanisława Brzozowskiego, 2009.

Oleksandr Koszyc i jego dzienniki „Z pieśnią przez świat”, Pod red. W. Sobol, Warszawa 2018.

Riabczuk M., Dwie Ukrainy, Wrocław 2004.

Klimecki M., Karpus Z., Czas samotności. Ukraina i Ukraińcy w latach 1914-2018, Wydawnictwo Bellona 2018.

Riabczuk M., Syndrom postkolonialny, Wrocław 2015.

Sztuka i kultura ukraińska na przełomie XX i XXI wieku [w:] SPOŁECZEŃSTWO I KULTURA UKRAINY Ćwierćwiecze przemian (1991 – 2016) Redaktor tomu Katarzyna Jędraszczyk, Gniezno 2016, s. 167-187.

Olszański T., Problem językowy na Ukrainie. Próba nowego spojrzenia, Warszawa 2012,

Ukraińska nadzieja, Pod red. E. Sobol, Warszawa-Szczecin-Bezrzecze, 2017.

Wilczyński W., Leksykon kultury ukraińskiej, Kraków 2018.

Moreover, literature determined during classes, adapted to the topics covered.