Culture (Swiss French) 3300-KFRA-HEL1-L
The seminar is an introduction to the study of contemporary Romandie and deals specifically with its cultural, economic and social problems. The class will combine critical reading of the literature on the subject, discussions, analysis of audiovisual material and presentations.
The planned range of topics includes the following (their selection may be subject to minor modifications depending on the availability of materials and the individual interests of the participants):
- Switzerland and its founding myths
- Switzerland in the face of World War II - a Romandie's perspective
- the culture of contemporary Romandie and its main representatives (art, architecture, cinema, theatre, music...)
- Economic and scientific achievements of Romandie
- contemporary cities of Romandie (geographical, gastronomic and economic perspective of the French canton)
- contemporary Swiss identity
Type of course
Mode
Course coordinators
Term 2025Z: | Term 2024Z: |
Learning outcomes
This subject contributes to the following learning outcomes:
- the student has an extended knowledge of the concepts and corresponding terms used to describe the cultural, social and economic problems of contemporary Romandie;
- the student has an in-depth knowledge of the processes taking place in the cultural areas of contemporary Romandie;
- the student has extensive and well-founded knowledge of the culture of Romandie;
- the student has the ability to read a scientific text critically, is able to interpret it and use the information gained in discussion;
- the student is aware of the responsibility for preserving the cultural heritage of the studied region and country;
- the student is interested in contemporary processes and phenomena occurring in the cultural life of Switzerland.
Assessment criteria
Attendance during classes is a necessary condition for passing the course (two unjustified absences per semester are allowed). In the case of absence, the student is obliged to present a sick note to the teacher no later than 14 days after the end of the sick leave.
Course credit consists of the following:
- submission of short homework assignments, knowledge of the subject literature and participation in discussions (25% of the grade)
- preparation and presentation of a project on a chosen topic during the class (25% of the grade)
The class ends with an oral assessment (a list of issues will be presented during the semester) - 50% of the grade.
Bibliography
Bewes D. (2018), Swiss Watching: Inside the Land of Milk and Money, Nicholas Brealey Publishing.
Charnely J., Pender M. (1998), Images of Switzerland: Challenges from the Margins, Peter Lang.
Charnely J., Pender M. (2000), Switzerland and War, Peter Lang.
Halbrook S. (2015), Szwajcaria i naziści. Jak alpejska republika przetrwała w cieniu Trzeciej Rzeszy, Wydawnictwo Dolnośląskie.
Hałub M., Komorowski D., Stadler U. (red.) (2004), Ta Szwajcaria to nie Szwajcaria. Studia nad tożsamością kulturową narodu, Wrocław: Acta Universitas Wratislaviensis.
Koydl W. (2016), Możesz być bogaty, czyli jak Szwajcarzy osiągnęli sukces gospodarczy, Wydawnictwo Pascal.
Matyja M. (2010), Swiss Made: jak funkcjonuje wielokulturowa Szwajcaria?, Wydawnictwo Poligraf.
Oertig-Davidson M. (2019), The New Beyond Chocolate: Understanding Swiss Culture, Bergli Books.
Panozzo C. (2014), Swiss Life: 30 Things I Wish I'd Known. Essays, Opyd Press.
Porębski A. (2009), Wielokulturowość Szwajcarii na rozdrożu, Kraków: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego.
Rakowski J. (1985), Z piórem w mundurze: Francja, Szwajcaria 1940-1946 , Księgarnia Polska – Librairie Polonaise.
Rowińska-Januszewska B. (red.), Między rajem a więzieniem. Studia o literaturze i kulturze Szwajcarii, Wydawnictwo Poznańskie.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: