Department of Modern Languages (Institutionen för moderna språk)

Prof. Józef Trypućko made a significant contribution to the development of Polish studies in Uppsala; he conducted Polish language classes starting in the 1940s and assumed the position of Professor of Slavic Studies in 1966. He thus strengthened the profile of Uppsala’s Polish studies and initiated many projects, the most important of which—still engaging Swedish Polonists today—is the project to catalog the Jesuit library collections from Braniewo, currently located in the university library in Uppsala. In subsequent years, the development of Uppsala's Polish studies was shaped by, among others, Prof. Lennart Hagåsen, Andrzej Nils Uggla, Róża Lekach, Maria Zadencka, M. Anna Packalén Parkman, and currently Magdalena Slyk. For many years, Polish studies in Uppsala were also supported by lecturers from Poland, including Witold Cienkowski, Maria Strzyżewska, Witold Maciejewski, Jerzy Bralczyk, and Włodzimierz Gruszczyński. Currently, in Uppsala, one can study Polish as a major within both Bachelor's and Master's degree programs. The goal of the education is to develop practical language skills—the ability to use the language in everyday situations, as well as reading and writing in Polish—and to acquire theoretical knowledge about the language system: phonetics, morphology, syntax, stylistics, semantics, and the history of the language. Language proficiency, both spoken and written, is developed through translation exercises in both directions and the reading of literary and professional texts. The studies also include the opportunity to deepen knowledge in the field of the history of Polish literature and culture. Great importance is attached to a basic orientation in Polish realities, both historical and contemporary. For those interested, there is the possibility of going to Poland as part of Erasmus+ cooperation for a shorter or longer period to participate in language classes for foreigners.

Initially, Polish studies were conducted on-site; however, as a result of political decisions, the offer of courses within Polish studies in Uppsala was increasingly restricted, and from 2007 to 2013, Polish was only a secondary subject, without the possibility of writing Bachelor's or Master's theses. This situation forced us to revise our curriculum and mobilized us to develop new courses that better met student expectations. During this time, we began to develop online courses, thanks to which, in 2013, Uppsala’s Polish studies once again became a major subject at the Bachelor's and Master's levels. In 2020, we also began offering professional development courses for teachers of Polish as a native and inherited language.

Despite difficulties and limitations, Polish studies in Uppsala continue to develop. We are currently in the process of recruiting a second assistant professor of Polish, which will significantly strengthen our department and allow us to develop not only courses for students but also to conduct scientific research and strengthen cooperation. We are currently collaborating with the University of Silesia, where, together with the School of Polish Language and Culture, we are conducting a project aimed at developing new teaching materials for Swedish-speaking students.

Despite the challenges, Polish studies in Uppsala remain an important element of Slavic studies in Sweden, and its significance grows along with the development of Poland and its integration with the EU.

Current staff: Dr. Magdalena Slyk, Marcelina Bozek (MA)

Forms of Education

Uppsala’s Polish studies offer first-cycle (Bachelor's) and second-cycle (Master's) studies; the Polish language is also a possible specialization within third-cycle (Doctoral) Slavic studies. Additionally, classes are conducted as part of a professional development course dedicated to teachers of Polish as a native and inherited language. Classes at all levels are conducted remotely.

The offer includes the following courses:

First-cycle studies: Polish I, Polish II, Polish B, Polish C, Polish D, Polenkunskap (Knowledge of Poland), and Polsk litteraturhistoria (History of Polish Literature);

Second-cycle studies: Polish E1, Polish E2, Degree project in Slavic languages E (Polish), Degree project in Slavic languages F (Polish), Polish migrant literature in the world after 1945, Polish film, Polish-Swedish contrastive grammar, The development of Polish outside Poland's borders; Native language teacher training, Polish.

Scholarly Activity

In recent years, research within Uppsala’s Polish studies has focused primarily on literary studies and culture. Notable among these are comparative studies of 19th and 20th-century Polish-Swedish realist prose, with particular emphasis on prose with rural motifs (M. Anna Packalén Parkman). Research on the role of literature in historical and ideological processes in 19th-century Europe. The influence of literature on national identification (Maria Zadencka).

The researchers' interests also include women's literature, the literature of linguistic minorities, issues related to translation studies and the transfer of Polish and Swedish literature, semantics and cultural aspects in translation, and glottodidactics.

Prepared by Dr. Magdalena Slyk