2026-2027 Course Offerings
Autumn
POLI 10103: First-Year Polish I
This course is an introduction to the Polish language that lays the foundation for developing all four core skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—while familiarizing students with contemporary Polish culture.
Using a communicative approach, the course also incorporates a focus-on-form method to introduce key elements of Polish grammar, alongside vocabulary-building techniques. Through classroom interactions, Tuesday and Thursday drill sessions, and homework assignments, students will develop interpretive, presentational, and interpersonal skills that will prepare them for continued study of the language.
In addition, students will be introduced to basic linguistic concepts that are useful not only for learning other Slavic languages but for language study in general.
This course is designed for beginners with no prior knowledge of Polish. Students with previous experience in the language are required to take the placement test.
POLI 20103: Second-Year Polish I
This course is the first in a sequence designed to develop intermediate-level skills in speaking, writing, reading, and listening. Students will engage with a variety of materials that reflect contemporary Polish language and culture, including authentic resources such as websites, music, film clips, and more.
In addition to continued grammar instruction and vocabulary expansion, the course focuses on themes such as travel and vacations, home and daily routines, city and village life, well-being, and more. Through regular classroom interactions with the instructor and peers, as well as Tuesday and Thursday drill sessions, students will strengthen their skills across all language domains and work toward achieving intermediate proficiency.
POLI 10303 or equivalent.
POLI 21600: Polish for Heritage Learners
This course is designed for students who possess some proficiency in Polish, typically colloquial spoken Polish used at home. It serves as an entry-level course for students who have spoken Polish at home and/or attended Polish community schools, introducing them to the study of Polish at the college level. Students who place into this course may receive credit for first- and second-year Polish.
In this course, students will develop all four language skills, including reading and writing. Additionally, they will gain knowledge of Polish grammar to help them further develop their language abilities in academic contexts.
The course aims to introduce students to the Polish language, its structure, and Polish culture, preparing them to continue their studies in third-year Polish courses or beyond. Through the use of authentic materials such as podcasts, news articles, short stories, and other media, students will not only acquire the necessary linguistic skills but also develop a deeper understanding of Polish culture beyond the language spoken at home.
This course is the first in a sequence preparing students for the Practical Proficiency Certificate. The course counts toward the REES minor or major.
Consent of the Instructor.
Winter
POLI 10203: First-Year Polish II
This course is an introduction to the Polish language that lays the foundation for developing all four core skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—while familiarizing students with contemporary Polish culture.
Using a communicative approach, the course also incorporates a focus-on-form method to introduce key elements of Polish grammar, alongside vocabulary-building techniques. Through classroom interactions, Tuesday and Thursday drill sessions, and homework assignments, students will develop interpretive, presentational, and interpersonal skills that will prepare them for continued study of the language.
In addition, students will be introduced to basic linguistic concepts that are useful not only for learning other Slavic languages but for language study in general.
POLI 10103 or consent of instructor.
POLI 20203: Second-Year Polish II
This course is the first in a sequence designed to develop intermediate-level skills in speaking, writing, reading, and listening. Students will engage with a variety of materials that reflect contemporary Polish language and culture, including authentic resources such as websites, music, film clips, and more.
In addition to continued grammar instruction and vocabulary expansion, the course focuses on themes such as travel and vacations, home and daily routines, city and village life, well-being, and more. Through regular classroom interactions with the instructor and peers, as well as Tuesday and Thursday drill sessions, students will strengthen their skills across all language domains and work toward achieving intermediate proficiency.
Spring
POLI 10303: First-Year Polish III
This course is the final level in the elementary sequence. It strengthens students’ listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills while expanding their knowledge of contemporary Polish culture. Using a communicative, focus-on-form approach, the course introduces essential grammar and vocabulary to prepare students for intermediate-level study.
By the end of the course, students will be able to express basic needs and emotions, make simple requests (e.g., asking for directions, booking accommodations, buying tickets), ask and answer simple questions, and participate in brief exchanges on familiar topics. They will use practiced words, phrases, and simple sentences to express likes and dislikes and describe everyday situations. Students will also explore how Polish language and culture connect to daily life and social practices, gaining confidence interacting with native speakers accustomed to language learners.
POLI 10203 or consent of instructor.
POLI 20303: Second-Year Polish III
This course is the third in the intermediate sequence and builds proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students engage with authentic materials such as websites, music, and film clips that reflect contemporary Polish language and culture.
The course continues grammar and vocabulary development while emphasizing thematic topics such as culture, art, and human relationships. Through regular interaction, guided practice, and independent work, students strengthen interpretive, presentational, and interpersonal skills.
By the end of the course, students will be able to communicate using sentences and strings of sentences, express basic needs and emotions, describe people and art, and participate in short, friendly exchanges on familiar topics. While errors may occur, students will increasingly create with the language to convey meaning. Students will also deepen their understanding of Polish culture and gain confidence interacting with native speakers accustomed to working with language learners.
Fall Quarter of Second Year Polish or instructor consent.