Polish Landscapes of Remembrance
HIST 4970 and GEO 4970
Location: Poland
Travel Dates: June 16 – 29, 2014
Contact Information
Instructor: Michelle Brym Heidi Vaughn
Office: 204 D LAR 202F LAR
Phone: 974-5665 974-5789
E-mail: mbrym@uco.edu hvaughn@uco.edu
Office Hours: M & W: 3:20-4:20 By appointment
T & R: 9:30-10:30
Course Description: This course will explore how the collective remembrance of historical events (World War II, the Holocaust and Communism) and Poland’s multicultural past
,
shapes the cultural landscape. Tours of museums, memorials, monuments, and other historic sites will enable students to apply and develop knowledge and skills regarding historical inter pretation and preservation. Students
will learn how the preservation of historical objects and the memorialization of historical events in public spaces is a contested process that contributes to the formation of national identities.
Course Objectives:
In this course students will:
1. Observe the various ways museums and historic sites in this part of the world interpret, preserve, and commemorate their history through the examination of exhibits, historic buildings and historic sites.
2. Understand Poland’s transformation from socialism to democracy.
3 Analyze ways the Holocaust and other atrocities of World War II are memorialized in public spaces. .
4. Sharpen landscape observation and analytical skills through a journal that will record student interpretations of daily events.
5. Gain confidence in the ability to travel in a foreign country
6. Learn basic Polish phrases and cultural behaviors
7. Experience the diverse physical geography of the region through a visit to the Tatar
Mountains (Carpathian Mountains), Baltic Sea and European plains.
Prerequisites:
Instructor Permission.
Open to all students regardless of major.
Expectation of Students:
Students enrolled in the course are expected:
• to attend all pre-departure and post-departure class meetings held at UCO.
• to read all assigned readings by the deadlines
• to complete all writing assignments and exams on time
• to behave in a professional and responsible manner at all times
1

Transformative Learning Objectives:
Transformative Learning Objectives (“Central Six”)
Transformative learning goals (the “Central Six”) have been identified as: Discipline
Knowledge; Leadership; Problem Solving (Research, Scholarly and Creative Activities);
Service Learning and Civic Engagement; Global and Cultural Competencies; and Health and Wellness.
The Course addresses 3 of the university’s transformative learning goals. Discipline knowledge in the field of Geography and Museum Studies will be accomplished through on-site experiences, assigned reading materials and lectures prior to departure. Problem
Solving will be accomplished through a research paper, research poster and journal entries that will demonstrate students’ analysis of observations, interpretation of site experiences and information presented. Global and Cultural Competencies will be achieved by the exposure to different food habits, new languages, history, and pop culture.
Required Readings and Materials:
Camera
Journal
Day Bag
Reading Packet
Reading Packet will include:
 Map of climate zones, major landforms and major Polish cities
 Bajc, Vida. 2006. Collective Memory and Tourism: Globalizing Transmission
Through Localized Experience. Journeys, 7(2), 1-9.

 Borusiewicz, Miroslaw & Jones, Ian. 1995. Europe, East, and West:

Exchanging Ideas Across Frontiers. Museum International, 47(3), 46-50.
 Buck, Rebecca A. & Gimore, Jean Allman. 1998. The New Museum
Registration Methods, American Association of Museums: Washington D.C.

 Day, Annette.. 2004.. Displaying the 20 th Century in Polish Museums. Oral

History, 32(1), 87-96.
 Frankland, Erich. 2009. Europe: Global Studies, The European Union Emerges
30-35, Europe’s Future 35-40 and An Expanding Europe Poland 47-51

 Kobylinski, Zbigniew. Cultural Heritage Preservation: Problems, Priorities,
 and Perspectives As Seen From Poland.
2

 Konwicki, Tadeusz. .1998. The Polish Complex, Dalkey Archieve,

 Majewski, Jerzy. 2010. Book of Walks: Landmarks of People’s Poland in
Warsaw, Agora SA: Warsaw Poland.
 Ree, Laurence. 2005. Auschwitz: A New History, Public Affairs, NY, NY.
 Sroka, Marek.. 2003. The Destruction of Jewish Libraries and Archives in
Cracow During World War II. Libraries & Culture, 38(2), 147-165.

Turp, Craig. 2010. Poland (Eyewitness Travel Guides, DK Travel
How you will be assessed:
Journal 200 pts
On-site Presentation/Brochures 30 pts
Research Poster –(group work) 50 pts
Research Paper 60 pts
Quiz 40 pts
Class Attendance and Participation 20 pts
Total 300 pts
Quiz:
The quiz will be completed before departure for the study tour. You will be tested on place location of cities and physical features in the countries we will be visiting and material from the reading packet.
Brochures:
At the first class meeting you will be assigned a site that we will be visiting on the study tour to research. You will put together a brochure that includes the information provided below and upload the brochure to D2L by June 6th. Bring a printed version to pass out to students when visiting the site. At the site you will give a 3 to 4 minute presentation. The information to be presented should include who, what, when, where, and why this subject is important to our understanding of Poland. In the brochure you are to include the following:
•
Your site name, your name, course title, and number.
3

•
A map showing spatial location of the site. You may also include an image of the site.
• A summary that explains the significance of the site. How does this site visit contribute to our understanding of Poland? What is the historical, economic, political or cultural importance of the site today?
• Work cited section that shows at least three sources consulted for this brochure.
Journals:
You will be responsible for daily entries in a journal for the duration of the time abroad.
The completed journal will be turned in upon arrival in the Oklahoma City airport. Time will be set-aside after daily debriefings to write in your journals. Journal entries can be hand-written or typed. If they are hand-written make sure your writing is legible. If your writing cannot be read you will not receive credit. The length of journal entries will vary based on what we do each day. Entries will be graded based on quality and should include the following:
• Date and location or locations visited
•
A description and explanation of what you did at the site
•
Answer any questions in your reading packet that relate to sites visited.
•
Your reactions to what you experienced or observed that day. Were you impressed or surprised by something you experienced? Did you try any new foods or beverages? Did you dislike something that occurred?
Research Paper:
All students are required to submit through D2L drop box a six to eight page doublespaced research paper by June 6 th
. The final report will explore a preapproved research topic related to places that will be visited on this study tour. You will receive a handout with detailed instructions for the research paper.
Research Poster:
While on the study tour you will explore the theme you researched for your paper further on the ground in a group. Upon your return to OKC you will put together a research poster that includes the photos, observations and pre-departure research. The poster will be due July 11th. The research poster must include the following:
•
A title
•
A map of your study area and photos that relate to your topic
•
An explanation of the significance of your research topic.
•
An description of what you found/learned
•
Any unanswered questions you were left with
•
Sources you consulted, you need a minimum of five (three of which can not be internet sites)
CLASS ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION:
Attendance and participation grade will be based on participation at each class session and activities on the study tour. The study tour, beginning with the Monday June 16 h departure from UCO to the Monday June 30 th
return, will be divided into class and nonclass time. During class time students are to follow the same rules they would in a
4

classroom at UCO. It is assumed students will conduct themselves as adults during class time. Appropriate adult behavior includes arriving on time, behaving in a non-disruptive manner, refraining from smoking, or consuming alcoholic beverages. The instructors are not responsible for student conduct once class time officially ends.
Students are required to be present at each scheduled event and will not be allowed to skip any activities without an official university absence. One skip of a site visit will result in the loss of 15 points. Two missing will result in the student being dismissed from the study tour. The instructors are not responsible for student conduct once class time officially ends. Failure to exhibit proper classroom behavior or consecutive failures to arrive at class activities on time will result in the student being dismissed from the study tour. Any students released from the study tour will be responsible for paying their own transportation costs back to the United States.
Your attendance and participation points will be a total of the points you have earned for participating in class, minus any points you have lost for failing to attend class or for being disruptive during class. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class, so arrive on time. One unexcused absences will be allowed during normal lecture sessions. If you miss more than one you will lose 5 point from your class attendance and participation points.
The following criteria will be used to determine your participation points:
18-20 points: You regularly (almost every class and site visit) volunteered
substantial questions and shared your opinions with the class. You were always prepared to participate in class. This means you always had your readings completed and you brought any additional information you were asked to bring to class.
16-17 points: You frequently volunteered to ask clarification or substantial questions and shared your opinions with the class. You were always prepared to participate in class and site visits. This means you always had your assignments completed, your readings completed and you brought any additional information you were asked to bring to class.
14-15 points: You answered questions when asked and you occasionally volunteered to ask clarification questions. Most days you were prepared to participate in class and site visits. This means you usually had your assignments completed, your readings completed and you usually brought any additional information you were asked to bring to class.
12-13 points: You rarely were able to answer clarification questions when you are called on. Rarely were you prepared to participate in class or site visits. This means you rarely had your assignments completed, your readings completed and you rarely brought any additional information you were asked to bring to class.
0-11 points: You rarely prepared ahead of time for class, you rarely could answer clarification questions and you at times disrupted the classroom by engaging in intentionally disruptive behavior (ex: playing with a cell phone in class).
Grading Scale
5

A: 100-90.0% B: 89.9-80.0% C: 79.9-70.0% D: 69.9-60.0% F: 59.9% or less
Students will not be allowed to do extra credit work or resubmit their work in order to improve their grade unless that option is made available to all students in the class. The
points you earn will determine your grade. Do not expect to receive a grade higher than what you have earned and do not ask for this consideration.
UCO ACADEMIC AFFAIRS POLICIES: Please see http://broncho2.uco.edu/academicaffairs/
PLAGIARISM: All papers for this course will be subject to assessment via Turnitin.com at http://www.turnitin.com/
Pre-departure Meetings: 1:00-2:30 Fridays LA 211
April 4 th Introduction to the Physical and Cultural Geography of Poland and
Ukraine and Course Requirements (1 1/2 hour)
April 11 th Transformation of the socialist landscape (The impact of post-socialism transformation and EU membership on daily lives), Students should be prepared to discuss assigned readings (1 1/2 hour)
April 18 th Museum Studies Topics Quiz, Student Conduct (1 1/2 hour)
June _9th Behavior in Poland and Ukraine, Logistics of travel, packing requirements (1 1/2 hour)
Post-departure Meeting: (1 1/2 hour)
July 11 th Share Posters/ Research Results, Debrief
Payment Schedule:
The first payment to secure the cost of airfare of $1,600 is due by February 24 th .
The remaining balance for the trip is due by April 18th. Students receiving financial aid should contact your financial aid counselor.
Withdraw/Refund Policy:
Once the airfare has been purchased in February students will not be able to receive a refund if they select to withdraw.
Tentative Itinerary (12 days)
Dates, times and events are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.
Monday, June 16 th
Depart OKC for Krakow Poland
Tuesday, June 17 th Krakow,
11:00 Check in hotel Brama Hostel, 55 Florianska Street, the Old Town http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Brama-
Hostel/Krakow/16908?source=adwordskrakownames
2:00-6:00 Meet for tour of Market Square in Krakow
6:00-7:00 Dinner
6

Wednesday, June 18 th Krakow
9:30-12:00 Wawel Royal Castle http://www.wawel.krakow.pl/en/index.php?op=54 and http://www.wawel.krakow.pl/en/ View surrounding Sites and Cracow Cathedral
12:00-12:45 Lunch
1:00 Arrive in the Kazimierz District (Jewish Quarters) http://www.krakowinfo.com/JewishQ.htm
, old synagogue http://www.krakow-info.com/synagog.htm
Galicia Jewish Muesum http://www.en.galiciajewishmuseum.org
, the Old Synagogue http://www.cracow-life.com/culture/culture_detils/706-Old_Synagogue_Museum , Jewish
Memory Trail, http://mhk.pl/o_muzeum/trasa_pamieci
7:00 dinner
8:00 debrief and journal writing time
Thursday, June 19 th Oświęcim
9:10 Leave for Auschwitz (Oświęcim), possible transport http://www.escape2poland.co.uk/auschwitz_tour.html
11:10-3:00 Tour
Auschwitz-Birkenau, http://en.auschwitz.org/z/
3:00 Lunch
4:00-6:00 Return to Krakow
6:00-7:00 Debrief and journal writing time
7:10 Dinner
Friday, June 20 th Krakow
9:30 leave for Wieliczka Salt Mines http://www.kopalnia.pl/ 30 minutes from Krakow
10:00-12:00 Tour Salt Mines
12:30-1:30 Lunch
2:00-6:00 Nova Huta tour in Krakow, http://www.cooltourcompany.com/redstar.html
6:00-7:00 dinner
Saturday, June 21 st
8:39 morning train
Zakopane
12:00 Arrive in Zakopane and check in hotel, http://www.promocja.zakopane.pl/?strona,menu,pol,tourism,0,0,1541,town_strolls, ant.html
10:00-12:00 2 hour hike
12:00-5:30 Lunch and time for students to as individual groups view galleries and folk stores or museums of 18 th century homes and folk culture.
8:45-9:15 Debrief and journal writing time
Sunday, June 22 nd Warsaw
8:00 leave Zakopane
4:06 arrive in Warsaw
2:30 Łazienki Królewskie, (Royal Bath Park)- http://www.lazienkikrolewskie.pl/en,home.html
3:00 Jewish Museum
7

6:30 Dinner
Monday, June 23rd Warsaw
10:00-12:00 Warsaw Uprising Museum, http://www.1944.pl/
12:30-1:30 Lunch, tentative meet with Polish university students
3:00-5:30 Walking Tour- Old city (Stare Miasto) and New city (Nowe Miasto)- To include Palace, Churches Marie Skłodowska -Curie Museum and University
6:00-7:00 Debrief and journal writing time
7:30 Dinner
7:30 Hotel check in Castel Inn, http://www.castleinn.pl/?lang=pl
Tuesday, June 24 th Warsaw
10:00 11:00 Palace of Culture, http://www.pkin.pl/en/oferta-pkin/taras-widokowy-xxxtka/ ,
12:00-1:30 National Museum http://www.mnw.art.pl/ ,
2:00-3:00 Lunch
Free time
Wednesday, June 25 th
10:00 Leave Warsaw
Torun
1:00 Arrive in Torun and check into Hotel, http://www.greenhostel.eu/
Green Hotel
2:00- Vist the Teutonic Castle Ruins http://www.visittorun.pl/327,l2.html
or Torun Gingerbread Museum http://www.muzeumpiernika.pl/?page=homeenglish
6:00 Meet for boat ride along the Vistula River and Dinner
Thursday, June 26 th Gdansk
10:30 leave Torun
2:22 arrive in Gdansk
3:00 Check in to Hotel Lido Dom Przy Plazy http://lidogdansk.pl/Kategorie_pokojow/Pokoj_2_osobowy_standard_maly.html
, 2person double 280pln=$83.68 41 a person,
4:00 Solidarity history, tour subjective bus line, visit Westerplatte
6:30 Dinner
Friday, June 27 th Gdansk
9:30 Tour of WWII Monuments (Polish Post office and Solidarity Memorials in Gdansk
12:00 Amber Musuem and Prision Tower
1:00 Lunch
2:00 Tour of Raduna Canal (Historical Waterfront) and visit Maritime Museum, http://www.cmm.pl/
6:00 Debrief and journal writing time
7:00 Dinner
8

Saturday, June 28 th :Hel
8:00 Take water tram to Hel, great views of shipyards of Gulf of Gdansk
10:00 Arrive in Hel
10:00-5:40 Tour Hel Lighthouse, Maritime Museum, Fokarium (seal nursery where the endangered Baltic Gray seals are being bred and raised to be released into the wild), Hel WWII fortifications, Museum of Coastal Defense, Hel beaches (Baltic Sea and Gulf of Gdansk), shopping, fresh seafood
5:40 Water tram back to Gdansk
7:40 Arrive in Gdansk
8:00 Dinner
Sunday, June 29 th
Return to OKC
9