Paris Principles and Pierogi
Intercultural Communication in Cataloging Courses at the University of Warsaw, Poland
Richard Sapon-White, Oregon State University
Culture of Higher Education in the U.S. and Poland
Similarities and Differences
Introduction
In 2012-2013, I spent 10 months teaching
in Warsaw, Poland supported by a
Fulbright Fellowship.
I taught 4 courses at the University of
Warsaw’s Institute of Information Science
and Book Studies:
Introduction to Metadata
Resource Description and Access
Subject Analysis
E-Books in Libraries
(From Bridging the Cross-Cultural Gap by Russell Arent)
Teaching in another country can highlight differences in
language, history, religion, economic conditions,
political systems, education, food, money, housing,
interpersonal relationships, telecommunications,
sports, music, literature,…
And so much more!
Changing Refried beans to Dumplings!
But
• Mostly lecture
• 8-10 classes per term (classes
meet 1x/wk for 90 min.)
• Students can drop a class
after the term is over
Translating Cultural References
• Especially important when teaching about LCSH
• Even though examples may be understandable
from context, “translating” to known cultural
references facilitates learning.
• Example:
650 b0 Refried beans. (topical subject heading)
was changed to…
650 b0 Dumplings.
Introduction to Metadata Students
University of Warsaw
Do you know these Polish cultural references?
Maria Skłodowska
Tadeusz Kościuszko
Henryk Sienkiewicz
Polonaise
Smolensk, April 2010
Coping with Differences
in Higher Education
• Describe in detail expectations
for classroom assignments,
discussions, & presentations –
then repeat
• Have patience: ask questions,
wait for answers!
• Give preview sessions for exams
Hejnał Mariacki
Bigos
Karol Józef Wojtyła
Battle of Grunwald
Wieliczka Salt Mine
Implications for Academic
Libraries in the U.S.
• International students’ experience of
libraries and higher education my be
significantly different from that of U.S.
students.
• Cultural references in library instruction may
be misunderstood by international students.
Lessons Learned
(Why not “Pierogi”? Because Pierogi is UF term under
“Piroshki” – which is not Polish!)
About Intercultural Communication
Intercultural communication is the sending and
receiving of messages across languages and cultures.
• Examples are entirely U.S. vendors
who didn’t do business in Poland
• Prices given in U.S. dollars
• E-Books just starting to be
purchased by Polish libraries in
2012-13
• Students provided Polish
perspective through research and
personal experience
Gołąbki
Sylwester
Wawel
Solidarność
Żubrówka
Henryk Sienkiewicz, Polish author and Nobel
laureate (1846-1916)
With Michał Zając (IISBS host)
But
• Lecture, discussion, exercises,
group work
• 3-5 classes per term (classes meet
2 or 3x/wk for 50 min.)
• Students can drop a class after 1-2
weeks of class
•
•
•
•
Poland
Professor/Lecturer
Classroom
Desks and chairs
Students listen and take notes
Mark Twain, American author (1835-1910)
•
•
•
•
United States
Professor/Lecturer
Classroom
Desks and chairs
Students listen and take notes
Coping with North
American Textbooks
Students in RDA Course
• Patience and flexibility are key
• Teaching and learning are two-way streets – I
learned at least as much from my students as
they did from me
• Understanding the culture and experience of
students will improve the quality of the course
and increase students’ learning
Coping with Differences
in Language
• English was language of instruction
• Most students had reasonably good
English skills
• Presentations posted to SlideShare
for referral after class sessions
• Students asked periodically about
comprehension
• Occasionally, students translated
for peers
Syrenka Warszawska – the Mermaid of Warsaw,
Protector of the City