The Jagiellonian University, founded in 1364, is the oldest university in Poland. Located in ancient Kraków, one of the most beautiful European cities, the Jagiellonian University offers foreigners a unique opportunity not only to study Polish language, culture and society, but also to experience over 600 years of its history, magnificent architecture, and art.

The Summer Program in Kraków, offered by the Skalny Center, is organized in conjunction with the Jagiellonian University School of Polish Language and Culture, within the Faculty of Polish Studies. The School has welcomed thousands of students, teachers and professors from all over the world. During inauguration ceremonies, scholars such as Nobel Prize Winner for Literature Czesław Miłosz, Professor Norman Davies, Professor Leszek Balcerowicz, outstanding film directors Andrzej Wajda and Krzysztof Zanussi, renowned poet Adam Zagajewski, and world-famous journalist Ryszard Kapuściński deliver introductory lectures.

UR students take part in all activities offered by the School, like visits to Kraków's finest museums, concert halls, and theaters, as well as regional field trips. The warm student community atmosphere of the School Program offers all participants a truly memorable and enlightening experience.

In 2000 the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland awarded the School with a prestigious honorary diploma for outstanding achievements in promoting Polish culture abroad.

In 2002 and 2005 the European Commission granted the School the European Label Award for innovative initiatives in language teaching.

Students take one Polish Language course (beginning to advanced level), and one of the following courses: History of Poland, Jewish Civilization in Poland, Lessons in Polish Literature, and Communism and Democracy in Eastern Europe. Additionally, students have to take a week long special seminar Poland in the New Europe. The program carries a total of 6 credits. Courses count towards the Polish Language Cluster and the Certificate of Concentration in Polish and Central European Studies.

POL 157 Polish Language July 5-24 (2 hours each day, taught in the morning)

A multi-level course designed to introduce students to the Polish language or to improve the knowledge of Polish they already possess.

HIST 116 A History of Poland, July 5-24, 15:00-16:30

Jan Lencznarowicz, Ph.D. (The Institute of American Studies and Polish Diaspora, Jagiellonian University) and Visiting Professor, UR Department of History, 2004

A survey of Polish history from the Piast dynasty through the period of Jagiellonian rule, the time of the elected kings, 123 years of partitioned Poland, the 1920's and 1930's, World War II, the creation and functioning of the People's Republic, the collapse of the communist system.

JST 210 The Jews in Poland, July 5-24, 15:00-16:30

A survey of history of Jewish communities in Poland and the Holocaust. Post-Holocaust history of the Jews and Jewish culture in Poland will also be covered with the emphasis on Jewish-non-Jewish relations and anti-Semitism, as well as recent revival of the Jewish life in Poland.

POL 224 Lessons in Polish Literature, July 5-24, 17:00-18:30

A presentation of some of the most interesting problems in the thousand-year history of Polish culture, with special emphasis on themes related to national existence. Literary masterpieces of the past and present, including poetry of the two Nobel Prize winners - Czesław Miłosz (1980) and Wisława Szymborska (1996); Polish Romanticism; culture in a political context; the phenomenon of exiled culture; literature and totalitarianism, and other "great questions" of Polish culture will be discussed.

IR 280A Communism and Democracy in Eastern Europe, July 5-24, 17:00-18:30

Jaroslaw Rokicki, Ph.D. (Department of International and Political Studies, Jagiellonian University)

The course focuses on historical, political, economic and social dimensions of the major processes that have taken place in Poland and other European countries since the 1980s. The discussion will touch upon the communist system and its collapse, the economy in transition, and social changes in post-communist countries. The focal point of the discussion is Poland. Other countries, most notably Russia and the Czech Republic, will be used for comparative purposes.

SEMINAR Poland in New Europe, July 25-31

Radoslaw Rybkowski, Ph.D. (The Institute of American Studies and Polish Diaspora, Jagiellonian University) and Visiting Professor, UR Department of Political Science, 2005

The week-long seminar provides an introduction to Poland's most recent history, from the collapse of the Communist regime until the present. Political and social changes in Poland after the rise of an independent, democratic state in 1989 will be placed in a broader context of regional development and will be compared to the changes in neighboring countries. The seminar provides an opportunity to understand the complexity and significance of post-transformation changes in Central Europe.

Students live in suites in a dormitory (two double rooms with one bathroom), fully equipped with towels and bedding. At the dormitory there is a café, cafeteria and post office, as well as a newspaper and souvenir stand. The number of single rooms is limited, and cost extra; the additional cost is covered by the student. Accommodation in such rooms is possible upon prior reservation, made on an application form (on a first-come, first-served basis). There is no guarantee that a single room is available. Meals are served three times a day in the students’ cafeteria. Special dietary arrangements are possible for vegetarians.

The program fee of $TBA includes University of Rochester tuition (6 credits), housing, meals, orientation, most cultural activities, and course-related study trips. The fee does not cover airfare from the United States to Kraków, elective travel unrelated to the program, health insurance or personal expenses. The Skalny Center for Polish and Central European Studies has generous scholarships available towards the cost of the program.

The application deadline for the program is March 8, 2013 but early application is strongly encouraged. Students will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis, and space in the program is limited.

Applications can be obtained online or from the Skalny Center for Polish and Central European Studies, (585) 275-9898.