Academic Focus
This program is designed for students who wish to learn more about the Polish culture while taking electives taught in English at the oldest and most prestigious university in Poland. You can choose from multiple electives, taught in English, which provide in-depth study of subject areas such as art, literature, film, history, and Jewish studies. In addition, you may choose to take Polish language courses which will focus on listening, conversation, and grammar.
This program also offers you the unique opportunity to attend the week-long annual Jewish Cultural Festival held in Krakow during the week preceding the summer school. Each day of the Festival is packed with special events, workshops, meetings, lectures, exhibitions and film shows. For example, you can take Yiddish language and Jewish Cuisine courses, and participate in various workshops such as drumming, dance and Klezmer music.
The academic portion of this program is offered for either 4 or 6 weeks. During this time, you may choose to take 1 or 2 electives and 1 Polish language course (optional). Elective courses are typically offered for 30 contact hours, or 2 credits in the US semester system. However, there are a few 1 credit and non-credit courses offered. Polish language courses typically meet for 45 hours and are worth 3 credits in the US semester system. However, it is up to the discretion of your academic advisor how much credit will be awarded.
Intensive Polish Language courses are also available for students who wish to focus their study solely on language acquisition. During the four week program, this course is offered for 75 contact hours, or 5 credits. During the six week program, this course is offered for 120 hours, or 8 credits. All lectures are delivered in English unless specified that they are conducted in Polish or in German.
Schedule Summary
Classes typically meet Monday through Friday. Generally, Polish language classes will be held in the morning between 8:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., whereas most lectures are held in the afternoon (3:00-4:30 and 5:00-6:30 p.m.). This schedule enables the students to take both the language in the morning and/or up to two afternoon courses.
Course Registration
As a CEA student, you will be enrolling as a full time student of Jagiellonian University School of Polish Language and Culture. Course selection will take place prior to your departure for Poland. You will be required to submit your course selections to the CEA headquarter office prior to departure for Krakow. While there is an add/drop period upon arrival, your are strongly encouraged to take care when choosing your courses, as changing your courses upon arrival is a difficult process. There are no required courses. To aid in the registration process, it is in your best interest to have courses, including alternates, approved by your academic advisor prior to departure.
To learn more about course requirements for your particular session as well as information regarding your host institution, you may click on the appropriate links above.
