WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY Department of Sociology and Anthropology

SOAN 225 Krzysztof Jasiewicz Peoples of Central Europe through Literature and Film Newcomb 227

Spring 2017: 9:30 — 12:00 (MTWR) film screenings (Huntley 301) 1:30 – 3:00 (MTRW) lectures/discussions (Huntley 301) Special arrangements: No class April 27 and May 3 and 4, make-up meeting April 28

Course Synopsis:

This course provides basic information about the citizens of the Central European nations of , the Czech Republic, and Hungary. Beliefs, attitudes, and value systems of the people of Central Europe are examined against the backdrop of major historical events of the 20th century. Core textbook readings are supplemented by feature films, video materials, novels, short stories, plays, and poetry. Class discussions focus on interpreting these works of art in the context of comparative historical-sociological analysis of the Polish, Czech, and Hungarian cultures and societies.

Learning Objectives:

(1) Students will acquire a basic understanding of contemporary sociology’s major concepts and theories, in particular in the fields of social stratification, social mobility, cultural sociology, social change, ethnic relations, political sociology, and historical sociology. (2) Students will learn how to apply these concepts and theories in analysis of social structure, culture, economy, and politics in societies different from their own. (3) Students will learn basic facts about Central Europe, a diverse region populated by Poles, Czechs, Slovaks, and Hungarians, as well as Jews, Germans, Russians, and others, and the many challenges its inhabitants faced at the times of two world wars and the rise and fall of totalitarian regimes. (4) Students will learn how to utilize works of art and literature in the process of sociological analysis.

Required Readings:

Textbook: Michael Roskin The Rebirth of East Europe

Fiction and non-fiction: Tadeusz Borowski This Way for the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen Gustav Herling A World Apart The Joke Václav Havel selections from The Garden Party and Other Plays Tadeusz Konwicki A Minor Apocalypse

Note on the movies: Most movies shown in this class have been (or would have been) rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America, for coarse language, graphic violence, nudity, and sexual situations. All but two (The Pianist, The Unbearable Lightness of Being) movies are in foreign languages (Polish, German, Hungarian, Czech), with English subtitles.

Classroom Etiquette: In a tradition dating back to Robert E. Lee, W&L students are always expected to behave like ladies and gentlemen. In the classroom setting, this means that they do not come late to class, keep their cellphones turned-off or silenced, do not read or send their email or text messages or update their Facebook status, and in general refrain from any actions that may become a distraction to their peers or the instructor. Grading:

Students will be evaluated on the basis of three assignments: a topical paper, a film review, and the final exam. The topical paper (approximately 1,500 words) on the subject “Class and Ethnicity in the Late 19th Century Central Europe as Explored in The Promised Land and Colonel Redl” is due on Monday of the third week of classes (May 8). The film review (also approximately 1,500 words) of any feature film listed in the syllabus (with the exception of The Promised Land, Colonel Redl, and The Unbearable Lightness of Being) is due on the last day of classes (May 18). The final exam, on a subject related to films and/or books selected by the professor, will be given online, open-book/open-notes, and can be taken any time during the exam period.

Course Assignments:

Week 1: Legacies of the Empires

Textbook: Roskin, chs. 1, 2 Short Stories: This Way for the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen Films: 04/24 The Promised Land 04/25 Colonel Redl 04/26 The Pianist 04/27 No class 04/28 Europa, Europa

Week 2: Legacies of the War

Textbook: Roskin, chs. 3, 4 Memoir: A World Apart Videos/Films: 05/01 Katyń 05/02 Rising, Ashes and Diamonds 05/03 No class (reading days) 05/04 No class (reading days)

Week 3: Legacies of Totalitarianism

Textbook: Roskin, chs. 5, 6, 7 Novel: The Joke Poetry: Czesław Miłosz, Zbigniew Herbert Films: 05/08 Closely Watched Trains 05/09 Interrogation 05/10 Vera Angi 05/11 Loves of a Blond

Week 4: Legacies of Dissent and the Vicissitudes of Transition

Textbook: Roskin, chs. 8, 9, 10 Novel: A Minor Apocalypse Plays: Audience, Unveiling, and Protest (from The Garden Party) Videos/Films: 05/15 Time Stands Still 05/16 Nine Days That Changed the World; Beats of Freedom 05/17 White 05/18 The Unbearable Lightness of Being