The Polish-American Experience

Catalog description

America has been continues to be a land of immigrants, many of whom struggle to make sense of their experience. When do they shift (if at all) from being refugees to alien residents to immigrants to citizens? Do they remain in their new home or return to the old? How much of their original culture do they retain? How much of the new culture do they accept? The Polish immigrants like many others wrestled with these questions, and this course will explore the dynamics of immigration and assimilation as the Poles and their children experienced it. Although this course focuses on the Polish experience, it is a useful case study for those interested in the immigration of other ethnic groups. Additionally, students will be introduced to the foundations of collegiate academic expectations and culture.