Through my teaching I have discovered that Polish university students, particularly American Studies majors, are intrigued by American society during the 1960s. Notwithstanding the fact that this decade represented the most socially and politically challenging time in America's history with respect to youth culture, Polish students are drawn to young Americans' optimism that was expressed during the 1960s. Indeed, the attitude of Americans or what I refer to as the "American Spirit" is without doubt one of the most intriguing aspects expressed by many Polish students. They frequently commented on how in the face of adversity Americans will find a way to not only endure their hardship - - viewing it as a mere transition, but also will transform it into an opportunity for success. |
As the semester comes to a close, I reminisce on the amount of material covered in my courses titled African American Music Appreciation, History of Rock, and Blacks in the Performing Arts. With much satisfaction I have found that students have absorbed a wealth of knowledge as I assessed their research papers. Student-initiated paper titles range from "The Origins of Rock & Roll" or "New Orleans Jazz: America's First Jazz" to "Black Music in Toni Morrison's Jazz" or "Black Culture Through the Prism of Rap Music: The Influence of the Genre on its Perception." I have included three examples of student papers to illustrate their caliber of writing. . |
Black
Music In Toni Morrison’s Jazz - - Toni Morrison’s
Jazz is an eclectic reading based on elements of African
American culture that produce, surround, and are an integral part
of literary text.
(read more) |
The
1980s: Michael Jackson's Decade - - “Michael Jackson
and the Bubbles” by a prominent American artist, Jeff Koons,
is one of the world’s largest ceramic, created in 1988 and
sold at Sotheby’s New York for $5,600,000.
(read more) |
Black Culture Through the Prism of Rap Music: The Influence
of the Genre on its Perception. - - As a Polish student,
I unfortunately have a limited access to the everyday reality of
America. However, as a student of American Studies, I am privileged
when the access to resources and experts’ opinions on American
matters are concerned. (read more) |