Programme description
The BA Dutch studies programme includes courses on literature, language and culture of the Low Countries and their former overseas territories (South Africa, Indonesia, Suriname). During the six semesters, students achieve a B2 proficiency in Dutch (starting from scratch – almost 1000 hours of practical Dutch classes!), develop their knowledge of literature, linguistics, and culture at an academic level, and learn fundamentals of foreign language didactics. A diverse offer of elective courses and proseminars (ranging from translation, South African cinema to Dutch literature on Polish market) will allow them to develop their academic interests and skills. During BA seminars they will learn how to write their first academic thesis.
Classes are taught by lecturers who are native speakers of Dutch (from the Netherlands and Belgium) and Afrikaans, as well as by Polish teachers of Dutch and South African studies. Our staff includes academic teachers who combine their expertise in Dutch studies with other specialties such as, English, German, Iberian and Ibero-American, Slavic studies, architecture, art history, psychology, etc., which ensures our courses’ interdisciplinary character.
Our graduates demonstrate a solid knowledge of language, literature, and culture of the Dutch language area and South Africa. They are well prepared to pursue MA studies or to enter local or international job markets. They are open to professional development and well equipped to face the challenges of the modern world. They have a good practical command of Dutch (B2 level) and English (B2 level), as well as cultural competence allowing them to work in a multinational environment.
Requirements under the Act on the Protection of Minors
It is a prerequisite for mandatory student work placements (internships) that the student meets the requirements set out in the Act of 13 May 2016 on Counteracting the Threat of Sexual Offences and the Protection of Minors, in particular to undergo verification in the Sexual Offenders Register and to submit information from the National Criminal Register with regard to specific offences, and in the case of students who are foreigners or who have resided in the last 20 years in countries other than the Republic of Poland, also to submit additional declarations, as well as information from the criminal records of other countries together with sworn translations. Failure to comply with the requirements set out in the above-mentioned Act will make it impossible to complete the compulsory student work placements and consequently to graduate.
Example of courses
- Dutch as a foreign language
- Culture of the Low Countries in historical and contemporary perspectives
- Methodology of research in literature and cultural studies
- Dutch literature in social and political contexts
- Introduction to linguistics
- Fundamentals of foreign language didactics
- Proseminars
- BA seminar (literature, linguistics, or cultural studies)
Graduate competencies
- Proficiency in Dutch (B2 level)
- Proficiency in English (B2 level)
- Knowledge of culture and literature of the Dutch-speaking countries
- Intercultural competencies
- Knowledge of the fundamentals of translation
- Knowledge of the fundaments of foreign language didactics
- Academic skills and academic knowledge of literature, linguistics, and cultural studies
Career prospects
- Work in business sector, where an excellent command of Dutch – and usually also of English – is necessary
- Work in cultural institutions, publishing houses, and mass media
- Work in tourism
- Work as translators and interpreters
- Work as a Dutch language teacher (after additional courses, post-graduate programmes etc.)