THE DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE of the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin is the only organisational unit of this type in Poland, existing at a technical university since 1985, initially under the name of the Department of Musical Culture. As a result of the merger of the Szczecin University of Technology with the University of Agriculture and the establishment of the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, there was a need to extend the humanities programme and reach a larger number of students.
On 1 January 2009, together with the change of the name of the university, the name of the unit was changed into the Department of Culture. One of the main initiators of the establishment of the institution and its first manager was Professor Jan Szyrocki (1931-2003). Since 2003, this function has been performed by Iwona Charkiewicz, PhD.
With the ubiquitous globalization of life, the knowledge of basic concepts in the field of culture will enable our university graduate sto find a common platform for intercultural understanding in every corner of the world. The WPUT graduates, creating future elites, will have not only professional knowledge, but also knowledge in the field of culture and art. In order to meet these assumptions, the Department conducts classes for WPUT students as a part of the course "Selected issues of culture" in the following thematic cycles:
- Music
The functions and advantages of music in our lives are invaluable and it has a huge impact on people. In the years 1972 - 1992, many studies were conducted showing that listening to classical music helps to learn foreign languages, improves self-esteem, creativity, develops perceptual and motor, psychosomatic as well as social skills. Students who listened to classical music were more active intellectually, their creative abilities and self-esteem increased, they were more concentrated and focused their attention better, while their memory capacity grew by more than 90%.
- Theatre
Both the genesis of the theatre and its history prove that this kind of art is particularly linked to human beings. Theatre satisfies, but also awakens in people, many cultural, cognitive, psychological, social and aesthetic needs. People not only observe, but also reacts to the world that is their home, wasteland, so emotions are born in them: fear or admiration. And these are the emotions that the theatre expresses. It is the world and life in a nutshell.
- History and art of Szczecin
The place where we are at the moment is one of the essential elements of human identity. When we get acquainted with it, we get more emotionally involved, in a personal and social way, regardless of where we are in our adult life. Especially the neighbourhood closest to our place of residence is positively valued by us. This fact results in the residents moving in a familiar space, perceiving it completely differently than people from outside. They assign different meaning to particular areas, reconstruct cognitively and emotionally the past historical events onto which they impose their own, individualised memories. Thus, a specific history, tradition and atmosphere of the place are created as well as a unique memory of it, which will identify the historical awareness of the roots of the place of residence.
Classes are conducted by highly qualified teaching staff, including employees of the Department of Culture. Students experience live music (rehearsals in concert halls), theatre performances (rehearsals and premieres), and learn about the history and art of Szczecin (sightseeing tours of the city). All meetings are illustrated with CD and film recordings, as well as presentations using the latest multimedia techniques.
The Department of Culture also has its own LIBRARY, which is a branch of the Main Library of the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin and provides the necessary teaching aids, has a rich musical collection as well as archives and memorabilia that are important documentation of the WPUT choir ensembles.
The Department of Culture is also the seat of four WPUT choral ensembles, whose concerts make the name of the University famous in Poland and abroad, achieving the highest artistic trophies at numerous competitions and festivals.
They act within three associations:
· "The Singing Association "The Professor Jan Szyrocki Academic Choir of the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin" composed of: an 80–person Concert Ensemble and a 30–person Preparation Ensemble, i.e. CHAPS Youth Ensemble. A part of the Association is also the Polish-German Choral Academy "in terra pax".
· The "Collegium Maiorum" Choir Association of the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin" established in 2012 consisting of a 50–person CHAPS Graduate Ensemble "Collegium Maiorum".
· The Association of the Friends of Children's Choir "Don–Diri–Don" of the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin" with an 80–person Children's Ensemble.