Piotr Westwalewicz

Piotr Westwalewicz is a Lecturer in the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures at the University of Michigan, where he teaches Polish and Russian languages and serves as the undergraduate advisor for Polish. He has been affiliated with the university since his undergraduate years, completing all of his degrees at Michigan.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Slavic Literatures, University of Michigan (1998)
• M.A. in Slavic Literatures, University of Michigan (1994)
• B.A. in Comparative Literature, University of Michigan (1991)

Research and Teaching Interests:
Westwalewicz specializes in Polish and Russian language instruction, with a strong focus on Slavic literatures and cultures, particularly in the context of Soviet-era Poland. His TEDxUofM talk, titled “Protest was the perfect excuse for fun,” explores how music and youth culture served as tools of resistance under censorship in Soviet Poland.

He regularly teaches intermediate and advanced Polish language courses, including:
Second-Year Polish (POLISH 221/222) and Fourth-Year Polish (POLISH 421/422), as well as special topics seminars like Revolution in the Attic and Rock Kills Communism.

Affiliations:

• CREES (Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies)
• Slavic Languages and Literatures Department

Contact:
Office: 3002 MLB, 812 East Washington Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1275
Email: pwestwal@umich.edu
Phone: 734.647.2132