By MALLORY LAPANOWSKI

Asst. Ads Manager

Not only has its infamously turbulent history always fascinated me, but as Russia and its neighboring nations have been popping up more and more in current news, this class seemed like an excellent opportunity to learn more and ever more necessary to take. Professor Janusz Wrobel, being from Poland himself, gives great insight on culture and makes the class engaging and well-rounded with emphasis on guest speakers and even his own great stories and experiences. Just like it was recommended to me to take, I fully endorse the recommendation to all.

Name: Janusz Wrobel, Ph.D

Department: International Studies

1. What classes do you teach?

I have taught Introduction to Russia and East/Central Europe (IS 260) since 1990. That means that I started when the Soviet Union still existed. It is a fascinating topic, and you do not have to be afraid of routine. Since I started to teach, more than twenty new or recreated countries populated the map of Europe. You prepare your syllabus and during the course of the class, the country disappears from the map. In 1989, Poland had three neighbors: The Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia and East Germany. The USSR became the Soviet Disunion, Czechoslovakia went through velvet divorce and East Germany through velvet remarriage. The Poland of today has seven neighbors.

2. Who in your field inspires you to teach?

Rather than historians, I am inspired by Spanish philosopher José Ortega y Gasset, a German psychiatrist; Erich Fromm; and a Polish film-maker Krzysztof Kie?lowski, among the others.

3. What is on your reading list?

“The Pocket Thomas Merton,” “Sleeping Woman” by Haruki Murakami, “Too Soon to Say Goodbye” by Art Buchwald, “The Power of Self-Dependence” by Jorge Bucay, and “Happier” by Tal Ben-Shahar.

4. Could you describe what you do at OU in one sentence?

Sharing with my students what I believe is really important.

5. What is your favorite OU sport to watch live?

Basketball.

6. It’s lunchtime and you’re hungry. Have you packed your own lunch, are you going to the OC or are you ordering out?

I like the OC very much. My favorite is a new Soup Station.

7. How is your office looking? In other words, if I were a student that had an appointment, would I be able to see around the piles of papers?

I share my office with other instructors. When it comes to my home office, I am rather organized.

8. When is bedtime?

Midnight.

9. Where is the most interesting place your studies have taken you?

The Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

10. What do you hope students know before they take your class(es)?

Not much, but they should be open-minded and intellectually curious.

11. Anything else you would like to share?

There are two core ingredients of the happiness prescription: count your blessings and be compassionate.