Dear all,
Welcome to another unique and challenging semester! I hope you will enjoy your German classes, and that they can be a place where we all support each other, and where new friendships begin.
There are class email lists for all sections of German 101-231. I will send a message roughly once a week (but the next one will come in just a few days). My email will include a link to the full text of the message (always available online via this index), and a copy of the header section of the email. The full text of the email is divided into sections by general topic, with an outline of “highlights” at the top, so you can skip to what interests you and expand those sections. If you have time, I’d recommend clicking through all of the first couple of messages to get an idea of the various events going on in the department and around town, and the other kinds of info in the email. This is the first such message.
Two regular conversation hours, “German Convo Home Edition” (Wednesdays 6-6:50) and “German Convo on the Go” (Thursdays 4-5, weather permitting) will take place weekly starting next week – look for more details in these weekly emails. “German Convo on the Go” will take place in person, outside; weather permitting, the group will go for a walk. “German Convo Home Edition” will take place remotely each week, regardless of the weather conditions on the internet (haha). All students at all levels are welcome to come and chat in German. You can earn 2 “A&P Tally” make-up points by attending.
In addition, all students are welcome to participate in the weekly German Club events and in “Kaffeestunde” and “Deutschtisch.” Kaffeestunde and Deutschtisch are coordinated through the Max Kade German Residence. The application deadline for living in the Max Kade German Residence in 2021/2022 has just been extended indefinitely, i.e. applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the last spaces fill.
- More on the German Club: This semester, in addition to virtual Stammtisch (German conversation table), the German Club is planning events such as a virtual cook-along night featuring Erdbeerkuchen, potentially joining up with the German Clubs from Penn State University and the University of Chicago for a joint Stammtisch session, and more. You are encouraged to come to as many (or few) meetings as you would like! The above link also includes info about a new German Club GroupMe.
- You can earn 2 “A&P Tally” make-up points by attending any of the above events! (German Club, Kaffeestunde, Stammtisch)
The “German Lab” is a virtual office hour taking place Monday-Thursday 1-4 pm. It will open this Monday. You can ask shorter and longer questions, come for conversation practice, help with homework etc. Here is more info about the German Lab – please take advantage of this great resource! Please sign up in advance on the German Lab Signup: instructors will check the signup at the beginning of their German Lab hour, and will leave the lab for that hour if no one has signed up.
The application deadline for studying in studying in Freiburg 2021/2022 is March 15.
Advisor office hours and contact info: You can reach the German advisors through a general email: germanadvising@umich.
- Mary Rodena-Krasan (MLB 3128; mkrasan@umich.edu)
- Karl-Georg Federhofer (MLB 3422; kallimz@umich.edu)
Their office hours are always included in the full text of these weekly emails, which you can find online: scroll down to the section “German Courses & Majoring/Minoring in German.” You can schedule appointments with Mary and Kalli here.
You may be interested in pursuing a (virtual or in-person) summer internship in the Department of Exercise Psychology at the University of Leipzig. The application deadline is Monday, February 1.
Two important general deadlines: the last day for students to drop or add regular classes without getting permission is Monday, February 8. The deadline for finishing incomplete work from last semester is Monday February 15.
Duolingo and HelloTalk: These two free apps are an ideal supplement to what you’ll be learning in class (and a great idea for AMDs, if you’re in 101, 102 or 221/231). Duolingo is an intentionally and permanently free app with the explicit goal of making language learning fun and addictive. HelloTalk is a free app for finding conversation partners around the world and at home. Click on the link for more info about Duolingo and HelloTalk.
In case your schedule may still change this semester, here is the list of German dept. classes offered in Winter 2021, including the instruction mode (courses listed twice at the same time are meeting in a hybrid in-person/remote format). Please note that the list also includes a wide variety of interesting courses in English. If you have questions please contact our advisors, Mary and Kalli. Mary and Kalli will continue to be available for virtual meetings. You may also be able to schedule virtual meetings with our Peer Advisors. See also the “German Courses & Majoring/Minoring in German” section below.
Other highlights from this week’s email, and what section to check for more details:
- Conversation Opportunities – Conversation Hours, German Lab
- Study Abroad, Internships, Scholarship Deadlines – Study Abroad/Internships/Scholarship Info
- Advising Info – German Courses & Majoring/Minoring in German
- Conversation Partner Options – Miscellaneous
- International Center Global Engagement and Education Abroad email list – Miscellaneous
- Reserving Study Spaces & Adjusting Your Study Habits During COVID – Miscellaneous
- Finding German Films and Series Online – Miscellaneous
- Arts & Culture “Attend at Home” event listings – Local Events and Opportunities
“Auf den zweiten Blick” – Director: Sheri Hagen, 2012. The film will remain available online until January 29. Register for the webinar, and/or just use the link and password to view the film.
Max-Kade Event: “Deutschtisch“ (Sunday, January 24, 7-8 p.m.; Virtual)
German Club: “Stammtisch“ (Wednesday, January 27, 7-8 p.m.; Virtual)
Become a UROP Peer Facilitator (Wednesday, January 27; Application Deadline)
2021 Summer Orientation Leader Positions (Sunday, January 31; Application Deadline)
Internship Posting: (Virtual/In-Person) Spring/Summer Internships in Department of Exercise Psychology at University of Leipzig (Monday, February 1; Application Deadline)
The German Lab is a virtual office hour taking place Monday-Thursday 1-4 pm. You can ask shorter and longer questions, come for conversation practice, help with homework etc. Here is more info about the German Lab – please take advantage of this great resource! Please sign up in advance on the German Lab Signup: instructors will check the signup at the beginning of their German Lab hour, and will leave the lab for that hour if no one has signed up.
“German Convo Home Edition” (Wednesdays 6-6:50) and “German Convo on the Go” (Thursdays 4-5, weather permitting) will take place weekly starting next week. More details:
- “German Convo Home Edition”: Fun with German conversation and games. This event will take place remotely each week, regardless of the weather conditions on the internet (haha). Here is the Zoom link.
- “German Convo on the Go” will take place in person, outdoors, Thursdays from 4-5, weather permitting. Meet at the Bell Tower facing the League between 4-4:10; we’ll head out from there for a chat and stroll. Email Mary Gell to confirm whether the weather will permit the event, or if you are late and need to find the group. Look for Mary in a white hat with the German flag colors, black, yellow and red.
- All students at all levels are welcome to come and chat in German at both meetings!
Look for links to Max Kade events (Kaffeestunde, Deutschtisch, Yoga auf Deutsch) in the “Upcoming Deadlines and Events” section!
LRC Conversation Partner Site
Go to this page to sign up or find a conversation partner. Please notify the LRC if you notice problems (e.g. outdated records etc.). Don’t be shy: the more people sign up, the better the site will work!
Ann Arbor Stammtisch
- We assume Stammtisch is on hiatus for now. Please let us know if you have information about virtual meetings of the Stammtisch, so we can include it here!
- A German Stammtisch meets once a week, usually on Thursdays at 8:00 pm at Grizzly Peak or another bar near Main Street. Join the email list to stay up-to-date on where and when the group will meet.
- There’s also a facebook page: look for “German Table / Stammtisch”
- Alternatively, contact Mechthild Heerde-Olind at heerdeolind@yahoo.com for the current location and for more information.
- This is NOT something you can do to make up an absence, but you can still go for fun and/or write about it for an AMD.
See the “Upcoming Deadlines and Events” section for this week’s German Club activities!
The German Club works to connect students of all levels with a passion for German language and culture to opportunities for language practice, cultural events, and networking! This semester, its events have been adjusted to allow for fully remote participation, and you are encouraged to come to as many or few as you would like! In addition to virtual Stammtisch (German conversation table), the German Club will offer events such as online game nights, virtual German cook-alongs, tutoring, and more.
Email germaneboard@umich.edu to get put on the email list, or “like” the club on Facebook at facebook.com/germanclubumich for updates!
Faculty Advisors Mary Rodena-Krasan & Kalli Federhofer
Contact our two faculty advisors, Mary or Kalli, for advice on study abroad, internships abroad, a German major/minor, upper-level German courses, career opportunities in German, study-abroad and work-abroad opportunities, etc.
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- Click here to see Mary’s and Kalli’s contact info and (frequent!) office hours
- To reach either advisor: germanadvising@umich.edu
- You can also schedule appointments with Mary & Kalli by clicking here
- …and you can contact Kalli via text message (734-277-7341) or via Facebook (Kalli Federhofer)
German Peer Advisors/Mentors
If you would like to get in touch with a peer mentor in our Department, please write to: germanmentors@umich.edu. Their expertise includes:
- Current classes and potential courses
- Study abroad, internship, and traveling in Germany
- Academic requirements (major/minor, LSA language requirement) and combination (engineering, pre-health, etc.)
- Max Kade House
- Departmental scholarships/fellowships
- On- and off-campus German opportunities (German Club, German Day, etc.)
- Career/job search
- Getting involved – enhancing your undergraduate experience with the German Department
- Academic Year in Freiburg 2021/2022 (Monday, March 15; Application Deadline)
- Walter & Florence E. Aupperle Scholarship Fund for German Majors at the University of Michigan (Tuesday, March 2, 3 p.m.; Application Deadline–See Attachment)
- LSA Internship Funding Page
This page will only include entries in this category when there is a job/internship etc. aimed at German students at all levels. To see more internship and job opportunities, scroll through Kalli’s blog, addressed to all upper-level German students
Max-Kade German Residence 2021/2022 (Rolling Application Deadline, extended from Jan 21)
Check out the arts.umich.edu “Attend at Home” event listing for this week. [Replace “18” by “25” in the URL to see next week’s listing in a day or two]. Each week’s listing includes a wide range of exciting events, including
- that week’s Penny Stamps Lecture (A high-profile artist or public figure speaks about their work each week. These lectures are a highlight of UM’s intellectual life. If you aren’t aware of this series, please read more about the Penny Stamps Distinguished Speaker Series here, where you can also see a list of upcoming speakers)
- virtual exhibits, lectures, discussions etc.
There are two German Department facebook groups:
- “German Advising at University of Michigan” [Read news here!]
- Join this group to see much of the information you see in this email, as well as other relevant info, in the form of individual announcement posts.
- “German Program at University of Michigan – Vorwärts Blau!” [Post things here!]
- You are encouraged to join this group to in order to read and post interesting/fun items related to German language and culture. If you have trouble joining the group or posting something, please email Hartmut!
AND there is a German Department facebook page. Check it out: https://www.facebook.com/umichGerman/
You can find weekly updates similar to this email but with lots more content on this blog.
We also encourage you to join us on our LinkedIn site: ‘University of Michigan German Department’
You can also follow us on Twitter: @umichGerman
Conversation Partner Options: Various options for finding conversation partners are listed on this page.
Sign up here for the International Center’s Global Engagement and Education Abroad email list. Weekly emails include info on workshops regarding travel and work abroad, conversation groups, cultural info sessions etc. SEHR interessant!
Study Advice: “Adjusting Your Study Habits During COVID”
- If you are looking for ways to structure studying under these new circumstances, here is some great advice for adjusting your study habits. VIELEN Dank to the German Club’s Paul Chamberlain for finding this. It is full of excellent advice. I am a big fan of the “Pomodoro method” for focussed “mono-tasking.”
- If you are on campus, the Study Spaces at U-M website helps you find and reserve study spaces.
Student Resources for Learning Remotely; Virtual BlueCorps office hours for students
- LSA Technology has created this Learning Remotely Student Resources page.
- BlueCorps is providing face-to-face virtual office hours for students Monday-Friday, 10am to 4pm. Students can drop in by clicking on this link. BlueCorps is also available by email at bluecorps@umich.edu.
Finding German Films and Series
- Check the Telescope website for info on German films and series worth watching, including trailers and details on where they are available online.
- Here is a survey of German film series that you can watch in the US, compiled by the Goethe Insitute.
- Here is another list of German television and shows available on Netflix and Amazon Prime. The rankings seem arbitrary, but the descriptions and availability info are very helpful.