Dear all,
Willkommen im Wintersemester 🙂
There are class email lists for all sections of German 101-231. I will send a message roughly once a week. 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 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, “Schokoladenstunde” (Thursdays 3-4 in 3110 MLB, starting on Jan 12) and “Kreativwerkstatt” (Tuesdays 2-3, location TBA, starting on Jan 17) will take place in person weekly – look for more details in these weekly emails. All students at all levels are welcome to come to both events. You can earn 2 “A&P Tally” make-up points by attending.
In addition, all students are welcome to participate in weekly German Club events and in “Kaffeestunde” and “Deutschtisch.” Kaffeestunde and Deutschtisch are coordinated through the Max Kade German Residence. Look for more details in future emails! You can earn 2 “A&P Tally” make-up points by attending any of these events! (German Club, Kaffeestunde, Deutschtisch)
The “German Lab” is a virtual office hour taking place Monday-Thursday 1-4 pm. It will open on Monday 1/9. 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.
Mary Rodena-Krasan will hold an information session about the different study-abroad opportunities on Wednesday, January 11, 4-5 p.m.
If you are interested in studying abroad in Freiburg during the academic year 2023-2024, you should apply by Wednesday, February 1.
All German majors and minors in this group may be interested in applying for the Walter & Florence E. Aupperle Scholarship, which provides an annual scholarship of $5,000 for up to six of our students. In order to qualify, you need to demonstrate financial need. The application deadline of Thursday, February 9, 3 p.m.
Undergraduates from our classes have published “Schriftlich,” an electronic journal of student work submitted in classes. The E-Board of “Schriftlich” is looking for new members. You will learn more about this opportunity soon.
In case your schedule may still change this semester, here is the list of German dept. classes offered in Winter 2023. Please note that even if you already know your plans for German language classes, the list also includes a wide variety of interesting courses in English. If you have questions please contact our advisors, Mary and Kalli. We also strongly encourage you to contact one of the German Peer Mentors, who are undergraduates and who have taken/are taking our German courses. See the “German Courses & Majoring/Minoring in German” section below for contact info.
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)
A link to their current office hours will always be 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.
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
- Finding German Films and Series Online – Miscellaneous
- Chrome Extension for Dual-Language Subtitles – Miscellaneous
Conversation hours: “Schokoladenstunde” (Thursdays 3-4 in 3110 MLB, starting on Jan 12) and “Kreativwerkstatt” (Tuesdays 2-3, location TBA, starting on Jan 17)
“Corsage” – Director: Marie Kreutzer, 2022 (Thursday, January 5; 7:45 p.m., Michigan Theater)
Study Abroad Information Session (Wednesday, January 11; 4-5 p.m., MLB 3110 – German Department Lounge)
German Film Series – “From Swastika to Jim Crow” – Directors: Lori Cheatle and Martin B. Toub, 2000 (Thursday, January 12; 5-6 p.m., North Quad Room 2435)
UROP International at Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen – Summer 2023 (Sunday, January 15; Application Deadline)
US Teaching Assistantship Program (for English) in Austria 2023-2024 (Sunday, January 15; Application Deadline)
Academic Year in Freiburg 2023-2024 (Wednesday, February 1; Application Deadline)
International Programs in Engineering: Engineering Laboratory Experience at TUB Berlin (Wednesday, February 8; Application Deadline)
$5,000 – $20,000 Walter & Florence E. Aupperle Scholarships for German Majors/Minors at the University of Michigan (Thursday, February 9; 3 p.m., Application Deadline)
Two regular conversation hours, “Schokoladenstunde” (Thursdays 3-4 in 3110 MLB) and “Kreativwerkstatt” (Tuesdays 2-3, location TBA) will take place in person weekly.
- Schokoladenstunde: the group will play games, chat, and enjoy some German chocolate, starting 1/12/23.
- Kreativwerkstatt: Want to improve your German? Love expressing yourself creatively, either digitally or with physical materials? Do you have a hobby like crafting, painting, drawing, journaling, photography and photo editing, knitting, sewing, crochet, quilting, embroidery, creative writing, character creation, (video) game making? At our weekly German “Kreativwerkstatt,” we’ll combine speaking German (any level welcome, beginners included!!) and creatively expressing ourselves. You’re encouraged to bring your own materials or (ongoing) projects, but we will also provide some materials and prompts each week. During sessions, we’ll start with some inspiration in German, such as music, a poem, a meditation, or German art, and then we’ll chat while we work on our projects – individually or collaboratively in pairs/groups if you like. At the end of the semester, we’ll host a little art show showcasing examples of our work. Of course, you’ll receive 2 attendance credit points for coming to this extracurricular activity. We’re meeting Tuesdays from 2 pm to 3 pm; location TBA, starting 1/17/2023.
- All students at all levels are welcome to come to both events. You can earn 2 “A&P Tally” make-up points by attending.
In addition, all students are welcome to participate in the Max Kade German Residence’s weekly “Deutschtisch” (Wednesdays 6-7 p.m.) and “Kaffeestunde” (Mondays 4-5 p.m.) in North Quad. Please wait for confirmation that/whether these times (from last Fall) will be the same this Winter. Both events allow you to practice your German in an informal manner. You can earn 2 “A&P Tally” make-up points by attending Max Kade events!
LRC Conversation Partner Site Check out this site to find a conversation partner, and/or register so others can find you on the site. 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!
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.
In addition, the German Peer Mentors would like to offer additional help, either as a conversation partner or help with grammar, to our beginning language learners. Catharina, who is a native speaker, has reserved a room in the Language Resource Center (in North Quad): Alcove B, Thursdays 4-5pm, every week beginning this week! Please take advantage of this great opportunity!
Ann Arbor Stammtisch
- 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.
Check the “Upcoming Deadlines and Events” section to see upcoming German Club events. You can earn 2 “A&P Tally” make-up points by attending any of these events!
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. You are encouraged to come to as many or few events as you would like!
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 2023-2024 (Wednesday, February 1; Application Deadline)
- UROP International at Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen – Summer 2023 (Sunday, January 15; Application Deadline)
- US Teaching Assistantship Program (for English) in Austria 2023-2024 (Sunday, January 15; Application Deadline)
- International Programs in Engineering: Engineering Laboratory Experience at TUB Berlin (Wednesday, February 8; Application Deadline)
- $5,000 – $20,000 Walter & Florence E. Aupperle Scholarships for German Majors/Minors at the University of Michigan (Thursday, February 9; 3 p.m., Application Deadline)
- 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]
There is a German Department facebook group, and a German Department facebook page:
- “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 Department facebook page: Check it out!
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!
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.
Chrome Extension for Dual-Language Subtitles
A German 101 student has found a Google Chrome extension that allows for subtitles in two languages, and has found this very helpful for watching e.g. “Dark” in German for his AMDs. I have not had time to try this, but if you find the dual language subtitles in the “Easy German” videos helpful, then this may be worth checking out. The extension is called Language Reactor.