Spring 2019 Newsletter from German, Nordic, Slavic & Dutch
As we move into summer, there are many changes to celebrate in GNSD. Thanks to the success of our faculty search last winter, we are welcoming new assistant professors to the department, Ross Etherton and Jamele Watkins. We’re excited about the fresh perspectives they will bring to our German studies program and the range of their interdisciplinary expertise—more information to come in the future. Also arriving in GNSD this fall is a trio of teachers for Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish who will renew energy across our language programs.
The articles in this newsletter describe how a network of connections extends outward from the department. You’ll read about undergraduates inspired to pursue learning abroad experiences that take them into the world. The piece about Meyer Weinshel, a graduate student drawn to studying translations of German literature into Yiddish, reveals the intersection between his academic pursuits and the language course he’s teaching in the community. And you’ll learn about the ripple effect that spreads ever wider through current and past Mears Fellows who have worked with our College in the Schools program.
If these articles resonate with your own special connections with the department, we hope you will share that news by visiting the Alumni & Friends section of our website. We’re interested in your story and look forward to hearing from you!
Best wishes,
Charlotte Melin
GNSD Chair
“Having the ability to communicate with people outside of your own culture broadens the opportunities for building meaningful relationships both in personal life and in the workplace,” notes Abigail Bauer, a junior pursuing a GSD major and Swedish minor who spent her freshman spring break in Berlin and is now completing her spring semester in Freiburg. Bauer and other students reflect on how learning abroad has enriched their educations and influenced their career trajectories. Read “Learning Abroad Is for Everyone”.
“Culture transcends national borders and has a life of its own,” says PhD candidate Meyer Weinshel, who highlights the need for intercultural literacy and multilingualism. His archival research in traditional texts and translations reveals intersections between German and Yiddish cultures. Read "Translating Culture".
The Hella Mears fellowship strives to uphold the mission of the late Minnesotan philanthropist who had a special dedication to the preservation of German and European research and education in the state. Read on to discover how the Mears fellowship engages the communities of Minnesota through classroom visits, field days, and other innovative initiatives. Read "The Mears Fellowship".
