Teacher Training
Event Information
Current Issues of American Culture in the EFL Classroom: American Studies Seminar 2021
Organized by PD Dr. Julia Nitz (MLU Halle-Wittenberg), Marie Schönherr (MLU Halle-Wittenberg), and Laura-Isabella Heitz (MLU Halle-Wittenberg)
This is the twenty-fourth time teachers from across Germany will meet in Wittenberg for a seminar consisting of lectures and discussion periods with the aim of promoting the presence of American Studies in the EFL classroom.
This year’s topics include contemporary Jewish literature, culture, and life in the United States, China, and Saxony-Anhalt, iconic photography in the classroom, as well as workshops and teaching inspiration on subjects such as the American media landscape, animation films, and tools that promote diversity and inclusion in the EFL classroom.
The group consists not only of teacher coordinators but also of advanced teacher students and students who want to become teachers. They are also involved in the organization phase, so that the contents and aims of the seminar are aligned with the needs of teachers and teaching practitioners in general, and also by those who are new to the profession. Thus, the seminar is not only an event for continuing education in the field of American culture and history, but also a platform where teaching practitioners from different areas and at different levels can network and share their experience in teaching America relevant topics.
The seminar is Thillm accredited and a LISA event (#21L162006).
Teachers in Saxony Anhalt are asked to please register online via elTIS and via e-mail at laura-isabella.heitz@amerikanistik.uni-halle.de. Everyone else please register via e-mail (see above).
Sponsored by:
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Program
| Thursday, November 25 | 15:00 | Arrival and Check in |
| 16:30 |
Welcome and Introduction |
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| 17:00 |
Opening Lecture “A New Perspective on Contemporary Jewish-American Literature and Culture”Brian Crawford (Touro College Berlin) |
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| 18:30 |
Dinner (Cafeteria)
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| 20:00 |
Reading: Khristeena Lute, Finding Grace and Grit |
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| Friday, November 26 | 8:00 | Breakfast (Leucorea) |
| 9:00 |
Lecture: “Iconic Photographs in the EFL-Classroom”Johanna Hartmann (MLU Halle-Wittenberg) |
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| 10:00 |
Lecture and Conversation:“Jewish Refugees in Shanghai: History and Historiography”Kevin Ostoyich (Valparaiso University, IN, USA) “Ilan – Jewish Life in Saxony-Anhalt: An Innovative School and Community Outreach Project”Anton Hieke (Museum Synagoge Gröbzig und Jüdische Studien in Halle) |
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| 11:00 | Coffee Break | |
| 11:30 |
Conversation Groups with Lecturers
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| 13:00 |
Off time
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|
| 15:00 |
Workshop I: “Understanding American Media”William Waltz (MLU Halle-Wittenberg)
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| 16:30 |
Coffee Break
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| 17:00 |
Workshop II: “Implementing Organization Tools that Promote Diversity, Equity and Inclusion”Courtney Moffett-Bateau (University of Bremen)
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| 19:00 |
Thanksgiving Session at Best Western Stadtpalais Wittenberg
“Discussion of Cultural Varieties of the Thanksgiving Tradition”Moderator: Julia Nitz (MLU Halle-Wittenberg) |
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| Saturday, November 27 | 8:00 |
Breakfast (Leucorea)
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| 9:00 |
Talk: “Short Animation Films in the EFL-Classroom”Kim Lisa Röding (MLU Halle-Wittenberg)
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| 10:00 |
Workshop III: “Stop Motion Animations”InterACT English (Berlin)
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| 11:00 |
Coffee break
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| 11:30 |
Workshop III
continued |
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| 12:30 |
Feedback and Farewell
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| 14:00 |
Tour of Wittenberg
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Venue
Leucorea
The conference will be held at the Leucorea Foundation in the city of Wittenberg.
Situated in the heart of Wittenberg, the Leucorea Foundation represents an ideal conference venue providing ample space for conference sessions as well as for lodging and board for all participants.
For further information please visit the Leucorea Foundation’s website.
The address of the Leucorea Foundation is:
Stiftung Leucorea
Collegienstraße 62
06886 Lutherstadt Wittenberg
Accommodation
Leucorea
Situated in the heart of Wittenberg, the Leucorea Foundation represents an ideal conference venue providing ample space for conference sessions as well as for lodging and board for all participants.
With direct access to Wittenberg’s central pedestrian area, the Leucorea is located in close proximity to the Luther House, in which Martin Luther spent most of his active life, and St. Mary’s Church with the famous altar designed by Lucas Cranach the Elder.
You will be lodging at the Leucorea in single rooms (unless booked otherwise). The rooms at the Leucorea are fully equipped with en-suite bathrooms, television, telephone, and internet access. Catering service will supply us with breakfast and coffee/tea during breaks.
For further information please visit the Leucorea Foundation’s website.
Directions
By train
Take a train to Lutherstadt Wittenberg Hauptbahnhof (main station).
You can check timetables and book a ticket on the website of the Deutsche Bahn AG.
The walking distance from the train station to the Leucorea is approx. 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a taxi.
By car
The address of the Leucorea, Collegienstraße, is a pedestrian area only. Therefore, please enter ‘Wallstraße’ into your GPS. This street will lead you to the Leucorea’s (rather limited) parking area and also offers further public parking areas.
Contact
PD Dr. Julia NitzOrganizer Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg |