Teacher Training
Event Information
Current Issues of American Culture in the EFL Classroom: American Studies Seminar 2022
Organised by PD Dr. Julia Nitz & Laura-Isabella Heitz
This is the twenty-fifth 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 religious culture in the USA, social justice and environmentalism, political relations between the US and Eastern Europe, fake news and social media, as well as workshops and teaching inspiration on subjects such as the US and Northern Ireland, zines, and creative writing 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 (22L162001).
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:
 |
 |
 |
 |
Program
| Thursday, November 24 | 15:00 | Arrival and Check in |
| 16:30 |
Welcome and Introduction |
|
| 17:00 |
Opening Lecture:“Multidisciplinary Approaches for Teaching and Learning about Climate Change and Social Justice,”Diane Martinez (Western Carolina University // PH Ludwigsburg)
|
|
|
18:30
|
Fingerfood Buffet (Leucorea)
|
|
| 20:00 |
Reading: Lydia Stryk, The Teachers’ Room |
|
| Friday, 25 November |
8:00
|
Breakfast (Leucorea)
|
| 9:00 |
Lecture: “Religious/Spiritual/None: The New Religious Landscape in the United States,”Kathleen Garces-Foley (Marymount University // Eötvös Lorand University Budapest)
|
|
| 10:00 |
Lecture: “America’s Commitment to Eastern Europe: The Russian Invasion of Ukraine,”Richard Arnold (Muskingum University // University of Wroclaw)
|
|
| 11:00 |
Coffee break
|
|
| 11:30 |
Conversation groups with lecturers
|
|
| 13:00 |
Off time
|
|
| 15:00 |
Workshop I: “Teaching with Zines: Powerful Tools of Self-Regulated Learning in the EFL Classroom,”Melissa Schlecht (Stuttgart University)
|
|
| 16:30 |
Coffee break
|
|
| 17:00 |
Workshop II: “The Northern Ireland Conflict and the Irish American Diaspora,”Grainne Baker ( MLU Halle-Wittenberg)
|
|
| 19:00 |
Thanksgiving Dinner at Best Western Stadtpalais Wittenberg
|
|
| Saturday, November 26 | 8:00 |
Breakfast (Leucorea)
|
| 9:00 |
US Embassy Cultural Work News,Martina Kohl (US Embassy Berlin)
|
|
| 9:30 |
Lecture: “How Fake News Spreads on Social Media and the Internet,”Christopher T. Gullen (Westfield State University)
|
|
| 10:30 |
Workshop III: “Dialogue: A participatory workshop in the art of listening,”Lydia Stryk
|
|
| 11:15 |
Coffee break
|
|
| 11:45 |
Workshop IIIcontinued
|
|
| 13:00 |
Feedback and Farewell
|
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 |